Cagayan de Oro City News December 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

World Vision to conduct values formation for children in NorMin

By Crislyn Felisilda(CF /World Vision)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Alarmed with the degradation of moral values among children and youth, non-government organization World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. (WVDF) will embark on values and spiritual formation programs for children in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Zamboanga del Norte.

According to the reports, Philippines has the highest number of children who are “smokers” in Asia while the child pregnancy rate has significantly increased to 70% from 1999–2009. Northern Mindanao is also one of the hot spots for the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS). There are new HIV cases of children and youth (15-24 years old) across the country registered between July–October 2016 and HIV transmission rate now becomes “youth epidemic.”

“Our children and youth face complex challenges today and these hinder them from attaining their full potential, “says Liza Branal, the World Vision Program Manager for Northwestern Mindanao.

To help address to these issues, World Vision implements the Spiritual Nurture for Children project in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) through integration of values formation in school-based Culture of Reading.

This five-year project will provide children and youth the opportunities to participate in fellowships, workshops, and camps that would promote values.

Parents and caregivers will also join seminars on responsible parenthood to develop deeper sense of responsibility and confidence to guide their children better.

“The children are the hope of our future so we must work hand in hand to help them succeed, “says Branal.

World Vision has designed age-appropriate modules that can be facilitated by a church worker, youth, children, and community volunteers who have the heart to nurture the spiritual well being of their target constituents.

Aside from providing leadership opportunities, World Vision aims to nurture the values of our children and they would appreciate their spiritual journey together with their families.

World Vision aspires to reach out to 118,000 children and youth, 4500 families, 300 churches and faith based organizations, and 120 schools in the entire country who will become agents towards nation building.

Cagayan de Oro City, Phivolcs ink MOA

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno is set to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) which would enable the latter to install intensity meters for gathering information on earthquakes within the City Hall premises.

In the MOA, which was recently approved by the City Council, the city shall allow the installation of intensity meters free of all costs for the occupation of the premises, as well as the electrical consumption and internet connection.

According to Phivolcs, intensity meters are installed in key areas of the country in order to record and made available online or near-real time basis information on the severity of ground shaking due to various earthquake events.

The City Government for its part, will only ensure the safety and security of the equipment at all times, and will not move the device to other place unless agreed upon by both parties.

The Phivolvs, meanwhile, will ensure that the information of an earthquake intensity will be readily available on the web portal and can be accessed by the City Government.

Once installed, the equipment will be linked with other seismic stations in the country for the accessibility of the data.

The City Disaster Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) said the equipment is expected to boost the capability of the city in disaster prevention and mitigation and will help authorities plan disaster responses.

With the meters installed in various key areas nationwide, Phivolcs can assess the strength of a quake and issue appropriate advisories. Phivolcs' present intensity scale has 10 magnitudes:

I: Scarcely Perceptible
II: Slightly Felt
III: Weak
IV: Moderately Strong
V: Strong
VI: Very Strong
VII: Destructive
VIII: Very Destructive
IX: Devastating
X: Completely Devastating

SunStar Oro brings smiles to orphaned kids this Christmas

By Jennifer Valcobero

IN THIS season of giving, SunStar Cagayan de Oro will be giving something back to the community aside from the usual news.

This Christmas season, SunStar Cagayan de Oro is hoping to bring big smiles to at least 35 children in Boystown, just like it did last year.

The team from SunStar has organized an outreach program to Boystown Orphanage Saturday December 17, at Lumbia village, Cagayan de Oro City.

The theme is dubbed, “Celebrate Christmas with kids and staff of Boystown.”

There are also teams who join in and give humanitarian aid for these children.

SunStar is grateful to individuals and companies who have shown support and offered sponsorship to the event, namely: Seda Centrio, Centrio Mall, Del Monte, Coca-Cola Femsa Philippines, The Fraternal Order of Blue Eagles, Green Eagles, Monster Kitchen, Julie’s Bakeshop, Goldport Customs Brokerage, PhilQ Manpower Services, Card MRI Insurance Agency Landbank, Graphics, Jollibee Food Corporation, Cagayan de Oro Water District, Mc Donald’s, Steag, San Miguel Corporation, Victorian Freight Express Corporation, Aboitiz Power, City Councilor Lordan Suan, Vice Mayor Joaquin Uy, Nunungan Municipal Mayor Marcos Mamay, Congressman Maxi Rodriguez, Vice Governor Joey Pelaez, City Councilor Reuben Daba, and June Rommer Gallofin and family.

Bags, school supplies, toys, and Christmas gifts are already wrapped up for kids to enjoy.

