Nov. 14 is last day for exclusion of an overseas voter from NROAV- Comelec

 By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set Nov. 14, 2012, as the last day to file petition for exclusion of an overseas voter from the National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (NROAV). 

This is in accordance with Comelec Resolution No. 9385, entitled “Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts in Connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections.” 

Likewise, it has set Nov. 19, this year, as the last quarterly meeting for the Election Regulation Board (ERB) to approve/disapprove applications for local registrations, Atty. Renato Magbutay, Regional Elections Director of Comelec, region 10 said. 

The same resolution, however, provides that if one day is not enough for the processing of all accepted applications, the ERB will adjourn from day to day, until all the applications will have been processed. 

Meanwhile, the Comelec has set Nov. 29, 2012, as the last day for overseas absentee voter who transfers from one residence to another within the same Post and Country to request for a change of address. 

On the other hand, the Comelec has set Dec. 6, 2012, as the last day for the Resident ERB to act on all applications for registration/certification as overseas voter. 

It has also set Dec. 14, 2012, as the last day to publish the NROAV at the Comelec and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) websites, Magbutay added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Panaon fisherfolk receive cash for work seedling production assistance

PANAON, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- Fisherfolk beneficiaries of this town has received their cash for work seedling production assistance of P970 from the Provincial Government of Misamis Occidental (PGMO). 

The said assistance is payment for the 100 pieces of seedlings of tree species that adapt and grow in the coastal areas at P9.70 per seedling. 

Four of the town’s coastal barangays in Panaon have been covered by the program, Governor Herminia M. Ramiro said.

Among the species of trees for reproduction are Potat, Talisay, Bakhaw, Malabago, Bitoon, Bitaog, Baluk-Baluk, Pagatpat and Piapi. 

Recently, hundreds of fisherfolk in 11 barangays of the coastal areas of Oroquieta City also received the assistance from the PGMO. 

Like the beneficiaries in the other areas of the province, the fisherfolk of Panaon, who waited for it in a long while were thankful for the assistance. 

In fact, they are encouraged to plant more seedlings under the program, Panaon Mayor Meriam Paylaga said. 

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the initiative of PGMO through the Governor for helping them in their livelihood which was affected by Tropical Storm Sendong that occurred last year. 

They also expressed their support for the program to protect the environment, specifically the coastal areas which is the source of their livelihood. (Jopat D. Nano/RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Misamis Occidental holds Pas’ Ungko festival

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- Misamis Occidental celebrates the November month long Pas’ Ungko Festival with several activities lined up. 

Now on its 3rd year, the festival whose name is derived from Pas’ Ungko, a Subanen word for “thanksgiving,” coincides with the celebration of the province’s 83rd anniversary, this year. 

The festival engages all sectors of the province, to include the Indigenous Peoples (IP’s), persons with disabilities (PWD’s), sports buffs, professionals, church and religious groups, government workers, etc. to thank God for all the blessings received since the start of the year,” Governor Herminia M. Ramiro said. 

These activities and their schedule include the following: the 1st GO HERMIE Fun Ride, involving a Big Boys Circuit Body Mass Index (BMI) Race, “Pahinayay” (Slowest) Contest and the Individual Short Trail Pursuit, Nov. 2. 

Idol Ng Kabataan Season 2 Singing Competition and the 1st GO HERMIE Fun Run involving kids below 7 yrs. old, Senior Citizens, 1-km. tandem run for Father/Son and Mother/Daughter, 10 yrs. old below, Nov. 3. 

Job Fair/Renewal of Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) licenses/Issuance of birth certificates in security paper (SecPa) by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Nov. 4. 

Motorcade, Ribbon-Cutting of Pas’ Ungko Exposition, Praise and Workshop Festival, Fireworks Display and Christian Alternative Music Explosion, Nov. 5. 

Street Dancing, dance exhibition of Tangub City’s Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe, and dance showdown of the different contingents, Nov. 10. 

Turn-over of agricultural projects, induction of officers of farmers’ association and project visitation at the Paglaum Cooperative in Plaridel town, Nov. 14. 

Basketball on Wheels by members of the Strategic Alliance for Networking on Disability (STAND), sponsored by the Misamis Occidental Provincial Medical Rehabilitation Center (MOPMRC), Nov. 17-18. 

“Pahina” Misamis Coastal Clean-up and Greening Program in Barangay Lower Loboc, Oroquieta City, Nov. 19 and Agro-Industrial Skills and Individual Skills Competition, Nov. 19-20. 

Employees’ Fun Day, Nov. 23, as well as Closing of Pas’ Ungko Festival and opening of the Light a Tree for Christmas at the Provincial Capitol Grounds, Nov. 29. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Lanao Norte gov't. hosts 3-on-3 basketball tourney

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Nov. 13 -- The provincial government is again hosting the popular 3-on-3 basketball tournament aimed at encouraging a healthy lifestyle among local residents and prevent use of illegal drugs particularly in the youth sector. 

The province-wide basketball competition officially opened on November 10, 2012 through the conduct of simultaneous games in the towns of Kapatagan, Lala and Tubod. 

