DILG-10 appeals to LCEs donations for Typhoon Pablo victims

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec. 13 -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region (DILG) 10 is appealing to all governors, city and municipal mayors to donate goods for the victims of typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental. 

DILG-10 Regional Director Rene K. Burdeos in an advisory today said the devastation brought about by typhoon Pablo in Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental brought so much grief and discomfort to the victims and survivors that bestowing to them these goods will give them much relief. 

Director Burdeos added food supplies and potable water are the immediate needs of the victims. 

He asked donations from the provinces, cities and municipalities be transported directly to the Provincial Governments of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental for proper distribution to those that are affected. (Rochelle Dagang/DILG/PIA10)

Cinnamon hits highest bulk of seedling production in Camiguin

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, Dec 13 (PIA) – Instead of Lanzones, cinnamon returns the highest number of seedlings produced here at the provincial plant nursery.

Crescendo L. Loquellano, Chief of the Provincial Agriculture’s Office (PAO) Crop Section explained that the minimal harvest for lanzones in 2011 have caused this year’s collection of seedlings to significantly drop, including the production of Camlong (a cross breed of the local variety and longkong-a variety usually grown in Thailand and Indonesia) seedlings at the nurseries have also reduced to minimal.

A 35 percent reduction in the total number of assorted fruit trees/ forest trees and ornamental seedling was noted this year, when compared to last year, which recorded a net sale of about Php 80,000.

Cinnamon, meanwhile, posted the highest bulk in seedling production, which accounted to some 2,829 seedlings out of the 14,094 total produce.

Loquellano noted that some of these seedlings were already planted and distributed to the different schools around the province in support to the President’s Greening Program.

The provincial plant nursery according to Loquellano is envisioned to be an integrated demo and training farm for various crop/fishery/livestock production technologies. (JCV/PIA 10)

MCMA signs MOA with Pag-IBIG Fund for membership registration

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec. 13 -- On the occasion of Pag-IBIG Fund’s 32nd Anniversary, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be signed by the officers of the Malaybalay City Motorela Association (MCMA) and the Pag-IBIG Cagayan de Oro Branch, marking the activation of MCMA’s membership under the Malaybalay Extension Office. 

Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch’s Department Manager Juliano S. Banghal will sign the MOA with MCMA President Ronaldo S. Ramos, along with the officers from both the Fund and the transport association. 

The MOA signing will take place at the Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch, Pag-IBIG Fund Building, JR Borja Mortola Sts., Cagayan de Oro City tomorrow, Dec. 14. 

MCMA is a duly registered association, registered under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), composed of motorela operators and drivers from the City of Malaybalay. 

Personnel from the Marketing and Enforcement Division organized and conducted a series of Fund briefings to the officers and members of MCMA last November 15, 2012. 

Republic Act 9679 also known as the Home Development Mutual Fund Law requires all Filipino workers earning at least P1,000.00 monthly to actively save in Pag-IBIG Fund. The law applies to all self-employed including the motorela drivers and operators. (Pag-IBIG Fund/PIA10)

Army’s Commanding General visits 4ID

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro, Dec 12 – LtGen. Emmanuel T. Bautista, Commanding General of the Philippine Army, visited 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division, to personally deliver his Christmas message and gifts for all the personnel of 4ID here today. 

Upon his arrival, he prioritized visiting Camp Evangelista Station Hospital to give due credit and recognition to wounded personnel and greet their dependents holiday cheers. 

He then talked to all organic personnel of 4ID and in his speech, he said the Army’s accomplishments on the IPSP “Bayanihan” specially with the political settlement and the signing of the for a lasting peace and security in Mindanao. He also highlighted that 2013 must be a winning time for the Army “To be a world-class army and a source of national pride.” 

“These accomplishments are due to the unity of effort exemplified by individual soldiers in all army units,” Lt.Gen. Bautista said. 

To acknowledge each one’s work is a Christmas gift from him--a small multi-tool kit, which can be used by all personnel in their day to day living. “Along our way for success are our wounded and dead comrades, let their memories and sacrifices guide us all and serve as our inspirations in achieving a just and lasting peace for the Philippines,” he added. 

