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==29 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani in two months==
==Comelec urges PWDs to register thru PWD lane==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=412247
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1671336798341
*March 13, 2012, 3:59 pm
*Saturday, May 12, 2012
:by (PNA)  
:by Catherine T. Apelacio
LDV/AVE
 
 
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, May 12 (PIA)-- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here is hopeful there will be a big turnout of registration coming from persons with disabilities (PWDs) sector with the establishment of a PWD lane.
 
To facilitate the voter's registration of PWDs, Comelec-GenSan has brought its PWD lane to the barangays to make things easier for the differently-abled persons to register at their convenience.
 
The strategy, Comelec-GenSan said will encourage PWDs to get actively involved in the 2013 mid-term elections.
 
Based on its record, there has been registration already from the sector particularly coming from barangays City Heights, Buayan, Katangawan, Labangal, Fatima, and Calumpang. GenSan has 26 barangays.
 
According to Rexie Magsano from the Office of Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the voter registration for PWDs focused on specific regions on monthly basis “to create awareness on PWDs right to suffrage and electoral reforms dealing with the accessibility of election related activities and information.”
 
He said Comelec is giving special priority to PWDs nationwide to be able to register without difficulty in their respective area. Comelec is also giving elderly and pregnant women special consideration during registration.
 
Last March 2012, the PWD voter registration focused in Visayas.
 
For Mindanao (Regions 9-13) the PWD voter registration has started last April 2012. Comelec GenSan and Sarangani started the special PWD registration in April.
 
Aside from the special registration, Comelec GenSan said they have actually started bringing their registration activity down the barangays since May of last year yet not just to cater the differently-abled individuals but also the general public, as a whole, who are qualified to vote.
 
Magsano said a nationwide PWD voter registration shall be held in July 2012 to highlight the regional activities.
 
The Comelec offices in GenSan and Sarangani also underscored that PWDs can also register at their offices anytime today until October 31, the last day for registration through the PWD lane.
 
Both offices have urgently called PWDs or any Filipino citizen to come out and register as early as possible. (CTApelacio/PIA General Santos City)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Manny Pacquiao graces Hollywood premiere of GMA Films' 'The Road'==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/257852/pinoyabroad/gmainternational/manny-pacquiao-graces-hollywood-premiere-of-gma-films-the-road
*Friday, May 11, 2012
:by Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News
 
 
Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao was one of the big name celebrities who showed up at the Hollywood premiere of GMA Films' horror movie "The Road," directed by Yam Laranas and starring Rhian Ramos and Marvin Agustin.
 
In a report on GMA News' "24 Oras" newscast, Pacquiao said: “It’s a good experience to be here and I’m supporting my friend Rhian and I love it."
 
Also at the premiere were the Kapuso stars who were part of the movie — Agustin, Ramos, Alden Richards, and Derrick Monasterio.
 
The movie, about a ghostly encounter on a deserted road in the woods, premiered in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Manila).
In the "24 Oras" report, Ramos said: “The thing about all of the premieres that I go to, I remember and cherish them of course, in my heart. This though feels like it’s something that’s going to go down in history, as a Filipino.”
Agustin, on the other hand, said, “This is the first time, first ever Filipino film that will be shown commercially here in the States so we're very happy, we're very proud, I’m very proud to be part of this film.”
 
"The Road" is set in a supernatural universe. The story begins in 2008 when three teenagers disappear at night on a deserted road.
 
Their disappearance triggers a reinvestigation of a 12-year-old murder that happened on the same road. As the investigation grows deeper, gruesome stories of abduction and murders surface.
 
According to report of the news site the New York Times, "the dead are unquiet and the living are terrified in “The Road,” a powerfully atmospheric blend of ghostly encounters, horrific situations and missing-persons mysteries.
"As the film crawls backward in time and deep into haunted real estate and family sickness, the color palette becomes more dense and the themes more explicit," the report said.
 
"Though not without flaws — the wrap-up is a little rocky — this grisly tale earns its scares the old-fashioned way: by making our spines crawl instead of our stomachs churn," it added.
 
==Discover other beach resorts in Glan==
*Source: http://travel.mindanao.com/2012/05/discover-other-beach-resorts-in-glan/
*Thursday, May 10, 2012
:by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE
 
 
GLAN, Sarangani (May 10, 2012) – From General Santos City on the way to Glan, there are other resorts to be discovered. In this photo, Warlito Tanedo, Sarangani Information Office photographer, takes a portrait of Kikai at the resort named after her in barangay Lago, Glan – the Kikai Resort. Aside from white sand beaches in Gumasa, Glan also offers black fine sand and white pebbled beach resorts lined with century-old mangrove trees along the stretch of barangay Kapatan to barangay Tango. These resorts also offer overnight accommodation. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012.
 
==Newest ecopark and beach resort opens in Sarangani==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671336538326
*Wednesday, May 9, 2012
:by Catherine T. Apelacio
 
 
GLAN, Sarangani, May 9 (PIA) -- A new ecopark and beach resort has recently opened in Sarangani, adding to the growing list of tourist attractions in the province.


BelMar Eco Park and Beach Resort opened for business on Tuesday, May 8, in time for the May 18 to 19 Sarangani Bay Festival, the biggest beach festival in Mindanao.


The resort is located in barangay Kapatan just along the national highway from General Santos City going to the town proper of Glan and to the white-sand beaches of Gumasa, main venue of Sarangani Bay Festival.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 13 (PNA) -- A total of 29 New People’s Army (NPA) rebels under units operating in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao del Sur provinces have yielded to government forces in the area in the last two months.
It boasts of a good view of prominent landmarks in Soccsksargen such as Sarangani Bay and Mt. Matutum.  


Lt. Col Adolfo Espuelas Jr., commander of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion (IB), said most of the surrenderees decided to lay down their arms and renew their allegiance to the government following negotiations conducted by their personnel and other local officials in the area.
BelMar, short for the owners’ names Annabelle and Marcelino, has a resto bar and coffee shop, pasalubong center which sells local products and delicacies, a recreation center and conference rooms.  


“This is mainly the result of our continuing peace and development initiatives, which is now the main focus of our counter-insurgency operations,” he said.
Guests can enjoy snorkeling, boating and beach tour where century-old mangrove trees line the white-pebbled beachfront.  


In the last two weeks, 11 rebels reportedly under the NPA’s Front 71 separately surrendered to government troops in the municipalities of Glan, Alabel and Malapatan, he said.
Right now, BelMar Ecopark and Beach Resort has a total of six overnight cottages, two air conditioned and four non-air conditioned rooms with a capacity of six persons per cottage. It also has a mini zoo and children’s park which makes the place ideal for visitors and guests of all ages.  


Espuelas said among the reasons given by the former NPA rebels in deciding to yield were their difficult situation in the mountains and the risks they were facing.
“Today is a very memorable day for the tourism industry particularly in the tourism industry of Glan,” said municipal councilor Dr. Tranquilino Ruiz III, “the opening of BelMar means that Glan is really going high in terms of tourism.”


“Most of the time they don’t have enough food to eat and they were constantly moving from one place to another,” the official said.
Ruiz, who is also the Sanggunian committee chair on tourism, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony assisted by owners Annabelle and Marcelino Tangaro Jr. during the resort’s opening program.  


He said several others cited as reason for their fallout was the uncertainty of their cause and concerns with the safety and welfare of their families that were left behind.
“I really appreciate the investment of Mr. and Mrs. Tangaro in our beloved municipality and I hope this will trigger more investments in our place,” Ruiz concluded.  


Espuelas said the surrenderees, who each yielded a firearm, were now undergoing “processing” for their inclusion in the national government’s continuing integration program for rebel returnees.
The resort is managed by Annabelle and Marcelino who are presently living in General Santos City. Both were born and raised in Glan.  


He said they also received relief and financial assistance from the Sarangani provincial government and other concerned agencies.
“It is a dream come true for us. It just started with a simple plan and now here it is,” said Marcelino. “We immediately started the construction on October 28, 2011 after acquiring the property in July of the same year.”


“We’re looking at providing them with some livelihood assistance to help them start anew with their lives,” Espuelas said.
For more information about the resort, you may contact 09089297183. (PIO-Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)


Espuelas said they expect more NPA rebels to also surrender in the coming months as they continue with the implementation of various peace and development works in the area.
==Flood, landslide alert up in Sarangani==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671336288958
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012
:by (PNA)
LDV/AVE


Since last year, the 73rd IB shifted the focus of their counter-insurgency operations to peace and development in a bid to encourage more rebels to surrender and return to the fold of the law.


Such effort was endorsed by Sarangani officials led by Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao, who offered to help provide livelihood assistance for the rebel returnees.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, May 8 (PNA) - Disaster response teams in Sarangani province have been placed on full alert in the wake of the sporadic heavy rains in the area since last week that already triggered flashfloods in two coastal municipalities.


Ben Solarte, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief, said Tuesday their personnel have been closely monitoring the situation in identified landslide and flood-prone province due to the continuing rains triggered by a trough of low pressure area (LPA) affecting Mindanao.


“We advised our residents (in disaster-prone areas) to be alert and if possible, relocate to safer areas,” he said.


On Monday, five communities in Malapatan town were submerged in floodwaters due to the swelling of a river in the area.


The municipal government reported that floodwaters from the Tuyan River swept Puroks Pulot, Bagong Silang, Talisay, Chico and Pag-asa in Barangay Tuyan early Monday following the heavy rains in the area.


Mohamad Adir Harid, Tuyan barangay chair, said they already requested the immediate repair and expansion of the area’s drainage canals to resolve the perennial flooding there.


Last week, three residents of Barangay Tuyan were killed in a flashflood along the Tuyan River. The victims were reportedly crossing the river when they were swept by rampaging floodwaters coming from the upland area.


In Alabel town, portions of Barangays Poblacion and Ladol were also flooded last week due to the swelling of a creek in the area at the height of the heavy rains.


Based on a weather advisory issued Tuesday morning by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Mindanao will continue to experience “mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms” due to the trough or extended region of LPA affecting the area.


==Civilian hurt in NPA harassment in Sarangani==
Dante Ariola, senior weather forecaster of the Pagasa station here, said local residents should expect some rains in some parts of the area, especially in the afternoon.
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=412019
*March 12, 2012, 11:44 am
:by  (PNA)
DCT/LAM/AVE


“It’s important for those in the critical areas to prepare for possible floods and landslides that may be triggered by the continuing rains,” he said.


The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 12 had identified the coastal areas of six of Sarangani’s seven municipalities as prone to flooding during the rainy season.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 12 (PNA) -– A civilian was injured as suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels harassed over the weekend two remote communities in Malungon town in Sarangani province.
Among the area’s identified in the MGB’s flood hazard map as highly vulnerable to flooding were portions of the coastal villages of Maitum, Glan, Maasim, Kiamba, Alabel and Malapatan towns as well as several low-lying areas in Malungon town.


Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas Jr., commander of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, said Monday they received reports that around 20 NPA rebels separately fired at residents of Sitios Makalong and Danao in Barangay Lutay of Malungon on Sunday.
MGB-Region 12 said the flood and landslide-prone areas were Baliton, Burias and Margus Grande quadrangles in Glan; Kling, Lebe and Lumuyon quadrangles in Kiamba; Kraan quadrangle in Maitum; and Lun Grande quadrangle in Malapatan.


The area is located near the boundaries of Malungon and nearby Malita town in Davao del Sur, he said,
==5,000 incoming grade-schoolers to undergo reading program==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671336288958
*Monday, May 7, 2012
:by (Beverly Paoyon-PIO Sarangani/PIA 12)


Espuelas said a local resident only identified as a certain Muda was hit on the side of his body during the attack.


Citing intelligence reports, he said the attackers allegedly belong to Platoon Lawin of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 71 that operates in the provinces of Sarangani and Davao del Sur.
ALABEL, Sarangani, May 7 (PIA) -- Around 5,000 incoming Grades 2 and 3 pupils from all over Sarangani are set to undergo a 15-day remedial reading program to prepare them for the opening of classes in June.  


“The harassment actually happened on the 40th day of the killing of a local NPA leader in an earlier encounter with our troops,” he said in a radio interview.
The “Sarangani Big Brother: Reading is Fun!” was designed by the Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) program of Governor Migs Dominguez to assist the Department of Education (DepEd) in reducing the number of “frustrated readers” in the province.  


Espuelas said they conducted offensive operations in the area last Jan. 30 that resulted to the killing of several suspected NPA rebels.
Frustrated readers are those who can identify words but have inadequate or no comprehension at all.  


As a result of the incident, the official said he has dispatched additional personnel to the area to secure the residents and communities as well as hunt down the perpetrators. (PNA)
More than 1,000 youth volunteers or “big brothers and big sisters” fondly called as “kuyas” and “ates” will help the 288 teachers this year in mentoring and conducting read-along sessions.  
DCT/LAM/AVE


Three volunteers from Thailand and one from Turkey are also joining the youth this year from the American Field Service Organization, an organization which provides future leaders exchange program to promote global citizenship.


Nuth Sonthipanyahul, 16, from Bangkok, and three other foreign youth volunteers do their share through storytelling and teaching children to read.


“It is tiring but fun. It’s good to make them (children) happy,” Sonthipanyahul said.


However, he observed quite a disparity of the children like those in Jose Warlito Berba Primary School they visited in sitio Kityan Gamay in Malungon.


“In the city everyone has food, has money to buy their own food but here, they don’t have,” he said.


“They have to walk like four kilometers five kilometers a day and then they have nothing to eat and the school is just made of wood and they study under the trees, something like that. It’s very bad.”


When asked what he wanted to contribute to these children, he said it should be “education” and teaching them to speak “English because if you can speak English you can go anywhere around the world. You give them more opportunity to work and have a better future.”


“Children are the future of everything. If you give them good life then they will be good,” Sonthipanyahul added.


Elif Gurcinar, an 18-year-old youth volunteer from Turkey, said that more interventions from the government are needed, “because some of the schools are really bad. Classrooms are not enough. Not enough materials.”


She said SBB is a laudable intervention of Sarangani to help its slow readers and, “a lot of volunteers are also coming to assist the children. It’s very helpful in their pronunciation. We teach them also English words and letters and how to pronounce them correctly. We also read stories with actions because sometimes they could not understand.”


Malungon Sangguniang Kabataan chairman Earl Jared Galvez said, “I observed that these children wish to become volunteers themselves volunteers when they grow up like their big brothers and big sisters.”


==PACQUIAO URGED TO DROP LIBEL CASE VS GENSAN JOURNALIST==
Galvez recounted, “Our experience here is more difficult because we have to climb some mountains, cross several rivers, experienced falling from motorcycles, and almost falling into ravines several times but the overall feeling of helping the children is heart-warming.”
*Source: http://www.sportsnewsph.com/pacquiao-urged-to-drop-libel-case-vs-gensan-journalist
*MARCH 11, 2012 
:by  ABS-CBNNEWS.COM


At least, he said, the youth are involved not only in sports activities but also with SBB where, “we are able to touch their (children) lives,” by helping them how to read.


MANILA, Philippines – The National Union of Journalist in the Philippines (NUJP) urged boxing superstar and Sarangani congressman Manny Pacquiao to withdraw his P75-million libel case against General Santos City-based reporter Edwin Espejo.
He then hoped that a few years from now, “no Grade 2 and 3 would be frustrated readers” and that SBB would no longer teach remedial reading classes but would instead focus teaching children advanced lessons to hone knowledge and skills of these children.  


Continue reading Pacquiao urged to drop libel case vs Gensan journalist at ABS-CBNNews.com (source) or access more Latest Sports News articles.
Jenneth Ruta, a Grade 1 teacher holding SBB class in Lun Padidu Elementary School in Malapatan said “It’s very difficult to deal with those pupils because some of my pupils cannot identify letters in the alphabet.”


To address this, Ruta said she conducted a one-on-one approach with the kids just to make them read.


“During my first day, I started with the alphabet, then the sounds, before I was able to make them read words,” Ruta noted.


SBB is very helpful because students are not only taught to read but also to develop their comprehension skills, she said.


QUEST program manager Annalie Edday said, “Reading comprehension makes the difference between a passing and a failing grade in school. It is one of the most crucial skills for children to master.”


“By Grade 3, children can probably comprehend simple texts but need to work on more advanced comprehension, including summarizing and analysis,” Edday said.


By reading frequently, she said, is one of the “most effective things children can do to improve reading comprehension in Grade 3, but there are enrichment activities to make frequent reading more powerful.”


“Sarangani Big Brother: Reading is Fun!” is a whole day remedial reading program from April 17 to May 8 implemented in partnership with the DepEd, QUEST, Sangguniang Kabataan and the Alcantara Foundation. The rest of the sponsors this year are Synergia Foundation, Sagittarius Mining Corp. and World Vision.


Palawan and Compostela Valley are replicating Sarangani Big Bother in their own provinces to jumpstart their education reform program.
==Floods kill three, level crops in Sarangani, South Cotabato==
*Source: http://www.mindanaotimes.net/floods-kill-three-level-crops-in-sarangani-south-cotabato/
*Sunday, May 6, 2012
:by Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews


==Boy with glaucoma shows loss of sight is not barrier==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/159227/boy-with-glaucoma-shows-loss-of-sight-is-not-barrier
*7:38 pm | Saturday, March 10th, 2012
:by  Aquiles Z. Zonio
Philippine Daily Inquirer


GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Three persons were killed while close to 30 hectares of farmlands were devastated as flashfloods hit anew several villages in three municipalities in Sarangani and South Cotabato provinces in the last three days.


ALABEL, Sarangani—Fifteen-year-old Steven Valdepeñas may have lost his eyesight but not his dream and self-confidence.
Len Bartolome, OCD-12 civil defense officer, said the floods, which affected the towns of Malapatan and Alabel in Sarangani as well as Banga town in South Cotabato, were triggered by sporadic heavy rains in the area since Tuesday.
Steven had proven that having congenital glaucoma was not an obstacle to academic excellence.
On Jan. 18, he topped one of the nationwide elimination rounds of the Metrobank Math Challenge (MMC), which is jointly undertaken by Metrobank, Math Teachers’ Association of the Philippines and the Department of Education.
Steven’s achievement was the first time  a visually impaired student placed high in the 11-year history of MMC.
MMC was previously held only in the National Capital Region, but it was expanded in 2001 to include elementary and high school students nationwide.
The annual contest produces national winners who get the rare chance to compete and eventually win in international competitions.
Steven, a graduating elementary student at Alabel Central Integrated Special Education Center, bested 15 other contestants during the elimination round for Grade 6 in the district of East Alabel in January.
In Sarangani province, he was among 234 students who passed the MMC.
His teachers and family said despite his visual problem, Steven always excelled in academics, especially in Math, his most favorite subject.
He has already won several awards in competitions.
Aside from being a Math whiz, Steven was also declared best orator at a competition staged by the Davao City-based Resources for the Blind Inc. (RBI) last year.
Gemima F. Casalan, the boy’s class adviser, said Steven’s confidence has not waned even with his difficulty.
“Despite his visual infirmity, he has no inferiority complex. He’s a fast learner, hardworking and humble,” Casalan said.
She said in her 11 years of teaching visually impaired students, she has not encountered anybody like Steven.
“He is one of a kind. He could barely read when he transferred to our school three years ago. But I immediately noticed his innate talent. So, we gave him the support he needs and we encouraged him to join competitions,” Casalan said.
Among those who encouraged the boy, she said, was Glenda Morales, the principal of Alabel Central Elementary School.
Casalan said to help Steven, she personally sought the help of Sarangani Vice Gov. Steve Chiongbian-Solon, who donated a Braille writer to the boy.
During the MMC, the questions were translated into Braille by teacher and 2001 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher award winner Evelyn Caja of Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila.
Aniceto Sobrepeña, the Metrobank Foundation president, said he was very impressed by Steven’s showing in the contest.
“The participation of Steven, a visually impaired pupil from Sarangani, is remarkable and is something we ardently embrace,” he said in a statement.
Sobrepeña said Steven’s remarkable performance during the contest proved once again that disability is never a hindrance to academic excellence.


==Pacquiao urged to drop libel raps vs journalist==
On May 1, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Malapatan town in Sarangani province reported that three residents of Barangay Tuyan were killed following a flashflood along the Tuyan River.
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2012/03/08/pacquiao-urged-drop-libel-raps-vs-journalist-210046
*Thursday, March 8, 2012
:by  Malu Cadeliña Manar


The victims were reportedly crossing the river when they were swept by rampaging floodwaters coming from the upland area.


KIDAPAWAN CITY -- The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) urged Sarangani Representative and boxing champion Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao to drop the three-count, P75-million libel suit he filed against journalist Edwin Espejo.
The remains of victims Lel Londong, 18, and Bating Masalon, 15, were earlier recovered in a nearby village but the third victim, identified as eight-year-old Jason Londong, has remained missing.


Espejo chairs the NUJP General Santos City chapter.
On Wednesday night, floodwaters submerged portions of Barangays Ladol and Poblacion in Alabel, Sarangani due to the swelling of a creek in the area.


NUJP national chair Nestor Burgos, in a statement issued Wednesday, said Pacquiao erred in suing Espejo and that seeking compensation is “patently outrageous”.
The affected areas covered four puroks that were also hit by flashfloods earlier last month due to the overflowing of the Molo Creek.


The libel case stemmed from Espejo’s articles about how a man who is allegedly running a carjacking syndicate supposedly sought refuge in Pacquiao's General Santos home to evade arrest.
In Banga town, flashfloods also swept Barangays Kusan and Lambingi on Wednesday afternoon, a belated report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of South Cotabato said.


Espejo’s articles were published on the news sites of the Mindanews, Asian Correspondent and Eurasia Review.
Isidro Janita, PDRRMC chief, said the floods destroyed 26.7 hectares of cornfield in Barangay Lambingi as well as various properties and infrastructure in Barangay Kusan.


The alleged carjacker, Mohammad "Bong" Aquia, former head of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group in Central Mindanao, also sued Espejo for libel and sought P18 million.
He said 12 farmers from Lambingi and two families from Kusan were directly affected by the calamity, which left an initial estimated damage of P200,000.


In his articles, Espejo clearly indicated that he was quoting reports posted February 26 on www.journal.com.ph and that he tried to seek Pacquiao's side.
Janita added that the municipal government of Banga and the PDRRMC have conducted damage and needs assessment in the area as well as sought assistance for the victims from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 12.


Espejo wrote that the boxing champion was unreachable for comment since he is in the US promoting his June 9 fight against Timothy Bradley.
=Pacman remains as richest solon==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1681336095936
*Saturday, May 5, 2012
:by Ben R. Rosario


He, however, sought Pacquiao's lawyer, Francisco "Bong" Gacal, who said he was not aware of the reports about Aquia.


Espejo said Gacal also promised to inform Pacquiao of the reports.
Manila, Philippines – World boxing hero Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao earned about P218 million last year to retain his title as the richest congressman with a total net worth of P1,352,689.980 last year.
Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano’s income dropped by P24,764 to remain as the poorest congressman. He reported a net worth of P46,947 against his 2010 total of P75,711.


Espejo, meanwhile, cited statements by ranking Philippine National Police officials about Aquia’s alleged illegal activities.
These were gathered from the summary of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) submitted by 284 congressmen who beat the deadline for the submission of the document last Monday.
Many of the lawmakers who occupied the Top 10 richest House member in 2010 upped their incomes for 2011.
Among them were Reps.
Imelda Romualdez Marcos (KBL, Ilocos Norte), from P623 million to P932,800,000; House Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr., from P283,291,016 to P726,218,220, and Alfredo Benitez (NPC, Negros Occidental) P624,847,943 to P686,152,015. They were ranked No. 2 to 4 among the wealthiest lawmakers in the country.
The difference of some P444 million in Belmonte’s net worth makes him the biggest earning lawmaker in 2011.
Former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo became poorer as she submitted a net worth of P131,642,291.26. She claimed a wealth remainder of P137,922,797 during the preceding year.
Rounding up the Top 10 richest solons were Reps. Julio Ledesma (NPC, Negros Occidental), P555,069,000; Martin Romualdez (Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Leyte), P474,111,941; Augusto Syjuco (Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Iloilo), P302,075,651; Henry Cojuangco (NPC, Tarlac), P200,639,175; Rodolfo Farinas (NP, Ilocos Norte), P195,780,000; and House Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez of Quezon, P179,534,628.


He also detailed the charges of violating the Anti-Carnapping Law filed by the Highway Patrol Group against Aquia.
==3,000 couples join mass wedding in Malungon, Sarangani==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1681336095936
*Friday, May 4, 2012
:by (PGFruylan with reports from MIO Malungon-PIA 12, Sarangani)


But while questions may certainly be raised about Espejo's articles, libel is clearly not one of them, the NUJP statement said.


The statement said that Espejo’s efforts to get Pacquiao's side clearly show that the journalist did not write the articles with malice, which is a requisite for libel.
MALUNGON, Sarangani, May 4 (PIA) -- Around 3,000 couples have already been wed through the “Kasalan ng Bayan” as part of the weekly ‘Lingap sa Barangay’ program of the local government.  


“In fact, the unreasonable damages sought by Pacquiao can be argued to be frivolous and intended not so much to collect the amount he demands but to harass Espejo and tie him up in the legal proceedings,” the group said.
Reports from the Municipal Information Office (MIO), Local Civil Registrar Lydia Erasmo revealed that the number of “live-in” couples getting married from the 31 barangays in the area has increased because of the intensified campaign of the administration on the importance of matrimony and the benefits they could get from the local government.  


“It would be a shame if Pacquiao should risk his well-deserved reputation by succumbing to the same urge that has seen abusive official after abusive official resorting to our draconian criminal libel law -- or even worse measures -- to stifle reasonable criticism and critical coverage," the NUJP statement added.
Mayor Reynaldo Constantino repeatedly explained that a lot of benefits can be enjoyed by “live-in couples” from the municipal government if they get married such as free education, PhilHealth medical assistance, livelihood and other programs for the family members.  


With what happened to Espejo, the NUJP has again urged the government to decriminalize libel. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
Constantino clarified that the only requirement of the municipal government to avail of the different programs is to present the marriage contract or marriage certificate of the wedded couple as he encouraged other unmarried partners to take advantage of the said program for the benefit of their family.  


==Pacman files libel case vs GenSan journalist==
“Kasalan ng Bayan” is one of the services of the local government for the residents of the municipality where Constantino, along with other representatives from different agencies of the government visit even the remote areas of the town to deliver basic public services especially to the least served people in Malungon.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=784746
*March 07, 2012 04:56 PM
:by  Keith Bacongco


==Sarangani town wants more power==
*Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/4707-sarangani-town-wants-more-power
*Thursday, May 3, 2012
:by EDWIN ESPEJO


DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Seasoned journalist Edwin Espejo respected the right of Saragani Rep. Manny Pacquiao to lodge a libel case against him,  but said a battery of women lawyers volunteered their services for the case.


The case stemmed from the stories of Espejo claiming that a carjacker who has been allegedly running a syndicate supposedly sought refuge in Pacquiao’s General Santos home to evade arrest.


Espejo, who has been a journalist since 1987, said it was however unfortunate that Pacquiao filed the libel case adding that it was never his intention to taint the reputation of the boxing star
SARANGANI, Mindanao - The municipal council of Alabel has asked the Department of Energy (DoE) to order the National Power Corp (Napocor) and the National Grid Corp of the Philippines (NGCP) to give it priority in the dispatch of the electricity generated by the 55-megawatt Southern Philippine Power Corporation (SPPC) amid continuing power supply load curtailment being implemented by South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II).


“If he felt he was slighted, offended and hurt by the story, he is well within his right to file a libel case,” he pointed out.
The Alcantara-built and operated bunker-fired SPPC is located in Baluntay village in Alabel, Sarangani.


As this developed,  the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) is urging  the boxing champion turned lawmaker to drop the three-count  P75-million libel suit he filed against Espejo.
SPPC went on commercial stream in 1998 under the build-operate-own (BOO) scheme, but all power supply it is generating is already contracted to Napocor. Its supply contract with Napocor will end in 2016.


The NUJP described the damage suit as unreasonable but intended not so much to collect the amount he demands but to harass Espejo and tie him up in the legal proceedings.
In a resolution unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council), the local legislative body cited Section 5(i) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7638, otherwise known as Department of Energy Act of 1992, which allows the host town to get 25 percent of the available capacity generated by SPPC in times of energy shortage.


“We firmly believe Pacquiao errs in suing Mr. Espejo and seeking compensation that is patently outrageous,” said NUJP chair Nestor Burgos in a statement.
Alabel and the rest of Sarangani, along with General Santos City and the South Cotabato towns of Tupi and Polomolok, are under the distribution franchise of Socotecto II.


The alleged carjacker, Mohammad “Bong” Aquia, former head of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group in Central Mindanao, also sued Espejo for libel and sought P18 million.
Councilor Joel Aton said Alabel, capitol town of Sarangani, has an average monthly consumption of 1,953,500 kilowatt hour.


“Although Espejo wrote that the boxing champion was unreachable for comment since he is in the US promoting his June 9 fight against Timothy Bradley, he did seek out Pacquiao’s lawyer, Francisco “Bong” Gacal who said he was not aware of reports Aquia had sought refuge in Pacquiao’s home,” said Burgos.
Aton said DoE has sent word it will dispatch personnel for technical evaluation.


Espejo, a former editor of Sunstar General Santos, said that he did the story because he believed that he was doing it for public interest because Pacquiao is both a public figure and a public official.
Preferential treatment


==Pacquiao camp: 70-30 split for winner offered to Mayweather==
Socoteco II resorted into daily rotational brownouts of up to four hours following advice of reduced supply from Napocor.
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/250499/sports/boxing/pacquiao-camp-70-30-split-for-winner-offered-to-mayweather
*March 6, 2012 5:42pm
:by  ADRIAN DY, GMA NEWS


Socoteco II manager for institutional service department Geronimo Desesto said supply from Napocor went further down from 75 MW to 45 MW in April, prompting the cooperative to purchase a total of 30 MW additional power supply from Therma Marine Inc.


Team Pacquiao has reached out to Floyd Mayweather Jr. with an offer of 70 percent of the pay-per-view (PPV) money going to the winner of a possible bout between Manny Pacquiao and the undefeated American fighter, Pacquiao business advisor Rex "Wakee" Salud confirmed to GMA News Online.
Alabel is among a growing number of local government unit demanding preferential treatment from power plants located in their areas.


The 70-30 split is the latest in the back-and-forth negotiations between the two factions, as money has become the latest stumbling block to getting the fight, boxing fans all over the world wanted to see, off the ground.
Last month, Kidapawan threatened to launch protest actions if their demand for power supply from the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corporation is not met.


Mayweather first called Pacquiao personally, and offered the Sarangani congressman a flat $40 million amount to fight him, with the Grand Rapids, Michigan native keeping the entirety of the PPV money.
Kidapawan, which is experiencing brownouts of up to eight hours daily, is host to the 110 MW Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant.


Top Rank CEO and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum countered with a $50 million offer to Mayweather with Pacquiao getting the PPV proceeds, but that too was rejected by the five-division world champion.
Last month, President Benigno Aquino III attended the Mindanao Power Summit in Davao City which tackled the worsening power crisis in the island.


The Pacquiao side then put on the table a 55-45 split, with the winner bagging the larger amount of the pot, but it was turned down again by Mayweather.
The President however told Mindanao residents they will have to pay more for steady power supply.


Afterwards, Mayweather announced that he was filling his May 5 contractual obligation with Miguel Cotto, while Pacquiao settled for Timothy Bradley Jr.
Mindanao’s actual and available capacity is now down to less than 1,200 MW, or some 170 MW less than the peak demand of 1,350 MW.
Salud is hopeful that this latest offer of a 70-30 split will be enough to entice Mayweather to arrange a fight date after "Money" serves his jail term for domestic abuse, but Mayweather has been adamant about getting the entire PPV pie, no questions asked.


