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==Floods damage P65.5-M worth of crops, roads in Oriental Mindoro==
==PAGASA expects rain showers over parts of PHL==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/169681/floods-damage-p65-5-m-worth-of-crops-roads-in-oriental-mindoro
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/257919/news/nation/pagasa-expects-rain-showers-over-parts-of-phl
*6:40Pm|Friday March 30, 2012
*Saturday, May 12, 2012
:by Kate Evangelista
:by   LBG, GMA News




Rain showers may fall over parts of the country as a potential cyclone, a low-pressure area, heads for the West Philippine Sea Saturday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.


MANILA, Philippines – The damage to agriculture and infrastructure caused by flooding in Oriental Mindoro has reached P65.5 million, authorities said Friday.
PAGASA forecaster Fernando Cada said their models show the LPA is not likely to intensify into a cyclone while still inside Philippine territory.
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.


“Ito ay papalabas papunta sa West Philippine Sea.... Hindi na ito makakaapekto sa ating bansa," Cada said in an interview on dzBB radio.


But he also said the rain to be expected on Saturday does not yet mean the rainy season is already here.


He said the rainy season is due to set in during the second half of May, when the southwest monsoon begins to become dominant.


PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin indicated the LPA was estimated at 270 km west of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, embedded along the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Palawan and Mindanao.


It also noted the diffused tail-end of a cold front is affecting the eastern section of Southern Luzon.


“The whole archipelago will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms,” PAGASA said.


Light to moderate winds blowing from the east to northeast will prevail over Luzon and coming from the west to southwest over the rest of the country, it said.


The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate, it added.


==PNP MIMAROPA conducts e-Blotter Training==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=741332833368
*Thursday 29th of March 2012
: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==
==4 charged with tax evasion==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/28/12/floods-hit-oriental-mindoro-parts-visayas
*Source: http://www.tempo.com.ph/2012/4-charged-with-tax-evasion/#.T6zkWOgzCsE
* 03/28/2012 1:15 PM | Updated as of 03/28/2012 4:18 PM
*Friday, May 11, 2012
:by  Noel Alamar, dzMM; John Fernandez, Geron Ponferrada and Romeo Subaldo, ABS-CBN Regional Network Group
:by  Jun Ramirez




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.
Manila, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed yesterday two separate tax evasion cases against four individuals for “doctoring“ transaction papers to save on tax payments totaling more P53 million.
BIR Commissioner Kim S. Jacinto-Henares submitted the complaints to the Department of Justice (DoJ) for preliminary investigation and the filing of the cases in courts if probable cause is established.


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 first case concerned a Manila City Hall contractor identified as Oscar Badillo of Wack-Wack Twin Towers who was commissioned by the city government to construct the three-storey Balagtas Elementary School in Tondo in 2009.
Badillo was paid P49.2 million for the schoolbuilding project but the amount was not reported in his Income Tax Return (ITR) for the year.
The second case involved a land seller in Oriental Mindoro and buyers who allegedly conspired to undervalue the transaction to save on tax payments.
They were identified as Lerma Lasala and Flemming Remmer and Annbrit Remmer, president and corporate secretary, respectively, of First Flemming Properties.


The LPA near Palawan left the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday, while the one in southern Mindanao dissipated.
==Philippine Consular Corps plants 30k mangroves in Baco, OrMin==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=741336352411
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012
:by  Luis T. Cueto


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.
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, May 8 (PIA) -- The Philippine Consular Corps recently planted 30,000 mangrove propagules in barangay Pulantubig (formerly known as Mayagao) in Baco, Oriental Mindoro.  


A total of 175 individuals fled their homes in Naujan; 110 in Calapan City; and 85 in Baco.
This is part of the rehabilitation project of the national government against climate change in partnership with Conservation International (CI).  


Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali said the situation in his province has improved.
Like many coastal areas in the Philippines, Baco’s mangrove areas have suffered over the years, making the area more vulnerable to climate change impacts such as sea level rise and stronger, more frequent storms.  


“So far manageable na pero meron pa ring binabantayan na mga lugar,” Umali told radio dzMM.
“We are happy to support this endeavor as a continuing partnership with Conservation International,” said Armenia Honorary Consul Jose Periquet, Jr., Dean of the Consular Corps.  


Dead, missing
Country executive director of Conservation International Romeo Trono said, “Rehabilitating and expanding mangrove greenbelts are among the most cost-effective ways of enhancing a community’s capacity to adapt to climate change impacts. Mangrove belts protect communities from storm damages and help stabilize coastlines.”


A man, identified as Roger Dalumpines, drowned while swimming in a river in Barangay Jayubo, Lambunao, Iloilo during a rainy morning on Tuesday.
“In fact,” he added, “the mangrove rehabilitation project was launched simultaneously with SICAD (Strategic Intervention and Community-focused Action towards Development) in Pulantubig, Baco to pursue a holistic and integrated approach to alleviating poverty in the coastal communities with the end in view of capacitating them to become development partners in sustaining local environmental management efforts.  


Dalumpines’ wife and two children, who were with him when the incident occurred, are currently confined at the hospital after sustaining injuries.
“We are bent on implementing an honest-to-goodness coastal resource management development program, dispensing with the idea that this is only for publicity,” said Gov. Alfonso V. Umali, Jr. who led the launching of a mangrove rehabilitation project, part of the provincial government’s climate change adaptation efforts.  


Meanwhile, a certain Ronny Herrera, a councilman (kagawad) of Barangay Tagbakin, Pola town, went missing after setting sail at the height of the rains.
The participants planted Rhizophora propagules, one of the mangrove varieties chosen as most appropriate to the area and most likely to thrive given the site’s conditions. The rehabilitation site is a sand bar and river delta formation, which serves as the community's barrier against strong waves.  


Visayas rains
It can be recalled that when a tsunami hit in 1994 which killed at least 41 people in the affected communities, the area helped shield the residents from devastation that caused flooding and beach erosion.


