(Updated) I’m Joining the 1st Mindanao Bloggers’ Summit

(With updates for more MBS1 sponsors from Blogie)I registered as participant-to be No. 30 for the First Mindanao Bloggers’ Summit on October 27, 2007. Though it is still a long way to go, about three months and I couldn’t project work sked yet as of now, I hope I’ll have leeway because it falls on a Saturday.

It is important to gather bloggers from around Mindanao for updates, issues and trends in blogging as well as relevant issues on Mindanao. When the bloggers meet and the “industry leaders” are also present, I’m sure there are many things that could transpire.

Aside from the party and talks, the event will surely become a stream for new ideas that will benefit Mindanao.

The theme selected was: Spotlight Mindanao:Blogging for Culture, Identity & Understanding.

27 October 2007 (Saturday)Time: 1:30 to 6:00 P.M. Venue: 4th Floor, NCCC Mall, Ma-a, Davao City.

Know more about the summit here at the Mindanao Bloggers blog.

As early as now, congratulations to the organizers for a brilliant invention!

Thanks also to:

Councilor Peter Laviña
BisayaBloggers.com
Davao’s Food Huntress
Lane Systems
NokiaHost P5/day webhosting
Orange County Real Estate
Web Developer Philippines

Comelec to convene nat’l meet to discuss what’s wrong with electoral system

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 July) — The Commission on Elections announced it will convene a two-day national gathering of elections stakeholders next month to look into the problems haunting the country’s electoral system, Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos said.

Abalos told reporters in a late afternoon press conference at the Marco Polo Thursday that they will invite all groups who have a stake in the elections to discuss the problems and propose solutions on what he said was an electoral system fraught with “perception of cheating.”

“The commission is calling a big conference of all stakeholders of the elections to address all the ills and problems that beset the elections throughout the years,” he said.

He described the gathering to be similar to the Supreme Court in its summit on the extra-judicial killings earlier this month. But Abalos denied the SC inspired the commission to do it, saying they have planned it long before the SC summit.

Read the rest of the report on MindaNews.com.

In Davao City, footwear rule clarified for city council audience

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/26 July) — Those who cannot afford to buy shoes can still attend the sessions of Davao’s city council even if the new vice mayor launched a stricter dress code within her first 30 days in office.
In earlier pronouncements published in local newspapers, however, the city council’s security head was quoted to have said persons wearing slippers shall be barred entry during sessions.

Vice Mayor Sara Duterte, who in her inaugural speech talked tough on transparency and accountability of the employees and the councilors, asked the public to cooperate on the matter of  dress code to “preserve the sanctity” of the council.

Read the rest of the report on MindaNews.com.

Big Thanks!

I’m taking this opportunity to thank all those who voted for Istambay sa Mindanao in the old poll at the www.davaoblogscom. Now that it has been taken out, I can have my say about it.

I am grateful for the support shown by the random voters and thank Blogie Robillo for considering ISM in the list.

Honestly, to be included in the list is already an honor. The other two blogs in the options were definitely far, far better in content, form, and coverage. I’m sure they are the real winners.

I was surprised when I found at least half of the estimated 60 bloggers who spent time to vote selected Istambay.

Thank you! Salamat gyud!

US-style primaries eyed for elections in Mindanao

Because of the reported “unique way” of voting in Mindanao, the Commission on Elections has eyed pushing for the use of electoral colleges in primaries just like those used in the United States, Comelec officials said.

Comelec chair Benjamin Abalos announced the plan as part of what the commission is studying to approach the controversial elections in some parts of Mindanao where so-called command voting reportedly prevailed.

Read the rest of the report on MindaNews.com.

Drive vs. mother-to-child HIV infection launched

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 July) – “Make sure that your child is free
from HIV infection. Take the test. Free, voluntary, and confidential.”

The message is from a promotional banner printed in time for the
launching of the “Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV
Infection” (PMTCT) program.

The government-run Davao Medical Center has piloted the program to
prevent infection of HIV-AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus-acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome) from mothers to their children.

DOH downgrades fogging against dengue

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/25 July) – Contrary to popular belief, fogging
operations alone cannot stop dengue, an official of the Department of
Health said.

Dr. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, DOH regional director, told MindaNews
employing fogging alone is no longer advisable because it is not a
good health practice.

Wage board hearing pay hike in S. Mindanao

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/24 Jul) — The seven-member Regional Tri-partite Wage and Productivity Board in Southeastern Mindanao has conducted public hearings amid a petition for a P75 across-the-board increase, the RTWPB chair said.

Ponciano Ligutom, RTWPB 11 chair and regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), said they are now proceeding to sector consultations after holding marathon hearings in Digos, Tagum and Davao on July 17 to 19.

Ligutom said on Aug. 19, a month after the last public hearing was conducted, they will release a decision but could not reveal just yet if the 1.6 million workers in the region can expect an increase in the minimum pay.

Read the rest of the report on MindaNews.com.

What about the civilians, General Esperon sir?

I couldn’t help but react right away upon reading reports from the national media about the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ reported “readiness” to possible spillover of violence in its punitive operations in Basilan.

GMANews.tv reported that Philippine military chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr mouthed that government security forces have been pre-positioned to avert any possible spillover of violence once the “punitive actions” against selected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) start in Basilan.

OK, I must stress I’m not a true-blue peace advocate. I do not know every facet of this situation considering the many things hidden from the public, including the media.

I’m just a Davao-based reporter who happens to publish this blog far from Basilan. I even have difficulty finding “Tipotipo” on the map.

But it speaks only of common sense to figure out that in any war, it is the civilians, not the military, who are at the receiving end of greater violence and hardships.

Security Bank more bullish on Mindanao

DAVAO CITY – Amid brewing tension in the now shaky peace
process, Security Bank Corporation, with eight branches in Mindanao,
is bullish on the island’s fast growth as local and international
investments pour in, bank officials said.

William Whang, senior vice president and head of SBC’s branch banking group, told reporters in a press conference at The Marco Polo Tuesday they are definitely
expanding in Mindanao and launching highly in demand consumer products. He said the offering is an indicator there is fast growing market for consumer products in Mindanao such as auto, housing, and personal loans.

Read the rest of the report in MindaNews.com.

What’s in the agreement for restraint in Basilan?

The government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front signed an important document on July 23, by both peace panel’s coordinating committees on the cessation of hostilities (CCCH).

The joint resolution penned both parties should observe “maximum restraint” pending their joint investigation of the July 10 killing in Basilan.

Here follows a copy of the Joint Resolution:

GMA uses Mindanao as front act in seventh SONA

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 July) — President Arroyo made Mindanao the front
act in her seventh state of the nation address (SONA) Monday afternoon,
promising 30% of the budgets of the Agriculture, Agrarian Reform and
Environment departments for the country’s second largest island grouping.
Arroyo listed third among her three priorities in the next three years,
“investments in bringing peace to Mindanao; crushing terrorism wherever it
threatens regardless of ideology; and putting a stop to human rights abuses
whatever the excuse.”

She said the priorities will find “record levels of well thought out and
generous funding.”

In her past speeches, Ms Arroyo outlined her plans to Mindanao after Luzon and
Central Philippines.

Her promised 30% of the budget from the three regions was partly in response
to a recommendation made at the summit on the Human Security Act in Cagayan de
Oro on July 9 and 10. The recommendation, however, was for a 30% share of the
total budget, not just the budget of three departments.