Cagayan de Oro City News June 2018

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Cagayan de Oro City within Misamis Oriental

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

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

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

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

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

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

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:
  1. The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
  2. The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.
Limketkai Center Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.jpg
Flood Waters in the streets of Cagayan de Oro City
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Cagayan de Oro City Buildings
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Bus Terminal, Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City

Pulis Natin Caravan aims to improve community services

By ALWEN SALIRING

TO BRING their frontline services closer to the people, the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao holds a whole-day caravan to entertain various concerns of the community at a mall in Cagayan de Oro City, Wednesday, June 20.

The Pulis Natin Caravan slated during mall hours aims to cater complaints, queries, issues and other police-related matters.

Services include motor vehicle clearance and verification, processing of License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF), free legal advice, supervisory office of the Security and Investigation Agencies, Philippine National Police (PNP) recruitment and cybercrime concerns.

The police will also entertain women's and children concerns, human rights issues, PNP retirement benefits issues and concerns, medical and dental services and crime laboratory services.

Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, spokesperson of the PRO-Northern Mindanao, said the caravan also integrates the symposium on crime prevention and illegal drugs held in selected high schools in the city.

Gonda said the Police Quick Response Action Center was launched and Coalition of Force Multipliers and Advocacy support was also conducted.

“The caravan aims to bring all the support services given by the PNP and share information relating to PNP services,”Gonda said.

The activity is a program of PNP chief Oscar Albayalde and implemented by PRO-Northern Mindanao director Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb.

Gonda said there is no update yet whether the activity will be implemented regularly.

Oro’s Canino shares lead in Asean age-group chess

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

DAVAO CITY -- Pint-sized Ruelle Canino was left as Cagayan de Oro’s lone bet with perfect score after two rounds of the ongoing 19th Asean Age Group Chess Championships here on Wednesday at The Royal Manadaya Hotel.

Canino, a two-time RP Age Group Team classical standard gold medalist, pulled two points after a tactical skirmish against seed no. 5 Le Minh Thu of Vietnam in the 10-under girls classical standard event.

Wielding the black pieces, the 10-year-old Canino defused Vietnamese’s threatening bishop sacrifice and neutralized the tactical possibilities to a rook up endgame and the win in their Scotch Opening encounter.

She was in joint first place with Vietnamese rivals Le Dang Bao Ngoc, Tong Tai Ky An and Woman Candidate Master Ton Nu Quynh Duong with two points each.

Canino takes on Tong in the third round still in progress as of this writing.

Corpus Christi School’s Charles Kent Gabing scored one point and a half in two rounds in the 14-under boys section to stay in strong contention.

Ronald, Ruelle’s brother and many-time RP Age Group member, bowed down to top seed and Fide Master Alekhine Nouri in the 16-under boys classical standard.

First-timer David Rey Ancheta, Corpus Christi’s ace chesser, lost composure against Candidate Master Nguyen Quoc Hy of Vietnam in the 12-under classical standard.

Both Ronald and Ancheta were posting one point after the second round of action yesterday.

The other Oro players are setting to make good composure after a bad start in the first two rounds.

DOLE, CDO college host 1st “Araw ng mga Kasambahay”

By Glenford C. Labial (DOLE-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) - Some 95 Kagay-anon “katabangs/kasambahays" or domestic helpers together with their employers gathered at the Golden Heritage Polytechnic College (GHPC) on May 24 to celebrate the “Araw ng mga Kasambahay," a first in Northern Mindanao.

With the theme, "Enhancing Knowledge and Skills of Domestic Workers," the activity started with a registration and profiling while Leizl Ann Marie Lee presented Occupational Safety and Health Protection for Kasambahays, Overview of Technical Skills Learning Session for Kasambahay by Jerome V. Manriquez of TESDA, and Department of Labor and Employment-10 LEO III Ralph Labnao for the Overview of the Salient Features of RA 10361 (Batas Kasambahay).

Activities adding substance to the celebration were entertainment numbers and KasambaOKE singing contest, as well as testimonials of former kasambahays Jeffrey Librada, Jennelyn Lipanta, and Christina Lariba on their achievements.

All three are alumni in the institution, now licensed teachers in permanent status teaching under the basic education department.

DOLE-10 OIC Assistant Regional Director Estrella Pahalla thanked School Administrator Michelle D. Dichosa for hosting the first celebration after its signing in 2013.

She also informed the kasambahays on their rights and benefits and recognized their vital role in the family and society.

GHPC sustains its Sunday school program by developing modules to cater to quality education for working students.

