TD Agaton leaves 1 casualty in Misamis Occidental

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan.21(PIA) – At least one person drowned in Barangay Taboc Sur, this city, yesterday, Jan. 20, due to heavy rains brought about by  Tropical Depression Agaton.

This has brought to three the number of casualties  in Misamis Occidental after two persons died, due to the low pressure area (LPA) last Jan. 13: Arlene Abing Fuentes, 13 years old, who drowned in Macabayao River, Jimenez town; and Richard B. Aljas, 31, of barangay Libertad, Calamba who was electrocuted.

A high tension wire dropped to the ground after it was hit by broken tree branches, morning of Jan. 13, when Aljas accidentally stepped on it, after alighting from his vehicle, Gain Paul De Barras, Provincial Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Officer, said.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s heavy rains and strong winds, also, caused the suspension and has resumed, today, Jan. 21, classes in all levels, both public and private schools in the towns of Clarin, Tudela, Sinacaban, Jimenez and Aloran and in selected schools of Panaon,  specifically, those located along rivers, to ensure the safety of schoolchildren and students, he said.

On the other hand, De Barras said two fishermen from Taboc Norte, Oroquieta City, namely: Danilo Gimena and Raul Rivera, 52, and 23, respectively, were reported missing, last Saturday, Jan. 18, but werefound alive and safe after they landed in Initao town, Misamis Oriental.

Last Jan. 12, another fisherman from barangay Sinono, Sinacaban, also went missing, but eventually landed safely in the town of Maigo, Lanao del Norte, just across Misamis Occidental, De Barras, said. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Rain no longer a life-threat, classes resume in Ozamiz

By: Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 21 (PIA) – While threats of rains continue  in Ozamiz City, the rain is no longer life-threatening, the Ozamiz City Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) said.

Given this information, together with the forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), combined with the analysis of all other reliable international forecasting agencies, the OCDRRMC no longer recommended to the City Mayor the cancellation of classes today, Jan. 21.

Thus, classes in all levels, both of public and private schools in the City, has resumed, today, Jan. 21, after all rainfall advisories over Mindanao have been terminated, as of 7:35 p.m., last night, Mark Vincent C. Israel, Ozamiz CDRRM Officer, said.

Unlike the day before, the CDRRMC stood by its decision to continue with the cancellation of classes on Jan. 20, in all levels of public and private schools in the city because the threat of Tropical Depression (TD) Agaton was still there.

“Either big or small, we are on the side of caution, thus the decision to continue the cancellation,” which begun on Jan. 18 and continued the next day Jan. 19, until Jan. 20, Israel, said.

Meanwhile,  light to moderate rains over portions of Bukidnon, Camiguin Island, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Sur, Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan de Sur, Lanao del Sur and Surigao del Norte and nearby areas,  may continue for 1-2 hours, causing floods, even after TD Agaton has weakened into a low pressure area (LPA).

"Rest assured, we will continue to monitor the situation and if there will be changes in the current trend of the the LPA that will warrant a new decision, the OCDRRMC Office will react accordingly and recommend a new solution," Israel said.

With Climate Change, this is now the new norm. We have to adapt, the CDRRM Officer added. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental) 

Maramag LGU pushes anti-wastage ordinance

By Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, January 21 (PIA) — Policy-makers of the local government unit (LGU) of Maramag in Bukidnon has crafted an ordinance that would help address the country’s problem on rice wastage.

This, after the National Food Authority (NFA) sounded the call of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to encourage the general public to be prudent in rice consumption.

Joseph D. Palmada, chairman of the committee on agriculture in Maramag’s Sangguniang Bayan, said their proposal intends to help minimize wastage of rice in the food service industry and boost economic prosperity in the locality.

“Once enacted, the ordinance would require restaurants, fast food chains, cafeterias, and caterers, to include one-half cup serving of cooked rice in their menu,” he said.

It also requires canteens in schools, hospitals, offices, and other related food service industry operating in Maramag town to include half-cup rice serving during caterings and plated meals, he added.

The ordinance provides that any food service provider found violating the stated law shall be fined P2,500.00 and take the brunt of license or business permit revocation.

Palmada explained the policy was not meant to discourage people from eating rice, but to ensure that they will be served only the quantity they could eat to avoid left-over.

It can even help those who are at times short of budget because the price of half-cup in the proposed ordinance is also half the price of ‘one cup serving,’ Palmada said.

Citing the DA’s data, he said Filipinos throw away at least 2.5 tablespoons every day or about P6.2 billion worth of rice wasted every year, which is enough to feed 2.6 million Filipinos every year.

“I hope more people would take in having half-cup of rice available and/or default in the food service industry, which is in support to the rice self-sufficiency program of President Benigno S. Aquino III through the Agri-Pinoy program,” Palmada said. (RLRB/PIA 10, Bukidnon)