LGU eyes to implement a 50M project thru PPP

By Jorie C. Valcorza               

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, November 8, 2012 (PIA) – The local government unit of Mambajao is eyeing to put up a 50M worth commercial arcade project through public-private partnership (PPP).

The proposed arcade is designed to house some 70 stalls in a 2,908 square meter area allotted for the building.

Town Mayor Maria Luisa De La Romualdo places the project among her priorities that the LGU may fully utilize it, create job opportunities and at the same time generate additional revenues.

Gilbert Grado, Mambajao Municipal accountant meanwhile said the mayor has now formed a technical working group to oversee the implementation in all phases of the project.

The technical working, he noted, is well represent by other key agencies and stakeholders as this will also help in ensuring transparency.

“We are really careful on this, even if it is on its early phase, because PPP projects normally requires different processes, in fact, we are set to undergo a training on how to go about it soon,” he added.

Engineer Leonides G. Oclarit, Chief of the Mambajao municipal planning office likewise confirmed that a lot of investors have shown interest on the funding the arcade project and were in fact also proposing to fund other PPP projects.

Currently, the LGU will also inaugurate this month one of the building they constructed within the area, which is in the heart of the poblacion fronting it Public Market along Placido Reyes Street.

The new building will be rented by the Land of the Philippine (LBP) Mambajao Branch, together with other government agencies who will also occupy the second floor. (JCV/PIA 10)

Dengue drops below alert level threshold in R10

By Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, November 7, 2012 (PIA) - The Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit of Department of Health (DOH) region 10 bares a continuous downtrend of dengue cases in Northern Mindanao.

Sentinel hospitals here recorded only around 390 cases for the month of October, dropping more than five hundred cases posted the previous month.

DOH report however noted that this is still 213.45 percent higher when compared to the same time period last year.

From January to October this year it recorded 5,592 cases, while last year’s record pegs only at 1,784.

Most cases recorded where from the Misamis Oriental province and its component city, Cagayan de Oro, which likewise absorbed 51 percent of the cases recorded among all cities in the region. (JCV/PIA 10)

Misamis Occidental holds free legal clinic for indigents

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- A Free Legal Clinic for indigents has been set up at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, this city, from Nov. 6-7, this year. 

Lawyer Ricardo M. Lumatas, Provincial Legal Officer of Misamis Occidental, said the clinic gives legal assistance to the indigents, “pro-bono” or for the public good, of which the legal work performed by lawyers are rendered without pay. 

The assistance, which may take the form of legal advice, preparation of legal documents and other legal consultation, for free, is part of the month-long thanksgiving activities lined-up for the celebration of the 83rd Provincial Anniversary and Pas-Ungko s’g Misamis Occidental Festival in November. 

In hand to give their assistance during the two-day activity are lawyers from the Office for Legal Services (OLS), GO HERMIE, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) of the province, Lumantas said. 

Corrections in spelling of names and other entries in the birth certificate, cases of non-support for the family/children, legal separation of married couples and annulment of marriage, were among the first few cases brought in for consultation, during the first day of the Free Legal Clinic on Nov. 6.

On the other hand, he said this is the second year that such clinic have been established during the Pas-Ungko Festival to extend legal services to the indigent clients. 

“Governor Herminia M. Ramiro of GO HERMIE drew the inspiration to hold the clinic the second time, after seeing that last year, we were able to extend free legal services to 134 clients,” Lumantas said. 

Most of the cases then were on the preparation of documents, such as, affidavits of loss, special power of attorney (SPA), reconstitution of lost land titles and extra-judicial partitions of real properties, among others, he also said. (RCAguhob/ PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Lanao Norte LGU hosts children’s congress

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Nov. 7 -- More than 700 daycare children from the 13 municipalities of this province participated in the 3rd Provincial Children’s Congress held on October 13, 2012 at MCC Gymnasium, Sagadan, in the capital town of Tubod. 

The whole day event was highlighted with various individual contests like poem rendition, draw and tell, and singing. Group competitions such as chorale singing and modern dance were also conducted. 

Cash prizes were given to the individual category winners – P800 for first place, P700 for second place, and P500 for the third spot. A consolation prize of P200 were also given to non-winning contestants. 

Winning municipalities were Kapatagan for the poem rendition, Bacolod for the singing competition, and Tubod for the draw and tell. 

In the group category, the singers from Lala won in the chorale singing and receive P3,000 as cash prize, while the dance group from Balo-i took the top spot in the modern dance competition. They also received P3,000 from the provincial government. 

“The purpose of this event is to give these children time to bond and play with other children from other municipalities. They are also given a chance to showcase their talents to develop their self-confidence. In behalf of Governor Khalid Dimaporo, I would like to thank the volunteer daycare workers for giving their selfless service in taking good care of the children and molding them into better persons,” said Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) Head Annabelle Mendez. 

