ZAMBOANGA CITY (Uly Israel / 06 Nov) - While it is true that seaweed farming offers tremendous potentials for marginal income earners in the Philippines to stave off poverty, the emergence of globalization, the gnawing structural defects and the concomitant exploitation of farmers by those who have the means to manipulate prices – all add up to sustaining if not worsening poverty in the coastal areas, a seaweed specialist claimed.
The seaweed industry’s contribution to the country’s foreign exchange earnings has been significant thus seaweed is hailed as one of the most successful marine products in recent years, said Virgilio L. Leyretana, chief of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco).
According to Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) records, the Philippines is the leading supplier of Eucheuma seaweeds, accounting for about 80 percent of the total world supply.
“But while exporters, traders and processors are making it big in the world market, the industry remain just a mere provider of less than minimum basic needs for its farmers,” Dr. Sitti Amin M. Jain said in her book
“The Seaweeds Industry”.“The huge demand fueled by the increasing requirements of multinationals and countries that are now plucking every raw dried seaweed that the Philippines can produce may have a good impact on farmers if structural defects within the local seaweed industry are corrected,” Dr. Jain said.
Otherwise, Jain asserts, “benefits from the huge exports of seaweeds will only accrue to traders and some unscrupulous middlemen and buyers who supply giant multinationals, Third World countries will continue to be mere sources of cheap labor and raw materials sustaining if not worsening poverty, just as the farmers will continue to be in the system periphery toiling hard for rich traders and processors in exchange for mere survival.”
“Much has been reported of the success of the industry but there is no known study on the economic status of poor farmers who have toiled for generations to provide for traders, exporters and processors and swell the coffers of the national economy with foreign earnings… the problem and survival prospects of seaweeds farmers were never highlighted or paid attention to by the major players of the industry or by the government,” she lamented.
Is her book a condemnation of the whole laissez faire system? Not really, she hopes that the result of her rigorous research would provide reliable basis for industry players and development planners to address the economic condition of seaweed farmers and their families whose survival largely depend on the industry.
Her study was conducted in Zamboanga Peninsula Region which is the second largest supplier of seaweeds in the country next to Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The entire Mindanao area produced in 2002 a total of 524,611 metric tons (MT) almost 60 percent of the total Philippine production of 894,859 MT.While Visayas and Luzon accounted for 40 percent with a production of 370,245 MT based on the data from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics of the Department of Agriculture.
Dr. Jain said the story of the seaweed industry is an interesting one. It started in 1972 when seaweeds and the derivative carrageenan burst into the economic stage with a bang and a lot of promise.
Driving them into center stage was the versatility of the product that was a staple of the food and pharmaceutical industries as well as huge and diverse demand for it overseas swell.
She said: “Along shorelines, seaweed farms sprouted up and a new breed of farmers and traders was born. Large modern warehouses and processing facilities swallowed up the dried seaweeds that filled up to the brim the container vans from the south.“
New fortunes were made but the big slice of the industrial pie went to the processors and exporters. The farmers of the south, the suppliers of raw materials, ironically got the crumb and the leavings. The picture has not changed since then.
“The story of the industry may write a new chapter when the big players discover, hopefully not belatedly that the seaweed rainbow in the sky will continue to glow only when those at its base get to share more of the rewards.”
Dr. Jain observed that the seaweed industry faces serious problems and challenges ranging from declining production to deteriorating quality of seaweed produced by the farmers.
A study made by the University of Asia and Pacific (UAP), revealed that the industry is facing high incidence of low farm productivity, poor qualityof seaweeds due to early harvesting.
The farmers also used salt and stones to increase product weight and other malpractices. The study also emphasized the lack of industry-wide quality standards for raw seaweeds inadequate technical services and training on planting, harvesting and drying and lack of farm or village levels of post-harvest and drying facilities.
Dr. Jain countered that these problems related to the capacity and capability of the farmers to appropriately manage highly productive farms and quality produce might have stemmed from farmers’ poverty, vulnerability, powerlessness, isolation, and even physical weakness which resulted in the inability to cultivate bigger farm areas, the promotion of premature harvests, improper farming techniques, consequently, affecting farm productivity.
Unless problems affecting farmers are identified and addressed, the growth of the entire seaweed industry will be stunted, she said.
Dr. Jain’s research focused on three major issues: income of seaweed farmers, presence of exploitation of farmers and the clusters of disadvantages.
It is also confined to seaweed farmers in Zamboanga Peninsula Region.Did income generated by the seaweed farmers serves as alternative to poverty in terms of providing them and their family access to basic needs, basic services, and access to education and social participation?
Results of her research showed:
·63 percent of the seaweed farmers are with income below the poverty threshold.
·4.5 percent of the seaweed farmers experienced hunger.·Per capita income of less than P10,000 for a family of five (annual income).
·34.2 percent have access to community water system.·24.5 percent have access to water-sealed depositories.
·56.6 percent have access to electricity.
·81.6 percent owned houses made of light materials and 9.8 percent owned houses made of concrete materials.
Her study further revealed that seaweed farmers had inadequate knowledge of the market and they were still moderately dependent on buyers; access to financing facilities was lacking; industry information was not accessible to them; and, there were some unscrupulous buyers in the industry.
The study also clearly demonstrated that indeed there existed an exploitation of farmers.
She identified the problems and weaknesses of the farmers, of seaweed farming and of the industry as a whole.The farmers’ inadequacy of income, she said, is affecting their productivity.
As a result, the farmers lack access to proper sanitation facilities, to medical and health care, to education, to communication facilities and to market/industry information.
Seaweed farming is vulnerable to typhoons and bad weather, to diseases, to pollution from nearby factories - concerns that must be given adequate response, she said.
She also lamented the lack of financing facilities specific for the industry. Product standards for dried seaweeds not followed by the industry and local policy regulating the quality of seaweeds is lacking.
To further aggravate the problem, exploitation of farmers is prevalent, she said. The lack of government assistance in providing market information, road infrastructures and post harvest facilities also contributed to the deteriorating situation of seaweed farming.
On the part of the seaweed farmers, she said, the farmers must learn to follow quality standards; build up their organizational capabilities to address concerns on financing, marketing, production costs and techniques.
Dr. Jain’s recommendations are as follows:1. Improve farmers’ income for them to better meet basic needs and gain better access to basic services, education, social participation, financing facilities and other productive resources to help them increase production and expand farm areas.
They should be provided with technical assistance to help them improve farm management, quality assurance, identification of suitable farm areas, and adoption of appropriate farming techniques.2. Local and national government must bring public services closer to the farmers in rural and coastal areas.
There is a need to improve health services, improve access to education, build road networks and enhance the provision of utilities such as potable water and electricity.
3. To help free farmers from exploitation, there is a need to increase their level of empowerment, improve social and community involvement, and foster a sense of belonging.
The government should strengthen its organizational development program for seaweed farmers to facilitate access to government assistance as well as that of NGOs and private organizations. Likewise, introduce new opportunities for additional sources of livelihood. (Mindanao Examiner/to be continued)
Monday, November 06, 2006
2 NGO Workers Seized In Troubled Mindanao Province
NORTH COTABATO (Mindanao Examiner / 06 Nov) - Masked gunmen seized two people working for a non-government organization in the troubled Mindanao province of North Cotabato, the official Philippine News Agency reported on Monday.
It said gunmen clad in camouflage uniform snatched the duo - Mary Bernadette Solitario, 21, and Lourelie Naiz, 22 - in Batang village in the town of Tulunan on Saturday.
No group claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, but the two, working for the Disaster Response Center (DIRECT) in Davao City, were on their way to investigate recent clashes between troops and communist insurgents.
The town's mayor, Nestor Taasan, has confirmed the kidnappings and said the duo had been taken by motorcycle gunmen, the report said.
"The workers were scheduled to monitor and evaluate last November 4 a DIRECT project in remote Barangay Batang where clashes between government troops and New People's Army rebels were going on when they were abducted," it said.
No group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. The Interfaith Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights (IFAAPR), a local human rights group, has condemned the incident.
"Such matter is a clear manifestation of human rights violation," IFAAPR senior officer Pastor Ernesto Estrella said.
Solitario is a native of General Santos City while Naiz is from Kidapawan City, all in Mindanao. There were no immediate statements from the police and military about the kidnappings, but the town was the scene of clashes last week between government soldiers and insurgents, who raided a military detachment and carted 21 assorted weapons.
The province was also bombed twice last month by suspected Abu Sayyaf militants where six people had been killed and more than 40 others wounded. (Mindanao Examiner)
Troops Kill Sayyaf Militant In Zamboanga Island
PAGADIAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 06 Nov) - Government soldiers killed a notorious member of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, implicated in a string of kidnappings, in a firefight Monday on the island of Olutangga off the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, a regional military commander said.
Brigadier General Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the First Infantry Division, said the fighting erupted after the militant, Tajajul Ampul, opened fire with automatic rifle, on soldiers who were trying to capture him in the village of Kaliran at around 9 a.m.
"Tajajul Ampul is killed in the firefight. There were no government casualties," he told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the gunman was involved in the kidnappings of dozens of people on Basilan island, including the Abu Sayyaf raid on a rubber plantation in 2001 in Lamitan town where eleven of the 15 farmers had been beheaded.
"Tajajul was one of the most notorious terrorist the Abu Sayyaf had on its roster. He was included in the military's order of battle and it's the end of the road for man who had no fear of God," Ferrer said.
