PIA-10 News (11 February 2011)

IDRR/climate change adaptation tops agenda of 88th RDC-X meet, Feb. 15
By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – Orientation on the Integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (IDRR/CCA) in Local Development Planning tops the agenda of the Regional Development Council (RDC), region 10.

As such, signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on IDRR/CCA will highlight its 88th Full Council Meeting at Maria Cristina Hotel, Iligan City, on Feb. 15, 2011, said Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz of Iligan City, Chairperson of RDC-X.

Cruz said he expects Secretary Florencio B. Abad of the Dept. of Budget and Management (DBM) to join the meeting to discuss the guidelines, budget framework and general procedures on the preparation of Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Proposals.

Among others, members of RDC-X are also expected to discuss the request for DBM to provide regional breakdown of agency budgets for the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the preparation of the master plan and feasibility study of Flood Control and Drainage Projects of Selected River Basins, Package II.

Also to be discussed are the preparation/submission of comprehensive development plans/local development investment programs, business permit and licensing systems for local government units and preparation of comprehensive land use plans.

As host of the activity, Cruz said he has arranged a tour around Iligan right after the meeting to explore the beauty and bounty of the city.

Meanwhile, Engr. Leon M. Dacanay, Jr., Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), region 10, said Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III has signed the appointment of Cruz, as Chairperson and Arsenio L. Sebastian III, as Co-Chairperson of RDC-X for the term 2010-2013.

The rest of the appointees for the Mindanao RDC’s, as listed in the Omnibus Appointment Letter dated Dec. 2, 2010, of Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. to Secretary Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr. of NEDA are:

Region IX: Mayor Evelyn T. Uy of Dipolog City, Chairperson and Enrico V. Montano, Co-Chairperson, Region XI, Mayor Sarah Z. Duterte of Davao City, Chairperson and Vicente T. Lao, Co-Chairperson, and Region XII, Mayor Darlene Magnolia R. Antonino-Custodio of Cotabato City, Chairperson and Ramon N. Floresta, Co-Chairperson. (PIA 10)


Camiguin gipanghingusgan ang health emergency management system
by Jorie C. Valcorza

CAMIGUIN – Agig pagpangandam sa mga mamahimong kalamidad ug pagbaha, ang lalawigan sa Camiguin naninguha sa pagpalig-on sa ilang public health emergency management system.

Pagsugod pa lamang sa tuig nakapahigayon na kini sa kitawag nga “triage training” sa mga myembro sa health emergency response team sa matag munisipyo sa probinsya.

Ang maong training gipahigayon sa Basic Life Support trainers o gitawag nga BLS trainers gikan sa buhatan sa Provincial Health Office (PHO) ug Camiguin General Hospital (CGH), aron matabangan ang matag myembro sa response team sa pag-ila unsay angay tagaan ug importansya panahon sa aktual na rescue operations.

Matod sa PHO, and triage usa ka pamaagi sa pag classify kon paggrupo sa mga pasyente subay sa kahimtang niini o gagrabe sa angol ug available nga medicina panahon sa kalamidad.

Ang Public Health Emergency Management System (PHEMS) coordinator, Emiliano Lopoy Jr. miingon nga ang buhatan sa health kinahanglan gayud nga manginlabot ug magpakabana sa mga kalihukan kabahin sa kalamidad.

Kapin 140 ka mga trabahante sa health ang nakalakip sa nasangpit nga training ug sila moagi pa sa lain na usab nga mga drilling exercises.

Bag-ohay lamang nakasinati ang probinsya ug pagbaha ug kapin 58 ka pamilya ang temporary nga nisilong adtong panahuna sa pinakaduol nga mga skwelahan.

Ang kagamhanan mi apod-apod usab ug hinabang sama sa pagkaon, sanina ug tambal samtang gi-ayo ang mga dalan ug tulay nga nabarahan ug mga kahoy ug yuta. (Jorie C. Valcorza/PIA 10)


DepEd-10 launches 2011 Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools
by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – To encourage schools/ academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at a practical/ local level, the Dept. of Education (DepEd), region 10, has launched the 2011 Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools (SSEFS).

