Cagayan de Oro City News July 2015

From Philippines
Revision as of 02:16, 5 August 2015 by Prdims (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Create Name's page

Regions | Philippine Provinces | Philippine Cities | Municipalities | Barangays | High School Reunions

Cagayan de Oro City Photo Gallery

Cagayan de Oro City Realty

Philippine News

Interactive Google Satellite Map of Cagayan de Oro City
Misamis oriental cagayan de oro.png
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.

Public market of cagayan de oro city misamis oriental.JPG
Cagayan de Oro City Public Market
Cagayan de oro city river.jpg
The river of cagayan de oro city
Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral cagayan de oro 01.jpg
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
Cagayan de Oro City buildings.jpg
Cagayan de Oro City Buildings
Terminal bus of bulua cagayan de oro city misamis oriental.JPG
Bus Terminal, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

DOST to recognize outstanding inventions, researches

By Teresita Baluyos (DOST10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 20 - The Department of Science and Technology in Region 10 is inviting inventors and researchers to join this year’s Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE).

Prizes are at stake and winners will represent the region in the National Invention Contest and Exhibits.

For region 10, RICE will be held on 21-23 August at the Event Center, 2nd Level, Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.

With the theme, “Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating and Inventing for Global Competitiveness,” RICE 2015 aims to showcase the latest inventions and researchers in the Philippines. It is also part of the major event in the region, the SCIENCE NATION TOUR, of which a number of activities are lined up.

DOST Region 10 Director Alfonso Alamban said that those with research projects, inventions, prototypes, industrial designs and software applications related to science, technology, engineering, medicine, health and the environment are urged to join the contest.

Alamban added that the contestants will vie for the following categories, namely: Outstanding Invention (Tuklas Award), Outstanding Utility Model , Industrial Design, and Creative Research (Likha Award) , and Outstanding Student Creative Research for College and High School (Sibol Award).

For the Outstanding Invention, first prize winner will take home P50,000; second prize winner, P30,000; and third prize winner, P20,000. For the Outstanding Utility Model and Outstanding Industrial Design, first prize winners will get P25,000 each; second prize winners, P10,000 each, and third prize winners, P5,000 each. For the Outstanding Creative Research (Professional), Outstanding Student Creative Research for High School and College, first prize winners will get P20,000 each; second prize winner, P10,000 each; and third prize winners, P5,000 each.

DOST has already sent out the invitation letters to schools, inventors and researchers in the region. For those who have not received the invitation and are interested to join can send their entries and requirements to Ms. Mergebelle Dengal (mddengal@gmail.com, 09109745581 on or before August 8, 2015. Entry forms can also be downloaded at http://www.facebook.com/dost10.rice2015, http://region10.dost.gov.ph, www.tapi.dost.gov.ph.

The conduct of RICE is pursuant to Republic Act No. 7459 known as the “Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act of the Philippines.” It is designed to encourage Filipino inventors, researchers, and students to use their inventive capability by competing for cash rewards and recognitions both locally and internationally.

In Region 10, RICE is a partnership with the Technology Application and Promotion Institute/DOST, the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Industry and Energy Research and Development (NorminCIERD), PARASAT, and the Oro Chamber of Commerce. For more information you may contact Tess Superioridad Baluyos through her email adress at tsuperioridad.dost@yahoocom or call 09177908899.

Cagayan de Oro to have country’s 1st online Construction Permit Processing System

(CDEDev.Com)

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno recently led the ‘soft launch’ of the Building Permit Management System (BPMS), the new online application and processing system in the City Building Office. It will be the first of its kind in the country.

One of the main features of BPMS is the use of electronic or digital signature of accredited practitioners who created the plan, including evaluators and CBO officials who reviewed and approved the building and occupancy permits.

The system was developed with the help of technical experts from Mindanao University of Science and Technology and professional groups of engineers, architects and others. It is a pride of Cagayan de Oro as the first city in the country to develop the online building permit application and processing system.

Among those present during the event were Dr. Nenita Palmes, the vice president of the Research and Extension Unit of MUST, Department of Science and Technology Regional Director Alfonso Alamban, Regional Director of the National Telecommunications Teodoro Buenavista and Architect Maria Concepcion Alvarez-Alcantara, the Officer-In-Charge of the OBO.

Engr. Alex Maureal, ICT director of MUST and program manager of BPMS said the goal of the new online system is to address the delay in the procurement process of building and occupancy permits also because of the many requirements and concerned government agencies through it.

