DENR IX Leads the Observance of Philippine Arbor Day

DENR-IX RED Arleigh

J. Adorable plants a

Mahogany Seedling

at the regional center

site in Barangay

Balintawak, Pagadian

Citylast June 25, 2013

in observance of the

Philippine Arbor Day

while Chief Personnel

Section MilcaHuelar

looks on. (photo by

RPAO).

PAGADIAN CITY - Heavy rains greeted the tree planters as they converged at the regional center site in Barangay Balintawak, Pagadian City on June 25, 2013 in observance of the Philippine Arbor Day.

A total of 300 assorted seedlings of Mahogany, Narra and Lumbayao were planted along the road network and stream banks within the regional center site with tree guards provided by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Pagadian City.

The planting activity was led by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR IX Regional Executive Director (RED) Arleigh J. Adorable participated in by   officials and personnel from the Office of the RED, Ecosystems Research and Development Services (ERDS), Land Management Services (LMS), Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services (PAWCZMS), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) -Zamboanga del Sur and CENRO Pagadian City. They were joined by local officials and residents of Barangay Balintawak headed by their Chairperson Dionisio F.  dela Peña.

According to RED Adorable, similar activity was undertaken by DENR-IX field offices pursuant to Proclamation No. 643 Series of 2004 enjoining the active participation of all government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, private sector, schools, civil society groups and the citizenry in tree planting activity and declaring June 25 as Philippine Arbor Day. 

New physiotherapy clinic for amputees at Davao rehabilitation center

By Alison Lopez

 allopez@icrc.org

Manila (ICRC) – Patients of Davao Jubilee Foundation, including those with physical disabilities resulting from armed violence, are benefiting from a newly built physiotherapy clinic.

DJF’s fully equipped physiotherapy clinic, the construction of which was supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was inaugurated yesterday. The new facility has individual treatment rooms and gait training area for patients who need to undergo post-prosthetic exercise or to recover from nervous system injuries. It can accommodate about 30 patients availing of physical therapy every month.

“The new facility will help patients to confidently recover and function to their full potential, so they can regain their independence and dignity,” said Catherine Fry, ICRC health delegate in Mindanao.  

She added that the physiotherapy clinic will strengthen the capability of the physical rehabilitation center.

53IB thwarts New People’s Army extortion activities

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, ZAMBOSUR – At least 5 members of the army belong to the 53^rd Infantry Battalion were wounded in an encounter between the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Sitio Ludiaw, Brgy Dagum, Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur on June 24, 2013.

The gun fight had lasted for almost two hours leaving slightly wounded in the government side caused by sharp nails from a detonated landmine while still undetermined on the enemy side that immediately withdrew after the fire fight.

Division Public Affairs Office Officer in Charge Captain Jefferson Somera said that on or about 8:00 in the morning while the 3 Platoons of 53^rd Infantry Battalion under the command of Lt. Col. Victor S Tangawohn conducting security operations encountered more or less 50 members of the New People’s Army (NPA) under the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee.

Mining company and City Agriculture Office marks Arbor Day in Vitali

Look, only trees no guns for the members of the Vitali

Police Station hold the seedlings for planting. Arbor Day

Celebration on June 25, 20132 under the auspices of

Vitali Field Office of the City Agriculture Office (CAO) and

Atro Mining-Vitali, Inc. (AMVI). (Photo provided)

By KIT KAIMO

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Eight hundred seedlings of mahogany and acacia mangium were planted near Merloquet Falls in Sibulao Village, the emerging tourist destination here, as part of the Arbor Day celebration jointly held on June 25, 2013 by the Vitali Field Office of the Zamboanga City Agriculture Office (CAO) and Atro Mining-Vitali, Inc. (AMVI).

Corporate Communications Officer Antonio Manaytay of Atro Mining-Vitali, Inc. in his press statement said that during the opening ceremony Elderico Tabal, CAO Vitali field officer told some 300 participants of the importance of planting trees and taking care of it. The participants were composed of students, teachers, barangay officials, personnel from the local police and Task Force Zamboanga, City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) staff, and AMVI employees.

“Today’s Arbor Day celebration is one occasion to remind us the need to protect our environment by planting trees,” the CAO officer said.

The city government passed City Ordinance 281 in 2006 declaring June 25 as the official Arbor Day.

