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General Santos City, Philippines - Archived News

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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.

PNP-12 sets up assistance centers in malls

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=384635
• November 9, 2011, 3:06 pm

By (PNA)

DCT/FFC/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 9 (PNA) -– The Police Regional Office 12 has established police assistance centers (PACs) in various shopping malls and department stores in the region in a bid to help deter crimes and other related incidents within their premises.

Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele, Region 12 police director, said the establishment of the PACs is part of their efforts to ensure security and provide maximum visibility in public areas within the region’s four provinces and five cities.

Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Mantele said they opened the first mall-based PAC earlier this week at the Robinson's Place shopping mall here.

The police official said he instructed the region's provincial, city and municipal police offices and stations to also set up PACs in all shopping malls and department stores within their areas of responsibility.

This city, which is considered as the region's center for trade and commerce, hosts three major shopping malls – Robinsons, KCC and Gaisano – and three other department stores.

Mall chain SM Supermalls is currently building a shopping mall complex here, which is considered as one of the chain's biggest malls in Mindanao.

Koronadal City has three shopping malls; Cotabato City has one mall and two other department stores; and, the cities of Kidapawan and Tacurong have three department stores each.

Mantele said the presence of the policemen and the PACs within the malls will allow their owners “to easily deal with and seek assistance” from the local police.

“The presence of policemen inside the malls may also help prevent the occurrence of crimes as well as limit the movement of criminal elements,” he said.

He cited the recent shooting incidents in SM malls in Quezon City and Pampanga that left four people dead.

Mantele said the PACs will be manned by two to four uniformed police personnel, who will mainly be tasked to oversee the shopping malls' security arrangements and provide immediate assistance to their security-related needs.

He said the policemen that will be assigned to the PACs will also help monitor the possible entry of firearms and other weapons inside the mall premises.

“They will join the private security guards in their roving duties and help inspect everything that goes into the mall,” he added.

RDC-12 launches education, advocacy drive on road safety for teen drivers

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=384308
• November 8, 2011, 1:21 pm

By (PNA)

DCT/FFC/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 8 (PNA) – Alarmed with the rising cases of accidents involving “teen drivers,” the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 12 has launched a massive advocacy and education campaign on road safety among high school and college students in the region.

Teresita Socorro Ramos, RDC 12 vice chairperson, said in a statement that the initiative was based on a resolution recently passed by the council that recognizes the need to educate teen drivers in the region on road safety practices and proper driving behavior to help curb the cases of vehicular accidents involving them.

Based on RDC Resolution No. 52, she said the council specifically pushed for the “conduct of advocacy activity on road safety in secondary and tertiary schools” within Region 12 or the Soccsksargen Region.

Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

The measure took off from a proposal submitted to the council by the Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) for the conduct of orientation among teen drivers on proper driving behavior.

In its proposal, the RSDC said statistics showed that vehicular accidents has been one of the top causes of injuries and deaths in the country and a number of them involved teen drivers.

“One study showed that the fatality rate for drivers aged 16 to 19-years-old is four times higher than drivers aged 25 to 69-years-old. The crash fatality rate per 100,000 population is highest for the ages 16 to 17-years-old within the first six months after securing licenses and remains high through age 24,” the committee noted.

It added that reckless driving, over-speeding, distraction from mobile phones and substance abuse were among the main causes of accidents involving teenage drivers.

As part of the campaign, Ramos said the RDC initially conducted a trainers training on road advocacy for 60 officials and representatives of various government agencies, schools, universities and colleges, private companies and media entities.

She said the trainers training covered discussions on the provisions of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation Code of the Philippines; defensive driving and road courtesy; road safety and accidents; and, first aid.

The training program was facilitated by RDC private sector representative Nestor Lumawig, who is also chair of the Koronadal City-based United Transport Operators and Drivers Servicing Cooperative.

It was supported by Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Office, Department of Health and National Economic and Development Authority.

“Most of the participants came from the education sector since it is also the target clientele of the campaign,” Ramos said.

She said the participants from DepEd, TESDA, CHED and tertiary level institutions were expected to re-echo the training to supervisors, principals, school administrators and road safety coordinators who will eventually be tasked to also orient the other school principals and teachers.

Gen San completes computerization of 85 public schools

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=62755
• Monday, November 07, 2011

By Pops Gumana-Fruylan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) –- The local government here has recently completed the computerization of all the 85 public elementary and secondary schools in the city in a move to sharpen the city's competitive advantage in the domestic and global arenas. City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio led the website-launching of the 69 public elementary schools over the weekend in addition to the websites of the 26 barangay high schools that were launched few weeks earlier. According to Media Affairs Officer, Avel Manansala, the idea of linking the 85 public schools in the city through the internet is underscored in the SHEEP-Computer Literacy Program (CLP) headed by the mayor’s Executive Assistant, Percival Pasuelo, Manansala disclosed that the SHEEP-CLP is one of the major development thrusts of the present administration to prepare the city for effective domestic and global engagements, as envisioned by former Mayor Adelbert Antonino. SHEEP stands for Social Transformation, Human Empowerment, Economic Diversification, Environment Security and Regeneration, and Participatory Governance and Transparency. Meanwhile, Manansala revealed that all these 85 websites can be accessed through a centralized website- www.gensantos.org- where interested net or web surfers especially alumni of the schools can check on their Alma Mater. “These websites are very interactive and perform like blogs where students can contribute their essays and upload pictures of their school activities,” he said. Manansala explained that the City Government and the Department of Education (DepEd) have partnered in training the principals of the 85 public schools as well as their staffs on how to responsibly maintain their respective websites. “General Santos City now holds the distinction of being the first city in the country where all its public schools have online presence,” he opined. (PGFruylan/PIA-Gensan)

24 agencies haven’t moved to new Region 12 center yet

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/11/04/24-agencies-haven%E2%80%99t-moved-to-new-region-12-center-yet/
• | Friday| November 4, 2011 |

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/3 Nov) – Twenty-four regional departments and line agencies in Region 12 or Soccsargen Region have yet to work out their full transfer to Koronadal City, nearly eight years since it was designated as the official seat and center of the reconfigured region, officials of the Regional Development Council (RDC) said. Teresita Socorro Ramos, RDC-12 vice chairperson, said their records showed that 41 of the 65 regional offices of national government agencies and departments in the area have already completed their transfer to Koronadal City from Cotabato City, the previous regional center, and other parts of the region. She said the 24 other regional offices have established satellite or liaison offices in Koronadal City but the RDC had ruled that they should still work for their full transfer to the new regional center. “We recently sent out letters asking for updates regarding their transfer, especially on their budgets for such purpose, but only seven of them have so far responded,” Ramos said in report released by the South Cotabato Information Office. Region 12’s regional seat and center was transferred to Koronadal City from Cotabato City based on a new regional configuration mandated by Executive Order (EO) 304 issued on March 30, 2004 by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The reorganized region covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Kidapawan, Koronadal and Tacurong. In September 2009, the RDC issued a resolution mandating the full transfer of the regional offices to Koronadal City and set targets for such move. The RDC 12 earlier targeted the full transfer of all regional offices by the end of 2010 based on timeline indicated in its strategy planning matrix and updated Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan for 2008-2010. But in the last two years, RDC records cited that only three regional line agencies managed to fully transfer to Koronadal City due to various reasons, among them the lack of funds. Ramos, who is also regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority, said among the major regional line agencies that have not yet transferred to Koronadal City were the departments of Health, Science and Technology, Tourism and Agrarian Reform. She said the concerned regional offices are either based in Cotabato City, General Santos City, Tacurong City, Kidapawan City and Midsayap town in North Cotabato. Datu Ali Khan Marohombsar, Department of Budget and Management-Region 12 director, said the 24 regional line agencies should prioritize their immediate transfer to Koronadal City in compliance with EO 304’s provisions. “They should be here in Koronadal City where majority of the regional offices are located,” he said. Ibrahim Guiamadel, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 director, supported Marohomsar’s call, saying the concerned regional offices should immediately set definite plans and allocate the necessary budget for their transfer to Koronadal City. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)

RDC-12 pushes full transfer of 24 line agencies to Koronadal City

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=383491
• November 3, 2011, 8:47 pm

By (PNA)

LAP/FFC/AVE/with AC

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 3 (PNA) – Twenty-four regional departments and line agencies in Region 12 or Soccsargen Region have yet to work out their full transfer to Koronadal City, nearly eight years since it was designated as the official seat and center of the reconfigured region, officials of the Regional Development Council (RDC) said.

Teresita Socorro Ramos, RDC-12 vice chairperson, said their records showed that 41 of the 65 regional offices of national government agencies and departments in the area have already completed their transfer to Koronadal City from Cotabato City, the previous regional center, and other parts of the region.

She said the 24 other regional offices have established satellite or liaison offices in Koronadal City but the RDC had ruled that they should still work for their full transfer to the new regional center.

“We recently sent out letters asking for updates regarding their transfer, especially on their budgets for such purpose, but only seven of them have so far responded,” Ramos said in report released by the South Cotabato Information Office.

Region 12’s regional seat and center was transferred to Koronadal City from Cotabato City based on a new regional configuration mandated by Executive Order (EO) 304 issued on March 30, 2004 by President Arroyo.

The reorganized region covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Cotabato, General Santos, Kidapawan, Koronadal and Tacurong.

In September 2009, the RDC issued a resolution mandating the full transfer of the regional offices to Koronadal City and set targets for such move.

The RDC 12 earlier targeted the full transfer of all regional offices by the end of 2010 based on timeline indicated in its strategy planning matrix and updated Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan for 2008-2010.

But in the last two years, RDC records cited that only three regional line agencies managed to fully transfer to Koronadal City due to various reasons, among them the lack of funds.

Ramos, who is also regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority, said among the major regional line agencies that have not yet transferred to Koronadal City were the departments of Health, Science and Technology, Tourism and Agrarian Reform.

She said the concerned regional offices are either based in Cotabato City, General Santos City, Tacurong City, Kidapawan City and Midsayap town in North Cotabato.

Datu Ali Khan Marohombsar, Department of Budget and Management-Region 12 director, said the 24 regional line agencies should prioritize their immediate transfer to Koronadal City in compliance with EO 304’s provisions.

“They should be here in Koronadal City where majority of the regional offices are located,” he said.

Ibrahim Guiamadel, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 12 director, supported Marohomsar's call, saying the concerned regional offices immediate set definite plans and allocate the necessary budget for their transfer to Koronadal City.

'Undas' in Region 12 generally peaceful -- PNP-12

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=383252
• November 2, 2011, 11:08 pm

By (PNA)

LAP/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Nov. 2 (PNA) – The observance of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao has turned out “generally orderly and peaceful” and with no major incidents recorded in the area, regional police officials said Wednesday.

Chief Supt. Benjardi Mantele, Region 12 police director, said they have not recorded any untoward incident in the region so far that was related to the holidays, which officially ended Wednesday.

“We encountered just the usual complaints and violations like the bringing of liquor, bladed weapons and other prohibited materials in the cemeteries by some of our residents,” he said.

Mantele placed the region’s entire police force under full alert starting last Thursday in connection with the observance of the All Saints and All Souls Day in the area.

Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Mantele said he made rounds of various police stations as well as cemeteries, bus terminals, business establishments and police checkpoints 12 to personally oversee the security situation in the area.

He said his random visits were mainly aimed at ensuring that the mandated deployments and full visibility of their personnel in the region were properly observed.

Mantele said he also wanted to make sure the readiness of police personnel and police stations in the region with regards to the implementation of regional police’s security plan for the holidays.

The police official said he has instructed the region’s police officials and personnel to maintain their full presence in their area of assignments, especially in cemeteries and transport terminals.

He also issued a directive sustaining the full alert status in the region in preparation for the upcoming Christmas season.

Gensan authorities beef up security for Undas

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=61876
• Monday, October 31, 2011

By Pops Gumana-Fruylan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 31 (PIA) -- Authorities here are now up for the strict implementation of the three-day security plan for Undas starting today until November 2. According to City Administrator, Atty. Jose Mariano Gonzales, the local government here has already activated the “Oplan Kaluluwa 2011,” a task force that would oversee the security and safety of all commuters who will be travelling back and forth to the different cemeteries of the city to visit their departed loved ones. Maj. Ed Buenavista of the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Gensan revealed that as of October 30, one platoon of soldiers were deployed at the biggest cemetery of the city, the Uhaw Cemetery, to guard early visitors from all forms of criminal activities, and foil any threat that might jeopardize the celebration of “Undas.” Buenavista said another team will also be deployed at Forest Lake Cemetery on November 1 to augment police forces in the area considering that “it is the most crowded place in the city especially in the evening based on last year’s experience.” Moreover, the Philippine National Police (PNP) here has also laid down some of its security measures for the long holiday especially in populated areas. City Director, PSSupt. Cedrick Train explained that the PNP will continue with the normal deployment of its integrated patrol system all over the city, but will tighten security in cemeteries and public terminals, including airports and seaports. “We will also meet and coordinate with concerned barangay officials for the implementation of the security plan,” Train said. Meanwhile, Gonzales disclosed that aside from security preparations, the city government will also provide potable water at the Uhaw Cemetery, and will deploy a medical team and a standby ambulance in the area, including a rescue truck, in case of emergency. He advised the public to follow traffic advisories for a smooth travel and to avoid delay, as he urged them to refrain from bringing items that are prohibited in the cemeteries. “They should not bring firearms and bladed weapons, as well as alcoholic beverages and liquors since our authorities will most likely confiscate them,” Gonzales explained. (PGFruylan/PIA-Gensan)

South Cotabato padlocks 300 tunnels in gold rush site

• Source: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/s.-asia/philippines/171002-south-cotabato-padlocks-300-tunnels-in-gold-rush-site.html
• Sunday, 30 October 2011 04:20

ByThe Philippine star

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines: Local officials in South Cotabato padlocked 300 illegal tunnels in the gold rush village of Kematu in T’boli town, yesterday.

No violent resistance marred the implementation of the closure order that was served on the miners. The local officials were escorted by two teams of policemen and soldiers. Operators, displaced mine workers and their families watched helplessly as the team padlock the tunnels.

“An estimated 4,000 workers and their dependents will be affected by the closure of the gold tunnels,” said Bong Daquil, operations manager of one of the long-time small-scale miners belonging to the T’boli Minahang Bayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TMBMPC).

“For our family alone, we employ at least a hundred workers,” Daquil, a local policeman, said as he watched men nailing wood on the entrance of one of the bigger tunnels shared by several members of the cooperative.

Lourdes Jumilla, secretariat head of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board (PMRB) who led the team in implementing the closure order, said they only padlocked several gold mine tunnels “but all the operations in the small-scale mining area are shut down.”

“There are 300 tunnels and it would be very difficult to padlock them all, considering they’re up in the mountains and scattered,” she said. But it is not totally over for the small-scale miners.

“They’ll be allowed to operate again if they can comply with the requirements…they’ll then be given permits so they can resume operations,” Jumilla said noting the closure order was meant to force the small-scale miners to operate legally.

The closure of the small-scale mining area, comprising 21 hectares, came because of the overlapping land claim of the TMBMPC and the Maguan clan in the gold-rich mountain.

