87 LGUs in NorMin to benefit from Bottom-Up Budgeting

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 8 (PIA) -- Poor local government units (LGUs) in Northern Mindanao are set to benefit from the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) in 2014.

Director Annabele M. Atillo of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in the region said 87 LGUs in Northern Mindanao are among the 1,233 focus areas that will benefit from the implementation of the BuB next year.

These areas were selected based on poverty incidence, poor population, magnitude of poor population living in barangays exposed to high geohazard risks, and high economic potential but with high poor population, among others.

Atillo said BuB is an approach that ensures convergence of the services of key departments and agencies to respond to the needs of LGUs or communities.

It incorporates the prioritized list of programs and projects of the focus cities and municipalities into the budgets of key departments and agencies, she further said.

She, however, pointed-out that the identification of the priority needs of the locality will be done by the LGUs in coordination with civil society organizations (CSOs).

For this year, 58 out of the 595 BuB beneficiaries were from Northern Mindanao.

According to the DBM-10, four of these 58 LGUs have declined but they will remain to be beneficiaries for next year's implementation of BuB. (APB/PIA10)

DA to award NorMin’s outstanding rice achievers

By Joanne L. Olson, DA-10

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 8 (PIA) -- For their meritorious commitment and performance in government’s pursuit to advance the rice sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will honor the 2012 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers throughout the country, including two municipalities and 11 agricultural extension workers (AEWs) from Northern Mindanao (Region 10), on March 15 at the Philippine Convention Center in Manila.

Envisioning the country as a surplus supplier of rice with the year 2013 as its earliest target, the department lauded the towns, namely, Kapatagan of Lanao del Norte (LDN) and Opol of Misamis Oriental as the outstanding rice municipalities.

Meanwhile, emerging as the commendable extension workers are Sagrada P. Alvarez (Oroquieta City), Agnes Garcia Sue S. Butalid and Bonida A. Onos (Clarin) of Misamis Occidental.

Other honorees of the former category also include Emerita P. Capayas, Fedelina M. Cuaresma, Manuel P. Sabillo, Fe A. Enriquez, Violeta B. Florin, Ma. Luisa Q. Gabutin, Estrella M. Morilla, and Josefina J. Sabillo of Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.

Exemplifying as excellent rice towns, the DA chose the above achievers based on the following criteria, but not limited to the following conditions: increased rice production, area harvested and percent contribution to the national/provincial rice production; total number of rice-related projects initiated and rice farmers served; and high quality rice seeds utilization.

The department likewise selected the extension workers by going over through the services they have rendered in terms of number of trainings/Farmers’ Field Schools conducted, trainings attended, among others.

The municipalities will be awarded P1-million worth of agricultural projects while the extension workers will be granted P 20,000 each as cash incentive.

The DA is hoping that more local government unit stakeholders become more responsive and conscientious in carrying out their respective functions and responsibilities. (Joanne L. Olson, DA-10/PIA)

Local high school renamed Sixto A. Abao Nat'l High School

By Homer Jajalla

MAHINOG, Camiguin, March 8 (PIA) -- The Mahinog Municipal Council has unanimously voted to pass a resolution endorsing the renaming of Mahinog National High School in barangay Hubangon after the late mayor Sixto A. Abao.

This after Camiguin Representative Pedro P. Romualdo filed House Bill No. 6915 known as an "Act Changing the name of Mahinog National High School in barangay Hubangon, Municipality of Mahinog, Province of Camiguin to Sixto A. Abao National High School."

Romualdo said the present Mahinog National High School was established through the efforts of the late mayor Sixto A. Abao who is known for his deep concern and passion in education.

It is the clamor of the residents of Mahinog that in order to perpetuate the memory of the late Sixto A. Abao, the Mahinog National High School in barangay Hubangon be renamed in his honor, Romualdo said in the bill’s explanatory note.

