Cagayan de Oro City News April 2016

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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.

Public market of cagayan de oro city misamis oriental.JPG
Cagayan de Oro City Public Market
Cagayan de oro city river.jpg
The river of cagayan de oro city
Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral cagayan de oro 01.jpg
St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

DOLE 114th Labor Day Job Fair posts 6,000 vacancies

By Mildred E. Dablio (DOLE10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) region 10 announces some 6,481 jobs are available in the upcoming 114th Labor Day Job Fair on 1 May at SM Event Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

Of the confirmed job vacancies solicited, Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante said that around 3,773 will be available for local employment from 64 participating private companies and government agencies.

Meanwhile, the DOLE-10 is expecting around 2,708 job vacancies for overseas employment from 10 recruitment agencies, as processed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Top job vacancies are Customer Service Representatives (700 vacant positions); Factory Workers (600); Welder (200); and Business Transcriber (80). The rest of the occupations are Service Crew (50); Bus Conductor (50); Tour Attendant (50); Bus Driver (50); Collection Officer (40); and Accounting Assistant (40).

Most of the overseas manpower services job posts are in the Middle East countries and Malaysia.

DOLE will be joined by members of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) comprising the DOLE attached agencies--Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB), National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RWTPB), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), and POEA and will be bringing their services in the One-Stop-Shop Desks provided during the Job Fair.

Together with the DOLE Provincial Field Offices, the different provincial, city, and municipal local government units, through their respective Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs), various Tripartite Industrial Peace Councils (TIPCs), and other allied-partner agencies will simultaneously celebrate the event in the respective provinces of the region.

Participating jobseekers may avail various pre-employment services such as issuance of birth certificates, clearances, and PhilHealth Cards from the DOLE’s partner agencies--Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Director Agravante, announced that jobseekers to be fully prepared when they participate in the job fair.

“I invite our jobseekers to participate in the Job Fair and ready themselves with their proper business attire, bring multiple copies of resumes, school credentials, certificates of employment, clearances, photos, passport (for overseas applicants), and other pertinent pre-employment documents needed by employers,” Agravante said.

To expedite registration, applicants are advised to prepare ahead of time the National Skills Registration Program Form, downloadable thru the DOLE-X website (http://ro10.dole.gov.ph) Downloadable Forms button or thru the link, http://ro10.dole.gov.ph/fndr/mis/files/NSRS%20Form%201%20-%20Registration%20Form.pdf. Please present duly filled-up forms to Registration in SM City.

This year’s month-long Labor Day celebration in the region is anchored on the theme, “Kinabukasan Sigurado sa Disenteng Trabaho.”

OFW returnees receive kits from DOLE-NRCO

By Marry Gil A. Damasing (NRCO-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 29 – The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10) through the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), and the members of the DOLE Regional Coordinating Council region 10 (composed of its attached agencies) awarded some Teaching Kits to seven Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) returnees, now DepEd teachers in Cagayan de oro City this year.

DOLE-10 Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante awarded the kits composed of computer tablets, voice aide lapel head worn microphones, 32GB SD cards, reference materials, and sets of writing materials, worth of P10,000.00.

The program is under the convergence project of “Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Ma’am/Sir” (SPIMS) which aims to provide opportunity for OFWs who are Licensed Teachers to practice their profession in the Philippines.

After thorough evaluation by the NRCO and DepEd, the said OFWs were also granted with Teacher I permanent Plantilla item positions by DepEd along with the other 122 OFW LET passers for the period, nationwide. The awardees were 1) Rosales, Victor S. ( assigned in Dalipuga National High School - Iligan City); 2) Pardillo, Romeo R. (Dalipuga National High School - Tubod, Lanao Del Norte): 3) Rubin, Laraine E. (Canayan Elem. School – Lantapan, Bukidnon); 4) Boncales, Reina D. (Balila Elem. School – Lantapan, Bukidnon); 5) Amerol, Hermenegilda C. (ICENHS – Iligan City); 6) Bravo, Miluz C. (Lumbia Central School –Lumbia, CDO City); and 7) Agustino, Peter C. (Dalipug – Iligan City).

“This event signifies a positive impact towards our nation and we are calling all other OFWs who are LET Passers to go back home and serve our own countrymen because we need you and the Department thru the NRCO and DepEd are willing to help and assist you in all possible ways we can,” director Agravante said as he welcomed the guests.

When the kits were all handed out, one of the SPIMS beneficiaries, Miluz Bravo, former household service worker in Hong Kong responded, “Maraming maraming salamat po sa DOLE at NRCO na sa ngayon ay nakauwi na ako ng Pilipinas na may bagong pag-asa at sa wakas ay nagamit ko ang pinag aralan ko. Ito (pagtuturo) talaga ang gusting-gusto kong gawin na di ko magawa dati.”

Bravo left the country when she lost confidence on employment with the increased applicants and graduates each year. “But now, after experiencing support first hand from the government, I felt the need to stay in the country,” she said.

Bravo said she was not able to contain her happiness especially that she almost lost hope given the number of DepEd applicants submitting every day.

Likewise, Hermenegilda C. Amerol, also an OFW returnee, worked as a teacher in Africa since 2010. At her age of 52, she too almost lost hope in pursuing again her teaching passion when she arrived back in Philippines. But her doubts were wiped away when NRCO contacted her to be involved with the SPIMS program.

“Laking pasalamat ko sa DOLE, NRCO, at DepEd sa programang SPIMS sapagkat nakabalik ako ng trabaho dito sa Pilipinas lalo na at meron pang mga starter kit na malaking tulong sa pagtuturo ko sa aking mga estudyante. Ang programang ito ay nagbigay ng pag-asa sa aming mga OFW worker na magpatuloy sa aming hilig - ang pagtuturo,” she said.

Amerol, now working in Iligan City, is more than thankful for she can continue to support her family financially.

Then DOLE-X OIC Assistant Regional Director Albert E. Gutib (now assigned in DOLE-XII as OIC-Regional Director) also said, “This project, among the other programs of the Department, is solely offered to the OFWs. This is the government’s answer to serve our people and give them options to stay and serve our country.”

“May this give inspiration to other OFWs abroad to realize that pursuing their dream in their very own country is not impossible with the help and assistance of the government; they just need to explore and reach out,” Gutib said.

