Cagayan de Oro City News March 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.

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Cagayan de Oro City Public Market
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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.
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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

14 food finds from Cagayan de Oro's Big Bite food festival

By Jeeves de Veyra

CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Ayala Centrio's Big Bite Food Festival is proof of how active the Northern Mindanao food scene has become.

Now on its fourth year, the festival kicked off with Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno and Department of Tourism Region 10 Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan mixing the biggest bowl of buko halo-halo together with Centrio mall executives. The biggest bowl of Buko Halo Halo was made to open the festival. Handout photo

The first Big Bite Food Festival was first conceptualized at Marquee Mall in Angeles, Pampanga, as a way for smaller independent food purveyors and startups to show off their food to the mallgoers. Centrio was the second mall to adopt this annual event.

Big Bite has since become a much-awaited event that draws hungry visitors from within the city and Northern Mindanao.

“Everyone’s looking forward to Big Bite. It’s the biggest food festival in Northern Mindanao. We’re all about the food,” said Carina Celine Karagdag, Centrio's marketing associate manager. Cake painting competition.

As part of its three-day celebration of food, there were food booths set up on the periphery of the ground floor garden. These were set up to showcase new offerings, old favorites, and specialty goods from the exhibitors. Special tours were also arranged for the media and the local blogging community to sample the offerings. Cebuano shrimp specialist Choobi Choobi cooked up the biggest bowl of shrimp during one of these tours.

Apart from cooking demos from Cagayan de Oro chefs, culinary competitions were also held at the mall activity area. Winners of the cooking competitions were given out on the last day of the festival. Special awards were also given to festival participants. The biggest chookie by Mercedes Bakery was one of the culminating events of the Big Bite Food Festival. Photo by author

Mercedes Bakery also unveiled the biggest “chookie” which was sliced and given to the mallgoers before the closing ceremonies.

Next year will mark the fifth anniversary of the festival and organizers are planning to honor entrepreneurs who have started in Big Bite, grown their businesses, and become welcome additions to Centrio’s tenants.

Here are selected bites and nibbles from the food festival: 1. Binaki

Binaki is Northern Mindanao’s version of the corn tamale. A mixture of corn, milk, butter and sugar are packed and steamed in corn husks to make these delectable treats. Think of a somewhat wet corn muffin and you get an idea how this tastes like.

2. 'Chookies' from Mercedes Bakery

Long known for its Pineapple Crumble, Mercedes Bakery introduced its own cookies about a year ago. The bakery installed ovens in all of its open-air kiosks and the aroma of fresh cookies coming out of the ovens is very hard to resist. While their “chookie” (chocolate chip cookie) is very popular, I really recommend the “brookie,” a hybrid brownie/cookie combination that just melts in your mouth fresh from the oven.

3. Bavato Egg Rolls from Nai Cha Tea

These may look like barquillos, but they’re not. These Bavato Egg Rolls are similar to the Macanese versions that are much lighter and crumbly and come in Earl Grey, Dark Cacao, and Espresso varieties.

4. Nenecitas Sorbetes

Nenecitas Sorbetes is a boon for lactose-intolerant ice cream lovers because it’s made of coconut milk. Though not as smooth as regular ice cream with bits of icy patches that could be felt per lick, this cold treat can’t be beat because a mini cone of the premium or regular flavors costs a fraction of a scoop of gelato.

5. Kinilaw and Sinuglaw from Panagatan Seafood Restaurant

While you can get kinilaw all over the country, Cagayan de Oro’s kinilaw is unique because of the use of a lighter variety of vinegar mixed in with suha and “tabon-tabon” to build the souring liquid. Mixed in with ginger and onions, Panagatan’s Sinuglaw (sinugba and kinilaw) stands out because the malasugue somehow absorbed some of the grilled pork’s flavor giving it a unique tasty note.

6. Nanay Choleng’s Muron

This Tacloban favorite was sorely missed after the devastation of Yolanda. The people behind Nanay Choleng’s temporarily resettled in Cagayan de Oro, liked the city so much, and permanently made it their home. These suman-like delicacies are made with rice that are cooked with coconut cream and cacao. Nanay Choleng’s adds an extra step by filling the suman with chocolate, ube, and other flavors.

7. Cookiegato from Bowerbird Coffee x La Favorita Ice Cream

Take a scoop of La Favorita Vanilla Ice Cream, put it in a cookie cup lined with hardened chocolate fudge, pour on hot espresso brewed with Bukidnon coffee beans, and you get the Cookiegato.

8. Sylvannas from Pane e Dolci

This store started making cakes and sans rival from a small store in the city. It has since grown with several branches in Cagayan de Oro. The Nutella, strawberry, matcha, chocolate, and coffee sylvannas are colorful additions to their product line that go well with their coffee brewed with Bukidnon-sourced coffee beans.

9. Sansrival from Lola Gely’s

Lola Gely’s no-preservative recipes are faithfully recreated by her second- and third-generation descendants. This home baker bakes goods fresh to order and recommends consuming the goodies in three days. The rich and buttery smooth Cashew Sansrival draws a crowd when they appear at the Big Bite Food Festival, along with the torta, brazo de mercedes, caramel coated yema, boat tarts, and butter cake.

10. Freezie Ice Cream

This favorite of Kagayanon millennials was hatched from experimenting with ice cream in a home kitchen. Now, Freezie is known for their edgy in-mall booth designs and punny flavor names derived from anything from Shakespeare to Filipino folk songs.

11. Bisaya Express from Boy Zugba

Boy Zugba is the latest concept from local food group giant Bigby’s. The wait staff humorously entertain customers with Bisaya “hugot” lines while waiting for their orders. Besides the usual sinugba fare, come here for the cheesy chorizo and the Bisaya Express, its version of Bicol Express guaranteed to have lovers of spicy food sweating with joy.

12. Yellow Curry from Thai Me Up

Setting up a restaurant with unfamiliar flavors was a challenge for Thai Me Up. Since then, they seem to have found the right balance to please the local diners such that they’ve moved from their old location to a prominent spot in Centrio. They started using local ingredients and making their own curries and sauces, such as the yellow curry used in this dish, resulting in friendlier flavors for those who aren’t comfortable with spicy food.

13. Baked Goods from Bite Me Up

Cagayan de Oro is home to a number of food groups. The food group behind Thai Me Up have come up with boxed baked goods such as Brownie Bites, Cashew Crisps, and Crispy Brownies.

14. Tartufo from Candy’s

The Tartufo, a ball of vanilla ice cream and French macarons soaked in hazelnut liqueur encased in chocolate cake and ganache, cements Candy’s reputation as the Cagayan De Oro’s go-to place for decadent desserts. Pictured here sliced up to reveal it sinful fillings.

