Cagayan de Oro City News August 2012

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City turns 636 houses to calamity survivors

By Lorebeth C. Requiroso


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug 31 -- The mayor here led the turn-over of 636 more houses and lots to displaced families who were affected by tropical storm Sendong, as one of the highlights of the Kagay-an Festival 2012.

Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, city councilors, department heads, together with Ferdinand Constantino, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) executive, and Charlie Ayco, Habitat for Humanity chief executive officer (CEO), among others, took part in the program held at the city’s relocation site in Barangay Indahag.

The houses were funded by SMC and implemented by the Habitat for Humanity Philippines (HFHP), said Mayor Vicente Emano.

The mayor expressed gratitude to as to how SMC has helped Cagayan de Oro recover from the devastation of the calamity.

He said Ang has committed to build 5,000 more houses in this city.

“With your kindness we are back on our feet and moving forward,” the mayor cited, as he requested the company to start the project this year," Emano said.

According to the mayor, the houses will also be awarded to families living in danger zones.

“We take pride and are honored that SMC is in CdeO. We hope that SMC will grant the request so that by Dec. 17 said houses will be turned over to the qualified beneficiaries,” the mayor added.

The SMC official lauded the city government for scheduling the turn-over of houses to calamity survivors during the city fiesta celebration, citing that it was indeed a perfect time.

It was learned that 1,300 out of the 2,500 houses committed by the company have been completed.

Constantino assured that the mayor’s request for the construction of more houses this year will be relayed to SMC CEO Ramon Ang. “SMC is happy to be engaged in the project,” he added.

The HFHP’s chief executive officer said the construction of houses is in line with the goal of the Habitat for Humanity to see that no Filipino is living in a slum area.

Ayco said the HFHP believes that every Filipino should live in a decent house that is consistent with his dignity as a person. He said that the Habitat gives importance to Cagayan de Oro and is looking forward to a long stay here.

“Tots Escalada, Habitat for Humanity Philippines director, is here because we give importance to CdO,” he added.

He is optimistic that the project would help bring healing to the city.

The HFHP has been faithfully pursuing its commitment to the “Ayos Bahay, Ayos Buhay, Ayos Bayan” campaign. (Lorebeth C. Requiroso/CdeoSP/PIA10)

Government urged to give more attention to Mindanao

By Nicole J. Managbanag


CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano is urging the National Government to give more attention to Mindanao in terms of development and other issues.

Emano said this during Wednesday’s 2012 Mindanao Island cluster conference of local chief executives in the city with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Senator Jinggoy Estrada as guest speakers.

In relation to this year’s conference theme “Mindanao is One: One Land. One people. One Future,” Emano said the people in Mindanao should be aware that the island has “undeniably long been denied and neglected by the National Government.”

He said this is despite Mindanao being the richest island in terms of natural resources, may it in land or sea, “having beautiful beaches and abundant crops which provided a big contribution to the food basket of the country.”

Emano said even the trees in Mindanao’s forests were intentionally cut to build expensive homes and furniture for the rich in Luzon.

“And this left us with nothing when those trees were supposed to shelter us from any calamities. Mindanao farmers doubled their time in farming crops and rice to sustain not only for their tummies but to most of country’s people,” he said.

“Aside from the unity of all LGUs (local government units) for empowerment, the National Government should give us what we deserve, which is the equal portion of pie in terms of infrastructures, internal revenue allotment (IRA), health and everything the other islands receive from the national government,” he said.

Emano expressed hope that the concerned agencies would start their quest to include Mindanao as their priority “so that the people of the island will also prosper.”

Meanwhile, Garcia, who is eyeing for a seat in the Senate in 2013, said she can relate to the plight of the LGUs as she had been one of them for quite a time.

She said LGUs in Mindanao and Visayas must be empowered and be given a voice to the Senate.

Garcia is also calling for the support of every Kagay-anon to vote for candidates who can give voice to both Mindanao and Visayas.

“As we aspire for empowerment in the Senate, Visayas and Mindanao will never be lost and will be given much importance,” she said.

Kagay-an Festival 2012 ‘generally peaceful’

By Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


THE celebration of this year’s Kagay-an Festival is peaceful with no major incidents reported, according to Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) Director Gerardo Rosales.

Rosales said Tuesday that from August 15 to 28, no major incidents happened in different areas of Cagayan de Oro City, especially at the festival sites in Divisoria and along Velez St.

He said this is due to the strict implementation of police visibility, checkpoints and other security measures.

Rosales said that over 1,000 police personnel were assigned and deployed in different areas and streets in the city, especially during the street dancing competition on Sunday, the civic-military and golden float parade on Monday and the fluvial procession on Tuesday.

He assured the public, however, that the police office would continue its mandate of securing the safety of the people not only during festivities but at all time.

Earlier, Rosales thanked all concerned agencies, including the Philippine Army, local barangay officials, and the Roads and Traffic Administration for the peaceful celebration of this year’s Kagay-an Festival. (ALR)

889 examiners take PMA admission test in Camp Evangelista

By Elaine O. Ratunil


CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, Aug 28 (PIA) -- The 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division (4ID) together with the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) administered the PMA Entrance Examination at 4ID Gymnasium at 7 a.m., Sunday.

A total of 889 examiners from different provinces in 4ID area took the exam.

The examinees were divided into two batches since the gymnasium can only accommodate 600 examiners. The first batch took the exam from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., while the second batch from 2 to 7 p.m.

