DSWD taps local sectors as partners in Kalahi-CIDSS

By: Dominic I. Sanchez

ZAMBOANGA CITY, May 31 (PIA)- - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has engaged civil society groups, non-government organizations and the business sectors coming from the different municipalities in the region, in a dialogue held recently in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

The engagement sought to identify potential partners to aid in the implementation of the DSWD’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS), a community-driven development project co-funded by the World Bank.

Asst. Regional Director Zenaida Arevalo underscored the importance of partnerships forged between the government and non-government entities to realize the tremendous mission of poverty reduction.

“The DSWD cannot hope to solve the problem of poverty on its own. That is why we are constantly looking for partners, from government or from private and sectoral institutions, because we believe that everyone has resources to share in our persistent fight against poverty,” Dir. Arevalo said.

She said that the partners would not necessarily have to shell out funds – other resources, such as their knowledge and expertise are just as essential to the partnership, and to poverty reduction in the local level.

The DSWD has been engaging potential partners from civil society organizations and the private sector to a framework known as the Bantay, Tulay, Gabay and Kaagapay. In this context, partners can act as watchdogs in promoting transparency and eradicating corruption especially in the implementation of its projects such as Kalahi-CIDSS and Pantawid Pamilya; as providers of technical assistance, as information disseminators and routers, and as resource augmenters.

Early this year, the Kalahi-CIDSS project has started implementing in twelve municipalities (Naga, Malangas, ZSP; Tukuran, Tabina, Tigbao, Dumalinao, ZDS; Sibuco, Sirawai, Salug, Manuel Roxas, Baliguian, ZDN). The project is expected to run for three years in a chosen municipality, and almost in the entire project cycle, residents of communities are the main implementers (from project identification, procurement to actual construction of infrastructure, project management, etc.). As such, there is a need to tap local-level voluntary service providers such as people’s organizations, civil society organizations, and even the business sector to ensure that the community-implemented sub-projects are successfully implemented and remain sustainable.

During the dialogue, a total of twenty-one local sectors were represented. The DSWD will be thoroughly assessing the sectors’ available resources to formalize a memorandum of agreement to officially engage the partners. (JPA/DIS/DSWD9/PIA9-ZBST)

Lamitan City holds 1st Youth Leadership Summit

by Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan May 31 (PIA) – The City Government of Lamitan through the office of the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) has recently conducted a three-day 1^st Youth Leadership Summit from May 28 to 30 in Lamitan City.

Lamitan City Information Officer Felipe M. Fernando said that the activity intends to inculcate positive values and attitudes to the youth and enhance their leadership potentials, hoping that the knowledge and skills acquired during the summit will increase youth support to the government effort on the ongoing campaign for peace, progress and development.

The three-day activity is supported by the 32^nd Infantry Battalion, 19^th Special Forces Company, Lamitan Tourism Council, Department of Education, Jaycee International, Child Fund Philippines, National Civil Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government, City Health Office and the Malungay Fire Volunteer.

In his message, Lamitan City Mayor Roderick H. Furigay stressed the need of the youth to develop into becoming good leaders for the future of Lamitan.

“This will give a clear idea of where you want to go and simultaneously having idea of how difficult to get there. You are here so we can mold and harness your full potentials to become excellent leaders with proper guidance and motivation,” the mayor said.

The mayor added that he prefers to see the “youth as strength”, saying with strong conviction that while others may see them vulnerable and indifferent, he recognized and believed in the potential of the young generation as a dynamic sector of society capable of bringing transformative change and dismantling culture of violence and apathy.

He also recognized the role of the city government in nurturing the future leaders through supporting youth development-related activities such as this summit.

Meanwhile, Lamitan City Tourism Council Chairperson Rosita U. Furigay said that the youth Summit intends “to make a journey to your [youth] dream with the spirit of oneness, so that together you will achieve, to step forward and play your role in nation building.”

Activities during the two-day training include lectures on the ill effects of illegal drugs, community service, peace and development incorporating outdoor games, team building, sharing and cleanliness/sanitation, which would help hone and develop the knowledge, attitude and character of the youth as potential leaders.

