Coco farmers to get more support from DAR, PCA

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 28 (PIA) – Potential coconut based agrarian reform communities (ARCs) will soon benefit from the Kaanib Enterprise Development Project (KEDP), an integrated resource-service convergence approach which seeks on increasing farm productivity and income of small coconut farming communities.

The Department of Agrarian Reform in Region 10 (DAR-10) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) initiated a joint consultative meeting recently with the coconut-based agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs) to identify and prioritize potential areas for coconut plantation as well as other existing plantations to develop within its ARCs.

Similarly, the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) will also provide strategic and sustainable support services to the beneficiaries.

“We have a lot of potential in our existing agrarian reform communities (ARCs) for coconut plantations. We just need to assist and provide them with the needed materials,” said DAR-10 Regional Director Engr. Felix B. Aguhob.

PCA Regional Manager Luis G. Cruz, meanwhile, stressed that proper organization could make the crop competitive in global markets.

“The coconut commodity is one of the most important crops that will create a strong institution. We have to shift and strengthen our cooperatives, and see to it that they can create their own company by bridging together, therefore becoming globally competitive.” Cruz added. (Florence A. Ramos, DAR 10/PIA)

One wounded in Malitbog, Bukidnon ambush

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Oct 28 (PIA)—One was wounded in an ambush at Bagong Silang sub-village, barangay Sta. Inez, Malitbog, Bukidnon.

In a spot report from Malitbog police, followers of barangay captain aspirant Cindy Evangelista ambushed election opponent Algene Ocero’s group at about 10:00 a.m. of October 27.

Wounded was Jerry Eballe, 32, of barangay Sta Inez. Police said the victim was hit in his left thigh and was rushed to a hospital in Cagayan de Oro City.

In an interview, Malitbog town police chief Senior Insp. Ramil Amatiaga said Ocero’s group was on their way home from an event in nearby village aboard a Hilux pick up type vehicle when gunmen attacked the group.

Amatiaga said a certain Elias Cayanong, known supporter of barangay chair aspirant Cindy Evangelista, led the ambush.

Police said the victim is now recuperating in the hospital.

Meanwhile, provincial police director Senior Supt. Glenn dela Torre said they are now closely coordinating with concerned agencies for indepth probe and action of said unreceptive incident.  (RLRB/PIA 10, Bukidnon)

PNP Malaybalay on alert for All Saints’, All Souls’ Day

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Oct. 29 (PIA)—Police authorities have placed the entire city on full alert as All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day nears.

Supt. Oscar P. Jacildo, city police chief, said they are intensifying intelligence operation to monitor plans and activities of threat groups, in close coordination with the augmenting force from the Philippine Army.

“We have set up ‘PNP help desks’ and assigned roving police teams to secure our cemeteries and other public convergence areas such as churches, malls, bus terminals, and the city’s major thoroughfares,” he said.

In coordination with the local government units, he said they will tap radio groups and other community-based volunteers to ensure safety especially the unattended homes, where all family members visit the graveyards.

As part of the Philippine National Police (PNP) directives, Jacildo said they will strictly implement prohibition of carrying deadly weapons and bringing liquors inside the cemeteries.

Other prohibitions, he said, are the holding of gambling sessions and carrying of gambling paraphernalia.

“The playing of loud music inside cemeteries is also prohibited as they might disturb prayer sessions and other related private gatherings,” Jacildo said.

Meanwhile, the police traffic section, along with other auxiliaries, shall take charge of traffic management and enforcement to ensure smooth flow of traffic along the city’s main streets on Friday and Saturday.

President Benigno Aquino III has declared November 1 (All Saints' Day), which falls on a Friday, and November 2 (All Souls' Day), a Saturday, as special non-working holidays by virtue of Proclamation 459.

For the entire celebration of the Halloween, 76 police officers will be deployed to various locations to keep the city safe. (RLRB/PIA 10, Bukidnon)

350 school pupils benefit from feeding program of Tangub Police

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

TANGUB CITY, Misamis Occidental, Oct. 29 (PIA) – Some 350 schoolchildren, from Pre-school to Grade VI, of Tugas Elementary School (ES) in the City benefitted from the feeding program sponsored by the Tangub City Police Station (CPS), recently.

