Difference between revisions of "Misamis Occidental News"

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==Kalahi-CIDSS project coverage expands in Mis. Occ.==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=50882
*By: Apipa Bagumbaran
*''August 25, 2011-pia.gov.ph''
The Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) has expanded its coverage to two (2) more local government units (LGUs) in Misamis Occidental.
The municipality of Pana-on and Calamba were identified as additional recipients of the pro-poor project of the government, disclosed Concepcion Dorado, KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Project Coordinator, during the ‘Talakayan sa PIA’ held, yesterday, at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), here.
A poverty-reduction program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), KALAHI-CIDSS projects empower poor local communities to achieve improved access to basic services, as well as, to participate in more inclusive local governance.
It helps poor communities develop the necessary skills and provides them with seed funds and resources to select, implement, and sustain small-scale community infrastructure social projects using a community-driven development (CDD) approach, she said.
Dorado emphasized that the focus of the project is on people empowerment because people have the capacity to make change happen.
She said all decisions on the projects involve the participation of the community citing that in choosing the projects, decision will come from the entire community and not from a certain individual.
In region 10, some 69 KALAHI-CIDSS projects with a total grant of P66.59 million were implemented in the municipality of Kapatagan, Lala and Bacolod in Lanao del Norte, as well as, in Concepcion, Lopez Jaena, and Sinacaban towns in Misamis Occidental.
These projects include the construction of day care centers, school buildings, health stations, road improvements, water systems, and solar dryers, among others.
Meanwhile, Dorado said that DSWD received additional funding for more pro-poor infrastructure projects.
KALAHI-CIDSS project will soon expand to cover urban areas to help the urban communities lagging in terms of access to basic social services, she concluded.
==OWWA-10 gives notice of awards to Mis.Occ. OFWDSP scholars==
==OWWA-10 gives notice of awards to Mis.Occ. OFWDSP scholars==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=50773
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=50773

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Province of Misamis Occidental - Archived News

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.
Nophoto.gif
Misamis Occidental

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.

Kalahi-CIDSS project coverage expands in Mis. Occ.

The Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) has expanded its coverage to two (2) more local government units (LGUs) in Misamis Occidental.

The municipality of Pana-on and Calamba were identified as additional recipients of the pro-poor project of the government, disclosed Concepcion Dorado, KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Project Coordinator, during the ‘Talakayan sa PIA’ held, yesterday, at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), here.

A poverty-reduction program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), KALAHI-CIDSS projects empower poor local communities to achieve improved access to basic services, as well as, to participate in more inclusive local governance.

It helps poor communities develop the necessary skills and provides them with seed funds and resources to select, implement, and sustain small-scale community infrastructure social projects using a community-driven development (CDD) approach, she said.

Dorado emphasized that the focus of the project is on people empowerment because people have the capacity to make change happen.

She said all decisions on the projects involve the participation of the community citing that in choosing the projects, decision will come from the entire community and not from a certain individual.

In region 10, some 69 KALAHI-CIDSS projects with a total grant of P66.59 million were implemented in the municipality of Kapatagan, Lala and Bacolod in Lanao del Norte, as well as, in Concepcion, Lopez Jaena, and Sinacaban towns in Misamis Occidental.

These projects include the construction of day care centers, school buildings, health stations, road improvements, water systems, and solar dryers, among others.

Meanwhile, Dorado said that DSWD received additional funding for more pro-poor infrastructure projects.

KALAHI-CIDSS project will soon expand to cover urban areas to help the urban communities lagging in terms of access to basic social services, she concluded.

OWWA-10 gives notice of awards to Mis.Occ. OFWDSP scholars

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental- At least 10 dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) from this province who have qualified for the Dependents Scholarship Program (DSP) received their notices of award last August 19.

This brings to 32, , Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Director Petrona M. Bergado said there are already 32 OFW-DSP beneficiaries. Early this month, OWWA-10 also gave the notice of awards to 22 OFW-DSP beneficiaries from Misamis Oriental.

Bergado said the OFW-DSP came into effect with OWWA Memorandum of Instructions No.003 which offers financial assistance to qualified dependents of OFW’s who are active members of OWWA and receive a monthly salary of not more than US$400 or below.

“This will be determined through the verified employment contract, overseas employment certificate or OWWA OFW member verification sheet,” Bergado said.

The scholars will enroll in any 4-year or 5-year baccalaureate degree or associate degree leading to a baccalaureate degree and become agents in community development.

They shall receive financial assistance of P10,000 per semester to cover the tuition fee and other academic-related expenses and a group health and accident insurance worth P100,000 per scholar.

