DAR-10 celebrates Women’s Month with tree planting, outreach, livelihood

By Editha R. Salvador

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- In celebration of Women’s Month this year, the Department of Agrarian Reform in Region 10 (DAR-10) held a tree-planting activity on March 15 in Malasag, a reforestation area in this city.

DAR-10 Regional Director Felix Aguhob together with Asst. Regional Directors Eddie Agac-ac and Nicky Peralta led the officers and staff in planting 350 seedlings that included durian, rambutan, mangosteen, lanzones, and coconut in the 3.5 hectare area that DAR-10 has committed to sustain, manage, and develop based on a MOA between DAR and DENR in support to the National Greening Program.

With the enthusiasm shown by the DAR-10 personnel, Mennen Tubiano, regional chapter president of DAR Ladies Association (DARLA) that led the series of activities for the month-long celebration, hopes to plant more trees in the future.

On March 19, some DARLA officers also visited Malisa Home in Jampason, Jasaan, Misamis Oriental. Established by the German Doctors, a humanitarian organization based in Frankfurt, Germany, Malisa Home takes care of girls who are victims of rape and trafficking.

At the time of the visit, 17 girls aged 9 to 20 from different parts in Mindanao have found refuge in the so-called “home away from home.”

The DARLA brought three big water containers to the facility and plans to bring more donations within the month.

Meanwhile, in order to provide the DAR-10 employees with the opportunity to earn additional income, DARLA also tapped the Xavier University Food Technology Center to conduct a hands-on training on meat processing. The participants provided their own ingredients during the one-day activity.

Conducted on March 20 at the above-mentioned XU facility in Manresa Farm at Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen, the training is designed to equip the DAR personnel with the basic skill and knowledge in case they will venture into an alternative livelihood. (Editha R. Salvador-DAR 10/PIA)

PhilHealth-10 trains Reach Out team in Iligan

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, March 21 (PIA) --The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) has finally been given the opportunity to interact with institutional health care providers and health care professionals as PhilHealth has now made it's zeal to deepen its relationship by creating a new team called PhilHealth Reach Out.

Around 60 participants from the Philippine Hospitals Association of Iligan City and Lanao del Norte Chapter were the first to be given Reach Out orientation by PhilHealth-Region 10 on March 12 at Maria Cristina Hotel, Iligan City, said Ayesah M. Macumbal,

officer-in-charge, PhilHealth-Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO), Iligan City and Lanao del Norte.

The chief of hospitals, budget/accounting/finance officer, medical director and hospital administrator were among those present in the event, added Macumbal.

The Reach Out team will ensure that the participants are informed about new policies and allows immediate feedback through interactive lectures and open forums, that they are heard when they have complaints or suggestions and to make sure that old policies are reformed and streamlined in line with PhilHealth’s mandate of attaining Universal Health Care.

This will also serve as a venue where they could inquire unclaimed checks and identification cards. In addition, a booth for application or renewal of accreditation and member data record (MDR) issuance will be available on site.

Topics relevant to the needs of our stakeholders and participants such as taxation, engagement, legal issues, membership/contribution and hospital concerns were discussed by competent speakers from the regional office and LHIO Iligan.

PhilHealth, health care institutions, and professionals stand independent in terms of their respective functions but there has to be that degree of interdependence in terms of giving services and output to ensure that every Filipino people leave health facilities happy and reassured, said Macumbal.

The same activity was also conducted on March 17 at Mercy Community Hospital, this city, with members and officers of the Philippine Medical Association-Iligan & Lanao del Norte Chapter. (lvgabule/PIA10-LDN/LHIO Iligan)

Cardinal Tagle to give address at XU commencement

By Vanessa M. Gorra

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio G Cardinal Tagle, Thursday, will give the commencement address at the academic convocation of Xavier University through a video message.

The cardinal was expected to grace the convocation but he is still in Rome for the installation of Pope Francis on March 1. Cardinal Tagle was the only Filipino Cardinal-elector at the recently concluded conclave.

In his 30 years as a priest, Cardinal Tagle has distinguished himself as a servant of God. He lives a life of humility exemplified by his loving care for the poor. He hosts the Sunday TV program “Pan Dasal” and teaches at the San Carlos Seminary, Loyola School of Theology, Divine Word Seminary and Maryhill School of Theology.

