Monday, December 29, 2008

Alumni Homecoming Schedules


DEC 27, 2008 - UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO BANSALAN COLLEGE
------------------------------------------------------
DEC 30, 2008 - HOLY CROSS OF BANSALAN COLLEGE
------------------------------------------------------
DEC 30, 2008 - NAZARETH HIGH SCHOOL
------------------------------------------------------

Friday, December 19, 2008

The Digital Works of Dr. Emmanuel Rabe




click on the photolinks to view the recent digital captures of dehr

Sunday, November 16, 2008

New Dasureco BOD elected thru “People Power”

New Dasureco BOD elected thru “people power”
Written by Eldie S. Aguirre
Saturday, 15 November 2008
-------------------------------------
originally posted at www.arcanemind.com
--------------------------------------
More or less 20 thousand member/consumers of Davao del Sur Electric Cooperative (Dasureco) flocked to the main office in Barangay Cogon, this city on Saturday and elected new set of officers for the board of directors to man the cooperative.

Governor Douglas Cagas acted as presiding officer during the conduct of the election through “people power” outside the perimeter of Dasureco to unseat the existing board of directors who continuously hold their positions under an “expired” term of office.

The new set of officers is: Digos North – Mark Fernandez; Digos South – Leonardo Suario; Boy Mante – Malita/JAS; Margarito Geolina – Sta. Maria; Ludovico Abay-Abay – Kiblawan; Douglas Corpuz – Magsaysay; Flor Alupay – Bansalan; Danilo Dianga – Matanao; Corazon Calida – Hagonoy; Padok Miego – Padada; Jose Cambas – Sulop; and Melojean Paras – Malalag.

House Representative for the First District of Davao del Sur Marc Cagas sworn the newly elected directors into office before the mammoth crowd who joined the “people power.”

Jesus de la Victoria, Dasureco general manager allowed the newly inducted officers to the board room where an election of officers was conducted with the guidance Omar Mayo of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) legal division.

Leonardo Suario emerged as the new chairman and president of Dasureco board of directors.

Glenn Solana of Sta. Cruz town was not replaced since he is still serving his first term of office.

Suario said he would oppose any move to restructure the components of Dasureco personnel to avoid hampering the operation of the electric cooperative known to be one of the best in the country.

De la Victoria said he would abide with the decisions of the newly elected officers of the board being an ex-officio member.
“I welcome the decision of the majority of the member/consumers who wanted to change the composition of the board,” he said.

Mayo said the NEA will also heed on the decision of the majority of Dasureco members. “I am here to observe how the process of the elections. NEA will not intervene with what the members are doing.”

The board of directors under the leadership of Artemio Tajon has not been reached to comment on the election of officers to the Dasureco board of directors.

Tajon and other BODs maintained the other week they would not step down unless the case seeking for the nullity of the NEA Election Code of 1993 would not be resolved in court.

Regional Trial Court – Branch 18 Presiding Judge Marivic Daray issued a preliminary prohibitory injunction on year 2005 preventing Dasureco to hold an election before the main case would be resolved.

However, Governor Cagas insisted the regional trial court has no jurisdiction over the matter since NEA is a quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial body where cases could only be filed in a court higher than the RTC.


2008 ©

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Bansalan Cooperative Day


By virtue of PROCLAMATION NO. 493 by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, the month of October has been declared as the Cooperative Month. As we all know, Cooperative is a legal association of people uniting themselves together to attain common goals in both social and economic aspects of development. In the province of Davao del, the cooperative month celebration was launched last October 1, 2008 at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium , Matti Digos City with no less the Hon. Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas as the Guest Speaker.

In the different municipalities in the province, coop leaders, members and advocates have been doing activities to add color to the celebration. It is in this unified spirit that the Cooperative Movement in Bansalan will also celebrate the Bansalan Cooperative Day this coming October 30, 2008. . The whole day program will be held at the ABC Gym. In order to make the celebration more meaningful, a Holy Mass will be celebrated before the program proper. It is expected the all cooperative members in the locality will be joining the Coop Quiz Bee, Parlor Games and other events. The MBM Zonal Federation of Marketing Cooperatives had voluntarily donated One Head Cattle as the Major Prize for the quiz bee. Game mechanics shall be patterned after the well-known TV Show Pera o Bayong and Wowowee.

The Cooperative Day celebration will be spearheaded by the Local Government Unit of Bansalan in coordination the the Cooperative Development Authority, MBM Zofemco and the Municipal Cooperative Development Council. The program will start at a new time schedule known as THE COOP TIME. COOP TIME means starting and ending the activity as scheduled. Coop Time is the opposite of tardiness, it is the time to come early to talk about progress and development.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The 4 -day Dry Run of the One Way System







Last October 11, 2008 (Saturday ) many motorists were surprised to see " DO NOT ENTER SIGNAGES" in some parts of the Public Market. Traffic aids and officers were instructing the motorists to follow the new system correctly. It was a new system for the great majority. People were surprised about the new set up. Upon conversation with the traffic officers , they said they are conducting a dry run of the proposed one way system in the public market. The dry run will be for the period of four(4)days.

As a concern citizen, I took the initiative of documenting the traffic flow hoping that the same can help in the implementation of the new system. As a matter of fact, I submitted the said document to the Chairman of the SB Committee on Transportation a couple of minutes before the start of the committee hearing yesterday. I cited matters like: (a) traffic flow is quite impressive with the new system (b) consider the income of the business in the public market as well as the collection of the Economic Enterprise Management Office; (c) consider the reactions and comments of the tricycle drivers and passengers; and other details.

