Malacanang says three annexes of peace pact undergoing intensive scrutiny to 'pass muster'

Malacanang said on Sunday that the reason for the alleged “slow progress” of the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was due to the intensive scrutiny being done on the three remaining annexes of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement in order to “pass muster.”

In a press briefing aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government did not want a repeat of the earlier memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain that also detailed the Bangsamoro homeland but was met with strong public opposition.

“Given that the last three remaining annexes contain some heavy issues so to speak, the government is really taking a close look at…given the experience sa mga nakaraan tulad ng MOA-AD, ayaw po natin maulit yoon at gusto po natin siguraduhin na yung mga nilalaman ng mga annexes, that the contents of the annexes will pass muster,” Valte said.

“…naiintindihan naman po natin yung nagiging agam-agam doon sa pagtagal but rest assured that both panels are working with each other on these issues,” she added.

Once passed into law, the Framework of Agreement on the Bangsamoro will pave the way for the establishment of the new autonomous political entity, the Bangsamoro, to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The agreement was signed on the afternoon of October 15, 2012, in ceremonies held at Malacañan Palace, witnessed by President Benigno S. Aquino III, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, and other dignitaries

President Aquino declares June 27 as special non-working day in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental in celebration of its 6th Charter Day

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared June 27, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working) day in El Salvador City in the province of Misamis Oriental in celebration of its 6th Charter Day.

The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 592 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on June 6 to give the people of El Salvador the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

On June 27, 2007, El Salvador became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 9435.

President Aquino leads oath-taking of Senators, Liberal Party governors and elected officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

President Benigno S. Aquino III led Thursday the oath-taking in Malacanang of administration senators, Liberal Party governors and elected officials of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Among the coalition senators who took their oath of office at the Palace were Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Sen. Edgardo “Sonny” Angara.

The LP governors who were sworn in were Junie Cua (Qurino province), Carmencita Reyes (Marinduque), Mario Gene Mendiola (Occidental Mindoro), Alfonso Umali (Oriental Mindoro), Eduardo Firmalo (Romblon), Joey Salceda (Albay), Edgar Tallado (Camarines Norte), Arthur Defensor Sr. (Iloilo)

Victor Tanco (Capiz), Samuel Gumarin (Guimaras), Exequiel Javier (Antique), Ed Chatto (Bohol), Hilario Davide III (Cebu), Zaldy Villa (Siquijor), Gerardo Espina Jr (Biliran), Conrad Nicart (Eastern Samar), Dominic Petilla (Leyte), Roberto Uy (Zamboanga del Norte), Arturo Uy (Compostela Valley), Rodolfo del Rosario (Davao del Norte),

Johnny Pimentel (Surigao del Sur), Mujiv Hataman (ARMM), Jum Akbar (Basilan), Mamintal Adiong Sr (Lanao del Sur), Esmael Mangudadatu (Maguindanao), Abdusakur Tan II (Sulu), Nurbert Sahali (Tawi-Tawi), Jocel Baac (Kalinga), and Elias Bulut Jr (Apayao).

For the ARMM Regional Legislative Assembly, those who took their oath of office were Ahmad Ali (Basilan lone district), Ziaur Adiong-Rahman and Docjan Pandi (Lano del Sur first district), Yasser Balindong, Alex Menor and Hosni Macapodi (Lanao del Sur second district), Roonie Sinsuat, Cahar Ibay and Harold Tomawis (Maguindanao first district)

Khadafeh Mangudadatu, Tunggal Piang and Datu Guiadzali Midtimbang (Maguindanao second district), Nedra Burahan, Ben Tulawie and Rizal Tingkahan Jr (Sulu first district), Ridija Anni, Moh Bhydir Sarapuddin and Khalil Hajibin (Sulu second district), Sulay Halipa, Myrna Ajihil and Rodolfo Bawasanta (Tawi-Tawi lone district).

CDO-TransCo to operate affordable shuttle service in Laguindingan airport

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 14 (PIA) -- The Commuters Drivers Operators Transportation Cooperative (CDO-TransCo) will provide ferrying services in the new Laguindingan airport. The group will transport passengers to and from Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and even from the highway.

On June 12, Independence Day, the group received initial 20 shuttle units which will be used for the new airport.

