General Santos City News September 2011

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Army seeks release of P1-M aid for ex-rebels

by Allen V. Estabillo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/29 September) – Local Army officials are working for the release before yearend of some P1 million worth of seed assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) for rebel returnees and residents of areas previously influenced by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Columbio town in Sultan Kudarat. Lt. Col. Alex Noel Bravo, commander of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion, said they requested the seed grant from DA to help provide additional livelihood opportunities for residents of 11 upland villages in Columbio town. He said the grant’s beneficiaries include former NPA members and sympathizers of the communist-led rebel group in the area. Bravo said their unit is presently completing the requirements set by DA for the release of the assistance. “We’re targeting its release to the beneficiaries before the end of the year,” Bravo said. Under the DA’s seed assistance program, the official said the beneficiaries will receive vegetable, palay and corn seeds of different varieties, depending on the suitability of the crop in their area. He said the prospective beneficiaries will undergo a series of technical trainings on various agricultural production practices from the agency’s experts. Bravo said they will later undergo exposure trips to demonstration farms and model agricultural production areas. The official said they sought the help of DA for the seed grant following their consultations with local officials and residents of Columbio. Villages in the mountains of Columbio were previously known as hotbeds of the NPA, which operates two active guerilla fronts in the area. The NPA’s Front 72 reportedly operates within the boundaries of Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato provinces and the Front 71 within the Sarangani, Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato boundaries. Front 76, which was tagged as behind the string of attacks in Tampakan town two years ago, was earlier declared to have been dismantled by government troops in the area. “The armed groups were still visiting the area occasionally but their influence has already diminished after we cleared their local political structures,” Bravo said. He said most of the former NPA rebels and sympathizers in the area are now part of the Barangay Defense Systems or BDS that were organized by the 27th IB. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)






City suspends car park construction

by JOSEPH JUBELAG


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines -- The city engineer’s office has temporarily suspended the construction of a car park building of SM Mall after its structure collapsed Sunday dawn injuring at least four construction workers.

City Engineer Mark Reyes ordered the suspension of work at the seven-storey building until an investigation is completed to determine the cause of the incident.

“The building should be cleared of the debris and the SM mall management will have to ensure the safety of workers at the construction site,” Reyes said.

Debby Go, SM regional operations manager, said is coordinating with the project contractor, Monolith Construction Inc., in the investigation into the cause of the accident and to determine any liability for the construction firm.





After accident, LGU partially suspends work at SM-GenSan

by Edwin G. Espejo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY(MindaNews/26 Sept) – The city government has ordered the “partial suspension” of the ongoing development works at SM City General Santos after a portion of the structure collapsed early Sunday and injured four construction workers. Engr. John Marc Reyes, acting city engineer, said they directed construction firm Monolith Construction and Development Corporation (MCDC) to temporarily stop the construction of SM’s elevated car park building pending an ongoing investigation and assessment by the local government. The MCDC was contracted by mall developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. to construct the P2.5-billion mall complex, which was initially set to open next year. “We temporarily suspended the building permit of the car park building until we determine whether it would be safe to continue with its construction or not,” Reyes said. The official said the fourth level of the mall’s car park building collapsed around 3 a.m. Sunday while workers were pouring cement at the structure. The collapsed structure, which spans around 300 square meters, reportedly crashed all the way down to the building’s second level. Sources said 40 people were working on the building’s fourth level and 23 more at the third level when the incident happened. The construction works at the mall complex were done on a 24-hour basis on different work shifts. But in a press conference, MCDC project engineer Jeston Mananguete cited that only four workers were injured during the incident. He identified the victims as Henry Gallaza, Rogelio Buban, Cesar John Rense and Allan Salkoretes, who were being treated at a private hospital here. “We’re assuring their families of full medical assistance and we will fully cooperate with the City Engineer’s Office for the investigation,” Mananguete said. He said they could not yet say what caused the accident pending a full investigation on the matter. Mananguete said the area is being secured by the firm properly to give way for the local government’s investigation. Debbie Go, SM regional operations manager for Mindanao, said they will wait for the results of the investigation before giving out a statement on the cause of the accident. “We don’t want to speculate on our side about what really happened,” she said. Go said they decided to hold the press conference to clarify supposed reports that several workers were seriously injured or were killed as a result of the incident. Reyes, who initially inspected the collapsed structure along with the City Engineer’s Office’s engineering team Sunday morning, said they did not proceed further with their investigation due to safety concerns. He said they will wait for the scheduled arrival of MCDC’s structural and safety engineers on Monday before conducting a thorough inspection of the site. “We initially instructed them to secure the area and make sure that no workers would enter the accident area until their structural engineers will arrive,” Reyes said. SM Prime Holdings recently turned over to the city government an additional two lanes along the San Miguel Street here, where the 150,000-sq.m. mall is located. SM also installed a P53-million drainage system, which would benefit a section of the city at the side of the SM mall in Barangay Lagao. SM officials said it would hire some 8,000 workers from the area for the upcoming operations of the mall, which is bigger than the SM malls in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)

