SPDA's new initiative

Something to look forward to is the one-stop Kalayaan Business Center of the Southern Philippines Development Authority in Alunan, Koronadal City, South Cotabato. The project is the newest SPDA initiative to make the Authority’s impact felt in the community and surrounding provinces. In the 7,516 sq.m. property will stand facilities for lodging, convention meetings and sports activities.

At a recent ground-breaking ceremony, Assistant Executive Secretary Lynn Danao Moreno said the project fits in with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s efforts to promote small and medium enterprises that enhance tourism, trade, agriculture and livelihood projects that are projected to contribute towards the attainment of a lasting peace in Mindanao.

The project speaks well of SPDA’s current thrust of being market-driven and profit-oriented through projects like the Marawi Resort Hotel in Marawi City, commercial salt production and marketing in Misamis Oriental, a chain of ice plants, and other agricultural and fishery projects that are being financed by corporate earnings or savings. The apparent snowballing progress of SPDA in establishing and operating viable projects could be traced to the rapport between Chairman Saeed A. Daof and Administrator Sultan Yahya Jerry Tomawis, the Board of Directors and staff, resulting in their working together as a team to demonstrate positive results in the pursuance and fulfillment of its mandate as an economic development agency that could contribute significantly towards the improvement of the quality of life of the people in the region.

Chairman Daof spoke of the forthcoming SPDA-BUSCO agri-business/agro-industrial project — a partnership between BUSCO Sugar Milling Company — the biggest sugar miller in the country — and SPDA that will involve the development and transformation of idle lands into the production of sugar and other crops, and leading to the establishment of a modern ethanol processing plant. This project will benefit thousands of contract growers consisting of rebel returnees, Indigenous people and overseas contract workers who will till the land with support from BUSCO and its partners.

Also attending the ceremony were SPDA Director Hadja Bainon G. Karon, South Cotabato Vice-Gov. Eliordo U. Ogena, OIC-Provincial Administrator Alex D. Basco, the representative of Koronadal City Mayor Fernando Miguel, Councilor Oscar G. Pagunsan, and SPDA executives Abdul Gani M. Papua, Nicanor Escasinas, Datu Mama S. Sinsuat Jr., Paharodin Pangcopa and Mohamad Gampong.

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There may be one good man who could be president of the Republic, but may never be for lack of a political party. One has to be elected as the standard bearer of a party to have the machinery, backing and battalions of supporters to help wage a rigorous campaign.

Believe it or not, one may yet become president — what with the unusual offering of Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP), to accept nominations, screen, evaluate, and judge the credentials of nominees — even if the nominees are not known entities and are just coming from nowhere, but have the makings of a head of state.

Ang Kapatiran, a national political party accredited with the Commission on Elections, has been accepting nominations for the party’s presidential standard bearer in the 2010 elections. If you have not heard of this fantastic offer, you still have time to send your nominee’s name and credentials. Deadline is April 30, 2009 — just five days away.

AKP president Eric B. Manalang says this “innovative approach or process enables both party members and the general public to nominate a candidate for president.”

The nominees must become members of the AKP, and adhere to the principles laid down by the party which was founded by gun control advocate Nandy Pacheco. If you’re looking for a political party that truly promises to transform Philippine society and governance, AKP is it. 

Nandy says AKP promotes a platform-based politics with clear and specific objectives — all “aimed at enhancing the common good and promoting the politics of virtue and of duty, transparency and public accountability, stewardship and good citizenship.”

The party’s platform includes the abolition of pork barrel and family political dynasties, application of a multi-dimensional approach to peace and order, and forbidding elected and appointed public officials to write regular columns, act in movies and television shows, act as commentators or anchor-persons on radio and television, and appear on TV and radio commercials and print advertisements, posters and billboards.

Proclamation of the AKP presidential candidate is set for the end of May, following a selection process by the party’s national electoral committee.

A candidate to be nominated must possess the qualifications required by the Constitution. He must accept the founding principles and platform of the party; must be morally upright, courageous, and competent; must be a responsible citizen and parent, a trusted leader, and have no previous conviction or pending criminal case in the court, Ombudsman, or prosecutor’s office. He must have a college degree, abide by the party’s Code of Conduct, and must not spend more than the law allows.

Proclamation of the AKP presidential candidate is set for the end of May, following a selection process by the party’s national electoral committee, Individuals or groups interested in nominating a candidate may send a one-page information sheet about him/her, and his/her most recent photograph to Norman Cabrera, AKP secretary-general, through fax no. 6342137, or by email: [email protected]. Or contact him through his mobile phone, 0918-9056569. Or you may visit AKP’s website: angkaptiranparty.org.

By the way, AKP continues its nationwide search for local candidates, starting from councilors up to the members of the House of Representatives who will run in the May 2010 elections. Manalang says, “We need candidates for councilors in every town and city under the MMX (2010) project. This is the only way to prepare our youth for greater responsibilities.”

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The Young Women’s Christian Association of Manila is host of the 32nd mid-biennium meeting of the YWCA of the Philippines at the Bayview Park Hotel on Roxas Blvd. This year’s theme is “In Our Image Is My Shadow”.

Guest keynote speaker is International Social Service (SS) Hongkong Director for Development Adrielle Panares. Susan R. Locsin of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines will speak on the topic “Awaken the Leadership,” and Rev. Dr. Mina N. Palomo, founder, Life Growth Ministries, on the topic “Unity in Faith.”

Highlight of the meeting is the launching of the National Youth Coordinating Council-YWCA advocacy campaign to stop abuse of children. The campaign is spearheaded by the National Youth Coordinating Council of the YWCA headed by Tracy S. Isagunde, youth president.

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