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Cagayan de Oro City News May 2013

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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.
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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

Comelec releases polls stipend to Oro teachers

By Annabelle L. Ricalde


The stipend of Cagayan de Oro teachers, who served as members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) during the May polls, has been finally distributed.

Lawyer Palmer Palamine, city election officer, told Sun.Star-Cagayan de Oro Thursday that the distribution of the allowance for teachers who served during the May 13 elections is ongoing.

“We are already giving the honorarium to the BEIs but not yet to the support staff,” Palamine added.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is still processing the allowance for the support staff in the entire country.

In the city, there were at least 1,090 public school teachers who were tapped as BEIs, each has been receiving P4,000 as honorarium.

Provincial Election Officer Cirilo Nala Jr. said there are still two municipalities in Misamis Oriental where BEIs did not receive their stipend yet due to some hitches but the Comelec is taking care of it.

Last week, several teachers were complaining for the delayed release of their stipend citing that the P4,000 isn’t even enough to compensate for the extra work and the sleepless nights they spent in the May 13 polls.

“The honorarium is not that much, yet it is delayed. It is even part of our budget especially now that it’s enrolment time,” Gemma Ayuman, one of the teachers who served as BEI at Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) said.






RDC-X chairperson bares gains in state of the region address

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 30 (PIA) -- Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz, chairperson of the Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X), spelled out the major accomplishments of the Council in the past three years in his State of the Region Address (SORA) which he delivered during the 97th RDC-X meeting held Iligan City on Tuesday, May 28.

He said that the region’s quest to present Northern Mindanao as the most competitive, efficient and attractive transshipment hub and the leading industrial core and trade center in Southern Philippines is now fast becoming a reality.

According to him, various infrastructure projects have been implemented including the improvement of the region’s road networks and seaports.

He said the RDC has created the Special Committee on the Laguindingan Airport Development Project that fast-tracked the formulation of immediate actions on issues and concerns pertinent to the operation of the much-awaited international standard Laguindingan Airport.

RDC-X was also instrumental in bringing back the survivorship benefits removed in August 2009 for gainfully employed surviving spouses of GSIS members, Cruz added.

Moreover, the Council endorsed the following proposals for inclusion in the Regional Development Investment Program 2011-2016: Road Development Projects in Ozamiz City; Iligan Coastal By-Pass Road Project; Iligan Tourism Triangle Development Master Plan; Gilligan-Bukidnon Agribusiness and Ecotourism Growth Corridor Master Plan; and eFlood Control Development Master Plan for Mandulog and ligan Rivers and the Conduct of a Feasibility Study for a Sabo Dam Project in Iligan City.

The Council further supported the request for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through the Regional DRRMC to retain the budget for Iligan City recovery and rehabilitation after 2013 until all the projects in the P12 billion plus Calamity Fund have been completed.

It also expressed support to the amalgamation of the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region X; the passage of the Magna Carta for Barangay Nutrition Scholars;RA 10070 Establishing an Institutional Mechanism to Ensure the Implementation of Programs and Services for Persons with Disabilities, Amending RA 7277 known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons; and the revised implementing rules and regulations governing Section 18 of the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) to fast-track the relocation of high-risk communitiesto safe areas.

Meanwhile, the RDC awarded Certificates of Appreciation to its officials for their exemplary leadership and Certificates of Recognition to its members for their steadfast commitment, active participation and continuing support in attaining regional development.

The said meeting was the last full council conference presided by Mayor Cruz as the RDC now prepares for its reorganization in August 2013 for the 2013-2016 term. (Peleta B. Abejo/NEDA-10/APB/PIA-10))

OWWA-10 releases livelihood assistance to five OFWs in MisOr

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 29 (PIA) -- The National Reintegration Center for Overseas Filipino Workers (NRCO) through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in region 10 has released financial livelihood assistance to five overseas Filipino workers in Misamis Oriental.

OWWA-10 Director Petrona Bergado, assisted by Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Atty. Johnson Cañete, spearheaded the awarding of checks amounting to P10,000 each to the beneficiaries during the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) meeting last week.

The recipients of the livelihood assistance were Mary Celyn Arcadio, Lorna Caballes, Jenny Garcia, and Leah Romero, all from Cagayan de Oro City, and Celeste Sabunod from Claveria town.

The livelihood projects identified by these beneficiaries are chicken ala carte station, meat processed products, sari-sari store, and eatery/fastfood business.

Bergado said the livelihood assistance which is under the NRCO’s National Reintegration Program aims to give safety nets to displaced OFWs.

Meanwhile, OWWA-10 assured the families of OFWs in Taiwan that contingency measures are already in place should tension between Filipinos and Taiwanese people escalate in that country.

Bergado said the region has 1,031 OWWA-registered workers in Taiwan as of May 17, this year, majority of whom are female.

Per OWWA-10 records, 520 of the 1,301 OFWs came from Misamis Oriental, 288 from Lanao del Norte, 243 from Bukidnon, 218 from Misamis Occidental, and the rest are from Camiguin.

She said they are closely coordinating with their counterparts in Taiwan adding that OFWs there could also seek assistance from the three MECO Labor Centers in Taipei, Kaoshiung and Taichung. (APB/PIA-10)

Robbery cases up amid heightened security

By Loui S. Maliza


SERIES of robbery hold-up cases have been rising again amid heightened security alert since midterm polls until June 12.

The police's full security alert seemingly didn't deter the series of robberies in Cagayan de Oro City in the last two days when perpetrators barged in a house cum a lending firm Monday and another group robbed a ticket firm in front of queuing passengers on Sunday.

The blatant attacks were carried out swiftly, leaving victims helpless.

A lending firm in Zone 8, Barangay Cugman in Cagayan de Oro was robbed Monday afternoon of cash amounting to P100,000.

Captain Elmer F. Robas, station commander of Cugman Police Station, said that two suspects barged in the residence cum lending firm of a certain Mrs. Lluisma and declared a hold-up.

Robas said another suspect served as lookout and waited outside the victim’s house.

“Human nakuha ang kwarta, diretso sila migawas sa balay dayon sakay sa usa ka motorsiklo diin ilang kauban naghulat sa gawas, (After taking the money, they immediately left on a motorcycle, with an accomplice which waited outside)," Robas said.

The police were pursuing the suspects who were reportedly headed to Opol town in Misamis Oriental and put up checkpoints to possibly corner them.

Ticketing office

On Sunday, four suspects wearing helmets with handkerchiefs covered on their faces robbed a ticketing firm in front of queuing passengers waiting for their turn to buy tickets for that night’s boat schedule.

They took away about P90,000 cash.

Senior Inspector Gilbert M. Rollen, Macabalan police station commander, said the three suspects went inside Southland Shipping Agency located in front of the city’s seaport in Macabalan while another one served as a lookout.

Rollen said the suspects escaped using two motorcycles as their getaway vehicles.

The police got the plate number of one of the motorcycles, 7177 YK.

Rollen said the Land Transportation Office has verified the plate number but refused to name the registered owner who hails from Panabo city, Davao del Norte.

“Pero dili pata kasiguro sa plate number kung authenticated tungod kay bisan kinsa baya pwede makapahimo sa mga shopping centers for fake plate numbers. So, dili nato mahimo nga ipagawas ang pangalan sa naka-rehistro kay basin malain. Sagad baya tulis mga sakyanan walay plate number (We can’t ascertain if the plate number is authenticated since anyone can make a fake one. We can’t release the registered owner’s name. Most vehicles used in robberies have no plate number),” Rollen said.

Rollen said the Macabalan police are focusing on the robbery so the suspects could be identified and arrested the soonest possible time.

“Kay kung dili man gud nato ni diretso madakpan, basin ug mo-usab na sab lain na usab ang ilang ma-biktima (If we can’t arrest them right away, they could strike and victimize others again),” he added.

