Cagayan de Oro City News September 2018

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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

Negosyo Center soon to rise at MisOr Capitol

By Elaine O. Ratunil

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) – Capitol in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheaded the groundbreaking and capsule-laying ceremony of a modern Misamis Oriental Negosyo project to spur economic activities in the province.

The Provincial Tourism Department would also be installed in the same two-storey building.

It would also feature a coffee shop and Pasalubong Center where various products of the province would be displayed.

According to Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano, an estimated P10-million fund is allocated for the project from the 20 percent development fund and general fund of the capitol while P3 milion comes from the cash prize earned from the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award.

DTI also shelled out P500,000 for the building.

This is in line with the Go Negosyo Act or the Republic Act No. 10644 mandating the establishment of business centers in accessible locations in the cities and municipalities to be able to help entrepreneurs or would-be businessmen grow their businesses. (EOR/PIA)

‘Malasakit Center’ opens in Oro

By ALWEN SALIRING

MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano on Wednesday, September 19, said the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HnP) headquarters in Cagayan de Oro City will begin accommodating concerns of the public through the Malasakit Center.

The Malasakit Center led by Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher "Bong" Go will have their office at the Hnp headquarters at the Don Gregorio Pelaez building at the Misamis Oriental Integrated Sports Complex, Velez street.

The HnP-Padayon Pilipino headquarters was opened last September 10 led by the Padayon Pilipino leaders.

Emano explained that the headquarters is not only for political purpose but will also serve as venue where public can raise their concerns through Go's Malasakit Center.

The center will cater clients from all over Northern Mindanao who needs medical or financial assistance, among others.

"It will serve basically sa political nga kalihukan. Pero mo-cater na ang Malasakit Center og mga concerns sa publiko," Emano said.

Emano was chosen as the regional chairman of the SAP Bong Go movement.

The governor said economic progress is within reach especially with the support of the HnP lead by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, Nacionalista Party and other allied political personalities.

Suntingan Elementary School gets water project from COWD

By PJ ORIAS

THE Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) on Wednesday, September 19, has turned over a water supply system project to Suntingon Elementary School in barangay Bugo which is set to benefit some 1,556 students of the said school.

Ladelle Sagrado, COWD spokesperson, said the project commenced last November 14, 2017 and was completed on August 7, 2018.

It includes distribution lines, PE pipe provisions for each building, an electromagnetic mother meter, a 25 cubic meter water tank and sump with electromechanical facilities.

She said the total project cost is PhP 2,999,815.93 and that the funding was taken from COWD’s P6 million budget allocated annually for water-related projects endorsed by the Local Chief Executive.

“This water supply system project is aimed to ensure that water is available for the health and sanitation needs of the school’s 1,556 students,” she said.

Mayor Oscar Moreno said access to clean water should all be available in schools.

Moreno and Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin Uy, Bugo Barangay Chairman Vic Talingting, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Dela Peña along with COWD’s Board chairman Eduardo Antonio Montalvan and Acting general manager Bienvenido Batar, Jr. graced the simple ceremony.

City Hall inks MOA with Lourdes College

By PJ ORIAS

THE City Government is partnering with a university here to look after the city's street families and allow them to undergo a 6-month program for them to have a chance of getting a better life.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed on Tuesday, September 18, between the city and Lourdes College executives on the Oro Alagang Pamilya Project for the homeless street families in Cagayan de Oro.

Norhidaya Dhada Hadji Sarip, focal person for Homeless Families of the City Social Welfare and Development said this is the third year now since the program has started, but the MOA makes the program bigger as it will involve social work students to cater to more families.

She said the identified families, mostly coming from Cogon and Carmen markets are transferred from the streets to a transient home where they will undergo the program under the guidance of the social workers.

Over the years, the former street families now have jobs while street children who used to ask alms are now studying after undergoing the program.

"We really just want them to have a better chance at life and introduce to them a lot of opportunities for their families. We will make them understand that living in the streets should not be an option for these families," City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said.

According to the CSWD, it has recorded a total of 30 street families in the city.

The program specifically engages parental session, aiming to reeducate the parents on their parenting skills.

"We have to answer the question ngano nga ang atong mga bata naa sa dalan, because certainly there is a problem on how parents are handling their kids, we need to change that by educating them," Sarip said, adding that because of intervention, the CSWD noted the decrease of street children in the city streets.

For his part, City Mayor Oscar Moreno said the program is part of the city government's campaign to give better lives to the constituents by giving them the best services.

"We appreciate this very much, this gives us chance to learn, gives us a chance to know where we are and where we should go, beneficiaries will be served hopefully the best way possible," Moreno said.

"Social work is the most encompassing work of all, everything is a part of social work, you cannot separate government work to social work. I look forward towards changing the lives of these families, you know I've always been a believer that one should be given a chance, we should never give up on them," he added.

DILG-10 steps up local gov't projects tracking, monitoring

(DILG10/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--To improve tracking and monitoring efforts of Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) projects and to facilitate project management in LGUs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10, in coordination with the Support to Local Government Program Oversight Project Monitoring Office (SLGP-OPMO) conducted a one-day training workshop on its most recent platform, DevLIVE, at the VIP Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City on September 4.

