Cagayan de Oro City News January 2018

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Cagayan de Oro City within Misamis Oriental

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

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

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
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St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral

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

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

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

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

WHY??

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

Whitewater rafting still Oro's top tourism draw

By Pamela Jay Orias

WHITEWATER rafting remains the top tourism draw in Cagayan de Oro, a tourism official said.

Ave Gladys Gabucan, City Tourism Office head, said the tourists’ response to white water rafting remains favorable, pointing out that rafting activities in 2017 significantly increased compared to 2016.

But Chisum Factura, president of the Oro Rafters Association, refuted the tourism office's statistics, saying there has been a big drop in 2017 because of the Marawi crisis.

Factura said he hopes 2018 will be a good year for the rafting community despite the martial law extension.

"We are crossing our fingers that there will be no typhoons, crises that would happen in Mindanao," he said.

While it is thankful for the recognition of the city, Factura said the City Government would realize its plan to improve infrastructure and facilities of rafting outfitters.

"Every time there is a travel expo such as travel mart, CDO's showcase is always rafting. But when it comes to infra improvements, there's none. We have been asking for decent facilities at the rafting put-in where our guests can enjoy using it, such as toilets, briefing area and souvenir shops, but up to now, it is only a plan," he said.

Gabucan, meanwhile, said its office is set to craft a tourism master plan for 2018, which is expected to boost the tourism sites in the city.

The master plan will include an inventory of the city’s potential tourism sites, and create plan to eventually develop these identified sites.

One identified site is Sitio Palalan in Barangay Tablon which, Gabucan said, is a potential eco village destination.

“We will also improve farm tourism, push for Cagayan de Oro to be a culinary destination and historical walking tour is still very much alive, it is not difficult because the city is actually rich in terms of natural attractions, historical sites, and the culture here is rich. We intend to do all of these this year,” she said.

Gabucan said although martial law is still in effect, the tourism sector remains positive that it can recover the losses incurred last year at the height of Marawi crisis.

She said other than the decline of events and conventions in the city, the martial law effect was not as widely what they expected it to be.

Gabucan said the hotel occupancy rate is robust and investments continue to come in.

City Government to build shelter for juvenile delinquents

By Pamela Jay Orias

THE City Government is set to build a shelter to house children in conflict with the law this year inside the Mother Theresa Foundation, Upper Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City.

The move came after the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council (JJWC) allocated about P10 million to add to the City's P5-million fund for the six-bed capacity two-storey building shelter for kids.

The establishment, called "Bahay Pag-asa," will be the temporary shelter to rehabilitate and transform child offenders. It is part of the city's dream to build an Oro Care Center Village to provide a child-friendly environment for kids in conflict with law.

Section 49 of Republic Act 9344, or an Act establishing a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice and Welfare System, states that local government units shall set aside an amount to build youth detention homes as mandated by the Family Courts Act. Youth detention homes may also be established by private and non-government organizations licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, in consultation with the JJWC.

Youth Detention Home refers to a 24-hour child-caring institution managed by accredited local government units and licensed and/or accredited nongovernment organizations providing short-term residential care for children in conflict with the law who are awaiting court disposition of their cases or transfer to other agencies or jurisdiction.

According to Mike Fabello of the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), the Bahay Pag-Asa project will sit within the five-hectare area in Upper Puerto, alongside the proposed home for elderlies, and mental hospital.

Children in conflict with the law are usually turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Oro’s remote areas to receive modern health devices

By Pamela Jay Orias

A PORTABLE communication device that can check a patient's vital signs for an easier medical check-up is set to be distributed in an effort to provide quality health care in known `disadvantaged areas’ in the city.

This, after the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Northern Mindanao identified the "critical need" of the local government of Cagayan de Oro "in providing its constituents life-saving health care service in selected health care facilities".

The project, called "Roll-Out RxBox 1000 Telehealth Devices in Selected Rural Health Centers nationwide" was designed to life-saving health care in isolated communities.

The medical device can be used for diagnostic procedures as well as an electronic medical record (EMR) which can be utilized for the storage and referral of clients’ medical records.

The device is composed of six (6) medical sensors which include a Cardiotocograph (CTG), Fetal Heart Rate Monitor, Electrocardiogram (ECG), Blood Pressure Monitor, Pulse Oxymeter, and a temperature sensor.

According to DOST-Normin, the presence of these technologies in the community would hopefully reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, and detect non-communicable diseases.

About 64 RxBox Telehealth devices have been allotted for distribution in selected rural health unit sites across the region.

"The sites will be appropriately evaluated through the project’s Pre-deployment Assessment procedure during which the Regional Management Team validates the qualifications of the proposed health facilities. Once approved, four staff from the RHUs will be invited for a Super User Training and the facility will receive one RxBox Telehealth device, one CPU, one monitor, and one router for the deployment," the DOST statement says.

