TRENDS (14 May 2010)

DTI, PCE organize Negosyo seminar

To instill positive entrepreneurial mindset and know-how among potential and existing entrepreneurs in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in region 10 and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) – Go Negosyo are organizing a Negosyo Seminar (NEGOSEM) for the One Town One Product (OTOP) Program Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (MSMEs).

It will be held on May 19, 2010, Wednesday at the Grand Caprice Restaurant, Limketkai Center Cagayan de Oro City.

The event aims to empower and enable entrepreneurs by giving them proper and adequate knowledge on the rudiments of putting up an enterprise and to help them become smarter, enterprising, more innovative and competitive.

The Negosyo Seminar (NEGOSEM) features experts and successful entrepreneurs from Metro Manila who will be sharing their excellent ideas and tips on finding business opportunities, choosing the market for business, product development and innovation, marketing techniques, and micro-financing options.

As a side event, products and service booths – PCE’s book-selling booth on entrepreneurship materials, Tsada OTOP Pasalubong Store, OTOP product exhibit, NERBAC Desk – will be featured.

Five-hundred participants from the micro, small and medium enterprises in Northern Mindanao are expected to attend the NEGOSEM. (DTI Press Release)


Outstanding MSME award inspires entrepreneurs, DTI says

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (13 May) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently named the NM Food Products, maker of traditional Bukidnon banana chips and taro crackers, as Outstanding Micro-Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) in Bukidnon.

DTI Provincial Director Ermedio Abang said that the award would continue to inspire MSMEs, as their successes are vital to propel the country forward.

In an interview, Nestor Manuel, owner of NM Food Products said the trade started with meager resources in 1988. The store offers only sweet banana chips and other delicacies ideal for “pasalubong” and gifts for “balikbayans.”

“But we now offer chips and crackers with flavors of cheese, hot and spicy, sweet and sour, cinnamon, sweet corn, and natural flavor,” he said.

Manuel claims that DTI has helped much in his flourishing business. He said he always participates in trainings and seminars on food processing, packaging, product enhancement and marketing sponsored by the DTI, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology and other organizations that give techniques and innovative ideas to entrepreneurs dealing with food industry.

He added with pride that he is due to sign contract next week with Umpad Enterprises, which has export trade network in Europe, Russia and Florida.

“I am honored to the recognition of my products and I don’t think of any award but I admit that I’m a hands-on manager and checks the store from time to time,” he added.

He said he also complies with all legal registrations and obligations to the city and national government. He also makes sure that customers are always satisfied with their purchases and accepts ‘returned’ goods with no questions asked.

NM Food Products are available in all “pasalubong” centers in Bukidnon. Its main processing facilities are in Maramag and Manolo Fortich. Manuel employs some young people from Manolo Fortich, Maramag and environs. (Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy, PIA Bukidnon)


MUST bags international research awards

Cagayan de Oro City – Another pride to the Mindanao University of Science and Technology are three professors who won prestigious awards from the International Conference on Higher Education Research (ICHER) 2010 held in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on April 27-29, 2010.

MUST is out to prove that through a strong research culture manifested by capable team of faculty researchers doing quality researches, it is getting headstrong as a university for science and technology.

In this way, it can attract the necessary networks and linkages which can establish strong research structures for the academic community.

The professors who competed in the areas of science and technology, education and arts, from among other categories, were: a) Dr. Consorcio S. Namoco, Outstanding International Researcher awardee for having published researches in ISI journals-indexed international journals; b) Dr. Charito G. Ong, first placer as Best in Oral Presentation of Education Researches category, with her paper entitled “A Training Scheme for College Communicative Teaching”; and c) Dr. Victoria O. Sumanpan, first placer in science and technology category with her paper on “Interactive Science Learning and Strategy Formulation of Oro Science and Technology”.

The team was spearheaded by Dr. Oliva P. Canencia, MUST Research and Development Director, who presented as one of the plenary speakers, her research paper entitled Research Utilization in Science and Technology for Mainstreaming Climate Change Initiatives in Mindanao.

She is likewise a trainer for climate change in the Asia- Pacific region, and President of Peer Reviewers Association.

ICHER 2010 was sponsored by the Philippine Association of Institutions for Research, and was attended by 26 other state colleges and universities, and private institutions of higher learning in the country and abroad.

Its presentations were anchored on the theme: Utilization, Experience and Discovery. The other competed areas were Culture, Media Management, Philosophy, and Religion. (MUST Press Release)


MUST convenes professionals for a lecture series in geotechnical engineering

Cagayan de Oro City – A total of 112 engineers, architects and geologists convened at Grand Caprice Restaurant, Lim Ket Kai Center on May 7, 2010 to attend the one day Lecture Series on Geotechnical Engineering organized by the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST).

Four international resource speakers who are experts and specialists from the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) helped the participants explore the best ways to research, design, construct and assess on the safety of geotechnical structures in the Philippines, especially the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Dr. Teik Aun Ooi, from the Institute of Civil Engineers Malaysia kicked off the series with a lecture on “Geotechnical Failures, Issues, Dispute Resolutions and Mitigations.”

He was followed by Professor Dennes T. Bergado from Asian Institute of Technology, who presented a lecture on “Behaviour of Lightweight Geomaterials using Recycled Tire Chips – Sand Mixtures Reinforced with Geogrids: Test Results and Simulations.”

Dr. Lai Yip Poon, the Managing Director of AnchorSOL Wall Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, ended the morning session with his presentation on “Design and Construction of Reinforced Soil Wall and Its Performance in DMM Improved Ground.”

The afternoon session was devoted to two presentations of Professor Pedro S. Pinto from University of Coimbra, Portugal on “Landslides Analysis under Static and Seismic Conditions” and “Static and Seismic Pile Foundations Design - Case Histories.”

The touring lecture series is one of the visible projects of the ISSMGE.

In the Philippines, it chose MUST to be one of its host institutions.

The lecture series was co-sponsored by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers, Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro City Chapter and Xavier University. (Ruth April B. Amoguis MUST)


MUST faculty is Outstanding International Researcher 2010

Dr. Consorcio S. Namoco, Jr., the newly-designated Dean of the College of Industrial and Information Technology (CIIT), was recently awarded one of the Five (5) Outstanding International Researchers (OIR) for 2010 by the Philippine Association of Institutions for Research (PAIR), Inc.

The award is in recognition for his excellent performance and exemplary achievements in the field of research of international significance.

Dr. Namoco is a metallurgical engineer by profession. He earned his Doctor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) degree at Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto City, Japan in March 2008 as a Japanese Government scholar.

He has published several scientific researches in reputable and ISI-indexed international journals.

He has also made numerous scientific presentations locally and in other countries including the USA, Great Britain, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, China and Spain.

In 2009, the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and the Association of Iligan Institute of Technology Alumni Foundation, Incorporated (AIITAFI) awarded him with, “The Outstanding MSU-IIT Alumni (TOMA) Award 2009 in the field of Engineering,” in recognition of his career and professional excellence and his significant contributions to his field in the local, national and international community.

The Outstanding International Researchers for 2010 were adjudged based on their research impact, journal publications and research advocacy.

The search, which had various entries from colleges and universities across the country, had two phases: 1) The selection of finalists by a Philippine Panel chaired by Dr. Zenaida G. Gersana, Regional Director of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in region 10; Dr. Cecilia M. Ferolin, Xavier University; and Jose Z. Valdehueza of Liceo de Cagayan University.

The second phase involved the online interview by an International Panel chaired by Emily C. Mac Donald, Canada; Dr. Charlene F. Nixon, USA; Dr. Noel Pabalan, York University, Canada; Dr. Roberto N. Padua; and Dr. Libertad P. Garcia, Philippines.

The other Outstanding International Research Awardees for 2010 are Dr. Victor B. Amoroso (PhD in Botany, University of the Philippines-Diliman), a career scientist (Scientist III) of Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon; Dr. Veneracion G. Cabana (PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, University of Illinois Medical Center, USA), the Research Director of Mountain View College, Valencia City, Bukidnon; Dr. Alfredo R. Rabena (PhD in Forestry, University of the Philippines-Los Baños), the Director for Research and Development of University of Northern Philippines, Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Prof. Isidro T. Savillo of Iloilo School of Fisheries.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Heritage Hotel, UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan during the International Conference on Higher Education Research (ICHER2010). (MUST Press Release)


Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park now an ASEAN Heritage Park

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) presented to officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources the plaque recognizing Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park in Bukidnon as an ASEAN Heritage Park.

The award was presented by ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Dato’ Misran Karmain to Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio during the launching of the International Year of Biodiversity in Makati City recently.

DENR Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso along with Regional Technical Director Belen O. Daba of the Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Services; and Community DENR Officer and Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Felix Mirasol were present during the awarding ceremony.

Director Dichoso said Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park as an ASEAN Heritage Park joins other 27 other ASEAN Heritage Parks. It is also the third declared ASEAN Heritage Park in the Philippines, after Mt. Apo in Davao and Mt. Iglit-Baco in Mindoro Oriental.

Mt. Kitanglad has an area of 30,642 hectares and covers seven (7) municipalities and one (1) city in the province of Bukidnon, namely Talakag, Baungon, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, Lantapan, Impasug-ong and Malaybalay City.

It was declared as a protected area in 2000 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8978. (DENR Press Release)


Comelec proclaims Aliah Dimaporo for 2nd District Lanao Norte

Tubod, Lanao del Norte – It’s another landslide victory for team Dimaporo as Fatima Aliah Dimaporo was proclaimed by the Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) last May 13 as the winning candidate for the 2nd congressional district of this province.

“I’m very thankful to the people of the 2nd District, the barangay captains, barangay leaders, PVHWs, my supporters who worked very hard to give me this overwhelming victory,” expressed Dimaporo.

Also proclaimed with Dimaporo are the winning board members for the 2nd district: Benny Baguio (72,701 votes), Macabangkit Tawantawan (62,498 votes), Acmad Cotongan (62,419 votes), Tominaman Sumalipao (57,835 votes) and Tawantawan Cauntongan (46,822 votes).

Although there are still precincts whose votes have yet to be received by Comelec, “it would be statistically improbable that these figures can change the outcome of the election for these positions,” said Atty. Carlito Ravilo, Provincial Election Officer.

This is the first time that Aliah Dimaporo ran for public office she already have extensive international experience as the Executive Director of the World Youth Alliance Foundation of the United Nations based in New York, New York. (VNL/PIO-LDN)


City gov’t presents art exhibition of 2 lady artists

Cagayan de Oro City—In celebration of the National Filipino Heritage Festival Month, the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office presents an art exhibit of two local artists, Meling Abogaa and Kelly Ramos Palaganas at the City Tourism Showhouse, Divisoria from May 15 until the end of the month.

Meling Abogaa and Kelly Ramos-Palaganas, the two lady artists whose talents give honor and pride to Cagayan de Oro, will present their works under the theme, “You are modern; you do not become so.”

The city government, through the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, makes the City Tourism Showhouse a venue not only to showcase the city’s tourist destinations but also that of the city’s culture, arts and heritage.

The public is invited to drop by the Tourism Showhouse and view the exhibit, which opens 4 p.m. It is also sponsored by Capitol University. (Khria Carmela R. Noble, XU Devcom Intern of City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office)


Feature: Bracing development; DSWD enhances 4Ps

The early beginnings of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps have been tough yet valuable not only to the beneficiaries but also to the department.

As the key implementer of the program, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) faced enormous challenges in upholding a fair and beneficial program that will alleviate poverty in the country.

True to our words, the department has been able to serve 700,000 poor households nationwide in 2009 and in Region 10, a total of P-280M cash grants has already been released to 63,210 beneficiaries.

Since 4Ps does not solely dwell on giving out conditional cash grants, systems for Compliance Verification, Updates and Grievance Redress were also made to ensure that the Program’s goal in fostering improved health and education are met.

As a good start for this year, 4Ps has been expanded to serve one million beneficiaries throughout the country which include an additional 10,000 beneficiaries from the region.

The expansion covered the municipalities of Cabanglasan, Damulog, Kitaotao, Malitbog and San Fernando in Bukidnon; Sagay in Camiguin; Alubijid, Manticao and Claveria in Misamis Oriental and three cities that include Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City and Tangub City.

Bearing in mind the initial gains of the program that include the increased rates in enrolment and number of visits in health centers, and active participation as well as intensified community involvement of the beneficiaries during family development sessions, DSWD is positive that the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program will definitely pave the way towards development. (Recthie Tolinero / DSWD)