Dipolog and Dapitan Cities, and Zamboanga del Norte Province [Archive] - Page 4

dashalvin

September 10th, 2008, 09:20 AM

Dugang suga sa kadalanan napahimutang

Laing 11 ka poste sa sugang dagitab ang gisubhan pagpasiga niadtong Agusto 1 didto sa Barangay Estaka, partikular sa Rizal Ave. Extension, ning dakbayan sa Dipolog.

Sumala pa ni Engr. Glen Yu, ang project engineer sa nasangpit nga Electrification Project alang ning tuig 2008, nga parte kini nga proyekto sa 2008 streetlighting project ilawom sa 20% Development Fund sa kagamhanang lokal sa Dipolog.

Ang maong 11 ka posting High Pressure Sodium Lamps gipahatan ug mokapin kun kulang tunga ka milyon ka pesos, lakip na ang gasto sa contruction works alang sa pagtapos niini.

http://dipolognon.com/SiMayorBelenUy090808.jpg
Si Mayor Belen Uy (wala) inabagan ni Estaka Bgy. Kapitan Nardo Tan (sunod) maoy nanguna sa seremonyal pagpasiga sa mga bag-ong suga sa dalan sa Rizal Ave. extension sinaksihan sa ubang mga opisyales sa barangay (tuo).

Ang gihabugon sa maong poste sa street lights mokabat sa 25 ka piyes (25 feet high).

Ang nasangpit nga proyekto gipatuman sa City General Services Office sa pagdumala ni Alice Calagui, ang supervising engineer niini nga proyekto mao si Engr. Nestor Merecido ug ang supervising electrician mao si Jerry Duterte.

Gani, sumala pa ni Engr. Yu, Engr. Merecido ug Electrician Duterte nga gikalatid unta nga humanon kini nga proyekto sa 40 ka working days, apan gumikan kay walay hasol ang nahitabo sa implementasyon niini, natapos ang proyekto sa 20 ra ka working days.

Sa pagkakaron, laing streetlighting project ang ila nang nasugdan ug anaa kini sa dalan sa Dipolog Integrated Bus Terminal lahos sa Magsaysay Elementary School padulong sa Katipunan St. sa Barangay Sta. Isabel.

Mokabat sa walo ka poste ang gikalatid nga humanon ug ang salapi nga gipahat alang ning maong proyekto gikan sa panudlanan sa Barangay Miputak ilawom sa pagdumala ni Barangay Chairman Janus I. Yu. (cio-prr)

Nindot gyud mo lead si Mayora.

arianespace

September 11th, 2008, 04:12 AM

^^
Thanks for the news Dashalvin. As a sign of courtesy or gratitude to the source, can we at least link our source as a sign of respect to their intellectual property rights. Press Freedom might sue you for violation of their rights and for breach of fair use. Just a reminder if you don't mind! That goes for others as well. :)

taaslangit

September 11th, 2008, 02:29 PM

DFA, BID branch out to provincesBy Renee F. De Guzman

San Fernando City, La Union (11 September) -- In line with the call of President Arroyo for all frontline government agencies to institute measures that would facilitate the delivery of fast and efficient services to the public, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) are establishing new offices in key cities of the country.

In Executive Order 748 issued on Augustt 28, 2008, President Arroyo ordered the creation of DFA Regional Offices in Bacolod City, Butuan City, Puerto Princesa City, Baguio City, General Santos City and Cotabato City.

The new consular offices will process and issue passports and extend other consular services not only to Filipinos but to foreigners as well.

Regional consular offices will be headed by a ranking officer and will be manned by "home based personnel and locally-hired employees, " the E.O. said.

Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the satellite offices of BID, will be able to reduce the volume of transactions at the central office in Intramuros for the convenience of both the transacting public and the bureau's employees.

At present the bureau has satellite offices in Board of Investments Building in Makati to cater foreign investors, executives and expatriates in the country's financial capital. Whereas, the satellite office based at the Philippine Economic Authority office at Pasay City serves foreigners based in various economic zones.

Recently, a new immigration's satellite office was formally opened at the old Municipal Hall of Taytay, Rizal.

According to Libanan, foreigners living in Rizal Province need no longer go to Manila to have their immigration documents processed.

He added that similar offices will be opened in Great Mall of China in Paranaque City and in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. (PIA La Union)

dashalvin

September 12th, 2008, 12:25 PM

@ariane. Thanks 4 d advise. Anyway on updates of Lee Plaza. Interior na lang ang kulang then mag-open n daun cla maybe this last week of September. There is a new cozy restauant in Turno name Hyatti. I have no extra info on food that they serve bcoz my friends are shy to get inside of that restaurant. God bless you. Sharing Psalms 37:4.

taaslangit

September 13th, 2008, 06:15 AM

Consultations on new Mindanao peace approach begins

Vol. XXII, No. 35-A
Saturday, September 13, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

The Nation
Consultations on new Mindanao peace approach begins
ZAMBOANGA CITY — President Arroyo is set to launch a series of consultation meetings with stakeholders in Mindanao next week as part of her administration’s new approach in solving the Mindanao problem.

Mrs. Arroyo is scheduled to meet multi-sector leaders of Zamboanga Peninsula during at the two-day meeting "Local Peace and Security Assembly" on the Sept. 17-18 in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

In a letter sent to local leaders here, Milo S. Ibrado Jr., senior deputy director-general of the National Security Council, said the meeting is aimed at strengthening "local mechanisms to address peace and security problems...in the region." He said participants of the meeting are expected to come up with an "action agenda" covering solutions to address conflict on the island.

The meeting will also identify possible candidates in the government’s new peace panel.

The consultation meetings are also expected to be held in key cities in Mindanao in the following weeks. — Darwin T. Wee

taaslangit

September 13th, 2008, 06:19 AM

Local peace and security assembly to be convened in Dapitan City

PIA Press Release
2008/09/13

Local peace and security assembly to be convened in Dapitan City
by Ltc Francis Jude S Lauengco

ICC Pagadian (September 13) -- Representatives of the national government, led by top officials of the National Security Council, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, will hold consultative meetings with local government and sectoral leaders of Region IX in a "Local Peace and Security Assembly" (LPSA), with a view to strengthen initiatives and mechanisms at promoting peace and security in the region.

The multi-sectoral conference-workshop, to be held on September 17-18 at the Dakak Park Beach Resort in Dapitan City, aims to bring together the major stakeholders of the region to agree on solutions to peace and security problems through an action agenda that they themselves would formulate and implement, taking into consideration the unique features of the locality. It hopes to present this action agenda to the President at the close of the Assembly. Some two hundred participants consisting of concerned members of the Cabinet; local government officials, including governors and city mayors; AFP and PNP commanders; as well as recognized leaders of civil society, the academe, business groups, religious institutions, IP groups/lumads, and media are expected to take part in this LPSA.

The LPSA is a continuing consultation drive in the various regions of the country that was started in the middle of last year, in response to the clamors of LGUs and local stakeholders for support to their various conflict-resolution and peace building initiatives. LPSAs had been conducted for Region 7 (in Tagbilaran City), CARAGA (Butuan City), Region 8 (Tacloban City), CALABARZON (San Pablo City), Region 5 (Masbate City), Region 11 (Tagum City), CAR (Bangued, Abra), Region VI (Bacolod City), and Region 2 (Tuguegarao City). This leg of the LPSA in Region 9 has been geared towards President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's new paradigm refocusing the peace process towards the conduct of authentic dialogues with local communities. (PR NSC

taaslangit

September 13th, 2008, 06:31 AM

ZAMBO NORTEANS ECONOMIC STIMULUS FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS

PIA Press Release
2008/09/12

26,000 Zambo senior citizens to get P500 cash assistance each

Zamboanga City (12 September) -- its early Christmas gift for our senior citizens. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has finalized a list of 26, 268 accredited senior citizens who will be granted a one-time cash subsidy of P500 before the year ends.
The grant is part of a program dubbed "katas ng VAT-Tulong Para kay Lolo at lola."

Though it is not too huge an amount but is a humble effort of the national government to recognize and honor grandmothers and grandfathers as most of them are now weak and jobless.

DSWD Regional Chief for Technical Assistance Division Aida Magracia, said the subsidy is part of giving senior citizens recognition now that they are older and are not physically fit to work.

Magracia said they have submitted a partial list of 28, 268 senior citizen-beneficiaries from the cities of Zamboanga, Dipolog and Dapitan and from the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

Magracia explained to qualify for the subsidy, he or she must be 70 years old and above and is not covered by the GSIS or SSS benefits and with no regular income.

The funds will come from DSWD Central Office (Manila) and will be distributed through the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).

Senior citizens may personally claim their subsidy at the OSCA by presenting their valid senior citizens ID or they may also send their authorized representatives.

The DSWD will coordinate with OSCA and the LGU for the smooth flow of the project.

DSWD targets that all senior citizen-beneficiaries will have their subsidy by December. (PIA ZC)

taaslangit

September 13th, 2008, 06:39 AM

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR SOCIAL REHABILITATION

Saturday, September 13, 2008
City allocates P4M for rehab center

THE local government has allocated P4 million for the construction of a rehabilitation center for the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) in Zamboanga City.

City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer Francisco Barredo said the center would be constructed in the village of Culianan, 14 kilometers northeast from City Hall.

The children who are in conflict with the law will no longer be brought to Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte for rehabilitation with the center in place and operational, according to Barredo.

The facility in Polanco town is the only existing center in the region to rehabilitate CILC subjects.

CICL refers to a child who is alleged as, accused of, or adjudged as, having committed an offense under Philippine laws.

Barredo said the center to be constructed would be properly fenced and guarded to prevent the escape of CICL subjects who are undergoing rehabilitation.

The center would also serve as the dialogue venue for parents and their children who are CICL subjects, Barredo said.

Aside from CICL subjects, the center would also house street children.

The center will be manned by social workers 24 hours a day, according to Barredo.

Barredo said since 2007, his office has already handled more than 90 cases of CICL as stipulated under Republic Act (RA) 9344.

RA 9344 otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act was enacted in 2006. (Bong Garcia)

taaslangit

September 13th, 2008, 08:58 PM

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE ELECTRIC CONSUMERS GETS ECONOMIC STIMULUS
ATTENTION ELECTRIC USERS:

PIA Press Release
2008/09/02

"Pantawid Kuryente" subsidy starts August monthly bills, says Zambo Norte electric coop

Dipolog City (2 September) -- The Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative (ZANECO) has recently announced that it is going to implement the government subsidy on power consumption starting with the August billing. ZANECO general manager Adelmo Laput disclosed that those consumers whose monthly electricity consumption not exceeding 100 kilowatts for the past four months shall benefit from the program dubbed as "Pantawid Kuryente."

ZANECO's finance manager Nora Timtim, however, explained that those who have qualified to avail themselves of the program are those listed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and National Electrification Administration (NEA).

The electricity consumption of the would-be beneficiaries was based on May consumption yet but must not exceed the 100-kilowatt mark.

Those who had exceeded the 100-kilowatt consumption limit in May and were able to bring down their electricity consumption in August are still disqualified from the subsidy. The new member-consumers who consumed less than 100 kilowatts cannot enjoy the subsidy as well.

However, those who have been included in the list and qualified for the subsidy, but exceeded their power consumption in August may still get the subsidy provided they pay for the extra electricity consumed.

Based on its list, ZANECO disclosed that more or less 48,136 consumers stand to benefit from the program in the province.

In a related development, ZANECO is now adopting the so-called online tellering to make transactions of their clients fast. Such a scheme has already been adopted by banks and even by some drug stores.

Laput recalled that the implementation of online tellering has been delayed since the board of directors had always opposed it every time it was presented to them.

"With its inclusion in the budget this year, there is no reason anymore that it should not be implemented," Laput stressed. (Press Freedom/PIA-ZN)

taaslangit

September 13th, 2008, 09:09 PM

It is forbidden to subject a woman wearing an abaya to inspection or scrutiny. Commander Bravo is able to get out and in easily from where he is quartered without being detected by authorities as the rebel leader is dressed as a woman wearing an abaya an Arabic overgarment which covers the whole body except the face, feet and hands.

Elite troops tracking down MILF commander dressed as a woman

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A top military official disclosed Saturday that they have designated ﾒspecial troopsﾓ to track down a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who led the attacks on four towns in Lanao del Norte.

Brig. Gen. Hilario Atendido, deputy chief of the Armys 1st Infantry Division, disclosed they are checking on intelligence information that Abdulrahman Macapaar alias Commander Bravo sometimes is garbed and disguised as a Muslim woman to avoid military detection.

He said that Commander Bravo is able to get out and in easily from where he is quartered without being detected by authorities as the rebel leader is dressed as a woman wearing an abaya an Arabic overgarment which covers the whole body except the face, feet and hands.

Some Muslim woman use the abaya with a veil to cover the face except the eyes. Some women choose to wear long black gloves, so their hands are covered as well.

Prof. Shariff Moshin Julabbi, who is an Islamic scholar, said that it is forbidden to subject a woman wearing an abaya to inspection or scrutiny.

We have assigned special troops to work on these reports yet and we have to be very careful. We will do everything to address this matter in order to identify him no matter what he wears, Atendido said.

Atendido said that the group of Commander Bravo has splintered into smaller groups to avoid detection by pursuing soldiers.

He said that three separate firefights occurred Wednesday between the Armyﾕs 35th Infantry Battalion and Commander Bravos men in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur which is near the boundary of Munai town in Lanao del Norte. DMS

taaslangit

September 13th, 2008, 09:22 PM

AFP 'special troops' tapped to track down MILF's Bravo

Article posted September 13, 2008 - 02:24 PM
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A top military official disclosed on Saturday that they have designated "special troops" to track down a rogue commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Central Mindanao.

Brig. Gen. Hilario Atendido, deputy chief of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, disclosed they are checking on intelligence information that Abdulrahman Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo "sometime is garbed and disguised as a Muslim woman to avoid detection."

“(Commander Bravo) is able to get out and in easily from where he is quartered without being detected by authorities" as the rebel leader is dressed as a woman wearing "abaya," said Atendido.

Abaya, an Arabic term for an overgarment worn by some women in parts of the Islamic world. The abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet and hands.

Some of the women use abaya with a veil covering their face except the eyes. Some women choose to wear long black gloves, so their hands are covered as well.

Prof. Shariff Moshin Julabbi, who is an Islamic scholar, said that under the Islamic religion, it is forbidden to subject a woman-wearing abaya to inspection or scrutiny.

"We have assigned special troops to work on these reports yet and we have to be very careful. We will do everything to address this matter in order to identify him (Commander Bravo) "kahit ano man ang isuot niya, (no matter what he wears)", Atendido assured.

The general said that the group of Commander Bravo has splintered into smaller groups to avoid detection from pursuing troops since moving in large numbers could be easily located.

He said that three separate firefight ensued Wednesday between the Army's 35th Infantry Battalion and Commander Bravo's men in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur which is near the boundary of Munai town in Lanao del Norte.

Of the three encounters, Atendido said two took place Wednesday morning and one in the afternoon which only shows that the group of Commander Bravo has splintered into smaller groups.

He said a follower of Commander Bravo was killed and the troops recovered an M-16 Armalite rifle, ammunition and combat packs.

No one was reported killed or injured on the side of the government, Atendido said.

He said the enemy forces ran away, an indication that their forces have weakened.

"If they disperse their troops like this, then there's no more control and would be very difficult for themselves to know each other's location, which indicates that the group of Bravo is now at a lost,"
he said. – GMANews.TV

taaslangit

September 13th, 2008, 09:29 PM

Trader Falls To Assassins' Bullets In Mindanao

Saturday, September 13, 2008 04:59:38 PM

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 13, 2008) – A Filipino businessman was killed in an attack by unidentified gunmen in the Western Mindanao city of Dipolog, police said Saturday.Police said Arnold Serna, 45, was driving his off-road truck on his way home when shot several times by two motorcycle gunmen late Friday.

The assailants escaped after the killing and police said it is still investigating the motive of the murder.

Police said Serna was shot four times by the gunmen with .45-caliber pistol. Serna, police said, had been receiving death threats in the past, but authorities declined to give further details, saying, it could jeopardize the on going investigations. (Erico Rosco)

dashalvin

September 14th, 2008, 09:09 AM

dashalvin

September 14th, 2008, 09:15 AM

Chrisvenz

September 14th, 2008, 11:33 AM

For city sports complex
Council authorizes mayor to borrow P170-M from Landbank for the project

It will not be long when Dipolog will have its own sports complex. This week the city council passed and approved seven resolutions all towards giving the city mayor the authority to borrow from the Landbank of the Philippines the needed amount for the construction of said complex.

Mayor Evelyn T. Uy said that as soon as all the necessary papers are prepared, she will enter into a loan agreement with the local Landbank to secure the amount of P170-million for the purpose.

http://dipolognon.com/FromTheBareCityPublicLand090808.jpg
From the bare city public land (left) of almost 50 hectares will soon rise the beautiful Dipolog City sports complex (right) in Barangay Olingan. Construction of the initial facilities, the main feature of which is a modern gymnasium, will be financed by the P170-million loan.

Another P10-million will be borrowed to finance the concreting of the Barra-Minaog Access Road to the airport, thus all in all, the total amount to be borrowed will be P189-million.

The authority to borrow was granted to the mayor after city council members led by Councilor Peter Co of the Rules and Revision of Ordinances Committee grilled the city treasurer and were assured by City Treasurer Sancen Caroro that the city has the capacity to borrow and pay said loan.

The proposed loan will be in the total amount of P180-million. According to Treasurer Caroro, the city at the moment is said to have the capacity to borrow even as much as P280-million. But Mayor Belen Uy opted for P180-million only, P170-million to complete the basic necessary facilities of the complex and P10-million for the complete pavement of the Barra-Minaog access road.

If in the future more is needed, the mayor is confident that additional funds can sourced from other donors like the national government and countryside development funds of senators and congressmen.

The proposed city sports complex will be located on an almost 50 hectares public land in Barangay Olingan which is near the city proper and within the immediate expansion area of Dipolog. The gymnasium alone will have a 4,032 square meters floor area, according to Engr. Alimpulos from the city planning and development office. (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VIII No.5)

Nice kau perpective. :cheers: hehe

ang ganda ng perspective. grabe. :banana:

taaslangit

September 14th, 2008, 07:12 PM

Pls do not include this article next time kasi wala cyang kinalaman in any place in the province. This should solely be the thread for ZANORTE.

Originally Posted by taaslangit
DFA, BID branch out to provinces By Renee F. De Guzman

San Fernando City, La Union (11 September) -- In line with the call of President Arroyo for all frontline government agencies to institute measures that would facilitate the delivery of fast and efficient services to the public, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) are establishing new offices in key cities of the country.

In Executive Order 748 issued on Augustt 28, 2008, President Arroyo ordered the creation of DFA Regional Offices in Bacolod City, Butuan City, Puerto Princesa City, Baguio City, General Santos City and Cotabato City.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Facts: President Arroyo for all frontline government agencies to institute measures that would facilitate the delivery of fast and efficient services to the public, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) are establishing new offices in key cities of the country.

In Executive Order 748 issued on August 28, 2008, President Arroyo ordered the creation of DFA Regional Offices in Cotabato City.

Analysis:

Cotabato City is part of Region 9, Zamboanga Del Norte Is part of Region 9.

Zanorteans from all over the world were treated to a night of food and entertainment at an event hosted by the province as part of the Hudyaka 2008 festival. This event recognized the balikbayans, Overseas Filipino Worker and the Foreigners who are currently living and visiting Zamboanga Del Norte.

The 2006 Census from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration counted 3,435 Overseas Filipino Worker from ZAMBO NORTE. This doesn’t include the increasing Percentage on the year by year basis of the OFW’s from ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE.

This Census doesn’t include the actual ZAMBO NORTEANS who are now immigrants in North,and South America. Australia and Europe , who continuously visits ZAMBO NORTE every year.

This Group of Zambo Norteans visitors and retirees, invest, spend and fuel the economic activity within the PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE.

Conclusion:

By Pointing the availability of The new consular offices, located in( Cotabato part of Region 9) that will process and issue passports and extend other consular services not only to Filipinos but to foreigners as well.

This measures WILL facilitate the delivery of fast and efficient services to the public, eliminate the undesirable expenses (when transactions is done in Manila).

LOCAL SERVICES ZAMBO NORTEANS OFW, BALIKBAYANS, FOREIGN VISITORS AND VISITING IMMIGRANTS CAN AVAIL LOCALLY (NOW AVAILABLE IN COTABATO ) WILL INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAYS THEY STAY IN THE PROVINCE AND THIS WILL INCREASE THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THE PROVINCE CURRENTLY NEEDED. [/SIZE]

Hope this explains the concept and intention of the posting.

dashalvin

September 15th, 2008, 05:27 AM

Dili man part ang Cotabato sa Region 9. ARRM man na cya.

qwert_guy

September 15th, 2008, 07:44 AM

basin region 9 na tingali ang cotabato....

GearX

September 15th, 2008, 11:29 AM

Canadian mining firm finalizes Sulphide Project in Zamboanga del Norte (http://www.positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Business_19/Canadian_mining_firm_finalizes_Sulphide_Project_in_Zamboanga_del_Norte.shtml)
By Felino M. Santos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Sept. 14 (PNA) -- TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD) has commissioned last September 1 its two vital components of its Sulphide Project in Canatuan, Tabayo, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte following the completion of their construction, according to Yulo E. Perez, TVIRD Vice President for Philippine Operations.

The company has been operating a gold and silver mine in the same area for the last three years and will now shift to suphide production because of huge copper deposits in the area.

TVIRD began its Canatuan gold and silver operations in Canatuan in July 2004 under an MPSA with the Philippine government, signed in 1996. The MPSA has a term of 25 years, renewable for another period, and grants TVIRD the exclusive rights to explore, develop, and utilize for commercial purposes gold, silver, copper, zinc and other minerals existing within the contract area.

The Canatuan mine produced 19,535 ounces (oz) of gold (Au) and 445,859 oz of silver (Ag) in 2005; 45,210 oz of Au and 608,507 oz of Ag in 2006; and 33,078 oz of Au and 653,278 oz of Ag in 2007. On a gold equivalent basis (AuEqOz), the Canatuan mine produced 26,830 AuEqOz in 2005; 56,880 AuEqOz in 2006; and 45,907 AuEqOz in 2007.

Through its Gossan Project, TVIRD paid the government taxes amounting to P2.2 million in 2004; P13.2 million in 2005; P35.4 million in 2006; and P27.2 million in 2007. TVIRD invested a total of over US$ 25 million for its gold-silver venture, a company report said.

The TVIRD vice president for Philippine Operations, said "our experience in the Gossan Project underscores that responsible mining can be done and that, indeed, it can propel the growth of indigenous peoples in the hinterlands.

"We have been able to establish an operating capability that provides us confidence as we move on to the Sulphide Project, which we hope to be in full operation by yearend or within the first quarter of 2009," Perez said. "We now have the experience and track record in interacting with our stakeholders and we continue to establish mechanisms to deliver what we see as our second 'product': sustainable community development in the Philippine context."

Once operational, TVIRD's Sulphide Project is projected to yield over P173 million in taxes and some P160 million in IP royalties over a seven-year period.

Commissioned this month were the Crushing Section of the Plant and the upgraded Assay Laboratory at the mine site. TVIRD President Eugene Mateo personally witnessed the commissioning of the projects,

"Despite the challenges in the region, the recent developments in Canatuan underscore our resolve to forge ahead with the Sulphide Project, motivated by the belief that the solutions to the region's ills lies clearly in the economic development that derives from projects such as those brought by TVIRD," Perez said.

He added that "The on-going construction of the Sulphide Plant is now in its third month. The Project remains on an aggressive schedule for fourth quarter start-up. We expect to ship copper concentrates at the beginning of 2009 and zinc concentrates around September next year."

He reported that as of September 1, 2008, the project is already 60 percent complete.

"We are very much on schedule as we prudently spent our budget," he added, emphasizing that cost savings and efficiencies were achieved due in large part to the company's utilization of its in-house construction crew.

The motors for the crushing plant were successfully tested without a load on August 31, 2008. This was followed by the first ore loading and crushing test that was carried out on September . Both tests were carried out according to the projected company timeline.

Meanwhile, the Project's state-of-the-art Assay laboratory was also commissioned after undergoing an extensive upgrade, Jerry Gamelo, laboratory manager, said.

The laboratory showcases top-of-the-line equipment manned by competent personnel. The laboratory provides analytical services to the mine and mill operations through prompt and accurate results.

Gamelo said that as TVIRD shifts from gold-silver to copper-zinc operations, analytical requirements for the mine and mill plant will increase and, to address this, the company acquired modern equipment and expanded the building that houses the laboratory.

He explained that since copper concentrates sample preparation is a complicated process, a separate concentrate preparation room with its own dust collection system and working tables was fabricated. Two new units of electronic controlled drying ovens complement the concentrate sampling since copper concentrates require stringent temperature control during the drying process.

Moreover, Gamelo said that a new Perkin-Elmer FIMS 400 was acquired for the company so that the laboratory will be able to analyze elements such as mercury, arsenic, and antimony.

Other laboratory features include Mettler model AE-240 analytical balance, Thermolyne hotplates, Barnstead distilling unit, magnetic stirrers and digital burettes. A new centralized fume hood system for the furnaces was also installed to enhance the health and safety of its workers as it system expels the heat and toxic fumes out from the fire assay working area.

The laboratory manager said that the upgraded laboratory would also increase work productivity because of the revised workflow traffic, which was carefully considered in the building design. "Lab staff will no longer have to walk from room to room carrying processed samples because of the new set up," Gamelo said.

While most of the key workers are skilled technicians, hundred of local residents who are members of the Subanons comprise the greater majority of the workforce of the company. (PNA)

arianespace

September 16th, 2008, 12:24 AM

^^
Cotabato was part of Region 9 in the early 70's. It ceased to be one during Cory Aquino's time way back 1986. Then it became the Capital of Region 12 before ARMM in 1989. At that time, it used to be the capital of two administrative region. Now, its the capital of ARMM. Interesting to note that Cotabato is not part of ARMM but Region 12 with Capital at Koronadal. Only the ARMM capital seats there.

By the way, Taaslangit, please don't highlight all your post. It can be read on this font. Post it the way GearX does news reporting. Lastly, cite your post unless you want it to be treated as your own opinion. Thanks for the news anyway if indeed it was one.

cant_tnac

September 16th, 2008, 02:14 AM

Any update with Lee SP?..pics please

dashalvin

September 16th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Any update with Lee SP?..pics please

Sori for dis moment, wala pa talaga tayong picture sa Lee Plaza. My friend told me that interior na lang ung kulang tapos ang nasa labas na poster as of last week ay chowking pa lang. the front facade of the Lee are claddings n. Its a 3 story mall with an underground supermarket just like Lee Plaza in Dumaguete. Hope to post pics as soon as I received the e-mail photo from my friend.

dashalvin

September 16th, 2008, 12:03 PM

Governor disappointed over MinBizCon

As if failed to lure big business investors from Manila, Gov. Rolando Yebes declared that the 17th Mindanao Business Conference has been a failure.

