governor Rolando Yebes assured the Board of Directors of the Zamboanga del Norte Food Industries, Inc., the P25-Million corporation operating the Multi-Fruit Processing Plant at the Provincial Agri-Industrial Center in Irasan, Pres. Roxas, Zamboanga del Norte, of the full support of the Provincial Government.

Yebes made the assurance after the corporation’s board sought an audience to update the new provincial administration on the status and prospects of the firm. The provincial government is among the major stockholders of the corporation with investments amounting to P5.8 Million in the form of land, buildings, equipment and machineries.

“Aside from manufacturing bottled sardines, mango growing is another focus industry of our province and I would like to further develop it. I have included in my administration’s agenda the development of these industries in our province,” Yebes said.

Edwin Capili, President of the ZDN Food Industries, guaranteed that the support of the provincial would be worthwhile since the corporation was established with a vision parallel to that of the government which is to help uplift the lives not just of the people in the mango industry but of the greater number of people in the province.

Meanwhile, the company’s board of directors has requested the Provincial Governor to affect the immediate transfer of the machineries and building to the corporation in order to commence the production of mango puree, the chief product of the processing plant.

In a related development, Yebes accepted the invitation of the corporation to fill-up the board seat reserved to the provincial government as major stockholder.

Also present at the meeting were representatives from the Land Bank of the Philippines, also a major stockholder with P6 Million investment through its ACCESS financing program, and representatives from the farmers’ cooperatives and the private sector which holds a combined investment of P12.5 Million.

Seven (7) contingents finally confirmed to join the Kinabayo Festival 2004 Inter-Barangay Contest on July 25, 2004 at 1:00 pm, which is also in line with the celebration of the Shrine City’s annual fiesta celebration of Sr. Santiago.

It has been announced that the 7 participants for this years big event will be composed by the following; Tribu ni Magsasaka of Barangay Potungan, Tribu Magbaba-ul and Tribu Manobo both from Barangay Barcelona, Tribu ni Pepe/Jose of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Tribu ni Ilihan from Barangay Poltol Central District, and finally Tribu Kabug and Tribu ni Apo Donsing from the Subanen group who hails from Barangay Masidlakon and Aseniero.

The criteria for judging for the Street Dancing will be as follows: costume/props 30%. Choreography 30%, mastery 20%, variation of steps/timing and coordination 20%, which is a total of 100%. While on the other hand, the criteria for judging for the contest proper that will be held at the JRMSC-main campus grounds are the following: performance/theme and concept 40%, choreography 30%, and finally the costumes/props 30%, for a total of 100%.

Cash prizes are at stake with a whooping PhP50,000 cash prize for the grand prize winner, PhP40,000 for the second place and PhP30,000 for the third prize slot. There is also a consolation prize worth PhP10,000 and PhP3,000 will be given away as augmentation fund.

The Kinabayo Festival 2004 Inter-Barangay Contest will also award special prizes such as Best in Street Dancing which will receive PhP10,000, Best in Sr. Santiago Mascot PhP5,000, Best in Costume PhP5,000 and Best in Choreography/Choreographer PhP5,000.

The Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the leading business support organization in Zamboanga del Norte, have committed to support to the governance program of the new provincial administration.

In a special meeting of the Chamber Board of Directors held at the Provincial Capitol with Governor Rolando Yebes as special guest, the leaders of the business community assured the new provincial administration of their full support.

“The business community, specifically the Dipolog Chamber, have always been supportive of the programs of the local government which it considers as a major partner in the development of our local enterprises,” said Edwin Capili, President of the Dipolog Chamber.

Governor Yebes have sought the support of the business community in the realization of his program of government that will benefit the people of the province. Specifically, the governor has asked donations and financial assistance for the rehabilitation of the Provincial Hospital.

In seeking the support of the Dipolog Chamber, Yebes said “Our provincial hospital is in a very sad state and I would like to tap the business and community leaders to adopt portions of the hospital and sponsor the rehabilitation of this health facility which services the less privileged people of our province.”

