President Aquino vows to resolve PDAF scam
Kalayaan Job Fair all set in Davao PAGE 2
Public schools prohibited from collecting fees during enrollment, days to come
ARMM investments hit P1.62-B in 1st semester, breaks 2013 total figures
PAGE 4
PAGE 3
Rebels deny hand in mayor’s ambush
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
Farmers march to demand lands PAGE 9
FOR SALE TOYOTA Innova E P550,000
Call 0917-7103642 Zamboanga City Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480
P10
MILF WORRIED OVER MORO DEAL
June 2-8, 2014
T
he rebel group Moro Islamic Liberation Front, which signed a peace agreement with Manila in March, has expressed serious concern over the delay in the signing of the proposed Muslim homeland law by President Benigno Aquino. Aquino has already received on April 14 the Bangsamoro Basic Law or BBL drafted by the 15member Bangsamoro Transition Commission. It was supposed to be signed by Aquino on May 5 after a battery of government lawyers review the draft law to ensure that nothing in its provisions violate the Constitution. Once Aquino signs the BBL, it can be ratified and implemented in time for the 2016 local and national elections. The BBL will pave the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro region in 2016 that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM. The creation of Bangsamoro autonomous region would have to be decided on a referendum in the ARMM and in areas where there are large Muslim communities probably before the year ends. The new Bangsamoro region will replace the current Muslim autonomous region that has suffered from decades of poverty, corruption, and conflict. “We are seriously worried about the delay in signing of the BBL by President Aquino and this further delay the implementation of the peace agreement – the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro – and it creates problems not only to the Aquino government, but the MILF as well. It’s a political problem and government has to address this quickly because we are running out of time here,” Mohagher Iqbal, the MILF chief peace negotiator, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles has previously said that the BBL is likely to be certified as an urgent bill by Aquino and would be submitted to Congress for passage, and subjected to a plebiscite. But some lawmakers and various groups were saying that the accord was uncon-
Sultan Kudarat farmers armed themselves to protect their lands from Muslim groups which threatened to take it away from them. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales) stitutional and vowed to challenge it in court. The Aquino government insisted the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro is legal and that the deal was based on the Constitution. “The CAB is legal,” said lawyer Anna Basman, head of the CAB legal team. She said they are open to engaging and informing everyone on the different provisions on the CAB. “Our Constitution itself provides the justification for the asymmetry and reserved a separate set of provisions for two particular areas in the country – Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras. This progressive and enlightened section recognizes the uniqueness of the peoples belonging to these areas and provides for their rightful exercise of self-governance. The Bangsamoro Basic Law as the enabling law for the establishment of the Bangsamoro precisely aims to operationalize this constitutional objective,” Basman said. Christian leaders of
Zamboanga and Isabela in Basilan, also a province under the ARMM, also vowed to fight for their inclusion in the new Bangsamoro homeland, although many of the residents there are Muslims and supportive of the peace deal. The other provinces in ARMM are Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur, and the cities of Marawi and Lamitan. In the Lanao town of Wao, Christian villagers vowed to reject their inclusion to the new Bangsamoro region. Villagers said shortly after the deal was signed in March 27, Muslim groups have emerged and started claiming farmlands owned by Christians as theirs and invoking their ancestral rights in Lanao del Sur. Some villagers said several groups of Maranao, one of several Muslim tribes in Mindanao, have started putting up markers and began claiming farmlands as their ancestral domain. The markers had been destroyed by landowners. Now, many residents have
started arming themselves for fear that once the new Bangsamoro autonomous government is installed, Muslims will take away their lands which they inherited from their clan. Majority of the town’s 40,000 inhabitants is Christians. In Sultan Kudarat province, villagers in the town of President Quirino were also facing the same dilemma, but many also have purchased illegal weapons to protect their families and lands from unjustified takeover by Muslims who warned them that they should leave the town immediately once the Bangsamoro autonomous region is installed because they would take over their farms. Indigenous tribesmen in the ARMM were also worried about their future and asked the government to ensure their rights and ancestral domain, but others have rejected their inclusion into the proposed Bangsamoro region. Miriam Coronel, the chief government peace negotiator, and Deles's group continue to hold dialogues in Muslim areas, explaining the provisions
in the CAB. The MILF - a breakaway faction of the Moro National Liberation Front which signed a peace deal with Manila in September 1996 - is the country’s largest Muslim rebel group fighting for decades now for self-determination. In 2008, rebel forces launched simultaneous attacks in southern Philippines after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of the territorial deal between the Arroyo government and the MILF, which is fighting for a separate homeland in Mindanao, because many of its provisions were unconstitutional. The MILF said the peace panels have initially signed the Muslim homeland agreement in Malaysia, which is brokering the talks. The controversial deal also sparked massive protests from politicians opposed to the agreement that would have granted about four million Muslims their homeland in more than 700 villages across Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
2
The Mindanao Examiner
June 2-8, 2014
Kalayaan Job Fair. The partnership agreement between Department of Labor and Employment and its partners NCCC Mall of Davao and ABS-CBN to hold the Kalayaan Job Fair is sealed recently. Showing the signed Memorandum of agreement are DOLE Assistant Regional Director Venerando Cebrano (5th from left), NCCC Mall Manager Cecile Supatan (6th), ABS-CBN Public Service Officer for Mindanao Ad Ruel Alcober (2nd from right) and other personnel from DOLE and NCCC Mall.
Kalayaan Job Fair all set in Davao
Sultan Kudarat farmers armed themselves to protect their lands from Muslim groups which threatened to take it away from them. (Mindanao Examiner Photo - Mark Navales)
DAVAO CITY - Some 3,000 job seekers are expected to flock to Davao City in southern Philippines for another job fair organized by the Department of Labor and Employment and NCCC Mall. Dubbed as 2014 Kalayaan Job Fair, the event will coincide with the 116th Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12. DOLE said ABSCBN will also participate in the event. “A total of 100 agencies will be participating in the Kalayaan Job Fair and 70 of which are local agencies and 30 agencies are for overseas employment,” Assistant Regional Director Venerando Cebrano said, adding some 6,881 job vacancies have been solicited from these agencies - 3,381 job vacancies for local employment and 3,500 vacancies for overseas employment. “We expect to surpass
our 2013 Kalayaan Job Fair registrants which reached 2,200,” DOLE Employment cluster head Lariele Arce said. Mini Job Fair and PhilJob Net registration “As early as June 5 until June 11, the gates of NCC Mall’s Kadawayan Hall will open for the Mini Job Fair to cater those who want to pre-register and hasten the application process come June 12,” Cebrano said. During the mini job fair, applicant will also have the chance to register on the Phil-Job.Net, the employment portal of the government. Phil-Job.Net is another employment facilitation initiative of DOLE to make easy the matching of job seekers and employers. “The DOLE works to make it easy and fast for job seekers to find jobs that fit their qualifications, interests, and career inclinations,” Cebrano said.