SunStar team has also purchased a party package from Jollibee in order to give the kids some yummy fast food and play games with them.

Boystown is an orphanage for boys. It is home to 35 orphaned, often neglected, abused, and abandoned children.

An earlier visit of the team Thursday, December 15, revealed that the place also seemed to be neglected.

At the corner, there is only one house that the children can run into to shield themselves when it rains.

The other houses stood unfinished with no roof to cover the building. A first look at the center is heartbreaking.

The distressed houses need more care.

The orphanage needs a major renovation.

The objective of having an orphanage is to rescue children who are abandoned and provide them love at times they needed it most.

It helps connect and provide unconditional love to orphans.

“Gusto gayud ko nga sa kadugayon sa panahon bitaw, gusto ko nga matagaan og higayon ang mga bata nga makapuyo sa tinood jud nga balay.

Mura man gayud ug nabutang ni nga tiaw-tiaw ra nga balay. Balay-balay lang. Gusto ko ba nga naa gayud kapuy-an sa bata nga ensakto. Na’ay gate. Tsada ilang kapuy-an (For a long time, I wanted to give the children a chance to live in a proper house. It seems that they are living in a pretend house. I wanted the children to really have a suitable house. There’s a gate. A better house),” said Marish Jay Cagas, Registered Social Worker in Boystown.

“Mao bitaw na ato silang gi-rescue kay wala sila na well-cared sa ilang mga ginikanan. Mao na atong ge-rescue kay diri sa ato makatabang unta ta, na diri unsa naman hinuon nga wala na nila gi-isip na ilang balay. Mura ra nila’g boarding house nga sulod gawas ra sila (That’s why we rescued them, they were not well-cared by their parents. That’s why we rescued them so we can help them but it seems they haven’t thought of this place as their home. It seems that they consider this house as a boarding house where they can just go in and out whenever they want),” Cagas added.

She also added even medical conditions of the children are not monitored.

To get involved into community service is one big achievement for SunStar Cagayan de Oro.

It is an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life. Children in an orphanage need hands of hope.

They need the basic needs of food, shelter, and clothing, as well as schooling and health care, and someone to attend to their emotional needs with love and compassion, allowing them to grow in a nurturing environment.

With this, at least for a day, the kids who were abandoned, neglected, and who were not supported by their parents will be able to realize their potential.

These kids from Boystown may be worlds apart but it makes a difference for a child to know that someone cares.

CDO street families finish livelihood training

(CIO/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The street families who of Cagayan de Oro city graduated from the Community-Based Livelihood Training received their certificates of completion on December 12 at a graduation ceremony held here.

The recipients are very thankful to the city government for giving them the opportunities to finish vocational courses despite their situation.

"I never thought that I would be able to wear a black toga. I am so thankful to the people who made this event and opportunity possible," says Reah Marie Cainglet, one of the graduates for housekeeping.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Teddy Sabuga-a, Dulce Potenciano and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) representatives handed the certificates to 1,079 graduates of the short-term skills training program, a joint endeavor of the city government and TESDA.

CDO City Hall employees get additional Christmas bonuses

(PNA), NYP/CD/NICOLE MANAGBANAG/

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PNA) -- More than 3,000 city hall workers here would receive additional bonuses before Christmas, a city official said Wednesday.

City Councilor Ian Nacaya said that City Council approved last Monday the release of PhP 5,000 productivity enhancing incentive to all city hall officials and employees.

Aside from the productivity enhancing incentive, each city hall employee would also receive PhP 10,000 personnel motivation incentive, Nacaya said.

He said the amount would be taken from the PhP 86-million estimated income from the local enterprise this year as against its estimated expenditures of PhP 11-million.

Nacaya said that the incentive bonus for the city’s casual and regular employees would be released before December 20, 2016.

Nacaya noted though that the amount of bonus job order employees would receive is not the same as those of regular workers.

Corporate rice farming confab held

(DA RFO-10, PIA 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – Executive heads of agriculture offices and representatives of farmers’ associations and cooperatives attended the orientation for the Corporate Rice Farming Program held in the city recently.

The discussion focused on the framework and implementing guidelines steered by Directors Lealyn A. Ramos and Benadette San Juan from Department of Agriculture (DA) – Central Office.

The Corporate Rice Farming Program aims to address the lack of accessibility and availability of rice especially to the marginalized sectors of the society without, of course, sacrificing the welfare of the rice farmers.

Under this program, the farmers’ associations along with their respective local government units (LGUs) shall enter a Memorandum of Agreement with Institutional Buyers (IB) such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the supply of rice for their 4Ps beneficiaries.

