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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: 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. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

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DOST-12 now accepting application for S & T college scholarships

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=55776
• Saturday, September 24, 2011

by PIA Press Release

KORONADAL CITY, Sept 24 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology-Region 12 (DOST-12) is urging top graduating high school students to avail of college scholarships being offered by the agency. Among these scholarship grants are the Merit Scholarship Program and the S & T Scholarship Program under Republic Act 7687 or the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994. Merit program is open to graduating high school students who would like to pursue baccalaureate degrees in S & T fields regardless of family economic status. S & T Act of 1994 is only open to students from poor families. Annually offered through the DOST’s Science Education Institute (SEI), the scholarships seek to strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering and technology, among others, to further drive national economic development. Dr. Zenaida P. Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 regional director said that the scholarships are an effective way to harness the youth’s potentials to also contribute to the development of a strong S & T community in the country. “These scholarships will not only benefit the beneficiaries and their families but the whole nation as well. One of the major keys for a brighter national economic future rest in the field of science and technology,” she said. Provincial S & T centers are now accepting applications to the scholarship programs strictly open only to the top five percent of the high school graduating class from the public and private school systems. Scholars from poor families are entitled to tuition and other school fee subsidies, book allowance, and a monthly living allowance for the school year, among others. Merit scholars, on the other hand, are entitled to the same benefits except for a pro-rated monthly stipend depending on the economic status of their families. The examination for both scholarship programs is slated on November 20, 2011 simultaneously nationwide. In Region 12, the designated testing centers are: University Laboratory School-University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, North Cotabato; Notre Dame University in Cotabato City; Mindanao State University in General Santos City; Notre Dame of Marbel University in Koronadal City; and the Sultan Kudarat State University in Tacurong City. Interested students may get application forms from the nearest DOST regional office or at the provincial S&T centers. Forms can also be downloaded at www.science-scholarships.ph. Deadline of application is on October 21, 2011. For more information, please call the DOST-12 main office at (064) 421-6908 and 421-2711. You may also get in touch with our provincial S & T centers at (083) 554-7997 (SarGen); 083-228-2342 (South Cotabato); (064) 200-3521 (Sultan Kudarat); and (064) 248-2112 (North Cotabato). (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/BKTagitican DOST 12).

Police director aims at operations readiness of forces, vows to enforce discipline

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=55776
• Friday, September 23, 2011

by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, Sept 23 (PIA) -- Police senior superintendent Randolph Delfin, the new police provincial director of South Cotabato assured the public that his administration is on the right track in ensuring security of the entire province. In a recent meeting with the press at the provincial capitol, Delfin announced that he is now focusing on strengthening the operational readiness and restoring discipline among members of the police force under his leadership. “As I promised during the meeting with the POC, I will give priority to security concerns,” he said. “So, almost every night I’ve been conducting inspections of our police stations to check on the operational readiness of our policemen.” On Wednesday, Delfin started his unannounced visits and inspections at the municipal police station of Sto.Niño at 1:00 a.m. Sto.Niño town is about 30 kilometers from the provincial headquarters in Koronadal City. He then proceeded to police stations in Norala, Surallah, and Banga municipalities. At about 4:30 a.m., he arrived at Koronadal City to check on his men at the city police station. He said he has already covered all the entire province in his first six days in office as police director. One of his first order is to increase police visibility, especially at night time “to eliminate carnapping and to allay public apprehensions that South Cotabato is not safe.” Aside from ensuring security of the province, Delfin said, he is also give importance to resolving problems regarding loose firearms and youth offenders. “We will also give emphasis to our Pamilya Laban sa Droga program and strengthen coordination with communities for our objective to control the presence of drug,” he added. During the meeting, Delfin confirmed that the is strict and a disciplinarian but pointed out that he disciplines his men by example. “Showing your people that you can do what you ask them to do is of primary importance,” he said. “No official has the right to caution and order his men if he himself cannot do what he asked them to do.” Just recently, he placed a policeman under investigation for not wearing uniform while on duty. Delfin said his men cannot complain of him giving so much responsibilities because he himself will be actively participate in every activity. (PIA 12)