The number of applicants this year increased because of the decrease in height requirement from 5’2” to 5’0” for both male and female applicants.

The applicants were also encouraged by the PMA “No maltreatment policy."

This had been the usual questions of interested applicants and the reason of their parents’ hesitation to let them apply for cadetship.

Successful applicants will compose the PMA Class 2017 who will be officially received in the academy with an oath-taking ceremony and reception rites on April 1, 2013.

Being a PMA cadet gives an individual a noble privilege in serving the country. One is able to avail of a free college education with a well-rounded curriculum, as well as receive a monthly pay and allowances. After graduating from the academy, one is guaranteed a progressive career as an officer in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.

MGen. Victor A. Felix AFP, Commander, 4ID said, “We are happy to see the response of the youth to the innovations of PMA recruitment. The 889 is quite a number for a single testing center but the PMA has 37, so we can approximate that for this year more or less 20,000 qualified youth took this year entrance examination. We are very positive that those who passed and will compose Class 2017 have undergone a very tough competition.” (4CMO/4ID/PIA10)

Fluvial procession highlights Oro fiesta

By Nicole J. Managbanag


TODAY, Kagay-anons will pay homage and honor to St. Augustine through a novena at the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral followed by the fluvial procession and culmination of the 4th Infantry Division-led “Diana around the Cagayan River.”

City Councilor Alexander Dacer said a mass will also be held at the starting point of the fluvial procession along Barangay Macabalan river side before the procession, to be participated by more than 50 motorized bankas (boats).

“In today’s fluvial procession, to be participated by the riverside barangays riding in their own pump boats, the city government and the Cdo Rafters Association will highlight those who have died and those who have survived Sendong’s wrath in the same river,” Dacer said.

He said aside from the fluvial procession, a floral offering will also be held as a way of thanking the Lord for all the blessings that the city received.

However, Dacer stressed that to maintain safety, he urged the residents who will participate in today’s procession to avoid bringing their children, pregnant companions and senior citizens who are no longer capable to walk.

Earlier, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano declared August 28 as a special non-working holiday in celebration of the city’s fiesta in honor of St. Augustine.

Emano said Kagay-anons are already back on their feet and moving forward from the wrought of tropical typhoon Sendong last year.

“We hope to give a deeper meaning in our hearts and offer our prayers to St. Augustine as he helped us overcome the tragedy last year,” he said.

The City Government had prepared a lot of activities to commemorate the feast. These include the traditional seven core events such as the search for Ms. Kagay-an 2012, P.E. Rhythmic Dance Competition, Kagay-an Festival Cultural Street Dancing Competition, Kagay-an Pyro Festival, Kagay-an Festival Parade-Civic Military and Golden Float, Fluvial Procession and Floral Offering and Mass Halad.

Other activities held were the Kagay-an Festival Marathon 2012, Kumbira, Agro Fair and Rodeo and Horse Show.

On Monday, a civic military and golden float parade was held, which was participated by around 100 contingents.







Northern Mindanao hits $1 billion in exports

By Elaine O. Ratunil


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) -- With the international ports in Cagayan de Oro as jumping boards, exporters in Northern Mindanao finally hit the $1 billion mark in exports last year, making it one of the few exporting regions in the country.

This was reported by PhilExport Cagayan de Oro during a meeting during the region's development council. It started from a base of $300 million in 2002 which inched up yearly at a rate of 1.3 percent except in 2009 when it dived by almost half.

Overall, the export industry in Northern Mindanao expanded by 56 percent in the 10-year period. Behind the performance were 190 micro to medium enterprises and 17 large exporters.

The region's 10 top export goods included coconut oil, oleochemicals, canned pineapple, raw sugar, abaca pulp and fiber, copra solvent and expeller cake, dessicated coconut, sawn lumber, sintered ore and coconut fiber, husk, peat, and coir.

These feats were pulled off despite a long list of obstacles that the region's exporters presented to the regional development council in said meeting. (Abe P. Belena/PNF/PIA10)

Security tightened in CDO for Kagay-an Festival

By (Cong B. Corrales and Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY(MindaNews/24 August)— Security measures have been tightened in this city in line with the annual celebration of the week-long Kagay-an Festival, which will start on Sunday. One of the highlights of the festival is the Feast of St. Augustine, the city’s patron saint, which will be on August 28, Tuesday. Sr. Supt. Gerardo Rosales, city police director, said that security have been tightened in strategic places across the city to ensure the safety of the thousands expected to flock the celebrations. The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) has started the security preparations since last week for the activities spread from August 26 to 31. The festival’s attractions include the Kahimunan Trade Fair, which showcases the native products and farm produce of the city and Misamis Oriental province, Miss Kagay-an Beauty Pageant, Folkoric Street Dancing Competition, Golden Float Competition, Halad sa Lambagohan, and Kumbira, a culinary show and exhibit of the city’s hotels and restaurants. Chief Insp. Lemuel Gonda, head of COCPO’s planning and operations division, said that Task Force San Agustin was created to implement the security measures in the city. “The COCPO will be deploying around 350 uniformed personnel all over Cagayan de Oro. An additional 150 personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion and 100 students from the Regional Training School will also beef up our forces,” he said. Gonda added that the task force will also be augmented by elements of the Roads and Traffic Administration to help ease the traffic condition, as more people from other towns and cities are expected to troop to the city. He said that more police officers will secure the strategic areas in barangays Kauswagan in the west and Puerto and Bugo in the east. Gonda said they will conduct “Oplan Bakal Sita” and that visiting politicians and dignitaries will be monitored closely “to prevent the proliferation of loose firearms” in the duration of the festival. Rosales urged the public not to let their guards down even as he ordered the police stations all over the city to be ready for any untoward situation. “Criminal elements might take the opportunity to engage in armed robbery hold-up, carnapping, pickpocket, snatching and other forms of criminal activities during the fiesta celebration,” Rosales said. The Philippine Army’s Fourth Infantry “Diamond” Division—which is based in Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Barangay Patag—will also deploy troops to supplement the city’s police force. Lt. Col. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, 4ID spokesperson, said they have not monitored any security threats to the city as of press time Friday. Aside from augmenting the police, Osias said the division’s musical band will perform in a free concert.