Yesterday (October 15, 2008), motorists were also surprised after seeing that the one way system has been suspended. The dry run had garnered diversified feedbacks from the public. It had revealed both advantages and disadvantages. Among the many things that is obvious is the reality that there was no massive information about the dry run per se. People were not aware that the new system was just experimental. Consequently, the suspension of the dry run also happenned very quickly. Traffic officers removed some of the DO NOT ENTER signages. Other signboards were just turned sidewards and the motorists begun to get confused. Some bus drivers were not aware that the one way system has already been suspended. This phenomenon had almost brought me to an accident last night.

A while ago, at around 6:00 PM I was nearly nearly hit by a Weena Bus coming from Davao City going to Cotabato . I entered the public market following the way of Viacrusis St. (fronting petron) because the DO NOT ENTER SIGN was not already installed in the that place. When I reached the curve section adjacent to the bridge and Centeno building, I noticed the same thing,…the DO NOT ENTER SIGN was not there anymore. Seeing this, I drove straight to the usual lane going to the terminal, when suddenly an air-conditioned Weena Bus going to Kidapawan also occupied the same lane. The bus driver thought that the one way system is still effective. On the other hand, I contemplated that the one way system was suspended because the DO NOT ENTER SIGNAGE were already removed. I had no other choice except to give way to prevent further trouble. Bystanders can testify that I was riding a white multivan with my wife as my sole passenger.

I immediately, asked the weena conductors and dispatchers if they were informed of the changes. The answer was NO. To my mind, I cannot blame my co- motorists because we were not properly informed regarding the result of the DRY RUN. In my conversation with other motorists, they pointed out that they do not even know that the One Way System is still a Dry Run.

I don’t simply give comments; I proposed alternatives because I believe that we all wanted a peaceful and well-developed local economy. My wife and I had almost lost our innocents lives a while ago. With this phenomenon, I am proposing these alternatives to our town's elected officials:

a. The public must be well informed regarding the duration of the dry run. Simple fliers and streamers may be posted and displayed in the conspicuous places to bring about awareness to the public, rather than just simply putting “DO not Enter” warning devices which are written in bond paper and cartolina using pentel pen . The public must be properly informed by means of announcement, posting and other related means.

b. Traffic officers and personel must coordinate with the management of the passenger buses and other motorists regarding the effectivity of the dry run as well as the suspension of the one way system to prevent accident.

c. All traffic warning devices shall be completely removed if a particular area is already open for entrance and exit rather than just simply turning them aside which may often create confusion to the public.

d. Traffic warning devices shall be presentable because they are government properties. Some of our DO NOT ENTER SIGNAGES are just written on bond papers and cartolina using marker pens.


I guess, the problem here is about COMMUNICATION GAP among the policy makers, traffic officers and personel and the public. I do believe that all of us deserved the right to be properly informed so as to prevent accidents and chaos. We should not place the lives of our people at risks. Laws and rules are designed to create order in the community. However, if they are not properly implemented, the exact opposite might possibly happen.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Accident Prone Area





Accidents and calamities may happen at any time, but they could be prevented if we anticipate their causes.

I had furnished the Barangay Council of Rizal, Bansalan Davao del Sur with a printed copy of my photo-documentation relevant to the safety of the motorists and commuters passing in the area near the Rizal Bridge. Several cases of accidents happened here in view of visibility problem. While trees are environmentally -friendly, yet, if it would cost the lives of many, then, what benefit can it bring to mankind?

Below is the list of my recommendations as frequent traveler and concern citizen:

1.trees should be pruned so that motorists coming from both north and south bounds can see each other;
2.bushes should be cut down to bring about better visibility;
3.“Accident Prone Area” signage should be placed in order to give warning to motorists.

While the design of the concreted road is not properly angled and the location of the bridge is “blind curve”, we can still make alternatives for safety purposes. Better visibility should be present by way of trimming down branches and cutting off the bushes.

Friday, October 3, 2008

The Cooperative Month Celebration

By virtue of PROCLAMATION NO. 493, the month of October has been declared as COOPERATIVE month. Pursuant to this, the Province of Davao del Sur, thru the Provincial Cooperative Development Council, had iniated the conduct of the Opening Salvo of the Cooperative Month Celebration. Last October 1, 2008, cooperative leaders and supporters came as one family as they open the cooperative month with a Thanksgiving Mass at the Provincial Capitol Gymnanium, Matti, Digos City.

It couldn't be denied that majority of the participants came from the Municipality of Bansalan. Records of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) reveals that there are 35 active cooperatives in Bansalan. These socio-economic institutions had succesfully participated to the said affair with the support of the Local Government Unit of Bansalan, the Municipal Cooperative Development Council and the Cooperative Development Authority.

Series of activities had been done to include; coop motorcade, coop banner raising, socio - cultural contest and the like. Bansalan's participation to the recently opened Cooperative Month opening salvo is another manifestation that cooperativism is very much alive in our town. It can be recalled that during recent celebration of the 56th Araw ng Bansalan, the cooperatives had also succesfully participated to the conduct of Agri-Trade Fair featuring coconut by-products.

