By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (25 November) – This year’s celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace here kicks off today, November 25 in time with the opening of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women of the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC).
As early as 5:00 in the morning, stakeholders from the public and private sector gathered around the city’s Rizal Park, where 30 minutes after, the fun walk commenced passing the national highway going to the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol covered court which is about two kilometers away from the Rizal Park.
During the opening ceremony, Butuan Bishop and Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) convenor – the Most Rev. Juan de Dios Pubelos calls on Mindanaoans to strengthen and uphold peace not only in Mindanao but was well as in the entire country.
After the short program, a two-part hataw exercises was conducted with personnel from the Philippine Army serving as taebo instructors in the first part of the exercises. The second part, on the other hand, is a dance aerobics exercise, participated by around 500 private and public stakeholders, majority of which are state workers.
This year’s celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace is anchored on the theme: “Responsive and Responsible Governance: Key to Peace, Development and Sustainability” while the GADCC-spearheaded activity’s theme is: “Magna Carta ni Pinay: Gawing Tunay: Karahasan sa Kababaihan, Wakasan!” (PIA-Caraga)
GADCC-Caraga calls public to end violence vs. women
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (25 November) – In its effort to uphold the rights of women from violence and abuses, the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) of Caraga Region today enjoins the public especially the men to end violence against women, during the opening of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women held on Thursday, November 25 at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol covered Court, in time with the opening of the 2010 Mindanao Week of Peace celebration here.
Atty. Marilyn Pintor, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Regional Director and GADCC Chairperson emphasized the role of women in the society today, as well as the role of men in protecting them and their children.
“The organization of Men Opposed Violence Everywhere (MOVE) is an evidence that our government is doing its effort to uphold and protect the rights of women as they are encouraged to support the programs of the committee,” Pintor said.
Anchored on the theme: “Magna Carta ni Pinay: Gawing Tunay: Karahasan sa Kababaihan, Wakasan!,” the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women is a joint undertaking of the public and private stakeholders in Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)
BUC pushes for sustainable dev’t process in celebration of MWOP 2010
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (25 November) – The Bishops-Ulama Conference (BUC) has pushed for sustainable developmental process leading to lasting peace and progress as the whole island is celebrating the 2010 Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP).
In a joint statement, BUC pointed out that everyone knows and understands that our country must develop in order to achieve progress and peace. For progress to be effective and peace to be lasting, the developmental processes should be sustained.
The statement also emphasized that while every citizen must participate actively in these processes as active supporters, the weight and bulk of responsibility depends on governance, that is, responsive and responsible governance.
As spiritual leaders, BUC through co-convenors composed of Rev. Fernando Capalla, Archbishop of Davao; Hamid Barra, Ulama League of the Philippines; and Hilario Gomez of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) wish to invite and encourage everyone, especially the development leaders and workers, to have a focused celebration of the Mindanao Week of Peace.
With the joint statement, BUC is hoping that the transformative process will bring about responsive and responsible leaders.
Mindanao Week of Peace is a comprehensive celebration that involves communities of inter-faith organizations, non-governmental organizations, peoples’ organizations, and government agencies who are working and advocating the culture of peace in the Southern Philippines.
Initiated in Zamboanga in 1997, this activity has become a Mindanao-wide event as adopted by the Bishops-Ulama Conference. Since then, it is being commemorated annually from the last Thursday of November to the first Wednesday of December, also perpetuated in observance through Presidential Proclamation 127, series of 2001. (PIA-Caraga)
To achieve lasting peace in Mindanao
Bishop Pueblos to public: “Focus on restoring Filipino values”
By: Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY (25 November 2010) – It is said that no matter how brilliant a person is, this is still nothing if he don’t possess the right attitude and values.
Somehow, this quote is proved by Butuan Bishop and Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) convenor – the Most Rev. Juan de Dios Pueblos by saying that in order to achieve long lasting peace in Mindanao, “we should re-visit the Filipino values and try to check and verify if those values are still present and practiced by the present generation.
Speaking before around 600 public and private stakeholders participating the fun walk and hataw exercise highlighting the opening of the 2010 Mindanao Week of Peace celebration, Bishop Pueblos said what we learned from our faith must be practiced at all times no matter what cultural groups we belong, may be a Christian, a Muslim, or a lumad.