The workshop-training was conducted for SLGP Coordinating Teams, Regional and Provincial Project Development and Management Unit Engineers, and regional and provincial focal persons for the upcoming roll-out of DevLIVE.

“Development LIVE: Achieving SDGs in Infrastructure through Local Integrity, Innovation and Citizen Empowerment,” is a joint project with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) which seeks to aid local governance by addressing current gaps in monitoring fund utilization and by providing a platform for citizens’ feedback and monitoring.

Through the online platform, local functionaries will be able to directly input reports from the release of funds up to the project’s completion.

DevLIVE also includes a free mobile application that allows locals and project beneficiaries to directly provide feedback on ongoing and completed projects.

For the full duration of the program implementation, DevLIVE seeks to cover monitoring of all projects under the Local Government Support Fund-Financial Assistance (LGSF-FA) to LGUs.

As of this writing, DevLIVE includes tracking of projects under the Assistance to Municipalities Program.

A brief orientation on user roles, site navigation, was facilitated by representatives from the OPMO.

This was followed by a simulation to determine all areas to be improved in the platform.

A roll-out for cities and municipalities is seen to take place in October, or upon the release of the Joint Memorandum Circular between DILG and the Department of Budget and Management.

Athletes' village next in CDO dev't plan

By Nef Luczon (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The local government is planning to establish an Atheletes' Village following the Bronze-medal win by Kagay-anon 20-year-old Carlo Paalam in the recent Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Mayor Oscar Moreno said the creation of a sports facility and center for athletes will likely happen after the completion of the second city hospital in Barangay Lumbia in 2019. A sports training center is also planned to be constructed in the same barangay.

"We hope we will start with the boxers," Moreno said, citing that his office has been in good relations with the Philippine boxing community since he was then the governor of the province of Misamis Oriental.

"There will be two-storey athletes' quarters... after the boxing ring, we will later put up ovals, followed by a swimming pool," he said.

Prior to joining the Asian games, Paalam won three gold medals in three international boxing matches this year, including a bronze medal at the World Boxing Championship in Uzbekistan.

SHDA holds 27th National Developers Convention in Cagayan de Oro

By JO ANN SABLAD

TO UPDATE its national members with the latest and relevant issues and laws in the housing industry, the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) has conducted its 27th National Developers Convention anchored on the theme: "Roadmap to Balai."

Held in Xavier Sports and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro on September 13 and 14, the convention was organized to gather everyone involved in the housing industry to inform them of the latest laws, regulations, improvements and problems in the said industry.

"This is where we gather and present to them both the government side, because housing industry is highly regulate, and we always gather from the different chapters, the different regions, their concerns in terms of their business," said Christopher Narciso, national president of SHDA.

"SHDA, our mandate really is to be the representative of the housing developers to be able to lobby with government and other industries," he added.

Through its Philippine Housing Industry Roadmap, which was launched in 2012, SHDA envisions to eliminate the housing backlog by the year 2030; having a shared goal with the National Housing Program Balai (Building, Accessible, Livable, Affordable and Inclusive) 2018 campaign led by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

"The housing roadmap actually identifies the housing demand and supply and base on that, we established the housing backlog present in the country. That roadmap more or less puts together all the relevant statistics and data," Narciso said.

"From there, we were able to synthesize the supply-demand, as well as the prevalent issues and hurdles that is preventing the industry from improving the quantity, affordability of housing production," he added.

The roadmap, according to the SHDA national president, was presented to the different government agencies and key shelter agencies, which include the National Economic and Development Authority, Board of Investments, and HUDCC.

It also has been the basis for the industry to formulate new initiatives and directives that guide them with how they can collaborate with their government counterparts.

"It's always been in the DNA of SHDA, ever since it's conception in 1970, and its actually part of our mandate, that SHDA works together without government counterparts to address the issues in terms of housing in the country," Narciso said.

He also mentioned that they have been continuously updating the roadmap, the latest update being in 2016.

"And this year, we're starting again a fresh round of updates so hopefully we should be able to put that together and present it by next year," Narciso said.

The 27th National Developers Convention desires that together, the private housing developers and the government entities, will find the most immediate and permanent solutions towards achieving their common dream of providing a house for every Filipino.

Consul General Lin Li visits Cagayan de Oro

By PJ ORIAS

CHINESE Consul General Lin Li visited Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, September 17, to strengthen the People's Republic of China's relationship with the City of Golden Friendship.

During his speech at the flag raising Monday, Lin Li praised the leadership of Mayor Oscar Moreno for bagging awards. He hailed the warmth of Cagayan de Oro people.

"I am deeply impressed with your beautiful city, and the openness, warmth hospitality of your friendly people. This only suggests that Cagayan de Oro is truly City of Golden Friendship under your strong leadership," Li said to Moreno.

Li said he hopes that the strong bond between the Filipino-Chinese community in the city will continue.

