AusAID allocates $17-M for Mindanao dev’t

By Rose B. Palacio

Davao City (15 February) — Over the past seven (7) years, the Australian government, through AusAID, has been supporting peace and development communities in Mindanao and has contributed over $17million, making Australia the largest single donor. AusAID fund assistance also cover the Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) program which succeeds the original 1997 initiative agreed between the Government of the Philippines and the United Nations.

Peace and Development Communities established under the Government of the Philippines-United Nations Multi-Donor program (GOP-UNMDP) was set up in 1997.

There are some 150 peace and development communities in the conflict-affected provinces of Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Davao del Sur, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Cotabato City.

Each is a cluster of barangays, formerly under the influence of the liberation front. Villages demonstrate both willingness and the potential for transformation into centers of peace aimed at strengthening their local organizations such as farmers’ cooperatives,, women’s groups, and senior citizens’ groups.

These groups are rebuilding their livelihoods through sustainable agriculture and micro-enterprises.

With high prospects for growth because of its vast natural resources, Mindanao, the largest but the most economically fragile island in the Philippines is expected to be transformed and bloom with the international assistance, including from Australia, based on a news about the Philippine-Australia Development Cooperation program. (PIA)

Cotabato joins fight vs prohibited drugs

Cotabato City (14 February) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) arrested last week 6 suspects in possession of about 6 grams of shabu.

PDEA-ARMM Regional Director Jane Aunzo told PIA-Cotabato City that her office will intensify their information dissemination regarding illegal drugs.

Very recently, PGMA orders PNP & PDEA to crackdown people behind the proliferation of illegal drugs nationwide.

The order came about amidst the much publicized raid of a one- stop shabu “resto” near a place station in Pasig City.

This includes the exaction of stern measures on concerned law enforcers will be a positive spin of the issue.

This move as perceived by many is an indication that the Arroyo administration will not make any let up in the fight against illegal drugs. (MCD-PIA 12)

Wind and Wave Davao bares first 2 graduates of Nitrox dive course

Davao City (15 February) — A FILIPINO businessman and a foreign executive from Cyprus are the first graduates of the Nitrox Dive Course in Davao City conducted by the Wind and Wave Davao.

They are Romeo Tabla, 44, of Davao City and 55-year old Douglas Alexander, fleet manager of the Dobson Shipping Lines, an affiliate of Del Monte Phils.

They took the three-day course given by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) Master Scuba Diver Trainer Oliver ¡ÈWeng¡É Ramos of the WWD. Tabla and Alexander first took a lecture and video showing on the first day before they went diving in the next two days.

Their first dive was at the Mansud Wall in Talikud Island of the Island Garden City of Samal. The next day, they went diving at the Pearl Farm Beach Resort also in Samal.

They enjoyed longer in their diving since the air they breathe was more cleaner and they stayed longer under the water.

WWD is the only dive center in Mindanao that offers nitrox diving, which needs a special mixture of nitrogen and oxygen on the gas tank.

Nitrox scuba instructor Matthew Caldwell of the American Nitrox Divers International (ANDI),the premier international educational agency for advanced diving technologies conducted a special training on WWD training equipment technician Amiel Cometa and dive crew Julius Ramos on “”how to blend the gas that will be used in nitrox diving.” Nitrox diving is also more safer since you will breath clean air. WWD, the only certified PADI Dive Centre in Mindanao and Davao City also offers trimix diviing. For inquiry, visit Wind and Wave and Davao at Sta. Ana Wharf or call (082)300-DIVE (marketing telefax). or they could visit our website: www.windandwavedavao.com.

Petron adopts Iligan school

Cagayan de Oro City (15 February) — IN line with the national government’s thrust of making elementary education accessible to all, the Department of Education (DepEd) recently launched the Adopt-a-School Program which aims to create multiple partnerships with the business sector, foundations, private schools, civic organizations and individuals to team up with the DepEd towards providing much-needed assistance and service to public schools.

The Petron Corporation, through its corporate foundation, Petron Foundation, responded to the call for assistance by adopting the Tomas Cabili Central School in Barangay Tomas Cabili, Iligan City, under its Petron Adopt-A-School Project. A three-classroom building was constructed with basic amenities such as toilet with septic tank, basic water system, and desks and chairs for teachers and students. The project also includes the conduct of appropriate training and workshops for the Parent-Teacher-Community Association to enhance their capacity and capability to manage and optimize the use of the facilities.

Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz, Lanao del Norte 1st District Representative Alipio “Tikbong” Badelles and Petron Corporation President and CEO Khalid D. Al-Faddagh were present during the signing and turnover of the Certificate of Donation and Acceptance. Also present during the turnover were Nicasio L. Alcantara, Chairman, Petron Corporation and DepEd Iligan City Division Superintendent Dr. Lourdes Tulod. (PIA)

Original Dabawenyo music features in ‘Huni sa Dabaw’

Davao City (15 February) — “Huni sa Dabaw”, the Davao original popular music competition, is now open to all professional and amateur songwriters and composers based in Davao City.

Interested participants must submit a musical composition – written in Visayan, Tagalog or any Mindanaoan dialect (with English translation) – that tackles any theme or issue that project human’s determination for a positive way of life.

The composition should not be less than three minutes but not more than five minutes in length. Time will start upon the start of the last note and will end when the last note is played or sung.

All entries must be in broadcast quality recording and should be submitted on or before March 4, 2006 at the City Tourism Operations Office, Rm. 27, 2/F City Hall.

The compositions will be performed on March 05 during the Qualifying Round or the Selection of the 10 Finalists 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at Gaisano South Citimall Entertainment Center and on March 13 during the Huni Concert at SM City Davao Entertainment Center.

During the performances, participants may perform their entries live with instrumentation or using minus one.

The entries will be judged based on the following criteria: Lyrics Literary Merits – 40%, Musicality – 40%, Popular Appeal/Impact – 10%, and Music Performance – 10%. Prizes are as follows: Grand Prize – P40,000 and trophy, 2nd Prize – P30,000 and trophy, 3rd Prize – P20,000 and trophy, 7 Runners-up P5,000 each and certificates, and Best Interpretation – P5,000 and trophy.

For more information, contact Oca Casaysay at tel. nos. 222.1956-7 or visit the City Tourism Operations Office, Rm. 27, 2/F City Hall, San Pedro St.

“Huni sa Dabaw” is one of the main events of this year’s celebration of the 69th Araw ng Dabaw. (PIA)