This month's celebration carried the theme ; Cooperatives: Breaking thru barriers and beyond. In a situation where economic crisis is prevalent, people should unite to fight against poverty thru cooperativism. Cooperatives has to hurdle these barriers by way of doing business that will answer the common needs of its members.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Kialegnon Festival


Magsaysay Davao del Sur is the nearest town next to Bansalan when it comes to geographical location. After the Bansaulog celebration of Bansalan, the Municipality of Magsaysay also will be celebrating the Kialegnon Festival. The festive event will be launched this September 24, 2008. Magsaysay, called by the locals as Kialeg, has been known for its inland resorts like the Encar, Kalapao and Kamonsilan.The Honorable Mayor Jess Lumanog together with town officials are hopeful that thru this festival, Magsaysay will be able to showcase the local products that will be about development in the local economy. Magsaysay is considered to be the rice granery of the province. The aromatic Magsaysay Rice (Magrice) is also grown and produce from Kialeg.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

BANSALAN CELEBRATES 56TH ANNIVESARY: "COLORFUL, LIVELY AND UNIQUE!" (By Henrylito D. Tacio )


This year's 56th anniversary of Bansalan, Davao del Sur – called Bansaulog (from the words "Bansalan" and "saulog," the Visayan term for celebration) was colorful, more unique, lively, and weeklong.

"Unlike the past celebrations, we are celebrating our town anniversary this year for one week," said Edwin Reyes, the town mayor. "Before, we only commemorate the celebration on the town's anniversary."

"Bansalan, Padayon sa Pinasahi nga Pag-uswag" was the theme of the celebration. "Our town is fast developing but we have to move further to fully develop," said Reyes, the youngest mayor of the town ever and a businessman. "I am hoping that by 2010, we will have improved economically."

Bansalan used to be a barrio of the municipality of Santa Cruz. When Digos (now the province's capital) became a town itself, Bansalan was part of it. The town lies 22 kilometers west of Digos.

On June 6, 1952, Bansalan was separated from Digos and under Executive Order No. 506 became a town itself. (In 1957, Matan-ao was created out of the territory of Bansalan. Ten years later, Magsaysay followed suit.) The Bagobos were the town's aborigines.

But it was not until Apolonio Ilagan, a captain in the Philippine Constabulary, that the town celebrated its anniversary. On September 18, 1952, Ilagan assumed office the town's first mayor.

How did the town get its name? Richard Ortiz, writing for the municipal comprehensive plan, recounted: "Datu Mandu, the adventurous tribal chieftain whose exploits were the first to have been recorded in the local historical data, established along the banks of the Miral River a village that grew so rapidly during his time. His successor, Datu Tumanas, relocated the settlement of his people to the nearby carambulig (a wide patch of cogonal meadows, where cultivation of crops and domestication of animals were started).

"It was Datu Tumanas who named the place Dansalan, after valiant Datu Dansalan who ruled the tribe some decades past and whose valor and chivalry were legends that came to be passed by word-of-mouth through generations."

But how Dansalan became Bansalan is an interesting story in itself. When Americans came to resettlement area, they asked the natives what the name of the place. They replied, "Dansalan." Ortiz surmised: "The initial plosive consonant must have been misheard by the Caucasians for they used the term 'Bansalan,' and the name stuck from then on."

However, the Provincial Tourism Development Plan has a different version: "Bansalan got its name from the one simple farmer named Bansalan who one day dug the earth in search of potable water to quench his thirst. Fortunately, he dug a spring which didn't satisfy his thirst but also his other companions. Rain widened the spring and the constant erosion of soil led to its formation into a creek, and later into a river. Bansalan did not live long. His companions, who were recipients of Bansalan's labor named the river after him."

As part of this year's celebration, Bansalan celebrated the event with street dancing, called "Sayo tut dalan." "Street dancing here is much better than in Digos," said a spectator.

According to Geraldine Batal, the municipal tourism officer, the first winner in the high school level (Category B) was Marber National High School, a grand slam since it won the top prize for three consecutive years.

The three other contenders settled for runner-ups: Nazareth High School, second; Don Pedro Arches Memorial High School, third; and Holy Cross College of Bansalan; fourth.

In the elementary level (Category A), there were six contenders. The best among them was Bansalan Central Elementary School. The runners were the elementary schools of New Clarin, Dolo, Villa-Doneza, Marber, and Kinuskusan.

Part of its unique celebration was the launching of its "one barangay, one product." And the town has chosen coconut as its pride. "Coconut has several uses and we found out that we can make several products out of it," said Julian Albores, the municipal agricultural officer.

Sayototdalan (Sayaw sa Kadalanan)

Bansalan Central Elementary School Team was proclaimed over all champion (Elementary Division) of the recently conducted Sayotatdalan (Sayaw sa kadalanan) held on September 17, 2008 on the occasion of the celebration of the 56th Town Anniversary. The group was trained the selected teachers from Bansalan Central Elementary School.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second Place (Elementary Division) = New Clarin Elementary School
Third Place (Elementary Division ) = Kinuskusan Elementary School

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High School Category

Grand Champion = Marber National High school
Second Place = Nazareth High School
Third Place = Managa National Highschool

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Bansaulog 2008 Photo Gallery










-------------------------------------------------------------------------

First Cooperative Nite in Bansalan

On the occasion of 56th Araw ng Bansalan week-long celebration, the cooperative sector has been given an important role to play. Aside from being the prime organization in the Agri- Trade Fair, the members of the 32 operating cooperatives in Bansalan had shown their talents and skills in singing , dancing, playing musical instrument to make the celebration festive and meaningful. The event was celebrated in the ABC gym tonight and had gathered around 300 participants coming from the different barangays. Indeed, cooperative is both social and economic venture that contributes progress and development in the community. Bansalan had remarkably gained honor from the other municipalities in the Province of Davao del Sur because of its strong cooperative movement. The Local Government of Bansalan had been implementing various programs and projects to the cooperatives thru the Municipal Agriculturist Office under the leadership of Mr. Julian L. Albores and the MBM ZOFEMCO under the guidance of Mr. Ronie Tomas . The cooperative nite was done thru combined effort of the Office of the Municipal Agricuturist, Municipal Cooperative Development Council and the Cooperative Development Authority
____________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Bansaulog 2008





