Buhilaman sa Bukid Malindang

Mindanao Ecologists and Trekkers to Explore Mt. Malindang

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:40:00 +0000

By:� ARCHIE AJIASOROQUIETA CITY -- The grandeur of Mt. Malindang will be showcased during the 15th Mindanao Forum and Climb on November 27-30, 2009 after the province, represented by Malindang Ecology Rehabilitation and Conservation for the Youth-Mountaineering Society (MERCY-MS), won the bidding held during the 14th Mindanao Forum and Climb in Cagayan de Oro City.�Mindanao Forum and Climb is an annual mountaineering event in Mindanao initiated by Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Incorporated (MFPI).“Last November 29 to December 3 nga hosting sa Cagayan de Oro gi-present nato ang Mt. Malindang, ang rota nga Lake Duminagat North Peak trail and then through sa presentation giganahan ang mga participant ug guest mao ng ang Malindang nakadaog,” MERCY-MS president Mar Mira pointed out.The participants, according to Mira are eager and excited to trek the trail and witness the beauty of Mt. Malindang especially on its biodiversity.�“Ang highlights nato karon, mapakita ang katorse ka klase nga lumot, klase-klase nga species sa tanum ug kabulakan,”� Mira said.Originally, the event is exclusive to Mindanao trekkers, but mountaineers from Luzon and Visayas who are members of MFPI showed interest to join as their “reunion”.“Sa registration sa online, naay taga Luzon like University of the Philippine Mountaineers, Bicol mountaineers ug part sa Visayas,” he added.In the event, trekkers will start their long and exciting walk from Brgy. Mansawan in Don Victoriano on November 27 going to Brgy. Lake Duminagat to take rest and meet local settlers.From there, the group has to walk a couple of miles before reaching the lake and enjoy.� The participants will come back to Oroquieta City on November 30.�Aside from trekking, more activities like basic mountaineering course, single rope technique, beach volley ball, henna tattoo body art exhibit, wall painting and arts, food and drinks exhibit, reggae party and other contests are also included, which shall be held at Jingle Bells Beach Resort in Brgy. Tabuc Sur, Oroquieta City.“Gi-invite nako ang tanan nga mga kahigalaan, mga amigo ug mga ganahan sa bukid kinsa tong ganahan mag-online register sa� www.15thmindanaoforum.tk o kontak lang mo sa ako sa cellphone number 09267669480,” Mira appealed. [...]

Sinacaban SB Regulates Extraction of Riverbed Materials

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:12:00 +0000

Republic of the PhilippinesProvince of Misamis OccidentalMUNICIPALITY OF SINACABANOffice of the Sangguniang BayanEXCERPT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF SINACABAN, MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL HELD AT THE SB SESSION HALL ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2009.�� HON. ANECITO S. MEJARES, Vice Mayor – PresidingLAURITO C. ABUTON�� �� RAEM A. NARANJO����� ISIDRO V. MACALISANG������ SB Member � � � � �� �� � �� SB Member���������������������� SB MemberJOSUE M. VENTE��������������� JULIO L. TIU���������������� MA. ELENA B. PAILDEN��� SB Member���������������������� SB Member�������������������������� SB MemberWILFREDO V. DECENA����� MAMERTO S. AGANOS�� �� DANILO A. ENOT����� SB Member��������������������� SB Member�� � �� ������������ ABC President������ ��������� RE P. NARANJO������������������������������� GREJESBRIC E. BRIOSO� � � � � � FSK President��� ������������������������������������������ SB Secretary� ----------------------------------------ORDINANCE NO. 4, SERIES 2009AN ORDINANCE REGULATING THE EXTRACTION OF RIVERBED MATERIALS WITHIN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SINACABAN, MISAMIS OCCIDENTALBE IT ORDAINED by the Sangguniang Bayan of Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, that:Section I.� Definition of Terms.Riverbed Materials� –� materials found on riverbed such as sand, gravel and boulders.Quarry Sites – sites determined for quarrying that conformed DENR rules and regulations and other existing laws.Section II.��� Extraction of riverbed materials should only be allowed and used solely for Local Government Unit public work and infrastructure projects;Section III.��� Extraction of riverbed materials shall only be allowed on designated quarry sites;Section IV.��� Extraction shall be based on the volume of the requirements of a certain public works and infrastructure projects, subject to the issuance of gratuitous permit by the Provincial Government.Section V.��� Extraction of boulders shall only be limited to head like sizes;I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the foregoing resolution, which was duly adopted by the Sangguniang Bayan during its Session on September 18, 2009. GREJESBRIC E. BRIOSOSecretary to the SanggunianATTESTED:ANECITO S. MEJARESMunicipal Vice MayorPresiding���������������������������� APPROVED:DELLO T. LOODMunicipal Mayor[...]