Although it was well attended by big businessmen in Mindanao, he stressed he was looking for investors from other parts of the country who could possibly invest especially on tourism industry.

He disclosed the gathering expected about 400 delegates but during the first day, only 146 had registered.

Although it was sponsored by the Dipolog City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the provincial government spent P1.9M for the renovation of the ZaNorte Provincial Convention and Exhibition Center and other expenses.

“I was really expecting the big investors from Manila who will be putting up projects to give a boost to our tourism industry,” he sadly disclosed.

Moreover, the governor also disclosed that some provincial officials were also sad when the host solicited from them but were never given invitations to attend the opening ceremony.

It was learned Cong. Cely Jalosjos-Carreon was not even notifed that the party shall be visiting Mutia which belongs to her area of jurisdiction.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jon Limdborg turned over to Mutia NHS 10 units, 10 speakers, 1 printer, 10 Zeal system units, 5 headpohonse and an iPSTAR broadband satellite internet connection. The project costs P339T ($8,475). (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 47)

If only investors from Manila and Visayas attended the MinBizCon, there could be a new investment in malls, hotels and resorts. Sayang gyud but i do hope investor in Mindanao that attended the conference especially from Davao will invest in infrastructure in our city.

dark_knight_detectve

September 16th, 2008, 01:33 PM

Basic Energy, Canadian firm tie up for bioethanol project (http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2008091531&type=2)
By Zinnia B. Dela Peña
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Basic Energy Corp. has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Canadian-based Nexum Energy Corp. to jointly develop a bioethanol plant in the Philippines.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Basic Energy said the proposed joint venture project involves the development and operation of a 200,000-liter per day ethanol plant using cassava as feedstock.

The plant, to be located in Zamboanga del Norte, seeks to produce up to eight megawatts of green power, natural gas and organic fertilizers.

Nexum has exclusive sales and marketing rights to the Philippines for the “Nexum Technology”. It owns, licenses, constructs, operates and markets EnviroPlus, a proprietary, patent-pending technology expected to revolutionize the conventional ethanol industry.

EnviroPlus combines proven conventional front-end ethanol production and back-end biogas technologies. It is expected that this combination will formulate the most energy-efficient ethanol facility.

Jose Reyes Jr., executive vice-president and treasurer of Basic Energy, said Nexum is one of three foreign companies the company is in talks with as possible strategic operating and financial partners for its proposed bioethanol projects.

Aside from the Philippines, Nexum is planning to build ethanol plants in Indonesia and Vietnam, Reyes said.

The ethanol project is in line with Basic Energy’s tie up with EcoMarketFarms Inc. to expand their cassava project in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The deal is expected to jumpstart the agricultural operations of Basic Energy and generate initial revenues from the sale of cassava chips to local animal feed manufacturers and eventually to supply the feedstock requirements of the planned ethanol plant.

Under the agreement, the two corporations will set up a joint venture where Basic Energy will provide the capital while EcoMarketFarms will provide the business and management plan for the project.

Basic Energy will purchase EcoMarketFarms’ cassava plantation for P12.5 million, payable through shares and cash.

Basic Energy aims to be a leading player in the exploration, production and supply of alternative fuels and renewable energy, oil and allied products and services.

Hoping to capitalize on the anticipated demand for fuel with the mandatory five percent blend of bioethanol with gas by May 2009, Basic Energy, through wholly-owned unit Basic Biofuels, will initially build two bioethanol plants estimated to cost P6.74 billion.

Based on a forecast by the Department of Energy, domestic bioethanol demand is seen to reach 309 million liters per annum by 2009 and is seen to increase further to 664 million liters by 2011 and 713 million liters by 2013.

Back to top

qwert_guy

September 17th, 2008, 01:13 AM

Sori for dis moment, wala pa talaga tayong picture sa Lee Plaza. My friend told me that interior na lang ung kulang tapos ang nasa labas na poster as of last week ay chowking pa lang. the front facade of the Lee are claddings n. Its a 3 story mall with an underground supermarket just like Lee Plaza in Dumaguete. Hope to post pics as soon as I received the e-mail photo from my friend.

so 4 levels pala to lahat... converted into supermarket na pala yung underground of which underground parking yung previous plan nila.

cant_tnac

September 17th, 2008, 06:04 AM

^^^congrats sa Lee

dashalvin

September 17th, 2008, 07:35 AM

so 4 levels pala to lahat... converted into supermarket na pala yung underground of which underground parking yung previous plan nila.

Mura mag ang parking lot og supermarket puro nasa underground. Technique man gud nila ga ivacant gyud and G/F for restaurant leasing kay makita daun. I'm excited sa cinema nila ga moopen kay naa namiy sinehan daun ga decent.

qwert_guy

September 17th, 2008, 07:53 AM

wow plus naa pa diay cinehan. hope to see pics of the interior of the mall soon.
congrats dipolog

dashalvin

September 17th, 2008, 08:53 AM

May game section, food court din yan. Wala pa man gyud tay update sa mga restaurants ga naglease.

dashalvin

September 17th, 2008, 09:59 AM

The back of Lee Plaza is big and swampy so there's still an area for expansion. The workers are actually having overtime just to finish this mall since March 2006 just like in Pagadian.

ritche

September 17th, 2008, 10:21 AM

^It's good that Lee Plaza Dipolog will have cinemas. They don't even have cinemas in Dumaguete.

Sleepwalker

September 17th, 2008, 10:30 AM

^It's good that Lee Plaza Dipolog will have cinemas. They don't even have cinemas in Dumaguete.

Guys, sorry to butt in.

Ritch, is Lee Plaza based from Dumaguete? If then, i think, it has the same pattern with Gaisanos...The recent batch of Gaisano malls are having better facilities and aesthetics than the older batches.

Correct me if am wrong though.

taaslangit

September 17th, 2008, 08:42 PM

Arroyo to get briefing on Region 9's problems Thursday

09/17/2008 | 09:54 PM

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo expects to get a glimpse of security problems hounding Region 9 and the proposed solutions to these problems on Thursday.

A Malacañang statement said the problems will be taken up at the Local Peace and Security Assembly (LPSA) in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

It said the meet aims to help local governments and other stakeholders address various challenges to peace and development in the region.

President Arroyo will be the guest of honor and speaker at the closing of the two-day LPSA in Region 9 at the Dakak Park and Beach Resort Hotel, which started Wednesday.

Region 9 includes the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

"The output or action agenda of the two-day forum would be presented to the President when she arrives shortly before noon on Thursday in Dakak after her official engagements in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur," the Palace statement said.

Expected to accompany President Arroyo are national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, press secretary Jesus Dureza, health secretary Francisco Duque III; House speaker Prospero Nograles Jr., Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles and Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles.

A report in GMA's 24 Oras by Sandra Aguinaldo said this is the first time President Arroyo visited the area since the conflict between the military and some rogue forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sparked.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano said the military has significantly downgraded the capabilities of the MILF.

"We have inflicted substantial casualties in them and we feel that he have degraded their capabilities not only in forms of manpower or strength but in terms of the ammunition, and the supplies that they have," Yano said.

Yano added that as of now, they have received at least 50 different tips coming from different sources on the whereabout of MILF leaders Ameril Umbra Kato and Abdullah Macapaar, who led the attacks on civilian communities in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte, respectively, last month.

"If we are going into the areas where they are there vicinity then I think it's a clear indication that we have continuing track," Yano added. - with Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV

qwert_guy

September 18th, 2008, 10:50 AM

The back of Lee Plaza is big and swampy so there's still an area for expansion. The workers are actually having overtime just to finish this mall since March 2006 just like in Pagadian.

march 2006 pa pala yan nag start? i thought march 2007... so medyo matagal na pala.

.

ritche

September 18th, 2008, 10:52 AM

Guys, sorry to butt in.

Ritch, is Lee Plaza based from Dumaguete? If then, i think, it has the same pattern with Gaisanos...The recent batch of Gaisano malls are having better facilities and aesthetics than the older batches.

Correct me if am wrong though.

Yes, they are based here. They are currently improving the main Lee Plaza in downtown Dumaguete by putting up more stores and boutiques, but still no cinemas. I guess they'll have difficulty putting up one here because their area is limited and lands here are getting very expensive. Anyway, we are looking forward to nice cinemas when the huge Robinsons mall opens late next year or early 2010.

taaslangit

September 18th, 2008, 02:49 PM

PIA Press Release
2008/09/18

Region 9 problems and proposed solutions presented to PGMA

Manila (18 September) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will grace on today the Local Peace and Security Assembly (LPSA) in the Zamboanga Peninsula to help local governments and other stakeholders address various challenges to peace and development in Region 9.

The President will be the guest of honor and speaker at the closing of the two-day LPSA in Region 9 scheduled Sept. 17-18 at the Dakak Park and Beach Resort Hotel, located some 30 minutes by land north of this city.

Region 9 comprises the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay.

Some 300 participants from local government units (LGUs), communities and other stakeholders in Region 9 would gather here on Wednesday to formulate ways and means to attain peace and economic development in the region.

The output or action agenda of the two-day forum would be presented to the President when she arrives shortly before noon on Thursday in Dakak after her official engagements in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur.

Expected to accompany the President in her trip here today are National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Health Secretary Francisco Duque, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Aurora Cerilles and Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Antonio Cerilles.

The President and her party would be welcomed by local officials led by Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Rolando Yebes, 1st Congressional District Representative Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon, 2nd District Rep. Rosendo Labadlabad, 3rd District Rep. Cesar Jalosjos, Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy and Dapitan City Mayor Dominador Jalosjos.

Last year, the President ordered the conduct of LPSAs nationwide to identify and respond to issues and problems hindering peace and economic development in the regions.

Since August 2007, nine LPSAs have been successively conducted nationwide starting in Region 7, CARAGA, Region 8, CALABARZON, Region 5, Region 11, CAR, Region 6, and the most recent in Region 2 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan last July 30-31.

Governor Yebes said the conduct of LPSAs is a hands-on strategy of the national leadership with local governments, communities and stakeholders identifying problems to peace and development and crafting an action agenda that, upon presentation, is immediately responded to by the President.

Governor Yebes said he has been duplicating the President's hands-on type of governance by celebrating his birthday every Sept. 20 by traveling on a seven-hour ride from Dipolog City to consult with and provide needed services to the members of the almost 3,000 Subanen tribe in the remote hinterlands of the province.

Accompanying him in the sleepover with the indigenous people, Yebes said, are provincial and other local officials to directly provide vital services and other anti-poverty programs for the poorest of the poor in the province.

With the hands-on type of governance, the governor was honored with the 2007 Gawad Lingkod Bayan award while Zamboanga del Norte has steadily repositioned itself away from being one of the poorest provinces in the country. (PIA-MMIO)

taaslangit

September 18th, 2008, 03:01 PM

Arroyo assures Mindanaoans of gov’t commitment to peace

By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net

Posted date: September 18, 2008

MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured residents of Mindanao on Thursday of the government's commitment to end the four-decades-old conflict there through peace talks even as she again stressed that “we will not negotiate with a gun pointed at our head.”
To show her solidarity with Muslim Filipinos, Arroyo joined a community in Pagadian City on Wednesday evening for the "Bukah" or the daily breaking of the fast during the holy month of Ramadan, Malacañang said.

On Thursday, the President attended a meeting of the Local Peace and Security Assembly (LPSA) at the Dakak Beach Resort in Dapitan City.

"We are committed to doing everything to bring lasting peace, not only in the Zamboanga Peninsula, but to the whole of Mindanao, and to end 40 years of fighting that has killed more than 120,000 Filipinos," Arroyo said a speech during the meeting.

Arroyo also reiterated her shift in policy from talking to armed groups, to talking directly to communities. This, she said, was prompted by attacks of "lawless" members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on civilian communities in Central Mindanao.

"We remain committed to the peace process. We have negotiated in good faith with our Muslim brethren to keep the peace this last seven years and also to look for a lasting peace for generations to come…We will not negotiate with a gun pointed at our head," she said.

Arroyo also assured local officials that the government would not sign the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between government and MILF peace negotiators.

"No matter what the Supreme Court ultimately decides, the government will not sign the proposed MOA-AD," she said.

The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against the MOA-AD, after local government officials in Mindanao questioned its constitutionality. The accord would have paved the way for the expansion of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) into the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE).

taaslangit

September 18th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Mindanao businessmen ask miners to improve CSR projects

DAVAO CITY — The Mindanao business sector has called on mining companies to be more responsive to their host communities, saying they should bolster their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.

At the opening of the two-day Mindanao Mining Forum, Vicente T. Lao, Mindanao Business Council chairman, said mining investors should be more responsible to the communities where they operate.

At least a thousand mining executives and government officials were expected in the two-day event, the biggest gathering so far mounted by the industry on the island.

The forum was held in response to recent calls from industry stakeholders, including local government executives, to find measures that would promote responsible mining as well as promote mining investments in Mindanao.

Mr. Lao said corporate social responsibility must be placed at the forefront of "mining industry rehabilitation."

Mining companies, he said, must concentrate on "optimizing positive effects" and "minimizing" the negative impact both on the host communities and the local ecosystem.

Programs on corporate social responsibility, he added, must be felt by the employees as well as the intended beneficiaries.

Among other issues, officials of government and private sector groups attending the event said sluggish investments were caused primarily by the failure of government agencies to cut red tape in mining applications, more than security problems in mineral-rich sites.

Areas in Mindanao where major mining activities are ongoing are the Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga and Zamboanga Peninsula. Among the big names operating here are Xstrata in south-central Mindanao and parts of the Davao Region, and Toronto Ventures, Inc. in Zamboanga del Norte.

Mr. Lao said the government should consider investors’ risk such that when a company applies for an exploration permit, it has to invest money even when the possibility of producing profit remained doubtful.

Edgar D. Martinez of the Mindanao Association for the Mining Industry said he hopes the forum will yield positive results specifically in attracting new investments into the island.

Earlier, Mr. Martinez suggested that the National Government appoint the Mindanao Economic Development Council as a screening body for mining applications before they are approved.

Jeremias L. Dolino, Environment and Natural Resources assistant secretary, also urged companies to prove that mining is not as harmful to the environment as some groups believe.

"There is a general perception that the industry pollutes the environment," he said, adding that companies should employ modern technology to mitigate the effects of mining on the environment. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

GearX

September 19th, 2008, 04:54 AM

Sleepwalker

September 19th, 2008, 05:02 AM

Yes, they are based here. They are currently improving the main Lee Plaza in downtown Dumaguete by putting up more stores and boutiques, but still no cinemas. I guess they'll have difficulty putting up one here because their area is limited and lands here are getting very expensive. Anyway, we are looking forward to nice cinemas when the huge Robinsons mall opens late next year or early 2010.

Thanks, Ritch.

dashalvin

September 19th, 2008, 10:37 AM

New hospital (http://www.bworldonline.com/BW091908/content.php?id=079)

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A P144.5-million hospital in Zamboanga del Sur was inaugurated on Wednesday by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Pagadian City, making it the second largest state medical facility in the Zamboanga peninsula. Last year, Mrs. Arroyo also inaugurated the P289-million Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center in Dipolog City.

So it means that ZSMC surpassed the Zambonga City Medical Center? ZANORTE Medical Center is the largest yet MRI machine is still to be acquired with a price of P90-P100 million.

dashalvin

September 19th, 2008, 10:43 AM

Dipolog Random Shots

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh181/dashalvin/27439638IMGP4304.jpg?t=1221817418
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh181/dashalvin/27440183IMGP4303.jpg?t=1221817514
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh181/dashalvin/27439637IMGP3999.jpg?t=1221817547
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh181/dashalvin/27440179IMGP3788.jpg?t=1221817568

qwert_guy

September 19th, 2008, 10:45 AM

^^ i cant view the pics dash...

dark_knight_detectve

September 19th, 2008, 03:45 PM

dipolog

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3036/2765201914_dd02b43195.jpg?v=0

by arding

dark_knight_detectve

September 19th, 2008, 03:47 PM

Hudyaka Zanorte

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3171/2764776036_8083808f71.jpg?v=0

by arding

taaslangit

September 19th, 2008, 10:50 PM

Headlines
Military repulses MILF counter-attack in Lanao del Norte

By Roel Pareño
Saturday, September 20, 2008
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government troops repulsed a pre-dawn attack by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels trying to overrun a militia detachment in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, officials said yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, 1st Army “Tabak” Division chief, said troops had counterattacked with artillery that forced the rebels to withdraw their assault on the civilian volunteer detachment in Barangay Tingintingin.

There was no immediate report of casualties from the rebels, Pajarito said.

Col. Benito de Leon, commander of the Army’s 104th Brigade said the outnumbered militiamen were able to call for artillery support to repulse the rebels who were also trying to bomb and topple Tower 22 of the National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) in the area.

“During clearing operations, our troops discovered an explosive devise already attached at the base of Tower 22, which is still operational,” De Leon said.

Officials said the rebels are trying to divert the military offensive in the province and launched the attack, a day after an MILF main camp fell under the control of government forces.

The rebel camp, located in the dense jungle slopes of Mt. Gurain sprawling the boundaries of the two Lanao provinces, was said to be the latest hiding place of Abdurahman Macapaar, alias Commander Bravo, the leader of the MILF’s 102nd Base Command.

The government has put up a P10-million bounty for the capture of Bravo who led the attacks in several towns of Lanao del Norte that left more than 30 civilians killed and displaced thousands of villagers.

Security forces are also hunting down MILF commander Ameril Umbra Kato for attacking villages in North Cotabato last Aug. 18, shooting and hacking to death dozens of civilians. He also has a P10-million bounty on his head.

Police intelligence sources said the MILF is planning to launch “jihad” attacks in Christian communities in the cities of Zamboanga, Davao and Cotabato.

Reports also revealed MILF supporters are campaigning at Muslim communities in Metro Manila to get the consensus on plans for a holy war.

Central Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio Jr. said police units have been deployed in strategic areas in the cities to avert any possible attacks from the MILF.

Serapio met with local officials in General Santos City discussing police deployment plans to secure vital installations in Central Mindanao against possible attacks from the MILF.

Col. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III, the newly designated commander of the Army’s 102nd Brigade in Malungon, Sarangani, also vowed to implement tighter security measures to protect the province from being attacked anew by the MILF.

Aside from the MILF, Cruz said steps had been taken to neutralize the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in the region.

“NPA rebels are also another threat to the security and business activities of the towns of Tampakan and Tupi in South Cotabato, Maasim and Maitum in Sarangani. We are assuring you now that our Armed Forces are really doing their best to neutralize their movements there,” Cruz said. – With Jaime Laude, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Ramil Bajo

taaslangit

September 19th, 2008, 11:16 PM

5 nations helping to get rebels

Manila Standard Today

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte—Five countries including the United States are helping the Philippines track down and arrest three Muslim rebels who led their men in looting and burning villages and killing 60 people in Mindanao last month, an official said yesterday.

The government has offered P25 million for the capture of Umbra Kato, Abdullah Macapaar alias Bravo, and Aleem Pangalian, all commanders of the separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

“Within the ambit of the global fight against terrorism, there is no denying that we have been receiving indirect assistance not just from the US but from Malaysia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom and Australia,” National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales told reporters after a security meeting at the Dakak Resort here.

“But more than just arresting the wanted MILF commanders, they also help us prevent the infiltration of terrorists within the MILF,” Gonzales said.

“Armed groups anywhere in the world are natural magnets for terrorists, and these countries are working to neutralize global terrorists.”

In Iligan City, President Arroyo visited 5,000 troops running after Bravo’s group, and for the first time since heavy fighting broke out between the MILF rebels and the military in Mindanao.

“The communities affected by the armed conflict need your continual support and protection to ensure peace in their villages,” she told the soldiers.

“The bravery you have shown reveals your desire for justice to prevail against the crimes committed by these rebel groups against our civilians,” she said and then announced a package of benefits for the soldiers worth P7 million.

Meanwhile, the military said one soldier and at least seven MILF fighters were killed in a firefight in Calanugas town, Lanao del Sur, on Wednesday.

“One of our soldiers was killed and eight others were wounded,” Armed Forces spokesman Ernesto Torres Jr. said.

“Seven rebels were also killed in the encounter,” he said. Joyce Pangco Pañares and Florante S. Solmerin

taaslangit

September 19th, 2008, 11:22 PM

PNP: MILF to attack ‘Christian communities’ in Mindanao

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net

Posted date: September 19, 2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) that government has tagged as “rogue” are set to attack Christian communities in the Mindanao cities of Zamboanga, Davao, and Cotabato, a police official said on Friday.
Central Mindanao police director Chief Superintendent Felizardo Serapio Jr. said intelligence reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Operations indicated that the MILF’s 113th Base Command plans to “conduct hostile strokes” targeting “Chrsitian-dominated areas” in these cities.

MILF supporters, he added, “are reportedly doing rounds of the different Islamic communities in Metro Manila to get the consensus of the Muslim residents regarding the MILF's possible ‘jihad’ [holy war].”

Serapio said among the allegedly planned attacks are arson, looting, and the killing of civilians in the target areas.

The report, he said, has prompted police in Central Mindanao to undertake “target hardening measures,” such as deploying police to possible targets, including the General Santos International Airport, seaports, fuel depots, malls, and other vital installations.

“Additional police have also been deployed and police forces are pre-positioned in the different areas to avert any possible attacks,” Serapio said.

The government has blamed the “rogue” MILF units for triggered the continuing hostilities in Central Mindanao with attacks on civilian communities in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte provinces last month, after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain with the secessionist group.

taaslangit

September 19th, 2008, 11:28 PM

PIA Press Release
2008/09/19

PGMA visits Dapitan

Dipolog City (19 September) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Dapitan City yesterday to address the participants to the local peace and security assembly for Region 9.

The President together with House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza, Zamboanga del Sur Aurora Cerilles arrived at Dakak via chopper from Pagadian City and was met at the landing area by Zamboanga del Norte Rolando E. Yebes, Dapitan Mayor Dominador Jalosjos Jr., and representatives Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon and Cesar G. Jalosjos of the province's first and third districts, respectively.

At the assembly, President Arroyo was presented the action agenda drafted by the participants to address the issues affecting the peace and order condition in the locality.

In her message, the President encouraged everyone to support "the essential elements to a lasting peace in Mindanao." She also said the government would continue "doing everything possible to bring lasting peace to Mindanao and end the violence that has held this part of the country back."

The local peace and security assembly, which was spearheaded by the National Security Council (NSC) was attended by participants from all over region 9 composed of local government officials, the academe, the business sector, the religious sector, the media and other stakeholders. (PIA-ZN) [top]

taaslangit

September 19th, 2008, 11:34 PM

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Nalzaro: Cebu City can learn from other LGUs

By Bobby Nalzaro
Saksi

WHILE other local government units (LGUs) are trying their best to set up their own hospitals so they can provide efficient medical service to their constituents, here comes Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña planning to sell the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) supposedly because of the dismal performance of its personnel.

Now it can be told that the main problem hounding the city hospital is not the inefficiency and lack of dedication to their work of its personnel but the lack of funding provided by the City Government. That is, if we are going to believe the statement of Dr. Rodolfo Bigornia, the city mayor's consultant on hospital services.

Well, city officials should heed Dr. Bigornia’s advice because they hired him as consultant and that means they believe in his credentials and expertise in the field of health service.

Bigornia told the Council in its regular session last week that CCMC needs more money for its capital outlay so it can effectively serve the health needs of the city's constituents. This means that the City should invest money to acquire the latest medical equipment. The City overlooked this aspect, as it only provides an annual allocation, a big chunk of which goes to salaries and wages of CCMC personnel and the purchase of medicines.

Mayor Osmeña asked, however, how City Hall could provide the money when hospital officials did not request for it. Now they are passing the buck.

I understand that there exists a CCMC Board that, under the ordinance creating it, is mandated to set guidelines and policies for the hospital. But from what I gathered, the Board has not been functioning since 2002 because the Office of the Mayor directly took over the operation by assigning Councilor Cris Alix as the mayor’s point man.

Instead of tossing the blame to CCMC personnel and selling the facility, Tomas should study how other local governments units, especially in Metro Manila, are able to operate and effectively manage their hospitals. Examples are the Hospital ng Maynila, Quezon City Hospital and Hospital ng Makati.

Cebu City is of the same level as Manila, Quezon and Makati.

Or the mayor can get tips from Gov. Rolando Yebes of Zamboanga del Norte, my home province. Yebes, who is on his second term, was able to construct a P90 million modern hospital building and acquire some state-of-the-art equipment like CT scan, dialysis and ultra sound machines.

Zanorte Medical Hospital is on an elevated area in Barangay Sicayab, Dipolog City, the province’s capital. It replaced the old provincial hospital located in the heart of the city. The old hospital was where my beloved mother, Nanay Doring, died last July.

The 300-bed hospital was built through the effort of Yebes using local resources. So if Zamboanga del Norte, the poorest province in the country based on the 2003 Neda Poverty Incidence Survey, is able to sustain the operations of the old and now the new provincial hospital, there is no reason why Cebu City, which is second only to Manila in importance, can not operate its own hospital.

Try to think about it, Mayor Tom, before you finally decide on disposing of the CCMC

taaslangit

September 20th, 2008, 04:39 PM

MILF: Religious leaders calling for jihad vs govt

Article posted September 20, 2008 - 09:14 AM
MANILA, Philippines — Religious leaders in Lanao are calling for a jihad (holy war) in fighting "oppressors" against Islam, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) claimed Saturday.

In a statement on its website (www.luwaran.com), the MILF said the calls were made in sermons of religious leaders during Friday congregational prayers.

"Sermons of the religious leaders of Lanao provinces in Friday's congregational prayers called on the Bangsamoro to unite and wage jihad fi sabilillah in fighting the oppressors, religious persecutors and enemies of Islam," it said.

The government has not immediately responded to the alleged jihad calls.

It added that after the prayers, religious folks voiced concerns that the government might again launch massive military offensives during the Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

The MILF recalled that the government started its all-out war campaign in 2003 against the MILF and the Bangsamoro people on Feb. 11 at Buliok Islamic Center.

Buliok was where the late MILF Chairman Salamat Hashim was delivering a khutbah (sermon) for the Eid Al-Adha (the feast of pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah in Saudi Arabia).

On the other hand, the MILF noted that while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joins some Muslim groups in their iftar (meal to break the fast at sundown), other Muslim communities in Mindanao are sore at her for government's "unprincipled attacks" on their homes.

The MILF said the Muslim populace of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte assailed the attacks launched Friday by the military as "totally insensitive and unprincipled."

"Heavy bombardments were unleashed by the AFP when we Muslims were partaking suhur (allowable early morning meals before fasting starts) and the iftar," the MILF quoted text messages from the Muslims in Lanao.

It said civilians in Lanao rebuked the "relentless and indiscriminate" firing of 105mm and 155mm howitzers from 3 a.m. until sunset.

Such attacks took place in Piagapo town in Lanao del Sur and in Poonapiagapo, Pantao Ragat and Munai towns in Lanao del Norte, the MILF said.

Government troops also attacked Friday the MILF freedom fighters in Panggawa and Tagoranao, Calanogas, Lanao del Sur during Iftar.

