Ted Khan R Juanite

South Bay Monitor Iligan’s Weekly Newspaper Let Press Freedom Ring August 10, 2015 Vol. 1, No. 2 Iligan to establish an IT Hub Park By Ted Khan R Juanite The City government of Iligan has expressed its plan to establish an IT Hub that could jumpstart, develop and sustain BPO operations for foreign and local companies that would like to operate in Iligan City. This was disclosed by Arnold Garbanzos, Executive Director of the Iligan Investment Promotions Center under the Office of the Mayor. Garbanzos said a proposal has already been submitted to him to undertake a viability study in cooperation with the Iligan LGU, the DOST and the PSIA. The study is based on the initiative made by a number of BPO executives from Los Angeles who met with a number of Iligan-based BPO executives in Cebu in 2013. Once, the study is completed, which will be conducted by a private agency, Iligan will be able to join the ranks of cities that have IT Hubs, Garbanzos said. SB chair for IT Bayani Areola expressed support to the initiative which according to him would fasttrack the status of investment in Iligan, since the planned IT Hub Park would be constructed on a BOT basis. A similar remark was made by Councilor Freddie Siao who chairs the Trade and Industry Committee. Siao said that the establishment of An IT Hub is a highly recommended alternative FREE WIFI Former DILG Secretary Mar Roxas shows an agreement signed to industrialization since Iligan is number one with DOST Secretary Mario Montejo on the installation of free WiFi in less in online entrepreneurship today. ■ developed municipalities. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ DOJ finds probable cause in ambush try of Iligan representative A bitter political rivalry between Iligan City Mayor Celso G. Regencia and Lone District Representative Vicente “Varf” Belmonte, Jr emerged when the latter’s convoy was ambushed in Laguindingan on December 11, 2014. The Department of Justice in a resolution, dated July 6, 2015 found probable cause in indicting Iligan Mayor Celso Regencia and nine others before a trial court for the ambush try on Rep. Belmonte. Along with Regencia were nine others who were included in the indictment resolution. Mayor Regencia poses with lady members of the Press during the Araw ng Iligan. Asst. State Prosecutor Olivia Torrevillas, Asst. State Prosecutor Susan Villanueva and Prosecution Atty. Agnes Farida Bagaforo-Arellano II recommended the filing of three counts of murder and four counts of frustrated murder against Regencia, Alfeo Arnoco, Amador B. Baller aka "Dongki," Rogelio Pitos Sr. aka "Kim," Rogelio Pitos Jr., Romeo Suganub aka "Loloy," Peejay Capangpangan, Julito Oros Ansad aka "Bino," and Dodo Silvano. Regencia’s spokesmen decried the “lack of due process” and the hasty decision of the court. South Bay Monitor 2 Volume 1, Number 2 August 10, 2015 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ranao media leaders attend forum Leaders of the Ranao Sarimanok Press Club (RSPC) joined some 100 media practitioners coming from different parts of Mindanao and Metro Manila who convened in Cotabato City on July 24-25 to discuss vital points in the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL). Even after changes have been made by the House and Senate Committees, the proposed bill is still highly seen by many as a solution to the decades-old Mindanao question. The RSPC delegation included its president, Prof. Masiding Noor Yahya, Hj. Macaorog “Kilakilat” Panandigan, Ayub Khan “Boses ng Masa” Saripada and Sittie Ayeesha Dicali. The forum was spearheaded by MIndanews, a wire service cooperative organization based in Davao City headed by Carol Arguillas. Guests included Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo, Teresita Deles of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on the Peace Process (OPAPP), ARMM leaders and executives who provided information to the participants. They were also given the opportunity to meet and interview Al Haj Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). A featured activity was a visit to Mamasapano where the forty-four PNP SAF soldiers were killed and where a number of MILF and civilians casualties were found. The New Ranao Star. Maguindanao scholars receive ARMM grants Cotabato City – The ARMM’s ‘Empowering the Bangsamoro Region through Active Community Engagements in the ARMM (EMBRACE-ARMM)’ program has granted financial assistance to scholars in Maguindanao