Initially, the city will receive one telehealth device for testing, and will be turned over to Barangay Bugo, according to City Councilor Ma. Loudes Gaane, chairperson of the committee on health and services.

Gaane said the city hopes to receive more of the medical devices this year to place it in hinterland barangays where road accessibility is still difficult.

"Eventually we will have more of these revolutionary medical devices to help our people in the hinterlands kay kini nga medical device works as 'all in one' device, naa na tanan. Maayo unta na before sila munaog sa city proper, makapacheck sa sila sa ilang vital signs before they spend money and effort by coming here," Gaane said.

(It will be good if before going to the city proper, they are able to check their vital signs and not waste money and effort by coming to the city).

City accepting applicants for visitor US exchange program

By Jo Ann Sablad

THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro is now accepting applications for its first high school student summer visitor exchange program with one of its sister cities, Norfolk City in Virgina, United States of America (USA), as part of the two cities’ new initiative to strengthen people-to-people exchange.

The Cagayan de Oro-Norfolk High School Summer Visitor Exchange Program is a people-to-people exchange program which aims to bring the youth from both cities "closer together in a brief yet rich summer activity," wherein high school students will stay with "host siblings" from July 1 to 15 to hone their interpersonal skills and cultivate life-long friendships.

The City Government is hoping that the students' time away from their country will allow them to "appreciate a new culture as well as that of their own, albeit on a fresher and deeper level."

The Norfolk Sister City Association, as stated in the application kit provided for the interested applicants of the exchange program, has prepared an itinerary covering the whole duration of the students' stay in the US, this includes: tours to monuments, museums, parks, factories and sites unique to Norfolk; participation in cultural activities in the host city; and visiting the Philippine Embassy in the District of Columbia.

However, the applicants will be the one to shoulder the cost of a Philippine passport, US visa, roundtrip airfare (domestic and international flights), short term travel insurance and personal allowance.

It is also indicated that high school students enrolled in any public or private school in Cagayan de Oro, who have not yet graduated from high school, are qualified to apply.

They should also be 15 to 18 years old during the program, a resident of Cagayan de Oro, a Filipino citizen and has no criminal record.

The deadline for submission of application forms with documents, be it through email at investcdo@cagayandeoro.ph or in hard copy to CDO-Trade and Investment Promotions Center in City Hall, is on February 15.

The Cagayan de Oro-Norfolk High School Summer Visitor Exchange Program is the first exchange program initiated by Cagayan de Oro City and Norfolk City seven years after former City Mayor Constantino Jaraula and Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim signed the sisterhood agreement on July 18, 2008.

Deadline for payment of business permits, real property tax extended

By Pamela Jay Orias

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council on Monday, January 22, gave in to requests by the business sector to extend the deadline for business permits renewal and payment of Real Property Tax until January 31.

In a letter to the City Council, the Local Finance Committee noted the low turnout for the renewal of business permits as of January 14, compared to the same period last year.

In the resolution, the finance committee said the low turnout is attributed to the damages incurred by Typhoon Vinta to businesses last December 22, 2017.

The deadline is set last Saturday, but the committee wants be extended to January 31.

The Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce also pointed out that due to the December 22 tropical storm, some of its members were not able to beat the deadline for the payment of their real property taxes last December 29, 2017.

Aside from asking for a deadline extension, the Chamber also asked the council to give them a "tax amnesty."

"2017 was a perilous year to our businessmen, as the community has suffered several setbacks and drawbacks from natural calamities to unrest caused about by several armed groups. Still, our community remained steadfast and had survived. However, as we end the year 2017, on December 22, we were hit by tropical storm Vinta which had led to the declaration of the state of calamity. While thankfully no lives lost, it had caused damages not only to our residents but to our businesses as well," wrote Oro Chamber Robertino Pizzaro.

Because of this, the City Council approved a 20 percent payment discount for the real property tax until January 31, 2018.

The discount, however, can only be availed if the business establishment gets a barangay certification as a flood victim, and an updated payment of the real property tax for calendar year 2017.

MetroPac now supplying bulk water to Oro

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

AN OFFICIAL of the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) said since December 31, 2017, MetroPac has been supplying water to the western parts of the city, marking the end of the decade-old relationship between Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc. and the city's water facility.

Engineer Rachel Beja, COWD general manager, said the Cagayan de Oro Bulk Water Inc.(COBI), the company created after COWD and Metropac undertook a joint venture agreement last year, is supplying some 40,000 cubic meters per day to western concessionaires.

"Officially, our contract is already now with COBI. Yes, supply is now provided by COBI since December 31, 2017," Beja said.

Beja also disclosed that although Rio Verde is already out of the picture, she said COBI "gets the same source as Rio Verde's".

The move comes after the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 accepted and approved the compromise agreement that the COWD and Rio Verde signed last December 21, 2017.

