Difference between revisions of "Misamis Occidental News"

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.
Line 12: Line 12:
</table></div>
</table></div>
<!--- DO NOT EDIT ABOVE THIS LINE --->
<!--- DO NOT EDIT ABOVE THIS LINE --->
==DepEd, beneficiary of confiscated lumber from DENR checkpoints==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?menu=2&webregion=R10&article=1451330415018
*Tuesday 28th of February 2012
:by  Pat Nano
OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) will be among the first beneficiaries of the lumber confiscated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
This assurance was given by Forester Clark Carbonilla, Chief of Forest Management Service in Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Ozamiz City, regarding the lumber that have been confiscated by the Philippine National Police in the province and in the city as well.
He said the confiscated items will never go to waste, especially those classified as the good lumber because it will be turned over to DepEd to be made into chairs, desks and so forth.
Carbonilla clarified that transporting logs without the proper documents would mean that the cutting of logs have been illegal and would require the logs to remain in their custody.
He said CENROs are given the task to dispose of the confiscated lumber as per administrative order signed by the regional office of the DENR. (PN-PIO/PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)
==Mis. Occ. Provincial Gov’t vies for the DOH Red Orchid Awards==
==Mis. Occ. Provincial Gov’t vies for the DOH Red Orchid Awards==
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1451330240367
*Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=1451330240367

Revision as of 14:59, 28 February 2012

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

Province of Misamis Occidental - Archived News

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.
Nophoto.gif
Misamis Occidental

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.

DepEd, beneficiary of confiscated lumber from DENR checkpoints

by Pat Nano


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) will be among the first beneficiaries of the lumber confiscated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

This assurance was given by Forester Clark Carbonilla, Chief of Forest Management Service in Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Ozamiz City, regarding the lumber that have been confiscated by the Philippine National Police in the province and in the city as well.

He said the confiscated items will never go to waste, especially those classified as the good lumber because it will be turned over to DepEd to be made into chairs, desks and so forth.

Carbonilla clarified that transporting logs without the proper documents would mean that the cutting of logs have been illegal and would require the logs to remain in their custody.

He said CENROs are given the task to dispose of the confiscated lumber as per administrative order signed by the regional office of the DENR. (PN-PIO/PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)






Mis. Occ. Provincial Gov’t vies for the DOH Red Orchid Awards

by Pat Nano


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Misamis Occidental has been nominated for the Red Orchids Award of the Department of Health (DOH).

The awarding will be done in Manila during the World No Tobacco Day on May 31.

These institutions are the Department of Education (DepEd)-Misamis Occidental, the Misamis Occidental Provincial Hospital (MOPH), and the provincial government of Misamis Occidental.

Jun Galban, Jr. regional information officer of DOH-10, said the DOH-10 the Red Orchids Award is awarded to local government units, which may be composed of a province, city or municipality, government hospitals, government centers, and DOH Centers for Development that have a policy advocacy against smoking.

All nominees of the Red Orchid Awards will receive certificates of recognition with a specially designed trophy and a P100,000-worth of nicotine replacement therapy equipment to be used in their smoking cessation services, Galban said. (PN-PIO/PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)

Children’s Int’l Phil., Inc. donates medical supplies to Mis. Occ.

by Pat Nano


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 24 (PIA) -- Another batch of assorted medicines and medical supplies was given by the Children’s International Philippines Inc., (CIPI) to the provincial government of Misamis Occidental.

Governor Herminia M. Ramiro said these items were divided and given to the eight public hospitals in the province to be used by the indigent patients who will be brought to their hospitals.

Together with the hospital supplies in-charge, the governor thanked CIPI since it no longer easy to request for medicines considering the very long process of procurement from the concerned offices of the Provincial Capitol, because it has also to pass the bidding process.

Provincial Administrator Ken Regalado also thanked CIPI for continuously donating to the province not only medicines but also wheelchairs, assorted medical supplies, and educational materials and books for children. (PN-PIO/PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)

P498-M Misamis Irrigation System Up

by MIKE U. CRISMUNDO


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – At least 2,123 farmer families in the two towns of Misamis Oriental are expected to benefit when the construction of the P498-million irrigation system will be completed.

Once completed, the irrigation system is also expected to increase the production of the thousands of farmers, not only in the towns of Balingasag and Lagonglong, but also in other nearby areas.

Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has asked National Irrigation Administration (NIA) head Antonio Nangel to closely supervise the ongoing construction in an effort to hit the timeline of the project.

Alcala made the directive following his visit to the Balingasag River Irrigation Project in Balingasag town.

The irrigation system will serve at least 2,500 hectares in the area, local officials said.

Last year, the province of Misamis Oriental produced close to 26,500 metric tons of palay from 6,400 hectares, where 5,950 hectares of which are irrigated.

The completion of the Balingasag irrigation system will greatly contribute to increase the province’s palay harvest in succeeding years, and attain self-sufficiency within the next two years, said Alcala.

In another development, the Region-10 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-10) has recently released more than P2 million to 14 organizations of “Pantawid Pamilya” families in 14 barangays (villages) in the four municipalities of Misamis Occidental.

Under the Self-Employment Assistance “Tungo sa Kaunlaran Program” of the DSWD, the fund was released by DSWD-Misamis Occidental to the targeted beneficiaries that were identified through the National Household Targeting System (NHTS).

The 14 villages covered by the program include Biasong, Katipa, Eastern Poblacion and Western Poblacion in Lopez Jaena, Bagumbang, Calolot, Digson, Kanaw-Kanaw, Lumapas and Poblacion in Bonifacio, Sibulin, Looc Proper, and Puntod in Plaridel, and Sinuza in Tudela town.

The DSWD-Misamis Occidental, together with the provincial government headed by Governor Herminia M. Ramiro, and the local chief executives, instituted ways to help poor families in the province through its various programs.

In line with this development, the DSWD and the Misamis Occidental provincial government are very hopeful that these programs can make the targeted beneficiaries improve their lives.

Meanwhile, leaders from the six regions in Mindanao signed an agreement to have a collaborated and unified disaster planning and response for disasters that may occur in their respective regions.

The leaders in Mindanao, including various Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) also pledged to have effective and coordinated efforts on capacity-building disaster risk reduction (DRR), preparedness, reconstruction, resettlement, and rehabilitation.

This developed after the Mindanao leaders, DRRMC staff and officers, and all concerned government agencies signed an agreement during the recently concluded two-day Mindanao Summit on DRR and Geo-Hazard Awareness at a hotel and convention center here.

The Mindanao Declaration on DRR Priorities (MDDRRP) was also strengthened after local government units (LGUs) vowed to allocate a bigger budget in their respective localities for disaster mitigation and relief operations.

The Mindanao declaration was spearheaded by Senators Aquilino Pimentel III, Teofisto Guingona III, and lawmakers from the various congressional districts in the country’s second largest island.

The two senators are both from Northern Mindanao, where the recent typhoon “Sendong” struck their region, killing many people, and inflicting millions of pesos worth of damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

“We declare our unity, commitment, and resolve to reduce the risks of disasters in our island,” part of the Mindanao DDRRP declaration stated.

DSWD releases P2-M to 14 orgs of Pantawid Pamilya in Mis. Occ.

by Pat Nano


LOPEZ JAENA, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 22 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released more than P2 million to 14 organizations of the Pantawid Pamilya families in 14 barangays from fourmunicipalities of the province.

Under the Self-Employment Assistance Tungo sa Kaunlaran Program of DSWD, the fund was released by DSWD-Mis. Occ. to the targeted beneficiaries identified through its National Household Targeting System.

The 14 barangays covered by the program are the following: Biasong, Katipa, Eastern Poblacion and Western Poblacion in Lopez Jaena; Bagumbang, Calolot, Digson, Kanaw-Kanaw, Lumapas and Poblacion in Bonifacio; Sibulin, Looc Proper, and Puntod in Plaridel; and Sinuza in Tudela.

DSWD-Mis. Occ., together with the provincial government headed by Governor Herminia M. Ramiro and all the local chief executives, instituted ways to help poor families in the province through its various programs like the Pantawid Pamilya, SEA-K, and CIDSS.

In line with this, DSWD and the Mis. Occ. provincial government are very hopeful that these programs can make the target beneficiaries get out of poverty and improve their lives. (PN-PIO/PIA 10 Mis.Occ.)

PhilHealth-X awards outstanding partners in Northern Mindanao

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 21 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has bestowed recognition to 14 partner-employers and collecting banks and agents in Northern Mindanao for their valuable contribution to the success of the National Health Insurance Program, during the awarding rites held today at the Pearlmont Inn, Cagayan De Oro City.

