LP is the dominant majority party, UNA, the dominant minority party - Comelec

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 26 (PIA) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has declared the Liberal Party (LP) as the dominant majority party and the United National Alliance (UNA) as the dominant minority party, in the upcoming mid-term elections.

This, after the Comelec acted on the accreditation of six (6) major national parties and six (6) major local parties, relative to the May 13, 2013 national and local elections.

Per Republic Act No. 9369, the Comelec shall furnish both the dominant majority party and dominant minority party with copies of the election returns and certificates of canvass.

Meanwhile, the Comelec’s accreditation was based on the weighted average points given to each political party in following four (4) areas: History or showing in past elections, 10 points, and organizations and strengths as evidenced by their organized local chapters, 25 points.

Strength of a political party as shown by the number of incumbent elective officials belonging to them 90 days before the date of elections, 25 points and ability to field a complete slate of candidates from the municipal level to the position of Senator, 40 points.

Comelec Resolution No. 9661 promulgated last month, showed that LP garnered 70.97 points in the evaluation, followed by the Nacionalista Party (NP), 26.74 points and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), 25.31 points.

Next was the United National Alliance (UNA), 17.00 points, Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), 15.61 points and National Unity Party (NUP), 10.35 points.

With such ranking, LP has become the Dominant Majority Party, UNA, the Dominant Minority Party and NP, NPC, Lakas-CMD and NUP, as the four (4) major political parties which shall all be entitled to one (1) official watcher in every polling place and canvassing center.

On the other hand, the Comelec said they had accredited the following six (6) local parties in their respective provinces and cities, which would also allow them to field one (1) watcher in each polling place and voting center:

Kusog Baryuhanon, Davao del Norte, Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (Hugpong), Davao City, United Negros Alliance (UNA), Negros Occidental, Kapanalig at Kambilan Ning Memalen Pampanga (KAMBILAN), Pampanga, Partido Abe Kapangpangan (PAK), Angeles City and Arangkada San Joseňo Political Party, San Jose Del Monte City. (RCAguhob/PIA-Misamis Occidental)

DepEd designates Regional Info Officers to better facilitate news and transparency

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed all its regional directors (RDs) to designate regional information officers (RIOs) in their regions to better facilitate news and information processing.

“The designation of the RIOs is in compliance with the directive of His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III for government agencies to be more responsive to the needs of and transparent with the media and the public,” DepEd Secretary Armin A. Luistro said.

He said the RIOs will work with his office through the Communications Unit who will assist their RDs and will have their division counterparts to act as point persons in addressing issues and concerns raised by the public and the media involving their offices.

The RIOs will cascade a similar training to their division counterparts for better coordination of information in their divisions and conduct local media briefings or press conferences for events. They will act on requests from the media or the public seeking information on DepEd programs, projects and activities and coordinates interviews with the proper resource person.

RIOs will also coordinate with school paper advisers or teachers and serve as overall coordinator of the official newsletter of the regional office and inform the central office of any untoward incident in their areas. They are expected to support their RDs in responding to media queries and local news issues, coordinate with the Communications Unit on official statements and reactions on existing issues. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Misamis Oriental booming with new projects

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 27 (PIA) – President Beningno Aquino III laid out numerous projects in Misamis Oriental that helped in the economic development of the City during his recent presidential visit on April 22 at Pelaez Sports Complex.

“Malinaw naman po sa mga sulok ng ating bansa ang positibong resulta ng bagong kultura, ng integridad at katapatan sa pamahalaan. Hindi ko po naabot ng mag-isa ito. Naabot po natin ito sa pakiki-ambag ng milyon-milyong Pilipino sa patuloy na pagsuporta ninyo sa ating agenda ng reporma at sa nagkakaisa nating pag laban sa katiwalian. Kayo, kayo mga Kagay-anon at mga taga Misamis Oriental, kayo ang gumawa ng pagbabago.”

(We can clearly see in the corners of our country the positive result of our new culture, of integrity, and honesty in our government. I did not reach this on my own. We reached this with the help of millions of Filipinos with your continuous support of our reform agenda and for being united against anomalies. It is because of all of you, all of you Kagay-anons and people of Misamis Oriental, all of you made this change happen)

PNoy tapped the shoulders of the Kagay-anons as he congratulated them for making 18 farm to market road projects a success, some of which are now useful to the people of Kinuguitan, Claveria, Laguindingan, Balingasag, Medina, Balingoan, Naawan, Gingoog and Cagayan De Oro.

Also, he commended the 27 irrigation projects made that will benefit the people of Manticao, Sugbong Cogon, Alubijid, Jasaan, El Salvador, Medina, Naawan, Gingoog and Cagayan De Oro.

