Notice To The Public

Cebu Pacific sees hike in passenger growth

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 24, 2011) - Cebu Pacific on Tuesday said it expects a 16% passenger growth this month because of increases in both its domestic and international operations.

It earlier announced that it flew more than one million passengers in April, a first for any Philippine carrier and also also posted 15.9% passenger growth for that month compared to the same period in 2010.

From May 1-15, Cebu Pacific posted a 19% year-on-year passenger growth compared to the same period last year and international traffic is up 22%, while domestic traffic also increased by 18% for this period.

“Despite spiraling oil prices, this summer period indicates a very strong traffic performance. We broke several records in April, and foresee even better performance this May. We are grateful to Cebu Pacific passengers for their support, as this is an achievement given the present rising fuel costs,” Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Distribution, said in a statement to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

“Cebu Pacific continues offering the lowest fares in all the routes it operates, for its 33 domestic and 16 international destinations. We are glad to provide every Juan more convenient and more affordable travel options,” she added.

She said Cebu Pacific fuel surcharges are 60% lower for international flights compared to Philippine Air Lines (PAL). It also has the lowest fuel surcharge in majority of domestic routes commonly operated by PAL, AirPhil Express, and Zest Air.

Cebu Pacific is the Philippines' largest national flag carrier.

DOLE names TVIRD 'Outstanding Employer'

Top left photo shows TVIRD Canatuan Finance Manager Jimmy Guillermo and General Manager Ely Valmores listening to DOLE Region 9 Director Ponciano Ligutom in right photo during the latter’s speech, wherein he encouraged other companies in the Zamboanga del Norte province to follow the example set by TVIRD and three other companies that were conferred the Outstanding Employer award. In middle photo, TVIRD employees listen to Valmores in a meeting at the Canatuan mine. Below, a TVIRD dentist attends to a Muslim woman from one of the company’s impact communities in Siocon.

ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Western Mindanao has named TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) as ‘Outstanding Employer of Zamboanga del Norte (Industrial category)’ in recognition of its leadership in the advocacy of harmonious relationship between management and labor and sincere implementation of its corporate social commitment programs that benefitted the poor in the province.

The award was conferred upon TVIRD by DOLE Regional Director Ponciano Ligutom in Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte, as part of the culminating activities for the 109th celebration of Labor Day.

TVIRD’s Canatuan General Manager Ely Valmores and Finance Department Manager Jimmy Guillermo received the award in behalf of the company. TVIRD operates a copper-zinc mining facility in Canatuan, a mountain village in the municipality of Siocon.

Three other companies also received the award: Katipunan Bank (for the banking and lending sector), Lee Plaza (retail and services) and Zaragoza Sardines (manufacturing).

“DOLE is proud to give the award to these companies not only because they have contributed a lot for the betterment of their host communities, but also because in the course of doing their businesses they showed deep concern for the welfare of their workers,” Ligutom said during the awarding ceremonies whose theme, “Matuwid na daan tungo sa kaunlaran para sa lahat” (Straight path towards progress for all), echoed one of the battle cries of President Benigno Aquino III during the election campaign last year.

“May other companies that operate in the province follow what these awardees are doing, because they are helping change the image of our country,” Ligutom said.

He also explained the criteria for the award were promotion of good labor-management relationship and implementation of programs and projects that are beneficial to the community.

“We religiously studied the performance of the nominees so we could come up with awardees that really deserve to receive the outstanding employer award,” he said. “We are happy that all of them were able to show sterling performance and integrity. All believe that happy and contented employees are the most productive ones in the company and community.”

“TVIRD takes pride in being the highest paying employer in the province and in providing employee benefits and privileges beyond what is mandated by law,” Valmores said. “We believe that the primary asset of a successful company is its people.

“TVIRD’s corporate social commitment programs encourage participation of both employees and beneficiaries, and promote transparency and accountability for implementers and partner communities,” he added. “We are committed to abide by the principles of responsible mining in the pursuit of sustainable development wherever we operate.”

The news that the company was conferred the outstanding employer award was warmly greeted by Siocon Sangguniang Bayan Member Constantino Soriano, Jr. “I am happy and proud that TVIRD got the award,” he said. “I am actually not surprised, because being your neighbor I know how well you take care of your employees.”

