Cagayan de Oro City News January 2013

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Interactive Google Satellite Map of Cagayan de Oro City
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Cagayan de Oro City within Misamis Oriental

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.

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Cagayan de Oro City Public Market
Cagayan de oro city river.jpg
The river of cagayan de oro city
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St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral

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

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

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

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

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  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.
Limketkai Center Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.jpg
Flood Waters in the streets of Cagayan de Oro City
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Cagayan de Oro City Buildings
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Bus Terminal, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

Pag-IBIG Citi prepaid cards are now available for MPL Borrowers

By Elaine O. Ratunil


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan 31 -- Pag-IBIG Fund members applying for the Multi-Purpose Loan (MPL) may now choose to have their loan proceeds automatically credited to their Pag-IBIG Citi prepaid card, starting February 1.

Upon submission of the MPL application, the applicant will be required to register and secure the Pag-IBIG Citi Prepaid Card at the Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro Branch Short-Term Loan Counter at Window Number 1.

Only qualified MPL member borrowers may avail of the Pag-IBIG Citi Prepaid Card at a minimum rate of seventy five pesos (P75.00), which can be deducted from the proceeds of the said loan.

The Pag-IBIG Citi Prepaid Card is an auto debit card which can be used for purchases at any Visa accredited stores.

Meanwhile, member borrowers, may also choose to have their MPL proceeds credited to their Land Bank Cash Card. (RTP/Pag-IBIG Fund Cagayan de Oro/PIA10)






Security tightened for pyramiding scam operator

By (PNA)

DSP/CD/EBP


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 30 (PNA) --All roads leading to the city hall of justice were closed Wednesday morning as authorities tightened security here for the arraignment of Jacob ‘Coco’ Rasuman, of Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur, who was charged, along with members of his family, with ‘syndicated estafa’ involving a P25 billion ‘double your money’ scam in Northern Mindanao.

Three complainants have filed charges of ‘syndicated estafa’ against the Rasumans at the regional trial courts in Cagayan de Oro City.

Only ‘Coco’ Rasuman surrendered to authorities in Cagayan de Oro City last year, while the other accused members of his family that includes his wife Princess Tomamis Rasuman remain at large.

Rasuman, escorted by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Manila, arrived here Wednesday morning from Manila.

Judge Vincent Rosales of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 23, was scheduled to arraign Rasuman Wednesday morning while RTC Judge Bonifacio Macapaya, of Branch 20, would hear the case Wednesday afternoon.

The Rasuman case is separate and distinct from the anomalous ‘Aman Futures’ of Amalilio in Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur.

Rasuman declared bankruptcy of his pyramiding company sometime in September 2012 and surrendered to authorities months later.

Hundreds of ‘investors,’ mostly from Marawi City and Lanao province, had demanded the return of their hard-earned money.

A team of prosecutors led by Sr. State Prosecutor Edna Valenzuela from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila arrived in Cagayan de Oro City Tuesday to supervise the security preparations on Wednesday arraignment.

Authorities adopted strict security measures to prevent possible retaliation from victims of Rasuman’s pyramiding scam.

Only the three complainants and their lawyers would be allowed entry in the court, all cases scheduled for hearing on Wednesday at the hall of justice were suspended, the media were not allowed to cover the arraignment, a media briefing will be held only in the backyard of the hall of justice after the arraignment, and the gates of the hall of justice will be closed allowing only litigants, lawyers, and judges to enter.





CDO to replace all street lights with LED at no cost

By (PNA)

PDS/CD/ABB


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 29 (PNA) -- The city government is studying to replace all street lights in the city with Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lamps to cut power expenses.

City Mayor Vicente Emano said he has forwarded the proposal to the city engineer's office for further study and validation.

He said the two companies had offered to replace LED lamps to all street lights in the city’s major streets at "no cost" to the city government.

Emano said he was interested in the proposal as the city government would save 80 percent of the budget for payment of electricity consumed by the city street lights.

Installation of these LED lights would be at no cost to the city government since the proponents asked only a share for a portion out of the 80 percent projected electricity savings of the city government, Emano added.





Grenade blasts in CDO

By (Sunnex with wire reports)


UNIDENTIFIED suspects lobbed a grenade that exploded at the house of a Muslim-Maranao in Balongis in Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City.

In a radio interview Monday morning, acting city police director Senior Superintendent Graciano Mejares identified the house owner as Nestor Nashrudin Maruhom, a market vendor in Cagayan de Oro.

Mejares said unidentified suspects threw an M26 grenade in front of the house of the Maruhom family.

Luckily there was no one killed or injured during the incident.

Mejares said Maruhom doubted that rido or “clan feud” was the motive behind the attack.

Maruhom added that he doesn't recall getting into a fight with anyone which may be the cause of the bombing.

Police are now investigating the incident to identify the motive and apprehend the suspects behind the blast.

However, the police are suspecting that rido and conflict over illegal drugs trade are among the motives of the incident.

It was later learned that the village of Balulang is one of the 80 villages in Cagayan de Oro which has high numbers of Muslim-Maranao residents.

TESDA 10 conducts training on Assessment Methodology

By (Honey Analou E. Dona, TESDA-10/APB,PIA-10)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region 10 conducted a three-day training on assessment methodology to increase the participation of trainers and industry practitioners in the implementation of assessment and certification, particularly in specialized qualifications.

The “Trainers Course in Assessment Methodology”, held last January 16-18 at MASS SPECC Hotel here, was participated by 25 prospective assessors in different TESDA training qualifications.

The training program was designed to equip the participants with the necessary knowledge, skills and desirable work values in the conduct of assessment. It aims to further enhance the knowledge and capability of trainers in delivering Conduct of Competency Assessment.

