Zamboanga del Sur News September 2016

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Province of Zamboanga del Sur - Archived News of Zamboanga del Sur
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Seal of Zamboanga del Sur Province
Interactive Google Satellite Map of Zamboanga del Sur
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Zamboanga del Sur Map Locator
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Municipalities within Zamboanga del Sur
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Provincial Capitol of Zamboanga del Sur
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Provincial Capitol of Zamboanga del Sur, Santo Niño, Pagadian city

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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Lapuyan Falls: The favorite haunt of the fair Subanen maidens of Sitio Baga and all its neighboring areas, usual meeting place with many a young country swain in some secluded cavern beneath the rocky forest lane.
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Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines
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Village of Pedagan

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

  • Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
  • Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
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Lintugop, Aurora
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Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
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Provincial human resource management office of santo niño pagadian city
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Civil Service Commision office in santo niño pagadian city

Infocar held in Midsalip town anew

By Franklin P. Gumapon

MIDSALIP, Zamboanga del Sur, Sept. 30 (PIA) – Two years after an information caravan was held here, 14 national government agencies (NGAs) came back yesterday, Sept. 29, to again bring the different government services to the people in the municipality.

This time the information caravan was held in Barangay Golictop, some 10 kilometers from the town proper.

In her message, Mayor Leonida Albor-Angcap expressed her delight to see the representatives from various line agencies joining the information caravan in her municipality.

“I would like to thank these agencies for coming and sharing their precious time to deliver their services right at the doorsteps of our people,” Mayor said.

Joining the activity were representatives from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Nutrition Council (NNC), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Food Authority (NFA), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Fiber Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Technical Education ans Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Philippine Army (PA).

Medical and dental services were also provided by army’s medical and dental team during the information caravan, serving 274 patients broken down as follows: consultation- 160, tooth extraction-70 and circumcision – 44.

Some 130 children were also given supplemental feeding, courtesy of NFA.

The information caravan in Midsalip was one of the two information caravans targeted for this year by the Mindanao Communicators Network (MCN)-Zamboanga Peninsula Chapter, an organization composed of information officers and public relations officers of national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state colleges and universities and local government units in the region.

The group first went to Sergio Osmeña, Zamboanga del Norte last Sept. 27 for a similar activity.

Salug No. 5 Drug Personality Caught in Buy-Bust; 4 Other Drug Suspects Nabbed

By PSUPT ROGELIO C ALABATA (Chief, RPIO9) with report from PO3 Radzben S. Jul (RPIO9)

A drug buy-bust operation was conducted by operatives of Margosatubig MPS at Kerlan Videoke House in Barangay Poblacion, Margosatubig, Zamboanga Del Sur at about 11:00 AM on September 18, 2016.

This resulted in the arrest of Rex Majid Sawi a.k.a. “Muksir”, 25, resident of Purok Dama de Noche, Brgy. Poblacion, Margosatubig. He is included in the watch list on drug personality in said municipality. Recovered from him were three sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and marked money. The arrested person is now under the custody of said police station for proper disposition.

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Two drug suspects were arrested by personnel of Manukan MPS and ZNPPO PAIDSOTG during a drug buy-bust operation in Gupot, Manukan, Zamboanga Del Norte at about 12:50 AM on September 19, 2016. The arrested suspects were identified as Ronel Catubay Laput, 29, resident of Purok 4 Langatian, Roxas, and Nigel Suya Mosqueda, 21, resident of Nabilid, Roxas. The duo previously surrendered during the conduct of OplanTokhang by Roxas MPS. Ronel C. Laput yielded three sachets of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of Php 1,500.00, marked money, another sachet of shabu, and cellphone. Mosqueda bore seven sachets of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of Php 3,500.00, a sachet of shabu and marked money. Both suspects are now detained at Manukan MPS pending the filing of appropriate charges in court.

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A drug suspect was nabbed during a buy-bust operation in front of Salug Central School in Poblacion East, Salug, Zamboanga Del Norte at about 3:10 in the afternoon of September 18, 2016. Salug PNP identified the arrested person as Rambie Ramos y Talero alias “Ram”, 32, resident of said place. Recovered from him were two sachets of suspected shabu, marked money, shabu paraphernalia, and a cellphone. Furthermore, the subject is listed as no .5 in the drug watch list of Salug MPS and among the drug personalities who voluntarily surrendered on July 9, 2016.

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A man was arrested after a kitchen knife and a suspected shabu were found in his possession at about 10:00 AM on September 18, 2016 at Purok Maabiabihon, Barangay Poblacion, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay. The suspect was identified as Julfad Mama y Sultan, 33, resident of Campo Muslim, Brgy. Poblacion, Malangas. He was brandishing a kitchen knife along the road while walking to the Petron Gas Station near the public market when elements of Malangas MPS responded to the place. The responding team recovered from him a small sachet of suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia. The arrested person is now under custody of Malangas MPS while a case for illegal possession of bladed weapon (BP No. 6) and violation of section 11 and 12 of RA 9165 are now being prepared for filling in court.

MSMEs biggest employment contributor to economy

By Claro A. Lanipa (FPG/CAL/PIA-9 Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY (PIA) – “Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is the biggest employment contributor to our economy.”

Philippine Chamber of Commerce Incorporated (PCCI), Western Mindanao Regional Governor Maria Lourdes S. Quisumbing said majority of the employees of our economy come from MSMEs, contributing much to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Yet, our development remains slow due to various issues besetting the business sector like high electricity, high taxes, and lack of financial as well as marketing support,” Quisumbing said.

Quisumbing urged the national, provincial government and the local government units (LGUs) to provide the necessary environment to enable our MSMEs to grow. Open the doors by providing incentives to businessmen, so that big establishments would come in.

“By providing incentives, the MSMEs can participate in the national and even in the global value chain,” Quisumbing stressed.

In her inspirational message during the launching of the Negosyo Center in Molave early last week, Quisumbong encouraged the businessmen to maximize the use of the facility.

She further suggested that the businessmen group together as an organization and organize them into a municipal chamber where issues with regard to business would be easily heard.

She also encouraged the Molave businessmen to join the chamber of commerce.

“I have an open arm in assisting you in doing this, you just have to call me or contact me,” the lady regional governor added.

1FAB deploys soldiers to augment troops in Sulu

By Gideon C. Corgue (FPG/GCC/PIA9/Zamboanga del Sur)

LABANGAN, Zamboanga del Sur, Sept. 27 (PIA) – Some 31 soldiers from the 1st Field Artillery Battalion (1FAB), Army Artillery Regiment headed Saturday for Jolo, Sulu to augment the troops from the Western Mindanao Command (WeMinCom) conducting military operations against terror groups and lawless elements.