Schedule of Activities of the week-long 56th Town Anniversary Celebration

September 12 (Friday) Opening of the the week-long 56th Town Anniversary Celebration
* Celebration of the Holy Eucharist @ Municipal Hall Lobby
* Blessing of the Viacrusis Park
September 13 (Saturday) * Enduro Challenge @ KM 78, Tubod Bansalan Davao del Sur
organized by the Exploriders Club thru the Leadership and
effort of Mr. Erbing Arriga, the club president.
September 14 (Sunday) * Mini Motorshow infront of Hall of Justice Building
organized by the Exploriders Club thru the Leadership and
effort of Mr. Erbing Arriga, the club president.
September 15 (Monday) * Opening of the Agri-Coop Trade Fair , Aisle of ABC GYMN
organized by LGU Bansalan Davao del Sur, thru the
Office of the Municipal Agriculturist thru the Leadership
of Mr. Julian L. Albores ; Municipal Cooperative Development
Council under the baton of Ms. Myrna Gonzales/
MBM ZOFEMCO under the guidance of the coop-federation
chairman,MR. Ronie Tomas
and the Technical Support of the Cooperative Development
Authority (CDA) thru the support of the assigned Cooperative
Development Specialist II in Bansalan, Mr. Randy A. Albores
-----------------------
to be continued> >>>>>
_______________________

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

One Town One Product (OTOP)


What is OTOP?

One Town One Product (OTOP) Philippines is a priority program of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to promote entrepreneurship and create jobs. Through OTOP, local chief executives of each city and municipality take the lead in identifying, developing and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage.

OTOP Philippines supports micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials and local skills and talents.

Coconut: Bansalan's OTOP

Coconut has been identified as Bansalan's OTOP. Others tagged coconut as the "tree of life". Nearly all parts of the coconut palm are useful, and the palms have a comparatively high yield, up to 75 fruits per year; it therefore has significant economic value. The coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations.

In support to the growing coconut industry in Bansalan, the Local Government Unit (LGU) had integrated an Agri-Trade Fair in the week-long 56th Town Anniversary celebration. The event which will be done this coming September 14-16, 2008 will be participated by the various exhibitors coming from the different business entities such as cooperatives, farmers associations, private farm owners and the like. Displays of coconut by- products will be situated in the booths along the side of the ABC Gym.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BANSALAN TO SHOWCASE COCONUT PRODUCTS

By Henrylito D. Tacio

BANSALAN, Davao del Sur -- If you happen to come to Bansalan, Davao del Sur, this week, don't be surprised. The town is celebrating its 56th anniversary on September 18 (but celebration will start this coming Monday, September 15).

Part of its celebration is the launching of its "one barangay, one product." And the town has chosen coconut as its pride.

"Coconut has several uses and we found out that we can make several products out of it," said Julian Albores, the municipal agricultural officer. "Different cooperatives of the town will display their various coconut products. On the last day of celebration, we will honor those cooperatives which have done the best out of coconut."

Known as the "tree of life," the coconut is one of the most important agricultural crops of the Philippines. It yields timber; food; fermented and unfermented drink; alcohol; vinegar; thatching material; splints; strips and fiber for making baskets, mates, rope, hats, brushes, brooms, and other articles; fuel; caulking material; utensils for household use, such as cups, bowls, spoons, and the like; oil for food, cooking, illumination, for making soap, substitutes for butter and lard, ointments; and oil for cake for feeding domestic animals and for fertilizer. -- ***

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Digos City Bombing


News entry courtesy of www.arcanemind.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 dead, 30 others wounded in another Digos bus bombing
Written by Eldie S. Aguirre
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six people were killed while 30 others are brought to different hospitals here and in Davao City when a bomb exploded inside the Metro Shuttle Bus with body number 209 at about 2:45 p.m. on September 01 inside the New Satellite Terminal in Aplaya, Digos City.
The City Disaster Coordinating Council identified the fatalities as Marlon Duey, a resident of Barangay Basiawan, Sta. Maria, Davao del Sur; Virginia Flores, a resident of Tagum City, Davao del Norte; Fe Caduan, a resident of Talao, Sulop, Davao del Sur; Ana Marie Canon Burgas, 26, a resident of Aplaya, Digos City; and the 5-month pregnant Willa Trimocha, a resident of Padada, Davao del Sur.

One still unidentified male fatality is still inside the morgue of Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City.

Digos City Mayor Arsenio Latasa said the incident is possibly linked to the previous bombing of another Metro Shuttle Bus unit at the same terminal on July 24.

“The culprits could be members of the Al-Khobar Extortion Ring known to be preying on bus firm operators in Southern Mindanao,” Latasa said.

Governor Douglas Cagas, the Regional Peace and Order Council in Southern Mindanao said they are looking for the same group that bombed another Metro Shuttle Bus on July 24, 2008 that killed 2 people and injured 32 others.

“Based on initial investigation, a woman could be behind the explosion. But we are still validating the reports,” Cagas said.

“We must be vigilant at all times. And we must reduce activities for the incoming celebrations to serve as preventive measures for possible terrorist activities in the city,” Cagas said.

The July 24 bombing of another Metro Shuttle Bus bound for Davao City is also a woman reported to embarked at Estrada Public Market – about 3 kilometers before reaching the New Satellite Terminal in Aplaya, Digos City where it exploded ten minutes after it was parked at its bay.