While the Rio Verde will not be obliged to deliver water anymore, COWD board chairman Eduardo Montalvan earlier said they can still buy water from them during emergencies. .

In March last year, the Metro Pacific Investments was awarded the 100 million liters per day (MLD) Bulk Water Project.

The project has a term of 30 years, and renewable for another 20 years, and involves the supply of up to 100 MLD of treated bulk water, as well as construction of transmission lines and rehabilitation of the Camaman-an Reservoir to supply the COWD, which currently has about 90,000 service connections.

DILG-Northern Mindanao identifies 9 priority projects in 2018

By Jo Ann Sablad (With reports from Mary Ross Odchigue and Cyrill Garcia, USTP interns/SunStar CDO)

THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Northern Mindanao has identified nine priority projects to be established by the municipalities in the region this year.

On Thursday, January 18, the DILG presented a project menu which includes the nine priority projects such as: (1) Local Access Road, (2) Local Bridges, (3) Provision of Potable Water Supply, (4) Provision of Sanitary Toilet and Hygiene Facilities, (5) Small Water Impounding Project, (6) Evacuation Center, (7) Disaster Risk Reduction Rescue Equipment, (8) Rain Water Catchment Facility, and (9) Municipal Drug Rehabilitation Facility.

DILG Regional Director Arnel Agabe said the project menu is a guide for the municipalities in coming up with future projects that would be "complementary and supportive to the Philippine development plan" of the National Government.

"The beneficiaries are the people of the particular barangay [where the project will be established]. Para pud ni sa atoang mga kaigsoonan na (This is also for the people who were) victimized by using illegal drugs," Agabe said.

Agabe said although the 84 municipalities of Northern Mindanao have already submitted their priority list in compliance to the preparations done for the General Appropriations for 2018, they have to revisit and revise the list as the funding assistance provided for municipality projects had been reduced by 45 percent.

"It means to say we have to re-prioritize, they revisit katong una nila na (their first) submission and at the same time tan-awon pud nila ang ilang (they will look into their) local development instrument program... So atoa karon (for now), they should come up with a new list as to how they will be allocating sa katong (the) 55 percent na remaining amount for assistance to the municipalities," Agabe said.

The DILG regional director also encouraged the local government units to ensure the implementation of the projects, once identified, and to properly use the funding provided by the National Government.

"So the money, the financial assistance nga atoang ihatag sa ila (that we will give them) should be spent where it is intended because we will closely monitor everything especially that this National Government giving money to assist our LGU (local government unit)," Agabe said.

He added that the local officials will be held responsible for the performance and the financial accountability.

"Everything now is based on performance. So we would like to encourage our LGU (local government unit) to really perform," Agabe said.

4Ps beneficiaries to get P200 more

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

BENEFICIARIES of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) will get P200 more monthly subsidy.

“This is to help the "poorest of the poor" adjust to the expected increase of prices of the basic commodities following the implementation of the new tax reform law,” said Aldersey Dela Cruz, assistant regional director for operations at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao, disclosing that the additional subsidy will be released to the beneficiaries within the year.

Dela Cruz also pointed out that the government is set to add more 600,000 poor households to the list of 4Ps beneficiaries.

To date, the DSWD revealed that there are about 4.8 million registered households in the country, and 269,480 of these households are in Northern Mindanao.

"This means that more poor families will enjoy these benefits, including our brothers and sisters evacuees in Marawi City, they will be included in the government's implementation of Ambisyon Natin 2040, the Philippine Development Plan, and our Regional Development Plan," Dela Cruz said in a press conference.

For Roel Pedida, a market vendor, the additional P200 is already a big help to his family. He said he receives a total of P1,700 every month, which he said covers his children's educational grant, medicines, and food consumption. With the additional subsidy, he will now receive P1,900.

But Francisco Pagayaman, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap–Northern Mindanao Region (Kadamay-NMR) president, lambasted the new tax reform law, saying it is a joke.

Pagayaman said while the personal income tax is reduced, the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) will affect mostly the poor, who he said, have no personal income tax, but are unknowingly paying value-added tax through buying basic commodities.

"We all know that increased price of fuel leads to increased prices of all products, so the poorest of the poor is the sector who will be most affected. We do not know why this law passed because it is clearly anti-poor, maybe they forgot the poor in their deliberations," Pagayaman said.

He also said the P200 additional subsidy for the 4Ps beneficiaries is not enough to cover how much will the poor spend due to increasing prices.

Pagayaman said they will join protests with other progressive groups to echo their calls to stop the implementation of the TRAIN law. He said they will also protest the possible jeepney phaseout in the city.

Kuyamis agri exhibitors earn P333,000 in 5 days

By Jo Ann Sablad

EXHIBITORS from various cooperatives and municipalities in Misamis Oriental who took part in the recently concluded Kuyamis Festival at the Capitol Grounds earned some P333,828.00 in five days, according to data from the Provincial Agriculture Office.

