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Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Cagayan de Oro City Public Market

The river of cagayan de oro city

St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:

The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Flood Waters in the streets of Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro City Buildings

Bus Terminal, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

More poor families to get basic services

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/04/10/more-poor-families-get-basic-services-401855
Friday, April 10, 2015

By Butch D. Enerio

WITH the second round of properly assessing the poor in Northern Mindanao, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is anticipating more poor Filipinos can be enrolled in the conditional cash transfer program or 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) through holding the agency’s “Listahan – Talaan ng Pamilyang Nangangailangan (Listahan)” or the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction for the second quarter this year.

The Listahanan, which is conducted nationwide, started in 2008. It registered 700,000 respondents and only 400,000 were provided with the needed interventions by the government. These respondents would be reclassified in the second round based on the levels of wellbeing with regard to survival, subsistence and self-sufficiency while the others will be re-evaluated.

The majority of the more than 400,000 respondents have become beneficiaries of 4Ps and received the basic services from the different government agencies involved in 4Ps.

Ian Putong, DSWD regional field coordinator, said the second round gathering of data would be more reliable, fast and with less error compared to the previous survey.

“With the advance technology that the DSWD is using in data gathering, we are hopeful that the Listahanan would come out with less error, particularly on the 'inclusion and exclusion' issue where respondents were falsely categorized and listed as poor while the real poor were not included, notwithstanding when respondents misrepresent themselves and gave false answers to the questionnaires,” Putong said.

He said the re-evaluation process of the respondents is required for the DSWD to come up with a more credible data base that will also be the basis for other agencies to identify and locate the poor families, potential beneficiaries of social protection programs and services.

DSWD said that in Northern Mindanao’s upcoming Listahan, it would require about P81-million fund based on the work and financial plan of the department. The endeavor will require 2,505 field workers to accomplish the data gathering in 135 days.

Holding it in the entire country, the Listahahn project will cover an estimated 15 million poor households in all rural and urban areas. And the project would need 48,000 field staff who will be using tablets, servers, laptops and other information technology equipment for fast dissemination of data collected to the DSWD central office.

Putong said it was unfortunate that a considerable number of those who were already beneficiaries of the 4Ps and delisted or dropped from the rolls after committing violations. He did not elaborate.

DSWD-Northern Mindanao has at present more than 260,000 active 4Ps beneficiaries whose economic lives have changed for the better, their children sent to school and are in good health.

“We are happy of this development and we hope to reach out to more of our citizens, identify and locate them so that they will enjoy the basic services the government affords them,” Putong said.

DOH announces vaccination of children, infants in Northern Mindanao

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=7&rid=751739
Thursday, April 9, 2015

(PNA), LAP/CD/ERCEL MAANDIG/CD/EDS

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 9 (PNA) –- The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday announced a region wide vaccination of infants and children on April 15.

Dubbed as “Garantisadong Pambata Vaccination” (Guaranteed Vaccine for Children), the program covers nine cities (including Cagayan De Oro) and six municipalities in Northern Mindanao.

Josephine L. Ibalio, of the DOH Integrated Helminthiasis Program, said that the program covers all infants six weeks to 11 months old in areas covered.

She said that the vaccination involves deworming, measles, pertussis, mumps, German measles.

The DOH will also conduct feeding program under the supervision of its Nutrition Program, Ibalio said.

She said that the DOH, with the help of the Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Nutrition Scholars, would also start the advocacy throughout the country like the exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months.

The DOH will launch the vaccination and other health packages simultaneously in the region, Ibalio said.

Mindanao Power Forum tackles Agus-Pulangui Privatization Issues

Source: http://www.kagay-an.com/mindanao-power-forum-tackles-agus-pulangui-privatization-issues/
Wednesday, April 8, 2015

By Mike Baños

Two of Mindanao’s leading advocates for reliable and cheap electricity have joined hands to bring more transparency to some apparently contradicting energy policies of government and proffer possible solutions acceptable to all stakeholders.