PDRRMC renews call for vigilance in accident–prone areas

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=55632
• Thursday, September 22, 2011

by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, Sept 22 (PIA) -- South Cotabato officials have renewed calls for vigilance, especially among residents living in or near identified flood-prone and landslide-prone areas. Provincial Administrator Isidro Janita, who also heads the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said residents in the identified accident-prone areas should always be on the lookout because landslides and flash floods are being experienced in the province. This renewed call for vigilance came after a flash flood incident in Polomolok town. Fifty-six families, including 274 individuals, in Barangays Landan, Upper Klinan, and Maligo in Polomolok town were displaced when a creek overflowed Monday night. PDRRMC incident report said 21 houses and one chapel were totally damaged and 25 houses were partially damaged. At least 6 hectares of crops and four farm animals were also lost. Initial estimates have set the damages at P5 million. No human casualty was reported. Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. yesterday said the provincial government has already extended food and relief assistance to the displaced families. He also ordered the immediate relocation of the residents in the affected area, which has been identified among the high risk area. In a recent meeting of the regional council, Pingoy has requested the RDMMC to expedite the purchase of the relocation sites for communities living in calamity-prone areas. He said purchase of the relocation site for affected residents in Landan area may not be difficult since the identified lot is properly titled. (PIA 12)

P52-M vowed for planned public hospital in Surallah

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=55459
• Wednesday, September 21, 2011

by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, Sept 21 (PIA) -- If commitments were to be counted, the provincial government of South Cotabato has at least P52 M fund for the construction of a public hospital in nearby Surralah town. Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. in a meeting with the press this morning announced that three partners, namely: San Miguel Corporation (SMC), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have signified to finance the construction of the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH) annex in Surallah. Recently, Gov. Pingoy went to Metro Manila to sign a memorandum of understanding with the San Miguel Corporation for a P30-million assistance package for the province, including P15 million for the planned hospital. While in Metro Manila, he also met with Health Secretary Enrique Ona regarding possible financial assistance under the DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program. He said Ona has committed to give the province at least P30 million. The governor is confident Sec. Ona’s promise will be realized. While serving as the representative of South Cotabato’s Second District, Pingoy was instrumental for the release of of P23 million for the upgrading of several health facilities in the province, including that of Polomolok and Lake Sebu municipalities and SCPH. He also announced that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has also committed to pour in P7M for the project. The provincial government in now complying with DILG assistant secretary for plans and programs Eubert Gutierrez’s directive to submit the project’s program plan for possible funding. Meanwhile, a five-hectare lot where the annex hospital will be established has been identified by the local government unit of Surallah. Gov. Pingoy said the provincial government expects Surallah Mayor Romulo Solivio to hand in the deed of donation anytime soon. He said he has already directed Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office to fast track the making of the hospitals design. Construction of the hospital is expected to start in the first quarter of 2012 for a target soft opening of the health facility in the second or third quarter. Gov. Pingoy added that this government hospital that will cater to patients in the Upper Valley area, including the municipalities of Surallah, Sto. Nino, Lake Sebu, Norala, T’boli and Banga, the provincial hospital in Koronadal City will surely be decongested. SCPH has a capacity for 220 beds but the number of patients served here reaches as many as 240 to 320. About 24 percent of the patients are from the Upper Valley area. (PIA 12)

Transport strike in South Cotabato fizzles out

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/20/transport-strike-in-south-cotabato-fizzles-out/
• Tuesday| September 20, 2011

by Bong S. Sarmiento

KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/19 September) — With most public utility vehicles still plying their routes here and in the other municipalities of South Cotabato, police assessed the transport strike organized by militant groups to have fizzled out in the province and neighboring areas. The number of tricycles, the main mode of transport in this regional seat of government of Southwestern Mindanao or Region 12, was just the same as in normal days. Buses and passenger vans also plied the routes in various parts of the province and other neighboring and far destinations. Except for the town of Polomolok, the transport strike called by the Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) was also not felt in the nine other municipalities of South Cotabato, the police monitored. “Generally, the transport strike fizzled out all over South Cotabato. Flow of traffic in the streets was normal,” said Supt. Jemuel Siason, spokesperson of the provincial police command. In Polomolok, Siason said there was a “slightly significant participation” among the drivers because of organized militant groups there. In this city, also the capital of South Cotabato, government vehicles were put on standby just in case the strike would cause transport paralysis, he added. Around 50 protesters from various militant groups gathered in front of the Iglesia ni Kristo along the national highway early morning but later on left the area, with a few later seen huddling beside the round ball area. No barricades were set up in the roads in this city unlike years before to force public and private transport drivers to join the protest. Also, no passengers were seen stranded in the streets or in the terminals. Ryan Lariba, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Socsksargen chapter spokesman, said that various militant groups kicked off their protest actions as early as 5 a.m. in parts of the region. “We want to send a message to our government that our people, especially the drivers, are hurting from the series of fuel price increases,” he told reporters. Lariba said they were demanding for a rollback as the prices of fuel were overpriced by at least P9/liter, citing a study by their group. The protesters also called on the government to scrap the oil deregulation law as well as remove the value added tax on fuel products. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Tourism boost

• Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/334876/tourism-boost
• September 19, 2011, 3:37pm

by Mindanao Newsbits

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines (PIA) – A recent significant development could spell a major push for South Cotabato’s bid to become a primary tourist destination. Governor Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. recently announced that beginning September 23, management of the internal security operations (ISO) will officially be transferred to the provincial government from the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion.