Col. Jacinto Bareng, chief of staff of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division, led the sendoff ceremony at Kuta Major Cesar Sang-an with soldier’s friends, families and loved ones as well members of the media.

Bareng expressed high hopes that as one of the best performing units of the Army Artillery Regiment, the soldiers and officers of the 1FAB will be able to execute and fulfill their mission in Jolo.

Lt.Col. Hubert Acierto, commanding officer of the 1FAB said the team would join the military units in Jolo in support of the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to intensify the government’s campaign against the terrorism.

“Our troops-- Bravo battery of the 1st Field Artillery Battalion will be deployed in support to the military offensive against ASG,” Acierto said .

“Pinapakita po natin ang ating suporta at respeto sa mga sundalo na itatalaga sa Jolo, Sulu sa pagbibigay sa kanila ng simpleng seremonya na kung saan sinaluduhan natin at binigyan ng blessing sa pamamagitan ng pagdilig sa kanila at ng kanilang armaments ng holy water,” Acierto said.

(We show our support and respect to the soldiers to be assigned in Jolo, Sulu by providing them a simple but fitting sendoff ceremony where we give them salute and have their armaments sprinkled with a holy water).

“We also keep them in our prayers as they fulfill their mandate in protecting the lives of our people,” he added.

Capt. Dandy T. Nelmida, the Bravo battery commander said the troops were happy that their superior officers paid respect on them.

“We are ready to fulfill our mission to save lives and protect the property of our people,” Nelmida added.

Fil-Am designer Kenneth Barlis at New York Fashion Week

By Aya Tantiangco (AT/BM, GMA News)

Pagadian City native Kenneth Barlis stayed on top of the couture game at the recently concluded New York Fashion Week.

The designer's collection was featured at the Art Hearts Fashion runway shows, presented by AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

The San Diego-based designer is known for his bridal collections.

Online magazine Outfit featured one of Barlis' dresses as one of the "dreamiest" from the spring collection presented at NYFW.

Wanted No. 6 Drug Personality in Kumalarang Captured

By PSUPT ROGELIO C ALABATA (Chief, RPIO9) with report from PO3 Radzben S. Jul (RPIO9)

A wanted person listed as no. 6 in the Municipal Level drug watch list was arrested in Barangay Poblacion, Kumalarang, Zamboanga Del Sur at about 2:41 PM on September 18, 2016.

The suspect was identified as Ronald Lofranco y Sarda alias “Boyet”, 31, resident of Purok Alibang-bang, Brgy, Poblacion, Kumalarang, Zamboanga Del Sur. This is by virtue of a warrant of arrest for Violation of RA 9165 (Section 11 and 12) issued by Presiding Judge Romeo T Descallar of Regional Trial Court, 9th Judicial region Branch 19, Pagadian City docketed under Criminal Case Nos. 13011-2k16 and 13012-2k16. The bail bond recommended is set at Php 200,000.00 for Sec. 11 and Php 40,000.00 bail bond for Sec.12.

PRO9 Condemns the Ambush of Barangay Chairwoman and 5 Others In Pagadian City

By PSUPT ROGELIO C ALABATA, Chief, RPIO9

PRO9 strongly condemns the recent killings of Hon. Marianita Agbonesa Pitogo, Barangay Chairwoman of Purok Durian, Lison Valley, Pagadian City and five others after they were ambushed by unidentified male suspects with the use of high caliber firearms at Purok Dumalian, Barangay Lourdez, Pagadian City at around 7:30 AM of September 13, 2016.

PSSUPT MICHAEL M NICOLAS, Provincial Director, Zamboanga Del Sur Police Provincial Office, identified the fatalities as Hon. Marianita Agbonesa Pitogo, Barangay Chairwoman of Purok Durian, Lison Valley, Pagadian City; Renato Magdadaro Malantig, the common-law-husband of Hon. Pitogo, Rosalinda Gonzaga Enodio, Rosalita Agbonesa Cagas, Rowell Gonzaga Edoquio and the wounded as Susan Manusay Hunis.

The victims suffered multiple gunshot wounds on the different parts of their body.

Investigation disclosed that that the victims departed from the house of Hon. Pitogo aboard a military-type jeep, driven by victim Renato with the rest as passengers going to Dao, Pagadian City to attend an activity relative to “Megayon Festival”. Upon reaching the muddy and curved area of the road along Purok Dumalian, Barangay Lourdes, Pagadian City, the victims were waylaid by unidentified persons believed to have positioned themselves at the shoulder of the road using bushes and grasses as cover, hitting the different parts of their bodies which resulted in their immediate death. Victim Susan Manusay Hunis, suffered gunshot wounds on her leg and thigh but survived the attack and was rushed by a passing habal-habal to to a hospital.

The suspects, who fled to unknown direction after the incident, are now the subject of the manhunt operation being conducted by Pagadian City Police Station.

Recovered at the crime scene were nine pieces of spent Cal. 5.56 cartridge, and seven pieces fired cal .30 cartridge.

PCSUPT BILLY B BELTRAN, PRO9 Acting Regional Director, condemns the treacherous killings as an act of cowardice as it attacked defenseless civilian and public officials.

PCSUPT BELTRAN directed Zamboanga Del Sur PPO and Pagadian City Police to conduct a manhunt operation against the suspects and to do an in-depth investigation in order to identify the motive and identities of the assailants.

PCSUPT BELTRAN likewise reminds the general public and all Government Officials to be calm and vigilant at all times.

2 die, 1 hurt in Zamboanga ambush

By Bong Garcia (BG/Sunnex)

TWO people were killed while another one was wounded in an ambush in a remote village of Zamboanga del Sur, the police said Wednesday, September 21.

Superintendent Rogelio Alabata, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula spokesman, said the incident took place around 6:30 p.m. Monday in the village of Guinicolalay, Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.

Alabata identified the two fatalities as Kabir Tawdil Ansang and Samod Tawdil and wounded was Abdul Raman Ansang.

Alabata said the victims were aboard a motorcycle on the way home to the village of East Migpulao, Dinas coming from Pagadian City when unidentified gunmen ambushed them.

Alabata said Ansang and Tawdil were killed on the spot while Abdul Raman Ansang was hospitalized.

Alabata added that investigation will continue in a bid to establish the motive of the incident as well as reveal the identities of the suspects.