Remembering Lawyer Cailing and Other Mindanao Heroes

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:50:00 +0000

By: �CARLOS ISAGANI I. ZARATEFor quite some time now, as Filipinos visit cemeteries or memorial parks to remember and honor their departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, I am again reminded of how, even in death, there is an apparent disparity in the way we honor our martyrs and heroes.On several occasions in the past, we read stories that new names of martyrs and heroes were etched on the black granite Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Park in Quezon City, as decided by the people behind the Bantayog ng mga Bayani (Monument of Heroes) Foundation.�Accordingly, those named as “martyrs” were those killed before the 1986 People Power Revolution, while those names listed as “heroes” were those who survived martial law and continued their struggles for genuine political freedoms until they died.However, a closer look at the names already etched in the Wall of Remembrance as martyrs and heroes would reveal that they mostly came from the northern part of the country—Manila and Luzon, especially—and, as always, apparently forgetting that the struggle for the restoration of democracy was a national one, intense in the other parts of the country, particularly in Mindanao. Maybe this was not a deliberate act of forgetting, yet it would be well perhaps if people behind the foundation will do further research, especially, on the southern part of the country.Perhaps, in the next batches of honorees, the foundation may very well consider the following members of the legal profession who valiantly fought with the people and sacrificed their lives so that “justice and respect for human rights” will prevail in our society today:�Crisostomo Cailing, a lawyer from Balingasag, Misamis Occidental, who was killed on July 6, 1985 by unidentified armed men;�Romraflo R. Taojo, a labor and human rights lawyer from Tagum, Davao del Norte, killed April 2, 1985 inside his home;�Zorro Aguilar, a human rights lawyer from Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, killed Sept. 23, 1984 in Dipolog City;�Luisito S. Villanueva, a human rights lawyer from Calamba, Misamis Occidental, killed Feb. 21, 1986 in Calacan, Calamba, Misamis Occidental;�Jose T. Gonzales, a human rights lawyer from Butuan City, who was included in the military’s Order of Battle, when he died in 1985;�Vicente Mirabueno, a human rights lawyer from General Santos City, killed Feb. 6, 1988 at the General Santos City Public Market;�Gil Getes, a human rights lawyer from Agusan del Sur, shot dead inside his home on March 4, 1990;�Ferdinand Reyes, a human rights lawyer and crusading journalist killed Feb. 12, 1996 in Dipolog City; and�Judge Eugenio Valles, killed April 25, 2002 in Compostela Valley Province.The following lawyers may have escaped violent death during their lifetime, yet their demise from natural and other causes did not diminish the degree of their contribution to the struggle for the restoration of our democratic freedoms:�Laurente “Larry” Ilagan, the most prominent Mindanaoan lawyer imprisoned by Marcos, died of cancer on Nov. 15, 2001;�Alfredo Aquino, a human rights lawyer from Bukidnon, who also died of cancer; and�Judge Benedicto U. Hallazgo, a human rights lawyer from Misamis Oriental before he joined the judiciary, who died sometime in 2001.�Other prominent Mindanaoan human rights lawyers that should also be remembered are: Rudy Agravante, Florante Garcia, Antonio Navidad, Felix Calatrava and Jake Zafra.These are just some of the names, a mere handful of the names that we should always remember.�The other sectors—youth, women, Moro and Lumad—definitely have also their own heroes, heroines and martyrs, like youth leader Ariel Yumang, labor leader Oscar Bantayan, women’s advocate and journalist Edith Eco. These are the names that should be etched not only in walls of remembrance but more importantly in our collective soul as a nation.We honor our martyrs and heroes to remind us th[...]