Police on full alert in GenSan for All Saints and All Souls days; 400 cops deployed in CDO

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/10/29/police-on-full-alert-in-gensan-for-all-saints-and-all-souls-days-400-cops-deployed-in-cdo/
• Saturday| October 29, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/28 October) — Police officers here and in the neighboring areas have placed all their units on full alert in preparation for the observance of the All Saints Day and All Soul’s Day. Senior Supt. Cedric Train, city police director, said security has been tightened in key areas of the city, especially in public transport terminals, cemeteries and major highways, to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance on Nov.1 and 2. In Cagayan de Oro City, some 400 police officers will be deployed to the city’s nine cemeteries for the All Saints and All Souls commemoration. Sr. Supt. Gerardo Rosales, city police chief said checkpoints have been installed in the city’s entry and exit points in Kinasanghan, Barangay Iponan in the west, Barangay Puerto in the east and Barangay Lumbia in the north. In Genral Santos City, Train said the elevation of the area’s alert status, which started at 6 pm Thursday, was part of the nationwide implementation of the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Kaluluwa 2011. “We’re now on full deployment and all our units are mandated to maintain full visibility within their areas of responsibility until the holidays are over,” he said. Under a full alert status, all police personnel are mandated to report for duty and all leaves of absence and days off are cancelled. Train said they have dispatched patrol teams to secure the city’s five cemeteries. He said they also tapped the village watchmen or Barangay Tanods and civilian volunteers to help secure the public cemeteries in Barangays Uhaw, Tinagacan, Bawing and Mabuhay as well as private memorial park, Forest Lake in Barangay Apopong. Train said the Philippine Army-led Joint Task Force GenSan has also committed to deploy a platoon of soldiers to help secure the cemeteries and transport terminals. Train assigned some personnel to secure and assist in directing traffic along the city’s main streets and highways. City Administrator Jose Mariano Gonzales said they have prepared a comprehensive traffic plan for the Nov. 1 and 2 holidays, to help avert the usual traffic congestion in the roads going to and from the cemeteries. He said the local government has also directed the city police to strictly observe and monitor the prohibition on the bringing of bladed weapons and liquor within the premises of the cemeteries. “We will be making rounds during the All Saints Day and All Soul’s Day to make sure that all the regulations and prohibitions set by the city government would be properly enforced,” Gonzales said. He said the local government will also establish assistance desks at the cemeteries, highways and terminals that would be manned by personnel from the city police, Army and the local Philippine Red Cross volunteers. In nearby South Cotabato province, police officials also directed the establishment of additional checkpoints in cemeteries, terminals and highways as part of the Oplan Kaluluwa 2011. Supt. Jemuel Siason, operations chief of the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office, said they directed the province’s police units to observe round-the-clock operations during the holidays. He said Senior Supt. Randolph Delfin, South Cotabato police director, will conduct regular visits in all police stations within the province’s 10 towns and lone city to make sure that all the necessary security arrangements are set in place. Siason said the visits will be done randomly every 8pm, 12 midnight and at 8am. In Cagayan de Oro City, Rosales said that aside from installing police assistance booths in the cemeteries, they will also provide security details at the city’s bus terminals, seaports and airport. “We are not focusing only on the cemeteries. We are also preparing for the expected increased entry of people in the city,” he said. He added they have been “monitoring what has been happening in the neighboring cities and region.” Rosales assured they have not received any intelligence report of any threat. “As far as Cagayan de Oro City is concerned, we have nothing to worry about,” he said. Maj. Eugene Julio Osias IV, spokesperson of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City, said the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council (JPSCC) in the region has already met for the security preparations. Osias said they have already deployed their K9 units and Explosives and Ordnance Division personnel to complement the police officers at “places where people usually congregate during this season like the malls, cemeteries, bus stations, seaports and airport.” “We have not received reports of any threat within the region but we are prepared for any eventuality. We can respond anywhere within the city limits within 10 minutes,” he said. (Allen V. Estabillo and Cong Corrales/MindaNews)

25 indigent patients in Gensan to avail open heart surgery

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=61564
• Friday, October 28, 2011

By Pops Gumana-Fruylan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 28 (PIA) -– The Heart Foundation of the Philippines in partnership with the General Santos City Medical Society will give support to some 25 indigent patients here for the free open heart surgery set on the last week of November in one of the collaborative hospitals in the city. In a press conference on Thursday (Oct. 27), Dr. Edwin Valencia, a cardiac surgeon based in Gensan, said a medical team will be in the City’s Doctors Hospital today for the final screening of patients. Valencia, however, clarified that not all patients who will come for the pre-screening are good candidates for operation. He said the beneficiaries for the surgical mission are only those patients who were seen by cardiologist in the past and were advised for surgery, but have no money. “We will only accommodate those who were screened for so many years, but could not afford the costly operation,” he pointed out. According to the Wikipedia, “an open heart surgery is a surgery in which the patient's heart is opened and surgery is performed on the internal structures of the heart.” Dr. Alicia Adarna, a cardiologist for over 20 years, disclosed that a cardiovascular operation costs one hundred eighty thousand pesos (Php180, 000) to eight hundred thousand pesos (Php800, 000) which is, indeed, very expensive. Valencia said that there were cases at the Philippine Heart Center when patients died before their slots for a cardiac surgery is scheduled since they could not afford to get operated immediately because of the high cost. Meanwhile, Dr. Adarna revealed that the Heart Foundation will be bringing its Open Heart team and other ICU equipment in Gensan in time for the actual date of the surgery. “As of now they are still inspecting the operating rooms of the hospitals in the city to find out which one is suited for the operation,” she explained. Moreover, former City Councilor, Dr. Orlando Acharon, revealed that the city government through Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio will also help in defraying the other expenses of the surgical mission. “The counterpart of the city government is transportation cost including the plane tickets of the volunteer doctors, accommodations, and foods,” he disclosed. Acharon said that the mayor is very supportive of this kind of endeavor especially that this will benefit the generals. “This free open heart surgery is really a big help especially for the less privileged in Gensan,” he opined. (PGFruylan/PIA-General Santos City)

All systems go for the 4th National ICT Summit in Gensan

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=61483
• Thursday, October 27, 2011

By Pops Gumana-Fruylan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 27 (PIA) –- The ICT Solutions Association of Region 12-General Santos City (ISA 12-GSC) is all set for this year’s hosting of the 4th National ICT Summit on November 4-6 at the KCC Convention Center here. ISA 12-GSC chair Ronald Velasquez, who is also the summit chair, said they are expecting some 400-500 information and communications technology (ICT) enthusiasts from all the major cities and provinces in the country as participants including foreign visitors from the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). With eight more days to go before the start of the event, Velasquez is optimistic that the organizers will be able to showcase the potentials of Gensan as the next ICT hub in the country especially for investors. Meanwhile, the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) revealed that this year’s summit which is anchored on the theme: “Championing Country-Wide Digital Development,” “rallies to strengthen and intensify infrastructures and institutions surrounding ICT in the country.” NICP chair, Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue said this is one gathering of ICT councils, “sharing a common vision of transforming the country into a world-class global services provider.” “The summit brings together experts to speak on improving ICT ecosystems in the countryside, updates on business process outsourcing and human capital development, and areas of collaboration to generate jobs and investment,” Batapa-Sigue disclosed. Moreover, Velasquez is also encouraging all stakeholders of the ICT industry to support and take part in this year’s gathering. Batapa-Sigue said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has already issued a memorandum circular which encourages local government units to participate in the said occasion. The 4th National ICT Summit is supported by Microsoft Philippines, e-PLDT, ABM Global Solutions, Teledevelopment and BPO Career Hubs, and the City Government of General Santos City. (PGFruylan/PIA-General Santos City)

Woman dies, 150 families lose homes in GenSan fire

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/10/26/woman-dies-150-families-lose-homes-in-gensan-fire/
• Wednesday| October 26, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/25 October) – A 78-year-old woman was killed while around 150 families were rendered homeless after a huge fire leveled down almost an entire community in a coastal village here Monday night. City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio said the fire, which reportedly started at 8:45 pm, razed to the ground around 150 houses at a portion of a crowded residential area in Purok Lower Puting Bato in Barangay Calumpang. She said an elderly woman identified as Leonora Mallorca was killed after the latter was trapped inside her burning house. Mallorca’s grandson identified as Michael dela Cruz sustained burns on his arms while reportedly fleeing the scene, she said. “Our fire trucks immediately responded to the area but it (fire) spread quite fast and engulfed almost the entire community in no time,” said the mayor, who also rushed to the scene. Reynaldo Salubre, Barangay Calumpang chair, said the local residents initially pointed to Mallorca’s house as the alleged origin of the fire. He said that prior to the incident, Mallorca was supposedly seen by some residents lighting a candle due to a power outage in the area. “According to initial reports, it might have been caused by an unattended lighted candle inside Mallorca’s house that eventually tripped and caught fire,” he said. Aided by the windy weather, Salubre said the fire spread rapidly into the other nearby houses, which were mostly made of light materials. He said the majority of the victims, who were mostly tuna fishing and canning workers, failed to save any of their belongings. Salubre said fire trucks and personnel from the city fire station and the volunteer fire brigade of local firm RD Corporation who responded to the scene were able to control the situation after about two hours. “They had difficulty penetrating the inner portions of the community due to the lack of accessible roads,” he said. Fire Officer 2 Allan Rey Imperio, investigator of the city fire station, said they were still investigating the cause of the fire but that the initial statements they gathered from several witness pointed to Mallorca’s house as the origin. “But these statements are not yet conclusive and still subject to proper verification and investigation,” he told reporters. Imperio said that based on their initial assessment, the incident left an estimated damage of P1.8 million. Meantime, Custodio said she immediately ordered the release of relief assistance to the affected residents, who were evacuated by the city government to the Barangay Calumpang gymnasium and the Antonio Acharon Sports Complex. She directed the City Social Welfare and Development Office to assess the immediate needs of the victims and the damage caused by the fire. “We will also assess if they can be relocated later on,” the mayor added. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

EU urges gov’t, MILF to pursue stronger ceasefire coordination

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=381627
• October 25, 2011, 3:47 pm

by (PNA)

RMA/FFC/AVE/RSS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 25 (PNA) - The European Union Delegation to the Philippines has urged the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to strengthen their coordination to avoid deadly clashes and for the International Monitoring Team (IMT) to conduct an independent probe on recent skirmishes in pockets of Mindanao.

The EU Delegation made the appeal on the heels of separate violent attacks since last week in Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay and Lanao del Norte that already left 29 soldiers dead.

Calls for an all-out war against the MILF came to fore especially with the Al Barka clashes on October 18 where 19 soldiers died.

In a statement, the EU Delegation said it welcomed the call for the IMT to conduct an independent investigation on the incidents.

“Such an investigation would help the parties to determine whether there have been violations of the cease-fire agreement and violations of the international law and human rights,” it said.

The EU Delegation appealed to the parties to strengthen coordination through the Joint Coordination Committee for the Cessation of Hostilities.

The EU, a member of the IMT on rehabilitation and development, will continue to support peaceful efforts to achieve long-lasting peace in Mindanao, the delegation said.

The group also lauded President Benigno Aquino III for reaffirming his commitment to achieve peace in Mindanao through a political settlement.

For the MILF, the EU delegation urged it to condemn the use of violence, at the same time hoping that the parties in the conflict will maintain an unwavering commitment to the ceasefire and the peace process.

Extortion eyed in Kabacan roadside blast

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=381331
• October 24, 2011, 2:47 pm

by (PNA)

LAP/AVE/RSS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 24 (PNA) - Police investigators were looking at extortion as the possible motive for the roadside bomb attack in Kabacan, North Cotabato that injured a female passenger Monday morning, an official said.

Supt. Joseph Semillano, Kabacan police chief, said the blast at around 6:55 a.m. in Barangay Kayaga could have been intended for a Rural Transit Bus from Cagayan de Oro en route to Tacurong City.

He identified the injured as a certain Sheila from Carmen, North Cotabato, who suffered a minor injury from a broken glass window.

The bomb was planted along the junction road, which is about two kilometers from the Rural Bus terminal, he said.

Semillano said they have tightened the security at the bus terminal following the explosion.

He did not say what was the make of the explosive as investigations were still progressing.

Semillano also declined to name the group behind the explosion pending results of the investigation.

He said this was the fifth incident involving a Rural Transit bus within North Cotabato province in recent years.

In October last year, 10 people were killed and several others injured when a bomb exploded inside a Rural Transit bus while cruising Matalam town en route to Tacurong City from Cagayan de Oro City.

It just came from a stopover in Kabacan town.

GenSan celebrates National Children’s Month

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=60606
• Sunday, October 23, 2011

by JP Aponesto & CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct 23 (PIA)-- The city government is celebrating the National Children’s Month from October 1-31, according to Rebecca V. Magante, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO). Magante disclosed the celebration kicked off with the hanging of streamers in all Day Care Centers bearing the celebration’s theme, “Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC) Para sa Bright Child: Paskilusin, Palakasin, Pagtulungan Natin!” Magante stressed the importance of LCPC in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Children (CRC) at the community level. She explained why the LCPC is being featured in this year’s celebration because the council, Magante said “plays a significant role in monitoring the number of abused child in their locality and in ensuring that child rights is strictly implemented.” The launching, she said was held last October 3 at the Oval Plaza gymnasium followed by the conduct of day care sessions based on the rights of children with biblical references which started October 3 to 14. The city government through the CSWDO has also prepared socio-cultural activities slated October 17-26 at the barangay and district level. The socio-cultural activities and competitions included the following: ethnic dance, folk dance, interpretative dance, choral, declamations, quiz bowl, draw and tell a story and calisthenics. The culmination day on October 31 will also feature the same socio-cultural activities and other fun-filled presentations at the Oval Plaza gymnasium. According to her, the socio-cultural activities are important to showcase the skills and talents of the participants especially the children, of which the celebration is intended. Magante has urged the public to join in the celebration and also prodded all parents to take an active role in protecting the rights of children being also the “first people” who should observe and uphold. Winners at district levels will also be presented on the culmination day, Magante said. (CPIO/PIA General Santos City)

DA promotes rice mechanization to attain rice sufficiency

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=60488
• Saturday, October 22, 2011

by PIA Press Release

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, October 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture is pushing the rice mechanization program to increase productivity and quality of rice and minimize post harvest losses. In a recent agri - machinery road show in this city, DA-PhilMech Applied Communication Division chief Dr. Rodolfo Estigo said our country has a very low level of mechanization which is estimated at 0.52 percent horsepower per hectare compared to our neighbors in Asia. Estigoy further said that the total of 16.47 percent grain losses is incurred during the post harvest activities. In drying and milling alone, according to Estigoy, the highest recorded losses are 34 and 36 percent, respectively. The DA official emphasized the necessity of adopting appropriate post harvest technologies and improved post harvest practices through the establishment of appropriate rice drying, storage, milling and processing facilities. He explained that this will improve processing, handling and storage and ensure the availability of good quality rice grains for food and seeds. The equipment included in the program, Estigoy pointed out, are primary and secondary machineries for on-farm mechanization and post harvest mechanization facilities. He said the primary machineries are hand tractor, 4-wheel tractor and thresher while the secondary machineries, Estigoy continued, are seed cleaner, reaper, drum seeder, mini combine harvester and combine harvester. Estigoy suggested that farmers should also acquire post harvest mechanization facilities to include multi-purpose drying pavement, biomass-flatbed dryers, multi-pass rice mill systems, recirculating dryer and biomass furnace. The qualified cooperators, according to the DA Applied Communication chief, are farmers associations or farmers cooperatives duly recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Labor and Employment or by the Cooperative Development Authority. He advised tinterested associations to coordinate with the nearest PhilMech and DA Field Units regarding the requirements in availing the rice mechanization program. (OTSUDARIA/PIA 12)

Socsargen Catholic Church leaders call for speedy justice for slain Italian priest

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=380863
• October 21, 2011, 3:07 pm

by (PNA)

LAP/AVE/RSS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 21 (PNA) – The Diocese of Marbel has joined the growing voices calling for the speedy resolution of the murder of Italian missionary Fr. Fausto Tentorio, who was gunned down by an unidentified suspect in Arakan Valley town in North Cotabato last October 17.

In a statement, Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez expressed solidarity with the Catholic faithful, the laity, the indigenous peoples and communities as well as the Muslim communities whom Fr. Tentorio had served selflessly and generously.

“His death has asked us to respond more to the needs of the poor. His death urges [us] to be on the side of the last, the least and the lost of our society,” Gutierrez said.

The Diocese of Marbel, which covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sarangani and this city or the Socsargen area, urged the Aquino administration to stand firm and bring into justice whoever the perpetrators are.

Gutierrez said the Department of Justice must take the lead in conducting the investigation that will shed light in the killing and bring about justice to build trust confidence in the democratic institution that will serve the common good.

The bishop noted that Fr. Tentorio was firm in denouncing “the presence of the gigantic mining company that destroys the land and the people.”

Gutierrez said that the death of Tentorio would not deter them from their mission to protect the rights of the poor.

“We grieve for the loss of this man. We are in pain for his death,” the bishop said.

Fr. Tentorio, parish priest of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Arakan Valley, was the third Italian member of the Rome-based Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions murdered in Mindanao since 1985.

Arakan Valley is under the Diocese of Kidapawan, a neighbor of the Diocese of Marbel.

Two cops, ex-barangay captain killed in separate incidents

• Source: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20111020nat5.html
• 10/20/2011

by N E W S B R I E F S

Two cops and a former barangay captain were shot dead in separate incidents in General Santos City, Laoag Ilocos Norte and Nagcarlan, Laguna yesterday, police report said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., identified the fatalities as PO1 Danson Banas, assigned to General Santos City PNP; SPO4 Edwin Aquino, assigned to the traffic division in Laoag City and Rito Javier, 53 of Nagcarlan Laguna.

Police report said POI Banas was gunned down by his common-law wife, POI Rowena Banas who is detailed at the office of the deputy city police chief for operations yesterday.

