Misuari urges Muslims to support LP senatorial bet Adel Tamano

Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Chairman and respected Muslim leader, Nur Misuari, has endorsed the candidacy of Nacionalista Party Senatorial bet lawyer Adel A. Tamano, during a gathering of Muslim leaders.

Tamano was Misuari's guest at the fifth National Bagsamoro Consultative assembly held at Sibugay, Mindanao on December 12, 2009, and was the only national politician allowed to participate in the said event.

In his speech, Tamano encouraged the MNLF commanders and leaders to follow Misuari's path and struggle for justice for the Moro people, by using only peaceful and democratic means.

Tamano, a proud member of the Bangsamoro, has also expressed his belief that any difficult challenge against the Bangsamoros can be easily solved, if all Muslim tribes would unite for the Moro cause.

Lagbas, Baculio runs for congress in Misamis Oriental

By JOEL ESCOL

The Liberal Party in the province of Misamis Oriental has fielded lawyer Karen Lagbas to run for representative in the first district, while lawyer Augusto "Jun" Baculio also seeks re-election in the province second district.

Karen Lagbas is the daughter of the late congressman in the first district and she wants to continue the legacy of her father.

Jun Baculio, on the other hand is seeking another term. He lost in the last elections to incumbent congressman Yevgeny Emano.

Photo shows Attorney Karen A. Lagbas displaying her completed Certificate of Candidacy for Representative of Misamis Oriental's 1st District with (left to right) Roldan A. Lagbas, who aspires to become mayor of Sugbongcogon town, Hon. Benedict P. Lagbas, who's running for reelection as Board Member and Attorney Augusto "Jun" Baculio, who seeks a comeback as Congressman in the province’ 2nd District. The Lagbases and Baculio are running under the Liberal Party.

Arroyo orders arrest of Maguindanao massacre killers

 President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to deploy units to conduct immediate pursuit of the perpetrators of the gruesome massacre of the members of Mangudadatu clan and media in Maguindanao.

“I order all units to pursue the perpetrators, to restore order and secure affected areas in Maguindanao,” the President said in a statement at the opening of today’s joint National Economic Development Authority-Cabinet meeting at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room in Malacanang.

The Cabinet meeting was originally scheduled in the world-famous Boracay island. It was moved to Malacanang due to the Maguindanao incident.

Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III had earlier said the president and her cabinet will study if there was need to declare a state of emergency in Maguindanao.

The chief executive ordered Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, acting AFP Chief of Staff, “to personally oversee military action against the perpetrators of these dastardly acts that occurred yesterday.”

She said “no effort will be spared to bring justice to the victims.”
The president also announced the establishment of checkpoints and chokepoints, with elements of Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade already in place to preserve peace and secure the area.

She appointed Presidential Adviser for Mindanao Jesus Dureza as the head of the Crisis Committee for Maguindanao.

The bodies of 22 kidnap victims, out of the 44 reported abducted, including the wife and relatives of Buluan town's vice mayor Ismael Mangudadatu, a gubernatorial aspirant in Maguindanao, were recovered by the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade Monday afternoon.

The bodies, recovered in Sitio Masalay, Barangay Salman in Ampatuan town, reportedly showed "signs of mutilation."

Reports said Mangudadatu’s wife, Genalyn, his sister, some relatives and members of the media were on their way to file his certificate of candidacy for governor of Maguindanao province when a group of about 100 armed men abducted them.

Nuisance Po runs for governor in Misamis Oriental again

Texts: JOEL ESCOL

Executive Editor

People usually call this man a nuisance candidate since he’s been running for governor in Misamis Oriental as an independent candidate.

Just as the provincial office of the Commission on Elections started to receive certificates of candidacies (COCs) the other day for politicians running for different positions, 73-year-old Manuel Po’s name has again surfaced as among the candidates for governor in Misamis Oriental. For the third time Po filed again his certificate of candidacy as gubernatorial candidate without a party. Po hails from Lower Jasaan. Misamis Oriental and he filed his COC after lunch last Friday.

In 2004 and the subsequent elections in 2007 Po ran in the same post but lost to famous candidate Governor Oscar Moreno. 

In a related news, Roldan Lagbas, son of the late Congressman Danilo Lagbas of the First District of Misamis Oriental also filed his candidacy for mayor in Sugbongcogon town, as an independent candidate.

