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==Comelec urges PWDs to register thru PWD lane==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1671336798341
*Saturday, May 12, 2012
: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'==
*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.
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==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671336288958
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012
: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==
*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)
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==
*Source: http://www.mindanaotimes.net/floods-kill-three-level-crops-in-sarangani-south-cotabato/
*Sunday, May 6, 2012
: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==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1681336095936
*Saturday, May 5, 2012
: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==
*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)
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==
*Source: http://www.rappler.com/nation/4707-sarangani-town-wants-more-power
*Thursday, May 3, 2012
: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==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1671335938981
*Wednesday, May 2, 2012
: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==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/185343/pacquiao-lone-billionaire-in-house-of-millionaires
*Tuesday, May 1, 2012
: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”==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1671335764579
*Monday, April 30, 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==
==SPES-TWSP convergence program to cover 21 LGUs in Region 12==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611335668078
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1611335668078
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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)
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==
*Source: http://mannypacquiao.com/news/rep-pacquiao-lauds-success-of-glan-cattle-project
*Saturday, April 28, 2012
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==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R12&article=1671335430552
*Friday, April 27, 2012
: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==
==Present tax records, Pacquiao told==
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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.
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.
Pacquiao’s lawyers, however, argued that their client did not receive such subpoena.


==PCG defended 'M/Y Sarangani' from harassment -- Nolcom chief==
==PCG defended 'M/Y Sarangani' from harassment -- Nolcom chief==
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“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
“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
==Palace: No Corona connection in BIR actions vs Pacquiao==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253395/news/nation/palace-no-corona-connection-in-bir-actions-vs-pacquiao
*March 31, 2012 12:48pm
:by  LBG, GMA News
Malacañang insisted Saturday there is no connection between the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s tax pursuit against boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao with his failure to join the 188 lawmakers who impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona last December.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said all the BIR wants from Pacquiao are tax-related documents, adding there is “nothing more to it.”
“May nagsasabing connected ito sa impeachment, walang ganoon” she said on government-run dzRB radio, adding that Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima himself had said there was no harassment against Pacquiao in the BIR’s actions.
Earlier, Sen. Joker Arroyo questioned the BIR’s action, asking if it was because Pacquiao did not sign the articles of impeachment against Corona.
But House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Arroyo’s suspicion was ridiculous.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer cited a text message from Pacquiao confirming he was not there when the articles of impeachment were signed.
He also said he hoped the case that the BIR brought against him was not related to his failure to join the House majority in impeaching Corona.
Pacquiao was training for his bout with Mexican Juan Miguel Marquez late last year, when the BIR demanded to see his tax returns.
At the time, the BIR’s regional office in Central Mindanao filed a complaint against him for failure to submit complete tax records for 2010.
Pacquiao has reportedly called President Benigno Aquino III for help and asked him to fire BIR Central Mindanao Director Rozil Lozares for harassing him.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao is now preparing for his fight against American Timothy Bradley for his welterweight crown on June 9.
==Palace: No Corona connection in BIR actions vs Pacquiao==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253395/news/nation/palace-no-corona-connection-in-bir-actions-vs-pacquiao
*March 31, 2012 12:48pm
:by  LBG, GMA News
Malacañang insisted Saturday there is no connection between the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s tax pursuit against boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao with his failure to join the 188 lawmakers who impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona last December.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said all the BIR wants from Pacquiao are tax-related documents, adding there is “nothing more to it.”
“May nagsasabing connected ito sa impeachment, walang ganoon” she said on government-run dzRB radio, adding that Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima himself had said there was no harassment against Pacquiao in the BIR’s actions.
Earlier, Sen. Joker Arroyo questioned the BIR’s action, asking if it was because Pacquiao did not sign the articles of impeachment against Corona.
But House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Arroyo’s suspicion was ridiculous.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer cited a text message from Pacquiao confirming he was not there when the articles of impeachment were signed.
He also said he hoped the case that the BIR brought against him was not related to his failure to join the House majority in impeaching Corona.
Pacquiao was training for his bout with Mexican Juan Miguel Marquez late last year, when the BIR demanded to see his tax returns.
At the time, the BIR’s regional office in Central Mindanao filed a complaint against him for failure to submit complete tax records for 2010.
Pacquiao has reportedly called President Benigno Aquino III for help and asked him to fire BIR Central Mindanao Director Rozil Lozares for harassing him.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao is now preparing for his fight against American Timothy Bradley for his welterweight crown on June 9.
==Peeved, Pacquiao wants to pay taxes elsewhere==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/168733/peeved-pacquiao-wants-to-pay-taxes-elsewhere
*2:31 am | Thursday, March 29th, 2012
:by  Aquiles Z. Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao
GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Boxing sensation and Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao now plans to transfer his tax registration to either Manila or Laguna in protest of what he perceived was harassment done by a regional director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) against him.
In a text message,  Pacquiao’s chief of staff Franklin Gacal Jr. confirmed the plan, saying: “We will definitely transfer.”
When the Philippine Daily Inquirer asked where, Gacal said “Laguna or Manila.”
