Basilan enlists 500 volunteers to build 30 homes in Bayani Challenge

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The provincial government of Basilan and partner organizations are expecting some 500 volunteers to converge at Matarling in Lantawan, Basilan for the nationwide simultaneous Bayani Challenge 2013 where 30 houses will be built.

These 500 volunteers in Basilan were part of the race for the 100,000-strong Army of Hope Builders who will enlist for the 8th Bayani Challenge scheduled on March 23-27, 2013. A new kind of People Power will be manifested in 37 sites of 33 different provinces, as volunteers from across the nation will work together to ensure that no Filipino will be left behind in the national pursuit for progress and sustainable development.

Started in 2006, Bayani Challenge is touted to be the biggest volunteer movement in the country after successfully mobilizing 10,400 volunteers last year in the spirit of the quintessential Filipino trait of bayanihan. Driven by this year’s theme  Isang Bayan, Isang Bayanihan, volunteers sign-up in teams of fifteen (15) for a 5-day test of courage, endurance and love for country as they engage in varied nation-building activities that include the construction and refurbishment of homes and schools, education sessions for children, tree-planting, clean-up drives, and health missions. Interested volunteers may sign-up either individually or in groups of 15 by visiting the official Facebook page of Bayani Challenge: www.facebook.com/bayanichallenge.

Most of the Bayani Challenge Volunteers are youths who seek to counter the apathy and materialism prevalent in our society by instilling lasting hope and concretizing compassion into sustainable, positive action. Past volunteers have attested that through this experience, they carried with them insights about how today is the best time to be a Filipino. Their generation seeks to prove to the nation that volunteerism is the key to the permanent dismantling of the unjust structures that perpetuate poverty and injustice in the Philippines.

Serving the Nation will prove to be more fun in the Philippines as well with the inclusion of marathons, a Master Kusinero cooking competition, sports competitions and Laro ng Lahi games. These activities aim to foster nurturing relationships between volunteers and the members of the empowered communities.

Bayani Challenge is a multi-sectoral partnership spearheaded by Pilipinas Natin (the flagship volunteer program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office). The vast network of private companies, organizations and other government agencies includes Gawad Kalinga, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Education, National Youth Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Health, TESDA, PAGCOR, Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, League of Provinces, EDSA People Power Commission, Housing and Urban Development Council, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Radyo ng Bayan, LBC Foundation, BERJAYA Corporation Berhad, Globe Telecom, People’s Television and many others.

Just as millions of people gathered at EDSA to achieve social change, Bayani Challenge will be a revolution against poverty by building healthy, humane and nurturing communities. The event is a challenge to every Filipino to put a halt to bickering and complaining and grab the opportunity to be part of the solution and become a modern day hero. (PIA9)

DepED-Dipolog chief pushes for responsible media

By Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY – City Schools Division Superintendent Victorina G. Perez has called on the media practitioners here to be responsible in exercising their profession.

Speaking during the 48^th induction program of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club (ZNPC), Perez recalled that she was once maligned in a news article written by a media man whom she did not know personally.

After that story saw print, the guy came to her in the guise of getting her side and was asking how many copies of his paper she would order. “I felt so bad about it,” said the lady superintendent.

Since that time her trust in the press eroded until a certain media man came, got her side and published the whole story without asking any favor from her.

 For Perez, every media practitioner must uphold the highest standards of journalism to stay credible so that he/she could not ruin the image and reputation of other people.

Perez served as guest of honor and speaker in the oath-taking rites of the newly elected officers of the club on Saturday with the theme, “Promoting peace through responsible media.”

The ZNPC officers led by their president Rosemarie Patangan-Miranda were sworn in by Judge Pio D. Velasco, also a club member.

The other officers are Engr. Eduardo de la Cerna -Vice President, Vicente Hernani Carreon-Secretary, Crispin Garcia-Treasurer and Ruben Enoy-Auditor.

Composing the members of the board are Atty. James Cyril O. Ruiz, Atty. James Verduguez, Czarito B. Zamora, Franklin P. Gumapon, Elmer Elmedulan, Samuel Amatong, Maynard Baes, Edwin Bation, Rhey Davie Magdayao and Elmer Razo.

ZNPC was founded in May 1965 with the end in view of promoting unity among local media practitioners regardless of political persuasions and religious affiliations.  (PIA9)

Dipolog celebrates Women’s Month

By Mary May A. Abellon

DIPOLOG CITY - The city government here conducted several activities to celebrate women’s month with the theme, “Kababaihan:Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan.”

It kicked off with a volleyball tournament held at the City Hall Ground.

