Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas is poorest governor in Mindanao; Davao del Norte’s Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario is richest

BY ROGER M. BALANZA

Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas is the poorest governor in Mindanao based on Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) filed for year 2010 with the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao.

For the same year, Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario is the richest governor among 18 of Mindanao’s 27 governors who filed their SALN.

Consistently the richest Mindanao governor del Rosario declared net worth of P255.51M while Cagas declared ed a net worth of P5.14M.

2012 RANKING BASED ON FILING WITH THE

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

1.   Davao del Norte’s Rodolfo del Rosario…………………. P255.51M

2.   Maguindanao’s Esmael Mangudadatu………………..    217.25M
3.   Dinagat Islands’ Glenda Ecleo…………………………….   166.40M
4.   Lanao del Norte’s Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo……..      60.06M
5.   Camiguin’s Jurdin Jesus Romualdo…………………….     45.30M
6.   Davao Oriental’s Corazon Malanyaon…………….……    44.10M
7.   Sultan Kudarat’s Suharto Mangudadatu ……….…….   43.44M
8.   Zamboanga del Norte’s Rolando Yebes………………. .   35.32M
9.   Misamis Oriental’s Oscar Moreno ………………………..   29.23M
10. Surigao del Sur’s Johnny Ty Pimentel……………..….   25.30M
11. Compostela Valley’s Arturo Uy …………………………..  19.77M
12. Misamis Occidental’s Herminia Ramiro……….………  11.24M
13. Zamboanga Sibugay’s Rommel Jalosjos……………….. 11.10M
14. Surigao del Norte’s Sol  Matugas…………………….. …   8.77M
15. Bukidnon’s Alex Calingasan………………………………..   7.83M
16. Sarangani’s Miguel Rene Dominguez……………………    5.72M*
17. Agusan del Norte’s Erlpe John Amante………………..   5.64M
18. Davao del Sur’s Douglas Cagas…………………………..…  5.14M
19. Agusan del Sur’s Adolph Edward Plaza……………    no record
20. Basilan’s Jum Akbar ………………………………………  no record
21. Lanao del Norte’s Mamintal Adiong, Jr……………   no record
22. North Cotabato’s Emmylou Talino-Mendoza……   no record
23. South Cotabato’s Arthur Pingoy, Jr…………………   no record
24. Sulu’s Abdsuakur Tan…………………………………….  no record
25. Tawi-tawi’s Sadikul Sahali ……………………………   no record
26. Zamboanga del Sur’s Antonio Cerilles……………… no record
27. OIC ARMM Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong…………..  no record

BANANA REPUBLIC – DURIAN POST – COLUMN – NOEL BAGUIO

BANANA REPUBLIC
DavNor convergence team addresses barangay concerns
BY NOEL BAGUIO

Aside from bringing the services of the Capitol to identified barangays, the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development team also addressed the concerns and issues being raised by barangay officials.
At the second convergence outreach in Little Panay, Panabo City, last February 24, 2012, Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario assured to provide the necessary resources needed to fund the infrastructure projects requested by the village leaders.
The governor held the consultative forum with barangay officials, while thousands of residents availed of the medical and dental services, which now include free cancer screening, x-ray services and ECG, along with other basic services.
He assured that he will look for funds to finish the barangay covered court that was started years back, as well as, the construction of a new day care center and the riprapping of the drainage canal.
However, he said construction of new covered courts and other infrastructures that not aligned with his human-centered agenda P.E.O.P.L.E will not receive funding anymore.
He reiterated that the province this time is only funding those that are in line with his thrust on better health and education, as well as, more livelihood opportunities
But, 1003rd Infantry Brigade Commander Col. Lysander Suerte bared some of the projects requested by the barangay that were turned down by the governor, such as concreting of the barangay road, electrification and even the day care center, can be funded under the government’s PAMANA (PAyapa at MAsaganang PAmayanan) program.