China has designated Li Lin as its consul general, a position that accords the designated officer the important functions in the embassy. He is based in Davao City, the first consulate to be established outside of the national capital region.

Cagayan de Oro holds coastal cleanup

By PJ ORIAS

THE City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) held over the weekend a massive cleanup in the coastal areas of Cagayan de Oro from Barangays Bulua to Bugo to mark the International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC) on September 15.

Elvisa Mabelin, head of the Solid Waste Management Division, said tons of garbage were collected by various organizations during the cleanup activity, which started around 6 a.m.

The international simultaneous event was held in the mountains, watersheds, coastal areas, river systems, major thoroughfares, parks, drainage, river banks, beach areas, and offices.

Mabelin said the event was successful, but she urged the public that every day should be cleanup day and develop the habit to reduce, reuse and recycle any plastic materials they use.

She said when going to the beach, everyone should be responsible for their waste and should work hard to leave no trace.

Presidential Proclamation 470 declares the third Sunday of September of each year as the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day in observance of the Global Coastal Cleanup celebrations.

International Coastal Cleanup is the largest volunteer effort for ocean's health as people gather on beaches, coasts, rivers, waterways and underwater dive sites to remove trash and record information on the debris collected.

Results will aid in better waste management policies/plans, product packaging designs and in stirring environmental consciousness among the people.

Groups back bill strengthening IPs role in managing conservation areas

(NEDA-10/X)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) - Recognizing the role of indigenous peoples (IPs) in managing key biodiversity and critical areas, various groups recently rallied behind House Bill (HB) 115 or the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCA) Act.

In a forum co-organized by the National Economic and Development Authority – Regional Office X (NEDA-X) and the Xavier Science Foundation (XSF), representatives from the national government agencies, local government units, civil society, RDC-X accredited private sector organizations, academe, and the IP groups and mandatory representatives moved to support the bill filed by Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat of the Lone District of Ifugao Province.

“The bill aims to provide a system of recognition, registration, protection and promotion of the ICCAs in the country, strengthen land governance in ICCAs, and recognizes Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) as effective conservation mechanisms”, Baguilat said.

The ICCAs refer to ecosystems containing high biodiversity values, ecological services, and cultural values which are voluntarily managed by IP groups and local communities though customary laws or other effective means.

XSF Executive Director Roel R. Ravenera said that based on international studies, areas managed by local communities/IPs are better in terms of conservation and preservation.

Currently, about 10 million Filipinos are IPs and many of them live in protected areas which are also considered biodiversity hotspots and critical areas.

There were three panelists from the academe, government sector, and IP group who unanimously support the region’s objective to continually adopt sustainable resource utilization practices and activities, and respect for human rights, beliefs, traditions and culture of the IPs.

The workshop also generated inputs and recommendations to enhance the provisions of the bill.

Collection improves in Oro public markets

By PJ ORIAS

A CAGAYAN de Oro City Councilor said more market vendors are paying their dues religiously as the City Economic Enterprise Development (CEED) implements reforms at the city's public markets.

For the past years, City Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya said delinquent vendors have been a perennial problem of the City Government, pointing out that the markets' earnings are deficit- spending more than what it earns in a year.

But now, Nacaya said the markets can support its operations without asking an amount from the city.

"Ang collection, like for example sa markets, dili nata deficit, ang atong income mosobra pa sa atong expenses. Sa 30 years nga na organize ang CEED for the first time, tinuod nga greenlight, dili na magsubsidize, ang expenses ug capital outlay ug uban pa, atoa na sa merkado (The markets’ income exceed their expenses. For the first time in 30 years when CEED was organized, markets are no longer subsidized including expenses and capital outlay)," Nacay said, the chairman of the City Council committee on enterprise.

Vendors usually pay their business license renewal rate, as well as the 20 percent of the total amount of their delinquency and settle their overdue rates.

"Consistent nga collection, ug reminder sa vendors sa ilang obligasyon. Sa una, ang city kada tuig tapal para sa market spendings pero this year, it's different (Consistent collection and reminder to vendors of their obligation. Before, the city always pay for the market spending but this year, it’s different)," he added.

Meanwhile, the City Council last week approved a P22-million budget as part of the modernization of Cogon and Puerto public markets.

CEED will use the amount to build their own office at Cogon market, cover the cost of CEED computerization as well as the repair of Puerto market, kiosk or collectors’ booth, among others.

A CCTV system will also be installed in the markets.

XU Glee Club wins gold, silver prizes in Indonesian Choral Festival

(PR)

THE Xavier University Glee Club has brought home two significant accolades after representing Cagayan de Oro City in the first Soegijapranata Choral Festival.

Held in Semarang City, Java, Indonesia on September 6-9, the choral festival was the first international competition conducted by Soegijapranata Catholic University’s Gratia Choir.

Among 48 choirs, XUGC was the only choral group from the Philippines.

Although the festival was open to international participants, XUGC was the only choir outside of Indonesia selected to join in the said event.