We have been promoting tourism in the province but we have been hindered by the perception that the province has a problem with peace and order,” he said, “the transfer of ISO to the provincial government is proof that South Cotabato is indeed peaceful.”

Mindanao gets P157-M tourism dev’t budget

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/18/mindanao-gets-p157-m-tourism-dev%E2%80%99t-budget/
• Sunday| September 18, 2011

by Bong S. Sarmiento

KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/17 September) — The Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has allocated P157 million to further develop the tourism industry in Mindanao, Sec. Luwalhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), said. TIEZA, formerly the Philippine Tourism Authority, increased its annual allocation for Mindanao, which in the last 10 years only received an average of seven to 10 percent budget share from the agency, Antonino announced at the recently concluded 20th Mindanao Business Conference in Pagadian City. “I am happy to report that in our recent meeting with the TIEZA board, Mindanao got a hefty share of 35% from the Php448.84-million TIEZA priority infrastructure projects this year,” Antonino said in a statement. Antonino who sits as member of the TIEZA board of directors also said that Region 9 or the Zamboanga Peninsula got two of the 29 approved projects for Mindanao namely the development of Pulacan falls in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur and the construction of the Cogon Eco-tourism development project in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. She added that MinDA shall continue in its efforts to secure financing support for the Mindanao initiatives by engaging more public-private partnerships while advocating for a fair share in the national budget. “Unlike before when we only had a measly share of their (TIEZA) budget, Mindanao is now given attention,” Antonino said, adding that tourism has a multiplier effect in terms of job creation. Mindanao tourism industry officials welcome the increased budget, their clamor for a decade now. “TIEZA has made an unprecedented move to develop a strong backbone for tourism in Mindanao,” Art Boncato, Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director for Region 11, was quoted in the same statement. Boncato said tourism is “a major economic driver for Mindanao.” The island-region’s potential for nature-based and cultural tourism is one of the best in the country and that “strategic infrastructure support ensures its sustainability,” he said. The advocacy for Mindanao’s equitable share in the national budget is one of the strategies identified towards achieving the overall peace and development goals for Mindanao in the next 20 years. According to the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (Mindanao 2020), tourism development “can be a win-win for the economy and environment and must be pursued vigorously through policy reform and public investments. “ The promotion of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) as premier ecotourism destination also provides substantial growth potential in Mindanao tourism. In the medium term (2011-2016), DOT has taken a cluster approach in pursuing tourism promotion, with nine defined clusters for Mindanao highlighting various types of tourism assets. The clusters include the Surigao-Dinagat islands, Cagayan de Oro-Tangub coast and hinterland, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bukidnon highlands, among others. (Bong Sarmiento/MindaNews)

South Cotabato sets MOOE budget cuts due to reduction of IRA share

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=373095
• September 16, 2011, 1:41 pm

by (PNA) LAP/AVE/HST

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 16 (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato is cutting back on its maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) by next year due to the reduction of its annual Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share from the national government.

Elvira Rafael, South Cotabato provincial treasurer, said the provincial government received a notice that it will get an IRA share of P751 million for next year, which is down by P36 million from this year’s P787.8 million allotment.

For the entire province, which is composed of 11 towns and lone city, she said the total IRA share for next year will be reduced to P2.1 billion or a P104.16 million drop from this year’s P2.21 billion.

Rafael said the provincial government, which is currently preparing its 2012 budget, is implementing cuts in its MOOE budget for next year due to its reduced IRA share.

“We will not be cutting our budget for basic services but only for the MOOE. This includes purchases for office supplies, gasoline, oil and lubricants, electricity and water consumptions, among others,” she said.

Rafael also said the third tranche of the salary increase for provincial government workers next year will not be affected by the budget cut.

The IRA share of local government units (LGUs) represent 40 percent of the national internal revenue taxes collected in the third fiscal year before the current fiscal year.

