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| ==[[Sultan Kudarat News]]== | | ==[[Sultan Kudarat News]]== |
| '''MILF calls for freeze of oil, gas exploration in Moro areas''' | | '''Newly-launched Bio-N Mixing Plant in SK will boost farmer’s yield and income - Alcala''' |
| *Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=377153 | | *Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=58295 |
| *October 5, 2011, 5:52 pm | | *Sunday, October 09, 2011 |
| :By (PNA) DCT/LAP/NYP/EOF | | :By CT Apelacio |
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| SULTAN KUDARAT, Maguindanao, Oct. 5 (PNA) -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has reiterated its call for the national government to freeze the oil and gas exploration in Moro areas, pending the final resolution of the Moro Question and the armed conflict in Mindanao, particularly on the aspect of ancestral domain.
| | GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct 9 (PIA)-- A breakthrough technology that promises increased farm productivity and income has just been launched recently in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. |
| | | Led by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, the launching of the P 2 million worth Bio-N Mixing Plant has been touted to reduce the application of the traditional fertilizer while increasing rice production yields. |
| In a statement, Muhammad Ameen, chairperson of the MILF Secretariat, said that freezing the bidding and awarding of contracts for the exploration of oil and gas in the Sulu Sea and the Liguasan Marsh in Central Mindanao would be seen as a clear indication the government is sincere in the current GPH-MILF peace negotiation.
| | Alcala expressed confidence that with the Bio-N mixing plant there will be a big change in local farmers’ production and also their income as the plant will be facilitating the production and use of Bio-N. |
| | | The plant will introduce Bio-N as bio-fertilizer microorganism that minimizes the “use of up to two sacks of fertilizers when applied.” |
| “We do not want these explorations to complicate the peace process and more importantly result in undue deprivation of our people for their rightful share in the natural wealth,” Ameen said.
| | Along with the facility, Secretary Alcala also gave Php500,000 as additional fund to enhance “Bio-N production for corn and high value crops and for the improvement of the facility.” |
| | | Sultan Kudarat Governnor Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu described the establishment of Bio-N plant in the province as manifestation of the sincerity of the government to provide the necessary agri-infrastructure, equipment and production support to farmer-beneficiaries in Mindanao. |
| “I hope the Aquino administration would listen to our people’s pleas,” he stressed.
| | Bio-N production is one of government’s priority programs to improve farm yields while reducing cost, he said. According to him, Bio-N application has the capacity to “reduce nitrogen requirement of crops by as much as 50 percent.” |
| | | Dept. of Agriculture (DA)-12 regional information officer Nelly Ylanan said “Bio-N is being sold at P75.00 per packet of 200 grams.” |
| He recalled that the MILF peace panel had formally presented the request to the government to suspend this oil and gas explorations during the 22nd GPH-MILF Exploratory Talks in Kuala Lumpur last August 22-23.
| | Meanwhile, Nadja Gayanandang, chief, DA-12 Soils Laboratory explained that when applying Bio-N, it is important to place rice seeds in a container with a little water enough to moisten it. |
| | | In that process, she said, “we allow Bio-N to stick to the seeds.” A drop of sticker to the water is also recommended to enhance the moisture. |
| In response, the government through its chief peace negotiator, Dean Marvic Leonen, assured that now the matter had been formally taken up in the negotiation, he would bring up the issue to his principal for disposition.
| | Gayanandang said the treated seeds “should not be exposed to direct sunlight” but should be stored in a cool place until ready to use. |
| | | “The inoculated seeds should then be drilled in the planting hole then covered with soil,” she stressed. |
| Ameen also expects that the matter will be discussed anew once the GPH and MILF peace panel resumes talking with the facilitation of Malaysia.
| | Apart from the launching, Alcala also turned over farm implements, sprayers, vegetable seeds, plastic drums and coffee seedlings to the local government units (LGUs) of Isulan and Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat; Magpet, North Cotabato; and Banga, South Cotabato. (With reports from Edgar Allan Pasaol/DA12/PIA General Santos City) |
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| The MILF is expecting the resumption of the stalled peace process after it prepared a new proposal following the deadlock over differences in sub-state issue and the expanded autonomy.
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| While there were "differences in the appreciation of the proposals and misunderstanding" in the process, both sides, the GPH and MILF with the facilitator behind them, have not shut the door in finding a peaceful, political settlement of the Mindanao Moro problem.
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| Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice chair for political affairs, was quoted by a local newspaper as saying that the MILF maintains its original position that “we are for a peaceful and political solution to the Bangsamoro problem in Mindanao.”
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| "We believe in the sincerity of the Aquino government and we remain hopeful," Jaafar said.
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| In her visit to Cotabato City, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, said President Aquino’s directive remained and being pursued.
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| “The President wanted a peace deal with the MILF that is acceptable to all stakeholders in southern Philippines and that he is hoping it will come within his term,” Deles told a group of journalist in a brief interview.
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| Jaafar said once the formal talks resume, the MILF is expecting that the main agenda would be the new proposal and that the case of Ameril Umra Kato, former MILF field commander, expelled by the MILF for disobedience and forming his own group.
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| Jaafar said the MILF central committee has forwarded a resolution to the Malaysian facilitator on its action against Kato and his group.
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| Earlier, the GPH peace panel expressed concerned over Kato’s case but still it considered the issue with him as internal to the MILF.
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| But Jaafar quickly said the MILF resolution on Kato must not be interpreted as a “passport” for security forces to hunt down the renegade rebel leader.
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| ==Photo Gallery of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines== | | ==Photo Gallery of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines== |