In 2010, Pacquiao transferred his tax registration from Pasig City to Central Mindanao.
But BIR regional director Rozil Lozares, whom Pacquiao accused of railroading the charges against him,  was unfazed by the planned transfer.
“It’s not a problem. It’s his prerogative where he wants to pay his taxes. But, he can’t do it right now because he has yet to settle his problem with us. If he complies with the requirements, then he can write a letter to the BIR stating the reasons for the transfer. Then, we will evaluate,” Lozares said.
Top taxpayer
Lozares admitted that Pacquiao was one of the top individual taxpayers in the country. He, however, refused to divulge the exact amount of taxes being paid yearly by the boxing icon.
In his 2010 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN), Pacquiao declared his assets at P1.13 billion ($26.3 million) and no liabilities, making him the country’s richest lawmaker.
“The transfer of his tax registration to other place, if ever he can do it, will not affect our revenue collection target,” Lozares said.
But Lozares added that Pacquiao should also expect a backlash on his image and political career.
“The local taxpayers may question why he is paying his taxes somewhere else when he is living and conducting most of his businesses here,” he said.
Lozares said Pacquiao was given three letter-requests and a subpoena before a legal action was initiated against him.
The BIR log book showed that lawyer Francisco Gacal, a member of Pacquiao’s battery of lawyers, appeared before the BIR office on February 7 but failed to submit the required books of accounts and accounting records being asked by the BIR.
On March 1, the BIR filed a criminal case before the Prosecutor’s Office of Koronadal City against Pacquiao.
“If Mr. Pacquiao is not hiding something, then he should submit all the documents required by the BIR. He is a lawmaker and we expect him to respect the law. We are just doing our mandate under the RA 2484 or the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC),” Lozares said.
The BIR official said Pacquiao was just wasting his millions by hiring topnotch lawyers to defend himself.
“All he has to do is to submit his financial records and books of accounts then we will withdraw the case filed before the City Prosecutor’s Office at Koronadal City,” Lozares said.
==Pacquiao paid less than P7M in taxes for 2010: BIR==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/03/28/12/pacquiao-paid-less-p7m-taxes-2010-bir
*03/28/2012 10:58 AM | Updated as of 03/28/2012 2:03 PM
:by  David Dizon, ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines – Sarangani congressman and 8-division boxing champ Manny Pacquiao paid less than P7 million (approximately US$162,999) in income taxes for year 2010, the chief of the Bureau of Internal Revenue said Wednesday.
BIR Commissioner Kim Henares declined to give the exact figure of Pacquiao’s tax payments for 2010 but told ABS-CBNNews.com that “it is lower than P7 million.”
She confirmed that the boxing champ paid P7 million in taxes in 2009, from a high of P100 million in 2008.
Pacquiao earlier declared assets at the end of 2010 at P1.13 billion ($26.3 million) and no liabilities, making him the wealthiest member of the House of Representatives.
Forbes.com magazine estimated he spent $7 million in his election campaign in 2010 while also earning $35 million for his two fights against Joshua Clottey and Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao has accused the BIR of harassment after it sued the boxing champ for contempt for failure to submit copies of his endorsement contracts and TV deals. He urged the BIR to fire Cotabato Revenue Regional Director Rozel Lozares for filing a case against him.
His lawyer, Abraham Espejo, claimed the boxing champ lost several endorsement deals in the United States because of the tax case.
The BIR chief, however, said she cannot fire Lozares since he followed correct procedure in asking for Pacquiao’s contracts.
“[Pacquiao] has a book of accounts so he has to present that. He also has endorsements so he has to submit his contracts. He has a TV show. He has to submit his contract for that. He said he paid the [Internal Revenue Service]. Then show us the receipts,” Henares told radio dzMM.
Henares said she is surprised that Pacquiao is making a fuss over the tax case when he could just easily submit copies of his contracts. Among the documents the BIR is asking for are Pacquiao’s contracts for his 2010 fights against Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito.
Pacquiao also reportedly owns a shopping mall, a building-for-rent, restaurant, beauty salon, convenience store, and a water refilling station in General Santos City.
The BIR filed charges against Pacquiao early March after the boxer allegedly snubbed the agency’s summons to submit certain documents. Pacquiao was charged with violation of Section 266 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), and if convicted, he can be fined as much as P10,000 and imprisoned for two years.
Henares denied that Lozares held a press conference to announce the filing of a tax case against Pacquiao.
“We had a kickoff ceremony in Koronadal for our tax campaign, which had a presscon afterwards. The media were the first to know about the filing of the case and they asked…It wasn’t a press conference just for Pacquiao,” she said.
She also rejected Pacquiao’s claim that Lozares should have sent the BIR’s summons to Sarangani, where he is congressman, instead of General Santos City.
She said Pacquiao has yet to transfer his tax residency status to Sarangani.
Henares is also puzzled by Pacquiao’s claim that he does not know the person who received the BIR’s summons.
“If he did not know the person who received the letter, how could he be sending his lawyer and his accountant to our office? That means he knows the person,” she said.