City engineer suspends construction of SM mall car park in GenSan

by Aquiles Z. Zonio

Inquirer Mindanao


GENERAL SANTOS City, Philippines—The City Engineer’s Office has ordered the temporary suspension of the construction of the multi-story car park building of SM mall here in the wake of an accident that left four workers injured on Sunday. John March Reyes, acting city engineer, said he issued the order on Monday. The structural engineer of the project of retail giant SM was to arrive Tuesday to inspect and investigate, he added. “The company has hired the services of private construction firms and we are just a regulatory body,” Reyes explained. He said work on the car park should remain suspended until the structural engineer completes his investigation or submits a new building plan and design. Reyes said that if the structural engineer certifies the safety of the building, their office would issue them a new building permit. He said the accident occurred in a separate building designed as a car park on the seven-hectare lot leased by SM for 25 years. A portion of the building’s third floor collapsed while workers were pouring cement on Sunday, Reyes said. SM management hastily called for a press conference on the same day but officials of the construction firm refused to answer questions.





4 workers hurt in SM mall construction accident in General Santos City

by Aquiles Z. Zonio

Inquirer Mindanao


GENERAL SANTOS City, Philippines—Four construction workers were reported injured when the third floor of the SM City being built here collapsed while the workers were loading cement early Sunday morning. Records of the Bula Police Station identified the victims as Henry Gallaza, 35, from Isabela province; Cesar John Rense and Allan Salkoretes, both from Surallah town, South Cotabato; and a certain Rogelio Buban. All the four victims are currently confined in a hospital here for treatment. In a radio interview, Gallaza said a portion of the third floor collapsed when the workers loaded wet cement. Gallaza added that it crashed down up to the second floor pinning the workers below. The construction of SM City here, the biggest among the SM branches in Mindanao, is ongoing and the management is targeting to open the department store by December. In a press conference hastily called by SM here Sunday afternoon, it clarified that only four workers were injured in the accident around 4 a.m. Sunday.

A 'tuna-rrific experience' in GenSan

by CRISPINA MARTINEZ-BELEN


MANILA, Philippines -- GMA Network brought its stars to the recent Tuna Festival in General Santos City where they provided a “blissful tuna-rrific experience” to thousands who trooped to the KCC Mall of GenSan Convention Center. The Kapuso stars who joined in the celebration were the cast of “Iglot:” Claudine Barretto, Luis Alandy, Patrick Garcia, John Feir and Milkcah Wynne Nacion and “Sisid” star Rich Asuncion. The event was hosted by John together with Resci Rizada of GMA Davao and Anna Maris Igpit of GMA Cebu.

The celebration kicked off with the “Serbisyong Totoo Docu-Fest.”

GMA News reporter Cesar Apolinario was present during the event.

As early as 2 p.m. of that day, hundreds of residents were already queuing at the Brgy. San Jose Covered Court for the “Kapuso Barangayan: Serbisyong Totoo Hatid ng GMA News and Public Affairs” wherein a feeding program, free clinic services, and bloodletting activity took place. A hot evening followed at the Anchor Driving Range as the “Karagatan Awards” unfolded with numbers from Stef Prescott and Sexbomb Mia Pangyarihan of “Amaya.”

Kapuso stars also participated in the “Mr. and Ms. GenSan 2011 Finals” with Claudine as pageant judge and Mike Tan as guest performer. They were joined by hosts Victor Aliwalas and Anna Maris Igpit.

The highlights of the festival were aired via the TV Special airing on all eight regional stations of the network in General Santos, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Naga, Cebu, Iloilo, and Bacolod.

Sponge Cola releases mainstream album

The Sponge Cola finally has released a mainstream album entitled “Araw Oras Tagpuan.” According to Universal Records, the album’s single “Tambay” has already attained a Diamond status. The song was written by the band’s front-man Yael Yuzon (guitar, vocals). The other members of the band, all Ateneans, are Armo Armovit on lead guitars, Gosh Dilay on bass, and Tedmark Cruz on drums.

“I feel inspired by the people around me,” Yael said referring to how he comes up with ideas for the songs he writes.

A “tambay,” says Yael, does a lot of reminiscing especially about beautiful experiences.

