Before, they say PAL means Plane Always Late. But now, it could be Pilots Are Lacking or Pilots Are Leaving.

I don’t believe that the PAL management did not anticipate that pilots are leaving soon and would seek for greener pasture abroad. They knew it. But the problem is that, I think some qualified pilots would rather try their luck abroad rather than work with the flag carrier.

Obviously, it’s because they would earn much higher than our airlines. It could be 100 percent higher.

PAL pilots earn at least $4,000 to $7,000 a month, a news report said. I’ve also read somewhere that some of these pilots are overwork. Does the management realize that this has an implication on the safety of the passengers?

I think with what is happening now, the flag carrier could hardly recruit new and qualified pilots. If I’m a qualified pilot, I’d rather try my luck abroad, too.

Maybe, some Philippine Air Force pilots are now tempted to jump in and fly these passenger jets.

What else can you do on this problem Mr. President?

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/02 August) — After popularizing the rare Waling-waling (Vanda sanderiana), Charita Puentespina is now pushing for another source of income among local farmers: cacao farming.

Puentespina, who first introduced hundreds of Waling-waling seedlings to the public in 1986, is also advocating natural farming method among farmers.

She particularly recognized the potentials of cacao as an alternative source of income among farmers in the highlands. [read more]

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.

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]

DAVAO CITY  (MindaNews/24 July) – An estimated 100 Lumads (indigenous peoples) from various parts of the country will gather at the foot for Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon for the fourth State of the Indigenous Peoples’ Address (SIPA)  in time for President Benigno Aquino’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 26.

The SIPA will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday and will end on the 29th of July.

Erwin Quinones, campaigns paralegal of Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan (LRC-KsK), told MindaNews that the IP representatives will be coming “from  areas affected by development aggression.”

He said this includes encroachment of mining, plantations and hydro-power plants into the ancestral domains of the indigenous peoples. [read more]

Last Friday, Bureau of Internal Revenue officials disclosed that some of the business establishments at Chinatown in Davao City may not be complying with the country’s tax laws. They also bared that most of the stores in Chinatown are not issuing official receipts to their customers.

If we need cheap hardware tools and some stuffs need at home, we actually find them at the stores in Chinatown here in Davao. The stores there do not actually issue receipts; you can even ask for a discount on selected items. It’s like: Name it, they have it.

Most of the Chinese traders in the area don’t speak English or Tagalog. I wonder how they communicate with their workers. I have some owners  give instruction through hand signals to their workers.

The BIR said that the wholesale dealers declared only an annual income of P1.5 million. It is under-declared, the BIR suspects. I believe too that  the figure is under-declared.  I have seen several wholesale dealers in DCLA and 168 Mall.

There is a store in DCLA that if you’re not a wholesale buyer, sales clerks won’t allow you to enter in some portions of the store.  They will not allow you to pick some items, they want to do it for you.  Weird.

It seems that President Aquino is ‘appealing’ to the anti-mining groups following his statement that “he will strive to hammer out a compromise on South Cotabato’s Environment Code.”  What does this mean?

This only goes to show that the President is in favor of exploiting the mineral resources not just in Tampakan, South Cotabato but as well as in other parts of the country. Therefore,this would mean that anti-mining groups should brace themselves against the President and his gang over the issue of extractive industries.

Aquino urged to respect South Cot’s Environment Code

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/16 July) – Saying local government units have the “right to say no” to projects that threaten the welfare of the people, environment and indigenous peoples’ rights activists said President Benigno Aquino III should respect the decision of the provincial government of South Cotabato to pass the Environment Code that bans the open pit mining method in the province.

Erwin Quinones, campaigns paralegal of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC-KsK), told MindaNews that the President must respect the right of the local government units to manage and develop the resources within their jurisdiction.

While some of us believe that the Mindanao conflict can be resolved through the barrel of the gun, many are still optimistic that it can be solved through peace negotiations.

With the appointment of  UP College of Law Dean Marvic F. Leonen, I personally believe that the tricky issue on ancestral domain will have more room for debate in peace process. Given his expertise and deeper understanding on the issue,  Leonen could provide different perspective in looking at the  complicated issue on ancestral domain and the right to self-determination not just among Lumads but as well as the Bangsamoro People.

In my previous interviews with former MILF peace panel chief Mohagher Iqbal, he has kept on saying that the Front is not particular if who will head their counterpart. “This is revolution. If we cannot solve it in this generation, no problem. We are revolutionaries,” Iqbal stressed.

So what should we expect under this new administration with a new set of peace negotiators? Just expect some unexpected, as usual — let’s wait and see.

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/07 July) – After being spotted by a TV news crew beating the red light in Manila, Vice President Jejomar Binay’s convoy this time obeyed traffic rules here.

Although escorted by two motor-riding cops and several other policemen, the party negotiated the major streets of this city without “wang-wang” or sirens as well as blinkers.

But the motor-riding cops waved their hands and swerved to give way to the convoy as they approached the congested portion of Diversion Road in Buhangin District before making a left turn at the Quiñones Road leading to JP Laurel Ave. [read on]

What should we expect from father and daughter tandem in Davao City? Even the new Mayor Inday Sara Duterte also vowed that the city will remain a dangerous place for criminals. It’s seems she’s just reiterating her father’s warning to the criminals in the city. Many say that this younger Duterte is much tougher than her father, many also expect  that she would strictly implement the house rules even within the premises of the city hall.

Following her inauguration on June 28, Inday Sara immediately called fro a press conference. One pretty striking statement was her stand on curbing criminality in the city. She was also asked on the possible working reconciliation with their political foe — the Nograles. She refused to answer the question. Instead, she just smiled. But in the past, she said that she is not a ‘plastic’ person and if she’s mad, she really means it.  She pointed out that the city can stand on its own feet even without the congressional funds — only referring to First District Rep. Karlo Nograles, son of her mayoralty race rival former Speaker Boy Nograles.

She has also said that even a public apology cannot mend the damages that has been done.

For his part, now Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte also vowed that he will not allow the peace and order in the city to deteriorate. When asked how he can contribute since he has no longer in control of the law enforcement agencies, Duterte pointed out that the legislative body may control the release of budget. “Through the aid of legislation, we will call their (police) attention if they will not perform their duties well.”