Monday 2 February 2009
ICC Dispatch - Wednesday, January 28, 2009
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ICC Dispatch - Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Police, military and media celebrate partnerships
ICC General Santos City (27 January) - The police, military and the members of the press here celebrated on Friday their partnerships in an event dubbed “PNP-AFP-Media Fellowship” intended to strengthen rapport and cooperation among them.
Police Chief Supt. Fidel A. Cimatu Jr., Central Mindanao police regional director said the event was aimed “to provide relaxation, enhance camaraderie and maintain professional courtesy and cooperation towards the attainment of peace and order” in Central Mindanao.
Cimatu added “the fellowship also endeavored to generate trust” with the hope that the gathering “will create an environment of peace conducive to work, business, investment and tourism” helpful to police operations.
The event, according to police regional public information office was attended by some 140 personalities coming from the police regional command, armed forces and members of the tri- media.
Cimatu lauded media’s contribution in helping promote government in its fight against graft and corruption, societal crimes and in stabilizing peace and order particularly in Central Mindanao.
The “Police Regional Office 12 fully recognizes the great contribution of the community including the media in our goal for sustainable development and promoting peace and order….. It is my hope that with my leadership, we will be able to maintain effective, meaningful, and better media relations,” said host PCSupt. Cimatu.
Aside from Cimatu, other regional command’s top brass were also present such as SSupt. Lester Camba, regional chief directorial staff, SSupt. Danny Reyes of the regional police community relations, SSupt. Timoteo Pacleb of the regional comptrollership with his deputy Supt. Allan Rafael, Supt. Norberto Batislaong of the regional intelligence, Supt. Florendo Quidilla Jr., chief regional operations, SInsp Federico Valencia III, Secretary of the Directorial Staff and SInsp. Alexander Sarabia, regional command spokesperson.
City police directors SSupt. Willie Dangane of Cotabato City Police, SSupt. Robert Po of General Santos City Police and provincial police directors SSupt. Benhur Mongao of Sultan Kudarat Police, SSupt. Danilo Peralta of Sarangani Provincial Police, and Supt. Reynaldo Hiso representing North Cotabato Provincial Police Office also joined the fellowship.
The gathering was also participated in by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other prominent local personalities here.
Attending AFP commanders were Col. Daniel Soriano, 1002 deputy brigade commander, Col. Leo Cresente Ferrer of Task Force Gensan, LtCol. Joshua Santiago of the 27IB, LtCol. Edgardo de Leon of 73IB, and LtCol. Roberto Dumalahay of 12 FAB.
Col. Rainier Cruz, 1002 Brigade commander hailed the police for organizing the event and also expressed his gratitude to the media for helping both the military and the police disseminate information to a wider audience.
He also appealed to media to help enlighten the people on “police and military works and operations” by being a liaison of truth and right information.
Cimatu, on the other hand, underscored the importance of media’s partnership and assistance in government’s campaign on crime prevention and control. He also urged them to continuously support police advocacy and information dissemination activities for people’s welfare.
“From my heart, I would like to thank everyone for coming over and accepting my invitation as the host of this PNP/AFP/Media Fellowship Night… I am hoping that we will be together in attaining our goal towards ensuring our people a safe place to live by maintaining a better police-community partnership….,” Cimatu said in finale.
The Police Regional Office 12 Press Corps led by its president Jeffrey Jubelag of the Mindanao Bulletin, was also in full force during the big night. (PIA SarGen)
Japan commits emergency food aid to IDPs in Mindanao
ICC General Santos City (27 January) - Aside from European funding agencies, the Japanese government is also set to extend emergency food aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mindanao, a report said.
It said Japan will extend some Y860 million or $9.5 million in food aid to conflict victims displaced by continuous fight between government forces and the renegade members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
According to the report, the Japanese embassy confirmed the food assistance equivalent to 7,500 metric tons of rice, bigger than the previous aid.
It further said the food aid to IDPs will be channeled through the United Nations' World Food Programme (UNWFP).
Recent Japanese government’s assistance to IDPs in Mindanao has totaled $81,853, which included blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, blankets, polyethylene containers, among others.
With the food aid, the Japanese government is hoping that the impact of the current crisis in Mindanao would be mitigated.
The report also said that Japan anticipates the recommencement of peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF aside from the immediate taking place of the ceasefire in conflict-affected areas.
It said the Philippine government and WFP country director have already been informed of the decision on emergency food aid thru Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura.
The report added that the grant agreement will be signed between the Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines and WFP's country director on January 28, Wednesday in RCBC Plaza, Makati City.