Cagayan de Oro City dad invites public to Kagay-an Fest

By Elaine O. Ratunil


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug 24 (PIA) -- Mayor Vicente Emano has invited Kagay-anons and visitors to the Kagay-an Festival 2012 Agro-Industrial Fair being held at the City Hall grounds.

The Agro-Industrial Fair, which opened on August 15, showcases crops and products from the barangays of Canitoan, Baikingon, Pagalungan, Mambuaya, Tablon, Balubal, San Simon, Iponan, Tagpangi, Dansolihon, F.S. Catanico, Pagatpat, Lumbia, Bayanga, Indahag and Cugman.

The Federation of Cagayan de Oro 4-H Clubs, Federation of Coastal Barangay Fisher folk Association of Cagayan de Oro, Cagayan de Oro City Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, Rural Improvement Clubs and Food Processors of Northern Mindanao participated in the event.

Emano is also inviting the public to participate and view the various activities lined up by the city fiesta committee chaired by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas for this year’s festivities.

The Kagay-an Rodeo show is set to open at 6 a.m. on August 24 at the Macapagal Drive. At 8 a.m., the Agro-Industrial Fair Livestock Show and Folk and Country Music Festival will entertain the public. Rodeo Night will be at 6 p.m. at Macapagal Drive.

While on August 24 and 25, the public is invited to enjoy the first Mayor Dongkoy Emano and Congressman Benjo Benaldo Folk and Country Music at the Divisoria Night Café. (Lorebeth C. Requiroso/ CdeOSP/PIA10)

Committee urges for RDC's support for NorMin priority investment plan

By Jorie C. Valcorza


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Aug 23 (PIA) -- The Economic Development Committee urged for the Regional Development Council’s (RDC) support in publicizing the 2012 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP), particularly to potential investors.

In a resolution endorsed to RDC, they cited the need for an active dissemination of the 2012 IPP in order to grab the interest of investors to locate their businesses in the region.

This year’s IPP restored iron and steel among the priorities, covering basic iron and steel products, long steel products (billets and reinforcing steel bars) and flat hot/cold-rolled products.

The committee said this is also one of our country’s preferred investment, necessary for industrialization.

Other investments on the top list are on agriculture/agribusiness and fishery, creative industries/knowledge-based services, shipbuilding, mass housing, energy, infrastructure, research and development, green projects, motor vehicles, strategic projects, hospital/medical services, disaster prevention, mitigation and recovery projects that are apt with the region’s resource endowments.

The 2012 IPP is consistent with Northern Mindanao’s five-year regional development plan, which recognizes the need to actively generate investments to create jobs and wealth for the populace.

IPP is an annual list of domestic industries eligible for government incentives under the Board of Incentives, which includes income tax holiday, duty free importation of capital equipment, among others. (PIA)

RDC-10 recommends inclusion of other palm varieties under PCA

By Jorie C. Valcorza


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, August 22 (PIA) -- The Regional Development Council 10 (RDC 10) endorses its support for the inclusion in the mandate of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) the development of other palms such as sugar palm (kaong), fishtail palm (pugahan), and the palm wood (bahi).

This is to enhance support in the development of other palm varieties into an industry in the region and respond to the demands for other palms based products and by-products in the domestic and foreign markets.

The body unanimously approved the endorsement during its 94th Full Council Meeting, held in Camiguin, last week.

This is to enable PCA to appropriate funding support for research and development of the other potential palm varieties.

PCA region 10 manager, Luis G. Cruz explained on a separate meeting with the RDC Economic Development Committee a draft House Bill entitled “An act Revitalizing the Coconut Industry, Appropriating Funds Therefore And For Other Purposes” which had been introduced by fifty members of the House of Representatives in its first regular session.

Cruz said the bill recognizes the essential role of coconut as a strategic, indigenous, replenishable and renewable source of livelihood for greater number of people.

He however noted the need to expand the definition of “coconut” in the bill, that it should encompass coconut trees and oil palm trees, and coconut and oil palm based products and by-products.(PIA 10)

Calamba women get livelihood assistance from DOLE-10

By (Mildred E. Dablio/DOLE-10/PIA-10)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, August 21 (PIA) --- The Kababayen-an sa Southwestern Poblacion Nagkahiusa (KASPON) has received an assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as support to the association’s ready-to-drink calamansi juice processing livelihood.

DOLE-10 Regional Director Johnson G. Cañete released the check amounting to P116,000 to the municipal government of Calamba, as the accredited co-partner of the DOLE, in Calamba Municipal Hall last August 8, 2012.