CCTVs

He emphasized the importance of every establishment to have closed circuit television cameras (CCTV) that could help hasten police investigation.

“Dinhi man gud mi maglisod ug imbestigar tungod kay walay CCTV ang establishment. Dili pa gyud kaayo mo-cooperate ang kompanya, mobalik na sab mi sa pinaka-primero nga proseso sa imbestigasyon (It is difficult for us to investigate since the establishment has no CCTV. Added to that is the lack of cooperation of the company’s management. We have to go back to the first step),” Rollen said.

Rollen said the suspects are definitely not members of an organized crime group as he belied reports that there are such groups existing in Cagayan de Oro City.

“Grupo-grupo lang gyud ning ilaha kay wala man tay mga organized crime groups dinhi sa Cagayan de Oro (These are just random groups since the city has no known organized crime groups),” he clarified.

He said it took long for the firm to report the incident to authorities.

“After sa tulis, mokabat pa ug 15 minutes usa pa na-report sa amoa (police), samot nalangan. Samot pa gyud kay dili interesado ang kompanya sa imbestigasyon…langan gyud (After the robbery it took about 15 minutes before they reported it to the police which made delayed it the more. What’s worse is that the company is not interested in the investigation),” he said.

Emano loses in Cagayan de Oro but his son wins as governor

By bong


MISAMIS ORIENTAL — Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano, 38, (NP – 2nd District) was proclaimed governor of Misamis Oriental on Thursday by a margin of over 20,000 votes against his closest rival. Cirilo Nala, provincial supervisor of the Commissions on Election (Comelec) and chair of the provincial board of canvassers, led the proclamation of Emano amid a jubilant crowd at the provincial capitol. The Comelec also proclaimed Joey Marie Pelaez, (NP), as vice governor along with members of the provincial board of the province’s two districts: First District: Benedict Lagbas, Vincent Pelaez, Virgilia Dumadag, Jabi Bernaldez and Roldan Lagbas. Second District: Heckert Emano, Mary Grace Acain, Boris Oliver Actub, Emmanuel Mugot, and Nancy Madjos. For the Congress: First District, Pedro “Peter” Unabia, (LP), with 127,065 votes and Juliet Uy, (IND), for the Second District who garnered a total of 74,062 votes. Emano got a total 190,986 votes with a margin of 20,665 votes over his closest rival, incumbent Vice Gov. Norris Babiera, (LP), who only got a total of 170,321 votes. The young Emano pledged to serve the people of Misamis Oriental with “transparency and honesty.” The young Emano was accompanied by his father Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano, (UNA), to the provincial capitol of Misamis Oriental amid a cheering crowd who welcomed the father and son during the proclamation. Mayor Emano, who lost his mayoral bid in Cagayan de Oro City against Oscar Moreno (LP), thanked the people of Misamis Oriental for supporting his son’s candidacy. “The election of my son to the gubernatorial post was the fulfillment of my dream,” the elder Emano told the crowd. Bambie Emano was serving his second term as representative of Misamis Oriental’s Second Congressional District prior to his election as governor.






RDC-X supports ‘One Nation, One Map’ project of NAMRIA

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 26 (PIA) --- The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Northern Mindanao has expressed support to the implementation of the “One Nation, One Map" project of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).

In a two-page resolution, the RDC has resolved to assist in the advocacy and promotion on the importance of geographically-referenced data and to collaborate among participating agencies and stakeholders to facilitate the integration of information.

The One Nation, One Map project envisions a spatially-enabled and connected government providing consistent, authoritative, updated geographic information that can be accessed and shared online 24/7.

It specifically aims to establish a spatial data infrastructure that provides and integrated geographically-referenced data generated by various government agencies/offices, the academe, and other organizations using one standard base map; and provide a customer-friendly portal 24/7 web/online access to spatial data.

It also seeks to provide and ICT platform for collaboration, data and resource sharing, integration, transparency and resource optimization.

The project will be implemented in three years through e-Gov funds in the amount of P600 million.

It aims to come up a one-multi-scale framework map served and used for government planning, decision-making, monitoring of projects, and for the simple requirements of the general public for their personal and ordinary needs and activities; build-up, update and maintenance of databases are guided by standards and established data policies; highly accessible and available map service; policies and procedures on data access, standards, sharing security and pricing; and well as broader private sector participation in ICT development. (APB/PIA-10)






DENR starts 15-year plan for Cagayan de Oro

By DJ Yap


A 15-year master plan is in the works to rehabilitate the 137,418-hectare Cagayan de Oro River Basin in a bid to shield riverside communities from calamity, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on Wednesday. Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the integrated master plan would serve as an “indispensable planning tool” to guide the rehabilitation and development of one of the biggest watersheds in the country. “We want to come up with a blueprint that is designed to save lives, property and the environment,” Paje said in a news release. “We don’t want another disaster as damaging as ‘Sendong’ to happen again,” he said. In December 2011, Tropical Storm “Sendong” spawned deadly flash floods after rains caused Cagayan de Oro River to spill into low lying areas of the city. The storm left more than 1,200 people dead and destroyed P1.3 billion in crops and property in Cagayan de Oro and nearby Iligan City. The DENR has created a five-member team, led by river basin management expert Diomedes Racelis of the Center for Environmental Studies and Management Inc., to draw up the master plan and ensure its completion by October 2014. The team would also conduct a series of public consultations about the long-term plan, especially in identifying the root causes of flooding in the area, the DENR said. “The study and the corresponding public consultations would help authorities undertake an integrated management of the river basin to better address problems such as flooding, soil erosion and pollution,” said Paje. He said flooding in the area was aggravated by heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events. The Cagayan de Oro River Basin is one of the 18 major river basins in the country, straddling most parts of Cagayan de Oro City and Bukidnon province. It plays a central role in the economic and ecological viability of Northern Mindanao. Paje earlier announced that a validation team has been formed to identify areas to be covered by the massive reforestation program in Cagayan de Oro City, as mandated by Republic Act No. 10452. That law requires DENR to plant trees on 3,000 hectares of public land in Cagayan de Oro City.






Fire hits MisOr vet office

By Loui S. Maliza


FIRE hits the Misamis Oriental Provincial Veterinary office on Luna corner Velez Streets in Cagayan de Oro Thursday afternoon.

Cagayan de Oro City Fire District’s initial investigation suggested a faulty electrical wiring may have caused the fire considering that the building is very old, said fire investigator Rosalito Caratao.

Caratao said parts of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) regional administrative office and the Misamis Oriental provincial motor pool, adjacent to the burning building were also caught on fire.

The fire started at a ceiling of the building which was made up of light materials.

He said the fire was declared under control at 3:29 p.m. after it was reported at 2:40 pm. It was declared fire out by 3:35 pm.

The damage, according to Caratao, was approximated at P200,000 excluding the office equipment inside the building.

He said a thorough investigation on the incident is ongoing, but he did not discount possibilities that somebody could have set the building on fire by undetermined reason.

“It was not difficult for us to respond. But when we arrived, the fire was already huge. Still it was swiftly controlled,” he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro minutes after the fire was declared out.

Caratao said the fire department declared the fire in second alarm as four to six fire trucks from Lapasan, Puerto, Nazareth, and a private fire truck combined forces to put out the blaze.

Reports said the employees immediately left the buildings for safety, but have secured some pertinent documents.






Cagayan de Oro plan

By Anna Leah G. Estrada


The Environment Department on Wednesday gave the go signal to begin the groundwork for an integrated master plan to rehabilitate the 137,418-hectare Cagayan de Oro river basin to reduce the impact of natural disasters.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the 15-year master plan would serve as an “indispensable planning tool” to guide the rehabilitation and development of one of the biggest watersheds in the country.