Through the online application and processing, proponents need not visit the City Building Office to submit an application but together with the necessary plans and documents because they only need to upload them to the internet through the official website of Cagayan de Oro which is cagayandeoro.gov.ph.

The city’s website is currently being upgraded for the BPMS.

Cagayan de Oro needs CPAs

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

AN ORGANIZATION of certified public accountants (CPA) disclosed on Friday that CPAs in Cagayan de Oro city are running out.

Lindy Patriana, president of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants-Misamis Oriental Chapter (PICPA-MIS OR) said that companies keep calling them, searching for public accountants to work for them.

She SAID that out of 10 accountancy graduates, only five of them decide to take the exam, and only two are likely to pass it.

“And that two, dili pa gyud ni mag-trabaho diri sa syudad, not even to other parts of the Philippines, instead they go overseas to work,” said Lino Buray, vice president for Professional Development of the PICPA.

Buray said that CPAs abroad are paid three times higher than the basic rate for accountants in the country.

Buray said there is already a community of CPAs in Dubai.

“Murag isa na sila ka-barangay, that’s their population gyud, because of their increasing number, naa na pud tay branch sa PICPA didto,” he said.

Meanwhile, Patriana said schools in the city offering accountancy courses have a strict policy in the admission of students to ensure quality.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) had directed schools offering accountancy courses to at least post a 5 percent passing rate, according to former PICPA president Ferdie Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said there are three review centers in the city which help in raising the passing rate of accountancy schools.

Rodriguez said the city is also considered as one of the major training hubs for accountants in the region.

Oro’s Shell Active chess underway

(LLS)

NEWLY-CROWNED 6th Carmen Open Class B champion Adrian Othniel Yulo of Xavier University High School and the Canino siblings lead the local bets’ quest for honors in the Northern Mindanao leg of the 23rd Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship.

The 14-year-old Yulo, who also made it to the top-10 list of the Carmen Open’s Class A level, vies for the national slot at stake in the junior division for 13 to 16 years old as well as brothers Romeo and Ronald Canino of Little Me Academy.

Their younger sister, Ruelle “Tawing” Canino of Kauswagan Elementary School is among the favorites of the talented girls competing in the 7 to 12 years old category.

“Tawing just won some medals in the Asean Chess Fest. This little girl is really good; we hope that she will excel again,” said trainer Jaime Joshua Frias II.

The Northern Mindanao leg serves as the first of two tournaments in the region as Pilipinas Shell recognizes the wide base of talents and chess enthusiasts in Mindanao that had Shell chess events drawing record number of participants in the past.

The Southern Mindanao leg is set from Aug. 8 to 9 at SM City in Davao.

Environment advocates remain optimistic

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

DESPITE the growing harm inflicted on the environment in Cagayan de Oro City, environment advocates remain optimistic that these continuing destruction could still be mitigated as interventions were discussed in a forum held at Liceo de Cagayan University on Tuesday, July 14.

Among the issues raised during the forum were dynamite fishing in bodies of water of the city, soil erosion, air pollution, illegal logging, mercury poisoning, illegal mining, and the open dump site in Zayas landfill that has been emitting foul smell to residents living nearby the dump.

Florencio Dominguez, of the Environment and Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Northern Mindanao, said they will do anything in its capacity to help address the multiplying dilemma to protect the natural resources.

"The focus on environmental issues is almost too late, but it has to happen," said Helen Kang, an environmental lawyer of the United States Embassy.

Although lacking in infrastructure, Kang pointed out the Philippines is a 'rich and beautiful country that needs to be “taken care of.”

"If you look at it from the plain, much of its part is still green, so I hope that it remains just like that," she said.

Jerlie Requerme, adviser of Liceo Legal Aid Center (LilLAC), said the public still has a long way to go in achieving a clean and green environment, “but as we say, ‘bring it on.'”

Requerme also encouraged future lawyers to consider becoming environmental attorneys to help combat the pressing environmental issues.

"We need brilliant minds and I think that we owe it to Mother Nature, we have to give back to her," she said.

Requerme cited Sendong and Pablo typhoons that destroyed many lives as the manifestation that people need to be attentive. "We need to refocus our attention into environment this time."

She also encouraged a spread of information dissemination to awaken people and be able to participate in mitigating illegal activities which damage the environment.

New generation job search kiosk now in Oro City Hall

Mildred E. Dablio (DOLE-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 15 - The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10), through its Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante turned-over the DOLE’s new generation of job search kiosk to Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno on 13 July 2015 during its Monday Flag Raising.