Aggie dept conducts good animal husbandry practices confab

By Rosie R. E. Paasa (DA-RFO 10/ PIA 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 28 (PIA) – To encourage adoption of Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) standard by farmers, the Department of Agriculture, Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), together with the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) conducted Regional GAHP Team (RGhT) Inception Meeting recently in Cagayan de Oro City.

“It is important to establish a Regional GAHP Team to help the farmers in the requirement process before the conduct of farm inspection by the regulatory personnel to qualify for GAHP certification,” said Dr. Lourdes Ersando of BAI.

Dr. Ersando said that the farm should meet the required minimum standard to qualify for GAHP certification.

GAHP was created pursuant to the provision of Section 16 of Republic Act No. 10611 otherwise known as “Food Safety Act of 2013.

As stated in the GAHP code issued by the BAFS, it sets out the general principles of good practice and minimum requirements in the commercial or backyard rearing/farming of animals for food use.

This is to ensure that the farming practices of the establishment provide greater confidence in consumers’ expectations that the final products are safe and fit for human consumption, while ensuring health safety and comfort to both the farm workers and the animals, without any degradation to the environment.

Under the Philippine National Standard for GAHP Certification, the farms are audited if they adhere to clean, safe, environmentally sound agricultural practices based on the code of standardissued by the BAFS which is basically harmonized with the international standard.

Thus the RGhT is created as field adviserto help the famers follow GAHP that will allow them to become innovative and competitive and be able to shiftparadigm from production-based concept to “agri-business oriented farmers”, according to Dr. Alpha Mateo-Lanuza of BAFS.

Lanuza said though the BAFS had set Criteria for nomination of RGhT members, the Regional Office can make some deviation as it is flexible depending on the situation in the region.

Among the criteria is the nominee’s involvement in research and extension work, with training on field of animal protection and management, animal science, animal husbandry and other similar trainings and that nominee had not been designated as GAHP Regional Inspector.

Lanuza said the proposed RGhT can be replicated at the provincial, municipal, and city level to allow wider awareness and adoption of GAHP.

Dr. Lanuza said that the establishment of RGhT aims to be used as a strategy that can be institutionalized to increase the number of certified farms, indicating increased adoption, increase in production and hopefully the ability of farmers to produce surplus commodities for export market and compete in the world market.

CDO conducts educational tour for CDTs

(CIO/RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- About 61 Child Development Teachers (CDTs) attended the city government's four-day education tour in Cebu City.

The CDTs personally visited the Day Care Centers in the said city to observe best practices.

The city government gives much attention to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program to provide sufficient care to the clients of Child Development Centers.

Aside from the educational tour, the CDTs also attended different seminar-workshop in the said city to hone their teaching skills since they are handling the children’s critical stage.

To further support the sector, the local government of Cagayan de Oro also initiates the construction of additional school buildings in various barangays to provide comfortable and conducive learning environment for young learners.

11,000 farmers in Northern Mindanao get rice assistance

(PNA), BNB/CD/MARK FRANCISCO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PNA) -- More than 11,000 drought-stricken farmers in Northern Mindanao received a sack of rice from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a welfare official said Monday.

Rosemarie P. Conde, the DSWD chief of operations in Northern Mindanao, said that the farmers came from the region’s 10 cities and municipal towns.

She said that all those who received the sack of rice came from the local government unit (LGU), which have a resolution declaring the city or town under “state of calamity.”

Conde said that the DSWD, after conducting a validation, could also provide assistance to other farmers who are not living in calamity-declared areas.

She said that the DSWD is also scheduled to distribute rice to 13,292 farming families in Bukidnon from April 19-29.

Conde said that the welfare agency would tapped non-government organizations to do the actual distribution, so they could not violate the election ban.

Cash award for board top notch gets support

(PNA), RMA/CD/LAKAMBINI P. DIAZ

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 25 (PNA) – The city’s legal counsel here supports a move to extend cash incentive award to native Cagayanons who topped national licensure board exams.

Donald Delegencia, the city’s legal counsel, said that cash incentive award would encourage the city’s student to strive for academic excellence in order to have a better chance to top the government’s board examination.

He said that the cash incentive award is authorized under Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 that even the local government workers could avail of the award under Section 458 of the code.

The City Council has sought the legal opinion of the city legal office on the extension of the cash incentive award to board exam top notch undertaken by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).

City Councilor Nadia Emano-Elipe has proposed the approval of an ordinance that would extend cash incentive awards to board examination top notch after noting that some students of the local universities and colleges here have landed in the top 10 board passers for the past years.

The local august body, however, has yet to come up with the possible amount that would constitute as a cash incentive award to top 10 board examination passers.

DTI, KKI partner for IEC on Consumer Rights and Responsibilities for COPC Members

By Mike Baños

The Department of Trade and Industry Misamis Oriental Regional Office and Konsumanteng Kagay-anon, Inc. recently conducted a joint briefing for some 33 members of local media organizations on Consumer Rights and Responsibilities.

Hosted by the Cagayan de Oro Press Club Inc.’s (COPC) Media Konek, the Information-Education-Communications activity held April 20, 2016 at the COPC Board Room sought to familiarize media professionals on the salient points of the Consumer Act, particularly the various implementing agencies of government charged with specific consumer goods and services.

“DTI has been conducting a series of IECs-Education and Information Campaigns across the region for various consumer sectors,” said Ma. Eliza Pabillore, DTI Misamis Oriental provincial director in her welcome remarks. “This year one of our IECs will focus with the media partners.”

Pabillore said the activity aimed to orient, educate and empower press partners on the jurisdictions of DTI and of the different Implementing Agencies of the government promoting Consumer Welfare; the Consumer Rights and Responsibilities, the different provisions of the Consumer Act of the Philippines, Price Tag Law, Sales Promo, No Return, No Exchange, Warranty, Repair Shops Accreditation, Price act, and other Fair Trade Laws.

According to DTI’s National Consumer Awareness Survey conducted across the country in 2012 to 2014, only 30% of those surveyed had actually heard, 57% actually read and some 60% actually viewed on TV anything about consumerism.

Respondents could hardly identify their eight basic consumer rights and five fundamental responsibilities. They had no idea on how and where to file a complaint, or even determine what actually constitutes a consumer complaint. Consumers were also unsure of what laws or ordinances they could cite to when asserting their consumer rights.

To help fulfill the DTI’s mandate to increase the level of consumers’ awareness on their rights and responsibilities from 50% to a more respectable 80% by 2016, DTI Consumer Welfare Division aims to increase the level of consumerism by enhancing their knowledge and awareness on the relevant provisions of Consumer Act of the Philippines and other fair trade laws.

