COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) acting Gov. Ansaruddin Alonto Adiong has formed a working group tasked to coordinate all efforts to save hundreds of Filipinos classified by Malaysian authorities as “halaw” (outcasts or rejected), three of them reportedly died in detention while many others remain in jail due to lack of official documents.

Adiong ordered the immediate formation of the Task Force “Halaw” at their special ARMM Cabinet meeting after regional labor and employment Secretary Myra M. Alih reported that some of the undocumented female Filipino citizens had even complained of alleged sexual abuses at their detention centers. (Ali Macabalang)

Plantation development

TAGBINA, Surigao del Sur – The two foreign firms that are set to establish a big banana plantation in this town is projected to spur economic activity which is also seen to generate 6,000 jobs, livelihood opportunities, and additional revenues in terms of local taxes.

This town is expected to become a banana municipality in this part of Mindanao when these two foreign companies start ground and land preparations before the end of this month. Mayor Donnell Polizon said the land preparation is expected to be completed within two months. (Mike Crismundo)

Sports clinic for kids, youth

KORONADAL CITY (PIA) – In a bid to inculcate appreciation of sports at young age, South Cotabato’s provincial government, headed by Gov. Arthur Y. Pingoy Jr. opened a 10-day sports clinic for children and youth.

Florentino Perez, South Cotabato’s provincial sports coordinator, said the project dubbed “1st Governor Arthur ‘Dodo’ Y. Pingoy Jr. Sports Aral” aims to teach teamwork, discipline, and leadership among children through sports.

“Gov. Pingoy wants to develop the interests of children on sports while they are young,” he said. Besides promoting sports among children and youth, Pingoy also hopes to discover children with potential for development in certain sports, he added.

Review of tricycle ordinance ordered

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – Mayor Celso Lobregat has ordered City Legal Officer Norberto Patriarca, head of the Tricycle Adjudication Board (TAB), to study the possibility of amending the ordinance regulating the operation of tricycles in this southern port city.

Lobregat issued the order to Patriarca, noting that most of the provisions of City Ordinance 185 are no longer suitable to the present situation. Ordinance 185, approved more than 10 years ago, is the law that prescribes the operation of Tricycles and Grants Franchise for the Operation Thereof within the Territorial Jurisdiction of Zamboanga.

Army's 'Battle of the Band'

PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte – Band units from the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion of the 1003rd IB (Raptor), the 1001st IB (Pag-asa) and from the 10th ID (Agila) rocked the ARF Gym in Barangay New Pandan last May 7, during the Battle of the Bands 2011 with the theme “Alay ng Sundalo sa Mamamayan ng Panabo, Davao del Norte.”

This event is organized by the 1003rd Infantry Brigade in coordination with the local government here headed by Mayor Jose Silvosa Sr.