The provincial government also gave out goodie bags to the kids which contain biscuits, chocolates, candies and fruit juices. 

“Our volunteer day care workers each receive a one-thousand peso honorarium from the provincial government of Lanao del Norte,” Mendez added. 

The children’s congress for this year has the theme “Bright Child ay Siguraduhin, Responsableng Pamamahayag ay Palaganapin.” (Lovely A. Rosario 
LAR-PIO/LDN/PIA10)

Typhoon Ofel damages in Bonifacio, Misamis Occidental estimated at P21.4 million

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

BONIFACIO, Misamis Occidental, Nov 7 (PIA) – At least P21.4 million worth of government projects and properties here were damaged due to the floods brought about by Typhoon Ofel from October 24 to 25.

Heavy rains caused the Usogan River to overflow destroying the flood control structure that led the water to change its course and subsequently turned the ricefields into a vast lake, Mayor Samson R. Dumajug said. 

No casualties and no injuries were reported, Dumanjug said. He is also chairperson of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), said. 

About 704 families with 3,520 members were affected by floods that occurred in seven (7) barangays, namely: Lilo-an, Lower Usogan, Linconan, Tiaman, Bolinsong, D. Fernan and Digson. 

Of this number, 136 families with 562 members were temporarily housed in evacuation centers that included two (2) public markets and a Parish Church, elementary school, resthouse, barangay hall and day care center, Dumanjug said. 

Meanwhile, seven (7) wooden electric poles of the power lines in Linconan were damaged and submerged in floodwater, while one (1) spring box of the water lines in the same barangay suffered the same fate. 

The 5.7 km. farm-to-market road in Tialulin worth P3.17 million was eroded and its gravel surface washed-out. 

To flood control dikes collapsed. These were the 30-meter flood control dike in Lower Usogan worth P5.3 million, and the 25-meter flood control dike in Linconan worth P4.7 million. 

About 164.25 hectares of ricefields were also flooded that resulted in a yield loss of some 575.2 metric tons worth P8.08 million, while 3.5 hectares of fishpond with tilapia species worth P15,000 were lost including two-week old piglets worth P3,600. 

Other damages included the leaking of the water distribution pipes in Linconan and Tiaman worth P65,000 and P80,000, respectively, Dumanjug added.(RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

News Feature: Barangay NOVA Program benefits thousands of residents in Ozamiz

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- A total of 123,619 residents from the city’s 51 barangays have been benefited by the Barangay New Ozamiznon Visitation and Alignment (NOVA) of Services Program from July 2010 to June 2012. 

Of this number, 74,443 or 60.21 percent availed of medical services, while 9,132 or 7.39 percent availed of dental services, 2,328 or 1.88 percent availed of circumcision and 11,185 or 9.05 percent availed of feeding services for free.

Likewise, 2,851 or 2.50 percent availed of the school bags and 23,680 or 19.15 percent availed of the school supplies given to the schoolchildren under the program. 

A strategy of bringing the government closer to the people, Barangay NOVA is the brainchild of Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez, which began when she assumed office in 2010, during the conduct of which, consultations are made with the barangay residents. 

“Thus, we came up with this Barangay NOVA program, usually held during the market day of the barangays to bring together the frontline agencies and offices of the local government, making it a one-stop-shop for availing of basic services,” the Mayor said. 

A caravan of sort, Barangay NOVA aims to make available the various services of the government to the people in the communities, especially, in the rural areas, so they do not have to come to the city proper for these services, thereby saving their time and money, which they could use for other needs. 

Among others, the Mayor said Barangay NOVA’s core services include medical consultations and medicine dispensing, dental consultations and tooth extraction, nutrition supplementation for children and pregnant and lactating women. 

Also included are agriculture and veterinary services, social welfare profiling for senior citizens and women’s organizations, and enrolment into the sponsored health insurance program for indigents. 

Meanwhile, the program has given four units of personal computer and 12 learning sets to the local schools while it funded the construction of the communal comfort rooms for two barangays, over the period. 

It has also facilitated the registration of birth of 733 individuals, one death, 58 marriages and mass wedding of 158 couples and the dispersal of 1,635 packs of vegetable seeds, 1,415 of vermicast/vermitea, 3,200 banyan or balite tree seedlings for planting ang four hogs and 140 poultry for backyard raising. 

