Cagayan de Oro City News October 2015

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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
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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

Proposed law on proper storage, utilization of rainwater mulled

(JBD/CdeOSP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 31 -- The proposed ordinance for the proper harvesting, storage and utilization for rain water in Cagayan de Oro was discussed by the City Council committee on public works and engineering.

The proposed ordinance provides that the city shall promote the proper harvesting, storage and utilization as a viable alternative source of water supply primarily for non-potable use including domestic usage for flushing toilets, general cleaning, and washing of clothes, urban agriculture, landscape irrigation and supplement water source for industrial, commercial, institutional, agricultural usage, among others.

It also provides that the city shall encourage and support the adaptation and development of appropriate technology related to rainwater utilization by medium to large size commercial, institutional and industrial establishments including medium to high-end residential subdivisions which are primarily consuming high volume of freshwater.

Rainwater Catchment System (RCS) comprise the structure and the process of maintaining the system and classified based on the size and nature of catchment surface and based on the whether the systems are of urban or rural settings, based on the proposed ordinance.

During the meeting of the committee, chaired by Councilor Alden Bacal, Councilor Ramon Tabor, author of the ordinance, said this measure was already enacted in Davao City and he intends it to be enacted and implemented in Cagayan de Oro City.

Tabor said the purpose of the ordinance is to minimize the flooding in the city and to conserve water as well as energy.

“Why don’t we save the rainwater for very obvious purposes, sa paglimpyo, pagbunyag sa tanom, and more importantly mapugngan ang baha (Why don’t we save the rainwater for very obvious purposes, in cleaning, watering the plants, and more importantly prevent flooding,” he said.

Tabor said the ordinance will require subdivision developers to provide rainwater catchment system to be used by the homeowners to save the rainwater.

Councilor Bacal assured that a copy of the proposed ordinance will be disseminated to different agencies.

He calls on the contractors, subdivision developers and other concerned agencies to submit their respective comments and suggestions on the proposed ordinance.

Number of travellers in Oro to peak by weekend

By Alwen Saliring

PORTS and bus terminals in Cagayan de Oro City have began beefing up security in anticipation of the All Saints and All Souls Day weekend.

An official of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) said they have deployed extra personnel and are on 24-hour shifts to secure both bus terminals.

Police Station 3 commander PCI Ariel Philip Pontillas said help desks have been put up and said police will be strictly checking passengers’ baggages.

“Naa pud tay K-9 dogs para makatabang sa pag-detect sama sa bomba ug mga illegal nga droga and advise lang magsinabtanay and respetoay lang ta walay tuloray ilabi na kay dunay mga hamtong ug mga bata,” Pontillas said.

Pontillas said bus terminals are still beginning to fill with travellers on their way to their hometowns to pay respects to departed loved ones and they expect the number to swell just before the weekend.

An airport official likewise said the number of passengers have been increasing since Wednesday and said he expects the number of travellers to peak beginning Friday towards the weekend.

Airport manager Engineer Jose Bodiongan said aside from the normal protocols additional security measures have been set up.

“May overseer po tayo sa lahat ng mga kaganapan sa airport,” Bodiongan said.

Bodiongan said there is possibility that their operations will extend beyond the normal operations upon the request of airline companies.

“Kailangan nating i-accommodate ang mga pasahero so pag may request ang airline we will accommodate that dati nga hanggang 2am tayo ng madaling araw,” Bodiongan said.

Bodiongan said that ticket price will possibly rise up due to high demand but will still vary depending on when the ticket was purchased.

“Alam naman natin ang law of supply and demand, and sa pagpurchase ng ticket like karon ka maglukat ugma ka larga mahal gyud,” Bodiongan said.

Meanwhile, Coast guard Cagayan de Oro Station Commander Zenmond Duque said they have also monitored a slight increase of passengers since Wednesday.

“May mangilan-ngilan na ding increase and we are monitoring that lalo na yung arrivals and departures halos pare-pareho lang ang volume,” Duque said.

Duque advised the passengers to be mindful of their trip schedule to avoid being stranded inside the port compound.

Officials of bus terminals and ports remind the passengers to follow security procedures to avoid delays and for a smoother flow of operations.

Civil society groups, people’s organizations to participate in budget process

(PNA), CTB/CD/MF

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 29 (PNA) – Representatives of accredited civil society and people’s organizations in Northern Mindanao are scheduled to convene next week to join the government’s budget process, a senior official said Thursday.

According to DILG 10 director Nilo Castañares, the activity is necessary to fulfill a standing policy of the Aquino administration for “Bottom up Budgeting” (BUB) approach.

Under the BuB approach, the Civil Society Organizations CSOs would convene to collectively formulate the proposals to be inserted in the planned budget of the government for next year at the regional level.

The CSOs would then join the counterparts from the government sector in the so-called regional Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT).

In Northern Mindanao, the members of LPRAT review, validate and analyze the social and economic data of each of the nine cities and 84 municipalities in the region in order to have a sound poverty situation analysis.

The LPRAT would endorse the list or priority poverty reduction projects to the regional office of DILG, which would be deliberated in the DILG central office in Manila not later than December.

“The engagement of CSOs and people’s groups is a clear application of the principles of transparency and accountability call of the government,” Castañares said.

Agri-Tiangge generates 186K in sales

(JLOlson, DA-RFO 10/PIA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -– Gross sales of agricultural commodities and by-products on display, in time for the annual observance of the World Food Day (WFD) celebration around the Provincial Capitol Parking Lot, reached about P186,000.00 according to an agriculture official.

Chedy V. Ansale, chief of the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10, commended the agriculture office and other of its staunch partners for the successful conduct of the ‘Agri-Tiangge’ as it overall exhibited the best agricultural practices and vast potentials of the region.

Meanwhile, the P186,000 sales, which is also 25% higher compared to last year, were generated from the 18 participating exhibitors which featured farm products such as fruits and vegetables, root crops and processed agricultural products like coco sugar, fresh cow’s milk, banana chips, freshly grated roasted coffee and yacon tea, among others.

“As the department recognizes the need for farmers and fisherfolks to change their mindset from merely subsistence to one where they are driven to produce in order to meet the demands of the market, the DA is grateful for the participation of the different exhibitors for being one with us in our thrust,” Ansale added.

She likewise highlighted one of the important features in the successful development of the agri-sector.

“With the staging of the Agri-Tiangge, we remain hopeful that our producers will aggressively contribute into having a well-functioning agribusiness and market system, which would allow them to reap fair returns for their products,” the AMAD chief further said.

For this year, the WFD celebration is anchored on the theme: Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty, which brings to light the importance in reducing rural poverty and granting access to food by providing solutions ranging from the provision of work opportunities and other services, which are primarily aimed to help the marginalized fight against hunger and poverty.

DA to launch RICEponsible campaign

(SVA-DA 10/JCV-PIA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to launch next month its newest campaign "RICEponsible" in bid to promote responsible rice consumption among Filipinos for better health, less wastage, and productive farming.