Meanwhile, Bergado said an active OWWA member is defined as an OWWA-registered member who has a valid membership at the time of availment or whose membership has expired for not more than six months. Considered OFW legal dependents are children, natural or adopted, of married OFW’s/Single OFW’s, brother or sister, half-bloodied or single/childless married OFW’s.

Qualifications of a legal dependent include the following: Single, not more than 21 years old at the time of the application, high school graduate or about to graduate from high school or already enrolled in college, this semester, and physically and mentally and morally fit.

Present during the awarding of notices were Provincial Administrator Henry Ken Regalado, Provincial Head of the Department of Labor and Employment Leonardo Rodrigo, and Provincial Director, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Leo Velez.

Also present were Commission on Audit Provincial Auditor Gorardo Peralta, Department of Trade and Industry Trade Promotion Officer Concordia Dete Acosta, and Oroquieta Agro-Industrial School Administrator Bonifacia Gado.

Displaced HSW’s from Mis. Occ. avail 'Balik-Pinay, Balik-Hanapbuhay' program

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental- Twenty seven (27) displaced Household Service Workers (HSWs) from this province underwent training on Native Snacks Preparation on August 17 and 18.

Held under the National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO) Balik-Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay Program, the activity was held at the Oroquieta Agro-Industrial School (OAIS), a training institution supervised by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) The “Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay” Program is one of the income augmentation strategies of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) by providing livelihood opportunities through skills training and starter-kits, Regional Director Petronila M. Bergado of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), region 10, said.

The livelihood projects under this program are funded by NRCO through direct administration or through accredited OFW cooperatives, family circles and other associations under the supervision of OWWA Regional Offices, in partnership with TESDA Regional Offices and other training institutions.

Bergado said eligible beneficiaries of the program are women OFW’s displaced by hostilities and conflicts in the Arab Countries and other distressed and displaced women HSW’s.

Meanwhile, in her desire to finish the course, Lota Anduman, a former worker in Dubai, brought along her 6-month old baby to the training.

“This is a rare opportunity to avail of a free training like this. I might be able help my husband earn a living through this, so I brought my baby with me just to join the training,” she said.

During the closing ceremony, Angelita Gomez, another returning OFW, said she did not realize that what she had been searching for abroad, which is sustainable livelihood, is here in the Philippines.

“We all know how we sacrificed and suffered abroad, only to find out that the answer is here. Our only request now is for each of us to be given a moving cart in addition to the starter kit so we could sell our products,” Gomez added.

DSWD AND DILG IN TANDEM FOR KALAHI-CIDSS MAKAMASANG TUGON IN REGION 10

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has launched its flagship anti-poverty project KALAHI-CIDSS Makamasang Tugon Project at Don Victoriano Misamis Occidental last August 9, 2011.

The highlight of the program is the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Local Government Unit of Don Victoriano, the Provincial Local Government, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the DSWD; the ceremony signaled the beginning of the implementation of the KALAHI-CIDSS Makamasang Tugon Project.

Regional Director Loreto Bhagwani of the DILG is one of the signatories of the MOA along with Atty. Araceli Solamillo Regional Director of the DSWD, Gov. Germinia Ramiro and Mayor Rodolfo Luna. He said that the DSWD has done a great job in its quest to deliver social services to the poorest of the poor and its commitment to help in the reduction of poverty in the Nation.

“DSWD does not only helped in uplifting the lives of the poor but it also teach the poor to stand on its own.”, says Dir. Bhagwani. The DILG is one of the partners of the Department in implementing KALAHI-CIDSS and together envisioned the improvement of local governance.


The Assistant Regional Director and the KALAHI-CIDSS Regional Project Manager Aldersey Mumar Dela Cruz also expressed her thanks to the different sectors specially the Subanen Tribe represented by Sergio Barimbao the Barangay Chairman of Mansawan who offered a ceremonious gathering to express their gratitude for the KALAHI-CIDSS Project.

KALAHI-CIDSS or Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services is a community driven development (CDD) project that reduce poverty by providing seed funds supported by World Bank for infrastructure projects.

The Makamasang Tugon project of KALAHI-CIDSS is an initiative that aims to harmonize the CDD technology to the local planning processes (LPP) of the LGU. This initiative is only implemented to those municipalities that have successfully implemented three KALAHI-CIDSS cycles such as Don Victoriano.

Congress: Economic laws' amendments timely

MANILA, Philippines- Congress leaders Sunday expressed belief that it is about time to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution to encourage the influx of foreign investments.

Earlier, it was reported that Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile agreed that Congress should convene as a Constituent Assembly (ConAss) meet and vote separately, to effect the economic amendments.

