Vicenzo Sagun town becomes 1st recipient of PH Rural Development Program grant in Zamboanga peninsula

By Sheena Mae Mendoza

 SAGUN, Nov. 09 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture will allocate P179 million for the concreting of a farm-to-market road (FMR) in the town of Vicenzo Sagun in Zamboanga del Sur which was chosen as the first eligible recipient of its Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) Scale-Up subproject in the Zamboanga peninsula.

Among the other municipalities in the region that submitted project proposals to DA, only Vicenzo Sagun successfully met the required criteria and have complied with the necessary requirements, making them eligible to avail the project.

Vicente Sagun Mayor Jeffrey Maata personally received the certificate from DA during the recent launching of the department’s three core projects namely; PRDP Scale Up, Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP), and the Philippine Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency (FishCoRe) project. These core projects of the department are made possible with the partnership and funding support of the World Bank.

Mayor Maata conveyed his gratitude to the department as it addresses the municipality’s need for much better farm-to-market connectivity.

“The municipality is deeply honored to be the sole recipient of the much-needed FMR project from the PRDP in the entire region. This is not just a milestone but a testament to the tireless dedication and effort of all those who worked to make this a reality”, he said.

0Zamboanga del Sur second district representative Victoria Jaezel Yu, who also attended the event, expressed her utmost gratitude to the DA for considering Vicenzo Sagun as the recipient of the project.

“Malipayun ko sa bag-ong proyekto nga nahatag o mabubo pinaagi sa PRDP para sa isa sa mga kalungsuran sa segundo distrito tungod kay daghan ang maka benipisyo niini labina sa ilang trabaho nga mas mapadali ang ilang transportasyon”, she said.

(I am happy with the new project that has been given or will be poured through PRDP in one of the municipalities in the second district because many will benefit from it, especially in their work that will make their transportation easier.)

The PRDP Scale Up project adopts the clustering and consolidation strategy of farmers and fisher folk groups producing priority commodities such as rice, corn, coffee, and cacao, among others. The project also prioritizes farm-to-market roads (FMRs) with value chain infrastructure support to improve access of farmers to the market.

Consistent with the President’s 10-point economic agenda of boosting the country’s agricultural productivity through mechanization, modernization, and value chain development, the DA’s PRDP Scale Up project will bridge the gap between farms and markets, streamlining easier transportation of agricultural goods.

With its focus on infrastructure and improved connectivity, the PRDP Scale Up project not only enhances mobility but also catalyzes economic development by ensuring timely and efficient delivery of local products to the market.

(NBE/SBM/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur with reports from the Department of Agriculture and photos from Basta Sagun Malabuon Page)

Iligan locks down radio station, 13 firms for operating sans permits

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Iligan City government on Friday closed 14 business establishments, including a radio station, for allegedly operating without business permits.

Dr. Darwin Manugbag, the city administrator, led the closure of the businesses following the issuance of a final notice by the City Legal Office on Aug. 17.

City Legal Officer Roberto Padilla gave the erring business 15 days to comply with the local revenue code.

CLOSURE. Accompanied by the police, Iligan City officials brought chains to shutter on Friday (Nov. 24, 2023) the operation of a radio station allegedly operating without a business permit. Local officials say the station lacked registration from the National Telecommunications Commission, a requirement in securing a business permit. (Photo courtesy of Radyo Bandera Iligan)

However, the 14 business firms failed to follow the requirements despite the generous extension, Manugbag said.

One of the businesses involved was Radyo Bandera Iligan.

According to Milagros Mahinay, focal person of the city's Business Permits and Licenses Office, the radio station was denied a business permit because it failed to comply with a certificate of franchise registration from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Lawyer Dexter Rey Sumaoy, representing Radyo Bandera, countered that it was better for the local government to file appropriate charges "so we can answer them and let the court decide."

Sumaoy, a former city administrator, admitted that its permit was not signed by the local government because of "some issues."

Meanwhile, NTC-10 Director Teodoro Buenavista Jr. said the franchise of Radyo Bandera "has recently lapsed, and all assigned frequencies were recalled."

"The number of stations in the country that are under Bandera (of Fairewaves Broadcasting Network) are affected due to expired franchises. The expired franchise has prompted NTC to recall all the frequencies assigned to Bandera," Buenavista said in a separate interview.

He said the radio station owners may operate again by applying for a franchise at the House of Representatives. (PNA)

Communist Terrorist Group remnant neutralized in encounter with government forces

By PIO WESMINCOM

 A remnant of the communist terrorist group was killed during an encounter with the government forces in Dumingag, Zamboanga Del Sur on Christmas Day, December 25, 2022.

 While conducting patrol at the mountainous portion of Purok 2, Barangay Saad, same town, troops of the 53rd Infantry Battalion were fired upon by unseen assailants from a concealed position prompting the troops nearest to the assailants to return fire. 

 Firefight ensued after which enemies scampered in different directions. While clearing the encounter site, operating troops recovered one enemy cadaver, one sling bag with, tobacco, and one Nokia keypad phone. 

 Brig. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, Commander of the Joint Task Force ZamPelan, identified the neutralized CTG member as Martino Ayas, a.k.a. Nasser, a remnant of the Guerrilla Front BBC. He is reportedly trying to recruit members into the NPA in the mentioned barangay since August 2022 along with Jessel Cabal, a.k.a Sabel, and Nelboy Baron, a.k.a. Jundy.

 Operating troops are in pursuit of the fleeing enemies. 

 

Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, Acting Commander of Western Mindanao Command commended the troops for their vigilance. “I urge the CTG remnants to come out and end their useless battle. Our troops will continue to press on until all areas will be cleared from traces of terrorism.”