October 5, 2006

At mining forum
LGUs in ZN favor small scale miners than big outfits?

The crux of the matter or what seemed to be the reason why local government units (LGUs) seemingly are against big companies doing big scale mining operations here is they do not directly get their fair share of the taxes paid. They have to wait for a long time before they get their shares which rightfully belong to them.

That in process, they would rather prefer small scale mining in their areas for these operators pay taxes directly to the local government units concerned. By law now being observed and followed by big scale mining companies, they pay their taxes directly to the national government through the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the LGUs concerned have to wait for quite sometime yet before they receive their shares through the internal revenue allotment system.

To this, TVI Resource Development, Philippines Spokesman Rocky Dimaculangan informed the body that TVI is just too willing to do this if only they are allowed. He further informed them of a pending bill in Congress which will allow big mining companies to pay taxes directly to the LGUs concerned and TVI is lobbying for its passage. He urged the body, especially local officials to also lobby for the passage of the bill.

This sentiment surfaced during the mining forum held whole day of Thursday, September 28 at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention Center jointly initiated by the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of Region 9.

It was attended by one big scale mining company, the TVI Resource Development, Philippines now operating at Canatuan in Siocon town, this province and some small scale mining (SSM) operators developing other areas of the province. TVI is in gold and silver processing while the other SSMs are mostly on chromate mining. The former involves several meticulous, dangerous and controversial processes while the latter are of simple works of extraction of rocks only. Although TVI got most of the controversial reactions from the panels and observers, but these were ably answered and explained by the company representatives led by company President Mateo, Canatuan General Manager Yulo Perez and Public Affairs Director Rocky Dimaculangan.

To clear some apprehensions voiced out, GM Perez and Director Dimaculangan reiterated the company’s policy of transparency and again and again extended invitations to all to visit the mining site to see for themselves what really are taking place in the area of operation saying “there will be no end to outside debate, but come see and tell us what is wrong that we can correct it. But so far, we believe we are doing right.”

The forum was anchored on “Responsible Mining through Sustainable Development and Local Governance.” Central point of concern on TVI was its treatment of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the area affected, sharing of production proceeds and its implementation of sustainable development program for these Subanos to which they said are properly implemented and followed up so when the company moves out, these natives will be left with many things to survive with, supported with documentation and slides.

Speakers were Engr. Constancio Paye, Jr., regional director of MGB-9 who spoke on the salient features of the Philippine Mining Act of 1995 with emphasis on responsible mining; Rocky Dimaculangan on TVI’s operations, programs and projects for the affected IPs; Lista Cawanan, Jr. on the role and benefits of the IPs; and Nelia Haldon, executive vice president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines on the workings and contribution of the mining industry to the country’s economy.

The whole forum was assisted by members of the Concerned Citizens for Responsible Mining, Inc. (CCRM), among them Exec. Director Priscilla Valmonte of the Zamboanga Life Care Foundation, Prof. Perla D. de Castro and Dean Sisenando Baes as facilitators. (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VI No.14)

Credits: Dipolog Chronicle is published every Saturday and its Editorial Office is located at 059 Lacaya St., Dipolog and can be reached through the following Tel. No.: 212-2255

 Press Club wraps up journalism seminar

“Our task was easier and meaningful; we are most grateful to our partners in this yearly endeavor,” said Anastasio Junio, Jr., president of the Zamboanga del Norte Press Club, Incorporated after more than two months of going around the entire province carrying out  their pet project, the Annual Campus Journalism Seminar. Junio this time broke the tradition of soliciting amounts of money from the different politicians, businessmen and well-meaning citizens of the province which had been practiced by past administrations of the club for lack of funds since the project started for more than twenty years now.

With the strong and united support of its elected officers composing the board, the Club executed a Memorandum of Agreement with the giant mining company, TVI Resource Development Philippines, Incorporated to come up for the cash prizes of the winners in the nine categories of every workshop both in English and Filipino. Other than TVI, the Press Club without any hesitation also signed up with the Department of Education through Dr. Sharif Adzhar Sarahadil, the Provincial Schools Division Superintendent of Zamboanga del Norte; the provincial government of ZaNorte under the helms of Gov. Rolando E. Yebes and Ervin N. Gawchua of the shipping company – Negros Navigation, Incorporated.