In an interview with Bob Costas on NBC Sports, Mayweather said, "How my deal is structured at this particular time in the sport of boxing, I keep 100 percent of the revenue. So why should I even give a guy 50-50 if I'm out there?"
The deficit in power supply has been blamed on antiquated and poorly maintain hydro-electric power plants and the sale of other Napocor generating assets that included the two power barges to Therma Marine. Power Barges 117 and 118 have a combined capacity of 200 MW. - Rappler.com
"I have record breaking numbers that I've done. He has no record breaking numbers. With or without Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather is okay."
Salud first broke news of the negotiations on the radio station DZSR 918.
In the past, Floyd Mayweather demanded that Pacquiao accept strict, Olympic-style drug testing. Eventually, Pacquiao accepted, as long as a neutral organization other than the US Anti-Doping Agency, did the tests.
Last January, Mayweather called Pac-man out repeatedly on Twitter, but this time, the bone of contention was the date of the fight. Mayweather wanted it to happen on May 5 at the MGM Grand to fulfill a contract he had signed, but Arum insisted on pushing the date back in order to construct an outdoor arena that would increase the number of seats and revenue.


Mayweather though, will be serving time starting in June, after a judge allowed his jail term for domestic abuse to be pushed back. — JVP, GMA News
==Sarangani Bay Fest features Zumba Beach Party on May 19==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1671335938981
*Wednesday, May 2, 2012
:by (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/PIA GENERAL SANTOS CITY)


==Alsons to add power capacity==
*Source: http://business.inquirer.net/47555/alsons-to-add-power-capacity
*2:41 am | Monday, March 5th, 2012
:by  Doris C. Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer


GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani, May 2 (PIA) -- The first SarBay Fest Zumba Beach Party is set on May 19, Saturday at Gumasa in Glan, to be conducted by licensed Zumba fitness instructors Vicky Javier and John Ri Romero both of the Beefit Gym and Aerobics from Davao City.


Holding firm Alsons Consolidated Resources Inc. plans to build 600 megawatts in additional coal-fired power generating capacity in Mindanao within the next five years.
“Come and join the inaugural staging of the world’s phenomenal fitness program in the biggest beach party here in Mindanao,” said Javier, also a member of the Zumba Instructors Network.  
In an interview on Friday at the sidelines of a mining forum, ACR chief finance officer Luis Ymson Jr. said that the first phase of the project, involving a coal-fired power plant in Maasim, Sarangani, would soon begin.
Alsons still has to choose a partner with which to undertake the $280-million project.
The company is considering between Japan’s Toyota Tsusho and Thailand’s Electricity Generating Pcl (EGCO), Ymson said.
“If we start this year, we’ll be operational by 2014,” he said.
The company hopes to seal the power deal with the strategic investor by end-April, Ymson said. ACR will get a 75-percent stake in the project while the foreign partner will acquire the remaining 25 percent.
Of the $280-million power plant cost for the first phase of the Sarangani project, Ymson said 30 percent would be funded by equity and the remainder would be funded using debt.
“It’s likely that whoever will be our partner in Sarangani will be our partner in the succeeding projects,” Ymson said.
ACR is also building a 100-MW coal-fired power plant in Zamboanga, which will replace an existing 100-MW diesel plant. The old plant will be kept as backup to cover any spike in demand during peak hours, Ymson said.
After putting up the combined 300 MW in additional capacity in Sarangani and Zamboanga City, Ymson said the group’s capacity would be doubled with the planned 300-MW coal-fired power plant to be put up near the Tampakan mining site in South Cotabato.
ACR has a 19-percent interest in Australian mining firm Indophil Resources NL which, in turn, owns 37.8 percent of Tampakan operator Sagittarius Mines.
It takes about three years to build a new power plant from scratch, Ymson explained.
Apart from the 100-MW diesel-plant in Zamboanga, ACR has another 55 MW diesel-fired plant in General Santos. It is also buying back a 100-MW power plant foreclosed by the local government of Iligan City from the National Power Corp.
ACR is also developing renewable energy projects, but Ymson said the company’s immediate priorities were the coal-fired power plants.
Currently under development are the Siguil 17-MW hydropower project, also in Maasim, and another 40 MW plant in Negros Oriental.


==Small man’s voice leads to big leaps in community==
It is a two-hour, non-stop fitness program that is mainly sponsored by the provincial government of Sarangani under Gov. Migs Dominguez and supported also by the office of Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao.  
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/03/04/small-man-s-voice-leads-big-leaps-community-209390
*Sunday, March 4, 2012
:by Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper


Expected to join are 100 fitness buffs coming from Davao City, General Santos City, and Sarangani Province.


CALL him “small” and Fr. Angelo “Angel” R. Buenavides will not mind.
“Aside that it is a good exercise, you will really enjoy dancing to the Zumba music and dance steps,” said Romero, also a hip-hop and modern dance instructor.  


After all, that is what he believes he is—a small man trying to make little contributions in the greater scheme of things, with the help of God and the people around him.
Registration fee is only P200 with free giveaways, certificate and raffle.  


The young Angelo was attracted to the priesthood as early as six years old, after seeing that priests were being served by parishioners with good food and driving their own cars in the town of Norala in South Cotabato, where he spent his formative years.
The first SarBay Fest Zumba Beach Party is one of the big events of Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18 and 19.  


But studying philosophy at the Notre Dame of Marbel University opened his eyes to the deeper calling of priesthood.
SarBay Fest, the biggest beach festival in Mindanao, kicks off with the 15-kilometer swim-across-the-bay, dubbed as “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” on May 18.


“Shortly after studying philosophy in the seminary, I worked for six weeks in a company in Cebu that makes mosquito coils. That was my way of learning how ordinary people experience the hard life. I worked as a laborer, shoveling coconut husks and cleaning the compound,” he shared.
==Pacquiao lone billionaire in House of millionaires==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/185343/pacquiao-lone-billionaire-in-house-of-millionaires
*Tuesday, May 1, 2012
:by  Gil C. Cabacungan


He enjoyed the work but he admits ending the day feeling exhausted and asking himself how his fellow workers endured working for 36 hours without rest.


“They will grab every opportunity they can have to work overtime to earn additional pesos for their families. It was then that I resolved to be more sensitive to the less privileged members of society,” said Fr. Angel.
For the second year running, Manny Pacquiao—the man with the golden fists—has won the distinction of being the richest among the 287 mostly millionaire members of the Philippine House of Representatives.
Ricardo Bering, chief of the House’s record management section, said this was based on the 2011 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) filed before the deadline on Monday by the House members.
“His net worth even increased last year. He is still the richest here,” Bering said of the Sarangani representative, whose powerful fists have won him eight boxing division titles and worldwide fame.
Bering said Pacquiao, who claimed  a personal fortune of P1.134 billion in his 2010 SALN, reported an increase in his net worth in 2011. Bering declined to give exact figures since House leaders have not given the go-signal for the public disclosure of the SALNs.
Lone billionaire
Based on the 2010 SALNs, Pacquiao was the richest member of the House last year—and the only billionaire in the chamber.
His assets then consisted of P397.933 million in real properties and P736.3 million in personal and other properties. He had no liabilities.
In contrast, Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano was the poorest lawmaker,  with a net worth of P75, 711.
Pacquiao was reported to have earned at least $15 million each from his fights with Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2011, aside from his earnings from commercial endorsements, businesses and as a member of Congress.
Increased scrutiny
Pacquiao’s increasing wealth is expected to highlight further the supposed steep plunge in his tax payments, which media reports said fell from P100 million in 2008 to only P7 million in 2009.
The Bureau of Internal Revenue has filed charges against Pacquiao for his alleged failure to submit proper documents on his earnings. Pacquiao has  questioned the filing of the case, saying it was baseless.
House Secretary General Marilyn B. Yap said that almost 100 percent of the House members had filed their SALNs as of 5 p.m. yesterday. Yap said her staff would validate the SALNs before releasing information to the public.
Yap also said she had noticed a marked increase in the net worth reported by lawmakers in the face of increased scrutiny by the public and media as a result of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona in connection with his assets.
More conscious now
“Our members have become more conscious of the SALN. That’s why they have made an effort to make a complete report this time,” said Yap.
Pacquiao topped the list of 10 richest House members last year.
That list included Negros Occidental Representative Alberto Benitez, who was worth P624.847 million; Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, who was worth P623.6 million; Negros Occidental Representative Julio Ledesma, P555.069 million; and Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, worth P475.611 million.
Also in the top 10 were Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco, worth P294.602 million; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., worth P283.291 million; Tarlac Representative Enrique Cojuangco, P199.593 million; Ilocos Norte Representative Rodolfo Fariñas, P195.78 million; and Iloilo Representative Ferjenel Biron, P165.996 million.
Former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the 17th richest representative with a net worth of P140.212 million.
Aquino’s assets
Malacañang on Monday said President Benigno Aquino III and almost all of the members of his Cabinet had filed their SALNs.
“We expect all of them to comply with the deadline,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, adding that Mr. Aquino filed his SALN on April 24.
Vice President Jejomar Binay and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. have also filed their SALNs.
In his SALN for 2010, Mr. Aquino declared a net worth of P54.9 million. This represented a P4.8-million increase from the previous year. Mr. Aquino has said the increase in his income came from his share of the property owned by his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino.
Corona’s SALN
Lacierda said the Palace was hopeful that Corona, whose ouster from the Supreme Court is being supported by Malacañang, would disclose his SALN as promised by the Chief Justice’s lawyers.
“We certainly hope so because that would be in compliance with the constitutional provision on disclosure and filing of SALNs,” Lacierda said.
He said he would be interested in taking a look at Corona’s SALN.


Finding his voice
==50 swimmers set for “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012”==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1671335764579
*Monday, April 30, 2012
:by  (Jun Ramos /PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)


He joined the South Cotabato Foundation Inc. where he worked for six months. The foundation was involved in upland farming. As the youngest staff member, he was responsible for organizing communities.


These two experiences strengthened his decision to complete his masters in Pastoral Theology at Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University, which he finished in 1997.
GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani, April 30 (PIA) --Ten teams will vie for the top honors and cash prizes during the “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” otherwise known through the years as Swim-Across-the-Bay, the opening salvo of the May 18-19 Sarangani Bay Festival (SarBay Fest).  


From there, his journey in serving the Lord took an interesting turn.
For the 15-kilometer swim across Sarangani Bay, a mass will start at 5:00 am from Kamanga Beach, Maasim to Reycon Beach in Tango, Glan on May 18.  


“I was very passionate about the things that I did and I was full of idealism after theology studies. I was then assigned as assistant parish priest in Sto. Nino, South Cotabato,” he recalled.
“Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” is open to all swimmers (amateur and professionals) with minimum age of 14. A group of five swimmers comprises a team.  


He moved to different parishes within South Cotabato until he was tasked to be station director of DXCP-CMN AM Radio in General Santos City, Sarangani province.
The registration fee of P2,000 per team covers boat rental and gasoline. Deadline for registration is on May 4, 5:00 pm, at the office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office at the Capitol in Alabel (look for Nemrad Butil (083) 5082267, 09163232397 or 09306534953).  


Alongside his newly-found calling as a broadcaster, he became involved in the implementation of the Integrated Rehabilitation Project for indigenous people in Barangay (village) Gasi, Kiamba town in Sarangani Province. The project was funded by United Nations Development Program Stride Mindanao, which involved building core shelters, water systems, barangay health centers, and giving capacity-building for eventual livelihood establishment, food security and psycho-social interventions.
The first three teams to reach the finish line at Reycon Beach in Tango, Glan shall be declared winners with the 1st prize of P50,000, 2nd prize – P35,000, and 3rd prize – 25,000, all with medals and trophies. All finishers shall be awarded with the medal of “Invaders” and consolation cash prize of P6,000 each team.  


Fr. Angel said the village has 320 families with 97 percent coming from the T’boli tribe. Because it is a remote barangay, households plant corn, vegetables, banana and coffee for personal consumption.
“Ten teams are sure to compete for the 15-kilometer swim,” said organizer Nemrad Butil.  


“You could say they are far from civilization. Most of the people think that there is no way for them to improve their lives in Gasi. Even young girls get married at a young age of 13 or 14. Development is limited,” said Fr. Angel.
Butil disclosed the Gensan Torpedoes are deploying three teams, Koronadal City has two teams, while some teams are composed of local swimmers from Tinoto and Kamanga, Maasim.  


A channel of peace
“University varsity swimmers from Manila and Davao are also joining the teams of Koronadal and Gensan,” Butil said. “This year a team from a Manila triathlon club might join.”


The village’s remote location is an ideal traversing point of armed groups, making it one of the conflict-vulnerable communities in Sarangani Province.
Butil said the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, Philippine National Police–Maritime, Red Cross, and teams from provincial and municipal government offices shall assist as perimeter boat marshals.  


With his exposure in Barangay Gasi, Fr. Angelo realized his own definition of peace—that is, “food on the table.”
During its debut on May 18, 2006, only three teams out of six finished the swim across Sarangani Bay.


“One day is not enough to see what areas you can enter to help the people. The more I was exposed to the situation, the more I realized that it’s not just about implementing the project… I reckon that there has to be a deeper involvement of the community,” explained Fr. Angel.
==SPES-TWSP convergence program to cover 21 LGUs in Region 12==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611335668078
*Sunday, April 29, 2012
:by  Danilo E. Doguiles


From this realization, he opened the lines of communication between the lumads, Christians and Muslims—helping them realize that they are not enemies in achieving peace but rather crucial factors in peace and development.


Fr. Angel also encouraged the military to join in the peace advocacy. He used his skills as a multi-cultural facilitator in making the tri-people see what the military can contribute in their lives.
KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 29 (PIA) -- A total of 21 municipalities in three provinces of Soccsksargen region will benefit from the initial implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Convergence Program on poverty alleviation.  


Fr. Angel was able to mobilize the army in transporting housing equipment to the community. They worked hand in hand with the tri-people.
The program brings together DOLE’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) to provide training and employment opportunities to the marginalized sector of the society, especially the out-of-school youth (OSY).  


According to Lt. Col. Adolfo B. Espuelas Jr. of the 73rd Infantry Brigade in Sarangani Province: “Nakaka-partner na kami sa mga tao na dati natatakot sa amin dahil nga may baril at naka-uniporme kami. Ngayon, ngumingiti na sila amin. Dahil yun kay Father. (We can now work as partners with the people who used to be afraid of us because we carry guns and wear military uniform. They now smile at us. That is because of Fr. Angel.)”
Based on a list provided by the office of DOLE 12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla last Friday, the SPES-TWSP Convergence Program will cover 11 municipalities in North Cotabato, eight in Sultan Kudarat, and two in Sarangani.  


His charisma and ability to gather people from different fields make Fr. Angel an excellent communicator. These talents convinced the Diocese of Marbel to appoint him as station director of the diocese-owned, DXCP-CMN AM Radio in General Santos City.
In North Cotabato, beneficiary OSYs should come from Aleosan, Midsayap, Tulunan, Alamada, Arakan, Banisilan, Kabacan, Libungan, Magpet, Matalam, and President Roxas.  


He held the post from 2005 to 2011.
Interested and qualified OSYs in Kalamansig, Bagumbayan, Colombio, Esperanza, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, and Senator Ninoy Aquino municipalities of Sultan Kudarat may also avail of the training and employment program.  


Managing challenge
On May 1, the program will be launched in General Santos City for the municipalities of Malungon and Alabel in Saragani Province where the first 42 scholarship grantees come from.


Fr. Angel also served as the chairperson of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, SarGen Area, and vice president of the Catholic Media Network in Mindanao. He is the convenor of the Socsargen (South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos) Peace Network and assistant regional coordinator of KONSULT Mindanao.
Director Mantilla said more municipalities may be included in the coming months.  


“I was made station director of the diocese-owned radio station when it was almost bankrupt. We had P600,000 in debt and we had no idea how to pay that amount,” Fr. Angel admitted.
“We have requested for the inclusion of the municipalities of Lake Sebu, T’boli and Sto. Niño in South Cotabato,” Director Mantilla said, adding that they are now awaiting approval of this by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.  


But with his gift of gab and the skills to find solutions when there seem to be none, Fr. Angel gathered resources from loyal supporters and friends. They were able to pay the station’s debt in six months.
Under the program, beneficiary OSYs who “may also be an occupationally disabled worker, a person with disability, a displaced worker, or a victim of trafficking, illegal recruitment or child labor,” will undergo mandated 20 to 52 days of technical vocational training in TESDA-identified institutions.  


After settling the station’s financial obligation, he proceeded to revive the KBP in 2005—a decision that opened another door for him to serve the public.
As in the original SPES program, DOLE will pay each beneficiary 40 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in the region for every day of training.  


At 41, he is proud to have been able to establish the tri-youth volunteers group. As KPB chairperson, Fr. Angel made it possible for fellow broadcasters and reporters to be trained in peace development reporting. He also organized the Catholics and lumads to join in the important Muslim religious feast, Eid Al Fitr.
The amount, according to the program guidelines, may be used as a training allowance or as capital to purchase the OSY’s starter kit.  


Today, he serves as the media director and spokesperson of the Diocese of Marbel. He is responsible for all media-related activities and handles the diocese’s official publication, Concern.
More than 400 scholarship slots may be opened in Soccsksargen Region this year for OSYs interested in techvoc trainings that will be identified by TESDA 12. The program is open to OSY’s between 15 to 25 years old, whose family income (including his, if any) does not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six, as determined by the National Economic Development Authority.  


Keeping it simple
Applicants should have reached high school level to be able to participate in the program.


Where does he get all the strength to serve people?
Interested individuals need to submit to the nearest DOLE or TESDA office the needed documents. For more information, you may refer to the nearest DOLE Field Office or Public Employment Service Office or provincial/district office of TESDA. (DED-PIA 12)


Fr. Angel said he first saw genuine public service in the examples of his parents, who are both teachers. Growing up, he witnessed how dedicated they were in molding young minds to become better citizens of the country and to be persons who are willing to help their fellow Filipinos.
==Rep. Pacquiao lauds success of Glan cattle project==
*Source: http://mannypacquiao.com/news/rep-pacquiao-lauds-success-of-glan-cattle-project
*Saturday, April 28, 2012
by  Nonong Baliao


He was not born in an affluent family but Fr. Angel said he enjoyed his simple life—swimming in the river, riding the carabao and playing random games with peers.


This simplicity, he practices until today.
Glan, Sarangani Parovince———World Boxing Champ and Sarangani lone district Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao has expressed elation with the success of his P8-million cattle dispersal project in this municipality.
In a statement, the first-term congressman lauded the local government unit (LGU), headed by Mayor Victor James B.  Yap, Sr., for helping him bring the project under his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to a successful implementation.
“Despite the slings and arrows and brickbats thrown their way, the local officials of Glan, led by my good friend and staunch political ally, brother Tata Yap, have proved themselves up to the task and worthy of my support,” said the congressman, who is deep in training up north for his next title bout in the United States on June 9.
The project, started in 2010, was the subject of a lot of controversy whipped up by a disinformation campaign launched by a vested group out to drive a wedge between the congressman and Mayor Yap in an apparent bid to wrest political control in the next elections. But the records and statistics are incontrovertible.
Two years into the project implementation, the Municipal Agriculture Office, headed by Mrs. Virgie Musa, has come out with a definitive report showing that all 14 barangay beneficiaries have received their respective allocations.
According to the report, all but 13 of the 188 cows that had already been dispersed to a corresponding number of individual recipients are alive and in good condition, and only 13 had either died or could not be accounted for.
This town was a recipient of the 2011 Seal of Good Housekeeping Award given to LGUs which have religiously complied with all the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act as well as the Full Disclosure Policy of the Department of Interior and Local Government with regard to project implementation and financial transactions.
“Simply put, there were no overpricing and other purported irregularities in the purchase and distribution of the cattle as being peddled by our political detractors,” said Mayor Yap, this year’s “Gawad Sikap” awardee as one of the most outstanding municipal mayors of the Philippines.
Most of the cows are already ripe for breeding, and under an agreement with the local government, which shouldered the transport cost and other ancillary expenses, the first calves will be farmed out to other beneficiaries.
“The individual recipients may keep the mother cow until the next breed, which they may keep, but will then have to return the mother cow to the LGU for re-dispersal, and so forth, down the line,” said Mrs. Musa.
A parallel project–this time involving the distribution of  “pakura” fishing boats to 108 small fishermen in the town’s 16 coastal barangays–has also gone through its initial phase.
“Our poverty alleviation program is right on track, thanks to Congressman Manny and other like-minded officials who truly care for our people in Glan. Other similar projects, designed to generate jobs and provide livelihood, are either in the works or already being implemented as I speak,” said Mayor Yap.


“I am so blessed with my life that I feel I have to give so much. There is still so much work to be done, so many responsibilities to fulfill. But I find meaning in all these engagements. When I see people’s lives getting better, I find joy. I cannot exchange that for anything,” said Fr. Angel.


(Fr. Angelo “Angel” R. Buenavides is one of five finalists for the Ramon Aboitiz Award for Exemplary Individual. The 5th RAFI Triennial Awards will be handed out on March 22, 2012.)


==Village opts for school building as priority project==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671330675407
*Friday 2nd of March 2012
:by  Cocoy Sexcion




KIAMBA, Sarangani, March 2 (PIA) – A Department of Education (DepEd) official lauded the barangay council and community of barangay Salakit for choosing a school building project over other sub-projects under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Kapit-bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program. 


During the turnover and inauguration ceremony of a three-classroom building for Salakit National High School Wednesday (February 29), Dr. Ruth Estacio, assistant schools division superintendent, quoted that “Whatever you want to put into a nation, put it into her school.” 


“If we want to invest in our nation, let’s invest in educating our youth because we need professionals in building our nation,” Estacio said. “So with that, I congratulate all of the people behind the success of this project.” 


KALAHI-CIDSS is the Philippine government’s flagship poverty-alleviation project implemented by the DSWD through the financial support of the World Bank.


The three-classroom school building with a total cost of P1,684,552.50 was funded through a counterparting scheme by KALAHI-CIDSS that contributed P968,261 and provincial government of Sarangani with P669,140.70 for the completion of the project. 


The municipal government of Kiamba counterparted P6,396.25 while the barangay council of Salakit contributed P6,103.75 and the community  with a contribution of P34,650. The project will benefit 392 households from the seven puroks of the barangay. 


Barangay Captain Onofre Donato thanked Governor Migs Dominguez for approving the budget needed as the province’s counterpart for the completion of the project.  
==GEM-USAID turns over trading facility to Malapatan, Sarangani==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671335430552
*Friday, April 27, 2012
:by (CTA/PIA General Santos City)


According to KALAHI-CIDSS workers, in Kiamba alone a total of six sub-projects have been implemented with a total cost of P10,556,500. This is broken down to P8,550,000 from KALAHI-CIDSS and P2,006,500 from local counterparts contribution. These projects are elementary schools in barangay Badtasan and barangay Gasi; high schools in barangay Salakit, barangay Kling and barangay Lomuyon; and river flood control project in barangay Luma. (PIO Sarangani/CT Apelacio/PIA General Santos City)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, April 27 (PIA) -- The United States Agency for International Development’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM) turned over Thursday approximately P2-M worth of trading facility to the municipal government of Malapatan in Sarangani Province.
USAID Deputy Mission Director Reed Aeschliman led the turn-over of the facility to Malapatan municipal government. This will be used by Balungis Women’s Association who specializes in weaving as prime beneficiary of the project.
Aeschliman was assisted by Senator Loren Legarda, Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of Mindanao Development Authority and Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez.
USAID also turned over six handlooms and other related weaving materials to the association.
Aeschliman said USAID projects in Mindanao are designed to help accelerate economic growth in the conflict-affected areas of the region in support of the Philippine government’s peace and development initiatives.
The construction of the trading center stemmed from the municipal government of Malapatan and the women’s association asking the assistance of USAID because they “did not have an appropriate facility in which to display and sell their woven products.”
Thus, the USAID-GEM Program “constructed a trading center that now serves as a dedicated space for weaving, displaying and selling the woven fabrics.”
About 67 percent of the project cost was funded by USAID while the remaining fund was respectively shared by the municipal and provincial governments of Malapatan and Sarangani.
Dubbed Balungis Trading Center, the facility aims to help organize production and sales of the products of women and other woven produce in the area.
The agency will also organize a workshop on product design, packaging and marketing for the women weavers, USAID-GEM told PIA General Santos City.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the woven products of Balungis women’s association are also being eyed for promotion to fashion designers in Cebu and Manila.
In her message, Senator Legarda who is chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, commended “weaving communities in the country for preserving the tradition of weaving as she encouraged local governments to support such initiatives.”
“To the members of the Balungis Women’s Association, I laud you for keeping the tradition of weaving alive, for passing on the skill to your children, and for choosing this industry to be part of your daily living,” she told the women’s association, whose 25 members are wives and relatives of former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants.
Legarda also enjoined the local governments to support the weaving industry to preserve and safeguard the Filipino heritage bringing it into “full bloom again.”
Meanwhile Governor Migs Dominguez also expressed his appreciation to USAID-GEM for supporting the women’s association of Malapatan urging the beneficiary to maximize the use of the facility and make extra effort to double their production.
To date, USAID has constructed more than 1,400 infrastructure projects in Mindanao and will be adding approximately 150 more by the end of 2012.
The continuing pouring in of projects in conflict-ravaged area in Mindanao, USAID said show the sustained commitment both of the Philippine and U.S. governments to promote peace and development in the region.


==Present tax records, Pacquiao told==
*Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/present-tax-records-pacquiao-told/#.T5kObLMzDQA
*Thursday, April 26, 2012
:by  Jun Ramirez




Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) urged boxing champion Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao yesterday to present his 2010 tax records and avoid protracted court battles.
Cotabato Revenue Regional Director Rozel Lozares exhorted the boxing icon to heed his request so he can concentrate on
his training for his fight against Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, United States in June.
Lozares said Pacquiao need not personally present his financial statements as they can be sumitted through his lawyer or accountant.
He said the criminal complaint will be dropped as soon as Pacquiao submits the documents. It was learned that a lawyer of Pacquiao has met Cotabato revenue officials but he did not bring his client’s records.
Lozares said the Cotabato prosecutor’s office has yet to set the preliminary investigation of the contempt charges he filed against Pacquiao. The charges arose from Pacquiao’s alleged refusal to present his books of accounts and for ignoring the subpoena that the BIR issued against him.
Pacquiao’s lawyers, however, argued that their client did not receive such subpoena.




Line 406: Line 535:




==Glan to host 2012 joint RP-US naval exercise==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671330412739
*Tuesday 28th of February 2012
:by  (GLAN Info and News Service/PIA General Santos City)




GLAN, Sarangani, Feb. 28 (PIA) — The next joint RP Navy-US Navy exercise of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) will be held here on June 28-July 9, this year.
Codenamed “Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Exercise 2012,” the two-week activity aims to strengthen the relationship of both navies and enhance their mutual co-operation, said Navy Lt. Joseph Armand Sieras, NFEM operations officer.
For its Civil Military Operations (CMO), CARAT 2012 will conduct Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP), Dental Civic Action Program (DENCAP), Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP) and Community Relations (COMREL) in selected barangays.
“Through these programs we hope to improve the quality of life and the general health and welfare of local residents, including government employees, and enable both navies to build a more personal relationship with them,” Sieras told Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr. in a briefing.
Assisted by local government personnel, a joint survey team, led by US Navy Captain Wally Lovely, visited several possible sites for the CMO activities, including Glan Central Elementary School and Glan School of Arts and Trades.
The team later met with Gov. Migs Dominguez and Mayor Yap for the formal acceptance rites held aboard the RPS Miguel Malvar at the Glan Wharf.
In brief remarks, Mayor Yap thanked the NFEM for choosing Glan as this year’s venue for CARAT, saying the event would help highlight the town’s growing importance, both from economic and strategic standpoints.
“People following up the developments on television will be able to see our beautiful white sand beaches, our rich vegetation, and the hospitality and gaiety of our people. That would be a big boost to our own tourism development efforts,” he said.
Dubbed "Coconut Queen of the South", this colonial town is home to the now famous Gumasa beaches. (GLAN Info and News Service/PIA General Santos City)




==PCG defended 'M/Y Sarangani' from harassment -- Nolcom chief==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/46760-PCG-defended-MY-Sarangani-from-harassment-Nolcom-chief.html
*Wednesday, April 25. 2012
:by  (PNA)
DCT/scs/PFN




MANILA — Despite being outnumbered and outsized by its foreign counterparts, the Philippine Coast Guard's "BRP Pampanga" (SAR-003) valiantly defended a National Museum-hired yacht against harassment at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal by Chinese vessels, Northern Luzon Command head Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara said on Tuesday.
Alcantara explained that this took place on April 14 when an unidentified Chinese vessel approached the "M/Y Sarangani" and demanded that the Filipino ship stop its mission which was to conduct an archeological survey in Panatag Shoal.
"Upon receiving word of the harassment, BRP Pampanga positioned itself at the mouth of Panatag Shoal and thereby demonstrated to the Chinese vessels that it is willing to protect the M/Y Sarangani," the Nolcom chief said.
Due to the efforts of BRP Pampanga, the M/Y Sarangani was able to complete its mission and departed from the area on April 20.
"I think they were well taken care of by our Coast Guard when they were out there," Alcantara said.


==Region 12 high-risk to climate change impact==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/04/22/region-12-high-risk-to-climate-change-impact/
*Sunday| April 22, 2012
:by Bong S. Sarmiento




KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/21 April) — Southwestern Mindanao is highly at risk in a changing climate condition, with increased rainfall and rising sea levels, an official warned on Friday.
Herlita G. Caraan, National Statistical Coordination BoardRegion 12 chief, said that more rainfall, an increase in temperature and rising sea level would hit the area in the medium term (2020-2050).
In a fact sheet, NSCB-12 warned of worse flooding, landslide and storm surges affecting hundreds of villages in the region as a result of climate change.
Based on a mid-range scenario simulations by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), rainfall in Region 12 was predicted to increase in 2020 by as much as 14.8 percent and 15.6 percent by2050.
The increased rainfall was projected to happen during the north-east monsoon season (December to February) and during the transition of seasons from September to November.
“These periods will be wetter and with potential for increased flooding, storm surge and landslide,” Caraan said.
According to the geo-hazard maps from the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau, at least 300 barangays in the region are high-risk to flooding as they are located near major river tributaries and low land zones.
TheMGB-12 also classified some 200 villages in elevated areas and those near sloppy areas as high-risk to landslides.
Forty-eight coastal villages are vulnerable to storm surges while 26 other have high potential for tsunami, it added.
Region12, also called the SOCCSKSARGEN region, consists of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
Temperatures are expected to increase across all four seasons though it would be much hotter during the summer season (March to May) across all provinces in the region, theNSCB-12 said.
PAGASA further projected an annual mean temperature increase from the observed baseline by 0.9oC to 1.3oC in 2020 and from 1.9oC to 2.5oC in 2050 in Region 12, it said.
Health authorities have warned that warmer temperatures would result to increase risks to infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis.
“More people will be vulnerable to cholera as algal blooms may occur more frequently. Red tide in coastal waters will become more frequent and widespread,”the report said.


For rising seawater, the NSCB-12, citing a Greenpeace report titled “The Philippines: A Climate Hotspot,“ said that an estimated 11,664,000 square meters of land in Region 12 will be vulnerable to a one-meter sea level rise.
Areas most likely to be affected are coastal areas in Sarangani, SultanKudarat, General Santos City, including Cotabato City as 70 percent of the city’s total land area is below sea level, the NSCB-12 said.
Ronald Flores, executive director of the Office of Civil Defense, urged the local government units in Region12 to put up their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMO).
The OCD has been conducting regional consultation for LGUs to effectively implement Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of 2010. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)


==Mendoza: Why Pacquiao left Noynoy to join Binay==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2012/04/21/mendoza-why-pacquiao-left-noynoy-join-binay-217360
*Saturday, April 21, 2012
:by  Al S. Mendoza


==BFAR deploys 4 more patrol boats in Sarangani Bay==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=408622
*February 27, 2012, 3:13 pm
:by  (PNA)
FFC/AVE


FROM Lakas to NP, LP and now UNA. Those are the four political parties thus far for Manny Pacquiao.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 27 (PNA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) deployed four more patrol boats over the weekend along the critical Bay to reinforce its ongoing operations against illegal fishing activities in the area.
Does that make Pacquiao a turncoat, a political butterfly?


