The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Zamboanga del Norte recently issued an advice to all media men in Dipolog City to inhibit themselves from going to Canatuan, Siocon. The advice was delivered by a staff of Board Member Cedric Adriatico. Adriatico was the first board member who was reportedly calling for immediate investigation of the alleged leaking of the company’s tailing ponds. The group headed by Chairman Felixberto Bolando of the Committee on Environment left for Siocon yesterday to confirm reports about the destruction and to conduct ocular inspection of the mining site of the TVI. It was learned that the OFF LIMITS stance adopted by the SP was suggested by SP Secretary Jose Bantilan.

Some media men were surprised by the move of the SP, even asking in what way the SP could be “burned” if media people were allowed to go with the probe team. For the first time, some media men noted, there is something that the SP wanted to hide from the public, one reason why they resisted their presence there. However, BM Adriatico denied reports that they did not like the presence of the press in Siocon during the public hearing on August 18. “They are welcome, but during the ocular inspection of the mining site, we cannot possibly accommodate them,” Adriatico explained.

The board member explained that they had asked permission for the SP team only, excluding the media. He suggested however that if the press wanted to conduct an inquiry about the controversy, they could ask permission from the TVI management in order to accommodate them. Furthermore, he reasoned that the secretariat had a difficult time looking for vehicles to transport them to Siocon and TVI. Some press people took Adriatico’s statements like telling them that if there were media men going with the SP team they would not surely be comfortable in the travel. Earlier, BM Adriatico stressed that their investigation of the Canatuan Gold Project is Siocon was not really for TVI’s closure but for them to find out if the mining company has followed strictly the principles of responsible mining. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 45)

For almost two months, Provincial Governor Rolando Yebes and Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Tang Uy have considerably battled over the former’s seizure of the two city dump trucks loaded with sand and gravel and the refusal to issue gratuitous permit to extract sand and gravel from Layawan River. The lady mayor brought the case to court and even sought the help of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo and charged the provincial governor of sabotaging the different infrastructure projects of the city as he adamantly stood against the prayer for a permit to quarry. Lately however, Regional Director Loreto Bhagwani of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) tried to mediate over the row, proposed a Memorandum of Agreement which unfortunately was not acceptable to Yebes.

As the DILG negotiation failed, both leaders agreed to hold talks on their own without the intervention of their lawyers. This was during the meeting on Mindanao Super Region held at the Dapitan City Resort Hotel recently. In statement released by the Provincial Capitol recently, Gov. Yebes has committed himself with Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy on the following: Firstly, Layawan River, including its tributaries, shall be freed from small mining activities in order for the cited river to rehabilitate itself. Secondly, since the City Government is without valid permit to extract and transport sand and gravel, he will assist in securing the conformity of persons with valid permits to allow the city government to extract, remove or take sand and gravel from quarry areas preferably in the municipality of Katipunan or Barangay Opao, Dapitan City for at most six (6) months. Thirdly, he shall undertake to cause the issuance of gratuitous permit to the City Government of Dipolog, upon prior compliance of all laws and regulations, after an obligatory moratorium of at least three (3) up to six (6) months.

Special Report

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, also the AFP Commander-in-Chief, recently appointed Lt. General Alexander B. Yano as the 49th Commanding General of the 80,000-strong Philippine Army. He assumed Command of the premier armed service in ceremonies in Fort Bonifacio on August 24 presided by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. Yano replaced Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolen-tino who have reached the mandatory retirement age. Yano is taking the top army post at a crucial time when the AFP (specifically the Philippine Army and Philippine Marines) is faced with a perilous threat from the Abu Sayyaf Group while trying to save and revive the peace initiatives with the MILF.

Before becoming the new Army Chief, Yano served as Southern Luzon Command Chief whose jurisdiction covers the national priority area for counterinsurgency operations of the government comprising Regions 4A (CALABARZON), 4B (MIMAROPA except Palawan) and 5 (Bicol Region). He also served as Army Chief of Staff, Commanding General of the Civil Relations Service, Assistant Division Commander of the 9th Infantry Division (Bicol), Commanding General of 601st Infantry Brigade (SOCSARGEN) and Commanding Officer of Task Force Zamboanga (Zamboanga City). He had a successful stint curbing terrorism in Mindanao when he became commander of Task Force Zamboanga in 2001 coinciding with the infamous Lamitan incident that followed the Dos Palmas kidnapping.  Various terrorist threats from ASG and MNLF breakaway groups have marked Zamboanga City during his tour.  He spearheaded a public information advocacy drive among various sectors of the community in Zamboanga to make the public aware of the nature and characteristics of terrorism and what the citizens can do to help address the problem.

