DTI Bukidnon intensifies inspection of repair service shops

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, February 5—Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Bukidnon has intensified its inspection of service repair shops in the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia as the year 2014 starts.

This is to regulate service and repair enterprises for motor vehicles and appliances, as ordered under Presidential Decree No. 1572 mandating the DTI to make routine inspection of the said industry.

DTI Provincial Director Ermedio J. Abang said the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7394) require the accreditation of such repair shops.

P.D. No. 1572 and R.A. 7394 aim to safeguard the interest of the public against unethical, unfair and incompetent practice of service and repair shops. We are intensifying careful inspection in order to find out whether regulations are being obeyed, Abang said.

The inspection activity also aims to protect reliable and competent service repair shops against such malpractices which undermine their good name and established reputation.

Abang said the promotion and development of service and repair will hasten technological development and encourage professionalism to assure the public of reliable, ethical and competent services.

Hence, DTI has asked new shops not only to register their business names but also to apply for shop accreditation. “Accredited shop owners, likewise, are reminded to renew their accreditation,” Abang said. (Eriberto Taban-ud Jr., DTI/RLRB PIA 10, Bukidnon)

2014 Palarong ARMMAA kicks off on Feb. 10 

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Feb. 5 (PIA) --- A colorful parade of athletes and officials from the nine school divisions in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will mark the opening of this year’s ARMM Athletic Association meet on February 10.

Key education officials of the region as well as officials from the province of Lanao del Sur and the city of Marawi will join the delegates in the parade, Monday morning, from Banggolo to the Mindanao State University (MSU) Oval, this city, where the opening ceremonies for the regional sports meet will be held.

Marawi Schools Division Superintendent Mona Macatanong said city mayor Fahad Salic, provincial governor Mamintal Adiong Jr, and MSU president Macapado Muslim will welcome the different delegations during the opening ceremonies.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Nurbert Sahali and Tawi-Tawi Schools Division Superintendent Nuhailah Amirulhadj will also turnover the ARMMAA sports banner to Mayor Salic and Superintendent Macatanong, hosts for this year’s Palarong ARMMAA.

The opening ceremonies of the tournament will be highlighted by the hoisting of the ARMMAA sports banner and delegation banners, sounding of agong and kulintang, and symbolic releasing of doves and balloons.

Macatanong said ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman will also grace the historic event in the city.

To make the event memorable, special night programs will also be held from February 9 to February 14 to be sponsored by city market superintendent Samer Salic and Marawi Traders Association president Moh’d Batabor, city mayor Salic, Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative (LASURECO) general manager Ashary Maongco, Sanggunian Panglunsod, Marawi City Private Schools Association, and Marawi United Barangay Association, respectively. (APB/PIA-10)

SP approves Ozamiz 2014 Annual Investment Plan for P64.31M

By Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 4 (PIA) – The Sangguniang Panglungsod of Ozamiz City has approved the city’s 2014 Annual Investment Plan (AIP) in the amount of P64.31 million, to be taken from the 20% Development Fund Component of the city.

Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog Sr., said the programs, projects and activities (PPA) of the AIP are as follows: amortization of loans for development projects, P48.21 million; Bottom-up Budgeting-Local Poverty Reduction Action Projects (BUB-LPRAP) Counterpart, P3.35 million; and preferred development investment support projects, P2.55 million.

Farm to market roads improvement, P4.25 million; integrated livelihood programs, P1.55 million; economic enterprise facilities improvement, P1.425 million; and solid waste and ecological management, P1.0 million; acquisition of evacuation/ relocation site for Barangay Carangan, P800,000; environmental management, P590,000; and agricultural livelihood sustainability program and livestock,  P572,840.

Parojinog said particularly, programmed under the amortization of loans for development projects are Mindanao Basic Urban Services Sector Project (MBUSSP), P21.57 million; S2 Local Development Investment Program (LDIP) Equipment, P20,08 million; Sanitary Land Fill (SLF) Development, P3,23 million; and construction support facilities, Local Government Finance for Development (LOGOFIND), P3,34 million.

Included among the BUB-LPRAP projects counterpart are the concreting of the following barangay roads: Labinay, P400,000; and Kinuman Sur, Tabid and Kinuman Norte to Guimad, P500,000, each; and Cavinte, P193,000; and acquisition of farm tractor, P360,000, and  business and tourism promotion collaterals, P200,000.