Ambutong Pautong, assistant director of BFAR Region 12, said they assigned the new patrol boats to secure the seas off four coastal municipalities of Sarangani province against incursions from commercial fishing boats and other illegal fishing violations.
The last Lakas stalwart was Ate Glue, the former president now serving as a representative from Pampanga.


“The patrol boats will be utilized for the enforcement of various fishery laws and other activities related to the protection and conservation of the bay’s biodiversity,” he said.
During her nine-year reign at the Palace, Ate Glue’s regular visitor was Pacquiao.


The fishery official said the deployment of the patrol boats was based on a memorandum of agreement signed by BFAR with the local governments of Maasim, Glan, Kiamba and Maitum in Sarangani.
It became almost customary for Pacquiao to drop by Ate Glue’s old residence by the
riverbanks every time he came home from a conquest overseas.


Under the agreement, BFAR tapped the four local government units (LGUs) to assist its campaign against illegal fishing along the Sarangani Bay, which is a declared protected seascape.
When he first ran for congressman in GenSan in 2007, Pacquiao was under the Lakas banner.


The LGUs were tasked to operate and maintain the four patrol boats, which were made of 135 horse power speed boats.
Unfortunately, he lost to Darlene Antonino-Custodio.


A BFAR report said each patrol boat costs about P1.9 million.
Pacquiao next aimed his political guns in Sarangani, the land of birth of his wife, Jinkee.


Pautong said they turned over the patrol boats following the completion last Friday of the three-day training on familiarization and maintenance of the units for selected employees of the recipient local governments.
In 2010, he won the lone congressional seat in Sarangani, running under Manny Villar’s Nacionalista Party.


The training was facilitated by BFAR personnel led by its national marine fisheries head Alma Dickson.
But Villar lost to Noynoy Aquino, the standard bearer of the Liberal Party.


BFAR and the provincial government of Sarangani earlier intensified its monitoring against illegal fishing activities along the Sarangani Bay due to the reported operations of some commercial fishing boats in portion of its tuna-rich waters.
Not long after, Pacquiao switched camps again, moving over to Noynoy’s LP.


In late November, around 20 tons of dead skipjack tuna were washed into the shores of Maasim town after they were dumped by small commercial fishing boats that utilize the likom method or net fishing.
Observers said, Pacquiao “is so young, but so wise already to the ways of the political arena.”


The likom fishing boats reportedly overfished and were forced to dump some of their catches along the bay due to their limited capacity.
You want political survival, you seek to secure favors from the powerful, join the ruling party: LP.


Under Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code, commercial fishing boats were barred from operating within the 15-kilometer municipal waters.
But, alas, the Noynoy-PacMan romance would prove to be short-lived.


Last year, a significant portion of the critical Bacud Reef off Kiamba town was destroyed after a foreign cargo vessel ran aground in the area for about five weeks.
Just very recently, Vice President Jojo Binay said Pacquiao has joined the UNA (United Nationalist Alliance).


The vessel’s owners agreed in November to a settlement of P20 million with the local government of Sarangani after it was found liable by the Philippine Coast Guard’s Special Board of Marine Inquiry for the damages on the reef.
UNA is an alliance forged between the PDP-Laban (Binay’s party when he defeated Mar Roxas for vice president in 2010) and Erap’s PMP (Partido ng Masang Pilipino).


“PacMan is our gubernatorial bet in Sarangani in the 2013 election,” said Binay, the UNA chieftain who is highly-touted as running for president in 2016.


Pacquiao’s fans have asked me: What might have prompted PacMan to bolt Noynoy’s LP?


I have a guess: PacMan felt he didn’t get any help from Noynoy regarding the boxing icon’s recent row with the taxman.


You might probably say, “What a flimsy reason.”


Excuse me, but to a guy like Pacquiao, friendship is really “walang iwanan,” or BFF if you will, as in “Best Friends Forever.”


The masa would almost always think that way.


==5 foreign vessels enter shoal==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=798783&publicationSubCategoryId=63
*April 20, 2012 12:00 AM
:by  Alexis Romero




==Four Sarangani towns get high-speed patrol boats from BFAR==
MANILA, Philippines - Three foreign vessels and two small boats have been spotted in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in addition to the two Chinese maritime vessels involved in a standoff with a lone Philippine Coast Guard ship. 
*Source: http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/news.php?id=4875&title=Four_Sarangani_towns_get_high_speed_patrol_boats_from_BFAR
02/25/2012
:by  (Abner Arzaga/MAASIM NEWS CENTRAL)


Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara said the three foreign vessels were sighted on Wednesday, the same day Philippine-commissioned vessel MT Sarangani left the area after conducting an archaeological survey. The vessel left Wednesday night.


FOUR SARANGANI TOWNS GET HIGH-SPEED PATROL BOATS FROM BFAR :: KIAMBA, Sarangani (February 25, 2012) - (L-R) Glan Senior Administrative Officer Patrick Yap, Kiamba Municipal Agriculturist Angeline Gulmatico, Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro, National Marine Fisheries Chief Alma Dickson, Maitum Vice Mayor Tito Balazon and Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Assistant Regional Director Ambutong Pautong pose after signing the Memorandum of Agreement during the turnover ceremony and culmination of the three-day seminar on familiarization and maintenance of patrol boat at Woodbridge Beach Resort Friday, February 24. Funded by the Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources, the four high-speed boats worth P1.9 million each were awarded to the coastal municipalities of Maitum, Kiamba, Maasim and Glan to enforce fishery laws and to protect the biodiversity of Sarangani waters.
Meanwhile, the current impasse has little or no effect on Filipino workers in China, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.


“I think it’s the quality of our workers there who, despite political tensions, are just continuing their work,” Baldoz said.


“A summary report submitted to me said there are three vessels but these are not Filipino vessels. There are also outrigger boats outside and inside the lagoon,” Alcantara reported. He said they could not tell whether the small boats were of local or foreign origin. Alcantara clarified that the departure of the vessel had nothing to do with China’s demand for Philippine ships to leave the shoal.


“Perhaps their research has been completed. The ship was just commissioned by the National Museum,” he said.


It was the National Historical Commission of the Philippines which commissioned the Sarangani. Its passengers included nine French nationals and three employees of the National Museum.


Alcantara stressed, however, the situation in the area was stable and no unusual incidents were reported.


Masinloc, Zambales Mayor Desiree Edora said Zambales fishermen were now avoiding Panatag Shoal for fear of getting harassed or arrested by the Chinese or caught in an armed confrontation between Chinese and Filipino forces.


“My secretary interviewed the fishermen and it’s been a while since they sailed there because they are afraid that a confrontation might ensue,” she told dzMM radio reporter Edwin Sevidal.


Edora said they have yet to coordinate with the military or the Foreign Affairs department regarding the matter.


Panatag Shoal is 124 nautical miles from Zambales and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which China is a signatory.


On April 8, eight Chinese fishing vessels were spotted in the shoal, prompting the Navy to send its largest warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar to the area to check on the vessels.


==Pacman’s ‘pal’ carnap king==
The ship reached the shoal on April 10 and its crew boarded the fishing vessels where they found live sharks, corals, and giant clams.
*Source: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php/news/provincial/24622-pacmans-pal-carnap-king
*Friday, February 24, 2012
:by  Alfred Dalizon


But before the Filipino sailors could arrest the fishermen and seize their catch, two Chinese “surveillance” ships arrived and stopped them. The fishing boats were able to flee with their illegal harvests.


GENERAL Santos City – He is known for his association with prominent personalities led by boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao but officials have warned these very important persons to stay away from this man, tagged as behind a well-entrenched car theft syndicate in the country.
The Del Pilar eventually left the area to replenish supplies and was replaced by the smaller and lightly armed BRP Pampanga of the coast guard.


The man named Bong Akia alias “Mohammad Timpolok Aquia” is now facing charges for violation of the anti-carnapping act and the anti-fencing law after agents of the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group under Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina recovered 26 stolen motor vehicles traced to the suspect.
Aside from the Chinese ships, an aircraft – also believed to be Chinese – had reportedly buzzed a Filipino fishing vessel.


PNP Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome described Akia’s group as a “well-entrenched car theft ring” engaged in buying stolen motor vehicles in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon and transporting them to Mindanao.
Baldoz, meanwhile, recalled that Filipino workers felt no backlash even after the Rizal Park hostage tragedy in August 2010 that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead. The incident briefly soured relations between the Philippines and China.


The Journal Group learned that unknown to his many friends including Pacquiao, Akia is using his ties with prominent personalities including politicians, law enforcement and local government officials and even members of the media to carry out his illicit trade.
Labor department records show there are 26,772 Filipino workers in China, mostly doctors and professionals.


Officials said last month, HPG agents failed to arrest Akia when he suddenly joined Rep. Pacquiao in his vehicle and stayed at his mansion.
“We don’t send that many OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) to China. They are mostly going there as tourists and try their luck to gain employment and just convert their visas into working visas upon getting jobs,” she added.


The suspect, who sensed that undercover officers are tailing him, joined the boxing icon all the way to his palatial house in Sarangani where he spent the night.
Encouraging


The operation to get Bong Akia came in the wake of the continuing tracking operation and investigation conducted by the PNP-HPG against the so-called “Baktin Carnapping Group” in Western Visayas and Central Mindanao.
At Malacañang, Presidential Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said President Aquino had a chance meeting with Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing to whom he expressed his feeling of satisfaction that both sides were willing to talk to resolve the issue.


“He told her that it was encouraging that both sides continue to talk,” Carandang said.


Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua, for his part, said his country prefers friendly consultations over discussing the issue before a United Nations-backed tribunal.


“We want friendly efforts to solve it,” Hua told The STAR.


Sen. Francis Escudero, meanwhile, said he supports proposals for the Philippines to have a joint exploration with China in the disputed islands in Palawan.


Escudero stressed that issues involving the Panatag Shoal and the West Philippine Sea should be resolved through diplomatic means.


Escudero recognized that Congress has the power to allow the administration to launch a war against China, but it is not choosing that option.


“Somebody asked me the question on why Congress is not doing anything. I know we have the sole power to declare war. The reason why Congress is quiet on it (is) because we don’t want to declare war,” Escudero said.


Come budget deliberations, Escudero said he expects explanations from defense and foreign affairs officials about the developments on the maritime disputes.


“I think the briefings will come during the budget deliberations and then we have more information with respect to the actions that the government has taken through the international organizations that we have brought this matter up with,” the senator said.


==The couple's gift to Muhammad Ali was a painting created by  Pinoy artist Jun Aquino==
Escudero recommended that both China and the Philippines should agree on joint exploration. He said profits may be shared equally or the Philippines may bat for a bigger share. He said there is no reason to fight over areas that might yield no oil or gas or minerals.
*Source:http://philippine-headline-news-online.blogspot.com/2012/02/phno-sp-pacman-favors-probe-of.html
*FEBRUARY 23, 2012
:by  MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE


He said accusing China of bullying is only worsening the problem.


Sarangani representative and
“I think the President was being factual when he made the statement in connection with our position in relation to China,” Escudero said.
eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao believes that someone ought
to be held accountable for the mobbing of Filipino boxer Jonriel Casimero and
his team after a boxing bout in Mar del Plata, Argentina on Feb. 11.
According to the Philippine embassy in Buenos Aires, Casimero, his trainer
Christopher Tepor, and boxing manager and promoter, Samson Gello-Aniwere, were
attacked for 10 minutes by fight fans after the Filipino lifted the IBF
super-flyweight title from Argentinian fighter Luis Alberto Lazarte. The
Philippine flag was likewise trampled on during the incident.
A previous Manila Bulletin report dated Feb. 15 noted that the Senate rose to
Casimero's defense, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile calling on the
Ambassador of Argentina to the Philippines to "explain why his people have the
temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented
by our boxer who went to that country thinking that it is a civilized country,
and not a country of abnormal, uncivilized people.''
Pacquiao, meanwhile, said in a taped "Unang Hirit" interview aired on Monday
that, "Do'n sa naging laban ni Casimero sa Argentina dapat imbestigahan nang
mabuti 'yon kung sino ang managot, paano nagkagulo at bakit hindi na-control ng
mga pulis o nung mga bantay doon sa event na 'yon ['yung mga tao]."
An icon's birthday
On a lighter and celebratory note, the "UH" report noted that Pacman,
together with his wife Jinkee Pacquiao, hobnobbed with big sports icons and
Hollywood stars in the recently concluded 70th birthday party-cum-charity event
for boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
The Pacquiaos graced the lavish gala held at the MGM Grand hotel in Las
Vegas, Nevada on Feb 18 [US Time], bearing their gift to the boxing icon—a
painting created by Pinoy artist Jun Aquino.
Aside from the Pacquiaos, among the prizefighter's other guests were Andre
Agassi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Samuel Jackson, Cindy Crawford,
Stevie Wonder, Bob Arum, Terrence Howard, David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins, and
Lenny Kravitz.
To cap off the star-studded party, Ali received a video message from US
President Barack Obama telling him that he "shocked the world" and "inspired it
too."
Ali is suffering from Parkinson's disease; hence the proceeds of the
celebration would go to the Cleveland clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health,
which is known for battling against neurological disorders, and to the Muhammad
Ali Center, a cultural and educational center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Court sidetrip
Apart from attending Ali's birthday celebration, a separate Manila Bulletin
report, also on Feb. 15, mentioned that Pacquiao flew to the US also for his
deposition—a sworn testimony taken before a trial—in connection with the grave
oral defamation case he filed against the abrasively outspoken American boxer
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In the same report, Pacquiao's deposition was said to be scheduled last Feb.
17. He was also said to have been joined by his American lawyers during the
legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter's legal adviser Franklin
Gacal.
The case was filed last year, stemming from Mayweather's statements in which
he charged that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he would
train for a fight.


He said the Philippines has ordered only two new aircraft while China has more than 2,000. – With Christina Mendez, Pia Lee-Brago, Sheila Crisostomo


==Sarangani Launches Mahin Summer Festet==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/178517/ex-sarangani-governor-6-others-charged-with-graft
*April 19, 2012, 4:35pm
:by  newsinfo.inquirer.net




GLAN, Sarangani (PIA) — Glan’s Mahin Festival kicks off vacation fun in Sarangani with another series of summer activities that would climax with a sunset-to-sunrise beach party in the famed Sarangani Bay Fest next month to be held in the white sands of Gumasa.


The successful maiden celebration of Mahin Festival last year triggered expectations of a bigger crowd to the three-day festivity which started yesterday, April 19, until April 21.


Lumba sa Kabayo (horse race), Palupad Tabanog (kite flying), Bangkarera (boat race), Pintados (body painting), beach volleyball and football, Bikini Open, concerts (featuring Blakdyak) and fireworks display are the lined-up activities that are certain to fire up the excitement of local folks.


Yesterday’s events were held at The Grove Beach in barangay Tango while in the next two days, it will be at the Coco Beach in Gumasa.


Mahin is a festival unique to the town of Glan which brings back traditional beach activities the townsfolk have been fond of doing since then like horse racing at the shoreline.


==Ex-Sarangani governor, 6 others charged with graft==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/178517/ex-sarangani-governor-6-others-charged-with-graft
*5:12 am | Wednesday, April 18th, 2012
:by    Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer


==5 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=407417
*February 22, 2012, 10:09 pm
:by  (PNA)
DCT/LAM/AVE


The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges against former Sarangani Governor Miguel Escobar and six other provincial officials for the questionable purchase of 30,000 textbooks without public bidding.
Escobar was charged for approving two textbook purchases, involving 15,000 books for each transaction, in 2002 and 2003.
Charged with Escobar for the first purchase was Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer Hermelo Latoja, who acted as the attorney in fact for textbook supplier Institute for Youth Volunteers Service and Early Childhood Development Inc.
For the second purchase, charged along with Escobar and Latoja were Committee on Awards members Teresa Alvarado, Wahid Diama, Sittiehawa Marohomsalic, Cesar Cagang and Vivencia Telesforo.
The Sarangani officials have denied the allegations against them in their respective counteraffidavits.
Sarangani province first bought 15,000 copies of the textbook ABC My Practice Book I in November 2002 for P1.5 million, and bought 15,000 copies of ABC My Practice Book II in June 2003.
The 2002 transaction was considered an emergency purchase, which was why the textbooks were bought directly from the supplier.
But Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said the emergency purchase was unjustified.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 22 (PNA) -– Five more suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels operating in the mountains of Sarangani province have surrendered in the last several days to government troops in the area.
==Sarangani hills ideal for paragliding, say experts==
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/04/17/sarangani-hills-ideal-for-paragliding-say-experts/
*Tuesday| April 17, 2012
:by  Allen V. Estabillo


Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas Jr., commander of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion, said Wednesday that four rebels initially yielded and renewed their allegiance to the government over the weekend in Glan town in Sarangani.


He said the rebels just turned up and signified their surrender during a community gathering led by their troops in Barangay Datal Bukay in Glan.
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 April) — Paragliding experts are promoting Sarangani province’s hilly landscape as a prime spot for the aerial adventure sport.


The official identified the surrenderees as Isda Magwan alias “Kumander Isda,” Reynoso Masahon, Junard Tambasan and Arcie Yata, all residents of the municipality.
French national Armand Dard, a visiting professional paragliding instructor, said they found the hills straddling the Sarangani Bay, especially those located in the coastal villages of Maasim town, as a first-rate paragliding flight site.
“This is my second time in the Philippines and my first time in Sarangani. Last year I did some paragliding in Carmona, Cavite and also in Boracay but this place, which I discovered one month ago is a better flight site,” Dard said.
Dard and a newly-organized team of local paragliders have so far tried out the hills along a ranch owned by the San Andres Fishing Industries (SAFI) in barangay Seguil in Maasim, which is about 30 minutes away from this city.
“It has comfortable takeoff and landing sites. Its big landing site is comfortable for beginners and you can fly almost every day,” he said in a report released by the Sarangani Information Office.
Dard has been conducting international-standard paragliding trainings to members of the newly-formed Sarangani Paragliding Club.
Michelle Solon, Region 12 tourism council chairperson, said they now consider paragliding as “the next big thing” in the region.
Region 12, which also known as the Soccsksargen Region, covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.


He said the rebels each yielded a 12-gauge shotgun that they reportedly used in previous operations launched by their group in the area.
“What is the next big thing in Region 12? We are crossing our fingers — I believe in a heartbeat, it’s going to be paragliding in Sarangani,” she said.
“Who said there is no wind around Sarangani Bay? On the contrary, there is enough wind!” added Solon, who had tried sky sports paragliding.
Joseph Oncada, vice president of Sarangani Paragliding Club said they started paragliding in the area in September last year.
“To those who want to become pilots, or just want to experience flying in tandem, we offer training and tandem flights,” Oncada said.
For a short flight, which is about 10 minutes, enthusiasts will need to cough up P2,300 and around P3,000 for a 15 to 20-minute flight, he said.
On May 18, Oncada said the Sarangani Paragliding Club will have a paragliding accuracy competition as part of the upcoming celebration of the two-day Sarangani Bay Festival. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)


“They mainly decided to surrender because of their difficult situation in the mountains,” Espuelas said in a radio interview.


On Tuesday, he said another NPA rebel identified as Edwin Dulay, 19, surrendered to their peace and development team in Alabel town.


Dulay, who is a resident of Sitio Tinungcaan of Datal Angas in Alabel, claimed to be a former member of the Squad 2, Platoon Lawin of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 71.


Espuelas said Dulay decided to abandon his unit and return to the government’s fold due to the uncertainty of their cause and the “severe hunger” they were experiencing in the mountains.


“Their (NPA rebels) situation in the mountains was getting difficult because of our relentless operations. So we expect more of them to also surrender soon,” he said.


Espuelas added that the surrenderees are set to receive food and other relief assistance from the Sarangani provincial government and will be later included to the national government’s Balik Baril program.








==Palawan, Comval replicate Sarangani Big Brother==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1671334558968
*Monday 16th of April 2012
:by  (Beverly C. Paoyon and Serafin N. Ramos Jr./PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)




ALABEL, Sarangani, April 16 (PIA) -- Sarangani Big Brother (SBB) “Reading is Fun!” enters its “Season 5” this week with two provinces replicating the program this year.


SBB “Reading is Fun!” is a 15-day reading program run by the provincial government’s Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) program designed to assist the Department of Education (DepEd) to improve reading skills of “frustration readers” among incoming Grade 2 and 3 pupils.


“Frustration readers” are those who can identify words but have inadequate or no comprehension at all.


The activity is a whole day remedial reading program from April 17 to May 8 implemented in partnership with the DepEd, QUEST, Sangguniang Kabataan and the Alcantara Foundation.


==Pacman Favors Investigation Of Argentina Boxing Riot; Graces Muhammad Ali's Birthday==
QUEST recently held two days of training for teachers who will conduct the reading classes. Each of the 309 teachers will handle an ideal class size of 35 pupils.  
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/352049/pacman-favors-investigation-of-argentina-boxing-riot-graces-muhammad-alis-birthday
*February 21, 2012, 11:11am
:by MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE


During the training, Governor Migs Dominguez thanked the teachers for their “passion and commitment” to make SBB successful.


MANILA, Philippines – Sarangani representative and eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao believes that someone ought to be held accountable for the mobbing of Filipino boxer Jonriel Casimero and his team after a boxing bout in Mar del Plata, Argentina on Feb. 11.
“Let’s remember the first time we make them (children) read,” Dominguez told the teachers as he stressed the importance of continuously motivating children to learn to read.  


According to the Philippine embassy in Buenos Aires, Casimero, his trainer Christopher Tepor, and boxing manager and promoter, Samson Gello-Aniwere, were attacked for 10 minutes  by fight fans after the Filipino lifted the IBF super-flyweight title from Argentinian fighter Luis Alberto Lazarte. The Philippine flag was likewise trampled on during the incident.
Compostela Valley Province also sent nine youth leaders and 12 teachers to join the training as they would replicate SBB starting this summer vacation which would be called “Summer Big Brother: Reading is Fun! Season 1”.  


A previous Manila Bulletin report dated Feb. 15 noted that the Senate rose to Casimero’s defense, with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile calling on the Ambassador of Argentina to the Philippines to “explain why his people have the temerity to assault the flag, the honor, the dignity of this country represented by our boxer who went to that country thinking that it is a civilized country, and not a country of abnormal, uncivilized people.’’
After a series of benchmarking of local officials, DepEd officials and private sector in Sarangani which was arranged by Alcantara Foundation, Compostela Valley decided to replicate QUEST. Comval started with an Education Summit last January.  


Pacquiao, meanwhile, said in a taped “Unang Hirit” interview aired on Monday that, “Do’n sa naging laban ni Casimero sa Argentina dapat imbestigahan nang mabuti ‘yon kung sino ang managot, paano nagkagulo at bakit hindi na-control ng mga pulis o nung mga bantay doon sa event na ‘yon [‘yung mga tao].”
Palawan was also set to launch this month its Palawan Big Brother, patterned after SBB.  


An icon’s birthday
In early March, QUEST program manager Annalie Edday was instructed by Governor Dominguez to email the activities of QUEST to Palawan Governor Abraham Mitra because he was interested to replicate QUEST.


On a lighter and celebratory note, the “UH” report noted that Pacman, together with his wife Jinkee Pacquiao, hobnobbed with big sports icons and Hollywood stars in the recently concluded 70th birthday party-cum-charity event for boxing legend Muhammad Ali.
A QUEST team led by Edday flew to Palawan on March 19-22 to present QUEST and help Palawan organize its education reform program.  


The Pacquiaos graced the lavish gala held at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb 18 [US Time], bearing their gift to the boxing icon—a painting created by Pinoy artist Jun Aquino.
This summer, Palawan will have its PBB (Palawan Big Brother: Reading is Fun! Season 1).  


Aside from the Pacquiaos, among the prizefighter’s other guests were Andre Agassi, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Samuel Jackson, Cindy Crawford, Stevie Wonder, Bob Arum, Terrence Howard, David Beckham, Anthony Hopkins, and Lenny Kravitz.
“PBB is the kickoff project of the Palawan education reform program,” Edday said.  


To cap off the star-studded party, Ali received a video message from US President Barack Obama telling him that he “shocked the world” and “inspired it too.”
In Sarangani, Edday noted the improvement in the performance of the “frustration readers” after they have completed the reading program.  


Ali is suffering from Parkinson’s disease; hence the proceeds of the celebration would go to the Cleveland clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which is known for battling against neurological disorders, and to the Muhammad Ali Center, a cultural and educational center in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I am so happy that they feel the sense of belongingness as they enrolled in the next grade,” Edday said.  


Court sidetrip
She said every year different modules are used in the summer classes as additional inputs are being introduced.


Apart from attending Ali’s birthday celebration, a separate Manila Bulletin report, also on Feb. 15, mentioned that Pacquiao flew to the US also for his deposition—a sworn testimony taken before a trial—in connection with the grave oral defamation case he filed against the abrasively outspoken American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
QUEST also designed a volunteer program to tap youth volunteers who will assist teachers in facilitating the activities from the modules.  


In the same report, Pacquiao’s deposition was said to be scheduled last Feb. 17. He was also said to have been joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal.
“Teaching young children to read is the most critical educational priority facing the province,” Edday said. She explained SBB “will help schools and children uplift their performance in reading.”


The case was filed last year, stemming from Mayweather’s statements in which he charged that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he would train for a fight.
“By teaching all children to read well by the end of the third grade, we will ensure that all students that advance to later grades are well prepared to achieve their full academic potential,” Edday added.  


Edday said SBB was successful in helping DepED eliminate the frustration and instructional readers among incoming Grade 2 and 3 pupils.


“For years it has produced good result; for 4 years, this program has engaged 855 teacher volunteers, 2,166 youth volunteers and has made 17,983 pupils better readers,” Edday disclosed.


“We are happy that we have numerous volunteers from General Santos City, seven scholars of American Field Studies and one German volunteer this year,” Edday reported about the SBB volunteers training.


The program was first thought to make “reading as fun,” said Edday, “but since there are quite a number of frustration readers so we made SBB season 4 as a remedial reading program.”


SBB was launched in 2008 in which Governor Dominguez said the first concern then was how to harness the spirit of volunteerism among the youth “to be able to make them contribute in the community.”


“Masarap makatulong bumasa at buksan ang mga mata ng mga bata and teach them to dream big!,” Dominguez told the volunteers in Alabel during the volunteers training last year.


For the past three years, SBB became a channel in unifying the school’s community and utilizing the collective efforts of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of the province.


The governor has pointed out that “success lies in education. It opens up boundaries we think impossible. Education from elementary to high school up to college will ensure better future.”


In 2011, QUEST pre-test and post-test results showed a 55 percent increase of the pupils’ reading level from “frustration readers” (36%) to the right reading level (91%) and were ready to enter Grade 3.


==GenSan hosts 7th BIMP-EAGA friendship games in December==
Every year, the reading skills of pupils were improving because of Sarangani Big Brother. SBB has become successful through volunteer youth and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan.  
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/02/20/gensan-hosts-7th-bimp-eaga-friendship-games-in-december/
*Monday| February 20, 2012
:by Bong S. Sarmiento


“SBB taught me to become someone - to be a builder of this nation. I learned to embrace the beauty of imparting knowledge,” volunteer John Logos Guiang from Maitum town said.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/19 Feb) — The “Tuna Capital of the Philippines” will host the 7th friendship games among member-countries of the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) on December 8 to 12. EAGA comprises Brunei, East Indonesia, East Malaysia and the Philippines’ Mindanao and Palawan. Joaquin Loyzaga, executive director of the Philippine Sports Commission, said that aside from General Santos City, Sarangani province is also a partner in the staging of the friendship games. The world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, is currently the representative of Sarangani in the House of Representative. Pacquiao and Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez had earlier expressed support for the hosting of the 7th BIMP-EAGA friendship games. “Among the games to be played are lawn tennis, athletics (track and field), badminton, sepak takraw, swimming and table tennis”, Loyzaga said in a statement. He added that each country will have separate teams for boys and girls except for sepak takraw which will be exclusive for boys. The event is open to all athletes from EAGA countries 21 years old and under. At a high-level recent meeting, a roadshow covering the four participating countries was proposed by the General Santos City Tourism Office to help promote culture, tourism, sports and trade, and improve linkages and ties between the delegates and their respective countries along with the event itself. Loyzaga said they are hoping to bring more sports programs outside Manila, especially in Mindanao. Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, said the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games is an opportunity not just for sports development but also for tourism promotion and improvement of ties among the focus areas of EAGA. “We are advancing our BIMP-EAGA initiatives in this particular area of cooperation to promote the sub-region as a melting pot of sports talents and world class athletes while showcasing our culture” said Antonino, who is also the Philippine signing minister to EAGA. BIMP-EAGA is an economic cooperation formally created in 1994, covering the entire Brunei Darussalam; 10 provinces in the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya; Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan in Malaysia; and Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines. The ASEAN sub-grouping is a mechanism primarily intended to spur development in the lagging sub-economies of the member countries by boosting intra-EAGA trade, tourism and investments. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)
During its second season of Sarangani Big Brother “Reading is Fun!” one of the youth volunteers in Maasim Elementary School was Aimee Aragon, then a 15-year old incoming first year college student.  


“I am blessed to be given the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences for the little children like I was, and I’m very happy to be an ‘Ate’ (big sister) for them,” Aragon said.


The Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) launched the month-long reading program in the summer of 2008 among elementary pupils while instilling the value of volunteerism among “mentors”.


Right from SBB’s first season, Alcantara Foundation has already been one of the partners together with the SK, DepEd and the local government in the implementation of the program.


The rest of the sponsors this year are Synergia Foundation, Sagittarius Mining Corp. and World Vision.


=='Respect Pacman's decision to join PDP-Laban'==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=797118&publicationSubCategoryId=63
*April 15, 2012 12:00 AM
:by Evelyn Macairan




MANILA, Philippines - A Catholic Church official asked the public yesterday to respect the decision of Sarangani representative and boxing champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao to join the political party Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) of Vice President Jejomar Binay.


Marbel South, Cotabato Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez said Pacquiao is old enough to make decisions on his own.


“Pacman is mature and intelligent. Respect his decision,” Gutierrez said.


==Pacquiao To Meet Lin In New York==
Sarangani province is one of the areas under the Diocese of Marbel, South Cotabato, which the bishop heads.
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/351707/pacquiao-to-meet-lin-in-new-york
*February 17, 2012, 7:25pm
:by NICK GIONGCO


Gutierrez said his statement stems from his concern about the faith and morals of people, rather than politics.


MANILA, Philippines — Plans are afoot for Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Taiwanese-American Jeremy Lin to meet up on Wednesday in New York, a day before the Filipino’s scheduled press conference there and the New York Knicks guard’s match with the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.
Pacquiao was earlier reported to be leaving the Liberal Party of President Aquino to join Binay’s camp.


Pacquiao is now in the US to fulfill a myriad of commitments from having his deposition taken in relation with the defamation suit against Floyd Mayweather Jr., an endorsement gig with Nike, and holding press conferences in Los Angeles (Beverly Hills Hotel, Feb. 21) and New York (Chelsea Piers, Feb. 23) to promote his June 9 fight with Tim Bradley in Las Vegas.
The 33-year-old boxer-turned-legislator is reportedly being groomed to be the PDP-Laban’s gubernatorial candidate in Sarangani in next year’s elections.


Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank big boss Bob Arum, is moving heaven and earth for the meeting to take place in the light of the meteoric rise of the 23-year-old Lin, who has taken the NBA by storm by virtue of monster numbers in the Knicks’ last seven games.
Pacquiao might take his oath as party member of PDP-Laban before his next fight with Timothy Bradley in June.


Arum, a native son of Brooklyn, New York, is at the forefront of leading Pacquiao to greater heights even though Pacquiao’s ring exploits have actually made him an immortal sports hero.
==Sarangani good site for paragliding==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1611334373192
*Saturday 14th of April 2012
:by Cocoy Sexcion


Rubbing elbows with NBA stars has become a practice for Pacquiao, who has met with the likes of Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce and Hollywood stars through the years in the US and the Philippines.


Pacquiao is a hoops junkie and owns a team, the MP Gensan Warriors, which he regularly trains with during his free time.
MAASIM, Sarangani, April 14 (PIA) -- Sarangani is a good flying site for paragliding said Armand Dard, a French national and a visiting paragliding professional instructor.  