One of the highlights of the activity is the environmental awareness advocacy as facilitated by Philippine Information Agency-ZAMBASULTA Infocenter Manager Felipo David G. Malcampo. He urged the youth to protect their future and challenge them to do their share in protecting and preserving the natural environment by participating and or initiating tree-planting activities in their areas.

“Be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem,” Malcampo further challenged some 150 young people from the 45 barangays of the city who participated in the event. (RVC/PIA9-ZBST)

DOLE launches campaign for child labor-free barangays in Pagadian City

by Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY, May 31 (PIA)  - To cap the celebration of the 110^th Labor Month, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launched its campaign for Child-Labor Free barangays in the city yesterday, May 30 at Barangay Bulatoc.

With the theme, “Pagtutulungan, Pagpapalaya sa mga Batang Manggagawa,”  

DOLE Assistant Regional Director Virginia L. Bonbon said the battle for the elimination and prevention of child labor is going down to the grassroots level.

A symbolic turn-over of work implements/tools of the trade was done in Bulatoc, considered to have a high incidence of children at risk of becoming child laborers because of its proximity to the Integrated Bus Terminal, in exchange for an educational package containing backpacks/bags, notebooks, drawing books, ballpens, pencils, pencil case, crayons, writing pads, sharpener, eraser and other school supplies.  

DOLE has bolstered its implementation of the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP) and targets 80 barangays with high incidence of child labor to be transformed into child labor-free barangays this year.

ARD Bonbon said DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz has directed all regional directors to reactivate the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPCs) in their areas of jurisdiction to assist them in the task.

“The campaign aims to encourage, to influence change, identify the roles and solicit commitment of stakeholders;  local government units particularly the barangay concerned, national government agencies, non-government organizations, private sector and parents of child laborers to help in ensuring that children are enjoying their rights and not engaged in child labor,” Mayor Samuel S. Co, ably represented by Dr. Priscilla M. Fernandez, Chairperson of the City  Tourism Council in his message said.

At the end of the activity, barangay officials led by Paul Ryan Teves  signed a commitment to attain a child-labor free barangay by fully committing themselves to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, protect them from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination and other conditions detrimental to their development.

Also present were the PIA Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga, Education Supervisors Vivian B. Dacula and Dr. Remedios Bulahan of DepEd City Division, DOLE intermediaries; Guidance Counselors Network (GCNet) ZamPen Region President Ermah Sheila L. Roble, GCNet Pagadian City Chairperson Mary Jane B. Omandam, Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC)  Vice Chairman Levi E. Cabatcha, Occupational Health & Safety Committee (OHSC) President Engr. Rodrigo T. Templado, media partners and other stakeholders. (ALT-PIA9/Zambo Sur)

Paje hails ruling on Philippine Eagle killing

Pagadian City, 31 May (PIA) --Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje hailed the ruling of the lower court convicting and imposing penalty on a resident of Brgy. Impasugong, Bukidnon for killing and cooking a juvenile Philippine eagle.

“This would serve as a lesson and warning to other would-be violators of the law on wildlife resources conservation and protection,” Paje said.

He added  that the long arm of the law will always catch all transgressors against  the environment.

Paje said that, under Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9147 also called Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, the killing of a critically endangered species is punishable by imprisonment of between six and 12 years or a fine of between PhP100,000 to PhP 1 million.

Recently, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Malaybalay in Bukidnon imposed a punishment by slapping a penalty amounting to PhP100,000 on a certain Bryan Bala-on after finding  him guilty of killing and cooking a young male Philippine eagle.

The government is exerting effort focused at preserving of what is left of the critically endangered species whose number is fast dwindling to only few number of 300 pairs left scattered all over the country particularly in the forests in Luzon, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.

In an effort to raise national awareness of preserving the remnants of the Philippine Eagle, Presidential Proclamation No. 79 was issued on February 24, 1999 mandating June 4-10 every year thereafter Philippine Eagle Week.

“This will always instill in the minds and hearts of the Filipino people the significance of the Philippine eagle as a biological indicator of the forest ecosystems and as national symbol,” Paje said.

Paje said the dwindling number of Philippine eagles in the country also reflects the country’s dwindling forests.

“That’s why we also have to seriously look at investing at enforcing laws to keep the existing forests intact and to rehabilitate damaged environments,” Paje said.