"Fierce gun battle ensued for hours but no report on casualty yet," the MILF said.

On the other hand, the MILF said some 21 soldiers were killed and several others wounded in an ambush staged by the MILF at Bubongaranao, Calanogas last Sept. 17.

The MILF said its freedom fighters have orders to defend themselves and the Bangsamoro people from the indiscriminate campaigns of the AFP.

MILF claimed casualties on the government forces in Lanao provinces alone were estimated to around 250 soldiers since the start of police-military operations against the MILF last month. - GMANews.TV

taaslangit

September 22nd, 2008, 01:29 AM

INQUIRER MINDANAO

Inquirer Mindanao : War wipes out years of effort to rebuild

By Germelina Lacorte

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Posted date: September 21, 2008

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—They looked forward to the upcoming harvest season to use their tractors and trailers for the first time. Instead, they had to evacuate. They used their new tractor and trailer to bring their families to the evacuation site.”
Percinita Sanchez, executive director of the Mindanao Interfaith Services Foundation Inc., was talking about the people in the village of Dalingaoen in Pikit, North Cotabato, who had to flee their houses when violence broke out.

Government and Moro rebel forces have engaged in sporadic clashes following the failed signing of the memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Close to 300 residents, including those from the surrounding villages of Nalapaan, Pagangan and Tapudok in Pikit, took refuge in Annex B Building in Dalingaoen. But unlike the other communities, they came prepared, Sanchez said.

“They were more organized,” she said, “They were able to stockpile their food, they were able to apply their disaster preparedness plan they drafted only months before.”

Work gains wiped out

But she said this was not something to be happy about.

After 25 years of rebuilding efforts in communities in Mindanao, all the gains they worked hard for were easily wiped out every time war broke out, Sanchez said.

“We need peace to allow the communities to thrive,” she said. “Without peace, everything that we’ve been doing in the communities will be useless.”

Armed conflict usually recurs in Pikit every three years, she said.

Dalingaoen was among the 39 communities assisted by Action Repair, a project of Sanchez’s foundation that aims to rebuild the lives of uprooted people in Mindanao.

Another disaster

Funded by the European Union, the project has taught the people how to manage disasters, as well as increase food production by giving out farm machinery, to help them get back on their feet again.

With nine other Moro communities, Dalingaoen was classified as disaster-prone because of intermittent clashes between government troops and Moro rebels.

But only days after the community got its new tractor and farm equipment, and barely three months after its leaders took the disaster management training, clashes erupted anew, forcing the people to flee.

“Just when the community was already so excited to start life all over again, another disaster broke out and they have to flee the houses it took them years to build,” Sanchez said.

“When they left, their rice fields were almost ripe for harvest,” said Vicenta Arancez, a local staff member of the foundation.

“For a while, they couldn’t go back just to check on their farm without a clearance from the barangay captain about their safety,” she said.

Peace talks

In a Sept. 6 report, Bai Ali Indayla, chair of the human rights group Kawagib, said that of the 300 evacuees staying at the Annex B evacuation site, only 20 had returned to their farms despite fear of being hit in the crossfire.

The people refused to go back until the government renews peace negotiations with the Moro front, Indayla said.

Amirah Ali Lidasan, president of the Moro party-list group Suara Bangsamoro, expressed fear that the breakdown of peace talks with the Moro rebels would lead to a crackdown on Moro activists, similar to the military’s anticommunist Oplan Bantay Laya.

Human rights groups have blamed the counterinsurgency program for the rise of extrajudicial killings of political activists in the country.

“We call on the government and the MILF to resume their talks so that civilians could go back to their communities and children could attend their education.” Indayla said.

“I’ve watched the people take the first steps, and start life all over again. But just when they’re back on their feet, war breaks out again,” Sanchez said.

Daily battles

The armed conflict is just one of the calamities that people in the most depressed villages in Mindanao had to battle every day to survive, she said. They also have to contend with poverty, government neglect and natural catastrophes, such as flooding and drought.

Sanchez recalls how residents of Sitio Nabunturan in Barangay Kalaganan, San Fernando, Bukidnon, have lived for years without water.

When her foundation bought all materials for their water system, the whole community had to carry the whole stretch of the pipe and walked eight kilometers to their village, crossing rivers and ravines, just to bring water to their parched land.

It took them three days to haul all materials to the village, she said.

Gov’t-backed war

In another case, Sanchez said, people in the hinterland village of Sitio Cogonon in Trento, Agusan del Sur, celebrated the setting up of their first rice mill that would spare them the tedious job of pounding their palay harvest so they could have rice to eat.

“There could be no failure in this kind of project, considering the enthusiasm of the people,” she said. “But no matter how hard we try, when the condition for war is so strong and a government that supports it, all our efforts only go to waste and we have to start all over again.”

As long as there is peace, people can always rise from poverty and disaster, Sanchez said. But the worst disaster that could ever strike them, she added, was a government that supports war.

taaslangit

September 22nd, 2008, 02:42 AM

No Peace Talks With MILF, Arroyo Says

Friday, September 19, 2008 08:18:04 PM
DAPITAN CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 19, 2008) - Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo on Thursday again campaigned for dialogues and community consultations, focusing on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration as the new peace paradigm in negotiating with insurgents, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group.

"We remain committed to the peace process. We have negotiated in good faith with our Muslim brethren to keep the peace these last seven years and also to look for lasting peace for generations to come," Arroyo said during a two-day Local Peace and Security Assembly here.

She accused the MILF of failing to surrender three rogue commanders blamed for last month's deadly attacks in Mindanao. Arroyo suspended the government's peace talks with the MILF because of the attacks in North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani provinces that killed dozens of people.

"We will not negotiate with a gun pointing at our heads," Arroyo said.

The MILF said it will not return to the negotiating table unless Arroyo honors the Muslim homeland deal that peace negotiators initially signed in July.

Arroyo disbanded the government peace panel and scrapped the territorial deal with the MILF. (Mindanao Examiner)

STINGRAY31

September 23rd, 2008, 05:57 AM

GMA declares October 1 non-working holiday.
President Arroyo has declared October 1 as a regular non-working holiday in observance of Eid'l Fitr or the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The declaration of the holiday that is observed every year is contained in Proclamation No. 1625, issued by the President last Friday.
After a month-long period of sacrifice highlighted by day-long fasting during Ramadan, Muslims around the world celebrate the end of the holy month with a three-day feast called Eid'l Fitr.

taaslangit

September 23rd, 2008, 06:15 AM

Balancing between fuel and food
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By Jesus F. Llanto, abs-cbnNEWS.com, Newsbreak | 09/23/2008 10:04 AM

In some areas in the country, farmers who have abandoned planting coconut and cassava are now cultivating these crops again because of increasing demand for biofuels.

Governor Rolando Yebes of Zamboanga del Norte said that farmers in his region are now going back to planting these crops because of the surging demand and the entry of companies interested in the production of biofuels.

“Before farmers cut their coconut trees and sold them for lumber. Now, they are planting coconuts for biofuels,” he told abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak adding that cassava, which has shown growth in previous years, is expected to increase further due to investments from biofuel companies like Basic Energy Corp., which is reportedly eyeing an ethanol plant in the region using cassava as feedstock.

Constancio Alama, assistant regional director for agriculture of Region IX, said that despite the promise of biofuels, there is a need to ensure that local government units should prioritize the production of food over biofuels. “Bakit uunahin ang sasakyan kung may nagugutom? (Why should we prioritize vehicles when people are hungry?)”

Zamboanga del Norte is not alone. In many parts of the world, with the unprecedented rise in oil price, a tug of war is taking place over using land for fuel or food.

The passage in the Philippines of the Biofuels Act in January 2007 generated a lot of interest about this renewable source of energy. The law aims to break the Philippine’s dependence on imported fuel particularly oil. Two years after the enactment of this law, liquid fuels for vehicles and engine are required to contain at least five percent of biofuel.

Among the examples of biofuels are bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol is produced by fermentation of starch or sugar from cassava, sugarcane and corn while biodiesel can be extracted from plants like coconut, palm and jathropa or tuba-tuba.

Food crisis

The Asian Development Outlook 2008 Update released last week identified soaring oil prices and laws calling for increased production of bio-fuel substitutes as among the causes of the food crisis, along with low interest rates, rapid economic growths of China and India, and the weakening of the dollar.

“The combination of high oil prices and legislative mandates to raise production of biofuels substitutes for gasoline and diesel fuel established a price link between feedstocks, such as corn and vegetable oils, and fuel prices,” the report reads.

This is not the first time that biofuels has been identified as one of the threats to food security. Debates on the effect of biofuels production on food security have been ongoing but were highlighted when food prices started to soar.

In a conference held in October last year, Jean Ziegler, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food, warned countries that converting crops like corn, wheat and sugar into biofuels would result in the higher prices of food.

Ziegler called for a five-year moratorium on biofuels and described converting food crops into biofuels as “absolutely catastrophic” for poor and developing countries. He said in a statement: “It’s a crime against humanity to convert agricultural productive soil into soil which produces foodstuff that will be burned into biofuel.”

Wanted: national land use policy

Candido Cabrido Jr., dean of the University of the Philippines School of Urban and Regional Planning, said there is a need for a national land use policy that would serve as a guide to the proper allocation of the country’s land resources.

“We need it [national land use policy] because of the intensifying conflict over land use,” said Cabrido in a forum in UP last June. Cabrido added that it would guide local government units in delineating the land for food production and for alternative sources of energy. “We are both having a crisis in rice supply and alternative sources of energy,”

The lack of a national land use policy has been blamed for the conversion of many farmlands to lands for non-agricultural use. Cabrido estimates that around 4,000-5,000 hectares of farm lands are converted to non-agricultural use every year. “In Tarlac alone, sixty hectares of farmlands were converted annually during the last five years,”

Cabrido, who was among those involved in making a first draft of a land use policy in 1994, said sometimes he already felt hopeless that it would be passed. He said in forum: “We work hard for the first draft and until now they are still making drafts.”

During the 13th Congress, former Speaker Jose de Venecia authored House Bill 272, which seeks the creation of the national land use policy. A check on the bills filed during the 14th Congress, meanwhile, showed that there are seven bills calling for the drafting of a national land use policy.

Allocating lands

One way to ensure to ensure the balance between fuel and food is by monitoring the conversion of agricultural lands and allocation of agricultural lands for food production and energy purposes.

Local government units, through the Local Government Code of 1991, are given the power to re-classify lands .They are also given the powers to draft comprehensive land use plans (CLUPs) for their territories. The CLUP is a policy guide for the regulation of land uses in all the territorial jurisdictions of an LGU and is enforced through ordinances. It classifies the land into four policy areas: production, settlement, protection, and infrastructure.

Data from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), however, show that some LGUs have yet to draft their CLUPs. As of May 2008, out of the 1,610 cities and municipalities, only 1,397 have an approved CLUP and there are still 213 LGUs with ongoing planning activities.

A number of provinces still do not have a provincial physical framework plan (PPFP). The PPFP identifies the protected and preserved areas, growth and settlement areas in a province and it delineates the desired general physical development of the province by providing development plan and locations for infrastructures.

Based on the data from the HLURB, only 59 of the 81 provinces have approved PPFPs as of May 2008.

Pressure on food supplies

The 2008 World Development Report: Agriculture for Development warned that the rising price of energy—along with growing demand for food, feeds and biofuels, increasing scarcity of land and water and the effects of climate change—is putting pressure on the global food supplies.

Another study—Sustainable Bioenergy: A Framework for Decision Makers--prepared by UN-Energy showed that expansion of liquid biofuel production might affect food security from the household to global level

“Liquid biofuel production could dampen the availability of adequate food supplies by diverting land and other productive resources away from food crops,” the report said. “Many of the crops currently used as biofuel feedstock require high quality agriculture land and significant inputs of fertilizer, pesticides and water.”

According to a policy brief, Biofuels: The Promises and the Risks, governments should implement regulations and devise a certification system that will lessen environmental and food security risks from biofuels production. “Governments need to carefully assess economic, environmental and social benefits and the potential to enhance energy security.”

as of 09/23/2008 10:20 AM

taaslangit

September 23rd, 2008, 06:22 AM

RP receives development aid for urban areas

Article posted September 22, 2008 - 12:13 PM

MANILA, Philippines - The Cities Alliance, a Global Partnership Program housed in the World Bank, is extending technical assistance to cities in the Philippines to help improve governance and delivery of social services in urban areas, Bert Hofman, WB country director for the Philippines revealed on Monday.

In a grant agreement signed on September 15, 2008, the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) will receive $169,000 for three activities:

• A review of the City Development Strategy (CDS) program. The study will draw lessons from the implementation of the CDS program that could be used to improve local governance and strengthen the performance of cities.
• A documentation of an innovative shelter management program by Marikina City which has successfully housed its poor residents.
• The publication of the State of Philippine Cities Report that will serve as basis for project design, policy formulation and further assistance to cities from their development partners.

The financial grant to the LCP, according to Hofman, is part of the World Bank’s continuing efforts to help the Philippines, a middle income country, achieve pro-poor growth and development.

“More than half of the Philippine population resides in urban area and about 14 percent are poor. Beefing up the capability of city executives and managers to meet people’s needs for social services and infrastructure therefore offers vast opportunities for poverty reduction," he said.

“The State of Philippine Cities Report can be used as yardstick for competition in performance between and among cities in the country," added Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., President of the LCP, who signed the grant agreement on behalf of the LCP.

The Cities Alliance is a global coalition of cities and their development partners committed to scaling up successful LGU approaches to poverty reduction. The Cities Alliance supports cities in two key areas: the preparation of City Development Strategies (CDS) and citywide and nationwide slum upgrading programs.

The CDS is a participatory planning tool that aims to assist cities address the pressures of rapid urbanization including congestion and rising demand for basic urban services like transport, shelter, water, sanitation and health services, among others.

In 1998, the World Bank and the mayors of several cities in the Philippines launched the first phase of the CDS Program. After eight years, three CDS phases have been implemented.

In addition to the CDS programs, a project preparation grant from the Japanese Government supported a number of cities in preparing city strategies and project feasibility studies. In all, more than 60 cities have participated in the CDS activities.

Through the CDS process, the cities have generated more than 500 priority programs and projects, primarily in infrastructure (30 percent), environment (14 percent) and governance (13 percent).

Many of these projects were funded through the cities own funds, government financial intermediaries, official development assistance, central government transfers and the private sector.

Phase 1 included Dapitan, Dipolog, Lapu-Lapu, Olongapo, Roxas, Sagay, and San Fernando City (La Union).

Phase 2 covered 31 cities including 17 cities in Luzon (Antipolo, Calapan, Candon, Dagupan, Ligao, Marikina, Masbate, Munoz, Muntinlupa, Naga, Palaya, San Carlos, San Fernando- Pampanga, San Jose, Sorsogon, Tagaytay and Tuguegarao), nine cities in the Visayas (Bais, Bayawan, Bislig, Cadiz, Calbayog, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Maasin, and Mandaue) and five cities in Mindanao (Iligan, Kabankalan, Malaybalay, Panabo, and Island Garden City of Samal.

Phase 3, which has recently concluded, covers Baguio, Balanga, Cavite, Iriga, Laoag, Makati, Paranaque, Puerto Princesa, Tanauan, Bago, Canlaon, Tanjay, Pagadian, Tangub and Zamboanga.

The cities that were supported by the project preparation grant include Escalante, General Santos City, Legazpi, Ormoc, Santiago (Isabela) and Tanauan.

The Philippines is the newest member country to join the Cities Alliance. Other members of the Cities Alliance include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States.

Cities Alliance’s members include local authorities and development partners like the Asian Development Bank, European Union, United Nations Environmental Programme, UN-Habitat, and the World Bank. GMANews.TV

qwert_guy

September 23rd, 2008, 06:24 AM

^^ much better taaslangit... di na siya masakit sa mata...:

:okay:

nahtoodrunk

September 23rd, 2008, 08:30 AM

So it means that ZSMC surpassed the Zambonga City Medical Center? ZANORTE Medical Center is the largest yet MRI machine is still to be acquired with a price of P90-P100 million.

yey, healthcare is slightly improving sa wesmin

zoroethgenre_003

September 24th, 2008, 01:22 PM

So it means that ZSMC surpassed the Zambonga City Medical Center? ZANORTE Medical Center is the largest yet MRI machine is still to be acquired with a price of P90-P100 million.

I dont thik ZaNorte Medical Center is the largest..from the looks of it ots not..by merely looking, ZCMC is still the largest, and by far the most complete..whats the bed capacity of ZaNorte Medical Center?

dashalvin

September 24th, 2008, 01:33 PM

I dont thik ZaNorte Medical Center is the largest..from the looks of it ots not..by merely looking, ZCMC is still the largest, and by far the most complete..whats the bed capacity of ZaNorte Medical Center?

300 bed capacity. Pila diay na inyo ZCMC and tell me its medical equipment ga sophisticated?

zoroethgenre_003

September 24th, 2008, 01:37 PM

as of now, its 250, but there is a bill passed in Congress to increase it to 400..because it can't anymore hold more patients..

dashalvin

September 25th, 2008, 05:15 AM

ZMC is really the largest as for now and it's contractor designed the building for future expansion. And we are waiting for our governor to buy that Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine that will make ZMC the most sophisticated government hospital in the region. Is there any hospital in Zamboanga that have this MRI machine?

dashalvin

September 25th, 2008, 05:20 AM

Lee Plaza Updates:
May Mang Inasal na stall ang makita sa labas together with Chowking and 2nd branch of Jollibee in Dipolog. No dates pa wen cla mag-open.

dashalvin

September 25th, 2008, 05:29 AM

Zambo Norte solon earmarks P15-M for tek-bok sector

Dipolog City (24 September) -- In his desire to develop the manpower resources of Zamboanga del Norte, Congressman Rosendo S. Labadlabad of the province's second district committed anew P 15 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the technical-vocational or tek-bok sector.

Out of the total amount, P5 million will be for the construction of an additional wing of the new building of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Training Center (PTC) in barangay Goleo of Sindangan town.

He also allocated P5 million each for the purchase of new equipment and machineries for the PTC in Sindangan and for the newly opened Livelihood Skills Development and Enhancement Center (LSDEC) in Galas, Dipolog City.

After assuming the congressional seat in July 2007, Congressman Labadlabad immediately appropriated P10 million for the completion and renovation of the Sindangan PTC plus P3-million worth of machineries and equipment for the LSDEC in Dipolog City.

In a recent meeting with officials of TESDA-Zamboanga del Norte provincial office, he affirmed his strong support to the programs of the agency and encouraged the public to appreciate and recognize the value of technical-vocational education and blue collar jobs.

Labadlabad also stressed the importance of providing quality training to ensure competent workers in welding, refrigeration and aircon servicing, plumbing and carpentry trade areas, which are in demand locally and abroad.

For its part, the TESDA through Director-General Augusto Syjuco is offering scholarship grants for tek-bok courses with the Private Education Student Financial Assitance (PESFA) and PGMA Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) as its counterpart of Congressman Labadlabad's commitment funds. (TESDA/PIA-ZN)

pandisal

September 25th, 2008, 05:50 AM

Uy, ok ah, daghan na ka gastohan sa kwarta... naks.. :nuts:

progressive na gyud ang dipolog!

Lee Plaza Updates:
May Mang Inasal na stall ang makita sa labas together with Chowking and 2nd branch of Jollibee in Dipolog. No dates pa wen cla mag-open.

zoroethgenre_003

September 25th, 2008, 12:51 PM

krista69

September 26th, 2008, 06:46 AM

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4228/imgp5070vj1.jpg

Yay Gamay na lang kuwang galas na..hehe anways newbie here..yey hapt na jud human ang lee Mall.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7336/imgp5090li0.jpg

By the way this is me.. hehe
http://photos-451.friendster.com/e1/photos/15/43/24003451/1_219730581l.jpg

dashalvin

September 26th, 2008, 11:26 AM

Naa na gyuy bag-o nga forumer ga niapil sa ato forum. Welcome Krista, could you post pics of Lee Plaza? Wat namay paglambo ani now og wen cla mag-open?

krista69

September 26th, 2008, 04:06 PM

ohh sure no problem,tommorow mag pix ko,hapit naman human jud,pero sa interior niya wa pa,pero ang sa gawas,ok naman... naa jolibee and chowking... then naa parkinglot sa ubos...till now wa pako ka bawo when sila mag open,maybe by nov.or december... naa ra ana...pas pas man pod ang pag trabaho nila...samot na kay hapit na fiesta..

Ph Man

September 27th, 2008, 06:18 AM

How is the breeze of air near the breakwaters? i hope it's still fresh. unlike Manila Bay which at times becomes stinky.

dashalvin

September 27th, 2008, 07:12 AM

How is the breeze of air near the breakwaters? i hope it's still fresh. unlike Manila Bay which at times becomes stinky.

You can feel the cool breeze of fresh air in the boulevard especially around 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm. You can't find any dump of garbage in the boulevard's sea wall since the people here is discipline in that thing.

dashalvin

September 27th, 2008, 07:20 AM

September 26, 2008
Zambo Norte environment official praises TVIRD
‘Impressed’ with company’s environment and social programs

“This is serious business!” With these words, Marcelino Gargar sums up his impression on the reforestation program of TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD), whose Canatuan mining operations he recently visited to inspect the implementation of the company’s five-year Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) and to monitor TVIRD’s environmental protection initiatives in the area.

Gargar, Operations officer of the Zamboanga del Norte Environmental Management Office (ZaNEMO), could not hide his delight as he toured the 800 square-meter nursery where TVIRD sources seedlings for its tree-planting efforts in the Subanon ancestral domain, where it will soon begin its Sulphide Project in this mountain village of Siocon town. “I am quite impressed with all these seedlings which are in fact ready for replanting. The variety is also impressive; not just ordinary species but excellent ones,” Gargar gushed as he went around inspecting the plants, neatly stacked and labeled in the nursery premises. “I expected to see just an ordinary shack with a few seedlings here and there. But I was wrong.”

http://www.tviphilippines.com/images/sep26a.jpg
Marcelino Gargar (in red) at the TVIRD nursery: “I expected to see just an ordinary shack with a few seedlings here and there. But I was wrong.”

TVIRD has planted over 100,000 trees – more trees than were present before it began operations here in mid-2004 – in Canatuan, the ancestral domain of the Subanon indigenous people (IP). The nursery, maintained by the company’s Environment Department, is being managed by a pureblooded Subanon, Gemma Dandana Tolentino. Tolentino is a licensed forester and daughter of Council of Elders’ (COE) member Zenaida Dandana, truly underscoring how “serious” both the company and its IP hosts view environmental protection in the Subanon homeland.

Gargar, a BS Forestry graduate himself (with a Bachelor of Law degree to boot), was further amazed when, after a five-minute trek, he and his team from ZaNEMO reached the summit of the overburden dump – non-acidic earth with no mining value – adjacent the mine pit where TVIRD had mined gold and silver and will soon extract copper and zinc. Though it was quite cloudy, with a cool breeze sweeping past, the reforestation/re-vegetation project at the mined-out area now offers a scenic view. The benched slopes are lined with trees, some already a meter high, and covered with indigenous abaca matting to further hold and stabilize the earth.

http://www.tviphilippines.com/images/sep26b.jpg

http://www.tviphilippines.com/images/sep26c.jpg

http://www.tviphilippines.com/images/sep26d.jpg
Top photo shows Gargar looking at the benched slopes in the overburden dump that are lined with trees and covered with indigenous abaca matting to further hold and stabilize the earth. In middle photo, nurse Max Madriaga (in blue shirt) explains how patients are treated at the company clinic, as midwife Malou Prestoza looks on. Gargar, accompanied by CReDO Manager Thess Limpin, inspects a water system donated by TVIRD to residents of Sitio Solonsangan, an impact community.

“This is such a well-planned and well-engineered reforestation program. I can see that TVIRD is really serious in implementing its rehabilitation program,” Gargar opined.

TVIRD Environment Department Manager Fidel Bontao has this to say: “We are religiously implementing our reforestation and environmental protection projects as mandated by our Environmental Protection and Enhancement Program (EPEP). We have an annual target of 50-60 thousand trees to plant and we are conscientiously achieving that target. These trees, with the abaca matting on the ground, help to prevent soil erosion on steep slopes at the mined out areas and to rehabilitate the environment.”

The ZaNEMO monitoring team then proceeded to the Subanon communities around the mill and mine areas to look into TVIRD’s SDMP projects. They were met by the COE and officials of the Siocon Subanon Association, Inc., the legal representative of the Canatuan Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title holders. Gargar and his men saw the SDMP projects such as potable water system, toilets, paved roads, livelihood projects, school buildings and facilities, and the community clinic.

http://www.tviphilippines.com/images/sep26e.jpg
Above, Gargar looks at a TVIRD-initiated road repair work at Solonsangan. Below, Gargar and Limpin are flanked by (from left) ZaNEMO’s Bobby Mahinay, TVIRD Canatuan Mobile Department Superintendent Fred Gonzaga, as well as Joerem Alumbro and Eduardo Romarate, also of ZaNEMO, at the view deck near the mill plant.

http://www.tviphilippines.com/images/sep26f.jpg

“I am glad to see that all the initiatives that are being done by the company. I am really impressed. And thank you for the warm accommodation. I am looking forward to another validation and monitoring activity,” Gargar said after the tour.

TVIRD’s second five-year SDMP for its Sulphide (Copper-Zinc) Project, set to commence within the last quarter of 2008, has already been approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB). (Rene Patangan)

http://www.tviphilippines.com/images/sep26g.jpg
Gargar, left, during his exit conference with TVIRD Vice President for Philippine Operations Yulo Perez and Limpin (back to camera). “I can see that TVIRD is really serious in implementing its rehabilitation program,” Gargar says.

qwert_guy

September 29th, 2008, 09:52 AM

according to the Mang Inasal website that they will open their branch sa ground floor ng Lee Plaza sa month na to... nag open na ba sila?

dashalvin

October 1st, 2008, 04:54 AM

according to the Mang Inasal website that they will open their branch sa ground floor ng Lee Plaza sa month na to... nag open na ba sila?

Wala pay nag-open kay gi-change pa sa ZANECO ang electric lines sa Quezon Avenue kay dako ang kinahanglan nga kuryente sa Lee. Magtagad nlang ta sa ipost nga pic ni Krista.

nahtoodrunk

October 1st, 2008, 07:33 AM

lipay ko kay nahuman na ang boulevard, daun lipay pud kay new style sa suga, problema lang kay nadaot ang continuity nila kay nikalit usob ang bench daun ang lights pd...hehe but over-all ok ra...hehehehe

qwert_guy

October 2nd, 2008, 04:49 AM

Wala pay nag-open kay gi-change pa sa ZANECO ang electric lines sa Quezon Avenue kay dako ang kinahanglan nga kuryente sa Lee. Magtagad nlang ta sa ipost nga pic ni Krista.

How about Mcdonald? are they entering Lee Plaza?

dashalvin

October 2nd, 2008, 05:03 AM

How about Mcdonald? are they entering Lee Plaza?