Aware that TVIRD is Siocon’s biggest taxpayer and has helped the local government in curbing the town’s unemployment problem, Soriano authored a municipal council resolution that endorsed the company for the much-coveted award.

“I am endorsing the company because of its unselfish support for the town of Siocon through its Social Development Management Program, which features programs and projects that benefit my poor constituents.” Soriano said.

The mayor specifically mentioned the company’s monthly medical missions in the barangays of his municipality, including the farthest and the most isolated ones.

Timuay Jose Anoy, chieftain of the Subanon tribe of the host community of Canatuan, congratulated the company for receiving the award. “We are happy TVIRD received that award, which shows that the government recognizes the basic services the company has been providing our tribe. TVIRD’s health, education, and livelihood projects have greatly improved our lives,” he said.

As owners of the land, the Subanon tribe receives royalty from the company aside from the benefits it is enjoying through the SDMP. Aside from being given the priority during job hiring, professional members of the tribe also hold responsible positions in the company.

Gemma Tolentino, one of the longest-staying employees in TVIRD’s Canatuan operations, is company forester. Cynthia Lacpao, who passed last year’s Nurses Licensure Board Examinations, on the other hand, is working as a nurse at the company clinic.

“When I decided to apply as forester, I thought I should be in the company so I can help protect Siocon and Canatuan’s environment,” Tolentino said. “I am convinced that I have made the right decision because our proposals at the Environment Department on rehabilitation and re-vegetation are supported by the company.

“TVIRD truly deserves the Outstanding Employer award,” she added. “Our company diligently and sincerely implements its corporate social commitment initiatives not only for Christians and Subanons, but also for our Muslim brothers and sisters in Siocon. I am sure everybody is happy and contented with the company. Even the new hires feel the same. TVIRD takes good care of its employees and their families. It matches words with actions.” (Lullie Micabalo)

Kidnapped trader freed in Mindanao

A photo released by the 6th Infantry Division shows freed kidnapped grocery store Angelina Chew Mantigue during a news conference on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 in Maguinanao province in the southern Philippines.

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 24, 2011) – Philippine kidnappers have freed Tuesday a Filipino-Chinese grocery store owner barely 10 days after they seized her in Maguindanao’ s North Upi town.

Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels who are currently negotiating peace with Manila recovered the victim, Angelina Chew Mantigue, on a remote village in Kabuntalan town after being informed of her release. The rebels handed over the woman to the military.

“Our forces recovered the woman after being told of her release and handed her over to the authorities,” Eid Kabalu, a spokesman for the MILF, told the Mindanao Examiner.

He said the woman was recovered before sunrise.

The kidnappers initially demanded P20 million for the safe release of the woman, but it was unknown whether her family paid ransoms or not. Gunmen seized Mantigue from her store on May 14.

Kabalu has blamed the kidnapping to a breakaway group led by Ameril Umbra Kato, saying, they have in custody three people involved in the crime and are being investigated by a rebel court. It was unknown when the three were captured or arrested. “They are still being investigated by the MILF,” he said.

But the military insisted the woman was rescued in Kabuntalan’s Datu Dadtumeg village.

“The successful release was a product of complimentary operations of Joint Task Force Kutawato headed by Police Director Felicisimo Khu through the 6th Infantry Division forces under Brigadier General Rey Ardo and the MILF forces utilizing the Joint Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities cease-fire mechanisms,” a statement from the 6th Infantry Division said.

“The release of Ms Mantigue through the joint efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-MILF shows that the ceasefire mechanism is working. Further, it enhanced the trust and confidence between the two groups. We are confident that, with the ceasefire mechanisms in place. With the JCCCH, similar incidents shall be successfully addressed,” it added.

The military also released a photograph showing Mantigue and her family during a news conference attended by senior police and army officials in Maguindanao. (Mindanao Examiner)

Solons call for speedy resolution of 'Maguindanao massacre' case

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino lawmakers on Monday called for the speedy resolution of the November 23, 2009 'Maguindanao massacre' that left more than 50 people dead, mostly members of media.

"It has been one and a half years since the massacre, but the passing of that time has little to show for it. The trial has been dragging on and, meanwhile, journalists continue to be killed in the line of duty," said House Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tanada III.