It has also dispensed 800 anti-rabies vaccinations, 50 hog cholera vaccinations, 183 livestock de-worming vaccinations, distributed 61 livestock de-wormers and solicited 599 job applications for the barangay residents. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Misamis Occ gov’t relaunches pabahay project to ensure affordable, decent dwellings

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- The Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental (PGMO) is set to re-launch its provincial housing project in Barangay Villaflor, this city to provide a more affordable and decent dwelling to its qualified beneficiaries. 

Governor Herminia M. Ramiro said there are at least 120 applications on queue for a housing unit by employees of the PGMO. 

To address this, a Pabahay Fair has been scheduled on the last quarter of this year to jumpstart the long-overdue housing program of the province, she said. 

Meanwhile, she said the Economic Enterprise Management Board (EEMB) of the province has been activated, not only to ensure effective service delivery at the Economic Enterprise Units, but also to guarantee that interventions are appropriate and targets are met. 

She said the enabling ordinance of PGMO’s Economic Enterprises had to undergo several amendments to establish a more concrete direction and platform to generate additional revenues for the province. 

Along this development, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the operationalization of the Misamis Occidental Medical Economic Enterprise (MOMEE) was approved by the Technical Working Committee. 

The said IRR is now ready for the adoption by the MOMEE Board and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), the Governor added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental) 

NSO-10 to present results of 2010 RP business industry, ICT surveys

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office (NSO), in region 10, will hold a data dissemination on the results of the 2010 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) and the 2010 Survey of Information and Communication Technology (SICT). 

The regional data dissemination will be held on November 19 at the Chali Beach Resort in Barangay Cugman, this city. 

The ASPBI is a continuing activity of the NSO to provide key measures on the performance, levels, structure and trends of economic activities in the entire country. 

The SICT, on the other hand, is a rider to the ASPBI that aims to collect and generate information on the availability, distribution and access or utilization of ICT among industries in the country. 

Dr. Salvador A. Aves, regional director of NSO-10, said the results of the surveys are vital in establishing benchmark levels for measuring and comparing national, regional and provincial economic growth, as well as, in the construction of national and regional accounts of the country’s economy. 

He said they are tools in determining and comparing regional economic structures and performances, in formulating and monitoring plans and policies in the attainment of national and regional economic goals, and in market research and feasibility studies. 

Likewise, data collected from the ASPBI will provide updates for the frame of establishments while those generated from the SICT will provide important indicators for measuring the progress in ICT. (APB/PIA-10)

4ID has a new Commander

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, Nov. 6 -- The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division held a Change of Command Ceremony at the Division's Grandstand on November 6. 

Major General Nestor A. Añonuevo took over the reins of leadership of the 4ID from Brigadier General Romeo L. Gapuz, the Acting Commander of the Division and current Assistant Division Commander. 

The ceremony is a symbol of warm reception to the new leadership which was highlighted by the parade and review in honor of the guest and presiding general, LtGen. Emmanuel T. Bautista AFP, Commanding General of the Philippine Army. 

MGen. Añonuevo is not new in the area since he was once assigned here at 4ID during his senior officer years as one of the Division’s Staff, Executive Officer of 401st Brigade, Commanding Officer of 26th Infantry Battalion and Deputy Brigade Commander of 402nd Brigade. 

Prior to MGen. Añonuevo’s assumption as 4ID Commander, he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, J3. He is a well decorated officer who received various military awards for excellence in combat and administrative functions, letters and plaques of commendation and appreciation, from different military and civilian organizations and individuals. 

He is known as a well-rounded and highly respected officer having been assigned to several military units and offices here and abroad holding different sensitive positions in operations, intelligence and civil-military operations. 

During the ceremony, BGen. Gapuz was given a command plaque for his achievement as the Acting Division Commander of the 4ID, Philippine Army. 

In his stint as the acting commander he led the 4ID to do better in all aspect of military operations especially in combat and civil-military efforts, he encouraged and inspired subordinate unit commanders to perform better in order to accomplish their mandated mission. 

Several local chief executives and officials attended the ceremony. 

MGen. Añonuevo pledged to continue the programs of the previous administration and will enhance it further to make 4ID be more of service to the people of Northern Mindanao by bringing a just and lasting peace and sustainable development in the region. (4CMO/4ID/PIA10)

ARMM solon convenes dialogue with security stakeholders in Lanao

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur. Nov. 6 (PIA) -- A lawmaker representing the women sector in the Regional Legislative Assembly (RLA) of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has convened stakeholders in the province to address security concerns inside the Mindanao State University (MSU) main campus. 

RLA Assemblywoman Samira Gutoc-Tomawis initiated the meeting after a fire incident transpired in an internet café inside the commercial center of the university on October 25 killing its owner, Professor Othello Cobal, and student assistant Erwin Diaz. 