About 200 members of the Local Council of Women (LCW) participated in the Women’s Forum at barangay Miputak. Atty. Jasmine Pinsoy clearly and elaborately discussed the Magna Carta for Women to give them guidance and empowerment as to their rights and obligations.

In line with the celebration, Barangay Olingan  won the Best Livelihood Project for several livelihood projects they have embarked on: the Olingan Relocation People’s Organization (ORPO) Bakeshop which is an eight-year joint project of DOLE and the LGU of Dipolog; the LCW Convenience Store which has acquired more capital for the business; the Sewers Group; Handicraft and many others.

On the other hand, Barangay Dicayas won the second place for their Green Valley Bakery with nine years of existence.

In a brief program held at Plaza Magsaysay. local officials led by Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, former Mayor Roberto Y. Uy welcomed the guests, senatorial candidate Grace Poe and Timi Aquino, wife of senatorial candidate Bam Aquino who was the guest of honor.

Highlighting the event was the selection of Gng. LCW Dipolog with candidates coming from the 21 barangays of the city.

Lorna H. Pableo of barangay Sta. Filomena was hailed as the Gng. Dipolog 2013 and runners-up were as follows: Candida Olarte of barangay Biasong, Mila Nimfa Viadnes Gallenero of barangay Miputak, Mrs. Alma Gonzales of barangay Central and Mrs. Emelila Oliva of barangay San Jose.

Barangay Biasong won the folkdance contest and barangay Olingan as the biggest contingent.

The Women’s Month Celebration of Dipolog City was capped with activities such as: free haircut and manicure/pedicure; “tabo sa boulevard”; and free medical/dental check up. (PIA9)

DSWD workers attend “women issues” lecture

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

  

ZAMBOANGA CITY - To underscore the need to accelerate women’s participation in governance and enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance, the men and women of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 9 attended a lecture on “women issues” reflecting on the participation and many contributions of women in the society.

Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) professor Raquel Ho, who served as speaker during the said activity conducted yesterday (March. 19) at the DSWD  Office, inspired the employee-participants as she gave some pointers on how to maintain good governance. “If you are at work, you should be one hundred percent (100%) at work,” She said.

Ho continued, “have a vision; work with people; be sure of yourself; learn how to listen; do not worry too much, sustain curiosity- do not stop learning ; speak the truth and people will believe you; be brave, do not let fear take over you and seek guidance from God.”

Quoting American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist and one of  the most influential women in the world,   Oprah Winfrey, Ho said “you need to work with people whose vision is not only align with yours but they also carry the passion for the vision as you do,”

Emphasizing on the importance of the role of women in upholding governance, Ho held, “If you want anything said, ask a man, if you want anything done, as a woman.”

The activity is in line with the 2013 women’s month celebration that carries the theme “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan” (PIA9)

Women vital partners in nation-building, says Mayor Cerilles

By  Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – Some 1,500 member of the Rural Improvement Club – Women Empowerment (RIC-WEM) in the municipality of Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur  gathered on Friday, March 15, 2013 at the town’s gymnasium to commemorate Women’s Month.

Mayor Ace William E. Cerilles in his welcome message said, “this is another opportunity for us to celebrate a day intended for women, an event where we give recognition to their contribution and role in the community.”

“This is also the day that we give them honor for their exceptional strength and boundless efforts in performing their responsibilities as parents to their children and as a wife,” the young mayor added.

“With this year’s  theme ‘Kababaihan Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan,’ I will say this is true, Cerilles said. Women give light to our path, give us the courage and determination to move forward. Women also display a vital role in governance, show responsibility and accountability.”

“With the present scenario, women’s participation therefore, is very significant not only in building a family but building a nation as a whole,” Cerilles noted.

Meanwhile, 2^nd District Congresswoman Aurora E. Cerilles, who was the guest of honor and speaker said that women now have equal rights with men. She challenged the women to involve themselves in the community where they live. “You should participate in assemblies and share what you have in your mind that will contribute to the development of your community.”

She also urged all women present during the gathering to exercise their rights, and not just remain in their traditional role as a wife or as a mother. (PIA9)

PAMANA infra projects benefit MNLF areas

By Franklin P. Gumapon

DAVAO CITY – Various infrastructure projects implemented under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program in the different recipient-barangays within and outside the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have already been completed, benefiting the so-called “MNLF areas.”

Director Enrico dela Torre told a group of government information officers attending the three-day workshop on communicating the gains of PAMANA held  here at the Pinnacle Hotel starting March 18-21, Director Eric de la Torre disclosed that infrastructure projects ranging from farm-to-market roads, bridges, postharvest facilities, water supply systems to health centers and others have been constructed in “peace and development communities” (PDCs), the places where the camps of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were situated prior to the signing of the peace agreement between the MNLF and the government in 1996.

