One Mindanao - May 6, 2014

DURIAN CENTRAL: I LOVE MATISOUTHERN MINDANAO

TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 172

Senate passes mobile alert bill on final reading

NATIONAL

8

Page 4

CENTRAL MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

NORTHERN MINDANAO

SOUTHERN MINDANAO

City-wide Bayanihan in Tagum set

‘Labak Butuan’ for Brigada Eskwela

RDRRMC 12 expects inclusion of SOCCSKSARGEN entries in 2014 Gawad Kalasag

Electric coop goes on voluntary load curtailment of 248.74MW

Dipolog City opens 16th P’gsalabuk Festival

CDO media observe World Press Freedom Day 2014 12

15

25

28

32

29

Information to Empower Filipinos

10 7 11

CARAGA REGION

US Embassy set to conduct ‘Tech for Resilience Week’ for a safer PHL 16 U.S. Embassy

Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Mary May A. Abellon

Charlemagne Kierra M. Rubillos

Dr. Israel Reveche

DURIAN CENTRAL: I LOVE MATI

This is the tagline of Mati City’s new tourism campaign

under Mayor Carlo Rabat.

The idea is for Matinians and visitors to fall for the charms of this idyllic city facing the Pacific, and that “love” could be quickly shared through social media.And this marketing concept is reaping benefits to Mati, with visitors coming in huge numbers. “Na-surprise kami sa development sa Mati.” (We were surprise in Mati’s development) says Mati City Mayor Carlo Rabat. “When we spend holy week in Dahican City, there were just a few people, now it Is filled with people.” He recalls seeing the crowd at Dahican. This writer was part of a select group of photographers and bloggers who were invited during the Holy Week in the City by the local government. We toured around the City Hall,

the

Baywalk, Carmelite Monastery, Subangan Museum, had an ultralight flying experience over Dahican, an island tour in Waniban and strolling at the famed Dahican Beach. The group caught the Mayor frolicking at Waniban beach along with his family. During holy week he makes it point to spend the days around the beaches and islands of his city.Mayor Rabat says the secret to the recent successes is maximizing exposure in Mati, these means putting

5

up or supporting events that will attract visitors. He recalled that the city began getting national attention when a group of celebrities had a pictorial in Dahican for a glossy magazine. These included actor/athlete Enchong Dee, Miss World 2014 Megan Young and sultry actress Jessy Mendiola. The City then began supporting events particularly massive Electronic Dance Music parties, Sembreak in last year’s Sambuokan and the recently-held Summerfrolic. The Mayor attributes the recent arrivals as an offshoot of those parties. “of the thousands who attended Summerfrolic almost all of them has a Facebook account. “ The Mayor explains the power of the social media as an effective marketing tool. The place has become some sort of a Mindanao’s Palm Springs, where young people converge during school breaks. It has attracted throngs of adventurous beachgoers drawn to the long coastline of Dahican. The local government and private businesses are also inviting celebrities to Mati, these has a double-edged purpose, celebrities entertain constituents and also these social media savvy artistas can spread the beauty of Mati thru their social media accounts which are heavily-followed.

Fine examples include Kathryn Bernardo and Jessy Mendiola who snapped shots of Mati and uploaded it on their social media accounts like Instagram. With increasing number of visitors Mayor Rabat says they need new investments from the private sector particularly rooms and accommodation facilities particularly in Dahican. Currently they are building a water system in Dahican to attract more investors, Mayor says this is a partnership between the Mati Water District and the City. Dahican has no water system and is dependent upon wells. The City is continuing with the Dahican Beach Strip development started by the previous administration. The DBS contains a visitor information

center, day-time cottages and comfort rooms. The Mayor says they are waiting for the contractor to complete the project and turnover the facility to the government so that they can introduce new developments. However he discounted the possibility of building overnight accommodations, as they would not want to compete with the private resorts. The City is also developing a property as a tent area for visitors; they will be constructing comfort rooms and putting up lights. M a y o r Rabat says the plan for Dahican is to develop the area without destroying the pristine natural environment. Its waters are home to dugongs, dolphins and whale sharks. It is also an important sea turtle nesting site.Two months ago, the City convened the Task Force Dahican to study the eco-tourism of the place. One firm plan the City Mayor is bent on keeping is to keep the eight-kilometer beach barrier free, jetties, breakwaters and barriers are not allowed to be constructed in the area. Aside from Dahican the Mayor