CDO gov't upgrades basic services, upholds better city

By Recthie T. Paculba

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 18 (PIA) -- With over 500 classrooms built, 130 km roads concreted, two more hospitals established, 60 livelihood projects implemented, major tourist spots rehabilitated and basic services boosted, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) is changing and transforming into a better city.

The senator, during the 68th CDO Charter Day Celebration on June 15 at Kiosko Kagawasan, here said, "Cagayan de Oro is blessed and continues to be blessed."

The blessings of modern day living are already here in our beloved city but we need to constantly and continuously work for an even better city," the senatoradded.

In 2017, the regional budget for infrastructure reached to Php17.22 billion and in 2018.

Pimentel said the government allocated Php17.36 billion to boost the region's airports, seaports, bridges, and roads.

Moreover, City Mayor Oscar Moreno said such budget is essential for the flood control program of the city where a projected Php80 million will be used for the urban drainage from Xavier University to Burgos Street.

As for education, the mayor revealed a bigger target for this year aiding the needs of the pupils and students from City Central School with the 50-storey building. In addition, scholarships covering 1,500 students and 4,000 Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) will serve as the priority program of the Committee on Education.

In ensuring quality health and hospital services, the city government currently sponsors the PhilHealth premiums costing Php120 million annually for more than 50,000 indigent families.

Furthermore, the JR Borja General Hospital posted a positive performance in 2017 noted by increases in patients admitted, birth deliveries and surgical operations conducted.

Also, two more hospitals will be built in Lumbia and Tablon.

LTFRB reminds school shuttle, carpool operators to renew franchises

By Jigger Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- As classes opened last week, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-10 (LTFRB-10) reminded school owners and carpool operators to obtain or renew the franchise of their school buses or carpooling schemes.

LTFRB-10 regional director Aminoden Guro said school transport operations, under the carpool law, have the mandate to enforce the Carpool Act of 2014.

Carpool is defined under said law as “an arrangement among four people or more, including the driver of a particular vehicle who would otherwise drive their own vehicle, to make a regular journey in a single vehicle instead.”

The carpool law was enacted in 2014 and was seen as a way to solve the worsening traffic situation, especially in the country’s major urban areas where gridlocks are a common occurrence daily.

The LTFRB said that carpooling, also called school or work buses, seeks to lessen the number of vehicles on the road.

“We are reminding school administrators and school transport operators who engage in school and work transport business to secure franchise to legalize their operation, as embodied in Executive Order No. 202,” Guro said.

He added that Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) should also help schools or private carpool operators to secure legal transport papers to safeguard their children’s daily trips to and from their schools.

Pursuant to Executive Order 202, or the creation of the LTFRB and the Public Service Act, which aims to ensure the safety and convenience of students and personnel, all schools should make sure that school buses or shuttle transports operated by learning institutions have valid Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC).

Guro said carpools that are legally operating have to ensure that passengers’ safety is given topmost priority.

He said carpools are allowed not to apply for a franchise if they do it for free, “but when they start to collect fees, they have to secure franchises.”

Guro said his office has already sent letters to school authorities to inform them of their obligation concerning the transport of students.

Aside from choosing the right type and model of vehicles, Guro said school buses must also be painted yellow and must have a fire extinguisher on board.

He said many of the schools with school buses have yet to comply with this directive.

Guro showed reporters’ photos of some of the school transports that are painted with colors other than yellow, stressing that school and carpool operators must be compliant with the specified color.

He said school buses and vehicles that have not secured proper LTFRB documents will be penalized. A penalty of PHP1 million will be meted for buses, and PHP200,000 for vans.

Mayor cites good relations with councilors for growth

By PJ ORIAS

CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno on Friday, June 15, credited the executive department’s much improved working relationship with the City Council as a key factor in the city’s increasing competitiveness.

Speaking in front of a huge crowd in Divisoria that included Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III Moreno highlighted his administration’s achievements, especially in the last two years.

Moreno said his administration has been focusing on three key areas--winning the hearts of the people by bringing the services to the frontlines; second, putting in place a pro-administration City Council; and third, which he said he is still working on, having a harmonious and productive relationship with the barangay officials.

“Hopefully, the trend of growth of Cagayan de Oro will continue, and the city being the flagship city in Northern Mindanao, the trading hub, educational and medical center, our position will further strengthen and increase with the passing of time,” Moreno said.

Now in his second term as the mayor, Moreno said he has made more than 500 classrooms in the city, using solely the “taxes of the people of Cagayan de Oro.”

With the establishment of these classrooms, Moreno said the usual four-shifting schedule of students in schools has become a thing of the past.

