Difference between revisions of "Cagayan de Oro City News"

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{{:CDO to implement SCoPSA project in Pagalungan}}
{{:CDO to implement SCoPSA project in Pagalungan}}
==[[Pulis Natin Caravan aims to improve community services]]==
{{:Pulis Natin Caravan aims to improve community services}}
==[[Oro’s Canino shares lead in Asean age-group chess]]==
{{:Oro’s Canino shares lead in Asean age-group chess}}
==[[DOLE, CDO college host 1st “Araw ng mga Kasambahay”]]==
{{:DOLE, CDO college host 1st “Araw ng mga Kasambahay”}}
==[[CDO gov't upgrades basic services, upholds better city]]==
{{:CDO gov't upgrades basic services, upholds better city}}
==[[LTFRB reminds school shuttle, carpool operators to renew franchises]]==
{{:LTFRB reminds school shuttle, carpool operators to renew franchises}}
==[[Mayor cites good relations with councilors for growth]]==
{{:Mayor cites good relations with councilors for growth}}
==[[PH, Japan sign P876M grants for flood prevention project, scholarship program]]==
{{:PH, Japan sign P876M grants for flood prevention project, scholarship program}}
==[[Proposal for processing, potable water delivery in CdeO up for study]]==
{{:Proposal for processing, potable water delivery in CdeO up for study}}
==[[Davao mayor set to visit Oro]]==
{{:Davao mayor set to visit Oro}}
==[[Nurture, strengthen independence, Oro dad says]]==
{{:Nurture, strengthen independence, Oro dad says}}
==[[3,000 NorMin IPs to benefit from TESDA’s special training program]]==
{{:3,000 NorMin IPs to benefit from TESDA’s special training program}}
==[[Cagayan de Oro celebrates Pride Month through literature]]==
{{:Cagayan de Oro celebrates Pride Month through literature}}
==[[More checkpoints mulled in Oro]]==
{{:More checkpoints mulled in Oro}}
==[[Another city worker nabbed over illicit drugs]]==
{{:Another city worker nabbed over illicit drugs}}
==[[LTFRB to welcome petitions suspending P2 taxi fare hike]]==
{{:LTFRB to welcome petitions suspending P2 taxi fare hike}}
==[[Team CdeO still NorMin’s best in national games]]==
{{:Team CdeO still NorMin’s best in national games}}
==[[1st day of classes ‘generally peaceful’]]==
{{:1st day of classes ‘generally peaceful’}}
==[[USTP teacher develops ‘geolocator’ for distressed fishermen]]==
{{:USTP teacher develops ‘geolocator’ for distressed fishermen}}
==[[Oro council approves P92.5-M first supplemental budget]]==
{{:Oro council approves P92.5-M first supplemental budget}}
==[[Corpus Christi cagers rule 1st CVCA League]]==
{{:Corpus Christi cagers rule 1st CVCA League}}
==[[Oro karatekas Shine in JKA Cebu Open tilt]]==
{{:Oro karatekas Shine in JKA Cebu Open tilt}}
==[[Cagayan de Oro pugs sweep all 6 final matches]]==
{{:Cagayan de Oro pugs sweep all 6 final matches}}


==[[Cagayan de Oro Archived News]]==
==[[Cagayan de Oro Archived News]]==
The older news reports are kept [[Cagayan de Oro Archived News|here]].
The older news reports are kept [[Cagayan de Oro Archived News|here]].

Revision as of 07:13, 5 September 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.

Tesda-NorMin sets World Cafe of Opportunities in August

By JO ANN SABLAD

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in Misamis Oriental will be launching a “one-stop-shop” of employment opportunities for technical vocational education and training (TVET) graduates and alumni on August 25 and 26 in Robinsons Cagayan de Oro.

The two-day regional World Cafe of Opportunities (WCO), as part of the 24th Anniversary of Tesda and celebration of National Technical-Vocational (Tech-Voc) Day, is one of the strategies of agency to link the TVET graduates and alumni to employment opportunities both in wage and self-employment.