Last week, two soldiers were attacked and wounded by the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo island, but security forces captured one of two gunmen after a running gun battle.
The soldiers were returning to their base from a humanitarian mission on a remote village on Saturday when they came under fire. Philippine authorities blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the string of bombings and kidnappings in the troubled region. (Mindanao Examiner)
Brigadier General Raymundo Ferrer, commander of the First Infantry Division, said the fighting erupted after the militant, Tajajul Ampul, opened fire with automatic rifle, on soldiers who were trying to capture him in the village of Kaliran at around 9 a.m.
"Tajajul Ampul is killed in the firefight. There were no government casualties," he told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the gunman was involved in the kidnappings of dozens of people on Basilan island, including the Abu Sayyaf raid on a rubber plantation in 2001 in Lamitan town where eleven of the 15 farmers had been beheaded.
"Tajajul was one of the most notorious terrorist the Abu Sayyaf had on its roster. He was included in the military's order of battle and it's the end of the road for man who had no fear of God," Ferrer said.
Last week, two soldiers were attacked and wounded by the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo island, but security forces captured one of two gunmen after a running gun battle.
The soldiers were returning to their base from a humanitarian mission on a remote village on Saturday when they came under fire. Philippine authorities blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the string of bombings and kidnappings in the troubled region. (Mindanao Examiner)
Photo: Police, Military, Mayor Pledge Support To Fight Crimes
THE FORCE: Cotabato City police chief, Senior Superintendent Peraco Macacua, left, and Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema and the Army’s Task Group Tugis Commander Colonel Bebarlito Baribar pledge to fight crimes and terrorism. (Mindanao Examiner/Mark Navales)Bay Walk, Park To Rise In Zamboanga's Historic Beach Front
Sunset in Zamboanga City. (Mindanao Examiner)ZAMBOANGA CITY (Uly Israel / 06 Nov) - Here’s good news for sunset lovers! Another bay walk and park will soon rise in Zamboanga City that will give them the opportunity to view the captivating sight of setting sun.
Not only that, a museum will also be built in honor of the late Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat. Her son, Celso Lobregat, now mayor of Zamboanga City, said all these will be constructed to provide the city’s denizens of another place to go, watch the sunset, stroll around and catch the cooling effect of sea breeze.
Lobregat said the park and bay walk will become a new site for food stalls, coffee shops and stores that will cater to strollers, joggers, and visitors.
“It is patterned after the Roxas Boulevard in Manila where people can go to stroll, relax, jog or watch the sunset. The people will have a place to go,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
The construction of the bay walk will cost about P15.6 million, while the Maria Clara Lobregat Museum is estimated to be worth P11.9 million; and the park costs around P16.5 million, he said.
The museum will house artifacts and personal effects of the late Maria Clara Lobregat. It will also serve as gallery for art exhibits, among others. The bay walk, Lobregat said, can attract operators and owners of international and local fast food chains and even fine dining restaurants.
“It will generate jobs, provide space for businesses and a place to meet people from all walks of life,” he said, adding, the project is expected to be finished by next year.
The area is where the historical Fort Pillar, built in 1635 by a Jesuit priest engineer and Spanish authorities to ward off attacks from Moros and foreign invaders, is located. The fort was eventually converted to a shrine and miraculous powers are attributed to the statue of Our Lady of the Pillar.(Mindanao Examiner)
Photo: King Crabs Of Mindanao
A man shows off his king crab Monday 06 Nov 2006 at a market in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province. Cotabato City is one of the biggest fresh crab market in Southern RP.(Mindanao Examiner/Mark Navales)
Western Mindanao Seaweed Industry Development Foundation, Inc.
Top photo, Hadji Adam S. Omar (Chairman, WMSIDFI) shakes hands with Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat during the recent 7th Mindanao Seaweed Congress in Zamboanga City. And Omar hands out certificates and placques to Mr. Benson Dakay (Chief Executive Officer, Shemberg Marketing Corp. CEBU); Farley Baricuatro; Amanshah Ambodalli, of the Dept. Of Fisheries of Malaysia; Ibni Hassim Ab. Rajun, also of Malaysia.Western Mindanao Seaweed Industry Development Foundation, Inc.
4/F VH Wee Building, Veterans Avenue, Zamboanga City 7000
Telefax: (062) 9911049
Email: seaweed@zambonet.ph
Chairman: Hadji Adam S. Omar
Executive Director: Jacqueline M. Carrasco
Technical Assistant: Anthony V. de Jesus
In July 2000, a call was made for stakeholders to get their acts together in addressing the issues of the seaweed industry to maintain its position as a world market leader in this industry.
Moves have been initiated to formally organize an industry body that will integrate efforts of producers, buyers, processors, exporters and development partners in promoting the growth of the seaweed industry.
The result was the establishment of the Western Mindanao Seaweed Industry Development Foundation, Inc. with a total membership strength of 97 members composed of 80 seaweed farmer associations, 15 traders and exporters association, and 2 processors.
They are from the Provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City. The Foundation was duly registered with SEC on February 27, 2001 with SEC Registration No. G2001-000037.
Vision: By the Year 2005, Western Mindanao (Zamboanga de Sur, del Norte, and Sibugay, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and the Cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga and Isabela) shall still be the leader in the Philippine Seaweed Industry propelled by by empowered and quality conscious stakeholders in an atmosphere of unity and prosperity.
Mission:
To sustain a production growth rate of at least 5% per annum
in Western Mindanao;
To unify all stakeholders of the Western Mindanao Seaweed Industry
To unify all stakeholders of the Western Mindanao Seaweed Industry
under one umbrella organization;
To establish acceptable industry product standards primarily on
To establish acceptable industry product standards primarily on
quality and price structure;
To provide stakeholders access to reliable information;
To serve as the lead policy advocate for the industry in Western Mindanao;
To improve networking between stakeholders and partner institutions; and
To develop a menu of business support services to further develop the industry.
To provide stakeholders access to reliable information;
To serve as the lead policy advocate for the industry in Western Mindanao;
To improve networking between stakeholders and partner institutions; and
To develop a menu of business support services to further develop the industry.
Services:
Market Matching
Event Organizing (Conference and Trade Fair)
Information Center
Facilitation of Techno-Transfer Training
Policy Advocacy
Business and Trade Opportunities
The information in this directory was provided by partners of the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.
Award Winning Photographer Sean Smith's Iraq Film
Guardian Films and BBC Newsnight present ...
Sean Smith, the Guardian's award-winning war photographer, spent nearly six weeks with the 101st Division of the US army in Iraq. Watch his haunting observational film that explodes the myth around the claims that the Iraqis are preparing to take control of their own country.
Contains some strong language.
This presentation requires Flash 8. Click here to download it for free.(For educational purposes only/Mindanao Examiner)
Photo: Minaret Of A Mosque In Barira Town In Maguindanao Province
Minaret of a mosque in Barira town in Maguindanao Province in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner)
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Blue Eagle Alumni Invited To Join Fr. Bill Kreutz's Nov. 12 Farewell Bash
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 05 Nov) The Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU)-Ateneo Alumni Association (AAA) is inviting all alumni and alumnae to join the "despedida" for Fr. William "Bill" Kreutz, S.J. to be held Sunday evening, November 12, at the Pearlmont Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.
Fr. Bill has been with the University for the past 17 years – the longest President ever to serve the University. Under his watch, the Ateneo de Zamboanga attained University status, grew in academic excellence, infrastructure development, formation programs for Christians and Muslims alike, and contributed significantly to peace and development in Western Mindanao.
After his term, Fr. Kreutz will take a well deserved rest for a suitable period of time and then he will take over as Rector of the Jesuit Residence of Ateneo de Manila University.
Carmencita "Baybee" Balatbat-Macasinag, alumni relations director, is coordinating the activity together with some local AAA members. Incoming ADZU President Fr. Antonio Moreno, S.J., who will assume his new post in May 2007, has also committed to join the affair.
The affair will start as 6:30 p.m. at the hotel's Edelweiss function room on the ground floor. (Mindanao Examiner/Kagay-an.com)
Nuestra Sra. Del Pilar Shrine To Rise In Cagayan De Oro
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Mike Banos / 05 Nov) - A replica of the world-famous Nuestra Senora del Pilar shrine at the Fort Pilar National Museum in Zamboanga City will soon rise in a hilltop village called Macasandig in Cagayan de Oro City in Northern Mindanao island, south of the Philippines.
Jose Nebrao, president emeritus of Circulo Zamboangueno, said the shrine will be a replica of the miraculous Blessed Virgin Mary's shrine set in a wall of the Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City.
Nebrao said the core group of the circulo, an association of resident Zamboanguenos who have migrated to Cagayan de Oro and its nearby provinces, towns and cities, will have the project completed by next year in time for the October 12 fiesta of "Our Lady of the Pilar", the patroness of Zamboanga City.
The project was first announced October 12 during the annual celebration of Fiesta Pilar in Cagayan de Oro which was attended by some eighty members of the circulo and their immediate family members at Xavier University.
The celebration started with the holy sacrifice of the mass celebrated by incoming Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) Fr. Antonio Moreno, S.J. at the XU Loyola House chapel. This was immediately followed by the final novena of our Lady at the XU canteen and the traditional "cena communal".