The activity was attended by the 500 City Hall employees and its officers and other elected officials.

The launching was spearheaded by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) or its Job Placement Bureau, through Rey Tagotongan.

The installation of the kiosk envisions assisting job seekers, at no-cost, to access relevant information on job openings, hiring requirements of employers or upgrade their skills through the Technical Education and Development Administration (TESDA) programs and the Bureau of Local Employment career guides.

Director Agravante believes, “Finding employment opportunities in the job market will become easier with the deployment of the 15 job search kiosks in the region’s five provinces.”

In fact, Agravante added, “This is one of DOLE’s strategies in facilitating job matching and placement of job seekers, as well as a very timely approach in this fast-paced aged of information and communication technology. It even provides free state-of-the-art employment service through easy navigation panels LED touch screen display.”

Prior to the launching was the signing of both parties on its Memorandum of Understanding.

OIC-Assistant Regional Director and Concurrent Head of the Western Misamis Oriental Albert E. Gutib, and Technical Support and Services Division Head Atheneus A. Vasallo witnessed the event.

The job search kiosk is an information portal housed in an ATM-type, stand-alone equipment, which provides local and abroad job opportunities and other employment related information (TESDA, CHED, PRC, POEA, OWWA and NWPC).

City gov’t sets online building permit processing’s soft launching

(CIO/RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – The public can now experience speedy and more modern system in acquiring building permits and other documents in the City Building Office (CBO).

During the flag raising ceremony held on July 13, Mayor Oscar Moreno announced the soft launching of the Building Permit Management System (BPMS) this week.

A memorandum of agreement was signed by Moreno and Dr. Ricardo Rotoras, president of Mindanao University of Science and Technology, in lieu of the implementation of BPMS.

According to Architect Maria Concepcion Alvarez-Alcantara, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Building Official (OBO), it is the aim of the BPMS to upgrade the processing of documents in CBO such as the building, electrical and occupancy permits with the use of modern technology like the automation system that was developed by the experts from MUST.

Alcantara also added that a dry run will be conducted in the actual online building permit application by the experts from MUST and OBO during the soft launching to test the new system which is said to be the ‘first-of-its-kind’ in the country.

For his part, Moreno sent his gratitude for MUST’s support in sharing their technical expertise in the said project that will enhance the services of the OBO.

City launches Higalaay Festival Cagayan de Oro

(CIO/RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 10 (PIA) – Cagayan de Oro City local government launched the expanded Higalaay Festival in celebration of the feast of St. Augustine in August.

The Higalaay Festival Cagayan de Oro Phillippines brand name will make the month-long festivities in Cagayan de Oro known not only in the country but the in whole world as well.

During the launching of the festival, other activities were also named such as Kumbira, Garden Show, Miss Cagayan de Oro, Higalas Parade of Floats and Icons, Carnival Parade, Fluvial Procession, and the newest Rafthon event and more.

The festival was launched two years ago with the aim to make the festivity globally known and now it is named as Higalaay Festival Cagayan de Oro Philippines.

20 tons of iron ore seized

By Lynyrd Alexsei N. Corrales

A CONTAINER loaded with 20 tons of iron ore concentrate was seized Saturday at a barangay in Cagayan de Oro City.

City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) chief Edwin Dael, who led a team that made the seizure in Barangay Canitoan, said they are still assessing the shipment's value but said iron ore concentrate contains magnetite, hematite, and other minerals used in making steel.

Gold can also be extracted from the ore, Dael said.

The truck driver has refused to reveal where the ore came from or where it is headed.

Moresco-1 wants additional power rate hike

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

MISAMIS Oriental Rural Electric Service Cooperative-1 (Moresco-1) customers, who already saddled with a 53-centavo increase since January, will soon have to pay seven centavos more before yearend.

Eugene Velasco, Moresco-1 finance services department manager, said the additional charges will take effect as soon as the rate hike petition is approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

This means that a residential customer of Moresco-1 who paid around P800 last year for a monthly consumption of 100 kilowatt hours will have to pay P60 more for the same consumption before yearend.

Velasco said the ERC has already granted provisional approval for the rate increase last month.

The increase, Velasco said, is a result of the privatization of the Mt. Apo geothermal power plants.

FDC Misamis Power Corp., a subsidiary of developer Filinvest, submitted the highest bid for the right to manage the government's contracted output with the Mt. Apo 1 and 2 geothermal power plants in September last year.