Interested farmers’ associations and cooperatives may avail this program however; it should be ensured that the groups have a strong credit line of good standing with lending institutions where loan guarantees shall be made for rice production.

Also, they should be willing to enter into agreement on the implementation of the program for a minimum of 6 years.

On the part of DA, the agency shall provide farm mechanization support and technical assistance needed in rice production, harvesting, processing and marketing.

DA said that by providing a new market for the farmers, the program will be able to encourage them to venture into rice production that will, as well, hit the goal for a rice self-sufficient Philippines.

Northern Mindanao’s agricultural production plummeted in 2016

(PNA), NYP/CD/MARK FRANCISCO/

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec. 13 (PNA) -- The Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of the agriculture sector in Northern Mindanao plummeted, for the first time, behind the industry and service sectors, agriculture officials said Tuesday.

Roxana H. Hojas, the assistant regional director of the Department of Agriculture here, attributed the GRDP fall to the decrease in raw exports for the year 2016.

The GRDP in the region for 2016 was only 3.9 percent, while that of the industrial sector was at 7.6 percent.

The services sector registered a GRDP growth of 5.9 percent.

The results were presented at a meeting of the regional directors of national government line agencies here on Monday, Hojas said.

The regional officials were present to approve Northern Mindanao’s contribution to the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

“In the GRDP computation, only the exported raw produce are counted under agriculture. There is seen an increase in the production of agricultural by-products in Northern Mindanao and this is credited to the manufacturing sector. Hence, there is an expected increase in the services sector, too,” Hojas said.

Among the prolific by-products exported by the region are processed coconuts such as activated carbon, coconut chemicals, coconut fiber, coconut cream, coconut milk powder, coconut oil, coconut husk, coconut shell charcoal, coconut water, copra cake/meal, dessicated coconut, fat coconut, fresh young nut, reduced fat coconut, sweetened coconut, toasted coconut, palm acid oil and palm oil’s fatty acid.

In the past Philippine Development Plan 2010-2016, the challenges facing the country's agriculture sector were high cost of production inputs, inefficient supply chain and logistics systems, inadequate provision of irrigation infrastructure, low rate of adoption of technologies including mechanization, limited access to formal credit and financing, climate change, environmental degradation, weak agricultural extension service, contradictory rice policy, incomplete implementation of asset reforms, limited investments in public goods, limited investments on commodities with comparative advantage, incomplete implementation of the Strategic Agriculture and Fishery Development Zones and preparation of Integrated Development Plans and delay in the implementation of rationalization plans.

The Cabinet would meet in January next year to evaluate whether these challenges were overcome for the past six years.

The report will form part of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022.

Drainage system in Cogon market revamp project prioritized

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

THE drainage system will be the priority section of the P17-million Cogon market rehabilitation project which will start in January next year, a city official said.

"Unahon gyud ang drainage kay grabe ang baha diha labina kung mag-ulan (Drainage should be prioritized first because there's heavy flooding when it rains)," City Economic Enterprise Department (CEED) and Cogon market officer-in-charge Rodulfo Yana said in an interview.

Yana declined to state the specific budget for the drainage system.

A kiosk intended for collection will also be installed to save time and effort for taxpayers so they can pay their dues at Cogon market instead of going to the City Hall.

As part of the preparation, a CEED team and a group of vendors went on a trip to Maramag, Bukidnon, early this week to see firsthand its market which is known for its cleanliness, standard design and discipline of its vendors.

"Ang nakagwapo sa design sa Maramag, tagsa-tagsa ka building ang each section so grabe gyud kaayo kaplastar (What's good in Maramag is each sections has its own building so its placed well0," he said.

"The Maramag market is for us, a model market, with our planned rehabilitation coming our way, we wanted to get ideas from cities having this set-up.

Nagdala pud mi ug mga vendors para mapakita nila unsa kadako ang role sa vendors sa pag-maintain sa development sa usa ka market, apil na siyempre ang cleanliness (We also sent vendors so we can show them how big their roles are in maintaining the development of a market including its cleanliness)," Yana said.

CEED chief executive officer Rocky Calingin said he is hopeful that the vendors would learn from the educational trip, that with cooperation, the rehabilitation of the market would be a success.

Based on the initial plan designed by the engineering division of CEED, the food and snack section will be placed in the food court.

The City Government's intention to overhaul all public markets in Cagayan de Oro City is aimed at making these public markets competitive with big malls and grocery stores.

Barangay Bonbon eyed as fish landing center

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

A COMMUNITY fish landing center is set to rise in Barangay Bonbon, Cagayan de Oro City, an official of the City Economic Enterprise Department (CEED) said.