3 fast food chain raman ang confirm as for now. Sani ng ate ko na kilala yung isa sa mga engineers ng Lee ang plan daw ay undrground-parking lot, 1st floor-grocery, food chains, etc, 2nd floor-dpartmnt store, boutiques, 3rd floor, toy land.

qwert_guy

October 3rd, 2008, 03:42 AM

congrats dipolog for having this bigger mall. ilang city mall ba ang laki ng lee plaza, or ilang friendly mart ba ang laki nito?

dashalvin

October 3rd, 2008, 07:22 AM

Salamat bai. 3 citi mall man yata. Oct 15 daw mag-open ang Lee pero di xure kung whole building ang mag-open. Naa ni cya boutique s adidas, penshoppe, og etc.

dashalvin

October 5th, 2008, 06:05 AM

zoroethgenre_003

October 5th, 2008, 07:46 AM

Dakak Sunset

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2889218269_65a034b24d.jpg?v=0

dashalvin

October 8th, 2008, 01:32 PM

lee plaza will open dis month maybe last week of October coz dey change the CR location kay naa cya s front.

nahtoodrunk

October 8th, 2008, 02:11 PM

^^ haha anyhow, good thing mag open na sila, i'm goin home this sat, hope to share pics with you here

qwert_guy

October 8th, 2008, 02:38 PM

ok lang man ng CR nga naa sa front basta plastar lang total close man pud ng CR. ang problema kung ang CR open... hehe

nahtoodrunk

October 9th, 2008, 02:30 PM

mao lge...hehehe naa raba daw chowking....hehehehehe

cant_tnac

October 10th, 2008, 03:34 AM

any latest pic sa Lee?..kindly post it here?

dashalvin

October 10th, 2008, 05:15 AM

ZANORTE MEDICAL CENTER

http://cebumedicalsupplyinc.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/IMGP6531.197213414_std.JPG

cant_tnac

October 10th, 2008, 09:31 AM

^^^nice ambu...i hope it'll be properly maintained...lee pics?

dashalvin

October 10th, 2008, 02:30 PM

^^^nice ambu...i hope it'll be properly maintained...lee pics?

Sori. I can't upload pics for now bcoz I'm having my duty here in Palao sa GTLMH. Kang krista or nahtoodrunl nlang ta magtagad sa pics.

dashalvin

October 10th, 2008, 02:33 PM

Zambo Norte tutors urge Congress to pass additional support compensation bill

By Franklin P. Gumapon

Dipolog City (10 October) -- Public schoolteachers of Zamboanga del Norte have recently called on the members of the house of representatives to pass the bill that seeks to give additional support and compensation to educators in basic education.

In celebrating the world teachers' day last Monday, the public schoolteachers here capped it with the signing of a manifesto urging the House of Representatives to fast-track the approval of House Bill 5213 which provides for additional support and compensation to public elementary and secondary teachers.

Dr. Elsa Refugio-Cruz, assistant schools division superintendent of the Zamboanga del Norte schools division, read verbatim before a throng of teachers the manifesto, which in part stated that "the teachers in basic education remain to be one of the lowest-paid and most overworked in the country… and like soldiers, wage war daily against nature's wrath, poverty, isolation from families and danger in their stations."

It can be recalled that the Senate has already passed on second reading Senate Bill 2408, a bill that proposes to give salary increase in three equal tranches of P3,000.00 per year until the P9,000.00 increase is fully received by each teacher.

Presently, the minimum salary grade of public school teachers remains at salary grade 10, which is equivalent to P 10,933.00 only.

Under Senate Bill 2408, the local government units through the school boards are also given the authority to provide additional allowance to teachers and non-teaching staff, provided that the same shall not "prejudice the required budgetary allocation to address the school building and classroom shortage in the area."

The public schoolteachers, on the other hand, got a backing from Board Member Edionar Zamoras of the second district of Zamboanga del Norte who assured them to have his colleagues in the provincial board support their demand for an increase in pay. (PIA-ZN)

qwert_guy

October 11th, 2008, 07:23 AM

tagal naman ng lee pics na yan... ayaw na kaayo na ug ipa thrill daw be...hehe

.

lakwatsero

October 14th, 2008, 03:58 AM

I would like to get any transportation and tourist spots infos:

Dipolog
1. What are the suggested tourist spots in Dipolog and Dapitan city?
2. Any suggested islands with white sand that we can hop?
3. How can we get to Dapitan city from Dipolog?
4. How can we get to CDO city? [is it by bus or boat?]
5. If by bus, whats the bus line and what time is their last trip? If by boat, what time it will leave from dipolog/dapitan? whats the name of the ferry?
6. Is it safe to travel at night from dipolog to CDO by bus? how long it would take?
7. How much is the fare? if you can give me their contact number much better. =D

Thanks in advance.

nahtoodrunk

October 15th, 2008, 09:24 AM

Dipolog:

Cogon Eco-Tourism Park
3003 Steps to Linabo Peak
Sungkilaw Falls
Dipolog Boulevard
Good Times Cafe

Dapitan
Rizal Park
Dakak

You can ride a bangka in Dipolog Boulevard going to Aliguay Island

You can either rent a car or ride a Bus to Dapitan and v.v.

as for your other questions, i already don't know the answer

dashalvin

October 16th, 2008, 05:06 AM

mag-open na dis Oct. 18 ang Lee. Saturday. Watch for it.

dashalvin

October 16th, 2008, 05:48 AM

ZaNorte in the highlight... Atty. Ang captures national post

http://www.zanorte.gov.ph/images/stories/atty_ang.jpg
Atty. Ivan Patrick A. Ang, Provincial Tourism Officer

The Provincial Tourism Officer of this province, Atty. Ivan Patrick A. Ang recently earned a national position in the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) during the national convention held October 2 - 5, 2008 in Iloilo City.

Atty. Ang was elected Representative, an ATOP core position, whose task is to take care of the interests of the entire Zamboanga Peninsula. He is now responsible in gathering issues and concerns of this region which will be presented during quarterly meetings of the national association of tourism officers.

“I thought it was just a simple nomination of names, but it was not. It was really a tough fight because of the benefits that could come along with every post,” Atty. Ang disclosed.

He stressed that capturing a post in the national organization of tourism officers would mean earning a nationwide promotions on the ZaNorte’s tourism potentials and an inclusion in the association’s preferred top tourist destinations.

The provincial tourism officer stressed that acquiring personal accolade in a national organization only comes last in his list of reasons for running. Topping the list is to win the interest of national tourism frontliners which is hoped to help ZaNorte strengthen its niche in the country’s tourism industry.

“Being able to present in a nationwide campaign the vastness of this province richness and translating this to tourist arrivals and tourism investments is another reason why I really fought for the position,” he added.

The organization plan also to pass a resolution appointing Atty. Ang as their official legal counsel.

ATOP, established in 2001, is an organization of tourism officers from all over the country working closely with the Department of Tourism and other tourism-oriented organizations, which articulates issues and concerns affecting the tourism industry. It is working towards strengthening tourism development, promoting the highest standards of services and information for tourists and fostering unity in the tourism industry.

This year’s convention was graced by Secretary Ace Durano of the DOT who exhorted tourism officers to remain afloat amidst the country’s test of peace and unity and the world’s suffering of economic setback. (philettadavestiempo)

qwert_guy

October 16th, 2008, 06:03 AM

mag-open na dis Oct. 18 ang Lee. Saturday. Watch for it.

nice... pics plzzz...

:)

dashalvin

October 16th, 2008, 07:07 AM

nice... pics plzzz...

:)

C nahtoorunk ra gyud ang makaupload ana kay Nov. pko uli.

nahtoodrunk

October 16th, 2008, 12:34 PM

i'm here in dipolog na but haven't got much time to take pics of them, i just hope i'll find time....but maybe i will

dashalvin

October 17th, 2008, 08:45 AM

i'm here in dipolog na but haven't got much time to take pics of them, i just hope i'll find time....but maybe i will

Hope you update us also sa other ga construction dha like the two 7-storey building in Rizal Avenue and Quezon Avenue.

sheenreal

October 17th, 2008, 02:59 PM

It's time to shop! Hope u lyk it guyz...
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00211.jpg

sheenreal

October 17th, 2008, 03:14 PM

This is it!
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00226.jpg

sheenreal

October 17th, 2008, 03:17 PM

It looks like in HAWAII...Hehehe
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00220.jpg

sheenreal

October 17th, 2008, 03:18 PM

It's time to shop! Hope u lyk it guyz...
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00211.jpg

pandisal

October 17th, 2008, 06:21 PM

Uy, naa chowking!!! lamat bai!!!

It's time to shop! Hope u lyk it guyz...
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00211.jpg

qwert_guy

October 18th, 2008, 01:57 AM

^^
wow nice facade ng Lee Plaza....

diba ngayon ang opening nito?

tnx sa update

:okay:

krista69

October 18th, 2008, 01:57 AM

Ngayon ang Opening Sa grocery section nyan.... dami tao... ang ginaw,at ganda sa loob

qwert_guy

October 18th, 2008, 01:58 AM

u have pics there kristah?

WawaY[625]

October 18th, 2008, 02:32 AM

It's time to shop! Hope u lyk it guyz...
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00211.jpg

nice! refreshing kaayo ang colors sa gawas :)

sheenreal

October 18th, 2008, 05:32 AM

Newest Mall in the whole Philippines as of October 18, 2008, Awesome!

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00211.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00242.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00243.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00244.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00263.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00252.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00250.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00253.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00264ok.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00255.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00239ok.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00251ok.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00258ok.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00254ok.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00236ok.jpg

TONZI

October 18th, 2008, 07:56 AM

^^ Maganda ang kulay ng mall. Soft opening din ba to?

zoroethgenre_003

October 18th, 2008, 08:18 AM

qwert_guy

October 18th, 2008, 03:43 PM

gaano po ba kalaki ang mall?

cant_tnac

October 18th, 2008, 05:01 PM

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00251ok.jpg
congratz Dipolog!..Naa man dayun nagtambay...hehehehe...naa unta Dress Code kay eye soar man gud siya...hehehe...just kidding..

pandisal

October 19th, 2008, 03:28 AM

Ayaw pud bai, kai mao ra ba akong buhaton kung mouli ko kay mag pa bugnaw gud ko sa ka init! and ma syort/tsanilas ra ako atayr dayon! ... :P :banana:

congratz Dipolog!..Naa man dayun nagtambay...hehehehe...naa unta Dress Code kay eye soar man gud siya...hehehe...just kidding..

zoroethgenre_003

October 19th, 2008, 07:18 AM

mron kayong statistics ng mall??no ang gross floor area??

dashalvin

October 19th, 2008, 01:18 PM

PGMA mohatag ug P20M arun sa pagpalit ug CT Scan para sa ZMC

Wala kawanga ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang hangyo ni Governor Rolando Yebes nga mohatag ug P20 Milliones ka pesos arun sa pagpalit ug CT Scan nga maoy iyang gisaad para sa Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center.

Kini ang gibutyag ni Provincial Governor Rolando Yebes sa dihang mibisita si Presidente Arroyo dinhi sa Zamboanga del Norte sa miaging semana atul sa gihimo nga Local Peace and Security Assembly nga gipahigayon sa Dakak Park and Beach Resort sa dakbayan sa Dapitan.

Matud ni Governor Yebes, ang byenti milyones ka pesos nga gihatag sa presidente para sa pagpalit ug CT Scan kulang pa kaayo atubangan sa kamahal sa presyo niini apan daku na kaayo ug ikatabang sa probinsya nga makabaton sa maong ekuwepo ang ZaNorte Medical Center.

Angay hibaloan nga niadtung ulahing pagbisita ni PGMA dinhi sa Dipolog sa gihimo nga seremonyas sa ZaNorte Medical Center, kini misaad sa mga opisyal sa probinsya nga mohatag ug CT Scan apan milabay nalang ang pipila ka bulan nga nagsugod na sa iyang operasyon ang bag-ong tambalanan kini wala gayud miabot bisan paman sa kanunay nga pag-follow-up niini.

Niadtung miaging semana sa pagbisita sa presidente didto sa Dakak, si Governor Yebes nakahigayon sa pagsukna sa iyang gisaad hinungdan nga wala kini makabalibad sa paghatag sa maong kantidad. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

qwert_guy

October 19th, 2008, 01:26 PM

sa wakas nauuso na ring ang Mall sa zamboanga peninsula.... congratz dipolog.

dashalvin

October 19th, 2008, 01:28 PM

Notable Tenants of Lee Plaza
Jollibee
Chowking
Mang Inasal
Dunkin Donuts
Penshoppe
Bench
Itti
Globe Telecom
LBC

Dili pa clear ang sa 2nd floor.

dashalvin

October 19th, 2008, 01:40 PM

Way to underground parking lot

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00250.jpg

zoroethgenre_003

October 19th, 2008, 02:14 PM

sa wakas nauuso na ring ang Mall sa zamboanga peninsula.... congratz dipolog.

karon pa naabtan sa uso..hehe

qwert_guy

October 19th, 2008, 02:43 PM

^^ok ra na sa mga small cities kaysa wala...hehe

"ZukiChirO"

October 19th, 2008, 06:57 PM

congrats Dpolognon...ganda ng design ng mall....may sinehan ba yan?...bagay na bagay talaga ang kulay...

qwert_guy

October 20th, 2008, 07:49 AM

hows the mall today?

jyvo_rez

October 21st, 2008, 01:31 AM

Naay sinehan kini nga mall?

dashalvin

October 21st, 2008, 10:11 AM

Salamat sa inyo nga comment guys. According sa mga workers ga ako naask sa una naa nay sinehan pero di pa nato karon pwede makita kay restricted ang other areas and floors sa mall. Next month pa cla mag-grand opening.

dashalvin

October 21st, 2008, 10:14 AM

By the Christmas and fiestas ga iheld sa city. naa ngyuy masuroyan ga tarong ang atong mga tourista. And even kung naay mga regional conferences naa puy mapalit ang mga taga Zamboanga City og Pagadian City ga wala sa inyo mga malls ga gibaligya. ABANTE ZANORTE.

saturno

October 22nd, 2008, 05:43 AM

bai, unya musta naman ang kang akao nga mall? daghan pa ghapon tao kaha? ag sa dipolog friendly mart? cguro ko sa jerry's and sa roy, wa na gyud tao..

dashalvin

October 22nd, 2008, 06:04 AM

bai, unya musta naman ang kang akao nga mall? daghan pa ghapon tao kaha? ag sa dipolog friendly mart? cguro ko sa jerry's and sa roy, wa na gyud tao..

Naa ra puy mabilin ga mga customers. Accessible baya ang Jerrys og Center Mall sa market. Pareha ra dire sa Iligan ga bisag nag-open ang Gaisano Mall, naa ra man gihapon mamalit sa ubang department store.

dashalvin

October 22nd, 2008, 06:15 AM

Mobarato na ng pagbaligya sa ubang department store sa city kay mahal gyud kau ang price sa ila clothes.

saturno

October 22nd, 2008, 07:11 AM

Naa ra puy mabilin ga mga customers. Accessible baya ang Jerrys og Center Mall sa market. Pareha ra dire sa Iligan ga bisag nag-open ang Gaisano Mall, naa ra man gihapon mamalit sa ubang department store.

naa man kuno plano mo open dha ang gaisano pd? sa luyo sa bulwagan? tinood na bai? sm pd kuno, ngita lugar sa galas.. ambot unsa ka tinood ni..

dashalvin

October 22nd, 2008, 07:52 AM

naa man kuno plano mo open dha ang gaisano pd? sa luyo sa bulwagan? tinood na bai? sm pd kuno, ngita lugar sa galas.. ambot unsa ka tinood ni..

Oo, that was in 2004 but they abandoned their plan bcoz of lot problem n murag Gaisano under mgmnt sa kang Stephen kanang sa NorMin kay G-superstore man gud ang nakalagay sa news. Ag sa SM kay naay gusto cla paliton ga yuta sa Galas but I don't know what happen sa deal pero SM gyud to ga company. Di lang ta sure kung 4 mall or housing ilang iinvest.

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:05 AM

P2-M worth razed to the ground

A fire of still undetermined origin razed two commercial buildings housing several businesses at corner Gen. Luna-Lacaya streets in the heart of Dipolog City early dawn of Friday, August 29 resulting to an estimated loss of P2-million.

Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. who was in town then as guest at some inauguration here, was himself awaken in the early morning of the incident and was at the fire scene to see for himself what happened.

http://dipolognon.com/WhatRemainsAfterTheFire101508.jpg
What remains after the fire as seen from Lacaya St. (left) and from Gen. Luna (right). The Palma building housing the plastic material dealer, furniture and relief good store along Lacaya St. and Cuesta Enterprises building housing the gasul dealer and Cebu Pacific Air office along Gen. Luna were both made of light materials thus easily eaten by the fire.

The fire started about 4:00 am and was declared out at 6:00 am after razing two commercial buildings: one along Gen. Luna housing the Cuesta Enterprises which is a dealer of Gasul and Cebu Pacific Airline office; and Palma building housing a plastic material dealer, relief good store and a furniture store/warehouse.

The fire spread fast and finished the two buildings which were made of light materials.

A third concrete building which is under construction at the very corner of the two streets stood with no damage except the false works stocked on the second concrete floor which were burned.

The cause of fire and where it started could not be determined yet by the City Fire Department at this writing. (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VIII No.9)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:08 AM

Chiz Escudero graces LB convention

Sporting his winning boyish smile, opposition Senator Francis Joseph ‘Chiz’ Escudero stepped down from a private plane on Saturday, October 4 at the Dipolog City Airport, Sicayab.

The senator was invited to grace the Assembly of Barangay Officials, which was held at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention Center on October 4-6, 2008.

Contrary to the expectations of many, he denied speculations of the possibility of his running for president in 2010 elections.

http://dipolognon.com/ZaNorteGovernorYebesWelcomesSenatorEscudero101508.jpg
ZaNorte Governor Rolando E. Yebes welcomes Sen. Chiz Escudero upon his arrival at the Dipolog City airport. Escudero graces the 3-day General Assembly of Barangay Officials as Guest Speaker.

That’s still too far away,” he dismissed questions about his plans for presidential elections two years from now.

Aside from gracing the Liga ng mga Barangay (LB) Convention, he stressed he wanted to visit the area to satisfy the people who claimed senators from Manila would likely visit this part of the country only during election time.

Considered as the most presidentiable for 2010 elections, Escudero was seen to charm electorates of all ages. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:12 AM

Gov’t medics advised to Observe GL strictly

All government doctors serving the different hospitals in the province were recently advised to observe the Generics Law strictly.

Provincial Attorney Jes Gal Sarmiento, Jr. disclosed that Gov. Rolando Yebes issued an order requesting all government doctors to prescribe generic medicines to all their patients, and not brand names.

Atty. Sarmiento further disclosed that the governor’s action was his answer to reports reaching the office that there are doctors who still opted to prescribe brand names due to the ‘commission’ they would get.

If possible, the governor requested, doctors shall prescribe generic medicines that are available in the hospital’s pharmacy.

“If there are still doctors who violate this order, the governor will really impose sanction upon the erring doctors,” Atty. Sarmiento warned.

Meanwhile, the provincial government planned to revive the Therapeutic Committee which will recommend what medicines are to be purchased to be used in the different provincial hospitals.

The provincial office has advised all doctors to submit their list of medicines that they want the hospital pharmacy to have.

On the other hand, ZaNorte Medical Center administrator Rosevic Ocampo-Lacaya disclosed that the hospital has the services of 15 regular doctors and 17 others who are under job order contracts.

Although these are not yet enough, she stressed, the number has been consistent with the standard of the secondary level hospital imposed by the Department of Health.

“But we are still inviting more doctors,” Ms. Ocampo said, adding that they are needed in order that the hospital could qualify for the tertiary level. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:13 AM

Roxas blocks Katipunan Ro-ro port

The P60M fund from the Philippine Ports Authority could have been released this month for the construction of the roll on – roll off port at New Tambo, Katipunan, Z.N.

Katipunan Mayor Cris Eguia Jr. sadly disclosed that the fund was held back due to the protest of the municipality of Roxas, Z.N. claiming that the two ports would be very near each other if Katipunan roro will be constructed.

However, Mayor Eguia explained, the proximity might be the issue raised by Roxas, but it failed to see that both would be serving different clientele.

Since the PPA fund was scheduled to be released within October, the municipal mayor explained he had withdrawn his intention of seeking the initial loan of P5M from a bank.

“I know Cong. George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental has always pushed me for this project since there are already investors showing interest in the facility,” he said, “but Roxas blocked it.”

It was learned that a Korean cassava investor was planning to expand his production in the province and was interested in the port.

Moreover, the Ceres Bus Company also expressed its intention of crossing to Mindanao via the proposed Katipunan port.

Earlier, Gov. Rolando Yebes had challenged Mayor Eguia to take up his own initiative to realize the roro project.

As the PPA encountered problem with its Batangas port, the Katipunan P60M fund was withheld but the municipal mayor thought of seeking a P5M loan from a bank for its initial construction.

The provincial governor believed the ro-ro in Katipunan could have been a great link between the Visayas and Mindanao and could possibly be a good facility to transport the products here to the markets in the Visayas and Luzon. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:21 AM

HAGIT NI YEBES SA MGA BRGY. OPISYALES:
RESIGN
KUNG WA’Y PAGBATI MOSERBISYO SA KATAWHAN

KUNG walay pagbati nga moserbisyo sa mga katawhan sa matag barangay mas maayo pa nga mo-undang pagka-barangay official. Kini maoy bug-at nga hagit ang gipaabot ni Governor Rolando Yebes atol sa pagpahigayon sa tulo ka adlaw nga pinaka-unang General Assembly sa mga Barangay dinhi sa Zamboanga del Norte.

Ang maong hagit ang gipabati sa gobernador sa tuyo nga mapukaw ang mga barangay officials diha sa ilang dakong kaakohan nga usa ka sulogoon sa mga katawhan. Dili magpasagad ug kinahanglan molihok alang sa kalambuan sa ilang matag barangay.

Sa sunod tuig ang kagamhanang probinsiyal sa Zamboanga del Norte ang adunay gi-andam nga 1.2 bilyones pesos. Tipik sa maong pundo idapat alang sa tanang mga barangay dinhi sa probinsiya. Matod pa ni governor Yebes kini maoy angayan nga ampingan sa mga barangay officials.

http://dipolognon.com/HagitGipaabotNiGovYebes101508.jpg
KUNG walay pagbati nga moserbisyo sa mga katawhan sa matag barangay mas maayo pa nga mo-undang pagka-barangay officials. Kini maoy bug-at nga hagit ang gipaabot ni Governor Rolando Yebes atol sa pagpahigayon sa tulo ka adlaw nga pinaka-unang General Assembly sa mga Barangay dinhi sa Zamboanga del Norte.

Apan iyang gihangyo ang mga opisyales sa barangay nga kinahanglan dili usab magsalig sa probinsiya. Gihimong ehemplo ni Governor Yebes mao ang karsada diha sa mga barangay nga iyang gipang-himo nga nakita nga kini ang nangaguba na. Alang sa atong gobernador kinahanglan nga higugmaon sa mga kapitan ang mga proyekto sa ilang matag barangay. Motabang kini sa pagmintinar ug dili pasagdan. Sa panahon nga maguba ang karsada sa barangay ang probinsiya na usab maoy magsagubang pag-ayo niini. Gipahayag sa gobernador wala magkulang ang probinsiya tungod kay sama sa iyang gibuhat karon mipatuman kini sa tag-tunga sa milyon ka pesos nga kantidad sa mga proyekto sa 691 ka mga barangay sa Zanorte.

Gipaabot usab ni Governor Yebes ang iyang pagsaway ngadto sa pipila ka mga tawo nga hangtud karon nagpabilin nga mibatikos sa iyang pagdumala sa probinsiya. Sama sa iyang gipabarog nga Zanorte Medical Center nga karon giila nga usa sa Economic Enterprise sa kagamhanang probinsiyal. Pangutana sa gobernador hangtud kanus-a pa hatagan sa igong pagtagad ang programa alang sa pag-atiman sa panglawas sa mga katawhan.

Gusto karon ni Governor Yebes nga ang tanang mga opisyales sa barangay dinhi sa Zanorte ang mosuroy kini sa Zanorte Medical Center aron makita ang kinatibuk-an nga operasyon sa maong tambalanan.

Sa Nasayran, andam na usab karon ang pundo nga gisaad ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal Arroyo nga 20 milyones pesos alang sa CT scan sa Zanorte Medical Center. (Southpoint, Vol.1No.40)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:24 AM

Mariculture Park Project gilusad lungsod sa Rizal

GILUSAD ang Mariculture Park Project didto sa Bayanihan Island sa barangay Sebaca sa lungsod sa Rizal ning atong lalawigan sa Zamboanga del Norte. Kini ang gipangunayan mismo ni Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Atty. Malcolm Sarmiento, Jr. uban nila ni BFAR Regional Director Virgilio Alforque, Governor Rolando Yebes, Mayor Roseller Manigsaca, Vice Governor Francis Olvis.

Sa paglusad sa maong proyekto, gipahayag ni Governor Yebes nga dako kaayo kini ug ikatabang sa mga katawhan sa Zanorte ilabina sa taga lungsod sa Rizal ug sa mga silingan niining lugar. Gipasalamatan niya ug dako si Director Sarmiento sa iyang pagta-bang sa atong probinsiya. Ang pag-istablisar sa Mariculture project sa probinsiya mao usab ang naha-unang plano ni Governor Yebes human gidasig kini ni Department of Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap. Alang kaniya nga kung gihatagan lang sa igong pagtagad kaniadto sa probinsiya ang maong prog-rama siya ang nakasiguro nga milambo na kini pag-ayo karong panahona.

http://dipolognon.com/MaricultureParkProjectSaBayanihanIsland101508.jpg
Gipangunayan mismo ni Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Atty. Malcolm Sarmiento, Jr. uban nila ni BFAR Regional Director Virgilio Alforque, Governor Rolando Yebes, Mayor Roseller Manigsaca ug Vice Governor Francis Olvis ang Mariculture Park Project didto sa Bayanihan Island sa barangay Sebaca sa lungsod sa Rizal ning atong lalawigan sa Zamboanga del Norte

Angayang masayran nga ang probinsiya sa Zambo-anga del Norte maoy supplier sa mga pagkaon sa dagkong lugar sa Visayas ug Luzon.

Matod pa sa gobernador nga walay katungod nga dili kita magmalampuson ug molambo pinaagi sa maong proyekto tungod kay kita maoy tig-supply ug isda karong panahona sa Cebu, Negros ug pipila ka bahin sa Luzon. Iyang gipanghinaot uban sa paghagit kang Mayor Manigsaca sa lungsod sa Rizal nga sa sunod balik ni BFAR Director Sarmiento makita ang paglambo sa maong proyekto. Gipasalig ni Governor Yebes nga andam siyang motabang alang sa kaayohan sa mariculture project nga nahisulod sa Murcillagos Bay sa lungsod sa Rizal.