Maria Rhodella Pare, head of the PhilHealth-X Management Services Division, said the awarding aims to give credit to accredited collecting agents and banks who provided avenue to which PhilHealth members may conveniently pay their premiums and to employers who dutifully remitted and reported the contributions of their respective employees to ensure the viability of the social health insurance fund.

Recognized as best collecting banks for the year 2011 were Philippine Postal Savings Bank in Cagayan de Oro area, Bank of Commerce, Maramag Branch in Bukidnon area, Philippine National Bank, Gingoog Branch in Misamis Oriental area, and China Banking Corporation, Iligan and Ozamiz branches in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental areas, respectively.

On the other hand, the five employers awarded as Best Employers for 2011 were C-One Trading Corporation of Cagayan de Oro, Dole Philippines, Inc. – Stanfilco of Bukidnon, Iligan Medical Center College, Inc., Integrated Port Services of Ozamiz, and the City Government of Gingoog.

Meanwhile, the One Network Bank in Ozamiz City was conferred as the Best Collecting Rural Bank, the local government of Kibawe was the Best Collecting Local Government Unit, and the Universal Storefront Services Corporation in Tagoloan as the Top Non-Bank Collecting Agent in the region for the year 2011.

The Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology Multi-Purpose Cooperative was given a special citation for being the only organized group in Northern Mindanao that has managed a successful partnership in the implementation of the KASAPI program thereby giving its cooperative members easy access to healthcare services. (APB-PIA 10)

DPWH to help in solving flooding in Tudela and Clarin

by Rutchie C. Aguhob and Pat Nano


TUDELA, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 20 (PIA) -- Even if their concern is only the national highways and bridges, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is always ready to extend technical help in finding solutions to the problem of flooding in Tudela and Clarin.

This assurance came from Engr. Dario Pusod, district engineer of the Second Engineering District of Mis. Occ., who said the DPWH infrastructure in the area were also affected by the flooding in both towns.

The district engineer pointed out that the recent flooding in the area had almost destroyed the foundation of a bridge in Tudela because of the debris that piled up under the structure brought about by the floods.

He said every time there is heavy rain, water overflows at the Paca Irrigation Dam, which is under the National Irrigation Administration. “Now, if they would need our technical help, we’re just too glad to help in any way, so that the residents will be protected from any flooding tragedy,” Engr. Pusod added. (RCA/PN/PIO-PIA 10 Mis.Occ.)

Medical mission, bloodletting highlight DXDD AM’s 42nd anniversary

by pia.gov.ph


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 18 (PIA) -- A medical mission highlighted Radio Station DXDD AM’s 42nd anniversary, last Wednesday, Feb. 15.

Held at the GSK Entablado, Tambalan ng Cathedral, here, the activity was actually a year thing for DXDD AM, a radio station run by the Archdiocese of Ozamiz, Wendell Talibong, Program Director, said.

It was aimed at helping Ozamiznons, especially the poor, who need the services most, Talibong said.

Included in the medical mission was a bloodletting activity from blood donors who are supporters of the station’s “Dugo Pagpapaalam” Program.

Meanwhile, Talibong thanked Governor Herminia M. Ramiro, who he said had always been there to support their annual activity.

He said the Governor Ramiro’s help often came in the form of medicines, medical personnel, and other logistics for the Medical Mission Outreach Program of the province. (PIO/PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

LGU Tudela to make another round of damage assessment in the flashflood-affected barangays

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


TUDELA, Misamis Occidental – Another round of damage assessment and needs analysis (DANA) will be done by the local government unit (LGU), here, after yesterday’s repeat of the flash floods that occurred, last Feb. 10.

Again, the continuous heavy rains on the night of Feb. 14 resulted in the swelling of Paka River, affecting 16 or 49 percent of its 33 barangays, namely:

Sebac, Basirang, Pan-ay Diot, Yanong, Locsoon, Barra, Cabul-anonan, Centro Napu, Taguima, Nailon, Tigdoc, Silongon, Upper Centro, Napurog, Hulpa and Gala.

As of 3:00 p.m. yesterday, Mayor Estela R. Obut- Estaňo had activated the Disaster Response Operations, Monitoring and Information Center, for a round the clock service, at the Health Center in the Poblacion.

She also activated the Tudela Search and Rescue Team (TSART) who got ready with their SAR equipment, such as ropes, life jackets, salvabida or floaters for any emergency after receiving reports that the water level in Paka River, had gone up to as high as a man’s breast.

Likewise, she sent the TSART members to alert the residents, thru the public address system, of the flood situation in the concerned barangays, so they can move to higher grounds for safety.

Meanwhile, Mayor Estaňo said a total of 1,338 families with 5,772 members were affected by the flashfloods, last Feb. 10, due to the previous night’s heavy rains.

No one died but 10 persons were hurt because of the incident which also damaged 225 houses, i.e., 15, totally and 210, partially.

However, only 57 families with 342 members stayed inside the evacuations centers, the Mayor said.

She said, so far, the LGU through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) has distributed the following: blankets, 300 pcs., mosquito nets, 301 pcs. and mats, 302 pcs. (PIA-Mis. Occ.)

MisOcc LGU to allocate P30-M for rehab of flood-control dike in Tudela and Clarin

by Rutchie C. Aguhob and Pat Nano


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 16 (PIA) -- The provincial government has allocated P30 million for the planned rehabilitation of the flood-control dike in the municipalities of Tudela and Clarin that was damaged by the flashfloods last Feb. 10.

“The money will be used to make the project withstand, during the occurrence of heavy rains resulting in flashfloods,” Governor Herminia Ramiro said.

Ramiro also planned to meet with the officials of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the province for the needed repair of the collapsed flood control dike. The incident damaged not only a good number of houses, but also the agriculture and infrastructure in both municipalities.

Ramiro wanted an immediate action to protect the residents of Barangay Pan-ay Daku and Dolores and hopes NIA can provide a solution to the problem. (RCA/PN/PIO-PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)

Last night’s rain results in a pocket landslide in Ozamiz

by Rutchie C. Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 15 (PIA) -- A pocket landslide occurred some 20 meters away from the Guimad Elementary School, Ozamiz City this morning.

Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez, Chairperson of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) said that no one was hurt in the incident which was brought about by last night’s rain.

Meanwhile, she has called on the barangay leaders of the city’s 51 barangays, especially those located in the coastal areas, to take pre-cautionary measures against possible rise in coastal waters.

The mayor issued the warning based on the 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 5:00 a.m., Feb. 15, 2012, by the Operations Center of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The NDRRMC advisory said that at 2:00 a.m., the active low pressure area (ALPA) was estimated at 400 kilometers east of Mindanao.

As per forecast by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration, Mindanao, Visayas, and Southern Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms with widespread rains over Eastern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with light rains.

Parojinog-Echavez ordered the crisis intervention unit to go on emergency mode, as she called on all the barangay DRRMCs to warn the people living in mountain slopes and other low-lying places to remain alert for flashfloods and landslides. (RCA-PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)

DENR supports implementation of EO 001

by Rutchie C. Aguhob and Juvy L. Canumay


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has thanked the city government of Ozamiz for implementing Executive Order 001, Series of 2012, of Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez.

The said EO suspended the quarry operations along the river systems and banned the cutting of trees within the city.

Forester Mercy Uy of the City Environment and Natural Resources said the implementation of EO 001 is a great help in their daily tasks since it has been the practice of some sawmill operators in the province of Misamis Occidental to resort to name dropping using the name of former Mayor Aldong Parojinog in their illegal trade.

Per EO 001 of Mayor Parojinog-Echavez, transport of logs and other tree products along the streets of the city is declared illegal since no permit to cut trees has been renewed by the city.

“This is a pro-active measure so that damage to property and loss of lives due to flashfloods and landslides can be prevented unlike what happened to the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro because of Typhoon Sendong,” the Mayor said.

Meanwhile, Ozamiz City Police Office Police Supt. Jonas Amparo said he will strictly enforce EO 001 and bring to justice those who will oppose it.

For her part, Forester Uy suggested that sawmill operators who will be caught red-handed will have their sawmills dismantled and their equipment confiscated and will be returned only after their permits will be renewed. (RCA/JLC/CIO-PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)

Araw ng Calamba, Mis. Occ. to feature indigenous Filipino games

by Rutchie C. Aguhob and Pat Nano


CALAMBA, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 13 (PIA) -- The local government unit in Calamba has embarked on an indigenous way of celebrating its 64th foundation anniversary that falls on Feb. 14, this year, through the conduct of Filipino games.