“We want to come up with a blueprint that is designed to save lives, properties and the environment,” Paje said.

Cagayan de Oro River failed to hold the huge amount of rainfall brought by tropical storm Sendong in 2011 that eventually poured into low-lying areas of the city and triggered deadly flashfloods.

Sendong left more than 1,200 people dead and destroyed P1.3 billion in agriculture and properties in Cagayan de Oro and nearby Iligan City. Anna Leah Estrada






Lack of info causes rise of HIV/Aids cases

By Annabelle L. Ricalde


THE lack of information drive by concerned agencies has been cited as one of the factors in the rising cases of people with Human Immuno Deficiency/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrom (HIV/AIDS) in the city.

Cagayan de Oro has been tagged as one of the “hotspots” of HIV/Aids cases in the country.

Menchie Dirige-Ouano, lead facilitator of Lifecell Solutions and Initiative that is a member-partner of Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro Aids Network (Mocan) said: “There is an order from Department of Health (DOH) to the local government units to conduct information drives and seminars but the problem is the lack of implementation,” Ouano told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

While admitting that Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City are candidates for the possible rise in the number of HIV/AIDs cases, she has been surprised with the report that tagged the city as a ‘hotspot.’

DOH has been concerned about the rising rates among men having sex with men (MSM), wherein the most vulnerable are those between the ages of 20 and 29, comprising 57 percent of the total number of people who are HIV-positive.

“Dapat ang focus sa information drive is from top down to the masa. Ang problema man gud is unsaon nga maka-penetrate sa masa (The problem is on how to penetrate the information to the common people),” Ouano added.

The problem that some young people are facing now, she said, is the so called identity crisis wherein they find it hard to determine what they want and who they are, either they are bisexual or homosexual.

When these young people are having this kind of problem, they could not openly discuss this matter to their parents out of fear and shame.

City Councilor Dante Pajo, chair of the city council’s committee on health, also expressed apprehension with the report but is still hopeful for more advocacy campaigns.

“Permi man gyud namo gi-encourage nga if naay pagduda nga positive sila dapat magpa-test, and come out aron mahatagan og counseling ug uban pa nga puwede nato matabang, of course with confidentiality, gi-follow nato kana nga mga proseso (We always encourage people who have doubts to come for a check if they are positive, so we can also provide help and counseling, of course with confidentiality),” he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday.

Pajo said his committee is coordinating with the City Health Office for the information drive and advocacy campaign in order to prevent more people from being infected with HIV/Aids.






CDO tagged as HIV/Aids ‘hotspot’

By Nicole J. Managbanag


CASES of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV-Aids) in Cagayan de Oro have reached an alarming level, making the city a “hotspot.”

Health assistant secretary Dr. Enrique Tayag said there is one patient diagnosed to be living with HIV in the city every week.

In a statement during Sunday’s 30th International Aids candlelight memorial and mobilization (IACMM) activity held at the Kiosko Kagawasan here, Tayag said the number of reported HIV/Aids cases in the city has already soared to eight cases for the first quarter in 2013 compared with the 12 cases recorded in 2012.

HIV is prevalent among men having sex with men, aged 15 to 22.

Tayag expressed concern over the increasing number of HIV/Aids cases in the city adding to the present 12,701 cases in the Philippines that is expected to swell in the coming months.

He urged various groups like Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro Aids Network (Mocan), Tisaka, the Philippine National Police (PNP), health, religious and academe to work closely in this serious campaign against the HIV/Aids.

He said the Health department will continue its commitment to end HIV-Aids incidents here by raising awareness and advocating for the advancement of effective policies at all levels, following the strategy of getting to “zero,” namely, zero Aids-related deaths, zero new HIV infections, and zero stigma and discrimination and the positive dignity and prevention framework as driven by the movement of people living with the disease.

Dr. David Mendoza, head of the DOH’s Regional Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (Resdru) in Northern Mindanao, said the eight cases for the first quarter of 2013 is alarming and Kagay-anons should be aware of.

Mendoza said the department is happy, because its campaign against HIV-Aids has been very effective since the stigma of the disease is slowly fading causing more people to come out for a voluntary screening.

The voluntary screening has improved the department’s database that resulted to getting more people educated on HIV/Aids.

People with HIV have undergone series of counseling now compared in the past where they were afraid to openly admit their infection because of fear of discrimination. The counseling has also helped them face HIV/Aids with much courage.

Mendoza said to strengthen the zero campaign, DOH has set up a voluntary counseling and testing center at Northern Mindanao Medical Center here.

He said persons suspected with HIV could voluntarily approach the testing center for monitoring and provide with confidential counseling session plus free retro viral treatment that can prolong the patients’ lives.

“The IACMM program did not only commemorate those who perished in this disease, but it also focuses on the dangers, threats of HIV epidemic,” Fritzie Caybot-Estoque, Mocan chairperson and director of the Liceo Center for Community Development said.

During the activity on Sunday, Tayag led the lighting of a red candle where the different sectors and people living with HIV/Aids also joined in the ceremonial lighting.

Ray Namocatcat of Tingog Kagay-an said every year his group actively participates in the program as its way of taking action to prevent and minimize the spread of the viral disease especially with males having sex with males.

Namocatcat said the international Aids candlelight memorial in coordination with the Global Network of People living with HIV is one of the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV awareness in the world. He said it started in 1983, the IACMM takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by a coalition of some 1,200 community organizations in115 countries.

He said the program is more than just a memorial as it serves as a community mobilization campaign to raise social consciousness about HIV and Aids.

Namocatcat hoped that the annual activity would serve as an important intervention for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination and giving hope to the new generation.

After the candle lighting ceremony, Rus, a person living with HIV, inspired others to accept their condition and to come out in the open.

Rus, not his real name, said he was the seventh person diagnosed with the disease in 2006, and said it was very difficult to come out in the open at that time due to discrimination.

He said it took him years to accept his condition, he maintained to look normal, and does his routine activity, almost putting into peril the health of his wife and child.

After his family was tested negative, he made a positive disposition to live longer and vowed to be an advocate against HIV and to be an inspiration to others.

In a study on HIV/Aids conducted by the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, the reports showed people infected with HIV-Aids are getting younger.

There are 1,089 people living with HIV/Aids in 2013. Most of them are between 22 and 29 years old. It cited the social media’s contribution to the changing and evolving views on casual sex.






Navy Chief visits wounded marines

By Mike U. Crismundo


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The flag-officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy (PN) visited the largest infantry division in Mindanao over the weekend and pinned medals to wounded marine soldiers in Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Cagayan de Oro City.

Vice Admiral Jose Luis M Alano , flag-officer-In-command of the Philippine Navy, was welcomed with military honors by the command group led by Brig. Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya, commanding general of the AFP’s Northeastern and Northern Mindanao 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division.

Vice Admiral Alano gave each soldier a Wounded Personnel Medal and handed out financial assistance. The Marine soldiers were wounded during an encounter with communist insurgents in the mountain area of Misamis Oriental as they were securing the province for the May 13 elections.

Meanwhile, Maj. Leo E Bongosia, spokesman of the 4th ID said in a press statement yesterday, “Military award is an essential part in the military wherein sacrifices and effort of our soldiers in securing this country from threats are given due recognition.”

Oro woman tops criminology exam

By Nicole J. Managbanag


TOPPING the recent 2013 Criminologist Board exam never crossed Xian Hilot Gaje’s mind. She is the first woman to top from her school in this male dominated program.

Xian along with Roland Bayangan tied up in the top spot garnering a rating of 90.85 percent.

The board exam in criminology was held in different cities around the country on April 7, 8, and 9. Only 5,701 out of 13,484 examinees passed the board exam and Xian topped it.

