Subanon Fernandez Anda’s face lit up when he saw us emerge from the bushes and clump of trees and into the clearing. He eagerly welcomed us to his hut and waited for us to catch our breaths after an hour’s trek to the steep and rugged mountains of Sitio Gulangan. He was thrilled to tell us his story. Fernandez Anda and daughter with rice harvested from their own terraces and milled in their own backyard.
Our group was headed by Yulo Perez, TVIRD vice president for Philippine Operations; and Thess Limpin, TVIRD manager for Community Relations and Development Office (CReDO). We were joined by CReDO Information Officer Jose “Pepe” Dagala, and Social Development Consultant German Romano. Barely three months since our last visit to this piece of land in the Subanon ancestral domain in Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, Anda’s farm is now a picture of abundance. What used to be muddy earth is now covered with yellow-green rice stalks, with their golden grains standing out under the blazing sun. The model rice terraces project is a success.
Anda, 51, is the first beneficiary of the Farmer-Instructor Technician (FIT) program, a livelihood-through-agroforestry component of the Social Development and Management Plan for the indigenous people (IP) hosts of TVI Resource Development Philippines, Inc. (TVIRD). The company has, since mid-2004, been operating a gold and silver mine in Sitio Canatuan, also in Siocon, and will begin producing copper and zinc in mid-2008.
The first rice terraces in the mountains of Zamboanga Peninsula, shown here ready to be harvested. If the success of Anda’s farm were to be a gauge, then it is safe to say that the once semi-nomadic Subanons, who were used to the traditional – and destructive – slash-and-burn farming method, can easily adopt the irrigated multi-cropping scheme using the rice terraces farming technology – the same technology applied by generations of Ifugao IPs in the mountainous terrains of Northern Philippines.
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Cong. Rosendo ‘Dodoy’ Labadlabad had fondly called it ‘hard work’ when Cong. Cesar Jalosjos, Cong. Cely Carreon and himself worked to secure P168M for the improvement of Dipolog Airport. He disclosed that the amount should be spent to extend the runway of the airport and the installation of landing lights.
Another P50M was also appropriated for the construction of a new airport terminal building. On the other hand, he disclosed that the remaining P30M from his congressional funds shall be used in concreting the road from Dipolog to Sergio Osmeña, particularly the road from Sangkol to Cogon which is a 7-8 kilometer road.
He admitted though that such budget could not finish the road but such could be a good start to finish the project, he projected. (Press Freedom, Vol. XX No. 7)
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Mayumi Gassmann, Miss ZAMNAI 2003 is slated to crown this year's winner of the Miss ZaNorte-Illinois pageant on December 15.
Mayumi (Tagalog, "modest") is the daughter of Karl and Lee Gassmann. She was born in Dapitan City and is a descendant of the Empeynado and Acaylar clans. Her father, Karl Heinz Gassmann was a renowned architect that helped design the Zurich airport and also played minor roles in theatre and films as well. Her mother, Lee Gassmann, is an agriculturist and a full-time nurse.
Mayumi is currently a senior at Albert G. Lane Technical High School, and is within the ranks of the honors classes. Her favorite subject is Biology and has attained high marks to be included in the Advanced Placement Biology Course she is currently taking.
She plays the piano and the cello and is a member of the Lane Tech Orchestra. In addition to this, she also enjoys singing.
Mayumi aspires to become a pediatrician some day. In the meantime, she enjoys working on her computer, socializing with friends, and appreciating art and painting.
Mayumi's participation in the 2007 Miss ZaNorte-Illinois pageant provides a symbolic transition in the community's traditions and values.
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The province of Zamboanga del Norte garnered two out of three major awards given recently by the Regional OTOP (One-Town, One-Product) Team during the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional OTOP Conference held on October 18-19, 2007, at the Garden Orchid Hotel, Zamboanga City. This was announced by the Department of Trade and Industry- Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Office.
The Department of Trade and Industry- Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Office announced that the province of Zamboanga del Norte garnered two out of three major awards given recently by the Regional OTOP (One-Town, One-Product) Team during the Zamboanga Peninsula Regional OTOP Conference held at the Garden Orchid Hotel in Zamboanga City.
The three awards given are: Most Outstanding SME Partner, Most Supportive LGU, and Most Active OTOP Partner-Agency. MENDOZA INDUSTRIES of Sicayab, Dipolog City, producer of Mendoza Sardines, bested other SMEs in the region and won the Most Outstanding SME Partner. The DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (DOST) Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Science and Technology Center, manned solely by Engr. Marcial Dahonan, won as the Most Actice OTOP Partner-Agency. The Most Supportive LGU was awarded to Zamboanga City LGU. Reportedly, the Zamboanga del Norte LGU came in as second placer, in a very tight competition.
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President Gloria M. Arroyo recently invited interests from the Chinese investors when she told them about Zamboanga del Norte among the best investment destinations in Mindanao. This was disclosed by Gov. Rolando Yebes after his trip with the president to China. In round-table business conference in Shanghai, China, the governor felt the interests of Chinese businessmen in mineral mining and tourism.