With stunning performances that introduced authentic Filipino culture to an Indonesian audience, XUGC won gold in the Folklore Category and silver in the Mixed Choir Category.

The competition consisted of eight categories: Kindergarten, Children Choir, Teenage Choir, Mixed Youth Choir, Mixed Choir, Equal Voices, Sacred Music, and Folklore.

Their vocal prowess tugged the heartstrings of listeners and viewers with an exceptional playlist that resonated with Maguindanaoan, Ilocano, and T’boli music.

XUGC musical director Vic Angelo Atilano coached the members, composed mostly of students and alumni of Xavier Ateneo whose talents and skills in music have been honed to excel.

“With our minds on the prize, we have continued rehearsing as soon as we landed in Indonesia,” XUGC president Mc John Muring shared. Prior to the festival, XUGC conducted extensive rehearsals, as well as performing in two send-off concerts in August, and singing hymns in masses.

Muring added that the choir was driven to do their best as they were grounded on commitment and unity by representing the university, CDO, and the Philippines.

“Having this as an experience means a lot for us [as a group],” Muring went on. “This became a learning experience and a motivation to practice more for our future competitions.”

With full support from the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), as it was XCCA director Hobart Savior who had encouraged XUGC to join earlier this year, the choir takes pride in showcasing Filipino music.

Back in 2008, XUGC achieved the same triumph during the Asian Choir Games where they got the silver prize.

Apart from this victory, XUGC was introduced to the objectives of the festival which entailed “the foundation of developing human potential.”

This is paralleled with Xavier Ateneo’s mission for the academic community to experience excellence in all spheres, including music.

HB 115 to empower IP communities, nurture biodiversity

By Recthie T. Paculba (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- To empower and recognize the contributions of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in biodiversity conservation and protection, House Bill 115 is being pushed for implementation in the country and the world.

Authored by Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat, HB 115 or the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCA) Act of 2016 aims to pursue sustainable development, recognition of the rights of ICCs/IPs, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

"Kung sa iba ito (resources) ay trabaho lamang, sa kanila (IPs) ito ay buhay (For others, caring for the resources is just part of their job, but for the IPs, this is life)," Baguilat said.

In the forum on HB 115 spearheaded by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Region 10 on September 12, Datu Johnny B. Guing, 53, of the Talaandig tribe, affirmed Baguilat's statement.

He said they rely mainly on the resources in the mountains of Bukidnon for their livelihood and cultural enrichment but they always see to it that everybody can benefit from their efforts in protecting the environment.

"Kung na-opaw na ang lugar, pasabot ana wala na pud ang tribu diha nagpuyo. Busa, kinahanglan usab sa tribu nga matabangan sa gobyerno ug mga grupo aron mapadayon ang pagbantay sa kinaiyahan (If the area becomes denuded, that means there are no more tribes living in it. Thus, the tribes need help from the government and groups so we can continue safeguarding the resources)," Guing said.

To pursue this goal, Baguilat said that with the government's and the world's involvement, the IPs will have the courage to spread stewardship of watersheds and forests.

The partnership will also strengthen the integrity of the ICCs.

With the IPs' traditional governance, Baguilat said an inclusive government is not just ensured as the country will also reap the gains of having a responsive sector which can aid in sustainable management and development.

"HB 115 is in line with the region's objective to continually adopt sustainable resource utilization practices and activities, and respect for human rights, beliefs, traditions and culture of the IPs," NEDA Regional Director Mae Esther Guiamadel said.

"The successful realization of which shall inch the region's way forward to the shared aspiration for Filipinos, including the IPs, to enjoy a 'matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay' (stable, convenient and assured life) by 2040," Guiamadel added.

The HB 115 forum is conducted across the country in regional clusters to inform the Filipinos on the salient points of the bill and generate inputs and recommendations to enhance the provisions of the bill.

MisOr to introduce greenhouse technologies

By JO ANN SABLAD

THE Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental is planning to introduce new agriculture technologies to small-scale farmers in a bid to boost the agriculture sector in terms of production.

According to Jose Apollo Pacamalan, Provincial Agriculturist's Office (Pagro) head, they are eyeing two greenhouse technologies: the drip irrigation and hydroponics.

Pacamalan said these technologies will provide solution to the issue on the lack of agricultural land in Misamis Oriental.

“Right now, because of the issue na lumiliit na ‘yung areas for farming, dumadami yung mga tao who want more food, nag increase ‘yung persons who can buy more food,” Pacamalan said.

“The idea is, producing more with less land. Less land, more production,” he added.

Drip irrigation is a technique in which water flows through a filter into special drip pipes, with emitters located at different spacing. Water is distributed through the emitters directly into the soil near the roots.

Hydroponics involves growing plants without using soil, feeding them on mineral nutrient salts dissolved in water.

These greenhouse technologies will be introduced not only to small scale farmers but also to the household level.

“The reason we are studying that is because later on, we need, the same reason, we don't have enough area in Misamis Oriental so we need to have advancements in terms of learning the technology and at the same time, developing a system na mas household-based para we don't need a large plot of land to produce food,” Pacamalan said.