“Kana sya nga programa, designed ka na sya para sa tanang TVET graduates or alumni nga wala pa makatrabaho. Especially kanang naa gyud sa construction sector, amo kamong gi-invite anang adlawa, dalha lang ninyo ang inyong mga credentials (This program is designed for all unemployed TVET graduates or alumni. Especially those who are in the construction sector, we invite you all to attend the activity on that day, just bring your credentials),” engineer Nazario Villamor Jr., officer-in-charge-provincial director of Tesda-Misamis Oriental, said.

National government agencies, private companies, technical-vocational institutions and financial institutions will all converge during the two-day activity to offer all possible employment, training and financing opportunities and facilitate higher job-skill matching.

According to Villamor, the agencies that will participate in WCO includes: the Department of Labor and Employment, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Cooperative Development Authority, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Public Works and Highways, Development Bank of the Philippines, Land Bank of the Philippines, among others.

“Unya kato pong gusto og training, kato pong duna pay available nga slots, atong gipang-invite ang (Those who wanted to register in the training, if there are still available slots, we invited some) technical and professional institutions para mahitabo na sya nga (so it can be a) national enrollment day on that day,” Villamor said.

“Kung gusto sa TVET graduate nga gusto sya mo-undergo og entrepreneurship, naa gi-invite nato ang DTI nga maoy makahatag sa ato og assistance og sa financing naa ang Land Bank of the Philippines og ang Development Bank of the Philippines (If the TVET graduate wanted to undergo entrepreneurship, we invited DTI to for assistance and for financing, we have the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines),” he added.

In connection with the National Tech-Voc Day, there will be simultaneous celebration of National TVET Enrolment Day and World Cafe of Opportunities in 17 regions nationwide.

On February 7, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Republic Act 10970 which declares August 25 and every year thereafter the National Technical-Vocational Day nationwide.

Oro waste management summit set August 23

By PJ ORIAS

A SUMMIT on solid waste management is slated on August 23 to increase awareness on the importance of waste segregation in the barangay level.

City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) head Engineer Armen Cuenca said the summit aims to highlight the barangays' role in waste reduction.

"We want to instill in their minds that what the city should only collect is residual wastes, and that the barangay has to collect biodegradable wastes and recyclable," Cuenca said.

Based on a waste analysis study conducted in 2014, every person in Cagayan de Oro generates 0.76 kilo of waste per day. As the population grew, the volume of garbage generated daily has reached 1,000 tons.

According to Clenro, public markets remain the biggest source of waste, followed by general stores, institutions, and households.

Edgar Naguio, head of the Community-Based Solid Waste Management, said to date, only barangays Gusa, Tablon, and Canitoan are so far practicing proper waste management, by implementing "No Segregation, No Collection Policy".

Naguio said barangays Lapasan, Cugman, Bugo, and Puerto in the first district of Cagayan de Oro are among the barangays with poor waste management, while barangay Carmen is the number one waste generator in the second district.

Cuenca said he hopes that after the summit, all 80 barangays of Cagayan de Oro will be compliant to laws on proper waste management otherwise they will be forced to file cases against erring barangay officials.

Oro’s 2nd Lumba’ Bike Festival on Aug. 18-19

(LLS)

CYCLING enthusiasts in the locality will get to have some fun.

This, as the 1990 batch of Xavier University High School–Ateneo de Cagayan (XUHS) and the City Government of Cagayan de Oro will be hosting the 2nd Lumba’ Bike Festival at the back of SM Uptown grounds on Aug. 18-19.

Spicing up the two-day activity includes band concerts, bike exhibits, raffle draws and other related festive activities.

According to project director Mark Orlando “Jhovals” Vallecer II, the highlight of Lumbafest is the road bike and mountain bike race Elite series, which is the group’s signature event from SM Uptown grounds to Talakag, Bukidnon and back.

Vallecer said it will be followed by the Duathlon event the following day.

Participants of the festival are the ever growing bike enthusiasts and companies all over Mindanao and from Luzon and the Visayas where they will also showcase not just their biking skills --but also conduct bike clinics for adults and children-- and to showcase the latest bike products and models.

This city government-sanctioned activity is part of the “Higala-ay Festival 2018”, a month long celebration of the Cagayan de Oro Fiesta.

Vallecer further said that part of the pre-fiesta event’s net income will be spent for projects for the benefit of House of Hope, a non-profit Psychiatric Custodial care facility at Palalan, Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City and Calabrian Children’s Foundation [CCF], a non-profit home for destitute and Abandoned Children in Zone 3, Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro City.

