Datu wants NPA out
BUTUAN CITY (August 19) –”We want the NPAs out. We will only go back to our place once the area is cleared of NPAs and the military regains full control of the area,” says Datu Udyotan, member of the Municipal Datu Council in an interview, recently.
Residents of Barangay Pantukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur evacuate following harassments of the New People’s Army (NPA’s) in the area.
Datu Udyotan reveals that the NPA through its few sympathizers in the area prompt the residents to evacuate. Allegedly, the NPA urge the residents to make a resolution ordering the military to pull out from the area. It was learned that the resolution will be endorsed by a municipal councilor commissioned by the NPA but the councilor backed out.
“Gihadlok sa mga NPA ang mga residente nga giyerahon ang lugar kung dili mopahawa ang mga military. Giudyokan pud nila ang mga residente nga magbuhat ug resolusyon nga magpahawa sa mga military sa maong lugar. Naa sila’y gisabot nga konsehal nga mo-indorso sa resolution apan nanalaw ang maong konsehal ug wala nadayon (The NPA threatened the residents that there will be fighting should the military resist to pullout. They also prompt the residents to make a resolution ordering the military to pull out from the area. They have commissioned a municipal councilor to endorse the resolution but the councilor recoiled),” explains Datu Udyotan.
Failure of the rogue elements to secure the cooperation of the residents resulted to a scuffle between the government troops and the NPA prompting the residents to evacuate.
According to reports, the rogue elements fired upon the government troops on August 3 and staged several other attacks to spawn chaos and induce the residents to evacuate.
Datu Udyotan relates that on August 7, he received reports that gun fighting is ongoing at Barangay Pantukan. Upon investigation, it was found out that rogue elements are already barricading the area, two kilometers from the heart of the barangay. These resulted to the mass exodus of the residents to the nearby municipality.
Datu Udyotan further revealed that members of the Kahugpungan sa mga Lumadnong Oragnisasyon (KASALO) visited the evacuation centers and distributed rice. He disclosed that during the distribution, KASALO members allegedly encouraged the evacuees to join evacuees at Lianga, Surigao del Sur to force the local government units to pull out the military forces at Barangay Diatagon in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
The lumads of Barangay Diatagon evacuated to Tandag because of the alleged instigation of the Alternative Learning Center of Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) Inc., a tribal school. Allegedly, ALCADEV goad the residents to leave the area because of an impending military attack due to the presence of NPA’s, a warning labeled by the military as black propaganda.
Negotiations between the local government unit and the residents of Barangay Diatagon is at a stand still following demands of the lumads for a total pull out of troops in the area, a demand the LGU could not decide on.
The NPA is believed to be responsible for creating scenarios to instill fear to instigate people to evacuate and pressure the local government units to pull out government troops in identified rebel infested areas in Surigao del Sur.
For Datu Udyotan, what they want is the total pull out of the NPA forces in their area and for the military to conduct clearing operation and full control of the area.
“Almost 90 percent of the residents in the area agreed to the presence of the military, only very few sympathize with the other group,” bared Datu Udyotan. (Lovely Laudette Gamba, PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Gov. Ace Barbers mihimo sa usa ka tigum aron nga mas mapalapdan ang mga programa sa Local Council for the Protection of Children dinhi sa probinsya
Ang kadumalahan sa probinsya sa pagpangulo ni Gov. Robert Ace Barbers mihimo ug usa ka mahinungdanong pulong kagahapong adlawa, Agosto 18, 2009 didto mismo sa Provincial Convention Center ning atong dakbayan, aron sa paghisgot sa mga lakang nga angay himuon aron nga mas mapalapdan pa ang mga programa nga magprotekta sa tanang kabataan dinhi sa probinsya.
Ang maong tigum nga gipahigayon sa pagpanguna sa buhatan sa Department of the Interior and Local Government, inabagan usab sa Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office ug ni Board Member Regina Alaan isip maoy Chairman on Women, Family, Gender and Development, gitambungan sa mga nagkadaiyang Local Government Unit ug Non-Government Unit sa probinsya hilabi na sa tanang Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC).