JICA Philippines is a governmental agency of Japan which is responsible for the implementation of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs helping thousands of IDPs in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. (PIA SarGen)
Agri Extension Workers trained on Palay Check
ICC Cotabato City (27 January) – The Department of Agriculture & Fisheries-ARMM in coordination with the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI-ARMM) and PhilRice recently conducted the Palay Check Retooling for Agriculture Extension Workers (AEWs) at Mamitua Saber Research & Training Center, Mindanao State University, Marawi City.
ATI-ARMM Center Manager Vadreya Solaiman said that twenty three (23) AEWs from the Provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Marawi City were trained to enhance their knowledge on palaycheck (an alternative technology for rice production) that they will teach to farmers in their areas.
Palay Checks System if properly applied will assure farmers of ten to fifteen percent (10-15%) increased rice production (cavans per hectare) compared to traditional rice technologies. This method includes soil analysis of experts from Bureau of Soils that determines input requirement level of the soil and the use of leaf color chart.
The participants were put into a three hour workshop where they formulate/prepared plans (outputs per group) with corresponding time frame that they will adapt to their respective areas particularly the farmer’s productive capacity (to be improved through this system). Each group presented their outputs for critiquing.
Resource speakers during the duration of the training were Engr. Alberto Pajarito and Jose Nori Buhat from PhilRice, DAF-ARMM Regional Rice Coordinator Dadtungan Radzak and Rice Report Officer Edna T. Bajao.
Secretary Keise T. Usman is optimistic that this activity through the AEWs could help increase rice production of farmers beneficial to ensure food sufficiency and stability in the region. This will fast track the department’s efforts in strengthening its agri-fishery programs.
This training is the Education & Extension component of the FIELDS Program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through DA National Secretary Arthur C. Yup with the support of ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan. (MCD/PIA Cotabato City)
Mindanao trade remains bullish amidst global crisis MINDANAO
Mindanao’s total trade performance remains bullish while major financial districts around the world endure the global financial meltdown.
This is aside from the National Economic Development Authority’s (NEDA) projection that the country would hit a low-end export growth target of two to four percent last year. But with the strong trade performance of Mindanao agro-based and mineral products, the island region’s total trade rose to a staggering 43.45% growth for the first ten months of 2008. Data gathered and processed by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that Mindanao posted a total trade of US$3.95 billion Freight-on-Board (FOB) value in September last year against the US$2.75 billion in the same period of 2007. Mindanao’s total export earnings as of September 2008 grew by 34.09% or US$2.53 billion from US$1.89 billion during the same period in 2007.
Likewise, Mindanao’s total imports registered an increase of 64% from US$860 million in the same period of 2007 to US$1.41 billion in September last year. The balance of trade in goods (BOT-G) for Mindanao registered a total value of US$1.2 billion which is 9.11% higher from the US$1.03 billion in the same period of 2007.
Export revenues from the top ten exports grew by 36.56% or US$1.91 billion as of September in 2008 compared to the US$1.40 billion of the same period the other year.
Coconut oil continued to be the top grosser among the export products followed by fresh banana, prepared or preserved fish, nickel ores, organic chemicals and ore agglomerates.
A big chunk of Mindanao’s imports still goes to rice, which accounts almost 30% of Mindanao imports. As of September last year, rice import is valued at US$ 406.05 million- a hefty growth of more than two-folds from US$ 108.49 million in September 2007. USA remains at the top of Mindanao export destinations followed by Japan, Vietnam and The Netherlands.
“The global financial crisis is hardly felt as of today”, said Undersecretary Virgilio L. Leyretana, Sr., MEDCo Chair. He added though that the country is not spared from the worldwide financial turmoil.
However, Leyretana said that the Mindanao stakeholders, especially the business sector, are getting all of their acts together to cushion the island-region from the crisis. “In light of the current situation, it is only fitting that the Mindanao 2000 development framework plan is being assessed to come up with an updated Mindanao peace and development blueprint”,
Leyretana said.MEDCo, together with its partners is now undergoing series of consultations around Mindanao to assess Mindanao 2000- a development roadmap introduced in 1995.
“The Mindanao 2020, an updated peace and development blueprint is hoped to alleviate the impact of financial crisis at times like this”, Leyretana said.
The Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) also recently sponsored an investment conference, which aims to forge Mindanao-wide industry alliances, as well as to increase trade and investments through the creation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The creation of more SMEs would eventually lead to livelihood generation, according to Ed Dayanghirang, MinBC Executive Director.While the global financial crisis may seem a big threat to major industries, Bert Barriga, Vice Chair of the ICT Davao Incorporated, sees it as a big opportunity for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.“Major companies in the US would be forced to outsource their services with the financial crisis going on”, Barriga said.By 2010, more than US$ 8 billion in terms of outsource and more than US$ 726 million in offshore market opportunities are available in the US. (MEDCo)
Seair flies Puerto Princesa-Kota Kinabalu twice a week
PUERTO PRINCESA --- Fresh from the debut of its Puerto Princesa-KotaKinabalu flight last November 2008, Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAir) nowflies the route twice a week, ushering a more upbeat outlook on tourism inthe Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area(BIMP-EAGA).
The Philippine domestic carrier, which features the 32-seater Dornier 328aircraft, will have flights from Puerto Princesa to Kota Kinabalu everyTuesday and Friday, from the initial once-a-week schedule. Felisa Torres, Puerto Princesa City Tourism Council (CTC) president said that the said routes should be promoted intensively and marketed competitively for it to be sustained. Torres has earlier said in an article that this is a welcome development tthat will help boost their local economy.
SEAir president Avelino Zapanta earlier said in an article that the airlinewill look into increasing the frequency of flights on the route to twice a week in January, depending on the response. Meanwhile, their tourism counterparts in Sabah also showed the same enthusiasm citing a slight tourist increase from the Philippines to Sabah during the first semester of 2008.
"We are very optimistic that with the strengthening of this air link we can further boost the tourism and economy of both countries and in turn fortify efforts of the BIMP-EAGA cooperation," said Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana. MEDCo acts as the Philippine coordinating office for BIMP-EAGA inwhich Mindanao and Palawan are its focus areas.
The SEAir inaugural flights scheduled last November 28 commenced from Clarkto Caticlan to Puerto Princesa to Kota Kinabalu. Established in 1995, SEAIR started its operations with two nine-seater airplanes.
To date, SEA air has flown almost three million passengers to 12local tourist destinations. Leyretana added that the opening of another economic gateway in Palawan is"a milestone in encouraging interest in Mindanao and Palawan as the Philippine EAGA focus areas, especially in the area of tourism and trade.
" The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area(BIMP-EAGA) is a major collaboration to boost the socio-economic development among poor regions of its member-countries by strengthening policies that will enhance the movement of people and goods. EAGA members are pushing for more regular air connections to link the fourcountries to the rest of the world and accelerate the planned integration of EAGA's tourism development. (MEDCo)
ICC General Santos City (27 January) - The police, military and the members of the press here celebrated on Friday their partnerships in an event dubbed “PNP-AFP-Media Fellowship” intended to strengthen rapport and cooperation among them.
Police Chief Supt. Fidel A. Cimatu Jr., Central Mindanao police regional director said the event was aimed “to provide relaxation, enhance camaraderie and maintain professional courtesy and cooperation towards the attainment of peace and order” in Central Mindanao.
Cimatu added “the fellowship also endeavored to generate trust” with the hope that the gathering “will create an environment of peace conducive to work, business, investment and tourism” helpful to police operations.
The event, according to police regional public information office was attended by some 140 personalities coming from the police regional command, armed forces and members of the tri- media.
Cimatu lauded media’s contribution in helping promote government in its fight against graft and corruption, societal crimes and in stabilizing peace and order particularly in Central Mindanao.
The “Police Regional Office 12 fully recognizes the great contribution of the community including the media in our goal for sustainable development and promoting peace and order….. It is my hope that with my leadership, we will be able to maintain effective, meaningful, and better media relations,” said host PCSupt. Cimatu.
Aside from Cimatu, other regional command’s top brass were also present such as SSupt. Lester Camba, regional chief directorial staff, SSupt. Danny Reyes of the regional police community relations, SSupt. Timoteo Pacleb of the regional comptrollership with his deputy Supt. Allan Rafael, Supt. Norberto Batislaong of the regional intelligence, Supt. Florendo Quidilla Jr., chief regional operations, SInsp Federico Valencia III, Secretary of the Directorial Staff and SInsp. Alexander Sarabia, regional command spokesperson.
City police directors SSupt. Willie Dangane of Cotabato City Police, SSupt. Robert Po of General Santos City Police and provincial police directors SSupt. Benhur Mongao of Sultan Kudarat Police, SSupt. Danilo Peralta of Sarangani Provincial Police, and Supt. Reynaldo Hiso representing North Cotabato Provincial Police Office also joined the fellowship.
The gathering was also participated in by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other prominent local personalities here.
Attending AFP commanders were Col. Daniel Soriano, 1002 deputy brigade commander, Col. Leo Cresente Ferrer of Task Force Gensan, LtCol. Joshua Santiago of the 27IB, LtCol. Edgardo de Leon of 73IB, and LtCol. Roberto Dumalahay of 12 FAB.
