Difference between revisions of "Mindoro Oriental News"

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==Oriental Mindoro to attempt 'tourism coup' on Friday==
*Source: Manila, Philippines – The Gabriela partylist has demanded that six soldiers alleged to have raped a woman in Masbate must be tried in spite of the victim’s desistance. In a statement, Gabriela said it is apparent that the 21-year-old victim
*February 28, 2012 10:11 AM
:by Juancho R. Mahusay
CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – Puerto Galera, the foremost tourism town of Oriental Mindoro, is attempting a major “tourism coup” of sort as it conducts a three-day cultural music and arts festival and concert in a remote and mountainous village starting Friday (March 2).
Organizers of the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival, an annual festivities highlighted by ethnic-inspired concert in Puerto Galera to welcome the summer season, are expecting some 2,000 to 3,000 local and foreign tourists from different countries to flock to Sitio Malasimbo to witness the event.
The festival, which is slowly getting popular because of its uniqueness, will be held at the three to five hectares of land owned by Hubert D’ Aboville, a French national and principal organizer of the international event. This is also part of the provincial government tourism office’s goal of tapping private sector to boost tourism in Oriental Mindoro.
As described by the head of the provincial tourism office, supervising tourism operations officer Orlando Tizon, the venue of the said big event was specially designed as a “natural amphitheater” for some 300 local and international performers which include known and popular artists, singers and dancers in the country as well as abroad.
According to Mr. D’Aboville, among those who signed up to perform are Joe Bataan, a half-Spanish and half-Filipino recording artist who is popularly known as the “King of Latin Soul.”
The festival will also showcase art products made from wood and cement, especially-designed by artists. Some of the features artists are Mangyans, the indigenous people of Mindoro Island.
Aside from experiencing the cool and breezy winds of the mountainous resort of Malasimbo and the whole of Puerto Galera, attendees at the event will also get to know the unique culture of the tribal Mangyans.
Proceeds from the event will be spent on environmental projects which will be implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
==I did not violate Bank Secrecy Law - Umali==
==I did not violate Bank Secrecy Law - Umali==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=63&articleId=780619
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=63&articleId=780619
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“The issue of authenticity is no longer relevant to the trial, given the confirmation of the Chief Justice’s huge peso deposits by the officers of the concerned banks, and is thus better left for further examination by the National Bureau of Investigation or any other appropriate government agency,” it said. – With Paolo Romero
“The issue of authenticity is no longer relevant to the trial, given the confirmation of the Chief Justice’s huge peso deposits by the officers of the concerned banks, and is thus better left for further examination by the National Bureau of Investigation or any other appropriate government agency,” it said. – With Paolo Romero


==Umali ready to face possible ethics complaint==
==Umali ready to face possible ethics complaint==

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Mindoro Oriental - Archived News

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Oriental Mindoro to attempt 'tourism coup' on Friday

  • Source: Manila, Philippines – The Gabriela partylist has demanded that six soldiers alleged to have raped a woman in Masbate must be tried in spite of the victim’s desistance. In a statement, Gabriela said it is apparent that the 21-year-old victim
  • February 28, 2012 10:11 AM
by Juancho R. Mahusay


CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – Puerto Galera, the foremost tourism town of Oriental Mindoro, is attempting a major “tourism coup” of sort as it conducts a three-day cultural music and arts festival and concert in a remote and mountainous village starting Friday (March 2).

Organizers of the Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival, an annual festivities highlighted by ethnic-inspired concert in Puerto Galera to welcome the summer season, are expecting some 2,000 to 3,000 local and foreign tourists from different countries to flock to Sitio Malasimbo to witness the event.

The festival, which is slowly getting popular because of its uniqueness, will be held at the three to five hectares of land owned by Hubert D’ Aboville, a French national and principal organizer of the international event. This is also part of the provincial government tourism office’s goal of tapping private sector to boost tourism in Oriental Mindoro.

As described by the head of the provincial tourism office, supervising tourism operations officer Orlando Tizon, the venue of the said big event was specially designed as a “natural amphitheater” for some 300 local and international performers which include known and popular artists, singers and dancers in the country as well as abroad.

According to Mr. D’Aboville, among those who signed up to perform are Joe Bataan, a half-Spanish and half-Filipino recording artist who is popularly known as the “King of Latin Soul.”

The festival will also showcase art products made from wood and cement, especially-designed by artists. Some of the features artists are Mangyans, the indigenous people of Mindoro Island.

Aside from experiencing the cool and breezy winds of the mountainous resort of Malasimbo and the whole of Puerto Galera, attendees at the event will also get to know the unique culture of the tribal Mangyans.

Proceeds from the event will be spent on environmental projects which will be implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).






I did not violate Bank Secrecy Law - Umali

by Jess Diaz


MANILA, Philippines - Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said yesterday he did not violate the Bank Secrecy Law by receiving photocopies of impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona’s bank records from a “small lady.”