Sa maong Forum, adunay mga oryentasyon ug pagpasabot sa mga nagkalain-laing responsibilidad sa matag MCPC ang gitutukan ug gihatagan ug katin-awan. Ubay-ubay usab nga mga problema ang gipadangat sa matag MCPC nga gihatagan dayon ug direktang solusyon aron nga ila gayud mahatag ang episyente ug epektibo nga panirbisyo sa tanan kabataan.
Ug aron masiguro nga ang matag MCPC milihok ug mi kooperar gayud sa mga programa sa gobyerno, adunay Search for Most Functional Municipal Council for the Protection of Children ang gihimo sa probinsya. Sa niaging mga pagsusi nga gipahigayon sa LCPC, ang Lungsod sa Bacuag maoy nakakuha sa unang ganti ug dayon gisundan kini sa Lungsod sa Mainit isip maoy ikaduhang manana-og, ang Lungsod usab sa San Benito isip maoy 3rd prize winner ug ang 4th prize winner mao ang Lungsod sa Tubod.
Gipanghinaut ni Gov. Ace Barbers nga ang maong tigum nakahatag ug dugang kadasig sa matag MCPC nga mohimo sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga responsibilidad aron nga ila gayud mahatag ang de kalidad nga serbisyo nga angay lamang sa mga nagkinahanglang kabataan. (PGO-Media Bureau/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)
200 landless people received land titles from President Arroyo
BUTUAN CITY (August 19) — About 200 persons from the different depressed barangays in Butuan City have received land titles from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo though the “Handog Titulo ni Gloria” program during a simple ceremony initiated by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Nasipit at its compound in Barangay Bading in this city last Friday August 14,2009.
Although President Arroyo was absent at the ceremony, the people who have been awarded with land patents have expressed happiness for acquiring lands that they have been tilling for years from the government.
The Barangay Chairperson of the coastal barangay of Masao in this city Thelma Perez said she was very happy after 40 of her constituents have been awarded with the land titles by the DENR. Perez said the people were very grateful to President Arroyo for giving them the lands that they have been tilling for several years for free.
DENR 13 Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser said that each of the beneficiaries have either got an average size of 5,000 square meters for agricultural land or 100 square meters for residential lands.
Director Buiser has sent message to the beneficiaries through a representative during the program. He said the people should take care of the piece of land that was awarded to them. He said “the integrity, honor and dignity of a person is also restored when he owns a piece of land though how small the size of it”.
He said the distribution of lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is one of the main agenda of DENR Secretary Jose Atienza ,Jr.
The distribution of patents also marked the 107th founding anniversary of the Bureau of Lands.
The other guest speaker who were invited to the occasion were Congressman Jose “Joeboy” Aquino II and Mayor Democrito Plaza II but nonetheless sent their respective representatives when they failed to come.
Director Buiser has commended the land management officer and personnel of the CENRO Nasipit headed by CENR Officer Jaime C. Acebu for doing their duties in facilitating the distribution of land patents. (Eric F. Gallego, DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
FMR Brings More Development Opportunities in Rural Communities
Rural Infrastructure has been considered the costliest investment yet the most fundamental aspect towards development. MRDP addresses this need by giving topmost priority in its 2nd Phase of implementation allocating a total of US$ 60 million for 5-years making it ready for the Local Government Units utilization.
Amidst the problems encountered during the first year of implementation, the Regional Program Coordinating Office-13 in coordination with the Local Government Units involved, were still able to bring though completion two FMR projects, 10 still ongoing, and one water system facility.
In Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, the two FMR projects amounting to a total of 5.08 million pesos with a kilometer run of 2 km and 1.5 km, respectively, is now servicing farmers and the rest of the population of Barangays Cubo and Mahagkot.
Farmers’ accessibility in bringing their farm products to the market has been made easier through the FMR Project while traders can pick up farm products in the production areas with no difficulty as well.
