theregions A The Manila Times FRIDAY July 23, 2010 7


New devt package to help Mindanao agribusiness A


BY JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ REPORTER


S part of the Department of Agriculture’s P2-billion infrastructure development program


for southern Philippines, the Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRPD) on Thursday announced that it will be offering an investment development pack- age to all newly installed local government


unit executives. In a statement, MRPD chief Lealyn


Ramos said that the new development


package is part of the Agriculture de- partment’s flagship poverty allevia-


tion program in the southern Philip- pines, which will be given as an op- tion to all newly installed local gov- ernment chiefs to further develop their agriculture infrastructure plans. “It is a good option for the new heads of the LGUs. It provides a holistic approach to development designed to open up economic op- portunities for rural communities and capitalize on the rich natural resources on their respective locali- ties,” Ramos said. “We have seen how the program has improved many rural lives and we now fully understand and appre- ciate its procedures. That’s why we in the province help promote it among


the towns in our area,” she added. MRDP is long-term poverty alle- viation program jointly fund by the national government, the local gov- ernment unit and a loan portfolio from World Bank.


It has four major components, namely: Rural Infrastructure (RI), Community Fund for Agricultural De- velopment (CFAD), Natural Resources Management (NRM) and Investment for Governance Reform (IGR). RI focuses on relevant and much needed infrastructures like irriga- tion, farm-to-market roads and post-harvest facilities seen to help farmers improve productivity and increase their incomes.


Thousands get free bags, school supplies in Sulu


SULU, Philippines: Thousands of Mus- lim students received new bags and school supplies from a two-day hu- manitarian mission on a coastal town in the southern Philippine province of Sulu. Gov. Sakur Tan and his son, Samier Tan, the mayor of Maimbung town, led the family in the distribu- tion of some 10,000 bags, notebooks and pad papers to throngs of stu- dents in different schools. The young Tan said he would dis- tribute more bags and other school supplies to students in the town and would prioritize livelihood projects and health care to the locals, mostly fishermen; including the minority Badjao natives. The governor’s wife, Nurunisah


Tan, herself a professional nurse, and daughter Sheila Hayudini; Dr. Farah Omar, of the Integrated Pro- vincial Health Office and the De- partment of Health, also gave out Vitamin A and deworming medi- cines to school children in five ar- eas where the humanitarian mis- sions were held. The two-day event ended on Tues-


day, but more bags had been distrib- uted on Wednesday.


“This is just the beginning of more humanitarian missions not only in Maimbung, but in other towns in Sulu as well, just as what we did the last years. This program will continue and we will reach out to more peo- ple in far-flung areas,” the governor,


a known philanthropist in the south- ern Philippines, said. Tan also ordered his engineers to inspect the state of various schools, mostly built from old buildings, in the town and come up with recom- mendations on how to improve its condition or whether the structure is still safe. The governor previously built a new school in the town and is now planning to put up a university in Maimbing, which will specialize in fisheries and agriculture. “We want this university open to all and everything will be free, from tuition to books, and we shall lead our students to become professional and experts in the fields of fisheries and agriculture because Sulu is rich in natural re- sources and we have vast marine resources,” he said. On Saturday, dozens of Islamic students will also graduate from a madrasah that the Tans built in the capital town of Jolo where the gov- ernor’s wife also put up a children’s playground and a mosque. “We are happy that the madrasah is able to graduate many students, who are the pioneer of the Islamic school. We are planning to build more madaris in other areas be- cause education is very important for our people. With good educa- tion, we can bring about change and peace and progress in Sulu,” The First Lady said.


AL JACINTO


Three missing fishermen rescued in Quezon


THE Coast Guard station in Puerto Real has rescued three of the crew of FB Rigor that were reportedly missing last week at the height of Typhoon Basyang. Based on reports from the Philippine Coast Guard—


Manila, the survivors were identified as Clodualdo Era 22, Carlito Bugate, 16, and Robert Arcilla 22—all residents of Calaguas Island, Vinsons, Camarines Norte. According to Era, they set sail from Calaguas Island on June 11 to the fishing grounds between Jomalig Island and Paracale, Camarines Norte. He added that while returning home, they encoun-


tered strong winds and big waves because of Typhoon Basyang causing the fishing boat to sink. The three fishermen stayed on board FB Rigor, and for them to survive they ate Kulapo or floating sea grass and a slice of uncooked fish. The Coast Guard also reported that after floating for six days, the fishermen were spotted by FB King Ryan at vicinity Baler, Aurora. The crew eventually transferred to FB Shannys from Polilio Island. The said survivors were brought to Claro M.


Recto Memorial Hospital in Infanta, Quezon for medical checkup.


JOVEE MARIE N. DELA CRUZ


CFAD focus on empowering peo- ples’ organization to venture into agri-based enterprise.


NRM is implementing environ- mental conservation projects and IGR on reinforcing the mandates of the Local Government Code. This year, MRDP set to achieve P2-billion worth of agricultural in- frastructures and benefit 151 towns, which will implement various live- lihood projects. It has also ear- marked P42 million for environ- mental conservation projects. The five-year phase 2 program, which kicked-off in May 2007 has a total of 225 enrolled municipalities covering all six regions of Mindanao.


