Government Archives - Page 3 of 10 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Sep172013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Duterte to close movie houses without adequate security

Crime, Davao City, Government, Headline, News

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte announced that he is bent to close movie houses that do not have enough security. This, after blasts in two Davao City cinemas, which Duterte called "terrorism," left at least 5 people hurt Monday night. "Movie houses should have adequate security. The local government can't provide policemen and military just to guard that. You have to invest. If you can't provide, I will close your movie house," Duterte said. The Davao City mayor's warning came after two improvised explosive devices went off inside Cinema 5 of Gaisano Mall and Cinema 1 of SM City. No one was injured in the SM Davao blast but 5 people were hurt in the Gaisano Mall explosion. The victims complained of ear pain. "The military and police told me that they already gave warnings to SM,...

Sep42013 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Speaking about social media in a US Embassy event in Palawan

Advocacy, America, Arts, Blogging, Education, Features, Government, Headline, Internet, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Personal, Society, Technology, Tourism, United States of America, Visayas

This Mindanao blogger received a special invitation not too long ago. The US Embassy Manila folks asked if I wanted to speak about social media, blogging and citizen journalism in a two-day, all expenses paid eco-tourism workshop in Palawan. As an International Visitor Leadership Program alumnus, I was invited to share my knowledge to outstanding students from various schools in Brooke's Point, Palawan. Who can say no to that kind of invitation? So last August 22, 2013, I flew to Manila from Mindanao and then to Puerto Princesa, Palawan - all on the same day. My flight to Manila got delayed for about 3 hours because of Typhoon Maring. The delayed flight was both boon and bane. Boon because I was able to chat with a city mayor-friend of mine (you know, get the inside juicy stuff I can wr...

Jul102013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Barangay and SK Elections 2013 – important dates, requirements

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Consumer, Education, Events, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society

The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2013 are drawing near. Have you registered as a voter yet? Or are you interested to run in the 2013 Barangay and SK elections? Here are the important Barangay and SK Elections 2013 Philippines dates to remember, voter registration requirements and transfer of voter registration records requirements. Please exercise your right to suffrage! For SK: 15 to below 18 years old - please bring birth certificate or baptismal certificate or school records For Barangay: at least 18 years old or older, bring valid ID Voter qualifications: To vote in the barangay elections, you must be at least 18 years old on election day (October 28, 2013), a Filipino citizen, a resident of the Philippines for at least 1 year, a resident of the place...

Jun142013 by Mindanaoan Irene17 Comments

New Laguindingan Airport Misamis Oriental – what to know, how to get there

Announcements, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Caraga, Consumer, Controversial, Corporate, Flights, Government, Headline, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis

Laguindingan Airport CDO - A lot of you have been asking me all about the new Laguindingan Airport Misamis Oriental that's set to open on June 15, 2013 via my Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus accounts (thank you for the trust!) and via this Laguindingan Airport article I wrote earlier. So I decided to pool all the infos that I know. I hope that this simple Laguindingan Airport travel blog entry can help you guys :) Please help spread this information by posting the link to this article on your social networking profiles - thank you very much! Repost this Laguindingan Airport tips article via Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus. First off, Laguindingan Airport is NOT within Cagayan de Oro City proper. So if you've been taking flights to and fro Lumbia Airport CDO, be ready to add at leas...

May292013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Clean low cost electricity in Philippines? Yes!

Advocacy, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, ARMM, Bacolod City, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Bukidnon, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Corporate, Cotabato, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Features, General Santos City, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Iligan City, Island Garden City of Samal, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Malaybalay City, Manila, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Politics, Sarangani, Sindangan, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

I have so much respect for people and organizations that champion alternative sources of energy for clean and reliable electrical power production! Currently, we depend largely on hydropower plants. Some electric cooperatives also use several solar panels to augment their sources of energy (Cagayan de Oro’s CEPALCO has a solar panel area) and we all know about the Bangui Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte. But what about production of electricity without doing much harm to the environment? What about affordable electricity brought about by alternative-energy technologies? Gasification is a solution! Gasification is a process of converting organic or carbon-containing matter into synthetic gas or syngas which could be used to generate electricity. I’m particularly interested with this because ...