Quality of farm products were also preserved while transportation cost and travel time was reduced thereby giving them the opportunity to gain more profit rather than lose much.
“Before this road was improved, we use to pay P50 in transporting our farm products to the market. But now that we have this road rehabilitated through MRDP and the Local Government, we pay no more in the transport of our products because the buyers now come with their vehicles/haulers right in our areas which enabled us to save transportation cost.” (Translated from the local dialect) Mr. Henry Libertino expressed during interview. “If there is a need to transport other farm products, we only pay a minimal fare of P20 pesos compared to the previous P50.” The farmer added. Aside from these benefits, it also gave the farmers and rest of the constituent easy access to other basic social services in the municipality.
Kagawad Absalon Bersalote of Brgy. Mahagkot also expressed appreciation for the rehabilitation of Brgy. Mahagkot to Brgy. Bentahon Farm to Market Road.
“We used to transport our corn and rice products by towing in the river which that took us up to three days in reaching the nearest market. Now that the road is in good condition, it only takes a few hours to bring our products to the market and most often, our buyers now comes to get it.” (Translated from the local dialect) said Kagawad Absalon Bersalote.
The FMR is benefitting an estimated corn production area of 400 hectares and rice area of 100 hectares.
Completion of these farm to market roads would not have been possible without the resolute commitment of the Local Government Unit who painstakingly went through the rigorous process of the implementation.
Mayor Leonida Manpatilan of Esperanza also expressed gratitude for having been chosen as one of the recipients of the program and vowed to allocate funding for the sustainability of the project.
MRDP in the next few months would still be packed with activities geared towards developing the capacities of the LGUs and establishing projects that will contribute in meeting the need of the people for food security, increased mobility of goods, services and people.
With the partnership of the different key players of the program, the World Bank, Department of Agriculture through the Regional Program Coordinating Office, MRDP- Program Support Office, Local Government Units, and The Prople’s Organization, MRDP shall continue to push forward in transforming the underdeveloped sectors and bring more development opportunities in Mindanao. (Emmylou T. Presilda, DA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Fishermen sails for a good catch through MRDP2
For a fisherman whose life depends solely on the abundance of the ocean, nothing is more important than having his own vessel for fishing.
Such is the case of the Doyos Eastern Coast Fishermen in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. Having lived for several years of hitch-riding from other fisher’s boats, they would be lucky enough if they were able to bring at least a kilo of fish for their family.
But with the birth of MRDP2, life begins to take a turn for the 27 members of the Doyos Eastern Coast Fishermen Consumers Cooperative (DECFISCOCO). As one of the recipient of the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD), the Cooperative was able to avail the 200 thousand worth of subproject allocation which they use to purchase needed paraphernalia for their Hook and Line Fishing livelihood.
Working hand in hand with the Municipal Project Management & Implementation Unit, the cooperative has displayed outstanding performance during the implementation of the project where they were able to purchase 7 pumpboats instead of 5 targeted units. Due to a strengthened procurement committee, the group was able to get a discount for the equipments enabling them to purchase 2 more units which benefited other members of the organization.
Having agreed to follow the repayment scheme set by the LGU as part of the sustainability plan, two members of the cooperative were already able to pay in advance the 25 thousand worth of assistance which the organization in turn purchased additional pumpboats and fishing gears making it 9 units in all which gave income opportunities to other PO members.
At present, the members of the cooperative are already seeing a bright future ahead of them. With an increasing fish catch of 7-10 kilos per day, they are now able to bring home to their families more that enough for their consumption and a considerable income to support the basic needs of the family.
MRDP-CFAD interventions has not only given hope to DECFISCOCO but also other thriving organizations in Carrascal such as the Bagin Fishermen MPC with their Bottom Drift Gill Net Project where they received 200 thousand and the Milkfish Cage Culture of the Bon-ot Fishermen MPC amounting to 250 thousand pesos.