He served in the diocese of Imus in various capacities from 1982 to 2011 when he was installed Archbishop of Manila. He is the chairperson of the Episcopal Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, a member of the Office of Theological Concerns of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences and is an elected member of the Council of the Synod of Bishops. He became a cardinal in October 2012.

About 1,800 students will receive their degrees in their chosen fields during the 74th university academic convocation and commencement exercises which will end on March 23. (XU-PIA10)

Police advises public to take safety, security measures

By PSupt Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 -- Amidst the unusual incidence of street crimes in this city, Police Regional Officer here (PRO-10) is reminding the public to take all necessary precautionary measures to keep their families safe.

More personnel will be deployed this Holy week and summer seasons for increased police presence in the streets and for other intelligence-driven and law enforcement operations.

PRO-10 recognizes the efforts extended by the community, especially those belonging to the business, youth and local government sectors, for the continued support they extended to local police units.

While the presence of police personnel and security guards is unequivocally one of the best deterrents of crime, the people in general also have their own responsibilities to protect themselves from harm.

When in trouble, it is necessary that they should seek the help of police officers deployed in the streets, or ask the assistance of security guards of a nearby establishment. There are also barangay police who can provide the necessary assistance, said PCSupt Catalino B. Rodriguez Jr, PRO-10 regional director.

He said the full cooperation of the citizenry is needed in ensuring that they will be unhampered in their routine activities, and that they return to their respective homes safely away from criminality.

PRO-10 reiterated the following PNP crime prevention tips for the public:

Keep your wallet in a safe place. Do not place it in a loose pocket like a jacket pocket or the back pocket of your pants. Avoid putting it in the outer pockets of your bag. Also, keep your bag close to your body, preferably where it is easy for you to keep an eye on your bag while walking.

Avoid carrying large amounts of money and wearing flashy and expensive jewelry when riding a public transportation.

Do not walk in dark alleys and streets where only a very few people pass by. Take secure and well-lighted walkways instead. If you can, walk in the company of other people.

Familiarize yourself with the area where you frequently pass by. Be wary of your surroundings and if you notice someone is following you, go to the nearest building with a security guard right away.

Refuse rides offered by strangers.

Avoid responding to small talks aimed at you by strangers on the street.

Always be on guard for suspicious people wherever you are. If you think someone is tailing you, always go where there are many people, or where there is a security guard or a police officer.

If witnessing or in the midst of a crime, stay calm as much as possible. Maintain presence of mind and take note of the physical appearance and other striking details about the criminal.

This will help the police identify and capture the robber.

Do not argue or fight with armed criminals. They are dangerous and possibly mentally and emotionally unstable. Be calm in speaking with them.

When riding a taxi especially at night, write down important details such as plate numbers, body markings, color, and the model of the taxi. Also take note of the time and place when and where you boarded the taxi. If you can, share this information through text with another person who is not with you so that other people can know your whereabouts and you can be tracked.

When riding a taxi alone, always be at the rear seat of the vehicle. Immediately lock the doors at the rear and passenger seats.

Avoid using your cellphone while walking and while riding a public transportation to prevent being a victim of snatching.

Prepare your fare prior to boarding any kind of public transportation so you don't have to take out your wallet and possibly expose the other contents of you bag.

Other crime prevention and safety tips are available on PRO-10's official website pnppro10.org and the PNP’s www.pnp.gov.ph. (PSupt Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga/PRO/PIA10)

Provincial employees join 1st simultaneous earthquake drill

By Elaine O. Ratunil

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, March 21 -- Provincial employees of this progressive province took part in the first simultaneous earthquake drill for critical infrastructure on March 18.

More than 100 employees lined up from their respective offices toward identified emergency exits of the capitol building. The employees then gathered at designated evacuation areas in the capitol grounds.

The exercise is programmed to be held quarterly for the proper awareness and preparedness of government employees in the event of natural or man-made disasters like fire and earthquake.

“Governor Khalid Dimaporo is very serious in implementing the program and is encouraging everybody to take part in the drill. In fact, we, at the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (PDDRMO) were tasked to conduct and practice the emergency exercise every month instead of having it quarterly,” PDDRMO Head Officer Marilyn Trozo said.