Some of the topics covered during the three-day training program include accreditation process, desirable work values of an assessor, concept and principle of 5S, planning and organizing competency, and assessing competence, among others.

After the training program, participants will be assessed and certified to become an accredited competency assessor of TESDA.

Cyber hacking diverts money to hacker's account

By Elaine O. Ratunil


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan 26 (PIA) --The Department of Trade and Industry Region 10 is warning entrepreneurs of the ongoing and increasing cases of cyber hacking especially on the import and export transactions of Filipino importers and Chinese suppliers.

Linda O. Boniao, officer-in-charge of Department of Trade and Industry Region 10 said that these cases of cyber hacking usually divert Filipino importers’ payments to the hacker’s bank account.

Further, she said, the Embassy’s economic team in Beijing has already met with the officials of China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Criminal Investigation Department (ICD) particularly their cyber crime investigation officers to discuss on these reported cases. So far, there have been six cases reported to the Philippine Embassy in China by Filipino victims, Boniao revealed.

According to the report, there are three variations of these instances. One involves a Filipino importer and a Chinese supplier with the former’s final transaction payment diverted to the hacker’s account in China. The second involves a Filipino importer and a Chinese supplier, with the former’s payment diverted to the hacker’s account outside China. And the third type involves a Filipino importer and a non-Chinese supplier, with the former’s payment ending up in the hacker’s bank account in China.

Through investigation, Chinese officials have been able to trace the perpetrators to Africans, specifically, Nigerians, said Boniao.

Chinese findings are further confirmed by the National Bureau of Investigation here, she added. In a similar set-up between Filipino importer and Chinese supplier, they were able to trace the deceptive email directing the Filipino importer to deposit the payment in the hacker’s account, to Nigeria.

Boniao explained that MPS authorities can easily freeze bank accounts in China, if they are subject to criminal complaint. However, this is not easy in other countries as it will require court order. She added that Chinese officials cannot assist if hacker’s bank account is outside China for lack of jurisdiction.

In the end, Boniao said that the most effective means of preventing cyber hacking menace is for entrepreneurs to be vigilant about the occurrence of such crime. (JMOR-PIA10)

Star-studded opening of Cagayan de Oro’s Centrio Mall

By Maurice Arcache

Philippine Daily Inquirer


People came all the way from Davao and Iligan and plus, plus; they arrived excited for the opening of the eco-friendly and cool Centrio Mall, an Ayala Mall in Cagayan de Oro, dahlings. Jetting in from Manila was Jaime Zobel de Ayala. He joined for the eucharistic celebration Tonyboy Floirendo and Mayor Vicente Emano, natch! Après, in the afternoon, another baby of Mags Boutique was born at Centrio Mall. After all, Cagayan de Oro City is the home ground of the woman behind the fashion shop, Mags Cue, no less.

female, or just whatever status one belonged, everyone celebrated the opening of the new mall, dahlings. The event was a star-studded happening, with the who’s-who of Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao flocking to the inaugural. Moi must say the opening of the boutique was unique, with winners of Miss Kagay-an 2012 playing live mannequins on Mags’ window display, which got the mob excited and thrilled so much so we had to inch our way into the boutique with the help of four security guards. Wow! Big stars from top TV networks did not miss out on the fun at Mags. GMA Kapuso made its presence felt in the event through its brightest stars on the limelight, such as good-looking and absolutely friendly Geoff Eigenmann. Meanwhile, all smiles were the stars of the ABS-CBN Kapamilya Regional Network, such as Maxine Monasterio, Joy Labrador, Nicole Abas-Datayan and Margie Velasquez.

Cagayan’s popular politicians also came, such as Rep. Benjo Benaldo, who was with his love, Brazilian celebrity Diana Menezes. Amid the screams of the people and flashbulbs of the paparazzi, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, led by city tourism officer Rhia Abalos and Vice Mayor Ian Acenas. Meanwhile the town’s très top food shops such as Missy Bonbon and Bigby’s joined in the fun. Having a grand time was the latter’s proprietor, Ybeth Yu. The shops are homegrown and represent the arts and crafts of the different regions and cities of Mindanao. Centrio Mall in fact strives to be a showcase of the best of Mindanao. One couldn’t miss the cousin of our popular president, Bam Aquino, a Senate hopeful this May, dahlings.

Event organizer and society writer, Iloilo’s pride Nonoy Ybiernas, was forever all over the place, making sure everything went smoothly, dahlings. Mag’s Boutique in Cagayan de Oro has eye-catching and edgy interiors. Its decor is modern, with a great touch of class and style, designed by in-demand architect Edwin Uy. This event was indeed an awesome success, celebrating Ayala’s latest mall in the south and the grand opening of Mags Centrio Mall branch, but of course, palanggas! M Café Raintree Restaurants added another feather to its cap with the facelift of the popular M Café, marking the beginning of a new era for one of Makati’s most popular nightspots.

Celebrating seven awesome years of organizing quality events, promoting music and the arts, and spreading nothing but good vibes, M Café returned to the scene with a dazzling inaugural bash. Welcoming hotshot personalities and other invitees were Raintree vice president Martin Wisniewski, director of operations Cyril Addison, marketing manager Carmela Sison, and events managers Stefan Loewenstein and Marcus Maguigad. Moi couldn’t help but be completely pleased with M Café’s new look, its homemade infusion cocktails and savory, fresh, simple and delightful Filipino flavors from excellent restaurant Kabila, which is part of the Raintree Restaurants group, palanggas. Checking Kabila out, one couldn’t miss the Discovery Leisure Company’s chef David Pardo de Ayala, Carmela Bocanegra with husband Tito and chef Luis Chikiamco, Holiday Inn Suites’ Karim Klaa and Intercontinental Hotel’s Laurent Casteret. M Café habitués were treated to laser graffiti, live performances by Sinyma, Albatross, Kulintang and Manila Percussion Ensemble, heavy-hitting beats by various DJs, trumpet and saxophone performances, complemented by on-the-spot painting by visual artist Dee Jae Paeste. Now that’s what a grand opening is all about, palanggas. Supporting the grand launch were our very own Don Papa, Wine Depot, Happy Living, Beringer, Bodegas Hidalgo and Straits Wine Company. The opening was organized by M Sessions promotions group, check out M Sessions on Facebook.

