Saulog rules Lanao del norte motocross

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte – Taking advantage of an unexpected accident of series leader Glenn Aguilar, Jovy Saulog rode his bike to victory in a neck-to-neck race against local rider Quimboy Pineda of Team Lanao del Norte and star rider Donark Yuson.

The final race in the open professional category drew loud cheers from the crowd as they egg on their local rider but in the end Saulog’s experience proved too much for the crowd favorite.

“This is a bitter sweet victory for me. I’m thrilled to finally get a win because it’s been years now since I last got one. But I’m also sad on what happened to Glenn (Aguilar) in his last race”, said the Open Professional Category champion.

However, with Aguilar out of the race, Donark Yuson team captain of Therasil KTM Access Plus, was able to muster enough points to grab the lead in the over-all series point tally and be proclaimed as Rider of Year in the Pro Open Category.

“I am very happy with the outcome of the motocross championships. This is an unprecedented turn-out of top riders in a national competition”, said Governor Khalid Dimaporo.

The record-breaking turn-out of professional riders in the 2009 Gov. Khalid Dimaporo National Motocross Championships established Lanao del Norte as the top motocross racing venue in the country and solidify its title as the Motocross Capital of the Philippines.

“Come next year, we hope to hold at least one asian motocross championships here and expose our local riders to international-level competition”, Dimaporo said.

Other series winners are: Car Michael Santos (50cc category), Mclean Aguilar (65cc category), Jacob Orbe (85cc category), Hermes Bantoc (Executive category), Dexter Bacabac (Veterans category), Joey Barba (Underbone Open category), Butch Flores (Underbone Local category), Ryan Magalona (Local Enduro category), Ryan Magalona (Open Enduro category), Joey Barba (Beginner Production category), Dexter Bacabac (Novice Open Production category), Noynoy Abraham (Intermediate category), Donark Yuson (Pro 125 category). VNL/PIO-LDN

PPOC reports significant improvement on peace situation

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte-In the recently concluded Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting called to order by PPOC Chairman Governor Mohamad Khalid Quibranza Dimaporo on November 18 at the Macapagal Training Center, this town, the council reported that the peace and order situation in the province significantly improved “as a result of inter-agency collaboration” among and between the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, other national and local agencies, Non-Government Organizations and all other stakeholders herein.

“The peace and order condition in the AOR is relatively stable during the period under review and while the hazards posed by the presence of threat groups as well as criminals and other lawless elements still exist, the situation has remained normal and the atmosphere of tranquility prevails in the province,” PNP Provincial Director P/SSupt Minoy R. Darimbang reported.

In a report by Captain J-jay Javines, the Philippine Army assigned herein which is the 104th Infantry (SULTAN) Brigade of the 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, headed by Col Benito Antonio T de Leon, through their participation and conduct of humanitarian and poverty reduction activities, securing and facilitating socio-economic development and rural infrastructure and promoting the culture of peace and harmony, good environmental management, support good governance and strengthening security and crime prevention, it resulted to reduced lawless elements’ strength; defection of MILF members; zero Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); hasten psychological and emotional recovery of people; continuation of development projects; improvement of general peace and order situation; swelling support from LGEs; heightened “stakeholders” attention to peace efforts.

In the same forum, Governor Dimaporo posed a question to all municipal mayors present thereat whether or not their communities support the presence of the Philippine Army of which unanimously favored by the LGUs while they strongly oppose to whatever lawless elements in their areas much more the presence of members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.

With this result, the young Governor declared to the august body that he will lobby to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) for the province of Lanao del Norte to be 100% free from MILF rebels and strongly supports Suspension of Military Offensives (SOMO) sanctioned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and support as well the efforts of reviving peace negotiations to attain a lasting peace not just in herein province but for Mindanao as a whole.

In addition, Mayor Abdulmalik Manamparan of Nunungan town, who is also the President of the Provincial Mayors’ League moved for the allocation of funds to reactivate and re-orient CAFGUS to strengthen the peace force and deter harassments or lawless activities especially since the 2010 elections is just around the corner, which proposal was agreed by all with the organization of an Oversight Committee or Advisory Council composed of representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, 5th Infantry Battalion, 104th Infantry (SULTAN) Brigade, LMP District 1 or 2 depending on the municipality concerned.

Finally, Governor Dimaporo reminded the august body that they should work together not just the military and the police but it includes the mayors as well. “I don’t like this to be a pointing game. We should be willing to work together,” said Dimaporo. Breezy C. Jimenez/PIO staff

Radyo natin opens 7th year anniversary with peace caravan

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte-To formally declare the month-long 7th Year Anniversary of 93.5 FM Radyo Natin Lanao commencing on November 21 to December 30, a peace caravan has been organized by its management headed by Ms. Edelyn “Kabiso Bulhing” de la Cruz-Balungcas and other religious leaders.

Under the theme “Kalinaw sa Lanao: Ipadayon pinaagi Kanimo ug sa responsableng Pagbalita” or more or less means that the peace in Lanao del Norte should be continued or maintained through every resident and that of relaying responsible news or information, peace advocates gather round the Freedom Park in Kapatagan town eager to be a part of a peace covenant that the attainment of peace and order is in fact and indeed a shared responsibility. Cooperation, unity and harmony are needed for a lasting peace situation herein. The same would then result to peaceful co-existence despite the sheer cultural differences and inevitably led to economic progress and social development.

The event commenced with a Peace Song led by Pastor Jun Ramos, host of Pulong sa Kinabuhi, Church of God, Seventh Day Adventist followed by a prayer in Christian Pastor Romeo Cube, host of Unsay Gisulti sa Biblia, Bible Baptist Church while the Muslim prayer is led by Ustad Salim Ansar, host of Mensahe sa Islam, Muslim Cultural Islam Convert of the Philippines. Afterwhich, an overview of the activity was given by Pastor Edilberto “Jun” Paguican, Vice-Chairman, Radyo Natin Club.
With the first part of the program finished, a motorcade followed from the said Freedom Park to Lala, Baroy then to the Provincial Capitol in Tubod where Ms. Balungcas formally launched the RNC Television Network and LDN Today Newspaper. On the other hand, Pastor Freddie Inovejas led the launching of Mahal Nato Ang Lanao del Norte.

Signing of the Peace Covenant by representatives and blocktimers and Peace Symbol is released to seal the covenant.

To celebrate the success of the activity, a get-together-dinner is sponsored by Sagguniang Bayan Member of Lala Jhing Perez.

The program was ably hosted by RNC Meriam Paguican, RNC Jun Paguican and LDN Today Edwin Paypa. Breezy C. Jimenez/PIO staff

Prolife bikers successfully host 1st triathlon

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte-One of the highlights of the Fiesta Celebration of Christ the King is the first triathlon in Lanao del Norte which is successfully organized by the Prolife Bikers of Barangay Maranding, Lala, this province.

The sports event commenced with water rafting along the river cruising Salvador to Lala. After the water race, the athletes raced back to the Flores Gymnasium to get their mountain bikes for the cycling leg to Maranding Women Investors Multi-Purpose Cooperative Training Center then race back to the Flores Gymnasium for the final leg of the event.

Red Team is the emerging winner bagging the cash prize of P6,000.00. While the White Team brought home the 2nd prize of P4,000.00.

“It is not winning the first prize that matters, but what is important to me aside from the camaraderie and teamwork experienced, is that the potentials of Maranding in catering to triathlon or biking events are great,” Red Team athlete Adan Campilan said.

According to Prolife Bikers’ leader, Archer Undag, they have organized this event to invite sports enthusiasts for them to experience first-hand that the province has a potential for such sports should they look for future venues to hold this type of race. Moreover, by holding this activity, it will also boost tourism and the accompanying livelihood and economic progress opportunity for the residents and locality.

Joining the event are Prolife bikers themselves, local sports enthusiasts, bikers from the 35th Infantry (MAKAMANDAG) Battalion troopers headed by the unit’s Commanding Officer Lt Col Sagat M Bongolan.

Prolife Bikers is an informal group of bikers organized themselves as such by their common love for biking and other sports activities which they believed to be one of the best ways to life span longevity and to stay healthy and fit. Also, the organization shares responsibility of preserving mother-nature through its sports advocacy showcasing the scenic beauty and bounty of the province. Breezy C. Jimenez/PIO staff