Dela Torre also said the PAMANA-PDC projects have been implemented through a multi-stakeholder scheme in which the community people are the ones identifying the infrastructures to be constructed in coordination with the implementing agencies and a “third party,” which comes from a non-government organization, that would certify the veracity of the project.

With the implementation of PAMANA-PDC, dela Torre observed that the community people are now actively involved in seeking government’s assistance/projects that would answer their needs.

The provinces which received PAMANA-PDC projects are Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao of ARMM, Zambonga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay of Region 9, Lanao del Norte of Region 10, Davao del Sur of Region 11, and North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani of Region 12.

PAMANA is the national government’s peace and development framework to respond and strengthen peace building, reconstruction, and development in conflict-affected areas (CAAs) as spelled out in President Aquino’s five priority programs which include the attainment of “just, inclusive and lasting peace” among others. (PIA9)

Thousands gather to observe Int’l Women’s Day in Isabela City

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Around three-thousand women from the different barangays and organizations in Isabela City gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2013 at the Isabela City gymnasium.

The celebration kicked off with a street parade around the main thoroughfares of the city and winded up at the city hall complex for the program with the theme “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan”.

In her message, Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar urged women to uphold family values as pillars of society’s peace and progress.

“Women have a big obligation to fulfill in the community, especially the mothers who bear great responsibility on their shoulders because they  nurture a family, i.e. taking care of the husband and the children,” she said.

The mayor said that the city has a strong organization of women who are firm, steadfast, and fighter of their rights.

“We celebrate this important day to remind all of us and the world of our important role in society,” she said.

She reminded the crowd that “as loving wife to our husbands and caring mother to our children, we have the responsibility to guide the family towards the straight path.” She echoed the same to daughters, urging them to give back the love, care, and sacrifices that parents have given them.

She also urged the women present to exercise discipline and take utmost care of one’s health. “Being a woman, we also have the responsibility to love ourselves by maintaining a healthy mind and body. Our state of health will surely affect the whole family,” she said.

As what she always says to women in similar gatherings, “it is forbidden for us to get sick, not only because it is too expensive nowadays, but because we cannot afford to lose sight of our responsibility towards our partners in life and to our children, because a happy family means a better society.”

Meanwhile, some participants are hopeful that the city mayor could provide more programs to the women of the city, especially in terms of uplifting their lives through a more concrete livelihood program and  job opportunities.

International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.

The Philippine Commission on Women in its website said the theme “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan” is adopted for the 2013 Women’s Month Celebration in consonance with President Benigno Aquino’s pursuit and vision of ‘tuwid na daan’. The theme underscores women’s leadership role and participation in governance to enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance. It highlights the importance of strengthening the mechanisms and institutions that support women and to widen the arena for their participation. It is also aligned with Section 11 (Participation and Representation) and Section 29 (Peace and Development) of the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710). (PIA9)

OCD-RDRRMC, DepEd hold school-based tsunami/earthquake drill

By  Alma L. Tingcang

PAGADIAN CITY - The Office of Civil Defense – Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (OCD-RDRRMC) in coordination with the Department of Education conducted on Friday, March 15, 2013 its 1^st Quarter School-Based Tsunami and Earthquake Drill at Sta. Lucia National High School, this city.

An estimated 800 high school students and faculty members participated in the drill.

OCD-9 Regional Director and RDRRMC-9 chairperson Adriano D. Fuego said the activity aims to promote disaster preparedness, mitigation and awareness of the community especially among the students and teachers.

It also entends to assess the capacity level of the school during the event of earthquake and other disasters, Director Fuego added.

RDRRMC member representatives acted as evaluators during the actual drill which is composed of the different agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG-City), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Red Cross (PRC), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Ms. Shirley P. Sumugat, School Principal expressed her gratefulness to OCD and the RDRRMC members for choosing their school as the pilot area in the conduct of the tsunami and earthquake drill. Sta. Lucia National High School is very much prone to tsunami, being located along the seashore facing  Yllana Bay.

It can be recalled that hundreds of residents in the area  perished during the fateful August 17, 1976 tsunami. (PIA9)

Govt’s priority position on Sabah issue is to save lives, says DILG Sec Roxas

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas stressed that the Philippine Government has been treating the Sabah incident with utmost care and sensitivity, giving priority to saving lives.