Labor D ay JJob ob F air Day Fair success Arce noted that DOLE is inspired to hold another major Job Fair as the Labor Day Job Fair was successful. “Our Labor Day Job Fair performance was stellar as we made it among the top 5 overall among all 16 regions in the country. This counts for the number of solicited job vacancies, number of registered applicants, number of participation employers and those Hired on The Spot or HOTS,” Arce said. The May 1 Job Fair yielded a total of 1,512 HOTS and 5,358 job seekers who were referred for further interview. “We have high hopes that those for further interview will actually land on the job. I expect to provide more employment opportunities during Kalayaan Job Fair,” Arce said. (Sherwin Manual)
NPA mass graves natunton sa Misamis Oriental CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Patuloy na ginagalugad ng militar ang malaking bahagi ng kabundukan ng Claveria, isang bayan sa Misamis Oriental matapos na matagpuan doon ang mga umano’y libingan ng mga pinaslang ng New People’s Army. Ayon sa ulat ng 4th Infantry Division ay nabawi kamakailan sa Barangay Aposkahoy ang apat na mga kalansay at nakagapos pa diumano ang mga kamay
nito. Ito na ang ikalawang libingan na nadiskubre ng militar sa naturang bayan at noon Abril ay 12 kalansay ang nahukay ng mga sundalo sa tulong ng isang guide na dating rebelde. Nabatid sa militar na ang mga pinaslang ay mga sibilyan na pinaghinalaan mga informant o espiya ng pamahalaan. Hindi pa mabatid kung kailan naganap ang pamamaslang, ngunit posibleng matagal na umano itong naganap dahil
sa kondisyon ng ilang mga buto na nabawi noon nakaraang buwan. Hindi naman mabatid kung isasailalim ba ang mga kalansay sa DNA testing upang malaman kung may mga pamilya o kamaganakan pa ang mga ito sa naturang bayan o ililibing na lamang sa isang mass grave. Ang lalawigan ay kilalang stronghold ng NPA sa northern Mindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)
3
The Mindanao Examiner
June 2-8, 2014
Zambo mayor praises security forces for recovery of Sayyaf bombs ZAMBOANGA CITY – Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar praised the local police force and the military following the recovery of two suspected Abu Sayyaf bombs on a village in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines. Police have recently recovered two 60 mm mortars hidden in a bush at Sitio Salom in San Roque village. “We thank police and military operatives for their aggressive efforts to avert security threats with the recovery of improvised explosive devices in San Roque,” Salazar said, adding the recovery of the bombs was the result of a follow up operation following the arrest of two Abu Sayyaf militants here. “Police authorities recovered two 60mm projectile mortars in a secluded area in San Roque in a follow-up operation resulting from the arrest of two sus-
pected lawless elements in the area recently. The timely response of the authorities foiled possible threats to the city’s security,” she said. Salazar also urged the public to stay vigilant and help authorities by reporting suspicious persons or abandoned baggage in villages. “We urge the public to be proactive by coordinating with police and military authorities. Report the presence of suspicious persons, items and activities in your area. Public safety is everyone’s priority,” she said. The recovery of the bombs following the arrest of an Abu Sayyaf bomber, Nujir Ahidji, in a raid May 17 at Southcom Village just outside the military’s Western Mindanao Command hosting US forces in Zamboanga City. “The recovery of the mortar bombs was the re-
sult of intelligence operation,” Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, a regional police spokesman, told the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. It was unknown who hid the bombs in the village, but Ortega said police are still investigating Ahidji to determine the identities of other Abu Sayyaf militants hiding in Zamboanga. The military said it is also hunting down militants in Zamboanga and nearby areas. “The Western Mindanao Command and the Philippine National Police are jointly intensifying law enforcement operations in order to eliminate criminal activities through expeditious arrest of remaining leaders and members of the Abu Sayyaf Group and other lawless elements,” said Captain Maria Rowena Muyuela, a military spokeswoman. The Western
Mindanao Command is one of several military bases in southern Philippines where the US maintains a high-security facility under the command of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines which is helping local troops fight terrorism. Just earlier this month, police also captured a 36year old Abu Sayyaf militant, Harijin Jinny, in downtown Zamboanga while working as a security guard on a store just outside the police headquarters. In April, police commandos raided an Abu Sayyaf hideout in Zamboanga’s Santa Maria village and killed 2 militants and captured 6 more following a firefight that wounded one policeman. Commandos recovered four .45-caliber pistols and three fragmentation grenades from the hideout. (Mindanao Examiner)
President Aquino vows to resolve PDAF scam PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino said the government has filed charges against lawmakers tagged in the scandalous Priority Development Assistance Fund scam. Aquino said he expects the Office of the Ombudsman to resolve the P10-billion pork barrel scandal soon to serve justice to the people. He said his administration has already filed charges against the first batch of people involved in the scam and he expects the Ombudsman to act on it at the soonest possible time. "Matagal-tagal na nating sinampa iyong unang set. Nasa Ombudsman na. Palagay ko mare-resolve na yan soon. How soon? I don’t know," Aquino said. "The Ombudsman is an independent constitutional body. Basta ang commitment ko, na-develop na iyong ebidensiya. Iyong tinatawag nilang case buildup is solid, isampa na, regardless of kung sino ang tamaan," he added. But Aquino was quick to defend two of his Cabinet members being linked to the scam - Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Agricul-
ture Secretary Proceso Alcala – saying the allegations is intended to malign them. He said he needs to see the evidence against them, noting that he knows the two secretaries very well and he does not believe the allegations against the two officials. Aquino said Abad has worked to ensure greater transparency in the bureaucracy while Alcala has been doing his job also well. Janet Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the scam who implicated Abad and Alcala insisted they were involved, but Aquino said she might be delaying the case beyond the present administration to avoid a conviction. "Wala tayong pakialam sa lahat ng iyon. Ang habol natin, ang pangako natin sa taumbayan, kung may ebidensya, sampahan ng kaso," he said. "Basta ako, ang kaya ko lang naman panagutan iyong kaya kong gawin. Kaya pinipilit ko lahat na dapat magawa natin kahapon iyong gusto nating gawin ngayon," he said. But the youth group
7 police officers promoted to key positions MANILA - At least 7 police generals have been promoted by President Benigno Aquino to various posts upon the recommendation of Interior Secretary Mar Roxad and Police Director General Alan Purisima. The promoted officers are assigned to key positions in the Directorial Staff and National Support Units of the Philippine National Police. Promoted to the rank of Police Director or equivalent to the rank of Major General were Director Rodrigo De Gracia (Director for Information and Communications Technology Management); Director Getulio P. Napeñas
(Special Action Force) and Director Melito Mabilin (Civil Security Group). And Police Chief Superintendent or equivalent to the rank of Brigadier General are Superintendent Ulysses J. Abellera (Secretary to the Directorial Staff ); Superintendent Theresa Ann B. Cid (Crime Laboratory Group); Superintendent Neri A. Ilagan (Integrated Police Operations – North Luzon) and Superintendent Nestor F. Quinsay Jr. (Police Community Relations Group). Purisima has urged officers and policemen to do their best in serving the public and uphold the law and mission of the national police force.
