300 families on pre-emptive evacuation in Ozamiz receive “pabaon”

 By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 20 (PIA) – More than 300 families, who heeded the call for pre-emptive evacuation due to Tropical Depression (TD) Agaton, in Ozamiz City, were given incentives,  before they went back to their respective homes, yesterday, Jan. 19., in the morning.

These incentives from the City Government were in the form of food packs or “pabaon” containing five (5) kilograms of rice, three cans of sardines, two packs of instant noodles and one (1) can, each of corned-beef and meat-loaf, Mark Vincent C. Israel, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRM) Officer said.

In line with the government’s aim for zero casualties during disasters, the Local Government Units, upon the recommendation of the Local DRRM Council,  will adopt and implement pre-emptive and forced evacuation in areas declared to be in  imminent danger in times of disasters, such as, flood-prone, landslide-prone and storm-surge prone.

As of 4:00 p.m., Jan. 17, the center of TD Agaton was estimated, based on all available data at 165 km Northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur or 190 km East of Surigao City, and has remained almost stationary and was moving towards the Surigao Provinces.

This update on the location of TD Agaton from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), prompted the Ozamiz CDRRMC to call an emergency meeting, where it decided to effect, on Jan. 18, pre-emptive evacuation, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and forced evacuation, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in selected puroks of the following:

Flood-prone areas Barangays Ba?adero, Gango, Calabayan, Do?a Consuelo, Molicay, Carangan, Aguada, Maningcol and San Antonio and landslide-prone areas Purok 6, Malaubang, Guimad, Guingona, Trigos and Bongbong.

Storm-surge prone areas, Carmen Annex, Catadman, Manabay, Tinago, San Antonio, Do?a Consuelo, Tabid, Sinuza, Baybay Triunfo, Baybay San Roque, Baybay Sta. Cruz and Pulot.

But a PAGASA update at 4:00 p.m., Jan. 18 said TD Agaton has moved south-eastward position, with its center estimated, based on all available data, at 185 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur or at 305 km Southeast of Surigao City.

Seeing that Ozamiz City is no longer within the 300 km. diameter of TD Agaton, the pre-emptive evacuees returned to their respective homes, morning of Jan. 19. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

DBM releases P2.464M for death benefits of 172 barangays officials in October 2013

By: Rutchie C. Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 20 (PIA) – A total of P2.464 million have been released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to settle the death claims of beneficiaries of 172 barangay officials, nationwide, for the month of October, last year.

Of this amount, P880,000  or  35.71percent was released for 40 Punong Barangays (PB), P1.32 million or 53.57 percent for 110 Sangguniang Barangay Members (SBM), P144,000 or  5.84 percent for 12 Barangay Secretaries (BS), P108,000 or 4.83 percent for 9 Barangay Treasurers (BT) and P12,000 or .049 percent  for one (1) Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson (SKC).

Released through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), pursuant to Executive Order 115, death claims of beneficiaries of PB’s amounts to P22,000, each, for other barangay officials,  P12,000, each.

Meanwhile,  in Northern Mindanao, the October 2013 death claims amounting to P186,000 covered 13 barangay officials, three of whom were PB’s and 10 were SBM’s, Sanivier G. Patoc, Provincial Director of DILG in Misamis Occidental, said.

Except for Disolender M. Dimasimpan, PB of  Pangantapan, Salvador, Lanao del Norte, who died in July 6, 2012,  the two other PB’s died in 2013: Aragasi O. Bacua, Pili, Sapad, also of Lanao del Norte, July 12 and Ervin E. Pacheco, Barangay 32, Cagayan de Oro City, Sept. 16.

Three of the SBM’s were from Misamis Occidental, who all died, last year, namely: Torebio C. Benenoso of Poblacio, Sinacaban, Germano D. Dela Cruz of Yahong, Tudela, and Amador F. Marcaida of Ilisan, Plaridel, who died on April 13, August 12, and Sept. 4, respectively.

The other SBM’s, their barangays and dates of death, also in 2013 are as follows: Jesus V. Laguna, Dominorog, Talakag, May 7, and Rogelio A. Miomio, Palacapao, Quezon, August 14, both of Bukidnon and Bertito C. Legaspi of Sinalac, Initao, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 25.

Marino S. Guinabo, Pacita, Lala, Lanao del Norte, Aug. 14, Gonaranao M. Smith, Banco, Matungao, Aug. 8, Otie O. Maruhom, Payong, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Aug. 24,  and Mapunod M. Liawao, Small Banisilon, Tangkal, July 18.(RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

CdeO, MisOr suspend classes due to TD ‘Agaton’

By: Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 20 (PIA) –Tropical Depression (TD) ‘Agaton,’ the first to land in the country for this year, has pushed local government units in Cagayan de Oro City and province of Misamis Oriental to suspend classes.

With water level of river basin rising during the weekend, and rain forecast which posted as Moderate to Heavy, the CdeO City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council here with the coordination of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Department of Education prompted to suspend classes for all preschool and elementary in both private and public schools for the whole day today, January 20.

Likewise, due to possible rain-induced landslides, classes for high school are also suspended in the following barangays only: Besigan, Tignapoloan, Tumpagon, Pigsan-an, Tuburan, Tagpangi, Taglimao, and San Simon. However, for areas not mentioned, classes for high school shall continue.

On the other hand, Governor Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano of Misamis Oriental also ordered suspension of classes in all levels in the province.

According to PAGASA at 4:00 a.m.  today, January 20, the center of Tropical Depression “Agaton” was estimated based on all available data at 230 km Southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur or at 230 km East of Davao City (7.0°n, 127.9°e).

With strength maximum winds of 55 kph near the center, it is forecasted to move West Southwest at 5 kph.

Tropical Depression “Agaton” is expected to be at 140 km Southeast of Davao City or at 185 km Southeast of Gen. Santos city tomorrow morning and at 60 km East of Gen. Santos City by Wednesday morning. By Thursday morning, it is expected to be at 140 km Southwest of Gen. Santos City.

It is expected to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over Northern Mindanao and the rest of CARAGA region. (JMOR/PIA10)

NFA Bukidnon urges LGUs to enact laws for wiser rice consumption

By: Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, January 20 (PIA)—The National Food Authority (NFA) has intensified its campaign to curb rice wastage by urging local government units (LGUs) to formulate, issue policies, and enact laws for wiser rice consumption.

NFA Bukidnon provincial Manager Victoria Real-Duray said that LGUs can take the lead in addressing rice wastage by making it mandatory for restaurants, fast foods, and eateries in their respective localities to have one-half cup of rice serving in their menu.

“LGUs could pass an ordinance requiring cafeterias, canteens, schools, offices, hospitals, caterers, and other related food services to include half-cup rice serving during caterings and plated meals,” she said.

She, however, clarified that the ordinance does not really aim to cut the rice consumption of Bukidnons, since rice is our major source of carbohydrates.

The proposal for LGUs to have half-cup serving available basically aims to help reduce rice wastage. It is to give everyone the option or freedom to order what they can only eat to avoid rice left-over, she added.

Data from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), meanwhile, showed that Filipinos waste an average 2.5 tablespoons of rice daily, which result in a total of P6.2 billion worth of rice thrown away every year. PhilRice said this is enough to feed 2.6 million Filipinos every year.

“On that premise, Maramag LGU, in a document, affirmed support by stating that they would enact laws to encourage public and private sectors to become responsible rice consumers, which is in line with the government’s rice self-sufficiency program,” Duray said. (RLRB/PIA 10, Bukidnon)