Mindanao Island - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 14

GearX

September 15th, 2008, 06:27 AM

Peace shrine as center for dialogue, healing in Mindanao (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view/20080914-160511/Peace-shrine-as-center-for-dialogue-healing-in-Mindanao)

By Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:38:00 09/14/2008

EL SALVADOR CITY, Misamis Oriental, Philippines—The faithful come by the thousands every day in this quiet city west of Cagayan de Oro to pray and marvel at the 75-foot Shrine of the Divine Mercy, said to be the tallest of its kind in the world.

Sitting on a hill 500 feet above sea level, the shrine looks out to Macalajar Bay and a view of the embattled villages in the mountains of Lanao.

The location is not deliberate, the priests, who take care of the shrine, say, adding that God chose the place to be a center for dialogue and healing for the people of Mindanao.

On Sept. 8, more than 10,000 devotees from all parts of the country and the world, some from Poland and the United States, flocked to this place for the shrine’s dedication and blessing.

The big event, organized by the Divine Mercy Foundation Philippines, gathered all Mindanao bishops and officials of the Divine Mercy congregation to lead prayers for peace and air calls to stop the fighting in Mindanao.

Work of art

Many visit the shrine out of curiosity and are awed by the gigantic statue of Jesus Christ made by sculptor Nick Reyes and architect Jun Palafox.

The statue represents the Divine Mercy which shows Jesus Christ’s heart illuminating the world. Stainless steel and stained glass pasted on cement make up most of the shrine, giving it a glow that does not hurt the beholder’s eyes.

The designers also made the statue a functional altar and confessional. The rays coming out of the heart of Jesus Christ were made into 100-step stairs, some on the left and another set on the right.

The stairs on the right go up to the altar and are painted red to symbolize people’s sins. The stairs on the left are taken when going down from the confessional. They are painted white to symbolize the cleansing of the spirit.

Construction of the shrine began in 2004 and ended in time for its blessing.

Sculptor Reyes said he and his team traveled from Luzon to Mindanao for the project and for four years endured being away from home.

He took the job to escape the urban jungle and experience peace and quiet. “I never thought of it that way, but yes, maybe it’s a legacy from me,” he says, adding that while he was not religious, he found inspiration from his 82-year old grandmother, a devotee of the Divine Mercy for decades.

The Divine Mercy Foundation-Philippines, its counterparts in the United States and Europe, pooled resources to fund the shrine. It gathered more than P27 million, enough to buy the 10-hectare lot, build the statue and begin the chapel.

Spiritual center

Butch Olano, Divine Mercy Foundation Philippines chapter director, says the shrine would be developed as a spiritual center. Another P40 million is needed.

“We are soliciting from all over the world to finish the center, which will include life-size Stations of the Cross, Mama Mary’s garden, a hospice for the poor and the aged, a conference area and a healing chapel,” he says.

Fr. Joseph Roesch, general councilor of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in Italy, says his congregation is the official custodian of the shrine.

He offered the place as a venue where dialogues between Christians and Muslims could be held.

“This can be a place of dialogue and mercy. There’s such a need for a place like this and rightly so because we are all brothers and sisters in the eyes of God,” he says.

“It is possible that people will come from overseas and be attracted here,” he says, predicting that the place will be an inter-diocesan shrine for Mindanao. The shrine is under the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro.

GearX

September 15th, 2008, 01:11 PM

Laarni Lozada: Grand Star Dreamer - Pinoy Dream Academy 2 (http://tagpuan.com/laarni-lozada-grand-star-dreamer-pinoy-dream-academy-2/)

Dubbed as “The Pride of Sultan Kudarat,” 23-year-old Laarni Lozada (previously known as Laarni Losala) is the Grand Star Dreamer of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2.

http://tagpuan.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/laarni-lozada.jpg

Laarni got a total of 651,696 votes or 35.21% of the total tally of text votes.

:applause::applause::applause:

dinabaw

September 16th, 2008, 03:45 AM

Japanese investors eyeing
P8 billion projects in Mindanao

BUTUAN CITY (PNA) — Investors appeared unfazed by the peace and order problem in some parts in Mindanao, as Japanese businessmen plan to invest Php 8 billion to put up plantations in the southern island.

The Japanese inves-tors need 4,000 hectares for agricultural plantation such as cavendish banana, pineapple, rubber and other farm products, said Board of Investment Southern Mindanao Extension head Engr. Gil Dureza.

He said the Japanese investors are eyeing in Central, Southern or Northeastern Mindanao.

The area for the banana project is within PALMA (Pigcawayan, Aleosan, Libungan Midsayap, Alamada).

However, the investors temporarily deferred their project as government security forces are still clearing the said areas where there is an ongoing conflict between the government Armed forces and separatist group.

The Japanese investor is also looking big area in Davao del Sur.

Dureza said once this project is realized, they would be able to generate higher tax revenues to the government and provide employment.

Investments expansion was also noted in several areas in the region.

The Board of Investment included the Php400-million expansion of Flying V, P174-million A & J Processing in General Santos City, Php 6 million Hog Tech Corporation also of General Santos City, Php 4 million Monkayo (Compostela Valley) Commodity Corp. for banana chips production, and the Php 260-million low-cost housing project of HLC Corp. in Davao City.

The Board of Investment also facilitated the requirements of nationally-registered projects like the condominium projects of Filinvest and Consunji and the business process outsourcing of Western Wats and HLC call center.

Dureza added tourism is among the investment priority areas and their proposed activity in Thailand will be in cooperation with the provincial and local government units and the Foreign Trade Attaches.

Despite of some abnormalities on peace and order in some pocket areas in Central Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula, southern island registered more improvements in its performance, the Mindanao Economic and Development Council (MEDco) reported on Monday.

The MEDCo report indicated that growth in the economy of Mindanao posted acceleration in 2007 with a 7.2-growth percent in 2006, little bet higher performance in the second quarter of 2008.

Last year, Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) was the best performer as its economy propelled with the entry of mining investors, mostly foreign business group.

Its economy soared to an 8.6-percent growth in 2007 from 6.0 percent in 2006 due to the outstanding performance on the industry sector, particularly mining.

A hefty 76.1-percent growth was posted in mining as a result of the continuing increase in mining production, MEDco report added.

Big contributory factor to the continuing increase of economic activity in the region in terms of revenues and employment are the operation of Philsaga Mining Corp. in Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur and SR Metal Mining in Tubay, Agusan del Norte, it was learned.

Philsaga Mining spearheaded by its President Retired Army Col. Samual G. Afdal, is also engaged in rice farm production without any interest and reforestation and other income generation projects to help poor farmers in Agusan del Sur province and nearby areas, it was also learned.

Mindanao Daily Mirror (http://www.dailymirror.ph/Sept/business09162008&03.html)

BOB-bXu

September 16th, 2008, 04:51 PM

MtApoStandard

September 16th, 2008, 05:14 PM

wow....in CARAGA....mining and saging and add more with industrial palm oil planting equals booming :)^^
certainly salaries and wages will circulate in the city and the most to benefit from it imo will be the malls, residential property industry

BOB-bXu

September 17th, 2008, 06:21 AM

Australia Latest Travel Advisory

Travel advisories affect completion of review and assessment of Mindanao 2020

by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (17 September) -- The completion of the review and assessment of the Mindanao 2000 both by the government and the private sector has been affected by the travel advisories issued by various embassies due to the ongoing conflict in Central Mindanao.

Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) executive director Ednar Dayanghirang during the Davao Business Forum on Tuesday held at the MediSpa of SM City said that with the participation of the Australian government as one of the donor countries to fund projects in Mindanao, the embassy of Australia does not allow the team to visit all areas where the (Australian government) has programs and projects.

He said they are only allowed to travel to the cities of Davao, Butuan and Cagayan but not in the cities of General Santos, Zamboanga and Iligan.

"But we already made some request to repeal the ban because the other areas might complain," she said.

He said participating the review are 21 government agencies and the Mindanao Business Council representing the private sector.

The review will run for 48 days on whether the plan has been implemented and properly funded, he said.

Initially, he said there are policies that are inconsistent citing for instance food security where the country move up from agriculture dependent to industry.

But on this aspect of food security, he said certain policies allow the country to import rice.

He said MBC would rather adopt food sufficiency and focus on local production and subsidize inputs like seeds and fertilizers to encourage more people to go back to farming.

"Our subsidy for buying of rice is getting bigger and if we will not make a shift on this policy there is nobody to farm and our next generation would not be encouraged to go farming," he said.

In the food sustainability, he said government should focus on giving subsidy for production.

Dayanghirang also said that after completing the review and assessment of the Mindanao 2000, the team is tasked to come up with a development framework for Mindanao 2020

This time, he said they wanted that there should be ownership of the plan by stakeholders to ensure that the programs and plans are implemented accordingly.

He said the Mindanao Development Plan was formulated in 1995 and will end in 2010 and with the new plan for the island dubbed as Mindanao 2020 those involved must be part of it. (PIA)

Farirah

September 17th, 2008, 06:30 AM

Good news! At least Australians are no longer ignorant too. They have seen somehow the real side of story that not all provinces and cities in Mindanao are in the chaotic state.

Hope other foreign countries will follow. ^^

cant_tnac

September 17th, 2008, 06:46 AM

^^^unfair

dark_knight_detectve

September 17th, 2008, 02:33 PM

Mindanao exec seeks equitable share in funds (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW091708/content.php?id=056)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Mindanao stakeholders called for an equitable share in the national budget for fish production during the 10th National Tuna Congress held recently in this city, a statement released yesterday by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) read.

In his presentation on Mindanao Updates during the Congress last Sept. 4, MEDCo Chairman Undersecretary Virgilio L. Leyretana Sr. noted that Mindanao will get P165.17 million — or just a little more than 17% — of the national budget for this activity this year. This, Mr. Leyretana said, "in spite of Mindanao’s contribution of more than 43% of the country’s total fish production in 2007."

Luzon, on the other hand, contributed 40% but has the biggest budget share at P348.30 million, or 37%, while the Visayas, which accounts for 18% of fish production, gets P144 million, or 15.2% of total budget.

While the tuna industry contributes $280 million in annual tuna exports, Mr. Leyretana noted that investments in the island-region’s fisheries sector have been minimal over the past years.

"The development of the industries in Mindanao, particularly in agriculture and fisheries, will create a huge potential for investments in the island", Mindanao Business Council President Vicente T. Lao said in his remarks.

With the theme, "Managing our Tuna Resource: Exploring Opportunities and Alternatives," the congress this year called for measures to ensure the sustainability of marine resources amid threats of depleting marine biodiversity caused by climate change and overfishing.

dark_knight_detectve

September 17th, 2008, 02:40 PM

dark_knight_detectve

September 17th, 2008, 04:10 PM

Australia provides P12 million in humanitarian assistance to Mindanao (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p080917.htm&no=9&date=)
Davao City (17 September) -- The Australian Government, through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), will provide over Php 12 million (approx A$320,000) humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict in Mindanao, particularly in the provinces of North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte.

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said "the contribution addresses the needs of people uprooted from their homes and separated from their means of livelihood because of the conflict. Assistance will include essential items like water and sanitation facilities, food, and counselling services in evacuation centres."

"Australia hopes that people displaced by the conflict are able to return home as soon as possible, and the efforts of the government, donors and NGOs can resume the focus on peacebuilding and development," Mr Smith said.

Australia is working with the UN, the National Disaster Coordinating Council, as well as other donors and international and local organizations, to coordinate efforts on humanitarian response.

The funds will be made available through the Government of the Philippines-United Nations Multi-donor Program (GoP-UNMDP) Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace. Australia, through AusAID, has been the largest donor to the GoP-UNMDP since 1997 with contribution of about Php 1.3 billion (A$34.4 million) until 2010.

The ACT for Peace Program, the fourth phase of the GoP-UNMDP, aims to strengthen and sustain peacebuilding efforts in southern Philippines following the 1996 peace agreement between the GoP and the Moro National Liberation Front. It is being implemented by the Mindanao Economic Development Council and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Government.

ACT for Peace supports peace and development advocates, most of whom are former rebel combatants, in doing voluntary work in community organizing, resource mobilization and bridging peace and development communities with concerned government and other donor agencies.

Australia is a long standing development partner of the Philippines and the second largest bilateral grant aid donor. In 2008-09 the Australian Government will provide an estimated Php4.4 billion (A$109.3 million) in development assistance, focusing on the key pillars of economic growth, basic education, and national stability and human security. (AusAID/PIA XI) [top]

MtApoStandard

September 18th, 2008, 04:24 AM

Philippine Science High School extends application deadline

Davao City (18 September) -- From September 15, 2008, the deadline for filing of application for the Philippine Science High School National Competitive Exam was extended up to September 30, 2008.

All graduating elementary public students who belong to the upper 10% of the graduating class as certified by the School Principal or who have special aptitude in science and math as supported by the report card and letter of recommendation are eligible to apply for the PSHS National Competitive Examination (NCE). Applicants must be a Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant in any foreign country, must not be more than 15 years of age by June 30, 2009, in good health and fit to undergo rigorous academic program, of good moral character and have not taken the PSHS NCE previously.

Interested applicants nearest to Davao City may go to the PSHS Southern Mindanao Campus at Sto. Nino Tugbok District Davao City or to the DOST Regional Office at Corner Dumanlas and Friendship Roads, Bajada Davao City and submit fully accomplished Application Form in duplicate copies, two (2) identical recent 1 x 1 ID pictures, and a copy of report card and letter of recommendation if the applicant does not belong to the upper 10% of the current graduating class. Applicants from private schools are required to pay one hundred pesos (P100.00) non-refundable test fee while those from public schools are free of charge.

Application forms are available at any of the PSHS Campuses and DOST Regional offices or Provincial Science &Technology Centers. They can also be downloaded from the PSHS Website, www.pshs,edu.ph. The PSHS NCE application form is NOT FOR SALE, and NO RESERVATION FEE IS REQUIRED.

The PSHS National Competitive Examination will be administered on November 15, 2008. For more information, you may contact PSHS Main Campus at telephone number (02) 926-5701. Interested applicants nearest to PSHS Southern Mindanao Campus may also call at telephone number (082) 29300-02 and look for the Registrar. (PSHS-PIA XI) [top]

MtApoStandard

September 18th, 2008, 04:27 AM

Walk-in exam for marine officers now in Davao

By Mai Gevera

Davao City (18 September) -- With the increasing global demand for marine officers, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) has brought the "walk-in examination system" (WES) to Davao City.

Instead of going to Manila to take exams for Officer-in-charge of an Engineering Watch, Officer-in-charge of a Navigational Watch, for Marine Engineer and Deck Officers, the applicants may simply take it here in Davao.

PRC regional director Josephine Liamzon announced in yesterday's (Sept. 17) Ugnayan sa Mandaya Hotel the latest technology brought from central office down to the regional offices in Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p080918.htm&no=01

"This will lessen the cost of our applicants instead of traveling to Manila, now they can take the exam in those cities," she said.

MtApoStandard

September 18th, 2008, 04:29 AM

Mindanao chamber forms working group on mining
09/17/2008 | 01:35 AM
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DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Mindanao Business Council is spearheading the formation of a multisectoral Mindanao Working Group on Mining.

Vicente T. Lao, chairman of the council, said the body will be tasked to formulate recommendations to address mining problems, in a bid to facilitate flow of investments in the sector within the next two years. The government targets as much as $10 billion in mining investments by 2010, compared to just $1.8 billion as of the second quarter this year from 2004.

"The technical working group will see to it that everything is put in place so that the industry will be investor-friendly and that issues will be addressed," said Mr. Lao, adding that the body will be composed of representatives from government agencies and non-government organizations.

One key problem is red tape, since approval of mining applications is centralized in Manila. Edgar D. Martinez of the Mindanao Association for the Mining Industry had complained that red tape persists even when all requirements have been fulfilled and local agencies have recommended approval. Hence, representatives of mining firms are forced to visit Metro Manila to follow up their applications even if the companies are based in Mindanao.f

Mr. Martinez suggested that the Mindanao Economic Development Council be authorized by the National Government to process applications.

Noel B. Angeles of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, said that although action on mining applications take a long time, this is not "intentional."

Mr. Angeles explained that processes must be complied with to ensure that applicants for mining permits will abide by law, including a requirement for mining firms to protect the environment and undertake projects to improve the lives of host communities.

These are among the issues that will be tackled when the two-day mining consultative forum opens here tomorrow at the Waterfront Insular Hotel. — BusinessWorld

MtApoStandard

September 18th, 2008, 06:11 AM

Mindanao leaders restate need for federal govt
09/18/2008 | 06:12 AM
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DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Mindanao leaders have reiterated the need to shift soon to a federal form of government to effectively address the island’s decades-old conflict.

Vicente T. Lao, Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) chairman, said some senators told leaders from Mindanao attending a congressional hearing early this month that the plan of amending the Constitution leading to a federal government has a good chance of passing Congress.

"If this happens, it will be good for us in Mindanao because we will have a bigger role in crafting the development of the island," Mr. Lao told BusinessWorld.

MinBC, a group of Mindanao-based business chambers, has joined civil society coalition Lihuk Pideral Mindanaw in pushing for a shift to the federal system.

Rey M. Teves, leader of Lihuk Pideral, earlier called on Congress to pass a law that will effect the change in form of government.

Mr. Teves’s group has proposed that amending the Constitution should be through a constitutional convention rather than converting Congress into a Constituent Assembly.

Mindanao leaders are apprehensive that lawmakers may only seek to extend their terms of office, and that of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, beyond 2010.

The discussion on the shift to federal system has snowballed after the government junked a territory deal with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that would have created the
Bangsamoro Juridical Entity.

Under a Senate proposal that seeks to establish the federal system, a Bangsamoro state will be created for the Muslim community in Mindanao.

Humanitarian assistance

Meanwhile, the Davao City business chamber has launched Support Mindanao’s Pursuit of Peace program, which seeks to collect relief goods and old clothes for the victims of conflict in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Central Mindanao.

The project came on the heels of the Australian government’s announcement to provide an equivalent of P12 million in humanitarian assistance, which will be coursed through the government-United Nations Multi-donor Program Action for Conflict Transformation for Peace.

Simeon P. Marfori II, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., said: "We in the business sector want to do our share in preserving the integrity of our country by way of helping the victims of this conflict."

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith said the assistance would address displaced residents.

The assistance will come in the form of drinking water, sanitation facilities, food and counseling in evacuation centers.

Australia is working with the UN, National Disaster Coordinating Council and other donors and international and local organizations for the humanitarian response in conflict-affected areas.

For 2008-2009, the Australian government will provide an equivalent of P4.4 billion in development assistance, focusing on the key pillars of economic growth, basic education, and national stability and human security.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, in his visit to the city Monday afternoon, noted the urgency of conducting immediate counseling and therapy sessions for families in the evacuation centers after noticing signs of trauma on some of the evacuees.

"Interventions must be strengthened especially for those traumatized by the conflict," he said.

The Department of Health, Mr. Duque said, has extended P2.1 million in assistance for the affected families and health workers have already distributed medicine supplies to 107,625 families in Northern Mindanao, Central Mindanao and the autonomous Muslim region. — Carmelito Q. Francisco and Joel B. Escovilla, BusinessWorld

MtApoStandard

September 18th, 2008, 06:15 AM

Alsons teams up with Thai firm and Toyota
By Jenniffer B. Austria

Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc., a holding company owned by the Alcantara family, is teaming up with Energy Generating Public Co. of Thailand and Toyota Tsusho for its planned entry in the bio-ethanol business.

Alsons president Tomas Alacantara told reporters at the sidelines of a government economic meeting at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel that foreign parters might take up 30 percent of the soon-to-be-formed consortium that would undertake the bio-ethanol projects.

“Egco of Thailand and Toyota Tsusho were our partners for power projects so most likely they will also be our partners for the bio-ethanol projects,” Alcantara said.

He said International Finance Corp., the investment arm of World Bank, was also interested in extending loan to the group to partially finance the construction of the bio-ethanol projects.

Alsons plans to build two ethanol plants, one in Bukidnon and the other in South Cotabato.

The company plans to initially put up the P2.3-billion Bukidnon bio-ethanol plant with a production capacity of 100,000 liter per day. The plant is expected to be in commercial operations by 2011.

Alcantara said the group would build South Cotabato plant after five years.

He said the project would have an agriculture component to include the production of cassava tubers and chips, accounting for at least a fourth of the plant’s feedstock requirements.

The Alcantara group plans to secure the balance of the raw material inputs from contract growers in the area.

The planned bio-ethanol projects are expected to contribute significantly to the company’s growth and profitability.

Alsons’ power business remained the main contributor to the company’s revenues and is expected to deliver steady profit streams in years to come.

The group’s power ventures are Western Mindanao Power Corp. and Southern Philippines Power Corp., and its management company, Alto Power Management Corp.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=business4_sept18_2008

Alingatong

September 18th, 2008, 03:44 PM

Feature: There will still be Christmas in Mindanao

by Brent M. Bravo

Iligan City (18 September) -- Despite the clashes between the military and lawless groups in some parts of Mindanao and despite all the travel advisories against going to this southern part of the country, the people in Mindanao are already feeling the Christmas spirit.

As early as September, the first of the "ber" months, Christmas jingles are being continuously played in the radio and in stores and tiangges or flea markets to mark the start of the season.

Contrary to what others believe, Mindanao remains generally peaceful and people here welcome Christmas just like everyone else - by putting up a Christmas tree in their homes or by decorating their houses with wreaths and multi-colored lights.

The streets still remain safe and stores will soon be filled with Christmas decors and star lanterns or parol, adding color and excitement as people look forward to the month of December.

People in Mindanao will still anticipate their Christmas bonus and still plan to make the occasion special, even in their own little ways.

Children will still go house to house using home-made instruments singing Christmas carols and people from all walks of life will still flock malls to avail of season discounts and look for gifts.

On the midnight of December 24, the family will still gather for the traditional Noche Buena feast and to exchange gifts.

There will still be Christmas in Mindanao. This year's celebration will still be a peaceful one, even if the whole country, even maybe the world, thinks that turmoil is everywhere here.

There may be conflict in some of its areas but despite of all these, the Christmas spirit is very much alive in Mindanao and people still go out to greet each other "Merry Christmas!" (PIA-10)

http://www.pia.gov.ph/default.asp?m=12&fi=p080918.htm&no=57

paulkrps

September 19th, 2008, 02:10 AM

net find: Plate 20. Guingas man garbed in maroon jacket. Young Bagobo warriors provided with their characteristic side arms. Davao Province, southeastern Mindanao.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/k20.jpg

paulkrps

September 19th, 2008, 02:11 AM

net find: Plate 21. Bagobo warriors In full dress and completely equipped with weapons of their own manufacture. Davao Province, Mindanao.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/k21.jpg

Il Tenore

September 20th, 2008, 07:53 AM

I have a question guys...

during 1700-1800, may time ba na malamig ang mindanao?

answer pls.. I'm still confused!

paulkrps

September 21st, 2008, 01:02 AM

klarix ba ang captions?