is also exploring the potentials of Mt Hamiguitan as an eco-tourism destination. The protected area known for its bonsai forests is shared by the towns of Governor Generoso and San Isidro it is being submitted for listing as a World Heritage Site. They are also waiting for the private owners of Pujada Island to enter into partnerships with investors,

the 156-hectare island is home to fine white sand

beaches. Waniban Island’s ownership

is still under court litigation. The caretakers with the support of the barangay t o u r i s m council have set-up huts for daytime

visitors. The city

g o v e r n m e n t also wants to put

ultralight flying as part of their itinerary for Mati.

The Mindanao Saga Flying Club the operator of a ultralight facility in the airport offers Trial Introductory Flights for P1,600, a 15-minute ultralight ride which takes you above the scenic Dahican coastline. There are perhaps a thousand reasons why someone would love Mati, and through these initiatives the city government is trying to add many reasons more.

7 MAY| PAGE

Across the NationPresident Aquino confers Order of Sikatuna to outgoing envoy of Spain

President Aquino recognized Domecq’s important contribution in further strengthening and

deepening the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Spain since he assumed office in 2011.

President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross, Gold Distinction to

outgoing Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq in a simple farewell ceremony at Malacanang’s Music Room on Tuesday

8 MAY 2014 | PAGE

Senate passes mobile alert bill on final reading

The Senate passed on third and final reading on Monday a bill that would require the Philippines’ telecommunication

companies (Telcos) to send out early warning alerts or other relevant information during times of disasters, as part of the government’s efforts to further improve its national disaster prevention strategy.

The President also commended the envoy’s outstanding and dedicated service in the field of international relations and for having been an exceptionally worthy and competent representative of his government in the country.

He likewise praised Domecq for his steadfast efforts in promoting partnerships between the Philippines’ and Spain’s public and private educational institutions, including the enhancement and propagation of the Spanish language.

The President acknowledged the ambassador’s efforts in encouraging Spain to support Philippine development goals through Spain’s official development assistance in the important sectors of good governance, education,

social development, and disaster risk management and emergency response.

Domecq was cited for supporting Philippine initiatives in the domestic, regional and multilateral arena, especially in the areas of human rights, the rights of women and the Mindanao peace process.

Lastly, President Aquino recognized the envoy’s consistent efforts in bringing the people of Spain closer to the people of the Philippines through enhanced collaboration between Filipino cultural institutions and the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports and the Instituto Cervantes.

Also present during the event were Domecq’s wife Rosa Rufino de Domecq, two other officials of Spain, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario. PND

9 MAY| PAGE

House Bill No. 353, or the “Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act,” was approved with 20 yes votes.

Senate President Franklin Drilon said that once the bill is enacted into law, it would “help create an effective early warning system that will help achieve the main objectives of our national disaster preparedness strategy, which is to lessen the impact of incoming disasters, and ultimately save precious lives and valued property.”

The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act, which was endorsed by the Senate Committee on Public Services chaired by Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., mandates Telcos to send free mobile alerts in the event of natural and man-made disasters and calamities.

Mobile subscribers will receive the warnings at no cost to the government and the public.

Drilon said that the government must employ the most efficient and fastest methods of informing the public on impending calamities, such as tropical storms, tsunamis or earthquakes, hence the use of mobile phone technology.

“As the texting capital of the world, we can greatly use the instantaneous, flexible and reliable short message service (SMS) technology as a potent tool during disaster situations - one that is intimately understood and easily accessed by millions

of Filipinos who have cellphones,” he said.Drilon cited a Business Monitor

International (BMI) study wherein the Philippines is expected to have 117 million mobile subscribers by 2016.

Under the bill, the alerts shall consist of updated information from relevant agencies working on disaster management and shall be transmitted directly to the mobile phone subscribers located near and within the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the Senate also passed House Bill No. 3187, a bill granting franchise to the Cotabato Light and Power Company to operate and maintain the distribution system for electric power to Cotabato City and other towns of Sultan Kudarat province and Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao province.