Benjamin Resma, acting provincial agriculturist, said it is a first for the Provincial Government to host the Tiangge sa Kapitolyo, a display of local produce by farmers from different organizations sold in affordable prices.

According to Resma, 30 exhibitors displayed and sold agricultural products during the five-day celebration on January 8 to 12.

Among the exhibitors were: Initao RIC, RIC-ZIRIC (Zone 5, Igpit Rural Improvement Club), RIC-Kalabaylabay, El Salvador, Bolisong Cogon Sustainable Agri Farmers Inc., Doalnara, Agay-ayan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Nas-Agri Corn Enterprise, Mission Coffee Producers, SAFEGCC Inc. and PAFC Misamis Oriental, Federation of 4H-Club, Tagoloan Farms Fruits & Animals, Oro Cagebird Society Inc., UNAHCO Agrivet Supply, Jasmin Garden, Kabulakan MMS Garden, Charle’s Heart Garden, Margie Ugsod Garden, Linda Datoy Garden, Glans Ang Garden, Marry Jane Guanitchi Garden, Marsha Magallanes Garden, Doll’s Garden, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Northern Mindanao, Federation of Itik Growers in Misamis Oriental, Blooming Forest Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Bonsai de Oro, Municipal Nutrition Action Officers, Department of Agriculture-Northern Midanao, and Sta. Cruz African Hito Breeders.

Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano said the Tiangge sa Kapitolyo has helped in advertising the products of local farmers and boosting their income.

Emano added that it has been his dream to promote Kuyamis Festival not only locally but also internationally so as to improve the economic growth in the communities.

The governor has also launched last Friday, January 12, the Farmer's Market, a venue wherein locally-made organic and inorganic products would be made available for the consumption of the public.

“These are our efforts to really maximize the market potential of our agricultural products in Misamis Oriental. Aside from we are proud that they’re locally produced, we are also proud that our farmers would have the chance to grow their income,” Emano said.

The Farmer's Market will be in the Capitol Park every Friday of the week.

Misamis Oriental welcomes P4.8-M rescue assets

By Alwen Saliring (With Mary Ross Odchigue and Cyrill Garcia/USTP interns)

THE Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental is beefing up disaster preparedness, as it acquired some P4.8-million worth of additional rescue assets.

Governor Yevgeny Emano showed to capitol employees on Monday, January 15, the two multi-purpose vehicles, two vans, and an elf that are useful in responding calamity and emergency situations.

The capitol's disaster office has been raising alert levels in fear of possible wrath of tropical storms in the past months.

"Dili man ugaling nato makab-ot ang 100 percent nga seguridad sa atong katawhan sa tibuok lalawigan apan makaaway na. Pero kung tulimbangon 424 ka mga barangay, 23 ka mga lungsod dili gyud nato mahimo tanna," Emano said.

Emano also lauded the efforts of the town officials in buying their own rescue assets, such as vehicles other than the multicabs distributed by the ProvincialGgovernment through the Barangay Bambi.

The new disaster vehicles would be used for short distance responses, the vans to run in uphill areas, while the elf for huge loads.

Emano also announced that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has 9,000 rescuers who are highly trained as first responders to calamities all over the province.

"Tanan nga atong gi-hire sa PDRRMO are highly trained personnel. In fact, dunay atong nurse nga gikan nagpuy sa Kenya ug ania diri aron maghalad sa serbisyo," Emano said.

DSWD earmarks P1B for indigent seniors in Northern Mindanao

By Pamela Jay Orias

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northern Mindanao has allocated over P1 billion to serve and provide social pension to 186,760 indigent senior citizens in the region this year.

Daisy Ramos, DSWD-Northern Mindanao social pension focal person, said it has allocated about P1 billion to the 34,378 senior citizens in Bukidnon, 6,339 seniors in Camiguin, 46,026 in Lanao del Norte, 46,245 in Misamis Oriental, and 53,772 senior citizens in Misamis Occidental.

Ramos said they are also pushing for the approval of some 14,000 additional slots to admit more senior citizens into the program.

She also pointed out that they have been hearing calls from some senior citizens that DSWD should expand their program and include senior citizens who are receiving pension from other government agencies worth less than P5,000.

"They are not included but we are also aware that what they receive is not enough to cover especially their medical expenses, this is why we have already drafted a proposal that those who are receiving less than P5,000 pension will now be included in the program. But this proposal is still pending because we still don't have a Secretary, hopefully this year, it gets approved," Ramos said.

But Ramos said some politicians use the program on social pension for indigent senior citizens for their personal interests. She said they have received numerous complaints from senior citizens themselves about the program being 'politicized'.

Some barangay officials are also reportedly enlisting themselves as beneficiaries, which is prohibited.