The earthquake drill will also be conducted by PDRRMO in hospitals, schools and in the different municipalities throughout the province. (KHMJ/PIO-LDN-PIA10)

Use iodized salt in processed foods – FNRI

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- As opposed to the notion that iodized salt can greatly alter texture, taste, and components of processed food, studies of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) show that iodized salt has no significant effect on the pH (acidity), Aw (water activity in food), and moisture content of test processed food products.

Czarina S. Martinez of the FNRI said during the orientation of studies on “The Effects of Iodized Salt in Processed Foods in Selected Areas Nationwide,” here that iodine is important for the body.

Iodine is a trace mineral needed by the body for normal thyroid function and Iodine in thyroid gland helps regulate body temperature, metabolism, nerve and muscle functions and the production of blood cells.

Based on the 2003 National Nutrition Survey, the prevalence of moderate to sever Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) is 11 percent among 6-12 years old children, 18.0 percent among pregnant women, and 23.7 percent among lactating mothers. In absolute terms, more than a million children and pregnant women have IDD.

Iodized salt increases the iodine content of processed food products.

Processed food products are those that have been subjected to some degree of processing like milling, drying, canning and fermentation or addition of some ingredients like iodized salt or curing salt which alters partially or completely the physic-chemical and/or sensory characteristics of raw materials.

After a series of experiments and analysis by 15 experts in the field, Marcela C. Saises, FNRI specialist, revealed that iodized salt improves the color of cured meat products particularly tocino, hotdog, sliced sweet ham and fermented products like shrimp paste or bagoong-alamang, and fish paste or bagoogn-dilis.

In household cooking, Marcela said that after frying, about 85-100 percent of iodine is retained in dried fish, tocino, and sliced sweet ham with iodized salt. After steaming, 100 percent iodine is retained in hotdog with iodized salt.

Further, iodized salt lengthens the fermentation time of fermented products such as alamang, dark dilis, white dilis, and cucumber.

A substantial amount of 67-96 percent of iodine is retained in processed foods with iodized salt after three to six months, she added.

Trinidad II T. Arcangel also of FNRI, said we must revive advocacy of the Asin LAW (RA 8172) which aims to eliminate micronutrient malnutrition, particularly Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) through cost-effective preventive measure of salt iodization. (JMOR-PIA10)

DOST 10 announces financial assistance to SMEs for 2013

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology in Region 10(DOST-10) is informing all small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to avail themselves of financial assistance through Set-Up or Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program.

Cecilia A. Aca-ac, provincial science and technology director in Misamis Oriental, said the Program is a nationwide strategy encouraging and assisting SMEs to adopt technology innovations to improve their operations that will boost their productivity and competitiveness.

At present, it assists 10 priority sectors including Food, Furniture, GDH (Gifts, Decors and Houseware), Marine and Aquatic Resources, Agriculture / Horticulture, Metals and Engineering, Health Products and Services / Pharmaceutical, ICT/Electronics, Packaging, Renewable Energy (energy from wind, biomass, solar, micro hydro, biofuel and marine current).

With this program, an SME beneficiary can address technical problem; get free technical advice from consultants; avail technical training courses for workers / employees; get financial assistance to acquire new equipment to mechanize and/or improve production lines; standardize and improve the quality of products; and be more competitive.

Any SME interested should write a letter to DOST where their company is based.

If application is granted, an SME will just pay the principal amount in three years and with no interest. (JMOR/PIA10)

BIR makes tax return preparation easier with eBIRForms

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- The preparation of tax returns was made easier by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) through the use of electronic forms or eBIRForms.

Ma. Herminia A. Pabito, chief of the Cagayan de Oro Revenue District Taxpayer Service Section, said the eBIRForms is an alternative mode of preparing tax returns which deviates from the conventional manual process of filing up tax returns on pre-printed forms which are highly susceptible to human error.

She said it was developed to enhance the process of preparing tax returns using computer technology thus providing taxpayers with accessible and convenient service.

The eBIRForms package allows taxpayers to accomplish the forms offline. They can directly encode data, edit, save, delete, view and print their tax returns.

Pabito said the eBIRForms are easy to use and have the capability to validate the information inputted by the taxpayer as well as check the completeness of the form filled.

The use of the eBIRForms make tax return preparation easier and lessen human error through its automatic computation and validation features, she added.