“The celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace may serve as instrument for all of us to uphold peace in Mindanao as we re-visit the cultures and values that we have practiced in the past. Let us continue those good values and practices and change those negative ones,” Bishop Pueblos said.
Bishop Pueblos added, by continuing and sustaining good values and practices and changing those bad values, “we can assure that the peace in Mindanao which we have been longing for will be achieved easily as we geared towards the progress and development of Mindanao,” he said. (PIA-Caraga)
City Government to Launch Butuan by the River
Butuan City – The land development of the area along the river bank of Agusan River identified as the old Freedom Park is in progress.
The city government of Butuan will establish retail markets commonly known as “Ukay-Ukayan” similar to that of a night market dubbed as “Butuan by the River.”
All sorts of general merchandise have become an important part of the local market with particular appeal to families and with anticipation to foreign and domestic tourists where it hopes to become a major shopping and tourist destination in its own right.
The City Economic Enterprise Development Office Chief Ms Ruth Jugao announced that the official launching of the Butuan by the River at the Freedom Park will be on December 1, 2010 in time of the opening of the Christmas festivities of the Light Up Butuan activity.
The project likewise addresses the problem of ambulant vendors in the city who will be accommodated in said area and decongest Langihan Public market. (Jocelyn E. Morano, Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)
Underprivileged Butuanons get free medical checkup
Butuan City – A total of 150 low income residents were given from 8 in the morning until 12 noon at the premises of the City Health Office as a humanitarian gesture.
The activity was initiated by CHO Chief Dr. Josephine Chua who said that many people have not had medical checkup due to poverty which is why the city government opened its doors for them to avail free medical services.
The CHO conducted blood sugar count, cholesterol check up and blood pressure screening with a lecture on the importance of taking good care of one’s health to prevent diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and heart problems.
Dr. Chua also explained the significance of having a regular check up and informed Butuan residents of the regular medical mission being carried out by the Amante administration to also provide free medicines and other services. (Jocelyn E. Morano, Radyo ng Bayan Butuan)
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POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania
Report on shooting incident
One Jonnel Ray Galve y Bantang, 21 years old, single, jobless and resident of Roxas Extension, Brgy Washington, Surigao City while sitting on the cemented bench along corner Roxas and Borromeo St., Surigao City on November 24, 2010 at 6:20 pm was shot by unidentified suspect using unknown cal of firearm.
Victim sustained one gunshot wound on the head and immediately brought to Caraga Regional Hospital but pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Manhunt operation now conducted by PNP personnel of Surigao City Police Station for possible arrest of the suspect. Progress report to follow. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Progress report on robbery hold-up
A thorough investigation conducted by Alegria Municipal Police Station about robbery incident inside Hyundai Grace Passenger van color gray, bearing plate number LYE 504, registered in the name of Romeo P Lambot and presently owned by NiΓ±o Jack Pongo that transpired at National Highway, Brgy Alipao, Alegria, Surigao del Norte on November 16, 2010 at 8:00 pm led to the identity of one of the three suspects identified as alias “Dodong Insik”.
A case for violation of Revised Penal Code article 293 (robbery) was filed against the three suspects at Provincial Prosecutors Office under NPS Docket Nr XIII-06-INV-10K-259. It was recalled that said passenger van while on its way to Surigao City on said date and upon reaching Brgy Alipao, Alegria, Surigao del Norte, one of the suspects who was seated behind the driver pulled a cal .45 and declared hold-up while two of his companions divested valuable items from the passengers to wit:
1. Nenita Behing Pedrosa, 42 yrs old, married, businesswoman and res of P-11, Navaica, Brgy San Juan, Surigao City. Taken from her possession were cash money amounting to Php 5,500.00 and one unit Nokia cell phone 91K
2. Ramil Iligan Escanilla, 25 yrs old, single, driver and res of Navaica, Brgy San Juan, Surigao City
3. NiΓ±o Jack Dalongos Pongo, 21 yrs old, single, owner of the vehicle and res of P-7, Navaica, Brgy San Juan, Surigao City. Taken from his possession were cash money amounting to Php 700.00 and one Nokia cell phone and
4. Mark Glenn Moca Espinoza, 22 yrs old, single and res of Poblacion, Alegria, Surigao del Norte. Taken from his possession was cash money amounting to Php 500.00. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Sibagat, AdS cops arrest wanted persons
One Leah Blanila y Daniel, 42 years old, married, businesswoman and resident of Brgy Elrio, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur was arrested by PNP elements of Sibagat Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by PINSP JUMARK Q CAΓA by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Hector B Salise of RTC Branch 7, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur for the crime of Falsification of Public Documents, docketed under CC nrs 3255, 3256, 3257 and 3258 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 20,000.00.