Dr. Luz S. Almeda, Regional Director of DepEd-10, said the search aims to develop skills and understanding among students, faculty and school administrators in initiating active responses and increasing community awareness and participation on environmental concerns.

“Sustainable and eco-friendly schools may be described as environment-friendly schools that have initiated and integrated in their instruction, research, extension and/or administration, programs which are environment-related,” she said.

First launched in 2009, the search is in the roadmap for the implementation of Republic Act 9512 of 2008 otherwise known as the “Environment Education Action Plan, 2009-2014” and undertaken by DepEd in cooperation with the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Environment Management Bureau (EMB), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and SMART Communications, Inc.

Meanwhile, the following can be adopted in pursuit of sustainable eco-friendly schools: developing environmental policies for the school, physical cleanliness, orderliness and beautification of the school, energy conservation and demand management, water conservation/ water management, maintenance of potable water, paper conservation/paper recycling, waste reduction, waste segregation, recycling and composting, and air, water and soil pollution control.

Seedling production/vegetable gardening and marketing, reforestation, establishment of a nursery, botanical garden, herbarium, bio-park, environmental audit of schools’ operations and facilities, integration of environmental theme into the school curriculum, conduct of in-service environmental training for faculty members, development of environmental degrees/certificate programs and conduct of environment and natural resource-related research works and studies.

Environment awareness and community education, holding of green fairs and environmental exhibits, sale of green products, holding of seminars and/or conferences/ symposia, holding of eco-tours or ecological destinations, healthy lifestyle campaign and climate change adaptation and mitigation programs, which may take the form of litter-watch, beach eco-watch, tap-watch, bantay-ulan, bantay-dagat, land care and the like.

Almeda said participating schools are required to fill up their on-line entry forms at the National SSEFS website at http://www.sustainableschools.ph and submit entries in three (3) hard copies, on or before April 29, 2011, the deadline for submission. (PIA)


DOLE-10 posts 98.16% job placement rate, releases Php14.787M for workers’ benefits in 2010
By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – A job placement rate of 90.78% was posted by the Dept. of Labor and Employment (DOLE), region 10, when it placed 39,650 out of 40,393 job applicants, last year.

Such job seekers were referred under DOLE-10’s Employment Facilitation Program (EFP) from a total of 58,352 job applicants who were registered in the region for calendar year 2010 in 27 jobs fair that were conducted for the period, Atty. Alan M. Macaraya, Regional Director of DOLE-10, said.

Macaraya also said a total of 2,691 students were benefitted by the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) for which DOLE released Php4.69M representing 40% as its counterpart under the Bridging Employment Program (BEP).

As far as capacity building services for livelihood/self-employment is concerned, DOLE-10 had released a total of Php10.09M for funding of a total of 38 projects under the Livelihood Formation and Livelihood Enhancement for Informal Sector (IS) benefiting 2,995 workers.

Meanwhile, a total of 209 firms were serviced under DOLE-10’s Family Welfare Program (FWP) thru various advocacy activities, benefitting 15,304 workers.

Under the same program, it has created a total of five (5) associations in the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and in Eastern and Western Misamis Oriental of Provincial FWP Committees in the region.

As proof to the impact of the program, HOLCIM Philippines of Lugait, Misamis Oriental was declared as the best company with the best family welfare practices in the workplace for Mindanao. (PIA 10)


XU program on marine conservation wins R&D award

Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental - The “IEC Student Development Advocates (ISDA) Program on Marine Conservation” of Xavier University’s McKeough Marine Center took second place at the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development System Best Paper Awards.

The awarding ceremony was held during the 23rd anniversary celebration of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development in Los Baños, Laguna.

The researchers, Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit, Divina Hojas-Lade, Joan Jamisolamin and Camillia Jane Bollozos, received a plaque and a cash prize of Php20,000.

ISDA is a program implemented in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), region 10.

