PIA REGIONAL OFFICES IN MINDANAO
An Electronic News Magazine of the Phliippine Information Agency Mindanao Clusters
Western Mindanao (Zamboanga Peninsula)
EDITORIAL BOARD
P. Urro Street, San Francisco District Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur 7016 Telephone no. (062) 215-1480 / 925-0038 Cellphone no. 0908-8843404 E-mail: r9_pia@yahoo.com mimibern17@yahoo.com Skype: hnb_r9pia
Northern Mindanao Graces’ Building, Antonio Luna Street Cagayan de Oro City 9000 Telefax No. (08822) 72-66-83 Telephone no. (088) 856-8178 / 729-594 Cellphone no. 0928-5204305 0917-3084969 E-mail: pia10_pd@yahoo.com r10_pia@yahoo.com rutchiecabahug@yahoo.com
ABNER M. CAGA Cluster Head, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Caraga Region
Associate Editors …….......
OLIVIA T. SUDARIA Regional Director, PIA Region XII
RUTCHIE C. AGUHOB Officer-in-charge, PIA Region X
NOEMI A. EDAGA Regional Director, PIA Region IX
Jocelyn P. Alvarez, PIA Region IX Elaine O. Ratunil, PIA Region X Rudolph Ian G. Alama, PIA Region XI Danny E. Doguiles, PIA Region XII Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region Nora CL Molde, PIA Caraga Region
Layout Artists ……………... Gerie Mae G. Coco, PIA Caraga Region Richard D. Atillo, PIA Caraga Region Editorial Advisers ……….... ATTY. JOSE A. FABIA Director-General Philippine Information Agency
Central Mindanao (SOCSKARGEN)
Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines Bldg., J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City Telephone no. (085) 341-5285 / 360-1239 Telefax no. (085) 341-2370 Cellphone no. 0917-7188834 Email: piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com,ph
Managing Editor …….........
Copy Editor ……………….. Robert E. Roperos, PIA Caraga Region
2/F Kanto Motors Bldg., Quimpo Blvd., New Matina Davao City 8000 Telephone no. (082) 297-0991 / 301-8580 Telefax no. (082) 297-0992 / 304-2044 Cellphone no. 0917-7053606 / 0918-9202950 E-mail: efelbanbuena@yahoo.com
Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga)
EFREN F. ELBANBUENA Cluster Head, Southern, Western and Central Mindanao Regional Director, PIA Region XI
Regional Desk Editors …...
Southern Mindanao (Davao Region)
Provincial Capitol Compound Bautista Bldg., Zulueta St. Koronadal City, South Cotabato 9506 Telephone no. (083) 520-0249 Telefax no. (083) 228-9736 / 228-9739 / 520-0100 Cellphone no. 0921-6873373 / 0928-5204307 E-mail: r12_pia@yahoo.com pia_xii@yahoo.com
Executive Editor …….........
SEC. HERMINIO “Sonny” B. COLOMA Presidential Communications Operations Office
OUR COVER
All-Out-War is
never
A solution: a soldier’s viewpoint
Photo Credits: world_armies, vixpix7
Cover Story :
4
Vol. 1, No. 76
All-Out-War is never a solution: a soldier’s viewpoint
By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
NATI O NAL
8 8 10 12
NFA intensifies advocacy campaign on rice fortification program “Buntis” congress held in Dipolog Government troops seize machine gun in Payao
15
Aquino issues Memorandum Order No. 25 reconstituting the Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Transport Planning
CENTRAL Mindanao
26
Davao architecture students place second in national design competition DavNor Guv bats for continuation of peace process
25
26 29 30 31
NORTHERN Mindanao
Hundreds attend Youth and Children’s Congress in Zambo City
President Aquino leads launching of global online prayer movement President Aquino’s peace adviser says Basilan incident won’t affect Mindanao peace talks
SOUTHERN Mindanao
25 27
contents
WESTERN Mindanao
15 16 17 18
OCTOBER 29, 2011
IP achiever at indigenous people’s thanksgiving day Koronadal City Mayor Miguel supports Cong. Enrile’s agri initiatives
Team Tacurong overall champion in national arnis tourney Army’s 6th Infantry Division refutes NPA report
19 20 21 22 24
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Bringing services closer to the poor man’s door
Northern Mindanao is home to 30% of country’s best teachers in 2010 Pantawid Pamilya reaches more than 200,000 indigents in NorMin TF Bamboo 3E starts bamboo tree planting along riverbanks in NorMin White beauty flies to freedom
CARAGA Region
32 34 35 36 37
CCPD spearheads Mindanao Week of Peace 2011 celeb in Caraga PNP-Caraga on heightened alert for ‘UNDAS’ Surigao Norte to receive funds from OPAPP “Phil JobNet” - SRS registration is on-going in Tandag City News Feature: Gotta have gata in your kitchen!