Apr262013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao Summerfest 2013 schedule of activities

Announcements, Davao City, Education, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Artists, News, Society, Sports

The much-awaited Davao Summerfest 2013 is set to officially kick off today, April 26, 2013. The opening program of the 2013 Davao Summer Fest, a festival of arts, culture and sports, is set to take place at the People's Park, right beside Apo View Hotel Davao. At least 1 Million pesos has been set aside as budget for this year's Davao Summerfest 2013. Various sports competitions, sports camps, clinics as well as musical events will comprise the Davao Summerfest 2013 schedule of activities. The summerfest is scheduled to go on until May 5, 2013. Click on the poster below for the official Davao Summerfest 2013 schedule of activities: (highlights include the 36th National Duckpin Bowling Tournament, football clinics, Ritmo Dabawenyo (music) and Mindana0-wide Cheerdance contest) ...

Apr222013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Full statement of Sen. TG Guingona on his mom Gingoog Mayor Ruthie’s ambush

Announcements, Controversial, Crime, Government, Headline, Misamis Oriental, News

Below is the official statement of Mindanaoan Senator TG Guingona on the recent ambush of his mother, Gingoog City Mayor Ruthie de Lara Guingona. This statement was sent to Mindanaoan: On Saturday night, my mother, Ruthie de Lara-Guingona, who is in her 70s and concluding a third term in office this year as mayor of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, was ambushed on her way home from a fiesta in the city’s outskirts. She was wounded but her driver and security escort did not make it. Brothers Nestor and Bartolome Velasco were killed due to a hail of bullets on board the Hi-Lux pick-up she was riding. The fatalities were loyal employees of long standing in our family’s home in Mindanao. My heart grieves for them and their families. Photo from: http://www.philstar.com/probinsiya...

Apr72013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanao to Indonesia RORO vessel to start 2013

BIMP-EAGA, Business, Davao City, General Santos City, Government, Headline, Tourism, Travel

Anybody else as excited as I am? Trips from Mindanao to Indonesia aren't exactly new (there are flights from Davao City to Manado, Indonesia) but I think this new service will be cheaper and more accessible to the public especially to traders. This RORO vessel from Mindanao to Indonesia will use the Davao to General Santos to Bitung route :) Read on. A Philippine roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessel will start its service to Indonesia in the middle of the year, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said. The project, a first between two members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is expected to improve trade, tourism and connectivity between the Philippines and Indonesia, PCCI said in a statement. This is also said to be the country's first RORO service to an ...

Mar122013 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering the Team UNA rally in Bukidnon

Bukidnon, Commentary, Events, Government, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Photos, Politics

It was a really long, tiring day. Woke up at 6 AM, which I rarely do, to start on the tasks. My hardworking staff members were still asleep, having only returned from their overnight propaganda tasks at 5 in the morning! Anyways, after hours of preparation, this was what happened the evening of March 2, 2013. Tens of thousands of people were already gathered at the Capitol Grounds in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. I have to say, though - the Team UNA campaign rally in Bukidnon was a concert-slash-rally-slash-fireworks-display event. Since it was the Kaamulan Festival 2013, there was a telecom-sponsored concert that night (topbilled by Itchyworms and Tanya Markova) plus the much-awaited grand fireworks display. Yes, there were people who came to hear the Team UNA senatorial candidates speak ...

Feb102013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Enter the “Balwarte” of the Jalosjos clan – Zamboanga

Announcements, Controversial, Government, Media, Mindanao, Politics, Television, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

A few weeks ago, I joined a Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) - organized workshop. Media practitioners from all over Mindanao attended it. I think Mindanaoan was the only one from the "non-traditional" or online media community. Anyways, I met some Zamboanga-based journalists and they all shared the current political landscape in their area. They said that the May 2013 elections will be another show of force by the popular Jalosjos clan. I wanted to know more about how the members of the Jalosjos clan practically lorded over Zamboanga del Norte / Zamboanga Peninsula for many years and how, as my Zamboanga journalist friends would say, a "blessing" from someone like Romeo Jalosjos would spell a "sure win." Fortunately, TV5 recently visited Zamboanga and in...

Jan242013 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Warrant of arrest out for ex-Bukidnon rep Neric Acosta, mom Coring

Announcements, Bukidnon, Controversial, Government, Headline, News, Northern Mindanao, Politics

I received a phone call about two hours ago. It was a tip. Apparently, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has issued a warrant of arrest for former Bukidnon First District Congressman Juan Romeo Nereus "Neric" Acosta and his mother, former Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon mayor Socorro "Coring" Acosta. The warrant of arrest was made in connection with a perjury case filed against the Acostas. I was a bit surprised when I heard the news, actually. Especially since last I heard, the complainant, Fr. Venancio Balansag, Jr., has already withdrawn his complaint and has issued an affidavit of desistance. A brief backgrounder - graft and corruption charges as well as charges for violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials were filed against Neric Acosta and his mother. Th...