Tanada said the slow pace of the court proceedings on the massacre seems to be frustrating to the families of the victims.

"Eighteen months later and we have yet to give justice to the tragic deaths. The fact that we cannot even start the hearings on the merits of the case is what’s frustrating to members of the families of the victims. The problem talaga is that lawyers have so much weapons to delay the process," he lamented in his speech during the 18th month commemoration of the carnage.

Media organizations led by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines set up an exhibit at the House of Representatives to commemorate the Maguindanao massacre.

Tanada said efforts like the photo exhibit, that reminded the people of the tragedy, were significant in demonstrating vigilance in the fight for justice.

"The depictions in this exhibit are not pretty, in fact they are terrible. But that is as it should be. We should have a daily reminder that it hurts."

"These pictures, and this commemoration, serve as our compass. They are the emblems of our resistance against human rights violations...against impunity...against injustice," he said.

"As long as we never forget, we keep justice within reach... Our homage to the victims is our mark of vigilance," he added.

Authorities said 58 people, including members of the Mangudadatu clan and their supporters, were killed in Maguindanao's Ampatuan town while on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of Esmael Mangudadatu, then Buluan town vice mayor eyeing the Maguindanao gubernatorial post. The journalists were just covering the filing of Mangudadatu's candidacy.

At least 198 people, including primary suspect former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., clan patriarch former Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Sr., his son former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, former Shariff Aguak Mayor Datu Anwar Ampatuan, former Vice Governor Datu Sajid Ampatuan, and former Mamasapano Mayor Akmad Ampatuan, are currently being tried for multiple murder charges in relation to the gruesome massacre.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said lawmakers are wondering too about the progress of the case. "After 18 months, the House is asking, too, what happened to the case? We are one with the families and supporters of the victims in seeking justice," he said.

Belmonte said he hopes that justice would soon be served to the families of the victims to ease their pain of losing their loved ones.

"I am thinking what made people like Datu Unsay think they can do it. Let’s say the area there was dominated by warlords, but then we have innate humanity. What gave them the mindset that they can commit such murder?" he said.

Belmonte said the House of Representatives will do everything it can to help the victims of the massacre and to ensure that the carnage will never happen again.

"Karamihan sa amin dito ay nababahala talaga. We vow not to forget and to do everything we can," he said.

Meanwhile, families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre called on the government to allow them to conduct surprise visits on the detention facility of the members of the Ampatuan clan.

The families, who organized themselves into a group called "Justice Now!," and the NUJP said they will submit their letter of request to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice (DoJ) amid reports that the powerful clan has been getting special treatment while in detention.

Rowena Paraan, NUJP secretary general, said Justice Now! and NUJP have received reports that the Ampatuans are getting special treatment and are enjoying perks while in detention such as having their own helpers, catered food, air-conditioned room, and use of cellular phones.

Reports have also reached them that the Ampatuans were also able to leave the facility in the company of jail guards, according to Paraan.

"If somebody like (former Batangas Governor Antonio) Leviste can get out of jail anytime he pleases, then it’s not far-fetched that it happens also to somebody like the Ampatuans, who are more powerful and wealthy than Leviste," she said.

NUJP vice president Alwyn Alburo said families of the victims want transparency from the government to see how it is treating the suspects in the gruesome Maguindanao massacre. (Lilybeth G. Ison)

Justice For Maguindanao Massacre Victims; 18 Months Had Passed!

It is 18 months now since the Maguindanao massacre where at least 32 journalists were among 57 people brutally murdered.

Cebu Pacific slashes fares for Davao, Malaysia, Vietnam

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 23, 2011) - Cebu Pacific, the Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, announced on Monday that it has reduced fares for its Davao hub and flights to Malaysia in a seat sale from May 24-25 or until seats last, for travel from July 1 to September 30.

It now offers P288 seats from Davao to Cagayan de Oro, and P588 seats from Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga to Cebu, as well as from Davao to Zamboanga.

Cebu Pacific said P888 seats are also available from Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga to Manila, and from Davao to Iloilo.

Meanwhile, seats to Malaysia are reduced by up to 58%. Passengers traveling from Manila to Kota Kinabalu can buy P999 seats, while those traveling to Kuala Lumpur can purchase P1,499 seats.