Gipahayag ni BFAR National Director Sarmiento nga kaniadto sayon ug dali ra ang pagkuha sa mga isda kung itandi karong pana-hona. Ang nasudnong ka-gamhanang ang nanghi-ngusog pagpalambo sa Aquaculture. Kini usa ka balanse nga programa tali sa pagpalambo sa production aron ipakaon sa nagtubo nga population ug pag-preserbar ug pag-proteher sa mga marine resources. Ang fish farming maoy nakahatag sa dako nga abot sa Pilipinas nga maoy ika-walo sa tibook kalibutan kabahin sa industriya sa isda ug uban pang produkto gikan sa dagat. Ang mariculture usa ka pamaagi nga gamay ra ug gasto, mahigugmaon sa kinaiyahan, sayon ang pagdumala kung ikompara sa fish pond.

Sa kabahin ni BFAR Nat’l Director Sarmiento iyang giklaro nga kung ang adunay probinsiya dinhi sa Pilipinas nga pa-lamboon pinaagi sa mga programa sa ilang buhatan kana mao ang atong lalawi-gan sa Zamboanga del Norte.

Masaligon usab si Vice Governor Olvis nga mitambong sa paglusad sa maong proyekto nga andam silang molugway ug ayuda sa Sangguniang Panlala-wigan alang sa kalambuan sa maong proyekto.

Misaksi sa paglusad sa Mariculture sa Rizal mao sila si Provincal Atty. Jes Gal Sarmiento, mga tinugyanan sa BFAR dinhi sa Zanorte pinaagi ni Engr. Florig, mga kadagkuan sa lungsod, mga barangay officials, ug daghanan pa. (The New Nandau, Vol. XVIII No.11)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:27 AM

Alang sa pagpa-abunda sa ani
FIELDS gilusad sa ZaNorte

Pag-umol ug pagtabang sa mga mag-uuma ang gipatigbabaw nga pamahayag ni Regional Technical Director (RTD) sa Department of Agriculture Constancio G. Alama atol sa pagpakigpulong isip pagbukas sa Region IX Information Caravan/Techno Clinic nga didto gipahigayon sa Zamboanga del Norte National Exhibition Center (ZNCEC) ning dakbayan sa Dipolog, Octobre 7, 2008 ug launching usab sa FIELDS Program kon Fertilizer, Irrigation, Extension and Training, Loans, Dryers and other Postharvest Facilities, and Seeds pinaagi sa Department of Agriculture (DA) subay sa administrasyon ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Matud pa ni Alama nga ang FIELDS Program gituyo sa pagmugna sa pamunoan ni Presidente Arroyo pinaagi ni DA Secretary Arthur Yap aron sa ingon niana mahatagan og dakong ani ang mga mag-uuma nga maoy numero unong nagsuporta sa mga katawhan sa pinaagi sa bugas, mais ug daghanan pang uban. Gituyo usab sa pagmugna ang maong programa aron malikayan ang kalisod nga kagutom nga maoy sagad natagamtaman karon sa ubang katawhan ning nasud sa Pilipinas.

http://dipolognon.com/AtTheFIELDSBoothArea101508.jpg
At the FIELDS booth area, free farm supplies are given away to farmers.

http://dipolognon.com/ParticipantsToTheFIEDSInfoCaravan101508.jpg
Participants to the FIEDS Info Caravan/Techno Clinic flock for resgistration at the ZN Convention Center lobby.

Si Dr. Frisco Malabanan, Rice Program Director sa DA Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program mipasabot sa FIELDS nga ang Fertilizer maoy suportang programa sa mga mag-uuma sa organic ug inorganic fertilizer pinaagi sa discount coupons nga Php250 kada sako diin, sa tibuok Pilipinas matud pa mokabat sa 4.62 milyones nga mga coupons ang nahatag sa mga Local Government Unit (LGUs) kon 1.83 milyones usab ang nahatag niini ngadto sa mga mag-uuma. Ang Irrigation maoy mohatag sa pagpalambo sa produksyon sa humay tungod usab kay sagad sa mga kahumayan nagsalig lang sa tubig sa ulan ug ang irrigation system maoy mohatag, mosuporta sa kahumayan aron maabunda ang tanom niini. Samtang, ang Extension sa FIELDS naglangkob sa paghatag edukasyon ug pagbansay-bansay sa mga mag-uuma aron mahibaw-an niini ang mga pamaagi sa farming technologies lakip na ang mga training centers nga ikatukod pinaagi sa LGU. Ang “L” sa FIELDS nga Loan naghatag og kahigayonan sa mga mag-uuma sa hamubo lamang nga interest pinaagi usab sa farm inputs ug uban pang farm infra/machineries. Samtang, ang Dryers sa FIELDS maoy motabang sa mga mag-uuma nga dili mausik ug mapadali ang paglihok sa humay. Ang Seeds sa FIELDS Program mao ang paghatag og mga igtalanom nga hybrid ug certified seeds sa hamubo lamang nga presyo diin, ang National Food Authority (NFA) maoy market assistance sa mga mag-uuma.

Nasayran nga aron usab mo-abunda ang rice production ning nasud sa Pilipinas namugna ang FIELDS Program lakip na niini ang GMA kon Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program pinaagi ni Presidente Arroyo.

Subay niini, gipasalig sa mga kadagkoan ning tibuok Rehiyon IX sa Zamboanga Peninsula partikular ang tanang mitambong sa maong kalihukan nga dako kaayo’g ikatabang ang FIELDS Program sa atong nasud ilabi na ning Isla sa Mindanao tungod kay abunda nang daan ang kayutaan ning atong dapit ug ang mga katawhan na lamang niini ang mo-ugmad ug molihok aron mahalikay ang tanan sa kalisod ug kagutom.

Gikahibaloan nga ang naasoyng kalihukan gitambungan kini sa mga halos tanang mayores sa Zamboanga Peninsula sa Rehiyon IX, mga Municipal Agriculturists, mga agricultural workers, mga mag-uuma, Buhatan sa Pang-Agrikultura ning lalawigan pinanguluhan ni Ms. Maybel Bustaliño ug mismo si Governor Rolando E. Yebes ang mitambong usab kini diin, nahiuyon sa programa ni Presidente Arroyo nga FIELDS Program nga dako ug ikatabang sa mga katawhan ning probinsya sa Zamboanga del Norte nga halos kaumahan ang palibot ning lalawigan. (Southpoint, Vol.1No.40)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:28 AM

Brgy opisyales mi-tour sa ZMC

SA tuyo nga makita ug masayran nila personal ang kinatibuk-ang operasyon sa Zanorte Medical Center, ang mga barangay officials dinhi sa Zamboanga del Norte mihimo sa ilang tour kagahapon (Octobre 6, 2008) isip pagtapos sa ilang tulo ka adlaw nga General Assembly sa barangay.

Ang maong mga opisyales sa barangay ang gisuroy kini nila ni Hospital Administrator Rosevic Lacaya Ocampo, Mrs. Aida Dy, Chief Nurse ug Jay Adriancem sa buhatan sa gobernador sulod sa maong tambalanan.

Ilang gipadayag ang ilang hini-usang sentemento ug pagdayeg sa kinatibuk-ang operasyon sa maong hospital nga ilang nakita nga dako kaayo ug kalainan sa karaan nga provincial hospital. Dako kaayo ug gikatabang ilabina sa mga pobreng katawhan ang Zanorte Medical Center nga nagbaton sa mga modernong kahimanan. Ila usab nga gipabati ang ilang pagbatikos sa mga tawo nga kanunay nga nagsaway sa maong tambalan nga wala makasabot sa programa ni Governor Yebes. Usa ka dakong botbot ang gipalakaw sa mga kritiko sa administrasyong Yebes nga dili makatabang sa katawhan ang hospital, sugyot nila nga mas maayo nga magpa-admit kini aron ilang makita personal kung unsa ka importanti ang maong hospital.

Dako ang pagtuo sa mga barangay officials nga ang mga tawo nga kanunay karon misaway sa Zanorte Medical Center mao kadtong mga tawo nga dili pa makadawat sa kadaugan ni Governor Yebes hangtud karon.

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:33 AM

Sen. Bong Revilla dinapit pagsubo sa Development Center sa Dipolog

Opisyal nga nasubhan niadtong Agosto 29 ang Livelihood Skills Development and Enhancement Center (LSDEC) sa dakbayan sa Dipolog nga nahimutang sa Barangay Galas ug gitambungan mismo nila ni Senador Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. ug Congressman Rosendo Labadlabad sa 2ndCongressional District ning probinsiya.

Didto usab sila si Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, First Gentleman ug kanhi Hepe Ehekutibo sa Dipolog Roberto Y. Uy, Mdme. Joji Bia,l ang presidente sa Call Center Association of the Philippines, Director Nilda Espiritusanto sa TESDA, Mdme. Venus Celecious-Yap, ang suod nga higala sa asawa ni Senador Revilla.

Didto usab ang mga opisyales ug ubang kawani sa kagamhanang lokal, mga magtutungha ug magtutudlo sa Galas National High School ug Dipolog School of Fisheries ug mga residente sa palibot sa LSDEC.

Kahibaloan nga nahimong natinuod ug natuman ang maong proyekto human mapirmahan ang usa ka Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) tali nila ni Mayor Uy sa kagamhanang lokal sa Dipolog kinsa maoy nangandoy niini nga konsepto, Congressman Labadlabad sa 2nd Congressional District sa Zamboanga del Norte ug Director Nilda Espiritusanto sa Provincial Office sa Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA).

http://dipolognon.com/SiSenRevilla101508.jpg
Si Sen. Revilla (ikaduha gikan sa tuo) samtang nanguna sa ribbon cutting sa Development Center sa Galas inabagan nila ni Cong. Labadlabad (wala) ug Mayor Belen Uy (ikaduha gikan sa wala).

Gisabutan sa MOA nga ang Buhatan sa Congressional District mohatag sa pasiunang pondo alang sa initial operation ug maintenance sa LSDE Center samtang ang kagamhanang lokal sa Dipolog ang magapadayon sa pagpalambo ug pagpromoter sa livelihood skills alang sa mga katawhan niini aron mahimo silang self-sufficient alang sa ilang kaayuhan.

Sa kabahin sa TESDA, kini ang gitahasan sa paghatag sa kaalam, sa mga abilidad ug rekisitos sa bansay-bansay ug uban pang kaayuhan sama sa scholarship grants ilawom sa PGMA Training for Work Scholarship Program ug skills assessment alang niadtong nakalampos o nakahuman na sa bansay-bansay.

Sa pagkakaron, ang mga skills training nga gipatuman sa nasangpit nga center naglangkob sa carpentry, masonry, heavy equipment operation, plumbing, building wiring installation ug welding nga nakakuha ug daghanang interesadong magtutungha ilabi sa mga out-of-school youths.

Sumala pa ni Mdme. Collyer, ang kasamtangang gitudlo ni Mayor Uy nga magdumala isip Livelihood Center Operations Manager, nga ilang paningkamutan nga madugangan karong tuiga ang maong skills enhancement program sama sa air conditioning, refrigeration, English proficiency, housekeeping ug kursong bar-tending.

Masaligon usab niyang gipahibalo sa tanan nga “wholistic approach” ang pamaagi sa training nga ilang gipahiyon aron mahimong sayon sa mga magtutungha ang pagpangita ug matrabahoan o dili ba kaha sa paghatag sa ilang serbisyo ngadto sa mga nanginahanglan. (cio-prr)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:35 AM

LGUs sa ZaNorte mitabang gasto sa JCI nt’l convention

“Tanang local government unit sa Zanorte uban sa mga opisyal niini mitabang sa galastuhan sa JCI Philippines national Convention” tipik sa pamahayag ni Atty. Allan Ranillo, JCI Senator ug maoy National Convention Director sa gipahigayong JCI Philippines National Convention dinhi sa Zanorte Sulod sa tulo ka adlaw.

Sumala pa ni Atty. Ranillo nga sila sa JCI Philippines nagpasalamat sa mga opsiyales sa Zanorte sa papgangulo ni Gov. Lando Yebes, meyembro sa sanguni-ang panlalawigan pinangulohan ni Vice Gov. Bebie Olvis, tulo ka mga kongrisista sa tulo ka mga distrito sa Zanorte uban sa duha ka mayor sa Dipolog ug Dapitan.

http://dipolognon.com/JayceesPlenary101508.jpg
Tanang local government unit sa Zanorte uban sa mga opisyal niini mitabang sa galastuhan sa JCI Philippines national Convention nga gipahigayong JCI Philippines National Convention dinhi sa Zanorte Sulod sa tulo ka adlaw.

Matud pa niya nga ang maong tulo ka adlaw nga kalihukan dili maganap ug gasto kung ang registration ra ang saligan nga kini gisalmutan sa mokabat usa ka libo ka mga partisipante nga sakop sa Junior Chamber International gikan sa nagkadaiyang parte sa nasud nga ani-a karon nagpahigayon sa ilang 60th national Convention lakip na ang ilang joint 2008-2009 national board meeting.

Para ni Ranillo dili magmalampuson an gang ilang dakung kalihukan kung walay suporta sa mga lideres sa Zanorte busa kini ila gayud nga gipasalamatan. Iyang gihulagway nga ang pagpahigayon sa maong kalihukan dinhi sa Zanorte nagpa-ila lamang sa tibook nasud ug sa tibook kalibutan nga kaya sa Zanorte nga mopahigayon sa mga dagkong kalihukan uban ang pagpamatood nga usa ka malinawong dapit ang Zamboanga del Norte.

http://dipolognon.com/JayceesBanner101508.jpg
Kini nga pulong ni Ranillo gidasunan usab sa duha ka mga dagkong opisyal sa JCI.

Si national President JCI Senator Angelo Lesaca ug incoming National Pres. For 2009 JCI Senator Fulbert Woo mipahayag nga kini pa ang unang higayon nga nakaanhi sila dinhi sa Zanorte ug ilang gi-angkon nga usa gayud ka nindot ug malinawon ang Zanorte nga angayang bisitahon sa mga turista ma-local man national ug international.

Ilang gipahibalo nga ang ilang pagbisita dinhi nagpakita lamang nga madugangan pa ang mga dumodu-ong dinhi sa Zanorte tungod kay layo ra kaayo kini sa ubang dapit sa Mindanao nga hangtud karon padayong gihasi sa mga rebelding MILF.

Ang national Convention sa Junior Chamber International dinhin sa Zanorte nakatabang usab sa dugang paglambo sa lokal nga ikonomiya dinhi sa lalawigan. (Southpoint, Vol.1No.40)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:37 AM

Cold storage facility sugdan sunod tuig

KARONG sunod tuig sugdan na sa pagpatindog sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) ang cold storage facility alang dinhi sa Zamboanga del Norte. Kini maoy pagklaro mismo ni BFAR National Director Malcolm Sarmiento baguhay pa lang.

Iyang gipahayag nga sa tuig 2009 kini maoy unang proyekto nga himoon sa BFAR alang dinhi sa atong lalawigan. Kini isip pagsanong sa hangyo ni Governor Rolando Yebes nga matabangan ang industriya sa panagat ilabina sa supply sa isda gikan dinhi sa Zamboanga del Norte nga itumod ngadto sa mga dagkong merkado sa Visayas ug Luzon.

http://dipolognon.com/BFAR_NationalDirectorSarmiento101508_small.jpg
BFAR National Director Malcolm Sarmiento

Matod pa ni Sarmiento nga gumikan sa maong kahimanan magpadayon ang proseso ug ang binulto nga pag-supply ug mga isda nga usa sa target mao ang foreign market. Gawas pa magpabilin ang industriya sa sardinas dinhi sa atong dapit nga nakita adunay problema sa pag-baligya ngadto sa gawas sa nasud tungod sa kakulungan sa supply.

Karong tuiga mohimo na sa ilang unang lakang ang BFAR aron hingpit nga ipatindog ang maong cold storage facility sa sunod tuig. Sa kabahin sa probinsiya ang luna ra maoy gipangayo sa BFAR nga maoy tukoran sa maong kahimanan.

Plano ni Governor nga adunay upat ka mga lugar ang iyang pilian karon nga anha ipahimutang ang cold storage facility. kini mao ang barangay Taguilon sa Dapitan, ang kilid nga bahin sa balay dangpanan sa DSWD, lungsod sa Katipunan o dili ba sa Sindangan.

Gitinguha usab karon sa BFAR nga mohatag kini ug Mobile Ice Plant isip suporta sa Mariculture Project sa Rizal. (Southpoint, Vol.1No.40)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:41 AM

Pagdagsa sa mga partisipante sa national convention sa JC’s International, nagpa-ila ang ZaNorte malinawon

Ang paghidangat sa daghanang mga partisipante sa Jaycees sa pagpahigayon sa national convention nga gibuksan maoy nagpaila nga misalig sila sa katakos sa Dipolog chapter ug subrang kumpiyansa sa malinawon nga sitwasyon.

Kini ang gipamahayag nila ni JCI Senator Atty. Alan Ranillo sa Dipolog Greater Dipag Jaycees kinsa maoy host sa national convention, 2008 National President Angelo Raphael Albert Lesaca ug incoming 2009 National President Fulbert Woo atol sa press conference nga gipahigayon didto sa Bamboo Garden. Sa maong konperensiya diha usab si Vice Governor Rolex Suplico sa lalawigan sa Iloilo nga maoy nag-reprresentar kang Senate President Manny Villar. Matud ni Vice Governor Suplico nga wala maka-anhe si Senador Villar gumikan kay mitambong kini sa pinaka-importanting Bicameral Congress session diha sa pagtuki sa 2009 National Budget.

Atty. Ranillo, national convention director namahayag nga wala makabalda sa Greater Dipag Jaycess ang mitumaw nga kaguliyang sa silingan nga probinsya diha sa pinaka-una nga pag-host nila sa national convention gumikan kay gusto nila ipakita ug ipamatuod sa tibook kapopod-an sa nasud nga ang Zamboanga del Norte usa ka malinawon nga lugar ug nindot suroyan sa mga gustong mobisita.

http://dipolognon.com/DaghanangMgaPartisipanteSaJaycees101508.jpg
Ang paghidangat sa daghanang mga partisipante sa Jaycees sa pagpahigayon sa national convention nga gibuksan maoy nagpaila nga misalig sila sa katakos sa Dipolog chapter ug subrang kumpiyansa sa malinawon nga sitwasyon.

Mokabat sa otso syentos ka mga partisipante ang narehistro.

Matud ni Atty. Ranillo ang mga partisipante anaa gipahiluna sa nagkadaiyang hotel dinhi sa Dipolog ug kini nakahatag ug dakong impact sa natad sa ekonomiya.

Sa iyang kabahin, si Vice Governor Rolex Suplico namahayag nga ang gustong ipaabot nga mensahe ni Senator Manny Villar mao ang iyang hugot nga pagsuporta sa JCI Philipines ilabi na sa small and medium enterprises arun kini mapalampo.

Sa samang bahin, gipaklaro usab ni Vice Governor Suplico nga si Senador Manny Villar ang depenido na kining molansar sa pagka presidente sa nasud karong dos mil dyes nga eleksiyon. Hinoon wala pay gihan-ay si kinsa ang posibli niyang tandem sa pagka bisi presidente ug linya sa pagka senador apan usa na ang pangalan ni Suplico.

Angay masayran nga si Senador Manny Villar ilawom sa Nationalista Party kinsa human sa iyang deklarasyon ang gibato kini sa isyu nga ‘double funding’ project. (The New Nandau, Vol. XVIII No.11)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 07:43 AM

P1.2B budget sa ZN karong 2009

Mokabat sa P1.2 bilyones ka pesos ang batunang budget sa kagamhanang probin-siyal sa ZN sa tuig 2009.

Matud pa ni Governor Rolando Yebes aduna lamay gamay nga pag-umento ang batunang budget sa probinsiya sa sunod tuig kon itandi karong tuig sanglit mokabat na sa P1.1 bilyones ka pesos ang ilang budget.

Gipahibawo ni Governor Yebes nga sa sunod tuig nagapabilin nga maoy mag-una sa ipadas-og niyang programa ang kabahin sa agrikultura, turismo ug social services.

Sa nakita karon gihatagan gayud ug dakung pagtagad sa kasamtangang adminis-trasyon sa probinsiya ang para sa panginabuhi sa katawhan gikan sa bukid hangtud na sa kabay-bayunan.

Kahinumduman sa unang bahin karong semanaha gitugyan ni Governor Yebes uban kang BFAR National Director Atty. Malcoml Sarmiento ang P2 milyones ka pesos nga Mariculture Park didto sa Sebaca, Rizal.

Ang nasangpit nga pro-yekto nagtinguha pagpalam-bo sa panginabuhian sa mga mananagat sulod sa Mur-cielagos Bay.

Samtang sa bukid pada-yon nga gipadas-og sa gobernador ang iyang Hi-Green program nga mikatap na sa nagkadaiyang mga kabarangayan.

Subli usab nga gipahayag ni Governor Yebes nga sa lungsod sa Kalawit magbu-tang siya ug planta para sa organic fertilizer nga kay anaa usab sa maong lugar ang gikinahanglang raw materials sama sa tae sa kabaw sanglit anaa mahi-mutang ang Philippine Carabao Center.

Sa sayu pa gibutyag ni Provincial Attorney Jes Gal Sarmiento, Jr. nga iuli na sa Fiber Industry Development Authority ang yuta sa probinsiya nga ilang gigamit sa miagi didto sa Kalawit tapad sa Pagkain ng Bayan.

Matud pa ni Governor Yebes sa maong lugar niya ipahimutang ang planta sa organic fertilizer kay maoy tuyo niya nga padak-an pa ang production sa probinsiya sa maong abono kay midaku usab ang demand niini karon gikan sa atong mga mag-uuma luyo sa kamahal sa commercial fertilizer.

Gusto sa gobernador nga sa dili pa matapos karong tuiga makapalit na sila ug makina para sa planta sa organic fertilizer kay aduna na siya gigahin nga pundo para niini. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 52)

dashalvin

October 23rd, 2008, 08:14 AM

sheenreal

October 24th, 2008, 08:06 AM

Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5OVi2TlP8w

qwert_guy

October 24th, 2008, 09:54 AM

^^ nice vid... medyo kulang ug kahayag ang mall... why man sa kilid ang entrance?

dashalvin

October 24th, 2008, 11:49 AM

Nag-open na ang 2nd floor sa department store sa Lee. Tuesday man yata toh. Ang mga stalls sa 2nd floor kay gihimo palang.

zoroethgenre_003

October 24th, 2008, 02:00 PM

zoroethgenre_003

October 24th, 2008, 02:02 PM

congrats Dipolog..daghan lagi karon mga National confabs and ginaheld sa inyo place..good sign

dashalvin

October 24th, 2008, 04:09 PM

dashalvin

October 24th, 2008, 04:11 PM

Gaisano Dipolog napud ang paabuton nto ani. hehe.

arianespace

October 24th, 2008, 04:59 PM

^^having a RORO port in Kalipunan is not a good idea because of its proximity to Dapitan Port which serves as ZaNorte's major gateway..

It is much better if they shall be establishing a RORO port which will serve the 3rd District..Liloy or Labason is a good option..

What happened to Dipolog port? As I understand they have a RORO port construction at Barangay Galas. Having another port on the next municipality is just a waste of funds. Is the construction at the Galas port ongoing or was it stopped?

zoroethgenre_003

October 25th, 2008, 06:21 AM

@zoro. Naplanuham naman n cya bay s province. Di naman gud maacommodate s Dapitan port ang ubang RORO. Kung mahuman ang Katipunan port, mosulod ang Ceres bus from Negros og gamiton ang port 4 Casava trnsport s isa ka Malay biznezman og kay Dandin Cojuangco ga mango plantation s ZANORTE.

y not expand the Dapitan Port for it to accomodate..cguro with that idea mas makatipid ang provincial government..

putting up a gateway port in the 3rd District could be a viable idea..

dashalvin

October 25th, 2008, 09:21 AM

@arriane. Dipolog sea port construction was stopped bcoz it needs a lot of funds to excavate and make it deep enough to make it fully functional and maliit lang talaga ang nagawa ng P100 million. Another is that a part of the seaport was destroyed when typhoon Lando hit Minadanao. The city plans for tha funds of the port to get assisted by PPA kaya matatagalan pa talaga yan. Yebes commented for that port that it was not appropriate to build it there kay open sea man cya prone for big waves pag bagyo. I don't know kung mahimo pani. Si Yebes moy nagproposed anang port sa Katipunan kay ilink man dayon nagroro sa Siaton man ata to sa Negros Oriental.

dashalvin

October 25th, 2008, 09:26 AM

y not expand the Dapitan Port for it to accomodate..cguro with that idea mas makatipid ang provincial government..

putting up a gateway port in the 3rd District could be a viable idea..

If the Katipunan port will be made, it will save cause for fuel and time of RORO ships about 30 minutes compare to Dapitan port and for the Ceres bus not ply anymore in Dapitan port which takes about 20 minutes from Dipolog, that's their main reason.

taaslangit

October 25th, 2008, 04:45 PM

Batangas, Zambo grains facilities rising

By Elaine R. Alanguilan

Zamboanga Development and Management Corp. is investing a P1.03 billion for new grain handling facilities in Batangas and Zamboanga del Norte.

The company has secured fiscal incentives from the Board of Investments for the Batangas Grains Terminal Project and as the Dapitan Grains Terminal Project in Zamboanga del Norte under non-pioneer status. The two projects will start operations by 2010.

Batangas Grains is owned by the family of George Aseniero, who owns about 70 percent of the shares.

The two terminal projects will link the movement of the supply of grains from north to south.

The company is developing the project with PNOC-Exploration Corp.

The two companies in 2005 forged an agreement where the PNOC unit will provide a 35-year lease for one hectare of land and six hectares of waterfront property for the terminal and silo complex.

The company will also construct a 160-meter jetty with a draft of over 20 meters for the ship uploader.

PNOC-Exploration is entitled to 12 percent of the revenues generated from the project. All port operations, however, will continue to be handled by PNOC Exploration. The Zamboanga bulk-handling operations will start once the ship is securely moored and turned over by PNOC Exploration.

arianespace

October 25th, 2008, 04:47 PM

^^
If 100 million wasn't enough to build a RORO port, what can a 5 or 10 million port do? Even a 50 million port does not make it work. I don't think the facts are straight. I surmise another corruption in the making. :ohno:

zoroethgenre_003

October 26th, 2008, 07:03 AM

hear! hear!

dashalvin

October 27th, 2008, 11:50 AM

This was the news before for Gaiasno's investment in the city
PIA Press Release
2004/02/09

Dipolog City to host 2nd regional business confab

Dipolog City(Feb. 9) -- All is set for the holding of the 2nd Zamboanga Peninsula Business Conference in Dipolog City on April 22-23 this year.

Dipolog City Chamber of Commerce and Industry presidetn Edwin Capili broke the news to the local press last week.

According to Capili, the conference will focus on the development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the region in cooperation with the local government units.

Capili also said that president Arroyo together with Ambassador Peter Sutherland of Canada would grace the occasion. "There will also be investors from Manila and other places coming over," Capili added.

The local chamber of commerce is also hopeful that many businessmen will come to invest in the province because of its favorable peace and order condition.