Ebdane freezes mining operations in Zambales


IBA, Zambales: Making good to his promise and barely a month into of- fice, Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. of Zambales has issued his first order to freeze all small-scale mining and quarrying operations in the province. Ebdane cancelled all 110 mining and quarry permits issued by the previous administration.


He explained that he decided to cancel all the permits to enable strict enforcement of environmental safe- guards among mining and quarry- ing firms, as well as the proper col- lection of fees for the local coffers. “Effective immediately, I am canceling all mining and quarrying permits issued in the province of Zambales,” Ebdane said. “Our re- view shows that there are deficien- cies, misrepresentation of facts, and obvious violations of the mining law, and we must take the hard step to make things right.”


During his inauguration in Iba on


■ Thousands of Muslim students receive new bags and school supplies from a two-day humanitarian mission on a coastal town of Maimbung in Sulu. Gov. Sakur Tan and his son, Samier Tan, the mayor of Maimbung town, led the family in the distribution of some 10,000 bags, notebooks and pad papers to throngs of students in different schools from 27 villages. PHOTO BY AL JACINTO


June 30, Ebdane told reporters that he will be asking for a review of all the mining permits and will come out with a decision to suspend or let it go. The governor also formed a re- view committee to evaluate the per- mitting process, giving them one month to come out with their rec- ommendations.


A total of 98 small-scale mining and 12 quarrying operations had


previously given the go-signal from the former administration of former Gov. Amor Deloso. Chromites, magnetite or black sand, copper, talc, nickel and gold are on a few minerals being ex- tracted in the province while armored rock and sand are among the most quarried in Zambales. Large-scale mining companies


however were spared from the or- der since they get permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Ebdane meanwhile said that they


would also review the operation of the large-scale mining. “While they get their permits from the national office of the DENR, we can still in- sist that their operations should strictly conform to environmental requirements,” he added. “We have set our sights on boost- ing tourism, agriculture, mining, as well as providing better opportuni- ties in education, health and other basic services,” Ebdane said. “What I am on the lookout for are the funds and resources for the pro- grams that we need to get going to jump-start our growth agenda.” He added that aside from the


province’s internal-revenue allot- ment, the mining industry would be a good source of revenue for the province.


CIRCA-Albay wants to preserve carcass of sperm whale


RAPU-RAPU, Albay: In pursuit of saving and preserving the carcass of the 25-ton sperm whale (Physeter Macrocephalus) swept ashore at the Carogcog village of this town because of Typhoon Basyang, the Center for Initiative on Climate Ad- aptation (CIRCA) official has ordered the immediate stoppage of its burning. Manuel “Nong” Rangasa, Albay


CIRCA executive director asked Air Force Col. Guillermo Molina, com- mander of Technical Operations Group-Philippine Air Force-Bicol and director Bernardo “Raffy” Alejandro


of the Office of Civil Defense to fly to Rapu-Rapu along with The Manila Times correspondent and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to personally inspect the dead sperm whale adrift within Carogcog village, some 15-minute boat ride from Poblacion where the local commu- nity dwells.


After an aerial inspection, the group along with Mayor Nora Oñate of Rapu- Rapu took a boat towards the Carog- cog area to personally assess if the dead mammal will pose any health hazards


to the communities.


The group found out that the said whale poses no threat to nearby com- munities as it was swept ashore with- out inhabitants except the fishermen who often take shelter in the area. Rangasa asked Mayor Oñate to cor- don off the carcass with indigenous ma- terials and let it putrefy in a natural way for them to recover the bones for fur- ther study and preservation of carcass. The carcass according to Rangasa will be displayed before the Bicol Uni- versity of Legazpi campus for educa-


tional purposes. Nonie Enolva, Bureau of Fisheries


and Aquatic Resources team leader for emergency stranding told The Manila Times that it would take about six months for the sperm whale to totally moulder or corrode.


When asked if it would not affect the marine life as well as to humans, Enolva said that the dead mammal will serve as natural fodder for some marine creatures such as lobsters, crabs and among others. RHAYDZ B. BARCIA


Two militiamen killed in NPA ambush in Davao del Norte


ZAMBOANGA CITY: Communist rebels am- bushed a military patrol, killing two government militiamen and wounding two others in the southern Philippines. The attack occurred in the village of El Salvador in Davao del Norte’s New Corella town, a spokesman for the New People’s Army rebels, Marcella Valiente, said. Valiente said the Wednesday ambush was part of a tactical offensive of the


Angeles City urges businessmen to follow environmental laws


ANGELES CITY: The city council headed by Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting has approved a resolution re- quiring all business establishments in this city to comply with waste management practices and envi- ronmental sanitation laws. Sponsored by Councilor Jesus “Jay” Sangil, the resolution is urging the city government to control and mitigate the negative environmental impacts of all forms of wastes.