Perhaps, it’s worthwhile for us to experience being a “tambay” now and then! Aside from “Tambay,” “Araw Oras Tagpuan” also features the songs “Regal,” the CD’s current carrier single; “Walang Wakas,” theme song of ABS-CBN’s series “Wansapanatym,” Rod Santiago’s “Buhawi Jack,” “Kay Tagal Kitang Hinihintay,” “Araw Oras Tagpuan,” “Warning” which features drummer Tedmark Cruz on vocals, and “New Steel” featuring Salamin vocalist Paolo Valenciano.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Friday, Sept. 23, go to Mrs. Socorro Ramos of National Bookstore, Jenine Desiderio, Lynette Punzalan, Zenia Co, Grace de Asis Ilagan, Rose S. Vella, Avelino P. Basa, Danny Carvajal, Dr. Mariano Go, Danny Carvajal, Carlo Ignacio, Lina Gladys Castillo and Heidee Gay C. Ramirez of Cabagan, Isabela; Johnelle Marie M. Galigaro, Elmer Reyes, PSN entertainment editor Salve Asis, Mikee Tanae and comedian Kit-Kat... “Buhay Bata,” the first solo art exhibit of visual artist Jose Vistan of Hagonoy, Bulacan, is ongoing till Oct. 18 at the San Beda Museum in Alabang Hills with museum curator Miner Palad as sponsor. Vistan is known for his watercolor paintings of children of all ages thus the title of his art exhibit... The Something Special 78 Band (composed of former New Minstrels members) which plays dance music from the ’60s to the ’80s, performs every Friday night at 9 this month of September at the Bistro Miyake Japanese Rest. along Annapolis St., Greenhills. Singing with them is businessman Bobby del Rosario…






Dengue cases in Region 12 drop by 81%

by balita.ph


GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Sept. 22 – The number of dengue cases in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao has so far dropped by 81 percent but regional health officials continued to caution local residents against possible infection with the deadly viral disease. Dr. Abdullah Dumama, Department of Health-Region 12 director, said Thursday the regional epidemiology and surveillance unit has only recorded a total of 1,905 cases of dengue in the region as of last September 17. He said such figure declined by 81 percent when compared to the 10,132 verified dengue cases during the same period last year. “Our monitoring showed that we’re still below the alert threshold,” the official said. Dumama said the number of deaths due to dengue in the region also dropped to 16 from last year’s 49 cases. He said 11 of the recorded dengue deaths this year was recorded in General Santos City. 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 health official said South Cotabato posted the highest number of confirmed cases with 505 cases followed by North Cotabato with 500, General Santos City with 364, Sarangani with 198, Cotabato City with 183 and Sultan Kudarat with 155. He said 788 cases or 41 percent of the dengue patients were children aged 10 years old and below followed by those in the 10 to 20 years-old age bracket at 556 cases or 29 percent. But Dumama said they are currently closely watching at least nine areas in the region due to the clustering of dengue cases. The DOH’s National Epidemiology Center defined clustering of cases as the emergence of three or more cases in a barangay in four consecutive weeks. He said the areas with noted clustering of cases were Glan town in Sarangani; Barangays Cannery Site and Poblacion in Polomolok, South Cotabato; Barangay Poblacion in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; Barangay Bagua II of Cotabato City; and, Barangays Labangal, San Isidro, City Heights and Fatima of General Santos City.(PNA) LAP/AVE/AC





PACQUIAO WATCH: Taking us for a ride

by Edwin G. Espejo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/20 September) — No, this is not about the outcome of the Mayweather-Ortiz fiasco of a fight that quite a handful are now saying was a fix. It’s all about Floyd Mayweather Jr. taking advantage of boxing fans’ unquenchable thirst for an ultimate showdown with Manny Pacquiao. You see, the only reason Mayweather keeps on fighting is not because he wants to prove he is better than Pacquiao. He wants to keep the cash flow coming. For as long as boxing fans will continue to clamor for a Mayweather date with the Filipino boxing pound for pound king, the flamboyant but egomaniac former US Olympic bronze medalist will continue to pick his opponents while laughing all the way to the bank, making us suckers for his highwire con game. HBO included and in collusion. Mayweather says he does not need Pacquiao to prove he is the greatest. Of course, he doesn’t. Because if he will dare, he may just expose himself as one of the greatest fraud of all time (pardon for the fragmented line – just for emphasis). Not to take away what Floyd has accomplished. He is one of the finest boxers of all time. But the greatest? What is the standard of being the greatest of all time anyway? Retiring without a single loss? The heck. Rocky Marciano and Ricardo Lopez beat him by more than a mile. Both undefeated champions have better knockout ratios, fought more fights and faced all available and named opponents of their generation. Yet, the two are nowhere near in the all- time-great conversation. Suppose he wakes up from his dreams and decides to finally take on Pacquiao, will Mayweather be able to beat Manny? Of course, he can. But will he also go down in defeat? Absolutely! Mayweather’s fastest opponent was an aging Shane Mosley and he was not able to keep him away. He has never fought a boxer who charges at him at different angles and can match his speed and at the same time negate his power. Manny Pacquiao is the only boxer in their weight category who possesses those lethal combinations. And Pacquiao looks not a bit intimidated by the sweet counterpunching Mayweather. Mayweather, too, has all the skills to stop Pacquiao’s winning streak. He has the pesky jab that will keep Manny at bay and the hand speed to keep Manny’s defense honest. In short, the two are meant for each other. They are like an immovable force meeting an irresistible object. They are bound to explode. But of course, they will never fight because Mayweather refuses to. Mayweather, for all his claims that he is far more superior than Manny, is only taking us all for a ride. (Edwin G. Espejo writes for www.asiancorrespondent.com)