POI Danson Banas was assigned to the General Santos City Police Precinct No. 8. He was rushed to the hospital was but declared dead on arrival by attending physician.

The local police are still conducting probe to determine what triggered the killing.

The wife is now under police custody.

Meanwhile, local police operatives are still identifying the lone gunman who shot dead SPO4 Aquino at the Department of Public Safety in Laoag, City Ilocos Norte around 4:25 a.m. yesterday.

In Nagcarlan, Laguna a former barangay captain identified as Rito Javier was stabbed dead while sitting in front of the cooperative office in Barangay Talahib, Nagcarlan, Laguna around 11:30 a.m.

Chief Supt. Gilbert Cruz, Laguna provincial police director, said the victim died on the spot due to stab wounds on his neck.

The suspect has remained at large at press time.

MGB shelves 51 mining applications in Region 12

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=380297
• October 19, 2011, 5:50 pm

by (PNA)

DCT/FFC/AVE/RSS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 19 (PNA) -– Fifty-one mining applications have been rejected in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao in line with the government’s “use it or lose it” policy to revive the mining industry, officials said.

Constancio Paye Jr., Mines and Geosciences Bureau regional director, said there was a total of 69 mining applications that were reviewed across the region in line with the policy that aims to give serious investors the chance to utilize prospective mineralized zones.

While the regional MGB office rejected 51 applications, it endorsed to the main office 18 others for possible approval.

“We denied their applications for failure to submit the necessary requirements, mainly the FPIC [Free and Prior Informed Consent] from the tribal communities despite repeated reminders,” Paye said

An FPIC is a document where indigenous peoples give their consent for companies to operate in their ancestral lands.

Paye noted the disqualified mining companies are mostly based in Metro Manila and without any foreign backing.

Based on the regional MGB records, these companies have land applications ranging from 637 to 16,535 hectares in the different parts of Central Mindanao, a region covering the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani.

Hernani Abdon, MGB Region licensing and records division chief, said the purged mining companies have pending applications since 2008 and earlier.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje earlier directed the field offices to conduct a crackdown to cleanse non-moving mining applications as part of the government’s thrust to reform the mining sector.

MGB records earlier showed that there were at least 2,180 pending mining applications filed in various MGB regional offices.

Region 12 hosts the largest known undeveloped copper gold resources in Southeast Asia, a project pursued by Sagittarius Mines, Inc, which is controlled by Xstrata Copper, the world’s fourth largest copper producer.

Discovered in 1992, the Tampakan copper-gold deposit is a 2.4 billion ton mineral resource when measured at a 0.3 percent copper cut-off grade. It is estimated to contain 13.9 million tons of copper and 16.2 million ounces of gold, with potential for growth.

3 kids dead, 200 ill due to diarrhea in Sarangani village

• Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/78289/3-kids-dead-200-ill-due-to-diarrhea-in-sarangani-village
• 3:32 pm | Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

by Aquiles Z. Zonio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—Three children died while about 200 people fell ill due to diarrhea in the village of Tinoto in Maasim, Sarangani, the town’s health office said Tuesday. Jaileen Majar, Maasim health officer, said an outbreak of diarrhea had been declared in the village because of the rising number of cases since the disease was first reported a week ago. The victims that succumbed to diarrhea were five years old and below, Majar said. The municipal hospital in Maasim is now crowded with patients seeking medical treatment for the illness, she said. Because of the sheer number of diarrhea patients, Majar said the hospital could not accommodate all the patients so that makeshift beds had to be put up outside the facility. She said the municipal health office had taken water samples from the village to determine what has been causing the illness. Rajik Kudarat, Tinoto village chair said that because of the outbreak, the village had been declared under a state of calamity. He said this paved the way for the village government to use its 5-percent calamity fund to assist diarrhea victims in their medication. To prevent more people from being ill, Kudarat said the villagers had been advised to boil water for 10 minutes before drinking it to make sure that water-borne bacteria are killed. A cleanliness drive was also ongoing, he said.

GenSan allots P52.8-M for construction of gabion dikes

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=379741
• October 17, 2011, 3:16 pm

by (PNA)

LAP/FFC/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 17 (PNA) – The city government has earmarked some P52.8 million for the construction of additional gabion dikes along the banks of four major river systems that traverse six villages within the city.

Engr. John Marc Reyes, acting city engineer, said the new dikes will be installed in portions of the banks of the critical Silway, Calumpang, Apopong and Sinawal rivers to avert the perennial flooding in several communities in the area during the rainy periods.

“These will help stabilize the flow of these rivers and protect the communities situated near the river banks from heavy flooding,” he said.

Reyes said among the lined up projects is the P4.8-million gabion dike that would be constructed by next month along the banks of Silway River in Purok Johnny Ang Paradise in Barangay City Heights.

Reyes said they prioritized Barangay City Heights for the project due to the high risk of heavy flooding in the area.

Last week, 61 families from Puroks PI-16 and Johnny Ang Paradise were forced to evacuate due to the swelling of the Silway River, which triggered waist-deep floods in the area.

Silway River, which flows to Sarangani Bay, is the main outlet of several river-tributaries from the upland areas in nearby South Cotabato province.

In June and July, several portions of the dike along the Silway River suffered breaches and eventually collapsed following heavy rains in the area.

At the height of the floods then, some 20 feet of the protection dike in Barangay City Heights was destroyed, triggering massive flooding in nearby communities.

Local village officials and residents stacked hundreds of sand bags along the breached dike but they were washed away by last week’s floods.

“We’ll be constructing the new gabion dike at the upper portion of the river bank to ensure its stability in case the river’s water level would again rise,” Reyes said.

The official said the city government has also allocated P11 million for the new gabion dikes in Purok Lanton and Purok 6 of Sto. Nino in Barangay Apopong; P5.5 million for the Barangay Mabuhay dike; P12.4 million for the dikes in Purok Greenville and Purok Quilantang of Barangay Calumpang; P13.7 million for the dike in Barangay Labangal; and, P5.4 million for the dike in Barangay Dadiangas North.

The local government pushed for the construction of the gabion dikes, which have an estimated life span of five to 10 years, as an immediate solution to the flooding problems in the area.

The Department of Public Works and Highways earlier proposed for the construction of a six-kilometer mega dike for the Silway-Apopong-Sinawal river basin but the project would cost around P360 million.

GenSan allots P52.8-M for construction of gabion dikes

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=379741
• October 17, 2011, 3:16 pm

by (PNA)

LAP/FFC/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 17 (PNA) – The city government has earmarked some P52.8 million for the construction of additional gabion dikes along the banks of four major river systems that traverse six villages within the city.

Engr. John Marc Reyes, acting city engineer, said the new dikes will be installed in portions of the banks of the critical Silway, Calumpang, Apopong and Sinawal rivers to avert the perennial flooding in several communities in the area during the rainy periods.

“These will help stabilize the flow of these rivers and protect the communities situated near the river banks from heavy flooding,” he said.

Reyes said among the lined up projects is the P4.8-million gabion dike that would be constructed by next month along the banks of Silway River in Purok Johnny Ang Paradise in Barangay City Heights.

Reyes said they prioritized Barangay City Heights for the project due to the high risk of heavy flooding in the area.

Last week, 61 families from Puroks PI-16 and Johnny Ang Paradise were forced to evacuate due to the swelling of the Silway River, which triggered waist-deep floods in the area.

Silway River, which flows to Sarangani Bay, is the main outlet of several river-tributaries from the upland areas in nearby South Cotabato province.

In June and July, several portions of the dike along the Silway River suffered breaches and eventually collapsed following heavy rains in the area.

At the height of the floods then, some 20 feet of the protection dike in Barangay City Heights was destroyed, triggering massive flooding in nearby communities.

Local village officials and residents stacked hundreds of sand bags along the breached dike but they were washed away by last week’s floods.

“We’ll be constructing the new gabion dike at the upper portion of the river bank to ensure its stability in case the river’s water level would again rise,” Reyes said.

The official said the city government has also allocated P11 million for the new gabion dikes in Purok Lanton and Purok 6 of Sto. Nino in Barangay Apopong; P5.5 million for the Barangay Mabuhay dike; P12.4 million for the dikes in Purok Greenville and Purok Quilantang of Barangay Calumpang; P13.7 million for the dike in Barangay Labangal; and, P5.4 million for the dike in Barangay Dadiangas North.

The local government pushed for the construction of the gabion dikes, which have an estimated life span of five to 10 years, as an immediate solution to the flooding problems in the area.

The Department of Public Works and Highways earlier proposed for the construction of a six-kilometer mega dike for the Silway-Apopong-Sinawal river basin but the project would cost around P360 million.

GenSan public school receives ten new computers

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=59432
• Sunday, October 16, 2011

by Chris Sulit & CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct 16 (PIA) -- The public-private partnership (PPP) is taking off even in the education sector with the implementation of private sectors’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects in various public schools here. Recently, the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI) went beyond its commitment to address the social and economic development needs of less privileged communities and members of society through its CSR projects. The foundation, in cooperation with the South Cotabato Electric Cooperative (SOCOTECO) II signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Education for the turnover of ten brand new computer units to New Guadalupe Elementary School in barangay Conel here. Department of Education (DepEd) GenSan schools division representative Mario Bermudez, city councilor Margareth Rose Santos, Conel barangay captain Jose Santos and the school principal Yolanda Tagaban served as witnesses to the occasion. Bermudez said DepEd is thankful to Aboitiz and SOCOTECO for taking their social responsibility seriously. "We are looking forward to more assistance on computer literacy," he said. In her message, city councilor Santos, also chairperson on education expressed her sincerest gratitude to the foundation for giving importance to the significant role of new technology in uplifting the quality of education in public schools. "Quality education is a tool in the fight against poverty," she said. Together with the faculty, Tagaban also committed to take care of the equipment so that it will also benefit other students in the future. "We also expect the barangay council to help us in the maintenance of the computers by providing air conditioners that we can use in the facility to help prolong the computers’ lifespan utilization," she said. Barangay chieftain Santos said he will initiate the sourcing out of funds along with the entire barangay council for the air conditioners in support of the needs of the students. The computerization project in public schools was just among the many milestones that the AFI has implemented in the ground to attain its goal under CSR branding and promote public-private partnership. In 2010, it has also donated to public schools here and in Sarangani several sets of computers to boost the knowledge of students and teachers in the field of information technology (IT). (CPIO/PIA General Santos City)

Troops beef up security in South Cotabato mining areas

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=378952
• October 13, 2011, 5:25 pm

by (PNA)

DCT/FFC/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 13 (PNA) – Government troops operating in South Cotabato province beefed their presence in several mining areas in the wake of last week’s daring attacks by communist rebels on mining firms in Surigao del Norte.

Lt. Col. Alexis Noel Bravo, commander of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion (IB), said Thursday they assigned additional troops to help secure the operations and vital facilities of several mining companies that are presently based in the province.

“Mining companies are always potential targets of the NPA (New People’s Amy) as we’ve seen in Surigao. So we’ve taken up some security measures to prevent similar incidents from happening within our area of responsibility,” Bravo said.

The Army’s 27th IB “area of responsibility” covers the entire province of South Cotabato and portions of Sultan Kudarat and Davao del Sur provinces.

The mining operations in the province are mainly based in the municipalities of Tampakan, T’boli and Lake Sebu towns.

Foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) is currently exploring the mountains of Tampakan and nearby towns of Kiblawan in Davao del Sur and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat for its proposed large-scale copper and gold mining operations in the area.

Canadian-backed Tribal Mining Corporation is operating a gold and silver mining venture in T’boli town while conglomerate San Miguel Corporation is currently working on a coal mining project in the mountains of Lake Sebu town.

Bravo said they are currently reviewing the security plans and related arrangements employed by mining firms in the area.

He said they are mainly concerned with the security arrangements for the employees and facilities of the mining companies.

He said they were also closely coordinating mining company officials to check whether they received any extortion demands from NPA rebels.

“So far, it’s been negative. We have not received any report regarding movements by the NPA within our mining areas here in the past several weeks,” the official said.

On Monday last week, an estimated 300 NPA rebels attacked various facilities in Surigao del Norte of mining firm Nickel Asia Corp, the country’s largest nickel producer and partly owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd., that left a reported damage of P500 million.

Several years ago, NPA rebels also launched several attacks on the facilities and heavy equipment commissioned by SMI in the mountains of Tampakan town.

In one of the attacks, the rebels raided and torched the company’s main base camp in Barangay Tablu in Tampakan.

But Bravo said the presence of the NPA rebels in Tampakan town has so far diminished due to their successful dismantling of the NPA’s Front 76, the main rebel from that had operated in the area.

Late last month, the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command turned over the lead role of the internal security efforts to the provincial government of South Cotabato following the “clearing” of the communist rebels from the area.

“Right now, we have one rifle platoon deployed in Tampakan to secure everyone there and not only SMI,” Bravo added.

Cotabato City Central Pilot School to receive 45 schoolhouses from Aboitiz Group

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=58912
• Wednesday, October 12, 2011

by PIA Press Release

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct 12 (PIA)-- The day was festive and school children were flashing sweet smiles as they run around the newly-completed school building inside Cotabato City Central Pilot School (CCCPS). From a dilapidated and overcrowded one, the pre-school kids will now be occupying their fully furnished and well ventilated classroom. Assorted educational materials, colorful books, workbooks and learning tools have been arranged in such a way that the children will be in for a great play. This is one of the 45 Silid Pangarap schoolhouse built by the Aboitiz Group through the Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI). AFI has teamed up with the AGAPP (Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) Foundation to help pre-school children by providing 1 storey- 2 classroom building nationwide. Aboitiz Foundation Inc. pledged to build 45 Silid Pangarap buildings in two years in support to AGAPP Foundation's education initiatives. For 2011, 26 buildings will be turned-over, one of which was done recently in Cotabato City. Cotabato Light and Power, an Aboitiz company, facilitated the construction and selected Cotabato City Central Pilot School (CCCPS) as the recipient school basing from their volume of students and number of enrollees. "We would not forget, and forever, we would value every drop of the portion you have expended for our children’s behalf. We can guarantee you that we will take this as a precious gift because it is the product of your untainted intentions,” Wahabi Guiani, CCCPS Principal said. Danny Cerence, manager and project development officer of AFI who came all the way from Cebu Head Office to grace the event read Pinky Aquino – Abellada’s message, AGAPP chairperson: “Ang Silid Pangarap ay nakatayo na ngayon na may mga silya’t mesa, school supplies at aklat para sa kinder hangga’t Grade 3. May teacher training pa po itong kasama! Salamat sa Aboitiz Foundation, Cotabato Light, LGU, DepEd at school faculties, sa tulung-tulong nating mahanapan ng solusyon ang problema sa edukasyon.” About Php1.1-M has been set aside by Aboitiz Foundation Inc. for this project for AGAPP-CCCPS constructed by Compact II Gencon, Inc. The sturdy and attractive building was based on the same design of AGAPP schoolhouse nationwide. With complete books, supplies and teacher's training, this project is definitely on its way in making sure that all Grade 1-entrants have the necessary preparations to make them ready for academic challenges and consequently succeed in formal school. “We, at the Aboitiz Group are very happy with this donation. We are glad to be of service to our community. Certainly with the increasing number of pupils this project will be of great use for the welfare and education of the students especially with our pre-schoolers. Kami sa Cotabato Light at AFI ay inyong ka-AGAPP-ay,” Donjie Vertuoso spoke on behalf of Cotabato Light’s Resident Manager Crisente Ferolino. Present during the turnover were city councilors Hadji Abdullah Andang and Graham Nasser Dumama; DepEd 12 Superintendent Dr. Melinda Maruhom; Admin Officer V- Johnny Balawag; CLPC CSR Team headed by Anna Lea Lee Nataño, Project Engineer Anthony Bueno and other officers who made the nationwide project possible. (dannyescabarte/mpprudente/PIA General Santos City/CTA)

Flashfloods displace 61 families, damage 6 houses in GenSan

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=378435
• October 11, 2011, 6:22 pm

By (PNA)

DCT/FFC/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 11 (PNA) – Sixty-one families have evacuated while a total of six houses were destroyed as flashfloods swept anew two critical riverside communities here Monday night.

A report from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) said a portion of a dike along the banks of Silway River gave way anew at past 7 p.m. Monday, causing huge volumes of floodwater to spill towards nearby Puroks PI 16 and Johnny Ang Paradise of Barangay Dadiangas Heights.

The river’s water level reportedly rose early Monday night due to the heavy rains in nearby upland areas in South Cotabato province.