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/img124.jpg

paulkrps

September 21st, 2008, 01:05 AM

I have a question guys...

during 1700-1800, may time ba na malamig ang mindanao?

answer pls.. I'm still confused!

cool enought to wear tshirts. if you are referring to mild to temperate, siguro sa toktok sa mt apo and parts of bukidnon (ay sus, halos pareha lang gud).

paulkrps

September 21st, 2008, 02:07 AM

ebay find: a bagobo aviator

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/ba4b_1.jpg

dinabaw

September 21st, 2008, 09:06 AM

^^ lol so a bagobo was the first mindanoan to fly a plane? i hope he didn't use his "kris" in fighting the enemies hehe

ph_matrix

September 22nd, 2008, 01:14 AM

Monday, September 22, 2008
Mindanaoans converge for 'Global Peace Festival'

SOME 500 Mindanaoans and foreign delegates are converging in Cagayan de Oro City to mark the three-day Global Peace Festival Mindanao 2008, which kicked off with the International Leadership Conference held Saturday at the Pryce Place Hotel.

Speaking in behalf of Mayor Constantino Jaraula, Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya expressed optimism that the gathering could add synergistic output in putting up an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in Mindanao, in the country and the world as well.

Nacaya also welcomed delegates from South Korea, Japan, United States and Italy, including officials of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF)-the organizer of the Global Peace Festival. UPF is a global alliance of individuals and organizations dedicated to building a "world of peace, freedom, harmony, cooperation and co-prosperity."

Earlier in the week, festival participants -- a mix of religious leaders, officials and representatives of local government units and the academe -- immersion activities at the Peace Village in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

Former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. is scheduled to speak Sunday in the conference, which is themed "The need for vision and leadership at a time of global crisis: building partnerships among governments, faith-based and non-government organizations."

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/cag/2008/09/22/news/mindanaoans.converge.for.global.peace.festival..html

GearX

September 23rd, 2008, 08:46 AM

1.4 million Mindanao youth pledge virginity before marriage (http://mwamaarkhh.multiply.com/journal/item/556/1.4_million_Mindanao_youth_pledge_virginity_before_marriage)
By MARK D. FRANCISCO

A total of 1.4 million youths from Mindanao pledged last Sunday (September 22, 2008) in Cagayan de Oro City to preserve their virginity until marriage.

The figure comprises the number of persons who signed the chastity commitment in a month-long campaign initiated by Manila-based True Love Power International, Inc. which culminated last Sunday with the presentation of the signatures at the Misamis Oriental capitol grounds.

The presentation of the signatures was one of the sideline features of the Global Peace Festival 2008 (see separate story).

After the presentation of the signatures bound in paperback form last Sunday afternoon, students from Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) jubilantly released 100 balloons and a dove to celebrate their commitment to chastity.

True Love Power International, Inc. started in the Philippines in 2007 and it is the local version of a growing phenomenon to preserve virginity among the youth worldwide.

It originated in the United States in the 1990s and spread across the Atlantic this decade and a high school student from Great Britain has already been suspended for refusing to take off her purity ring while on school campus.

But here in Cagayan de Oro City, campaigning for sexual purity among the youth started as early as 1995 when the World Youth Day was held in Manila .

Simultaneous campaigns aptly called True Love Waits were held by Roman Catholic youth organizations all over the archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro targeting high school and college students were held then and these were sustained yearly.

At least two candidates in the Miss Kagay-an 2008 batch have expressed their commitment for sexual purity before marriage.

“If it 'll be a fad here in our country, I would like to be the very first woman to wear the so-called purity/chastity ring . Only then I'll take it off if I already have the man of my dreams and be married with him . Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same,” quipped 24-year-old Rexza Tagaloguin.

“Yes! It’s the best gift you can give to your partner,” added 18-year-old Shayne Muit.

paulkrps

September 23rd, 2008, 07:17 PM

i'm taking it out.

paulkrps

September 23rd, 2008, 07:18 PM

thanks again.

Zamboanga in World War II

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r122/lst705/lstzambo.jpg

paulkrps

September 23rd, 2008, 07:21 PM

thanks to jackcar

Watermarks at the bottom-left of this 1930s photo read "Turtles caught at Zamboanga." Marami pa bang pawikan sa Zamboanga?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2878334917_a783d24eb8_o.jpg

boju2

September 24th, 2008, 06:17 AM

^^:D ikaw GearX nagpledge kaba?

boju2

September 24th, 2008, 06:18 AM

Repost from CDO thread

Global Peace Festival in CdeO sept. 21, 08

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http://photos.friendster.com/photos/53/54/30794535/1_799749576l.jpg

dinabaw

September 24th, 2008, 07:58 AM

thanks to zoroethgenre_003

galing parang night club sa Hawaii , premier city talaga ang Zambo noon! :cheers:

dinabaw

September 24th, 2008, 01:13 PM

here are photos of Mindanao WWII from rival forum :D

http://www.pinoyprogress.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522

zoroethgenre_003

September 24th, 2008, 01:28 PM

galing parang night club sa Hawaii , premier city talaga ang Zambo noon! :cheers:

on fairness..thats Pettit Baracks long time ago..

paulkrps

September 24th, 2008, 03:07 PM

here are photos of Mindanao WWII from rival forum :D

http://www.pinoyprogress.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522

na-un-an pa diay ko.:lol:

MtApoStandard

September 24th, 2008, 06:15 PM

Uncertified steel bars seized

Davao City (25 September) -- MORE THAN a million pesos worth of imported uncertified steel bars were seized in Bukidnon over the weekend by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 11 inspection team along with local police authorities.

The confiscation was initiated by DTI 11 after it was made known that the steel bars of different sizes with logos not certified by the said agency and found earlier deposited in one of the areas in Davao City were hauled in trucks heading for Cagayan de Oro City.

The pursuance of the said items was part of the enforcement action undertaken by DTI 11's personnel in collaboration with the local operatives to track down the presence of uncertified steel products in the region.

DTI 11 OIC-Regional Director Marizon S. Loreto said that her office is vigorously pursuing the afore-mentioned items to ensure that these will not reach the local market.

"The confiscated steel bars must undergo product testing to determine its conformance with the set mandatory standards, pursuant to Department Administrative Order No. 5, Series of 2001 and its subsequent amendments or revisions. Should these products pass the tests required, appropriate Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) shall be issued accordingly to the owner/importer," Loreto elaborated.

Moreover, Loreto said that an instruction has already been given to all of DTI 11's field offices to continuously monitor construction materials, particularly steel bars. It was also learned from Loreto that coordination with local operatives is being done to ensure that uncertified products covered under the mandatory standards law are being closely monitored for compliance.

Loreto reiterated that violators of the Product Standards Law will be dealt with accordingly by DTI.

She also called for consumers to be vigilant particularly on imported products found in the market that do not bear ICC marks and Product Standards (PS) symbols for those locally-manufactured items. She likewise enjoined consumers to report to the nearest DTI office should they found products that do not bear the said markings. (DTI-PIA XI) [top]

icarusrising

September 25th, 2008, 04:25 AM

Aid donor limits review of Mindanao
Development Plan 2000 to safe areas (http://businessmirror.com.ph/09252008/economy04.html)

DAVAO CITY—The Australian aid fund has limited the number of cities to be assessed on the performance of the 10-year Mindanao Development Plan 2000, an ambitious project to turn Mindanao into a dynamic southern economic hub and to make it an important food source of the country.

The advisory against going certain places was part of a string of repercussions in the aftermath of the continued armed skirmishes in Central Mindanao and in Lanao del Norte in Northern Mindanao.

According to the monitoring of the Mindanao Business Council (MinBC), “Foreign-funded projects and trainings have been either suspended or recalled.”

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAid) has limited the areas for review to only this city, Cagayan de Oro and Butuan City in northern Mindanao, said Ednar Carlos Dayanghirang, executive director of the MinBC.

Dayanghirang, a member of the 22-person team trained by the Development Academy of the Philippines-Mindanao to conduct the review, said that the review should have brought them to three more cities but the cancellation was prompted by the travel advisory issued by the Australian government. --M. Cayon

Sleepwalker

September 25th, 2008, 04:32 AM

paulkrps

September 26th, 2008, 02:27 AM

napost na ba ni? thanks gearx.

http://images.mwamaarkhh.multiply.com/image/7/photos/140/500x500/1/29h-roa1.jpg?et=gk0NlclrBVCTtxDAnhEWqg&nmid=112688970
The 1925 Miss Cagayan and her Egyptian inspired court of honor

http://images.mwamaarkhh.multiply.com/image/9/photos/140/500x500/2/29h-roa.jpg?et=rUnen0p7QuFECYXuZ0IHEw&nmid=112688970
The 1927 Miss Cagayan Felicidad Velez and her escort, Dr. Gaudencio Piit

http://images.mwamaarkhh.multiply.com/image/5/photos/140/500x500/3/29h-roa2.jpg?et=xRyQ7aKY5TgZBT2oiXpoPw&nmid=112688970
the civic military parade in Divisoria, August 28, 1949

Miss Cagayan 1945
http://images.mwamaarkhh.multiply.com/image/10/photos/128/500x500/2/aug252008a.jpg?et=nyyE5YgAbWISOsTk3rmMdg&nmid=112055786

http://images.mwamaarkhh.multiply.com/image/13/photos/128/500x500/3/aug252008b.jpg?et=S3xFopIdJeS3D9Dogk02JA&nmid=112055786

Xangreal

September 26th, 2008, 05:01 AM

on fairness..thats Pettit Baracks long time ago..

nope, that is not (the petit barracks) in zamboanga city...its a night club in LA in the 1930's named Zamboanga.

icarusrising

September 26th, 2008, 11:33 AM

OIC chief pledges Mindanao aid (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080926-163096/OIC-chief-pledges-Mindanao-aid)

By Joel Guinto

INQUIRER.net

First Posted 15:27:00 09/26/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- The head of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has pledged to provide development assistance in Mindanao, and to "consolidate different factions" in the region in a bilateral meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Malacañang said Friday.

"We will do our role to consolidate different factions and help in the socio-economic development of Mindanao, improve the life of the people in the area because there can't be peace without economic development," a Palace statement quoted OIC secretary general Elmeddin Ihsanoghu as telling the President.

Arroyo "agreed" with Ihsanoghu's assessment that peace went hand in hand with development, the Palace said.

The President also likened the Mindanao peace process to Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom, even if it enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy.

"We have to undergo the experiences of Northern Ireland," the statement quoted the President as saying.

The statement did not elaborate on the nature of the development assistance, and on which groups comprised the "factions."

Peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ground to a halt after rebel commanders raided civilian communities in Central Mindanao, and after the Supreme Court had stopped the signing of a key agreement.

The government has a standing peace accord with the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF), from which the MILF broke away. The MNLF
governs the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In an earlier statement, the Palace said Ihsanoghu assured Arroyo during the same meeting that the OIC would support a peace agreement in Mindanao, only if it would not impinge on Philippine sovereignty.

paulkrps

September 26th, 2008, 12:50 PM

ebay find: 2 VINTAGE MINDANAO & JOLO PHILIPPINES VELOX RPPC LOT

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/philippines2-rp.jpg

paulkrps

September 26th, 2008, 12:52 PM

nope, that is not (the petit barracks) in zamboanga city...its a night club in LA in the 1930's named Zamboanga.

sorry for that, didn't notice it until now. i'm taking it out.

BOB-bXu

September 26th, 2008, 02:52 PM

CrossRoads

http://images.undercoverpizzaboy.multiply.com/image/6/photos/20/500x500/54/IMG-4916.JPG?et=%2CRDDpFO27pIvdlhFbGSl5Q&nmid=113811618

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/Butuan006.jpg?t=1222433291

http://images.undercoverpizzaboy.multiply.com/image/6/photos/20/500x500/40/IMG-4328.JPG?et=qHcwAKkwnyGpmEfY29HPzg&nmid=113811618

MtApoStandard

September 26th, 2008, 07:13 PM

Saturday, September 27, 2008
Neda approves power projects

TWO power transmission projects in Mindanao and one in the Visayas were approved by the board of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).

The projects were endorsed by the Neda Investment Coordination Committee (ICC)-Technical Board (TB) and Cabinet Committee (CC) to the Neda board for costing with the objective of ensuring continuous supply power to the areas.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

These projects are the P6.13 billion Abaga-Kirahon-Maramag 230kV Power Transmission Project, the P1.63 billion General Santos-Tacurong 138kV Transmission Line Project, and the P1.27-billion Wright-Calbayog 138kV Transmission Line Project.

According to a Neda report, together with the three transmission projects are three other energy related projects costing some a total of P17.4 billion.

It said the ICC-TBA and CC approved the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project that costs about P2.17 billion. This project aims to reduce government expenditure on electricity by 20 percent in pilot government buildings as well as average cost of production by electric cooperatives (ECs) by 10 percent. It also intends to increase the cooperatives' consumption by 10 percent from 2007 levels.

About P1.58 billion funding for the Project will be sourced from a loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB), P67.5 million from the ADB Clean Energy Fund grant, and the remaining P517.5 million will come from the Department of Energy's (DOE) counterpart.

Assistant director general and Neda infrastructure staff chief Ruben Reinoso, in a statement reported to the ICC, showed that the project will "reduce peak demand in ECs through consumer savings for each compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), reduce energy consumption in 42 public buildings by five percent from 2007 and recover residual mercury from fluorescent lights within 24 months to prevent from entering the food chain".

The components of the project are the National Residential Lighting Program and the creation of the Super Energy Service Company (Esco). The lighting program involves the distribution of 13 million (13,14 and 15-watt) CFLs to residential and small commercial sectors that cover about 6.68 million households nationwide. The Super Esco will be created as a subsidiary of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) under the DOE.

Neda also endorsed the Credit Line Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection project in the Philippines proposed by the Land Bank of the Philippines. The credit line will be available to private sector companies and entities which are at least 70 percent Filipino-owned. Local government units (LGUs), National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) may also avail of credit as sub-borrowers.

The ICC also approved the P4.52 billion Project on Forestland Management (ProFORM) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which aims to rehabilitate degraded forestlands to uplift the socio-economic conditions of affected communities in 3 critical river basins -- Upper Magat and Cagayan, Upper Pampanga and Javu River Basin. (PIA)

Alingatong

September 27th, 2008, 03:32 AM

General Santos emerges as BPO hub in Region 12

General Santos City (26 September) -- More business process outsourcing (BPO) offices are likely to open in Mindanao as key cities like General Santos continue developing business environments which are especially attractive to information technology (IT) firms.

"Mindanao and its major cities should be aggressive in their campaign to improve the talent, infrastructure and environment needed to advance in the sector of IT and IT-enabled services," said Maria Jamea Garcia, executive director for talent development of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP).

According to BPAP, the country is well positioned to corner a 10-percent share of the global outsourcing and offshoring market by 2010, with potential revenues of about US$13 billion and additional direct employment of close to one million workers.

Mindanao cities like General Santos, Iligan and Zamboanga have strong potential as competitive offshoring sites-particularly when the labor and infrastructure resources of their neighboring municipalities and provinces are factored in, according to USAID's Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program, which is helping to facilitate BPO investment in the region.

"Developing these additional cities would help the Philippines achieve a more balanced distribution of growth [in the BPO sector]. This will ease some of the pressures on costs and help seed development in other parts of the country," Jamea said.

Ring of Fiber

General Santos City, or "GenSan," is the trading and agro-industrial center of Region 12, which encompasses the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani. The regional capital is Koronadal City, less than an hour away from GenSan.

"General Santos is known as a highly competitive city and the region's entrepreneurs continually think in terms of a global market," said Ellorence Cruz of the Board of Investments in Gensan.

Bing Garcia, vice president and COO of Marbel Telephone System, Inc., said his company has begun laying down a fiber optic network, which he calls the "Ring of Fiber," connecting GenSan and South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces.

Tacurong City and 11 municipalities in Sultan Kudarat province will also be connected to the fiber optic network, under the Sultan Kudarat Telephone System, Inc.

The "Ring" is being established in preparation for GenSan's planned WiMax system, a wireless digital communications system whose broad coverage can be extended to its outlying districts and rural areas, much like a cellphone network.

Anticipating the expansion of the local BPO sector, GenSan businessman Jan Ced has established the 2.8-hectare Mabuhay IT Park in the city center, a one-stop, fully secured facility capable of carrying voice, video and data services, with backup power supply.

Early bird locators and clients

At least seven medical transcription companies and two BPO accounting companies are already operating in GenSan and in Koronadal. In Tacurong City, 25 agents are employed by IQ Scribe, a private healthcare solutions/transcription company.

From his remote desktop in GenSan, Delmer Paraluman handles all finances and reconciles receipts and books for Arrival Telecom, a phone service firm in Utah, in the U.S.

"BPO accounting is a lucrative business," said Paraluman. "Foreign companies have said they prefer their accounts to be handled by Filipinos since we have a reputation for trustworthiness."

"We have clients in Manila who order from us outdoor tarpaulins," said Ronald Velasquez, vice president of IDEAS Inc., a GenSan graphic design firm specializing in large formats. "Even with the added freight and shipping, we're still cheaper than firms in Cebu and Manila."

"We're now talking with a furniture company in Europe which is outsourcing their website design to us," Velasquez added.

Talent pool keeps growing

The cost of BPO labor and operations in GenSan is approximately 25 to 50 percent lower than in Manila and major Philippine cities like Cebu, according to the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The city alone produces 4,000 new college graduates a year, most of them from Mindanao State University and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University.

"Altogether, GenSan and neighbouring areas turn out 15,000 new graduates annually, many of them living a short commute away from the city," said Raymond Diaz, executive director of ICT Solutions Association, a non-profit organization that promotes the development of IT services in Region 12.

Joji Ilagan-Bian, president of the Philippine Call Center Alliance, has run call center training courses in partnership with schools in Region 12 and other areas of Mindanao. She foresees that the expansion of the BPO sector will soon draw locators to other Mindanao cities as well.

Zamboanga, the country's sixth most populous city, has steadily been supplying labor to business process outsourcing firms [BPOs] in Cebu and Manila, said Bian, adding: "Why not then relocate your business closer to your manpower source?"

She points out that Iligan City produces 2,000 graduates yearly through Mindanao Statue University's Iligan Institute of Technology, which has been identified as a Center of Development of Excellence in ICT by the Department of Science and Technology.

Under the government's Philippine Cyber Corridor initiative, these cities have been identified as promising hubs for providers of a wide range of IT services, said Patricia Abejo, director for cyberservices of the government's Commission on ICT.

"I've also partnered with a Marawi-based school and set up a training center there to explore the business potential of the ARMM [Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao] as a call center site," said Bian. (GEM-PIA XI)

TONZI

September 27th, 2008, 12:47 PM

mmm...good for Gen San worth emulating for our city pero malayo pa talaga city namin in comparison with Gen San.

Rall

September 27th, 2008, 07:04 PM

dark_knight_detectve

September 28th, 2008, 07:19 AM

NEDA OKs Mindanao power transmission projects (http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&sec=reader&rp=1&fi=p080926.htm&no=3&date=)
by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (26 September) -- Two power transmission projects in Mindanao and one in the Visayas were approved by the board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

The projects were endorsed by the NEDA Investment Coordination Committee (ICC)-Technical Board (TB) and Cabinet Committee (CC) to the NEDA board for costing with the objective of ensuring continuous supply power to the areas.

These projects are the P6.13 billion Abaga-Kirahon-Maramag 230kV Power Transmission Project, the P1.63 billion General Santos-Tacurong 138kV Transmission Line Project, and the P1.27-billion Wright-Calbayog 138kV Transmission Line Project.

According to the NEDA report together with the three transmission projects are three other energy related projects costing some a total of P17.4 billion.

It said that the ICC-TBA and CC approved the Philippine Energy Efficiency Project, which costs about P2.17 billion. This project aims to reduce government expenditure on electricity by 20 percent in pilot government buildings as well as average cost of production by electric cooperatives (ECs) by 10 percent. It also intends to increase the cooperatives' consumption by 10 percent from 2007 levels.

About P1.58 billion funding for the Project will be sourced from a loan from Asian Development Bank (ADB), P67.5 million from the ADB Clean Energy Fund grant, and the remaining P517.5 million will come from the Department of Energy's (DOE) counterpart.

Assistant Director General and NEDA Infrastructure Staff Director Ruben Reinoso in a statement reported to the ICC that the project will "reduce peak demand in ECs through consumer savings for each compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), reduce energy consumption in 42 public buildings by five percent from 2007 and recover residual mercury from fluorescent lights within 24 months to prevent from entering the food chain.

The components of the project are the National Residential Lighting Program and the creation of the Super Energy Service Company (ESCO). The lighting program involves the distribution of 13 million (13,14 and 15-watt) CFLs to residential and small commercial sectors that cover about 6.68 million households nationwide. The Super ESCO will be created as a subsidiary of the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) under the DOE.

NEDA also endorsed the Credit Line Energy Efficiency and Climate Protection project in the Philippines proposed by the Land Bank of the Philippines. The credit line will be available to private sector companies and entities which are at least 70 percent Filipino-owned. Local government units (LGUs), National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) may also avail of credit as sub-borrowers.

The ICC also approved the P4.52 billion Project on Forestland Management (ProFORM) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which aims to rehabilitate degraded forestlands to uplift the socio-economic conditions of affected communities in 3 critical river basins - Upper Magat and Cagayan, Upper Pampanga and Javu River Basin. (PIA) [top]

dark_knight_detectve

September 28th, 2008, 07:25 AM

OIC offers help to Mindanao (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080926127&type=2)

Saturday, September 27, 2008

The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has offered its support for economic development of Mindanao in the form of specific projects and funding assistance that can improve the lives of people in the southern Philippines.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said newly elected OIC Secretary General Elmeddin Ihsanoglu appeared convinced that the government’s handling of the situation in Mindanao is correct.

Ihsanoglu told President Arroyo during a meeting in New York that “peace can be attained only if the people’s lives are improved.”

Dureza said Ihsanoglu appeared to be well-informed about developments in Mindanao even before Mrs. Arroyo briefed him on the chain of events that led to the cancellation of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain, the dissolution of the government peace panel, and the military and police operations against Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels who committed various atrocities against civilians in some areas of Mindanao.

Ihsanoglu said he would exert efforts to consolidate the various Bangsamoro factions.

“We will do our role to consolidate the different factions and help in the socio-economic development of Mindanao and improve the lives of the people in the area because there can’t be peace without economic development,” he said.

Explaining the big shift in her policy on the Mindanao conflict, the President told the OIC head that in the political settlement, “we will conduct dialogues with the communities and stakeholders and then decide what steps to be taken.”

These steps, she added, must be in the context of the United Nations-accepted principle of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR).

Dureza, former presidential adviser on the peace process, said the conduct of DDR under the accepted principle of the UN means “not outright disarmament.”

“You have first to develop an environment of trust so that rebels and the communities that have been in conflict will develop a little trust so that eventually there will be no need for those firearms,” he pointed out.

Dureza said that the OIC respects the efforts of the Philippines to reach a political settlement on the Mindanao issue, but not in the context of cession or independence but within the context of Philippine territorial and sovereign integrity.

But there appears to be little chance that the government and the MILF can or will restart their peace talks in the near future and renewed violence is as likely as ever, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) said.

Both sides were on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in August when the Supreme Court, at the request of mainly Christian petitioners, issued a temporary restraining order to hear arguments on the MOA-Ad’s constitutionality.

It will be difficult for the administration to resume talks for the remainder of Mrs. Arroyo’s term and “it will likely be three to five years before the political climate will permit new talks,” the USIP said.

At the request of the US State Department, the institute was engaged to facilitate the peace process between the Philippines and MILF between 2003 and 2007.