==Pacquiao eyes suit vs BIR execs for harassment==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=791384&publicationSubCategoryId=63
*March 27, 2012 12:00 AM
:by  Mike Frialde
MANILA, Philippines - Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao yesterday hit the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) for filing what he said was a “harassment case” against him in connection with his alleged refusal to submit documents involving his business interests and income sources that were earlier summoned by the tax collection agency.
Speaking to reporters in Makati City, Pacquiao also dismissed reports that what the BIR had filed against him was neither tax evasion nor tax fraud, but simply for his alleged refusal to submit documents summoned by the BIR.
“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 farthest from the truth. Over the years as a boxer, a product endorser and a businessman, I have not surcharged the government for what it is due. Hence, it is with a heavy heart to hear that I was charged with tax evasion or tax fraud. It was even reported in international media that I shall follow Mayweather soon in jail. I don’t have that intention. I would rather see him inside the ring,” he said, referring to the much awaited fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. who also had some legal issues.
The Filipino boxing icon said that the case the BIR filed against him refers to a violation of Section 266 of the National Internal Revenue Code for alleged failure or refusal to submit more than 62 documents required by the BIR.
Under Section 266 (Failure to Obey Summons), any person who fails to appear to testify, or to appear and produce books of accounts, records, memoranda or other papers, or to furnish information as required by the BIR, could pay a fine of not more than P10,000 and face a prison term of not more than two years.
Pacquiao added that the case filed by the BIR against him was baseless, as he did not personally receive the agency’s letter of authority and the subsequent subpoena.
He said the BIR even violated its own rules when it served the subpoena not on him but on another person not known to him.
He also questioned why the BIR served the subpoena in General Santos City when he is now a resident of Sarangani.
Lawyer Rozil Lozares, BIR Revenue Region 18 director, said they filed charges against Pacquiao last March 1 before the Prosecutor’s Office in Koronadal City in connection with their ongoing investigation into the representative’s tax payments in 2010 based on the income tax returns he filed.
“The BIR said that the case against me is not harassment but the letter (of authority) was sent when I was fighting with Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, Nevada. I do not know why the BIR is singling me out,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao fights back
“The BIR in one instance has tarnished my name by filing a criminal case against me. They value taxes more than the rights of people. Don’t tarnish the names of big taxpayers,” he said.
Pacquiao said he had complied with the BIR’s summons and sent his accountant to Lozares’ office.
However, he said, it was Lozares who was not in his office at the date specified for the submission of the documents.
Pacquiao’s lawyers led by former justice secretary Artemio Toquero said they would question the BIR’s authority to gather evidence against taxpayers.
“We intend to question the validity of the National Internal Revenue Code which gives the BIR authority to gather evidence,” Toquero said.
He said they will contest the validity of the subpoena and will ask the Supreme Court to declare it null and void.
“The subpoena and the letter (of authority) is illegal, the case filed is null and void. We will contest that in the SC,” he said.
Pacquiao hinted that his lawyers would be filing a case of violation of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) against Lozares and other BIR executives.
His lawyer Abraham Espejo, also dean of the New Era College of Law, explained that BIR executives behind the case filed against the boxing champ are liable for causing undue injury to the boxing champ following the pullout of several product endorsements.
==Sarangani receives transparent accountable governance award==
*Source: http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/news.php?id=4958&title=Sarangani_receives_transparent_accountable_governance_award
*03/26/2012
:by (Russell L. Delvo/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
ALABEL, Sarangani (March 26, 2012) – Provincial Administrator Vicente Camacho III (right) and Board Member Virgilio Clark Tobias (center) receive the plague of recognition given to the provincial government of Sarangani under the leadership of Gov. Migs Dominguez in recognition of his commitment and dedication to engage in the “Budget Tracking for Transparent Accountable Governance in Mindanao” (BTTAG) during the flag raising ceremony at Capitol Monday morning, March 26. The award was given to Sarangani budget office recently on the occasion of the BTTAG 2nd Policy Dialogue in Davao City. For more news and updates, please visit the <a href= http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/ > Province of Sarangani </a>. Come and enjoy Sarangani Bay Festival on May 18-19, 2012.
==Experience This Paradise In Sarangani==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/355360/experience-this-paradise-in-sarangani
*March 25, 2012, 12:24pm
:by  ARMANDO A. MORTEJO
MANILA, Philippines — "A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” When poet John Keats wrote that famous line, he might have been thinking of the Lemlunay Dive Resort in barangay Kamanga in Maasim, Sarangani.
Lemlunay is a T’boli and B’laan word for “paradise.” Judging from the breathtaking view (it is situated on a cliff overlooking the beautiful waters of Sarangani Bay to the left and the Sulawesi Sea to the right) and the wonderful underwater experience the resort offers, it is indeed a heaven of sorts.
I was supposed to attend the Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City but because the street dancing was scheduled on a Monday and there was nothing to do on Sunday, my good friend Andrew J. Dorego decided to bring me to this gem of a resort.