Lin, like Pacquiao, was passed over when he was trying to make a name for himself in the US.
"This is my second time in the Philippines and my first time in Sarangani. Last year I did some paragliding in Carmona, Cavite and also in Boracay but this place which I discovered one month ago is a better flight site,” Dard said.  


Lin was released by two NBA teams before finding a home in the Big Apple, while US promoters hardly took a second look at an obscure Asian puncher when he went to the US in 2001.
The flying site is located at SAFI Ranch 1 in barangay Seguil, less than 30 minutes drive from General Santos City.  


But after a smashing debut underneath an Oscar De La Hoya-headliner in June, 2001, the US fight scene went gaga over Pacquiao.
The flight site is overlooking Sarangani Bay.  


Meanwhile, Top Rank said tickets to the Pacquiao-Bradley world welterweight title match at the MGM Grand will become available to the public starting Feb. 24.
“It has comfortable take off and landing sites,” Dard noted. “It also has big landing site comfortable for beginners and you can fly almost everyday."


The premium ringside seat costs $1,200, while others are priced at $900, $600, $400, and $200.
Dard is conducting paragliding international standard trainings to members of the newly-formed Sarangani Paragliding Club.  


Meanwhile, the leadership in the House of Representatives is still impressed with Pacquiao despite official records revealing that the Sarangani lawmaker has only attended 38 of the total number of 59 plenary sessions held last year.
“You ask what is the next big thing in Region 12, we are crossing our fingers -- but I believe in a heartbeat, it’s going to be Paragliding in Sarangani. It is definitely a number 1 for fun!” said an exuberant Michelle Solon, chair of the Regional Tourism Council.  


“That’s a good record considering his absences were for his fights, which projected the country positively,” said House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. (With a report from Rio Rose Ribaya)
“Who said there is no wind around Sarangani Bay? On the contrary there is enough wind!” added Solon who has tried sky sports paragliding.  


Joseph Oncada, vice president of Sarangani Paragliding Club said they started paragliding in September last year, “and this is the newest sport in the country."


"To those who want to become pilots, or just want to experience flying in tandem, we offer training and tandem flights," Oncada said.


A short flight or a maximum of 10-minute flight would cost P2,300. “For a long flight or 15 to 20-minute flight, we charge P3,000," Oncada added.


Oncada said the Sarangani Paragliding Club will also have a paragliding accuracy competition on May 18 in time for Sarangani Bay Festival.. (DED-PIA 12/CSexcion/Sarangani Information Office)


==Land Bank relocates Alabel branch to Sarangani==
*Source: http://callcenterinfo.tmcnet.com/news/2012/04/13/6257017.htm
*April 13, 2012]
:by John Anthony Concepcion




Apr 13, 2012 (Datamonitor via COMTEX) -- Land Bank of the Philippines has relocated its Alabel branch to a more spacious facility at the Provincial Capitol Complex of Sarangani, to expand its network.


"LANDBANK's strategic network expansion is consistent with our thrust to provide banking services to the unbanked and underserved areas in continuous pursuit of countryside development," said LANDBANK President and CEO Gilda E. Pico.


LANDBANK first established its presence in Alabel in 1996 with its first branch at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium. Among the clients of the branch are the local government of Alabel, the provincial government of Sarangani, and the neighboring municipalities of Malapatan, Glan, and some barangays of Malungon, along with rural bank and micro and SME clients.


==Pacquiao ponders retirement==
"This forms part of our financial inclusion program which we are aggressively pursuing as we hope to bring banking services closer to underserved and unbanked areas. This will likewise benefit the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps beneficiaries since they will no longer need to travel out of their towns to withdraw their cash grants," said LANDBANK President Pico.
*Source: http://www.goldstardailynews.com/sports/8190-pacquiao-ponders-retirement.html
*Thursday, 16 February 2012
:by goldstardailynews.com


The MOU was signed by Maitum Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett, Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino, Rural Bank of Kiamba President Teresa Falgui, and LANDBANK First vice president for Mindanao Branches Joselito Gutierrez, for the installation of automated teller machines (ATMs) in the six other municipalities of Sarangani, namely Glan, Kiamba, Maasim, Malapatan, Malungon, and Maitum.


AFTER bidding goodbye to his prized fighting cocks, Manila casino and entertainment joint in General Santos City several weeks ago, world boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao is now considering giving up his boxing gloves for good in favor of his faith and "Biblecentered" life. Pacquiao disclosed that he is seriously leaning on retiring from boxing after his scheduled June 9 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fi ght against American brawler Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada. "Hindi maganda na nagseshare ako ng salita ng Panginoon tapos nananakit ako ng kapwa (It's not right that I share God's word and at the same time hurt other people)," he told reporters after gracing the oath-taking of newly-promoted personnel of the Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion in Maasim town in Sarangani.
http://www.datamonitor.com Republication or redistribution, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without prior written consent. Datamonitor shall not be liable for errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon


The neophyte Sarangani lawmaker, who already made a good fortune from his boxing exploits since his ring debut 16 years ago, said he wants to concentrate more on sharing his faith and at the same time on helping his poor constituents. "I've gained more than enough blessings these past years so I think it's time for me to return the favor," he said in Filipino. In September last year, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank was reported in the media as saying that the former supposedly plans to retire from boxing by the end of 2013 after running for governor of Sarangani province.
==‘BIR is right going after Pacquiao’==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/175693/%E2%80%98bir-is-right-going-after-pacquiao%E2%80%99
*7:58 pm | Thursday, April 12th, 2012
:by Frances Mangosing
INQUIRER.net


Pacquiao's mother Dionisia had asked him several times to quit boxing and just focus on his businesses and budding political career but to no avail. On the other hand, Pacquiao said he would only retire from boxing once his famed trainer Freddie Roach sees him slowing down or his vaunted punching power waning out. After his cont roversial unanimous win over Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez last November, Pacquiao was initially reported to have started attending Bible studies through the help of a Protestant pastor. Mayor Reynaldo Constantino of Malungon, Sarangani, a close ally of Pacquiao, earlier said the latter has so far become a "changed man" as a result of his new found passion for studying the Bible.


Pacquiao, who made the headlines in the past for his alleged affairs with other women as well as his gambling and drinking habits, has reportedly sold a casino that he operates in a Manila hotel and disposed of his fighting cocks. He also shut down recently his J-Mix restaurant and bar, where he used to treat his friends for drinks and billiard games. Earlier this month, Pacquiao accepted an offer from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to become the Church's "Bible ambassador." With his impending retirement, the ring icon's highly anticipated showdown with undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and fourth face-off with Marquez now appears in limbo.


The Pacquiao camp earlier tried to sign up Mayweather Jr. for a May 5 brawl but the initial talks eventually went nowhere reportedly due to differences on the sharing percentages of the mega-fight's anticipated earnings. Mayweather Jr. decided instead to go with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto while Pacquiao settled on Bradley for their May and June fights, respectively. Two years ago, the two future boxing hall of famers were supposed to be primed up for a fight but it was later scrapped after both camps failed to agree on their pre-fight drug testing method. PNA
MANILA, Philippines—Following the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s filing of the tax evasion case against its former poster boy, boxing icon and Representative Manny Pacquiao, half of INQUIRER.net readers think it was only the right thing to do.
In a poll conducted between March 29 and April 12, 51.73 percent or 2,682 answered “BIR is only right to go after Pacquiao” to the question, “What do you think of the BIR’s tax case against Manny Pacquiao?”
However, 32.15 percent or 1,667 thought it could be talked over by answering “BIR and Pacquiao should settle the case amicably.”
Meanwhile, 16.12 percent or 836 voted that “Pacquiao is right in calling the BIR move as harassment.”
In March, the BIR filed a tax evasion case against Pacquiao, for his alleged failure to submit complete tax records for the year 2010.
It said that Pacquiao ignored summons issued by the BIR office in Central Mindanao asking him to explain his failure to submit complete tax documents.
Pacquiao cried foul over the case, claiming that it was “without basis” and a form of harassment.
“The institution of the case against me is plain and simple harassment.  Contrary to public perception, I am not charged with Tax Evasion or Tax Fraud. That is farther from the truth.  Over the years as a boxer, a product endorser and a businessman,” he said in a statement.
Pacquiao said the BIR violated its own rules when it served the subpoena to a person unknown to him. He also asked why the BIR served the subpoena in General Santos City when he is now a resident of Sarangani.
The boxing sensation, who topped the taxpayer’s list in 2008, made a 30-second television commercial for BIR in 2009 reminding citizens to pay their taxes.




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==Pacquiao To Ruffle Mayweather's Feathers==
==PNoy PREEMPTS ENERGY SUMMIT, APPROVED MORE COAL-POWERED PLANTS==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/351462/pacquiao-to-ruffle-mayweathers-feathers
*Source: http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl111735.htm
*February 15, 2012, 7:18pm
*APRIL 11, 2012  
:by NICK GIONGCO
:by John Anthony Concepcion




MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao gets the chance to ruffle Floyd Mayweather’s feathers on Friday (Saturday in Manila) in Las Vegas when he takes his deposition in connection with the defamation case he filed against the outspoken American boxer.
DAVAO CITY, APRIL 11, 2012 (MANILA STANDARD) Written by Christine F. Herrera - Critics bare ‘midnight deals’ on coal power plants


A deposition is a sworn testimony that is taken before a trial and Pacquiao will be joined by his American lawyers during the legal proceeding, according to the Filipino fighter’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal.
President Benigno Aquino III has approved “midnight deals” to build more coal-fired plants in Mindanao days ahead of an Energy Summit here, locking the island into a dirty source of power for decades, lawmakers and environmentalists said Monday.


The case was filed last year, owing to Mayweather’s statements charging that Pacquiao had used performance-enhancing drugs whenever he trained for a fight.
“The Mindanao Energy Summit was supposed to give the stakeholders options for short- and long-term solutions to the power crisis, but no option is being offered because the contracts for coal are already a done deal,” Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said.


Also part of the lawsuit were Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) president and owner Oscar De La Hoya and GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and the case was dropped against them after a public apology was issued.
“Is there a conspiracy to ram fossil-fuel power as the solution? Would this not reduce the power summit to a farce, giving Mindanao consumers no choice but to stick to more expensive, dirty, non-renewable power?”


Lending a hand to Pacquiao’s case against Mayweather are lawyers David Marosso and Daniel Petrocelli.
Von Hernandez, Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director, said environmental compliance certificates were hastily approved for the coal plants despite opposition from the communities in Mindanao.


“The case against Mayweather is very strong,” Petrocelli told the Bulletin.
“The hasty approval … confirms earlier suspicions that pro-coal business interests were out to capitalize on the current crisis to railroad government approval of such environmentally sensitive projects that should have undergone better scrutiny,” Hernandez said.


There is bad blood between Pacquiao and Mayweather and their animosity towards each other reached fever-pitch a couple of weeks ago when efforts to stage a fight between them fell apart for the third time, owing to a disagreement on revenue-sharing.
Agham Rep. Angelo Palmones, who comes from Cotabato, urged Congress to exercise its oversight powers to review the deals.


Mayweather has signed to face Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, while Pacquiao has agreed to fight Tim Bradley on June 9 also at the MGM Grand.
At a pre-summit conference last week, Energy Undersecretary Josephine Patricia Asirit said some 700 megawatts would be generated from the coal-fired power plants and that the 100-megawatt Iligan diesel plant owned by the Alcantaras would be revived pending clearance from the Audit Commission.


It is uncertain whether another round of talks would be done assuming they win their coming fights.
Asirit said Mindanao had a daily demand of 1,200 megawatts and a shortfall of 100 megawatts, and that demand was growing at 50 megawatts yearly. Some 1,400 megawatts would be in the pipelines for Mindanao from October 2012 to 2014.


Pacquiao, 33, leaves for the US Thursday night and is expected to fly back to Manila immediately after the deposition.
Asirit identified the coal-fired projects as a 200-megawatt coal-fired plant by Conal Holdings of the Alcantaras in 2014, a 200-megawatt coal-fired plant by STEAG in the last quarter of 2014, a 300-megawatt coal-fired plant by Therma South of the Aboitizes in 2014, and a 15-megawatt oil-based plant by EEI Power Corp. in October 2012.


Meanwhile, Filipino boxing idol and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny’” Pacquiao celebrated Valentine’s Day with wife Jinkee and family members by holding a Bible study session at his exclusive resort in Barangay Tuka, Sarangani Province.
The 50-megawatt Mt. Apo 3 geothermal plant and a 5-megawatt wind farm would also be operational by 2014 and 2015, respectively.


Pacquiao spent a two-day vacation in his newly developed white beach resort in Barangay Tuka in Kiamba town where he was joined by relatives, friends, and some movie personalities, including Dennis Padilla, Long Mejia, Paulo Contes, Benjie Paras, Onyok Velasco and Blakdyak.
Providing extra power would be the eight-megawatt Cabulig hydroelectric plant by Minergy, a 35-megawatt biomass facility by Green Power Bukidnon in 2013, the 225-megawatt Agus 3 hydroelectric plant by Lanao Hydropower Development Corp. in 2015, the 20-megawatt Tagoloan hydroelectric plant by Mindanao Hydro Power Corp. in 2016, and the 12-megawatt Tamugan hydroelectric plant by Hedcor in 2018.


Pastors Sam Martinez and Boy Buan presided over the Bible study and sharing activities for two days where Pacquiao and Jinkee even led the singing of Christian gospel songs.
Asirit said coal and diesel would make up the region’s base load because of the unreliability and seasonality of the hydrothermal plants.


The Filipino boxing idol has been undergoing reformation for the past months and become active in holding Bible study sessions. As a gesture that he is deemed serious in his reformation process, Pacquiao even sold his shares in casino and nightclub businesses in Manila and disposed of all his fighting cocks on his breeding farm in Malungon, Sarangani Province,
Only 350 megawatts was approved for geothermal and other renewable energy sources.


“I’m satisfied and happy now with my new lifestyle where I can spend enough time for my family without my usual activities hanging out with friends in bars and casinos,” Pacquaio said.
Coal, power barges and diesel cost P9 a kilowatt hour compared with P2 for hydroelectric power and P2.80 for geothermal power.


Manny gave Jinkee roses last Tuesday,Valentines Day, shortly before the Bible study began, which delved on the biblical verses of God’s love to humanity.
Citing Asirit’s presentation at the pre-summit conference, Hernandez said the Energy Department had confirmed that four coal plants and one coal power plant expansion were in the pipeline for Mindanao.


After the Bible study, Pacquiao sponsored parlor games participated in by his family members, employees, and guests, including local officials and media with total prizes of more than P1 million.
“One of the plans [was] approved early this week, ironically, with a promise from the President to expedite the construction process of the harmful facility. Last November 2011, the government gave the go-signal for a coal plant in Sarangani, and before that in July, [President Aquino] was guest of honor in the inauguration of another coal facility in the Visayas.


“Should the other projects in Mindanao push through, President Aquino’s administration would have approved more coal plants than any of his predecessors.”


“With this midnight approval, the government has succeeded in creating a truly agonizing Holy Week scenario for the people of Mindanao, replete with episodes of sacrifice, false prophets, and public betrayal.”


Hernandez reminded the President of his campaign promise to support the development of renewable energy and to phase out coal-fired power plants.


“We thought this administration would approach this problem with a greater measure of integrity and sophistication,” Hernandez said.


“On the contrary, he has allowed coal pushers in his team to overturn his pledge as evidenced by the [Energy Department’s] existing plans to build an unprecedented number of coal plants during his term. The President should be advised that each coal plant he builds edges out the opportunity for the people of this country to harness clean and renewable power.”


Greenpeace claims there is no such things as “clean coal plants,” and that there were no commercially available technologies that could remove mercury, a deadly neurotoxin that accumulates in the environment and in the food chain, or carbon dioxide, which causes climate change.


Casiño, meanwhile, said he had learned that in an April 4 pre-summit meeting in Davao, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras ordered Mindanao’s electric cooperatives to buy expensive power from the privatized power barges at P14 a kilowatt hour, with the government shouldering P9 per kilowatt hour.


Almendras, he said, also reportedly ordered local government officials to immediately approve the environmental compliance certificates for at least two new coal-fired power plants in Mindanao.


“If that is the case, then the power summit would just be a rubber stamp... which forces consumers to pay an additional 50 to 80 centavos per kilowatt hour for their electricity due to the manipulations of favored private power generators like Therma Marine Inc. owned by the Aboitizes, ” Casiño said.


He said he found it strange that the government was willing to subsidize diesel power at P9 a kilowatt hour when it would be cheaper and more sustainable to subsidize solar and other renewable energy sources.


==Pacman considering giving up boxing in favor of the Bible==
Asirit told the pre-summit conference that power rate increases were inevitable.
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/02/14/pacman-considering-giving-up-boxing-in-favor-of-the-bible/
*Tuesday| February 14, 2012
:by  Allen V. Estabillo


“What makes Mindanao different from Visayas and Luzon is its rich potential for renewable energy, from solar, hydro, geothermal to biomass. Why not tap these instead of the more expensive and dirty fossil fuel technologies?” Casiño said.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/13 February) – After bidding goodbye to his prized fighting cocks, Manila casino and entertainment joint here several weeks ago, world boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is now considering giving up his boxing gloves for good in favor of his faith and “Bible-centered” life.
Also on Monday, administration Senator Serge Osmeña III chided the electric cooperatives for opposing the privatization of the government-owned plants on the island, saying it was mandated by law. He his view that the people of Mindanao had been enjoying subsidies for too long.
Pacquiao disclosed over the weekend that he is seriously leaning on retiring from boxing after his scheduled June 9 World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight against American brawler Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Hindi maganda na nagse-share ako ng salita ng Panginoon tapos nananakit ako ng kapwa (It’s not right that I share God’s word and at the same time hurt other people),” he told reporters after gracing the oath-taking of newly-promoted personnel of the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion in Maasim town in Sarangani.
The neophyte Sarangani lawmaker, who already made a good fortune from his boxing exploits since his ring debut 16 years ago, said he wants to concentrate more on sharing his faith and at the same time on helping his poor constituents.
“I’ve gained more than enough blessings these past years so I think it’s time for me to return the favor,” he said in Filipino.
In September last year, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank was reported in the media as saying that the former supposedly plans to retire from boxing by the end of 2013 after running for governor of Sarangani province.
Pacquiao’s mother Dionisia had asked him several times to quit from boxing and just focus on his businesses and budding political career to no avail.
On the other hand, Pacquiao said he would only retire from boxing once his famed trainer Freddie Roach sees him slowing down or his vaunted punching power waning out.
After his controversial unanimous win over Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez last November, Pacquiao was initially reported to have started attending Bible studies through the help of a Protestant pastor.
Mayor Reynaldo Constantino of Malungon, Sarangani, a close ally of Pacquiao, earlier said the latter has so far become a “changed man” as a result of his newfound passion for studying the Bible.
Pacquiao, who made the headlines in the past for his alleged affairs with other women as well as his gambling and drinking habits, has reportedly sold a casino that he operates in a Manila hotel and
disposed of his fighting cocks.
He also shut down recently his J-Mix restaurant and bar, where he used to treat his friends for drinks and billiard games.
Earlier this month, Pacquiao accepted an offer from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to become the Church’s “Bible ambassador.”
With his impending retirement, the ring icon’s highly-anticipated showdown with undefeated American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and fourth face-off with Marquez now appears in limbo.
The Pacquiao camp earlier tried to sign up Mayweather Jr. for a May 5 brawl but the initial talks eventually went nowhere reportedly due to differences on the sharing percentages of the mega-fight’s anticipated earnings.
Mayweather Jr. decided instead to go with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto while Pacquiao settled on Bradley for their May and June fights, respectively.
Two years ago, the two future boxing hall of famers were supposed to be primed up for a fight but it was later scrapped after both camps couldn’t settle on the pre-fight drug testing method. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)


“The Mindanao cooperatives have their own version of the economic law of supply and demand,” Osmeña, chairman of the Joint Congressional Power Commission, told the Manila Standard in a text message.


“They demand subsidized electricity and the rest of the country must supply. What about the rest of the population who have been paying market rates for almost 10 years?”


The senator was reacting to the position paper submitted by the 33-member Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, which urges the government to forgo plans to sell its power plants in Mindanao to prevent a spike in energy prices.


Osmeña said the privatization of government-owned plants was mandated by law to attract the private sector to enter the power generation business.


“Private owners do not and cannot afford to compete with government, which can operate at a loss,” he said.


==Last 2 Pacquiao fights fail to impress Ariza==
*Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/39983/last-2-pacquiao-fights-fail-to-impress-ariza
*10:06 pm | Tuesday, April 10th, 2012
:by  Romina S. Austria
Philippine Daily Inquirer




Manny Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach said he is far from impressed with the Filipino ring superstar’s two fights last year.
And the last thing Alex Ariza wants is an unprepared Pacquiao battling the unbeaten American Timothy Bradley on June 9 for the Sarangani congressman’s WBO welterweight belt at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“We can’t have a bad camp,” Ariza told boxingscene.com. “(Pacquiao’s) physical conditioning is very important. This must happen all the way.”
Pacquiao will defend his WBO title for the fourth time against the unpredictable Bradley, with the Ring magazine’s pound-for-pound king heavily favored to bag his 55th professional victory in 60 fights.
The eight-division world champion prevailed via ho-hum unanimous decisions over Joshua Clottey in March 2010 and Shane Mosley in May 2011 before besting Juan Manuel Marquez for the second time via an unpopular majority decision six months later.
“He’s (Bradley) a high-volume puncher who’ll come forward,” Ariza said. “Bradley’s not a technical guy like Marquez. He fights somewhat like Manny. That’s why I think it’ll be an explosive fight.”
Ariza said Pacquiao, who has started light training in Manila and General Santos City, runs the risk of losing focus for his clash with Bradley because of his various activities outside the ring.
The Colombian conditioning guru also said starting camp on April 16 in Baguio City could be “a little late” for Pacquiao even though he sees a hungrier, more motivated Pacman this time.
“It’s up to Manny how he’d prepare against Bradley,” Ariza said, adding he knows Pacquiao wants to prove something in his coming fight.
Meanwhile, world junior welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov (21-1, 14 KOs) will join Pacquiao’s training camp in Baguio. The Russian is expected to arrive in the country on April 22.
Provodnikov will travel back to Los Angeles with Pacquiao and head trainer Freddie Roach in early May to continue training at the Wild Card Gym.
Despite his apprehensions, Ariza said he is confident the Pacquiao-Bradley bout will be a short one.
“Manny’s competitive spirit will take over,” Ariza said. “How he trains will impact on how he does against Bradley.
“If he trains properly, Manny could blow that guy away in less than five rounds.”


==Sarangani floods affect 100 families==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/09/12/sarangani-floods-affect-100-families
*04/09/2012 6:13 PM | Updated as of 04/09/2012 6:42 PM
:by  Jay Dayupay and Rhea Lara, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN


==Sarangani is paradise for thrill-seekers==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/247806/lifestyle/travel/sarangani-is-paradise-for-thrill-seekers
*february 13 2012
:by  CARMELA G. LAPEÑA, GMA News


MANILA, Philippines – More than 100 families in Poblacion, Alabel, Sarangani province were affected by floods triggered by strong rains last Saturday.


At the southern tip of the Philippines is the province of Sarangani, whose name comes from "sarang-ani," meaning "this is our territory" in Malay.
Raging floodwaters inundated Purok 4, Sitio Cogonal and Purok Tagumpay, prompting several residents to flee their homes.
The province is in Mindanao's Socsksargen Region, which includes South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.
Home to the indigenous communities of B'laan, Tagakaolo, T'boli, Manobo, Ubo, and Kalagan, Sarangani is rich with Filipino culture.
The province is also the hometown of world champion boxer and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee.
Already popular for its powdery white sand beaches, Sarangani takes things up a notch with its array of activities for thrill-seekers. From white water tubing to zip lining, this is definitely a place for the adventurous.


Although it is quite a distance from Manila, the trip is more than worth it, as Weekend Warriors Jigs Maniega and Angelo Salcedo found out last month.
Around 50 hectares of agricultural products were also destroyed.
Sarangani in two days
The cousins headed to Sarangani for an unforgettable two days, enjoying the usual vacation activities like swimming and eating. But they also had to complete some unusual tasks, as all Weekend Warriors must. It was all worth it, as they discovered. It was all part of the Sarangani experience.
The adventure began with white water tubing down the 1.6-kilometer Pangi River in Maitum. White water tubing is like rafting, except you sit on an inflated rubber tire instead of a raft. The ride lasts for 25 minutes, and every second is filled with screams of delight. There is the danger of falling off, but there are always guides on an attached tube behind you.
For another kind of adrenaline rush, visit the IML Eco Park, an all adventure resort where you can pretend to fly on a 580-meter zip line, or test your shooting skills at a world-class firing range.
If riding the rapids doesn't appeal to you, visit the Maitum Municipal Hall instead to see the replicas of Maitum anthropomorphic jars, which date back to the Metal Age. In 1991, the secondary burial jars were found by a team led by National Museum Archaeology Curator Eusebio Dizon. The actual jars are on display at the National Museum, but they were discovered in Piñol Cave, which is not far from the Maitum Municipal Hall.
If you have enough time, you can visit the cave itself and see the bat sanctuary, where you can find hundreds of thousands of giant golden crowned flying fox bats. You could also head to the Pawikan Nesting Sanctuary in Old Poblacion, where you can see green turtles, hawksbill turtles and the Olive Ridley. Over 3,000 hatchlings have been released into the ocean from the sanctuary since it was established in 2003 by Danilo C. Dequiña.
Oldest town
For some history, visit Glan, the oldest town in Socsksargen. Glan was Agricultural Colony No. 9, headed by Cebuano Don Tranquilino Ruiz, who was appointed superintendent by Governor General Francis Burton Harrison in 1914. Don Ruiz's house still stands, and it is filled with antique furniture, paintings, bottles, jars and other memorabilia including a komoda which was made by a Japanese carpenter in 1921.
You can also learn how to produce copra, one of the province's main industries. Watch as they remove the coconut's skin, then halve the nut in order to extract the liquid, which will be made into oil. The rest of the nut is burnt and turned into coal. It sounds simple enough, but as Jigs and Angelo discovered, it takes a lot of strength.
"Kasi process 'yun eh. 'Pag kopra kailangan tatanggalin namin 'yung balat nung buko na natuyo na tapos bibiyakin. Tatanggalin 'yung laman, paghihiwalayin, susunugin 'yung pinaka-niyog, 'yung bao ng niyog. Sa una sobrang struggle. Pagbalat pa lang kailangan talaga ng strength. Nung una pa lang hindi ko na matanggal...nahirapan talaga ako," says Jigs.
Even Angelo, who had previous experience, found it difficult. "Natataranta nga ako kasi hindi na ako sanay. Ang tagal na. Five years na akong hindi nakakapag-kopra," he shares.
Tuna fishing
Make sure to visit Sarangani Bay, the largest producer of fish in Southern Mindanao. Sarangani is famous for its export-quality tuna, and as the Weekend Warriors learned, it takes a lot to prepare the fish perfectly. Their mission: to get five fish from a boat, weigh the fish, and then clean them. In the end, they managed to weigh and clean 110 kilos of tuna.
As a reward, they were brought to Gumasa Beach, where the sand is powdery white and the water is crystal clear. "Ang ganda kasi. 'Yung sand nila super fine na white talaga. Ang presko nung tubig, saka ang clear, ang ganda," says Jigs.
Angelo observes that the beach is pristine, because they're very strict about their no littering policy.
"Kahit anong dumi wala kaming nakita. The best, ang ganda," says Angelo.
For a P1,500-diving fee, you can marvel at the countless colorful and unique fish at Lemlunay Resort, a well-known diving spot in Sarangani.
"Nakaka-amaze sa ilalim, ang ganda! Ang daming isda, nakaka-amaze na na-preserve nila 'yung mga ganung isdaan," says Angelo.
You'll definitely work up an appetite after diving, and there's no better dish than fresh kinilaw to make your hunger pangs disappear. This dish of raw fish marinated in spiced vinegar is the Filipino version of ceviche, a Latin American preparation method which uses citrus juice.
With all the things to do and sights to see, a couple of days will surely feel like too short a time, and it won't be easy to leave a beautiful place like Sarangani.
"Hindi siya the usual na probinsiya na pupuntahan kasi parang sa tao parang silent killer na parang wala lang, walang ganito sa Sarangani. 'Yun pala kapag na-explore mo 'yung buong lugar, ang dami mong pwedeng gawin, ang dami mong puwedeng matutunan, ang dami mong puwedeng maranasan. Ang ganda," says Jigs. — KG, GMA News


==BFAR notes Alsons Aquaculture breakthrough into China==
In Barangay Kawas, motorists were stranded due to an impassible bridge.
*Source:http://businessmirror.com.ph/component/content/article/53-agri-commodities/23159-bfar-notes-alsons-aquaculture-breakthrough-into-china
*SUNDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2012 18:39
:by  BusinessMirror.com.ph


Road repairs are ongoing.


HE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is batting for value adding by aquaculture companies, saying the time has come for local milkfish and other fish species to find markets overseas.
The residents have returned to their homes but they fear that more rains in the coming days will trigger floods anew.
BFAR Director Asis G. Perez said aquaculture companies can produce fillets and special byproducts for the Asian, European and American markets and noted that processed products enjoy better prices.


In a briefing last week, Perez said the strides made by aquaculture has increased its share of the food-fish supply for the domestic market, which is now comprised of 94 million people.
==Police rescue two abducted security guards in Sarangani==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/254194/news/regions/police-rescue-two-abducted-security-guards-in-sarangani
*April 8, 2012 9:37am
:by LBG, GMA News


“While we buy fish whole, other markets prefer processed products like fillets of milkfish,” he said.


Perez also noted the entry of Alsons Aquaculture Corp. (AAC) in the China market, shipping out an initial nine tons of milkfish to Xiamen, an industrial and commercial hub that has grown tremendously in the last two decades.
Local authorities on Saturday rescued in Sarangani province two abducted security guards, a police report said.


With the initial shipment, Gabriel H. Alcantara, AAC assistant vice president for the processed food division, said the company became the first Philippine company to test the potential of bangus in the lucrative China market.
Mark Lantin and Daniel Bolunos were released unharmed by their captors on Saturday morning, some 29 hours after they were abducted by armed men at the Rosa Farm, Sitio Nakolel, Barangay Lago in Glan town at 4 a.m. on Good Friday.


Perez said the AAC was also instrumental in providing the milkfish fingerlings for Taal Lake and Pangasinan fishpen operators after these areas were hit by fish kills last year.
Reports reaching Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Dir. Gen. Nicanor Bartolome from Central Mindanao said a crisis management committee – composed of personnel from Glan Municipal Police Station, Sarangani Police Provincial Police Office, Regional Intelligence Division and local government authorities – was convened immediately to secure the safe release of the captives.


The BFAR chief said the market for aquaculture products like milkfish will grow since more and more people are now opting for seafood rather than meat.
At the same time, PNP units had conducted operations to limit the movement of the abductors within a smaller area.


“Livestock and poultry will have a problem once the share of fish in the diet increases for health reasons,” he said.
Chief Supt Benjardi Mantele, PNP Regional Director in Central Mindanao, said the two victims were brought to Barangay Congan before their abductors were prompted to release the victims unconditionally due to police pressure.


Alcantara said his company has cut a deal with retail stores in Xiamen to market the milkfish products under the Sarangani Bay brand.
==Mindanao farmers get tractors, threshers from gov’t==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/173113/mindanao-farmers-get-tractors-threshers-from-gov%E2%80%99t
*7:43 pm | Saturday, April 7th, 2012
:by  Leila B. Salaverria
Philippine Daily Inquirer


By breaking into the huge China market, AAC hopes to further entrench itself as the country’s largest exporter of processed and packaged milkfish, Alcantara added.