It was during his watch when the Cabatangan crisis erupted where around 300 fully armed MNLF breakaway elements held up in that former MNLF enclave more than a hundred hostages.  The 2-day operations which involved political negotiations, along with military actions ended with the safe release of all hostages and the eviction of the rogue MNLF elements from Cabatangan - an area that they occupied since the forging of GRP-MNLF agreement in 1996.  As a testament to this accomplishment, the late Zamboanga City Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat aptly referred Yano as the "Liberator of Cabatangan". General Yano is a true native of Zamboanga del Norte, having been born and raised in Sindangan. Alex or Boy, as he is fondly called by friends, is the eldest of 5 children. His parents, Inigo and Gloria Badong were both public school teachers in his hometown. His father became councilor after his retirement and served undefeated for three successive terms. His brother, Engr. Inigo Yano Jr., is now serving his last term as town Councilor. Another brother, Cesar is a Colonel in the Army who graduated from PMA in 1980.

Yano completed his elementary studies in Sindangan Central School and graduated in 1965 as salutatorian. He graduated high school from St. Vincent's College, Dipolog City in 1969 as 1st Honorable Mention. His ambition was to become an engineer and enrolled at the famous Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) in Cebu City to take up Civil Engineering. While in CIT, he became very much involved in student activism which was at its height in the early 70s. Taking an abrupt turn in life, he decided to take the PMA entrance exams in Cebu in 1971 and placed among the top 10 successful examinees that year. He entered Asia's premier military institution in 1972. He was a plebe (1st year cadet) when martial law was declared in September 1972.

As a PMA cadet, he excelled in extra-curricular activities, particularly in athletics. In 1975, he established 2 PMA athletic records - in high jump and 400 meter hurdles. To date, his academy record in hurdles remains unbroken. He was also a boxing and karate champion in PMA during his cadet days. At one time, then Cadet Yano also served as Associate Editor of "The Corps", the cadets' regular magazine publication. During his final year in PMA, he acted as the Regimental Adjutant, a coveted position in the hierarchy of the PMA's Cadet Corps. He served at one time as Operations Officer (S3) of the 101st Infantry Brigade in Piñan in 1988 under then Col. Cesar Fortuno as Brigade Commander. He was part of the original members of the Brigade when it transferred from Sicayab to its present base in Piñan.

In 1991, he served briefly as Operations Officer (G3) of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division in Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga Del Sur. The following year, he commanded the 44th Infantry Battalion, then based in Oroquieta, with jurisdiction over the whole province of Misamis Occidental. He succeeded then Major Romeo Tolentino as head of that battalion. (Reference:  Mike Malacca -212-9161) (The New Nandau, Vol. XVII No.7)

Dapitan City vice Mayor Patri “Jing” Chan was recently elected as the new president of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines-ZN Chapter. Chan reportedly edged seven votes over rival Dipolog City vice Mayor Senen Angeles who was the former president of the Vice Mayors League.

Other officials elected included: VM Tata Monteclaro (Sindangan), Vice President; VM Elias Baguio (Salug), Secretary General;  VM Rosita Dalogdog (Gutalac), treasurer; VM Jurvy Catane (Rizal), auditor; Board of Directors: VM Lowel Zamora (La Libertad), VM Christiflor Dulang (Mutia); VM Bebe Chan (Liloy); VM Caboverde (Godod) and VM Winters (Manukan).

Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano was recently appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, also the AFP Commander-in-Chief, as the 49th Commanding General of the 80,000 strong Philippine Army. Yano assumed his command in ceremonies held at Fort Bonifacio on August 24 presided by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.  He replaced Lt. Gen. Romeo Tolentino who has reached his mandatory retirement age.

Prior to his appointment, the new Army Chief played an active role in curbing terrorism in Mindanao and in government’s counterinsurgency operations in several regions in Luzon. He successfully headed the Task Force Zamboanga in 2001 which climaxed in his important role in liberating the 100 or so civilian hostages and the eviction of the MNLF elements from Cabatangan.

“I don’t have knowledge about the exploration in Jose Dalman, not until a letter-complaint from a Subanen was received by my office,” Gov. Rolando Yebes stressed. The office of the Provincial Governor recently clarified the granting of permit to TVI for its mining explorations in Jose Dalman, ZN.  Yebes clarified that under the new mining laws, the mining applicant could ask the permission of the mayor only to forego its mining interest in the municipality. However, he said, he had recently sent a Memorandum Order to all mayors in the province to conduct a consultation with his office first before any mining permit is issued to mining applicants.