UGAT Foundation launches search for Bayaning Pilipino Awards

By Franklin P. Gumapon (FPG/PIA9)

PAGADIAN CITY, Sept. 22 (PIA) – A representative from the UGAT Foundation came here recently to announce that it is now accepting nominations for the “Gawad Geny Lopez, Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards” for 2016-2017.

The award, which aims to recognize those who are helping the grassroots, will be in three categories: Individual, Youth and Institution/Organization.

Anyone who wishes to nominate an individual, youth or organization for this award may visit at www.bayaningpilipinoawards.com or call at (02) 426-6496.

Nomination forms are also available at the regional office of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 along P. Urro St., San Francisco District, Pagadian City.

Duly accomplished nomination forms may be sent through email at bayaningpilipinoawards@yahoo.com, or through telefax at (02) 426 647/ 426 6496/ 426 6001 local 4873.

The deadline for the submission of entries will be on Oct. 15, 2016.

It could be recalled that a certain Jay Jaboneta, who initiated the “Yellow Boat Project” for schoolchildren along the coastal areas of Zamboanga Sibugay had won the said award last year.

PNP installs new police director in Zamboanga del Sur

(PNA), JMC/TPGJR/HIROHITO D. CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Sept. 21 (PNA) –- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has installed a seasoned and senior officer as the new police director in this province.

Senior Supt. Jonathan Ablang, deputy regional director for administration (DRDA), in a fitting ceremony on Tuesday installed Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre as the new provincial police director.

Ecaldre has replaced Senior Supt. Michael Nicolas, who served as the provincial police director from Oct. 7, 2015 until Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016.

Ablang has commended Nicolas for his good accomplishment in the implementation of the Project Double Barrel.

Ablang, the second in command in the Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9), represented Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, PRO-9 director, in the turnover ceremony since the latter was attending an important matter.

“When we look at the overall accomplishments of Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office in its law enforcement operations, it is apparent that Senior Supt. Nicolas and his team have contributed vastly to the attainment of the implementation of the Project Double Barrel. On this note, the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office took on the challenge and performed brilliantly. Senior Supt. Nicolas has done excellent job in leading his men in ensuring public safety and on the employment of crime prevention measures in maintaining the peace and security of the entire province of Zamboanga del Sur,” Ablang said.

He said the change in the leadership is normal in the PNP organization, which is geared towards best service to the people whom “we pledge to serve and protect.

Ablang described Ecaldre, the police community relations officer of PRO-9, as “a co-equal gentleman and a great leader” to lead the police provincial command.

Ecaldre expressed his gratitude for the trust given him by his superiors to serve again in the position he once served.

Ecaldre has served as the police director of this province from September 5, 2013 to October 6, 2015 before he was named as the deputy regional director for police community relations of PRO-9.

He called on the police officers and men of this province to support him in carrying out the mandated task especially in the campaign against illegal drugs, which is being spearheaded by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte.

“I know na magaling tayong lahat pero the question is, are we credible in performing our duties and responsibilities? Magaling nga tayo pero matino ba? This is our great challenge to also police our ranks in order to be credible and trusted by the people whom we serve,” Ecaldre said.

The turnover ceremony was witnessed by provincial and city government and military officials as well as other police officials and personnel based in this province.

CCWC launches “One Million Lapis Project” in Pagadian

By Claro A. Lanipa (ALT/CAL/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY Sept (PIA) – In celebration of the National Children’s Month in November and by virtue of Republic Act 10661 known as the National Children’s Month Act of 2015, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) has launched the “One Million Lapis Project” early this year.

This project aims to gather as many lapis (pencils) for the benefit of underprivileged children who lack the opportunity to pursue schooling particularly the necessary materials for writing.

To extend its full support to this campaign, the city government thru the City Council for the Welfare of Children (CCWC) has launched the One Million Lapis Project in the city on Friday, September 16, 2016.

City Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones issued a memorandum to all city government employees encouraging them to donate at least five (5) used or new pencils.

Drop boxes are placed at the different offices of the city government and other national government agencies who are council members where donations shall be dropped.

The city council will also come up in due time with a resolution urging other national, regional, government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), civic groups, business establishments and malls to also support this campaign by putting up drop boxes in their respective places.

This campaign is open to all individuals, groups, companies and institutions willing to share their Lapis. Donations can also be brought directly to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) situated at the city hall complex.

Final counting and official declaration of Lapis generated at the national level will be on November 5, 2016 as a kick-off activity of the 2016 National Children’s Month (NCM) celebration. Official turn-over of Lapis generated will be given to the Department of Education (DepEd) main office in Manila on November 20, 2016 as a culminating activity.

DOLE's 24/7 hotline services to give outright response to workers]

By Jocelyn P. Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) - - To provide immediate response to all workers in crisis and emergency situations requiring urgent assistance and relief from unsafe, unhealthy, and unjust work conditions, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 recently launched its 24/7 Hotline Call Services to cater to workers in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

DOLE-9 Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano said this effort is in consonance with DOLE Administrative Order No. 409 series of 2016 issued by Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, and consistent with President Rodrigo R. Dutertes’ directive to ensure timely delivery of services to the public.

The said AO # 409 directs all heads of DOLE’s attached agencies, regional offices and Philippine Overseas Labor Offices to set up 24/7 hotline services in their AOR.

The hotline caters all work-related inquiries such as applicable wages and wage related benefits like minimum wages, overtime pay, holiday pay including inquiries about claims of unpaid wages and benefits.

According to Gay Iris T.S. Tangcalagan, DOLE-9 information officer, the hotline will also extend its services to victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking-in-persons; separated workers claiming unpaid wages and benefits; workers engaged in temporary or atypical work arrangements and local overseas workers claiming social and health insurance benefits within the DOLE agencies’ jurisdiction.

Hotline numbers are the ff: DOLE Regional Office (09177244334); DOLE Zamboanga City (09177244339); DOLE Zamboanga Sibugay (09177244332); DOLE Zamboanga del Norte (09173003653); DOLE Zamboanga del Sur (09177244337); and DOLE Isabela City (09177244338). (ALT/JPA/PIA9)

ERC thumbs down 11 power supply deals

By Danessa Rivera (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has thumbed down 11 power supply deals deemed “legally defective.”

The ERC dismissed each power supply agreement (PSA) applications of Biliran Electric Cooperative (BILECO) and La Union Electric Cooperative I (LUELCO) with GNPower Dinginin Coal Plant Ltd. Co. (GNPD), a joint venture among GNPower AC Energy Holdings Inc. of the Ayala Group and Sithe Global Power LLC.

The power regulator also denied the PSA application of Cotabato Electric Cooperative (COTELCO) & Western Mindanao Power Corp. (WMPC) of the Alsons Group and of Camarines Sur IV Electric Cooperative Inc. (CASURECO IV) & Unified Leyte Geothermal Energy Inc. (ULGEI) of the Lopez Group.