Registration of Nat’l Futsal Youth Cup on

By Jack Biantan

REGISTRATION for the Allianz PNB Life National Youth Cup Cagayan de Oro leg is now going on.

Club and school teams who want to join the two-day tournament set on May 5-6 at different venues in the city, are invited to join the competition said organizer and CMORFA president Percy Guarin.

The tournament is a national wide competition for Boys U16 (born 2002), Girls U16 (born 2002), Boys U14 (born 2004), Girls U14 (born 2004), Boys U12 (born 2006) and Girls U12 (born 2006).

Registration fee per team is P1000. For registration please call Guarin at 09163784017 or Jack Biantan at 09651980953.

Nine other regional football associations all over the country are hosting local competitions. They are NCR, Baguio, Naga City on April 30-May 1), Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Cebu April 28-29), Davao and Dipolog (May 5-6).

The CdO leg will be held at the Pagatpat Elementary School covered court, Kasuwagan Elementary School covered court, and Bulua National High School covered court.

Winners in the U16 and U14 divisions from the nine leg tournaments will advance to the regional elimination on May 12-13 for Luzon, May 19-20 for the Visayas and May 26-27 for Mindanao.

Winners in the regional competition will then advance to the national finals in La Salle Greenhills, Manila on Jun 2-3. Top players will then be selected to train and visit top German club Bayern Munich.

After the tournament the PFF is expected to produce a black book which will list the top Futsal players and coaches in the country. They will then undergo further training and competition to make them better Futsal players and coaches.

The main organizer of the tournament is Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Futsal Executive Director Kevin Goco. He also works for Gawad Kalinga, and the Danny Moran Foundation, the prime mover of this tournament.

DTI to build more Negosyo Centers

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Northern Mindanao is planning on building fifteen more Negosyo Centers across the region in 2018.

This year, DTI-Bukidnon is slated to launch 5 Negosyo Centers; Lanao del Norte is targeting 4 centers, while both Misamis Oriental and Occidental are set to establish 3 more centers each before 2018 ends.

Building Negosyo Centers is in line with Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act and aims to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), promote ease of doing business, facilitate access to grants and other forms of financial assistance, Shared Service Facilities (SSF) and other equipment, and provide support for MSMEs.

It also helps ensure management guidance, assistance and improvement of the working conditions of MSMEs and facilitate market access and linkaging services for entrepreneurs.

According to DTI-10, about 805 centers are already existing nationwide. In the region, 28 negosyo centers were built in 2016 and an additional 26 in 2017. To date, there are already 54 negosyo centers in the region.

The 54 negosyo centers in Northern Mindanao, DTI-10 said, were able to assist 43,189 clients. Some P41.8 million worth of micro loans have been released to 98 MSMEs. Also last year, 1,673 clients availed of the Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) micro financing through the Small Business Corporation, the DTO said.

City disaster office on red alert for Holy Week

By Alwen Saliring

THE city disaster office will be on red alert this Holy Week to better respond to emergencies involving devotees who will visit the different pilgrimage sites in the city.

An official of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) said the office will be activating its Incident Management Team (IMT) on Tuesday, March 27 and will stay active until after Easter Sunday, April 1.

CDRRMD officer Allan Porcadilla said the security plan is already in place after the coordination meeting last Monday with the police, military, fire department, Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Coast Guard, the City Health Office, the Roads and Traffic Administration, Oro Rescue, and village officials of Cugman, Tablon, Agusan and Balubal.

Porcadilla said they will start the deployment of personnel on Wednesday afternoon.

The city has two pilgrimage destinations that usually draw crowd every Maundy Thursday and Holy Friday-- the Malasag walkway in barangay Cugman where the stations of the cross are situated and the Guadalupe Shrine in Barangay Agusan where devotees cross rivers and walk for about four hours to complete the faithful's 'Panaad.'

Porcadilla said medical teams headed by the City Health Office and the Oro Rescue will be positioned at these sites to respond to medical needs and other safety and security concerns.

The disaster office is urging those who will make their regular 'Panaad' to take their meals and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Authorities also advised homeowners who will leave their houses unattended to secure them to thwart plans of criminal groups who may take advantage of this religious activity.

"Ang atong pahinumdom pud sa tanan nga likayan ang pagdala sa mga gibawal kay sigurado gyud nga i-confiscate na sa otoridad (We are reminding everybody to avoid bringing prohibited items such as loud speakers, alcoholic beverages and bladed weapons because it will be confiscated)," Porcadilla said.

Porcadilla said all CDRRMD personnel will have to report for work and stay alert during the Holy Week.

"Naka red alert status ta hangtod nga mag-deactivate and IMT," Porcadilla said. (We are on red alert until the IMT is deactivated)

The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) has already told the public that it is all ready to safeguard the city against all forms of threats and criminality.

Cocpo spokesperson Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II said they just need the cooperation of the community and urged everyone to stay vigilant and be security-conscious.

Oro council approves child protection ordinance

By Jo Ann Sablad

THE Cagayan de Oro City Council approved on Monday, March 19, an ordinance localizing the national Child Protection Law.

According to City Councilor Edna Marban-Dahino, Ordinance 2018-28 or the Child Protection Ordinance was created to protect the children from exploitation and forced labor or child trafficking; and to help the police officers and other enforcers in apprehending the violators.

"Duna gyud silay magamit sa pag-apprehend sa mga violators nga insigida matabangan gyud nato, insigida atong madakop, atong ma-question, atong ma-interrogate ang atong mga violators kay naa may uban gud nga dili na sila mahadlok kay wala man, national ra (Now there's a local law that they can use when apprehending the violators, so they can immediately interrogate or question them. Violators nowadays are not afraid of violating the national law)," Dahino said.

She said under the ordinance, a budget is allocated to police officers and to those people who will be of help in imposing the localized law.

"After 60 days, mabuhatan na sya og IRR o Implementing Rules and Regulations para ma implementar na gyud ni kay dugay na ni gihangyo, dugay na ni gipaabot sa atong NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), dugay na gipaabot sa atong mga kapulisan para na magamit nila sa pag apprehend (the IRR or the Implementing Rules and Regulations will be created for the implementation of the ordinance, as this has been anticipated by the NBI and police in order for them to use during their operations)," Dahino said, adding that the enforcers cannot immediately act because of the lack of local law.

Before its approval, the ordinance underwent several debates and revision of some of its provisions.

As suggested by City Councilor Leon Gan, the ordinance was changed from being mandatory to directory; and instead of imprisoning parents who neglect their children or give them the permission to travel without the supervision of an adult, they will be fined.

According to Dahino, Cagayan de Oro City was ranked second in Northern Mindanao in terms of child trafficking cases and ranked fourth in the Philippines. This prompted the city councilor to create the child protection ordinance.