In Cagayan de Oro City, City Comelec officer Linda Castillo told the media since the filing started on November 20, 2009, no one has yet filed a certificate of candidacy in the city.

But rumors are starting to surface that Vice Mayor Vicente Emano, titular head of Padayon Pilipino, is aiming to be re-elected mayor of the city in 2010.

Emano, who is now with vice presidential aspirant Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, will be tandem by Congressman Rufus Rodriguez, who is seeking his second term in the second district.

There were also reports that Emano’s tandem in the First District is former City Councilor Benjamin “Benjo” Benaldo, who is also seeking a seat as representative against incumbent congressman Rolando Uy.

Benaldo lost to Rep Rufus Rodriguez in 2007 when he ran in the second district but the two leaders of the city are now under one roof. City Councilor Ramon Tabor is also reported to be Emano’s vice mayoralty candidate.

Iligan grade schoolers vow as junior heroes

ILIGAN City — In a simple ceremony at the South II Central School auditorium in Barangay Suarez, Iligan City, pupils belonging to the 5th and 6th grade levels took their oath as Junior Heroes.

Our intention is to uplift the literacy rate of pupils under its locality on crime prevention, thus, we have this school-based program for them to get involve, said P/Chief Inspector Ronnie D. Calungsod, station commander of the Iligan City Police Station 2, Iligan City Police Office (ICPO)-Philippine National Police (PNP), based at Sitio Nunucan, barangay Maria Cristina, this city.

Calungsod added, as junior heroes, these pupils will be our partners in the call for peace.

“Basically, we conduct lectures at the school for the children to be alert at all times, to know their community especially to hang around strangers inhibiting the area, and to help maintain the surroundings clean to avoid improper disposal of garbage where it could be a strategic place for bomb disposal, too,” said Calungsod.

After having sworn in, the 500 junior heroes were given a coloring book, crayon and a tri-color wrist band marked with ‘Junior Heroes.’

The coloring book entitled, “Mundong Walang IED,” (A World without Improvised Explosive Devise [IED]), aimed at making children learn to understand the message which calls for them to be aware of the situation and that they can attribute by simply calling the PNP or any authorities for assistance.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Military Information Team has complemented the PNP’s program by giving the information materials given to the Junior Heroes.

Two (2) other barangays being implemented with this program include Tambacan and Tipanoy, this city. (Lorry V. Gabule

Paderanga, Unabia, Emano tandem for Misor in 2010

MISAMIS ORIENTAL – As election fever is starting to hit up, top leaders of the province are now confirming their plans to run for the highest positions in the province.

Over a local radio station in Cagayan de Oro, Atty Mike Paderanga confirmed his intention to run for governor, as he also named two of his running mates.

Paderanga also confirmed final talks with provincial board member Peter Unabia, who will be battling it out against lawyer Karen Lagbas, daughter of the late congressman Danilo Lagbas, in the first district.

Paderanga said incumbent Misamis Oriental Second District Congressman Yevgeny Vincente Emano will run again as representative of the Second District for a second term. No opponent yet has showed up to face off against the younger Emano

“I have decided to run for governor in the province under the Padayon Pilipino local political party,” he said. Padayon is founded by political kingpin Vicente Y. Emano, incumbent vice mayor of the city.



Paderanga said they have not completed the list yet. In fact, the vice governor position is still to be announced in the next few days as top leaders are already contacted to consider the post.



Paderanga and his supposed vice governor will be facing incumbent governor Oscar Moreno and vice governor Norris Babiera.



The positions for provincial board members, Paderanga said, are not completed yet as they are still scouting for more leaders in the province.



“The list is almost complete and we can finalize it soon,” the gubernatorial contender of the province said.

Aussie envoy cites MisOr leadership

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Australian ambassador to the Philippines yesterday cited the provincial government of Misamis Oriental and the leadership of Governor Oscar S. Moreno particularly in its ongoing infrastructure development program.

“Congratulations to Misamis Oriental for having been chosen among the beneficiaries of the Philippines Roads Management Facility (PRMF), a reflection of the commitment of the provincial government and the tract record of leadership in the province,” Ambassador Rod Smith said.

Misamis Oriental is one of the seven provinces selected to be among the recipients of a Aus$100-million grant from the Australian Aid, backed by a P4-million counterpart from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The provinces of Agusan del Sur, Bohol, Bukidnon, Guimaras, Misamis Occidental, and Surigao del Norte are the other beneficiaries.

