NFA boosts ugnayan activities to support nat'l year of rice observance

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 22 (PIA) -- To drumbeat the National Year of Rice observance, the National Food Authority (NFA) Misamis Oriental provincial office is conducting “Ugnayan” activities to various palay/corn farmers organizations. 

The Ugnayan project, according to NFA, aims to inform farmers on the procurement activities of NFA, specifically, on the government support price for corn and rice. 

NFA said this will ensure market for farmers’ produce and enable a fair return on production investment. 

The government support price for palay is at Php 17/Kg clean and dry, in addition to the basic price, which the NFA also extends to palay deliveries. 

Meanwhile, proclamation No. 494 was signed on October 18, 2012, declaring year 2013 as National Year of Rice to intensify efforts of the Aquino government in attaining rice sufficiency. (Marianne C. Tapongot, NFA MisOr/PIA 10)

NFA, LGUs ink MOA on rice loan program

By Marianne C. Tapongot

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The National Food Authority (NFA) is now conducting aseries of briefings to local government units (LGUs) regarding the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on NFA Rice Loan Program.

The MOA, once executed between NFA and LGU, will allow the latter to purchase rice on credit for purposes of relief operations whenever a state of calamity is declared in their locality, and for stock piling in preparation of eventualities/emergencies that may occur at any given time.

NFA-Misamis Oriental had started conducting briefings in various LGUs, that includes some parts in the northern side of Bukidnon like Talakag, Manolo Fortich, Libona, Baungon and Malitbog.

NFA is now in full swing and have closely coordinated with various Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) offices to finalize the schedule for the entire province.

This move, according to NFA, is part of the agency’s action towards disaster preparedness, ensuring immediate access to the staple in times of emergencies. (Marianne C. Tapongot, NFA MisOr/PIA 10) 

Civil registrar-Iligan hits 2012 collection target

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, Feb 22 (PIA) -- The Office of the City Civil Registrar (CCR), this city, was able to generate P1.3 million, more or less, derived from impositions of civil registry fees and charges against the targeted collection pegged at P1.2 million.

We have posted our 2012 target this much despite the implementation of Free Mobile Birthright Project through Free Mobile Birth Registration (FMBR) funded by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and free re-issuance of civil registry documents to tropical storm Sendong (Washi) surviving victims, as authorized by Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution in 2012, said Asuncion S. Avenido, registrar, CCRO Iligan.

Meanwhile, the collection target for 2013 is P1.5 million due to the implementation of Amended Tax Ordinance 12-5828, which is prescribing new and increased payments for civil registry services and transactions, and is now currently being effected for implementation by our office, said Avenido.

This ordinance was crafted and lobbied in response to the revenue enhancement call of City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz to recover the huge loss and reduction of the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of Iligan City, as a result of the numerous newly-created cities nationwide.

It is intended for those who can afford to pay only, since numerous exemptions for payments are extended in favor of indigents duly certified by barangay captains or National Commission for Indigenous Peoples for Lumad members, senior citizens, members of PhilHealth Para Sa Masa program of the city mayor, public school students enrolling in grade school, public school athletes, summer job students, city government retirees, disabled persons, and pregnant and nourishing women.

Likewise, it is for official use in administrative and legal proceedings and finally on February 27, 2013, the Anniversary of Civil Registry Law (Act 3753). (lvg-PIA 10/CCRO Iligan)

Bukidnon’s Kaamulan festival opens Feb 22

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Feb 22 (PIA) -- This year’s "Kaamulan” festival reels off here today, Feb. 22, in a splendor of cultural rituals, songs, dances, and many more colorful presentations seen only in this part of the country.

Governor Alex Calingasan said this ethnic festival enables tourists to learn about the rich culture and heritage of the Bukidnon tribes.

“Kaamulan festival showcases what makes us matchless like the display of authentic art of woodwork, beadwork, patchwork, basket weaving, paintings by tribal artists, including indigenous musical instruments,” the governor said.

Since its soft opening a few days ago, tourists here visit the gift shops for genuine, handmade native art, craft, and jewelries.

Visitors will also be able to taste authentic local cuisine and delicacies.