Among those present during this year's Fiesta Pilar celebration were the following: Con-con Ignacio, Raul and Antonietta Rodriguez and family, Jonel and Nanette Bergado and family, Adolfo and Norma Uro, Carmelita Ubalde, Ben and Ginny Aspera, Edwin and Judith Amik, Mr and Mrs Oscar Escudero, Jonathan Tamin, John Ferrer, Col Cesar and Rachel (nee Causin) Miel, Ester and Joan Causin, Randy and Becky Redondo, Henry and Nitz Pelisan, Isidro and Ning "Cupcakes" Audal.
And Tony Rodriguez, Art and Connie Surdilla, Paul & Joy Paladio and family, Manny and Josy Alinabon, Joe and Rose Nebrao, Rudy and Lily (nee Tang) Fulminar, Emmanuel Saavedra, Sor. Rachel Bernardo, RVM; Glor Delgado and this author. (Mindanao Examiner/Kagay-an.com)
Jose Nebrao, president emeritus of Circulo Zamboangueno, said the shrine will be a replica of the miraculous Blessed Virgin Mary's shrine set in a wall of the Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City.
Nebrao said the core group of the circulo, an association of resident Zamboanguenos who have migrated to Cagayan de Oro and its nearby provinces, towns and cities, will have the project completed by next year in time for the October 12 fiesta of "Our Lady of the Pilar", the patroness of Zamboanga City.
The project was first announced October 12 during the annual celebration of Fiesta Pilar in Cagayan de Oro which was attended by some eighty members of the circulo and their immediate family members at Xavier University.
The celebration started with the holy sacrifice of the mass celebrated by incoming Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) Fr. Antonio Moreno, S.J. at the XU Loyola House chapel. This was immediately followed by the final novena of our Lady at the XU canteen and the traditional "cena communal".
Among those present during this year's Fiesta Pilar celebration were the following: Con-con Ignacio, Raul and Antonietta Rodriguez and family, Jonel and Nanette Bergado and family, Adolfo and Norma Uro, Carmelita Ubalde, Ben and Ginny Aspera, Edwin and Judith Amik, Mr and Mrs Oscar Escudero, Jonathan Tamin, John Ferrer, Col Cesar and Rachel (nee Causin) Miel, Ester and Joan Causin, Randy and Becky Redondo, Henry and Nitz Pelisan, Isidro and Ning "Cupcakes" Audal.
And Tony Rodriguez, Art and Connie Surdilla, Paul & Joy Paladio and family, Manny and Josy Alinabon, Joe and Rose Nebrao, Rudy and Lily (nee Tang) Fulminar, Emmanuel Saavedra, Sor. Rachel Bernardo, RVM; Glor Delgado and this author. (Mindanao Examiner/Kagay-an.com)
Arroyo Defense Chief Resigns
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 05 Nov) - Filipino Defense chief Avelino Cruz has resigned from his post, but the former chief legal counsel of President Gloria Arroyo did not give any reason for his sudden decision.
Cruz, who was named Defense chief in August 2004, submitted his irrevocable resignation to the President on Sunday and this takes effect on November 30, his deputies said.
His resignation came just days after he criticized the failed people's initiative for charter change and even branded its supporters "hare-brained."
The Supreme Court declared the people's initiative illegal, despite Arroyo's persistence to change the Constitution to allow important amendments and shift to Parliamentary form of government that opposition politicians claim would prolong her term and allies beyond 2010.
Just recently, Cruz claimed that at least three cabinet secretaries wanted him out after he publicly assailed the people's initiative.
Cruz has urged his successor to continue a multi-billion modernization project for the Armed Forces of the Philippines as part of the Philippine Defense Reform Program to effectively fight terrorism. He also wanted the military out of election duties to prevent soldiers from being used by politicians for their own motives.
2 Soldiers Wounded In Sayyaf Attack In Jolo Island
JOLO ISLAND (Mindanao Examiner / 05 Nov) - Two government soldiers were wounded in an Abu Sayyaf attack in the southern Philippine island of Jolo, where security forces are battling the al-Qaeda-linked homegrown terrorist group, a regional army spokesman said Sunday.
Major Eugene Batara said one attacker was captured by soldiers after a firefight in Jolo island late Saturday. "Two soldiers were wounded in the attack, but one of the gunmen had been captured after a running gun battle," he told the Mindanao Examiner.
The soldiers were returning to their base from a humanitarian mission on a remote village when they came under fire, Batara said, adding, that another gunman managed to escape.
"Initial reports said the attackers are members of the Abu Sayyaf's UTG and our forces are tracking down the rest of this group in Jolo," he said.
Batara was referring to the hit squad called urban terrorist group, blamed for the series of assissinations of soldiers and policemen in Jolo and Zamboanga City.
Philippine authorities blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the string of bombings and kidnappings in the troubled region. (Mindanao Examiner)
Major Eugene Batara said one attacker was captured by soldiers after a firefight in Jolo island late Saturday. "Two soldiers were wounded in the attack, but one of the gunmen had been captured after a running gun battle," he told the Mindanao Examiner.
The soldiers were returning to their base from a humanitarian mission on a remote village when they came under fire, Batara said, adding, that another gunman managed to escape.
"Initial reports said the attackers are members of the Abu Sayyaf's UTG and our forces are tracking down the rest of this group in Jolo," he said.
Batara was referring to the hit squad called urban terrorist group, blamed for the series of assissinations of soldiers and policemen in Jolo and Zamboanga City.
Philippine authorities blamed the Abu Sayyaf for the string of bombings and kidnappings in the troubled region. (Mindanao Examiner)
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
Listen To What The Government Media Has To Say...
Ever a true statesperson, the President is back from her China trip bringing with her optimistic hopes for the country in terms of the economic and security advancements of the whole of East Asia.
The fact is, just as she has always had a vision for the country since she assumed the presidency, the President never leaves for abroad without an agenda for the Philippines.
Being the Chairperson of the ASEAN and co-chair of the ASEAN-China Summit, the President was able to bring into regional focus the aspirations of all Filipinos for shared stability and prosperity under a realm of freedom and democracy.
The ASEAN-China Summit has paved the way for a propitious meeting of Regional Leaders in Cebu City comes the month of December. The Philippines bestrides an effervescent diplomatic front between east and west, boosted by strong alliances to counter terrorism and in the struggle against dire poverty.
President Arroyo is unwavering in her determination to make diplomacy work for the people, whether to provide more trade and investments to generate more jobs, to shape a strong regional consensus for peace and security, or to protect the interests and welfare of Filipinos wherever they work or stay.
The world abounds with chances and opportunities for Filipino excellence and enterprise. What the President is doing is to open the doors for these opportunities for the Filipino people.
It is imperative for the Filipino people to keep faith and to keep in step with the essence and requirements of strategic leadership.Doing so, the Filipino people need not be wary. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is leading the way, the official Philippine Information Agency said in a statement released on Saturday.
Ever a true statesperson, the President is back from her China trip bringing with her optimistic hopes for the country in terms of the economic and security advancements of the whole of East Asia.
The fact is, just as she has always had a vision for the country since she assumed the presidency, the President never leaves for abroad without an agenda for the Philippines.
Being the Chairperson of the ASEAN and co-chair of the ASEAN-China Summit, the President was able to bring into regional focus the aspirations of all Filipinos for shared stability and prosperity under a realm of freedom and democracy.
The ASEAN-China Summit has paved the way for a propitious meeting of Regional Leaders in Cebu City comes the month of December. The Philippines bestrides an effervescent diplomatic front between east and west, boosted by strong alliances to counter terrorism and in the struggle against dire poverty.
President Arroyo is unwavering in her determination to make diplomacy work for the people, whether to provide more trade and investments to generate more jobs, to shape a strong regional consensus for peace and security, or to protect the interests and welfare of Filipinos wherever they work or stay.
The world abounds with chances and opportunities for Filipino excellence and enterprise. What the President is doing is to open the doors for these opportunities for the Filipino people.
It is imperative for the Filipino people to keep faith and to keep in step with the essence and requirements of strategic leadership.Doing so, the Filipino people need not be wary. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is leading the way, the official Philippine Information Agency said in a statement released on Saturday.
Constitution Not Cure-all for Mindanao Strife, Says MILF Spokesman
QUEZON CITY (Alexander Martin Remollino / 04 Nov) - "Not all solutions to the ongoing conflict in Mindanao can be found in the Constitution."
This was the observation made by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Eid Kabalu in a phone interview with Bulatlat on Saturday.
Kabalu, who is also a lawyer, was reacting to a recent statement by Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye that the Arroyo government was willing to grant the MILF's demands on the ancestral domain claim, but within the framework of the Constitution.
The ancestral domain claim issue has emerged of late as the most contentious subject in the GRP-MILF peace negotiations, which are being brokered by the Malaysian government.
During a bilateral meeting preceding the China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) commemorative summit in Nanning, China last week, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo asked Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to tell the MILF that she was willing to grant the group's demands.
"The president mentioned the current status (of the peace talks and how) we have stalled on some territorial issue, again. The president mentioned that we are willing to provide, we are willing to grant this," Bunye told reporters in Nanning.
"But this should be done within the framework of the Constitution," Bunye added. "The President hoped that this would be properly conveyed to the other side."
Ancestral domain
The MILF is proposing a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity based on an ancestral domain claim over Mindanao, Sulu, and Palawan. "These are areas which historically belonged to our ancestors," Kabalu said.