Winning Taste of "Ibos-Tinambiran" in Oroquieta City

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:07:00 +0000

From "sikad-sikad" and motorcab, now she already bought a multicab to meet her orders that counts from 1,000 to 1,500 "ibos-tinambiran" everyday.by:� Archie S. AjiasOROQUIETA City --� After thorough evaluation from the technical working group (TWG) of Microfinance Council of the Philippines, the maker of "ibos-tinambiran" in Oroquieta City becomes the semi-finalist in the "Search for 2009 Outstanding Micro-Entrepreneur of the Year."It represents Northwestern Mindanao, leaving behind� hundred other entrepreneurs in the region. Dionesia de la Peña, owner of the business, is the nominee of Paglaum Multipurpose Cooperative for the search.Members of the TWG coming from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Citi Group of Companies, and representatives from the council came to the province last week to personally meet De la Peña in order to listen to her story and savour the taste of her product, being part of the screening process."Manghinaot ta nga mogawas siya nga mananaog, pero bisan og dili siya makadaog sa national, daog na siya daan sa atong probinsya.� Kini nagpakita nga naa gud diay paglambo kung magkugi ang tawo," Paglaum General Manager Gadwin Handumon said."Ok na man 'yong performance ni Aling Dionesia, may good story naman siya, good product at least may chance," said Eduardo Garcia, representing the council, when asked about the result of their evaluation.Winner in the regional level will receive P100,000.00; while the chosen outstanding micro entrepreneur of the year will receive P200,000.00.� Both to be given during the awarding and recognition ceremony to be held at the Metropolitan Museum in Manila on November 18, 2009.De la Peña was a former sidewalk vendor selling fried banana, hot cake, juice, and other chicheria near the Stella Maris College in Oroquieta City, but was forced to stop in 1978 because the school management cleared their posts.� Not being discouraged, she borrowed instead a small capital from the Paglaum Multipurpose Cooperative, to start a new small business of making a native delicacy, the "ibos-tinambiran," to be able to support the needs of her family.From then on, her business slowly grows, until she was able to buy a "sikad-sikad" (bicycle mounted with a side car) to deliver the products to her patrons.� Due to increasing order of her "ibos", she replaced the "sikad-sikad" to motorcab in order to carry more of her products and at the same time, deliver them faster."Ayohon pagdala ang bisan unsang negosyo nga imong sudlan, ubayi kanunay og pag-ampo; ayohon sa pagtagad ang mga suki, dili moro-morohan, magdaginot, dili makurat sa kuwarta; kung mangutang ug dugang puhonan, bayran aron maka-utro; ug dili usbon ang timplada sa imong produkto, bahala'g magkinaunsa ang presyo sa ingredients," De la Pena shared here secrets.From "sikad-sikad" and motorcab, now she already bought a multicab to meet her orders that counts from 1,000 to 1,500 "ibos-tinambiran" everyday.Finally, De la Pena said that she is also proud that from a humble beginning, her small business has grown, enabling her to feed, clothe, and educate her children. [...]

MOAP grouper (lapu-lapu) breeders spawn millions of eggs

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:22:00 +0000

By: �Romy MacalisangSINACABAN, Misamis Occ. – The grouper (lapu-lapu) culture project of Governor Leo Ocampos is now a success, what with the millions of eggs spawned by the grouper breeders at the Marine Multi-Species Finfish Hatchery at Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park (MOAP).� But MOAP officials are in quandary as the 15 grouper breeders spawned a magnitude of eggs that they did not imagine would reach that much – 35 million as of Wednesday, a volume which is beyond the capacity of the hatchery to accommodate.� The grouper brood-stocks first spawned some 15 million eggs last month and another 20 millions during their second spawning last Tuesday and Wednesday.� The hatchery has eight larval tanks, with six of them already used up by the first 15 million eggs, leaving only two tanks for the 20 million.� Aquaculturist Tito Piloton said they only have three options under this situation: �(1) overstock each of the tank which is stressful to the eggs; (2) feed the excess eggs to the grouper larvae which is a waste; and (3) disperse to the sea the excess larvae which is equally a waste because they would just be eaten by fishes and other predators.� “Sayang kaayo kay ibutang nato kung duna tay mga 8 million eggs o larvae nga atong ipakaon o i-disperse sa dagat, at one percent lang nga survival we have 80,000 fingerlings.� Pila man na siya?� Mahug pa siyag 80,000 times P40 each, P3.2 million unta!”� Gov. Ocampos has two battle plans in case the grouper breeders spawn more eggs in the next weeks or months:� build additional larval tanks and disperse the larvae in the sea inside small floating cages to protect them from predators. � But which is which, Piloton said the provincial government-owned Marine Multi-Species Finfish Hatchery now has the capacity to produce grouper fingerlings and in large number at that, and assured those who wanted to culture grouper not only in Misamis Occidental, but in other provinces in Mindanao that they would have no problems in terms of fingerling supply.� It takes the grouper larvae two months to become fry and another two months for them to become fingerlings, whose size ranges from three to four inches and are ready to be released for captive rearing inside floating fish cages. � Grouper larvae and fry feed on rotifer, a zooplankton or microscopic sea animal that in turn feeds on chlorella, a phytoplankton or microscopic sea plant.� Earlier, MOAP superintendent Manolito Yap said there will be no problem with these feeds even if the grouper broodstocks continue laying eggs by millions, as the hatchery is equipped with six chlorella and six rotifer tanks.� Located in the premises of MOAP in Brgy. Libertad Bajo, Sinacaban, the P11-million Marine Multi-Species Finfish Hatchery was established last year in line with the vision of Gov. Ocampos of transforming Misamis Occidental into the country’s top grouper producer. � “Successful ang atong hatchery ug ready na ta nga mo-supply ug fingerlings.� Kini nga development karon whole-year round na ni ug ma-satisfy na nato ang atong panginahanglan ug fingerlings, di na ta mabalaka kay naa na,” Piloton said.[...]