Moresco-1 is currently sourcing its power requirements from the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM).

PSALM is mandated with the privatization of the National Power Corporation’s (NPC) generating plants and to manage NPC’s liabilities in order to reduce the financial obligations of the State-run power firm.

“Our contract with PSALM expires this August, and the renewal is still in question,” Marebec Cagalawan, Moresco-1 communications officer, said.

Cagayan de Oro City councilor Teodolfu Lao Jr., said customers, through the City Council, can still question the rate hike.

“That is the time that the city council will intervene and definitely we will question Moresco on the rate hike,” Lao said.

Lao said the City Council will find a way to reduce the rate hike for the benefit of Moresco-1’s customers.

Geohazard maps vital to NorMin investment

By Butch D. Enerio (Correspondent)

A GEOHAZARD map can help investors find suitable locations in Northern Mindanao.

“With geohazard maps we can readily pinpoint locations that are most worry-free for investors,” said Leon Dacanay, the National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) regional director and a member of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is willing to distribute the maps to local governments and line agencies, Dacanay said.

“The map would also ensure the integrity of government projects such as roads from flooding and other hazards,” he said.

DOLE-10 intensifies Family Welfare Program

By Glenford C. Labial (DOLE-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 9 -- As part of the continuing effort in intensifying the implementation of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - region 10 Family Welfare Program (FWP) pursuant to 2011-2016 Labor and Employment Plan, the Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns (BWSC) team from the central office conducts monitoring and assessment of the FWP in the Northern Mindanao region on 23-26 June 2015.

Primarily, the purpose of the said visit is to determine the milestones achieved and good practices as well as the challenges in the implementation of the program.

In this line, the BWSC holds plant-level meeting with its local chairman and some labor laws compliance officers to update on important developments in the implementation of the program.

More importantly, it will also update and validate the following information: establishments with Family Welfare Committee/FWP; Profile (e.g. employment size, nature of business) of establishments with federation; and establishments with lactation stations.

During the exit conference with regional director Raymundo G. Agravante on 26 June, BWSC representative, Roberto C. Cudal lauded the regional FWP through the Northern Mindanao Federation of Family Welfare Committees for its splendid implementation and good practices worth replicating to other regions.

Agravante acknowledged the BSWC for the effort in intensifying the program that enabled the workers to enjoy with improved quality of life and productivity in their respective workplaces.

CEPALCO, Nestle Phils., Inc; Coca-cola Bottlers Phils., Inc.; Philippine Sinter Corp.; Pilipinas Kao, Inc.; Granexport; Pilmico; Petronas Corp.; and Mabuhay Vinyl Corp. were among the establishments assessed by the team.

The FWP advocates for the integration of its 10 dimensions namely: Reproductive Health and Responsible Parenthood; Education and Gender Equality; Spirituality and Values Formation; Income Generation, Livelihood, and Cooperative; Medical Health Care; Nutrition; Environment Protection; Hygiene and Sanitation; Sports and Leisure; and Housing and Transportation.

The Family Welfare Program is pursuant to Article 134 of the Labor Code and to D.O. 56-03 in line with R.A. 10354, or “An Act Providing for a National Policy on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health”.

Region 10 has 222 establishments with active FWP membership with federation existing in 22 years.

National government owes Php 723 million to LGUs

By Crescencio "Cris" Diaz [(PNA), CTB/CD]

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 8 (PNA) – The national government owes Php 723 million out of “fire fees” it has collected from 2010 to 2013 here, a city councilor said Wednesday.

Councilor Ramon Tabor said a Resolution No. 12080-2015 passed during the regular session last Monday, asked the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to remit the amount to the city treasury.

Tabor, chair of the city council committee on police, fire and public safety, said that the Commission on Audit (COA) reported that the national government failed to remit the Php 723 million shares from the “Fire Code Fees” to the local government units.

“The sharing of the fire fees is mandated under Republic Act 9514, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines,” Tabor said.

The COA findings covered the three three-year period from 2010 to 2013. Including the year 2014, it is likely that the amount due to the local government units (LGUs) would balloon to Php 1 Billion, Tabor said.

Tabor said that the Fire Code of the Philippines mandates that the 20-percent of the collected fees should go to the LGUs, while the 80-percent will go to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

“Now we know why the local government units, including Cagayan De Oro City, have dilapidated fire trucks,” he said.

He said that the remittance of the share of the fire fees is very important for the LGUs and the BFP to acquire state-of-the-art firefighting units and equipment for BFP personnel.