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Cover Story
All-Out-War is never a solution: a soldier’s viewpoint
F
By Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
or some, it’s very easy to call for an all-out-war. Why, with tens of thousands of the Philippine military’s strength, not to mention our police force, any group would be foolish to engage the whole of the country’s security forces to war. Saturday, October 29, 2011
4
True, they can easily purge any security threats especially here in Mindanao. Classic example of that was the all-out-war declared by then President Joseph Estrada. The Armed Forces of the Philippines captured the Camp Abubakar, the nerve center of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Pe o p l e all over the country rejoiced over the military’s victory. But, was there really a victory to celebrate? If there was, at what cost? Many people, especially those not from Mindanao would automatically say yes, without batting an eyelash. It was a very sweet “Yes” for them. How about the Mindanaoans? Those whose families and loved ones perished due to the war? How about the community displaced because of war? How about the children, who, at a tender age experienced hunger, pain of losing the parents and loved ones and their education taken away from them? Have we also asked our-
selves, how about our soldiers themselves? Was that what they really wanted? Ah, yes, our soldiers, those whose lives are dedicated to protect our country, the ones who are always in the frontline, the ones who are first to die. The recent violence in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay have again, triggered some people to call for all-out-war. Ironically, again, those calling for it are far from the violence and troubles here. Again, the military will be in the forefront. Never knowing that, if war breaks out, they may or may not see their families again. Again, many civilians will become the victims. Saturday, October 29, 2011
5
Soldier of peace Task Force Zamboanga Chief Col. Buenaventura Pascual has long been in the military service. Safe to say, more than half of his life was devoted to the service. A man of his stature, in an ordinary person’s point of view, would be a very courageous man, have threaded numerous perilous armed conflicts, and by some degree, some would think that for an officer like him, killing to protect the country is normal. I personally talked to Col. Pascual just before a press conference called by City Mayor Celso Lobregat. A very approachable person that he is, we had a very substantive conversation, mainly focusing on the issue of all-out war. “Bilang sundalo, kame yung namamatay e”, (As soldiers, we are the ones who die,) stating his disagreement on all-out-war. “Trabaho naming ang ipagtanggol ang communities. Kung mamatay man kame, walang ibang dapat sisihin. Pero kung pupwedeng ma-isolate yung totoong may kasalanan, di na dapat pang mag-all-out-war”, Pascual pointed. (It’s our job to protect the communities. If we die, there
is no one to be blamed. But if we can isolate the culprits, then there is no need for an all-outwar.) The calm military officer furthered that the real victims in war are the helpless civilians. “Sa experience ko bilang sundalo, naniniwala ako na kakaunti lang ang talagang masasamang grupo dito sa Pilipinas. Kawawa naman yung libu-libong sibilyan na madadamay kapag nag-allout-war. Libu-libo ang mag-ievacuate, aalis sa kanilang lugar, at mawawalan ang ari-arian at kabuhayan. Iyon ang mas malaking
problema”, he explained. (In my experience as a soldier, I believe there are only a few bad groups in the Philippines. Thousands will be displaced, and will lose their properties and livelihood. This
will be a much bigger problem.) He also added that war can also make civilians vulnerable to recruitment of lawless elements, telling them that the government is responsible for their misery. Instead, Col. Pascual pointed that the best solution to the current problem is the partnership of the community and the government. “The help and cooperation of the community will be of great help in solving the problem. We should have links with them for us to have a better intelligence work”, Pascual said. He added, “We should have an honest and good intelligence work, followed by intelligence and police operation. With intelligence build-up, we can pinpoint our targets and sort them from the community. Thru this, liliit ng
liliit yung targets natin para wala nang madamay pa”. When asked about his take on some senators calling for allout-war, Pascual said, “We can’t blame them because as of now, emotions are high after what happened in Basilan. But, as what Pres. Noynoy Aquino said, a person cannot give proper judgment or make a sound decision if he’s angry”. Pascual said that to improve Zamboanga City’s peace and order situation in the city, there should be sustained or committed police and military operations to include land and sea patrols and checkpoints among others. “Ito and dapat nating gawin, hindi yung pagaganahin natin ang mga tangke at paputukin ang mga kanyon natin”, he uttered.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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President Aquino leads launching of global online prayer movement
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III led Friday night the ceremonial launching of a global online prayer movement during the 33rd anniversary celebration of the Jesus Is Lord Church Worldwide at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila. 8
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Chief Executive was the first to log a prayer at JIL’s website during the launching. JIL founder and spiritual director Bro Eddie Villanueva joined the President during the event. “Binabati ko po ang Jesus is Lord Movement sa inyong ika-tatlumpu’t tatlong anibersaryo. Sa pangunguna ni Bro. Eddie Villanueva, binibigkis ninyo ang maraming Pilipino sa iba’t ibang sulok ng mundo para sa paglilingkod sa Diyos at sa bayan,” the President said in his message to JIL members. The President also expressed his gratitude to the Filipino people for supporting his administration in its agenda for reform and change. “Nawa’y ipagdasal po ninyo ang
ating bansa at ang ating pamahalaan sa krusada nitong tuldukan ang pagdurusa ng nakakarami nating mga kababayan; na bigyan tayo ng sapat na lakas upang gawin ang tama, upang maiparamdam sa ating mamamayan ang positibong bunga ng ating mga reporma, at maipagkaloob sa mga Pilipino ang serbisyong karapatdapat lang naman nilang matamasa,” he said. President Aquino acknowledged the importance of praying, citing the Filipino nation’s experience in the toppling the Marcos dictatorship through the historic EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 in which collective praying became the major tool in fighting for change.
T h e country will continue towards the righteous path as long as the people are behind his leadership, the President said, adding that the nation can overcome all the challenges even those who resist reforms. The prayer movement, dubbed “God Bless the Philippines” encourages all Filipinos to say a prayer at 12 o’clock everyday or at any other time convenient and practical wherever they may find themselves anywhere in the world to verbally utter the words “God Bless the Philippines.” Joining the President during the event were Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano, Technical Edu-
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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cation an d Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Sec. Gen.
Joel Villanueva, Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) representatives Atty. Sherwin Tugna and Chona Cruz-Gonza-
les, Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn and Bocaue Mayor Jon Jon Villanueva. (AS)
President Aquino’s peace adviser says Basilan incident won’t affect Mindanao peace talks
P
eace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) will continue this November despite the bloody incident in Al Barka, Basilan that resulted to the deaths of 19 government soldiers, the President’s peace adviser said on Saturday. 10
Saturday, October 29, 2011
“Wala pa yung details pero sa basa natin ngayon ay matutuloy yun (peace talks). We are confident there will be a face-to-face informal discussion—hindi ito full panel meeting within the month,” Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles said in an interview over government-run station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday. Both panels meet in Malaysia in early November this year, Deles said, the government will raise the Basilan clash issue with their MILF counterparts as the government seeks justice for those who were killed. At the same time, Deles said the Philippine government will discuss the issue thoroughly with the MILF to avoid similar incidents from happening again in the future.