Because of this, Ramos said they are visiting local government units and even barangays to validate the list of beneficiaries.

"This is a big work, but we will do it to validate because these barangay officials shouldn't receive the pension even if they are seniors, because they have regular income, they have honorarium, our program is only intended for the indigent senior citizens," she said.

Another problem the department is facing on the pension program, is the delay and sometimes non-compliance of the local government units' liquidation reports.

Ramos said 15 days after the payouts, local government units should already submit liquidation report, however, this is not the case especially for most cities in the region.

In Cagayan de Oro for instance, Ramos said the city still has over P4 million unliquidated balance of social pension fund in 2017. Although it has already complied the balances in the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2017, Ramos said the city has yet to liquidate the 4th quarter of 2017 fund, as well as the fund used for the 2,401 slots it added last year.

"This should not be the usual practice because the delay means a delay of the payout for senior citizens. So when delay happens, it is at the expense of our seniors," she added.

CPRAT bats for public participation in formulating devt plans

(JAO/SP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The 18th City Council is set to tackle the position paper of the City Poverty Reduction Action Team (CPRAT) regarding the Mandatory Participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the formulation of development and investment plans in Cagayan de Oro City.

In a position paper, CPRAT said that some of the functions of local government units (LGUs) are not complied with, in one way or another, either due to limitations in capacities, lack of diligence, limited financial resources, or in the case of the city, the voluminous input coming from the 80 barangays.

Some ordinances were not reviewed, some plans were not responsive to the needs and welfare of the people, development concerns like solid waste management, food security, agricultural productivity, and local economic enterprises were oftentimes not included in most barangay investment plans, according to CPRAT.

More so, barangay assemblies were conducted only as mere compliance to the mandatory order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), lacking the avenue for the citizens to freely express community welfare concerns, among others.

To ignite the community’s awareness of their roles in their respective LGUs, the national government implemented the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process or the Bottom-up Budgeting (BUB).

For its part, the city has supported and reinforced the adoption of the process evident in the 80 relevant poverty alleviation projects proposed by the CSOs since 2014. However, it was very clear to the CSO sectoral representatives and the City Poverty Reduction Action Team that, after numerous assessments, many concerns of the CSOs in different barangays did not reach the CPRAT.

On the other hand, there were gains resulting from the level of CSO involvements in their respective barangays, thus CPRAT requests for a legislation that will encourage and institutionalize the participation of CSOs of the 80 barangays in the formulation of their development and investment plans and to require the Sangguniang Barangays to resolve the acceptance of the propositions of their citizens through their respective CSOs, barangay assemblies, barangay development councils and barangay poverty reduction actions teams.

CPRAT also asked the City Council headed by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy to legislate mechanisms for grassroots participation in the planning and budgeting processes, in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.

Along with other committees, the said position paper shall be tackled in the committee on finance, budget and appropriations chaired by Councilor Edna M. Dahino.

Solons approve Scholarship Code

(EF/SP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The City Council approved the ordinance providing for the Scholarship Code of 2018 in Cagayan de Oro City.

In its regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy, Councilor Suzette Magtajas-Daba, chairman of the committee on education and principal author of the ordinance said that the new scholarship code offers six types of scholarships. It was learned that the old ordinances cover only two types of scholarships.

The councilor said that because of the expansion and the big budget allocation, there was a need to create an office for the city scholarship program. She said the office would fall under the City Social and Welfare Development (CSWD).

She said that in the workshops she attended together with the technical working group composed of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) representative, Department of Education (DepEd), different potential partner academic institutions, personalities from Xavier University (XU), University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), and Lourdes college, the passing rates or general average were differentiated – for the Performance Type, it is 85 percent, and for the Income-Based, 75 percent.

Magtajas-Daba further explained that the amount to be given to the scholars and grantees cannot be fixed under the ordinance. She said that as provided under the Scholarship Code, the CSWD office would recommend as to how much should be given to the scholars, to be approved by the scholarship board.

“As public servants, it is our duty and responsibility to give access to knowledge, and access to education,” councilor Suzette said.

Summit tackles preparations for future calamities

By Jo Ann Sablad (With reports from Cyrill Garcia, USTP intern)

ENVIRONMENTAL groups and agencies under Writ of Kalikasan have gathered to tackle different environmental issues during the People's Environment Summit on Wednesday, January 10, in Limketkai Atrium, Cagayan de Oro City.

Undersecretary Orlando Ravanera, the head of Sulog, said the summit aims to increase the awareness of the people in the city on the environmental issues that are still present and to inform the public of its nature.

"But this is no ordinary gathering, because we will inform them the nature of the problem kay sila, (because) they do not know nga ang Cagayan de Oro diay, dili ni natural [ang problem] (that the problem in Cagayan de Oro is not natural), this is manmade," Ravanera said.

Ravanera said knowing the nature of the problem will help the people to prepare for calamities in the future.