The Pagro head said they already started the planning, designing and technical preparation for the technologies until December of this year.

They will be partnering with the Department of Agriculture, universities such as Xavier University and University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, and private sectors.

In the first six months of 2019, January to June, Pacamalan said they will set up trials of the said technologies and the next six months, July to December of 2019, they will start putting up household to test the technologies in terms of capacity building and improving the system.

He also mentioned that they are looking at Opol, Gitagum, Libertad, Tagoloan, Magsaysay, and other areas where the land area is limited and where poverty incidence and malnutrition is prevalent.

Pacamalan said in 2010, the greenhouse technologies will be implemented in the province.

“That means by 2020, we'll have a number of farmers who will be implementing the system. Our next step is to link the farmers to the market, to make sure that they are connected with market, like supermarkets, and vegetables are being sold in the public market,” he said.

Oro to strengthen mental health program

By PJ ORIAS

A PARTNERSHIP between the Cagayan de Oro City Council and the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) is in the offing to strengthen the city's mental health program.

The memorandum of understanding (MOA), endorsed by the city council committee on health and sanitation, is still at the committee on laws and rules.

Under the MOA, the mental health association shall conduct training and seminars on mental health to the city barangay health workers.

The health workers will be trained to identify early signs and symptoms of mental disorders and how to deal with the problem.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno earlier disclosed that one of his administration's target is to put up a mental hospital in the city.

At present, the city has been transporting its mentally-challenged persons to Davao City for treatment because of the lack of facility here.

The City Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southern Philippines Medical Center of Davao City in June two years ago for this set-up.

The MOU allows the city to transport mentally-challenged persons here to Davao City for treatment.

MisOr allocates P2M for tourism convention

By ALWEN SALIRING

THE Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental is spending some P2 million for the 19th national convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) on October 3 to 5, as the province was picked to host the three-day activity here.

Lawyer Jeffrey Saclot, head of the provincial tourism department, said the three-day activity will be attended by over 1,000 delegates from all over the country, including public officials who chaired tourism committee in their respective localities.

"The capitol is spending P2 million as counterpart as the rest of the funding will be taken from the registration," Saclot said.

Saclot also said they already sent invitation to President Rodrigo Duterte to grace the opening night where Governor Yevgeny Emano is set to showcase his tourism programs for the province.

He also said they also asked Senator Nancy Binay, the senate committee chair on tourism and Senator Cynthia Villar, committee on agriculture chair, to also join the activity.

On the third day, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is also expected to grace the convention.

Saclot said the preparation is being finalized especially the immersion tours of the participants to the different tourist attractions in the province.

He said through this activity, the world will get to know that Misamis Oriental is slowly becoming a major tourism destination.

Saclot also said among the impact of the ATOP convention in economic aspect is livelihood and employment opportunities.

He said the delegates will also be given the chance to visit the farmers market where top products are being displayed.

"This a big step forward for Misamis Oriental for the world to know that we are serious to make the province a major tourism destination,"Saclot said.

Saclot also said other provinces in the region would also be given the opportunity to showcase the beauty and the best of their province.

Saclot has expressed his gratitude to its partners such as the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association for the delegates accommodation; the association of tourism officers in the province for the immersion tours; the Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao and other private partners.

City wins prestigious best education program for constituents

By PJ ORIAS

FOR the second time, Cagayan de Oro was awarded the prestigious Seal of Good Education Governance, an award given to local government units for their outstanding education governance.

The award was received by City Mayor Oscar Moreno and members of the Local School Board during the 12th Washington Sycip National Education Summit Thursday, September 6 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The award was conferred by Synergia Foundation, a coalition of individuals, institutions, and organizations working to improve the quality of basic education.

In his Facebook post, Department of Education-Cagayan de Oro Schools Division Superintendent Jonathan dela Peña said this year, 4 domains were measured for the award.

"Based on incremental gains and improved performance outcomes such as decrease of non-readers and frustration readers, increase in education expenditures via the expanded Local School Board, empowerment of School Governing Councils to craft and implement change initiatives and increase in other key performance indicators in education," he said.

Since 2013, the Moreno administration has built over 600 classrooms and a total of 15 new campuses in the city, mostly in barangays where classroom shortage is a continuing problem.

To do this, Moreno created an expanded Local School Board composed of members of the academe, interfaith groups, the youth, business sector, non-teaching force, parents and teachers associations, Department of Education officials and the City Government's key officials.

Among the qualifications of the award are as follows: local government units must have a broadened membership and functions of their Local School Board, schools should have functional School Governing Councils, a significant improvement of the youth's reading performance, and at least 15 percent decrease of non-readers and frustrated readers in the schools.

Last year, the City also received the award along with other 24 local government units in the country.

BIR to collect P1.95T by end of year thru TRAIN

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) --The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is expected to collect Php1.95 trillion by December this year through the implementation of the first package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law by the Duterte administration.

