Difference between revisions of "Cagayan de Oro City News"

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==[[CAO: Container gardening, tool in securing food in urban areas]]==
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Revision as of 06:12, 4 August 2018

Cagayan de Oro - Archived News

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:
  1. 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.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Cagayan de oro city river.jpg
Aerial View of Cagayan de Oro City

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.

DepEd: SPED enrollees increase to more than 5T

By Recthie T. Paculba (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Over 5,300 students are now enrolled at the Special Education (SPED) program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Ellen Delante, DepEd SPED focal person, said the number has increased from the previous 4,265 enrollees which include elementary, secondary, and senior high school students, for School Year 2017-2018 during the Talakayan sa PIA on July 16 at SM CDO Downtown Premier here.

"Ang Region 10 ga-cater for learners with special education need. Busa ang regular schools nag-open sa SPED (Region 10 caters to learners with a special education need. Thus, the regulars schools have opened SPED program)," Delante said as she elaborated that Deped is working on and looking forward to the policy approval on opening and training of SPED to all schools.

Delante stressed the opening of SPED program in regular schools, involvement of parents and accessibility of such program even to marginalized families, have contributed to the increase of enrollees this year.

Teachers, especially in the mainstream, were also trained to handle children with special needs.

"Hopefully next year mag-mass training na sa regular teachers para andam mudawat sa mga kabataan nga PWDs nga musulod sa mga classroom (Hopefully next year there will be a mass training for regular teachers so they can readily accommodate PWD children who will attend classes)," Delante added.

The SPED focal person also noted the change of behavior among parents towards educating their children with special needs.

"Nakita na sa parents nga (The parents now see that) the kids are capable of learning and can be productive citizens in this country," she said.

With the theme "Kakayahan at Kasanayan Para sa Kabuhayan Tungo sa Kaunlaran," Delante said the 40th celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) week serve as a guiding principle to all educators and advocates of the rights of PWDs to continue on strengthening the learning programs for the sector, and later on reap the fruits of having an inclusive form of government.

CAO: Container gardening, tool in securing food in urban areas

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental (PIA) – Cagayan de Oro City has enabled its communities in the barangays to adopt food container gardening to address the issue of food insecurity.

Joseph Borja, Urban Agriculture Coordinator of Cagayan de Oro City Agriculture Office (CAO), explained during the Talakayan sa PIA on Nutrition Month celebration that the local government is focusing now on urban container gardening because of its impact on nutrition among families and children. Through this, they can also promote eating healthy, nutritious and chemical-free food.

He shared people are leaving rural areas and relocating to urban areas.

“Pero pag-abot sa urban, daghan problema. Wala pud pagkaon kay wala pud na-produce didto sa rural. So meaning kailangan ibalik ang pagkaon. I-secure gyud ang pagkaon sa urban (However, when they reach the urban, there are so many problems. There is no food because there is no production in the rural areas. It means, there is a need to bring back food. We need to secure food in the urban)," Borja said.

In the field, when they try to introduce a new technology, Borja said only 25 to 30 percent adopt. However, others follow when those who adopted have already started.

He said they are focusing now on the poorest of the poor, identified Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The good thing about 4Ps, he said is that 60 percent of their income goes to food.

Meanwhile, their biodegradable waste is also 60 percent. This means they will recycle their food in the nutrient loop. The waste will become compost for their gardening. And soon, when the seed bears fruit, this will also become their source of food.

He said he doesn’t believe that people do not know how to plant. It is just a matter of change of mindset.

Dr. Vivian Tuason of the Department of Education (Deped) Misamis Oriental shared that Gulayan sa Paaralan or Vegetable Garden in the schools both elementary and secondary is still being implemented and sustained.

The reason for this is also to provide for the school based feeding program to address the prevalence of malnutrition among school children. These learners are usually found in fourth, fifth and sixth class municipalities with low academic performance.

Tuason said the challenge now is that only a few enroll in Agriculture [courses].

Based on Deped's survey, either learners lack interest or are not motivated or they don’t appreciate farming or get bored of it. That is why, she said, only two schools in Claveria, Misamis Oriental-- an agricultural area, offer agriculture program.

The National Nutrition Council's (NNC) role is to encourage local government units (LGUs) and schools to promote food gardening. Garden produce will then be used as ingredients for cooking.

Gladys Mae Fernandez of NNC-10 said the nationwide problem is stunting (low in height). “Daghan putot or pandak sa region 10 (Many are stunted in region 10).

About 36.5 percent stunted are children below five years old. Wasting or niwang is four percent. Among the five provinces, the high prevalence of stunting is in Lanao del Norte with 45 percent while Bukidnon is 37 percent. Other factors of malnutrition include micronutrient deficiency or obesity prevalence among adults.

NCCA calls for proposals on competitive grants 2019

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--The National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) has called for project proposals specifically coming from Mindanao for implementation in 2019.

In a press conference on July 12, here, Hobart Savior, National Committee on Cinema and director of Xavier Center for Culture and Arts (XCCA) shared the call of NCCA application for competitive grants is important because there is a drift of applications coming from Mindanao.

He said in 2018, there are only 34 projects approved from Mindanao, (about 19 percent in the country) low in comparison to Luzon and Visayas approved grants.

"Many of our institutions have not really submitted their proposals that is why NCCA really strived hard to conduct technical assistance on proposal writing so that artists and art institutions can really submit," Savior said.

Savior, however, added there was an impression on how difficult it is to write a proposal, how tedious also are the requirements.

On writing a proposal, Savior said, "Clarity is important. You have to know what it is really about, the description, background, and purpose. You must identify key result areas and impact as well."

Further, the project proposal should have an impact to the society. And in order for participants to create impact, they also need to create credibility and integrity.

He said for a new entry to apply at NCCA, the proposal should speak about the merit of one's project and as a person or institution.

There is no discrimination, he said, because there is always the first time, therefore, the proposal should be in full integrity and credibility.

Second, if one is already a comeback proponent, for example, Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts for 10 years is supported by NCCA. The track record will be the basis for such submission.

NCCA has the resources, they have the grants and the technical assistance to anyone who would want to avail, Savior added.

Dr. Pilar Banaag, vice head for National Communication Committee said they conducted proposal writing at Deluxe Hotel, here, however, there are only 20 participants from local government units (LGUs) and various groups from the 50 anticipated.

“We need this because we in Mindanao also need to come out and showcase that we have culture,” she said.

She said this is the first time culture is integrated into the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 from a Mindanao President, focusing the area of culture emphasizing promoting Philippine culture and values.

She explained, "What the present administration is doing is pushing through, a pending bill in the Senate, to create Department of Culture. We are left behind by other ASEAN countries as they have already their Ministry of Culture."

Dr. Banaag said the 2019 competitive grants is open to all proponents, civil society and even local government units to submit proposal to NCCA, the deadline is July 31, 2018. For more info, interested participants will just have to visit www.ncca.gov.ph.

DOLE: sustainability, capacity building vital in projects

(DOLE-X/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, July 12 (PIA) -- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod cited during 7th Informal Sector Labor Day celebration, here that projects for the informal sector should be sustained and members capacitated.

Maglungsod said DOLE helps and assists every worker regardless if they are from the formal or informal sector, like the Indigenous People (IPs), fishermen, or farmers.

He also said the sustenance of the projects should be concretely supported by the economic cluster of the government. He then advised the beneficiaries to approach their nearest DOLE Provincial Field Office for assistance.

The theme, “Manggagawa sa Impormal Sektor, Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Patas na Makabuluhang Pagbabago,” is anchored with the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) thru the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

DOLE-10 Regional Director Lawyer Joffrey M. Suyao reported that 40 livelihood beneficiaries region-wide attended the said event.

Further, the winning livelihood success story videos of Tingco-tingco Boat and Fishing Project of Kahugpungan sa Masilakong Mangingisda (KASAMMA) Organization of Sagay and the PisoNet project of Axel Salise of Mambajao, Camiguin under the search for the Best DOLE-assisted Livelihood Projects in the entire country, were shown to encourage the beneficiaries to pursue and sustain their respective projects.

DOLE-10, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education Skills Development Authority (Tesda), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and Regional Tripartite Workers Productivity Board (RTWPB) attended the open forum by as panelists.

Each group or association presented their project proposals for livelihood enhancement where the panel suggested ways and means to make their projects viable and sustainable.

Likewise, Department Order No. 173-17 or the Revised Guidelines on the implementation of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program was presented.

For the province of Camiguin, the KASAMMA organization presented a proposal for project enhancement, a diversification to bottled sardines similar to Panghiawan Farmer’s Association’s Meat Shop Project.

Associations from other provinces also presented their proposals which will be enhanced for another activity showcasing their projects with the presence of BWSC officers.

With the inputs of the panel, the groups/associations will finalize their proposals for implementation under DOLE-10 budget next year.

No fare increase for PUJs in CDO, NorMin: LTFRB-10

By Jigger Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 10 (Northern Mindanao) has warned public utility jeepney (PUJ) drivers and operators not to jack up their rates as no increase in fares has been implemented in the region.

LTFRB-10 Director Aminoden Guro said those who collect fares that are higher than what the board has approved, would be penalized.

Guro’s warning came following complaints from several passengers that jeepney drivers, especially those plying the Bugo-Cogon route, have increased their fares by PHP3 to PHP5.

In particular, he said the board has received reports from the public that Bugo-Cogon PUJs are now asking PHP25 per passenger, which marks a PHP5 increase.

He said the LTFRB has not implemented any fare adjustment, particularly in Northern Mindanao, as the board’s approval of the PHP1 provisional fare increase has been implemented only in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, and Calabarzon.

“There is no increase in fares anywhere in the region,” Guro said.

Those who are proven to be collecting more than what the LTFRB-10 has imposed will be penalized, he said, noting that the penalty for first offense will be PHP5,000; second offense, PHP10,000; and third offense, PHP15,000.

Guro said drivers must also display the fare matrix issued by the LTFRB for the guidance of passengers.

“Non-displaying of the fare matrix is also a violation,” he added.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB-10 chief said transport groups that have petitioned for an increase in public utility vehicle fares in the region have yet to substantiate their demand.

Guro said his office is ready to receive any petition from transport groups "but that this must be justified."

Self-service info terminals provide easier access to services

(SSS/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO (PIA)--Members of the Social Security System (SSS) can now inquire on their contributions, loans, benefits, and ID information using the Self-Service Information Terminal (SSIT) located in SSS branches nationwide.

Members can also use the SSIT for UMID card activation, salary loan application, maternity notifications for self-employed/voluntary members, SSS Web registration, technical retirement application, Annual Confirmation of Pensioners (ACOP), change of contact information for retiree-pensioners, and submission of feedback and concerns.

In addition, the SSIT provides access to the SSS Website and the agency's Citizen's Charter.

To access their SSS account using the SSIT, scanning of the SSS ID or UMID card and fingerprint matching are required.

Members can print acknowledgment receipts of their transactions.

P32 NFA rice selling like 'hotcakes'

(NFA10/PIA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Php32 per kilogram National Food Authority (NFA) rice is fast moving, selling like hotcakes in the different Institutionalized Bigasan sa Palengke (IBSP) outlets in public markets here in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental.

The government allocates 50 bags a week to IBSP retail stores, which are also sold a maximum limit of five kilograms to every consumer-buyer.

"This quality cheap rice should be enjoyed by the most number of our consumers and not taken advantage of by unscrupulous enterprising rice traders. We are doing everything that this will happen," Regional Director Fernando Nunez assured in his meeting with provincial managers in the region.

The NFA Region 10 management is considering to calibrate its distribution track reducing the volume limit to three kilograms per buyer to sustain the stocks and so more buyers can avail of the cheap quality rice.

The agency also considers increasing its allocation to its accredited outlets, Nunez revealed.

This is also being done as NFA continues to increase its number of retail outlets in the barangays in the City and Misamis Oriental. Barangay-based Bigasang Bayan Outlets (BBOs) are allocated each 20 bags weekly to sell at P32 per kilogram.

BFT accreditation

The NFA here is likewise still evaluating other Department of Agriculture (DA)-sponsored barangay food terminal (BFT) applicants operated by farmer groups, fisherfolks and LGUs for accreditation to distribute the subsidized rice according to the demographic profile of the BFT and actual evaluation done by the joint team of NFA and DA.

BFTs in far-flung, depressed barangays with no NFA rice retail outlet will be authorized to sell the Php27/kg NFA rice. Otherwise, the BFT outlet will be given the Php32.00/kg allocation.

As of this reporting, NFA has approved about seven BFTs which operate as its retail outlets.

DA-10 Regional Director Carlene Collado and NFA-X RD Nunez led the launching of the BFT as rice distribution outlet in Barangay Agusan, this City, which was lauded by no less than DA Secretary Emmanuel Pinol as the first BFT rice outlet which should be emulated and replicated throughout the country on June 28.

Collado for his part exhorted the “significant tie-up” between DA and NFA and hope that this partnership will continue and become stronger.

BFT is a barangay-based food center where farmer-producers bring and directly market their fresh food products like meat, poultry, fish, vegetables and fruits for display primarily for the consumers to buy.

This system directly links the producers direct to the consumers, eliminating the trading levels of food distribution and cutting the cost of food of carry-over incidental expenses and levels of profits to the most minimum in favor of not only the producer-seller but also the consumer-buyer.

This way, prices of food products are maintained at the barest and lowest level. DA-RFO 10 thru its Agribusiness Marketing and Assistance Division (AMAD) spearheads and oversees the establishment of BFT’s in the region.

Under this program, DA grants Php300,000 to Php400,000 to their beneficiaries to cover costs for building, equipment and facilities, and start-up /operating capital.

In addition to this financial package, DA in partnership with the Philippine Center for Enterpreneurship (PCE) facilitates preparatory trainings for the BFT operators thru the Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program that covers as follows: bookkeeping lessons; capability enhancement; value formation; and other trainings significant to agribusiness.

Collado said, Cagayan de Oro City to this date, has 10 operational, active BFT’s, while Region 10 has 55 and 11 municipal food terminals.

22nd Kumbira culinary show set

By JO ANN SABLAD

KUMIBIRA 2018 Culinary Show and Live Competitions will once again take center stage on August 15 to 17 to showcase various food and beverage competitions, cooking seminars and demonstrations by experts in the food industry, trade exhibits on hotel and restaurant equipment and supplies, among others.

Kumbira, a flagship project of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara), is a major event in time for the annual fiesta of Cagayan de Oro City in honor of its patron, St. Augustine.

Now on its 22nd year, this year's Kumbira will center on the theme: “The Kitchens of Mindanao,” which will highlight and focus on Mindanao cuisine.

The culinary show will present nine competitions for the Professional category, 13 for the Student Division, two for the Kiddie Division, four for the Junior and Senior High Division, one for Brand Competition, and two for Open Competition.

The competitions of the 22nd Kumbira are in partnership with the 2018 National Food Showdown, a production of Alimentaria Inc.

The winning team of Chef Wars-Mindanao will compete in the finals during the 2018 National Food Showdown in October 26 to 27 to be held at Elements at Centris, Eton Centris, EDSA cor. Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

Online registration for the Kumbira 2018 is now available.

MSMEs, DTI staff join ProPak Asia 2018

By JO ANN SABLAD

A HUNDRED and six delegations from Northern Mindanao have joined the Propak Processing and Packaging Technology Event for Asia held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exposition Center (Bitec) in Bangkok, Thailand last June 13 to 16.

ProPak Asia is the largest industry event of its kind in Asia and the best platform to connect to the regions rapidly expanding processing and packaging industries.

ProPak Asia 2018 presented 1,581 exhibitors from 44 countries, and 18 international pavilions from 13 countries: Australia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States.

The event has attracted 48,799 buyers from 79 countries, with 9.19 percent increase from last year.

There was also an exchange of knowledge and essential information during the ProPak's seminars. These include: Food Innovation Asia Conference 2018, Food Innovation Contest 2018, Asia Drink Conference 2018, PharmaTech Seminar 2018, The Department of Industrial Promotion Seminar 2018, SME focused workshops and packaging seminars, and among others.

“ProPak Asia is truly the number one industry show in Asia, staged in Thailand - one of Asia’s strongest domestic markets, and located in Asia - one of the world’s strongest regional markets. The Asian region is still a strong growth driver for the processing and packaging industries, and ProPak Asia is a hub that brings many facets of regional industry and global technologies together on one show floor,” Justin Pau, General Manager of UBM Asia (Thailand), said.

Aside from the packaging expo at Bitec, DTI-Northern Mindanao said one of the important benchmarking activities conducted was the Thailand OTOP Midyear Exhibit 2018 held at the Impact Arena Exhibition and Convention Center in Muang Thong, Thailand last June 14.

According to DTI, the exhibit showcased One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) brand of products.

A “tambon” is a local government in Thailand, the equivalent of the country’s town.

Both food and non-food products were displayed at a 60,000-square meter arena with a total of over 2,000 exhibitors.

CDO mulls ‘lockdown’ policy in future disaster response ops

By Danilo Adorador, III (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The repeated occurrence of flooding in the city's main roads has prompted the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to consider a “lockdown” policy for the safety of people stranded in flooded areas.

CDRRMO chief Verner Monsanto presented this proposal during a post-evaluation briefing on July 11, following waist-deep flooding in one of the city's major thoroughfares a day earlier.

Caused by hours of heavy rainfall, the flash flood trapped hundreds of people, who had to be rescued by trucks.

“Our intention here is to make this policy as an ordinance, so that the public, especially the parents (of stranded students), would not worry," Monsanto said. "It’s part of the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety and security of the people.”

