Off to the North
August 31, 2009 by MindanaoBob
Filed under Feature, Travel
GUMASA, Sarangani (August 31, 2009) – At high noon Monday, August 31, Singaporean adventurer Khoo Swee Chiow, Erwin “Buzzy” Budlong of Cebu City and Arnel Gabutero of Davao City bid goodbye to well-wishers in Gumasa beach as they begin the first-ever attempt to kayak the entire length of the Philippines from Glan, Sarangani to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte in a 3,300-km. journey over 100 days. At intervals along the route, the team will meet up with fellow kayakers, students and community clubs to forge friendship and promote kayaking. Mr. Khoo’s undertaking is significant as it takes place against the backdrop of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Singapore and the Philippines this year. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
“Friendship Kayak” Project in the Philippines
August 31, 2009 by MindanaoBob
Filed under Travel
GUMASA, Sarangani (August 31, 2009) – Singaporean adventurer and motivational speaker Khoo Swee Chiow (foreground), Erwin “Buzzy” Budlong of Cebu City and Arnel Gabutero of Davao City are set to launch Monday, August 31, the first-ever attempt to kayak the entire length of the Philippines from the southern tip of Mindanao
Councillor Carampatana Lambasted BCWD for Investing Millions to Useless Projects
August 31, 2009 by MindanaoBob
Filed under News
August 31, 2009
by: striker_jem
Butuan – Purchasing 7 micro-filters worth more than 140M in additional to the multi million Phase II project which includes the installation of the infiltration gallery by the Butuan City Water District will not solve the main issue confronting the potability of water sourced out in Iyao, Anticala.City Councilor Ramon Carampatana said that the manganese content within Taguibo Watershed reached to .9 ppm which exceeded to .4 being the standard volume content as reported by BCWD Chemist Meinheart Catache as already alarming and should have been taken first consideration
The Councilor added, “I and the whole officialdom of Butuan City government highly condemned any illegal activities within the watershed area, but pointing these as the main cause to shut down the infiltration gallery because of high turbidity and installing 7 micro-filters do not address long term effect of the real issue on water potability being provided to the people.”
What was questioned now is whether BCWD has the political will to resolve the quality of water being provided to its concessionaires instead of just providing sufficient supply.
The issue raised by BCWD on watershed has already been addressed but the fact still remains as manifested by Father John Young of the Save Taguibo Watershed Network that the matter could not affect the water quality but the exposure to manganese contamination over a long term would greatly affect the health of the people.
Forester Achilles Ebron of DENR-PENRO also manifested that cutting of trees has nothing to do nor it could not disturb the soil and therefore it cannot contribute to a high level of 
turbidity.
City Councilor already filed a resolution asking the BCWD to provide the Sangguniang Panglunsod the structural design of the infiltration gallery to discuss collectively the issue of BCWD’s alleged incompetency by investing millions of funds but without making available to the concessionaires clear water without any contamination despite advanced technology available in the market.
The point raised by the councillor has not been contradicted in fact, Emmanuel Estimos confirmed that BCWD could provide clear drinking water to the public with the installation of 7 micro-filters purchased in Israel but it does not have the capacity to remove or lessen the volume of manganese contamination.
According to Councilor Carampatana, BCWD must adopt an effective water treatment facility, not a water filter for them to provide the public a safe, quality and potable water.
Banjo will not run for Congress – Bully
August 31, 2009 by MindanaoBob
Filed under News
By Jun Parada
The denial came from the lawyer’s younger brother and namesake Mayor Constantino “Bully” Navarro IV, incumbent chief executive of Del Carmen municipality in Siargao Island.
In a live interview through “Timbangan sa Lungsod” aired over DxSN, Bully branded the reports as intrigues aimed to destroy their family’s healthy relationship with Cong. Francisco Matugas. He said he met with Banjo in Manila and the latter revealed to him that he was being convinced but did not buy the offer of the other political group because he wanted the Navarros to be solid and united as brothers.
Bully stressed that Banjo would always hear him because “blood is thicker than water”, they have the same origin, have the same names and there was no reason for them to part ways.
He added that the filing of candidacies is still far and made a reminder by saying “let’s cross the bridge when we get there” in relation to the said rumors. He advised Board Member Alabat to wait for the exact time and refrain from spreading confusing news and wrong information to the public.
The youthful mayor even revealed that he was also being courted to run as vice-governor, but, for him, he would never leave Del Carmen because his dream and the dream of his father and namesake, former Representative Constantino Navarro, Jr., to bring development to their town especially in the tourism industry and other developmental projects were not yet finished.
Bully emphasized that he would stick with Partido Padajon Surigao, in character and in principle, because this was where he saw the package of development through the leadership of Cong. Francisco Matugas.
He cautioned the public not to be carried away with intrigues and misleading issues as he reemphasized his loyalty and solid alliance with his wedding godfather Cong. Francisco Matugas.
Mapping Out
August 31, 2009 by MindanaoBob
Filed under Feature, Travel
GUMASA, Sarangani (August 31, 2009) – Governor Migs Dominguez (left) maps out Monday, August 31, the southern Mindanao
