Electrification program benefits 3,500 families in Camiguin

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, Feb 13 (PIA) -- A total of 80,492-kilometer additional power lines were installed here by the Camiguin Electric Cooperative (Camelco).

This expansion project, according to the co-op general manager Adrian A. Ebcas, is under the National Electrification Administration (NEA) Sitio Electrification Program (SEP), likewise dubbed as “Pasuga Project.”

It now covers 188 sitios (zone or division within a barangay) and energized 3,525 needy families in the island.

Ebcas said that under the Pasuga project, 30 households will be subsidized by the government in every new line opened.

He noted that most of the areas served are level 4 to 6 sitios, which means, it’s very small and cannot even consume the 30 households’ assistance allocation for every sitio.

With this, the cooperative have drafted a board resolution, realigning the extra funds to the remaining un-energized household in the old/existing lines.

Camelco Members Services Division chief, Ray C. Badilla, however, clears that those households covered by SEP remains to be a priority.

With SEP, connection fee is free and also materials and fixtures for beneficiaries.

As project partners, the local government units have also waived its requirements in favor for the beneficiaries, in which, they pay only for as low as P25 to P100, instead of the P2,000 regular charge for power connection application.

To date, 16,055 out of 17,683 potential households in the province were already energized. (JCV-PIA)

4P beneficiaries get P18.5M seed capital

By Oliver Badel Inodeo

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- A total of P18,523,000 seed capital from the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been released to 3,435 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino beneficiaries in Lanao del Norte province recently.

These beneficiaries come from 181 Self-Employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran Areas (SKAs) in the province organized by Project Development Officers of SLP, in coordination with Pantawid Pamilya field workers.

Under the livelihood program, beneficiaries are allowed to get loans ranging from P5,000 to P10,00 for their livelihood projects, Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, DSWD Field Office 10 Regional Director, said.

These loans, which are community-based that do not bear any interest and do not need any collateral, are payable in one year so that others can also borrow under the same set of arrangements, Solamillo said.

In Kapatagan town, the 57 SKAs with 1,035 members received P5,772,000 while the 41 SKAs with 865 members in Lala were granted P4,442,000.

The Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries of the interior municipalities ofNunungan, Salvador, and Sapad received P400,000; P1,330,000, and P875,000, respectively.

Meanwhile, Sultan Naga Dimaporo town beneficiaries with 50 SKAs have P5,704,000 for their seed capital loan.

These beneficiaries, according to their project proposal, will be engaging in different types of livelihood projects such as handicraft making, hog fattening, cooking, buy-and-sell, among others.

The SKA members are all Pantawid Pamilya Set 1 grantees.

Aside from the 4P beneficiaries, qualified to borrow are those listed in the National Housing Targeting System (NHTS), Solamillo added.

To ensure the success of the SLP, a five-component program that starts with a partnership-building with the community, local government units have been developed by DSWD.

Included in the process is the social preparation involving a Participatory Livelihood Issue Analysis and Value Chain Analysis, as well as Financial Literacy and Self-Awareness for the beneficiaries.

Capacity-building, including a Business Development Service and three to five-day trainings for the beneficiaries follow, after which the funding for the Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) comes about.

For sustainability of the program, DSWD-10 extends technical assistance and equips the beneficiaries with a management tool which the beneficiaries themselves implement. (Oliver Badel Inodeo/DSWD/RTP/PIA10)

PDEA, PNP confiscate more than P8-M worth of illegal drugs

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- The joint operations of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) in Northern Mindanao has resulted to the confiscation of P8,778,280.85-worth of illegal drugs particularly shabu and marijuana in 2012.

Regional Director Emerson L. Margate of PDEA-10 has reported that this was made possible with joined efforts of other law enforcement agencies and local government units.

PDEA and PNP arrested 552 persons the previous year. Also, there were 517 operations conducted including that of PDEA, PNP, and joint operations while 465 of cases were filed through the two agencies.