The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and Ang Ating Coop partylist have converged in this project to empower and provide assistance to this cooperative to help them materialize their goal.

CDA Regional Director Orlando R. Ravanera said this is indeed empowerment. Normally, ordinary drivers are not owners of vehicle units. But now through the cooperative and help of various institutions, drivers get to own these units.

After seeing the viability and need of this livelihood, DBP approved their loan of P10 million and through Representative Atty. Isidro Q. Lico of Ang Ating COOP party list and their livelihood dispersal program, the group received P1million check to pay for the bank’s required equity.

Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Regional Director Mandanagan P. Darimbang also expressed commitment to process three franchises for this group. One is from Laguindingan to Cagayan de Oro, another one from the airport to Iligan City and from the airport to the highway and vice-versa.

The tariff which was undergone through workshop and seminar with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) this region was pegged at Php200 per passenger, less than half compared to a P600 taxi fare to the same destination. DTI wanted to make sure that transportation rate was uniform and reasonable.

The air-conditioned shuttle will only hold maximum of six passengers and will have simultaneous take off for each destination. They will also practice maximum travel time and will allocate five units spare and on-call for traffic monitoring in case something happens, they have back up units.

Further, the group also tied up with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to be ambassadors of goodwill and also with the Department of Health (DOH) for health and sanitation. Drivers are trained to be courteous and with proper hygiene.

According to Eugene M. Pabualan, chair of Oro Savings and Sharing Cooperative here that this program is a showcase of the Credit Surety Fund (CSF).

Initiated in August 2008, the CSF is a credit enhancement scheme of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) created by the pooling of cash contributions from participating cooperatives, local government units and partner institutions. This fund will serve as surety for loans extended by banks to micro, small, and medium enterprises participating in the CSF Program, in lieu of hard collaterals.

This scheme seeks to improve the bankability of cooperatives and businessmen short on capital who are often confronted with difficulty in obtaining loan accommodations due to lack of collateral, credit knowledge, and credit track record. Under the CSF Program, credit facilities may now be accessed even in the absence of hard collaterals through the issuance of a surety cover by the CSF in favor of the lending bank.

Through cooperatives and through this endeavor, coop members are empowered to have their own vehicles for livelihood and be able to control their own resources. This is one step to freedom from poverty and freedom from hunger, director Ravanera said.

TransCo was organized in 2010 and currently has 35 direct members while they also have 300 associate members. (JMOR/PIA10)

PNP sets up anti-bullying action center in schools

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, June 14 (PIA) --The Philippine National Police (PNP) is setting-up action centers in public schools here to address the problem of bullying inside and outside schools and campuses.

PO2 Esnairah M. Lucman, president of the Lanao del Sur PNP Lady Officers Club, said a desk officer will be assigned in each of the School Anti-Bullying Action Center (SABAC) to receive complaints of students and teachers.

She said they have coordinated with the school principals in the city to delegate the school’s guidance counsellor or assign a staff from the school to serve as SABAC desk officer.

The SABAC desk officer will then communicate with the Women and Children Protection (WCPD) Desk Officer of the PNP in case of bullying complaints or other security concerns of the school, she said.

According to Lucman, the PNP will also be conducting spontaneous schools visitation to inquire if there are bullying incidents in the schools and campuses.

As of this time, six SABAC mother units have been established by the PNP. (APB/PIA-10)

PNP Marawi beefs up campaign on anti-bullying, riots in school

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, June 14 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has beefed up its campaign against bullying and riots in schools and campuses here by conducting school-to-school information drive.

The information drive through schools visitation started during the opening of classes to ensure the total safety of students and teachers, said PO2 Esnairah M. Lucman, President of the Lanao del Sur PNP Lady Officers Club.

She said PNP is holding schools visitation to inform students where they can go in case they are being bullied or for other security concerns they would like to report.

Aside from anti-bullying, the PNP is also conducting orientations on anti-riot, juvenile justice act, and the act on special protection of children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

Lucman said they have so far conducted schools visitation in Angoyao National High School, Marawi City National High School, Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School, Mindanao State University (MSU) Lanao National College of Arts and Trade (LNCAT) and University Training Center (UTC), and Marawi City Pilot Elementary School.

She further said they will continue this information drive to other public and private schools in the city until the end of the semester or academic year.