On the other hand, farmer-recipients of the working animal subprojects were also grateful for having granted the assistance which helped them in cultivating their farm lands. According to Mrs. Nenita Sotoniel of the Carrascal Tabon-tabon Farmers MPC, she is now able to save 900 pesos out from what she spends for land preparation since she no longer rents a carabao to plow her farm before going into planting.
The Local Government of Carrascal Surigao del Sur who has always been supportive to the development of agriculture and its people in the locality was also pleased with the outcome of the project which is now helping the people gain additional income.
As such, MRDP has not only provided income generating projects but also gave equal opportunities for men and women in the rural areas thereby making them productive citizens to their community. (Emmylou T. Presilda, DA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO2 Darlin Cabalinan-Migullas
Report on shooting incident
On August 17, 2009 at around 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, a person suffering from mental illness identified as one Wenefredo Monton Eco, 65 years old, armed with sharp bladed bolo, a residence of Purok-7, Poblacion, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte and suddenly entered the residence of his daughter in-law, one Dominga Estoy, 48 years old, and who was asleep at that time.
Suspect threatened to hurt her and because of fear, she ran and reported the incident to Magallanes Municipal Police Station (MPS). Elements of Magallanes Municipal Police Station led by PSI Gaudencio V Cajutol Jr. proceeded to the area to pacify the suspect but the latter hide inside the room.
After several minutes, the suspect suddenly went out, armed with the said bolo and wood stick, assaulted and hacked PO2 Bernardo Rante. SPO1 Alasaas saw that PO2 Rante was in danger, he shot the suspect once at the thigh to neutralize him, afterwards the responding police confiscated the deadly weapons.
Suspect and PO2 Rante were brought to Cabadbaran emergency hospital for medical treatment. Progress report follows. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP arrests wanted person
On August 17, 2009 at around 9:00 o'clock in the morning at Hidalgo Village, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City, elements of Butuan City Police Station 2 led by SPO3 Advincula apprehended one Policarpio Cortes Pascual Jr., 62 years old, married and a resident of Purok-2, Barangay Imadejas, Butuan City by virtue of Warrant of Arrest (WOA) issued by Hon. Judge James V. Go, MTCC Branch 2, Libertad, Butuan City for the crime of Attempted Homicide docketed under criminal case number 41478 with recommended bail bond of Php12,000.00.
Arrested person was turned-over to the issuing court for proper disposition.
Also, at around 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon of the same date at A. D Curato Street, Butuan City, elements of Butuan City Police Station 1 led by SPO3 Alex Morgadez apprehended one Analyn Cullantes Luspo, 30 years old, single and a resident of Colrai Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City by virtue of Alias Warrant of Arrest (WOA) issued by Hon. Judge Francisco Maclang of RTC Branch 3, Butuan City for the crime of Frustrated Murder and Revocation of Probation under criminal case number 8760.
Arrested person is now detained at Butuan City Police Office Detention cell for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Apprehension of a Belgian national for violation of immigration law
A Belgian National identified as one Noel P.E.M. Schellekens, 34 years old, married with address at Herentalsebaan 9, Malle, Belgium and presently residing at Dapa, Surigao Del Norte was apprehended by personnel from Bureau of Immigration and Surigao City Police Station at Surigao City Airport, Barangay Luna, Surigao City.
Said person was apprehended for violation of Immigration Law (Overstaying in the Philippines). He was brought to the Office of Bureau of Immigration for proper investigation after which, he was turned-over to Surigao City Police Station for custody pending result of investigation. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Progress Report
Progress report on the seizure of illegally transported explosive ingredients that transpired on August 14, 2009 at around 11:30 in the evening at Ferry Terminal, Surigao City. An inquest proceeding for violation of R.A. 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives) has been filed against the suspects at the City Prosecutor's Office in August 16, 2009, received by Prosecutor Robert B. Gonzaga, First Assistant City Prosecutor, Surigao City docketed under NPS-XIII-05-INQ-09N-00196. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
BUTUAN CITY (August 19) –”We want the NPAs out. We will only go back to our place once the area is cleared of NPAs and the military regains full control of the area,” says Datu Udyotan, member of the Municipal Datu Council in an interview, recently.
