US, PH, Japan troops to participate in 'KAMANDAG'

 MANILA -- Marine troops from the US, Philippines and Japan will be participating in this year's "Kaagapay ng Mandirigma ng Dagat" (KAMANDAG) Exercises in various location in the country from Oct. 1 to 10.

Capt. Jerber Anthony Belonio, Philippine Marine Corps spokesperson, said around 1,000 US, 350 Filipinos and 100 Japanese Marine troops will be taking part in the exercises.

He said "KAMANDAG" activities include the following: opening ceremonies at the Subic International Airport in Olongapo City, Zambales; boat raid in Ternate, Cavite; amphibious landing exercise at the Naval Education and Training Center in San Antonio, Zambales; and closing-out event in PMC headquarters at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Scenarios for this year's "KAMANDAG" exercises include counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Belonio added that the Japanese contingent will act as observers in the various exercises involving Philippine and US Marine troops.

"Well ang terrorism kasi, it's a global problem so syempre lahat naman tayo (all of us), lahat ng (all) countries may kanya kanya tayong (we all have our own) problem when it comes to terrorism well it speaks a global language, so yan yung isang aspect na pwede natin, kumbaga common sa lahat ng mga country na involved sa exercise, so kumbaga (that is one aspect we all have in common, as far as the countries involved in the exercises are concerned) its a common ground," Belonio said when asked on the inclusion of counter-terrorism scenario for the maneuvers. (PNA/By Priam Nepomuceno)

Kilusang Pagbabago rolls out housing program in DavOr's remote village

BIYAYA NG PAGBABAGO. A beneficiary asks questions on the government's housing program for residents of a remote village in Davao Oriental, while Presidential Communications Operations Office Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy (3rd from left), lawyer Arnolfo Cabling of the Social Housing Finance Corporation, and Director Roy Lopez of the Office of the Participatory Governance listen. The government's Kilusang Pagbabago conducted a public orientation on Biyaya ng Pagbabago in Barangay Danao, Mati, Davao Oriental on Sunday (Sept. 30, 2018). (PNA photo by Lilian Mellejor)

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental -- The Office of the President and the government's Kilusang Pagbabago (KP) movement rolled out on Sunday a housing and livelihood program for 300 beneficiaries in the remote village of Danao in this city.

Led by the Office of the Participatory Governance, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC), and the Davao Oriental chapter of the KP, the government held a site inspection and orientation for the families living in danger zones in the village.

PCOO Undersecretary Lorraine Badoy said the agencies are bringing the pro-poor program to the direct beneficiaries.

She said the PCOO helps drum up the program aimed at cutting down the number of poor families that now stands at six million.

"We have the mandate of bringing down the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte to the grassroots," Badoy said.

Saying the government is on track, she added: "The President is serious in bringing down the poverty incidence from 21 to 14 percent."

The housing and livelihood project, which is part of the Biyaya ng Pagbabago, has provided shelter solutions to over 300,000 informal settlers, including families in danger zones across the country, as of June 2018.

The government, through the SHFC, has also shelled out a total of PHP18.55 billion in loans, of which PHP13.78 billion was released through the Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

SHFC president Arnolfo Cabling said there is still an unused fund of PHP200 million for 2018 for the housing project in Mindanao.

Cabling said the portion of the amount will be used for the project in Mati, although it would take a long process because the beneficiaries will still form their respective homeowners' associations.

The proposed site for the housing project in Danao is about 33 hectares. The beneficiaries will construct the houses through the bayanihan system.

One of those who traveled through rough roads to Danao village was Elizabeth Solis.

Solis, a resident of Barangay Sainz in Mati, did not mind going to Danao to seek help from the Office of the President.

She leads the Sto. Niño Neighborhood of Barrio Sainz and Mati Central, whose members occupy the land owned by the Lopez political clan.

While the families were not asked to be ejected, Solis said the Lopezes are willing to sell the property to them at PHP3,000 per square meter.