Monsanto said a "lockdown" means people inside flooded schools, businesses, and other establishment will not be allowed to venture outside until rescue arrives.

In addition, he said flooded streets should be sealed off from motorists.

The CDRRMO chief noted that some motorists often insist on negotiating flooded streets, resulting in a gridlock that hampers rescue effort.

Monsanto said the "lockdown" rule may be implemented during major weather anomalies, such as typhoons, the presence of a low-pressure area, and thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall.

Acting City Administrator Teodoro Sabuga-a Jr. acknowledged that the "lockdown" proposal would require broad support from the public. He said the provision of food and other necessities for trapped people during a lockdown should also be taken into consideration.

Sabuga-a noted that based on their monitoring, floodwaters usually subside after an average of four hours. If flooding occurs in the evening, stranded people "need to at least consume small servings of food and water."

Meanwhile, City Councilor Teodulfo “Bong” Lao Jr., who heads the city council’s committee on public utilities, said the legislative body will tackle the CDRRMO’s recommendations for the crafting of an appropriate ordinance and corresponding implementing rules and regulations.

Lao also said the city's disaster response and preparedness have recently seen significant improvements with the activation of deputized civilian enforcers at the barangay level. These civilian volunteers, he said, are being trained to assist disaster response teams.

The CDRRMO said it will continue monitoring the torrential rain that has been going on since July 9, which the state weather bureau attributed to the southwest monsoon affecting Northern Mindanao.

City to tap P4 projects, councilor says

By PJ ORIAS

CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor George Goking said more projects will be implemented in the city as soon as the Public-Private Partnership for the People (P4) initiative project will be approved.

Goking, chairman of the City Council committee on ways and means, said the P4 projects will include social services, education and health projects for the city constituents.

Projects under the city's Local Development Plan for general welfare can also be implemented through the P4 project.

Goking said he was impressed with how the local governments of Iloilo City and Mandaluyong City are using their private partnerships to implement government projects, this is why he wanted the team to visit these cities for bench marking purposes.

Goking said he had initial talks with the Iloilo City officials during his visit there last month for the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), who expressed their willingness to help Cagayan de Oro in its new endeavor.

"Mandaluyong City is also willing to help us," he said.

After a series of discussions with the Local Economic and Promotions Office, City Legal Office, and other concerned offices, the proposed code was approved in the committee level and is now forwarded to the committee on laws and rules.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged local government units to engage in public-private partnerships (PPP) to improve their competitiveness and promote ease of doing business in their localities.

The LGU P4 program is a vehicle for the private sector to participate in government projects for the provision of infrastructure and social services at the local level. The DILG has developed an LGU P4 portal or database where there will be an exchange of information and best practices on PPP between LGUs and the business sector, including maps of PPP projects, project profiles and summary of information of the project, among others.

National Nutrition Council bats for food gardening

By PJ ORIAS

THE National Nutrition Council (NNC) is campaigning to make food gardening a way of life for this year’s Nutrition Month.

Gladys Mae Fernandez, nutrition program coordinator of NNC-Northern Mindanao, said this campaign aims to contribute to improved nutrition by increasing the number of households, schools, and communities engaged in food gardens.

Fernandez said food gardening prevents micronutrient deficiency, provides a diverse diet, reduces food insecurity, and increases consumption of fruits and vegetables.

According to NNC-Northern Mindanao, seven out of 10 households practice food gardening at home. About 79.1percentof households with home gardens utilize their produce for personal consumption, while only 17.6 percent consume and sell their produce.

Fernandez said food gardening in households not only improves one’s nutritional status, but it also has health benefits.

“It reduces depression, anxiety, and body mass index, physical activity levels as well as increases in life satisfaction, vigor, psychological well-being, sense of community, and cognitive function,” she said.

To promote gardening in homes, the City Government has launched the urban container gardening program in an aim to combat the rising problem of malnutrition, poverty, and high drop-out rates among school-age children in the city. Impoverished families in at-risk communities are taught to feed themselves by planting their own vegetables with their own, sometimes limited, space.

The City has incorporated the program to families of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and was used as cash-for-work program of the Marawi internally displaced persons.

Joseph Borja, City Agriculture Office’s urban agriculture coordinator, said they are promoting container gardening, particularly in Barangays 1-40, but this year, the program has already reached Barangays Consolacion, Nazareth, and Macabalan where malnutrition is prevalent.

“Among gatutukan nga ang families na naay children especially tong children nga identified as malnourished, especially sa Macabalan isa sa among gatutokan nga area,” he said.

“Although ang malnutrition situation in the city has greatly improved, we really want to zero in the number of malnourished kids in the city, ingon si Mayor Moreno, kung mahimo unta before his term ends, there will be no more malnourished kids in Cagayan de Oro,” he added.

DepEd-Northern Mindanao launches Oplan Kalusugan

By JO ANN SABLAD

THE Department of Education (DepEd)-Northern Mindanao launched its OK sa DepEd program to contribute to the government's plan to end hunger and improve the health of Filipinos.

OK sa DepEd or Oplan Kalusugan is the convergence of DepEd's five flagship health and nutrition programs that address the health and nutrition problems in the school level.

"We want nga ang usa ka learner or estudyante mosulod sa eskwelahan i-provide nato ang tanan niyang needs nga para efficient og mahimong nga maayo ang performance sa school og pati na ang iyahang participation og ang iyahang attendance ma-improve and at the same time ang iyang achievement (to provide all the necessities that a learner or student need so they can perform efficiently in school and to improve their attendance and achievement level)," DepEd-Northern Mindanano Medical Officer IV Myra Yee said.

The program, according to DepEd, aims to provide all public school learners with health and nutrition services to allow them to attain their full educational potential.

This includes: (1) school-based feeding program; (2) national drug education program; (3) adolescent reproductive health education; (4) water, sanitation and hygiene wash in schools; and (5) medical, dental and nursing services.

For school-based feeding program, DepEd-Northern Mindanao Nutrition and Dietitian Sheila Rose Balbanida said will run for 120 days to ensure the rehabilitation of malnourished children, from kinder to Grade 6, "to reach their normal nutritional status."

National drug education program, on the other hand, aims to integrate drug education in the curriculum, a holistic approach to reduce the drug problem in the Philippines.

"We want nga ang atong mga bata dili ma drop out og malipay sila sa eskwelahan (that the children will not choose to drop out of school). They will go to school and they will stay in school," Yee said.

DepEd-Northern Mindanao is also calling on to the schools to assist on implementing the program.

"If we keep focus on the welfare of the learners, dili ma deviate ang atong attention sa atong serbisyo (our attention will not deviate from our sevices)," DepEd Dentist III Dr. Rey Ignacio Calang said.

DTI-10 gets recommendation for ISO 9001:2015 certification

(DTI-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Having been trained to relevant knowledge and technicalities related to the transition of an office from ISO 9001:2008 to the 2015 version, employees of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Region 10 finally went through the second leg of ISO 9001:2015 external audit on May 29, 2018.

External auditors from AJA Registrars, Incorporated, first checked the processes in the provincial offices of DTI-10 in Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental before conducting its audit for the regional office. Selected process owners were also made to explain the existing processes and its improvements which were aligned to the 2015 version.

The 2015 version falls under the umbrella of ISO 9000 or the set of standards which are continually being developed by nominated standards experts from 160 nations. Prior to the second-stage external audit on ISO 9001:2015, most employees participated in the orientation on the DTI-10 Quality Management System conducted by leaders of the DTI-10 Internal Quality Auditors last May 18, 2018.

Participants who attended the orientation learned the importance of the two (2) new concepts of the 2015 version: the (1) the Context of the Organization (COTO) and (2) Risk-Based Thinking (RBT).

During the closing ceremony of the actual second-stage audit, AJA auditors Joel Ravanilla, Jr. and Virginio Aris laid all the details where DTI-10 can improve on.

Having reviewed all the necessary actions and details on the existing processes, the AJA auditors then declared that DTI-10 is recommended for the certification of ISO 9001:2015. All offices under DTI 10 have maintained the standardization clauses under the ISO 9001:2008 for eight years.

The last re-certification received by DTI 10 was back on December 15, 2016, which was duly certified by AJA Registrars, Incorporated. (DTI-10/PIA-10)

PSA-X conducts FIES in 10,293 households

(PSA-X/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Region X is conducting the 2018 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) in 10,293 households all over the region.

Some 363 trained Statistical Researchers collect data from the selected households in the five provinces in the region.

Of the total number of target households, 1,558 are in Bukidnon, 768 in Camiguin, 1,680 in Lanao del Norte, 1,564 in Iligan City, 1,549 in Misamis Occidental, 1,556 in Misamis Oriental and 1,618 in Cagayan de Oro.

The FIES is a nationwide survey of households undertaken every three years. It is the main source of data on family income and expenditure, which include among others, levels of consumption by item of expenditure as well as sources of income in cash and in kind, the PSA said.

The results of FIES provide information on the levels of living and disparities in income of Filipino families, as well as their spending patterns; provide benchmark information to update the weights used in the estimation of Consumer Price Index (CPl), and provide inputs in the estimation of the country's poverty threshold and incidence.

The 2018 FIES enumeration is conducted twice – the first visit in July 2018 and the second visit will be in January 2019.

The same set of questions will be asked for both visits. The first visit has a reference period of January-June 2018 while the second visit has a reference period of July-December 2018.

In line with this, the PSA-X is encouraging everyone in the region, especially the selected sample households, to support and cooperate in the conduct of the 2018 FIES.

Data collection period of the first visit will be from July 9 to July 31.

City to build home for juvenile delinquents

By PJ ORIAS

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council has allocated a total of P9 million for the establishment of the Bahay Pag-Asa, a home for juvenile delinquents in Maitum, Barangay Puerto.

The councilors' allocation is on top of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council's (JJWC) P10-million budget and the City's P5-million fund for the six-bed capacity two-storey building shelter for kids.

City Councilor Reuben Daba, chairman of the committee on social services, said the P9 million is included already in the city's 2017 budget.

The Bahay Pag-Asa will stand in 10-hectare land in Maitum, which was donated by the Cagayan Capitol College in 1990.

Daba said it will serve as a shelter to rehabilitate and transform child offenders, and part of the city's dream to build an Oro Care Center Village to provide a child-friendly environment for kids in the city.

Section 49 of Republic Act 9344, or an Act establishing a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice and Welfare System, states that local government units shall set aside an amount to build youth detention homes as mandated by the Family Courts Act. Youth detention homes may also be established by private and non-government organizations licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in consultation with the JJWC.

Crimes in NorMin down in first half of year: Police

By Jigger Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Northern Mindanao’s crime incidence significantly decreased in a span of six months this year, police said. Based on the records of Police Regional Office 10 (Northern Mindanao), 4,986 crimes occurred from January to June this year, a 40.27-percent slide from figures in the same period last year.

“This clearly shows that our crime prevention programs are effective,” Chief Supt. Timeteo Pacleb, regional police director, said on Friday.

PRO-10 records also showed a remarkable 65.9 percent decline in robbery cases and 71.52 percent in theft incidents over the January to June period.

The significant drop in crime volume placed PRO-10 on the top spot, besting all other regions nationwide, Pacleb said.

“I wish to convey my appreciation and gratitude to all units that had led to the high percentage reductions in crime volume, average monthly crime rate, index crime volume, and average monthly index crime rate in Northern Mindanao for the first semester of 2018, as compared to the same period last year," the police official said.

"Let us carry on until we attain a crime and drug-free Northern Mindanao,” Pacleb said.

Supt. Surki Sereñas, PRO-10 spokesperson, said the achievement was noticed by Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Director General Oscar Albayalde, who congratulated the regional police office’s achievement.

Meanwhile, more than 600 individuals were arrested by PRO-10 following the implementation of local ordinances and special laws across the region in line with the anti-“tambay" (loiterer) campaign, Sereñas said.

Since June 13, law enforcers have arrested 179 persons for drinking in prohibited places, 88 for smoking in public areas, 292 for violating curfew hours, and 50 for alarms and violation of other laws and local ordinances.

Pacleb said the strengthening of police presence, especially in crime-prone areas and places of convergence, will continue.

“This is purposely to address the nationwide issue of increasing street crimes. We just have to sustain our effort to keep our street safe and crime-free,” he said.

However, Pacleb reiterated that police officers must follow procedures in making arrests, saying those who violate the police code of conduct will be properly dealt with.

“We are constantly reminding our personnel to strictly observe operational protocols, adhere to the rule of law and respect human rights,” he said.

5,944 NorMin TVET grads ready for Build, Build, Build

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran (APB/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO (PIA) -- Around 5,944 technical-vocational education and training (TVET) graduates in Northern Mindanao are ready for the implementation of the Build, Build, Build program of the national government.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-X Regional Director Tarhata S. Mapandi said of the total graduates, 970 completed masonry; 400 for carpentry; 216 for plumbing; 1,630 for welding; 1,812 for electrical; 369 for pipefitting; and 547 for scaffolding, tile setting and others.

Mapandi said they have aligned some of their projects to be able to supply the needed demand for the national program.

The TESDA’s Train to Build, Build, Build Project aims to expand the capacity of the TVET subsector to support in construction-related training programs and train skilled workers to respond to the requirements of the Build, Build, Build program.

Mapandi said TESDA-X will conduct skills training on construction-related courses for 10,000 workers and another 10,000 for other courses to support the re-building Marawi program.

Other interventions being pursued by TESDA for this project are the implementation of the training-cum-production, provision of free training for trainers and assessor for industries and their associations, and increasing the scholarship slots for construction-related courses.

The project also encourages training institutions to register construction-related programs and for construction companies to offer training programs through apprenticeship or in-company/enterprise-based training programs.

In a related development, the Regional Development Council (RDC)-X vowed to support and advocate the TESDA’s Train to Build, Build, Build project during its 115th RDC-X Full Council Meeting.

The Council enjoined all development stakeholders, including government and private sector industries, to actively engage and participate in activities related with the TESDA project to make the TVET subsector responsive to the development priorities of the current administration.

RDC-X supports HB 2912 passage to develop PH rubber industry

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran (APB/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO (PIA)-–The Regional Development Council (RDC)-X expressed support to the passage of House Bill (HB) 2912 to hasten the development of rubber industry in the country.

The council believes that HB 2912 will strengthen all rubber players and stakeholders and generate employment in the countryside.

HB 2912 is entitled “An act to develop the rubber industry, establishing for the purpose the Philippine Rubber Industry Development Board, defining its powers and functions and appropriating funds therefor.”

Dr. Rosalina Huerbana, vice-chairperson of the RDC-X Economic Development Committee, said the house bill is aligned with the agriculture sector outcome as indicated in Chapter 80 of the Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 of expanding economic opportunities in agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

Huerbana, who presented the proposal to the body, said it is expected that the passage of the HB 2912 will respond to critical issues such as low quality, less productivity, and low access to the market as experienced in the region.

Rubber production in Northern Mindanao grew only by 4.5 percent to 12,964 metric tons in 2017 from 12,402 metric tons in 2016.

Huerbana further said that the region’s natural rubber production was recorded at 1.4 metric tons per hectare in 2016 as against Thailand, the world’s largest producer and exporter, which posted a very high yield of 76 metric tons per hectare.

Section 2 of the House Bill indicates that the government shall undertake to develop the Philippine rubber as a major participant in the rubber global value chain by accelerating the industries overall growth through expanding the improving the productivity and quality of natural rubber production among all regions in the country.

The region has 8700 hectares of area planted with rubber with the province of Bukidnon comprising about 84 percent of the total area planted.

DOE presents EO streamlining energy projects processing

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO (PIA)--The Department of Energy (DOE) presented the salient features of Executive Order (EO) No. 30 which aims to expedite processing of permits and licenses relative to energy projects.

Patrick T. Aquino, director of the DOE Energy Policy and Planning Bureau, said during the 115th Regional Development Council-X Full Council Meeting that the EO was signed by the President last year creating the Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) to streamline the regulatory procedures affecting energy projects of national significance (EPNS).

EPNS are major energy projects which are aligned with the Philippine Energy Plan and possess any of the following attributes: significant capital investment of at least Php3.5 billion, significant contribution to the country’s economic development, significant consequential economic impact, significant potential contribution to the country’s balance of payments, significant impact on the environment, complex technical processes and engineering designs, and/or significant infrastructure requirements, DOE said.

Under the EO, the processing of EPNS shall be within a maximum period of 30 days.

“What we are asking for is action. It doesn’t necessarily mean a favorable action,” he further said.

Aquino said there is a portion in the EO which provides that when government agencies don’t get to act, the DOE gets to issue the permit under the concept of the presumption of a deemed approval.

As of June 28, there are 46 applications for certificate of EPNS.

These include 12 coal projects, 11 oil and gas, 22 renewables and 1 transmission project.

The Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) got the first CEPNS after the effectivity of the implementing rules and regulations.

CEPNS applications for Northern Mindanao include two coal projects and three hydro projects.

These are the Ozamiz coal project, Minergy coal-fired project, Pulangi IV hydro project, Katipunan hydro project, and the Sawaga hydro project. (APB/PIA-10)

CDO highlights food gardening in nutrition month kick off

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The city of Cagayan de Oro joined the entire nation in kick-starting nutrition month on July 3 with a motorcade participated by 80 barangay nutrition scholars and health workers, and a program at Cagayan de Oro City Hall Mini Park citing the many benefits of food gardening to families.

Dr. Fe Bongcas, co-chairman of City Nutrition Committee, said communities and families should have backyard gardening like fruits and vegetables.

The problem of the city is stunting.

