P1.8M coastal tourism project gets approval 

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, April 19 (PIA) -- The 24-hectare Bonbon Pasil Marine Protected Area (MPA) will soon get some lift following the release of assistance from the Camiguin Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP).

The CRMP, through its Enterprise Development Committee, has endorsed the approval of the Pasil Eco-Tourism Support Services Enterprise Project with a corresponding cost of P1.8 million.

This project is designed as an enterprise and will be operated under the Municipal Economic Development Office (MEEDO).

The Bonbon Pasil sanctuary houses the island’s famous ‘sunken cemetery’, which assures a steady flow of visiting tourist in the area.

Among the improvements identified to build up its economic activity are the promotion of the sanctuary as one of the best diving site in the province, availability of glass-bottom boat for fun and educational activities, and the marine mammal interaction.

Target beneficiaries of this project are the local fisherfolks- their participation in the operation as providers of various services.

They will be trained as operators of service boats, snorkeling guides, boatmen, information guides, as well as, photography trick assistants.

Souvenir and native culinary products will also be made available in the area’s tourist center.

Meanwhile, after amending the Bonbon Pasil MPA, now renamed as the Municipal Coastal Resource Management Code of 2011, the protection and control inside the sanctuary, according to the MEEDO, have shown some good improvements. (JCV/PIA) 

CSC conducts gender sensitivity training

By Marie-Zil G. Malinao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 19 (PIA) -- The Civil Service Commission (CSC) ran a one-day gender sensitivity seminar here in Pearlmont Inn Cagayan de Oro City, Thursday.

The orientation covered basic concepts of sex and gender and practical exercises such as the “Sapot ng Gagamba” (spider’s web - identifying gender related issues and problems), “Pitik Palak” (click and clap- to determine participants concept about men and women), and the “Masali” (acronym for magulang, salinlahi, and lipunan- parents, new generation, and society).

Participants likewise viewed a documentary on “Women in our lives,” which showed various gender biases.

CSC region 10 director, Atty. Lourdes Clavite-Vidal says this activity aims to remove actual and potential gender biases by focusing on the principle that development is for all.

“Everyone in society, female or male, has the right to equal opportunities to achieve a full and satisfying life,” she said.

According to CSC, more than 30 participants attended the training, coming from various government offices within the region. (MGM/JCV-PIA) 

NUJP reminds journalists to be responsible in doing election coverage

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) reminded journalists to be responsible in covering the 2013 national and local elections.

NUJP Chairperson Rowena Paraan said journalists play a crucial role during elections and how they do their coverage have implications to the public.

“Journalists are active participants in the election process as they inform voters about what type of persons are asking for their votes and what they stand for,” she said.

She said if journalists will not be sensible and responsible in their coverage, it will reflect on how the community responds to the issues.

If the public is not actively responding to the relevance of the issues, it means ‘nagkulang ang media’, she further.

Paraan, who was resource speaker of the one-day training on election reporting for Lanao media, also told journalists to look behind the campaign finance issues.

She said campaign finance is largely ignored and under reported because most of the election coverage ends after the proclamation of winners.

Republic Act 9476, which limits the expenditure of candidates for every voter, requires candidates to file a sworn statement of election contributions and expenditures not later than 30 days after the day of election.

Other topics discussed during the training include the basics on Philippine elections, COMELEC guidelines in covering elections, looking beyond the campaign slogans of politicians, ethical concerns and media safety during election coverage.

The training, held yesterday at Tabe’s Place in Iligan City, was participated by more than 30 print and broadcast journalists and volunteer election reporters in the two Lanao provinces.

It is part of NUJP’s series of election coverage workshops being held in the different parts of the country to help journalists conduct professional coverage of the coming 2013 national and local elections.

Aside from the training, Paraan said the NUJP will also monitor if there are incidents of harassments and intimidation to any member of the media the elections. (APB/PIA-10)

CdeO barangay qualify as LTIA National Finalist

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 18 -- After thorough evaluation and assessment, the Department of Interior and Local Government region 10, together with the members of the Regional Awards Team (RAT), recognized Barangay Kauswagan, this city, as the Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa under the Highly Urbanized Cities Category in the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA) for CY 2013.

DILG-10 Regional Director Rene K. Burdeos commended Barangay Kauswagan for being a consistent regional LTIA awardee in 2011 and 2012 in the same category, and officially the regional nominee to the National Awardee Committee for LTIA CY 2013.

The LTIA Regional Assessment was held at DILG Regional Office 10, Conference Room with the presence of the assessment team led by Director Burdeos, Atty. Irene A. Meso of the Dept. of Justice, Police Chief Rustom C. Duran of the Philippine National Police of Regional Office, Wilbur V. Gonzales, Urban Poor representative of Group Foundation, Inc., and Atty. Johnson G. Reyes Managing Director of National Police Commission (NaPolCom).

The lupons were evaluated by committees organized at the regional, provincial and municipal levels on the basis of a) efficiency of operations; b) effectiveness in securing the katarungang pambarangay objectives and c) creativity and resourcefulness of mediators.

LTIA was established pursuant to Executive Order 394, also known as the Establishing of the Lupong Tagapamayapa Awards, signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos, to give recognition to the Lupong Tagapamayapa’s contribution in the promotion of the Katarungang Pambarangay objectives which is to help the government solve the overwhelming number of cases being filed and in providing services to address the needs of the people at the barangay level.

Also, Section 406(b) of Republic Act 7160 (the Local Government Code of 1991) mandates the DILG to grant economic or other incentives to outstanding Lupons. (Ana Celeste W. Felisilda/DILG/PIA10)

4ID New Operations Officer assumes

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, April 18 -- A simple turn-over ceremony of the new Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division was held at the Command Conference Room, April 17.

Lieutenant Colonel George L Banzon assumed the position as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation.

Prior to this assignment, Lt Colonel Banzon held various positions in the Philippine Army such as; the Operation Officer of 403RD Infantry Brigade in 2005; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, G3 of 4ID in 2006; Group Commander, 4TH Army Training Group, Training Doctrine and Command Philippine Army in 2009; Commanding Officer, 4TH Division Training Unit 2010; and his most recent designation was being the Battalion Commander of the 58TH Infantry “Dimalulupig” Battalion based in Migbanday, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Lieutenant Colonel Banzon in his message committed to continue the effort in improving the operational capability of the Division. He added that he will strictly implement existing standard operating procedures and policies in relation to military operation, and will exert efforts to formulate more policies to improve more the systems in place.

Colonel Maurito L Licudine, relinquished his command and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support extended by the officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees of the office during his two years tenure as the Divisions Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation, G3. He also expressed deep gratitude to the Commander, 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division for the trust and confidence on him letting him continue to serve in position which he held for more than two years.

Major General Nestor A Añonuevo, Commander, 4ID, extended his congratulations to Col Licudine as the outgoing Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation, G3 and to Ltc Banzon as the incoming Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation, G3.

“I’m very thankful to Col Licudine for his dedication of service as Assistant Chief of Staff for Operation, G3 and for his contributions to the accomplishment of the command’s missions which helped in improving the peace, security and development in the Division’s Area of Responsibility. To Ltc Banzon, you have my confidence that you are the right person for the position, your experiences prepared you for this and I believed that you can equal or even surpass what Col Licudine had accomplished,” Major General Añonuevo said. (4CMO/4ID/PA/PIA10)