Lawyer Sa’Aduddin L. Macarambon, CPA and supervisor of the assessment section of Revenue District Office No. 98 in Cagayan de Oro City during Talakayan sa PIA on August 30 at SM City Mall said they are tasked to collect Php2 trillion and Php60 billion for 2018 but for the first semester, but they fell short with only 46-47 percent from target collection.

“For December, we are assigned to collect Php1 trillion Php95 billion. We hope to collect that for the remaining months of the year,” he said. Included in package one of the CTRP is the lower income tax rates for employed individuals.

Macarambon said, employees earning 250,000 or below per annum are now exempted of income tax; whereas before TRAIN law, these employees have to pay at least Php 50,000 income tax.

He said, this is additional net income pay especially for employees. This translates to Php12 billion additional money in the pockets of employees.

Changes in the tax rates also include reform in the VAT system, simplification of transfer taxes, state and donors tax at 6 percent, increase in the excise tax on the petroleum products, automobiles and mineral products, excise tax on cosmetic surgeries and sweetened beverages.

There are also products exempt for excise tax under TRAIN.

Macarambon said this includes 100 percent natural juices, soluble coffee (pre-pack mix) 3-in-1 and all milk products.

Although prices have increased but Macarambon explained TRAIN is not solely the reason. There are also other factors that triggered these price increases.

He said, for example, there is spike of oil prices in the world market, rebound of dollar which resulted to lower peso and low agriculture production because of typhoons, among others.

The principle of taxation is not only to generate revenue. Macarambon said one of the non-revenue purposes of taxation is to discourage people from buying unhealthy products and unhealthy foods especially with sin products such alcohol and tobacco or cigarettes.

Macarambon shared we have remaining five more packages for TRAIN.

TRAIN two includes corporate income tax. Package 1+ is tax amnesty. Package two plus is reforms in taxation of sin taxes. Next is royalty on mining corporations. Package 4 is real property valuation and package five is capital income taxation reforms.

This is the golden age of infrastructure. Macarambon said the goal of the TRAIN law is to fund BUILD, BUILD, BUILD project of the government and increase budget on social services like health, education and other programs to alleviate poverty.

Expected under TRAIN law package one is the incremental revenue of Php100-Php130 billion.

If all packages of TRAIN is implemented, the government is expected to gain Php270billion annually.

BOI, DTI-10 link local suppliers with NorMin companies

(DTI10/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO (PIA)--The Board of Investments (BOI), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry in Region 10, conducted a region-wide Procurement Matching to link local suppliers with companies.

Nine companies were present to accommodate pre-selected and walk-in suppliers in the business-to-business matching.

DTI-10 Assistant Regional Director Ermedio J. Abang said one of the intentions of the was to realize one of the major advocacies of President Rodrigo Duterte, that is, inclusive growth.

He also said, “Towards developing globally-competitive micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), three intervention areas are needed: business environment, business capacities, and business opportunities.

Meanwhile, BOI-CdeO Extension’s Chief Lourdes Ellen Kionisala shared the importance of patronizing local products.

“Mao ra gyud ang tumong dinhi: Dili na manguha sa laing nasud. Kay wa ta kabalo, ang ingredients sa paghimo ana, gikan ra gyapun dinhi, atong gi export sa laing nasud, unya kita ra gyapuy gapalit.. Mahal ra pa ba gyud ang atong pagpalit,” she said.

(The ultimate goal of this is for the country not to obtain products from other countries. Because we do not know the ingredients in making such products may come from here. We exported such to other countries and eventually we are also the ones who purchase them. We even purchased them in higher prices)

The participants have to follow three steps for the Procurement Matching.

Suppliers have to register, wait for the cue time to meet the buyers, and confirm by signing the agreements made during the buyer-supplier meeting.

“The delivery of products and the payment of delivered products will happen after the procurement matching.

We are just here to document all your agreements and the business-to-business agreements will be documented through the procurement matching,” BOI-CdeO’s Assistant Division Chief Irwin Jayson Jamaca said.

USTP, a hub for technopreneurship, digital technology

By Jasper Marie O. Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Cagayan de Oro (CDO) campus has opened two hubs: technopreneurship and digital technology to kick start the development of innovation ecosystem in the region.

In celebration of their second anniversary on August 15, USTP CDO Chancellor Dr. Ruth G. Cabahug disclosed during Talakayan sa PIA, they had been granted Php12 million by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to put up techoprenuership center that provides capability building to faculty, among others.

Further, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has also granted them Php12 million to establish digital technology hub. This houses 20 incubates or potential startups in the city for their ideas to become full-fledged businesses.

Vanessa V. Ascaño, vice president of Finance Planning and Development, said USTP aims to become a nationally recognized science and technology university providing the vital link to education and economy.

Although there are perceived gaps such as jobs skills mismatch, innovation lagging behind ASEAN neighbors, Ascaño said, “We are trying to make a difference in this part of the country.”

She said, the change started when USTP was born two years ago.

There was an amalgamation of two universities namely the Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology (MOSCAT) in Claveria Misamis Oriental and the Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST). MUST was composed of five campuses: CDO, Jasaan, Oroquieta and Panaon and the main campus will be in Alubijid soon to rise, she said.