The eBIRForms can be accessed through the BIR website www.bir.gov.ph. (APB/PIA10)

JICA opens farm-to-market road in SND under DAR’s ARISP-III

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 (PIA)- The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched the opening of a farm-to-market road (FMR) during a recent site visit in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte. The FMR is under the SND-ARC Rakim.

JICA consultants led by Engr. Victor Saplala, along with Engr. Mel Lamboon graced the said occasion together with the LGU officials of the SND. The 2.2-kilometer road is located at Sitio Junction National Highway that connects with Sitio Langgoyo and traverses the MSU-Lanao Norte Agricultural College (MSU-LNAC). A Barangay Maguindanao communal irrigation project also exists and is traversed by the farm-to-market road project.

A pre-construction conference followed at the Mindanao Convention Center in Tubod, after the site visit at SND, where JICA consultants, DAR regional and Lanao officials with members of the LGU and other national agencies participated in a briefing with beneficiaries of the FMR.

During the conference, DAR-10 Regional Director Felix Aguhob thanked the JICA for its support to the road project and expressed optimism at the development in SND, especially the beneficiaries of the ARC, whose standard of living is expected to improve.

DAR-Lanao del Norte officials led by PARO Ibrahim Marmay also attended the pre-construction conference, together with OIC-CARPO for BDCD Alisood B. Hadjisocor and the Municipal Agrarian Reform Officer Cosay Mangca..

Other personalities present included Engr. Alex Guan Hing, Senior Infra Engineer of the Central Project Management Office, DAR-ARISP, Engr. Manny Bulosan of the DPWH central office in Manila, and DPWH-OIC District Engr. Khalil D. Sultan of the first engineering district in Lanao del Norte. .

The FMR was originally designed for a 1.75-kilometer road at a cost of P12,200,407. However, the faculty, staff and students of MSU-LNAC requested for an additional 450 meters in order to service the community college located halfway between the two sitios.

DAR-10 RD Felix Aguhob then requested the DAR-RSP central office to increase the road length which became 2.2 kilometers. As of this writing, about 12% of the road had already been completed.

After the pre-construction conference, the JICA, DAR and DPWH teams visited another ARISP-III FMR sub-project in the town of Kolambugan.(Rashid M. Datu,DAR 10/PIA)

PNP groundbreaks P5-M, 3-storey building for the Ozamiz cops

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, March 21 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has conducted, recently, the groundbreaking of its new building to house the Ozamiz City Police Station.

Located in front of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) Building, inside the City Hall Compound, the project is estimated to cost some P5 million provided by the PNP Trust Fund Committee.

The soft-groundbreaking of the project already took place last year but due to revisions in the building plan, it has to be stalled for a year, Mayor Princess Nova E. Parojinog-Echavez said.

Originally, the project covered an area of 400 sq. m. only but had been increased to 600 sq.m. and been upgraded to become a three-storey’s high structure for the different units of the Ozamiz City police the mayor said.

In attendance during the groundbreaking ceremony was P/Chief Supt. Lyndel A. Desquitado, Regional Director for Administration of the PNP, region 10 and P/Supt. Jonas T. Amparo, Chief of the Ozamiz PNP Station, with the blessing of the project officiated by Rev. Father Rolly Lagada from the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish Church. (JLCanumay/RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

COWD, NorMin-NRMC to spearhead local world water day celebration

By Ladele Sagrado

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 (PIA) - Local officials, heads of both government and private agencies and representatives from the various sectors including the archdiocese and local media are expected to gather this afternoon at the Limketkai Mall Rotunda to join in the local celebration of World Water Day hosted by the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) and the NorMin-Natural Resources Management Council, Inc.

COWD is among the water districts all over the Philippines chosen by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) as local convergence points for this simultaneous national observance of World Water Day.

The theme of this national celebration is "Tubig Para Sa Lahat, Lahat Para Sa Tubig." Incidentally, World Water Day is one of the key events identified by the United Nations when it declared 2013 as International Year of Water Cooperation.

The goal of this activity is to enhance the awareness of all water stakeholders on the importance of water as a finite resource which needs to be judiciously used and conserved to attain sustainability for the future generations.

Engr. Edgardo C. Demayo, OIC of the Office of the Senior Deputy Administrator of LWUA, will be turning over a commemorative World Water Day Plaque to COWD and NorMin-NRMC during the short program in recognition of their active participation in this campaign. (Ladele Sagrado, COWD)