Canadian ambassador visits Oro

By Lynyrd Alexsei N. Corrales

CANADIAN Ambassador Neil Reeder dropped by Cagayan de Oro on Monday to meet with local government officials and other groups as part of his travels in the Philippines’ countryside to renew the ties and invoke stronger human connections.

Speaking before City Hall employees during Monday's flag raising ceremony, Reeder said this is his first visit to the city and that he finds Kagay-anons having the same values as Canadians.

Eileen San Juan, economic and investment promotions officer of the Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investment Promotion Center (ORO-TIPC), said Reeder is in the city to explore areas where the Canadian government can be of assistance.

Reeder had come from Davao City.

San Juan said Reeder is particularly interested in connecting Rotary Clubs in Canada to the city for the possible provision of hospital equipments.

Reeder made the offer, San Juan said, after hearing Moreno speak about the needs of the JR Borja Memorial City Hospital.

Reeder also talked about the Green City Program 2020 of Canada, which aims to make Vancouver a green city, a program that Cagayan de Oro might be able to adapt, San Juan said.

Reeder also related some interesting tidbits of President Benigno Aquino III’s May 2015 State Visit.

“PNoy (Aquino) planted a small tree beside the tree his mother, the late former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, planted 26 years ago when she visited there,” Reeder said.

“Like the trees planted there, so has the relationship of the Philippines and Canada, prospered,” he said.

There are about 800,000 Canadians of Filipino origin that includes a sizable community of Kagay-anons.

According to San Juan, Filipino-Canadians in North America and delegates from Cagayan de Oro City will meet up in Vancouver, Canada from July 31 to August 2 of this year for a fellowship event called Tapok.

San Juan said Moreno plans to be in this year’s affair to renew ties and to encourage investments from Kagay-anons now residing in Canada.

The City held this event for the last 15 years. The event is held every two years, alternating with Duaw.

Duaw, also held every two years, is the homecoming event of Kagay-anons from all over the world.

Oro technical school gutted

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

A TECHNICAL school along C.M. Recto Avenue in Cagayan de Oro was gutted in a fire incident at 3:03 a.m. Saturday, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

The BFP placed the damage on property at P100,000 which included computer sets, school facilities and records of the Driving and Automotive School Technical School (DATS), located at the 2nd floor at SBS Building where the fire initially broke out.

The fire bureau declared a fire out at 4:36 a.m.

DATS is an institution which offers automotive servicing, driving, and welding courses, with National Certification 2 (NC2) accreditation.

Fire officers are still trying to reach the owner of the said building, Peter Sia.

Initial investigation showed the fire may have started at the roof of the office, "Gatan-awon nato ang short circuit na mao ang posibleng hinugdan," said Senior Fire Officer 2 Victor Naive, chief investigator, but a thorough investigation is still being conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Naive again reminds the public on fire safety, "Labina ang mga tao karun, adto gyud sa mga Chinese products gapalit kay barato, so careful lang, dili lang pa-sobraan ug gamit."

He also reminds the public to refrain from buying substandard products, "Para lang man gihapon ni sa inyo," he added.

The fire was the first this month following the dawn fire last June 19 that killed a two-year-old boy, destroying 36 makeshift houses at Zone 8, Upper Dagong, Barangay Carmen.

7,000 attend K-12 Mindanao Summit in CDO

(cdodev)

At least 7,000 participants packed the Atrium of Limketkai Mall during the recent K-to-12 Mindanao-wide summit in Cagayan de Oro City led by Bro. Armin Luistro, Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) with DepEd officials and City Mayor Oscar Moreno.

The summit was aimed to promote and explain the importance of the implementation of the Senior High School.

Sec. Luistro explained Cagayan de Oro was chosen as the venue for the summit due to its successful implementation of the Senior High School program through the Local School Board and the proper use of the Special Education Fund in building classrooms.

Sec. Luistro and Mayor Moreno also led the “Commitment Signing” for the implementation of the Senior High School.

BOI’s IPP Roadshow hits Cagayan de Oro

By Camcer Ordonez Imam

Cagayan De Oro City – The Board of Investments (BOI) held a forum on the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) 2014-2016, at the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel yesterday.

Some 150 participants came from various chambers of commerce, business support organizations, the academe, local government units, members of inter-agency committees, non-government organizations, consumer organizations and the media.

They were briefed on the IPP’s tool for industrial development and economic growth and also discussed specific economic activities that are critical in advancing a particular industry or to improve the product’s value.