Based on initial accounts from local residents, six houses were swept away by rushing floodwaters, which triggered waist-deep floods within the two communities.

Lourdes Gambalan, Barangay City Heights council member, said the water level in the flooded area rose rapidly, prompting the village council to evacuate the affected residents to safer grounds at around 8 p.m.

She said the village’s rescue teams and vehicles brought the evacuees to the oval plaza gymnasium as directed by city government.

No casualties were reported as a result of the latest flashfloods, she said.

“A total of 61 families or 231 individuals have been rescued and temporarily evacuated from the two flooded communities,” said Gambalan, who acts as the village’s disaster operations coordinator.

Gambalan said the city government immediately released relief assistance to the evacuees in the form of food packs and other basic items.

She said the village’s volunteer health workers and personnel from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) are presently attending to the basic needs of the evacuees.

“We’re continuously monitoring the situation in the flooded area, especially if it’s still safe for the evacuees to return there. Right now, we’re still waiting for the CDRRMC’s advisory regarding this,” Gambalan said.

In June and July, several portions of the dike along the Silway River suffered breaches and eventually collapsed at the height of the heavy rains in the area.

At the height of the floods then, some 20 feet of the protection dike in Barangay City Heights was destroyed, triggering massive flooding in nearby communities.

In Barangay Dadiangas North, village officials said another 18 feet of the installed dike was also swept away during the floods.

The destruction of the dike caused heavy flooding and the evacuation of around 200 families from communities within four barangays traversed by the river.

Silway River, which flows to Sarangani Bay, is the main outlet of several river-tributaries from the upland areas in nearby South Cotabato province.

City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio already directed the repair of the damaged dike to prevent further flooding in the affected areas.

The mayor earlier endorsed a study on the possible relocation of residents from the affected communities, which were had been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Mines and Geosciences Bureau as high risk areas to flooding. (PNA) DCT/FFC/AVE

NUJP-GenSan Chapter revived

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/10/10/nujp-gensan-chapter-revived/
• Monday| October 10, 2011

By MindaNews

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/09 October) – Sixteen journalists from various media entities operating in this city and nearby provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani provinces gathered here Saturday afternoon to formally revive the defunct local chapter of the National Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP). The group held a general assembly, the first in three years, to officially reconstitute the NUJP-General Santos City chapter, elect a new set of officers and set its initial programs and activities. Freelance journalist Edwin Espejo was elected as chairperson of the revived NUJP chapter, which was first formed in 2004. Espejo, who was among the chapter’s pioneering members, writes for the Asian Correspondent, Newsbreak, MindaNews and several other online and print news organizations. The other elected chapter officers were Allen V. Estabillo of MindaNews as vice chairperson; Philip Salarda, station manager of Catholic Media Network’s dxCP, as secretary-general; and Rhea Lara of ABS-CBN General Santos as treasurer. Aquiles Zonio, Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent and the chapter’s pioneering chairperson, described the revival of the NUJP chapter in the city as timely and a very important step towards the promotion of press freedom as well as the welfare and safety of media workers in the area. He cited that General Santos City had been considered as among the country’s hotspots in terms of media killings as it posted the highest number of journalists who were killed in the line of duty since democracy was restored in 1986. Based on reports released by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), a total of 21 journalists from the city had been killed since 1986. Fourteen of the 32 media workers who were killed on November 23, 2009 in the infamous Ampatuan massacre in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao province came from this city. The massacre left a total of 58 persons dead. “It’s very important for us here to band together and take the necessary actions to ensure that none of these will ever happen to us or any of our colleagues,” said Zonio, who presided over the chapter’s general assembly. The city’s NUJP chapter was organized in 2004 at the height of the nationwide campaign against media killings. In 2005, local NUJP members assisted an IFJ-led fact-finding mission on the cases of media killings in the country. The result of the fact-finding mission, which was conducted on January 23 to February 1, 2005, was published by the IFJ in a report titled: “A Dangerous Profession: Press freedom under fire in the Philippines.” In July, a group of local journalists initially signified their desire to revive the city’s NUJP chapter in a meeting with NUJP national secretary-general Rowena Paraan. An ad hoc organizing committee led by Espejo was created last September 24 in a meeting that followed an NUJP-led training on investigating corruption attended by Paraan and NUJP’s Mindanao Safety Office coordinator JB Deveza. Espejo said the newly-revived NUJP chapter will pursue programs and activities focusing on the promotion of press freedom as well as safety and welfare of media workers in the area. He said the group is planning to launch several activities in line with the second anniversary of the Ampatuan massacre.

DA conducts 1st Mindanao Agri-Machinery Roadshow in Gensan

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=58245
• Sunday, October 09, 2011

By Angelica A. Laurilla

KORONADAL CITY, Oct. 9 (PIA) -- An array of farm machineries and equipment were presented to farmers, irrigators, local government officials, and agriculture personnel during the 1st Mindanao Agricultural Farm Machinery and Equipment Roadshow in General Santos City last week. The two-day AgriMachinery roadshow featured four wheel tractors, hand tractors, rice threshers, rice harvesters, hermetic cocoon storage, rotavator and many others. Participants to the roadshow came from all regions in Mindanao. In his keynote address, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala lauded the farmers for their efforts in sustaining rice production in the region. He said the roadshow is aimed at giving farmers a “personal hand” of selecting the latest farm technologies that they need. This activity is part of the 100 percent rice sufficiency by 2013 drive of the department’s Rice Mechanization Program. Alcala also pointed out that proper utilization of agricultural machinery will optimize the use of rice farm and its productivity lessening postharvest losses, especially in Mindanao which is being relied upon in boosting the country’s rice production because Luzon is always hit by typhoons. National Rice Program Coordinator Director Dante Delima said DA considers the choice of farmers as necessary especially in purchasing the equipment that will help them increase farm yields. Delima also presented a government “counterparting scheme” in the procurement of farm machineries and equipment wherein 85 percent of the cost will be shouldered by the national government through a DA grant and 15 percent will come from the concerned local government units. Procurement will still undergo the usual government bidding process. Agri-machinery companies and credit facilities were also provided time to present their services to farmers. The roadshow was conducted in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) and the city government of General Santos. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12/DA 12)

Herhof also eyes $100-M WTE facility in Sarangani

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2011/10/08/herhof-also-eyes-100-m-wte-facility-sarangani-183842
• Saturday, October 8, 2011

By Bong S. Sarmiento

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- German firm Herhof GmbH has recently forged an agreement with the local government unit (LGU) of Glan, Sarangani for the construction of a $100 million waste-to-energy facility there.

The foreign company is also eyeing the establishment of the same facility in Davao City with a total investment of $1.2 billion.

Glan Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr. said the project would be taken under a build-operate-transfer scheme.

"This agreement could serve as a catalyst that will catapult Glan as the next boom town in Mindanao. Imagine the jobs, revenue and ancillary enterprises that a $100-million investment can generate," he said in a statement.

Signing for Herhof were William J. Lima, president of TIG Green Technology Mindanao, and Michael C. Jimenez, president of Zehira USA, LLC, and Yap for the LGU.

Under the memorandum of agreement, Herhof will construct and develop waste management disposal plant facilities using “a highly reliable and safe technology from Germany called Stabilat-R Method.”

The agreement also provides that Herhof will own, operate and maintain all Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) Stabilat-R plant facilities that the company will develop for municipal solid waste processing, wastewater treatment, sewage sludge, leachate treatment for landfills, methane/biogas extraction, hospital waste plant, thermal treatment of secondary fuels, gasification processes, anaerobic treatment and possible power-generation technologies or the so-called "EVA Power Plant."

To ensure the successful operation of all its future facilities, as well as help generate local employment, the company will conduct employee training programs on maintenance, safety and overall plant management and will only hire local residents as workers and plant operators.

The local government, on the other hand, will allow Herhof to use its present landfill at Barangay Mudan for 25 years, renewable for another 25 years, as construction site of Phase 1 of the project at no cost to the company.

If the local government can bring in 1,000 tons of garbage daily at the six-hectare municipal dumpsite within two years from the signing of the agreement, an additional area of at least nine hectares will be provided to the company for its power plant facility under the same terms and conditions.

When already in place, the project will also serve as a major revenue-earner in that other towns, cities or provinces can make use of the facilities for their own garbage disposal after paying the dumping charges or "tipping fees," with the town and the company sharing the income equally.

With the minimum daily requirement of 1,000 tons of garbage "in the bag because of the additional load from outside sources," the company will start Phase II of the project -- the power plant facility, which will use treated and recycled garbage as fuel, according to the statement.

The agreement also provides that when the company recoups its investment after 25 years of operation, it shall turn over its facilities to the local government under the BOT scheme.

Communist group warns of more attacks vs 'abusive' firms

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2011/10/07/communist-group-warns-more-attacks-vs-abusive-firms-183611
• Friday, October 7, 2011

By Aquiles Z. Zonio/Bong Sarmiento/Ben Tesiorna/Jill Beltran/Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Communist rebels hailed the recent attacks against mining companies in Surigao del Norte and vowed to carry out punitive actions against those that "destroy the environment, exploit the workers and drive away indigenous people from their ancestral lands."

"We are serious and determined to protect our patrimony, sovereignty, and the general welfare and interests of the people and the environment. We will use the full potential of the revolutionary movement to carry out these just policies," said Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris, National Democratic Front (NDF) spokesman for Mindanao.

Oris issued the statement dated October 5, 2011, a copy of which was sent to Sun.Star, following the attacks Monday on three biggest mining companies in Claver town, Surigao del Norte that raised concerns over security of mining operations in the Philippines.

The New People's Army (NPA) under the Pulang Diwata Command (PDC) in the North-Eastern Mindanao Region disarmed guards, briefly held company staff, and torched company offices and heavy equipment during the attacks on three mines run by Nickel Asia Corp. and Platinum Group Metals Corp.

Australian and Japanese officials expressed concern Wednesday over the attacks, saying the incidents could hurt the Philippines' image.

"It's awful, I mean it's not only the damage to the equipment but the damage to the reputation of the Philippines that I'm worried (about)," said Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe.

But Madlos said the attack was timely and warranted against a "rapacious business interests that ravage the environment and natural resources, and intensify the exploitation and repression of workers, peasants, and the Lumad people."

He said the incident should serve as a warning to other big mining operations in Mindanao.

Madlos reminded Eastern Mining Corp. in Diwalwal, Monkayo, Compostela Valley; the Xtrata-SMI Mining Corp. in Tampakan, South Cotabato; the San Roque Mining Inc. in Tubay, Agusan del Norte; and the Toronto Ventures Inc. in Zamboanga Sibugay that similar punitive action will be meted out against them if they continue to violate NDF's policy on environment, labor and the indigenous peoples.

"Far worse than the mining operations, destructive agri-business companies, such as Dole, Del Monte, and large-scale oil palm plantations which have poisoned our soil, air, and water, deprived thousands of peasants and Lumads of land and means of living, and exploited and oppressed workers, are likewise subject to the same revolutionary policies," he said.

Other companies warned by the NDF were Philippine Sinter Corp.-Kawasaki, the coal-fired power plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental; and hydro-electric power plants, including business firms planning to put up similar environmentally destructive operations.

Malacanang, however, assured investors that security in the country's mining areas will be improved.

"We understand their concerns because we're just as disappointed of what happened there, so we've taken corrective actions. We are doing a threat assessment and we'll facilitative if necessary upon the recommendation of the DND (defense department), the AFP (armed forces) and the PNP (police)," presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

He said the military and the police have implemented immediate actions to ensure the safety of mining companies in the country.

In South Cotabato, for instance, Governor Arthur Pingoy Jr. assured that police and military personnel in the province are closely guarding the area.

"We are trying to secure all, and so we are on guard [all the time]," he said.

The governor appealed to the public and mining companies though to be vigilant against possible attacks by the communist rebels, citing the Provincial Government monitored NPA recruitment in Barangay Ned in Lake Sebu town and parts of Tampakan, South Cotabato.

Lake Sebu and Tampakan towns are home to huge coal and copper deposits, respectively, with San Miguel Corp. holding rights over the former and Sagittarius Mines Inc. on the latter.

Pingoy said government security troops are on top of the situation, noting that internal security efforts were turned over last week to the Provincial Government by the military.

Lacierda, meanwhile, said the government will look into allegations of abuses committed by Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) that triggered the Surigao del Norte attack.

In a statement, NDF-North Eastern Mindanao Region spokesperson Maria Malaya said the attack was in retaliation against the TMC, which has "ravaged the area for nearly 30 years."

"Instead of remitting P400 million in taxes to the [local government], through sheer bribery, the company is now only paying the local government P40 million. It is only right to punish this company," Malaya said.

It was also reported that several environmental groups were sympathetic with the NPA's action.

Lacierda maintained, however, that the NPA should not resort to violence in addressing issues with the mining firms, noting there are many pro environment members of the Aquino Cabinet that could have acted on those issues.

"All things being equal, you don't have to resort to violence to address those concerns," he said. "(That problem) could have been raised with us if there are violations."

But Madlos of the NDF described the Aquino government in the arena of environment as worse than the Gloria Arroyo regime.

The NDF spokesman for Mindanao criticized the current administration for conniving with destructive mining companies, such as Sumitomo, Nickel Asia Corporation and SRMI.

Madlos said that by allowing the companies to operate and destroy the environment, the Aquino administration shows that not the Filipino masses but the profit-hungry foreign capitalists and their local stooges are its real masters.

Around 200 to 300 rebels attacked Monday the TMC in Claver town and destroyed several of the company's facilities, including dump trucks, backhoes, barges, and a guest house.

Taganito is a unit of Nickel Asia Corp., which is partly owned by Japan's Sumitomo Metal Mining Co Ltd.

Another group of rebels attacked the nearby Platinum Metals Group Corp., also in Claver. Three hours later, another mine site operated by another Taganito company, Taganito HPAL Corporation, was also attacked by rebels.

The attack forced Nickel Asia to suspend its operations indefinitely. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, however, Nickel Asia said it already resumed operations.

The military said one of the reasons for the attack was the company's refusal to pay "revolutionary taxes" to the rebels.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines found, though, "serious lapses" committed by government forces on the field that allowed for the successful attacks.

President Benigno Aquino III then ordered the relief of the brigade commander assigned in Claver, Surigao del Norte, as well as of three police officials.

Authorities are still investigating the incident.

Bamboo project

• Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/336836/bamboo-project
• October 6, 2011, 4:29pm

By (PNA) DCT/FFC/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Some 200 members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) have undergone a one-day training on bamboo production conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at the MNLF headquarters in Koronadal City.

DENR Regional Director Alfredo Pascual said the MNLF members coming from the various regions in Mindanao were lectured on how to raise bamboo plantations not only as means of their livelihood but as well as to help mitigate soil erosion and climate change.

South Cotabato environment chief suspended, probed over illegal mining, transport of copper ore

• Source: hhttp://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=377190
• October 5, 2011, 5:51 pm

By (PNA) DCT/FFC/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 5 (PNA) -– South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. has suspended the province’s environment officer for 30 days in the wake of an ongoing investigation into the illegal mining activities in the province.

Pingoy said Wednesday he issued a memorandum suspending Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) chief Ramon Ponce de Leon effective last Monday to give way to an in-depth investigation regarding the illegal extraction and transport of copper ores from the mineral-rich mountains of Tampakan town.

He said Ponce de Leon was specifically investigated for issuing the ore transport permit that was used by illegal miners in transporting the extracted ores from the area last year.

“The 30-day preventive suspension (for Ponce de Leon) was recommended by the fact-finding team that we earlier commissioned to investigate the matter,” the governor said.

But Pingoy clarified that the suspension order does mean Ponce de Leon was already found guilty of alleged involvement in the illegal mining activities in Tampakan town.

He said the local government would give Ponce de Leon the chance to undergo a proper investigation and respond to all the accusations against him.

“If found guilty, he will be slapped with appropriate charges. But if proven innocent, he will immediately return to his work and would even be compensated by the provincial government,” he said.

Due to Ponce de Leon’s suspension, Pingoy designated Engr. Siegred Flaviano, PEMO’s Supervising Environment Management Specialist, as acting provincial environment chief.

Ponce de Leon was implicated in the illegal mining activities in Tampakan town following the seizure by a police and PEMO team in August last year of some 50 tons of illegally-extracted copper ores from the area.

The team initially intercepted some 420 sacks of raw copper ore estimated at over 22 tons while being transported out of Tampakan town aboard a 20-footer container van.

Another 652 sacks of copper ore pegged at around 30 tons were also recovered in a raid in at least two sites in Barangay Magsaysay in Koronadal City.