Capitol holds monthly clean up drive

By ALWEN SALIRING

EMPLOYEES of the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental are ordered to participate in the year-round clean up drive around the premises of the Capitol compound.

The initiative started Friday, August 10 and will be done regularly every first Friday of the month.

Provincial administrator Jocelyn Lood-Mateo said that capitol workers must lead in maintaining the cleanliness and sanitation.

Capitol officials have seen the said move as an effective method to encourage the public to also clean their respective surroundings to ward off illnesses such as dengue and other health problems.

Mateo said all department heads and chiefs of offices are also joining the mass grooming of all trees stood within the vicinity of the capitol once every six months.

Governor Yevgeny Emano lauded the said effort to educate people the value of cleanliness to prevent diseases even as he urged the public to join the activity.

The activity falls under the capitol's health program which is among the eight pillars of the Emano administration.

Oro’s DRRMC nominated for Gawad Kalasag

(SunStar Cagayan De Oro)

AFTER bagging the Best Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) in the regional level, the Cagayan de Oro City's DRRMC is yet again nominated this time, for the Gawad Kalasag National Award.

Allan Porcadilla, CRDDMD officer-in-charge said the nomination was made after its office won the Best DRRMC for five consecutive years now.

He said the competition is going to be tough considering that their rivals are big cities that are also best in their respective regions.

Porcadilla admitted that the CDRRMD has still a long way to go in terms of equipment.

"But we are striving to be better every day, so far our teams are equipped with knowledge and can respond to emergencies really well," he said.

Cagayan de Oro's disaster risk reduction and management council (DRRMC) was named as the Best DRRMC in the highly urbanized city category. Oro Rescue was also hailed as the Best Government Emergency Management or GEM.

Gawad Kalasag an annual award recognizing groups who rendered outstanding contribution in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance.

It also aims to appreciate individuals, groups or institutions which have shown extraordinary courage, heroism and sacrifice in times of emergencies, be it natural or human-induced.

MisOr tops fight against malnutrition

By ALWEN SALIRING

THE Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental has received recognition from the National Nutrition Council for besting other provinces in Northern Mindanao in the fight against malnutrition.

Through the efforts of the Nutrition division of the Provincial Health Office, the province topped in reducing the incidence of malnutrition of five years old kids and below in the region.

"Tungod sa panaghiusa sa tanang departamento, nagmalampuson ang atong kampanya batok sa malnutrisyon," the capitol said.

Malnutrition is among the problem faced by parents in the province especially those who are less capable to provide their children with good nutrition.

The capitol said the various programs of the provincial government such as supplemental feeding, distribution of vitamins and medicines, among others are the factors for the significant decrease of malnutrition cases in the province.

Misamis Oriental got the lowest percentage of malnutrition incidence with 3.8 percent or 3,023 children, followed by Misamis Occidental with 4.5 percent 1,365 kids; Bukidnon with 4.6 percent or 6,015 children and Lanao del Norte with 9 percent or 6,790 kids.

Governor Yevgeny Emano lauded the hard work of his employees in delivering the best service to the people, especially to the children.

This as he vowed to pour out more support and assistance in his health-related programs.

Tech-voc training for Oro’s marginalized youth

By PJ ORIAS

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council has passed an ordinance establishing the Cagayan de Oro Technical Vocational Institute (CDO-TVI) in an aim to level up the City Government's skills training program especially for the out-of-school youths.

The CDO-TVI will stand at the old site of the Agusan National High School in Zone 2, barangay Agusan, and in other areas of the city.

According to the ordinance authored by committee on education chairperson Councilor Zuzette Magtajas-Daba, there is a need to sustain the gains achieved by the local government unit by expanding its educational program through technical skills and vocational training to the residents.

Daba said this is also an answer to the demand of skilled workers locally and internationally.

CDO-TVI shall undertake center-based and community-based skills and livelihood for students from low-income families, out-of-school youths and the marginalized sector.

It will also offer school-based, Mobile Training Program, enterprise-based and Community-Based curricula.

The CDO-TVI will adopt Technical Education and Skills Development Authority's Unified Programs Registration and Accreditation Systems as well as the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education's senior high school curriculum for its ladderized courses.