BOI Resource-based Service Director Nestor Arcansalin described the IPP feature as having ensured continuity, consistency and predictability – factors seriously considered by domestic and foreign investors.

This year’s IPP also introduced innovative features, such as the principle of geographical application, which takes into consideration the impact of an economic activity in the particular region, province, or cluster of local government units.

On the preferred list of activities are manufacturing, agribusiness and fishery, services, economic and low-cost housing, hospitals, energy, public infrastructure and logistics and PPP projects.

This IPP year’s theme is “Industry Development and Inclusive Growth.”

DENR-10 echoes Pope Francis’ call to sustain environment

Jessa Ann Mahartin(DENR-RPAO/PIA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 2 (PIA) -- With the recent news about the encyclical letter of Pope Francis on climate change, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 10 backed the Pope in addressing the impacts of climate change.

In his encyclical letter entitled Praise Be: On the Care of Our Common Home, the Pope called out everyone to make urgent action to care for our common home, the earth. He stated that the Mother Earth is harmed because of the human’s irresponsible behavior.

The Pope said that the challenge to protect the earth should include everyone.

“I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all,” said the Pope.

He cited that climate change is not just a scientific issue but also an issue of moral and ethics. Pope Francis added that each behavior must be changed swiftly in order to sustain the environment.

Regional Director Ruth M. Tawantawan said that the DENR 10 firmly supports the cause of the Pope to take urgent action in the mitigation and adaptation of climate change through making relevant programs and projects that will address the climate change in the national and local level.

The National Greening Program (NGP) which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares in six yearsis one of the DENR’s efforts to respond to the call of protecting and conserving the environment, Director Tawantawan said.

The NGP is not just simply planting and growing of trees but also addressing the core issues of society with its goals to reduce poverty, promote food security, conserve the Philippine’s biodiversity, environmental stability, and to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation, she said.

The Mindanao’s accomplishment on “TreeVolution: Greening MindaNow”that reached the peak of Guinness World Record marked a significant result of the collective effort from all sectors of the society. This only shows that all can unite in achieving one common goal of protecting the land from its environmental deterioration and make it verdant again, Tawantawan added.

The TreeVolution activity planted 2,294,629 trees in 29 different areas in Mindanao which was participated by the 122,168 participants on September 26, 2014.

According to Tawantawan, the NGP plantation in region 10 can sequester 6,748,248 tons carbon dioxide (CO2) in one year with the assumption that a one hectare plantation of fast growing species such as Falcata and Brazilian Fire Trees with the density of 500 trees with two meters height has the potential to sequester 104 tons of CO2 in one year.

Carbon sequestration is a way of capturing CO2 from the atmosphere. It is a significant processof minimizing greenhouse gas emissions which is a major contributor to climate change. Through carbon sequestration, air pollution can be reduced.

Tawantawan further said that the geo-hazard assessments of the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) and the effort of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to support the solid waste management implementation are some of the appropriate actions to make the solution on climate change a reality.

Likewise, she said the intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) advocacy campaign of the region with the EMB and MGB in raising the public’s awareness and participation to combat the impacts of climate change in the regional level.

Tawantawan agreed with Pope Francis that there has to be a paradigm shift on climate change. From the scientific and technological approach, climate change has to involve social mobilization through educating the humanity with their role of stewardship to the environment, said Director Tawantawan.

Over 48,800 senior citizens in Northern Mindanao to receive pensions

(PNA), FFC/CD

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, July 1 (PNA) -- More than 48,800 senior citizens in Northern Mindanao will receive a quarterly pension of PHP1,500 pension, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here said Wednesday.

Charmaine Tadlas, the regional DSWD information officer, said that the DSWD arrived at the figure after validating 29,499 additional senior citizens to the DSWD’s existing 18,501 lists of senior citizens in the region.

She said that the government has extended a quarterly pension to qualified senior citizens in Northern Mindanao in January 2011 to augment the senior citizen’s medical needs and foods.

Any qualified senior citizen could apply at the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office under the local government unit. They can also apply at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), Tadlas said.

She said that the qualified senior citizens are those considered to be indigent, and are aged 66 years old above and are not beneficiaries of any pension such as SSS, GSIS, among others.

The DSWD would announce the release of the pension on a quarterly basis (March, June, September, and December). The senior citizen could claim the pension at the OSCA or City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

Retrieved from "http://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Cagayan_de_Oro_City_News_July_2015&oldid=860298"