New police regional director in Northern Mindanao assumes post

By (PNA)

LAP/BEN BALCE/CD/EBP


CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City, Jan. 24 (PNA) -- Police Chief Supt. Catalino Rodrgiuez took over the command of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) regional command here at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Rodriguez replaced Police Chief Supt. Gil Hitosis who was recalled to Camp Crame as deputy director for research and development.

Pol. Senior Supt. Lyndel Desquitado, regional director for administration in Region 10, said that the reshuffling of PNP personnel was already in effect before the deadline set by the Commissions on Elections last January 13.

He said the implementation of the reshuffling of PNP personnel was only delayed.

Rodriguez was the PNP’s deputy directorate for information and technology management prior to his new assignment here.

The turnover of the regional PNP command took place two days after rebels of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) staged a daring raid on houses of military personnel in Kinoguitan, Misamis Oriental.

Desquitado said that the reshuffling has nothing to do with the NPA attack in Kinoguitan.

Senate approves Cagayan de Oro reforestation bill

By ( Bong D. Fabe / Correspondent


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Senate approved on third and final reading the bill reforesting 3,000 hectares of public land here, almost two years since the House of Representatives passed such measure.

“We are happy that this bill was finally approved since we really need to immediately reforest our public land to prevent another flood from happening again and kill thousands,” Rep. Rufus Rodriguez told the BusinessMirror.

House Bill 1398, authored by Rodriguez, authorizes the environment department to reforest 3,000 hectares of public land in this capital city of Northern Mindanao. The Senate, which received the bill on Aug. 10, 2011, approved it only on Monday, Jan. 21).

Rodriguez filed the original version of the bill (HB 5880) in 2009 during the 14th Congress but it failed to pass due to more pressing pieces of legislations. In the 15th Congress, Rodriguez re-filed the bill as HB 1398, or “An Act Reforesting 3,000 Hectares of Public Land in Cagayan de Oro City and Appropriating Funds Thereof.”

“Trees are very important in maintaining and improving the quality of life. They remove carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Further, they filter out harmful pollutants. More importantly, tree absorbs water from the soil, making the soil drier and able to store more rainwater,” the bill’s explanatory note reads.

At least P37.5 million will be allocated to implement it in the city’s two congressional districts, which will be charged to the annual national budget. It also tasked the environment secretary to ensure its implementation.

Before sending it to Malacañang for the President’s signature, Congress must first adopt the reconciled version of the bill.

Rodriguez said the main reason for the bill is to address flash floods while contributing to mitigating climate change.

Cagayan de Oro suffered its worst flood on Dec. 16, 2011, when Typhoon Sendong (Washi) dumped a month’s worth of rain on the city in 24 hours that triggered a massive flash flood that killed hundreds and destroyed billions worth of properties and infrastructures.

On Jan. 3-11, 2009, floodwaters engulfed the entire city for the first time in its recent history brought about by incessant rains due to the tail-end of a cold front.

“I was really appalled at how the flashfloods disrupted many lives and so to prevent that calamity from happening again, I have filed this bill,” Rodriguez said.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources, explained the need for the immediate passage of the bill since reforestation will protect the city, its people and the environment from flashfloods.

He said recent typhoons and weather disturbances that had lashed Mindanao in recent weeks are enough reasons for the urgent passage of the bill.

Kagay-anons are now wary of rains and typhoons after the Sendong experience. And rightly so given that 28 percent of the city’s land area of 13,962 hectares where most of the residents live is a narrow coastal and flood plain, while 72 percent is situated on rolling to steep terrain.

Of the city’s total land area, 5,251 hectares or 38 percent is classified as timberland in barangays Cugman, FS Catanico, Tablon, Balubal and some parts of Agusan and Macasandig.

Of the total timberland area of the city, only 1,809.43 hectares of 34.46 percent is with tree or forest cover. And almost all of the timberland areas of the city are fully covered with tenurial instruments such as ISF, IFMA, CBFMA and FLGMA which explains why only a small percentage of the timberland areas have forest cover remaining.

“Forest mitigates climate change. Forests, whether natural or man-made, absorb the impacts of climate change through sequestration of carbon dioxide, intercept rainfall and channel the rainwaters to underground storage, thus minimizing the occurrence of flash floods and help regulate stream flow,” Rodriguez said. 

100 NPA rebels raid MisOr town

By .(PNA)

PDS/CD/CD/EBP


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 22 (PNA) -- Some 100 New People’s Army (NPA)members in full-battle gear raided houses in a town in Kinoguitan in Misamis Oriental about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The communist rebels also set up their own checkpoints along the highways in Kinoguitan, a coastal town some 80 kilometers east of Cagayan De Oro City.

The NPA forces raided houses of known soldiers and retired law enforcers and seized firearms.

The local police command established a defensive position at the town municipal hall as the military established ambushed positions along the rebels’ withdrawal routes.

Kinoguitan Mayor Jojo Lagbas went on air on a local radio station here about 8:45 a.m. Tuesday confirming the attack on his town but appealed for sobriety and calmness.

