Sagada Weaving granted patent certificate

SAGADA, Mt. Province - The Sagada Weaving, a pioneering weaving firm in this mountain tourist town, is now a Patent Holder of Designs.

Juliet Lucas, Provincial Caretaker of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here, said the Bureau of Trade Marks of the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the Bureau of Patents have granted Sagada Weaving patent certificates to its local designs.

Medical-dental mission conducted

PARACELIS, Mt. Province - Some 353 indigent villagers in remote Barangay Palitud, this municipality, were the beneficiaries of the recent medical and dental mission jointly initiated by the 54th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army and the Municipal Government.

Of the 353 beneficiaries, 304 were provided with medical services such as consultation and circumcision, while 45 others were given dental services mostly on tooth extraction. The Army’s skilled “soldier-barbers” also provided free haircut to some of the residents.

4Ps beneficiaries in expansion area receive first cash grant

BONTOC, Mt. Province - The government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is now distributing the first release of cash grant to its 194 poor family-beneficiaries in the municipality of Barlig covering the months of July and August this year.

According to Municipal Link Winnie Joy Lad-ey, there are 223 originally listed families under the program but 29 are considered as inclusion errors. They are not qualified as beneficiaries since these are either teachers or Municipal Government employees in the municipality.

Ifugao seeks funding for organic farming

LAGAWE, Ifugao - The Provincial Organic Agriculture Network (POAN) here and the Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAOs) of Ifugao are seeking funding of their organic farming project.

The needed amount is P2.7 million.

Cops nab suspected drugs dealer

TWO suspected dealers of illegal drugs were arrested by joint elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Northern Mindanao and Misamis Oriental Provincial Police Office in separate buy-bust operations in Misamis Oriental and Iligan City on Wednesday morning.

Arrested were Marites T. Macapanton, 54, and Analiza D. Amabao, who are both in the police’s drug watch list.

MILF: Peace negotiations moved forward

DESPITE the gruesome encounters in Basilan and Zamboanga that claimed the lives of around 30 soldiers last month, the Government of the Republic of the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) Peace Panel has reportedly moved forward in aiming for a long-lasting peace in Mindanao and the country.

Mike Pasigan, MILF peace panel representative, said the negotiations between the Philippine government and the MILF have moved forward despite the recent issues and conflicts during the negotiations held at in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Bukidnon farmers condemn harassment by Fortich guards

AN ORGANIZATION of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) farmer-beneficiaries condemned the harassment perpetuated by six heavily armed guards to a team of agrarian reform implementers tasked to conduct ocular inspection and valuation of a 331-hectare estate in Bukidnon on Tuesday.

Members of the Fortich Farm Landless Farmers Beneficiaries Association (FFLFBA), Northern Bukidnon Agrarian Reform Officer Julio Celestiano and his staff together with representatives of Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) were barred by armed guards from entering the Fortich Farm in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Mindanao power consumers to brace for higher rates

WHILE the Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (Cepalco) failed to get its proposed power rate adjustment, power consumers in Mindanao may still experience high cost of power due to adjustments passed on by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

City Councilor President Elipe, chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Energy, said the rate increase was incorporated in the electric bills received by local power consumers.

Officials hit DOJ decision on Arroyo’s request

THE refusal of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to allow former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to seek medical treatment abroad has drawn negative reactions from both national and local officials.

City Councilor Edgar Cabanlas said Arroyo’s right to travel should be respected since she is not only “ailing” but that no case has been filed yet against her.

US Embassy observes Veterans Day on Nov. 11

THE United States Embassy will be closed today, November 11, in observance of Veterans’ Day, which is an American holiday.

This advisory was issued by officials of the US Embassy so that people from Northern Mindanao who want to transact business with them can make the necessary adjustments in their schedule.

Press Club holds 60th founding anniversary on Nov. 11

THE Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) will celebrate another milestone of upholding press freedom as it turns 60 years old today, November 11.

The COPC, one of the oldest media organizations in the country, will gather its members in various activities to celebrate the 60th founding anniversary of the club with the theme “Balik-Lantaw, Pamalandung, Pasasalamat ug Tubag sa Hagit sa Panahon” (Reflection, Discernment, Thanksgiving and Answering the Challenges of the times).

Pacquiao, Marquez vow to give fans a great fight

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Mexican challenger Juan Manuel Marquez vowed to resolve in their third match Sunday (Philippine time) the virtual stalemate brought about by what many perceived was indecisive result of their initial two meetings.

Pacquiao, owner of the 147-pound belt, vowed to prove to boxing fans all over the world that he was the one who emerged triumphant in their last two fights.

Tax bureau to stop Mikey Arroyo’s trip to US

MANILA -- The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) will prevent Ang Galing party-list Representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo from leaving the country for the United States.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said every time a criminal case is filed and the accused wants to leave, it is normal for the agency to object.

Lawmaker: DBP lent money to Ongpin-owned firm without loan application

SENATOR Sergio Osmeña III said on Thursday that the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) lent a company owned by former Marcos trade minister Roberto Onpin around P3.8 billion even though the businessman did not ask for the money.

Palace announces improvements in Ninoy Aquino airport

THE Manila international airport is currently being improved after it was criticized for being one of the world's worst.