"Naningkamot ko ug anhi diri basig matabangan mi (I tried to come here. Maybe, we will be assisted)," Solis said.

SHFC readily took the case of Solis' group and vowed to help them acquire the property.

Meanwhile, 38-year old Lyni Alajas was also hopeful she will qualify for the housing project.

Alajas said the program is good for the poor, who cannot afford to acquire a house and lot. She also wanted to avail of the livelihood program to help her husband, who tends a vegetable farm.

"Biyaya" is part of the vision of the Duterte administration for greater people participation in governance and for economic inclusivity.

Biyaya ng Pagbabago is spearheaded by the Office of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco, who heads 12 agencies, including the Philippine Coconut Authority and the National Housing Authority.

The Biyaya ng Pagbabago partners with KP in delivering the government programs.

KP is a mass convergence of people and organizations from the grassroots, indigenous people, and the urban poor.

KP is more known as a support group of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, criminality, corruption, and poverty. (PNA/By Lilian Mellejor - Re-posted by Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)

Sulu-RPMA ensure the capacity of port expansion - cater more vessels and cargos soon

By: Becky D. de Asis

Jolo RPMA Manage Ibnohasim Undug 

Jolo, Sulu – RPMA-Sulu Manager Ibnohasim Undug ensure the capability of  Sulu port to cater more vessels and cargo's after the on-going  port expansion finish before year end.

Undug said, that his office still continue the policies and  still strictly imposing “No ID, No Entry” because  they are trying to protect the commuters, traveler or visitors coming in and out in Sulu”, Undug added.

The newly Sulu port Expansion is a Multi-Billion project of the Department of Public Works and Highways of the Autonomous Region In Muslim Mindanao (DPWH-ARMM) to cater more vessels and cargos  both local and international because Jolo port  is one of BIMP-EAGA gateway port in the country.

Undug said, the tariff of Jolo port is still the same, they did not  increase  their collections until the Regional Office  instructed them.

“I am asking the help of President Rodrigo Duterte to give us also a good port terminals with complete facilities like  X- ray inspection machines and other terminal equipment’s  to give safe and good services for our commuters here’, said Undug.

Undug is very thankful to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman of giving- away more projects in Sulu port, he is very positively give his full support and work hard to give more services here in Jolo.(The Redline News)

OPAPP, IOM - Pamana 2017 Empowered Sulu community

Jolo, Sulu – The Pamana 2017 empowered communities by giving them a way to transform their living conditions  more particularly those whose lives directly  in affected or  war- torn areas  and other atrocities  made by some armed groups.

The 250 individuals coming from different municipalities of Sulu are fully equipped and ready to face the world of biases and favoritism after  they  receives  trainings  and seminars of TESDA with  the collaboration of  International  Organization for Migration (IOM) and Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP)  through the Implementation of PAMANA 2017

The newly graduates  or  beneficiaries has successfully completed their chosen courses under the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Program of TESDA  and  individually receives their  starter tool kits in order to start their own business and to earned money for their family.

Amra S. Bamra, 50 year old from Jolo said, before she is just only a wife covered by his husband and brought no income to their family, but because of this opportunity given by PAMANA 2017, she is now ready to assists her husband to generate income and she now equally partner for their family. “ I am proud to finished my trainings here in Pamana because I am empowered now and have a chance to help my family”, she added.

She finished his cookery training, and she planning  to open a little café or food store near her house.

The  OPAPP Pamana 2017 is designed  to helped indigent communities or war affected areas. They conducted livelihood  trainings and seminars to empowered communities and to boost  the living condition of the people.

Pamana means  "Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan" is a national government program and framework for peace and development. They improve governance, reduce poverty and empower the communities.

Ms Rahima Alba, National Project Coordinator of International Organization for Migration (IOM) said, she is very happy because this is another milestone to help and  empowered people and to open more opportunities to the people here in Sulu. "It is my pleasure to help them", she added.

