Sawaga Cleanup Day

Malaybalay City -September 18 is International Cleanup Day and 141 volunteers from different non-government organizations launched a cleanup drive in a part of the Sawaga River.

       City Councilor Atty. Mya Analene Rosos-Tenorio who sponsored the said project said, it is the second year of the Sawaga cleanup and hopefully it will become a yearly event.

       “Last year, we were able to tap only one organization and this year, I was inspired to see several organizations who shared the same advocacy. Our next step is to ensure that our efforts will be sustained”, Atty. Rosos-Tenorio said.

       The volunteer effort was cooperated by members of the Philippine Life Saving Society (PLS), Kababayan Riders Association for a New Cultural Harmony and Order (KARANCHO), Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity/Sorority (SAE), KABALIKAT, Malaybalay Rugged Adventure Great Outdoor Advocates Incorporated (MARAGOAI), PANAHIK, ECO VENTURE, Bukidnon State University College of Arts and Sciences Basketball Varsity, Clearfill Water Station, Bukidnon Mountaineers’ Organization (BUMOC), Malaybalay Runners, the Malaybalay Emergency Rescue Unit (MERU), Bureau of Fire Protection, and the CSWD.

       The Cleanup Drive started with a motorcade within the City, and a short orientation program followed at the Barangay 4 covered court.  The A total of two (2) tons of household trash and garbage have been cleaned up from the Sawaga River and its nearby area in Barangay 4. The event ended with a boodle fight, which was also joined by CSWD Officer Ms. Virginia I. Flores.

       “We are pleased that this activity, participated by different groups, is becoming the city’s largest volunteer effort for river health. And as requested by the heads of the participating organizations, we will soon conduct a dialogue for a more intensive solution to this challenge,” Atty. Rosos-Tenorio added.

       It was learned that the cleanup project of Councilor Rosos-Tenorio at the Sawaga River is a prelude to a more vigorous campaign to bring together more community groups, schools, NGO’s, businesses and individuals to improve water quality of Sawaga River. Other environment programs that includes cleaning up other creeks and waterways and other public areas.

       It may be recalled that Rosos-Tenorio also spearheaded a treeplanting activity at Brgy. Can-ayan in June 2011. At least 150 officers and members of the Malaybalay City Federation of Local Councils of Women, Inc. (MCFLCW) planted an open land with 600 high quality propagated stocks from superior trees.

       The city councilor stressed that the people of Malaybalay have increased environmental awareness, enthusiasm and hard work, and that they have shown true care about the environment by doing something practical about it.  She thanked everyone who shared the same passion of caring for the environment.

Women take part in tree planting to mark Environment Month

MALAYBALAY CITY - In celebration of the World Environment Month, Malaybalay City has joined the whole world in planting locally-endemic trees.

            Over 100 members of the Malaybalay City Federation of Local Councils Of Women, Inc. (MCFLCW, Inc.) planted 400 high-quality-grafted planting stocks taken from superior trees such as mahogany on a 2-hectare land at Brgy. Can-ayan on June 25.

            This activity, spearheaded by City Councilor Mya Analene D. Rosos, is a follow-through of last year’s tree planting event that also involved cooperation with the MCFLCW, Inc.

Malaybalay City 24/7 Women Hotline

Operators of Malaybalay City's 24/7 Women's Hotline receive at least 10 different calls and text messages daily concerning various women issues. The women emergency number is a pet project of City Councilor Atty. Mya Analene D. Rosos, Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children and Family of the City Council, who filed recently a resolution creating the 24/7 Women Hotline. City Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri approved the proposal and provided technical staff and equipment for the Hotline.

Malaybalay to intensify drive against child labor

ATTY. MYA ROSOS

MALAYBALAY CITY – The city government is set to boost its campaign against child labor as alarming information on child exploitation in the labor sector was reported by the United Nations-International Labor Organization (UN-ILO).

        The report was anchored on the base-line survey, which was commissioned by the UN-ILO, conducted in Brgy. Linabo, Brgy. Managok , Brgy. San Jose, and nine other barangays in the province.

        It was learned that of the 656 households in the three barangays, 474 households have working children. And 507 children were reported working at top job sectors from agriculture, domestic work, construction, sales, transportation, among others.

        The children on the base-line survey fell under the age bracket of 5-17 years old, 334 children are males, 173 are females.

        As this developed, City Councilor Atty. Mya Analene D. Rosos is seeking to pass a resolution requesting City Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri to create a special committee, which will be a multi-agency body under the City Council for the Welfare of Children, to address child labor issues.

Malaybalay to set up women hotline

ATTY. ROSOS

Rising reports of incidents of alleged violence against women has prompted the Sangguniang Panlungsod to push for the establishment of a special emergency hotline for women and children.