The applications of several electric cooperatives with San Miguel Corp. (SMC) related power plants were also denied.

The ERC dismissed the PSAs of Cebu I Electric Cooperative (CEBECO I) and Cebu II Electric Cooperative (CEBECO II) with Mariveles Power Generation Corp. (MPGC), a joint venture between SMC Global Power Holdings Inc. and Meralco Powergen Corp. that is building a 4x150-MW circulating fluidized bed coal-fired power generating facility in Mariveles, Bataan.

Also thumbed down were the PSAs of Davao del Norte Electric Cooperative (DANECO), Siargao Electric Cooperative (SIARELCO), Misamis Oriental I Electric Cooperative (MORESCO I) and Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative (ZAMSURECO I) with San Miguel Consolidated Power Corp. (SMCPC), which is developing a coal-fired power plant in Malita, Davao.

Lastly, the power regulator dismissed the PSA between Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative Inc. (NUVELCO) & San Miguel Energy Corp. (SMEC), the independent power producer administrator of 1,000 megawatts of the 1,294-MW Sual coal-fired thermal plant.

According to the ERC, these 11 applications failed to meet the agency’s requirements of Verification and Certification of Non-Forum Shopping. Consequently, the applications were deemed legally defective.

“The ERC, being a quasi-judicial agency, is duty-bound to ensure that applicants and petitioners doing business in its regulated field act with truthfulness and diligence in the filing of their pleadings,” ERC chairman and CEO Jose Vicente Salazar said.

Under ERC’s 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, applications for approval of contracts must be accompanied by a verification stating that the affiant has read the pleading and that the allegations are true and correct of his personal knowledge or based on authentic records.

Meanwhile, applications should also contain a sworn Certification of Non-Forum Shopping stating the applicant has not commenced any action or filed any claim involving the same issues in any other court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency.

The ERC earlier extended the deadline for filing of applications for approval of PSAs that did not undergo competitive selection process (CSP), a reform in the power industry which requires all distribution utilities and electric cooperatives to conduct an open and competitive process in selecting the power generating company from whom they are to purchase their supply for the captive markets.

However, the power regulator said the said applicants still filed “legally defective applications.”

The ERC has implemented a rigorous pre-filing process in order to ensure that PSA applications are in compliance with its requirements and resolutions.

POEA: R9 OFWs exempted from tax

(The Standard)

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Tax exemptions have been granted by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to returning overseas Filipino workers in the Zambonga Peninsula under its “Balik Manggagawa” program, POEA region IX director Marietta Bellotindos said.

Bellotindos said a Balik Manggagawa was a “registered OFW who would return to the same employer and jobsite and hired through the government placement branch.”

She said Labor Secretary Silvestro Bello III earlier approved Resolution 2 passed by the POEA governing board headed by Administrator Hans Leo Cacdac.

Bellotindos announced that among the tax exemptions granted to the returning OFWs in Zamboanga Peninsula and other regions of the country include “the payment of travel tax and terminal fee” even as they will “no longer be required to secure overseas employment certificate.”

The POEA regional chief stressed that “with the exemptions, returning OFWs can spend and enjoy more their vacation with their own families, instead of utilizing their precious time processing necessary documents like the OEC with the POEA branches in regional capitals of the country.

She further disclosed that her office based in this highly urbanized city has so far served more than 10,000 Balik Manggagawa from Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, and their component cities of Dipolog, Dapitan, Pagadian and Isabela City, Basilan during the first two quarters of 2016.

Most of the returning OFWs, Bellotindos said, were employed in Malaysia, Brunei Darrusalam, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Bahrain, Papua New Guinea, Qatar , United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Seychelles, and Indonesia, Japan and Spain.

They were emplyed as domestic helpers, farm laborers, engineers, heavy equipment operators, managerial and administrative works, construction laborers and caregivers.

Agri dept. extends agri-fishery aid in Zamboanga, livelihood support to coconut farmers in Basilan

(PNA), CVL/LDV

MANILA, Sept. 16 (PNA) -- The government has provided PHP10.67 million worth of agri-fishery assistance to strengthen the carrageenan industry in the province of Zamboanga.

“The carrageenan industry has a huge potential here in the Philippines,” Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said after announcing that he received a call from the French ambassador that prospective buyers from France have expressed interest in buying seaweeds from the Philippines.

Piñol also awarded 50 fiberglass bancas, seaweed farm input materials and post-harvest equipment designed to improve production and benefit some 50 fisherfolk associations and 310 individual fisherfolk.

Rice, corn and rubber industry players also received interventions from the Department of Agriculture (DA), including hybrid rice and corn seeds, rubber seedlings, mechanical corn sheller, corn hammer mill, and pump irrigation sets.

Meanwhile, the DA is extending alternative sources of livelihood to coconut farmers affected by the ‘cocolisap’ infestation in Basilan.

Piñol said it will distribute rice, corn and vegetable seeds with corresponding fertilizers so that the cocolisap-affected coconut farms could be made productive.

“Livestock and poultry breeding materials will also be delivered to the island in the soonest to provide the farmers with immediate sources of income,” he said.

The agriculture chief also cited the need to distribute planting materials for coffee, cacao, abaca and pineapple that could be planted under the coconut trees affected by the cocolisap.

“While it would take quite a while before the farmers could earn from these products, the introduction of these secondary crops would be in preparation for the cutting down of coconut trees which could no longer be saved and a massive replanting with new coconut varieties,” Piñol added.

He said additional farm implements and equipment will also be turned over to the farmers' organizations in the island, including farm tractors, cultivators, rice threshers, corn shellers and rice and corn mills.

Cocolisap-infected trees will be treated using a Philippine Coconut Authority-recommended chemical solution that will be induced through trunk injection and root absorption.

Strict quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the infestation will also be established.

DTI grants SSF, opens Negosyo Center in Ramon Magsaysay

By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA9/Zamboanga del Sur)

RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Zamboanga del Sur (PIA) –- The Department of Trade and Industry has launched Shared Service Facilities (SSF) projects and opened the Negosyo Center here to boost economic activity in the countryside.

Mayor Leonilo Borinaga, Jr., a grateful recipient, lauded the DTI for implementing these projects in the municipality since this would increase workers’ productivity and improve the One Town, One Product (OTOP) of the local government unit.

It can be recalled that the DTI granted P3.4 M worth of SSF composed of 16 units of equipment to Ramon Magsaysay Bamboo Craft Association (RAMAGBA) and P700-thousand worth Negosyo Center under the bottom-up budgeting recently.