During the creation of Mahinog as a town in July 1, 1948 by virtue of Executive Order No. 122 of President Manuel L. Roxas, then mayor Sixto A. Abao had shown us the importance of education in his own barangay when he chose the Mahinog High School, the first secondary public school in the island of Camiguin, to be established in his native barangay of Hubangon instead of the town hall and seat of government of Mahinog to be established in his barangay, the members of the Municipal Council said in their resolution endorsing the bill.

Through the effort of then mayor Sixto A. Abao, the family of Cabeza Celedeno Abao, his close relative, agreed to an exchange of property where the said school was established and that the house made of hardwood owned by the latter became the original structure of the school, the resolution added.

“Firstly, we honor the late Sixto A. Abao for his outstanding achievement and exemplary work as the first Mayor of the town of Mahinog.”

“Secondly, we honor this man for his burning passion for education and commitment to public service that led to the establishment of the first secondary public school in Camiguin now known as Mahinog National High School in barangay Hubangon,” the resolution said.

Once HB No. 6915 becomes a law, the newly established Mahinog National High School II in barangay Poblacion will be automatically renamed Mahinog National High School. (HRJ, LGU Mahinog, Camiguin/PIA10)

BFP-10 upholds fire, accident preparedness in 2013 Fire Prevention Month

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Mar. 8 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 10 observes 2013 Fire Prevention Month through conducting various activities in the region that will educate the public on the importance of fire and accident preparedness, and environment care.

With the theme, “Sunog at Sakuna Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan nang Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan,” Supt. Lindy C. Lauzon, BFP 10 OIC-Regional Director, emphasized in a media forum conducted at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-10 office that unlike the previous years, they “are now in the forefront in responding to any forms of calamities not just on fire disasters or accidents.”

Among the activities conducted by the BFP include the motorcade which was held on March 1, along the streets of the city and various competitions like poster-making contest in the barangay and city levels.

“Such activities are geared towards informing the public on the importance of fire safety and the importance of being a fire safety practitioner to minimize the course of destructive fires,” Lauzon shared.

When asked on the implementation of securing fire safety device on establishments, Lauzon emphasized that they are enforcing the use of fire safety device such as fire extinguishers not just in business establishments but even in households saying, “we need to have that and we need to appreciate the value of this equipment.”

In addition, Supt. Alan N. Aladano, BFP-10 Assistant Regional Director for Operation, said that they are also responsible in identifying the number of fire extinguishers needed in an establishment and where they will be located.

To further foster public safety from fires and accident, Supt. Shirley S. Teleron, Cagayan de Oro District Fire Marshall, said that when there is no fire in the city, their fire marshals and staff conduct fire prevention campaigns, seminars on fire safety awareness and fire drills to schools and barangays.

Supt. Aladano also shared that 70% of BFP’s function is on fire prevention and only 30% on fire suppression that is why they are inspecting five establishments in a day to intensify their advocacy on fire prevention. (RTP/PIA10)

Iligan City sets series of activities for Women’s Month celebration

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, March 7 (PIA) -- The local government of Iligan City has lined up several activities in observance of Women’s Month this March.

Anchored on this year’s theme, “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan,” almost all women in Iligan City, in multi-representation will be involved in the activities.

The activities lined-up include a clean-up drive and beautification of the city plaza on March 7 from 3 p.m. up to 6 p.m.; Local Council Against Trafficking-Violence Against Women and their Children (LCAT-VAWC) First Council Meeting on March 13 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) session hall, this city; on March 14 will be the Financial Management Workshop led by the Office of Councilor Michelle Sweet, committee chair on Women, SP of Iligan in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry; and therapeutic healing by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Iligan and free pap smear and health education program in four barangays--Tubod, Acmac, Hinaplaon and Maria Cristina on March 15-16.

The International Women’s Day (IWD) will be celebrated on March 8. It is a whole day activity at the city public plaza which will start at 7 a.m. involving Women Federation presidents in the program with variety shows until 5 p.m followed by a Hataw Night as finale.