In a television interview, Umali said the law does not punish a person for receiving or possessing bank documents.

“If you look at it, there is nothing where mere possession is a violation. There is no provision in the law that says possession of a bank document makes us liable for such act. It was handed to me. As a prosecutor, it was my duty to share it with my team and that is precisely what I did,” he said.

Another congressman, Jorge Banal of Quezon City who is part of the prosecution’s secretariat, received another set of Corona bank records similar to those handed to Umali by an unnamed source.

Umali said he and Banal are ready to face an investigation by the House ethics committee if congressmen-allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo make good their threat to file a complaint against them.

He said the threat made by the minority group, to which Arroyo, now representative of Pampanga’s second district belongs, is “unfortunate.”

He said minority members are glossing over the fact that the documents volunteered to the prosecution have exposed Corona’s peso and dollar deposits with the Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) Katipunan Avenue branch in Quezon City.

He pointed out that based on the testimonies of bank officials, the Chief Justice had at least P31 million in PSBank Katipunan branch as of Dec. 31, 2010, which Corona did not declare in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth for that year.

Bank officials have told the Senate impeachment court that the photocopies in the prosecution’s possession and the original documents filed with te Katipunan branch had some differences and some similarities.

But by and large, they are “similar documents,” bank president Pascual Garcia III said. He also said the information contained in the photocopies is “mostly accurate.”

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has expressed belief that the prosecution’s photocopies were based on the originals, though some of his Senate colleagues believe the photocopies were manufactured.

‘Unequivocal support’

At the House of Representatives, Umali and Banal have been assured “full and unequivocal support” by their colleagues who signed the impeachment complaint against Corona.

Members of Movement 188 – referring to the 188 congressmen who signed the Articles of Impeachment – expressed their support in a resolution.

“Be it resolved as it is hereby resolved to express its full and unequivocal support for Representatives Reynaldo Umali and Jorge ‘Bolet’ Banal, in their search for truth in connection with the impeachment trial of Corona,” the group said in its resolution.

“The issue of authenticity is no longer relevant to the trial, given the confirmation of the Chief Justice’s huge peso deposits by the officers of the concerned banks, and is thus better left for further examination by the National Bureau of Investigation or any other appropriate government agency,” it said. – With Paolo Romero

Umali ready to face possible ethics complaint

by David Dizon, ABS-CBNnews.com


MANILA, Philippines - Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Rep. Reynaldo Umali on Thursday said he is ready to face a possible ethics complaint filed by the House minority for producing an allegedly "leaked" bank document of Chief Justice Renato Corona's bank accounts.

Umali said the filing of the complaint against him and Quezon City Rep. Jorge "Bolet" Banal would be unfortunate. He said he is willing to cooperate with any government agency that conducts the investigation.

He also said there is nothing in the country's bank secrecy laws that says he could be held liable for submitting a possibly leaked bank document.

"The law itself doesn't provide for penalties for that particular act. In fact, yung batas kasi if you look at it there is nothing, like in the wiretapping law where mere possession is a violation. In this particular case, there is no provision in the law that says possession of it will make us liable for such act. It was given to us, handed to us. I don't even know where it came from. It was handed to me and I am a prosecutor. As a prosecutor, it was my duty to share it with my team and that is precisely what I did," he told ANC's Headstart.

Umali has come under criticism for sharing the allegedly leaked document, which he said was handed to him by a "small lady" in the Senate. The document was attached to the House prosecution team's supplementary request for subpoena for Corona's bank records.

Another congressman, Quezon City Rep. Jorge Banal, also received a copy of the supposedly leaked document, which was left at his house last January 30. Banal said he tried to verify the authenticity of the document by going to Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) Katipunan branch last January 31.

Umali, meanwhile, said he cannot be accused of forging the document after PSBank president Pascual Garcia pointed out that the supposedly leaked bank record had "42 points of difference" with the original.

"I am not holding the original but a photocopy. They can't say I am holding a forged or fake document because I don't have the original," he said.

OrMin Receives 2011 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Award

by (Louie T. Cueto/DOS/PIA-4B)


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 10 (PIA) – The province of Oriental Mindoro received the 2011 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Award last Februarry 10 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila.

Gov. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. together with provincial agriculturist Petronilo Dimailig received a plaque of recognition and P4 million in cash prize from Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso Alcala.

Oriental Mindoro placed third among the top 10 rice-producing provinces in the Philippines.

According to Dimailig, based on the evaluation conducted recently by DA, the production of rice in the province has been continuously rising in the past years. He said the provincial government’s programs on seed subsidy, the launching of ‘Gawad Sapat Ani,’ the technical support, conducting farmers’ field school, and other trainings for farmers are factors in giving of the award to the province.