“Be RICEponsible in your Own Way Now (BROWN) 4 Good” is this year’s theme for the celebration of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) celebrated every November pursuant to Proclamation No. 524 issued on January 5, 2004.

In line with this celebration, DA regional field office 10 will be conducting a series of RICEponsible forum that will take off on November 5, 2015, in the province of Camiguin, which will be followed by other provinces of the region.

The series of fora will talk about government’s intervention on the RICEponsible campaign, as well as encourage the public to eat equally healthy rice substitutes such as sweet potato, banana, white corn, cassava, and taro root crops, and to minimize wastage.

An interaction intended for the media practitioners is also set to heighten more awareness and widen adoption of the campaign from the public, especially the consumers, producers and policy makers.

The month-long activity will culminate with a simultaneous nationwide Run for Rice on November 28, at 5:30 a.m. to start and finish at the capitol grounds, this City, and to be participated in by government employees. It is hoped to inspire the public to live a healthy lifestyle while contributing in the attainment of rice self sufficiency.

Oro disaster council holds capacity building to equip staff

By Alwen Saliring

THE City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) of Cagayan de Oro held a capacity building to enhance their knowledge and capacity especially in response to disaster operations.

CDRRMC officer in charge Allan Porcadilla said about three of their personnel went to Davao to attend a seminar that would enhance their skills and knowledge in responding risk, disasters and accidents.

“Kining ongoing karon nga activity is pag-echo sa ilang mga natun-an sa Davao aron mahibalo ang tanang kauban sa ilang mga natun-an,” Porcadilla said.

Porcadilla said he wanted all the personnel to be equipped not only with the physical equipment but most of all with the necessary knowledge especially when one life is at risk during calamities and accidents.

Porcadilla highlights communication as one very essential factor in responding to risks.

In the ongoing echo seminar, radio operators and call takers of the office are trained on how to effectively transmit information from the callers to the responding team.

The challenge of the CDRRMC responding unit is the accurate information and the time lapsed in the response operation.

“Naa mi gihimo nga test nga kung naay tawag nga aksidente, unsa ka paspas among pagresponde so amo nang gi-time tungod kay kinabui ang nakasalalay,” Porcadilla said.

CDRRMC will soon propose to put up LED monitors in three to four areas in the city particularly in Divisoria, C.M. Recto Avenue and Barangay Carmen where contact numbers and information of the CDRRMC will be made available so that the public may have access when emergencies arise.

Meanwhile, the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) team is also trained on giving more enhanced first aid procedures before transmitting the victim or patient to the nearest hospitals.

“Sauna first aid ra gyud karon mas gipa-enhance namo nga before dad-on sa hospital, medyo okay na gamay ang pasyente or ang biktima,” Porcadilla said.

After doing few demonstrations, the echo capacity building will conclude today.

7-Eleven opens 4th store in Cagayan de Oro

(BDE)

LISTED Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC) announced that it would have established 200 7-Eleven stores within three years in Mindanao as it formally opened its fourth store in Cagayan de Oro City on Saturday, October 23, the 1,500th store in the country.

Jose Victor Paterno, PSC president and CEO, said that Cagayan de Oro as a dynamic city with an increasing per capita income and tourist arrivals in recent years has been considered to be part of PSC’s planned expansion after Davao City where it opened its first store in May this year.

He said that five more stores will be opened in the city in the near future, and PSC would further expand bringing the 7-Eleven brand of retail experience to Iligan City and Bukidnon before the yearend.

“CdeO is the second city where we realized our expansion after Davao in May this year. And we see a lot of market potentials that we are finalizing plans for five more stores to be located here,” Paterno said.

PSC started its expansion outside Luzon in 2012 in Cebu, 2013 in Bacolod and 2014 in Iloilo.

PSC said that Cagayan de Oro residents can now enjoy their unique offerings such as the iconic Slurpee and other convenient alternatives like Gulp, the newest honest- to- goodness coffee City Blends, Fundae soft-serve ice cream, Big Bite Hotdog, siopao and a lot more.

7-Eleven customers can also experience CliQQ a load and bills payment kiosk.

“Our business operations focus on meeting the needs of busy shoppers by providing a broad selection of fresh, high quality products and services at everyday fair prices, along with speedy transactions aid a clean, safe and friendly shopping environment,” PSC said.

Waterworks group holds Int’l confab in Oro

By Riain Alfonso

TO CONTRIBUTE to the sustainability of water supply and provide information to the community on water conservation had been the top agenda of the Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA) during its 23rd International Conference and Exhibition held in a hotel here from October 21 until 24.

“This is a yearly conference and held for the purpose of gaining information,” said Ladelle Sagrado, manager of the PR Division of Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD).

Sagrado added saying, “It gives us the power to share our inputs on how we will be able to individually contribute to the sustainability of our water supply and provide information to the community on how they can help in conserving our water.”

With more than 40 participating exhibitors, and more than 600 participants from the various water districts in the country including international representatives, the conference was a platform for water industry leaders to share best their practices.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, PWWA president Engr. Roger Borja, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District), and Miss Cagayan de Oro Charina Barro graced the opening ceremonies on Wednesday, October 21.

Participating exhibitors and guests were welcomed by Atty. Kent Gaabucan while the inspirational message of Andres Ibarra, Administrator of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), was delivered by Ed de Mayo, LWUA’s Senior Deputy Administrator.

“The event is a gathering of all those involved in the water industry, not necessarily just water districts but also all other water providers and suppliers, and municipal waterworks,” Sagrado said.

Topics discussed during the four-day event revolved around water safety plan, regulation, water and wastewater treatment, and new product technologies.

These also included Advanced Solutions for Sustainable Water Management in the City delivered by Dr. Jacques Manem, PhD, the Director for Operations of SUEZ South East Asia; Need for New Regulation on Water by Dr. Sevillo David, the Executive Director of the National Water Resources Board; Overview of Advanced Process Technologies for Drinking Water Treatment by Arnold Gmunder, managing director and COO of WABAG Water Technologies, Ltd. – Switzerland; Wastewater Treatment for Small Communities: Spanish Experience by German Piedrabuena, Senior Water and Wastewater Specialist of EPTISA; and, Anaerobic Co-Digestion Treatment Plant given by Shoichiro Yamamoto, the Philippine Branch Representative and Chief Designer of JFE Engineering Corporation.

“The focus is the interrelationship between water, energy, and food. Diba, connected man silang tulo?” Sagrado added, “Water, being a finite resource, everyone has to do his or her part to be able to help in the sustainability of our water supply and in ensuring the safety and potability of our water gikan pa sa production to distribution.”

The goal is to guarantee the prevention of water-borne diseases. “We have to make sure that the water we produce is safe and potable for public consumption.”

“We also encourage the community kung unsa pud lugar ang ilahang ma-contribute para masustain pud atong supply. So, diha mo come in ang water conservation, ang wise use of water,” Sagrado furthered.

‘Energy Camp’ for teachers, students mulled

(PNA), FPV/CD/MARK FRANCISCO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 23 (PNA) - More than 30 public schools here without electricity would undergo an extra-curricular training on “energy conservation,” a company executive said Friday.