Lagbas also appealed to the military and local law enforcers to refrain from staging counter-attacks against the rebels to spare civilians from possible bloodbath.

Lagbas, however, ordered the local police to defend the municipal town hall at all costs should the rebels attempt to attack the town’s seat of government.

"We will not allow them (NPA rebels) to take over the municipal town hall,’ Lagbas said.

Lagbas said that the NPA raided the houses of active and retired military officers in Kinoguitan and confiscated their short firearms.

"It is obvious that the NPA knew where to go since they went directly to the houses of those military officers where they searched and seized their firearms," Lagbas said.

He said the rebels established checkpoints along the highways but did not flag down vehicles.

Lt. Col. George Banzon, commander of the army’s 58th Infantry Batallion, based in Misamis Oriental, said government troopers had established counter measures in the outskirts of Kinoguitan.

Soldiers are conducting clearing operations in the hinterland villages of Misamis Oriental when the incident took place this morning, Banzon said.

He said they have mapped out countermeasures against the rebels in Kinoguitan making sure that civilians would not be caught in the crossfire.

As of press time, government forces are still monitoring the movement of the rebels in Kinoguitan believed to be still in the area.

Late last year, the NPA has laid siege a village in Claveria, another town in Misamis Oriental where they clashed with government forces.

Banzon said that the NPA rebels are waging a tactical offensive as a show of force as the midterm elections in May this year is approaching.

800 police patrol CDO streets

By (PNA)

FPV/CD/BEN BALCE/EBP


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 21 (PNA) -– The Cagayan De Oro Police deployed some 800 police officers in various areas in this trading hub of Northern Mindanao as the midterm elections in May nears.

Acting City Police Chief Sr. Supt. Graciano Mijares said the number of police officers deployed was enough to gain police visibility.

Mijares underscored the need for police visibility as one of his approaches to deter crimes here.

‘We are now providing police on foot patrol roving around the city,’ Mijares told City Mayor Vicente Emano and members of the city council during a courtesy call last week.

He said police patrolling was also stepped-up within the vicinity of shopping malls and hotels to ensure the safety of the public.

“Around-the-clock patrol team is being provided in the said vicinities to preempt criminalities in those areas,” said Mijares.

He said this is the first time that the Cagayan de Oro City police office has deployed a large number of police officers to patrol in the city’s downtown areas.

Mayor admits receiving complaint

By Annabelle L. Ricalde


CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano admitted on Thursday he had obtained a copy of the administrative complaint fil d against him by a group called Save CDO Movement.

Emano said it was Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III who brought the documents and filed it in Malacañang.

“That’s their right because we cannot convince them to join us,” he said in an interview over RMN-dxCC.

The mayor also admitted having sent “spies” to the gatherings of Save CDO Movement, whose members are doing daily protest starting January 14 at the Kiosko Kagawasan in Divisoria reportedly to gather signatures for a recall election in Cagayan de Oro.

However, Emano denied having received the group’s request to use the kiosk in Divisoria for their daily protest.

The mayor urged the group to directly bring its request to him for approval.

Emano assured that he will “not disallow such activity in the city, much more the use of the kiosk.”

Marlon Tabac, a member of Save CDO Movement, however, denied it was Pimentel who brought and filed the complaint in Malacañang.

Tabac said the complaint was filed only last January 9, 2012 at the regional office of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

He said Pimentel was in Cagayan de Oro last January 6 to distribute relief goods to the victims of the flash flood in Sitios Pasil and Pita in Barangay Kauswagan.

“On the same day, Pimentel proceeded to Butuan City and then flew back to Manila,” Tabac said.

He said Emano’s claims were “all lies and have no basis at all.”

“What he said were all lies and whoever were his spies, he should terminate them because they have given him wrong information,” Tabac added.

Earlier, the group filed an administrative complaint against Emano for allegedly doing nothing to protect the people from the flash flood.

The group alleged the complaint is already in Malacañang and a suspension against Emano would be out soon.

Police stumbles marijuana plantation in Misamis Oriental

By (PNA)

GHG/CD/PJN


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 19 (PNA) -- Police stumbled a a large marijuana plantation in the town’s hinter barangay in the coastal town of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental on Friday afternoon.

Town police chief, Sr. Inspector Rogelio Labor, reported that the illegal marijuana plantation has a nursery that could accommodate more than 5,000 seedlings.

Operatives uprooted about 1,000-marijuana plants in a farming lot whose owners are still still subject to verification, Labor said.

He said they have identified four suspects but have not released their names pending the confirmation of their identities.

Police made no arrest since nobody was on the farm when they raided the area, Labor said.

The uprooted grass would be examined to establish that it was indeed marijuana and would be eventually used as evidence against the suspects, Labor added.

He said that the landowner and other suspects would face charges with violation of the non-bailable Dangerous Drug Act.

According to Labor, if convicted, the suspects face life imprisonment and government would seize the land in favor of the government.

DTI urges entrepreneurs to participate online customer satisfaction survey 2013

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- Now that streamline business processing is ongoing in the city, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is urging entrepreneurs and businesses that had acquired business permits to participate in an online customer satisfaction feedback.

Renewed and registered businesses in the city can click on http://www.competitive.org.ph/node/601/ to answer simple questions regarding the process: how they were served, how efficient the streamline was and the overall transaction, said Jesusa Abear of DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Office.

Such survey will enable the Business Permits and Licensing System of the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines to evaluate the satisfaction level of businessmen in regard to the renewal process for Business Permit in cities and municipalities nationwide.

Also, this will serve as basis for Local Government Units (LGUs) to improve their services in various localities.