Over the Visayas region, several rice fields in the Capiz towns of Maayon, Mambusao, Pontevedra, Panit-an, Sapitan and Sigma were also inundated.
According to Conservation International, the combination of true mangrove and associated species that will be planted under this initiative will enhance the stability of coastal ecosystems in the area. It will provide the community with a more efficient means of protection from climatic factors and other natural events and likewise improve habitats that will serve as homes for fishes, crabs, clams and other provisioning functions of a healthy mangrove forest.  


Local disaster officials in Capiz said 26 barangays in the said towns were affected by flooding.
“Aside from enhanced coastal protection, this project is expected to provide additional benefits to fisherfolks engaged in aquasilvi projects or crab culture,” said Marilyn Alcañices, head of the Fishery and Coastal Resources Management Division of Oriental Mindoro’s Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO).  


The Aklan river also overflowed.
“Rehabilitating mangrove areas will increase aquasilvi project sites and increase the population of crablets and other marine finfish like milkfish, grouper that need mangrove areas as their nursery and feeding grounds,” she explained.  


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.
Meanwhile, the Consular Corps of the Philippines Environmental Concerns Committee, chaired by Sweden Honorary Consul General Carla Limcaoco, held a charity bike run in Makati City to raise funds to support mangrove reforestation efforts. She was assisted by her Co-Chair, El Salvador Honorary Consul Ma. Josefina Ortigas-Duarte, and project coordinators: Jordan Honorary Consul Michael Alexander Ang, Italy Consul Dr. Adriano Stefanutti, Guatemala Vice Consul/Corps Secretary Marc Thomas Ablaza, and other committee members. They plan to hold a second charity bike run for environmental protection sometime this year.  


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.
The Bantay Dagat group of Baco will take on the task of monitoring and taking care of the planting site to ensure a high survival rate. As part of its climate change adaptation and coastal resources management efforts, the municipality is also in the process of establishing new marine protected areas. (LBR/PIO/LTC/PIACALAPAN)


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.
==Driver bashes live-in partner to death over friend’s unpaid P200 debt==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/189199/driver-bases-live-in-partner-to-death-over-friend%E2%80%99s-unpaid-p200-debt
*Monday, May 7, 2012
:by  Jeannette I. Andrade


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.  
MANILA, Philippines–A truck driver spent his birthday behind bars after he allegedly turned his own party into a bloody scene when he beat to his live-in partner to death in Tondo, Manila Sunday over a friend’s unpaid P200 debt.
Suspect Erick Jun Paglinawan, in an interview with the INQUIRER, claimed he could not remember how he killed 54-year-old Mercedes Dela Rosa, of 5-C Venus Street, Herbosa Extension in Tondo, who had thrown him the party.
“I was drunk,” said 41-year-old Paglinawan, an employee of the Mazen Transport Service and a native of Oriental Mindoro.
Senior Police Office 1 Mario Asilo, of the Manila Police District (MPD) Homicide Section, said that based on witness accounts Paglinawan had broken a bottle of beer over Dela Rosa’s head before grabbing her by the hair and repeatedly bashing her face against a concrete wall. The woman died instantly from massive head wounds.
Asilo pointed out that after the attack, Paglinawan was accosted by his birthday guests at Dela Rosa’s house and turned over to police custody. He remains detained at the MPD Homicide Section holding cell pending the filing of a homicide charge against him before the city prosecutor’s office.
Asilo said the incident supposedly stemmed from a P200 debt that Paglinawan’s co-worker owed to Dela Rosa. The truck driver, apparently embarrassed by his live-in partner’s act of taking his helper’s mobile phone in payment for the debt, attacked her.
Judith Belves, 43, a guest during Sunday’s celebration at Dela Rosa’s house told the INQUIRER that the co-worker, whose name was not given, borrowed the P200 from the victim several years ago.
“She (Dela Rosa) took his cell phone as payment for that debt which angered Erick who said that it was shameful for her to do something like that on his birthday. He said that she had embarrassed his best friend,” Belves narrated.
She claimed that she was surprised when Paglinawan suddenly grabbed a bottle of beer, broke it over Dela Rosa’s head and ordered everyone to get out. He then allegedly grabbed his live-in partner’s hair with both hands and started slamming her face against the concrete wall near the door.
“We tried to tell him to stop and take pity on her. But he was so angry and he would not listen. I tried to return for Mercy (Dela Rosa) but he threatened to do the same to me and I had to get out,” Belves told the INQUIRER.
As Dela Rosa lay lifeless, the other guests grabbed hold of Paglinawan, beat him up before turning him over to the police.
Paglinawan simply maintained that he could not remember anything that happened the previous day and claimed he knew nothing of the P200 debt that apparently triggered the killing. With a report from Julliane De Jesus, Inquirer trainee


==Seares: Kingmakers Erap, PNoy==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/2012/05/03/seares-kingmakers-erap-pnoy-219433
*Thursday, May 3, 2012
:by Atty. Pachico A. Seares


PRESIDENT Noynoy Aquino must be a reluctant kingmaker. Until last weekend, when in Oriental Mindoro he fired his first campaign salvo, he hadn't been active in mending Liberal Party fences.
The 2013 election must hold scant interest to PNoy: he won't face reelection in 2016 and no coup, impeachment, or post-term lawsuit threatens him.
PNoy is no Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. From year one, GMA beat back threats of uprising by wooing police and armed forces and won local politicians to her side, which required year-round campaigning.
PNoy being on the campaign trail means he has realized he has a debt to pay his party, it would help LP if the next president is a Liberal, and he could return the favor Mar Roxas gave him in 2010.
The payback argument is pretty strong but more persuasive is that another LP president could continue PNoy's fight against corruption and poverty.
Redemption
Joseph Estrada very much wants to be a kingmaker.
If Vice President Jojo Binay would win in 2016, it would prove Erap's clout and offer some redemption after his ouster from office and conviction of plunder.
Erap would've preferred the vote of confidence in 2010, which would've wiped out the slate that a pardon couldn't. Binay's becoming president would be the next best thing.
A rematch for PNoy and Erap though not as principal fighters but as handlers. And the clash begins next year.
They are the kingmakers although a lot would depend on the would-be kings: who between Binay and Roxas could get the nation's mandate and fate's blessing?


