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Philippine News

DA cuts tuna export fee

Source: http://mb.com.ph/node/333916/da-cut
September 11, 2011, 2:30pm

by MARVYN N. BENANING

MANILA, Philippines -- Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has slashed the 3 percent tuna export fee imposed in 2010 to only 0.2 percent as a means to make canned and fresh tuna shipped out of Gen. Santos City more attractive in the global market.

The agriculture chief ordered the cut after the National Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (NFARMC), which suggested the impost in the first place, relented as the clamor for its abolition spread in the fishing industry.

It recommended a steep reduction of the fee in a meeting held on July 22.

Alcala announced the reduction in a speech delivered during the 13th National Tuna Congress at General Santos City.

The impost was slapped to industry players under Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 233 issued in 2010, largely on the basis NFARMC’s recommendation.

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) national director Asis G. Perez said the reduced fee is equivalent to P1,650 or 0.2 percent of fish raw material value computed from the previous year’s average wholesale price, whichever is higher, based on price surveys of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS.)

Commercial fishing corporations and canners have described the export levy as an additional burden and a disincentive to them since it raises the prices of tuna and its byproducts, making them less competitive in the foreign market, said the SOCSKSARGEN Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Inc. (SFFAII.)

Outgoing SFFAI chairman Marfenio Y. Tan claimed FAO 233 was “counterproductive and inconsistent with the thrust of the government to promote exports.”

NFARMC promulgated FAO 233 in compliance with the spirit of Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, and as a means to moderate the capture of migratory tuna.

The council is a multi-sector advisory group under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through BFAR.

It consults stakeholder in crafting policies for the protection, conservation, sustainable development and management of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources.

Proposed policies crafted by NFARMC are sent to the DA secretary for consideration and approval.

Sixty percent of the country’s tuna catch is unloaded at General Santos City, which is the country’s tuna capital.

The tuna industry is presently facing hard times as a result of a ban on fishing in the high seas imposed by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) since January 1, 2010.

Last year, the country’s tuna production totaled 387,101 metric tons (MT), 9 percent less than in 2008.

Of the gross volume, commercial fish catch accounted for 70 percent or 271,625 MT, 14 less than the record for 2008, said SFFAII.

The total value of commercial fish output in 2010 was P17 billion, with SOCSKSARGEN region accounting for P10.7 billion, or 63 percent.

Total tuna exports for the same year were valued at $359.4 million, roughly P15.45 billion at the exchange rate of P43 to a dollar.

Of the total volume, about 70 percent came in the canned form or 76,800 MT, with the balance of 33,688 MT fresh, chilled or frozen.

Canned tuna exports in 2010 dropped by 8 percent compared to the 2009 record, SFFAII revealed.

THREE FILIPINO BROTHERS VOW FOR LIFE

Source: http://www.maristeastasia.org/three-filipino-brothers-vow-for-life/
10 09 2011

by maristeastasia.org

Three Filipino Brothers from the Sector of Philippines made their perpetual profession last September 10, 2011 at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Lagao, General Santos City.

Brothers Niño Mark John, Albert and Jeff Rhey professed perpetually in the presence of the Superior General’s delegate, Br. Manuel De Leon, the Brother Provincial of East Asia Province.

Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD was the main presider of the Mass, which was assisted by other three priests.

Br. Niño Mark John Suarez (from the Diocese of Marbel) is presently assigned at Notre Dame of Cotabato in Cotabato City. Brother Albert Muñoz (from the Diocese of Kidapawan) is assigned at Marist School in Marikina City, while Brother Jeff Rhey Antiquesa (from the Diocese of Kidapawan) is working at Marcellin Home Foundation in Katangawan but stays at Aspirancy House, his community assignment at the moment.

The said special event was attended by religious sisters, brothers and priests and lay mission partners of the Brothers in the Philippines coming from the different Marist schools.

Comval, Sarangani capture top Tuna Festival Bancarera prizes

Source: http://festivals.mindanao.com/2011/09/comval-sarangani-capture-top-tuna-festival-bancarera-prizes/
SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 4, 2011) – Boat racers from Compostela Valley and Sarangani provinces topped the Tuna Festival edition of Bombo Radyo’s Bancarera 2011 witnessed by a huge crowd Saturday, September 3. With a total of 40 riders all over Mindanao, riders from Sarangani and Comval made it to the finals and raced off Queen Tuna Park for the ultimate leg. Rider Argie Atal of Comval province, with a race record of 3 minutes and 13 seconds, bagged the P30,000 and a brand new Honda 13-horse power marine engine for the 1st prize. Sarangani riders Larvin Macagcalat (1st runner-up) and Arsenio Barit (2nd runner-up) settled for the prizes of P20,000 and a brand new Honda 5.5-horsepower marine engine and P15,000, respectively. Bancarera is a race of single–manned outrigger boats operated by fishermen-turned-racers speeding up in an oval track race meters away from the shore. “What made this event draw a huge crowd is because of its relevance to the festival,” said Bombo Radyo area manager for Mindanao Ricky Collado. Thousands of spectators watched the race as it highlights the ongoing Tuna Festival that will culminate on Monday (September 5). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Month-long Philippine Civil Service anniversary begins

Source: http://www.sarangani.gov.ph/4384-Month_long_Philippine_Civil_Service_anniversary_begins.html
09/06/2011

by sarangani.gov.ph

MONTH-LONG PHILIPPINE CIVIL SERVICE ANNIVERSARY BEGINS :: By COCOY SEXCION

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 6, 2011) – Local government and employees of national agencies in Sarangani and General Santos City opened their inter-agency sportsfest Tuesday (September 6) to celebrate the Philippine Civil Service’s 111th year.

