BFP to acquire 100 fire trucks this year

Pagadian City – To prevent fire incidence, loss of lives and properties, the Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP) is set to acquire 100 units of fire trucks in the entire country.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno who guest speaker in the 3rd regular meeting of the Regional Peace and Order (RPOC) held at Alindahaw Hotel, in an interview with the local media here said this is one of the priority programs during his stint as DILG chief.

“The procurement of fire trucks was one of my priority programs when I served as Secretary of DILG in the year 2000,” Puno said. Local government units (LGUs) have difficulty in the acquisition of fire trucks in their respective municipalities.

He said, when he resigned from his post in 2000, he made an agreement with the Japanese government but the BFP failed to procure said trucks.

In 2004, his program was made by the BFP as their basis in procuring fire trucks. In 2007, BFP has started procuring 37 fire trucks, 65 in 2008, and for this year, 100 units are being programmed to be procured, he added.

Puno gladly informed Governor Aurora E. Cerilles that he will be bringing one (1) fire truck to the province next month to be used in the municipality who urgently needs it most.

He stressed that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has been very supportive to the BFP, thus the department’s initiative of procuring was realized.

It was learned that there are still some municipalities of the province which need fire trucks. In Pagadian one (1) fire truck will be procured for the use of the city fire marshall. (PIA9-Pagadian City)

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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ZDS celebrates 57th Year; 6th Megayon Festival

By PJTremedal

Pagadian City – September 17, 2009 marks the 57^th founding year of the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

With a week long activities (September 11-17, 2009) underlined with its theme: “Lig-ong Pangagamhanan: Tinubdan sa Kalambu-an, Legasiya sa Kasamtangang Pamunu-an”, the 6^th Megayon Festival is the grandest festival of the province that highlights its tri-people cultural traditions, arts and music.

With the three landmark terms of the Governor Aurora Enerio Cerilles who at the same celebrates her birthday on the 17^th is anchored on her legacy of strong governance which is the foundation of development of the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Megayon Festival traces its roots to an artist led cultural event that started in 1996 at the foot of Mount Timolan, in Tigbao, ZDS. In 2006 The Provincial Government thru an SP Ordinance adopted Megayon as institution of celebration of unity amidst cultural diversity. Megayon Festival is the official anniversary celebrations.

Megayon came from a Subanon word which means “unity”.

From September 11-17, different activities were lineup to make the festival worth of its celebration, with the support from the National Commission for Cultural and the Arts, San Miguel Corporation, League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Zamboanga del Sur Chapter, Zamboanga del Sur Tourism Council, and other stakeholders, Megayon Festival will take your time away from the daily grind of urban life and quench your fun-and –adventure filled cravings with ZamboSur’s wealth of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.

“Laag na ZamboSur”(Travel along with Zamboanga del Sur) is featuring this year “Suroy Megayon which is a cultural and historical tour of Zamboanga del Sur’s cultural village, which everyone can ably get a glimpse and a feel of the life of its tri-people, thru its artists, historical and cultural facets, and indigenous desserts served for the purpose. Suroy Megayon is nothing less than a living museum tour.

As what the governor and the two workaholic representatives of the people of Zamboanga del Sur had to say… (Governor Aurora Enerio Cerilles, Congressman Antonio Herrera Cerilles(2^nd District) and Congressman Victor J Yu (First District)

“It is with immense pride and honor that we welcome you to the Megayon festival 2009, an annual festovoty that brings to light the message of peace and unity among the tri-people of Zamboanga del Sur- the Subanens, the Muslims, and the Christians that form significant part in shaping the province’s continuing quest for advancement.

In this impressive occasion, we advocate the value of preserving our culture as we steadfastly head our way onward greater innovative pursuits for the promotion of our local tourism in the province.

Celebrating the 57^th Araw ng Zamboangadel Sur, we wish to journey this beautiful and enriching experience with you.”

Then once again, Laag na sa Zamboanga del Sur!

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Moreno Fights for more Classrooms

Cagayan de Oro City - Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar S. Moreno took the most obvious solution to the country’s perennial problem on the shortage of classrooms – build more classrooms in the province.