Bongcas said, "During pregnancy wala ma-emphasize ang good nutrition, gikan pag conceive.. dapat proper nutrition hantod ang bata mu-abot sa two years old (It was not emphasized during pregnancy the importance of good nutrition, from conception it should be proper nutrition until two years of age)."

Meanwhile, City Mayor Oscar Moreno urged the active participation of barangays. He said national government, city and the barangays should have a good partnership to deliver services together.

He said, although the city has received a green banner award from the National Nutrition Council (NNC) region 10 for implementation of nutrition activities and programs in the barangay level, there is still room for improvement.

The most important part of the process, he said is to enhance the system.

As the city improves, the region as well improves.

He also added to continue consciousness for the need of proper nutrition and continue to grow.

PSA-10 enjoins public to support National Migration Survey

(PSA10/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO (PIA)--The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Office 10 encourages the public, especially the sampled households and local officials, to support and cooperate in the National Migration Survey (NMS).

"The NMS aims to provide information on the mobility of Philippine population in orders to assist policymakers and program managers in evaluating and designing strategies for improving services and assistance to people going abroad or moving within the country," according to the PSA.

PSA conducsts the survey in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) in 45,000 housing units over 900 cities and municipalities across the country from May to August 2018.

In Northern Mindanao, the UPPI through its partner, Xavier University-Research Institute for Mindanao Culture (RIMCU) hired 20 enumerators and four field supervisors to collect information in 2,543 housing units region-wide.

The UPPI/XU-RIMCU team will be visiting 389 housing units in Bukidnon, 192 in Camiguin, 403 in Lanao del Norte, 389 in Misamis Occidental, 390 in Misamis Oriental, 395 in Iligan City and 385 in Cagayan de Oro City.

"The PSA-RSSO X, through its five Provincial Statistics Offices, will assist the UPPI/RIMCU team during the enumeration period," the PSA said.

Households within the 2,543 housing units will be interviewed using the Household Questionnaire (NMS Form 1) to collect demographic and socio-economic information on all usual members of the household. The respondent for this questionnaire is the head of the household. In case the household head is absent, any responsible adult member of the household who is knowledgeable of information pertaining to the household members will be interviewed, enumeration mechanics bare.

The NMS Form 1 permits the interviewer to identify household members eligible to be interviewed with Individual Questionnaire (NMS Form 2).

All the household members 15 years old and over with migration experience, and one non-migrant household member are eligible to be interviewed using NMS Form 2.

The NMS Form 2 collects information that directly concerns the individual respondent’s migration experience.

In particular, topics include: first-ever migration and migration in the past five years, pre-migration situations, motives for moving, job/business in the host city/municipality (in the case of internal or within the country migration) or host country (in the case of international migration), migration networks and assistance received in host city/municipality or country, engagement/membership in migrant associations and training/education received (abroad), return migration, current job/business, remittances, migration intentions, and experience on involuntary labor/work arrangement.

The Region X team started the enumeration on June 25 and will end on August 30, 2018, according to the PSA.

Gov’t rolls out first barangay NFA rice outlet in Cagayan de Oro

(Politiko Mindanao)

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and National Food Authority (NFA) have launched in Cagayan de Oro City an accredited rice outlet where the public could buy government-subsidized rice at a lower price.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said Friday the first Barangay Food Terminal NFA-accredited rice outlet in Cagayan de Oro will receive a weekly allocation of 20 bags to be sold at P27 per kilo.

NFA Region X Director Fernando Nuñez and DA X Regional Director Carlene Collado led Thursday, June 28, the launching of a program which could be replicated in other parts of the country as well, he said.

Traditionally, Pinol noted that NFA rice was only sold in retail outlets in public markets by accredited members of the Grains Retailers Confederation (GRECON) who receive weekly allocations from the NFA.

But he said there were accusations that the system was prone to corruption as some of the rice being allocated to the retailers ended up in the warehouses of traders who repacked the rice and sold this at the price of commercial rice which was at least P40 per kilo.

“Earlier, I have issued an appeal to consumers’ groups and ordinary citizens to be vigilant in monitoring the distribution of the NFA rice to prevent the anomalies of the past which deprived poor consumers access to government-subsidized rice,” the DA chief said.

The bags of rice at the market now were recently imported from Vietnam after the NFA stock was depleted for two months.

“With the arrival of the imported rice, plus the local rice production which supplies 93% of the national rice requirement, the Philippines now has a buffer stock of rice good for 60 days,” Pinol said.

DOH-10 trains physicians for community drug rehab program

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Department of Health (DOH)-10 has trained its physicians, paramedics and barangay health workers (BHWs) on proper identification and classification of drug dependency level of Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) as part of the ongoing community drug rehab program of the government.

DOH Regional Director Nimfa B. Torrizo during the Talakayan sa PIA on June 26 shared, this is crucial to identify needed intervention or management for the drug dependents.

The regional director said they have conducted seven batches of training for Municipal Health Officers, nurses and paramedics from September 2016 to November 2016.

Meanwhile, from August to September 2017, a total of 157 physicians and paramedics and 185 BHW presidents and coordinators were trained for community mental health – substance use disorder.

As of now, there are 75 local government units (LGUs) engaged in the program, 45,294 PWUDs screened and assessed, 6,306 graduates/ completers and 16,682 currently enrolled in the said program.

Torrizo shared they were caught off guard with the overwhelming influx of PWUDs in Region 10.

Based on a report, Northern Mindanao ranked second in the most number of surrenderers with 72,288 recorded by Philippine National Police (PNP). Although the training were hampered last year due to Marawi siege, DOH continues to implement Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program.

Dr. Benson Go of DOH Drug Rehab and Treatment Center said it takes six months to treat an in-patient.

“Daghan tag asikasohon, aside sa physical dependence, naa pud ta'y psychological dependence. Aside from that, ato pa silang i-rehabilitate unsaon nato nga mabalik siya as a productive member of society (We attend to so many things, aside from physical dependence, there is also psychological dependence. We also rehabilitate them how we can bring him back as a productive member of society)," explained Go.

We test their physical, emotional and spiritual needs to be rehabilitated back to society, he added.

The treatment center in Cagayan de Oro City is already crowded; patients are coming in from all over Mindanao. He said, however, there is an upcoming drug treatment center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon which would allow better distribution of in-patients.

DOH has a standardized assessment tool.

Go said they have a checklist to determine the classification of a drug dependent such as low, average or severe. If the patient is classified low, the center will put him in the community-based treatment program; moderate could be for out-patient services. If the outpatient improves, he or she can go to a community-based treatment program, if not, the patient needs to go to a treatment facility. The DOH drug treatment facility in CDO, located in Upper Puerto, costs Php6,000 per month per person.

Go explained that although there is a payment from the patient, this being a government facility, also considers the paying capacity of the drug dependent. Some are not charged while some only pay 25 percent of the amount. Based on their computation, he revealed that the government is spending Php20,000 per month per person in the rehab center. He said the government is spending a lot to treat a person who uses drugs.

CDO to implement SCoPSA project in Pagalungan

(CdeOSP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The implementation of the Sloping Corn Production in Sloping Areas (SCOPSA) in Barangay Pagalungan is in the offing. The 18th City Council during its regular session on June 24 presided by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy enacted an ordinance authorizing Mayor Oscar S. Moreno to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the Department of Agriculture-Regional Office 10 (DA-RFO-10) for the purpose.

SCoPSA is an approach geared to introduce land contouring technique to farmers in hilly or sloping lands.

DA is implementing the project to enhance corn productivity by adopting sustainable adaptive technologies in sloping areas.

Under the MOA, the BSWM, DA-RFU and the city shall closely coordinate with each other to ensure that the establishment of SCoPSA model farms and other related activities are in accordance with the work and financial plan of the project.

The three parties agreed to promote the project through massive information education campaign using tarpaulins, posters and the tri-media and to implement good agricultural practices in managing sloping areas cultivated to corn.

The technology will help lessen soil degradation which is evident on sloping areas usually occupied for corn production.

The ordinance was endorsed by the committees on agriculture and fisheries and on laws and rules chaired by Councilors Annie Daba and Ian Mark Nacaya, respectively.

Pulis Natin Caravan aims to improve community services

By ALWEN SALIRING

TO BRING their frontline services closer to the people, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao holds a whole-day caravan to entertain various concerns of the community at a mall in Cagayan de Oro City, Wednesday, June 20.

The Pulis Natin Caravan slated during mall hours aims to cater complaints, queries, issues and other police-related matters.

Services include motor vehicle clearance and verification, processing of License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF), free legal advice, supervisory office of the Security and Investigation Agencies, Philippine National Police (PNP) recruitment and cybercrime concerns.

The police will also entertain women's and children concerns, human rights issues, PNP retirement benefits issues and concerns, medical and dental services and crime laboratory services.

Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, spokesperson of the PRO-Northern Mindanao, said the caravan also integrates the symposium on crime prevention and illegal drugs held in selected high schools in the city.

Gonda said the Police Quick Response Action Center was launched and Coalition of Force Multipliers and Advocacy support was also conducted.

“The caravan aims to bring all the support services given by the PNP and share information relating to PNP services,”Gonda said.

The activity is a program of PNP chief Oscar Albayalde and implemented by PRO-Northern Mindanao director Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb.

Gonda said there is no update yet whether the activity will be implemented regularly.

Oro’s Canino shares lead in Asean age-group chess

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

DAVAO CITY -- Pint-sized Ruelle Canino was left as Cagayan de Oro’s lone bet with perfect score after two rounds of the ongoing 19th Asean Age Group Chess Championships here on Wednesday at The Royal Manadaya Hotel.

Canino, a two-time RP Age Group Team classical standard gold medalist, pulled two points after a tactical skirmish against seed no. 5 Le Minh Thu of Vietnam in the 10-under girls classical standard event.

Wielding the black pieces, the 10-year-old Canino defused Vietnamese’s threatening bishop sacrifice and neutralized the tactical possibilities to a rook up endgame and the win in their Scotch Opening encounter.

She was in joint first place with Vietnamese rivals Le Dang Bao Ngoc, Tong Tai Ky An and Woman Candidate Master Ton Nu Quynh Duong with two points each.

Canino takes on Tong in the third round still in progress as of this writing.

Corpus Christi School’s Charles Kent Gabing scored one point and a half in two rounds in the 14-under boys section to stay in strong contention.

Ronald, Ruelle’s brother and many-time RP Age Group member, bowed down to top seed and Fide Master Alekhine Nouri in the 16-under boys classical standard.

First-timer David Rey Ancheta, Corpus Christi’s ace chesser, lost composure against Candidate Master Nguyen Quoc Hy of Vietnam in the 12-under classical standard.

Both Ronald and Ancheta were posting one point after the second round of action yesterday.

The other Oro players are setting to make good composure after a bad start in the first two rounds.

DOLE, CDO college host 1st “Araw ng mga Kasambahay”

By Glenford C. Labial (DOLE-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) - Some 95 Kagay-anon “katabangs/kasambahays" or domestic helpers together with their employers gathered at the Golden Heritage Polytechnic College (GHPC) on May 24 to celebrate the “Araw ng mga Kasambahay," a first in Northern Mindanao.

With the theme, "Enhancing Knowledge and Skills of Domestic Workers," the activity started with a registration and profiling while Leizl Ann Marie Lee presented Occupational Safety and Health Protection for Kasambahays, Overview of Technical Skills Learning Session for Kasambahay by Jerome V. Manriquez of TESDA, and Department of Labor and Employment-10 LEO III Ralph Labnao for the Overview of the Salient Features of RA 10361 (Batas Kasambahay).

Activities adding substance to the celebration were entertainment numbers and KasambaOKE singing contest, as well as testimonials of former kasambahays Jeffrey Librada, Jennelyn Lipanta, and Christina Lariba on their achievements.

All three are alumni in the institution, now licensed teachers in permanent status teaching under the basic education department.

DOLE-10 OIC Assistant Regional Director Estrella Pahalla thanked School Administrator Michelle D. Dichosa for hosting the first celebration after its signing in 2013.

She also informed the kasambahays on their rights and benefits and recognized their vital role in the family and society.

GHPC sustains its Sunday school program by developing modules to cater to quality education for working students.

CDO gov't upgrades basic services, upholds better city

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 18 (PIA) -- With over 500 classrooms built, 130 km roads concreted, two more hospitals established, 60 livelihood projects implemented, major tourist spots rehabilitated and basic services boosted, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) is changing and transforming into a better city.

The senator, during the 68th CDO Charter Day Celebration on June 15 at Kiosko Kagawasan, here said, "Cagayan de Oro is blessed and continues to be blessed."

The blessings of modern day living are already here in our beloved city but we need to constantly and continuously work for an even better city," the senatoradded.

In 2017, the regional budget for infrastructure reached to Php17.22 billion and in 2018.

Pimentel said the government allocated Php17.36 billion to boost the region's airports, seaports, bridges, and roads.

Moreover, City Mayor Oscar Moreno said such budget is essential for the flood control program of the city where a projected Php80 million will be used for the urban drainage from Xavier University to Burgos Street.

As for education, the mayor revealed a bigger target for this year aiding the needs of the pupils and students from City Central School with the 50-storey building. In addition, scholarships covering 1,500 students and 4,000 Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) will serve as the priority program of the Committee on Education.

In ensuring quality health and hospital services, the city government currently sponsors the PhilHealth premiums costing Php120 million annually for more than 50,000 indigent families.

Furthermore, the JR Borja General Hospital posted a positive performance in 2017 noted by increases in patients admitted, birth deliveries and surgical operations conducted.

Also, two more hospitals will be built in Lumbia and Tablon.

LTFRB reminds school shuttle, carpool operators to renew franchises

By Jigger Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- As classes opened last week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-10 (LTFRB-10) reminded school owners and carpool operators to obtain or renew the franchise of their school buses or carpooling schemes.

LTFRB-10 regional director Aminoden Guro said school transport operations, under the carpool law, have the mandate to enforce the Carpool Act of 2014.

Carpool is defined under said law as “an arrangement among four people or more, including the driver of a particular vehicle who would otherwise drive their own vehicle, to make a regular journey in a single vehicle instead.”

The carpool law was enacted in 2014 and was seen as a way to solve the worsening traffic situation, especially in the country’s major urban areas where gridlocks are a common occurrence daily.

The LTFRB said that carpooling, also called school or work buses, seeks to lessen the number of vehicles on the road.

“We are reminding school administrators and school transport operators who engage in school and work transport business to secure franchise to legalize their operation, as embodied in Executive Order No. 202,” Guro said.

He added that Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) should also help schools or private carpool operators to secure legal transport papers to safeguard their children’s daily trips to and from their schools.

Pursuant to Executive Order 202, or the creation of the LTFRB and the Public Service Act, which aims to ensure the safety and convenience of students and personnel, all schools should make sure that school buses or shuttle transports operated by learning institutions have valid Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

Guro said carpools that are legally operating have to ensure that passengers’ safety is given topmost priority.

He said carpools are allowed not to apply for a franchise if they do it for free, “but when they start to collect fees, they have to secure franchises.”

Guro said his office has already sent letters to school authorities to inform them of their obligation concerning the transport of students.

Aside from choosing the right type and model of vehicles, Guro said school buses must also be painted yellow and must have a fire extinguisher on board.

He said many of the schools with school buses have yet to comply with this directive.

Guro showed reporters’ photos of some of the school transports that are painted with colors other than yellow, stressing that school and carpool operators must be compliant with the specified color.

He said school buses and vehicles that have not secured proper LTFRB documents will be penalized. A penalty of PHP1 million will be meted for buses, and PHP200,000 for vans.

Mayor cites good relations with councilors for growth

By PJ ORIAS

CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno on Friday, June 15, credited the executive department’s much improved working relationship with the City Council as a key factor in the city’s increasing competitiveness.

Speaking in front of a huge crowd in Divisoria that included Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III Moreno highlighted his administration’s achievements, especially in the last two years.

Moreno said his administration has been focusing on three key areas--winning the hearts of the people by bringing the services to the frontlines; second, putting in place a pro-administration City Council; and third, which he said he is still working on, having a harmonious and productive relationship with the barangay officials.

“Hopefully, the trend of growth of Cagayan de Oro will continue, and the city being the flagship city in Northern Mindanao, the trading hub, educational and medical center, our position will further strengthen and increase with the passing of time,” Moreno said.

Now in his second term as the mayor, Moreno said he has made more than 500 classrooms in the city, using solely the “taxes of the people of Cagayan de Oro.”

With the establishment of these classrooms, Moreno said the usual four-shifting schedule of students in schools has become a thing of the past.

He said a groundbreaking 4,000 scholars were accepted for the City Scholarship Program too, realizing his campaign promise to more accessible education especially for the youth.

Among his administration’s achievements, according to the mayor, are: a total of 63 kilometers of roads fixed mostly in the hinterland areas thereby boosting trade and opportunities for the residents in uptown areas; the closure of the dump site in Upper Dagong, Zayas; and developing an engineered sanitary landfill in barangay Pagalungan.

Moreno said he plans to turn the dump site into a park.

“All of these are made possible through the support of our very supportive vice-mayor Kikang Uy, and the majority councilors, thank you very much for your cooperation,” he said.

“Let us also not forget what happened in a nearby city, Marawi, where we took in a lot of our brothers and sisters there to live here with us. Our solidarity and compassion for them will continue and we have learned to live in peace amid diversity,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Pimentel who was the guest speaker as the city celebrates its 68th Charter Day, vowed to promote Cagayan de Oro in his agenda.

Pimentel said he has strengthened his communication lines to reach out to people, so people can directly tell him what they need.