The House committee on constitutional amendments, headed by Misamis Occidental Rep. Loreto Leo Ocampos, is set to tackle on Tuesday House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) No. 10 calling on Congress to constitute into a ConAss to propose amendments to certain economic provisions of the Constitution.

The proposal to amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution is gaining support from the public, according to an ongoing online survey launched by the House of Representatives.

The House - initiated poll also showed that 153 or 68.61 percent of the respondents threw support behind the urgency to push through with Charter Change (Chacha) through a Constituent Assembly (ConAss).

However, 66 respondents or 29.60 percent thumbed down the timing of the economic amendments.

At least four respondents or 1.79 percent, meanwhile, were dilly-dallying whether they would support or not the controversial proposal pending before Congress.

Despite Malacañang’s cold stance on Cha-cha, the Lower Chamber is deciding to deliberate on the economic amendments to the Constitution, Belmonte said.

Belmonte said the Palace will not stop Cha-cha hearings despite its non-inclusion in the list of priority measures approved during the recent meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

North Mindanao exports reach $277-M in first quarter

FOR the first three months of the year, Northern Mindanao was able to export US$277 million worth of products, indicating a 39.07 percent increase, up against figures recorded during the same period in 2010.

Data from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Northern Mindanao Region revealed that majority of the total number of exported products came from the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte, sharing 55.9 percent and 38.8 percent, respectively.

The rest of the exports came from Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental and Camiguin, which contributed a total of 5.01 percent.

The Neda data showed that Lanao del Norte posted the highest growth at 74.3 percent owing to the increase in the global demand for coconut-based products, which is the province's main exports.

In contrast, Misamis Occidental posted a significant decrease of 88.73 percent when its top exporter of crude coconut oil, Third Millennium Oil Corporation, opted to sell its produce to the domestic market which has higher prevailing price for crude coconut oil.

Records also showed that crude coconut/cochin oil, oleochemicals, copra solvent and expeller cake/meal were the top dollar earners for the period with crude coconut/cochin oil accounting for 39 percent and Oleochemicals with 32 percent.

Other top exports during the period were canned pineapple products, sintered ore, rubber (natural/processed/cuplumps), abaca pulp/fiber, desiccated coconut and sawn lumber/core-finished/kiln dried.

In terms of growth rate, copra solvent and expeller cake/meal registered the highest growth at 173.6 percent while abaca pulp posted the most significant decline of 20.13 percent, which is indicative of seasonal demand in the global market.

Coconut-based products remained as the region's top dollar earner accounting for 79.65 percent of the top 10 export commodities of the region and valued at US$203.69 million. The remaining 21.29 percent was contributed by processed foods at 6.5 percent, industrial manufacturing at 5.2 percent, other resource-based products at 2.3 percent and 14 percent for the other export commodities.

However, the Neda data showed there were substantial decreases of exports of mineral products, aquamarine, sugar cane products, iron and steel, special transactions and gifts, toys and housewares during the period, which could also be attributed to the seasonal demand in the global market.

PDEA nabs 2 in Marawi shabu tiangge raid

TWO persons were arrested as combined elements of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Army neutralized a shabu tiangge the other day in Marawi City.

PDEA Director General Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. said elements of the PDEA Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, together with the Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, arrested Zainoding M. Manso, 25 and Myrna B. Lindab, 37, both of Sabalamanao, Marawi City, in simultaneous buy bust operations in Lower Danalan, Bgy. Lumber, Marawi City, and dismantled shabu tiangge.

It was learned that Manso was allegedly maintaining the drug den in the compound and was arrested after selling three plastic sachets of shabu to a poseur buyer. He yielded four medium-sized and 20 small plastic sachets containing seven grams of shabu.

Lindab was caught after selling three sachets of shabu to PDEA agent. Recovered from her were 58 small plastic sachets of shabu.

Charges of violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, have been filed against the suspects who were detained at PDEA ARMM detention facility.

Gutierrez said that this is the sixth shabu tiangge dismantled by PDEA and other law enforcement agencies nationwide and the third in Mindanao from January to present.

SUBANEN TRIBE WELCOMES MAKAMASANG TUGON IN MIS. OCC. TOWN

Communities in Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental which is being resided by a majority of the Subanen Tribe welcomed the Makamasang Tugon during the launching of the Project last August 9, 2011.

Makamasang Tugon, an initiative that integrates the KALAHI-CIDSS Community-Driven Development processes and principles to the Local Planning Process (LPP) of the Local Government Unit by way of an LGU-led implementation. However, the Project is exclusively given to municipalities who have successfully implemented three cycles of KALAHI-CIDSS as their incentive—as in this case, the municipality of Don Victoriano is a beneficiary.

