NSCB-10 invites participants to the 12th statistics confab

By: Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA) -- The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) in region 10 is inviting participants to the 12th National Convention on Statistics (NCS) slated on October 1 to 2, this year, in Mandaluyong City.

NSCB-10 Officer-in-Charge Brenda Lynn M. Castro said the NCS is the country’s biggest gathering of statisticians, data providers, users and other stakeholders of statistics.

Conducted every three years, the NCS aims to provide a forum for exchanging ideas and experiences in the field of statistics, discuss recent statistical developments, and elicit the cooperation and support of statisticians and professionals in related field from the government, academe, private sector and civil society towards a more responsive statistical system.

For this year, the NCS will feature three plenary sessions on accelerating inclusive growth and competitiveness through statistics, social media and statistics, and managing risks to development.

The convention will also cover sessions on a wide range of topics including poverty, climate change, progress of society, governance and economic progress, statistical theory and methodology, statistical applications, biostatistics and other multi-sectoral statistics, among others.

An important part of the convention is the Statistical Information Management Exhibition (SIMEx) 2013 where participants will be able to witness the latest software, hardware and other products in the area of statistical information and management.

For further details, interested participants may contact Precious Jose Baroy or Eunice Tamasen of the 12th NCS secretariat at numbers (632)895-2767/8908456 or email addresses ncs@nscb.gov.ph or nscbinfo@gmail.com or visit the 12th NCS website at http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ncs/12thNCS/Default.asp (APB/PIA-10)

Council for Welfare of Children, World Vision Mindanao conduct multi-level capacity building

By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) -- The Council for the Welfare of Children in partnership with World Vision conducts a week-long multi-level capacity building for strengthening Northern Mindanao’s Local Council for Protection of Children (LCPC) through a regional training of trainors.

The training held August 13 to 16, aimed for the regional LCPC to be effective in the Child Rights-Responsive Governance as mandated in the law Republic Act 7610 on the special protection of children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

Director Brenda S. Vigo of the Council for the Welfare of Children underscored the importance of this activity saying that, “This activity is critical. As part of their output, they will have to prepare and craft a plan of action on how they will conduct the training in the province, municipality for the LCPC. If there is no council in the barangay, they will have to organize one and if there is an existing LCPC, they have to activate it.”

She added children should be in schools to prepare them for their future role in society.

"We should take a look at those children in risky or hazardous conditions such as those in working in mines, those taken advantage in armed conflicts, children in conflict with the law, those street children who are vulnerable to bad elements, abused children," she added.

Associate Director of World Vision operations in Mindanao, Jocelyn Mariscal said par of their support is capacity building.

“We want this to be functional. Ito talaga yung cry. Marami tayong laws na magaganda, pero yung implementation, yun yung kulang yun ang dapat i-strengthen.(This is the cry. We have numerous laws that are commendable but the implementation need to be strengthened,) she said.

“Part of advocacy is strict implementation of these laws,” she said.

One of their commitments, according to Mariscal is to help conduct training of trainors (TOT) at the regional level in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Education (DepEd).

Participants are select members of the Regional Sub-Committee for the Welfare of Children and the local government units.

Participants will be organized into an inter-agency pool of trainers that shall turn capacitate sub-regional and local counterparts and LCPC and Barangay Council for Protection of Children (BCPC). (JMOR/PIA10)

DepEd Misamis Occidental to hold clustered Districts Schools PressCon

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 19 (PIA) – The Misamis Occidental Schools Division, Department of Education (DepEd) will hold the Clustered Districts Schools Press Conference on August 27 and Sept. 17-18, this year.

The activity is pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7079, “An Act Providing for the Development and Promotion of Campus Journalism,” Jonathan S. Dela Peňa, Schools Division Superintendent (SDS), said.

Focused on the theme: “Campus Journalism and Transformational Leadership,” the conference aims to broaden understanding among students of the importance of journalism by expressing it through varied journalistic forms and approaches.

Dela Peňa said it also provides activities that will encourage students to pursue careers/studies in journalism, and enhance journalism competencies through friendly individual and group competition, especially in the writing events that include the following:

August 27, 2013  - English: Newswriting, Feature Writing, Editorial Writing, Sports Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Copyreading and Headline Writing, Collaborative Pusblishing and Photojournalism.

Filipino: Pagsulat ng Editoryal, Pagsulat ng Lathalain, Pagsulat ng Balita, Pagsulat ng Balitang Sports, Kartung Pang-editoryal, Pagkuha ng Larawang Pampahayagan, Pagwasto at Pag-ulo ng Balita.