Big crowd greets Shamcey Supsup in hometown General Santos City

by Aquiles Zonio, Inquirer Mindanao


GENERAL SANTOS CITY – A huge crowd turned out on the streets of this city to greet Miss Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup upon her arrival Tuesday morning aboard a private plane. Shamcey was accompanied by Ella Antonino, younger sister of Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, who led city officials in welcoming the beauty queen. From the airport, Shamcey was treated to a motorcade that drove around the city’s main thoroughfares for three hours. Shamcey rode a specially-designed float together with her parents and the mayor. Delighted city residents lined up the motorcade route and were unmindful of the searing heat of the noontime sun. They waited for several hours just to catch a glimpse of their townmate beauty titlist. And when Shamcey’s float passed by, they stomped their feet, waved their hands, chanted her name and took photos of the beauty queen. “I thought the crowd which met me in Manila was the biggest. Now I realize, it was just a prelude to a much bigger crowd during my homecoming,” she said. “Thanks for your prayers and support and for loving me. I love you all,” she added. The motorcade ended at the oval plaza covered court. The city government had prepared a “tribute variety show” at the General Santos City gymnasium in Barangay Lagao on Tuesday night. During the show, Supsup is expected to show once again her “tsunami” walk. Aside from musical presentations, the Miss Universe pageant will be shown. Timoteo, Supsup’s father, said his daughter had already informed him that her first project here will be the improvement of their house in Barangay (village) Katangawan. During a press conference earlier, Shamcey said she had agreed to do the design of the city government’s business and investments promotion center. Shamcey is an architect by profession. City administrator Jose Mariano Gonzales said the budget for the construction of the city’s business and investments promotion building had already been included in the annual investment plan (AIP) of the city government. “We have already a budget for that and we expect to save money because Shamcey pledged to do the design without cost,” Gonzales said. Shamcey said she has been thinking of ways to help the city government and one thing that crossed her mind is to make architectural design for the city’s infrastructure project. Shamcey also disclosed that Transportation and Communication Secetary Mar Roxas had asked her to do the design for the NAIA Terminal 3.






Skimriders of AMIHAN sa Dahican leads 3rd National Skimboarding Competition in GenSan

by CIO - Mati


Skimboarders of Amihan sa Dahican in the City of Mati topped the 3rd National Skimboarding Competition and Push Race (Long Boards) 2011 during the 43rd Chartered Anniversary and 13th Tuna Festival in General Santos City held last September 3 – 4, 2011 at the Queen Tuna Park, General Santos City.

Amihan sa Dahican Skimboarders dominated the competition and bagged two (2) Championship trophies and two 3rd places, outshining the other skimboarders from General Santos City, Surigao and some other parts of Mindanao.

Skimboarders of the Amihan sa Dahican namely Sonny Boy “Bayogyog” Aporbo; for the expert category and Michael Bukong; for the Beginners category won the championship prize respectively. The third placer trophies went to Jovic Morales, also from Amihan Sa Dahican and Rodel Patawi.

The Matinian Skimboarders in Amihan sa Dahican are considered to be among the best skimboarders in the region and in the country because of their track record in winning various regional and national competitions in skimboarding.

Mayor Michelle N. Rabat personally congratulates the skimboarders of Amihan sa Dahican headed by its founder Jun Plaza for bringing home the title and putting the City of Mati again in the map as the Skimboarders capital across the region.





3K Run for Clean Coasts!

by bariles


The Philippine National Police Office of General Santos City is at it again!

As part of its continuing TAKBO GENSAN series under its energetic and hunky chief, PNP City Director PSSupt. Cedrick Train, the country’s Best City Police Office is again inviting everyone to another marathon or fun run. This time, it will be be held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 in support of the 26th International Coastal Clean-Up Day!

They have dubbed it “3K for Clean Coasts“.

For a measly sum of P25 for kids and P50 for adults, interested runners may register at the PNP Office at the Camp Fermin Lira Headquarters on or before Saturday.

Participants are then advised to be at the Assembly Place at the PNP Office Grounds at the same camp before 5:00 AM. The marathon will start at exactly 5:00am.

The 3-kilometer route will end at the Barangay Bula Coral Reef, which suggests a place at the coastal area there.

Bariles hopes to join this one although he can only brisk walk. What’s important is that finally, he will be joining his first ever 3K Marathon after a looooooong time.