She look-forward that these newly skilled graduates will transform and productive individuals  sooner or later as well as a productive community. (By Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)

Cebu landslide retrieval operations hoped to end Sunday

SURVIVOR. Rescuers carry a survivor out of the landslide in the early days of search and rescue operation last week. Search and retrieval operations will continue until all missing persons have been accounted for, says Garry Cabotaje, Emergency Operations Center spokesperson pn Saturday (September 29, 2018). (Photo courtesy of the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office)

CEBU CITY -- Disaster responders dug up five disfigured body parts from the landslide site in the City of Naga on Saturday and are hoping to accomplish their mission by Sunday.

Garry Cabotaje, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) spokesperson, said there are now only 11 missing persons as of 2 p.m. and search and retrieval operations will continue until all of them have been accounted for.

Cabotaje said the number of missing persons could possibly be lower than 11 as there are nine body parts still unidentified.

I

f these body parts could be established as belonging to nine different missing persons, then the search and retrieval operations would be over soon, he said.

Cabotaje said the dismembered body parts could not be included yet in the death count, which stands at 72, pending the disaster victim identification (DVI) by the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7).

Fifty-three bodies and 23 body parts have been brought to the Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Cebu City, where the NBI-7 has been conducting forensic identification.

Meanwhile, neighboring municipality San Fernando has accommodated some of the displaced families and evacuees at the town’s basketball gymnasium.

There are now 64 displaced families, or 242 individuals, at the San Fernando covered court. (PNA/By Luel Galarpe)

Still suspended quarry operations may take longer to resume: MGB exec

MANILA -- Quarrying operations in the country that remain suspended may take longer to resume, as interventions from concerned parties are needed to ensure these will not affect the safety of nearby communities.

“It’s possible for the duration of the work involved to go beyond the end of (the) 15-day suspension period,” mining tenements engineer at the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Wendy Talento, said after Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu announced the lifting of the suspension on most quarrying operations on Thursday afternoon. 

Cimatu imposed a 15-day suspension of quarrying operations nationwide on Sept. 21, a day after the landslide in Naga City, Cebu province that killed more than 50 people. 

Naga residents were blaming the quarrying operations in the city for the landslide.  

Allowed to resume were quarrying operations that the MGB deemed safe for nearby communities. 

Quarrying is the digging of pits to extract stones and other materials from underground.

Talento said stakeholders running the still suspended quarries might have to do some interventions to ensure the safety of nearby communities.

The MGB also needs time to assess such work to determine if the agency would recommend the lifting of the quarrying suspension, she added.

Cimatu had ordered the suspension of quarrying operations in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Calabarzon), 5 (Bicol), 7 (Central Visayas), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao), and 13 (Caraga).

The suspension was for the government to assess the danger these quarries pose on nearby communities.

Allowed to resume operations are Holcim Mining and Development Corp., Northern Cement Corp., heirs of Elias Olegario, and 19 holders of industrial sand and gravel (ISAG) permits in the Ilocos region; Holcim Mining and Development Corp., Republic Cement, Eagle Cement, and six ISAG permit holders in Central Luzon; Republic Cement and Lafarge Holcim Aggregates Corp. in Calabarzon; Orophil Stonecraft Corp. in Bicol; Holcim Resources and Development Corp. in Northern Mindanao; and Holcim Mining and Development Corp. in Davao.

"That's the partial list of quarrying operations with lifted suspension," MGB Acting Director Wilfredo Moncano said.

The environment department will update the list once investigations into the still suspended quarrying operations find these safe, Moncano added. (PNA/By Catherine Teves)

2 women in Sulu recieved NC-II - Thank you to Pamana 2017

These two women in Sulu has been completed their courses during the 40 days of training's handed by TESDA with the help of Pamana 2017 under the umbrella of International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Office of Presidential Adviser and Peace Process (OPAPP).

