Five Science projects by Misamis Occidental students win in Reg’l tilt

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Nov. 6 (PIA) – At least five (5) Science Investigatory Projects of students from two (2) high schools in Misamis Occidental were declared winners in the recent Regional Science and Technology Fair 2013 held in Cagayan de Oro City.

Of these projects, one (1), each, was about Information Technology (IT) and the element of Mercury, while the other three (3) were about the assessment and Mercury pollution taking place at Murcielagos Bay, often found to contain red tide toxin by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Meanwhile, the project entitled “Text Informer Alarm and Panic Lights Burglar Security System (TAP-BSS)” by Ernie Jalem of the Ozamiz City National High School (NHS), Ozamiz City, won 1st place in the Physical Science Cluster 1 Individual Category.

The other four (4) winners were all from the Misamis Occidental NHS, Oroquieta City, namely: “Assessment of the Coral Reefs in Murcielagos Bay” by Kayzel Maata, Paisley Ceniza and Ysire Duhaylungsod, 1st place in Life Science Cluster 2 Team Category.

“Plankton as Bio-Indicator of Mercury Pollution in Murcielagos Bay” by Emmanuel Ocaya, Sharmayn Parejo and Romelee Olivar, 2nd place, Life Science Cluster 1 Team Category.

“Phytostabilization of Mercury using ‘Buho’ (Schizoztachyum lima)” by Jan Namocatcat, Shelomith Sayson and Ira Papanas, 3rd place, Physical Science Cluster 1 Team Category.

“Assessment of Sea Grass Epipjytes in the Intertidal Zone of Murcielagos Bay” by Vincent Bergado, 3rd place, Life Science Cluster 1 Individual Category.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ingrid G. Racoma, Regional Director of the Department of Education (DepEd), region 10, said the first and second place winners will represent Region 10 in the National Science and Technology Fair to be held on December 3-6, 2013, at a venue to be announced later. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DAR welcomes BukPON-BFI integrated enterprise dev’t partnership

MALAYBALAY CITY, November 6 (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform-Bukidnon Provincial Office welcomes the establishment of Bukidnon People’s Organizations Network, Inc. (BukPON) and the Baba’s Foundation, Inc (BFI) partnership for the upliftment of small farmers in Bukidnon. 

The initiative known as BFI-Bukpon Integrated Enterprise Development (BBUKIED) was launched recently in Malaybalay City.

The ceremony started with the blessing of the new office, the “Ananda Marga Way” led by Dada Mantrajapananda Avt, Baba’s Foundation Incorporated (BFI) Chairperson and followed by the ceremonial cutting of ribbon with Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Julio C. Celestiano, Jr. together with BUKPON Chaiman Engr. Vicente H. Leono and Cristita Racosalem-Epal, BFI Executive Director.

The Bukidnon People’s Organizations Network, Inc (BukPON) is a non-stock and non-profit organization duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), committed to implement a partnership program designed to increase the income of its people’s organizations (POs), of which, some members are also under the assistance of DAR through the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Project (ARISP III).

The BABA’s Foundation Inc. (BFI) on the other hand assists and shares its expertise and experience to BukPON for the installation of a micro-finance facility, partnership-managed enterprise and adoption of sustainable agriculture technologies that will complement initiatives of BukPON people’s organizations members.

PARO Celestiano, meanwhile, assures to provide technical and financial assistance to support the activities that will enhance the capabilities of the federation/network of peoples organization (Pos) to carry out programs and projects that are also designed to facilitate access of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and small farmers to micro-finance enterprise development and sustainable agriculture in the province.  (Ferdinand E. Villanueva, DAR-10/PIA)

CdeO brace super typhoon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Nov. 06 -- The city government of Cagayan de Oro is aiming zero casualty and zero rescue operations as it braces for incoming typhoon ‘Yolanda.’

Northern Mindanao is one of the regions placed on alert due to the powerful typhoon, with international code name “Haiyan,” which is expected to carry winds of up to 241 kilometers per hour and heavy rainfall.

It was learned that the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) held another meeting this morning in preparation for the coming of the tropical cyclone. 

OIC Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas said while the city will do what it can to prevent casualties; the public should also take precautionary measures.

He is urging those who are in hazardous areas, those living near the river and landslide prone areas to be alert, even as he called for their pre-emptive evacuation, if necessary. He said families must also make necessary preparations in their homes and must monitor reports from the weather bureau and the local disaster council.