Manila-Ho Chi Minh seats are also available for P1,499, it said.

Passengers can avail of their Prepaid Baggage Allowances upon booking, for travel savings as much as 63% on domestic flights compared to buying baggage allowance at the airport.

“Guests can book in advance for the lowest possible fares from Manila to Malaysia and Vietnam. Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Twin Towers and Kota Kinabalu’s rainforests and dive sites, as well as Ho Chi Minh’s Cu Chi Underground Tunnels await,” Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing and Distribution, Candice Iyog, said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

“Cebu Pacific also offers the lowest fares for its Davao hub, so business travelers can take advantage of easy access with CEB’s same day returns between Manila and Davao, Zamboanga and Cagayan de Oro, as well as CEB’s short flights from Davao to Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Iloilo,” she added.

Pirates strike off Zamboanga province

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 23, 2011) – Pirates held a group of fishermen in the southern Philippines and freed them later after receiving ransom, police said Monday.

Police said the pirates seized the fishermen over the weekend and held them off Zamboanga Sibugay town until their demand for ransom was met. It was unknown how much money was paid to the gunmen, but police said a manhunt was launched to track down the pirates.

Authorities did not say whether any of the fishermen were hurt during the ordeal that lasted several hours.

No individual of group claimed responsibility for the attack, but pirates are actively operating off the Zamboanga Peninsula where security forces are also fighting rebels and bandits blamed for kidnappings and terrorism. (Mindanao Examiner)

NPA rebels torch bus in Davao Sur

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 23, 2011) – Communist rebels torched a passenger bus at a checkpoint in the southern Philippine province of Davao del Sur, officials said on Monday.

Officials said there were no reports of casualties during the attack which occurred in the village of Astorga in Santa Cruz town, a known lair of the New People’s Army which is fighting for a separate Maoist state in the country.

“The rebels flagged down the bus and ordered the passengers out and then torched the bus,” said Lieutenant Colonel Lyndon Paniza, a regional army spokesman.

He said four gunmen were involved in the attack. The bus was carrying at least 60 passengers and officials said extortion was the probable motive for the burning of the bus.

The attack occurred as Manila is negotiating peace with the rebel group in an effort to end decades of bloody fighting in the country.

Just last week, rebel forces also attacked soldiers in Davao del Sur’s Malita town and wounding two of them. The soldiers were part of the so-called ‘peace and development’ workers, but had been actively involved in anti-insurgency operations in the province, said Edilberto Mahusay, a spokesman for the NPA’s Alex Ababa Front Operations Command.

He said the soldiers were protecting mining firms accused of encroaching into ancestral land and destroying the environment.

Rebels also killed four soldiers and a government militia over the weekend in fierce fighting that left one female NPA member dead, said another spokesman Dencio Madrigal, of the Valentin Palamine Regional Operations Command. (Mindanao Examiner)

Sanitary landfill to generate P150-M annually for Rizal province

MANILA, Philippines - The provincial government of Rizal expects multimillion-peso annual revenues from San Mateo sanitary landfill project’s already operational three-hectare Phase 1 and newly-launched five-hectare Phase 2, both of which can collectively accommodate daily some 5,000 tons of residual waste.

Such revenues will comprise 25 percent of gross tipping fees from waste hauled to the P300-million landfill project dubbed as the Philippines’ ‘high-tech recycle bin of residual waste.’

”Twenty-five percent of 5,000 tons will amount to about P150 million a year for the province and its San Mateo municipality,” Rizal Governor Casimiro ‘Junjun’ Ynares III said Saturday during a press conference after launching the landfill’s second phase.

He noted Rizal province and San Mateo municipality will get equal share of the anticipated revenues.

”These local government units (LGUs) didn’t spend for the project but will receive such revenues – it’s part of the undertaking’s social contribution,” said Senando Santiago, president of San Mateo Sanitary Landfill Development Corporation (SMSLDC) which owns and operates the project.

Ynares spearheaded the launch with Santiago, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Francis Tolentino, San Mateo Mayor Jose Rafael Diaz, SMSLDC general manager Dennis Sandil as well as Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria.