"Masaya po kami dahil nagkaroon na kami ng kakayahan na maghanap-buhay para makatulong sa pamilya", Thank you sa Pamana", Alma S. Bamra said.

While Chessna M. Alkan , she is very thankful because through this NC-II she has an opportunity to find job and work to work abroad. (By: Becky D. de Asis)

250 TVET completers in Sulu receive starter tool kits and NC-II

By: Becky D. de Asis

Jolo, Sulu – Almost  250 beneficiaries  has been successfully completed their chosen courses last September 27, 2018 under the Technical and Vocational  Education Training (TVET)  program of TESDA in Notre Dame, Walled City of Jolo just earlier.

The beneficiaries rendered different courses like;  cookery, Food and Beverage, Bread and Pastry, Photovoltaic System Installation and Dressmaking .

The 250 graduates who received their different starter tool kits in order to start their livelihood activities or businesses and to boost  income for  their families.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Rahima D. Alba, project coordinator said, “this is the start of everyone’s dreams,  a successful parents or individuals by making their own businesses  or jobs in order to uplift their living conditions by using their knowledge in completing their chosen courses”, Alba said. 

"I am proud to give an opportunities and knowledge  especially  those in fragile communities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao", Alba added.

While  Project Manager of Pamana Sulu and  Sulu College of Technology Administrator  Eufremio N. Canaria also said. “I am proud that Sulu is one of beneficiaries of IOM,OPAPP  who handle this projects for our constituents here in our province”, he said.

"It is a big opportunity that we  successfully handled this big opportunity  for our constituents and helped them to boosts their living conditions and open more opportunities”,  Canaria added.

OPAPP Under Secretary Ronald I. Flores also said that their Office is ready to helped people and to open more opportunities through our programs and projects conducted around the country most especially  in those war affected areas like Sulu and the whole region of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao", he said.

The OPAPP and the IOM partnership giving away more opportunities and employment through their programs and projects and different training's  and seminars.

In Sulu, there were 508 completers coming from the municipalities of Jolo, Indanan, Maimbung, Panamao, Patikul, Talipao and Panglima Estino  has been completed their trainings at College of Technology , Inc., and have 588 out of the 598 (or 98%) of the completers have passed the competency Assessment  for the TESDA National Certificate, Level-II for the first batch who graduated just earlier. (By: Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)

Pres. Duterte give awards to 14 AFP casualties and survivors in Sulu

 Fourteen battle casualties  and survivors of the Joint Task Force Sulu were  awarded with the Order of Lapu-lapu level of Kampilan Medal by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during his visit in Sulu on Monday (September 24, 2018).

Barangay Poblacion of Sitangakai cried out for medicines - no medicines allocation from DOH

By: Becky D. de Asis

Mayor Serbin C. Ahaaja (red-polo shirt) together with Barangay Captain Rowena Kong Ahaja (2nd from left-above) and all Barangay Poblacion officials and Health Officer posed during they purchased medicines last week.

Sitangakai, Tawi – Tawi – The Barangay officials of this municipality cried out for help from the Department of Health due to insufficient supply of medicines coming from the region.

Barangay Captain Rowena Kong Ahaja together with her officials allocated budget for medicines for their constituents because they have more patients asking medicines and among others.

“Meron kaming bagong Health Center, pero wala talagang supply, kahit mga upuan, table, higaan para sa pasyente ni isa wala”, We need the help of our ARMM Health Secretary to please give us a little attention because we have a small MOA here to support the medicines of our constituents’, Ahaja said.

Sitangakai has 40 thousands registered voters and almost 60 thousands individuals out of 9 barangays.

The municipal government here under Mayor Serbin C. Ahaja allocated  budget  from his 20% Development Fund for the rehabilitation of some foot bridges connecting  poblacion to other barangays in order to give good services but they have minimal budget for medical services here.