Residents of Barangay Pantukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur evacuate following harassments of the New People’s Army (NPA’s) in the area.
Datu Udyotan reveals that the NPA through its few sympathizers in the area prompt the residents to evacuate. Allegedly, the NPA urge the residents to make a resolution ordering the military to pull out from the area. It was learned that the resolution will be endorsed by a municipal councilor commissioned by the NPA but the councilor backed out.
“Gihadlok sa mga NPA ang mga residente nga giyerahon ang lugar kung dili mopahawa ang mga military. Giudyokan pud nila ang mga residente nga magbuhat ug resolusyon nga magpahawa sa mga military sa maong lugar. Naa sila’y gisabot nga konsehal nga mo-indorso sa resolution apan nanalaw ang maong konsehal ug wala nadayon (The NPA threatened the residents that there will be fighting should the military resist to pullout. They also prompt the residents to make a resolution ordering the military to pull out from the area. They have commissioned a municipal councilor to endorse the resolution but the councilor recoiled),” explains Datu Udyotan.
Failure of the rogue elements to secure the cooperation of the residents resulted to a scuffle between the government troops and the NPA prompting the residents to evacuate.
According to reports, the rogue elements fired upon the government troops on August 3 and staged several other attacks to spawn chaos and induce the residents to evacuate.
Datu Udyotan relates that on August 7, he received reports that gun fighting is ongoing at Barangay Pantukan. Upon investigation, it was found out that rogue elements are already barricading the area, two kilometers from the heart of the barangay. These resulted to the mass exodus of the residents to the nearby municipality.
Datu Udyotan further revealed that members of the Kahugpungan sa mga Lumadnong Oragnisasyon (KASALO) visited the evacuation centers and distributed rice. He disclosed that during the distribution, KASALO members allegedly encouraged the evacuees to join evacuees at Lianga, Surigao del Sur to force the local government units to pull out the military forces at Barangay Diatagon in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
The lumads of Barangay Diatagon evacuated to Tandag because of the alleged instigation of the Alternative Learning Center of Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) Inc., a tribal school. Allegedly, ALCADEV goad the residents to leave the area because of an impending military attack due to the presence of NPA’s, a warning labeled by the military as black propaganda.
Negotiations between the local government unit and the residents of Barangay Diatagon is at a stand still following demands of the lumads for a total pull out of troops in the area, a demand the LGU could not decide on.
The NPA is believed to be responsible for creating scenarios to instill fear to instigate people to evacuate and pressure the local government units to pull out government troops in identified rebel infested areas in Surigao del Sur.
For Datu Udyotan, what they want is the total pull out of the NPA forces in their area and for the military to conduct clearing operation and full control of the area.
“Almost 90 percent of the residents in the area agreed to the presence of the military, only very few sympathize with the other group,” bared Datu Udyotan. (Lovely Laudette Gamba, PIA-Caraga)
Cebuano News: Gov. Ace Barbers mihimo sa usa ka tigum aron nga mas mapalapdan ang mga programa sa Local Council for the Protection of Children dinhi sa probinsya
Ang kadumalahan sa probinsya sa pagpangulo ni Gov. Robert Ace Barbers mihimo ug usa ka mahinungdanong pulong kagahapong adlawa, Agosto 18, 2009 didto mismo sa Provincial Convention Center ning atong dakbayan, aron sa paghisgot sa mga lakang nga angay himuon aron nga mas mapalapdan pa ang mga programa nga magprotekta sa tanang kabataan dinhi sa probinsya.
Ang maong tigum nga gipahigayon sa pagpanguna sa buhatan sa Department of the Interior and Local Government, inabagan usab sa Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office ug ni Board Member Regina Alaan isip maoy Chairman on Women, Family, Gender and Development, gitambungan sa mga nagkadaiyang Local Government Unit ug Non-Government Unit sa probinsya hilabi na sa tanang Municipal Council for the Protection of Children (MCPC).