It can be recalled that the ‘Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Awards’ was recently launched by Presedent Benigno S. Aquino III to raise rice production and attain rice self-sufficiency.

DTI to conduct free trade seminar

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- To increase awareness on the benefits under free trade agreements, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial office will conduct seminar on ‘Doing Business in Free Trade Areas (DBFTA)’ on February 23 at the Filipiniana Hotel in Calapan City.

According to Oscar M. Agbay, DTI provincial director, the seminar will focus on free trade agreements specifically trade in goods, trade in services, investments, tariff classification of the product, customs procedures and movement of natural persons that can provide opportunities for Filipino professionals, including nurses and skilled workers.

"These free trade agreements bring a number of benefits, primarily tariff elimination or reduction which will make Philippine exports products more competitive," Agbay said.

He also added the other benefits which include lower costs of inputs to production, wider range of choice of goods for consumers at lower prices and job generation. (LBR/LTC-PIA4B/Calapan)

35 sea turtles freed in Mindoro waters

by Juancho Mahusay


CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – Local authorities released some 35 sea turtles in a fish sanctuary in Mansalay town in Oriental Mindoro.

Governor Alfonso Umali Jr., together with town officials, simultaneously released the turtles in the waters off Sitio Palaypay in Del Mundo village.

Local fishermen recovered the turtles after they roamed confusedly along the coastlines of Mansalay municipality.

Umali said the provincial government is bent on protecting the endangered animals as part of his administration’s environmental protection.

Through coordination and support extended by all local government units, almost all towns in Oriental Mindoro have their own turtle habitats.

DOLE leads advocacy against child labor

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 17 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Mimaropa, has organized the advocacy activity against child labor dubbed ‘Suportahan, Iangat, Gabayan Ang Welfare ng Kabataan (SIGAW Kabataan)’ in the municipality of Bulalacao recently.

Eighty-two participants from various sectors actively joined the SIGAW Kabataan advocacy of DOLE.

According to Director Zen Angara of DOLE Mimaropa, the advocacy project on child labor intends to enhance the community’s awareness and sensibility to the needs of children. It also aims to make people, particularly teachers and parents, realize the potentials of children in solving problems in their environment. In the same activity, action plans on anti-child labor programs were created.

Angara cited Barangay Tabuk, a coastal barangay in Bulalacao, as an example where the primary source of living of each family is fishing. Due to poverty, some children are engaged in ‘pangulong’ (bamboo gear fishing) or deep-sea fishing which poses risk to their safety and health. As a result, children were not able to go to school.

“Barangay Tabuk is only one of the barangays in Bulalacao wherein children are at risk,” Angara said.

As part of the activity, DOLE oriented the participants from the Philippine National Police, Municipal Social Welfare Development Office, parents and children, owners of ‘pangulong’ and other government officials on the children’s rights, child labor, laws and other DOLE programs.

The activity culminated with a signature campaign wherein the participants signed on the streamer as a symbol of their commitment as advocates against child labor and this was called “One Signature – one individual – one person to fight against child labor.” (LBR/LTC/PIA-4B)

City Council plans for Green Calapan Program

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Calapan recently held a meeting to discuss the full execution and implementation of the guidelines on the Green Calapan program of the city.

The Green Calapan Council committed to do a series of advocacy activities for the green Calapan Program which includes prohibition of smoking and use of plastic, participation in the ‘Earth hour,’ tree planting, ‘Linis Lungsod’ and establishment of a materials recovery facility.

The council also identified the places for the activities, such as the city plaza, J.P. Rizal and Leuterio Streets, cockfighting arena, and Del Pilar Street in the city proper, where strict implementation of the ordinance will be imposed.

The meeting was presided by Vice Mayor Jojo Perez together with Green Calapan Council at the Sanggunian Panglungsod. (LBR/LTC/PIA4B)

Umali stands by 'small lady' story

by Helen Flores and Jess Diaz


MANILA, Philippines - A member of the House prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona is standing by his story that a “small lady” handed him documents on the alleged dollar accounts of the chief magistrate.

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali issued the pronouncement after a branch manager of Philippine Savings Bank (PSBank) told the impeachment court on Monday that Corona’s purported bank documents in the possession of the prosecution team were fake.

The prosecution had used the documents as attachments to its request for subpoena on witnesses.

“In the interest of fairness, I should be shown the footages so I can assess. I stand by my story that there was a small lady. That is what I am only asking the impeachment court,” Umali said in an interview with ANC News Channel, referring to a request that he be shown the Feb. 2 recording of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the Senate premises.

On Monday, Senate Majority Floor Leader Vicente Sotto III said the CCTV recording showed no image of any “small lady” handing documents to Umali.

The Oriental Mindoro congressman said there might be some areas at the Senate complex not covered by the CCTV. “I don’t recall where in particular it happened,” he said, adding politicians normally receive documents and don’t check them right away.