He said that even though Little Panay no longer has insurgency problem, the barangay was still identified under the PAMANA program, which is the national government’s peace and development framework for empowering conflict-affected areas in the country.
Little Panay is the second among the 30 barangays included in the convergence program, out of 223 barangays of the province.
During this year’s first convergence program in Mabuhay, Carmen town, last February 17, 2012, the governor also assured to fund farm-to-market roads, water system, new school buildings and road opening connecting to Davao City.

BANANA REPUBLIC: Durian Post column

BANANA REPUBLIC

Has the gubernatorial battle in Davao del Norte started?

BY RIGOR ZABALA

Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, said to be looking ahead for a confrontation with Governor Rodolfo del Rosario in 2013, is all over the province with his chair-giving spree to public schools.

What is Mayor Uy, whose political radar is confined in his city, doing in Talaingod  municipality? Distributing free chairs and desks to public schools manufactured out of hot logs confiscated by DENR. For what? . No politics? Nope. Corporate Social Responsibility of his beloved City of Tagum for pupils of Davao del Norte who had to squat on floors in classrooms during classes for lack of chairs. Hohum. Nice alibi.    But Mayor Uy has also been to New Corella and other municipalities under Gob Dolfo’s domain. Don’t you smell a rat? Is Mayor Uy prepping up for the grand encounter in 2013 with his visibility and philanthropic stunt?  Could be or could not be, depending on where you sit.
Gob Dolfo is on that fence where people believe that Mayor Uy is motivated by no other than his city’s CSR. Hohum again.
Noel Baguio, DavNor’s prolific writer at Gob Dolfo’s provincial information office is another non-believer in Mayor Uy’s stunt as a political move.
Gob Dolfo, Noel writes, thinks that Mayor Uy is simply doing it for goodness sake and not for politics.
Gob Dolfo, according to Noel, in fact has joined Mayor Uy in one of the chair-giving sprees. Which earned a joke from fans and handlers of Mayor Uy that Gob Dolfo wants a free ride on the project that has been giving the Tagum City mayor tremendous popularity, media mileage and goodwill from pupils, parents, teachers and others who matter during election—all over DavNor.
Of course,Gob Dolfo has his own WHEELS to drive around to catch the votes, pwera flat tire, but the innovative Uy chair-giving spree is a novel idea thar easily catches fire and fans.
Gob Dolfo is strong in DavNor’s south district, but shares influence with the Floirendos. Of course we hear about the famous del Rosario-Floirendo split that could factor in when Gob Dolfo seeks reelection. His hold over the south may turn out as a slippery pantat with the split pushing the Florendos to the other side of the political contest.
That Mayor Uy is strong in the northern district is a given. We see a split vote if the RDR-Uy clash happens in 2013. But the equation could change if Uy, who has proclaimed that his political umbilical cord is tied to Tonyboy Floirendo, is adopted by the Floirendos.
I see a sinister premonition if Gob Dolfo does not watch Mayor Uy, his politics and his chairs.
Those chairs, given the popularity of the project that has been giving the mayor wide publicity, could cost Gob Dolfo his chair at the governor’s office after the 2013 elections.

TOPNEWS

PUBLISHED IN THE DURIAN POST NO. 84, Nov 07-13, 2011

BIMP/EAGA media group formed

    A media group in the Philippines has been formed to assist in information dessimination aimed to strengthen cooperation among member countries of  the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines/East Asian Growth Area (BIMP/Eaga).
The BIMP-EAGA Media and Communicators Association (BEMCA) was formed in a Media Forum held on October 18 during a BIMP/Eaga Senior Officials Meeting and Ministerial Meeting in Cagayan de Oro City.
BEMCA would promote state and private media partnership for intensive exchange of information on activities of the BIMP/Eaga.
BEMCA members would be coordinating with the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI), the central information arm of BIMP/Eaga, and may be provided with technical and funding support from BIMP-EAGA governments.