The travel from the city to the place took us about 45 minutes. But the road trip was scenic. It reminded me of my trip along the shores of Superior Lake going to Duluth, Minnesota. Imagine a beautiful deep blue sea on your left and mountains with various karsts on your right. The road was smoothly paved and beautiful green trees lined the highway. A bonus: few houses along the road.
The trip was fleeting. I didn’t know what to expect as we entered the place. We paid our entrance fee (P100 per person, which is consumable) and went straight ahead to the restaurant. After we ordered our food, we immediately began our familiarization tour.
Andrew and his girlfriend (Apple Joy Ochoa), who had been to the place before, served as my guides. Deo Sunico, a high school classmate of Andrew who tagged along with us, also helped in showing it off.
Unlike most beach resorts, there is no sandy beachfront. However, Lemlunay’s pristine greenish-blue waters teeming with beautiful marine life more than made up for the lack of luxurious resort amenities.
From the al fresco restaurant, guests can get a glimpse of the white sand beaches in other parts of Sarangani, particularly Gumasa in Glan. Its ambience is comparable to those places featured in Greek and Mediterranean films.
One of the resort’s interesting features is the infinity pool, where visitors can take a dip. There’s an area for kids and the deepest spot is about seven feet. “We went to the infinity pool after snorkeling and took lots of pictures,” one visitor wrote. “We love the view from the pool to the sea. It simply felt relaxing and calm.”
Guests won't get bored while at the resort since it has a myriad of activities available for everyone. Those who don’t feel like snorkeling or diving can rent their Hobie cats (catamarans) for a measly P1500 (maximum of six passengers for 30 minutes).
Lemlunay used to be the vacation resort of Paul Partridge and his family. Later, he established the South Point Divers, which offers a number of services that suit hard-core divers and weekend enthusiasts alike. Activity offerings include PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses, snorkeling and guided diving, among others.
“Each dive comes with tanks, weights, dive guide and chase boat to make your diving experience more enjoyable,” says its website. “Our staff are ready to cater to your schedule 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be one of our many satisfied clients from all over the world.”
Sarangani Bay, declared a marine sanctuary, has a wealth of good diving sites and one of them is located in the huge Tinoto Wall, which runs about 10 kilometers along the bay in front of the dive resort. The wall drops off well over 50 meters about 10 to 20 meters from shore.
According to those who have dived in the area, a wide variety of hard and soft coral, huge gorgonian corals, sponges and an endless array of reef life can be found in the waters. Pelagics are also a common site. Divers can also expect to see turtles, rays, rainbow runners, groupers, snappers and patrols of sergeant majors. The majestic Napoleon Wrasse is also frequently seen on the house reef.
Here’s an observation of a blogger who had dived the area: “A short distance from the cliff’s side, the bottom of the sea drops dramatically to about 30 feet, then a coral wall presents itself with marine life all a-bustle. The variegated colors on the fish and on the coral is a delight against the backdrop of soft-hued sand and dark-toned rock that dot the seascape.”
Another one said: “My entire Lemlunay experience is surreal. I can’t believe I swam with Nemo and his friends!” (Nemo was the leading character in the award-winning film, Finding Nemo.)
We ended our short visit with a lunch at the restaurant. And yes, we enjoyed the food since we were hungry and thirsty.
==On Socoteco-SEC power sales bid: Oppositors no show in ERC pre-trial hearing==
*Source: http://asiancorrespondent.com/78813/on-socoteco-sec-power-sales-bid-oppositors-now-show-in-erc-pre-trial-hearing/
*Mar 24, 2012 9:05AM UTC
:by  Edwin Espejo
Opposition groups and intervenors in the power sales application between the South Cotabato II Electric Cooperative (Socoteco II) and Sarangani Energy Corporation (SEC) in the Philippines failed to appear in the March 22 pre-trial hearing set by the Energy Regulatory Commission prompting the energy body to reset the hearing for March 29.
Only the lawyers of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), which filed a separate intervention, and the representatives of the power sales applicants were present during the hearing.
Commissioners Gloria Victoria Yap-Taruc and Ma. Teresa Castañeda instead requested Socoteco II general manager Rodolfo Ocat to furnish all intervenors copies of the order on the new dates of the hearing.
The commissioners said they decided not proceed with the pre-trial hearing to avoid more “contentious issues” arising from the failure of the opposition to appear in the hearing.
Among those who are opposing the 70-megawatt power sales agreement between Socoteco II and Sarangani Energy are the city government of General Santos, Freedom from Debt Coalition, private intervenor Dominador Lagare and residents of Polomolok, South Cotabato.
The Socoteco II franchise covers General Santos City, Sarangani, and the towns of Polomolok and Tupi of South Cotabato.
The ERC earlier dismissed the petition of Eduardo Alegre et al, all residents of Polomolok, to declare the power sales agreement (PSA) between Socoteco II and SEC null and void.
In dismissing the petition of Alegre et al, the ERC said the former’s allegations were “bereft of merit and their allegation that the award of the PSA to CHC is highly irregular, immoral, unlawful, an abuse of authority and a grave misconduct…is untenable.”