Group educates Oro moms on child feeding

By JO ANN SABLAD

AS PART of the International Breastfeeding Week celebration, the Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM) started the first day of Hakab Na, on Friday, August 3, teaching the mothers of Cagayan de Oro City on infant and young child feeding.

Hakab Na, the Philippines counterpart of the Global Big Latch On activity, is global synchronized breastfeeding event that aims to popularize breastfeeding.

"Ang (The) Modern Nanays, we promote optimal infant and young child feeding during the first 1000 days. So this is the golden window of opportunity to get that best foundation to start their life," Nadine Angelica Casiño, the founder of Modern Nanays of Mindanao, said.

The MNM started the afternoon event with Bump to Breast, an activity where moms were taught on how to prepare for breastfeeding while still pregnant.

According to Casiño, they invited the best neonatologist in the city to inform the mothers present during the activity on how to be mentally, psycho-socially and emotionally prepared while still pregnant.

"Gihatag namo nga (We gave this) chance for the pregnant mothers of CDO to come and learn about it and prepare. So they can start it right gyud. Kay sometimes ang birth is such an anxious moment for families because it’s like the unknown, especially for first time moms," Casiño said.

"But this is their chance to look into the lens of the experts, the lens of mga (the) moms who have been there also," she added.

The second part of the event was the Kids EAT Right, wherein moms were informed of what they should feed their children, especially the picky eaters, for them to achieve the nutrition they need.

"So we want our kids to eat right, it’s not enough that we feed them, it needs to be the right kind of food. Ang EAT actually means Educate, Ask, and Taste. So we're going to educate the moms about the proper food, unsay naa anang nga (what is in that) kind of food, when to feed your baby, how much food ang i-feed sa baby, ana," Casiño said.

"Tapos ask, it’s a time for you to ask on 'my child is a picky eater, what should I do?' or mag ask na like 'she only likes to eat eggs, what should I do?' So ma-answer sya dinhi. It’s practical advice by modern nanays nga giagi gyud ana nga problems (who underwent those kind of problems)," she added.

The MNM founder also stressed out how information on breastfeeding and proper care and feeding of infant and young child are important, especially in the society where misinformation or fake news is prevalent.

"This is to really bring families together to inform them. Because you don't get this kind of information anywhere. Kung i-google nimo (If you google it), overwhelming ang information there. And too much information, if it’s not confirmed to the right people is dangerous. Too little information is also dangerous," Casiño said.

Modern Nanays of Mindanao is a peer support organization that consists of mothers whose advocacy is to protect and promote natural infant and young child care to provide the best foundations for lifelong health.

Reclamation project eyed

By PJ ORIAS

EMBARKING on land reclamation projects is one of the proposed strategies for Cagayan de Oro City to belong to the list of metropolis areas in the country.

City Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya said Luzon, Cebu, and other neighboring cities are already undertaking reclamation projects to extend borders and walls, and in the long run, for urbanization.

“If we have reclaimed properties in Gusa, Lapasan, Bonbon, Bayabas, Bulua, and according to the city mayor, why not raise the earth in Punta Bonbon, that we can also gather no less than 60 hectares. The city should take the lead in working this out,” he said

Under Presidential Decree No. 1084, land, including foreshore and submerged areas, may be the subject of a reclamation project. Reclamation includes dredging, filling, or other means, and acquiring reclaimed land.

In Republic v. City of Parañaque, the Supreme Court held that reclaimed lands are reserved lands for public use. Ownership of reclaimed lands remains with the State unless withdrawn by law or presidential proclamation from public use.

However, while efforts are being exhausted by the city government to achieve this, the repeated urban flooding is not helping in working towards this goal, the councilor said.

“This has made the city a swamp due to outburst of drainage system, creeks, and riverbanks causing flooding,” Nacaya said.

“Solutions were proposed and discussed, and some are already in the process of working through it but in the meantime, we are still being flooded. We need to see beyond the concerns and problems besetting the city,” he added.

While this “seemed like a good plan,” Francisco Pagayaman, spokesperson of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap–Northern Mindanao Region (Kadamay-NMR), cautioned the city that reclamation projects could mean displacement of residents.

Pagayaman said the city government should be ready for a plan, particularly preparing relocation sites for the residents who will be affected with reclamation projects.