Therefore, Barangay Captain Rowena Kong Ahaja  slashed her budget just for medicines in order to help the needy indigents communities. (By: Becky D. de Asis - The Redline News)

Father N Son's date strengthen relationship

The father-son relationship can be complex. 

Fathers and sons with widely different interests can find it hard to relate to one another. Sometimes dads and sons feel competitive against one another.

Sometimes their male tendencies to not communicate feelings are compounded as both want a better father-son relationship but neither one quite knows how to go about it.

As I have watched my own relationships with my sons, thought about my relationship with my own father, and observed many fathers and sons interact with one another over the years  I have identified some key elements to creating and building a strong father-son relationship

These two, the father n Son from Jolo, Sulu, Engineer Abdulmunir I. hadjirul with his son they both giving a chance to know each other. They develop common interest, played and learned their own.

This busy engineer of DPWH-ARMM  never hesitate to give time of his family. He give a chance to make their relationships happy, 

(wrote by Becky D. de Asis - The Redline News)

Sitangakai residents receive motor boats and pump-boats from BFAR -ARMM

Sitangkai, Tawi - Tawi - Barangay Captain Rowena Kong Ahaja and current municipal tourism officer received 20 motor boats and 10 pump-boats from Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources just earlier.

Ahaja immediately released the said pump-boats and motor-boats to the recipients in order to start their livelihood.

Rowena said, that she was very happy that her barangay is among the recipient from the BFAR and other agencies from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. (By: Becky D. de Asis) 

Sitangkai No.1 producer of quality seaweeds and dried fish

Dried Fish producer Ismael Jamael shows his Talikitok dried fish...

Sitangkai, Tawi –Tawi –  Sitangkai  is not only labeled  as “the Venice of the South”  but it is also called by the Department of Agriculture as Dried fish and Seaweeds producer of the South. Riched of first class fishes and all sea creatures around.

 The whole Sitangakai produced Thousand tons of seaweedsincluding  first class dried fish (Toyo) every week.

Aside seaweeds productions, they produced also a blue crabs, shellfish and other seafoods .

Dried fish  producer  Esmael Jamael of Sitangkai said, “naga deliver ako every  week ng  20 – 30 tons of dried fish sa karatig probinsiya at siyudad dito sa Mindanao”, Jamael Said

“We have a quality dried fish here like Talakitok, Lapu-Lapu, Solid fish, squid, and more kinds of dried fish”, Jamael added.

Mayor Serbin C. Ahaja

Meanwhile, Mayor Serbin C. Ahaja also said, that their seaweed production has  higher demand from the market because of its quality and good variety. They produced more than Thousand tons  may depend on clients demands.

“It’s a big opportunity to our people here because we have more source of income, no one is asking  foods  to eat because our island are more gifts  from God”, mayor said. (By: Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)

DENR ordered to review the Minahang Bayan Applications

Secretary Roy A. Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to review all small-scale mining areas identified under Minahang Bayan for geological hazards.

The said Minahang Bayan is a program under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources aimed at regulating small-scale mining operations nationwide.

“We will be stricter in approving Minahang Bayan sites, and affirm whether they conform to standards that are safe especially for the miners,” Mr. Cimatu  said in a statement last Tuesday.

This comes after cancelling all temporary permits of small-scale mining operations in the Cordillera Administrative Region yesterday as a response to the fatal landslide caused by Typhoon Ompong in Itogon, Benguet.

The MGB was also tasked to ensure that the shelters these small-scale miners were currently residing in are safe as well.

“Their (small-scale miners) residences should be far enough from identified geohazard areas,” Mr. Cimatu said. The review will also revisit and compare geohazard maps against known mining sites to avoid a repeat of the Itogon tragedy. (BusinessWorld)

Mayor Sarah Duterte surprised the open pit mining operation in Languyan

By: Becky D. de Asis

Mayor Sarah Duterte give her message about peace and unity including responsible mining in Languyan during the celebration of 41st Founding Anniversary of Languyan, Tawi-Tawi last September 19, 2018.