Angolan stuns; Shamcey Supsup shines

by Reports from AFP and AP


Sao Paulo, Brazil—The newly crowned Miss Universe hopes her victory will allow her to assist her native country further escape its history of war and poverty, and believes that “racists need to seek help” for they are “not normal in the 21st century.” Angola’s Leila Lopes on Monday night (Tuesday morning in Manila) became the new Miss Universe, edging out beauties from Ukraine, Brazil, the Philippines and China as the pageant marked its 60th anniversary. The Philippine candidate, 25-year-old Shamcey Supsup, an architecture magna cum laude and native of General Santos City, finished third runner-up in the contest among 89 young women and watched by an estimated one billion people around the world. Lopes, 25, wearing a glittery strapless gown with feathery fringe, accepted the crown from last year’s winner, Mexico’s Ximena Navarrete, after upsetting a lineup of Latin American beauties who had been favored to win. Asked in the final round by a Filipino judge, Broadway star Lea Salonga, what physical trait about herself she would change if given the opportunity, Lopes replied: “Nothing, I am satisfied with what God gave me,” and added that it was important to have “inner beauty.” Murmurs of wonder Lopes wore a light-colored dress that contrasted well with her dark skin, and pinned her voluminous hair up in a bun that sent murmurs of wonder through the local press corps. “Now I have work to do, and I want to try to keep my feet on the ground,” Lopes later told reporters as she struggled to hold back tears after receiving a standing ovation at São Paulo’s Credicard Hall. She will go on to serve as a world ambassador of sorts, with a full calendar of public appearances to raise awareness about the fight against AIDS and other serious diseases. Speaking in a timid voice shortly after taking the crown in South America’s largest city, Lopes said that “as Miss Angola I’ve already done a lot to help my people.” “I’ve worked with various social causes. I work with poor kids, I work in the fight against HIV. I work to protect the elderly and I have to do everything that my country needs,” she said. “I think now as Miss Universe I will be able to do much more.” No cosmetic surgery Responding to questions, Lopes said that she had never had cosmetic surgery of any kind and that her three tips for beauty were to get a lot of sleep, use sunblock even when it’s not sunny and to drink lots of water. She said her smile was her best weapon in the competition. Asked about racism in light of the fact that she’s one of the few blacks ever crowned Miss Universe, Lopes said that “any racist needs to seek help. It’s not normal in the 21st century to think in that way.” Angola’s first winner, Lopes deftly handled the interview question that is asked of the remaining top five contestants. “Thank God I’m very satisfied with the way God created me and I wouldn’t change a thing,” Lopes said. “I consider myself a woman endowed with inner beauty. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I intend to follow these for the rest of my life,” she added. The first runner-up was 23-year-old Olesia Stefanko of Ukraine and the second runner-up was the hometown favorite, Priscila Machado of Brazil. The third was the Philippines’ Supsup and the fourth was China’s Luo Zilin.

