President Aquino pushes for more projects in Mindanao to boost its power sources; vows to resolve region's energy crisis in 2015

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental) President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed on Saturday that his government will resolve the energy crisis in Mindanao in 2015 by establishing power plants in the region.

In his speech during his meeting with local leaders and the community at the Misamis University Gymnasium here, the Chief Executive said the government is pushing for projects particularly in the energy sector to boost the power sources in Mindanao.

The President said the government started taking measures to effectively address the power crisis in Mindanao as he assured assured that the plants will produce sufficient energy to sustain the needs of the residents and business sector in Mindanao by 2015.

He thanked the people of Misamis Occidental who affirm his administration’s commitment to tread the straight and righteous path in transforming the Philippines into a progressive nation.

"Masigasig nating itinatama ang mali, at iwinawaksi ang mga gawaing tiwali. At kung dati, para bang tanggap na ng marami ang pagiging kulelat ng bansa dahil sa matamlay na ekonomiya, ngayon, kinikilala na tayo ng mundo sa kakayahan nating makipagsabayan sa kaunlaran," the President said.

"Lahat po ng ito ay dahil sa pagtitiwala ng ating mga Boss – ang sambayanang Pilipino – ang nagpunla, nagdilig, at patuloy na nagpapalago ng makabuluhang pagbabago. Gaya ng lagi kong bukambibig: Kayo ang gumawa nito," he said.

Accordimg to the President, the government remains committed to strengthening the country's fiscal position, intensify investments in infrastructure and enhance the business, agriculture and tourism sectors.

"Ang hangad po natin: kung anong paghakbang pasulong ng mga lungsod sa Luzon o Visayas, ay ganoon din ang ikukumpas, kundi man higit pa, sa Mindanao. Naiangat na natin ng dalawandaan at animnapu’t walong porsiyento ang pondo ng DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development); pitumpu’t walong porsiyento naman sa DOH (Department of Health); apatnapu’t apat na porsiyento sa DepEd (Department of Education); at dalawampu’t tatlong porsiyento sa DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways)— ginawa po natin ang lahat ng ito nang hindi nagtataas ng buwis," he said.

The President also stressed that the institutionalization of educational reforms remain his administration’s top priority in order to improve the country's educational system.

"Ngayong napunuan na natin ang backlog sa mga aklat at upuan, at mawawakasan na rin natin ang 66,800 na kakulangan sa classroom bago matapos ang taon," he said.

He assured the people that his administration will continue to provide government funding for various infrastructure projects to further develop the commercial and tourism industries in the province.

"Nariyan po ang pagpapalawak ng serbisyong hatid ng inyong Ozamis at Plaridel Port, pati na rin ng Ozamis Airport— na higit na magpapaunlad sa inyong komersiyo at turismo. Nariyan din ang pagsasaayos ng inyong Ozamis City Coastal Bypass Road at ng Ozamis-Oroquieta Road, na susuporta naman sa mas maginhawang daloy ng kalakal, at sa pagdagsa sa inyo ng mga turista. Ang mga imprastraktura’t kalsadang ito ay magbibigay-daan sa mas maraming pagkakataong umasenso para sa mga kababayan nating Misamisnon," he said.

He said the Department of Agriculture (DA) has instituted several programs to boost the country's rice production.

"Ngayong malapit na tayong maging self-sufficient sa bigas, o kung papalarin ay magiging exporter pa, bago rin matapos ang taong ito," he said.

Anchored on the principle of "Tuwid na Daan," the President pointed out that his government was able to build on the gains of the anti-corruption campaign and reduce poverty.

He also expressed hope that his administration's allies in the local government will finally resolve the problem on violence in the province.

Malacanang allays fear of water shortage during the summer heat; says summer heat is still manageable

Malacanang allayed fears that the “higher temperatures” being experienced in the country would lead to a water shortage, saying the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has projected that the summer heat would last until the second week of May.

In an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Sunday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the heat and humidity being felt was nothing to worry about.

“Since it is summer and we are experiencing higher temperatures this particular summer season, wala pa namang nagfa-flag na…at this point we really should be worried,” Valte said as she noted that unlike several years ago when the state weather bureau had already begun raising alarms on the lack of rainfall.

“Hopefully, sabi naman ng PAGASA that this kind of weather is projected to stay until the second week of May and we can expect the start of the rainy season then,” she added.

“So hopefully, at this point, the summer heat is still manageable,” Valte said.

Senator Guingona III commends AFP and PNP for rescuing his mother

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 25 (PIA) -- Senator Teofisto Guingona III expressed his gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) during a press conference at the Philippine Information Agency region 10 last April 22.

The senator, together with former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and his sister, Marie Guingona Lamb attended the conference concerning the ambush on April 20 that wounded the senator’s mother, Gingoog City Mayor Ruth de Lara Guingona and her staff in Misamis Oriental.

“I would like to thank and commend the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police for their assistance in rescuing my mother,” Guingona said.

“Iisa lang ang may karapatang magpatupad ng batas, yun ang President at sa ilalim ng President ay ang mga institusyon, tulad ng AFP at PNP,” he said. (There is only one who have the right to implement the law and that is the President. Under the President are the institutions like the AFP and PNP.)