“Dili lang unta plano para mas mo-tsada ang syudad ang atimanon nila, kundili apil pud ang mga panginabuhian, ang mga katawhan nga mga kabus na mao gyud ang una maapektuhan sa mga reklamasyon (The city should not only plan how to make the city attractive, but they should also include in their plan the livelihood, the poor people who will be affected in reclamation projects),” he added.

Early this year, President Rodrigo Duterte has created a development road map that will strengthen regional centers and see the rise of Cagayan de Oro City as the country’s fourth economic center.

Metro Cagayan de Oro will be established by 2025, joining Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, according to a draft of the National Economic Development Authority’s Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

MetroPac breaks ground on the 9-km ‘East Pipeline’

By PJ ORIAS

Water supply at the city's east service area is seen to improve as the construction of the east pipeline is set to start.

A groundbreaking was held Friday, August 3, 2018 for the East Pipeline connecting the water plant in Baungon, Bukidnon to the Camaman-an reservoir, and is expected to improve supply to 50,000 households or around 30,000 people.

“We believe that this 600 millimeter pipe to be laid along the South Diversion Road in barangays Taguanao, Macasandig and Camaman-an Reservoir, will improve water pressure leading to improved water distribution and in an impactful way, lead to improvement of quality of life for Kagay-anons,” Mikkel Guetierrez said, the chief operation officer of the Metro Pacific Water Investments Corporation.

The pipeline will be turned over and operated by the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD).

Contractors High Valley Multi-purpose Cooperative and JH Patawaran Construction Co. will jointly construct the 9 kilometer pipeline, while E.C. Structural Composites Inc. will undertake the Camaman-an Reservoir retrofitting and waterproofing.

The facility is expected to initially supply an additional 20 million liters per day of treated water to benefit the east service area from Lapasan to Tablon during its 1st year of operations.

The groundbreaking was attended by the COWD board of directors and employees, MetroPac executives, and City Mayor Oscar Moreno.

JCI to spread sustainable development awareness

By JO ANN SABLAD

THE Junior Chamber International (JCI) Kagayhaan Gold is set to spread awareness about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) to students from all over Northern Mindanao through a knowledge game set to be conducted on August 9 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The Knowledge Game 2018 is an initiative by JCI Kagayhaan Gold to advocate for the UNSDGs in the educational sector.

“It’s a multi-sensory at tsaka (and) multiple intelligence game yung gagawin. Acknowledged ngayon that we have multiple intelligence so each of the intelligence meron syang (there's) particular game that is intended for that particular type of intelligence,” Owen Jaen, president of JCI Kagayhaan Gold, said.

Jaen said that in the morning before the game, a session or an awareness workshop will be conducted to help the participating students and teachers understand what the UNSDGs are.

“So in the morning we have sessions on the UNSDG so that the participants will be able to understand what the UNSDGs are and what they can do as students in order to achieve those goals. Parang lecture type na quick lang (It’s a quick lecture type),” Jaen said.

“After the sessions, we will be asking them for possible solutions that they can offer as students. From the innovation, with the things that they can suggest, they can do in their own school to help UN,” he added.

There are 17 sustainable development goals, which includes: No poverty; Zero hunger; Good health and well-being; Quality Education; Gender Equality; Clean water and sanitation; Affordable and clean energy; Decent work and economic growth; Industry, innovation and infrastructure; Reduced inequalities; Sustainable cities and communities; Responsible consumption and production; Climate action; Life below water; Life on land; Peace, justice and strong institutions; and Partnerships for the goals.

JCI's Knowledge Game is to be conducted to address UN's sustainable goal on quality education.

“Yung pinaka (Our) main target namin: quality education. So for us to gauge quality education and for others also to strive for quality education we are coming up with this knowledge game,” Jaen said.

As of August 1, there are 11 schools from all over Northern Mindanao registered in the event:

- Merry Child School (Cagayan de Oro City)

- Paramount School of Arts, Languages, Management,and Sciences Inc. (Valencia City, Bukidnon)

- Hosanna Christian International School (Maramag, Bukidnon)

- Sumilao Bukidnon Tribal Academy (Sumilao, Bukidnon)

‘Hapsay Sapa’ wins international award

By PJ ORIAS

THE Cagayan de Oro City Government's Hapsay Sapa program is getting recognition internationally, winning the 2018 Asian Townscape Award from the Asia-Pacific regional office of the U.N. Habitat, a city official said.

