Cagayan de Oro City News November 2017

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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
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

Kauswagan is Cagayan de Oro’s Best Lupong Tagapamayapa

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

BARANGAY Kauswagan has again bagged the Best Lupong Tagapamayapa Award at the city level, making them an automatic contestant to the national search this December 8.

Although the village has won the award for 7 consecutive years now at the city and regional levels, it has yet to be named a national awardee.

It came close to bagging the top award last year, however, bagging the 1st runner up award in the national competitions.

Meanwhile, the City Government has doubled the prizes it will give to the 9 barangays in the city who participated and qualified in this year's search.

Third place village gets P70,000; 2nd placer gets 90,000; while the grand winner will get an amount worth P110,000.

The City Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that Kauswagan has retained its top spot this year, followed by barangays Camaman-an, Canitoan, Nazareth, Gusa, Patag, Macabalan, Bugo, and barangay Lapasan bagged the last spot.

All of these barangays passed the 3 criteria for the search: the efficiency in the Operations of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, effectiveness in attaining the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) objectives, and creativity and resourcefulness in the administration of KP.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno, for his part, challenged all the 80 barangays of Cagayan de Oro to join the competition, as this would keep them on the right track, especially on their efficiency in handling and solving conflicts in the barangay level.

"Imagine kung tanang 80 ka barangays sa Cagayan de Oro ma meet ang standards, the city will be a peaceful community, what your're doing is you are elevating the standards or hurdles of the society," Moreno said, at his weekly message at the City Hall flag raising on Monday, November 27.

"The lupon of the barangay is meant to do many things, one to make the community conflict-free, conflict sa igsoon sa mga silingan, which are the most painful conflict, decongest our courts with cases, and third, so that the community will be more progressive," he added.

Oro library marks National Book Week

By Jo Ann Sablad

THE Cagayan de Oro City Public Library is joining other libraries in celebrating the 83rd National Book Week beginning Monday, November 27, to Friday, December 1.

With the theme: "Libraries Take Action: Providing Access and Opportunity For All," the City Head Librarian Loreta Deloso said the City Library promotes reading and love for books to young Filipinos.

"We promote reading to the children kasi ngayon mas gumagamit sila ng gadgets. Sa pagkakaron, ang mga students nato karon lahi naman, sa digital na, online (now use gadgets. Nowadays, the students lean more to digital, in online)," Deloso said, adding that some of the content found online are copied from the books.

Deloso said joining the celebration of the book week also helps promote the City Library to the public.

She added that promoting the City Library is important as libraries help provide opportunities to everyone, especially the children, through access to knowledge by reading books.

On Monday, November 27, the City Public Library gave free books, provided by the library patrons, to everyone who visited the place.

Other activities lined up within the week are: slideshow of the local history which will be shown everyday of the week; Question and Answer activity for children and film showing for children and adults on November 28, spelling contest, word search, and storytelling on November 29; and Tech4Ed Orientation on December 1.

Deloso said all the activities will be held in the afternoon as children still have classes in the morning, with the exception of the slideshow, film showing, and the Tech4Ed Orientation for they will be conducted from morning until afternoon.

The Tech4Ed Orientation, Deloso said, will be participated by representatives of every barangays in Cagayan de Oro City who will be briefed by speakers provided by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4Ed) is a project of the DICT that estabishes eCenters that provide critical e-government and ICT-enabled services in communities with minimal or no access to information and government services.

Deloso also mentioned that City Mayor Oscar Moreno plans to rebuild the City Public Library.

"Sabi ni mayor may plano siyang baguhin ang building. Yung whole building bali gigibain tapos papatayuin ng bagong building (The city mayor said he has a plan to change the City Public Library building. The whole building will be demolished and a new building will be built)," Deloso said, adding that there is still no specific date as to when it will be done.

N. Mindanao schools told to ditch Christmas parties

By Mark D. Francisco (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY-- Instead of the traditional classroom Christmas party, public schools in the region have been encouraged to hold community outreach, especially for displaced residents of Marawi City.

Allan Farnazo, Department of Education (DepEd-10) director, said public schools should try to opt for an “alternative Christmas celebration” where students, their parents and teachers are to conduct an outreach for Marawi children whose families are temporarily seeking temporary shelter across the region.

In a memorandum issued to all school divisions, Farnazo said it is time to break away from the usual classroom parties, in which students would exchange gifts to celebrate the spirit of the Yuletide season.

Students can also pool their resources and forward the gifts intended for their classmates to Marawi children, Farnazo said.