A few months from now, Gaisano Superstore and Lee Plaza will open their respective businesses in Dipolog City. (PIA

qwert_guy

October 27th, 2008, 02:34 PM

good kahit superstore lang at least meron na Gaisano

dashalvin

October 28th, 2008, 11:57 AM

good kahit superstore lang at least meron na Gaisano

This was the plan ga nibackout kay problem sa yuta. We just have to wait 4 new planned nila to investand we know ga dili gyud gamay ang ila himoon sa Dipolog kay naa namay Lee Plaza.

dashalvin

October 28th, 2008, 12:02 PM

Zambo Norte allocates more funds for agriculture

Dipolog City (28 October) -- Provincial Budget Officer Mary Joy Abitona recently disclosed that the 20 percent Economic Development Fund (EDF) for Zamboanga del Norte in 2009 reaches P169 million and P78 million would go to the agriculture sector.

With the amount of P78 million for agriculture, P10 million will be for agricultural facilities extension and support services, which include agricultural laboratories, bio-fertilizer mixing plant, nurseries, pre/post harvest facilities, institutional services and expansion of Hi-Green Program of the provincial government.

Next to the agriculture sector, the infrastructure development program gets P56 million of which P30 million has been readied for barangay financial assistance.

The social services, on the other hand, will receive P42 million of which P15 million is for the Provincial Care Assistance Program, Philhealth and Tulong ni Lando sa Komunidad.

For the Provincial Poverty Reduction Programs, the provincial government has allotted P3 million, while P1 million is for Youth Enhancement Support Program, P2.5 million for Nutrition Development Programs and P5 million for Helath Development Program.

"I have to make the share for agriculture bigger in order to improve the livelihood of the people," said Zamboanga del Norte Governor Rolando E. Yebes. (PF/PIA-ZN)

dashalvin

October 28th, 2008, 12:06 PM

Zambo Norte dev't council endorses DAR projects

Dipolog City (28 October) -- The Provincial Development Council (PDC) of Zamboanga del Norte has recently approved the four projects proposals endorsed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for the agrarian reform communities in the province.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Virgilio Alcomendras disclosed he had proposed for the approval of 13 Tulay ng Pangulo Para sa Kaunlarang Pang-Agraryo.

He disclosed further that these projects had already been approved by the Investment Coordinating Committee-Technical Board in June this year.

"However, it could not be submitted to the Committee for fund appropriation unless it has to pass the approval of the PDC," Alcomendras said.

The Tulay ng Pangulo shall be placed in Alvenda, Mutia; Disoy Bridge along Piñan – New Lebangon, Polanco road; Dinasan, San Jose, El Paraiso – Sta. Catalina, La Libertad; Mintal in Sirawai; Teresita Bridge, Disoy River in Piñan; Wilben in Sergio Osmeña; Lomogon in godod; Dinuan – Calucap in Salug; Bucana-Osukan-Antonio in Labason; Dicuyong in Sindangan; Piao in Sindangan and Sinuyak in Katipunan.

Alcomendras also disclosed that the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project to be funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation was also approved.

This includes the construction and repair of communal irrigation systems, post harvest facilities, roads, water system for agrarian reform communities, and institutional and agricultural developments. This project shall be implemented in Piñan, Jose Dalman and Siocon towns.

The Solar Power Technology Support III or SPOTS III in Sergio Osmeña, Godod and Polanco and the Mindanao Sustainable Settlement Area Development or MINSSAD Project 2 were also endorsed. (PF/PIA-ZN)

dashalvin

October 28th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Mindanao railway system to include Dipolog-Ozamis route

Dipolog City (28 October) -- The Mindanao Railway System project could have left out the Zamboanga Peninsula region during its earlier plan, but DOTC undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana Sr. brought big smiles to the officials when he announced its recent inclusion during the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) meeting recently.

Earlier, Zamboanga del Norte Governor Rolando E. Yebes was saddened to know that the railway system was up to Iligan City.

However, during the MEDCO gathering at Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, USEC. Leyretana assured the possibility of including the Dipolog-Ozamis route since it could surely pass the elevation standard.

He pointed out that the route does not have any tall mountains which could hinder the construction of train tracks.

It was also learned that the governor had to travel 15 hours by land in going to Tandag City so that he could have first-hand experience of road travel and he could personally request for the inclusion of the ZamPen region in the railway project.

:)

qwert_guy

October 29th, 2008, 01:32 AM

This was the plan ga nibackout kay problem sa yuta. We just have to wait 4 new planned nila to investand we know ga dili gyud gamay ang ila himoon sa Dipolog kay naa namay Lee Plaza.

ah ok... lets hope next year... pwede pud nila ibutang sa dapitan kay daghan man didto luna.

taaslangit

October 29th, 2008, 05:35 PM

Zambo Norte solon vows 'zero corruption' governance

Dipolog City (29 October) -- Zamboanga del Norte second district representative Rosendo S. Labadlabad has stressed once more that he has always been for 'graft free' projects and 'zero corruption' policy.

"I will not mess my hands with money that belongs to the people," the congressman said, stressing strongly that he could not afford to waste the money that has been entrusted to his care.

Some projects completed and already turned over to the concerned recipients included 2-classroom school buildings, which only cost the government P450 thousand each, covered courts, drainage system and river control.

Labadlabad, who belongs to Lakas party, has implemented a number of infrastructure projects in his district and is actively supporting the programs of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) by allocating funds for the improvement of its provincial training center in Sindangan town. (PF/PIA-ZN) [top

taaslangit

October 29th, 2008, 06:03 PM

Zambo Norte bats for 'AvenTour'

Dipolog City (29 October) -- The Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) and the ZaNorte Environment Management Office (ZANEMO) have recently conceived 'Adventure Tourism' as a new way of attracting tourists to the province.

Atty. Jes Gal Sarmiento Jr., chief of ZANEMO, disclosed that Asian and European tourists are now looking into some adventures aside from just visiting historical places and resorts.

He pointed out that tourists thirst for adventures which they have not experienced back home like getting inside caves.

With many potential areas already identified, both ZANEMO and PTO were confident to really sell the province to the foreigners.

Tourism Officer Atty. Ivan Patrick Ang identified Diwan of Dipolog City as eco-tourism and adventure destination and Katipunan town for its falls and caves. (PF/PIA-ZN)

dashalvin

November 1st, 2008, 10:31 AM

Nov. 8 Grand Opening of Lee Plaza City Central Mall.

qwert_guy

November 1st, 2008, 02:06 PM

^^ mo open na pud ang jollibee ug chowking?

dashalvin

November 3rd, 2008, 09:18 AM

Mo-open ang Mang Inasal, Jollibee og Chowking if di ma change ang plan. While ang Dunkin kay next year pa. Naa may bag-o ga mga stalls pero ako pa iconfirm kung unsa kaayo ni.

dashalvin

November 3rd, 2008, 09:26 AM

Farmer’s training center gitugyan ngadto sa mga mag-uuma sa Polanco

MOKABAT sa 10 milyones pesos nga balor sa Farmers Training Center ang gitugyan na kagahapong adlawa ngadto sa mga mag-uuma sa lungsod sa Polanco.

Ang pagtugyan sa maong proyekto gipangunayan mismo sa mga opisyales sa probinsiya ug sa lungsod nga gilangkuban nila ni Governor Rolando Yebes, 1st District Congresswoman Cely Jalosjos Carreon, Vice Governor Francis Olvis, Mayor Anacleto Olvis ug Board Member Jun Cabigon.

Sa gihimong programa, gipahayag ni Governor Yebes nga sa sunod tuig adunay dako nga pundo ang iyang gigahin alang sa programa sa agrikultura dinhi sa lalawigan. Iyang nakita nga karong panahona ang Zamboanga del Norte ang adunay dakong kahigayonan nga maka-supply ug mga pagkaon paingon ngadto sa mga lugar sa Visayas. Dako kaayo ang kaugmaon sa atong probinsiya kung totokan ang agrikultura.

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Turn-over of the Farmers Training Center in the Municilaity of Polanco.

Gihagit sa gobernador ang mga mag-uuma sa Polanco nga dugang kakugi ang buhaton. Aduna nay dakong merkado nga adto mahatud ang mga produkto sa agrikultura dinhi sa atong dapit. Ang kagamhanang probinsiyal ang nanglimbasog karon nga maayudahan ang mga mag-uuma sa ilang gikinahanglan aron mahaw-as gikan sa kalisod.

Mapasalamaton usab ug dako si Congresswoman Cely Jalosjos Carreon sa katukoran sa maong training center. Ang maong proyekto ang gikinahanglan kini pag-ayo sa mga mag-uuma dili lamang sa lungsod sa Polanco apil na sa tibook distrito. Hangyo sa kongresista nga kinahanglan ampingan ang maong proyekto ug molungtad bisan wala na sila sa ilang katungdanan. Iya usab gihangyo ang Department of Agriculture nga dili ihikaw ang unsa may gihangyo sa mga mag-uuma alang sa ilang kaayohan.

Susama usab ang gipaabot nga pagpasalamat nila ni Vice Governor Olvis ug Mayor Olvis sa Polanco sa suporta nga gilugway nila ni Governor Yebes ug Congresswoman Carreon alang sa pagtukod sa maong training center.

Angayang masayran nga ang Farmers Training Center nga anaa sa lungsod sa Polanco kini ang migasto ug dul-an 10 milyones pesos. Ang 6 milyones ug 250 mil pesos gikan sa pundo sa kagamhanang probinsiyal sa Zamboanga del Norte, ang 1.5 milyones pesos gikan sa CDF, usa ka milyon ka pesos gikan sa kagamhanang lokal sa Polanco ug 897 mil pesos gikan sa Department of Agriculture.

Mitambong sa pagtugyan sa maong proyekto mao ang taga Department of Agriculture, DAR, mga opisyales sa lungsod, mga mag-uuma, mga barangay officials ug si kanhi Dapitan City Mayor Rodol Carreon.

dashalvin

November 3rd, 2008, 09:29 AM

P40M cold storage ibutang sa San Pedro

Nadisidihan na gayud sa kagamhanang probinsiyal sa ZaNorte uban sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources ug kagamhanang local sa Dapitan nga ipahimutang sa Barangay San Pedro sa maong siyudad ang P40 milyones ka pesos nga cold storage facility.

Gipahibawo ni Governor Rolando Yebes nga tapos na nilang gisubay ang lugar didto sa Barangay San Pedro, Dapitan City particular na sa pito ka ektaryang luna nga gipanag-iyahan sa BFAR nga maoy butangan sa maong pasilidad nga sugdan sa pagpatindog sa unang bahin sa tuig 2009.

Sa sayu pa si BFAR National Director Atty. Malcolm Sarmiento, Jr. mipahibawo nga iyaha nang giaprubahan ang pagbutang ug P40 milyones nga cold storage facility nga adunay 60 ka toniladang kapasidad para sa ZaNorte sigun sa gipangayo ni Gov. Yebes.

Maoy gusto ni Sarmiento nga ang maong proyekto masugdan sa pagtrabaho sa pagbukas sa tuig 2009.

Matud pa ni Governor Yebes, nadisidihan nila nga sa San Pedro ibutang ang maong pasilidad tungod kay duol ra kini sa Pulauan Port ang ganghaan paingon sa dagkung merkado sa Visayas ug Luzon pinaagi sa nautical highway.

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Gov. Yebes’ area survey for cold storage facility at Barangay San Pedro in the city of Dapitan

Gawas pa niini ang ipatindog nga pasilidad mahimutang daplin sa nasudnong dalan busa sayun ra sa pagtumod sa mga negosyante ug isda ug sa mga mananagat sa ilang mga produkto para ipundo sa maong cold storage.

Matud pa ni Governor Yebes mas baratu usab ang tubig sa dakbayan sa Dapitan kumparar sa Dipolog busa ang produkto niining block ice mabaligya usab sa baratu ngadto sa publiko.

Sa ilang kabahin ang kagamhanang local sa Dapitan maoy moatiman usab sa pagpabalhin sa mga nagpuyo sulod sa nasangpit nga lote sa gobyerno ngadto sa lugar nga tukma nilang kabalhinan.

Sa nasayran ang mokonstrak sa maong pasilidad mao ang kagamhanang probinsiyal sa ZaNorte.

Matud pa ni Governor Yebes ang gihuwat ni BFAR National Director Sarmiento mao ang report sa technical group sa lugar nga ipahimutang ang cold storage facility kay mosunod na niini ang pagtimaan sa kasabutan para ma download sa BFAR ang gikinahanglang pundo ngadto sa probinsiya.

Nagpasalamat usab si Governor Yebes ngadto kang Mayor Dominador Jalosjos, Jr. sa Dapitan nga nanghingusog diha sa pagsulbad sa pagbalhin sa mga settlers sa maong lugar.

Samtnag sa laing bahin gidasig karon sa gobernador sa ZaNorte ang mga mag-uuma sa probinsiya sa pagdugang sa ilang kakugi kay ang probinsiya motabang sa pagpangita ug merkado sa ilang mga produkto lakip na sa pagtransportar niini.

Matud pa ni Governor Rolando Yebes kini maoy rason ngano nga gipahatan ug mas daku nga pundo ang para sa agrikultura sa probinsiya para sa tuig 2009.

Gihulagway sa gobernador sa ZaNorte nga anaa karon sa atong probinsiya ang dakung bintaha komparar sa ubang mga lalawigan diha na produksiyon sa pagkaun para sa dagkung merkado sa Visayas hangtud sa Luzon.

Gihisgutan sa gobernador ang Cebu nga kada adlaw adunay 8 milyones ka katawhan nga manginahanglan ug pagkaun wala pay labut sa pagdagsang sa daghanang mga turista.

Gipasabot ni Governor Yebes nga wala gayuy problema sa merkado sa atong mga produkto sa agrikultura kay ang maong mga lugar nagkinahanglan niini.

Sumala pa sa gobernador kabahin na sa P78 milyones ka pesos para agrikultura sunod tuig ang gamiton para sa paghatud ngadto sa merkado sa mga produkto sa agrikultura sa ZaNorte.

Matud pa sa gobernador maoy gitinguha karon niya nga ang probinsiya mopalit ug truck aron maoy gamiton sa pagtransportar sa nagkadaiyang produkto sa agrikultura sa ZaNorte paingon sa Visayas ug Luzon agi sa nautical highway.

Sumala pa sa gobernador kada distrito iyang butangan ug duha ka truck para kargahan sa rolling cargoes o produkto sa atong mga mag-uuma paingon sa dagkung merkado sa Cebu ug Negros.

dashalvin

November 3rd, 2008, 09:33 AM

First phase sa Siocon hospital andam nang ipailalom sa bidding

Gipahibalo ni Mayor Cesar Soriano nga andam ang ipailawom sa bidding sa DPWH ang first phase sa ipatindog nilang Siocon Hospital.

Matud pa ni Mayor Soriano gikatakda na untang ipailawom sa bidding niadtong Setyembre 30 apan naoktaba tungod kay adunay sa gikinahanglang dokumento.

Ang program of work ug plano tapos nang naapru-bahan lakip na sa deed of donation sa yuta nga maoy tindugan sa maong hospital.

Kini maoy pinaka unang hospital nga gipanag-iyahan sa usa ka lungsod sa tibook Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

Ang pagkonstrak niini, matud pa ni Soriano, himoon sa upat ka hugna diin ang first phase gastuhan sa P5 milyones nga gigahin ni Congressman Cesar Jalosjos sa iyang congressional fund karong tuiga.

Matud pa sa mayor sa Siocon human sa unang hugna sundan kini sa dugang P5 milyones gikan gihapon sa pundo ni Congressman Jalosjos.

Kon mapahiluna na ang P10 milyones nga pundo ni Congressman Jalosjos mosunod niini ang counterpart gikan sa kagamhanang local sa Siocon para sa phase 2 ug ang phase 3 ang pundo magagikan na sa Department of Health.

Ang ilang ipatindog duha ka building sigun sa gihatag nga pagtugot sa DOH ug sa higayon mahingpit ang unang building gitugtan usab sila nga makasugod na sa ilang operasyon samtang padayon nga ipatindog ang ika duhang edipisyo.

Kining tanan, matud pa ni Mayor Soriano gibana-banang mokostar ug P40.6 milyones ka pesos.

Gituhuan ni Soriano nga makasugod gayud sila sa ilang operasyon sa pinaka unang hospital nga gipanag-iyahan sa lungsod sa tibook reheyon sa ulahing bahin sunod tuig sa higayon mahingpit na ang pag-konstrak sa unang building.

Sa kabahin sa kagamhanang probinsiyal sa ZaNorte gibutyag ni Mayor Soriano nga usa ka memorandum of agreement ang gitiman-an niya ug ni Governor Rolando Yebes diin ang probinsiya mikomitir sa paghatag sa gikinahanglang personahe sa hospital sa Siocon lakip na sa medisina.

Samtang ang gihatag ni Governor Yebes nga usa ka milyon ka pesos gigamit na nila sa pagtambak sa lugar diin ipatindog ang Siocon Hospital.

Sanglit secondary level hospital ang ilang gibatunan nga lesensiya kini adunay 35 bed capacity nga mosirbisyo sa mga pasiente gikan sa sikbit nga mga lungsod sama sa Sibuco, Sirawai ug Baliguian.

dashalvin

November 3rd, 2008, 09:36 AM

Gov. Yebes mipadas-og duha ka resolusyon atol sa MSRIM

ADUNAY duha ka mga resolution ang gipadas-og ni Governor Rolando Yebes atol sa Mindanao Super Region Inter-Agency Meeting (MSRIM) didto sa Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. Kini mao ang kabahin sa passenger terminal building sa Dipolog City Airport ug sa PPA.

Gipahayag ni Governor Yebes nga dunay private sector ang mipadayag karon silang interest nga magtukod ug terminal building sulod sa Dipolog City Airport ug maoy modumala. Alang kang Governor Yebes dili problema ang income, ang importanti ang interest sa private sector nga mi-alayon sa gobyerno atubangan sa kawad-on sa pundo sa Department of Transportation and Communication.

Gihimong ehemplo sa gobernador mao ang nahitabo sa Philippine Ports Authority nga adunay mga terminal building gipanag-iyahan ug gidumala sa private sector.

Alang kang Under Secretary Virgilio Leyretana, Chairman sa MEDCO nga kinahanglan subayon kini sa hingtungdang ahensiya ang maong sugyot ni Governor Yebes tungod kay ang tinguha sa private sector maghatag kini ug kahamugaway sa operasyon sa maong pasilidad.

Gihatagan ug gibug-aton ni Governor Yebes nga kung dili man gani ang private sector nga motukod sa maong terminal building interesado niini ang provincial government sa Zamboanga del Norte aron mas mapalambo pa ang atong lalawigan ilabina sa natad sa torismo.

Subay niini, gipadas-og ang resolution nga nagpahibalo sa mga hingtungdang ahensiya sa gobyerno sa pagsubay sa posiblidad nga mag-tugot sa private sector o dili ba local government unit nga makatukod ug maoy modumala sa passenger terminal building sulod sa ilang jurisdiction.

Laing resolution ang gipadas-og sa MEDCO mao ang paghangyo sa PPA ug uban pang hingtungdang ahensiya sa gobyerno sa pagpahibalo sa matag Local Government Unit nga magpahibalo sa panahon kung adunay programa nga ipatuman alang sa expansion ug pagtukod ug bag-ong pantalan sa usa ka lugar. Kini maoy na-umol human nahisgutan ang kahimtang sa mga Puerto dinhi sa Mindanao nga gikahibulong sa mga mayor ug gobernador kabahin sa programa alang sa expansion ug pagpalambo sa ilang matag Puerto nga alang kanila wala silay igong kasayuran sa dagan sa maong programa sa PPA.

Atol sa Mindanao Super Region Inter-Agency Meeting gipahibalo sa taga PPA nga hingpit nang nakonberter karon ang Port Management Office ang pantalan sa Dapitan. Subay niini, adunay gi-proposed nga tulo ka andana nga terminal building apan duha pa una ka andana ang unang ipabarog karon sa PPA.

Malipayon kaayo ug dako si Governor Yebes sa maong kalambuan nga dugay nang gidamgo sa probinsiya nga mahimong PMO ang pantalan sa Dapitan. Ang operasyon sa maong pantalan ang dili na mag-agad sa PPA sa Ozamis City ug Cagayan de Oro City.

dashalvin

November 3rd, 2008, 09:41 AM

3 contractors to bid for ZSC

Gov. Rolando Yebes recently disclosed that there had already been three building contractors who showed interest in the proposed P200M ZaNorte Sports Center.

In a recent interview, he suggested to the bidders to use the P10M worth of posts, which were already constructed during the administration of former Gov. Isagani Amatong for his proposed performing arts Center.

Using the same site, the governor appropriated P100M to start the project by the first quarter of 2009.

The sports complex designed to seat 6,000 people will rise in the old site of the demolished ZN cultural and Sports Center.

However, the identity of the three contractors has not yet been disclosed.

dashalvin

November 3rd, 2008, 09:42 AM

Elected officials banned from casinos

Off limits!

Now that the opening of the casino at Dakak Park and Beach Resort is nearing, Gov. Rolando Yebes reminded all elected public officials that the law strictly prohibits them from the area or any casino area in the country.

The governor disclosed that PAGCOR which manage the casino will strictly impose the ban on the elected officials.

In answer to the fears expressed by several concerned sectors, he called upon the church and other organizations to help him check the presence of these “gambling” officials.

It was learned that a mayor in the 2nd congressional district has already been identified to be visiting Cebu always to play in the casino. The official’s action allegedly crippled the treasury of the municipality.

“I would like to stress that the casino is for tourists, not elected public officials,” the governor said.

dashalvin

November 3rd, 2008, 09:47 AM

BSP urban jamboree opens

The first Boy Scout of the Philippines urban jamboree opened on Thursday, October 23 and will end on October 27 at the ZaNorte Sports Complex and the demolished cultural and sports center.

Provincial Tourism Officer Atty. Ivan Patrick Ang who is also the camp director disclosed that Col. Romulo Bambao, commanding officer of the 101st Infantry Brigade was the guest speaker during its opening day with the brigade showing their Static Display Drill as the opening day highlight.

About 3,500 boy scouts from all areas of the province and the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan attended the camp.

http://http://dipolognon.com/9thZanorteUrbanScoutJamboree103108.JPG
The first Urban Jamboree of the Boy Scout of the Philippines opened last Thursday, October 23 and will end on October 27. Photo shows ZaNorte Government headed by Gov. Roland Yebes in an all out support to the event.

Although the camp was held in the city this time, Asst. Camp Director Sergio Lirasan pointed out there are still survival challenges that the boys have to undergo because this has always been an integral part of BSP training.

Moreover, the assistant director reasoned that the camp held in the city will also provide the boy scouts from far-flung areas a glimpse of city life where they learn to obey traffic rules and regulations and experience some amenities in the city.

Meanwhile, urban jamboree coordinator Roy Garbonera cautioned Dipolognons that the boys would be flocking into the very busy streets of the city this week since he had organized a Jamborace, similar to the Amazing Race popularized on television.

BSP Secretary General Jose Pangilinan has been expected to grace the closing of the jamboree.

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sheenreal

November 4th, 2008, 02:57 AM

http://www.sca-clan.se/home/vBTube.php?do=view&vidid=W5OVi2TlP8w

dashalvin

November 6th, 2008, 10:02 AM

http://www.praise.com.ph/images/houseofpraise.jpg
Your source of Christian Music

New branch
Dipolog
HOP Dipolog Inside Sebio Enterprises, Echaves St, Dipolog City

sheenreal

November 7th, 2008, 04:05 PM

ANDRES BONIFACO COLLEGE (Soon to be a University)

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JOSE RIZAL MEMORIAL STATE COLLEGE

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SAINTS VINCENT'S COLLEGE

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DIPOLOG SCHOOL OF FISHERIES

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DIPOLOG MEDICAL CENTER COLLEGE FOUNDATION

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SAINT MARY'S ACADEMY

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DIPOLOG CITY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

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STI COLLEGE DIPOLOG

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sheenreal

November 7th, 2008, 04:21 PM

ROSE MIDTOWN CINEMA

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ROXY CINEMA

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MAY CINEMA

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sheenreal

November 7th, 2008, 04:31 PM

AT AMANDO BORJA AMATONG CIVIC CENTER DIPOLOG

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sheenreal

November 7th, 2008, 04:42 PM

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sheenreal

November 7th, 2008, 11:32 PM

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taaslangit

November 9th, 2008, 03:52 AM

Sun Star Zamboanga

Sunday, November 09, 2008

DSWD allocates P1.6-M for "Katas ng VAT" program

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office announced that a total of P929,000 or 57 percent of the allocation for the "Katas ng VAT (Value-Added Tax): Tulong Para Kay Lolo at Lola" program has been released to the beneficiaries of the region.

The DSWD said that the region's allocation for the program is P1,625,000.

The funds were taken from the VAT collections of the government.

The beneficiaries who received the P500 cash assistance are from Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte, and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog and Zamboanga.

Entitled to receive the cash grants are senior citizens aged 70 years old and above, with no regular income and monthly pensions.

In Zamboanga City, a total of P481,000 was released last week at the launching of the program wherein 962 senior citizens from the city's 98 villages received the assistance based on the guidelines set by the National Government.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo directed the subsidy grant from the VAT collection to support the elders' special needs. The program is targeting one million senior citizens and it requires a total funding allocation of P500 million. (Bong Garcia)

taaslangit

November 9th, 2008, 04:04 AM

sheenreal

November 9th, 2008, 03:57 PM

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qwert_guy

November 9th, 2008, 11:16 PM

open na tanan levels?

naa cinema?

dashalvin

November 10th, 2008, 05:26 AM

open na tanan levels?

naa cinema?

Wala nay cinema kay daghan kau gusto mosulod pero lease na gyud ang 2nd og 3rd floor. 2 stalls nlang ang available sa ground floor og no RTW's ang pwede magrent did2. Gamay ra man actually ang mall pero ang nakanindot kay ang mga stalls ga nangabang.

G/F
Jollibee
Dunkin Donut (soon to Open)
Chowking (soon to Open)
Mang Inasal
Rose Pharmacy
Big Shots
ML
Acebedo
Globe Tel
Western Union
LBC
2 space for lease

2nd F

Lee Plaza Department Store
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Levi's
Adidas
Nike
Bossini
Sugarfree and Blue
Bench
Penshoppe
Broadway Gems (soon to Open)
RRJ (soon to Open)
3 stalls unknown

3rd F
Lee Plaza Department Store
Metro Shoppers
Netland
Cuttin n Loose
Toy Land
5 or 6 stalls unkown

dashalvin

November 10th, 2008, 05:51 AM

Now Open
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The Sun Shop Express, Dipolog City
Thomas Claudio St.,
Barangay Miputak
Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte

taaslangit

November 10th, 2008, 06:02 AM

GMA Network sets equipment upgrade

By JAMES A. LOYOLA

GMA Network is spending more than P200 million for the purchase of transmitters and other facilities and equipment to improve its signal reach and clarity in key provinces nationwide.