Paje also reminded everyone not to hurt or kill the bird, and if they can catch a wounded or ailing Philippine eagle, they should bring it immediately to the nearest DENR office in the area. (DENR9/CAL/PIA9)

DSWD signs MOA with NCLC in support to anti-child labor drive

Pagadian City, 31 May (PIA) -- In an effort to curb child labor in the Philippines, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently signed an agreement with members of the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) to scale up the country’s anti-child labor drive.

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman, the Memorandum of Agreement to Strategically Scale Up Implementation of the Philippine Program Against Child Labor (PPACL) aims to protect children from the worst forms of child labor in the country. 

The MOA specifies the commitments of the different NCLC member-agencies towards addressing the issue of child labor, such as policy development, monitoring and rescue of child laborers, education and training, livelihood, health, legal assistance and advocacy.

The NCLC member-agencies will also maximize use of Child Labor Knowledge Sharing System (CLKSS) website for sharing information on child labor and other concerns. The NCLC will also use allocated budget in their agency plan of action for PPACL implementation. 

DSWD shall be the lead agency in the conduct of training of social welfare officers for community organizing and the provision of special social services to ensure the well-being and protection of children victims of child labor.  The social services include the improvement of living condition of families of child laborers with focus on linking them to the Conditional Cash Transfer or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in partnership with the LGUs.  

The DSWD shall also provide policy directions and standards for the delivery of institution-based welfare services and technical assistance for the improvement of LGU-based service delivery.  “We are also in partnerships with our child caring agencies towards elimination of child labor, Secretary Soliman added.

The NCLC is chaired by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and its members are DSWD, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Agriculture (DA), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), National Youth Commission (NYC), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), and National Council of Social Development Foundation, Inc. (NCSDFI). (DSWD/CAL/PIA9)

Ochoa ngadto sa CESOs: Tabangan ang kagamhanan pagwagtang sa korupsyon

Ni Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY, May 31 (PIA) –  Ginaingon nga ang administrasyong Aquino serysoso pagwagtang sa nga grafters ug kurakot nga mga opisyal gikan sa kagamhanan, si Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. ning Miyerkoles miawhag sa mga civil servants nga mohunong ning maong kahimoan nga nakadisturbo sa demokrasya ug motabang pagmugna ug usab sa moral nga pundasyon sa serbisyo publiko.

Sa 2011 Gawad CES Awards ug mass oath-taking sa bag-o nga natudlo ug na-promote nga career executive service officers (CESOs) sa Malakanyang, si Ochoa nagkanayon nga ang public servants mahimong ahente sa kausaban ug pagpahunong sa iregularidad sa kagamhanan.

“Ayaw tuguti ang inyong mga kaugalingon nga mohimo sa mga kasaypanan nga inyong nakita sa kagamhanan. Dako kaayong tabang sa among kampanya batok sa graft and corruption,” matud pa ni Ochoa.

Si Ochoa ang mipasabot nga anag mga kalihokan sa bag-o pa lang natapos nga impeachment trial nga miresulta sa paghukum nga sad-an ni Chief Justice Renato Corona pagbudhi sa pagsalig sa publiko ug tataw nga paglapas sa batakang balaod ang mobukas sa mga mata sa publiko ug civil servants nga ang mga reporma ang gihimo sa administrasyon.

“Sa sinugdanan, kita ang nakahibalo sa mga suliran nga atong giatubang. Ang Graft and corruption mao ang nag-una sa listahan ug kini mao ang pinakamaayo nga higayon nga gihimo ilawom ning kasamtangan nga administrasyon  aron pagpatuman sa mga reporma nga gikinahanglan aron pagpakigbatok sa graft and corruption,” ang Executive secretary nagkanayon. 

Matud pa ni Ochoa nga siya ang malaumon nga ang administrasyon makahan-ay sa malign-on nga moral nga pundasyon sa serbisyo publiko ug mosumpo sa graft and corruption sa pagtapos sa termino ni Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III sa tuig 2016.