It is designed to help younger generations increase their understanding of the importance of the marine ecosystem and provide them with a venue where they can proactively participate in activities that promote environmental conservation.

XU NSTP students are trained to deliver basic marine ecology concepts to public school children in coastal barangays through fun-filled activities like games, film showings and workshops.

At the end of the program, the children participate in coastal clean ups and attend a graduation ceremony where they present a comical skit in their native dialect showcasing what they have learned from the program about basic marine ecology.

Since its implementation in 2007, test scores measuring the increase in students’ awareness and understanding of the concepts taught in the program have grown from six percent to 24 percent.

Efforts to make ISDA more effective, dynamic, interesting and sustainable are being undertaken based on the feedback of the participants and DepEd faculty. (XU/PIA)


Gingoog undergoes Technical Writing and Creative Writing Seminar-Workshop

Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental- A two-day seminar-workshop on English Proficiency was successfully conducted recently at the ASL Gymnasium Conference Room, this city.

The expertise of Custodio M. Bagsican, a retired English Professor at Xavier - Ateneo de Cagayan University was tapped by the city government to re-tool employees, particularly the information and administrative officers, on the proper usage and application of the English language. A total of 40 participants graced the said activity.

In his course overview, Bagsican explicitly discussed the importance of good communication skills inside and even outside the workplace.

One participant relates the experience as a trip down memory lane; while others coined it as “revisiting” - referring to their individual high school/college encounter of the English curriculum.

Though professionals and respected in their own rights, the participants expressed full desire to learn and acknowledged the necessity of the activity in relation to professional development and efficiency in government service.

In an effort to establish good communication skills, Bagsican dwelled first on the basics - which include diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement and tenses.

As the seminar progresses, Bagsican incorporated its relevance and application to work and socialization. At a later point, he delved on the aspects of Creative and Technical Writing and how it fares in the public service.

With an aid of Powerpoint presentation, along with a variety of analogies and examples under his sleeve, Bagsican captured the interest of the participants and was successful in eliciting responses on all questions/challenges he tossed at them.

Indeed, it was a fruitful and an enjoyable undertaking - perhaps, one that is deserving of a rerun. (CIO)


OWWA contributions of NorMin OFW’s reach Php9.01M in 2010
by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – A total of Php9.01M have been generated from the membership contributions of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) of Northern Mindanao, last year, up by 8% compared to Php8.36M in 2009.

Lorna C. Mabagal, Regional Officer-in-Charge of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), region 10, said these contributions came from 7,976 OFW’s in region 10 who each contributed a membership of US$25.

Such contribution entitles the OFW to avail of various programs and services that are responsive to their needs and those of their families over and above of the provisions of their employment contract, she said

Mabagal said OWWA-10 has also extended about Php6.5M for the death benefits of OFW’s in the region arising from death of 50 OWWA-member OFW’s with valid OWWA membership coverage at the time of death.

This amount, however, was actually higher by 47.72% over Php4.4M, the death benefits given to 34 recipient families involving active OWWA-members in the previous year.

Of this figure, death incidents caused by stroke and cardiac arrest posted the highest cause of death with 52%, followed by cancer-related ailments, 20%, respiratory problem, diabetes, drowning and other natural causes, 18% and accidental death, 10%.

During the year, 29 active OWWA-member OFWs who encountered accidents while on duty were given Disability Assistance amounting to Php560,000, higher by 42.67% over Php392,500 released in 2009 for similar assistance to 17 OFWs.

Meanwhile, Mabagal said OWWA-10 has released Php3M for the medical assistance of OFWs in distress through its Health Program or “Health Pro,” a subsidized hospitalization package for OFW’s who came home for further medical treatment.

The program, however, has been temporarily suspended effective Dec. 31, 2010, pending results of impact evaluation conducted by OWWA in consonance with its mandate.

In a related development, Mabagal said OWWA has agreed to co-share the construction of a 50-bed capacity hospital amounting to Php100M with the provincial government of Misamis Oriental on a 45:55 ratio to be constructed in Alubijid, Mis. Or.