Jeffrey O. Tarayao, the president of One Meralco Foundation, said that the public school teachers would come from both elementary and high school division who would also be tasked to impart the training to students.

Tarayao said that the training would focus on subject about energy conservation where public school teachers would use the “old school class cards” during demonstrations in schools without electricity.

The topics on the flash cards would delve around energy, which would be integrated into the English, Math, Science, Technology Livelihood Education, Edukasyon Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan and Values Education subjects.

“We intend to educate the youth about energy – how it is harnessed and conserved – so they become responsible electricity consumers. The targeted beneficiaries are from fourth to tenth graders,” Tarayao said.

By the end of the year, the public school students from Cagayan De Oro would join their colleagues from the cities of Batangas (Luzon) and Dumaguete (Visayas) as pilot beneficiaries of the project, he said.

“Over the long term, we hope to teach students the nature and proper use of electricity, which they would hopefully cascade to their friends and most especially their parents and siblings at home,” Tarayao said.

DA-10 recognizes outstanding agri-achievers

(DA RFO 10/PIA 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 22 (PIA) – Outstanding agricultural achievers from all over the region received recognition for their exceptional contribution to the agricultural sector during the 2015 Regional Achievers Awards, held on October 15, 2015, in the city, as part of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Office 10 (DA-RFO 10)’s annual observance of the World Food Day celebration.

With the presence of Undersecretary for Special Concerns Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DA-RFO 10, represented by Regional Director Lealyn A. Ramos, Assistant Regional Director Constancio C. Maghanoy, Jr. and Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Council Chair Prof. Edgardo D. Layug, granted the Organic Agriculture Achievers Awards, Gawad Saka Awards, Rural Woman Achiever Awards, Quality Corn Achievers Awards and Best Performing Food Terminal Awards, to notable farmers and agricultural groups in the region.

On the field of organic farming in the region, the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Misamis Oriental (MisOr) garnered the spot for Outstanding PLGU, and whose focal person, Engr. Alicia J. Angeles, won as the Outstanding Provincial Focal Person.

On the other hand, the Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU) of Plaridel, Misamis Occidental (MisOcc) got the Outstanding MLGU award, with its focal person, Elizabeth A. Talam, as the Outstanding Municipal Focal Person awardee.

The said PLGU and MLGU won a project award worth P500,000 and P300,000, respectively; while the Outstanding Provincial Focal Person and Outstanding Municipal Focal Person got a cash prize worth P25,000 and P20,000, respectively.

In addition, Adelino F. Rico of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte, won as the Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker (AEW) and received a cash prize of P15, 000.

Other renowned awardees were: Nonito C. Cordero of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, who won as the Outstanding Small Farmer and who also is a finalist for the national awards; Greenminds, Inc. of Cagayan de Oro City, who won as the Outstanding Farmers’ Group; and the family of Arsenio A. Catiil of El Salvador City, MisOr, who won as the Outstanding Organic Farming Family.

The said individual awardees won a cash prize of P50,000 while the Outstanding Farmers’ Group won a project award worth P100,000.

BSP reaches out to kids, teens in Cagayan de Oro

(BSP/APB/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 21 (PIA) --- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) sustains its efforts to promote the habit of saving early in the lives of Filipinos by conducting “Project BRO (BSP Reaches Out) – A Savings Campaign for Kids and Teens” in Cagayan De Oro City on October 21 to 22.

The BSP’s Financial Consumer Protection Department (FCPD) developed the campaign for Grade 1 to 10 students (or their equivalent levels) from both public and private schools across the country.

To encourage saving among Cagayanon kids, the Project BRO team from the FCPD will visit East City Central School, Cagayan de Oro National High School, Xavier University Grade School and Xavier University High School.

The team will engage the students in interactive and fun-filled activities about the value of spending wisely, saving, and the benefits of opening a bank account.

After the learning session, the team will track the students’ saving habits by closely coordinating with teachers and school officials for the purpose of encouraging the youngsters to open and grow savings in a “Kiddie Savings” account.

The Kiddie Savings program is a joint initiative of the BSP and the Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) that allows school children to open Kiddie Savings accounts with an initial deposit of as low as P100.

Launched in Davao City in July 6 this year, BSP implements the project in partnership with BMAP and in collaboration with the Department of Education.

The BSP is implementing the project in line with studies that underscore the importance of teaching kids about money matters early in life. Said studies reveal that those who began saving during their childhood display better attitudes toward savings than those who did not.

BFAR opens aqua fair, tiangge

(JCV/PIA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 20 (PIA) – To kick-off the 52nd Fish Conservation Week, the Bureau of fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) opened on October 19 a week-long “Aqua Fair and Tiangge” at their regional office compound.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting led by Philippine Nation Police (PNP) region 10 Chief Directorial Staff PSSupt Gerardo M. Rosales, BFAR Regional Director Visa Tan-Dimeren together with the fisher folk leaders and DENR officials formally opened the event.

In his message, Rosales called on for a collective and collaborative effort among stakeholders to enforce all fishery ordinances, rules and regulations.

He said that an intensified anti-criminality campaign, especially from law enforcement agencies should be enforced for long-term and sustainable protection of the fishery resources through heightened monitoring, control and surveillance of the coastal waters against illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing.

Meanwhile, other activities prepped up for the celebration includes cooking and return demo, coastal cleanup, stock sampling, sports, mangrove planting, seaweed seedling dispersal and Information Education Campaign (IEC) on the emended fisheries law or Republic Act 10654, which highlights this year’s theme “Pinatatag na Batas Pangisdaan, Hakbang sa Pagkamit ng mas masaganang Karagatan.

CDO Mini Energy Camp aims for grassroots demand side management

By Mike Baños

While other energy players pay lip service to energy demand side management, a new program backed by the country’s largest distribution utility has taken the bull by the horns, so to speak.

Energy demand management, also known as demand side management (DSM), is the modification of consumer demand for energy through various methods such as financial incentives and behavioral change through education.

Choosing the latter path to promote its advocacy among the Philippines’ 40,000 public schools, the Coalition for Better Education (CBE) and One Meralco Foundation launched Monday, 19 October 2015 the first ever Teacher’s Mini Energy Camp in Cagayan de Oro City which aims to develop 100 flash cards for energy education of students in public elementary schools from Grades 4-10.

“Before the opening of the next school year, we expect the 35 teachers attending this Energy Camp to develop at least 100 new flashcards for Energy Education,” said Jeffrey O. Tarayao, One Meralco Foundation President and Meralco Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer who developed the program with CBE Executive Director Luchi Flores.

Three local school teachers were among the original 37 hand-picked teachers nationwide who developed the initial Energy Ed kit of flash cards over a year are the lead campers for the CDO 3-day Mini Energy-Camp: Myrna P. Banana (Maccabean Elementary School), Avellino Costanillo (Camp Evangelista Elementary School) and Jessica Joy Hinacay, City Central School principal.