Now, all of these is under one name: USTP.

In terms of infrastructure projects, Lawyer Jonathan S. Oche, vice president for Administration and Legal Affairs, said the biggest challenge is the laying of the foundation of the main campus, in the 292 hectares property in Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.

Also, he said two Science and Technology parks will be built. One in the main campus in Alubijid and one in Claveria, Misamis Oriental.

Meanwhile, ongoing infra projects in the CDO campus include a P 80 M three-storey technology building to be finished in September.

Also this year, he said, will be the start of bidding of two more projects: Faculty Learning Center worth Php320M and Sports Complex and Residences worth Php250million.

Oche also said they are going to award Flood Protection System in CDO campus worth almost Php90million. This year, a bidding will also be called for the construction of Design Engineering and Fabrication Laboratory worth Php33M.

USTP celebrated their founding anniversary on August 16-17 with the theme, “Strengthening the Role of USTP in Advancing Inclusive Economic Growth.”

MisOr mulls P159-M budget to boost tourism

By Jigger Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The local government of Misamis Oriental is planning to allocate around PHP159 million to develop new tourism sites and to upgrade existing ones.

Lawyer Jeffrey Saclot, the provincial tourism officer, said the drive to improve the province's tourism industry became a priority after Misamis Oriental was chosen to host the 36th annual Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop)--a national convention that will take place next month.

Saclot said that the proposed budget is intended for the infrastructure projects of tourism destinations in Misamis Oriental, and possibly be included in next year’s annual budget.

This year, the provincial government has already released millions of pesos for the upkeep of existing tourist destinations, Saclot said, although he did not cite specific figures.

He said tourism remains a priority program of Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano, whose aim is not just to develop and promote the province’s tourist spots but also for the communities living within the sites to generate income.

Among the sites that will be further developed is the Sagpulon Falls in Jasaan town, which will need P10 million for construction of open and close cottages and for other amenities.

Aside from the local government funds, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) has also set aside P10 million for the trail going to Sagpulon Falls and will be releasing the amount soon once the paperwork is concluded, Saclot said.

Another P10 million for the jump-off point and boardwalk going to the Agutayan reef, also in Jasaan, was already earmarked.

The upgrading of the Alibuag Cold Spring in Medina town, he said, will be made possible with the PHP10 million funding, while the provincial government has pledged PHP3 million for the construction of additional cottages in Alibuag Beach Resort in the municipality of Sugbongcogon.

The Our Lady of Lourdes shrine in Binunangan town, he said, was included in the development initiatives, with the area being considered as one of the religious tourism sites in the province. The province will be building a swimming pool near the shrine worth PHP5 million.

Two mountain resorts in Naawan town, the Bolyok Spring and the Mahangob Falls, will be developed using the PHP10 million fund already allocated for these sites.

The famous “bibingka” (rice cake) of the municipality of Manticao, meanwhile, will be further promoted through packaging and marketing, he said.

“We’ve recommended the [Gov. Emano] to put up a "pasalubong center" in the province and he is very positive about this,” Saclot said, adding that Steag, a power-generating company, is set to donate P10 million for the project.

Saclot said the “pasalubong center” (souvenir shop) will be located either in Alubijid or Laguindingan and will serve as a final stop for local and foreign tourists before going to the airport in Laguindingan.

Saclot said they will also be helping the barangay and municipal governments of Laguindingan to expand the Tubajon Aquamarine Park, which recently won in a nationwide competition for the cleanest coastline.

“We want to preserve the ecotourism setup there (Tubajon), that means no concrete structures, just bamboo, and other native materials, and we are planning on expanding the mangrove plantation,” he said.

He said the park was chosen as one of the destinations of the delegates of the Atop convention, with participants coming from all over the country.

MinDA, SHFC partner for Do No Harm confab

(MinDA and TFBM)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY-- Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) with Do No Harm (DNH) trainers of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) organized a three-day Capacity Building on Conflict Sensitivity and DNH held in Cagayan de Oro City, August 8-10, 2018.

The capacity building is embedded on nurturing local capacities for peace “Towards Peaceful and Effective Rebuilding of Marawi City.”

The training is also part of the results chain for MinDA’s Do No Harm Mindanao Program wherein a series of CS-DNH Training was conducted for Task Force Bangon Marawi and all other key players in the rehabilitation of Marawi City and its environs.

MinDA currently has a pool of DNH trainers to tap in facilitating orientation seminars or awareness training on Conflict Sensitivity and DNH.

Having joined the DNH Orientation for TFBM last year, SHFC requested for an in-depth training for team members to ensure conflict-sensitive approach to all aspects of their shelter and livelihood project in Marawi City. The participants of the training were the officers and staff from UN-Habitat, local government unit (LGU)-Marawi City and SHFC.

Aside from DNH training, relevant topics on the ‘The Maranao Culture: History, Structure and Social Dynamics’ as well as Islamic Financing were emphasized in order to equip the participants with the effective tools in project implementation.