Col. Rainier Cruz, 1002 Brigade commander hailed the police for organizing the event and also expressed his gratitude to the media for helping both the military and the police disseminate information to a wider audience.
He also appealed to media to help enlighten the people on “police and military works and operations” by being a liaison of truth and right information.
Cimatu, on the other hand, underscored the importance of media’s partnership and assistance in government’s campaign on crime prevention and control. He also urged them to continuously support police advocacy and information dissemination activities for people’s welfare.
“From my heart, I would like to thank everyone for coming over and accepting my invitation as the host of this PNP/AFP/Media Fellowship Night… I am hoping that we will be together in attaining our goal towards ensuring our people a safe place to live by maintaining a better police-community partnership….,” Cimatu said in finale.
The Police Regional Office 12 Press Corps led by its president Jeffrey Jubelag of the Mindanao Bulletin, was also in full force during the big night. (PIA SarGen)
Japan commits emergency food aid to IDPs in Mindanao
ICC General Santos City (27 January) - Aside from European funding agencies, the Japanese government is also set to extend emergency food aid to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mindanao, a report said.
It said Japan will extend some Y860 million or $9.5 million in food aid to conflict victims displaced by continuous fight between government forces and the renegade members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
According to the report, the Japanese embassy confirmed the food assistance equivalent to 7,500 metric tons of rice, bigger than the previous aid.
It further said the food aid to IDPs will be channeled through the United Nations' World Food Programme (UNWFP).
Recent Japanese government’s assistance to IDPs in Mindanao has totaled $81,853, which included blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets, blankets, polyethylene containers, among others.
With the food aid, the Japanese government is hoping that the impact of the current crisis in Mindanao would be mitigated.
The report also said that Japan anticipates the recommencement of peace talks between the Government of the Philippines and the MILF aside from the immediate taking place of the ceasefire in conflict-affected areas.
It said the Philippine government and WFP country director have already been informed of the decision on emergency food aid thru Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Makoto Katsura.
The report added that the grant agreement will be signed between the Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines and WFP's country director on January 28, Wednesday in RCBC Plaza, Makati City.
JICA Philippines is a governmental agency of Japan which is responsible for the implementation of Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs helping thousands of IDPs in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. (PIA SarGen)
Agri Extension Workers trained on Palay Check
ICC Cotabato City (27 January) – The Department of Agriculture & Fisheries-ARMM in coordination with the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI-ARMM) and PhilRice recently conducted the Palay Check Retooling for Agriculture Extension Workers (AEWs) at Mamitua Saber Research & Training Center, Mindanao State University, Marawi City.
ATI-ARMM Center Manager Vadreya Solaiman said that twenty three (23) AEWs from the Provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Marawi City were trained to enhance their knowledge on palaycheck (an alternative technology for rice production) that they will teach to farmers in their areas.
Palay Checks System if properly applied will assure farmers of ten to fifteen percent (10-15%) increased rice production (cavans per hectare) compared to traditional rice technologies. This method includes soil analysis of experts from Bureau of Soils that determines input requirement level of the soil and the use of leaf color chart.
The participants were put into a three hour workshop where they formulate/prepared plans (outputs per group) with corresponding time frame that they will adapt to their respective areas particularly the farmer’s productive capacity (to be improved through this system). Each group presented their outputs for critiquing.
Resource speakers during the duration of the training were Engr. Alberto Pajarito and Jose Nori Buhat from PhilRice, DAF-ARMM Regional Rice Coordinator Dadtungan Radzak and Rice Report Officer Edna T. Bajao.
Secretary Keise T. Usman is optimistic that this activity through the AEWs could help increase rice production of farmers beneficial to ensure food sufficiency and stability in the region. This will fast track the department’s efforts in strengthening its agri-fishery programs.
This training is the Education & Extension component of the FIELDS Program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through DA National Secretary Arthur C. Yup with the support of ARMM Regional Governor Datu Zaldy Uy Ampatuan. (MCD/PIA Cotabato City)
Mindanao trade remains bullish amidst global crisis MINDANAO
Mindanao’s total trade performance remains bullish while major financial districts around the world endure the global financial meltdown.
This is aside from the National Economic Development Authority’s (NEDA) projection that the country would hit a low-end export growth target of two to four percent last year. But with the strong trade performance of Mindanao agro-based and mineral products, the island region’s total trade rose to a staggering 43.45% growth for the first ten months of 2008. Data gathered and processed by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed that Mindanao posted a total trade of US$3.95 billion Freight-on-Board (FOB) value in September last year against the US$2.75 billion in the same period of 2007. Mindanao’s total export earnings as of September 2008 grew by 34.09% or US$2.53 billion from US$1.89 billion during the same period in 2007.
