ICC Dispatch - Monday, January 5, 2009

Region 12 joins 2009 Wow Philippines

ICC Cotabato City – Taking the tourism activity as an opportunity for development promotion for the area despite the unstable peace and order condition obtaining in some places, Region 12 will actively participate in the 2009 Wow Philippines Best of the Regions Show Case which will be conducted on January 13 to February 8, 2009 at Intramuros, Manila.

Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez and Regional Development Council presiding officer disclosed that the Department of Tourism, Region 12 shall lead the opening of the 2009 Wow Philippines dubbed as “Kuyog Tanu sa Kalilintad” which will feature not only arts and culture, festivals, agri-trade products, cuisine and investment opportunities. Governor Dominguez added that the tourism campaign will not only highlight the one town one product (OTOP) program and regional delicacies but also the regional interventions to attain peace and development in the area.

In the RDC 12th regular meeting on December 15, the members agreed to support the “Kuyog Tanu sa Kalilintad” at Intramuros, Manila and how to optimize the opportunity to encourage more investors and lure more visitors to Region 12.

In view of this, the council approved RDC XII Resolution No. 81, Series of 2008 for the conduct of a special meeting of RDC XII cum resource mobilization forum on January 13, 2009 in line with the opening of 2009 Wow Philippines Kuyog Tanu sa Kalilintad hosted by DOT Region XII at Intramuros, Manila. (PIA 12)


68th IB & US Army 97th CAB conduct medical mission to armed conflict victims

ICC Kidapawan City – Some 500 victims of atrocities of Lawless MILF groups in Midsayap, North Cotabato were beneficiaries of a medical mission organized by the 68th Infantry “Kaagapay” Battalion, Philippine Army supported by the US Army 97th Civil Affairs Battalion.

1LT Glenn Tabamo, civil military operation officer of the 68th Infantry Battalion said the battalion’s commander, Lt. Col Antonio Sugarol together with the Civil Affairs team leader, Cpt. Tyler Oliver of the 97th Civil Affairs Battalion of the US Army led the medical and dental mission at Barangay Labas, Midsayap, North Cotabato on December 24, 2008. The US Army, the civil military operation officer said was instrumental in providing the much needed medicines and eye glasses.

The successful conduct of the humanitarian activity, according to 1LT. Tabamo, was also realized through the support and cooperation of the 602nd Infantry Brigade, local government unit of Midsayap, North Cotabato as well as volunteer private medical practitioners.

Specifically, Tabamo further said, the services rendered were free medical check up, tooth extraction, eye refraction, circumcision, free medicines and reading glasses.

1LT. Tabamo reported that the 68th Infantry Battalion, the municipal government of Midsayap and the provincial government of North Cotabato have been exerting efforts to extend assistance to the armed conflict victims in rebuilding their lives towards normalcy. (PIA 12)