Campaign Posters

May 10, 2010 – MANILA – an automated election was conducted first time in the Philippine history. this to elect both national and local officials. Majority of the voters were disenfranchise due to large number of the machines used to read votes failed to operate in different voting precints around the country. (Buck Pago)

Asking for proper relocation

Residents of Arten, Navotas, who were already on their sixth day picketing in front of the National Housing Authority, were violently dispersed, without any dispersal order, by the combined force of the Quezon City Police District and Armed Forces of the Philippines minutes after midnight last Tuesday, April 13.The group, mostly composed by women and children, were asking for proper relocation after their houses in Arten were demolished. Two of the leaders were arrested, and several children and women were hurt during the dispersal. According to the picketers, some of the police were drunk, while some were in civilian clothes during the dispersal. (Angelica Carballo/AKP-images)

Roman catholic devotees flagellating during the holy week

02-April-2010-PAMPANGA- roman catholic devotees flagellating during the holy week, good friday, passes by a wall full of election campaign posters in pampanga. [AKP/Buck Pago]

Step Juan

Artist Activist Tomas Leonor is set to set his first steps from Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte to Matnog, Sorsogon on January 11 for Kids with Cancer through Step Juan: A Walking Expedition for Children of Cancer Warriors. Leonor will travel on foot 1,249 kilometers in 47 days to raise awareness and support to children afflicted with cancer. (Gigie Cruz/AKP Images)

Evacuees Welcome the New Year

01 January 2010 – Philippines — evacuees affected by the recent typhoon Ketsana and Parma welcome the new year in evacuation camps in brgy. Dos, Calamba, Laguna, outskirt of Manila. Due to damages brought about by the typhoons, over 1000 families are still displaced and live in crowded evacuation centers. The longer they stay, the worse the conditions get. The families have little or no access to clean water supply and proper sanitation, and some have already developed ailments, most common are skin and respiratory diseases. The national government have given the settlers only up to December 31 to relocate, after which, the evacuation centers will be dismantled. But the evacuees said they cannot go back to their original abode, which are either still underwater, or have been declared as danger zones. (Buck Pago/AKP-images)

PCSD recognizes “Friends of Environment” in Cagayan

Tuguegarao City (7 December) — The Provincial Committee on Sustainable Development (PCSD) has recognized the efforts and support of municipalities, barangays, schools and community organizations who demonstrated continued interest, sustained cooperation and support in making their environment clean, green, beautiful, and healthy to live in.

For the Model Barangay, Barangay San Jose of Baggao Cagayan won in the urban category while Barangay. Balingit of Pamplona, Cagayan won in the rural category.

The Municipality of Lallo, Cagayan was adjudged as this year’s Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the province in recognition of their efforts in managing their solid wastes that makes their municipality the cleanest.

Lallo was also the sole representative of the province in the recently concluded National Zero Basura Olympics Philippine Garbology Marathon 2008, a search for municipalities who have seriously implemented the Ecological Solid Waste Management or the RA 9003.

For the schools, Ballesteros National High School won in the Best School Implementer on Solid Waste Management, High School Category, followed by Calaoagan Dackel National High School, and for the 3rd place, is a tie between Gammad National High School, Iguig, Cagayan and Callao National High School, Lasam, Cagayan.

For the Technical, Vocational and Agricultural School Category, the Claveria School of Arts and Trades bested other schools, followed by Allacapan Vocational High School as the 2nd place and in the 3rd place, a tie between Itawes National Agricultural and Technical School in Tuao and Abulug National Rural School.

For the Elementary Category, Cabiraoan Elementary School bested other contenders. The school was also given the Hall of Fame Award for maintaining their award for three (3) consecutive years. The Matucay Elementary School garnered 2nd place, Mungo Elementary School- 3rd place, Catayauan Elementary School-4th place and Sta Cruz Elementary School-5th place.

For the Sustainable Development Project, the Integrated San Lorenzo Enterprises of Barangay. San Lorenzo, Lal-lo Cagayan won in the lowland category while the Cagayan Valley Resources Developers and Protectors Federation of Baggao, Cagayan won in the upland category.

Various schools were also given citations in recognition for besting in different areas of concerns that has something to do with the cleanliness and orderliness of their schools.