The Chamber officers responded positively to the call of Governor Yebes and promised to challenge the social responsiveness of the Chamber member-businesses, which now numbers to about 100, in doing their share in realizing the programs of the new governor.

During the same meeting, the Governor committees his administration’s parallel support to the program, activities and advocacies of the Dipolog Chamber especially on the development of the small and medium enterprises and in sustaining a business environment that is conducive for investments.

The Dapitan City Multi-Purpose Cultural and Sports Center was indeed full as expected as they watch the Coronation Night of the Miss Dapitan 2004 last July 22, 2004.

The newly-crowned Miss Dapitan 2004 is candidate number 9, Ms. Kristy Lou Jamolod who is sponsored by the Dapitan City Water District while the 1^st runner-up is candidate number 7, Ms. Lovely Bernadette Galloza who is supported by the Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Hospital and last but not the least, the 2^nd runner-up is candidate number 5, Ms. Rodelyn Jabay sponsored by the Gallera de Dapitan, Incorporated.

The special awards and minor awards were also given where Rodelyn Jabay gathered the Ms. Friendship while Lovely Bernadette Galloza won the Best in Evening Gown, Best in Festival Attire, Miss Diet Coke, Miss Sarah Lee and Miss Avon Philippines. Christy Lou Jamolod received the Best in Swim Wear award while Wennie Gress Verdadero garnered the Best in Casual Wear, Face of the Night and Best in talent categories. The Miss Flawless award was given to Christine Lubaton and Gina Tan received the Miss Photogenic award chosen by the pageants’ official photographers, the Konica Photo Center.

Two honored guests graced the affair and were made judges of the pageant, they were congressional representative of the 3^rd district of Zamboanga del Norte, Hon. Cesar Jalosjos and the famous actress and commercial model Nancy Castillone.

The National Commission for Culture and the Art’s Committee on Visual Arts for Mindanao recently held an election-congress on July 10, 2004 at the Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism village in Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City.

Artist Don Gurrea is the newly elected art coordinator for Western Mindanao under the Visual Arts Committee of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCAA). A 2004 Pangadlaw Awardee in the Arts and Culture category, Gurrea will serve as coordinator for three years.

Other participating local artists who represented different art groups in Dipolog were Edilberto Balladares (Dipolog Artists Consortium, Inc.), Atty. Jojo de Jesus (Teresa Galeria), Vincent Laput (Padayonay Art Collective), and Ed Tabancura (Goodtimes Group).

The NCAA is a cultural arm of the government. One of its objectives is to recognize artistic talents nationwide through grants and other aid programs.

Individual artists and art groups are encouraged to present their art and cultural projects/activities to the NCAA for the possible financial aid and development.

It is not unusual really to see our local political chieftains working closely and collaboratively with our Provincial Chief Executive. This is what was shown during the Provincial Development Council meeting held last Friday, the 9^th, where the new governor, Rolando E. Yebes, was fully supported by the chief executives of all his province’s municipalities, except one city. Also, visibly working closely with Gov. Yebes was Hon. Ric Mejorada of the province’s legislative chamber who reminded the former of the beauty of parliamentary procedures the new governor mastered a long, long time before.

Now, the controversial PDC Resolution No. 6 of a political has been, Gani Amatong, was thrown out as trash for good, paving the way for the passage of the much-awaited 2004 Budget of the Province. To show his support and sincerest commitments, the new governor gave each municipality, except three, a million pesos each as development assistance fund where a mayor can have a say of what development projects would be funded out of this fund.

By his gestures and for the welfare of their people, the mayors, once again, manifested their all out support and cooperation to Gov. Yebes and his administration and for the welfare of the people, Gov. Yebes did not forget politicking by selecting only those municipalities, where he won in the election, worthy of such fund. They just did all that historic, yet heroic political gestures... all for the welfare of their people.

  CHAFF & GRAIN
By Alan D. Marapao