Trekking Mt. Malindang from Tudela

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:09:00 +0000

I haven't trodded the lush forest of Mt. Malindang yet. But I promised to myself I'd be able to climb that mountain range which I've been longing to roam around since my childhood.

I have discovered that trekking Mt. Malindang from where I hold office here in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental is just a few kilometers away via the last barangay of this municipality, which is Barangay San Lorenzo Ruiz.

But there is also another way, which is through the Municipality of Tudela, the next town located at the south.

My friends from the provincial office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Oroquieta City is showing us through this video hereunder.



Perhaps, it would also be fitting to browse through some of the beautiful views of the Municipality of Tudela, too.

Here is a glimpse of their age-old tradition: the Binalbal Festival. Incidentally, the MOAP (Misamis Occidental Aquamarine Park) is also located at the shores of Tudela as well as Sinacaban towns.

Let's take a look at the video presentation by the Northwestern Mindanao Christian Colleges in Tudela, featuring some sites of their municipality.

Sinacaban Celebrates 2009 Annual Town Fiesta

Fri, 15 May 2009 04:28:00 +0000

The Municipality of Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, in Mindanao, Philippines, celebrates its Annual Town Fiesta every March 19. This year (2009) I was able to take a few video clips of their program held at the Quirino Park in front of the Municipal Building. The ethnic dance featured here is one of the entries presented during the 2009 Sinakbang Festival held at the Sinacaban Beach on February 19, 2009. The annual festivity is held in honour of their Patron Saint St. Joseph the Worker, who had been venerated by devotees and residents as their exemplar and protector against sickness, poverty, and calamities which struck the town quite a number of times.The celebration brought together the 17 barangay residents who modestly shared the fruits of their abundant and productive harvests, the result of the meticulously planned social architecture, honed and inspired by their charismatic leader Mayor Dello Tare Lood, in collaboration with the Sangguniang Bayan presided by Vice Mayor Anecito Salomsom Mejares. Of course, the execution of the details were carried out with efficient fervour by the amiable barangay chairmen and their council.The afternoon cultural show was graced by the presence of the province's "FPJ" the congenial Vice Governor Francisco Paylaga, Jr.[...]

Iligan City Bridge Bombed, Not Yet Passable to Any Vehicle

Tue, 12 May 2009 01:34:00 +0000

[This writer takes another digressing, to announce another bombing incident in the Iligan City, to warn our motorists -- if they are planning to travel from Pagadian City or Ozamiz City towards Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City.]ILIGAN CITY (April 20, 2009) -- Two bombs ripped off the Maria Cristina Steel Bridge at Agus River, in Barangay Maria Cristina, Iligan City, at around 1:15 a.m. today, making travel from Iligan City towards the municipalities of Lanao del Norte, and Ozamiz City or Pagadian City impossible. Only ten persons were allowed to cross the bridge on each side then. Until, a day after, it was declared totally off-limits for anybody to cross the bridge. In the meantime, the old auxiliary bridge is being reconstructed to be used by the vehicles.Motorists, however, may take a rough road detour by way of the National Power Corporation in Brgy. Ditucalan and going out towards the national highway in the municipality of Linamon, Lanao del Norte.Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz of Iligan City estimates the repairs of the bombed bridge will take two months to finish.UPDATE [27 April 2009, Monday]:The old bridge, only a few meters away from the bombed Maria Cristina Steel Bridge, has been opened today to motorists for a one-way passage, allowing the flow of commerce and travel more feasible.PHOTO CREDITS:Julius Carmelo Bacalareswww.iligan.phwww.bworldonline.com[...]

Mi mundo del Amor: For A Mother Beyond Compare

Sun, 10 May 2009 11:09:00 +0000

Mi mundo del Amor: For A Mother Beyond Compare

Who Will Win, Ricky Hatton or Manny Pacquiao?

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 03:25:00 +0000

I take special liberty of digressing from my usual features in this Blog. With the upcoming Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao fight on May 2, 2008, I shall especially dedicate this post to my good friend and office colleague at the COMELEC office in Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental, Election Assistant Marvin Taguran Castillano. He is the guy who never misses a day without a replay of the Manny Pacquiao fights downloaded in our office computer, or if the copy is a little bit corrupted and could not be downloaded, he savours the viewing directly from his library of DVDs or CDs.From my good source, I learned that there is an HBO trilogy pre-fight presentation of the Hatton-Pacquiao bout. So, I hurriedly copied this for my special viewer...and of course...for my regular fans here at "Buhilaman sa Bukid Malindang."How does it go? Are you satisfied...hungry for more? So, here is the second portion:And finally, the last portion. Watch out for the Hatton T-back. Ehermm...gays....gals.... don't make a squeal.Do you like the show? You better view it over and over...and over....again, before YouTube will shut them off. Ok...go!!!By the way...before you go...please leave me some comments or a few feedback. THANKS, and God bless...[...]