She considers herself an ordinary girl, who didn’t have any academic achievement in her elementary and high school education at San Isidro College in Malaybalay City in Bukidnon.

Xian was born in Malaybalay City on April 5, 1990.

Her father is Tiburcio M. Gaje, a master seargent of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Her mother is Tita H. Gaje who hails from Surigao Del Sur.

She is the eldest child among her three siblings; Hardy, Herald Xsing and Shenen.

Her closely-knit family seems too imposing that she wanted a change of atmosphere prompting her to want to live independently. After high school graduation, she decided to study criminology at Cagayan de Oro College – PHINMA Education Network instead of taking up education, her first choice.

Born under the sign of Aries, Xian is a strong-willed enterprising and adventurous woman who can easily adapt to her new world, find new friends and lives an easy going lifestyle that somehow set aside her studies for a while.

She shared that there came a time when she went out of focus, engaged into vices and attended parties like it has no end. She became rebellious at one point and quit school for a year.

The inspiration from her fiancé Police Officer 1 Gibson T. Enterina and the never ending moral support of her family brought her back to her senses to move on with a fresh start.

The rough times she went through brought her focus back. She instilled the mind over matter approach that toughened her aspiration to become a cop.

To cut the story short, all the hardwork paid off and she graduated with flying colors.

With the help of her school administrators, Xian was all geared up for the next step to her dreams: the board exam.

Indeed, she brought pride and honor to her family and school.

The school through Dr. Gerry J. Caño, the dean of the college of criminology, rewarded her with P75,000 on Friday, May 17.

Caño hopes that what Xian learned from school will be her tool as she embraces the realities now.

Xian may now be the envy of some, perhaps she'd be an inspiration for others to do well at school.

Despite her success, her fame did not go to her head, she remains humble and chooses to teach the basic criminology subject in her alma mater to inspire the students to strive hard and achieve their dreams.

Teaching is her way of giving back to her school and it is also her way of going back to her first love. She also plans to work in the Commission on Human Rights and serve justice to people without asking anything in return.

Liberal Party-CDO sponsors thanksgiving mass

By Bobby Lagsa


WIN or lose, all the Liberal Party (LP) candidates in Cagayan de Oro city attended the thanksgiving mass celebrated at St. Augustine Cathedral early evening Friday.

Leading the slate is LP mayor-elect Oscar Moreno who won against incumbent mayor Vicente Emano.

First District Congressman Rolando Uy arrived with Edgar Cabanlas who was defeated by incumbent Vice Mayor Cesar Ian Acenas.

Moreno came with his family – his wife Arlene and daughter Imee and her family.

Supporters of Moreno and the rest of the party also attended the thanksgiving mass.

Church goers also mingled with the LP slate as they congratulated them even though only five out of the 16 LP candidates won seats in the City Council.

Vendors outside the cathedral were also eager to meet Moreno.

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma celebrated the thanksgiving mass.

In his homily, Ledesma said he shares with city’s aspiration of a renewed and invigorated leadership where everyone can contribute for the good of the society.

Ledesma called for a multi-sectoral participation in the city governance saying – “this is where we can make the call for a multi-sectoral groups in society in what we now call the civil society which includes the church, media, schools, NGOs, those who do not belong to government in the formal sense, but in another sense, belongs to the wider view of good governance.

Ledesma also stressed on the need for political charity in the city stressing that love is not only interpersonal but also social and political as it can be in terms of how those who govern can reach for the common good for everyone.

“With political charity, servant leadership is formed, an antithesis of egoism and individualism,” Ledesma emphasized.

The church, full to the brim with the usual Friday churchgoers, exalted the election of Moreno after the mass.

Several vendors commented that it is a good sign, “that the mayor actually goes to mass.”

Moreno told reporters that during the first months of his leadership, he will focus more in healing and streamlining bureaucracy in the city to further serve the people of the Cagayan de Oro.

Bambi Emano wins Misamis Oriental gubernatorial race

By Froilan Gallardo


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/17 May)—The father had fallen, but not the son.

Rep. Yevgeny Vicente “Bambi” Emano was proclaimed the winner of the gubernatorial race in Misamis Oriental.

The Commission on Elections said Emano got 190,986 votes compared to his rival, Vice Governor Norris Babiera, who garnered only 170,321 votes.

Bambi Emano is the son of Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Emano.

His victory is the only redeeming factor in the political dynasty whose dominance in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental started three decades ago, when the Emano patriarch was then elected town mayor in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

The elder Emano, known for his political astuteness, was defeated by Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno during Monday’s hotly contested mayoral race in Cagayan de Oro.

The elder Emano has still his daughter Nadya Emano and her husband, President Elipe, in the Cagayan de Oro City council after winning last Monday’s elections.

“The seed that my father had planted in Misamis Oriental will continue to grow. I promised to continue his legacy,” Bambi told supporters who trooped to the Misamis Oriental provincial capitol where he was proclaimed last Thursday afternoon.

Bambi also promised to “clean” the bureaucracy at the provincial government.

For his part, the elder Emano said that despite his defeat, he was happy to see his son winning the gubernatorial post, which he held for three consecutive terms during the 90s.

“I am assured that Bambi will continue to serve the people of Misamis Oriental,” he told their supporters.

Bambi’s running mate, Joey Pelaez, was also proclaimed the winner in the vice gubernatorial race.

Incumbent Rep. Pedro Unabia was reelected for a third term in the first congressional district, beating Clyde Abbot with a margin of at least 80,000 votes.

Villanueva town mayor Juliet Uy won over former Rep. Jun Baculio in the second congressional district. Uy garnered 50,750 votes against Baculio’s 40,905 votes. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

Namfrel needs more ERs to start parallel count

By Abigail C. Malalis


THREE days after the elections, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) has yet to receive more election returns (ERs) from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to do its parallel count.

Namfrel noted a breakdown of eight precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines that resulted in slow canvassing of ERs at Comelec.

Nestor Banuag, Namfrel Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental chairman, said eight PCOS machines used in various polling places in the city did not function. He was worried that it has caused the delay in the counting of ballots and the transmission of election results to the Board of Canvassers after the scheduled 7 p.m. closing during the election day.

Banuag said Namfrel sent its sweepers to get the ERs from the municipal or city canvassing boards so it can start its overdue parallel count.

Newly elected Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno along with reelected Representative Rufus Rodriguez of the city’s second district and first district’s Representative-elect Rolando Uy were proclaimed Tuesday evening after the Board of Canvassers reached more than 90 percent of the total ERs canvassed.

“So far, we are still collecting ERs from the Comelec office,” Banuag told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

However, Banuag said initial voters’ turnout as of 11 a.m. of May 14 for the city’s first district reached 56.35 percent with 70,219 encoded voters out of the 124,613 registered voters.

District two has also recorded 56.50 percent voters’ turnout with 86,625 encoded voters from the 153,318 registered voters.

Newly elected governor of Misamis Oriental, incumbent Representative Yevgeny Vincente Emano of the province’s second district, is also scheduled to be proclaimed Wednesday evening.

The delay of the proclamation was also due to the breakdown of some PCOS machines in several precincts in different municipalities in Misamis Oriental.

Emano won over Vice Governor Norris Babiera with almost 10,000 votes as of Tuesday evening.

Lawyer Noli Pipo, Comelec regional director, said his office has yet to receive ERs from different provinces before they can give the region’s voters’ turnout.

PCOS glitches delay proclamation in MisOr

By Nicole J. Managbanag


MINOR glitches of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines in some municipalities of Misamis Oriental province have caused the delay of the proclamation of winners in the provincial candidates.

