BSP partners with MisOr on credit surety fund

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, January 8 (PIA) – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has sealed a partnership with the provincial government of Misamis Oriental to create a surety fund to help small businessmen secure collateral-free loans from banks.

The memorandum of agreement (MoA) creating the Northern Mindanao Credit Surety Fund (NMCSF) was inked by BSP Monetary Board Member Felipe M. Medalla and Provincial Governor Oscar S. Moreno on Monday together with the representatives of the fifteen cooperatives in the region who have committed to join the NMCSF.

Top officials of the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development of the Philippines, and the Industrial Guarantee and Loan Fund also signed the agreement and pledged contributions to augment the fund.

Medalla said the CSF is created by pooling the contributions of well-managed cooperatives in the province and those from other nearby province and municipalities, as well as counterpart contributions from the provincial government of Misamis Oriental and partner institutions.

The fund will serve as surety for loans extended by banks to micro, small and medium enterprises participating in the program in lieu of hard collaterals.

According to the BSP, the participating cooperatives contributed an aggregate amount of P9.4 million while the provincial government pledged P2 million.

With the implementation of the program, Medalla said it will attract more business ventures in the area.

Governor Moreno expressed appreciation to the BSP and partner institutions for the program saying the CSF will reinforce the collective effort to improve Mindanao.

The NMCSF may not be the biggest but I have no doubt that this can surpass other surety funds with the kind of determination and passion our people here have demonstrated, the governor added.

The CSF program, now on its fifth year, has been institutionalized in 19 provinces and seven cities nationwide. The NMCSF is the 27th CSF launched in the country.

Provincial Vice-Governor Norris C. Babiera meanwhile underscored the importance of the program in encouraging economic activity and countryside development.

He said the CSF is a vehicle towards access to credit and capital that is most needed by MSMEs.

The provincial government joined the program to empower our cooperatives and striving small businessmen access to credit and capital thereby enhancing our poverty-alleviation program, he added. (APB/PIA-10)

International body donate books, medical supplies to Misamis Occidental

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 8 (PIA) -- Assorted books and medical equipment loaded in some 35 units of the 20-footer container vans have been donated by the Children International Philippines, Inc. (CIPI) to the provincial government of Misamis Occidental. 

The medical equipment included wheel chairs, medicines and personal hygiene items were turned-over by Gertrudes Gauiran, Program Coordinator of CIPI, who assured the Provincial Government of their continued support. 

This is our way of thanking the Provincial Government who has also helped us in our advocacies, Gauiran said. 

She said CIPI has been donating books to the province since 2005, and will continue to do so in the following years. 

Meanwhile, she said the municipality Aloran has received the donations of two container vans of books twice already. 

The books were donated to Aloran by Gauiran together with the employees of the Provincial Library headed by Luz Boaquina, the Provincial Librarian. 

It can be recalled that CIPI has also helped promote the advocacies of Governor Herminia M. Ramiro, one of which is the campaign for education for all Misamismons, Gauiran added. (JDN/RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

High School in Lanao del Norte is Region 10’s Best School Forest in 2012

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 7 (PIA) --The Pacita Mequiabas National High School (PMNHS) in Barangay Lapinig, Kapatagan, Lanao Norte was declared Northern Mindanao’s regional winner of the 2012 Search for the Best School Forest Park. 

Launched by the Department of Education (DepEd), the search aims to encourage the schools to actively participate in putting up of forest parks inside the school premises as part of their development projects, Allan G. Fornazo, Officer-in-Charge of DepEd, region 10, said. 

Initiated by the Luntiang Pilipinas Foundation (LPF), the search is held by DepEd in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) thru its Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). 

Fornazo who is also the Schools Division Superintendent of the Cagayan de Oro City Schools Division, said the search also aims to promote environmental awareness and raise the level of consciousness among the Filipino youths on the importance of preserving and protecting the environment for the future generations. 

Likewise, it enjoins the schools’ active participation in the implementation of the various DepEd curricula that promote awareness and concern for the environment through tree-planting, tree-growing and tree-caring activities within their respective schools. 

Also declared winners in the other regions are the following: Ilocos Norte NHS, Laoag City, Region 1, Cauayan City NHS, Tuyarong, Cauayan City, Aurora, Region 2, Maria Aurora NHS, San Juaquin, Maria Aurora, Aurora, Regin 3. 