province. More than a hundred beneficiaries received from the regional government their stipends covering the first and second semesters for school year 2014-2015 on July 28 at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City. Halfmerit scholars received P10,000 while full-merit scholars received P20,000. John Louie Balagot, ARMM’s deputy executive secretary and concurrent EMBRACE-ARMM program manager, said the regional government earmarked a total of P24 million for the scholarship and as of this month, it has assisted 1,539 students across the region. Checks were handed over by Balagot; Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., ARMM’s chief of staff; Jo Guro, financial management officer of the Commission on Higher Education- ARMM; and Atty. Kirby Abdullah, assistant secretary for Maguindanao convergence. The scholarship program dubbed ‘Academic Investment for Muslim Mindanao’ (AIMM) is known in the past as ‘Iskolar: Para sa Pagbabago, Para sa Bangsamoro’. It aims at helping underprivileged students pursue college degrees. All valedictorian high school graduates from public and private schools in the region are eligible to avail of AIMM scholarship. “The scholarship grant is part of ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman’s commitment to help poor but deserving students in the region especially those living in conflict-affected communities,” said Balagot. He said that it is up to the beneficiary to choose the course and school he, or she, wants to study at and that the program is closely monitoring the scholar’s performance. “We are very thankful to the ARMM government since this scholarship program helps us a lot, especially to me because my parents can’t send me to school,” Sittie Haya Naga, a 22year old scholar from Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, said in the vernacular. Naga, is a third year student at the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College taking up Bachelor of Science in Public Administration. Abdilla Gintawan, a 46-year-old farmer from Mamasapano, Maguindanao and father of Saguira Gintawan, a recipient of a scholarship, said he commends the efforts of the regional government in helping poor families. “We are still fixing the schedule of the distribution of checks in other provinces such as Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi,” Balagot said. (Bureau of Public Information). 3 South Bay Monitor Volume 1, Number 2 August 10, 2015 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Flashback Phil Pa-alan A Bangsamoro bill, substitute or not, is better than nothing at all Reports have it that while President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III was lambasting anti-BBL solons in Maguindanao, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. told his audience at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila in Metro Manila that a substitute bill being drafted during the current sine die adjournment of Congress will resolve the constitutional issues raised against the controversial bill. Marcos, chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee and one of the critics of the peace measure, said that if Congress were to pass the BBL drafted by the MILF and the OPAPP, the measure would violate the 1987 Constitution and would be challenged before the Supreme Court. “The remedy is either to amend the BBL to make it consistent with the Constitution or amend the Constitution to accommodate the drastic changes the BBL seeks to put in place,” he added. “These are the peaceful, unifying, and constitutional ways of doing it. In the name of peace, let these be done. No shortcuts. No railroading. No threats of violence. No threats of war, “Marcos said. The Bangsamoro bill, substitute or not, provided it reflects the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the Bangsamoro people, is better than nothing at all. At least we have something to work on, build on and improve on in the delivery of basic services and allow the Bangsamoro people to enjoy a taste of a better life. ■ ____________________________________________ Letter to Bangladesh By Samira Gutoc Dear Bangladesh, You took care of Dad for 6 years he stayed in Dhaka. You housed the Filipino Muslims seeking spiritual respite and meaning in life in their tableegh journey. In Umrah and Hajj, your natives took care of the rooms and building maintenance, were my kachika along the hallways in my white Hajja robe, and manned the stores and the