As of 6:01 a.m. today, the Philippine, Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the tropical cyclone has intensified into a typhoon and has accelerated. It may enter the Philippine area of responsibility as early as midnight today or Thursday morning, having accelerated to 30 kph from 25 kph.

It is projected to make landfall somewhere in the Visayas or Mindanao Friday afternoon before exiting the PAR on Sunday afternoon, according to PAG-ASA.

Acenas said residents must heed all warnings and advisories.

It is best to be prepared at all times, he added. (LCR/CdeOSP/PIA)

MisOr disaster council braces for floods, landslides as typhoon 'Yolanda' approaches

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Nov. 6 (PIA) – Disaster authorities in the province of Misamis Oriental are bracing for floods, mudflows and landslides in the event typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) enters the country, bringing with it heavy rains and winds.

Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chair, through Executive Order GYVBE No. 2013-010, directed on Wednesday, November 6, disaster authorities here to prepare disaster mitigating measures for floods, mudflows and landslides in the event typhoon Yolanda passes by, threatening floods and landslide-prone villages across the province.

Per EO, Gov. Emano said there is a need to ensure preparation by all disaster council within the province in order to prevent and / or mitigate any casualty and damage to residents and properties.

Further, the EO directed all Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (MDRRMCs) and Municipal Mayors to ensure the activation of the MCDRRMC.

It shall ensure all residents are informed of the gravity of situation and to encourage them to prepare for any eventuality and monitor all river sides, mountain sides, coastal areas and other flood prone areas 24 hours.

Likewise, residents should be informed of the situation, prepare them for pre-emptive evacuation and if necessary, implement the same including forced evacuation.

Evacuation centers should already be in place with necessary supplies and personnel on hand, and to inform the people of the location of the evacuation centers and coordinate with the Provincial DRRMC at telephone number (8822) 724347.

The governor said the foregoing actions are not limited but all actions necessary shall be undertaken based on assessment of the situation.

The national government through the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned of the impending arrival of Typhoon Yolanda which is expected to carry a maximum sustained wind of 150 kph with gusts of up to 185 kph and heavy rains.

Meanwhile, PAGASA Northern Mindanao weather specialist Anianita Fortich explains during RDRRMC special meeting on Nov. 6 that we need to prepare for the coming of typhoon Yolanda even though it is forecasted to hit largely in the Visayas region because it has a big probability that its track will change and hit Mindanao area because of presence of high pressure and Northeast Monsoon.

The formation of typhoon Yolanda is where TS Sendong was born. Also this is faster and with much more speed than Pablo.

Yolanda is expected to enter Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on  Nov. 7 morning.  Landfall will be November 8 Friday morning in Samar, Leyte. Ana Fortich of PAGASA says this is the 24th typhoon this year while another typhoon coming and will be named Zoraida. There are three expected typhoons in November while two in December. (EOR/PIA10)

DSWD readies food, non-food, funds for TS Yolanda

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY ---   The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 10 here has readied its food and non-food items, including a P4 million standby fund in preparation for the powerful cyclone Yolanda.

Lawyer Araceli F. Solamillo, DSWD Field Office 10 Regional Director, disclosed that a total of 11,858 family food packs are now ready for distribution to requesting local government units in the region.

Food Packs include coffee, rice, sardines and corned beef.

Meanwhile, packs of non-food items are also prepared here for distribution to possible victims of Tropical Storm Yolanda.

Non-Food items include basin, pail with cover, kettle, blanket, mosquito net, plastic mat, slippers, towel, ladles, mugs, knife, cups, bowl, spoon, plates, plastic water container, hygiene kit, frying pans, and thermos.

The regional director has also activated its Quick Response Team (QRT) whose members will render 24 hours duty starting today.

The QRT are composed of trained camp managers, psycho-social processing experts, and other personnel of the field office.

DSWD’s Disaster Risk Reduction Focal Person Glofelia Uayan also disclosed that cluster system approach among national and local government agencies is also activated as a powerful cyclone moves closer to the country.

Uayan said DSWD and other members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council are aiming for zero casualties.

Solamillo has also advised residents of flood-prone, low-lying, and coastal areas to be alert and be prepared in case of evacuation. (OBI/DSWD/PIA)