Pimentel also said that in the 2018 national budget, he recommended the construction of the drainage projects in barangays Kauswagan and Carmen worth P10 million each; the rehabilitation of Divisoria in the amount of P80 million; and the rehabilitation of the convention center in barangay Indahag worth P100 million -- a project which his father, former Senate President Nene Pimentel, started.

“We have a lot to be thankful for, Cagayan de Oro has done so much, we invented motorela, we have the best ham, binaki, and cashew nuts, we have produced beauty queens, so we really have to celebrate with these milestones achieved under the administration of Mayor Oca Moreno,” he said.

PH, Japan sign P876M grants for flood prevention project, scholarship program

By Roy Mabasa

The governments of the Philippines and Japan have signed and exchanged notes on a combined total of about P876-million worth of grants intended for a flood prevention project in Cagayan de Oro and a human resource scholarship program that would benefit about 42 young Filipino government officials.

In a statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila said the first exchange of notes signed between Ambassador Koji Haneda and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano will provide a JY 1.278 billion (approx.P608 million) for improving flood forecasting and warning system for Cagayan De Oro River Basin.

According to the embassy, the Japanese grant is expected to substantially improve information accuracy and provide technical support to the CDO operational system for flood forecasting and disaster prevention.

“This project will strengthen the ability of CDO against future risks of flash floods, mudslides and other negative impacts, thus contributing to sustainable development in the region,” the embassy added.

In January last year, Cagayan De Oro was seriously affected by massive flooding, the worst that hit the city since the devastating Typhoon Sendong in 2011.

On the second exchange of notes signed by the two officials, Japan will provide JY563 million (approx. P268 million) to cover 20 fellows in 2018 and another 22 recipients in 2019 under the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) project.

The scholarship aims to enhance the recipients’ expertise in their respective fields and to help build a pool of future Filipino leaders who will greatly contribute to the country’s overall economic development by returning to and working in the Philippines.

The embassy said the scholarship program has already produced a total of 319 JDS fellows to this date.

Proposal for processing, potable water delivery in CdeO up for study

(CdeOSP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)-– Improved water supply and delivery in three barangays of Cagayan de Oro is in the offing.

Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy endorsed to the City Council committees on cooperatives and on public utilities chaired by Councilors Enrico Salcedo and Teodulfo E. Lao, respectively, for study, the intention to develop sources, process and deliver potable water to majority of the residents of Bulua, Iponan and part of Patag.

The non-inclusive proposal emanates from the Metro Cagayan de Oro Water Service (MCWS) Cooperative Federation.

In a letter to the vice mayor, Engr. Neil Bryan G. Oraiz, president of the federation, said the proposal will not require any investment from the city as MCWS shall provide the necessary capital and technical expertise to deliver the proposed service.

The cooperative federation would initially invest P120 million to install the processing plant at Iponan River, and the necessary pipes to enable a level three system where residents, businesses and offices will be able to tap, MCWS said.

According to Oraiz, MCWS will also obtain the necessary permits from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), and the environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Oraiz said MCWS will develop, process and deliver potable water to the three barangays within 10 months after the issuance of the Resolution of No Objection and all the necessary permits with the offices of the MCWS as payment counters.

MCWS Coop will bill its customers P20.00 per cubic meter, based on the proposal.

He also said since the proposal is non-inclusive, the city government of Cagayan de Oro may entertain other proposals under a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with a private sector proponent or a similar non-inclusive one.

The ongoing water crisis in these areas in CdeO, has adversely affected water consumers in the Western Service Area due to repairs being conducted to the Rio Verde pipeline.

This was after main submarine transmission line across the Cagayan de Oro River was damaged by the series of earthquakes which rocked Mindanao.

Davao mayor set to visit Oro

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

THE Presidential daughter will be in Cagayan de Oro on Friday, June 15, to grace the mass oath taking of barangay officials in the city and the province.

Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Yan Lam Lim said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will be in town to guarantee a 100 percent attendance of the 80 barangay captains of Cagayan de Oro.

Lim said the presidential daughter, however, refused to administer the oath of the barangay officials, and will only serve as the guest speaker of the event.

The mass oath taking unfolds shortly after Mayor Oscar Moreno's City Annual Report to mark the Charter Day of Cagayan de Oro at the Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria.

Lim said Duterte will attend a program at the University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines (USTP) before proceeding to the mass oath taking of city officials.

After that, she will grace another mass oath taking initiated by Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano for the newly-elected barangay officials, according to Lim.

In a previous interview, Emano said his political party Padayon Pilipino will forge an alliance with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

Lim, who left the Padayon Pilipino party to join Mayor Oscar Moreno and seek reelection as ABC president, said having Duterte-Carpio as the guest party will hopefully unite the barangay officials for the common goal to work together.

Nurture, strengthen independence, Oro dad says

By Recthie T. Paculba (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) - "The task to nurture, strengthen that independence is not over yet," City Mayor Oscar Moreno said during the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12 at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, here.

While noting the achievements and progress of Mindanao, Moreno said there are still a lot of things to do as one community since the city is equally affected with the misfortunes of the other areas in the island.

For one, the Marawi incident should open everybody's eyes and change the core of mindset to address the root cause of bias and prejudice. Aside from conflicts, Moreno cited polarization or division as another root cause of the society's problems which already characterized the people's way of life.

"Everybody must feel and enjoy the growth and prosperity that the country is gaining and the freedom that the country has," Moreno said as he urged every Kagay-anon to uphold security, solidarity and compassion as strategies to strengthen independence throughout Mindanao.

Thus, the mayor calls for strong partnership with the Department of Education (Deped), Commission on Higher Education (Ched) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to prepare children in fostering independence, the Department of Health (DOH) to sustain good public health, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to improve peace and order.

Moreno further said that the environment must be harmonious as the Kagay-anons pursue CDO's growth and since everyone is on the same boat, the least that every individual can do is to help one another no matter how difficult the task may be.

To highlight the celebration, Moreno and BGen Eric Vinoya of AFP led the raising of the flag with full military honors, executive wreath laying and the unveiling of the Philippine Map depicted using 3,480 hard-boiled eggs with the CDO Eagles Club.

3,000 NorMin IPs to benefit from TESDA’s special training program

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- At least 3,000 indigenous peoples (IPs) in Northern Mindanao benefits from the special training program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Dubbed “Empowering Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Communities Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Reintegration Training for Rebel Returnees,” the special training program aims to provide skills development interventions and access to training to IPs and rebel returnees to transform them into competitive and productive individuals.

TESDA and local government officials launched the program at the Mindanaw Tribal School in Barangay Panadtalan, Maramag, Bukidnon province on June 1.

TESDA Deputy Director General Alvin Feliciano said the skills training is given by the government to uplift the economic status of IPs and facilitate the reintegration of rebel returnees to the mainstream of the society.

“Kailangang sila madevelop at paunlarin dahil sila ay kabalikat at kaparte ng pamahalaan (The sector needs to be developed because they are partners of the government),” he further said.

Under the program, beneficiaries will be entitled to free skills training, free assessment, entrepreneurship training, training support fund of P100 per training day attended and toolkits.

A ceremonial turnover of scholarship grants and an unveiling of the special training court and skills training center highlighted the regional launching.

Cagayan de Oro celebrates Pride Month through literature

(Rappler.com)

PRESS RELEASE: A book launch and poetry night are set for June 29 in Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro City will be celebrating International Pride Month through literature in back-to-back events on June 29, 2018.

This will begin with the launch of the Libulan Binisaya Anthology of Queer Literature from 1 to 5 pm at the Xavier University Little Theater. The first of its kind in the southern Philippines, the anthology celebrates queer perspectives captured eloquently in the Binisaya language. Its CDO launch will feature talks and a writer meet-and-greet from contributors, Kei Valmoria Bughaw and Arnie Q Mejia, as well as co-editors Alton Melvar Dapanas and R Joseph Dazo. Limited copies of the anthology will be available during the event.

In the evening, this will be followed by CDO Poetry Night, the city's premier spoken word event at 6 pm at SM Downtown Premier. The event will feature peformances by Northern Mindanaoan writers, queer and allies alike, under the theme “couRAGE." "couRAGE" is in tribute to both the passion and outrage of the city's queer community in the struggle against discrimination and the fight for equal rights.

The joint objective of these two events is to celebrate LGBTQIA+ narratives through literature in an attempt to promote acceptance and understanding regardless of gender.

The Libulan Book Launch and CDO Poetry Night are co-organized by the Nagkahiusang Magsusulat sa Cagayan de Oro (NAGMAC) in partnership with the Libulan Queer Collective, XU Press, the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), and Payag Habagatan. NAGMAC is a young artists collective of emerging and established poets, essayists, fictionists, and playwrights born and/or raised in Northern Mindanao. The organization established CDO Poetry Night in February 2014 as a quarterly event to serve as a venue for local writers to share their works and realize the social relevance of literature in today's society.

For more information and updates on these events, please visit NAGMAC's Facebook page or follow the event page.

More checkpoints mulled in Oro

By ALWEN SALIRING

THE chief of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) said there may be a need to put up more checkpoints in various parts of the city following the arrest of two suspected ISIS/Daesh members a day before a big religious activity at the city cathedral.

Senior Superintendent Nelson Aganon, chief of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the local police has been evaluating its security stance to thwart terrorism and criminality.

"Our checkpoints are in place. We will keep on evaluating and improving our security stance," Aganon said.

Aganon is urging the community to take part in the police's anti-terrorism and anti-criminality efforts.

He said the public can make use of the technology to send information regarding any suspicious activities or personalities in their respective localities.

"Huwag sanang tamarin ang community na magbigay ng information. Lagi sana tayong vigilant kasi wala namang masamang maghinala kaysa naman mag-relax lang di makialam. At wala namang masasayang kung magresponde ang ating kapolisan kasi trabaho namin yun (Let us all be vigilant. There is nothing wrong with exercising caution. Anyway it is the job of the police to respond to reports from the community)," Aganon said.

Aganon said because of the ordination of the Most Reverend Raul Dael as the third Bishop of Tandag in Surigao de Sur province Thursday, June 7, at the St. Augustine Cathedral, security in the city was already heightened.

The Catholic rites was led by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Tagle and more than 30 archbishops and priests and a crowd of around 1,000 witnessed the event.

But Aganon said the threat category in the city remains at level 3 due to the possibility that other members of terror groups may sneak into the city.

"Wala kaming natanggap na terror threat aside sa dati nang category na nasa level 3 dahil nga sa possibility na pumasok sa atin ang ISIS/Daesh dahil adjacent tayo sa Marawi City (There was no other terror threat other than the previous level 3 category owing to our proximity to Marawi City)," Aganon said.

The so-called ISIS couple, Eyadzhemar Abusalam and Dianne Catherine Palmitos, were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Tablon around 4:50 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, after police received a tip that the two on board a passenger bus bound for Cagayan de Oro City.

Two grenades and a pistol were allegedly seized from the couple.

The suspects, both nurses from General Santos City, were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives on Friday, June 8.

Another city worker nabbed over illicit drugs

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

ANOTHER Cagayan de Oro City employee was arrested by the police's City Drug Enforcement Unit in Barangay Balulang over the weekend.

The arrest made city officials frowned as some workers in recent past were also apprehended for dealing with illegal drugs.

The suspect identified as Benjie Anghab Lo-od, 38, and a resident of Green Heights, barangay Balulang, is a job order employee at the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD).

Lo-od belongs to the reach-out team of CSWD's rescue operations, among others.

Police said Lo-od is not even under the watchlist of the drug enforcement agency and police, though he once submitted himself to the Oplan Tokhang that “qualified” him as a high-value target.

Seized from his possession was a piece of alleged methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” with an estimated street value of P500.

City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a, who is also heading the CSWD, urged all city hall employees involved in illicit drug activities to respond to the call and submit themselves to authorities.

Once they surrender, Sabuga-a assured the city will not recommend for the filing of administrative cases against them and, instead, facilitates to get them into sustainable rehabilitation program.

Sabuga-a said Lo-od won't receive his salary pending the court decision apart from facing an administrative case before the City Legal Office.

If he wants to be reinstated, Lo-od will have to coordinate with the human resource office and needs to be enrolled at the Oro Welness Development Center, a program of the city government for recovering drug dependents.

Sabuga-a said Lo-od was employed in 2015, as a replacement for her wife who had to stop working after suffering from stroke.

The City Government takes Lo-od in initially as a “houseparent” at the Mother Theresa Center for street children.

He was eventually reassigned to the reach out team in 2017 after the CSWD personnel noticed his behavioral change.

In April this year, Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) personnel Nelson Remotigue and Jeofrey Sierra, a Metro Aide 1 of the City Public Services Office were among those arrested for same offense.

LTFRB to welcome petitions suspending P2 taxi fare hike

By JIGGER J. JERUSALEM

THE regional office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Northern Mindanao is ready to receive any request that would exempt the city’s taxi drivers and operators from applying the additional charges to their passengers.

If the city’s legislators, commuters and the transport sector can draw up a petition so that the additional charges to the regular taxi fare could not be implemented, LTFRB-Northern Mindanao regional director Aminoden Guro said he will welcome such initiative.

Guro was reacting to a news report stating that City Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., chairman of the public utilities committee, has complained about the new charges and accused the agency of implementing the new rates without holding public consultations.

For his part, Guro said prior to the increase in taxi fare, a series of consultations was held which was attended by representatives from all sectors involved, including a consumer group.

He said the petition was filed in 2012 but was approved by the LTFRB board only in 2017. The last taxi fare increase was in 2010.

After the approval of the new tariff, Guro said he called all the taxi operators in Cagayan de Oro for a meeting so the LTFRB decision could be implemented in the city.

But Guro said he would gladly endorse any petition coming from the various sectors in the city to the LTFRB central office.

“I will recommend it (petition). It will then depend on the decision of the (LTFRB board),” he said.

Guro said it’s up to the petitioners if they want a discount in the total fare or if they want the P2 additional per-minute charge scrapped.

“Whatever is agreeable to all, I’ll forward it the [LTFRB] board,” he added, referring to any petition the proponents might draw up.

Since the decision of the LTFRB board to implement the P13.50 per kilometer and P2 extra charge has already been in effect, Guro said the agency’s decision makers can issue a “supplement decision” that would cater to the petitioners’ demand.

As these extra charges have already been programmed into the taxis’ meters through a calibration, he said another move would be to give passengers a flat discount from the total fare they will be paying.

Guro cited the situation in Baguio City where the LTFRB declared a flag-down rate of P35 owing to the fact that the taxis there use diesel fuel instead of gasoline and that drivers don’t need to use their unit’s airconditioner due to the area’s cold climate.

The regional director added he will also into complaints from passengers of drivers who intentionally stall their taxis in the traffic jam just so they could charge more.

Any violation that taxi drivers or operators have committed has a corresponding penalty, he added.

Team CdeO still NorMin’s best in national games

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

CAGAYAN de Oro City finally overtook Iligan City in what was called a battle for supremacy in Northern Mindanao during this year’s edition of the Philippine National Games (PNG), which ended on May 25 in Cebu City.

This, after Team CdeO landed in 18th spot with 10 gold, 4 silver and 11 bronze medals in the final and official medal count released on Monday, June 4.

Iligan City followed next at 19th place with 9 gold, 11 silver and 28 bronzes medals.

Before the final over-all result, Iligan was in 14th place with 9-10-27 (gold/silver/bronze) in the last partial and official result as of 6 p.m. on May 25.

Team Cdeo was at 32nd place at that time with 4 gold, 4 silver and 10 bronze medals.

But, Cagayan de Oro made a quantum leap behind the heroics of its boxers in the final day of the country’s premier national games.

The Oro boxers went on to sweep all their final matches to overtake Iligan in the final medal count and preserved the city’s dominance in Region 10.

City sports overseer Rocky Calingin found Iligan a threat in the region’s supremacy next year.

But, the city-- as early as now—has intensified its preparation even including arnis and taekwondo to the delegation in the next PNG episode.

“We will improve next year especially with the inclusion of arnis and taekwondo,” said Calingin, now fully aware that the two events are medal performing sports disciplines in the city.

Davao City, however, reigned supreme in the whole island of Mindanao as it landed fourth in the over-all medal count with 19-31-44.

Two more local government units from Mindanao namely General Santos City and Zamboanga City made it to the top-10 circle.

GenSan came in sixth with 17-24-34, while Zamboanga was in ninth place with 14-7-19.

Host Cebu City, on the other hand, ruled this year’s national games after garnering 48-69-79 medals, while Baguio City followed suit with 38-37-59.

Mandaluyong City claimed the third place with 27-18-30.

1st day of classes ‘generally peaceful’

By PJ ORIAS

CAGAYAN de Oro’s first day of classes in public schools was generally peaceful, even as several protests from motorela drivers and a group of teachers asking for salary increase also take centerstage.

Ophelia Tabacon, union president of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in Northern Mindanao, said they are appealing for the speedy enactment of House Bill 7221 that seeks to raise teachers' salaries: P16,000 for salary grade 1, P30,000 for Teacher I; and P31,000 for Instructor I.

Tabacon said a substantial raise on the salaries of education workers is “necessary, justified, and long-overdue.”

She said the salary increase effected by executive order 201 since 2016 was useless with the spike of prices of goods and commodities, along with the implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law which she said, has done more harm than good for them.

“A three-year-high inflation rates have eroded both the meager salary increases under EO 201 and the income tax savings under the Train Law. This has plunged education workers deeper into the quagmire of personal debts,” she said.

“The selective salary increase given to uniformed personnel in January 2018 has brought the distortions in the public sector salary scheme to new levels. This discriminatory action sows demoralization and resentment among civilian personnel,” she added.