September 17-18, 2013, Division Integrated Activities, the venue of which will be announced later, include Scriptwriting and Radio Broadcasting and Pagsulat ng Iskrip at Pagbabalita and Awarding of Winners both for the individual and group contest category.

Meanwhile, Dela Peňa said to minimize the expenses of the districts participating in this academic competition, all 16 districts of the division are clustered into six (6) groups for the events on Aug. 27:

Don Victoriano, Bonifacio East and Bonifacio Districts, at the Bonifacio East District Conference Hall, Clarin North, Clarin South and Tudela Districts at the Clarin North District Conference Hall and Sinacaban and Jimenez Districts, at the Jimenez District Conference Hall.

Panaon and Aloran Districts at the Panaon District Conference Hall, Lopez Jaena, Plaridel North and Plaridel South Districts, at the Lopez Jaena Conference Hall and Calamba, Baliangao, Sapang Dalaga and Concepcion Districts at the Calamba District Conference Hall. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

No prisoner leaves the jail premises 30 days before and 30 days after Oct. 28

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

                                                                    

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Aug. 19 (PIA) – No prisoner is allowed to leave the jail premises 30 days before and 30 days after the election, pursuant to Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

                            

As such, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has deputized the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and its Director to ensure its enforcement, relative to the October 28, 2013 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), Atty. Cirilo E. Nala, Jr., Provincial Elections Supervisor (PES) of Misamis Occidental, said.

SEC. 261 provides that “It is unlawful for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, any provincial warden, the keeper of the jail or the person or persons required by law to keep prisoners in their custody, who illegally orders or allows any prisoner detained in the national penitentiary, or the provincial, city or municipal jail to leave the premises, 30 days before and 30 days after the election.”

Likewise, “The municipal, city or provincial warden, the keeper of the jail or the person or persons required by law to keep prisoners in their custody shall post in three (3) conspicuous public places, a list of prisoners under their care, to include the ‘detention prisoners,’ who must be categorized, as such.”

Meanwhile, pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 9733 promulgated last July 3, the BJMP and its directors are required to comply with all orders, directives and resolutions, which the Comelec may, from time to time, promulgate.

On the other hand, orders issued by the Comelec in connection with the October 28, 2013 BSKE shall take precedence over and above the orders and directives issued by any other office or agency of the Government.

Nothing contained in the deputation order, however, shall be construed as in any manner affecting or constituting an impairment of the Constitutional powers of the ' President of the Philippines to conduct and direct the general peace-keeping functions of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the deputation order, specifies. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

City inspects net cafes

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 19 – In response to the clamor of the private and public teachers against the operation of internet cafés that affect the school performance of students, the city council on August 16 led the spot inspection of five internet cafés operating both at Divisoria and Macanhan in Barangay Carmen, this city.

During the inspection led by Councilor Adrian Barba, several students were caught playing online games, some were in school uniforms. All the students had no consent card signed by their parents and school principals.

The issuance of consent cards is mandated by Ordinance No. 8099-2002, which amends Ordinance No 7820-2001.

The law requires owners of internet cafes to design and give consent cards for free to students who will use the facilities of their establishment. These consent cards should have the name of the student, the specific date, time and purpose and should be duly signed by their respective parents and school heads.

The ordinance provides that if students fail to present their consent cards, they should be disallowed from entering internet cafés from 7:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. during school days.

Barba warned operators to strictly comply with this.

“Let us help provide quality education, let us cooperate in the implementation of this law,” Barba appealed to the operators.

He expressed gratitude to Lourdes College High School Principal Sr. Lourdes Darilag who joined the inspection. The school head personally appealed to owners of the establishment not to allow their students to enter internet cafes during school hours.

Barba expressed gladness for the partnership of the school in this endeavor.

According to Barba this is only the beginning and he will not stop while complaints are reaching his committee. Hence, he commits to help the teachers. (ELB/CdeOSP)

Bangko Sentral sets monetary, financial learning expo in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, August 17 (PIA)--”To help protect the public from threats on financial frauds, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is set to conduct the BSP Economic and Financial Learning Program (BSP-EFLP) in Bukidnon.

The expo, which would run from August 27 to 29 at Loiza's Pavilion in Malaybalay City, will cover learnings on the role of BSP in the economy particularly on financial system, banks and bank products, financial regulators, and the basics of money management.

Antonio B. Cintura, director of BSP Economic and Financial Learning Center said BSP-EFLP is a series of activities that brings together the outreach and educational drives of the Bangko Sentral under one flagship program that aims to promote greater awareness and understanding of vital economic and financial issues.