Grand events include Kaamulan Rodeo, livestock and poultry show, agri-fair, flower garden show, foodfest and Kaamulan bazaar displaying indigenous products made in Bukidnon.

Moto trail challenge and off-road challenge, wall climb competition, mountain bike race, drum and lyre competition, football festival, ethnic music and dance clinic, school band competition, "Laga ta Bukidnon (Bb. Bukidnon)" search, "Piniliyapan hu Bukidnon (a glimpse of Bukidnon)" and the night of music with Bukidnon artists from the seven ethnic groups will also highlight the month-long event.

During the Kaamulan street dancing competition this March 2, folks from seven hill tribes will gather to dance, chant, perform ancient rituals, and compete in indigenous sports. They will wear their intricately woven costumes studded with trinkets, anklets, earrings, necklaces, leglets, headdresses, and amulets.

Russel Aquino, Chief of Bukidnon Indigenous Cultural Affairs Office, said, a solemn prayer opens the event, giving thanks to the "Magbabaya (deity)" for the year’s bounty harvest and blessings.

To mark the importance of this rich heritage, the Bukidnon provincial government annually celebrates Kaamulan from February 18 to March 10, where local and foreign tourists flock to witness the popular street dancing and tribal wedding.

Kaamulan is from the Binukid word “amul” which means to gather. It is a gathering of Bukidnon tribes for a purpose. It can mean a “Datuship,” a ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these put together.

It celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven ethnic groups that originally inhabited Bukidnon region namely Talaandig, Higa-onon, Umayamnon, Manobo, Tigwahanon, Matigsalug, and Bukidnon.

This year’s celebration carries the theme “Sustaining culture and unity towards progress and development.” (RLRB-PIA 10, Bukidnon)

DepEd Ozamiz relocates elementary school to safer area

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) in Ozamiz City has relocated the Guimad Elementary School, 1.3 km. southeast of its former location for the safety of the schoolchildren.

The move was prompted by a geohazard assessment done on the school site located in Purok 1, Barangay Guimad by a team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 10 led by supervising geologist Osin Sinsuat.

The findings of the team show that Barangay Guimad is characterized by hilly to steep slopes of quaternary volcanic pyroclastic (QVP) flows, airfall pyroclastics, tephra, lahar deposits, and volcanic clastics extensively distributed at the flanks and foot slopes of volcanic centers.

Data gathered by the MGB also reveal that in as early as 1990, cracks and small landslides were observed behind or at the back portion of the school, with about eight meters deep of steeply sloping terrain.

An excerpt from the minutes of the joint resolution of the general Parents-Teachers’ Association (PTA) officials and the Guimad Barangay Council said a fault-line due to a strong earthquake in 1976 created wide cracks alongside the school building.

Sinsuat said the location of the school building, with the steeply sloping terrain next to a denuded land clearly showing the topography down slope, as well as its reported seismic history, should have already prompted the school and barangay officials to declare the area as hazard-prone early on.

He then recommended the relocation of the school to a safer area, adding that the safety of the students is at stake.

Guimad Barangay Chief Esterlita C. Tuanggang and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (CDRRMO) Mark Vincent C. Israel has endorsed the findings of the geohazard assesment to Rebonfamil Baguio, schools division superintendent of DepEd Ozamiz.

“With the unending rains and the heightened alert for possible landslides, the Office of the City Mayor through the CDRRM Council vehemently enforces the recommendation of MGB 10 that the Guimad Elementary School be relocated immediately,” Israel said in his letter to Baguio. (RCA-IA10, Misamis Occidental)

374 candidates vie for 190 elective posts in Misamis Occidental

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 22 -- A total of 374 individuals have filed their certificates of candidacies (COC) for 190 elective positions in Misamis Occidental for the May 13 elections.

Lawyer Stalin A. Baguio, Comelec Provincial Elections Supervisor (PES), said four (4) of these posts are for governor, vice-governor, congressman for District I and congressman for District 2.

Misamis Occidental has three (3) cities and 14 towns. Other positions being sought by candidates are for mayor, vice-mayor and provincial council member. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)