==PNoy pledges support for electrification, tourism for OrMin==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=423001
*Tuesday, May 1, 2012
:by  Lanie B. Ronquillo




BONGABONG, Oriental, Mindoro, May 1 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III pledged to support the province's electrification and tourism promotion programs during his visit here where he led the ceremonial harvesting of “king crabs” and bangus at the farm at Barangay Anilao, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, April 29.


The Chief Executive pledged to provide necessary support for the development of Oriental Mindoro, particularly in harnessing renewable energy resource projects such as the hydro-power resources in Linaw Kawayan and research on possible utilization of wind panels, which will be managed by the cooperatives, increasing the power generated for the province from 2.1 Megawatts to 4.5 Megawatts.


He also added that it is important to promote the scenic spots that may be ordinary to the locals but extra-ordinary to tourists, as this will help the local economy and provide livelihood to the communities. He cites aqua-culture in Mindoro as one of its unique features which has the potential to attract tourists, having seen the king crabs that each weighs one kilo per piece.


He shared that the tourism department reported that in January alone, there were 411,000 tourists who came to the country, and is projected to reach 4.8 million by the end of the year. Also, it is expected that by July, more tourists will be coming here. The government targets to boost tourism by 10 million in 2016, which is more than thrice last year’s three million tourism data. He emphasized the need to be ready for the influx of tourists by fast-tracking the government’s infrastructure development efforts.


Incidentally, the affair coincided with the 57th birthday of Gov. Alfonso V. Umali. Some of the governor’s other guests who came to greet him were Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, Sec. Neric Acosta of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Rep. Sonny Angara, Sec. Joel Villanueva of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Calapan City Mayor Doy Leachon, and the other mayors in the different municipalities of Oriental Mindoro.


==15 barangays in Oriental Mindoro town submerged in floods==
The event was witnessed by the Farmers Organization for the Urban Upliftment of Mindoro (FORUM), barangay officials from various municipalities in the province, and people in the community who warmly greeted the President when he arrived.(LBR/PIA4-B)
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/03/27/12/15-barangays-oriental-mindoro-town-submerged-floods5
*03/27/2012 2:21 PM | Updated as of 03/27/2012 6:49 PM
:by  Dennis Datu, dzMM


==Aquino maintains that the PHL wants to de-escalate tension with China on Scarborough Shoal territorial claims==
*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=423001
*Monday, April 30, 2012
:by    (PNA)
DCT/LAM/TPG/ssc




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.
BARANGAY ANILAO, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, April 30 (PNA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Sunday that the Philippines will continue to support its stand to resolve territorial claims over contested Scarborough Shoal diplomatically and to de-escalate any tensions between the country and China.


Mayor Graciano dela Chica said rains have caused the Dulangan and Alag rivers and several creeks to overflow.
This after a Chinese general recently called for decisive action against the Philippines.


He said flood waters in some areas are now neck-deep. Some farmers also lost their crops to the floods.
The President expressed confidence China would not take any action against the Philippines as both countries believed no one would benefit if military force was used to end the dispute.


The town of Naujan in Oriental Mindoro is also suffering from flooding, according to Mayor Maria Angeles Casubuan.
“We don’t think that at this point in time they will engage in any military activities. Purposely, our actions have been geared towards de-escalating the situation,” the President said.


Evacuation of residents in low-lying areas in the affected areas is now ongoing.
“It's clear that it is to nobody’s benefit and there are a lot of repercussions if any military force happens to be employed here,” he added.


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.
He said the continued presence of Chinese vessels and crew at the disputed island is being documented “so that when we make our case in the appropriate body, we have the necessary evidence.”


However, a new shallow LPA has formed 160 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar.
He also said the government will continue reviewing all relevant local and international laws to determine the rules that will operate in the area.


PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz said this weather system is expected to bring rains over Samar, Leyte, Masbate, Sorsogon, Mindoro and Northern Palawan.
==PNoy believes China won’t take military action vs PH==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/29/12/pnoy-believes-china-won%E2%80%99t-take-military-action-vs-ph
*Sunday, April 29, 2012
:by  Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News


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.
BONGABONG, Oriental Mindoro - Despite reports that a Chinese general had his government to take "decisive action" against the Philippines over a territorial dispute, President Benigno Aquino III believes that China will not launch a military action against the country.  
 
==Puerto Galera cashes in on booming tourism sector==
*Source: http://business.inquirer.net/50751/puerto-galera-cashes-in-on-booming-tourism-sector
*6:38 pm | Saturday, March 24th, 2012
: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==
*Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Bill-on-food-transactions-OK%E2%80%99d-on-second-reading&id=48788
*March 21, 2012 10:19:33 PM
: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==
*Source: http://208.184.76.175/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=789144
*March 20, 2012 02:13 PM
: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==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/354717/providing-electricity-to-rural-filipinos
*March 19, 2012, 2:47am
: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==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=741331791762
*Thursday 15th of March 2012
: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.
Aquino is convinced that the Chinese general's statement may be more metaphorical than substantial, adding that the general being quoted may not have a direct command of the Chinese military.
   
   
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.
Aquino added that the Philippines' actions over Scarborough shoal are aimed at "de-escalating" the tension.  
   
   
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.
"I think basahin mo siguro 'yung iba-ibang headline nung People's Daily na mas matindi pa. Meron 'yung isa na 'prepare to hear the sound of canons,' etcetera. But it's a question of style. Mahilig silang mag-ganun e, 'yung parang…metaphoric siguro magsalita,” he said.
   