The prevailing market value of dangerous drugs as of 2012 according to Margate includes shabu for P7,000 to P10,000 per gram, marijuana plants from P250 to P300 per piece and as low as P10 to P20 for marijuana stick.

The Supply Reduction Program of PDEA also allows financial investigation through the AMLC or Anti-Money Laundering Act. An example is a suspect who had nine bank accounts and had a deposit of P4.5 million while another suspect had seven bank accounts worth P8.9 million, revealed the director.

We also do interdictions through air and sea port and bus and jeepney terminals, said director Margate. And have grey hound operation on a monthly basis and unannounced mandatory drug testing, he added.

The agency also conducted 314 lectures with 42, 141 participants last year.

Achievements of PDEA include dismantling of 10 drug dens; conviction and sentence to life imprisonment and arrest of a number of pushers and suspects. (JMOR/PIA10)

P8M fund to “Rebuild CDO”

By Irene Joy Dayo

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) built partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines Foundation Inc. (HFHP) in a “Rebuild CDO” livelihood program dubbed "Landbank Gawad Kabuhayan." The fund worth P8,150,000 will benefit 500 HFHP home partners in Phase III of Sitio Calaanan.

The program Landbank Gawad Kabuhayan is designed to aid the recovery of 3,355 families affected by tropical storm Sendong, last 2011. The aid will be through assistance and trainings which will equip them with knowledge and skills needed in accessing and developing livelihood opportunities.

“We likewise hope to promote the value of cooperativism among the families to help improve their economic condition and to foster a social cohesion that will help in the emotional healing of the community,” said Landbank President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gilda E. Pico.

The program involves training in particular skills such as hollow block production, cookery or baking, transportation business, or grocery store management, among others. It also involves assistance in cooperative building, enterprise planning and development within the Habitat community.

The Landbank Gawad Kabuhayan is a collaboration among HFHP and its partners, namely local NGOs, universities and the church, through funding from LBP. The program will also be extended to five more relocation sites that includes Calaanan II, Indahag I, Xavier Ecoville, and Taguanao.

Present in the signing ceremony were LBP President and CEO Gilda E. Pico, SVP-Corporate Services Sector of LBP Julio D. Climaco, LBP AVP/Relations Officer Cesar Magallanes, FVP-Mindanao Branches Group of LBP Wesly C. Magyane, HFHP Chief Operating Officer Leonilo S. Escalada, HFHP Managing Director and CEO Charlito S. Ayco, and Mayor Vicente Emano of Cagayan de Oro City.

The mayor, in his message, expressed his heartfelt thanks to LBP and HFHP for the help extended to the city and he wished them to continue in helping those who are in need. He also mentioned that city people should take care of the resources and benefits.

“Ampingi kini ninyo kay kini dili para kanako, sa akong pulitika, kundi para sa inyo ug sa inyong mga anak, sa inyong kaugmaon,” the mayor said. (Take good care of the resources given, for this is not for me, for my place in politics but for you and for your children, and for your future, the mayor said.)

He also wished and hoped for the beneficiaries’ bright future. (Irene Joy Dayo/PIA10)

Lanao del Norte hosts 23rd Girl Scout Regional Encampment

By Elaine O. Ratunil

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Feb. 12 -- The Lanao del Norte Girl Scout Council recently hosted the 23rd Girl Scout Western Mindanao Regional Encampment at the sprawling Mindanao Civic Center Sports Complex, Sagadan, Tubod on February 1 to 5.

Close to 2,300 girl scouts attended the regional encampment, with 900 campers coming from the Lanao del Norte district. This was the most attended encampment in the region since 2009.

Among the activities enjoyed by the participants were obstacles games, wallet accessory making, emergency preparedness, basic swimming and beauty care.

The five-day event aims to empower the campers by discovering and enhancing their scouting skills. It also seeks to foster camaraderie and enable participants to appreciate and enjoy the out-of-door life.

“We are very thankful to the Lanao del Norte GSP council for hosting this event and for the selfless contribution of the provincial government in making the encampment truly successful,” GSP Regional Executive Director Tita Alvarez said.

