Welcome to Mindanao Magazine!

Hi Everybody! Welcome to the all new Mindanao Magazine! Starting today, we are embarking on a new path on the Web! Actually, I guess that we are moving up from our previous “path” to more of a highway now, with everything new and improved!

I am Bob Martin, “Mindanao Bob,” the Publisher and Editor in Chief of the Mindanao Magazine.

As always, we will continue to cover all of the issues in Mindanao, including News, Travel Information, Safety Updates, and I will be writing a weekly column regarding my experiences living in Mindanao! I am an American, but I’ve lived in Mindanao since May 2000, and a have a few things to share with you regarding my 8+ year stay on the island. In addition to living here, I have traveled extensively around the Island, and I hope to bring you along on some of my Mindanao Adventures through this site!

In addition to these informational pieces about Mindanao, we will now be combining our Mindanao Photoblog into the Mindanao Magazine too! So, the old Mindanao Blog and the Mindanao Photoblog are combining efforts to become the new Mindanao Magazine! I hope that you like it!

Please feel free to contribute your comments to the site! We want to hear from you. If you have some information you want to share, just contact me through our contact form, and you would be most welcome to write a guest column for the Magazine!

Salamat kaayo para sa imong nagbisita!

View of Vitali, Zamboanga

The municipality of Vitali in Zamboanga Peninsula os popular for its really cheap crabs and a scenic view of rice plantation.  Its just 2 hours ride away from the city.

Fostering Peace And Development In Tawi-Tawi

USAID Mission Director Jon Lindborg (right), Undersecretary Nabil Tan of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, Brigadier General Reynaldo Ramirez of the Western Mindanao Command (in back) and other officials were in Bongao this week for the launch of various USAID projects to benefit the people of Tawi-Tawi, done in partnership with the provincial government, Department of Transportation and Communication, Department of Public Works and Highways, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao government, and Petron Foundation, among others. GEM

Caraga PNP Gets Eight Brand New Mobile Patrols

Regional Office here received eight brand new patrol vehicles from the National Logistics and Research Development Division of the PNP National Headquarters, Camp Crame, Quezon City Monday.

The vehicles, all brand new Toyota Hilux model were also immediately turned over to eight different Municipal Police Stations in the region in last Monday’s flag raising ceremony held at the PNP-Caraga Regional Office parade grounds, Camp Rafael Rodriguez this city.

In a simple and austere turn over and blessing ceremonies, Caraga Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Jaime Elorita Milla turned over the keys of the vehicles to the Chiefs of Police of the eight recipient Municipal Police offices with the presence of local officials headed by Municipal Mayors of the recipient towns.

It was not however explained what were the mechanics in the selection process of the Municipal Police Stations beneficiaries.

The following recipient Municipal Police Stations were Bayabas Municipal Police Station, Cantilan Municipal Police Station and Tagbina Municipal Police Station, all in the province of Surigao del Sur;

Others were Bacuag Municipal Police Station in Surigao del Norte; San Francisco Municipal Police Station, Trento Municipal Police Station and San Luis Municipal Police Station, all in Agusan del Sur.

In eleven municipalities of Agusan del Norte, only Carmen Municipal Police Office received the much needed police mobile patrol vehicle.

The Municipality of Santiago in Agusan del Norte which badly needed a police mobile patrol vehicle for years was not a recipient.

Milla in his short message cautioned policemen in the usage of the mobile patrol vehicles which come from PNP Caraga Regional Office received eight brand new Toyota Hilux mobile patrol last MondayFilipino taxpayers’ money.

Caraga Watch NGO have been complaining in the past in the wasteful usage of government red plated vehicles which are seen in recreation, shopping malls and parking lots of restaurants, beach resorts even on Sundays and Saturdays.

“It is disappointing that in this time of crisis government officials riding government vehicles had the nerve of showing to us, taxpayers that during work days some vehicles are seen at shopping malls, restaurants and other entertainment areas”, Caraga Watch NGO said.

“The patrol cars which come from blood, sweat and tears of Filipino people must be used to combat growing criminalities that are poverty-related not in conducting checkpoints along national highways to pester traveling vegetable, rice and wood traders and farmers even ordinary motorists which is left uncheck until now”, Caraga Watch NGO in its press statement said.

Safe Passage to School

Barangay Bawing teachers and students are spared from the daily ordeal of crossing a creek to school with an 18-meter concrete footbridge that now connects Bawing National High School to the rest of the barangay. The facility was constructed by USAID’s Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) Program in partnership with the City Government of Gen. Santos City and is one of 830 barangay infrastructure projects built by GEM throughout conflict-affected areas in Mindanao in collaboration with local partners. GEM and its partners will construct approximately 1,000 similar projects over the next five years. GEM is implemented under the oversight of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo). GEM