He said a groundbreaking 4,000 scholars were accepted for the City Scholarship Program too, realizing his campaign promise to more accessible education especially for the youth.

Among his administration’s achievements, according to the mayor, are: a total of 63 kilometers of roads fixed mostly in the hinterland areas thereby boosting trade and opportunities for the residents in uptown areas; the closure of the dump site in Upper Dagong, Zayas; and developing an engineered sanitary landfill in barangay Pagalungan.

Moreno said he plans to turn the dump site into a park.

“All of these are made possible through the support of our very supportive vice-mayor Kikang Uy, and the majority councilors, thank you very much for your cooperation,” he said.

“Let us also not forget what happened in a nearby city, Marawi, where we took in a lot of our brothers and sisters there to live here with us. Our solidarity and compassion for them will continue and we have learned to live in peace amid diversity,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Pimentel who was the guest speaker as the city celebrates its 68th Charter Day, vowed to promote Cagayan de Oro in his agenda.

Pimentel said he has strengthened his communication lines to reach out to people, so people can directly tell him what they need.

Pimentel also said that in the 2018 national budget, he recommended the construction of the drainage projects in barangays Kauswagan and Carmen worth P10 million each; the rehabilitation of Divisoria in the amount of P80 million; and the rehabilitation of the convention center in barangay Indahag worth P100 million -- a project which his father, former Senate President Nene Pimentel, started.

“We have a lot to be thankful for, Cagayan de Oro has done so much, we invented motorela, we have the best ham, binaki, and cashew nuts, we have produced beauty queens, so we really have to celebrate with these milestones achieved under the administration of Mayor Oca Moreno,” he said.

PH, Japan sign P876M grants for flood prevention project, scholarship program

By Roy Mabasa

The governments of the Philippines and Japan have signed and exchanged notes on a combined total of about P876-million worth of grants intended for a flood prevention project in Cagayan de Oro and a human resource scholarship program that would benefit about 42 young Filipino government officials.

In a statement, the Japanese Embassy in Manila said the first exchange of notes signed between Ambassador Koji Haneda and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano will provide a JY 1.278 billion (approx.P608 million) for improving flood forecasting and warning system for Cagayan De Oro River Basin.

According to the embassy, the Japanese grant is expected to substantially improve information accuracy and provide technical support to the CDO operational system for flood forecasting and disaster prevention.

“This project will strengthen the ability of CDO against future risks of flash floods, mudslides and other negative impacts, thus contributing to sustainable development in the region,” the embassy added.

In January last year, Cagayan De Oro was seriously affected by massive flooding, the worst that hit the city since the devastating Typhoon Sendong in 2011.

On the second exchange of notes signed by the two officials, Japan will provide JY563 million (approx. P268 million) to cover 20 fellows in 2018 and another 22 recipients in 2019 under the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) project.

The scholarship aims to enhance the recipients’ expertise in their respective fields and to help build a pool of future Filipino leaders who will greatly contribute to the country’s overall economic development by returning to and working in the Philippines.

The embassy said the scholarship program has already produced a total of 319 JDS fellows to this date.

Proposal for processing, potable water delivery in CdeO up for study

(CdeOSP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)-– Improved water supply and delivery in three barangays of Cagayan de Oro is in the offing.

Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy endorsed to the City Council committees on cooperatives and on public utilities chaired by Councilors Enrico Salcedo and Teodulfo E. Lao, respectively, for study, the intention to develop sources, process and deliver potable water to majority of the residents of Bulua, Iponan and part of Patag.

The non-inclusive proposal emanates from the Metro Cagayan de Oro Water Service (MCWS) Cooperative Federation.

In a letter to the vice mayor, Engr. Neil Bryan G. Oraiz, president of the federation, said the proposal will not require any investment from the city as MCWS shall provide the necessary capital and technical expertise to deliver the proposed service.

The cooperative federation would initially invest P120 million to install the processing plant at Iponan River, and the necessary pipes to enable a level three system where residents, businesses and offices will be able to tap, MCWS said.

According to Oraiz, MCWS will also obtain the necessary permits from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), and the environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Oraiz said MCWS will develop, process and deliver potable water to the three barangays within 10 months after the issuance of the Resolution of No Objection and all the necessary permits with the offices of the MCWS as payment counters.

MCWS Coop will bill its customers P20.00 per cubic meter, based on the proposal.

He also said since the proposal is non-inclusive, the city government of Cagayan de Oro may entertain other proposals under a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with a private sector proponent or a similar non-inclusive one.