The launch included a bike tour, blessing of Phase 2’s site within the entire 19-hectare project area and tree-planting in two venues there.

Facilities in Phase 2 include a leachate treatment plant to help ensure effluent from waste deposited there complies with DENR standards before being released into the nearby creek.

”The resulting treated effluent can be used to grow fish and plants,” Santiago noted.

Aside from accommodating residual waste, however, SMSLDC planned green spaces within the project area so this can be a venue for tourism- and education-related activities as well.

”This project is the picture of things to come –- we look forward to seeing more sanitary landfills that aren’t for trash purposes only,” Tolentino said during the press conference.

Only a tenth of the landfill project’s total capacity is being utilized at present since residual waste accommodated and handled there come from merely two sources -- San Mateo and Cainta which are neighboring municipalities in Rizal province.

”We’re handling some 500 tons of waste at present,” Sandil reported.

SMSLDC anticipates also accommodating and handling residual waste from Metro Manila, the Philippines’ largest urban hub.

Available data show three landfills/dump sites accommodate Metro Manila’s garbage at present.

These are in Quezon City’s Payatas area, Navotas and San Mateo’s neighboring Rodriguez municipality.

Payatas accommodates 15 percent of garbage from Quezon City, one of Metro Manila’s biggest areas.

Another 15 percent of garbage from Manila, Navotas and Malabon is brought to the Navotas site.

Rodriguez accommodates 70 percent of Metro Manila’s garbage.

SMSLDC cited need to rationalize such garbage distribution particularly as data show the 30 year-old Payatas site is only good for three more years before becoming completely filled up.

”We hope part of Metro Manila’s waste can be brought to our landfill,” Sandil said.

He noted the landfill is prepared for such eventuality as studies show it’ll take almost a century for such facility to be filled up.

SMSLDC has another plan to help further enhance services of its sanitary landfill in San Mateo.

Santiago noted SMSLDC is open to building a refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plant there if volume of residual waste accommodated daily reaches at least 1,000 tons.

He noted such volume will make it financially viable for SMSLDC to put up one RDF plant, a facility for cost-effectively converting waste into fuel for cement plants.

”Capital expenditure for one RDF plant is about P300 million already,” he noted.

Tamoria reported that Laguna, Cavite and other provincial LGUs in CALABARZON Region are increasingly becoming interested in having their respective sanitary landfills.

Such LGUs can study the San Mateo sanitary landfill project to help better gain knowledge on developing similar environmentally sound facilities, he noted.

He assured DENR will continue monitoring the San Mateo project for compliance with relevant environment regulations.

”Such monitoring will also help allay people’s fear about sanitary landfills,” he said at the press conference.

Due to mounting public pressure to close down the Smokey Mountain garbage dump site in Tondo, Manila and to improve the country's waste disposal system, authorities opened in the early 1990s a 73-hectare regional sanitary landfill in San Mateo.

Operations in that landfill eventually affected surrounding communities and raised environmental concerns, however, leading to the facility’s closure in 1999. (Catherine J. Teves)

Senators propose amendments to Tax Code

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 22, 2011) – Three Filipino solons have proposed a consolidated bill that would allow them to declare as tax deductible more than the four qualified dependents currently allowed by law.

Senators Ralph Recto, Manuel Villar and Antonino Trillanes IV, are behind the consolidated bill that is awaiting plenary presentation. It will amend the National Internal Revenue Code or Tax Code and scrap the maximum limit of four qualified tax dependents.

Currently, the NIRC sets a cap of up to a maximum of four qualified dependents that a taxpayer could claim as additional allowable tax exemptions.

Recto said once approved, any individual taxpayer could declare more than four qualified dependent children as long as they’re below 21 years old and, in exchange, obtain a tax deduction of P25,000 for every dependent.

He also said that an individual taxpayer living with or looking after his biological parents could declare them as additional qualified dependents as long as the parents are not gainfully employed or are incapable of self support because of mental or physical defect.

The bill would likewise grant an additional tax deduction of P25,000 to a taxpayer acting as legal guardian to a physically or mentally-challenged person regardless of age. The proposed measure also makes easier for taxpaying individuals who are already burdened by tough economic times to continue taking care of their parents and people with physical and mental defect.