Anita M. Gochuco, Department of Education Cagayan de Oro City Division Superintendent, said she hopes the program can eventually be shared with the 70 public elementary schools and 39 public high schools in the city, 30 of which remain without electricity.

Flores said the initial 300 flash cards will be integrated into the public school K-12 curriculum subjects including English, Math, Science, Technology Livelihood Education (TLE), Edukasyon Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) and most especially, Values Education (Edukasyon sa Pagpakakatao).

“Over the long term, we hope to teach students the nature and proper use of electricity, which they would hopefully cascade to their friends, and most especially, their parents and siblings in the home,” Tarayao said. “There is an old Zen saying which says, ‘A seed will never see its flower’. May we all be so similarly inspired to aspire for a responsible stewardship of God’s creations in the generations to come.”

‘Little Rockers’ To Hold Charity Concert

By Richmond Anthony Alfonso

THE Clazzitals, a private music tutorial service provider composed of married music teachers Jopep and Charis Ramientos, will host the Little Rockers Concert, a charity concert to raise money for the orphans of Boystown in Cagayan de Oro.

The Rodelsa Hall will serve as the venue for the said concert which will be held this 14th of November, 2015.

The goal of the Little Rockers Concert is twofold.

First, the concert will serve as an avenue for the students to showcase their talents. Each year for the past two years, The Clazzitals has been putting up a recital for their students, a sort of graduation where the students get to perform for a crowd.

“This event is different because we’re not doing a recital this time, we’re doing a concert,” said Teacher Jopep.

“For us, it is very important to do this because our students could show what they have learned and it will also boosts their self-confidence and get used to managing their stage fear,” said Teacher Charis adding, “We want them to understand how it feels to be a performer, so they could appreciate their instruments more.”

Secondly, it is also their goal to give back to the community through the said event by raising funds to purchase much needed basic needs for the orphans of Boystown such as food, clothing, beddings, hygienic needs, and school supplies.

The idea to do a concert for a cause came from Teacher Jopep, “Back then, when I was still in a band, we used to do concerts and gave the proceeds to our beneficiaries,” as he added, “Sa pag teach nako sa ilaha, nakita nako na pwede pod sila mapareho sa amo sa una. Ma-enjoy nila ilang talents ug instruments through the concert and then makatabang pud sila sa mga needy.”

“We want our students to also know how blessed they are compared to others and that through their music, they could also share their blessings to those who are less fortunate,” said Teacher Charis.

The concert will feature three kid bands: the Kids Rock Band, the Pretty Girls Band, and the Power Band.

All band members are students of The Clazzitals. These precocious youngsters are very eager to perform on stage and have been practicing their pieces for quite some time already. Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro was privileged to join the kids in one of their practice sessions at the Mark’s Studio in Bayabas.

Kem Evan Pacatan, the 11-year-old guitarist for Power Band said that playing the guitar is quite difficult at first, “It’s very hard to do the chords and it’s hard to read the notes,” but he now finds it easy after learning how to play it.

Matthew Miguel Fabiala, the 8-year-old drummer for Kids Rock Band has been playing drums since he was still 4-years old. He said that he likes playing his instrument because it’s cool, “I want to be a professional drummer when I grow up.”

The Clazzitals' teachers make it a point to introduce the kids to all kinds of genres, from classic, jazz, metal, pop, to blues, “We encourage our students to be open to all genres,” said Teacher Charis.

“They have to understand each of the genres in order to become a performer.”

Mariane Christine Occo, who is 9 years-old and the lead singer for Pretty Girls Band, said their parents and teachers inspired her to sing, “They teach me how to sing. I got my talent from my dad.”

Her mother, Maricel Occo, noticed that at 8, Mariane has already shown fondness for singing, “She keeps on singing sa house, she always brings her toy microphone.”

She is very supportive of her daughter and sees the importance of enrolling her daughter to singing lessons, “It’s important so that she could learn more, learn the techniques of singing,” she added.

Ethel Montebon, the manager of Kids Rock Band and mother of the band’s lead guitarist, Kiara Therese, added, “Now a days, kids are stuck to TVs and gadgets. My parenting style is different, I bombard her with so much activities like singing, sports also, arts, dancing, so that she will be diverted from gadgets. It becomes a wholesome development for the child.”

She also said that it is very important for the parents that the kids understand that they have to give back whatever they can for the less fortunate, “The kids understand that there is that need to help. We want to let them understand the responsibility to help others.”

DOH announces package services in ‘Garantisadong Pambata’ round two

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 16 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) region 10 through ‘Talakayan sa PIA’ press conference on 12 October 2015 announced that they have package services for zero to 59 months old in all health centers in region 10 as part of the ‘Garantisadong Pambata’ program round 2 in October.

Telesfora Madelo, nutritionist-dietician of DOH region 10 said that the package include free vitamin A to infants from 6 months to 11 months old and pre-schoolers from 12 to 59 months old; meanwhile ferosulfate drops will be given to low birth weight and low haemoglobin infants and supplement tablets to pregnant women who are high risk.

Based on DOH Administrative Order 119 s. 2003 on 2 December 2003 issued by the Secretary of Health, priority targets for micronutrient supplementation include universal vitamin A supplementation to infants and children 6-71 months. Vitamin A supplementation shall be given to children at risk, particularly those with measles, persistent diarrhea, severe pneumonia and malnutrition to help re-establish body reserves of Vitamin A and protect against further infections and complications.

Also, postpartum women shall be given vitamin A capsule within one month after delivery to increase vitamin A concentration of her breastmilk as well as Vitamin A status of their breastfed children.

Further, DOH will also provide dental aide or oral hygiene in daycare centers, operation ‘timbang’ (weinging of scale) for children and health education to barangay nutrition scholars.

In terms of optimal health of infants, Gilda C. Ajoc, nurse of DOH region 10 said that breastmilk is still best for babies.

Although findings from DOH show that only 60-70% of mothers in Cagayan de Oro City practice breastfeeding, they are still hoping that mothers will re-assess and go back to the natural way of feeding their infants.

Aside from the complete and natural vitamins and minerals, mothers can save lots of money by breastfeeding, said Ajoc.

Meanwhile, in the rural areas, 85-90% practice breastfeeding.

Further, DOH and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) mandates the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 10028 or “An Act Providing Incentives to All Government and Private Health Institutions with Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Practices and for other Purposes” or the Expanded Breastfeeding Act of 2009 where government and private companies to put up lactation station for breastfeeding mothers.

Stated also in this law is the 40-minute allowed and paid time for mothers to breastfeed during the 8-hour work day in the lactation station.

DOH said they are monitoring and going around the city and region to make sure this law is implemented.

PENRO initiates ‘arboretum for generations’ project

(PNA), RMA/CD/ERCEL MAANDIG

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 16 (PNA) – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Misamis Oriental has initiated a tree-growing activity in the village of Malasag here dubbed as “Arboretum for Generations.”

Edgardo S. Callanta, head of PENRO in Misamis Oriental, said that the program was in partnership with E. Pelaez Ranch Inc. (EPRI), which provided a 10-hectare area to be planted with endangered indigenous species of trees that have to be protected.

