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

NDRRMC: 17 killed, 62 hurt in Holy Week incidents

by VVP, GMA News


The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said as of Monday, 17 people have died and 62 people were hurt during the Holy Week.

On its 8:00 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said the 17 fatalities from April 1 to 9 included: 10 people who died from drowning, three who perished in a fire incident, and one who died in a maritime incident. The NDRRMC said the most recent fatalities included:

Carlo Waggay Garcia, 9, who drowned in San Gabriel, La Union on Holy Saturday at 11:15 a.m.; Mark Anthony Talban, 19, who drowned at Anilao Beach Resort in Batangas on Good Friday; Abraham dela Cruz, 33, a barangay captain of San Manuel in Tarlac who died 2:55 a.m. Sunday after his vehicle hit a tree in San Manuel town Andy Gramo, 40, whose body was found floating at the Barangay Suqui coastal area in Calapan City in Mindoro Oriental at 2:20 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

The NDRRMC said the 62 people who were reported injured included: 61 who were injured from vehicular accidents, and one from a maritime incident.

Two people are still missing because of a maritime incident, it said.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said a grenade explosion occurred 7:45 p.m. last Good Friday along Moreno Street at Rosary Heights II in Cotabato City.

While the explosion caused tension among residents gathering near the local cathedral for Lenten prayers, no casualty was reported.

The NDRRMC said the local police and Army are investigating the incident.





Boat operators in Puerto Galera hike fares

by Juancho Mahusay


CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – Fares for all motorized boats bound for Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro will increase starting Maundy Thursday because of the rising prices of fuel, the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) reported here.

The one-way passenger fare will rise from P230 to P250 while the round-trip ticket will jump to from P450 to P500.

The Marina said that promotional fares of all boats arriving and departing in Oriental Mindoro and Batangas City ports will also be suspended because of the anticipated volume of influx of passengers and tourists.

An estimated 10,000 tourists usually flock to Puerto Galera’s White Beach, about 130 kilometers south of Manila, during Holy Week.

Shipping lines, meanwhile, added more trips to the town of Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro as it also increased the seating capacity to 700 passengers.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have beefed up security measures at the Batangas Port and at the ports of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.

The security alert will remain until after the Holy Week for the anticipated return of thousands of passengers to Manila.

The PCG’s rubber boats and K-9 units of the PNP have been deployed at the ports.

“Oplan Ligtas Kwaresma” passenger assistance desks have also been set up near the ports’ ticketing booths.

9 drown in Visayas due to rains

by ABS-CBNnews.com


MANILA, Philippines – Nine people drowned at the height of rains in the Visayas region, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Seven of the fatalities were from Capiz. They were identified as Diomer Albay, 14; Kathlene Padilla, 3; Jolly Dioso, 14; Karen Denunbo, 10; Rey Reyes, 9; Rey Ricaforte, 17; and Henrey Hulyete, 47.

The other fatalities were Negros Oriental resident Jean Academia, 50; and Northern Samar resident Angelo Lobos Sergio, 8.

The NDRRMC said Oriental Mindoro, which suffered from intermittent rains last week due the low pressure area, sustained a damage in agriculture and infrastructure worth P89.55 million.

Meanwhile, a total of 24,843 individuals were displaced in the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Favorites show way in Nat’l Juniors chessfest

by Kate Evangelista


Standings after two rounds:

Boys

2 points -- L. Salgados, M. Lagula, J. MIrano, D. Samantila, P. Evangelista, P. Omongos, J. Orlanda, J. Nabatlao, S. Coquilla, B. Rafales, K. Honculada, J. MIciano, M. Morsalim, T. Ibaoc, V. Salcedo

Girls

2 points -- J. Docena, N. Yngayo, C.Chua, J. Opema, B. Ecal, M. Obemio, L. Maboloc, A. Manilhig, M. Nalitan

MISAMIS Oriental -- The favorites lived up to their high billings after two rounds in the 2012 Gov. Oscar S. Moreno National Juniors Chess Championships being held at the Provincial Capitol grounds here.

Daryl Unix Samantila of Malabon defeated Arjun Niel Crisologo and Harold Karl Taganas of Misamis Oriental to show the way in the prestigious event organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and hosted by the Province of Misamis Oriental, led by Gov. Oscar S. Moreno.