GLIMPSE OF SINACABAN: Its Past and Present

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 02:51:00 +0000

By: �Teofilo J. BaloriaSCORES OF YEARS AGO, Sinacaban was a tiny obscure barrio of Jimenez, lying at the outskirts of swampy lands some 20 kilometers North of Misamis, now Ozamiz City. �Few houses sprouting, forming dots at the foot of the promontory jotting to the mangroves, secured by the Man-an River at the south and Sinacaban River at the north.At its early days, catching crabs, (locally known as "alimango," found in abundance in the swampy lands, thrived by nipa and bakhaw), was the favorite hobby and livelihood of the inhabitants, who migrated from Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor.There was a time, so the legend goes, on their way home, bringing with them their catch, these "alimango" catchers met Spanish soldiers on foot patrol, who inquired what is the name of the place. �They eagerly answered, "sinakbang alimango, senior" (trapped crabs, sir), believing they were asked of their catch. �The guardia civil then graciously punctuated, "Ah, Sinakbang!"��Thenceforth, the place was called Sinac'bang�which later evolved into Sinacaban.The episode of its creation into a municipality, had been traditionally related that a group of daring men, led by a World War II veteran, guerilla Captain Sofronio K. Avanceña, successfully convinced the qualified number of constituents to petition its creation into a municipality. �The then President of the Philippines, Elpidio Quirino, signed Executive Order No. 258 on August 30, 1949, thus creating Sinacaban into a regular municipality, described and bounded as follows:"on the North, by a line from point 1, the center of the lighthouse on the Taboo point S 84o30", 7,250 meters point "2" which is on the bank of Palilan river branch 2,400 meters South Westerly to point "3" hence a straight line 87o 00 W 22,550 meters to point "4" where this intersects Misamis Occidental-Zamboanga boundary, and on the East, by the limits of municipal water which the municipality of Sinacaban shall have."The Municipality of Sinacaban then contained the barrios of Sinacaban, which later became the seat of the Municipal Government, Sinonoc, Libertad, the Southern portion of the barrio as Macabayao, and the sitios of Tipan, Katipunan, Estrella, Flores Senior, Adorable, San Isidro, Cagay-anon, Camanes, Kulupan, and Libertad Alto.Upon its creation, Sofronio Avanceña was appointed as Mayor and Nicanor Al-ag was the appointed Vice Mayor with 8 appointed municipal councilors. �In 1951, the first election for municipal officials was held. �Mayor Sofronio Avanceña was duly elected with Victoriano Abuton as his Vice Mayor. �He still won his third bid for re-election on November 11, 1959 and on November 14, 1959, he was assassinated; and Vice Mayor Victoriano Abuton, by virtue of succession, occupied the position as Municipal Mayor.The following were the Municipal Mayor and Vice Mayor:� 1959-1963 Mayor Victoriano Abuton Vice Mayor Purita Boligor 1963-1967 Mayor Victoriano Abuton Vice Mayor Herminigildo Japus 1967-1980 Mayor Victoriano Abuton Vice Mayor Ignacio Vente 1980-1983 Mayor Victoriano Abuton Vice Mayor Prudencio Dominguez 1983-1986 Mayor Prudencio Dominguez Vice Mayor Arnulfo Maghuyop 1986-1987 Mayor Alfredo Boligor Vice Mayor Cesar Gamotin November 1987January 1988 Mayor Victoriano Abuton Vice Mayor Teofila J. Baloria 1988-1996 Mayor Eufracio D. Lood Vice Mayor Basilio M. Banaag 1996-2007 Mayor Cesaria T. Lood Vice Mayor Juanito B. Tiu, Sr. 2007-present Mayor Dello T. Lood Vice Mayor Anecito S.[...]