Nov232012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Ampatuan Maguindanao Massacre Third Anniversary

Announcements, ARMM, Blogging, Broadcasting, Government, Maguindanao, News

It's been 3 years today. It's been three years since that November 23, 2009 Maguindanao Massacre that claimed 58 lives, including 32 journalists. It's been 3 years, several suspects have already been arraigned, hundreds have already been arrested, hundreds more have already been presented as witnesses but NONE have been convicted. Is justice for the Maguindanao Massacre victims and their families still in sight? Does justice still even exist? Will the accused Andal Ampatuan, Sr., his sons Andal Jr. and Zaldy, as well as 25 other Ampatuan family members and their associates be convicted or will they be set free? Take a look at the infographics below and let me know how you feel. Do you feel pessimistic? Negative? Or positive perhaps? On the third year of the Ampatuan Maguindanao Ma...

Oct252012 by Mindanaoan Irene3 Comments

My thoughts: Duterte offers 5 Million bounty for suspected car theft syndicate leader

Blogging, Controversial, Davao City, Government, Musings, News, Opinion, Politics

I am a Dabawenya. Born and raised in Davao City. Anybody who knows me can attest to how much I love my hometown and how much I respect the government officials voted by the people. Anybody who has also been reading this Mindanaoan blog for a while now would know that I consider the Dutertes as not only powerful but efficient public officials. Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte (who's running virtually unopposed for Davao City mayor in the May 2013 elections) has done a lot for Davao City. I'm pretty sure a lot of people would agree with me. He runs the city with an iron fist and his style of governance works well for a city like Davao. Under his leadership (and his daughter's, incumbent Mayor Sara), Davao became a smoke-free, firecracker-free and non-biodegradable plastics and...

Oct22012 by Mindanaoan Irene6 Comments

Lynard Allan Bigcas files COC as Bukidnon governor

Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Controversial, Events, Features, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, News, Northern Mindanao, Photos, Politics, Society

Controversial car dealer Lynard Allan Bigcas or Allan Bigcas has officially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as governor of the Province of Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. A native of Talakag, Bukidnon, Allan Bigcas filed his COC today, October 2, 2012 at around 11:30 a.m. at the Bukidnon Provincial Commission on Elections (COMELEC) office. Bigcas said that he is running as Bukidnon governor under the Liberal Party but the certification that was attached to his COC was specifically from Aksyon Demokratiko party. The certification was signed by the party secretary general Ernesto Ramel. Bigcas said that Aksyon Demokratiko was in alliance with the Liberal Party. In a mini press conference, Bigcas, who was initially eyed to gun for the mayoralty seat in Talakag, said that he...

Sep282012 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Creation of Bukidnon 4th District gets Senate OK

Bukidnon, Government, Malaybalay City, News, Northern Mindanao, Politics

The Senate has approved the bill seeking the creation of the Bukidnon 4th District. The Senate has approved on the 3rd and final reading House Bill 5236 which seeks the creation of the Bukidnon Fourth District. The bill was passed September 20, 2012. A total of 12 senators, led by Senator Bongbong Marcos who chairs the Committee on Local Government, OK'd the passage of the Bukidnon 4th District bill. Philippine President Benigno Aquino III still needs to sign the bill first, though, before it becomes a law. If the Bukidnon 4th District bill gets ratified, there will be a need for a congressman who will represent the said district. The proposed Bukidnon 4th District shall be composed of Valencia City, Kalilangan, and Pangantucan. Bukidnon 1st District will then be composed of...

Sep52012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

DFA consular office opens in SM Davao City

Announcements, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Travel

Good news for all those in Davao City and neighboring areas who need to apply or renew their passports. The Department of Foreign Affairs or DFA has finally opened its new consular office on the 3rd floor of SM Davao City. Aside from serving as the DFA Region XI consular office, the new DFA Davao consular office at SM Davao will also serve as its Mindanao office. The DFA consular office in SM Davao began operations Monday, September 3, 2012. Initially, only passport applications will be accepted. DFA SM Davao consular office hours: Monday to Saturday - 10 AM to 8 PM; Sunday 10 AM to 2 PM You can call (082) 285-4885 or (082) 285-5190 for inquiries. Meanwhile, here's how to renew your Philippine passport or how to get a Philippine e-passport * photo of DFA CDO taken and...