Focusing on the theme: “Gugma: Tulay sa Kahiusahan, Kalinaw ug Kalamboan” (Love: Bridges Unity, Peace and Development), the Valentine’s Day celebration will involve games that are meant to bring about happiness and jubilation of the residents and their visitors.

Calamba Tourism Oficer Yzel Villanueva said the games will include inter-sectoral ball games and some Filipino games, such as Maria and Mario Went to Town, Driving the Pig Home, Pop The Balloon, Fish Relay using a paper replica of a fish flown on air, Treasure Hunting, and Tanging Hinga Mo Contests. Also included is the Search for “Hara sa of Calamba 2012” (Queen of Calamba 2012).

An added feature is the “Pailog sa Pagdakop sa mga Baktin” (Chasing the Piglet) which is to be participated only by the “Punong Barangays” of the town’s 19 barangays. (RCA/PN/PIO-PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)

CDRRMC warns Ozamiznons of possible flashfloods

by Rutchie C. Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 12 (PIA) – The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) here has warned people living in the low-lying and coastal areas of the city to take pre-cautionary measures against possible rise in coastal waters.

This, as a low pressure area (LPA) was estimated, at 2:00 a.m., today, in the vicinity of Hinatuan City, at latitude 8.6 degrees North, 126 degrees East, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said.

In its 24-hour Public Weather Forecast issued as 5:00 a.m., today, Feb. 12, 2012, PAGASA said Mindanao, the Visayas, as well, as Central and Southern Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

There will also be widespread rains over Mindanao, the Visayas, Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides, while the rest of Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds will be blowing from the Northeast and East over the Visayas and from East to Northeast over Mindanao and the coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

Meanwhile, the Ozamiz CDRRMC has called on all the Barangay DRRMC’s to warn the people living in mountain slopes and other low-lying places to remain alerted for flashfloods and landslides.

Likewise, fishing boats and other small sea crafts in the city are advised to take precautionary measures before going out into the sea, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez, who is also the Chairperson of CDRRMC has reminded the Barangay DRRMC’s to take appropriate pro-active actions to aim for “zero” casualty focused on evacuation, rather than rescue.

Heavy rains last Feb. 9 resulted in knee-deep flashfloods the following morning that affected eight (8) barangays of the city, namely: Baňadero, Aguada, Carmen Annex, Gango, Lam-an, Maningcol, Carangan and San Antonio.

The incident also resulted in pocket landslide along the highway in Sapang Dalaga town that affected three (3) barangays, namely: Bitibot, Poblacion and El Paraiso where one (1) house was damaged. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

GSIS extends moratorium to members in Sendong-affected areas

by Apipa P. Bagumbaran


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is granting a moratorium on loan repayments for its members affected by Tropical Storm Sendong.

The moratorium program which defers payment of loan amortization, without interest and penalties, is undertaken by the GSIS to directly and immediately help members-borrowers affected by Sendong, said Ma. Luz Ilano-Briones, GSIS Cagayan de Oro Field Manager.

She said the program which will be implemented in two phases will cover the following areas in Northern Mindanao: Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, Matungao and Tubod towns in Lanao del Norte, Clarin and Ozamiz in Misamis Occidental province, as well as, the entire provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

The first phase, she said, automatically suspends the loan repayments for the months of January to March 2012 for all active members who were granted emergency loans due to Sendong.

This implies that qualified members in the specified affected areas need not file an application for the three-month moratorium, she emphasized.

The second phase, on the other hand, grants an additional nine months moratorium on the payment of loan amortization, from April to December 2012, for members residing and/or working in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and pensioners residing in both cities.

Unlike the first phase, qualified members who are interested to avail of the benefits of the second phase are required to file an application for moratorium not later than February 29, Briones said.

She further said application for moratorium should be filed at the Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Field Offices, adding that any application filed through the GSIS website, email or regular mail shall not be honored.

Loan covered under the moratorium program includes all active housing loans without record of unpaid amortization for more than six (6) months as of December 31, 2011 and all emergency loans granted as a result of Sendong.

Also included are active service loans such as consolidated loans, eCash advance, policy loans, and pension loans, provided, that the loan was granted on or prior to December 31, 2011 and the account has no record of unpaid amortization for more than six (6) months as of December 31, 2011.

Briones, however, stressed that due and demandable accounts as of December 31, 2011 are not qualified for the program.

Meanwhile, monthly amortization on qualified loan accounts that are due and paid within the moratorium period shall be directly applied as payments to the outstanding balance of the loans in the following order: penalties/surcharges, loan redemption insurance, interest, and principal.

According to Briones, requests for refund of payments already received and receipted by the GSIS shall not be allowed.

Furthermore, fire insurance and service/housing loan redemption insurance will continue to be enforced during the moratorium period, she added. (APB/PIA-10)

Floods swamp Ozamiz City, other towns

by Ryan Rosauro and Julie S. Alipala

Inquirer Mindanao


OZAMIZ CITY, Philippines—Ten hours of continuous heavy rains starting Thursday evening flooded several areas in Misamis Occidental, including this city, on Friday, but no casualties have been reported, officials said. Residents fled to higher ground as floodwaters, aggravated by high tide, swamped their homes. Mayor Estela Obut of the town of Tudela said 241 families were rescued from up to neck-deep waters that submerged 11 of the town’s 33 barangays. “No one was reported hurt as we were able to respond to rescue needs in time,” she said. Obut said the Paca River overflowed and flooded low-lying areas of the municipality. She said several areas in the neighboring municipality of Clarin were also inundated. “Initial disaster survey showed that 16 houses had been damaged,” she said. Obut said that as of noon Friday, at least three villages remained isolated from the town center because of the deep water. Only those with boats, she said, had access to the villages of Yahong, Luksoon and Silongon. In Ozamiz City, Mayor Nova Princess Echavez ordered the suspension of classes at the elementary and high school levels due to the floods. Minor landslides in the village of Bitibot in the municipality of Sapang Dalaga blocked half of the national highway, constraining the flow of traffic, according to reports from other officials. Meanwhile, in Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte, floods as deep as eight feet in many areas had receded by Friday, according to Alemario Dagpin, secretary to the mayor. Councilor Apple Agolong said displaced residents from the city’s 12 flooded districts were returning home. “So many houses were destroyed, some were washed out to sea. We are still conducting our assessment,” Dagpin said. Adriano Fuego, director of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council in Western Mindanao, reported that 13,052 individuals were directly affected by the Dapitan flooding. A bridge had also collapsed, he said. Maribel Enriquez of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration office in Zamboanga City said the floods that hit Misamis Occidental and Dapitan were caused by a cold front and the northeast monsoon. Enriquez said rains were also expected in other Mindanao areas. “We are also monitoring a low pressure area in Southern Mindanao coupled with the tail of the cold front,” she said.

Fish scare grips Iligan City after Dec. 17 disaster

by Ryan D. Rosauro

Inquirer Mindanao


ILIGAN CITY, Philippines—The sale of fish caught in Northern Mindanao has taken a steep dive as talk continues to circulate about fish feeding on human corpses washed out to sea at the height of the Dec. 17 disaster here and in Cagayan de Oro City. Workers at restaurants here report of customers first asking where fish being offered on the menu were caught before ordering these. People still hesitate to eat fish caught in the region’s fishing grounds, said a waiter in one restaurant here. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) sought to dispel the rumor. Visa Tan-Dimeren, the regional director of BFAR, said fish are safe to eat if thoroughly cleaned and their internal organs are removed. Fish, said the BFAR official, should also be cooked well. Evie Lumingkit, the BFAR fish health officer, said BFAR could back up its assurance that fish from the region are safe to eat with results of a survey conducted in December that showed no ill effects of eating fish among consumers. “There were no reported cases of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness and headache associated with food poisoning caused by landed fish catch from the coastal waters of this region,” said Lumingkit. She said the survey was conducted in communities in the coastal areas of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Camiguin after the Dec. 17 disaster that struck at the height of Tropical Storm “Sendong.” Prices of fish have gone down as a result of a decline in consumption. The effects of the fish scare are most felt in Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte where large numbers of coastal communities are dependent on fishing. In Misamis Occidental, fish prices went down by as much as 50 percent. Market vendors in Ozamiz City said prices of small squid suffered the heaviest hit. It now sells P10 to P20 per kilogram and yet no one’s buying. The sale of tilapia and milkfish grown in fish cages or ponds was spared. Their sale continues to be brisk. Last week, officials of Misamis Occidental tried to convince people it was safe to eat fish from the province by eating fish in a public ceremony.