The lack of classrooms is one of the education woes in the Philippines and the province of Misamis Oriental is no exception.

That is why back in 2004, when Gov. Oscar S. Moreno was elected governor of the province, he immediately convened the Local School Board and asked a crucial question – when was the last time you constructed a classroom?

The members of the board were surprised because never in the past that this question was asked by the previous local chief executives in spite of the yawning need for classrooms in the province.

Being a product of good education, Gov. Moreno decided to invest big in improving education in Misamis Oriental by building better and more classrooms every year.

Since then, the proliferation of classrooms began in Misamis Oriental. In less than five years, the provincial government has amazingly completed more than 200 classrooms dispersed all over the province.

Most local government units would have shunned the idea of this ambitious undertaking due to limited funds but Gov. Moreno aggressively implemented the project by identifying the classrooms as a priority program of the provincial government.

The other day, Gov. Moreno turned over the latest set of 4 classrooms and one administration building in Naawan National High School (NNHS). NNHS is a recipient of a total of 18 classrooms from the provincial government in four years time.

Next month, Gov. Moreno is set to turn-over a three-story school building in Gingoog City composed of 18 classrooms. He also bared his plans in building another three-story school building at the Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) which is located in Cagayan de Oro City catering to about 13,000 students. (MCR/MisOr Press Office)

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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DILG Puno sworn in BPATS-ZDS

By PJTremedal

Pagadian City – DILG Secretary Ronaldo V. Puno who says that “Kung may puno, may bunga” (If there is a tree there it would surely bear fruits)arrived September 14 her in this part of Western Mindanao, to sworn in more or less 2,000 Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATS) to help and support the government peace initiatives.

Secretary Puno with PNP Regional Director Angelo Sunglao of PNP Region 9, P/DG Felizardo Serapio of DIPO (Eastern Command), and P/CS Umpa of PNP ARMM together with the local government officials of both the City of pagadian the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, Mayor Samuels Co and Governor Aurora Cerilles acted as witness in the said launching and induction ceremony held at the City Gymnasium.

In Pagadian City alone, more or less 500 BPATS are organized.

"In the 54 barangays (urban and rural) of the city our office has initiated to organized barangay folks to augment our police force in peacekeeping, however, with them, it is a great help not only for us(police) but to the entire barangay as they are the real peace keepers" City COP P/CI Michael Palermo said.

On the said occasion, the PNP Ladies Clubs of Zamboanga del Sur PNP Command also gathers to attend the 2nd PNP Ladies Club General Assembly with their PNP Ladies Club Provincial Adviser Mrs. Ma. Carla Ochotorena(PNP Ladies Club President) and Regional Adviser Mrs. Rose Sunglao who passed a resolution to the DILG secretary for support and help in augmenting the ladies clubs program and projects.

“ Sugpuin and Krimen, Palaganapin ang kapayapaan” (Stop crime and propagate peace) said the DILG Secretary as message to every member of the BPATS.,whose creation is to help the local government, the police, to become mentors of peace and lead their own barangay to achieve peace and development.

The occasion is timely as the national government has pave its way to talk on peace against groups like the MILF, the Communist Party, and other groups that peace can be achieved in Mindanao and the whole nation thru a common goal, the peace process.

In related development, Secretary Puno opens the Regional Peace and Order Council to assess the real situation of Western Mindanao. RPOC is under the chairmanship of Governor Aurora Cerilles who is serious enough in the peace initiatives, not only on her local governance but as well as in line with the Arroyo Government peace initiatives, Western Mindanao hopes to achieve it thru a real peace process.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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Ka “Joe” talks on Media Ethics on Election Reporting

Oroquieta City – Former NUJP Chair Jose Torres Jr. now Editor in Chief of REMATE Tonite and Frontline.PH , ka “joe” to his friends and supporters came to talk about media ethics and elements of proper media reporting on election related issues to the participants of the Manggagawang Media Ng Mindanaw (3M) whose aim is to arm Mindanao media practitioners especially from Iligan, Oroquieta, Pagadian, Ozamis, and Dipolog practitioners in the upcoming 2010 national and local election.