The Mindanao Commission on Women (MCW) in this city will join the celebration with an activity dubbed: “An Afternoon of Poetry and Music” to be held at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) front lawn, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

City Mayor Lawrence Cruz has issued a memorandum requiring all female employees of the city hall, national government agencies, city officials, to witness the IWD commemoration.

The IWD celebration is pursuant to Proclamation 224, series of 1988 declaring the first week of March of every year as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day. Proclamation 227, series of 1988 provides for the observance of March as Women’s Role in History Month.

Meanwhile, Republic Act 6949 series of 1990 declares March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day.

During the whole month of March, a radio program over RMN-DXIC Iligan dubbed: “Tingog sa Kababayen-an” will air women’s concerns with several guests to touch on women’s issues especially on Violence Against and Women and Children (VAWC) and trafficking. Successful women leaders/entrepreneurs will share their testimonies on air.

The month-long activity will be highlighted with a Gender and Development (GAD) Forum and an event honoring top women leaders dubbed: “Pagpupugay sa mga Kababaihang Namumuno sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan” which will happen on March 20 at the Plaza Alemania, Iligan City, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Iligan city government through the Iligan City Council of Women Inc. (ICCW), the Iligan City Women Affairs Unit in partnership with the Office of the Congressional Lone district of Iligan will lead all activities for the month. (lvgabule/PIA10 LDN)

DTI, biz chamber hold free entrepreneurship training

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, March 7 (PIA) -- The Bukidnon Kaamulan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (BKCCII) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have conducted a series of free training for new, existing and would-be entrepreneurs in the province.

The training runs from March 4 to 8 at the BKCCII booth, capitol grounds in Malaybalay City.

DTI Provincial Director Ermedio J. Abang said the training included an introduction to entrepreneurship and a discussion on consumer rights and responsibilities.

Visual merchandising, frontline quality service and costing and pricing were also tackled.

“These trainings are very vital as business experts speak about helpful tools and other resources to start up a business,” Abang said.

Junar Merla, DTI development specialist and One Town, One Product (OTOP) coordinator, said the participants will learn a lot because the training also covers topics on negotiation skills, as part of their continuing efforts to develop more micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bukidnon.

It underscores what the DTI and Chamber has been doing in the community to reach its mission in shaping business and investment enabling environment.

The activity is part of the joint capability enhancement project of DTI and the BKCCII to assert the province’s critical role as Mindanao’s food basket.

The training also highlight the province’s month-long Kaamulan Festival. (RLRB-PIA10, Bukidnon)

PNP steps up police operations in Normin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 7 -- The Police Regional Office (PRO) has ordered the deployment of more policemen in Northern Mindanao following the killing of two police officers in Iligan City on March 2.

Police Chief Supt. Catalino B. Rodriguez Jr., regional director, has ordered the doubling of police operations even before the noise barrage by Xavier University students.

The Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) deployed 40 police officers each in the city police offices of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro. Additional deployment is expected in the provinces as the Holy Week approaches.

PRO 10 has issued a memorandum to provincial and city police offices reiterating its unwavering stand against all forms of criminalities ordering them to institute target-hardening measures to prevent and stop the reported rising criminalities.

In the same directive, all unit commanders, especially chiefs of police, were directed to personally oversee the conduct of police anti-crime intelligence driven operations.

They were also reminded that the operational thrust of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is the active presence of police officers in the streets at all places of convergence. It means strategic and aggressive deployment of police personnel as an urgent intervention that must be “seen” and “felt” by the community not only in the streets and residential areas but also in business establishments.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez visited the immediate families of the slain police officers in Iligan City and personally handed over their special financial assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The immediate family of Police Officer (PO) 3 Christopher Neniza received P164,622 while that of PO1 John Yoland Manatad received P128,724. They are expected to receive more financial assistance from the Public Safety Mutual Benefit Fund Inc. (PSMBFI), an insurance company catering mostly to police officers. (PSupt Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga/PRO/PIA10)