Procurement of seaweeds processing equipment and utensils, P25,000; starter kit project for the urban poor, P220,000; starter kits for porters, P125,000; and skills training for sustainable livelihood project for women, P60,000; seaweeds dispersal; P75,000, seaweeds stilt dryer, P90,000; procurement of bottom gillnets, P25,000; establishment of tilapia hatchery using concrete tanks, P60,000; and high value vegetable production, P20,000.

The FMR improvements will include those of Poblacion, Barangay Montol to Tipan, P2.0million; Carangan, P1.2 million; Liposong, P900,000; and Sangay Daku- Sangay Diot foot bridge, P150,000.         

Meanwhile, Parojinog said programmed under integrated livelihood are the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES), P500,000; Micro Enterprise Livelihood Assistance, P100,000; Out-of-School (OSY) Job-Directed Trainings, P800,000; Millennium Development Goals-Family Based Actions on Children and their Environs in the Slum (MDG-FACES) Livelihood Assistance, P100,000; and Jobs Fair, P50,000. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)

Cagayan de Oro business forum slated on Feb. 12

                                                                                                 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 5 -- A one-day business forum dubbed “Connect and Do Business in Cagayan de Oro” will unfold on February 12 at the Intercontinental Manila in Makati City.

The forum is organized by the city’s Investment Promotions Center in partnership with USAID, Promote Cagayan de Oro Foundation, and the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce (Oro Chamber).

“Through this business forum, we intend to interest domestic and international investors in the identified growth areas in Cagayan de Oro, ranked by the National Competitiveness Council as the most competitive city in the Philippines today,” said Eileen E. San Juan, the main organizer of the business forum.

The morning sessions of the business forum will be highlighted by the talks of Dr. Bernardo M. Villegas, the director for research and communication at the Center for Research and Communication, who will discuss “How the Rapid Growth of the Philippine Economy Impacts on Cagayan de Oro,” and of Dr. Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr., professor at the School of Economics at the University of the Philippines, who will tackle “Region X Economic Situation and Prospects.”

Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar S. Moreno will deliver the keynote speech, “Championing Northern Mindanao’s Inclusive Development.”

This will be followed by testimonials of influential business locators titled “Cagayan de Oro: The Right Choice for Business.”

During the luncheon, messages of support will be given by Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero and Ms. Gloria D. Steele, mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Cagayan de Oro City is a USAID partner under the “Cities Development Initiative,” which aims to empower secondary cities as engines of growth by strengthening and enhancing their competitive advantage. The other Philippine cities in this program are Batangas City and Iloilo City.

For more information about the business forum or to register for the same forum, contact the following: Manila secretariat at 926.0224, 514.5714, or 0917.8274518; or the Cagayan de Oro secretariat at 0916.1705993. (Cagayan de Oro City Information Network/PIA)

Marawi City to host 2014 ARMM reg’l sports meet

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Feb. 4 (PIA) --- Marawi City, the lone Islamic city in the country, will play host to this year’s Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Athletic Association (ARMMAA) meet, popularly known as Palarong ARMMAA.

The regional sports meet will run from February 10 to February 15 with the theme “Bridging Gaps: Towards Unity, Through Sports”, said Marawi City School Division Superintendent Mona Macatanong during the airing of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Ozor ka, Ranao! radio program Monday, February 3.

She said they are expecting some 7,000 athletes, coaches and education officials coming from the nine schools division in the autonomous region to gather for the Palarong ARMMAA.

ARMM comprises of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi including the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

Macatanong said the holding of the weeklong sports event here will not only showcase the athletic skills of ARMM students but will also the tourism potential of the city.

“It will also boost or create economic opportunities in the city as well as show that Marawi is indeed a peaceful city,” she further said. (APB/PIA-10)

Interfaith dialogue in Iligan highlights World Interfaith Harmony Week

By Lorry V. Gabule

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte, February 4 (PIA)— An interfaith dialogue through Church-Masjid visitations activity among people of various faiths highlights the observance of the World Interfaith Harmony Week here in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte.

A mosque or Masjid is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The mosque serves as a place where Muslims can come together for salat (prayer) as well as a center for information, education, and dispute settlement. The imam leads the congregation in prayer.

The week celebration slated every February 1-7 is pursuant to the United Nations Resolution 65/5 adopted last October 2010 declaring the first week of February as the World Interfaith Harmony Week which gives importance and emphasis on interreligious dialogue and understanding as a way of bridging people.

It’s a way of enhancing mutual respect, understanding and unity among people of different beliefs and cultures, said Musa Mohamad Sanguila, director, Pakigdait Incorporated, Iligan City/Lanao del Norte.