Among other things, this involves consumer education seminars to encourage more consumers to purchase duly licensed products and patronize business establishments which comply with government regulations; identify and understand their rights and responsibilities as consumers, guide them in handling their own complaints, and empower barangay officials to establish and maintain barangay-based consumer welfare desk (CWDs).

For 2015, the provincial office partnered with relevant private and government agencies to further intensify consumer advocacy and fair trade law enforcement, Seventeen government and private organizations took part in consumer-oriented activities; 36 consumer forums were conducted with a total of 2,917 participants.

Consumer welfare and development also got an equal share of attention in 2015, with the office resolving 100% of all consumer complaints filed within the prescribed time (vs. 78% target, or 128% actual). A total of 921 firms were monitored (vs. 885 target, or 104% actual) and 100% of all firms with violations were penalized within the prescribed time in the decision. In part because of this high resolution rate, DTI Misamis Oriental garnered a 99.61% Client Satisfactory Rating (vs. a target of 90%) for 2015.

As a follow up activity, DTI and KKI plans to hold a follow up orientation with the various government agencies involved in consumerism present to give media partners a better idea of which agency has jurisdiction over which consumer good or service, and as a consequence, advise their readers and viewers of where to seek recourse for their consumer complaints.

RDC-X endorses PhP 100.541-B Budget for FY 2017

By Mike Baños

The Regional Development Council of Region X has approved a PhP 100.541-billion budget for Northern Mindanao for the Fiscal Year 2017.

The consolidated amount was approved through a series of resolutions passed during the 108th RDC-X Full Council Meeting held at a local restaurant in Cagayan de Oro last April 12, 2016.

Social Sector Agencies and State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) accounted for the lion’s share of the total with 48.5 percent totaling PhP 48.837-Billion, followed by Infrastructure Agencies which accounted for 44 percent with PhP 44.426-Billion.

The full council also endorsed the proposed budgets for Economic Sector Agencies with PhP 5.399-Billion and Macro Sector Agencies with PhP 1.879-Billion.

RDC-X Co-Chair and NEDA RD Leon Dacanay, Jr. said in his introductory remarks how RDC-X is mandated to coordinate the formulation, monitoring and evaluation of regional long-term, medium-term and annual socio-economic development plans and investments programs.

“We are also tasked to review and approve the annual and multi-year regional infrastructure programs and other sectoral programs which require the appropriation of national government funds as specified under Section 4, EO 325 series of 1996,” Dacanay said.

The regional guideline in the preparation of the Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposals including the budget preparation calendar which is synchronized with the schedules indicated in National Budget Circular No.12015 dated 15 January 2016 was disseminated to the concerned agencies during the Regional Budget Forum conducted by the RDC-X last 17 February 2016.

Technical review of the proposed programs and projects was conducted by the RDC Secretariat based on the 2017 Regional Budget Priority Framework that supports the national priority outcomes als0ng 1) transparent, accountable and participatory governance, and 2) poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable; 3) just and lasting peace and rule of law; 4) integrity of the environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation; and 5) focus geographical areas and consistent with international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals and APEC Commitments.

Dacanay said agency programs and projects were further reviewed to align within the context of the Public Expenditure Management (PEM) and Public Financial Management (PFM) such as the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), the Performance-Informed Budgeting (PIF), and its associated Organizational Performance Indicator Framework (OPIF), Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB), Program Budgeting (PB) and the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) approach.

Pag-IBIG Fund acknowledges 1,000,001st loyalty card holder

By Gerson R. Nob and Recthie T. Paculba (PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 22 (PIA) -- In celebration for another milestone, Pag-IBIG Fund recognizes its 1,000,001st loyalty card holder in the country on April 15 at Pag-iIBIG Fund Office in Cagayan de Oro.

Janet C. Cañada, an employee from the city government of Cagayan de Oro, was named as the 1,000,001st Pag-IBIG Fund loyalty card holder.

Pag-IBIG Loyalty card is a new program that entitles holders to discounts and other privileges. It is created to maximize membership in Pag-IBIG and not just solely offer loans.

Ferdinand F. Saniel, area head of Pag-ibig Fund Cagayan de Oro, expressed that the program is their way of appreciating the members’ support through giving back some benefits while the members’ could not yet withdraw their savings.

In addition, Cagayan de Oro Central Member Services Branch Head Suzan M. Cezar said that card holders can use such whenever they go to groceries or to diagnostic centers.

For her part, Cañada, shared that she was the one who distributed the forms and encouraged her colleagues to enroll to the program. However, she wasn’t informed that everyone is submitting their forms already thus she became the last one to enroll for the card in their office.

Luckily, Cañada’s lone submission made her the 1,000,001st card holder of the program and for that she received a token from the agency.

“Mingaw pa gyud kaayo to sa opisina ug ako ra isa ang nagkuha sa card atong panahona (The office wasn’t so busy at that time and I was the only one who was applying for the card),” Cañada said.

She also added the she was happy to find out that a certain shipping company is one of the affiliates of the program because she travels a lot.

To boost the number of the card holders, Cezar said that they write to employers and call for a meeting for fund coordinators and employers to relay the relevance of the card and eventually process card membership in offices.

Furthermore, Saniel shared that the agency is planning to make the loyalty card program a performance indicator next year instead of just a mere project as it will become an added value to Pag-IBIG Fund members. He also added that more partners are coming in so members will enjoy more benefits and options.

Allan Abas, Pag-IBIG Fund chief of Division, also said that the loyalty card is not only a discount or swipe card as it will also serve as a transaction card of Pag-IBIG Fund and if the whole Philippines will already use the card, it could serve as a primary ID.

Saniel wants to correct the perception of the members that Pag-IBIG Fund only exists for loans since it also has a providence savings program where after a certain number of years or upon the maturity of membership, the member can get his savings.

Child Development Teachers undergo workshop this summer

By Gigi Flores

EIGHTY SIX (86) Child Development Teachers from 196 Child Development Centers in Cagayan de Oro have successfully ended their 5-day Workshop for the CDTs as part of the development program on early childhood care and education.

The teachers were taught in using new tools and learning techniques to teach three to five year old kinds in pre-school. City Social Welfare and Development Officer Teddy Sabuga-a said Early Chilhood Care and Development Program is one of the present administration’s priorities.