Adamson University stalwart Samantila, who was named as the "Rookie of the Year" of the 74th UAAP chess championship, posted two points to share the lead with top seed FEU maintstay and national age group (Mindanao Leg) under 20 champion Lennon Hart Salgados, second seed Mcdominique Lagula of Nueva Vizcaya, Jan Francis Mirano of Aklan and 11 others.

In the girls division, top seed Olympian and WNM Jedara Docena of Bohol subdued Diane Kaye Elizondo of Cagayan de Oro and Christine Joy Amper of Misamis Oriental in the first and second round to take the headstart with two points.

Docena, a member of the national team in the 2010 Chess Olympiad held in Khanti-Mansky, Russia, is tied for the lead with second seed Nikki Yngayo of Davao, and Carol Anne Chua, Julie Anne Opema, Bhea Buen Ecal, Ma. Angellah Obemio, Leslie Maboloc, Anne Rose Manilhig and Mary Joy Nalitan, all of Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, NCFP executive-director GM Jayson Gonzales turned over to Misamis Oriental Development Foundation president Lorimer “Memen” Moreno a total of 30 chess sets as part of the grassroots program of the NCFP, which is among the top priorities of its chairman/president Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.

The top five players in the boys and girls division will join qualifiers from the Luzon and Visayas leg in the grand finals to be held in Tanauan City, Batangas on April 23-30.

The 2012 National Junior and Girls Champions will earn the right to represent the Philippines in the World Juniors Chess Championships in Athens, Greece.

Floods damage P65.5-M worth of crops, roads in Oriental Mindoro

by Kate Evangelista


MANILA, Philippines – The damage to agriculture and infrastructure caused by flooding in Oriental Mindoro has reached P65.5 million, authorities said Friday. In its latest report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that losses to agriculture were estimated at P28.347 million as 1,229.5 hectares of farm land went underwater in 45 villages in Naujan. The NDRRMC added that 628 farmers were affected in the province. Damage to infrastructure in the same town was estimated at P37.3 million. Affected were the provincial and village roads in 67 villages, road shoulders in four villages, and three bridges. Aside from Nauhan, also flooded were the towns of Mansalay, Pola, Baco and Calapan City, the NDRRMC said, adding flood waters have subsided in other affected towns. In Capiz, rice fields were submerged in water in 100 villages in 12 municipalities and one city. The Mancasul River in Sigma town also overflowed, the NDRRMC said. Likewise, the Buayahan Spillway and bamboo bridge in Balugo Banica River in Negros Oriental was declared impassable as of March 28, the NDRRMC added. Flood waters in the 14 effected villages in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte, and in nine villages in Catubig, Northern Samar have subsided. Aside from the damages, the NDRRMC reported that the body of a boy, Angelo Lobos Sergio, 8, of Barangay (village) Zone 3, San Roque, Northern Samar who was reported missing on March 25, was found on March 27. A total of 4,003 families or 17,578 persons have been affected by the floods but of this number only 782 persons were evacuated, including residents in two villages in Sagay City and two villages in Cadiz City, both in Negros Occidental. Continuous heavy rains were caused by the tail-end of a cold front affecting Luzon and Visayas, the NDRRMC said.

PNP MIMAROPA conducts e-Blotter Training

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


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, March 29 (PIA) –- The Philippine National Police (PNP) - MIMAROPA conducted a three-day training on e-Blotter users on February 27-29 at Camp Efigenio C. Navarro in barangay Suqui, Calapan City.

Police Chief Inspector Melchor D. Agusin led the training, which was participated by 105 participants from the regional headquarters, provincial police offices, city/municipal police officers of Oriental Mindoro.

Police Senior Supt. Caesar Daniel T. Miranda emphasized in his welcome remarks that e-blotter is a new tool in processing the information of criminals and law offenders.

Police Chief Supt. Artemio G. Hicban, regional director, added the training is a vital part of investigation. According to him, it enhances the crime reporting system in the country, improves public safety and effective law administration of justice.

“The course will play an integral part in the performance of the participants’ duties as law enforcers, especially as investigators. It will be an effective management tool for decision makers and security strategists to have an easy and intelligent way of mapping out peace and order and anti-criminality strategy,” Police Senior Superintendent Dennis J. Peña, deputy regional director for operation said.