Gov't agencies cite programs, services strengthening RPRH law

By Recthie T. Paculba (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The Commission on Population (Popcom)-10 held a press conference with panelists from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-10 and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-10 to highlight the government’s efforts in upholding the rights of women and empowering them by implementing the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law that bridge gender gaps on March 20 at Popcom Conference Room, Cagayan de Oro City.

Monavic Budiongan of DSWD-10 shared that among the efforts of the government in protecting women's rights is the creation of centers such as the Home for Girls where victims of abuse and exploitation are sheltered. Clients of such facility also undergo counselling sessions, and therapeutic and restorative activities.

Currently, there are 42 clients of Home for Girls in the region and Budiongan said that most of these girls are sexually abused, trafficked victims, abducted, abandoned or neglected and children in conflict with the law.

To aid in minimizing the abuse of girls, Budiongan said, "Diha pa sa level sa barangay duna na unta’y Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) kay kung aktibo ang atong mga barangay officials wala'y mahitabo nga pagpang-abuso kay sa ako nang giingon, kasagaran sa atong mga bata ang perpetrator naa ra sa sulod sa pamilya."

(In the barangay level, there should be a Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) because if the barangay officials are actively involved in such concern, there will be no abuses. As I said, most of the perpetrators of our girls are just inside the family)

As for the CHR, Lawyer Filipinas Palma said that their battlecry is on the equal opportunity for men and women because this is one of the ways to empower women; having the same rights, chances for work and potential development.

Palma also shared that they will be conducting the Gender-Based Violence Observatory on April 2.

"This aims to ensure the primacy of all human rights and to their protection, promotion and fulfillment on the basis of equality and non-discrimination, in particular for those who are marginalized and vulnerable, such as women and children," Palma said.

On the economic aspect, Leonila Cajarte of NEDA-10 said that even if the proportion of women and men in the labor force still favors the latter, there are a lot of government programs that prioritize women including the livelihood programs of various agencies that target to help stay-at-home mothers and solo parents.

Cajarte also highlighted the contributions of women in the agricultural sector saying that more women are helping in the production, processing and marketing of farm products. "The only thing there is that these women are not acknowledged as main actors of the sector," Cajarte said.

For his part, Popcom Regional Director Jeremias Gupit said that there will be more government programs, activities, projects and services that are geared towards women empowerment.

For an instance, Popcom’s orientations, training and other activities that involve men in responsible parenthood, family health and development is anchored on making them identify their crucial roles in attaining gender equality in the society.

Oro cops now preparing for Oplan Holy Week

By Alwen Saliring

CAGAYAN de Oro City policemen have been ordered not to let their guard down as security preparations are raised to level 5 for the observance of the holy week, a city police official said Tuesday, March 20.

Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the security threat in the city remains at level 3, which means terror attacks are highly possible.

Hortillosa said the level 5 maximum security preparation is equivalent to threat level 5, which is already critical.

He said city police director Senior Superintendent Robert Roy Bahian ordered his men to put security plans in place for the religious activity.

"Wala pa gi-lower ang threat level 3 pero ang atong security preparation is level 5 buot pasabot prepared ta for level 5 nga threat ug sa possibility nga naa na gyud threat groups sa ato (Threat level is still 3 but our preparation is level 5, it means we are preparing for threat level 5)," Hortillosa said.

Hortillosa said the city police office is consistently receiving unverified information about terror activities, but he said the validation so far yielded negative.

He said these information will prompt the authorities to validate and prepare to ensure “safety and security” in the city.

Aside from terror threats, authorities are also keeping an eye of other organized criminal groups that may sow fear to the public.

"Apil sa atong assumption kaning mga criminal groups nga mosakay sa panahon, harassment from the NPA, ug labaw sa tanan gipangandaman nato ang bomb threat (Including in our assumptions are these criminal groups that may take advantage, NPA harassments and most especially bomb threats),"Hortillosa said.

Hortillosa said the strengthened security measures have already been implemented continuously to thwart violence and criminality.

The Cocpo spokesman explained that they have yet to ask augmentation from the Police Regional Office, saying security is still manageable.

He said they would ask the cooperation of the auxiliary force from the different village security officers.

"Kaya pa nato sa Cocpo uban sa atong mga barangay tanod ug naa pud tay mga FTP. Pero normally ang Camp Alagar mag-deploy na sila during sa holy week kay taas man ang need sa security (We can still manage the security and we have partners from the barangays and the field training police. But, normally Camp Alagar will deploy men during the holy week)," Hortillosa said.

The police officer said the city director instructed all police stations and units to coordinate with each other in terms of sharing reports and information.

Police on the ground are also ordered to continue the campaign and information dissemination against terrorism and all forms of criminality.

Hortillosa said the “Oplan Holy Week” will start on Thursday, March 29, until Easter Sunday, April 1.

DOT 10 conducts month long regional tour guiding training

(DOT-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Department of Tourism (DOT) region 10 will conduct a month-long Regional Tour Guiding Training from April to May 2018.

Qualifications of interested parties include at least two years college education in any course, at least 18 years of age, good oral and written communication skills, physically fit, personable and service oriented. Familiarity with region 10 places and attractions is an advantage. Commitment to be an accredited Regional Tour Guide by the Department of Tourism - 10 is a must!

The applicants are required to undergo preliminary panel interview on 27 March 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the New DOT Office, infront Robinsons Parking Entrance / Gerry's Grill, Limeketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

He/She should secure the Registration form from DOT-10 Regional Office or download from www.facebook.com/dotr10 and should submit accomplished form on or before 26 March 2018, at 5:00 p.m.

Applications will be entertained on a First-Come, First-Served basis. Registration fee is P3,750.00 per person for the month-long seminar inclusive of snacks, training kit, hand-outs, certificate and ID.

Participants who will pass this training with the required training hours will be eligible for inclusion in the Directory of Tourist Guides, will be endorsed to DOT-Accredited Travel Agencies and Tour Operators and will be accredited as Regional Tour Guide of Northern Mindanao.

For details, please see/contact Josephine H. Roque (0927-2709947) or J. Adrian C. Flores (09151344927) Standards, Training and Accreditation Section or call the Department of Tourism cellphone number 0917 872 9725 email us at dotr10_nm@yahoo.com.

Popcom-10 orients Carmen trisikad drivers on Katropa, protects women's rights

By Recthie T. Paculba(RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 21 (PIA) -- In observance of the National Women's Month, the Commission on Population (Popcom)-10 held the Kalalakihang Tapat sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (Katropa) to trisikad drivers from Barangay Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City on March 20 at Popcom Conference Room to remind the latter on their responsibilities to their wife and family, and eventually ensure the women's chance to achieve physical, emotional and social potential. Popcom-10 Regional Director Jeremias Gupit cited the roles of trisikad drivers to their family such as reminding their pregnant wife to go to health center for prenatal, ensuring good health and nutrition in the household, and taking care of their family's well-being.