KALAHI-CIDSS, in turn, is a community-driven development project authored by Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman which empowers communities in overcoming poverty through capability building and participation in development planning. KALAHI-CIDSS, through World Bank, provides grants to the communities while the local government units share their counterpart for the implementation and completion of subprojects in the areas.

The Subanen Tribe is one of the targets of KALAHI-CIDSS in empowering them for their inclusion to the local development planning since they themselves know and experience the socio-economic conditions of their communities, such as lack of basic facilities like schools, health stations, bridges, and roads.

By enabling the tribe in identifying the needs of their communities and during the construction of subprojects armed with capability building trainings, they will become empowered to participate in other community activities in the future.

During the launching of Makamasang Tugon in Don Victoriano, they had ceremonious tribal dance and chants that expressed their appreciation for the government’s initiative in including them as beneficiaries of the said Project. According to the tribe leader, who is also the barangay captain of Barangay Mansawan, Sergio Barimbao, the Subanen tribe has long desired to be recognized as contributory to the development in the country, specifically in Mindanao.

“The Makamasang Tugon will surely give us an opportunity to show the world that we too can make a difference,” said Sergio.

LGU Baliangao, Mis. Occ. receives LQF machine from Nabcor

BALIANGAO, Misamis Occidental– A Liquid Quick Freeze (LQF) machine worth P 4.65 million had been turned-over by the National Agribusiness Corp. (Nabcor), to the local government unit (LGU), here, yesterday, Aug. 8.

This brings to seven (7), the total number of LGU’s, in region 10, that has received the facility. The other six (6) are: Sapang Dalaga and Sinacaban also in Mis. Occ., Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) and Tubod, in Lanao Norte, Balingasag in Mis. Oriental, and Mambajao in Camiguin.

Established through a counter-parting scheme, the machine was provided by Nabcor, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), while the shed, single phase line, water system and manpower for the initial operation of the machine is shouldered by the LGU at an estimated cost of Php500,000.

Ma. Jayd-da Mayoralgo, Nabcor Vice-President, said the LQF uses a revolutionary method of freezing through the use of a super conductive liquid that can instantly freeze agri-fishery products due to its very low temperature, preserving its flavor and freshness.

She said aside from its freezing capability, the LQF can also make ice blocks which can benefit not only the fishing industry but other business establishments like restaurants.

“It is envisioned that the LQF will be treated as a business enterprise and when put into maximum use will trigger the development of the agri-fishery industry in the area and contribute to the economic development of the locality,” Mayoralgo added.

Set up in Barangay Mitacas, Baliangao town, the LQF machine has been considered a new milestone for the agri- fishery industry of this coastal area in the province with its vast marine resources. Meanwhile, Regional Director Visa Dimerin of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), region 10, said they are in full support to the town’s endeavor by encouraging the locality to engage in projects supportive of developing fishery production.

Present during the LQF turn over and blessing were: Mayor Svetlana P. Jaloslos, Vice-Mayor Agapito E. Yap III, Sangguniang Bayan members, and Municipal Agriculturist Jude Bueno, local fisherfolk.

Also present were Provincial Agricultural Officer Jose Satorre, Nabcor Area Manager Samuel Simbajon and Ma. Tita B. Rodriquez, Head, Presidential Management Staff in the region.

‘3 members’ of Ozamiz robbery group nabbed

POLICE arrested three alleged members of a robbery group in Barangay Bankal, Lapu-Lapu City yesterday morning.

Nelson, Harold and Eldie were caught by operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, led by Senior Insp. Mark Sucalit.

Their arrest came after a suspected drug pusher was caught in a buy-bust in Bogo City last Wednesday.

Last names withheld

Cebu Provincial Police Office Acting Director Patrocinio Comendador asked reporters to withhold the family names of the suspects, who are in their mid-20s, because they are still conducting follow-up operations.

He said he received reports the suspects, who hail from Zamboanga del Sur, belong to an Ozamiz robbery group.

They are also not discounting the possibility the three men are guns-for-hire, he said.

Comendador said they caught the suspects after they served an arrest warrant against their companion, who has a murder case.

Two .45 pistols with 12 bullets, a .38 revolver with five bullets, a hand grenade, four sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia were allegedly recovered from them.

Nelson denied they are robbers and paid killers. He said he and his cou-sin Harold are jeep-ney conductors.

More denial

“Binuang na nga esturya (The accusations are not true),” he said.

Eldie, for his part, said he has been a construction worker for four years.

Nelson said the .45 pistol was given to them by a friend. However, he denied they owned the other guns, grenade and the sachets of shabu.