Anakbayan accused Aquino of covering up for Abad and Alcala. "When non-Aquino ally are being accused Aquino does not promote due process, and when the likes of Abad and Alcala gets included the word due process suddenly becomes a mainstay on Aquino’s vocabulary," said Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan National Chairperson. Other than Abad and Alcala, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director-General Joel Villanueva and 3 female palace employees are also included in the so-called Napoloes' lists of those who are allegedly involved in the scam. "Aquino will do anything to protect his allies, as long as his allies’ looks clean it is easier for him to deny that he is pork barrel king,"
Crisostomo said. He said Anakbayan together with other progressive organizations would launch more protest against those who are involved in the scam, and the government that hinders the process of attainment genuine accountability. "The end is near for Aquino and soon as more of his allies appear in the long list of those who are involved in the scam it will be harder for him to deny his involvement and knowledge about this systemic corruption. Soon it will be very clear to the public that Aquino is pork barrel king," Crisostomo said. "When that time comes Aquino will have 2 choices, first is to resign on his own will, and second is to be booted out of the palace by the mass movement." he added.
Ex-convict killed
A FORMER prisoner was shot dead by a still unidentified gunman in the town of Lapuyan in Zamboanga del Sur in Mindanao, police said. Police said Donald Gantonoc, 44, was drunk and had threatened his own mother and villagers with a knife when he was attacked in the village of Bulawan.
Gantonoc was shot three times in the head and chest with a .45-caliber pistol and died instantly. The gunman fled after the killing. It was not immediately known if any of Gantonoc’s neighbor or family witnessed the attack, but police said it is investigating the shooting. (Mindanao Examiner)
A photo released by City Hall shows Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar inspecting the recovered mortar bombs while an unidentified member of the local police bomb squad looks on.
Teenage pregnancy cases alarm Davao legislator DAVAO CITY - A member of the local legislative council has expressed alarm over the rising teenage pregnancy in Davao City and the country as well, and joined calls to advance the rights and welfare of women and girls for a comprehensive, accessible and people-oriented health care. Councilor Leah Librado, who heads the Committee on Women, Children and Family Relations, said the rise of teenage pregnancy is a microcosm of the bigger problem resulted from poor state of health and education in the country. "This is not only a reproductive issue as there is an underlying socioeconomic and political issues we need to address here," she said. According to Philippine Institute of Development Studies, the country is far behind in reaching its Millennium Development Goal target by year 2015 in providing better access on reproductive health. It said the country only achieved 3.3% far from its 8.6% target. "I can see the need to strengthen the information drive with regards to teenage pregnancy perhaps, include in the school curriculum the subject per taining to Adolescent Health Care. The schools must also be encouraged to boost their guidance counseling mechanism as this would help teenagers to process their thoughts and emotions with regards to adolescent sexuality, behaviors and relationships,” Librado said. Librado also stressed the need to fully imple-
ment the local Reproductive Health bill version the Women Health Care Clinic Ordinance of Davao City which was approved in 2010. The ordinance, she said, aims to provide reproductive health care which include adolescent and youth health services and education and counseling on sexuality, sexual and reproductive health. It mandates the creation of a Women Health Care Clinic under a Special Health Services Division of the City Health Office. The clinic is expected to develop and undertake reproductive health programs for adolescents including information that will enable them to understand their sexuality and sexual responsibility. Librado said the city has enough laws, but what we need is to implement the them to materialize its objectives. She said there are also laws that need to updated and amended. "I am amenable to the need of revisiting our Women’s Development Code because this was approved ahead of national laws like the Magna Carta of Women, RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Chiclren law and the Republic Act 10354, or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. Subsequently, we need to update and reconcile those laws with our own WDC." "Not only today that we show our action to assert our rights for health, everyday we need to safeguard that right because this is our basic human rights," she said.
4
The Mindanao Examiner
June 2-8, 2014
GRP-MILF panels muling magpupulong ukol sa Bangsamoro law MAGUINDANAO – Muling magpagpulong sa Maynila ang peace negotiators ng pamahalaang Aquino at Moro Islamic Liberation Front upang talakayin ang nakabinbin na draft ng Bangsamoro Basic Law na hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay hindi pa napipirmahan ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino. Tatalakayin ng peace panels ang naturang proposed law ng Muslim homeland sa Mindanao matapos na umano’y maglutangan ang ibatibang isyu ukol sa legalidad nito at sa Konstitusyon.
Nilagdaan ng magakabilang grupo ang peace accord o ang Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro noon Marso pa at nakasaad doon ang mga probisyon sa naturang batas na ngayon ay kinukuwestyun ng ilang mga mambabatas at grupong kaalyado ng mga ito. Nagaalala na rin ang MILF sa pagkabinbin ng BBL dahil dapat ay noon Mayo 5 pa ito nalagdaan ni Aquino matapos na matanggap ang draft noon Abril 14 mula sa Bangsamoro Transition Commission.
2 men shot in Zambo ZAMBOANGA CITY – A man was killed and his companion wounded after two motorcycle gunmen attacked them in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, police said. Police said Arnel Gregorio died instantly from the attack while Ryan Francisco was rushed to the hospital. The two men, both 24 years old, were just
fetching water in the village of Cabaluay when the gunmen arrived and without provocation attacked them. The motive of the shooting was unknown, but police said the gunmen also took off with the victims’ motorcycle. Police launched an operation to track down the assailants. (Mindanao Examiner)
Probe on in shooting of Maguindanao official COTABATO CITY - Police are still investigating the identities of gunmen who shot and wounded a village chieftain in an attack in Cotabato City in southern Philippines. Adnan Biruar, who is also a member of the Maguindanao provincial council, was walking home when the gunmen shot him several times last week.