The bill was also sponsored by Revilla.Drilon said that the Senate’s approval of

the franchise is “part of the government’s continuing efforts to secure stable and sustainable source of power for citizens in parts of Mindanao, long troubled by power outages and other similar issues.”

“We are hoping that the Cotabato Light and Power Company can adequately serve the needs of those living in the area. We will be monitoring their progress, so that the electrical requirements of the people of Mindanao can be adequately and sufficiently met,” he said. (PNA)

10MAY2014 | www.pia.gov.ph PAGE |

Draft of Bangsamoro Basic Law now with Presidential Legal Counsel, says Palace official

The draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law

is with the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel, which is reviewing it before presenting it to President Benigno S. Aquino III, Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., said Monday.

“The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law prepared by the Bangsamoro Transition Committee is currently being reviewed by the legal team of the Office of the President and by the Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel to determine propriety for inclusion in the legislative agenda of the President,” Coloma said during a press briefing.

“This review ensures meticulous and circumspect evaluation that each provision of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law conforms to the Constitution and the signed agreements,” he added.

He said there is a sense of urgency for the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law to be

enacted into a law and submitting it to the House of Representatives is paramount.

“Binanggit na rin ito ng Pangulo na matatapos iyong pagsasabatas nito sa loob nitong taong ito para maidaos din iyong plebisito for referendum sa unang bahagi ng 2015, dahil kinakailangang magkaroon din ng transition na kapag naganap na ang pag-ratipika nito, magkakaroon ng Bangsamoro Transition Commission na papalit sa ARMM (Autonomous Region on Muslim Mindanao) na iphe-phase out for approximately one year of last period leading up to the 2016 elections,” Coloma explained.

Both Houses of Congress resumed sessions on Monday.


Davao City to hire more police auxiliaries to combat theft

DAVAO CITY- Mayor Rodrigo Du-terte mulled of hiring local police auxiliaries to combat the theft in-cidents among local communities in the city. He said the local police alone cannot deter theft incidents perpetrated by the akyat-bahay gangs because of their limited number. Duterte said he needs to bring the issue to the Sangguniang Panglungsod since he needs more or less P5-Million allocation per month for every five police auxiliaries deployed in all 182 barangays in the city.

He said every barangay must have its own security activity. Duterte said theft is the only security concern of the city nowadays. He said police auxiliaries must be young and are willing to work. “I can call anybody to help me maintain law and order. Once appointed, they become agents of the person in authority for their protection once the kill someone or they are killed in the line of duty,” Duterte said. He said the Davao City Police Office works currently on the criteria of a police auxiliary candidate. Duterte said every candidate must undergo thirty-day training on police work, handling of suspects, the law on arrest, respect for human rights and due process of the law. “Every barangay including the bigger ones will be provided with police auxiliaries armed with shot guns,” he said. (PIA11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)


City-wide Bayanihan in Tagum setTAGUM CITY—Drumming up the call to revive the spirit of volun-teerism down to the grassroots level, the city government here is spearheading a massive bayani-han across the city which will be participated by all puroks in the 23 barangays here. Set on May 14 this year, the synchronized one-day civic action is focused on cleanliness drive aimed specifically on de-clogging the canals and drainage systems in the purok level, as well as cleaning vital areas in the puroks across the city. This initiative is an offshoot of the “Bayanihan sa Kapurokan” launched last May 3, 2014 at the Tagum City Pavilion thatb was attended by all the purok leaders of the city. The bayanihan that will be focused on drainage-cleaning is an immediate mitigation response to problems on flooding, especially so that nine barangays in the city was flooded when a torrential rain dumped a month-equivalent of rainfall last April 17. On the part of the local government, the City Engineering Office is working on a comprehensive drainage planning

and mapping so as to provide a long-term solution to possible flooding in the future. Mayor Allan L. Rellon stressed that the said leaders, them being as frontliners in the grassroots level, have a great role in trumpeting the city government’s advocacy at all fronts. Among this is on matters geared towards disaster resiliency and adaptability and on peace and order. As aligned in his EAGLE WINGS Program, Mayor Rellon also announced an improved system of communication between the local government and the purok-based leaders especially on reporting on petty crimes. The local chief executive rallied for support from Tagumeños to volunteer on May 14, as well as participating in various community mobilization efforts either organized by the city government, barangay or their respective purok governments. “Sa atong pagtinabangay, mugaan atong trabaho,” Mayor Rellon said. (Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum)

Palarong Pambansa 2014 kicks off in Laguna


Palarong Pambansa 2014 kicks off in Laguna By Nida Grace P. BarcenaLAGUNA - The 2014 Palarong Pambansa also known as “2014 Palaro” joined by around 11,200 student-athletes from 17 regions throughout the country formally kicked-off Monday held at the Laguna Sports Complex, Barangay Bubukal, Sta Cruz, this province.