The team recovered at least seven copies of an ore transport permit issued by PEMO to the Lemblete Integrated Small Scale Mining Association based in Barangay Kematu in T’boli, South Cotabato.

The permit, which was dated August 2, 2010, was signed by Ponce de Leon and South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. and was accompanied by receipts signed by Provincial Treasurer Elvira Rafael that acknowledged a payment of P9,475.

Ponce de Leon admitted signing the documents but had denied any involvement in the illegal mining and transport of the mineral ores.

Pingoy earlier said the mineral ores were reportedly extracted illegally from the mountains of Tampakan in South Cotabato and Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, which were part of the proposed site of the large-scale copper and gold mining project of the foreign-backed Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI).

The proposed mining area reportedly hosts the largest underdeveloped copper and gold deposits in Southeast Asia.

SMI, which is controlled by global mining player Xstrata Copper, is currently trying to acquire an environmental clearance certificate for its planned operations, which was set to begin by 2016.

Weather Equipment

• Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/336581/zamboanga-mayor
• October 4, 2011, 2:33pm

By Mindanao Newsbits

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – Three automated weather stations (AWS) have been installed in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao in line with the government’s disaster mitigation modernization program nationwide, a top regional official from the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) said.

The installation of the disaster mitigation gadgets came on the heels of flooding that recurred last week in this city and parts of Maguindanao province, caused by rainfall and the massing of water hyacinths at the Rio Grande de Mindanao River. Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan, DoST-12 director, said the AWS can also be used to issue a tsunami warning to give people in coastal areas time to evacuate.

Disaster mitigation gadgets installed in Region 12

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=376678
• October 3, 2011, 4:52 pm

By (PNA) LAP/FFC/AVE/RSS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 3 (PNA) – Three automated weather stations (AWS) have been installed in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao in line with the government’s disaster mitigation modernization program nationwide, a top regional official from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said.

The installation of the disaster mitigation gadgets came on the heels of flooding that recurred last week in this city and parts of Maguindanao province, caused by rainfall and the massing of water hyacinths at the Rio Grande de Mindanao River.

Zenaida Hadji Raof Laidan, DOST-12 director, said the AWS can also be used to issue a tsunami warning to give people in coastal areas time to evacuate.

“The AWS is a modern weather tracking device that can do remote meteorological measurements and send data on a real-time basis,” she said in a statement.

She said that each AWS, which cost P250,000, was installed at the General Santos City airport, at the People’s Palace compound in Cotabato City and in Barangay Badyangon in the coastal town of Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat province.

She said that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), an attached agency of the DOST, is presently embarking on the establishment of AWS nationwide in line with its modernization program.

The project is in coordination with the DOST’s Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), which developed various instruments such as AWS to assist PAGASA in weather monitoring and forecasting.

PAGASA, in addition to the Doppler Radar installation project, needs the AWS to automate its ground stations in order to perform faster, more accurate and efficient data system to help in early warning and monitoring of potential disasters.

The automation of data acquisition and transmission will decrease operational cost and minimize the possibility of errors brought about by manual instruments, Laidan said.

The AWS project hopes to establish and maintain a nationwide environmental monitoring network that will continuously provide warnings for the mitigation of environment-related disasters.

Each AWS is equipped with sensors capable of measuring weather parameters, wind speed and direction, air temperature, air humidity, air pressure, rain volume, duration and intensity.

It will also help in monitoring flood and typhoon that may affect the locality.

PESO announces job fair for SM job vacancies

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=57161
• Sunday, October 02, 2011

By C. Sulit and CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) -– The city government has lauded the public-private partnership (PPP) as it progresses to mean more jobs for its constituents here. It said the SM management here has recently disclosed a number of work vacancies that will comprise its working force when it opens the first quarter next year. To fill up hundreds of job vacancies, SM in cooperation with the Public Employment Services Office (PESO), will have a job fair on October 3 and 4 at the Lagao Gymnasium here. PESO Chief Elizhiba Valdez said she expects some hundreds of Generals participating urging them not to miss the opportunity to be employed with the largest retail chain in the country. She also advised the applicants to be prepared with the basic requirements and be properly dressed as there will be a “spot interview.” "Please visit our office for the pre-registration and orientation," she said emphasizing that city residents are priorities in the hiring of positions. Valdez said some 500 job vacancies are available for the three divisions of SM Department Store here. For store operations group, SM needs branch operations manager; assistant branch manager; regional manager; group manager; counter and checking manager/supervisor; customer service manager/supervisor; Accounting; Marketing manager; inventory assistant; sales assistant; cashier/checker; sales clerk; sales utility clerk/stock clerk; warehouse manager/supervisor; customer relations service manager/supervisor representative; building administration officer; and customer service assistant. The biggest chain of store in the country also needs workers to fill up the positions for its support and administrative division: treasury manager/supervisor; accounting manager/officer; store consignor manager/supervisor; fixed assets and supplies manager; visual display officer; treasury assistant; project manager; assistant project manager; project engineer; and civil engineer. Aside from those mentioned, the management will also be hiring a design officer, operations manager, assistant operations manager, and resident engineer to man its engineering department. For more details, contact PESO at telephone number (083) 553-3479 or send e-mails to peso_gensan@yahoo.com. (CPIO/PIA General Santos City)

AFP will join MILF in hunt vs. Kato – EastMinCom

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/10/01/afp-will-join-milf-in-hunt-vs-kato-%E2%80%93-eastmincom/
• Saturday| October 1, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/30 Sept) – Government troops and Moro rebels will jointly hunt down breakaway Moro rebel commander Ameril Umra Kato once the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) officially severs its ties with the fugitive rebel leader. Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, commander of the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command, said Friday their troops are ready to pursue Kato but such move would be done based on the provisions of several agreements that had been signed by the MILF and the government peace panels as part of the ongoing peace negotiations. “We will do it in tandem with the MILF and based on the existing agreements,” Tabaquero said in a press conference in Koronadal City. He specifically cited the standing ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF and the accord’s supporting mechanisms, among them the Ad-hoc Joint Action Group or AHJAG. AHJAG is a joint government and MILF mechanism that seeks to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

MILF officials said earlier this week that the rebel group already dropped Kato from its roster after the latter did not heed the September 26 deadline set by the MILF for him to return to its fold. Kato, who earlier formed the breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), was also deemed by the MILF as no longer covered by the ceasefire agreement and the peace process. But Tabaquero said they are holding off any military actions against Kato “pending the issuance of a declaration from the MILF that he’s no longer part of them.” “We’re still waiting for the official statement from the MILF. We want to have the official documents (in our hands) first before acting on the matter,” he said. Von Al Haq, MILF spokesperson, earlier said the MILF central committee will soon issue an official statement regarding the status of Kato based on recommendations from the Ulama Council, an independent group of Islamic scholars. He said the MILF will then will then relay the matter to the government peace panel, through the Malaysian facilitator. Kato, who had openly expressed dismay over the slow pace of the peace process, cut off ties with the MILF and formed the BIFM and its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which is reportedly composed of 300 followers. MILF officials said Kato has been holding base at Camp Omar, an MILF bailiwick recognized by the government and MILF panels, and which lies in the boundary of Guindulungan and Datu Hoffer towns in Maguindanao. Kato is facing arrest for multiple murder, 15 counts of arson, nine counts of attempted murder and 26 counts of frustrated murder and robbery as a result of the attacks launched by his unit in North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces in 2008. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)

AFP, MILF to jointly hunt down Kato

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=376184
• September 30, 2011, 8:43 pm

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 30 (PNA) – Government troops and Moro rebels will jointly hunt down breakaway Moro rebel commander Ameril Umra Kato once the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) officially severs its ties with the fugitive rebel leader.

Lt. Gen. Arthur Tabaquero, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Eastern Mindanao Command, said on Friday AFP troops are ready to pursue Kato but such move would be done based on the provisions of several agreements that had been signed by the MILF and the government peace panels as part of the ongoing peace negotiations.

“We will do it in tandem with the MILF and based on the existing agreements,” he said in a press conference in Koronadal City.

The official specifically cited the standing ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF and the accord’s supporting mechanisms, among them the Ad-Hoc Joint Action Group or AHJAG.

AHJAG is a joint government and MILF mechanism that seeks to interdict and isolate lawless elements that take refuge in or near MILF communities.

MILF officials said earlier this week that the rebel group already dropped Kato from its roster after the latter did not heed the September 26 deadline set by the MILF for him to return to its fold.

Kato, who earlier formed the breakaway group Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement (BIFM), was also deemed by the MILF as no longer covered by the ceasefire agreement and the peace process.

But Tabaquero said they are holding off any military actions against Kato “pending the issuance of a declaration from the MILF that he’s no longer part of them.”

“We’re still waiting for the official statement from the MILF. We want to have the official documents (in our hands) first before acting on the matter,” he said.

Von Al Haq, MILF spokesperson, earlier said the MILF central committee will soon issue an official statement regarding the status of Kato based on recommendations from the Ulama Council, an independent group of Islamic scholars.

He said the MILF will then relay the matter to the government peace panel, through the Malaysian facilitator.

Kato, who had openly expressed dismay over the slow pace of the peace process, cut off ties with the MILF and formed the BIFM and its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which is reportedly composed of 300 followers.

MILF officials said Kato has been holding base at Camp Omar, an MILF bailiwick recognized by the government and MILF panels, and which lies in the boundary of Guindulungan and Datu Hoffer towns in Maguindanao.

Kato is facing arrest for multiple murder, 15 counts of arson, nine counts of attempted murder and 26 counts of frustrated murder and robbery as a result of the attacks launched by his unit in North Cotabato and Maguindanao provinces in 2008. (PNA) scs/FFC/AVE

DENR revamp

• Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/336040/hospital-rehab
• September 29, 2011, 4:31pm

By Joseph Jubelag

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Central Mindanao has implemented a revamp in the provincial and regional offices aimed at improving its organizational efficiency.

DENR Regional Executive Director Alfredo Pascual has designated Geronimo Sequito, the head of the Land Management Service of DENR regional office, as provincial environment and natural resources officer for Sultan Kudarat vice Morakie Domanday, who was reassigned to the post left by Sequito. The DENR officers were both appointed in their concurrent positions as officers-in-charge. rs subject to renewal.

Construction of SM-Gensan car park ordered stopped

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2011/09/27/construction-sm-gensan-car-park-ordered-stopped-181696
• Tuesday, September 27, 2011

By Aquiles Z. Zonio and Edwin G. Espejo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- The City Engineer's Office here ordered the temporary suspension of the construction of the multi-storey car park building of SM-Gensan in the wake of an accident, which resulted to the injury of four of its construction workers.

Engineer John March Reyes, acting City Engineer, said he issued the notice of stoppage order today to ensure the safety of the workers and the building itself.

"The structural engineer of the company is expected to arrive today to conduct inspection and investigation. The company has hired the services of private construction firms and we are just a regulatory body," Reyes said.

Reyes said the suspension remains in effect until such time the company's structural engineer can submit result of the investigation and a new building plan and design.

According to Reyes, once the structural engineer certifies the safety of the building, "Our office will issue a new building permit to them."

Reyes clarified that the accident took place in a separate building being constructed at the eastern portion of the seven-hectare lot leased for 25 years by SM Holdings.

"The accident took place in a seven-storey car park building, not the main building itself. The fourth floor of the building collapsed down to the second floor while the workers were loading mixed cement early Sunday morning," Reyes said.

SM management hastily called for a press conference Sunday afternoon but the officials of the construction firms contracted for the project refused to answer questions from the media.

Janjan Macailing, host of Radyo Bombo's public affairs daily program "Bombohanay Bigtime," criticized the mall management for withholding information needed by the media.

"Did you invite the media just to eat with you? Not to give valuable information that could shed light on the incident?" a visibly dismayed Macailing said.

Macailing claimed the safety of the public is at stake and the company has the moral responsibility to provide the needed information.

The mall management cordoned off the building to preserve the evidence while investigation is being conducted.

The four victims were identified as Henry Gallaza, Cesar John Rense, Allan Salkoretes and Rogelio Buban, who reportedly sustained a spinal injury.

The incident happened around 4 a.m. Sunday.

Monolith Construction declined to issue any further statement during a press conference it organized late Sunday afternoon, saying the incident is now under investigation.

Project engineer Jeston Mangete likewise refused to comment on reports the integrity of the building may have been compromised by alleged pilferage of round bars from the construction site.

The SM mall complex is said to be biggest of its kind in Mindanao, according to Hans Sy of SM Prime Holdings, who recently visited the city to turn over to the local government the 440-meter two-lane concrete road it constructed to expand its front entrance road access.

Sy said they expect to open the mall in the first quarter of next year.

The area is now cordoned off and members of the local press are barred from entering the construction site.

The city engineer, however, said construction at the main SM building will still proceed as the cark park building is a separate structure and has a separate building permit.

Monolith Construction, a Quezon City-based construction company, could not give estimate to the losses the damaged and the delay will cause to the project.

The contractor however said the collapse portion of the building covered at least 390 square meters and it completely also damaged the third and second floor areas. The damage portion separated the southern and northern portions of the building.

There was no immediate statement from SM Prime Holdings on the matter.

SM is reportedly leasing the land from the Salazar family which lease contract covers 20 years subject to renewal.

SM building in GenSan collapses

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/26/sm-building-in-gensan-collapses/
• Monday| September 26, 2011

By Edwin G. Espejo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/25 September) — Four people were injured when the fourth floor of the car park building of the SM mall complex in General Santos City that was undergoing construction collapsed at dawn Sunday. Construction activities were immediately halted at the east wing of the mall along San Miguel Street, according to City Engineer’s Office chief Mark Reyes. Monolith Construction declined to issue any further statement during a press conference it organized late Sunday afternoon, saying the incident is now under investigation. Project engineer Jeston Mangete likewise refused to comment on reports the integrity of the building may have been compromised by alleged pilferage of round bars from the construction site. The SM mall complex is said to be the biggest of its kind in Mindanao, according to Hans Sy of SM Prime Holdings who recently visited the city to turn over to the local government the 440-meter two-lane concrete road it constructed to expand its front entrance road access. Sy said they expect to open the mall in the first quarter of next year. Reyes said their own investigators have not entered yet the collapsed construction site saying they are still waiting for SM structural and civil engineers who are expected to fly in Monday. The area is now cordoned off and reporters are barred from entering the construction site. The city engineer however said construction at the main SM building will still proceed as the cark park building is a separate structure and has a separate building permit. Monolith Construction, a Quezon City-based construction company, could not give an estimate on the losses the damage and the delay will cause to the project. The contractor however said the collapsed portion of the building covered at least 390 square meters and it also completely damaged the third and second floor areas. The damaged portion separated the southern and northern portions of the building. There was no immediate statement from SM Prime Holdings on the matter. SM is the fifth and the biggest shopping mall to rise in the city at a cost of P2.5 billion. In 2009, Robinson Place opened its mall along J. Catolico Street. The others are Gaisano General Santos, KCC Gensan and Fitmart. The Henry Sy-owned SM Mall in General Santos reportedly has a floor area of around 150,000 square meters and will employ roughly 500 directly hired workers. SM is reportedly leasing the land from the Salazar family which lease contract covers 20 years subject to renewal.

DA putting up Asparagus facility

• Source: http://www.agripinoy.net/da-putting-up-asparagus-facility.html
• September 25, 2011

By goGreen

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture is constructing a P3.75-million asparagus packing facility at Barangay San Jose, in General Santos City (GenSan), in a bid to transform the area and the SOCSKSARGEN region into a major high-value crop producer, on top of its distinction as the ‘tuna capital’ of the Philippines. Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and GenSan Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio recently led the ceremonial groundbreaking of the facility that will benefit 60 farmer-members of the Greenland Asparagus Producers Multipurpose Cooperative (GAPMC). The facility is funded by the DA’s High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and the National Agribusiness Corporation (NABCOR). Sec. Alcala also committed to allot P10 million for the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) next year, among other interventions, to transform GenSan into a major producer of high-value crops, including onions and garlic. The GAPMC farmer-members, led by chairman Roger Pascual, currently plant a total of 15 hectares, where they harvest an aver-age of 300 to 400 kilos of asparagus shoots daily which are being sorted and packed in a makeshift hut. The GAPMC was organized in 2008. Pascual said most of them were former contract growers of Marsman-Drysdale Agriventures, Inc. With the new packing facility, which will be completed by end of October, Pascual said the GAPMC would be able to double their capacity of up to 800 kilos per day.Currently they supply major supermarkets, restaurants and hotels in Metro Manila. “I would therefore like to see farmers here in General Santos City to improve their quality of life in the next one and a half years,” Sec. Alcala said during the simple groundbreaking ceremony. He thus encouraged the GAPMC farmer-members to expand their respective areas planted to asparagus. He also urged them to consider planting other suitable crops like onions and garlic, as GenSan and other areas in SOCSKSARGEN or Region 12 have fertile soil and favorable weather conditions year-round. Sec. Alcala instructed DA-Region 12 director Amelia Datukan to look at an initial area of at least 100 hectares that could be planted to onions and garlic next year. GAPMC chairman Pascual said in GenSan alone there are about 5,000 hectares that could be planted to high value crops.