The IRA sources are income tax; estate and donors’ tax; value-added tax; other percentage taxes; excise taxes; documentary stamp taxes; and such other taxes that may be imposed and collected by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Rafael said Koronadal City, which is a component city of South Cotabato, is getting an IRA cut of around P20 million after its total share of P425.59 million this year will further reduce to P405.2 million next year.

The municipality of Sto. Nino, which received an IRA share of 57.12 million this year, posted the least cut for next year with only P2.45 million.

Rafael said the huge reduction in Koronadal City’s IRA share for next year was triggered by the earlier conversion of 16 municipalities in the country into cities.

British environmental experts dispute EIA study of South Cotabato mine operator

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=372800
• September 15, 2011, 4:29 pm

by (PNA) DCT/FFC/AVE/RSS

KORONADAL CITY, Sept. 15 (PNA) -– Two British environmental experts are set to arrive in this city next week to contest the results of the newly-completed environmental impact assessment (EIA) study of foreign-backed mining firm Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) for its proposed large-scale copper and gold mining project in the tri-boundaries of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur provinces.

Rene Pamplona, advocacy officer of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Marbel, said Thursday the British experts were invited by local Catholic Church leaders to attend the scheduled presentation of SMI’s EIA study on Sept. 23 in this city.

He said they are planning to mobilize at least 5,000 people to fill the South Cotabato gymnasium during SMI’s EIA presentation.

“The two foreign experts will present on behalf of the anti-mining advocates. A 3-D [three dimensional] map will also be presented involving the affected communities,” he said.

Pamplona identified the environmental experts as Clive Wicks and Robert Goodland, author of “Philippines: Mining or Food?” a book report that highlight the threats that mining poses to food security.

The report, which examined six mining sites in the country, including the Tampakan project, was a follow-up to “Mining in the Philippines: Concerns and Conflicts (January 2007),” which documented the negative effects of mining on the environment and peoples’ livelihood.

The latter report was based on the fact-finding mission led by Hon. Clare Short MP, a member of the British Parliament and former UK Minister for International Development.

In February 2008, the UK based Working Group on Mining in the Philippines (WGMP), commissioned the two environmental experts to visit the Philippines in order to investigate more fully, document and map some key sites targeted for mining.

Goodland worked for the World Bank Group for 23 years, as senior environmental advisor. Wicks worked in the corporate sector for many years and then for the Worldwide Fund for Nature and served as the vice-chair of IUCN-Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (IUCN-CEESP). IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said the public forum was meant to hear the side of those against the Tampakan project, particularly their take on the EIA study of Sagittarius Mines.

“Hopefully, this will guide the Sangguniang Panlalawigan with regards to the request to review the environment code that bans open-pit mining,” he said.

Prov’l LGU, charity group holds grand surgical mission for IPs, indigents

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=54086
• Wednesday, September 14, 2011

by PIA Press Release

KORONADAL CITY, Sept. 14 (PIA) -- Hundred of indigents, indigenous peoples, and retirees who need surgical procedures but are unable to avail of medical services for reasons of financial incapacity and lack of services can avail of free surgical services in a five-day surgical mission here starting September 25. “The Maharlika Charity Foundation Inc., (MCFI) together with provincial government of South Cotabato and the Koronadal Lodge 209 of Free and Accepted Masons will conduct a surgical mission at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center from September 25 to 29,” board member Dr. Ervin Luntao announced yesterday. He said among the conditions that will be operated free of charge during the medical mission include cleft palate, cataract (including pterygium), stradismus or cross-eyes, goiter, hernia among children five years old or younger, and minor cysts. Dental services will also be available. “This is the first major surgical mission in South Cotabato under the management of Gov. Arthur “Dodo” Y. Pingoy Jr.” he said. Dr. Rizal Aportadera, president of MCFI, said the medical mission in Koronadal will be their 49th mission in Mindanao and their first in South Cotabato. “We are giving surgical services exclusively for indigents who cannot afford surgical operations and indigenous peoples who lack opportunities to avail of costly procedures,” Dr. Aportadera said. “We are also giving the same services to retirees in government and private sectors.” MCFI was created in 1973 to give free medical treatment for the poor. Its office is located at J.P Cabaguio Avenue, Davao City. MCFI started conducting medical missions in 2000. “Our objective is to give specialized and rehabilitative operations,” he added. “Specialized because the doctors we bring in the medical missions are all specialists and rehabilitative because the patients’ defects and deformities are corrected and they given opportunities to be restore their confidence and become productive citizens,” Dr. Aportadera added. For the medical mission in South Cotabato, MCFI will be bringing at least 35 specialists, including eye doctors, plastic surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and general surgeons along with other medical staff including as nurses, medical technologists and others. He said, on regular medical missions they serve at least 60 to 100 surgical patients each for eye operations, cleft palate correction, and minor surgeries. More patients are served in dental services. “We are very glad that the Maharlika Charity Foundation has chosen Cotabato for their surgical mission,” Vice Gov. Elmo Tolosa said. Vice Gov. Tolosa’s office is among the offices listing names of possible patients who will undergo surgical procedures. Other offices where interested individuals can go to be listed are Office of the Governor, Office of Board Member Luntao, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital, Radio Mindanao Network and Bombo Radyo Koronadal. Listing of patients in these offices is still on-going. Candidates for surgery will be gathered by the provincial government for a briefing on September 20. An advance team of the MCFI will conduct initial screening and laboratory examinations on September 25. Actual operations will start at September 26. “Screening and of candidates lab tests are necessary to provide maximum safety for all procedures, especially among children and the elderlies,” Aportadera said. Medicines for post-operation treatment will also be provided free. Patients who will develop complications after the operation are also assured of continuous medical care from MCFI doctors. (PIA 12)