Kabalu, however, recognized that there are now many non-Muslim settlers in these areas.
"They will be given the option of either joining the Islamized community or remaining with their original groups," the MILF spokesman said when asked what would become of the non-Muslim settlers in these areas should the ancestral domain demands be granted. "We will not impose on them."
The government had insisted that areas to be included to the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity in addition to the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) should be subject to constitutional processes.
The ARMM, which includes Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao and Maguindanao provinces and Marawi City, is a product of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the Ramos government, which sought to end the MNLF's 27-year armed struggle for a separate state.
Impasse
MILF leaders say the issue of constitutionality had not emerged in any of the signed documents related to the peace talks since 1997. It had only surfaced when the MILF put forward its ancestral domain claim, the group's leaders say.
The ancestral domain issue had caused the GRP-MILF peace talks to hit a snag last September.
Amid the impasse, two bombings took place in Mindanao on Oct. 10. The first occured at early afternoon in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province, wounding four women. The second happened eight hours later in Makilala town in North Cotabato province, killing six people and wounding 29 others.
Named by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as suspects in the Makilala bombing were: MILF chairman Al Haj Murad; Kule Mamagong alias Ustadz Kule, Daud Sarip.
And also Biznar Salahuddin, Atti Lintungan alias Ustadz Atti, Samsudin Demaalo alias Commander Platon Blah, Ahmad Akmad Batabol Usman alias Abdulbasit or Basit Usman, Zahide Abdul alias Zabiri Abdul or Bedz, Usman Al Majad, all alleged MILF commanders.
And so were Dulmatin alias Amat Usman and Umar Patek alias Abdul Sheik, alleged members of the Indonesian-based terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah; and Hadji Akmad Bayam, a former MNLF
commander now allegedly working for Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita as an assistant secretary.
Kabalu had warned of a total breakdown in the peace talks if the PNP should pursue charges against Murad.
Ermita has said he did not know that Murad was included in the charge sheet. He berated local authorities for not clearing the issue with higher authorities, considering, he said, that there are peace talks going on between the GRP and the MILF.
"I have to look into this... because it infringes on the higher activity which is the negotiation going on with the MILF," the executive secretary said last week.
Kabalu cited Ermita as having spoken of the possibility of having Murad's name withdrawn from the charge sheet.
Government proposal
Government negotiators had asked for a Sept. 30 deadline for coming up with a counter-proposal to the MILF's demand, but failed to meet it.
The GRP panel subsequently asked for an Oct. 31 deadline for the counter-proposal, but once more failed to meet it.
"They have asked for a Nov. 15 deadline for their counter-proposal," Kabalu said of the government negotiators.
"We are awaiting their counter-proposal," Kabalu added. "Whether or not the peace talks will move forward from the impasse depends on that."
Roots of the Moro war
During the presidency of Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965), Sabah, an island near Mindanao to which the Philippines has a historic claim, ended up in the hands of the Malaysian government.
His successor Ferdinand Marcos later conceived a scheme which involved the recruitment of between 28 and 64 Moro fighters to occupy Sabah.
The reported summary execution of these recruits in 1968 by their superiors, which Moro historian, Salah Jubair, says was due to their refusal to follow orders, led to widespread outrage among Moros and eventually led to the formation of the MNLF that same year.
The MNLF, which fought for an independent state in Muslim Mindanao, entered into a series of negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP), beginning in the 1970s under the Marcos government.
Conflicts on the issue of autonomy led to a breakdown of talks between the GRP and the MNLF in 1978, prompting a group led by Dr Salamat Hashim to break away from the MNLF and form the MILF. Since then, the MILF has been fighting for an Islamic state in Mindanao.
In 1996, the MNLF signed the Final Peace Agreement with the GRP which created the ARMM as a concession to the group. That same year, the MILF began peace negotiations with the GRP. (Bulatlat)
Zamboanga Ambulance Rams Truck, Driver Killed
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 04 Nov) - An ambulance carrying four passengers collided with a cargo truck in the outskirts of Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines, killing one person, police said on Saturday.
Police said the ambulance driver, Danilo Camolio, was killed instantly and that his passengers were injured in the accident Friday in the village of Manicahan, east of Zamboanga.
Witnesses said the ambulance overtook a mini-jeep and collided head-on with the truck on the opposite side of the road.
Police said the ambulance came from the town of Alicia in Zamboanga del Sur and was transporting patients to the Zamboanga Medical Center here when the accident occured. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police said the ambulance driver, Danilo Camolio, was killed instantly and that his passengers were injured in the accident Friday in the village of Manicahan, east of Zamboanga.
Witnesses said the ambulance overtook a mini-jeep and collided head-on with the truck on the opposite side of the road.
Police said the ambulance came from the town of Alicia in Zamboanga del Sur and was transporting patients to the Zamboanga Medical Center here when the accident occured. (Mindanao Examiner)
Moderate Quake Reported In South RP
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 04 Nov) - A moderate earthquake shook the southern Philippine port city of General Santos on Saturday, but there were no reports of damage or injuries, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
It said the epicenter of the quake, measuring 5.4 in the Richter Scale, was traced about 171 km east-southeast of General Santos (5.927°N, 126.125°E).
An earthquake alert by the U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor occured at around 2.19 p.m. (local time).Philippine authorities reported no damage or injuries. (Mindanao Examiner)
It said the epicenter of the quake, measuring 5.4 in the Richter Scale, was traced about 171 km east-southeast of General Santos (5.927°N, 126.125°E).
An earthquake alert by the U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor occured at around 2.19 p.m. (local time).Philippine authorities reported no damage or injuries. (Mindanao Examiner)
Land Transportation Office In Western Mindanao Cited For Remarkable Success
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 04 Nov) - Lawyer Aminola P. Abaton, regional director of the Land Transportation Office for Western Mindanao, continues to draw praises from the public because of the agency’s remarkable performance the past two years.
Abaton, who has been in the LTO for almost 3 years now, introduced a lot of changes that resulted in the agency’s being cited as one of the best in the country.
Last year, the LTO in Western Mindanao, collected almost P178 million in revenues from about P159 million in 2004. Abaton said the increase in collection was mainly due to the concerted efforts and teamwork of all employees under the regional office.
The LTO in Western Mindanao covers the operations in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces and the islands of Tawi-Tawi and Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago.
Last year, the LTO had more than 148,000 vehicle registrations.
Abaton was also largely credited for the LTO’s good public perception. “We are only doing our jobs here. There is no now who can claim credits for all these praises, but our hardworking employees. We are public servants,” he said.
Employees bragged about 5 new vehicles for the agency’s operations. LTO in the past had only two dilapidated vehicles.
But Abaton said more equipment is arriving soon. He said he was expecting three generators, eight motorcycles and an emission testing machine for motor vehicles registration and these would be distributed to different district offices in Western Mindanao, he said.
Employees said the LTO regional office in Zamboanga City now has new reception areas for the public and a more organized system of transacting business in LTO.
They said that corrupt employees are now gone and fixers had been banned in all LTO provincial offices. Gone also were civilians who carry LTO identification cards bought from corrupt officials.
From a government agency tainted with corruption and anomalies, employees now said that the LTO is one of the most respected in the region.
“All those changes that people see now are all because of one man; and that is none other than our regional director, (Aminola) Abaton and our Boss Anneli (Lontoc). We are now proud to say that we all belong to one big family; a family of honest people dedicated to serve the public and nothing else,” a female employee, who identified herself only as Heart, told the Mindanao Examiner.
Anneli R. Lontoc headed the LTO until President Gloria Arroyo has appointed her this week to the Department of Transportation and Communication as Undersecretary and named a former police general Reynaldo Berroya.
Like Abaton, Lontoc was largely credited for steering the LTO to as a corrupt-free and service-oriented agency under the DOTC. (Mindanao Examiner)
Asia Source II: An Invitation To Technology Summit in Indonesia
DAVAO CITY (Yolynne Medina / 03 Nov) – The Asia Source II announced Saturday an upcoming conference on media and new I.T. methods, among others, to be held on January in Indonesia.
The Asia Source II seeks to build the skills and networks of those in the region who are working in the non-governmental organization (NGO) and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sectors. The event will bring together people from the more technical to the more content-oriented.
These range from software developers and system administrators, to trainers, consultants and FOSS advocates, as well as technology/NGO project managers, and tech-savvy activists/NGO workers.
Asia Source II is an 8-day event from January 22 to 30 in Sukabumi, about 3 hours drive from Jakarta, Indonesia. If you would like to participate, you will need to attend the entire event, which means arriving in Jakarta on or before January 21 and leaving on or after January 31.
This is an event for experienced professionals actively working with the NGO or SME sector in South Asia and South-East Asia, with a history of working with service and advocacy NGOs, educational organizations, NGO resource centers, community centers, health information organizations, SMEs and SME support agencies in South Asia and South-East Asia.
Like previous source camps, there will be an equal proportion of technical and non-technical people as we are hope to introduce "those who know technology" to "those who need technology".
Towards this end, sessions will vary from the highly technical to completely non-technical. To be eligible to attend, you will need to answer the questions below, providing detailed information about projects you have worked on.
The application deadline is November 17.The conference aims to broaden the knowledge of those in the NGO and SME who have technical experience.