Likewise, Mindanao’s total imports registered an increase of 64% from US$860 million in the same period of 2007 to US$1.41 billion in September last year. The balance of trade in goods (BOT-G) for Mindanao registered a total value of US$1.2 billion which is 9.11% higher from the US$1.03 billion in the same period of 2007.
Export revenues from the top ten exports grew by 36.56% or US$1.91 billion as of September in 2008 compared to the US$1.40 billion of the same period the other year.
Coconut oil continued to be the top grosser among the export products followed by fresh banana, prepared or preserved fish, nickel ores, organic chemicals and ore agglomerates.
A big chunk of Mindanao’s imports still goes to rice, which accounts almost 30% of Mindanao imports. As of September last year, rice import is valued at US$ 406.05 million- a hefty growth of more than two-folds from US$ 108.49 million in September 2007. USA remains at the top of Mindanao export destinations followed by Japan, Vietnam and The Netherlands.
“The global financial crisis is hardly felt as of today”, said Undersecretary Virgilio L. Leyretana, Sr., MEDCo Chair. He added though that the country is not spared from the worldwide financial turmoil.
However, Leyretana said that the Mindanao stakeholders, especially the business sector, are getting all of their acts together to cushion the island-region from the crisis. “In light of the current situation, it is only fitting that the Mindanao 2000 development framework plan is being assessed to come up with an updated Mindanao peace and development blueprint”,
Leyretana said.MEDCo, together with its partners is now undergoing series of consultations around Mindanao to assess Mindanao 2000- a development roadmap introduced in 1995.
“The Mindanao 2020, an updated peace and development blueprint is hoped to alleviate the impact of financial crisis at times like this”, Leyretana said.
The Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) also recently sponsored an investment conference, which aims to forge Mindanao-wide industry alliances, as well as to increase trade and investments through the creation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The creation of more SMEs would eventually lead to livelihood generation, according to Ed Dayanghirang, MinBC Executive Director.While the global financial crisis may seem a big threat to major industries, Bert Barriga, Vice Chair of the ICT Davao Incorporated, sees it as a big opportunity for the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector.“Major companies in the US would be forced to outsource their services with the financial crisis going on”, Barriga said.By 2010, more than US$ 8 billion in terms of outsource and more than US$ 726 million in offshore market opportunities are available in the US. (MEDCo)
Seair flies Puerto Princesa-Kota Kinabalu twice a week
PUERTO PRINCESA --- Fresh from the debut of its Puerto Princesa-KotaKinabalu flight last November 2008, Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAir) nowflies the route twice a week, ushering a more upbeat outlook on tourism inthe Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area(BIMP-EAGA).
The Philippine domestic carrier, which features the 32-seater Dornier 328aircraft, will have flights from Puerto Princesa to Kota Kinabalu everyTuesday and Friday, from the initial once-a-week schedule. Felisa Torres, Puerto Princesa City Tourism Council (CTC) president said that the said routes should be promoted intensively and marketed competitively for it to be sustained. Torres has earlier said in an article that this is a welcome development tthat will help boost their local economy.
SEAir president Avelino Zapanta earlier said in an article that the airlinewill look into increasing the frequency of flights on the route to twice a week in January, depending on the response. Meanwhile, their tourism counterparts in Sabah also showed the same enthusiasm citing a slight tourist increase from the Philippines to Sabah during the first semester of 2008.
"We are very optimistic that with the strengthening of this air link we can further boost the tourism and economy of both countries and in turn fortify efforts of the BIMP-EAGA cooperation," said Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana. MEDCo acts as the Philippine coordinating office for BIMP-EAGA inwhich Mindanao and Palawan are its focus areas.
The SEAir inaugural flights scheduled last November 28 commenced from Clarkto Caticlan to Puerto Princesa to Kota Kinabalu. Established in 1995, SEAIR started its operations with two nine-seater airplanes.
To date, SEA air has flown almost three million passengers to 12local tourist destinations. Leyretana added that the opening of another economic gateway in Palawan is"a milestone in encouraging interest in Mindanao and Palawan as the Philippine EAGA focus areas, especially in the area of tourism and trade.
" The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area(BIMP-EAGA) is a major collaboration to boost the socio-economic development among poor regions of its member-countries by strengthening policies that will enhance the movement of people and goods. EAGA members are pushing for more regular air connections to link the fourcountries to the rest of the world and accelerate the planned integration of EAGA's tourism development. (MEDCo)
ICC Dispatch - Monday, January 26, 2009
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click here to view the post.
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