Alegre, as well as other members of the opposition, claimed the assignment of the contract from Conal Holdings Corporation (CHC) to SEC was irregular considering that the latter was a newly formed corporation with an authorized capitalization of only P5,000,000.
The power sales contract between Socoteco II and SEC covers 25 years.
Socoteco II has a baseload capacity of at least 70 megawatts and a peaking load of up to 105 megawatts.
It sells an average of 526 million kilowatt hours of electricity to its 126,000 consumers a month.
CHC was the original party to the PSA with Socoteco II.
Conal Holdings however assigned its rights and obligation to SEC, the implementing arm of its 200-megawatt coal-fired power plant project in Maasim, Sarangani, and submitted the appropriate amendments to the original contract to the ERC.
CHC is the holdings company of the power business of the Alcantara and Sons Development Corporation.  CHC also owns and operates the Western Mindanao Power Corporation and the Southern Philippines Power Corporation, both separately running 55-megawatt diesel-fired power plants.
Socoteco II earlier appealed for support to the PSA it has entered into with CHC/SEC.
Ocat said unless the cooperative is able to secure long term power supply contract, the city could suffer from two to six-hour brownouts beginning next year.
==South Cotabato clinches 2012 CRAA meet overall championship==
*Source: http://balita.ph/2012/03/23/south-cotabato-clinches-2012-craa-meet-overall-championship/
*March 23, 2012 1:21 am
:by  (PNA)
LDV/AVE/HST
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, March 22 – Host South Cotabato province unleashed several upsets in various team events on Wednesday as it clinched anew the overall championship of the Cotabato Regional Athletic Association (CRAA) meet for the second consecutive year.
South Cotabato made strong finishes in baseball, basketball, tennis, softball and volleyball to pace this year’s regional games with a total of 601 points based on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) scoring system.
CRAA or Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Kidapawan, Cotabato and Tacurong.
The CRAA meet was held for the second consecutive year at the South Cotabato Sports Complex in Koronadal City.
General Santos City, which drew solid performances from its taekwondo, gymnastics, chess and badminton teams, settled for the second place with 493 points.
Cotabato province finished third with 386.5 points followed by Koronadal City with 347.5, Sarangani with 252, Cotabato City with 214.67, Sultan Kudarat with 157, Kidapawan City with 138 and Tacurong City with 34.
Based on a report released by DepEd Region 12, South Cotabato topped the elementary and secondary division events with 311 and 290.67 points, respectively.
Among its notable wins were the 10 gold medals in athletics and another three in boxing, said DepEd Region 12 director Deborah Adrales.
She said the host province’s boxing team took the overall championship in the ring event from defending champion General Santos City.
Adrales said Koronadal City made an overwhelming performance this year in swimming by emerging as champion in elementary boys as well as secondary boys and girls divisions.
She said they also gave out minor awards to the Sultan Kudarat delegation for the best in uniform; South Cotabato as the cleanest delegation; Sarangani province as the jolliest delegation;and, Cotabato province as most disciplined delegation.
==ARMM holds first education, health summit in Zamboanga==
*Source: http://www.zamboangatoday.ph/index.php/news/13-top-stories/9184-armm-holds-first-education-health-summit-in-zamboanga.html
*Thursday, 22 March 2012 12:24
:by  Hader Glang
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Regional Governor Mujiv S. Hataman met yesterday local government, health and education officials as well as private partners "Synergeia" Foundation Inc. for the first ARMM education and health summit.
Held at Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City, the summit tackled the state of basic education in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and programs that worked and response to the challenges in basic education in BaSulTa and what works in promoting maternal and children's health.
Sarangani Province Gov. Miguel Dominguez, Mayor Hussin Amin of Jolo, Sulu; ARMM DepEd Sec. Jamar Kulayan, Mayor Allandatu Angas of Sultan Sabarongis, ARMM Health Sec. Kadil Sinolinding and ARMM DILG Sec. Haroun Alrashid Lucman were the resource speakers.
During the summit, a group workshop, health and education proposals for ARMM local development, and briefing on program HEAL were conducted.
It asked questions on "What the doable targets/results in health education?", "What the ARMM leaders can achieve in the next 14 months?", "What activities/programs can they do together to attain these targets?", "What support/commitment can be given by the ARMM regional government, LGUs, DepEd, DOH, and partners from the private sector?"
In an impromptu speech, Hataman exposed the anomalies or corruption in the education sector in the autonomous region, particularly the so-called ghost students, ghost employees, ghost schools and padded payrolls.
“Isa sa pinaka malaking problema sa ARMM ay ang DepEd. Kaya nuong umupo po tayo ang unang pinagtuunan ko ng pansin ay Department of Education," he said, as he stressed that education affects health.
Hataman said he is convinced of the idea of Synergeia that education reform cannot be carried out by DepEd alone, it needs the involvement of others.
Synergeia way aims to discover obstacles to quality education in each municipality by collaborating with communities It also works with local government governments to put basic education at the center of their governance agenda.
It also believes that quality education is the best antidote to poverty and that local governments are the best entry points in transforming public education.
Study showed that of the 10 elementary school students, only three graduate in grade six in ARMM. In the Philippines, 26.5% are living in poverty, while in ARMM of the 10 people, five of them are poor.