CEED Officer-in-Charge Rodulfo Yana said his team is presently conducting an exploratory research trip in cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, prominent of their standard fish landing centers.

“We went on a trip per recommendation of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) para ato na gayud nga maestablish ang plano nga fish market diha sa Barangay Bonbon (so we can establish the fish market plan in Barangay Bonbon),” he said.

“Ang Bonbon atong napili because aside nga seaside sila, sila pud ang barangay una naka-request nga magbutang gayud ug fish landing sa ilaha nga dapit (We chose Bonbon because aside from being located in the seaside, the barangay was the first to request a fish landing center to be established in the barangay),” he said.

He said just like the fish market center in Dipolog, he wants the city to have its own cold storage, fish processing and other standard facilities for the fisherfolks among others.

Presently, the city has a fish landing center in Barangay Bulua located in Westbound terminal but Yana said this might be demolished with the opening of a mall there.

“Naa man gud tay mall diha na mag-open pud, so I understand na medyo baho gayud na siya, so basin gubaon gayud na siya (A mall is soon to be opened in Westbound Terminal, so I understand that it will be smelly, so maybe the fish landing center will be demolished),” he said.

Last November, the City Council enacted an ordinance which authorizes Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno to enter into memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA).

The project is provided under the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 which authorizes BFAR to establish post harvest facilities for fishing communities consistent with the policy of providing support to subsistence fisheries, in the exercise of their rights to benefit from the country’s fisheries resources, especially in municipal waters.

The City Council said under the MOA, the Department of Agriculture-BFAR shall provide the city with the criteria for the selection of the site for the Community Fish Landing Center (CFLC), review and approve the selection of the site for the CFLC in coordination with the PFDA, among others while the PFDA shall provide technical assistance in the preparation of the model design of the CFLC.

The city will supervise the construction of the CFLC with the assistance of Bfar and PFDA to ensure full compliance by the contractor with the approved technical and engineering design and other terms and conditions in the contract.

Different ways to enjoy suman

(ABS-CBN News)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Tourists who visited Barangay Iponan on Friday were treated to free bites of suman, a local delicacy made of sticky rice, coco milk, ginger , salt and sugar wrapped in banana or coconut leaves, as the barangay celebrated its 9th Suman Festival.

"Aside from drawing in tourists, the festival aims to promote and give economic activities for locals to earn with their craft," event coordinator Barangay Iponan Councilor Anthony Brilleta said.

At least 45 participants garnished and plated the usual suman into more interesting and unique variants such as pan de suman, gelato suman, crispy suman with caramel, and suman float.

Healthy options were also available, such as suman mixed with carrots and malunggay.

Oro celebrates persons with disabilities international day

By Abigail Viguella

WITH families and friends, persons with disabilities (PWD) gathered together to celebrate the International Day of PWDs at Limketkai Atrium on Tuesday, December 6.

The celebration opened with an annual Walk for a Cause where about 1,300 PWDs joined in to walk from Kiosko Kagawasan to Limketkai.

The Federation of Persons with Disabilities and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), the event organizers, initiated the walk as a fund-raising activity which aims to further assist the needs of PWDs in Cagayan de Oro City.

"More than anything, through the 'Walk for a Cause' and this program here in the Atrium, we want to forward to everyone that Persons with Disabilities have the same rights and privileges like those of people without disabilities," Melagros Maquiling of PDAO said.

After the walk, the event's organizers in cooperation with the City Social Welfare and Development held a program at the Limketkai Atrium bringing together the different subsectors of the PWD population in Cagayan de Oro.

"The participants of this event are from various groups of PWDs in the city.

Present today are those PWDs who have invisible disabilities or non-apparent disabilities like epileptics and we also have those who have physical & mobility impairments such as those who are deaf, blind, unable to walk and others," Maquiling said.

Maquiling said the biggest challenge today for PWDs anywhere is the discrimination coming from the community. She said that it is inevitable that there is an existing stigma that when “you are a PWD you are helpless, poor or useless.”

"That is why programs like these are being spearheaded by our offices so that these people will have a sense of belonging to something.

What makes it harder for PWDs actually is not the disability itself but the discrimination that they are getting from others.

That is why families, friends, and all of those surrounding PWDs should make sure that they receive love and support," she said.

She said another reason to celebrate is the recent approval of the implementing rules and regulations of the Republic Act 10754 or An Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of Persons with Disability by Secretary Judy Taguiwalo of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

With this, PWDs will get the same benefits as those of the senior citizens.