The assistance, under DOLE’s Worker’s in the Informal Sector Fund is the Department’s early Christmas gift to the municipality of Calamba, especially in helping the women sector on poverty alleviation.

Cañete said the DOLE’s livelihood grant contributes to the government’s agenda of reducing poverty and is likened to the Bible’s parable of the talents in using one’ resources to good use and increasing it a hundredfold.

KASPON President Lilian T. Jumalon, together with the other officers of the association, witnessed the turnover and was pleased that the amount given by DOLE will be used as additional capital to purchase a “motorcab” that will be utilized in transporting their increasing number of orders.

The assistance will likewise be used in securing utensils, since they are currently using utensils personally-owned by their members.

Jumalon also said for the past year that they have been operating, their livelihood venture have helped improve the economy of their locality by giving employment to some 56 members.

She said the additional income that they will earn through the help of the DOLE can add food to their table and send their children to school.

Meanwhile, those who want to place an order can contact Jumalon at the Southwestern Poblacion Barangay Hall at numbers 09297650340 or through Calamba PESO Manager Corazon T. Descallar at telephone numbers (088) 5648001 or 2713221.

PAL airlifts bananas for flood victims

By inquirer.net


MANILA, Philippines–Philippine Airlines recently airlifted tons of export-quality Tutti-Frutti bananas for distribution to victims of floods spawned by the southwest monsoon in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. The fruits, sent over by Cagayan de Oro Eco Warriors, were airlifted from Cagayan de Oro City for free through the PAL Humanitarian Cargo Grant. The bananas are of the hardy Cavendish variety which do not bruise or rot easily, and can withstand the many stages of handling and transport to thousands of families devastated by torrential rains. PAL also airlifted the following: bananas from Fedco, a major fruit producer in Davao City, whose donation was coursed through the Rotary Clubs of Davao and Makati; canned tuna from Gensan and Saranggani; and 40 tons of fortified food for children courtesy of the UN World Food Programme in Cotabato City.

Sustainable farmer uses ‘humanure’ to close loop between food production and sanitation

By BONG D. FABE / CORRESPONDENT


LIBERTAD, Misamis Oriental—Can organic farmers address the issue of food security, sanitation, nutrition, the environment and other concerns confronting modern humans? For a rural farmer in this fifth-class municipality, 38.5 kilometers west of Cagayan de Oro City, the answer is a simple but resounding yes.

“We can positively address all these issues confronting us today through a system called ecological sanitation or EcoSan,” said Elmer Sayre, in-house adviser to the internationally awarded and recognized Water, Agroforestry, Nutrition and Development (WAND) Foundation.

Sayre, a sustainable agriculture through organic farming advocate and an alumnus of the College of Agriculture of Xavier University, uses “humanure” (human feces and urine) to do just that—fertilizes land to grow highly nutritious organic vegetables, improved sanitation  and at the same time improve the quality of life of marginalized households.

He said that EcoSan provides a solution to such issues as food production and poor sanitation while helping curb the spread of diseases, help solve water scarcity and improve biodiversity.

 EcoSan, which “provides a hygienically safe, economical and closed-loop system to convert human wastes into nutrients to be returned to the soil,” effectively closes  the loop  between food production and sanitation because EcoSan practitioners see and use human wastes as resources and opportunities, Sayre said, as he explained that the three main objectives of EcoSan is to reduce health risks related to sanitation, prevent pollution of surface and ground water, and reuse the nutrients or energy in the wastes for food production.

WAND Foundation is now on the process of producing high-grade organic fertilizer from the  “terra-preta” EcoSan toilets. The humanure is added to other compost materials like goat dung, chicken manure and biochar, and biodegraded using lactic acid bacteria in order to produce high-grade organic fertilizer with a carbon nitrogen ratio in the vicinity of 30:1. “The scientific basis for using urine and feces in agriculture is that urine contains nitrogen which is one of the major elements needed by plants. Feces contain phosphorus and much organic matter useful in improving soil properties,” he said.

He also pointed out that using humanure in agriculture helps protect the environment because farmers will no longer use commercial synthetic laboratory-made fertilizers that “take high fossil fuel energy to produce.”

“Our study with urine in vegetable gardens and feces application in coconut and fruit trees shows that yield is comparable to those fertilized with commercial fertilizer. 

Given the scarcity and high cost of commercial fertilizers nowadays, our idea will be a fresh take at an old problem of lack of sanitation coupled with low farm productivity, malnourishment, biodiversity loss and poverty among the bottom poor by using human excreta in small-scale agriculture and tree farming while at the same time solving the issue of lack of sanitation and groundwater contamination in poor rural and urban areas,” he stressed.

CdO fire station is now a fire district

By Elaine O. Ratunil


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug 17 (PIA) -- The Cagayan de Oro fire station has now been converted into a fire district, as Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo gave the "go signal" for this development.

Mayor Vicente Emano said this conversion of the fire station will greatly help the city.

Last December 1, 2010, the 16th city council, headed by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian E. Acenas, adopted a resolution highly endorsing and supporting the move. Upon the recommendation of the committees on police, fire and public safety and on laws and rules chaired by councilors Ian Mark Q. Nacaya and Ramon G. Tabor, respectively, this was reiterated through Resolution No. 11084-2012.

This is in line with the intention to provide a more dynamic and efficient fire-fighting unit in the city that can answer all calls of emergencies, calamities and disasters.