Mayor Moreno has initiated the increase of city honorarium for the teachers, including training-workshops and other capacity building activities in order to encourage and motivate CDTs to provide quality, excellent pre-school education for our young children.

Young Oro footballers leading Global in UFL

By Jack Biantan

THREE young footballers from Cagayan de Oro city are doing well while playing for Global FC in the ongoing United Football League (UFL) Summer Youth football tournament in Manila.

Carlo Dorin, Jethro Borlongan and Greg Naquines, three former members of the different national youth teams, have been staying in Manila for two weeks now training with Global. They then opened the UFL Summer League with a 4-0 win over Ceres FC of Bacolod city.

Borlongan and Naquines, both from Abbas Orchard Montessori School, delivered the winning goals. Borlongan found the back of the net twice while Naquines scored once.

Dorin, an 8th grade student from Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOHGS), was a busy boy in the middle but failed to score a goal.

Borlongan and Dorin were members of the Philippine U14 team which played in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Football Festival in Brunei last year.

Naquines was part of the U-11 Little Azkals team which trained for almost a month at the Loughborough University in United Kingdom three years ago.

Cagayan de Oro dump site turns into a tree park

By Alwen Saliring (Cagayan de Oro City-based journalist)

Cagayan De Oro City (CNN Philippines) — On Friday (April 15), environment officials of Cagayan de Oro City and underprivileged individuals planted about 2,000 tree seedlings in a former dump site at Upper Dagong, Brgy. Carmen, to turn the vicinity into a tree park.

The 17-hectare dump site was closed in 2010 on orders of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in compliance with the Ecological Waste Management Law.

Elvisa Mabelin, coordinator of the City Social Waste and Management Board (CSWMB) said the tree planting activity is part of the second phase of the dump site's P98 million closure and rehabilitation project. She added that officials are conducting an inspection of a sanitary landfill replacement.

Mabelin said a total of five hectares will be covered by the second round of the tree growing project as part of the city's tree adoption program, which covers varieties of teakwood, acacia, narra and golden shower trees.

The first tree planting was conducted last October, when one thousand trees were planted.

The rehabilitation also covers the construction of a drainage system for garbage leachate. The liquid substances will be collected and processed to water the plants around the dump site. Flammable gases emitted from the refuse will go into vents for safety and containment.

The city also plans to embark on a job program for underprivileged individuals who have lost their livelihood due to the dump site's closure. These individuals will be receive training to operate the city's new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) which is designed to receive, sort, process and store compost and recyclable materials.

DOLE 10 culminates women's month, supports gender development

By Mildred E. Dablio (DOLE-X)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 18 -- The Department of Labor and Employment, Regional Office No. 10 (DOLE-10) celebrated the Women’s Month, with the theme, “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda,” through a culmination program on 29 March 2016 at its WODP Training Center, DOLE-10 office, Cagayan de Oro City..

“As one of the agencies on gender advocates, DOLE-10 is always in support towards the gender and development to its employees and its customers,” DOLE-10 Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante said during his opening message.

Meanwhile, senior labor and employment officer, Criste Perfecto agreed with director Agravante, “On behalf of my female co-workers, we would like to thank the leadership of the equality and opportunities given to us for our developmental and professional growth.”

Symbolic crown coronation was led by Agravante as tribute towards all the women in the office for their unwavering support and contribution towards public service. DOLE-X ladies felt like queens and princesses for the day for the appreciation given.

Preceding the program was the thanksgiving of the first quarter birthday celebrants and despideda or bon voyage gesture of the employees to their outgoing Assistant Regional Director Albert E. Gutib who is the OIC regional director of DOLE Regional Office No. XII and mediator-arbiter, Atty. Evelyn R. Ramos, as OIC regional director of DOLE Caraga Region.

Incoming OIC-assistant regional director and former OIC-chief administrative officer, Lucila S. Pulvera led the prayers for the outgoing DOLE-X officials. “We pray them the happiness and all the blessings from the Almighty will be with them in their next journeys in life,” Pulvera said.

“This tribute is also our heartfelt gratitude of all their valuable contributions they have imparted to all of us in the office,” she added.

Even with these changes, director Agravante assures the public that the services of DOLE will continue to advance towards inclusive growth to all, as part of the agenda of the Aquino III’s administration.

Cepalco assures no blackouts in polling places

By Alwen Saliring (AS)

THE Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Company Inc. (Cepalco) will ensure power in polling centers the upcoming May elections.

Cepalco Vice President Ralph Paguio said they have talked with the officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to draw up contingency plans in case of a power supply shortage on May 9 Election Day.

Cepalco sources its power requirements from different power producers such as Therma South Incorporated (TSI) supplying 20 megawatts (MW) and Mindanao Energy Systems Inc. (Minergy) supplying 10MW, among others.

"Kung magkulang pa gayud, motawag na gayud ta sa Interruptible Load Program (ILP)," Paguio said.

Paguio said Cepalco is confident of enough power supply since Election Day is a holiday.

But in case of a supply shortage, Paguio said Cepalco will request other industrial plants and factories to shut down operations to allocate the supply for the conduct of the election.

"Anyway, ang mga machines duna man pud batteries nga makasustain pila ka oras but kita gapaningkamot ta nga makakuha gayud ta og enough supply para masiguro nga walay brown out as election," Paguio said.

Paguio said whatever available power supply there is during the election, it will be distributed to critical areas and polling places.

As part of the contingency plan, Cepalco would also call on volunteers such as big establishments like malls and other big businesses to provide generating facilities should the need further arise.

During Election Day, Paguio urged consumers to use energy wisely and efficiently.

Paguio said that at present, the Mindanao grid has deficit of 150MW and other factors like the prolonged drought affecting water levels in hydro-power sources have aggravated the power crisis situation in Mindanao.

Bite Me Up joins Pamahaw Espesyal 8th Year Anniversary On Air

By Mike Baños

Pamahaw Espesyal, Cagayan de Oro’s and Northern Mindanao’s premiere early morning show, celebrated its 8th Anniversary with a Free Movie Screening for orphans at Centrio Mall Cinema 1 last Tuesday, April 12, 2016.

Some 80 orphans from various orphanages from the city and their 20 chaperones were treated to a free screening of “The Jungle Book”, according to ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao Marketing Officer Lynneth Auriece “Chikay” Dumpa.

“This is a joint corporate social responsibility project of ABS-CBN with Centrio Cinemas and Centrio Mall,” said Donna G. Ocampo, ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao Area Manager. “It’s our way of giving back to our viewers for making Pamahaw Espesyal the premier early morning show in Northern Mindanao these past eight years.”