Apprehension took place at Brgy Elrio, Sibagat on November 23, 2010 at 9:00 am. Subject person posted bailbond for her temporary liberty per curt order dated November 23, 2010.
One Leonardo Lampad y Rodriguez, 26 years old, single, resident of P-6, Brgy San Francisco, Mainit, Surigao del Norte was arrested by PNP elements of Mainit MPS led by PINSP GEORGE CORRALES CARIΓO by virtue of alias WOA issued by Hon Judge Rolando T Literato of MTC, Mainit, Surigao del Norte for the crime of Direct Assault, docketed under CC nr 3859 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 12,000.00. Apprehension took place at Brgy San Francisco, Mainit, Surigao del Norte on November 23, 2010 at 7:30 am. Subject person now detained at Mainit MPS for proper disposition.
Also, one Ferdinand Lutao y Ermac, 31 yrs old, married and res of Purok 6, Brgy Noli, Bayugan City was arrested by PNP elements of Bayugan City Police Station led by PINSP CZYMEERE NICANOR A VALECERNA by virtue of WOA dated October 16, 2010 issued by Hon Judge Zenaida Placer of RTC Brnach 7, Bayugan City for robbery, docketed under CC nr 1566 with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 100,000.00.
Apprehension took place at Brgy Noli, Bayugan City on November 24, 2010 at 2:00 pm. Subject person now detained at Bayugan City Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
Legarda Leads Opening of Asian Parliamentarian Meet
Disaster and climate risk reduction is our most daunting task today!
The United Nation’s Asia-Pacific Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, Senator Loren Legarda, today welcomes legislators, officials and representatives from nine different countries in Asia for a three-day Consultative Meeting for Asian Parliamentarians with a theme, “Disaster Risk Reduction: An Instrument for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).”
Legislators from the Philippines, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, and Nepal will join Legarda in the conference, which was organized in cooperation with the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR) and the Asian Network of Parliamentarians for Population and Development.
Other special guests include Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo, Mr. Shiv Khare of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians for Population and Development, and Madame Margareta WahlstrΓΆm, the United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.
In her opening statement, Legarda, Chairman of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Climate Change, enjoined her fellow parliamentarians to assume an active role in addressing development problems that have become even more daunting as ever.
“If there is one development issue that cuts across all other development concerns, it is disaster risk reduction. Resolving this issue is today’s most daunting task for all sectors since disasters abound and are getting bigger, deadlier and worse,” she said.
“Inequitable economic growth, population pressures and extreme climate events have connived to increase disaster risks in our midst. Poor urban governance, ecosystems decline and vulnerable rural livelihoods have also become principal sources of risk, driving disaster vulnerability and poverty, the reduction of which is foremost among the Millennium Development Goals,” she added.
Legarda said political leaders play a critical role and must assume moral responsibility in arresting this chronic development problem.
She further explained that as lawmakers, they have the mandate to introduce change and to ensure that it happens by: (1) Creating the enabling policy environment for effective disaster risk reduction; (2) Urging their respective governments to develop risk reduction strategies supportive of national development agenda; and (3) Laying the foundation for increased investment in risk reduction in order to safeguard development gains.
“Our mission of reducing disaster risks should transcend political boundaries and our calls for action should echo through the challenging times ahead. Our vision of improved socio-economic standards and quality of living for our people compels to constantly renew our commitment to responsible and effective political leadership, governance, and public service and to work towards a more sustainable world and more resilient human societies for many generations to come,” Legarda concluded. (Office of Senator Loren Legarda/PIA-Caraga)