“As a prosecutor I have to do my job. I was confronted with the document…what is contemptuous with my act? It is my duty as a prosecutor. The issue here is the impeachment of Corona; these are side issues,” he insisted.

Taking the witness stand last Monday, PSBank Katipunan branch manager Annabelle Tiongson said the bank documents were fake, following intense questioning from Senate President and impeachment court presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile.

There was, however, some confusion about her testimony, since she was testifying about Corona’s peso accounts, not dollar accounts. She did not bring with her any documents on Corona’s dollar accounts, saying these were not covered by the Senate subpoena.

The prosecution had claimed the foreign currency deposit account of Corona had an initial deposit of “$700K,” which it interpreted to be $700,000 based on the purported bank records.

In peso terms, the amount was P38 million in October 2008, the time the account was opened.

“We stand by our documents. They cannot be fake because they were very, very and super accurate,” lead prosecutor Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. of Iloilo told reporters.

“We identified 10 bank accounts of the Chief Justice containing peso and dollar deposits based on the photo copies of bank records we received from an anonymous source. All 10 accounts were confirmed by the president of Philippine Savings Bank,” he said.

He said five of the 10 were peso accounts, while the other five are dollar accounts.

He said based on the testimony of PSBank president Pascual Garcia III before the Senate impeachment court last week, two of the peso accounts held P19.6 million as of Dec. 31, 2010, while the other three had been closed.

Tupas said Tiongson was just forced to claim before the impeachment tribunal on Monday that the documents in the prosecution’s possession were “fake.”

“She could not admit that our documents were copies of originals that the Katipunan branch is keeping because that would be admitting that there was a leakage, and the law attaches penalties for leaking bank records,” he stressed.

He added that the prosecution attached the photocopies of what appeared to be documents relating to Corona’s deposits “because we wanted to be truthful and not lie about them.”

The photocopies the prosecution received included two specimen signatures and customer identification cards, a page of Corona’s passport showing his photograph, and an Application and Agreement for Deposit Account (AADA).

One signature card dated Oct. 31, 2008 covered at least two dollar time deposits and five peso accounts. It indicated that Corona is both the account holder and authorized signatory.

Another specimen signature card names Corona’s son-in-law Constantino Castillo III and his wife Ma. Carla Beatrice Eugenia Corona as account holders but with the Chief Justice as the authorized signatory. It covers a single dollar account. The signature card is dated April 16, 2007.

The AADA covers five dollar accounts with the Chief Justice as the account holder. The document indicates that it was “updated as of July 20, 2007.”

The prosecution counted a total of 14 peso and dollar accounts based on the photocopies of bank documents, but the impeachment court agreed to subpoena the records of only five peso and five dollar deposits.

The SC, through a temporary restraining order, has stopped the impeachment tribunal from examining Corona’s dollar accounts.

Prosecution panel spokesman Rep. Miro Quimbo of Marikina also insisted it was a small lady who gave Umali the documents at the Senate premises. But he said Umali was not sure whether the documents were given inside or outside the Senate building.

Quezon Rep. Erin Tañada, another prosecution spokesman, said Garcia had confirmed the existence of the 10 accounts of the Chief Justice with PSBank. Tañada said that in contrast to Tiongson’s testimony, Garcia did not claim that the prosecution’s documents were fake.

“He claimed that there were some differences between the originals in the bank’s possession and the photocopies, though he did not say what those differences were. If indeed there were differences, that means that there were similarities,” he said.

He added that the issue on the authenticity of the prosecution’s documents would be settled when the impeachment court obtains the original documents from PSBank. Tañada also said Tiongson was erratic in her testimony on Monday.

He said the bank manager, answering questions from Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, initially told the impeachment tribunal that the photocopies and the original documents matched.

“She later backtracked and claimed they were fake. She was a confused witness,” he said.

Tañada said senator-judges should not forget that based on the prosecution’s documents, 10 PSBank accounts of Corona were confirmed, that at least two peso accounts held nearly P20 million as of the end of 2010 that the Chief Justice did not declare this in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth. “Add to the P20 million the more than P12 million that the Chief Justice had with Bank of Philippine Islands as of the end of 2010,” he said.

Local ordinance enacts public schools to synchronized deworming

by Lanie Bolina-Ronquillo


BULACAO, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 14 (PIA) -- The local municipal government of Bulacao, Oriental Mindoro has enacted a special ordinance dubbed as Synchronized Deworming which required all elementary public schools to conduct regular deworming twice a year.

The ordinance was initiated by the Municipality Advisory Committee (MAC). During the implementation period, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries will also be monitored, as it signifies the implementer's compliance on deworming. Under the 4Ps of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government implementers are required to conduct a deworming activity twice a year for children aged six to 14 years old, as set by the program’s condition on health programs.