I will also be calling police women assigned in the 39 municipalities of the province to start holding the same orientation, she added.

During the school visitations, Lucman reminded the students that bringing of deadly weapons in campuses and smoking of cigarettes, particularly among minors, inside public schools are prohibited.

She said the PNP has also reprimanded vendors and mini-stall owners near schools and campuses not to sell cigarettes. (APB/PIA-10)

UN agency official cites energy firm for community development efforts

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental, June 14 -– United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) country representative to the Philippines Dr. Suresh Chandra Raj lauded energy-firm STEAG State Power Inc (SPI) for initiating various community development programs and projects that have contributed to the social and economic development of its host communities in Mindanao.

Dr. Raj visited recently the 210 MW (net) Mindanao coal-fired power plant of STEAG State Power Inc. in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental to look into some of the region’s current best-practices on industry and community stakeholders collaboration.

He cited SPI’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs that address local concerns on education, health, sanitation, disaster-management, local governance enhancement, and environmental conservation, and how the company has established strong partnerships with other stakeholders and local government entities.

“I congratulate Steag for its good CSR programs and I am happy to see that such initiatives have gained fruition worthy of emulation and replication by other industries in the country,” Dr. Raj said.

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mandate of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition.

Over the years, SPI has worked closely with agencies of the local and national government, including private and civil society organizations in the region, in implementing various poverty-reduction programs and projects.

More than PhP 5.8 million worth of public education improvement projects had been implemented so far in its host communities in Misamis Oriental.

Moreover, SPI together with the German Development Agency DEG is also undertaking a P16.9 million LGU capability building project in six areas of Misamis Oriental including Cagayan de Oro City for poverty-reduction planning and program implementation.

A P31.97 million electrification project is also underway for the energization of some 39 villages in Northern Mindanao.

SPI is also undertaking a 1,200 hectare reforestation project in Cagayan de Oro City and a 16.4 hectare mangrove rehabilitation and development in coastal areas of Misamis Oriental. (Jerome R. Soldevilla/SPI/PIA10)

Lanao del Norte LGU launches Radyo Kalambuan

By Vincent N. Labial

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, June 14 -– The provincial government of Lanao del Norte together with the National Nutrition Council (NNC) of Department of Health officially launched DXNE-FM dubbed as ‘Radyo Kalambuan’ on June 6, 2013 at Mindanao Civic Center stadium, in the capital town Tubod.

The launching and ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Governor Khalid Dimaporo and NNC Executive Director Maria Bernardita Flores.

This is the first radio station to operate in this fast-rising municipality and the latest addition to the Nutriskwela Community Radio Network which now boasts of 25 stations nationwide.

Under the memorandum of agreement between Lanao del Norte LGU and NNC, DXNE is a non-stock, non-profit FM radio station with the primary purpose of promoting nutritious daily food intake, and a healthy, more active lifestyle.

The province is part of the third batch of communities to be benefit from the expanded Nutriskwela Community Radio Network Program of NNC.

“We are very thankful to Assistant Secretary Bernie Flores for giving us this station. This is one of my dream projects since I sat down as governor of the province and now it has finally become a reality,” expressed Governor Dimaporo.

DXNE-FM is currently broadcasting with the power of 100 watts and assigned by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to transmit with the frequency of 94.3Mhz. According to Governor Dimaporo plans are underway to increase the station’s power to 1-thousand watts.

Presently, DXNE can be heard in the cities of Ozamiz and Tangub, and in the coastal towns of Tubod, Baroy, Lala and some parts of Kolambugan.

Radyo Kalambuan is operated by the provincial government through its Provincial Information Office in cooperation with its newly created Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC).

The PNC is tasked to handle the daily programs and blocktimes of the station.

Among those present during the ceremony were Col. Demy Tejares (2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade), Ltc. Leonidas Hidalgo (3rd Light Armor Brigade), Ltc. Ferdinand Barandon (15th Infantry Battalion), Col. Romulo Manuel (35th Infantry Battalion), Tubod Mayor Nelieta Noval, Baroy Mayor Eleuterio Obial, Lala Mayor Allan Lim, NNC Regional Coordinator Zeny Tondares, NNC Division Chief Jovie Raval, and Managing Director Mackay Quadra of MQ Mediazone. (VNL/PIO-LDN/PIA10)