Contestants spent the past three weeks in São Paulo, trying to learn samba dance steps, visiting impoverished children and kicking a football around for cameras as the Miss Universe pageant came to Brazil for the first time. She knew what to say Despite battling against a home country favorite, Lopes won over the audience, speaking in the shared language of Portuguese. Angola, like Brazil, is a former Portuguese colony. “She captivated the crowd and we were all behind her,” said Brazilian Natalie Bursztyn, 20, who was in the crowd inside Credicard Hall. “It was great that the judges also saw what the fans saw and gave her the crown. Her dress was beautiful and she knew exactly what to say when they asked her the question about her looks,” Bursztyn added. Another fan in the audience, Carolina Rocha, said Lopes’ win was “well deserved, we were cheering for her all along. Her smile and her friendliness was what set her apart from the others. She also answered her question very well, that likely helped her a lot.” US broadcast journalist Connie Chung was one of the celebrity judges, and said before the competition that she was taking the contest seriously. “I know my job and I’ll be tough, but fair,” Chung said. “You have to keep in mind that these women are not objects just to be looked at. They’re to be taken seriously. I want to choose somebody I take seriously and the world takes seriously, too.” Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe organization, was hyped for the night. “It’s our 60th anniversary, it’s a very big show,” she said. “We’re anticipating close to a billion viewers from around the world.” Brazil is the place Shugart said it was fitting the globe’s biggest beauty pageant be held in Brazil amid the country’s preparations to host some major events in the coming years. “I don’t think there is any doubt in the rest of the world’s mind that Brazil is the place, between hosting the Olympics and hosting the World Cup,” she said. “I love the fact we’re going to kick it off. I always say we’re the ‘World Cup’ of beauty.” The contestants must never have been married or had children and must be at least 18 years of age and under 27 years of age by Feb. 1 of the competition year. The pageant, hosted by NBC “Today” anchor Natalie Morales and the Bravo network’s Andy Cohen, was broadcast live on NBC and distributed to about 170 countries. The contest is coowned by Donald Trump and NBC, and the celebrity judges included Chung and two prominent Brazilians, supermodel Isabeli Fontana and Indy race car driver Helio Castroneves. Sharply dressed women and men jostled for chances to have their photos taken with stars on the red carpet. Some traveled from across the globe to support contestants. Jehona Dreshaj, 17, arrived from Kosovo to cheer on her sister, Aferdita Dreshaj, who is representing the European country. “It doesn’t really matter the outcome, she is already a winner in our eye and we are so proud of her,” Dreshaj said. “This has been an incredible experience for her and for all of us. It’s great for her to be representing our country in an event like this” Barely there bikinis There have been no headline-grabbing gaffes going into this year’s competition, as opposed to past years that have seen controversies of various stripes. The show itself went off without a hitch. Some of the contestants have complained to the local news media about the size of bikinis used in some photo shoots, with Miss Mexico Karin Ontiveros saying they were “very small.” That was enough to draw chuckles in Brazil, where women from all walks of life, not just beauty queens, sport barely there swimwear on beaches throughout the country. Miss USA Alyssa Campanella failed to end a long losing spell for her country in the competition. An American has not been named Miss Universe since Brook Lee won the title in 1997. The pageant started as a local bathing suit revue in Long Beach, California, organized by a swimwear company. It was the ninth time the competition was held in Latin America but the first time it was hosted by Brazil. Latin American women were the favorites this year after winning the crown in seven of the last 10 competitions, and all eyes were on the slender Vanessa Goncalves of Venezuela, which has a highly competitive beauty pageant circuit. Venezuela won back-to-back crowns in 2008 and 2009—a first in the competition—and with a total of six wins falls just one short of the United States, which has more than 10 times its population. But Goncalves and another favorite, Miss Kosovo, were eliminated after the swimsuit competition and did not make it into the group of finalists.





Road network

by Mindanao Newsbits


September 12, 2011, 5:01pm GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines (PNA) – 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 of the three municipalities in South Cotabato to various markets in Region 12.

Reynaldo Legaste, South Cotabato provincial agriculturist, said Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala endorsed the proposed Tupi-Banga-T'boli road project’s immediate funding and implementation. 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.





DA cuts tuna export fee

by MARVYN N. BENANING


MANILA, Philippines -- 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.

THREE FILIPINO BROTHERS VOW FOR LIFE

by maristeastasia.org


Three Filipino Brothers from the Sector of Philippines made their perpetual profession last September 10, 2011 at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Lagao, General Santos City.

Brothers Niño Mark John, Albert and Jeff Rhey professed perpetually in the presence of the Superior General’s delegate, Br. Manuel De Leon, the Brother Provincial of East Asia Province.

Bishop Angelito Lampon, OMI, DD was the main presider of the Mass, which was assisted by other three priests.

Br. Niño Mark John Suarez (from the Diocese of Marbel) is presently assigned at Notre Dame of Cotabato in Cotabato City. Brother Albert Muñoz (from the Diocese of Kidapawan) is assigned at Marist School in Marikina City, while Brother Jeff Rhey Antiquesa (from the Diocese of Kidapawan) is working at Marcellin Home Foundation in Katangawan but stays at Aspirancy House, his community assignment at the moment.

The said special event was attended by religious sisters, brothers and priests and lay mission partners of the Brothers in the Philippines coming from the different Marist schools.






Comval, Sarangani capture top Tuna Festival Bancarera prizes

by Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 4, 2011) – Boat racers from Compostela Valley and Sarangani provinces topped the Tuna Festival edition of Bombo Radyo’s Bancarera 2011 witnessed by a huge crowd Saturday, September 3. With a total of 40 riders all over Mindanao, riders from Sarangani and Comval made it to the finals and raced off Queen Tuna Park for the ultimate leg. Rider Argie Atal of Comval province, with a race record of 3 minutes and 13 seconds, bagged the P30,000 and a brand new Honda 13-horse power marine engine for the 1st prize. Sarangani riders Larvin Macagcalat (1st runner-up) and Arsenio Barit (2nd runner-up) settled for the prizes of P20,000 and a brand new Honda 5.5-horsepower marine engine and P15,000, respectively. Bancarera is a race of single–manned outrigger boats operated by fishermen-turned-racers speeding up in an oval track race meters away from the shore. “What made this event draw a huge crowd is because of its relevance to the festival,” said Bombo Radyo area manager for Mindanao Ricky Collado. Thousands of spectators watched the race as it highlights the ongoing Tuna Festival that will culminate on Monday (September 5). (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)






Month-long Philippine Civil Service anniversary begins

by sarangani.gov.ph


MONTH-LONG PHILIPPINE CIVIL SERVICE ANNIVERSARY BEGINS :: By COCOY SEXCION

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 6, 2011) – Local government and employees of national agencies in Sarangani and General Santos City opened their inter-agency sportsfest Tuesday (September 6) to celebrate the Philippine Civil Service’s 111th year.