The 44-year old official, who is the village chieftain in Bongo Island in Parang town, was attacked near his house along Mabini Street. The motive of the shooting is still unknown and police are investigating whether the attack was political or connected to a feud. The military said it was helping the local police in the investigation. (Mindanao Examiner)
The Mindanao Examiner Media, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer (On Leave) Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief/Producer (OIC) Joshua Alvia Joanna Valerie Wee Graphics/Video Editor Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily Business Week Mindanao Star NEWS/ADVERTISING OFFICES Mark Navales Central Mindanao Richard Suarez Pagadian City Zamboanga del Sur
Alan Navales North- South Cotabato Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Ely Dumaboc Zamboanga Peninsula The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines. The Mindanao Examiner Television is broadcast in KISMET Cable TV and Pagadian Cable Television Channel 63. Our business and editorial offices are located at Units 15, 3rd Floor, Fair Land Bldg., Nuñez St., Zamboanga City Phone & fax: 062- 9925480 Mobile: 0917-7103642 URL: mindanaoexaminer.com E-mail: mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
Kung ito’y mapipirmahan ni Aquino ay agad naman na ipapasa ang BBL sa Kongreso upang maratipika, subali’t mukhang mahihirapan ito dahil sa banta ng mga congressman na pipigilan o dadalhin ang kanilang hinaing sa Korte Suprema. At kung makalusot naman ito sa Kongreso ay daraan pa ang BBL sa isang plebisito upang desisyunan ng mga Muslim kung nais ba nilang mapasama ang kanilang lugar sa Bangsamoro autonomous region na siyang ipapalit sa Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao na kinabibilangan ng Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur at Maguindanao, gayun rin ang lungsod ng Lamitan at Marawi na posibleng lumawak o lumiit. “We are seriously worried about the delay in signing of the BBL by President Aquino and this further delay the implementation of the peace agreement – the Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro – and it creates problems not only to the Aquino government, but the MILF as well. It’s a political problem and gov-
ernment has to address this quickly because we are running out of time here,” ani MILF chief peace negotiator Mohagher Iqbal sa Mindanao Examiner. Paulit-ulit na sinabi noon ni Presidential peace adviser Teresita Deles na sesertipikahan ni Aquino na urgent ang BBL. Ayon sa legal team ng Malakanyang ay legal ang BBL at niri-review lamang ito. “The CAB is legal,” wika pa ni Atty. Anna Basman, head ng CAB legal team. “Our Constitution itself provides the justifica-
tion for the asymmetry and reserved a separate set of provisions for two particular areas in the country – Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras. This progressive and enlightened section recognizes the uniqueness of the peoples belonging to these areas and provides for their rightful exercise of self-governance. The Bangsamoro Basic Law as the enabling law for the establishment of the Bangsamoro precisely aims to operationalize this constitutional objective,” sabi pa ni Basman. (Mindanao Examiner)
Government released P1.2 Billion for Metro Manila squatters THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management said it released some P1.2 billion to the Social Housing Finance Corporation to roll out housing projects for informal settlers in Metro Manila. Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said the project will adopt the socalled Community Mortgage Program approach through which an organized community will initiate and manage the housing project itself. He said the organizing community will likewise be in charge of securing funding support from the SHFC. "We are continuing the relocation of informal settler families, especially those living near the waterways of Metro Manila. With the fund release, the SHFC can build more resilient homes in safer zones—such as in-city
and off-city relocation sites—and ensure the well-being of these families, especially during calamities. This is of course in line with our efforts to provide quality and affordable homes to those who need them the most," Abad said. "As an added feature to this housing project, the Administration is empowering communities to participate and be more involved in implementing the program. We are opening up opportunities for them to take the lead in the whole project: from land acquisition to site development, to the actual building construction," he added. Among the organized communities that will implement the housing projects are the Goldmine Interior Homeowners Association, Inc., the
Alyansa ng Mamamayan sa Valenzuela at Caloocan Housing Cooperative, and the Dario River Alliance Housing Cooperative. Of the total P1.2-billion release, GIHAI, AMVACA, and DRAHC were allotted P46 million, P636.5 million, and P514.5 million, respectively. Abad said the administrative cost includes the wages of SHFC personnel who will be assisting the organized communities throughout the whole process and these include, but are not limited to, program consultation, due diligence of ISF eligibility, review of technical plans and legal documents, and assistance in the preparation of project proposals. "Major investments in social ser vices like these are at the core of our inclusive growth
agenda. The beauty of this project, however, is its participative nature. The families themselves will be actively engaged in executing the project. It’s nation-building at the community level," Abad said. While Abad released the funding to informal settler families in socalled danger areas in Matro Manila, victims of war in Zamboanga City continue to suffer from diseases in filthy evacuation centers. More than 120 refugees had died from diseases since September last year following simultaneous attacks by members of the Moro National Liberation that sparked three weeks of fierce fighting that killed and wounded more than 400 people. Over 120,000 residents were affected by the fighting.
Public schools prohibited from collecting fees during enrollment, days to come THE DEPARTMENT of Education said reminded all government-run schools that collection of any fees during enrollment and the first days of class is strictly prohibited. Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that certain contributions in public schools, while authorized by DepEd, do not mean that they are compulsory. “These contributions remain voluntary,” Luistro said. DepEd re-issued this call to teachers, school officials and parents to encourage the community to bring all school-aged children to school. “We call on all teachers and school officials to see to it that we do not refuse a single student who wants to enroll. We strongly remind them that
we do not collect any fees as a requirement for enrollment,” Luistro said. “Let me be clear on this, in no case shall nonpayment of voluntary school contributions or membership fees be made a basis for non-admission, non-promotion or non-issuance of clearance to a student. And that includes withholding of school cards,” he added. The fees which are authorized, but not compulsory include Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts membership fees, Philippine National Red Cross, Anti-TB fund, school publication fee, and Parents Teachers Association fee. Luistro has directed all school officials that no fees shall be collected from school children in kindergarten up to Grade 4 anytime during school
year. For Grade 5 pupils up to fourth year high school students, there will be no collection from June to July, he said. However, starting August this year until the end of school year, the following fees may be collected on a voluntary basis - Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts membership fees of P50 per student; Philippine National Red Cross, P35; Anti-TB fund drive of P5; school publication fee of P60 for every elementary pupils and P90 for every high school student. The Parents-Teachers Association fee must be reasonable and is to be determined during the PTA general assembly. The PTA can only collect contributions starting August and only after presenting to the PTA members and to the school head or principal the report on the utilization of previous school year’s collections and the school year proposed budget with program of activities. “School fees should not intimidate parents
into bringing their children to school that is why I urge all school officials to strictly observe these guidelines or face administrative sanctions,” Luistro said, adding that PTA fees, even though approved by a majority of PTA members, still remain voluntary. DepEd Assistant Secretary Jesus Mateo also said that no public schools would turn away students. He said only in extreme cases of overpopulation can they do it. In such cases, some schools will opt for Alternative Delivery Modes. “If the schools violate our strict prohibition on collection of fees, our legal department will send them a warning,” Mateo said. Mateo encouraged parents to contact the DepEd public assistance station for any complaints, concerns, and questions at (02) 6361669, (02) 633-1942, or thru 0919-4560027, and email at action@dep ed.gov.ph.
The Mindanao Examiner
6
The Mindanao Examiner
June 2-8, 2014
ARMM investments hit P1.62-B in 1st TREN urges government to file charges vs sacked MRT manager, others in scandals semester, breaks 2013 total figures COTABATO CITY - The Regional Board of Investments of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said its first semester investments have reached P1.62 billion and exceeded last year's overall registered investments of P1.46 billion. This is after RBOI approved the Agumil Philippines, Inc.’s registration of oil palm kernel crushing plant worth P170 million in the town of Buluan in Maguindanao province. Agumil has added to the P1.451 billion investment generated during the first quarter of this year namely Lamsan Power Corporation’s P921.56 million biomass renewable energy investment, SR Languyan Mining Corporation’s P520 million nickel ore mining project, among others. It said Agumil Philippines is a Filipino-Malaysian company registered with RBOI since 2006 and is engaged in oil palm milling, mainly exporting its products to
Malaysia. It is operating an oil palm mill with a capacity of 45 tons per hour in Buluan. In the process of Agumil’s operation until to date, the company has accumulated a sizable amount of quality palm kernels which is enough to process into palm kernel oil and cake for animal feeds. And this has prompted the company to construct a crushing plant also near the milling plant to make profitable use of these kernels. The crushing plant is expected to generate 500 cyclical construction workers and 54 new jobs. Agumil, aside from being a business partner of over 6,000 oil palm out growers in Maguindanao and nearby areas, is also expected to put up a biomass power plant to support the energy needs of their milling and crushing plants within this year or early in 2015, and the excess power will be sold to the national transmission grid. RBOI Chairman lawyer Ishak Mastura said he
foresees big local companies will continue to invest in ARMM to take advantage of the positive business sentiment in the region and the relative stability brought about by the signing in March of the peace agreement or the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels. Mastura said: “Investors view this peace agreement as a removal of the major risk of flareup of violent political conflict and insurgency in the region. We are bullish that investments in ARMM will exceed two billion pesos this year for the first time as a result.” He said Agumil will be provided by RBOI with Income Tax Holidays for 6 years at the start of their commercial operations and other fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for the company’s socio-economic contributions to the development of the region. (Mark Navales)
MANILA - The commuter’s group called Train Riders Network or TREN has demanded that formal charges be pressed against resigned Metro Rail Transit 3 General Manager Al Vitangcol after being accused of giving a P517-million MRT maintenance contract to his wife’s uncle, Arturo Soriano. TREN's spokesperson James Relativo expressed their disgust over the new corruption case being hurled against Vitangcol, calling it a “criminal indifference” against commuters who brave the conditions in the MRT everyday. “ H i n d i m a a a r i n g makalusot na lang si Vitangcol. Nasikmura na niyang ipagkanulo ang mga commuter noon, ngayon malalaman pa nating iligal na ibinigay ni Vitangcol ang kontrata ng maintenance sa kamag-anak niya. Sila-sila ng pamilya niya ang dahilan bakit bulok ang MRT,” Relativo said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Vitangcol was also linked to an alleged $30 million extortion attempt to Czech train maker Inekon Group in exchange for a contract for 48 new coaches for MRT-3 in July 2012. Relativo also criticized President Benigno Aquino for protecting those accused in the scandal.Wilson De Vera, a Liberal Party ally of Aquino, was also accused of extorting with Vitangcol.
