Aquino surveys Cagayan de Oro River Basin project

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III conducted this morning an aerial survey of the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Control Project.

The President boarded the helicopter with Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno who gave a briefing on the status of the project.

One component of the project is the 142.00 linear meters revetment of the river basin with steel sheet piles foundation costing P46,547,764.59 in Barangay Carmen, this city.

Works under this component, which is 75 percent completed, is expected to be completed on March 27, this year.

Another component of the flood control project is the 138.00 linear meters revetment of the river basin with steel sheet piles foundation in Barangay Macabalan with a cost of P46,077,017.23.

Now 88.03 percent completed, works under this component is expected to be completed on April 7.

The Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Control Project also included the P17 million channel excavation (mouth of CDO River Basin) along Barangays Bonbon-Macabalan. Works under this component is 25 percent completed. It is targeted to be completed by April 15.

Prior to the aerial inspection, Aquino inspected the Laguindingan Airport Development Project (LADP) in Laguindingan town, Misamis Oriental.

The airport project aims to establish an international-standard airport in Misamis Oriental to replace the two airports in the Cagayan de Oro –Iligan Corridor (CIC) namely the existing Cagayan De Oro (Lumbia) Airport and Iligan (Balo-i) Airport.

The two existing airports have terrain and weather restrictions that limit the safe operation of wide-body commercial aircrafts. (APB/PIA10)

PNoy assures typhoon victims of gov’t assistance

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III assured survivors of typhoon “Sendong” that the government will continue to attend to their needs.

President Aquino expressed his personal concern to typhoon survivors after he inspected the Xavier Ecoville Resettlement Site in Barangay Lumbia, this city.

"Ang gobyerno ay iisa lang ang pakay, ang pag-lingkuran at pangalagaan ang sinsasakupan" (The government has only one agenda, to serve and protect its constituents), the President said.

He urged them to report their concerns and problems to the proper government authority.

Sa lalong madaling panahon ay hahanapan natin nang solusyon yan (we will look for solutions the soonest possible time), he assured.

The President also said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will help in providing livelihood assistance to the typhoon survivors.

Before leaving the resettlement site, President Aquino appealed to the typhoon survivors to work together.

"Ang importante ay matulungan tayo dahil walang imposible pag sama-sama tayo" (What is important is we work hand-in-hand and nothing is impossible if we are united), he emphasized. (APB/PIA10)

News Feature: Coco sugar, the healthy sweetener

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- Everyone can now enjoy sweets without feeling guilty of taking on ‘too much’ sugar.

Coco sugar is one of the most sought after products for those who seek to live healthy these days.

Readily available and currently produced in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental under the Linabu Agrarian Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LAMPCO), Coco sugar is a very good alternative to the current white/refined/brown sugar in the market.

Irwin Jayson Jamaca, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Barangay Linabu was identified as one of the largest producers of coconut in the east of Misamis Oriental. Because of this, the Philippine Coconut Authority gave a series of trainings on the production of coco sugar.

This was then pushed on a larger scale through the financial assistance from the Department of Agrarian Reform through Emergency Employment Program or CLEEP in 2009.

Since then the production of Coco Sugar has gone through a series of laboratory analyses and nutritional facts analysis through the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), he added.

LAMPCO was also granted the construction of BFAD-LTO building as production plant and received marketing trainings provided by the Department of Trade and Industry-Misamis Oriental.

Gaining more confidence, LAMPCO has also become a constant exhibitor in trade fairs since August of 2009.

They have bagged awards like Best Dressed Booth - Talisayan Farmer’s Forum and Trade Fair on September 3-7, 2012 and Highest Sales for Food Sector- Market Week Philippines in September 18-23, 2012.

When they received the United States Department of Agriculture Approved (USDA) Organic Certificate and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate, samples of these coco sugars reached the lands of Canada and Brunei.

Jamaca said that during the 2011 International Food Expo (IFEX) a good number of clients from US, Canada and UAE required them of 20 tons per month that is why they have opted to mechanize some process as the cooking and drying to cope up with the demand and prepare for IFEX 2013 this coming May.

At present Canada market requires them 1 container van (20 tons) per quarter, he stressed.

This goal was even given weight when their BFAD License to Operate was released last January. This will allow them to have a smooth breakthrough in the market.

Also, the cooperative took the initiative of procuring a wide-array of packaging options for different sets of international buyers whether local or international. Various packaging options are currently developed: from sachet packaging, PP plastic with print and box, said Jamaca.

He further emphasized that this product is considered healthy primarily because it does not go through refining process and is therefore free from bleaches and stabilizers which are potentially toxic chemicals.

Coco Sugar is an all-natural sweetener that is made from sweet toddy watery sap that drips from cut flower buds of organically-grown, fresh coconuts. It is light brown in color and looks rough but feels light in one’s hand and taste sweet. It has low glycemic index (GI=35), lesser than the cane sugar of GI=55 as per Philippine Food and Nutrition Research Institute meaning a slow release of glucose in the bloodstream, he stressed.

Presently, LAMPCO sells a retail pack of 500grams at P100. For 1000 kilos and up, 15 days is the delivery period. (JMOR/PIA10)

PNoy visits CdeO, Misamis Oriental

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III is at Cagayan de Oro today for briefing and inspection of several ongoing projects in the city, particularly the Laguindingan Airport Development Project (LADP), Xavier Ecoville Lumbia Resettlement Project and Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Control Project.