“Kining administrasyon seryoso ug komitado sa iyang kampanya pagpakigbatok sa fight graft and corruption,” matud pa ni Ochoa. “Kung kita nagtuo niana, dili kita masayop ug kita ang moabante ug maglihok,” dugang pa ni Ochoa. (GCC/PCOO/PIA9, ZamboSur)

Lapuyan fetes 3rd Pantawid Pamilya Day, multi-stakeholders caravan

by: Claro A. Lanipa

Pagadian City, 31 May (PIA) – The local government unit of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur, celebrated its third year  Pantawid  Pamilya Pilipino Program Day, a Multi-Stakeholders Caravan held at the Antonio V. Apostol Sr. Memorial Central Elementary School (AVASMCES) gymnasium and school grounds on May 29-30, 2012.

Mayor Daylinda Perez-Sulong in her opening message during the formal opening of the two-day event expressed her wholehearted thanks and gratitude to all the stakeholders for their all-out support to the poverty reduction program and social development strategy of the national government.

Lapuyan was one of the first 12 municipalities of the province to avail the Conditional Cash Transfer which is widely known as Pantawid Pamilya.   To date 2,561 indigent households of the municipality benefitted from the program.

To make the event more significant different activities were set, such as the conduct of Agri-Fair where Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries displayed their farm produce to be sold to the public. The First Infantry “Tabak” Division Philippine Army rendered free dental and circumcision among children, while the LGU’s health officials offered  medical  consultations with free medicines.

Bloodletting operations were also conducted by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC).

Other stakeholders like the Philippine Health Insurance distributed  Member Data Record (MDR)  to some 3,862 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. While NCIP, DOH, DSWD, DepEd, DOLE, DTI, DAR, DA and TESDA were also invited to answer queries and consultations from the beneficiaries and to give updates on their programs and services.

To highlight the event a mass wedding called ”Gbelai di Dlepuyan 2012” a Subanen term, was conducted wherein 395 couple-beneficiaries were solemnized as one by Mayor Sulong, witnessed by DSWD 9 Regional Director Teodulo Romo together with other guests and the local officials of the said municipality. (CAL/PIA9)

Aquino migahin ug P5-milyones aron pagpalambo abiyo sa tubig sa Philippine Merchant Marine Academy

Ni Gideon C. Corgue


PAGADIAN CITY, May 30 (PIA) – Ang kakulang sa kahanas sa sistema sa abiyo sa tubig sa lungsod dinha pagtanyag ug limpyo nga mainom nga tubig sa iyang mga mulupyo ug mga pamatigayon ilabi na ang Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) ang sa dili madugay masulbad na human nga si Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III migahin sa P5-milyones alang sa iyang madalion nga pag-ayo ug rehabilitasyon.

Sa iyang pakigpulong sa 189th Commencement Exercises sa PMMA ning Miyerkoles, ang Presidente nagkanayon nga mahinungdanon nga ang mga mulupyo ilabi na ang mga kabus kugihan nga mga tinun-an ug kawani sa PMMA adunay nanag-una nga panginhanglan ang matagbo aron nga paghimo sa ilang mga hingtungdang trabaho.

“Nakaabot sa atua ang taho nga ang PMMA sa Local Water Utilities Administration mahitungod sa ubos nga kaledad ug kakulangon sa abiyo sa tubig dinhi sa inyong lugar. Maggahin kita ug lima ka milyon pesos nga pundo aron nga maayo ang sistema sa abiyo sa tubig sa mga naapektuhan nga lungsod lakip na ang PMMA,” ang Presidente nagkanayon ang Presidente uban ang masipa nga palakpak sa pagdayeg sa mga mitambong sa maong commencement exercises. 

Ang lungsod sa San Marcelino nag-antos sa kakulang sa tubig sa mga tuig na ang nakalabay ug gilauman nga pinaagi sa pahat nga pundo nga  gihatag sa Presidente ug ang iyang pahimangno sa Local Water Utilities Administration, ang nag-una nga ahensya sa abiyo sa tubig, kini nga suliran ang sa dili madugay mao ang butang sa nakalabay. (GCC/PCOO/PIA9, ZamboSur)

Gov’t bats for “meaningful autonomy” in Mindanao

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, May 30 (PIA) -- Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Dean Marvic Leonen underlined that “meaningful autonomy,” which the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been eyeing to achieve for the Bangsamoro people, is “collective” and “democratic."