“The birth of the civil service signifies the start of the Philippine government’s journey after the declaration of independence. Thus, it is an important hallmark in the history of our nation. All government agencies are part of this celebration,” the Civil Service Commission (CSC) stated in a memorandum.

The CSC is spearheading the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary month-long celebration.

According to the CSC, “this year’s celebration is anchored on President Benigno S. Aquino III’s call for reform, daang matuwid, and on his pledge to implement change in government. The theme urges civil servants nationwide to respond to the call for change and be servant-heroes (lingkod bayani) by joining CSC in building a responsive, accessible, courteous and effective public service or R.A.C.E.”

This year’s theme is “Championing R.A.C.E.: Public Service Excellence at Full Speed”.

The celebration in SARGEN Chapter kicked off with a fun walk from Robinsons Place at around 6:30am to Lagao gymnasium where a series of activities will be conducted.

CSC regional director Grace Belgado-Saqueton declared the opening of the sportsfest.

The various sports events are basketball for men, volleyball for men and women, bowling, darts, chess, badminton, lawn and table tennis and athletics.

Participating agencies for these friendship games are the local government units (LGU) of General Santos and Sarangani, PAG–IBIG, General Santos Water District, Mindanao State University, LGU Glan, Regional Trial Court, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Food Authority, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, LGU Alabel, LGU Malapatan, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Education as announced by Liberty Roxas, secretary of Council of Personnel Officers (CPO)-SARGEN during the presentation of players by team.

Incumbent CPO-SARGEN officers are Sittiehawa Marohamsalic, president; Nenita Ellivera, vice president; Liberty Rojas and Aijane Anfone for secretary and assistant secretary positions; Ursula Alvarez, treasurer; Helen Sanchez, assistant treasurer; Ruth Sheba Canzana and Roland Rene Gonzalez as auditors; Jocelyn Tenchavez, public information officer; Ernesto Quisay, business manager; and Edna Mahinay as adviser.

The anniversary celebration aims to showcase and celebrate reforms and milestones of government agencies as they fulfill their respective mandates.

State employees in all government agencies and instrumentalities are enjoined to actively participate in the activities and contests to be undertaken at the national, regional and agency levels. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Funding for completion of P1.1-B GenSan road project assured

Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/05/funding-for-completion-of-p1-1-b-gensan-road-project-assured/
Monday| September 5, 2011

by Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/05 September) — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) assured over the weekend the full release within the next two years of the remaining P700-million funding for the completion of the P1.1-billion city circumferential road project. Secretary Lualhati Antonino, MinDA chairperson, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have already programmed the release of the required appropriation for the 30-kilometer project until 2013. She said MinDa and the city government earlier presented the project to DBM and DPWH officials and “they understood the importance of the project (to the area) and the need to fast-track its completion.” “(The DPWH) already resumed the project’s implementation and although it may not be ready yet by 2013, we were assured that the release of its budget will be completed by then,” she added. Antonino said MinDA pushed for the inclusion of the project in the national government’s priority infrastructure investments in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao due to its potential economic benefits. She said the circumferential road will mainly connect various agribusiness production areas in the city to various markets as well as provide better access and movement for products coming from other parts of the region. Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Cotabato and Kidapawan. The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 12, which is headed by City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, had endorsed the circumferential road as among the region’s priority infrastructure projects. The RDC 12 specifically sought for the prioritization of the project in terms of the DPWH’s allocation for 2012 during a meeting here in April with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The road project, which was launched as a priority initiative during the Arroyo administration, did not move as planned due to lack of funding. The road network starts from the diversion road along the General Santos-Davao highway in Barangay Katangawan and stretches to the Sinawal road along the General Santos-Isulan highway in Barangay Apopong and the airport road in Barangay Fatima. Mayor Custodio said the completion of the project will mainly decongest traffic along the city’s major streets and provide a better linkage for the city’s peripheral areas. A report from the DPWH Region 12 noted that the circumferential road is also expected to bring economic impact through easy facilitation of transporting of goods to and from the seaport, fishport and the city airport. It will serve as road artery in transporting goods and passengers leading to Sarangani province, Davao del Sur and Davao City, it said. DPWH regional officials noted that at least P658.363 million is still needed to complete the project, especially its remaining component roads, bridges and acquisition of the road right of way. But in 2010, Custodio said the DPWH only allocated P40 million for the project in 2010 and P30 million for this year. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

City councilor Rivera shot, gunman killed

Source: http://asiancorrespondent.com/64072/city-dad-shoot-gunman-killed/
Sep 03, 2011 6:03PM UTC

by Edwin Espejo

General Santos City Councilor Ronel Rivera was seriously wounded in a shooting incident early on Saturday by an apparent jealous gunman who was killed by responding bodyguards of the city official.