Not to forget the thousands of “PE” faithful from Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Dipolog and across Western, Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions, they were also given the chance to win free tickets to the same movie by competing in a “Pet Photo Contest”.

Besides the free screening, the guests were also treated to free popcorn and drinks from Centrio’s The Movie Snack Bar, Brownie Bites and prizes from Bite Me Up, and animal-themed Cookies and Cupcakes from Monster Kitchen Academy.

“We are supporting our Media Partner ABS-CBN by sharing our Brownie Bites from Bite Me Up, Cookies and Cupcakes from Monster Kitchen Academy,” said Maggie J. Uy of Bite Me Up.

“By introducing Brownie Bites during this occasion, we also hope more people will get to know our Dark and Fudgy Brownie Bites which we are positioning as a healthy pasalubong and snack item for Cagayan de Oro,” said Jan Uy, president of Bite Me Up Food Corp.

Also present during the distribution of goodies to the orphans and their chaperons was Nicole Abas Datayan, official endorser of Bite Me Up Brownie Bites, and her PE co-hosts Jam, Sheila Joy Labrador, Grey Mendoza and Bernie Bitok-Bitok.

The children also got to meet Monster Kitchen mascot “M” much to their delight.

2,000 tree seedlings planted in Zayas landfill

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

AS PART of its rehabilitation process, about 2,000 indigenous tree seedlings were planted by environment officials and scavengers at the Zayas landfill in Upper Dagong, Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City on Friday.

An official of the City Social Waste and Management Board (CSWMB) said the tree planting is part of the second phase of the P98 million closure and rehabilitation project of the open dump site.

Elvisa Mabelin of CSWMB said a total of five hectares will be covered by the second tree-growing project where teak wood, acacia, narra, and golden shower tree seedlings will soon stand.

The first round of the tree planting project was conducted last October where one thousand seedlings were planted.

Phase-II of the project will cover the drainage system in the dumpsite where pipes intended to drain garbage leachate.

The liquid substances will then be collected to be processed so that it can be used to water the plants around the dump, which leads to the tree growing or vegetation process.

Gases coming out from the surface will also be managed by building gas vents to contain them and avoid a fire reaction in the dumpsite.

Social engineering, the last part of the phase is intended to empower the scavengers or the members of the Mangaykayay Association by giving opportunities for other forms of livelihood.

Mabelin said the scavengers will also be trained to operate the city's new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).

The MRF is designed to receive, sort, process, and store compostable and recyclable materials in a sound manner.

"Kung sa start pa lamang sa implementation sa Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act) nagsugod pud ta diri sa siyudad, mura na nig parke ang atong dumpsite. But we're positive pud na mahuman na unta gayud ni finally," she added.

Cagayan de Oro distributes water pumps to farmers

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

THE Cagayan de Oro City Government will distribute about 33 irrigation water pumps for small farmers in the upland barangays to salvage what is left of their crops.

City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) head Teddy Sabuga-a said the distribution of irrigation materials is one of the responses of the Rapid Damage Needs and Analysis (RDANA) after its assessment.

Severely drought-hit barangays Balubal, Cugman, FS Catanico, Tablon, Canitoan, Iponan, Pagatpat, San Simon, Lumbia, Pagalungan, Bayanga, Dansolihon, Tignapoloan, Tuburan, and Mambuaya will be given 2 to 3 units of water pumps to save their plants.

The RDANA distributed the first batch of new equipment at Barangay Pagatpat.

Carmen Gayla, a farmer, shared how the dry spell is taking its toll not only on their farm produce but also on their family’s everyday needs.

Gayla said her family is now growing cucumbers instead of the sweet corn.

“Dili naman gud makasurvive ang mais karon sa kainit so sa pipino nalang gyud mi kay makaya man niya, bisan gamay lang ang among ma-harvest compared sa una, mag-antos nalang gyud mi kay wala man mi mahimo,” Gayla said.

Gayla urged the City Council that the state of calamity will be approved sooner, calling it the farmers’ last hope.

“Lisod gyud kay naa ko gipa-eskwela, daghay konsumo, naa pay kuryente , mao ra gyud ni among gisaligan. Nakadumdom ko sa niaging tuig pako nagsubmit ug requirements pero hangtod karon, wala man gihapoy pag-approve,” she said.

A president of the Pagatpat Farmers Association, Gayla shared how the more than 80 members of its association left to resort to other source of income.

“From 130 members, 50 nalang mi karon kay gihawa na ang uban, naay ga-quarry, nidawat ug labor, namanday, nagsikad. Gibayaan na nila ang uma tungod sa init kay wala namay mahimo,” she said.

“Kami dili man mi makalabor so ayum ayum nalang gyud mi diri sa pipino,” she added.

Gayla said only less than a hectare can be utilized by farmers, out of its 100-hectare farmland.

Sabuga-a stressed the importance of the calamity declaration, saying it would pave the way to distribution of relief operations such as food packs, sustainability of the irrigation system, construction of big water impounds, cash for work program, animal dispersal and distribution of seedlings, and the preservation of forest by establishing fire lines.

“Dili nata kinahanglan maghulat, we will be doing something for our farmers, dili kita magsalig sa momho nga serbisyo sa City Council,” Sabuga-a said.

Earlier, the City Council pushed for the approval of rice assistance while the state of calamity is still on deliberation.

But Sabuga-a said the farmers does not only need rice but the sustainability of their livelihood.

“Mao ni wala nila masabtan nga dili lang rice ang kinahanglan kung dili ang pag-maintain sa ilang panginabuhian nga mao ra intawon gisaligan nila,” he said.

Firelines established in Oro upland barangays

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

TO PROTECT the six city watersheds from a fire breakout, the Cagayan de ORo City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) started building fire breaks in some hinterland barangays on Tuesday.

City environment officials are set to build fire breaks along the Carmen, Malasag, Balubal, Bugo, Agusan, and Iponan river watersheds as a precautionary measure to avoid forest fires.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Northern Mindanao has earlier recorded about 102 cases of grassfires in the city for March alone.

All these incidents are attributed to the intense heat brought by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Clenro head Edwin Dael said they are prioritizing the 4,000-hectare watershed area of the Iponan River.

Dael said 1.6 kilometer fire breaks were built on Tuesday at barangays Mambuaya, Bayanga, Lumbia, Tablon, and Balubal.