Eduardo F. Pelaez, EPRI president, said arboretum was a place where trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants were cultivated for conservation, scientific and educational purposes.

“We expect to attain the project with the active participation of stakeholders in both the private and public sector through the public-private partnership,” Pelaez said.

Dr. Ceasar Nuevo, professional forester at EPRI, said that “Arboretum” was important in conservation efforts to save endangered trees and wildlife that depended on these trees.

He said that vegetation was vital to address climate change/global warming.

“More than just planting trees, the project seeks to pursue the sustainable source of quality indigenous tree species identified/classified as endangered and can be protected and propagated to preserve biological diversity and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change,” said Nuevo.

He also said the arboretum wanted to collect more from all over Mindanao.

A total of 115 seedlings planted in the launching with indigenous trees such as almon, white lauan, manggasinoro, mayapis, red lauan, bagtikan, sakat, kalumpit, molave, bani, narra, kalukoi, nangka-nangka and dao came from Bukidnon, Zamboanga and Gingoog city, said Callanta.

Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez, of Cagayan De Oro City, said that in October, the Philippines submitted the country’s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) to the United Nations (UN), pledging to cut by 70 percent its carbon emissions by the year 2030.

He said that the document represented the country’s contribution to the global effort to combat and prepare for climate change.

Rodriguez also said that the Philippines had also committed to adaptation measures to help prepare its citizens for impacts of climate change such as typhoons and drought.

Release of funds for Cagayan de Oro's elderly urged

By (PNA), LAP/CD

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 15 (PNA) -– The City Council here has passed a resolution asking the City Mayor to release the budget for the celebration of the Senior Citizen’s Week this month.

Resolution no. 12155-2015 informed City Mayor Oscar Moreno that the funds intended for the purposes was included in the 2015 approved annual budget.

City Councilor Leon Gan said that the Cagayan de Oro Federation of Senior Citizens (Cafesca) has lined up various activities for the celebration which would entail expenses.

Gan said that the city government has regularly allotted funds for CAFESCA’s annual celebration in recognition of the senior citizen’s role in the city.

He said that Presidential Proclamation No. 470 mandates the holding of the Elderly Filipino Week or “Linggo ng Nakatatandang Filipino” on the first week of October.

Gan, a member of the city council committee on senior citizens, said that the local august body has been addressing the concerns of the city’s senior citizens.

DTI reminds consumers of basic rights

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (JMORucat/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 14 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) region 10 reminds consumers of their basic rights including right to refund, replacement and repair for defective products.

In a one-on-one interview with DTI region 10 Legal Officer and Chief of Consumer Welfare Division Atty. Fel Lester Brillantes during the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) radio program “Lambo Dyes” on 2 October 2015, consumers must be empowered and uphold their rights especially if they have been deceived by faulty products in the market.

He said that consumers have the basic rights specifically the right to basic needs, right to safety, right to information, right to choose, right to representation, education and healthy environment, among others. In a nutshell, he said that if product is defective, consumer has the right to refund, replacement and repair.

In celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month this October with the theme “Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community,” DTI together with the private sector and CONSUMERNET, a group composed of 16 national front line agencies in region 10 have come up with activities to promote welfare of consumers.

Atty. Brillantes said that consumer protection must be upheld especially in the ASEAN integration. Consumer rights must not be lessened and make sure products have high quality and proven safe since there will be freer flow of goods and as member of ASEAN, complaints will be easily endorsed to other ASEAN country.

He said this collaboration with different line agencies is so important to have synergy to protect consumers especially on resolution of complaints, since after all consumer welfare is not just the business of DTI but everyone’s.

First activity was a motorcade around Cagayan de Oro City and two more upcoming activities are the Regional Quiz Bee for high school students and awarding of DTI BAGWIS to establishments with excellent customer service and laws compliant.

Meanwhile, Natalie Igot of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and president of ConsumerNet region 10 said that aside from these activities, they will also have Mangrove Clean Up on 16 October 2015 in Taytay, Elsalvador in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Environment Management Bureau (EMB).

Igot said that there is a big connection of consumers and the environment. She said we cannot have just the business side such as factories because we are part of the environment. So part of the goals of ConsumerNet is greening and clean up.

In terms of education, she said CHED aims to deliver quality education through identifying and awarding schools with competencies.

Igot said that in every five years, CHED give recognition to schools whether they fall under Center of Excellence or Center of Development. The difference, she said, is with the rating. For ratings 95 and up, schools will get Center of Excellence while a rating of 80-90 will get Center of Development where they are dubbed leaders of the industry. This recognition will also assure parents of the quality education and service for their children.

However, she emphasized that these recognition is field specific. In region 10, Center of Excellence is awarded to Central Mindanao University (CMU) in the field of Agriculture, Veterinary, and Forestry; while Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) for fields in Biology, Chemistry and Math.

For Center of Development, Xavier Univeristy (XU) was awarded in the field of Agriculture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering Literature Studies, Education and Electrical Engineering; MSU-IIT for Civil Engineering, Physics and Information Technology; CMU for Biology and Math; Capitol University and Cagayan de Oro College for Criminology; Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST) for Math and Electrical Engineering and MSU Naawan for Marine Biology.

Igot said this list is up to December 2015 only and next year, they will have a new list again. For the full list, simply visit www.region10ched.gov.ph.

DSWD embarks on youth development program for the future

(PNA), LAP/CD/MARK FRANCISCO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 13 (PNA) –- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao is embarking on an 11-module program for the children of 4Ps beneficiaries to prepare them to become responsible adults in the future.

Dubbed as the “Youth Development Sessions,” the program starts in the month of October 2015 and would last until January 2016, Kenneth Haze Sanchez, 4Ps coordinator for Region 10, said.

She said that three modules would be discussed per month, so the whole package would be finished before President Aquino would finish his term in June next year.

The modules are the following – Youth Development Sessions Orientation, Change: The Metamorphosis of a Person, Your Changing Body, The Changing Mind, Body Image and Healthy Lifestyle, Your Changing Emotions, Expressing Your Emotions, Changing Roles and Expectations, Defining Your Identity, Appreciating Your Self-Worth and Discovering Your Destiny.

Topics to be discussed include teenage pregnancy, reproductive health, decision making, peer pressure, dangerous drugs, pornography, active citizenship for nation building and similar topics.

Simultaneous to the other regions in the rest of the country, the Youth Development Sessions will be enrolled by seventh to twelfth graders or out of school youth who are children of beneficiaries of the government’s conditional cash transfer program, also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Sanchez said she expects about 40,000 attendees of the Youth Development Sessions in the five provinces of Northern Mindanao – Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Camiguin and Lanao Del Norte.

She said the DSWD had earlier profiled the number of children of the 4Ps beneficiaries in the region who are between 15 to 18 years of age. Ms. Sanchez also said that sessions will be held in public schools where the enrollees are pre-assigned, depending on which barangay of municipality they come from.