He encouraged all personnel to enjoy the Christmas season while praying for the victims of typhoon “Pablo.” 

He recalled that last year, Cagayan de Oro was in the same situation as that with Davao Oriental today, it is now CDO’s time to help. (4CMO/4ID/PA/PIA10)

CRMP to train LGU partners in website operation & maintenance

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, Dec 12 (PIA) -- A two-day website and maintenance skills training opens today here at the Villa Paraiso Resort for the Camiguin Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP) partners. 

Mario Gasalatan, CRMP Development Communication Specialist said the session will introduce topics such as creating an account base on the hierarchy and functions and customizing the user account with respect to the level of position. 

The activity will also help facilitate an updated webpage for CRMP as local government unit (LGU) partners were required to bring their most recent reports and other related materials they could use to publish online. 

Among the training participants are information officers or personnel in-charge for the Learning and Communication Network and the LGU CRM officer. (JCV, PIA 10)

Roxas lauds MisOr, CdeO for zero casualty during typhoon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec 12 -- Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas congratulated the province of Misamis Oriental and city of Cagayan de Oro Oro after it reported zero casualty from Typhoon 'Pablo.' 

In a press conference last week, Roxas said, "Fifty percent you have done well, 50 percent nature cooperated." 

But he said people must not be negligent and all the more become cautious and cooperative in preparation for the next season. 

He asked each one to reflect on these questions: What worked? Why it worked? What didn’t work? Why didn’t it work? What you wish for? And lastly, what you will do next year? This is the second time Misamis Oriental is hit by a typhoon, how will next season be better? 

There has to be a coherent game plan for what can be done collectively, he said. 

Quoting President Aquino, he said "Typhoons have no drivers, therefore, we cannot control these natural tendencies. We can only prepare and monitor." 

Roxas said technologies that were installed such as the Doppler radar in select areas around the region have been very helpful in monitoring rainfall. But still the President wants to increase budget for wider scope and coverage of this technology, said the Secretary. Also, not all municipalities have Internet access so a good option is to use smart phones to communicate and receive emails. It is important to think outside the box, he said. 

Systems have to be in place, the Secretary said. “Natuto tayo sa lessons from the past (We have learned our lesson from the past). Let’s continue to improve and strengthen preparation." 

Secretary Roxas said that the President has ordered the relocation of people living in river banks. 

Police Regional Office 10 Director PCSupt. Gil Hitosis has been given this task, he said. "There will be consequences to violators." 

In Misamis Oriental, the national government is looking at providing funds to rebuild damaged agricultural farms which are estimated to cost over P12 million. Two major bridges in the city were also ruined by Pablo particularly Uguiaban Bridge that connects the town of Talakag and Cagayan de Oro and Tal-uban connecting Cagayan de Oro, Dominorog, and Camp Kibakitan road in Bukidnon province. (Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat/PIA10)

DepEd Iligan to lead massive Tree Growing on December 16

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Dec. 13 (PIA)--The Department of Education (DepEd) Iligan will take the lead in planting tree seedlings for the different parts of Iligan particularly in places near rivers.

The tree planting is one of the activities to be conducted in commemoration of Tropical Storm Sendong’s devastation which caused loss of lives and properties to the city of Iligan on December 17 last year. 

Schools Division Superintendent Randolph Tortola of Iligan said around 2,500 teachers and DepEd officials, and more than 15,000 high school students in the city will participate in the planting activity. 

He said they are still identifying the places where these seedlings be planted, while agencies and offices like the Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO), City Environment and Management Office (CEMO), City Agriculture Office (CAG) and other agencies prepare the seedlings for planting. 

Meanwhile, Monsignor Leo Laviste of the Diocese of Iligan suggested to DepEd to include the barangay residents in the tree growing activity and educate them how to nurture it. 

Monsignor Laviste added, residents should know and feel that tree planting activity is for their protection and not just plant but to let it grow with care. 

Tortola is the Committee Chairman on Tree Planting Activity while Msgr. Laviste is the Committee Chairperson on Religious Activities in the created Task Force on Sendong Anniversary come December 17. 

This was signed by Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz last November and City Councilor Jose Zalsos is designated Over-All Chairman. (PIA10-Lanao del Norte/CIO/mtanggot/vcgarcia)