Patrick Gabutina, Hapsay Sapa program coordinator said, the program involves transforming or rehabilitating major creeks in the city to linear parks.

The project is successful in urban barangays, particularly barangays 22, 26, and Lapasan, and they plan to take it to upstream areas, he added.

“I think what they liked in this project is how we involve the community. We do things differently, we don’t issue a notice of eviction or demolition to the illegal settlers beside the creeks, we talk to them instead, make them understand. Sure it's a longer process but at the end of the day they are the ones who volunteer to help. This process is more sustainable especially if we engage the community,” he said.

Established in 2010, the award aims to honor significant efforts made by Asian cities and organizations to improve, revitalize and create a beautiful and harmonious townscape that is safe, sustainable and respectful of history and local cultures. It is organized by the UN Habitat.

The award also highlights the people's efforts to create more beautiful, sustainable, resilient and environmentally friendly townscape at the city, district and community levels.

“We are still waiting for the details of the award and when can we get it. But we are just so overwhelmed that the project is being recognized internationally,” he added.

City hall to implement biometric attendance

By PJ ORIAS

THE Cagayan de Oro City Government is planning to implement a biometric system in all of its offices to efficiently monitor the working hours of the city hall employees.

City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said the system should ensure that the services rendered by the employee is accurate and the government is not cheated.

Government offices now use the biometric technology to track employee time and attendance instead of obsolete systems that rely on manually filling out a time-sheet or rely on time card punching.

Sabuga-a said by using biometric technology, the city is also streamlining its payroll processing and having more control on hours of overtime work.

“Ma-track ang status sa mga empleyado, kung nagleave automatic ug deduct (This will track the status of employees, if they are on leave, their salary will be deducted automatically). Hopefully this year we can put up the biometric system in all of the city offices,” he said.

“This is to ensure that the services required by law, particularly the 8 hour work hours are really delivered. It requires your physical presence, no more daily time record or logbook unless there are special arrangements between the employee and his or head,” Sabuga-a said.

The changes came after former City Councilor President Elipe and his sister who was employed in a “flexi-time” scheme, were convicted of graft charges for manipulating her daily time record (DTR).

Pristine Quizon's DTR made it appear that she reported for work during the dates October 25, 29, and 30, 2013 for the payroll period October 16 to 31 2013. But a travel record from the Bureau of Immigration showed that she has been out of the country during the said dates.

Elipe, according to the Ombudsman, that despite being fully aware of Quizon's absence, Elipe still approved and certified the DTR as true and correct, “making it appear that he verified the hours indicated therein.”

Sabuga-a meanwhile pointed out that the changes is not only implemented because of Elipe.

“This is more than him, this is about efficient governance at the City Hall,” Sabuga-a said.

CDO, Norfolk successfully complete first student exchange program

(CDO CIO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental (PIA)--Sister cities Cagayan de Oro and Norfolk in Virginia, USA have successfully completed the maiden run of the high school student summer visitor exchange program with the six student delegates from Cagayan de Oro returning home with a rich experience from their 15-day stay in Norfolk.

The exchange program held on July 1-15, gave the students from Cagayan de Oro the opportunity to experience family life in another country’s setting, hone their interpersonal skills, cultivate life-long friendships, and deepen cultural awareness and intercultural understanding.

“The exchange program was a great exposure for the students as well as their host families,” Mayor Oscar S. Moreno said, as he welcomed the students and presented them to the media in a press conference on July 30.

The mayor added that the program’s impact is strategic for the residents of both cities citing that their rich 15-day experience will be told in the stories our students will tell their family, friends, and schoolmates, and the host families’ stories they will tell of their time with the students.

“The retelling will go a long way and will foster stronger relations between the people of Norfolk and Cagayan de Oro,” Moreno said. The six students are Shaddrach John Lloyd B. Daba, Grade 12, Lourdes College High School; Lance Nathaniel B. Elot, Grade 11, Xavier University High School; Earl Joy B. Lopina, Grade 12, Xavier University High School; Reine Julia S. Madriaga, Xavier University; Marielle L. Paguidopon, Grade 12, Lourdes College High School, and Elkanah L. Ricardo, Grade 12, Oro Christian Grace School.