Dumingag raises another Red Orchid Award to promote healthy lifestyle

Mayor Jun Pacalioga holds the Red Orchid Award trophy as

his wife Girlyn (beside him) and his municipal council pose

with him during the awarding ceremony for the Mindanao

cluster in Davao City. (Photo provided)

By Julius Breva

DUMINGAG, ZAMBOSUR - As the environment month of June ends, the Dumingag LGU raises its 2^nd Red Orchid Award to promote healthy lifestyle in the upcoming health and nutrition month of July.

Dumingag Mayor Jun Pacalioga together with his councilors received another Red Orchid Award last June 20 at SMX Convention Center, Davao City. The award is an annual nationwide search for LGUs, agencies, and institutions that work hard to implement 100% smoke-free environment.

Mayor Pacalioga said the Duningag LGU campaigned no smoking in all public places of Dumingag because it envisions having a productive citizenry with a healthy mind and body.

MILF tasks men in Sulu to secure release of abducted Moro-Algerian sisters

Please click below to link

on its news site Luwaran,

http://mhansur.phpwebhosting.com/index.php/welcome/item/414-milf-tasks-men-in-sulu-to-secure-release-of-abducted-moro-algerian-sisters

The leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has asked its political and military organs in the island province of Sulu to do whatever is necessary to secure the early release of Nadjova and Linda Abdelbasit, both of Maguindanao-Algerian origins, who were kidnapped by suspected 10-heavily armed Abu Sayyaf in village Liang, Patikul last Saturday, June 22.
However, Luwaran did not get details on how the instruction of the MILF leadership is to be carried out and where it came from the different levels of the Front.

The two sisters were shooting for an indie film about the Sultanate of Sulu when the abduction took place. Reports identified two of the kidnappers as Aljini Mundo alias Ninok Sapari and Bensaudi Mundoc, who are linked to “Lucky 9” group of the Abu Sayyaf.

NFA Employee survived in ambush but son killed

The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) from the

Police Provincial inspected the vehicle of the victim

shot at the drainage canal near the gate of the NFA

Office. (Photo by JONG CADION)

By JONG CADION

June 25, 2013 

PAGADIAN CITY – The National Food Authority (NFA) employee survived in an ambush but his son was declared by his attending physician as dead on arrival at the Pagadian City Medical Center this early morning while they were approaching their office.

Police investigation identified the victim as Sultan Radjak Bago, NFA employee who sustained multiple gunshot wounds at the back of his body while his son Jameril “Jimmy” Bago who is driving their car sustained fatal gunshot wounds at the head.

A total of 61 indigents benefited free cataract operation

Dr Agusto Dejos with his crew while performing eye

surgery operation to one of the patients during the

conduct of 2-day Free Cataract Operation dubbed as

Brotherhood Operation Saving Sight (BOSS) at Kuta

Sang-an Station Hospital, 1^st Infantry Division, PA,

Kuta Maj Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, ZDS on

June 23-24, 2013. (Photo by Sgt Jesse Akiatan)

By JONG CDION

PAGADIAN CITY – A total of 61 patients were benefited in a 2-day free eye cataract operation jointly conducted by Army’s Premier (Tabak) Division in partnership with the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation and Alpha Phi Omega- Southern Zamboanga Alumni Association (APO-ZOSA ALAS). The said activity was done at the Tabak headquarters in Kuta Sang-an Station Hospital, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur yesterday morning June 23, 2013 until today.

Some 144 candidate soldiers start training

Col Amadeo F Azul Jr, Assistant Division

Commander, 1ID while delivering his message

to the Candidate Soldiers and their parents and

relatives during the opening ceremony of

Candidate Soldiers Course Class 318-13

conducted at Headquarters, 1^st Infantry Division,

PA, Kuta Maj Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan,

ZDS on June 15, 2013. (Photo by DPAO)

By KIT KAMO
 

KUTA SANG-AN, LABANGAN, ZAMBO.SUR – The Army’s Premier Infantry (Tabak) Division, formally declared the opening of training of 144 selected civilians who will undergo Candidate Soldiers Course cross train with Jungle Warfare and Mountain Operations Course at Division Grandstand, Kuta Cesar Sang-an, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur yesterday June 15, 2013 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning.

The 144 strong men aged 21 to 26 who came from the different provinces and tribes in Western Mindanao successfully passed the rigid and meticulous screening and processing standard set by the Philippine Army are now ready to undergo eight (8) months of rigorous training at the 1^st Division Training School in Pulacan.

Army’s Premier Division celebrates the 115th year of Philippine Independence

Tabak Logo

KUTA SANG-AN, LABANGAN, ZAMBOSUR – The 1^st Infantry (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army conducted numerous activities in different areas to highlight and commemorate the 115^th Independence Day Celebration yesterday.