Reports said Rivera drove home one Sheila Tañeda to her brother’s house along Mateo Compound when the gunman knocked at the door of the councilor’s SUV and immediately fired his gun at the councilor.

Rivera was hit on the neck and other parts of his body.

His bodyguards fired back at the gunman who was identified as Januart de la Cruz, reportedly an off and on boyfriend of the 28-year-old Tañeda.

De la Cruz was later brought to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Rivera is under careful watch by his doctors at the St. Elizabeth Hospital. He reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his neck and at least one to his chest.

Police are silent about the details of the incident, saying investigations are still ongoing.

A police investigator who requested that his name be withheld, however, said the gunman was apparently waiting outside the rented apartment of Tañeda’s brother inside his L-200 pick up truck.

Rivera, who just arrived from Cebu where he celebrated his birthday with his family, was with friends at the Cassado Billiards Bar earlier in the night after attending to guests at the 13th Tuna Congress.

Tañeda arrived at the bar after 1:30 in the morning with some gay friends and her brother.

Rivera reportedly offered to drive home Sheila, a personal friend.

Tañeda owns several bars in the city and reportedly just returned from the city Oval Plaza where she put up a stall for the ongoing Tuan Festival.

Police said the handgun of de la Cruz is missing including the shoulder bag of Rivera which contained his personal handgun.

The window at the passenger side of Rivera’s Nissan Patrol car was shattered by bullets which the police are still examining.

Bula police station chief Senior Insp. Hoover Antonio said that they still cannot determine the caliber of the slugs recovered from the shooting scene.

Tañeda was still in a state of shock and declined to be interviewed, according to her older sister Lanie.

Rivera is the third son of fishing magnate Rodrigo Rivera Sr.

Rivera topped the elections for councilors in 2010 and is said to be a strong candidate for mayor.

Police ruled out politics in the shooting incident.

USAid marks 1,100th matching grant in Mindanao

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2011/09/02/usaid-marks-1100th-matching-grant-mindanao-176822
Friday, September 2, 2011

by Ben O. Tesiorna

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has reached its 1,100th matching grants in partnership with the Parents-Teachers Association across Mindanao, totaling to more than $1 million and helping over 600,000 students in elementary and secondary schools.

In a simple ceremony held here Thursday, beneficiaries of the matching grant program of the USAID attested how the program helped their school and their students achieve better quality of education.

The beneficiaries came from all parts of Mindanao like Zamboanga, Davao Region, Central Mindanao and all other far-flung areas.

The Education Matching Grant Program (EMGP) is a component of USAid's Growth with Equity in Mindanao Program wherein funds are provided that match, peso by peso, to the funds raised by the individual PTAs aimed at improving specific education programs or facilities at their respective schools.

It was learned that about 900 schools have already benefitted from the said program with programs or projects ranging from school libraries, science laboratories, computer laboratories, home economics laboratories and multimedia resource centers.

USAid deputy mission director Reed Aeschliman praised the education and PTA officials, saying that they recognize that ensuring quality education for the children of Mindanao is not solely the responsibility of the National Government, and that they too, can make an important difference.

"Today, we celebrate the effectiveness of this continuing partnership, the success of which has been dramatic. Parents and teachers have contributed their hard-earned money, and raised additional funds because they have committed themselves to improving the quality of education available for their children," Aeschliman said.

At the ceremony, representatives of beneficiary schools thanked the U.S. Government and the American people for their continuing commitment to help prepare Mindanao's future workforce thru partnerships with schools.

At the Marbel National High School in South Cotabato, their partnership with USAid has resulted to the improvement of their students' performance in the National Achievement Test.

The school also started winning in various Information and Communications Technology competitions after their library, multimedia center and computer laboratory were improved thru the grant of the USAid.

"Science and English lectures have now become interactive with the use of the Internet and LCD projectors out PTA got thru the matching grant. These resources were crucial in improving our school's year-on-year NAT results. Our students have also been winning in ICT competitions at the Department of Education division level," revealed school principal Ricky Dalida.

The said school has already completed five matching grants, the most by any school in Mindanao, which is a testament to the PTAs determination to improve education for its children.

Nenita Non, school librarian of Mindanao State University-CETD High School Department in General Santos City, said the resources provided by the matching grant program have revolutionized teaching in their school.

"It helped teachers to conduct classes in a more interesting and interactive way," Non said.

The school received multimedia equipment for use in the classroom. The librarian said their PTA decided to raise funds for four more additional matching grants after witnessing for themselves the immediate impact of the earlier matching grants on their students.

"Our PTA members will not hesitate to invest in projects which they believe will ensure a brighter future for their children," Non said.

For interested PTAs who wanted to apply for matching grant, they can contact the EMGP team in their area or text them at 09209098551. Be sure to include your name, the name of your school, and your mobile or landline number in the message.