streets of the holy Makkah, mashaallah. You always had smiles from your slim skin and radiated warmth. The Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office of the Iligan City LGU conduct a training session by the beach. _______________________________________________________ Climate Engineering and the challenge of climate change The carbon dioxide emissions from cars, aerosols and giant industrial plants are leading to steadily increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere that has reached a record level, according to swissinfo.ch. The World Meteorological Organisation points out this alarm in its most recent Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. This is a development which the international community does not seem to be able to stop. However, in a bulletin issued by swissinfo.ch, climate engineering or geo-engineering can be used to balance the earth’s climate using technology. While this approach is still not acceptable to most scientists worldwide, the proponents of climate engineering are optimistic that geo-engineering technology would be used to balance climate change. “Progress at a global level is slow”, says the Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research in Oslo (CICERO). “Currently”, the Norwegian researchers point out, “the world is further away from reaching a solid international agreement on climate than it was 15 years ago, when the Kyoto Protocol was adopted.” ______________________________________________________ How can I not be grateful and pray for mercy for your citizens who are now afloat at sea. Rejected and waved away by places. How can I not be thankful for Bangladeshi friends of my childhood, how can I not spare words of compassion to highlight the humility of your bare hands when you share your time with us. I am glad ARMM welcomed you, their maratabat a high for much deserved justice for you. When you serve the world, why will the world reject you that is just inhumane and lowest of decorum. Bangladesh, Bangladesh, may you survive tougher times. (First posted on Facebook). 4 South Bay Monitor Volume 1, Number 2 August 10, 2015 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ South Bay Monitor Is Published by Ranao Publishing House 3rd Floor AGR Bldg., Corner Gen. Aguinaldo and Mercado Streets, Palao, Iligan City ■ 0947-7201555 Rocaya Sumndad Otical Publisher & General Manager Francisco E. Dosdos, Jr. Group Editor-in-Chief / 0905 327 2551 Phil Pa-alan Associate Editor / 0926 816 1880 Ted Khan R Juanite Advertising Director / Managing Editor 0915 282 5518 / 0919 666 4741 Sonny Sudaria Marketing Consultant 0916 349 7422 Editorial Iligan’s water and the city initiative The proponents of the privatization of the city’s water supply and services who are mostly from the members of the SB, under the camp of acting Mayor Marzo, have argued that better services can be provided by a private company than the government. Those who opposed this move say that privatization is only a pretext used by political leaders as a way to cut sweet deals, since election is just eight months away. Only recently, Vice Mayor Abragan explained in a radio interview that privatization is based on the Public Private Partnership program of the national government, and does not mean that the private sector would handle everything, since a shared responsibility exists. Those against the privatization move however have argued that the previous administration (of Mayor Cruz) has made a huge loan of P495 million from the World Bank to improve the city’s water services but the state of the water supply and distribution is utterly in a dismal condition. Water flows naturally from Iligan’s source and does not need to be pumped. What is needed is to improve the pipe distribution system which the previous administration failed to accomplish. Water, like electricity has become a political commodity, subject to the forces of the clash of interests. Politicians may see it as public service, while the public may view it as a scenario for corruption. ■ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Whether it’s a Bangsamoro government or not Infra projects to continue in Lanao MARAWI CITY – Engr. Luz Sani of the 1st Engineering District of Lanao del Sur recently disclosed that various road projects are being implemented Lanao del Sur. She emphasized that the development programs and thrusts of the former district engineer will be pursued by the 1st Engineering District. By Phil