Bidding for  COWD rehab project is on

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan 24 -- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has recently announced its Notice to Bid for the procurement of equipment for the Rehabilitation Project for Cagayan de Oro City Water District’s facilities damaged by Tropical Storm Sendong.

The contract packages to be initially procured consist of the following: 11 sets of pumps, panels and conveyance pipes (Package 1), 5 units diesel engine generators (Package 2) and 5,562 units of water meters (Package 3).

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed last August 14, 2012 between JICA, COWD and Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) where JICA granted P40.9 Million to COWD for the water facility to be able to restore its full capacity in providing safe and potable water supply in its area coverage.

The grant, through provision of equipment, will cover rehabilitation of damaged water supply systems previously financed by JICA under the Provincial Cities Water Supply Project (III) signed on December 20, 1994.

This includes 11 booster pumps, six production wells, five generator sets, chlorinating set, controllers and transformer cables. This will also cover the replacement of laboratory equipment and damaged water meters. Implementation period is eight (8) months from September 2012 to May 2013.

The replacement of the damaged facilities through this project shall greatly contribute to the improvement of COWD’s operations and redound to better service to the public.

It is expected that by the end of February this year, the contract shall have been awarded to the winning bidder. (COWD/PIA10)

Feature: Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City, once again, Sinulog’s Best in Street Dancing

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- Best in Street Dancing, Best in Costume, Best in Ritual, Best in Musicality, and First Runner-up in Festival Queen in the recent Sinulog Festival of Cebu City.

These awards added more color to the already very colorful life of the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City which has made those from Tangub prouder than before.

This is the ninth time the group was declared Sinulog’s Best In Street Dancing as it got the same title in the years 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 and the third time as Sinulog’s Best in Costume, after it got the title in the years 2002 and 2003.

For 10 years, the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe had been declared Sinulog’s Grand Champion, particularly, in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Founded in 1992, the same year the city started to become the “Christmas Symbols Capital of the Philippines,” the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe aims to advance the cultural life and shape the values, character and minds of the youth of the city, through their songs, dances and performances.

Members of the group are scholars from the city’s two colleges, namely, the state-owned Northwestern Mindanao State College (NMSC) and the city-owned Governor Alfonso D. Tan College (GADTC), Atty. Philip T. Tan said.

Tan said the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe is composed of instrumentalists, singers, dancers, and an all-star band.

The Sinanduloy Instrumentalists was Sinulog’s Best In Musicality in 2005 & 2011 while the Sinanduloy Singers was the Regional Winner of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NMCYA).

Likewise, the Sinanduloy All Star Band was recently the official representative of Region 10 to the Department of Tourism’s WOW Philippines held in Intramuros, Manila. (RCA-PIA10, Misamis Occidental)

Ozamiz studes win 1st place in Robotics of Regional Children’s Science Fair

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- At least 10 pupils from the Ozamiz City Schools Division (OCSD) were declared champions in Robotics during the 2012 Regional Children’s Science Fair and Quest.

The three-day activity held last December at Plantation Elementary School, Camp Philips, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon was participated in by elementary pupils from the region’s 14 schools divisions that included those of OCSD, Oroquieta City, Tangub City and Misamis Occidental.

Winners in the various events of the fair are as follows:

Ozamiz City Schools Division– Robotics – 1st place, Nicholas Joseph Balgue, Jerick Andre L. Francisco, Garry Gim Geralde M. Gaabucayan, Gim Garry Staeuard M. Gaabucayan, Edwin P. Gordove, Jr., Absalom Chee Morgia, Empress Nel P. Macias, Angelica Jean Razonable, Jea Ysabelle Rasonable and Jeanette Robo, all of Ozamiz City Central School (OCCS).

Quiz Bee, Grade III, 1st place, Sophia H. Tumada, Maningcol CS, Grade IV, 2nd place, Neil Ian M. Mijares, Antero O. Roa Elementary School (ES) and 4th place, Clark Rojen B. Casanes, Baybay ES.

Sci-Dama, Water Patrol, 2nd place, Ian D. Oniot, Faustino C. Decena ES, Collage Making, 1st place, Clint Paran, Maningcol CS, Sci-Dama Teacher Category, 3rd place, Rodin L. Lagus, Antero U. Roa ES and Sayawit, 3rd place.

Oroquieta City Schools Division – Science Investigatory Project (SIP)- Physical Science, Individual Teacher Category, 1st place, Mary Lynn M. Reyes, On-the-Spot Improvisation, Team Category, 3rd place, Alice D. Udal, Ana Marie E. Velez, and Mary Lynn M. Reyes.

