All set for Kaamulan 2013

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Feb 16 (PIA) -- The Mindanao’s food basket, Bukidnon, is primed and ready for this year’s "Kaamulan Festival 201"' with big events to be featured on a grand scale.

The soft opening is set on February 18 with the traditional “pamuhat” (ritual) dedicated to the “Magbabaya” (deity) for a bounty harvest.

The Kaamulan grand opening will be on Feb. 22, while the much-awaited ethnic street dance competition on March 2.

The traditional "Provincial Cultural Festival" like cultural offering, tribal sports, Kaamulan ethno-cultural race and ethnic mass wedding will run from Feb. 18 to March 10.

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

Joe-an Bayona-Henderin, tourism officer, said this year’s festival will be grander in terms of events and activities as there are added tourist attractions like the Kaamulan Adventure Race and Mount Kitanglad Climb.

Henderin said that Mt. Kitanglad Natural Park in Bukidnon is one of the famous heritage parks in Asia declared by United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

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 highlight the month-long event.

Kaamulan is a yearly gathering and thanksgiving of Bukidnon’s seven ethnic tribes namely the Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon, Umayamnon and Bukidnon. (RLRB-PIA 10, Bukidnon)

PDEA identifies marijuana plantation sites

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 10 (PDEA) has identified five marijuana plantation sites in Bukidnon said director Emerson L. Margate during the first quarter meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) region 10 last February 8 here.

He specified that these plantation sites are located in Manolo Fortich, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, Baungon, and Talakag towns.

In his report, Bukidnon, it reveals, has the most drug-affected barangays meaning it had a barangay with at least one clandestine laboratory, chemical warehouse or drug den, 99 moderately affected with at least one (1) drug pusher per barangay and 12 slightly affected encompassing at least one drug user in each barangay.

Second most infiltrated province in Region 10 is Misamis Occidental with 91 drug-affected barangays; next is Misamis Oriental with 69 and Lanao del Norte with 64. Camiguin is the least affected with 19 affected barangays.

Cagayan de Oro City alone has 36 drug affected barangays according to director Margate, a total of 413 in the whole region.

The strict implementation of permits and licensing on S/P licenses have resulted to no reports/incidents on chemical diversion, he said.

There had been 464 license processed and assessed, 38 regulatory inspection conducted, 21 action taken due to violation committed and 54 regulatory information dissemination in 2012.

P-License is for the manufacture, recycle, importation, exportation, repack, wholesale, trade, distribution, retail, end-use, or laboratory use of precursor and essential chemicals or its mixtures. On the other hand, S-License is to handle dangerous drugs, dangerous drug preparations based on RA 9165 reorganized the Philippine drug law enforcement system. (JMOR/PIA10)

120 relocated families receive Landbank Gawad Kabuhayan

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb 16 (PIA) -- Around 120 underprivileged families in Calaanan Relocation Site Phase 3 here were beneficiaries of the “Landbank Gawad Kabuhayan Program” launched by the Habitat for Humanity and Land Bank of the Philippines said city Mayor Vicente Emano.

The Landbank Gawad Kabuhayan Program aims to help families living in relocation sites to earn a living through concrete hollow block making, cooking, transport for hire and grocery store.

“Dalaygon kaayo kini nga programa tungod kay naha-um ug nahi-uyon usab sa atong paningkamot, uban ni Kagawad Nadya Emano-Elipe, nga matagaan og kasegurohan sa panginabuhi ang atong mga igsoong kabus (This is a good program since it corresponds to our efforts, together with Councilor Nadya Emano-Elipe, to give livelihood security to our underprivileged citizens),” said Mayor Emano. (RTP/PIA10)

Lanao del Norte volunteers run for Red Cross

By Jovanny M. Pangasian

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- More than 2,000 runners joined the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Million Volunteer Run 2 last February 10 at Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte aimed at promoting volunteerism among Lanao del Norte residents and at raising funds for calamity victims.

The Million Volunteer Run (MVR), first held on December 5, 2011, was simultaneously held nationwide and this province was once again chosen as a venue for the running event along in key cities of the country.

The runners converged early Sunday morning and took off for the 3K route at the Poblacion area of Kapatagan.

The event became more memorable with the participation of provincial and local government officials of Lanao del Norte.

“We not only gain sound physical health through this event but we also support PRC’s drive in promoting volunteerism here in Lanao del Norte,” said Abdullah “Bobby” Dimaporo who run in the 2nd MVR.

Kapatagan’s Mayor Benjie Y. Baguio was elated to see the huge number of participants and encouraged everyone to strengthen the network of volunteers down to the barangay level.

A post-run program followed where runners were grouped by organizations and performed one-minute love songs as a prelude in celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Race participants also grooved together in their “Oppan Gangnam Style” unity dance.

The program was hosted by Anita Eya, DepEd Supervisor and Joy Pepito, LGU personnel. (Jovanny M. Pangasian/PIO-LDN/PIA10)

Police confiscate assorted firearms, ammo from house of local exec

By PSupt. Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 16 -- Members of security forces from Region 10 like the police, Philippine National Police Special Action Force, Intelligence Unit, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, and in coordination with the Joint Peace Security Control Center (JPSCC), searched the residence of a vice mayor from Lanao del Norte for illegal firearms.

The operation was conducted at about 2:30 a.m. of February 13 and resulted in the recovery and confiscation of assorted high-power firearms and ammunition.

Scene of the Crime Operatives operatives accounted for 10 M14 rifles, 15 M1 Garand rifles, two M16 rifles, six other M16 rifles with M203 grenade launchers, two M79 grenade launchers, one M60 machine gun, one Cal. 30 BAR, one cal. 45 pistol, two 9MM machine pistols, one 9MM pistol, and two other parts of assorted rifles.