“It just happened that in Jose Dalman’s case, the officials have already committed themselves to the exploration,” the governor added. In this connection, Gov. Yebes disclosed that this was the issue that the League of Governors was working on in order to empower Provincial Governors to have authority over the grant of mining permits. He disclosed further that the authority at present belongs to the national government through the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources and not to the provincial government.

The Ombudsman Mindanao recently asked former Dipolog City Mayor Berto Uy, City Engineer Nedelia Magdayao and the two dump truck drivers to submit their answer and controverting evidence with regard to the case filed by Gov. Rolando Yebes. Such order was handed down by the Ombudsman through Director Rodolfo Elman, on July 31 this year. In the said case, Gov. Yebes accused the former City Mayor of theft of minerals, for violating the regulations outlined in the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, violating the Small Scale Mining Ordinance of Zamboanga del Norte and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

It can be recalled that two dump trucks owned by the City Government were seized by the members of the Provincial Environment and Development Office (PEDO) for hauling sand and gravel without permit. In his affidavit, PEDO Action Officer Remelo Damuag stated that the permit held by the city government already expired on December 2006 yet.

If only the detractors questioned my performance as manager of the Electric Cooperative, and not my personality and my family, I could have shrugged everything off. This was the reaction of acting General manager Adelmo Laput of the Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative (ZANECO) as he prepared a libel case against some members of the board of directors. Earlier, GM Laput disclosed that he was already accused by Director Daylin Adaza of enriching himself at the expense of the cooperative.

Adaza reportedly accused Laput linking him to former Congressman Romeo “Nonong” Jalosjos and allegedly tolerating his not paying his electric obligation of Dakak Park and Beach Resort and Gloria de Dapitan. These accusations were recently aired over DXFL program of Board member Edionar Zamoras. On the other hand, GM Laput said he was ready to show documents that the aforementioned business establishments and the city government of Dapitan were paying their monthly electric consumption. Former BM Uldarico Mejorada, Nonong’s legal counsel recently confirmed reports of suing Adaza.

GM Laput also disclosed that the rift between him and the board members stemmed from the purchase of ZANECO meters which the board members wanted to award to Gigol’s Electrical despite its coming out as second highest in the bidding. He showed the resolution of the cooperative’s board members, which was sent to the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the subsequent reply of the office. Although the board members prayed for the reconsideration of the bidding result, NEA answered that the cooperative should follow strictly the principles of transparency, accountability, equity, efficiency and economy. OIC Jose Seguban, Jr. of NEA Engineering Department pointed out in his letter that such principles in open bidding should be observed in order to erase doubts of any favor granted to any supplier.

“I could not believe a 3.1-kilometer road project in Siayan could cost P56M,” Congressional District II Cong. Labdlabad was reportedly quoted when he gave statements recently to a national newspaper.  It can be recalled that during his assumption he already complained about the ‘empty’ congressional coffers due to projects which he believed could have been overpriced.

He also questioned the gravelling of Siayan-Sindangan road costing P30M and the asphalt overlaying of Oroquieta-Dipolog-Sindangan road amounting to P35M. Both projects may not have complied with the standards specified in the contract, the congressman sensed, since they could have been completed already in 2001 and turned over.  But until now nothing has been done about them, the congressman observed.

True to his promise during the pre-election campaign period, 2nd district Congressman Rosendo ‘Dodoy’ Labadlabad recently conducted his barangay visitation in Saluyong and Dipani, both barangays of Manukan, Z.N. The congressman felt that the visits he promised his constituents in the second congressional district would surely allow him to feel the real needs of the people. In Saluyong, he learned that the people wanted their own secondary high school since most of their students still go to Villaramos NHS.

Although Cong. Labadlabad promised them a help to build their own high school, he explained that it would take time since the project still needs a law for its implementation. On the other hand, the Dipanens bared their problem with the source of water which they found dying up during the hot season. The congressman gave P30T for its reforestation project in the area to insure the constant source of water in the barangay.

The COMELEC (first division) composed of Commissioners; Resureccion Borra and Romeo Brawner dismissed  the petition for disqualification particularly violation of section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code filed by Atty. Jossil Macute Election Officer III of Dipolog City against the then congressional aspirant and now incumbent Congressman Rosendo “Dodoy” Labadlabad and two others.