The ongoing water crisis in these areas in CdeO, has adversely affected water consumers in the Western Service Area due to repairs being conducted to the Rio Verde pipeline.

This was after main submarine transmission line across the Cagayan de Oro River was damaged by the series of earthquakes which rocked Mindanao.

Davao mayor set to visit Oro

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

THE Presidential daughter will be in Cagayan de Oro on Friday, June 15, to grace the mass oath taking of barangay officials in the city and the province.

Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president Yan Lam Lim said Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will be in town to guarantee a 100 percent attendance of the 80 barangay captains of Cagayan de Oro.

Lim said the presidential daughter, however, refused to administer the oath of the barangay officials, and will only serve as the guest speaker of the event.

The mass oath taking unfolds shortly after Mayor Oscar Moreno's City Annual Report to mark the Charter Day of Cagayan de Oro at the Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria.

Lim said Duterte will attend a program at the University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines (USTP) before proceeding to the mass oath taking of city officials.

After that, she will grace another mass oath taking initiated by Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente Emano for the newly-elected barangay officials, according to Lim.

In a previous interview, Emano said his political party Padayon Pilipino will forge an alliance with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

Lim, who left the Padayon Pilipino party to join Mayor Oscar Moreno and seek reelection as ABC president, said having Duterte-Carpio as the guest party will hopefully unite the barangay officials for the common goal to work together.

Nurture, strengthen independence, Oro dad says

By Recthie T. Paculba (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) - "The task to nurture, strengthen that independence is not over yet," City Mayor Oscar Moreno said during the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12 at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, here.

While noting the achievements and progress of Mindanao, Moreno said there are still a lot of things to do as one community since the city is equally affected with the misfortunes of the other areas in the island.

For one, the Marawi incident should open everybody's eyes and change the core of mindset to address the root cause of bias and prejudice. Aside from conflicts, Moreno cited polarization or division as another root cause of the society's problems which already characterized the people's way of life.

"Everybody must feel and enjoy the growth and prosperity that the country is gaining and the freedom that the country has," Moreno said as he urged every Kagay-anon to uphold security, solidarity and compassion as strategies to strengthen independence throughout Mindanao.

Thus, the mayor calls for strong partnership with the Department of Education (Deped), Commission on Higher Education (Ched) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to prepare children in fostering independence, the Department of Health (DOH) to sustain good public health, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to improve peace and order.

Moreno further said that the environment must be harmonious as the Kagay-anons pursue CDO's growth and since everyone is on the same boat, the least that every individual can do is to help one another no matter how difficult the task may be.

To highlight the celebration, Moreno and BGen Eric Vinoya of AFP led the raising of the flag with full military honors, executive wreath laying and the unveiling of the Philippine Map depicted using 3,480 hard-boiled eggs with the CDO Eagles Club.

3,000 NorMin IPs to benefit from TESDA’s special training program

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- At least 3,000 indigenous peoples (IPs) in Northern Mindanao benefits from the special training program of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Dubbed “Empowering Indigenous Peoples and Cultural Communities Through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Reintegration Training for Rebel Returnees,” the special training program aims to provide skills development interventions and access to training to IPs and rebel returnees to transform them into competitive and productive individuals.

TESDA and local government officials launched the program at the Mindanaw Tribal School in Barangay Panadtalan, Maramag, Bukidnon province on June 1.

TESDA Deputy Director General Alvin Feliciano said the skills training is given by the government to uplift the economic status of IPs and facilitate the reintegration of rebel returnees to the mainstream of the society.

“Kailangang sila madevelop at paunlarin dahil sila ay kabalikat at kaparte ng pamahalaan (The sector needs to be developed because they are partners of the government),” he further said.

Under the program, beneficiaries will be entitled to free skills training, free assessment, entrepreneurship training, training support fund of P100 per training day attended and toolkits.

A ceremonial turnover of scholarship grants and an unveiling of the special training court and skills training center highlighted the regional launching.

Cagayan de Oro celebrates Pride Month through literature

(Rappler.com)

PRESS RELEASE: A book launch and poetry night are set for June 29 in Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro City will be celebrating International Pride Month through literature in back-to-back events on June 29, 2018.

This will begin with the launch of the Libulan Binisaya Anthology of Queer Literature from 1 to 5 pm at the Xavier University Little Theater. The first of its kind in the southern Philippines, the anthology celebrates queer perspectives captured eloquently in the Binisaya language. Its CDO launch will feature talks and a writer meet-and-greet from contributors, Kei Valmoria Bughaw and Arnie Q Mejia, as well as co-editors Alton Melvar Dapanas and R Joseph Dazo. Limited copies of the anthology will be available during the event.