Construction of the fire lines, Dael said, would largely be done by farmers and residents under the City Social Welfare and Development’s (CSWD) Food for Work program.

For 32 working days, a group of workers will be given five sacks of rice.

"In a way, this is an aid for the upland residents, most specifically our farmers na hangtud karon naghulat pa gihapon na ma-declare ang state of calamity," he said.

Dael noted that the said program would have been covered by the calamity fund which the City Council has yet to approve.

Parts of FS Catanico, Baikingon, San Simon, Pagalungan, Tagpangi, Taglimao, Tuburan, Pigsag-an, Ugiaban, and Tignapoloan are the next target areas where fire lines would be established.

CDO commemorates 74th Araw ng Kagitingan, urges unity in nation building

(RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – The city local government led the commemoration of the 74th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9 at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro where city mayor Oscar Moreno encouraged every citizen not to solely rely on the military to attain peace since everyone has a role in nation building.

With the theme, “Isabuhay ang Kagitingan, Kapayapaan ay Pagkaisahan, Kamtan ang Mithing Kaunlaran,” the event started with the flag raising of Philippine flag with full military colors and the executive wreath laying led by the city mayor together with MGen Benjamin R Madrigal, 4ID, PA commanding general.

In his message, Moreno expressed, “Ang Araw ng Kagitingan which used to be called Bataan Day is precisely meant to honor, to thank and to inspire the military. Not only the military of the past, not only the military of today but also the military of the future.”

He also stressed that it is in the hands of the military where national integrity, stability and sustainability depend on. However, the mayor added that the military remain in the sidelight thus everyone need have to have a very high sense of patriotism since the military are just acknowledged only when they are needed.

“This celebration is meant to remind us all of how significant, how crucial the role of the military is in the nation’s future,” Moreno said.

Furthermore, the mayor shared that everyone has a role in making the nation strong and every citizen should realize that saying, “It is not as if that the preservation and the enhancement of the nation’s integrity and sovereignty and future ay nasa military lang (relied on the military). We are partners. And it is at the very least equally incumbent upon all of us na kailangan na pag-igihan din natin (that we should also persevere).”

Moreno reminded the crowd that everyone is also number one stakeholder in the country saying, “We have a stake in the future of this country and it is not just our barangays, it is not just our city but in the whole country. And number two reminder, as stakeholders, we must take the role, we must participate, we must engage ourselves in nation building.”

Moreno also that if the task is being co-owned, embraced by the people as their own, all problems could be solved efficiently.

Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) is national observance in the Philippines that commemorates the fall of Bataan during World War II. The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines.

DSWD distributes food packs to drought-stricken families in Northern Mindanao

(PNA), LAP/CD/ERCEL MAANDIG

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 11 (PNA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao has started distributing food packs to drought-stricken families in the region, welfare officials said Monday.

Oliver Inodeo, DSWD information officer, said that the department has already distributed a total of 10,850 food packs to 3,776 families seriously affected by the El Nino phenomenon in the region.

He said that the food pack distribution was to support the efforts and requests of the local government units (LGUs) under a “state of calamity.”

Inodeo said that the DSWD is expected to distribute another 7,306 food packs to another set of families, mostly farmers, this month. The Family Food Packs contain rice and ready to eat foods.

Based on the data submitted by the LGUs to the DSWD, about 24,374 families in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon were seriously affected by the long dry spell in Northern Mindanao.

Of the number, 22,247 families were affected in eight towns in Bukidnon and the city of Malaybalay, also of Bukidnon.

The remaining 2,127 were the farmers in the town of Claveria, Misamis Oriental, Inodeo said.

In addition to the 24,374, the DSWD is now also processing the validation of another 13,292 families to determine their eligibility to receive the food pack assistance.

“We want to assure the public that the DSWD has readily available family food packs and cash assistance or any disaster response”, said Virginia Cardona of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Focal in the region.

Focus draws first blood in Gusa tilt opener

By Lynde Salgados

TEAM Focus dribblers defeated Acidus Farm on Tuesday night in Barangay Gusa Summer basketball tournament opener in Cagayan de Oro City.

But paired against the heftier Acidus Farm, the smaller wards of team manager, Kuya Kenneth Kho relied more on speed to notch the victory, 80-67 for the Ilaw ng Bayan.

The Mayor Oscar S. Moreno-led Team CDO also won big time in their exhibition match earlier with Gusa All Stars.

“Grabe’g stamina. Hago bilar sa kampanya pero sa basketball upat ka quarters walay puli-puli,” one observer said of the already senior citizen, Mayor Moreno.

With the towering Jojo Mahistrado dominant on the shaded lanes and Samboy Uy hitting from outside, Team Focus of coach Fred 'Titi' Pimentel found it hard to increase its 5-point lead in the first quarter.

But when Rex Armojallas, Owen Ubay-Ubay, Cyrus Diango, Koykoy Macapayag, Ramil Miralles, Totsie Daitol, Andit Sacabin, Bhoy Quirante, Tilap and company pressed the game faster, Focus made a breakthrough in the final half and never looked back.

“We could make it 20 midway of the fourth pero daghan kaayo turnovers. At least, puwede pa nato ma-improve ang dula in our next outings,” said the 68-year-old wonder Rey Leandro Asuncion, who rifled in back-to-back 3-pointers for Team Focus’ convincing finish.

“Hago sab kaayo ilang backcourt si Winnie Daba ra usa,” said Focus back-up guard Laglag Laurente.

Focus expects Subokin of coach Rocky Calingin and Green CdeO Eagles of the club’s newly-minted chairman, Dr. Welbourne Neri among its toughest rivals in the civic division of the exciting Barangay Gusa Summer hoopfest.

Capabuild for GAP assessors, inspectors conducted

(JLOlson, DA-RFO 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To extend appropriate technical assistance to farmers to be able to adjust and comply with applicable standards, a capability building training for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) was recently extended to assessors and inspectors of the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) in Cagayan de Oro City.

GAP refers to the practices that address environmental, economic and social sustainability for on-farm processes which result to safe and quality food and non-food agricultural products.

Ruben B. Miranda, member of the GAP for Rice technical working Group (TWG) stressed on the need for farms to be GAP certified.

“GAP is a language of trade because it is a requirement when you want to export products to other countries, while locally some supermarkets are now requiring their suppliers to be GAP certified,” he said.

