ICC Dispatch - Friday, November 21, 2008

Col. Ardo gets commendation for improvement of Kampo Ranao facilities

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 21 – Col. Rey C. Ardo, Commander of the 3rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (103rd Bde) has been commended for his efforts in improving the facilities of Kampo Ranao, Marawi City.

The commendation came from Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) during the Nov. 20, 2008, turn over, of the Php2.1 million worth of building facilities and the unveiling of markers in the camp considered home of the “Haribon” troopers.

These facilities, the construction of which were funded by the Lanao del Sur (LDS) Provincial Government, include the administration building annex for the Brigade Conference Room, receiving area, water system and facilities, electrical system, drainage system, camp posts, perimeter fence, officers’ quarters and mess hall.

“We very well know that Kampo Ranao is a permanent military reservation and as such, instead of putting up temporary and makeshift facilities, we should be able to improve it and put up our permanent fixtures and facilities in this very valuable piece of our real estate,” the CGPA said.

Ibrado also said he is sure that the men and women of the unit are very happy and proud to have a more spacious and presentable facility that will hopefully inspire them in their daily job.

The newly constructed building is not the first time that the Army soldiers received from the people of LDS as the late Mamintal Adiong, Sr., former governor, also initiated the construction of the Brigade Grandstand whose marker was also unveiled during the occasion. (RCA/PIA10)


Kampo Ranao improvements are monuments of Army-LDS partnership – Lt. Gen. Ibrado

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 21 – Lt. Gen. Victor Ibarado, Commanding General of the Philippine Army has considered the new building facilities and grandstand at Kampo Ranao, Marawi City, as monuments of the strong partnership between the Philippine Army and the people of Lanao del Sur (LDS).

Thus stressed the CGPA during the recent turn over from the LDS Provincial Government to the Army of the newly completed building facilities worth Php2.1 million in the camp which provides shelter to the 3rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (103rd Bde).

“We are therefore very fortunate to have the continuing support of the people of LDS and the generosity of our local government officials who remained very supportive to our thrusts for peace, security and progress in this province,” the CGPA said.

He then assured the people of the province that the Army will continue to focus on its mission of ensuring peace and security in the communities and will remain as their reliable partner in nation building and in the promotion of the welfare of the Maranao people.

To the troops of the 103rd Bde who are the primary beneficiaries of the project, he said “ Your charge is to return the benevolence of the local government in this area with better service and commitment to do your mandate.”

Ibrado also asked them to ensure that the structures are properly maintained so that it will serve its purpose. “In addition to the improvements that you have undertaken on the other camp facilities, the PA headquarters will expect more significant accomplishments and outputs from you, he told the men and women of 103rd Bde.

“I am therefore, counting on everyone to sustain your gains and exert more efforts to accomplish more as we vigorously pursue the accomplishment of our Internal Security Operation (ISO) missions to posture peace and prosperity,” the CGPA said.

More importantly, I expect your individual and collective contribution and commitment as we push forward the TEAM Army’s call towards our vision of a professional, capable and responsive Army that is a source of our national pride, Ibrado finally said. (RCA/PIA10)


CGPA vows to provide Army soldiers all support requirements

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 21 – The Philippine Army will continue to find ways to provide the soldiers with all the support requirements that they need within the capacity of its available resources.

Thus assured Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, PA Commanding General, during the recent ground-breaking for the construction of the Enlisted Personnel (EP) Barracks at the 3rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (103rd Bde), PA Headquarters in Kampo Ranao, Marawi City.

He said the Army will ensure that priority in the use of these resources will be for the well-being of the soldiers and the accomplishments of their mandates, hence, the realization of the project.

“The recently completed building facilities in the camp, which was constructed, courtesy of the Lanao del Sur Provincial Government, gave us this good start to the pursuit of our vision,” Ibrado told the troops of 103rd Bde led by Col. Rey C. Ardo, the Brigade Commander.

Hence, he said, it is only fitting that the support facilities, such as billeting, also be given a longer-lasting and more durable structure to go with the permanent ones used for official operations and administrative activities newly completed within the camp.

He said he is hopeful that the construction of the EP Barracks will be completed very soon so that it will allow its beneficiaries and the transient occupants to have a better living condition, better performance in their soldierly duties by quickly responding to the needs of our fellowmen

Addressing the troops, Ibrado said “We expect this to serve as inspiration for you to work even harder. And to those who will be occupying this facility once it is completed, I count on each one of you to maintain it so it can also serve future generations of Army soldiers after you have served your tour of duty here.”

Measuring 9 m. x 38 m. with a total floor area of 342 sq.m., the EP Barracks which can accommodate more or less 120 EP’s, will have the basic amenities of toilets and baths, wash area and a day room.

It is targeted to be finished in 120 calendar days, the construction of which will be undertaken by the 547th Engineer Construction Battalion (ECB), Philippine Army. (RCA/PIA10)


Army’s 547 ECB to construct Php2 M worth of EP barracks in Kampo Ranao

ICC Iligan City, Nov 21 – At least Php2 million will be spent to construct one (1) unit of an Enlisted Personnel (EP) Barracks inside Kampo Ranao, Marawi City.