This conversion transforms existing substations into regular fire stations and activates additional fire stations within the city. With this, requests for additional equipment from the national office can be fully justified.

The establishment of a fully functional emergency medical assistance services and special rescue units, among others also come with this development.

Under the provision of Republic Act 9263, a city fire station shall be headed by a city fire marshal with the rank of chief inspector. it is now headed by Shirley Teleron, district fire marshal.

At the regular session last Tuesday, August 14, legislators welcomed her to the city. The new district fire marshal presented the programs and objectives of the conversion move. (Lorebeth C. Requiroso/CdeOSP-PIA10)

Nephew of alleged scammer abducted in Oro

By Annabelle L. Ricalde


A NEPHEW of a businessman was abducted by several unidentified men midnight of Monday in Cagayan de Oro City, police said.

Police Superintendent Danildo Tumanda, station commander of Police Station 1 in Divisoria, said the 24-year-old kidnap victim Paw Rasuman was seized by still undetermined number of armed men around 12:20 a.m. along Cruz Taal Street, this city.

Click here to get the latest Kadayawan 2012 updates.

According to the police, Rasuman is the nephew of Koko Rasuman who was reportedly involved in a pyramid scam. Several Maranaos gathered outside the gate of a high-end subdivision in Upper Carmen barely a month ago just to meet Koko Rasuman to allegedly get their money back.

In fact, Cagayan de Oro police, particularly the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, were deployed in the area at that time to prevent any untoward incident.

Police initial investigation showed that young Rasuman went to an establishment in the area to buy something where he parked his driven red Honda Civic with plate number WRX-703 along Cruz Taal Steet.

“While he was in the store, the victim had no idea that there were two men who went near his car to deflate the tire,” Tumanda told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Rasuman went back to his vehicle and before he could start the engine, the perpetrators broke the window shield of the vehicle specifically at the driver’s seat portion and snatched Rasuman and forced him in one of their getaway vehicles.

Tumanda stressed that there were three vehicles parked near Rasuman’s vehicle, a Ford Everest with plate number POM-696, Toyota Fortuner, and Toyota Prado. The plate numbers of the two vehicles were not taken.

But a further investigation at the Land Transportation Office (LTO) revealed that the plate number of the Ford Everest is fictitious because the POM-696 is belonging to a Honda City vehicle registered under the name of Marie Sheila Wu of 001 Buenaventura Street, Valenzuela City.

With this, Tumanda said the motive of the abductors is to put pressure to the victim’s uncle for him to return the money they have invested through pyramid scheme.

“Based on the statement of the Maranaos that we talked to, the abductors will not kill the victim as they only want to get their money back,” Tumanda added.

The police are also confident that the suspects are still in the city because they immediately flashed all the check points in the city about the three vehicles. In fact, no such vehicles were spotted at the check point of Kinasanghan in Barangay Iponan.

Police are still conducting investigation and pursuit operation to track down the three vehicles and the suspects.

P50-M aid for fire-hit school

By Nicole J. Managbanag


CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano pledged on Monday P50 million for the repair works of the City Central School seriously damaged by a fire on Sunday dawn.

Several classrooms and city division offices in the school were razed by the fire that lasted for almost an hour.

The mayor said on Monday’s flag-raising ceremony that the City Government will help the city’s premier public school recover, citing education is very important for the children.

After personally checking the condition of the school located along Yacapin-Velez Streets, Emano ordered City Engineer’s Office head Mario Batar to prepare the plan and program of works for the immediate construction of new school buildings and offices.

“The students and faculty staff of the school will have a place to return to in no time,” Emano said.

Based on the report of City Fire Marshal Shirley Teleron, around 59 classrooms--mostly for grades five and six pupils--and division offices turned into ashes in the conflagration believed to be ignited by a faulty wiring or unplugged electric fan.

Damage to properties, Teleron said, could reach to P70 million in this year’s biggest fire incident in the city that also destroyed part of the school’s covered court.

Teleron cited laxity on the part of the school’s on-duty watchmen who allegedly failed to call the city’s fire station on time.

“Serious damage could have been prevented if they made an immediate call for help,” Teleron said.

Meanwhile, City Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya urged all school administrators and principals in the locality to check the power loads in all classrooms and offices before going home as “precautionary measure” if only to avoid a repetition of such incident.

Nacaya, who is the committee chair on police, fire and public safety, also encouraged them to undertake maintenance work on all electrical wiring systems.

He also advised the teachers to be careful by personally assisting the students in turning off and removing the plugs of electrical devices in the classrooms before going home.

Fire hits City Central school

By Annabelle L. Ricalde


ALMOST an hour-long fire of still unknown origin razed at least 46 classrooms and division offices at the City Central School here on Sunday dawn.

No one was reported injured in the conflagration, according to investigators who pegged the damaged at P3 million.

Firemen from the Cagayan de Oro Central Fire Station and private fire volunteer brigade from various business establishments helped in putting off the fire from spreading to the other buildings inside the school compound.

City Fire Marshal Shirley Teleron said an initial report showed that around 1:40 a.m. Sunday, they received a call informing them that a fire broke out at the City Central School located along Yacapin-Velez Streets, Cagayan de Oro City.

“Aside from the call, there was someone on board a motorcycle that informed us that there is a fire at City Central School,” Teleron said.

She immediately dispatched fire trucks to the scene and responding firefighters found the building already engulfed by flames.

Teleron said the blaze started at the second floor, particularly in a grade six classroom.