Senior Supt. Cesario Darantinao admitted elements of Digos police is conducting an intensive interrogation to a man who was acting suspiciously after the Metro Shuttle Bus with body number 209 exploded.

Fe Navidad, the city social welfare officer said 14 victims were brought to Digos Doctor’s Hospital; 16 at the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital; 4 at Gonzales-Maranan Medical Clinic and Hospital; and 2 at Davao Medical Center in Davao City.

The ill-fated bus parked at the New Satellite Terminal from Davao City on its way to Malita, Davao del Sur – about 90 kilometers South of Digos City.

Reports said the bus was in full sitting capacity of 47 passengers when the explosion took place.

The blast shattered the roof of the bus and bomb shrapnel even bore holes at the terminal galvanized iron sheets.

Another Metro Shuttle Bus with body number 36 and plate number 642 parked at the left side of the ill-fated bus was also hit by shrapnel. No casualties were reported.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Bro Alvin Barcelona @ HCBC



August 23,2008 is a memorable day for the RVM Sisters, Faculty & Staff, Parents and students of Holy Cross of Bansalan College. Bro Alvin Barcelona aka "Kuya Alvin" together with the Himaya Band had performed a laudable concert talk. The preacher-musician had really touched the lives of the audience through his music and life sharing experience. "I was lost, but I didn't give up, I keep on trusting God , that is why I survive." Thoughts like these had made the audience very attentive not only to his performance but to God's Message as well.

For more information about the above-named artist, log on his http://www.alvinbarcelona.com/

Friday, August 22, 2008

Bansaulog 2008

Activities for the 2008 Bansaulog will soon be posted here

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Another Flood Hits Bansalan

Another flood hits Bansalan last Sunday, August 10, 2008 at around 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon

Paolim Lim had captured the event on his youtube posting

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=DodSMDzy42I

Monday, August 4, 2008

Bansalan West District Online


Education must maximize the benefits of Information and Communication Technology. This is the principle that inspires the management of the Bansalan West District thru the leadership of its District Supervisor, Mr. Julito N. Tamula, to apply for internet connection. The district now holds the record of being the first to have an internet connection among others.

Mr. Jose F. Cadungog, Jr, the Alternative Learning System (ALS) coordinator, is anticipating that Information and Communication Technology will be of great help to the implementation of the ALS. Thru the use of the internet, ALS can further provide a viable alternative to the existing formal education instruction. It encompasses both non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Thursday, July 24, 2008

Bomb Explosion in Digos City (18 kilometers away from Bansalan)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:48am (Mla time) 07/25/2008

DIGOS CITY – A bomb believed set off by a group with terror links ripped through a bus parked in a terminal here, wounding 35 people.

Davao del Sur Gov. Douglas Cagas pointed an accusing finger at the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

But police and military authorities said they were more inclined to believe that the attack was the work of the al-Khobar extortion group, which has been linked to similar attacks in Central Mindanao.

Chief Insp. Anthony Padua, city police chief, said the Metro Shuttle bus with body No. 176, which came from Bansalan, Davao del Sur, was waiting for passengers at the terminal when the explosion occurred around 11:50 a.m.

Most of those injured were passengers and vendors, he said.

Twenty-three of the victims were rushed to the Davao del Sur provincial hospital while four other passengers, including P01 Andres Alfonso of Padada town, were brought to Davao City due to serious injuries.

The rest of the victims were being treated at private hospitals.

Marian Apurado, 32, the bus conductor, who was also wounded, said she was seated near the driver when the explosion occurred about four minutes after they arrived at the terminal.

She said the blast tore the left portion of the bus, seven seats from where she sat.

“I was combing my hair when it occurred,” she said.

Chief Supt. Andres Caro, Southern Mindanao police chief, described the bomb as powerful.

He said it was packed in a water PET bottle and was remotely detonated.

“It was an [improvised explosive device] placed in a mineral water PET bottle, which also contained nails. It was command-detonated,” he said.

Maj. Lyndon Paniza, commander of the Army’s 39th Infantry Battalion, said Army bomb experts helping in the investigation recovered fragments of a cellular phone.

But he said authorities, including post-blast investigators, were still trying to determine what the bomb’s explosive material was.

Caro also said they were thankful because despite the design of the bomb, which was meant to kill or inflict major damage, no one was killed.

Maj. Armand Rico, spokesperson of the Eastern Mindanao Command, earlier said there were three fatalities in the bombing, but he turned out to be wrong.

Rico on Wednesday announced the recovery of a bomb-rigged motorcycle in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. The bomb, he said, was intended for Davao City but the driver abandoned it when the motorcycle had flat tires.

He said terrorists have been trying to attack Davao City and other major urban centers but couldn’t get past security measures.

Carlito Lim, Davao Metro Shuttle assistant operation manager here, said police were correct in saying extortion was the motive for the attack.

He said shortly after the blast, officials of the bus firm received a threatening call.

“Look at what happened. You are stubborn,” Lim quoted the unidentified caller as saying.

Mayor Rey Uy of Tagum City in Davao del Norte, whose family owns the Metro Shuttle company, confirmed the al-Khobar gang has been pestering them.

“But we ignored them,” Uy said.