Tampakan police involved in illegal mining?

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/23/tampakan-police-involved-in-illegal-mining/
• Friday| September 23, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/22 September) – Police officials in South Cotabato province have vowed to investigate the alleged involvement of police personnel in Tampakan town in the continuing illegal mining activities in the area. Senior Supt. Randolph Delfin, South Cotabato police director, said in a press conference on Wednesday that he will personally look into claims by tribal leaders of Tampakan that some policemen in the area have allegedly been acting as protectors of the destructive illegal “banlas” or sluice mining operations. Two weeks ago, B’laan tribal chieftain Dalina Samling of Barangay Danlag in Tampakan revealed in a public forum in Koronadal City that the illegal sluice mining activities in some upland villages in the area have persisted due to the protection given by local policemen. She said some policemen assigned at the municipal police station supposedly act as tipsters for the illegal miners whenever a raid would be launched by the joint anti-illegal mining task force that was earlier activated by the municipal government of Tampakan and the provincial government of South Cotabato. “(The task force) should not involve the policemen who were in contact with these illegal miners in their raids. These policemen should be transferred to other areas,” she said during a recent signing of a memorandum of agreement for a tree-growing project in Tampakan. Delfin urged tribal leaders of Tampakan and other local residents to provide them with more information regarding the matter, especially the identity of the policemen involved. “I will take this up with the concerned (police) officials and personnel. Rest assured that I will personally look into it,” the police official said. Tampakan officials admitted that the local government is facing difficulty in apprehending those behind the illegal mining activities due to the mobile type of operations employed by the miners. Eileen Estrada, Tampakan municipal environment and natural resources officer, said that the recent raids conducted by the joint anti-illegal mining task force had become futile as the illegal miners were no longer around when they reached the area. “It’s basically a hide and seek game there,” she said. Tampakan Mayor Leonardo Escobillo said they received reports that some mining operators from the Mt. Diwalwal gold rush area have transferred to his town to pursue illegal mining activities. He said the illegal operations were reportedly backed by financiers or investors that have links to some politicians, whom he did not identify. “Our higher authorities should look into this matter. We need to protect our forests and (mineral) resources from these illegal activities,” the mayor said. “Banlas” or sluice mining involves the pouring of large amounts of water on a mountain’s surface to extract the rocks containing the gold ore, and then pan them with mercury. The use of the illegal mining method was first uncovered in T’boli town, another gold rush site in South Cotabato, and has invaded Tampakan town a few years ago despite the crackdown ordered by the provincial government. Reports said the sluice mining operations are centered in Kampo Kilot of Barangay Pulabato in Tampakan, where at least two hectares of a mountain in the area was already destroyed based on an aerial survey earlier conducted by the provincial government. Last April, four people were killed in the area due to a major landslide, which local authorities blamed on the illegal mining operations. In August, the local government of Tampakan reported that a water analysis of the rivers near the illegal mining sites showed that the level of mercury in the water has already reached 1.7 microgram per liter (mc/L) or “340 times beyond the maximum limit for the protection of public health.”

Gensan folk celebrate return of homegrown beauty queen

• Source: http://www.goldstardailynews.com/soccsksargen--xii/6056-gensan-folk-celebrate-return-of-homegrown-beauty-queen.html
• Thursday, 22 September 2011

By Gold Star Daily

GENERAL Santos City--Wild cheers and enthusiastic smiles greeted 2011 Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup as she finally returned home to this city yesterday morning to a rousing homecoming celebration "fit for a returning queen." Thousands of residents crowded the city's main streets to get a glimpse of the returning beauty queen who was third runner-up in the 60th Miss Universe pageant last week in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Supsup, who was accom-panied by her mother Marcey, arrived at the city airport here at around 9:05 am aboard a private jet from Manila amid a colorful welcome cultural presentation and an upbeat tune from a waiting brass band. She was met by her father Timoteo, city officials led by Mayor Darlene Custodio and Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. as well hundreds of other well-wishers. Supsup, who appeared elegant in a white and blue gown adorned with her Miss Universe sash, was later joined by her parents, Mayor Custodio and Rep. Acharon in the royalty-themed float prepared by city hall for the motorcade from the city airport to the city proper.

During the nearly two-hour motorcade, residents came out and lined up along the sides of the city's streets to cheer the 25-year-old beauty queen who grew up in Barangay Katangawan here. On some public and private office buildings were tarpaulins and streamers welcoming Supsup and congratulating her Miss Universe feat.

Some 5,000 people greet-ed Supsup's motorcade at the city hall grounds where a brief welcome program and press conference was held. "This is our way of showing our deep appreciation to Shamcey for bringing honor and pride to the city of General Santos," Custodio said.

Supsup thanked residents and officials for supporting her and for the rousing home-coming celebration. "I'm so excited and really happy to be back home. I can't thank you enough for the all-out support that you have given me these past months," she said. pna

Tagum City eyed for another SM mall

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2011/09/21/tagum-city-eyed-another-sm-mall-180591
• Wednesday, September 21, 2011

By Nelson C. Bagaforo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- True to its thrust of strengthening its presence in Mindanao, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., which operates SM supermalls, is eyeing Tagum City where it can establish another mall.

SM Prime Holdings president Hans T. Sy said that other than the cities of Zamboanga and Butuan where SM malls will rise in the next years, they are also looking at the capital city of Davao del Norte as another area for expansion.

"We are looking at Tagum City as our next area for expansion, considering its growing economy," he told Sun.Star in an interview at the sidelines of the inauguration of newly-widened San Miguel Street here, where Mindanao's biggest mall, the SM City General Santos, is located.

SM spent P45 million for the project to ensure smooth flow of traffic when the mall starts to operate.

Sy said they have already found a location where they can construct SM mall in Tagum.

"The property is now under negotiation. May mga bahay pa kase sa area," he said.

Sy was in this city to grace the opening of newly-widened 440-meter San Miguel Street in Lagao, where one of the entrances of the mall is located.

SM Prime Holdings spent P4 million for the project.

Also at the event are city officials, led by City Mayor Darlene Antonino, Representative Pedro Acharon and the Salazar matriarch Sufradia Las Marias Salazar.

The property where SM Gensan stands is covered by a 20-year lease contract entered by SM Prime Holdings and the Salazars.

"Every time we invest in a place, we always see that we have the return of investment in 9-10 years, so the the 0-year contract would be okay," Sy said.

Sy said total investment they have poured in for the construction of the GenSan mall, which is now 90 percent complete, is pegged at P2.5 billion, much higher than their investment for the construction of SM Lanang in Davao City, placed at P2 billion.

SM Lanang is targeted to be completed in the last quarter of next year, while SM GenSan will open earlier during the first quarter of 2012.

"This is our thrust. We want to intensify our presence in Mindanao," Sy said, but was quick to add SM has no plan of getting hold or monopolizing the retail market in the island.

"We are here not to eat the pie, but we’re here to make the pie bigger," he said.

Once fully operational, SM GenSan can generate at least 3,000 jobs.

Mindanao's biggest mall to open soon

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/business/2011/09/20/mindanaos-biggest-mall-open-soon-180380
• Tuesday, September 20, 2011

By Nelson C. Bagaforo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- SM City General Santos, Mindanao's biggest mall is set to open in the first quarter of next year in this city, touted as the country's "tuna capital", targeting a huge retail market in one of the country’s fastest growing regions, the Soccsksargen area.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. president Hans T. Sy, on Sunday said SM Gensan has a total floor area of 150,000 square meters, including the parking area, situated in a 17-hectare property they are leasing from one of the city’s pioneering families -- the Salazars.

"This our biggest in Mindanao," Sy told Sun.Star Davao.

Sy was in this city to grace the opening of newly widened 440 meter San Miguel street in Lagao, where one of the entrances of the mall is located. SM Prime Holdings spent P4 million for the project.

Also at the event are city officials, led by City Mayor Darlene Antonino, Representative Pedro Acharon and the Salazar matriarch Sufradia Las Marias Salazar.

The property where SM Gensan stands is covered by a 20-year lease contract entered by SM Prime Holdings and the Salazars.

"Everytime we invest in a place, we always see that we have the return of investment in 9-10 years, so the 10-year contract would be okay," Sy said.

Sy said total investment they have poured in for the construction of the Gensan mall, which is now 90 percent complete, is pegged at P2.5 billion, much higher than their investment for the construction of SM Lanang in Davao City, placed at P2 billion. SM Lanang is targeted to be completed in the last quarter of next year.

"This is our thrust. We want to intensify our presence in Mindanao," Sy said, but was quick to add SM has no plan of getting hold or monopolize the retail market on the island.

"We are here not to eat the pie, but we’re here to make the pie bigger," he said.

Sy said their next target in Mindanao, after the opening of SM Lanang next year, are the cities of Butuan and Zamboanga.

"These are the two areas we are looking at. The property we eye for the construction of these malls is now under negotiation," he said.

Gen San beauty competes for Ms World Phil

• Source: http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/37989-Gen-San-beauty-competes-for-Ms-World-Phil.html
• Monday, September 19. 2011

By Chris Sulit

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — After Shamcey Supsup made the country proud by bagging the 3rd runner-up title in the recently-concluded Miss Universe, another lady from GenSan gave honor and pride when she became one of the finalists to the Miss World Philippines (MWP) Beauty Pageant. She is Gaydra Libres Rama, 23, a nurse from Brgy. Apopong and former employee of General City District Hospital here. To prepare herself for a big break, Gaydra joined quite a few pageants and modeling contests in the locality winning the first place in Sarangani Bay Bodies held in Glan in 2009 and also won the Miss Sarangani crown. Her participation to the Slimmers World 2010, Ms Bikini Philippines gained her much experience for her next challenge. Gaydra tagged candidate No. 8 together with others was presented in August as one of the 25 finalists to the Miss World Philippines. The Miss World Philippines winner will represent the country to the Miss World 2011 slated in November in London, United Kingdom. The first lucky Miss World Philippines titleholder will take home Php1-million and a condominium unit. MWP Country Director Cory Quirino acquired the license from the Miss World Ltd. last January and will hold the maiden Miss World Philippines 2011 Coronation Night on September 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The candidate who will garner the highest vote (via text or internet) will automatically be included in the finals. MWP followers can visit www.missworldphilippines.com where they can choose their favorite candidate to vote for.

SouthCot has new police chief

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/16/southcot-has-new-police-chief/
• Friday| September 16, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/15 Sept) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has designated a veteran intelligence officer from Northern Luzon as the new provincial police director of South Cotabato. Senior Supt. Randolf Delfin, the former intelligence chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Northern Luzon, formally assumed as the new South Cotabato police director on Wednesday following a simple turnover ceremony in Koronadal City. Delfin replaced Senior Supt. Nilo Wong, who is set to retire from police service on September 26. Delfin is a member of the Philippine National Police Academy class of 1984 and a classmate of General Santos City police director Senior Supt. Cedric Train. “He’s very efficient and he’s the kind of officer who is quite a disciplinarian and very serious when it comes to his work,” Wong said of his successor. Delfin, who is on his first assignment in Mindanao, admitted that he is very strict when it comes to the conduct and accomplishment of the mandates and assigned works of his subordinates but assured that he would back them up if they are properly doing their jobs. “I am a disciplinarian. I am strict. But as long as my men are acting right, I don’t think I would be very hard on them,” he told reporters. Delfin, who immediately joined a meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPPOC) after the turnover rites, said he will focus his attention in addressing the rising cases of criminal activities within the province’s 10 towns and lone city. He said they will implement maximum police visibility throughout the province to prevent the movement of criminal elements and the occurrence of various street crimes. Police records showed that the cases of murder, robbery and carnapping or theft of motorcycles in the province has so far increased since January. In 2010, the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office recorded a total of 13 murder cases, 82 robberies and 20 carnapping incidents. But as of Wednesday, it already recorded 26 murder cases, 83 robberies and 21 carnapping incidents, some victims of which were murdered. South Cotabato Gov. Arthur Pingoy Jr. said he was very satisfied with the assignment of Delfin to the province and vowed his full support to the latter’s leadership. “We’ll provide them necessary support to make sure that they accomplish their mandates properly and also gain the full trust and confidence of our constituents,” he said. South Cotabato board member Agustin Dema-ala, chair of the provincial board’s peace and order committee, said he expects Delfin to work harder and bring in immediate results in terms of the rising crime incidents in the province. “In his (PPOC) presentation, he detailed specific plans and actions and so we expect results the soonest possible time,” he said.

MSU Turns Gold

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/lifestyle/2011/09/15/msu-turns-gold-179444
• Thursday, September 15, 2011

By Russtum G. Pelima

GENERAL SANTOS CITY - At the Golden Anniversary celebration of the Mindanao State University (MSU) System this year, MSU-General Santos City hints its other side of the academe: Music.

The system, founded in September 1, 1961, is composed of eleven campuses throughout Mindanao. Serving Mindanaoans for 50 years now, they are in unison with the theme: "Integrating People and Building Societies Through Quality Education in a Culture of Peace."

At the peak of the two-week-long intramurals, MSUans showcased their musical ingenuity at the Battle of the Bands and songwriting competition Thursday night (September 8) at the campus gym. Fourteen bands across colleges joined the contest.

"Brilliant," singer/composer Eric Gancio exclaimed.

Eric Gancio is founder of the Yano Band that made its way magically to the top during the early 1990s. The Yano music, some of which are Banal Na Aso, Tsinelas, Kamusta Na, State U, Es Em, Senti, continues to live on in the societies of the young and the idealists who want change.

"We have to have a change of mentality for the positive," Gancio said before he began his repertoire as guest performer.

He would mean, as he would always say in a usual discourse, a change of perspective. The saga of his time has his own view of nation building. He said that music wise, MSU is a nation of its own making a national celebration of its music.

For Eric, it doesn't make a difference after all to be local or national, at least as an artist.

Championing the tilt was Ninja Turtles who had uniquely prepared for the night, even using the wide screen in trying to communicate through visuals images in the campus that jive with their chorus, "MSUan ako."

Second was the Tune-Up Band, and third was the Green Republic, an all-female band from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

"We were able to compose that song because we are proud to be MSUans and we know we can do something good for the future," Green Republic band leader Erine Dejecacion revealed.

The band's entry "Posible" is a song depicting life in MSU as a student in search for knowledge and has the zeal to get involved.

Committee chair Professor Robert Pasion said it took patience to gather the bands for screening.

"I must provide them the guidance and some mechanics. This is a contest and they are bound to follow some rules. In everything else, they were on their own," Pasion said.

Smart Telecommunications, Inc. provided prizes for the winners. Smart has been supporting MSU in various university activities as part of its program for education. In tourism, Smart launched its Infoboard SIM in partnership with the Department of Tourism at the General Santos City Tuna Festival within the week.