Lawyer Cirilo Nala Jr., chairman of the provincial board of canvasser (PBOC), said the automated canvassing of votes could have been finished on time and winning candidates would have been proclaimed earlier if it not for the technical problems of PCOS machines in some precincts in the municipalities of Salay, Claveria, Sugbongcogon, Manticao and Gingoog city.

Earlier, the provincial Comelec office adjourned its canvassing around 10 p.m. Monday after the election returns (ERs) have not been delivered yet from different the municipalities.

The canvassing resumed around 7 a.m. Tuesday.

The canvassing team waited until midnight for the ERs of the remaining municipalities to be transmitted to complete the canvassing. Still it was reset today (Wednesday) hoping that this time the compact flash (CF) cards will finally work.

Nala blamed the delay of transmission and proclamation to the damaged CF cards, slow network signals, and the continuing downpour.

The Comelec ordered the affected municipalities to bring the ERs to the headquarters for the manual counting.

Despite minor glitches, Nala announced that the election was generally successful, “which proved that we have credible elections using the PCOS machines.”

Nala said that when they did the random manual auditing in the municipalities of Balingoan for district 1 and Lugait for District 2, it showed the same and accurate result between the manual and automated counting.

He said through this experience, Comelec will learn and be wiser come the presidential elections in 2016.

Nala expressed concern over the 2016 elections in regard to the PCOS machines.

He said the PCOS machines used for this year’s election may no longer be usable in the next election if they aren’t taken care of.

The machines, he said, will be kept in warehouses that are prone to mold and heat, thus, possible damage in the next three years is inevitable.

Nala hoped that by 2016, Comelec will purchase new models of PCOS machines with higher specifications enough to eliminate human intervention through the adoption of higher computerized systems.






PCOS breakdowns delay voting

By Annabelle L. Ricalde


A “WIDESPREAD” malfunction of precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines has delayed the first hour of voting in various polling precincts in Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental during Monday’s elections.

Nestor Banuag Jr., National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) provincial coordinator for Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental chapter, was apprehensive that delays of voting due to malfunctioning PCOS machines could disenfranchise many voters who were impatient to cast their votes.

“Labina sa kainit sa panahon, ang mga emotion dili mapugngan possible mag-cause og violence but hopefully dili kana mahitabo, anyway naa man ang atong mga PNP (The extreme heat and flaring emotions might possibly cause violence but hopefully it wouldn’t come to that. Anyway, we have the PNP personnel to take care of that),” he told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Among the polling places where the PCOS machines experienced glitches are South City Central School in barangay Nazareth; Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS); Consolacion, Macasandig, and City Central Schools, including three barangays in Binuangan town in Misamis Oriental where the members of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) are focusing on manual collection of ballots.

Aside from the malfunctioning of PCOS, the disenfranchisement of voters’ name has been another common problem in every election.

Banuag stated that PCOS technicians are now fixing those defective voting machines.

“Mao lagi na ang question sa mga volunteers nga kanus-a gamiton na sa election nag-malfunction na hinuon nga okey man unta during sa final testing and sealing except sa mga identified nga defective PCOS machines (Our volunteers were wondering why the PCOS machines have malfunctioned when they were doing good during the final testing and sealing except for the defective PCOS machines),” he said.

In Barangay 22, as of 9 a.m. Monday two voters failed to find their names in spite of the assistance of Namfrel volunteers.

Lita Balbutin, Namfrel volunteer, who manned the voter’s assistance desk at Corrales Elementary School advised the two voters to proceed to the office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“We just learned from the Comelec that it can issue a special permit alang sa mga botante nga nawala ang pangalan, so moadto lang sila sa Comelec kung asa man sila nga barangay na-belong aron matagaan sila og special permit signed by Atty. Palamine aron makabotar na sila,” Banuag added.

The presence of barangay officials in some areas have been noticed by the volunteers prompting Namfrel them to call on those barangay officials to stay away from the polling places unless they are also watchers.

Another concern seen by the volunteers was the issuance of priority numbers which have already prohibited by the Comelec to prevent possible vote buying.

“Naay identified group nga nanglista kinsa ang naglinya which is bawal kay parehas ra gihapon na sa priority number so gibadlong na pud sa mga volunteers (There was an identified group who made a list of those who were standing in line which is prohibited since it’s tantamount to having priority number. They were asked by the volunteers to stop the listing),” Banuag said.






Campaigns conclude with final rallies

By Annabelle L. Ricalde and Nicole J. Managbanag


AS THE campaign period ended on Saturday, candidates made their last efforts in their “miting de avance” (final rally).

Mayoral candidate Governor Oscar S. Moreno, who heads the Team Oca under the Liberal Party received a standing ovation from over 17,000 supporters during the party’s final rally at the Pelaez Sports Center on Velez street.

Standing before the thousands of yellow-shirt clad supporters who joined the last day of the campaigns, Moreno shows confidence that he’d win the seat over his rival incumbent city Mayor Vicente Y. Emano in today’s elections.

Moreno and the other candidates were overwhelmed by the warm support they received from Kagay-anons, especially from former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. who wanted to get out from what they called the “dark leadership of Emano and hope for a wonderful world.”

Pimentel’s speech was short and pleaded to the voters to vote for all candidates of Team Cagayan de Oro, especially his son, re-electionist Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel.

“Siguraduhon nato nga ang sunod nga tawo nga ipasulod sa city hall dili kawatan (Let us make sure that the next person who will run the city hall is not a thief),” Pimentel added.

Just like the lyrics of the song “What a wonderful world” that he sang before his speech, Moreno assured that Kagay-anons will experience a wonderful world to live in if he will be given a chance to serve as the next mayor.

He said his administration will become the tool to solve poverty, bring the dignity back to the people, and bring a new day and tomorrow that that have been taken away by the Emano administration.

The final rally of team Oca came was more of a fun fare showcasing various production numbers, merriment and calling the roll of candidates.

Maricel Casiño-Rivera, LP-CDO staff, said they intend to stay away from the usual speeches so as not to prolong hours of the ‘miting de avance’ since the people have repeatedly heard the candidates’ platforms.

“Na-memorize na sa mga tawo ang gipanulti sa mga kandidato, so lighter side na lang ta aron ma-relax pud ang mga kandidato og ang mga tawo,” she added.

The summaries of their platforms were recounted briefly, unlike the traditional programs wherein supporters usually would get bored listening to the long speeches.

Casiño-Rivera said they were so thankful to the various event organizers who gave their services for free for Team Oca.

The program ended with a song that Pimentel sang and dedicated to Moreno. He was like a prophet giving a blessing to a new leader who will lead his people to a better life.

Referring to Moreno in his song, Pimentel sang, “you are my sunshine” and the sunshine to Cagayan de Oro, ready to shine to make everyone happy and make a difference in the city.

The program ended earlier, the people who joined in the final leg of the campaign left the Pelaez Sports Center inspired and hopeful with the promises made by their candidates.

Emano finally rally

Despite of the rain, the avid supporters of Padayon Pilipino were unstoppable.

People from different barangays in Cagayan de Oro gathered and filled the Rodelsa Circle Rotunda Saturday night.

Some came with their umbrellas and caps. However, many even came without anything in hand and not giving care about the rain.

When the rain stopped, more people arrived. Some were listening and some did not seem to care about what is happening. People came and went. When a group arrived, another group left.

Supporters from all walks of life

When asked why he came, Mark Joseph Sumabong said, “Para mosuporta sa Mayor ug Congressman.” With him are his family and friends, who positioned themselves near the stage to have a better view.

“Ni-anhi ko para musuporta sa akong tito,” said John Michael Sabellina, who came to support his uncle Ian Nacaya who is running for the 2nd district representative.

When asked why he supports the Padayon Pilipino candidates, he said, it is because of their “Ka-tsada sa plataporma, kredibilidad, ug eksperiensya (Nice platform, credibility and experience),” he shared.