It was signed last Thursday, December 1.

RA 10754 will give more privileges to PWDs such as a 20 percent discount on the purchases of goods and services from lodging establishments, restaurants, recreation centers, purchase of medicines and food for special medical purposes, medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees, professional fees of attending doctors, domestic air and sea travel, land transportation travel, and funeral and burial services.

It will also cover educational assistance for social insurance, special discounts in the purchase of basic necessities and access to express lanes and government establishments.

It also provides tax incentives for those caring and living with PWDs up to the fourth degree of consanguinity, as long as the person is treated as dependent.

The law will also require all establishments and land transportation groups to install signage to promote the benefits and privileges for PWDs.

Signage should be placed within their premises and in public utility vehicles.

"This is indeed a Christmas gift to all of us, PWDs because we know that there is such a body of people who still mind the things that will be for our benefit," Maquiling said.

Today, there are about 3,000 identified PWDs in the city. However, Maquiling said that the Department of Health and other bodies concerned with the statistics of the PWD population should do more in finding them.

"It takes a long time indeed before we receive data from the DOH about the number of PWDs in the area.

That is why we are asking not only the DOH but all the other organizations to put more into finding these PWDs because it is only through finding them that we can help them," she said.

The program also honored partner stakeholders from the different government offices, the business sector, academic institutions, and private entities who helped PDAO and the Federation of Persons with Disabilities in their projects for the city's PWDs.

These partners were commended for their part in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that can help create a more inclusive and equitable world for Persons with Disabilities.

On the other hand, the participants were delighted with the celebration and hoped that more events will acknowledge their presence in the community for the next years.

"It is heart-warming indeed to find so many PWDs like this in one area.

Personally, as a school teacher I put so much effort in hiding my condition but this event made me realize how blessed I am and that for every disability, there is an acquired ability," Henry Caasin, a PWD with epilepsy from Barangay Gusa said.

Eight-year-old Gelly Abellanosa also felt a different kind of hearfelt gratitude.

She has been confined in her wheelchair ever since birth because of a birth defect in her legs.

"I got to spend time and play with other children like me today and because of that, I am happy," she said.

As part of PDAO, Maquiling said that she is very proud of the participants of the e vent, more than anything.

"I am happy about the courage that the PWDs are showing.

To participate in this event and showing yourself is a true sign of acceptance and of believing that you matter as a person.

With this, I am calling for all PWDs to reach out to all others there who are afraid or ashamed of their situation.

By this, we could all help one another and pass on this legacy to future PWDs," she said.

D’ Original La Paz Batchoy now offers delivery services

By Abigail Viguella

THE restaurant of the best-selling Filipino noodle soup in Cagayan de Oro City is not in a rush to plunge in hasty expansion plans like what businesses do today.

While small businesses are in the move to take advantage of franchising, D’ Original La Paz Batchoy is taking it slow and steady.

After 47 years of operations, it is only this month that Cagayan de Oro's D' Original La Paz Batchoy restaurant will be offering delivery services to its customers in the Divisoria Area.

Owner Noel Gomez said that their delivery service will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include all the restaurant's meals as well as their bestseller specialty, the batchoy.

Kagay-anons have been enjoying this homey Ilonggo noodle soup dish from D' Original La Paz Batchoy which is considered as one of the oldest restaurants in the city.

The Kagay-anon restaurant has been serving not only their batchoy noodle soup but also other food such as siopao, pork humba, lomi, tapsilog, sotanghon and chopsuey.

Gomez is planning to expand the restaurant's customers by serving their food right at their doorstep. Gomez said that he wants to target the booming city population and the industrial sector.

"Here in the Divisoria area where one of our branches are, BPOs and other offices are starting to pop up.

That is why I think that it will be good for the product if we initiate a delivery service so that we can provide food for a larger population especially those who are too busy to go outside their offices and buy food," Gomez said.

D' Original La Paz Batchoy's food will be served directly to the customer's home or offices for only about 15 minutes.

This service will include all the meals of the restaurants for the same prices ranging from 50 to 80 pesos.

Gomez said, however, said as of now, their bestseller batchoy, can only be delivered in its small size serving.

By next year, Gomez said they will improve serving batchoy in varying sizes as well as expanding their delivery service reach in the city.

"As we are only on the starting phase of this service, the delivery service will only reach the Divisoria area but then by time, we will be able to cater more customers in the city," Gomez said.

For orders, customers may contact 088-231-6641.

Tax Reform Roadshow for MSEs held in CDO

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – USAID-Facilitating Public Investment (FPI) Project, in partnership with the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), conducted in Cagayan de Oro one of its series of Tax Reform for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) roadshows entitled “Deepening Understanding on Tax Reform for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs),” 28 November.