To motivate the schools, Farnazo said DepEd-10 has organized a Search for the Best Alternative Christmas celebration. Winners will be announced on January 9 next year.

At the height of the five-month-long Marawi crisis, schoolchildren in the region have already donated 3,000 gift boxes to soldiers and displaced children consisting of toiletries, canned goods, bottled water and letters of encouragement.

Oro’s Arsenal bags gold in UAAP taekwondo

By Jaime A. Frias II

KYLE George Arsenal’s long wait and sacrifices had finally paid off.

A pride of Cagayan de Oro, the 19-year-old Arsenal copped the gold in bantamweight division of the UAAP season 80 taekwondo men’s tourney last Saturday (November 18) at the Ateneo de Manila University Gymnasium in Metro Manila.

Now on his third year as varsity player of De La Salle University, Arsenal nailed the gold after defeating Paul Cham of host Ateneo in the final fifth round.

On his way to the top, Arsenal upsets defending champion Lennard Perez of the University of Santo Tomas in the second round.

With his performance, Arsenal has grown matured in the elite level of the sport from being season 78’s “Rookie of the Year” two years ago.

“Nakab-ot ra gyud ni Kyle ang iyang gipreparahan,” said his ever supportive father George, who manages their family-owned Arsenal Taekwondo Gym in Cagayan de Oro.

His compatriot Camille Bonje, also a product of Arsenal GYM, salvaged a bronze medal in the distaff side.

Like Arsenal, Bonje was also named “Rookie of the Year” in season 76.

Arsenal and Bonje both suited up for the La Salle Green Archers.

Kumbira 2017 at Lim Ket Kai

By Baby Love Umpa

KUMBIRA, the biggest culinary show and competition in Northern Mindanao finally opened Wednesday, November 22, at Limketkai Atrium, Limketkai Center, Lapasan Cagayan de Oro City.

Organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA), this year’s KUMBIRA was anchored on the theme "Kumbira 2017: Eat Right" to promote the use of healthy ingredients and to inspire everybody to eat a balanced diet.

This year’s participants, Kumbira’s 21st edition, included the VIP Hotel, Limketkai Luxe, Apple Tree resort and hotel, MIA's Cakery, MSU-Maigo School of Arts and Trades, NikkiLicious Cupcakery, Pane E Dolci, FoodBuds, Manjo's Cafe, Fumivorein's Food Haven, Cafe Pillar and Cagayan-An Cafe Cartel.

Ten schools from places such as CARAGA, Iligan, and various Misamis Oriental towns, also took part in the event.

Participating schools included the University of Science and Technology of the Philippines (USTP), Saint Michaels College Caraga, Father Saturnino Urios University, Liceo de Cagayan University, Lourdes College, Iligan Medical Center College, TESDA-KNAS, MSU-Maigo, MSU-Naawan and CSU-Cabadbaran Campus.

Aside from the professionals, well-known establishments and student categories, there were also 10 schools which participated in the Junior and Kiddie Category- Liceo de Cagayan University High School, Liceo de Cagayan University Grade School, Lourdes College Integrated Bed, Kinoguitan Central School, City Central School, Saint Michaels College of CARAGA, Bugo National High School, Saint Mary's Academy of Carmen, Molugan National High School and MSU-Maigo.

According to COHARA President Nelia Lee, this year’s Kumbira was unique.

"You cannot compare it with last year because we have done it in the month of November and at the same time as you can see students are just enrolled, so there's a difference but then we still have a good number participated", Lee said.

"Today's KUMBIRA is different. We made a different format more on giving to the people, to the culinary enthusiasts, the learning", Lee added.

Various culinary experts, chefs and restaurant owners acted as judges in this year’s competition. The judges included Chef Myrna Segismundo, Chef Norbert Gandler, Chef Eduardo Tuazon,Chef See Cheong Yan,Chef Robby Gocao, Chef Jean Pierre Migne,Chef Raul Ramos,Chef Cathy Dano,Chef Mich Uapal,Chef Awi Chaves,Chef Ramon Cardenas,Chef Jocelyn Chua and food writer Micky Makabenta.

Kumbira is a Cebuano term for "feast."

Kumbira is a food festival that showcases the talents of chefs from different restaurants around the city of Cagayan de Oro.

Kumbira 2017 formally opened on November 22 and ended Thursday, November 23.

Agri, fishery council holds regionwide congress in CDO

(DA-10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – With the aim to further develop and improve the agri-fishery sector in Northern Mindanao, Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council 10 (RAFC 10), through the leadership of the Department of Agriculture Region 10 (DA-10) gathered its 87 members to address issues and craft plans during the 3rd Regionwide Congress on 17 November 2017 in Cagayan de Oro City.