Bulacao, Oriental Mindoro happens to have the highest rate on malnutrition among children in Mimaropa, so the ordinance was conceived to help eradicate malnutrition cases in the municipality. This ordinance was declared to promote sanitation, hygiene and principally the general health of children who need special care and support from the government. A special composite committee known as Committee on Synchronized Deworming was also created to administer, supervise and monitor all deworming activities in the municipality.

The Municipal Health Office serves as the chairman of the committee, in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Pantawid Pamilya Municipal Links.

The municipal local government has committed to sustain the deworming program even beyond the 5-year program implementation of the 4Ps. (LBR/PIA4B)

Feature: ‘New Calapan’ addresses recurring problems

by Louie T. Cueto and Camille N. Serrano


For the betterment of the city of Calapan in Oriental Mindoro, the administration of Mayor Paulino C. Leachon is promoting the ‘Ang Bagong Calapan’ project to deliver various programs in the city.

In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Leachon said he has discovered that problems on education, health, job generation, housing and humanity remain after the term of administration.

The ‘Ang Bagong Calapan’ project has different components that include “Kapag Disiplinado Aasenso Program (KDAP),” “Nagkakaisang Calapeno,” “Maligayang Pamumuhay ang Ipagmalaki mo,” “Calapeno Ako.” Programs under each component are already being implemented by the city government.

One example is the ‘Mapagkalingang Pamahalaan’ which addresses the needs of the populace.

For informal settlers about 300 families have been relocated in Lumangbayan and barangay Bulalo. Under the ‘Nego Kart’ program, the poor are being taught business skills.

The city government is now installing CCTV cameras in strategic areas like the public market to monitor daily activities.

A total plastic ban is being implemented everyday in accordance to the “Green Calapan” program.

The Calapan Recreational and Zoological Park located in barangay Bulusan will have complete facilities before it opens in April.

The ‘Wish ko kay Mayor Doy Balik Tanaw’ is a program where city constituents make a wish to the mayor. Leachon said that he immediately answers small problems while bigger issues are put together and addressed.

Leachon wants his constituents to see the gifts from the government as an inspiration for them to work harder to improve their lives and not just depend on the government.

To achieve the Seal of Good Housekeeping, Leachon said that all the best practices in good governance like participation, rule of law, responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency, consensus oriented, accountability and transparency have to be done.

The city is three-time ISO certified. To maintain it, the city needs to have constant monitoring and internal audit, he said. (LBR/LTC/CNS/PIA MIMAROPA)

Romblon solon asks PNP to give best service

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Mimaropa celebrated its 21st founding anniversary on Tuesday with Romblon Congressman Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona as guest of honor and keynote speaker.

Madrona in his speech said that he recognized the PNP as a partner in the common goal of ensuring transparency and accountability in the government. He also stressed that the PNP’s main goal is to give the best service to people and work with honor and serve justice with impartiality.

“May you continue to be our comrades in the delivery of services and further your community relations in your respective areas of assignment for the good of our people,” Madrona added.

The highlight of the celebration was the launch of a tree planting project dubbed as “Pulis Makakalikasan: 10 Milyong Puno Pamana sa Kinabukasan (Police for Nature: 10 milion trees, heritage for the future),” where each of the 4,207 police personnel of Mimaropa will plant six trees a month for a span of one year starting from February 1 this year to February 28, 2013.

A memorandum of agreement between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, represented by Director Concordio D. Zuñiga and PNP Mimaropa, represented by Regional Director Artemio Hicban, was signed during the event.

The “Padyak para sa Kapapayapaan (Pedal for Peace),” which aims to showcase the partnership of the PNP and civilians in addressing crime and maintenance of peace and order, was also held. The 16-kilometer bike route within Calapan City led by Hicban, drew provincial and local chief executives, representative of government agencies, civilian bikers and other guests.

PNP commendation medals were given to PNP personnel from the different Mimaropa provincial police stations in recognition of their achievements in various anti-crime programs of the PNP. (GBO/LTC/PIA4B)

Or.Mindoro provides insurance to barangay officials

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- The provincial government under Governor Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. has provided free life health insurance coverage of P20,000 to barangay officials of Pag-asa in Naujan town. The insurance coverage complements the provincial government’s health program for barangay officials of the province. The insurance has duration of 20 years. In an earlier visit of the governor to the Mangyans of barangay Benli, Bulalacao, the indigents in the area were provided free medical mission, Philhealth insurance and free registration of birth certificates at the local civil registrar. (LTC/PIA-4B)

Agri training center holds training on organic farming

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) of the Department of Agriculture MIMAROPA conducted training on organic farming in Barangay Pinagsabangan I, Naujan today.