Norfolk Sister City Association (NSCA) has prepared an itinerary which enabled the students to gain a wealth of opportunity to appreciate a new culture and our very own on a fresher and deeper level.

The delegates visited monuments, museums, parks, and sites unique to Norfolk like its naval base, botanical park and mermaid factory.

They met with officials of NSCA, as well as city councilors from Norfolk City.

They were also given the opportunity to visit the Philippine Embassy in the District of Columbia and tour the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, DC.

At the Young Global Citizens forum held for the faculty, staff, and students of Academy of International Studies in Norfolk, the students from the city received glowing commendations for their video and power point presentation on the Philippines and Filipino culture, and for ably handling their workshops on the Higaonon dance ritual “dugso”, Pinoy game, “takyan” and ancient writing system “baybayin."

Eileen E. San Juan, Local Economic and Investment Promotions officer of the city, and who is also the focal person of the sister cities program, said the officials of NSCA were impressed by the students’ presentation.

In interactions with their host families, students and various groups in Norfolk, the delegates projected everything very Filipino and Kagay-anon at the same time studied what they could of American and Norfolk history and culture.

Maria Dulce T. Potenciano, executive director of the Local School Board and chairperson of the Selection Team said the students are back as a new person, with their horizon widened. “From this rich yet brief exposure, they gained a wealth of experience,” she added. The student exchange program is a new initiative of the sister cities relations of Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines and Norfolk City, Virginia, USA.

It is aimed at bringing the youth from both cities closer together in a brief yet rich summer program that promotes cultural awareness, and intercultural understanding.

It may be recalled that Cagayan de Oro City and Norfolk City forged a sister city relationship on June 18, 2008.

In the resolution signed by then-Mayor Constantino G. Jaraula of Cagayan de Oro and Paul D. Fraim of Norfolk, both cities recognize their shared similarities as major port cities with maritime and tourism-related activities and businesses.

Both cities also share a treasured historic significance in that Norfolk is the seat of the General Douglas McArthur Memorial, and Cagayan de Oro has the largest replica of the general’s famous “scrambled egg cap”.

Since the twinning agreement has been signed, delegations from Norfolk have visited the city, and Cagayan de Oro has also reciprocated such visits.

CDO eyes establishment of tech-voc institute

(CdeOSP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)-- The establishment of the Cagayan de Oro Technical Vocational Institute (CDO-TVI) is in the offing.

The City Council committee on laws and rules chaired by Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya is slated to act on the proposed ordinance creating and establishing the CDO-TVI, as approved by the committee on education chaired by Councilor Suzette Magtajas-Daba on Friday.

Mayor Oscar Moreno informed the legislative body that the CDO-TVI is a community-based technical vocational training school, which will operate in accordance with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) standards.

He said the CDO-TVI is intended to address the needs of the city’s constituents and other applicant-trainees for the desired competency and accreditation qualifications.

According to the city mayor, this will help them meet the market demands both locally and internationally, as well as equip them the necessary skills for their occupational, trade and livelihood needs.

The city mayor added that the CDO-TVI shall also offer school-based and technical, vocational education skills development curriculum.

It shall adopt the Unified TVET Programs Registration and Accreditation Systems (UTPRAS) of TESDA, the Senior High Curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its ladderized degree courses.

CDO-TVI shall also serve as an assessment center for acquired competencies in technical-vocational skills.

BOARD

Under the proposed legislation, the governing body of the CDO-TVI shall be a Board of Trustees (BOT), composed of the city mayor as the chair, the executive director of the CDO-TVI as the vice chair and the deputy executive director as the co-vice chairman.

Members are the chair of the City Council committees on education, on youth, on trade and commerce, a representative from the DepEd, representative of TESDA, Oro Chamber of Commerce and the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cagayan de Oro City, among others.

The board shall enact rules and regulations to carry out the purposes and functions of the CDO-TVI.

The BOT shall, likewise, fix the tuition fees and other school charges, such as but not limited to matriculation fees, graduation fees and laboratory fees, as the board may deem proper to impose after due consultations with the involved sectors, among others.

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.

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