The Integrated Institute of Electrical Engineers-Cagayan de Oro Chapter (IIEE-CdO) and the Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers (MCPC) will bring the third edition of the Mindanao Power Forum as a side event of the 19th IIEE Northern Mindanao Regional Conference (NMRC) scheduled for April 9-11, 2015 at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

Dubbed “Mindanao Power Forum Update III” the forum, co-sponsored by the Alsons Power Group, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines and STEAG State Power, Inc. will focus on the theme “Privatizing Agus-Pulangi: Balancing the Interests of Stakeholders in the Mindanao Grid” and will be held Friday, 10 April 2015 from 1:00-5:00PM at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel Function Room.

“We have sought this partnership with the IIEE to enable the ordinary consumer, private distribution utilities, rural electric cooperatives and other stakeholders in the Mindanao power industry to come together in an annual forum to discuss issues affecting the island’s power grid and map out possible solutions in an objective platform of unity and cooperation, rather than confrontation and distrust,” said Engr. David A. Tauli, president and spokesman of the Mindanao Coalition of Power Consumers (MCPC).

“We have organized this third edition of the Mindanao Power Forum specifically to update our members in IIEE-NMRC on the current power issues affecting our island,” said Engr. Nonito A. Oclarit. VP-External Affairs of the host IIEE-CdO Chapter.

This year’s theme focuses on the impending privatization of the capacities of government owned generating facilities, particularly the Agus-Pulangui hydropower complex which provides over half of the island’s electricity.

To place the discussion in its proper context, Engr. Cereal C. Donggay, former Vice-President for Mindanao of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and currently president of the Oro Chamber, will render an overview on “The Evolving Power Mix in the Mindanao Grid and the Crucial Role of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complex in the Long-Term Energy Outlook.”

As Napocor’s former VP for Mindanao, Engr. Donggay will relate how the grid was managed in the past to keep the prices of electricity low and brownouts to a minimum.

Also sharing his experience as former Napocor President and Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Guido Alfredo A. Delgado with his topic “Privatizing the Agus and Pulangi Hydropower Plants: An Alternative.”

He will be followed by Dr. Ricardo E. Rotoras, D’Engg., president of the Mindanao University of Science and Technology on “The Rationale and Implications to the Mindanao Grid of the privatization of the contracted capacities of the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plants.”

Not the least, Engr. Tauli will discourse on “The People’s Agenda for the Mindanao Power Corporation” to clarify what exactly the proposed MPC aims to achieve.

Among the distinguished members of the panel of reactors representing the various stakeholders in the Mindanao electricity industry are Atty. Beatriz Irina Denise C. Alazas, Manager, Energy Trading Department, Power Sector Assets & Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM);

Dr. Alan T. Ortiz, President & COO, SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., San Miguel Corporation and former president of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO); Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan, Executive Director, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC); Rep. Edgardo R. Masongsong, 1-CARE Party List, Congress of the Philippines; Mr. Ralph U. Paguio, Senior Vice President, CEPALCO; Engr. Eugene H. Bicar, Head-Mindanao Systems Operations, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP)’ and Mr. Romeo M. Montenegro, Director for Investment Promotion and Public Affairs, Mindanao Development Authority (MindDA) and executive director of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC).

The Open Forum will be moderated by Mr. Clint Django G. Pacana, Executive Director, Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (AMRECO) and the day’s proceedings will be synthesized and summarized by Atty. Dionel O. Albina, PENG, Research Head, Institute of Power Economics (IPSEC), MUST.

The forum is open to the public for a P300 entrance fee to cover the costs of snacks, handouts and other consumables. For further inquiries, interested participants are invited to contact Committee Chair, Engr. Nonito A. Oclarit through email at iiee.cdochapter@gmail.com or through mobile No: 0917-563-3300. You may also contact the forum staff Ms. Jessa Aparece at mobile no. 0906-179-5219 or Landline/Fax No: (088) 857-7993.

Additional information are also available from our Media Partners BusinessWeek Mindanao and Mindanao Daily News (exclusive media partners), Parasat Cable TV and Jade Cable TV Systems, and our social media partners CDO.Dev.Com (Progress Watch: Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental), clix.com.ph (Cagayan de Oro’s Premier Go-To Site) and Kagay-an.com, Online News from Cagayan de Oro. The Cagayan de Oro Energy Press Corps is the forum’s exclusive media coverage partners.