School principal Porferio Padinit accounted that at least 32 classrooms of grades six, five, and three and 14 division offices were destroyed.

He also blamed some on-duty watchmen of the school for not calling the fire station immediately that could have prevented the fire from causing further damage.

Teleron said the cause of the fire is still being determined, even as it appeared that the fire may be linked to electrical short circuit or unplugged electric fan.

Police team up with LTO to curb motorcycle-riding criminals

By Nicole J. Managbanag


DUE to rampant motorcycle accidents and crimes committed by suspects riding in tandem in motorcycles, the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) will partner with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to enforce the Land Transportation and Traffic Code (Republic Act 4136).

City Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, chairperson of the City Council committee on police, fire and public safety, said around 50 Cocpo personnel composed of station commanders of different police precincts and key officials will soon be deputized by LTO to help curb crimes committed by perpetrators who are using motor vehicles.

Nacaya said these Cocpo personnel have undergone briefing by LTO regional director Esteban Baltazar.

“The collaboration with both agencies was the outcome of discussions last week with the LTO on issues regarding the conduct of checkpoints and look into the problem of motorcycle vehicles, which Councilor Ramon Tabor reported two weeks ago,” Nacaya said.

He said it was noted that Cocpo personnel can only issue citation tickets to violators of traffic rules and other city ordinances but do not have the authority to issue Temporary Operator’s Permit since they are not deputized by LTO.

“With this approach, riding in tandem incidence and other crimes using motor vehicles will be intercepted,” Nacaya said.

Southwoods Eyes 5-peat In Luzvimin

By mb.com.ph


The Champion Infinity 20th Luzvimin Golf Invitational presented by Pacsports fires off today at the Pueblo de Oro Golf and Country Club in Cagayan de Oro City with Manila Southwoods out to extend its reign to a record fifth straight year against the country’s top clubs.

The three-day tournament, organized by the Women's Golf Association of the Philippines (WGAP), will have the 18-team field divided into three divisions – Diamond, Ruby and Pearl with the overall crown and the Classes A, B and C titles to be disputed.

Making their first appearance in the annual tournament, sponsored by Champion Infinity and Pacsports, are the Orchard Golf and Country Club and the host club. Play will be under the Molave scoring format.

Still, focus will be on the Carmona-based squad which thwarted Del Monte to nail their fourth straight championship in the centerpiece Diamond division in Bacolod last year.

Sunshine Baraquiel is again expected to lead the Southwoods’ record drive and defend her individual crown with support from Regine de Guzman and Lora Roberto.

Other teams seeing action are Apo Golf and Country Club, Bacolod Golf and Country Club, Baguio Country Club, Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club, Davao City Golf Club, Forest Hills Golf and Country Club, Mactan Island Golf Club and Manila Golf Club.

Oro local artists to hold exhibit

By Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro through the City Tourism Office will host an art exhibition of the burgeoning artists in the city on August 13 to 31 at the City Tourism Showhouse in Divisoria.

The art exhibition will be held in celebration of Kagay-an Festival this August.

The exhibit, dubbed “Art Tsada,” is aimed at showcasing the works of the Cagayan de Oro artists, bringing into the canvas the city’s rich heritage and culture in recognition of the Kagay-anon cultural heritage, history, natural wonders, values and socio-cultural and economic aspirations. “Art Tsada” will open on August 13 at 3 p.m. to be graced by the city’s government Officials and representatives.

The exhibit is also supported by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) Visual Arts Committee as part of its offshoot activities in the promotion of local arts.

It is also sponsored by Mr. Donuts and Dire Husi Initiatives Inc. Aside from showcasing the artists’ masterpieces, an on-the-spot painting demonstration and art workshop will also be shared by the artists themselves during the fiesta celebration on August 28.

The art workshop will cater to children of Sendong survivors to help them recover psychologically and socially from the trauma and psychological distress through art.

Imma Rae Gatuslao, City Tourism Operations Officer, said the City Government is supporting this endeavor to patronize local arts and provide more opportunities to Kagay-anon local artists to showcase their talents that will also redound for the benefit of our city.

The artists who will participate in the exhibit are budding visual artists with varied line of interests or medium in arts, including Bo Daclan (contemporary arts), Gieward Hullagno (water color painting), Brixrey Guegue (soil painting), Darryl Salcedo (papercut art) and Marigold Cherie Ramos-Garrido (oil/acrylic painting).

CdeO visual artists to showcase talents in 'Art Tsada”'exhibit

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug 5 (PIA) -- Budding visual artists in the city will be showcasing their talents in an art exhibition on August 13 to 31 at the City Tourism Showhouse.

Dubbed, “Art Tsada," the exhibit will feature the works of local artists who brought the city’s rich heritage and culture in canvas in recognition of the Kagay-anon cultural heritage, history, natural wonders, values and socio-cultural and economic aspirations.

The Cagayan de Oro through the City Tourism Office will host the art exhibition in celebration of the Kagay-an Festival.

It is also supported by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) Visual Arts Committee as part of their offshoot activities in promoting local arts.

City Tourism Operations Officer Imma Rae Gatuslao said the city government is supporting this endeavor to patronize local arts and provide more opportunities to the Kagay-anon local artists to showcase their talents.

Participating artists, includes, Bo Daclan (contemporary arts), Gieward Hullagno (water color painting), Brixrey Guegue (soil painting), Darryl Salcedo (papercut art), and Marigold Cherie Ramos-Garrido (oil/acrylic painting).