Gupit stressed that this is essential since there is an increase of women mortality due to unattended pregnancy and childbirth in the region and their husbands or partners should be the first person who must take care and give nourishment to these women.

"Usbon ang panghunahuna nga ang pag-atiman sa mga bata trabaho lang sa asawa. Kini nga trabaho kinahanglan ang pagtimbayayongay. Ato sad ning kaakuhan isip lalaki," (We must change our mindset that taking care of the children is solely the role of the wives. This requires partnership. This is also our responsibility as men), Gupit said.

Population Program Officer IV Rolando Butaslac of the Community Improvement Division of the City Government of Cagayan de Oro further shared that men should be involved in responsible parenthood, family health and development since one-fifth or 20.7 percent of women reported that their husbands want more children they do.

Studies also reveal the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) for male sterilization or vasectomy is only 0.1 percent.

Popcom-10 also reported that in northern Mindanao, 18.2 percent of women have experienced emotional violence, 12 percent physical violence and 4.2 percent sexual violence.

Taking note of these gender gaps, Butaslac said that modern men should be able to balance the weight of the game and they can do this by helping in managing the household chores and nurturing of the children.

"Kailangan ring magkaroon ang mga modernong lalake na kakayahang maipahayag ang kanyang emosyon at nararamdaman, maging mabuting huwaran sa mga anak, at may malusog na pamumuhay," (Modern men should be able to express his emotions and feelings, become a good example, and have a good lifestyle) Butaslac said.

These and more practices should be inculcated to men not only to the participants of the orientation because for a very long time, men and women were boxed on what they can and could not do due to different rules set for both sexes, and there is inequality in upholding rights at chances, Butaslac stressed.

RDC-MacroCom reviews member-agencies budget for FY 2019

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran (APB/PIA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The budget for the proposed programs and projects of agency regional offices (AROs) under the Macro and Development Administration Committee (MacroCom) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) were presented for review to the Committee, March 15.

Engr. Cecilio Clarete, chief economic development specialist of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and MacroCom coordinator, said the activity was conducted in response to the call of the RDC-X to all sector agencies enjoining them to participate in the budget review process and present their proposed programs and projects.

He said the activity was undertaken so that programs and projects proposed by the AROs are consistent with the development priorities of the region.

“The RDC budget review aims to ensure that only priority programs and projects that can directly contribute to the Results Matrix of the Philippine/Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 are considered in the budgets of the AROs,” he further said.

AROs that presented their budgets were the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and NEDA.

The AROs final budget proposals, after taking into consideration the recommendations of the committee members, will be presented by the MacroCom chair to RDC-X full council for endorsement.

The RDC-X is now in the process of the prioritizing and endorsing to the national government the annual budget of the region for FY 2019 pursuant to National Budget Call Memorandum No. 129 which outlines the budget preparation guidelines for the submission of agency budget proposals for 2019.

NAST PHL cites Mindanao culture, heritage influence sustainability, resiliency

By Jasper Marie Oblina-Rucat (JMOR/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) academian shared, during the regional scientific meeting held in Cagayan de Oro City from 12-13 March 2018, that they have considered to incorporate the uniqueness of Mindanao, its culture and heritage as it will influence sustainability and resiliency of the region.

In Talakayan sa PIA on 12 March 2018, Dr. Rhodora Azanza pointed out that the uniqueness of Mindanao is overarching and will have an impact in the development in the region. She said that they are focusing on how to address the three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly on Clean Water Sanitation, Sustainable Cities and Communities and Life on Land.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 11 Director Dr. Anthony Sales, in the same forum, emphasized that DOST recognizes the need to consider the culture, the multi ethnic and multi faith of peoples in Mindanao because each one has a voice. “We need to consider their inputs in planning and decision making," he added.

In fact, he cited that in development, we need to protect the heritage that we have, not only to the natural heritage but the heritage associated with the peoples we have in Mindanao.

In region 10, DOST Regional Director Alfonso Alamban explained that 80% of establishments of northern Mindanao is into food processing. He said, they have numerous programs assisting the food sector. Further, existing project is being strengthened particularly the Food Innovation Center in University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP). Two technology business incubation in the region and also technology parks are also being developed, he said.

Dr. Sales, on the other hand, said that DOST is now in the process of enhancing the capabilities of the regional standards and testing laboratory. As part of the provision in the TRAIN law, DOST is tasked to test and analyze sugar content of beverages.

Sales said, there are some unscrupulous manufacturers who are using sweeteners which are already band in the US and EU. In the pursuit of protecting our consumers, we are going to have our products analyzed for artificial sweeteners on top of sugars, he added.

Among the thrust of DOST in this administration is the dispersion of research and development resources down to the regions. Alamban said they have new programs to really enhance the culture of research and development in the regions at the same time business innovation through science and technology and enterprise development.

In terms of scholarships, Alamban cited that they are aggressive with their scholarship programs to encourage incoming college students to take up science courses.

In the country, there are only 270 scientists per million, but UN recommends 380 per million. Alamban said more importantly, these DOST scholars when they graduate should also move to research. Because some science graduates would find opportunities in the finance world. The important thing is they have to contribute to research and development, he said.

Sales also pointed out that aside from lagging behind the number of scientists in the country, we also lag behind gross expenditures on Research and Development (R&D) which is measured in percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). We are still at .14% way below of UN standard of at least 1% of GDP.

But the budget of DOST has been increasing, Sales said. In 2018, we are in the level of P20B but that is not enough to what they are providing in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. But national government is already aware of the importance of science and technology in development, he said.

Azanza added that although we lack in numbers of scientists in the country but we have the bests in the world. She said that women have also been contributing in the world of science, of whom opinions and findings are valued.

She also said that in order to apply science and technology for development, good governance must come in.

Women with disability calls for inclusion in all gov't programs, projects

By Retchie T. Paculba (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)-- "Pirmi gyud ming gabyaan (We always get left behind)," Melagros Maquiling, member of National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) for Persons with Disability (PWDs) said during the Talakayan sa PIA on March 14.

Noting the increasing number of PWDs in the region, Maquiling said that the plight of women with disability is rarely mentioned in current issues such as violence against women, livelihood programs and accessibility to basic services.

When it comes to implementing programs and services, Maquiling said, "Naa sa peripheries ang mas nagkinahanglan kay ang disability ug poverty nag-intertwine gyud na." (The ones in dire need are in the peripheries because disability and poverty are always intertwined)

To respond to such call, Jong Pamisa of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) said that the city government has been implementing the Urban Container Household Gardening (UCHG) which is open to all interested participants and not only the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.