However, all information submitted will be treated with confidentiality, Abear assures. (JMOR/PIA10)





RAGCOM organizes outreach program

By Elaine O. Ratunil


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- The Regional Association of Government Communicators (RAGCOM)-X organized an outreach program to one of the rehabilitation centers in the city, Jan. 4.

The activity centered on gift-giving primarily to the children of the rehabilitation center here.

“We also want to offer our services as volunteers if you need some,” RAGCOM President Jeanette Marie S. Soldevilla said.

They conducted fun-filled activities with the children and offered additional services like counseling.

For this year, RAGCOM chose a rehab center sponsored by the German Doctors to be its beneficiary. It houses around 20 young girls who were victims of trafficking, prostitution and who were abused by their most trusted personalities. Most of them are fighting for their rights in respective criminal courts against their perpetrators for the injustices done against them at such a young age.

The expenses used in the event were solicited from the RAGCOM member-agencies.

RAGCOM-10 is an organization of information officers from the regional line agencies in Northern Mindanao. This network acts as a venue to strengthen communication lines among agencies, as well as provide a means to improve skills related to their line of work.

Further, its program and activities are anchored on its general objective that is bringing the government closer to the people.

Meanwhile, RAGCOM is also involved in annual outreach programs such as adopt an orphan for a day, jail visits and gift-giving to street children, prisoners, senior citizens.

Holding outreach program forms part of its social responsibility as well as a strategy in strengthening partnerships with stakeholders and communication allies. (WMC/JMOR/Irene Joy Dayo/PIA10)





Mijares replaces Benitez as new Cocpo chief

By (Abigail Chee Kee Malalis)


THE Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) had changed twice its leadership in just barely four days, with the relief Saturday of Police Senior Superintendent Raul Benitez, who formally took over last Tuesday as officer-in-charge (OIC).

Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director Gil Hitosis, in a radio interview, said Police Senior Superintendent Graciano Mijares assumed the post on Saturday.

Benitez replaced Superintendent Antonio Montalba, who served as OIC city police director for almost two months and is due for compulsory retirement this coming January 16.

Hitosis said Benitez assumed the post as provincial director in Misamis Occidental.

The order, according to Hitosis, is part of the re-alignment of all officials with regard to the coming May 2013 local and national elections.

Former city director Gerardo Rosales will assume as provincial director of Lanao del Norte, while Senior Superintendents Wilfredo Cayat and Rolando Benas will be assigned as provincial directors in Camiguin and Bukidnon provinces, respectively.

For his part, Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, chair of the committee on police, fire and public safety, expressed optimism that the police will not be used for political purpose.




Cagayan de Oro City mayor faces suspension

By bong


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Thousands of people swarmed to City Hall Tuesday as tension ran high in anticipation of an impending “suspension order” against City Mayor Vicente Emano. Traffic has been closed at the Gen. Capistrano St., a major city street leading to city hall, as Emano’s supporters started to occupy the streets near city hall. But Emano said they have not received any suspension order since Monday. “We are just waiting,” he said. Services at the city hall, however, remained normal. Lawyer Francis Khu, Emano’s lawyer, said they have no idea what the suspension order is all about. “We have not received that order,” he said. Political opponents had charged Emano with “dereliction of duty” blaming him for the death of over 600 people in Cagayan de Oro City at the height of typhoon Sendong last year. The complaint was forwarded to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for disposition.





Editorial: Does he even deserve it?

By sunstar.com.ph


CAGAYAN de Oro’s political scene has lately been tainted with a solid speck of “drama.”

Last week, village chiefs numbering to over 100 brought along their respective constituents in camping out in front of the City Hall as a show of support to Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano, who is allegedly facing a suspension order from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

However, after almost three days of what seemed to be a “political tension,” DILG Secretary Mar Roxas regarded Emano’s episode with his supporters as purely “drama.” Too bad for Emano, Roxas even coined him as an expert in “scenario building” and that the self-confessed suspension order was all part of his “political gimmickry.” Moreover for the DILG chief, the charges filed against Emano are still in the Legal Department and that those are not yet among his priorities.

Needless to say, the suspension noise, which appeared to be painstakingly crafted by the Emano assemblage, did not have a solid foundation to begin with. No concrete charges have been associated with the ghost suspension order, following Roxas’ denunciation of the existence of such. However, it has been cited that the said order would reportedly stem from the administrative case of gross negligence and dereliction of duty filed against Emano in connection with the December 17, 2011 flashfloods that hit Cagayan de Oro, claiming thousands of lives and causing billions worth damage to property.

Looking back at how “Sendong” changed the lives of thousands of Kagay-anons especially those who lost their loved ones to the flood, it is very frustrating to note that the leadership of Emano was not as prepared as it is now in the face of his possible looming suspension. Even without the certitude of an issued suspension order, Emano and his allies were able to exhibit their thespian talents for a drama with superb arrangement and planning, nothing like what happened before “Sendong.”

But in the end, the question is not on whether there is a suspension order or not. If there ever is, should the people stand against the rule of law for the love of their “revered” mayor? And the more important question is- has Emano really done enough to deserve such devotion and loyalty?




Emano’s suspension order not served

By Gerry Lee Gorit


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Thousands of supporters of Mayor Vicente Emano celebrated a victory party Friday night after a week of camping out at the city hall grounds.

The suspension order issued against Emano by Malacañang was not served following the reported intervention of Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Emano’s lawyer, Francis Khu, thanked the people who flocked to the city hall for their support.

Among those who expressed their support for Emano were officials of the Padayon Pilipino party, including Misamis Oriental second district Rep. Yevgeny Bambi Emano, Cagayan de Oro City first district Rep. Benjo Benaldo, Tagoloan Mayor Paulino Emano, Opol Mayor Dexter Yasay, Talisayan Vice Mayor Rommel Maslog, Cagayan de Oro Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas and Councilors Nadya Emano-Elipe, Ramon Tabor, Prexy Elipe, Annie Daba, Ian Mark Nacaya, Pepe Abbu, Adrian Barba, Alden Bacal and Juan Sia.