Deles also reiterated the all-out justice approach of President Aquino being carried out against criminal groups in Mindanao, noting that while the government pursues bandit groups the peace talks with the MILF will continue. “Ihinihiwalay o nililinaw yung pag-uusap doon sa MILF at kinikilala na may significance lalung-lalo na sa leadership ng MILF na gusto talagang makahanap ng pangmatagalang solusyon sa problema sa Mindanao. Ito ay hiwalay doon sa pagtutugis sa criminal elements na paminsan-minsan ay nagkakaroon ng paghahalo doon sa mga MILF forces on the ground,” she said. Deles said that it’s possible for the government to carry out law enforcement while at the same time pro-
tecting the gains of the peace process and seeking accountability for those who are responsible in the Al Barka incident. While the government and the MILF both rejected the proposals they submitted, Deles remains hopeful about the ongoing negotiations saying there are still common grounds that both panels can work on. “Nakikita natin that there are common grounds between the two so ang sinasabi mag-usap para pagusapan kung papaano ipagpatuloy itong substantive agenda, na ito talaga ang gusto nating habulin. Para magkaroon ng agreement that will be the… pangmatagalang solusyon dito,” Deles said. (AS)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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Aquino issues Memorandum Order No. 25 reconstituting the Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Transport Planning
P
resident Benigno S. Aquino III has reconstituted the Inter-Agency Technical Committee on Transport Planning (IATCTP) tasked to formulate comprehensive and integrated transport plans as part of the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth in the country.
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Chief Executive issued Memorandum Order No. 25 on October 26, 2011 in view of the need to reconstitute the committee that will enhance cooperation and coordination among the various government agencies involved in transport programs and projects to avoid duplication of efforts. “The transportation infrastructure has the biggest share in the country’s infrastructure investment program and will continue to be among the critical drivers of the country’s economic growth,” President Aquino said in the MO. The President tasked the IATCTP to formulate standards and guidelines for the preparation of agency plans for transport development. “It shall develop a transport information system to provide the information needs of all transport planning and other relevant agencies,” he said. The committee is
tasked to coordinate the conduct of studies, researches and data-gathering on various aspects of the transport sector. According to the President, the committee which shall serve as a forum for the resolution of operational problems of transport agencies shall provide the National Economic and Development Authority Board Committee on Infrastructure (NEDA-Board INFRACOM) with up-to-date information needed in the review and evaluation of transport plans and projects. “The Committee shall submit to the NEDA Board INFRACOM any issues/concerns that require adoption/resolution by the latter,” he added. The President designated the Deputy Director-General of the NEDA-National Development Office as chairperson of the IATCTP. He, likewise, designated the Assistant Director-General of the NEDA-National Develop-
ment Office and the Directors of NEDA-Infrastructure Staff; NEDA-National Planning and Policy Staff; NEDA-Project Monitoring Staff and the University of the Philippines-National Center for Transportation Studies (UP-NCTS) as members. Also designated as members are the Heads of Planning Service/Unit of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), the Philippine National Railways (PNR), the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The new MO shall take effect immediately and shall supersede Memorandum Order No. 473 that was signed in 1974.(JS)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
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P-noy Photo
President Benigno S. Aquino III is joined by the winners of the national awarding ceremonies for the 2011 Presidential Award for Child Friendly Municipalities & Cities and Launching of the Book “A Journey with Children” at the Rizal Hall of the Malacañan Palace on Thursday (October 27). In photo are Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) Chairperson and DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau).
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Hundreds attend Youth and Children’s by Jocelyn P. Alvarez Congress in Zambo City
I
t’s “work and business,” as usual in Zamboanga City despite the recent atrocities that somehow put the city in the “bad light.” The recent military and lawless elements encounter in Taluksangay and the bomb explosion in Sangali did not stop the close to three hundred delegates from all over the Zamboanga Peninsula Region (Cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian, Sibugay province) and Isabela City to attend the Regional Youth Congress back to back with the Children’s Congress held in one of the local hotels here, Oct. 26 and 27 respectively. Ma Socorro Rojas of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said, “the Children’s Congress is an institutionalized activity of DSWD to highlight the celebration of the Children’s Month.’ “This event which was held last October 27 aims to promote Saturday, October 29, 2011
15
the talents of the Day Care Children at the same time, develop the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie at an early age,” Rojas added. The multi-talented day care children proudly presented their talents in a friendly competition – singing (solo) contest and speech choir. “The Regional Youth Congress held
on October 26 was geared towards promoting camaraderie. Talents of our youth were also showcased in the form of competition,” Rojas explained.