Pamisa also shared that big companies such as the Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Company (CEPELCO) is supporting the UCHG and has been offering aid to train more women including those with disability on handling and ensuring sustainability of the program.

The sector is also a recipient of the city government's Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) program wherein they get to be trained in sewing various products as well as they are provided with tools and equipment needed to startup the business. There are already 18 organizations trained for the first batch and the current batch is composed of 10 PWD organizations in the city.

As for the violence against women with disability, PSupt Lemuel Gonda said that the sector can always count on the Women and Children's Protection Desks, situated in strategic areas of the region, as they have trained women personnel who'll handle any VAWC case.

The City Government of Cagayan de Oro through the CSWDO also provides immediate response to any concern of the PWDs by assigning staff who can effectively communicate with the blind, deaf, mute and other disability.

Furthermore, the CSWDO has recently launched the online registration of PWDs, the first of its kind in the country. With this, the city can easily get the profile of the PWDs and determine the kind of program, project or activity that the sector needs.

"This is the initiative of the CSWD to impose inclusion in all government programs and services. No one gets left behind," Pamisa said.

CSWDO fosters women empowerment with urban gardening

By Phres Evardone (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- In its fourth phase of implementation, the Search for Urban Container Household Gardening (UCHG) of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) calls out to all women of various sectors in Cagayan de Oro to be part of this challenge and earn not just titles and prizes but also a significant change in their lives and in the community.

Jong Pamisa, UCHG focal, said that this year's search does not only include the women beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as City Mayor Oscar Moreno requested the CSWDO to include the almost 1,200 wives of fishermen in the city as well as the women with disability.

During the Talakayan sa PIA on March 14, Pamisa shared that they are now training 400 women from Barangays 1-40, Camaman-an, Consolacion, Nazareth and Macabalan in handling household gardening. The CSWDO in partnership with the City Agriculture Office here also provides the seedlings needed for the said search.

In terms of the sustainability of the program, Pamisa said, "May lang sa kung na’y contest pero after gamay nalang ang mabilin pero ang gibuhat namo, gi-apil na sa evaluation sa 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) sa FDS (Family Development Session) ang pag-atiman sa mga talamnon."

(Things just go well when there is still a contest but afterwards, only a few groups will continue with the program but what we did, we included such program in the evaluation of the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) in the FDS (Family Development Session) in their handling of the plants)

As for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) whom they have also trained, Pamisa said that they are not expecting that the group will be able to continue in handling their plants but they are hopeful that the IDPs will be able to apply what they have learned when they return to their homes in Marawi City.

Also, one of the positive effects of the program as Pamisa stressed is the fact that women can easily serve meals to their family saying, "Pag-uli sa ilang bana, naa’y kwarta o wala, ana na’y sud-an sa lamesa (When the husband comes home with or without money to offer to his household, there is already a meal on the table)."

A total of P400,000 has been allocated for the said program that aims to address environmental degradation, espouse women empowerment by capacitating women to earn on their own, reduce poverty, combat malnutrition by integrating organic farming and imbibe cooperativism in the community.

Winners of the search will bag P15,000, P10,000 and P5,000 for the first to third place respectively.

DTI-10 bridges gender gaps in biz, consumerism

By Recthie T. Paculba (ER/RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 16 (PIA) -- Achieving globally competitive and innovative business owned by women, and enabling women to access and benefit from reasonably priced, safe and quality products and services are among the gender and development goals of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in northern Mindanao.

Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Maria Eliza Pabillore stressed, during the Talakayan sa PIA on March 14, that they are close to reaching such target as there are currently 50,597 female beneficiaries of the department's programs and services in the region.

In 2017, the programs and services of the department include the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform PRogram (CARP) with 8,310 female beneficiaries, Industry Cluster Enhancement (ICE) Program - 581, Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) - 818, Negosyo Center - 17,230, Small and Medium Enterprise Roving Academy (SMERA) training and seminars - 8,897, services to SMEs other than training - 1,043, trade fairs, exhibit/expo - 23, other financing services- 350, business name registration - 6,812, and mediation, arbitration and other fair trade activities - 6,533.

With these programs and services, women are provided access to market and finance.

Pabillore also shared that the number of women in the country establishing their business increased in 2017 and has cited two reasons why this has become a trend and these include the women having adequate knowledge, skills and experiences, and their need to contribute to the improvement of humanity.

Premium township to rise in CDO

By Meg Adonis (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The township will offer Neo-Victorian themed homes.

Metro Manila is no longer the lone center in the country that is piquing the interest of businesses.

Investors are now looking to the south for their new ventures, and for a reason: the Northern Mindanao center that is Cagayan de Oro boasts of close trade links with other provinces in the country, as well as with Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Cagayan de Oro has also notably remained in the National Competitiveness Council’s list of most competitive cities in the country for three years now, and in the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines’ list of New Wave Cities, which identified prospective hubs that can serve as alternative investment destination for outsourcing companies.

Cagayan de Oro, in particular, is found to be among the most attractive business locations in the region because of the comparatively low cost in terms of labor, services and utilities.

It is even deemed by many investors such as property developer Fino Land Inc. as “one of the fastest growing, moderately urbanized and most peaceful cities in the south,” whose economic growth is expected to be sustained given the continued support of Mayor Oscar Moreno, who has meanwhile opened new areas in the city for urban expansion and development.

Housing backlog

Amid all the progress in the area however, the Northern Mindanao region still finds itself short of 250,000 housing units, thus attracting real estate developers to start building residential communities, said Fino Land general manager Voltaire Antonio Flores.

“With Northern Mindanao’s population of 4.7 million, people from Bukidnon, Iligan, Valencia, Butuan and other municipalities have bought second homes in Cagayan de Oro,” Flores told the Inquirer.

Fino Land Inc. is one of the real estate developers that saw Cagayan de Oro as an ideal location for its township project under the Pontefino Estates brand. It is currently developing the Pontefino Estates CDO, which houses St. Francis Heights, the newest masterplanned community in Uptown Cagayan de Oro.

Strategic location

The estate’s strategic location—it being near Ateneo de Cagayan, SM Uptown Mall and St. Francis Xavier Church —makes it an ideal and sought-after home, according to Flores. Situated along Fr. Masterson Avenue, the future community will provide easy access to uptown Cagayan de Oro.

“It is also envisioned to add sophistication and character to the lifestyle of Cagayanons,” he added.

Fino Land is known for its Neo-Victorian themed townhomes as seen in its residential projects in Batangas City. The Pontefino Estates CDO clearly offers a unique proposition, especially for those seeking homes with a historical vibe and an edge of elegance.

The Pontefino Estates CDO caters to the higher-end market, particularly overseas Filipino workers coming home to their families; doctors tired from a long shift; and retirees or empty nesters just looking for a comfortable yet luxurious home that is safe from floods and close to nature.