This year’s event is anchored on the theme, “Sports is a way of Life.” The athlete-students will compete from 17 sports events plus three demonstration sports.

It was learned that Caraga Region has 635 delegates composed of technical officials and student-athletes with Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga regional director Alberto Escobarte leading the region’s delegation.

The event was made momentous by the participation of those who were affected by typhoon Yolanda.

“We have survived. Thank you for your help,” said the banners carried by student-athletes, together with their coaches and other school officials during the opening parade.

Now on its 57th year, the Palarong Pambansa is an annual event showcasing and promoting sportsmanship of Filipino athlete-students.

Meanwhile, swimmer and actor Enchong Dee, Olympian figure skater Michael Martinez, and basketball players Jeron and Jeric Teng led the torch relay during the grand opening ceremonies.


‘Labak Butuan’ for Brigada Eskwela

BUTUAN CITY-- A fun run dubbed as “Labak Para Hong Brigada Eskwela” (Run for Brigada Eskwela) is set on May 18 here.

According to focal person of Labak Butuan Ma. Cecile Plaza, the fun run aims to gather resources to support the Butuan City division and the conduct of the Brigada Eskwela on May 19 to 24.

Plaza said, a registration fee of three hundred pesos (P300) will be collected from the participants. The one hundred pesos will be for the participants t-shirts, 25 percent of the remaining two hundred pesos will be allotted for the Butuan City division’s operating

expenses and medicines budget, while the 75 percent will be used for the conduct Brigada Eskwela.

The fun run will be participated by teachers, students, parents, school heads, representatives for the local government unit and non-government organizations. It will start at the Robinson’s Place Butuan at six in the morning going to the covered court of the Agusan National High School, Plaza added.

By Dr. Israel Reveche


The Tech for Resilience Week will start with a Tech Camp on May 5 at Globe Labs, Globe Telepark in Valero St., Makati City. This event is the first of three linked events taking place during the week of May 5-11, 2014 all geared toward harnessing technology to empower Filipino non-governmental agencies and local government units (LGUs) to build climate-resilient communities.

Tech Camp takes a unique approach to connect “non-techie” civil society representatives with technologists.

In partnership with Globe Labs and Google Developers Group, an “App Developers’ Challenge” 24-hour Hackathon will also take place on May 9 and 10.

The week will conclude with a two-day Hackathon entitled “Readysaster: Hack for Resilience” to be held on May 10 and 11. A hackathon is an intense collaborative computer programming marathon where computer developers and enthusiasts engage to develop new digital applications and programs to achieve a specific goal and common good.

Readysaster is implemented by Open Data Philippines as part of a

worldwide World Bank initiative, “Code for Resilience,” along with Smart’s Developers Network, Microsoft Philippines and Google Developers Group.

Readysaster shares the goal of building a more resilient Philippines by connecting knowledge from the public to private sector technology and government data.

These three events are designed to complement each other and to use problem sets drawn from conversations with community members in communities around the Philippines that have been identified as disaster-prone.

Tech for Resilience Week reflects a shared commitment to explore all solutions, especially technological solutions, to the risks and dangers posed by calamities.

This undertaking is also in partnership with United States Agency for International Development, World Food Programme, Globe Labs, Open Data Philippines, and the U.S. State Department’s Office of eDiplomacy.

More details can be accessed at http://data.gov.ph/events/readysaster, http://goo.gl/QoH1Tu.

US Embassy set to conduct ‘Tech for Resilience Week’ for a safer PHL MANILA-- In light of recent disasters, the U.S. Embassy here is working with responders and affected communities to build a more resilient Philippines. The Embassy and its partners will work to put lifesaving technology tools into action by organizing the “Tech for Resilience Week.”