Speaking before hundreds of spectators at the 39^th Founding Anniversary of Basilan province on March 7, the interior chief explained the position of government in treating the Sabah incident, saying that there are underlying principles that guide the decision of President Aquino III, including the actions of those under his administration.

Roxas said that he was saddened by the propaganda that spread around Basilan against the President and his administration. He dismissed the accusation that the President is “anti-Muslim, pro-Malaysia, anti-Filipino, indifferent, and does not care for fellow-Filipinos.”

“Itong mga paninirang ito ay parang nahiwa ang aking puso sa sakit dahil masasabi ko po sa inyo, peksman po ito, na ang ating pangulo ay walang humpay at walang tigil…sabi nga niya sa akin ang pinaka-priority natin ay maisalba natin ang buhay ng ating mga kapwa-Pilipino (These accusations really breaks my heart. I would assure you and attest to you that the President has been working so hard. He [the President] said to me that his priority is to save the lives of our fellow-Filipinos),” Roxas said.

He further explained that the decisions and pronouncements of the President were based primarily on what is best for most Filipinos.

“Di lang ito buhay ng dalawang daang mga tao sa Sabah, dagdag pa rin diyan ang buhay ng halos walong daang libong mga kababayan natin na tahimik na naghahanap-buhay doon sa Malaysia. Dagdag pa doon ang buhay, paghahanap-buhay at katahimikan at progreso ng halos isang daang libong mga Pilipino na andito sa ating bansa (It is not just the lives of 200 people in Sabah, but also the lives of some 800,000 Filipinos that reside and work in Malaysia. Added to these are the livelihood, peace, and progress of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos affected here),” the DILG chief said.

Roxas said that there is a difference between propaganda and performance. He likened propaganda with playing Ping-Pong, with just hitting on both sides. “But this is not a game. This is not just propaganda; the lives of the people are at stake here.”

He said the President will defend the very principle that must reign in the context of the Sabah issue, which is the “primacy of the person”, the value of every person. “It is the primacy of the person and not propaganda and politics,” he said.

Roxas said that the President likened this principle to how this government empathizes with the victims of calamities and to those OFWs trapped in conflicts abroad like in Syria where the government would do everything in its power to save them.

He explained that the president and his administration deeply understood the sensitivity of the situation that is why the president allowed two weeks of earnest negotiations with the Kirams before he released a statement to the media.

“And since the Kirams insisted and stood firm on their cause, the President then decided in humility to appeal to the Kirams through the media since they don’t anymore listen to the emissary sent by the President. That is why on February 25 the President released a statement.

“The President said that time is of the essence and we are running out of time. Let us solve this issue soon before anybody else gets hurt because we know what will happen and the magnitude this will affect us if we pass through the deadline set by Malaysia and there will be bloodshed,” Roxas said, explaining that this is not an act of arrogance on the part of the president but an act of humility being the Father of the nation.

He called on the people of Mindanao not to be swayed by the confusion, propaganda, and deception of those who use the Sabah issue to discount the president and his administration for their own vested interest.

“Ang ating pangulo, ang pamahalaan at inyong mga lideres ay iisa po ang aming patakaran ay kung ano ang ikabubuti ng aming mga ‘boss’ (The President, your government and your leaders have one common policy, i.e. for the betterment of our ‘boss’, the Filipino people),” he concluded. (PIA9)

ZNPPO to beef up security during Holy Week, summer vacation

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - The Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO) has started intensifying its security in preparation for the incoming Holy Week celebration and summer vacation.

            

ZNPPO Officer-in-Charge, Police Senior Superintendent James Buslig Mejia recently told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that “the closing of the school year and other occasions such as the observance of the Holy Week, town fiestas and Flores de Mayo are expected to generate an exodus of commuters and tourists who will be traveling from one place to another which may pose peace and order concerns like traffic congestions, accidents and crimes.”

Mejia said the ZNPPO started its comprehensive security operations for the Lenten Season and Summer Vacation (SUMVAC) to ensure the safe, peaceful and meaningful celebration and vacation of local and foreign tourists who will be coming to the province.

“Whether there is threat or not, the PNP provincial command is not taking any chances, it is prepared and committed to provide security to everybody,” Mejia declared.

Mejia said he has already ordered all PNP units in the cities and municipalities to re-activate “Oplan Bantay Lakbay” to ensure the safe travel of motorists and commuters to their various destinations.

He also expected all municipal police stations throughout the province to intensify their Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) and Police Assistance Centers (PACs) to be established under the “Oplan Bantay Lakbay” in any strategic locations and major thoroughfares to serve as quick reaction points for police emergency and medical response, advance command post for traffic management and security operations.