The firm said in a statement that these projects are in full support of its objective of gaining superiority in TV ratings nationwide, after the company has established its lead in TV ratings in viewer-rich Mega Manila as well as in Northern, Central and Southern Luzon.

"We are confident that once we have finished all our signal upgrade projects in the regions, our TV ratings in key regional areas will improve as our superior programs will be better appreciated by viewers nationwide," GMA chairman Felipe Gozon said.

In Bonbon, Cebu City, GMA spent P69.8 million to purchase a new redundant solid-state transmitter for higher on-air availability along with the upgrade of the antenna system. The new transmitter was commissioned on October 6.

Tower reinforcement, on the other hand, is being done and a new antenna system will be acquired for GMA’s originating station in Davao.

Other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao that will undergo upgrades in 2009 for better signal quality and wider reach include Capiz, Leyte, Bohol, Dipolog and Ozamis. The regional stations will be provided with new transmitters, antenna systems, and support equipment.

GMA’s transmitter facilities in Naga, Catanduanes, and Occidental Mindoro will also undergo upgrades next year while TV relay stations in Rizal, Mountain Province, and Isabela will be activated.

The firm posted a 10 percent growth in net income during the first nine months of 2008 to P1.96 billion from the P1.79 billion registered in the same period last year.

GMA said gross revenues recorded for the nine-month period reached an all-time high of P9.4 billion, 6 percent more than the P8.8 billion posted in the same period in 2007.

Airtime revenues from TV and radio went up by 6 percent to P8.8 billion on the back of higher advertising volume as well as a rate hike of about 5 percent to 7 percent in April, said GMA chief operating officer Gilberto Duavit.

Duavit said that while large advertisers, mainly multinationals, had cut down ad spending due to the ongoing global crisis, second tier advertisers readily took up the slack. He noted that second tier advertisers usually pay a higher rate.

He added that they are also reviewing their current rates with an eye towards raising them again early next year. "The rise in our ratings can justify a higher rate considering that advertisers will get to reach more consumers through us," Duavit said. (JAL)

dashalvin

November 10th, 2008, 06:04 AM

Jollibee Gen. Luna is now a 3-story building. Two seven story building already rising and 5 story building almost finish.

taaslangit

November 11th, 2008, 03:41 AM

NFA intensifies palay procurement

Economy
Written by Bong Garcia Jr. / Correspondent
Tuesday, 11 November 2008 00:17

ZAMBOANGA CITY—The National Food Authority (NFA) is strengthening its information campaign to encourage rice farmers to sell their produce to the agency.

NFA Provincial Manager John Robert Hermano disclosed on Monday that not all farmers are informed that the NFA has increased the buying price of palay from P11.70 to P17 a kilogram.

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The NFA raised the buying price for clean and dry palay with 14 percent moisture content and minimum of 95 percent purity to P17 per kilo in April.

Hermano said the campaign is in line with the national government’s aim to purchase 1 million metric tons of palay nationwide this year from farmers as part of the continuing program on food security and sufficiency.

The NFA has so far bought more than 97,000 bags of palay of 50 kilograms each from farmers in the region that is comprised of the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog, Isabela, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

In Zamboanga City, Hermano said the agency has bought 580 bags of palay, 400 of which were purchased on Friday.

“There is an indication that several farmers have not been informed about the increase of the buying price,” Hermano said.

He said there is an indication farmers are still holding on to their produce, as proven by the agency’s purchase of 400 bags in just one day last week.

Aside from the increase, the NFA is also giving cash incentives of P1,800 each to farmers who sell 50 sacks of palay at one time to the agency.

The cash incentive is to help farmers shoulder the expenses for fertilizers and other farm needs.

So far, the NFA has already bought some 330,000 metric tons of palay from farmers nationwide.

The 1 million metric tons the NFA is set to buy is much bigger than last year’s 100,000 metric tons.

To meet the goal, the NFA has deployed additional mobile procurement teams which are specifically tasked to penetrate hard-to-reach and far-flung areas to serve farmers wanting to sell their produce to the agency.

taaslangit

November 11th, 2008, 03:48 AM

ONB eyes new branches

Updated November 11, 2008 12:00 AM
philstar.com

One Network Bank (ONB) is planning another five new branches next year to boost its branch network to 75.

It is also eyeing to break the 100-unit mark in the number of automated teller machines (ATMs) deployed.

“We want to grow with Mindanao and we will continue to expand here,” ONB president Alex V. Buenaventura said, during the formal opening of its relocated Zamboanga branch.

From its original site along Gov. Lim St., the branch was relocated to a newer and bigger site along Saavedra St. in Zamboanga City.

In early 2009, ONB is set to open five more new branches in Gingoog in Misamis Oriental; Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte; Ozamiz City, Surigao City and Dipolog City.
This year, the bank opened new branches in Antipas in North Cotabato; Lagao in General Santos City; Malaybalay City in Bukidnon; Maranding, Lala in Lanao Del Norte, and Kabasalan in Zamboanga Sibugay.

Buenaventura said that they are also studying 35 more sites for new branches to fully saturate Mindanao within the next five years.

ONB presently operates 70 branches and 75 ATMs, making it the largest rural bank in Mindanao.

It is also considered the leader in the country’s rural banking system in terms of equity, income, and size. – Ted Torres

taaslangit

November 11th, 2008, 03:57 AM

Church group exposes malpractices by mining firms in RP

FLORO TAGUINOD, GMANews.TV

Article posted November 08, 2008 - 05:24 PM

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – A church group based in the United Kingdom expressed concern over the alleged practice of powerful foreign companies to employ “manufactured consent" to get away from social and environmental responsibilities in countries where they operate.

In a report titled “Kept in the Dark," the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (Cafod) cited alleged abuses of mining firm BHP Billiton and its local partner Asiaticus Management Corporation (Amcor) which made it appear that they had the support of communities affected by their projects.

“In a country where the survival of many people in power means having the propensity to manufacture lies to cover crimes and doll-up accomplishments to prop up their corporate images, there now is an emerging campaign by very powerful foreign industries to utilize a so-called ‘manufactured consent,’ this time to get away from social and environmental responsibilities," said the report.

Amcor is a relatively unknown Philippine company but is said to be led by some figures reputedly close to Malacañang.

BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest mining company has planned to invest US$ 1.5 to US$3 billion for a nickel mine and processing plant in Macambol, Mati, Davao Oriental.

Macambol is a coastal community located between two protected areas namely Hamiguitan mountain range, which was declared by the national government as a wildlife sanctuary in 2004 and Pujada Bay, declared a protected seascape in 1994.

In 2004-2005, mining permits were granted by the government to seven companies collectively represented by Amcor, and Macambol was included in the permits for areas that can be mined.

The two companies are, however, currently locked in a legal battle, with Amcor alleging that BHP Billiton has committed fraud while the latter alleged that some Amcor officials close to Malacañang tried to extort P200 million more from the UK-based mining firm.

The Cofad report noted that because of the on-going dispute, the mining-affected communities are caught in the middle of the conflict due to divisive tactics that the companies are employing, peculiarly to show which of them has the support of the community.

BHP Billiton claims that more than 7,000 jobs will be available once the project goes full swing. But some community members told Cofad that people are reluctant to speak out against mining for fear that they will lose access to jobs if the mine goes ahead.

Amcor, according to Cafod, claimed that it has community development activities, with a monthly budget of around P150,000, and that they have constructed three schools, supported livelihoods and provided potable water and feeding programs.

Cofad’s 36-page report, which was launched in Davao last Wednesday, exposed alleged business malpractices of BHP Billiton and Amcor, including reports from community members that Amcor has under its payroll leaders who gave their approval to the project.

These allegedly includes the supposed monthly pay-offs to a local tribal chief, who was said to be receiving between P15,000 to P35,000 per month.

Divide and rule

According to Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), BHP Billiton’s methods of divide and conquer, intimidation, bribery and the creation of outright fake authority figures which then give their “blessing" to the mine, are familiar since these have been used in other areas such as in Mt. Canatuan in Zamboanga del Norte, in Oriental Mindoro province and Didipio village in Nueva Vizcaya.

“The mining company blinded the people with the promise of jobs, livelihood and development in order to silence those who are opposed to mining project, “ATM said.

Incompetence at NCIP

Cofad, the development agency of the Catholic Church of England and Wales, also recorded the disappointing behavior of the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), whose revamp is being sought by ATM, “due to its general incompetence."

A confession made to Cofad by a community leader in Macambol revealed that a person named Jun Cabisong of the NCIP offered him 70 percent of P100,000 to be shared between ten other leaders if they will all give their consent to mining through a signed agreement with Amcor, with Cabisong keeping 30 per cent.

The ‘Kept in the Dark" report has provided evidence that there are flaws in the community consent process, bribery by Amcor and government officials, lack of transparency and information sharing to the local people about the project and the potential dangers to the environment and to local livelihoods.

It also made recommendations for the mining firm and the government to conduct a new Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process along with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to respect the rights of all communities affected, to ensure transparency, sufficient information and that no corrupt practices will be involved in the project.

While Cofad acknowledges that modern industrial societies could not function without metals and therefore without mining, it has reminded mining companies like BHP Billiton of their duty to ensure that highest standards are met in all of its projects, by all of its joint venture partners, contractors and suppliers.

Meanwhile, the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center – Kasama sa Kalikasan (LRC-KsK ) has called for the scrapping of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, claiming that it does not serve the interest of the indigenous peoples and rural poor communities. - GMANews.TV

taaslangit

November 11th, 2008, 04:05 AM

DSWD, LGUs present to PGMA MOA on Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program
November 7, 2008 2:46 pm by pna
By Zorayda S. Tecson

MANILA, Nov.7 -– In line with the government’s continuing efforts to fight poverty, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Local Government Units (LGUs)officials on Friday braced themselves, through Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), in the implementation of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program (4Ps).

Fourteen provincial governors and 75 city mayors and municipal mayors joined the DSWD officials in the presentation of their signed MOA to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang, signifying their strong support to the government’s pro-poor program.

The agreement indicates the commitment of the LGUs to provide and deliver health and education services to enable the 4Ps beneficiaries comply with the conditions of the program.

The 4PS is a flagship project of the Arroyo administration in reducing poverty through investment in human capital and is being implemented by the DSWD.

It provides cash transfers to extremely poor households as long as they comply with certain conditions requiring members of their families to meet certain human development goals.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said the program aims to address the poor and most vulnerable sectors of the society.

“This is part of the continuing effort of the President to address poverty by providing the poor and vulnerable sectors with some kind of assistance, especially at the times of economic crisis,” Dureza said.

Under the program, a household-beneficiary can receive as much as P1,400 for a maximum of three children that includes P500 per month for nutrition and health expenses and P300 per month per child maximum of three children per household for educational expenses.

Household-beneficiaries must comply with certain conditions to continue receiving the cash grants. The conditions include parents ensuring that their children attend the school at least 85 percent of the time, and receive vaccinations and health care.

Pregnant women, on the other hand, must receive pre-and post-natal care and be attended during childbirth by a skilled health professional. Parents must also attend responsible parenthood seminars, mothers’ classes and parent effectiveness seminars.

The 4Ps is patterned after the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Programs in Latin America and Africa which has been proven successful as a poverty reduction measure. It has been cited as one of the key factors behind the positive socio-economic outcomes achieved by Brazil where 11 million families are currently enrolled in the program.

A total of 320,000 households will be benefiting from the program. The 160,000 target households come from the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Apayao, Northern Samar, Misamis Occidental, Agusan del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Surigao del Norte, Masbate, Abra, Oriental Mindoro and the highly urbanized cities of Pasay and Caloocan.

They include 6,000 households from the pilot areas of Esperanza and Sibagat in Agusan del Sur, Lopez-Jaena and Bonifacio in Misamis Occidental, and Pasay and Caloocan cities.

The other 160,000 target households come from the provinces of Saranggani, Negros Occidental, Antique, Davao Oriental, Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Isabela, Occidental Mindoro, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Lanao del Norte, and the cities of Manila, Pasig, Quezon, Navotas, Taguig, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Baguio will be benefiting from the program. (PNA)

taaslangit

November 11th, 2008, 04:14 AM

Conflict areas in Mindanao remain low in literacy ratings

By abraham_baladad
Created 11/05/2008 - 22:21

Conflict areas in Mindanao remain low in literacy ratings [1]

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

By DYBORRHAE JEWEL MENDOZA REYES, ABS-CBN Zamboanga | 11/05/2008 10:21 PM

Printer-friendly version [2] | Send to friend [3]

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Continued conflict, poverty and illnesses, these are among the main factors identified affecting literacy in areas in Mindanao that scored low in a literacy survey rating.

Showing the result of 2003 Literacy Survey Ratings conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC), in a press conference in Zamboanga City Wednesday, said that conflict areas in Mindanao remain consistently at the bottom among all of the country’s regions.

Norma Salcedo, LCC secretariat head, said the NSO studies in 1999 and 2003 showed Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Mindanao and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao scored only 88.9%, 87.0%, and 70.0% respectively for literacy ratings.

Salcedo said the ratings were far from the 99% rating of National Capital Region which topped the survey having the most number of literates.

LCC defined literacy as the ability to read and write, with understanding a simple message in any language or dialect.

Councilor Leonor Alberto of Roxas town in Zamboanga del Norte said that the low ratings are due to continued conflict, poverty and illnesses in the areas. He said these are only few of the reasons why some regions, such as what was presented in the survey, continue to remain at the bottom.

She said these are also the reasons why there is difficulty in encouraging residents especially those residing in the hinterlands to be taught how to read, write or count.

LCC meanwhile gave Leonor a citation for involving the local government unit in teaching a group of Subanons to read and write.

LCC said it has also drafted a module for an Alternative Learning Program so that education can be more accessible to the poor and encourage those who think learning will only waste their time.

Salcedo said LCC has a mobile library and mobile classes are conducted all over the country.

as of 11/05/2008 10:22 PM

taaslangit

November 11th, 2008, 04:20 AM

PIA Press Release
2008/11/04

Zambo Norte rice farmers urged to adopt synchronized rice planting

Dipolog City (4 November) -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Zamboanga del Norte recently advised all rice farmers in the province to adopt the synchronized rice planting method to combat the deadly rice disease called tungro.

Provincial Supervising Agriculturist Maybel Bustaliño appealed for the help of all barangay captains in the affected barangays in the province to have the rice farmers observe a synchronized cropping schedule.

She stressed that there should be a time gap between harvest and planting to prevent the tungro virus to perpetuate.

"We cannot prevent the virus to spread; it has no cure at the moment," Bustaliño stressed.

Bustaliño hoped that the barangays could pass an ordinance outlining the planting time in their respective areas.

"Although a synchronized farming entails a little sacrifice on the part of the farmers, it must be observed to effect bountiful harvest," Bustaliño explained. (PF/PIA-ZN) [top]

taaslangit

November 11th, 2008, 11:52 PM

WOW 3,200% INCREASE.

=====================================

PIA Press Release
2008/11/11

Increase in traffic volume of nautical highway noted in Dapitan

Dipolog City (11 November) -- Port Manager Atty. Roger Asprer of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) in Dapitan City has reported that the Strong Republic Nautical Highway of Pulauan port recorded an increase of 3,200 percent in the volume of passengers and vehicles going in and out of the province.

According to Asprer, the traffic volume kept increasing each year since the opening of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway at Pulauan port in Dapitan in 2004.

Elated over the report of the PPA on the increase in volume of passengers and vehicles using the nautical highway, Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Tourism, Officer Atty. Ivan Patrick Ang said, "it is an indication that tourist arrivals in the province including the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan have also increased.

Ang also expressed optimism that tourism industry in the province would further flourish with the help of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

It can be recalled that during the first term of Zamboanga del Norte Governor Rolando E. Yebes, he sought the transfer of the DOT-IX regional office from Zamboanga City to Dapitan City, where the famous Dakak Park and Beach Resort is.

Yebes is now in his second term as governor of the province.

For this year, the province has become host to a series of national and regional conventions by the different groups because of its favorable peace and order situation. The Philippine Jaycees held its national convention here last month with more than 1,500 delegates attending.

Aside from being the most peaceful province in the region, tourists get attracted to the beautiful spots and beaches around the province more particularly in Dapitan where the national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal was exiled for four years.

Living memories of the national hero during his stay in Dapitan like his house, clinics, irrigation system and others can the visitors see, as these stood more than a century ago. (PIA-ZN) [top]

taaslangit

November 11th, 2008, 11:54 PM

PIA Press Release
2008/11/11

Investors eye Aliguay island in Dapitan

Dipolog City (11 November) -- Lured to its pristine beaches and clear waters, Aliguay island of Dapitan City is now starting to attract potential investors.

Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) chairman Atty. Alan Ranillo disclosed that after he had put up his own beach resort on the island, some businessmen also came to invest on beach resorts.

"Even former congressman Romeo Jalosjos is also planning to put up his own beach resort on the island," said Ranillo.

The former congressman is the owner of world-class Dakak Park and Beach Resort in Dapitan City.

The Zamboanga del Norte government, on the other hand, is strongly promoting Aliguay island as one of the tourist destinations in the province.

The provincial government also noted that economic activities on the island had perked up with the coming of local and foreign tourists.

Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Tourism Officer Atty. Ivan Patrick Ang also noted a change wrought in the local folks more particularly in dealing with their guests.

Aliguay island lies on the waters of Dapitan City, just a few miles from Siquijor island on the north. (PF/PIA-ZN) [top]

taaslangit

November 12th, 2008, 12:03 AM

Mindanao, Palawan ecotourism sites up for promotion
Economy

Written by Bong Garcia Jr. / Correspondent
Tuesday, 11 November 2008 23:05

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Tourism stakeholders from Mindanao and Palawan have identified key ecotourism destinations in a bid to intensify promotions in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga).

The destinations are Agusan Marsh, Dapitan City, Mount Apo, Lake Sebu and Lake Lanao, as well as the islands of Malawi, Camiguin and Samal in the Davao Gulf for Mindanao.

In Palawan, the identified ecotourism destinations are the Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake in Coron Island.

In a recent forum held in Cagayan de Oro City, the stakeholders plan to create a network of ecotourism sites in Mindanao and Palawan, which will be representative of the key ecotourism destinations in the area as part of the overall BIMP-Eaga ecotourism network.

The Philippines aims to highlight the identified sites during the BIMP-Eaga Community Based Ecotourism Conference to be held in Manado, Indonesia, this month.

The forum workshop aims to contribute to the formulation of the ecotourism road map for the BIMP-Eaga and to highlight the important role of ecotourism as a tool for poverty alleviation.

Asian Development Bank ecotourism consultant Narzalina Lim said the Philippines and the BIMP-Eaga want to develop a kind of ecotourism that involves local grassroots communities “so they are part of the development and benefit from it.”

Lim said there should be capacity-building for the local community to equip them with skills in running small businesses like food, “homestays” and other ecotourism-related businesses.

She added stakeholders must identify projects that are attractive and “have an iconic appeal” to tourist markets, and that access to destination has to be improved.

The forum participants also discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the ecotourism resources in terms of destinations, infrastructure, funding and human resources; and activities in terms of product development, planning, marketing, training and networking in the Mindanao regions, including Palawan.

The opportunities and threats in the regions in terms of trends, markets, events, investments, funding and technology were also discussed.

Lim said the criteria for ecotourism are green standards for sustainability, respect for communities, social responsibility, economic sustainability, education and the importance of monitoring and evaluation.

It was emphasized in the workshop that the BIMP-Eaga has a strong potential to be an ecotourism destination given its tourism resources.

The Mulu Caves in Sarawak, Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Tubataha Reefs and the Saint Paul Subterranean River of Palawan are four BIMP-Eaga sites listed on the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization World Heritage List

taaslangit

November 12th, 2008, 12:17 AM

Mindanao, Palawan Ecotourism Sites Indentified For Promotion In EAGA

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- With the global potential of ecotourism on the rise, representatives and players from the tourism sector in Mindanao and Palawan, have identified key ecotourism destinations on both islands.

This was done at a forum held in Cagayan De Oro, Mindanao, recently in a bid to intensify tourism promotions in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

The areas identified include Malawi Island and Dapitan for the Zamboanga peninsula, Camiguin Island, Davao Gulf and Samal Island, Lake Sebu and Mount Apo, Agusan Marsh for Caraga and Lake Lanao in Mindanao.

A statement issued by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo), here, said the Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake found on the Coron Islands were the ecotourism sites identified for Palawan.

Mount Kinabalu of Sabah -- the highest peak in South East Asia --, the Mulu Caves of Sarawak, Tubataha Reefs and the St. Paul Subterranean River of Palawan are four BIMP-EAGA sites listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Participants at the forum planned to create a network of ecotourism sites in Mindanao and Palawan to be representative of the key ecotourism destinations in the area as part of the overall BIMP-EAGA ecotourism network.

The Philippines aims to highlight these sites during the BIMP-EAGA community based ecotourism conference to be held in Manado, Indonesia this November.

The Philippine-EAGA forum aims to contribute to the formulation of a ecotourism roadmap for the BIMP-EAGA.It will also highlight the importance of ecotourism as a tool for poverty alleviation.

"What the Philippines and BIMP-EAGA want to develop is an ecotourism that involves the local, grassroots communities so that they are part of the development and benefit from it," said Narzalina Lim, the Asian Development Bank Consultant on ecotourism.

She said that there should be capacity building for the local community to equip them with skills in running small businesses like food, homestay programmes and other ecotourism related businesses.

She added that stakeholders must identify projects that are attractive and "have an iconic appeal" to tourist markets with access to the destinations being improved.

The forum participants also discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the ecotourism resources in terms of destinations, infrastructure, funding and human resources as well as activities in terms of product development, planning, marketing, training and networking in the Mindanao regions including Palawan.

Around 109 stakeholders from the private sector, government and non-governmental organisations attended the forum.

-- BERNAMA

dashalvin

November 12th, 2008, 08:05 AM

Good news, according to the radio news here in the city. Gaisano will invest at the same site in Thomas Claudio Extnsn back of Justice Hall.

d_jeb

November 12th, 2008, 01:45 PM

unsa mga upcoming projects dha aside sa malls???

d_jeb

November 13th, 2008, 06:40 AM

mag unsa man nang daghan malls pero walay trabaho ang mga tawo.

taaslangit

November 14th, 2008, 03:57 AM

PIA Daily News Reader

PIA Press Release
2008/11/12

Dipolog organizes consumer watch group

By Franklin P. Gumapon

Dipolog City (12 November) -- To help promote and protect the rights of the consumers, a consumer watch group was organized here recently in a meeting called by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Consumer Welfare, Business and Regulatory Division (CWBRD) chief Julius C. Salaveria of the local DTI office bared that the newly formed consumer watch group is composed of individuals coming from the different sectors in the community like the academe, the youth, the students, agriculture, local government units and others.

Elected chairman of said group was Gerardo R. Barrica of Zamboanga del Norte Environment Conservation Society. Solomon Morandarte of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was chosen as vice chairman. Cherry Trani and Evangeline Sison from the private sectors were elected secretary and treasurer, respectively.

Marrieta Gonzales, a college professor, was elected auditor, and the PIO was Rosalita Dofredo-Elia, a broadcaster.

The members of the board of trustees were Hannah Gae F. Sorronda of the youth sector, Carrie Nizva Refugio of the student sector, Josephine Leyson of the women sector, Ibrahim Hussin of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) sector, Moman P. Apura Sr., a barangay leader, and Jose Larry Padilla of the local government unit of Dipolog.

Immediately after the group was organized, oath-taking rites ensued with Atty. Jaime Olmos, executive director of the National Consumer Affairs Council (NCAC) and assistant director of DTI's Bureau of Regulation and Consumer Protection, as inducting officer.

Olmos also urged the group to help monitor products sold in the market not conforming to Philippine national standards. (PIA-ZN) [top

taaslangit

November 14th, 2008, 04:41 AM

TVI inks trading deal for copper concentrates
Companies

Written by Jonathan Mayuga / Correspondent
Wednesday, 12 November 2008 20:14

TVI Resource Development (Philippines) Inc. (TVIRD) has inked a five-year off-take agreement with global trading house MRI Trading AG of Switzerland for the exclusive sale of its copper concentrates that will be produced by its soon-to-start sulphide project at its Canatuan mine.

Under the agreement, MRI Trading has agreed to purchase the entire copper concentrates output from the Canatuan mine after TVIRD agreed to sell exclusively to the Switzerland-based company.

MRI Trading is a top-tier trader of concentrates and other nonferrous raw materials. It is part of the MRI Group of companies, a leading investment and trading group in the commodities arena. The group has a global presence through its offices in Beijing and Shanghai, Santiago do Chile, Lubumbashi, Johannesburg, New Delhi and Brisbane.

The development of the sulphide project at the Canatuan prospect in Zamboanga del Norte is nearing completion and startup of mining and processing activities is scheduled in mid-November.
“We are pleased to have signed an agreement with MRI Trading, one of the most active international metals trading houses, as our off-take partner for copper concentrates produced at Canatuan, “ said Cliff James, president and chief executive officer of TVI, said.

“This off-take arrangement marks a significant milestone for the company as we are within days of the scheduled startup of the second phase of operations at the Canatuan mine.”

The off-take agreement with MRI Trading also provides for payments to TVIRD on account of silver and gold, to the extent that nontrivial amounts of such metals are included in the copper concentrates purchased by MRI Trading.

Copper concentrates produced in Canatuan are scheduled to be available for shipment in early 2009, according to TVIRD.

The current transportation plans involve the trucking of copper concentrates approximately 30 kilometers from the minesite to the Santa Maria port. The off-take agreement also provides that concentrates be shipped from that port by MRI Trading in lots of approximately 5,000 tons. TVIRD intends to construct a purpose-built warehouse at the port to store and handle the concentrates for eventual export.

Last week, TVIRD, a subsidiary of the Canadian mining firm TVI Pacific Inc, announced that LIM Asia Special Situations Master Fund Ltd. Provided $2 million in additional bridge loan funds to TVIRD, allowing the continued construction of the company’s sulphide project.

An amendment agreement to the omnibus loan and security agreement, originally signed with LIM Asia Arbitrage Fund Inc., now LIM Asia Multi-Strategy Fund Inc. and LIM Asia Special Situations Master Fund Ltd. on March 11, 2008, the loan agreement provided for up to an additional $5 million in bridge financing of which $3 million was transferred on October 15, 2008.