The day will be full as the President goes to these places one by one. At the Laguindingan Airport Development Project site, he will walk through and inspect the physical structure and get briefing by Secretary Abaya and the project manager of Laguindingan airport Engr. Edgardo J. Mangalili. Also present will be the Hanjin contractor and local leaders of the Laguindingan municipality.

The President will also visit the Ecoville Resettlement Project at barangay Lumbia. He will be received and briefed by Xavier University President Fr. Bobby Yap, SJ, together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional director Evelyn T. Barroso, National Housing Authority (NHA) manager Engr. Judy A. Fernandez, and Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) region 10 director Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo.

Aquino is also expected to inspect the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Control Project. (JMOR/PIA10)

Aquino inspects Xavier Ecoville resettlement site

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III inspected Tuesday noon Xavier Ecoville, a resettlement site for typhoon Sendong survivors located in Barangay Lumbia, this city.

The President arrived at the site and was welcomed by Father Bobby Yap SJ, President of Xavier University. He assured 'Sendong' survivors of the government's support for them.

The Xavier Ecoville is an eco-friendly resettlement community for Sendong survivors whose homes have been totally washed out and whose former addresses have now been declared as no-build zones.

The 5.30 hectare resettlement site is owned by Xavier University.

The Habitat for Humanity Philippines will construct a total of 568 houses in the Ecoville with the funding coming from San Miguel Corporation while site development is done through the Department of Public Works and Highways.

As of February 18, some 322 houses were completed while 246 are currently being constructed. (APB/PIA10)

RDC-X endorses the CDO-Bukidnon-Mis. Or. water quality management area

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council of region 10 (RDC-X) has endorsed the proposal to designate a Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) in the water systems of Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

Designating a WQMA enables the formulation of focused interventions or actions that are designed to address specific water quality issues of the area, thus ensuring that Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 is enforced and water quality is improved.

To be known as the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental-Bukidnon River Systems Water Quality Management Area, the proposed WQMA, comprises 2,024 sq. km. with a perimeter of 219.215 km., that covers the following eight bodies of water: Iponan River, Cagayan de Oro River (CDO), Umalag River, Bigaan River, Agusan River, Alae River, Cugman River and Macajalr Bay Coastal area within CDO.

The WQMA will include the geopolitical jurisdictions of CDO, province of Bukidnon and the towns of Talakag, Baungon, Libona and Manolo Fortich, and the province of Misamis Oriental and the towns of Tagoloan and Opol.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA 9275, directs the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in coordination with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to designate certain areas as WQMA using appropriate physiographic units, such as, watershed, river basin or water resources regions.

As proposed, the WQMA will be managed by a Governing Board chaired by DENR the with representatives of Mayors and Governors of member local government units (LGU’s), relevant government agencies, duly registered non-government organization NGO’s, water utility sector and business sector, among others.

The project responds to the region’s development strategies as indicated in the Medium-term Regional Development Plan for 2011-2016, particularly, along the areas of water resources conservation for possible water access, sanitation, agriculture, industrial, eco-tourism uses, and biodiversity preservation. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

GSIS calls on govt agencies to renew accreditation of liaison officers

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) --- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Cagayan de Oro Branch called on heads of all government agencies within the Branch’s operational jurisdiction to renew the accreditation of their agency liaison officers.

Application for renewal must be submitted to the GSIS, through the Administrative Staff of the Office of the Branch Manager, not later than February 28, this year.

Branch Manager Ma. Cecilia G. Vega said documents that must be submitted should include a letter of authorization or office order from the head of office designating a particular employee of the agency as the liaison officer, properly filled-up and notarized information/designation sheet, and duly filed-up form for Enhanced Personal Accident Insurance.

A liaison officer must be an employee or a member of good standing with no pending criminal and/or administrative case and without derogatory record on file.

He/she will be responsible in disseminating to his co-workers accurate information about new or revised policies, rules and procedures in transacting with the GSIS.

The liaison officer will also ensure that the forms and documents required in filing of claims are properly filled-up, complete and duly endorsed by the authorized officials prior to submission to the GSIS Members Assistance Unit.

In addition to the renewal of accreditation, Vega also requested government agencies to submit duly accomplished Agency Information Sheet containing the agency profile of authorized officers/persons-in-charge with their corresponding specimen signatures for GSIS file and reference. (APB/PIA-10)

Tangub City Historical Commission conducts 5TH ADTan memorial lecture

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- The Tangub City Historical Commission (TCHC) will hold its 5th Alfonso D. Tan Memorial Lecture on Feb. 28, at 9 a.m. at the City Function Hall 1, here.

Held in line with the 45th anniversary celebration of the city, the activity will focus on this year’s theme: “Talagsaon ang Tawo nga Nag-una sa Iyang Panahon” (Seldom is a Man Who is Ahead of His Time).

The memorial lecture is part of TCHC’s advocacy through the years to imbue among the younger generation, particularly the students, the value of service, loyalty and commitment to the local patrimony.

Invited lecturer is Cecilio C. Sultan, incumbent city councilor and a close associate of the late Alfonso D. Tan, founding father of Tangub City,

Meanwhile, Narcisa Naron, TCHC General Commissioner will give her opening remarks, while Prof. Emelio Pascual from the city-funded Gov. Alfonso D. Tan College (GADTC) and TCHC consultant will speak on the “Possibilities and Potentials of Local History.”

Dr. Jennifer W. Tan, former mayor of the city and founder of the TCHC will give her inspirational talk, while Mayor Philip Tan will give the message. (Judith B. Tablan/RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)