Other areas that would tackle will also include the following: Open Publishing and Broadcasting: Communication Strategies and Writing Effectively. Graphic Design, Web Tools [Content Management Systems, Blogs, Wikis] and Audio/Video Production and Streaming. Script Writing and Story Boarding.
File Formats and Conversion Utilities. Video Shooting and Editing Methods.The conference is open to all those interested, especially web masters and developers, graphic designers, film makers, radio professionals, media practitioners and archivists. (For more details, click on this link http://www.apdip.net/news/asiasource2007)
The Asia Source II seeks to build the skills and networks of those in the region who are working in the non-governmental organization (NGO) and small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sectors. The event will bring together people from the more technical to the more content-oriented.
These range from software developers and system administrators, to trainers, consultants and FOSS advocates, as well as technology/NGO project managers, and tech-savvy activists/NGO workers.
Asia Source II is an 8-day event from January 22 to 30 in Sukabumi, about 3 hours drive from Jakarta, Indonesia. If you would like to participate, you will need to attend the entire event, which means arriving in Jakarta on or before January 21 and leaving on or after January 31.
This is an event for experienced professionals actively working with the NGO or SME sector in South Asia and South-East Asia, with a history of working with service and advocacy NGOs, educational organizations, NGO resource centers, community centers, health information organizations, SMEs and SME support agencies in South Asia and South-East Asia.
Like previous source camps, there will be an equal proportion of technical and non-technical people as we are hope to introduce "those who know technology" to "those who need technology".
Towards this end, sessions will vary from the highly technical to completely non-technical. To be eligible to attend, you will need to answer the questions below, providing detailed information about projects you have worked on.
The application deadline is November 17.The conference aims to broaden the knowledge of those in the NGO and SME who have technical experience.
Other areas that would tackle will also include the following: Open Publishing and Broadcasting: Communication Strategies and Writing Effectively. Graphic Design, Web Tools [Content Management Systems, Blogs, Wikis] and Audio/Video Production and Streaming. Script Writing and Story Boarding.
File Formats and Conversion Utilities. Video Shooting and Editing Methods.The conference is open to all those interested, especially web masters and developers, graphic designers, film makers, radio professionals, media practitioners and archivists. (For more details, click on this link http://www.apdip.net/news/asiasource2007)
Troops Tighten Security In North Cotabato Town After Mayor Is Linked To Attack
COTABATO CITY (Juan Magtanggol / 03 Nov) – Government troops have tightened security Saturday in North Cotabato province in the southern Philippines after the regional police held a town mayor and implicated him in the killing of five people, officials said.
Officials said the soldiers were sent to Banisilan town where the local mayor Floro Allado and his bodyguards allegedly opened fire on a group of civilians on Thursday.
All members of the town’s police force were also sacked for allegedly trying to cover up the crime. The town’s police earlier reported that Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels were behind the attack.
“We have troops in the area. We don’t want any future hostilities breaking out between feuding groups,” Brig. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said North Cotabato governor Emmanuel Pinol ordered the regional police to take Floro in custody and investigate the shooting. The military earlier said unidentified gunmen attacked the civilians near the Banisilan municipal hall, but the assailants turned out to be bodyguards of the mayor.
“There is an investigation going on about the motive of the attacks, but we suspect it had something to do with local politics and family feud,” Pajarito said.
The MILF, the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for independence in the south, had previously denied involvement in the attack.
A rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the accusation and said the attack was connected to a family feud. "We have reports saying that the attack was connected to a family feud and had something to do also with local politics," he said.The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the government. (Mindanao Examiner)
Church Leaders, Militant Groups Condemn Police Raid On Convent
BUTUAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 04 Nov) — Church leaders on Saturday condemned the police for raiding a convent in the southern Philippine city of Butuan.
Heavily-armed policemen, tracking down a senior New People’s Army (NPA) rebel leader, stormed the Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd (CGS) run by Catholic nuns in the village of Tiniwisan late Wednesday, but failed to find Jorge Madlos.
Madlos is also the spokesman of the National Democratic Front in Mindanao.
Militant groups and human rights advocates denounced the raid and accused the police of desecrating the convent. It said policemen barged into rooms and searched for Madlos even though the nuns denied links with the rebel leader.
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd, founded over two hundred years ago in Angers, France, by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, form one international congregation ministering in 71 countries on five continents. The nuns and volunteers helping the congregation are mostly involved in community works in poor areas. (Mindanao Examiner)
Heavily-armed policemen, tracking down a senior New People’s Army (NPA) rebel leader, stormed the Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd (CGS) run by Catholic nuns in the village of Tiniwisan late Wednesday, but failed to find Jorge Madlos.
Madlos is also the spokesman of the National Democratic Front in Mindanao.
Militant groups and human rights advocates denounced the raid and accused the police of desecrating the convent. It said policemen barged into rooms and searched for Madlos even though the nuns denied links with the rebel leader.
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd, founded over two hundred years ago in Angers, France, by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier, form one international congregation ministering in 71 countries on five continents. The nuns and volunteers helping the congregation are mostly involved in community works in poor areas. (Mindanao Examiner)
Friday, November 03, 2006
STILL NO WORD OF MISSING RADIO PRESENTER AND ENVIRONMENTALIST EIGHT MONTHS AFTER HIS ABDUCTION
Reporters Without Borders voiced outrage today at the indifference of both local and national authorities to the fate of radio presenter and anti-logging campaigner Joey Estriber, who has been missing ever since he was kidnapped outside an Internet café in Baler, in Aurora province, northeast of Manila, on the evening of 3 March 2006.
"It is eight months to the day since Estriber was abducted and nothing has been done by the authorities to find and identify his kidnappers," the press freedom organisation said.
"It seems that complicity between the local police and logging companies has prevented any progress in the investigation. The authorities in Manila must restart enquiries as a matter of urgency."
A freelance journalist who presented the programme Pag-usapan Natin (Let's talk about that) on local radio station DZJO, Estriber was kidnapped by four gunmen.
According to a representative of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the kidnapping took place a few yards from a police station, but the police never questioned the witnesses.
Estriber has five dependants - his wife and four children - who have had no source of income since his disappearance.
A well-known critic of deforestation in Aurora province, he often used his radio programme to condemn the intensive logging being carried out by companies with the support of people within the local government, and he had participated in a campaign calling for the withdrawal of the nine licences issued to logging companies in the province.
Estriber also worked for a local development NGO, Bataris, which a military officer speaking on a radio station in February described as the kind of organisation that should be combated. (Vincent Brossel, Asia - Pacific Desk, Reporters Sans Frontières, 5 rue Geoffroy Marie, 75009 Paris; 33 1 44 83 84 70, 33 1 45 23 11 51 (fax),asia@rsf.org,www.rsf.org)
Bayanihan, The Migpulao Way
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (Linda Elouali Bansil / 03 Nov) – Residents of the remote village of West Migpulao, formerly Tinikol, in Dinas town in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, praised government efforts in helping the locals put up a water project.
Journalists were invited to tour the village recently and witnessed the cooperation and success of the project now benefiting hundreds of mostly farmers.
Village leaders said the locals were not only recipients of government programs and services, but also helping in nation building.
Although family feud and clan wars erupted in the past in West Migpulao, village officials said the violence did not hinder the locals to unite and work together for the realization of the project.
Volunteers, who helped in the project, originally planned to make clean water accessible to as many families as possible for just a small funding of P1.4 million, but local officials said the project has benefited more that what was expected because of assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the KALAHI CIDDS program.
KALAHI-CIDDS which stands for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Basic Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (Village) is a government poverty reduction scheme implemented by the DSWD with funding support from the World Bank.
"Originally we planned 15 common tap stands or water faucets for the entire village, but because of everybody’s help and persistence, we were able to put up 27,” said, Alberto Mantisa.
The West Migpulao Water Project started in 2005. "Through the KALAHI CIDDS Program of the DSWD, we were given the chance to take charge of our own concerns as mere residents; this is the first time that we led our village by planning and working for a goal that will cater to the welfare of our community," said Rodrigo Guira, head of the local project committee.
Aside from organizing the community, Guira said, they attended assemblies and held dialogues with the villagers. They elected their own officers to do various functions, such as accounting.
"We have learned the trade and did our functions according to the expectations that we had set for ourselves," he said.
Empowered and ready to face the task ahead. The community prioritized the project they wanted and it was not easy for them because it was only one of the many they needed in the village.
The town mayor, Wilfredo Asoy, donated P200,000 and the village also gave 240,000 as its counterpart and provided manpower to finish the project. The KALAHI CIDDS shouldered the rest of the funding.
Each household pay a minimal fee of around 12.50 pesos per cubic meter for water consumption and like a cooperative, there are also due dates wherein the household should follow to assure prompt payments.
A treasurer and accountant make sure that the money collected is properly documented.They also hired plumbers to make sure that the tap stands are all the time in working condition. Complaints are also handled through a redress system and consultation.
"I can never forget the time when one of our volunteers who lived far off was killed while walking home after our meeting in the village. We felt it was as a setback because one never thinks that something like that could happen but despite this, we were able to continue and believe in what we are doing," said Francisco Kahanap, a community volunteer.
Hard work and perseverance paid off and for the residents of West Migpulao, nothing is more plausible than an access to clean water for everybody.
"I am very happy now that we have common faucets outside our houses. Now we no longer need to walk far to go to the river or to the water well,” said villager Emillia Nacua. "If I have the choice, however, I would really like to have a faucet inside our house, but for now this is much more a blessing and maybe we could have our own faucet someday."