In the evening, this will be followed by CDO Poetry Night, the city's premier spoken word event at 6 pm at SM Downtown Premier. The event will feature peformances by Northern Mindanaoan writers, queer and allies alike, under the theme “couRAGE." "couRAGE" is in tribute to both the passion and outrage of the city's queer community in the struggle against discrimination and the fight for equal rights.

The joint objective of these two events is to celebrate LGBTQIA+ narratives through literature in an attempt to promote acceptance and understanding regardless of gender.

The Libulan Book Launch and CDO Poetry Night are co-organized by the Nagkahiusang Magsusulat sa Cagayan de Oro (NAGMAC) in partnership with the Libulan Queer Collective, XU Press, the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts (XCCA), and Payag Habagatan. NAGMAC is a young artists collective of emerging and established poets, essayists, fictionists, and playwrights born and/or raised in Northern Mindanao. The organization established CDO Poetry Night in February 2014 as a quarterly event to serve as a venue for local writers to share their works and realize the social relevance of literature in today's society.

For more information and updates on these events, please visit NAGMAC's Facebook page or follow the event page.

More checkpoints mulled in Oro

By ALWEN SALIRING

THE chief of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) said there may be a need to put up more checkpoints in various parts of the city following the arrest of two suspected ISIS/Daesh members a day before a big religious activity at the city cathedral.

Senior Superintendent Nelson Aganon, chief of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the local police has been evaluating its security stance to thwart terrorism and criminality.

"Our checkpoints are in place. We will keep on evaluating and improving our security stance," Aganon said.

Aganon is urging the community to take part in the police's anti-terrorism and anti-criminality efforts.

He said the public can make use of the technology to send information regarding any suspicious activities or personalities in their respective localities.

"Huwag sanang tamarin ang community na magbigay ng information. Lagi sana tayong vigilant kasi wala namang masamang maghinala kaysa naman mag-relax lang di makialam. At wala namang masasayang kung magresponde ang ating kapolisan kasi trabaho namin yun (Let us all be vigilant. There is nothing wrong with exercising caution. Anyway it is the job of the police to respond to reports from the community)," Aganon said.

Aganon said because of the ordination of the Most Reverend Raul Dael as the third Bishop of Tandag in Surigao de Sur province Thursday, June 7, at the St. Augustine Cathedral, security in the city was already heightened.

The Catholic rites was led by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Tagle and more than 30 archbishops and priests and a crowd of around 1,000 witnessed the event.

But Aganon said the threat category in the city remains at level 3 due to the possibility that other members of terror groups may sneak into the city.

"Wala kaming natanggap na terror threat aside sa dati nang category na nasa level 3 dahil nga sa possibility na pumasok sa atin ang ISIS/Daesh dahil adjacent tayo sa Marawi City (There was no other terror threat other than the previous level 3 category owing to our proximity to Marawi City)," Aganon said.

The so-called ISIS couple, Eyadzhemar Abusalam and Dianne Catherine Palmitos, were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Tablon around 4:50 p.m., Wednesday, June 6, after police received a tip that the two on board a passenger bus bound for Cagayan de Oro City.

Two grenades and a pistol were allegedly seized from the couple.

The suspects, both nurses from General Santos City, were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives on Friday, June 8.

Another city worker nabbed over illicit drugs

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

ANOTHER Cagayan de Oro City employee was arrested by the police's City Drug Enforcement Unit in Barangay Balulang over the weekend.

The arrest made city officials frowned as some workers in recent past were also apprehended for dealing with illegal drugs.

The suspect identified as Benjie Anghab Lo-od, 38, and a resident of Green Heights, barangay Balulang, is a job order employee at the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD).

Lo-od belongs to the reach-out team of CSWD's rescue operations, among others.

Police said Lo-od is not even under the watchlist of the drug enforcement agency and police, though he once submitted himself to the Oplan Tokhang that “qualified” him as a high-value target.

Seized from his possession was a piece of alleged methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” with an estimated street value of P500.

City Administrator Teddy Sabuga-a, who is also heading the CSWD, urged all city hall employees involved in illicit drug activities to respond to the call and submit themselves to authorities.

Once they surrender, Sabuga-a assured the city will not recommend for the filing of administrative cases against them and, instead, facilitates to get them into sustainable rehabilitation program.

Sabuga-a said Lo-od won't receive his salary pending the court decision apart from facing an administrative case before the City Legal Office.