During the program launch last Tuesday (October 15), National Youth Commission (NYC) assistant commissioner Earl Saavedra said the program is needed so the youthful children of 4P beneficiaries would develop into total persons.

“The YDS aims to equip the children of Pantawid beneficiaries with the necessary life skills to realize their full potential, reduce risky behavior and decrease deterrents to their development with the end goal of enabling them to contribute meaningfully to improving the condition of their families,” Saavedra said.

Aside from DSWD and NYC, the program is also being supported by the Department of Education (DepEd).

There will be a total of 500,000 expected recipients of the program nationwide, Sanchez said.

University sets career guidance confab for Senior HS applicants, parents

(XU Communications Group)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 9 -- Xavier University has rolled out a series of career guidance forums for incoming Senior High School (SHS) students and their parents to guide them on their career path in time for the admission and enrolment season for the next academic year.

“Students must choose their track and strand under the Senior High School program based on their career assessment results,” said Dr Joey Jegonia, director of XU’s Office of Promotions, Testing and Admissions (OPTA). “Your choice must be in line with your competency and ideal career in the future.”

The four major tracks in the Senior HS program are Academic, Technical-Vocational-Livelihood, Sports, and Arts and Design.

XU hopes to address parents’ questions and concerns on Senior HS in an upcoming series of parents’ forums scheduled on October 10 and 24, November 14 and 28, and December 12, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the XU-AVR1.

The Department of Education has directed schools to intensify the awareness campaign through career fairs and orientation seminars on the Senior HS program.

The career exam is the first step in the admission process to the Senior HS program which also serves as the applicant’s occupational interest inventory.

Jegonia also clarified that no one actually fails in the career exam, rather the results are only meant to guide and assess the Grade 10 students in choosing the career tracks they intend to pursue.

Following the career exam is the College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CSAT) which will determine the applicant’s competence and ranking for the chosen strand or course under the different tracks of Senior HS.

XU has just recently concluded its career exams for incoming Grade 11 students, but will re-administer the same exam in February next year to cater to more Senior HS applicants. In the meantime, applicants can take the CSAT which will be slated on all Saturdays of November. Both exams are requisites for admission to Senior HS.

Application process, tuition and school fees, scholarship opportunities, DepEd’s Tuition Voucher Program and other related concerns will be explained thoroughly at the parents’ fora which will be open to the public.

3 file CoC for city council in Cagayan De Oro

(PNA), LAP/CD

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 12 (PNA) – Three individuals, all independent candidates, filed their certificates of candidacy (CoC) for the city council at the city’s Commissions on Elections (Comelec) office here Monday morning.

One of the candidates was former village Chief William G. Guialani of the village of Taglimao, an outskirt village in the city’s first district here.

Guialani was the first to file the CoC just as the city Comelec office opened at 8:00 a.m.

He said that he is running as an independent candidate because he does not want to be beholden to any political party except to the electorate otherwise he would not become an effective in the fight against graft and corruption.

Guialani is the only former village chief in Cagayan De Oro City who filed an anti-graft and plunder case against incumbent City Mayor Oscar Moreno. The cases are still pending with the Ombudsman, the country’s graft court.

Known as an anti-graft and corruption crusader, Guialani has filed cases of graft and corruption against the former city officials here in the past.

He said that it would be against his conscience to run under any political party, whether the administration or opposition political parties, if their leaders and standard-bearers have pending graft cases in court.

The other two individuals who filed their CoC are Rona Canoy, the daughter of former city Mayor Reuben Canoy and a certain Mike Ello, all of the three are running for independent representing the city’s first congressional district.

As of Monday afternoon, no other candidate, especially those under a national political party, has filed a CoC with the city’s Comelec office here.

In Misamis Oriental, only the Padayon Pilipino (Move Onward Filipinos), was the only Comelec-registered regional party has fielded a complete slate of candidates with the provincial Comelec office here.

City People's Council formed in Oro

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

THE Cagayan de Oro Peoples Council, which was organized to make Kagay-anons lead a transparent and participatory governance in the city, was recognized in a ceremonial signing on Friday.

Facilitated under the Xavier University-Research and Social Outreach (RSO), the council embodies civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-government organizations (NGOs).

The RSO is committed to the church and the people by sharing its resources and expertise particularly in five areas of engagement food security, health, environment, peace, and governance.

"Namugna kini nga council para mutabang to build good governance specifically sa local government," Bishop Jollieh Petallo, the councils chairman, said during Friday's ceremonial signing of an Executive Order recognizing the peoples council.

He said the council aims to engage constructively with the executive and legislative branches to foster good governance and eventually accelerate inclusive development in the city.

He added the multi-sectoral and citizen-led People's Council would sit in the different committees and special bodies of the local government unit.

The representation in these bodies is the entry points for social accountability and transparency, Petallo said,

The council has three People's Agenda, such as crowd-sourcing to disseminate social messages in media platforms, stigma-reduction on HIV-AIDS through providing education in barangays about it, and the passage of an ordinance that regulates selling of liquors to minors.

Petallo said it is backed by the Constitution's Article 13, Section 15 which emphasizes the role of independent organizations to promote and protect public interest, collective interests, and democratic framework.

"We will look into project implementation, certain budgets, we aim transparent governance gyud," Petallo said.

"We represent the voice of the people, kung unsay ilang taho, mao pud among iduso sa administration," Petallo added.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno said the people's participation in governance would be a great contribution to his administration.

"We are very happy na they are given voice through this People's Council, I hope the collaboration and partnership between the city government and the council will really grow," Moreno said.

"At least ang katawhan naa nay tingog, they will now have a voice and shout their grievances, they can now take part in the developments we are always aiming for our city," Moreno added.

Business sectors, civic, professional associations, academic community, and faith-based organizations are among those who support the said program.

The project, dubbed as Providing Social Accountability Intervention to Foster Constructive Engagement of Stakeholders in Local Government Affairs of CDO" is supported by Asian Development Bank and the Partnership for Transparency Fund.

Storage, proper utilization of rain water up for study

(PNA), LAP/PGL/CD

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 9 (PNA) -- Local legislators here are now studying a proposed ordinance that spells out the proper storage and utilization of rain water as part of the city’s sustainable development policy.

City Councilor Ramon Tabor, chair of the city council committee on laws, said on Friday that the proposed legislation is in response to the pronouncements of the weather bureau that the El Niño phenomenon is expected to worsen in the coming months.

He said the city is fortunate since it is still experiencing rainfall, although weather officials warned that the effects of the El Niño would triple or quadruple from the months of November and December and until the summer months next year.

The proposed ordinance would require the establishment of a Rainwater Catchment system (RCS) in public and private buildings, residential buildings, agricultural plantation and other priority farms, Tabor said.

According to Tabor, the rainwater harvesting system in the city should be classified based on the size and nature of the catchment surface and based on whether the systems are of urban or rural settings.

It provides that the proper harvesting, storage and utilization of rainwater shall be integrated with the proper design, construction and maintenance of drainage systems that would imitate the natural hydrology of the site topography.

Once implemented, the proposed Cagayan de Oro City Rainwater Ordinance of 2015 will also address flooding in the city, he said.