The lot for the hospital has been donated by the local government unit of Alubijid while the equipment has been committed by the Dept. of Health, Mabagal added. (PIA 10)


Cebuano News: Pebrero 15 gideklarang usa ka Muslim Legal Non-Working Holiday

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Gideklara ang umaabot nga Pebrero 15, adlaw’ng Martes, nga usa ka Muslim Legal Non-Working Holiday ubos sa Presidential Decree No. 1083 o mas naila nga Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines.

Sa kasayuran nga gipadangat sa Philippine Information Agency (PIA), natunong sa maong petsa ang pag-obserbar sa mga igsoong Muslim sa Maulidin Nabi kon kasumaran sa pagkahimugso ni Propeta Mohammad.

Alayon niini, wala’y klase ug wala’y trabaho sa mga pribado ug pampublikong buhatan sa mga lalawigan sa Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato, Maguindanao ug Sultan Kudarat, ingon man sa mga dakbayan sa Cotabato, Marawi, Kidapawan, Tacurong ug Iligan.

Kini ang mga dapit nga kanhi kabahin sa Rehiyon 12. (pia-ldn/mta-CIO)


Cebuano News: Amahan sa Iligan mimando alang sa paghan-ay sa improvement plan sa GTLMH

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Gihatagan og direktiba ni Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz sila ni kanhi konsehal Orlando Maglinao ug City Engineer Franklin Maata nga bisitahon ang Gregorio T. Lluch Memorial Hospital (GTLMH) aron pagsusi sa nagkalain-lain niining panginahanglan.

Partikular niini ang kahimtang sa kasamtangang mga estraktura, pagsuta sa mga gikinahanglang materyales alang sa lawak nga pahimutangan sa mga dialysis machines, pagtumbok sa tukmang luna nga tukuran sa duha ka lawak alang sa mga barangay officials ug ubang mga kalambuan.

Gimando ni Mayor Cruz nga gilayong masumiter ang report kalabot sa maong tahas sa sunod nga katiguman sa mga department heads karong umaabot nga adlaw’ng Lunes, Pebrero 14.

Sa susamang bahin, gibutyag ni Maglinao nga natunong sa tukmang panahon ang maong laraw sa Mayor sanglit aduna man karo’y usa ka langyaw nga imbestor kinsa interesado nga mosuporta sa mga kalambuan nga ipatuman sa city hospital. (mta-CIO Iligan)


Cebuano News: Kagamhanang lokal magsugod na pag-asikaso sa pagmugna og PDEA-Satellite Office

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Nangita na karon ang kagamhanang lokal og dapit nga haum kapahimutangan sa gilaraw’ng satellite office sa Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) dinhi sa Dakbayan sa Iligan.

Gitahasan ni Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz si Atty. Santiago Hortelano sa City Legal Office nga masusi ang usa ka bakanteng gambalay dinhi sa siyudad nga kanhi gigamit isip buhatan sa usa sa mga ahensiya sa nasudnong kagamhanan.

Gipasalig sa PDEA sa Amihanang Mindanao nga butangan nila ang sattelite office sa Iligan og mga functional personnel alang sa kampanya niini batok sa gidiling droga ingon man ang pag-regulate sa mga substances nga himoong sangkap sa paggama og illegal drugs.

Suportado kini nga lakang sa buhatan ni Congressman Vicente F. Belmonte, Jr. kinsa natunong usab nga nahimong Chairman sa Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs sa kongreso, ug sa Sangguniang Panlungsod pinaagi sa resolusyon nga giduso ni City Councilor Bayani Areola. (mta-CIO Iligan)


Cebuano News: Balaodnon nga maghatag og hospitalization ug death benefits sa mga barangay tanod, BNS, BHW ug CVO napa-ilalom na sa unang pagbasa

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Napa-ilalom na sa unang pagbasa ang gipasakang balaodnon ni City Councilor Frederick Siao ning dakbayan nga maghatag og hospitalization ug death benefits ngadto sa mga rekognisado ug aktibo sa serbisyo nga mga barangay tanods day care workers, barangay nutrition scholars, barangay health workers ug civilian volunteers organization.