If he wants to be reinstated, Lo-od will have to coordinate with the human resource office and needs to be enrolled at the Oro Welness Development Center, a program of the city government for recovering drug dependents.

Sabuga-a said Lo-od was employed in 2015, as a replacement for her wife who had to stop working after suffering from stroke.

The City Government takes Lo-od in initially as a “houseparent” at the Mother Theresa Center for street children.

He was eventually reassigned to the reach out team in 2017 after the CSWD personnel noticed his behavioral change.

In April this year, Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) personnel Nelson Remotigue and Jeofrey Sierra, a Metro Aide 1 of the City Public Services Office were among those arrested for same offense.

LTFRB to welcome petitions suspending P2 taxi fare hike

By JIGGER J. JERUSALEM

THE regional office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Northern Mindanao is ready to receive any request that would exempt the city’s taxi drivers and operators from applying the additional charges to their passengers.

If the city’s legislators, commuters and the transport sector can draw up a petition so that the additional charges to the regular taxi fare could not be implemented, LTFRB-Northern Mindanao regional director Aminoden Guro said he will welcome such initiative.

Guro was reacting to a news report stating that City Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., chairman of the public utilities committee, has complained about the new charges and accused the agency of implementing the new rates without holding public consultations.

For his part, Guro said prior to the increase in taxi fare, a series of consultations was held which was attended by representatives from all sectors involved, including a consumer group.

He said the petition was filed in 2012 but was approved by the LTFRB board only in 2017. The last taxi fare increase was in 2010.

After the approval of the new tariff, Guro said he called all the taxi operators in Cagayan de Oro for a meeting so the LTFRB decision could be implemented in the city.

But Guro said he would gladly endorse any petition coming from the various sectors in the city to the LTFRB central office.

“I will recommend it (petition). It will then depend on the decision of the (LTFRB board),” he said.

Guro said it’s up to the petitioners if they want a discount in the total fare or if they want the P2 additional per-minute charge scrapped.

“Whatever is agreeable to all, I’ll forward it the [LTFRB] board,” he added, referring to any petition the proponents might draw up.

Since the decision of the LTFRB board to implement the P13.50 per kilometer and P2 extra charge has already been in effect, Guro said the agency’s decision makers can issue a “supplement decision” that would cater to the petitioners’ demand.

As these extra charges have already been programmed into the taxis’ meters through a calibration, he said another move would be to give passengers a flat discount from the total fare they will be paying.

Guro cited the situation in Baguio City where the LTFRB declared a flag-down rate of P35 owing to the fact that the taxis there use diesel fuel instead of gasoline and that drivers don’t need to use their unit’s airconditioner due to the area’s cold climate.

The regional director added he will also into complaints from passengers of drivers who intentionally stall their taxis in the traffic jam just so they could charge more.

Any violation that taxi drivers or operators have committed has a corresponding penalty, he added.

Team CdeO still NorMin’s best in national games

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

CAGAYAN de Oro City finally overtook Iligan City in what was called a battle for supremacy in Northern Mindanao during this year’s edition of the Philippine National Games (PNG), which ended on May 25 in Cebu City.

This, after Team CdeO landed in 18th spot with 10 gold, 4 silver and 11 bronze medals in the final and official medal count released on Monday, June 4.

Iligan City followed next at 19th place with 9 gold, 11 silver and 28 bronzes medals.

Before the final over-all result, Iligan was in 14th place with 9-10-27 (gold/silver/bronze) in the last partial and official result as of 6 p.m. on May 25.

Team Cdeo was at 32nd place at that time with 4 gold, 4 silver and 10 bronze medals.

But, Cagayan de Oro made a quantum leap behind the heroics of its boxers in the final day of the country’s premier national games.

The Oro boxers went on to sweep all their final matches to overtake Iligan in the final medal count and preserved the city’s dominance in Region 10.

City sports overseer Rocky Calingin found Iligan a threat in the region’s supremacy next year.

But, the city-- as early as now—has intensified its preparation even including arnis and taekwondo to the delegation in the next PNG episode.

“We will improve next year especially with the inclusion of arnis and taekwondo,” said Calingin, now fully aware that the two events are medal performing sports disciplines in the city.

Davao City, however, reigned supreme in the whole island of Mindanao as it landed fourth in the over-all medal count with 19-31-44.

Two more local government units from Mindanao namely General Santos City and Zamboanga City made it to the top-10 circle.

GenSan came in sixth with 17-24-34, while Zamboanga was in ninth place with 14-7-19.

Host Cebu City, on the other hand, ruled this year’s national games after garnering 48-69-79 medals, while Baguio City followed suit with 38-37-59.