By U.S. Embassy

Dominga MallongaDOST-Caraga Regional Director

for more details visit us DOST National Website: http://www.dost.gov.phDOST Caraga Website: http://caraga.dost.gov.ph


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato-- Hundreds of stakeholders in dairy industry are coming to General Santos City for the 17th Dairy Con-gress and Expo (DairyConEx) slated on May 7 - 9.

Gensan to host 17th Dairy CongressBy: Danilo E. Doguiles


“The 17th DairyConEx is geared towards substantially raising the productivity and incomes of dairy farmers, augment the base herd, create new market niches, and accelerate the realization of a self-reliant countryside,” Juan Lozano, national chairman of the Dairy Confederation of the Philippines, told Philippine Information Agency.

“While working to raise the competitiveness of our local dairy industry,” he added, “the Dairycon also aims to contribute to our quest to attain food security and modernize the agricultural sector.

“This is expected to ultimately help in securing our country’s position in a liberalizing and globalizing world market.”

Based on the program of activities released by the Department of Agriculture 12 this morning, several dignitaries are coming to the Tuna Capital for the DairyConEx.

Among them are Ambassador of New Zealand to the Philippines Reuben Levermore; Agricultural Attaché William Verzani of the Foreign Agricultural Services of the US Embassy; Dr. Krailas Kiyothong of the Department of Livestock Development of the Ministry of Agriculture and

Cooperatives of Thailand; and Representative Mark Llandro Mendoza of the 4th District of Batangas.

Highlights of three-day event, which will be held at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Center include updates on the dairy industry, National Dairy Authority’s dairy upgrading program, calf rearing, feed nutrition and forage, food quality and safety, dairy buffalo products, and other topic that would boost the industry.

Several presentations will also focus on the following topics: solutions on improving dairy products, organic farming, feeding supplementary fats to dairy cattle, Halal certification of milk and milk products, products and services of LandBank of the Philippines, and new laboratory capabilities for nutritional recommendations, and others.

The Northern Mindanao Federation of Dairy Cooperatives hosts the 17th DairyConEx with the Provincial Government of Sarangani, City Government of General Santos City.

It also has support from National Dairy Authority, Philippine Carabao Center and the DA 12. (DEDoguiles-PIA 12)


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato—The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC 12) is positive SOCCSKSARGEN Region 12s entries to 2014 Gawad Kalasag will make it to the national level.

RDRRMC 12 expects inclusion of SOCCSKSARGEN entries in 2014 Gawad Kalasag By: Shahana Joy E. Duerme

Roy L. Dorado, focal person of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Services (RDRRMS) said that the region’s entries this year have improved.

“We have laid down the checklist for the field validation and we can see that most of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRMMCs) have followed and considered the


checklist,” Dorado noted.Most of the entries ave exceeded

the passing rate of 80 percent, he said adding that documents on these have been submitted to the national office for further validation.

SOCCSKSARGEN is comprised of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan, and Cotabato.

Under the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) category, the entries are the provincial governments of Sarangani, North Cotabtao, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat while the cities of Tacurong and Koronadal are the entries for the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) category.

For the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) category, Tupi and Polomolok of South Cotabato and Tulunan of North Cotabato are the entries for this area.

Meanwhile, for the urban and rural categories under the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDDRMC), the entries are the Barangay Carpenter Hill of Koronadal City, South Cotabato and Barangay Poblacion of Tantangan of the same province respectively.

On the other hand, for the Government Emergency Response Management (GEM) category, the Tacurong City Responsive Assistance and Coordinated Emergency Search

and Rescue (TRACER) is the entry for the basic category while the Bureau of Fire Protection-Isulan for the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) category.

For the government hospital category, the Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Amas, Kidapawan City is the official entry.

Dorado explained that out of the entries in every category, the National Selection Committee will choose at least three depending on the ranking during the evaluation for field validation.

“The National Selection Committee is set to validate the entries this month,” he said adding that the said activity will complete the process of determining the national awardees for the 2014 Gawad Kalasag search.

Meanwhile, Dorado emphasized that the search has brought greater impact to DRMMCs as the level of awareness on risk reduction was strengthened lessening the impact of disasters and other calamities in the region.

For those DRMMCs aiming for the award next year, Dorado reminded to always follow not only the checklist of the RDDRMC 12 but also the standard norms of the Philippine Disaster.