“The birth of the civil service signifies the start of the Philippine government’s journey after the declaration of independence. Thus, it is an important hallmark in the history of our nation. All government agencies are part of this celebration,” the Civil Service Commission (CSC) stated in a memorandum.

The CSC is spearheading the 111th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary month-long celebration.

According to the CSC, “this year’s celebration is anchored on President Benigno S. Aquino III’s call for reform, daang matuwid, and on his pledge to implement change in government. The theme urges civil servants nationwide to respond to the call for change and be servant-heroes (lingkod bayani) by joining CSC in building a responsive, accessible, courteous and effective public service or R.A.C.E.”

This year’s theme is “Championing R.A.C.E.: Public Service Excellence at Full Speed”.

The celebration in SARGEN Chapter kicked off with a fun walk from Robinsons Place at around 6:30am to Lagao gymnasium where a series of activities will be conducted.

CSC regional director Grace Belgado-Saqueton declared the opening of the sportsfest.

The various sports events are basketball for men, volleyball for men and women, bowling, darts, chess, badminton, lawn and table tennis and athletics.

Participating agencies for these friendship games are the local government units (LGU) of General Santos and Sarangani, PAG–IBIG, General Santos Water District, Mindanao State University, LGU Glan, Regional Trial Court, Department of Public Works and Highways, National Food Authority, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, LGU Alabel, LGU Malapatan, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Education as announced by Liberty Roxas, secretary of Council of Personnel Officers (CPO)-SARGEN during the presentation of players by team.

Incumbent CPO-SARGEN officers are Sittiehawa Marohamsalic, president; Nenita Ellivera, vice president; Liberty Rojas and Aijane Anfone for secretary and assistant secretary positions; Ursula Alvarez, treasurer; Helen Sanchez, assistant treasurer; Ruth Sheba Canzana and Roland Rene Gonzalez as auditors; Jocelyn Tenchavez, public information officer; Ernesto Quisay, business manager; and Edna Mahinay as adviser.

The anniversary celebration aims to showcase and celebrate reforms and milestones of government agencies as they fulfill their respective mandates.

State employees in all government agencies and instrumentalities are enjoined to actively participate in the activities and contests to be undertaken at the national, regional and agency levels. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)






Funding for completion of P1.1-B GenSan road project assured

by Allen V. Estabillo


GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/05 September) — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) assured over the weekend the full release within the next two years of the remaining P700-million funding for the completion of the P1.1-billion city circumferential road project. Secretary Lualhati Antonino, MinDA chairperson, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) have already programmed the release of the required appropriation for the 30-kilometer project until 2013. She said MinDa and the city government earlier presented the project to DBM and DPWH officials and “they understood the importance of the project (to the area) and the need to fast-track its completion.” “(The DPWH) already resumed the project’s implementation and although it may not be ready yet by 2013, we were assured that the release of its budget will be completed by then,” she added. Antonino said MinDA pushed for the inclusion of the project in the national government’s priority infrastructure investments in Region 12 or Southwestern Mindanao due to its potential economic benefits. She said the circumferential road will mainly connect various agribusiness production areas in the city to various markets as well as provide better access and movement for products coming from other parts of the region. Region 12 comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Cotabato and Kidapawan. The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 12, which is headed by City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, had endorsed the circumferential road as among the region’s priority infrastructure projects. The RDC 12 specifically sought for the prioritization of the project in terms of the DPWH’s allocation for 2012 during a meeting here in April with President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. The road project, which was launched as a priority initiative during the Arroyo administration, did not move as planned due to lack of funding. The road network starts from the diversion road along the General Santos-Davao highway in Barangay Katangawan and stretches to the Sinawal road along the General Santos-Isulan highway in Barangay Apopong and the airport road in Barangay Fatima. Mayor Custodio said the completion of the project will mainly decongest traffic along the city’s major streets and provide a better linkage for the city’s peripheral areas. A report from the DPWH Region 12 noted that the circumferential road is also expected to bring economic impact through easy facilitation of transporting of goods to and from the seaport, fishport and the city airport. It will serve as road artery in transporting goods and passengers leading to Sarangani province, Davao del Sur and Davao City, it said. DPWH regional officials noted that at least P658.363 million is still needed to complete the project, especially its remaining component roads, bridges and acquisition of the road right of way. But in 2010, Custodio said the DPWH only allocated P40 million for the project in 2010 and P30 million for this year. (Allen V. Estabillo/MindaNews)






City councilor Rivera shot, gunman killed

by Edwin Espejo


General Santos City Councilor Ronel Rivera was seriously wounded in a shooting incident early on Saturday by an apparent jealous gunman who was killed by responding bodyguards of the city official.