Sponsored by Hon. Mya Analene D. Rosos, the Resolution, which requested City Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri to provide for the hotline numbers, will cater tales of crises and hostilities against women who need immediate response by authorities.

Defiant directors to face charges at Ombudsman

Pagadian City – The City Council is passing a resolution giving authority to City Mayor Sammy Co to file at the Office of the Ombudsman civil and administrative cases against regional directors of national government agencies based in Zamboanga City who continue to refuse transferring their regional offices to Pagadian.
Sponsored by City Councilor Roque M. Yamba, the motion, seeking for alternative venue for filing charges against erring regional directors, gained support particularly from majority floor leader Councilor Baldomero Fernandez.

Gov. Cerilles to promote rice-duck farming system

The provincial government has bared its plan to promote rice-duck farming system, which has been practiced by rice farmers for decades but has not been formalized methodically, in Zamboanga del Sur. In his weekly program Isyu Lokal, Isyu Nasyonal aired over DxBZ and DxCA, Gov. Antonio H. Cerilles said that the provincial government is intending to use a 16-hectare rice field in Brgy. Bokong, Labangan as model farm.

LCP keeps an eye against 16 towns

The League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has formed a legal team to serve as watchdogs against 16 municipalities who wished to be converted into cities. City Mayor Sammy Co disclosed in a media briefing over the weekend that the 120-member cities of LCP continue to be vigilant despite the Supreme Court decision who voted in 6-5 in favor of LCP.

Mayors to revitalize railway system plan

Pagadian City – “There can be no project for Mindanao better than the Mindanao railway system,” said Mayor Sammy Co when asked by the media what development plans the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) is pushing for.

Aurora Cerilles pushes for provincial road conversion

Zamboanga del Sur - In a bid to convert the Zamboanga del Sur provincial road to a national road, Congresswoman Aurora ‘Auring’ E. Cerilles is sponsoring House Bill 1356 to improve the condition of the provincial highway.
          House Bill 1356, named an act converting the provincial road from Barangay Poblacion Dumalinao passing through the municipalities of San Pablo, Dinas, Dimataling, Tabina, Pitogo, Vincenzo Sagun and Margosatubig, Province of Zamboanga del Sur into a national road otherwise known as the Zamboanga del Sur Coastal Road, was filed by Cerilles last month and is now pending in Congress.

ZamboSur takes keen interest in hydro energy

In the wake of power shortages and of the rising cost of electricity, the provincial capitol is expressing enthusiasm in finding ways to develop hydro energy in the Zamboanga del Sur.
Governor Antonio H. Cerilles said the province is forming a technical working group and a team of lawyers to study the processes of getting water rights from rivers and other bodies of water that can be harnessed to generate power.

Archie D. to hold reunion concert in Pagadian

FILIPINO-AMERICAN hit maker Archie D. finally is coming home to serenade his hometown with his “Built to Sound Good” Matinee Show on Sept. 2 at the City Gym. Archie D’s concert companions are the Mix Stylers, a hip-hop dance group composed of students from Southern Mindanao Colleges who will dance “Built to Sound Good” with choreography, and the St. Columban High School Angklong Musical Group.

Councilor Yamba voted PCL president

Pagadian City Councilor Roque M. Yamba is now officially in charge of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) – Zamboanga del Sur Chapter as he was elected president during a reorganizational meeting at Sampaguita Hall, Hotel Alindahaw, this city, last Tuesday.

Plague of urban development

Political conservatives believe that urban development endangers the natural serenity and self-sufficiency of a community. They might be right. Undoubtedly, some of us would buy the idea and would prefer a simple, undemanding, and uncomplicated community.

Installation of cctv camera pushed

Pagadian City – Various groups have encourage business sectors to fix security cameras at their establishments to deter crimes of thievery, robbery and even murder. Board Member Ernesto Mondarte disclosed the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is now pushing for a resolution urging business owners, banks, cooperatives and jewelry stores in Zamboanga del Sur and Pagadian City to mount close-circuit television (cctv) cameras to monitor activities around their business establishments.

Red Cross clarifies issue on selling blood plasma

The local chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) has shed light on the issue alleging the PNRC blood service facility of selling donated blood to patients. The issue was raised by some skeptics who alleged PNRC of trading blood plasma with P1500 payment.

City to intensify drive against sex workers

Pagadian City – The city hall is now forming anew a joint team to take strong action against unregistered commercial sex workers operating in different videoke and night bars and spots in the city.

According to Edward M. Arao, who will lead the group composed of the Philippine National Police, the City Health Office and the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the team would crack down some so-called guest relations officers (GROs) who have not secured clearance from the Social Hygiene Clinic of the City Health Office.