This was revealed Lt. Col. Gerardo Catindoy, Commander of the 547 Engineer Construction Battalion (ECB) which is tasked to undertake the project, during its groundbreaking ceremony in the area.

Formerly called Camp Keithy, Kampo Ranao which occupies an area of 4,687 ha. of military reservation is now home of the 3rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (103rd Bde), Philippine Army.

With a measurement of 9 m. x 38 m. and a floor area of 342 sq.m., which can accommodate more or less 120 EP’s with basic amenities of toilets, bath, wash area and a day room, the said barracks has a site location that conforms with the proposed camp development plan.

As such, the plan is only an initial scan of the unit requirements in the long-term and provides only a graphical spatial framework for future developments of the Kampo Ranao, Catindoy said.

Hence, the more comprehensive long-range plan containing detailed studies and analysis can be obtained through the preparation of a master development plan that will serve as a detailed guide for the long term physical growth of the camp.

Catindoy added that the project duration is only120 calendar days and thus commit to finish the project before the target completion date.

The groundbreaking ceremony was led by Lt. Gen. Victor Ibrado, Commanding General, PA, Col. Rey C. Ardo, Commander, 103rd Bde and Col. Michaelo Salvaleon, Commander, 55th Engineer Brigade, PA. (OSM – Radyo ng Bayan)


Community participation, heaviest weight in GABAY 2008 Awards

ICC Iligan City, Nov. 21 -- Apparently heeding the call of Pres. Gloria Macagal-Arroyo to involve the communities in all barangay affairs, “participation of constituents” has been allocated the highest points in the criteria for the Gawad Galing Barangay (GABAY) Awards, 2008.

Thus stressed Asst. Regional Director Wendelin Orillaneda of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government, region 10, who said the GABAY Awards is a joint initiative of the department and the Liga ng mga Barangay to confer “The Best Performing Barangay’s” in the region.

Consistent with the mandate of DILG in providing capability building programs to strengthen decentralization in the country, the GABAY awards aims to ensure that barangay governments comply with the provisions of the Local Government Code and various presidential directives and issuances.

It is also the primary intention of the GABAY awards to enhance the performance of the barangays for more effective delivery of basic services through the appropriate program intervention.

Specifically, the program hopes to strengthen good barangay governance, stimulate innovations and institutionalize a system of providing incentives and rewards to these barangays, Orillaneda said.

Aside from that, it will also provide valuable information in surfacing operations for a more effective barangay government administration and highlight their exemplary and excellent performance and service delivery to their constituents.

The awards, which shall cover the performance of the barangays in region 10 for the period starting December 2007 to October 2008, will assess the following key areas of concern in barangay governance:

Transparency, 14 pt., fiscal accountability and responsibility, 26 pts., participation of constituents, 30 pts., leveling of playing field/equality of opportunity, 15 pts. and organization and membership, 15 pts.

Meanwhile, Orillaneda said there will be four (4) categories of the GABAY Awards: Category A for the for Highly Urbanized City (HUC), Category B for Component City, Category C for 1st to 3rd Class Municipalities and Category D for 4th-6th Class Municipalities. (RCA/PIA10)


LBP loans to priority sectors in Region IX reach P3.146Billion

ICC, Pagadian, Zamboanga City, Nov21 - LandBank’s total loan exposure to its priority sectors in Region IX reached P3.145 Billion as of third quarter of this year. This is a P300 million increase over the P2.8 Billion loans posted in 2009 said AVP Camilo Leyba, Regional Head, Region IX, LBP.

The Bank’s expanded loan portfolio benefited its priority sectors which include the small farmers and fisherfolks, micro and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agri-business, agri-infrastructure projects of LGUs, agri-related projects of GOCCs, and environment-related projects.

Of the P3.1Billion, 42 percent or P1.3 Billion was channeled thru farmers and fisherfolks cooperatives and CFIs. This benefited a total of P16, 630 small farmers & fisherfolks all over Zamboanga Peninsula Region, Misamis Occidental, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

Meanwhile, a total of P1.2Billion or 39 percent financed various infrastructure projects of LGUs and P605 Million or 19 percent went to livelihood and agri-business projects of micro, small and medium enterprises.

“The cooperative, CFIs and LGUs have been our strongest partners in delivering the most needed resources to the countryside. Thru our effective alliance with these conduits, we are able to hit 109% of our target even before yearend” says AVP Leyba.

Projects financed in the region include crop production loans, rubber replanting and rehabilitation, fishery, livelihood, trading and agri-infrastructure projects. (LBP/PIA ZC)


Farmers receive P346 Million credit assistance from LBP for Palay production

ICC, Pagadian, Zamboanga City, Nov21- a total of P346 Million was released by Land Bank region 9 as credit assistance to support the financial needs of small farmers in the region who are engaged in palay production.