GenSan Tuna Festival 2011: Exploring new depths and challenges

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=54193
• Wednesday, September 14, 2011

by CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept 14 (PIA)--- Spectators partaking in the celebration of Tuna Festival 2011 crowded the streets here from start to finish. The Tuna Festival kicked off September 1 with the 13th National Tuna Congress keeping the tradition alive each year since it started in 1998. The Tuna Festival’s week-long activities were part of the month-long celebration of the 43rd Charter Anniversary of this city which opened August 5 with the theme, “Exploring New Depths, Conquering New Challenges.” The anniversary and the Tuna Festival celebration ended September 5, which was also a special non-working holiday in GenSan pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 219. SocSarGen Federation of Fishing and Allied Industries, Incorporated (SFFAII) executive director Rosanna Contreras, said the congress opened mid morning with the trade exhibit and the newly-added feature-- the tuna culinary challenge participated in by different schools here. The exhibit, she added was joined by 50 exhibitors occupying 70 booths showcasing the various products ranging from processed tuna to the latest fishing technologies and the like. Contreras said the staging of the trade exhibit strategic since GenSan also serves as transshipment point of agricultural products of SocSarGen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City) aside from being a major fish landing area in the South. Being situated strategically, GenSan, over the years has established “trade relations with neighboring countries in the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Growth Area, Australia and Micronesia,” she said. Meanwhile, Meriam Buguis, department head of the City Economic Management and Cooperative Development Office (CEMCDO) said the congress discussed and presented notable issues and concerns facing the fishery sector today. The congress theme anchored on “Caring for the Future: A Shared Commitment.” Congress organizers led by the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the SFFAII said some 300 participants attended this year’s congress. Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala was the keynote speaker representing President Benigno Aquino III, who was in China for a state visit. Alcala arrived September 1 to lead alongside City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio the ground breaking of the Php3.75-M worth Asparagus Packing Plant which is expected to boost production of asparagus. The city government headed by Mayor Antonino feted congress participants and guests in a sumptuous farewell dinner at the 18th Hole Driving Range highlighting the “Karagatan Awarding Ceremony” which honored "the unsung heroes of the fishing industry." The culmination on September 5 was full of spectacular activities featuring the 7:00 o’clock thanksgiving Mass with the Pamahaw Pasasalamat in front of the city hall along with the Almusal Alay sa Kapwa at Oval Covered Court. Other activities included the Pasiklaban sa Paaralan Online Quiz Semi Finals at Robinson’s Place; the 7th Mindanao Open Bonsai Competition and Exhibit; the Coke Got Talent at Tuna Festival Grand Finals, a Coco-Cola party zone; and the colorful Float Parade at the Oval Plaza Grounds, which won the East Asia Royale Hotel here the first cash prize of Php150,000. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

P40M set for road network to agri areas in SouthCot

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/13/p40m-set-for-road-network-to-agri-areas-in-southcot/
• Tuesday| September 13, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/12 Sept) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated some P40 million for the development of an alternate road network that would connect potential agribusiness production areas in three municipalities in South Cotabato province to various markets in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao. Reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato provincial agriculturist, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala formally endorsed the proposed Tupi-Banga-T’boli road project’s immediate funding and implementation during a meeting here last week of the South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (Socsksargen) Area Development Project (ADP) board. The Socsksargen ADP board, which is chaired by Alcala, mainly oversees the implementation of key agri-infrastructure, food security projects and other vital development initiatives in Region 12. “The board adopted the road project as a priority food security-related infrastructure for the province,” Legaste said. The official said the planned road network will cover various prime agricultural production areas and communities in the upland portions of the municipalities of Tupi, Banga and T’boli in South Cotabato. He said it will start from the junction of Barangay Cebuano along the national highway in Tupi town and will run through Barangay Kalkam, the Roxas mountain range, Barangay Lampari in Banga town and eventually in T’boli town. The area hosts palay and corn farms and plantation areas of banana, pineapple, vegetables, fruits and other high-value crops. Legaste said the road network will reduce the distance of the usual travel from Tupi to T’boli towns by 40 kilometers. “It will facilitate easy access and make the movement of people and products from these areas faster,” he said. When completed, Legaste said the alternate road will later help decongest traffic at portions of the national highway that passes through the city proper of Koronadal City, which is the capital city of South Cotabato province. During the board meeting, which was also attended by local government officials and other stakeholders of Region 12, Legaste said Alcala assigned the project to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). He said the DA chief instructed local DPWH personnel to start the initial preparations for the project, which will include the rehabilitation of existing roads and the opening of new connecting routes in the area. Legaste added that Alcala promised to personally check with the DPWH the progress of the project’s initial developments during another scheduled visit to the region later this month. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews) [edit]

PACQUIAO WATCH: Different package

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2011/09/12/pacquiao-watch-different-package/
• Monday| September 12, 2011

by Edwin G. Espejo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/11 Sept) – It will be a vastly different Manny Pacquiao that will greet Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez when they meet for the third, and maybe, last time in November. First, he will be facing a comfortable welterweight who no longer had the excess poundage he used to have while fighting as a featherweight. Second, Pacquiao is no longer the predictable left-handed happy puncher. Third, the Filipino boxing champion has a score to settle and when he is in that mood and mode, Pacquiao is the most dangerous man on the planet. Just ask Erik Morales. The outcome of their third meeting, many predict, will no longer be as close or as controversial as their first two meetings. I am of the same opinion. If Manny was bothered by the heavy counterpunching of Marquez when they were fighting at the lower weight limits, the bulk and heft he has added up, all ripping muscles, are simply too heavy not to negate the Mexican’s power punches. After all, Manny absorbed the heaviest punches of Miguel Angel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, both legitimate welterweights. I do not think a bloated lightweight Marquez punches harder than both of them. If Marquez was not able to put down Pacquiao in 24 rounds that they engaged themselves in two wars of attrition, which is the only way he could win, there is little reason to believe he will this time. It is a different story the other way around. If Manny is again right on the button with his signature left, I do not think Marquez will again be able to survive. Marquez is an ageing warrior who could one day end up in the Boxing Hall of Fame. His last four fights however showed clear signs of slowing down. When you age, the first to go are your reflexes. You may still retain the power but you cannot add more than 10 percent of what you already have at 38 years old. And I seriously doubt he could still keep up with the frenetic pace of Pacquiao for twelve rounds. This time, too, he may not be able to see what Pacquiao’s right hand will be doing and where they will be coming. Yes, Manny has evolved into a complete boxer, which he had to as he moved up the welterweight classes where he faced bigger and more powerful punchers. Pacquiao is an altogether different package now. His arsenal now includes the right cross, hooks and uppercuts – all loaded up. It would also be wise to once and a while use his right jabs just to add to Marquez’s confusions. But everybody would like to see Marquez engage Pacquiao in a toe-to-toe exchange. If that happens, expect an early lights out. It will be party time. And you know who parties best after a smashing win.

DA cuts tuna export fee

• Source:http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/333916/da-cuts-tuna-export-fee
• September 11, 2011, 2:30pm

by MARVYN N. BENANING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 public schools in South Cotabato get new PCs, speech lab

• Source:http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=371722
• Saturday, September 10, 2011, 5:29 pm

by (PNA) LAP/AVE/AC

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 9 (PNA) – Five more public high schools in South Cotabato province are set to receive computer and speech laboratory packages as part of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) continuing computerization program.

South Cotabato (2nd District) Rep. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said Friday her office has received official notification from DepEd that it will soon deliver the laboratory packages to five public high schools in the area that were earlier identified the congressional office as program recipients.

She said the allocation for the purchase of the laboratory packages, which comprises 20 brand new desktop personal computer sets each, was drawn from the development funds of the South Cotabato 2nd district congressional office.

The beneficiaries of the computer laboratory packages are the Banga Annex National High School in Banga town, Lake Sebu National High School and Upper Maculan National High School in Lake Sebu town and Koronadal National High School Annex in Barangay Matulas in Koronadal City, Fuentes said.

She said the Libertad National High School in Surallah town will also receive a computer-based speech laboratory package.

“These are just the initial beneficiaries for this year and we’re working for the release of additional funds so we can cover more public schools in the area in the coming months,” Fuentes said.

Fuentes said they pushed for the purchase of the computer laboratory packages to help local public schools cope with the modern educational trends and technologies.

She said it will also expose students in the area to various information and communication technologies and skills.

Fuentes said they included the speech laboratory package in the program as part of an ongoing pilot-testing by DepEd.

She said that as a counterpart, officials of the Libertad National High School agreed to provide a standard building for the speech laboratory.

“This will be the first-ever speech laboratory in the province. We will closely monitors its progress and evaluate later on its possible replication in other schools,” Fuentes said.

SMI to cut 3,935 hectares of forest, arable lands

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/08/smi-to-cut-3935-hectares-of-forest-arable-lands/
• Thursday| September 8, 2011

by Edwin G. Espejo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/07 September) — Foreign-owned Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) will clear 3,935 hectares of forest and arable lands when it starts mining operations in the mountains of Tampakan in South Cotabato, company sources said during its first public consultation ever in the run-up to obtaining permits and licenses from various government agencies. The mining company is also now saying it will need at least 1,450 hectares for its actual open-pit mining activities, more than two thirds of which will be cleared for the pit and waste rock storage facilities. The rest are intended for various infrastructures and facilities that will later be constructed to support its commercial mining activities. SMI, which earlier said it will only need 500 hectares for the open pit mine, hopes to commence commercial production in 2016. The Xstrata Plc-controlled company further said it will build its mine tailings facilities near one of the tributaries of Mal River, the biggest river system in the Tampakan-Columbio area. SMI assured those who attended the consultation that “strict” safety measures will be adopted to prevent damage to the environment. The company said its mining development area has been reduced to 9,600 hectares from the 100,000 hectares originally covered by the Columbio Financial Technical Assistance Agreement originally awarded to Western Mining Company (WMC). WMC later abandoned its exploration activities and sold its interests and rights to the Tampakan Group of Companies (Tampakan Mineral Resources Corp) which brought in Indophil Resources as drilling partner. Indophil later signed an agreement with MIM (later Xstrata Plc) for the latter to buy 62.5 percent of the company. In 2007, Xstrata exercised its option over the project to become its controlling partner. Indophil owns the remaining 37.5 percent of SMI, making the mining firm wholly foreign-owned. At least 1,000 families, majority of them belonging to the B’laan tribe, will be displaced and relocated once the company begins commercial operations, company officials said. The gold and copper deposits extracted from the mines site will reportedly be shipped to Australia for smelter and further processing. On Oct. 20, 2009, Xstrata Copper announced an upgraded mineral resource for the Tampakan project, up from 2.2 billion tonnes (Bt) to 2.4Bt. The mine life is reportedly expected to reach 70 years with more than US$5.4B in needed investments. SMI has allegedly spent at least P10 billion already for the exploration and other activities of the company since 2000. The Catholic Church here is strongly opposed to the project warning residents and government officials that if SMI is allowed to operate, it will destroy the environment and contaminate the river systems in South Cotabato. The Church also said it will dry up the irrigation system in the lowlands and the aquifers in General Santos and nearby Koronadal City. The communist-led New People’s Army has also vowed to stop SMI’s mining operations. On New Year’s Day in 2008, some 40 guerrillas raided and burned down the main base camp of SMI in Tablu village in Tampakan. SMI would later abandon the camp and transfer it to Kiblawan in Davao del Sur for security reasons. The consultation was attended by some 3,000 residents, mostly coming from host communities of SMI. Anti-mining groups were noticeably absent, but sources said they are gearing for a major showdown on September 23 when the public hearing goes to Koronadal City. Last year, the provincial government of South Cotabato passed an environment code banning open-pit mining in the province. (Edwin G. Espejo writes for www.asiancorrespondent.com)

DOLE-12 expects ISO certification this month

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/09/07/dole-12-expects-iso-certification-this-month/
• Wednesday| September 7, 2011

by Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/06 September) – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao is targeting to finally receive later this month an International Standardization Organization or ISO certification for its upgraded quality management systems (QMS). Lawyer Ma. Gloria Tango, DOLE Region 12 director, said the agency has so far complied with standards set by the ISO for quality management based on an external audit conducted late last month by the Certification International of the Philippines (CIP). She said CIP, an ISO third party certifying body, specifically recommended their office for the issuance of ISO 9001:2008 certification. The DOLE regional office was given until Sept. 26 to comply with CIP’s audit recommendations and after which the ISO certification will be issued, Tango said. “(Gaining) ISO certification is DOLE 12’s way of manifesting our commitment to quality (management) and willingness to work towards improving our efficiency,” the labor official said in a statement. She said it is also a strategy of building a culture of continual improvement in the delivery of labor and employment services in the region. Through its quality policy, quality processes and quality services, she said DOLE 12’s leadership and staff have committed to attain DOLE’s Labor and Employment Plan for 2011-2016 “with higher level of efficiency and effectiveness.” Tango credited the all-out support given by their employees as among the major factors that helped the agency accomplish the upgrading of its productivity and QMS to ISO standards. She said they started upgrading their QMS to ISO standards in July 2008 in compliance with Administrative Order No. 161 issued by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that enjoins all government agencies and government-owned and controlled corporations to institutionalize an ISO-aligned QMS. She said they initially sent DOLE 12’s senior staff members to visit two ISO-certified private companies in South Cotabato and in this city and later on to a familiarization course on ISO. ISO 9001, which is the internationally-recognized standard for the quality management of businesses, applies to the processes that create and control the products and services that an organization supplies, the ISO website cited. It said the certification standard “prescribes the systematic control of activities to ensure that the needs and expectations of customers are met and is designed and intended to apply to virtually any product or service, made by any process anywhere in the world.” “Implementing a Quality Management System will motivate the staff by defining their key roles and responsibilities. Cost savings can be made through improved efficiency and productivity, as product or service deficiencies will be highlighted. From this, improvements can be developed, resulting in less waste, inappropriate or rejected work and fewer complaints,” the ISO said. Customers will notice that orders are met consistently, on time and to the correct specification. This can open up the market place to increased opportunities, it added. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)

State auditor in Sarangani fund scam among national finalists for CSC’s Dangal ng Bayan award

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=370820
• Tuesday, September 6, 2011, 2:19 pm

by (PNA) LAP/FFC/AVE/AC

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 6 (PNA) – A government auditor who helped uncover an P18.3-million fund scam at the Sarangani provincial government eight years ago was chosen by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as among the national finalists for this year’s prestigious "Dangal ng Bayan" Award.

Grace Saqueton, CSC Region 12 director, said auditor Helen Cailing of the Commission on Audit (COA)-Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao landed in the final list of nominees in the 2011 Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees.

She said the award recognizes government officials and employees “who have manifested exemplary conduct and noteworthiness of public service and consistent demonstration of extraordinary ethical behavior on the basis of the norm of conduct of a public servant.”

Aside from Cailing, Saqueton said two Region 12 nominees - Army Col. Jose Kakila of the Joint Task Force GenSan and Police Officer 3 Girlie Gay Saniado of the General Santos City Police Office – were earlier named semifinalists in the award's Presidential Lingkod Bayan and Pagasa categories, respectively.

Saqueton said Cailing, who is employed as COA State Auditor IV, presently heads the agency’s special audit team in Sarangani province.

A report released by CSC-Region 12 cited that Cailing already filed 30 cases of alleged fund misuse against various public officials in line with her work as state auditor.

It said 12 of the cases have already been elevated to the Sandiganbayan while 18 others are currently pending at a Regional Trial Court and at the Office of the Ombudsman.

In 2003, Cailing’s audit team discovered alleged fund releases made by the provincial government of Sarangani for “ghost” or fictitious development projects of several non-government organizations, people’s organizations and local government units in the province.

The alleged “fraudulent and illegal” fund releases, which were made under the watch of then Gov. Miguel Escobar, reached some P16.106 million.

Among the cases that were elevated to the Sandiganbayan was the financial assistance amounting to P2.246 million released by the provincial government of Sarangani to supposed local cooperatives, whose officials and members were mostly government personnel and close relatives of some officials of the local government.

Saqueton said that as a national finalist, Cailing will receive a Dangal ng Bayan award and cash incentive of P200,000 in a ceremony slated at the Malacanang Palace.

“We don’t pay them for being good but we emphasize the best impact of being good examples to their fellow government employees,” she said.

Saqueton stressed that the annual search mainly highlights the importance on rendering good public service by all government workers.

Wage hike in Region 12 unlikely until prescription expires, says DOLE exec

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=370575
• Monday, September 5, 2011, 1:50 pm

by (PNA) LAP/AVE/RSS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 5 (PNA) – Salary rates for minimum wage earners in the private sector in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao may not be adjusted before the one-year prescription period to amend the existing salary rates in the region ends in October.

Lawyer Ma. Gloria A. Tango, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 12 director, said the results of recent consultations conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) showed “a lack of supervening condition” that would warrant an increase at this time.

“The one year prescription will end soon and so we can review and possibly adjust the salaries of private sector workers (after that),” she said, noting they recently conducted consultations that failed to elicit the declaration of a supervening condition.

A declaration of a supervening condition by the RTWPB would warrant a review for a wage increase even if the one-year wage order did not lapse.

In April, the RTWPB conducted consultations but found no reason to declare a supervening condition amid the skyrocketing prices of fuel and other basic consumer goods.

Several consultations were conducted recently that resulted to the same conclusion, even as fuel price continues to rise and is now nearing P60 per liter for premium gasoline in some parts of the region.

Tango urged private sector workers to be patient, reiterating that the one-year prescription to amend the wage rates will soon expire.

On October 31, 2010, the RTWPB approved Wage Order XII-16 that directed a two-tranche daily cost of living allowance (COLA) increase in the salaries in the private sector worth P15. The additional P10 COLA took effect right after the approval and the remaining P5 last April 1.