As an integral development partner of DA, the council convened its members to discuss and address issues and concerns affecting the agri-fishery sector and craft good policies for resolutions, to further boost the strategies of the agency in implementing its programs and services.

“We need your feedback in crafting our plans and programs in line with DA’s undertakings,” DA RFO 10 OIC-Regional Director Carlene C. Collado said.

With complete representation of the agri-fishery sector in the region, the council continually thrived to strengthen the capacity of the farmers and fisherfolk by increasing their opportunities to be heard by the policy makers and the public.

“Together, we can attain a conducive policy environment that will lead us to a globally competitive and sustainable agriculture and fisheries sector and ultimately improve the lives of our farmers and fisherfolk,” Collado said.

Anchored on its constant thrust to ensure the clientele to gain necessary skills, access inputs, form enterprises, market and generate higher incomes, DA through the Agri Fishery Council (AFC) is pushing for a more strengthened working relationship and partnership with attached agencies, local government units (LGUs), non-government offices (NGOs) and private sectors.

Updates, opportunities and best practices in farming were likewise discussed for wider information dissemination and promotion.

“Hopefully, at the end of this undertaking, we will be able to develop a shared understanding and collective decision on how to improve the delivery of our services to our clientele and help realize a more responsive agriculture and fisheries sector,” Collado ended.

Nutrition council to honor 2017 RNAC Awardees

By Baby Love Umpa

THE National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Northern Mindanao will be conducting the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) on Friday, November 24, at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Limketkai Center, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City.

The National Nutrition Council is responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the country's food and nutrition plans and programs.

Part of NNC's mandate is the annual monitoring of local government units to look into the efficiency of LGUs in planning and administering local nutrition programs.

NNC also serves to assess the performance of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Barangay-based volunteers tasked to coordinate the delivery of basic nutrition and related services in their respective areas of assignment.

According to Gladys Mae Fernandez, Nutrition Program Coordinator of the National Nutrition Council Region 10, there is a need to address the health issues especially that the number of children with stunting and malnutrition issues is alarming.

Fernandez, however, said the number of underweight children is decreasing.

This year’s regional awardees as confirmed by the Regional Nutrition Committee 10 are the following:

Regional Green Banner
Province - Misamis Occidental
City Level - Cagayan de Oro City
Municipality - Manolo Fortich, Bukidnoon
Provincial Green Banner
Bukidnon - Manolo Fortich, Bukidnoon
Camiguin - Guinsiliban
Misamis Occidental - Tudela
Misamis Oriental - Laguindingan
Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) Award of Merit
Kadingilan, Bukidnon
Malaybalay City
Ozamiz City
Quezon, Bukidnon
Valencia City
Special Citations:
Maramag, Bukidnon - NHA Contender
Gingoog City - First Year CROWN Maintenance Contender
1. 43 Barangay Green Banner Awardees
2. Misamis Occidental as Outstanding Province in the Region
3. Cagayan de Oro City as Outstanding City in the Region
4. Manolo Fortich as Outstanding Municipality in the Region and in the Province of Bukidnon and CROWN Awardee
5. Guinsiliban as Outstanding Municipality in the Province of Camiguin
6. Tudela as Outstanding Municipality in the Province of Misamis Occidental
7. Laguindingan as Outstanding Municipality in the Province of Misamis Oriental
8. Mr. Alberto Jacosalem of Bagontaas, Valencia, Bukidnon as the 2016 Regional Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (ROBNS)
9. Award of Merit for the Cities of Ozamiz, Malaybalay and Valencia and Municipalities of Kadingilan and Quezon as NHA Maintenance
10. Gingoog City and Maramag, Bukidnon will be given Special Citations for this year’s contender/potential First Year CROWN Maintenance and Nutrition Honor Award, respectively.

SM turns over newly-furnished building to school in Oro

By Baby Love Umpa

THE SM Prime through SM Foundation, in simple ceremonies, turned over a newly-furnished school building to Macasandig Elementary School last Friday, November 17, in Barangay Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.

SM gives a fully furnished two-storey 4 classroom school building which has 200 armchairs with 0 left-handed armchairs, 4 sets of teacher’s table and chair, 16 wall fans, 8 blackboards, 4 wall clocks and 4 toilets.

The building has also an emergency and disaster prepared and aware building feature with ramp for PWD and elderly, fire alarm with bell and emergency.