The USIP said if conflict in Mindanao returns to violence, terrorist groups would likely exploit the situation to infiltrate and destabilize the Philippines.

Although the MILF’s interests and objectives are not the same as terrorist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf Group, al-Qaeda or Jemaah Islamiyah, it may decide to tolerate their presence and activities, the institute said.

This would allow the extremists to pose as advocates for the rights of the Bangsamoro (Moro nation) even as they perpetrate violent acts throughout the Philippines that undermine the Moros’ claims for their ancestral rights, it added.

Meanwhile, Malaysian envoy to the Philippines Ambassador Dato Ahmad Rashidi Bin Hazizi said his government will continue to play a key role in the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the MILF as long as Manila needs Kuala Lumpur’s assistance.

Hazizi said Malaysia just wants its neighbors, like the Philippines, to achieve peace and prosperity, which can pave the way for more interaction between the two friendly countries like economic activities.

“As you know, Malaysia and the Philippines have good friendly relations. We came in (to the Mindanao peace process) seven years ago,” the ambassador said, referring to the request in 2001 of President Arroyo to then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

The Malaysian diplomat said when Mrs. Arroyo made the request, his country also had problems of its own, “but we are looking at the bigger picture which is to accelerate and improve our relations.” – Marvin Sy, Jose Katigbak, John Unson

Back to top

dark_knight_detectve

September 28th, 2008, 07:42 AM

OIC pledges support for the government’s Mindanao peace effort (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW092708/content.php?id=071)
The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has expressed willingness to support development programs aimed at improving the lives of people in Mindanao, Press Sec. Jesus G. Dureza said yesterday.

In a statement, Mr. Dureza said this was the result of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s meeting with OIC Secretary-General Elmeddin Ihsanoglu in New York early this week, during her five-day trip to the United states.

"[Mr. ] Ihsanoglu told President Arroyo during their bilateral meeting that ’peace can be attained only if the people’s lives are improved,’ to which the President agreed," he said, adding that the OIC initiated the meeting.

The Press Secretary did not specify what types of assistance would be provided by OIC but maintained that this may come in form of funding support or projects.

The OIC is composed of 57 Islamic countries and represents 1. 3 billion Muslims.

Mindanao is currently beset by armed conflict between the military and the Muslim secessionist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose rogue elements killed more than 60 civilians last month. The MILF renegades went on the rampage after the government decided to drop the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain, which would have provided Muslims with greater political and economic powers in the Southern Philippines. The said agreement has been hit by various sectors for its alleged legal flaws.

Malacanang said the OIC vowed to exert efforts to unite the various Muslim factions in Mindanao.

"We will do our role to consolidate the different factions and help in the socio-economic development of Mindanao and improve the life of the people in the area because there can’t be peace without economic development," a Palace statement quoted Mr. Ihsanoglu as saying.

The MILF is a breakaway group of the Moro National Liberation Front, with whom the government sealed a peace agreement in 1996. Both groups claim to represent the aspirations of Muslims.

Mr. Dureza, a former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, said the President also explained to the OIC leader the new tack being employed by the government in pursuing the peace process, which focuses on conducting dialogues with local communities in Mindanao rather than with armed rebel groups.

"We will conduct dialogues with the communities and stakeholders and then decide what steps to be taken," the President was quoted to have told Mr. Ihsanoglu.

Mr. Dureza said the government and the OIC will work hand in hand to come up with an environment conducive for peace.

"You have first to develop an environment of trust so that rebels and the communities that have been in conflict will develop a little trust so that eventually there will be no need for those firearms,’’ he said.

Malacanang said OIC has expressed support for measures designed to seal a peaceful settlement with the Muslim rebels as long as they would respect the country’s sovereign integrity.

Ph Man

September 28th, 2008, 05:06 PM

Uncertified steel bars seized

:ohno: hindi ba nila narerealize ang possible effect ng ginagawa nila? imagine a building collapsing into rubbles because of uncompliant steel bars. weight is very essential in steel. it's proportional to the strength of the material. and yet, some companies are getting away with the regulations set by DTI or Bureau of Product Standards.

MtApoStandard

September 28th, 2008, 07:25 PM

:ohno: hindi ba nila narerealize ang possible effect ng ginagawa nila? imagine a building collapsing into rubbles because of uncompliant steel bars. weight is very essential in steel. it's proportional to the strength of the material. and yet, some companies are getting away with the regulations set by DTI or Bureau of Product Standards.
agreed. random checks should be sustained and full force of law should not exempt companies that have strong bribery collaborations with enforcing regulatory bodies. and for importations of products in this case, that requires strict quality standards prescribed by dti, i guess there should only be accredited list of specific items and brands allowed entry to philippines market. and this regulation should have been enforced right away at the doors of customs at the entry points of the country.

icarusrising

September 29th, 2008, 06:12 AM

More BPO firms to open in Mindanao (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/09292008/economy04.html)

By Bong Garcia Jr.
Reporter

ZAMBOANGA CITY—More business- process outsourcing (BPO) offices are likely to open in Mindanao as key cities like General Santos continue to develop business environments that are particularly attractive to information-technology (IT) firms, industry experts noted.

With this development, Maria Jamea Garcia, Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) executive director for talent development, said Mindanao and its major cities should be aggressive in their campaign to improve the talent, infrastructure and environment needed to advance in the sector of IT and IT-enabled services.

A BPAP study showed the Philippines is well-positioned to corner a 10-percent share of the global outsourcing and offshoring market by 2010, with potential revenues of about $13 billion and additional direct employment of close to one million workers.

Data from the United States Agency for International Development-funded Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) program showed that Mindanao cities like General Santos, Iligan and Zamboanga have strong potential as competitive offshoring sites, particularly when the labor and infrastructure resources of their neighboring municipalities and provinces are factored in.

The GEM program is helping to facilitate BPO investment in Mindanao.

“Developing these additional cities would help the Philippines achieve a more balanced distribution of growth in the BPO sector. This will ease some of the pressures on costs and help seed development in other parts of the country,” Garcia said.

Bing Garcia, vice president and chief operations officer of Marbel Telephone System Inc., said his company has begun laying down a fiber-optic network which he calls the “Ring of Fiber” connecting General Santos and the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani.

The “Ring” is being established in preparation for General Santos’ planned WiMax system, a wireless digital communications system whose broad coverage can be extended to its outlying districts and rural areas, much like a cellular-phone network.

Tacurong City and the 11 municipalities in the province of Sultan Kudarat will also be connected to the fiber-optic network under the Sultan Kudarat Telephone System Inc.

General Santos City is the trading and agro-industrial center of Region 12, which also encompasses the provinces of South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.

GearX

September 30th, 2008, 07:44 AM

^^:D ikaw GearX nagpledge kaba?

kapag wala nang load :lol:

paulkrps

October 1st, 2008, 12:41 AM

ebay find:

WWII WW2 Philippines US Army Battle of Mindanao Photo

This auction features a genuine sepiatone glossy 3.5" x 4.5" photo showing American GIs fighting with the Japanese in the Battle of Mindanao in the Philippines. The U.S. soldiers are using huts as cover. The photo is part of a larger collection once owned by an airman of the 5th Army Air Force. The airman has marked the back with "Mindinao" to indicate the photo's origin. I believe that this photo is a period print developed from original negatives, that is, a print developed during or shortly after the war. After a little googling, I found a reference to this and other photos from this collection on the website for the George C. Marshall Foundation. Someone donated prints like these to the Foundation and they were accepted.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/mindinao.jpg

jameslab8470

October 1st, 2008, 01:46 PM

CrossRoads

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/Butuan006.jpg?t=1222433291

This crossroad is located on the intersection of the Butuan Bypass road and the south Montilla road. Turning left, you will reach Tungao, Turning Right, to the City proper, and straight ahead is to the Bancasi airport. Tinakpan lang nila ung sign going to airport kasi d pa tapos ung phase 2 ng bypass road

neyoneyo80

October 3rd, 2008, 12:55 AM

http://static3.bareka.com/photos/medium/13366462.jpg
ceejay1985

UM ca. 1960 (during tito pol's college days :lol: and tito dinabaw's elementary years :lol: :jk: ) thanks to sir Mtapostandard for sharing. :cheers:

dark_knight_detectve

October 5th, 2008, 04:06 PM

Unicef to spend $.5M for kids in South (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20081005-164669/Unicef-to-spend-5M-for-kids-in-South)

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 05:41:00 10/05/2008

MANILA, Philippines—A United Nations children’s agency will spend $500,000 (P23.5 million) over the next three months to help displaced children in Mindanao as the fighting between government troops and secessionist rebels continues.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) said on Saturday the money would be spent to set up child-safe spaces in evacuation centers and ensure families’ access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

According to Unicef country representative Vanessa Tobin, some 500,000 people affected by the fighting have fled their homes in Central Mindanao, half of them children.

“After a recent UN assessment mission, we need to urgently focus on creating a stable, secure environment for children as well as [set up] water and sanitation facilities in the evacuation centers,” she said in a statement.

The mission said a number of parents noted signs of distress in their young children as a result of the prolonged warfare and displacement, according to Tobin.

This was why, she said, the agency would focus on creating child-friendly spaces inside evacuation centers in schools and mobilizing community support for children. TJ Burgonio

cyberwizard

October 6th, 2008, 04:36 AM

zoroethgenre_003

October 6th, 2008, 05:47 AM

1st pic - crossing somewhere in Ampayon?
i dont know the 2nd and 3rd pics

the 3rd pic is in Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay..

icarusrising

October 6th, 2008, 09:43 AM

Concerted efforts needed to
protect biodiversity of Davao Gulf (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/10062008/economy06.html)

By Jonathan L. Mayuga
Reporter

FRAGMENTED initiatives by national government agencies and local government units (LGUs) that deter integrated coastal management and the weak inter-LGU mechanism for coastal and fishery law enforcement, coupled by the booming population, have been identified as some of the pressing concerns in Davao Gulf.

The Davao Gulf Management Council, the coordinating body for initiatives to address environmental concerns in the gulf composed of 23 LGUs, said some of the world’s most vulnerable and threatened animal species found in the Davao Gulf are being pushed further to the brink by the lack of concerted initiatives to address the environmental concern in the Davao Gulf, considered a key biodiversity area (KBA) in the Philippines and listed as one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hot spots.

KBAs, which are considered “globally significant sites,” are building blocks for conservation programs that maintain effective ecological networks and prevent biodiversity loss.

The Philippines counts 128 KBAs, which were identified for 209 globally threatened and 419 endemic animal species. The KBAs cover 6,008,813 hectares, or about 20 percent of the country’s total land area.

Davao Gulf, in particular, is feeding ground to 11 species of cetaceans, including sperm whales, killer whales and bottle-nosed dolphins, as well as the nursing ground for five endangered turtle species, including the hawksbill, the leatherback and olive ridley.

On the other hand, five terrestrial KBAs in the uplands of the Davao Gulf region are also home to some of the world’s threatened mammals and birds, including the majestic, endangered Philippine Eagle.

An estimated 80 percent of Mindanao’s mammal species are not found anywhere else in the world. These include the Mindanao moonrat and the Mindanao pygmy fruit bat.

The rich biodiversity of Mindanao, however, faces threats from economic growth and population pressures. And this condition can best be seen in Davao Gulf, where population in the region reached 4.1 million in 2007.

“The pressures of economic and social growth have to be addressed through a concerted effort by gulf stakeholders, especially LGUs, because Davao Gulf is the source of livelihood for the people around the gulf,” said Leo Avila III, president of Save Davao Gulf Foundation.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Philippine Environmental Governance Project 2 (EcoGov) is currently assisting six LGUs in the gulf in the areas of forest and forestland management, coastal resource management and urban environmental management.

Help to LGUs, which began in 2005, centers on providing technical assistance on forest management, coastal-resource management and urban management, and providing advice on environment-friendly livelihood activities to communities, cooperatives and people’s organizations. EcoGov, for instance, teaches coastal LGUs and communities how to manage coastal resources and prevent overfishing or stop illegal fishing practices.

USAID, through EcoGov, also funds assistance programs for solid-waste and wastewater management in the gulf area. Davao Gulf is a catchment area for industrial, agricultural and human waste, as well as for siltation from the upland regions. Waste generation continues to be a serious threat to Davao Gulf, an area where EcoGov hopes to work closely with gulf LGUs.

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza has also called for initiatives to address the environmental threats to Davao Gulf.

“We have to develop that awareness that what we do to our coastal areas would affect all our life-support systems. The impact of the degradation of the country’s coastlines will not only be felt by coastal communities but even the people in the upland areas,” Atienza said during a recent clean-up activity in Davao Gulf.

EcoGov is a technical assistance project in the Philippines funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

The project is a collaborative effort with the DENR, LGUs and other partners that aims to enhance the capabilities of LGUs to preserve and manage natural resources through good environmental governance and sound, sustainable management practices.

icarusrising

October 6th, 2008, 10:40 AM

EU gives $10M in aid for insurgency-hit Mindanao (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/10/06/08/eu-gives-10m-aid-insurgency-hit-mindanao)
Agence France-Presse | 10/06/2008 12:56 PM

The European Union said Monday it will extend seven million euros, or almost 10 million dollars, in emergency aid for people displaced by the Muslim insurgency in the southern Philippines.

The announcement by the EU, one of the largest sources of official development aid to the predominantly Roman Catholic southeast Asian country's Muslim region, followed similar pledges of more aid from UN agencies.

Alistair MacDonald, head of the European Commission office in Manila, urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end the fighting on the island of Mindanao and resume peace talks.

It is "reaching the point where resources are being thinly stretched," he said.

Fighting flared up in August after the Supreme Court suspended a draft agreement that could have led to a peace accord with the 12,000-member MILF, which has been waging a four decades-old campaign to set up an Islamic state.

Hardline MILF units attacked Christian communities, burning and looting homes and killing civilians in fighting that has claimed about a hundred lives and forced half a million people to flee their homes. About 100,000 are still in evacuation centres.

In the latest incident, three Filipino soldiers were wounded when a military convoy hit a landmine near Valencia city on Saturday, the Philippine army said in a statement Monday.

MacDonald said the EU retained "a lot of optimism" about the prospects for peace.

The EU aid package includes up to four million euros in immediate humanitarian relief for the affected population.

The EU also approved a grant of three million euros to address the problems of civilians who had been displaced by fighting in recent years and had not been able to return to their homes.

Over the past decade, the EU said it has approved about 33 million euros in assistance to people displaced by the Mindanao conflict, on top of 93 million euros in development aid.

as of 10/06/2008 12:56 PM

dark_knight_detectve

October 6th, 2008, 07:21 PM

EU to provide P454-M aid for Mindanao (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW100708/content.php?id=071)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, the executive arm of the European Union, yesterday announced a funding facility to help civilians caught in the conflict in Mindanao.

Alistair MacDonald, head of the European Commission in Manila, gestures during a press conference. Mr. MacDonald urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to end the fighting on the island of Mindanao and resume peace talks saying the European Union will extend P454 million in emergency aid for people displaced by the Moro insurgency in Mindanao. — AFP The €7-million assistance (about P454 million) was prompted by the steady increase in civilian casualties and the displacement of more than half a million residents.

In a press conference, Alistair MacDonald, head of the EC’s Manila office, also called on the government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end the fighting in Mindanao and resume peace talks.

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW100708/mcdonald.jpg
Alistair MacDonald, head of the European Commission in Manila, gestures during a press conference. Mr. MacDonald urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to end the fighting on the island of Mindanao and resume peace talks saying the European Union will extend P454 million in emergency aid for people displaced by the Moro insurgency in Mindanao. — AFP

It is "reaching the point where resources are being thinly stretched," he said.

Mr. MacDonald said the successful delivery of the EU’s development programs could be jeopardized if violence continues.

"The number of people who will be affected by the conflict... is so large that is why it is important that the international community should do what it can to help," he added.

In a separate interview, Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral welcomed the assistance since "we’re really [living] in hard times."

Of the amount, €4 million (P260 million) will go to humanitarian assistance, particularly for emergency food distribution, water and sanitation facilities, health care, psychosocial support and livelihood protection.

The remaining €3 million (P195 million) grant is focused on the longer term rehabilitation assistance, which will be implemented by the United Nations Development Program, and is aimed at addressing the psychosocial problems of long-term displacement and rebuilding of affected communities.

The Philippines, particularly with regard to the Mindanao conflict, has so far received €114.46 million in assistance since 1989, according to EU records.

"The assistance provided by the European Commission is always welcome," Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. said in a phone interview yesterday.

He declined to elaborate pending the receipt of a copy of the terms of the assistance.

Fighting flared up in August after the Supreme Court suspended a draft territory agreement that could have led to a peace accord with the 12,000-member MILF, which has been waging a four-decade-old campaign to set up an Islamic state.

Hard-line MILF units attacked Christian communities, burning and looting homes and killing civilians in fighting that has claimed about a hundred lives and forced half-a-million people to flee their homes. About 100,000 are still in evacuation centers.

In the latest incident, three Filipino soldiers were wounded when a military convoy hit a land mine near Valencia City on Saturday, the Army said in a statement yesterday. — M. A. Teodoro, AFP with LDD

Back to top

davaob4now

October 7th, 2008, 10:35 AM

Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Talk Mindanao to debut in November

MINDANAO will soon be heard and seen again on television.

Talk Mindanao, the only program which tackles peace and development updates and advocacies on the island, will soon air the first episode of its second season this November under the partnership of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) and Mindanao Business Council (MinBC).

During last week's Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao, Medco chair Under Secretary Virgilio Leyretana and MinBC chair Vicente Lao signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Talk Mindanao partnership jumpstarting the production and marketing for the program. The MOA states that Medco and MinBC will manage the program.

Lao welcomed this partnership as a new development in the efforts to make Mindanao a viable investment destination through television.

"Through the show, we hope to highlight the different opportunities in Mindanao especially in investments," Lao said.

"Aside from giving vital information to businessmen, the show will also give various updates on peace and development to Mindanao's different stakeholders," Leyretana said.

Through the program, we hope to show "where we are now in Mindanao and what still needs to be done," he continued.

An important addition to the show are feature segments which will complement the discussions on business, economy, peace and development, and make Talk Mindanao more interesting, informative and relevant to Mindanao viewers.

Leyretana also said that if the show will be successful other formats like a Talk Mindanao radio program will also be explored.

He also said that Talk Mindanao is also exploring possibilities for acquiring national coverage.

Talk Mindanao began as Mindanao Business Talk, a live interview program launched by Medco in 2002. It was revived later last year as Talk Mindanao.

Talk Mindanao (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/10/07/bus/talk.mindanao.to.debut.in.november.html)

dark_knight_detectve

October 7th, 2008, 04:10 PM

EU grants P470-M aid for Mindanao, pushes peace talks (http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN20081007137321.html)

Kris Bayos

Financial support for the civilian victims of atrocities in Mindanao continue to pour in as the European Commission allotted at least R470 million in immediate aid and longterm rehabilitation assistance to the Mindanao Trust Fund (MTF).

European Union Ambassador Alistair MacDonald said the European Commission approved last Friday the grant of at least 7 million euros to the MTF from its Humanitarian Aid Department.

"In terms of immediate humanitarian relief, the Commission has earmarked up to 4 million euros or approximately R270 million at current exchange rates to help people affected by the recent violent incidents in Mindanao," MacDonald said.

"And in terms of longterm rehabilitation assistance, the Commission also approved a grant of up to 3 million euros or approximately R200 million for displaced households and communities affected by conflict over the recent years," he added.

MacDonald said that the funds will be channelled through the humanitarian aid agencies of the United Nations, the International Red Cross, and local non-government organizations.

"The assistance will cover emergency food distribution, drinking water, sanitation facilities, non-food relief items like medicines, basic shelter assistance, health care and psycho-social support, and emergency support to livelihood rehabilitation and protection," he said.

Echoing the stand of the European Commission on the hostilities in Mindanao, MacDonald urged the government and the leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to declare ceasefire and give way for a peaceful dialogue.

"We urge both parties to return to the negotiating table because we support a non-violent peace process," he said, adding that the EC has urged them "to show restraint and genuine respect for the rule of law."

The EC has already provided some 33 million euros or approximately P2.2 billion of funding aid for Mindanao. This excludes the 93 million euros or approximately P6.2 billion development assistance during the last two decades.

This makes the European Commission the largest donor to the MTF, which was established in 2005 by the World Bank to assist conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

The MTF is implemented in cooperation with the Bangsamoro Development Agency of the MILF to focus on stabilizing existing communities and resettling displaced persons.

$ 10-M assistance to aid folk displaced by Muslim insurgency

MANILA -- The European Union said Monday it will extend seven million euros, or almost $ 10 million, in emergency aid for people displaced by the Muslim insurgency in southern Philippines.

The announcement by the EU, one of the largest sources of official development aid to the predominantly Roman Catholic southeast Asian country’s Muslim region, followed similar pledges of more aid from UN agencies.

Alistair MacDonald, head of the European Commission office in Manila, urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to end the fighting on the island of Mindanao and resume peace talks.

It is "reaching the point where resources are being thinly stretched," he said.

Fighting flared up in August after the Supreme Court suspended a draft agreement that could have led to a peace accord with the 12,000-member MILF, which has been waging a four decades-old campaign to set up an Islamic state.

Hardline MILF units attacked Christian communities, burning and looting homes and killing civilians in fighting that has claimed about a hundred lives and forced half a million people to flee their homes. About 100,000 are still in evacuation centres.

In the latest incident, three Filipino soldiers were wounded when a military convoy hit a landmine near Valencia city on Saturday, the Philippine army said in a statement Monday.

MacDonald said the EU retained "a lot of optimism" about the prospects for peace.

The EU aid package includes up to four million euros in immediate humanitarian relief for the affected population.

The EU also approved a grant of three million euros to address the problems of civilians who had been displaced by fighting in recent years and had not been able to return to their homes.

Over the past decade, the EU said it has approved about 33 million euros in assistance to people displaced by the Mindanao conflict, on top of 93 million euros in development aid.

BOB-bXu

October 7th, 2008, 04:10 PM

1st pic - crossing somewhere in Ampayon?
i dont know the 2nd and 3rd pics

yup...Ampayon is the converging point of the two highways...just like the spokes of a trion:)

cyberwizard

October 8th, 2008, 06:59 AM

yup...Ampayon is the converging point of the two highways...just like the spokes of a trion:)

how about the 2nd pic @BOB asa na dapit?..:)

cyberwizard

October 8th, 2008, 10:10 AM

Journey to CANAAN...
...10 hours of ride from Iligan via valencia bukidnon and bombaran lanao del sur, 12km of horseback riding to reach the Canaan in Upper Tigason, Brgy Dominorog, Talakag, Bukidnon

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/42487/2654938200104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2654938200104006805OKQJWu)
http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/40059/2552221300104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2552221300104006805RyeXBq)
http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/40314/2590935790104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2590935790104006805fKdWye)
http://inlinethumb34.webshots.com/16609/2840462730104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2840462730104006805LlUFCp)
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/42051/2731461330104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2731461330104006805GyKbfz)
http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/42755/2267244190104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2267244190104006805pZLfki)
http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/42330/2064251310104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2064251310104006805ySnjDU)
http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/40299/2481509010104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2481509010104006805EUWXWc)
http://inlinethumb40.webshots.com/39079/2615373630104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2615373630104006805YYkqNe)
http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/4302/2318795030104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2318795030104006805rPndDB)
http://inlinethumb12.webshots.com/28363/2751788320104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2751788320104006805JGZUsx)
http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/40541/2388709510104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2388709510104006805HzVDBW)
http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/44183/2591582690104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2591582690104006805RjTBxY)
http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/29502/2470876270104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2470876270104006805lCRctA)
http://inlinethumb14.webshots.com/35533/2074405010104006805S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2074405010104006805tvdBZe)

MtApoStandard

October 8th, 2008, 06:44 PM

Biggest Philippine flag unfolded in Lanao del Norte
by VN Labial

Tubod, Lanao del Norte (8 October) -- The biggest Philippine Flag in the world which has a dimension of 2 hectares was unfolded here on October 3, 2008 at the Mindanao Civic Center.