The loan was channeled through various conduits comprising of cooperatives, countryside financial institutions, farmers organizations and irrigators associations.

It benefited a total of 10, 779 small farmers in various barangays in Zamboanga City, and the entire Zamboanga Peninsula region and Misamis Occidental.

The credit assistance is in line with the bank’s Rice Production Program, which was launched early this year to support the national government in its thrust to increase rice production to achieve food sufficiency in the country.

“To fully support the government in its food security program, LandBank expanded its credit conduits to include non-government organizations, irrigators association, small and medium enterprises such as rice millers and inputs suppliers, so that it can extend its reach to more small farmers,” says Assistant Vice President Camilo Leyba, Head, LandBank, Region 9.

Leyba further explained that Landbank pursued credit policy changes specific to rice in order to promote rice production. (LBP/PIA ZC)


Ambassador Kenney Announces $2.5 Million in Assistance to Families Displaced by Recent Armed Conflict in Mindanao

ICC Cotabato City (21 November) - During a visit today to a camp for internally displaced persons in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao Province, U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney announced that the U.S. Government is providing $2.5 million in assistance to individuals and families displaced by the tragic outbreak of violent conflict in Mindanao. The assistance includes 1,480 metric tons of U.S. rice, valued at approximately $2 million, for free distribution by the United Nations World Food Programme, as well as water, health, and sanitation support by NGO partners.

Soon after the conflict began, the United States Government responded by supplying essential relief goods to families in need in the provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Sarangani, and Maguindanao, through Save the Children.

During her visit to Datu Odin Sinsuat and Cotabato today, the Ambassador recognized the work of the National Disaster Coordinating Council, the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Departments of Health of the national government and in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to improve the health and sanitation situation to people who were forced to flee their homes due to the violence.

"My thoughts are with those who have been displaced by fighting, people whose lives have been lost and disrupted,” said Ambassador Kenney. “Working together, we can help Mindanao move toward peace and prosperity, so the citizens of Mindanao – especially the children – may have the future they deserve,” she added. (US Embassy/PIA12)


DOH monitors the health situation of IDPs, says Sec Duque

ICC General Santos City (21 November) - Health Secretary Francisco Duque III assured that the health situation of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in conflict areas is properly monitored and attended to.

This he clarified during a news conference Friday when asked on the health situation of the IDPs.

“I think the health situation is being monitored since day 1 the conflict broke out and in so far as the health issues are concerned our people continue to provide the basic health care services,” he said.

Duque said the estimated 200,000 IDPs in Cotabato Province and Maguindanao also included children who were mostly in school.

He said the DOH had a meeting on November 19 with its partners from DSWD, DepEd, PNP, DND, and DPWH “to assess the situation not only health but also looking rather if the students are continuing their schooling.”

Aside from the health issues, Duque said “we continue to assess even the number of houses that had been gutted down by fire, and the reconstruction efforts being carried out according to schedules and timelines.”

The government, he added has reconstructed school buildings “because we want to make sure that there is an immediate recovery and rehabilitation of our facilities.”

The Secretary also assured that based on DOH monitoring there had been no reported outbreak so far.

He said DOH has been monitoring the condition of the IDPs by sending team of doctors and sanitation engineers in partnership with other concerned national line agencies.

“We can give you a list of the activities that have been undertaken by the different regions because there are many regions that are involved in making sure that the basic and fundamental needs and services of the IDPs are met,” the Secretary told members of the press.

He emphasized that DOH has been continuously providing essential drugs and medicines, and also vaccines especially in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), where there was outbreak of measles reported in the past months.

“We have pre-positioned the DOH personnel and our supplies to respond to all of these very important needs of the IDPs,” Duque concluded.

Earlier the European Union (EU) has also pledged a multi-million humanitarian aid to ARMM officials for the thousands of villagers in the region displaced as a result of armed skirmishes between government forces and the lawless Moro Islamic Liberation Front group (LMG). (PIA SarGen)


MRDP (CFAD Component) projects boost farming and fishing sectors

ICC Cotabato City (21 November) – The Department of Agriculture- Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) is committed to attain its goal to boost and strengthen the farming and fishing sectors in Mindanao through demand-driven projects.

To ensure efficient and effective project implementation, MRDP under the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD component) conducted recently the Community Organizing and Facilitation Skills Workshop for Municipal Facilitators.

CFAD Focal Person Susan Unggel said, the workshop aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of agricultural technologists and extension workers who are also the MRDP municipal facilitators in the provinces of Maguindanao, Shariff Kabunsuan and Lanao Del Sur.

These provinces are the three (3) major rice producing areas of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

CFAD projects are being implemented in the towns of Ampatuan in the province of Maguindanao; Tuburan in Basilan, North Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan province; Mapun in Tawi-Tawi; and Parang, Sulu. (Joven Mark T. Mapait/PIA Cot)