Mr. Smith graced yesterday’s signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Arrangement for the Australian Aid for International Development funded PRMF project.

The PRMF project, which involves road rehabilitation and maintenance, capacity-building and technical assistance, will initially be undertaken on a 20-kilometer stretch of road that passes through the hinterland barangays of Patag, Bagocboc, Tingalan and Nangkaon in Opol municipality.

The MOA was signed by the Australian envoy together with DILG undersecretary Austere A. Panadero and Moreno in the presence of Vice Governor Norris Babiera and DILG 10 Regional Director Loreto T. Bhagwani.

Witnessing the ceremony were provincial board members, Mayor Dixon Yasay of Opol, Mayor Redentor Salvaleon of Claveria, and the chairpersons of Bagocboc, Nangkaon, Patag, and Tingalan of Opol. (Uriel C. Quilinguing)

Kagay-anon Int’l calls on Cagayanons, Misamisnons to join Tapok 2009

THE Kagay-anon International - East Coast Chapter (KI-ECC) is inviting all Cagayanons and Misamisnons who are now residing in the United States and elsewhere in the world to participate in the Tapok 2009 that will be held in October, this year in New Jersey and New York areas.

Chita Roa-Marquez, president of the KI-ECC which hosts this year’s reunion disclosed that Tapok 2009 centers on the theme: “Global Convergence, Individuals Make A Difference…Friends Coming to The Aid of Neighbors.”

“We are away from our native land and from each other, and thru this Tapok, we make an effort to reunite, rekindle and carry out our self-inspiring tradition as Cagayanons and Misamisnons,” Roa-Marquez explained.

Roa-Marquez said that Cagayanons and Misamisnons who will attend this year’s Tapok in the East Coast can expect a whole range of joyful and productive opportunities to reconnect and rebuild ties with Cagayanon families and friends.

The four-day Tapok 2009 will start on October 1 with The First Encounter at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel in New Jersey where the registration and distribution of souvenir kits to participants will be held.

The Tapok Fellowship will open on October 2 with the Parade of Banners showcasing the various chapters of Kagay-anon International all over the US and around the world.

It will be followed by a presentation of various entertainment numbers by the various chapters and groups and the bidding to host the next Tapok in 2011 to be presided by the Tapok Selection Committee chairperson Roy Gaane.

There will be various business presentations on the premier investment opportunities in Cagayan de Oro as well as trade fair that will also be held on the same day.

A golf tournament and a tour to New York City will be held on October 3. The 3rd day of the Tapok 2009 will be capped with the Gala Night at the Sheraton Newark Airport Hotel where guests and participants are expected to come in their formal attire.

The Tapok 2009 will culminate on Sunday, October 4 with a mass and breakfast at the same venue.

US-based Cagayanons and Misamisnons who have registered for the event are looking forward to meet the delegation from the Philippines that will be led by Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula, Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s 2nd District, and Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno.

Meanwhile, Sylvia Labial who chairs the Tapok 2009 business committee is enjoining Cagayanon entrepreneurs to take part in the trade fair and business presentations that form a significant part in the 4-day event.

Labial said that the Tapok 2009 is a good opportunity for Cagayanon entrepreneurs and investors to showcase their products and services, thus establishing a network of potential business partners and market from Cagayanons and Misamisnons in the US and all over the world who will attend the reunion.

Those who are interested to join the Tapok 2009 may register online by logging on to the website at www.tapok2009..com .

For more information, individuals and groups may contact Chita Roa-Marquez at 856-22-4321; Dr. Roy Baldomero at 732-560-7184; Belen Angeles at 718-544-8524; Sylvia Labial at 917-770-4665; or Marina Velez at 908-752-5769. (Sandra B. Tadeo)

Revival Summit marks Lanao Sur anniversary

Lanao del Sur — United in the effort to promote moral renewal in governance, education, and economics, more than 1000 people representing the various sectors of Lanao del Sur as well as members of the Ulama League of the Philippines (ULP) turned up at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium for the Workshop-Summit on Moral Revival.

Inspired by the theme “Morality: The Cornerstone of Nation Building”, the two-day activity was a collaborative effort of the ULP, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

This is in response to President Arroyo’s Administrative Order 255 directing heads of various departments to lead moral renewal by adopting and implementing a Moral Renewal Program.