The Philippine flag, which is included in the Guinness Book of World Records, is second only to an Israel Flag which has a 3 hectare dimension, and even surpassed the biggest American flag which measured 1 hectare.

The two biggest flags recognized by Guinness were both created by a Filipina – Grace Gupana.

The unfolding ceremony was organized by Full Gospel Businessmen of the Philippines (FGBP), Intercessors For the Philippines (IFP) and the Municipality of Tubod in an attempt to promote unity, peace and reconciliation between Muslims, Christians, and Lumads in the conflict-affected province.

The flag has already been unfolded in the cities of Marawi and Iligan, and most recently in the capitol town of Tubod. The flag is scheduled to be unfolded later in the month at Davao International Airport in Davao City.

The colossal flag was unfolded by the employees of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte and members of the Philippine Army. The 4-ton flag has enough material to create ten thousand sports jackets and cost P1.5 million to fabricate.

"We have opened this flag in many areas before, but this is by far the most beautiful place we have unfolded it," declared Arnold Garbanzos, FBGP representative and organizer.

Following the unfolding of the flag were the Feet Washing Ceremony and Declaration of Blessings for the Province by Fr. Pacifico Gupana, Sto. Nino parish priest.

Present during the unfolding ceremony were Joselito Quibranza (Provincial Administrator), Tubod mayor Eduardo Mansueto, and Sgt. Baning Usman (Philippine Amy). (Provincial IO-Lanao Del Norte) [top]

paulkrps

October 8th, 2008, 08:46 PM

GearX

October 9th, 2008, 10:28 AM

cyberwizard

October 9th, 2008, 10:30 AM

thanks for sharing this. i see that this is a church-related activity. GOD bless!

thnx @paulkrps..GodBless pod..

paulkrps

October 11th, 2008, 01:45 PM

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/179869918_o.jpg

paulkrps

October 11th, 2008, 01:46 PM

ebay find, 1909 Argus Valley, Mindanao Philippines - RPPC :

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/190f_1.jpg

paulkrps

October 11th, 2008, 01:52 PM

ebay find:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/Yesterdaysinthephilippines16.jpg

paulkrps

October 11th, 2008, 01:54 PM

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/W1C049.jpg

MtApoStandard

October 11th, 2008, 06:11 PM

http://www.fkrieger.de/IMAGES/PHILIPPINEN/BRIEFMARKEN/FLUGPOST/1939-0217MANILA-DAVAO.JPG

http://www.fkrieger.de/IMAGES/PHILIPPINEN/BRIEFMARKEN/FLUGPOST/1939-0217MANILA-DAVAOr.JPG

paulkrps

October 12th, 2008, 11:53 AM

ebay find, ARMY PARADE GROUNDS ZAMBOANGA MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/W1C059.jpg

paulkrps

October 12th, 2008, 12:08 PM

ebay find, 1909 MUSLIM SOLDIERS PHILIPPINES UNDER PERSHING PHOTO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/4147w.jpg

paulkrps

October 12th, 2008, 12:17 PM

ebay find, JOLO PHILIPPINES 6TH CAVALRY BAND - 2ND FIELD ARTILLERY

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/MINT.jpg

xu_pauloboy

October 12th, 2008, 12:24 PM

ebay find, 1909 MUSLIM SOLDIERS PHILIPPINES UNDER PERSHING PHOTO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/4147w.jpg

John Pershing. Military Governor sa Moro Province within 1903-1913. That is why it rang a bell! He massacred 1,000 muslim in sulu within a span of three days. I don't think he is worth praising.

The Moro armed struggle was between 1903 to 1934. They were massacred. And Governor Pershing was one of the responsible to such cannibal act... even killing children below 10 years old.

Alingatong

October 14th, 2008, 12:40 AM

$450-M Alsons Mindanao plant planned

Written by Paul A. Isla / Reporter
Monday, 13 October 2008 22:25

THE ball for a $450-million proposed power plant intended to supply part of the baseload power needs of Mindanao in 2012 has been started rolling, with a feasibility study already approved by the board of its proponent, publicly listed Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc.

The proposed 200-megawatt (MW)Kamanga coal-fired power plant is in Maasim, Sarangani. Gregorio Gonzales, project manager, had said the plant will be designed to allow an increase in its generating capacity to 900 mW.

Gonzales added that construction of the joint venture between the Alcantara Group (Alsons) and Thai-power firm EGKO is expected to begin middle of next year.

In September last year, Tomas Alcantara, chairman of the Alsons, said, “The power station will serve the requirements of Mindanao’s distribution utilities, particularly those in the south, as well as those of the various industrial loads. It will be the cheapest new entrant in the grid when it becomes operational in 2012.”

Alsons has been in power generation for over 15 years. It built and operates the Western Mindanao Power Corp. in Zamboanga and the Southern Philippine Power Corp. in Sarangani. A third plant, the Northern Mindanao Power Corp. in Iligan City, has been transferred to the National Power Corp, under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) scheme. All three are bunker C-fired [also known as liquid coal and cheaper than coal].

Alsons also owns a 60-mW bunker C-fired diesel power station in Sulawesi, Indonesia, and operated power plants in Vietnam, China and Pakistan.

Mindanao has an existing generating capacity of 1,850.4-mW beginning 2008, but the dependable capacity is only 1,520-mW. Peak demand starting this year is projected to hit 1,440-mW.

Industry regulations require the Mindanao grid to maintain a reserve capacity of at least 23.4 percent of their generating capacity. At the moment, this reserve is less than 10 percent.

Peak demand for power supply by 2015 is expected to hit 1,750 MW but only the Sibulan 70-MW Hydro Power Plant Project in Santa Cruz, Davao, is under construction.

“We expect power supply to become tighter and tighter over the next three years, edging toward a shortage from 2012 onward, which is the main aim of the Kamanga Power Plant project—to fill the gap between supply and demand,” said Gonzales.

businessmirror.com.ph/ (http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=340:450-m-alsons-mindanao-plant-planned&catid=23:topnews)

paulkrps

October 14th, 2008, 01:14 AM

thanks to overtureph

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http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/plazapershing-1.jpg

Plaza Pershing, Zamboanga City

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Captioned as Zamboanga Plaza but I'm not exactly sure where it is.

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Indicated as Jolo. This must be the wall that the Spaniards built during the 19th century.

boju2

October 14th, 2008, 01:58 AM

Mindanao business wants accurate power situationer (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW101408/content.php?id=074)

DAVAO CITY — The Mindanao Business Council has asked Energy department officials to provide an accurate power situationer in light of a looming energy crisis in Mindanao.

In a briefing, Energy Assistant Secretary Matanog M. Mapandi clarified that the rumored power crisis starting in 2009 was only a "perception" since power plants in the island have the capacity to generate 1,937 megawatts (MW) against a requirement of less than 1,200 MW.

Mr. Mapandi said the Agus plant in Iligan alone has the design capacity of 727 MW and is expected to generate an additional 100 MW with the upgrade to be undertaken by the National Power Corp. Another 50 MW will be generated by power projects in Bukidnon and Davao City.

Irma C. Exconde, assistant director of the Electric Power Industry Management Bureau, said Energy officials adjust the island’s forecast demand at around 5 MW annually, which is higher than the average annual increase rate of 4.3%.

She said Mindanao has to improve the distribution system since supply is concentrated in the northern side while bulk of consumption is in the southern part; the imbalance usually results in power fluctuations.

Ms. Exconde said the critical period next year may be on the assumption of water lack since 50% of Mindanao’s plants are hydro-based.

Vicente T. Lao, business council chairman, said the assurance of Energy officials is contrary to a situationer given by the Davao Light and Power Co. "The picture is that by 2009, the reserves are no longer there."

Mr. Lao said the Agus plant is not able to operate at full capacity, while balancing the load between the northern and southern parts of the island will not improve the supply lack.

"If we will not move, by 2014 we have already a shortage of 519 megawatts," he said. "As of now, there are only two investments, one is 40 megawatts in Sta. Cruz [Davao del Sur] and another 27 megawatts in Tamugan [Davao City] and the gestation period for a power plant is three to four years."

Based on Davao Light’s estimates, the dependable generation capacity of Mindanao this year is 1,510 MW and this figure is expected to increase until 2014 without new power plant projects in the pipeline.

Manuel M. Orig, Davao Light executive vice-president, noted four power projects in the pipeline — 8-MW hydro plant by Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Co., 150-MW hydro plant in Bulanog Batang, Bukidnon by a number of electric cooperatives, 200-MW coal plant in Central Mindanao by the Alcantara Group, and expansion of STEAG’s coal plant capacity in Misamis Oriental by 200 MW — but no dates have been set for their implementation.

The Philippine Energy Plan cited indicative power projects in Mindanao, including Minergy in Cagayan de Oro, Green Power Biomass, Hedcor Tamugan, Conal Holding and Sultan Kudarat Coal, Tagoloan hydropower plant, and Agus 3 Hydropower plant. Indicative power projects refer to those which are at different stages of development. — Joel B. Escovilla

neyoneyo80

October 14th, 2008, 07:46 PM

CARRYING BAMBOO WATER TANKS on the ISLAND OF MINDANAO
"I love bamboo. The uses people find for it seem endless" (Okinawa Soba/ flickR)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/2938728695_a6a68fa943_o.jpg

paulkrps

October 14th, 2008, 08:04 PM

nyor dinabaw ba ng naa sa tunga?:D

neyoneyo80

October 14th, 2008, 08:26 PM

^^ photo taken ca. 1899 ... i guess so, uncle dinabaw after his release from american prison :D

MtApoStandard

October 15th, 2008, 02:26 AM

Cargo throughput posts steepest drop in 2008

PDF Print E-mail
Shipping
Written by VG Cabuag, Reporter
Monday, 13 October 2008 17:10

CARGO throughput that passed through Philippine ports in the first seven months of the year recorded the steepest decline so far, according to data from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA).

Total cargo volume dropped by 10 percent to 81.31 million metric tons (MTs) during the first seven months of the year, from 90.4 million MTs in the same period last year, the PPA said in a report.

Both domestic and foreign volumes performed poorly with total volume dropping by 7 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

Only seven of 24 PPA port-management offices posted increases in volume of handled domestic cargo, according to PPA data. These were in Calapan, Cotabato, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Pulupandan, Tacloban, and General Santos.

Ports in the Visayas region processed a combined increase of close to 4 percent, but combined domestic cargo of ports under the Port District Office of Manila/Northern Luzon fell by 10 percent.

The same was down 11 percent for Southern Luzon, 13 percent for Northern Mindanao and 3 percent for Southern Mindanao.

On foreign trading, export and import cargoes posted negative growth of 20 percent and 7 percent, respectively.

Ports in the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), Southern Mindanao, Iloilo and San Fernando were among a handful that managed to post gains on volumes that were weak to heave the country’s cargo throughput.

Containerized cargo, on the other hand, went up by more than 3 percent, with the volume of foreign container traffic at MICT, Davao and General Santos contributing gains that cushioned the impact declines in domestic containerized cargo handled in North Harbor and Cagayan de Oro, the PPA said.

MICT and Manila South Harbor accounted for about 60 percent of the 2.31 million TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) processed in the seven-month period, or about 1.34 million TEUs.

Other government ports handled 836,428 TEUs, or 36 percent of the total, while private ports handled about 5.75 percent of the total or about 132,668 TEUs.

Domestic ship calls rose by about 1 percent mostly in South Harbor, Jagna, Tubigon, Calapan, Pulupandan and Cotabato.

Meanwhile, passenger traffic, which posted increases in the earlier in the year, went down by 83,834 or 0.31 percent by the end of July.

The reduced rates of airlines in an ongoing promotional campaign, continue to put pressure against shipping operators plying long-haul routes reduced ship movement. The situation has affected operations in South Harbor, Iloilo and General Santos, the PPA said.

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=287:cargo-throughput-posts-steepest-drop-in-2008&catid=29:shipping

c0kelitr0

October 15th, 2008, 11:05 AM

Surigao City to open first sanitary landfill in Mindanao in December
Economy
Written by Cai U. Ordinario / Reporter
Tuesday, 14 October 2008 19:04

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=370:surigao-city-to-open-first-sanitary-landfill-in-mindanao-in-december&catid=33:economy

SURIGAO CITY—The local government here in Surigao City remains confident it will be able to open the Surigao City Waste Treatment Facility, the first sanitary landfill in Mindanao and only the third in the Philippines before Christmas this year.

Mayor Alfonso Casurra said the local government is still in the process of complying with some last-minute requirements needed for the 20-hectare facility’s full operation.

The facility was funded partly by a P150-million grant from the Swedish government and a P45-million loan from the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The grant from Sweden financed the project’s feasibility study and project design, while the loan from LandBank funded the actual construction of the landfill.

Starting December, the city government will be collecting P25 for the maintenance of the landfill from each of the city’s 12,000 households. This will help cover the P7.5-million maintenance cost of the province every year.

This and other opportunities that will be presented to the LGU through the landfill will help finance the P8-million to P8.5-million annual cost for the landfill.

The mayor said since the landfill is the first to be constructed in Mindanao, areas near Surigao City may be interested to create a memorandum of agreement with the LGU of Surigao City and contract the services of the sanitary landfill for a fee.

Casurra said that recently the LGU of Ozamis City in the province of Misamis Occidental has already visited Surigao City and inquired about the services of the landfill. He is also expecting that the LGU of Panabo City in Davao will be visiting Surigao soon to inquire about the landfill.

Surigao City produces 21 tons of garbage every day and with the landfill, it hopes to lower this to around 10 tons after the landfill has become operational. This will be greatly reduced since the facility will only be processing residual waste.

The rest of the garbage to be collected will be sent to the material recovery facility, which will be turned into a recyclables tiangge, where enterprising residents can get free scraps and sell it for a good price.

dark_knight_detectve

October 15th, 2008, 02:49 PM

DA allots P203.6M for new cornfields (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008101428&type=2)
By Marianne V. Go
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will spend P203.6 million to develop 75,000 hectares of new cornfields, mostly in Mindanao, under a ”crash program” to boost corn production by 270,000 metric tons (MT) this year.

In a report to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, assistant secretary Dennis Araullo of the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Corn Program said the expansion would enable the country to meet the target yield of 4.1 million MT in the second semester this year.

“The planting season for this expansion areas covers the second and third quarters. Hence, we can expect to harvest an estimated yield of 270,000 MT for the last two quarters of the year,” Araullo said.

Most of the expansion areas are located in Mindanao accounting for 52 percent of the targeted 75,000 hectares of new corn lands or an equivalent of 39,000 hectares.

New corn areas in Luzon will cover 26,700 hectares, equivalent to 35.6 percent of the target; and in the Visayas, 9,300 hectares, or 12.4 percent.

Just recently, the DA approved the government’s new buying price of P11.50 per kilo of yellow corn.

The DA is studying a further increase of P1.50 in the support price for yellow corn to make it the same as for white corn which is at P13 per kilo. If the DA decides to approve the increase, this will be endorsed in the next meeting of the NFA Council.

Araullo said corn farmers need to increase their production of corn as it is a main component of animal feeds.

The DA-GMA Corn program is optimistic that the revised 7.2 million MT corn production target will be attained this year. The revised target is two percent lower than the original target of 7.4 million MT.

The corn production target this year has been lowered following the damage wrought by typhoon “Frank” on corn lands in the Visayas and the negative impact of high fertilizer prices on farm production.

The DA is also promoting the use of organic and microbial fertilizers to enable corn farmers to slash fertilizer expenses by as much as 40 percent.

The DA is, likewise fast-tracking the construction of 45 additional post-harvest processing and trading centers nationwide.

Back to top

dark_knight_detectve

October 15th, 2008, 03:01 PM

Sumitomo may build $1.7-B nickel plant (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW101508/content.php?id=041)
NICKEL ASIA Corp. and Japanese partner Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. may build a $1.7-billion nickel ore processing facility in Northeastern Mindanao next year, a move that could boost mining investments in the country.

Gerard H. Brimo, Nickel Asia president and chief executive officer, told reporters on the sidelines of a mining conference in Manila he expects Sumitomo to give its go-signal to the Surigao del Norte project by the end of the month, despite the global economic slowdown.

"We are looking at participating in [the construction of] a second acid leaching plant in partnership with Sumitomo," Mr. Brimo said, adding that the ore would come from their Taganito mine in Surigao del Norte. The feasibility study is almost completed, Mr. Brimo said.

The plant will process 30,000 metric tons of nickel ore per year, triple the initial capacity of the Rio Tuba plant in Palawan.

The Taganito mine will provide 100 million metric tons of nickel laterite ore, enough for the processing plant to operate for 30 years, Mr. Brimo said.

"The plant is going to be right beside the Taganito deposit so it is going to be a short distance [for us] to bring the laterite ore to the [processing] plant," he said, adding that ores from other nickel projects would add unnecessary transport costs.

Nickel Asia will shoulder 30% of the $1.7-billion project cost, while the Japan Bank for International Cooperation will finance the remaining 70%, Takanori Fujimura, president of Nickel Asia subsidiary Coral Bay Nickel Corp., told reporters.

The company also expects to finish expanding by March its first high-pressure acid leach facility near the Rio Tuba mine, which processes low-grade nickel laterite ores.

In 2005, Nickel Asia and Sumitomo started operating the country’s only nickel ore processing plant worth $180 million following an upgrade two years ago. Processed nickel ores are supplied by the Rio Tuba mine, Mr. Brimo said.

Once upgraded, nickel ore processing capacity will be doubled to 20,000 metric tons per year.

The Rio Tuba acid leach facility expansion cost the company $308 million, almost double the $180 million cost of the first plant.

"On a combined basis, those two plants will supply 7% of the world’s nickel output," Mr. Brimo said.

Mr. Fujimura said the company expects nickel prices to rise to $7-$8 per pound from $5-$5.50 now.

Precious metal retailer Kitco Base Metals has priced nickel at $5.56 per pound, down from $8.20 last month and $14 last year.

Mr. Fujimura said the company might also look at copper and gold projects in the country after building the second processing plant.

They will engage in a 60-40 joint venture deal in medium-scale mines or fully finance a large-scale mine, he added.

Nickel Asia operates nickel mines Rio Tuba, Taganito in Surigao del Norte, Taganaan in Surigao City and South Dinagat and Cagdianao in northern Mindanao.

Also yesterday, Canadian miner Philippine Metals Corp. said it was still waiting for the Environment department’s approval of its permits to explore copper mines Taurus in Tacloban, Leyte, Malitao in Kalinga Apayao and Dilong in Abra.

"Hopefully, we can see [the exploration permits] in a couple of months, maybe in the new year," Philippine Metals Vice-President Tom Vaillancourt told reporters.

"The market would be improving by that time... [and it] would be an excellent time to start the initial public offering," he added.

Philippine Metals will list its shares simultaneously list on the Canadian and local stock exchanges by 2009.

The company will invest $150,000 to $300,000 for the airborne geological survey of the Taurus mine, Mr. Vaillancourt said.

Back to top

GearX

October 16th, 2008, 12:01 PM

Cold chain facilities worth P1.2B to go up (http://www.portcalls.com/html/news/news.html)

COLD Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) members are introducing at least eight cold chain facilities worth a total of P1.2 billion in the next three to six months.

The facilities will be scattered nationwide—three in Luzon, two in Visayas and another three in Mindanao.

“The new installations are expected to boost the cold chain business in the country as well as lower rates,” CCAP president Anthony Dizon told PortCalls.

While industry prospects seem on the rise, Dizon is cautious about the future.

“The full capacity we are expe-riencing now is only due to hedge buying by our customers and is no guarantee that we will have the same business in the future,” he said.

Clients are appa-rently stocking up on food pro-ducts for fear of a supply shortage or a rise in their prices.

In the next three years, about seven more cold chain facilities worth about P2 billion will be put up.

Among areas in dire need of cold chain storage facilities are the Phividec Industrial Estate in Cagayan de Oro, Misa-mis Oriental, Davao, and General Santos.

Last year, Jentec Storage Corp established two cold chain facilities worth about P400 million to meet de-mands of the tuna canning industry, which exports approximately $280 million each year.

The Davao cold chain facility has a 2,000-metric ton (MT) capacity while the one in General Santos has a 4,000 to 5,000 MT rated capacity.

“Visayas and Mindanao are a growing source of food inputs for food exports. A reliable cold chain system will help stakeholders increase the viability of their produce abroad and even to mainstream markets such as Metro Manila,” Dizon said.

donnex

October 17th, 2008, 07:02 PM

Saturday, October 18, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Corporate News
Mindanao Transco employees no longer worried over job security

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Employees of the National Transmission Corp. (Transco) in Mindanao, numbering over a thousand, are no longer worried over the company’s impending privatization, a ranking Transco workers association leader told local media.

In a media forum initiated by the regional office of the National Economic Development Authority, Rufino T. Magbanua, Transco corporate communications officer of the North Central Mindanao Area and vice-president for external affairs of Mindanao Transco Employees Association, said job security is almost assured for employees except for those retiring and those who have chosen to migrate abroad.

Mr. Magbanua noted that the problem they are facing now is high rate of piracy involving linesmen and engineers. In recent months, he said, many of their workers have been lured to work abroad for firms in Hong Kong and Australia as well as in Europe. He noted the workers’ association has been conducting an information drive on the current situation of employees in the company.

In a new provision of the Senate bill related to Transco’s privatization introduced by Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, a 165-day transition period is given to the National Grid Corp. to "assume all responsibility of hiring existing employees of Transco." National Grid Corp. is a consortium of Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp. and the State Grid of Hong Kong that would take over the operation of Transco.

Mr. Magbanua said the current version of the bill includes prioritizing Transco employees because of technical capabilities and expertise over new applicants. "All current employees shall be granted benefits by the concessionaire," he said. Although the transition period will give the concessionaire the authority and decision to select employees it would re-hire, he said the association is not worried.

"We are not worried about not being absorbed as employees of the National Grid Corp. The concessionaire needs technical people," he said. As of the moment, Transco is looking for grid facility upgrades in their three plants nationwide.

The National Grid Corp., will provide the government $3.95 billion to operate the country’s power transmission system for 25 years, with $1 billion as initial installment. It is expected to pay the remaining $2.95 billion in the next 10 years and is mandated to pay the 3% franchise tax from its gross earnings and offer 20% of its shares of stock to the public. — Penny Lyn P. Cunanan

sandman.ink

October 21st, 2008, 04:27 PM

buti pa ang ABS-CBN nahanap si Bravo...

I don't know if I would laugh or cry about this...