Guingona added that only the AFP and PNP have the right to exercise and implement the law, conduct checkpoints and use firearms.

He said despite what happened, their family will continue its legacy of service in the community of Gingoog City.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Guingona said they had a lot of experiences in tragedies and they have learned a lesson in life, to take it for what it really means and act accordingly, to be able to cope with what happened.

He added that he is also hoping that the rest of the days be filled with non-animosity and friendly rivalry toward a clean and honest election.

Reports say an armed group attacked the convoy of Gingoog Mayor Ruth de Lara Guingona and her companions at around 10:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, killing a bodyguard and a driver and wounding the mayor. (Sweet Elah A. Mahinay/PIA10)

Comelec bans names, logos, images of candidates in PDAF projects

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 25 (PIA) -- Candidates running for office in the upcoming May 2013 elections are not allowed to distribute election paraphernalia containing their names, logos, initials, motto, slogans, images and other forms of representation Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) projects.

This is among the conditions that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set in granting certificates of exception in the release of the PDAF and other state funds, which may be allowed pursuant to Comelec Resolution 9660 promulgated last March 22.

The resolution provides that the projects, programs and activities (PPAs) sought to be implemented during the prohibited period of March 29, 2013 to May 13, 2013 must have been established before the said period.

It also states that the PPAs must have been reported to the Commission on Audit (COA) pursuant to its Circular 2013-004 dated January 30, 2013 about the information and publicity on programs/projects/activities of government agencies."

The resolution also provides that in no instance will the implementation of PPAs be used as an opportunity by any candidate, his or her spouse, family member within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity, political parties, party-list organizations and their nominees to further their candidacy through their personal appearance in such events.

Posting, exhibiting or distributing any form of election propaganda, or any material containing their names, logos, initials, motto, slogans, images and other forms of representation attributable to them is also prohibited.

Meanwhile, support for or endorsement of candidates, party-list organizations and political parties will not be made a condition for the entitlement of the benefits from the PPAs.

Should the PPAs involve distribution of cash, goods or merchandise for scholarships, assistance for burial, healthcare, calamity and other similar programs, candidates, party-list nominees, their spouses, and members of their family within the second civil degree of affinity or consanguinity are strictly prohibited from participating, directly or indirectly, in the distribution. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DILG-10 orients LGUs on Full Disclosure Policy Portal

By Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 25 -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government in region 10 has conducted an orientation-workshop for municipal information technology focal persons on the Full Disclosure Policy Portal (FDPP) at the Local Government Resource Center (LGRC) here.

Regional Director Rene K. Burdeos said the activity is in line with Republic Act (RA) 10352 or the General Appropriations Act FY 2013, RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines and the Full Disclosure Policy as stated in DILG Memorandum Cicular 2010-83.

These require the posting of local budget finances, bids and public offerings and status of programs and projects including the utilization of Local Risk Reduction Management Fund (LDRRMF) in three conspicuous places in the LGU and in the FDPP.

By logging on to the FDPP at fdpp.dilg.gov.ph, the public can view important documents of LGUs such as annual budget reports, annual procurement plans, statement of debt service, statement of receipts and expenditures, Special Education Fund (SEF) income expenditure and estimate, and Gender and Development accomplishment reports.

Also available in the FDPP are quarterly reports which inlcude: reports on SEF utilization, trust fund utilization, items to bid, bid results, abstract of bids, 20 percent component of internaI revenue allotment utilization, LDRRMF utilization and monthly supplemental procurement plans.

Through the portal, the difficulties faced by LGUs in posting the required documents, such as the absence of a website and the prohibitive cost of print space will be addressed.

Focal persons uploaded their financial documents in the portal for the last part of the activity. (Liza D. Ladres/DILG/PIA10)

General assembly of stakeholders to be part of opening rites for SY 2013-2014

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 25 (PIA) -- All schools are expected to conduct a general assembly to orient stakeholders on the curriculum and co-curricular programs and ancillary services lined-up for the year as part of its opening rites.

This is among the guidelines set by the Department of Education (DepEd) relative to School Year 2013-2014, consisting of 201 days, which is set to open on June 3, 2013 and end on March 31, 2014.

Education Secretary Armin A. Luistro, in DepEd Order 10, series of 2013, said the calendar includes four days of semestral break for the in-service training (INSET) of teachers and the parent-teacher conference to be held on the last Saturday of the month before the end of every quarter.

Luistro said the conference aims to inform the parents of the progress of their children and ensure parental involvement in school activities.

For the secondary level, the first parent-teacher conference will be on a Saturday at the end of the first month of the quarter so that early on, parents and teachers can work on improving learning and track the student's progress.

Meanwhile, the last week of every quarter will be the culminating performance of the students. There will be an exhibit or exhibition of pupils/students products and performances to demonstrate attainment of performance standards.

For the secondary level, the general orientation will include a career exposure program for first to third year students to acquaint them with several career pathways which they can opt to pursue.

Luistro said a career guidance program for those in their last year in school will be conducted between July 2013 and March 2014 in preparation for careers or courses they prefer to pursue after high school. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)