Source : Philippine Daily Inquirer. by: Orlando Dinoy and Eldie Aguirre with a report from Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao

____________________________________________________________




Monday, July 14, 2008

Livelihood Program for Rebel Returnees


DAVAO CITY, Philippines -- Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who says he has friends in the New People's Army (NPA), has appealed to the rebels to spare the city from attacks, his aide said Thursday.
The NPA has stepped up its activities during the past weeks by staging attacks in Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur and Compostela Valley and in Surigao del Norte.
Duterte issued the appeal during talks with some left-leaning individuals last week according to his chief aide officer, Bong Go.
"The mayor asked leftist leaders if they could send a message to NPA leaders to spare the city from violence," Go told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, parent company of INQUIRER.net.
Go said Duterte also urged the NPA to release former army sergeant Jose Manero, the brother of pardoned priest killer Norberto Manero.
"He is still alive contrary to reports. Mayor Duterte appealed for his release based on humanitarian grounds," he said.
In Bansalan, Davao del Sur, Mayor Edwin Reyes offered to provide jobs and livelihood programs to NPA guerillas, who will go back to the folds of the law.
Reyes also asked the NPA rebels to leave the civilians alone.
He made the offer shortly after NPA rebels stormed the village of Managa here on Sunday and disarmed militiamen of their firearms.
The mayor said as a sign of sincerity, he has asked the army not to pursue the fleeing rebels.
"Our municipality could not employ all of them but we can recommend them for work in some businesses," he said.
Reyes said the government has many livelihood programs that the returning rebels could also avail of.
In the wake of the increasing NPA activities in Southern Mindanao, Senior Superintendent Cesario Darantinao, Davao del Sur police chief, said he placed the province's police force under a 24-hour red alert status.
Major Lyndon Paniza, commander of the Army's 39th Infantry Battalion (IB), said the NPA attacks were manifestations the rebels were becoming desperate and wanted to regain control of areas they lost to the government's anti-communist campaign.
"We should always be vigilant at this point in time. The rebels are just waiting for the right time to launch an attack," Darantinao agreed.
Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas said he would start localized talks with the NPA.
Cagas, one of the co-founders of the 1980s anti-communist group Nagkahiusang Katawhan sa Davao del Sur (Nakasaka), said a dialogue with the rebels could be more effective than armed offensive.
"Let's have a talk, a dialogue. If there are basic differences, ideological, we can allow it to continue but then let's have peace," he said.
Davao del Norte officials also said a localized talk might be an effective way of reducing the NPA attacks in the said province.



Reports from Dennis Jay C. Santos, Orlando Dinoy, Eldie Aguirre and Frinston Lim, Inquirer Mindanao

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Himno BansaleƱo

Uploading herewith the link of the Bansalan Official Town Hymn

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Happy Birthday Mayor Edwin G. Reyes

June 25, 2008 is the43rd birthday of our beloved town Mayor Edwin Granada-Reyes (EGR). As early as 1:00 AM , groups of BansaleƱos have been serenading the birthday celebrant. People from different walks of life were there to sing one melody "Happy Birhtday Mayor". This is a kind of Histroric Celebration because this is also the first time that a town mayor in Bansalan was greeted with around 500 people during the serenade. The dawn celebration was done in the lobby of the municipal hall. You could hear the serene of the police patrol car and the fire truck as well, bringing awareness to the people that today is a day of celebration.

The celebrant had only one wish , that is, WORKING TOGETHER for a BETTER BANSALAN. He keeps on repeating the same message in his thanksgiving speech. "LET US PUT BANSALAN in the MAP!" Further, he gave his present to the employees of the Local Government Unit in Bansalan. The latter jumped into joy after hearing that they will be receiving ten (10) kilograms of rice. In a usual birthday celebration, we usually give to the celebrants . Here comes the difference...the celebrant is the one giving gifts coming from his own pocket.

To the Honorable EGR, Happy Birthday Mayor!

Mabuhay ang Bansalan.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Remembering the Souls of the Victims of the Weena Bus Bombing



It's been a year already since the most tragic event in Bansalan happened. Last June 15, 2007 at about 5:45 in the afternoon, I became a witness of the deadliest event ever happened in my hometown. The folks used to call it "The Weena Bombing in Bansalan". I was the first rescuer in the scene. Unfortunately those 5 victims that i brought to the hospital didn't make it at all. May their souls rest in peace.

Recalling that day, I couldn't hold down my tears hearing the cries of the victims' family. After the Big Bang, people were shocked, there was a minute of silence. (I brought with me my digital camera and I took the opportunity of documenting the tragic event.)I was the first rescuer in the scene, although I was a little bit confused as to whether what to do next. I was trembling but was pacified and had garnered courage upon hearing the voice of a woman crying and calling me by name. It was Susan Villotes calling me, asking my help because her late husband Pepe was instantly killed. I carried the late Pepe and the four others. After that, some of the bystanders rescued the other victims. Rescue organizations, came to the scene. The members of the Kabalikat-Bansalan and other volunteers from the neighboring towns were there. The town ambulance came in late, forcing us to use the police vehicle and the firetruck to carry the victims to the hospital.

That day became part of my life-history already. It had made me courageous to help those who are in need especially during times of danger. It had made me strong and calm to respond to emergency situation. As long as I live, I will always be praying for the victims of that incident. Today, I am offering mass intentions for the victims' souls on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Weena Bus Bombing. May God welcome the souls of the faithful departed in His Kingdom.

Poverty is not a TOTAL HINDRANCE to success


The Association of BansaleƱos Worldwide (ABW) continues its mission in providing scholarship grants to the poor families in Bansalan.

Check this link for more update

http://www.bansalan.com/literacy/supplydistribtion08.htm

Friday, June 6, 2008

Flash Flood in Bansalan

(UPDATE) 1 dead, 2 missing in Davao del Sur flashflood

By Joel Guinto, Orlando Dinoy
INQUIRER.net Mindanao Bureau

Posted date: June 06, 2008


MANILA/BANSALAN, Davao del Sur, Philippines -- One person drowned, two others including a child were reported missing, while 169 families were evacuated after a river overflowed in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur province, causing flash floods on Thursday, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.