Peña also said that through this training, investigators of Police Regional Office MIMAROPA are now better equipped with the essential knowledge in the new PNP crime incident reporting system.

Floods hit Oriental Mindoro, parts of Visayas

by Noel Alamar, dzMM; John Fernandez, Geron Ponferrada and Romeo Subaldo, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group


MANILA, Philippines – Intermittent rains triggered flooding in Oriental Mindoro and several areas in Visayas, forcing at least 395 individuals to flee their homes on Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday.

Southern Luzon and portions of the Visayas experienced rains over the past two days due to the presence of an active low pressure area (LPA) near Palawan, and another one east of southern Mindanao.

The LPA near Palawan left the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday, while the one in southern Mindanao dissipated.

The NDRRMC said 23 barangays (villages) in Naujan, Baco, Mansalay and Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro were submerged in floods.

Rice fields in Barangays Buhangin, Adria Luna and Andres Ilagan – all in Naujan - were inundated after creeks surrounding them overflowed. Farmers were supposed to harvest rice this month.

A total of 175 individuals fled their homes in Naujan; 110 in Calapan City; and 85 in Baco.

Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali said the situation in his province has improved.

“So far manageable na pero meron pa ring binabantayan na mga lugar,” Umali told radio dzMM.

Dead, missing

A man, identified as Roger Dalumpines, drowned while swimming in a river in Barangay Jayubo, Lambunao, Iloilo during a rainy morning on Tuesday.

Dalumpines’ wife and two children, who were with him when the incident occurred, are currently confined at the hospital after sustaining injuries.

Meanwhile, a certain Ronny Herrera, a councilman (kagawad) of Barangay Tagbakin, Pola town, went missing after setting sail at the height of the rains.

Visayas rains

Over the Visayas region, several rice fields in the Capiz towns of Maayon, Mambusao, Pontevedra, Panit-an, Sapitan and Sigma were also inundated.

Local disaster officials in Capiz said 26 barangays in the said towns were affected by flooding.

The Aklan river also overflowed.

Flooding also occurred in Palo, Leyte after the Guindapunan river overflowed. A total of 25 individuals sought temporary shelter at the Palo National High School and a barangay hall.

Several roads in Barangays 74, 91, 94, 109 and 109-A in Tacloban City were rendered impassable to vehicles due to flooding. Waist-deep flood also submerged Sitio Lourdes in Barangay Old Manunca, Sta. Rita, Western Samar.

In Sagay City, Negros Occidental, several houses in Barangay Paraiso were also submerged in flood waters after the Himogaan river overflowed. Residents stayed at the Holy Family Parish.

The NDRRMC said social workers have prepared relief goods for those displaced by the floods.

Latest weather information from PAGASA said the tail-end of the cold front is the prevailing weather system over the southern Luzon and Visayas today.






15 barangays in Oriental Mindoro town submerged in floods

by Dennis Datu, dzMM


MANILA, Philippines – At least 15 barangays in Baco, Oriental Mindoro have been submerged in floods due to persistent rains, the town’s mayor said Tuesday.

Mayor Graciano dela Chica said rains have caused the Dulangan and Alag rivers and several creeks to overflow.

He said flood waters in some areas are now neck-deep. Some farmers also lost their crops to the floods.

The town of Naujan in Oriental Mindoro is also suffering from flooding, according to Mayor Maria Angeles Casubuan.

Evacuation of residents in low-lying areas in the affected areas is now ongoing.

In its latest weather bulletin, PAGASA said the active low pressure area that was last spotted west northwest of Palawan has exited the Philippine area of responsibility, while the LPA east of southern Mindanao has dissipated.

However, a new shallow LPA has formed 160 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar.

PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz said this weather system is expected to bring rains over Samar, Leyte, Masbate, Sorsogon, Mindoro and Northern Palawan.

The tail-end of the cold front, meanwhile, is the main weather system over southern Luzon and eastern Visayas.

Residents in low-lying areas were warned of flash floods and landslides.