Oro gov't ready for dry spell impact

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/04/07/oro-govt-ready-dry-spell-impact-401322
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 22:29

By Butch D. Enerio

“IF RAIN doesn’t come in May, the negative effect of the long dry spell to the agriculture sector in the city would be tremendous,” said Hector San Juan, city agriculturist.

But San Juan allayed the apprehensions of farmers, saying the City Government is prepared to address the eventualities, despite funding constraints, owing to the ready support that the national line agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA), which assured of ample supply of seeds of the different crops that are traditionally grown in the city’s hinterlands.

“We have already in the pipeline rehabilitation measures if in case the dry season is prolonged and all the available seeds and inputs would be accorded to farmers for their early economic recovery,” San Juan said.

He said the Moreno Administration is currently doing some direct interventions that would lessen the impact of the dry season, apart from the El Niño’s likelihood to affect the rainfall pattern in the different parts of the country.

Such interventions, other than logistical support, include the continuing education to farmers with regard to crops best suited for planting and which are not heavily dependent on water like cassava, sweet potato and other root crops.

At present, the City Agriculture Office (CAO) has encouraged farmers to start land preparation so that when rain comes, right away they could jumpstart the planting season.

San Juan said that CAO area coordinators are closely monitoring the conditions of the farms, including the livestock where operators are given guidance on the proper nutrition and maintain animal health by providing shed and water for their stocks, preserve food as early as now while there are still grasses that can be cut for silage making.

CAO said that with the El Niño, which is expected to last until middle of the year, grasses that have dried can still be cut and fed to the animals by adding molasses to make them still be palatable.

CAO also cited the importance of vaccinating the animals for protection against viruses and diseases.

“We have also advised farmers in areas where there is still moisture to plant vegetables, early maturing or short duration crops such as sweet pepper, alugbati, mungbean since the seeds of these crops are available,” San Juan said.

He said the DA is pushing for the use of organic fertilizers, which CAO has already taught to the farmers during trainings conducted by the DA.

For the corn farmers, CAO has encouraged to make sure that there is enough soil moisture when sowing the seeds and source of water is available. The DA has pollinated variety of corn seeds to be distributed to farmers affected by the drought. In case there is no more soil moisture, the farmers are advised not to plant.

He said although the city has its long-term plan to construct an irrigation system, CAO has advised farmers to prepare water catchments and practice water conservation.

Lumbia-Pagalungan road project begins

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2601428279516/lumbia-pagalungan-road-project-begins
Monday, April 6, 2015

(CIO/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 6 (PIA) -- The concreting of the Lumbia-Pagalungan road by the City Engineering Office has already started, aiming to help residents and farmers hasten the transport of agricultural products to the markets.

Led by Engr. Rolando Pacuribot, the project costs more than P13 million and is one of the road projects undertaken by the administration of city mayor Oscar Moreno.

The mayor wants all roads leading to and from the agricultural areas paved.

The farm-to-market roads (FMRs) is part of the 8-point agenda of mayor Moreno.

Only 10 percent of the total project cost comes from the equity of the local government while the rest is shouldered by the Department of Agriculture.

To date, completed FMRs were implemented in barangay Lumbia, Tagpangi, sitio Sili-Sili in barangay Pagatpat, barangay Baikingon, Pagalungan, Canitoan, Besigan, and Tignapoloan.

Priest washes feet of city’s poor

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/priest-washes-feet-of-citys-poor/173392/
Saturday, April 4, 2015 9:43 pm

By Raymund F. Antonio (CORRESPONDENT)

CAGAYAN DE ORO: Emulating Pope Francis’ gesture to wash the feet of inmates at a prison in Rome on Maundy Thursday, a priest here washed, dried and kissed the feet of the city’s poorest and most vulnerable.