“Ngayong inamin na ni Vitangcol na ibinigay niya ito sa kamag-anak niya, nakagagalit na patuloy pa ring prinoprotektahan ni BS Aquino ang mga alipores niya. At dahil lahat ng atensyon ay nakay Vitangcol, yung ka-partido niyang si De Vera nakatakas na patungong Amerika,” he said. The group also chided the Department of Transportation and Communication after Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya exclaimed that the anomalous awarding of contract only came to his attention recently. “Sila ang DOTC, ang parte ng gobyerno na nangangasiwa sa operasyon ng MRT3. Tapos ngayon sasabihin niya na hindi niya alam na kay Soriano ibinigay ang kontrata? Huwag siyang maghugas kamay na parang hindi niya alam,” Relativo said. While the group welcomed the recent removal of Vitangcol, Relativio said it will not solve the perennial problems MRT commuters face everyday. “As long as government services like the mass railway system are run like businesses and subject to privatization, a simple change of face within the MRT-DOTC will not change anything,” he said. He said his group will intensify efforts in fighting corruption, privatization, and impending fare hikes within the mass railway system through street protests.
7
The Mindanao Examiner
June 2-8, 2014
Rebels deny hand in mayor’s ambush DAVAO CITY – The communist New People’s Army denied any involvement in the assassination of a town mayor in the southern Philippines following military accusations that it was behind the murder. Mayor Reynaldo Navarro, of Laak town in Compostela Valley, was killed in an ambush by motorcycle gunmen on May 28 while travelling in the village of Sagayen in Asuncion town in Davao del Norte province. Two of the ambushers were also killed by Navarro’s two police escorts who had been wounded in the exchanged of fire. The mayor’s driver and two of his police escorts – PO3 Glen Ochoco and PO1 Rey Leones, and driver Timitilito Pacano were wounded in the ambush, but two of the attackers had been killed in the exchanged of fire that also injured two civilians – Crispolo Patajo, Sr and Paquito Tonocante, according to Capt. Alberto Caber, a spokesman for the Eastern Mindanao Command, adding two automatic
rifles were recovered from the slain gunmen. The NPA accused Navarro along with two other active police officers and a retired policeman for their alleged involvement in illegal logging activities in Compostela Valley and Agusan del Sur and Davao del Norte. No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack, but the 10th Infantry Division was quick to blame the NPA for the killing. Rigoberto Sanchez, a rebel spokesman, said the NPA was not involved in the ambush and condemned the killing of Navarro. “In accusing the NPA of Navarro’s ambush, the 10th Infantry Division-Eastern Mindanao Command shows that it is poised to agitate and conscript Navarro’s Lumad supporters and followers to become its new lackeys and bandits under the Oplan Bayanihan counterrevolutionary campaign. The masses in Laak should see to this latest anti-people machination and must struggle against fas-
Mayor Reynaldo Navarro cism,” Sanchez said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. “While Navarro was part of the Big 4 in Agusan-ComvalDavao del Norte forests, the NPA has not considered him an enemy that warrants a standing order or a recipient of a death sentence. Navarro’s track record did not make him a legitimate military target, thus, no revolutionary punishment was executed against him,” he said.
Sanchez said despite strong NPA warnings on Navarro to stop his illegal logging there are no grounds for them to kill the politician, saying, he had supported the rebel cause in the past. “As a long-time politician whose area covers territories of the People’s Democratic Government in Compostela Valley, Navarro cooperated with comrades and in many ways have demonstrated actions that point to his recognition of the revolutionary cause. In the last few years, however, his business interest in logging and agribusiness expansion has increased. Comrades have repeatedly warned him of his increasing anti-people activities.” “In the midst of these warnings, there are no strong grounds showing Navarro’s grave offenses against the revolutionary movement that would necessitate the People’s Democratic Government to hand down the maximum penalty of capital punishment,” Sanchez said. Just this month, rebels cap-
tured a government soldier, Corporal Rogelio Rosales, of the 60thInfantry Battalion, for protecting illegal logging in Davao del Norte’s Kapalong town. He was eventually freed to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte who negotiated with the NPA for the safe release of the soldier. Rosales, who yielded illegal drugs during his capture, was eventually removed by military service after he admitted using drugs during a routine debriefing shortly after his release. Last month, the NPA arrested Sergeant Jeric Bucio Curay, a member of the 72nd Infantry Battalion, at a rebel checkpoint in Laak town. He was released also to Duterte two weeks later. The rebels, who are fighting for a separate state in the country, also threatened to attack mining companies in Mindanao, especially those engage in openpit and destructive mining practices, and those that encroach in ancestral domain of indigenous communities in the southern region. (Mindanao Examiner)
PNoy leads Philippine Navy's 116th Anniversary FILIPINO leader Benigno Aquino led recently the Philippine Navy's 116th anniversary celebration at the Naval Station Carlito Cunanan in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province. Aquino hailed the Navy's contribution to the country's defense and security and attended a capability demonstration of the Na-
val Forces West Command Center. The command is at the frontline of the country's territorial defense operations in the Kalayaan Islands and Aquino vowed to enhance the facility. "Nakasalalay sa dagat ang ugnayan ng ating mga kapuluan, at malaki ang papel na inyong
Philippine Health Insurance criticized
MANILA - A Filipino youth group has strongly criticized Philhealth and branded its officials as incompetent following claims by an association of hospitals that the government's health insurance corporation has been delayed in paying its hospital bills and professional fees since last year. "Philhealth is now jeopardizing those who are in need because of their failure as an agency, contrary to its marketed purpose. This only shows that Philhealth is a complete failure. Philhealth should be abolished and its funds should be immediately given public hospitals,” Vencer Crisostomo, chairman of the Anakbayan, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. Philhealth quickly blamed a computer glitch on why it failed to pay the bills. "Philhealth cannot fool the public by using a glitch as a scapegoat. If they can manage to give out big bonuses to themselves how come they cannot hire someone to fix this computer glitch?" Crisostomo asked.