He emphasized that these projects are for the people so it is the people who have the right and will to continue these. To continue these projects, he said that the people need leaders who will guide them to the right direction. For the government is doing their best to uplift the life of every Filipino together with the help of the local government.

Looking at the bigger picture, PNoy proudly shared how the 35 million domestic tourist arrivals for 2016 was already reached last 2011 exceeding the target to 2 million making the new target for year 2016, 56 million domestic tourist arrivals and fortunately as of the 1st quarter of this year, it has reached more than 10% of last year’s tourist arrivals.(Jennica Rojas/RTP/PIA10)

Philippine Army installs new 4th Division Commander

By Elaine O. Ratunil

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, April 27 --- The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division held a simple Change of Command Ceremony at on April 26.

Brigadier General Ricardo R Visaya took over the reins of leadership of the 4ID from Major General Nestor A Añonuevo.

Prior to his assumption as 4ID Commander, Brigadier General Visaya was the Assistant Division Commander of 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division based in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Visaya is a well decorated officer who received various military awards for excellence in combat and administrative functions, letters and plaques of commendation and appreciations from various military and civilian organizations and individuals.

He is known to be a well-rounded and highly respected officer having been assigned to several military units and offices here and abroad holding different sensitive positions in operations, intelligence and civil-military operations.

For his part, outgoing Division Commander Major General Nestor A Añonuevo commended all the officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees of 4ID and other operationally controlled and support units for their services during his leadership as division commander.

Añonuevo said, “I therefore convey to you and to the members of your respective units and offices my personal commendation for the good performance of duty all of you did during my incumbency as Division Commander which made possible all the positive things the Command was able to accomplish for the people and the nation.”

He also urged them to give the same dedication and support to his successor since the success of the Division depends on the active participation of its personnel. More so, he thanked the AFP leadership thru the President and Secretary of National Defense President for giving him the opportunity to serve in this part of the country as 4ID Commander.

Further, He acknowledged the civilian partners of the Division particularly the Local Government Units, Line Government Agencies, non-government organizations, religious sectors and the media for their support during his incumbency as the Commander of the Division.

He encouraged everyone to offer an even more support to his successor in the true spirit of Bayanihan, as they continue to deliver quality services to the people, “together we can do more” he added.

In his assumption speech, Visaya pledged to continue the programs of the previous leadership to make 4ID more responsive to the needs of the people of Northern Mindanao and the CARAGA region. He’s not new in the area having been assigned in Surigao during his Junior Officer years. (4CMO/4ID/PA/PIA10)

PPDCI explains palm oil benefits to health and environment

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Palm Oil Development Council Inc. (PPDCI) discussed the economic progress brought about by planting and exporting palm oil and its health and environmental benefits in the recently concluded 8th National Palm Oil Congress here.

Dr. Pablito P. Pamplona of PPDCI answered some concerns regarding the effect of palm oil plantations in the environment.

He said as opposed to the belief that palm oil causes floods during the rainy season, the truth is, it adds more life to the earth and makes the environment healthier, livable and sustainable.

A study shows that it reduces daily temperature fluctuation and maintains high relative humidity. It also helps mitigate climate change through high biomass production and storage of high amounts of carbon dioxide in the soil, higher than those of trees in virgin forests.

Pamplona said all the parts of a palm tree are useful, the oil for cooking, oleochemicals and biofuel, among others. Parts for non-food are sources of energy, organic fertilizers and biofuel-possibly the future replacement of petroleum oil.

In terms of health benefits, palm oil is high in carotene and vitamin A which can help maintain good eyesight and reduce night blindness among children; it also contains substances which reduces obesity among men and children and promote skin whitening among women. It is also free of cholesterol; high in phenolic compounds such as those found in red wine and contains almost all the beneficial features found in olive oil but at a much more affordable price.

PPDCI said there is a very high current and projected future demand for palm oil in the emerging markets of China, India, Pakistan, United States of America, Europe and other countries.

In the country, there is an increased domestic demand in palm oil, largely imported now at P6.68 billion which is projected to increase to P27.26 billion in 2022. ( Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat/PIA10)

DILG-10 implements Seal of Disaster Preparedness

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 30 -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) region 10 is fast tracking the implementation of its new awards program - the Seal of Disaster Preparedness (SDP).

Atty. Rene K. Burdeos, DILG 10 regional director, said SDP is an offshoot of the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) which intends to scale up a local government unit’s (LGU) performance in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRMM).

Burdeos said the SDP is conferred as an official symbol of excellence to an LGU which demonstrates an acceptable level of disaster preparedness and disaster preparedness response before and during calamities.