MtApoStandard

October 21st, 2008, 05:12 PM

Private construction up 9.3% in 2nd quarter of ’08–NSO
PDF Print E-mail
Economy
Written by Cai Ordinario / Reporter
Tuesday, 21 October 2008 20:35

BUILDING renovation and construction done by private businesses and homeowners posted a higher growth at 9.3 percent in the second quarter of the year, according to the latest Private Building Construction Statistics released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The NSO data showed that the number of approved building permits nationwide increased to 25,145 during the second quarter of 2008 from 23,003 applications.

With that, data showed that the total construction value in the second quarter of 2008 was estimated at P38.3 billion. This is an increase of 29.1 percent from P29.7 billion recorded during the same period of 2007.

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=758:private-construction-up-93-in-2nd-quarter-of-08nso&catid=33:economy

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icarusrising

October 29th, 2008, 10:01 AM

Artifacts from smugglers in Sarangani may lead to lost tribe (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/features/10/25/08/artifacts-smugglers-sarangani-may-lead-lost-tribe)
by MANNY MOGATO, Reuters | 10/26/2008 4:09 AM

MANILA - When Philippine police confiscated 22 bags of broken pottery from antiquity smugglers near an area where Muslim rebels operated, little did they know that they may have uncovered the remnants of a long-lost tribe.

Now, experts at the National Museum in the capital Manila are studying the burial urns from a tribe that lived in the Philippines over 2,000 years ago, in what could be a major archaeological discovery.

"The pottery has human faces that show emotions," Eusebio Dizon, head of the archaeological unit at the National Museum, told Reuters.

Dizon said that pictures of people on the shards might mean the tribe that used the vessels had different origins from the known indigenous tribes in the Philippines.

"The Manobos, Tirurays and B'laans tribes that have survived over time do not bury their dead in painted anthropomorphic (human form) jars. So, we have no idea what kind of people are behind these unique burial jars," Dizon said.

A U.S.-trained archaeologist, Dizon spent several years in the 1990s excavating in a cave in Sarangani province on Mindanao after he was tipped off by treasure hunters about rare anthropomorphic, or human form, pottery in the area. Carbon dating tests showed the jars to be from about 5 BC.

He said the latest pottery find could be much older because of the cruder method used in the pottery as well as the human forms on the jars. But, further studies are needed to establish the real origins of the latest finds, he added.

"We have no idea where these artifacts come from because the people who were trying to smuggle them out from the area could not tell us where exactly they found those materials. But, I am sure the materials are not fake."

Rene Miguel Dominguez, governor of Sarangani province, said they were told the latest pottery was found near Palembang town, a coastal area in the adjacent Sultan Kudarat province where Muslim rebels are very active.

Rare and unique

Archaeologists have uncovered late stone-age weapons, pottery and other artifacts in digs in the region.

"(But) Anthropomorphic pottery is seldom seen in this part of the world," Dizon said.

Angel Bautista, head of the National Museum's cultural property division, said the government wanted the new discovery to be declared a "national treasure," but further investigations were needed to establish provenance.

Dizon said it was important for archaeology experts to inspect the places where the pottery was found and examine the "primary data" that might reveal valuable information about what could be one of the earliest sites of human habitation in the country.

However, the museum lacked the resources to embark on a major exploration in an area where there has been sporadic fighting between troops and the country's largest Islamic rebel group.

Dominguez said some areas where the pottery was suspected to have been found were controlled by Muslim rebels that demand huge sums of money to allow further archaeological exploration work.

"These pottery pieces are part of our pre-historic history and the government must do everything to protect the site where these materials were found," he said.

Apart from rebels and lawless groups active in the areas, archaeologists may have to race against antiquity dealers and treasure hunters as the artifacts could fetch millions of pesos on the black market.

"We could learn more about our past from this pottery, but first we need to preserve and protect the areas from where these materials have been found," he added.

as of 10/26/2008 4:09 AM

paulkrps

October 29th, 2008, 01:14 PM

buti pa ang ABS-CBN nahanap si Bravo...

I don't know if I would laugh or cry about this...

CRY!

Igsuonnimo

October 29th, 2008, 06:02 PM

From www.tribuneonline.org

Gov’t okays P150-M aid to coffee farmers; Mindanao seen as growth area

October 29,2008

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) concerning the P150 million in assistance to be extended by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to the Philippine Coffee Board Inc. is set to be signed by their top officials in Taguig City today.

The P150 million will be loaned out to the country’s 30,000 coffee farmers to enable them to achieve their goal of self-sufficiency by 2015 by increasing production from 28,575 metric tons in the crop year 2007-2008 to 75,000 MT by expanding the present 76,620 hectares of farmlands planted to coffee by 10,000 hectares per year.

This may finally “wake up the sleeping giant that is Mindanao,” as Atty. Edwin Eleuterio, chairman of the Mindanao Coffee Board Inc., had forecast in his industry situationer.

The region, which yielded 17,600 MT in the last crop year, has vast arable lands that can account for 70 percent of the projected increase in coffee hectarage. “In the crop year 2014-2015, we will be able to produce 60,000 MT and put back the Philippines on the list of coffee exporters,” Eleuterio said.

At present, 54,040 hectares in the Southern island are planted to coffee, with an annual production of 17,600 MT. The fertile coffee lands yield 326 kilos a hectare annually. Eleuterio said “Southerners consume 10,000 MT of coffee each year and their coffee requirement grows by 2 percent yearly to a forecast demand of 11,400 MT in 2015. With the help of the DA assistance, which will be formalized in a MoA to be signed by DA Secretary Arthur Yap and Coffee Board chairwoman Pacita Juan, the region hopes to expand production by 13.5 percent annually.”

The three biggest coffee-producing provinces in the South are Bukidnon (354 kilos per hectare annually), Lanao del Sur (262 kg/ha) and the Cotabato provinces (357 kg/ha). Eleuterio said Bukidnon now has 7,200 ha planted to coffee, Lanao del Sur, 6,500 ha and the Cotabatos 6,500 ha. Other coffee-growing provinces are Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Occidental, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte and del Sur, Davao City, Surigao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur. Edgardo S. Tugade

deevex75

October 29th, 2008, 09:35 PM

:banana:It's nice to know that Investments keep on pouring there in Mindanao....

MtApoStandard

November 1st, 2008, 04:39 AM

Transfer of MEDCo to NEDA okay with foreign donors
11/01/2008 | 03:03 AM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The transfer of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) under the oversight of the National Economic Development Agency hardly sent ripples with the donor partners as council chairman, Usec. Virgilio L. Leyretana, assured that nothing will change.

Mr. Leyretana said that none of their donor partners — like the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United States Agency for International Development, Australian Agency for International Development — have expressed their concern on the impending transfer.

"They (donors) bestow the trust and confidence on the capability and credibility of MEDCo," he said.

President Gloria M. Arroyo signed on Oct. 13, 2008 Executive Order 757 which placed the council under the oversight of the NEDA, which shall provide general supervision in the formulation of continuing and integrated socio-economic development plans, policies and programs.

Prior to the order, MEDCo is under the oversight of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

But Mr. Leyretana said they are pushing for the House bill proposing to create the convert MEDCo into Mindanao Economic Development Agency and shield the programs for the island from "erratic developments" and ensure continuity in policies.

The bill, authored by Maguindanao Rep. Simeon A. Datumanong and Sultan Kudarat Rep. Pax Mangudadatu, already passed first reading at the House.

"Historically, there’s no consistency of policy support. The consequences of that are the loss of time, energy... and continuity in terms of programs and projects," Mr. Leyretana said. — Joel B. Escovilla, BusinessWorld

dark_knight_detectve

November 1st, 2008, 01:39 PM

Bus fare cut looms in Mindanao, exec says (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW110108/content.php?id=075)

KORONADAL CITY — With a major rollback in fuel pump prices, commuters in south-central Mindanao may get a relief with a bus association’s petition to reduce fare, a bus official here said on Friday.

Olimpio Par, operations manager of Yellow Bus Line, Inc., the largest bus company operating in south-central Mindanao, said they are awaiting words from the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP) to lower fees charge to passengers.

"PBOAP already filed a petition to reduce fare charges with the LTFRB [Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board]," Mr. Par told a local radio station.

He declined to elaborate when pressed for details of the petition, citing that fare rates of bus companies are "lower in this part of the country than elsewhere."

Yellow Bus, a member of the provincial bus operators’ association, plies from here to the cities of General Santos, Digos and Davao and rural parts of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

The price cuts in fuel prices — as much as P6 per liter for diesel and P2.50 for gasoline — took effect Thursday and is said to be the biggest one-time rollback since the oil deregulation law took effect 10 years ago. — Romer S. Sarmiento

Back to top

BOB-bXu

November 2nd, 2008, 05:53 AM

-edit-

BOB-bXu

November 2nd, 2008, 06:00 AM

-edit-

BOB-bXu

November 2nd, 2008, 06:02 AM

Butuan Jaycees 1952 circa
http://www.geocities.com/athens/cyprus/8446/jaycees67.jpg

St. Joseph Cathedral and Guingona Park (presently Rizal Park) in a 1949 Butuan photo
http://www.geocities.com/athens/cyprus/8446/bsp1949.jpg

school field trip 1952 circa, Butuan City
http://www.geocities.com/athens/cyprus/8446/iceplant.jpg

BOB-bXu

November 2nd, 2008, 06:08 AM

Mindanao Athletic Association Meet, Butuan City in 1955 circa

http://www.geocities.com/athens/cyprus/8446/maameet55.jpg

Yre

November 2nd, 2008, 06:50 AM

John Pershing. Military Governor sa Moro Province within 1903-1913. That is why it rang a bell! He massacred 1,000 muslim in sulu within a span of three days. I don't think he is worth praising.

The Moro armed struggle was between 1903 to 1934. They were massacred. And Governor Pershing was one of the responsible to such cannibal act... even killing children below 10 years old.

I haven't read anyone praising him here at all and are you sure he's a "cannibal"?

paulkrps

November 2nd, 2008, 12:13 PM

BOB-bXu

November 3rd, 2008, 05:59 AM

my gulay, thanks for this bob. do you have a comparison with the current cathedral? does agusan ice plant still exist?

that ice plant no longer exists pau..

regarding the two belfry tower of the cathedral...notice the partially damaged first belfry....its a post war photo..

the present St. Joseph Cathedral has only one belfry tower

lightsaber46

November 3rd, 2008, 07:18 AM

neyoneyo80

November 3rd, 2008, 07:19 AM

Mindanao Athletic Association Meet, Butuan City in 1955 circa

http://www.geocities.com/athens/cyprus/8446/maameet55.jpg

can you post the larger version, thanks :cheers:

MtApoStandard

November 3rd, 2008, 07:51 AM

Is it possible to see the entire application of this summarized data? do you know any websites that publish information like e.g. project name, contractor, address and other
http://www.census.gov.ph/data/sectordata/sr08380tx.html

lightsaber46

November 3rd, 2008, 08:34 AM

yeah, but are they publishing the project names? like the 28,379 sqm of new applications in Davao region. Is it possible to get the list for all this applicant?

GearX

November 3rd, 2008, 08:47 AM

that ice plant no longer exists pau..

regarding the two belfry tower of the cathedral...notice the partially damaged first belfry....its a post war photo..

the present St. Joseph Cathedral nohas only one belfry tower

http://k43.pbase.com/o2/68/842368/1/98121725.4ulthvVc.StJosephCathedral.jpg

Rall

November 3rd, 2008, 11:00 AM

yeah, but are they publishing the project names? like the 28,379 sqm of new applications in Davao region. Is it possible to get the list for all this applicant?

try the city engineer's office

MtApoStandard

November 3rd, 2008, 11:14 AM

yeah, but are they publishing the project names? like the 28,379 sqm of new applications in Davao region. Is it possible to get the list for all this applicant?
im guessing these are figures that have passed through the standardised process similar to other regional units in manila and neighbouring regions, aand central visyas.

GearX

November 3rd, 2008, 12:29 PM

Davao, Cagayan de Oro among best BPO locations (http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/11/03/08/davao-cagayan-de-oro-among-best-bpo-locations)

By Jesus F. Llanto, abs-cbnNEWS.com, Newsbreak | 11/03/2008 5:58 PM

Despite the negative perception of Mindanao, two of its major cities are cited as among the best business process outsourcing (BPO) locations outside Metro Manila and Cebu.

Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City were cited as among the 10 next-wave cities for outsourcing by the BPO scorecard of the Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT), Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Davao was at the fourth place—with a score of 80 percent out of 100—behind Metro Laguna (88%), Metro Cavite (85%) and Iloilo (81%).but ahead of Bacolod City (78%), Angeles-Clark-Mabalacat cluster in Pampanga (77%) and Baliuag-Marilao-Meycauayan cluster in Bulacan (74%).

Cagayan de Oro landed on the 8th spot with a score of 73%. Its score is the same as the scores of Malolos-Calumpit cluster in Bulacan and Lipa City in Batangas.

The BPO scorecard was computed using the following criteria: availability of talent (50%), infrastructure (30%), cost (5%) and business environment (15%).

Oscar Sanez said that they were happy that the two cities in Mindanao made it to the list. “Mindanao cities have a lot more to overcome than other cities in the country.”

CICT Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas Chua III said that the negative perception of Mindanao region and the travel advisories issued by embassies have affected the ranking of Davao, “Mindanao has been fairly affected by the perception.”

“It is a challenge to build awareness and to get people to the region,” Chua said.

Davao got a score of 60% for the business environment criterion, which took into account risk factors. Cagayan de Oro, meanwhile, received a 68%.

Davao, however, got higher scores in other criteria: 78% for talent, 95% for infrastructure, and 80% for cost while Cagayan de Oro received 63% for talent, 91% for infrastructure, and 87% for cost.

Meanwhile, CICT Commissioner Monchito Ibrahim said that local chief executives in Mindanao knew that the negative perception is a challenge and they are active in promoting their locations to investors.

An inventory of the BPAP showed that Mindanao only accounts for 1.2 percent of the workers in the BPO industry—0.9 percent from the Davao Region and 0.3 percent in Northern Mindanao.

“Davao City and Cagayan de Oro are the main BPO hubs in Mindanao,” said Gigi Virata, BPAP executive director for information and research, in a previous interview. She added that General Santos City is also an emerging BPO location in the Mindanao.

Local chief executives of other Mindanao cities like Dipolog and Zamboanga are also hoping that they can attract investments from the BPO sector but the volatile peace situation in some areas of the island has scared away potential investors.

The BPO industry is considered as one of the sunshine industries of the country. As of last year, the BPO sector employed around 300,000 workers and generated US$4.8 billion revenue.

BOB-bXu

November 3rd, 2008, 04:11 PM

Pre WWII St. Joseph Cathedral, Butuan City

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3172/2999559286_f94d5d8193_o.jpg

hakhaimo

November 3rd, 2008, 07:33 PM

Looks like Mindanao.

Da7C21PkGck

MtApoStandard

November 4th, 2008, 02:34 PM

Mindanao ports gear up for ISO 9001-2000

Davao City (4 November) -- Twenty-one (21) employees here of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) from the Northern and Southern Mindanao Port Districts completed a two-day Appreciation Course and Introduction to International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 9001-2000.

Held at the PPA Port District Office-Southern Mindanao (PDO-SoMin) Training Center (TC) on October 8-9, 2008, the seminar comprehensively tackled the standard Quality Management Systems (QMS) which refers to the specifics of what must be done to meet customer requirements. The QMS embodies the string of assessments, audits and compliance tests undertaken by agencies, organizations or offices ultimately leading to a grant of an accreditation by the ISO, a federation of national standards bodies based in Geneva, Switzerland.

PPA Port District Manager for PDO-SoMin Abdussabor Sawadjaan earlier disclosed that the series of ISO 9001:2000 trainings is to give flesh to the 2010 PPA corporate mandate to meet international standards in port facilities and services in at least 10 short-listed ports for development. These priority baseports include the Manila International Container Terminal, North Harbor, South Harbor, Batangas, Iloilo, Davao, Gen. Santos, Zamboanga, Ozamiz, and Cagayan de Oro.

ISO 9001:2000 refers to standardized, predictable, and globally understood process language hinged on an international agreement on Smart Management Practices. It offers assurance that an organization's services will consistently meet an expected quality standard through a strategic upgrade of processes or documentation. It is also granted or renewed on a per-function basis, hence, there are about 14,000 known ISO accreditations known worldwide.

The move is also pursuant to Executive Order 605 Instituting Structure, Mechanism and Study to Implement the Government Quality Management Program (GQMP) of Philippine public offices. Its primary aim is to standardize the national competitiveness agenda particularly on the frontline services or government to business transactions (G2B) needed by a customer. It likewise serves as a barometer for organizational effectiveness in achieving individual office QMS objectives.

PPA's Batangas baseport in Southern Luzon is being currently tapped as the pilot site for the initial assessment of its QMS on Port Entrance and Exit Procedure. Once it is able to obtain its ISO 9001: 2000 accreditation within 2009, all other 2010 Vision priority baseports will also have their individual timeframe for the full-swing rollout nationwide.

At the helm of the two-day course was Mr. Rene Julian, the ISO Consultant for the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Maritime Transport Group. He was assisted by PPA TC Head Office Acting Industrial Relations Development Chief of the Port Equipment Maintenance Training Section Arvin Dadulo.

Julian shared that PPA's general requirement in securing the accreditation will include the identification of the following: 1) Key process and activities from initial contact to final delivery (including outsourced services); 2) Flowchart of work cycle; 3) Internal and external control measures; 4) Timelines; 5) Performance evaluation and; 6) Prioritization of improvement based on performance results.

Port entry and exit procedure, an essential G2B function of PPA-managed gateways, was identified as the first to be slated for an ISO 9001: 2000 accreditation not later than 2010 based on its impact in public transactions. Common port users as well as prospective clients will then expect to have de-bureaucratized systems which mean faster, reliable, prompt, standardized and globally-competitive port business. (PPA-PDO SoMin/PIA XI) [top]

junax

November 6th, 2008, 12:54 PM

Davao City. Mindanao's representative to the World's List. No need to try harder.

Philippine Entries...

The World's Fastest Growing Cities and Urban areas from 2006 to 2020
Davao City - No. 87
http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth1.html
Metro Manila - No. 190
http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_growth2.html

The World's Largest Cities and Urban areas in 2006
Metro Manila - No. 20
http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_2006_1.html
Davao City - No. 295
http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_2006_3.html

The World's Largest Cities and Urban areas in 2020 (Projection)
Metro Manila - No. 14
http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_2020_1.html
Davao City - No. 259
http://www.citymayors.com/statistics/urban_2020_3.html

The World's Largest Core Cities
Quezon City - No. 92
http://www.citymayors.com/features/largest_cities1.html
City of Manila - No. 112
http://www.citymayors.com/features/largest_cities_2.html
Caloocan City - No. 276
http://www.citymayors.com/features/largest_cities_3.html
Davao City - No. 287
http://www.citymayors.com/features/largest_cities_3.html

MtApoStandard

November 6th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Mt. Apo in tourism sites up for promotion

DAVAO CITY — Mt. Apo and 10 other areas in Mindanao and Palawan will be in the list of eco-tourism sites up for promotion by a subregional economic group.

A report from the Mindanao Economic Development Council showed the other Mindanao sites are Malawi Island and Dapitan in the Zamboanga peninsula, Camiguin Island in Northern Mindanao, Davao Gulf and Samal Island in the Davao Region, Lake Sebu in Central Mindanao, Aguasan Marsh in the Caraga Region and Lake Lanao in the autonomous Muslim region. Identified sites in Palawan are Kayangan and Barracuda lakes in Coron Island.

Details of these sites will also be presented when tourism representatives of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) meet this month in Manado, Indonesia.

BIMP-EAGA is an economic subgroup of the larger 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"What the Philippines and BIMP-EAGA want to develop is a kind of eco-tourism that involves local, grassroots communities so they are part of the development and benefit from it," said Narzalina Z. Lim, Asian Development Bank consultant on eco-tourism.

She said capacity-building training for communities should be held to hone skills in running tourism-related businesses.

Infrastructure facilities that will improve travel access must be put in place, said Ms. Lim, who served as Tourism secretary during the Aquino administration.

A destination is appropriate for eco-tourism based on green standards for sustainability, respect for communities, social responsibility, economic sustainability and education, she added.

Mary Ann M. Montemayor, BIMP-EAGA tourism council chairman, said mechanisms should be able to identify strengths and weaknesses of eco-tourism sites.

However, she said air links between tourism hubs have yet to be developed despite the existing fifth freedom traffic rights, which allows an airline to land on any airport within the subregion to service other passengers en route to its final destination.

Airline companies have noted that some routes within the subregion are not viable. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW110708/content.php?id=077

Peng Hok

November 7th, 2008, 02:56 AM

MtApoStandard

November 7th, 2008, 06:31 PM

New Mindanao body mulled
by Prix D Banzon

Davao City (8 November) -- Several sectors in Mindanao are pushing for House Bill 5255 being introduced by Mindanaoan members of the House of Representatives namely Simeon A. Datumanong and Datu Pax S. Mangudadatu.

Kusong Mindanaw convenor Rey Magno Teves in an informal meeting with the Davao media said the creation of the Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA) will ensure that programs and projects for the island will be given continued focus.

As indicated in the Bill, the creation of MEDA shall promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all sectors to effect the socio-economic development of Mindanao.

It further said that MEDA will act as an implementing agency for Mindanao-specific interregional and Mindanao-wide programs and projects, whenever necessary.

President Arroyo lately issued Executive Order No. 757 placing the Mindanao Economic and Development Council (MEDCO) under oversight of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Although Teves said they still have to see the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) he said they would rather see a concrete structure that would ensure that Mindanao gets the needed programs and corresponding funding.

The MEDA he said is an ideal mechanism and they are pushing for its creation.

Medco Chair Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana in an earlier press conference also said that MEDA is the mechanism for Mindanao.

But Leyretana said they will abide with the position of the President to transfer Medco from Office of Presidential Assistant for the Peace Process (OPAPP) to NEDA.

He said the prescribed new assignment will reinforce our efforts in Mindanao even as he said that they cannot speculate any material difference because NEDA is a planning body and Medco is a unique entity.

Medco is not only planning for the island but also integrates and coordinates all programs of Mindanao, he said.

Teves meanwhile said that the Medco is composed of sectors that sit in the Council and two of these seats are from the private sector.

He said they find the Council composition a good structure saying that there has to be continuity on what efforts are taking place here. (PIA) [top]

MtApoStandard

November 7th, 2008, 06:44 PM

Saturday, November 08, 2008
Mindanao biz gab to promote peace, attract investors

THE two-day Mindanao convergence set this month will give importance to investment development while promoting peace in the island-region.

The Mindanao Investment Conference (Min iCon), which will be conducted on November 25 and 26 at the Marco Polo Hotel-Davao, will highlight various investment opportunities in Mindanao.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

Anchoring on the theme "Drive the Wheels for Peace. Invest in MindaNOW", the conference is aimed at contributing to the increase in Mindanao's trade and investments through the creation of more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by way of promoting the identified investment opportunities which are into the production and processing of pangasius (Cream Dory fish), seaweeds, coffee, banana, honeybee, rubber, and moringa tree, among others.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Southern Mindanao regional director Marizon S. Loreto said that when investments are pouring in, more jobs are created and added income to sustain family's needs is provided.