Tabacon said teachers, parents, students share the same sentiment that two years is too long a wait for the Duterte administration to fulfill a key campaign promise.

“Empty stomachs can no longer wait for 2020. We need salary increase now. In the name of adequate and equitable pay for all government workers, we also support House Bills 7197 and 7196 which aim to increase the salaries of all government workers: P16,000 for Salary Grade I and P30,000 for Nurse 1,” she added.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) spokesperson Police Superintendent Mardy Hortillisa said the Cocpo has deployed some 600 police personnel to maintain peace and order as well as to assist parents and children on their first day at school.

USTP teacher develops ‘geolocator’ for distressed fishermen

By Nef Luczon (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–Following the success of initial tests, the geolocation technology developed by a faculty of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) is seen to help local fishermen obtain help during distress situations in the open sea.

The geolocator technology was developed by Engr. Miriam Mejias, a member of the USTP faculty in Computer Engineering department. It is an offshoot of Mejias' thesis for her Master’s degree in Computer Applications at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology.

Using a computer application, the "geolocator" uses a “sub-1 GHz” network, a type of radio frequency band known for its high performance, long range wireless signal, and low power consumption.

The technology was first tested by a group of fishermen in Barangay Agusan here, who agreed to participate in a study to determine its effectiveness.

Mejias said the participating fishermen were given geolocators using android smartphones, where they can transmit signals and their locations in open waters.

Mejias said the technology is useful for fisherfolk during emergencies, citing in her study the tragedy involving several fishermen in General Santos City who got lost at sea when tropical storm “Pablo” hit parts of Mindanao in 2012.

"Through this study I hope to help the fishermen who encounter distress situations at sea, so that they can easily be tracked down by rescuers and come home safe and alive," she said in the vernacular.

Kenneth Piloton, barangay administrator of Agusan village, said the fishermen in the area found the technology useful. He hopes that the government can mass-produce the device and give to the fisherfolk for free.

Oro council approves P92.5-M first supplemental budget

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council has passed on Monday, May 28, its first supplemental budget worth P92.5 million, but it made opposition councilors raised their brows as they questioned where the City Government will source such a big amount this early in 2018.

Councilor Leon Gan proposed for the deferment of the ordinance saying it needs more deliberation and more time before it should be passed.

"Because in my own observation, probably we can say that this is too early to have a supplemental budget at this time, we have just passed the 1st quarter period and yet we have another supplemental budget worth 90 million, how can this be done? We haven't even passed the 2nd or 3rd quarter yet so lugar gi-anticipate na nato daan ang (we are already anticipating the) future income of the City Government," he said.

The P32.5 million of the total P92.5 million were sourced from savings and realignment from continuing appropriation from various years of the general fund, while the remaining P60 million categorized as "surplus."

While the P32 million source of fund was enumerated, Councilor Nadya Emano-Elipe questioned why the P60 millions source of fund was not specified and only labeled as surplus.

Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., meanwhile, told his fellow councilors there is nothing to worry about since the amount will go directly to City Government projects.

"The source of supplemental budget are taken from the surplus or from other items which were not utilized last year, so it should be supplemented and should be used so that it can be spent to other projects," Lao said.

"There's nothing to worry about because these are taken from savings or surplus from previous years and was carefully deliberated," he added.

Majority of the councilors however voted to pass the ordinance.

Corpus Christi cagers rule 1st CVCA League

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

CORPUS Christi School nearly completed a sweep in the 1st Cagayan de Oro Varsity Coaches Association League, which ended here on Wednesday at the Xavier University High School covered courts up in Pueblo township.

The CCS bets dominated the pasarelle, small basketeers of the Philippines and ladies divisions against XU teams in the finals.

The Junior Knights of coach Carlo Dagalea beat the XUHS Crusaders, 57-50 in the passarelle division, while the baby Knights dumped the baby Crusaders, 46-35 in the SBP division.

The lady Knights of coach Catrina Pong-Biongcog, on the other hand, thrashed the lady Crusaders, 49-10 in the ladies section.

“In fairness sa lady Crusaders, bag-o lang gyud sila naporma busa nidaug kami sa experience,” Biongcog humbly said.

St, Mary’s School (SMS) Fiats of coach Rene Ilogon prevented Corpus Christi’s total domination after escaping with a 60-57 come-from-behind victory over Dagalea’s charges in the 17-under boys class.

The Knights were in control of the whole quarters and even held the lead by as much as 12 points.

But, St. Mary’s slowly rallied behind in the final fourth period until they finally overtook Corpus by one, 58-57, in the dying seconds of the game.

SMS sealed the win after Tyler Lim intercepted a Corpus fast break and found Airmeg Mesa wide-open for the crucial basket.

The league was formed through the collaborations of Xavier, Corpus, St. Mary’s and Cagayan de Oro National High School.

They were the league’s first participants with the hope to expand next summer.

“Na-initiate namo kay walay nag-sponsor og summer league nga school-based, busa nakahuna-huna kami para dili maputol among programa sa eskwelahan,” said Dagalea.

Oro karatekas Shine in JKA Cebu Open tilt

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

CAGAYAN de Oro City’s Christine Cabrejas and Michi Jan Abao bagged a gold each in the 2018 Japan Karate Association (JKA) Open Invitational Tournament last May 20 at the New Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City.

Cabrejas, a first dan black belter from JKA Cagayan de Oro chapter and an incoming grade 12, dominated the 16 to 17 years old girls kumite to win the gold, while Abao held ground in the 12 to 13 years old kumite.

Aside from that, Cabrejas salvaged a silver and a bronze medal in the team and individual kata, respectively, while Abao also clinched a silver in the team kata.

Klara Claire Abao, who is Michi Jan’s sibling, pulled a silver in the team kata and two bronzes from the 12 to 13 years old individual kata and kumite.

Mark Rhys Cabaraban also chipped in a silver for JKA CdeO with a silver in the 14 to 15 years old boys kumite and a bronze in the individual kata.

“They all fought a good fight and all performed their best during the tournament,” said Jessica Hojas Esparrago, one of the heads in JKA CdeO and at the same time a PE instructor at Xavier University.

Cagayan de Oro pugs sweep all 6 final matches

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

CEBU CITY -- Cagayan de Oro City boxers swept all their final matches to give Team CdeO six gold medals in the last day of action of the 2018 Philippine National Games, concluded here on Friday night, May 25.

Mark Lester Durens, John Ignatius Macas, John Paul Panuayan, Sugar Rey Ocana, Elaide Pamisa and Jema Baja starred in the final day for Team CdeO after winning their respective divisions in the boxing event held at New Cebu Coliseum.

Panuayan and Ocana pulled impressive wins after stopping their respective foes in the same time and round at 2:58 minutes of the second round.

Panuayan won against Jacob Regis of host Cebu City via referee stop contest in their youth men’s lightweight fight.

Panuayan put the exclamation mark after unleashing a strong right straight to the face of Regis that sent him to the ropes and the referee’s call.

Ocana, on the other hand, scored a knock out win against Jerome Panganiban of Leyte Sports Academy (LSA) in the elite men’s light welterweight.

Durens, Macas, Pamisa and Baja won via unanimous decision against their respective foes in the finals.

Durens beat John Paul Gabunelas of host Cebu City in the men’s youth light flyweight division, while Macas defeated Robert Paala of Sultan Kudarat in the youth men’s flyweight.

Their female counterparts, Pamisa and Baja, won against LSA boxers.

Pamisa outclassed Myra Nacario in the women’s youth light flyweight, while Baja won against Judy Ann Orbeta in the women’s youth flyweight.

Jordge Nuez also gave a bronze in the youth men’s flyweight division.

Team CdeO seized a total of 10 golds, four silvers and 11 bronzes in the meet.

Micab gets ready to ride into CDO, Davao this year

(KOC)

TAXI-hailing app Micab expects to end the year with 15,000 partner-taxis as it expands operations to Cagayan de Oro and Davao cities this year.

At present, Micab app is available in Cebu City, Metro Manila, Baguio, Bacolod, and Iloilo. It has about 5,000 partner-taxis, of which 3,000 are based in Cebu.

Eddie Ybañez, Micab Systems Corp. founder and chief executive officer, said that Micab is on an expansion mode this year following its accreditation as a Transport Network Company (TNC) by the Land Transportation and Franchising Regulatory Board last April 30.

“Ever since the TNC accreditation was created, we’ve recognized it a milestone for the country. It’ll allow tech companies to legally innovate mobility and transportation in the Philippines. Now that Micab has been extended this recognition, we look forward to revitalizing the taxi industry with our vision for Taxi 2.0,” said Ybañez.

Taxi 2.0 envisions cabs that will be clean, modern, and inviting and, more importantly, driven by well-trained drivers who are friendly, polite, and kind, said Ybañez.

Besides expanding in other areas this year, the Cebuano tech entrepreneur is also negotiating with a group of Singapore-based venture capitalists to raise the company’s capitalization requirement of $1 million to $5 million for other expansion projects, including logistics, cargo, and health care services.

Ybañez added they are also looking at deploying the app for other modes of transportation like jeepneys, passenger vans, and buses.

“All we need to do is tweak the app and make it friendlier to public utility vehicles,” said Ybañez.

Micab eliminates the long queues of passengers in taxi stands. It also provides drivers of assured passengers.

The app has its own call and chat interface that gives users and the drivers real-time communications. It has a built-in ticketing system, an electronic wallet for payments, and rewards points for the drivers as incentives.

In April, CNN Philippines reported that the LTFRB had accredited two ride-hailing apps, Hype and HirNa, in addition to Grab and U-Hop

Micab has logged 90,000 user registrations. The app is available for download in both the App Store and Google Play Store.

Disaster-resilient evacuation center to rise in Tablon

By PJ ORIAS

CAGAYAN de Oro will soon have another disaster-resilient evacuation center which is set to rise in Barangay Tablon.

Considered as a flood and landslide prone area, Cagayan de Oro City is the recipient of the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) project that will address immediate and quick response to multiple hazards such as earthquakes, typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.

The P35.46-million project will be funded by the national government. A memorandum was signed between the city, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and OCD early this year to realize the project.

The evacuation center shall be designed to be resilient from flood, earthquake, typhoon and other extreme weather events, among others.

The City Council said by using a geohazard map, the city chose Barangay Tablon as the recipient of the project. Geohazard maps are said to be helpful in identifying evacuation centers that are safe.

This is the second disaster-resilient evacuation center in the city as the city government already built the same facility worth P10 million in Barangay Indahag.

Less than five days before the city remembers the wrath of typhoon Sendong, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno turned over the P10-million worth evacuation center to the village officials with the message of disaster awareness.

The two-storey building is mounted in a one-hectare area property donated by Indahag village, with seven rooms, nine comfort rooms, and a roof deck that is estimated to accommodate more or less 500 individuals during evacuations.

The building is funded by the DILG through its Bottom-Up Budgeting, which is worth P7.2 million while the city for its part, gave P2.8 million for the project.

NorMin MSMEs urged to improve product branding, packaging

By Nef Luczon (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--Owners of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Northern Mindanao should change their "mindset" in considering branding and packaging as important components of their products to increase global competitiveness, an official of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

Linda Boniao, director of DTI 10 (Northern Mindanao), said local entrepreneurs commonly harbor reservations in improving their branding and packaging.

Boniao attributed this to the additional production costs that branding and packaging may entail, which would affect pricing and could in turn discourage consumers from buying.

"It would be unfortunate for these good products (from local traders) not to create an impact in the international market simply because of bad packaging," she said in an interview Thursday.

She added that while products from other countries have good packaging, some of them are of lower quality compared to Philippine-made goods.

Boniao pointed this out as the DTI is on the thick of launching its "Pack! Pilipinas", a roadshow that enables local traders to meet and consult with packaging and branding consultants and suppliers.

For the Visayas leg, the roadshow visited Tacloban City on May 3-4, while the Mindanao leg concluded in Cagayan de Oro City last week, from May 16-17. The final leg in Luzon will be held in Carmona, Cavite on May 29-30.

Boniao said the roadshows aims to encourage MSME entrepreneurs to consider improving their branding and packaging styles to entice wider markets and consumers, as visual appeal remains a major factor among buyers.

DTI Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya, who graced the opening event, said the agency can provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs wanting to avail of the program, which includes computations and payment schemes aimed at making it easy for traders to access packaging supplies.

Oro gov’t, tertiary schools sign Scholarship Code

By BUTCH ENERIO

THE City Government and the various colleges and universities in Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday, May 22, signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for a more meaningful scholarship program.

The 2018 Scholarship Code which was approved in January 8, 2018, covers a comprehensive and inclusive opportunity for the deserving and qualified students, particularly those coming from the marginalized sector, regardless of race, status and political affiliation.

The 2018 Scholarship Code, which was authored by Councilor Suzette Magtajas-Daba, Committee on Education chairperson, and the members of the City Council approved the code to address the education of students who showed exemplary academic records, but could not pursue higher education because of dire economic want.

Mayor Oscar Moreno said that education is foremost for a meaningful development of the city such that he pursued for the continuation of the scholarship program of the previous administration giving hope to the scholars to finish their college education.

“My administration does not adhere to the practices of traditional politicians that remove development programs started by the previous administration when in power, leaving the beneficiaries in quandary. Education is everybody’s right and that we will find more means to accommodate more deserving students in the future,” Moreno said.

The city is looking forward to increasing the number of scholars to 4,000 next school year.

“This is because we want the students, the beneficiaries of the scholarship program to enjoy the real meaning of public service under my administration. And produce top graduates,” Moreno said.

This year’s application ballooned to 2,046 students, but only 1,309 applicants were admitted to the program for this school year. And with the current scholars who are graduating this year, the total number of city scholars has increase to 1,504 or more than 100 percent increase from the previous 600 scholars.

All scholars will enjoy the privilege of full tuition and matriculation and monthly stipend. The city approved a P40-million budget for the program.

The participating schools of the scholarship program are the Cagayan de Oro College, Capitol University, Lourdes College, Pilgrim Christian College, Southern de Oro College, University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines, Xavier University and Liceo de Cagayan University.

Oro media group calls for truthful reporting

By JIGGER J. JERUSALEM

THE biggest media group in Northern Mindanao has reminded journalists to be truthful and fair in their reports to counter the proliferation of fake news in the country.

Rufino Magbanua, president of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), has urged media persons to adhere to truth-telling and observe ethical standards in reporting to avoid misinforming the public.

The COPC is celebrating the Press Freedom Week, which kicked off with a Holy Mass and motorcade on Monday, May 21, with this year’s theme “#EmbraceResponsibleJournalism.”

“We are sending a strong message to all journalists that they have the responsibility to be factual, balanced and truthful in their report in the face of false information being circulated on social media,” Magbanua said.

He said reporters must adhere to ethical reporting now more than ever so that the people will not be deceived by a slew of fake information being posted and shared online.

Magbanua emphasized that the COPC has its own code of ethics which acts as guideline for local media practitioners.

“Accuracy: We shall be guided at all times by accuracy, fairness, independence and balance, and should not deliberately mislead or misinform the public. We shall aim to disclose all known, relevant facts,” read a part of the club’s code of ethics.

The code also includes COPC’s guiding principles on the following: comment and fact, advocacy, honesty, personal interest and influence, attribution, ratification and the right of reply, privacy, discrimination, and sensitivity.

On May 22, Tuesday, a whole-day medical outreach program sponsored by Bukidnon 1st district Representative Malou Acosta-Alba will be held at the COPC, while the annual sports festival will formally open on the same day.

A forum on social media will be conducted on May 23, Wednesday. The club will also be involved in a tree-planting project on May 25, Friday.

The weeklong commemoration will close with a culmination night on May 26, Saturday. There will also be fellowship dinners in between.

The COPC, with more than a hundred members coming from the city’s quad-media practitioners, is considered as the oldest press club in the Philippines having been established on Nov. 11, 1951. It is now on its 67th year.

2,894 teachers get honoraria for election service

By PJ ORIAS

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has started releasing honoraria for the 2,894 teachers who served the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in Cagayan de Oro.

City Comelec Officer Ramil Acol said the honoraria are released through cash cards which will be distributed to all the teachers who were chairpersons and members of electoral boards in various polling precincts.

As of this writing, Acol said they have released half of the cash cards and the distribution is expected to be done today, May 22.

Based on Republic Act 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act, poll workers are entitled to the corresponding honoraria: Chairperson of the Electoral Boards, P6,000; Members of Electoral Boards, P5,000; Department of Education Supervisor Official P4,000 and Support Staff P 2,000.

They are also entitled to a travel allowance of PHP 1,000 each.

However, the honoraria are not "tax-free" as requested by a group of teachers here last week.

The Comelec explained that the imposition of tax on the honoraria is not a Comelec decision, but the call of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

There has been no issued order to stop the implementation of the said BIR circular which imposed the tax on the election honoraria.

"It is still with tax but those having an annual gross income of P250,000 are tax exempt," Acol said.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in Northern Mindanao meanwhile is saddened that their call for a tax-free honorarium has fallen into deaf ears.

The teachers group said they will continue to call for tax-free honoraria and hoped it will be implemented in the next elections.

Oro booters join Ceres Cup

By JACK BIANTAN

SIX teams from Cagayan de Oro City are entered in two-day Ceres Cup football festival on May 19 to 20 at three venues in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

Higala FC of coach Weng dela Rairte are joining in the Boys U12, Boys U13, Boys U15, Boys U17 and girls U16 while CdO United of coach Mario Sumampong is competing in the Boys 15.

“We have prepared for this tournament for two months. I hope we will win some titles,” said Dela Riarte.