DOF Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa Habitan, in her presentation, explained that a tax reform is needed to fund the ten-point socioeconomic agenda of the Duterte administration.

She said that this tax policy reform will create a simpler, fairer and more efficient tax system characterized by low rates and broad base that can promote investment, job creation and poverty reduction.

She said there will also be tax administration reforms in the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Bureau of Customs (BOC).

According to her, 4.66million or 83.1% of the population will benefit from the proposed tax system. This population consists of employees or workers that earn an annual taxable income including 13th month pay and other benefits and de minimis and other non-taxable income (PERA) minus mandatory contributions of P250,000 and below.

Habitan said that proposed tax policy package one will have no effect to on Minimum Wage Earners. Further, entry-level workers with above minimum wage shall not have to pay an income tax.

This package will reduce personal income tax (PIT) maximum rate to 25% over time, except for the highest income earners to maintain progressivity. Through this, there will also be a shift to modified gross system to simplify PIT system.

However government has also looked into measures to enhance revenue. The proposal is to expand the VAT base by limiting exemptions to raw food and other necessities.

There will be an increase on all petroleum products and index to inflation (diesel and essentials from 0 to 6 pesos per liter, gasoline and non-essentials from around 4.35 to 10 pesos per liter) and increase excise on automobiles.

Further, Lawyer Benedicta Du-Baladad, co-chair of PCCI Taxation Committee shared that tax reform policy should simplify, clarify rules on deduction and remove, minimize areas for discretion. There should also be reasonable limitations on rates of withholding tax, automatic zero-rating for inputs of zero-rated transactions. Pay and file anywhere, reduce frequency of filing, simplify forms and simplify reportorial requirements.

She said that this is important since Micro Enterprises (not more than P3M in asset) comprise 89.78% of the total MSME population in the country.

Further, she said tax system must be customized to the profile and behaviour of its tax payers. Medium and Large taxpayers are ready for a more equitable income-based taxation while MSMEs who cannot keep up with the requirements of an income based taxation may be more comfortable with a simplified ‘presumptive taxation.’

For her part,, Malou Lim of Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) says that the need for a tax reform in the country is important because compared to neighboring ASEAN, Philippines imposes a rate of 32% for a P500,000 income. Meanwhile Vietnam is 32% for P2M, Indonesia is 30% for P1.6M, Thailand 35% for P5.2M, Malaysia 25% for P4.3M and Singapore 20% for P10.6M income. Meanwhile, for corporate taxes, Philippines is still the highest at 30% compared to ASEAN countries.

She added that one of the reasons why there is a low level of tax compliance is high tax rates and penalties not encouraging for start-ups and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to register and pay.

Meanwhile, she says that taxpayers can help by talking about tax reforms with the community, leaders and legislators and compute tax due using the proposed tax brackets and voice your comments.

Ayala reaffirms commitment for SMEs in Mindanao

(PNA), NYP/CD/JIGGER J. JERUSALEM/

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec. 6 (PNA) -- One of the biggest companies in the country has showcased some of the more successful small and medium enterprises that it has helped grow and prosper in an event titled “Accelerating the Future with our SMEs” held at a mall here.

Rene Almendras, Head of the Ayala Corporate Public Affairs, said Tuesday that the presentation indicated that Ayala Corporation has reaffirmed its role as the country’s prime movers in the country’s community development.

He said that in carrying the mission, the Ayala Group has introduced three important approaches - developing potentials, making business better, and improving the quality of life.

In a video presentation, several of the people that had been served by Ayala Group through its various subsidiaries recounted how the company helped in realizing their goals.

Ayala remains driven in strengthening these and other partnerships, and believes in the principle that it is through collaboration that people can bring around inclusive growth, and accelerate the future of those whom the company serves, Almendras said.

In a statement, Ayala Corp. chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said the company “has taken a more deliberate approach to integrating the needs of a wider ecosystem into our business plans and it is evident in the strategic direction that we have taken over the past five years.”

“We diversified into sectors that are going through important social and economic transformation and are critical to sustaining our country’s economic progress—hard infrastructure through power and transport and social infrastructure through health care and education,” he added.

In supporting SMEs, the Ayala Group has shown its commitment through specialized services, including Bank of the Philippine Island’s Family Ka-Negosyo Loan, Globe’s SME arm Globe myBusiness, among others.

These services were created with a vision of empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to take full charge of their day-to-day operations and move towards success, Zobel De Ayala said.