The DepEd’s task was to invite the participants and choose the venues for each of the two day seminars in the nine cluster municipalities of the province, the provincial government took charge of producing the thousands of Certificates of Attendance and Recognition given to the students and teacher-advisers who participated in, while Negros Navigation reserved passenger slots of prospective winners to the national press conference coming from Zamboanga del Norte on their journey to the Visayas or Luzon in March 2007 or wherever it may be held.

Veteran lecturers and facilitators of the Journalism Committee left their respective families every weekend to share their talents with the youths for free as their contribution to nation building and encouraging the youths to be responsible citizens of this country. The topics were: News writing by Editha Pagente-Tomong; Feature – Rosemarie Patangan-Miranda; Editorial – Czarito Zamora and Franklin Gumapon; Editorial Cartoon - Samuel Amatong; Sports writing - Rene “Ponso” Patangan; Copyreading, Headline Writing and Layouting and Photojournalism by Milan Laput; Broadcasting by Edgar Sorronda and Media Ethics by Anastasio Junio, Jr.

“But without Milan Laput and Ruby Perocho, the Press Club is nothing and campus journalism would never be the same,” was always what Journalism Chairman and Past President Ruben Legorio would utter in every short program held before the seminar proper. In all, the Press Club has served some 1,924 students and 219 teacher-advisers in the 22 municipalities and two cities of Zamboanga del Norte with the respective mayors and school principals of these towns supporting the said activity.

The lecturers and facilitators of the ZN Press Club, Incorporated were “wined and dined,” so to speak, by the hosts of every school and municipality where they stayed from the mayors together with their local officials to the principals of each school where the campus journalism seminars were held. In times of hardships and difficulties in the schedules of workshops, problems in the accommodations to the lack of service vehicles and drivers did not discourage the lecturers and facilitators in going through with the said activity from faraway Siocon to Labason, Liloy, Sindangan, Jose Dalman, Katipunan, Polanco, Dipolog City and Dapitan City.

The most memorable of it would be when General Manager Adelmo Laput of the Zamboanga del Norte Electric Cooperative (ZANECO) accompanied by his wife, Judge Veronica Laput became the driver of the group in going to Jose Dalman due to the unavailability of the company driver to ferry the lecturers to the seminar. Rain or shine, come hell or high waters, the Club’s dedication to pursue the campus journalism project is without doubt the most ambitious, tiring but enjoyable and rewarding toil that any civic organization would accomplish especially since the ZNPCI is a non-stock, non-profit organization when it was registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1999.

It is also expected that ZN Press Club, Incorporated will expand the journalism seminar to Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental and to faraway Makati City after receiving invitations by high-ranking officials to these places in the near future. (EMPT) 

Business chambers converge in Dipolog for trade, tourism, AND INVESTMENT forum

More than 100 delegates from the different business chambers all over Mindanao confirmed their attendance to the first Mindanao trade, investment and tourism congress to be held in Dipolog City on October 5-6. Businessman Edwin Capili, Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) chair, and Chamber President Edgar Bagarinao disclosed that aside from the delegates from Mindanao, dignitaries from Manila are also coming to grace the occasion like Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chair Attorney Miguel Varela and many others.

“This is an opportunity to show to our guests the trade and investment potentials in the province and the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan,” Capili said. The first Mindanao trade, investment and tourism congress was a sequel to the organization of the Federation of Business Chambers of Mindanao Foundation in early part of this year. The organization is now composed of 15 business chambers, namely Dipolog CCI, Misamis Occidental CCI, Ozamiz CCI, Iligan CCI, Bukidnon CCI, Marawi CCI, Lugait CCI, Tandag CCI, Cantilan CCI, Basilan CCI, Sultan Kudarat CCI, Isulan CCI, South Cotabato CCI, Midsayap CCI and Kidapawan CCI.

Capili also expressed his appreciation to the Zamboanga del Norte provincial government and the twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan for supporting the holding of such an activity here. Chamber President Bagarinao on the other hand said “the entire city of Dipolog will spread wide its arms to welcome the delegates and guests attending the first ever Mindanao trade, investment and tourism congress slated on October 5-6.”