Tumong sa lakang ang paghatag sa maong ayuda ngadto sa maong mga alagad sa katawhan nga naghalad sa ilang serbisyo bisan pa sa mga adlaw’ng Sabado ug Dominggo.

Mipasabot usab si Konsehal Siao nga tukma lamang nga maangkon sa nasangpit nga hut-ong ang mga batakang benepisyo sanglit honorarium man lamang gidawat niini gikan sa gobyerno ug dili matawag nga sweldo. (boy decena-CIO Iligan)


Cebuano News: Katapusang public hearing sa balaodnon nga maghatag priority seats sa mga madbos sulod sa mga bus ug pampasaherong jeep ipahigayon

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Napahigayon kagahapong adlawa, Pebrero 9, didto sa SP Session Hall sa city hall ang katapusang public hearing nga may kalabutan sa balaodnon nga maghatag og priority seats sa mga mabdos ug inahan nga nagbitbit og batang-masuso diha sa mga pampasaherong sakyanan.

Gipinalisar sa maong pagdungog ang tukmang multa o silot sa mga makasupak sa balaod, tukmang pwesto nga kalingkuran diin usab ipamilit ang mga stickers ug mga pamaagi sa information drive sa dili pa kini ipatuman.

Nauyonan nga ang makalapas mag-atubang og silot nga warning alang sa first offense, Php 500 pesos nga multa sa second offense ug usa ka libo ka pesos nga may pataban nga citation ticket sa third offense.

Gitumbok usab nga paga-isipong priority seats sa mga mabdos ang duha ka lingkoran duol sa entrance o exit sa mga bus ug duha ka lingkoranan duol sa sampot sa pampasaherong jeep.

Subling gipasalig sa author sa balaodnon nga si City Councilor Marlene Young nga pangabagahon sa siyudad ang pagprinta ug pagpang-apodapod sa mga sticker markings.

Samtang ang co-author usab sa balaodnon nga si City Councilor Michelle Sweet mipahayag nga kabahin sa information drive ang adbokasiya sa mga karadyohan ug ubang media outlets dungan sa education campaign nga himoon sa Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Mitambong sa natigayong public hearing mao ang mga drivers ug operators sa mga public utility vehicles ug bus, hepe sa Enforcement Division sa Land Transportation Office nga si Michael Macarambon, mga representante sa women’s organization ug uban pa.

Human sa maong kalihukan, tinguha karon nila ni Konsehal Young ug Sweet nga maduso ang balaodnon sa ikaduha ug katapusang pagbasa sa mosunod nga regular session sa konseho. (mta-CIO Iligan)


Cebuano News: Konseho mirekomenda sa Mayor nga ipahimutang ang tourism sattelite office sa usa ka mall

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Girekomenda sa mga sakop sa Sangguniang Panlungsod sa Iligan nga mapahimutang ang usa ka sattelite office sa City Tourism Office sulod sa Gaisano Super City Mall ning dakbayan.

Usa ka resolusyon ang napasar atol sa labing ulahing regular session sa konseho nga naghatag og otoridad sa pamuno-dakbayan. Kini gipangunahan ni City Councilor Marlene Young.

Sumala ni Konsehal Young, makatabang ang maong pamaagi aron madiskobrehan sa mga turista ang mga maanindot nga talan-awon ug suroyanan dinhi sa dakbayan. (boy decena-CIO Iligan)


Cebuano News: Parolees, probationeers gipa-ilalom sa food handling, environment protection seminar
ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte - Mipasi-ugda ang Parole and Probation Office No. 2 nga nakabase sa dakbayan og Food Handlers and Environment Protection Seminar ngadto sa mga 71 ka mga parolees ug probationeers niadtong miaging adlaw.

Gipahigayon kini sulod sa usa ka assembly hall sa ikaduhang andana sa Ubaldo D. Laya Barangay Hall.