Alabat NHS, Alabat, Quezon Province, Region 4A, Princess Urduja NHS, Narra, Princess Urduja, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Region 4B, Don Servillano Platon, Memorial HS, Sta. Cruz, Tinambac 4226C, Camarines Sur, Region 5 and Tubungan NHS, Tubungan, Iloilo Province, Region 6. 

Sierra Bullones National Technical Vocational HS, Sierra Bullones, Tagbilaran City, Region 7, Tacloban National Agricultural HS, Basper, Tacloban City, Region 8, Siayan NHS, Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte, Region 9. 

Dacudao NHS, Dacudao, Calinan, Davao City, Region 11, Tulunan NHS, Tulunan, Cotabato, Region 12, Barobo NS, Barobo, Surigao del Sur, Region 13, Commonwealth HS, Quezon City, National Capital Region (NCR) and Pilar Rural HS, Poblacion, Pilar, Abra, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

No movement in assignment of gov’t personnel effective Jan. 13 – Comelec

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 7 (PIA) -- The transfer or movement of employees in the government will be prohibited during the election period, from Jan. 13, 2013, up to June 12, 2013. 

This is among the prohibitions enumerated in Resolution No. 9385 of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in connection with the May 13, 2013 national and local elections, Atty. Cirilo E. Nala, Jr., Provincial Election Superviros of Misamis Occidental, said. 

During such period, the bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons and the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates unless authorized in writing by the Comelec. 

Likewise, the organization of maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or other similar forces and the suspension of elective officials is prohibited during the period, Nala said. 

Meanwhile, Comelec Reso. 9385 also prohibits the giving of donations or gifts in cash or in kind and the appointment or use of special policemen, confidential agents or the like, from February 12, 2013 up to May 13, 2013. 

On the other hand, 45-day ban on the appointment or hiring of new employees, creation or filling up of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege will take place on March 29, 2013 to May 13, 2013. 

During the period, the construction of public works, delivery of construction materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds, as well as the release, disbursement and expenditure of public funds are also prohibited.

 
In like manner, the illegal release of prisoners is prohibited from March 14, 2013 to June 12, 2013, Nala added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Misamis Oriental farmers gather at "Tabo sa Umahan 2013"

By Irene Dayo

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan 8 (PIA) -- Farmers and exhibitors from different municipalities in Misamis Oriental gather in Tabo sa Umahan 2013 today to showcase locally grown crops, fruits, vegetables and products by member municipalities.

“This event is for the 83rd anniversary of Misamis Oriental province. Together with the annual “salo tabo," the Philippine Agriculture Office (PAO) and Provincial Government called all member municipalities to display their homegrown products,” Yevette C. Altomera, a member of Information and Documentation Committee in the province, said. 

She said this is a way for the provincial government to determine the effectiveness of the technical assistance such as trainings and seminars conducted by the office last year. 

The highlights of the event include the set up booths by local governments. 

Balingasag’s booth was made up of bamboo, decorated with lighted bulbs and lights displaying various agricultural products like their own coco sugar. The one owned by Kinoguitan was made up of coconut parts and also displaying their coconut products. The famous one is their hat product named “Kalo” which size could cater ten or more heads. 

Alubijid’s booth is made of Lampakanay and it displayed vegetables and fruits with various kinds and weaved products such as baskets, placemats and rugs. These weaved products are made for exports. Manticao’s booth, on the other hand, was made up of styrofoam displaying their products such as pots, house ornaments and foods that include the Manticao’s Special Bibingka. 

Private exhibitors also participated in the booth display as it is open to everyone, as long as they have a permit signed by the acting Assistant Provincial Administrator Rey A. Tagotongan. These exhibitors include Slers, Virginia Hotdog and a few number of Ukay-ukay stall owners. 

Contests will be held such as Bangus Hand-Scaling, Tilaob Eating, Coconut Grating, Manual Corn Shelling, Skirting and Flower Arrangement. There are also Goodwill Basketball Games and Booth Contests. 

The Provincial Government will not give cash prices but projects for development to the winning municipalities. 

The opening of the five-day event was attended in by former Akbayan Party list Representative Ana Theresa “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel, Congressman Peter M. Unabia, Governor Oscar S. Moreno, Vice-Governor Norris C. Babiera, LGUs of Misamis Oriental, government and private organizations and constituents of the province. 

Spearheaded in by Philippine Agriculture Office (PAO) and the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental, this activity formally opened yesterday January 7 at the Capitol Grounds, Cagayan de Oro City and will continue until January 11, 2013, Friday. 

This event was sponsored by Oro Fashion Designers Guild, Marie Video and Designers Assembly. (PIA10)