Party leader signs MOA with Zambo school; gives scholarships to students

Fredesvindo Covarrubias Jr leads the distribution of assorted school supplies, shoes and tee-shirts to deserving scholars of the Culianan Learning Center in Zamboanga City in Mindanao.

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 22, 2011) – Local party organizer By Gems Party Kingdom and the Culianan Learning Center have signed a memorandum of agreement to jointly support outstanding and deserving students by providing them school supplies and uniform.

In a ceremony held recently at the Culianan Learning Center, By Gems handed over writing paraphernalia, bags, school uniforms, shoes and sacks, and tee-shirts to ten students who were also awarded certificates of scholarship.

The ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Josefina Lacastesantos, the school principal, and Eloisa Bernardo, who is in-charge of the learning center, and parents of the new scholars.

By Gems said the donation is part of its ‘Adopt a School’ program aimed at reaching out to selected schools in order to help train and develop potential students.

Just last month, MEIN School in Zamboanga City also picked By Gems as training partner for its ‘Training Program of Events Management Services NC III.’

Students will undergo 300 hours of on-the-job training starting this school year. In return, By Gems committed itself to hire talented students after their graduation or as part-time workers.

By Gems has been actively involved in different charitable activities in Zamboanga City, especially those that will benefit the poor, as part of its social obligation to the communities. Throughout the years, By Gems has been very active in social works.

By Gems is the leading one-stop-party shop in Zamboanga City and has a branch in Ipil town in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Gays Hit Pacquiao's Ma Over Transgender Slur, Reproductive Health

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 22, 2011) - Filipino gay and transgender rights activists cried foul at the remarks made by celebrity mom Dionisia Pacquiao in her spat with Senator Miriam Santiago over the controversial reproductive health bill.

Over the week, Pacquiao was quoted as saying "Tingnan mo, mga bakla, kaiinom ng pills, hindi na bagay inumin ng mga bakla kasi lalake sila. Ginagawa sila ng Diyos na lalake. Umiinom talaga sila ng pills para magsilaki ang dede. Bawal 'yan!" (Direct your attention to transgenders, God made transgenders to be males and they don't look good. They keep on taking contraceptive pills to enlarge their breasts and that is wrong and prohibited!)

Goya Candelario, spokesperson of the Progressive Organization of Gays (ProGay Philippines), said that she and her fellow Filipino transgenders are taking offense at the homophobia and transphobia that Pacquiao's remarks can help cultivate.

"With all due respect, we want Mommy Dionisia to know that we are deeply offended and scared that her words can again revive the disease model of homosexuality and transexuality in Philippine society," Candelario said.

The ProGay leader said that while it is true many low-income transgenders resort to taking over-the-counter female hormones in contraceptive pills in order to enhance their femininity, the practice should not be considered immoral, illegal or a state of mental disorder.

"Many of us have to take some form of female hormones because our livelihoods in the beauty and tourism industries depend on enhanced feminine features. However, because of expensive hormones that only high-income transgenders can afford, we urban and rural poor gays and transgenders can only access the cheaper birth control pills," Candelario added.

ProGay is also campaigning for the comprehensive reproductive health bill so that not only women of reproductive age can get access to health care but also the low-income Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) residents of the Philippines. Gay and transgender health advocates like Candelario are batting for the inclusion of health teachings among gay, transgender and lesbian working class populations so that we can better understand the effects of hormones and other reproductive health technologies.

"That is why we are pleading with Ms. Pacquiao to come out with a better view of transgenders and gays. She should understand our situation in order to see how much we can benefit from the approval of the RH Bill."

According to a survey made by ProGay among transgender groups in the slums of Manila, many gays take pills in their early teens on the advise of elder transgenders in order to get an early start at the job market of overseas entertainers. The group believes that harm-reduction education campaigns should be extended to this vulnerable group so that risks of contraceptive pill usage can be reduced.

The group has a health advisory service that counsels transgenders about the health risks of dosing on pills, and the risks include blood clots, obesity, liver disease and cardiovascular diseases.

"We should work to remove discrimination and homophobia in health care services for LGBTs, because the World Health Organization has already declared in 1990 that homosexuality is not a mental illness. Therefore, we ask people like Ms. Pacquiao to join us bakla, gays and transgenders in improving our health awareness, and not with hurtful words," Candelario said.

