Online Cantilangnon

Written by : FRANCIS EARL A. CUETO

FORMER Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri warned of “catastrophic brownouts” in Mindanao within five weeks, unless the government moves fast to fix the island’s massive power supply deficit.

In a letter to Energy Secretary Jose Almendras, Zubiri expressed alarm over the current two-to four-hour daily brownouts in many parts of Mindanao, which he said “could worsen into power outages of up to eight hours by April, on account of increased demand associated with the summer season.”

To effectively cure Mindanao’s power supply shortage, Zubiri suggested the following remedies: the temporary deployment of additional power barges to reinforce supply in affected areas in Mindanao; the use of the renewable energy trust fund to grant incentives to entities prepared to install and deliver new biomass, solar, wind, hydro, geothermal and/or ocean power supplies, exclusively for Mindanao, in six to 18 months; and the energy sector’s retention in the Investment Priorities Plan of the Board of Investments, in order to attract fresh capital needed to quickly grow Mindanao’s power supply.

In his letter to Almendras, Zubiri said he was driven to offer his proposals because “the people of Mindanao find it increasingly burdensome to carry out our daily household and business activities, let alone grow our employment-generating industries, in light of the highly disruptive power outages.”

A report by the National Grid Corp. showed that as of February 24, Mindanao has a deficit of 67 megawatts (MWs), based on available generating capacity of 1,159 MWs versus system peak demand of 1,226 MWs.

“However, references to menacing brownouts of up eight hours daily by April imply a real supply deficit of roughly 21.8 percent, or 268 MWs, without counting the 25 percent allowance required for Mindanao to enjoy gross power reserves that match those of Luzon and the Visayas,” Zubiri said.

Luzon has gross power reserves of 22.3 percent, or 1,456 MWs, with available capacity of 7,991 MWs versus system peak demand of 6,535 MWs.

The Visayas has gross power reserves of 27.8 percent, or 376 MWs, with available capacity of 1,727 MWs versus system peak demand of 1,351 MWs.

“Government may have to willfully encourage entities seeking to avail of Renewable Energy Law incentives to go to Mindanao, where there is a clear and urgent lack of reliable generating capacity, instead of installing their facilities in Luzon or the Visayas, which both have ample power supplies,” Zubiri said.

A native of Bukidnon, Zubiri is one-time chairman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, and author of the Renewable Energy Law of 2008.

Under the law, an initial P2 billion was provided to “support the development and operation of new renewable resources to improve their competitiveness in the market.”

Money out of the fund may be used as grants, loans, equity investments, credit guarantees, insurance, counterpart fund or such other financial arrangements.

The fund is being supported by emission fees from all generating facilities under the Clean Air Act, and mandatory contributions from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., and the Philippine National Oil Co., as well as royalties from the exploitation of indigenous non-renewable energy sources, such as natural gas.

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The province of Surigao del Sur, being located near the coastal areas, has been endowed with numerous natural resources and so does the town of Cantilan. It is one of the few towns in Surigao del Sur which had long preserved its natural resources.

Cantilan is rich both in land, water and mineral resources. Its bountiful terrains are conducive for farming. Agriculture, being one of the main sources of living by the inhabitants of Cantilan, is flourishing because of the richness of the town’s land resources. There are various agricultural estates in the different barangays of Cantilan which includes but is not limited to rice, corn, and coconut plantations.

The town also values its rich water resources which are spread out all over the different barangays of Cantilan. The town has a rich sea and various rivers favorable for fishing. Fishing has also been regarded as one of the primary sources of livelihood by the people of Cantilan. Moreover, the town also possesses lots of fish ponds and fish pens which likewise contribute to the source of income of the town.

It has also just been recently discovered as well that the town of Cantilan is rich in mineral resources as well. A group of miners had proposed a mining operation which could provide large-scale job opportunities to the townspeople however, some Cantilangnons especially those in the poblacion areas strongly object to such a mining operation. The people of Cantilan firmly believe that the resources of the town be preserved for the upcoming generations. This indeed is an issue which has posed a lot of debates and divergence to the people of Cantilan.

The town of Cantilan is endowed with flourishing attractions and wonders composed of the gifts of Mother Nature. As such, local and foreign tourists flock in these tourist attractions which also contribute to the economy of the town of Cantilan.

There are indeed bounties of tourist attractions in the town. To begin with, the town has its different beach resorts that line along the so called “Bay-Bay” in Barangay San Pedro, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. These resorts pride the fine beach sands and the warm waters which are soothing to the tourists as well as locals. There is also the beach in Barangay Consuelo, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur which as well boasts the fine beach sands and the calm waters which are bereft of large waves. There are also various islands that suits those tourists who love island hopping. For instance, there are the Ayoke Island and Casa Rica which are of close proximity. These two are composed of fine white sands and has a crystal clear waters. Another perfect island adventure would be in Inijakan, which is an islet gifted with a a shoreline covered with a very fine white sand and has a big cave with stalactites and stalagmites.