The fatality was identified as Victor Boyo, 30, a laborer at the town’s public market according to Inspector Emelix Mabalot, town police chief.

Mabalot said a woman and a child were also reported missing.

Heavy rains caused the Miral river to overflow and flood sitio (sub-village) Bugac and Poblacion 2 village, the NDCC said in a report on Friday

The evacuees were brought to the municipal gymnasium of Bansalan, the report said.

Mayor Edwin Reyes said about 500 families were affected when the flashflood hit Poblacion 2 around 5:30 p.m.

The flood, which also destroyed a wooden bridge, broke out amid fair weather in this town late Thursday afternoon, officials said Friday.

There was a report of a water spout but the occurrence remains unverified.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Baha sa Bansalan (Flood in Bansalan)

At late afternoon yesterday (June 5, 2008), I became witness of the biggest flood in Miral History. Affected areas are those in the riverbank of Bugak, Cosmos St. Carnation St. The water reached also Villa Doneza and some parts of the public market.

I assisted the emergency rescue, I was the one who opened the ABC gym to accomodate the evacuees. The first to arrive in the area were group of elderly women, young mother with her new born; and group of children. My heart was moved with pity hearing their remarks that they have not saved their properties because all were taken by the flood.

The Local Government Unit of Bansalan headed by Hon. Mayor Edwin G. Reyes had declared State of Calamity the other day in view of the price of rice. Unfornately, the flood is another calamity. When I went back to the Gym last night, I saw the Mayor with some of the elected officials assisting the distribution of foods and clothes to the flood victim. Last year , Bansalan encountered the same calamity for a couple of times. But yesterday's flood was worst than before.

Tristan Khalil Singkala had uploaded amateur videos on the incident


Wednesday, June 4, 2008

ANG KAMAHAL SA BUGAS SA BANSALAN

Arroyo, hoarders blamed for soaring rice prices

June 03, 2008 03:01:00
Mindanao Bureau

MANILA, Philippines—Hungry and frustrated, a man who lined up to buy government-subsidized rice at a "Bigasan ng Bayan" outlet in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur province, threw a stone at a streamer bearing the image of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The unidentified man was among those who queued early Monday morning, most of them without breakfast, only to be told that the store would open at 2 p.m.

Some of the consumers tried to bring down the tarpaulin, which was displayed outside the store, before they trooped to the office of Mayor Edwin Reyes.

More and more people in Mindanao are opting to buy government-subsidized rice, which is sold at P18.50 a kilo, as the price of "polished" rice soars to levels beyond their reach – from P41 to P52.

The President has ordered an investigation into the soaring rice prices, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Monday.

Earlier, Ms Arroyo's deputy spokesperson, Lorelei Fajardo, said the National Food Authority (NFA) would look into the alleged hoarding of the staple in Mindanao.

A Catholic bishop blamed not only traders, who hoard and resell cheap rice, but also government officials, who fail to stop the illegal practice, for the runaway prices of the grain.

Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of Marbel, South Cotabato, said he had been receiving reports that some traders in Mindanao were re-bagging the cheap NFA rice and reselling it at a much higher price.

"We are producing rice, but why is it so expensive? Something is wrong. The reason is the greed of businessmen and the incompetence of some government people," Gutierrez said in a Radio Veritas interview.

He called hoarding and reselling rice at a higher price "satanic."

The prelate said he would urge the traders to return what they had "stolen" from the poor. If a trader accepts the condition, "then I will absolve him. I will give him communion," he said.

Traders point to millers

Gutierrez said the rice traders should open their warehouses not only to government inspectors, but also to bishops. The prelate said the bishops and priests could help in the distribution of rice.

Rice traders in Bansalan won't take the blame for the price increase. Instead, they point to rice millers, who allegedly refuse to process palay (unhusked rice) as they wait for prices to further increase.

This is also what is happening in Northern Mindanao.

A week before rice prices shot up to P50 a kilo in Mindanao, one of the biggest millers in Cagayan de Oro City, Bernal Milling, cut its output by half, pointing to lack of supply.

Virginia Cantones, an official of the United Market Vendors Association in Cogon Market and a small rice retailer, said she had been going around the city to look for other rice millers to complete her quota, but found many warehouses empty.

"One miller told me they were not processing palay, stocked in bags in their warehouse by the thousands, because their equipment broke down. That's just unbelievable," Cantones said in the vernacular.

Cantones said many millers were keeping their stocks as they await rice prices to further go up. Some farmers have also decided to keep their palay stocks.

"But who can blame the farmers? The price of fertilizer has gone up three times in less than a month. They will not be able to gain enough if they sell the palay now," she said.

The Grain Retailers Confederation-Cagayan de Oro, said a big chunk of the rice supply from Cotabato and Bukidnon was brought to Davao, where the selling price was higher than that in other parts of Mindanao.

In Davao, premium rice is bought from traders at P2,000 a sack while the selling price in Northern Mindanao ranges from P1,700 to P1,800 a sack.

As a result, many traders are forced to buy rice from suppliers based on the Davao selling price.

But it's a different case in Cotabato City, where a dealer (who asked not to be named) claimed that dealers in the nearby provinces of Shariff Kabunsuan and North Cotabato were buying rice at a higher price.

P50 per sack

"The dealers wait for the truck of the supplier from Lebak on the highway in North Cotabato. They would add P50 per sack to our original buying price so the supplier would cancel our deliveries," the dealer said.