Pakigdait, Inc. is spearheading the visitation on February 5, 2014 at Poblacion, Matungao, Lanao Del Norte, in coordination with religious and secular leaders from around the city and in this province.

The program starts with an interfaith prayer followed by a welcome remarks of the host town Mayor Aisha Azis and the presentation of the objective and rationale of the activity by Pakigdait Director Sanguila.

Sr. Liza Ruedas of Ranaw Muslim Christian Dialogue for Peace is tasked to do the Reading of the Resolution 65/5–World Interfaith Harmony Week.

Giving a minute to share their statement of peace and support are Prof. Sukarno Tanggol, chancellor, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT); Col. Demy T. Tejares, brigade commander, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army; P/SSupt. Madid M. Paitao, provincial director, Police Provincial Office-Philippine National Police, Lanao del Norte; Bishop Stephen L. Villaester, chairperson, Interfaith Council; Capt. Mohd Izzudin Ahmad of International Monitoring Team (IMT); and Kamran Shah of Non-Violent Peaceforce. Board Member Grecille I. Matalines of the First District, Lanao del Norte also give her message of peace and support representing the provincial government.

Invited as keynote speaker of the day is Dr. Potre Diampuan, the Regional Coordinator of the United Religions Initiative-Southeast Asia and the Pacific (URI-SEAPac).

The program ends with a sharing of the Beliefs and Practices by the Host Religion: Islam, and an open forum is handled by the moderator Director Sanguila.

Pakigdait ug Pag-Amoma Alang sa Kalinaw or Pakigdait, Inc. is an interfaith grassroot peacebuilding civil society organization based in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte. It has four services which cater to Grassroots Peacebuilding Programs, Conflict Resolution, Management and Transformation Programs, Peace Advocacy, LGU Engagement and Networking Programs, and Community Enterprise and Micro-Project for Peace Programs.

In his statement, Rev. Fr. Regino R. Quijano, Chairman of the Board Director, Pakigdait Inc. said, “In the community where the conflict is present, peace can be planted and nurtured.” (LVG/PIA-10 LDN)

Northern Mindanao LGUs to avail P205 million Salintubig projects in 2014

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 4 -- Fifty-three municipalities and three cities of Northern Mindanao are target beneficiaries of the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG) project this 2014.

SALINTUBIG is a project of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), designed to provide water supply systems to waterless municipalities, barangays, health centers, resettlement sites, said Atty. Rene K. Burdeos, Regional Director, DILG, region 10. 

The project also aims to enhance the capacity of the local government units (LGUs) and water service providers in the planning, implementation and operation of water supply facilities.

Burdeos said 16 of the target beneficiaries come from the province of Bukidnon with a total of fund allocation of P61,680.296.98; 14 from Lanao del Norte, P55,334,219.75; 11 from Misamis Occidental, P51,112,375; 10 from Misamis Oriental, P35,585,925; and two from Camiguin, P1,735,000.

Hence, DILG Region 10 is slated to release a total of P205,447,816.73 for Calendar Year 2014 fund allocation to these 56 local government units that will qualify for the project, he said.  (Ana Celeste W. Felisilda/DILG/PIA10)

Sapad Town in Lanao del Norte inaugurates new municipal hall

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 3 -- The municipality of Sapad in Lanao del Norte completed on January 28, this year its two Storey Municipal Hall and Furniture Projects.

The project, amounted to P27,983,025.89, is funded by the Mindanao Development Fund Office (MDFO), Department of Finance, through the Mindanao Basic Urban Sector Services Program (MBUSSP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 10, said Atty. Rene K. Burdeos, DILG-10 Regional Director.

One of the significant activities during the ceremony was the cutting of ribbon by Vice Governor Ma. Christina N. Atay and Mayor Paruk U. Asis followed by blessing of the building by the Sapad Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Sandy Mallorca.

Meanwhile, MBUSSP is a six-year sector development project of DILG which intends to provide institutional capacity-building program and to pursue urban infrastructure investment support to participating Local Government Units (LGUs) in Mindanao. This project also provides technical assistance and advisory in services to participating LGUs for essential urban infrastructure services, Atty. Burdeos said.

According to Burdeos, the MDFO created the Municipal Development Fund Project (MDFP) through Resolution No. 05-05-25-2006.

Further, this new financing window is in response to the increasing demand of LGUs for better financing terms for the implementation of their priority development projects.

Utilizing the Municipal Development Fund-Second Generation Fund (MDF-SGF), this new lending facility offers comparative interest rates for LGU investment projects, said Burdeos. (Ana Celeste W. Felisilda/DILG/PIA10)