PAGASA issues General Flood Advisory No. 4 for Northern Mindanao

by Rutchie C. Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 8 (PIA) -- People living near rivers, streams, mountain slopes, and low-lying areas in all provinces of Region 10 are again warned of possible flashfloods by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC)-Region 10.

This, after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued General Flood Advisory No. 4 for Northern Mindanao at 9:00 a.m., Feb. 8, 2012.

PAGASA said the present weather shows that Mindanao and Visayas will experience scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms while Luzon will have isolated light rains over the eastern section.

Isolated light rains are expected in the next 24 hours, which will likely affect the waterways of all the provinces in the region, namely Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin Island, and Bukidnon.

Among these river systems are the Oroquieta River and other rivers and tributaries in Misamis Occidental, Agus River, Liangan River, Maranding River, Mandulog River, Dapao River and Mataling River in Lanao del Norte, Odiongan River, Tagoloan River, Cagayan de Oro River, Manduloy River, Cabulig River, and the other nearby rivers in the province of Misamis Oriental.

Regional Director Ana Cañeda of the Office of Civil Defense and Chairperson of RDRRMC-10 said the local DRRMCs are also reminded to take appropriate pro-active actions to aim for “zero casualty” focused on evacuation rather than rescue. (RCA-PIA 10 Mis. Occ.)

RDRRMC-10 updates show 69,666 families were affected by Typhoon Sendong in region 10

by Rutchie C. Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 7 (PIA) -- A total of 69,666 families with 384,431 members had been affected by typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao, according to the updated data of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), Region 10.

Of this figure, 47,009 families involving 281,740 members were from Misamis Oriental, of which 38,071 families with 228,576 members were from Cagayan de Oro City (CDO), while the rest came from eight of its municipalities, namely: Lugait, Manticao, Naawan, Alubijid, Opol, Tagoloan, Villanueva, and Kinoguitan.

This was followed by Iligan City with 20,249 families with 90,285 members and Bukidnon with 2,408 families with 12,406 persons from Valencia City and the towns of Baungon, Libona, Malitbog, Cabanglasan, Manolo Fortich, Talakag, and Impasug-ong.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Ana Cañeda of the Office of Civil Defense, Region 10, said 4,572 families with 18,273 members still remain in 35 evacuation centers (ECs), of which 18 are located in CDO and 17 in Iligan City.

Of those who remain inside the ECs, 1,795 families with 7,390 members are from CDO and 1,617 families with 5,657 members are from Iligan City, while some 1,159 families with 5,226 members have gone to the transitory relocation sites.

The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) outside the ECs has also been noted at 46,245 with 262,682 members, Cañeda, who is also the chairperson of RDRRMC-10, said.

About 24,482 of these families with 148,667 members are from CDO, and 10,472 families with 48,813 members from Iligan City.

Also living outside the ECs are 8,886 IDP families with 52,904 members from Misamis Oriental and 2,404 IDP families with 12,298 members from Bukidnon. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Misamis Oriental observes world wetlands day

by Cedric Dayta


LUGAIT, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 6 (PIA) -- Lugait town in the province of Misamis Occidental celebrated World Wetlands Day 2012 with a massive cleanup.

Led by Mayor Wellie Lim, together with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Misamis Oriental, the cleanup started at around 6:00 a.m. along the three coastal barangays in Lugait: Poblacion, Biga and Calangahan signifying support to the World Wetlands Day 2012.

Mayor Lim, on other hand, issued a memorandum enjoining all officers and employees in the local government to participate in the celebration.


Meanwhile, the international theme for World Wetlands Day 2012 is 'Wetlands and Tourism - a great experience.' This aligns with the theme of the 11th Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention-- 'Wetlands, Tourism and Recreation'-- which will be held in July 2012 in Bucharest, Romania.

World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997.

Since then, government agencies, non-government organizations and community groups have celebrated World Wetlands Day by undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

These activities include seminars, nature walks, festivals, launchings of new policies, announcement of new Ramsar sites, newspaper articles, radio interviews and wetland rehabilitation. (PIO/PIA-10)

New PNP bldg in Mis Occ, now ready for occupancy

by Pat Nano


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 5 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Misamis Occidental is now ready to occupy its newly completed building inside the Provincial Police Service Compound (PPSC), in the city, after its recent blessing.

Located inside the Camp Naranjo Headquarters, the building was constructed through the financial assistance worth P2 million from Governor Herminia Ramiro.

The governor gave the amount for the construction of the building to house the Misamis Occidental Provincial Police Office (PPO) for the convenience of the members of the Misamis Occidental PPO and inspire them to give out effective service to the people and implement peace and order in the province.

Police Chief Jufel Adriatico, Regional Director of PNP-10 was represented by P.Chief Superintendent Catalino B. Rodriguez, Jr., Deputy Director of the PNP Regional Office 10. Governor Herminia Ramiro was represented by Atty. Ric-Ric Lumantas and Jim Delos Santos, Board Member of the First District of Misamis Occidental.

In line with this, the PNP leadership in the province, as well, as in the region, has thanked Governor Ramiro for the project. (PIO/PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)





Sendong-damaged infrastructure reaches P1.286B

by Rutchie C. Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 4 (PIA) -- Latest estimates of damage to infrastructure, mostly on roads, flood control projects, and irrigation structures and facilities due to tropical storm Sendong in Northern Mindanao have reached P1.286 billion.

Reports submitted by the Department of Public Works and Highways Region 10 (DPWH-10) to the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) show the amount of damages in the following areas: Misamis Oriental, P25.99 million, Misamis Occidental, P191.89 million, Bukidnon First District Engineering Office (DEO), P4.4 million, Bukidnon 3rd DEO, P25.30 million, Cagayan de Oro (CDO) 1st DEO, P220 million, CDO 2nd DEO, P360 million, and Lanao del Norte 2nd DEO, P192.15 million.

Previous reports received by RDRRMC-10 from DPWH said the restoration cost of the Cagayan de Oro River revetment which was totally washed out have been estimated at P640 million, which already includes a new study and master plan for the project.

Meanwhile, the CDO 1st DEO is just awaiting funds for the repair of the flood control works involving 600 lineal meters along the CDO River Basin in Barangays Carmen, Kauswagan, and Bonbon of CDO.

The CDO 2nd DEO also said clearing of the collapsed soil that blocked the CDO-Airport-Bukidnon Road, Dansolihon and Dansolihon-Uguiaban Sections, as well, as the Lumbia-Uguiaban By-pass Road, Mangalay Section, have been 100 percent completed.

In Lanao del Norte’s 2nd DEO, particularly, Iligan City, the replacement of the P130 million Mandulog Bridge 1, with a span of 86.5 meters in length, five slabs and two piers which totally collapsed, have been estimated at P160 million.

Traffic in the area have been rerouted to the Misamis Oriental - Ma. Cristina Boundary Road via Mandulog Bridge 2, while removal of damaged structure, realignment, and raising-up of finish grade for Mandulog Bridge 1 is still ongoing.

The Sta. Felomina-Bonbonon-Digkilaan-Rogongon Road, also of Iligan City, is now passable to four-wheel drive vehicles after the landslide debris had been cleared while the restoration of 32 sections of the road is ongoing.

In the Bukidnon 3rd DEO, construction of a spillway type of access road, amounting to P800,000 is ongoing with that of the cross drainage along junction Manolo Fortich-Libona-Indahag (MFLI) Road in Libona.

Provision of slope protection using sheet piles and gabions costing P15 million and request for its immediate funding had also been recommended for the Agusan Canyon Bridge, along junction MFLI Road.

Soil and rock slope failure that blocked the carriageway at the junction of MFLI Road has been cleared and is now passable but needs immediate release of funds for its repair.

Likewise, repair of the damaged slope protection of the Uguiaban Bridge, along the CDO-Dominorog-Camp Kibaritan Road in Talakag, needs immediate release of funds.

In the Bukidnon 1st DEO, the following roads have also been made passable, after being cleared of the collapsed soil and debris:

Aglayan-Zamboanguita Road, specifically, Mapulo and Silae-Mapulo Sections, Malaybalay City and 11 sections of the Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia Road, particularly those in Lumbayao, Valencia City, Makalungay, Sitio Paso, Mabuhay, Cawayan, Mahayag, San Jose and Nabunturan Sections, in San Fernando.