Puerto Galera cashes in on booming tourism sector

by Amadís Ma. Guerrero, Contributor

Philippine Daily Inquirer


“There is more to Puerto Galera than White Beach,” claims Mayor Hubbert A. Dolor in a recent briefing with Manila media in his office. “We are now promoting Puerto Galera as the heart of Asia, center of the center,” he adds. The fabled coastal town—with its resorts, beach coves, waterfalls, abundant marine life, limestone cliffs, rock formations, coral gardens, dive sites and mountains—is at the northern tip of Oriental Mindoro. It lays claim to having one of the most beautiful bays in the world. As the international map puts it in French: “Les plus belle baies du monde.” Dolor, who is also a physician and holder of a Master’s degree in Public Administration, says “the Philippines is part of the Coral Triangle and we are at the center of the center of marine biodiversity.” Talking about biodiversity, shouldn’t Palawan lay claim to that? The mayor doesn’t think so. “It (Palawan) is not in the center of the center,” he says. Puerto Galera attracts two million tourists every year and its income is boosted by the Environment Usage Fee (EUF) of P50 per visitor. By 2020, the town (now a first-class municipality) hopes to become a city, with its own airport. The construction phase is starting, with an assist from the Department of Transportation and Communication. Puerto Galera will likely have to wait a while to attain the status of a city, and in the meantime, it is bent on boosting its coffers through tourism. “We have no other income except tourism,” the mayor says. “We have agricultural lands but our cooperative farmers have become tourist guides and boatmen.” What about the dark side of tourism, as in sex tours and pedophilia? “Gone are the days of human trafficking,” Dolor claims, “We have bars in Sabang but bars are part of tourism. There are regular checkups, and regular visits by doctors. So the bars are regulated and controlled.” Gold also still exists in Puerto Galera and other parts of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro (the big island was known to the Spaniards as “mina de oro”). Small-scale panning is tolerated but mining is a no-no. “There is only one industry in Puerto Galera and that’s tourism,” the mayor declares.

Bill on food transactions OK’d on second reading

by Noemi M. Gonzales


THE HOUSE of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill seeking full public disclosure of all government transactions involving food and food supply.

Government transparency as mandated by House Bill (HB) 5868 "is a step towards reinforcing the right of the people to affordable food and food security. The people have the right to know the factors that influence food supply and prices," Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali (2nd district), author of the bill, said in a statement.

Under the measure, government agencies in charge of food and basic commodities are required to publish in their Web sites the contracted and actual volume of import per shipment, specification of import, contracted price and value or cost of import per volume, among others.

In addition, all documents, papers, letters, minutes and transcripts of official meetings, maps, books, photographs, films, sound and video recordings, magnetic or other tapes and electronic data processing records are covered by the proposed law.

The government agencies are required to submit said documents to a Congressional Oversight Committee consisting of five members each from the Senate and House of Representatives.

Under the measure, any government official or employee who shall knowingly release false and misleading information will be penalized with a fine of not more than P40,000 and imprisonment of three years.

In case any official or employee who fails to respond to a request due to negligence or failure to meet the time limits for response, a fine of P20,000 is imposed and/or imprisonment of one year, including accessory penalties in both instances.

"In order to reinforce and guarantee the right of the people to affordable and adequate food supply, the government must be transparent in all its transactions involving food and basic commodities," Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado M. Arroyo (2nd district), one of the authors, said in the same statement.

Illegal logs recovered in Mindoro

by Juancho Mahusay


CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – A police operating team arrested a supposed “untouchable” illegal logger last Sunday after he attempted to transport a total of 1,900 board feet of high-valued woods in Bansud town in Oriental Mindoro.

Police identified the suspect as Melecio Dagli (54), a resident of Conrazon village in the same town.

Police provincial director Anthony Alcañeses said the suspect was intercepted while transporting undocumented lumbers using a six-by-six truck.

During interrogation, the suspect admitted that the logs have no proper documentations from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), adding that the logs are to be delivered to an alias "Everest", who operates a sawmill in Bansud.

Alcañeses commended the Police Special Operation group for a “job well done.”

The confiscated logs were turned over by the PNP here to the DENR community office.

Providing Electricity To Rural Filipinos

by mb.com.ph


MANILA, Philippines — The electrification of the remaining 36,000 sitios or small communities in the country, will be completed by 2016. The project is on track to attain the goal of providing electricity to 100 percent of rural barangays and 90 percent of rural households nationwide by 2017. The average household electrification level stands at between 72 percent and 75 percent. By the last quarter of 2011, the government provided electricity services to 1,420 sitios.