The dialogue, held at the MSU-Mamitua Saber Research Center on November 2, was attended in by officials from the MSU, 103rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, Lanao del Sur Provincial Police Office, Joint Task Force Ranao, MSU Peacekeeping Force, Provincial Government and the City Government. 

Representatives from the religious sector, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, and media were also present. 

Gutoc-Tomawis said the absence of clear policies and regulations on building establishments, private houses and cottages; absence of fire truck, fire hydrant, and ambulance; untapped local government support; and lack of coordination with the seven barangays within the university were just some of the concerns raised during the dialogue. 

At the end of the dialogue, she said the participants have moved for a thorough investigation of the incident to identify suspects of the arson and murder. 

They also agreed that there is a need to strengthen security policies and increase police patrolling and visibility in the campus. 

A Board Resolution to regulate entry into the campus was likewise recommended. 

The Assemblywoman further said the participants also formed an organization, called Multi-Sectoral Cooperation for Peace, and passed a resolution formally declaring MSU as a Zone of Peace. 

She said a similar resolution will also be filed at the RLA. (APB/PIA-10) 

Lanao del Norte hosts Senior Citizen’s Congress

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Nov. 6 -- More than 1,500 senior citizens from 13 towns in Lanao del Norte converged at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC) gymnasium last October 30, 2012 for the Provincial Senior Citizens’ Congress. 

The event was the culmination activity for the celebration of Senior Citizen’s month. 

With the theme “Nakakatanda: Bisa ng R.A. 9994, may Dangal, Nagkakaisa, Buhay ay Gumiginhawa,” the group was encouraged to take advantage of the benefits and special privileges indicated in the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. 

To add color to the occasion, the provincial government raffled off grocery packs amounting to P20,000. The provincial LGU also provided packed lunch for participants of the congress. 

“This is our humble way of showing the elder members of our society our appreciation for what they have done for us and thanking them for dedicating their lives toward the betterment of our communities and our nation as a whole,” Social Welfare Head Annabelle Mendez expressed. 

Local senior citizen chapters from the towns of Bacolod, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Sapad, Kapatagan, Lala, Baroy, Tubod, Kolambugan, Maigo, Linamon, Kauswagan, Magsaysay, and Salvador eagerly performed folk dances, and sung folk songs during the program proper. 

“These performances proved that they (senior citizens) may have retired but they are certainly not tired to express their artistic talents. Lanao del Norte is now a progressive province because of their great contribution”, Board member Grecille Matalines said. 

The culmination activity was also supported by 1st District Representative Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo and 2nd District Representative Fatima Aliah Dimaporo. (KHMJ & VNL/PIO-LDN/PIA10)

Bukidnon to hold 1^st gen membership meet, business dev’t forum

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Nov 7 (PIA) -- The Bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKCCI), in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), invites the business community leaders to its first general membership meeting and business development forum on November 21 at 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Loiza’s Pavillion, Malaybalay City. 

The event would bring together business leaders from all over the province to share and discuss various challenges and issues faced in the business world today, said Ermedio J. Abang, DTI provincial director. 

Anchored on the theme “Power & Our Business,” the forum aims to foster sustainable business initiatives and gain appreciation for the strides the power sector has made recently. 

The Department of Energy, National Grid Corp of the Philippines, STEAG Phils, and Energy Regulatory Commission for Northern Mindanao will present their projects, programs and activities, including steps other power sectors and stakeholders have made to provide efficient and reliable supply of electricity in the fast-growing Mindanao economy. 

Governor Alex P. Calingasan will likewise expound Bukidnon’s trends and thrusts of business development during the occasion.

Also invited are high officials from local and national government to address issues and concerns raised by the business sector particularly on energy and power. 

The BCCI will also discuss issues on how the province continues to position itself to compete and succeed in the rapidly changing business environment. (RLRB-PIA 10, Bukidnon) 

Capitol starts distributing PhilHealth cards in MisOr next week

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Nov. 7 -- The Provincial Capitol will begin distributing Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) cards to beneficiaries in the province starting on November 13 this year. 

The Capitol has allocated P306 million in order to enrol 170,000 individuals to Philhealth on top of the 47,000 members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who are also entitled to Philhealth coverage. 

The 4Ps is a project of the national government while the premium for the 170,000 beneficiaries is solely funded from the coffers of the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental. 

Gov. Oscar S. Moreno started with the Capitol-sponsored Philhealth program in 2005 recognizing the importance of health insurance especially for the unemployed, unwed mothers, senior citizens and for every human being who has the possibility to get sick anytime. 

The cards that will be distributed on Monday will already entitle the beneficiary with a two-year Philhealth coverage (2012-2013). 

Distribution will start in the municipalities of Naawan and Lugait on Monday. (MisOr Press Office/PIA10)