The firearms are now with the PNP Crime Laboratory Office-10 for further examination. (PSupt. Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga/PRO10)

Registered voters in Misamis Occidental up by 5.61%

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- A total of 355,350 registered voters had been noted in Misamis Occidental for the May 13, 2013 national and local elections.

This figure is actually higher by 18,875 or 5.61 percent compared to 336, 475, the total number of registered voters in the province, during the 2010 elections, Atty. Stalin A. Baguio, Provincial Elections Supervisor (PES), said.

Data at the PES Office show that the total number of registered voters in the 1st Legislative District grew from 158,616 to 165,918, an increase of 7,362 or 4.64 percent while that of the 2nd District grew from 17,785 to 189,432, a increase of 11,573 or 6.51 percent.

Particularly in the 1st District, the municipality of Aloran posted the highest growth from 16,899 to 19,030, an increase of 2,131 or 12.61 percent, followed by Lopez-Jaena with 9.31 percent and Jimenez, 6.8 percent.

However, those in Concepcion posted a decline of 197 and Panaon, 39 or down by 0.6 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively, with the former identified by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as an area of concern due to its peace and order situation, Baguio said.

Voters’ registration in Oroquieta City, also under the 1st District grew from 43,908 to 44,344, an increase of 436 votes or 0.99 percent.

Meanwhile, in the 2nd District, the municipality of Sinacaban posted the highest growth in the number of registered voters, from 12,035 to 14,033, an increase of 1,998 or 16.64 percent, followed by Clarin and Bonifacio, 14.70 percent and 13.51 percent, respectively.

Voters registration in Ozamiz City, under the 2nd District, also grew, from 72,922 to 73,469, an increment of 574 or 0.79 percent, while that of Tangub City, also grew from 32,345 to 34,055, an increment of 1,710 or 5.28 percent.

LIkewise, the number of registered voters in Don Victoriano, another area of concern in the province, as identified by DILG, was noted to grow from 5,073 to 5,213, an increase of 140 or 12.76 percent, Baguio added. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Comelec deputizes the DILG, Napolcom, PNP for the May 13 elections

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- The Commision on Elections (Comelec) has deputized the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in connection with the May 13, national and local elections elections.

As such, these agencies have been tasked to make effective measures to prevent members of civilian vigilante units and barangay tanods from engaging in partisan political activities or any act of terrorism, intimidation, coercion, harassment or reprisal.

They are also tasked to take steps to prevent private security agencies from acting as private armies of any candidate or as campaigners for terroristic or violent acts against persons in connection with the May 13 national, local and regional elections in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Likewise, they have been tasked to look into the existence of any armed group organized to commit, or which is committing or attempting to commit, acts of terrorism, or threats to intimidate or coerce any person to vote for or against a candidate, and to suppress or prevent said acts of terrorism or threats.

Meanwhile, the PNP has been told to effect no changes in the assignments of its personnel, during the election period from January 13, 2013 to June 12, 2013, without the prior written permission of the Comelec.

Pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 9571 promulgated on Dec. 6, 2012, the above-mentioned agencies are also tasked do the following functions:

Provide security to polling places, polling. centers/voting centers, such other places or building, as the Comelec, through the Election Officer (EO) so requires.

Provide security to the personnel of the Comelec, its deputies and other persons performing election-related functions and the election paraphernalia, equipment, forms and supplies.

Deploy, at the least time possible, troops for election duty in coordination with the Regional Election Director and the Provincial Election Supervisor (PES) in the said province.

Make available, at the least time possible, land, air and water-craft assets, communication systems and other equipment, in connection with the delivery and retrieval of election equipment, supplies, forms and paraphernalia.

Assist the Comelec in implementing more effectively election laws and/or rules and regulations, particularly the laws governing prohibition against military, policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards or security guards for the candidates.

Included in the regulations are the use of armored vehicles and air or water-craft, and the prohibition bearing, carrying or transporting firearms and other deadly weapons in public places. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DSWD, Tesda launch Cash for Training Project

By Honey Analou E. Doña

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) launched its new scholarship convergence program dubbed as Cash-for-Training Project (C4TP) during the flag raising ceremony of Cagayan de Oro City, February 11 at the City Hall.

During the launching, 10 scholarship/C4TP vouchers were awarded to beneficiaries from the province of Misamis Oriental by Mayor Vicente “Dongkoy” Y. Emano together with DSWD Asst. Regional Director Purita Santa and John D. Simborios of Tesda.

A simultaneous launching for the C4TP also took place at Gingoog City graced by Gingoog City Mayor Ruth L. Guingona.

The C4TP is a DSWD and Tesda joint program responding to the government’s thrust to provide a sustainable intervention to improve the plight and condition of the youth and empower them through skills training and assistance towards gainful employment and entrepreneurial activities.

The program will be implemented in two components: training for wage-employment (Trabaho) and training for self-employment (Hanapbuhay).

For wage employment, the program will be organized and conducted in a Tesda-registered training provider, and after graduation, jobs-bridging activities will be pursued to facilitate their employment.

For self-employment, the program may be conducted on-site, school-supervised or through partner NGOs.

TESDA and its accredited training providers shall provide the training specifically designed to match the demands for wage and self employment in the area. On the other hand, DSWD is in-charge in identifying the beneficiaries.

A total of 4,695 youths in Region 10 will be entitled to free training, allowance, assessment fee, and tool kits.

The following is the slot allocation per province: Bukidnon, 1,050; Camiguin, 250; Lanao del Norte, 925; Misamis Occidental, 893; and Misamis Oriental, 1,577. (Honey Analou E. Doña/Tesda/PIA10)