Funding for repairs have also been requested for the following bridges in the district: Salug Bridge in Kalagangan, Mampilo Bridge in Kayaga and Pusod Bridge, in San Jose, all of San Fernando town and Batangan Bridge, in Batangan, Valencia City, which is still under construction. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Ozamiz CDC approves P59.77-M annual investment plan for 2012

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Feb. 3 (PIA) --The Ozamiz City Development Council (OCDC) has passed a resolution endorsing, for final approval, the program,projects, activities of the city’s 2012 Annual Investment Program (AIP) 20% Development Fund Component, in the amount of P59,770,743.

Said resolution was passed during the first full council meeting of the OCDC, last January 17, held in the city. The full council passed CDC Resolution No. 001-2012, s. of 2012 after it deliberated the proposed programs/projects and activities and found them in line with the development thrusts and objectives of the city. The OCDC, pursuant to Article 182, Rule XXII of the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Local Government Code of 1991 serves as the main development advisory arm of the Local Executive and Sangguniang Panglungsod, to set the direction of economic and social development of the city.

Meanwhile, Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez, Chairperson of OCDC, said Php57,670,743 or 96.49% of the amount in the AIP will be spent for the economic development activities, while Php2,100,000 or 3.51%will be for the social development activities of the city.

Breakdown of the economic development activities and their respective allocation is as follows:

Improvement of urban/rural road links, Php8.4M, all weather rural road maintenance, Php100,000, Bridge Finance Loan Amortization for farm to market road improvement of the Dimaluna-Balintawak-Cavinte-Kinuman Norte Road, Php5.713M, and construction support facilities loan amortization, Php3.535M.

Integrated Livelihood Programs, Php1.95M, agricultural livelihood sustainability, Php650,000, preferred development investment support projects, Php2.55M, and loan amortization for the improvement/rehabilitation of Ozamiz City Public Market, Php14.65M.

Environmental management, Pp200,000, Bio-diversity conservation and management, Php470,000, solid waste and ecological management program, Php730,000, debt servicing for acquisition of sanitary landfill heavy equipments and financial charges, Php15.49M and debt servicing for Kinuman Norte Sanitary Landfill Development, Php3.24M.

The social development activities include the Barangay Comprehensive Social Development Projects, Php1.8M, city street lights projects, Php200,000, and rural water system repair/ rehabilitation, Php100,000. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

52.84 ha. in NorMin identified as relocation site for Sendong victims

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 31 (PIA) -- A total of 52.84 hectares of land have been identified as relocation site for the tropical storm Sendong victims in region 10. Per monitoring report submitted by the National Housing Authority (NHA) to the Post Sendong Operations Center of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), region 10, these sites will have a total of 6,602 lots. Of these, 31.35 ha. with 3,142 lots are located in Cagayan de Oro City (CDO) while 21.49 ha. with 3,460 lots are located in Iligan City. In CDO, the first site is in Sitio Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan, particularly the CDO Relocation Site, Phase 2, which has an area of 5.96 ha. for 628 lots. Development arrangements for the site provide that the land development and community facilitation will be done by the local government unit (LGU), while the construction will be handled by NHA from funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). However, off-site development will be handled by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). Per the latest agreement with the LGU, NHA will be the one in charge of the entire Phase 2, but will respect the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) earlier entered into by the LGU and ORO HABITAT for the construction of 200 housing units in the area. The 2nd site in CDO is still in Calaanan, particularly, CDO Relocation Site, Phase 3, involving 9.4 ha. for 1,013 lots with the same development arrangements as in the first site. The 3rd site in CDO involves 5.0 ha., for 500 lots at Xavier Eco-Village in Barangay Lumbia, donated by Xavier University (XU), while the 4th site is the 10.99 ha. for 1001 lots in Barangay Indahag, both of which have their master plans still to be worked-out and their MOA awaiting finalization. In Iligan City, the first site is identified in Barangay Sta. Elena, involving 15.99 ha. for 3,000 lots donated by the National Steel Corporation (NSC), with the LGU as the land developer and NHA, the funder. In a meeting last Jan. 19, City Mayor Lawrence Ll. Cruz finally changed the NHA designs/ plans and opted to adopt the Gawad Kalinga (GK) designs and the schematic subdivision plan is now prepared and completed by NHA. Next is the Kapuso Village in Barangay Mandulog, involving 3 ha. for 260 lots, for which the Iligan LGU is now working on its land acquisition. Also in Iligan is the 2.50 ha. resettlement project in Barangay Luinab owned by the Diocese of Iligan City for donation to the LGU, which is now working on the transfer of title to City. Schematic subdivision plan for the Luinab project was already completed by NHA and turned over to DPWH for initial site clearing/grading of property. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Ozamiz CSWD’s cash for training,cash for work program reach P5.62-M in 2011

by PIA-10 Mis. Occ.


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental — A total of Php5.62 million in rice subsidy was released for the Cash for Training/Cash for Work Program of 1,879 farmers/ fisherfolk beneficiaries in the city, last year. Of this amount, Php2.29 million or 40.75 percent was spent for the rice subsidy of 702 farmers who attended the first batch of a 4-day training on farming skills and on Disaster Management and other relevant topics, Ludie Salud A. Raras, City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer, said. Under the Rice Subsidy Program of CSWD, participants of the training were paid the minimum daily wage of Php257 for them to buy rice for the duration of the 4-day training, plus seven (7) days of “pahina” when they went back to their respective barangays. The “pahina” involved community activities like dredging, cleaning and widening of clogged canals, tree planting and installation of communal vegetable gardens, among others. Likewise, Php3.33 million or 59.25 percent of the amount was spent for the rice subsidy of a total of 1,177 farmers and fisherfolk who attended the second batch of the same kind of training for four (4) days, after which, they also went on a 7-day pahina in their respective barangays.






Ozamiz CSWD’s cash for training,cash for work program reach P5.62-M in 2011

by mdb-admin


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 28 (PIA) -- A total of Php5.62 million in rice subsidy was released for the Cash for Training/Cash for Work Program of 1,879 farmers/ fisherfolk beneficiaries in the city, last year. Of this amount, Php2.29 million or 40.75 percent was spent for the rice subsidy of 702 farmers who attended the first batch of a 4-day training on farming skills and on Disaster Management and other relevant topics, Ludie Salud A. Raras, City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer, said. Under the Rice Subsidy Program of CSWD, participants of the training were paid the minimum daily wage of Php257 for them to buy rice for the duration of the 4-day training, plus seven (7) days of “pahina” when they went back to their respective barangays. The “pahina” involved community activities like dredging, cleaning and widening of clogged canals, tree planting and installation of communal vegetable gardens, among others. Likewise, Php3.33 million or 59.25 percent of the amount was spent for the rice subsidy of a total of 1,177 farmers and fisherfolk who attended the second batch of the same kind of training for four (4) days, after which, they also went on a 7-day pahina in their respective barangays.(PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

DILG challenges LGUs

by mdb-admin


MISAMIS Occidental – The provincial DILG office has challenged the local government units (LGU) to improve their services. This, by adopting the policy of transparency in every transaction, if only to be able to receive the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH), based on the transparency of transactions, sound fiscal management and accountability to the public. Provincial DILG Director Teodoro Paller explained, the SGH involves posting in the 13 points of the Disclosure Policy at three conspicuous places of the municipal hall. The concept is geared towards wider dissemination of the concerned LGU’s adopted transparency in the use of government funds. Director Paller recalled that in year 2007, LGUs Clarin and Calamba were the very first to have been awarded the SGH, with cash incentives of one million pesos each. Last year’s awardees were Don Victoriano, Tudela, Bonifacio, Lopez Jaena and Aloran, each given the corresponding cash award of one million pesos. In the city category, Tangub got it first, also last year. (with report from PIA R10 and R13 Cluster/jdel