Mandaluyong City claimed the third place with 27-18-30.

1st day of classes ‘generally peaceful’

By PJ ORIAS

CAGAYAN de Oro’s first day of classes in public schools was generally peaceful, even as several protests from motorela drivers and a group of teachers asking for salary increase also take centerstage.

Ophelia Tabacon, union president of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in Northern Mindanao, said they are appealing for the speedy enactment of House Bill 7221 that seeks to raise teachers' salaries: P16,000 for salary grade 1, P30,000 for Teacher I; and P31,000 for Instructor I.

Tabacon said a substantial raise on the salaries of education workers is “necessary, justified, and long-overdue.”

She said the salary increase effected by executive order 201 since 2016 was useless with the spike of prices of goods and commodities, along with the implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) law which she said, has done more harm than good for them.

“A three-year-high inflation rates have eroded both the meager salary increases under EO 201 and the income tax savings under the Train Law. This has plunged education workers deeper into the quagmire of personal debts,” she said.

“The selective salary increase given to uniformed personnel in January 2018 has brought the distortions in the public sector salary scheme to new levels. This discriminatory action sows demoralization and resentment among civilian personnel,” she added.

Tabacon said teachers, parents, students share the same sentiment that two years is too long a wait for the Duterte administration to fulfill a key campaign promise.

“Empty stomachs can no longer wait for 2020. We need salary increase now. In the name of adequate and equitable pay for all government workers, we also support House Bills 7197 and 7196 which aim to increase the salaries of all government workers: P16,000 for Salary Grade I and P30,000 for Nurse 1,” she added.

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) spokesperson Police Superintendent Mardy Hortillisa said the Cocpo has deployed some 600 police personnel to maintain peace and order as well as to assist parents and children on their first day at school.

USTP teacher develops ‘geolocator’ for distressed fishermen

By Nef Luczon (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–Following the success of initial tests, the geolocation technology developed by a faculty of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) is seen to help local fishermen obtain help during distress situations in the open sea.

The geolocator technology was developed by Engr. Miriam Mejias, a member of the USTP faculty in Computer Engineering department. It is an offshoot of Mejias' thesis for her Master’s degree in Computer Applications at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology.

Using a computer application, the "geolocator" uses a “sub-1 GHz” network, a type of radio frequency band known for its high performance, long range wireless signal, and low power consumption.

The technology was first tested by a group of fishermen in Barangay Agusan here, who agreed to participate in a study to determine its effectiveness.

Mejias said the participating fishermen were given geolocators using android smartphones, where they can transmit signals and their locations in open waters.

Mejias said the technology is useful for fisherfolk during emergencies, citing in her study the tragedy involving several fishermen in General Santos City who got lost at sea when tropical storm “Pablo” hit parts of Mindanao in 2012.

"Through this study I hope to help the fishermen who encounter distress situations at sea, so that they can easily be tracked down by rescuers and come home safe and alive," she said in the vernacular.

Kenneth Piloton, barangay administrator of Agusan village, said the fishermen in the area found the technology useful. He hopes that the government can mass-produce the device and give to the fisherfolk for free.

Oro council approves P92.5-M first supplemental budget

By PAMELA JAY F. ORIAS

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council has passed on Monday, May 28, its first supplemental budget worth P92.5 million, but it made opposition councilors raised their brows as they questioned where the City Government will source such a big amount this early in 2018.

Councilor Leon Gan proposed for the deferment of the ordinance saying it needs more deliberation and more time before it should be passed.

"Because in my own observation, probably we can say that this is too early to have a supplemental budget at this time, we have just passed the 1st quarter period and yet we have another supplemental budget worth 90 million, how can this be done? We haven't even passed the 2nd or 3rd quarter yet so lugar gi-anticipate na nato daan ang (we are already anticipating the) future income of the City Government," he said.

The P32.5 million of the total P92.5 million were sourced from savings and realignment from continuing appropriation from various years of the general fund, while the remaining P60 million categorized as "surplus."

While the P32 million source of fund was enumerated, Councilor Nadya Emano-Elipe questioned why the P60 millions source of fund was not specified and only labeled as surplus.

Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr., meanwhile, told his fellow councilors there is nothing to worry about since the amount will go directly to City Government projects.

"The source of supplemental budget are taken from the surplus or from other items which were not utilized last year, so it should be supplemented and should be used so that it can be spent to other projects," Lao said.

"There's nothing to worry about because these are taken from savings or surplus from previous years and was carefully deliberated," he added.

Majority of the councilors however voted to pass the ordinance.