“The verdict of the people is not guilty,” Khu told the crowd who had kept vigil at the city hall compound.

The mayor is facing administrative charges for gross negligence and dereliction of duty filed by an environmental group for the deaths and damage in Cagayan de Oro during typhoon Sendong.





City vet collects P2.6M fees

By (PNA)

FPV/CD/CD/EBP


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The city’s veterinarian office has collected a total of P2.6 million anti-mortem and post mortem service fees in 2012.

Dr. Lucien Anthony Acac, the city veterinarian, said the fees represented 91,576 hogs, 10,534 cattle, 1,677 goats, 577 horses, 369 ostriches, and 266 carabaos slaughtered at the city’s slaughterhouse here last year.

The city veterinarian office has also condemned several carcasses of hogs and unknown kilograms of internal organs found unfit for consumption, he said.

Acac said meat inspectors had also condemned unvalued kilograms of ‘hot meats’ seized in the city’s public markets here.

He said it is the duty of the city veterinarians to make sure that all meat products sold in public markets, superstores, and malls are safe and fit for consumption.

Oro councilors pay tribute to former mayor

By (PNA)

PDS/CD/ABB


CITY Hall officials paid tribute to former Cagayan de Oro councilor and mayor Manolo Z. Tagarda Sr. on Wednesday’s necrological services held at the City Tourism Hall.

The former mayor passed away last January 3. His remains were brought to the City Tourism Hall Tuesday and to his final resting place in Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental this morning (Thursday).

By virtue of Resolution 11256-2013, the 16th City Council during the regular session Tuesday, expressed the city’s most profound condolences and deepest sympathy to Tagarda’s bereaved family.

The resolution cited that in Tagarda’s stint as a member of the City Council, starting from being named as OIC-city councilor until being elected into office as such for three terms, the former councilor exhibited sterling performance as chair of the Committee on Laws and Rules and as majority floor leader, making every plenary session orderly and decorum.

The legislative body believes that despite his death, Kagay-anons will continue to remember his legacy as a soft-spoken legislator, a passionate and dedicated leader, brilliant lawyer, a good father and provider and a religious man, which characteristics helped him catapulted to the pedestal of local legislation by serving three consecutive terms as member of the City Council.

“With his passing away to the great beyond, former councilor Tagarda will surely be missed by those whose lives he touched either as a local legislator, a lawyer and as a religious man; yet his outstanding legacy will be enough to immortalize him in their hearts and minds,” the resolution read in part. (LCR)

Candidates facing criminal raps not disqualified

By (PNA)

PDS/CD/ABB


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 9 (PNA) –- The election bid of any person facing criminal charges in court will not be affected, an election official here said on Wednesday.

Provincial election registrar Carlito Ravelo of Misamis Oriental made the clarification in reaction to the arrest of Joedeguil G. Ursal, 32, an incumbent member of the provincial board in a reported drug buy-bust operation Tuesday night.

Ursal is running for reelection this May as an independent candidate.

Ravelo said that Ursal’s candidacy would not be affected until proven guilty by a competent court.

"A candidate who is running for an elective post but is convicted with a criminal offense during the campaign period is automatically disqualified," Ravelo said.

Campaign period for candidates for senator and for party-list groups will be from February 12 to May 11 this year.

For those running for seats for Congress and regional, provincial, city and municipal posts, the campaign period will be from March 29 to May 11.

Comelec deputizes electric coops

By (PNA)

LAP/CD/EBP


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 8 (PNA) -- The Commissions on Elections (Comelec) has deputized electric cooperatives in the country to ensure that electrical supply continues during the May 2013 elections.

Election Supervisor Cirilo F. Nala, Jr. of Misamis Occidental said Comelec Resolution No. 9597 deputized electric cooperatives, the National Power Corp. (Napocor), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) from May 13 to May 20 this year to make sure that power supplies are assured during the election period.

Nala said that the Comelec wants the conduct of elections, canvassing, and proclamation of winners without delay.

He said the resolution also authorized cooperatives, Napocor, and NEA to shut off power supplies in areas believed to affect the conduct of the elections.

Gun raps filed against 4 Chinese nationals in CDO

By (PNA)

PDS/BEN BALCE/CD/SSC


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan. 7 (PNA) -- Police here filed charges against four Chinese nationals caught on Sunday for illegally firing their guns.

The suspects were identified as Jason Limsoy Chang, 42, Tomy Kua Sy, 32, Sek Qing Hui, 44, and Jake Co Shi, 35, all of Fujian, China. Of the four, only Sy could speak English.

They were all charged on Monday with illegal possession of firearms before the City’s Prosecutor's Office.

The suspect were temporarily residing at Aloba, Macasandig and Camaman-an in the city’s suburban areas.

Inspector Evan Vinas of the Agora police in Lapasan said that the suspects were all caught illegally firing their guns at the Northern Mindanao Practical Shooting Association( NMPSA) firing range located at Barangay, Camaman-an this city.

"While a shooting competition was going on at the other side of the shooting range, the four suspects (Chinese nationals) at the same time fired their guns rapidly without an accompanying range officer," Vinas said.

It is illegal for shooters to fire their guns in any shooting range without being accompanied by a range officer, Vinas added.

He said the suspects also failed to present valid passports.

Vinas said that investigators were verifying Sy’s claimed he is a member of the Cagayan de Oro Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

"The suspects were using loose firearms which are made in Cebu and had no pertinent recordings," Vinas added.