Youth Congress, lecture/insight on the threats and risks that faced the youth sector was discussed by National Youth Commission Director, Raymond Domingo. Winners in the said competition brought home cash prizes. (JPA/PIA9Zambo City)
The youth gave their best shot in the Vocal Solo competition, hip-hop dancing competition and on the spot painting contest. During the
NFA intensifies advocacy campaign on rice by Alfonso T. Ruda fortification program The National Food Authority has intensified has intensified its advocacy campaign rice fortification program as it prepares for the fullblast implementation of Republic Act No. 8679 otherwise known as the “The Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000 by 2012. This was started with the seminar on October 26, 2011 at 16
the Bamboo Garden, in Dipolog City, attended by more or less 80 representatives from the different municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte and the barangay officials of the 25 barangays in Dipolog City. This will be followed by another seminar with the rice millers in the province. According to Ms. Kareen Sarenas, NFAZamboanga del Norte
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Information Officer, they will also conduct information dissemination campaign at the different elementary and secondary schools throughout the province. During the recent seminar held in Dipolog City, Mr. Remy Samson, Zamboanga City NFA Manager who represented the NFA Regional Office 9, stressed that RA 8976 which took
effect in November 2004 seeks to address the micronutrient deficiencies in the country. Ms. Gloria Rigos, NFA-Central Office representative, tasked to
T
monitor the implementation of the advocacy campaign was so appreciative of the LGUs’ positive response to the program. Rigos said that Region 9 (specifically
Tawi-tawi) ranks first among the regions with the highest cases of micronutrient deficiencies, followed by regions 5 and 6. (JPA/ ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)
“Buntis” congress held in Dipolog by Franklin P. Gumapon
o ensure the health and safety among pregnant women, the City Health Office (CHO) here has spearheaded the conduct of “Buntis” congress recently. Attended by 67 pregnant women from the different barangays of the city, the activity sought to provide these expectant mothers with the basic information and knowledge about maternal and child healthcare. Topics like fetal development during pregnancy, prenatal care, postpartum care, breastfeeding
and newborn screening and maternal were discussed with healthcare midwife R h o d o r a M. Yrañela reminded the expectant mothers to always take care of their health and that of their unborn babies. City Civil R e g i s t r a r Rosemarie P. Miranda the participants by also discussed CHO personnel. the importance of CHO family having their newborn planning coordinator children immediately Saturday, October 29, 2011
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with the Civil Registrar’s Office (CRO), as this is one of the rights of each child to have a name and a nationality. CHO personnel told the participants to always seek the services of a midwife and not a “hilot” (traditional birth attendant) when they are about to deliver
E
their babies. They were also advised to go to the nearest birthing clinics or hospitals to give birth to their children, as the Department of Health (DOH) no longer allows the midwives to go house-to-house to attend to pregnant women. (JPA/FPG/ PIA-Zambo. Norte)
Government troops seize machine gun in Payao ite soldiers belonging to the 12th Scout Ranger Company (12 SRC) under Capt. Villanuna scores as it launched hot pursuit operations against the lawless elements (LLEs) under its known leader Waning Abdulsalam at the remote village in Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay province capturing a heavy machine gun at 1:00 pm on Thursday.
102nd Infantry Brigade commander as cellular phones, wires and switch
Col. Santiago R. Baluyot said operating troops led by Capt. Villanuna swooped down at Sitio Talaib, barangay Labatan and recovered one (1) caliber .50 machine gun with serial no. 1840459. Prior to the capture of the machine gun, Baluyot said the troops encountered undetermined number of heavily armed LLEs at sitio Osama in the said barangay. Meanwhile, at 8:40am of the same day, elements of the 14th Division Reconnaisance Company and Explosive Ordinance Division of the Philippine National Police while on checkpoint operation at Sangali Fish Port were able to confiscate bomb making items such 18
Saturday, October 29, 2011
that can be used as a triggering device for Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) from a certain Eric Barintos of barangay Quima, Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay who was immediately brought to Sangali PNP station for investigation and filing of appropriate charges. Tabak Division commander Ma-
jGen. Noel Coballes commended the concerned units for a job well done. He likewise enjoined the troops to be more vigilant at all times to continue with their mandated tasks against hostile actions by LLEs and to support the PNP in the law enforcement functions. (JPA/AFP/GCC/ PIA9-Pagadian)
C
Bringing services closer to the poor man’s door by Jorie C.Valcorza
hildren and folks in Sitio Quipasa, Poblacion, Mambajao dashed together for an early morning treat in their community center, eager to avail of free services that await them. MSAK simply means continuing service for the people. It aims to strengthen the delivery of basic services especially for the poor by bringing it down to their doors. In every Sitio visit, the team distributes vitamin A or iron supplements to pregnant women and prioritizes them for dental service like cleaning.
Little kids immediately gobbled down their share of the delicious ‘champorado’ (chocolate porridge) and bread as they wait to avail of free medical and dental services.
Unregistered newly born babies are not missed out, they are likewise welcome for late registrations by a representative from the local registrar office.
This has been a regular thing in the town, under the “Makanunayong Serbisyo Alang sa Katawhan” (MSAK) program of the municipal government of Mambajao.
Not a single folk goes home empty handed, some clutching their medications. The government has given away free medicines for immediate relief on sickness such as fever, colds and cough. Saturday, October 29, 2011
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also takes home livestock under the Complete set of anti-biotic were dispersal program, the beneficiaries likewise afforded for those who availed however are obliged to return the same of the dental services. set of livestock to the government as this will also be distributed to other Farmers on the other hand took intended beneficiaries. their share of seeds and fertilizers, pre-identified under the Community- Fisher folks have likewise received based Participatory Action Research their share of fingerlings to cultivate. (CPAR), a location specific research Medical cards from PhilHealth were that deals with improved farming distributed to priority families. system technologies for specific micro agro-climatic environment within a Mayor Maria Luisa De La province or municipality. Fuente Romualdo said the program is conceptualized to be an on-site in The scheme has to be undertaken terms of the locals’ economic and social to avoid duplication and flooding of needs. It is hoped to help alleviate supply. the living condition of the people and promote their total well-being. Set of farmers in each visit
Northern Mindanao is home to 30% of country’s best teachers in 2010 by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
Three or 30 percent of the 10 winners of the 2010 Search for Outstanding Teachers conducted by the MetroBank Foundation, Inc. (MFI) were from Region 10. And what is interesting about them is that their names all start with the letter “M,” which could also mean “Mentor,” or “Model,” and they not only love to teach but have very strong passions for the teaching profession. Their profound commitment for the development of the youth through exemplary competence, remarkable dedication to their work, and effective educational leadership made them win the search. 20
Saturday, October 29, 2011
In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the search was for choosing the “best among the best in the teaching profession as we embark in our continuing commitment to bring about change and inspiration in the sector of education in the country,” Anecito M. Sobrepeña, MFI President, said.