The remaining $2 million was made available by the LIM Asia Special Situations Master Fund Ltd. on November 7, 2008, as the fund elected to take up the full $5 million of the said loan.

taaslangit

November 14th, 2008, 05:17 AM

Arsenic Poisoning Due to Mining

Arsenic is a ubiquitous element found in theatmosphere, soils and rocks, natural waters andorganisms. It is mobilised in the environmentthrough a combination of natural processes such asweathering reactions, biological activity and volcanicemissions as well as through a range of humanactivities, including mining, industry and agriculturaluse of arsenical pesticides. Of the various sources ofarsenic in the environment, drinking water probablyposes the greatest threat to human health.Arsenic has long been recognised as a toxin andcarcinogen. Long-term ingestion of high concentrations from drinking water can potentiallygive rise to a number of health problems,particularly skin disorders, of which the mostcommon are pigmentation changes (dark/light skinspots) and keratosis (warty nodules, usually on thepalms and feet). Additional symptoms include othermore serious dermatological problems (e.g. skin cancer and Bowen’s disease), cardiovascular(black foot disease, Raynaud’s syndrome,hypertension, gangrene), neurological, respiratoryand hepatic diseases as well as diabetes mellitus.Such symptoms have been well-documented in areas of known groundwater contamination such as Bangladesh, West Bengal, Taiwan, northern China,Mexico, Chile and Argentina.A number of internal cancers have also been linkedwith As in drinking water, particularly lung, bladder,liver, prostate and kidney cancer (e.g. Smith et al.,1992; 1998). Much research is being carried out toassess the risks of such cancers at the levels of the drinking-water standards. Clinical symptoms of Aspoisoning and their relative prevalence seem to varybetween affected regions and there is no clear agreement on the definition of As poisoning.

dashalvin

November 14th, 2008, 11:05 AM

unsa mga upcoming projects dha aside sa malls???

*P289 million City Sports Complex
*P200+ million Zanorte Cultural Center
*P700 million Dipolog Airport Expansion and construction of new terminal, P150 million already used.
*Purchase of MRI and CT Scan machines to make ZANORTE Medical Center tertiary level.
*Development of Aliguay Island as a tourist destination
*Dipolog feeder port (waiting for PPA funds)
*Dapitan port expansion and constuction of passenger terminal building(waiting for PPA funds)
*3rd district coastal road cementing and asphalt overlay.

P1.2 billion ang ipass ga budget sa province while P600 million ang sa city.

dashalvin

November 14th, 2008, 11:08 AM

Soon to open Imperial Appliance Plaza

d_jeb

November 14th, 2008, 12:24 PM

*P289 million City Sports Complex
*P200+ million Zanorte Cultural Center
*P700 million Dipolog Airport Expansion and construction of new terminal, P150 million already used.
*Purchase of MRI and CT Scan machines to make ZANORTE Medical Center tertiary level.
*Development of Aliguay Island as a tourist destination
*Dipolog feeder port (waiting for PPA funds)
*Dapitan port expansion and constuction of passenger terminal building(waiting for PPA funds)
*3rd district coastal road cementing and asphalt overlay.

P1.2 billion ang ipass ga budget sa province while P600 million ang sa city.

New projects are good for ZDN pepz... congrats!

qwert_guy

November 15th, 2008, 11:20 AM

kamusta na ang 7 storey construction malapit sa city hall?
pic update pls

sheenreal

November 15th, 2008, 12:02 PM

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00291.jpg

qwert_guy

November 15th, 2008, 12:12 PM

grabe ka taas na kaayo inyo boulevard? pila na ni ka Km?

m1k3

November 16th, 2008, 03:01 AM

kanindot sa inyong boulevard. sad to say walay ingon ani ang gensan kay tungod sa illegal occupation sa isa ka mosque.

taaslangit

November 16th, 2008, 05:10 PM

The development of the sulphide project at the Canatuan prospect in The development of the sulphide project at the Canatuan prospect in Zamboanga del Norte is nearing completion and startup of mining and processing activities is scheduled in mid-November.
“We are pleased to have signed an agreement with MRI Trading, one of the most active international metals trading houses, as our off-take partner for copper concentrates produced at Canatuan, “ said Cliff James, president and chief executive officer of TVI, said.

Can This be a disaster to ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE? It happened in RAPU-RAPU, ALBAY.

Calls to stop the Australian-owned Lafayette Polymetallic Mining Project in Rapu-Rapu island, Albay have grown stronger as thousands of residents are going hungry and even sick after a recent fish kill hit barangays (villages) located near its mining site.

Frances Quimpo, Executive Director of the non-government organization (NGO) Center for Environmental Concerns-Philippines (CEC-Phils) this week said that hunger is already "gripping the conservatively estimated 10,000 people" in Rapu-Rapu island, while local organizations have started reporting cases of poisoning among residents who have eaten seafood caught in the wake of the fish kills. Rapu-rapu is a 4th-class municipality with 5,591 households in 34 barangays.

Unusually large numbers of dead or dying marine species were seen in the surrounding waters of least five barangays after heavy rains hit Rapu-Rapu from Oct. 26 to 27 last month. The fish kills were first observed by residents in the waters near areas affected by Lafayette's mining operations, including Pagcolbon and Malobago villages, said Clemente Bautista Jr., National Coordinator of Kalikasan People's Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE), citing reports from Albay-based organizations Umalpas Ka, Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance (SARA) and Sagip Isla Sagip Kapwa Inc. (SISK). By Oct. 28, the fish kills had reached as far as the pier area of Barangay Poblacion, affecting five (5) barangays in the island.

Food relief sought

Environmental organizations are raising the alarm over the rising incidence of hunger among Rapu-Rapu communities hit by the fish kills and are currently soliciting support for food relief operations.
The municipal council of Poblacion last week warned residents not to eat or catch fish in areas reached by the fish kill.

"The residents of Rapu-Rapu can no longer derive food from their sea because of contamination. Widespread hunger is felt in the island," said Engr. Jun Perdigon of the Save Rapu-Rapu Alliance (SARA).

"Hunger is now gripping the conservatively estimated 10,000 people in the island of Rapu-Rapu, who are still reeling from the impacts of the 2005 fish kills attributed to Lafayette Philippines' mining operations and the Typhoon Reming in 2006," CEC-Phils' Quimpo said in statement.

"We are calling for immediate relief to our hapless friends in Rapu-Rapu, who remain struggling for survival amid impacts of mining and continuous denial of truth, peace and justice. The people are in dire need of food support as they try to find alternative means of livelihood and address the cause of their aggravated situation," Quimpo continued.

Poisoning cases reported

Kalikasan PNE's Bautista called for an investigation into the rising incidence of illnesses among Rapu-Rapu residents which were suspected to be caused by seafood from the fish kill.

Reports from Mr. Antonio Casitas of SISK, a community organization based in Rapu-Rapu and advocating for the pull-out of Lafayette Mining in the island, said that Lito Mori, 28 years old and Carlo Balmaceda, 15 years old, from the mining-affected Malobago village in Rapu-Rapu were hospitalized this week after eating fish caught in their area.

Casitas said that last Oct. 31, Peping Baluncio, a resident of Purok 5, Poblacion, was also rushed to the hospital after experiencing stomach pains and recurrent vomiting after eating fish in the area. Also on Oct.er 31, three children from the Balben family were brought to the hospital for repeated vomiting after eating shellfish.

SISK is currently tallying the number of residents who have sought medication for poisoning-related illnesses and ailments after the fish kill incident on October 28, Casitas said.

"The incidence of possible seafood poisoning must not be taken lightly. These cases only shed more doubt on Lafayette's claims that no fish kill had occurred in the villages near their mining site," Bautista said.

jhunix

November 16th, 2008, 09:12 PM

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00291.jpg

where are the trees? di din nice ang pagkalagay sa lamp post...:ohno:

m1k3

November 17th, 2008, 03:21 AM

wala lay mga shades. init kaau ni kung buntag.. hapon ra ni tambayanan./.

zoroethgenre_003

November 18th, 2008, 02:35 PM

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00291.jpg

napaka simple naman ng lamp posts..for the sake na meron lang man yan..

sheenreal

November 19th, 2008, 03:40 AM

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00527.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k69/sheenreal/DSC00529.jpg

dashalvin

November 19th, 2008, 06:34 AM

Now open Isuzu Motors Sales Center at Sicayab National Highway
Soon to open DCC Motor Sales (KIA Sales Center)at Turno National Highway
Chevy Center dealer of Isuzu, Toyota, Chevrolet, Kia and Hyundai
Nagkadaghan na gyud ang namaligya og car dire a city, TOYOTA Sales Center na lang ang kulang.

cant_tnac

November 19th, 2008, 08:05 AM

^^^wat tym na gi-take ang pic sa lee?..wara lage wala tao...?

cyberwizard

November 19th, 2008, 08:27 AM

^^^wat tym na gi-take ang pic sa lee?..wara lage wala tao...?

i guess this about 2pm..:lol::lol:

dashalvin

November 19th, 2008, 09:02 AM

napaka simple naman ng lamp posts..for the sake na meron lang man yan..

Ok ra na kay di paman priority sa city ang lights kay mocost siyag dako kayo. Importante ga nadevelop na ang bay area then soon padulong na sa feeder port in Galas and development. Soon na daun ang pagbutang og global lights. Gilakaw nako ni sa dinha grabe na gyud kataas.

dashalvin

November 19th, 2008, 09:13 AM

Jollibee Lee Plaza
Jollibee opening with the guest of honor Gov. Rolando E. Yebes
http://www.dipolognon.com/JollibbeeLeePlazaOpens111008.jpg

cyberwizard

November 19th, 2008, 09:16 AM

jollibee 2nd branch na noh?..

GearX

November 19th, 2008, 10:21 AM

22 more posts and it would be Thread 2....^^

qwert_guy

November 19th, 2008, 02:08 PM

^^hahay makuhaan na pud ni ako # of posts ani...:bash:

taaslangit

November 20th, 2008, 01:45 AM

Global Economic Slowdown Hurts Migrant Workers

By Pros Laput
New York, Hong Kong, Philippines
18 November 2008

http://www.voanews.com/english/figleaf/mp3filegenerate.cfm?filepath=http://www.voanews.com/mediaassets/english/2008_11/Audio/Mp3/BKG Dawson Global Crisis Asia Remittanced 111808rw.Mp3

http://www.voanews.com/english/figleaf/wmafilegenerate.cfm?filepath=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Evoanews%2Ecom%2Fmediaassets%2Fenglish%2F2008%5F11%2FVideo%2Fwmv%2FGlobalCrisisAsiaRemit%2Dvb%2EwmvVideo: Global Crisis Asia's Remittances report - Watch (WM)

While much of the news about the global financial crisis has focused on failed Wall Street banks, migrant workers and their families around the world are starting to feel the pain of slower economic growth. Pros Laput traces how the crisis affects Filipino migrants overseas and their families back home. He visited New York, Hong Kong and the Philippines and compiled this report, narrated by Kate Pound Dawson.

The U.S. economy is suffering its worst crisis since the 1930s. What began as a slump in the housing market has exploded into a global credit crisis.

Unemployment in the United States is at a 14-year high and is expected to worsen. This is bad news for the millions of immigrants in the United States, particularly those who send money to their families in their home countries.

In Woodside, Queens, the heart of the Filipino community in New York, everyone is worried, because the state of the economy here has repercussions back home.

http://www.voanews.com/english/images/EdilynRecibe_tv_18nov08_190.jpg

Edilyn Recibe
Edilyn Recibe, who has lived in New York for 10 years, has cut back on the money she sends to her family in the Philippines.

Recibe says that if you lose your job here, it's a big problem.

Her relatives back home are worried, because they see news reports about the weak U.S. economy.

http://www.voanews.com/english/images/US-Economy---issue-is-money_4.jpg

Recibe says her sister told her to keep her money because she heard from the news that many people in America are losing their jobs.

As Americans cut spending, demand for Asian exports slows down, which means Asian economies slow down. And in banking centers such as Hong Kong, the credit crunch and the collapse of several international banks causes extra pain.

More than 130,000 Filipinos live in Hong Kong, most of them employed as domestic workers.

http://www.voanews.com/english/images/AbedeRamos_tv_18nov08_190.jpg
Abe de Ramos
Abe de Ramos is a financial analyst in the city.

"We have already seen some unemployment in the financial sector and in the trading sector," Ramos said. "With greater unemployment within these households, they would have lesser capacity to hire (a) domestic worker."

Filipino workers around the world sent more than $14 billion to the Philippines in 2007 - equal to 13 percent of the gross domestic product. So, lower remittances will hurt the economy.

In Dapitan, a small city in the southern Philippines, remittances helped jump-start the local construction industry.

http://www.voanews.com/english/images/AliceBalladares_tv_18nov08_.jpg
Alice Balladares
Alice Balladares has a new two-story concrete house with a garage, built with money sent by her daughter in the Middle East.

Like many, she faces two problems: increasing costs because of inflation, and shrinking remittances because the U.S. dollar buys fewer Philippine pesos.

Balladares says, yes, the family has a beautiful house but the problem is meeting their daily needs.
Like many around the world who depend on remittances, she has had to cut down on spending.

But Raymond Regner, whose company handles money transfers to the Philippines in New York, says remittances may not slow significantly because Filipinos have a strong sense of responsibility toward their families.

http://www.voanews.com/english/images/RaymondRegner_tv_18nov08_19.jpg
Raymond Regner
Regner says that no matter what happens, a Filipino will send money, even if there's nothing left for himself. He says they send money because people rely on them.

But many families in the Philippines are not so confident that they, and their relatives overseas, will escape the effects of the weakening economy.

m1k3

November 20th, 2008, 04:02 AM

Jollibee Lee Plaza
Jollibee opening with the guest of honor Gov. Rolando E. Yebes
http://www.dipolognon.com/JollibbeeLeePlazaOpens111008.jpg

kakaiba ilang uniform. karon pa ko kita ingon ani nga uniform sa branch sa jollibee.

dashalvin

November 20th, 2008, 04:17 AM

jollibee 2nd branch na noh?..

Yap 2nd branch na and the 1st have just been expanded into 3 story building.

dashalvin

November 20th, 2008, 04:19 AM

Sheenreal, can you post the picture of the proposed lot of Gaisano? If bilhin nila ang whole lot sa likod ng bulwagan aabot ito ng sobra 3 hectares.

taaslangit

November 21st, 2008, 04:21 AM

PIA Press Release
2008/11/20

USAID eyes Zambo Norte healthcare
Dipolog City (20 November) -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) recently expressed interest to help the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte in its campaign against malaria, tuberculosis, avian influenza or commonly known as bird flu and other diseases.

Presently the agency has already extended assistance against malaria and bird flu.

Zamboanga del Norte Rolando Yebes disclosed that the USAID had also shown interest in LANDO BIBO, the province's program for indigents.

It was learned that USAID had already supported a number of programs of the Department of Health (DOH) which include skills training for health and hospital personnel.

Another program dubbed as Formula One, which covers infant and maternal healthcare, reproductive health, expanded immunization, anti-TB, nutrition, hospital upgrading and others, is also getting support from USAID.

USAID is also giving support to health governance program for health-related concerns which are being implemented by the different non-government organizations.

Moreover, the provincial governor also disclosed that the American agency supported the Provincial Investment Plan for Health, funded the upgrading of the Sindangan District Hospital in Sindangan town amounting to P6.5 million. Another P35 million was also pledged by the USAID to help out the different hospitals in the province. (PF/PIA-ZN)

taaslangit

November 21st, 2008, 05:21 AM

PIA Press Release
2008/11/18

RORO hi-way ferry system spurs inter-island farm trade - PGMA

ICC Iligan City (18 November) -- The roll-on roll-of (RORO) highway and ferry system has spurred inter-island farm trade by improving the distribution of basic goods, reducing travel time and transportation costs and promoting domestic tourism.

Thus reported Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her recent visit in Lanao del Norte to pay homage and respect for the place where she spent part of her childhood at the Timoga Cold Springs in Barangay Buruun, Iligan City.

The President flew in directly to the province from her trip to New York where she addressed the UN General Assembly on the Promotion of Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, upon invitation of the King of Saudi Arabia.

She said the RORO Ports System is an intricate network of "improved" roads and ports in various regions which bridge the country's three main islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Through the system, the delivery of basic goods and farm produce, such as, vegetables and livestock is made more easy, economical and efficient as travel time to and from destinations, as well, as transportation costs are considerably reduced.

In the Western Nautical Highway, travel time from Mindanao to Luzon, the President said, which would take 36 hours has now been reduced to 24 hours only and the freight cost lowered to 30%.

Thus, the transportation cost of a 10-wheeler cargo truck at P32,000 per trip from Dapitan City to Batangas has now also been reduced to only P11,000 per trip, the President further said.

Meanwhile, Pres. arroyo has underscored the improvement of bridges and air ports in Mindanao for the products of the island to reach other destinations, both domestic and foreign.

Thus, she said the Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental is under construction, the Zamboanga Airport has been re-painted while the rehabilitation of the Ozamiz Airport had already completed.

"We also have solar power plant in Cagayan de Oro and the new 200 megawatt local power plant inside the PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority at the PIE-MO in Tagoloan, Mis. Or.," the President said.

"These projects are helping in the improvement of the agri-business in Mindanao and will give higher income to the farmers, improve the business and can create more jobs," she said. (EOR/PIA 10

qwert_guy

November 21st, 2008, 01:45 PM

Yap 2nd branch na and the 1st have just been expanded into 3 story building.

aw good kay nag expand ang 1st branch... perte ra man gud to kagamay sa ila lugar...

dashalvin

November 22nd, 2008, 05:12 AM

April 15, 2004

BANKING GROUP DECLARES DIPOLOG ECONOMY STATUS ACTIVE

Lately, the economic activity of Dipolog City has become brisk as evidenced by the fast money circulation in the locality. This, too is an indication that income status here is healthy.

This was the observation issued by the city’s bankers group of local banking activities have become more active as observed.

The local bankers’ statement belies what pessimists, especially local opposition candidates portrayed as negative business atmosphere here.

Instead of what they said as business operators shying away, the opposite is true. Statistics from local records show that present entry of new businesses has gone up to 140 compared to previous years making Dipolog now busily business.

Two big companies are Lee Plaza and Gaisano. Lee Plaza is set to open sometime by May in time for the city fiesta. While it is not true that Gaisano is getting out but only waiting for settlement of a case involving the area the company proposed to occupy.

It was learned that these two big companies made a comparison of the potentials of three cities hereabout for their opening of new branches: Ozamiz, Pagadian and Dipolog. They finally opted for Dipolog after observing fast money circulation here lately.

Statistics of local banking communities are usually made as gauge by big capitalists.

Karon pa jud nahuman ang kaso ani after 4 years. Hinay gyud ang usad sa kaso sa ato nasud.

taaslangit

November 22nd, 2008, 04:22 PM

SC issues final ruling that MoA-AD is unconstitutional

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Supreme Court (SC) has declared final its ruling that the Memorandum of Agreement on the Ancestral Domain (MoA- AD) of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Tripoli Agreement on Peace of 2001 is contrary to law and the Constitution.

In a one-page full court resolution, the SC said:

"Acting on the motions for reconsideration of the decision dated Oct. 14, 2008, the court resolved to deny with finality the said motions, as the basic issues raised therein have been passed upon by this court and no substantial arguments were presented to warrant the reversal of the questioned decision."

The resolution denied the motions for reconsideration filed by the Muslim Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc., the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, and the Bangsamoro Women Solidarity Forum, Inc.

In the Oct. 14, 2008 decision written by Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, the SC – in an 8-7 vote -- denied the motion of the government, through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), to dismiss five petitions challenging the constitutionality of the MoA-AD for being moot after the Executive Department has scrapped the agreement.

The SC, instead, granted the five petitions and enjoined the government from signing and executing the MoA-AD or similar agreements.

It ordered the government to conduct public consultations in any peace negotiations with the MILF.

Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno and Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Antonio T. Carpio, Adolfo S. Azcuna and Ruben T. Reyes – who all wrote separate opinions – and Senior Justice Leonardo A. Quisumbing and Justice Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez concurred in the decision.

Those who dissented and voted to dismiss the five petitions, both in the original petitions and in the resolution, were Justices Dante O. Tinga, Minita V. Chico-Nazario, Presbitero J. Velasco Jr., Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura, Teresita J. Leonardo-de Castro and Arturo D. Brion -- who all wrote separate dissenting opinions. Justice Renato C. Corona joined in Justice Tinga’s dissent.

The MoA-AD with MILF would set up the Bangsamoro Homeland with the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity (BJE) as its governing body in the expanded Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Under the agreement, the BJE would have the power to set up its own security, trade, education, elections, and the right to explore and develop natural resources in the expanded ARMM.

The SC – in a unanimous vote of 15 justices after a full court session last Aug. 4 – stopped the signing of the agreement set on Aug. 5 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Thereafter, the SC conducted oral arguments on the petitions starting on Aug. 22.

The TRO was issued on petitions filed by the province of North Cotabato and the City of Zamboanga. Thereafter, the City of Iligan, the province of Zamboanga del Norte, and the group of Ernesto Maceda and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay filed separate petitions. The groups of former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon and Senators Manuel Roxas and Aquilino Pimentel filed interventions in the cases.

With the TRO and the announcement of the Executive Department that it has junked the agreement and has decided to conduct another peace process, the OSG asked the SC to dismiss the five petitions for being moot and academic.

The SC said that the non-signing of the MoA-AD did not moot the petitions filed against it. "It bears emphasis that the signing of the MoA-AD did not push through due to the court’s issuance of a temporary restraining order," it said.

In resolving the petitions and the motion filed by the OSG, the SC said:

"In sum, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process committed grave abuse of discretion when he failed to carry out the pertinent consultation process, as mandated by EO No. 3, RA 7160, and RA 8371. The furtive process by which the MoA-AD was designed and crafted runs contrary to and in excess of the legal authority, and amounts to a whimsical, capricious, oppressive, arbitrary and despotic exercise thereof. It illustrates a gross evasion of positive duty and a virtual refusal to perform the duty enjoined.

"The MoA-AD cannot be reconciled with the present Constitution and laws. Not only its specific provisions but the very concept underlying them, namely, the associative relationship envisioned between the GRP and the BJE, are unconstitutional, for the concept presupposes that the associated entity is a state and implies that the same is on its way to independence.

"While there is a clause in the MoA-AD stating that the provisions thereof inconsistent with the present legal framework will not be effective until that framework is amended, the same does not cure its defect. The inclusion of provisions in the MoA-AD establishing an associative relationship between the BJE and the Central Government is, itself, a violation of the Memorandum of Instructions from the President dated March 1, 2001.

"Moreover, as the clause is worded, it virtually guarantees that the necessary amendments to the Constitution and the law will eventually be put in place. Neither the GRP panel nor the President herself is authorized to make such guarantee.

"Upholding such an act would amount to authorizing a usurpation of the constituent powers vested only in Congress, a Constitutional Convention, or the people themselves through the process of initiative, for the only way that the Executive can ensure the outcome of the amendment process is through an undue influence or interference with the process.

"While the MoA-AD would not amount to an international agreement or unilateral declaration binding on the Philippines under international law, respondents act of guaranteeing amendments is, by itself, already a constitutional violation that renders the MoA-AD fatally defective."

The SC pointed out that the contents of the MoA-AD are matters of public concern involving public interest in the highest order.

It said the people’s right to information on matters of public concern under Section 7, Article III of the Constitution "is in splendid symmetry with the state policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest under Section 28, Article II of the Constitution."

"The complete and effective exercise of the right to information necessitates that its complementary provision on public disclosure derive the same self-executory nature, subject only to reasonable safeguards or limitations as may be provided by law," it added.

It cited at least three laws that justify the exercise of the people’s right to be consulted on relevant matters relating to the peace agenda, these are:

EO No. 3 that created the panel in 2001 is replete with mechanics for continuing consultations on both national and local levels and for a principal forum for consensus-building.

Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) requires all national offices to conduct consultations before any project or program critical to the environment and human ecology including those that may call for the eviction of a particular group of people residing in such locality, is implemented therein. The MOA-AD is one peculiar program that unequivocally and unilaterally vests ownership of a vast territory to the Bangsamoro people, which could pervasively and drastically result to the diaspora or displacement of a great number of inhabitants from their total environment.

Republic Act No. 8371 (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997) provides for clear-cut procedure for the recognition and delineation of ancestral domain, which entails, among other things, the observance of the free and prior informed consent of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples.

As this developed, Malacanang yesterday bowed to the decision of the Supreme Court declaring unconstitutional the MoA- AD.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the government respects the SC decision but stressed that the land agreement was an unsigned draft document in the first place.

"As a private person, I will not go against this decision of the Supreme Court," Ermita told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 after President Arroyo departed for Peru.

"However, as a layman, and I learned this from the manifestation of the government lawyer, the Solicitor General (Agnes Devanadera), that she just manifested before the Supreme Court that there was no such thing as an existing MOA in the first place," Ermita added.

He said the MOA-AD, which has been opposed by several groups for allegedly surrendering the country’s sovereignty to the Muslim separatist rebels, was "not consummated so what is it that’s being struck down as unconstitutional?" (with a report by Genalyn Kabiling)

dashalvin

November 24th, 2008, 08:01 AM

Domestic tourists kusog pa mogasto kay sa langyaw

Mas mogastu pa ug daku ang mga domestic tourists kay sa mga langyaw nga mobisita dinhi sa atong lalawigan sa ZaNorte.

Kini ang gihimong paghulagway ni Atty. Alan Ranillo, chairman sa ZaNorte Provincial Tourism Council sa programang Kapihan sa Hotel Camila 2.

Sa samang bahin gitataw ni Atty. Ranillo nga dili kaayo siya kombinsido nga modani ug mga Korean tourist kay sa gihimo nilang pagtuon sa ubang mga siyudad sa nasud nga anaa ang mga Koreans dili kini makatabang sa pagpalagsik sa ekonomiya sa usa ka lugar.

Matud pa ni Ranillo sa ilang nasayran ang mga Korean mosulod sa usa ka lugar nga ang moakatar niini ilaha ra usab nga kaugalingong kompaniya gikan sa ilang nasud, magtukod sa ilang kaugalingon restaurant ug labaw sa tanan ang batasan niini nga banha ug saba ilabi na sulod sa mga imnanan.

Ang chairman sa ZaNorte Tourism Council midugang sa pagpahayag nga maoy ilang nasuta nga ang mga Koreans dili mokaun sa laing restaurant ug ang ilang mga pagkaun nagagikan pa sa ilang nasud.

Isip usa ka magpapatigayon, matud pa ni Ranillo, dili gayud kini makatabang sa pagpalagsik sa atong ekonomiya kay ang mga Koreans dili mamalit ug pagkaun gikan sa atong local nga merkado.

Ang mahitabo ang kuwarta nga dalhon sa mga turistang Koreans madala ra nila ug balik sa ilang nasud ug gamay ray ibilin sa local economy.

Samtang si Atty. Ivan Patrick Ang, Provincial Tourism Officer nagkanayon nga sa gihimo nilang monitoring mas nakatabang ug daku sa pagpalagsik sa atong ekonomiya ang mga domestic tourist kay kusog kini mogastu ug daghan ang magbalik-balik sa atong lugar sukwahi sa mga langyaw nga kausa ra mobisita sa atong lugar.

Matud pa nila Atty. Ang ug Ranillo mas ganado sila sa pagdasig sa atong mga domestic tourist kay kini karon ang nakatabang sa pagpalagsik sa industriya sa turismo sa ZaNorte.

Ang ZaNorte tourism officer ug Ranillo midugang sa pagpahayag nga sa pagka karon makita na nimo nga adunay daghang mga tawo nga dili nato familiar ang mga panagway nga nagagikan sa ubang bahin sa Mindanao ug Visayas nga ania karon naglingaw-lingaw ug misuroy sa atong lugar. (Press Freedom, Vol. XXI No.2)