SouthCot worried over bird flu

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/13/southcot-worried-over-bird-flu/
• Tuesday| September 13, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/12 September) – Veterinary personnel in South Cotabato province have intensified their monitoring against the possible entry of H5N1 Avian Influenza or bird flu virus in the province following the resurgence of the deadly disease in several parts of Southeast Asia. Dr. Raul Teves, Veterinarian IV of the South Cotabato Provincial Veterinary Office, said they have launched a series of random tests on chickens, ducks and other poultry species in several parts of the province for possible infection of the H5N1 Avian Influenza virus. He said they were specifically testing six blood samples every week of various poultry animals from selected areas of the province. “This is a precautionary measure since the province is adjacent to the areas that are considered as highly vulnerable for the possible entry of bird flu,” he said in a radio interview. Teves said Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao’s Avian Influenza Task Force had identified the coastal areas of nearby Sarangani province and several wetlands in the region that have been drawing migratory birds from the neighboring countries as possible entry points of the disease. He said the task force is mainly concerned with the possible entry of infected birds and poultry species from Indonesia through Sarangani’s coastal areas. The national government earlier activated task forces against bird flu from the national down to the municipal levels to prevent its entry into the country, which has remained free of the disease. As part of such mandate, Teves said they have linked up with local government units of the province’s 10 municipalities and lone city to assist their monitoring activities. Avian Influenza, which has already affected 10 countries in Asia, mainly infects poultry species and has already resulted in mass deaths and destruction of chickens and other poultry such as ducks, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted. But it said the infected poultry can transmit the virus to humans and lead to severe disease that may result to death. As of August 9, the WHO already recorded five confirmed deaths due to bird flu in Indonesia out of the seven positive cases that were reported in the area this year. Seven bird flu deaths were also recorded this year in Cambodia. Teves said the task force has been also monitoring the migratory birds that have been flocking to a bird sanctuary in Barangay Baras in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat. The city government of Tacurong, which has been developing the bird sanctuary as a tourist destination, reported that around 7,700 migratory birds, mostly herons, have been flocking to the area every year. For their part, Teves said they have doubled their watch on palay farms near Tacurong City that are frequented by mobile duck growers. He said local duck growers usually lease palay farms in some parts of the province for several weeks after the harvest season, which start every late August. Owing to this, Teves said they have scheduled the random tests for bird flu this month in palay-producing areas in Tantangan and Norala towns as well as in Koronadal City. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)

South Cotabato has new police provincial director

• Source: http://magazine.southcotabato.org/2011/09/south-cotabato-has-new-police.html
• Monday, September 12, 2011

by dani doguiles, news, pia 12, press release, south cotabato

Outgoing South Cotabato Police Provincial Director P/SSupt. Nilo Wong has confirmed that he will be turning over the leadership of the provincial police force to the new director.

Wong, who will be retiring on September 26, said he has already received instructions for the turnover ceremonies on September 14, to P/SSupt. Randolf Delfin.

In an interview with a local media, Wong said he is very grateful to local officials, PNP personnel and residents of the province for the support they accorded him in his term as police provincial director.

Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr., in a meeting with the press last month openly declared his decision to support Delfin as the new head of the provincial police office.