Gidumala ang kalihukan sa mga tinugyana gikan sa City Health Office nga sila si Julius Cabili ug Claudia de Gracia inabagan sa representante gikan sa buhatan ni Mayor Lawrence Lluch Cruz nga si Maria Estella Bramida kinsa usab usa ka volunteer probation officer.

Tumong sa seminar ang pagtudlo sa mga sumasalmot sa tukmang paagi sa food handling nga posibleng mamahimong skill nga maggamit sa panginabuhi ingon man ang pagdasig kanila nga magpakabana sa pag-amping sa kina-iyahan. (mta-CIO Iligan)


MUST’s phenomenal rise amazes CHED commissioners

Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental - The barely two-year old Mindanao University of Science and Technology amazed Commission on Higher Education (CHED) commissioners gracing the opening of its MUST Days 2011 celebrated Feb. 9-12 this year.

In her privilege speech, Commissioner for Mindanao and incoming chair for MUST’s Board of Regents Hadja Luningning Misuarez-Umartraced the history of the young university and expressed awe in its phenomenal rise vis-à-vis the higher education system perpetrating in the country.

She attributed MUST’s success to the able leadership of outgoing BOR chair William C. Medrano and Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras, incumbent president of the University. Not missed in her acknowledgment of contributions were the efforts of other BOR members and the University’s administration, faculty, staff and students in making the university reach another milestone.

Among the achievements she emphasized were the 100% passing performance of its mechanical engineering in licensure examinations, and the top 10 performers of its electronics and communication engineering, and electrical engineering.

Medrano, on the other hand, said that in a span of only one year, the University has done greatly. An SUC IV, the highest recognition accorded to a state university or college, it manifested quality education through its strong staff and student development programs, high employability of its graduates, infrastructure development, innovations and research outputs, among others.

Truly, he said, the University has contributed new knowledge and technology for the poor. Its cooperation, unity, stability, hard work and teamwork embedded in its university culture made its significant contributions possible.

After the motorcade from Cagayan de Oro’s Divisoria at 7:00 a.m. of Feb. 9, the University community had its thanksgiving rites and opening ceremonies in the grounds of its newest building, the five-storey science complex.

Aleem Aliasa M. Alinog of the Office on Muslim Affairs and Ptr. Giovanni Fancubit, Youth Pastor of the Blessed Hope Christian Community Church International led the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration. Immediately after the opening program, Dr. Rotoras, the CHED guests, and entourage then toured the various exhibits before the guests met with the other University personnel in a luncheon meeting.

Other festive events that already happened were the debate exhibition, Duo-Tones – Sanghimig Choral and Aquinas University Choral Mini-Concert, Search for the University Next Top Model, physics festival, lecture series, commercial fair, arts and culture month festival, and a painting exhibit of two of its alumni, Michael Bacol and Errol Balcos. (Marisa Molina-Manlapig/MUST)


35th IB initiates peace building activity

Camp Allere, Salvador, Lanao del Norte -- True to its mandate as protector of peace and the people, the 35thInfantry (MAKAMANDAG) Battalion, 1st Infantry (TABAK) Division, Philippine Army successfully organized and held a candle lighting activity dubbed as ‘Ilaw para sa Kapayapaan’ here on Feb. 8, 2011.

Peace advocates coming from the local government units, religious sectors, non-government organizations and the Philippine National Police attended the event at Camp Allere, in the interior town of Salvador, this province.

The lighting of the symbolic candle was led by Sultan Jhonny Tawantawan of Salvador and Lt. Col. Ferdinand S Razalan, 35IB Commanding Officer.

An inter-faith prayer was then offered by Imam Khalid Sendad, Grand Imam of Salvador and Fr. Aureo Patian, Salvador Parish Priest.

"The candle when lit by people of goodwill serves the good that is in us all, it does not detonate when ignited, rather, it illuminates our surrounding and reposed our uncertainties in the darkness," Lt. Col. Razalan said during his speech.