Poor farmers’ kids hurdle schooling with foundation’s help

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - Darylle Asuncion, 12, didn’t know what hit him. For five years, the timid son of farmers is sad-faced while envying classmates’ new school bags and notebooks at Mlang Pilot Elementary School in North Cotabato.

But on his first day as a sixth grader last school year, Darylle showed his freckles in glee. He sported his own new blue backpack that carried new school supplies.

That’s not all.

“I am now enjoying free schooling,” said this scholar of the Hong Kong-based Filipino foundation WIMLER Partnership for Social Progress, which helped 19 other scholars whose families earn less than a dollar a day.

The opportunity Asuncion got from WIMLER not only made him finish elementary schooling last school year: he finished with style —with academic honors.

Ask Marilyn Cabardo, Asuncion’s adviser, who noticed that Darylle begs off from reciting in class discussions.

“I observed some changes in (Darylle’s) attitude. He started to join school activities and recite before the class. He did well in his subjects,” Cabardo said.

Asuncion and 19 other scholars were recommended by the schools’ parents and teachers’ association (PTA) for support by WIMLER.

WIMLER president Leila Rispens-Noel, a Filipina-Dutch, said that while WIMLER will continue finding sponsors for poor students from Mlang, she hopes the Mlang Pilot Elementary School’s PTA can earn enough income to cover the needs of their own pupils.

The partnership with the PTA, not just for scholarships but also for a school-based vegetable garden and poultry project, is among the highlights of the two-year-old foundation’s 2010 projects.

WIMLER, an example of a overseas Filipino group involved in migrant philanthropy, doesn’t even mind if its fund balance at the end of the year 2010 is below a million pesos.

Anyway, we are still a young, small foundation, Rispens-Noel says.

The commitment, though, to promote inclusive and sustainable development is there, WIMLER said in its 2010 annual report.

But for the new elementary graduate in Darylle Asuncion, his pride is now evident.

On graduation day at Mlang Pilot Elementary School, he scribbled a “thank you” note to WIMLER: Darylle says he will definitely miss Grade VI had WIMLER not arrived.

“I hope WIMLER can continue to support me,” he said in Ilonggo. (Jeremiah Opiniano)

Peace talks seminar in Mindanao postponed

MARAWI CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 22, 2011) - The Institute for Peace and Development in Mindanao of the Mindanao State University has postponed its seminar and workshop on issues of the government peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The seminar was to start on Saturday in Marawi City in Lanao del Sur province, but had been shelved off to paved the way for the First Epistemology workshop in the Philippines.

The IPDM said it would announce when the seminar would resume. (Asa Madale)

Cotabato solon opens P510-M road

North Cotabato Congresswoman Nancy Catamco (2nd District) leads the Inauguration of the newly-rehabilitated road that connects Kidapawan City, Magpet and Pangao-an. The project, she says, is part of a P510 million infrastructure program in her district and Department of Public Works and Highway. The inauguration is also witnessed by North Cotabato (2nd District) Engineer Mamintal Taha and other officials. (Mindanao Examiner Photo – Geo Solmerano)

Pro-RH Bill groups campaign in Mindanao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 20, 2011) – Advocates of the Reproductive Health Bill said they will hold more various activities and provide free health services to women in the southern Philippines as part of en effort to educate the public on the importance of the proposed law.

Part list group Gabriela and the Reproductive Health Network will lead a Women’s Health Fair in Davao City in commemoration of the International Day of Action for Women’s Health and to further highlight the urgent need to pass the proposed Reproductive Health law’

Lyda Canson, convenor of RH Network Davao and Gabriela chairperson, said: “Since the start of the month, the network of more than 60 government agencies, nongovernmental and peoples’ organizations, and various institutions have been holding various activities with regards to women’s health including information-education campaigns, counseling and health services.”

“On May 27, we will be organizing a Women’s Health Fair where everyone is welcome to attend and avail of the services that will be sponsored by various organizations. Organizations and agencies such as the City Health Office, IWAG Davao, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, and Gabriela, will be putting up booths during the Health Fair,” Canson said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

Every May 28, women’s organizations across the globe celebrate the International Day of Action for Women’s Health to create awareness on various health issues that affect women. It started in 1987 during the Fifth International Women’s Health Meeting in Costa Rica, wherein members of Women Global Network for Reproductive health decided to start a campaign on women’s health issues and May 28 was declared the International Day of Action for Women’s Health.