City DepEd Meet now underway

By Lynde S. Salgados

CAGAYAN de Oro starts Thursday its final selection of athletes for this year’s Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) Meet otherwise known as Palarong Pampook.

A parade, followed by ceremonial rites, kicks off the City Division Meet Thursday morning at Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center.

The coaches’ solidarity meeting was held Wednesday on a rainy afternoon at West City Central School in Barangay Carmen.

“It’s all systems go na for Cagayan de Oro’s own elimination games. We’ll be utilizing the different playing venues in the city for the success of this multifarious meet,” said the returning City DepEd official Eulogio Suaner Jr.

As usual, the centerpiece events in swimming (whole Saturday) and athletics (October 8-9) will be slated at Pelaez Sports Center along with the archery (Thursday) and lawn tennis elementary (October 8-9) events.

Table tennis competition gets underway today at the backcourt of Xavier University with gymnastics booked on Sunday at the upper floor of Corpus Christi high school building in Barangay Macasandig.

City High hosts the arnis event up on Friday, while Rosevale School welcomes football on Saturday and Sunday.

Boxing matches can be seen on Sunday at Divisoria’s Amphi Theatre, while sepa takraw rivalry will last for three days (October 8-10) at East City Central School in Barangay Lapasan.

Meanwhile, Barangay Iponan will host softball on Thursday and Friday as Barangay Camaman-an accepts the challenge to be the venue again of the now popular volleyball games.

Camaman-an National High School principal Lerio del Puerto said secondary volleyball will be held at its covered court in Upper Paglaum with the elementary matches set up on Sunday at the basketball court near the Barangay Hall of Camaman-an.

The Northern Mindanao seats at stake in taekwondo will be contested at Bulua National High School, even as West City Central School prepares to hold the elimination games for chess (elem and high school) and secondary girls basketball.

Basketball games will be played until Saturday in two venues: the Nazareth gym for high school and Macasandig covered court for elementary.

Badminton is scheduled to be played on Friday at the Shuttle Square of Barangay Gusa as dancesport gets to enliven the Limketkai’s atrium Thursday.

All is set for 6th RDC-PSR national confab

(APB/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 7 (PIA) --- All is set for the 6th Regional Development Council (RDC) Private Sector Representatives (PSR) National Convention on October 14-16, 2015 in Cagayan de Oro city.

The convention aims to strengthen the role of PSRs in the Councils, enhance their capabilities in meeting the challenges of the ASEAN Economic Integration, and strengthen public-private partnership towards global competitiveness.

Jaime Rafael Paguio, chair of the convention’s publicity & promotion committee, said a total of 175 delegates from 15 regions have confirmed to join the three-day nationwide confab.

He said the gathering seeks to strengthen the public and private sector by taking a look on how they have worked together and their participation on projects that have been implemented.

The highlights of the three-day confab are the discussion on strategies on how to enhance the role of the private sector in public-private partnerships (PPP) as well as the impact of the ASEAN Economic Integration on tourism and the labor market, said Rodolfo Menes, overall event coordinator.

There will also be sharing of best practices on PPP collaboration particularly the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Project; Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure Investments for Development Project; and Rocky Mountain Arabica Coffee Company-Benguet State University Partnership in Action; and the STEAG Coal-Fired Plant Implementation.

The three-day RDC-PSR national convention will carry the theme “Enhancing Public-Private Partnership in the ASEAN Market.”

The theme is timely and relevant considering that the country will be entering integration into the ASEAN community this year, said National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Regional Director Mae Ester T. Guiamadel.

She said Northern Mindanao is in a better position to sell itself to wider audience of government and private sectors to realize its vision of becoming the gateway to trade and industry and even services in Mindanao.

The strength of the region lies in its strategic location. Among the regions in Mindanao, we are in the best position in terms of trading with Manila and even in the rest of the world. Besides that, our region is also competitive in terms of the manufacturing sector, Guiamadel added.

For his part, Arsenio L. Sebastian III said the PSR confab is a good avenue to showcase Cagayan de Oro City. It is an opportunity to show why Cagayan de Oro was adjudged as one of the competitive cities in the country, said Sebastian who chairs the event program committee.

The best products and destinations in Northern Mindanao will also be featured during the convention.

Search for ‘Most Child-Friendly Police Station’ on

By Butch D. Enerio

THE Oro Youth Development Council (OYDC) launched on Monday its “Search for Most Child-Friendly Police Station” in pursuit of a creative partnership with the country’s law enforcement for a sustainable standard in relation to children’s rights and welfare.

Teodoro Sabuga-a Jr., City Social Welfare and Development officer, said the search is in consonance with Cagayan de Oro’s distinction as one of the child-friendly cities in the country.

He said the endeavor of the OYDC to institutionalize the child-friendly distinction awarded to the city would encourage other government agencies to adhere to their standards and legal obligations mandated by both the domestic and international laws.

“The police as the first government institution that a child who is in conflict will first encounter, should be equipped with the standards on how to manage a delinquent child, and the their stations must be designed to accommodate them. It is in this context that public-private partnership is created to search and award police stations in the city that exemplifies child-friendliness not only in their operations but also in their physical design and interventions as mandated by law,” OYDC said in a statement.

Aside from OYDC, this project is made possible through the partnerships with the Kuya Fish Campaign, Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana Social Involvement Office of Xavier University and the ABS-CBN Bata Foundation in the private sector, while the CSWD and the Department of Interior and Local Government representing the public sector.

The search would cover policy related areas such that whether a police station is compliant with child related laws, physical facilities, training of police officers, services, monitoring evaluation and research, and information and advocacy.

OYDC will announce and award the Most Child-Friendly Police Station on November 16.

Laudato Si: A concert for Mother Earth

By Riain Alfonso

“PRAISE be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us…” – from the canticle of St. Francis of Assisi

A TRIBUTE concert for mother earth, the Laudato Si’ Concert, was held at the Atrium of the Limketkai Center last October 3, 2015 as part of the “Season of Creation celebration” by the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City.

“This concert is a tribute to mother earth and the integrity of creation in response to the encyclical of Pope Francis,” said Johnny Raymond “Ding” Cabreira, the executive director of the event, “So this is in praise of all creation. And if you praise creation, you are praising the Creator.”

Pope Francis released his Papal encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, last May 24, 2015. Literally meaning “praise be to you” and taken from the Canticle of the Sun, a religious song composed by St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Ecology, the encyclical is the Pope’s appeal to everyone, regardless of culture, faith, or nationality, to address a pressing issue that should concern every single living thing in the planet, the care of our environment.

Transcending social and theological boundaries, the concert was a multicultural and interfaith collaboration, which brought together various sectors of the society through the use of a common language, the language of music. Performers include Friends and Music, UCCP Praise and Worship Team, Playing for Change Band, Dodu Abrio and the Viajeros, Moresco –1 Power Band, BSU Chorale, as well as tribal bands such as Daraghuyan and Apolang Tribal Youth Band of Malaybalay, Sinanglay ang Yagunyong Ta Impasugong of Impasugong, Kalayag Tribal Band, and Waway Saway and Kadugo Band.