It also ensures that farmers’ practices are sustainable to ensure safety and quality of produce, which will eventually help in boosting competitiveness and market access of produce locally and internationally.

With the training anchored in facilitating availability and access of food and non-food agricultural products to local and foreign markets that are ascertained to have undergone production and processing system that ensures food safety and quality while giving high regard for environmental protection and that of workers’ health, safety and welfare, its course module elaborated the following topics: Philippine GAP Program, Code of GAP for Rice, Fruits and Vegetables, and the Regional GAP Team Pre-Application and Monitoring System.

The discussion of the said topics was also complemented by an on-field mock assessment and inspection of a vegetable farm, employing square foot urban gardening in barangay Pagatpat, CDO’s compliance to GAP standards.

To date, there are 15 applicants throughout Northern Mindanao, who have already signified interest for their farms to be GAP certified.

A pool of experts from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the training arm of the DA, has also joined the said capability building training.

GAP applications are free-of-charge while its administrative expenses shall be shouldered by the DA’s Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards. The validity of GAP certification is only one year.

Oro disaster trainees undergo rescue drill

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

BLOOD was everywhere.

An unconscious man was transferred to a stretcher from his wrecked motorcycle while another lie helpless, trapped inside a black van.

A motorist observing nearby related how the black van went out of control and collided with a blue motorcycle, leaving both drivers unconscious and badly injured.

Minutes later, a group of men and women in white clad with rescue equipment came to the area and immediately closed the road in Rodelsa Circle at 9:30 a.m., Friday.

The men and women, who were from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), successfully secured the area and rescued the man trapped inside the black van.

Motorists were later allowed to pass by the area after the ‘accident.’ The series of events were all part of a simulation drill conducted by officials of the CDRRMO for its trainees, composed of the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams.

CDRRMO consultant Mario Verner Monsanto said the simulation drill was to evaluate the alertness and readiness of its trainees when responding to a vehicular accident.

Monsanto said the 11 USAR trainees and eight EMS trainees will be evaluated by their seniors to determine if they will graduate from their one month training.

Monsanto gave the trainees an 8 out of 10 rating for Friday's drill.

"We cannot say nga perfect gayud, so ibutang nato sila sa 8 which is pasar gihapon. Kay kinahanglan pa pud nato ma-hone ug matun-an ang uban nila nga skills to perfect the response team," he added.

Monsanto also shared how the city still lacks manpower and rescue equipment to respond to calamities.

He noted that when a massive need of rescuers and equipment come, management would be the key.

"Definitely not enough gayud pero pwede na siya for emergencies like this one, planohon lang gayud ug maayo, atong gamitan ug management, lantawon nato kung asa mas kinahanglanon gayud ang equipment ug tao, then we will provide," he said.

Where to place the equipment, he said was one of the 'weaknesses' of the trainees which he observed.

"Gakalibog pa sila usahay sa pagbutang ug plastar sa mga ekipo," he added.

Transport workers uphold bipartite cooperation

By Junaliza Aragon (NCMB10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) of Region 10 facilitated the orientation on the concept and principles of Labor Management Cooperation (LMC) Program and its committee structure on February 22-24, 2016 in Cagayan de Oro City.

The three-day Leadership Skills Training for all officers of Mindanao Alliance of Land Transport and General Workers Union (MALTU) had a total of 62 participants.

MALTU, being an advocate of Industrial Peace for all workers of Yanson Group of Companies uphold LMC as extremely important in the transport industry.

Jose B, Ares, administrator of MALTU stressed out that all local unions and affiliates aim for Industrial Peace, Teamwork and Productivity which means, MALTU members are responsible leaders committed to perform the work of the company and to the community in general.

STARBOOKS gain more partners in region 10

By Tess Superioridad Baluyos (DOST10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 6 -- There are now about 800 Science and Technology Academic and Research-based Openly-Operated Kiosk Station (STARBOOKS) installed all over the country, being operated by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) partners such as libraries, local government units, non-government organizations and schools.

In region 10, a total of 47 STARBOOKS have been installed by DOST in the five provinces of region 10. The latest installation was in Old Damulog National High School, Damulog, Bukidnon.

“STARBOOKS is one of DOST’s strategies in making science and technology information accessible and available to one citizens, especially those in the countryside,” says DOST Secretary Mario Montejo.

STARBOOKS installation is free, according to DOST Assistant Secretary Raymund Liboro. He added that interested institutions, Local Governmetn Units (LGUs), schools, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) only need to provide their own computer units to be used as STARBOOKS server. To maintain the uniform look and design, STARBOOKS partners are required to construct their own STARBOOKS pods following the specifications provided by Science and Technology Information Institute (STII).

“Thank you… it is very useful…,” says Fred Ariel Noah Magpantay.

“Please enhance all DOSTKarte livelihood videos, “suggests Krystal Jade Pandan.

“It is very nice and comfortable for me, in my research, “ stated John Louie Paderanga.

These are only a few of the numerous comments by STARBOOKS student-users of Lanao del Norte National Comprehensive High School, Baroy, Lanao del Norte. LNNCHS is one of public high schools in Region 10 that availed of the STARBOOKS.

STARBOOKS is a digital library, library-in-a-box where no Internet is needed to access the vast array of science and technology information. Hundreds of thousands titles of digitized journals, serial publications, reference materials, annual reports, theses, dissertations, science projects, livelihood videos and much more. All these can be availed of through STARBOOKS, a user-friendly, stand-alone digital library of science and technology materials in text, video, and audio formats.

STARBOOKS is another initiative from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its information arm, the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII).

DOST/STII is also proud to report that STARBOOKS received in 2015 the American Library Association Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects for ‘making science and technology materials available to the general public in remote areas that have fewer resources, no libraries and little or no internet connection.

Italpinas sets Primavera City dev’t launch in CDO in second quarter

(Manila Bulletin)

Certified green builder Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC) has set for the second quarter of this year the launch of its new huge and groundbreaking project – Primavera City – in Cagayan de Oro City (CdO).

IDC made its mark in the real estate industry as the first Philippine company certified by the International Finance Corp. (IFC) – World Bank Group Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) for its flagship project also in Cagayan de Oro City, the Primavera Residences.

IDC Chairman and COO Romolo Valentino Nati, an Italian architect, said Phase 1 of Primavera City involves the construction of two towers of integrated multifunctional buildings (commercial, office, residential) project with 11 floors each. Located at the Pueblo de Oro Business Park, Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro (near SM City Cagayan de Oro), the project entails an investment of P653 million.