With the inclusion of the COLA, the new minimum daily wage rates in the region now stands at P260 for non-agriculture workers, P240 for plantation workers, P235 for non-plantation workers, P240 for retail/service establishments employing not more than 10 workers and P234 for retail/service establishments employing less than 10 people.

The Regional Development Council, in a bid to improve employers’ compliance to the wage rates, earlier called on the posting of the rates in giant billboards in strategic places across the region.

Tango earlier said the compliance of employers in the region on the proper wage rates was on a downtrend, pegging it at 72.40 percent in 2010 and 67.15 percent in the first semester of 2011.

Gensan councilor now stable after shooting incident

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=370446
• Sunday, September 4, 2011, 12:11 pm

by (PNA) LDV/AVE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 4 (PNA) –- City officials here condemned the shooting early dawn on Saturday of a city councilor here and called for an in-depth probe of the incident.

City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio said in a radio interview that she has directed the city police office to look deeper into the circumstances behind the shooting incident, which seriously wounded City Councilor Ronnel Rivera and resulted to the killing of the alleged gunman.

A police report said Rivera, the city’s number one councilor and son of a fishing magnate, sustained four gunshot wounds on his neck and other parts of his body was shot by a disgruntled gunman identified as Januart de la Cruz, who was killed by the official’s responding bodyguards.

As of Sunday morning, doctors at the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital here already declared Rivera’s condition as stable.

Dr. Francisco Lorenzo, the official’s attending doctor, said his patient has been slowly recovering from his wounds and he has not recommended the latter’s transfer to another medical facility outside the city.

Reports said the incident happened after Rivera offered a ride to Sheila Tañeda, owner of several bars in the city, to her brother’s house along Mateo Compound in Barangay Bula here.

Upon arrival, the gunman reportedly knocked at the door of the councilor’s vehicle and immediately fired his gun at him.

Rivera who was reportedly in a convoy of at least three vehicles –his sports utility vehicle (SUV), his bodyguards’ and the vehicle of Tañeda’s brother and friends- was hit on the neck and other parts of his body.

The councilor’s bodyguards fired back at the gunman, who was reportedly an off and on boyfriend of the 28-year-old Tañeda.

Police investigators said the gunman was reportedly seen waiting outside the rented apartment of Tañeda’s brother aboard his L-200 pickup truck prior to the shooting.

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

Police immediately ruled out politics as motive behind the shooting of Rivera, who topped the city council race here in the May 2010 elections despite running as an independent candidate.

Rivera, who is reportedly eyeing the city’s mayoralty post in the 2013 elections, recently forged alliance with Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao’s political party People’s Champ Movement (PCM).

DA Sec Alcala leads groundbreaking of Asparagus Plant in GenSan

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=7&r=r12&id=52326
• Saturday, September 03, 2011

by CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept 3 (PIA)-- Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala led Thursday (September 1) alongside City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio the groundbreaking of the Php3-M worth Asparagus Packing Plant expected to facilitate the processing of asparagus not only in the city but the entire SocSarGen (South Cotabato-Sarangani-General Santos City). Secretary Alcala was happy to note of the new development in the city describing it as another milestone for the agricultural sector here. The Secretary then turned over to Mayor Custodio 2,000 asparagus seeds as initial assistance under the department’s high value crop development program. He said the seeds will support the city government’s effort to further advance its agricultural landscape especially high value crops. The plant, which is located at barangay San Jose here is owned and managed by the Greenland Asparagus Producers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the recipient of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) high value crop program. Thanking the Secretary, Mayor Custodio said brgy. San Jose has good climactic condition that is suitable for growing asparagus and other high value commercial crops. The mayor said she is delighted with the strong partnership existing between and among the city government, DA and the cooperative. She also thanked DA for all its support to the local agricultural sector and all its projects that have been implemented in the city. Custodio also described barangay San Jose as the agriculture hub of high value crops in General Santos City especially for onions, banana, cotton, garlic, and the latest is asparagus. The project also included a production enhancement support package that is capable of processing newly produced asparagus harvested from the 60-hectare plantation in the area. The mayor said that with the project in the offing she foresees an increase in income of asparagus growers, thereby improving their quality of life aside boosting the local economy. The city government through its City Agriculture Office has also been massively promoting the use of “organic farming” among its barangays that are into agriculture as means of livelihood. DA-12 regional director Amalia Datukan and other regional and local officials were also present to witness the event. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

146 South Cotabato officials, employees get loyalty incentives

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=370201
• Friday, September 02, 2011

by (PNA) LAP/FFC/AVE/HST

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 2 (PNA) – At least 146 employees of the provincial government of South Cotabato are set to receive “loyalty incentives” later this month as part of the celebration of the 111th year of the Philippine Civil Service.

Alex Basco, chief administrative officer of South Cotabato, said the awardees will receive loyalty tokens “in recognition of their continuous and satisfactory services rendered” to the government.

As set by the Civil Service Commission, he said the award is granted to government officials and employees who have rendered continuous service during the last 10 years and have not incurred more than 50 days of aggregate authorized vacation leaves.

Basco said that based on the awards scheme set by the local government’s Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), 13 employees will get a Lenovo laptop for logging 40 years of continuous service.

He said 38 employees will receive a cellphone as incentive for reaching 10 years of continuous service; 24 will receive a wristwatch for posting 15 years of continuous service; eight will get a digital camera for reaching 20 years in service; 22 will get a necklace with pendant for reaching 25 years in service; and 17 will receive a bracelet for reaching 35 years in service.

Aside from the loyalty tokens, he said a cash gift of P10,000 each will be given to qualified officials and employees who have rendered 10 years of service and P5,000 each for the rest of the awardees.

Basco said the awarding rites will be held during the culmination of the ongoing Civil Service Month set on September 30.

229 hatchlings of marine turtles released in Sarangani Bay

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=51873
• Thursday, September 01, 2011

by CT Apelacio

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, August 31 (PIA) –- A total of 229 hatchlings of marine turtles have been released recently in Sarangani Bay, said officer-in-charge Eduardo Saladero of the Sarangani-base Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO). According to him, it is the mandate of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to protect and conserve endangered marine species in its area of responsibility. He said the release was made on separate occasions by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) based in Glan and Kiamba, Sarangani. Saladero cited a total 133 hawksbill turtle hatchlings freed at Gumasa, Glan coastlines while the 96 hatchlings of Olive Ridley turtle were released at sitio Bialong, Poblacion, Kiamba. Both freed early August. Forester Jessica Guilao of CENRO Glan said they have found at least “100 eggs in the nest, three of those were unfertilized, 97 hatched with only one mortality.” Saladero said the discovery of the hatchlings was a “shared” effort among different partners like the community folk, environment advocates and the local government units of Glan and Kiamba. He lauded the participation of the community residents and their cooperation with the DENR-PENRO saying it paved the way for such an initiative to become easier and successful. Saladero also said “DENR’s massive information drive” has been a great help and is effective in raising the level of awareness of community to get actively involved in the preservation of environment as well as in the protection of endangered species and habitats in their respective area. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)

DSWD 12 seeks media's support for communication advocacy of 4Ps

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=51651
• Wednesday, August 31, 2011

PIA Press Release

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, August 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 12 sought the local media’s help in communicating the poverty alleviation programs of government in the region In a recently held orientation on the government’s convergence strategy on poverty alleviation programs with the local media practitioners in region at the Sarangani Highlands Resort, General Santos City. DSWD 12 assistant regional director Gemma Rivera exhorted the media to help shape the recipient’s perspective of the programs. "You are the messenger of the poor. You can help in changing the perspectives of the poor through the convergence programs of the Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan - Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALIHI-CIDSS) and Self-Employment Assistance (SEA-K)," said Dir Rivera. The CCT looks into the plight of children, 0 to 6 years old which is the critical age of children for whom the government is investing for their future, Rivera pointed out. The government has infused P446,708,639.00 worth of funds into KALAHI-CIDSS projects in region 12 from 2003 to 2011. This has benefited 189,160 households or 1.1 million individuals from 254 barangays in 13 municipalities and four (4) provinces. The 13 municipalities are Malapatan, Malungon, Maasim, Maitum and Kiamba in Sarangani province; Magpet, Libungan and Pres. Roxas in North Cotabato; Columbio, Lutayan and Senator Ninoy Aquino in Sultan Kudarat and T'boli and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. The KALAHI-CIDSS sub-projects include bridge, common service, day care center, drainage, electrification, health station, post harvest facilities, road, school, water system among others. On the other hand, the government has released a total of P625,001,720.00 for the 138,637 beneficiaries of the 4Ps in region 12 from 2008 to July 2011.The beneficiaries hail from the two cities of General Santos and Cotabato and 32 poorest municipalities from the provinces of Sarangani, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.(otsudaria/PIA 12)

Mining firm hopes to start groundwork for operation

• Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/49489/mining-firm-hopes-to-start-groundwork-for-operation
• Monday, August 29th, 2011

Orlando Dinoy, Inquirer Mindanao

General Santos City, Philippines—Global mining giant Xstrata’s Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI) on Friday announced that it continues to hope to start development activities in its Tampakan project next year to lay the groundwork for full operation by 2016. SMI, a partnership between the Switzerland-based mining firm, Indophil Resources NL and Filipino investors, to mine gold and copper deposits in Tampakan, South Cotabato and parts of Davao del Sur, was working doubly hard to acquire the necessary certificates for the projected operation, John Arnaldo, SMI corporate communications manager, told reporters here Friday. SMI’s optimism came amid the existence of a ban by the provincial government of South Cotabato on open-pit mining and other mining methods seen to be destructive of the environment. The ban has affected SMI’s development activities in the proposed mining area. With a foreign direct investment of about $5.9 billion, Xstrata foresaw an annual average copper production of 340,000 tons and 350,000 ounces of gold, based on a 20-year operation of the Tampakan project. Xstrata said the Tampakan project’s mill recovery rates were at 83-90 percent for copper and 60-80 percent for gold, with a copper concentrate grade of 37-34 percent. Consultations Despite prodding from Malacañang and a threat from Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo to sue the South Cotabato government for “usurping” national functions due to the passage of the ban, provincial officials refused to amend the provincial ordinance that outlawed “destructive mining” in favor of SMI. Arnaldo said SMI would also start a massive public consultation next month. This move, he said, would help SMI to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate. Recently, he said SMI completed its Environmental Impact Assessment studies and has adopted plans for managing mine wastes. SMI also allegedly finished putting in place measures that would ensure that farmers would not be deprived of irrigation water when mining starts. When water level in the Mal River is below the current maximum amount used by irrigators, the mine would not take any water from the system, Arnado said. He also said that rainwater, which would come in contact with any part of the mining or processing area, will be kept separate from fresh water. Downstream seepage collection dams to contain any water leak and treating water for release or pumping back into the main storage facility had been constructed, Arnaldo said. SMI has also put up a nursery for its reforestation program. This ensures that cleared forests are immediately replanted, he said.

DOH’s 'Health Bus' to visit South Cotabato in Sept.

• Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=51432
• Sunday, August 28, 2011

by Jerome Carlo R. Paunan

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Aug. 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Health’s (DOH) "Health Bus" is set to visit the province of South Cotabato next month to help promote various health services and rally for support among local governments for the implementation of more sustainable health initiatives in the area. In a statement released over the weekend, the DOH said its "Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan" (LBK) bus and exhibit will make a stopover on September 22 to 23 in T’boli town as part of its ongoing tour in Mindanao. It said the LBK bus and exhibit will mainly highlight the promotion of health services on pre-natal care, child health, and nutrition as well as family health care. The health bus will also secure commitment from local chief executives and local health officials for the operation and sustenance of their own health services and mobile health events, he said. The DOH said the LBK bus is targeting to cater to some 2,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, couples with children aged five years-old and below, fathers and young couples or 500 families in 10 far-flung barangays of Tboli town. Once the bus arrives, it said a welcome caravan will be held along with its tour of the area to announce the event. The bus will make its stop in Barangay Aflek in T’boli for the launching of a two-day health festival in the area. It said the agency's health promotion campaign would be staged in a fiesta-like mode to encourage citizens’ participation. The LBK bus is equipped with customized consultation and examination clinics and a health promotion area for interactive exhibits, health classes, storytelling sessions, and entertainment shows, it added. South Cotabato will be the third destination of the LBK, which is being supported by the United States Agency for International Development and the DOH‘s National Center for Health Promotion, after its initial runs in Bukidnon and Compostela Valley Province.(DOH/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)

6 OFWs from Region 12 stranded in Syria

• Source: http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/08/27/6-ofws-from-region-12-stranded-in-syria/
• Saturday| August 27, 2011

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/26 August) – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao is closely monitoring the repatriation of six overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the region who are currently stranded in strife-torn areas in Syria. Abdulghani Umag, OWWA Region 12 director, said a report from the OWWA central office showed that two active and four inactive members of the agency from Region 12 have yet to be repatriated from Syria. The national government earlier raised Alert Level 4 and set the immediate, forced evacuation of the estimated 17,000 OFWs in Syria due to the worsening internal conflict in the area. “That (number) was based on the OWWA central office’s database. The problem is, we don’t have any information as to how many of the OFWs who had entered illegally in Syria were from Region 12,” Umag said. Region 12 covers the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato. Umag said they have opened two hotline numbers – 09177260443 and (083) 5200205 – at the OWWA regional office in Koronadal City and offered free calls for relatives of OFWs from the area who are presently based in Syria. He said they also extended their office hours up to 8 p.m. to accommodate inquiries and requests for assistance from the relatives of the OFWs. The official said they already extended assistance to the family of OFW Jessica Cagaitan, who earlier signified to avail of the government’s repatriation program but had lost her passport and other documents. Umag said he sent an email to Cagaitan advising her to immediately contact the Philippine embassy so she can get a new passport and other travel documents. “Once she reaches the Philippine embassy, she will certainly be able to go home,” he assured. Meantime, Umag said they were also verifying whether there were still OFWs from Region 12 among the estimated 7,000 Filipinos who are still in Libya. Violence at the Libyan capital of Tripoli and nearby areas escalated during the past several days as opposition forces advanced towards the stronghold of Libyan leader Muamar Khadaffy. The national government also raised Alert Level 4 for OFWs in Libya and sent a rescue team at the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of the remaining Filipino nationals in the area. “Nobody has so far asked for our assistance regarding any OFWs from the region who were still stuck in Libya. So we really don’t know if there’s anyone still left there or not,” he added. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)

South Cotabato to go after rats next month; crop damage now P36M

• Source:http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2011/08/26/south-cotabato-to-go-after-rats-next-month-crop-damage-now-p36m/
• Friday, August 26, 2011:

By Allen V. Estabillo

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/25 August) – Agriculture personnel in South Cotabato province will launch next month an intensified campaign against the continuing rodent or rat infestation in the area that already devastated some P36.945 million worth of palay and corn crops. Reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato provincial agriculture officer, said they have declared the month of September as rodent control month in the entire province to give more focus on their continuing efforts to effectively reduce the pest’s population and the impact of its infestation on farm crops. “Based on our experience these past years, the month of September was the breeding period of rodents. So this is the best time to round up their breeding areas and neutralize them,” he said in a media forum. Legaste noted that during the months prior to September, rodent population and movements in most parts of the province are usually on the decline. But he said the pest would come out again by September and start with their breeding cycle, which happens four times a year. “A pair of rat alone could breed as many as 512 in one year so just imagine how fast they can multiply and the extent of their potential damage to our crops if we will not be able control them,” the official said. Records from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) showed that the value of damage caused by rodent infestation to corn and palay has significantly increased during the last three years. In 2008, OPAG only recorded a total damage of P55,000 due to rat infestation. It jumped to P14.6 million in 2009 and P44.1 million in 2010. But from January to July this year alone, the value of the damage wrought by rodents to corn crops in the province already reached P13.995 million and P22.949 million for palay. To highlight the observance of the rodent control month, Legaste said they will launch on September 1 a 10-day massive rat elimination drive in Barangay Dumadalig in Tantangan town, which has recorded the biggest damage from rat infestation in the past several years. He said a big part of Tantangan town’s palay and corn areas are mainly rainfed, making them highly vulnerable to rat infestation. Legaste said the problem has compounded due to the presence of nearby oil palm plantations, which were used by the rodent pests as breeding areas. “We will rally our farmers there to round up all the rat breeding areas and eliminate the rats within a 10-day period. After that, we will provide them with the necessary chemicals to neutralize the remaining rats,” he said. Legaste said the program is being supported by the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Regional Crop Protection Center and the DA-12 regional office, which committed to provide the needed chemicals and other pesticides for the control and elimination of the rodent pests. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)