One of the goals of the concert is to open the minds and the hearts of the people, that it is already time to take responsibility in the management and care of our environmental resources.

“We should be mindful of our home, our shared home, mother earth, because if we do not take care of the earth, what happens? We all vanish,” Cabreira added, “It has to be a burden that requires a spiritual and moral revolution within the heart of every human being.”

“This evening’s concert, a tribute to mother earth, is part of our culminating activities for the Season of Creation,” Msgr. Florencio Salvador said in his speech, “For six weeks now, the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro has been reflecting on the theme ‘Nature – God’s superfluous Gift of Providence, Stewardship – Humanity’s Collateral Manifestation of that Covenant’.”

Celebrating this season since August 28, 2015, the Archdiocese has been busy with a number of activities such as a slogan and poster making contest, an environmental lecture, and beach cleanup.

He added saying, “Brothers and sisters, mag pabilin unta kitang mapasalamaton ug madaigon sa kabuhong sa kinaiyahan nga larawan sa labing gamhanang nga magbubuhat. Magpabilin unta kitang kasaligan nga gibinlan niining tibuok na kalibutan nga kumon na puloy-anan natong tanan.”

Archbishop Antonio Ledesma was not able to attend the event but left a video message for the participants: “We also keep in mind that nature itself is God’s gift to all of us. It is the first revelation of God himself, the beauty and the design of nature is a reflection of the beauty and goodness of God.”

He further encourages the active participation and contribution of every individual to the cause, “Let us also commit ourselves to the protection and conservation of the environment as our way of saying thank you to the Lord.”

“The earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.” – from the encyclical letter Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis

CDO leads in securing DRR module for K-12 curriculum

(CIO/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, October 1 – The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) leads in the creation of the disaster preparedness module in the whole country that will be used by the Department of Education (DepEd) in their K-12 curriculum.

Allan Porcadilla, officer-in-charge of CDRRMO, said that the said module was created by the DepEd focal persons on disaster where the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) also takes part.

Porcadilla added that the project was outlined from the Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Act of 2010 for the curriculum integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (DRR CCA).

He also revealed that Cagayan de Oro will be the pilot are of the Climate Change Commission project that will be implemented in 2016.

Dr. John Mingo and Lovern Mercado, focal persons of DepEd, together with the CDRRMO through the leadership of Porcadilla and overseer Ret. Col. Mario Verner Monsanto spearheaded the three-day training.

Northern Mindanao 10 joins 26th National Statistics Month celebration

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

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) --- Northern Mindanao, through the Regional Statistics Committee, joins the Philippine Statistical System in celebrating the 26th National Statistics Month (NSM) for the whole month of October.

The month-long celebration in the region kicks off today Pearlmont Inn for the opening oeremony hosted by the Department of Health (DOH) with Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Rio L. Magpantay as the keynote speaker.

Presentation of Field Health Service Information System, Nutrition Statistics, Statistical Presentation from the Commission on Population and updates on HIV situation will highlight the opening ceremony of the NSM.

Meanwhile, agencies in the provinces, local government units, universities and schools will participate in this month-long celebration through conduct of various activities like motorcade, dissemination forums on various agency statistical outputs, statistics training, statistical quiz, poster-making contests, Statistical Exhibit, tree-growing activity, and radio interviews.

Activities for the NSM celebration in the region are posted at the PSA 10 website, http://nap.psa.gov.ph/ru10.

Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Regional Office 10, held a pre-launching activity of the NSM at the PSA 10 office. Trivia questions about the NSM celebration were given encouraging participation from the clients.

The pre-launch was highlighted by the opening of exhibit for public viewing at the CRS area featuring the challenging experiences of the five provincial field offices of Region 10 during the conduct of the 2015 Census of Population.

This year’s NSM theme “Pagyamanin at Gamitin ang Estadistika, Kalusugan para sa Lahat ay Abot-Kamay Na”, focuses on government’s thrust on universal health care and recognition of the various efforts of official statisticians and technical personnel in the generation of health and nutrition statistics.

Region 10 to host National Convention of RDC-Private Sector Representatives

By Peleta B. Abejo (NEDA-X/APB/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) --- A total of 175 delegates from 15 regions have confirmed to join the three-day nationwide convention of the Regional Development Council-Private Sector Representatives (RDC-PSRs) on October 14-16, 2015 at the LimKetKai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

The conference, with the theme “Enhancing Public-Private Partnership in the ASEAN Market,” will be hosted by the RDC-PSRs of Northern Mindanao.

It aims to strengthen the role of RDC-PSRs in the Regional Development Councils; enhance PSRs’ capabilities in meeting the challenges of the ASEAN Economic Integration; and improve and strengthen public-private partnership towards global competitiveness.

ASEC Ceferino Rodolfo of DTI Industry Development and Trade Promotions will be the Keynote Speaker to talk about “The Impact of the ASEAN Integration on the Roles of the Private Sector.”

There will also be sharing of best practices on Public-Private Partnership (PPP) collaboration particularly the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Project (Luzon experience); Coordinating Roads and Infrastructure Investments for Development Project (Visayas experience); and Rocky Mountain Arabica Coffee Company-Benguet State University Partnership in Action (Mindanao experience).

Plenary presentations also include the ASEAN Integration and Its Impact on the Labor Market (by USEC Reydeluz D. Conferido of the Department of Labor and Employment) and ASEAN Integration and Its Impact on Tourism (by USEC Maria Victoria V. Jasmin of the Department of Tourism).

The participants are also expected to discuss strategies on enhancing the role of the private sector in public and private partnership.

Parallel to the event will be a display of Region X’s best products and destinations.

3,000 4Ps beneficiaries to celebrate National Family Day in Cagayan de Oro

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

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Oct. 1 (PNA) -- Around 3,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are scheduled to converge at the Pelaez Sports Center on Sunday to cap the National Family Day, a welfare official said Thursday.

Dubbed as “Tuloy ang Pagbabago” (Let the change continue), the affair will highlight the positive contribution of poor families in uplifting their lives, Charmaine Tadlas, the regional spokesperson of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

Tadlas said that the gathering would focus on the 4Ps beneficiaries’ accomplishments through responsible parenting, family development, community participation, community volunteers, and sustainable livelihood.

She said that the event would also serve as a celebration among children beneficiaries who became recipients of education and health assistance from the national government.

In partnership with other national government agencies, DSWD implements the 4Ps program as an investment of human capital among poor families by assisting them in their children’s health and education, and in strengthening family and community development.

Through the 4Ps, the DSWD provides cash grants amounting to a maximum of PHP1,400 per poor family for their children’s health and education.

Tadlas said that during the National Family Day, the DSWD would also present the provincial “Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya” (Model 4Ps Families) from the towns of Don Carlos in Bukidnon, Catarman in Camiguin, Kolambugan in Lanao del Norte, Jimenez in Misamis Occidental, and Cagayan De Oro City.

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