Village officials said they would welcome more development projects and that the residents are ready to help.
"We are always ready for new things. We want to have day care centers for our children and health centers and farm-to-market roads and chapels, maybe in the future,” Alberto Mantisa said.
Before KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects are implemented, volunteers undergo training and seminars to do the job of budget officers, bookkeepers, and engineers.
Ordinary folk learn how to draft a program-of-work and read floor plans. The community evaluates its needs and submits a project proposal to the municipal forum and is submitted to DSWD for funding. (Mindanao Examiner)
Journalists were invited to tour the village recently and witnessed the cooperation and success of the project now benefiting hundreds of mostly farmers.
Village leaders said the locals were not only recipients of government programs and services, but also helping in nation building.
Although family feud and clan wars erupted in the past in West Migpulao, village officials said the violence did not hinder the locals to unite and work together for the realization of the project.
Volunteers, who helped in the project, originally planned to make clean water accessible to as many families as possible for just a small funding of P1.4 million, but local officials said the project has benefited more that what was expected because of assistance of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the KALAHI CIDDS program.
KALAHI-CIDDS which stands for Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Basic Services: Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (Village) is a government poverty reduction scheme implemented by the DSWD with funding support from the World Bank.
"Originally we planned 15 common tap stands or water faucets for the entire village, but because of everybody’s help and persistence, we were able to put up 27,” said, Alberto Mantisa.
How it started
The West Migpulao Water Project started in 2005. "Through the KALAHI CIDDS Program of the DSWD, we were given the chance to take charge of our own concerns as mere residents; this is the first time that we led our village by planning and working for a goal that will cater to the welfare of our community," said Rodrigo Guira, head of the local project committee.
Aside from organizing the community, Guira said, they attended assemblies and held dialogues with the villagers. They elected their own officers to do various functions, such as accounting.
"We have learned the trade and did our functions according to the expectations that we had set for ourselves," he said.
Empowered and ready to face the task ahead. The community prioritized the project they wanted and it was not easy for them because it was only one of the many they needed in the village.
The town mayor, Wilfredo Asoy, donated P200,000 and the village also gave 240,000 as its counterpart and provided manpower to finish the project. The KALAHI CIDDS shouldered the rest of the funding.
Sustainability In Their Hands
Each household pay a minimal fee of around 12.50 pesos per cubic meter for water consumption and like a cooperative, there are also due dates wherein the household should follow to assure prompt payments.
A treasurer and accountant make sure that the money collected is properly documented.They also hired plumbers to make sure that the tap stands are all the time in working condition. Complaints are also handled through a redress system and consultation.
The Challenges
"I can never forget the time when one of our volunteers who lived far off was killed while walking home after our meeting in the village. We felt it was as a setback because one never thinks that something like that could happen but despite this, we were able to continue and believe in what we are doing," said Francisco Kahanap, a community volunteer.
The Rewards
Hard work and perseverance paid off and for the residents of West Migpulao, nothing is more plausible than an access to clean water for everybody.
"I am very happy now that we have common faucets outside our houses. Now we no longer need to walk far to go to the river or to the water well,” said villager Emillia Nacua. "If I have the choice, however, I would really like to have a faucet inside our house, but for now this is much more a blessing and maybe we could have our own faucet someday."
Ready For More In The Future
Village officials said they would welcome more development projects and that the residents are ready to help.
"We are always ready for new things. We want to have day care centers for our children and health centers and farm-to-market roads and chapels, maybe in the future,” Alberto Mantisa said.
Before KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects are implemented, volunteers undergo training and seminars to do the job of budget officers, bookkeepers, and engineers.
Ordinary folk learn how to draft a program-of-work and read floor plans. The community evaluates its needs and submits a project proposal to the municipal forum and is submitted to DSWD for funding. (Mindanao Examiner)
Modern Corn Post-Harvest Facilities To Rise In Zamboanga Del Norte
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Darwin Wee / 03 Nov) – To help boost white corn production in southern Philippines, the Department of Agriculture on Friday said it will put up a P27-million modern post-harvest facilities in Zamboanga Del Norte province early next year.
"The project would be put up in the town of Sergio Osmena and probably within the first quarter," DA chief of operation Sammy M. Simbajon told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the project is a joint effort between the DA, the National Agribusiness Corporation, an attached agency, and the town of Sergio Osmena and the provincial government.
"The one-hectare, post-harvest processing plant will soon rise in the municipality of Sergio Osmena in Zamboanga del Norte and this will benefit many farmers and help boost white corn production in southern Philippines," he said.
The integrated plant, Simbajon said, will consist of three processing, warehousing and trading centers, including a marketing area.
"The funding for the project will come from collaborative efforts of the DA, the National Agribusiness Corporation and Sergio Osmena town and the provincial government. The DA will provide at least P17-million, while the municipal government and Zamboanga del Norte will provide P 10 million," he said.
Aside from the post-harvest facilities, the DA said it will also develop at least 560-ha. for corn production. Zamboanga Peninsula produces some 100,000 tons of corns annually. "This project alone will cost us about P2 million," he said.
Zamboanga Peninsula has more than 185,000-ha. planted to corn. And Simbajon said the region still has some 200,000-ha. for potential areas for corn production.
Simbajon expressed confident that local corn farmers in the region can supply the processing plant's average daily requirements of 136 tons of corn. The facility, he said, will be operated using mostly corn cobs to help conserve fuel.
The processing plant is expected to earn some P2 million every harvest season, Simbajon said.
"The project is inline with President Gloria Arroyo's food security program," Simbahon said, noting that corn is the staple food of at least 35% of the country's total population and is source of livelihood for some 220,000 upland farmers in Zamboanga Peninsula.
"These modern post-harvest processing facilities would reduce the cost of corn processing and ultimately benefit small farmers and even small and medium scale corn-based enterprises. Our objectives here are to assure direct market for corn farmers in the region and reduce perennial post harvest losses, and to really guarantee a minimum net income of P12,500 per hectare to local farmers," he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
"The project would be put up in the town of Sergio Osmena and probably within the first quarter," DA chief of operation Sammy M. Simbajon told the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the project is a joint effort between the DA, the National Agribusiness Corporation, an attached agency, and the town of Sergio Osmena and the provincial government.
"The one-hectare, post-harvest processing plant will soon rise in the municipality of Sergio Osmena in Zamboanga del Norte and this will benefit many farmers and help boost white corn production in southern Philippines," he said.
The integrated plant, Simbajon said, will consist of three processing, warehousing and trading centers, including a marketing area.
"The funding for the project will come from collaborative efforts of the DA, the National Agribusiness Corporation and Sergio Osmena town and the provincial government. The DA will provide at least P17-million, while the municipal government and Zamboanga del Norte will provide P 10 million," he said.
Aside from the post-harvest facilities, the DA said it will also develop at least 560-ha. for corn production. Zamboanga Peninsula produces some 100,000 tons of corns annually. "This project alone will cost us about P2 million," he said.
Zamboanga Peninsula has more than 185,000-ha. planted to corn. And Simbajon said the region still has some 200,000-ha. for potential areas for corn production.
Simbajon expressed confident that local corn farmers in the region can supply the processing plant's average daily requirements of 136 tons of corn. The facility, he said, will be operated using mostly corn cobs to help conserve fuel.
The processing plant is expected to earn some P2 million every harvest season, Simbajon said.
"The project is inline with President Gloria Arroyo's food security program," Simbahon said, noting that corn is the staple food of at least 35% of the country's total population and is source of livelihood for some 220,000 upland farmers in Zamboanga Peninsula.
"These modern post-harvest processing facilities would reduce the cost of corn processing and ultimately benefit small farmers and even small and medium scale corn-based enterprises. Our objectives here are to assure direct market for corn farmers in the region and reduce perennial post harvest losses, and to really guarantee a minimum net income of P12,500 per hectare to local farmers," he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Commies Raid Army Detachment In North Cotabato
COTABATO CITY (Mark Navales / 02 Nov) - Communist insurgents raided Thursday a military detachment after taking hostage dozens of civilians and used them as shield in the southern Philippine province of North Cotabato, a regional army commander said.
Maj. Gen. Ernesto Boac, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said about 30 members of the New People's Army held dozens of civilians near the farming village of Bituin in Tulunan town and used them as cover to raid the detachment at around 8 a.m.
"Initial reports we gathered said the insurgents took innocent civilians hostage and used them as cover to raid the detachment manned by government militias," the general said by phone from the area.
Boac said the attackers took 21 assorted weapons after overpowering ten militias without firefight. "The NPAs tied the hands of the militias, including the detachment commander and ransack the armory and escaped on foot. They also freed all their hostages," he said.
He said pursuing troops clashed with the raiders later in the day, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
"We are awaiting reports. Our troops clashed with the attackers, but we still don't know if there are any enemy casualties," he said.
The NPA is fighting the government the past three decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Maj. Gen. Ernesto Boac, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, said about 30 members of the New People's Army held dozens of civilians near the farming village of Bituin in Tulunan town and used them as cover to raid the detachment at around 8 a.m.
"Initial reports we gathered said the insurgents took innocent civilians hostage and used them as cover to raid the detachment manned by government militias," the general said by phone from the area.