Supporters spoke

“Musuporta ko kang Oca kay kabalo ko sa iyang agi. Sa iyang pagka-gobernador, nakita nako iyang kamaayohan sa mga katawhan”, Al Nair Moralde said.

Katrina Fernandez, 24 years old, supports Oca and said: “I saw him elevate Misamis Oriental and that’s a wide area, how much more if he will lead the city? Hapsay najud ang Cagayan de Oro kung siya na ang mayor.”

“Sa lahat siguro ng kumandidato pagka-mayor, si Oca Moreno ang nag si-symbolize nga pagbabago ang nagsi-symbolize ng bagong liderato na naniniwala sa tamang pamamalakad ng ating dakbayan sa Cagayan de Oro. Nakikita ko sa kanya bilang isang administrador mula pa siya’y congressman at gobernador, na marami siyang napatupad na hindi natupad ng kasalukuyang lider ng lungsod. Marami siyang pagbabagong nagawa para sa Misamis Oriental lalo na sa health, environment, peace and order and all theother needs of Misamis Oriental that was not met by the present leaders of Cagayan de Oro,” Ma. Theresa Rivera said.

“Sa hapsay ta bai,” had been heard throughout the dome. The masses had been shouting this line together with all running candidates of the Liberal Party.

A sari-sari store owner, Analyn Bacutana, said this year’s election is intense and said: “Threat jud kay Emano si Oca. Diri nato mabal-an ang kalahi-an sa duha ka kandidato. Pero wala pako kabalo unsa’y mga kabag-ohan sa siyudad kung siya mudaog pero magsalig lang gyud ko sa iya. I-ampo nato ang kahapsay aning dakbayan!”

A housewife, Mylene Edol, said: “Tinud-anay nagyud ni nga kahapsay ang kay Oca. Daghan napud siya nabuhat sa Misamis Oriental. Kami mga taga-Gusa, full support jud kay Oca kay si Emano daghan anomalya. Lahi ragyud magpadagan si Oca busa didto gyud mi kung asa ang kahapsay!”

Trash

For all the campaign trash the candidates were passionately countering, literal trash filled the streets.

Unchecked, supporters of Emano and his party threw styrofoam containers anywhere which earlier contained meals hastily consumed on whatever surface available during the Padayon Pilipino Party’s final campaign.

And despite the thousands present, policemen were scarcely in sight.

At Moreno’s rally, the supporters also left piles of trash like plastic, styrofoam and mineral bottles in the venue, and gave extra work to the street cleaners. (With reports from Angela Bernice Cabildo, Princess Jia Artajo, and Cesar Stefan Rago)






Mom’s vote

By sunstar.com.ph


BEING a mother is a choice we get to make in a lifetime.

Some of us become birth mothers by circumstance, as I have become; some of us are thrust into the responsibility of motherhood without so much a thought or a warning.

But most women rise to meet the challenge of this world called Motherhood.

And as it becomes so, we become Mothers, in the true essence of the word; because, we become Mothers only by conscious choice.

In that moment of decision, we take that commitment to put our child before ourselves;

We actively make a choice to become not just birth mothers, but also nurturers and protectors for a lifetime.

Mothers are complicated creatures;

We are made of steel but with arms soft enough to give warm hugs. We are often the small constant voice in a household; but most likely the only word being listened to. We are strict but fair; the sometimes annoying but mostly well-loved;

As mothers, we take in all the work that we can, burning the midnight candle to earn a living, and to provide for the basic needs of a child; Yet we also create time for bedtime stories and homework;

We wake up early to put quick breakfast on mornings yet linger to talk about the day ahead ; we save for the rainy days so we can watch our kids sleep soundly at night, yet we can spare a peso for that extra scoop of gelato;

We make decisions in a blink of an eye, but out from a well-thought out plan. We think with a million reasons, yet we listen closely to what our hearts say. We keep order in the house, but find days of chaos-- of unkempt rooms with toys and books scattered, allowable.

Mothers are made of opposite poles, amazingly merged into compromise and understanding. We are complicated, but really, just quite simple.

Mothers are thinkers, more than emotional; we are foremost, creatures of reason. We think more than we feel; but we are not unfeeling. We fight for what is right and what is due, but we are often drawn to peace and harmony.

This weekend, the whole nation is in a pandemonium over the May 2013 elections. And as the cosmos would have it, it falls just a day short of Mothers’ Day.

So this year, as a mother, I will celebrate Mothers’ Day by casting my vote and choosing a leader who can be the voice of mothers: of women, and of children.

As we enter the voting precincts and choose our leaders, remember to be a Mother.

Remember to choose a leader: who will protect our children; to keep them from harm, abuse and exploitation; who will be able to fight for better health care: accessible and available to all; who believes that women have the right for the basic reproductive and maternal health care; who will fight for the rights of us women against discrimination and violence; who will fight for our children to have the basic education; to be able to learn and understand; to be able to reason and become our future learned leaders; who will put our country, our interest and our children’s interest first; who will understand and truly represent the voice of this marginalized sector.

This Monday, let us be the Mothers of our country.

Let’s choose wisely so our children can keep the freedom that we enjoy today.

Make a conscious choice.

DSWD warns against 'Noy-Noy Aquino Foundation' text scam

By Recthie T. Paculba


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 10 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development on May 6 warned the public against a new wave of scam text messages claiming they have won hundreds of thousands of pesos from the "President Noy-Noy Aquino Foundation."

"We have already issued earlier warnings before but there are really people out to mislead so let us all be vigilant," said DSWD secretary Corazon Soliman.

The Department said it learned of the scam after many callers informed its Pantawid Pamilya National Program Monitoring Office (NPMO).

It said the text message claims the recipient won P950,000 from the "President Noy-Noy Aquino Foundation 4Ps Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program."

Recipient were then asked to text their "complete name, age, address, work.”

"The DSWD emphasizes that this is not true because the Department does not hold raffle promos or draws," the DSWD said.

It urged recipients to report the text to the nearest DSWD office or text to the Pantawid Pamilya Grievance Text Hotline 0918-912-2813. (RTP/PIA10)

Widow of murdered American wants personal belongings returned

By (PNA)

DSP/CD/BEN BALCE/UTB


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 9 (PNA) – The widow of murdered American Michael Alan Turner on Thursday demanded the return of her husband's personal belongings that included three Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

Turner’s wife Marissa complained that a certain SPO2 Jonathan Eduave who conducted the investigation at the municipal town of Opol refused to release Turner’s personal belongings although the case has been filed in court.

These items include the wallet with three ATM card, Mont Blanc Pen valued at P 5,000 color gold with the engraved name of Michael Turner, one phone 4 (black colour), one Samsung Galaxy S, Nokia N3 and C3 (small) and one Swiss knife.

Marissa said inside the wallet were 3 ATM cards of Metrobank card, Union Bank (Visa) card and Union Bank (EON) card, driver’s license, some IDs.

She said she wants the ATM card so she could withdraw money for their son but she could not do so since Eduave continually refused to turn over Turner’s personal belongings.

“I am afraid that the cash deposit which might amount to P 500,000 at these ATM cards had been compromised,” Marissa said.

She said she went to the bank to inquire on transactions made with the ATM cards but she could not do so because the ATM cards are not with her.

“I am the only one authorized to withdraw for those ATM cards which Michael said have money coming in in February,” Marissa added.

Turner, 54, who ran a business processing office (BPO) here was gunned down on the morning of February 18, 2013 while strolling along the beach of Opol by three suspects who had been charged in court.

Jose Pallugna, a Turner’s lawyer, said that the Opol police who was handling the case has not made any arrest also complete information about the suspects had been already been provided to them.