Ravanera also mentioned that environmental laws have not been properly enforced as illegal logging and mining are still prevalent.

"Kung naa pa tay forest, dili ta mabahaan dinhi (If only we still have forests, we wouldn't be experiencing floods)... Now we are asking what happened to the environmental laws?" Ravanera said.

The Sulog head also demanded accountability against certain operators involved in illegal logging and mining.

“To all illegal loggers, enough is enough. The sins of our few loggers are now upon our people. Kada baha sa Cagayan de Oro, kinsa man ang gapangamatay? Mga pobre. Asa man sila? Naa sa ilang mga mansion! (Every floods in Cagayan de Oro, who were killed? The poor. Those illegal loggers? They are in their mansion!)”

Although the event was open to the public, the People's Environment Summit was mostly participated by students from different schools and members from various cooperatives all over the city.

Topics such as the Disaster Mitigation and Risk Reduction Management, the Environment Scenario in the next 50 years, and Biyaya ng Pagbabago to advance Environmental Integrity through Federalism were also discussed.

The Writ of Kalikasan, provided for in 2010 by the Supreme Court, is a legal remedy that protects one’s Constitutional right to a healthy environment, as outlined in Section 16, Article 2 of the Philippine Constitution.

CDO speeds up services with online payment, billing system

(IAF/RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The city government’s new online tax payment and billing system is now available for use to speed up transactions in Cagayan de Oro.

City Treasurer Ramon Antonio Mendoza said that the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) has already been using the new system for business permit renewal since January 3, 2018. The deadline for the renewal is on January 20, 2018.

The online tax payment and billing system of the City Hall can accessed at www.cagayandeoro.gov.ph, the official website of the city.

The new system aims to provide convenience to tax payers and entrepreneurs when they redeem their business permit or pay their business tax, real property tax and other fees such as the building fees, traffic violation and market stall rental payment.

The online billing system can also be used by taxpayers to determine their tax dues without going to the City Hall for computations.

The manual processing of business permit renewal is still conducted at the Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) at the City Hall.

New Eagles head to strengthen LGU partnerships

By Jigger J. Jerusalem (PNP)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Partnering with local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies was one of the most effective approaches in helping the less fortunate, especially those affected by calamities, the newly-installed national president (NP) of the Fraternal Order of Eagles (Philippine Eagles) said.

“It’s high time that we work hand in hand with LGUs so we could achieve our goal of helping the needy in our community. By working with them (LGUs), our help would reach our fellow human beings,” said Erlquin Lim, who was sworn in, along with other national officers of the TFOE-PE, in a ceremony held here over the weekend.

Under his term, Lim said he would exert efforts to strengthen the partnership with the LGUs to ensure that their community outreach programs would benefit those who needed help.

Prior to being elected as NP last November, Lim was the Eagles’ National Executive Vice President.

He is also the incumbent chair of Barangay 9, this city.

Thousands of members from all over the Philippines and from other countries, such as Australia, Taiwan and Italy attended the induction and installation.

Mayor Oscar Moreno, himself an Eagles member, was the guest of honor.

As the first Philippine-born fraternal socio-civic organization in the country, the members of the Eagles had been involved in extending help to the needy, especially to the victims of calamities, since it was founded in Quezon City in 1979.

During the onslaught of tropical storm Vinta last December and tropical depression Agaton on New Year’s Day, members and officers of the Eagles extended assistance to those affected by the flash floods in Northern Mindanao.

Lim said TFOE-PE handed out bottles of water, used clothing and food to affected communities who suffered most from recent calamities, including the conflict in Marawi City.

It is also involved in other socio-civic endeavors like tree planting, adopt-a-forest, “Brigada Eskwela,” medical mission, Operation “Tuli,” blood donation drive, among others.

“We will work hard (to) give service to our fellow Filipinos, especially in times of calamities. We will make sure that we will make a big difference,” Lim said.

CDRRMD acquires new state-of-the-art rescue equipment

(ACM/RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) in Cagayan de Oro now expands its skillfulness in rescue operations through acquiring additional state-of-the-art hydraulic equipment to respond to emergencies especially vehicular accidents.

Eldi Daayata, officer-in-charge of the City General Services Offices, turned over the equipment to Allan Porcadilla, OIC of CDRRMD, together with overseer Ret. Col. Mario Verner Monsanto and the new City Administrator Teodoro Sabuga-a on January 8 during the flag raising ceremony at the City Hall.

Porcadilla said that the equipment were purchased by the city government, with the consent of the majority of the city council led by Vice Mayor Rainier Joaquin Uy.

With this, the CDRRMD was very thankful of the support of Mayor Oscar Moreno and the city council in their aspiration to obtain an additional rescue equipment.

Porcadilla also shared that even with the readiness of the CDRRMD rescue team, they are urging the public to be always cautious, especially the drivers.