Although their interest learned more on mineral mining, he clarified before them that he was not against mining as long as standards observed by the mining companies in Europe and America are also strictly followed, in the province. Among those interested to visit the province included business tycoon Lucio Tan and his wife who showed interest in tourism.
The provincial governor was part of the president’s retinue who visited China last week. The governor received the invitation for the trip when PGMA visited the province to inaugurate the ZaNorte Medical Center on September 18. Another country visited by PGMA’s group was India where they planned to procure cheaper medicines in order to strengthen the president’s program on Botika sa Barangay. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 53)
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Monsignor Jose Manguiran recently reaffirmed the stand of the Diocese of Dipolog against the mining activities of the foreign-based mining company. “No, we have not stopped harping against mining explorations in the province,” the priest disclosed, adding that the entire province would be turned upside down if TVU would be permitted to conduct more mining explorations here.
The Diocese of Dipolog reaffirms its stand against the mining activities of the foreign-based mining company here in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.
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On the other hand, he criticized the Canadians for sponsoring an art contest among the natives. The bishop pointed out that the art or drawing did not actually depict the real scenario, especially in Canatuan, Siocon. “The drawings did not really picture what is really going on at present,” he said, pointing out that in reality the Canadians were displacing the Subanens from heir ancestral land.
Moreover, he pointed out, the mining companies have turned the natives against one another in order to settle themselves comfortably. He explained that if the Subanens would protest against the presence of the mining company, the latter would organize another group who would also give them permission to mine in order to show that the natives have been divided in their stand. “This clearly means that the miners themselves are instrumental in creating a mess among the natives and dividing them by turning them against each other”, the bishop concluded. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 52)
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DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assured today that the P1.326-billion Sibuco-Siraway-Siocon-Baliguian (SSSB) Road project in this province would be finished as scheduled in 2009 to bring development and prevent the access of terrorists in the area.
In a media interaction following the inauguration of the Zamboanga del Norte Medical Center here, the President said the road project would now be undertaken by the Engineering Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) since the private contractors of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are shying away due to the presence of lawless elements in the area.
"Because this is really a very poor and very remote area, maybe it should not be given to the private contractors because they are afraid of going there. It is a missionary area. If necessary, we will assign the Engineering Brigade to be the one to carry it out," she explained.
The President said she would apprise Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane of this development.
She said the road network area is where American Gracia Burnham was rescued by government troops and where her captor, then Abu Sayyaf chief Abu
Sabaya, was killed back in 2002.
"That is the area that we want to bring development because the poverty and the isolation make it easy for them to hide these lawless elements," the President pointed out.
The road network is part of the 20 priority road projects that the government is improving, rehabilitating or constructing by 2010.
Once finished, the road network project is expected to improve the peace and order, socio-economic, and cultural linkages in Zamboanga del Norte by providing access to the centers of agricultural, industrial, fishing, commercial and tourism activities.
The province's agricultural products include cacao and cassava, aside from the coconut oil mill in Sirawai town which is being shipped to key cities in the country via Siocon town or this city.
The road project which traverses the towns of Sibuco, Sirawai, Siocon and Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte is part of the President's concept of spurring development in the super regions through the rehabilitation and establishment of road and sea networks. (PIA-ZN)
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Definitely, it is because of Gov. Rolando Yebes’s big heart for the poor people and his different pro-poor programs in the province that shaped him for the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award. Some friends close to the Provincial Governor pointed out that the different indigent programs of the governor like Lando BIBO, Tabang ni Lando sa Communidad, Poverty Mapping Program, etc. in the 25 municipalities and two cities led him to the most coveted PLB Award, which he received on September 19 in Manila.
Definitely, it is because of Gov. Rolando Yebes’s big heart for the poor people and his different pro-poor programs in the province that shaped him for the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award.
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Roxas, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE - Boosting more of their creative side, 20 members of the Youth Enhancement Support program and out-of-school youths joined the sewing craft training at Brgy. Dohinob, Lower Irasan and Upper Irasan in the municipality of Pres. Manuel A. Roxas.
The training dubbed, “Productivity Skill and Capability Building” kicked-off last September 4 at the PSCB Building of the Provincial Agricultural and Industrial Center at Brgy. Irasan that was facilitated by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO).
For his part, Provincial Governor Rolando Yebes directed the Community Development Assistance Unit to launch more livelihood trainings wherein members of the YES and out-of-school youths can benefit from the training.
The sewing craft training will run for at least 20 days with the PSCB trainers who will teach and train the participants.
YES members in other parts of the second district are also being trained in sewing and other profitable livelihood programs. (Transcribed by dtanzo, Mindanao Star, Vol.III No.33)
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Alarmed by the wastes generated by each person every day, the Dipolog City Government recently decided to put the 3Rs of waste management to practice: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Source disclosed that Mayor Evelyn Uy was really serious in implementing the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and closing the present garbage dumpsite in Sangkol.
It was learned that the waste management program of the city shall be barangay-based, meaning waste segregation could start right from every household in the barangay. Moreover, each is encouraged to separate the biodegradable materials from the non-biodegradable and the latter be placed in a recovery facility to be picked up by junk buyers later on. Read more
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