AO 255 also contained the enlisting the participation of religious, civil society and civic groups through consultations, program development, promotion and implementation of their moral renewal program.

Moral renewal refers to values formation and ethical behavior for government officers and employees as well as strengthening of people’s values to achieve zero tolerance for corruption. Such Filipino values include Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Maka-Bayan and Maka-Kalikasan.

“The issue on moral recovery is a sensitive one but we chose to pursue it because it is the key to building a people and building a nation,” Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr. stressed.

The Provincial Governor said the activity will perk-up the consciousness of people in Lanao del Sur especially the provincial government to continue its transparency, responsiveness, competence and commitment in the delivery of services to the public.

“It will instill in them God-centered, character-focused, nationalistic and environment friendly ideas which is in line with President Arroyo’s directive to promote the values of Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Maka-Bayan and Maka-Kalikasan,” he added.

In his message, OPAPP Secretary Avelino Razon Jr. said the moral revival initiative which complements the peace building program of OPAPP will help in achieving a lasting in Mindanao.

“The summit will bring our Muslim brothers and sisters even closer to the teachings of Islam and deepen their appreciation of the true essence of being a Muslim because Islam is not only a religion of rituals rather it is a code of ethics and conduct for the social person,” he said.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Fernando Capalla said the summit touched on the essential component of human factor for development which is the moral law.

The moral law, he said, is rooted in the divine law without which there can be no genuine progress, development and peace.

Among those who also graced the occasion were Commissioner Elias R. Yusoph of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), who presented a lecture on Morals in Governance; Former Department of Education-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) Secretary Prof. Salipada S. Tamano, who presented a lecture on Morals in Education, and Dr. Abdullah H. Ali Monib Al-Kuzbari of Ma’had Jamiatul Waqf, who presented a lecture on Morals in Economics.

Office of the Ombudsman – Mindanao Director Cora Arancon also honored the event while no less than the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. keynoted the second day of the summit.

Iligan City road projects seen

ILIGAN CITY–-“Naayo na ang among dalan. Dili na kami mahadlok mahulog sa kabayo nga kargahan sa produkto sa among uma paingon sa merkado sa lungsod.”(Our road had been improved. We are no longer afraid to fall from our horses when we bring our farm produce to the town market).

Thus expressed 50-year old Tago Batalo, a Maranao, on the road improvement project of their 4-kilometer stretch of road from the poblacion (town proper) to his area in Demarao, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte.

Elected Punong Barangay (Village Chief) in the area, Batalo said the completion of the project will also mean lower transportation cost for their farm produce when loaded in the motorela that ply the Demarao-Poblacion and vice-versa routes.

Once a volunteer of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s pet project in the fight against poverty which is the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), Batalo said his voluntary work brought about his popularity among his village folks.

“In fact, my volunteer work with KALAHI-CIDSS has given me the comparative advantage over the other candidates and made me won in the electoral race ‘hands down’ without any expenditure on my part,” he said.

Likewise, it showed that the Maranaos and the Christians, alike, can live together in peace and harmony, as proven in my having been elected as their Village Chief, he added.

Batalo’s testimony came during the conduct of the “Mga Kwento ng Ani: Sharing Stories in Community Driven Development: The KALAHI-CIDSS Makamasang Tugon” Knowledge Café / Press Conference where he was made to talk on the subject of “Development is Good Politics” held in Bacolod, recently.

The activity was conducted to generate insights on the challenges of local officials of poor areas that faced the challenges of old politics, prompting people-centered development and creating a new political environment conducive to greater participation, transparency and accountability.

Identification of the project in his area was determined from a list drawn by the residents themselves during an assembly. “It was them who decided which one was the most needed,” Batalo qualified.

With a total project cost of Php633,686.53, of which Php514,938.14 was provided by the KALAHI-CIDSS grant and Php118,748.39 from the local counterpart contribution (LCC) of cash-in-kind, the project was started on March 23, 2009, and will be completed on June 21, also this year. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Philippine Information Agency, Region 10)



KALAHI-CIDSS-Makamasang Tugon Program completes Php10.5M projects in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte



ILIGAN CITY–-At least Php10.5 million was spent to complete 14 sub-projects under the Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS)- Makamasang Tugon (MT) program in Bacolod town, Lanao del Norte.