"When there are more economic activities, more income-generating opportunities, more food on the table, there is always a higher level of peaceful co-existence. With this conference, we are optimistic that we can encourage more businessmen to pour in their investments in Mindanao so that we can offer more jobs to Mindanaoans," she said.

Loreto added that food security as a global concern calls for the convergence of public and private sectors in order to attain sustainable development.

"This is a good venue where every stakeholder can give his share in putting forward vital programs, projects, and innovative strategies towards creating a well-developed and peaceful Mindanao," she said.

The Min iCon is spearheaded by the Mindanao Business Council (MinBC), in coordination with the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), DTI, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and the City Government of Davao.

habagatcentral1

November 8th, 2008, 01:01 PM

Sa mga moderators, announce lang po ako para sa mga hindi dumadayo sa Samahan forums, pasensya na po sa abala:

Project: Isang Bayan, Urbanidad! SSC Philippines National T-shirt design contest.

I think its time for the Skyscrapercity Philippines to have our own national t-shirt that would encompass all of the Filipinos of this archipelago, the OFWs, the immigrants, Fil-Ams and those who wish to be part of the Samahan of Skyscrapercity Pilipinas forumers (interested foreigners who want to have also their shirt) showcasing the artistry of the Filipinos in graphic t-shirt design.

Theme: Isang Bayan, Urbanidad!– Encompassing all of the aspects of urbanity of the Philippine cities and localities, as one nation in one t-shirt design. Being Filipino both here and abroad aiming for progress for the motherland.

Colour of Background:The design should be well incorporated in a black t-shirt.

The T-shirt Design
The proposal of the t-shirt design is open to all SSC Philippines forumers. The deadline for passing the t-shirt print design would be on December 05 2008. Have your t-shirt design posted in this thread link at the Samahan Forums entitled: Skyscrapercity Philippines/Pilipinas T-shirt Design Contest. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588)

You may submit print designs either for one side (front or back only) or for two sides (front AND back). Each forumer is entitled to submit a maximum of three designs.

For direct access to the thread, log on to this webpage:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588

So for those creative art designers out there, have your share here! J

The Polls for the T-shirt Design
Voting for the preferred design for the t-shirt would start at December 6, 2008 to January 7, 2009. After the selection, whoever has the highest votes from the forumers for the design shall be the official print design for the SSC Philippines t-shirt. By mid-January to February, we would have our t-shirts available!

To vote, just log on to this webpage to chose the preferred design starting December 6 2008: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=742588

T-shirt costs...
The t-shirt would cost approximately from PhP150 to PhP500...but I hope we could find an affordable yet quality t-shirt printers. There may be an additional shipping cost for those living outside Manila.

Another proposal is to have contact persons in cities outside of Metro Manila. We will be sending the said t-shirt design to these contact persons and will be the ones who will print it in their locality.*

*There should be a common consensus regarding the logistics of production and delivery by December 2, 2005.

For the winner of the contest…
He or she is entitled for his/her free t-shirt with his/her design printed on it.

For those interested in having a t-shirt:
Have your name listed in this thread starting December 26 and deadline would be January 15, 2009 for the first batch. There would be an announcement for the second batch of orders after January 15. :)

---------------------------------------------------------------

For more information, suggestion and comments, please have it posted at the Skyscrapercity Philippines/Pilipinas T-shirt Design Contest thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=27606046#post27606046) or PM me.

Its time that we showcase to the Skyscrapercity world how talented and dedicated the Filipino forumers are for the aim of progress of Pilipinas!!

Salamat po, Mabuhay po Tayong Lahat at Maligayang Pasko sa inyong lahat!!!
:):)

icarusrising

November 8th, 2008, 03:27 PM

Tapping renewable energy: Micro-hydro power sparks hope in the war zone village in southern Philippines (http://www.gmanews.tv/story/132308/Tapping-renewable-energy-Micro-hydro-power-sparks-hope-in-the-war-zone-village-in-southern-Philippines)

11/08/2008 | 06:35 PM

BULDON, Shariff Kabunsuan — For the past decades, the rushing gray-green waters of the Kumaguingking River has gone untapped. The local people do not have any inclination that the same river could generate electricity for a thousand homes and end the years of darkness that enveloped their villages.

This lack of knowledge was borne from the remote location of the two barangays. Karim and Minabay lie near the boundary south-east of Lanao del Sur where a thick vegetation of virgin forest still exists.

Residents in these two villages have no access to modern technology. Only a few people know that the tropical rain forest of Lanao mountain range maintains a great water discharge of creeks and tributaries of the four lakes, namely, Lake Butig, Lake Pula, Lake Mainit na Tubig, Lake Maitim. Fewer still are aware that such resource can power a turbine and light villages and homes.

This is why so many generations of the local Iranuns in the villages of Karim and Minabay had literally groped in the dark.

The combined circumstances of government's neglect, years of conflict, and the villages' ignorance on technologies caused them to rely mostly on kerosene, candles and batteries for their light. Under the government's Philippine Energy Plan, Karim and Minabay are among the villages scheduled to be energized by 2010. Meantime, the local folks had to content themselves with kerosene lamps for lighting.

Songcarang Dimasindil, 73 years old, and the former village leader from the 60's until early 1990 said, "My heart bleeds every time I see my 23 children and 28 great-grandchildren feel their way in the dark."

"Many times, as a barangay leader, I have pounded the offices of local politicians to bring Karim and Minabay with electricity. I was never heard," Dimasindil added.

But changing times and technologies have a way of resolving things. Such is the case when the Alliance for Mindanao Off-grid Renewable Energy (Amore) Program came to barangay Karim two years ago and proposed the construction of a micro-hydro power plant for the two villages. Many were in disbelief when Amore representatives explained how the Kumaguingking River can supply enough water to power the turbine of a micro-hydro plant.

"We did not realize the enormous potential of that river," said Dimasindil.

Reason to rejoice

It took Winrock International, the project's implementing agency, a couple of years to validate the water flow in the river. Through the financial assistance of the United States Assistance for International Development (USAID) and the Philippines Department of Energy, a hydrological study was conducted to determine the strength and reliability of the Kumaguingking River. By November 2007, after the studies yielded positive results, the construction began. With the funds amounting to Php7.4 million, the 35 kW micro-hydro power plant was completed in 2008.

When the micro-mechanical equipment was finally in place, and up and running, over 107 households are finally seeing the light of compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. The day when the first bulb flickered in Karim and Minabay, villagers feasted on a roasted goat while loud dance music screamed from a karaoke machine.

Dimasindil said, "this is a great day to us. Not only do we have electricity. We rejoice because the men, women and teenage youths alike took care of the project's labor. Together, they dug and cemented more than a kilometer-long diversion canal from the Kumaguinking upstream."

The canal directs to a penstock and power house downstream, where the force of water is converted into electricity by a generator.

Dimasindil died ten days after the light came to barangay Karim and Minabay. He never really imagined how the waters in Kumanguingking could generate electricity. "In his last remaining days, we showed him how the television and radio work, and he was convinced by the power of the small river," recalled Naga, one of the sons of the elder Dimasindil. "His dreams have finally come true."

"My dead father dreamed of this. I never imagine this to happen…not in this place," he said. "I can only thank Allah and those who made this miracle possible. Not only does light make life easier for us, the electricity allows us to use radio and TV to stay connected to news and information about our government and the happenings in the world."

According to Amore chief Tetchi Cruz-Capellan, "micro-hydro energy system is an established technology and a realistic way to bring energy to remote mountain villages near mountain streams and rivers. It is easy to install and operate, and is cheap and sustainable. With the renewable energy law in place, more rivers can be tapped to help poor families in remote villages have access to light."

Mainly designed for lighting only, the micro-hydro power facility will enable each household to avail itself of a maximum of 81,637kwh annually. Today, lavish appliances such as refrigerators, washing machine, colored television sets, computer games and electric ovens abound in the two villages. Residents in both Karim and Minabay can now end their isolation with their river-powered electricity in place.

The US and the Philippine government acknowledge that developing clean energy source is vital for security and environmental reasons and frequently stressed the importance of harnessing the earth's sustainable natural resources in dealing with electricity problem and the global climate change.

Global warming is an escalating threat and its effects will worsen if damaging carbon emissions are not curbed. And, with oil hovering around $100 a barrel, there is even greater force for oil-dependent countries such as the Philippines to go green.

Big savings

Energy Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan said that the passing of the Renewable Energy Act in the bicameral committee, the Philippines can save over US$3 billion (Php200 billion) that would come from the country's renewable energy sources such as solar, ocean, wind, biomass and run-of-river hydropower to power off-grid areas in the country.

"This landmark legislation which aims to reduce the country's dependence on imported oil will relieve Filipinos from price fluctuations in the global market. There's a big savings in this kind of endeavor. We can save the cost of diesel and coal we import from other countries," he said.

Principally authored by Senators Edgardo Angara and Juan Miguel Zubiri in the Senate, and Representatives Juan Miguel Arroyo and Luis Villafuerte in the House of Representatives, the bill supports the development of renewable energy sources. The bill seeks to encourage local entrepreneurs to go into the development of the country's vast alternative energy resources through a package of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, and help decrease dependence on imported fuel.

"We have so many resources. It's significant because it's direct from the community. Micro hydro is very viable in Mindanao. This is a pilot project and we are partnering with agencies to put up new program," Ampatuan said.

The renewable energy bill, if signed into law by President Arroyo, will give renewable energy users and developers tax-free privileges on the importation of equipment and even a seven-year income tax holiday. - GMANews.TV

Alingatong

November 13th, 2008, 06:10 AM

Mindanao Super Region projects on target–MEDCo

November 13, 2008 9:44 am by pna

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 13 — Completion targets for projects pipelined under the Super Regions development strategy of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Mindanao are on stream and duly funded, Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) chair undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana said.

Leyretana said topping the list of the Mindanao super region projects is the P7.853-billion Laguindingan International Airport Development Project in Misamis Oriental.

However, he said the project will not be completed by 2010, which is the time frame of most of Mrs. Arroyo’s Super Region projects.

“Except for Laguindingan airport project, all the other Mindanao super region projects will be completed by 2010,” Leyretana said.

The completion of infrastructure development projects in 2010-2011 is expected to boost the agri-business potentials of the entire Mindanao Super Region.

A contract was signed between the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the implementing agency, and Yosshin Engineering for consultancy services on the construction supervision of the airport project last December 2007.

Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction, a South Korean company, has yet to start construction of the airport’s runway.

Projected for completion in November 2011, the airport is expected to cater to international and domestic flights, boosting the region's capacity for added investments.

According to the January 2008 "Status of Mindanao Super Region Projects" prepared by MEDCo, five other "Super Region" projects were added recently.

These are the P861-million Iligan City Circumferential Road in Lanao del Norte; the P12.731-million Lanao del Norte Provincial Hospital; Jatropha Nurseries in Bukidnon; the P1.682-billion Agus 3 Hydroelectric Power Plant in Pantas, Lanao del Norte; and the P1.856-billion Agus 6 Hydroelectric Power Plant Uprating Project in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.

President Arroyo earlier announced that her Super Regions project got a 7 billion dollars (P364 billion) boost from China, Japan, and the World Bank.

Leyretana said about P80.73 billion budget was set aside for Mindanao super region projects.

He said developing satellite airports is key to increasing production in Mindanao, which is basically an agri-business-based island.

The development of satellite airports and infrastructure projects should be pursued in light of the potential of Asian region including the Philippines as the region to watch in the wake of the meltdown besetting big scale economies, Leyretana said.

“The next region to watch is the Asian Region because we are rich in natural resources and raw materials,” Leyretana said.

He said economic analysts have forecast prices in Asian region to drop in the early part of next year as a boom in the construction industry is also seen in Asia next year. (PNA)

balita.ph (http://balita.ph/2008/11/13/mindanao-super-region-projects-on-target-medco/)

:banana::banana:

MtApoStandard

November 14th, 2008, 12:18 PM

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h73/davao_world/data.jpg

paulkrps

November 14th, 2008, 08:53 PM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - CONVOY APPROACHES- MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic1.jpg

paulkrps

November 14th, 2008, 08:56 PM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - KIA JAPANESE TROOPS- MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic2.jpg

paulkrps

November 14th, 2008, 08:59 PM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - 24TH ID VEHILCES + LST - MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic3.jpg

paulkrps

November 14th, 2008, 09:00 PM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - 24TH ID VEHICLES ON MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic4.jpg

paulkrps

November 14th, 2008, 09:03 PM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - 24ID TROOPS IN LANDING CRAFT- MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic5.jpg

paulkrps

November 14th, 2008, 09:36 PM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - 24TH ID VEHICLES ON MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic4.jpg

whereis kaha ni sa davao. nyor dinabaw, you know?:lol:

neyoneyo80

November 14th, 2008, 10:04 PM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - 24TH ID VEHICLES ON MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic4.jpg

saan po kayo sa pic tito :lol:

paulkrps

November 14th, 2008, 10:07 PM

wala ko diha, i was asking nyor dinabaw kay mas naka-abot sya anang panahona.:D

cyberwizard

November 15th, 2008, 03:47 AM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - CONVOY APPROACHES- MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic1.jpg

mura mani ug Camiguin sir paul..?:ohno::ohno::ohno:

cyberwizard

November 15th, 2008, 03:49 AM

ebay find: WWII US Photo - 24ID TROOPS IN LANDING CRAFT- MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic5.jpg

suba raman cguro sa agusan ug cotabato ang dagko nga pwede masudlan ug barko..?sakto ba ba sir paul>:lol::lol::lol::lol:

m1k3

November 15th, 2008, 06:54 AM

suba raman cguro sa agusan ug cotabato ang dagko nga pwede masudlan ug barko..?sakto ba ba sir paul>:lol::lol::lol::lol:

basig sa cotabato ni.

regjeex

November 15th, 2008, 07:16 AM

Sa agusan ni oi.. hehehe way back sa history, if im not mistaken.. 3 ra ang rio grande sa pilipins... rio grande de agusan, rio grande de cagayan (ilocos ata) ang 3 absent ko ani na time.. hehehe....

basig sa cotabato ni.

regjeex

November 15th, 2008, 07:18 AM

Apil akong Lolo ani nga gyera... he's benefited with lots of pensions from Philippines and in US as well... hehehe until now buhing daku pa akong lolo at the age of 96... Turn to 97 this Nov. 24 2008.

ebay find: WWII US Photo - KIA JAPANESE TROOPS- MINDANAO

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pic2.jpg

cyberwizard

November 15th, 2008, 07:29 AM

Apil akong Lolo ani nga gyera... he's benefited with lots of pensions from Philippines and in US as well... hehehe until now buhing daku pa akong lolo at the age of 96... Turn to 97 this Nov. 24 2008.

iampo nato na bro nga malugwayan pa ang kinabuhi sa imo lolo ug arun cge pa dawat sa pension..akong lolo didto ra taman sa Death March..wala pajud makaabot sa finish line..

regjeex

November 15th, 2008, 09:53 AM

Hehehe baskug pa buyag akong lolo oi... hulat pa daw sya sa kasal sa iyang apo sa siko...hehehe.. reach age nya ingon sya na tama na daw sa iya ang 110 years old og pede na sya mo pahuway....:banana: na history ang kasal sa akong lolo diamond aniversary sa ilang kasal atong 2000 pang 75 years nila sa kasal... tas after mga 5 years nauna na si lola sa langit. hehehe She's my fav lola... mo contento daw akong lolo kung naa apo nga mo sulod og PMA.. hehehe para iyang ihatag ang iyang hurim-hurim..hehehe

iampo nato na bro nga malugwayan pa ang kinabuhi sa imo lolo ug arun cge pa dawat sa pension..akong lolo didto ra taman sa Death March..wala pajud makaabot sa finish line..

paulkrps

November 15th, 2008, 12:37 PM

suba raman cguro sa agusan ug cotabato ang dagko nga pwede masudlan ug barko..?sakto ba ba sir paul>:lol::lol::lol::lol:

cotabato ni sya. while the photo says so, these war photographers sometimes lumps one place with the other, mao usahay misleading ang captions.

m1k3

November 16th, 2008, 04:03 AM

GearX

November 17th, 2008, 11:01 AM

Del Monte Airfield
http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/19bg02.jpg

Lt. James T. Connally and the crew of B-17C Flying Fortress #40-2062 at Batchelor, Northern Territory after their first bombing raid out of Australia. Nine B-17's staged through Del Monte on Mindanoa to bomb the Japanese landing at Legaspi.

BOB-bXu

November 17th, 2008, 12:39 PM

World Bank study on Mindanao development in conflict-areas completed

November 17, 2008 4:44 pm by pna

MANILA, Nov. 17 — A World Bank (WB) official today (Nov. 17) briefed Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Hermogenes C. Esperon Jr. on the result of a study it conducted on Mindanao's economy, social and physical geography, its growth and where it is lagging behind, particularly in conflict-areas.

Ms. Mary Judd, WB's Mindanao program coordinator and Mindanao Trust Fund Task Team Leader, conducted the briefing at the OPAPP's central office in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

The study zeroed in on the growth and in areas lagging behind economically and the extent of poverty as a result of the conflict that has affected the populace, particularly the indigenous people and the displaced persons.

It found out that economic activities are booming in the coastal cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Zamboanga, General Santos and Butuan. However, uneven benefits spilled over nearby towns, the WB study says.

The study also cited the importance of governance in dealing the Mindanao conflict, noting that poor governance is linked to lower growth in conflict areas.

It also dealt on the need of infrastructure, particularly farm-to-market roads and electrification to attain economic development.

The WB study also said that growth is higher in non-conflict areas and lowest in municipalities that are isolated and where conflicts of all types exist.

Judd said the World Bank will also brief the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and donor countries on Thursday. (PNA)

MtApoStandard

November 17th, 2008, 05:41 PM

Bullish on Mindanao

THE BOARD of Investments office covering Western, Southern and Central Mindanao is upbeat on investments next year in mining, food processing, and agriculture. An Australian mining firm looking to invest P2 billion to extract gold and copper in Agusan del Sur while another firm is eyeing a P2-billion investment for a sugar processing plant in Davao del Sur, Division Chief Gil M. Dureza said. He said a Filipino-owned firm may spend P400 million to develop a 400-hectare banana plantation.

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW111808/content.php?id=055

Ibex

November 19th, 2008, 03:29 AM

'Cityhood Laws unconstitutional'
Philstar.com - Wednesday, November 19

A series of laws passed last year that converted 16 municipalities nationwide into cities was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court yesterday.

The SC ruled that the so-called "Cityhood Laws" violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution.

Last March 11, the League of Cities of the Philippines asked the SC to declare unconstitutional the conversion into cities of the 16 municipalities, namely Baybay, Leyte; Bogo, Cebu; Naga, Cebu; Catbalogan, Samar; Lamitan, Basilan; Mati, Davao Oriental; Bayugan, Agusan del Sur; Borongan, Eastern Samar; Batac, Ilocos Norte; Tabuk, Kalinga; Tandag, Surigao del Sur; El Salvador, Misamis Oriental; Carcar, Cebu; Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; Tayabas, Quezon; and Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte.

In its petition, the LCP said the laws creating the new cities are void for violating the provision of Republic Act 7160, the Local Government Code, requiring the municipalities to have a generated income of at least P100 million each for the last two consecutive years.

The law also required a municipality to have at least a population of 150,000 and a land area of 100 square kilometers before it can be converted into a city, the petition added.

The LCP said these requirements were not met when the representatives in Congress of these municipalities pushed for their conversion into cities.

"No province, city, municipality, or barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with the criteria established in the local government code and subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected," read the petition, quoting the Constitution.

The 11th Congress (June 1998 to June 2001) enacted into law 33 bills which sought to convert 33 municipalities into cities. Congress, however, did not act on bills converting 24 other municipalities into cities.
During the 12th Congress, Congress passed Republic Act 9009 which took effect on June 30, 2001.

RA 9009 amended the Local Government Code by increasing the annual income requirement for the conversion of a municipality into a city from P20 million to P100 million.

After RA 9009 took effect, the House (June 2004 to June 2007) adopted Joint Resolution No. 29 which sought to exempt from the P100-million income requirement the 24 municipalities whose cityhood bills were not approved in the 11th Congress.

The 12th Congress ended without the Senate approving Joint Resolution No. 29.

In the 13th Congress (June 2007 to June 2010), the House of Representatives re-adopted Joint Resolution No. 29 and forwarded it to the Senate for approval.

But the Senate again failed to approve it.

Later, the 16 municipalities filed their individual cityhood bills, which contained a common provision exempting them from the P100-million income requirement in RA 9009.

On Dec. 22, 2006, the House of Representatives approved the cityhood bills with the Senate approving them in February 2007.
The bills lapsed into law on various dates from March to July 2007 without the President's signature.

The SC decision was written by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

- Mike Frialde (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com))

GearX

November 19th, 2008, 10:39 AM

That's good news....:cheers2:

Alingatong

November 19th, 2008, 10:44 AM

Mayors glad, sad over SC decision voiding 16 cities
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by JESUS F. LLANTO, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak | 11/19/2008 3:31 PM

Mayors of cities that have experienced a substantial decrease in allocation as result of the creation of new cities welcomed the Supreme Court decision voiding the laws converting 16 municipalities into cities.

City mayors interviewed by abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak said the decision of the High Tribunal proves that the requirements for cityhood set by the Local Government Code (LGC) should be strictly followed and that there should be no exemptions in conversion of towns into cities.

The Supreme Court, voting 7-5, nullified the conversion of 16 municipalities into cities by granting the petition of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) seeking to declare as unconstitutional the 16 cityhood laws. The LCP claimed that the 16 cities were created even if they did not meet the minimum income requirements for cityhood.

The decision of High Tribunal will reduce the number of cities in the Philippines from 136 to 120.

Among the cities whose cityhood laws have been voided by the Supreme Court are: Batac in Ilocos Norte; Tabuk in Kalinga; Tayabas in Quezon; Baybay in Leyte; Catbalogan in Samar; Borongan in Eastern Samar; Guihulngan in Negros Oriental; Bogo, Naga and Carcar in Cebu; Tandag in Surigao del Sur; Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte; El Salvador in Misamis Oriental; Mati in Davao Oriental; Bayugan in Agusan del Sur; and, Lamitan in Basilan.

The SC said that the creation of local government units should only follow the provision of the LGC and that the Congress did not provide any exemption in the minimum income requirement for cityhood.

According to Section 450 of the LGC, a municipality or cluster of barangays can be converted into a city if it has an average annual income of at least P20 million, and any of the following: a contiguous territory of at least 100 square kilometers or a population of at least 150,000 inhabitants. Republic Act 9009, however, amended the provision and raised the minimum income requirement to P100 million.

No short cuts to cityhood

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos, president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak that they are thankful because of the SC decision. “We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court.”

Abalos said that the LCP is not against the conversion of municipalities into cities. He said they are only opposing short cuts to attain cityhood because “the parameters required to be a city are established.”

“When Navotas and San Juan were converted into cities, we welcomed them because they met all the requirements for cityhood,” Abalos told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak.

Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz, likewise, welcomed the Supreme Court decision and said that the issue is not about curtailment of the municipalities’ right to aspire for city hood but about meeting the requirements.

“This [the SC decision] only proves that the law [on conversion to cities of municipalities] should be followed.” Cruz told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat said he was very happy with the SC decision because it gives “equal protection” to the cities.