‘Salary increase can deplete savings’ – Mayor Sammy Co

City Mayor Samuel Co has expressed serious concern over the impending mandate by the salary standardization law, which will increase the basic pay of government employees by 100% in four years time. As authorized by the salary standardization law, the salary increase of government employees will be implemented in four tranches at 25 percent from July 2010 until July 2014.

Co elected League of Cities VP; Ace Cerilles voted LMP prexy

City Mayor Samuel S. Co was voted National Vice-President for Mindanao during the League of Cities of the Philippines election of officers in Manila last July 17, 2010. Prior to election, Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte and Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy signified intent to run for Vice-President. After negotiations, Duterte and Uy paved way for Mayor Co to grab the position.

Corvera assures more police force in Pagadian, Zambosur

Pagadian City – The newly installed Philippine National Police regional director PCSupt. Edwin Inventor Corvera has pledged for more police officers to be stationed in the Provincial Police Office and in the Pagadian City Police Station.

Mayor Co calls for vigilance, teamwork

Following last week’s bombing in the arrival area of the Zamboanga City airport, City Mayor Samuel S. Co is urging residents to exercise due watchfulness and teamwork to prevent atrocities in Pagadian.

Woman robbed, choked to death

Pagadian City – Police authorities are still facing a blank wall regarding the identities of the suspects linked to the gruesome robbery-homicide incident at the residence of a businesswoman at Brgy. Balangasan recently. The victim, identified as Esther Geñoso Miñales, the 56-year-old owner of E&G Store, was found dead at her bedroom hog-tied and suffocated by a masking tape on her mouth, a t-shirt cloth covering her nose and a pillow that was apparently pushed against her face.

Local jobseekers sought

The Pagadian Employment Service Office (PESO) is pooling work force in the city, drawing close to 1000 Pagadianon applicants to date for a range of local jobs. The PESO, a city government office, which specializes manpower planning, is set up to determine the number and types of personnel required by private companies, commercial establishments and other organizations or institutions that operate in not only in Pagadian City but anywhere else.

Case versus highway patrol group readied

Criminal and administrative charges are now being prepared against elements of the highway patrol group who allegedly confiscated the blaring siren of a city government vehicle during a random road inspection last July 10.

“Even if there is a marching order from the President to disallow blaring sirens, the President is not the law,” stressed Co, noting that law enforcers have to follow due process in confiscating sirens.

It can be recalled that a team from the Constabulary Highway Patrol Group (CHPG) flagged down at Brgy. Tiguma the government-owned gray Mitsubishi Strada pickup bearing plate number FGZ 424, and driven by Jigger Ordoño on way to Ozamiz City.

The patrolling officers, whose names were not yet revealed, allegedly inspected the vehicle, and upon finding the siren, cut the wires and confiscated the gadget. When the news broke out, City Mayor Sammy Co expressed disgust over the seizure and branded the officers as “disrespectful.”

Presidential Decree No. 96 declares the use or attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including domelights, blinkers and other flashing devices on motor vehicles unlawful.

In a briefing, Co revealed his legal team has already prepared six affidavits of witness testifying the incident and has built arguments, particularly on warrantless search, strengthening the case.

Co said the vehicle had no traffic violation when it was flagged down. He added that the patrol officers labeled the flagged down vehicle, which was stopped by the officers just a hundred meters from Co’s residence, as “unserviceable.”
“The city government and I in my personal capacity as city mayor is definitely filing the charges against the patrol officers,” squealed Co, reiterating that the incident involved illegal search.

He further stressed it was a violation of human rights and that the involved officers have to face the consequence of their actions.

Further, the city mayor criticized some members of the highway patrol group for the reports that they are allegedly “flagging down vehicles of the good citizen.” The mayor cited incidents of extortion that has reach the city hall.

He disclosed that vehicle owners in Pagadian City have repeatedly complained about alleged extortion activities or street “kotongs” on the national highway.

In conclusion, Mayor Co challenged the highway patrol, “Why can’t they recover carnapped vehicles?” The mayor noted that only the police force is recovering stolen vehicles and that the highway patrol group should have intensified drive against carnapping instead of flagging down vehicles of good citizens.

Privatization of hydro power plants opposed

The Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AMRECO) is opposing the impending privatization of all hydro power plants owned by the National Power Corporation (NPC) in Mindanao.

The energy group is passing advisories enjoining electric distributors to coordinate with sangguniang bayan and barangay councils in Mindanao who wish to declare resolution contesting said privatization as provided for in R.A. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

Accordingly, the SB resolutions will be presented to Pres. Noynoy Aquino during a scheduled conference with barangay officials in Manila on July 29-30, 2010.

Under R.A. 9136, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) is in charge of disposing all assets of NPC in Mindanao ten years after enactment of R.A. 9136 on June 8, 2001.