The government continues to seek ways to improve electric service efficiency through private sector involvement. It doubled its budget this year to R5 billion, the highest so far for rural electrification, to attain more “inclusive” growth or economic development that starts from the bottom. The private sector, particularly the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), participate in the program through financial assistance or through the “Adopt-a-Barangay” scheme where IPPs fund the electrification of chosen barangays.

To strengthen efforts by both government and private sector to develop innovative and sustained strategies consistent with reforms embodied in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), the Expanded Rural Electrification Program was established in April 26, 2003. The EPIRA opened opportunities for private sector participation and investment in rural electrification. There are now 119 electric cooperatives (ECs), 16 privately owned utilities, and three municipal systems that distribute power to the rural areas.

ECs are government partners in bringing electricity to rural areas. The Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, for instance, constructed the country’s first renewable energy project, a 2.1-megawatt mini hydro power plant, which was recently switched on by President Benigno S. Aquino III, lighting up 45 sitios and benefiting 978 families. The R21.022-million project was funded by the Development Bank of the Philippines as part of the 5.1-megawatt Linao Cawayan mini hydro power plant project. The project’s second phase, the three-megawatt Linao Cawayan mini hydro project also in Oriental Mindoro, is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2013.

The government still seeks the support and commitment of stakeholders in its initiative to provide energy that will help improve the lives of marginalized Filipinos, especially in still un-electrified rural barangays and households.

Indigent children get free dental services

by Luis T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, March 15 (PIA) -- The City Health and Sanitation Department (CHSD) has recently conducted a dental outreach program to 300 indigent children from Barangay Navotas.

The outreach program was dubbed as ‘Fit for School Program,’ with the theme “Ngiting Matamis, Ngiping Malilinis, Dala ay Pag-asa, Tunay na Ligaya,” and targets to promote oral health care among daycare children.

The program aims to educate and promote healthy behavior among daycare children and eventually encourage them to act as advocates in their own homes and influence their family to practice proper hygienic routines such as regular hand washing with soap and brushing of teeth.

City Mayor Doy Leachon commended the organizers of the dental outreach program and expressed hope that through the program, there will be a significant reduction in absenteeism among children in school and greatly improves their school performance.

With the warm welcome and high participation of people in the community, Leachon, vowed to organize more medical and dental missions this year, especially in far-flung barangays.

The event was also attended by city health officer Dr. Basilisa M. Llanto and city dentist Dr. Simonette Dalisay, who said that the program is considered one of the most important activities of the dental section of CHSD, since it highlighted oral hygiene and dental health as significant in promoting the general well-being of every individual, especially children. (LBR/LTC-PIA4B Calapan)

Alleged NPA member surrenders

by Juancho Mahusay


CALAPAN CITY – An alleged member of the New People’s Army (NPA) has voluntarily surrendered last Friday morning in Sablayan town in Occidental Mindoro province, the Philippine Army here reported on Sunday.

In his report, Captain Maximino P. Maduli, civil military officer of the Philippine Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade based in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, identified the rebel returnee as Richard Galgo Salcedo alias “Ka Brazil” and “Ka Jho,” a member of Platoon 1 of Kilusang Larangang Gerilya 2 of the NPA and Communist Party of the Philippines’ Mindoro Island Committee (ISLACOM).

According to the report, the alleged NPA member is a 29-year old resident of Sitio Mamara, Brgy. Mapaya in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.

Salcedo surrendered to Lt. Col. Ted Dumosmog, commanding officer of PA’s 80th Infantry Battalion in Sablayan at about 9 AM of March 9. The surrender was arranged by Corporal Ismael G. Cornejo, Private First Class Stephen L. Larruped and Ronald G Salcedo or “Ka Mark", a former rebel and brother of the rebel returnee.

Salcedo said he decided to surrender to end the hardships he suffered in the mountains and to live a "normal life." He also said he decided to surrender because of the plans and programs of the government and the good treatment of the army in the province to his former companions who surrendered earlier through the Balik Lipunan Program (Hawak Kamay Program) of the 203rd Infantry Brigade. The former rebel is now under the custody of 80th Infantry Battalion for interrogation and custodial debriefing.

Occidental Mindoro Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato she is willing to extend financial assistance to former rebels to help them find a source of income.