Mis. Occ. infra damages due to Sendong reaches P192.825 M

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- A total of P192.825 million worth of damages to infrastructure, mostly roads and flood control projects, was recorded in the province of Misamis Occidental due to Typhoon Sendong. Reports submitted by the Mis. Occ. Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to the Regional DRRMC in Northern Mindanao show, however, that the roads have been rendered passable after Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) cleared the soil materials and landslide debris. The PDRRMC said on midnight of Dec. 16, minor landslides/road slips with the shouldering materials in some sections washed out were noted in the Oroquieta-Plaridel-Calamba-Sapang-Dalaga (OPCSD) Road with damages estimated at P300,000, and the Oroquieta City-Calamba Mountain (OC-CM) Road worth P350,000. By 6:00 am, the next day, Dec. 17, the following roads had the same nature of damages: Ozamiz City-Oroquieta City (OC-OC) Road, P200,000; left side of OPCSD Road, P350,000; OC-CM Road, P500,000; Calamba-Baliangao Road, P500,000; and four sections of the OC-CM Road for soil erosion resulting in clogged canal, P240,000. Meanwhile, the 97-meter provincial bridge in Sitio Barra, Northern Poblacion going to Barangays Kauswagan and Usokan in Plaridel town incurred a damage of P119,650,000, and was closed since Dec. 17. Early morning of Dec. 18, in Sapang Dalaga town, a landslide occurred in the spillway of Barangays Disoy and San Agustin, rendering the facility half-way passable. Due to heavy rain and flood debris, Baga Falls in Barangay Poblacion which was developed as a tourist attraction with 3 units of makeshift layered bridge made of bamboo and native rope was destroyed including the shower pipe, chairs and plants worth P500,000. In Clarin town, the hanging bridge in Barangay Masabud, as well, as the spillway, roads and flood control project from Barangays Pan-ay to Dolores were totally washed out incurring a damage of P67.5 million. In Tudela town, the damages include the following: River flood control-riprap in Barangay Taguima, P650,000; barangay roads and water pipes in Barangay Pan-ay Diot, P1.5 million; sub-marine bridge in Barangay Yahong, P25,000. Barangay roads and bridge in Silongon, P45,000; Maribojok P25,000; Duangguican, P100,000; Napurog, P100,000; Gala, P45,000; Tonggo, P150,000; Buenavista, P45,000; and Cahayag, P50,000. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Philhealth insurance for indigents cover thousands of Ozamiz city families

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 21 (PIA) – A total of 15,019 families from the city’s 51 barangays were covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Program (PHIP) by four (4) sponsors, last year. Of this number, 10,094 families were covered by Mayor Nova Princess E. Parojinog-Echavez, through the local government unit (LGU) of Ozamiz City, Ludie Salud A. Raras, City Social Welfare Officer (CSWO), said. About 1,363 families were also covered by Governor Herminia Ramiro, through the Provincial Government Unit of Misamis Occidental. Likewise, 3,205 families were covered by President Benigno S. Aquino III, while 357 others were covered by the Department of Health (DOH). Meanwhile, Raras said their office is now cleansing their records to validate the number of families who will be re-enrolled in the PHIP for 2012. “Right now, we are cross-checking our records to avoid any duplication of names in the roster of beneficiaries covered by these four (4) health insurance programs,” Raras said. This is because there were instances in the past wherein the misspelled names of beneficiares resulted in double coverage for some of the families and in some cases, a family was covered by all the programs. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Mis. Occ. to organize a committee on preparedness to natural disasters

by Pat Nano


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 20 (PIA) – The Provincial Government, here, plans to organize a committee to ensure that the public will know what to do even before an emergency situation takes place. “People has to have a degree of preparedness from natural disasters by taking care of the environment so that what happened in the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon due to Typhoon Sendong can be prevented,” Governor Herminia Ramiro said. She, however, assured that the said committee will not be a duplication of any of the committees already organized by the province. The Governor is confident that there will be no hitch with the organization of such committee and that it will work out smoothly with the guidance of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the local government units (LGU) and the national government agencies concerned with environment protection in the province. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

RDC-X enjoins the preparation of social protection dev’t report by LGU’s

by PIA Press Release


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 19, (PIA) – The Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) has enjoined the preparation of the Social Protection and Development Report (SPDR) and its integration into the Comprehensive Development and Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CDP/CLUP) with the local government units (LGU’s). The SPDR provides the minimum data requirements of a local situationer which will serve as the basis in coming up with more effective interventions in addressing the various risks and vulnerabilities of LGU’s, Engr. Leon M. Dacanay, Jr., Regional Director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), region 10, said. Dacanay said the SPDR is an enhanced version of the Social Welfare and Social Welfare Development Situationer, which conforms with the National Social Development Committee Resolution No. 1, series of 2007, entitled “Adopting A Philippine Definition of Social Protection (SP).” Such resolution states that the SP constitutes policies that seek to reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of the marginalized by promoting and protecting livelihood and employment, protecting against hazards and sudden loss of income, and improving people’s capacity to manage risks. Risks and vulnerability assessment is undertaken for the sectors on children, family, youth, indigenous peoples (IP), senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWD’s) to identify their situations whether they are exposed to life-threatening situations or vulnerable to natural/environmental occurrences, economic, and social/governance factors that may affect their quality of life. Dacanay, who is also the RDC-X Vice Chairperson said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), as the lead agency in social protection, initiates the enhancing of tools in defining risks and vulnerabilities at the local level through the SPDR which contains the following: General information on geography, demographic characteristics, poverty profile, sources of income and welfare profile. (PIA-Mis. Occ.)

PAGASA warns of earthquake aftershocks

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- An earthquake of tectonic origin took place at 8:55:33 p.m., last night, and is expected to deliver aftershocks, today. According to the Earthquake Information No. 3, issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 10:03 p.m., on Jan. 17, 2012, the epicenter was located at 11:3 degrees North, 126.12 degrees East, 55 km. North, 54 degrees East of Mecedes, Easter Samar. Its depth of focus was 0.25 km., with a magnitude of 5.9 and reported to have the following strengths: Intensity 5, in Sacedo, Borongan and Guian, Eastern Samar and Intensity 4, in Tacloban, Palo and Tolosa, Leyte, Catbalogan, Samar, Dolores and San. Policarpio, Eastern Samar. Intensity 3 at St. Bernard and Hinunangan, Southern Leyte and Catarman, Northern Samar, Intensity 2, in Naval, Biliran and Intensity 1, in Cebu City. Meanwhile, PAGASA’s Public Weather Forecast issued at 5:00 a.m., today, Jan. 18, said the eastern sections of Luzon and the Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains, while the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Moderate to occasionally strong winds blowing from the East to Northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the East to Northeast with slight to moderate seas. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

PAGASA says wind convergence may bring rains to Mindanao in next 24 hrs.

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 17 (PIA) – People living near the mountain slopes and in low-lying areas of region 10 and their respective local disaster risk reduction management councils (DRRMC) have been alerted for possible flash floods and landslides. This, after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomic Services (PAGASA) has issued on Jan. 16, General Flood Advisory No. 4 for Northern Mindanao, stating that there will be moderate rains in Mindanao in the next 24 hrs. brought about by the wind convergence affecting the island. The waterways likely affected by this weather condition are the streams and tributaries of all the rivers and streams of the region’s five (5) provinces, particularly:Oroquieta River in Misamis Occidental, and Odiongan River, Tagoloan River, Cagayan de Oro River, Manduloy River, Cabulig River and the other nearby rivers in the province of Misamis Oriental. Agus River, Liangan River, Maranding River, Mandulog River, Dapao River and Mataling River in Lanao del Norte. Meanwhile, in its Public Weather Forecast issued at 5:00 a.m., today, Jan. 17, PAGASA said Mindanao and Eastern Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the East into Northeast over Mindanao and the coastal waters throughout the Philippine Archipelago will be moderate to rough. Fishing boats and other small sea crafts in the region are also advised not to venture out into the sea, while larger sea vessels were alerted against big waves, Regional Director Ana Cañeda of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), region 10, Chairperson of Regional DRRMC, said. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Gov. Ramiro reiterates BFAR warning of presence of red tide toxin in Murcielagos Bay

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 13 (PIA) – Governor Herminia Ramiro has reiterated the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warning that all types of shellfish from Murcielagos Bay, continues to be unsafe for human consumption. The BFAR warning includes “alamang” or minute shrimps, commonly called “uyap” or “uyabang.” The same warning was issued by BFAR, last November, after shellfish gathered from the bay, located between Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte, tested positive of the red tide toxin. Hence, to prevent any case of food poisoning due to the toxic red tide, the public is again advised “not to harvest,” “not to eat,” “not to sell” and “not to buy them,” the Governor said. Published in BFAR’s Shellfish Bulletin No. 1, series of 2012, the warning came out after the latest laboratory results show that the shellfish collected in the area have been found positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit. The Governor, also reminds the public to follow BFAR’s advice that fish, squids, shrimps and crabs gathered from the area are safe to eat, provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs, such as, gills and intestines, are removed before cooking. Also unsafe to eat, the BFAR said, are the shellfish collected from Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar and Masinloc Bay in Zambales. Meanwhile, BFAR said coastal waters of Taguines Lagoon in Benoni, Mahinog, Camiguin Island, have been found to be free from toxic red tide, therefore, the shellfish gathered from the areas are safe to eat. (PIA-10 Mis.Occ.)