The training aims to orient farmers on using organic fertilizers in planting rice and vegetables and organic feeding in swine production. It is a joint project of ATI and the local government units of Calapan City, Naujan, and Baco, with the support of two non-government organizations, the Mindoro Organic Farmers Association (MOFA) and Farmers Organization for the Rural Upliftment of Mindoro (FORUM).

The training started last Nov. 4, 2011 and expects to finish by April this year. The activity is held every Friday for the whole duration of the training, with the participation of 35 farmer participants from the said municipalities.

The pool of trainers were composed of Municipal Agricultural Officer Ely Vargas, two agriculturists from the City Agricultural Services Department of Calapan City, three agricultural technologists of Baco, three representatives from MOFA, two representatives from FORUM, and Dewey Albofera as cooperator or farm owner. (LBR/LTC/PIA4-B/CALAPAN)







Or. Mindoro prov’l gov’t gives 2k textbooks to DepEd

by pia.gov.ph


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Feb. 1 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Oriental Mindoro through Gov. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. provided 2,000 textbooks to the Department of Education (DepEd) Oriental Mindoro Division.

The provision of textbooks aims to help public school students enhance their skills in their fields of study.

Schools Division Superintendent Estrellita A. Dolor and representatives from different districts of DepEd Oriental Mindoro received the textbooks during the formal turnover ceremony held at Sta. Isabel, Calapan City.

In his speech, Umali said that education and health are the primary concerns of his administration wherein 75 percent of the provincial budget is allotted to health and education. (LBR/LTC/PIAIV-B/CALAPAN)

Protecting Mindoro

by ANABELLE E. PLANTILLA


Last Monday, the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA), AlyansaTigil Mina (ATM) and Alyansa Laban sa Mina (ALAMIN), a local anti-mining coalition, launched its publication entitled “Mindoro Campaign: Protecting Island Ecology, Defending Peoples Rights.”

Mindoro is the 7th biggest island in the Philippines and is one of the seven endemic bird areas (EBA). It is home to endangered endemic species like the Tamaraw and the Mindoro crocodile. In terms of birds, 10 restricted-range species occur in this EBA, of which five (Mindoro Bleeding-heart, Mindoro Imperial Pigeon, Black-hooded Coucal, Mindoro Scops Owl and Mindoro Hornbill) are confined to it and seven are globally threatened. An additional four threatened species also occur here.

Mindoro is considered to be the food basket for the nearby mainland and Metro Manila. In 2004, the Department of Agriculture ranked the Mindoro provinces as the second and third largest food-producing provinces in the country. Also found on the island are the Mangyan indigenous peoples who have lived there for centuries.

The proposed mining area overlaps both Mindoro Oriental and Occidental with two thirds of the proposed mine in Occidental but many of those who will be affected live in Mindoro Oriental. The nickel ores are within the ancestral domain of the Mangyans and overlaps with the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claims of both the Alangan and the Tadyawan Mangyans. The proposed mining area is also at the heart of a once-proposed Mangyan Heritage Park and encroaches on the Mag-asawang Tubig watershed, the largest source of irrigation water for the 40,000 hectares of collective riceland downstream. Further downstream, siltation and sedimentation would threaten mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs. The mine would produce some four million tons of waste that would need to be disposed of somehow.

Five case studies are highlighted in the publication. The first part presents the overall context and situationer about the mining project while the second section is a reproduction of an earlier case study on mining in Mindoro by Dr. Robert Goodland and Clive Wicks of the Working Group on Mining in the Philippines. The third section focuses on the community organizing approach of ALAMIN in defending the island paradise. The creative and effective strategies solidified the coalition and ultimately stopped the entry the company through a series of protest actions culminating in a hunger strike before the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources in November 2009. As of this writing the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) of MNP is temporarily revoked.

The fourth section is the actual verbatim report of the National Contact Point of Norway on the complaint lodged against Intex Resources for violating the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprise. The report indicated that Intex obtained a Free Prior Informed Consent from the affected indigenous peoples through questionable procedures. It also pointed out that there was a glaring defect regarding undue influence and lack of transparency in issues regarding fund donations.

PNP MIMAROPA deploys 100 soldiers to Basilan

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) - Police Regional Office (PRO) MIMAROPA has deployed 100 soldiers of Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) to Basilan. On the morning of Jan. 19, Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Artemio G. Hicaban led the deployment in a simple send-off ceremony held in front of PRO MIMAROPA Administrative Building at Camp Efigenio Navarro, Barangay Suqui in this city. According to Hicban, the deployment of soldiers is in line with the “Tour of Duty of PNP Personnel Deployed in Armed-Conflict Areas, Counter- Insurgency Operations and other Similar Serious Threats to National Security” and is a continuing PNP program stated in PNP Circular Number 2009-015 dated August 10, 2009. He said the PRO MIMAROPA contingent is the manoeuver unit of the region under the leadership of Police Senior Superintendent Ronaldo F. De Jesus as the Battalion Commander. The contingent led by Police Chief Insp. Noli Q. Asuncion, Deputy Battalion Commander of RPSB, will augment the local police units in Mindanao particularly in the Basilan province where spate of kidnappings and other lawlessness activities are rampant. “Courage is being afraid, but going on anyhow. Fear of the unknown and uncertainty is but natural. But remember that it is in the most adverse situations that great opportunities come. Be proud that you were chosen for this mission so that when you return, you may tell great stories about your assignment in Mindanao,” Hicban, quoting Dan Rather’s saying during his inspirational message. (LBR/PNP/LTC/PIA-4B)