Subanen Tribes Endangered

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:18:00 +0000

In its August 2004 issue, Bulatlat published Mars Marata's article entitled "What Future Will We Give Our Children: Subanen Tribes Endangered."  We take liberty to repost it here to support the Subanen people's desire to declare the entire Mount Malindang Range as their ancestral domain.   When the government declared Mt. Malindang in Misamis Occidental, Western Mindanao, as a protected area, it deprived the Subanen people of their ancestral domain.  Timuay Saminoy Luminding of Lake Duminagat said, "Our parcels of land inside the Park are now buried with more than 500 concrete markers, prohibiting us from tilling the land. Those who disobeyed were apprehended and fined." "If this will continue, what future shall we give our children?" he asked.BY MARS S. MARATA BulatlatLAKE DUMINAGAT, Don Victoriano, Misamis Occidental -- During last week’s Sandugo Solidarity Mission in Mt. Malindang in Misamis Occidental, 23 Timuays (Tribal chieftains) of the Subanen people from the Zamboanga Peninsula in Western Mindanao, southern Philippines, sealed a four-page resolution declaring the entire Mt. Malindang as their ancestral domain.The resolution challenged the government’s classification of Mt. Malindang as a natural park.  The area was classified as a natural park by virtue of R.A. 7586 known as the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (NIPAS) Act of 1992.  Timuay Saminoy Luminding of Lake Duminagat said that when the government declared the entire Mt. Malindang, spanning 53,262 hectares, as a national park in 2002, it completely divested the Subanen people of their "sacred place" - their ancestral domain.As a result, Luminding said "our parcels of land inside the Park are now buried with more than 500 concrete markers, prohibiting us from tilling the land. Those who disobeyed were apprehended and fined."Luminding asked, "If this will continue, what future shall we give to our children?”The resolution also called for the scrapping of the 1992 National Integrated Protected Areas Systems (NIPAS) Act and the 1997 Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act (IPRA). The resolution declared these laws as instruments that resulted in the eviction of the Subanen people from their lands and as token responses of the government to the Lumad's genuine aspiration for ancestral domain and right to self-determination.DisplacedA report released by the Salabukan Nok G'taw Subanen (Unity of the Subanen People or SGS) said about 59 Subanen families in Barangay Liboron, Don Victoriano have been displaced since the implementation of the NIPAS Act."Several others of the total 4,000 household inside the park have complained of the same case in different places in Mt. Malindang," the report further stated.According to the report, some 33, 000 hectares of Mt. Malindang were classified as "strictly protected areas" wherein human activity is completely barred while the remaining 22, 262 hectares were classified as a "buffer zone."  In the buffer zone, human settlement is allowed but private ownership is disallowed.The government blames the Subanen people for the environmental destruction of Mt. Malindang. According to a Management Strategy paper produced by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), headed by Protected Areas superintendent Rolando Dingal, the increasing population with their destructive farming methods like kaingin (slash-and-burn) has become the main culprit in the destruction of the ecosystem of Mt. Malindang.The PABM, in the paper, claimed that among the other important resources that face serious threat are the 49 rivers of Mt. Malindang that supply water to about one million people from Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte and Misamis Occidental.In the paper, the PABM also averred that the destruction of Mt. Malindang will[...]

Changing Landscape of Mt. Malindang

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:24:00 +0000

Have you ever seen the beauty and splendour of Mount Malindang?  Look again...before its magnificence has vanished into another Guinsaugon-like catastrophe.  Mt. Malindang National Park is the lifeblood of the province of Misamis Occidental, Mindanao.  With 15 major watersheds or catchment basins, the Park sustains the economic life of the province including the municipalities bordering the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte. About a million people depend on the Park for irrigation, for industrial and domestic water supply as well as for food. The mountain range was believed to be formed through a series of volcanic activities within the historical times, but is not well documented.  Several indicators of such activities are found in the site.  These include six (6) hectares of crater lake (Lake Duminagat) and two (2) big sunken areas (more than 20 hectares each) surrounded by high rock walls, cinder cones, dome volcanic plugs, amphitheater structures, extensive distribution of volcanic rocks, carbonized wood found in pyroclastic deposits and two sulfuric hot springs. The entire mountain range is dissected by several canyons, gores and ravines, making its terrain very rugged, and the forest a beautiful scenery.Mt. Malindang Natural Park lies within the Malindang mountain range in Mindanao, straddling the provinces of Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur.   It covers approximately over 34, 000 hectares.   Its highest peak measures about 2,402 meters above sea level.The Park is an important biodiversity refuge.  A great number of diverse endemic faunal and floral species are found in the old-growth and mossy forests in the higher areas. (CLICK the video to see a glimpse of what's inside Mt. Malindang) The flora is dominated by several dipterocarp species while the faunal species include, among others: the Philippine eagle Philippine hawk eagle Rough armed tree frog (rare) Water monitor lizard Philippine warty pig Golden-crowned flying fox (endangered)  Philippine brown deer (rare)  Red-bellied pitta (rare)  Rufous hornbill (rare, threatened)  Philippine hanging parakeet or colasisi, and the Philippine woodpecker  Although several species have yet to be identified and/or discovered, many may already be threatened or endangered and some may no longer exist.Lower down the mountain, the landscape has changed.  Some areas have been logged and cleared for farms and gardens. Similarly, areas along the foot slopes and around the coast, up towards the Dipolog River have been cleared and planted to coconuts and irrigated crops.Mt Malindang was proclaimed as a National Park and Watershed Area on June 19,1971.  It covers a total area of 53, 262 hectares. With the enactment of NIPAS Law in 1992, Mt. Malindang was one of the initial components of the system, although the legal procedures required by Chapter 3 of the Act have yet to be completed. The boundary has been re-surveyed and revisions to it proposed: the Park proper (core zone) is now 34,694 hectares and has been re-designated as Mt. Malindang Natural Park; while 18,334 hectares has been designated as buffer zone. the park itself covers 65 barangays in 14 towns.The buffer zone is home to some 18,000 people while some 900 others live in the core area of the park. Nine out of ten people living in the core are Subanen. The Subanen are indigenous people residing in the area. They probably arrived in Mindanao before the 16th Century, and are culturally distinct from more recent immigrants, having their own language and customs.Mt. Malindang is the central feature of the eastern part of the Zamboanga peninsula of the island of Mindanao. The park itself occupies most of the area above [...]