Ozamiz orders suspension of all activities that lead to destruction of environment

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 12 (PIA) -– Mayor Nova Princes E. Parojinog-Echavez ordered all the village chiefs of the city’s 51 barangays to suspend all activities in their respective areas leading to the destruction of the environment. In her Executive Order No. 001, dated Jan. 10, 2012, the Mayor included the monitoring of unauthorized cutting of trees within the territorial jurisdiction of the city as preemptive measure for the public safety and welfare of all Ozamiznons. “Recent events and incidents show massive destruction of life and property resulting from indiscriminate abuse of our natural rain forest,” she said. These events include the indiscriminate excavation and mining resulting in the destruction of our mountain landscape, as well, as quarrying in lands within and along river banks resulting to floods and inundation of lands. “There is a need to regulate these activities to preempt and prevent the effect of massive destruction affecting the lives and property of our people,” the Mayor said. These activities, if not regulated, will perpetuate the great substantive evil destruction of the ecosystem of our environment and the rest of Mother Earth. Meanwhile, the Mayor also directed the following officials to coordinate with the barangay leaders in monitoring these activities and submit a report to enforce a moratorium and/or suspension of quarry operations within and along the river banks of Ozamiz: The city director of the Philippine National Police (PNP); city engineer, City Planning and Development Officer; city director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO); and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO). (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Mis. Occ. PDRRMC issues warning of possible flashfloods and rise in coastal waters

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- Gov. Herminia Ramiro, Chairperson of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Misamis Occidental has warned the people in the mountain slopes and low-lying areas to take pre-cautionary measures against possible flashfloods, anew. The same warning was also issued to the residents in the coastal areas of the province for possible rise in coastal waters. This, after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued Final General Flood Advisory No. 19, at 10:00 a.m., today, Jan. 11. PAGASA said the present weather condition for Mindanao will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers and thunderstorms. For the next 24 hours, Mindanao will experience light rains with short duration of moderate to heavy rains with thunderstorms. The waterways likely to be affected by the present weather condition are all the rivers and streams of Oroquieta River and other rivers and tributaries in Misamis Occidental and the whole Northern Mindanao which include: Odiongan River, Tagoloan River, Cagayan de Oro River, Manduloy River, Cabulig River and the other nearby rivers in the province of Misamis Oriental, Agus River, Liangan River, Maranding River, Mandulog River, Dapao River and Mataling River in Lanao del Norte. The Governor also called on the local DRRMC to come up with pro-active measures aimed at attaining “zero” casualty focused on evacuation rather than rescue. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

“Alamang” from Murcielagos Bay, Mis. Occ. is still unsafe to eat –-BFAR

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- All types of shellfish and “alamang”” or shrimp paste, commonly called “uyap” or “uyabang” gathered from Murcielagos Bay at the boundary of Misamis Occidental in region 10 and Zamboanga del Norte, region 9, are still unsafe for human consumption. This warning was noted in Shellfish Bulletin No. 1, series of 2012, of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), after the latest laboratory results showed that the shellfish collected in the area are positive for paralytic shellfish poison that is beyond the regulatory limit. The public is advised “not to harvest, not to eat, not to sell and not to buy them,” Atty. Asis G. Perez, Director of BFAR, said. The same warning was issued by BFAR last November after shellfish gathered from the bay tested positive of the red tide toxin. However, fish, squids, shrimps and crabs gathered from the area are safe to eat provided they are fresh and washed thoroughly and their internal organs such as gills and intestines are removed before cooking, Perez said. Also unsafe to eat are the shellfish collected in the following areas: Dumanquillas Bay in Zamboanga del Sur, Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar and Masinloc Bay in Zambales. Meanwhile, BFAR said the following coastal waters are free from toxic red tides thus, shellfish gathered from these areas are safe to eat: Mindanao: Taguines Lagoon in Benoni, Mahinog, Camiguin Island, Hinatuan, Bislig and Lianga Bays in Surigao del Sur and Balite Bay in Mati, Davao Oriental. Visayas: Pilar, President Roxas, Pontevedra, Panay, Roxas City, Ivisan and Sapian in Capiz, E.B. Magalona, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, Villadolid, Talisay City, Silay City, Bacolod City and San Enrique in Negros Occidental. Irong-irong, Maqueda and Villareal Bays in Samar, Ormoc, San Pedro, Cancabato and Carigara Bays in Leyte, Biliran Waters in Biliran Province. Luzon: Cavite, Las Pinas, Paranaque, Navotas, Bulacan in Manila Bay, Bolinao, Alaminos and Bani in Pangasinan. Milagros and Mandaon Bays in Masbate, Juag Lagoon in Matnog and Sorsogon Bay in Sorsogon, Honda and Puerto Bays and in Puerto Princesa City and Inner Malampaya Sound in Taytay, Palawan. (PIA-10 Mis.Occ.)

'Sendong' leaves P969.35-M worth of damage to infrastructure in NorMin

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 9 (PIA) –- At least 30 infrastructure projects worth Php969.35M were damaged by Typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao. Reports reaching the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in the region from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reveal that 16 of the projects were on road sections, nine (9) were on bridges, and five (5) were on drainage and flood control. The report also show that the highest amount of damage was in the 2nd Engineering District of Cagayan de Oro (CDO), particularly, the 1,800 linear meter revetment of the CDO River worth Php540M which was totally washed-out. This was followed by the First Engineering District of CDO with Php235M, broken down as follows: Flood control works involving 600 lineal meters, along the CDO River Basin in Barangays Carmen, Kauswagan, and Bonbon worth Php180M. CDO-Airport-Bukidnon Road, Dansolihon and Dansolihon-Uguiaban Sections and Lumbia-Uguiaban By-pass Road, Mangalay Section, where landslides covered the roadway, Php20M and Php5.0M, respectively. Uguiaban By-pass Road, 30-meter road slip, and Kauswagan-Bulua Section, Butuan-Cagayan-Iligan Road (BCIR), with siltation of existing open main drainage both sides, Php10M. Next was the 2nd Engineering District of Lanao del Norte with Php160M to include two (2) roads and bridges, each: Mandulog Bridge 1, Highway Secondary Diversion, Iligan City, with a span of 86.5 meters in length, 5 slabs and 2 piers which totally collapsed, Php100M. Mandulog Bridge 2, Barangay San Roque - Hinaplanon Section, Iligan City, whose right side railing was destroyed, its uppermost girder upstream 4th span cracked and its approaches and revetment washed out, Php35M. Misamis Oriental-Maria Cristina Boundary Road with damaged carriageway, Php15M and Sta. Felomina-Bonbonon-Digkilaan-Rogongon Road with land slide and plant debris scattered along carriageway and road slip, Php10M. The 3rd Engineering District of Bukidnon also incurred an infrastructure damage worth Php30.8M in the following areas: Agusan Canyon Bridge, along junction Manolo Fortich-Libona-Indahag Road, washed-out/scour bank protection and Uguiaban Bridge, along CDO–Dominorog Camp Kibaritan Road, Talakag, Bukidnon, damaged slope protection at Abutment "A" and "B", Php10M, each. Cross drainage along junction Manolo Fortich-Libona-Indahag Road, Libona, Bukidnon, washed-out drainage structure, and Sayre Highway Alae-Kisolon Road, Maluko Slip Section, with depression road slip at Damay Section, Php5.0M, each. Tal-uban Bridge, along CDO-Dominorog-Camp Kibaritan Road, Washed-out/Scour Bank Protection at Abut. “B” Php0.50M and Junction Manolo Fortich-Libona-Indahag Road, 11 sections, soil collapse & rock slope failure blocked the carriageway, Php0.30M. Damages to infrastructure in the First Engineering District of Bukidnon also reached Php3.55 million to include the following: Washed-out cross drainage due to strong current of waters, 350 cu.m. at junctions Aglayan-Zamboanguita Road, Mapulo Section, Mapulo, Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Pocket soil collapse at Aglayan-Zamboanguita Road, Silae-Mapulo Section, Mapulo, MalaybalayCity, Bukidnon, 100 cu.m., and Pusod Bridge, San Jose, San Fernando, Bukidnon, Kapalong-Talaingod-Valencia Road, 300 cu.m. Lumbayao Bridge, Valencia City, Bukidnon, Lumbayao Section, Lumbayao, Valencia, Bukidnon, 50 cu.m., Makalungay Section, Makalungay, San Fernando, Bukidnon, 200 cu.m., and Sitio Paso Section, Mabuhay, San Fernando, 150 cu.m., Erosion of footing of slope protection and grouted riprap in Salug Bridge and Mampilo Bridge in Barangays Kalagangan and Kayaga, both of San Fernando, Bukidnon, respectively. Scouring embankment at Abutment "A" which was washed out in Pusod Bridge, San Jose, San Fernando, Bukidnon, and Batangan in Valencia City, also of Bukidnon, which is still under construction. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Tail end of a cold front and “Amihan” may trigger flashfloods, landslides in Mindanao - PAGASA