He said the Opol police also refused to release Turner’s wallet and personal belongings to his wife Marissa despite demands.

Misamis Oriental acting provincial police director Senior Supt. Leonilo Cabug said that the case was already in court and the police are still investigating the case.

“She (Marissa) could get the wallet anytime from the Opol police investigator although other belongings of Turner that included a pickup could be used as evidence in court,” Cabug said.

Gov't readies reforestation of Cagayan de Oro

By (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)


A SIX-MEMBER validation team has been formed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to identify the areas to be covered by the massive reforestation program in Cagayan de Oro, which was devastated by tropical storm "Sendong" (international name: Washi) in December 2011.

The project is in line with Republic Act 10452 that seeks to plant some 3,000 hectares in the city.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the validation team, composed of forestry and urban planning officers, is tasked to prioritize villages surrounding the Cagayan de Oro River which failed to hold the huge amount of rainfall brought by Sendong that eventually poured into low lying areas of the city and triggered flashfloods.

Data from DENR-Northern Mindanao show that at least 11 low-lying villages along the river were seriously hit by flashfloods: Carmen, Consolacion, Balulang, Macasandig, Nazareth, Sitio Taguanao, and Barangays 6, 7, 13, 15, and 17.

The program will also include former concession areas covered by timber license agreement earlier issued by the government, said Agustilo Obsioma, DENR-Northern Mindanao technical director for forestry.

Obsioma said the ground mapping and validation of these areas, using the global positioning system (GPS) technology, would take at least two weeks.

Sendong left more than 1,200 people dead and destroyed P1.3 billion in agriculture and properties in Cagayan de Oro and nearby Iligan City.

"The enactment of RA 10452 came at a most opportune time, just as the national government is making an unprecedented push to reforest the country through the NGP (National Greening Program) and the nationwide logging ban in natural and residual forests," Paje said.

NGP is the government's flagship reforestation program that seeks to plant some 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares in six years ending in 2016.

Cagayan de Oro's forestland area covers 20,702 hectares or about 48 percent of the city's total land area of 42,246 hectares.

The center

By Arnold Alamon


WHILE we endure the heat of the times brought to us by the tail-end of the season, the election season, I strongly feel that we must recall the events of that cold and tragic early morning more than a year ago to give us a necessary perspective.

In the dawn of the 17th of December 2011, thousands of our fellow citizens of Cagayan de Oro City woke up to violent churning waters on their doorstep. In a matter of minutes, water, mud, and debris, rampaged through the homes of our friends, relatives, and fellow residents, hundreds of whom were washed to the open sea and remain missing to this day.

It was a difficult time for all Kagay-anons when we all woke up to the death and destruction that Sendong brought that fateful dawn. It was a bright and sunny morning after, I remember. It was clearer to see all the more the wasteland and the horror. In the eyes of the bereaved and displaced, one could feel that the city's spirit had been crushed.

The first question on everyone's minds then was why this tragedy had to happen to a City that had always thought of itself as exempt from such occurrences.

Before we could even begin to answer this question, we were waylaid by the humanitarian disaster in our midst. The dead were literally piling on the streets, not a few were thrown in the garbage dump. The survivors were hungry, wet, and homeless.

It came to us as a shock to realize that the disaster was not a one-time event but instead a series of tragedies that came in waves after the initial onslaught. Food, shelter, well-being, sanity, and especially a sense of security were just some of the issues that came to the fore.

And no one was exempt from these vital concerns - the rich, middle class, and the poor were all affected as the City and its enterprises were brought to a standstill. It came to the point that on social media there was already a disconcerting anti-poor stance. The middle class brought to the brink of bankruptcy by the merciless flood that washed away their life-long savings began to brandish their tax-paying abilities for more relief entitlements versus the urban poor.

Amid the confusion and the grief, the city was searching for a gravity and center upon whom they can possibly derive their strength. We looked towards City Hall but all we got was a mute puff of second hand smoke. There was certainly a crisis of leadership. The center did not hold.

Not much was expected, and people were generally patient. But days passed and no tangible coordinated effort to relieve the problems was forthcoming from the officialdom. It had to take private citizens, the academe, and some national line agencies to come together and establish a relief center before a semblance of help began reaching affected communities.

How we got from that point to here now is less the achievement of official help and more because of our private and communitarian efforts. Our strength came mainly from the bottomless well of resilience that all of us have to rely on in the face of constant government abandonment. In the eve of the elections, the lessons of Sendong must not be forgotten.

It is regrettable that we are distracted by character assassinations instead of discussing issues of leadership and accountability in the current conduct of our local elections. If the two issues are indeed related, then we have wasted far too much time in partisanship instead of talking about programs and policies to avert a similar situation.

Ultimately, the painful lesson Sendong taught us is that the consequences of bad leadership is fatal and even heinous. We cannot have complacent leaders who have been in power for far too long to manage a bustling city whose needs and requirements have also grown.

We also cannot have leaders who only cater to the whim of the old political and economic elite without considering the needs of the seemingly hidden but burgeoning urban poor sector suddenly revealed by the floods and its aftermath.

More importantly, the City needs a center, a leader, who can represent the various divergent interests of a growing migrant city - a leader who can bind together the people towards a bright shared future.

If this is too much to ask, then maybe the point of this all is not to entrust our City's destiny completely on our elected leaders' shoulders.

Come to think of it, the elections are just a political exercise but the challenges of a real democracy actually take place after. And democracies, at least ideally, are ultimately an expression of the collective will. This necessitates our continued militancy and participation in the affairs of our beloved City beyond Election Day.






Philippine Art Awards 2014 launched in Oro

By Bobby Lagsa


FOLLOWING the achievement and success of Jake Vamenta, a Kagay-anon who won both the prestigious Philippine Art Awards (PAA) and the Metrobank Art Awards 2013, at least 40 visual artists from Northern Mindanao flocked to the launching of the Philippine Art Awards 2014 at Xavier University on May 2. The PAA, one of the country’s most coveted awards is on its 15th year, and Cagayan de Oro has yielded the likes of Errol Balcos, Christopher Gomez and Kelly Ramos-Palaganas and Gerald Saway of Lantapan, Bukidnon. According to Hobart Savior, director of the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts, Mindanao is a treasure trove of artists that needs exposure in the national level. The participation of Mindanaoan artists in the 2012 PAA yielded more than 50 submissions where Vamenta won the top award for his winning piece, the oil and pastel painting entitled “Ang Walang Humpay na Harana ni Temyong kay Magda.” Jacks Mariano, a secretariat of the PAA, said the awards, which are divided categorically into Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and Metro Manila art awards, will yield top 10 art works for each collective regional area. “Out of the 10 for each regional area, eight will vie for the national level, and all 40 art pieces will be displayed on an exhibit in their respective region,” Mariano said. Savior added that the PAA aims at elevating Mindanao art and artists into the consciousness of the public. Ivan Macarambon, resident artist of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Government, said that such award will also encourage artists to present their body of work. “Art is by itself, a social commentary that can be used to lift consciousness of the current situation,” Macarambon said. Macarambon wished to see new names from Cagayan de Oro that will join the awards. “That way, we can see growth in the art scenes and we can see the direction of the art here in our city.” Rhyan Casino, regional coordinator of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA), said that with the number of Mindanao artists joining the award, it came to the fore the need to map artists and create a database. Such database can be use to promote art advocacy and empowerment of artists and strengthen arts in the region. Savior pointed out that artists work outside the traditional work model and have little social coverage. “It is imperative that artists will coalesce to form a stronger bargaining position for their work. That way, art is not given almost at a bargain,” Savior said. The Philippine Art Awards is a prime venue for artists wanting to get to the national level and reach the consciousness of art collectors. Jake Vamenta said that with his winning piece, Manila art connoisseurs took notice of the artists from Cagayan de Oro. “We have Balcos, Ramos, Gomez, Louie Ano-os, among others who are making names in Manila. We have a very active art scene and this empowers every artist in the city to create more work,” Vamenta said. Vamenta added that artists like him do a lot of work. “Create more work, the more we create, the more we get creative and the more our work gets better.” Vamenta won a total of P390,000 for his entry and it was sold in an undisclosed amount to a private collector. Mariano said the juror’s choice award of excellence will receive P120,000 each and the juror’s choice award for merit will get P80,000 each. The winners will also receive a trophy, and a work of art from national artist Ben Cabrera. The PAA, a visual arts competition, aims at supporting the development of Philippine contemporary art and increasing the national and regional exposure for Philippine art and artist. It also encourages, inspires and rewards creative works by contemporary Philippine artist, with the intent to nurture their talents and provide a platform for established and emerging Philippine artists and their works to be recognized through exhibits and allow ample cross-cultural exposure.