It takes five to six hours to transport rice stocks by land from Lebak town in Sultan Kudarat province to Cotabato City.

"We compete with other dealers from other provinces who go directly to rice suppliers to ensure supply," the rice trader said.

"We used to just sit in our store and wait for the deliveries ... (but now) for us to have supplies we have to go there because others (traders) are going there," the dealer said.

He said this was one reason the price was continuing to rise.

At the Cotabato City Megamarket, the "darami" (rice that was spilled on the floor during transport) used to cost P10 a kilo. It now costs P25.

"Darami" is sold as swine feed before the price of rice started to go up. It is now out of stock.

"It has never been like this before. The government should act and should act quickly," Rizelma Anastacio, a mother of three, said.

In Agusan del Sur province, rice traders blamed their counterparts in Digos City for buying most of their rice stocks two weeks ago and reselling them at a much higher price late last week when their stocks started to run out.

Buy low, sell high

A rice trader in Tandag City in Surigao del Sur province also blamed the Davao and Cotabato-based traders for buying palay at up to P25 a kilo from farmers in neighboring San Miguel town, taking the last batch of the harvest last week.

Concepcion Atamosa, president of a rice traders' group at the Public Shopping Mall in San Francisco town in Agusan del Sur, said several rice traders from Digos bought their stocks at P1,600 a sack and resold them at P2,000 to P2,200 when their stocks were running low.

Atamosa acknowledged that the Digos traders bought 72 sacks of her stocks two weeks ago.

She said her group learned that it had been had when the Davao and Cotabato traders started to sell the group rice last week at P2,000 to P2,200 a sack after their local supply started to run out.

Amid the soaring prices, the NFA is still limiting the amount of its subsidized rice that consumers can buy in public markets, drawing mounting complaints from consumers who now opt to buy the imported rice.

Not enough

Roberta Resaba of Barangay Alegria in San Francisco, said 2 kilos of rice were not enough to feed her four grownup children.

Resaba said her family started to patronize NFA rice when it was offered at P18.50 a few months back. Like her, other consumers who joined a long queue at an NFA outlet Monday pleaded for an increase of the ration from 2 kilos to 5 a day.

Last week, the agency received 120,000 bags of Vietnam rice, which its Caraga director, Gil Pepito Paqueo, said was enough to ensure "no food shortage in the region."

In nearby Butuan City, Fernando NuƱez, NFA manager in Butuan and Agusan del Norte, said the high prices were due to increased demand because of the coming lean season.

NuƱez said the buying spree by rice traders from outside Caraga had dried up the supply of local rice millers and grain wholesalers supposedly intended for the city.

Spike in prices

A small rice retailer at the Langihan market in Butuan blamed the rice millers and grain wholesalers for the spike in prices.

"The greedy rice millers and wholesalers are responsible for the increases. By controlling the supply, they manipulate the prices," he said.

NuƱez said he had already ordered an increase in the volume of rice the NFA was distributing daily from 900 bags to 1,200 to its 143 accredited outlets.

"We are mitigating the impact of the price hike by increasing the availability of NFA rice in the markets," he said.

At a meeting with Reyes Monday afternoon, Arthur Diaz, a project development officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, said his office was planning to add 24 outlets to the 93 "Tindahan Natin" stores in Davao del Sur. Orlando Dinoy, Edwin O. Fernandez, Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez, Chris V. Panganiban, Franklin A. Caliguid, Inquirer Mindanao; and Kristine L. Alave and Michael Lim Ubac in Manila

Copyright 2008 INQUIRER.net and content partners. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Photos @ Rizal, Bansalan Davao del Sur



Celebrating Fiesta in the Barangay
















Photo taken @ Rizal, Bansalan Davao del Sur

Fiesta Celebration in the barangay is always coupled with "salu-salu" kumbira, or "hikay" The photos shown above manifest the preparation being made by the local residents.They slaughtered nine pigs which is to be equally divided by the members of the group. Monthly contributions are expected from the members of the team. They conduct regular meetings to update their accounts. Some of them relend the money to the members of the organization to generate additional income. We commonly called this organization as "bubo" or "bugso" These gestures are manifestations of unity and oneness in the annual fiesta in honor to the the local patron saint.

Bansalan Parish Church



The Immaculate Conception Parish Church

The Parish church is not only a House of Prayer but also a community landmark. 50 years after its original construction, the Parish Priest in the person of Rev. Cristito Carmona , DCD, had initiated its renovation. Several projects are also added and constructed to include; replacement and painting of the ceiling; provision of painted glasses of the mysteries of the Holy Rosary and scenes of the Old Testament; Painting of the Bellfry; renovation of the candle booth; putting up of the replica of the Last Supper, Ascension , Calvary Scene and Ten Commandments and the like.

The recent on-going project is the construction of the main gate. (Pictures will be uploaded soon). Indeed, God's generosity is manifested by the people around. All projects were made possible through the support of the parishioners and benefactors both local and abroad. Fr. Tito and Fr Ardianne had made a great contribution to success of these projects.





Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Munisipyo Ng Barangay




The Local Government of Bansalan, Davao del Sur thru the Leadership of Hon. Edwin G. Reyes had launched the program dubbed as Munisipyo Ng Barangay (MBN). The goal of this program is to bring the services of the government closer to the grassroots. All agencies under LGU Bansalan bring their programs and projects to the barangay level. National Government Agencies (NGAs) are also joining the said activity.

The Cooperative Development Authority also supports this program. Me, as the Cooperative Development Specialist, had manifested my effort to bring our agency's services to Marber MultiPurpose Cooperative. Indeed, the LGU Bansalan and the CDA are partners for progress and development.