“The export milkfish products were hatched and raised in Alsons’ own aquaculture farm in Alabel, Sarangani and processed on-site at AAC’s state-of-the-art facility,” he said.
MANILA, Philippines—Farmers in Mindanao have received nmearly P21 million worth of farm equipment from the Department of Agriculture intended to help them produce more crops and earn more money.
The department said in a news release that it recently awarded 177 pieces of farm machinery and equipment, such as tractors and threshers, to farmers’ groups and irrigators’ associations in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) Region.
The DA shouldered the bulk of the cost of the equipment through the farm mechanization component of its Food Staple Sufficiency Program. Under the program, the DA paid for 85 percent of the cost, while the beneficiaries shouldered the remaining 15 percent.
Assistant Agriculture Secretary Dante Delima said another set of farm machines and equipment was  scheduled to be awarded to another batch of farmers in August this year.
Delima, who was present in the recent turnover to the beneficiaries, called on the farmers to maximize the use of their new equipment in their field preparation, planting, harvesting and other farm operations so that these would be faster and more efficient.
He also said they should take care of the machines, which are meant to increase their production and income.
DA Region 12 Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said the department would create a team to monitor the farmers and irrigators groups to ensure they are using the new equipment efficiently and are seeing to their maintenance.
The bulk of the machines and equipment went to 126 farmers’ groups. They received five units of four-wheel drive tractors, 112 hand tractors, and 37 rice threshers, collectively worth P18.5 million.
Five outstanding irrigators’ associations received nine hand tractors, seven hermetic cocoons, and seven portable dryers, which are worth P2.43 million.


Alcantara said the initial volume was shipped from Gen. Santos City in late December 2011 and arrived in Xiamen early this month.
==Pacquiao steps aside for the true Champ==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/04/06/12/pacquiao-steps-aside-true-champ
*04/06/2012 12:47 PM | Updated as of 04/06/2012 12:47 PM
:by www.abs-cbnnews.com




MANILA, Philippines – Core members and volunteers of ABS-CBN Christian Fellowship were still busy setting up for the 7 p.m. March 29 fellowship when I received a phone call at 4:30 pm from our guest speaker. “Malapit na kami diyan sa ABS,” Sarangani Congressman and world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao said.


“Huh? Ang aga niyo,” I answer.


“OK lang,” he said. “Gusto ko i-testing iyong Powerpoint presentation ko.”


In less than 5 minutes, a convoy of 4-5 vehicles pulled up the driveway of the ABS-CBN compound bringing the members of Barangay Pacquiao - Manny dressed in a suit, Jinkee in a gorgeous yellow lace dress, their 4 kids, Jimuel, Michael, Princess and Queenie and their yayas, his security detail, executive assistant Stephanie, and Pastor Jeric Soriano.


A crowd quickly gathers when word of his arrival spread. ABS-CBN employees left their workstations to stare, get a picture or shake the hand of the 8-division boxing champ. Even the kids are greeted with cheers and well-wishes. Manny obliges the fans while slowly working his way to the Dolphy Theater.


Once there, Manny introduced the Pacquiao Word Worship team, led by his wife Jinkee, his staff, security and some friends. All of them are wearing Team Pacquiao T-shirts. The team practice their line-up of praise and worship songs such as Power of Your Love, Here We Are, Shine Jesus Shine, and Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat.


Manny briefly goes through his presentation with Pastor Jeric who has been intensely teaching the Sarangani congressman. He gives Pacquiao the nod – he’s good to go. Before the service, the organizers gather as a group and say a prayer asking for the Holy Spirit to empower the speaker, the musicians and everyone involved.


Packed theatre


The Dolphy Theatre is packed even before the fellowship starts. The worshippers come out and lead the people in worship before I formally introduce the Pacman on stage. He started off by greeting everyone with his big smile.


==Ex-Sarangani governor faces graft charges==
“Kumain na ba kayo? (Have you eaten?)” he asked, earning a chuckle from the audience.
*Source: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=//2012/february/10/nation2.isx&d=/2012/february/10
*Thursday February 09 2012
:by    Macon Ramos-Araneta


Manny then encouraged them with a Bible verse. “OK lang. Sabi sa Biblia, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”


THE Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against former Gov. Miguel Escobar of Sarangani province and several others over the grant of a financial assistance worth P450,000 in 2002.
Pacquiao then shared his dream where he heard God speaking to him: “Anak , bakit ka lumayo sa akin? (My child, why have you gone astray?)”


In an Information lodged before the Sandiganbayan, charged with violation of Section 3(e) of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act were Escobar, provincial board member Juanito Purisima, Executive Assistant to the Vice Governor Amelia Carmela Zoleta, Accountant IV Suzette Clerigo, and management analyst Alexis dela Cruz, all of the provincial government of Sarangani.
Manny did go astray as his boxing career soared.


Private respondent Velsie Banzon, treasurer of Malapatan Fishermens Group in Poblacion Malapatan, was also included in the charge sheet.
“Umiinom, sugal, bar, babae...,” he said


The Information, approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, stated that the respondents caused the disbursement of the amount P450,000 through a Development Bank of the Philippines check dated May 29, 2002 to Banzon as payee.
He then added: “That old Manny Pacquiao is gone and the new Manny Pacquiao has come.”


It added that they made it appear that financial assistance was requested and given to the fishermen’s group, and that evidence pointed to Escobar as the one who approved the fictitious request and even certified in the disbursement voucher that the cash advance was necessary, lawful and incurred under his direct supervision.
‘I didn’t understand the Bible’


The Information further alleged that Clerigo certified the completeness and propriety of the supporting documents despite non-compliance with Commission on Audit Circular 96-003 providing for the documentary requirements in disbursements for financial assistance.
Manny attributes his spiritual awakening and transformation after truly discovering the author and subject of the Bible, Jesus Christ.


He said he repented from his sin, rededicated his life to Jesus and went on a quest to learn as much as he could about his Savior and how to get closer to God.


“When I first read the Bible, I couldn’t understand it. I wanted a bible study in the morning and in the afternoon. I felt my day wasn’t complete if I didn’t read the Bible,” he shares.


Manny moved on to his presentation and for the next 45 minutes, he shared how the Word of God, when read, meditated and followed, turned his life around.


The Pacman shared one Bible verse that made an impact on his life. Joshua 1:8 “Keep this book of the Law always in your lips. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”


“The Bible is spiritual food that feeds your Spirit man,” Manny explained.


“The old Manny, when tempting thoughts would come to me, I had no power to say ‘No.’ Now I do,” he added.


Turning point


It was 4 months ago when Manny declared inside the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles that he wanted to turn his life around. He hasn’t looked back since.


Pastor Rice Brooks in Las Vegas shared to him about the Word of God one week before his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao fell in love with God, and everyday after, I could see his eyes sparkle whenever he learned a new truth and precept.


He glued himself to the Bible and prayer, and rededicated himself to his family. Round by round, he pounded away at his old habits. Today, Manny walks around with his iPad equipped with Bible apps. He also shares pages of Bible verses he has memorized.


==The Philippine tuna industry crisis: Another look (3)==
“Marami na akong mga weapon!” he exclaims to everyone who’s listening.
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/special-reports/2012/02/07/the-philippine-tuna-industry-crisis-another-look-3/
*Tuesday| February 7, 2012
:by Edwin G. Espejo


Pastor Jeric Soriano said Manny has carried his discipline in boxing training to his study of the Word of God.


“He is extremely diligent and determined,” he said.


Last of three parts GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/06 Feb) — With the Philippine seas south of Mindanao already over fished, local tuna producers have looked beyond the country’s fishing grounds for their operations. In the 1990s, local tuna producers began opening up fishing operations in Indonesia and in Papua New Guinea. By the turn of the millennium, several Filipino companies had already put up canning plants in these countries known for their rich tuna fishing grounds. As local tuna production began to decline, pressures from Filipino companies operating fishing grounds in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea for raw materials increased. For a while, it sustained the six canning plants in the city which still operated 24/7. But since 2008, canning plants had been cutting production hours by a third, from three production shifts to just two and sometimes just once a day. The decline in Philippine tuna catch had little impact on Filipino exporters of canned tuna who were able to set up plants in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. As early as two decades ago, industry players had seen a steady decline of domestic catch due to over fishing and over saturation of commercial fishing operations in Philippine seas. At least four Filipino-owned corporations now have tuna canning plants in these two countries. But while production declined, increased international prices of canned and processed tuna as well as fresh chilled yellowfin tuna exports are keeping the Philippine tuna industry afloat. Over the last five years, the annual export earnings of Philippine tuna are still within the range of US$280 million despite reduced production. Days of aplenty Marfenio Tan, former president of the Socsksargen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industry (SFFAI), continues to reminisce the days when they had to bury tons of tuna catches on the beaches because there were simply abundant supplies and demand could not cope, if not non-existent. Landings of mature yellowfin tuna have steadily been declining over the last five years. Six years ago, before fuel costs skyrocketed worldwide, the average price of a box of skipjack was P600 (US$14 per 33-kilo box). On Thursday, it was US$48. “Way back in the late 1960s, bariles (yellowfin tuna) was sold at fifteen centavos (Php) and still there were no takers. Skipjacks were sold at five centavos a bundle,” Tan said. On Thursday, the sashimi grade yellowfin tuna fetched P290 a kilo (US$6.70). Back then these tunas were caught just a little over one hundred meters away from the shore. Today, the closest you can have them in volume is a good six hours from the coastal towns of Kiamba and Maasim in Sarangani. On a bad day, three weeks in the open seas off Sarangani Bay will net a zero catch. Today, the average vessel days of handline tuna fishermen is ten days. The aggregate medium sized purse seine fishing operations take about 30 fishing days. Glory days over Despite the pall of gloom in the horizon, producers and fishermen are not counting out the Philippine tuna industry although Tan says it definitely had already seen its better days. Many who relied solely on tuna fishing went bankrupt when the 1997 Asian financial crisis hit the region, mostly fishing companies who obtained loans, some of them in dollar denomination, to expand or to invest first time in the industry. But for some, the 1997 financial crisis was also time for windfall profits as exporters enjoyed the bonanza of the decline in the Philippine peso foreign exchange market. Tan said of the 10 or so families who pioneered the industry in the late 1960s and early 1970s, only three are left. During the stretch when the industry became the single top dollar earner commodity for Mindanao, several companies had also emerged, especially in the late 1980s and early 1990s. But the industry is going full circle again following the 2008 global collapse of several financial institutions and renewed oil price crisis. Five years ago, former General Santos City Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr urged key players to look beyond the tuna industry and invest in other businesses. He proved prophetic as the two-year Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission ban on tuna fishing gave them a rude wake-up call. Tan, now retired president of San Andres Fishing Industries, became big enough which allowed him to diversify his business interests long before the double whammy of crises hit the industry in the last two decades. He said the crisis has affected his production but his other business interests outside the fishing industry insulated and prevented him from going the way of his other contemporaries. He, along with the Riveras of the RD Fishing Group, is still one of the city’s biggest tuna producers as well as among the biggest businessmen in town. But he still yearns for what once were the glory days of the tuna industry. (Edwin Espejo writes for the asiancorrespondent.com)
Pacquiao said another one of his favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”


He explained: “Dati dasal ako ng dasal. Simba ako every Sunday pero Monday to Saturday lahat ng kalokohan ginagawa ko. Hindi natin maloloko ang Panginoon.”


His wife, Jinkee, was all smiles as she listened to her husband preach for the first time.


“Ang Holy Spirit na kay Manny na talaga. Happy ako at lahat kaming pamilya. Ang saya na talaga,” he said.


Bible studies in his Manila and General Santos City homes are frequent. Pacquiao also likes to listen to an audio bible with portable speakers in his vehicle.


In his sermon, Pacquiao is stretching his arms wide to the audience.


“God loves us so much. That’s why he even died for us.’


“Famous athletes like Jeremy Lin, Tim Tebow and now Manny Pacquiao are all sharing about God. Why me? Because the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is near.”


Dig deep into the Word


Pacquiao ended his sermon by bowing down in prayer and asking all who want to begin a new life with Jesus to join in.


==Phl mango production posts 7% growth==
‘Lord, maraming salamat sa iyong pag-ibig. Sorry sa lahat ng kasalanan ko. I give my life to you Jesus. The old is gone, the new me has come. Thank you. I love you, God,” he said.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=774732&publicationSubCategoryId=66
*February 06, 2012 12:00 AM
:by  J. Antonio Rimando


He then joins his group in singing a couple more of his favorite praise and worship songs.


GLAN, Sarangani,, Philippines -  Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala announced here recently that the Philippines posted a seven percent growth in mango production in 2011 which he attributed largely to continuous flower induction in Southern Tagalog-A (Calabarzon) ,Southern Tagalog-B (Mimaropa), Central Luzon, Bicol, Ilocos and other parts of Mindanao and the Visayas.
“Diva for the Lord” Dulce belted out a powerful number while Pastor Jesse Dedel prayed over the Pacquiao family, encouraging Manny to press on till the end.


Alcala addressed the recently concluded National Mango Congress, which focused on the theme “Posturing the Philippine Mango Strongly in the World Market,” held at the Isla Jarden del Mar Resort in this capital town.
Celebrities and top management attended the fellowship but the night did not belong to them. In the end, even the 8-division world boxing champion stepped aside to give glory to the true champion – the Lord Jesus Christ.


Last year, Alcala said, the country was able to export a total of 20,115 tons of fresh mango worth at least $15.2 million, even as it further exported 36,000 tons of dried mangoes and 9,328 tons of processed mangoes.
Pacquiao also encouraged Filipinos to dig deep into the Holy Scripture during Holy Week.


“This enabled the country to earn a total of over $50 million from combined exports of fresh, dried and processed mangoes during the 12-month period, Alcala said, adding that despite these figures, “we still noted a shortage in supply.”
“Dig deep and truly have a life changing experience with God by committing to read His Word and obeying it. He has a solution for every situation and nothing is impossible with God,” he said. “Believe! Don’t live in unbelief.”


Consequently, the agriculture chief urged the nation’s mango growers and producers to plant more even as he challenged them to surpass last year’s produce.
Pacquiao has said before that he plans to retire soon since he has nothing left to prove inside the ring. Indeed, his boxing conquests may soon come to an end but his new journey of victory in Christ is just beginning.


The Department of Agriculture has strengthened its partnership with the mango industry sector especially in improving handling and transporting system.
==Go Gumasa for the biggest beach party this summer - Asian Correspondent==
*Source: http://cebusandman.typepad.com/philippines_travel_news/2012/04/go-gumasa-for-the-biggest-beach-party-this-summer-asian-correspondent-1.html
*April 5, 2012 at 7:27 AM
:by  COCOY SEXCION


Alcala noted the significance of last year’s congress theme which, he said, is timed relevantly with the strong demand abroad for Philippine mangoes.


At the same time, Alcala pledged to continue the DA’s continuous all-out support for the growth and development of the Philippine mango industry.
Tired of the maddening crowd of Boracay? The crash commercialism of Panglao? Or the prohibitive and princely price tag of El Nido?
Save your bed and dine budget and get more adventurous.
Pack those bags and fly farther south for a summer retreat where one gets the most rural of the setting, yet lusts for one of nature’s few remaining unspoiled beauties.
Welcome to Gumasa in Sarangani, home to Mindanao’s biggest beach party – the Sarangani Bay Festival.


He assured the congress participants from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao that the DA would continue to intensify its assistance and sustenance for deserving programs, particularly in the establishment and rehabilitation of nurseries and, household and village processing assistance and crop improvement especially for climate change adaptability.
Crossing the 15-kilometer Sarangani Bay channel


Alcala identified the major mango production regions in the Southern Philippines as Western Mindanao or Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and Central Mindanao which covers South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City.
It is in this part of Mindanao where you can still frolic in the most powdery white sands, watch beach volley and soccer, build sand castles, snorkel and skinny dip in crystal-clear sea waters and party all night long. On the side, shout your hearts out as you cheer for your favorite 5-man relay team swim and race against many others in the shark-infested Sarangani Bay, a distance of 15 kilometers across the channel. (Don’t worry. The sheer number of sea crafts, swimmers and spectators are driving those sharks away.) Oh, lest you forget, watch dolphins playfully swim with the human tankers at a safe distance. When there are no sharks, there are dolphins, period.
Gumasa, they say, is what Boracay was 25 years ago when the world-known tourist destination was not yet, well, as crowded as it is today. When being in with the Boracay beach crowd means spending half a year’s salary for a Metro Manila minimum wage earner for a two night stay good for two.
You can spend half of that and stay in Gumasa for four days. That’s practically more than half the price tag of Boracay! But, dig this. You can happily bring home along with you the bragging rights of telling friends when you grow those grey hairs that you were there in Gumasa when one can practically own the place by his or her lonesome during off seasons. That is one of life’s priceless moments and memories.
Just ask Supreme Court administrator Midas Marquez who was at the bay festival two years ago and was seen tightly clasping a bottle of ice cold San Mig Lights while watching Cueshe live on stage. Or Tina Muñoz Palma who had her moment with youthful Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez along the beach front one breezy and cloudy afternoon the year before.
Talkback host and Bantay Bata mover Tina Muñoz Palma of ANC and ABS-CBN Foundation with Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez


Dominguez said the late Filipino rock icon Karl Roy once suddenly popped out from the crowd and went upstage to jam with the local band. Eric Gancio of the lamented and missed Yano band is a regular performer here. Eric is a friend of the governor. Recent Pinoy Big Brother fourth placer Paco Evangelista is also a regular at the bay festival.
Sarbay, as organizers have coined it, now proudly owns the tag as Mindanao’s biggest beach party and Gumasa is the resident host of Sarangani Bay Festival.


The festival itself has become the province’s great leveler – where a farmhand can rub elbows with celebrities. Where Sarangani’s officials are part of the crowd – not the crowd.
“I think we can claim it has become the bigger beach party in the country where people party literally from sundown to sunrise,” the governor said.
Dominguez said, last year, the bay festival was able to attract 35,000 local tourists – up from 6,000 in 2006.
Have you seen your vice governor break dance on stage in your place? Try Gumasa.
The bay festival was one of the first activity concepts pushed by Dominguez immediately after he was elected governor of the province for the first time in 2004.
Sarangani province however shares the bay with nearby General Santos City. (Sarangani six coastal towns are evenly separated by Gensan) After failed attempts to jointly host Sarbay with General Santos, Dominguez gave his signal to proceed with the concept that has now become a buzzword in Mindanao.
Mindanao today. The world tomorrow.
This year’s Sarangani Bay Festival has been shortened to two days – May 18-19. This should give visitors enough time to enjoy the serenity of the place and explore other places before and after Sarbay.


Side tours
The bay fest is adventure enough but if one wants to extend his stay, he or she can para-glide and get an eagle eye’s view of the blue waters of Sarangani Bay. The Tan brothers of SAFII Group of Companies are offering this latest craze to hit Sarangani.


Lemlunay's infiniti pool


If one is a dive enthusiast and wants to explore the earth’s remaining frontier, there is the Lemlunay Dive Resort operated by the Partridge family in Tinoto Maasim, also in Sarangani. The Tinoto Wall is dubbed as one of the best dive spots in Mindanao. The wall drops more than 500 feet you can almost “see” the abyss. Lemlunay also offers world-class accommodation with an infiniti pool to drool for.


Rep. Manny Pacquiao shooting the La Union rapids


If security arrangement can be made, a trek into the hidden waterfalls of Kiamba town or a visit to one of the pre-historic burial caves of Maitum will be a big bonus.


Nalus Falls in Kiamba


But you can still wet your butt in white-water rubber-tubing adventure in La Union, Maitum. Sarangani Rep. Manny once said the 1.5 kilometer stretch of rapids ride was one like he never had before. Unfortunately, until Manny retires from boxing, you will not get to see him at the festival as he often fights during the month.


==Housing project opens doors to occupants==
How to get there and some tips
*Source: http://www.goldstardailynews.com/northern-mindanao-%7C%7C-x/7936-housing-project-opens-doors-to-occupants.html
*Saturday, 04 February 2012
:by  BEVERLY C. PAOYON


Travel light. You do not have to dress up and bring your costly gears. After all, Gumasa is a backpacker’s ultimate paradise. Book a flight from your place of origin to General Santos City. There are at least four flights daily from Manila and back and two flights from Cebu on some days.
Taxis at the airport are available. Drivers however are not keen on using the taxi meter, though. Haggle with them. Airport to downtown fare should not be more than P300.
You can ask the driver where to bring you to the hotel or inn that best suits your taste or budget. Don’t look for 5-star accommodation. There is none yet in the city. You can make arrangements with the hotel front desk for transfer accommodation to one of the beach resorts in Gumasa. If you are to join the bay festival, an outdoor carry-on portable tent is advisable if you cannot have prior bookings.
You may inquire with event organizers at stipc@yahoo.com or call Telefax (083) 508-5230 or 508-5244.


ALABEL, Sarangani - -The fist -ever Public -Private Partnership (PPP) initiated housing project in Sarangani finally opened its doors to the first batch of occupants on January 24 in time for the awarding of certificates of occupancy to 11 beneficiaries. Called as "The Capitol Residences", it is the housing project of the provincial government, in joint venture with Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) and Sarangani Land and Development Corporation, which translates the commitment of provincial leaders to provide better shelter through medium grade but affordable housing facility for its employees. The local government unit (LGU) -led housing project was implemented pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act (RA) 7279 otherwise known as Urban Development and Housing Act in conjunction with Section 17 of RA 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991.
==From being No. 1 taxpayer in 2008, Pacquiao slides to 135th spot in 2010==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253833/news/nation/from-being-no-1-taxpayer-in-2008-pacquiao-slides-to-135th-spot-in-2010
*April 4, 2012 2:35pm
:by KBK/VS, GMA News


HDMF Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe said there have been a lot of negotiations ongoing nationwide for the PPP housing program for the LGUs but she pointed out Sarangani's project was yet the first ceremonial turn-over she witnessed. "Una ko po itong (The Capitol Residences) napuntahan na tunay naman na nakatayo na ang mga bahay, tapos na ang Land development, at may takeout na na labing-isang bahay," Berberabe disclosed. Berberabe said it was the first mandate of Vice President Jejomar Binay to Pag-IBIG, being the chairman of Pag-IBIG housing program, to conceptualize housing programs for LGUs which the latter supported with a campaign last year, but Berberabe said Sarangani implemented its own much ahead. For his part, Governor Migs Dominguez said it was the "first time that the local government unit engages the first private public partnership project especially in housing in the whole of Mindanao and maybe the whole Philippines."


"A step towards providing innovations in utilizing partnership with the private sector to meet (our) developmental objectives finally today of abiding quality housing especially to our local government and national government employees," Dominguez said. The governor emphasized also that he wanted to leave the housing project as his legacy where all the beneficiaries "build families, will build noble communities." Dominguez, likewise, anticipated that The Capitol Residences could be a "template where other local government units or agencies of the government can follow as a progressive, innovative way of developing."
From being number one in 2008, Sarangani Rep. and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao slid to the 135th spot among the country’s Top 500 individual taxpayers in 2010, latest data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) showed.


This, according to Dominguez, will also signal the start of investment development that would "provide formal, decent and the best housing project in Sarangani and also become a little imperative for the city residents to look at where you can experience fresh air, where you can see Mt. Matutum and get the fresh breeze coming from Sarangani Bay." Dominguez , however , stressed that in this project it is not only the houses that will be made as the model of development but as well as the families that will grow there. Atty. Wendel Avisado, secretary general of Housing and Development of the Office of the Vice President, noted this initiative of the provincial government as effective in encouraging employees in return to be more productive civil servants. "Ang pagkakaroon ng kasiguruhan sa usaping pabahay ay mahalaga sa bawat pamilya," Avisado said. He also pointed out "isa sa mga pangunahing karapatan ng bawat tao sa mundo ay magkaroon ng sariling lupa at bahay para sa kanyang pamilya.
Pacquiao, who is currently at loggerheads with the BIR, paid only P9,190,691 in taxes in 2010 despite having a taxable income of P504.5 million, the bureau said.


Also during the ceremonial turnover was the signing of memorandum of understanding between Sarangani and its partners where part of the covenants agreed was the recoupment of the P6 million the provincial government spent in purchasing the 6-hectare housing area that would in turn earn the provincial government P33,334 per unit based on the one peso computation from the proceeds of the loan per takeout. From the total 180 housing units to mortgage with HDMF, 11 beneficiaries constituted the first batch in which HDMF ceremonially turned over to the provincial government its monetary cash equivalent of P4.7 million as its share. Per lot measures 210 square meters Land area and 39.24 sq. meters floor area each unit, the advantage beneficiaries get compared to commercial housing units in cities which would range to an average of only 90 to 120 square meters.
In 2008, Pacquiao paid over P125 million, making him the top taxpayer for that year.


The eight-time world champion is currently facing a criminal case for obstructing a tax investigation into his earnings, a case that he said has cost him a fortune in endorsements.


The case was filed by the BIR last February after Pacquiao allegedly failed to submit proper documents about his earnings from boxing matches and his numerous commercial endorsements.


The BIR, through the agency’s regional director Rozil Lozares, issued a Letter of Authority to the boxing icon requiring him to submit documents regarding his earnings. Pacquiao allegedly failed to comply.


The BIR wants to investigate Pacquiao’s 33 tax records, including his annual income tax return in 2010, his book of accounts, list of assets, as well as his earnings from his fights against Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey.


GMA News Online called Pacquiao's business manager Rex "Wakee" Salud over the phone,  but the boxing champ's camp is still to issue an official statement as of this posting.


Pacquiao’s tax payments substantially declined to some P7 million in 2009 from P125 million in 2008–a drastic drop that got the bureau curious.


Pacquiao has vowed to fight the case in court and accused the BIR of singling him out for harassment.


According to the latest BIR list, businessman Vicente Lao was the top taxpayer for 2010. He had a taxable income of P235 million that year and paid taxes of P75 million.


After Lao, businessman Rolando Hortaleza placed second with P69.665 million in taxes. Filmmaker Carlo J. Caparas, once the subject of a tax case filed by the BIR, came in third with P65.670 million in taxes.


==GenSan, SouthCot, Sarangani brownouts not to end soon==
For non-individual taxpayers, communications giant Smart Communications topped the list with P11.456 billion for 2010. Other top corporate taxpayers were Chevron Malampaya LLC (P4.378 billion) and Shell Philippines Exploration (P4.327 billion).
*Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2012/02/03/gensan-southcot-sarangani-brownouts-not-to-end-soon/
*Friday| February 3, 2012
:by  Allen V. Estabillo


Nestle and San Miguel placed fourth and fifth, with P4.277 billion and P4.206 billion, respectively.


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 2 Feb) – The continuing hour-long daily rotating brownouts here and in nearby South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces will not likely end soon as Mindanao’s power situation reportedly remained under “red alert” status.
==Journalist wants libel raps dismissed==
Joy Celeste Alora, information officer of South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II), said they received an advisory from the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) that the power load cuts it imposed early last month to local power cooperatives in Mindanao will remain in effect due to the unstable power supplies coming from the hydroelectric plants of the National Power Corporation (NPC).
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/45853-Journalist-wants-libel-raps-dismissed.html
Based on the NGCP’s power situation outlook for Thursday, the combined capacity of Mindanao’s power generation plants is pegged at 1,216 megawatts (mw) or 51mw short of the area’s estimated peak demand of 1,267mw.
*Tuesday, April 3. 2012
The NPC’s hydropower plants in Bukidnon and the two Lanao provinces supply more than half of the island’s power requirements.
:by   (PNA)
“The one-hour rotating brownouts will continue to affect two of our main power feeders from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The curtailments will normally happen during the peak hours, especially in the evening,” Alora said.
DCT/PTR
Socoteco II serves this city, the seven municipalities of nearby Sarangani Province and two municipalities in the first congressional district of South Cotabato.
The cooperative’s franchise area has a current peak demand of 102mw that grows at an average of 4 percent annually.
But Rodolfo Ocat, Socoteco II general manager, projected that the increase in the area’s total power demand would double this year due to the opening within the first half of the year of a major shopping mall complex as well as several hotels and commercial establishments.
Beginning January, Ocat said NPC cut down the area’s power allocation by 28 to 30mw, reducing their average daily base power load at around 70mw.
Socoteco II forged an agreement in May last year with the Aboitiz-owned Therma Marine Inc. (TMI) for an augmentation of 18mw, leaving the current power deficit in the area at 14mw.
Alora said the area’s power situation will only improve if the status of NPC’s hydropower plants would stabilize within the next few months.
“The situation might ease a bit when the summer season comes in since we expect then some improvements in the generation capacity of the hydropower plants,” she said.
Alora said the Socoteco II management is presently working on another deal with TMI for another augmentation of 5mw within the first half of the year.
In June last year, Socoteco II signed a power sales agreement with the Alcantara-led Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) for a base load supply of 70mw for 25 years starting in early 2014.
The agreement, which is currently pending approval by the Energy Regulatory Commission, will take effect in time for the projected commercial streaming of the initial 100mw of the 200mw coal-fired power plant of SEC in Maasim town in Sarangani.
The US$ 450-million coal power plant is being built by SEC’s mother firm Conal Holding Corporation, which is backed by the Alcantara Group and Thailand’s Electricity Generating Public Company Limited. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)




MANILA — A Mindanao-based journalist has sought the dismissal of the libel case filed against him by the alleged friend of world boxing champion Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao.
In his 13-page counter-affidavit, Edwin Espejo, contributor for MindaNews and Asian Correspondent, said that "it is, therefore, imperative upon the fiscal or the judge as the case may be, to relieve the accused from the pain of going through a trial once it is ascertained that the evidence is insufficient to sustain a prima facie case or that no probable cause exists to form a sufficient belief as to the guilt of the accused."
Espejo is facing an P18-million libel case filed against him by Mohammad Aquia, former head of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) in Central Mindanao.
In his article, Espejo allegedly mentioned Aquia as an accused of running a carjacking syndicate who sought refuge in Pacquiao's house in General Santos City to evade arrest.
The article was published online.
In his counter-affidavit, Espejo said that libel cannot be committed by means of the Internet pointing out that under Article 353, the definition of libel "did not comprehend the rise of the interface of advanced telecommunications technologies with the internet."
Espejo said that such deficiency is recognized by the Senate thus Senator Manuel Villar filed on Jan. 18, 2011 a bill penalizing internet libel.
He added that there is also no malice when he wrote the article because Aquia is a public figure and he does not know him personally.
Espejo, through his legal counsel Romel Bagares, director of the Center for International Law Philippines, said that a United Nations Committee on Human Rights report stated that criminal libel in the Philippines is contrary to the country's obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Likewise, Bagares also said that they have yet to receive summons from the Office of the City Prosecutor in General Santos about the alleged P75-million libel case filed by Pacquiao against Espejo.
"Our information is that Rep. Pacquiao filed his complaint together with Mr. Aquia," Bagares said.
"In any case we reiterate our earlier call on Rep. Pacquiao to take this opportunity to work with journalists in pressing for the decriminalization of libel in the country," he said.
"This is an opportune moment for Rep. Pacquiao to show solidarity with Filipino journalists," Bagares added.