Aside from cash awards of P300,000 for each winner, they also received especially-designed trophies and medals while their schools received plaques of recognition from MFI.
18 years of teaching, with English as field of specialization.
Mercedita S. Villamayor, Associate Professor IV, Bukidnon State University Secondary School Laboratory, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, For its part, the Regional 28 years in teaching, with Mathematics Development Council (RDC), Region as field of specialization. 10, conferred recognition to these 2010 MFI Awardees: Meanwhile, Sobrepeña said a total of 297 teachers, “who have Miladith B. Polutan, Master been shining examples of unstinting Teacher 1, Oroquieta City Central dedication and commitment to the Elementary School, Oroquieta City teaching profession and pride of their in Misamis Occidental, 18 years of respective schools and communities,” teaching, with Special Education have been awarded by MFI since (SPED) for children with multiple 1985. disabilities and visual impairment as field of specialization. “I am pleased to say that Northern Mindanao is the 3rd top-producing Mercelita J. Labial, English region with 23 search awardees or Department Chair/Senior Faculty, 7.8 percent of the total,” Sobrepeña Xavier University High School, added. Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental,
Pantawid Pamilya reaches more than 200,000 indigents in NorMin by Apipa Bagumbaran
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - A total of 200,569 beneficiaries in Northern Mindanao are benefitting from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program since it was implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Of these beneficiaries, the province of Lanao del Norte had the most number of 62, 672 beneficiaries, followed by Misamis Oriental had 52, 571, said Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, Director of DSWD, Northern Mindanao.
She said beneficiaries in Bukidnon have also reached 49,014 while Misamis Occidental and Camiguin have 34,636 and 1,676 beneficiaries, respectively. Saturday, October 29, 2011
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Solamillo said the program started in the region last September 2007 with only 1,314 beneficiaries covering two municipalities in Misamis Occidental, but after four years, all the five provinces in the region have been covered with 82 towns/cities out of the region’s 85 towns and eight (8) cities as Pantawid Pamilya areas.
with Php251,806,700 or 16% while Misamis Oriental and Camiguin got Php143,421,200 or 9% and Php10,101,600 or 1%, respectively. Solamillo said 156,505 beneficiaries have already received their cash grants while 44,064 recipients mostly from Sets 4C and 4D have yet to receive theirs. She said the cash grant is given to the most responsible adult in the household through the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) cash cards.
A poverty and social development strategy of the national government, the Pantawid Pamilya provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education, However, if it is not feasible, particularly, of children aged 0-14. payments are made using an alternative scheme such as over-the Meanwhile, the total grants counter (OTC) transactions or offsite released in Northern Mindanao payments through the LBP. amounted to Php1,553,646,800 as of June 30, 2011. Payments to beneficiaries from the towns of Baroy, Kolambugan and Lanao del Norte got the biggest Maigo towns in Lanao del Norte are share with Php812,822,500 or 52% done through G-Cash, she added. followed by Misamis Occidental with Php335,494,800 or 22%, Bukidnon
TF Bamboo 3E starts bamboo tree planting along riverbanks in NorMin by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - Task Force Best Action for Mobilizing Barangay Organizations for Opportunities in Education, Environment and Entrepreneurship (BAMBOO 3E) has been formed in Northern Mindanao. Described as a multisectoral approach to enhance environmental education and entrepreneurship formation 22
Saturday, October 29, 2011
among children, BAMBOO 3E aims to address the concern on climate change by the elementary, secondary, and tertiary schools
the region.
and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the local government units (LGU),identifies the planting areas, coordinates with its land owners and arranges for the security of its protection and maintenance of the bamboo growing process.
The said task force advocates for bamboo to be planted along the riverbanks because of its potential for preventing soil erosion and entrepreneurial value to the students,” Regional Director Luz Almeda of the Dept. of Education (DepEd), Northern Mindanao, Department of Environment said. and Natural Resources (DENR) and Dept. of Agriculture (DA) for “We want to start them young technical assistance in procurement in taking care of the environment of seedlings and tree growing. by educating them how to plant trees, grow them, and then develop Also included in the TF are their entrepreneurial skills using the Dept. of Tourism (DOT), Dept. the bamboo as a means to sustain of Trade and Industry (DTI), their lives,” she said. Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Philippine The composition of TF Information Agency (PIA) for BAMBOO 3E and their respective the information, education and tasks is as follows: DepEd, as advocacy drive of the project. chair, provides manpower for the planting and growing of the Meanwhile, DepEd-10 has bamboo seedlings into trees and identified several pilot areas for making the tree guards to ensure planting bamboo trees: Barangays their safe growth from destructive Lingating and Langawon in animals. Baungon; and Bukidnon and Mambuaya, Gusa and Iponan, in Department of Science and Cagayan de Oro City. Technology (DOST), as vice-chair, provides the technology for the So far, Almeda said DepEd processing of the bamboo trees has allocated P200,000 for the into school furniture, such as, purchase of bamboo seedlings, school desks, blackboards, book while DOST has promised to put shelves, book stands, book ends, up a bamboo processing plant etc. worth P1.2M in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Department of Interior Saturday, October 29, 2011
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White beauty flies to freedom by Jed Christian Sayre
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental - A tropical white-tailed bird which was accidentally caught at sea has been released to its natural habitat and is now free.