The Higala FC players left Cagayan de Oro last Thursday and have seen action as of this writing. They will also play today.

The strong CDO United team will play today. The core of the CdO United team are players from Rosevale School and are supported by football parents of the Rosevale School led by Charlston and Menchu Dy, Jeff Cascara, Marlon Casas, Aldwin Gementiza, and Gigi Butaslac.

The team is bannered by Lyle Dy, JL Cascara, Zac Orate, John Gementiza, Ino Butaslac, Dave Mendoza, Dale Anoya, July Vicente, Luigi Awayan, Francis Mendoza, and Ivan Rosales.

CDO United is a fast rising club in Cagayan de Oro today. The Oro boys won the U15 title in the Thirsty Cup last February in Cebu City.

The 7-aside tournament on May 19 is for Mixed 9, Boys 12, Boys 14, Girls 13, Ladies 18, Boys 17 and Men’s 40 while on May 20 competition will be for Mixed 10, Boys 13, Boys 15, Girls 16, Boys 18, Ladies Open and Men’s Open.

More than 400 teams from all over the country are joining the tournament held at Ceres FC North Field, Sta. Maria Field also and Carlos Hilado Memorial College.

Ceres Cup is a project of the Ceres Football Club, the biggest professional football club in the Philippines today. It is supported by the Villacar Transport Group of Company, the biggest public transport company in the country today with almost 2,000 buses running daly nationwide.

Oro gov’t accepts some 1,494 scholars

By PJ ORIAS

THE City Government has accepted some 1,494 scholars out of the 2,406 applicants for this year's expanded scholarship program of Cagayan de Oro.

Of the 1,494, 150 of them fall under the “income-based” category while the other 1,306 fall under the “performance-based” category.

Income-based scholars are the ones who are identified as within the poverty line and only need to maintain a 75 percent grade, while the performance-based scholars need to maintain 85 percent grade to keep their scholarship program.

The city's education focal person Maria Dulce Potenciano said the scholars are chosen carefully through a difficult screening process, as they have to background check the applicants to see if they fall under the categories set.

"This year we have the highest number of city scholars because aside from the 1,306 new set of scholars, we still have existing 188 scholars," she said.

The city's expanded scholarship program includes low income families, only earning P5,000 or less per month.

The City Council said this new type of scholarship program is the first of its kind in the country as it only requires 75 percent grade requirement.

The city has allocated P60 million for the scholarship program.

DA-10 funds livestock auction market in CDO

By Recthie T. Paculba (DA/RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Livestock farmers in Cagayan de Oro City will now have a place to sell their farm animals as the Livestock Auction Market will soon rise in Barangay Mambuaya, this city.

The project is funded under the Bottoms-Up Budgeting Program of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10).

A check worth P3.57 million was handed over to city government representative Hector San Juan, DVM, city agriculturist of the Agricultural Productivity Operations Office (APOO).

The check was turned over by DA-10 Administrative and Finance Division Chief Lester Jaducana in behalf of Carlene Collado, DA-10 officer-in-charge regional director.

The total cost of the project amounts to P5 million, wherein the city government's counterpart is P1.43 million.

This is intended for the construction of four buildings within the one-hectare agricultural lot, for Cattle and Pig Holding Shed, Admin Building, and the livestock auction facility.

This will be managed and operated by the City Economic Enterprise Department (CEED) in partnership with the Project Management Team.

The project is seen to provide economic opportunities for the indigenous farmers in the hinterlands and will likewise increase livestock population in the city.

'PH needs to focus on innovation to keep up with Industry 4.0'

(Claire Gigje/APB/PIA 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Philippines needs to focus on innovation to benefit from the changes driven by Industry 4.0 or the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This is one of the recommendations of the World Economic Forum (WEF) after conducting an assessment on the readiness of countries in terms of producing for the future, according to Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba, assistant secretary of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Asec. Aldaba said the recent assessment report of WEF showed that Philippines has a low level of readiness for future production which they attributed to the country’s weak institutional framework, human capital, technology and innovation.

The main recommendation of the report is for the Philippines to focus its efforts on upgrading its technology, reskilling and up-skilling its workers, and innovation, she said.

Innovation, which is the animating force behind Industry 4.0, is also critical in addressing the challenges from robotics, artificial intelligence, and other new technologies.

Asec. Aldaba said competition is expected to intensify with Industry 4.0 which will drive companies and industries to engage more on innovation.

This is also the secret on how the country can sustain the strong economic growth it has been experiencing.

It was reported that the Philippine economy grew 6.4 percent from 2010 to 2017 amid economic and global uncertainty.

The economic growth was driven by the manufacturing industry led by food manufacturing, electronics and chemicals.

However, most of the country’s regional economies are still dependent to agriculture, forestry and fishery.

Manufacturing is largely concentrated in CALABARZON, followed by NCR and Central Luzon while Central Visayas and Davao are still catching up.

Asec. Aldaba said other countries have been preparing for Industry 4.0.

For instance, China has its own “Made in China 2025,” Thailand has “Thailand 4.0,” and India has “Made in India”.

The Philippines, she said, can also face the challenges and even tap the opportunities of Industry 4.0 with the right strategy.

Thus, the DTI and the Department of Science and Technology are conducting regional consultations and validation workshops to finalize the Filipinnovation and Entrepreneurship Roadmap which one of the five pillars of the Inclusive Innovation Industrial Strategy (i3s).

Asec. Aldaba said the overall goal of the i3s strategy is to create globally competitive and innovative industries by building innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“With this ecosystem, we will be able to upgrade and develop new industries, attract more investments, and remove the obstacles to growth.

Collaborative innovation key to industry dev’t

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran (APB/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Strong collaboration among government agencies, the academe, and industry stakeholders is a crucial factor to put regional industries in a better position to face the challenges in both domestic and export markets.

Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba, Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) assistant secretary for Industry and Development, said the main recommendation from the different regional consultations conducted by DTI was the building of connected, creative, and innovative communities highlighted by more research and development (R&D) collaboration; strong support of legislation in terms of policies that would strengthen R&D; integration of innovation and entrepreneurship in the education curriculum; and improving the quality and utilization of government’s shared infrastructure such as shared service facilities, Fablabs, and food innovation centers.

According to Asec. Aldaba, studies conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) have shown that there is a weak linkage between industry and academe in terms of innovation due to widespread mistrust between the university and industry communities.

“What is happening is that there are more competition than collaboration. There is also a lack of strong culture of research in universities,” she noted.

These findings, she said, somehow support the low ranking of the country in terms of innovation efforts.

The Philippines ranked 73rd in the Global Innovation Index 2017, scoring lowest in creative outputs, human capital, and market sophistication.

While the private sector is seen as a major driver of growth, the government also plays a important role particularly on the crafting and implementation of policies that will support the growth of regional industries.

“By improving our business and policy environment, we can attract more investments which are going to be the source of jobs, emerging new tech industries, as well as new products and services leading to improved productivity and competitiveness,” Aldaba said.

Close coordination among government agencies is also critical.

Aldaba said collaboration and closer coordination within government can be promoted by expanding DOST-DTI innovation memorandum of understanding to include the Department of Information and Communications Technology which has a mandate over physical innovation infrastructure; the Department of Agriculture because of the R&D support it provides to the agricultural sector; the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Commission on Higher Education to grant more market-oriented research, commercialization support, and reforms in the curricula; the National Economic and Development Authority for the monitoring of innovation policy and evaluate implementation; the Department of Finance for fiscal support; and the Department of Interior and Local Government to link up with local government units.

PAL flights to Cagayan De Oro, Puerto Princesa now use Terminal 2

By Jacque Manabat, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Philippine Airlines said Thursday all flights from Manila to Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa began using Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2.

The new terminal assignment took effect on Wednesday, PAL said in an advisory. Flights from Manila to the 2 cities used to operate from Terminal 3.

Passengers arriving in Terminal 2 can avail of transfer service if they have connecting flights in Terminal 3, the airline said.

PAL Advisory: Effective May 16, 2018 (Wednesday), all Manila – Cagayan de Oro – Manila and Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila flights will depart from / arrive at NAIA Terminal 2. pic.twitter.com/Ur3TUOY1Wf — Jacque Manabat (@jacquemanabat) May 17, 2018

HOAs to receive livelihood program in June

(ALR/PIA 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD) is set to implement the Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) for the livelihood applicants of the Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) from the different relocation sites of the city.

Around P2 million has been allocated as initial capital for the livelihood program of the HOAs.

Engr. Ermin Stan Pimentel, head of CHUDD, clarified that the program aims to help increase the income of families who are beneficiaries of the existing housing communities.

However, there are only six HOA’s that submitted their livelihood proposal to CHUDD and these include San Juan 1 Lapasan Homeowners Association Inc. which proposed rice trading as a livelihood; Cagayan de Oro Resettlement Socialized Housing Project 3 (CDORSHP-3) of Barangay Iponan that focuses on hollow block making; GK-Shell Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan, rug making; Bueno Oro Homeowners Association Inc. (BOHAI), rice trading; Oro Habitat Phase 2-A, rice trading; and FS Catanico Homeowners Association Inc., rice trading.

Pimentel clarified that the target number of HOAs who can avail the livelihood program is 20 and each group will be given P100,000 as capital.

Before the capital is given, the approved beneficiaries will undergo some training to understand the concepts on basic management and product development.

Doing so will aid the beneficiaries gain knowledge on how to handle their business.

CHUDD now urges other HOAs to submit their project proposal to the office of CHUDD so that their proposals will be included before the start of the program in June.

TWG starts discussions on proposed Public-Private Partnership code

By Elaine O. Ratunil (eor/CdeOSP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the City Council Committee on Ways and Means sat down on May 9 to start discussions on the proposed city code on Public-Private Partnership for the People’s Initiative for Local Governments (LGU-P4).

It may be recalled that the City Council Committee on Ways and Means chaired by Councilor George Goking created the TWG to study the proposed ordinance, which contains the procedure for selecting private sector proponents for various priority projects and a contract management framework.

The TWG is headed by Assistant City Legal Officer Atty. Reymond Villablanca with Nimfa-Along Albania of the Oro Trade and Investment Promotions Center, City Budget Officer Atty. Percy G. Salazar, City Engineer Rolando Pacuribot, and Atty. Jose Sabanal.

The draft is adopted from DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2016-120, which provides the guidelines for the private sector participation in the provision of public infrastructure and social services.

The proposed code aims to provide better, affordable, and timely services to the community and ensure that these projects are feasible, affordable and bankable.

The proposed legislation was endorsed by the Committee on Planning and Development chaired by Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya.

Evacuation center to rise in Tablon

By Elaine O. Ratunil (eor/JAO/CdeOSP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Cagayan de Oro will soon have a geohazards-free evacuation center.

The 18th City Council during its 82nd regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy, enacted an ordinance authorizing the City Mayor to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) covering the construction of an Evacuation Center in Barangay Tablon.

Considered as a flood and landslide prone area, Cagayan de Oro City is the recipient of the OCD project that will address immediate and quick response to multiple hazards such as earthquakes, typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions, and landslides.

The construction of the Evacuation Center will be funded by the National Government in the amount of P35,460,000.00 which will be released upon completion of the necessary requirements for the project.

Under the MOA, the OCD regional office shall oversee the implementation of the project and take appropriate measures to ensure that the fund transferred to DPWH is used for the intended purpose.

It shall specifically conduct regular consultation and dialogues with DPWH and the city to facilitate the resolution of implementation issues.

Moreover, it shall also conduct regular monitoring and inspection of the project.

Meanwhile, the DPWH shall act as the implementing party of the project.

It shall ensure that the evacuation center shall be implemented in areas, locations or sites that are not included in critical geo-hazard areas or no-build zone identified by the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB).

Furthermore, it shall also design and build the evacuation center to be resilient from flood, earthquake, typhoon and other extreme weather events, among others.

For its part, the city shall provide an area for the evacuation center and ensure the location to be free from geo-hazards or no build zone identified by the MGB.

Furthermore, it shall undertake the proper maintenance of the facility upon acceptance and shall include in their annual appropriation funds the cost of maintenance and operation of the completed facility.

This legislation was reviewed and favorably endorsed in the committees on police, fire and public safety, and on laws and rules respectively chaired by Councilors Romeo Calizo and Ian Mark Nacaya.

CDO turns over 4 vehicles to COCPO

(ALR/Roven Larroza/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- “Just ensure that you do your job.”

This was the challenge of City Mayor Oscar Moreno to police personnel during the turnover ceremony of the four new vehicles to Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) on May 7.

Moreno together with City Councilor Jay Roa Pascual led the simple ceremony where they handed over the three Toyota Hilux and one Isuzu Mux to COCPO through City Police Director P/SSupt Nelson Aganon.

The vehicles amounted to P6,485,200.

The three Hilux vehicles were handed over again to the station commanders of Police Station 1 Divisoria, Police Station 3 Agora, and Police Station 4 Carmen.

Moreno is hoping that the city will be the model of peace and order, along with solidarity and mutual assistance.

He also added that the police force can always count on the constant support of the city government.

Workshop on strengthening school governing councils held

  • Source: pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1007860
  • Saturday, May 12, 2018
By Lea May Caburatan (/XU Comm, PIA 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- “Ano nga ba ang isang matatag na School Governing Council (What is a stable SGC)?” asked Synergeia Foundation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Milwida “Nene” Guevara during a third-level workshop on SGC development held April 27 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The workshop, called “Building Communities that will Make Education Work,” was part of a series initiated by the Synergeia Foundation in line with the Education Governance Effectiveness (EdGE) project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The event was participated by representatives from the city local government unit and the Department of Education (DepEd) - Division of Cagayan de Oro City, parents, barangay officials, school heads, district supervisors, and teachers from districts Central I, East I, East II, North I, North II District, South, Southwest, West I, and West II.

The workshop centered on how the participants could strengthen their respective SGCs by translating their goals into tasks and by learning the concept of metrics and performance indicators.

They were also guided on the process of identifying problems and solutions and developing their own brand.

CDO Mayor Oscar Moreno, one of the Top 10 Education Champions in the country, also attended the event.

In his message to the participants, he said: “Marami na tayong nagawa, pero marami pang kulang. (We have done a lot, but we still lack more.) We will not stop. We know that education is very important. As we continue our journey, we thank Synergeia for being with us.”

Through his administration, Cagayan de Oro City has been awarded the Seal of Good Education Governance in April 2018.

“They [Synergeia] are here to help us, kasi nakikita nila that the community is also eager to work para sa ating mga sarili (They are here to help us, because they see that the community is also eager to work for ourselves),” Moreno said.

“We are a good partner, a good implementer, and in terms of implementation, I’m just [setting] a direction, you are the ones that will make it happen. Kayo [You all] will be the ones who will bring us to reality,” Moreno added.

Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan has been working together with Synergeia Foundation to improve access to quality education and livelihood skills in areas afflicted by conflict and poverty, particularly in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

As the social development arm of the Xavier Ateneo’s School of Education, the Arrupe Educational Center (AEC) seized the workshop as an opportunity to understand further the concerns of the community and to take an active part in the formulation and implementation of programs and projects in education.

Women coaches talk challenges, hopes for sports in Mindanao

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (jmr/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The women coaches, who are members of the Mindanao Peace Games, shared the challenges they have encountered in a seemingly male-dominated environment and their aspirations for sports development in Mindanao during a kapihan (coffee) session in April.

The group aims to empower more women into leadership positions, particularly in the field of sports.

In her talk, karate coach Jessica H Esparrago from Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan shared that stereotypes and gender norms should not prevent women athletes to excel and succeed in their chosen sport.

“Women in sports should be able to explore and develop their potentials in their chosen fields. We can achieve this by creating games focused on women athletes and events hosted or officiated by the women officials,” she said.

Esparrago continued: “Sad to say that in our society, men are being given a lot of privileges in some sports like basketball, soccer, and others. But I am happy that through the Mindanao Peace Games, women are being highlighted and serve as the prime movers of peace through sports. In the MPG, activities like Ted talks, movie nights, and media exposure are being provided.”

Esparrago is an XU Physical Education faculty member and Dan Blackbelt-holder of Japan Karate Association - Asia Pilipinas.

“I am proud to be a coach. I am a coach. I dress well during games and set myself as a role model to the athletes,” she declared.

“As a female coach, my participation in leadership summits, conventions, and seminars have empowered me to achieve my full potential as a leader. That is why together with Dr. Vincent Padilla (Xavier Ateneo Athletics Office director), we hosted this kapihan for all women coaches in the region to share our challenges and aspirations for sports in Mindanao.”

Elizabeth Jaramillo, a former national Dragon Boat player, also shared her experience at the gathering.

“Despite being poor, I was able to travel and see the world, through sports,” she said.

Jaramillo is now the coach of the basketball women team of Pilgrim Christian College (PCC) in Cagayan de Oro City.

Besides the former national Dragon Boat player, the kapihan, held on April 14, was able to gather seven leading women coaches from different fields (badminton, basketball, karatedo/arnis, and volleyball).

On behalf of the coaches, Esparrago appealed for support to advance their cause.

“As coaches, we are eager to develop further our coaching and officiating skills. There is a need for capacity-building programs and good venues for our practice sessions and games, particularly for those who are in the far-flung areas of Mindanao. We really need support from the government and private sector to strengthen our sports program in schools and barangays.”

The Mindanao Peace Games (MPG) organization is a group (founded by the athletics leaders from the three Jesuits universities of Mindanao) composed of coaches, athletes, and sports educators from private universities and colleges in Mindanao. They aim to promote peace on the second largest island of the Philippines through sports and education.