The program aims to recognize and give incentives to local government performance in institutionalizing disaster preparedness.

SDP plans to focus on covering flood-prone LGUs.

In DILG Memo Circular 2012-79, flood prone-LGUs are classified into two phases: Phase 1 covers flood-prone LGUs along the 18 major river basins as declared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources while Phase 2 covers other flood-prone LGUs that are outside the 18 major river basins.

For an LGU to be conferred with the SDP, it will first be assessed by the SDP Regional and national teams using sets of criteria that are consistent with the DRRM framework.

The seal has two levels of assessments. Level 1 is about disaster preparedness, which is a test of a local government capability to address the potential effects of a disaster to human life. Put into emphasis are the criteria on: leadership structure (organization of the DRRM Council and the DRRM Office); guide to action (risk assessment and mapping, institutionalized planning and budgeting); disaster preparedness (contingency planning, early warning and evacuation alert system, pre-emptive evacuation, stockpiling, equipping, technical competency and community awareness) and partnership, volunteerism and innovation.

The Level 2 assessment is on disaster-preparedness response which is a test of a local government capability in ensuring basic survival and subsistence needs of the affected population based on acceptable standards during a disaster.

An LGU qualified for the second level of assessment will be evaluated based on the following criteria: search and rescue (trained personnel, response time, equipage and zero casualty) and evacuation center management (adequate temporary shelter for evacuees, power, food, and water supply, health and sanitation, counseling, and trained center management personnel).

A certificate of recognition will be given to LGUs who have passed first level of assessment. They will also automatically qualify for the second round. The LGU that passes both level 1 and 2 assessments will receive the Seal and Disaster Management Fund or Disaster Equipage.

DILG Region 10 has already wrapped up the first level assessment. (Rochelle D. Dagang/DILG/PIA10)

Oil palm industry on the rise - PPDCI

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- The Philippine Palm Oil Development Council Inc. (PPDCI) says oil palm can be the answer to economic development in the country.

In its 8th National Palm Oil Congress held here from April 18 to 19, Dr. Pablito P. Pamplona of PPDCI said the congress aims to answer the vegetable oil shortage in the country now imported at P6.68 billion in 2010; to export, promote high farm productivity, generate employment opportunities and use oil palm biomass for organic fertilizers, biofuel and electricity.

Pamplona said through expanding and prioritizing oil palm as the main crop in farm lands, it would enable a typical farmer owning 3-5 hectares (ha) to earn enough to buy nutritious food for the family, buy household appliances like a refrigerator, a television set and buy a brand new car, among others.

He added that neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand have already reaped the fruits of their labor from expanding their oil palm farms. Thailand has planted over one million ha; Malaysia has surpassed five million ha and Indonesia has over 10 million ha.

Through government support, these countries are gaining millions of dollars. Thailand is already exporting about US$400 million; Malaysia, US$17 billion and Indonesia with US$15 billion worth of palm oil.

As of April 2013, PPDCI has expanded oil palm plantings to 73,460 ha all over the country.

PPDCI President Robertino E. Pizarro said they are extending efforts and have been at the forefront of promoting the local palm oil industry. He says the Philippine palm oil industry is expanding slowly but steadily.

PPDCI over the past 10 years has intensified global technology search; disseminated technology through training technicians and farmers and promoted through training crop-livestock integration among stakeholders for added income and to cope with the fluctuating global price of palm oil and climate change.

They have also convinced local and national leaders to support oil palm farming to overcome poverty and promote rural prosperity; prepared and multiplied techno guides, extension materials and books on palm oil production and conducted dialogue with lawmakers for legislative support and custom officials to overcome smuggling.

Further, the Philippine Coconut Industry (PCA) through Atty. Euclides G. Forbes, PCA administrator, announced its support to the expansion of the palm oil industry in the country and provided the initial fund for training farmers and technicians.

Pizaro said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have also concerted efforts with PPDCI, stakeholders and the private sector in the development of the local palm oil industry through the use of unproductive, barren public lands that are suitable for oil palm farming. (Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat/PIA10)

Nine out of 10 persons in region 10 are employed - NSO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Office (NSO) during a news conference here reported that 94.4 percent or nine out of 10 persons in region 10 are employed in the first quarter of the year.

Dr. Marilou B. Igdon, NSO regional director and Dr. Janith C. Aves, Misamis Oriental provincial statistics officer said it is important to do a quarterly labor force survey to monitor the employment rate in the region.

NSO said Northern Mindanao has the highest Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) among the regions with 68.5 percent, while the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had the lowest LFPR with 58.1 percent.