In a recast of an age-old ritual at a church located within a posh township, Fr. Florencio Salvador, chaplain at the St. Francis Xavier chaplaincy in the city’s Pueblo de Oro Estates, washed the feet of at least a dozen poor, including the mentally challenged, the survivors of domestic abuse and those struggling with drug addiction.

Fr. Salvador washed the feet of people from shelters and rehabilitation centers run by the Roman Catholic Church’s various social action ministries.

The Thursday rituals recalled the biblical instance when Jesus Christ washed the feet of a dozen disciples before breaking bread with them shortly before he was arrested and crucified.

Traditionally, Vatican rules that the ritual washing of the feet is exclusively for males as Christ did it on his 12 all-male apostles.

But barely two weeks after Pope Francis became the top vicar of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013, he broke tradition by washing the feet of young people, including those of a young woman living with AIDS at a detention center. Last year, he washed the feet of the elderly and disabled, including those of other religious affiliations.

For Mary G., 23, a ward at the House of Hope, a facility for the mentally challenged managed by the Missionary Congregation of Mary, the opportunity came unexpected. She was planning to do something else that afternoon when she was informed. She came as an eleventh-hour replacement for someone else who got ill.

“Spiritual belief is part of my healing practice. Before I got ill, I was already a church-goer and I sing in church as part of the church band of a Christian denomination, but the experience last Thursday was way beyond my wildest imagination. I was partly shy, partly proud during the ritual. As the priest washed my feet, I prayed hard that I will recover completely and be with my family again and able to go back to school,” she said.

Inspired by the gestures of Pope Francis, early in March, as the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro was celebrating Social Action Month, Fr. Salvador invited representatives from rehabilitation centers.

He said that changing the participants of the ritual also highlights themes of the Year of the Poor among the church-goers in his chaplaincy and instills the inclusion of the poor in development plans for the communities, he added.

In November last year, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippine declared 2015 as Year of the Poor in anticipation of papal visit to the country last January.

Fr. Salvador also stressed that while the St. Francis Xavier chaplaincy serves communities residing in the two upscale subdivisions of Xavier Estates and Pueblo de Oro, it is also open to residents of a host of working-class subdivisions in their peripheries as well as that of nearby resettlement sites of survivors of typhoon Sendong in 2011.

Blatant smuggling by CDO trader bared

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/blatant-smuggling-by-cdo-trader-bared/
Friday, April 3, 2015

By Raymund F. Antonio

Despite the string of cases filed against it by the Bureau of Customs (BOC), a Cagayan De Oro City-based trading company has the arrogance to continue engaging in smuggling activities at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

This was the accusation made by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) at the Cagayan de Oro port officer-in-charge Alvin Enciso as he bared that New Dawn Enterprises tried to illegally import 46 containers of plywood last January.

“The shipment was misdeclared as phenolic board since it doesn’t require an ICC (Import Commodity Clearance),” Enciso said yesterday.

He said that New Dawn Enterprises did not obtain import permit and registration from the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and clearance from the country’s Wood Producers Association.

It is the Bureau of Product Standards-Department of Trade and Industry (BPS-DTI) that issues ICC for plywood shipment which should be allowed entry in Philippine ports.

Estimates showed that the intercepted plywood shipment from China was worth P60 million.

BOC may delist New Dawn Enterprises from its accredited importers transacting with the agency for its continued unlawful violation of Customs laws and regulations.

BOC already charged the importing firm twice before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in previous months for its illegal importation of rice and agricultural products last year.

Customs authorities in CDO have been making headway in its relentless campaign against smuggling.

Just last year, port collector Claudia Alameda issued 59 warrants of seizure and detention on various shipments. Among these were glutinous rice, carrots, garlic, used clothing, potatoes, plywood, and motor vehicles.

(Lenten Feature) All roads lead to the ‘Virgin of Guadalupe’ in Cagayan De Oro

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=10&rid=750038
Thursday, April 2, 2015

By Cris Diaz [(PNA), RMA/CD/CD]

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 2 (PNA) – Thousands of devotees on Holy Thursday teamed towards the "Virgin of Guadalupe Shrine" in the mountainous villages of Cagayan De Oro City’s southeastern outskirts to fulfill the vow in the Season of Lent.