NSO conducts consumer expectation survey

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- The provincial office of the National Statistics Office (NSO) is currently conducting the January 2012 Consumer Expectations Survey (CES). CES aims to provide quick and regular assessment of consumer perceptions and expenditures plans as a tool for evaluating the consumer’s own financial situation, key economic indicators and the economy’s condition over a reference period. NSO Provincial Officer Efren C. Armonia said that this survey which started Jan. 23 and will end on Feb. 3 is the 30th in a series of surveys since July 2004. This is a joint undertaking of NSO and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) as the funding agency. The CES is a household-based survey on the consumers’ assessment of their financial situation, the economic condition of the country and the overall performance of the government. It is being administered on a sample basis at the household level drawn through a stratified multi-stage random sampling with a total sample of about 5,000 households. “We are requesting for the full cooperation and support of our respondents in this survey,” Armonia said. (CNS/LTC/PIA-4B)

CTID organizes ambulant vendors

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- The City Trade and Industry Department (CTID) recently organized the city’s ambulant vendors to form the Calapan Vendors Association (CVA). CTID has aligned this project to the city government’s ‘Disiplinadong Calapeño’ program. According to Mayor Doy C. Leachon, the program aims to give the vendors a chance to sell their goods legally. CTID distributed t-shirts, uniforms, hats and identification documents (IDs) to ambulant vendors so they can be easily identified while selling their goods. The City Health and Sanitation Department (CHSD) headed by Dr. Basilisa M. Llanto also provided them with sanitation permits that will certify that the food they sell are safe and clean for public consumption. (LBR/LTC/PIA-4B)





Or. Mindoro LGU awards checks for livelihood programs

by PIA Press Release


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 23 (PIA) –- The program on Literasi at Kasanayan sa Hanapbuhay sa Kalibliban (LIKHA KA) of the provincial government is now supporting livelihood programs for the poor. LIKHA KA is a special program of the governor’s office under the supervision of its Project Management officer Lorelein Sevilla. In a simple program held recently at the Baco municipal gymnasium, Gov. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. gave checks worth P60,000 each for the micro-lending projects of Pabakas Kabuhayan sa Sinandigan ng Puerto Galera and Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Tacligan, San Teodoro. The same amount was awarded for the micro-lending project of the Samahang Nagkakaisa ng Layunin. The provincial government aimed to provide financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries whose income is insufficient to support their extraordinary needs. (DOS/Louie T. Cueto/PIA-4B)

Calapan readies relocation sites

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 20 (PIA) -- The growing number of informal settlers in Calapan City will soon be addressed now that the city government has identified places that will serve as their relocation sites. In an interview with Mayor Doy C. Leachon, he said that barangays Bulalo and Lumangbayan are now being prepared to become the permanent residences of the informal settlers. The city is now a booming metropolis and there are families who are still occupying and living along the river banks of San Vicente. The lives of these individuals are at stake especially during the occurrence of high tides and floods in the area. According to Leachon, the city government is really true to its mission of supporting Calapeños under the flagship program of his administration, “Ang Bagong Calapan.” The program has four components. The resettlement project falls under the component “Mapagkalingang Pamamahala.” Once ready, the sites will be able to accommodate 300 families from the informal settlers. (LBR/ LTC/Calapan/PIA4B)

Calapan intensifies its No-Plastic Day campaign

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- The city government strengthened its non-plastic day project by strictly implementing the ordinance which penalizes violators, said City Mayor Doy C. Leachon yesterday. It will be recalled that last year, Calapeños were prohibited to use non-biodegradable plastic from Fridays to Sundays. Leachon said that instead of three days, the No-Plastic Day will now be implemented everyday throughout the year. Leachon said most plastic bags eventually find their way into the waterways, parks, beaches and streets. On the other hand, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes that are harmful to humans. Thus, the city government prohibited the use of non-biodegradable plastics. (PIO/Louie T. Cueto/PIA/ MimaropaIVB)