   
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.
“We don't think that at this point in time that they will engage in any military activities… Purposely, our actions have been geared towards de-escalating the situation. So 'yung clear it is to nobody's benefit and there are a lot of repercussions if any military force happens to be employed here. So we think that is more a statement… that lacks substance. Hindi indicative of the real intentions," Aquino told reporters.
   
   
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)
Asked if Philippine authorities would arrest Chinese poachers, Aquino said the priority is not to escalate the situation but said activities there are being documented so that there would be evidence if cases are filed.   
 
==Alleged NPA member surrenders==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=786411
* March 12, 2012 11:34 AM
: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==
*Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/353810/bello-speaks-at-apo-meet
*March 10, 2012, 1:56am
: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==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/158645/no-ban-on-gay-performers-says-puerto-galera-official
*4:09 pm | Friday, March 9th, 2012
: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==
*Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2012/03/08/group-ban-children-not-gays-puerto-galeras-bars-210148
*Thursday, March 8, 2012
: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==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=741331024951
*Wednesday 7th of March 2012
: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)
He said the government is also reviewing all relevant local and international laws to determine the rules that will operate in the area.
 
==Robinsons Mall – Calapan City==
*Source: http://www.wowmindoro.com/news-and-features/robinsons-mall-calapan-city/
*MARCH 5, 2012
: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.
 
 
 
 


==30,000 mangrove propagules to be planted in Oriental Mindoro town==
*Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/183561/30000-mangrove-propagules-planted-in-oriental-mindoro-town
*Friday, April 27, 2012
:by  Karen Boncocan
INQUIRER.net




 
MANILA, Philippines—Some 30,000 mangrove propagules will be planted in Oriental Mindoro as part of a rehabilitation project in Baco town, a conservation group said Friday.
 
Implementing agency Conservation International (CI)-Philippines said that the project, launched on Thursday in coordination with 37-year-old Consular Corps of the Philippines (CCP), was part of the province’s climate change adaptation efforts and was the initial salvo to take mangrove rehabilitation efforts further.
 
It was launched alongside Strategic Intervention and Community-focused Action towards Development (SICAD) for a holistic and integrated approach to getting rid of poverty in the coastal communities by making them development partners.
==PNoy to inaugurate 2.1 megawatt Linao Cawayan Mini Hydro power plant==
According to CI-Philippines, the Bantay Dagat group of Baco will monitor and take care of the site to ensure high survival rate while the municipality will be establishing new marine protected areas as part of its climate change adaptation and coastal resources management efforts.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=741330510002desistance. In a statement, Gabriela said it is apparent that the 21-year-old victim
Oriental Mindoro Governor Alfonso Umali, who was present during the launch, said the province was determined to conduct this “honest-to-goodness coastal resource management development program, dispensing with the idea that this is only for publicity.”
*Friday 2nd of March 2012
The initial batch of Rhizophora mangrove propagules were planted in Pulantubig village (previously known as Mayagao) in Baco town—a part of the Verde Island Passage, a globally-important marine biodiversity area and one of CI-Philippines’s priority project sites.
:by Luis T. Cueto and Bradley de Leon
The said variety was chosen as it was the most appropriate to the conditions in the project site, a sand bar and river delta formation, and will most likely thrive in the area. The project site acts as a natural barrier to the community against strong waves.
 
But the area has become more vulnerable after suffering losses in mangroves and Romeo Trono, CI-Philippines country executive director, saw the rehabilitation project as one of the “most cost-effective ways of enhancing a community’s capacity to adapt to climate change impacts.”
 
“Mangrove belts protect communities from storm damages and help stabilize coastlines.”
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.  
CI-Philippines said that propagating a mix of true mangrove and associated species that will improve the stability of coastal ecosystems in the area and give the community with protection from climatic factors and other natural events.
While it improves coastal protection in the area, the project is also expected to “provide additional benefits to fisherfok engaged in aquasilvi projects or crab culture,” said Marilyn Alcañices, head of the Fishery and Coastal Resources Management Division of Oriental Mindoro’s Provincial Agriculture Office (PAgO).
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 her, the project will help “increase aquasilvi project sites and increase the population of crablets and  other marine finfish like milkfish, grouper that need mangrove areas as their nursery and feeding  grounds.”
The Bantay Dagat group of Baco will take on the task of monitoring and taking care of the planting site to ensure a high survival rate. As part of its climate change adaptation and coastal resources management efforts, the town is also in the process of establishing new marine protected areas.
   
   
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).
==Ex Mindoro town councilor gunned down==
 
*Source: http://new.philstar.com/nation/luzon/799273/ex-mindoro-town-councilor-gunned-down
 
*Thursday, April 26, 2012
 
:by Juancho Mahusay
 
 
 
 
 
==I did not violate Bank Secrecy Law - Umali==
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=63&articleId=780619
*February 24, 2012 12:00 AM
: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.
CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – A former municipal councilor in Pinamalayan in Oriental Mindoro was gunned down by an unidentified hitman in an ambush Tuesday (April 24) morning at a crowded public market in the town.


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.
Police Supt. Jonathan P. Paguio, chief of police of Pinamalayan, identified the victim as Nilo L. Panaligan, 63, a resident of Morente St., Brgy. Zone 2, Pinamalayan.


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.
According to the initial police reports by Paguio to Oriental Mindoro Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial director Sr. Supt. Anthony Alcañeces, Panaligan was about to leave the public market with his daughter,Melissa, 30, and was boarding their private vehicle when a man wearing denim jacket casually approached and fired three successive shots at the victim.


He said the threat made by the minority group, to which Arroyo, now representative of Pampanga’s second district belongs, is “unfortunate.”
A gunshot wound in Panaligan’s temple and two other similar wounds in his lower bodies killed the former councilor.


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.
After the shooting, the suspect climbed to a waiting motorbike driven by another unidentified man and sped off in the direction of the town proper.