TOPNEWS

PUBLISHED IN THE DURIAN POST NO. 84, Nov 07-13, 2011

Free massage for Davao del Norte mediamen

IF MEDIA IS FREE, THEN MASSAGE SHOULD BE FREE. Members of the Davao del Norte press get free massage from student-massage therapists of Ventura College, courtesy of Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, during the celebration of Press Freedom Month. ONDOY LAGUITAO/DAVNOR-PIO

Free medical services and therapeutic massage greeted members of the local press as the Davao del Norte provincial government joined the Press Freedom Month celebration with a Media Wellness Day on October 24.
Pursuant to the declaration of Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario in 2008 making October the Press Freedom Month, the Provincial Government through the Provincial Information Office (PIO) held the Media Wellness Day in recognition of the significant contributions of the media to development.

FREE CHECK-UP FOR, clockwise, MARLON NEBRIL, BEN WANG, BOGART SALIOT and Rudy Calansingin

Radio station managers, newspaper publishers, journalists, broadcasters, and their crew flocked to the Government Center, Capitol, Tagum City to experience the first wellness-centered celebration of the Press Freedom month with the theme, “The Quest for Healthy and Productive Media Industry in Davao del Norte.”
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), Hemoglobin, Dietary Counseling, Prostatic Examination, Medical and Dental Consultation were among the services offered for free in partnership with the Provincial Health Office. Therapeutic massage completed the celebration through the student-massage therapists of Ventura College, Tagum City. Mera Grace E. Apuya/DavNor PIO

inNORTHERNUPDATES

DAVAO DEL NORTE

PUBLISHED IN THE DURIAN POST NO. 84, Nov 07-13, 2011

Confed backs PNoy on all-out justice

    The Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors’ Leagues (Confed) in Mindanao supports President Benigno Aquino III’s call for sobriety in going for all-out justice and peace, instead of heeding calls for all-out-war in addressing the conflict in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay.
In a manifesto of support presented by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo Del Rosario, president of Confed-Mindanao, the local executives stressed that an all-out-war is not an option due to its heavy toll and collateral damage not just on conflict areas but the whole of Mindanao.
Confed-Mindanao also asserted that peace is a central ingredient to the country’s future, where all stakeholders must remain firmly committed to achieve.
“We call on both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to remain steadfast and pursue a track that allows for a genuinely inclusive and transparent peace with greater engagement of the Mindanao stakeholders including the local government units,” the local government executives stressed.
Del Rosario challenged the sectors calling for an all-out-war against the MILF to examine closely the dire consequences of a shooting war to the lives and future of Mindanaoans.(PNA)

inNORTHERNUPDATES

DAVAO DEL NORTE

PUBLISHED IN THE DURIAN POST NO. 84, Nov 07-13, 2011

Gov. del Rosario rallies LGUs, for stronger roles in BIMP-EAGA

BIMP/EAGA. Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, calling for bigger role of LGUs in the BIMP/EAGA during the BIMP-EAGA 20th Senior Officials Meeting and 16th Ministerial Meeting in Cagayan de Oro City.

By ROMULO TAGALO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario has rallied local government units in Mindanao to play a bigger role in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines/East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Del Rosario made the call in his speech at a side meeting during the BIMP-EAGA 20th Senior Officials Meeting and 16th Ministerial Meeting held here from October 18 to 21.
Del Rosario underscored the need to mainstream LGUs and State Governments into the BIMP-EAGA institutional mechanisms saying that “investments, to be sustainable and ensured, must adhere to local policies, and should be anchored on local development plans.”
Roundtable discussions in the ministerial meeting centered on three strategic pillars aimed at strengthening BIMP-EAGA’s intra-regional relations, namely in connectivity, eco-tourism, and in making the EAGA  “a global food basket”.

inNORTHERNUPDATES

DAVAO DEL NORTE

PUBLISHED IN THE DURIAN POST NO. 84, Nov 07-13, 2011

DavNor health, social outreach benefits over 8,000 indigents

FOR THE INDIGENTS. Children line up to take a pick of free slippers during the Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development in Patrocenio, New Corella. The medical and social outreach program has so far reached 8,000 beneficiaries.