“It’s not about winning, but on how we can see what needs to be improved in order to be prepared in times of emergency,” he further added.

The awardees will be granted a certification on its invaluable performance on disaster risk reduction and management. (SJDuerme-PIA12)


CDO hosts Youth Build 2014by Sharmaine Cariño

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Hundreds of youth volunteers gathered in barangay Pagatpat, here on Saturday, May 3, to participate in the “Youth Build 2014” organized by Habitat for Humanity Philippines Youth Council.


Electric coop goes on voluntary load curtailment of 248.74MW by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental - A total of 248.74 megawatts in voluntary load curtailment (VLC) will be imposed by the Misamis Occidental Electric Cooperative, Inc. (MOELCI) II, from April 29-May 5, 2014.

This is due to the maintenance outage of the STEAG Power Plant which generates some 210MW and

the reduced capabilities of the Agus Hydro Electric Power Plant (HEPP) 6, Agus HEPP 7 and Pulangi HEPP 4,

According to Lerma Bernadette Reyes, Head of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Cagayan de Oro, this build is Asia Pacific wide including four other countries namely China, India, Indonesia and Thailand. In the Philippines, two sites chosen were Bohol and Cagayan de Oro. Jan Awitin, Cagayan de Oro Habitat for Humanity Philippines Marketing and Volunteer Program Officer, said that the organization has already built thousands of houses for a short period and people who are in need and homeless were already relocated to the relocation sites. “Today, everybody will join, the youth will feel how it feels to build houses for our fellow Kagay-anons, they will experience the feeling of being part of something big for the city’s betterment,” she said. City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno expressed gratitude to Habitat for

Humanity for living in this activity. He emphasized the message of Habitat which is cooperation, mutual help and assistance; not only receiving help but helping one’s self as well; and engagement in the community. Meanwhile youth volunteer Mary Queen Exclamador, an education major student of Lourdes College said, “As a member of the youth, I feel great being part of this activity. I am grateful and blessed I’m one of those who volunteered themselves to be able to give back their blessings to those people who are really in need.” Further, Cagayan de Oro Head of Task Force on Shelter and Housing Development Ramon Fernandez said that the fund for this activity is from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and the land development is from the local government unit (LGU).


Jemilo L. Pelimer, MOELCI II General Manager, said. Pelimer said a daily reduction of 37.42MW and 33.02MW of electric power will alternately be imposed, during the period, resulting in a rotating brownout, lasting for 14 hrs. per day. Affected areas of MOELCI-II are Tangub and Ozamiz Cities and the towns of Bonifacio, Clarin, Tudela, Sincaban, Jimenez and Panaon, all in the 2nd District of Misamis Occidental.

Meanwhile, the notices of the tentative brownouts in MOELCI-II franchise coverage area is generally rotated in two areas, daily, with four hours of brownout in the morning and three hours, in the afternoon. Particularly, the brownouts have been scheduled as follows: Area 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Area 2, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

CDO media observe World Press Freedom Day 2014by Charlemagne Kierra M. Rubillos

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Young communicators and media professionals in the city gathered to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day on May 3 through audio visual presentations and roundtable discussion dubbed “Speak for Press Freedom.”

This year, the theme revolves around the importance of free Media as it contributes to Good Governance, Empowerment and Eradicating Poverty, the Safety of Journalists and combating impunity and sustainability and professionalism of journalism as part of development. Two of the universities here namely Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Xavier University (XU) spearheaded the forum, both of which were venues

for morning and afternoon sessions respectively. “I think that nowhere in the world is press freedom and all these things are more felt that in Mindanao,” said XU Department of Development Communication Chairperson Shiella Balbutin. Among discussed topics were the Maguindanao massacre trial updates, Cybercrime law, Freedom of Information (FOI) bill and its implication on disaster risk management, and


the present media landscape and challenges. Center for Community Journalism and Development Executive Director Red Batario discussed the importance of Freedom of Information Bill and how it will help largely in times of disaster preparedness and response in the country. He said that even though we are a democratic country, and FOI is not absolute where there will still be information restricted especially those that would contribute to national security, among others, we still need to standardize getting information from government agencies. He said that different agencies have different protocols in releasing information, some are quick, some are slow while still some don’t release at all. Meanwhile, one of the challenges of local media here is the rise of social media. Sunstar Daily Editor in Chief Grace Cantal-Albasin said that their

