Gender advocates celebrate Women’s Month 2013

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- The Gender Advocates and Women in Government Service in Region 10 (GA WINGS 10) will celebrate Women’s Month this March through several activities. 

GA 10 President Clarissa C. Rosales said a mass will be held Friday, tomorrow, 7:30 a.m., at the Camp Alagar grounds in Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, to kick off the celebration. It will be followed an opening program and “Hataw.” A meeting will also be called for all members of the Board of Trustees after the program. 

A gift-giving activity and a medical mission will also be conducted on March 8 at 8:30 a.m. for 100 typhoon Sendong victims at the Berjaya Relocation Site in Camaman-an. 

The celebration, themed: “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan,” (Women: Guide in moving towards the straight path) aims to highlight the importance of strengthening the mechanism and institutions that support women and to widen the arena for their participation. The theme also emphasizes women’s leadership role and participation in governance to enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance. (RTP-PIA10)

4ID new Inspector General assumes office

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, Feb. 28 -- The new division inspector general of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division was inducted, Wednesday, in a ceremony held at the Command Conference Room at 10:30 a.m. 

Col. Alexander L. Macario replaced Col. Ferdinand Q. Quidilla who will assume the command of the 402nd Infantry (Stinger) Brigade of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division based in Bancasi, Butuan City. 

Macario, who held several key positions, especially in the Army Special Operation Command, vowed in his message to do his job and continue what his predecessor had done in promoting the integrity, accountability and improvement of the system’s efficiency in support to the programs and operation of the command in serving the public. 

Quidilla relinquished his command with a message of thanks to Maj. Gen. Nestor A. Añonuevo, commander of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, for his trust and confidence in him as inspector general for more than two years. He added that he will be facing greater challenge in assuming a bigger responsibility in his military career as incoming commander of the 402nd Infantry (Stinger) Brigade. 

“I thank Col. Quidilla for his excellent service as inspector general and for his contributions in supervising, monitoring, evaluating, investigating matters which has been very helpful in improving the performance of the offices and units under this command. To Col. Macario, you have my confidence that you are the right person for this designation and I believe that you can equal or even surpass what Col. Quidilla has accomplished,” Añonuevo said. (4CMO/4ID/PA/PIA10)

Gov. Dimaporo inks new infra projects for Lanao del Norte

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- Three coastal towns in this province are set to benefit from infrastructure projects after Governor Khalid Dimaporo signed the memorandum of agreement last February 18 here. 

The projects are from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under its Makamasang Tugon Program and the Australian government through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). 

Four barangays will benefit from risk-reduction projects like construction of drainage canals and a potable water system. Meanwhile, projects that mitigate the effects of natural and man-made calamities are prioritized for the municipality of Bacolod. 

The Makamasang Tugon Program is government’s anti-poverty strategy aimed at reducing poverty and empowering the community through Community Driven Development (CDD). 

“We are happy with the support of the national government. After being one of the best implementers of Makamasang Tugon, we are again rewarded with another set of projects that will help improve the life of our constituents,” Dimaporo said. 

Dimaporo also signed a memorandum of agreement for the municipality of Sapad and Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) on the same day. 

Two day-care centers are set to be constructed in Sapad while seven school buildings will be built in Sultan Naga Dimaporo under the AusAID program implemented through DSWD. 

“We are privileged to have AusAID as our partner. Eight hundred thousand is allotted for each building constructed in Sapad and SND,” Provincial Social Welfare Head Anabelle Mendez said. 

The mayors of the three towns, barangay captains and members of the Municipal Interagency Committee attended the MOA signing. (LAR-PIO/LDN-PIA10)

Lanao del Norte shifts from wood to bamboo production

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- The production of craft-door panels, shelves, wood tiles, and other wood products in Lanao del Norte has shifted totally to utilizing bamboo as raw material.

Under Executive Order 23 signed by President Aquino in 2011, it declares a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force.

According to Irwin Jayson Jamaca of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Lanao del Norte, since the declaration of log ban by the President, there was no other choice for the wood exporters in the area but to make use of other materials. 

He said that renowned exporter of the wood industry Francis Osorio called DTI to offer bamboo training.

A promise of assured market and a reasonable buying price was Osorio’s claim. Instead of causing damage to the environment, a total shift to utilizing bamboo as a raw material was what he aimed for, according to Jamaca. It would still allow him to utilize his machineries rather than just allowing dust to accumulate and at the same time be an advocate of saving the environment, he added.