Boac said the attackers took 21 assorted weapons after overpowering ten militias without firefight. "The NPAs tied the hands of the militias, including the detachment commander and ransack the armory and escaped on foot. They also freed all their hostages," he said.
He said pursuing troops clashed with the raiders later in the day, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
"We are awaiting reports. Our troops clashed with the attackers, but we still don't know if there are any enemy casualties," he said.
The NPA is fighting the government the past three decades for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
Gunmen Attack Southern Town, 3 Killed
NORTH COTABATO (Juan Magtanggol / 02 Nov) - Three people were killed and five more injured when gunmen attacked Thursday a group of civilians near the municipal hall of Banisilan in North Cotabato province in the troubled southern Philippine region, military officials said.
Brig. Gen. Nehemias Pajarito, commander of the Army's 6th Infantry Division, said the gunmen opened fire on the civilians, killing at least 3 people and wounding 5 others. "Troops are in the area and tracking down the perpetrators," Pajarito told the Mindanao Examiner.
But police reports tagged the attackers as members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for independence in the south.
A rebel spokesman Eid Kabalu denied the accusation and said the attack was connected to a family feud. "We have reports saying that the attack was connected to a family feud and had something to do also with local politics," he said without elaborating.
The MILF is currently negotiating peace with the government. (Mindanao Examiner)
Photo: Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema and UNESCO Commissioner Bai Sandra Sema
Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema and wife, Bai Sandra Sema, UNESCO Commissioner, meet with Filipino children during the recent celebration of the 14th National Children Month held at the People Palace City Hall in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province in South RP. (Mindanao Examiner/Mark Navales)
Bai Lawanen JCs Are Mindanao's Best, No. 8 Nationwide
Bai Lawanen Jaycees delegation headed by its president Gean Cesar receives the "Top 8 Nationwide Award" from the Junior Chamber International Philippines president Ismael Penado during the JCIP's 58th National Convention held in Subic Bay, Olongapo City October 12-14, 2006. And JCI Bai Lawanen delegates with JCIP national president Ismael Penado. OLONGAPO CITY (Mike Banos / 02 Nov) - The Bai Lawanen Jaycees of Cagayan de Oro were adjudged best LOM in Mindanao in the recently concluded 58th National Convention of the Junior Chamber International Philippines (Worldwide Federation of Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs) held October 12-14 in Subic, Olongapo City in Luzon.
Besides being chosen best LOM among JCIP's chapters in Mindanao, the Bai Lawanen Jaycees also ranked eight nationwide.
Chapter president Gean Tulang-Cesar expressed profound pride and joy with the Bai Lawanen Jacyees JCIPEA ranking. Other awards received by the Chapter included the Recognition for Past President JCI Sen. Gigi O. Go, currently serving as President of Cartwheel Foundation, as Outstanding JCI Senator of the Year, and another recognition for the chapter's newsletter, Kubing, as 'Best Local Publication Award.
Besides Cesar, other Natcon delegates of the Bai Lawanen Jaycees included incoming president Lorelei Pabillore, former JC president Emma Tan, Secy. Gen. Joy Ranario and Comissioner Diana Adaza.
JCI Bai Lawanen will hold its Annual Turn-Over and Induction Ceremony on Dec. 16. Cesar will hand-over the gavel to the Lorelei. (Mindanao Examiner/Kagay-an .com)
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Zamboanga Cops Link Soldier To Chinese Slay
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / 01 Nov) – Police on Wednesday have implicated a government soldier as allegedly behind the murder of a Chinese trader in Zamboanga City.
Police said the soldier was linked to the Oct. 26 killing of Mawang Huang by the wife of a dismissed soldier who was earlier captured here in a raid on his hideout. The captured man was also allegedly involved in the killing.
Huang, who owns three cell phone stores here, was shot in downtown Zamboanga and police said robbery was the likely motive for the attack.
Police did not release the name of the soldier, but local media reports, quoting unnamed police officials, identified him only as Abas, who is assigned in Lanao del Norte province.
The reports could not be independently confirmed. Police mounted a massive manhunt for the suspect. More than a dozen people, including policemen and soldiers, had been killed in a spate of gun attacks here the past weeks blamed by authorities to the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.
It was unknown whether the soldier or his group was involved in other killings. More than 200 people had been killed in a series of gun attacks in Zamboanga City the past four years.
Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat has offered P50,000 rewards for anyone who can help authorities solve the string of murders, but the bounty was too small compared to the P43 million intelligence fund the local government has, his critics say.
Local traders have expressed alarm over the unabated killings. (Mindanao Examiner)
Police said the soldier was linked to the Oct. 26 killing of Mawang Huang by the wife of a dismissed soldier who was earlier captured here in a raid on his hideout. The captured man was also allegedly involved in the killing.
Huang, who owns three cell phone stores here, was shot in downtown Zamboanga and police said robbery was the likely motive for the attack.
Police did not release the name of the soldier, but local media reports, quoting unnamed police officials, identified him only as Abas, who is assigned in Lanao del Norte province.
The reports could not be independently confirmed. Police mounted a massive manhunt for the suspect. More than a dozen people, including policemen and soldiers, had been killed in a spate of gun attacks here the past weeks blamed by authorities to the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group.
It was unknown whether the soldier or his group was involved in other killings. More than 200 people had been killed in a series of gun attacks in Zamboanga City the past four years.
Zamboanga City Mayor Celso Lobregat has offered P50,000 rewards for anyone who can help authorities solve the string of murders, but the bounty was too small compared to the P43 million intelligence fund the local government has, his critics say.
Local traders have expressed alarm over the unabated killings. (Mindanao Examiner)
Seaweed Farmers Search For Greener Pastures (First of Three Parts)
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Uly Israel / 01 Nov) - People from the coastal villages tend to flock in the highly urbanized Metro Manila or would sell or mortgage their land to find work abroad in search for their dreams of a decent and comfortable life.
And little did they know that such dreams are within reach even without moving out because there are always opportunities, said Engineer Isidro D. Eijansantos, Jr., a strategic planner from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Zamboanga City).
But he said opportunities, however, must be exploited to the fullest,
Philippine archipelago with its long shoreline situated near the equator is blessed with a high level of biodiversity of marine life. There is a great treasure that can be unlocked in the country’s marine resources and one of the relatively unexploited treasure chests is seaweed farming – a potential source of wealth that can be replenished with the use of available technology, Eijansantos said.
“With the rich marine resources at our disposal, opportunities abound for everyone to partake in the exploitation of these resources,” he said.
One such opportunity came into being when Dr. Maxwell Doty, a professor of the Department of Botany at the University of Hawaii conducted a research on the natural stock of seaweeds, specifically the Eucheuma variety in the Philippines in 1965, Dr. Sitti Amina M. Jain said in her recently published book, “The Seaweed Industry: Exploring an Alternative to Poverty”.
Seaweeds usually grow in abundance wildly in the southern provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; these were harvested by fishermen in the areas and sold to traders. As demand grew, stock of fresh and dried seaweeds dwindled in the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1968, researches on seaweed production and propagation were conducted by a team of researchers from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), University of Hawaii and Marine Colloids International, Inc. which led to the introduction of the successful seaweed culture technique in the island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
In 1972, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Zamboanga fishermen started the first Euceuma commercial farms in the country. Then in 1978, seaweed farming expanded to other areas reaching as far as Bohol, Cebu, and the Leyte-Samar area.
Since then, the seaweed industry has been the lifeblood of an estimated 180,000 farmers directly dependent on seaweed culture nationwide. In the Zamboanga Peninsula alone, latest estimates indicate that seaweeds farming alone benefits 24,712 farmers, providing a source of livelihood for over 130,000 people.
The contribution of the industry to peace and development initiatives particularly in the conflict areas in the region including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu has been significant, said Dr. Jain, who is also the Assistant Regional Director of DTI-9.
The USAID-Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM) reported that in year 2003 the agency was able to provide livelihood to about 24,000 former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants who venture into seaweed farming.
Dr. Jain said most of the former Muslim secessionists turned to seaweed culture as a means of subsistence, since the vast shorelines of Zamboanga Peninsula offered them the opportunity to engage in seaweed farming and since farming technology was readily available and could be easily learned and adopted.
The seaweeds industry has evolved into a multi-million dollar export business. The industry has spawned an increasing number of traders and exporters. The huge demand for seaweeds –raw dried seaweeds (RDS), semi-processed and refined – in the world market opened up huge potential income for seaweed growers.
In 2001, the Philippines exported 118,460 metric tons (MT) of RDS valued at US $ 131.6 million. The country’s export rose to US $153,2 million of 128,618 (MT) of RDS in 2005.
Indeed, DTI-Zamboanga City and Tawi-Tawi have made seaweeds as top priority product for development and promotion under the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) program of the Arroyo Administration. Under the OTOP program, players in the production, marketing and distribution of the chosen product get assistance from financing, technical to fiscal incentives from various line agencies of the government.
"Zamboanga City is without doubt an ideal place for seaweed farming for the coastal dwellers," DTI-Zamboanga City said in its primer, a concept paper which focuses on seaweed industry in the city.
"These marine resources gave us unlimited potential, and if used wisely and effectively, will translate to a better quality of living for our people. Seaweed could bring any individual to life full of luxury and comfort due to its lucrative earnings, either fresh or dried,” DTI added.