Atty. Joseph Pauig, Chief of Staff of the Province, who represented Governor Alvaro Antonio, mentioned that one of the Governor’s 10 point agenda is the protection and preservation of the environment, that’s why he extends his sincerest gratitude to the awardees for helping the government in implementing the solid waste management and in keeping their community clean and green.

The PCSD members headed by Forester Robert Adap of PNREO rejoiced in the successful conduct of this year’s awarding ceremony. He further acknowledged the untiring support and commitment of the member representatives from different agencies such as, DENR, DOLE, DepEd, CSU, PIA, DILG, Provincial Government of Cagayan, Process Luzon, EDASI, NCIP and PENRO. (Oliver B./PIA 2)

Mass funeral

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 4, 2009) – Journalists from General Santos City who were victims of the Maguindanao massacre are placed on a truck for a funeral march to Forest Lake Memorial Garden Friday morning, December 4. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION

Farewell

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 4, 2009) – Families, media colleagues and sympathizers witness the interment Friday noon, December 4, of eight of the local journalists who were victims of the Maguindanao massacre two weeks ago. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

Baguio City launches Panagbenga 2010

by Lito Dar

Baguio City (28 November) — The City Government of Baguio, in partnership with the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI), launched the schedule of activities for the Panagbenga 2010 in a simple program Monday morning.

Panagbenga 2010, the 15th staging of the Baguio Flower Festival, adopts the theme: “Celebrating 15 years of Festival Excellence.”

In his message, Baguio Congressman Mauricio Domogan stressed that the “Panagbenga” should be included in the annals of the city’s centennial history.

According to Domogan, the whole of Baguio should be enjoined in celebrating such tourism activity as it is an opportunity for all, regardless of color, tribal group or religion, to work together in promoting the city and Cordillera’s cultural identity. This is not only to sustain the city’s tourism industry, but also for the visitors and our own happiness as well, he said.

“It is also gives us the time to thank the Lord for giving us a beautiful environment, with all the trees and flowers. It is also a time to remind us of our own obligation to maintain and preserve such environment, so as to avoid the serious consequences of climate change,” Domogan added.

Confetti rained and balloons were released as Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr proclaimed the declaration of the Opening of the Panagbenga 2010. This was done simultaneous with the unveiling of the 15th Flower Festival banner, by the festival’s co-chairmen, Baguio Country Club General Manager Anthony De Leon and Camp John Hay Chief Operations Officer Freddie Alquiroz. The University of Cordillera also gave a performance as the Philippine Military Academy Band played the Panagbenga Hymn.

In a press conference, Alquiroz, assured the public of a grander staging of Panagbenga, that would equal if not surpass the Panagbenga 2009. He also highlighted the media’s important role on promoting the festival, so as the city’s tourism industry, could have a faster turnaround from the adverse effect of the recent disasters that hit the region.

“Through the media’s help, we can push forward the message that Baguio is here, up and about and never went out of business,” Alquiroz said.

De Leon bared that there will be new activities for the Panagbenga 2010, which will run from February 1 to March 7. Among these are new musical concert on the lake titled “Camelot,” during the staging of the Fluvial Parade at the Burnham Park Lake on February 14, and the staging of a “Mardi Gras,” at the Harrison road, in time with the Session Road in Bloom on March 1-7.

Other regular scheduled activities for the flower festival include Market Encounter at the Burnham Park (Feb. 1 – March 7), Legarda Rocks (February 12-14), Abanao Nights (Feb 26-28), Pony Boys Day (March 6), plus the usual highlights of the Panagbenga: a Grand Street parade on February 27 and a Grand Float Parade on February 28. The Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration (Feb.13) and the PMA Homecoming (Feb. 20 – 22), are also entwined with the Pangabenga 2010.

Meantime, Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR) Regional Director Pura Molintas also stressed the importance of sustaining the Panagbenga, which is a major tourist festival that has already gained an international stature. She said this is a major economic activity that plays a major role not only in boosting the city and the region’s tourism but also the country’s development as well. (PIA)

Party Convention

MANILA (November 20, 2009) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally opens the Lakas-Kampi-CMD National Convention Thursday, November 19, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City which was attended by an estimated 3,000 delegates from all over the country. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)