During their orientation and training at Osorio’s plant, Axent Resource Corporation, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, he revealed everything including the e-bamboo production; from machinery, adhesives, techniques and even the price were all shared freely, said Jamaca. 

Six members of the Bamboo Industry Cluster of Lanao del Norte availed said training on January 21.

Jamaca said the group went home with the full knowledge about the production of e-bamboo. 

He cited that Axent Resources Corporation already served as the ready market; participants went home with a realization that synergy and convergence is of the essence if we want to move the cluster forward with optimum efficiency; and tightened inter-agency relationship was developed as each participant volunteered proposals of activities that each would spearhead to move the Bamboo Industry Cluster of Lanao del Norte. (JMOR/EOR-PIA10)

News feature: Tangub City celebrates ruby jubilee

By Judith B. Tablan

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- Tangub, this tiny and once obscure city nestled at the foothills of the Mt. Malindang Ranges Natural Park (MMRNP), marks its “Ruby” or 45th founding anniversary on February 28.

Embraced by the placid waters of Panguil Bay, Tangub became a city on March 31, 1967 by virtue of Republic Act 5131 passed by the House of Representatives, but was formally inaugurated only on February 28, the following year.

Mayor Alfonso D. Tan was the last municipal mayor and the first city mayor of Tangub. Thinking ahead of his time, this founding father was largely misunderstood by many.

People considered it odd to have four-lane streets in a small and quiet city, where only carabaos with cart pass, and so were the other innovations he introduced. The “modern” projects he implemented now benefit the people of the city.

Meanwhile, in keeping with the remarkable journey of the city, the following activities were lined up to celebrate its ruby jubilee:

Feb. 10 - Million Volunteers Run sponsored by the Philippine National Red Cross, and Chinese Spring Festival and Sayaw Pinoy.

Feb.13 - Pre-Valentine’s Day celebration and presentation of candidates for Miss Intercollegiate Games (ICG).

Feb. 22 – Celebration of GADTC’s 29th foundation day, Feb. 23, an invitational basketball game and Feb. 24, an invitational volleyball game.

Feb. 25 – Opening of Inter Collegiate Games (ICG) with the parade of GADTC and NMSC in the morning followed by cheer dance and dance sports competition in the afternoon and the Search for Mr. and Ms. ICG in the evening and Feb. 26-27, the 
battle of brawn in various sports competitions of GADTC and NMSC.

Feb. 28 - Charter anniversary celebration with a flag raising, followed by the Catholic Mass at Sinanduloy Cultural Center, with the city officials, heads of offices and employees of national and local agencies, barangay captains, faculty, staff and students of the two colleges, in attendance.

From the mist of obscurity, Tangub City has created a name for itself, especially in the field of culture and the arts. At 45 years the innovations introduced years ago beautifully blended into the rustic atmosphere of the city. (JBT/RCA-PIA10, Misamis Occidental

Police arrest rebel suspect involved in plantation attack in Bukidnon

By PSupt. Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 28 -- Joint elements of Libona Municipal Police Station and the Regional Public Safety Battalion a suspect in Barangay Sil-ipon, Libona, Bukidnon at about 10 p.m., February 26.

He has a pending arrest warrant for attempted homicide issued by Judge Lourdes Eltanal-Ignacio of the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) of Bukidnon.

His arrest was a result of the continuous manhunt operations conducted jointly by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) after New People’s Army (NPA) rebels harassed Del Monte and Dole plantations in Bukidnon on February 19. Two more rebel suspects were arrested on this date.

Local police of Libona received information from a confidential informant that the first suspect was last spotted in Barangay Sil-ipon where he stayed with his wife’s uncle and was recuperating from the injuries he suffered in an encounter with Army personnel last February 23.

He revealed that three more rebels were injured and three others were killed in the same reported encounter. The management of Del Monte is now coordinating with the local police in the filing of Arson cases against the arrested rebel suspect.

Police assures the public that it will continue to pursue its mandate of going after these rebels who were responsible in the series of atrocities in Bukidnon. They have now identified other suspects based on cartographic sketches. (PSupt. Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga/PRO/PIA-10)

PNoy lauds CdeO’s resilience after calamity

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- President Aquino commended the efforts of the residents in Cagayan de Oro City to recover from the tragic experience brought about by Typhoon Sendong last December 2011 in his visit to the Xavier Ecoville-Xavier University Resettlement Site at Barangay Lumbia here.