“We are focused on understanding your business needs and designing innovative solutions that will help you grow your enterprise,” said Jacqueline Rogong, President of the Ayala Business Club of Cagayan De Oro.

“The Ayala Corporation recognizes how internal partnerships such as these are in propelling this shared vision forward.

Ayala Corp. is one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines with businesses in real estate, financial services, telecommunications, water, electronic manufacturing services, automotive, power generation, transport infrastructure, education and healthcare.

Business group sets Minbizcon 2017 in Cagayan de Oro

(PNA), NYP/CD/MARK FRANCISCO/

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Dec. 5 (PNA) -- This early, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Inc. (CDOCCII) has started preparing for the Mindanao Business Conference (Minbizcon) 2017, the largest gathering of businessmen and stakeholders in Mindanao, to take place here, a businessman said Monday.

Newly elected CDOCCII president Robertino E. Pizarro said that the local business group has expressed optimism about the brighter prospect for Northern Mindanao in 2017.

“The Oro Chamber expects more investors to invest in Northern Mindanao as the 'Minbizcon 2017' sets in August here next year,” Pizarro said.

Pizarro said that with President Rodrigo Duterte coming from Mindanao, it would be fruition for both domestic and foreign investments to settle down here.

“The President has been busy enticing investors abroad. I am confident that 2017 will be a big year for us because we are the gateway to Northern Mindanao,” he said.

Pizarro said that Northern Mindanao has more than 300 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which has generated PHP 3.16 billion in new investments in the last quarter of 2016.

He said that the CDOCCII has also increased by an additional 28 members this year or 7.9 percent over that of 2015.

Pizarro said that the business sector in Cagayan de Oro has collectively support the Duterte administration’s investment drive and Minbizcon would be one such avenue “on how to make lasting impressions to would-be investors.”

The annual gathering usually tackles topics as broad as discussions on economic issues, policies and opportunities concerning the socioeconomic welfare of the whole island.

Recognized as the most relevant business gathering in Mindanao, Minbizcon bridges the organization to local counterparts in the domain of trade and cooperation.

The Minbizcon has provided the CDOCCII an opportunity to ink agreements with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a PhP 15-million agro-forestry project; built partnerships with the Departments of Science and Technology, and Social Welfare and Development; generated PhP 1.2 million in sales from its yearly exhibit output called ORO BEST; and, successfully lobbied for the expansion of the highway leading to the local airport here.

'Christmas Village’ tilt opens in Northern Mindanao army camp

(PNA),NYP/CD/

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan De Oro City, Dec. 3 (PNA) -- A “Christmas Village” competition that would showcase the original Paskong Pinoy (Filipino Christmas) opened in this largest camp of Northern Mindanao, the military announced Saturday.

Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, Army's 4th Infantry Division (4ID) spokesman, said that the “Christmas Village” tilt is the first-ever in this 70-year-old military camp established in 1946.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., 4ID commander, wanted to create a Christmas atmosphere in the camp with emphasis on the “Christmas tradition in the Philippines,” Martinez said.

He said that five groups had participated in the “booth-type” Christmas village competition, which would make the celebration among the military and their civilian dependents more interesting and memorable this year.

The village type booths showcase caroling, parol-making (star lantern-making), giving or exchanging gifts, Noche Buena, and “Simbang Gabi” (Dawn Mass) using indigenous and recycled raw materials.

Martinez said that the five groups came from various post units and offices of the 4ID who would compete for the “Best Christmas Showcase.”

He said that the Christmas villages would be set up along the sidewalk of Col. Rodriguez Street from the military camp’s main gate to nearby Diamond Park.

The winners of the friendly competition would be announced on the 16th of December during the 4ID Command Christmas Party.

Oro to launch online payment facility in 2017

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

IN ITS efforts to provide better services to the people of Cagayan de Oro, the City Treasurer's Office (CTO) will be launching an online, hassle-free form of tax payment in next year.

Engineer Leonil Mistula, chief of the CTO's Computer Division, said by January 2017, the electronic payment will go full-blast.

Mistula said taxpayers will be able to log on to cagayandeoro.gov.ph and pay business permits and real property taxes, traffic citations, market stall rentals, sales taxes, transfer taxes, business permit orders of payment, and even city building fees.

Aside from paying taxes online, residents can also register or renew business permits online.

"Convenience man gyud sa bahin sa katawhan ang atong target, with our new system, mas easier nga pwede ra sila magbayad sa ilahang mga balay (Our target is convenience for the people. It's easier to pay from their homes)," Mistula said.