The campers, troop leaders and other participants came from Basilan, Cotabato City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Marawi City, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

“The National GSP Council is looking forward and is recommending Lanao del Norte to be the venue for the next national encampment as it has been the best venue and has the area capable of handling massive number of participants”, Alvarez added. (KHMJ/PIO-LDN/PIA10)

176 Pag-IBIG Fund membersto wed in the cities of Malaybalay,Valencia

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb 12 -- Pag-IBIG Fund will once again claim Valentine’s Day as the “Araw ng Pag-IBIG” by sponsoring a civil mass wedding for its actively saving members at the Cities of Malaybalay and Valencia.

The affair, dubbed as “I Do. I Do. Araw ng Pag-IBIG,” is co-sponsored by the City Governments of Malaybalay and Valencia.

In Malaybalay City, 101 couples will participate in the civil mass wedding presided by City Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri.

Meanwhile, Valencia City Mayor Leandro Jose Catarata will preside over the 75 couples in the same ceremonies. The couples were accommodated on a first come, first serve basis.

Moreover, the wedding ceremonies will take place at the Covered Court of the Cities of Malaybalay and Valencia in the Province of Bukidnon. Similar events will also be held in the cities of Davao and Makati and other areas in the country, co-sponsored by the respective local government units.

Pag-IBIG Fund, for its part, will subsidize for the couple’s wedding rings, bridal bouquet, floral arrangement and meals. Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch’s Department Manager and officers will also distribute souvenir items and gifts to the newly wedded couple.

Furthermore, Pag-IBIG Fund will award a house and lot package as a grand prize to the lucky newly wedded couple, from among the participating couples nationwide. The property will be chosen from Pag-IBIG Fund’s pool of acquired assets valued at around P400,000.

In a recent interview with Reynaldo and Maricel Evangelio, winner of the House and Lot package in last year’s “I Do. I Do. Kasalan Ng Bayan,” they gratefully acknowledged “ang amo lang man unta nga makasal kami para mas grasyahan ang among pagpanimuyo. Apan sa wala pagdahum, dako kayao among kalipay nga naka angkon kami ug libre nga balay ug yuta, pinaagi sa Pag-IBIG Fund.”

(We simply desired to be married, so as to be given more grace in our union. It was an unexpected but a joyful surprise for us to own a house and lot package, thru Pag-IBIG Fund.)

The couple further expressed their appreciation to Vice President Jejomar Binay and to Pag-IBIG Fund Chief Executive Officer Atty. Darlene Berberabe for spearheading the “I Do. I Do. Araw Ng Pag-IBIG” (Pag-IBIG Fund/PIA10)

8,000 runners join Red Cross Million Volunteer Run – PRC Iligan

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Feb. 12 (PIA) --The Million Volunteer Run of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) demonstrates that the Philippines leads in championing the spirit of volunteerism as a means of saving lives.

This was expressed by chairman Henry C. Dy of PRC Iligan Chapter and Board of Governor, PRC-National Chapter, in his message addressed to more than 8,000 runners during a short program of the million run at the city public plaza, Iligan City, on February 10.

Vice Mayor Dy, being the second highest ranking official of the local government of Iligan represented Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz, in this nationwide event, simultaneously done in Metro Manila and other key cities in the country.

Dy extended his gratitude to the multi-sector response. He said, their participation was a sign that eventually makes each runner into a part of a dynamic and dedicated network of volunteers who are always first, always ready, always there.

Students from the Department of Education, public and private sector, led the huge crowd of participants. Plant industries in the city, the national government offices, as well as the local government unit-city and barangay level, woke up as early as 4 a.m. to join and support the activity.

Meanwhile, Genevieve C. Amodia, administrator, PRC Iligan, urged everyone especially the youth to join the organization. As volunteer, she said that one can avail training on first-aid, disaster management, community health care and others.