Indeed, the success of Cagayan de Oro City no longer comes as a surprise in a country that prides itself of having the most hospitable people in the world—and it should be the same when giving a home to their fellow countrymen.

3 CDO young boxers win Batang Pinoy Mindanao games

By Lito Delos Reyes (PNA)

OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental -- Cagayan de Oro City lived up to its billing as an undefeated team in the PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup by sweeping all its three fights in the quarterfinals of the ongoing Batang Pinoy Mindanao Games held Thursday at the Capitol grounds here.

Angelou Lofranco won on points against Gen.Santos City’s John Paul Napoles, 4-1 in the School Boys Mosquito (38 kg.) division.

Jhasil John Illudar landed solid blows to beat Agusan del Sur’s Aaron Kyl Meruenas by a referee-stopped-contest in Round 3 in the School Boys Paperweight (42 kg.).

Peter John Payla completed CDO’s impressive showing by stopping Christian Dave Ferinal of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte in Round 1 of the Jr. Boys light flyweight category.

The other results of the grassroots development program sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission:

SCHOOL BOYS LIGHT MOSQUITO (34-36 KG.)
Rederick Bautista (Gensan) def. Christian Mamon (Panabo) by unanimous decision, 5-0
SCHOOL BOYS MOSQUITO (38 KG.)
Julse Arnel Tizara (Koronadal) def. Jay Jay Rey Montalbo (Panabo) by split decision, 3-2
JR. BOYS LIGHT FLYWEIGHT (48 KG.)
Rex Ayuban (Gensan) def. Arvey Tabay (Koronadal) by points, 4-1
Reymond Alpuera (Davao) def. Juel Sabayton (Iligan) by unanimous decision, 5-0
Jose Angelou Villarde (South Cotabato) def. Keith Jared Villaflor (Agusan del Sur) by RSC in Round 1

CDO launches search for exemplary women

By Gilian Salvador (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – The city government of Cagayan de Oro launched on March 5 the Search for Exemplary Women of City Hall 2018 aimed to magnify the significant contributions and remarkable deeds of women employees.

Highlighting the National Women's Month celebration, the search is open to all women employees of the city government, regardless of age and employment status, as long as they have served the city government for a minimum of two years as of January 1, 2018.

The department or office head will select the nominee from his or her department by accomplishing the nomination form that will be provided by the City Planning and Development Office. The form will require the department or office head to enumerate the nominee's accomplishment and contributions that make her an exemplary woman.

A nominee will need to secure endorsement from her group, association or any organization where she is a bonafide member and barangay where she resides. An updated curriculum vitae is also required to be able to join the search.

All nomination folders of the participating departments or offices must be submitted on or before March 14.

The screening committee will be composed of the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP), Department of Education (DepEd) and City Prosecutor's Office.

Top 10 finalists will undergo a panel interview and the top five exemplary women will be chosen from the said finalists.

Awarding of the exemplary women of City Hall will be held on March 26.

3-hectare marine sanctuary declared in Oro village

By Jo Ann Sablad

A THREE-HECTARE coastal area in Barangay Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro City, has been declared and opened as a Marine and Fish Sanctuary, the very first in the city, according to an Agricultural Productivity Office (APO) fishery coordinator.

Bebot Pimentel, the fishery coordinator of the Fishery Division of APO, said out of the 11 coastal area barangays in Cagayan de Oro City, Barangay Bayabas was the first to have its marine sanctuary after a marine group from Xavier University were able to discover corals which can only be seen in the area.

"Pag mag-identify tayo ng marine protected area, tatlo ang titingnan: meron silang corals, merong seagrass at tsaka merong isda (To identify a marine protected area, it should have corals, seagrass and fishes)," Pimentel said.

Pimentel said the corals are important in a fish sanctuary as corals are needed by the fishes during its spooning, where fishes lay their eggs in corals.

Now a marine and fish sanctuary, a barangay ordinance has been implemented wherein fishing is illegal within the 3-hectare area and the 15-meter distance from the border, Pimentel said.

According to the Republic Act 8550 or The Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 under Section 90, "it shall be unlawful to engage in fishing in municipal waters and in all bays as well as other fishery management areas using active fishing gears."

An imprisonment from two to six years and a fine of P2,000 to P20,000 will be imposed to the boat captain an master fisherman of the vessels that will violate.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno expressed his thanks to Barangay Bayabas Chairman Eddie Abrogar and the Barangay Council for their efforts to protect the marine life.

"Growth is already occuring, and importante lang mahibalo kita mo-adjust ug dili nato kalimtan ang pagprotiher sa kinaiyahan (the important thing is we know how to adjust and we should not forget to protect nature)," Moreno said.

Free tuition entices more MisOr students to college

By Mark D. Francisco (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- The government’s move to reach all learners and achieving universal basic education has encouraged more students to get a college degree, an official said.

Rhodora Gallares, provincial senior high coordinator at the Department of Education (DepEd), said senior high school students are more driven to proceed to tertiary level because of the free tuition policy in state universities and colleges (SUCs), as well as local universities and colleges (LUCs) and technical-vocational institutions (TVIs).

Gallares cited a study among Grade 12 students who responded to an online survey initiated by DepEd, which shows that at least 85 percent of the respondents said they will enroll in college this June.

Conducted online, the DepEd survey asked students to respond to three choices: to go to college, to take a job or do business, or to proceed to technical-vocational education.

The respondents are from the 4,513 graduating senior high students in Misamis Oriental.

Of the number, 52 percent are currently enrolled in the academic track while the remaining half is enrolled in the TVL track, which stands for technical, vocational and livelihood.

Interestingly, Gallares said even those who are enrolled in the TVL track under the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) -- and who are national certificate holders -- also showed high interest to proceed to college.

“Even though they already have NC II qualifications, and are therefore fit for employment, they still want to pursue a college degree nonetheless,” she said.

Last year, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act 10931 or the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act”, granting free tuition and other fees for students in state learning institutions.

There are 49 public and 14 private high schools in Misamis Oriental offering Grades 11 to 12. The number will increase to 65 once two more public high schools in the province will offer senior high tracks next semester, one in Jasaan and another in Magsaysay.

CDO boxers sweep Mindanao semis of PSC-Pacquiao cup

By Lito Delos Reyes (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Host Cagayan de Oro City continued its winning streak by sweeping all its nine bouts in the Mindanao semifinals of the nationwide PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup on Saturday at Macasandig covered court here.

Sixteen-year-old Jessa Lycca Caranagan started the winning streak for the team of CDO Mayor Oscar Moreno via a unanimous decision against Ralph Chein Sevilleno of Malungon, Sarangani Province in the Junior Girls light flyweight (48 kg.) division.