The premier Division of the Philippine Army started the celebration by holding a Flag Raising Ceremony in its Headquarters at Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur around 8:00 o'clock yesterday morning and at about 9:00 AM a Bloodletting activity dubbed as ALAY DUGO, PARA SA KAPAYAPAAN was also launched with more than 200 soldiers donated blood at EP Clubhouse also in Hqs, 1ID. 

In the photo: Cpt Ricardo S Sideno III from

1ID with Philippine Red Cross staff while

donating blood during the Blood Letting activity

dubbed as “ALAY DUGO PARA SA KAPAYAPAAN”

in commemoration of the 115^th Philippine

Independence day celebration conducted at EP

Clubhouse, HQs 1ID, Pulacan, Labangan, ZDS on

June 12, 2013. (Photo by DPAO)

240 Zambo youth complete 6-month skills training

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 10 (PNA) -– Some 240 youth have completed a six-month skills training under the Cash for Training Project (C4TP) of the Technical Education Skills Development Authority and Dept. of Social Welfare and Development in this southern port city.

TESDA regional information officer Joy Wee said the six-month training, which was held from December 2011 to May this year, was designed to improve the plight of the youth-beneficiaries.

Wee said the training is also aimed at empowering the youth through skills training and assistance towards gainful employment and entrepreneurial activities.

Cash for training project (C4TP) for the youth

Wee said that 146 of the 242 youth-beneficiaries have undergone the Self-Employment Track or the Hanapbuhay Category training while the remaining 94 beneficiaries on Wage Employment Track or the Trabajo Category.

Zambo hospital inaugurates milk bank

Health personnel shows the first batch of pasteurized 

breast milk. (Photo by R.G. A A. Go)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, June 10 (PNA) – Mayor Celso Lobregat , House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and mayor-elect Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar on Monday joined guests and local health officials in the inauguration of this city’s Human Milk Bank at the Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC).

Lobregat, in his message, congratulated the ZCMC on the opening of its newest facility which aims to promote breastfeeding, and in the long run, encourage nursing mothers to donate human milk which will be processed and dispensed by the milk bank to recipient infants.

“The national government through the Department of Health advocates for the giving of breastmilk to children below two years old,” Lobregat said.

Philippines: new law to enhance respect for Red Cross emblem takes effect

By Allison Lopez

MANILA (ICRC) – A Philippine law that enhances respect for the red cross emblem and penalizes its misuse has taken effect, increasing the protection of specially designated persons, installations and vehicles providing life-saving assistance for victims of armed conflict.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) welcomes the recent signing of the "Red Cross and Other Emblems Act of 2013" or Republic Act 10530, which sets out rules for the use of the red cross, red crescent and red crystal emblems, and stipulates penalties for misuse. The law came into effect early this month.

"This is an important development, as it will also help enhance protection for Red Cross staff and volunteers in the Philippines who deliver neutral and impartial humanitarian aid, sometimes in dangerous situations," said Pascal Mauchle, head of the ICRC delegation in the Philippines. "It will also provide protection for the military medical services."

The use and misuse of the red cross, red crescent

and red crystal emblems is clearly defined in the

Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols

and in Red Cross and Other Emblems Act of 2013.

© ICRC / J. Perez

Defenseless Farmer Beneficiaries of Lourmah, Mahayag, ZDS Contest for Tenancy and their Rights for Shelter

By JONG CADION

MAHAYAG, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR - The Alliance of Farmers in Zamboanga del Sur-Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (AFUZ-KMP) denounce for this week’s

miserable occurrences to Lourmah farmers. About 28 houses were planned to be demolished by Roque Abuton Bernad, 23 were successfully devastated while 5 others are waiting.

More than 100 farmers who belong to the Samahan ng mga Magbubukid sa Lourmah (SAMALOURMAH-AFUZ-KMP) struggled hand in hand together with their children to defend their houses on Monday, June 3. But they were outnumbered by the members of the demolition team and police.

The barricade started at 9:30 AM the other day to Joven Espiga’s house. The demolition team failed to assail because of the barricading farmers. However, when the demolition team transferred to Solomon Hoy’s house, the farmers dashed into but were blocked by the Mahayag Police and mobile group, with guns aimed at them. 