More than 8,000 indigents in far-flung and depressed areas of Davao del Norte have so far benefitted from the health and social services provided by the provincial government, in coordination with the Philippine Army and the Davao del Norte Police.
The Davao del Norte Convergence for Peace and Development had its 6th outing on October 21 in the mountainous village of Patrocenio in New Corella, more than 40 kilometers from the capital City of Tagum.
The Patrocenio mission that served more than a thousand,  also benefitted  residents of neighboring barangays of Sta. Fe, San Jose, Mambing, and El Salvador.
Through the convergence initiative, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte directly brought essential government services to the disadvantaged communities, with the help of the army’s 1003rd Infantry Brigade, the provincial police office, other government agencies and some private institutions.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Agapito Hornido bared the first five outreaches of the convergence program have served some 7,103 poor recipients in the component of health and social services alone.
Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario said the program, which has the theme: “Katawhan nga Nagkahiusa Kusog sa Probinsya (One People, Mighty Strength of the Province)”, aims to widen the access of depressed, disadvantaged and underserved communities to basic health, social and other basic services.

inNORTHERNUPDATES

DAVAO DEL NORTE

PUBLISHED IN THE DURIAN POST NO. 84, Nov 07-13, 2011

MINDANAOANS, JOURNALISTS URGED TO BOYCOTT NATIONAL MEDIA

MATI CITY — Several Mindanao-based journalists are requesting their colleagues in southern Philippines to temporarily halt sending stories to national publications and broadcasting networks that are publishing stories calling for an all-out war declaration in the region.

In a statement circulating through social networking sites and text messages, concerned Mindanao-based journalists also urged all Mindanaoans to boycott corporate media for its “irresponsible and blood-thirsty reportage on Mindanao.”

“Let us stop buying national newspapers and stop watching the evening news. We call on Mindanao journalists to stop submitting stories to the gatekeepers in Manila. We also call on Mindanao leaders to stop granting interviews to national journalists. Let us do this in the next seven days for the sake of truth and peace,” the statement said.

On his Facebook account, Froilan Gallardo, a journalist from Mindanao, posted: “Panawagan lang ni sa mga (Calling all) Mindanao-based journalists who want a sober coverage of this current madness in Mindanao. Can’t we make a stand against our colleagues from Manila whose news agenda clearly promotes an environment of war. Puwede kaya tayo mag sign nang petition or something (Can we sign a petition). After all, Mindanao is our home and surely it will be our families and friends who will be affected. Not theirs. They can go back to the comforts of their lives in Manila after covering the war here while we face the sad reality.”

A few days ago, Muslims in Marawi burned the logo of ABS-CBN TV Patrol and photos of anchors Noli de Castro, Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon because of the result of the program’s poll survey asking viewers if it’s about time to stop the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and declare an all-out-war.

WARMONGERING MANILA MEDIA

The poll survey showed a high percentage of the participants favoring the declaration of an all-out war.

But the poll did not sit well with other journalists as well, including Manila-based who frequents Mindanao for coverage.

Veteran and award-winning journalist Ed Lingao, on his article “Media goes to war”, said: “I propose, for our safety and sanity, that everyone now agitating for immediate all-out war be equipped with the latest gadgetry and weapons, and airdropped into Al-Barka so they can live out their deepest fantasies in the mud and coconut trees of Al-Barka. The mediamen can bring all their alalays and their makeup kits if they wish. After all, we all want to look good doing our stand-ups, don’t we? Oh and they can bring their writers too, since many of them can’t write sensibly even if their lives depended on it. Don’t bother to bring your expensive cellphones and blackberries; walang signal dun. Don’t bring your iPads, especially if you intend to stay for several days; walang kuryente dun para mag charge. Ang angry birds dun, ibang klaseng bomba ang iniitsa. Bring sunblock, bring bug spray. Bring hairspray na rin.”

“And if you still have room in your pack, try to bring lots of good sense, though, and bring an open mind. No matter how gory and bloody and terrifying it looks in the movies, Hollywood will never ever get it. You can never smell real fear in a movie house. Oh before I forget, let Erap take the lead too. In fact, he is welcome to dress up again in his army uniform so he can prance around the hills of Al-Barka while the rebels nip at his heels and show him what it really means to be a tough guy,” added Lingao.