Another land mark in the town of Cantilan is the natural cold spring turned into a resort by the municipality which is the Malinawa Cool Spring located at Parang, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. Malinawa, commonly known as “Silop” by the locals, is perfect for holding events because aside from the cottages in the resort, it also has a function room which caters special events.

These are but only a few of the tourist destinations in the town of Cantilan and indeed a lot more awaits tourists!

By: cantilangnon.com/posted Feb.14,2012/articles for Cantilan

A place is defined by the people occupying therein. Is characteristics, dynamics and distinctiveness are established by its inhabitants. The town of Cantilan is endowed with a vibrant population called Cantilangnons. The native tongue of the Cantilangnons is the dialect Cantelangnon which is a part of Surigao del Sur’s Surigaonanon dialect. According to the 2007 census, Cantilan has a population of 28,659 people in 5,378 households and a number of 17, 875 registered voters as of 2009.

The Manobos are deemed to be the natives of the Cantilangnons. But during the time of the Spaniards, Spanish blood had mixed with the natives which then gave rise to the looks of the Cantilangnon oftenly described as mestizas and mestizos. Subsequently, during the early 1900’s, a number of Chinese arrived to do business and some Americans came to teach as Thomasites.

Thus, the Cantilangnons are generally of Spainsh, American, Chinese, Manobo and Muslim lineage. Cantilangnons had sought for their own livelihood and conduct of living. But most of them are farmers since Cantilan has been bequeathed with a vast fields conducive for farming. An ample number of Cantilangnons are fishermen for Cantilan had been blessed with bountiful water resources contributing to an abundant catch. Other Cantilangnons are employed as government employees, carpenters, entrepreneurs, drivers, fish and fruit vendors, skilled workers and the like.

Cantilangnons are known for their distinct traits. One of which is hospitability. Every Cantilangnon entertains visitors with utmost zest and would even bother skipping work or class just to entertain such visitors. Cantilangnons are also known for the close family ties. Clan reunions are but one of the few exhilarating events in Cantilan. Food is also one thing that would keep Cantilangnons, the food lovers that they are, get together. A few of their favorite foods are sinugba, kinilaw, and tinuya.

Indeed, the people of Cantilan are a distinctive and appreciable class of people!

By: cantilangnon.com/posted Feb.14,2012/articles for Cantilan

Peace and order in a certain place would need distinct and responsible leaders to attain unity and progress. Cantilan, a municipality of Surigao del Sur, like any other municipality has its own Local Government Unit. It has its distinguished set of elected officials.

The local government unit of Cantilan is spearheaded by the Town Mayor Genito Baradillo Guardo, the son of the ex-mayor Tomasa Luga Guardo. The incumbent vice mayor is Virgilio Dumay Azarcon. The municipality councilors include Rolando Urbiztundo Julve, Erma Arreza Cuarteron, John Elven Guardalupe Vega, Preciliano Arpilleda Guardo, Peter Paul Ortega Pimentel, Jeanette Yparraguirre Palang, George Buniel Urbiztondo and Emmanuel Esguerra Plaza. These officials of Cantilan were elected last 2010 elections and will be serving the municipality until the year 2013.

The legislative body of the local government unit, in the persons of the counselors, comes up with ordinances and resolutions which are in keeping with the tranquility and affluence of the town.

On the other hand, the office of the municipal mayor, as the chief executive of the local government unit, secures the implementation of the aforementioned ordinances and resolutions. These officials work hand in hand in the furtherance of a progressive and flourishing town. Up to date, the local government unit of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur has been successful in upholding its towns serenity and progress.

By: cantilangnon.com/posted Feb.14,2012/articles for Cantilan

Every immense thing has its humble beginnings. Everything in this world we live in is but a product of the past. Nothing exists in the present nor will exist in the near future if it hadn’t been for the past.

Cantilan, as a town, has its own humble beginnings. It is considered as one of the oldest towns of Surigao del Sur. Its vast and dynamic history had its Spanish roots. The town of Cantilan, as a part of the province of Surigao del Sur, was officially established by the Spaniards in the early 18^th century. The old town was then regarded as “Daang Lungsod”.

On October 15, 1856, a hurricane hit Cantilan, increased to such intensity that tidal waves changed the whole town into a sea. For more than two hours waves kept rolling over the town. The result of the catastrophe was drastic and had washed away the whole “Daang Lungsod”. However, on October 16, 1856, Cantilangnon survivors from the tidal waves crossed the Cantilan river and established a new town we call now as the present Cantilan.

Cantilan used to encompass the other neighboring towns of Carrascal, Madrid, Carmen and Lanuza thus the so-called CarCanMadCarLan which at present are five municipalities in close proximity. It was on December 10, 1918 when an American Governor General Francis Burton Harrison decreed Executive Order No. 52 which divided Cantilan into three parts, Carrascal, Cantilan and Lanuza which comprised CARCANLAN. Subsequently, on February 2, 1953, Madrid was created as a municipality and thus it became CARCANMADLAN. Consequently, the whole area that was once Cantilan finally became CARCANMADCARLAN when Carmen, which used to be a barangay of Lanuza, was created as a town by R.A. 6367 on August 16, 1971. Finally, Cantilan became officially part of Surigao del Sur in 1960.

By: cantilangnon.com/posted Feb.14,2012/articles for Cantilan

The geographical coordinates of 9^o 20’ 1” North, 125^o 58’ 39” East corresponds to the town of Cantilan, one of the 17 Municipalities of the province of Surigao del Sur situated in the CARAGA region which is part of the Mindanao group of islands. It is situated about 32 km northwest of Surigao del Sur’s province capital Tandag City and about 797 km southeast of the Philippines’s capital Manila. Moreover, it has an estimated land area of 24,010 hectares.

Cantilan is politically subdivided into 17 barangays which includes Bugsukan, Buntalid, Cabangahan, Cabas-an, Calagdaan, Consuelo, General Island,  Lininti-an, Lobo, Magasan, Magosilom, Pag-Antayan, Palasao, Parang, San Pedro, Tapi and Tigabong. Two of these barangays, namely Lininti-an and Magosilom are situated in the very heart of Cantilan thus comprising its poblacion.

Cantilan has long been known as the “Cradle of Towns” in Surigao del Sur. It initially covered the entire area of the so-called CarCanMadCarLan which corresponds to the present towns of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, and Lanuza. As such, Cantilan is the second municipality you will encounter upon entering the province of Surigao del Sur if your route was coming from Surigao del Norte.

Surigao del Sur, the province by which the town of Cantilan belongs is located on the Northeastern Coast of Mindanao opposite the Pacific Ocean and as such Cantilan is basically located in the coastal area on the Eastern part of Mindanao.

By: cantilangnon.com/posted Feb.14,2012/articles for Cantilan

Business establishments play an important role in the maintenance of the economic growth and stability of a town or of any place as the case may be. Such business institutions contribute to the tax of the state. Taxes, in general, are the lifeblood of the state. With regards to taxes obtained in local government units, such taxes become part of the local government funds. Aside from being a source of tax, businesses also foster employment opportunities among the inhabitants of the locality and thus creating a source of revenue.

The municipality of Cantilan has a few yet notable number of business establishments ranging from small to large-scale businesses, all of which have contributed to the income of the locality. As a part of the province of Surigao del Sur, the major establishments in the town of Cantilan are mostly that of which are present as well in the neighboring towns in the province of Surigao del Sur.

There are a number of business establishments in the town of Cantilan. These establishments include beach resorts among which are the Solar Beach Resort and Torpedo Beach Resort; convenience stores, of which the largest in town would be the so-called “etc.”; restaurants like Chan-lac; bakeries such as Janise Iriberri Bakeshop and Panaderia; tailor shops for instance Shan tailoring; pharmacies which include Solar Drugstore, Cherrymar Drug Store, and Farmacia Jelena; gas stations like Petron, Caltex, and Shell; hardwares, an example of which is Weylan hardware; pawnshops in the liking of Estal Pawnshop; various salons and spas; and more.

By Erwin Mascariñas | Friday| January 20, 2012 | Filed under: Top Stories Mindanews

BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/19 January) — Environmental groups warn that Caraga region could be the next environmental disaster  area after Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities if the local government units and government agencies do not take action soon.

“As the capital of extractive activities in the Philippines and the number one region in climate change hot spot, no doubt, Caraga will suffer/experience same fate as that of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City,” said Carl Cesar Rebuta, project development officer of the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan (LRC-KsK).

In an online interview, the Cagayan de Oro-based environmental campaigner noted that Caraga hosts the most number of mining permits in the country, covering almost half of the total land area of 1.8 million hectares of the region. He said it is also the timber corridor of the Philippines and hosts most number of Industrial Forest Management Agreements (IFMA) permits.

“The remaining and fragile watershed of Caraga is threatened by these extractive activities,” said Rebuta.

He cited as example the case of Mt. Hilung-hilung in Cantilan-Carrascal, which  is covered by an active mining operations, the case of Bukid dako and Bukid gamay of Placer. MRL Gold (Mindoro Resources Limited ) has an active exploration permit in the Lake Mainit areas. Mainit, Placer, and Tubod watershed areas are also at risk since it is now covered by mining operations of Philex. And several more in Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and even the Taguibo watershed issue in Butuan City are all plagued with mining and illegal logging operations, said Rebuta.

Nokie Calunsag, Campaign Officer and Media Coordinator for Green Mindanao, said that if illegal logging activities such as that in the Cortez area in Surigao del Sur and other parts in Caraga region would not be acted upon by the concerned agencies, environmental disaster will ravage the region in the future.

“If left unchecked the ones that will suffer would be the people. We propose that there should be a moratorium to stop logging and mining activities in Caraga for the time being and conduct assessment and study on its current situation and environmental effects. They say that these are all for the development, but the bottom-line is that when the worst happens it is the people in the community that would be at the losing end and not the companies behind the destruction,” he said. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)