University in CDO receives 'Bamboo Grant' from United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia

(jmr/PIA10/XU Comm)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan, through its College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded the Bamboo Grant from the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia for the project proposal entitled “A Journey Towards a New Paradigm: Transitioning from Discipline-based to Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning.”

The Bamboo Grants Program of the United Board awards grants up to US$5,000 that enable innovative educators to launch small-scale, start-up activities and pedagogical experiments to enhance whole-person education in their institutions.

Through this Bamboo Grant, Xavier Ateneo’s College of Arts and Sciences is set to conduct a two-day seminar-workshop for its faculty on May 17-18, 2018 at the AVR 1 (XU Old Library).

Prof. Leung Mei Yee, director of the University General Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and Prof. Tina Clemente, associate professor of the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines Diliman, will serve as resource speakers during the seminar-workshop.

Their presentations will focus on interdisciplinary teaching and learning.

Faculty mentoring also forms part of this program.

The United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia is a non-government and non-profit organization committed to education that develops the whole person – intellectually, spiritually, and ethically.

It draws strength from its Christian identity and values and its collaboration with Asian colleges and universities.

Xavier Ateneo is one of the active members of the network institutions of the United Board.

DOH-10 launches Ligtas Tigdas in Misamis Oriental

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 9 (PIA) -- Department of Health (DOH) Region 10 launched today its Measles-Rubella Supplemental Immunization Activity in Balingasag town, Misamis Oriental with a ceremonial immunization of 20 children from six to 59 months of age.

DOH Regional Director Dr. Nimfa Torrizo shared that they have intensified their campaign for this program following a measles outbreak in the country where the affected majority is in Mindanao.

She said that since February 2018 they have been conducting house-to-house immunization of measles to children less than five years old regionwide as outbreak response immunization.

But despite this, there is still a growing number of measles cases.

Based on data from Epidemiology Bureau, there are over 4,000 measles cases reported nationwide from January to March 26, 2018.

Of the total, 723 cases were laboratory confirmed with a total of 13 deaths.

Most of the confirmed cases came from Region 11 (27.73%), ARMM (21.59%), IX (14.32%), XII (10.45%) and X (10%).

Provinces in Region 10 with most cases include Lanao del Norte with one case in 2017 but rose to 17 cases in 2018.

Meanwhile, Misamis Oriental had a 50 percent increase of measles cases from just eight in 2017 to 16 this year.

To address sustained measles transmission, Ligtas Tigdas was launched in Northern Mindanao.

Dr. Torrizo said that they hope to reach parents, caregivers, and guardians, emphasizing the lifesaving benefits of measles vaccination.

She admit that people have mixed emotions about vaccination from DOH due to the Dengvaxia incident, but explained that this program is different and has been going on for years.

Measles vaccine is safe and has been provided by the department since 1970s and has saved millions of lives, she reiterated.

Meanwhile, Sheena Marie Conol, 27, a mother of a baby boy and a recipient of the ceremonial measles vaccination in Balingasag, shared that she is also cautious about getting vaccines for her child but explained that measles vaccination has been present for years and has proven to be effective so she is confident that her baby will be fine.

She is thankful to DOH because she is now assured of the safety of her son against measles.

The schedule of measles vaccination in Northern Mindanao is from May 9 to June 9, 2018 in all health centers in the region. (JMOR/PIA10)

271 PMA cadets visit Oro for Southern Cruise tour

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

SOME 271 cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class of 2020 arrived on Monday, May 7, in Macabalan Port, Cagayan de Oro City, for their one-week Southern Cruise tour.

PMA spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Reynaldo Balido Jr., said Cagayan de Oro is their fourth stop, as they already toured Palawan, Zamboanga, and Davao for this year's annual training program.

Balido said the cadets will be exposed to the daily grind of police and military force in this part of the country to guide them in choosing which branch of the law enforcement unit they want to join after they graduate.

"We want them to visit these different places so that their experience is also diverse. In their visits, they will be briefed about the problems that are confronted in the area so that they will know and be ready," he said.

Balido said the cadets will also visit schools in Cagayan de Oro in an aim to invite aspiring students to enroll at the PMA.

Of the 271 cadets, 18 are from Northern Mindanao with only one female.

First Lieutenant Tere Ingente, spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said the cadets pay a courtesy visit at 4ID headquarters in Camp Evangelista and at the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao in Camp Alagar. They also performed a silent drill yesterday at the Pelaez Sports Center.

Ingente said the cadets will participate in tree planting activities and will get a chance to visit a center for the Marawi Internally Displaced Persons in the Municipality of Initao.

Oro creates task force to investigate drowning incident

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

FOLLOWING the fatal drowning incident in the City Government-run resort over the weekend, the City Government has created a task force to investigate the death 16-year-old James Cloyd Casiño who drowned at Kagay-an Lawndale Spring Resort.

City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said the task force aims to conduct a thorough investigation to ferret out the circumstances behind the drowning incident.

"This, even as the City Government has already extended immediate assistance as it expressed its deepest sympathy and condolence to the bereaved family," the City Hall statement said.

The Task Force would be headed by the City Legal Office as Chair, and to be Co-Chaired by City Councilor Jay Roa-Pascual, being the chairman of the Committee on Tourism. Other members are: City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, Human Resource Management Office, City Information Office, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department, City Budget Office and Regulatory and Complaints Board.

Casiño, a resident at Talongan in sitio Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan was incidentally found submerged underwater around 9:47 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, by an unidentified swimmer, who then immediately called the attention of lifeguards on duty: Jesus Javier, Alexis Ceasar Rosales and Lorenzo Almonte. The lifeguards were still able to perform cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to revive the victim.

Emergency medical assistance from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) arrived after 20 minutes, and the victim was brought to the JR Borja General Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

In an interview, Sabuga-a said the investigation will determine if there were any lapses committed by the lifeguards on duty, to be able to hold them responsible for the unfortunate incident.

"There have been many drowning incidents in the resort and we have countless successful rescues too, just this one is isn't successful. So the investigation should look at the circumstances to see how we can improve more our services and prevent this unfortunate incident to happen again," he said.

An Oro Rescue team will be on standby every Saturdays and Sundays where most people are expected to come, especially that it is summer season, Sabuga-a said.

In April last year, the City Government has completed the restoration of Lawndale resort and opened it to the public, in time for summer too.

The city has spent a total of P20 million for the restoration of the spring resort where swimming competitions are usually held, with Olympic-sized pool which can be used for practice by athletes before competitions.

The resort has three pools available for adults and four pools that can be used by children.

8 cops relieved for abandoning posts

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

EIGHT policemen of Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) were relieved from their duties for abandoning their posts, City Police Director Senior Superintendent Nelson Aganon said.

Cocpo spokesperson Police Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa identified the relieved cops as Police Officer 1 (PO1) Chris Lanzaderas, PO2 Lorgen Ysalina, PO3 Elnes Concha, PO1 Eldefonso Moralidad Jr., PO3 Bebelito Casing Jr., PO1 Raymung Daisog, PO1 Ramel Murro, and PO1 Alfie Tagapulot. All of whom were assigned at Police Station 2 in Cogon.

Lanzaderas will be reassigned to Police Station 7 in Bulua, while Ysalina, Casing, Daisog, and Murro to Police Station 8 in Lumbia, and Tagapulot to Police Station 10 in Barangay Cugman.

Hortillosa said the policemen, after a surprise visit of city director Aganon, were not in their assigned posts last May 1.

The city police chief yet again surprised the Cogon police with a visit on Friday morning, May 4, and warned all police personnel to be responsible at all times.

Hortillosa said Aganon also warned the rest of the station commanders to monitor or keep tabs their police personnel if they are indeed doing their duties.

Hortillosa said the city police director is also planning to transfer the 8 cops to another police office, outside of Cocpo, after elections.

Since Aganon assumed as the city police director last April 2, this is the first time that he has ordered to remove policemen.

Aganon has been vocal and in fact, it was his first order of business that policemen should report for work at dawn, ahead of most ordinary working men and women. He ordered the first shift changed from 8 a.m. to 5 a.m., saying that before people go out to the streets, police must already be there.

During his visit at the city council, Aganon also vowed to increase police visibilty to further deter crimes in communities.

Resolution meant to 'correct bad policy'

By PJ ORIAS

CITY Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya on Thursday, May 3, clarified that the resolution that was passed on Monday reaffirming the city government's support to the PhilHealth program aims to correct the "bad policy" of the then Padayon Pilipino-dominated city council.

City Council's majority floor leader Nacaya said the passed resolution was not meant to help the mayor to supposedly get away from his wrongdoings, but it was done to correct the "errors of the past.”

Nacaya said the previous city council almost zeroed the budget allocation for City Mayor Oscar Moreno's priority program.

Moreno's PhilHealth program has since enrolled some 85,000 "poorest of the poor" residents of Cagayan de Oro. In 2015, the previous council however did not allocate a budget for the city's PhilHealth program.

"Tungod sa atong resolution, kung aduna pay gipangresibohan sa PhilHealth nga wala pa nato nabayran, angayan na nga mabayaran (Under the resolution, if there are still people who were not paid but were given receipts by Philhealth, they will be paid)," Nacaya said

Nacaya added that the resolution was not illegal, insisting that the City Council s allowed to modify previous actions regardless of the members, citing that the council is a continuing organization.

If mayor Moreno indeed committed mistakes in the PhilHealth implementation, Nacaya said the resolution holds no power to correct those mistakes.

"The resolution passed was about the continuity of the program, not about the cases, we just corrected the error of the past because it was a bad policy and done in a political move," he said.

Nacaya said the city's health program also benefited city health centers and improved maternal care and delivery services.

"The question should be, why did the previous council gave zero budget to a priority program? A healthy population translates to healthy human resource, healthy economy. And the city council now is all out in supporting programs that are good for our people," he said.

The majority of the city councilors voted to pass the resolution that ratified and confirmed the city government's payment to the Philhealth premiums through the annual and supplemental budgets and executive orders issued prior to and after the approval of the said resolution.

Gan and Councilor Nadya Emano-Elipe, voted against the passage of the resolution. Gan said the resolution would mean that the City Council, in one way or another, absolved the mayor for a fault or wrongdoing, that is, paying PhilHealth premium contributions without the approval of the previous council.

Asked for comment, Moreno said Gan's allegations are "obnoxious and preposterous," and "not worth the dignity of a response."

Although the city already spent millions of pesos for the health program, Moreno said the returns for this particular investment are four times bigger.

"For this investment, our returns are at least 4 times: Philhealth payments for both health facility and medical personnel, per family payment rate, and the amount corresponding to the services to our people which are provided free because of the Philhealth enrollment," Moreno said.

Cagayan de Oro boxers shine in Mindanao finals

(BusinessMirror)

POWERHOUSE Cagayan de Oro City dominated the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)-Senator Manny Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup Mindanao Finals by harvesting 10 gold and one silver medals recently at the Almendras Gym Davao City Recreation Center in Davao City.

John Paul Panuayan proved too strong for Kidapawan City’s Jan Reyan Daperan in a referee-stopped-contest verdict 25 seconds in the second round of their youth boys lightweight division clash.

John Ignatius Macas, Kim Bryan Cabrillos, John Erl Palivino, Mark Lester Durens, Jessa Lycca Caranagan, Elaide Pamisa and Dave Bryan Caspe bagged one gold medal each for the Cagayan de Oro stable.

Macas scored a unanimous 5-0 win over Jobert Paala of Sultan Kudarat in youth boys flyweight division of the tournament coorganized by the PSC and the Philippine Sports Institute.

Pamisa and Caspe pulled off walkover wins over Allysa Gleza Mae Balaba in youth girls light flyweight and Kim Delmar Macaangga of Digos City in junior boys bantamweight, respectively.

Cabrillos (junior boys light bantamweight), Palivino (junior boys flyweight), Durens (junior boys light flyweight) and Caranagan (junior girls light light flyweight) also demolished their respective opponents.

Cabrillos defeated Almar Rigor of Digos, 5-0, while Palivino beat Rhonan de la Peña of General Santos City, 5-0. Durens also clinched the gold over Rey John Apale of Digos, 5-0, as Caranagan overcame Kidapawan’s Mearyldyan Manso, 4-1.

Cagayan de Oro missed an 11th gold medal when Peter John Payla lost to Joven Paala of Sultan Kudarat in a split decision, 3-2, in a junior boys pinweight collision.

Pomolok’s (South Cotabato) Jake Sone Saludar, brother of former Asian Games champion Rey Saludar, defeated Ariel Almamento of General City, 5-0, in youth boys light flyweight.

Cagayan de Oro Coach Elmer Pamisa thanked Mayor Oscar Moreno for his all-out support to the team.

Pamisa said their boxers’ discipline in training and the support of Moreno were key to their dominance in amateur boxing in recent years. Northern Mindanao to which Cagayan de Oro belongs also emerged overall champion in the recent Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Sur.

“We won’t be as dominating if not for Mayor Moreno’s support,” said Pamisa, hoping that the city also win gold medals as the tournament progresses with the preliminary round of the national championship in Mandaluyong City on June 16 and 17.

PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey, meanwhile, said the grassroots boxing program is the bridge for boxers to realize their dreams.

“I believe the first Olympic gold will come from Mindanao, and boxing plays a big part in making it happen,” said Maxey, who presented a plaque of appreciation to host Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Sports Development Division chief Michael Denton Aportadera received it on her behalf.

More than 4,000 applicants on Labor Day job fair

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

A HUGE turnout of job seekers was noted in the first day of the two-day job fair sponsored by the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) in Northern Mindanao which started on May 1 until May 2.

Mildred Dablio, Dole-Northern Mindanao information officer, said as of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, some 4,668 job applicants were registered to the job fair, while 2,424 applicants were qualified to the job position they are applying.

A total of 132 job applicants were hired on the spot.

Some 14,975 job opportunities are available for the Mega Job Fair at the Limketkai Atrium in Cagayan de Oro City. There are about 118 companies, 96 are private firms, 13 are agencies for overseas work, and 9 are government agencies that are opening their doors for job seekers.

Most of the local job vacancies offered came from construction and call center companies, while most of the overseas manpower services are needed in the United Arab Emirates and middle-east countries.

Labor militant group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), however, took a jab at the job fair, saying most of the offered jobs are still not assuring security of tenure for workers.

Records show that most of the offered job vacancies are from construction companies, and KMU spokesperson Wildon Barros said these are still considered "uncertain jobs".

Barros said construction work only has a fixed amount of time and will not be giving the worker a lifetime opportunity to earn a living.

"If the construction work is finished, what is next for them? They are once again jobless," he said.

"Same with the job offered by the military and police, not all of those who passed the exam makes it and be an official member of police and army," Barros added.

Barros lamented the continued contractualization of workers throughout the country, pointing out that 70 percent of Northern Mindanao's workforce comprise of contractuals, while only 30 percent are regular workers.

Barros cited that a food company in Cagayan de Oro who employs 7,000 people only regularized 2,000 employs, while the rest are contractuals.

"We cannot blame the workers though because they need the job so they will take what they can take," he added.

CSWD, Xavier Ateneo hold training for volunteer-teachers

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (Lea Mae N. Caburatan/XU Comm)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Arrupe Educational Center (AEC) of the School of Education (SOE) of Xavier Ateneo, in collaboration with the Cagayan de Oro City Social Welfare Department (CSWD), recently conducted a training for Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) volunteer-teachers at the XU-AVR1.

Dubbed as "Effective Early Learning Through Supervised Neighborhood Play," the training was participated by 33 SNP volunteer-teachers from various CDO barangays.

Supervised Neighborhood Play is "a home-based Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program which serves as a good alternative to day care services. SNP utilizes play and various enrichment activities in stimulating the psychosocial development of a child."

The training was aimed at equipping SNP volunteer-teachers with the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes so they can be effective providers of early learning through child-centered (play-based) activities and child-rearing support for the parents.

The training was conducted by Dr. Roderick M Aguirre, co-author of the kindergarten curriculum and consultant for the ECCD program of the Philippines.

Aguirre shared that SNP program serves children as young as age one, where playing is central to their growth.

For him, children learn best through playing games, including singing, storytelling, and art activities.

He also emphasized that SNP volunteer-teachers must learn how to employ play as an activity-based technique where learners participate actively and as an opportunity for children to engage using their mental and physical processes.

During the three-day training, participants were able to create local-based stories, core word list for children, and transition songs in the mother tongue (Binisaya).

They were also given a session on creating materials for various games as well as playing techniques.

These materials for playing are commonly found at home, such as empty boxes and water bottles.

“[This is] the best training I have ever had in the field of teaching," said Aipsecel Mondelo, SNP volunteer-teacher from Upper Kiam-is, Lumbia.

"I hope that there would be more training [programs] related to this,” she added.

The event culminated with teaching demonstrations by the SNP volunteer-teachers.

Hirna launches taxi-hailing service in Oro

By PJ ORIAS

ANOTHER taxi-hailing application was launched in Cagayan de Oro on Friday, April 27, breaking the monopoly in the ride-hailing industry.

Hirna is Davao's homegrown taxi-hailing application which, unlike other apps, offers zero booking fee by tapping existing taxi fleets.

Hirna is partnering with Cagayan de Oro Taxi Operators Association (CDOTOA), which groups 40 major operators and represents over 50 percent of the city's active taxi units.

"Cagayan de Oro and Iligan are our first expansion areas outside of Davao, consolidating our market stronghold in Mindanao. Expect more cities joining the rapid growth (of the) Hirna family in the next few weeks," Francisco Coco Mauricio, Hirna president and chief executive officer, said.