Of the estimated 37.94 million employed persons in January 2013 in the country, 54.1 percent were working in the services sector. Those who worked in the agriculture sector comprised the second largest group making up 30.4 percent of the total employed while workers in the industry sector made up the smallest group, registering 15.5 percent of the total employed.

Among the major occupation groups, laborers and unskilled workers constituted the largest group, making up 32.8 percent of the total employed in January 2013. Farmers, forestry workers and fishermen were the second largest group comprising 12.7 percent of the total employed.

Aside from the quarterly labor force survey, NSO is will also conduct this year the Census of Agriculture and Fisheries and Census of Philippine Business and Industry where data is gathered in terms of organization structure, income, expenses, total assets, inventory and partnership, among others this year.

Civil registration activities have also been set.

Igdon said NSO has incorporated outlet transactions and mobile registration where claimants of birth certificates can transact through company partners like SM or register through their barangay hall during an NSO mobile registration.

Any corrections in birth certificates may now be addressed through Republic Act (RA) 9048 or Clerical Error Law, RA 9255 or An Act Allowing Illegitimate Children to Use the Surname of their Father and RA 10172. (MAD/JMOR/PIA10)

Citizen’s arm watchers to stay closest to the BEI on election day – Comelec

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, April 30 (PIA) -- Watchers of the citizen’s arm will be given the preferential position to stay closest to the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) during election day on May 13, 2013.

This is pursuant to Resolution 9640 of the Commission on Election (Comelec) which provides that in case of limited space in the polling places on election day, the watcher of the citizen’s arm will be positioned closest to the BEI, compared with the watchers of the dominant majority party, the dominant minority party and that of the other candidates or political groups.

Atty. Stalin A. Baguio, provincial election supervisor (PES) of Misamis Occidental said relative to the May 13 elections, the Liberal Party (LP) has been accredited the dominant majority party, the United National Alliance (UNA), the dominant minority party and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), One Vote and Citizens’ Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reforms (CCARE) as the citizen’s arms.

Resolution 9640 also states that each candidate and registered political party or coalition of political parties duly registered with the Comelec and fielding candidates in the election may appoint two watchers, to serve alternately in every polling place.

Candidates for senator and member of Sangguniang Panglalawigan, Sangguniang Panglungsod, Sangguniang Bayan or Regional Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) belonging to the same party or coalition, will however, collectively be entitled to only one watcher.

Likewise, other civil, professional, business, service, youth and any similar organizations will, with prior authority of the Comelec, also be entitled collectively to appoint one watcher in every polling place.

No person will be appointed watcher unless he is a registered voter of the city/municipality where he is assigned, is of good reputation, and has not been convicted by final judgment of any election offense or of any other crime.

He must also know how to read and write in Filipino or English, or the prevailing local dialect and is not related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to the chairman or to any other member of the BEI in the polling place where he seeks appointment as a watcher. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Selection committee gears up for 'Gawad KALASAG' search

By Jorie C. Valcorza

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- The regional selection committee (RSC) convened Monday to plan activities and ensure the successful implementation of the regional assessment and awards system in the search for excellence in disaster risk reduction management (DRRM).

Dubbed ‘Gawad KALASAG’ or KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan, the search was initiated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) to recognize the outstanding performance of local DRRM councils, civil society organizations (CSOs) and major stakeholders in promoting and implementing significant DRRM and climate change adaptation programs and innovations.

The search also recognizes heroic acts of individuals, groups or institutions during natural or man-induced disasters.

The RSC will evaluate all entries on May 6-8 and conduct a two-week field validation starting May 20.

At the provincial level, they will only evaluate the winning nominee for each category. The top three regional winners for each category will advance to the national level, provided it gets a minimum score of 85 percent. (JCV/PIA-10)

Farmers join DA's educational tour

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 30 (PIA) -- Around 40 farmer and farmcaster-delegates in the country joined the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Educational Tour in the Bicol region last April 22-24.

The initiative is the agency’s way of giving outstanding high value crops farmers, School-on-the-Air (SOA) graduates and farmcasters from regional field units the opportunity to travel and learn more cost-effective, efficient and sustainable agricultural practices that are adopted in region 5.

Through the activity, farmers and farmcasters alike can maximize their learnings by imparting the knowledge they have gained which will be deemed appropriate in their respective areas of responsibility.

The DA is positive that the group can urge more agricultural stakeholders to replicate the useful farm technologies they have discovered and ultimately, also find success in their farming.

Among the sites visited include the Organic Fertilizer Production Project of the Provincial High Value Crops Research and Training Center and the Regional Pili Research and Technology Development Center at Buang, Tabaco City, Albay and the Shell Training Farm at Bombon, Camarines Sur. # (Joanne L. Olson, DA-10/PIA)