Strict implementation of anti-bullying law in schools sought

By (PNA)

PDS/CD/PJN


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 5 (PNA) -- School administrators should be responsible for the implementation and oversight of policies intended to address bullying in their respective schools, Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas on Sunday said.

This after the City Council recently passed an ordinance which aims to stop bullying in schools. Acenas said that the City Council approved the ordinance noting the alarming problem of bullying among students.

The vice mayor, however, could not give any statistics due refusal of some sectors to report the problem.

Acenas said that the ordinance requires school personnel, students, parents or volunteers to immediately report any instance of bullying or acts of retaliation witnessed or that has come to their attention to the school administrator, school officer, or person designated to handle such issues.

Upon receipt of such reports, the school administrator is required to promptly investigate the incident and notify the law enforcement agency if a criminal charge may be pursued; take appropriate disciplinary action against the perpetrator; notify parents or guardian of victims regarding action taken to prevent any further acts of bullying or retaliation.

City Councilor Ramon Tabor, author of the ordinance, said bullying not only inflicts physical and psychological harm but also leaves an emotional scar to students, thereby adversely affecting their studies, social personality and their lives.

The author believes that there is a need to shape the conduct of students to instill discipline and essential values so as to integrate them to be productive, dynamic and industrious citizens of the city and to devise appropriate remedies to address bullying in order to protect the well-being of students and for the peace of mind of parents and guardians, Acenas added.

Laguindingan airport needs MRP to facilitate travel of passengers

By (PNA)

HBC/GHG/CD/NELSON V. CONSTANTINO/PJN


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 4 (PNA) -- Government’s failure to include the Mindanao Railway Project in its priority development projects will have negative effects in the operation of the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said this, adding the railway system would be the best complement to the Laguindingan Airport to provide passengers comfortable travel and fast access to the airport.

The MRP — a vital development project that was designed to complement the Laguindingan Airport — failed to take off from the blueprint despite the completion in 2009 of the P71 million feasibility study by three private consulting firms hired by Dept. of Transportation and Communications.

Rodriguez of 2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City, said the DOTC has not included the construction of the MRP in its priority projects.

The MRP will link two vital Mindanao gateways—the Laguindingan Airport and the Mindanao International Container Terminal. It will also connect, for a total length of 124-kilometer, Jasaan town in Misamis Oriental to Linamon, Lanao del Norte passing through the Cagayan-Iligan Industrial Corridor.

“While we are waiting for the opening of the Laguindingan Airport, we already hear stories of plane passengers complaining about the exorbitant fares that private taxi operators may charge commuters from Cagayan de Oro or Iligan City. Also, there are still no public vehicles that will service Laguindingan Airport,” Rodriguez said.

Laguindingan is 46-km from Cagayan de Oro and 60 kms from Iligan City.

With the impending opening of the airport, the DOTC should make the implementation of the MRP one of its priority projects under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) program, he added.

Executive Order 536, signed by President Arroyo on May 25, 2006, created the Mindanao Railway Project Office. The MRPO was established in July 3, 2009 in Cagayan de Oro City, almost simultaneously with the Cebu Railway Project Office.

President Aquino, meanwhile, ordered deferring the opening of the Laguindingan airport to June 15 from its original schedule on April 30, 2013 until all navigation facilities and equipment shall have been installed to ensure passenger safety.






Civil society group backs Team Oca

By Annabelle L. Ricalde


CALLING for a change in leadership in Cagayan de Oro City, civil society group Managsilingan Ta has openly expressed its support to the candidacy of Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar “Oca” Moreno and Councilor Edgar Cabanlas as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, including the entire ‘Team Oca.’

Mitos Ortigas, Managsilingan Ta convenor, said that the city “needs a leader who could inspire, mobilize, energize and synergize its people to feel up to the challenge of development.”

The group declared on Wednesday its support to Team Oca and the candidacy of barangay chair Rolando Uy of Barangay Carmen as congressman in the first district.

The endorsement was held a week after Managsilingan Ta endorsed the candidacy of re-electionist Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez (second district).

The multi-group alliance also recommended a set of agenda for the endorsed candidates to fulfill once in office.

Among these: improvement of water system, health program for the poor, increased budget allotment for the J.R. Borja City Hospital, peace and order, environmental preservation and cleanliness, enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, transparency of the city hall, and balanced integrated urban-rural development.

“Managsilingan Ta believes in ‘servant leadership’ that is open to public dialogue, genuinely pro-people, and driven to promote community-development and participatory and transparent governance,” Ortigas added.

Candidates Moreno and Cabanlas are thankful to the group for the said endorsement because it has also inspired them.

Moreno said the decision of the group transcends personal consideration and preference knowing that the endorsement and support for the entire Team Oca is not that easy for the Managsilingan Ta because some of its members also have relatives from other party.

In the same way, Cabanlas also appeals to the group to give him a chance to prove his worth as there are doubts about his credibility because of his past association with Mayor Vicente Emano.

“I won’t make further explanation, hangyo ko lang, hatagi ko og chance (I ask that you give me a chance). Dako ang akong garbo nga inyong gi-endorse (It is my great pride that you have endorsed me), and what is important now is to correct the wrong system in the city government,” he added.

With these, Managsilingan Ta is hoping that the new administration will be working hand in hand with the community in order for them to become effective leaders.






6,200 volunteers simultaneously construct 600 houses in CDO

By (PNA)

PDS/CD/utb


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, May 1 (PNA) -- Exactly 6,200 volunteers on Wednesday showed up to simultaneously construct 600 houses in a relocation site in Cagayan de Oro City in a feat to qualify for the Guinness Book of Record.

Jean Awitin, a marketing staff of the Habitat for Humanity, said that the project was conceptualized along with the city government of Cagayan de Oro in deference to the observance of the Labor Day on May 1.

She said the volunteers started to show up 7:00 a.m. in downtown Cagayan de Oro’s Plaza Divisoria where buses waited to transport the volunteers to the 16-hectare relocation in Pagatpat here.

Awitin said that Habitat expects only 6,000 volunteers but the unexpected turnout reached 6,200.

“The construction of the 600 houses was simultaneously completed Wednesday,” Awitin added.

City Mayor Vicente Emano said that the houses would be distributed to “renters,” secondary victims whose rented houses were swept away by rampaging flood waters during the tragic typhoon "Sendong" in December 2011 here.

He said the remaining houses would be distributed for free to household beneficiaries living in hazardous and danger zones in Cagayan de Oro City.

Emano said that 2,000 houses were going to be constructed at the Pagatpat Relocation Site with volunteers from the Habitat for Humanity.

The Habitat for Humanity, an international organization composed of volunteers from all over the world, was among the international organizations who responded to volunteer the construction of houses in relocation sites here at the height of the tragic typhoon "Sendong", Emano added.

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