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.
Panaligan died on the spot in the driver's seat of his vehicle, a Toyota Innova.


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.
Police recovered three empty shells of a .45 caliber revolver at the scene of the crime, as well as the .45 caliber handgun of the victim, who was said to have taken his service firearm but failed to fire a shot.


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.”
Police are still investigating the incident. Panaligan served as a municipal councilor in the 1980’s.


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.
==Puerto Galera highlights Mangyan culture on Earth Day==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=741335230883
*Tuesday 24th of April 2012
:by Luis T. Cueto


‘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.
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 24 (PIA) -- Puerto Galera, a booming tourism town in Oriental Mindoro celebrated Earth Day on Sunday highlighting the rich cultures of the Mangyan natives in Mindoro Island.  


Members of Movement 188 – referring to the 188 congressmen who signed the Articles of Impeachment – expressed their support in a resolution.
French expatriate Hubert d’Aboville, the lead organizer of the event which had as its theme, “Belongingness to Nature,” said they highlighted the rich cultures of the Mangyans on Earth Day because they wanted the world to emulate the lifestyles of the Mindoro aborigines who protect and conserve the environment in their own way, as they feel that they belong to nature.  


“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.
In cooperation with the municipal government of Puerto Galera, D’Aboville, a French businessman who declared Puerto Galera Bay as “one of the most beautiful bays in the world,” led the participants during the whole day program in his demonstration farm at Mount Malasimbo, the town’s highest peak.  


“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
The celebration featured rituals, songs, and dances of the Mangyans; a community mass; an environment-inspired on-the-spot drawing contest; and a bike contest.  


The Earth Day celebration will now become an annual occasion in Puerto Galera to create environmental awareness among the people in the community, the French environmentalist said. (LBR/DOS/JRMahusay/LTC-PIA4B, Calapan City)


==CHED grants P1M aid to college scholars==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=741335143857
*Monday 23rd of April 2012
:by  Luis T. Cueto






CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 23 (PIA) -- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has awarded almost P1 million worth of educational aids to scholars in Oriental Mindoro.


Under the Kabuhayan, Kaunlaran, Kalikasan at Kinabukasan (K4) program and Priority Development Assistance Program (PDAF), educational aids were awarded to 178 scholars in the first district of the province.


Amounts ranging from P2,500 to P10,000 were given for the coming school year, depending on each student's college program; this amounted to P1,008,000 given to the scholars.


In a turnover ceremony held at the Filipiniana Resort Hotel in Calapan City, council president Nico Valencia said that they are also supporting students taking up technical-vocational courses on Technical Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and those under the Technical Education Extension Program (TEEP) of K4, guided by the Mindoro Kabuhayan Foundation, Inc. (MKFI).


==Umali ready to face possible ethics complaint==
Barangay chairman Robert Baez of Mangangan, Baco and one of the youth scholars, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity given to the youth (LBR/JRMahusay/LTC-PIA4B, Calapan City)
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/02/23/12/umali-ready-face-possible-ethics-complaint
*02/23/2012 10:45 AM | Updated as of 02/23/2012 2:00 PM
: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.


==President Aquino urges LGUs to play major role in reducing maternal deaths by 2015==
*Source: http://positivenewsmedia.com/blog/2012/04/president-aquino-urges-lgus-to-play-major-role-in-reducing-maternal-deaths-by-2015/
* Apr 21, 2012
:by  Jelly F. Musico




MANILA, April 21 (PNA) – President Benigno S. Aquino III urged the local government units (LGUs) on Friday to play major role along with the private sector in achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5 or reduction of maternal mortality ratio from 162 to 52 per 100,000 live births by 2015.
”Allow me to use this opportunity to appeal to our partners in the LGUs. Your support means a lot in saving the lives of your constituents,” the President said in his message read by Health Secretary Enrique Ona during the 162 to 52 Summit: Accelerating Collective Impact on Maternal and Child Health at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
President Aquino also recognized the continued support and commitment of the private sector to achieve a daunting task of reducing the maternal deaths before the term of the President ends in 2016.
”With just three years left, the Philippines is behind the target maternal mortality ratio. All sectors both in the private and public fields, from government partners and in the civil society, can unite and make strong push to attain MDG 5,” the President emphasized.
Aside from improving maternal health, President Aquino said his administration is also determined and committed to reduce child mortality and fight other diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and human immune deficiency or HIV through strengthened vaccination campaign nationwide.
”To achieve these goals, we have formulated a health reform plan that centers on promoting universal health care and we called this Kalusugan Pangkahalatan (health for all) or KP,” the President said.
The President revealed that for the last two years, the government has spent P15 billion for the improvement and construction of health facilities, including health centers with operating rooms nationwide to prevent maternal deaths.
President Aquino also said the Department of Health (DOH) hired more than 20,000 nurses and 7,000 midwives to serve in the barrios, including in the far-flung areas where the poorest of the poor hardly get properly medical care.
”We need more equipment, we need more medicines, we need more trained and compassionate, committed people to man our hospitals. The more people manning our health facilities means more lives will be saved,” President Aquino said.
Due to the health reform program implemented by the Aquino administration, more than 15 million infants and children have been given proper care all over the country.
The President commended the DOH, the LGUS, private sector as well as the national government organizations (NGOs) for coming out with the multisectoral organization called the “162 to 52 coalition” which is envisioned as the catalyst for strategic, targeted, and innovative public-private partnerships (PPPs) for the attainment of better maternal indicators.
”This coalition needs to prosper for us to achieve MDG 5 and reduce maternal mortality. The bottom line, this is not just about saving the lives of people, we are also saving the lives of our future generation,” the President said.
In a press conference, Ona stressed the importance of coming out with updated and accurate data on the real number of mothers who died due to inadequate pre- and post- natal to achieve the MDG 5.
Governor Alfonso Umali Jr. of Oriental Mindoro, president of the League of Governors of the Philippines, agreed with the DOH chief that all the stakeholders should come up with uniform data on the number of the maternal mortality rate.
Based on the data provided by the United Nations Fund for Population Agency, 11 mothers die everyday in the Philippines due to maternity-related causes, leaving more than 30 children motherless.
”As of 2008, the Philippines has an adjusted maternal mortality ratio of 162 per 100,000 live births. This is far from MDG target of 52 deaths per 100,000 live births,” Ona said.
”The shortfalls are brought about by inadequate investments in health and not enough political will of our leaders do to what needs to be done to achieve our goals,” the DOH head added.
UNPFA country representative Ogochi Daniels said the Philippines is one of 68 countries accounting for 95 percent of all maternal and newborn deaths in the world and “there has been no notable decrease during the last several years.”
”The good thing is we know the cures. The solutions aren’t complicated. If women have access to Family Planning so she can get pregnant only if she wanted to, we could prevent almost a third of maternal deaths,” Daniels said.
Umali vowed to convince his colleagues to support the coalition’s goal “to make a it a successful one.”
Rafael Cofa, executive director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), also made commitment to continuously support to uplift the lives of every Filipino through responsible business practices in the country.
”PBSP engages companies to promote health in the workplace by integrating health projects and promoting access to health services for employees and communities,” Cofa said.
The 162 to 52 Summit has been organized to provide the non-profit sector and the governors a venue to forge partnerships and commit to improve maternal and child health through PPP at the local government level.
”Solving the maternal mortality problem requires the expertise and skills of both the public and private sectors,” Ona said. (PNA)
scs/jfm