Bongao, Tawi – Tawi  -  Mayor Sarah Duterte was surprised after visiting Languyan, Tawi –Tawi after seeing the mountains lambasted by  some mining companies because it will hamper the future of the next generations and it hazards and isn’t safe, said  the mayor of Davao.

She urging  mayor  Yshmael I. Sali about the mining activities of his area of responsibility that she never happy because  President Rodrigo Duterte  also against mining operations particularly the open pit mining.

Mining site at Languyan, Tawi - Tawi 

But Davao Mayor still positive and ordered  to  the Mayor Yshmael I. Sali that he  must be a responsible on mining operations here.  

All residents  must improve  their living conditions  not only for those few people who are in power, but for  everybody who lives in this municipality.

The presidential daughter visited Languyan municipality last September 14, 2018 during the celebration of their 41st Foundation Anniversary.

Afterwards she is very thankful also to the people of Languyan about their full support the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte.

She calls for peace and unity because without peace and unity the government must not deliver a good services to people. She hopes that everyone continue to support the president’s advocacy and programs.

She is also thankful the warm welcome and respond of Tawi –Tawi government  and their  support the advocacy of his father, President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Rehabilitation area of Pax Libera mining company under Mike Defensor (right) with Gov. Rashidin Matba (left) (Photo by Becky D. de Asis)

Meanwhile, Mining operator Mike Defensor of Libera Pax mining company said, that they are responsible mining operators. They rehabilitate the mining area after they declared total mined-out. They follow the instructions and By-Laws of  (MGB) Mines  and Geosciences Bureau.((By Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)

DENR to tighten environmental watch in tourist areas

MANILA -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has vowed to intensify the enforcement of environmental laws in Boracay Island and other top Philippine tourist destinations.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said the agency will establish permanent offices in those areas to strictly implement environmental laws.

"Tourist destinations are where we have to make our presence felt," he told DENR central office employees Monday (Sept. 24), noting that natural resources provide ecological services and are among the country's tourist draws.

Aside from Boracay, he said Siargao, Palawan and Bohol are among tourist areas where DENR will set up offices.

he government closed Boracay for six months starting April 26 to help facilitate rehabilitation work in the island. It is scheduled to re-open on October 26.

The agency is cracking down on environmental violators in Boracay Island to save the world-famous tourist destination from further environmental degradation. Water pollution, accumulation of trash as well as encroachment in wetlands and forests are among environmental problems the agency has been fixing in the island.

The DENR and other members of the multi-agency task force spearheading Boracay's rehabilitation will meet soon to further check on the progress of the work, Cimatu said.

Citing latest available data, he said water quality in Boracay is improving. Water in Boracay's Bulabog Beach is already considered fit for swimming, he noted.

In preparation for the re-opening, Cimatu said DENR will push through with its 10-day dry-run beginning October 15.

The dry run would determine if measures like sewerage systems Boracay establishments installed - as part of this island's rehabilitation - are working.

"We have 10 days to check the work and correct defects," he said.

Cimatu added that solid waste would no longer accumulate in Boracay Island as the garbage contractor would transport waste daily out of Boracay. The contractor would dispose Boracay's waste at the sanitary landfill in Malay municipality proper which has jurisdiction over the island, he added. (PNA/By Catherine Teves)

2 Abussayaf surrender to Phil. Army

Jolo, Sulu  - Two (2) members of the Abu Sayaff Group in Sulu province were presented  last Friday morning of September 21, 2018  by Lieutenant Colonel Jesus C. Pagala Commander of the 21st Infantry Battalion (21IB)  to Colonel Peter Angelo L. Ramos, Commander of the 501st Infantry Brigade of Philippine Army.

The two (2) ASG member identified as Albi Amirol Alih @ALBI and Obin Umod Mano @SAIP, both under the group of ASG sub-leader Idang Susukan, voluntarily surrendered on  September 20, 2018  to the said Philippine Army Battalion.  