Sa maong Forum, adunay mga oryentasyon ug pagpasabot sa mga nagkalain-laing responsibilidad sa matag MCPC ang gitutukan ug gihatagan ug katin-awan. Ubay-ubay usab nga mga problema ang gipadangat sa matag MCPC nga gihatagan dayon ug direktang solusyon aron nga ila gayud mahatag ang episyente ug epektibo nga panirbisyo sa tanan kabataan.
Ug aron masiguro nga ang matag MCPC milihok ug mi kooperar gayud sa mga programa sa gobyerno, adunay Search for Most Functional Municipal Council for the Protection of Children ang gihimo sa probinsya. Sa niaging mga pagsusi nga gipahigayon sa LCPC, ang Lungsod sa Bacuag maoy nakakuha sa unang ganti ug dayon gisundan kini sa Lungsod sa Mainit isip maoy ikaduhang manana-og, ang Lungsod usab sa San Benito isip maoy 3rd prize winner ug ang 4th prize winner mao ang Lungsod sa Tubod.
Gipanghinaut ni Gov. Ace Barbers nga ang maong tigum nakahatag ug dugang kadasig sa matag MCPC nga mohimo sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga responsibilidad aron nga ila gayud mahatag ang de kalidad nga serbisyo nga angay lamang sa mga nagkinahanglang kabataan. (PGO-Media Bureau/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)
200 landless people received land titles from President Arroyo
BUTUAN CITY (August 19) — About 200 persons from the different depressed barangays in Butuan City have received land titles from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo though the “Handog Titulo ni Gloria” program during a simple ceremony initiated by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Nasipit at its compound in Barangay Bading in this city last Friday August 14,2009.
Although President Arroyo was absent at the ceremony, the people who have been awarded with land patents have expressed happiness for acquiring lands that they have been tilling for years from the government.
The Barangay Chairperson of the coastal barangay of Masao in this city Thelma Perez said she was very happy after 40 of her constituents have been awarded with the land titles by the DENR. Perez said the people were very grateful to President Arroyo for giving them the lands that they have been tilling for several years for free.
DENR 13 Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser said that each of the beneficiaries have either got an average size of 5,000 square meters for agricultural land or 100 square meters for residential lands.
Director Buiser has sent message to the beneficiaries through a representative during the program. He said the people should take care of the piece of land that was awarded to them. He said “the integrity, honor and dignity of a person is also restored when he owns a piece of land though how small the size of it”.
He said the distribution of lands under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is one of the main agenda of DENR Secretary Jose Atienza ,Jr.
The distribution of patents also marked the 107th founding anniversary of the Bureau of Lands.
The other guest speaker who were invited to the occasion were Congressman Jose “Joeboy” Aquino II and Mayor Democrito Plaza II but nonetheless sent their respective representatives when they failed to come.
Director Buiser has commended the land management officer and personnel of the CENRO Nasipit headed by CENR Officer Jaime C. Acebu for doing their duties in facilitating the distribution of land patents. (Eric F. Gallego, DENR-13/ PIA-Caraga)
FMR Brings More Development Opportunities in Rural Communities
Rural Infrastructure has been considered the costliest investment yet the most fundamental aspect towards development. MRDP addresses this need by giving topmost priority in its 2nd Phase of implementation allocating a total of US$ 60 million for 5-years making it ready for the Local Government Units utilization.
Amidst the problems encountered during the first year of implementation, the Regional Program Coordinating Office-13 in coordination with the Local Government Units involved, were still able to bring though completion two FMR projects, 10 still ongoing, and one water system facility.
In Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, the two FMR projects amounting to a total of 5.08 million pesos with a kilometer run of 2 km and 1.5 km, respectively, is now servicing farmers and the rest of the population of Barangays Cubo and Mahagkot.
Farmers’ accessibility in bringing their farm products to the market has been made easier through the FMR Project while traders can pick up farm products in the production areas with no difficulty as well.