==LGUs, national gov’t to conduct dialogue on flood mitigation measures==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=741334719320
*Friday 20th of April 2012
:by The Philippine Star




CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 20 (PIA) -- The local government units (LGUs) of Oriental Mindoro and other concerned national government agencies (NGA) will have a dialogue on flood mitigation measures on April 28, to be held at the Provincial Capitol Square, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, Philippines.


It can be recalled that a month ago, several barangays in the province particularly in the areas of Naujan, Baco, Mansalay, Victoria, and some parts of Calapan City experienced massive flooding caused by a low pressure area.


==OrMin Receives 2011 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achiever Award==
The dialogue was initiated by Gov. Alfonso Umali who said that it is time to prepare mitigating measures for the safety of individuals especially those who are in flood-prone areas of the province. Umali said the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) is ready for the distribution of relief goods in case of shortage of relief goods in the municipal level when disaster strikes.  
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=401329877626
*Wednesday 22nd of February 2012
:by (Louie T. Cueto/DOS/PIA-4B)


The dialogue will also tackle how government agencies can use their available funds to integrate programs on flood mitigation measures and other solutions.


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.
Meanwhile, a flood summit will also be held in the province on May 8 with the provincial government as lead LGU. (LBR/LTC/PIA-Calapan City)
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.
 


==Public school tanker shines in Umali meet==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/04/15/12/public-school-tanker-shines-umali-meet
* 04/15/2012 5:50 PM | Updated as of 04/15/2012 5:50 PM
:by The Philippine Star




MANILA, Philippines - Ten-year-old public school swimmer Khiel Libat won all five events in his age group and emerged the most outstanding swimmer in the Philippine Swimming League 22nd leg, dubbed Gov. Alfonso Umali Cup, yesterday at Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.


Libat, from the Lipa Mediatrix Swimming Club, outclassed the opposition in the 50m butterfly (35.01), surpassing the American AAAA age group motivational time of 35.09.


Libat also reached the AAA mark in the 50m backstroke (39.61), 50m breaststroke (44.05) and 50m freestyle (34.69) and AA in the 100m breaststroke (1:38.8).


Fifteen-year-old Michael Sangalang of the host Raging Paddlers topped the 200m breaststroke while Andrei Manzo (17), a candidate for 2013 Summer Universiade, topped the 200m, 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle.


==DTI to conduct free trade seminar==
PSL president Susan Papa said the monthly PSL competition drew the full support of the Calapan City and provincial government headed by Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851329801781
*Tuesday 21st of February 2012
:by Louie T. Cueto


Other most outstanding girl swimmers were Isis Arnaldo (6), Iris Arnaldo (7), Bernice Anne Magtibay (8), Charize Esmero (9), Bela Louise Magtibay (10), Veevien Vance Herrera (11), Angelica Eunice Mascarinas (12), Trisha Anne Oliveros (13), Mia Mantaring (14), Jemcy De la Cruz (15), Jackilyn Orig (16), and Denise Angela Tiquia (17 and over).


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.
Most outstanding boy swimmers were Eddrian Galeno (6), Lanz Alonzo Ventabal (7), Carl Jude Tence (8), Marione Patrick Barcelon (9), Khiel Libat (10), Christopher Catelo (11), Lyndon Baines Herrera (12), Emmanuel Adornado (13), Joey Lavina (14), Ron Angel Serrano (15), Mhikcoloe Abina (16) and Andrei Lorenzo Manzo (17 and over).
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)


The Ibalong Magayon Aquagliders Swim Club (IMASC) took the overall team championship with five swimmers won most outstanding awards.


==Tubbataha Reef, The Canyons among world’s best dive sites==
*Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/news/top-stories/21003-tubbataha-reef-the-canyons-among-worlds-best-dive-sites
*Saturday, April 14, 2012
:by Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz, Reporter




DIVING is definitely more fun in the Philippines.


Palawan’s renowned Tubbataha Reef and Oriental Mindoro’s The Canyons were recently named among the best dive sites in the world.


Travel website www.cnngo.com named Tubbataha Reef as the eighth best dive site in the world in an article, titled Into the deep: World’s 50 best dive sites.


Written by Jade Bremner, the article noted that the water in the reef “is exceptionally clean,” among others.