"Advantage pud sa atong part kay para ma-decongest na atong office ug cashless transaction nata nga instead magdala-dala paka ug kwarta padulong diri sa office, asa pa unya mapadulong ang kwarta, so kung cashless, diritso gayud siya mapadulong sa tax payment (It's an advantage on our part so we can decongest our office and we are now doing cashless transactions instead of bringing money. It (money) might go somewhere so if it's cashless, it goes directly to tax payment)," Mistula added.

The online tax payments can be made through VISA or Bancnet credit cards.

"We wish to add more banks sa scope sa online payment system, nga dili lang unta sa duha lang ka banko but more sunod tuig (That we can pay on more banks next year, not just two)," he said.

"Actually, dugay naman ni nga plano pero karon lang ma-implement kay ang bangko nato karon raman pud nato naobserbahan na paspas na gyud ang online banking system (This plan has been long overdue but we implemented it now because our banks observed that online banking system is faster)," he added.

The City Government is expected to ink a contract with the Development Bank of the Philippines next week to make the project official.

City Councilor George Goking, chair of trade and commerce, said the Council is in full-support with the easier way of paying.

"We support this project because it would be more convenient for taxpayers by going online kay halos kita naman tanan ga-online, dili na mahasol nga muadto sa City Hall unya walay parking space (Because almost all of us are online, it won't be inconvenient to go to City Hall without a parking space)," Goking said.

"And also, we are hopeful that after that, daghan pa gyud bangko ang mo-offer ana nga system nga online na (Many banks offer online services)," he added.

8 Oro villages get P29.8M cash grants

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

A TOTAL of P29.8 million has been given to select villages in Cagayan de Oro City to fund their proposed livelihood projects.

At least eight villages received on Monday, November 28, cash grants from the National Government’s Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) with a counterpart from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) for the implementation of their individual projects.

Tignapoloan village received P4.1 million for its Enhanced Hog Dispersal and Fattening while Indahag village received a cash grant worth P4 million for its Backyard Production of Broiler Chicken.

The village of Balubal's Backyard Table Egg Production will be granted an amount worth P3.6 million, Pagatpat village with P2.4 million to fund their community-based vegetable production, and Consolacion village with P7.2 million for its Enhanced Food Processing Business and Mass Production of Occupational Safety Kits.

Also, Lumbia village received P3 million to recognize its increasing income of its Public Utility Vehicle drivers.

Bulua village with P2.5 million for the establishment of the village technical manpower and services, and Barangay 31 will receive P3 million, recognized their enhanced food handling business.

Elmer Wabe, BUB focal person said the release of funds is the result of careful deliberations and long discussions with the villages year-long.

"This budget is supposedly for 2016 pa, but daghan man requisites, mag-validate pa sa field kung tinuod ba ilang request kung angay ba silang hatagan, viable or kaya ba sa beneficiaries sa pagdala sa project," he said.

"But the role of the government and Dole does not stop after the release of the budget, all of these funded project, naay project working team which will supervise and monitor how are their livelihood doing," he added.

The BUB program, pioneered by the Aquino administration, is pushed in an aim to empower local government units (LGUs) and promoting people’s participation to decide what projects to be prioritized.

It has been implemented since 2012 to and barangays have been receiving subsidy to be used for the implementation of projects which will aid local government in better formulating poverty reduction action plans and monitoring the delivery of basic services in communities.

The Duterte administration has claimed it has abolished and replaced it to "Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities", since BUB was used for political purposes.

Wabe, meanwhile, said they are worried that this administration would scrap the project eventually.

"Dili pa siya klaro, dili siya definite, the idea is, this is an anti-poverty project, priority gyud ang low-class LGUS. Ang ingon, although dili pa klaro, dili na daw iapil sa BuB ang mga highly-urbanized cities (It's not clear, not definite, low-class LGUS are priority. Although it's not yet clear, highly-urbanized cities are excluded in BUB),” said Wabe.

"Dili lang unta maapil ang Cagayan de Oro, but in the event na mawala gayud siya, nagpasalig man ang mayor nga ipadayon sa local government nga level so we are confident that we will continue to help the marginalized," he said.

Ebba Acosta of Dole-Northern Mindanao office assured village chieftains that their projects will be sustained as the city government has pledged P20 million for next year's fund.

"You are lucky to have such a supporting city admin. The deliberations to realize this project has not been easy, it has been exhausting, but we hope kini nga funding, makahatag unta ug kausbawan ug makahatag ug kausbawan sa panginabuhi sa atong mga igsoon nga naa sa laylayan (In this funding, we can give progress to the livelihood of our brothers who are less fortunate)," she said.

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