Said seminar-workshop is conducted to refresh media practitioners of its responsibility on how to be a respected reporter especially to the upcoming 2010 election. Media ethics is usually question against a media practitioner who practises the profession as a job opportunity to earn a living and frequently charge as an envelopmental faggot to feed his stomach and for his family or personal needs.

However, Mr. Joe Torres who had been ousted by NUJP because of such alleged acts as he heartily denied, but colleague from NUJP did not give him a chance to clean his name. “Ok lang yon, I know I did not sinned NUJP, it is the right of the organization to oust me” He said.

Ethical standards of journalism is a guide for every journalist be it in print or broadcast or even e-journalist to behave and practise journalism as respectable as it is. But the ethical code is only a guide, Guides that are usually not followed, but it is not a law. It is the sole of every journalist responsibility to morally and spiritually functioned as a respected and credible journalist.

In the said seminar, participants also learned on R.A.9369 or the act that signals the pull automation of the 2010 election, a new craft for all electorate in this country, first in Asia Pacific region. However, poll automation is not the be-all and end-all of clean and credible election. It will not stop in an automated fashion vote-buying and election related violence.

Equipped with the correct attitude, Philippine Election of 2010 will be a breakthrough and with the support of all stakeholders, voters, and government, as reasons for hope and optimism to have a clean and credible election.

Meantime, Manggagawang Media Ng Mindanaw is now a DOLE registered working media group, first in Mindanao and the whole country.

“This will definitely change the attitude of every working media as it grows into a group of media practitioners, who start small but think big for the betterment of media profession, a media of respect, economically stable, and leaders of the future, and to become the real people of the fourth state.” President Tony Abejo said.

Planning, commitment, and good camaraderie, Mangagawang Media Ng Mindanaw (3M)will become media force to reckon with.(PJTremedal, Mindanao ON-LINE)

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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3M Gathers for Election Reporting 2010 seminar

By PJTremedal

Oroquieta City – Officers and members of the newly organized 3M (Manggagawang Media Ng Mindanao) composed of media practitioners from the cities of Iligan, Pagadian, Ozamis, Cagayan de Oro, Oroquieta, Dipolog, gathers themselves and participated in a media seminar-training on Election 2010.

Tony Abejo of Malindang Tribune, incumbent president of 3M confirmed that the said seminar-training will focused on the media responsibilities on the upcoming national election slated on May 2010.

“As an organization of media practitioners newly organized to help in educating citizens about election-related issues, and hopes that 3M can reveal the ideas of the government in the full automation of the election process based on Republic Act 9369.” He said.

R.A. 9369 is an act authorizing the Commission on Election to use an Automated Election System in the May 11, 2010 National or Local Election and in subsequent National and Local electoral exercises.

It is the use of an appropriate technology which has been demonstrated in voting, counting, and consolidation, canvass, and transmission of election results.

As what COMELEC has planned, under the leadership of Chairman Jose Melo, the COMELEC is aware that there are different facets of electoral reforms and it is hopeful that with every Filipinos magnanimously contributes his/her share, the objective of clean and honest election, this will be achieve. After all, democracy rests on three pillars: upright governance, enlightened electorate, and a vigilant civil society.

The 3M seminar –training will be facilitated by Mr. Joe Torres, (former) NUJP Chairman and adviser of 3M. Said seminar-training is also design to facilitate media safety training on covering the 2010 election, knowledge on Legal Perspective Automation and election reporting.

P/SSuperintendent Leonilo Cabug, PNP Provincial Director of Misamis Occidental and Atty Paul Zaide will be the main speakers while, Mr. Torres will conduct the election reporting techniques, ethics and understanding.

More or less thirty (30) media practitioners are expected to participate in the said seminar-training at the Oroquieta Agricultural and Industrial School (OAIS) Villaflor, Oroquieta City on September 11-13,2009.