==Mindanao chambers look to strengthen role in investment facilitation==
*Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/45759-Mindanao-chambers-look-to-strengthen-role-in-investment-facilitation.html
*Monday, April 2. 2012
:by  zambotimes.com






CEBU CITY-Chambers of commerce in Mindanao should take a stronger role in drawing trade and investment to their respective areas.
This was the consensus among the Mindanao chamber officials who attended a “cross-learning” seminar organized in Cebu City by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program.
The seminar drew executives from established chambers of commerce in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga, as well as from smaller, newer chambers, from the provinces of Sarangani and Surigao and the cities of Butuan, Pagadian and Kidapawan. Representatives from Naga, Iloilo, and Cebu business chambers also attended the activity.
Participants exchanged best practices on chamber revenue generation, policy advocacy, and trade and investment facilitation, focusing on the successful experience of the Cebu Investment Promotion Center.
“We are in the process of reviewing our city’s investment code, and it was particularly useful to learn more about Cebu’s highly focused approach,” said Raymund Salangsang, president of the General Santos City chamber.
“GenSan has well-established fisheries, agriculture and IT sectors that bring in business, but we really should distinguish between domestic and foreign investors and their differing requirements,” Salangsang said.
He also proposed a more subregional approach towards attracting investors.
“Some industries cannot be contained in just one city,” Salangsang said. “GenSan is already the commercial and transport hub for surrounding provinces, so why not help businesses to locate or expand there? It works out to everyone’s benefit.”
“We looked at our respective strengths rather than try to replicate what other cities are doing,” said Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing, president of the Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.
“We are a small city in a highly agricultural area, with only a small wharf, but with established supply routes to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro,” Quisumbing pointed out.
“Rather than focus on direct exports, we studied how we fit into the supply chain,” Quisumbing said. “Given our large coconut production base, for example, there are opportunities for investors in coco semi-processing.”
The Mindanao chambers are currently working with local governments and national line agencies to develop investment databases for their respective areas.
This would include information on available raw materials, people support, costs of doing business, investment incentives, and other economic and market information.
“Some local governments are still not aware of the extent to which their chambers of commerce can help bring in investment,” said Quisumbing. “There has to be a good working relationship between the business community and government to make sure everyone is on the same investment track.”
Public-private collaboration is expected to be further bolstered by the recent agreement between PCCI and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to share resources and technical expertise to promote investment.
This builds on an earlier partnership agreement between the two organizations to jointly formulate policy recommendations for enhancing the competitiveness of key economic sectors.
For chamber executives at the Cebu seminar, however, it was clear that a supportive policy framework will best succeed in attracting business to a particular area if its local stakeholders—both government and the private sector—work together to identify and strengthen their comparative advantages.


==Two Bible preachers: One unknown, the other famous==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253457/news/metromanila/two-bible-preachers-one-unknown-the-other-famous
*April 1, 2012 3:04am
:by  EARL VICTOR L. ROSERO






==NPA rebel killed in Sarangani clash==
He boarded the air conditioned bus at the stop under the EDSA Cubao MRT station. Respectably dressed he was in leather shoes, black slacks, and light blue long-sleeved shirt complete with a necktie.He walked down the aisle, stood at the mid-section of the bus and then pulled out of his black bag – a Bible.
*Source: http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20120201055411
*Wednesday, February 01, 2012 06:54:11 PM
The unknown man, Jessie, spoke clearly though he did not or could not make eye contact with the other passengers – most of whom tried to ignore him but the sense of hearing cannot be shut down.
:by  Mindanao Examiner


Some of the commuters had earphones on and preferred to look out the window. But every now and then some passengers would sneak a glance at him and seemed to listen.


Gazing at the bus preacher evoked contrasting mental images of another man – world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao – who now adeptly quotes from the Bible by chapter and verses every time the opportunity presents itself.


Evangelization on wheels


KIDAPAWAN CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 30, 2012) – Government troops clashed with communist rebels on Monday and killing one insurgent in the southern Philippines, officials said.
The preacher on the bus would later identify himself to GMA News Online as Jesse Gannabon. He said he is a pastor-in-training of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ Fourth Watch with office in Marikina.


Officials said the fighting erupted in the village called Tamban in Malungon town in Sarangani province. Soldiers also recovered an M16 automatic rifle and an M203 grenade launcher from the slain New People’s Army rebel.
Jesse spoke clearly though he did not or could not make eye contact with the other passengers – most of whom tried to ignore him but the sense of hearing cannot be shut down. Some had earphones on and preferred to look out the window.
But every now and then some passengers would sneak a glance at him and seemed to listen.


Lt. Col. Adolfo Espuelas, Sr., of the 73rd Infantry Battalion, said villagers tipped off the military on the presence of about 20 gunmen who were collecting food and harassing the locals.
Jessie’s preaching followed a three-part outline. First, he introduced why he was there. Then he cited a few Bible passages and endeavored to explain them. Lastly, he asked for donations.
After his preaching, Jessie consented to an interview. He said he has been a missionary for three years now of the Pentecostal Fourth Watch.
As the interview proceeded, the other passengers were now intently listening.
He also said he did the preaching on the bus everyday, whole day from about 8 a.m. to late afternoon around 4 p.m.
Jessie said he preached because it was a commandment of God.


He said the fighting lasted over 30 minutes and troops and policemen were sent to pursue those who were able to escape.
As the bus approached the intersection of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue, he collected the envelopes he handed out, thanked the passengers, and got off the bus.
A new calling
Like the bus preacher, Pacquiao quotes the Bible quite often now. But unlike Jesse, Pacquiao has a weekly television variety show and hordes of media people following him every day.
So confident and inspired Pacquiao is about his new calling that he recently led a Bible sharing session on the premises of the GMA Network Center.


The army battalion is under the command of the 10th Infantry Division.
Months ago, whenever he got to speak during Mass at Quiapo Church in Manila, he would just give profuse thanks and say that for every big problem, he “has a bigger God.”
Now, the Pacman expertly throws not just punches, but also quick Bible quotes and some advice.
He credits Jeric Soriano, a recently ordained pastor of the Alabang New Life Christian Center, for his being a “changed man” and his newfound love for learning from the Bible.


The NPA is fighting for decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)
The Pacman was with Soriano on stage at the ordination last January.


Pacquiao had also revealed that his home has become a venue for Bible study sessions with friends and neighbors in Sarangani province and General Santos City.
Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David of Pampanga has revealed that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has asked Pacquiao to be a Bible ambassador of the CBCP.
“Manny has always been very religious and we are happy that he is deepening his faith and his understanding of the Bible,” said David, who is chairman of the CBCP’s Commission on Biblical Apostolate.
“That’s why I asked him if he could partner with us in promoting the reading of the Bible among Catholics,” Bishop David also said. — GMA News


arangani Archived News]]==
arangani Archived News]]==
The older news reports are kept [[Sarangani Archived News|here]]
The older news reports are kept [[Sarangani Archived News|here]]

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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Comelec urges PWDs to register thru PWD lane

by Catherine T. Apelacio


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, May 12 (PIA)-- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here is hopeful there will be a big turnout of registration coming from persons with disabilities (PWDs) sector with the establishment of a PWD lane.

To facilitate the voter's registration of PWDs, Comelec-GenSan has brought its PWD lane to the barangays to make things easier for the differently-abled persons to register at their convenience.

The strategy, Comelec-GenSan said will encourage PWDs to get actively involved in the 2013 mid-term elections.

Based on its record, there has been registration already from the sector particularly coming from barangays City Heights, Buayan, Katangawan, Labangal, Fatima, and Calumpang. GenSan has 26 barangays.

According to Rexie Magsano from the Office of Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the voter registration for PWDs focused on specific regions on monthly basis “to create awareness on PWDs right to suffrage and electoral reforms dealing with the accessibility of election related activities and information.”

He said Comelec is giving special priority to PWDs nationwide to be able to register without difficulty in their respective area. Comelec is also giving elderly and pregnant women special consideration during registration.

Last March 2012, the PWD voter registration focused in Visayas.

For Mindanao (Regions 9-13) the PWD voter registration has started last April 2012. Comelec GenSan and Sarangani started the special PWD registration in April.

Aside from the special registration, Comelec GenSan said they have actually started bringing their registration activity down the barangays since May of last year yet not just to cater the differently-abled individuals but also the general public, as a whole, who are qualified to vote.

Magsano said a nationwide PWD voter registration shall be held in July 2012 to highlight the regional activities.

The Comelec offices in GenSan and Sarangani also underscored that PWDs can also register at their offices anytime today until October 31, the last day for registration through the PWD lane.

Both offices have urgently called PWDs or any Filipino citizen to come out and register as early as possible. (CTApelacio/PIA General Santos City)






Manny Pacquiao graces Hollywood premiere of GMA Films' 'The Road'

by Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News


Boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao was one of the big name celebrities who showed up at the Hollywood premiere of GMA Films' horror movie "The Road," directed by Yam Laranas and starring Rhian Ramos and Marvin Agustin.

In a report on GMA News' "24 Oras" newscast, Pacquiao said: “It’s a good experience to be here and I’m supporting my friend Rhian and I love it."

Also at the premiere were the Kapuso stars who were part of the movie — Agustin, Ramos, Alden Richards, and Derrick Monasterio.

The movie, about a ghostly encounter on a deserted road in the woods, premiered in Los Angeles on Wednesday night (Thursday morning in Manila).

In the "24 Oras" report, Ramos said: “The thing about all of the premieres that I go to, I remember and cherish them of course, in my heart. This though feels like it’s something that’s going to go down in history, as a Filipino.”

Agustin, on the other hand, said, “This is the first time, first ever Filipino film that will be shown commercially here in the States so we're very happy, we're very proud, I’m very proud to be part of this film.”

"The Road" is set in a supernatural universe. The story begins in 2008 when three teenagers disappear at night on a deserted road.

Their disappearance triggers a reinvestigation of a 12-year-old murder that happened on the same road. As the investigation grows deeper, gruesome stories of abduction and murders surface.

According to report of the news site the New York Times, "the dead are unquiet and the living are terrified in “The Road,” a powerfully atmospheric blend of ghostly encounters, horrific situations and missing-persons mysteries. "As the film crawls backward in time and deep into haunted real estate and family sickness, the color palette becomes more dense and the themes more explicit," the report said.

"Though not without flaws — the wrap-up is a little rocky — this grisly tale earns its scares the old-fashioned way: by making our spines crawl instead of our stomachs churn," it added.

Discover other beach resorts in Glan

by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE


GLAN, Sarangani (May 10, 2012) – From General Santos City on the way to Glan, there are other resorts to be discovered. In this photo, Warlito Tanedo, Sarangani Information Office photographer, takes a portrait of Kikai at the resort named after her in barangay Lago, Glan – the Kikai Resort. Aside from white sand beaches in Gumasa, Glan also offers black fine sand and white pebbled beach resorts lined with century-old mangrove trees along the stretch of barangay Kapatan to barangay Tango. These resorts also offer overnight accommodation. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012.

Newest ecopark and beach resort opens in Sarangani

by Catherine T. Apelacio


GLAN, Sarangani, May 9 (PIA) -- A new ecopark and beach resort has recently opened in Sarangani, adding to the growing list of tourist attractions in the province.

BelMar Eco Park and Beach Resort opened for business on Tuesday, May 8, in time for the May 18 to 19 Sarangani Bay Festival, the biggest beach festival in Mindanao.

The resort is located in barangay Kapatan just along the national highway from General Santos City going to the town proper of Glan and to the white-sand beaches of Gumasa, main venue of Sarangani Bay Festival.

It boasts of a good view of prominent landmarks in Soccsksargen such as Sarangani Bay and Mt. Matutum.

BelMar, short for the owners’ names Annabelle and Marcelino, has a resto bar and coffee shop, pasalubong center which sells local products and delicacies, a recreation center and conference rooms.

Guests can enjoy snorkeling, boating and beach tour where century-old mangrove trees line the white-pebbled beachfront.

Right now, BelMar Ecopark and Beach Resort has a total of six overnight cottages, two air conditioned and four non-air conditioned rooms with a capacity of six persons per cottage. It also has a mini zoo and children’s park which makes the place ideal for visitors and guests of all ages.

“Today is a very memorable day for the tourism industry particularly in the tourism industry of Glan,” said municipal councilor Dr. Tranquilino Ruiz III, “the opening of BelMar means that Glan is really going high in terms of tourism.”

Ruiz, who is also the Sanggunian committee chair on tourism, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony assisted by owners Annabelle and Marcelino Tangaro Jr. during the resort’s opening program.

“I really appreciate the investment of Mr. and Mrs. Tangaro in our beloved municipality and I hope this will trigger more investments in our place,” Ruiz concluded.

The resort is managed by Annabelle and Marcelino who are presently living in General Santos City. Both were born and raised in Glan.

“It is a dream come true for us. It just started with a simple plan and now here it is,” said Marcelino. “We immediately started the construction on October 28, 2011 after acquiring the property in July of the same year.”

For more information about the resort, you may contact 09089297183. (PIO-Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)

Flood, landslide alert up in Sarangani

by (PNA)

LDV/AVE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, May 8 (PNA) - Disaster response teams in Sarangani province have been placed on full alert in the wake of the sporadic heavy rains in the area since last week that already triggered flashfloods in two coastal municipalities.

Ben Solarte, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief, said Tuesday their personnel have been closely monitoring the situation in identified landslide and flood-prone province due to the continuing rains triggered by a trough of low pressure area (LPA) affecting Mindanao.

“We advised our residents (in disaster-prone areas) to be alert and if possible, relocate to safer areas,” he said.

On Monday, five communities in Malapatan town were submerged in floodwaters due to the swelling of a river in the area.

The municipal government reported that floodwaters from the Tuyan River swept Puroks Pulot, Bagong Silang, Talisay, Chico and Pag-asa in Barangay Tuyan early Monday following the heavy rains in the area.

Mohamad Adir Harid, Tuyan barangay chair, said they already requested the immediate repair and expansion of the area’s drainage canals to resolve the perennial flooding there.

Last week, three residents of Barangay Tuyan were killed in a flashflood along the Tuyan River. The victims were reportedly crossing the river when they were swept by rampaging floodwaters coming from the upland area.

In Alabel town, portions of Barangays Poblacion and Ladol were also flooded last week due to the swelling of a creek in the area at the height of the heavy rains.

Based on a weather advisory issued Tuesday morning by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Mindanao will continue to experience “mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms” due to the trough or extended region of LPA affecting the area.

Dante Ariola, senior weather forecaster of the Pagasa station here, said local residents should expect some rains in some parts of the area, especially in the afternoon.

“It’s important for those in the critical areas to prepare for possible floods and landslides that may be triggered by the continuing rains,” he said.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region 12 had identified the coastal areas of six of Sarangani’s seven municipalities as prone to flooding during the rainy season.

Among the area’s identified in the MGB’s flood hazard map as highly vulnerable to flooding were portions of the coastal villages of Maitum, Glan, Maasim, Kiamba, Alabel and Malapatan towns as well as several low-lying areas in Malungon town.

MGB-Region 12 said the flood and landslide-prone areas were Baliton, Burias and Margus Grande quadrangles in Glan; Kling, Lebe and Lumuyon quadrangles in Kiamba; Kraan quadrangle in Maitum; and Lun Grande quadrangle in Malapatan.

5,000 incoming grade-schoolers to undergo reading program

by (Beverly Paoyon-PIO Sarangani/PIA 12)


ALABEL, Sarangani, May 7 (PIA) -- Around 5,000 incoming Grades 2 and 3 pupils from all over Sarangani are set to undergo a 15-day remedial reading program to prepare them for the opening of classes in June.

The “Sarangani Big Brother: Reading is Fun!” was designed by the Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) program of Governor Migs Dominguez to assist the Department of Education (DepEd) in reducing the number of “frustrated readers” in the province.

Frustrated readers are those who can identify words but have inadequate or no comprehension at all.

More than 1,000 youth volunteers or “big brothers and big sisters” fondly called as “kuyas” and “ates” will help the 288 teachers this year in mentoring and conducting read-along sessions.

Three volunteers from Thailand and one from Turkey are also joining the youth this year from the American Field Service Organization, an organization which provides future leaders exchange program to promote global citizenship.

Nuth Sonthipanyahul, 16, from Bangkok, and three other foreign youth volunteers do their share through storytelling and teaching children to read.

“It is tiring but fun. It’s good to make them (children) happy,” Sonthipanyahul said.

However, he observed quite a disparity of the children like those in Jose Warlito Berba Primary School they visited in sitio Kityan Gamay in Malungon.

“In the city everyone has food, has money to buy their own food but here, they don’t have,” he said.

“They have to walk like four kilometers five kilometers a day and then they have nothing to eat and the school is just made of wood and they study under the trees, something like that. It’s very bad.”

When asked what he wanted to contribute to these children, he said it should be “education” and teaching them to speak “English because if you can speak English you can go anywhere around the world. You give them more opportunity to work and have a better future.”

“Children are the future of everything. If you give them good life then they will be good,” Sonthipanyahul added.

Elif Gurcinar, an 18-year-old youth volunteer from Turkey, said that more interventions from the government are needed, “because some of the schools are really bad. Classrooms are not enough. Not enough materials.”

She said SBB is a laudable intervention of Sarangani to help its slow readers and, “a lot of volunteers are also coming to assist the children. It’s very helpful in their pronunciation. We teach them also English words and letters and how to pronounce them correctly. We also read stories with actions because sometimes they could not understand.”

Malungon Sangguniang Kabataan chairman Earl Jared Galvez said, “I observed that these children wish to become volunteers themselves volunteers when they grow up like their big brothers and big sisters.”

Galvez recounted, “Our experience here is more difficult because we have to climb some mountains, cross several rivers, experienced falling from motorcycles, and almost falling into ravines several times but the overall feeling of helping the children is heart-warming.”

At least, he said, the youth are involved not only in sports activities but also with SBB where, “we are able to touch their (children) lives,” by helping them how to read.

He then hoped that a few years from now, “no Grade 2 and 3 would be frustrated readers” and that SBB would no longer teach remedial reading classes but would instead focus teaching children advanced lessons to hone knowledge and skills of these children.

Jenneth Ruta, a Grade 1 teacher holding SBB class in Lun Padidu Elementary School in Malapatan said “It’s very difficult to deal with those pupils because some of my pupils cannot identify letters in the alphabet.”

To address this, Ruta said she conducted a one-on-one approach with the kids just to make them read.

“During my first day, I started with the alphabet, then the sounds, before I was able to make them read words,” Ruta noted.

SBB is very helpful because students are not only taught to read but also to develop their comprehension skills, she said.

QUEST program manager Annalie Edday said, “Reading comprehension makes the difference between a passing and a failing grade in school. It is one of the most crucial skills for children to master.”

“By Grade 3, children can probably comprehend simple texts but need to work on more advanced comprehension, including summarizing and analysis,” Edday said.

By reading frequently, she said, is one of the “most effective things children can do to improve reading comprehension in Grade 3, but there are enrichment activities to make frequent reading more powerful.”

“Sarangani Big Brother: Reading is Fun!” is a whole day remedial reading program from April 17 to May 8 implemented in partnership with the DepEd, QUEST, Sangguniang Kabataan and the Alcantara Foundation. The rest of the sponsors this year are Synergia Foundation, Sagittarius Mining Corp. and World Vision.

Palawan and Compostela Valley are replicating Sarangani Big Bother in their own provinces to jumpstart their education reform program.

Floods kill three, level crops in Sarangani, South Cotabato

by Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews


GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Three persons were killed while close to 30 hectares of farmlands were devastated as flashfloods hit anew several villages in three municipalities in Sarangani and South Cotabato provinces in the last three days.

Len Bartolome, OCD-12 civil defense officer, said the floods, which affected the towns of Malapatan and Alabel in Sarangani as well as Banga town in South Cotabato, were triggered by sporadic heavy rains in the area since Tuesday.

On May 1, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Malapatan town in Sarangani province reported that three residents of Barangay Tuyan were killed following a flashflood along the Tuyan River.

The victims were reportedly crossing the river when they were swept by rampaging floodwaters coming from the upland area.

The remains of victims Lel Londong, 18, and Bating Masalon, 15, were earlier recovered in a nearby village but the third victim, identified as eight-year-old Jason Londong, has remained missing.

On Wednesday night, floodwaters submerged portions of Barangays Ladol and Poblacion in Alabel, Sarangani due to the swelling of a creek in the area.

The affected areas covered four puroks that were also hit by flashfloods earlier last month due to the overflowing of the Molo Creek.

In Banga town, flashfloods also swept Barangays Kusan and Lambingi on Wednesday afternoon, a belated report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of South Cotabato said.

Isidro Janita, PDRRMC chief, said the floods destroyed 26.7 hectares of cornfield in Barangay Lambingi as well as various properties and infrastructure in Barangay Kusan.

He said 12 farmers from Lambingi and two families from Kusan were directly affected by the calamity, which left an initial estimated damage of P200,000.

Janita added that the municipal government of Banga and the PDRRMC have conducted damage and needs assessment in the area as well as sought assistance for the victims from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 12.

Pacman remains as richest solon=

by Ben R. Rosario


Manila, Philippines – World boxing hero Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao earned about P218 million last year to retain his title as the richest congressman with a total net worth of P1,352,689.980 last year. Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano’s income dropped by P24,764 to remain as the poorest congressman. He reported a net worth of P46,947 against his 2010 total of P75,711.

These were gathered from the summary of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) submitted by 284 congressmen who beat the deadline for the submission of the document last Monday. Many of the lawmakers who occupied the Top 10 richest House member in 2010 upped their incomes for 2011. Among them were Reps. Imelda Romualdez Marcos (KBL, Ilocos Norte), from P623 million to P932,800,000; House Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr., from P283,291,016 to P726,218,220, and Alfredo Benitez (NPC, Negros Occidental) P624,847,943 to P686,152,015. They were ranked No. 2 to 4 among the wealthiest lawmakers in the country. The difference of some P444 million in Belmonte’s net worth makes him the biggest earning lawmaker in 2011. Former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo became poorer as she submitted a net worth of P131,642,291.26. She claimed a wealth remainder of P137,922,797 during the preceding year. Rounding up the Top 10 richest solons were Reps. Julio Ledesma (NPC, Negros Occidental), P555,069,000; Martin Romualdez (Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Leyte), P474,111,941; Augusto Syjuco (Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Iloilo), P302,075,651; Henry Cojuangco (NPC, Tarlac), P200,639,175; Rodolfo Farinas (NP, Ilocos Norte), P195,780,000; and House Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez of Quezon, P179,534,628.

3,000 couples join mass wedding in Malungon, Sarangani

by (PGFruylan with reports from MIO Malungon-PIA 12, Sarangani)


MALUNGON, Sarangani, May 4 (PIA) -- Around 3,000 couples have already been wed through the “Kasalan ng Bayan” as part of the weekly ‘Lingap sa Barangay’ program of the local government.

Reports from the Municipal Information Office (MIO), Local Civil Registrar Lydia Erasmo revealed that the number of “live-in” couples getting married from the 31 barangays in the area has increased because of the intensified campaign of the administration on the importance of matrimony and the benefits they could get from the local government.

Mayor Reynaldo Constantino repeatedly explained that a lot of benefits can be enjoyed by “live-in couples” from the municipal government if they get married such as free education, PhilHealth medical assistance, livelihood and other programs for the family members.

Constantino clarified that the only requirement of the municipal government to avail of the different programs is to present the marriage contract or marriage certificate of the wedded couple as he encouraged other unmarried partners to take advantage of the said program for the benefit of their family.

“Kasalan ng Bayan” is one of the services of the local government for the residents of the municipality where Constantino, along with other representatives from different agencies of the government visit even the remote areas of the town to deliver basic public services especially to the least served people in Malungon.

Sarangani town wants more power

by EDWIN ESPEJO


SARANGANI, Mindanao - The municipal council of Alabel has asked the Department of Energy (DoE) to order the National Power Corp (Napocor) and the National Grid Corp of the Philippines (NGCP) to give it priority in the dispatch of the electricity generated by the 55-megawatt Southern Philippine Power Corporation (SPPC) amid continuing power supply load curtailment being implemented by South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II).

The Alcantara-built and operated bunker-fired SPPC is located in Baluntay village in Alabel, Sarangani.

SPPC went on commercial stream in 1998 under the build-operate-own (BOO) scheme, but all power supply it is generating is already contracted to Napocor. Its supply contract with Napocor will end in 2016.

In a resolution unanimously approved by the Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council), the local legislative body cited Section 5(i) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 7638, otherwise known as Department of Energy Act of 1992, which allows the host town to get 25 percent of the available capacity generated by SPPC in times of energy shortage.

Alabel and the rest of Sarangani, along with General Santos City and the South Cotabato towns of Tupi and Polomolok, are under the distribution franchise of Socotecto II.

Councilor Joel Aton said Alabel, capitol town of Sarangani, has an average monthly consumption of 1,953,500 kilowatt hour.

Aton said DoE has sent word it will dispatch personnel for technical evaluation.

Preferential treatment

Socoteco II resorted into daily rotational brownouts of up to four hours following advice of reduced supply from Napocor.

Socoteco II manager for institutional service department Geronimo Desesto said supply from Napocor went further down from 75 MW to 45 MW in April, prompting the cooperative to purchase a total of 30 MW additional power supply from Therma Marine Inc.

Alabel is among a growing number of local government unit demanding preferential treatment from power plants located in their areas.

Last month, Kidapawan threatened to launch protest actions if their demand for power supply from the Philippine National Oil Company-Energy Development Corporation is not met.

Kidapawan, which is experiencing brownouts of up to eight hours daily, is host to the 110 MW Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant.

Last month, President Benigno Aquino III attended the Mindanao Power Summit in Davao City which tackled the worsening power crisis in the island.

The President however told Mindanao residents they will have to pay more for steady power supply.

Mindanao’s actual and available capacity is now down to less than 1,200 MW, or some 170 MW less than the peak demand of 1,350 MW.

The deficit in power supply has been blamed on antiquated and poorly maintain hydro-electric power plants and the sale of other Napocor generating assets that included the two power barges to Therma Marine. Power Barges 117 and 118 have a combined capacity of 200 MW. - Rappler.com

Sarangani Bay Fest features Zumba Beach Party on May 19

by (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/PIA GENERAL SANTOS CITY)


GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani, May 2 (PIA) -- The first SarBay Fest Zumba Beach Party is set on May 19, Saturday at Gumasa in Glan, to be conducted by licensed Zumba fitness instructors Vicky Javier and John Ri Romero both of the Beefit Gym and Aerobics from Davao City.

“Come and join the inaugural staging of the world’s phenomenal fitness program in the biggest beach party here in Mindanao,” said Javier, also a member of the Zumba Instructors Network.

It is a two-hour, non-stop fitness program that is mainly sponsored by the provincial government of Sarangani under Gov. Migs Dominguez and supported also by the office of Congressman Emmanuel Pacquiao.

Expected to join are 100 fitness buffs coming from Davao City, General Santos City, and Sarangani Province.

“Aside that it is a good exercise, you will really enjoy dancing to the Zumba music and dance steps,” said Romero, also a hip-hop and modern dance instructor.

Registration fee is only P200 with free giveaways, certificate and raffle.

The first SarBay Fest Zumba Beach Party is one of the big events of Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18 and 19.

SarBay Fest, the biggest beach festival in Mindanao, kicks off with the 15-kilometer swim-across-the-bay, dubbed as “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” on May 18.

Pacquiao lone billionaire in House of millionaires

by Gil C. Cabacungan


For the second year running, Manny Pacquiao—the man with the golden fists—has won the distinction of being the richest among the 287 mostly millionaire members of the Philippine House of Representatives. Ricardo Bering, chief of the House’s record management section, said this was based on the 2011 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) filed before the deadline on Monday by the House members. “His net worth even increased last year. He is still the richest here,” Bering said of the Sarangani representative, whose powerful fists have won him eight boxing division titles and worldwide fame. Bering said Pacquiao, who claimed a personal fortune of P1.134 billion in his 2010 SALN, reported an increase in his net worth in 2011. Bering declined to give exact figures since House leaders have not given the go-signal for the public disclosure of the SALNs. Lone billionaire Based on the 2010 SALNs, Pacquiao was the richest member of the House last year—and the only billionaire in the chamber. His assets then consisted of P397.933 million in real properties and P736.3 million in personal and other properties. He had no liabilities. In contrast, Anakpawis Representative Rafael Mariano was the poorest lawmaker, with a net worth of P75, 711. Pacquiao was reported to have earned at least $15 million each from his fights with Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2011, aside from his earnings from commercial endorsements, businesses and as a member of Congress. Increased scrutiny Pacquiao’s increasing wealth is expected to highlight further the supposed steep plunge in his tax payments, which media reports said fell from P100 million in 2008 to only P7 million in 2009. The Bureau of Internal Revenue has filed charges against Pacquiao for his alleged failure to submit proper documents on his earnings. Pacquiao has questioned the filing of the case, saying it was baseless. House Secretary General Marilyn B. Yap said that almost 100 percent of the House members had filed their SALNs as of 5 p.m. yesterday. Yap said her staff would validate the SALNs before releasing information to the public. Yap also said she had noticed a marked increase in the net worth reported by lawmakers in the face of increased scrutiny by the public and media as a result of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona in connection with his assets. More conscious now “Our members have become more conscious of the SALN. That’s why they have made an effort to make a complete report this time,” said Yap. Pacquiao topped the list of 10 richest House members last year. That list included Negros Occidental Representative Alberto Benitez, who was worth P624.847 million; Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, who was worth P623.6 million; Negros Occidental Representative Julio Ledesma, P555.069 million; and Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, worth P475.611 million. Also in the top 10 were Iloilo Representative Augusto Syjuco, worth P294.602 million; Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., worth P283.291 million; Tarlac Representative Enrique Cojuangco, P199.593 million; Ilocos Norte Representative Rodolfo Fariñas, P195.78 million; and Iloilo Representative Ferjenel Biron, P165.996 million. Former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the 17th richest representative with a net worth of P140.212 million. Aquino’s assets Malacañang on Monday said President Benigno Aquino III and almost all of the members of his Cabinet had filed their SALNs. “We expect all of them to comply with the deadline,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said, adding that Mr. Aquino filed his SALN on April 24. Vice President Jejomar Binay and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. have also filed their SALNs. In his SALN for 2010, Mr. Aquino declared a net worth of P54.9 million. This represented a P4.8-million increase from the previous year. Mr. Aquino has said the increase in his income came from his share of the property owned by his late mother, former President Corazon Aquino. Corona’s SALN Lacierda said the Palace was hopeful that Corona, whose ouster from the Supreme Court is being supported by Malacañang, would disclose his SALN as promised by the Chief Justice’s lawyers. “We certainly hope so because that would be in compliance with the constitutional provision on disclosure and filing of SALNs,” Lacierda said. He said he would be interested in taking a look at Corona’s SALN.

50 swimmers set for “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012”

by (Jun Ramos /PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)


GUMASA, Glan, Sarangani, April 30 (PIA) --Ten teams will vie for the top honors and cash prizes during the “Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” otherwise known through the years as Swim-Across-the-Bay, the opening salvo of the May 18-19 Sarangani Bay Festival (SarBay Fest).

For the 15-kilometer swim across Sarangani Bay, a mass will start at 5:00 am from Kamanga Beach, Maasim to Reycon Beach in Tango, Glan on May 18.

“Sarangani Bay Invasion 2012” is open to all swimmers (amateur and professionals) with minimum age of 14. A group of five swimmers comprises a team.

The registration fee of P2,000 per team covers boat rental and gasoline. Deadline for registration is on May 4, 5:00 pm, at the office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office at the Capitol in Alabel (look for Nemrad Butil (083) 5082267, 09163232397 or 09306534953).

The first three teams to reach the finish line at Reycon Beach in Tango, Glan shall be declared winners with the 1st prize of P50,000, 2nd prize – P35,000, and 3rd prize – 25,000, all with medals and trophies. All finishers shall be awarded with the medal of “Invaders” and consolation cash prize of P6,000 each team.

“Ten teams are sure to compete for the 15-kilometer swim,” said organizer Nemrad Butil.

Butil disclosed the Gensan Torpedoes are deploying three teams, Koronadal City has two teams, while some teams are composed of local swimmers from Tinoto and Kamanga, Maasim.

“University varsity swimmers from Manila and Davao are also joining the teams of Koronadal and Gensan,” Butil said. “This year a team from a Manila triathlon club might join.”

Butil said the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard, Philippine National Police–Maritime, Red Cross, and teams from provincial and municipal government offices shall assist as perimeter boat marshals.

During its debut on May 18, 2006, only three teams out of six finished the swim across Sarangani Bay.

SPES-TWSP convergence program to cover 21 LGUs in Region 12

by Danilo E. Doguiles


KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato, April 29 (PIA) -- A total of 21 municipalities in three provinces of Soccsksargen region will benefit from the initial implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Convergence Program on poverty alleviation.

The program brings together DOLE’s Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) to provide training and employment opportunities to the marginalized sector of the society, especially the out-of-school youth (OSY).

Based on a list provided by the office of DOLE 12 Regional Director Chona Mantilla last Friday, the SPES-TWSP Convergence Program will cover 11 municipalities in North Cotabato, eight in Sultan Kudarat, and two in Sarangani.

In North Cotabato, beneficiary OSYs should come from Aleosan, Midsayap, Tulunan, Alamada, Arakan, Banisilan, Kabacan, Libungan, Magpet, Matalam, and President Roxas.