“Primavera City is a fitting follow-up to our highly successful and multi-awarded Primavera Residences, which caught the fancy of not just Filipino but even foreign buyers and property experts for its modern Italian design infused with eco-friendly architecture,” Nati emphasized.

The grand launch will be in the second quarter, and start of construction of the Primavera City Phase 1 is third quarter of 2016. IDC targets the completion of the project and the turnover of its units to their owners by the third quarter of 2018.

IDC President Jose “Jojo” D. Leviste III said the two towers of Primavera City Phase 1 is designed to have 337 units, 57 of them commercial units; 231 are studio-type; 22 are one-bedroom units, and 27 are two-bedroom units.

Their average sizes are 50 to 60 square meters (sqm) for commercial units, 28 sqm for studio-type units, 47 sqm for the single-bedroom units, and 70 sqm for the two-bedroom units.

“We will conduct extensive marketing for our target buyers that include employed and/or self-employed individuals with gross family income of at least P50,000 such as local entrepreneurs, SMEs, OFWs, young professionals and retirees, among others. With Cagayan de Oro City now an emerging tourism and investment destination in the country, Primavera City is a great buy, not just for first-time home owners, but also for investors,” Leviste, a lawyer, stressed.

Nati said Primavera City is envisioned to be another IDC award-winning sustainable-development project, with its passive green features, such as increased natural ventilation, shaded façade and semi-transparent photo-voltaic panels covering the amenities located on the rooftop, among others. The project has been recognized as highly commended condo by the Climate Technology Initiative Private Financing Advisory Network (CTIPFAN) in Singapore in 2014.

Normin showcased CPAR experience

(JCV/PIA 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 4 (PIA) -- Farmer-leaders in Northern Mindanao convened in Cagayan de Oro city last week for the third Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) Congress, Product Exhibits and Awarding Ceremony.

The event aims to showcase successes as well as strategies adopted by CPAR farmers in 16 projects sites adapting to coconut-based, rice-based, corn-based, potato-based, and vegetable based farming systems.

Department of Agriculture (DA) region 10 Director Lealyn A. Ramos explained that these technologies were generated by the Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC), mature farming technologies that needs to be out in the field.

The approach is meant to utilize fully all available researches that are oftentimes left in the shelves.

“The essence is that we clearly see the studies being adopted and that farmers are following scientific based approach in boosting production. We do not impose this to the farmers, we conducted consultations and listened to their recommendations as well as prepare them socially to be good technology adopters,” Ramos said.

DA likewise released P250,000.00 worth of grant in the form of farm inputs to CPAR identified beneficiary organizations in the barangay, and other additional assistance they can tap from the agency.

CPAR organizations have also ventured into production of value-added food and non-food products as among the activities that diversify income for their rural farming households.

Street families in CDO to undergo skills training

(BNB/CD/ERCEL MAANDIG)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PNA) -- Forty-one street families in the city would undergo a five weeks skills training to provide them employment and livelihood opportunities, a welfare official said Wednesday.

Oliver Inodeo, of the regional Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) , said that the program is a partnership between the DSWD and the Philippines School of Science And Technology.

The program that includes the skills training on Massage Therapy NC II, Beauty Care Services NC II, and Housekeeping NC II is part of the DSWD’s modified conditional cash transfer project.

The training aims to contribute to the improvement of the socioeconomic condition of homeless street families through empowerment and capacity building, inodeo said.

According to Inodeo, the DSWD is confident that the training would also prepare the homeless street families to venture on the livelihood and employment opportunities in the future.

He said that the recipients of the training would be provided with free uniforms and livelihood tool kits after completing the training module.

“We are hopeful that the program, the homeless street families, could be provided with equal livelihood opportunities and eventually improve their living conditions”, Lexa Lappang, a DSWD community facilitator said.

OCD levels up GAD into DRRM confab for youth

(MJAG/OCD10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Office of Civil Defense in northern Mindanao levels up Gender and Development (GAD) into Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) training for the youth in the region.

On the occasion of the National Women's Month celebration, OCD-10 conducted a Regional Youth Training on Mainstreaming GAD into DRRM on March 29-30, 2016 held in Cagayan de Oro City.

OCD-10 Director Ana C. Cañeda highlighted the importance of programs in government and private sector partners to be responsive in addressing gender concerns as articulated in this year's NWM theme: Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda!

The gender lens needs to be introduced and developed among the youth especially in the planning of DRRM programs and activities in the communities towards a more gender sensitive society, she said.

The participants are youth leaders from organizations recognized by the National Youth Commission (NYC): Iligan Youth Affairs Office, Kauswagan Youth Federation, Bridging Leaders for Sustainable Development, Barug Kabatan-unan Movement Inc, Oro Youth Development Council, and Pagasa Youth Association of the Philippines.

Disability body broadens horizon for PWDs

(RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, April 1 (PIA)– To provide better opportunities for development of persons with disability (PWDs), the Regional Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) in northern Mindanao fosters and strengthens the existing laws that protect the sector’s rights and privileges through conducting advocacy campaigns and forum.

During the first quarter meeting of the RCDA on March 30, Andres Rhudy Ravelo, Jr. of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) said that with the signing of the Republic Act 10754 that grants value-added tax (VAT) exemption benefits to PWDs on March 23, the sector will now have better chance to uplift the lives of its members.

This also indicates that council’s efforts in making the situation of the PWDs known to every Filipino is moving the sector forward.

Also, this new measure will align the law of PWD with that of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act which provides VAT exemption on top of their existing 20 percent discount on goods and services.

Aside from that success, Ravelo shared that they are currently working hand in hand with the regional councils to create various strategies to reduce poverty and enhance work and employment prospects of the PWDs.

Thus, he cited the creation and implementation in local government units (LGUs) of the Republic Act 1179 that promotes vocational rehabilitation of the blind and other handicapped persons and their return to civil employment as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) AO 21 on Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Ravelo added that there are also laws that every citizen must be aware of in promoting participation in political processes and in decision-making particularly the RA 7277 Magna Carta for PWD and RA 10366 Accessible Polling Places. He stressed such laws since election is fast approaching and every PWD should know his or her right to suffrage.

Currently, the RCDA is focused on ensuring disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction and management, improving the reliability and comparability of disability data, accelerating the ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Rights of PWDs and harmonization of national legislation with the convention, and advancing sub-regional, regional and interregional cooperation.

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