Rebs savor weeklong lull in war

PAQUIBATO DISTRICT, Davao City (MindaNews/22 February) – It’s a sunny day and Ka Ruben, a New People’s Army guerrilla, turned the dial of his portable radio to scan for FM stations. He stopped turning the dial upon hearing “Carrie,” a hit song of Swedish band Europe, and started to sharpen his bolo beside his hammock underneath the young ipil-ipil trees.

After a few strokes and the bolo had become sharp enough, Ka Ruben laid down on his hammock and took a deep breath as he watched the houses of civilians from his post on top of a hill. With his assault rifle dangling on the branch of a tree, he took the opportunity to get a long rest until the afternoon. Read More »

The Water Hyacinths in Ligusan Marsh

When Ruby Thursday  More was still working on her portfolio about Moro women, we happened to meet Bai Romina Pendatun-Ali in the marshy town of Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun sometime in March this year.

After making some arrangements on our trip to one of the villages in Liguasan Marsh, Bai Romina shared to us that she has been encouraging the women in GSKP to learn the craft of mat and bag weaving since there are so many indigenous materials available in the area.

“Para naman hindi na sila mahirapan na sumama sa mga asawa nila para mangisda sa Liguasan Marsh. Grabe ang init ngayon,” she stressed.

She bared that there is a Moro women’s group in GSKP that is that is into bags and mat weaving. The group is also sharing the technology to other interested women.

I was really interested to interview this women group but we had no time anymore and it is not our priority yet. Our main target for the days is to get in to the marsh. So I asked her if we could go back in GSKP and interview the women group. And she said, YES.

But last August 19,during the opening of the Mindanao Trade Expo 2010, the women group I was looking for is among the 100 exhibitors.

Finally, I have a story now! I was able to interview the head of the women group. I also introduced the women group to my fellow journalists. But the head of the group, still invited us to visit their place and meet their women weavers.

Women’s group making money from water hyacinths in the Liguasan Marsh

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/20 Aug) – While water hyacinths are being blamed for clogging and flooding some areas near the Liguasan Marsh, a women’s group based in Gen. Salipada K. Pendatun (GSKP) town of Maguindanao is making money out of this aquatic plant that can be found in the marshy villages. The water hyacinths, which are free-floating perennial aquatic plant, are commonly found in the towns surrounding the Liguasan Marsh that straddles the boundary of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Commentary: Thou Shall Not Steal Photos

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/12 Aug) — I was browsing the official Kadayawan sa Davao website on Wednesday morning to check for upcoming events when I noticed a familiar photograph of then Vice Mayor (now Mayor) Sara Duterte hailed by her supporters outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office after filing her certificate of candidacy for mayor.

I thought it was Ruby Thursday More’s photograph because it was not posted on my Flickr account, where I usually upload my dispatched photos. But when I checked on the sent folder of my email, it turned out it was my photo after all. Read More »

Power and mining investments in Mindanao

On Saturday, July 31, we had a chance to interview Mindanao Economic Development Authority chair Jesus Dureza if what could be the long term priorities for Mindanao that could help boost the economy of the region. He identified two things: mining and power.

This could mean more mining applications under Aquino administration as well as more proposals for hydro-dams in major rivers in Mindanao. I asked him if what are the potentials of having alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar. He said yes but it’s pretty expensive for the government to develop these alternative sources of energy.

Although he acknowledged that there are potentials but it may be enough to ease out the ‘power shortage’ in the future.

Power, mining are drivers of Mindanao development–MinDA

HAGONOY, Davao del Sur—Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairman Jesus Dureza has identified the power and mining industries as among of the top long-term priorities to help boost the economy in Mindanao.

When El Niño hit Mindanao from January to May this year, Dureza said the island also suffered power outages that affected the business community in the area.

Currently, most of the power from Mindanao is derived from hydro-dams in the island, he said.

The MinDA head also expressed the belief that there is a continuing need to develop more hydro-power dams and other sources of energy in Mindanao.

“We have learned from our experience during  El Niño. In the past, the cycle of the dry spell is about 10 years. But now experts say it could be shorter. So we must be prepared for it. Otherwise, Mindanao’s economy will suffer,” said Dureza, who spoke in barangay Aplaya during the turnover of the ACT for Peace livelihood project to the community.

Dureza: Still no word from P-Noy

HAGONOY, Davao del Sur –  Two days after offering to relinquish the chairmanship of the  Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), laywer Jesus Dureza on Saturday said he has not   received any feedback from the President.

Dureza, who also serves as National Programme Director of Action for Conflict Transformation for Peace Progam (ACT for Peace), added he is ready to share with his successor his experience as chair of the defunct Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) and Office of the Presidential Assistant for Mindanao (Opamin).

“If the President makes a choice, I’m willing to share my experience because I have served since the time of President Ramos and President Arroyo,” he said.

Asked if he could recommend somebody  to replace him, Dureza replied, “We’ll see if the time comes.” [read on]

January to June: Dengue cases in Region 11 up 49%

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 July) – Dengue cases in the region have increased by 49 percent in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2009, local health officials said Friday.

But health officials would not say if there is already an outbreak of the mosquito-borne disease in the region.

In a news conference here, Ana Remolar, chief of the Information Division of the Department of Health Region 11, disclosed that they have recorded 2,607 cases of dengue from provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley from January to June.

In January to June 2009, the health department recorded 1,748 dengue cases, said Remolar. [read more]

COMMENTARY: “Local ka or national media?”

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/11 April) — That’s always the question Presidential Management Staff (PMS) personnel ask journalists during Presidential sorties in Mindanao.

Even media handlers of some high ranking government officials who visi the provinces, also ask the same question.

Why? The answer is simple: you get special treatment if you’re “national.” Read More »

Buliok 7 years after the war: Painful imprints still linger

BARANGAY BULIOK, Pagalungan, Maguindanao (MindaNews / February 12) – The rubble, the bullet-riddled walls, the bomb craters have remained. And though not visible, the wounds of war have yet to heal for thousands of residnents who were forced to leave their homes when government forces bombarded this village during the Eid’l Adha congregational prayer on February 11, 2003.

A village official narrates their hardships at the evacuation center in nearby Pikit town in North Cotabato, some 15 kilometers from here.

Villagers recall the incident as “treacherous attack against the Moro people,” happening as it did on Eid’l Adha, the Islamic feast of the holy sacrifice. Read More »

Public Hearings On Summary Killings in Davao: Will They Help Turn The Tide?

DAVAO CITY – As the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) announces its intention to hold a public hearing on continuing extrajudicial killings here later this month, church and civil rights groups remain skeptical that it will have any lasting effect.

The city’s highly outspoken and colorful mayor, Rodrigo Duterte who has repeatedly gone on record as saying Davao is not a safe place for criminals, has consistently denied the authorities have any link to the killings and has publicly welcomed the CHR’s planned event. Read More »

Davao Villagers Battle World’s Largest Mining Company

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental – Waves lap up the shallow shores of Sitio Wagon in Barangay (village) Macambol as fishermen and their families work and live off the bountiful waters of Pujada Bay.

The noise of the waves mixes with that of an electric plainer being used to shape the belly of a new banca – a simple fishing boat — under the shade of some coconut trees. A much bigger boat which can carry more than a ton of fish approaches the shore after having spent days, possibly even weeks at sea. Read More »