The surrenderee  turned over one (1) M1 Garand rifle and one (1) caliber 45 pistol and they were immediately  brought to KHTBSH, Bgy Busbus, Jolo, Sulu for medical examination and debriefing.

According to military official  that this is another welcome development as more ASG (Abu Sayaff Group) members are finaly realizing that it is better for them to abandoned the illegal activities they are doing, para naman mabigyan pa sila ng pagkakataon makapagbagong-buhay,” Brigadier General Devino Rey Pabayo, JTF Sulu Commander said after the report was sent to Western Mindanao Command early today.

The 501st Infantry Brigade is a unit of the 5th Infantry Division, Philippine Army based in Camp Bud Datu, Bgy Tagbak, Indanan, Sulu under the operational control of the Joint Task Force Sulu of the Western Mindanao Command. (PR/Posted by Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News)

Rekindling Sitangkai, the Venice of the South

By: Becky D. de Asis

The main canal of Sitangkai 

The breathtaking , the well-known “ TheVenice of the South” gathered every day a hundred of tourists visiting here because of its beautiful, bountiful and very progressive municipality in the Southernmost Island of the Philippines..

Sitangkai, a sword shaped island and the home of the stilted houses of the Sama Dilaut and Tausug  and this is labeled by some visitors as “Venice of the South” because of its wide canal as main gateway of this prestigious and enchanted municipality of the province of Tawi - Tawi.

stilted houses and footbridge

Along the main canal, there were smaller channels that leads to the inner communities and footbridges connecting  residents or communities from both sides of the canal.

No cars,  no tricycles, no bicycles that you can encounter anywhere here because only banca ‘s or boats as their major mode of transportation here.

Mayor Serbin C, Ahaja said, his municipality is very rich on seaweeds, crabs and all sea foods that made them as 1st class municipality of the said province.

Mayor Serbin C. Ahaja

Tourism Officer Rowena Kong Ahaja also said that there  were more visitors everyday coming from different countries, cities and provinces of the countries.

They were very happy of  visiting  Sitangkai because of its unique mode of transportation, foods, the hospitality and among others.

Mayor Ahaja also said, that  the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-ARMM) giving them a concrete footbridges in order to connect people, bridging them for their daily needs.

The new concrete footbridge 

On the other hand,  the mayor also asking the President Rodrigo  Duterte to please help them of having a good Hospital in Sitangkai because this is main problem  as of now”, said the mayor.

“Besides, we have our health centers but there were no beds, no medicines and even chairs, there’s none”, Mayor Ahaja said.

The Barangay Poblacion officials and barangay health officer posed inside the newly turned- over health center (Municipal Tourism Officer Rowena Kong Ahaja (2nd from right)

“Mr President Kami po ay humihingi sayo ng tulong para sa mga taga Sitangkai, nahihirapan po ang may sakit rito, dahil wala po kaming maayos na hospital facilities”, kaya kung maari po, sana magkaroon na po kami’, he said. (By Becky D. de Asis)

Public-private partnership boosts Nueva Ecija cultural tourism

 Street dancers  show their talents during the celebration of the first-ever Nueva Ecija Harvest Festival on Saturday. (Photo by Marilyn Galang)

CABANATUAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – The drive to make Nueva Ecija a tourism and travel destination received a big boost with a convergence of festivals by different towns and cities in this province, under the public-private partnership.

Provincial tourism officer Lorna Mae Vero said the first-ever Nueva Ecija Harvest festival that featured the festivities of at least eight municipalities and two cities of the province, in partnership with the Provincial Tourism Office and the SM City Cabanatuan Saturday, was a historical event that paves the way for an upscaled cultural tourism.