Sinakbang Festival - Pagyukbo kang Señor San Jose

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:37:00 +0000

Tugob sa kamaampuon, kasadya, ug kamabulukon, gisaulog sa mga lumulupyo sa lungsod sa Sinacaban, ning lalawigan sa Misamis Occidental ang ikaduhang kasumaran sa "SINAKBANG FESTIVAL" kaniadtong Pebrero 19, 2009.Gilangkuban sa mga deboto ni Señor San Jose gikan sa simbahan sa Iglesia Filipina Independiente o Aglipayano, Romano Katoliko, ug uban pang mga sekta, ug dinuyugan sa mga opisyales ug empleyado sa lungsod, ug sa 17 ka mga barangay, maampuong gisugdan ang maong Festival pinaagi sa pagsaulog sa Santos nga Misa ug Ecumenical Prayer Service sa nagkalain-laing balay-alampuan.  Hiniusang gilibot sa lungsod ang Patron Señor San Jose dinuyugan sa kompas sa banda ug awit sa Ave Maria sa mga deboto paingon sa lapyahan sa barangay Poblacion diin gihimo ang "fluvial procession" kon prosesyon sa dagat ug gisunod ang nagkalain-laing pasundayag sa mga sayaw etniko.Aduna usay nagkalain-laing pa-"contest" sama sa lumba sa bugsay, langoy, ug "tug-of-war" kon pagbinirahay sa pisi. Matud ni Bise Mayor Anecito Mejares, kinsa maoy mihatag og Pambukas nga Pakigpulong ug Hamubong Daklit-Saysay, mao kadto ang ika-duhang tuig sa paghandum sa pagkahimugso sa ngalan "Sinacaban".  Gikuha ang ngalan sa maong lungsod gikan sa pulong "sakbang" (usa ka paagi sa pagdakop og alimango nga maoy kinaham nga kalan-on sa mga lumulupyo).  Matud sa mga sugilanon, samtang nagsuroy-suroy ang mga gwardiya sibil, nakit-an nila ang duha ka mangingisda nga gikan'g nanakop og alimango.  Gipangutana sa mga Katsila ang mga nanikop og alimango kung unsay ngalan sa maong dapit.  "Ah, sinakbang ni Señor!" tubag sa nanikupay, sa pagtuo nga gipangutana kun unsay ilang gibitbit.  Sukad niadto, mao na kadto ang gipangalan sa mga Katsila sa maong lugar, ang "Sinakbang" o Sinacaban.Midagsang usab sa maong lugar ang makalilisang nga sakit nga maoy hinungdan sa kamatayon sa daghang lumulupyo.  Wala mosalir ang pangaliya ug paghalad-halad sa mga albularyo.  Mihugpa lang ang maong epidemya dihang ilang giprosesyon ang Rebulto ni Señor San Jose libot sa mga kadalanan ug sa lawod sa Sinacaban.  Sukad niadto, ila nang i-prosesyon matag tuig ang rebulto sa Patron.Agi'g pagduyog sa lokal nga kagamhanan, opisyal nga gideklarar sa Sangguniang Bayan nga tinuig nang himuon ang "Sinakbang Festival." [...]

Nagtinga na ba ang Bukid Malindang?