Borinaga underscored the SSF is a big facility for the engineered bamboo products in a bid to maximize its enormous economic and ecological potential as an industry and turn the municipality into a major producer of bamboo by-products in the country.

Bamboo-engineered products that can be made are bamboo tiles, bamboo plywood and planks.

The local chief executive considered bamboo as a sound investment because it is profitable, environment-friendly and fast-growing. Aside from the vast tracts of land for pole production, it also has available technologies that can be utilized to steer economic development in the area.

“Now your negosyo center is open to serve you,” the mayor proudly said, adding that it has prioritized RAMAGBA products for display and marketing.

The negosyo center offers services to its clients such as business registration and facilitation and access to services for micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), among others.

“The businessmen will no longer transact their business requirements in Pagadian,” he said. He added that the DTI will assign an employee to cater to the needs of MSMEs and other stakeholders.

5 dead, 1 wounded in Pagadian City ambush

By Bong Garcia

FIVE people, including a village official, were killed while one was injured in an ambush in Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported on Wednesday, September 14.

Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) spokesman Rogelio Alabata, said the incident took place around 7:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 13, at Purok Dumalian in the village of Lourdes, Pagadian City.

Alabata identified the fatalities as the following: Marianita Pitogo, 36, village chief of Lison Valley, Renato Malantig, 40, Pitogo’s common-law husband, Rosalinda Enodio, 38, Rosalita Cagas, 38, and Rowell Edoquio, 36.

Wounded was Susan Hunis. She was rushed to the hospital by a motorcycle-for-hire known as “habal-habal” that passed by the ambush site.

Investigation showed the victims were aboard a jeep driven by Malantig on the way to attend the “Megayon Festival” in downtown Pagadian City coming from the village of Lison Valley.

The unidentified gunmen ambushed them when they were passing through a curved and muddy road along Purok Dumalian in the village of Lourdes killing five of the victims on the spot.

All possible motives that could lead to the identity and arrest of the suspects are being considered in the conduct of an in-depth investigation over the incident.

Recovered from the ambush site were nine empty shells of caliber 5.56 rifle and seven spent shells of caliber .30 rifle.

The Megayon Festival is a week-long gathering held from September 11 to 17 to celebrate the unity among the three settlers that contributed to the founding of Zamboanga del Sur: the Subanons (or Subanens), the Muslims, and the local settlers.

Megayon is a Subanen word for “unity.”

Village chieftain, 4 others killed in ambush in Pagadian City

By Ely Dumaboc

PAGADIAN CITY – Gunmen killed 5 people in an ambush Tuesday in Pagadian City in the southern Philippine province of Zamboanga del Sur, officials said.

Officials said among the dead were Marianita Pitogo, the village chieftain of Lison Valley, and her companions. One passenger was also wounded in the ambush. The victims were travelling in a jeep when gunmen attacked them near the village.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the treacherous attack and police were investigating the murders. Mayor Romeo Pulmones said Pitogo borrowed the jeep from the local government to pick up a coffin for a dead girl in the village.

The motive of the killings is still unknown. The province is a known lair of the communist New People’s Army rebels.

Police hunt down bus robbers

(Mindanao Examiner)

PAGADIAN CITY – Police were hunting down 5 gunmen who held up a provincial bus on Monday in Siay town in Zamboanga del Sur province in southern Philippines.

Police said one of the passengers, an army soldier – Corporal Rogelio Baman – shot and wounded one of the gunmen while escaping, but he had been rescued by his companions, who fled on two motorcycles.

It said the robbery occurred in the village of Mirangan after two armed men, who posed as passengers, announced the stick up. Three other gunmen on motorcycles tailing the bus – owned by Rural Transit of Mindanao – joined the heist.

The robbers took off with the passengers’ money and valuables, police said.

3 Drug Personalities Nabbed in ZC, Zambo Sur

By PSUPT ROGELIO C ALABATA, Chief, RPIO9 with report from PO3 Radzben S. Jul, RPIO9

A 39-year old male was arrested by intelligence operatives of Pagadian CPS and RPSB9 following a drug buy-bust operation in Cabrera Street, Barangay Gatas, Pagadian City at about 2:00 PM on September 7, 2016.

The arrested drug suspect was identified as Ricky Yongco Daniel a.k.a “Ricky”, resident of Rosas, Sabellano Street, Barangay San Pedro, Pagadian City. Confiscated from him were two sachets of suspected shabu, marked money, and other illegal drug paraphernalia. He is now detained at said police station for proper disposition.

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Elements of Labangan MPS conducted a buy-bust operation on illegal drugs at the vicinity of the Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (IBJT) situated in Barangay New Labangan, Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur at about 4:15 PM on September 7, 2016. This resulted in the arrest of Marohom Cadingilan y Manalit, 18, resident of aforesaid place. Confiscated from him were two sachets of suspected shabu, and marked money. Suspect is now detained at said police station for proper disposition.

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A former public school teacher was arrested during an anti-illegal drug operation carried out by operatives of Curuan Police Station, Regional Special Operation Group 9, Zamboanga City Police Office-SIU, SWAT and Zamboanga City Public Safety Company, and MIG9 at Brgy. Buenavista, Zamboanga City at about 9:30 PM on September 7, 2016. This resulted in the arrest of Myrna Mabanza, resident of said place. Confiscated from her were three sachets of suspected shabu. She is presently detained at said station for filing of appropriate charges in court.

RDC-9 reorganizes, nominates 4 LGU executives as chairperson

(PNA), RMA/TPGJR/DENNIS C. BAGUIO

PAGADIAN CITY, Sept. 10 (PNA) – The Regional Development Council-9 (RDC-9) has nominated four local government unit (LGU) executives and three private sector representatives (PSR) for President Rodrigo Duterte to choose who will chair and co-chair the RDC-9.

Teresita Socorro Ramos, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) regional director, told the Philippines News Agency that the nominees were chosen during the reorganizational meeting of the RDC-9 held on Thursday in this city.

The office of Ramos, which serves as the RDC secretariat, will endorse the names of the nominees to Malacañang for the President to choose a council chairperson and a co-chairperson.

The four local government executive-nominees are Gov. Wilter Palma, Zamboanga Sibugay; Mayor Darel Uy, Dipolog City; Mayor Anamel Olegario, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; and, Mayor Al-Qaid Akbar, Isabel City.

The PSR nominees are Evelyn Uy, Girl Scout of the Philippines Zamboanga del Norte chapter president; Jose Suan, Philippine Integrated Industrial Labor Union, president; and, Pedro Rufo Soliven, Zamboanga City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., president.

