Coin toss decides winner

10/27/10 - SURIGAO CITY, Philippines – A political greenhorn on Siargao Island in Dapa, Surigao del Norte unseated an incumbent barangay captain through a time-tested method – the toss of a coin.

Newcomer Godofredo Sajol garnered 198 votes together with Barangay 8 captain Apple Tiu.

But rather than hold a run-off election, both Sajol and Tiu agreed to a toss coin to determine who between them should be the next village head.

The toss coin was witnessed by the town’s election officer Apolinario Asilo, residents of Barangay 8 and representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and Commission on Elections.

Sajol won the coin toss, becoming the new chieftain of the populated but progressive Barangay 8 in the coastal town of Dapa.

The DILG and Comelec personnel stressed that tossing a coin in cases of a tie during elections is considered legal.

In another barangay, this time in Quezon City, the question as to who will be the next chairman will be answered by the drawing of lots.

Following the end of canvassing for Barangay Mariblo at past midnight yesterday, Oliver Algas and Jerome Taeza each got 511 votes.

Comelec lawyer Ronald Allan Sindo explained that the drawing of lots to determine the winner is prescribed under Comelec rules, specifically Section 71 of Resolution 9030.

“There’s a condition that allows such procedure so we just have to follow it,” Sindo said.

Sindo said the drawing of lots will be done on Saturday, or five days after the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Algas and Taeza are among the five candidates who vied for the position of barangay captain in Barangay Mariblo, the first congressional district of Quezon City which has a voting population of less than 2,000 people.

Sindo said the chairman of the board of canvassers will be the one to facilitate the drawing of lots to determine the winner on Saturday. (philstar)

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Spanish Mariculture Parks Benefit Siargao Fishermen

10/03/10 - DAPA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte (PNA) – A big number of fishermen on this island and in Barobo town, Surigao del Sur have started to reap the fruits of the two Mariculture Park projects of the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional (AECI).

Dapa Mayor Peter Ruaya and Barobo Mayor Arturo Ronquillo said the AECI projects also started to attract investors, and in return provide more income and livelihood to the local fishermen.

The two town chief executives said they are now pushing to adopt advanced technology to make Dapa and Barobo a livable place.

The two mariculture projects were launched in Barobo on April 8, 2008 and in this town on May 10, 2008. (Manila Bulletin)

“This is a big help to our local economy,” said Ruaya.

The Barobo Mariculture Park is the second in the region but the first one to be launched under the Sustainable Management of Coastal Resources in Bicol and Caraga Regions (SUMACORE) program of the AECI in partnership with the local government unit (LGU).

The establishment of mariculture parks is part of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) program in transforming the local fisherfolk from hunters of the seas to fish farmers.

This is one of the measures to adapt to the fast-changing times and the inevitable global warming, officials from the DA-BFAR said.

These two mariculture parks will serve as showcases of fishery technologies to encourage more to invest on mariculture.

It was gathered that yield per cropping of one cage could equal to the yield of a two-hectare fishpond.

DA-BFAR officials also foresee the region to be the “grouper capital” of the country since the local waters abounds with rich fishery resources.

They said the two mariculture parks would redound to poverty alleviation, job generation and food security in the coastal areas.

Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st District, Surigao del Norte), Rep. Florencio Garay (2nd District, Surigao del Sur), SUMACORE project director Jessica Muñoz, Ruaya, and Ronquillo encouraged the local residents to support and protect for a sustainable livelihood and improved quality of life.

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Australian Officials Open Php 44-M Prov'l Road Projects in Siargao Island

10/03/10 - GENERAL LUNA, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte – Tourists, both foreign and domestic and island residents continue to feel the scenic-beauty and atmosphere of economic development as Australian officials on Saturday opened the Php 44 million provincial road projects in this so called “paradise island” of Surigao del Norte province in Northeastern part of Mindanao.

Australian officials led by Australian Deputy Ambassador Andrew Byrne and Minister Councelor Tito Mitra of the Australian Embassy in Manila spearheaded the ground breaking ceremony of the road projects at two barangays of General Luna town leading to other island resorts .

During the ground breaking ceremony, the Australian officials were also accompanied by provincial and island municipal officials led by Surigao del Norte solons Rep. Francisco T. Matugas (1st district) and Rep. Guillermo Romarate, Jr. (2nd district), Gov. Sol F. Matugas, General Luna Mayor Jaime Rusillon and Del Carmen Mayor Junior Coro.

The Php 44 million road construction project is part of the 5-year Php 250 million Australian grant for the province of Surigao del Norte’s Road Improvement Project (RIP), said Rep. Matugas.

The ground works of the Barangay 5-Catangnan road (Php 14-M) and Sta. Monica road (Php 30-M), Libertad, both of this island province will immediately commence to hit the target timeline of completion, Rep. Matugas said.

“This is really a big help by the Australian government. Also, a big boost to our growing tourism industry in this island,” said Rep. Matugas.

He also said the Australian assistance will also add economic livelihood to island village folks, increase local revenues and employment.

In their separate messages during the ground breaking ceremony, the Surigao del Norte solon, provincial and municipal officials expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Australian grant to the province of Surigao del Norte, especially this island’s tourism destination in the country.

Meanwhile, in that same visit of the Australian officials in this island, Ambassador Byrne, also unvield the Php 2.6 million high school building at Barangay Consuelo here.

The high school building that set to rise at Barangay Consuelo is also funded by the Australian government under the Support 2 Philippine Education Reform (SPHERE) project, said Rep. Matugas.

He added the school building is equipped with chairs and comfort rooms.

Officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) was elated of the educational assistance by the Australian government. (Manila Bulletin)

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