Quality of farm products were also preserved while transportation cost and travel time was reduced thereby giving them the opportunity to gain more profit rather than lose much.
“Before this road was improved, we use to pay P50 in transporting our farm products to the market. But now that we have this road rehabilitated through MRDP and the Local Government, we pay no more in the transport of our products because the buyers now come with their vehicles/haulers right in our areas which enabled us to save transportation cost.” (Translated from the local dialect) Mr. Henry Libertino expressed during interview. “If there is a need to transport other farm products, we only pay a minimal fare of P20 pesos compared to the previous P50.” The farmer added. Aside from these benefits, it also gave the farmers and rest of the constituent easy access to other basic social services in the municipality.
Kagawad Absalon Bersalote of Brgy. Mahagkot also expressed appreciation for the rehabilitation of Brgy. Mahagkot to Brgy. Bentahon Farm to Market Road.
“We used to transport our corn and rice products by towing in the river which that took us up to three days in reaching the nearest market. Now that the road is in good condition, it only takes a few hours to bring our products to the market and most often, our buyers now comes to get it.” (Translated from the local dialect) said Kagawad Absalon Bersalote.
The FMR is benefitting an estimated corn production area of 400 hectares and rice area of 100 hectares.
Completion of these farm to market roads would not have been possible without the resolute commitment of the Local Government Unit who painstakingly went through the rigorous process of the implementation.
Mayor Leonida Manpatilan of Esperanza also expressed gratitude for having been chosen as one of the recipients of the program and vowed to allocate funding for the sustainability of the project.
MRDP in the next few months would still be packed with activities geared towards developing the capacities of the LGUs and establishing projects that will contribute in meeting the need of the people for food security, increased mobility of goods, services and people.
With the partnership of the different key players of the program, the World Bank, Department of Agriculture through the Regional Program Coordinating Office, MRDP- Program Support Office, Local Government Units, and The Prople’s Organization, MRDP shall continue to push forward in transforming the underdeveloped sectors and bring more development opportunities in Mindanao. (Emmylou T. Presilda, DA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Fishermen sails for a good catch through MRDP2
For a fisherman whose life depends solely on the abundance of the ocean, nothing is more important than having his own vessel for fishing.
Such is the case of the Doyos Eastern Coast Fishermen in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. Having lived for several years of hitch-riding from other fisher’s boats, they would be lucky enough if they were able to bring at least a kilo of fish for their family.
But with the birth of MRDP2, life begins to take a turn for the 27 members of the Doyos Eastern Coast Fishermen Consumers Cooperative (DECFISCOCO). As one of the recipient of the Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD), the Cooperative was able to avail the 200 thousand worth of subproject allocation which they use to purchase needed paraphernalia for their Hook and Line Fishing livelihood.
Working hand in hand with the Municipal Project Management & Implementation Unit, the cooperative has displayed outstanding performance during the implementation of the project where they were able to purchase 7 pumpboats instead of 5 targeted units. Due to a strengthened procurement committee, the group was able to get a discount for the equipments enabling them to purchase 2 more units which benefited other members of the organization.
Having agreed to follow the repayment scheme set by the LGU as part of the sustainability plan, two members of the cooperative were already able to pay in advance the 25 thousand worth of assistance which the organization in turn purchased additional pumpboats and fishing gears making it 9 units in all which gave income opportunities to other PO members.
At present, the members of the cooperative are already seeing a bright future ahead of them. With an increasing fish catch of 7-10 kilos per day, they are now able to bring home to their families more that enough for their consumption and a considerable income to support the basic needs of the family.
MRDP-CFAD interventions has not only given hope to DECFISCOCO but also other thriving organizations in Carrascal such as the Bagin Fishermen MPC with their Bottom Drift Gill Net Project where they received 200 thousand and the Milkfish Cage Culture of the Bon-ot Fishermen MPC amounting to 250 thousand pesos.