SIP-Life Science, Pupil Team Category, 3rd place, Andrea Nicole R. Atos and Mervi Andrea B. Putian, Oroquieta City CS, Painting, 3rd place, Jeszhylyn Chezka Dapin and Sci-Dama, Water Patrol, 4th place, John Fitzgerald A. Agot, Oroquieta City CES.

Collage-Making, 5th place, Clint Philgraine G. Siete, Layawan ES, Quiz Bee, Grade VI, 5th place, Florife G. Noguera, Pines CES and Physical Science, Individual Category, 5th place, Kristine Louise D. Udal, Talairon CS.

Tangub City Schools Division- Life Science- Teacher Team Category, 2nd place, Noemi M. Gumalam and Lourdes P. Rondina, Quiz Bee, Grade VI, 3rd place, Sheldon F. Honculada, Owayan ES and Sayawit, 3rd place.

Science Intervention Materials (SIM), Pupil Category, Grade III, 4th place, Grace C. Yway, Katagan ES, Quiz Bee, Grade IV, 4th place, Lawrence E. Sumicad, Hoyohoy ES and Quiz Bee, Grade III, 4th place, Mikee Jos M. Oliver, Tangub City CS.

Sci-Dama, Power Patrol, 5th place, Mhel Jane E. Maghinay, On-the-Spot Improvisation , Team Teacher Category, 5th place, Susan Alberca, Jomah Lee Jarosalem and Loida T. Epong and Misamis Occidental Schools Division –Sayawit, 2nd place and Robotics, 3rd place, Jimenez CS. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Soldiers clash with NPA rebels in Bukidnon

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MARAMAG, Bukidnon, Jan 24 -- A gun battle between the government troops and the New People’s Army (NPA) occurred early Tuesday morning, January 22 in Kasilaan sub-village, Barangay Halapitan in San Fernando, Bukidnon.

Lt. Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, Commanding Officer, 8th IB, said the government forces led by 2nd Lt. Cirian Rosero of Bravo Company, 8th Infantry Battalion, 4ID, Philippine Army, were on combat clearing operations at 5 a.m. when they encountered about 10 armed NPA rebels believed to be members of Sangay ng Platon Pampropaganda 3, Front Committee 6, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee under Reynante Tumbalang also known as “Kumander Jigger.”

"The NPA rebels immediately fled the scene after the firefight that lasted for about 40 minutes," he said.

While the soldiers are combing the area to flush out the fleeing communist rebels, they recovered one US Springfield Single Shot Garand rifle and assorted subversive documents.

Cuerpo said there were no casualties reported on the pursuing government soldiers, while undetermined casualties were reported on the enemy side.

“The 8th Infantry “Dependable” Battalion troopers will continue to exert proactive actions to foil any forms of armed threat that will hamper normal activities of the community,” he said.

He also stressed that maintenance of peace to pave way for development is their prime objective in carrying out their tasks. (8IB/4ID/PA/PIA Bukidnon)

Camiguin grows hybrid coco seedlings 

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO CAMIGUIN, January 24 (PIA) – Farmer recipients here are now growing hybrid coconut seedlings or kabuwig nuts in a 13-hectare land area.

Kabuwig is a mix of embryo cultured coconuts and makapuno palm, which produces 20 percent makapuno yield.

This project is initiated by the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) in partnership with the local government units in its bid to increase farm productivity and contribute to the economic activity in the province.

To date, close to 2,000 kabuwig seedlings are now being planted.

Also, under its agri-business land development program, PCA have turned-over more 50,000 seednuts for dispersal to all five municipalities in the island-province.

The coconut rehabilitation by fertilization (salt fertilization) is likewise in full swing, benefiting some 188 farmers and fertilized 21,500 bearing trees. (JCV/PIA) 

OroChamber Exec elected COWD Chair

Oro Chamber Past President and incumbent Trustee of the Agriculture, Mining and Fishery sector Ruben Vegafria is now heading the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) as Chairman of the Board.

Serving the local water district for four (4) years now, PP Ruben Vegafria was elected as the 11th Chairman of COWD last January 4.

“This is a good development for us in the Chamber,” said President Efren Uy.  He said that since water is a key business cost concern Mr. Vegafria’s chairmanship will expectedly improve the delivery of water services throughout the city for the benefit of thousands of Cagay-anons and business establishments.

As a hard-working executive, Oro Chamber believes that Vegafria’s leadership in the water company will pave the way for the latter’s transformation into an effective, efficient and reliable water service utility that everyone is hoping for.

It can be recalled that COWD was among those badly hit by typhoon Sendong. At present, COWD is busy upgrading its pipes and water distribution systems while installing needed pipes in nearby areas.