It maybe recalled that at the height of the political campaign in the recently concluded election Macute filed this instant case against Labadlabad and two others. As to why he singled out Labadlabad notwithstanding that there were so many other candidates similarly situated remains to be a 64 million dollar question. This matter pertains to some violation of the omnibus election code particularly the indiscriminate posting of campaign materials which is more honoured on the breach rather than on its observance. The neophyte lawyer Macute failed to land even on first base considering that said petition cannot even be referred to the law department for preliminary investigation.

The implementation of the second phase of runway widening and shore protection of the Dipolog Airport was scheduled to start this month.

The P55M worth project was one of the priority projects under the Mindanao Super Region Program. It was learned that the shoreline protection work worth P20M was expected to be done this August, including the asphalt overlay/runway widening work worth P40M.

The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan recently scheduled an investigation of the reported leak in one of the dams of TVI Canatuan Gold Project in Siocon, Z. N.

In a privilege speech before the SP, Board Member Cedric Adriatico denounced the alleged leak in one of the tailing ponds which resulted to the reddening of the water in the nearby stream and on to the Siocon River itself. Committee Chairman Felixberto Bolando disclosed that his committee will conduct a committee hearing on August 18 at Siocon and an ocular inspection of the dams of TVI.

Together with the committee members, BM Bolando already notified structural engineers from the Provincial Engineering Office to be with them in order to inspect the extent of the damage despite reports that the company had hurriedly repaired the destruction. Aside from the structural engineers, BM Bolando disclosed that some mining engineers were hired to help the committee in their investigation.

Ang hunta direktiba sa elektrisidad nagtinguha karon nga mapalagpot sa iyang katungdanan si Adelmo Laput isip General Manager sa Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative kon

Eighteen smuggled vehicles – seven of them luxury cars – valued at P30 million were crushed to pieces at Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales on Thursday in a highly symbolic demonstration of the government’s determination to stamp out smuggling in the country. Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, officials of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) supervised the destruction of the confiscated vehicles at the Naval Supply Depot in Zambales. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was scheduled to witness the destruction of the smuggled vehicles, but was forced to cancel her trip when a backup presidential chopper developed technical problems.

The Chief Executive had flatly rejected proposals to sell the vehicles to raise taxes for the government, saying the same people behind the smuggling were likely to win if the luxury cars were auctioned.  “Let these 18 motor vehicles serve as an example to the Filipino people that we are serious in addressing the smuggling issue,” Teves said. Three backhoes and one forklift were used to smash the vehicles. Customs Commissioner Napoleon Morales, SBMA Anti-Smuggling Task Force chief Jose Calimlim, PASG chief Undersecretary Antonio Villar, and SBMA officials and employees also witnessed the destruction of the vehicles. Destroyed were a Lincoln Navigator, four BMW X5 series, a BMW z35i (7 series), Star Craft van, Mitsubishi Pajero junior, Mitsubishi GTO sports car, two Hyundai Grandeur, two Toyota Estima, four Toyota Emina, and a Nissan Serena.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) welcomes Caritas Manila Inc to its roster of partner-organizations that assist in the steady imple-mentation of the PGMA-Training for Work Scholar-ship Program (PGMA-TWSP).  For starters, the program will allocate P5M worth of scholarships. PGMA-TWSP is a scholarship program of President Arroyo carried through TESDA.  Tech-voc courses under PGMA-TWSP are classified under several fields.  Finishing course for call center agents, medical transcription, animation, welding, slaughtering operation, barista, household service, and caregiving are just some of the courses available for scholarship.  There are also slots for the Ladderized Education Program. 

Sec. Augusto Boboy Syjuco, TESDA director general, is hopeful that the PGMA-TWSP scholars of Caritas will finish their courses and undergo assessment, too, at TESDA. Sec. Syjuco also expressed his gratitude to Caritas for helping the TESDA program and its high quality tech-voc training become accessible to the intended beneficiaries.  “I’m sure Caritas will be an active partner in spreading this learning opportunity,” said Sec. Syjuco.  Caritas is the lead Catholic agency for social services and development in the Archdiocese of Manila.  It also provides technical assistance to social service and development ministries in five other Metro Manila dioceses.

Credits: Press Freedom is published every Saturday and entered as 3^rd class mail matter in Dipolog City. Printed by Young Printing Press with Editorial Office located at Upper Turno, Dipolog City. Tel. No. (065) 212-4343 or 212-6665