“There are no exceptions to become a city,” Lobregat told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak. “Some municipalities have waited for years to meet the requirements to become cities. Why are you going to give exemptions?”

More cities, less IRA

Earlier this year, the LCP filed the petition and pointed out that the conversion of the more cities—particularly those that did not meet the requirements—have resulted in lesser funds for the old cities. LCP said that the old cities’ share in the national taxes of collected by the national government or the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) have been eaten up by the new cities.

Puerto Princesa, for instance, received an IRA increase of P1.7 million this year instead of the expected P146.7 million before the conversion of the 16 new cities. Davao City’s expected IRA has declined from P263.5 million to P69 million while Zamboanga City’s expected IRA increase was slashed by P35.87 million. The expected IRA increase of the cities of Iligan and Calbayog was reduced by P68.83 million and P65.84 million, respectively.

Nathaniel von Einsiedel, former United Nations Urban Management Programme regional coordinator for Asia Pacific, told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak in a previous interview that the big decrease in the IRA share of the cities happened because the increase in IRA allocation to the cities is not proportional to the number of new cities created.

The IRA is the lifeblood and main source of financing of the local government units (LGUs). A recent report by the Commisson on Audit on the finances of the local governments showed that IRA represents 62 percent of the LGU’s income.

Poor LGUs, especially those who are able to generate small amount of local revenues, depend heavily on the IRA for the delivery of basic services. Some cities, particularly in Mindanao, that have experienced a decrease in IRA were forced to lay off workers and reduce spending for services.

Iligan City’s Cruz said that as a result of the IRA reduction, the city government is forced to lay off 500 workers and implement fewer projects.

“We were severely affected,” Cruz told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak adding that they are hoping the SC decision would mean a higher IRA share next year.

Saddened

Meanwhile, local officials of Lamitan City—one of the 16 cities voided by the SC—said they were saddened by the decision of the High Tribunal.

“We are very surprised and depressed,” Lamitan City mayor Roderick Furigay told abs-cbnNews.com/Newsbreak.

Lamitan City Mayor Roderick Furigay said that the while they respect the decision of the Supreme Court, they are worried about its effects on their finances and on the employment of their constituents.

Lamitan councilor Joaquin Puri Jr. said the SC decision would stall development in their areas. “We were converted into a component city to allow development of far-flung areas.”

As a result of the decision, Furigay estimated that the IRA of Lamitan may decrease next year from its city-rate level of P218 million to its municipality rate of P80 million. The decrease in IRA, Furigay said, will displace more than 200 workers and imperil the infrastructure projects of the city.

Furigay said that he talked to the other 15 mayors and they are planning to file a motion for consideration once they received a copy of the SC decision.

paulkrps

November 19th, 2008, 01:06 PM

Ibex

November 19th, 2008, 01:33 PM

ako lang, i was not supportive of it in the first place. pero karon kay naa na na, how would you undo it in the first place? some, if not all, have spent millions upgrading everything (from signages to simple letterheads)? wouldn't it be better to develop a mechanism the let this cities prove that they are really worth it?

There are those who want a piece of the pie and others don't want to share them :ohno::ohno: paano yan paul :)

Sa pagdami ng cities ang tatamaan dito yung maliliit na cities sa pag decrease ng IRA mahihirapan sila saan kukunin ang pundo lalo na approved na ang budget for next year. :)

Sa laing bahin nganong ihikaw man pud nato sa ila ang chance. :cheers:

Makalebog :lol::lol::lol:

paulkrps

November 19th, 2008, 01:37 PM

:D

it should have been the law was clear and precise in the first place. kung way pag-asa, barahon na lang para di na mu-asa. this town/cities will really be burned.

Ibex

November 19th, 2008, 01:52 PM

:D

it should have been the law was clear and precise in the first place. kung way pag-asa, barahon na lang para di na mu-asa. this town/cities will really be burned.

From two different but equal branches ng government? I doubt it paul pa taas man pud nig ihi ang mga congressmen :)

paulkrps

November 19th, 2008, 01:54 PM

mao gyud. mao ning mga tawhana (not all, kay naa man say sincere) nga gi-distort og maayo ang balaod for their interests.

Ibex

November 19th, 2008, 01:55 PM

mao gyud. mao ning mga tawhana (not all, kay naa man say sincere) nga gi-distort og maayo ang balaod for their interests.

Korek :okay:

paulkrps

November 19th, 2008, 01:58 PM

now let's see what's gonna happen in the coming days/weeks.

cyberwizard

November 19th, 2008, 02:01 PM

now let's see what's gonna happen in the coming days/weeks.

paul, case sa baybay, leyte kay last term na nya adtong 2007, pero naconvert man prior sa election so qualified cya for 1st term sa status nga city na ang baybay.karun kay nanullified man unsa kha ang maayo buhaton sa mga kaatbang sa politika ani?..:lol:

paulkrps

November 19th, 2008, 02:03 PM

di ba diay irregardless of the status of the place? lebog nako ani ba.

cyberwizard

November 19th, 2008, 02:08 PM

di ba diay irregardless of the status of the place? lebog nako ani ba.

libog jud..naa manpod point ang kaatbang kung mofile sila kay retain man ang status, so 4th term na ang mayor nila,labag napod sa LGU code..

paulkrps

November 19th, 2008, 02:33 PM

ebay find: c. 1915 MALABANG, MINDANAO, PI, STREET POSTCARD RPPC

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pi1.jpg

Yre

November 19th, 2008, 05:48 PM

ebay find: c. 1915 MALABANG, MINDANAO, PI, STREET POSTCARD RPPC

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b74/paulkrps/pi1.jpg

Is it true Malabang is the oldest town of Mindanao?

I've stayed here for a week sa house nila Hofer.

m1k3

November 20th, 2008, 04:59 AM

kakatakot na place yan. maraming muslim rebels.

Ibex

November 20th, 2008, 10:37 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2261759028_a29fab0927_b.jpg
by: edSharK

BOB-bXu

November 20th, 2008, 04:51 PM

early 1960's foto taken during the inauguration of Magsaysay Bridge in Butuan City by President Carlos P. Garcia and the late Congressman Guillermo Sanchez

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j97/boybleauxx/butuanbridge-1.jpg?t=1227242755

paulkrps

November 20th, 2008, 05:31 PM

^^bob, can't see the pic.

paulkrps

November 20th, 2008, 10:23 PM

nice kaayo ibex.

Miguel

November 21st, 2008, 06:06 AM

A WOMAN’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE PHILIPPINES (http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/WomansJourneyPhilippinesContentPage.html)
Florence Kimball Russel

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1242956.JPG
[Copyright, 1907

(1900-1901 AD Pics)

MISAMIS

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243239.JPG
THE OLD FORT AT MISAMIS

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243240.JPG
“THE NATIVE BAND SERENADED US”

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243241.JPG
THE LINTOGUP RIVER

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243242.JPG
A MISAMIS BELLE

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243243.JPG
LAYING CABLE FROM A NATIVE SCHOONER

ILIGAN

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243244.JPG
A STREET IN ILIGAN

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243245.JPG
MARKET-DAY AT ILIGAN

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243246.JPG
“IT WAS EVIDENT THAT HE WAS A PERSONAGE OF NO LITTLE IMPORTANCE"

ZAMBOANGA

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243253.JPG
QUARTERS OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER, ZAMBOANGA

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243254.JPG
OFFICERS QUARTERS, ZAMBOANGA

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243255.JPG
A STREET IN ZAMBOANGA

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243256a.JPG
STREET SCENE, ZAMBOANGA

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243256b.JPG
NATIVE BATHING-PLACE, ZAMBOANGA

SULU

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243257.JPG
THE PIER AT SULU

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243258.JPG
NATIVES OF SULU

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243259.JPG
MORO HOUSES, TULI

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243260.JPG
THE MORO SCHOOL FOR BOYS, SULU

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243261.JPG
CHINESE, MORO, AND VISAYAN CHILDREN, SULU

BONGAO

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243262.JPG
SOLDIERS’ QUARTERS, BONGAO

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243263.JPG
NATIVES OF BONGAO

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243264.JPG
TOOLAWEE

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243265.JPG
A MORO ORCHESTRA, BONGAO

TAMPAKAN AND THE HOME STRETCH

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243266.JPG
MARKET-DAY IN A MORO VILLAGE

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243267.JPG
A GROUP OF MOROS

http://www.kellscraft.com/WomansJourneyPhilippines/P1243268.JPG
A COLLECTION OF MORO WEAPONS

The book is about the author's journey to the Philippines aboard the ship Burnside. She started her trip from Manila on December 23, 1900 and returned on April 7, 1901. You can read her travels and view the photos she had taken with vivid descriptions for each place she had visited by clicking the title. I'm not sure though if the last 2 places (Bongao and Tampakan) belongs to the present Mindanao or could have been within the territory of Borneo which was then considered before as part of Mindanao.

Animo

November 23rd, 2008, 10:25 PM

THE SPANISH government has extended assistance worth P119 million to the Philippines through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

The amount has been earmarked for food, water, sanitation and health services in the provinces of strife-hit Lanao del Sur, Cotabato and Mindanao.

Of the P119-million assistance, P36 million has been allocated for food aid, water supply and basic drainage facilities to be administered by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Mindanao Development Council (MEDCo).

The amount of P31 million, which will go to the International Committee of the Red Cross, will be used to provide water, drainage and health services.

Fifty million pesos will be allocated for rice to be distributed by the World Food Programme while the remaining P2 million will be used for other food aid through nongovernment organization partner Action Against Hunger. — Louella D. Desiderio (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW112408/content.php?id=077)

BOB-bXu

November 24th, 2008, 01:34 PM

6th Mindanao-wide PAFC Summit spells success

by Aurell Arais

Butuan City (24 November) -- Armed with spirit of volunteerism, officers of provincial Agricultural and Fishery Councils all over Mindanao flocked here in the city to attend the 6th Mindanao-wide PAFC Summit eventually made the gathering fruitful and very successful.

It was recently held at Almont Hotel's Inland Resort and Convention Center, which was hosted by PAFC Agusan del Sur under the chairmanship of Mr. Pete Lim, designated as summit chairperson.

Regional Executive Director Ricardo C. Regis of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 13 welcomed all guests and participants as he encouraged AFCs to be more vigilant amidst controversy shaking the agriculture department nowadays.

Participants were PAFC chairmen and coordinators coming from all regions in Mindanao namely Region 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

In her keynote speech, Dr. Maria Luz Enriquez, Deputy Executive Director of National Agriculture and Fishery Council, lauded the officers of PAFC all over Mindanao for voluntarily rendering their services and time for the council without counting any return.

The highlight of the summit was the holding of the plenary sessions which focused on the FIELDS interventions and its implementation likewise it also tackled various issues affecting the agriculture sector and possible solutions were presented.

The speakers who talked about various support on FIELDS Program includes GMA Rice Program Coordinator for Mondanao Abner Montecalvo of PhilRice Agusan; National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Caraga Engineering Division Chief Engr. Serafin Gallero Jr., Director Asterio Saliot of Agricultural Training Institute; Bureau of Post-Harvest Research and Extrnsion Project Team Leader for Mindanao Edgardo Testa, Project Development Officer IV Rudy Ungson of Agricultural Credit Policy Council, LBP Butuan Lending Center Head Jose Enedicto Faune, Assistant Regional Director Nerio Casil of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Caraga; Bureau of Soil and Water Management Coordinator for Caraga, Sunny de Guzman and Celebes Agricultural Corporation Plant Manager Romeo Sacro.

Governor Maria Valentina G. Plaza of Agusan del Sur also sent her representative Ferdinand Perez, the Public Information Officer of the province who expressed their great support to the summit.

Also gracing the occasion were RAFC Caraga Chair Reynaldo Gaballo and Agusan del Norte Vice Governor Enrico Corvera as representative of Governor Erlpe John Amante who also greatly supported the summit.

This year's holding of the 6th Mindanao-wide PAFC Summit has a theme "Mindanao AFCs: Meeting the challenge through FIELDS".

FIELDS is a banner program of the Arroyo administration to collaborate all efforts on agriculture which stands for F-fertilizer, I-irrigation and other infra, E-education and training, L-loans, D-dryers and other post harvest facilities and S-seeds and other genetic materials. (BFAR-13/PIA-Caraga)

tonight

November 27th, 2008, 07:30 AM

An account of Mindanao

Mindanao is again in the news in the Asian edition of Time Magazine and as usual the news isn’t good. The communist National People’s Army, our longest running insurgency (30 years) is older than some of its members. So far some 40,000 guerrillas, soldiers and civilians have died.

Mindanao is home not just to the NPA but to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and to the Abu Sayyaf, an outfit linked to al Qaeda. Despite the failure of communism in other parts of the world, the NPA survives due to, according to Time, the eternal trio of domestic woes of poverty, corruption and unemployment.

Go back to the waning years of the Spanish colonial administration and their problems with Mindanao as seen by a Spanish official, Gen. Julian Parrado, to realize that we’re still singing the same tune.

The "pacification" or conquest of Mindanao was an enterprise that the veteran soldier Parrado felt demanded time, resources and perseverance. The total domination of its territory could not be accomplished in one campaign no matter how decisive it may have appeared, nor was it feasible to change in a few months the social and political conditions of a heterogeneous place composed of tribes and families scattered in extensive islands, fragmented by considerable mountain ranges, divided by huge and profound rivers and barely populated (9 inhabitants per square meter at the time), whose civilization and religious were distinct.

The onset of hostilities between the Spaniards and the Muslims ensued in 1577 with the need to oppose the piratical raids that isolated towns, causing considerable economic damage and loss of life. It was not immediately thought to take possession of Mindanao or Jolo.

Most of these campaigns ended with peace and friendship treaties, agreements to respect territory and alliances to fight common enemies. Only in 1593 was a stronghold constructed in the port of Caldera, south of Mindanao, and later in Cagayan and Caraga in the north.

Since the treaties were violated and there was no end to the piracy, it was decided to extend the occupation and later conquer Mindanao and Jolo. In 1630 construction of the fort in Dapitan was begun and on 1st of June 1636 the first stone of the Zamboanga fort was laid. Three years later Gov. Sebastian Hurtado and his second in command, Pedro Almonte, occupied Mindanao and Jolo, specifically the area around the Laguna of Lanao, the river Pulangui and various points in the costs. The forts at Buhayen, Sabanilla and Iligan were also constructed.

War with Holland, the threat of Limahong’s invasion of Manila and all kinds of disasters put the conquest of Mindanao on hold. The growth of piracy determined the reoccupation of Zamboanga in 1718 and later Surigao, Cagayan, Iligan, Dapitan and Misamis to serve as ports and deposits of arms to fight the Muslims commencing on a par with the establishment of towns, organization of districts and progressive enlargement of Spanish territory in Mindanao.

Davao was established in 1849, Pollok in 1851. The first encampment of Cotabato was inside the delta of the river Pulangui and provisional forts were built in Libungan, Tumbao, Taviran and Tamontaca.

In 1872 the capital was again transferred to Zamboanga. On July 30, 1860 a Royal Decree created the government of Mindanao to advance its occupation and domination. The territories were divided into six districts, a politico-military system adopted that wasn’t really observed and which might have succeeded had there been, as the General pointed out, resources and perseverance.

In 1883 Gov. Jovellar stated that the passive situation maintained for years in Mindanao did in no way advance its occupation and domination. It resulted in their losing moral authority while the population gained in force and power. He advocated that a period of activity be initiated without indulging in costly and grandiose operations. Forts had to be reconstructed for the honor of the flag and health of the troops, adding some 100,000 pesos for this purpose. The coastal marina of Illana Bay had to be repaired and occupied as well as Pollok, and another point like Baras or Lalabuan in order to impede smuggling and authority be exercised over the Datus.

The campaign of General Terrero in 1887 against the sultans of Buhayen, Bacat and Kudananga, in the river basin of Pulangui resulted in the occupation of Liong, Bacat and Kudaranga as well as the cove of Pujaga, the bay of Sarangani, the port of Lebak and Sta. Maria. The work on a trail to Tucuran commenced.

Finally, Gen. Weyler in 1891 occupied Momungan between Iligan and Lanao as well as Liangan, Balatacan and Tangog in the gulf of Panguil; that of Sindangan; Margo-sa-Tubig in the gulf of Dumanquilas; Baras, Malabang and Parang-Parang in Illana Bay, and Pikity.

Zamboanga, a town of 10,000 inhabitants consisting of Christians, Chinese and Moros was the residency of the politico-military commander of the 1st district and the South Naval division. It had an ancient fort with modern barracks for the infantry. There was a good military hospital in town, the necessary public buildings for offices and dependencies, a good church, schools and enough private houses. The town was considered one of the healthiest in the country.

(Gen. Julian Parrado, "Memoria de Mindanao," 1893)

GearX

November 28th, 2008, 11:42 AM

Guerilla Resistance On Mindanao Island, 1900-1902 (http://www.freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar/thewarin19001901.htm)

BATTLE OF CAGAYAN DE MISAMIS, APRIL 7, 1900.

When the Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War on Dec. 10, 1898, the Spanish governor of Misamis Province turned over his authority to two Filipinos appointed by Emilio Aguinaldo: Jose Roa, who became the first Filipino governor of Misamis; and Toribio Chavez, who served as the first Filipino mayor of Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro City). [On Nov. 2, 1929, Misamis Province was divided into Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental].

On Jan. 10-11, 1899, Cagayan de Misamis celebrated Philippine independence by holding a "Fiesta Nacional." The people held a parade and fired cannons outside the Casa Real (where the present city hall --- inaugurated on Aug. 26, 1940 ---stands). For the first time, the Philippine Flag was raised on Mindanao island.

On March 31, 1900, Companies A, C, D and M of the 40th Infantry Regiment of US Volunteers (USV) invaded Cagayan de Misamis. The regimental commander was Col. Edward A. Godwin. Prior to landing, the Americans bombarded Macabalan wharf, with the flagpole flying the Philippine Flag as the primary target. The wharf was about 5 kilometers distant from the town center.

http://www.freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar/American%20guard%20mount%20at%20Cagayan%20de%20Misamis%20in%202Lt.%20Robert%20B.%20Mitchell%20album%201898%20to%201902.jpg

Guard mount of the 40th Infantry Regiment, USV, at Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro City). Photo taken in 1900. The stone Church of San Agustin was built in 1845 but was destroyed in 1945 during World War II. It was rebuilt into a cathedral.

The Americans set up their barracks in the town center, just beside the present St. Agustine Cathedral.

On Friday, April 6, 1900, a newly formed guerilla force led by General Nicolas Capistrano descended 9 kilometers from their camp in Gango plateau in Libona, Bukidnon Province, Mindanao Island. Numbering several hundred, the guerillas planned to attack the Americans in their barracks.

At dawn of Saturday, April 7, 1900, the bells of San Agustin Church pealed; this was the signal for the guerillas to proceed with the attack. First to attack were the macheteros, who were armed only with bolos; they carried ladders which they used to scale the barracks where the Americans slept. They were followed by the riflemen and cavalrymen who, for the most part, were armed with old rifles.

General Capistrano and his staff stood on the spot where the present water tower stands (constructed in 1922). Capistrano directed his commanders through couriers and hand signals. But his plan for a sneak attack was foiled when Bukidnon lumad ("ethnic minority") warriors who were among the macheteros, raised battle cries as they killed an American sentry guarding the Chauco Building where the American commander was sleeping.

http://www.freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar/American%20soldiers%20in%20Cagayan%20de%20Misamis%20turned%20out%20by%20firecall%20circa%201900.jpg

American soldiers in Cagayan de Misamis, 1900

The noise roused the Americans; they grabbed their weapons and fired at their attackers from the windows of the barracks. Some American soldiers climbed the Church bell tower where they fired at the poorly armed guerillas. The fighting was centered at the town plaza, the present Gaston Park. The battle raged for an hour. The macheteros, who crashed the barracks, engaged the Americans in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Captain Apolinario Pabayo, an officer of the macheteros, was among the first to die. The macheteros' leader, Captain Clemente Chacon, tried to climb up the Club Popular Building (the site is now occupied by the St. Agustine Maternity and General Hospital), but was repelled twice and had to scramble down due to a gaping head wound from an American bayonet.

When General Capistrano realized that the attack had gone bad, he ordered a retreat. The Americans pursued the Filipinos to the edge of town.

http://www.freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar/Siete%20de%20Abril%20Centennial%20April%207%202000.JPG

"SIETE DE ABRIL": Centennial commemoration of the Battle of Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro City).

In his annual report for 1900, Maj. Gen. Arthur C. MacArthur, Jr., listed 4 Americans killed and 9 wounded, and 52 Filipinos killed, 9 wounded and 10 captured. (A Filipino account reported that 200 Filipinos were killed). Later, one of the old streets in the city was named "Heroes de Cagayan" in honor of the Cagayan and Misamis guerillas who took part in the battle. It has since been renamed Pacana Street.

http://www.freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar/US%20troops%20with%202%20Maxim-Nordenfeldt%20guns%20Cagayan%20de%20Misamis%20maybe%2023rd%20Inf%20on%20July%2014%201900.jpg

On July 14, 1900, the Americans at Cagayan de Misamis were reinforced by 170 men of the 23rd Infantry Regiment USV and 2 Maxim-Nordenfeldt guns (ABOVE).

http://www.freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar/American%20guardhouse%20in%20Cagayan%20de%20Misamis%20circa%201900.jpg

Guardhouse of the 40th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, in Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro City)

http://www.freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar/Concert%20of%2040th%20Infantry%20USV%20Band%20Americans%20at%20Cagayan%20de%20Misamis%201900%20in%202Lt.%20Robert%20B.jpg

The band of the 40th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Volunteers, at Cagayan de Misamis (now Cagayan de Oro City), circa 1900-1901.

http://www.freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar/Cagayan%20de%20Misamis%20ballgame%201900-1901.jpg

Americans playing baseball, circa 1900-1901

paulkrps

November 28th, 2008, 09:52 PM

thanks for the posts guys, they are treasures.

under_superior

November 29th, 2008, 01:46 PM

hi mindanaoans!

MtApoStandard

November 29th, 2008, 04:52 PM

42% of national fish catch from Mindanao: BFAR

MINDANAO contributes 42 percent of the total fish production of the Philippines.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) director Malcolm Sarmiento said the natural features in Mindanao are perfect for aquaculture as he said that government wants to preserve marine resources to help address climate change.

What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers

The BFAR, he said, shifted in its direction of helping the fishermen from harvesting to farming, the reason there is massive campaign for aquaculture.

He said with the breakthrough of new species, they wanted to widen the base of aquaculture.

He said among the new species are the Banami (super shrimp) that grows twice as Tiger Prawn, which is only half the size of the super shrimp. The Black Tiger is also a new specie and good for aquaculture production.

The newest addition that is propagated in the Philippine is the pangasius catfish, which the government is supporting its propagation.

Business opportunity for Pangasius is big in the international market with huge demands in fillets.

It can also come through product diversification or adding value to a raw product so it can move up to the next stage of production. This is done by adding food ingredients to the main product to create a new one.

The by-products of Pangasius after fillets are fish meal from backbone, fillet trimming, and belly flesh for various consumptions.

The fish skin is for frying, Chinese dishes, leather materials for accessories and decoration.