==35 sea turtles freed in Mindoro waters==
“Super-size your dive experience at Tubbataha where everything comes in giant form. The main advantage to diving at Tubbataha is that the water is exceptionally clean, so the marine life lives much longer, making it grow to silly proportions,” it said.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=200&articleId=779454
*February 20, 2012 12:41 PM
:by  Juancho Mahusay


“These two small atoll like reefs in the middle of the ocean offer an inner lagoon with overhangs, slopes, crevices and caves with more than 300 different types of coral and 379 species of fish,” it added.


CALAPAN CITY, Philippines – Local authorities released some 35 sea turtles in a fish sanctuary in Mansalay town in Oriental Mindoro.
The dive site has a depth of five meters to 60 meters and has very clear visibility for a few meters. It is located 182 kilometers south of Puerto Princesa City, the province’s capital.


Governor Alfonso Umali Jr., together with town officials, simultaneously released the turtles in the waters off Sitio Palaypay in Del Mundo village.
“Expect kaleidoscopic colors combined with guitar sharks, black tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, gliding blue-spotted lagoon rays, unicorns, boxfish, scorpion fish and more,” the website said further.


Local fishermen recovered the turtles after they roamed confusedly along the coastlines of Mansalay municipality.
Likewise, The Canyons in Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro province is included in the list of the best dive sites.


Umali said the provincial government is bent on protecting the endangered animals as part of his administration’s environmental protection.
“Schools of spotted and ribbon sweetlips, shiny trevallies and weird-looking batfish make up the scene at this first-rate drift dive site… There’s also an explosion of coral and plant life including beautiful delicate gorgonian sea fans and hollow barrel sponges; look inside for critters lurking within,” Bremner said in his report.


Through coordination and support extended by all local government units, almost all towns in Oriental Mindoro have their own turtle habitats.
The Canyons has a depth of up to 30 meters and visibility of 10 to 30 meters. It can be reached by a 30-minute boat ride from Puerto Galera.


The top 10 best dive sites in the world are composed of Barracuda Point, Sipadan Island, Malaysia (1st); Yongala, Queensland, Australia (2nd); SS Thistlegorm, Red Sea, Egypt (3rd); Blue Corner Wall, Palau, Micronesia (4th); Richelieu Rock, near the Surin Islands, Thailand (5th); Gordon Rocks, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador (6th); Great Blue Hole, Belize (7th); Tubbataha, Palawan, Philippines (8th); Big Brother, Red Sea, Egypt (9th); and Maaya Thila, Maldives (10th).


==OrMin Scholarship program still open==
*Source: http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=741334203552
*Friday 13th of April 2012
:by Luis T. Cueto




CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, Apr. 13 (PIA) -- The provincial government’s Oriental Mindoro Integrated Scholarship Program is still open for qualified applicants until today.


Under the program, the provincial government will shoulder the expenses for tuition fees of qualified scholars. In order to qualify for the program, applicants must have the following qualifications: a) High School graduate with general average of 85% and above; b) A full-fledged Filipino citizen residing in the province; c) Applicants must not be more than 21 years old; and d) The income of parents must not exceed P150,000 yearly as reflected on their Income Tax Return (ITR) from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).


The examination will be held at Jose J. Leido, Jr. Memorial National High School (JJLJMNHS), Calapan City on April 18 at 9 a.m.


For details regarding the program, please contact the Secretariat, Provincial Scholarship Committee, Governor’s Office-Integrated Scholarship Program Section, Provincial Capitol Compound, Calapan City at Telephone No. 043-2882184. (LBR/Louie T. Cueto/PIA-Calapan City)


==Motor banca encountered engine trouble at Oriental Mindoro==
*Source:http://www.ufs.com.ph/?page=2059
*Wednesday 11th of April 2012
:by ufs.com


==DOLE leads advocacy against child labor==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851329467860
*Friday 17th of February 2012
:by  Louie T. Cueto


A passenger motor banca encountered engine trouble while navigating at Oriental Mindoro, a report reaching the headquarters of Philippine Coast Guard today. Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog (CGDSTL) received information from Coast Guard Station (CGS) Romblon that M/bca Alad Expressed 1 encountered engine clutch malfunction at vicinity waters between Tablas and Sibale Island.


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.
Immediately, Coast Guard Station (CGS) Calapan and Coast Guard Detachment (CGDet) Conception conducted search and rescue (SAR) operation at vicinity of Maestro De Ocampo Island where the team rescued ten passengers onboard the said motor banca and safely towed it to Port of Conception.
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)


Upon arrival at Conception Port, all passengers onboard were safely disembarked in good physical condition. Initial investigation stated that the said motor banca departed Port of Romblon enroute to Conception Island, Romblon without submitting Master Oath of Safety Departure (MOSD) through which CGD Conception issued Maritime Violation Receipt (MVR).


CGDet Conception also conducted Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Inspection and advised the Boat Captain to file marine protest regarding the incident. M/bca Alad Express 1 of 8.25 gross tonnages is skippered and owned by Naptali M Molina with business address at Brgy Alad, Romblon.




Line 604: Line 449:




==City Council plans for Green Calapan Program==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851329385212
*Thursday 16th of February 2012
: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)


==2 dive sites in MIMAROPA listed as among world’s best==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=741334107907
*Wednesday 11th of April 2012
:by Luis T. Cueto




CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 11 (PIA) -- Two tourist destinations in Region 4B or MIMAROPA (Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan) have been listed as among the best diving sites in the world, according to last week’s posting of the travel news website of the Cable News Network (CNN).


The CNN’s list of best dive sites in the world ranked eighth the Tubbataha reef, located southeast of Palawan, and 45th place “The Canyons” in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.


According to the said website, one can feel a “super-size dive experience at Tubbataha, where everything comes in giant form.” It also said the main advantage to diving at Tubbataha is that the water is “exceptionally clean, so the marine life lives much longer, making it grow to silly proportions.”


“Expect kaleidoscopic colors combined with guitar sharks, black tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, gliding blue-spotted lagoon rays, unicorns, boxfish, scorpion fish, and more,” it added.