The peace building activity was a simultaneous activity conducted in different regions and in all major army camps all over the country. This is also part of the peace advocacy initiated by the civil society groups and non-government organizations and other government agencies which was approved by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

The candle lighting activity’s core program was held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle where a simple ceremony highlighted by an interfaith prayer, ringing of the Peace Bell and flying of wish lanterns took place.

Attended by President Benigno Aquino III, this simultaneous event has illustrated the desire and longing of the Filipino people to end the insurgency that the country has been experiencing for several decades.

With the triumphant conduct of the ‘Ilaw para sa Kapayapaan’ here in Lanao del Norte, it clearly manifested that the local government units and constituents of the province are strong allies of 35th IB in its endeavor to maintain the peace and security in the land of beauty and bounty. (35IB PA)

NIA nets Php21.45M income, implements Php1.628B worth of projects in NorMin
By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental – A net income of Php21.45M have been posted by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Northern Mindanao, in 2010.

This, after NIA-10 generated a revenue of Php78.38M and spent Php56.93M in maintenance and operations expenses for the year, Engr. Julius S. Maquiling, Regional Manager said.

He said NIA-10 has implemented, for the period, projects worth Php1.628B that included the construction, rehabilitation and restoration of various irrigation projects in the different provinces of the region, including that of Lanao del Sur.

Of this amount, Php184 million coming from the National Irrigation System and Communal Irrigation System (NIS/CIS) Fund was allocated for the repair and rehabilitation of 59 irrigation projects, with a 65% rate of accomplishment, as of the end of the year.

About Php13M, from the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program-Irrigation Component’s (CARP-IC) National Development Corp. (NDC) VI Fund was also allocated for five (5) projects and another Php18M for four (4) projects with a rate of accomplishments of 85%.

Meanwhile, Maquiling said the national irrigation projects (NIP) implemented by NIA-10 and their rate of accomplishments at the end of 2010 are as follows:

Talakag River Irrigation Projects (TRIP) to irrigate some 2,500 hectares of new areas in the barangays of Talakag town, Bukidnon, costing Php490M, 67% accomplishment.

Balingasag River Irrigation Project (BALRIP) to irrigate 2,500 hectares covering the different barangays of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, costing Php498M, 52% accomplishment.

Tangub Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP), a small reservoir, to irrigate 608 hectares of rice lands in the barangay’s of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental costing Php425M, 36% accomplishment.

As of Dec., last year, NIA-10 has actually irrigated 66,577 hectares or 96.14% out of the targeted 69,246 hectares for calendar year (CY) 2010, with a cropping intensity of 185% from the targeted 192 %, Maquiling added. (PIA)


PDEA nabs suspected drug pushers in Oro’s “shabu tiangge”

Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental – Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) cornered anew drug pusher during a buy-bust operation to a known “shabu tiangge” in the city.

Led by Director Lt. Col. Edwin F. Layese (Ret.) of PDEA in Northern Mindanao, the operatives successfully arrested suspect Isah Dimarao of Barangay 31, Sto. Niño, this city, during the operation.

Meanwhile, a PDEA agent noticed a man running to the adjacent house and thrown a small bag to a drainage canal on the same operation. The said person was pursued by the operatives and entered into the house which later found as a “drug den” wherein eighteen (18) men were “caught in the act” having pot session and led to their arrest.

Arrested suspects were: SPO1 Anthony Balaba y Bahian, Hassan Smith y Macarao, Omar Macaraob y Tampuhan @ Omar, Lodin Bute y Tampuan @ Din, Neil Lumokso @ Neil, Mad Baslaw y Tampuan @ Mads, Roland Tampuan y Buti @ Lan, Jamil Dumpi y Pordelisa @ Jamil, John Rey Camandon y Angin @ Jones/Jhong, Almudin Haji Taha @ Alimu, Tong Ganawan, Aliyasgar Gani, Unos Datu @ Unos, Aragasi Maminta, Alladin C. Bute @ Lalang, Rengie Jagonos y Calimpo @ Jay, Natula Salim, and Glo Dumpi.