Accordingly, the NPC properties that will be sold to the public include the geothermal plant in Mt. Apo, the coal-fed plant in Mis. Oriental, the six agus hydro plants in Lanao del Norte, and the Pulangi 4 plant in Bukidnon, among others.

NPC assets in Luzon and the Visayas were disposed of and were privatized. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which provide energy transmission lines, is also a private entity.

The Aboitiz Power Corporation, which owns the Davao Light, and the Alson’s (Alcantara Group) has signified interest to acquire the NPC assets in Mindanao. Figures as to the actual cost of NPC properties are not yet available.

In the advisory, Clint DG Pacana, AMRECO Executive Director, argued the looming privatization might even raise power rates even more. He stressed that private owners would pass on charges and that they would recover amount of acquisition at soaring rates.

It was learned that after the power barges 117 and 118 were sold in February 2010, electric rates moved up. Pacana described further the privatization as reversing the objective of lowering the cost of electricity. AMRECO is also soliciting the support of the media and other civic organizations to push against the privatization. Religious and student groups were also tapped to file resolutions opposing the auction of the remaining NPC properties.

Unconfirmed reports also said that the 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-Care) is lobbying for the scrapping of some provisions of R.A. 9136 to prevent privatization of the remaining NPC ownership.

Meantime, ZAMSURECO I Information Officer Levi Cabatcha revealed the el niño has lowered water levels of the lakes, particularly Lake Lanao, powering the hydro plants in Mindanao. He said that from January to June this year, hydro plants provide only 33% of the energy requirement instead of the usual 53% average in 2009.

On the other hand, the geothermal plant and the coal plant contribute only 10% and 22%, respectively. Diesel plants supplied 35% of power, more than twice of the usual average of 17%.

Hence, NPC is raising rates to defray cost of diesel. ZAMSURECO I is now collecting P8.30 per kwh, a P2.80 increase of the previous P5.50 per kwh.

“If water levels are low, we experience power curtailment to save water during el niño,” said Cabatcha. He added that power shortages are caused by the limitations of using hydro plants to generate electricity.

“Oil or diesel-powered electric plants may augment the necessary power requirements but its output is more expensive than electricity generated by hydro plants,” he added.

Cabatcha explained ZAMSURECO I has nothing to do with the higher rate. He stressed the wheeling rates result from lack of power supply from the six Agus hydro plants.

Power consumers in Pagadian City have expressed disgust over the imposed rate. Residents complain that they experience frequent brownouts yet they are collected at a higher rate.

Mayor Co irked on siren confiscation

Pagadian City – City Mayor Samuel Co has expressed disgust over the alleged confiscation of a blaring siren by the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) as “disrespectful.”

During a recent media conference, Co narrated that the city’s gray Mitsubishi Strada pickup with plate number FGZ 424, driven by Jigger Ordoño, was bound for Ozamiz City when elements of the highway patrol flagged down the vehicle along Tawagan Sur highway, inspected it and confiscated its siren last July 10.

The mayor, who was in Manila during the incident, said he had instructed his driver to remove the gadget days after the “no wang-wang policy” broke out. The driver did not comply.

Mayor Co is contemplating to file charges against the involved patrol officers on grounds of violation of rights.

“You cannot just search any vehicle without a search warrant because that is a violation of human right,” Co claimed, adding that the routine inspection was not even coordinated with his office.

He warned he would “demonstrate his power” by filing charges against those who violated his rights and against those HPG members involved.

At presstime, the patrol group could not be reached for comment. But some quarters believe the officers only did their job.

Meanwhile, the media has repeatedly reported that the ban on using blaring sirens or “wang-wangs” has displeased some other public officials and other VIP’s.

The affected local chief executives claim in unison they should not be totally banned from using sirens to squeeze their way out of heavy traffic. They justified that using blaring sirens to get out of traffic enables them to respond to emergencies as quick as possible.

In his inaugural address, Pres. Noynoy Aquino swore he would not use blaring sirens that are sometimes used by public officials to counterflow traffic. On the other hand, Vice-Pres. Jejomar Binay did not buy the idea. 

He stressed that the use of siren is necessary to hasten response to emergencies like hostage-taking and shootouts.

However, some quarters opined that what is wrong with sirens is that when they are used just to show off or when the public officials are late on personal appointments.

Presidential Decree No. 96 declares the use or attachment of sirens, bells, horns, whistles or similar gadgets that emit exceptionally loud or startling sounds, including domelights, blinkers and other flashing devices on motor vehicles unlawful.

Under the Decree, which was signed by former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos on January 13, 1973, the gadgets or devices mentioned above may be attached to and use only on motor vehicles designated for official use by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, National Bureau of Investigation, Land Transportation Commission, Police Departments, Fire Departments and hospital ambulances.

P.D. 96 is silent whether to allow vehicles of the President, the Vice-President and the Supreme Court Justice to use the blaring sirens.