Farmers' market launched in Cagayan de Oro

By Jigger J. Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Farmers and crop growers in Misamis Oriental now have a dedicated venue to sell their products following the launch of the provincial farmers’ market during the kick-off of the annual Kuyamis Festival on Monday.

Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano said the farmers’ market will be held every weekend starting this week, adding this will offer local farmers a wider market for their products.

Emano said he will ask the officials of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara) to persuade them to source their food products from Misamis Oriental farmers. “Hopefully, Cohara will buy their ingredients through [our] farmers, from vegetables, fruits, to meat,” he said at the sidelines of the festival’s opening program at the Provincial Capitol grounds.

He said the weekly display of agricultural goods was patterned after the farmers’ market at Salcedo Village in Makati City.

Another attraction the provincial government has added to the Kuyamis is the Ms. Gay Misamis Oriental 2018, which, Emano said, will help the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community to showcase their talents and promote the province at the same time.

Emano has noted that more towns are now joining the festival. From the province’s 23 municipalities and two component cities, only four towns have not participated in this year’s festival, in celebration of Misamis Oriental’s 88th founding anniversary.

“Their [municipalities] is a huge help to promote the province. What we are doing is actually not for Bambi Emano, it’s apolitical. What we’re doing actually is helping them promote their municipalities and cities,” he said. Participating towns have set up booths at the Provincial Capitol grounds displaying their delicacies and other products.

Among the top products of the province are, namely, “ginamos” (salted fish) from Libertad, “Bibingka” (glutinous rice cake) from Manticao, buko pie from Medina, “bulad” (dried fish) from Tagoloan, and fresh fruits from Gingoog City.

Local beauties, products take center stage at Kuyamis Fest

By Jigger J. Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Showcasing the local beauties and various products of Misamis Oriental is among the highlights of the 4th annual Kuyamis Festival, marking the province’s 88th founding anniversary on Jan. 8-12.

The Kuyamis Festival is a brainchild of Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano when he became the province’s chief executive in 2013. Prior to that, the event was then known as “Salo Tabo.”

Emano said Kuyamis will have its grand opening Monday, although related activities have been ongoing, such as the Ms Kuyamis swimsuit competition held at a beach resort in Jasaan town last Dec. 28.

“Our people, as usual, will be in high spirits again as we celebrate this very big event in our province,” the governor said in a statement.

The festival, Emano said, seeks to promote and showcase the beauties and wonders of the province, including the local produce of the municipalities under the “One Town One Product” (OTOP) program.

It will feature shows and contests such as dances, best in agri-tourism booth, culinary and cooking demonstrations, as well as sports events.

Other activities include the Governor’s Night and the first ever Ms. Gay Misamis Oriental.

In keeping with its “Explore MisOr” tourism slogan, Emano is inviting local and foreign tourists to visit the province and witness the events during the festival and enjoy local products and delicacies. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/PNA)

DTI calls for early business name registration, renewal

(DTI-10/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in region 10 is calling all business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to renew or to register their business names early, most preferably weeks before January 20 – the deadline set by the local government units (LGU) for the renewal of business permits.

The renewal and registration of business name through DTI is one of the requirements before a business registrant can acquire a Mayor’s permit from the LGU.

First-time applicants only need to comply three requirements: (1) Duly-accomplished business name application form; (2) 1 valid national government-issued ID with the applicant’s name, photo and signature; and (3) Registration fee.

The applicable fees will depend upon the scope of the business. If the business is only at barangay level, the registrant only need to pay P200; for City level, P500; for Regional level, P1,000 and P2,000 for businesses which extends up to the national level.

Business registrants will spend only around 15 to 30 minutes to have their business names registered or renewed.

For individuals who are tasked to file a business name in behalf of the business owner, they need to bring an authorization letter with the owner’s signature, their personal and the owner’s government-issued IDs, duly-accomplished form and registration fee.

Business owners who need to modify some details in their business registration need to submit an affidavit of waiver and to surrender their original business name certificate.

Meanwhile, those who wish to cancel or change the scope of their business will have to surrender their original business name certificate and to submit an affidavit of cancellation.

For applicants who are residing in Cagayan de Oro, they may file their business name registration or renewal at DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Office Negosyo Center located at the Ground Floor of State Investment Trust Incorporated along Tiano-Hayes Street in Cagayan de Oro City or at DTI Region 10 Negosyo Center located at Corrales-Luna Streets, Cagayan de Oro City.

PRO 10 intensifies security measures for Black Nazarene

(PRO10)

CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro – Security measures for the Feast of Black Nazarene on January 8 and 9 are all set.

According to PCSupt Timoteo G Pacleb, Police Regional Office (PRO) in Northern Mindanao, the Holy Mass at Nazareno Church and the procession is expected to draw huge crowd of parishioners and devotees from Cagayan de Oro City, nearby provinces and cities.