Sangil said there is a need to guide, control and regulate the generation, storage, collection, transpor- tation and disposal of solid wastes within the city. He said that there is also a need to promote an orderly sanitary system, adopt a systematic and eco- logical solid waste management program. “There are pertinent environmental laws that must


be followed in the establishment and operation of businesses not only in Angeles City but in other ar- eas of the country as well,” Sangil said. He added that proper and lawful environmen- tal sanitation and waste management practices con- tribute to the campaign against the degradation of the environment.


The resolution also said that the city mayor should issue the corresponding implementing rules and regulations to enforce its provisions.


Copies of the said resolution will be dis- tributed to all concerned government agen- cies and corporations, private institutions, all offices in the city government and all barangays in Angeles City.


“This is just one of the priorities of Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan as the city was known be- fore as one of the cleanest and greenest na- tionwide,” Sangil said.


The previous administration owes about P63 million in garbage disposal fees, which constrained the Kalangitan sanitary landfill and hauling operators to stop their services. “We have already negotiated with the op- erators of Kalangitan so we could resume serv- ices with them,” the mayor said. Pamintuan also appealed to Angeleños and businessmen who own dump trucks “to allow us to use their facilities for at least a month at a very minimal cost.” This, he said, will help the city in getting rid of garbage and stink. “We shall institute discipline on waste disposal, and reward those who adhere to such discipline,” Pamintuan said. JOEY AGUILAR


New People’s Army, which is fighting the past four decades for the establish- ment of a Maoist state in the country. “Three high-powered rifles—one M16 Armalite, one M14 rifle and one M1 rifle—were seized. Two paramili- tary elements of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) were killed on the spot while two others were wounded, including the com- mander of the Philippine Army detach-


Republic of the Philippines BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE City Government of Baguio


INVITATION TO BID


The City Government of Baguio, through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites suppliers/manufacturers/distributors to bid for the hereunder project: Circular Proposal


Name of Project


036-10 Bidding


Security Services for August to December 2010


Brief Description ABC


Please refer to the Bid Form P2,504,250.00 for detailed specifications


Delivery Period Period specified in TOR


1. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding using non-discretionary pass/fail criteria as specified in the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations Part A (IRR-A) of RA 9184. Only bids from Bidders who pass the eligibility check will be opened. ALL PAGES of the Bid, including attachments thereto such as brochures, shall be initialed by the person or persons signing the Bid. Post qualification of the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bid shall be conducted.


2. Bid Documents and Instruction to Bidders will be available for issuance starting July 23 to Auguts 13, 2010 at the BAC Secretariat, City Budget Office, City Hall, Baguio City with Telephone No. (074) 442-8924/442-6264 upon presentation of DRL from Phil-GEPS and payment of a non-refundable amount, to wit;


Particulars


Bid Forms for Goods and Services with an ABC of: PhP 50,000.00 and below


For every PhP 1,000.00 above PhP 50,000.00 and its fraction there-to


Cost in Philippine Peso PhP 300.00


PhP 1.00 But not to exceed PhP 20.000,00 3. Pre-bid Conference shall be held on July 30, 10:00 AM at the City Hall Multi-purpose Hall, City Hall Annex, Baguio City.


4. Deadline for submission, receipt and opening of bids will be at the City Budget Office, City Hall, Baguio City on or before 9:00AM, of August 13, 2010. Submission Formats of documents must be strictly in accordance with the Instruction to Bidders. Late Submission and/or incomplete application shall not be accepted.


5. All Particulars relative to the eligibility, bidding, evaluation of bids and award of contract shall be governed by the Implementing Rules and Regulations- A of Republic Act 9184.


6. The City Government of Baguio reserves the right to reject any Application for Eligibility or all bids without offering any reasons, waive any required formality therein, and to make an award to the bidder whose proposal is most advantageous to the government.


7. Additional information shall be furnished upon request. All communications should be addressed to the undersigned at the aforementioned address.


ATTY. LETICIA O. CLEMENTE Bids and Awards Committee


MT – July 23, 2010


ment in the same barangay [village]. There were no casualties on our side,” Valiente said.


“This tactical offensive against com- batants of the regular and paramilitary forces is a legitimate military action by the people’s Army. It is an attack against the 72nd Infantry Battalion and Cafgu forces in El Salvador, who have figured in many incidents of vio- lations of human rights in the area.


These prevalent acts include, but are not limited to, mauling of civilians, extortion, serious threats and repres- sion of farmers.” Valiente said those wounded in the attack were given medical treatment by the rebels, but it was unknown whether they had been taken prison- ers or not.


The military did not give any state- ment about the ambush. AL JACINTO


ANTHONY BAYARONG


Meanwhile, Ramos also noted that they would be conducting this week a series of orientation to new LCEs in the Provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and other regions across Mindanao in the ensuing weeks. “What we desire is for the LGUs


to avail of the whole investment package to maximize its impact on the community,” Ramos said. “By putting infrastructure on pro- duction areas or where CFAD projects are implemented plus the instituting governance reform to better revenues, it won’t be long to see the social and economic impacts of the program,” Ramos added.


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