He said that the province-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), their dependents, the workforce and campus communities are the target audience.

"This will help the public acquire knowledge and develop skills needed to make well-informed economic and financial decisions," Cintura said.

Other topics include financial stability and financial empowerment for the workforce and students.

The BSP said this is part of its fiscal counseling to educate Filipinos on economic issues, which is in full support to President Benigno S. Aquino III's goals for rapid, inclusive and sustained economic growth. (RLRBalistoy-PIA10, Bukidnon)

ARMM govt continues to give assistance to Maguindanao flood victims

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Aug. 17 --- Various government agencies of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) converged on Friday, August 16, to give assistance to 826 families in the towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Datu Abdullah Sangki in Maguindanao who were affected by the flooding caused by heavy torrential rains.

The regional Social Welfare department distributed relief goods composed of three kilos of rice and canned goods to the 609 affected families in Datu Abdullah Sangki and 217 in Datu Saudi Ampatuan.

ARMM’s Health department also gave treated 200 mosquito nets for each municipality, 100 packs of hydrosols and assorted medicines.

On the visit to Datu Abdullah Sangki Municipal Hall, Mayor Bai Mariam S. Mangudadatu addressed the needs, issues and concerns of their community to the different agencies present during the relief operation.

"Thank you to the ARMM government for the support they gave us,” Mangudadatu said.

She said that they are very elated to feel and see the support of the regional government under the leadership of Mujiv Hataman.

"We are keen to work with you as it will help in the fast recuperation of our community,” she added.

Eddris D. Sangki, Chairman of Barangay Kaya-Kaya, one of the most affected barangay in Datu Abdullah Sangki, said that their village hopes for continued relief.

"Sa loob ng anim na taon dalawang beses lang kami nakatanggap ng tulong galing sa gobyerno kaya labis kaming nagpapasalamat sa ARMM” (For six years, we were only able to receive assistance from the government twice, hence, we are grateful to ARMM), Sangki added. (BPI-ARMM/PIA10)

ARMM moves to strengthen personnel selection board

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Aug. 17 (PIA) --- Selected employees of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have undergone a two-day competency building and training workshop in a bid to strengthen the regional personnel selection board (PSB).

Amihilda Sangcopan, Office of the Regional Governor Chief-of-Staff, said that the training which commenced on August 15 is a step towards professionalizing the regional civil servants.

"We want to let the constituents know that we are really bent on standardizing the selection and promotion of ARMM personnel, said Sangcopan.

During the training, Civil Service Commission (CSC) ARMM Director IV Resureccion Pueyo discussed the basic policies on merit selection and promotion plan and the roles and responsibilities of PSB.

"Appointment is essentially discretionary power but the appointing authority should appoint persons possessing the minimum qualifications required by law, he said.

For his part, CSC-ARMM Director Dominador Gonzales Jr. emphasized the importance of conducting background investigation and pre-evaluation of applicants.

He said transcripts and other important documents submitted by the applicants must be thoroughly checked if authentic or not.

The two-day competency building and training workshop was spearheaded by the Office of the Regional Governor (ORG) and PSPB-ARMM in cooperation with CSC-ARMM. (BPI-ARMM/PIA10)

‘Garden Show’ opening at Duaw Park set on Aug. 19

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 19 -- Eye-catching landscaping artistry plus rare, exotic ornamental plants and flowers will be on display and sale at affordable prices as the ‘Garden Show’ opens on Monday, August 19 at the historic Duaw Kagay-an Park near St. Augustine Cathedral.

The ‘Garden Show’ will surely treat tourists, visitors and plant lovers alike to an enjoyable viewing of the exhibition of wide variety of garden plants and flowers, and wonderful landscaping designs conceptualized by local gardeners and plant enthusiasts.

Aside from viewing, plant lovers can also seize the chance and opportunity to buy their favorite decorative plants and flowers at a very low price.

Cagayan de Oro City Tourism Council honorary chair and First Lady Arlene Moreno and council chairperson Dorothy Jean Pabayo opted to hold the garden show at the Duaw Kagay-an Park in order to bring back its historical significance as a living tribute to US-based Cagayanons who greatly contributed to the city’s growth and progress over the years.

And besides, the tourism council observed that the park had been sitting idle in the past years and visibly become an ‘eyesore’ as beggars, street children and informal settlers have turned the area as their haven.

The ‘Garden Show’ is supported by Flori Cultura de Oro under Roldan Yacapin and is one of the core events of this year’s city fiesta dubbed as HIGALAAY: Kagay-an Festival 2013.‪ (CIO)