Of this amount, Php8.0 million was provided by the KALAHI grant while Php2.5 million was provided in kind by the local government unit (LGU), Assistant Regional Director Aldersey Mumar Dela Cruz of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 10 said.

Dela Cruz said the KALAHI-CIDSS-MT program is actually an additional package of projects given to Bacolod for having successfully completed the implementation of the KALAHI-CIDSS Part I.

A pet project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the KALAHI-CIDSS program was aimed at fighting poverty which was started in 2002 but was already phased out in the region, after their completion, as of December 2008, Dela Cruz, also said.

A 5th class municipality, Bacolod has 16 barangays, of which 14 were chosen to implement the 14 MT sub-projects in the following areas:

Road concreting involving 120 linear meters long, four (4) meters wide and six (6) inches thick, in Barangays Alegria, Demologan and Liangan East amounting to Php724,168.22, Php732,681.49 and Php718,923.67, respectively.

Road Improvement in Barangays Babalaya involving 800 meters long, Demarao, involving 4 km. and Minaulon involving 1.2 km. at Php704,161.10, Php633,686.53 and Php1.16 million, respectively.

Day Care Center Construction in Barangays Binuni, Delabayan West, and Pagayawan measuring 48 sq.m., at Php633.834.16, each.

Health Station Construction measuring 51 sq.m. in Barangays Mate and Rupagan at Php689,783.91, each.

Drainage Canal Construction in Barangay Esperanza involving 700 lm., Kahayag, 700 lm. and Poblacion, 200 lm., at Php674,314.37, Php.633,834.16 and Php1.237 million, respectively. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob)

Support Independence Day 2009, RDC-10 exec tells government execs

Cagayan de Oro City – The Regional Development Council Region 10 (RDC-X) has enjoined all government agencies and local government units in Northern Mindanao to give their full support, assistance and cooperation to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in the conduct of the 2009 Independence Day celebration.

Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo of Camiguin, RDC-X Chairperson, said a resolution to this effect has been passed during the 82nd full council meeting held in the province, recently.

The RDC-X members unanimously agreed to endorse DOLE’s proposed activities in connection with the 111th Independence Day, this coming June 12, with the theme: “Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan: Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan (Bravery, Greatness and Industry: Towards True Freedom),” he said.

Romualdo also said the resolution is in support of Administrative Order No. 259 directing DOLE to take the lead in the planning, coordination and implementation of the program of activities and events during the celebration and enjoins all departments, bureaus, offices, national government agencies, local government units and government-owned and controlled corporations to give their full support, assistance and cooperation to DOLE.

In Region 10, DOLE has convened an inter-agency task force to plan, coordinate and effectively implement a job and livelihood fairs to be carried out from June 11-14, 2009, at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Capitol Grounds, Lara (formerly Mac Arthur) Park, Cagayan de Oro City.

Atty. Alan M. Macaraya, Regional Director DOLE-10, said the activities will include the awarding of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) scholarship grants by the Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA), job openings for unfilled-up positions in selected local companies, “Diskwento” Caravan, product display and sale by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

There will also be medical/dental services by the Department of Health (DOH), housing fair, on-line registration and basic computer literacy education, registration and screening of applicants for livelihood assistance/business counseling/matching, also by DTI and green/backyard technology demonstrations by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), among others. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob)

Ozamiz City public mall opens with a big bang

Ozamiz City Public Mall, the biggest sub-project under the Mindanao Basic Urban Services Sector Project (MBUSSP), with a total project cost of P161.079 million, was inaugurated last May 28, by the local government unit of Ozamiz City.

This, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government Region 10 (DILG-10), with Regional Director Loreto Bhagwani as Guest of Honor and Honorary Speaker representing Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

The inauguration started with the ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Carlos Patricio Bernad, City Councilor Nova Princess Parojinog Echavez, and Director Bhagwani.

It was followed by a blessing ceremony led by Rev. Fr. Marvin Osmeña, Assistant Parish Priest of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in the City.

In a lavish ceremony held at the Ozamiz Public Mall located in Barangay Centro (50th Barangay) of Ozamiz City, Councilor Echavez welcomed the guests led by Director Bhagwani and the representatives of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Sangguniang Panlungsod members of the city government, Punong Barangays, the business sector, among other guests.