Reports said Rivera drove home one Sheila Tañeda to her brother’s house along Mateo Compound when the gunman knocked at the door of the councilor’s SUV and immediately fired his gun at the councilor.

Rivera was hit on the neck and other parts of his body.

His bodyguards fired back at the gunman who was identified as Januart de la Cruz, reportedly an off and on boyfriend of the 28-year-old Tañeda.

De la Cruz was later brought to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Rivera is under careful watch by his doctors at the St. Elizabeth Hospital. He reportedly sustained a gunshot wound to his neck and at least one to his chest.

Police are silent about the details of the incident, saying investigations are still ongoing.

A police investigator who requested that his name be withheld, however, said the gunman was apparently waiting outside the rented apartment of Tañeda’s brother inside his L-200 pick up truck.

Rivera, who 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 at the 13th Tuna Congress.

Tañeda arrived at the bar after 1:30 in the morning with some gay friends and her brother.

Rivera reportedly offered to drive home Sheila, a personal friend.

Tañeda owns several bars in the city and reportedly just returned from the city Oval Plaza where she put up a stall for the ongoing Tuan Festival.

Police said the handgun of de la Cruz is missing including the shoulder bag of Rivera which contained his personal handgun.

The window at the passenger side of Rivera’s Nissan Patrol car was shattered by bullets which the police are still examining.

Bula police station chief Senior Insp. Hoover Antonio said that they still cannot determine the caliber of the slugs recovered from the shooting scene.

Tañeda was still in a state of shock and declined to be interviewed, according to her older sister Lanie.

Rivera is the third son of fishing magnate Rodrigo Rivera Sr.

Rivera topped the elections for councilors in 2010 and is said to be a strong candidate for mayor.

Police ruled out politics in the shooting incident.






USAid marks 1,100th matching grant in Mindanao

by Ben O. Tesiorna


GENERAL SANTOS CITY - The United States Agency for International Development (USAid) has reached its 1,100th matching grants in partnership with the Parents-Teachers Association across Mindanao, totaling to more than $1 million and helping over 600,000 students in elementary and secondary schools.

In a simple ceremony held here Thursday, beneficiaries of the matching grant program of the USAID attested how the program helped their school and their students achieve better quality of education.

The beneficiaries came from all parts of Mindanao like Zamboanga, Davao Region, Central Mindanao and all other far-flung areas.

The Education Matching Grant Program (EMGP) is a component of USAid's Growth with Equity in Mindanao Program wherein funds are provided that match, peso by peso, to the funds raised by the individual PTAs aimed at improving specific education programs or facilities at their respective schools.

It was learned that about 900 schools have already benefitted from the said program with programs or projects ranging from school libraries, science laboratories, computer laboratories, home economics laboratories and multimedia resource centers.

USAid deputy mission director Reed Aeschliman praised the education and PTA officials, saying that they recognize that ensuring quality education for the children of Mindanao is not solely the responsibility of the National Government, and that they too, can make an important difference.

"Today, we celebrate the effectiveness of this continuing partnership, the success of which has been dramatic. Parents and teachers have contributed their hard-earned money, and raised additional funds because they have committed themselves to improving the quality of education available for their children," Aeschliman said.

At the ceremony, representatives of beneficiary schools thanked the U.S. Government and the American people for their continuing commitment to help prepare Mindanao's future workforce thru partnerships with schools.

At the Marbel National High School in South Cotabato, their partnership with USAid has resulted to the improvement of their students' performance in the National Achievement Test.

The school also started winning in various Information and Communications Technology competitions after their library, multimedia center and computer laboratory were improved thru the grant of the USAid.

"Science and English lectures have now become interactive with the use of the Internet and LCD projectors out PTA got thru the matching grant. These resources were crucial in improving our school's year-on-year NAT results. Our students have also been winning in ICT competitions at the Department of Education division level," revealed school principal Ricky Dalida.

The said school has already completed five matching grants, the most by any school in Mindanao, which is a testament to the PTAs determination to improve education for its children.

Nenita Non, school librarian of Mindanao State University-CETD High School Department in General Santos City, said the resources provided by the matching grant program have revolutionized teaching in their school.

"It helped teachers to conduct classes in a more interesting and interactive way," Non said.

The school received multimedia equipment for use in the classroom. The librarian said their PTA decided to raise funds for four more additional matching grants after witnessing for themselves the immediate impact of the earlier matching grants on their students.

"Our PTA members will not hesitate to invest in projects which they believe will ensure a brighter future for their children," Non said.

For interested PTAs who wanted to apply for matching grant, they can contact the EMGP team in their area or text them at 09209098551. Be sure to include your name, the name of your school, and your mobile or landline number in the message.

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