Col. Johnny L. Macanas, acting commander of the Army’s 203rd Infantry Brigade, said the surrender "Ka Brazil” as well as the surrender of other rebels in the past is a “proof” of the “loosening grip” of the CPP-NPA-NDF over their followers. He also stated the need to continue the “Bayanihan” effort of all sectors to resolve insurgency in Mindoro and “help improve security, win the peace, and develop the island of Mindoro.”






2-DAY Forestry Seminar For Cops

by Ferdinand F. Castro


CAMP NAVARRO, Oriental Mindoro — The Police Regional Office 4-B’s (PRO4-B’s) Police Community Relations Division (RPCRD) conducted a two-day seminar-workshop on Nursery and Forest Plantation Establishment, Maintenance and Protection in cooperation with the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Calapan City.

The seminar was participated in by 43 members of the Office of Command Group, Directorial Staff, Regional Support Units and the Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office (PPO).

No ban on gay performers, says Puerto Galera official

by Madonna T. Virola

Inquirer Southern Luzon


CITY OF CALAPAN, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines—There is no ban on gay or transexual performers in Puerto Galera, a spokesman for the town’s mayor said Friday. “All we ask is [for them] to tone down the kind of acts they do, and definitely no to lewd performances,” said Raffy Cataquis, the municipality’s administrative assistant for information, who spoke on behalf of Mayor Hubbert Christopher Dolor. Cataquis issued the clarification after the Ladlad Partylist, in a statement on Thursday, claimed that bar owners have been complaining that Puerto Galera officials were disallowing gay talents to perform in shows supposedly because of their “lewdness.” “It would be a violation of the right to work,” said the partylist that champions the rights of Filipinos who are lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT). “The owners reportedly were alarmed because their coffers will surely get affected because their patrons are always looking for the gay performers,” Ladlad said. Bemz Benedito, the group’s nominee for a congressional seat, said in the statement that instead of banning gay talents, the municipal government should enact an ordinance that would prohibit children from entering comedy bars to watch such shows or setting age limits for watching gay acts. “In a comedy bar, children should not be allowed because of the sensitivity of the language being used in this kind of entertainment. Besides you cannot control the performers on what to say and do on stage,” Benedito said. “In television, you have an agency that reviews and classifies programs that suits the right age of its viewers.” But Cataquis said that if Ladlad was referring to bars along White Beach in Barangay San Isidro, no such restrictions would work because these establishments are open-air bars on the beach. Cataquis said he would talk with the bar owners to hear their complaints and find a way to resolve the local government’s concern over “lewd” performances. He said Dolor was open to dialogue with Ladlad representatives led by Benedito who planned to visit Puerto Galera to discuss the matter with the mayor and other officials. Cataquis defended Dolor, saying the mayor “is not sexist, as others would claim.” “Otherwise, he would not trust a gay like me to a position in government,” added Cataquis. Puerto Galera, the northwesternmost town of Oriental Mindoro, is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and diving spots.

Group: Ban children, not gays from Puerto Galera's bars

by Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex


MANILA -- Banning minors from comedy bars will protect them from the racy language used onstage, a partylist for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Filipinos said Thursday as it opposed a ban on gay performers that may soon be imposed in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

In a press statement, Ladlad party-list said the proposed ban is a "clear violation of their right to work." According to a report in a national daily, gay performers have been banned from the resort town's clubs and bars since 2011 over complaints that they use "obscene and vulgar language" in their stand-up comedy performances.

Ladlad said it would be better for the local government to instead impose a minimum age for patrons allowed in bars and clubs. "In a comedy bar, children should not be allowed because of the sensitivity of the language being used in this kind of entertainment. Besides you cannot control the performers on what to say and do on stage," Bemz Benedito, the group's nominee for a congressional seat, said.

Benedito, also chairperson of the group, said she will seek a dialogue with local officials on the proposed ban.

Genaro Bonquin, village chairman of one of Puerto Galera's barangays, has denied that there is a proposal to ban gays from performing but that they had only been asked to tone down their language while onstage.

OPAPP develops conflict-affected areas to promote peace

by Luis T. Cueto


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, March 7 (PIA) -- The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) has been implementing a peace-building program which focuses on developing conflict-affected areas to address the root cause of armed conflict.

Paul Escober, OPPAP area manager for Bicol, said these efforts are being done under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program, the national government’s peace and development framework that aims to build peaceful and resilient communities in conflict affected areas by improving their lives through bringing back government to communities and ensuring that the people benefit from the better delivery of basic services.