Recently the Aquino administration boasted on the World Economic Forum that there is an increase in the number of Philhealth beneficiaries, and that “nowadays, the poorest among our countrymen can simply walk inside any government hospital, show their PhilHealth card, and receive the treatment they need free of charge.” "We are outraged by the Aquino administration and Philhealth’s compulsive lying. Aquino should be ashamed of himself blurting out lies about the status of healthcare in the Philippines,” Crisostomo said. "The Aquino administration and Philhealth has brought nothing but suffering among the masses. A liar like Aquino should be booted out office for giving false hope to the public, and his detachment from reality. Philhealth as a tool for the further privatization of hospitals should also be scraped. It is up for the masses to organize themselves, stand up, and push for genuine health care," he added.
For all your publications and advertisements in Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur, please call Richard Suarez 062-2142706 and 0910-7348600
ginagampanan dito," Aquino said. "Kaya naman, nararapat lang na alagaan at bigyang-lakas ng estado kayong mga kawal na siya ring kumakalinga sa buong sambayanan." The Navy is currently improving its facilities in Palawan given the strategic location. "This is our closest geographical facility to an area where we have a lot of interest. And instead of delaying the ability of our forces to respond to anything, be it a man-made or a natural disaster, it is logical to put them in a position where they can address the particular issue at the soonest possible time," Aquino said.
President Aquino during the 116th Anniversary of the Philippine Navy at the Naval Station Carlito Cunanan in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan province.(Photo by Robert Viñas)
6th Infantry Division sa Mindanao may bagong hepe na
Ang bagong hepe ng 6th Infantry Division sa bayan ng Awang sa Maguindanao province na si Brig. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan kasama sina Philippine Army chief Lt Gen. Hernando Iriberri at Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Mark Navales) MAGUINDANAO – Pormal ng umupo bilang bagong hepe ng 6th Infantry Division sa Maguindanao province si Brig. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan at nangako ito na lalong pagiibayuhin ang magandang tiwala ng publiko sa militar. Pinalitan kamakailan ni Pangilinan si Maj. Gen. Romeo Gapuz at mismong
si Lt Gen. Hernando Iriberri, ang hepe ng Philippine Army ang siyang nanguna sa naturang okasyon na dinaluhan rin ng mga alkalde ng naturang lalawigan at kalapit na lugar. Sinabi naman ni 6th Infantry Division spokesman, Col. Dickson Hermoso na lubos ang pasasalamat ni
Gapuz sa suportang ipinamalas ng publiko sa kanyang liderato. Si Pangilinan ay nagtapos sa Philippine Military Academy at miyembro ng Class 83, samantalang Class 81 naman si Gapuz. “The presence of so many people from all walks of life witnessing the ceremony is a manifestation
that 6th Infantry Division had won the peace in its area of responsibility,” ani Hermoso sa Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper. Nasasakupan ng 6th Infantry Division ang lalawigan ng Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Lanao del Sur. (Mark Navales)
8
The Mindanao Examiner
DO Y OU WANT T O YOU TO OUR O WN NEWSLETTER? HA VE Y HAVE YOUR OWN Are you in a corporation, a company, a club or organization, a school or institution, church or religious group, in government or cooperative? Make your own NEWSLETTER now! Why send your press releases when you can have your own NEWSLETTER just like this NEWSPAPER? No more expensive magazines as your quarterly or monthly NEWSLETTER when you can have a cheaper alternative just like this NEWSPAPER! Mindanao Examiner Productions offer NEWSLETTER printing at a very low price. And it comes with FREE LAYOUT and we can even make a digital copy of your NEWSLETTER also for FREE! We will also assist you in editing your articles for FREE! For inquiry, call us now at (062) 992-5480 or 0917-7103642 or email us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com
June 2-8, 2014
Teleperformance Philippines celebrates 18th anniversary DAVAO CITY - A leading global provider of outsourced customer experience management services, Teleperformance, is celebrating its 18th year of business operations in the Philippines. Starting with a mere 100 employees in 1996, Teleperformance Philippines have now grown to a strong workforce of nearly 23,000. As the company increases in size, more employment opportunities are offered on all of the 11 Teleperformance sites to include Teleperformance Davao. Other sites are located across Metro Manila,
Antipolo, Cebu and Bacolod. It said new hires can expect a progressive career path at Teleperformance, adding apart from competitive salaries and incentive packages, the company invests in the learning and development of its employees to prepare them for leadership roles in the future. Teleperformance likewise provides state-of-theart work facilities for its people and holds fun-filled company events that give employees a warm, friendly environment that inspires creativity and teamwork. "Teleperformance con-
tinues to be an industry leader, thanks to the dedication and excellent customer experience provided by our outstanding employees. Our determination to succeed and our passion to serve are fueling this significant growth," Travis Coates, the Managing Director of Teleperformance Philippines, said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner. "Now, as we celebrate our 18th Anniversary in the country, we welcome more dedicated individuals to be part of our ever growing family and build a rewarding career with us," he said.
1 killed in lighting strike DIPOLOG CITY – Police said a teenager who was hit by a lightning - along with his three-year old cousin - had died in hospital due to severe injuries in the southern Philippines. Police said the other victim, Jelemae Igod, is still under observation in the hospital where her cousin Ronald Igod, 19, succumbed to his wounds. The two were listening to a radio program inside their house in the village
of Soguilon in Zamboanga del Norte’s Siayan town when the lightning struck them during heavy rain. They were rushed to hospital, but the teenager died hours later. Last year, at least five people were reported killed by lightning in separate areas in Zamboanga Peninsula. A 38-year old woman, Elsa Dumolon, was instantly killed from a lighting strike that went through her
Unexploded ordnance recovered in Zamboanga ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police have recovered a grenade and fuse assembly for a howitzer and illuminating mortar in separate areas in Zamboanga City in southern Philippines, officials said. Senior Inspector Joseph Ortega, a regional police spokesman, said members of the local bomb squad recovered the fuse assembly near the Philippine Transitional Site for Tuberculosis in the village of Upper Calarian.
