Bloodletting highlights Labor Day celebration in Ozamiz

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, May 3 (PIA) -- A bloodletting activity highlighted the celebration of the 111th Labor Day last May 1 in the city.

With the theme: “Manggagawang Pilipino: Handa sa Hamon ng Makabagong Panahon” (Filipino Laborers: Ready to Face the Challenges of the Modern World), the activity took place after the walk-for-a-cause entitled: “Lakaw Ta Para sa Bata sa Tibuok Amihanang Mindanao,” early morning of May 1.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led the activity along with its advocacy campaign against child labor, “Lakaw Ta.” It aims to raise funds for identified working children in Northern Mindanao to provide them with their school needs such as school uniforms and supplies.

Ebba Acosta of DOLE-Ozamiz said each participant was asked for a minimum donation of P20. After finishing the 3-kilometer walk, they were given a baller with a “Lakaw Ta” tagline. More than 600 participants joined the walk.

Jose Robles, DOLE provincial director in Misamis Occidental, said “Lakaw Ta” was simultaneously held in Oroquieta City on May 1 and was participated in by more than 700 individuals.

Among those who participated in the walk were employees of the DOLE provincial field office (PFO), government agencies (GAs), government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), organized and unorganized workers, informal sector workers, Public Employment Service Office personnel (PESO) and beneficiaries of the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES).

Members of the Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (TIPC), Career Guidance Network (CGN) Federation of Family Welfare Committees (FFWC), Occupational Safety and Health Network (OSHNET), local government units (LGU), business sector, private sector, schools, universities and the media also participated in the walk. (RCAguhob/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

MinCARED calls for mainstreaming of renewable energy in Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- The Mindanao Congress of the Advocates for Renewable Energy and Rural Electrification and Development (MinCARED) reiterates their efforts in seeking for sustainable solution to the Mindanao power situation through a renewable energy that is reliable, affordable and sustainable during a press conference held here last April 30.

In collaboration with the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperative (AMRECO), Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and Institute of Power Sector Economics (IPSEc), MinCARED aims to institutionalize the congress as an annual activity joined in by multi-sectors embracing the advocacy on electric power concerns.

General Manager Sergio Dagooc, AMRECO president and MinCARED over-all chairman, said MinCARED plans to push a policy on mainstreaming the Mindanao Power Agenda and to provide valuable network-building opportunities between non-government organizations, local government units and other sectors.

MinDA Investment Relations and Public Affairs Director Romeo Montenegro said by going for renewable energy sources and using mini hydro power plants, stakeholders, business sectors and investors will no longer have to deal with rotating brownouts that highly affect their businesses.

Montenegro said at present, the power situation in Mindanao is degrading as the dry season causes the decrease of water resource for the hydropower plant.

“We are planning to find a market that can temporarily give the demand of consumers and by this point of time we are planning to renovate some machines that are destroyed already for how many years of utility,” Montenegro said.

He added that in 2016, when the new coal power plant now under construction is already functional, Mindanao will experience a shift from hydro-based to mixed power source that will result to better power management.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ricardo Rotoras, MUST president, said “the modular generator set can aid the problem on power in Mindanao especially in this dry season where hydropower plants are not sufficient in providing the needs of electricity for the consumers.” (Mark Anthony Dedoyco/RTP/PIA10)

Peace rally condemns NPA atrocities

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, May 3 -- The 4th Infantry Division (4ID) joined the peace rally at the Rizal Park in Gingoog City last April 29 to express sympathy to the families and friends of the Velasco brothers who died during the ambush perpetrated in by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels against Mayor Ruth de Lara Guingona’s convoy last April 20.

Local municipal and barangay officials, religious groups, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, indigenous peoples’ organizations, youth and student sector and the women’s sector participated in the rally.

The people condemned the crimes and atrocities done by the NPA rebels, not only in Gingoog City but in other places in Misamis Oriental.

Brig. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya, general officer-in-charge of 4ID said, “The recent incidents which happened which was perpetrated in by the insurgents proved that the description of being terrorist, robbers, gruesome and animalistic are actually not enough to really describe them.”

“We cannot just let this hinder the development in our area, I believe that collaboration between government, non-government organizations and other stakeholders is best to counter this unproductive and inhumane atrocities of the rebels. It is only by acting together we can attain peace and seize the existence of NPAs which have been the burden of the country for more than four decades,” said Visaya. (4CMO/4ID/PA/PIA10)

4ID supports jobs fair on Labor Day

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, May 3 -- The 4th Infantry Division (4ID) joined the Labor Day jobs fair with SM Cagayan de Oro and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 10 at the SM city here on May 1.

The division through its Army Recruitment Office (ARO) opened the application for a Philippine Army Officer to give interested and qualified applicants a chance to get a stable job in the security service where they will receive a decent salary with several benefits once employed.

The quota for this year for army officers is 100. Interested applicants will undergo the normal process of recruitment which will start with the compliance of documentary requirement for the qualifying examination called the Philippine Army Aptitude Test Battery (PAATB) which can be taken at the ARO (Mindanao) here.

Brig. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya, general officer-in-charge of 4ID said, “This activity is most appropriate especially today that we celebrate Labor Day, it is not only aimed in giving employment opportunity to aspiring applicants but this will also give the applicants the opportunity and pride to serve our country.”