On the other hand, farmer-recipients of the working animal subprojects were also grateful for having granted the assistance which helped them in cultivating their farm lands. According to Mrs. Nenita Sotoniel of the Carrascal Tabon-tabon Farmers MPC, she is now able to save 900 pesos out from what she spends for land preparation since she no longer rents a carabao to plow her farm before going into planting.
The Local Government of Carrascal Surigao del Sur who has always been supportive to the development of agriculture and its people in the locality was also pleased with the outcome of the project which is now helping the people gain additional income.
As such, MRDP has not only provided income generating projects but also gave equal opportunities for men and women in the rural areas thereby making them productive citizens to their community. (Emmylou T. Presilda, DA-13/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO2 Darlin Cabalinan-Migullas
Report on shooting incident
On August 17, 2009 at around 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, a person suffering from mental illness identified as one Wenefredo Monton Eco, 65 years old, armed with sharp bladed bolo, a residence of Purok-7, Poblacion, Magallanes, Agusan del Norte and suddenly entered the residence of his daughter in-law, one Dominga Estoy, 48 years old, and who was asleep at that time.
Suspect threatened to hurt her and because of fear, she ran and reported the incident to Magallanes Municipal Police Station (MPS). Elements of Magallanes Municipal Police Station led by PSI Gaudencio V Cajutol Jr. proceeded to the area to pacify the suspect but the latter hide inside the room.
After several minutes, the suspect suddenly went out, armed with the said bolo and wood stick, assaulted and hacked PO2 Bernardo Rante. SPO1 Alasaas saw that PO2 Rante was in danger, he shot the suspect once at the thigh to neutralize him, afterwards the responding police confiscated the deadly weapons.
Suspect and PO2 Rante were brought to Cabadbaran emergency hospital for medical treatment. Progress report follows. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP arrests wanted person
On August 17, 2009 at around 9:00 o'clock in the morning at Hidalgo Village, Barangay Libertad, Butuan City, elements of Butuan City Police Station 2 led by SPO3 Advincula apprehended one Policarpio Cortes Pascual Jr., 62 years old, married and a resident of Purok-2, Barangay Imadejas, Butuan City by virtue of Warrant of Arrest (WOA) issued by Hon. Judge James V. Go, MTCC Branch 2, Libertad, Butuan City for the crime of Attempted Homicide docketed under criminal case number 41478 with recommended bail bond of Php12,000.00.
Arrested person was turned-over to the issuing court for proper disposition.
Also, at around 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon of the same date at A. D Curato Street, Butuan City, elements of Butuan City Police Station 1 led by SPO3 Alex Morgadez apprehended one Analyn Cullantes Luspo, 30 years old, single and a resident of Colrai Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City by virtue of Alias Warrant of Arrest (WOA) issued by Hon. Judge Francisco Maclang of RTC Branch 3, Butuan City for the crime of Frustrated Murder and Revocation of Probation under criminal case number 8760.
Arrested person is now detained at Butuan City Police Office Detention cell for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Apprehension of a Belgian national for violation of immigration law
A Belgian National identified as one Noel P.E.M. Schellekens, 34 years old, married with address at Herentalsebaan 9, Malle, Belgium and presently residing at Dapa, Surigao Del Norte was apprehended by personnel from Bureau of Immigration and Surigao City Police Station at Surigao City Airport, Barangay Luna, Surigao City.
Said person was apprehended for violation of Immigration Law (Overstaying in the Philippines). He was brought to the Office of Bureau of Immigration for proper investigation after which, he was turned-over to Surigao City Police Station for custody pending result of investigation. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Progress Report
Progress report on the seizure of illegally transported explosive ingredients that transpired on August 14, 2009 at around 11:30 in the evening at Ferry Terminal, Surigao City. An inquest proceeding for violation of R.A. 8294 (Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives) has been filed against the suspects at the City Prosecutor's Office in August 16, 2009, received by Prosecutor Robert B. Gonzaga, First Assistant City Prosecutor, Surigao City docketed under NPS-XIII-05-INQ-09N-00196. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