The AFUZ-KMP Chairperson Juanito Caramba together with Solomon Hoy, Vice Chairperson of SAMALOURMAH; Rev. Fr. June Nilo Vics Vicar Foreine of Salug Valley Area- Roman Catholic Church and other professionals deliberate the rights of the people, the due process, gun band and the DILG guidelines towards Sheriff Osmundo Vecido and a certain police Manese, but they won’t listened. Chief of Police Tompong was silent during the interview but commanded to position the police with shield to hinder the barricading farmers.

UNEP partnership lead lauds Kalinga small scale miners

By Angelica Pago

(63) 915-9260371/angelica@bantoxics.org

QUEZON CITY - The co-coordinator of the United Nations’ Environment Programme’s (UNEP) artisanal and small-scale mining partnership lead expressed her admiration to the small scale miners in Kalinga for their efforts in doing away with mercury use in small scale mining in the province.

Susan Egan Keane, a senior environmental analyst from the New York-based Natural Resources Defence Council, one of the leading environmental groups in the United States, even called the Kalinga small-scale miners ‘pioneers’ as she addressed the participants of the Kalinga Provincial Summit on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining held in Tabuk City.

“It will be difficult and you will face many challenges because you are pioneers. You lead and pave the way for the better future of your children and your province,” Keane said.

World Environment Day 2013 Success Celebrated in Pagadian City

A grand motorcade during the World Environment

Day 2013.

A grand motorcade during the World Environment

Day 2013.

PAGADIAN CITY - The celebration of the 2013 Philippine Environment Month reels off with the conduct of a Motorcade and Program by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in observance of  World Environment Day yesterday (June 5, 2013) in Pagadian City.

With the theme “Think.Eat.Save,” various groups composed of DENR-IX personnel, city government officials led by newly-elected Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones, other government agencies, fast food chain stores, and civic groups conducted a motorcade around the city to drumbeat awareness and generate advocacy for the environment.

During the program at Plaza Luz stage, the different officials present took turns in extolling the importance of the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) call for a concerted effort to reduce food waste, save money, minimize the environmental impact of food production and force food production processes to become more efficient.

Mayor Romeo Pulmones, as the guest speaker, lamented about the abundance of food being wasted and yet, here in the city, there are certain groups of people begging in the streets and go to bed hungry.

Speakers during the program proper (upper left)

Mayor Romeo Pulmones, (upper right) RD Sixto E.

Tolentino, (lower left) Dr. Adelaida R. Borja and

(lower right) RTD Dioscoro Melana.

“Asa kitang dapita nasayup ng anagpadayon man ang pagka usik sa mga pagkaon nga angay unta nahi adto sa mga kabos nga kanunay nagkutoy ang mga tiyan. Tingali managsama mang atong mga pangagpas. Nagpanghitabo kini tungod kay kulang kita sa tinuod nga programa nga hugtanon gayud nga i-implementar. Salamat nga adunay World Environment Day diin pinaagi sa maong celebrasyon hinayhinaynga mabuksan ang atong mga mata aron Makita ang tinuod ngasitwasyon”, Mayor Pulmones added.

Upat ka mga batang natabuanan sa Landslide nakit-an na human sa 5 ka adlaw nga pagkalot

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY - Nakit-an ra sa mga rescuers kaniadtong miaging adlaw June 2, 2013 sa mga alas 4:15 ang takna sa Hapon ang 4 ka mga batang mgsoon sukad kini sila natabunan sa nahitabong landslide kaniadtong Mayo 28, 2013 didto sa Purok 4, Brgy. Sayao sa lungsod sa Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Matud pa ni Mayor George Chiong Caainglet pinaagi sa Mobile phone interview, nga likungtad ngadto sa 5 ka adlaw ang gihimong Search and Retrieval Operations og gikumermar nga ang 4 ka mga biktima nga nakalutan mao ang mga batang natabunan sa landslide nga silang Fatima Maghanoy Y Orong 12 anyos ug Eugen Maghanoy Y Orong 9 anyos  nga polos mga anak nilang Santiago Maghanaoy Y Orong 44 anyoss ug Merlinda Maghanoy Y Brigana 40 anayos ug sila si Sherlyn Mae Maghanoy Y Lugatiman 7 anyos ug Eziquel Meziah Maghanoy Y Lugatijman 3 anyos nga polos mga anak nilang Joenifer Maghanoy Y Lugatiman ug Agneslyn Maghanoy Y Mendoza.

Ang mga rescuers nga mihimo sa 5 ka adlaw nga Search and retrieval operations ang  gipanguluhan sa Lokal Government Units sa Kabasalan ug sa mga lumulopyo sa Barangay Sayao ug Bgry Buayan, kauban ang mga tinguyanan sa 44^th Infantry Battalion.