Poverty in ARMM worsened in 2009 which posted 45.9% from 31.4% in 2003.
==A paradise in Sarangani==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/lifestyle/2012/03/21/paradise-sarangani-212466
*Wednesday, March 21, 2012
:by  Henrylito D. Tacio
"A THING of beauty is a joy forever." When poet John Keats wrote that famous line, he may be thinking of the Lemlunay Dive Resort inbarangay Kamanga of Maasim, Sarangani.
Lemlunay is a T'boli and B'laan word for "paradise." Judging from the breathtaking view (it is situated on a cliff overlooking the beautiful waters of Sarangani Bay to the left and the Sulawesi Sea to the right) and the wonderful underwater experience the resort offers, it is indeed a heaven of sort.
I was supposed to attend the Kalilangan Festival in General Santos City but because the street dancing was scheduled on a Monday and there was nothing to do on Sunday, my good friend Andrew J. Dorego decided to bring me this gem of a resort.
The travel from the city to the place took us about forty-five minutes. But the road trip was scenic. It reminded me of my trip along the shores of Superior Lake going to Duluth, Minnesota. Imagine a beautiful deep blue sea on your left and mountains on your right with various karsts. The road pavement was great and beautiful green trees line along the highway. A bonus: few houses along the road.
The trip was fleeting. I didn't know what to expect as we entered the place. We paid our entrance fee (P100 per person, which is consumable) and went straight ahead to the restaurant. After we ordered our foods, we immediately made our familiarization tour.
Andrew and his girlfriend (Apple Joy Ochoa), who had been to the place before, served as my guide. Deo Sunico, a high school classmate of Andrew who tagged along with us, also helped explain about the place.
Unlike most beach resorts, there is no sandy beachfront. However, Lemlunay's pristine greenish-blue waters, sprawling with beautiful marine life more than make up for the lack of luxurious resort amenities.
From the al fresco restaurant, you get a glimpse of the white sand beaches in other parts of Sarangani, particularly Gumasa in Glan. Its ambiance is comparable to those places featured in Greek and Mediterranean films.
One of the resort's interesting features is the infinity pool, where visitors can take a dip. There's an area for kids and the deepest spot is about seven feet. "We went to the infinity pool after snorkeling and took lots of pictures," one visitor wrote. "We love the view from the pool to the sea. It simply felt relaxing and calm."
You don't get tired while at the resort since it has a myriad of activities available for everyone. If you don't feel like snorkeling or diving, you can rent their hobie cat for a measly P1500 (maximum for 6 passengers for 30 minutes).
Lemlunay used to be the vacation resort of Paul Partridge and his family. Later, he established the South Point Divers, which offers a number of services that suit hard-core divers and weekend enthusiasts alike. Activity offerings include PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) courses, snorkeling, and guided diving, among others.
"Each dive comes with tanks, weights, dive guide and chase boat to make your diving experience more enjoyable," says its website. "Our staffs are ready to cater to your schedule 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be one of our many satisfied clients from all over the world."
Sarangani Bay, declared a marine sanctuary, has a wealth of good diving sites and one of them is located in the huge Tinoto Wall, which runs about 10 kilometers along the bay in front of the dive resort. The wall drops off well over 50 meters about 10 to 20 meters from shore.
According to those who have dived in the area, a wide variety of hard and soft coral, huge gorgonians, sponges and an endless array of reef life can be found in the waters. Pelagics are also a common site. Divers can also expect to see turtles, rays, rainbow runners, groupers, snappers and patrols of sergeant majors. The majestic Napoleon Wrasse is also frequently seen on the house reef.
Here's a report of a blogger who had dived the area: "A short distance from the cliff's side, the bottom of the sea drops dramatically to about 30 feet, then a coral wall presents itself with marine life all a-bustle. The variegated colors on the fish and on the coral is a delight against the backdrop of soft-hued sand and dark-toned rock that dot the seascape."
Another one said: "My entire Lemlunay experience is surreal. I can't believe I swam with Nemo and his friends!" (Nemo was the leading character in the award-winning film, Finding Nemo.)
We ended our short visit with a lunch at the restaurant. And yes, we enjoyed the foods since were hungry and thirsty.
==12,874 Household Benefited From Electrification Program In Mindanao==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/354834/12-874-household-benefited-electrification-program-in-mindanao
*March 20, 2012, 10:33am
:by MIKE U. CRISMUNDO
Todate, the SEP project has already energized 545 far-flung and remotest sitios in Mindanao.
The SEP is a rural electrification program of the government that will energize far-flung areas throughout the country.
Late last year, the NEA, in partnership with 96 electric cooperatives nationwide had already energized 1, 520 sitios (villages) benefiting some 33, 189 households.
The Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO) alone, 35 sitios were already energized and benefiting 2, 086 households.
This year, ANECO is targeting more than 2, 156 households to be benefited of the SEP program.
The seven electric cooperatives in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) have already energized more than 102 far-flung sitios and puroks.