Large area in Cagayan de Oro still without power, water

By Andrei Medina/RSJ, GMA News


A large area of Cagayan de Oro City, one of the areas in Mindanao hit by Typhoon Pablo, remains without power and water, a television report said Thursday.

According to a report by GMA News' Maki Pulido on Unang Balita, half of the city has no access to clean water due to busted booster pumps while power is also down for most parts of the city.

The same television report said trees were uprooted during the cyclone's peak and a landslide was reported to have occurred which fortunately didn't hurt anybody.

No advisory was given as to when the water and power supplies will be back to normal, it added.

Cleaning operations

The same TV report said 30 evacuees were allowed to go back home since weather in the area has improved.

And as flood waters have subsided, cleaning operations have begun.

However, cleaning the household won't be an easy chore since thick mud, brought by flood waters, has invaded residences.

One of the affected residents interviewed by Pulido, Ritchel Anchez, said she needs to clean her home even if she hasn't eaten or slept.

When asked why she hasn't had anything to eat, Anchez explained that her husband did not receive any salary during the days they spent at the evacuation center.

“Mahirap na mahirap. Pagod na pagod. Wala pa kaming kain,” Anchez said.

There was also no water to clean off the mud. Fortunately, there was a truck that gave out free water supply.

As of this posting, the death toll from Pablo has risen to 325, with most of the fatalities recored in Mindanao.




Gift-Giving Activity

By (Mike U. Crismundo)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — With a smile and happiness in their faces, formerly abused children on expressed their heartfelt gratitude to their gift-giver over the weekend.

As an expression of gratitude, the young girls prepared several activities to entertain their visitors.

Among the activities include dance numbers showcasing their talents, and at the same time, as an outlet for the frustrations they feel when they remember what they have gone through.

Assorted gifts and food items were then distributed to the children after some pep talks of the visitors.

The officers and men of the Army’s 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division through 4th Civil Military Operation Battalion joined members of the Regional Association of Government Communicators in Region-10 in their first outreach activity for abused children at the Malisa Homes here.

The worthwhile activity was also participated in by representatives coming from the various local and national government agencies.

The organizers said they specifically have chosen the Malisa Homes, which is sponsored by a group of German doctors, to be their beneficiary.





NYC-AYLINM Night highlights major achievements

By Recthie T. Paculba


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan 4 (PIA) -- The National Youth Commission-Association of Youth Leaders in Northern Mindanao held the AYLINM Night: Awarding Ceremony to laud outstanding members and exemplary initiatives and community involvements of the organization at the City Tourism Hall.

The event was graced by City Mayor Vicente Emano, Rep. Benjo Benaldo, Captain Christian Uy—Executive Officer 4th CMO Battalion and Salma Jayne Tamano—Presidential Staff Officer , NYC.

In the search for 2012 Most Outstanding Organizations of Year, AYLINM ranked 2nd Place in Environmental Advocates, 3rd in People Empowering People Assembly, 4th in True Friendship Organization, 5th in Elite Circle of Friends Organization, 6th in PAG-ASA Youth Association of the Philippines, 7th in Amendment Individual Through Society and 8th Barkada Kontra Druga.

Mayor Emano Leadership Excellence awards were also given to Virgilio Jamis Jr. and John Vincent R. Besas. Alain Roy Romero, Gerwin Rico Mata and Emmanuel Sandigan were among the recipients of Congressional Medal of Leadership Excellence awards.

AYLINM also received the Most Outstanding Youth Leaders of the Year awards, Most Outstanding Officers of the Year awards, Presidential leadership excellence awards, Youth Organizations Recognition and Sponsors/Advisers awards. Other special awards were also given by Bombo Radyo.

The event concluded with a concluding speech by John Vincent R. Besas, NYC-AYLINM vice-president.

SSS members get P2b in calamity loans

By Manila Standard Today |


The Social Security System has granted P2 billion in loans to its members through its calamity relief programs.

At least 134,000 members and pensioners all over the country benefited from the early renewal of SSS salary loans and advance release of three months’ worth of pensions in 2012.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. said the SSS disbursed over P2.1 billion to 108,300 calamity-hit members through the salary loan early renewal program, while 25,500 pensioners received advance pensions of P179.99 million in 2012.

Early last year, the SSS offered the SLERP and advance release of pensions in declared calamity areas due to Typhoon Sendong, which hit the country in December 2011. It reopened the programs after the southwest monsoon or “habagat” caused widespread destruction in mid-2012.

The SLERP allows members to renew their loans ahead of the prescribed schedule. The SSS recorded 9,064 SLERP availments amounting to P149.02 million after “Sendong,” 90 percent of which was disbursed to members in the badly-hit cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

“SLERP loan releases to 99,230 members affected by heavy monsoon rains reached P1.95 billion,” he said. “Moreover, we granted P159.93 million in advance pensions to 23,722 pensioners due to ‘Sendong’ and P20.06 million to 1,777 pensioners affected by the monsoon.”

De Quiros said the SLERP and early pension releases are part of the current Calamity Relief Package for members in “declared and may be declared calamity areas” by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the wake of Typhoon Pablo.

Year of Sendong’s Children

By Nef Luczon

Pencalibur

IN CAGAYAN DE ORO, it was not the Reproductive Health law that shaped the year 2012 in the city, neither the Ampatuan Massacre anniversary nor St. Pedro Calungsod, Manny Pacquiao or any national news and events that shook the country, but it was still the ghost of tropical storm “Sendong” and its implications that eventually led to some history-altering circumstances.

Because of “Sendong,” the social network, Facebook, has become a powerful tool for expressing outrage and revolt against the current administration of the city, and so the groups of Save CDO Movement, Mata Na CDO, became an alternative avenue in criticizing and taking actions of what they see is “wrong” in the whole system of the local government.