Compostela Valley Representative Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay, meanwhile, expressed support on the call for sobriety.

“We must keep our sobriety intact, be done with all-consuming hate, and never give in to the temptation of untempered rage,” Apsay said.

She said peace negotiations with the insurgents must be continued, and cooperation and confidence between the two sides be “reinforced rather than undermined.”

She also called that justice should be served “under a rule of law, and never under a rule of arms.”

Apsay also criticized warmongers, saying there has been too much bloodshed in Mindanao and the never-ending cycle of violence has impeded the growth and development of the island.

“Force may be all-conquering, but its victories are short-lived. We cannot shake hands with those who attain temporary peace with hands stained by blood,” she said.

The all-out war call was earlier rejected by President Benigno Aquino III, who said it is not appropriate at this point, believing that rash decisions can only dishonor the memory of soldiers who sacrificed their lives and the many others lost in efforts to win the peace.

Nineteen soldiers were killed in an encounter between government troops and MILF rebels in Al-Barka town, Basilan, last week. The clash also left several others wounded.

The President said, however, that he will not declare an all-out war in Mindanao despite the Basilan clash, which was followed by a series of attacks blamed on the MILF in Lanao del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said his administration will not jeopardize the lives of more civilians and would pursue peace talks, which is a longer term solution for the conflicts in Mindanao.

Aquino vowed to go after those responsible for the clash but through all-out justice, which he said is “sober and fair” and could lead to lasting peace.

Twenty-six Mindanao governors and 16 city and municipal mayors have, so far, expressed support to the President’s stand.

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, president of the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors League, assured the President on Thursday of their full support.

He said declaring a war against Moro rebels will neither address conflict in some parts of Mindanao nor will provide a better solution to the island’s peace problem.

“We are supporting the president. After all, tayo lang din naman ang makikinabang dito (we will all benefit from such policy),” he said.

Del Rosario said a close coordination with the local government units all over Mindanao, especially those directly affected by the conflict, is an important aspect in solving the Moro insurgency problem. SUNSTAR DAVAO

ALSO READ: MEDIA GOES TO WAR

Confed-Mindanao members express support to P-Noy’s call for all-out justice, peace

The Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors’ Leagues (Confed) presidents of Mindanao has expressed support to President Benigno Aquino III’s call for sobriety in going for all-out justice and peace, instead of heeding calls for all-out-war in addressing the conflict in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay.

In a manifesto of support presented by Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo Del Rosario, president of Confed-Mindanao, the local executives stressed that an all-out-war is not an option due to its heavy toll and collateral damage not just on conflict areas but the whole of Mindanao.

The Confed-Mindanao stressed that those involved in the killing of soldiers in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay must be pursued relentlessly and must be subjected to the rule of law, as a way of showing honor to the fallen soldiers who offered their lives defending the country.

The Confed-Mindanao also asserted that peace is a central ingredient to the country’s future, where all stakeholders must remain firmly committed to achieve.

“We call on both the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to remain steadfast and pursue a track that allows for a genuinely inclusive and transparent peace with greater engagement of the Mindanao stakeholders including the local government units,” the local government executives stressed.

Del Rosario urged local government units who have soldiers killed in Albarka, Basilan to show sympathy to their respective families by giving material and moral support in their time of grief.

He said in this manner, local government units can assist ease the sadness of the affected families.

Del Rosario also challenged the sectors calling for an all-out-war against the MILF to examine closely the dire consequences of a shooting war to the lives and future of Mindanaoans.

Secretary Lualhati Antonino, chair of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) agreed with the Confed-Mindanao on the consequences of war to the island and its residents.

Antonino said government will continue to uphold the primacy of peace process to ensure a lasting peace in Mindanao.

She said at present, there are no indicators that investors are driven away from Mindanao.

“We do not observe that for now. Business even in Davao City remains brisk and dynamic,” she said. (PNA)