Joint Task Force Ranao deputy commander Col Romeo Brawner Jr., meanwhile discussed the Military Perspective on the Marawi rehabilitation and reconstruction and shared about the ongoing security, engineering and civil-military operations.

Highlights of the training include the coming up of strategies in overcoming conflict in resource transfers; identifying potential dividers and connectors in relation to their shelter program as well as mapping key stakeholders and potential partners.

Through the training, participants from SHFC, UN-Habitat, LGU-Marawi were able to formulate a way forward plan wherein a conflict-sensitive lens is integrated.

Household mapping pushed

By PJ ORIAS

A CITY official urged barangay officials to conduct household mapping as part of Cagayan de Oro's efforts to pursue a more concentrated urbanization path.

In the next years to come, City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a hopes that every household in every barangay is profiled and identified through household mapping.

Sabuga-a said the city might not be able to control the pace of its fast-growing population, but it will work to at least monitor movement in the barangay level.

After training barangay tanods, Sabuga-a said they are now aiming at making efficient partnership with the barangays especially in terms of responding to calamities.

"Our problem now is when calamities strike, for example, if there's fire, and when our social workers respond to the area, the assessment of the total household affected is doubled. More people are coming in and are asking for assistance even if they are not affected with the fire, so this becomes a problem, we have no validation," he said.

"The household mapping also allows us to monitor the people coming in and out of your barangay," he added.

Sabuga-a said this effort might be small, but this is first step toward realizing the vision of President Rodrigo Duterte to make the city the country's fourth economic center.

"In the long-term plan, we want to have a system to make it easier for us plan the development of Cagayan de Oro," he said.

City Hall awards Oro's 3 best restaurants

By PJ ORIAS

THE City Health Office (CHO) named Monday, September 3, three restaurants as Cagayan de Oro's best, recognizing their adherence to food and sanitation standards.

Kagay-anon Restaurant, Cucina Higala, and Minindal Cuisine are among the three restaurants that were conferred with awards during the weekly flag raising at the City Hall.

Environmental Sanitation Chief Sergio Ramon Bautista of the CHO said over 1,000 restaurants in Cagayan de Oro were evaluated until it came up with three names.

"Prior to the contest, our sanitary inspectors evaluated these restaurants if they passed our food sanitation standards. They were evaluated several times, and these three restaurants got the rating of more than 90 percent," Bautista said.

He said it is one of the CHO's advocacies to ensure that all restaurants in the city comply with standards, such as cleanliness, safety, city health cards for each employee, and has a food safety officer, among others.

City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a said this is part of the City Government's continuing efforts to be competitive and make Cagayan de Oro a destination for food tourism.

Australian Embassy officials visit Oca

By PJ ORIAS

HIGH-RANKING officials from the Australian Embassy in Manila on Thursday met with Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno to discuss the city's development programs and future possible partnerships.

In his radio program, Moreno said they shared a good discussion.

"Philippines and Australia enjoy a very long, warm, deep friendship. When I was governor of Misamis Oriental, daghan ilang natabang sa ato, we're one of those chosen for a project given by the Australian AID," he said.

Moreno said the province then was a recipient of the project called the Provincial Maintenance Road Facility, which aimed at concreting roads in remote areas of Misamis Oriental.

"The delegation also came here to build strong partnership and strengthen it, and also to indicate that they might come back," he added.

Mayor Moreno also briefed the delegation about the local government’s strategies in promoting peace and stability in the city and the region through participatory approach in governance.

The delegation is headed by Mat Kimberly, Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy; Rachel Cusack, Second Secretary; Luke Lyons, Security Services Manager and Kloe Carvajal, Research Officer.

CDO underground cable system in the works

By Nef Luczon (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The Task Force on Information Communication Technology (ICT) here has been given the green light to initiate the “Project Velez,” an initiative that aims to replace the current aerial cable system into an underground system.

The project will consist of three phases and will initially implement the underground cable system in the city's three main thoroughfares--Velez and Corrales streets, and CM Recto Avenue, a national road, said Engr. Teodoro Buenavita Jr., regional director of National Telecommunications Commission in Region 10 (NTC-10).

Buenavista, one of the task force’s convenor, said a conference on August 31 is expected to iron out the specific target dates and other preparations for the relocation of the current electric wires and network cables.

He said an existing underground cable system owned by Misortel, a telephony service provider owned by the provincial government of Misamis Oriental, will be tapped for the initial phase of the project.

He said the Misortel facility was constructed in the early as 2000 in partnership with South Korea investors, and has been underutilized since.

“Actually, there is an existing underground facility with a win-win solution for Misortel. Cable owners will now be renting the facilities. So (this will be) a potential source of revenue of Misortel,” he said. “We checked the manholes and it’s still in good condition,” the NTC-10 chief added.

With the Misortel facility, he said there was no longer a need to do extensive excavations for the meantime as it only requires the transfer of the existing wires hanging on the posts directly beneath Misortel facility.

Flood-prone areas such as in CM Rect can be resolved through an “engineering design,” he said.

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