The fat could be refined for human consumption, particularly as cooking oil. It could also be used as biodiesel. (PIA)

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/42-national-fish-catch-mindanao-bfar

tonight

November 30th, 2008, 06:34 AM

PANAW-LANTAW: Dramaturgong Mindanawon

DAKBAYAN SA ILIGAN -- Bag-o lang nahitabo sa Siyudad sa Cagayan de Oro ang MINDULANI Milenyo Dos (Nobiembre 22-25, 2008). Sobra 60 ka mga dramaturgong Mindanawon - gikan sa tanang Rehiyon sa Mindanao - ang mitambong sa Kongreso aning maong panagtigum. Dunay mga napulo ka mga teatrong pundok ang nagpasundayag sa Festival nga yugto sa maong panagtigum.

Ang MINDULANI mao ang network sa mga dramaturgong Mindanawon nga nanaglambigit sa gitawag nga Mindanao Theatre Movement nga natawo niadtong hinapus sa 1960s ug nitubo labina sa panahon sa martial rule ug nagpabiling madasigon hangtud karon. Ang maong ngalan, gikan sa Tinagalog nga mga pulong: ani sa mga dula sa Mindanao; mao nga MINDULANI.

Ang gigikanan sa Mindanao Theatre Movement mao kadtong mga paningkamot sa mga dramaturgong pundok nga gikan sa mga katilingban (apil ang mga Gagmayng Kristohanong Katilingban sa MSPC), mga aktibistang pundok ug mga tulonghaan sa tibuok Mindanao (apil na ang Ateneo de Davao, Southern Christian College, mga MSU ubp).

Sa dagan sa panahon nidaghan ang nahimong sakop sa maong panahugpong. Busa sa 1982, didto sa SCC sa Midsayap, Cotabato, natawo ang Mindanao Cultural Theatre Network (MCTN) panahon sa panagtigum nga gitawag og KALASIKAS. Nidagan pa ang mga katuigan una nakahukom ang maong panaghugpong nga magkatigum na pag-usab. Kini gihimo sa mga siyudad sa Iligan ug Butuan niadtong 1994. Dinhi nitumaw sa unang higayon ang ngalan sa MINDULANI. Nahitabo na usab ang MINDULANI sa Koronadal sa 1997 ug sa Davao adtong 1998.

Nidagan na usab ang napulo ka tuig una nahitabo pag-usab ang MINDULANI, ug gitawag kini nga MILENYO DOS. Ang mga naningkamot nga kini mahitabo mao silang Nestor Horfilla, Basilidas Pilapil, Mozart Pastrano (ug iyang mga sakop sa theatrong pundok sa Liceo de Cagayan de Oro) ug ang tulo ka nag-representar sa mga dramaturgong Mindanawon sa National Commission on Culture and the Arts: Romy Narvaez, Felimon Blanco ug Hobart Savior.

Duha ka bahin ang maong panagtigum sa MINDULANI Milenyo Dos: ang Kongreso diin dunay mga panaghisgot sa mga diskurso nga mahinungdanon alang sa mga dramaturgo, ug ang Festival sa mga Dula nga gipasundayag.

Sulod sa Kongreso, dunay mga panaghisgot sa mosunod nga mga diskurso (ug ang tigpasayon-tigpamulong sa maong mga topiko): Pilosopiyang Kaugatan sa Mindanao Theatre Movement (Karl M. Gaspar CSsR ug reaksyon ni Marili Fernandez), Panaglambigit sa mga Cultural Organizations sama sa Arts Councils (Peng Tremedal), Model sa Pagpalahutay (Nestor Horfilla ug mga reaksyon ni Richard Belar ug Jay Alovera), Pagsulat alang sa Teatro (Arnel Mardoquio), Teatrong Advocacy (Romy Narvaez), Teatro ug ang Kababaihan (Geejay Arriola) (ug mga reaksyon ilang Owen Jaen, Felimon Blanco ug Denise Aguilar), ang Mindanao Equity for Culture and the Arts (Fe Remotigue) ug Unsay Gi-atubang sa Culture Industry sa Pilipinas (Nes Jardin sa CCP), Diskurso bahin sa Marketing sa Teatro (Hobart Savior), Istratehiya sa mga Teatro nga naa sa mga Universidad (Sunny Noel).

Tungod kay undanon ang maong mga pagpamulong, madasigon kaayo ang mga pag-inambitay panahon sa mga workshops. Maayo kaayo ang mga panghuna-huna ug kasinatian nga gibaylo sa mga partisipante. Kulang ang panahon nga gitagana sa maong mga workshops, tungod kay duna pa may mga pasundayag didto sa Roselda Hall o Civi Center sa Liceo de Cagayan.

Napulo ka pundok ang nagpasundayag ug ang titulo sa ilang mga dula ug unsa ang unod niini mao ang mosunod: 1) Pasundayag - TODOS LOS SANTOS (drama nga nilangkob sa upat ka mga mologues sa mga paryente sa duha ka nabiktima panahon sa martial rule labina si Emman Lacaba), 2) Sining Kapapagariya - DULA TA (drama alang sa advocacy for peace, nga nasentro sa nahitabo sa duha ka bata, usa ka Bisaya ug usa ka Maguindanao, ug ang trahedya nga nahitabo tungod sa kagubot sa Mindanao kaniadto ug karon), 3) Dumindengan nga pundok sa mga Subanen sa Lapoyan - SUBANEN (drama bahin sa ilang kinabuhi nga na-apiktahan sa mga kabag-ohan sa karon nga panahon), 4) WMSU - PACITA Y SALMA, 5) Magdudulang Bukidnon - DAGULANG TA YUGONG (dance-drama bahin sa kahimtang sa mga Lumad sa Bukidnon nga nag-atubang sa mga problema tungod sa mga kabag-ohan nga gikan sa patag nga mi-abot sa ilang tribo), 6) Kathara Dance Theatre - SABWAN: ILOG NG BUHA (dance-drama nga nilambigit sa mga karaang istorya sa mga Bagobo nga dunay kalabutan sa tubig ug ang mga ekolohikanhong problema karon tungod sa kalisod nga modangat sa katawhan sa panahon sa huwaw), 7) Actors' Quarter - UNTITLED (drama sa tulo ka karacter nga nag-atubang sa panagbingkil sa relasyon tungod sa OFW phenomenon, 8) CU Dance Troupe - KINALKAL NI.. (dance-drama bahin sa epekto sa mining), 9) Bag-ong Surigao-non - GAMHANAN: ANG PAGLUPAD (dance-theatre sa 5 ka tawo nga nag-atubang sa epekto sa druga sa ilang kinabuhi) ug 10) Sining Kandililimudan - SI SANGA (komedya bahin sa istorya nga gikan pa sa katigulangan sa mga Maguindanao bahin sa usa ka dalaga nga nakat-on unsa ang mga hagit sa kinabuhi diha sa ilang relasyon sa iyang inahan ug ang hari-anong hut-ong sa ilang lugar).

Ang maong mga pasundayag nagpakita sa lapad nga kategoriya sa mga dramaturgong porma ug unod nga nagahatag og kinabuhi sa teatro sa Mindanao. Naa ang mga drama nga nagpadayon sa tradisyon sa bayok sa Sining Kambayoka. Naa ang mga pasundayag sa Dance-Drama nga gisugdan ni Dong Galenzoga; naa sab ang porma nga gipatumaw sa Kaliwat Theatre Collective. Naa sab ang mga conscientization plays nga nitumaw sa panahon sa martial law. Naa sab ang mga monologues bahin sa mga karacter nga mamalandong sa ilang mga kasinatian. Apan nagpabilin sab ang kaikag nga mo-eskperimento aron nga dunay mga bag-ong porma nga motumaw.

Sa kinatibuk-an, sa nahitabo sa MINDULANI Milenyo Dos, maka-ingon gyod ang nakatambong ani nga buhi kaayo ang Dramaturgong Mindanao!

(Ang MindaViews ang seksyon sa opinion sa MindaNews. Si Brother Karl Gaspar sa Redemptorist, manunulat sa mga libro, apil na ang "Mystic Wanderers in the Land of Perpetual Departures)

Source (http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5554&Itemid=283)

tonight

November 30th, 2008, 06:50 AM

Ramos: The Mindanao Economic Development Authority

LAST July 1, 2008, the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) – which is under the Office of the President and chaired by Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana – launched the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2020). This was the product of months of research, inter-agency coordination and people-consultation.

Mindanao 2020

I was among the resource persons invited to participate and speak at that launching ceremony in Davao City. The new framework plan had the concurrence of key government officials, LGUs, NGOs, academe, private business, other civil society groups, and the donor community.

Mindanao 2020 is the upgraded sequel to Mindanao 2000 Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2000). Promulgated in 1995, Mindanao 2000 was the essential precursor to the GRP-MNLF Final Peace Agreement of September 1996, and paved the way for an integrated set of economic and social reforms. But, since 2005, Southern Philippines has unveiled fresh opportunities and new challenges which called for a strategic roadmap more responsive to and more in-sync with present and anticipated regional and global conditions. Examples of such realities not yet fully exploited are ICT/BPO potentials, indigenous alternative energy options, "Coral Triangle" marine resources, agri-aqua business, transportation liberalization, and education networking.

Hence, there is a compelling need to formulate Mindanao 2020 as a holistic, multidimensional and integrated peace and development strategy that is attuned to the current needs and potentials of Mindanao in accordance with its unique historical, social, political, economic and cultural background. This process – to the credit of MEDCo – has been started.

Plan for Mindanao modernization

In effect, Mindanao 2020 is a strategic plan for modernizing Mindanao. It upgrades earlier medium-term and long-range plans for achieving enduring peace and sustainable development in Southern Philippines, Palawan included. The principal partners/cooperators for its operationalization consists of, but not limited to, the:

(a) Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors, and Municipal Mayors Leagues of Mindanao (CONFED) headed by South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes;

(b) Mindanao Bloc, the group of lawmakers from Mindanao led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles;

(c) Mindanao Business Council, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and various business support organizations, chaired by Vic Lao;

(d) Kusog Mindanao, a group of civil society organizations headed by Rey Teves;

(e) Mindanao Studies Consortium Foundation, Incorporated, an association of academic institutions chaired by Fr. Bert Alejo;

(f) Bishop-Ulama Forum headed by Archbishop Fernando Capalla, Ulama League of the Philippines led by Aleem Mahmod Adilao, and United Church of Christ in the Philippines chaired by Dr. Mariano Apilado; and,

(g) Mindanao Indigenous Peoples headed by Datu Lipatuan Joel Unad, and PANAGTAGPO Mindanao under Datu Victorio Siway.

For the day-to-day implementation of Mindanao 2020, MEDCo is assisted by:

(a) Team of Experts – former Cabinet members working in partnership with Mindanao-based experts;

(b) Eminent Persons Group – respected leaders with extensive knowledge of Mindanao issues to provide general directions and insights; and,

(c) Team Mindanao – representatives/lead convenors of stakeholders actively involved in peace and development advocacy.

The refining process

True to its mandate, MEDCo is undertaking a scientific process to transform the existing Mindanao 2000 framework into a more refined roadmap – which is Mindanao 2020. These step-by-step activities are:

Phase I: Assessment of Mindanao 2000;

Phase II: Review of related studies and documents;

Phase III: Planning consultations;

Phase IV: Formulation of Mindanao 2020;

Phase V: Validation and finalization;

Phase VI: Launching of Mindanao 2020;

Phase VII: Advocacy activities; and

Phase VIII: Monitoring, evaluation, review and updating.

"Super region" speeds up 27 projects

The implementation of 27 major infrastructure projects under PGMA’s Mindanao "Super Region" concept is making progress. Roads, airports, seaports, hospitals, irrigation facilities, power and electrification projects are undergoing construction, while implementing agencies are meeting regularly to resolve bottlenecks.

Land transport along Western, Central, and Northeastern Mindanao routes is expected to improve as seven major road projects report positive progress. These include the Sibuco-Sirawai-Siocon-Baliguian-Gutalac Road (connecting Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur) and Surigao Sur-Davao Oriental Coastal Road.

The private financial and business sectors are also encouraged to invest in "ready-to-go" projects like the Panguil Bay Bridge and Kabulnan Irrigation Project-Phase II.

Still missing, however, is a critical link in an inter-modal transport system that is still on the planning boards – the Mindanao Railway System (MRS). To fulfill the potential of MRS as a vital catalyst to increase productivity by enhancing the delivery of people, goods and services, an enabling authority must be provided to attract private sector investments in the railways industry. Speaker Nograles has announced the harmonization and prioritization of pending MRS bills, principally: H.B. 1855, "An Act Creating the Mindanao Railways Corporation;" and H.B. 2656, "An Act Creating the Mindanao Railways Authority."

The plan for an MRS can be traced back to 1994 when FVR directed the DoTC, DPWH, NEDA and LGUs to collaborate with lawmakers on the proposed Mindanao Railways that should first connect Cagayan de Oro and Iligan (the C-I Corridor). Among the earliest sponsors of an MRS law was Senator Santanina Rasul in the 9th Congress.

BIMP-EAGA and CEAGPOL: Benefiting beyond borders

Among the international components of Mindanao 2020 are the well-known BIMP-EAGA launched in 1994 and – as mentioned in last Sunday’s Part I of this series and in our 21 September column – the emerging Central East Asia Growth Polygon (CEAGPOL).

In a "convergence" meeting in Davao City last March, the EAGA tourism and airline groups agreed to develop "tour brands" utilizing existing BIMP-EAGA aviation packages including a 4-day tour cluster for Davao-Zamboanga-Sandakan-Kota Kinabalu destinations. A similar enticement is the Davao-Singapore-Kuching route utilizing Cebu Pacific’s Davao-Singapore flight started last May.

Port-to-port bilateral talks among the four BIMP-EAGA member-countries are on-going to set up One Stop Action Centers (OSACs) wherein government and private agencies that process, approve, and record export documents are housed under one roof. OSAC operations will be initially pilot-tested in the areas of Davao, Zamboanga, and Puerto Princesa; Sandakan and Kudat in Malaysia; and Manado in Indonesia. OSACs support the efforts to harmonize and streamline Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Security (CIQS) rules, regulations and procedures, with the goal of reducing costs of doing business and, therefore, curtailing corruption.

The Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA)

The recent flurry of planning and integrating activities by executives, experts and lawmakers on two broad fronts – peacemaking and socio-economic development – augurs well for the people of Mindanao. Since its creation in 1992 until recently, all these multifarious activities were being handled by Malacañang thru MEDCo. By virtue of a new Executive Order, however, MEDCo has just been detached from the Office of the President and put under the NEDA; thus, in a very significant way, diluting MEDCo’s direct access to the President, and the power of PGMA’s authority over matters of crucial importance to Mindanao.

In this latest situation, it appears that there is again a tug-of-war over turf, logistics and influence over Mindanao solutions – which is an undesirable but recurring phenomenon in Philippine governance.

Let us recall that if there was measurable and palpable success in Mindanao programs for peace and development during the Ramos Administration, it was mainly because just one official – and only one – Presidential Assistant for Mindanao (PAMIN) Paul Dominguez was clothed with sufficient authority to make on-the-spot decisions over Mindanao matters already covered by national or Presidential policy. This efficient set-up quickly disintegrated during the succeeding Estrada administration with the appointment of 3 PAREs (Presidential Assistants for Regions) in Mindanao – which resulted in inevitable rivalry for Presidential attention and "goodies" by his 3 "com-pares."

The solution: Legislate meda

Considering Mindanao’s recent history of "sulong-atras" (forward-backward) governance, it is essential to maintain the momentum of peace and development by establishing a lasting institutional mechanism to insure a continuous coordinative and integrative process in formulating and implementating Mindanao-wide, inter-regional development plans, programs and projects for maximum impact and benefit.

The creation by law of MEDA will enhance coherence, consistency and optimization of Mindanao development. At present, with MEDCo being merely an agency created by Presidential Order, threats of its discontinuity and abolition are always a probability. Along with such uncertainties are apprehensions of unholistic integration, monitoring and evaluation.

Thus, MEDCo Chair Leyretana recommended last November 7, to PGMA for certification – as among Malacañang’s priority bills – H.B. 5255, "An Act Creating the Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA), Defining Its Powers and Functions, and for Other Purposes, and Providing Funds Therefor." In support of Mindanao’s leaders, I strongly endorse this bill’s enactment by the 14th Congress. And, PGMA’s imprimatur thereon will effectively advance Mindanao’s peace process and grassroots progress.

Please send any comments to fvr@rpdev.org. Copies of articles are available at www.rpdev.org

Source (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/ramos-mindanao-economic-development-authority)

tonight

November 30th, 2008, 06:55 AM

ph_matrix

November 30th, 2008, 09:56 AM

Philippines, 1961 (Mitsubishi Military Jeep Photos)

http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3b/Photos/Mitsubishi/ChuaPier400.JPG (http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3b/Photos/Mitsubishi/ChuaPier.JPG)

Jerome Chua scanned these photos he inherited from his grandfather, who served as an army Depot Officer in the Philippines in the 1950's and 60's. The pier in the first photo is at Cagayan De Oro, and the Jeep is one of a group of 15 being offloaded in 1961. Its large fuel filler opening and rear-mounted spare and jerry can clearly identify it as a Mitsubishi CJ3B-J4 or J4C military version.

The sign on the back of the Jeep reads:
PHILIPPINES SPH
7266-95611-1054-0322-6100
1090-818-0159-25-22 "Triangle"
WT-2296 CU -264.8
132" x 63" x 55"
SB 9-4 Type II 2/11/61 APAJ
The label on the box in the Jeep reads:
Packaging LIST
O.V.M. / RELATED
TRUCK 1/4 TON 4X4
2/61
PACKED BY MHIR
WT. 130 CU 8.7
BOX No. 2 of 2

http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3b/Photos/Mitsubishi/ChuaEvangelista400.JPG (http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3b/Photos/Mitsubishi/ChuaEvangelista.JPG)

Another photo from the period shows an inspection of a Jeep at Camp Evangelista in the Philippines. The front lifting rings identify it as a CJ3B-J4C. These photos suggest that these Japanese-made Jeeps were not only used by the U.S. Army (http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3b/Military/MitsubishiJ4.html), but may have been supplied as U.S. foreign aid.

http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3b/World/JapanMilitary.html

boju2

November 30th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Dire Husi: Interconnecting Indigenous Young Artisans and Young Fashionistas through Fair Trade (http://www.kagay-an.com/articles.php?key=397)

By Mike Banos

A home-grown initiative seeking to link indigenous youth artisans and affluent youth consumers in Manila and Mindanao has been recognized as one of the three winners in the I Am A Changemaker Competition of British Council Philippines.

The links that interconnect indigenous young artists and young fashionistas from Manila.

Rhyan CasiA�o's Dire Husi: Interconnecting Indigenous Young Artisans and Young Urban Fashionistas through Fair Trade (Intercultural Dialogue) was adjudged the winner for Mindanao following the final phase of the competition last 22 November at The Linden Suites, Ortigas Centre, Pasig City.

Prior to the panel presentation, the top 15 proposals were uploaded on the British Council website for on-line voting from 5-15 November. Based on scores from the preliminary judging and points garnered from online voting, the top three project proponents from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were selected by a five member judging panel, representing leaders from business, the academe, government and social entrepreneurs based on the panel presentation, the final stage of the competition.

The three finalists representing each region received a PhP 100,000 grant each for the implementation of their projects within a 6-month period. In addition to the prize money, a project management training will be provided to members of the winning organization in order to strengthen their internal capacity to deliver their projects.

I Am A Changemaker was one of the British Council's activities to mark the first ever Global Entrepreneurship Week last 17-23 November.

CasiA�o's project bested two other finalists from Mindanao: Acting Towards Change ( Intercultural Dialogue/ Environment ) by the Kids for Peace Foundation of Cotabato City and ALEY-NM Living Museum Project (Environment/ Education) by the Association of Locally-Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao, Initao, Misamis Oriental.

I Am a Changemaker is a project grant competition for school and community-based youth organizations on how development issues and concerns on education, the environment, and/ or intercultural diversity can be addressed through youth leadership and social entrepreneurship.

The British Council defines diversity in terms of its mission to promote positive social change through building trust, increasing understanding, reforming cultural stereotypes/perception, and countering misinformation and prejudice through intercultural dialogue.

I Am a Changemaker sought to encourage the participation of young people in addressing issues and concerns regarding education, environment, and intercultural diversity as proactive citizens and development partners; strengthen the delivery mechanisms of youth-led development projects by providing a 3-day project management workshop and by periodic mentoring; create a sustainable community of young people who can share their experience of implementing community-based projects through entrepreneurship; and establish a functional network of youth organizations that would complement the British Council Philippines on its development initiatives

Project proposals should address issues and concerns on education, environment, and/ or intercultural diversity; espouse youth leadership and social entrepreneurship; and promote a consultative and participatory process to ensure ownership and enhanced sustainability to promote community-based entrepreneurial activities.

CasiA�o's project, "Dire Husi: Interconnecting Indigenous Young Artisans and Young Urban Fashionistas through Fair Trade (Intercultural Dialogue)" was presented by his cottage industry Dire Husi Crafts and Accessories from Iponan, Cagayan de Oro City .

Linking up with the urban fashionistas through the medium of fashion accessories.

In his project proposal, CasiA�o said "Dire" (Visayan for here) "Husi" (Manobo for friend) aims to connect the "affluent and comfortable" young people in urban areas of Mindanao to the "marginalized and disadvantaged" young artisans of Northern Mindanao through a uniquely tangible foundation of youth culture: Fashion Accessories.

"Through necklaces with terracotta clay pendants, amulets with delicately crafted carvings and semi-precious stones, bracelets with indigenous colors and patterns, anklets with coco-shells and cow-bones shaped into elegant forms," CasiA�o said. "Small, creative products that are hip, but act as a meaningful reminder that young people are making their way out of poverty; that connection and communion are possible; that after all, both marginalized and affluent young people have a friend somewhere."

CasiA�o noted that indigenous, out-of-school-youth artisans from Northern Mindanao, who moved away from their native domains to search for a better life in the city (Cagayan de Oro), have demonstrated their intrinsic talent and expressed their identities through the creation of indigenous design-inspired necklaces, bracelets, accessories, and amulets. The youth social enterprise created by CasiA�o with partners from the indigenous youth artisans in 2004 called "Dire Husi" has provided more than 500 young Manobo, Higaonon, Umayamnon, Tigwahanon, and Matigsalug people with alternative sources of income.

"Although their products are artful, unique, and beautifully raw, they find it difficult to sustain their operations because they could not penetrate into a wider, fairer, market: a market where their products/"artworks" can be valued, sold, and priced with dignity," CasiA�o noted.

Fortunately, the Dire Husi proponents didn't have to look far. They perceived the emerging youth sub-culture characterized by social and environmental awareness, especially among university and college students in urban areas in Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos City), and Metro Manila, as the 'springboard" for a new hip, socially and environmentally cool buying behavior, a fire starter of a more "evolved" fashion sense.

"And this could only mean one thing for Dire Husi, the emergence of a sustainable, ready-market for their products," CasiA�o noted.

With the proceeds from their prize money, CasiA�o said Dire Husi would explore further ways to buff up the business viability of their enterprise, affirm and enhance the "self-actualizing" value of creative expression among young artisans, and attempt to reach the 'untapped' socially conscious youth markets in urban areas, especially in Cagayan De Oro an Metro Manila.