The bird, for a short time, was kept at the Regional Wildlife Rescue Center, after it was turnedover, last April 8, to the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Northern Mindanao. The migratory bird had a most interesting fate, when by chance, it came into a collision course with a cargo ship bound for Cagayan de Oro City (CDOC) from Metro Manila, Dr. Belen O. Daba, Officer-in-Charge, Regional Technical Director for DENR’s PAWCZMS, in the region, said.
exposed to the China Sea. The White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaeton lepturus) freely flies across three oceans, namely the Atlantic, Indian and the Pacific and scours the open ocean in search for food, and can even float to rest, tropicbirds also seldom fly near the shore. Meanwhile, Daba said aside from its many advocacies and responsibilities, it is also tasked by the Philippine government to look after all wildlife, be it from land, sea and air.
Thus, Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation Called “white beauty,” due to and Protection Act, prohibits its extra long tail which actually the collection and hunting of doubles its size in length, it’s a threatened wildlife. beauty to see when flying, the bird was discovered by porters in Along, this line, PAWCZMS is the CDOC’s Macabalan Wharf. in charge in rescuing and handling animals who has lost its way, It was believed to have after being caught in mishaps or accidentally swooped into the perhaps illegally kept, Daba added ship’s cargo bay as the ship (DENR) passed along a portion of its route 24
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Davao architecture students place second in national design competition
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team of Architecture graduates and a student from Ateneo de Davao University won second place at a national design competition, the only finalist from Mindanao among 100 entries.
Team Bldg Blox’s playground design ‘Lihok: Tinalak Dulaan’ placed second in the “Make Space for Play” design competition held on October 21 to 23, 2011 at the SMX Conven tion Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. “Make Space for Play” gathered
playground designers all over the country to come up with innovative play areas that are not only colorful and attractive, but may help shape young Filipinos today and for years to come. It was organized by Play Universal Co., an organization that advocates the value of play in the development of the children. The competition attracted hundreds of entries from students, educators, as well as amateur and professional designers. The designs were judged by renowned Filipino designer Kenneth Cobonpue, International Play Asso Saturday, October 29, 2011
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ciation Regional Vice President for East Asia Hitoshi Shimamura, architect Marcus Veerman of Playground Ideas, and Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Isabel Berenguer-Asuncion. From hundreds, the judges chose the top 30 entries. The 30 teams took a Play Space Design Workshop under US-based architect Jon Racek. In the workshop, they were given the chance to improve their designs before the final selection, where only the best five designs remained. One if them is Bldg Blox’s design ‘Lihok: Tinalak Dulaan’, the only entry out of five finalists that came from outside Luzon. The ‘Lihok: Tinalak Dulaan’ 100-sq. m. playground is centered on movement (Lihok) and healthy interaction. The team designed their playground like making a Tinalak, a famous Philippine-Mindanao native fabric that is manually crafted to create patterns and designs inspired from a weaver’s dream. Just like the Tinalak, their design is a manifestation of every child’s dream to play and explore. Judges praised Bldg Blox for their “good use of color and variety of play experiences” in their work. Their design and the other four were exhibited during the Play Pilipinas 2011, the first international conference on play held at the SMX Convention Center. Phoenix Petroleum Philippines supported the Bldg Blox-Davao team by sponsoring the round trip ticket to Manila of one of its members. The 26
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team is composed of Ma. Angelica Sharmane Coquilla, Aibel Grace Ypil, and Arnold Anthony Y. Chong. “We would like to extend our sincerest thanks for the support you generously shared to our team during the competition. Because of your support, we were able to participate and represent not only Davao City, but the whole Mindanao,” Bldg BloxDavao team leader Coquilla said of Phoenix. As 1st runner-up, the team received a cash prize of P30,000. Their playground design will be replicated all over the Philippines, and will be built in Brgy. Buhangin, Davao City. “We hope to continue this advocacy to provide children all over the Philippines with play spaces to encourage and promote active play,” said Coquilla. Phoenix Petroleum Philippines is the fastest growing independent oil company today with an expanding network of operations nationwide. It is engaged in the business of trading refined petroleum products and lubricants, operation of oil depots and storage facilities, and allied services. (pr)
DavNor Guv bats for continuation of peace process TAGUM CITY- Peace negations should take its full course despite the recent clash between the military and the alleged lawless members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario, chair of the Mindanao Confederation of Mayors and Governors strongly pushed for such move as local executives in Mindanao had bonded together behind calls of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III for all-out justice. “In the meantime, let us pursue the move of the President to hasten the negotiation while he is there,” he said referring to the present administration under President Aquino. Del Rosario consulted Confed members amidst insinuations that President Aquino should take the full force of the military to run after those responsible for the death of 19 soldiers in Basilan. He gained the backing of the 26 Confed members to support President Aquino in his call for all-
out justice, “without neglecting what had happened in Basilan.” “The military should pursue those who have violated the rule of law; that they should be punished to apply the full force of the law,” he said in an interview. Del Rosario turned down calls for all-out war as he had foreseen the massive destruction that such move would bring to the lives of people living in Mindanao. “We cannot imagine how many millions of people will be affected,” he said. “The Basilan incident is an isolated incident,” he added. In a statement during his meeting with key officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police at the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command in Camp Panacan, Davao City, del Rosario underscored the need for the military to uphold human rights at all cost so it “may never be misled to pursue vengeance amidst atrocities.” “As the legal armed instrument of the Philippine Government, it is incumbent upon you to strictly respect human rights, even if others do not, cannot, and will not,” he said. (jean d. abangan. PIA 11 with reports from DavNor PIO) Saturday, October 29, 2011