“Nalipay dyud ko kaayo kay wala ko nagkamali na mag boxing na lang (I’m very much happy because I wasn’t wrong in joining boxing),” said Caranagan.

Caranagan, a Grade 9 student, joined boxing after she was disappointed not to represent CDO in this year’s Palarong Pambansa in Vigan for the track and field team.

“Maski ako ang naka daug sa dagan pero lahi ang napili na mag represent (Despite winning the race, I was not chosen to represent),” disclosed Caranagan, who decided to learn boxing only last year from his uncle Billy Payla, a former boxer and now one of the CDO coaches.

Caranagan’s teammate, Elaide Pamisa, 18, also won for CDO in the Jr. Girls light flyweight (45-48 kg.) by a unanimous decision against General Santos City’s Jeane Raciel Boloy.

The 18-year-old Pamisa, a 2016 Batang Pinoy silver medalist landed more telling blows on Boloy.

The other winners for the City of Golden Friendship were Peter John Payla (44-46 kg.), Mark Lester Durens (48 kg.), John Erl Palivino (50 kg.) and Dave Bryan Caspe (54 kg.) in the Junior Boys event and John Ignatius Macas (52 kg.) and John Paul Panuayan (60 kg.) in the Youth Boys Division.

“I’m also very thankful for our Mayor Oscar Moreno who is always helping and supporting us,” said CDO head coach Elmer Pamisa.

Digos City and Malungon of Sarangani Province both garnered three wins while Sultan Kudarat and General Santos City each had two qualifiers for the Mindanao Finals slated in Davao City.

Malungon’s Darlene Literal, a former volleyball player landed left-right combinations to beat Gensan’s Shirllyn Gil Napoles by a unanimous decision in the Jr. Girls bantamweight (54 kg.) category.

Napoles settled for the bronze medal.

The losing fighters settled for the bronze medals while the winners will all advance to the Mindanao Finals.

“Originally, the Mindanao Finals in Davao was set on April 7. But due to the coming Palarong Pambansa in Vigan, we might move it later on April 28,” said Supervising Technical Director Rogelio Fortaleza of the Philippine Sports Institute.

The complete results:

JR. GIRLS LIGHT FLYWEIGHT (48 KG.) -- Jessa Lycca Caranagan (CDO) def. Ralph Chein Sevilleno (Malungon) by unanimous decision JR. GIRLS BANTAMWEIGHT (54 KG.) Darlene Literal (Malungon) def. Shirllyn Gil Napoles (Gensan) by UD

JR. BOYS PINWEIGHT (44-46 KG.) -- Joven Paala (Sultan Kudarat) def. Elmer Catesio (Digos) by split decision (3-2) Peter John Payla (CDO) def. Gabriel Dela Pena (Gensan) by split decision (4-1)

JR. BOYS LIGHT FLYWEIGHT (48 KG.) -- Mark Lester Durens (CDO) def. Reymond Alburera (Davao) by referee-stopped-contest (body punch) in 57 seconds of Round 2 Rey John Paul Apale (Digos) def. Generick Cabucos (Polomolok) by UD

JR. BOYS FLYWEIGHT (50 KG.) -- Rhohan dela Pena (Gensan) def. Jeesly Batiancila (Polomolok) by RSC-knockout in Round 1 John Erl Palivino (CDO) def. Jester Dapidran (Digos) by RSC in 1:33 of Round 2

JR. BOYS LIGHT BANTAMWEIGHT (52 KG.) -- Kim Bryan Cabrillos (CDO) def. April Boy Lampitao (Polomolok) by UD Christian Lanutan (Malungon) def. Armar Rigor (Digos) by walk over

JR. BOYS BANTAMWEIGHT (54 KG.) -- Dave Bryan Caspe (CDO) def. Kurt Leam Gulle (Gensan) by UD Kim Delmar Macaangga (Digos) def. William Jone Dacoycoy (Aglayan) by UD

YOUTH BOYS LIGHT FLYWEIGHT (46-49 KG.) -- Ariel Almamento (Gensan) def. John Ednoel Prevendido (Davao) by split decision (3-2) Jake Sone Saludar (Polomolok) def. Richard Sequino (Labangal) by UD

YOUTH BOYS FLYWEIGHT (52 kg.) -- Jobert Paala (Sultan Kudarat) def. Arceboy Baranggan (Aglayan) by UD John Ignatius Macas (CDO) def. Kenneth Egano (Sarangani) by UD

YOUTH BOYS BANTAMWEIGHT (56 KG.) -- Elmar James Panerio (Digos) def. Remark Brillo (Sultan Kudarat) by split decision (3-2) RV Denega (Gensan) def. Darrel Literal (Malungon) by split decision (4-1)

YOUTH BOYS LIGHTWEIGHT (60 KG.) -- John Paul Panuayan (CD0) def. John Benedict Cadavido (Gensan) by walkover Jan Reyan Dapidran (Kidapawan) def. John Alvin Gonzales (Davao) by split decision (4-1).

USTP to host city’s first ever ‘Innovation Summit’

By Pamela Jay Orias

INVENTIONS of university students will be featured at the first ever Innovation Summit to be hosted by the University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines (USTP) on March 8.

The summit aims to address the gap between the academe and the industry, lawyer Dionel Albina, USTP's director for Innovations and Technology Solutions, said.

"The students have many promising inventions and we want to assist them by giving them a venue where they can talk with possible investors on how they can develop further the project," Albina said.

The summit will include the launching of the state university's Technology Business Incubation (TBI) which will assist start-ups or innovations that have potential to be commercialized receive support or funding.

Albina said finding the right investor who will fund the project remains a challenge for the innovators and this is why the TBI was established to address the challenges.

"The incubation will include capacity training for the students to guide them in their inventions," said Engineer Wendell Talampas, TBI director.

The summit is part of the university's new mission and vision which is now focused not only in education but also through innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr. Ambrosio Cultura said, vice chancellor for Research and Innovation.

Cultura said all courses of the university are also geared towards innovation and entrepreneurship.

"It is included in the curriculum, all courses no exceptions," he said.

The USTP Information and Communications Technology (ICT) prides itself for being one of the lead agencies in helping the city government streamline its services, particularly on the application and renewal of business permits, among others.

One of the innovations that will be featured on March 8, is a technology that will save one's time to schedule a doctor's appointment. The invention will allow you to set an appointment with your doctor online.

Among the guests for the summit are the Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Development Foundation, Mindanao Development Authority, investors and businessmen.

It will highlight on power and energy, food technology, and information communication technology through parallel sessions slated on the whole day of March 8.

NorMin grains production up in 2017

By Mark Francisco D. Francisco (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Northern Mindanao's rice and corn production experienced growth last year, thanks to the government's effort to promote the use of high-yield seeds among local farmers.