In his opening statement during the 28th formal exploratory talks that started on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Leonen underscored that “meaningful autonomy is and has always been a collective effort of all Moros with the various other identities represented by the national government complementing their roles.”

He added that given this, meaningful autonomy for the Bangsamoro is also a “democratic autonomy.”

The GPH and the MILF have embarked on the substantive agenda, such as wealth and power sharing between the national government and the envisioned new autonomous political entity (NPE), following the signing of the Decision Points on Principles during their last round of negotiations in April.

In the decision points, both sides have agreed to create an autonomous area with a democratic arrangement replacing the current Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Sharing his insights from the recent consultations with various sectors in preparation for this round of talks, Leonen said that many of those they have consulted fear whether “the government, in saying that the status quo is unacceptable, is ready to marginalize the many other efforts done in the past and still continuing in the present in order to sign a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)."

Allaying such fears, he stated that “any democratic arrangement, even within an autonomous area, always concedes tolerance."

“Negotiated political settlements with armed insurgencies therefore should be careful that we do not supplant, devalue or marginalize the efforts of the good souls who…worked valiantly to achieve the laudable aspirations of those who took arms,” he explained.

He also said that efforts of civil servants and some political leaders “who have painstakingly engaged in the many other different struggles needed to put some of the conditions for meaningful democratic autonomy in place” should not be forgotten.

Leonen also stressed that economic viability is necessary for political autonomy to succeed.

“There will always be a failure of political autonomy if the conditions for economic viability of the autonomous area are not given as much priority,” he stated.

The panel chair explained that for one, poverty distorts the people’s democratic choices as indigent voters tend to be enticed with the offer to purchase one’s vote without realizing how this can affect their livelihood opportunities.

“Provision of social services and economic development therefore plants the seed for good governance,” he stated.

Further, Leonen said that along with good governance, “economic development should enable the autonomous government to be less dependent on national fund transfers.”

“Less dependency on national fund transfers matters in the continuing negotiations for competence between the national and autonomous government,” the panel chair added.

He related that the government has been implementing various socio-economic projects that have been neglected in the past.

“I am certain that this will complement the political and legal adjustments that we can agree to in this negotiating table,” Leonen said. “When we sign a comprehensive peace agreement, the two components will then be in place to ensure that this time around we will have a meaningful and democratic autonomous government in place.”

As the GPH and the MILF continue to discuss substantive issues on the table, Leonen expressed hopes that both parties will come up with a peace agreement soon.

“We remain optimistic that the sincerity of both sides will pull us through what we expect would be difficult conversations ahead.”

The five ARMM governors arrived in the Malaysian capital to provide full support to the on-going peace negotiations, citing the primacy of the peace process especially in Mindanao.

“We are here to provide support,” Sulu Governor Abdusakur Tan said. “There will always be one of us sitting there (referring to the room where the negotiations is taking place) as an observer.”

“We want to show everybody including the MILF that the five executives of the ARMM are one in supporting the peace efforts of the government with the MILF,” Tan added.

Joining Tan are Maguindanao Governor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong, Basilan Gov. Jum Akbar and Tawi-Tawi Gov. Sadikul Sahali.

North Cotabato 1st District Rep. Jesus Sacdalan, chairman of the House Special Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconciliation also joined the GPH contingent as a consultant of the peace panel.

Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation - Peace Committee in Southern Philippines (OIC-PCSP) sent Ali Demirci, political officer of the office of the OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanuglo to observe the proceedings of the GPH-MILF peace negotiations. (OPAPP/RVC/PIA9-ZBST)

Dipolog City entry wins SPES GOT TALENT 2012

by Megajane A. Serna

DIPOLOG CITY, MAY 30(PIA)--- As part of the month-long 110th Labor Day Celebration in Dipolog City with the theme “Pagtutulungan, Pagbabago, Disenteng Trabaho,” the Dipolog City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC) in partnership with Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Office held SPES Got the Talent ala “Showtime” contests last May 28, 2012 at Boulevard, Dipolog City.