Interested and qualified OSYs in Kalamansig, Bagumbayan, Colombio, Esperanza, Isulan, Lambayong, Lebak, and Senator Ninoy Aquino municipalities of Sultan Kudarat may also avail of the training and employment program.

On May 1, the program will be launched in General Santos City for the municipalities of Malungon and Alabel in Saragani Province where the first 42 scholarship grantees come from.

Director Mantilla said more municipalities may be included in the coming months.

“We have requested for the inclusion of the municipalities of Lake Sebu, T’boli and Sto. Niño in South Cotabato,” Director Mantilla said, adding that they are now awaiting approval of this by Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz.

Under the program, beneficiary OSYs who “may also be an occupationally disabled worker, a person with disability, a displaced worker, or a victim of trafficking, illegal recruitment or child labor,” will undergo mandated 20 to 52 days of technical vocational training in TESDA-identified institutions.

As in the original SPES program, DOLE will pay each beneficiary 40 percent of the prevailing minimum wage in the region for every day of training.

The amount, according to the program guidelines, may be used as a training allowance or as capital to purchase the OSY’s starter kit.

More than 400 scholarship slots may be opened in Soccsksargen Region this year for OSYs interested in techvoc trainings that will be identified by TESDA 12. The program is open to OSY’s between 15 to 25 years old, whose family income (including his, if any) does not exceed the latest annual regional poverty threshold level for a family of six, as determined by the National Economic Development Authority.

Applicants should have reached high school level to be able to participate in the program.

Interested individuals need to submit to the nearest DOLE or TESDA office the needed documents. For more information, you may refer to the nearest DOLE Field Office or Public Employment Service Office or provincial/district office of TESDA. (DED-PIA 12)

Rep. Pacquiao lauds success of Glan cattle project

by Nonong Baliao


Glan, Sarangani Parovince———World Boxing Champ and Sarangani lone district Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao has expressed elation with the success of his P8-million cattle dispersal project in this municipality. In a statement, the first-term congressman lauded the local government unit (LGU), headed by Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr., for helping him bring the project under his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to a successful implementation. “Despite the slings and arrows and brickbats thrown their way, the local officials of Glan, led by my good friend and staunch political ally, brother Tata Yap, have proved themselves up to the task and worthy of my support,” said the congressman, who is deep in training up north for his next title bout in the United States on June 9. The project, started in 2010, was the subject of a lot of controversy whipped up by a disinformation campaign launched by a vested group out to drive a wedge between the congressman and Mayor Yap in an apparent bid to wrest political control in the next elections. But the records and statistics are incontrovertible. Two years into the project implementation, the Municipal Agriculture Office, headed by Mrs. Virgie Musa, has come out with a definitive report showing that all 14 barangay beneficiaries have received their respective allocations. According to the report, all but 13 of the 188 cows that had already been dispersed to a corresponding number of individual recipients are alive and in good condition, and only 13 had either died or could not be accounted for. This town was a recipient of the 2011 Seal of Good Housekeeping Award given to LGUs which have religiously complied with all the provisions of the Anti-Red Tape Act as well as the Full Disclosure Policy of the Department of Interior and Local Government with regard to project implementation and financial transactions. “Simply put, there were no overpricing and other purported irregularities in the purchase and distribution of the cattle as being peddled by our political detractors,” said Mayor Yap, this year’s “Gawad Sikap” awardee as one of the most outstanding municipal mayors of the Philippines. Most of the cows are already ripe for breeding, and under an agreement with the local government, which shouldered the transport cost and other ancillary expenses, the first calves will be farmed out to other beneficiaries. “The individual recipients may keep the mother cow until the next breed, which they may keep, but will then have to return the mother cow to the LGU for re-dispersal, and so forth, down the line,” said Mrs. Musa. A parallel project–this time involving the distribution of “pakura” fishing boats to 108 small fishermen in the town’s 16 coastal barangays–has also gone through its initial phase. “Our poverty alleviation program is right on track, thanks to Congressman Manny and other like-minded officials who truly care for our people in Glan. Other similar projects, designed to generate jobs and provide livelihood, are either in the works or already being implemented as I speak,” said Mayor Yap.






GEM-USAID turns over trading facility to Malapatan, Sarangani

by (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, April 27 (PIA) -- The United States Agency for International Development’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (USAID-GEM) turned over Thursday approximately P2-M worth of trading facility to the municipal government of Malapatan in Sarangani Province. USAID Deputy Mission Director Reed Aeschliman led the turn-over of the facility to Malapatan municipal government. This will be used by Balungis Women’s Association who specializes in weaving as prime beneficiary of the project. Aeschliman was assisted by Senator Loren Legarda, Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of Mindanao Development Authority and Sarangani Governor Migs Dominguez. USAID also turned over six handlooms and other related weaving materials to the association. Aeschliman said USAID projects in Mindanao are designed to help accelerate economic growth in the conflict-affected areas of the region in support of the Philippine government’s peace and development initiatives. The construction of the trading center stemmed from the municipal government of Malapatan and the women’s association asking the assistance of USAID because they “did not have an appropriate facility in which to display and sell their woven products.” Thus, the USAID-GEM Program “constructed a trading center that now serves as a dedicated space for weaving, displaying and selling the woven fabrics.” About 67 percent of the project cost was funded by USAID while the remaining fund was respectively shared by the municipal and provincial governments of Malapatan and Sarangani. Dubbed Balungis Trading Center, the facility aims to help organize production and sales of the products of women and other woven produce in the area. The agency will also organize a workshop on product design, packaging and marketing for the women weavers, USAID-GEM told PIA General Santos City. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the woven products of Balungis women’s association are also being eyed for promotion to fashion designers in Cebu and Manila. In her message, Senator Legarda who is chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities, commended “weaving communities in the country for preserving the tradition of weaving as she encouraged local governments to support such initiatives.” “To the members of the Balungis Women’s Association, I laud you for keeping the tradition of weaving alive, for passing on the skill to your children, and for choosing this industry to be part of your daily living,” she told the women’s association, whose 25 members are wives and relatives of former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) combatants. Legarda also enjoined the local governments to support the weaving industry to preserve and safeguard the Filipino heritage bringing it into “full bloom again.” Meanwhile Governor Migs Dominguez also expressed his appreciation to USAID-GEM for supporting the women’s association of Malapatan urging the beneficiary to maximize the use of the facility and make extra effort to double their production. To date, USAID has constructed more than 1,400 infrastructure projects in Mindanao and will be adding approximately 150 more by the end of 2012. The continuing pouring in of projects in conflict-ravaged area in Mindanao, USAID said show the sustained commitment both of the Philippine and U.S. governments to promote peace and development in the region.

Present tax records, Pacquiao told

by Jun Ramirez


Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) urged boxing champion Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao yesterday to present his 2010 tax records and avoid protracted court battles. Cotabato Revenue Regional Director Rozel Lozares exhorted the boxing icon to heed his request so he can concentrate on his training for his fight against Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas, United States in June. Lozares said Pacquiao need not personally present his financial statements as they can be sumitted through his lawyer or accountant. He said the criminal complaint will be dropped as soon as Pacquiao submits the documents. It was learned that a lawyer of Pacquiao has met Cotabato revenue officials but he did not bring his client’s records. Lozares said the Cotabato prosecutor’s office has yet to set the preliminary investigation of the contempt charges he filed against Pacquiao. The charges arose from Pacquiao’s alleged refusal to present his books of accounts and for ignoring the subpoena that the BIR issued against him. Pacquiao’s lawyers, however, argued that their client did not receive such subpoena.






PCG defended 'M/Y Sarangani' from harassment -- Nolcom chief

by (PNA)

DCT/scs/PFN


MANILA — Despite being outnumbered and outsized by its foreign counterparts, the Philippine Coast Guard's "BRP Pampanga" (SAR-003) valiantly defended a National Museum-hired yacht against harassment at Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal by Chinese vessels, Northern Luzon Command head Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara said on Tuesday. Alcantara explained that this took place on April 14 when an unidentified Chinese vessel approached the "M/Y Sarangani" and demanded that the Filipino ship stop its mission which was to conduct an archeological survey in Panatag Shoal. "Upon receiving word of the harassment, BRP Pampanga positioned itself at the mouth of Panatag Shoal and thereby demonstrated to the Chinese vessels that it is willing to protect the M/Y Sarangani," the Nolcom chief said. Due to the efforts of BRP Pampanga, the M/Y Sarangani was able to complete its mission and departed from the area on April 20. "I think they were well taken care of by our Coast Guard when they were out there," Alcantara said.

Region 12 high-risk to climate change impact

by Bong S. Sarmiento


KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/21 April) — Southwestern Mindanao is highly at risk in a changing climate condition, with increased rainfall and rising sea levels, an official warned on Friday. Herlita G. Caraan, National Statistical Coordination BoardRegion 12 chief, said that more rainfall, an increase in temperature and rising sea level would hit the area in the medium term (2020-2050). In a fact sheet, NSCB-12 warned of worse flooding, landslide and storm surges affecting hundreds of villages in the region as a result of climate change. Based on a mid-range scenario simulations by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), rainfall in Region 12 was predicted to increase in 2020 by as much as 14.8 percent and 15.6 percent by2050. The increased rainfall was projected to happen during the north-east monsoon season (December to February) and during the transition of seasons from September to November. “These periods will be wetter and with potential for increased flooding, storm surge and landslide,” Caraan said. According to the geo-hazard maps from the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau, at least 300 barangays in the region are high-risk to flooding as they are located near major river tributaries and low land zones. TheMGB-12 also classified some 200 villages in elevated areas and those near sloppy areas as high-risk to landslides. Forty-eight coastal villages are vulnerable to storm surges while 26 other have high potential for tsunami, it added. Region12, also called the SOCCSKSARGEN region, consists of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Temperatures are expected to increase across all four seasons though it would be much hotter during the summer season (March to May) across all provinces in the region, theNSCB-12 said. PAGASA further projected an annual mean temperature increase from the observed baseline by 0.9oC to 1.3oC in 2020 and from 1.9oC to 2.5oC in 2050 in Region 12, it said. Health authorities have warned that warmer temperatures would result to increase risks to infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever and encephalitis. “More people will be vulnerable to cholera as algal blooms may occur more frequently. Red tide in coastal waters will become more frequent and widespread,”the report said.

For rising seawater, the NSCB-12, citing a Greenpeace report titled “The Philippines: A Climate Hotspot,“ said that an estimated 11,664,000 square meters of land in Region 12 will be vulnerable to a one-meter sea level rise. Areas most likely to be affected are coastal areas in Sarangani, SultanKudarat, General Santos City, including Cotabato City as 70 percent of the city’s total land area is below sea level, the NSCB-12 said. Ronald Flores, executive director of the Office of Civil Defense, urged the local government units in Region12 to put up their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMO). The OCD has been conducting regional consultation for LGUs to effectively implement Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management of 2010. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Mendoza: Why Pacquiao left Noynoy to join Binay

by Al S. Mendoza


FROM Lakas to NP, LP and now UNA. Those are the four political parties thus far for Manny Pacquiao.

Does that make Pacquiao a turncoat, a political butterfly?

The last Lakas stalwart was Ate Glue, the former president now serving as a representative from Pampanga.

During her nine-year reign at the Palace, Ate Glue’s regular visitor was Pacquiao.

It became almost customary for Pacquiao to drop by Ate Glue’s old residence by the riverbanks every time he came home from a conquest overseas.

When he first ran for congressman in GenSan in 2007, Pacquiao was under the Lakas banner.

Unfortunately, he lost to Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

Pacquiao next aimed his political guns in Sarangani, the land of birth of his wife, Jinkee.

In 2010, he won the lone congressional seat in Sarangani, running under Manny Villar’s Nacionalista Party.

But Villar lost to Noynoy Aquino, the standard bearer of the Liberal Party.

Not long after, Pacquiao switched camps again, moving over to Noynoy’s LP.

Observers said, Pacquiao “is so young, but so wise already to the ways of the political arena.”

You want political survival, you seek to secure favors from the powerful, join the ruling party: LP.

But, alas, the Noynoy-PacMan romance would prove to be short-lived.

Just very recently, Vice President Jojo Binay said Pacquiao has joined the UNA (United Nationalist Alliance).

UNA is an alliance forged between the PDP-Laban (Binay’s party when he defeated Mar Roxas for vice president in 2010) and Erap’s PMP (Partido ng Masang Pilipino).

“PacMan is our gubernatorial bet in Sarangani in the 2013 election,” said Binay, the UNA chieftain who is highly-touted as running for president in 2016.

Pacquiao’s fans have asked me: What might have prompted PacMan to bolt Noynoy’s LP?

I have a guess: PacMan felt he didn’t get any help from Noynoy regarding the boxing icon’s recent row with the taxman.

You might probably say, “What a flimsy reason.”

Excuse me, but to a guy like Pacquiao, friendship is really “walang iwanan,” or BFF if you will, as in “Best Friends Forever.”

The masa would almost always think that way.

5 foreign vessels enter shoal

by Alexis Romero


MANILA, Philippines - Three foreign vessels and two small boats have been spotted in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal in addition to the two Chinese maritime vessels involved in a standoff with a lone Philippine Coast Guard ship.

Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara said the three foreign vessels were sighted on Wednesday, the same day Philippine-commissioned vessel MT Sarangani left the area after conducting an archaeological survey. The vessel left Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, the current impasse has little or no effect on Filipino workers in China, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.

“I think it’s the quality of our workers there who, despite political tensions, are just continuing their work,” Baldoz said.

“A summary report submitted to me said there are three vessels but these are not Filipino vessels. There are also outrigger boats outside and inside the lagoon,” Alcantara reported. He said they could not tell whether the small boats were of local or foreign origin. Alcantara clarified that the departure of the vessel had nothing to do with China’s demand for Philippine ships to leave the shoal.

“Perhaps their research has been completed. The ship was just commissioned by the National Museum,” he said.

It was the National Historical Commission of the Philippines which commissioned the Sarangani. Its passengers included nine French nationals and three employees of the National Museum.

Alcantara stressed, however, the situation in the area was stable and no unusual incidents were reported.

Masinloc, Zambales Mayor Desiree Edora said Zambales fishermen were now avoiding Panatag Shoal for fear of getting harassed or arrested by the Chinese or caught in an armed confrontation between Chinese and Filipino forces.

“My secretary interviewed the fishermen and it’s been a while since they sailed there because they are afraid that a confrontation might ensue,” she told dzMM radio reporter Edwin Sevidal.

Edora said they have yet to coordinate with the military or the Foreign Affairs department regarding the matter.

Panatag Shoal is 124 nautical miles from Zambales and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which China is a signatory.

On April 8, eight Chinese fishing vessels were spotted in the shoal, prompting the Navy to send its largest warship BRP Gregorio del Pilar to the area to check on the vessels.

The ship reached the shoal on April 10 and its crew boarded the fishing vessels where they found live sharks, corals, and giant clams.

But before the Filipino sailors could arrest the fishermen and seize their catch, two Chinese “surveillance” ships arrived and stopped them. The fishing boats were able to flee with their illegal harvests.

The Del Pilar eventually left the area to replenish supplies and was replaced by the smaller and lightly armed BRP Pampanga of the coast guard.

Aside from the Chinese ships, an aircraft – also believed to be Chinese – had reportedly buzzed a Filipino fishing vessel.

Baldoz, meanwhile, recalled that Filipino workers felt no backlash even after the Rizal Park hostage tragedy in August 2010 that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead. The incident briefly soured relations between the Philippines and China.

Labor department records show there are 26,772 Filipino workers in China, mostly doctors and professionals.

“We don’t send that many OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) to China. They are mostly going there as tourists and try their luck to gain employment and just convert their visas into working visas upon getting jobs,” she added.

Encouraging

At Malacañang, Presidential Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said President Aquino had a chance meeting with Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing to whom he expressed his feeling of satisfaction that both sides were willing to talk to resolve the issue.

“He told her that it was encouraging that both sides continue to talk,” Carandang said.

Chinese embassy spokesman Zhang Hua, for his part, said his country prefers friendly consultations over discussing the issue before a United Nations-backed tribunal.

“We want friendly efforts to solve it,” Hua told The STAR.

Sen. Francis Escudero, meanwhile, said he supports proposals for the Philippines to have a joint exploration with China in the disputed islands in Palawan.

Escudero stressed that issues involving the Panatag Shoal and the West Philippine Sea should be resolved through diplomatic means.

Escudero recognized that Congress has the power to allow the administration to launch a war against China, but it is not choosing that option.

“Somebody asked me the question on why Congress is not doing anything. I know we have the sole power to declare war. The reason why Congress is quiet on it (is) because we don’t want to declare war,” Escudero said.

Come budget deliberations, Escudero said he expects explanations from defense and foreign affairs officials about the developments on the maritime disputes.

“I think the briefings will come during the budget deliberations and then we have more information with respect to the actions that the government has taken through the international organizations that we have brought this matter up with,” the senator said.

Escudero recommended that both China and the Philippines should agree on joint exploration. He said profits may be shared equally or the Philippines may bat for a bigger share. He said there is no reason to fight over areas that might yield no oil or gas or minerals.

He said accusing China of bullying is only worsening the problem.

“I think the President was being factual when he made the statement in connection with our position in relation to China,” Escudero said.

He said the Philippines has ordered only two new aircraft while China has more than 2,000. – With Christina Mendez, Pia Lee-Brago, Sheila Crisostomo

Sarangani Launches Mahin Summer Festet

by newsinfo.inquirer.net


GLAN, Sarangani (PIA) — Glan’s Mahin Festival kicks off vacation fun in Sarangani with another series of summer activities that would climax with a sunset-to-sunrise beach party in the famed Sarangani Bay Fest next month to be held in the white sands of Gumasa.

The successful maiden celebration of Mahin Festival last year triggered expectations of a bigger crowd to the three-day festivity which started yesterday, April 19, until April 21.

Lumba sa Kabayo (horse race), Palupad Tabanog (kite flying), Bangkarera (boat race), Pintados (body painting), beach volleyball and football, Bikini Open, concerts (featuring Blakdyak) and fireworks display are the lined-up activities that are certain to fire up the excitement of local folks.

Yesterday’s events were held at The Grove Beach in barangay Tango while in the next two days, it will be at the Coco Beach in Gumasa.

Mahin is a festival unique to the town of Glan which brings back traditional beach activities the townsfolk have been fond of doing since then like horse racing at the shoreline.

Ex-Sarangani governor, 6 others charged with graft

by Leila B. Salaverria

Philippine Daily Inquirer


The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges against former Sarangani Governor Miguel Escobar and six other provincial officials for the questionable purchase of 30,000 textbooks without public bidding. Escobar was charged for approving two textbook purchases, involving 15,000 books for each transaction, in 2002 and 2003. Charged with Escobar for the first purchase was Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer Hermelo Latoja, who acted as the attorney in fact for textbook supplier Institute for Youth Volunteers Service and Early Childhood Development Inc. For the second purchase, charged along with Escobar and Latoja were Committee on Awards members Teresa Alvarado, Wahid Diama, Sittiehawa Marohomsalic, Cesar Cagang and Vivencia Telesforo. The Sarangani officials have denied the allegations against them in their respective counteraffidavits. Sarangani province first bought 15,000 copies of the textbook ABC My Practice Book I in November 2002 for P1.5 million, and bought 15,000 copies of ABC My Practice Book II in June 2003. The 2002 transaction was considered an emergency purchase, which was why the textbooks were bought directly from the supplier. But Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said the emergency purchase was unjustified.

Sarangani hills ideal for paragliding, say experts

by Allen V. Estabillo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/16 April) — Paragliding experts are promoting Sarangani province’s hilly landscape as a prime spot for the aerial adventure sport.

French national Armand Dard, a visiting professional paragliding instructor, said they found the hills straddling the Sarangani Bay, especially those located in the coastal villages of Maasim town, as a first-rate paragliding flight site. “This is my second time in the Philippines and my first time in Sarangani. Last year I did some paragliding in Carmona, Cavite and also in Boracay but this place, which I discovered one month ago is a better flight site,” Dard said. Dard and a newly-organized team of local paragliders have so far tried out the hills along a ranch owned by the San Andres Fishing Industries (SAFI) in barangay Seguil in Maasim, which is about 30 minutes away from this city. “It has comfortable takeoff and landing sites. Its big landing site is comfortable for beginners and you can fly almost every day,” he said in a report released by the Sarangani Information Office. Dard has been conducting international-standard paragliding trainings to members of the newly-formed Sarangani Paragliding Club. Michelle Solon, Region 12 tourism council chairperson, said they now consider paragliding as “the next big thing” in the region. Region 12, which also known as the Soccsksargen Region, covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

“What is the next big thing in Region 12? We are crossing our fingers — I believe in a heartbeat, it’s going to be paragliding in Sarangani,” she said. “Who said there is no wind around Sarangani Bay? On the contrary, there is enough wind!” added Solon, who had tried sky sports paragliding. Joseph Oncada, vice president of Sarangani Paragliding Club said they started paragliding in the area in September last year. “To those who want to become pilots, or just want to experience flying in tandem, we offer training and tandem flights,” Oncada said. For a short flight, which is about 10 minutes, enthusiasts will need to cough up P2,300 and around P3,000 for a 15 to 20-minute flight, he said. On May 18, Oncada said the Sarangani Paragliding Club will have a paragliding accuracy competition as part of the upcoming celebration of the two-day Sarangani Bay Festival. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)






Palawan, Comval replicate Sarangani Big Brother

by (Beverly C. Paoyon and Serafin N. Ramos Jr./PIO Sarangani/PIA General Santos City)


ALABEL, Sarangani, April 16 (PIA) -- Sarangani Big Brother (SBB) “Reading is Fun!” enters its “Season 5” this week with two provinces replicating the program this year.

SBB “Reading is Fun!” is a 15-day reading program run by the provincial government’s Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST) program designed to assist the Department of Education (DepEd) to improve reading skills of “frustration readers” among incoming Grade 2 and 3 pupils.

“Frustration readers” are those who can identify words but have inadequate or no comprehension at all.

The activity is a whole day remedial reading program from April 17 to May 8 implemented in partnership with the DepEd, QUEST, Sangguniang Kabataan and the Alcantara Foundation.

QUEST recently held two days of training for teachers who will conduct the reading classes. Each of the 309 teachers will handle an ideal class size of 35 pupils.

During the training, Governor Migs Dominguez thanked the teachers for their “passion and commitment” to make SBB successful.

“Let’s remember the first time we make them (children) read,” Dominguez told the teachers as he stressed the importance of continuously motivating children to learn to read.

Compostela Valley Province also sent nine youth leaders and 12 teachers to join the training as they would replicate SBB starting this summer vacation which would be called “Summer Big Brother: Reading is Fun! Season 1”.

After a series of benchmarking of local officials, DepEd officials and private sector in Sarangani which was arranged by Alcantara Foundation, Compostela Valley decided to replicate QUEST. Comval started with an Education Summit last January.

Palawan was also set to launch this month its Palawan Big Brother, patterned after SBB.

In early March, QUEST program manager Annalie Edday was instructed by Governor Dominguez to email the activities of QUEST to Palawan Governor Abraham Mitra because he was interested to replicate QUEST.

A QUEST team led by Edday flew to Palawan on March 19-22 to present QUEST and help Palawan organize its education reform program.

This summer, Palawan will have its PBB (Palawan Big Brother: Reading is Fun! Season 1).

“PBB is the kickoff project of the Palawan education reform program,” Edday said.

In Sarangani, Edday noted the improvement in the performance of the “frustration readers” after they have completed the reading program.

“I am so happy that they feel the sense of belongingness as they enrolled in the next grade,” Edday said.

She said every year different modules are used in the summer classes as additional inputs are being introduced.

QUEST also designed a volunteer program to tap youth volunteers who will assist teachers in facilitating the activities from the modules.

“Teaching young children to read is the most critical educational priority facing the province,” Edday said. She explained SBB “will help schools and children uplift their performance in reading.”

“By teaching all children to read well by the end of the third grade, we will ensure that all students that advance to later grades are well prepared to achieve their full academic potential,” Edday added.

Edday said SBB was successful in helping DepED eliminate the frustration and instructional readers among incoming Grade 2 and 3 pupils.

“For years it has produced good result; for 4 years, this program has engaged 855 teacher volunteers, 2,166 youth volunteers and has made 17,983 pupils better readers,” Edday disclosed.

“We are happy that we have numerous volunteers from General Santos City, seven scholars of American Field Studies and one German volunteer this year,” Edday reported about the SBB volunteers training.

The program was first thought to make “reading as fun,” said Edday, “but since there are quite a number of frustration readers so we made SBB season 4 as a remedial reading program.”

SBB was launched in 2008 in which Governor Dominguez said the first concern then was how to harness the spirit of volunteerism among the youth “to be able to make them contribute in the community.”

“Masarap makatulong bumasa at buksan ang mga mata ng mga bata and teach them to dream big!,” Dominguez told the volunteers in Alabel during the volunteers training last year.

For the past three years, SBB became a channel in unifying the school’s community and utilizing the collective efforts of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of the province.

The governor has pointed out that “success lies in education. It opens up boundaries we think impossible. Education from elementary to high school up to college will ensure better future.”

In 2011, QUEST pre-test and post-test results showed a 55 percent increase of the pupils’ reading level from “frustration readers” (36%) to the right reading level (91%) and were ready to enter Grade 3.

Every year, the reading skills of pupils were improving because of Sarangani Big Brother. SBB has become successful through volunteer youth and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

“SBB taught me to become someone - to be a builder of this nation. I learned to embrace the beauty of imparting knowledge,” volunteer John Logos Guiang from Maitum town said.

During its second season of Sarangani Big Brother “Reading is Fun!” one of the youth volunteers in Maasim Elementary School was Aimee Aragon, then a 15-year old incoming first year college student.

“I am blessed to be given the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences for the little children like I was, and I’m very happy to be an ‘Ate’ (big sister) for them,” Aragon said.

The Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan (PPSK) launched the month-long reading program in the summer of 2008 among elementary pupils while instilling the value of volunteerism among “mentors”.

Right from SBB’s first season, Alcantara Foundation has already been one of the partners together with the SK, DepEd and the local government in the implementation of the program.

The rest of the sponsors this year are Synergia Foundation, Sagittarius Mining Corp. and World Vision.

'Respect Pacman's decision to join PDP-Laban'

by Evelyn Macairan


MANILA, Philippines - A Catholic Church official asked the public yesterday to respect the decision of Sarangani representative and boxing champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao to join the political party Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Marbel South, Cotabato Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez said Pacquiao is old enough to make decisions on his own.

“Pacman is mature and intelligent. Respect his decision,” Gutierrez said.

Sarangani province is one of the areas under the Diocese of Marbel, South Cotabato, which the bishop heads.

Gutierrez said his statement stems from his concern about the faith and morals of people, rather than politics.

Pacquiao was earlier reported to be leaving the Liberal Party of President Aquino to join Binay’s camp.

The 33-year-old boxer-turned-legislator is reportedly being groomed to be the PDP-Laban’s gubernatorial candidate in Sarangani in next year’s elections.

Pacquiao might take his oath as party member of PDP-Laban before his next fight with Timothy Bradley in June.

Sarangani good site for paragliding

by Cocoy Sexcion


MAASIM, Sarangani, April 14 (PIA) -- Sarangani is a good flying site for paragliding said Armand Dard, a French national and a visiting paragliding professional instructor.

"This is my second time in the Philippines and my first time in Sarangani. Last year I did some paragliding in Carmona, Cavite and also in Boracay but this place which I discovered one month ago is a better flight site,” Dard said.

The flying site is located at SAFI Ranch 1 in barangay Seguil, less than 30 minutes drive from General Santos City.

The flight site is overlooking Sarangani Bay.

“It has comfortable take off and landing sites,” Dard noted. “It also has big landing site comfortable for beginners and you can fly almost everyday."

Dard is conducting paragliding international standard trainings to members of the newly-formed Sarangani Paragliding Club.

“You ask what is the next big thing in Region 12, we are crossing our fingers -- but I believe in a heartbeat, it’s going to be Paragliding in Sarangani. It is definitely a number 1 for fun!” said an exuberant Michelle Solon, chair of the Regional Tourism Council.

“Who said there is no wind around Sarangani Bay? On the contrary there is enough wind!” added Solon who has tried sky sports paragliding.

Joseph Oncada, vice president of Sarangani Paragliding Club said they started paragliding in September last year, “and this is the newest sport in the country."

"To those who want to become pilots, or just want to experience flying in tandem, we offer training and tandem flights," Oncada said.

A short flight or a maximum of 10-minute flight would cost P2,300. “For a long flight or 15 to 20-minute flight, we charge P3,000," Oncada added.

Oncada said the Sarangani Paragliding Club will also have a paragliding accuracy competition on May 18 in time for Sarangani Bay Festival.. (DED-PIA 12/CSexcion/Sarangani Information Office)

Land Bank relocates Alabel branch to Sarangani

by John Anthony Concepcion


Apr 13, 2012 (Datamonitor via COMTEX) -- Land Bank of the Philippines has relocated its Alabel branch to a more spacious facility at the Provincial Capitol Complex of Sarangani, to expand its network.

"LANDBANK's strategic network expansion is consistent with our thrust to provide banking services to the unbanked and underserved areas in continuous pursuit of countryside development," said LANDBANK President and CEO Gilda E. Pico.

LANDBANK first established its presence in Alabel in 1996 with its first branch at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium. Among the clients of the branch are the local government of Alabel, the provincial government of Sarangani, and the neighboring municipalities of Malapatan, Glan, and some barangays of Malungon, along with rural bank and micro and SME clients.

"This forms part of our financial inclusion program which we are aggressively pursuing as we hope to bring banking services closer to underserved and unbanked areas. This will likewise benefit the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps beneficiaries since they will no longer need to travel out of their towns to withdraw their cash grants," said LANDBANK President Pico.

The MOU was signed by Maitum Mayor Elsie Lucille Perrett, Malungon Mayor Reynaldo Constantino, Rural Bank of Kiamba President Teresa Falgui, and LANDBANK First vice president for Mindanao Branches Joselito Gutierrez, for the installation of automated teller machines (ATMs) in the six other municipalities of Sarangani, namely Glan, Kiamba, Maasim, Malapatan, Malungon, and Maitum.

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‘BIR is right going after Pacquiao’

by Frances Mangosing

INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines—Following the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s filing of the tax evasion case against its former poster boy, boxing icon and Representative Manny Pacquiao, half of INQUIRER.net readers think it was only the right thing to do. In a poll conducted between March 29 and April 12, 51.73 percent or 2,682 answered “BIR is only right to go after Pacquiao” to the question, “What do you think of the BIR’s tax case against Manny Pacquiao?” However, 32.15 percent or 1,667 thought it could be talked over by answering “BIR and Pacquiao should settle the case amicably.” Meanwhile, 16.12 percent or 836 voted that “Pacquiao is right in calling the BIR move as harassment.” In March, the BIR filed a tax evasion case against Pacquiao, for his alleged failure to submit complete tax records for the year 2010. It said that Pacquiao ignored summons issued by the BIR office in Central Mindanao asking him to explain his failure to submit complete tax documents. Pacquiao cried foul over the case, claiming that it was “without basis” and a form of harassment. “The institution of the case against me is plain and simple harassment. Contrary to public perception, I am not charged with Tax Evasion or Tax Fraud. That is farther from the truth. Over the years as a boxer, a product endorser and a businessman,” he said in a statement. Pacquiao said the BIR violated its own rules when it served the subpoena to a person unknown to him. He also asked why the BIR served the subpoena in General Santos City when he is now a resident of Sarangani. The boxing sensation, who topped the taxpayer’s list in 2008, made a 30-second television commercial for BIR in 2009 reminding citizens to pay their taxes.






PNoy PREEMPTS ENERGY SUMMIT, APPROVED MORE COAL-POWERED PLANTS

by John Anthony Concepcion


DAVAO CITY, APRIL 11, 2012 (MANILA STANDARD) Written by Christine F. Herrera - Critics bare ‘midnight deals’ on coal power plants

President Benigno Aquino III has approved “midnight deals” to build more coal-fired plants in Mindanao days ahead of an Energy Summit here, locking the island into a dirty source of power for decades, lawmakers and environmentalists said Monday.