“Ngayon ho talagang nakikita natin pabangon na kayo nang pabangon at saka pero nagbibigay sigla ho sa amin ‘yung kasiglahan niyo. Talagang palaban, talaga hong hindi tayo patatalo maski ano’ng sungit ng panahon. So ipagpatuloy lang niyo ho ‘yan. Marami ho tayong nagtutulong-tulong dito tulad ng Habitat, tulad ng Xavier at iba pang mga kompanya, organisasyon talagang tutulungan namin kayo hanggang mailagay kayo sa maayos na maayos,” President Aquino said.

(Now we really see that you are recovering but what makes us glad is your enthusiasm. You are fighters, you will not be deterred with bad weather. Just continue with that. There are many of us like the Habitat, Xavier and other companies and organizations who are willing to help you.)

President Aquino said the residents’ cooperation and eagerness to help one another will lead to the development of the community aside from livelihood support from several agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Noticing the local unpaved roads, especially those leading to the highway, President Aquino assured the residents that they will find a way to complete the government services rendered in the area.

The Xavier University-Lumbia Resettlement Project (XU-LRP) is a joint endeavor of Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan and the local government of Cagayan de Oro whose thrust is to resettle 500 families who are victims and survivors of Tropical Storm Sendong which ravaged the city on December 17, 2011. (Recthie T. Paculba/PIA-10)

Phl hits desired economic gains to match population growth rate – Popcom

By Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The Philippines has attained more than the 6 percent ideal economic growth rate to match the population growth.

Commission on Population Executive Director Tomas Osias said in a statement that there is no specific formula in determining a certain population growth consistent with or ideal for a sustainable economic growth, but if population data in relation to economic growth is analyzed, the ideal growth rate for economic development should be 6 to 8 percent.

Osias added that population growth should stabilize to less than 1.9 percent, otherwise, the country’s economic gains will be consumed by the social services that are required by the growing population.

He said a slower population growth could open a window of opportunity for the public to enjoy the benefits of the so-called demographic dividend.

A demographic dividend occurs when a decline in the population growth rate changes the age distribution of the country’s population so that the government can allocate more resources for investment in economic activities and family welfare than to the needs of its young population who are mostly dependents.

Osias said if there is high population growth, the dependency burden is also high, meaning a productive member of the population has to work double time to support two or more members of the family.

The country’s population is now estimated at 97.3 million, up by 5 million from the 2012 figure of 92.3 million.

Osias says there is a need to moderate the population growth rate of 1.98, as it would mean the country’s population will double in about 35 years. (JCV/PIA-10)

NYC to Schools: Follow CHED’s Directive Against ‘No Permit, No Exam’ Policy

The National Youth Commission reiterates its call to schools to comply with the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) directive with regard to the ‘No Permit, No Exam’ Policy.

In a recent interview, NYC Chairman Leon Flores III cited ‘No Permit, No Exam’ as one of the many Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) violations that Filipino students still face. “Especially since mid-terms exams week is fast approaching, it is important to remind universities that CHED has a standing Memo against the No-Permit, No-Exam policy. We reiterate the stand of the National Youth Commission that there are other ways to collect from the students but the students should not, at any point, be barred from taking their exams owing to their inability to pay at the time of exams.” Flores said.

On October 12, 2011, the Youth Commission approved Resolution No. 146, Series of 2011, A Resolution Supporting the Anti-‘No Permit, No Exam’ Policy. On the same date, CHED also issued a separate Memorandum on the Implementation of Section 99 of CMO No. 40, Series of 2008, directing all Higher Education Institutions to refrain from imposing the said policy.

NYC Chair Flores considered some schools’ “disregard for CHED’s Circular against No Permit, No Exam policy a clear violation of Students’ Rights and Welfare.”

“The NYC STRAW Desk (www.strawdesk.com) has been receiving numerous complaints and cases of STRAW violations since the program was established in 2011. Unfortunately, despite CHED’s directive, we still receive grievances from students denied to take their exams due to unpaid tuition and other school fees,” said Commissioner-at-Large Gio Tingson, who also chairs NYC’s Committee on Education.

“We call on young people to continue to be vigilant and to report STRAW transgressions. All over the country, there are varying levels of such violations,” Flores added in closing.

The National Youth Commission as the voice and advocate of the youth is the lead government agency created under Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation-building Act in charge of policy formulation on youth development and youth participation.