SPES Got Talent- showcase of talents, free style performance; it’s timely for the student-grantees to be exposed in socio-cultural dynamics. The show is a venue to discover and explore their talents; SPES program is not purely helping poor and deserving students’ financially through employment but also a  possibility to boost their confidence, be exposed to socials and public activities; introduce value of a relationship, working as a team as they perform for the contest representing their respective LGU or school.

It was participated in by beneficiaries of Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) from the different State Universities and Colleges(SUCs) and Local Government Units(LGUs) in Zamboanga del Norte. 

The participating SUCs are Andres Bonifacio College, Saint Vincent’s College, St. Joseph College, Dipolog Medical College Foundation Inc., Jose Rizal Memorial State University-Dipolog.

On the other hand, the participating LGUs are the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan and the municipalities of Manukan, Piñan, and Gutalac.

The winners were judged in a 10-Point system (10 points as the highest and 5 points as the lowest), the high-tech form of judging facilitated by the STI College, Dipolog City.  

The champion received P5, 000 cash award; Second place, P3, 000; Third Place, P2, 000, and token and certificates of participation for consolation awards.

First Place went to Dipolog City, Second Place to St. Vincent’s College and Third Place to LGU-Gutalac.

 

With the successful conduct of "SPES GOT TALENT”, TIPC-Dipolog City and DOLE-Zamboanga del Norte are inviting the public to watch another showdown to unfold during the culminating night of the month-long celebration – the  “TALENYADO (Talentadong Empleyado) NIGHT on May 31, 2012 at the Dipolog City Boulevard where workers and employees will display their talents. (ATR/MAS-DOLE/PIA9-Zambo Norte).

Corona’s conviction good for judiciary, says city dad

by Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY, May 30 (PIA) - - “It will strengthen the judiciary.”

This was the statement issued by City Councilor James P. Verduguez after the Senate handed down yesterday a guilty verdict to Chief Justice Renato Corona for his failure to honestly declare in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) all his properties and assets.

Verduguez, who is a lawyer by profession, also said the impeachment trial proved “that the government is serious in making the public officials and workers, no matter how high and lofty their position maybe, accountable for their deeds.”

Another lawyer heading the Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Atty. Paul Gudmalin, also found Corona unfit to continue in office.

However, Mayor Caesar Soriano of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte said of the impeachment trial: “It envelopes the country’s real conflicts. We are searching for the truth but unmindful of the real situation that millions of Filipinos cannot eat three square meals a day. This should be our focus.”

Moreover, in a random interview conducted by the personnel of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here, it was observed that most of the respondents have approved of the Senate’s guilty verdict on Corona saying the removal of the chief magistrate would set a new moral standard not only for officials and employees of the judiciary but in the whole government bureaucracy from the national offices down to the local government units.

It can be recalled that 20 of the 23 senator-judges voted to convict Corona. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)

Pangulong Aquino gikatakdang mobisita sa United Kingdom

ni Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY, May 30 (PIA) - - Gikatakdang molarga si Pangulong Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III sa United Kingdom karong Hunyo 4-5 isip bisita sa kagamhan sa nasampit nga nasud.

Mao kini unang pagbisita ni Pangulong Aquino sa maong nasud human siya milingkod isip presidente kaniadtong 2010.

Inig abot ni Pangulong Aquino didto, makigtagbo siya ni Primero Ministro David Cameron sa 10 Downing Street diin ilang pagahisgutan ang political and economic cooperation tali sa duha ka mga nasud, ang partisipasyon sa UK sa international contact group (ICG), regional issues ug ang pagsumpo sa korapsyon ug kahiwian sa kagamhanan.

Makigtagbo usab si Aquino sa mga magpapatigayon sa London, mosalmot sa Philippine fun tourism campaign sa Department of Torurism ug makig-kita sa mga kaigsoonang Pilipino nga tua karon nanarbaho ug nanimuyo didto.

Ang Pilipinas ug UK adunay hataas na nga diplomatic relations nga nagsugod pa niadtong 1946.

Ang UK maoy nag-unang investor dinhi sa nasud gikan sa Uropa, trading partner, ug dakung merkado sa turismo sa Uropa diin maoy gipuy-an usab sa daghanang Pilipino. (FPG/PCOO/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)