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:21:00 +0000

Makalilisang nga pagbanlas sa tubig-baha gikan sa tiilan sa Bukid Malindang ang mipayhag sa kapin dos sentos syete (207) ka panimalay sa mga lungsod sa Tudela, Sinacaban, ug Jimenez sa lalawigan sa Misamis Occidental.  "Salamat" sa way puangod ug iresponsableng ekonomikanhong mga pamaagi sa pagpanginabuhi sa mga lumulupyo.  Wa na jud mapugngi pagsapwang sa naupaw na nga kalasangan ang naghingaping bul-og sa tubig gumikan sa way puas nga ulan kaniadtong Enero 16, 2008.Gibanabana'ng mao kadto ang pinakadakung katalagman nga mikuso-kuso niani nga lalawigan sa Amihanang Mindanao sukad sa milabaw'ng napulo ka tuig, ug hinaut unta nga mao kadto'y makapahimatngon sa mga lumulopyo unsa kamahinungdanon ang pag-amping sa kinaiyahan sa ilang palibot.Mga Lokal Nga PaningkamotBusa, gawas sa pagpanday og balik sa mga kabalayan sa 254 nga pamilya, ug sa paningkamot nga mabawi ang naparot nga mokabat nga kapin sa dose milyones ka pesos (P12-M) nga propriedades, mga abot sa uma, ug kahayupan, gumikan sa maong bagyo, aduna pa'y laing pamaagi sa pagpahiuli ang ginapanday karon.Ang mga pamunuang lokal naningkamot nga makakuha'g suporta gikan sa mga residente ug gikan sa mga ahensyang nasyonal aron sa pagsalbar o pagluwas sa nagakaupaw na nga kalasangan sa Bukid Malindang, aron malikayan ang umaabot pang mas makalilisang mga baha nga susamang mipayhag sa daghang kabarangayan niadtong miaging mga bulan.  Ang sunod-sunod nga kusog nga ulan maoy hinungdan sa kusog nga bul-og sa baha kaniadtong Enero 16, 2008.  Tinubdan sa Kinabuhi sa Katawhan ang Bukid Malindang Ang kinatumyang barog niini mokabat ngadto sa 2,400 metros ug motadlas ngadto sa kapin singkwenta y tres mil (53,000) ka ektaryas nga gilapdon, ang Bukid sa Malindang misakop sa disesyete (17) ka mga munisipyo sa tibuok lalawigan sa Misamis Occidental, ug naglakip usab kini sa pipila ka mga kasikbit nga nga lungsod sa Zamboanga del Norte ug Zamboanga del Sur.Gibananabana nga ang iyang kalasangan mokabat pa sa kapin traynta y tres mil (33,000) ektaryas, apan dise-otso mil (18,000) ektaryas niini mga lumot-lumot o anot na lamang.Ang mga nahibiling kalasangan niini maoy nagsapwang sa tubig, nga maoy ginapadagayday niini ngadto sa kapin usa ka dosenang dagkung mga kasubaan sa lalawigan sa Misamis Occidental.  Ang katubigan nga mibuhagay gikan sa Bukid Malindang maoy gipahimuslan sa minilyon ka katawhan nga naglibot sa Zamboanga Peninsula alang ilang gamit pang-agrikultura, pang-industriya ug mga gamit sa panimalay.Niadtong tuig 1970, tulo ka mga kompanya ang gihatagan og konsesyon o lisensya sa pagtroso  o sa pagpamuril sa mga troso kalasangan sa Malindang.  Midagsang usab, duyog niini, ang kapid-an ka mga setler o migrante nga nanimuyo sa mga bakilid. Matud sa Protected Area Office (PAO) sa Malindang, nga niadtong wala pa miabot ang kumpanya sa pagtroso, kapin lang sa libo (1,000) ka pamilya ang nanimuyo ning dapita, kasagaran mga nitibong Suban-on.  Apan karon, mokapin na sa kwatro mil (4,000) sila ka pamilya.  Ang pagdagsang sa mga nanimuyo sulod sa Bukid sa Malindang nagdala og hulga sa kinaiyanhong kinabuhi sa kalasangan. Kini nga mga setler mitikad sa mga bakilid alang sa ilang inadlaw'ng pagkaon ug alang ilang kakitaan og salapi.  Kadaghanan kanila migamit sa kaingin nga pamaagi.  Mangahoy usab sila alang sa ilang pangsugnod ug sa pagtukod sa ilang panimalay.Armadong Mamutulay og KahoyAng mas makuyaw nga hulga naggumikan sa mga armadong mamutulay og kahoy alang sa ilang negosyo sa troso.  Ang pagpamuril sa kahoy ginahimo aron himuon og mga bangka o baruto o kaha ibaligya ngadto sa mga pangingisda sa Panguil Bay.Matud pa ni Superintendent Rolando Dingal sa PAO, nga gibanabanang mokab[...]

Comments (0) - Read and Add your own Comments