Comendador said they are coordinating with the Mandaue City Police Office because the suspects might be involved in the death of businessman Antonio Ouano. He said the group’s hideout is in northern Cebu.


Cops seize suspected shabu, video karera

OZAMIS CITY-Police scores twenty seven units of video Karera Machines and forty seven sachets of suspected shabu in a raid conducted at the residence of a certain Anselma Labida the other day at Barangay San Roque. P/Supt. Gervacio Balmaceda Jr., the chief of police of Ozamiz, said the raid was conducted at Labida's residence by virtue of the search warrant issued by Judge Edmundo Pintac of Regional Trial Court Branch 15.

He said, the operation was well-planned however the subject house was protected with the long-way of foot-bridge of which a great advantage for the pusher or the home owner together with the users to run from the law enforcers.

No persons were caught during the raid because of delayed entrance of the raiding team.

"The markers given by my informant were all accurate and the subjected house on the search warrant ay tama din, kaya lang na-delayed kami ng pasok dahil sa mga harang na nilagay sa daanan," PSupt Balmaceda explained. The police searched the rooms of Labida's house and found small rolls of foils with small packs of white substance believed to be shabu, hidden under the bed of the third room. The subjected residence is having three rooms.

The raiding team found a bag almost filled with used foils right at the counter where shabu trading is being made.

PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has conducted several operations against shabu in Barangay San Roque for the past weeks and captured number of pushers and users in buy bust operation.

Superintendent Balmaceda said, there is a marching order of Ozamiz City Mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez to continually run after this shabu traders in the city. Appropriate charges against Anselma Labida is now being filed in the court and the evidences were brought to the provincial crime laboratory for proper identification.

Officer's wife to NPA: Please release my husband

OZAMIZ CITY, Philippines -- The wife of a jail officer abducted by New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas last July in Bukidnon has appealed for the release of her husband “for the sake of our daughters.”

“Our two daughters have been asking why their father has not yet returned home,” said an emotional Carylle Bajuyo, wife of Jail Officer 1 Rolando Bajuyo assigned at a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility here.

Their two children, aged four and seven, knew that Bajuyo was going away on July 20 to escort eight sentenced prisoners to be jailed at the Davao Penal Colony, Carylle said.

But early the following morning, over a hundred communist guerrillas blocked the team in Kitaotao, Bukidnon and rescued a comrade, Dennis Rodenas, whom the rebels claimed was “unjustly” convicted by a Misamis Occidental court on trumped-up charges.

As the rebels escaped, they took away 13 firearms and for human shields Bajuyo, Jail Inspectors Murphy Todyog and Eric Llamasares, and Senior Jail Officer 2 Rogelio Begontes.

“I trust that the NPA understands they are not combatants,” Carylle appealed.

Their seven-year old daughter seems to already know that her father is in the custody of the rebels; she has had fever for the past several days, possibly from the anxiety brought about by the situation, Carylle said.

“She is very close to him. He puts her to sleep every night,” the mother said.

The BJMP regional office has assured the families of the jail officers that it has been negotiating for the safe and speedy release of the captives, although nothing much seems to have moved forward, added Carylle.

“We assure their families and loved ones that they are in good health and are treated well by the NPA and the revolutionary mass base,” said a July 30 statement of Rigoberto F. Sanchez of the NPA’s Merardo Arce Command in southern Mindanao.

“Their basic rights are respected and their well-being ensured,” Sanchez added.

The rebels justified the continuing captivity of the BJMP personnel for supposedly “performing police work in the reactionary state's prisons which serve as a vital cog in the (government’s) counterrevolutionary war.”

“There is no question that the four are armed, active and regular officers of the armed counterrevolutionary and coercive apparatus of the reactionary government,” said Sanchez.

The rebels have demanded a halt to existing pursuit operations so that negotiations for the release of the four captives can be pursued.

Rice subsidy

A big number of poor farmers and fisherfolk already benefited from the government’s rice subsidy program (RSP) in the five provinces of Northern Mindanao.

Benefiting from the RSP are the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, and Bukidnon.

The RSP concept is the Cash for Training and Cash for Work (CFT/CFW) program of the national government intended for the poorest of the poor villages in the countryside, especially those in far-flung communities.

The RSP through a four-day Cash for Training, and a seven-day Cash for Work program is also a short-term intervention to provide temporary employment to small-scale farmers and fisherfolk particularly to families who are distressed/displaced or needing assistance during the lean season by participating in or undertaking preparedness, mitigation, relief, rehabilitation or risk reduction projects and activities in their communities or in evacuation centers.

The program is being implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with the support of the respective local government units (LGUs).

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