PRO 10, in close coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cagayan de Oro City, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD), Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Hijos, Highway Patrol Units, and other law enforcement agencies and private agencies, are all geared up in ensuring a secured and peaceful feast and procession of Black Nazarene after a final security coordinating conference was held at the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) Headquarters on January 5, 2018.

This is in anticipation to the thousands of parishioners and devotees who will flock at the venues to attend the Holy Mass and go along with the procession, which may be taken advantage by lawless elements to carry out their nefarious activities such as pickpocketing, snatching, motornapping, carnapping and harassment.

Pacleb said that maximum number of personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) would be deployed in different key areas, thoroughfares and public assistance desks to provide security assistance to the two-day religious activities.

"We will also deploy drones in all strategic areas for us to monitor movements to the lower ground. Likewise, all possible counter-measures are being undertaken by joint security forces from PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)," said Pacleb.

Organizers made slight changes in this year’s route for safety considerations. This year’s Translacion will go back to the original route, which will start from St Augustine Cathedral and will end up to the Nazareno Church, passing through Fernandez Street, Velez Street and CM Recto Avenue. The procession will start at 5:00 a.m. on January 9, 2018 and is estimated to end in about two hours.

Pacleb asked for the cooperation of the public by being alert, observant, vigilant and security conscious during the Translacion of the Black Nazarene.

DOLE 10 awards P3M worth of starter kits and training to spouses of drivers in CDO

By Mary Joyce Harnaiz with additional reports from Roy Casiño (DOLE-X Western Misamis Oriental PFO)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Western Misamis Oriental Provincial Field Office (WMO PFO) of the Department of Labor and Employment Region 10 (DOLE 10), in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cagayan de Oro, facilitated the turn-over of starter kits equipment to 13 associations of the Organized Spouses of Drivers of Public Utility Vehicle under Barangay Lumbia as Accredited Co-Partner (ACP) in the implementation of the project held at the City Hall.

DOLE 10 WMO PFO Chief Ebba Borbon-Acosta reported that the livelihood project granted to the spouses of drivers amounted to P1,800,000 with six various projects – Bigasan (rice retailing), sewing; (3) carwash (auto wash), vulcanizing shop, carenderia (local eatery selling), and laundry.

Acosta added that the driver-residents were financing their dependents’ medical and other daily needs. The projects aim to involve spouses of drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) including jeepney, taxicabs and motorela (tricycle) in the augmentation of their family’s income. It will also improve their economic status and strengthen family ties that may inspire PUV drivers to comply with traffic and social rules. Furthermore, these projects will be able to generate employment to the members and the community. The organized groups of PUV drivers, together with Barangay Lumbia and the Federation of Public Transport Driver Association, commit to ensure the sustainability of these projects.

UNIDAWA or United Drivers’ and Womens’ Association member Jean Gabatan shared her gratitude to DOLE 10 for the livelihood projects granted.

“Dako ug tabang ang nahatag sa amo sa DOLE labi na sa among association or mga miyembro. Sa sulod lang sa upat ka bulan nakapalit na mi ug duha ka sako na bugas gumikan lang sa among ginansya. Kini amo gihatag pud sa amo mga ka-miyembro nga taga-layo para iyaha na pud ibaligya sa ilang lugar (The DOLE livelihood grant is of great help, especially to our association and members. Within four months, we have already bought two sacks of rice from the profit. We have given the sacks to those members who are in the remote areas so they can sell them.)," Gabatan said.

Likewise, Acosta congratulated the 69 graduates under the Integrated Livelihood Project (ILP): Food Processing and Production of Occupational Safety Devices Livelihood Project which was also funded by DOLE. They finished the training course of Cookery, Bread and Pastry Production for the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB) beneficiaries. Starter kits were also awarded on that day.

Hennie Tadeo, one of the beneficiaries for the Bread and Pastry training and starter kits, shared that the livelihood grant is very beneficial for her business. She further shared, “Napuslan jud kaayo nako ang starter kit kay gadawat na ko karon ug daghan order so dako na pud akong kita gumikan ani akong negosyo. (The starter kit is very useful because I am now confident to accept bulk orders, which in turn will increase my profit," she said.

The LGU of Cagayan de Oro identified the beneficiaries; majority was from the urban poor sector who desires to undertake their own entrepreneurial and livelihood activities to assist their families and augment their impoverished income. These DOLE-registered groups are credible groups which have a vision to improve their conditions by engaging in productive and income-generating activities. The proposed projects are in line with their skills, expertise and acquired trainings.

Barangay Bulua, as the accredited co-partner of the aforementioned integrated livelihood grants, committed to implement the projects per approved proposals and conduct of regular monitoring. The total livelihood project granted to the Women Sector through the CPRAT amounted to P2,030,000 under DOLE BUB-2016 Funds. )

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