The annual 3-on-3 tournament which is now on its second year of implementation is part of the ‘Kabataan Sigurado’ program of Governor Dimaporo. The program aims to empower the youth of this fast-rising province by providing them access to quality education and training them to excel in sports. 

The Provincial Community Affairs Office (PCAO) led by Lyndon Calica is tasked in implementing the competition. 

“By focusing the excess energy of our youth into more positive and constructive activities, we hope to effectively address the menace of drug addiction while at the same time develop our local athletes in the grassroot level,” Calica explained.

During the opening day, barangay Matampay Bucana in Lala town was declared the winner in the 17 and below men’s category, while Brgy. Tunaan won in the 18 & above. In the women’s open category, Brgy. Tenazas won against the other 16 competing barangays. 

Among the 26 barangay teams of Kapatagan, Brgy. Poblacion was the winner in the men’s 18 & above category, while Brgy. Margos topped the 17 & below. In the women’s open category, Brgy. Lapinig dominated the rest of the competition. 

“The next games will be held in Sapad, Maigo, and Linamon on November 24 and 25. On December 1 and 2, it will be the turn of Salvador, Bacolod, Kolambugan and Kauswagan to compete,” Sports Coordinator Nelson Lasola disclosed. 

Each participating player in the municipal-level competition received a free basketball shirt from the provincial government. 

All municipal winners will advance to the provincial-level competition scheduled on December 9, 2012 at the MCC Gym, in the capital town of Tubod. The winning municipal team will be declared as the overall tournament champion. (VNL & LAR/PIO-LDN/PIA10)

MisOr coal power plant Unit 2 now back on line

15 hours ahead of schedule

VILLANUEVA, Misamis Oriental, Nov 13 -- Both units of StEAG State Power Inc. (SPI) are now are fully operational with an available power of 210MW with the coming in on line of the second unit (Unit 2 with the capacity of 105MW). 

Unit 2 (105MW) of SPI Mindanao Coal-Fired Power Plant in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental was officially synchronized to the Mindanao grid at 8:58 a.m. on November 10, 2012 [approximately 15 hours ahead of schedule], following a 12-day planned preventive maintenance shutdown beginning October 29, 2012. 

On November 4, Steag’s Unit 1 also came on line 10 hours ahead of schedule, boosting power supply in Mindanao. Unit 1 underwent a relatively long scheduled preventive maintenance shutdown on October 6 until November 4, 2012. 

Steag officially declared the 200MW power availability at 10: 02 a.m. on November 10, 2012. The precarious power supply condition in Mindanao is expected to substantially improve with the full capacity operation of Steag’s power plant beginning Nov. 10.

The preventive maintenance shutdown (PMS) activities were successfully carried out as planned and completed approximately 25 hours ahead of schedule for both units. 

Carrying out the necessary preventive maintenance as planned and scheduled will bring long-term benefits for Mindanao power consumers in terms operational reliability. 

During its first six years of operation, SPI’s Mindanao Power Plant sustained an availability rate of ninety three point three percent (93.3%) and a low unplanned outage rate of less than one percent (1%). 

Despite the relatively long PMS conducted for Unit 1 beginning last month, SPI is confident it can still achieve an availability rate of ninety two percent (92%) by the end of 2012. 

SPI’s power plant has two identical power generating units each with a net capacity of 105 MW each. The power station is considered as the most modern and the biggest in Mindanao on a per unit capacity. 

More than 8.3 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity had been delivered so far to the Mindanao grid since November 2006, representing about 20% of the island’s generation mix. 

SPI is a special purpose company established to build, operate and maintain Mindanao’s first coal-fired power plant. The company is principally owned by Steag GmbH which is one of the largest electricity producers in Germany and a market leader in clean coal technology and biomass power plants. (Jerome R. Soldevilla/SPI/PIA10)

Advocacy on children rights, protection and safety, among activities of NCM in Ozamiz

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov 12 (PIA) – Advocacy on laws promoting children’s rights, protection and safety took the bulk of activities during the celebration of the National Children’s Month in the city, last October. 

Lectures and seminars on these laws were attended by the parents of children in the city’s 71 day care centers (DCC’s), Ludie Salud Raras, City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) said. 

Among such laws was Republic Act No. 7610 or An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrent and Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. 

The others were RA 9262 or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act of 2004, RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and Presidential Decree No. 603 or the Chile and Youth Welfare Code. 

Particularly, a Parent Effectiveness Seminar based on PD 603 was sponsored by the Social Protection and Field Operations Division (SPFOD), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Philippine National Police (PNP) for the parents of street children, to make them more aware of their children’s rights, Raras said. 

Meanwhile, activities of the National Children’s Month (NCM) focused on the theme: “Bright Child ay Siguraduhin, Responsableng Pamamahayag ay Palaganapin.” 

Observed from Oct. 22-25, 2012, the NCM activities in the city started with a mass attended by the children and parents of the city’s DCC’s, and the hanging of streamers/tarpaulins with the theme on the first day of the celebration. 

Likewise, activities included the conduct of the children’s parade, sports fest, feeding, dental check-up, fun day, field trip, trick or treat and draw and tell by the DCC children. 

For the parents and Day Care Workers, the activities included gardening, pahina or clean-up, toy-production and DCC open house to view the art works display of the DCC children, Raras said. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)