Oriental Mindoro mentors undergo training in community organizing

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan.18 (PIA) -- A total of 150 teachers from different public schools of Oriental province attended a three-day training workshop on basic skills in community organizing. The Department of Education (DepEd) funded the workshop entitled “Programang Pang-edukasyon sa Kalibliban (PPSKA).” The teachers were oriented to various aspects of community organizing to become change agents under the PPSKa program of the provincial government. Gov. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. encouraged the teachers to continue their partnership with the provincial government in the implementation of projects in the different municipalities of the province. It will be recalled that under the program, which started in 2002, there are 371 former PPSKa teachers given permanent positions by DepEd. (DOS/Louie T. Cueto/PIA-4B/Or.Mindoro)

Calapan workers get additional health insurance

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 14 (PIA) – The city government under Mayor Doy Leachon has implemented the program called Local Investment Fund for Employees (LIFE)that provides additional health care benefits for the city employees. The program, which is almost similar to the insurance program under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, aims to give additional hospitalization benefits to regular employees who continuously serve the public. They were issued LIFE cards in addition to the PhilHealth and Orange cards (health card for Calapeños) provided by the city government. LIFE card is exclusive only to regular city employees who are deducted P50 monthly from their salary. “It’s just a small amount when compared to the big benefit given in time of need,” said Dr. Rene M. Color, city human resource officer. (DOS/Louie T. Cueto/PIA-4B)

Philhealth beneficiaries rise as year opens

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 12 (PIA) -– January is not even halfway yet, but as early as now, Philhealth beneficiaries have already increased by 10,000 in the province. According to Ernanie C. Decena, health insurance manager of Oriental Mindoro, the figure was added to last year’s record of about 78,000 PhilHealth beneficiaries. The provincial government has allotted a total of P58 million to support the universal health coverage program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Decena also said that the provincial government initiated last year a computerized data base system to record the names of their constituent-members to avoid duplication of health cards issued by both national and local governments. The program assures access by Mindoreños to government health programs, especially those from the rural barangays. The health cards issued by the provincial government are now valid starting this month until December this year. (LBR/LTC/PIA4-B Or. Mindoro)

Vessel runs aground in Mindoro

by JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN


MANILA, Philippines — A passenger-cargo shipping vessel accidentally ran aground along the vicinity off Calapan Port in Oriental Mindoro.

Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Public Affairs chief said that while maneuvering along the area of the said port terminal, M/V Baleno 5 operated by Besta Shipping Lines encountered strong current causing the said vessel to drift to shallow part of the water.

Fortunately, no damage has been reported after the incident on the vessel along with its eight rolling cargo onboard.






Calapan City supports the Anti-human trafficking campaign

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- The campaign against human trafficking requires the full participation and cooperation of the public, stressed the legal counsel of the Department of Social Welfare and Development during a recent forum at the Capitol Square in this city. Atty. Eric Henry Joseph Mallonga came here to explain the provisions of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Human Trafficking Act. The primary target of human traffickers are mostly women and minors, he noted. He explained that human trafficking starts from illegal recruitment to transporting the victims even without reasons or payment. The victims are then sold as slaves, entertainers or organ donors. RA 208 aims to protect people especially women and children who could be possible victims of prostitution, forced labor or even slavery in order to pay their debts. In Calapan City, Anti-Human Trafficking act will be strengthened this year thru continuing advocacies and formation of special bodies like the City Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking (CIACAT), and Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). During the forum, the participants pledged to support the newly formed committee and its advocacy to fight human trafficking. (CGC-CIO/Louie T. Cueto)





US needs 110 agri workers

by PIA Press Release


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan.4 (PIA) --Agricultural workers may now have a chance to work in the United States as that country needs 110 agricultural workers. Interested applicants should be at least 25-50 years old and should submit requirements such as medical certificate, NBI clearance, passport and employment certificate from the previous employer. Application forms can be obtained through email address, chanceteamtrio2005@yahoo.com or may call at 02-5102-5164328, 02-4756164. Filled up forms can be sent to Chanceteam International Services, Inc., No. 1655, Malate, Manila. (LBR/PIO-PIA/Louie T. Cueto)

Superbridge investors lay down plans to local gov't

by Louie T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Jan. 2 (PIA) – The principal investors composed of engineers from China arrived here last Dec. 22 to negotiate with the provincial government on their plans and to finance arrangements on the construction of the Batangas-Mindoro Superb ridge project. The Superbridge will connect Batangas to Isla Verde and connect the latter to Puerto Galera. The investors met with Gov. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. to discuss the details of the proposal and conducted a survey on the site. This multi-billion project aims to facilitate better access to transport goods and services to Manila as well as other market destinations, which will eventually provide better business and livelihood opportunities to Mindoreños. The project is a realization of the governor’s vision for Oriental Mindoro. According to Umali, in the past, he dreamt of concreting the national roads in the 2nd district which has later on materialized. Now he dreams of Mindoro-Batangas Superbridge which will soon be constructed. (LBR/ LTC /PIA-4B)

Mindoro Oriental Archived News

The older news reports are kept here

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