Political and Sectoral observers and the Local Government units led by Mayor Jorge Almonte will also grace the said seminar-training.

3M or Manggagawang Media Ng Mindanao is an organization of Mindanao media practitioners organized and registered with the Department of Labor and Employment with registry No. MO-RW-005-352-2009, dated August 14,2009.

3M is a legitimate worker association established for the mutual aid and protection of every media member that promotes the moral, social, and economic well-being of its members.



PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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PGMA and the Press Freedom Monument

Media practitioners from the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (CPOC) and other media outlets and
the Provincial Press Bureau of Misamis Oriental pose for a souvenir photo
with Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during her visit this week

By PJTremedal

Cagayan de Oro City – Her Excellency President of the Republic, Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be visiting the newly mounted and unveiled Press Freedom Monument erected to denounce media killings and pays tribute to the 104 slain Filipino journalists from 1986-2009.

As fallen heroes of the Filipino masses, the true voice of the people’s cry of freedom, the said monument was conceptualized by media people of Cagayan de Oro and was erected with the help and support of the local government of Misamis Oriental, specifically with the support from Governor Oscar Moreno who amidst media slaps and intrigues in its mounting at the Cagayan’s De Lara Park (formerly Macarthur’s Park), the monument as the governor’s so to speak is “a product of true leadership”.

President Arroyo who will be joined by media people from the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) and other visiting media ,the Cagayan de Oro Press Photographers Associations, the Provincial and City Government officials led by the governor himself, and other government and non-government stakeholders will arrived after her stint in Lugait and Initao municipalities to see for herself the Press Freedom Monument.

The monument was conceptualized artistically by the world renown Filipino Artists, Ed Castrillo who once said that the movement of his art peace symbolizes the integrity, unity, and heroism of every Filipino journalists.

“It is an art of freedom and for freedom” Castrillo said.

If journalists are persecuted, imprisoned or killed, society as a whole is the victim, say media and democracy advocates.

The serial killings of journalists, including those street demonstrators throughout the country nowadays posed a big threat to Philippine’s Freedom of Expression. The government, as I see it, appears to be inutile, if not disinterested at all, in solving these killings of the journalists, considered members of Fourth State.

Though this media killings, threats of violence and intimidation, nor any other form of illegal interference cannot stop us from our moral and social duty, this still remains the greatest threa to press freedom in the country.

Since our country gained independence in 1986, some 104 journalists were killed in the line of duty, including some 17 other journalists who were also killed for reasons not connected to their work.

The Philippine government's failure to protect witnesses has contributed to the impunity that characterizes the murders of Filipino journalists, a New York-based media rights watchdog said in a new report.

The Philippine special report of the Committee to Protect Journalists, titled "Under Oath, Under Threat", underscored the weaknesses of the government's Witness Protection Program that ultimately leaves witnesses to journalists’ murders vulnerable to retaliation or bribery.

The Philippines is sixth among 14 countries on CPJ's 2009 Impunity Index, in between Colombia and Afghanistan. The list ranks countries in which journalists are killed "regularly" and the governments fail to solve the murders.

With the 104 unsolved killings of Filipino journalists from 1986-2009, the media EJK’s (extra judicial killings) took place in a "stable, peacetime democracy".

Jose Torres Jr, (former) National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chairman, said it is lamentable that the government has yet to concretely show it is serious in stopping the attacks against journalists.

"We hope the government will really show it is serious in solving these cases by targeting the masterminds. We have a culture of impunity now because the killers and masterminds are not being made responsible for these attacks. Just one conviction of a mastermind will change that. Right now, they are just keeping their silence behind the scenes, probably hunting down the next victim”.

With the Press Freedom Monument today, media practitioner of Cagayan de Oro and other journalists all over the country hopes to stop this EJK’s of media people. With the presidents visit and some photo opportunities with the media here right in the monument of press freedom seeks her government to stop media killings.

As the Nationalist Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) had always campaign for, “STOP KILLING JOURNALISTS” and other media practitioners and advocates would like to say, no more killings please… in 2010 upwards.

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDAL
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