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IP achiever at indigenous people’s thanksgiving day ALABEL, Sarangani Anne Edday delivers her inspirational speech before indigenous people (IP) from all over the province during the provincial celebration of national indigenous people’s thanksgiving day Friday, October 28, at the Capitol gymnasium. Edday, a Blaan educator who helped implement education reforms in Sarangani, was given the recognition as IP achiever. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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Koronadal City Mayor Miguel supports Cong. Enrile’s agri initiatives By Aida Agad KORONADAL CITY – Being the chief executive of the region’s agro-industrial center and with more its residents dependent on agriculture, Koronadal City Mayor Peter B. Miguel vowed to pursue initiatives that could help the sector. This commitment is part of his message he delivered at the training of farmer’s group officials from the city’s different barangay’s as he also welcomed to the city the presence of Cagayan 1st District Congressman Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. Enrile is the leading proponent of the Food for Filipino First Advocacy (FFFA). Under the FFFA, Enrile said he would like to ensure enough food for Filipinos first before exporting the country’s produce to other countries. Reports from the city agriculture office said that Koronadal City’s vast agricultural lands are suitable for production of rice, corn and other high-value commercial crops such as mango, papaya, jackfruit, durian, rambu-
tan, pomelo, lanzones and guyabano, banana (saba), banana (latundan), avocado, coffee, and apple guava. The city has also ventured on oil palm and rubber in the past and in three years these crops are expected to be productive, the report said. In his message Enrile, said to the farmers that populations in the developing cities in the world are becoming vulnerable
and food insecure, and are likely to be the most seriously affected by development. This is why, he said, he is encouraging the farmers sector all over the country to be more productive by venturing on new modern techniques, as he also vowed to support them through worthwhile legislations that he would sponsor in Congress. (PIA12)
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Team Tacurong overall champion in national arnis tourney By Jessa Billano TACURONG CITY -- The Arnis Sports Team of Tacurong earned its tenth straight National Arnis Tournament championship in the recently held Arnis tilt in Bacolod City last October 15-16. Tacurong City’s arnis players bagged 18 golds, 10 silvers, and 5 bronzes. Venus Apresto with one gold and Cyra Regine Olivar with two golds and one silver led in kids category. The Junior Category was also dominated by Tacurongnons namely: Nolie John Bayya (1 gold), Sheena Del Monte (2 golds, 1 silver), Angel Joy Ariston (2 silvers), Princess Hann Paniza (1 silver), Janica Depasupil (1 silver), Brent Randolph Pauya (1 gold, 1 silver), Alfie Carillo (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), Rodrick Joshua Victorio (2 golds), and Ronald Acain (1 gold, 1 bronze). Reynan Subaldo (2 golds), Rey John Miguel (1 gold, 1 silver), Christian Manaay (1 gold, 1 30
bronze), Acer Jolero (1 bronze), Ritchie Molina (1 silver), Jose Jover Pajarpa (1 gold), Ferdinand Tingson (1 gold), Ma. Lara Carillo (1 gold) and Airene Apresto (1 silver) also dominated the tournament’s Senior Category. Arnis came from the
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Spanish word “arnes” which means armor. It is also known as eskrima, kali, or garrote. Wooden sticks are used as a weapon and a training tool in this sport. These sticks are given swinging and twisting movements along with the thrusting and strik
ing techniques for defense and offense. With the enactment of Republic Act No. 9850, Arnis was declared as the Philippines’ national martial art and sport. Tacurong has become popular in the national
arnis circle since joining national tournaments ten years ago. During the International Arnis Championships hosted by the Philippines in 2008, Team Philippines placed second to Team United States
in the overall ranking. Tacurong Arnis players contributed majority of the gold medals for the Philippine Team in that competition. (DED/PIA 12/LGU-Tacurong City)
Army’s 6th Infantry Division refutes NPA report By Perlita Changco COTABATO CITY- A top official of the 6th Infantry Division (6th ID), Philippine Army based in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao categorically denies the report of New People’s Army (NPA) accusing the soldiers as the ones responsible in the slay of Italian priest Fr. Fausto Tentorio in Arakan, North Cotabato.
Sixth ID Chief, Maj. Gen. Rey Ardo said the military has nothing to do with killing of Fr. Tentorio and vehemently denies the accusation. “I vehemently deny this as we have no reason to do so,”Gen. Ardo said. Ardo said, the military recognized the active involvement of Fr. Tentorio in various projects aimed to
help in the empowerment of the indigenous people and poor communities in the town of Arakan adding having been with the slain missionary in past and recent community activities. He acknowledged that Fr. Tentorio was instrumental in the release of the four (4) BJMP guards abducted by the NPA in Bukidnon sometime
in July this year. Ardo noted zero case of extralegal killings in the area of responsibility of the 6th ID since January this year. This manifests AFP’s all out support to the peace initiatves of the government and strict adherence to the International Humanitaran Law, Ardo added. (pbchangco/ PIA Cotabato City)
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CCPD spearheads Mindanao Week of Peace 2011 celeb in Caraga by Jennifer P. Gaitano
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he Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) led by convenor Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos is spearheading this year’s celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) with the theme “Common Word between Us and You: Love of God, Love of Neighbor” on November 24-30.
www.piacaraga.blogspot.com
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http://www.facebook.com/pages/PIA-Caraga-Updates/165374590187484
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piacaraga@gmail.com pia_caraga@yahoo.com.ph
According to Ric Dequiña of CCPD, the Top 10 Best Poster chosen out from the 42 youth who participated during the On-the-Spot Poster Making Activity held last October 8 under the guidelines and principles of “Sining Kabataan para sa Kapayapaan” will be used as the official Posters for this year’s MWOP celebration. As tentatively planned by the multisectors comprising government agencies, local officials, academe, nongovernment organizations, and private stake-
holders who are active members during this celebration on November 24, the MWOP will be opened officially in Surigao City. On November 24, a Tree Planting and Cleaning for Peace will also be conducted along Buenavista, Agusan del Norte area while on November 26, stakeholders will be participating on the ‘Takbo Para sa Kapayapaan’. However, CCPD with its stakeholders also consider to conduct the Tree Planting and Cleaning for Peace activities together with the Gender and De-
velopment Coordinating Committee (GACDD) simultaneously since GADCC’s 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) will kick off on November 25 as well. Also, entertainment among members dubbed ‘Kalingawan Alang sa Kalinaw’ is scheduled on November 27 while a press conference is also set during the weeklong celebration. With this, the general public is encouraged to join and give their full support in the success of this celebration.