Recovered from their possession and control were seventeen (17) pieces heat sealed transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu worth Php 119,000.00, two (2) pieces used aluminum foil strips with shabu residue, one (1) piece lighter and one (1) piece rolled aluminum foil.

Suspects are now temporarily detained at PDEA 10 for proper booking and documentation while seized drug and non-drug evidences will be brought to PNP Crime lab for quantitative and qualitative examinations. Case for violation of RA 9165 is now being prepared for filing appropriate charges in court. (PDEA 10)


More than 90,000 Lanao Norte residents to receive Philhealth cards

Tubod, Lanao del Norte- To address the health care needs of Lanao del Norte residents, the provincial government is distributing PhilHealth cards to indigent families under the Provincial Health Indigency Program (PHIP) of Governor Khalid Dimaporo.

Spearheading the distribution is PHIP Project Manager Lyndon G. Calica and PHIP Coordinator Felson Gazelle Bacus.

“Distribution of these Philhealth cards will be done by barangay. But enrolled residents can also claim their cards at the PCAO office until May of this year,” Calica announced.

Last 2010, there were about 94,594 residents enrolled in the program. However, 9,596 PhilHealth cards remain unclaimed. Consequently, all enrollees with unclaimed cards were dropped from the program to allow other indigent families to use their slots.

“This year PhilHealth cards can only be claim until May, otherwise it will be terminated,” PHIP Coordinator Felson Gazelle Bacus added.

The provincial government has allocated more than Php48 million for the continued implementation of this vital social program. (LAR-PIO/LDN)


CdeO dev’t council tackles priority projects

Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental- The members of the Cagayan de Oro City Development Council (CDC) chaired by City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano held its very first full council meeting yesterday, Feb. 09, at the Tourism Hall to discuss the implementation of the city’s priority projects.

City Councilors Pepe Abbu, Roger Abaday and Adrian Barba, Liga ng mga Barangay President Dometilo Acenas, SK Federation President Sunshine Obsioma, City Administrator Griscelda Joson, City Accountant Wilma P. Rugay, City Treasurer Lino D. Daral, City DILG Director Emil Rana, Congressman Benjo Benaldo’s representative Andrew Baslon, City Planning and Development Coordinator and CDC Secretariat Estrella F. Sagaral barangay chairmen, non government organization and sectoral representatives attended the meeting.

Councilor Acenas welcomed the participants as he reiterated the standard procedure that all city development projects must need the passage of an ordinance before implementation.

Among the flagship projects discussed during the meeting include the proposed Recto Avenue flyover, proposed Masterson-Macanhan Flyover, proposed transfer of dumpsite to a new landfill, proposed solid waste collection management improvement and the traffic modernization project with citywide surveillance.

Sagaral, meanwhile, briefed attendees on the salient features of the City Development Council under EO 033-2011 which ordered the creation of the body headed by the City Mayor as chairman, with all punong barangays, city council, District 1 and 2 congressmen and representatives of accredited NGOs as members.

The CDC is tasked to formulate long-term, medium term, and annual socio-economic development plans, policies and public investment programs; appraise and prioritize socio economic development programs and projects. (CIO)


19,285 births register in CdeO

Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental- Cagayan de Oro City’s rapid growth and progress is not only evident with its robust economy but on its rising population as well.

Data from the City Civil Registry Office shows that 19,285 newborn babies and late registrants were registered last year.

In its annual report to City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano, the civil registry office issued marriage certificates to some 3,555 couples, including the issuance of 4,506 death certificates.

The City Civil Registry also intensified its house-to-house campaign in the hinterland barangays to ensure that all residents of Cagayan de Oro have birth records in their office.

As part of its public service, the Civil Registry Office waived the payments and fees on birth registration and marriage certificates during the holding of the People to People Program (PPP) in various barangays.

For her part, City Civil Registrar Norma Diputado is urging the transacting public to avail of their frontline services, particularly the mass birth registration, citing the importance of said pertinent documents. (CIO)