Visaya encouraged all those interested in being a soldier to take advantage of this activity and apply for officership in the army.

He said the process may be tedious but it is worth it, because in the profession, those interested will be given the honor to serve the country and fellow Filipinos while receiving competitive compensation. (4CMO/4ID/PIA10)

l be given the honor to serve the country and fellow Filipino while receiving a competitive compensation or salary. (4CMO/4ID/PIA10)

TESDA deputy director-general for field operations visits Northern Mindanao

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 3 (PIA) -- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Deputy Director-General for Field Operations Teodoro C. Pascua visited Northern Mindanao last month.

He was the guest of honor and commencement speaker at the 38th commencement exercises of the Oroquieta Agro-Industrial School in Oroquieta City.

In his message, Pascua reminded the graduates of five important things in order to become successful in their chosen fields.

He said they should observe excellence in service; continue to learn and improve; remain humble with strengthened faith in God and country; share their knowledge and experiences for the good of people and the next generation and feel the pride of being a Filipino.

Pascua inspired the graduates and listeners to become proud being part of the Filipino nation by citing examples of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates who succeeded in their chosen fields.

Pascua also visited the TESDA regional office and the TESDA provincial office in Lanao del Norte to meet the TESDA personnel.

He also went to the following TESDA Technology Institutions: Regional Training Center-Iligan, Salvador Trade School (STS), Lanao Norte National Agri-Industrial School (LNNAIS) and Provincial Training Center-Plaridel. (Honey Analou Dona/TESDA-10/PIA-10)

Comelec clarifies poll issues in Marawi City

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, May 3 (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here clarified some of the election issues raised by multi-sectoral stakeholders during the Electoral Reform Summit on Thursday.

Atty. Michael Ignes, acting city election officer (EO), assured the stakeholders that the sanctity of the ballots will be protected while in transit from the airport to the province, saying the ballots are sealed and protected with serial numbers.

He said they will also give notice so that poll watchers will be aware when the ballots have arrived.

Ignes further gave assurance that there's no possibilty of hacking the PCOS machines.

He also explained why the PCOS machines will be stored in one place upon arrival in the city.

Due to scarcity of security personnel, Ignes said the PCOS machines will be stored at the Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School. The machines will then be distributed throughout the polling centers in the city on May 10 for final testing and sealing. After that, they will be brought back to the school and distributed again to the polling centers for May 13.

Ignes said electoral reforms have also been instituted by the Comelec such as the conduct of automated fingerprint identification system and cleansing of the list of registered voters as well as reshuffling of EOs. The reshuffling was done to eliminate or erase suspicion of connivance between EOs and local government units. (APB/PIA10)

Election reform summit highlights role of poll monitors, observers

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, May 3 (PIA) -- Poll monitors and observers play a vital role in ensuring the credibility of the upcoming May 13 elections.

This was highlighted during the Election Reform Summit held on Thursday at the Mamitua Research Center in Mindanao State University here.

Police Supt. John Roderick Morales, deputy for administration of the Lanao del Sur Police Office, said the help and cooperation of all election stakeholders, especially poll monitors and observers, are needed to ensure the conduct of secure and fair elections.

He said even if numerous security personnel are deployed in the polling places, it will still be hard to achieve secure and fair elections without the eyes and the voice of monitors and observers.

He thus hopes for more monitors and observers from non-government organizations and private organizations during the elections.

Assemblywoman Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) legislative assembly women sector representative, reiterated the same sentiment, saying that the gains of the electoral reforms implemented in the region will be re-echoed during the elections through the help of poll watchdogs and international monitors.

She said the 103rd Infantry Brigade will also place closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at strategic places to monitor polling areas.

Gutoc-Tomawis added that the reformed ARMM will be tested with the coming elections.

Lawyer Michael Ignes, acting election officer of Marawi City, meanwhile reminded the Citizens CARE or the Citizens Coalition for ARMM Electoral Reform to immediately submit a list of monitors to his office for authentication and issuance of identification cards. (APB/PIA-10)

P.5-M bottled sardines project to benefit women’s group

By Jorie C. Valcorza

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, May 3 (PIA) -- The local government of Mambajao will carry out a P.5-million bottled sardines project to back the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (Kalipi) beneficiaries who have undergone training in sardines processing.

Town Mayor Ma. Luisa D. Romualdo will lead the management and operation of the project until it becomes a viable enterprise after which it will be turned over to the local government for a community-based operation.

The project involves the production of bottled sardines from mansi or tamban specie, which is abundant in its municipal waters.

The local government says the catch of this kind, although seasonal, often exceeds the consumers’ demand. This is where the need for processing comes in, to put an added value on the commodity rather than selling it at a very low price.

For starters, the enterprise will hire the services of the Kalipi members. The processing center will be located at Sitio Esperanza in Barangay Tagdo inside the vicinity of the Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort.

It is in partnership with the Coastal Resource Management Project (CRMP), which approved the release of the P.3-million funding assistance, while the provincial and municipal government covered the remaining fund requirement of the project.

CRMP is funded by the New Zealand Agency for International Development (NZAID) to establish an integrated resource management system.

A total of P3-million worth of business proposals has been approved and funded in the province. (JCV/PIA10)