Corpus Christi cagers rule 1st CVCA League

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

CORPUS Christi School nearly completed a sweep in the 1st Cagayan de Oro Varsity Coaches Association League, which ended here on Wednesday at the Xavier University High School covered courts up in Pueblo township.

The CCS bets dominated the pasarelle, small basketeers of the Philippines and ladies divisions against XU teams in the finals.

The Junior Knights of coach Carlo Dagalea beat the XUHS Crusaders, 57-50 in the passarelle division, while the baby Knights dumped the baby Crusaders, 46-35 in the SBP division.

The lady Knights of coach Catrina Pong-Biongcog, on the other hand, thrashed the lady Crusaders, 49-10 in the ladies section.

“In fairness sa lady Crusaders, bag-o lang gyud sila naporma busa nidaug kami sa experience,” Biongcog humbly said.

St, Mary’s School (SMS) Fiats of coach Rene Ilogon prevented Corpus Christi’s total domination after escaping with a 60-57 come-from-behind victory over Dagalea’s charges in the 17-under boys class.

The Knights were in control of the whole quarters and even held the lead by as much as 12 points.

But, St. Mary’s slowly rallied behind in the final fourth period until they finally overtook Corpus by one, 58-57, in the dying seconds of the game.

SMS sealed the win after Tyler Lim intercepted a Corpus fast break and found Airmeg Mesa wide-open for the crucial basket.

The league was formed through the collaborations of Xavier, Corpus, St. Mary’s and Cagayan de Oro National High School.

They were the league’s first participants with the hope to expand next summer.

“Na-initiate namo kay walay nag-sponsor og summer league nga school-based, busa nakahuna-huna kami para dili maputol among programa sa eskwelahan,” said Dagalea.

Oro karatekas Shine in JKA Cebu Open tilt

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

CAGAYAN de Oro City’s Christine Cabrejas and Michi Jan Abao bagged a gold each in the 2018 Japan Karate Association (JKA) Open Invitational Tournament last May 20 at the New Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City.

Cabrejas, a first dan black belter from JKA Cagayan de Oro chapter and an incoming grade 12, dominated the 16 to 17 years old girls kumite to win the gold, while Abao held ground in the 12 to 13 years old kumite.

Aside from that, Cabrejas salvaged a silver and a bronze medal in the team and individual kata, respectively, while Abao also clinched a silver in the team kata.

Klara Claire Abao, who is Michi Jan’s sibling, pulled a silver in the team kata and two bronzes from the 12 to 13 years old individual kata and kumite.

Mark Rhys Cabaraban also chipped in a silver for JKA CdeO with a silver in the 14 to 15 years old boys kumite and a bronze in the individual kata.

“They all fought a good fight and all performed their best during the tournament,” said Jessica Hojas Esparrago, one of the heads in JKA CdeO and at the same time a PE instructor at Xavier University.

Cagayan de Oro pugs sweep all 6 final matches

By JAIME A. FRIAS II

CEBU CITY -- Cagayan de Oro City boxers swept all their final matches to give Team CdeO six gold medals in the last day of action of the 2018 Philippine National Games, concluded here on Friday night, May 25.

Mark Lester Durens, John Ignatius Macas, John Paul Panuayan, Sugar Rey Ocana, Elaide Pamisa and Jema Baja starred in the final day for Team CdeO after winning their respective divisions in the boxing event held at New Cebu Coliseum.

Panuayan and Ocana pulled impressive wins after stopping their respective foes in the same time and round at 2:58 minutes of the second round.

Panuayan won against Jacob Regis of host Cebu City via referee stop contest in their youth men’s lightweight fight.

Panuayan put the exclamation mark after unleashing a strong right straight to the face of Regis that sent him to the ropes and the referee’s call.

Ocana, on the other hand, scored a knock out win against Jerome Panganiban of Leyte Sports Academy (LSA) in the elite men’s light welterweight.

Durens, Macas, Pamisa and Baja won via unanimous decision against their respective foes in the finals.

Durens beat John Paul Gabunelas of host Cebu City in the men’s youth light flyweight division, while Macas defeated Robert Paala of Sultan Kudarat in the youth men’s flyweight.

Their female counterparts, Pamisa and Baja, won against LSA boxers.

Pamisa outclassed Myra Nacario in the women’s youth light flyweight, while Baja won against Judy Ann Orbeta in the women’s youth flyweight.

Jordge Nuez also gave a bronze in the youth men’s flyweight division.

Team CdeO seized a total of 10 golds, four silvers and 11 bronzes in the meet.

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