An on-the-spot painting demonstration and art workshop will also be shared by the artists during the fiesta celebration.

The said art workshop will help Sendong survivors’ children to help them recover psychologically and socially from the trauma and psychological distress. (APB- PIA 10)

Vjandep Pastel ready to penetrate global market

By BONG D. FABE


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—This city’s popular Vjandep Pastel has finally arrived as a global Filipino product after no less than US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr. personally handed to its general manager Lt. Col. Virgilio Jose (Ret.) and founder Eleanor Popera-Jose the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 certifications recently. Vjandep Pastel makes pastel (buns) filled with sweet crème, including the original flavor yema, a mixture of condensed milk, flour and sugar, that is sought after by both locals and visitors alike.

“By meeting the stringent food quality and safety requirements for HACCP certification, you increase the prospects of entering new export markets and selling to the world’s most discriminating buyers,” Thomas said during the awarding ceremony early last month.

HACCP is a system that ensures food production meets safety requirements to protect public health, whereas ISO 17025 makes sure that laboratories testing products meet certain requirements.

Vjandep Pastel’s HACCP certification was made possible by the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria Steel said the “US government, through USAID, is enabling Mindanao firms and business-support organizations to expand exports and create jobs and opportunities to help the region achieve broad-based and inclusive economic growth.”

Since the launching of its certification-assistance project, USAID has successfully assisted 24 companies obtain HACCP and ISO 17025 certifications. Total collective increase in sales of these companies is estimated at $20 million.

Jose said they have received various inquiries and proposals from abroad about their products.

“Even before our HACCP certification, we already received so many inquiries from Filipinos abroad about exporting our products and selling them abroad,” he said in an interview.

In 2010 Ali Mall—the first mall in the Philippines—offered the Jose couple a space inside the mall for Vjandep Pastel after recognizing its potential. In fact, even without HACCP certification, Vjandep Pastel has long been considered the most widely chosen pasalubong treat for balikbayan and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Thanks to the balikbayan, OFWs and foreign tourists, Vjandep Pastel has started to penetrate the global market.


Humble beginnings

ACCORDING to Jose, it is very heartwarming to see OFWs, and even foreigners, buying boxes of the delicacy they intend to bring abroad.

He said he and his wife did not plan nor dream they would have a successful business.

With only P120 as initial capital over 20 years ago, the Jose couple now boasts of a three-story building along the national highway in Barangay Bulua, which houses Vjandep’s state-of-the-art baking equipment that daily churn out 3,000 dozens of the delicacy.

In an interview in the early 2000s, Eleanor said the P120 she used as initial capital for her venture was what remained of her husband’s Christmas bonus in 1989. She said that on January 8, 1990, she started baking pastel to ease her boredom while waiting for her husband to come home from work. Pastel-making has been a tradition in her family, which learned the art of pastel baking from the Spaniards. The Jose couple were then living in Mambajao, Camiguin, thus the famous “Vjandep Pastel of Camiguin” tag on each box of the delicacy.

From that P120, she was able to buy the needed ingredients—1 kilo flour, a can of condensed milk, a kilo of sugar, and other ingredients from which she produced three dozens of yema-filled pastel. As a mold, she used empty milk cans and an empty steel drum as an oven. She used these recycled materials for six months when her pastel were sold by the hundreds daily.

Later, with the help of a P25,000 loan from the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) “Tulong sa Tao” program, she was able to buy the required baking equipment needed to go full blast in her newfound business. Because of her business sense, she was able to pay off the loan ahead of schedule, thus allowing her to avail herself of the DTI’s loan program for small and medium enterprises two more times.


Awards

IN the early 1990s, when the Spanish Assistance for Integrated Livelihood (SAIL) came to help Camiguin, then under the administration of Gov. Antonietto Gallardo, the Jose couple got a loan of P100,000 payable in two years with a minimal 2-percent interest rate.

In the late 1990s, the Jose couple decided to open a branch in Cagayan de Oro, on Tiano Bros. Street. As production expanded, Jose decided to retire from military service to focus on the family business.

In the early stages of building their thriving pastel enterprise, Eleanor enrolled in various baking classes during summer and joined baking seminars to further hone her baking skills. She also tried innovating new products. They also decided not to mix any additive to prolong the shelf life of their pastel, thus further boosting its salability.

With the help of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Jose couple were able to extend the shelf life of their pastel to five days without refrigeration.

As production increased, the Jose couple allowed their employees to be trained on business entrepreneurship by the Technical Education for Skills and Development Authority. The DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute also trained Vjandep’s employees on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and assisted the company in the development and improvement of the packaging and labeling systems to conform to international standards.

In 1997 the Northern Mindanao office of the DTI awarded Eleanor Popera-Jose the Gawad Microentrepreneur award. Since that award, Vjandep Pastel obtained various awards through the years. In 2002 the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference recognized Vjandep Pastel in its Five-Nation Success Story. The DOST-10 also conferred on Vjandep the Outstanding Techno Adoptor Award in 2003. The following year (2004), the DTI recognized Vjandep as one of the 52 success stories in the national category.