The Virgin of Guadalupe Shrine is located on Impalalay Hills, the landlocked borders of the villages of Balubal and Tablon, accessible by wading nine rivers – each planted with nine Stations of the Cross, too.

For some devotees, the sacrifice of climbing the mountain during the Holy Week to pay homage to the “Virgin of Guadalupe” in Cagayan De Oro City is a vow of a lifetime.

“I will always be around until the end of my life,” says Erlinda, 71, of Salay, Misamis Oriental, who have fulfilled her vow for the last 21 years of trekking toward the shrine every Holy Week.

Erlinda said her family helped in the construction of the Chapel at the “Virgin of Guadalupe Shrine.” Her family is one of the devotees who make sure that the site is always up keep.

Ramen Gondi, 45, a carpenter-mason also of Salay, Misamis Oriental, said his life changed after the first visit to the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1994.

“For more than 10 years, I have been coming here every Holy Week and the Virgin of Guadalupe has provided my family more than all the things that we have asked for,” Gondi said.

One of the most revered visitors of the “Virgin of Guadulupe” on Holy Thursday is Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, 72, the head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro City.

Ledesma, who walked all the way to the Virgin of Guadalupe Shrine Thursday morning, has expressed elation over the peculiar serenity and the natural beauty of the place.

He was impressed with the discipline of the devotees who observed contemplative silence as they venerate the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Back in Tablon, the local government has deployed police, traffic, rescue, and medical personnel, as more than 30,000 devotees are likely to visit the Virgin of Guadalupe until Good Friday here.

Police, augmented by village volunteers, are keeping watch for people who cross the rivers and climb the mountains to make sure that everybody is safe.

Among the banned items in the Virgin of Guadalupe Shrine are lighters, matches, bladed weapons, and liquors.

DOLE-10 culminates women’s month celebration

Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2611427863597/dole-10-culminates-women-s-month-celebration
Wednesday, April 1, 2015

By Glenford Labial (DOLE-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 1 -- Some 54 Department of Labor and Employment – region 10 (DOLE-10) women workers, comprising 48% of the total 113 workers under its six provincial field offices were lauded at the conference hall during its Monday convocation on March 30, 2015 as the celebration of the women’s month culminated.

Anchored from the national theme “Juana, Desisyon Mo Ay Mahalaga Sa Kinabukasan Ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!,” DOLE-10 set its local theme dubbed as “Juanas…Making a Difference” in recognition of its women labor force who worked, and had worked in the past that escalated from clerical works to holding high-ranking positions in the national office.

Among those past workers in the regional office comprised the previous administrative chief appointed as undersecretary, Ma. Lourdes M. Trasmonte and former assistant regional director, now assistant secretary, Atty. Maria Gloria A. Tango.

Through these inspiring individuals, DOLE-10 works hard to attain targets at par with these achievers who had served the regional office with commendable performances.

After the Eucharistic mass celebrated by Fr. Raul B. Dael, DOLE-10 commenced the celebration through unveiling of tarpaulin revealing beautiful faces of the said 54 women employees in recognition of their contribution and hard work led by regional director Raymundo G. Agravante and Lucila S. Pulvera OIC-IMSD Chief/WINGS President and alternate Gender and Development (GAD) focal person.

In 2011 and 2014, the department received Certificates of Recognition as the Outstanding Regional Office in category B given by the central office for the remarkable collective efforts in successfully implementing the key services and achieving the best overall physical and financial performances.

In a short talk, Pulvera recalled that these powerful women are the main reasons why we consistently achieved such highest distinctions. "Today, we honor the women of our office because our voices are being distinguished in the policy and decision making,” she said.

Among the various GAD lined-up activities include lenten reflection and “Juana, ikaw na ang manguna” instructional dance routine.

During the program, a classical ballet rendition about “gender equality” was interpreted by ballerina Caryn Rose D. Escobido, Labor Employment Officer-II of the Western Misamis Oriental Provincial Field Office.

2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the Philippine Commission on Women and the 20th year of adopting the agenda to uphold empowerment, development and peace during the 4th World Conference on Women.