“Hindi mabubura sa alaala at kasaysayan na ito ‘yung kauna-unahang ginanap. Ang isang public-private partnership at kung may pagsasama-sama wala talaga tayong pupuntahan kung hindi pag-unlad ( It can no longer be erased in the memory and history that this was the first ever held. A public-private partnership and if there are unity and cooperation, we can never go anywhere but progress), Vero said.

She stressed that tourism is not only about beautiful places, eco-tourism, or farm tourism, but also about culture and heritage.

“Tourism is what we are doing now. It is cultural tourism. Our festivals, foods and faces and on how we live and dream,”she said.

Mark Carlo Herrera, mall manager of SM City Cabanatuan, said the Nueva Ecija Harvest festival that was conducted at the mall’s open car park from 3 p.m. to nighttime Saturday was a consolidation of the province’s awesome festivals.

The festival was primarily a presentation of the towns' and cities’ street dances that evolved in their own culture, history and life.

Among the local government units (LGUs), which participated, were the towns of Bongabon, Cuyapo, Guimba, Llanera, Nampicuan, Rizal, San Antonio, Zaragoza, and the cities Palayan and San Jose.

“We realized that Nueva Ecija has lot of things thay can offer, one of them are the festivals. Very rich culture and history. That’s why we came about to showcase each and everyone of them in one location, particularly SM City Cabanatuan. So by this, we were able to highlight the best that the province can bring to you,” said Herrera as he also underscored the local products and food which each municipality or city has.

“The talents of the youths here. We want to show those talents not only in Cabanatuan City but in the whole country,” he added.

Actor and First District Board Mamber Rommel Padilla said the first Nueva Ecija Harvest festival also showed the resilience of Novo Ecijanos, who can withstand challenges, especially that farmers have recently been affected by Typhoon Ompong. (PNA/By Marilyn Galang)

Gov't markets PH as major diving hub in Asia

MANILA -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is currently marketing the Philippines as an ideal diving hub in Asia by highlighting its numerous dive spots for beginners and professional divers who are inclined to underwater photography.

"Part of our commitment is to make sure that we promote the Philippines as a whole to the international diving community and more specifically to look at two segments that we feel we have a distinct advantage in: underwater photography and beginner divers," DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. said during the second day of the Diving Resort Travel Show in Ortigas Saturday.

Bengzon said he is optimistic the market for dive tourism will further grow with the year-round free diving opportunities in the country.

"We feel that we can be very competitive in this segment because all year round, there are free diving opportunities. And as in the case of mainstream diving, (we have) very rich marine life," he added.

United Kingdom-based DIVE Magazine had cited the best dive spots in the Philippines -- the Dimakya Island in Palawan; Donsol, Sorsogon; Dauin in Negros Oriental; Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro; Puerto Galera in Mindoro; Anilao in Batangas; Malapascua in Cebu; Coron Bay in Palawan; and the Tubbataha Reef, often called the diving Mecca in the Philippines.

Aside from these popular sites, the DOT shared emerging dive spots in Samal and Talikud Island in Davao del Norte, as well as Camiguin Island in Northern Mindanao.

In an interview, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the agency plans to strengthen the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving in a bid to market the country as an ideal dive hub in Asia.

This, while making sure policies are in place to protect all destinations being promoted in the country.

"We will make policies to make sure that everything is actually protected. Of course, you know that our overarching theme is sustainable tourism and of course, that goes with all marine resources,"
Romulo-Puyat said.

"(We have) a lot of our tourists, we have now 26 countries (nationalities) who came here just for the dive spots. I just came from Zamboanga del Norte and I'm actually surprised to see that they have really good diving destinations and there were a lot of Japanese there just to go for diving," she told reporters.

Meanwhile, as Boracay Island’s soft opening draws near, Romulo-Puyat said the interagency group has yet to discuss if diving activities would be part of the launch on October 26.

"Our last meeting with Task Force Boracay is on Sept. 28 and we will be discussing the following guidelines, one of those is diving," she added. "We will first see if diving can already be included when we open up on October 26." (PNA/By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora )