TRENDS (15 June 2010)

PNP assures security and safety of students in Northern Mindanao

Cagayan de Oro City (6/16/10) – The ample preparation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) with regards to the school opening can help deter the criminal activities and prevent untoward incidents from happening.

This is the assurance of P/Chief Supt. Conrado E. Laza, Regional Director of PNP, region 10, who said the PNP has made numerous coordination with the other government agencies and stakeholders for the security and safety of the millions of students in the region who are back to school in both public and private institutions.

“We want to ensure the operational readiness of police units in responding to peace and order concerns including threats from criminal elements who may take advantage of the situation, thus, we have implemented “Implan 07/2010, Balik Eskwela 2010,” he said.

Under the plan, the PNP deploys sizeable police forces to man the Police Assistance Desks (PAD) at bus terminals, malls and bookstores for the “last minute shopping” and in the vicinity of universities/colleges/ schools, during the regular opening of classes.

Meanwhile, some 220 PAD’s manned by 585 PNP personnel have been established all over the region in time for the opening of classes on June 15.

Additional PNP personnel have been deployed and those undergoing field training program (FTP) have been utilized to beef up those conducting visibility operation and managing the traffic leading to and from schools.

Likewise, dialogues with school heads and concerned barangay local officials have been conducted on the security needs of the students while Mobile Reaction Units/Teams have been maintained for immediate response to emergency cases, Laza added. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob, Philippine Information Agency, Region 10)


Bukidnon lawmaker donates millions for DSWD

The lawmaker of the First District in the province Bukidnon has left a legacy to the Department of Social Welfare and Development in region 10.

Congressman Candido P. Pancrudo, Jr, donated an amount of P6.5 Million for the expansion and improvement of buildings of the social welfare department.

From his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), Pancrudo’s donation will be broken down for the construction of a multi-purpose covered court which will cost 2.5 million and the P4 Million will be used for the completion of the Regional Study Center for Children (RSCC) which will arise beside the Home for Girls building located in the DSWD-X office premises.

The multi-purpose covered court is intended for the clients of the DSWD-X within its compound and also for sports activities of the staff.

Since the existing RSCC building at Macanhan, Cagayan de Oro City is prone to flooding, especially during heavy downpour, the management decided to transfer the facility as soon as construction of the building is completed.

The DSWD-10 staff and employees, including its wards and clients are grateful of the benevolence of Congressman Pancrudo because of the donation he has shared for the Department. (Manuel M. Borres / DSWD 10)


Agri-forum provides ideas to survive climate change

Tubod, Lanao del Norte—Municipal Agriculture Officers (MAOs) from the 22 municipalities of Lanao del Norte gathered at the Macapagal Training Center (MTC), Tubod, this province last June 10 to acquire new ideas in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

The LGU of Lanao del Norte through its Provincial Agriculturist Office is trying to find new solutions to endure climate change and develop an agricultural strategy that will make farming in the province more sustainable and multifunctional.

Re-elected Gov. Khalid Dimaporo has identified agriculture to be his top priority in the next 3 years. Intervention programs to further enhance and build post harvest facilities in strategic towns are already in the pipe line to catalyze agricultural progress in the province.

“The forum will include a lecture on what is climate change, its causes, measures to lessen its effect, crops to be planted on rainy season, and solutions to protect your crops from heavy rain and excessive heat of the sun,” said Ricardo M. Mercado, OIC PAGASA Regional 10 Office.

The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) is optimistic that this effort will ultimately benefit the local farmers and help improve their farming skills for a consistently high agricultural yield. (ARMS/PIO-LDN)


BFAR chief laments LANECO action

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of Region 10, Regional Director Visa Tan-Dimerin, lamented the grossly despicable and improper action of several officials of Lanao del Norte Electronic Cooperative (LANECO) that has affected the operation of BFAR’s hatchery in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

In a letter to LANECO General Manager Resnol Torres, the regional director demanded for an official explanation as to why LANECO personnel forcibly pulled out the two (2) units electronic transformers of the Kauswagan Fish Hatchery in the town of Kauswagan despite protestations by BFAR personnel in said hatchery.

LANECO supervisor Sotore M. Vicoy, Jr. and his staff unceremoniously and forcibly removed the transformers, with the assistance of the Chief of Police of the PNP Police Station of Kauswagan.

The presence of the police caused fear on the persons and caretakers of the BFAR hatchery in said town, so that they were not able to stop the LANECO officials from carrying out their determined move to remove the transformers.

It appears that there was no court order warranting the retrieval of the transformers by LANECO.

The hatchery is a vital project of BFAR in the enhancement of quality fish seedling production in Lanao del Norte.

In order to achieve its fingerlings production BFAR needs electricity. The forcible removal of said transformers from the hatchery therefore greatly affected the operation of the hatchery in Kauswagan town where there are numerous fishermen-beneficiaries of BFAR and Provincial Government fisheries projects.

In said letter written by the BFAR Regional Director, it was learned that the caretaker of the hatchery reported that he pleaded for proper procedure by LANECO’s pull-out by way of informing the BFAR Regional Office first and to hold in abeyance the execution of the order of the Manager of LANECO until an official notice of the pull-out shall have been issued by LANECO to BFAR.

The caretaker likewise called for assistance on what action to take from his supervisor, the PFO-designate of Lanao del Norte. The latter likewise asked assistance from the OIC of BFAR-10 at that time but their requests for reconsideration of the said action fell on LANECO’s deaf ears.

Director Visa Tan-Dimerin is quoted as stating in the letter to Resnol Torres that, “We find the action to your staff and the PNP Police improper and despicable, hence this letter, to officially put on record our objection and complaint against such action.” (PIO-JMP)


El Niño out, La Niña in -PAGASA

Malaybalay City, Bukidnon—The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) declared the onset of the rainy season that ends the El Niño phenomenon in the country.

PAGASA Bukidnon Chief Meteorological Officer Anianita Fortich said the data indicated a moderate El Niño event from June 2009 on, which strengthened in early 2010. However, it weakened this month as it rained every day this week in Bukidnon. “This signals the chance of the occurrence of La Niña,” she added.

“Weather forecast shows that wet season starts June 6, which would last in September this year,” Fortich stressed.

With the increasing probability of the occurrence of La Niña beginning on the 3rd quarter of this year, PAGASA advised residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take precautionary measures against possible flash floods and landslides during periods of heavy rains.

La Niña brings mostly the opposite effects of El Niño. While El Niño is a warming of the surface water of the Pacific Ocean that causes drought, the La Niña causes heavy rains in the country that may also bring strong winds and storms. (Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy, PIA Bukidnon)


DepEd cites smooth opening of classes in Initao

Cagayan de Oro City (16 June) -- There was a smooth opening of classes in the Initao Central School, says the Department of Education (DepEd).

Schools Division Superintendent Sinforosa A. Guiñares of Misamis Oriental said about 99 percent of children enrolled in the Initao Central School have attended the opening of classes.

She said that the smooth beginning of the school year yesterday was due to the Brigada Eskwela program which makes the school and the facilities ready for the opening of classes.

The school is a recipient to the 2009 Best Brigada Eskwela Implementer Award while School Principal Nilda M. Mejos to the Hall of Fame Award where they are set to receive the citation during a national awarding ceremony at Banluan Tower, Tacloban City, on June 18.

Mejos said that despite the start of classes in June 14, they continue to accept students who would like to enroll in both elementary and high school.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had earlier instructed top DepEd officials to ensure the smooth opening of classes on June 14.

The President directed said officials to take all the necessary steps so that the more than 20 million students nationwide will not be bothered when they troop back to schools.

She also reiterated her instruction for school officials to strictly observe the non-collection fees as well as the non-mandatory wearing of uniform policies. (Elaine O. Ratunil / Philippine Information Agency 10)


Initao bags brigada eskwela award

Initao Central School troops to the National Awarding Ceremony of the 2009 Best Brigada Eskwela Implementers and Hall of Fame Awards at Tacloban City.

The school is a recipient to the 2009 Best Brigada Eskwela Implementer Award while School Principal Nilda M. Mejos to the Hall of Fame Award. The awarding ceremony is set on June 18.

The Brigada Eskwela plus aims to pool stakeholders in education and their resources to help the Department of Education (DepEd) and the teachers prepare the schools so that regular classes will be done when the students return to school on its opening day.

Brigada Eskwela (Bayanihan Para Sa Paaralan) is DepEd’s National Schools Maintenance Week.

It is a nationwide voluntary effort of teachers, parents, students, community members and other organizations to do minor repairs on their schools in preparation for the start of the school year.

Launched in 2003, the activity encourages volunteers to provide a little bit of materials such as paint, cement, lumber and other materials, which could be used for building. They could also give a lot more of time and community spirit. Donations from local businesses and other corporations are given in kind. Hence, there is no cash involved.

During the Brigada Eskwela week, volunteers undertake the task of preparing the school in time for the start of classes in June. Minor maintenance work such as the repainting of the roof and exterior walls, repair of leaking water pipes, ceiling boards, broken furniture and windows, among others are done by volunteers with the help of donations in kind from non-government organizations and corporations.

Principals and school heads are keys in the organization of this yearly effort. They are encouraged, but not required to organize such an activity in their respective schools. School heads who choose to participate in Brigada Eskwela, however, organize their efforts through their PTCAs as early as February, recruit parent volunteers and approach local businesses for donations by March, and organize work groups by April.

School Principal Nilda M. Mejos said beyond the material and financial gains we have generated from this worthwhile endeavor, the true value of Brigada Eskwela is in the lessons learned from it. Society benefits not only from better classrooms and school campuses, it also benefits from the goodwill generated when people exert effort for the common good- hand in hand with their fellow man.

Brigada Eskwela is the current day version of our proverbial Bayanihan spirit- that sacred tradition of volunteerism we Filipinos value and that sacred tradition of volunteerism we should teach each and every Filipino child.

The true value of Brigada Eskwela is in how well we can teach our children the essence of community- and of humanity. The lesson of Brigada Eskwela is the lesson of the Filipino spirit. (Elaine O. Ratunil / Philippine Information Agency 10)