“The Mindanao Energy Summit was supposed to give the stakeholders options for short- and long-term solutions to the power crisis, but no option is being offered because the contracts for coal are already a done deal,” Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said.

“Is there a conspiracy to ram fossil-fuel power as the solution? Would this not reduce the power summit to a farce, giving Mindanao consumers no choice but to stick to more expensive, dirty, non-renewable power?”

Von Hernandez, Greenpeace Southeast Asia executive director, said environmental compliance certificates were hastily approved for the coal plants despite opposition from the communities in Mindanao.

“The hasty approval … confirms earlier suspicions that pro-coal business interests were out to capitalize on the current crisis to railroad government approval of such environmentally sensitive projects that should have undergone better scrutiny,” Hernandez said.

Agham Rep. Angelo Palmones, who comes from Cotabato, urged Congress to exercise its oversight powers to review the deals.

At a pre-summit conference last week, Energy Undersecretary Josephine Patricia Asirit said some 700 megawatts would be generated from the coal-fired power plants and that the 100-megawatt Iligan diesel plant owned by the Alcantaras would be revived pending clearance from the Audit Commission.

Asirit said Mindanao had a daily demand of 1,200 megawatts and a shortfall of 100 megawatts, and that demand was growing at 50 megawatts yearly. Some 1,400 megawatts would be in the pipelines for Mindanao from October 2012 to 2014.

Asirit identified the coal-fired projects as a 200-megawatt coal-fired plant by Conal Holdings of the Alcantaras in 2014, a 200-megawatt coal-fired plant by STEAG in the last quarter of 2014, a 300-megawatt coal-fired plant by Therma South of the Aboitizes in 2014, and a 15-megawatt oil-based plant by EEI Power Corp. in October 2012.

The 50-megawatt Mt. Apo 3 geothermal plant and a 5-megawatt wind farm would also be operational by 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Providing extra power would be the eight-megawatt Cabulig hydroelectric plant by Minergy, a 35-megawatt biomass facility by Green Power Bukidnon in 2013, the 225-megawatt Agus 3 hydroelectric plant by Lanao Hydropower Development Corp. in 2015, the 20-megawatt Tagoloan hydroelectric plant by Mindanao Hydro Power Corp. in 2016, and the 12-megawatt Tamugan hydroelectric plant by Hedcor in 2018.

Asirit said coal and diesel would make up the region’s base load because of the unreliability and seasonality of the hydrothermal plants.

Only 350 megawatts was approved for geothermal and other renewable energy sources.

Coal, power barges and diesel cost P9 a kilowatt hour compared with P2 for hydroelectric power and P2.80 for geothermal power.

Citing Asirit’s presentation at the pre-summit conference, Hernandez said the Energy Department had confirmed that four coal plants and one coal power plant expansion were in the pipeline for Mindanao.

“One of the plans [was] approved early this week, ironically, with a promise from the President to expedite the construction process of the harmful facility. Last November 2011, the government gave the go-signal for a coal plant in Sarangani, and before that in July, [President Aquino] was guest of honor in the inauguration of another coal facility in the Visayas.

“Should the other projects in Mindanao push through, President Aquino’s administration would have approved more coal plants than any of his predecessors.”

“With this midnight approval, the government has succeeded in creating a truly agonizing Holy Week scenario for the people of Mindanao, replete with episodes of sacrifice, false prophets, and public betrayal.”

Hernandez reminded the President of his campaign promise to support the development of renewable energy and to phase out coal-fired power plants.

“We thought this administration would approach this problem with a greater measure of integrity and sophistication,” Hernandez said.

“On the contrary, he has allowed coal pushers in his team to overturn his pledge as evidenced by the [Energy Department’s] existing plans to build an unprecedented number of coal plants during his term. The President should be advised that each coal plant he builds edges out the opportunity for the people of this country to harness clean and renewable power.”

Greenpeace claims there is no such things as “clean coal plants,” and that there were no commercially available technologies that could remove mercury, a deadly neurotoxin that accumulates in the environment and in the food chain, or carbon dioxide, which causes climate change.

Casiño, meanwhile, said he had learned that in an April 4 pre-summit meeting in Davao, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras ordered Mindanao’s electric cooperatives to buy expensive power from the privatized power barges at P14 a kilowatt hour, with the government shouldering P9 per kilowatt hour.

Almendras, he said, also reportedly ordered local government officials to immediately approve the environmental compliance certificates for at least two new coal-fired power plants in Mindanao.

“If that is the case, then the power summit would just be a rubber stamp... which forces consumers to pay an additional 50 to 80 centavos per kilowatt hour for their electricity due to the manipulations of favored private power generators like Therma Marine Inc. owned by the Aboitizes, ” Casiño said.

He said he found it strange that the government was willing to subsidize diesel power at P9 a kilowatt hour when it would be cheaper and more sustainable to subsidize solar and other renewable energy sources.

Asirit told the pre-summit conference that power rate increases were inevitable.

“What makes Mindanao different from Visayas and Luzon is its rich potential for renewable energy, from solar, hydro, geothermal to biomass. Why not tap these instead of the more expensive and dirty fossil fuel technologies?” Casiño said.

Also on Monday, administration Senator Serge Osmeña III chided the electric cooperatives for opposing the privatization of the government-owned plants on the island, saying it was mandated by law. He his view that the people of Mindanao had been enjoying subsidies for too long.

“The Mindanao cooperatives have their own version of the economic law of supply and demand,” Osmeña, chairman of the Joint Congressional Power Commission, told the Manila Standard in a text message.

“They demand subsidized electricity and the rest of the country must supply. What about the rest of the population who have been paying market rates for almost 10 years?”

The senator was reacting to the position paper submitted by the 33-member Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, which urges the government to forgo plans to sell its power plants in Mindanao to prevent a spike in energy prices.

Osmeña said the privatization of government-owned plants was mandated by law to attract the private sector to enter the power generation business.

“Private owners do not and cannot afford to compete with government, which can operate at a loss,” he said.

Last 2 Pacquiao fights fail to impress Ariza

by Romina S. Austria

Philippine Daily Inquirer


Manny Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach said he is far from impressed with the Filipino ring superstar’s two fights last year. And the last thing Alex Ariza wants is an unprepared Pacquiao battling the unbeaten American Timothy Bradley on June 9 for the Sarangani congressman’s WBO welterweight belt at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. “We can’t have a bad camp,” Ariza told boxingscene.com. “(Pacquiao’s) physical conditioning is very important. This must happen all the way.” Pacquiao will defend his WBO title for the fourth time against the unpredictable Bradley, with the Ring magazine’s pound-for-pound king heavily favored to bag his 55th professional victory in 60 fights. The eight-division world champion prevailed via ho-hum unanimous decisions over Joshua Clottey in March 2010 and Shane Mosley in May 2011 before besting Juan Manuel Marquez for the second time via an unpopular majority decision six months later. “He’s (Bradley) a high-volume puncher who’ll come forward,” Ariza said. “Bradley’s not a technical guy like Marquez. He fights somewhat like Manny. That’s why I think it’ll be an explosive fight.” Ariza said Pacquiao, who has started light training in Manila and General Santos City, runs the risk of losing focus for his clash with Bradley because of his various activities outside the ring. The Colombian conditioning guru also said starting camp on April 16 in Baguio City could be “a little late” for Pacquiao even though he sees a hungrier, more motivated Pacman this time. “It’s up to Manny how he’d prepare against Bradley,” Ariza said, adding he knows Pacquiao wants to prove something in his coming fight. Meanwhile, world junior welterweight contender Ruslan Provodnikov (21-1, 14 KOs) will join Pacquiao’s training camp in Baguio. The Russian is expected to arrive in the country on April 22. Provodnikov will travel back to Los Angeles with Pacquiao and head trainer Freddie Roach in early May to continue training at the Wild Card Gym. Despite his apprehensions, Ariza said he is confident the Pacquiao-Bradley bout will be a short one. “Manny’s competitive spirit will take over,” Ariza said. “How he trains will impact on how he does against Bradley. “If he trains properly, Manny could blow that guy away in less than five rounds.”

Sarangani floods affect 100 families

by Jay Dayupay and Rhea Lara, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN


MANILA, Philippines – More than 100 families in Poblacion, Alabel, Sarangani province were affected by floods triggered by strong rains last Saturday.

Raging floodwaters inundated Purok 4, Sitio Cogonal and Purok Tagumpay, prompting several residents to flee their homes.

Around 50 hectares of agricultural products were also destroyed.

In Barangay Kawas, motorists were stranded due to an impassible bridge.

Road repairs are ongoing.

The residents have returned to their homes but they fear that more rains in the coming days will trigger floods anew.

Police rescue two abducted security guards in Sarangani

by LBG, GMA News


Local authorities on Saturday rescued in Sarangani province two abducted security guards, a police report said.

Mark Lantin and Daniel Bolunos were released unharmed by their captors on Saturday morning, some 29 hours after they were abducted by armed men at the Rosa Farm, Sitio Nakolel, Barangay Lago in Glan town at 4 a.m. on Good Friday.

Reports reaching Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Dir. Gen. Nicanor Bartolome from Central Mindanao said a crisis management committee – composed of personnel from Glan Municipal Police Station, Sarangani Police Provincial Police Office, Regional Intelligence Division and local government authorities – was convened immediately to secure the safe release of the captives.

At the same time, PNP units had conducted operations to limit the movement of the abductors within a smaller area.

Chief Supt Benjardi Mantele, PNP Regional Director in Central Mindanao, said the two victims were brought to Barangay Congan before their abductors were prompted to release the victims unconditionally due to police pressure.

Mindanao farmers get tractors, threshers from gov’t

by Leila B. Salaverria

Philippine Daily Inquirer


MANILA, Philippines—Farmers in Mindanao have received nmearly P21 million worth of farm equipment from the Department of Agriculture intended to help them produce more crops and earn more money. The department said in a news release that it recently awarded 177 pieces of farm machinery and equipment, such as tractors and threshers, to farmers’ groups and irrigators’ associations in Region 12 or the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) Region. The DA shouldered the bulk of the cost of the equipment through the farm mechanization component of its Food Staple Sufficiency Program. Under the program, the DA paid for 85 percent of the cost, while the beneficiaries shouldered the remaining 15 percent. Assistant Agriculture Secretary Dante Delima said another set of farm machines and equipment was scheduled to be awarded to another batch of farmers in August this year. Delima, who was present in the recent turnover to the beneficiaries, called on the farmers to maximize the use of their new equipment in their field preparation, planting, harvesting and other farm operations so that these would be faster and more efficient. He also said they should take care of the machines, which are meant to increase their production and income. DA Region 12 Director Amalia Jayag-Datukan said the department would create a team to monitor the farmers and irrigators groups to ensure they are using the new equipment efficiently and are seeing to their maintenance. The bulk of the machines and equipment went to 126 farmers’ groups. They received five units of four-wheel drive tractors, 112 hand tractors, and 37 rice threshers, collectively worth P18.5 million. Five outstanding irrigators’ associations received nine hand tractors, seven hermetic cocoons, and seven portable dryers, which are worth P2.43 million.

Pacquiao steps aside for the true Champ

by www.abs-cbnnews.com


MANILA, Philippines – Core members and volunteers of ABS-CBN Christian Fellowship were still busy setting up for the 7 p.m. March 29 fellowship when I received a phone call at 4:30 pm from our guest speaker. “Malapit na kami diyan sa ABS,” Sarangani Congressman and world boxing champ Manny Pacquiao said.

“Huh? Ang aga niyo,” I answer.

“OK lang,” he said. “Gusto ko i-testing iyong Powerpoint presentation ko.”

In less than 5 minutes, a convoy of 4-5 vehicles pulled up the driveway of the ABS-CBN compound bringing the members of Barangay Pacquiao - Manny dressed in a suit, Jinkee in a gorgeous yellow lace dress, their 4 kids, Jimuel, Michael, Princess and Queenie and their yayas, his security detail, executive assistant Stephanie, and Pastor Jeric Soriano.

A crowd quickly gathers when word of his arrival spread. ABS-CBN employees left their workstations to stare, get a picture or shake the hand of the 8-division boxing champ. Even the kids are greeted with cheers and well-wishes. Manny obliges the fans while slowly working his way to the Dolphy Theater.

Once there, Manny introduced the Pacquiao Word Worship team, led by his wife Jinkee, his staff, security and some friends. All of them are wearing Team Pacquiao T-shirts. The team practice their line-up of praise and worship songs such as Power of Your Love, Here We Are, Shine Jesus Shine, and Walang Hanggang Pasasalamat.

Manny briefly goes through his presentation with Pastor Jeric who has been intensely teaching the Sarangani congressman. He gives Pacquiao the nod – he’s good to go. Before the service, the organizers gather as a group and say a prayer asking for the Holy Spirit to empower the speaker, the musicians and everyone involved.

Packed theatre

The Dolphy Theatre is packed even before the fellowship starts. The worshippers come out and lead the people in worship before I formally introduce the Pacman on stage. He started off by greeting everyone with his big smile.

“Kumain na ba kayo? (Have you eaten?)” he asked, earning a chuckle from the audience.

Manny then encouraged them with a Bible verse. “OK lang. Sabi sa Biblia, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Pacquiao then shared his dream where he heard God speaking to him: “Anak , bakit ka lumayo sa akin? (My child, why have you gone astray?)”

Manny did go astray as his boxing career soared.

“Umiinom, sugal, bar, babae...,” he said

He then added: “That old Manny Pacquiao is gone and the new Manny Pacquiao has come.”

‘I didn’t understand the Bible’

Manny attributes his spiritual awakening and transformation after truly discovering the author and subject of the Bible, Jesus Christ.

He said he repented from his sin, rededicated his life to Jesus and went on a quest to learn as much as he could about his Savior and how to get closer to God.

“When I first read the Bible, I couldn’t understand it. I wanted a bible study in the morning and in the afternoon. I felt my day wasn’t complete if I didn’t read the Bible,” he shares.

Manny moved on to his presentation and for the next 45 minutes, he shared how the Word of God, when read, meditated and followed, turned his life around.

The Pacman shared one Bible verse that made an impact on his life. Joshua 1:8 “Keep this book of the Law always in your lips. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

“The Bible is spiritual food that feeds your Spirit man,” Manny explained.

“The old Manny, when tempting thoughts would come to me, I had no power to say ‘No.’ Now I do,” he added.

Turning point

It was 4 months ago when Manny declared inside the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles that he wanted to turn his life around. He hasn’t looked back since.

Pastor Rice Brooks in Las Vegas shared to him about the Word of God one week before his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao fell in love with God, and everyday after, I could see his eyes sparkle whenever he learned a new truth and precept.

He glued himself to the Bible and prayer, and rededicated himself to his family. Round by round, he pounded away at his old habits. Today, Manny walks around with his iPad equipped with Bible apps. He also shares pages of Bible verses he has memorized.

“Marami na akong mga weapon!” he exclaims to everyone who’s listening.

Pastor Jeric Soriano said Manny has carried his discipline in boxing training to his study of the Word of God.

“He is extremely diligent and determined,” he said.

Pacquiao said another one of his favorite Bible verses is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

He explained: “Dati dasal ako ng dasal. Simba ako every Sunday pero Monday to Saturday lahat ng kalokohan ginagawa ko. Hindi natin maloloko ang Panginoon.”

His wife, Jinkee, was all smiles as she listened to her husband preach for the first time.

“Ang Holy Spirit na kay Manny na talaga. Happy ako at lahat kaming pamilya. Ang saya na talaga,” he said.

Bible studies in his Manila and General Santos City homes are frequent. Pacquiao also likes to listen to an audio bible with portable speakers in his vehicle.

In his sermon, Pacquiao is stretching his arms wide to the audience.

“God loves us so much. That’s why he even died for us.’

“Famous athletes like Jeremy Lin, Tim Tebow and now Manny Pacquiao are all sharing about God. Why me? Because the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is near.”

Dig deep into the Word

Pacquiao ended his sermon by bowing down in prayer and asking all who want to begin a new life with Jesus to join in.

‘Lord, maraming salamat sa iyong pag-ibig. Sorry sa lahat ng kasalanan ko. I give my life to you Jesus. The old is gone, the new me has come. Thank you. I love you, God,” he said.

He then joins his group in singing a couple more of his favorite praise and worship songs.

“Diva for the Lord” Dulce belted out a powerful number while Pastor Jesse Dedel prayed over the Pacquiao family, encouraging Manny to press on till the end.

Celebrities and top management attended the fellowship but the night did not belong to them. In the end, even the 8-division world boxing champion stepped aside to give glory to the true champion – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pacquiao also encouraged Filipinos to dig deep into the Holy Scripture during Holy Week.

“Dig deep and truly have a life changing experience with God by committing to read His Word and obeying it. He has a solution for every situation and nothing is impossible with God,” he said. “Believe! Don’t live in unbelief.”

Pacquiao has said before that he plans to retire soon since he has nothing left to prove inside the ring. Indeed, his boxing conquests may soon come to an end but his new journey of victory in Christ is just beginning.

Go Gumasa for the biggest beach party this summer - Asian Correspondent

by COCOY SEXCION


Tired of the maddening crowd of Boracay? The crash commercialism of Panglao? Or the prohibitive and princely price tag of El Nido? Save your bed and dine budget and get more adventurous. Pack those bags and fly farther south for a summer retreat where one gets the most rural of the setting, yet lusts for one of nature’s few remaining unspoiled beauties. Welcome to Gumasa in Sarangani, home to Mindanao’s biggest beach party – the Sarangani Bay Festival.

Crossing the 15-kilometer Sarangani Bay channel

It is in this part of Mindanao where you can still frolic in the most powdery white sands, watch beach volley and soccer, build sand castles, snorkel and skinny dip in crystal-clear sea waters and party all night long. On the side, shout your hearts out as you cheer for your favorite 5-man relay team swim and race against many others in the shark-infested Sarangani Bay, a distance of 15 kilometers across the channel. (Don’t worry. The sheer number of sea crafts, swimmers and spectators are driving those sharks away.) Oh, lest you forget, watch dolphins playfully swim with the human tankers at a safe distance. When there are no sharks, there are dolphins, period. Gumasa, they say, is what Boracay was 25 years ago when the world-known tourist destination was not yet, well, as crowded as it is today. When being in with the Boracay beach crowd means spending half a year’s salary for a Metro Manila minimum wage earner for a two night stay good for two. You can spend half of that and stay in Gumasa for four days. That’s practically more than half the price tag of Boracay! But, dig this. You can happily bring home along with you the bragging rights of telling friends when you grow those grey hairs that you were there in Gumasa when one can practically own the place by his or her lonesome during off seasons. That is one of life’s priceless moments and memories. Just ask Supreme Court administrator Midas Marquez who was at the bay festival two years ago and was seen tightly clasping a bottle of ice cold San Mig Lights while watching Cueshe live on stage. Or Tina Muñoz Palma who had her moment with youthful Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez along the beach front one breezy and cloudy afternoon the year before. Talkback host and Bantay Bata mover Tina Muñoz Palma of ANC and ABS-CBN Foundation with Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez

Dominguez said the late Filipino rock icon Karl Roy once suddenly popped out from the crowd and went upstage to jam with the local band. Eric Gancio of the lamented and missed Yano band is a regular performer here. Eric is a friend of the governor. Recent Pinoy Big Brother fourth placer Paco Evangelista is also a regular at the bay festival. Sarbay, as organizers have coined it, now proudly owns the tag as Mindanao’s biggest beach party and Gumasa is the resident host of Sarangani Bay Festival.

The festival itself has become the province’s great leveler – where a farmhand can rub elbows with celebrities. Where Sarangani’s officials are part of the crowd – not the crowd. “I think we can claim it has become the bigger beach party in the country where people party literally from sundown to sunrise,” the governor said. Dominguez said, last year, the bay festival was able to attract 35,000 local tourists – up from 6,000 in 2006. Have you seen your vice governor break dance on stage in your place? Try Gumasa. The bay festival was one of the first activity concepts pushed by Dominguez immediately after he was elected governor of the province for the first time in 2004. Sarangani province however shares the bay with nearby General Santos City. (Sarangani six coastal towns are evenly separated by Gensan) After failed attempts to jointly host Sarbay with General Santos, Dominguez gave his signal to proceed with the concept that has now become a buzzword in Mindanao. Mindanao today. The world tomorrow. This year’s Sarangani Bay Festival has been shortened to two days – May 18-19. This should give visitors enough time to enjoy the serenity of the place and explore other places before and after Sarbay.

Side tours The bay fest is adventure enough but if one wants to extend his stay, he or she can para-glide and get an eagle eye’s view of the blue waters of Sarangani Bay. The Tan brothers of SAFII Group of Companies are offering this latest craze to hit Sarangani.

Lemlunay's infiniti pool

If one is a dive enthusiast and wants to explore the earth’s remaining frontier, there is the Lemlunay Dive Resort operated by the Partridge family in Tinoto Maasim, also in Sarangani. The Tinoto Wall is dubbed as one of the best dive spots in Mindanao. The wall drops more than 500 feet you can almost “see” the abyss. Lemlunay also offers world-class accommodation with an infiniti pool to drool for.

Rep. Manny Pacquiao shooting the La Union rapids

If security arrangement can be made, a trek into the hidden waterfalls of Kiamba town or a visit to one of the pre-historic burial caves of Maitum will be a big bonus.

Nalus Falls in Kiamba

But you can still wet your butt in white-water rubber-tubing adventure in La Union, Maitum. Sarangani Rep. Manny once said the 1.5 kilometer stretch of rapids ride was one like he never had before. Unfortunately, until Manny retires from boxing, you will not get to see him at the festival as he often fights during the month.

How to get there and some tips

Travel light. You do not have to dress up and bring your costly gears. After all, Gumasa is a backpacker’s ultimate paradise. Book a flight from your place of origin to General Santos City. There are at least four flights daily from Manila and back and two flights from Cebu on some days. Taxis at the airport are available. Drivers however are not keen on using the taxi meter, though. Haggle with them. Airport to downtown fare should not be more than P300. You can ask the driver where to bring you to the hotel or inn that best suits your taste or budget. Don’t look for 5-star accommodation. There is none yet in the city. You can make arrangements with the hotel front desk for transfer accommodation to one of the beach resorts in Gumasa. If you are to join the bay festival, an outdoor carry-on portable tent is advisable if you cannot have prior bookings. You may inquire with event organizers at stipc@yahoo.com or call Telefax (083) 508-5230 or 508-5244.

From being No. 1 taxpayer in 2008, Pacquiao slides to 135th spot in 2010

by KBK/VS, GMA News


From being number one in 2008, Sarangani Rep. and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao slid to the 135th spot among the country’s Top 500 individual taxpayers in 2010, latest data from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) showed.

Pacquiao, who is currently at loggerheads with the BIR, paid only P9,190,691 in taxes in 2010 despite having a taxable income of P504.5 million, the bureau said.

In 2008, Pacquiao paid over P125 million, making him the top taxpayer for that year.

The eight-time world champion is currently facing a criminal case for obstructing a tax investigation into his earnings, a case that he said has cost him a fortune in endorsements.

The case was filed by the BIR last February after Pacquiao allegedly failed to submit proper documents about his earnings from boxing matches and his numerous commercial endorsements.

The BIR, through the agency’s regional director Rozil Lozares, issued a Letter of Authority to the boxing icon requiring him to submit documents regarding his earnings. Pacquiao allegedly failed to comply.

The BIR wants to investigate Pacquiao’s 33 tax records, including his annual income tax return in 2010, his book of accounts, list of assets, as well as his earnings from his fights against Antonio Margarito and Joshua Clottey.

GMA News Online called Pacquiao's business manager Rex "Wakee" Salud over the phone, but the boxing champ's camp is still to issue an official statement as of this posting.

Pacquiao’s tax payments substantially declined to some P7 million in 2009 from P125 million in 2008–a drastic drop that got the bureau curious.

Pacquiao has vowed to fight the case in court and accused the BIR of singling him out for harassment.

According to the latest BIR list, businessman Vicente Lao was the top taxpayer for 2010. He had a taxable income of P235 million that year and paid taxes of P75 million.

After Lao, businessman Rolando Hortaleza placed second with P69.665 million in taxes. Filmmaker Carlo J. Caparas, once the subject of a tax case filed by the BIR, came in third with P65.670 million in taxes.

For non-individual taxpayers, communications giant Smart Communications topped the list with P11.456 billion for 2010. Other top corporate taxpayers were Chevron Malampaya LLC (P4.378 billion) and Shell Philippines Exploration (P4.327 billion).

Nestle and San Miguel placed fourth and fifth, with P4.277 billion and P4.206 billion, respectively.

Journalist wants libel raps dismissed

by (PNA)

DCT/PTR


MANILA — A Mindanao-based journalist has sought the dismissal of the libel case filed against him by the alleged friend of world boxing champion Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao. In his 13-page counter-affidavit, Edwin Espejo, contributor for MindaNews and Asian Correspondent, said that "it is, therefore, imperative upon the fiscal or the judge as the case may be, to relieve the accused from the pain of going through a trial once it is ascertained that the evidence is insufficient to sustain a prima facie case or that no probable cause exists to form a sufficient belief as to the guilt of the accused." Espejo is facing an P18-million libel case filed against him by Mohammad Aquia, former head of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) in Central Mindanao. In his article, Espejo allegedly mentioned Aquia as an accused of running a carjacking syndicate who sought refuge in Pacquiao's house in General Santos City to evade arrest. The article was published online. In his counter-affidavit, Espejo said that libel cannot be committed by means of the Internet pointing out that under Article 353, the definition of libel "did not comprehend the rise of the interface of advanced telecommunications technologies with the internet." Espejo said that such deficiency is recognized by the Senate thus Senator Manuel Villar filed on Jan. 18, 2011 a bill penalizing internet libel. He added that there is also no malice when he wrote the article because Aquia is a public figure and he does not know him personally. Espejo, through his legal counsel Romel Bagares, director of the Center for International Law Philippines, said that a United Nations Committee on Human Rights report stated that criminal libel in the Philippines is contrary to the country's obligations under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Likewise, Bagares also said that they have yet to receive summons from the Office of the City Prosecutor in General Santos about the alleged P75-million libel case filed by Pacquiao against Espejo. "Our information is that Rep. Pacquiao filed his complaint together with Mr. Aquia," Bagares said. "In any case we reiterate our earlier call on Rep. Pacquiao to take this opportunity to work with journalists in pressing for the decriminalization of libel in the country," he said. "This is an opportune moment for Rep. Pacquiao to show solidarity with Filipino journalists," Bagares added.

Mindanao chambers look to strengthen role in investment facilitation

by zambotimes.com


CEBU CITY-Chambers of commerce in Mindanao should take a stronger role in drawing trade and investment to their respective areas. This was the consensus among the Mindanao chamber officials who attended a “cross-learning” seminar organized in Cebu City by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program. The seminar drew executives from established chambers of commerce in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga, as well as from smaller, newer chambers, from the provinces of Sarangani and Surigao and the cities of Butuan, Pagadian and Kidapawan. Representatives from Naga, Iloilo, and Cebu business chambers also attended the activity. Participants exchanged best practices on chamber revenue generation, policy advocacy, and trade and investment facilitation, focusing on the successful experience of the Cebu Investment Promotion Center. “We are in the process of reviewing our city’s investment code, and it was particularly useful to learn more about Cebu’s highly focused approach,” said Raymund Salangsang, president of the General Santos City chamber. “GenSan has well-established fisheries, agriculture and IT sectors that bring in business, but we really should distinguish between domestic and foreign investors and their differing requirements,” Salangsang said. He also proposed a more subregional approach towards attracting investors. “Some industries cannot be contained in just one city,” Salangsang said. “GenSan is already the commercial and transport hub for surrounding provinces, so why not help businesses to locate or expand there? It works out to everyone’s benefit.” “We looked at our respective strengths rather than try to replicate what other cities are doing,” said Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing, president of the Pagadian City-Zamboanga del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. “We are a small city in a highly agricultural area, with only a small wharf, but with established supply routes to Cebu and Cagayan de Oro,” Quisumbing pointed out. “Rather than focus on direct exports, we studied how we fit into the supply chain,” Quisumbing said. “Given our large coconut production base, for example, there are opportunities for investors in coco semi-processing.” The Mindanao chambers are currently working with local governments and national line agencies to develop investment databases for their respective areas. This would include information on available raw materials, people support, costs of doing business, investment incentives, and other economic and market information. “Some local governments are still not aware of the extent to which their chambers of commerce can help bring in investment,” said Quisumbing. “There has to be a good working relationship between the business community and government to make sure everyone is on the same investment track.” Public-private collaboration is expected to be further bolstered by the recent agreement between PCCI and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to share resources and technical expertise to promote investment. This builds on an earlier partnership agreement between the two organizations to jointly formulate policy recommendations for enhancing the competitiveness of key economic sectors. For chamber executives at the Cebu seminar, however, it was clear that a supportive policy framework will best succeed in attracting business to a particular area if its local stakeholders—both government and the private sector—work together to identify and strengthen their comparative advantages.

Two Bible preachers: One unknown, the other famous

by EARL VICTOR L. ROSERO


He boarded the air conditioned bus at the stop under the EDSA Cubao MRT station. Respectably dressed he was in leather shoes, black slacks, and light blue long-sleeved shirt complete with a necktie.He walked down the aisle, stood at the mid-section of the bus and then pulled out of his black bag – a Bible.

The unknown man, Jessie, spoke clearly though he did not or could not make eye contact with the other passengers – most of whom tried to ignore him but the sense of hearing cannot be shut down.

Some of the commuters had earphones on and preferred to look out the window. But every now and then some passengers would sneak a glance at him and seemed to listen.

Gazing at the bus preacher evoked contrasting mental images of another man – world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao – who now adeptly quotes from the Bible by chapter and verses every time the opportunity presents itself.

Evangelization on wheels

The preacher on the bus would later identify himself to GMA News Online as Jesse Gannabon. He said he is a pastor-in-training of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ Fourth Watch with office in Marikina.

Jesse spoke clearly though he did not or could not make eye contact with the other passengers – most of whom tried to ignore him but the sense of hearing cannot be shut down. Some had earphones on and preferred to look out the window.

But every now and then some passengers would sneak a glance at him and seemed to listen.

Jessie’s preaching followed a three-part outline. First, he introduced why he was there. Then he cited a few Bible passages and endeavored to explain them. Lastly, he asked for donations.

After his preaching, Jessie consented to an interview. He said he has been a missionary for three years now of the Pentecostal Fourth Watch.

As the interview proceeded, the other passengers were now intently listening.

He also said he did the preaching on the bus everyday, whole day from about 8 a.m. to late afternoon around 4 p.m.

Jessie said he preached because it was a commandment of God.

As the bus approached the intersection of EDSA and Ortigas Avenue, he collected the envelopes he handed out, thanked the passengers, and got off the bus.

A new calling

Like the bus preacher, Pacquiao quotes the Bible quite often now. But unlike Jesse, Pacquiao has a weekly television variety show and hordes of media people following him every day.

So confident and inspired Pacquiao is about his new calling that he recently led a Bible sharing session on the premises of the GMA Network Center.

Months ago, whenever he got to speak during Mass at Quiapo Church in Manila, he would just give profuse thanks and say that for every big problem, he “has a bigger God.”

Now, the Pacman expertly throws not just punches, but also quick Bible quotes and some advice.

He credits Jeric Soriano, a recently ordained pastor of the Alabang New Life Christian Center, for his being a “changed man” and his newfound love for learning from the Bible.

The Pacman was with Soriano on stage at the ordination last January.

Pacquiao had also revealed that his home has become a venue for Bible study sessions with friends and neighbors in Sarangani province and General Santos City.

Auxiliary Bishop Pablo David of Pampanga has revealed that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has asked Pacquiao to be a Bible ambassador of the CBCP.

“Manny has always been very religious and we are happy that he is deepening his faith and his understanding of the Bible,” said David, who is chairman of the CBCP’s Commission on Biblical Apostolate.

“That’s why I asked him if he could partner with us in promoting the reading of the Bible among Catholics,” Bishop David also said. — GMA News

arangani Archived News]]== The older news reports are kept here

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