He the police also recovered the grenade from a bag wrapped in packing tape at Sitio Mountain View in Sinubong village. “Immediately the team rendered safe procedure and the recovered UXOs were brought to Bomb Squad Office for proper disposition,” Ortega said. UXO refers to unexploded ordnance. Ortega said civilians discovered the UXOs and reported it the police. (Mindanao Examiner)
bedroom’s window in the village of Lumaping in Jose Dalman town also in Zamboanga del Norte. The woman was just sitting on her bed when the lightning struck her. A two-year old boy, Regie Francisco, was killed and his mother, Angelyn, 22, also severely burned in a lightning strike in the village of Lanzones in Zamboanga City. A lightning strike in Zamboanga del Sur’s Tungawan town also killed an army sentinel, Pfc. Jaymar Tumarong, while another soldier, Pfc. Jemar Destrajo, was injured. The two soldiers, members of the 6th Special Forces Battalion, were guarding their post when lightning hit them. There was no immediate statistics as to the number of documented casualties or injuries from lightning strikes in the Philippines, but those struck by lightning and survived suffered from a variety of long-term symptoms, including memory loss, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, muscle spasms and depression among others. (Mindanao Examiner)
GRAB OUR SPECIAL PROMO! Hurry! Avail our special promotion and get 30% discount on all government advertisements and publications. And less 25% on all corporate and commercial advertisements. Contact our Sales Bureaus in Mindanao or call our Advertising Department at 062-9925480 or 0917-7103642 or email us at mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com * Applicable on all cash payment only
9
The Mindanao Examiner
June 2-8, 2014
Campaign vs abuses on women and children intensified
Farmers from Mindanao begin march anew in Bukidnon to Malacanang to call on President Aquino for the serious completion of the government's agrarian reform program as an antipoverty measure in the countryside. The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program expires in June 2014 and the President promised lands to the farmers-benefiaciaries two years ago saying "you will have your land." (Photo by Bobby Lagsa)
Farmers march to demand lands CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Some 300 Filipino farmers - who are beneficiaries of the government land reform program - on Saturday trooped to Malaybalay City in the southern Philippine province of Bukidnon for a long march to Cagayan de Oro City. The 92-kilometer march is a dramatic show of force and unity to demand the Aquino administration to release their land titles and for the continuation of the implementation of the Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) under the Comprehensive Agrarian Refor m Program extension with reforms (CARPer). Farmers and farm workers belonging to the Alliance of Land Rights Movement in Mindanao
(ALARM-Mindanao) said the action is part of coordinated protests across the country to demand President Benigno Aquino to seriously address the sluggish land acquisition and distribution of private agricultural lands owned by prominent landowners given the June 30 deadline of CARPer. Romeo Br ioso, Sr., chairman and spokesperson for ALARMMindanao, said many of their members came from Bukidnon and supported by representatives from different provinces of Mindanao. He said an initial documentation undertaken by ALARMMindanao revealed that there are about 10,000 hectares of agricultural lands in Mindanao with-
out Notices of Coverage (NOC) and bulk of these are owned by prominent landowners such as the Ayalas and Consunjis in Davao provinces, the Cojuancos in Agusan del Sur and Lapanday Group of Companies in Davao City, including untitled lands being claimed by the For tich family in Bukidnon, among others. “It is quite frustrating that the Aquino administration has no political will to issue NOCs or distribute these lands to the landless farmers,” Brioso said. In 2012, hundreds of farmers also marched to exert their demands and rights being agrarian reform beneficiaries and were able to get the attention of Aquino who promised them to lands. (Mindanao Examiner)
Kidnapped trader freed ZAMBOANGA CITY - Abu Sayyaf militants have freed a kidnapped Filipina trader in the southern province of Sulu after three months on captivity, police said. Police said the 33-year old Sugar Diane Buenviaje was released in the town of Jolo where her sister waited and took a plane bound for Zamboanga City. It was unknown how much ransom her family paid the kidnappers. Buenviaje was kidnapped in February in Mapun town in Tawi-Tawi province where her family owns Cagayan Enterprises and General Merchandise. Police tagged the group of Alhabsi Misaya was behind Buenviaje’s kidnapping. Misaya’s group is believed to be
holding the 29-year old Chinese holidaymaker Gao Huayun, 29, and Filipina Marcy Dayawan, 40, who were kidnapped from Singamata Adventures and Reef Resort in the town of Semporna in Sabah on April 2. The victims were first brought by their captors led by Murphy Ladja to Tawi-Tawi before escaping by boat to Sulu and handed the hostages to Misaya, who was also tagged as behind the series of bombings in Sulu in recent years. Misaya has demanded P500 million ransom in exchange for the safe release of the Chinese woman. It was unknown whether Buenbiaje was held together with the Chinese and Filipina woman or not. The Abu Sayyaf was
largely blamed for the daring raid on the posh Pulau Sipadan resort in 2000 where they kidnapped 21 people and ransomed them off to Malaysia and Libya for at least $25 million. In November, the Abu Sayyaf kidnapped a Taiwanese tourist Chang An Wei, 58, after killing her husband Hsu Li Min, 57, in a daring cross-border raid in Sabah’s Pom Pom Island. The woman was eventually released a month later near the village of Liban in Talipao town in Sulu after paying ransom. The Abu Sayyaf has resorted to ransom kidnappings to raise money for the purchase weapons and fund terror attacks in the Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
QUEZON CITY - In an effort to further strengthen and intensify the government's campaign against women and child abuse and related programs, the national police recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Children’s Fund and Child Protection Network Foundation Inc. Police Director General Alan Purisima led the signing of the memorandum with UNICEF representative Patrick Halton and CPNFI Executive Director Dr. Bernadette Madrid. They also agreed to improve the module on the Specialized Course for
WCPD Officers to enhance the investigative capability of police Officers handling women and children cases - abuse, neglect, discrimination, and exploitation -in the country. "Duties and responsibilities were also elaborated in the MOU which emphasized the updating of the existing 10-day Standard Training Package on the Specialized Course on the Investigation of Crimes Involving Women and Children for PNP-WCPD Officers to update its content on new laws on women and children, Child Protection in Emergency and Gender-Based
Violence in Emergency and protecting the rights of the vulnerable including Persons With Disabilities," the police said. The police would also coordinate all its units from the headquarters and field offices to work together to contribute to the development of the updated Program of Instruction and the Standard Training Package. It will also ensure that the Standard Training Package will be used in all training to be conducted nationwide. Police data on abuses on women and children in the country were not readily available.
Investments vital in poverty reduction, says NEDA MANILA - The National Economic and Development Authority said increasing investments from employers to generate high-quality and remunerative employment is vital in achieving rapid poverty reduction. NEDA Deputy Director-General Rolando Tungpalan reading a speech for Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said during the recent 35th National Conference of Employers that while poverty incidence in the first half of 2013 has remarkably improved, more needs to be done to substantially reduce poverty. “The generation of remunerative employment remains a big challenge in the country. Data show that the rate of employment generation has not kept pace with the labor force growth such that there is still a large stock of
the unemployed,” he said. However, more concern must be directed toward the creation of highquality jobs that provide adequate income for the Filipino workforce, rather than the quantity. In his speech, Balisacan outlined the strategies being done to accelerate job creation and to improve labor and employment situation in the country. “These strategies include continuous build-up of capital, promotion of priority sectors, stable macroeconomic fundamentals, investment in research and development in the agriculture, industry and services sectors, and reducing the cost of doing business,” he said. Balisacan explained to the employers the country’s need for greater support for economic sectors with high growth potentials.
“Investing in manufacturing, tourism, information technology-business process management, construction, logistics, and agribusiness can provide remunerative jobs for a great number of the poor,” he said. Under the Philippine Development Plan 20112016 Midterm Update, the government aims to reduce the unemployment rate from 7.0 percent in 2012 to 6.5 to 6.7 percent in 2016. An improvement in the quality of employment will also be reflected through a reduction in underemployment rate from the current 20.0 percent to about 17.0 percent in 2016. “We hope that the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines would continue supporting us in our efforts to generate highquality and remunerative employment that is key to rapid poverty reduction,” Balisacan said.
NOTICE TO THE EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTELEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE NOTICE is hereby given that the estate of late ‘SALIH MAADIL’, who died of old age, consisting of a residential lot, situated at the Barrio of San Raymundo, Municipality of Jolo, Province of Sulu, Island of Jolo, containing an area of Three Hundred Seventy Five (375) Square Meters, and covered by the Original Certificate of Title No. P-989, has been extra-judicially settled between and among his surviving heir ‘DANILO C. MAADIL’ by virtue of document of ‘Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Sale’ executed and acknowledge before Atty. Ulka T. Ulama, a Notary Public for and in the Municipality of Jolo, Province of Sulu, on May 12, 2014, which was then enrolled in latter’s Notarial Register as Doc. No. 305; Page No. 61; Book No. 57; Series of 2013.