Pamana implements a converged peace building program focusing on the development of conflict affected areas to address the root cause of armed conflict.

Oriental Mindoro was recently identified by OPAPP as one of the areas under the seven zones where the level of conflict vulnerability is high.

The province belongs to the Bicol-Quezon-Mindoro Zone where recovery efforts of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army continue.

The peace-building programs include poverty reduction in conflict affected areas through community infrastructure and focused delivery of social services, improvement of governance through partnership with national and local institutions, building capacities for governance, enhancement of transparency and accountability mechanism and empowerment of communities and strengthening of their capacity to address issues of vulnerability and peace. (LBR/MCM/LTC-PIA4B)

Robinsons Mall – Calapan City

by L MINDORENEAN


It becomes Oriental Mindoro’s first and largest commercial establishment to rise within the project Xevera Neo Calapan, in Calapan City.

It brings to Oriental Mindoro the Robinsons brand of shopping, with its seal of quality, efficiency and convenience. Though there are other places of shopping and recreation around the province, Neo Calapan Mall is a notch higher as it will house Robinsons’ signature stores, namely Robinsons Supermarket, Department Store, Appliance Center and Handyman Do-it Best Home Center.

Aside from these, spa and wellness centers, games and amusement arcade, and two 150-seater cinemas, among others, will also operate inside the mall, offering entertainment and recreation. These establishments are expected to turn shopping and relaxation into a first-class experience in the province, providing Mindoreños a taste of the urban lifestyle.






PNoy to inaugurate 2.1 megawatt Linao Cawayan Mini Hydro power plant

by Luis T. Cueto and Bradley de Leon


CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, March 2 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III will inaugurate the 2.1 megawatt Linao Cawayan Mini Hydro power plant today at around 10:00 a.m.

Although the powerplant is located within the Linao Cawayan River in the municipality of San Teodoro, the inauguration will be held in the compound of Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (ORMECO) in Sta. Isabel, Calapan city. The president will lead the Ceremonial Switch-On of the 45 Sitios under the Sitio Electrification Program.

According to Romeo Cuasay, ORMECO general manager, the project is a run-of-the-river hydro incorporating a gross head of 81.57 meters and a rated flow of 4.10 cubic meters per second at 35 percent at a time. The power capacity is 2,100 kilowatts.

The plant is now fully operational, serving directly the consumers from the site through the town of Baco leading to substation transformer in Calapan City to synchronize the electricity available to the system.

Meanwhile, the president will also be presented a copy of the book “ The ORMECO Odyssey,” by ORMECO’s first president Atty. Zosimo Mendoza. It describes the journey of the electric cooperative from its organization 39 years ago. It also shows the efforts to tap the renewable energy to meet the growing demand of power.

Also expected to attend the ceremony are Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Governor Alfonso Umali, Jr. and other local officials. (LTC/BSD/PIA4B/CALAPAN)

Oriental Mindoro to attempt 'tourism coup' on Friday

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





I did not violate Bank Secrecy Law - Umali

by Jess Diaz


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Unequivocal support’

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

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

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

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





Umali ready to face possible ethics complaint

by David Dizon, ABS-CBNnews.com


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





OrMin Receives 2011 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Award

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


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

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

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

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

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





DTI to conduct free trade seminar

by Louie T. Cueto


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

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

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

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





35 sea turtles freed in Mindoro waters

by Juancho Mahusay


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

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

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

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

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





DOLE leads advocacy against child labor

by Louie T. Cueto


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

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

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

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

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

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

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





City Council plans for Green Calapan Program

by Louie T. Cueto


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

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

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

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





Umali stands by 'small lady' story

by Helen Flores and Jess Diaz


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





Local ordinance enacts public schools to synchronized deworming

by Lanie Bolina-Ronquillo


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

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

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

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

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





Feature: ‘New Calapan’ addresses recurring problems

by Louie T. Cueto and Camille N. Serrano


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





Romblon solon asks PNP to give best service

by Louie T. Cueto


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

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

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

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

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

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

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





Or.Mindoro provides insurance to barangay officials

by Louie T. Cueto


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





Agri training center holds training on organic farming

by Louie T. Cueto


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

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

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

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







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

by pia.gov.ph


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

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

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

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


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