A Malacanang spokesperson said Thursday that concerned government agencies are quickly refurbishing and upgrading the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) upon the orders of President Benigno Aquino III.

FVR to launch book of father's quotes today

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Today, FVR will again be at the Sison Auditorium.

But this time, he will lead the formal launching of WOW (Words of Wisdom) FVR 111111-111, a book of quotations collected and edited by Melandrew Velasco.

11,000 youths in Pangasinan to pray the rosary on 11-11-11

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan -- Eleven thousand young people from the towns and cities under the Lingayen-Dagupan Archdiocese will simultaneously pray the rosary at 11 a.m. on Friday at the St. John's Metropolitan Cathedral here.

Dubbed as 11.11.11 @ 11 a.m., the project will help the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan join the nation in praying the rosary as part of the Catholic Church's initiative called "A Million Roses for the World."

Davao is world's 87th top city

DAVAO -- The only Philippines city included in the Top 100, Davao City placed 87th in the list of fastest-growing cities and urban areas in the world.

Web-based research group City Mayors Foundation published on its website at www.citymayors.com a listing of 200 cities around the world that were ranked based on assumed annual growth rates.

Davao won't sponsor free viewing of Pacman-Marquez fight

THE Davao City Government will not provide free viewing of the match between Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, unlike other cities and municipalities across the country.

"Naa paying client ang Davao City Recreation Center (DCRC) sa day and time sa (The DCRC has a paying client on the day and time of) Pacquiao's fight, so we have to give way to the city enterprise," said Mayor Sara Duterte on Thursday.

City spends more than 50% of education fund

THE City Government of Davao utilized more than 50 percent of its P243 million Special Education Fund (SEF) in the first three quarters of 2011.

Based on the city's latest statement of income and expenses for its SEF, the City already spent a total of P156,942,572.96 from January to September this year.

Davao ‘won't be flood-free’

AS THE rainy season approaches, an official of the City Building Office admitted Thursday that Davao City will not be flood-free.

Engineer Rolando Reyes, officer-in-charge of the City Engineer's Office (CEO), said, however, that the city can do mitigating measures to address problems related to flooding.

Credibility of construction firm questioned

MANILA-based construction company, R2 Builders Inc. (RBI), which is interested in developing the area near the Sta. Ana wharf into a modern marina and residential complex, had some questionable dealings with local and national governments.

The company was allegedly involved in bribing some city councilors so that ordinance on the private-public partnership, which would allow them to do business with the City government, would be passed.

Rebels shot soldier in front of minor children

MEMBERS of the New People's Army (NPA) shot dead a soldier right in front of the latter's two minor sons and nephew Thursday morning.

Army Corporal Wenie Carampatana was riding a motorcycle with the three minors in Barangay Poblacion Malabog, Paquibato District, Davao City, when three armed rebels shot him around 6:30 a.m. of November 10.

Pasalubong Center's soft opening set

DAVAO City’s "Pasalubong Center" is undergoing construction and in preparation for its soft opening slated next month.

Rolando Reyes, officer in charge of the City Engineer's Office, said the phase 1 of the construction is being fast-tracked.

City orders closure of Emar's Wavepool

A POPULAR resort in Davao City has been ordered closed for its failure to comply with business permit requirements.

Emar's Wavepool Beach Resort in Times Beach, Matina Aplaya was given their first closure order notice on August 24, 2010 and the final closure notice was issued on November 4.

Farmers: Malabog village also infested by rats

AROUND 320 farmers of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) urged the Davao City Government on Thursday to look into the massive rat infestation in Barangay Malabog, Paquibato District.

The protesting farmers staged a protest from Almendras Gym, Trading Boulevard, City Agriculturist Office (CAO) on Magallanes Street to City Hall to air their grievances against the City Government.

Village leaders stand firm vs 2nd round of Bt eggplant test

BARANGAY leaders from Barangays Mintal and Bago Oshiro stood steadfast in their decision not to allow a new round of Bt eggplant testing.

Mintal barangay captain Ramon Bargamento and Bago Oshiro barangay captain Jonah Macarayo, who were present at the recently conducted Public Forum on the controversial Bt eggplant on November 4, both aired their respective positions against the field testing of the Bt eggplant.

Turtles blamed for fishpen industry problems

CANDABA – The “turtle phenomenon” in this town has been blamed for the recent financial reverses experienced by several fishpond operators here.

According to Bong Mangalino, a fishpond owner, the presence of turtles in their area is now affecting the whole industry’s income.

Aquino assures media freedom to broadcasters

CLARK FREEPORT — President Benigno Aquino III assured members of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) that his administration will not curtail media freedom in the country, noting that the press will continue to become the guardian of Philippine democracy.

However, the President stressed that “such freedom should be accompanied with responsibility.”

CLTV36 bags best provincial TV station award

CLTV36 reaped the first-ever Golden Dove Award for Best TV Station (Provincial) in the recently concluded 20th Golden Dove Awards held by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) on October 26 at the Star Theatre, Star City Complex, Pasay City.

Despite CLTV36’s “youth” in the provincial media scene, it already has a Golden Dove Award for Best TV Station to its name. This further affirms the TV station’s quality programming and commendable broadcast standards.