Advertising Department Tel. (062) 9925480
Founded 2006
mindanaoexaminer.com
FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9925480
Benepisyo sa mga miyembro sa PhilHealth, ilhon na sa mga pribadong ospital – PHAPI GIPAHAYAG sa Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines o PHAPI nga ilhon na niini ang benepisyo sa mga miyembro sa Philippine Health Insurance Corporation o PhilHealth. Matud pa ni PHAPI President Rustico Jimenez, kini human misaad ang PhilHealth nga mobayad na kini sa katapusan sa Hunyo. Subling gipasabot sa asosasyon nga namugna
ang una niining desisyon isip pagsiguro lamang nga aduna kini pondo nga pang-bayad alang sa ilang staff ug ubang bayronon sa ospital sama sa electric ug water bills. Una nang gipasabot ni PhilHealth President Alexander Padilla nga ang kalangay sa pagbayad sa mga pribadong ospital tungod sa gipahigayong upgrade sa ilang sistema. Kagahapon, nipasidaan ang PhilHealth sa
A group of Filipino tourists pose for souvenir in Cebu City. Cebu province remains one of the best tourist destinations in central Philippines because of its rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches, world-class hotels, savory foods and friendly people. Cebu Province has a total population of more than 3.8 million. Cebuano is the native tongue. While Filipino is commonly understood and spoken, the English language is widely used in business transactions and educations. Cebu is also fast becoming a center for information and technology just as other highly urbanized areas in the country and competitively for that.(Cebu Examiner Photo - Juan Magtanggol)
mga pribadong ospital nga ihatag gayud sa matag pasyente ang mga benepisyong angay nilang madawat kay kun dili kini matuman, pahamtangan nila kini og silot . Samtang ilusad na usab sa PhilHealth ang Case-based Payment System karong tuig alang sa mas paspas ug sihag nga pagbayad sa mga pribadong ospital. (MBCN, ECB)
Tips batok sa mga sakit sa panahon sa ting-ulan, gipagawas sa DoH KARONG nagkaduol na ang panahon sa ting-ulan, nipagawas og tips ang Department of Health aron mapugngan ang pagkatap sa sakit nga influenza o flu. Gipasabot sa DOH nga ang influenza usa ka viral infection nga moatake sa respiratory system ug lain usab sa stomach flu virus nga mahimong makaingon sa pagkalibanga ug pagsuka. Giingong daling taptan og influenza ang mga bata, tiguwang, mga buntis ug kadtong ubos ang immune system o resistensya. Mahimong mapasa ang maong sakit pinaagi lamang sa pag-ubo. Makatakod usab kini pinaagi sa pagbaton og
kontak sa mga butang ug sapot nga kontaminado sa mga discharge sa usa ka tawo nga infected sa influenza. Apil sa mga sintomas niini mao ang hilanat nga mokabat sa 38 degrees Celsius, panakit sa ulo, runny nose, sore throat, ubo ug uban pang respiratory manifestations ug panakit sa muscle ug kasu-kasuan. Mahimo kining tambalan pinaagi sa paginom og antiviral agents, sama sa oseltamivir o zanamivir, sa unang duha ka adlaw. Makatabang kini aron mapadali ang panahon sa pagkasakit ug malikayan ang seryosong kumplikasyon. Mas maayo nga magbaton og igong pagpahulay, mo-inom og daghang tubig ug kaon og
mga masustansyang pagkaon. Alang sa hilanat, mahimong mo-inom og paracetamol apan giignong dili angay hatagan og aspirin ang mag bata. Giingong angay hatagan og antibiotics alang sa kumplikasyon lamang sa influenza, sama sa pneumonia o otitis media. Mas makaayo kun magpabakuna batok sa influenza matag tuig ug molikay sa mga lugar nga daghang tawo. Gitambagan usab sa DOH ang publiko nga tabunan ang baba ug ilong kun mo-ubo aron dili mokatap ang dala nilang virus. Giingong angay usab manghugas kanunay sa kamot gamit ang tubig ug sabon aron masiguro nga luwas sa sakit. (ECB)
Banks continue to accept unfit notes, says BSP THE BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Cebu Bankers Club have assured the public that all banks shall continue to accept dilapidated money for deposit or exchanged with new ones, according to the Philippine Information Agency. Officials from BSP Cebu and the Cebu Bankers Club made the assurance in a press conference amid reports that some banks are no longer accepting these bills. BSP Cebu Regional
ARMM
Director and lawyer Maria Berciles denied the report and said all banks are obligated to accept unfit bills under the Clean Note policy of BSP. “The policy of BSP is to provide the public with good, clean notes. So it is our mandate as well as that of the banks which are agents of Bangko Sentral to accept these unfit notes,” Berciles said. According to BSP, bills that are considered unfit are those that contain heavy creases which break the fiber of the paper, badly soiled or con-
June 2-8, 2014
P10
taminated and or with writings or presents a limp or rag-like appearance. Joey Umerez, President of Cebu Bankers Clu, said that after learning of the reports claiming that banks are rejecting unfit bills, they immediately sent advisories to their member banks that they are to continue accepting unfit bills either for deposits or exchange. “That is the advisory we sent out last week. Most definitely, banks are accepting unfit bills,” he assured. (Rachelle Nessia)
Southern Mindanao
Davao
Pilipinas ika-6 sa pinakamalipayong nasud sa kalibotan CEBU - Ika-unom ang Pilipinas sa pinakamalipayong nasud sa tibuok kalibotan sa tuig 2013 sa Positive Experience Index survey nga gihimo sa US research group nga Gallup. Sa 1,000 respondents gikan sa 138 ka nasud, migawas nga 7 sa 10 katawo sa kalibotan ang nakasinati og positibong emosyon sa dihang gipangutana kalabot sa nahimong adlaw nila ug 80% gikan sa Pilipinas ang mitubag og positibo o malipayon sila sa maong
adlaw. Ka lebel sa Pilipinas sa ika-6 nga pwesto ang Indonesia ug Thailand. Sa ikatulong higayon, nanguna pa gihapon ang Paraguay diin 87% sa respondents ang miingong positibo sila sa adlaw nga gihimo ang maong survey. Nisunod sa listahan ang Panama nga adunay 86% samtang ikatulo ang Guatemala, Nicaragua ug Ecuador nga adunay 83%. Naa sa ika-upat nga pwesto usab ang Costa Rica, Colombia ug Denmark diin natala ang 82% sa mga mi-responde ang
Zamboanga Peninsula
malipayon ug ika-lima ang Honduras, Venezuela ug El Salvador nga adunay 81%. Nag-una pa ang Pilipinas sa Canada ug Australia sa 79% ug Estados Unidos sa 78% nga pinaka-malipayong nasud. Samtang natala usab ang pinaka-ubos nga Positive Experience Index sa Syria nga may 36% lamang. Ikaduhang tuig na kini sa Syria nga naa sa pinaka-ubos nga may positibong emosyon sa kalibotan. (MBCN, ECB)
Cebu
Manila