Canson said various women and health groups commemorate the event by providing services to women and by intensifying education campaigns regarding women’s health rights. This year’s theme “Women’s Rights: From Womb to Tomb,” highlights the issue of women’s reproductive rights does not end after the babies are born but until mothers reach the menopausal stage.

“Everyone should understand that reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes,” Canson said.

“Reproductive rights embrace particular human rights that are already recognized in national laws, international human rights documents and other relevant UN consensus documents. These rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.”

“They also include the right of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence. With this we strongly believe that the Reproductive Health Bill should be passed immediately. The RH Bill will comprehensively address women’s reproductive rights which are also her human right,” she added.

Cebu Pacific goes all out in Cebu hub seat sale

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 20, 2011) - Cebu Pacific (CEB) airlines announced on Friday that it put its entire Cebu hub on sale beginning Saturday up Monday next week or until seats last, for travel from July 1 to September 30, 2011, executives told the Mindanao Examiner.

“We would like to offer more guests the option of traveling to or from Cebu, since CEB operates the most flights, frequencies, seats and destinations from Cebu,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Distribution.

“Strategically located, Cebu provides easy access for international guests who wish to proceed straight to our popular beach and diving destinations. Surigao, Siargao, Dumaguete and Zamboanga, among others, can be reached faster and at more affordable fares with our direct flights from Cebu,” she added.

She said passengers can purchase P599 seats from Cebu to Manila, Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Clark, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban or Zamboanga.

The airline’s international flights from Cebu are also on sale and P1,499 seats are up for grabs from Cebu to Hong Kong or Singapore, as well as P2,999 seats from Cebu to Busan and Incheon in South Korea.

Meanwhile, those traveling from Manila to Brunei or Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam can buy P1,499 seats, while those going from Manila to Jakarta, Indonesia can avail of P2,999 seats.

Iyog also encouraged guests to avail of their Prepaid Baggage Allowances upon booking, for travel savings as much as 63% on domestic flights compared to buying baggage allowance at the airport.

“Guests can also do web check-in for a faster and hassle-free airport experience. Those without credit cards can also book online and pay through CEB’s payment centers, such as over-the-counter bank transactions, ATM, online banking and mobile banking,” she said.

CEB operates the most number of routes and flights in the Philippines, using the youngest aircraft fleet in the country. This is composed of 10 Airbus A319, 15 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. By the end of 2011, CEB will be operating a fleet of 37 aircraft – with an average age of 3.5 years – one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2012 and 2014, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of an additional 16 Airbus A320 aircraft.

New Generation Philippine Banknotes

New Generation Philippine Banknotes

300 Sulu Folks Finish Livelihood Training, Seminar

Sulu Governor Sakur Tan addresses the participants to the recently concluded four-day livelihood training seminar in the southern province.

SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / May 19, 2011) – Some 300 people have finished a four-day livelihood training and seminar on fish processing technology in the southern Filipino province of Sulu, Governor Sakur Tan said.

He said the seminar was conducted by the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Fisheries in partnership with the provincial government. “This livelihood training seminar is aimed at giving our people the necessary tool to start their own business and eventually provide jobs to others,” he said.

Those who finished the seminar came from different sectors in Sulu’s 19 municipalities and were taught how to prepare smoke fish, tempura, sausage, sardines and other food processing technologies, Tan said.

He said the seminar and training were conducted by Gloria Nilo, chief training coordinator of the BFAR’s Regional Fisheries Training Center based in Zamboanga City, and Muhaimin Adjid, of the Sulu provincial agriculture office.

Tan also encouraged the participants to organize themselves into cooperatives, and that he would work to ensure capitalization to start their business. He said more skills and livelihood trainings are now being planned by the provincial government to provide others the same opportunity and knowledge they need to start a business and be self-sufficient.

Nilo said her group is willing to return to Sulu province to conduct more livelihood trainings for the locals. (Mindanao Examiner)