That year Vjandep became the regional awardee for Employment Generation of the Galing Pinoy Movement; national awardee of the DOST’s Excellence in Ecology and Economy award; and Outstanding Business Enterprise awardee of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Go Negosyo-Northern Mindanao also conferred on Vjandep the 2007 Most Inspiring Entrepreneur award. Vjandep Pastel also became a national finalist in the Best in People Development Productivity Olympics by the NWPB in 2008. The following year, it became the national winner in the Best in Production Improvement Program for Medium Enterprises (Industry Category) by the Department of Labor and Employment-NWPC.

From a home-based business in Camiguin, Vjandep Pastel now has four branches in Cagayan de Oro. The Jose couple are confident that when it is time for their children to take over the family business, it will further expand exponentially like the many different flavors of their pastel’s filling. From the original and classic yema, it now has durian, nangka (jackfruit), ube (purple yam), mongo, cheese, macapuno and Bavarian.

Probers eye illegal drug trade in shooting

By Annabelle L. Ricalde


INVESTIGATORS are eyeing illegal drug trade as the main motive in the shooting incident that killed a high school student and injured one person Wednesday night at Riverwall in Barangay Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City.

Police Chief Inspector Norberto Zafra, station commander of Macabalan Police Station, identified the victims as Wilfredro Cutamora, 16, and Benjamin A. Pajente, 37, both residents of Riverwall, Block 4 in Barangay Puntod.

The victims were rushed to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) but attending physicians declared Cutamora dead on arrival as he succumbed to a gunshot wound in the nape.

Pajente sustained a gunshot wound in the hand and is now out of danger, according to the police.

“It appears that Pajente was the target and the student was just mixed up in the incident,” Zafra said.

Police initial investigation revealed that two of the four men armed with short firearms entered the house of the victims around 10 p.m. and looked for Pajente.

The two armed men, who reportedly wore bonnets, then shot Pajente and Cutamora.

The two suspects fled away on board two motorcycles driven by their two companions.

Police records showed that Pajente was involved in illegal drug trade in the area and was already arrested by operatives of Police Station 5 for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Aside from illegal drug trade, Pajente was once arrested for robbery.

“Pajente just got out of prison and his name is still involved in the selling of illegal drugs,” Zafra said in an interview over dxIF-Bombo Radyo.

Investigators are still looking into the incident to track down the four gunmen and to determine the real motive.

XU opens student mall to public

By (Vanessa M. Gorra/XU/PIA10)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 2 -- Xavier University and Pryce Corporation Inc inaugurated the Xavier University – Pryce Center for Entrepreneurship on July 29 during the celebration of the Feast of St Ignatius of Loyola.

The student-run shopping and business center is under the University’s Student Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) and designed to train students to become successful entrepreneurs. At the ground floor are shopping stalls operated by students taking up entrepreneurship courses while the second floor houses the training and incubation center, a conference room and the SEP office.

“There is a real need for the economy of Cagayan de Oro, the region and the country to have entrepreneurs,” Fr Roberto Yap, XU president, said. “It’s not enough that we produce good employees. We have to train our students to be entrepreneurs and serve the community.”

He thanked Pryce Corporation headed by its Chief Executive Officer Salvador Escaño for this wonderful gift to Xavier. Further, Fr Yap encouraged the students to use the business techniques they are learning to serve the poor by contributing to jobs and livelihoods generation.

“St Ignatius challenges us to find God in all these worldly things and serve Him,” he said.

In the same light, Escaño inspired the student-entrepreneurs to dream big, telling them that it’s normal to face difficulties.

“I believe you cannot learn until you fail,” Escaño said. He explained that there is no shame in failing. What is important is that you come out a better person from all your experiences.

The mall is open to the public daily except Sundays from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. XU souvenir items, apparels, agri products and computer services are among the items offered by the mall. Food kiosks, meanwhile, can be found at the SEP Food Court situated between the Engineering and CIT buildings.

Fr Yap described the Xavier University – Pryce Center for Entrepreneurship as a gateway to XU’s service to the community. The mall entrance is now the main access gate to the university both for students and guests.

SP approves report on prefeasibility study for water and waste mng't project

By Elaine O. Ratunil


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug 1 -- The city council approved on second and final reading the inception report of the prefeasibility study for wastewater, watershed and solid waste management in Cagayan de Oro.

This approval was set during its regular session this morning, July 31, presided over by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas.

The proposed project seeks to address environmental concerns such as the water pollution of the Cagayan de Oro River due to the absence of a sanitary sewerage and efficient drainage system, and inefficient and unsustainable solid waste management. This is part of the technical assistance provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the implementation of its Cities Development Initiative for Asia of which Cagayan de Oro is a beneficiary.

A project steering committee was created in the city for the purpose. It provides guidance and oversight to all activities; it shall review and monitor the progress and performance of the assignment activities; ensure that activities optimize the benefit of the stakeholders and participating organizations and liaise with key stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation and to ensure integration between proposed interventions in the priority sectors.

The steering committee is chaired by Councilor Emmanuel Abejuela, chair of the committee on public works with Councilor President Elipe, chair of the committee on environment as co-chair.

Members are city administrator Leon Du M. Gan, Jr; city planning coordinator Isidro Borja; consultant Estrella Sagaral; City Local Environment and Natural Resources officer-designate Virginia Deguinion; city engineer-designate Mario Batar; Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce president Ma. Teresa Alegrio; Cagayan de Oro Citizen’s Commission’s Nimfa Albania; Ruben Vegafria of Promote CDO Foundation and Engr. Rachel Beja of the Cagayan de Oro Water District. (Lorebeth C. Requiroso/CdeOSP/PIA10)

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