As volunteer, you can share your life with others, and in doing so, become blessed in multiple ways, Amodia said.(LVG/PRC Iligan/PIA 10-LDN)

Posting of campaign materials outside the common poster area is illegal - Comelec

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 12 (PIA) -– The posting of campaign materials in public places outside the designated common poster areas is prohibited.

In like manner, persons posting such campaign materials, shall be held liable together with the candidates and other persons who caused their posting, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said.

Comelec Resolution No. 9615 promulgated last January 15, provides that parties and candidates may post any lawful campaign material in authorized common poster areas in public places, subject to the requirements and/or limitations set by the Comelec.

Such resolution also provides that the materials can also be posted in private places, as long as it has the consent of the owner.

Meanwhile, it will be presumed that the candidates and parties caused the posting of campaign materials outside the common poster areas, if they do not remove the same within three days from notice of such violation.

The notice shall be issued by the Election Officer (EO) of the city or municipality where the unlawful election propaganda are posted or displayed.

On the other hand, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies called upon by the EO or other officials of the Comelec shall apprehend the violators caught in the act.

The PNP shall then file the appropriate charges against the violators, as provided by Resolution 9615. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Peace and dev't convergence program for Kalabugao Plain

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb 12 (PIA) -- The peace and development convergence program for Kalabugao Plain will be on February 13-14. Kalabugao Plain is seated politically in the boundaries of Agusan del Sur, provinces of Caraga and Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental under Region 10.

Its ambiguous situation has made Kalabugao Plain a poser for years.

He said that this project is aimed at identifying the social divide. It is deep and wide and caused usually by pressures, criminality and insurgency.

“Access is very important for growth,” said Governor Oscar Moreno, chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC-10) during its first quarter meeting here Friday.

We chose Kalabugao Plain for two major reasons, he said. One is to help address insurgency where indigenous peoples (IPs) are most vulnerable recruits of the New People’s Army (NPA). We have to win their hearts and everybody has a role to play, emphasized the governor.

Second reason is the flooding. Water from here goes down to Misamis Oriental and other neighboring low laying provinces. We must find a solution to this problem and come up with an advocacy so that other government agencies will also follow.

The Department of Natural Resources can address the watershed while the Department of Public Works and Highways can manage creating roads from these mountain tops to their respective centers for easy transportation, among others, he added.

There is no clear victory if we wage war. The national and provincial government must come hand in hand in this effort, the governor said. (JMOR-PIA10)

Bukidnon barangays bag regional Green Banner award

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MARAMAG, Bukidnon, Feb 12 (PIA) -- Three barangays of Maramag municipality, this province, bagged the 2012 Green Banner Award during the regional nutrition awarding ceremony recently held in Cagayan de Oro City.

The three barangays namely Danggawan, North Poblacion, and Panalsalan, topped due to the effective and efficient implementation of its Barangay Plan of Action for Nutrition.

Mayor Alicia P. Resus said this is the first in history that Maramag barangays excelled in the regional competition in terms of nutrition program implementation.

“We are very thankful to our constituents and the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) who were along the way, making this honor a reality,” the mayor said.

Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Zenaida Tondares explained that the barangay green banner award is an initiative of the regional nutrition committee in recognition to best performing barangays.

It was based on the result of the monitoring and evaluation of barangay nutrition programs conducted by the inter-agency regional evaluation team.

“It is evidence-based evaluation, weighing up its plan and reports, validated by actual visit to projects and interviews with various stakeholders,” Tondares said.

The evaluation is conducted by actual weighing of at least 10 percent of the preschool children to validate improvement in the nutritional status.

This is based on the protocol developed by National Nutrition Council (NNC), which have been adopted by the local government units nationwide.

Catalina Estrada, municipal nutrition action officer, meanwhile, said the Municipal Nutrition Council, chaired by mayor Resus, stepped up its efforts by initiating partnerships with the NNC and private institutions for joint feeding and other health and nutrition services to reach out to poor households in remote villages and upland areas. (Elgie Iman-Aninayon/PDA,Maramag LGU/RLRB-PIA10,Bukidnon)

Pres. Aquino declares Feb. 25, a special holiday for schools

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 12 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared Feb. 25, 2013, EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary (PPRA) Day, as a special holiday for all schools, nationwide.