Rice and corn production grew at 3.57 percent and 4.01 percent, respectively, in 2017, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In its Commodity Production Performance Assessment for 2017 released recently, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA-10) attributed the production growth to the increase in harvested area and yield through the use of high-yield variety seeds.

Sufficient water supply and favorable weather condition last year also contributed to the growth, the agency added.

Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 director, said the department’s promotion of the use of hybrid rice seeds would help the government attain its sufficiency goal by 2020.

But Collado said the promotion of hybrid rice seeds was juts one of the agency's strategies to increase rice output. She said DA was also helping farmers by opening up access to loan facilitiess, trainings on effective marketing, and the provision of postharvest facilities.

In the livestock subsector, DA-10 said hog had the highest growth rate at 6.07 percent in 2017 compared to the previous year, followed by carabao at 1.64 percent. For poultry subsector, chicken egg has the highest growth rate at 6.10 percent, chicken at 4.11 percent and duck egg at 1.74 percent.

Among the major crops, banana posted the highest percent change on the volume of production at 4.30 percent, followed by calamansi and pineapple at 2.90 and 1.92 percents, respectively for the period of January to September 2017.

For major and priority non-food and industrial crops, sugarcane’s percent change on the volume of production surges at 60.12 percent followed by tobacco, rubber, abaca and coffee.

Meanwhile, for priority non-crops, palm fruit has the highest percent change on the volume of production at 9.65 percent, cacao (dried beans with pulp) at 5.99 percent.

The fishery sector has mostly negative growth rate production, except for marine cage under the aquaculture subsector at 14.79 percent increase.

BFP heightens fire safety awareness in communities

By Jo Ann Sablad

THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Northern Mindanao has intensified its advocacy to raise the public’s fire safety awareness as part of their observance of the Fire Prevention Month this March.

With its theme: "Ligtas na Pilipinas ang ating hangad, Pag-iingat sa sunog sarili ipatupad," BFP Regional Director Lindy Lauzon said there is "a need for partnership with the government and the private sector, individual, the public, for us to really be able to make a fire safe nation."

"Isa man gyud sa mga major challenges sa Bureau of Fire is kaning matawag nato nga public apathy, kaning pagkabanha sa katawhan in regards with the importance sa fire protection (Its been one of the major challenges of the Bureau of Fire is what we call public apathy, the concern of the public in regards to the importance of fire protection)," Lauzon said.

According to Lauzon, the BFP has recorded a total of more than 700 fire incidents in Northern Mindanao wherein more than 500 of them are "accidental," in which a huge percentage of it are due to electrical faults and usually occur in residential areas.

Although he also mentioned that the fire incidents in the region has reduced from 1,600 in 2016 to 700 in 2017.

"When we talk about accidental causes of fire makita nato na naa gyud sa (we can see that its usually due to) human error. When we say human error, it always goes down to one thing: kulang sa kaning matawag nga 'conscious' sa tao para maging safe as far as kaning mga disgrasya sa sunog. So dinha nato makita na (there is a lack of consciousness in the part of the public in regards to safety in times of fire incidents. So that when we notice that) there is a need for us to concentrate more in educating people kay dili man gyud malikayan sa usa ka tao, as human as we are, na usahay dili biktima, walay pagpakabana (since its unavoidable that the public won't be concerned about this especially those who are not victims of these incidents). We don't believe in a perfect fire prevention campaign unless we can get the cooperation of the public," Lauzon said.

Cagayan de Oro District Fire Marshal Richard Arbutante, meanwhile, said they have been conducting fire safety inspections throughout the city.

According to Arbutante, in 2017, they have recorded 913 establishments or businesses in Cagayan de Oro City which were identified as fire hazard or not compliant to the requirements as stated in the Fire Code of the Philippines.

Arbutante said these establishments considered as fire hazard will be given a notice to correct violation which will have to be accomplished within the period of 15 days.

He added that if the owner of building or business fails to correct or comply to the requirements upon re-inspection done by the BFP after the 15-day period, they will be imposing an administrative fine of P50,000 as provided by the Fire Code of the Philippines and will advise the notified person to "execute an affidavit of undertaking" stating therein how many days they need to comply or to correct the identified deficiency or defects during the inspection.

And if the notified person finished complying with the requirements, Arbutante said they will be given a fire safety inspection certificate, adding that the inspections are necessary to prevent possible fire incident and to ensure the safety of people occupying the area.

Aside from public awareness, Lauzon said there are also trainings conducted for BFP personnel and provide them with personal protection equipment, plans to add more fire trucks and replacing the old ones, and modernization of their equipment.

In observance to the Fire Prevention Month, the BFP will be conducting several activities all throughout March, such as a house-to-house campaign for the whole month; a Color Run on March 4 in Pueblo de Oro; and a mall show on March 8 in Limketkai Mall wherein they will be displaying the different uniforms of BFP personnel in an exhibit; and a poster making contest and essay writing contest on March 8.

CDO to host PSC-Pacquiao Boxing Cup Mindanao semis

By Lito delos Reyes (PNA)

DAVAO CITY – Cagayan de Oro will host the Mindanao semifinals of the on-going nationwide PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup on March 3 with the team Mayor Oscar Moreno bannering the most number of qualifiers.

CDO has eight boxers namely Peter John Payla (44-46 kg.), John Erl Palivino (50 kg.), Kim Bryan Cabrillos (52 kg.) and Dave Bryan Caspe (54 kg.) in the Junior Boys Division and John Ignatius Macas (52 kg.) and John Alvin Gonzales (60 kg.) in the Youth Boys event.

Also seeing action for the City of Golden Friendship are light flyweight Jessa Lycca Caranagan (48 kg.) and bantamweight Shirllyn Gil Napoles (54 kg.) in the Junior Girls division.

The grassroots development program is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission under Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez in coordination with Office of Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

General Santos City has six boxers followed by Digos City with five. Sultan Kudarat and Polomolok both have three while Davao City only has two.

The Gensan qualifiers are Gabriel dela Pena (44-46 kg), Rhohan dela Pena (50 kg.) and Kurt Leam Gulle (54 kg.) in the Jr. Boys division and Ariel Almamento (46-49 kg.), RV Denega (56 kg.) and John Benedic Cadavido (60 kg.) in the Youth Boys division.

To compete for Digos are Louie Jay Albino (Youth Boys light flyweight 46-49 kg.), Elmer Catesio (44-46 kg.), Rey John Paul Apale (48 kg.), Almar Rigor (52 kg.), Kim Delmar Macaangga (54 kg.) and Sen. Pacquiao’s cousin Jester Dapidran (50 kg.) in the Jr. Boys division.

“The winners will advance to the Mindanao Finals on April 7 in Davao City,” said supervising technical director Rogelio Fortaleza of the Philippine Sports Institute.