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PNP-Caraga on heightened alert for ‘UNDAS’ by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY – The region’s police force is on heightened alert as the country commemorates All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day on November 1 and 2. Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga Regional Director PCSupt Reynaldo Rafal issued an order directing all provincial, municipal and city police stations to double their effort to uphold peace and security in the entire region during the two-day commemoration. In an earlier interview with a local radio station here, Dir. Rafal said a police action force 34
was already created in all areas in Caraga Region where police officers will be deployed not only to ensure peace and security but to assist the people trooping in all the public and private cemeteries in the region. In a separate interview, Butuan City Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun reiterated the need for the city government to tap the services of the force multipliers
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such as the barangay intelligence network and barangay tanods to augment the number of police officers during those days. “This is to ensure public safety and security,” Fortun added. Vice Mayor Fortun further said PNP personnel will be deployed in crowded areas particularly in the public and private cemeteries, as well as churches to ensure their safety.
Surigao Norte to receive funds from OPAPP by: Arturo M. Cruje
SURIGAO CITY – The province of Surigao del Norte will receive P48 million from the Pamana ng Lahi Program to fund the rehabilitation of highway junction of barangay Claver-Sapa-LaSiCam-PuyawonGigaquit road with a total length of 22 kilometers. This was confirmed by OPAPP Technical Staff Engineer Oliver Binancilan during his paid visit to Governor Sol Matugas. The rehabilitation works cover the portion of the provincial road from Claver to Gigaquit which is not passable especially during bad weather due to its mountainous terrain and it passes valleys
and rivers. The said barangays along the stretch of the road are considered hardto-reach and conflictaffected areas. The project is targeted to improve accessibility of the people to basic gov-
ernment service facilities. Easy transport of farm produce to the market and exchange of trade and commerce is expected to follow. Part of the funds will go to viable livelihood projects.
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“Phil JobNet” - SRS registration is on-going in Tandag City by:Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY – The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) under the office of City Mayor Alexander Pimentel is now accepting applicants to the national Skills Registry System (SRS). Dubbed as “Phil. JobNet”, the program was spearheaded by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) aimed to address the prevalent mismatch in the employment and skills of the workers. SRS is an electronic system where all the data gathered from the applicants will be uploaded and can capture all the 36
updates on workers’ skills, and qualifications, among others. Lists of establishments and vacancies can also be found relevant to labor market information. According to Ms Lorna Novo, Tandag PESO Manager, only 2 PESO in Surigao del Sur has been granted to localize the acceptance of applicants for SRS as pilot areas in Car-
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aga in time of its 2nd wave of implementation. These are the City Governments of Bislig and Tandag. Novo further said application forms are now available at PESO Tandag and has been disseminated to 21 barangays here after the orientation was conducted in the middle October 2011.
News Feature: Gotta have gata in your kitchen!
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by Charina A. Javier
he food consumption survey (FCS) conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008 revealed that coconut cream or gata is one of the most commonly-consumed food item in Filipino households, particularly among the Bicolanos. The FCS showed that pregnant and lactating women consume the most coconut cream at an average of about 4.5 teaspoons or 22.2 grams and 23.2 grams per day, respectively, among other population groups. Coconut cream is usually added in viands like ginataang kalabasa at sitaw, ginataang langka, laing, ginataang manok, Bicol express, ginataang tulingan, among others, or snacks like ginataang halu-halo, ginataang mais, desserts like ice cream and custards and even in refreshments. These foods are frequently seen in everyday meals or in special occasions like fiesta and family gatherings. Yes, gata, like co-
conut oil, is rich in fat but the fatty acids it contains is mostly lauric acid, a medium-chain triglyceride (MCT). The MCTs are converted rapidly to energy in the liver and do not participate in the buildup and transport of cholesterol, as they primarily supply energy like sugar. This is not the case for long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) which involves a complex mechanism that leads to fat deposition, cholesterol or triglyceride buildup. Various local and foreign studies have shown that MCTs do not significantly increase the risk of having cardiovascular diseases. A study by Dr. Rodolfo F. Florentino and Dr. Aida R. Aguinaldo
revealed that Bicolanos who have the highest coconut oil intake among the regions of the country have the lowest mortality from heart disease and stroke. The late Dr. Conrado Dayrit, a former National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) President and Professor Emeritus
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at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, conducted extensive studies about coconut in different health conditions in the Philippines. His studies showed the numerous potential antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects of coconut oil, including lowering the viral load of AIDS patients. Also, another study by Assuncao and others in Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Brazil showed that coconut oil does not cause dyslipidemia and seems to pro38
mote a reduction in abdominal obesity among women. Aside from fats, gata also provides other nutrients like manganese, phosphorus and traces of vitamin E. These, and many other studies showing the health benefits of coconut, encourage everyone to include coconut, its extracts like gata as well as recipes and products made from these in the diet. So go on, include a serving of gata in your daily menu. Gotta have
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gata in your kitchen! For more information on food and nutrition, contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail: mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo. com Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our website: http:// www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.