"We are honored to work with the taxi operators and drivers of CDO and Iligan as our partners in serving the public. What we bring to CDO and Iligan as we begin our expansion from Davao to the rest of the country is fair competition that provides more passenger options and results in a healthy and innovative transport industry for all stakeholders," he added.

Lawyer Samuel Jardin, executive director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), said compared to its competitor, Hirna's fare matrix is the cheapest.

Jardin said this is a welcome development for the transport network services as the LTFRB continues to make sure that transportations are safe, convenient, and cheap for the public.

Hirna's business model maximizes existing taxi fleets to avoid adding to the traffic situation with new cars, he said adding, that this ensures less waiting time for commuters. Unlike other taxi-hailing app, Hirna does not charge drivers transaction fees to drivers which often eat up most of their income.

The app is also unique for offering a 24/7 customer service support to answer queries and even assist passengers with no smartphones to book a ride.

Mauricio said the app can be downloaded from both iOS App Store and Google Playstore for android phones.

CDO bags 2nd 'Seal of Good Education Governance'

By Jigger J. Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The local government’s aggressive educational support program has resulted to Cagayan de Oro’s winning its second Seal of Good Education Governance (SGEG).

This was according to Mayor Oscar Moreno, who recently accepted the SGEG award given by the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) and Synergeia Foundation.

Moreno said he was “humbled and happy” that the city's effort to pour in some P2.5 billion in the last five years for educational infrastructure projects has been recognized twice.

Since Moreno took over the helm in 2010, the city government was able to build 508 classrooms and establish 13 new high school campuses--mostly in barangays where classroom shortage has been a perennial problem.

Moreno said the local government aims to build more classrooms in the coming years, to be funded from the 1 percent share of the real property tax that the city collects annualy.

“We realized that there is still so many things that need to be done in the field of education, so we keep on pushing,” Moreno said.

Moreno credited the city's intensified education support program to the collaborative efforts of the private and public sector through the Local School Board (LSB).

Under the current administration, the LAB has been composed of representatives from the education department, Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Chinese Chamber of Commerce, private primary and secondary schools, academe, parent-teacher association, and the interfaith communities.

Stakeholders aim for disaster-resilient city

By PJ ORIAS

THE Cagayan de Oro city government and the private sector have partnered with the National Resilience Council (NRC) to draft measures aimed at making Cagayan de Oro, a disaster-vulnerable city, resilient to disasters.

In the first stakeholders meeting and launch on Friday, April 27, NRC executive director Malu Erni said the council has been forging partnerships with local government units (LGUs) to enable cities and municipalities to prepare for disasters and be resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century.

Erni said the NRC has adapted an international standard or index for resiliency and develop the Philippine Disaster Resilience Scorecard for local governments and the Leadership Resiliency Program for the local chief executives and LGU officials.

"There is a need for a new paradigm, new knowledge and skill sets, and new institutional arrangements to be able to be resilient. And we chose Cagayan de Oro because what we are looking for in a city is a local chief executive and a team that would promote sustainable development, push for sustainable economy and environmental sustainability," Erni said.

Erni lauded the city's measures during the Tropical Storm Vinta last December 2017 which resulted in zero casualty.

"What that showed us is that Cagayan de Oro has a planned strategy for disasters and we want this to happen in all parts of the country," she adds.

A series of meetings will be conducted with experts in government, private sector, civil society organizations, city officials and Department of Interior and Local Government officials to determine the acceptability of the scorecards as a localized assessment tool for assessing disaster resilience.

"We need to prepare, adapt, and transform. These series of meetings are initiated to hear all of your thoughts, para if makabuo na tayo ng (so that once we create the) scorecards, you are all a part of it and you can co own it," she said.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno, for his part, said the conference will set the tone towards making Cagayan de Oro a livable and competitive city.

"We are taking part of the history today and of course this will bring Cagayan de Oro to greater heights. We are honored to gather such experts in our midst and be part of this milestone that we will achieve," he said.

Northern Mindanao's economy posts 5.9% growth in 2017

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (PSA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The economy of Northern Mindanao posted a 5.9 percent growth in 2017, lower as compared with the 7.5 percent growth recorded in 2016.

According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Director Ronaldo Taghap during its news conference in Cagayan de Oro City, among the major economic sectors, services showed the fastest growth at 6.6 percent, lower than the previous year's growth of 8.3 percent.

Industry decelerated to 5.9 percent compared with the 9.8 percent growth in 2016.

Meanwhile, Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry and Fishing contributed 1.0 percentage point to the 5.9 percent growth of economic performance of the region in 2017.

Agriculture and Forestry, which accounted for 87.5 percent of the total AHFF sector, increased by 5.7 percent.

On the other hand, Fishing declined by 1.6 percent. This was driven by the decline in tiger prawn and seaweed production.

Further, Industry contributed 2.1 percentage points to the 5.9 percent growth of the region's economy.

Manufacturing, which remained the highest contributor to the region's economy, grew by 5.5 percent growth.

Electricity, Gas and Water Supply and Mining and Quarrying posted double digit growth of 13.8 percent and 10.5 percent, respectively.

On the other hand, Construction expanded by 2.2 percent growth in 2017.

Services remained to be the main driver of the region's economy as it accounted for the biggest share of 43.4 percent of the total GRDP.

The services contributed 2.8 percentage points to the 5.99 percent growth of the region's economy, with Trade and Repair of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycles, Personal and Household Goods which shared 36.4 percent of the total Services grew by 5.9 percent, Transportation, Storage and Communication with 7.5 percent, Real Estate, Renting and Business Activities with 5.1 percent, Financial Intermediation with 7.6 percent, Public Administration and Defense; Compulsory Social Security with 5.4 percent.

DOLE-10 to hold Mega Job Fair to mark 116th Labor Day

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (with PIA10 intern Samuel Roldan)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region 10 has lined up activities including a Mega Job Fair on May 1 and 2 at the Atrium, Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City in celebration of the 116th Labor Day.

DOLE 10 Assistant Regional Director Estrella Pahalla during the Talakayan sa PIA shared that there about 13,800 jobs available during the mega job fair.

More than 5,000 jobs are for local hiring and more than 2,000 each for overseas and vacant positions for the government.

Pahalla explained that this year, they have partnered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to conduct business fairs and skills demonstration to invite others to venture into business or learn a skill.

There will be three major activities for this occasion: Jobs Fair, Business Fair, Occupational Safety and Health Summit.

The activity will start with a mass at the Manaoag Chapel on May 1 by 7am. The fairs will be open by 10:00 am with a ribbon cutting at the Atrium, Lim Ket Kai. It will also have livelihood and business fair on the same day at the Rotunda of said mall.

Fourth activity will be the TVET enrolment day and skills demo by TESDA, which will be held at the 2nd floor Atrium.

The fifth activity will be the DOLE Clinic or One Stop Shop wherein the offices of DOLE will be around to cater to the needs of the applicants.

Next is the Diskwento Caravan of DTI and RTWPB which will be conducted at the Capitol Compound of the Provincial Capitol office on the same day.

DOLE lhas coordinated with DTI and TESDA this year because they believe that with the help of these government agencies, DOLE’s aim could be achieved.

As for DTI’s Kabuhayan and Livelihood Fair on the same dates, the Provincial Director of DTI Misamis Oriental, Ma. Eliza Pabillore, urged small and medium enterprises to be there to participate in the business and livelihood fair.

Also, a booth for the Negosyo Center will be displayed during the Jobs Fair where micro enterprises can approach and inquire about the center's business operations and services.

Meanwhile, Austillo Igot who represented TESDA Region 10 Regional Director Tarhata Mapandi, during the Talakayan sa PIA discussed the programs of the government they are supporting such as the Build Build Build Program.

They also have training skills under TESDA’s Train Train Train Program focusing on the construction sector.

He said there will be 45 public and private technical and vocational institutions joining on May 1 at the Atrium, with 15 institutions who will conduct skills demonstration with free services on pedicure, massage, haircut, etc.

Igot shared that employment of TESDA graduates nationwide is up by 65 percent. This is to assure the public that we are doing our job and helping our country to elevate its economic status, he said.

On the safety and health of workers, Teodoro Cahoy of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) emphasized that they have requested all establishments, private and government offices, to comply with the requirements for the safety and health of the workers.

Pahalla said that it is mandatory to have safety officers in an establishment.

However, with the mandate now that the process is developmental in approach, the inspectors make discussions with the management as to the things they need to comply and the things they need to do to ensure that they follow protocol in keeping their establishments safe and healthy for workers.

“I want to inform our media partners that DOLE is advancing through the information of safety and health through our Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) because not all of our workers out there know about the ECC and we have our attached agency situated in the regional office at the ground floor and we also have the OSH," she added.

Region 10 agri prime movers recognized

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (DA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Region 10 has been recognized for its contribution to the development of the agri-fishery sector through its national Gawad Saka winners.

Dr. Berly Tatoy and the Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Council (PAFC) of Misamis Oriental represented by its chairperson, Mario Jamis, were awarded during a simple rite at the Rizal Hall, Malacañang led by Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, assisted by Usec. Ariel Cayanan.

Aside from a presidential citation, Dr. Tatoy who won the outstanding agricultural researcher category, was conferred with a P2-million worth of project award and P100,000 cash.

Meanwhile, PAFC MisOr was awarded with P300,000-worth of project award and P50,000 cash for the PAFC category.

Joining the delegates were Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano, DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Director Carlene Collado, Regional Technical Director Carmelita Bajarla, Research Division Chief Juanita Salvani, Field Operations Division Chief Carlota Madriaga, and MisOr Provincial Operations Center Chief Nilda Salas.

CDO boxing team hauls 6 gold, 2 bronze medals in PH Games

By Recthie T. Paculba (IAF/Roven Larroza/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The city's Amateur Boxing team proved their ability to bring the city's name to greater heights after garnering six gold medals and two bronze medals during recently concluded 2018 Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

The gold medalists include Jericho Acaylar (44-46 kgs.), Mark Lester Durens (46-49 kgs.), John Erl Palovino (49-52 kgs.), Joshua Jan Odvina (50-52 kgs.), Dave Bryan Caspe (52-54 kgs.) and Wesley Caga (54-56 kgs.), said Team CdeO Head Coach Elmer Pamisa.

Kim Bryan Cabrillos (48-50 kgs.) and Sanny Dave Vidal (56-60 kgs.) bagged the two bronze medals.

Cagayan de Oro City apparently dominated the boxing competitions in the National Games after garnering six gold medals from the 10 categories, becoming the overall champion in boxing.

Along with this, the delegated Team CdeO Amateur Boxing team sent their appreciation for the unrelenting support and help provided by Mayor Oscar Moreno for their success upon participating in the National Games 2018.

Oro moms converge for Earth Week

(SunStar Cagayan De Oro)

MOTHERS throughout Cagayan de Oro City gathered on April 21 to be a part of a mother and baby-centered event in celebration of the Earth Week at Cetrio Ayala Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.

The Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM), a peer support organization that consists of mothers, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB)-Northern Mindanao, hosted one of the highlight events of the three-day Earth Week celebration: the Great Cloth Diaper Change.

According to Ayana Flores, one of the core members of MNM’s organizing team, the Great Cloth Diaper Change is an international event wherein participating mothers from all over the world simultaneously change from disposable to cloth diapers.

Last April 21, around 150 mothers with their babies in tow gathered at the Centrio Ayala Mall event center to participate in the international event, which occurred around 11 a.m.

Modern Nanays of Mindanao, a promoter of breastfeeding, baby wearing and cloth diapering, encouraged the mothers of Cagayan de Oro to shift from using disposal diapers to cloth diapers through discussions all about cloth diapers, its kinds, how to wash them, where to buy one, and the environmental and economic advantages in using them.

Tapping the DENR-EMB, the environment bureau also talked about the climate change, plastic problem, solid waste management, and solutions for said problems.

“Nga ang mga mama makabalo pud unsa ang angay buhaton sa sulod sa balay para ma-manage nila ang ilang garbage, and ilang solid waste (So that the mothers will also know what they should do in terms of managing garbage, their solid wastes, inside their homes),” Flores said.

According to Real Diaper Association, a group that organized the international Great Cloth Diaper Change, reusable cloth diapers can reduce waste for families with children in diapers by more than 50 percent, and help reduce exposure of babies’ skin and lungs to the chemicals in disposable diapers.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change is just one of the events help in Centrio Ayala Mall in celebration of the Earth Week that help plant the idea to Kagay-anons to adjust or change their lifestyles in order to aid in saving Mother Earth.

Other events include: Junk Art Workshop by Dire Husi Artsville and Earth talks last Friday, April 20, and urban gardening workshop by the City Social Welfare and Development and a concert for Mother Earth by the DENR-EMB on Sunday, April 22.

'Franchise Negosyo' opens opportunities for MSMEs in CDO

(PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) initiated a meet and match between franchisors and potential franchisees in apparent hopes of tapping into latent business opportunities in this southern city.

"Franchise Negosyo Para Sa Cagayan de Oro, was a business matching-expo-seminar which sought to attract mainly the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) segment, took place from April 19 to 20, at the Ayala Centrio Mall.

"We bring Franchise Negosyo to regions to promote franchising as a tool of economic development, for generating enterprises and nation-building to as many Filipinos in the provinces," said PFA President Richard Sanz.

He identified globalization and developing and supporting MSMEs as PFA's priority programs for the next two years. "We are encouraging local brands to go global by providing them with the right tools and networks to connect to the international markets," he explained.

Sanz said that the composition of PFA membership consists of 5 percent micro, 29 percent small, 29 percent medium and 37 large enterprises. “Almost 70 percent of our membership belong to small and medium enterprises that we encourage to go big by way of giving them capacity-building and mentoring (programs) to have access to markets to expand," he added.

The event on Thursday started off with a seminar on "How To Franchise Your Own Business" followed by a two-day expo, where 35 brands, ranging from food to retail and services, join as exhibitors. Among them are leading retail sector exhibitors 7-Eleven, Aquabest, Crystal Clear, Diana Stalder, Living Water and SOS.

Representing the service sector are Bayad Center, Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute, Laundrybest, Phoenix Petroleum, Quickclean, Rapide and Xcess Salon.

Coinciding with the expo are "How to Invest in the Right Franchise" seminars for aspiring franchisees.

Sam Christopher Lim, president of U-Franchise and one of the speakers said, "Franchising is about replicating success and it is about time to develop local entrepreneurs not only for the national level but for the international stage."

The event is organized in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry Regional Office 10 (DTI-10), DTI Misamis Oriental, Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro.

DOH: No shortage of anti-rabies vaccine in Northern Mindanao

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Health (DOH) in Northern Mindanao Region said there is no shortage of the anti-rabies vaccine for humans in the region, pointing out they have enough allocation of the vaccine to every animal bites center across the region.

Dr. Ellenietta Gamolo, DOH-Northern Mindanao medial officer, however, said that Cagayan de Oro City's health office might be experiencing the shortage because of the high incidence of dog bites.

READ: Cagayan de Oro running out of anti-rabies vaccines (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1505041/Cagayan-De-Oro/Local-News/Cagayan-de-Oro-running-out-of-anti-rabies-vaccines)

Gamolo also clarified that local health centers should have the capacity to buy their own supply of rabies vaccine, adding that what the DOH can only provide is an augmentation supply for the bites centers.

"We also have an allocation for Cagayan de Oro but they already used all of it. We also cannot give all our supplies to Cagayan de Oro alone, because there are many bites centers across the region and we also provide for them," she said.

Gamolo said local health offices, through their local government units, have the power to purchase vaccines on their own to local suppliers.

She clarified that local government units don’t have to wait for a DOH memorandum order especially if the shortage is alarming.

"The local government units should have their own means of buying their own supply, the DOH will only help them. If they have bites center, it should follow that the local government units must set aside an amount or a budget to buy vaccines," she said.

"It is actually not surprising if a city like Cagayan de Oro experiences lack of supply because its health office is not only serving the city but other patients from nearby provinces or municipalities come here just to get treatment," Gamolo added.

The City Health Office (CHO) said the trend of dog bites cases in Cagayan de Oro is increasing.

In 2015, the CHO recorded a total of 10,000 dog bites, 2016 with 11,000 bites cases, year 2017 with 12,800 cases, and for the first quarter of this year, 3,800 cases of dog bites are recorded so far.

NorMin crime volume dips as anti-drug campaign gains momentum

By Elaine O. Ratunil (eor/Lemuel B. Gonda/PRO10)

CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City (PIA) -- Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) 1st quarter total crime volume for 2018 showed a drastic decrease of 38.13 percent compared to the crime statistics recorded in 2016 and 2017.

The crime volume in Northern Mindanao dropped significantly as compared to the same period in the last two years.

From January to March, it registered 5,714 crimes in 2016 and 5,295 crimes in 2017.

Compared to the current crime volume drop of 3,276, it decreased by 38.13 percent.

PRO-10’s assessment point out to the link and direct effect of the diminished presence of illegal drugs in the streets as a result of the intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Most of the prevalent crimes are usually drug-related cases like theft, robbery, physical injury, domestic violence, rape, and all forms of abuse.

Since January to March this year, there were 534 persons arrested in its intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Some 6,571 households were re-visited by police stations with 504 self-confessed drug users and 107 drug pushers who voluntarily surrendered.

With this accomplishment, PCSupt. Timoteo Pacleb said that the PRO-10 personnel will carry on its mandated task to enforce the law and place lawless elements behind bars.

He also directed all provincial and city police offices to continuously conduct efficient campaign and advocacy by implementing a wide-ranging pro-active approach / strategy on the campaign against all forms of criminality in coordination with various law enforcement and other concerned government agencies.

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