He also advised all chiefs of police to disseminate to the public the PNP hotlines and other contact numbers for emergency situation.

Likewise, Mejia urges the public to initiate other security measures like ensuring that their houses are well secure and take extra precautions against lawless elements during the long weekends.

He assured the public that police authorities will be on guard to protect lives and properties and continue its mandate to pursue the preservation of peace and order especially during the observance of Holy Week and the whole summer vacation. (PIA9)

DepEd embarks on large scale classroom construction project

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

  

PAGADIAN CITY - The Department of Education (DepEd) during the 1^st Quarter Regional Social Development Committee  (RSDC) meeting held recently in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, sought the support to its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for School Infrastructure Project II (PSIP-II) or the large-scale classroom project for endorsement to the Regional Development Council (RDC)-IX.

DepEd is embarking on the second phase of its large scale classroom construction through the PPP scheme dubbed “PPP for School Infrastructure Project II.”

This project is one of the department’s key programs that will deliver the needed quality, accessible education facilities for all learners.

William Toralba , Education Supervisor II- DepEd, said the PPP PSIP-II strategy is an approach using the Build-Operate-Transfer scheme in pursuance of Republic Act (RA) 6957 as amended by RA  7718 for the implementation of the PSIP.

Toralba said the PSIP is a nationwide project that will be implemented in 14 regions of the country including Region IX under a “Build-transfer” modality where in the private sector (contractor) will be responsible for the design, construction and financing of the project.

“In turn, the government will make the payment to the proponent upon turnover of the completed school facilities,” Toralba informed.

Toralba said the second phase of the project will involve the construction of 10, 697 classroom packages which includes toilet facilities and school furniture in 5, 167 elementary and secondary schools which have been identified by DepEd.

Toralba gave the breakdown of the number of classrooms and schools by division in Region IX as follows: Dapitan City- 5 school sites, 16 classrooms; Dipolog City-3 school sites, 4 classrooms; Isabela City-4 school sites, 9 classrooms; Pagadian City-with 6 sites, 8 classrooms; Zamboanga City-14 sites, 25 classrooms; Zamboanga Del Norte-124 school sites, 189 classrooms, Zamboanga Del Sur-61 sites, 110 classrooms and Sibugay -69 sites, 110 classrooms which bring to 289 school  sites, 476 classrooms to be constructed in the entire region. (PIA9)

BJMP’s e-Dalaw launched in Pagadian

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – The electronic Dalaw (e-Dalaw) project of the Bureau of jail Management and Penology (BJMP), which was first launched in Quezon City on Oct. 13, 2011 and followed by Manila City on Oct. 26, 2012, has been launched on Tuesday in this city.

It’s the third e-Dalaw launched by BJMP in the entire country.

In a simple launching ceremony held at the Pagadian City Jail in barangay Lenienza, City Jail Warden Sr. Inspector Mashur Sala said: “With the ‘e-Dalaw’ project, people need not go directly to jail to talk to an inmate.  “They can talk to the inmates at the comfort of their own homes as technological advancement is now making its way behind bars.”

Sala said the e-Dalaw would help the 308 inmates get in touch with their relatives and friends within the country or even abroad.

“Each inmate is allowed to have 10-15 minutes use of Skype and/or Facebook every Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They should stand in line while waiting for his or her relatives or friends to be online prior to the entry of the Internet room,” Sala explained.

Sala also disclosed that the BJMP-IX has provided three desk top computers for the purpose.

In addition to these three computers, the city government has also donated another two desk top computers equipped with software application of Skype and Facebook.

These facilities would enable the inmates to make video and voice calls as well as chat with their loved ones for free.

Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Romeo Descallar commended the BJMP officials for launching the project saying “it would help relieve the boredom and the monotony of prison life of the inmates and by the time the inmates can chat on line with their relatives and friends, their morale will be uplifted.”

In his message as read by city councilor Noli Garcia, Mayor Samuel Co expressed his gratitude to BJMP-Pagadian under the leadership of City Warden Mashur Sala for having such a project.

“I commend the BJMP under the leadership of City Jail Warden Sr. Inspector Mashur Sala for launching the E-Dalaw project here.  I am very glad to know that in the Philippines, we are the third city jail that has been able to implement this national program—the E-Dalaw,” Garcia said quoting Co.

“The city government of Pagadian with this humble representation, I would like to assure you of further assistance that we could extend for the betterment of Pagadian City Jail,” Co added.

“I hope that this project will be sustained and will continue to serve the inmates for them to become productive citizens in the country,” concluded BJMP-IX regional director Sr. Supt. Michael Vidamo Sr.(PIA9)