“We are committed to energize more far-flung sitios and puroks in the coming months as part of our commitment to help the Aquino Administration’s SEP program,” said ANECO general manager (GM) and president of the association of Caraga region electric cooperatives Architect Horacio T. Santos.
There are 32,403 sitios all over the country without power. The bulk of the fund amounting to Php 116.9M will go to Northern Mindanao to electrify 184 sitios. Bicol Region is allotted Php 84.8M to energize 136 sitios while Php 74.4M will go to the Caraga region to power up 103 sitios.
Meanwhile, in an effort to have uninterrupted power supply in the future, the ANECO on Saturday inked a 25-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for a 10 megawatt power supply from the Sarangani Energy Corporation, starting 2015.
The ceremonial signing of agreement was presented by GM Santos, ANECO board president Dioscoro P. Boco, Sarangani Vice President- Business department Joseph C. Nocos and Sarangani Head for Marketing Edgardo C. Calabio.
==Coco leaf beetles infest farms in 12 towns==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2012/03/15/coco-leaf-beetles-infest-farms-12-towns-211423
*Thursday, March 15, 2012
:by Bong S. Sarmiento
KORONADAL CITY -- Coconut leaf beetles are threatening coconut farms in Central Mindanao or the Soccsksargen Region, as they already infested at least 12 towns in the region's four provinces, officials said Thursday.
Amalia J. Datukan, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Soccsksargen director, said the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) and the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) have noted the rapid Brontispa longissima infestation in parts of the region.
"Brontispa infestation has been observed to be quickly increasing in the region, particularly in the town of Malungon in Sarangani," Datukan said.
Malungon has vast mango plantations, and because of regular chemical sprayings, parasitoids used to address the Brontispa infestation could not thrive, she explained, citing a report from the Sarangani Integrated Pest Management office.
Brontispa or coconut leaf beetle feed on young leaves and damages seedlings and mature coconut palms. This insect belongs to the order Coleoptera and Chrysomelidae family along with a number of beetle species.
Citing a PCA report, Datukan identified the towns infested with Brontispa as Tampakan, Tupi, Polomolok and Koronadal City in South Cotabato and Libungan, Midsayap, Antipas and Kidapawan in North Cotabato.
The others are Malungon and Glan in Sarangani and Lutayan and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat.
Glan, touted as the "Coconut Queen of the South," is one of the largest coconut producing towns in the region.
Elvira de Silva, PCA regional manager, said there is a need to establish more parasitoid laboratories to address the Brontispa infestation, especially in areas close to towns that have been infested.
Parasitoids are organisms that ultimately sterilize and consume the host, and are similar to typical parasites, the DA said.
In North Cotabato, where 2.71 percent of the total coconut trees have been infested by Brontispa, the PCA has set up six parasitoid laboratories, de Silva said.
But other than Brontispa, North Cotabato farmers feared that Asiatic palm weevil could infest their crops, the DA regional office said.
Asiatic palm weevil (Rhabdoscelus lineatocollis (Heller)) is a newly discovered coconut pest that damages the stems, reduces yield, or kills seedlings and young palms.
In Malungon, Sarangani, coconut farmers are using chemicals and the cut-and-burn method to address the Brontispa infestation.
The Sarangani agriculture office said the cut-and-burn method could be an effective way to stem the spread of brontispa to other towns.
It has likewise recommended the establishment of parasitoid laboratories in the towns of Maitum, Kiamba and Maasim, which remained free of Brontispa.
Datukan said the RCPC, which is attached to the DA, has been culturing parasitoids to help eradicate the Brontispa problem.
==Pacman told to hold his P75-M ‘punch’ on newsman==
*Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/regions/19144-pacman-told-to-hold-his-p75-m-punch-on-newsman
*Wednesday, March 14, 2012
:by Neil A. Alcober
Pound-for-pound ring icon and eight-division world boxing champion and lawmaker Manny Pacquiao was goaded to his hold punches on a newsman.
The Center for International Law (CenterLaw) Executive Director Atty. Romel Regalado Bagares on Tuesday urged boxing sensation and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao to withdraw the complaint he filed against the General Santos City-based freelance journalist Edwin Espejo, in connection with the latter’s reportage linking former Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group official Mohammad “Bong” Akia –wanted by police for carnapping – to the boxing champion.
The center is extending a legal assistance to Espejo who is facing a P75-million libel suit thrown at him by the Sarangani lawmaker.
Bagares said that Pacquiao can even lead the way by supporting or filing a bill to decriminalize Philippine libel laws.
The legal team of the Sarangani congressman and boxing legend filed the case on March 5, over Espejo’s article which said sources had informed him that Akia had been staying in Pacquiao’s mansion even as police were closely monitoring the former Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group official’s movements.
The pieces were published under the headlines “Stolen car dealer finds refuge in Pacman mansion” on the Asian Correspondent site, and “Dealer of stolen cars last seen in Pacman mansion” on MindaNews.
Espejo cited reports that Akia (or Aquia) was seen with Pacquaio on a flight from Manila to General Santos City, and that the two departed in the same car for Pacquiao’s mansion. Akia/Aquia has not been seen since.