Particularly conducted by the CPS’ Police Community Relations (PCR) Office under its Gender Awareness and Development Program, the activity was held in celebration of the 21st National Children’s Month in October with the theme: “Kahirapan Wakasan, Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban.”

The feeding was preceded by a pulong-pulong (dialogue) on children’s rights and responsibilities, P/Chief Insp. Joey Felisilda Ampong, Officer-in-Charge of Tangub CPS, said.

Ampong said the expenses for the feeding program, including the pencil and sharperners given to the Pre-Schoolers, was taken from the budget of the Maintenance, Operating and other Expenses (MOOE) of the Tangub CPS.

Meanwhile, SPO3 Leodima Malalis Ligpusan, PCR Officer of Tangub CPS, said that apart from the lectures, all the pupils of Tugas ES were taught the proper way of handwashing.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has encouraged the activity for the children to develop good and healthy habit and raising their awareness on the importance of handwashing with soap.

This is a cost-effective and preventive measure to reduce diarrhea, respiratory infections and malnutrition among children, Doris Donggoon Jomales, Principal of Tugas ES, said. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DTI intensifies consumer education in Misamis Occidental

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Oct. 29 (PIA) – An intensified information education package on the celebration of the Consumers’ Welfare Month, this October, has been waged by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Misamis Occidental.

This is apart from the DTI’s function to check the welfare of the consumers and the quality of products/enterprise and monitor prices/price tags to see if there is manipulation in commercial establishments, like grocery stores and hardware, DTI Provincial Director Delia M. Ayano said.

Anchored on the theme: “Health Product: Quality, Efficacy, Safety and Transparency – Everybody’s Concern,” the month-long celebration included the following activities:

Hanging of streamers announcing the celebration in strategic areas of the province and supervision of “Peel and Win – Summer Promo” of Elim Agricultural Supply at BMEG-Ozamiz City, Oct. 1.

Consumers’ Forum on Downstream Oil Industry in Oroquieta City to enhance the level of awareness of the public on pertinent government rules and regulations, safety and standards confronting the country’s oil industry, Oct. 4.

Orientation briefing on Consumer Rights and Responsibilities to disseminate information on the subject and other Republic Acts applicable to consumers, Oct. 14.

Provincial Consumer Quiz for 3rd Year and 4th Year secondary students to raise the level of awareness on consumer laws, rights and safety, Oct. 25.

Briefing on the Miniature Decorative Lamps and other mandatory products to intensify enforcement of standards on Christmas Lights for consumer safety and awarding of BAGWIS winners, Oct. 30.

Symposium on Consumer Welfare in Secondary Schools, province-wide, to enhance their level of awareness on consumer rights and responsibilities to the youth sector, Oct. 31. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)      

MisOcc reports 80% voters’ turn-out, success in “No Failure of Election” slogan

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Oct. 29 (PIA) – The conduct of the barangay election in Misamis Occidental was very peaceful. No untoward incident occurred.

                   

The security aspect was handled and was well coordinated between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Voters turn-out was estimated to be around 80 percent, and amidst heavy rains in some parts of the province, the Board of Election Tellers (BET) were able to complete the voting, manual counting, canvassing and proclamation of winners within the day or before midnight of October 28.

This assessment came from Atty. Roy Prule M. Ediza, Acting Provincial Election Supervisor, who said his office has extended its grateful appreciation to all the people of the province for their help in making the election a success.

Ediza, particularly, thanked the teachers of the Department of Education (DepEd) who composed the BET and the members of the Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office (MOPPO) and 55th Infantry Battalion (55IB), Philippine Army, representing the AFP, who teamed-up in providing the security.

Also mentioned by Ediza were the watchers, media, religious groups and local government units (LGU) for providing support to the elections.

Earlier, the Provincial Joint Security Control Center  (PJSCC) of Misamis Occidental has  adopted the slogan “No Failure of Elections,” in this year’s October 28 Barangay exercise.

Adoption of the slogan was recommended by Ediza, who appealed for unity and cooperation of the PJSCC members to ensure that the barangay election in province will go on smoothly. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)