Ramos said those who would be chosen by President Duterte as chairperson and co-chairperson would serve in the RDC until 2019.

The RDC is composed of representatives from the LGUs, regional government agencies, non-government organizations and private sector and is responsible to assist in the development of the region.

The RDC is the highest planning and policy-making body in the region and serves as the counterpart of NEDA board in the sub-national level.

Meanwhile, 12 representatives from the private sector, including Soliven, Uy and Suan, were sworn in by Palma as new members of the RDC.

They are the following: Atty. Carl Andrew Rubio, Industrial Group of Zamboanga, Inc. (IGZI) board member; Nestor Carbonera, Xavier Science Foundation executive director; Fr. Enrico Montano, executive director, Center for Social Concerns and Development, Inc., Zamboanga del Norte;

Mercedes Lourdes Quisumbing, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. regional governor; Alfredo Jamora, Tungawan Employees and Community Multi-Purpose Cooperative chairperson; Victoria Cajandig, Pikhumpongan Dlibon Subanen, Inc. executive director; Antonio Rodriguez, Pagadian City Federation of Multi-Purpose Cooperative chairperson; Miriam Suacito, Nagdilaab Foundation, Inc., executive director; and, Cirilo Ablao, Prime Movers for Peace and Progress Association, Inc., regional head.

Buug No. 1 Most Wanted Person Arrested

By PSUPT ROGELIO C ALABATA (Chief, RPIO9) with report from PO3 Radzben S. Jul (RPIO9)

The no. 1 Most Wanted Person in Buug municipality was arrested by combined elements of Buug MPS, RPSB9, ZSBPPO, and Lakewood MPS during a manhunt operation in Purok 1, Barangay Tubod, Lakewood, Zamboanga Del Sur at about 10:10 PM on September 2, 2016.

The arrested person was identified as Alexander Duong Morcilla a.k.a. “Tata Morcilla”. This is by virtue warrant of arrest for Murder with the use of loose firearms docketed under Criminal Case Number IM-15-1055 issued by Presiding Judge Josefino P. Bael, RTC, 9th Judicial Region, Branch 31, Imelda, Zamboanga Sibugay dated December 14, 2015 with no bail recommended. When the suspect was frisked, the team recovered from him four small sachets of suspected shabu. Subject wanted person is now under custody of Lakewood MPS for filing of appropriate charges in court.

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A woman was apprehended inside Man Compound in Barangay Mangusu, Zamboanga City at about 11:15 PM on September 2, 2016, for an alleged violation of RA 9208. Zamboanga City Police Station 7 identified the arrested suspects as Rosebie Desaca y Anonat, 24, a local resident of Barangay Mangusu. Suspect is now detained at said police station for filing of appropriate charges in court.

Bakery supervisor charged with theft

By Izobelle T. Pulgo

A BAKERY supervisor was charged with qualified theft before the Regional Trial Court after she allegedly failed to remit the bakeshop’s sales proceeds.

The estafa complaint was initially filed by bakery owner Delia Manzano at the Office of the City Prosecutor against Arwin Bacus, the bakery’s supervisor, but the prosecutor’s office dismissed the estafa claims and instead filed a non-bailable case for qualified theft against the suspect.

In her affidavit, Manzano recounted that she was out of the country last April 2015 and entrusted the management of her bakery in Barangay Bacayan, Cebu City to Bacus, with the instruction to remit the sales proceeds every month to Manzano’s collector.

In June of that year, Manzano discovered from her collector that Bacus failed to remit the sales proceeds for the month of May, amounting to P56,000. Manzano said that she took pity on Bacus and gave her a chance to settle the payment.

However, a few months later, Bacus again failed to remit the sales proceeds for the month of September to October 2015, amounting to P103,589. With the unremitted amount now totaling to P159,589.00, Manzano brought Bacus to Bacayan Barangay Hall, where Bacus admitted to spending the money for her personal needs.

Bacus, a native of Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur, is currently at large.

Pagadian mayor orders barangay officials to remain vigilant

(ALT/GCC/PIA9/Zamboanga del Sur)

PAGADIAN CITY, Sept. 7 (PIA) – In light of the bomb explosion in Davao City on Friday, Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones ordered barangay officials to be vigilant at all times.

Pulmones, who graced the awarding ceremony of the top 5 most clean and green barangays at the New Executive Function Hall, City Hall Complex on Monday, said he made the call for them to be aware that the city is under bomb threat.

“So far, we have a bomb threat,” Pulmones announced, adding that the information was gathered from authorities during a meeting of the peace and order council (POC) at the mayor’s office early Monday.

Pulmones said the bomb explosion in Davao City, which claimed 14 lives and left 68 wounded was alarming and should grow concern not only among police and military authorities but also on local officials and the general public.

The local chief executive ordered barangay chairmen to increase their vigilance in their respective barangays so as to prevent the incident to happen in the city.

“Do not be complacent, instead report immediately to authorities the presence of suspicious persons, packages or devices left in your respective areas,” Pulmones advised.

He reiterated the need for barangay officials and all citizens to help in keeping the peace and order situation in the city saying that the problem on security is everybody’s concern.

Meanwhile, City Local Government Operations Officer Paulia Gadiano urged punong barangays to immediately convene their respective barangay peace and order council to strengthen peace and order and public safety plans.

“Do not wait for the mayor to issue an executive order because it is your mandate to secure your constituents,” Gadiano pressed.

Gadiano gave her earnest request to help the government address terror threats.

Local governments can rename public schools

By A. Perez Rimando

PAGADIAN CITY—The Department of Education, in compliance with a recent National Historical Commission of the Philippines guidelines, has revised the rules and regulations in renaming elementary and secondary schools, and public places like parks.

A directive received by newly retired DepEd Region 9 Director Walter Albos from Education Undersecretary Alberto Muyot specified that national schools may be renamed by the Office of the President or by Congress while public institutions of learning under the jurisdiction of local government units may have their names changed by the LGU concerned.

Specifically, Muyot’s directive said changing names of public schools under LGUs may be made by the Sangguniang Bayan, Panglungsod or Panlalawigan upon recommendation of the local school board concerned and upon consultation with the NHCP.

The education executive stressed that schools named after a province, municipality or city are considered appropriately named and, therefore, shall no longer be renamed, such as Zamboanga del Norte National High School, Basilan NHS, Dapitan City HS and Misamis Occidental NHS.

Albos said Muyot’s order further enjoined that old school names “should be placed underneath the new names in the signage “to facilitate delivery of postal matter and serve as direct guide for people accustomed to the former names.”