He said, although he does not know Delfin personally, the latter's reputation as a strict and respected leader has been well-known to him and the local police officials who have highly recommended his transfer to the province.

Gov. Pingoy said he prefers the turnover ceremonies to be done earlier than September 14 so that Delfin can begin implementing measures to put a stop to the recent spate of carnapping with homicide cases in Koronadal City and other other municipalities in the province that has alarmed officials here.

Police Regional Director CSupt. Benjardo Mantele said he is likely to give in to Gov. Pingoy's request since Delfin's official appointment as the provincial police's head started on September 1. (PIA 12)

NFA intensifies local rice procurement

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=53608
• Sunday, September 11, 2011

by Dani Doguiles

KORONADAL CITY, Sept 11 (PIA) -- South Cotabato's National Food Authority will intensify procurement of produce from local rice farmers this week. Angelina Lucena, assistant manager of NFA South Cotabato said, besides the continuous buying of palay in Koronadal City, they will start accepting deliveries in two additional sites in the upper valley area starting September. NFA South Cotabato has already rented one warehouse in Norala and another in Surallah towns for the produce bought from the two municipalities and neighboring places. She said the procurement team and the warehouses will be in full operational capacity this week to achieve their target of 168,000 bags by the end of December 2011. NFA buys palay at P17.40 per kilo from farmers and P17.70 from accredited farmer associations and cooperatives. Prevailing buying prices of commercial traders here range from P15 to P15.50 only. Lucena added measures to prevent unscrupulous commercial traders from exploiting the program exclusively for farmers and their organizations have been put in place. Among these control measures are strict implementation of documentation requirements, verification processes, random checking and many others. Officials of NFA South Cotabato have also repeatedly appealed to farmers in the province not to allow traders to use them as conduits of illegal activities. She said only the legitimate farmers and their organizations should be able to avail of the higher price the government offers for their produce. This year, South Cotabato receives no allocation from imported rice but NFA and agricultural officials here are confident local production will be more than sufficient to supply local requirements. (PIA 12)

SouthCot set to distribute anti-dengue traps

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/08/31/southcot-set-to-distribute-anti-dengue-traps/
• Wednesday| August 31, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

KORONADAL CITY (MindaNews/30 August) – The South Cotabato health office is set to distribute 2,500 ovicidal/larvicidal (O/L) mosquito trap system to fight dengue even as cases in the province showed a drop in the first seven months of the year, an official said. Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., provincial health officer, said the OL mosquito trap distribution was part of the Department of Science and Technology-Region 12′s commitment to curb the deadly disease, which is spearheaded by the Department of Health. “Local government units should help the DOST and the DOH in spreading the importance of the mosquito trap technology,” he said, adding that beneficiaries should also support the project otherwise the trap systems would just become breeding grounds for dengue-carrying mosquitoes. The solution in the trap system should be replaced regularly because they are only good for seven to 10 days, Aturdido said. Polomolok town has been considered a dengue hotspot as cases have been monitored also in this city and in Tampakan municipality, the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) reported. PESU has recorded 358 dengue cases from January to July this year, down 77 percent from the 1,615 recorded for the same period last year. For the dengue cases in the first seven months of this year, 169 or 47 percent were from Polomolok town, it added, noting that a four-year-old victim from Barangay Pagalungan died recently. The DOST-12 recently launched the OL trap system in Southwestern Mindanao, which according to regional director Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan, was among the regions in the country with alarming dengue cases since last year based on the records of the DOH in Region 12. Southwestern Mindanao covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Laidan said that 8,000 OL trap systems have been distributed so far, and that more will be given as the need arises. To also effectively lick the disease, Laidan stressed the need to always maintain a clean surrounding. Nuna Almanzor, DOST’s Industrial Technology and Development Institute (ITDI) director, said the OL trap system is a simple and cheap device that attracts dengue-carrying mosquitoes. The technology for OL trap system developed by DOST-ITDI consists of a black tin can (plastic can as substitute), a lawanit paddle (1” x 6.5”) and the organic solution that lures Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to lay eggs in the paddle and eventually kills the eggs and larvae in the process. This simple kit costs about 20 pesos aside from the one peso for every pack of pellet. Aedes mosquitoes attack only during daytime. Almanzor said the national DOST and DOH offices have forged a partnership for the initial distribution of 500,000 OL mosquito traps across the country. “The DOH wanted as many OL traps to be distributed across the country,” she said. She said the Department of Education had also approached the DOST to help them curb the incidence of dengue cases in schools. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)