challenge today is to keep up with the trend of social media. If in newspapers, you read today what happened yesterday, in social media, you read today what is happening today. Event speakers include Red Batario, Center for Community Journalism and Development Executive Director; Grace Cantal-Albasin, Editor-in-Chief of Sunstar Cagayan de Oro; Herbie Gomez, Editor-in-Chief of Goldstar Daily; Sozina Alamban, Executive Producer of GMA Regional News; JB Deveza, Mindanao Safely Coordinator; and Eduardo Montalban, Editon-in-Chief of The Mindanao Current. A roundtable discussion was also conducted, centering on different media issues related to the environment, safety, ethics, freedom and peace. The worldwide celebration of press freedom bears the theme, “Media freedom for a better future: Shaping the post 2015 Agenda.”


AFP vice chief of staff to keynote Tabak’s 78th founding anniversaryBy Franklin P. Gumapon

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Norte - All is ready for the 78th founding anniversary of the Philippine Army’s (PA) 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division tomorrow with Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Alan Rio Luga, vice chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as guest of honor and speaker.


Dipolog City opens 16th P’gsalabuk FestivalBy Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY – The city government here on Friday opened the 16th P’gsalabuk Festival at the city boulevard. In her message during the opening program, Mayor Evelyn

T. Uy said “P’gsalabuk, which is a Subanen term for ‘gathering’ or

LTGEN Luga will talk on the theme, “Kahusayan sa Tungkulin at Disiplina Tungo sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran” (Excellence in Performance toward Peace and Progress). A son of a military man, Luga graduated from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 1981. His father Gen. Emilio S. Luga Jr. was a former commanding officer of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division. Tabak commanding officer Major General (MGEN) Felicito Virgilio M. Trinidad Jr. disclosed that the anniversary program will start at exactly 9:30 a.m. at Kuta Major Cesar L. Sang-an, Upper Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. Pinning of medals to deserving soldiers, presentation of plaques of appreciation, distribution of Tabak Venture Educational Certificates and oath-taking of the members of the Multi-stakeholders Advisory Board (MSAB) are among the major activities during the program. It could be recalled that the Tabak became the first regular division

under the Philippine Commonwealth Army on May 5, 1936 stationed at Camp Murphy (now Camp Aguinaldo) in Quezon City. It transferred to its present location at Camp Major Cesar L. Sang-an in Barangay Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur on Dec. 4, 1989. Under this division are four infantry brigades namely, the 101st (Three Red Arrows) based in Del Pilar, Piňan, Zamboanga del Norted, Brigade, 102nd (Igsoon) Brigade in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay , 103rd (Haribon) Brigade in Basilan and 104th (Sultan) Brigade in Sulu. Its area of jurisdiction straddles the provinces of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental including the cities of Isabela and Lamitan in Basilan Province, Zamboanga, Pagadian of Zamboanga del Sur, Dipolog and Dapitan of Zamboanga del Norte, and Ozamis, Oroquieta and Tangub of Misamis Occidental.


‘togetherness’, is one way to show that Dipolog is a place where peace quietly intermingles despite bad publicity that rocks Mindanao.” This year’s P’gsalabuk centers on celebrating the value of coconut as the “tree of life.” According to Mayor Uy, coconut was chosen as the theme because of its abundance in the city and the benefit it offers to the people. “This year is quite special because we are recognizing the importance of coconut. In fact, there’s already a company that will establish a biomass plant as a source of energy using ‘palwa’

(coconut frond) for fuel,” Mayor Uy said. Several activities were lined up to make the celebration more lively and exciting to all especially the tourists. These include visual art exhibit, triathlon competition, road bike and mountain bike challenge, football festival, coco challenge, concerts, Santa Cruzan, live band and many more. A day before the city fiesta on May 17, there will also be street dance presentation and showdown, highlighting the 2014 P’gsalabuk Festival.

One Mindanao - May 6, 2014

Documents

dahican city

mati city mayor carlo

city hall

idyllic city

mayor rabat

beauty of mati

mw dipolog city

mayor attributes