In fact, the group Bangon Kagay-an Inc. has stepped up further by registering itself at the Securities and Exchange Commission, identifying themselves as a socio-political group, as they justified that the city’s problem was “political by nature, and so it must be addressed politically.”

These groups went on filing criminal and administrative charges against the administration for neglect of duty during the height of “Sendong,” as well as its early stages of recovery for being “flat footed” in reaching and responding to people and disaster risk management. It reached the Department of Interior and Local Government in Region X and even after the death of Sec. Jesse Robredo, the complaint was being heard even if the mayor was not present.

To such extent as the filing of candidacies for the national and local elections opened, personalities of these groups like Tito Mora and Nixon Baban decided to run for the 2013 local elections at the Commission on Elections as city councilors under the Liberal Party led by Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno, who plans to contest incumbent Mayor Vicente Emano for the local chief executive post.

These groups were also critical to illegal mining activities in the city and the degradation of Iponan River and its nearby ecosystems, and thus Sulog: One Sendong is Enough movement was created, led by the regional director of Cooperative Development Authority, Orlando Ravanera.

It was the group who initiated talks with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region X and called for an action against illegal mining activities. And weeks later, they led the raid at the Iponan River and caught two Chinese nationals operating the quarry barges, which were believed to be also extracting gold.

Unfortunately, it did not pushed through in leading to a conviction from the local courts. In fact, the Chinese suspects were released and technicalities in filing the case were cited why the complaint had no merits in reaching for a prosecution.

And speaking of illegal mining and “Sendong,” these were the reasons why I and my then camera crew, Michael Tolang and Mike Cabulay, were “threatened” by a village councilor in Barangay Tuburan, Roy Obsioma Yañez, after asking a sensitive question of the barge’s existence in Iponan River. This was on February 1, 2011, even before Sulog was created and the raid took place.

I was then working for GMA Network in Cagayan de Oro and we filed complaints of harassment and an administrative version but it did not pushed through, again citing technicalities in defining the nature of being under threat. As to its administrative counterpart at the city council, it fell into oblivion under the desk of councilor Alvin Calingin, who is supposed to be the chairperson of the blue ribbon committee. God Bless them.

And now, the year 2013 has just begun and according to Chinese zodiac, it is the year of the Water Snake (although it will officially start on January 30 in the Chinese calendar), many were skeptic about the idea that the snake is notoriously a symbol of betrayal and treachery. But come to think of it on the positive side, the snake’s sound is “Hi$$$$$$$$$ing.”

We’ve got mail from Oliver Galupo in San Francisco, California, USA, a reaction from my previous column on “Return of the Bad Bang Boys:”

“Hi Nef,

“Thanks for making a statement about firecrackers. I'm totally against the use of firecrackers, fireworks is okay though regulated (with city hall oversight).

“I fell off my chair by what Councilor Dante Pajo, chair of health and sanitation-city council, said recently (Sun Star, Friday, Dec. 28, 2012) that he was against banning firecrackers because the vendors will be ‘economically hurt.’ This is BS! The first thing he should be concerned about is the general health and well-being of all Kagay-anons -- being the chair of Health and Sanitation -- not those vendors' income who may wish to sell other stuff but firecrakers. Firecrakers are generally not good for our health, it pollutes the air and it's very harmful. I would like to ask councilor Pajo which is important to him, is it the income of the vendors or our health? If it's the vendors -- it must be the election year!

“This is really BS! You see, this is what we get from most of our councilors, much more from our current mayor. Why can Davao City do it? I am to the agreement that our city is really way, way, way behind Davao City. Cagayan de Oro will not grow unless we elect people who have the same mentality as Councilor Pajo. Something needs to be done with these firecrakers. Should he wait how many innocent children and adults who are "maimed" by these senseless firecrakers? I'm wondering and maybe Councilor Pajo and most of our councilors at city hall will change their minds about firecrakers if and when the time comes one of their loved ones or even they will eventually lost a finger or two to these firecrakers.

“In general, this is the same mentality which hinders solving our traffic problems in the city. Our city deserves intelligent, forward-looking public servants.”

Thank you very much Oliver, and more power to you.

(Nef Luczon is a freelance journalist and a part-time communications instructor. He is also a film and art enthusiast. Send comments to nefluczon@gmail.com)





NDRRMC: Five killed, 19 hurt in Cagayan de Oro smashup

By gmanetwork.com


At least five people were killed and 19 injured after a 10-wheeler truck hit four other vehicles in Cagayan de Oro City last weekend, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday.

In its 6:00 a.m. report, the NDRRMC cited belated reports indicating the incident occurred at 6:00 p.m. last December 29 in Barangay Puerto in Cagayan de Oro City.

"The truck was on its way to Barangay Puerto proper when it collided with a public utility jeepney, a van, a sport utility vehicle, and a motorcycle," the NDRRMC said.

According to the NDRRMC, the victims sustained multiple injuries and were brought to a nearby hospital.

The fatalities were identified as: Hardylyn Placencia Rey Ragulasyun, 41 Apolinario Ubial, 39 Paulo Bajan Canduli, 22 Reuben Butal Ukay, 24

The injured were identified as: Millyn Rose Abello Alexander Pialagao Mona Pangcatan Pacita Aguilar Virginia Uypala Janet Jumangin Flordeliza Aninao Roel Rivera Madilyn Pabillore Wenceslao Amad Catalina Cajera Maria Lisa Catalan Gaudiosa Duhaylungsod Rufo Abruqueno Paaran Ramilas Adrion Ramilas Clarita Ramilas Ronnie Ramilas Miraflor Terante

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