According to Bagares, Espejo sought the congressman’s side to the story, but could not reach him as Pacquiao was then abroad. Espejo then spoke with a lawyer for Pacquiao, who denied that the congressman had anything to do with Akia.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has also urged Pacquiao to reconsider the case saying he is in a good position to set an example for other politicians to emulate: “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.”
NUJP also urged Pacquiao to drop the case, and renewed its call for the decriminalization of libel in a report on Mindanews.
Espejo heads the NUJP chapter for South Cotabato, Sarangani and General Santos City.
Early this year, the UNHRC declared that the Philippines breached its obligations under the ICCPR when Davao City-based broadcast journalist Alex Adonis was sent to prison in connection with a libel suit filed against him by then Speaker Prospero Nograles over what has come to be known as the “Burlesque King scandal.”
The view is the Committee’s ruling on CenterLaw’s petition filed in mid-2008 on behalf of Adonis. According to the UNHRC, the country’s criminal libel law is “incompatible” with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil Political Rights, which protects the right to free expression and opinion.
Adonis was represented in the proceedings before the UNHCR by CenterLaw’s chief counsel lawyer Harry Roque. CenterLaw, a human rights organization dedicated to the promotion of free expression, is a charter member of the Southeast Asia Media Defense Network, an alliance of regional lawyers’ and media advocacy groups providing legal support to journalists facing legal persecution for the work they do.
According to CenterLaw, free expression advocacy groups see the UNHRC’s pronouncement in the Alex Adonis case as a landmark holding, as it was the very first declaration by the human rights body on the incompatibility of criminal libel laws with the right of free expression.
==29 NPA rebels yield in Sarangani in two months==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=412247
*March 13, 2012, 3:59 pm
:by (PNA)
LDV/AVE
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
He said they also received relief and financial assistance from the Sarangani provincial government and other concerned agencies.
“We’re looking at providing them with some livelihood assistance to help them start anew with their lives,” Espuelas said.
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.
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.
==Civilian hurt in NPA harassment in Sarangani==
*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
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.
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.
The area is located near the boundaries of Malungon and nearby Malita town in Davao del Sur, he said,
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.
“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.
Espuelas said they conducted offensive operations in the area last Jan. 30 that resulted to the killing of several suspected NPA rebels.
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)
DCT/LAM/AVE
==PACQUIAO URGED TO DROP LIBEL CASE VS GENSAN JOURNALIST==
*Source: http://www.sportsnewsph.com/pacquiao-urged-to-drop-libel-case-vs-gensan-journalist
*MARCH 11, 2012 
:by  ABS-CBNNEWS.COM
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.
Continue reading Pacquiao urged to drop libel case vs Gensan journalist at ABS-CBNNews.com (source) or access more Latest Sports News articles.
==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
ALABEL, Sarangani—Fifteen-year-old Steven Valdepeñas may have lost his eyesight but not his dream and self-confidence.
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==
*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
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.
Espejo chairs the NUJP General Santos City chapter.
NUJP national chair Nestor Burgos, in a statement issued Wednesday, said Pacquiao erred in suing Espejo and that seeking compensation is “patently outrageous”.
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.
Espejo’s articles were published on the news sites of the Mindanews, Asian Correspondent and Eurasia Review.
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.
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.
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, 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.
Espejo, meanwhile, cited statements by ranking Philippine National Police officials about Aquia’s alleged illegal activities.
He also detailed the charges of violating the Anti-Carnapping Law filed by the Highway Patrol Group against Aquia.
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.
“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.
“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.
With what happened to Espejo, the NUJP has again urged the government to decriminalize libel. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
==Pacman files libel case vs GenSan journalist==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=784746
*March 07, 2012 04:56 PM
:by  Keith Bacongco
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
“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.
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.
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.
“We firmly believe Pacquiao errs in suing Mr. Espejo and seeking compensation that is patently outrageous,” said NUJP chair Nestor Burgos in a statement.
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.
“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.
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.
==Pacquiao camp: 70-30 split for winner offered to Mayweather==
*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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Afterwards, Mayweather announced that he was filling his May 5 contractual obligation with Miguel Cotto, while Pacquiao settled for Timothy Bradley Jr.
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?"
"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
==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
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.
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==
*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
CALL him “small” and Fr. Angelo “Angel” R. Buenavides will not mind.
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.
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.
But studying philosophy at the Notre Dame of Marbel University opened his eyes to the deeper calling of priesthood.
“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.
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.
Finding his voice
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.
From there, his journey in serving the Lord took an interesting turn.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
A channel of peace
The village’s remote location is an ideal traversing point of armed groups, making it one of the conflict-vulnerable communities in Sarangani Province.
With his exposure in Barangay Gasi, Fr. Angelo realized his own definition of peace—that is, “food on the table.”
“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.
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.
Fr. Angel was able to mobilize the army in transporting housing equipment to the community. They worked hand in hand with the tri-people.
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.)”
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.
He held the post from 2005 to 2011.
Managing challenge
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keeping it simple
Where does he get all the strength to serve people?
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.
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.
“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. 
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)


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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