Echavez spoke with much pride and gratitude as she presented to the guests and the public the newly-inaugurated Public Mall which will serve the populace of Ozamiz City as well its neighboring Local Government Units (LGUs).

One of the challenges she emphasized was the cleanliness of the public mall which the stallholders and the consumers should maintain.

The Public Mall is a two-storey building with more or less 965 stalls, 14 rentable spaces, toilet cubicles and provision of drainage system, power supply, refuse receptacles and bins, and calibrated weighing scales.

In his message, Director Bhagwani acknowledged the said event as very auspicious and remarkable day for the city government, the business community, and the transacting public.

He relayed to the public Secretary Puno’s message of warm congratulations to the LGU of Ozamiz City for a job well done.

He said this facility will cater to the needs of the transacting public for a clean, presentable, accessible and strategically located establishment that provides the customers and service providers the opportunity to interact and do business.

“This building is not only a testimony to a futuristic vision of the LCE and the SP but is also a constant and visible reminder that when our local officials are united and put their efforts together, the cries and the needs of the clients are served well,” Director Bhagwani said.

He further labeled the Public Mall as a “Building of Love and a symbol of Unity among the LCE and the SP of Ozamiz City.

Said Public Mall was one of the subprojects under the MBUSSP of DILG funded by the Asia Development Bank (ADB) and the LBP as its conduit funding institution. The MBUSSP is a six-year sector development project which is intended to provide capacity-building program, and to pursue urban infrastructure investment support to participating LGUs in Mindanao. Moreover, this project of DILG provides financial and technical assistance in the construction of projects either revenue generating projects (such as Public Market, Water Supply System, Integrated Transport Terminal, etc.) or non-revenue generating projects (such as Municipal/City Hall, Socio Cultural Center, Sports Complex, Gymnasium, etc.).

For two years, the DILG Region 10 has implemented numerous subprojects under the MBUSSP.

Some of the completed/on-going subprojects are the Naawan Water Supply system, Impasugong Water Supply System, Kapatagan Municipal Hall, Jasaan Municipal Hall, and many others.

The Project Development Management Unit (PDMU) of the Local Government Development Division (LGDD) of the DILG RO-10, (in coordination with the Office of Project Development Services of the DILG Central Office) handles the implementation of these subprojects with the Project Implementing Unit of the LGUs.

Camiguin’s Mahinog town forms task force to help enforce traffic laws

Mahinog, Camiguin - The Municipal Government today has formed a task force to help enforce traffic laws and local ordinances in the municipality.

Mayor Alex R. Jajalla signed Executive Order No. 9 creating the Special Traffic Action Force (STAF) which shall be under the direct supervision and control of the office of the Mayor.

Mayor Jajalla designated Sanguniang Barangay Committee on Transportation Chairman Hon. Rey Lawrence K. Tan to chair the task force.

PO1 Jerry A. Jalagat of the Philippine National Police (PNP) was named chief executive officer while Mr. Arlino C. Arca, a deputized Land Transportation Office (LTO) agent was also designated as team leader.

There are seven other members of the task force who have been deputized by the LTO from the local government and the local PNP.

Mayor Jajalla said the task force was created to maintain law and order on the streets and to conduct a crackdown against colorum operators, driving without helmet, including single motorcycle for hire (habal-habal) and motorela who ply the streets without franchise and permits from the municipality and other crimes committed in the streets with the use of a motor vehicle, among others.

Members of the Special Traffic Action Force are deputized by the LTO and authorized to issue LTO Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP) upon confiscation of driver’s license and the LTO impounding receipt if there is a need to impound the vehicle.

Traffic enforcers could also issue the traffic citation ticket against violators of Municipal Traffic and Transportation Code.

The mayor said that the creation of the traffic task force is in support of the massive traffic enforcement action program undertaken by the Camiguin provincial government under the leadership of Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo to enhance public safety awareness and road discipline among road users and pedestrians in response to the rapid development in the province of Camiguin.

Mayor Jajalla believes that this measure could minimize if not prevent the occurrence of vehicular accident in this municipality, which is the gateway to the paradise island province of Camiguin.

MSU head thanks USAID-GEM for JEEP project

Marawi City - The Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) is another highly commendable development initiative of the United States government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) for the people of Mindanao.

Thus expressed Mindanao State University (MSU) President Dr. Macapado Muslim during the recent launching of the JEEP project at the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) Center of Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City.