For instance, Albos said, under the signage Zamboanga Sibugay NHS (renamed only a few years ago after the new province was created) should indicate its original name “Pangi NHS” preferably enclosed in parenthesis.

According to Muyot, proposed new names of schools to honor a person must have historical and cultural significance and must contribute to the positive development of national pride through the good example exhibited by the name being used.

Albos cited two examples in Zamboanga City where the former Zamboanga North HS was renamed Pablo Lorenzo National HS to perpetuate the name of the country’s second secretary of education, and Divisoria NHS which was changed to Ma. Clara Lobregat NHS in honor of the mayor and congresswoman of the highly urbanized city.

Moreover, Muyot’s order stipulated that no school or public place should be named or renamed after a person within 10 years of his/her death, “except for highly exceptional reasons.”

2 Motornappers Nabbed in V. Sagun

By PSUPT ROGELIO C ALABATA (RPIO9 Chief) with report from PO3 Radzben S Jul (RPIO9)

Elements of Pigcawayan, North Cotabato coordinated with Vincenzo Sagun Municipal Police Station informing that a black Euro Racing 125 cc motorcycle owned by Jayson Gallano was stolen on August 17, 2016.

Elements of V. Sagun MPS immediately conducted a pursuit operation that led to the arrest of Belmar Magrasya Dayac, and alias “Rox”, a minor, at the store of Gilbert Saavedra in Margosatubig, Zamboanga Del Sur.

Scotsman: Bana grass to solve PH energy needs

By Roderick T. dela Cruz and Jasmine Mira M. Dy

James Mackay, an entrepreneur who first worked as an eight-year-old lad peeling potatoes in the highlands of Scotland, says Filipinos are lucky to live in a great country.

“Filipinos, you’re lucky. You’re in a great country. You’re in the top 3 countries in the world with the most commodities. You should not be leaving the Philippines,” Mackay says in a recorded interview, arranged by publicist and 2003 Miss World Philippines Mafae Yunon Belasco.

“What I’m surprised with is you’re leaving. I lived in Scotland and Scotland’s a first-world country. The Philippines is becoming a first-world country. I left Scotland because there’s no need to change because it’s already rich and it’s top of the tree. You guys here, your country is booming, your economy is growing, so your entrepreneurs should not be leaving. They should be staying and evolving because your market is growing so fast internally,” says Mackay, now a successful businessman, despite being unable to complete high school.

“You’ll make more money here, so don’t give up and don’t think of yourself as second best by being Filipino. Filipinos, you’re equal with everybody else. And even more equal because you know different languages. So you’re very lucky, in fact, that you’re multilingual,” says Mackay, the chairman and chief executive of Mackay Green Energy Inc. or MGE.

MGE is a renewable energy company that pushes for a zero waste system, by using advanced technologies to convert waste and biomass into energy and fuel. “Right now, employee-wise, we’re at 350 at the moment. But we’re expanding a bit wider at the moment. We’re expanding in Negros this year,” Mackay says. The company plants Bana grass, or bamboo-like crops, in Agusan del Norte, Iloilo, Misamis Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Leyte, Rizal, Cagayan and Zamboanga del Sur.

Mackay envisions that by the end of 2016, his company will create 600 permanent and 3,000 indirect jobs in the Philippines, where it plans to expand Bana grass production to 2,000 hectares and build green coal power plants.

Bana grass, a crop initially imported from Australia, is used as a feedstock for MGE’s biomass or green coal power plants. Bana grass (pennisetum purpureum X pennisetum americanum) grows ideally in the Philippine climate, according to Mackay.

Mackay says while he first came to the Philippines by accident, “here I found real people.”

“I found God here. It’s also easier here, because it’s multilingual therefore, any business can expand here,” he says.

“I’m from the highlands of Scotland. I worked for my first break. I started as an eight-year-old, peeling potatoes,” he says.

“I learned very young by watching others. When I was a little fat boy. I went to a shop with my grandmother and there’s this shortbread with caramel and chocolate called millionaire’s shortbread. I said to my grandmother ‘I want to eat this every day.’ She said, ‘do you know what millionaire means?’ I said no and she said, ‘I’ll show you, come.’ She takes me on a walk and there’s my father’s boss,” says Mackay, whose father is a fisherman.

Mackay says the boss of his father had a big house and big cars. “My grandmother said ‘That’s a millionaire.’ And she said ‘If you want that, you’ve got to work very hard for it and go for it. And to do that, you have to know people and learn people to understand things.’ That’s why she put me to work as an eight-year-old,” says Mackay.

“At 14, I was a full-time fisherman, and then I worked in a nuclear power plant. From there, I went to London, and in London I became one of the largest bar owners in the ‘90s. I would design my own bars but I hated drunk people who are aggressive. These bars, they still exist after all these years,” he says.

Mackay says his working experience at a young age became the foundation of his business pursuits. “I never completed high school. I learned business from working, peeling potatoes as an eight-year-old. I learned business there because you have to peel potatoes, stock up the fridge, and you’re rotating the food. So from that basic learning, you understand buy-and-sell and wastage,” he says.

He got involved in renewable energy in 2010, because a friend had a contract in waste-to-energy project. “They asked me to introduce some business people in the Philippines, which I did. When I listened to the [garbage] problem, which I never looked at before in my life, I started to analyze and then we researched for technologies. We acquired the top technologies,” he says.

The challenge for a biomass power facility, he says, is the supply of feedstock such as rice and corn stalks to fuel the power plant. “For me as an investor, if we built a power plant and then we’ve got no fuel for the power plant, then we don’t make electricity and we don’t make money. So therefore, I looked for a sustainable biomass that could feed the turbines,” he says.

Mackay discovered a crop called Bana grass in Australia, which could adapt well in the Philippines, as it is tolerant to drought and typhoons. MGE acquired the IP rights from Australian biodiesel company BTOLA Pty. Ltd. for the conversion of Bana grass into green coal. A hectare planted to Bana grass yields up to 200 tons a year in the Philippines.

He says unlike sugarcane, rice and corn stalks, the use of Bana grass as biomass feedstock does not compete with any food staple. Mackay says Bana grass, once fermented, produces lactic acid and various other valuable enzymes. The lactic acid is being used in the production of biodegradable plastics, specialist car parts and high-value chemicals.

MGE now exports Bana grass to Japan and Korea from Zamboanga del Sur where an initial 200 hectares of idle land was planted to the crop. MGE plans to expand the harvest area to 2,000 hectares within the year and install two 3-megawatt green coal power plants, where gas from the torrefied Bana will provide fuel to run the power plant and at the same time produce 100 tons of green coal a day. First green coal production is expected by the fourth quarter of 2016.