Tubbataha is located 181 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan Province. The reef is made up of two coral atolls divided by an eight-kilometer wide channel. Its diving area has a depth of five to 60 meters.


==Umali stands by 'small lady' story==
It is also part of Tubbataha National Marine Park, which was established on August 11, 1988 and was declared a “World Heritage Site” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in December 1993. It is under the protective management of the Department of National Defense (DND), and under the technical supervision by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR).
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=777654&publicationSubCategoryId=63
*February 15, 2012 12:00 AM
:by Helen Flores and Jess Diaz


Another dive site in the Philippines that made it to CNN’s list is “The Canyons" in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.


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.
“Schools of spotted and ribbon sweetlips, shiny trevallies and weird-looking batfish make up the scene at this first-rate dive site. There’s also an explosion of coral and plant life including beautiful delicate gorgonian sea fans and hollow barrel sponges; look inside for critters lurking within,” the website said about The Canyons, which was rated as a five-star diving site and located at the northeast of Escarceo Point, some five minutes away by boat from Brgy. Sabang.  


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.
With a depth of up to 30 meters or about 95 feet to a maximum of 200 feet, The Canyons’ area was designated as a “Man and Biosphere Reserve” of United Nations’ Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1973. (Source: J. R. Mahusay/Louie T. Cueto-PIA 4B))


The prosecution had used the documents as attachments to its request for subpoena on witnesses.
==Philippines chosen as recipient of solar-powered lights==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=741334037700
*Tuesday 10th of April 2012
:by (TBO/Louie T. Cueto-PIA4B)


“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.
CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro, April 10 (PIA) -- Energizer and the One Million Lights organization has chosen the Philippines as one of the 4 country-recipients of the energizer solar-powered lights, together with Argentina, Kenya and Ethiopia.  


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.
According to Alvin A. Marayan, Media Relation Officer of Publicity Relationship-building and Communication, Inc. (PRC, Inc.), their office will distribute on April 16-18 some 400 solar-powered lights to the people of Oriental Mindoro as part of their advocacy to “light up the lives” of Filipino communities.  


“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.
Beneficiaries of the said solar-powered lights will come from the towns of Victoria and Naujan, specifically sitios of Pamuwisan, Loyal; Alyanay, Sibayay, Puting Bato, Centro, Catinginan, Malayas, and Paray, all of barangay Villa Cerveza, Victoria together with barangays Leido and Bagong Silang; and Malta Village in the municipality of Naujan.  


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.
“More than 1.6 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity and Energizer is helping to raise awareness for this important issue. It’s the first global activity of Energizer’s new platform called ‘That’s Positivenergy™’, which combines performance plus responsibility and demonstrates Energizer’s long-standing commitment to responsible power and serving the community,” Marayan said.  


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.
Moreover, Energizer raises awareness for the need for clean and healthy lighting in communities without access to electricity. Working with the global nonprofit organization 'One Million Lights,' Energizer donated 11 million hours of solar light in 2011 and has pledged to donate an additional 12 million hours of light in 2012 to help rural families work, study and play a little longer each day.  


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.
“Lights for the barangays Leido and Bagong Silang will not be distributed during the April 16-18 activity due to logistical constraints. The Rotary Club of Victoria will handle the distributions and provide documentation,” Marayan added.


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.
==NDRRMC: 17 killed, 62 hurt in Holy Week incidents==
*Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/254287/news/nation/ndrrmc-17-killed-62-hurt-in-holy-week-incidents
*April 9, 2012 10:20am
:by VVP, GMA News


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 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.
 
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==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851329210659
*Tuesday 14th of February 2012
: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.
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:
   
   
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.
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 Municipal Health Office serves as the chairman of the committee, in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Pantawid Pamilya Municipal Links.
The NDRRMC said the 62 people who were reported injured included:
61 who were injured from vehicular accidents, and
one from a maritime incident.
   
   
The municipal local government has committed to sustain the deworming program even beyond the 5-year program implementation of the 4Ps. (LBR/PIA4B)
Two people are still missing because of a maritime incident, it said.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Feature: ‘New Calapan’ addresses recurring problems==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851328770466
*Thursday 9th of February 2012
: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==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851328683824
*Wednesday 8th of February 2012
: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.
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.
   
   
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.
While the explosion caused tension among residents gathering near the local cathedral for Lenten prayers, no casualty was reported.
   
   
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.
The NDRRMC said the local police and Army are investigating the incident.
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)
 




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==Or.Mindoro provides insurance to barangay officials==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851328599512
*Tuesday 7th of February 2012
: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.
==Boat operators in Puerto Galera hike fares==
The insurance coverage complements the provincial government’s health program for barangay officials of the province. The insurance has duration of 20 years.
*Source: http://www.philstar.com/nation/article.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=200&articleid=794283
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)
*April 04, 2012 10:36 AM
: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.


==Agri training center holds training on organic farming==
The security alert will remain until after the Holy Week for the anticipated return of thousands of passengers to Manila.
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851328257571
*Friday 3rd of February 2012
:by  Louie T. Cueto


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.


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.
==9 drown in Visayas due to rains==
*Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/02/12/9-drown-visayas-due-rains
The training aims to orient farmers on using organic fertilizers in planting rice and vegetables and organic feeding in swine production.
*04/02/2012 9:50 AM | Updated as of 04/02/2012 1:49 PM
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).
:by ABS-CBNnews.com
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)






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.
 
 
 
 
==Or. Mindoro prov’l gov’t gives 2k textbooks to DepEd==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R04B&article=1851328080537
*Wednesday 1st of February 2012
: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)




==[[Mindoro Oriental Archived News]]==
==[[Mindoro Oriental Archived News]]==
The older news reports are kept [[Mindoro Oriental Archived News|here]]
The older news reports are kept [[Mindoro Oriental Archived News|here]]
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