He stressed that the US government has contributed significantly to the academic manpower and physical development of the university.

“Thank you for the invaluable support given to MSU as the partner in the implementation of several high-impact projects in Mindanao and for continuing to be the key pillar in the growth and development of MSU,” Dr. Muslim expressed.

The MSU President added that for countries like the Philippines to survive, grow, and develop, under a knowledge and information-based globalized environment, they should engage in human capital formation and development to maximize the benefits of globalization and minimize its adverse consequences.

“Our universities and colleges which are the forefront of human capital formation and development should ensure that aside from making their education programs and services as well as their campuses accessible to the poorest of the poor, they should also make sure that they give substantial competitive strength and advantage to their graduates. And the way to achieve this competitive advantage is in the area of English proficiency,” Dr. Muslim said.

Dr. Muslim further said that the JEEP is an enormously powerful instrument in ensuring the production of graduates and professionals to be globally competitive.

“Thank you most profoundly for the JEEP and rest assured of our commitment to the said facilities, and we responsibly ensure full compliance to the terms of our agreement,”he added. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran)

Iligan City mayor highlights meaning of Nat’l Flag Day

Iligan City - Since an Executive Order was made several years ago on the National Flag Day celebration every 28th May and the year thereafter, it connotes everything , which started from the evolution of flags, all its symbols of national solidarity indicative of true patriotism and love of country.

This was the opening statement of City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz of Iligan in his message during the program in the observance of the National Flag Day. But, are we living what the flag stands for? The mayor threw the question to hundreds of spectators at the public plaza, this city.

Also, are we internalizing the lyrics of our national anthem, just like what the flag stands for? What our flag teaches us to do, is what also our national anthem tells us to do, as Filipinos, expressed Mayor Cruz.

We will ask ourselves, what we can contribute, to be useful to the society. Problems always occur, there is no ideal world, no ideal situation, that we can say bad times are over, now comes the good times. There is just no such thing, the mayor commented. “Tough times never last, but tough people do”, he added.

Practice should be a part of our everyday life because tough situations are here to stay. So, we just have to continue searching for the answers, solutions to the problems we encounter.

What is important is we understand the theme for this year, “Kagitingan, Kagalingan, at Kasipagan, Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan”. Let us all march towards progress despite tremendous acts, we shall defeat the enemy that is complacency, poverty and all the problems that destroy our society, Mayor Cruz reiterated.

The mayor, along with the city local officials, led the raising of the Philippine Flag and the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the reading of the Flag Code by City Councilor Ariel P. Anghay, who is also the Council Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), Iligan City Council.

Involved in the celebration were heads and employees of the local government unit and the national government agencies, the barangay officials and its constituents, non-government organizations, civic clubs, BSP, and other sectors in the society.

The ceremonial burning of old/tattered flags highlighted the day’s event.

The Department of Education, headed by Schools Division Superintendent Domingo V. Samson, took the lead in the preparation of the program. (Lorry V. Gabule)

English proficiency course introduced in Marawi City

Marawi City - The Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) is another highly commendable development initiative of the United States government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) for the people of Mindanao.

Thus expressed Mindanao State University (MSU) President Dr. Macapado Muslim during the recent launching of the JEEP project at the Institute of Peace and Development in Mindanao (IPDM) Center of Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City.

He stressed that the US government has contributed significantly to the academic manpower and physical development of the university.

“Thank you for the invaluable support given to MSU as the partner in the implementation of several high-impact projects in Mindanao and for continuing to be the key pillar in the growth and development of MSU,” Dr. Muslim expressed.

The MSU President added that for countries like the Philippines to survive, grow, and develop, under a knowledge and information-based globalized environment, they should engage in human capital formation and development to maximize the benefits of globalization and minimize its adverse consequences.

“Our universities and colleges which are the forefront of human capital formation and development should ensure that aside from making their education programs and services as well as their campuses accessible to the poorest of the poor, they should also make sure that they give substantial competitive strength and advantage to their graduates. And the way to achieve this competitive advantage is in the area of English proficiency,” Dr. Muslim said.

Dr. Muslim further said that the JEEP is an enormously powerful instrument in ensuring the production of graduates and professionals to be globally competitive.

“Thank you most profoundly for the JEEP and rest assured of our commitment to the said facilities, and we responsibly ensure full compliance to the terms of our agreement,”he added. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran)