Coalition blesses headquarters

By Judys G. Cogo

Pagadian City (Philippines)—The Liberal Party-Nationalist Party Coalition blessed its headquarters last December 22 in this city and followed the 

Christmas Bonanza at the City Commercial Center that same day.

 Dominador "Jun"Jalosjos who speech on Stage 

Estimated more than twenty thousand people who witnessed the blessing which is attended by leaders of the different municipalities in Zamboanga del Sur.

A 2013 election candidate for Governor Dominador “Jun” Jalosjos which one of the guests gave his message but leave immediately due to threat of arrest by member of the Philippine National Police.

Dominador Jalosjos in his massage he expressed sympathy over the support of the people of Zamboanga del the Sur to his candidacy.

He said he is willing to die for the sake of the people of Zamboanga del Sur.

Cayetano pushes for immediate passage of FOI bill – an empowerment tool to make every Filipino a graft buster

 “The Best Christmas gift we can give to Filipinos is the passage of the FOI!”

Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano called on the government to enact the Freedom of Information (FOI) in order to help President Aquino curb graft and corruption in the country.

He made the appeal in his sponsorship speech for Senate Bill 3208 last Tuesday.

He said the FOI would help remove the power of government information from a few and give it to the public and help eliminating monopolies in the market, anomalies in the construction of infrastructure, and other similar activities that take away the ordinary Filipino’s ability to earn his living.

LP-NP to inaugurates headquarter tomorrow

Alimarlou Dagpin, chief of staff during the interview

By Judys Cogo

ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR, MINDANAO (Philippines) — The Liberal Party-Nacionalista Party coalition will inaugurates its headquarters tomorrow December 22 at the City Commercial Center in Pagadian City.

The occasion is followed by a Christmas Bonanza to be participated by twenty six leaders from the 26 towns in this province.

Philippines: ICRC scales up effort to help typhoon victims

Davao Region looks like a dead city after was hit by 

Typhoon "Pablo" (Photo provided)

Geneva/Manila (ICRC) – Typhoon Bopha (locally known as Pablo) has destroyed more than 90% of the infrastructure in the eastern half of the southern Philippines, with severe consequences for over a hundred thousand people. More than 900 deaths have already been confirmed. In response, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), together with the Philippine Red Cross, is scaling up its operations on the ground. To meet the most critical needs of some 200,000 people, the ICRC is launching a preliminary appeal for P433 million (10 million Swiss francs).

GSIS grants emergency loan to members hit by ‘Pablo’ in Visayas and Mindanao

MANILA, December 10 - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has announced the grant of emergency loan for more than 345,000 GSIS members in Visayas and Mindanao who were adversely affected by typhoon Pablo.

Emergency loan will be made available to GSIS members living or working  in  the following areas in Mindanao and Visayas:  Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Siargao, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Province, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Samal Island, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, North Cotabato, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao, Bohol, Siquijor, Southern Cebu, Southern Negros Oriental, Southern Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, Antique, Iloilo, Camotes Island.

2 NPA Bandits killed, 1 Wounded in Zamboanga del Norte clash

By KIT KAIMO

DIPOLOG, ZANORTE –  Two still unidentified NPA bandits were killed and another wounded in a clash with the Tabak troopers on security patrol in Sitio Napolan, Brgy.Tinuyop, Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte Wednesday about 3:00 p.m.  December 5. The clash also resulted the recovery of one assault rifle (M16) from the bandits’ side and one trooper wounded on the government side.

10^th Infantry Battalion (10^th IB) Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Taharudin P. Ampatuan said that his troops went to the area to respond reports from residents who were victims (requested not to be identified) of NPA extortion activities in the area about the presence of the said bandits once again conducting the same among the residents. “These bandits belong to the extortion unit of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC)” Lt. Col. Ampatuan said.

Urban poor ask space for settlements, calls for passage of the National Land Use Act

By Angelica Katheryn Carballo

0915-9260371/akcarballo@gmail.com

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - In a forum held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Makati City, urban poor groups demand that sufficient space be allocated for their settlement, and that they should be included in long term land use and development plans of the government.

Representatives from Urban Land Reform Movement, Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan, and other affiliated urban poor groups attended the forum entitled “Planning for Urban Settlements and Development - Will there be SPACE for the Urban Poor through the National Land Use Act?”

Joining them is Nathaniel von Einsiedel, EnP, urban planner and president of Consultants for Comprehensive Environmental Planning, Inc. who talked about the current situation and probable solution to the problematic set-up of urban settlements.

No Casualty in two Lanao Provinces brought by Typhoon Pablo

By JONG CADION

KUTA SANG-AN, LABANGAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR – At least 6,052 families in the 11 municipalities of Lanao del Norte were affected by the typhoon Pablo brought about by the continues rainfall with strong winds since Tuesday noon December 4. Some of the villagers suffered in the 2 feet high water which forced them to proceed to designated shelters (School Buildings and Gymnasiums) while others just stayed at their houses.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) of Lanao del Norte, more or less 200 families within the province are still at their respective shelters as of this afternoon but will return to their homes later.

Disaster Rescue and Relief Operations (DRRO) teams under the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade joined with the teams from the Provincial DRRMC as well as to the teams at the municipal level in the preparation, evacuation, and rescue & relief operations to the affected families in the province. As of this report no reported casualties due to typhoon Pablo.  

Improvised Bomb killed Soldier, one hurt

BASILAN  -  An improvised bomb exploded along the circumferential road in Brgy.Cabangalan, Ungkaya, Pukan, Basilan Province Monday morning wounding two soldiers belonging to the 3^rd Scout Ranger Company who were on security patrol in the area. Casualties were given immediate first aid by the unit’s medical team however Cpl. Mark Dandin M. Gomez later died while Pfc John S. Garde was rushed to Camp Navarro, General Hospital in Zamboanga City thru Philippine Air Force Helicopter.