Miners assert their rights over EO 79

Angelica Pago

(63) 915-9260371/angelica@bantoxics.org

QUEZON CITY - Small-scale miners from the province of Kalinga voiced out their apprehension over some sections of Executive Order 79.

Over a hundred small-scale miners who participated on the first day of the Kalinga Provincial Summit on Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining on June 3, 2013 expressed their concern as they feel ‘left-out’ in the new Executive Order.

EO 79 was signed last year by President Benigno Aquino III aiming to rationalize and strengthen the mining sector in the country.

“But we feel left out, it’s as though we were abandoned to fend for ourselves. We don’t want to be considered illegal forever,” one miner said.

On World Environment Day, Kalinga small-scale miners promise to protect the environment of Kalinga; pledge to uplift standards for the sector

By Angelica Pago
(63) 915-9260371/angelica@bantoxics.org

 

QUEZON CITY - In time with the celebration of the World Environment Day, small-scale miners promise to ‘regulate their own’ to protect the environment of Kalinga and to uplift the standards for small-scale mining in the province.

This was expressed in a declaration signed by all participating small-scale miners, tribal leaders, representatives of local government units and agencies on the last day of the Kalinga Provincial Summit on Artisanal and Small Scale Mining held in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

“Uphold the protection of our environment and the health of our people in the pursuit of development as defined by, and truly beneficial to, the people of Kalinga,” the declaration said.

While promising to protect the environment of Kalinga, and affirmed their commitment to eliminating the use of mercury in all mining activities in the province. The province of Kalinga has earlier banned the use of mercury in all small scale mining activities within its jurisdiction.

The miners all agreed to submit to ‘self-regulation’ in the area of small-scale mining to meet the best standards for the sector by taking steps in following certain provisions in Executive Order 79, particularly the provision that bans the use of mercury in small scale mining.

TABAK TROOPERS GIVE BGEN LUCERO HONORS FIT FOR HERO

BGEN Lucero remains at the Tabak Chapel (Photo by Jong Cadion)

 

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY – It was 3:15 in the afternoon on June 2, 2013 when BGen Daniel A Lucero’s attending physician Dra. Irene C. Lacson pronounced him dead two hours after giving the necessary medical attention at the Pagadian City Medical Center in Pagadian City.

Dra Lacson citing as the cause of death Cardiopulmonary Arrest, secondary to Myocordial Infraction of “Heart Attack”

BGen Felicito Virgilio M Trinidad Jr, AFP who was designated as General Officer-in-Command of 1^st Infantry (TABAK) Division, led the “Tabak Troopers” in rendering appropriate Honors appropriate for heroes to the late BGen Lucero upon arrival at the Division headquarters on yesterday at around 11 o’clock in the morning at the Division Chapel.

JUSTICE FOR THE FARMERS OF MAHAYAG, ZAMBOSUR

Samahan ng mga Magbubukid sa Lourmah

SAMALOURMAH-AFUZ-KMP

Lourmah, Mahayag, ZDS

Zamboanga del Sur Pagadian Press Club

Pagadian City

Dear Sir/ Madam:

                               Greetings!

It’s already one year struggle and tragedy of Lourmah farmers since the execution of the 751 case. One year of starvation, infirmity and rage to 84 families who don’t have land to till. Despite of beseech to declare us as tenants, the judiciary hamper always. We’re continually convinced by the Abutons to surrender our rights. However, we stayed tough to our stands to deliberate us as person and as part of the society.

We learn to speak, to shout for our rights to life and human security stated in the International Humanitarian Law. This is the reason why we sustain and remain united until now. We studied the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Laws because we were already listed as qualified farmer beneficiaries but in essence we noticed it favorable to the landowner. For this reason, we’re not hoping the DAR to implement this sincerely.

Newly, we received a notice of demolition from the Regional Trial Court to demolish 28 houses that will start on June 3-7 and 10-14, 2013, despite the fact that we were recognized by the Department of Agrarian Reform Program as farmer beneficiaries. They’re tricking us the schedule of the demolition since April. They did not respect the Constitutional Law regarding gun band that will sustain up to June 30, not even recognizing the due process in Barangay Council nor the DILG.

In connection to this, we are requesting you to cover the occurrences to the above dates. Thank you and more power.

                                        Respectfully Yours,

                                       ALBERTO O. BALOLAO

                                                 Chairman

                                     SAMALOURMAH-AFUZ-KMP