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 6 (PIA) –- The government weather agency today warned residents in Mindanao and the Visayas of widespread rains that may trigger flashfloods and landlslides. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its weather advisory issued at 5:00 am today said that the tail end of a cold front will be affecting Mindanao and Eastern Visayas, and the Northeast monsoon or “Amihan” will be affecting Luzon in the next 24 hours. Mindanao and the Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rains over Eastern Visayas, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Eastern Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with rains. The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over Luzon and the Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be moderate to occasionally strong coming from the Northeast and East with moderate to occasionally rough seas. Thus, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), region 10, has warned the people in the coastal areas to take pre-cautionary measures against possible rise in coastal waters. It has also called on all the local DRRMC’s to warn the people living in mountain slopes and other low-lying places to stay alert for flashfloods and landslides. Meanwhile, fishing boats and other small sea crafts in the region are advised to take precautionary measures before going out into the sea, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. The local DRRMC’s are also reminded to take appropriate pro-active actions to aim for “zero” casualty focused on evacuation, rather than rescue, Regional Director Ana Caňeda of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), region 10, who is also the Chairperson of RDRRMC-10, said. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)





DSWD identifies permanent site for shelter of 'Sendong' victims in Cag. de Oro

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 5 (PIA) – At least 17.5 hectares of land had been identified as suitable permanent settlement site for the Typhoon Sendong victims of Cagayan de Oro City. “These areas had been selected to heed the call of President Benigno S. Aquino III to make sure that the victims should be relocated in areas where they are safe,” Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), region 10, said. She said the President has ordered that the victims should no longer be allowed to go back to their previous location where lives were threatened and lost and their belongings washed out during the ‘Sendong’ onslaught, last Dec. 17. Construction of the shelters in these sites will be taken from the Core Shelter Assistance Project of DSWD, which has an allocation of Php206.36 million. These resettlement areas include the 3.5 ha., for the Tent City and nine (9) ha. for the row houses in Sitio Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan and the 5 ha. site in Zone 3, Barangay Lumbia, which is donated by Xavier University (XU). Solamillo said these sites were assessed to be accessible and near the basic service facilities, like health center, primary and secondary school with water sources from the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD). Meanwhile, DSWD-10 has mobilized their KALAHI (Kabisig Laban sa Kahrapan) Engineers to assist in the site inspection and to monitor the development of the resettlement area. So far, 89 shelter boxes have been installed in Calaanan by the Rotary Club with the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) trainees and Cagayan University (CU) student volunteers while the installation of 408 tents are ongoing. Clearing of the site of the XU-donated property which is allotted for the construction of houses for 120 families has continued while the adjacent area is under negotiation by the International Organization Migration (IOM) for the construction of bunkhouses for 320 families. Solamillo said a tripartite memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the permanent shelter of TS Sendong victims is being drafted among parties concerned, namely, DSWD-10, City Government of Cagayan de Oro and Habitat for Humanity.(PIA-10)

PAGASA warns Mindanaoans, anew, of possible flashfloods

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 4 (PIA) –- A low pressure area (LPA) and a tail end of a cold front will be the two weather systems that will affect Mindanao, today. Per Weather Advisory No. 5, issued at 10:00 a.m., Jan. 4, 2012, by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), an LPA is estimated at 240 k.m., East Southeast of General Santos City at 5.0 degrees North, 127 degrees East. Aside from affecting Mindanao, both the LPA and the tail end of the cold front will affect Eastern Visayas and Eastern and Southern Luzon. These two weather systems, PAGASA said, will result to Mindanao having cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains and thunderstorms over the eastern section of Southern Luzon. The same weather condition will be experienced in Eastern and Southern Mindanao, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. Thus, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), region 10, has warned people in the coastal areas and other low-lying places not to lower their guard against possible rise in coastal waters. Likewise, fishing boats and other small sea crafts in the region are advised to take precautionary measures before going out into the sea, while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. Regional Director Ana Caňeda of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), region 10, who is also the Chairperson of RDRRMC-10, said the local DRRMC’s are reminded to take appropriate pro-active actions to aim for “zero” casualty focused on evacuation, rather than rescue. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

DOH intensifies info campaign on leptospirosis in ‘Sendong’ affected areas

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- An intensified information, education and communication (IEC) campaign on leptospirosis is being conducted by the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-Region 10. The campaign is aimed at making people aware of leptospirosis and for them to avail of the medical services to prevent its infection, Dr. Jaime Bernadas, Regional Director of DOH-CHD 10, said. Bernadas has declared a leptospirosis outbreak in the region after the confirmatory tests on 128 out of 200 suspected patients proved to be caused by the disease. Dr. David Mendoza, Head of the Regional Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (RESDRU) of DOH-10 said the high increase in the number of cases of suspected individuals could probably be associated to complacency or indifference of the people to take the prophylactic dose of Doxycycline. He said that although the people received their ration of the said medicine, many did not take the medication. Prophylaxis was always available in clinics set up by both DOH and City Health Office (CHO), but it seemed that people failed to take the dose because of inadequacy and insufficient information on leptospirosis. Mendoza also , said many people, especially, those living outside of evacuation centers (EC’s) came only for the food rations and relief goods but not for the medical consultations. Hence, the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) teams of DOH has intensified the IEC campaign on leptospirosis in the different EC’s not only in Cagayan de Oro, but also in Iligan City, he said. Mendoza also said leptospirosis is a water borne disease with high incidence during flooding, which is caused by a group of zoonotic bacterial disease with protean manifestations. Common features of the ailment are fever with sudden onset, headache, chills, severe myalgia in the calves and thighs and conjunctival suffusion. Other manifestations that may be present are diphasic fever, meningitis, rash or palatal exanthem, hemolytic anemia, hemorrhage into skin and mucous membranes, hepatorenal failure, jaundice, mental confusion and depression, myocarditis and pulmonary involvement with or without hemorrhage and hemoptysis. Mendoza said the incubation period for leptospirosis is usually 10 days within a range from two (2) to 30 days. Leptospirosis cases in region 10 is more or less stable in occurrence, however, as noted in 2009, sudden increase in the number of cases was seen after the flood last Dec. 17, Mendoza said. One of the reasons for such increase could be because people have insufficient knowledge about leptospirosis, Mendoza added. (PIA-10 Mis. Occ.)

Boil water before drinking ‘ Sendong’ victims told

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Jan. 2 (PIA) -– Please boil the water before drinking! This advice came from the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) to everyone who will be using the water they provide under the Oplan Sendong Water Delivery (OSWD) Project. Through the OSWD, water tankers of various government/non-government organizations (GO/NGO’s), delivers water to the different flashflood-affected areas of Cagayan de Oro City, daily, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, from Dec. 20, 2011 to Jan. 20, 2012. The GO/NGO and the areas covered by the deliveries are as follows: Tanker 1, from the Valencia City Water District (VCWD) for Upper and Lower Balulang, Upper Carmen, Zayas, Basurahan, all subdivisions in Upper Carmen to Canitoan, Canitoan and Pagatpat. Tanker 2 from Negros Navigation for Bulua Barangay Hall, Zone 8, Bulua along Westbound Bus Terminal, road going to seashore of Barra, Barra, Igpit, Iponan, all subdivisions situated in Iponan and Opol Poblacion. Tanker 3 from Ariel Tan for all of Camaman-an along the main road, Ayesa Subdivision, Pinikitan, Camp Alaar and Agora Tabacco. Tanker 4 from COWD 312 for Cagayan de Oro City Poblacion, along Burgos, Capistrano, Velez and Corrales Streets and Barangay Consolacion. Tanker 5 from the Pagadian City Water District for Tambo, Biasong, Tibasak, Macasandig, Nazareth and Youngsville Pumping Station in Igpit. Tanker 6 from the COWD 322 for the Somo, St.Peter and Bollozos Funeral Homes and Barangays Bonbon and Kauswagan. Tanker 7 from COWD LMF 195 for the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Licoan, Puntod and Macabalan. Tanker 8 from Asia Brewery for Camp Evangelista, 6th Division, Buenavista Village and Apolinar Velez Subdivisions, all in Barangay Patag. Red Cross Tanker for the West City Central School and City Central School. (PIA-10 Mis.Occ.)


Misamis Occidental Archived News

The older news reports are kept here

Retrieved from "https://zamboanga.com/z/index.php?title=Misamis_Occidental_News&oldid=285887"