Pa-alan downloaded. We will be working closely with the provincial governor and the municipal mayors in the implementation of these road projects. We will do it phase by phase,” Sani said. Road will extend from the boundary of Kapai to the boundary of Tagoloan. She said this project is funded from the 2016 budget. Engr. Sani stressed that the infrastructure development projects of the Department of The road projects include the Kapai-Tagoloan Public Works and Highways-Autonomous in Road Section worth P250 million; the Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) in Lanao del “We will do what is expected to be done in Molundo-Wao-Bumbaran Road Section; and Sur will continue whether under the accordance with our mandate. We have many the Marawi-Kabasaran Road Section towards Bangsamoro Government or not. ■ projects whose funds had already been Pantar, Lanao del Norte. The Kapai-Tagoloan ____________________________________ Tunisian Gunman Trained By Terror Network A fellow student claims the Tunisia gunman was radicalised and trained by Islamic State commanders in Libya. The Tunisia gunman was part of a five-man terror cell operating for the last four years, a Sky News investigation can reveal. Seifeddine Rezgui was a long-term jihadist and an Islamic State (IS) 'sleeper' who was radicalised by the group and loved everything it stood for, according to a friend he met at university. Fellow student Wassim Bel-a-Del told Sky's Stuart Ramsay the attack was coordinated by IS and that Rezgui had been trained by the group in Libya. "In 2011 he was with Al Nusra," he said. "Then when Daesh (IS) started in Syria and Iraq he changed his allegiance and supported Daesh, and he loved everything they stood for. "I know the group he is working with; it is a group of terrorists. There are some guys who go to Syria and come back and go on to study in the same university, and there are others who go and die in Syria." Mr Bel-a-Del is in no doubt Rezgui received training from IS commanders in Libya and that he was a 'sleeper', a terrorist ordered to lie low until activated by his handlers to carry out an attack. "He was training in Libya because the terrorist groups find it easy to go to Libya," he said. "They will train there and they will come back without any problem from the police. "Their commanders are there in Libya; they have a base and Ansar Sharia support Daesh and this is why they have the best place to go into Libya and come back without any problem. "I am sure the commander told him to disguise himself from the other students, to say 'he's not a dangerous terrorist or from a terror group. It's a cell system where no group knows what another group is doing. It is just the bosses that connect them." South Bay Monitor 5 Volume 1, Number 2 August 10, 2015 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ South Bay Cebuano.FrankDosdos Balaod sa pagdumala sa basura ipatuman sa Agosto Ipatuman na gayod karong bulan sa Agosto Bisan wala pa nakapangandam ang mga ug tukoron na usab ang mga Barangay ang balaod kalabot sa hustong pagdumala sa tawo, ipatuman na gayod ang mga probisyon Material Recovery Facility. basura. Matod sa taho gikan sa City sa Republic Act 9003 nga naila usab sa Information Office nga gimandoan na ni ngalan nga “Ecological Solid Waste Matod pa nga pinasubay sa polisiya “no Acting Mayor Ruderic C. Marzo ang mga Management Act of 2000.” segregation, no collection,” kinahanglan lainbuhatan sa City Information Office, Barangay lainon na gayod sa panimalay pa lang ang Affairs Office, Community Affairs of Office ug Nasayran nga ang mga probisyon sa maong basura nga madunot (malata/madugta) City Environment Management Office sa balaod gisagop usab sa Ordinansa sa siyudad sama sa papel, biya nga pagkaon, hinagpatan paghimog halapad nga pagpahibalo ang kalabot sa pagdumala sa basura.Kalabot sa mga utanon, panit ug liso sa mga prutas pagtudlo sa katawhan ning bulan sa Hulyo niini gitaho nga ipatuman na gayod ang ug uban pa ug ang dili madunot sama sa aron maandam sila pagpatuman sa balaod. polisiya nga “no segregation, no collection” puthaw (metal), plastic selopen ug uban pa. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Bag-ong dump trucks may depekto May depekto na ang mga dump trucks nga napalit sa kagamhanan sa dakbayan niadtong bulan sa Disyembre ug karon tua sa Cagayan de Oro kay giayo sa supplier. Kini ang gibutyag sa taga City Engineer’s Office dihang gipatawag sila sa Sangguniang Panglungsod niadtong niaging semana. Namahayag si Engineer Gino Alejo sa Motorpool sa City Engineer ngadto sa mga Konsehal nga gipaayo ang maong mga dump truck tungod kay natulo ang asyete ug nagkidlapkidlap ang mga suga niini. Ginagmay ra ang maong mga depekto matod ni Alejo apan dili kini masulbad sa mga mekaniko sa ilang buhatan sanglit kay “electronics” na ang mga control niini ug labot pa ilalom pa kini sa “warranty” sa supplier. Gipatawag si Alejo sa mga sakop sa Sangguniang Panlungsod pinaagi sa Komitiba sa Imprastraktora ni Konsehal Marlene Young tungod sa mga report nga bag-o pa gani ang maong mga dump trucks nangadaot na kini. Si Alejo mipasalig nga walay gasto ang kagamhanan sa siyudad sanglit kay ang mga galastohan abagahon man sa supplier. Ang City Engineer nga si Gideon Taban gipatawag usab kay siya ang Chairman sa Bids and Awards Committee nga nagproseso sa pagpalit sa nahisgotang mga dump trucks. Misugilon si Taban nga ang maong mga dump trucks napalit sa kantidad nga tag P8.4 milyones matag usa niadtong bulan sa Disyembre. Usa lamang ka Bidder ang nisalmot sa bidding alang sa maong mga dump trucks, misugilon sa Taba. Matod niya gimantala sa pamantalaan ang “Invitation to Bid” pinasubay sa balaod apan usa ra gayod ka bidder ang niapil sa Bidding busa kadto nga Bidder maoy nakakuha sa Kontrata. Wala masayri kon ang nidaog nga supplier mao ra ba gayoy bugtong supplier sa maong dump trucks dinhi sa Pilipinas o “Sole Distributor.” Hangtod sa pagsulat ning balita ang pag-ayo sa gaymayng depekto sa maong mga dump truck wala pa mahuman ug kini atua pa sa Cagayan de Oro. Ordinansa sa Night Market may gipangdugang May mga kausaban ang ordinansa nga nagmugna sa Night Market ning siyudad nga napasar niadtong sesyon sa Sangguniang Panlungsod sa milabayng semana. nakakitag mga problema sa pagdumala sa Executive Board 3) mga probisyon alang Night Market matag hinapos ang semana. sa mga rekisitos sa application ug pagparenew sa mga stalls ug 4) pagpaligAng mga kausaban naglangkob ning on sa panaglambigit sa Public Services mosunod: 1) paglakip nga masakop sa Division, Philippine National Police ug Night Market Executive Board ang usa ka uban pang mga kaabag. Sumala sa taho sa City Information Office, tinugyanan sa Stall Owners’ Association 2) si Committee on Trade, Commerce and Pagmugna sa Management Committee Nasayran, matod pa gikan kang Siao nga Industry Chairman Councilor Frederic Siao nga maoy mosud-ong sa hingpit nga sumala sa EEDMO Report and Night miduso sa maong kausaban sa ordinansa pagdumala sa Night Market ug mohimog Market mikita og mokabat sa P2 milyones tungod kay ang Technical Working Group mga sugyot o rekomendasyon ngadto sa niadtong nilabayng tuig. South Bay Monitor 6 Volume 1, Number 2 August 10, 2015 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Port agency installs gender-sensitive facilities in Jolo seaport Amenities like women’s desk, public assistance and information booth, public address system, and a computer and communication station were installed in the modern passenger terminal building of the port. Also put in place were a breastfeeding area, interfaith prayer room, first-aid facility, and priority lanes. These facilities were officially turned-over to the terminal building management on July 28 at the Port of Jolo. Assistant Secretary for Sulu Convergence Irene P. Tillah of the Department of Social Welfare and Development; persons with disabilities representative Suharto S. Hayudini; Maritime Police representative SPO3 Abdullah Sasapan, and representatives from different shipping lines and stakeholders of the port attended the ceremony. Cotabato City (August 4, 2015) – The Regional Ports Management Authority in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RPMAARMM) has installed gender-sensitive facilities and amenities in the seaport of Jolo, Sulu. ASSEC Tillah said the project “is a manifestation of the vision and mission of the government in providing competitive ports and ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and efficient port services to its users and clienteles.” Furthermore, she said the gender and development facilities and amenities in the port of Jolo “are the first, if not the only (such facilities installed) in a Mindanao port.” Prior to the ceremony, the agency conducted an in-house orientation on gender and development issues for its officials and staff. The orientation aims at further enhancing their understanding of such concept. (Bureau of Public Information). ■ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ARMM holds multi-hazard drill Cotabato City (July 31, 2015) - Disaster and emergency authorities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) led the multi-hazard simulation drill on Thursday, July 30, in Brgy. Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao to test the regional and local government’s preparedness in responding to emergency situations. The drill scenario is part of the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month that carries the theme “Pamilya at Pamayanang Handa, Katuwang sa Pag-unlad ng Bansa.” This also conforms to the national government’s four-point plan on disaster preparedness specifically on public information, education, communication and disaster response. It was simultaneously done in government and non-government offices, and selected schools and establishments around the country. Recently, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said a magnitude 7.2 earthquake might hit the Philippines anytime, particularly Metro Manila. "We are making our emergency preparations geared towards what we can do for our neighboring communities that's why the constituents must be ready for any natural calamities,” said Atty. Rasol Mitmug Jr., ARMM's chief of staff. The drill aims at increasing and ensuring the safety of the people during and after an earthquake; the evacuation of the affected constituents, with focus on women, children, elderly and persons with disabilities and in providing medical assistance and relief; training of participants on the proper action and response during an earthquake; and assess various elements of the response plan designed by the government’s disaster management committee. "Drills and exercises are part of the government’s continuing efforts in enhancing preparedness and awareness," said ARMM's Humanitarian Emergency and Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) Director Ramil Masukat. ARMM-HEART has been actively promoting public awareness on earthquakes. It also installed an Earthquake Intensity Meter (EIM) to monitor 24/7 earthquakes occurring in Cotabato City, Maguindanao, and nearby towns. The same equipment was also installed in the province of Tawi-Tawi. The EIM measures and displays the seismic scale when an earthquake occurs. It also records and stores various data that are associated with the earthquake. "I think it will be good and beneficial for all of us to be trained as to how to respond to a situation like an earthquake," said Masukat. He also underscored the importance of the people's readiness and vigilance that can increase every individual's chances of surviving any disaster." (Bureau of Public Information). ■ South Bay Monitor 7 Volume 1, Number 2 August 10, 2015 Art, Culture, Cuisine & Entertainment Scene Photos of the week. They are not Miss Iligan candidates… Iligan’s beauties dominate the scene: (from left) Rachel, Cherry Mae, Ellah, and Sharlex. MagzMin thanks those who supported the deferred Sumer Bikini Open (SBO) Magazine Mindanaw, the organizer of this year’s SBO has apologized for the indefinite postponement of the event due to the complexity of the social, political and business climate problems that happened in 2014 that was carried on to 2015. Mar Sabate, spokesman for the organizer said that a new plan is being laid out for better coordination and resourcing. Magazine Mindanaw thanked the following government and business outfits who confirmed support to the planned SBO event: Iligan City Tourism Office, Barangay Poblacion (PB Anton Pacana), Iligan City GSO Office, FONTINA, DUNKIN DONUTS, CHEDING’s, SKIN & BODY CARE, NATURE’S SPRING, ASIA PRINTSTATION, SAN MIGUEL BEER, 15TH IB Army Band Molave Warriors, Acting Mayor Rudy Marzo, BELLA’S CHICKEN ATI-ATIHAN, IMASCO, CATHY TAN, HOYOHOY, COCA-COLA, 25TH STREET, ICPO, MAPALAD POWER CORP, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Brigada FM Radio 95.1, Wild FM 103.1, Love Radio 107.1, MUEWS Radio 97.5 FM, and Real Radio 92.7. South Bay Monitor and Magazine Mindanaw are posting the businesses here. Karen Punzalan, FHM Philippines Asia PrintStation Hoyohoy Iligan City Tourism Office Bella’s Chicken Ati-atihan REAL Real Radio 92.7 Love Radio 107.1 MUEWS Radio 97.5 FM _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BodyArt: Ravi J’s tattoos in stamp Cuisine Nikki Brust’s veggie lunch Newcomer: Michael Gemino will join South Bay Monitor Advertising 8 South Bay Monitor August 10, 2015 Volume 1, Number 2