“This congress is unique in the sense that this is the first time that the three key engines of development – trade, investment and tourism – will be presented alongside each other in one forum,” Bagarinao added. The two-day congress will discuss the potentials, opportunities, challenges and issues attendant to trade and investments in Mindanao. (Franklin P. Gumapon - PIA)

 ZANFEVA Group Exhibit

The Zamboanga del Norte Federation Of Visual Artists (ZANFEVA) is holding its first group art exhibition at the 2nd Floor, ZN Convention and Exhibition Center, Dipolog City from October 5 to 31, 2006.

On October 6, ART LECTURE SERIES AND ART FORUM will be conducted at the same venue by two noted art experts from Manila. Prof. RUBEN DAVID F. DEFEO of the University of the Philippines, College of Fine Arts will lecture on “Art Education and Appreciation” while Mr. CHRISTOPHER E. ROLLO of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will talk on “Museulogy, Mindanao Arts and Government Art and Culture Policies”.

DON GURREA, the concurrent president of ZANFEVA says the Federation is an organization of dedicated artists based in the province. Their goals are to elevate art awareness among the populace, to create new opportunities for improving economic benefits and to promote creative development for all artists in Zamboanga del Norte. Comprising the Federation are the DIPOLOG ARTISTS CONSORTIUM, INC., PADAYUNAY ART COLLECTIVE, TA GLI-BON INI (Lady Artists), MUGNA, and GOOD-TIMES CAFE ARTISTS.

The art exhibit is aptly entitled ANI which is a metaphor for the first major gathering of visual talents among the united local art practitioners within the province. It is a showcase of artistic expressions, ingenuous materials, and creative techniques. Rich with environmental, religious, economic and socio-political concerns- these are the artists’ honest and sincere visual statements to the viewing public. (Press Freedom, Vol. XVIII No. 54)

Dapitan Hosts Mindanao First Aid Olympics

The Mindanao eliminations for the 3rd National First Aid Olympics of the Philippine National Red Cross is hosted by Dapitan City from September 29-30, 2006.

ZDN Red Cross Chapter Chairman Concordio Adriatico said more than 300 delegates from the different Red Cross Chapters in Mindanao are participating in the competition. The activity aims to arouse public awareness on the importance of first aid competence in times of emergencies and to enhance the participants’ knowledge and skills on first aid and CPR application to victims of emergency situations.

The participants are members of the Red Cross Youth organizations from elementary to college levels and from the barangays. Supporting the Red Cross activities are the provincial government under Gov. Rolando E. Yebes, City Mayors Dominador Jalosjos, Jr. of Dapitan and Roberto Y. Uy of Dipolog, the town mayors of Katipunan, Manukan, Jose Dalman, Mutia, Sindangan, and philanthropist Rosendo Labadlabad. (PIA)

Dipolog to host 1st Mindanao Trade, Investment and Tourism Confab

Dipolog City-Bullish on the economic prospects of Mindanao this southern city will host the First Mindanao Trade, Investment and Tourism forum organized by the Federation of Mindanao Chambers foundation slated on October 5-6 at the Zamboanga del Norte Convention and Exhibition Center, this was announced by Mr. Edwin Capili, chair of Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) here.

“The two-day business conference will be attended by various chamber of commerce and business delegates throughout Mindanao region, “Capili said. Top personalities in government and private sector engage in trade, investment and tourism will also speak to delegates during scheduled separate lectures and workshops, Mr. Capili added. 

Expected to attend the two-day trade, investment and tourism forum are government officials coming from all over Mindanao and other areas of the country. The conference will discuss topics relating to Mindanao development in the areas of trade, investment and tourism. The two-day business conference is part of the Dipolog Chamber’s month-long business month activities and seen as a way to promote investments in this southern Philippine city.

Why Mindanao?

Mindanao has long been touted as the Philippines “economic life saver.” With over 40 percent of the total food production coming from the island it being endowed with rich natural and mineral resources, Mr. Edgar Bagarinao, current president of the Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry said in an interview.

“History showed that Mindanao was a favorite trading partner of old China, the Malays, and many other economies long before the emergence of the country’s other markets,” Mr. Bagarinao pointed out to this writer. “Today, the Filipinos owe it to Mindanao the geographic situation and strategic advantage to the ever growing market of the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines-East Asian Economic Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),” Bagarinao stressed.

Organizers of the Trade, Investment and Tourism business conference slated October 5-6 in the city identified various key investment niches in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, information and communications, technology, education, infrastructure development, transportation, power, mining, among, many other high potential industries and projects.

“Ultimately, the Congress will try to provide all stake holders a better understanding of how Mindanao can be viewed as the Philippines’ premier “super region” realizing its vast business investment potentials,” Mr. Capili said. Last September 2, 3006, business tycoon Lucio Tan was the guest of honor in nearby Zamboanga City during the 15th Mindanao Business Conference where Tan revealed that his company will expand its business operations in Mindanao involving 1.2 Billion pesos in investment in areas of liquor and soft drink.

“Seeing the great potential of Mindanao as a growth area, we are expanding our presence here by investing P1 billion in the Tanduay facility beside the Asia Brewery plant and another P250 million for a soft drink facility, (both) in Cagayan de Oro City,” Tan said. He said $100 million liqour facility of Asia Brewery in Cagayan de Oro City—the first in Mindanao—is one of his biggest investments. The state-of-the-art brewing plant is capable of producing 24 million bottles of beer a year.

In its annual report, Tanduay Holdings said it has cornered 49 percent and 35 percent of the market in the Visayas and Mindanao, respectively, with Luzon contributing only 16 percent. Foreign trade attaches from Canada, USA, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia countries are also expected to attend the Trade, Investment and Tourism conference in this southern Philippine city. (Mindanao Star, Vol.II No.37)

BM Baguio: "Ikanselar ang Mining Permit sa TVIRD"

Second District Board Member Edgar Baguio nanawagan sa tanang sector sa katilingban nga nagpakanabana sa pagprotiher sa kinaiyahan nga maghiusa aron hangyuon ang gobiyerno

nga ikanselar ang Mining Permit/License nga gi-isyu sa large scale mining company particular ang TVI nga nakabase sa Canatuan Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte ug amendahan o kaha e-

   DIPOLOGNON TODAY

Indigenous people’s visual arts

The Zamboanga del Norte Federation of Visual Artists (ZANFEVA) and the Kalinawa Art Foundation are partnering to bring the Indigenous People’s visual fine art of Zamboanga del Norte to the world through an Open Art Show and Internet Auction at the Goodtimes Café and Gallery, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. For Indigenous People’s, the visual arts are central to identity, place and belonging, and an expression of a unique and enduring tradition.  Thus, the visual arts have an important place in the continuing survival of Indigenous People’s and their cultures.

The mission of the Kalinawa Art Foundation is to build on the inherent talent of the Indigenous People of the Philippines by creating institutional mechanisms to build up a visual fine arts industry that celebrates their culture, promotes talent, develops skills, facilitates training and build cross-cultural education.  Results will be measured by the increased visibility and understanding of Indigenous People and improved income for participating artists.

The Zamboanga del Norte Federation of Visual Artists (ZANFEVA) is a Federation of dedicated artists.  Their goals are to create new opportunities for improving economic benefits and creative development for all artists in Zamboanga del Norte. An open Art Show and Internet Auction will be held at the Goodtimes Café in Dipolog City, Oct. 4, to Oct. 8. Registration is Oct. 3 (6-8p.m.) and Oct. 4 (8a.m. to noon).  All Indigenous Artists are invited to register their artworks.  PHP 36,000 in prizes will be awarded during the Award Ceremony on October 8 at 6:00 p.m. in four categories:

· Traditional – Pieces based on indigenous traditional knowledge.

· Youth – Open category for artists under 18 years of age.

· Open Two Dimensional – Any two dimensional medium excluding photography. Can include but not limited to; paintings, drawings, tapestries, etchings and cloth weavings.

· Open Three Dimensional – Any three dimensional medium.  Can include but not limited to; carvings, pottery and terracotta.

Admission is free and the general public is welcome to view the art during the public viewing at the Goodtimes Café in Dipolog City and at www.kalinawa.com.  Art works will be auctioned for sale on the Internet at www.ebay.com, October 4 at 2:00 p.m. to October 8 at 8:00 p. m.

With ZANFEVA’s participation the show promises to have a wide selection of art for the appreciation of the patrons in Dipolog City and on the Internet.

NEW BEGINNINGS:

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S VISUAL FINE ARTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
For further information on this release, please contact:

Charles (Chris) Mitchell – Managing consultant
Kalinawa Art Foundation
Voice:  (6032) 759-3682
Facsimile: (632) 7593681
Cell:     (832) 06-216-7430
E-mail:  chrismitchell@kalinawa.com
Website: ww.kalinawa.com
Suite 1607, Tower One & Exchange Plaza, Ayala
Triangle, Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1226 Philippines.
(Press Freedom, Vol. XVIII No. 54)

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

Does being the country’s poorest mean that we don’t have enough dollar remittances from abroad in order to improve our lives here locally, or is it something else that we lack? Somewhere along the line, the agency who did the survey must have been mistaken because I saw the same situation in some other places other than our province, some even worse.

As I’ve said – the agency who did the survey for the year 2003 must have mistaken the peaceful scenery wherein our rural folks dwelt – as something beyond their comprehension. Even in the not so distant past when there were certain news coming from our place, the headings always referred to us as being from Mindanao only and ne’er a mention of Dipolog City. That’s how ignorant some news people can be.

Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with being classified as Mindanaon; the only hitch is that we were being lumped and classified as living in a place supposedly where all is in turmoil and upheavals with gun-toting inhabitants only – and then – we became the country’s poorest for the year 2003 – which I hope was a sore mistake. Now, according to President Gloria M. Arroyo, our fight with poverty relies on tapping the talent of our workers or OFW’s – our greatest assets.

Survey from pulse Asia states that the primary concern of poverty is hunger. It also states that a majority of Pilipino people are poor or very poor and even then, they have to reduce their expenditure on food even as they struggle with the unnecessary burden of inflation. Though their major concern is to be able to have enough food everyday, most if not all doesn’t have enough money to be able to afford three meals a day even though most of what they earn are spent on food alone.

In order to fight poverty, there is a need to control inflation – in order to preserve the purchasing power of the peso. There should be a national concern to look into the low pay of workers which is in a way related to maintaining peace and reduction in poverty. A res-tore in public trust by fighting graft and corruption in the government, fighting crimes, as well as enforcing laws upon influential people, be they public or private; protecting the rights and property of the citizenry – as well as protecting them against terrorism. Now then, there is the anti-poverty summit under the auspices of the provincial government. Will this summit see the light of the day or will it just fade away? Just asking…

— oo000oo —

Come 2007, elections or not, the players are falling in places and the moles have come alive again. Some are so busy recruiting aswang voters while others have made it their job to make the aswangs as comfy as possible. In other camps, the players have made it their business to open up new roads for easy access (kaha?) in far flung mountain lairs, all in the name of compassion (kuno) during a natal bash wherein which they insisted that a former cowboy had never set his boots – ehe – foot upon that lair.

Anyway, I didn’t have to insist upon who was first in visiting that never-never land; you can just ask the cross-eyed jack. According to the cross-eyed jack, the cowboy didn’t bring any apple-pie, there were plenty there anyway, so that a truck full of used and new clothes and medicines were distributed to the inhabitants instead, and no, they didn’t have to be accredited to the organization of shine-shine boy to be able to avail of the giveaways. Now, who says that elections is extinct? (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VI No.14)

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Dipolog Chronicle Editorial
Instead of politicking, why not lobby for pending laws in favor of LGUs?

Most if not all of our local officials seem to be spending more time on propaganda activities and planning what to do next when election time comes. Why cannot they do something better for the communities and constituents they have sworn to serve instead? For one, we need them now to lobby in the Upper and Lower Houses of Congress, to be led by our three congressmen who are supposed to be at home in Congress, for urgent measures to be passed that will redound to the benefit of the majority  if not all local government units.

Executives of the province and the municipalities, for one, are clamoring to directly receive their fair share from taxes paid by big companies in their areas on time, like excise tax paid by a mining company. But until now, they have to wait for several months or a year before these shares from taxes come back in the form of internal revenue allotments or IRAs which are usually the lifelines of LGUs.

And to think that these rightfully belong to them. A bill is pending in Congress allowing companies like mining to pay directly to the LGUs their taxes, no longer to the national government through the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). (Dipolog Chronicle, Vol.VI No.14)

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