Mackay says compared to other renewable energy companies, MGE does not need subsidy in the form of feed-in-tariff, because of the use of Bana grass, which he describes as the only fuel that could compete with fossil fuel on a one-to-one basis.

“It will change the whole country, create permanent jobs. From Bana grass, you produce enzymes, chemicals, fuel. So it becomes a currency—a commodity for the Philippines to be exporting. And that’s why we’re here in the Philippines,” he says.

“There’s not enough biomass in the Philippines to sustain the Philippines. And if you think like this, with this biomass [Bana grass], we can create oil, diesel, gasoline. If you give it a number, with 260,000 hectares of Bana grass, the Philippines could be independent of oil. So it won’t need to drill for oil. We can get the oil from the grass,” he says.

MGE looks at generating $50 million in revenue this year. “Obviously next year, that will multiply tenfold,” says Mackay.

Mackay believes that Bana grass is one crop that can uplift the condition of Filipino farmers. “These idle lands are creating extra income for the farmers, for the agrarian reform, for everybody, even for government lands. So this has value for the government and the people,” Mackay says.

“We change lives forever. So for most farmers, they have lands to care, they have permanent jobs, they have skilled jobs and they can evolve, and they can grow. So you change their world and give permanent jobs,” he says.

Philconsa inducts new members

By Maricel Cruz

Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez led the list of new regular members of the Philippine Constitution Association who were inducted Monday night at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City.

Romualdez, a registered nurse and a former Binibining Pilipinas International 1996, is the wife of Philconsa president Martin Romualdez, former House Independent Bloc Leader and ex-Leyte congressman.

“I am deeply honored to be part of Philconsa which is the largest and oldest association of legal luminaries in the country,” Yedda Marie said who was joined in the induction by other new members:

Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna, lawyer Ferdinand Richard Michael Marcos Manotoc, Dra. Catherine Padua Villanueva, Zamboanga del Sur Rep. Divina Grace Yu, Aangat Tayo Rep. Harlin Niel Abayon and Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado.

Former Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera introduced the new inductees who took their oath before Martin Romualdez and former Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

Tugna, a lawyer and chair of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms and suffrage under the present 17th Congress. He has been a House deputy majority leader since the 16th Congress.

Manotoc, who works as junior associate at the Sycip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan Law Firm, is the grandson of the late former President Ferdinand Marcos.

He is the son of Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and former basketball coach Tommy Manotoc who graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law and passed the 2013 bar examination.

Devanadera described Manotoc as a “very young man and young lawyer” who was “loved by the Office of the Solicitor General” where he took his internship.

She said that Manotoc is a “very humble person in his simple ways, but a great man and very ethical” for working professionally with the OSG people who are handling the cases against his family.

Devanadera said in jest she thought that Manotoc would work for OSG after passing the bar exams.

“Next time, we have not given up [for you to work at OSG],” Devanadera said.

Villanueva is a veterinarian from the Bureau of Animal and Industry who manages the regulatory function of the agency.

Yu is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition while Abayon is also part of the supermajority in the House of Representatives and Mercado is the chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments.

Invest in children’s future, plant trees – ZAMSURECO I

By Gideon C. Corgue

RAMON MAGSAYSAY, Zamboanga del Sur, Sept. 2 (PIA) – At least 2,500 narra and mahogany seedlings were planted by employees of the Zamboanga del Sur Electric Cooperative-1 (ZAMSURECO-1), board of directors, and Multi-Sectoral Electrification Advisory Council (MSEAC) members in barangay Switch here.

The tree planting activity was one of the highlights of the 40th founding anniversary of the electric cooperative held recently.

ZAMSURECO-1 General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Jose Raul A. Saniel said he considered the tree planting activity as the most important part of the week-long event saying that climate change has a direct impact on human life and natural ecosystems.

"The best time to plant trees was 20 years ago. The second best time is now," Saniel declared quoting an old Chinese proverb.

Climate change is strongly affecting many communities, in some cases, threatening their cultural survival, according to GM Saniel.

“It damages lives and property, destroys our ecosystems due to people’s relentless assault on our beloved Mother Earth,” he added.

“The problem is on us -- human beings. We keep on cutting down trees because we look at the tree as a commodity and its obvious monetary value. We do not think of the consequence that cutting a tree contributes to global warming,” Saniel said.

“We co-exist, we could not live without trees,” Saniel stated as he emphasized that trees produce most of the oxygen that humans and wildlife breathe.

The good manager said the people of ZAMSURECO-1 has invested for the future so that our children, our childrens’ children and the generations yet to come can breathe and enjoy the fresh air we now experience.

Saniel said tree planting has become an institutionalized activity of ZAMSURECO-1.

No ‘Mayor Navarro’ in Zambo Sur

By ALLEN ABASTILLAS

Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Michael M. Nicolas clarified that “Mayor Navarro”, a name mentioned in a published list of persons linked to drugs, is not from Pagadian City nor from Zamboanga del Sur province.

Navarro was a name in the list of persons allegedly involved in drug trade as released to national media last month by Camp Crame.

Nicolas said that the Navarro in the list is from the municipality of Clarin in Misamis Occidental.

He said the former mayor of Labangan — Mayor Afdal — is no longer in the province.

Nicolas quoted a intelligence report that Afdal is now in Manila.

The police provincial chief said that 14,400 drug users and pushers have yielded to the police in the province since July 1, 2016.

“Nag- increase pa ang dami nila. Police operatives gathered information na may mga pinapatay na mga pushers dahil hindi sila nakaka- remit sa mga suppliers nila na hindi mga taga rito sa Zamboanga del Sur. Dahil sa mga sumorender ng mga drugs users and pushers din. Mingaw na ang mga barangay sa probinsiya dahil may mga ordinances na may curfew sa mga minors from 18 years old below. Bumaba na rin ang crime rates dito sa province since day one sa pagsurender nila. Malaki talaga ang epekto sa pag surrender ng mga drug users at pushers”, Nicolas said.

Meanwhile, Nicolas presided a coordinating conference of law enforcement operations with PRO-9 Rregional Intelligence Officer SR. Supt. Neil Alinsangan, Highway Patrol 9 Provincial Team headChief Inspector Dexter L. Diones, Sr. Supt. Redentor Retusto, Philippine Army and other officers recently for anti-drug operations.

Nicolas said that his command is targeting one municipality in the province used as jumping point for illegal drugs. — Allen Abastillas

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