Seaweed is a microscopic algae classified into four classes according to pigment coloring. Most of the red colored seaweeds contain carrageenan which has numerous uses. Carrageenan is a jelly-like substance extracted with alkaline water from red seaweeds. It is used mainly in products that need gelling, suspending, thickening or water holding properties.
In the food industry, carrageenan is used as stabilizer, emulsifier, thickener, and filler and gelling agent for dairy-based products such as cheese, ice cream yogurt, butter, sausages, part thickener.
For the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as cosmetics, capsules, vitamins, bacteria, culturing media, shampoo, lotion cream, lipstick, soap and many more. For the general industry, it is an additive for paper, textile, photo film, toothpaste, shoe polish, fish/meat canner, ceramics, and pesticide and food paste.
Because of its many uses for industrial, pharmaceutical, and food industries, its demand in the world market continues to grow by 5 percent annually, DTI said.
As of 2003, the world demand stood at 5 million metric ton, while the supply gap stood at 2 million metric ton or 40 percent, a huge supply gap to fill, DTI added. (Mindanao Examiner/to be continued)
And little did they know that such dreams are within reach even without moving out because there are always opportunities, said Engineer Isidro D. Eijansantos, Jr., a strategic planner from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Zamboanga City).
But he said opportunities, however, must be exploited to the fullest,
Philippine archipelago with its long shoreline situated near the equator is blessed with a high level of biodiversity of marine life. There is a great treasure that can be unlocked in the country’s marine resources and one of the relatively unexploited treasure chests is seaweed farming – a potential source of wealth that can be replenished with the use of available technology, Eijansantos said.
“With the rich marine resources at our disposal, opportunities abound for everyone to partake in the exploitation of these resources,” he said.
One such opportunity came into being when Dr. Maxwell Doty, a professor of the Department of Botany at the University of Hawaii conducted a research on the natural stock of seaweeds, specifically the Eucheuma variety in the Philippines in 1965, Dr. Sitti Amina M. Jain said in her recently published book, “The Seaweed Industry: Exploring an Alternative to Poverty”.
Seaweeds usually grow in abundance wildly in the southern provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; these were harvested by fishermen in the areas and sold to traders. As demand grew, stock of fresh and dried seaweeds dwindled in the 1950s and 1960s.
In 1968, researches on seaweed production and propagation were conducted by a team of researchers from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), University of Hawaii and Marine Colloids International, Inc. which led to the introduction of the successful seaweed culture technique in the island provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
In 1972, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Zamboanga fishermen started the first Euceuma commercial farms in the country. Then in 1978, seaweed farming expanded to other areas reaching as far as Bohol, Cebu, and the Leyte-Samar area.
Since then, the seaweed industry has been the lifeblood of an estimated 180,000 farmers directly dependent on seaweed culture nationwide. In the Zamboanga Peninsula alone, latest estimates indicate that seaweeds farming alone benefits 24,712 farmers, providing a source of livelihood for over 130,000 people.
The contribution of the industry to peace and development initiatives particularly in the conflict areas in the region including Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu has been significant, said Dr. Jain, who is also the Assistant Regional Director of DTI-9.
The USAID-Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM) reported that in year 2003 the agency was able to provide livelihood to about 24,000 former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants who venture into seaweed farming.
Dr. Jain said most of the former Muslim secessionists turned to seaweed culture as a means of subsistence, since the vast shorelines of Zamboanga Peninsula offered them the opportunity to engage in seaweed farming and since farming technology was readily available and could be easily learned and adopted.
The seaweeds industry has evolved into a multi-million dollar export business. The industry has spawned an increasing number of traders and exporters. The huge demand for seaweeds –raw dried seaweeds (RDS), semi-processed and refined – in the world market opened up huge potential income for seaweed growers.
In 2001, the Philippines exported 118,460 metric tons (MT) of RDS valued at US $ 131.6 million. The country’s export rose to US $153,2 million of 128,618 (MT) of RDS in 2005.
Indeed, DTI-Zamboanga City and Tawi-Tawi have made seaweeds as top priority product for development and promotion under the One-Town-One-Product (OTOP) program of the Arroyo Administration. Under the OTOP program, players in the production, marketing and distribution of the chosen product get assistance from financing, technical to fiscal incentives from various line agencies of the government.
"Zamboanga City is without doubt an ideal place for seaweed farming for the coastal dwellers," DTI-Zamboanga City said in its primer, a concept paper which focuses on seaweed industry in the city.
"These marine resources gave us unlimited potential, and if used wisely and effectively, will translate to a better quality of living for our people. Seaweed could bring any individual to life full of luxury and comfort due to its lucrative earnings, either fresh or dried,” DTI added.
USES OF SEAWEED
In the food industry, carrageenan is used as stabilizer, emulsifier, thickener, and filler and gelling agent for dairy-based products such as cheese, ice cream yogurt, butter, sausages, part thickener.
For the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as cosmetics, capsules, vitamins, bacteria, culturing media, shampoo, lotion cream, lipstick, soap and many more. For the general industry, it is an additive for paper, textile, photo film, toothpaste, shoe polish, fish/meat canner, ceramics, and pesticide and food paste.
Because of its many uses for industrial, pharmaceutical, and food industries, its demand in the world market continues to grow by 5 percent annually, DTI said.
As of 2003, the world demand stood at 5 million metric ton, while the supply gap stood at 2 million metric ton or 40 percent, a huge supply gap to fill, DTI added. (Mindanao Examiner/to be continued)
Zamboanga del Sur Welcomes Canadian Mining Firm
Mary Ann Lucero-Cartalla, mayor of a mountain town called Bayog in Zamboanga del Sur province in South RP, with Rocky Dimaculangan, of TVI, on Tuesday 31 Oct 2006. And villagers show up to welcome TVI delegates who visited Bayog town, where it is currently exploring gold and other minerals. (Mindanao Examiner)The current mayor of Bayog town, Mary Ann Lucero-Cartalla, says during a huge pro-mining rally Tuesday 31 Oct. 2006 the locals are all-out in supporting the Canadian mining firm, TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc., which is conducting exploration. She says the mining firm has provided jobs to many people in the town. More than 3,000 villagers attend the rally. (Mindanao Examiner MP4)
ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR (Mindanao Examiner / 01 Nov) – About 3,000 mostly farmers have flocked to the mountain town of Bayog in Zamboanga del Sur, south of the Philippines, to welcome delegates from a Canadian mining firm.
TVI Resource Development Inc. said it will expand its current operation in the southern Philippines and has begun exploration projects in Bayog town.
It is currently operating a gold mine inside a 500-hectare area in Canatuan Mountain in Siocon town in Zamboanga del Norte province, but the current mayor of the remote Bayog town, Mary Ann Lucero-Cartalla, said she has offered TVI almost 5,000-ha.
"We welcome responsible mining in Bayog. TVI will bring us not only responsible mining, but employment and progress as well," the mayor told the Mindanao Examiner.
She said the locals were also supporting the TVI and that about 3,000 people have flocked to Bayog to welcome the firm's executives who visited the town on Tuesday for a dialogue with villagers.
TVI president Eugene Mateo previously said that they have invested more than P500 million and is currently exploring for gold and other minerals in the hinterland village of Balabag.
Filipino environment and top government officials had previously cited the mining firm for having one of the cleanest and safest mining facilities in the country. Mateo said it would take them at least one year and a half to complete the exploration in Bayog town to see if it is feasible to mine in the area.
"We have a lot of things to do in Bayog town, but we can guarantee that the environment would not be affected or polluted by our operations. We follow strict international mining standards to ensure safe and responsible mining," he said, adding, some 650 people, including 50 Filipino geologists, are now working for TVI in the exploration project.
Mateo said they were also planning to explore gold in Compostela Valley in Davao province, southeast of Zamboanga del Sur.
"This is really an opportunity for us to have a descent employment. We really want TVI to stay here for good so that many poor people and our children will benefit from all that investments," said a 51-year old coconut farmer, Oscar Sumaling.
"The TVI also helped us in the past when landslides buried several houses here and we owed them a lot," he said.
In February, TVI led a rescue operation in Bayog town after landslides triggered by heavy rains buried houses in one village that killed at least 5 people.
The mayor was even more supportive and had hosted the dialogue, telling the villagers the importance of investments to a small town like Bayog, where farmers transport their agricultural products by buffalos and horses.
The town, about 223 km from Zamboanga City , has a population of about 26,000 mostly Subanon natives scattered in 28 villages.
Rocky Dimaculangan, head of the TVI delegation and spokesman of the company, said they always follow strict international mining standards. "We have opened our doors to any groups that wanted to see how we operate. TVI follows strict international mining standards," he said.
TVI started its mining operations in 2004 in Siocon, nearly a decade after it obtained its Mineral Production Sharing Agreement with the government in 1996. It is currently into gold and silver mining and plans to extract copper and zinc by next year.
Illegal miners who previously operated in Mount Canatuan dumped toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide into Siocon's waterways, threatening the ecological balance. Illegal mining persisted for years until TVI signed a memorandum of understanding with the Siocon Subano Association, Inc., (SSAI), the largest group of indigenous people in Zamboanga del Norte, in October 2001 to develop their ancestral domain.
SSAI is recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous People as the legal representative of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) holders in Canatuan.
TVI also entered into a production sharing agreement with the Filipino government in 1996 -- even before the Subanon people obtained their CADT under the Indigenous People's Rights Act a year later. (Mindanao Examiner)
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