The day is among the 17 holidays of the year that are enumerated in Presidential Proclamation (PP) No. 459, which he issued, of which10 are regular holidays, six are special non-working days and one special holiday, Feb. 25, to be observed by the schools, only.

The EDSA People Power Revolution, which restored and ushered political, social and economic reforms in the country, serves as an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere, as a nation and as a people, the President said.

Meanwhile, the 10 regular holidays of the year are as follows: January 1, New Year’s Day, March 28, Maundy Thursday, March 29, Good Friday. April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan, May 1, Labor Day.

June 12, Independence Day, August 26, Last Monday of August/National Heroes Day, November 30, Bonifacio Day, December 25, Christmas Day and December 30, Rizal Day.

Declared special non-working days are: March 30, Black Saturday, August 21, Ninoy Aquino Day, November 1, All Saints Day, November 2, All Souls Day, December 24, Day Before Christmas and December 31, Last Day of the Year.

Pursuant to PP 456, March 30, Black Saturday, that falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday has been declared a special non-working day throughout the country because the observance of Holy Week is one of our people’s most cherished traditions.

Thus, the people are given the full and un-interrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor without prejudice of interest.

November 2, All Saints Day, that falls between November 1, a Friday and Sunday has been traditionally declared a special non-working day throughout the country to give the people full opportunity to properly observe with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions in the country, without detriment in public interest.

December 24, day before Christmas, has been declared as an additional special non-working day throughout the country in order to foster closer family ties and enable the people to observe Christmas more meaningfully. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

MUST commemorates fourth founding anniversary

By Elaine O. Ratunil

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 12 (PIA) -- The Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) celebrated its four-day MUST Days last February 6-9.

The event has the theme “Go forth on the fourth” in commemoration of MUST’s fourth year of universitihood.

The celebration’s opening day started off with a parade and opening ceremonies in the university grounds. Following it was a lecture series from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) which disseminated information of university’s various researches and new Science and Technology educational trends.

Unveiling of MUST exhibits and commercial fair that displays various ukay-ukay (used clothing) booths and food stalls also outset the opening day, together with the competition for MUST ADS in jingle and video and the MUST Short Film Festival. There were also game shows, music zone and interpretative dance drama competition.

The following day there was a lecture series from College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) and College of Industrial and Information Technology (CIIT), the continuation of MUST exhibits and commercial fair display and the MUST short film festival, special Olympics and the MUST Next Top Model 2013.

The third-day of merrymaking included Aero-dance marathon, continuation of MUST exhibits and commercial fair and the MUST short film festival, lecture series from the College of Policy Studies, Education and Management (CPSEM), and academic competitions like extemporaneous speech, oration, radio drama, short and sweet play and quiz bowl.

There were also cultural competitions that include Kundiman, Sayawit, band competitions and instrument playing. Aside from those, Arts and Culture Night also happened where performances from Sanghimig Chorale, MUST Dance Troupe and Classical Ensemble were showcased. The second-to-the-last day of the celebration ended with Students Night and Mob dance competition.

The final day kicked off with a motorcade that embarked early 6:30 a.m. at the Rodelsa Circle. It was followed in by Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at the university’s Audio Visual Room (AVR), and the launching of the Most Outstanding Alumni and MUST fun run.

The final day of the celebration had MUST Got Talent - It’s Showtime, Gangnam dance competition, campus tour and Alumni band competition.

An Alumni Night also built the camaraderie of the alumni. This is where former students even from the MUST’s former names gathered. They were students back in the time of Misamis Oriental Trade School (MOTS), Mindanao School of Arts and Trade (MSAT), Don Mariano Marcos Polytechnic State College (DMMMPSC), and Mindanao Polytechnic State College (MPSC). (Irene Joy Dayo/PIA10)