Aug242012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Sereno is the new Supreme Court Chief Justice

Announcements, Controversial, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Society

And so the new Chief Justice in the Philippines has finally been named. The new Supreme Court Chief Justice is Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the first Supreme Court Associate Justice appointed by President Benigno Aquino III. The new Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is also the 3rd most junior justice in the Supreme Court. Her post as the new Chief Justice was announced today, August 24, 2012. Sereno, 52, takes the vacated seat of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was dismissed May 29, 2012 after allegedly failing to disclose millions in assets. New Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is the youngest appointed justice in the Supreme Court. Below is the official statement of the Presidential Spokesperson on the new Chief Justice in t...

Jul122012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Rep. JV Ejercito visits Bukidnon @jvejercito

Blogging, Bukidnon, Controversial, Features, Government, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, Personalities, Photos, Politics

I was in Bukidnon when San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito (or Joseph Victor Ejercito Estrada) told me that he was coming for a visit. I readily told Rep. JV Ejercito that I would be glad to assist him especially since I still had tons of media and government contacts in Bukidnon. I was also very curious to see how the people of Bukidnon would react when they see him. After all, JV Ejercito just recently "patched things up" with former Bukidnon congressman (and resigned Senator) Juan Miguel Zubiri (who is obviously very well-loved in Bukidnon) after the latter apologized to JV's dad, former President Erap Estrada. Migs Zubiri used to be a part of the "Spice Boys," a group of young congressmen who pushed for the articles of impeachment against Estrada in 2000. These days, Migs and JV are now both ...

Jul32012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Davao City plastic ban on

Advocacy, Announcements, Consumer, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Features, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, News

I first shared this info about the proposed plastic ban in Davao City last May 2012. Today, I'm so happy to let you all know that the Davao City plastic ban ordinance is now being implemented! Davao City has started to implemented the ban against non-biodegradable plastics and styrofoam materials. The Davao City plastic ban started last June 28, 2012. The measure is in line with the city's Ecological Solid Waste Management efforts. Not all plastics are banned, however. You can still use BIODEGRADABLE plastics in Davao City. You are also very much welcome to use paper bags and other biodegradable packing materials as well. Although the rules and regulations with regard to the plastic ban in Davao City were finalized in 2010 and the business establishments in Davao City were given t...

Jul32012 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Gun ban in ARMM for 30 days

Announcements, ARMM, Basilan, Cotabato, Government, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Marawi City, Mindanaoan Update, Muslim Mindanao, News, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula

Please share this important information! There's currently a GUN BAN in ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and this will take effect from July 1 to 23, 2012. The gun ban in ARMM is part of the measures being implemented to maintain peace and order during the general voter's registration in the ARMM. The ARMM voter registration, which will be held from July 9 to 18, 2012, is part of the Commission on Elections' bid to cleanse its electoral records for subsequent polling. The gun ban will cover Basilan Lanao del Sur Sulu Tawi Tawi Maguindanao as well as neighboring areas Cotabato City Isabela City Zamboanga City Lanao del Norte North Cotabato Sultan Kudarat Zamboanga del Sur Only policemen, military personnel and other members of the law enforcement agencies...

Jul22012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

USAID, Cagayan de Oro sign MOU; launch Cities Development Initiative

America, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Cagayan de Oro City, Government, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Personalities, Politics, Society, United States of America

During his recent visit to Cagayan de Oro, US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. led the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cagayan de Oro City LGU. The MOU was for the launch of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s Cities Development Initiative. Ambassador Thomas, USAID Mission Director Gloria D. Steele and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano all signed the MOU last Friday, June 29, 2012 at a local hotel in Cagayan de Oro. The launch of the Cities Development Initiative in CDO is seen to be very beneficial to the LGU. The Cities Development Initiative is an integral part of the U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Growth (PFG). Launched in November 2011, PFG is helping the Philippines achieve its high growth potential by creating a more tra...

May172012 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Perks of Living in Mindanao

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Weird, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

If you listen to the news on Mindanao, the most likely reaction is that you’ll hesitate to come here. Much less choose to live here. But given the direness of the news on the peace and order situation here, have you ever wondered if there are perks to living in Mindanao? Actually, what’s so terrible in the news is merely a microcosm of Mindanao society. Given the largeness of the island and the number of regions, cities, and cultures that are found in Mindanao, you might want to take the news with a grain of salt the next time. Mindanao is generally a peaceful place. The members of the populace are satisfied with their lives, and commerce and trade are smoothly moving along. The economics show a due representation from the filthy rich to poverty level poor, but people manage to get by. ...