SM takes care of the school it donates and committed to provide assistance in terms of repairs and repaint of the structures for every 5 years.

The turn over ceremony was participated by the City Mayor of Cagayan de Oro , Oscar Moreno, Vice President for Mindanao Operations of SM Supermalls Oliver Tiu, Assistant Mall Manager SM Downtown Premiere Hazel Yap, SM Foundation Executive Director Linda Atayde, PR Manager SM CDO Downtown Premiere and SM City CDO Ivy Guantero, Macasandig Barangay Captain Ernesto Edrote, DepEd School Division Anita Gomez, Macasandig Elementary School Principal Rose Marie Dullente, GPTCA President Rodolfo Angcod, Jr. and other SM Executives.

Friday’s events include ribbon cutting, unveiling of the SM Marker and the symbolic Turn-over of Key to Macasandig Elementary School.

This project of SM supports the Adopt-A-School Program of the Department of Education which aims to decongest the classroom shortages in the public education system.

According to Vice President for Mindanao Operations of SM Supermalls Oliver Tiu, SM Malls have grown now becoming an institution which supports social development and also as an avenue of empowering individuals which can make a positive role and contribution to the society.

“SM Malls have grown beyond shopping, beyond entertainment, and beyond leisure. We have become mediums for advocacy and active community centers. We have grown to be the venues for affirmative action and social development. We have become venues where not only government and private sectors collaborate, but more important, we have become venues where we can empower individuals make a positive contribution to society, and share to those who are most in need,” Tiu said.

THE SM school building project has already reached 268 classrooms since 2002 nationwide; four of which are in Misamis Oriental which include Consolacion Elementary School at Consolacion, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Mambuay Elementary School, Lumbia Elementary School and the 4th school building in CDO which is the Macasandig Elementary School.

School Principal Rose Marie Dullente expressed her utmost gratitude and appreciation to SM.

“In behalf of Macasandig Elementary School, the teachers, pupils, Barangay Kapitan, Parents and our stake holders , daghan salanat and we are looking forward to more and more support to our DepEd family and may SM Foundation continue to give its advocacy,” Dullente said.

According to Tiu, building classrooms are one way of giving back to society for the support and for the appreciation of the establishment.

“This is one way of giving back to the community kay kamo ga bisita , gahatag og kalipay sa inyo family, SM is very thankful for the support and visits,” Tiu added.

Parents of Macasandig Elementary School likewise expressed their happiness for having a new school building.

“Of course dako jud sya nga tabang sa mga bata kay kompleto naman ang facility naa na ang comfort room which is sometimes mao nay makadistorbo sa mga bata kay mugawas pa mangita lang og CR and then bugnaw siya kaayo kay tungod provided na ang fan . both sa teachers pod kay beneficial sya og sa mga bata because provided napod siya og computer which is advancement sa mga bata para sa lesson, beneficial siya both sa teachers and students. Thankful kaayo ang mga parents , the teachers, ako as a parent thankful kaayo ko kay dako kaayo na sya nga tabang sa skwelahan”, Melanie Linaac said.

A student also shares his deep appreciation for the effort.

“Happy ko kay gihimo ni siya nga building og dako pod kog pasalamat sa SM kay naa nami bag-o nga eskwelahan,” said Rhino Murcilla, Grade III student of Macasandig Elementary School.

Macasandig Elementary School is the 85th school building donated by the SM Prime through SM foundation with 268 classrooms, since School Building Program started in 2002, nationwide.

Oro wins eGov Digital Finance Empowerment award

By Jo Ann Sablad

CAGAYAN de Oro City bagged the top prize in one of the five categories of the 6th Awards for Excellence in ICT for Good Governance for Local Government Units, or eGov Award Friday, November 17.

The city won first in the Best in eGov Digital Finance Empowerment Award, an award that commends the initiative of the local government unit (LGU) to promote e-commerce or e-payment facilities and systems to ensure effective revenue generation and collection and improving the over-all financial management of the LGU as well as giving convenience to the public.

The city's winning entry is the Internet Online Service (IOS) of the City Treasurer's Office which is an online tax payment and billing system that promotes fast and convenient transaction.

"The Internet Online Services allows the constituents or the clients of the City Government to pay their taxes, real property, business permit, penalties and any financial matters, through online payment, so they can pay it anytime, anywhere, but they also have the option to pay the taxes by visiting the office," Jose Angelo Lorenzo Gomos, the sales and promotions supervisor II of Cagayan de Oro City Trade and Investment Promotions Center, said.

According to engineer Leonil Mistula, assistant city treasurer, the IOS, which includes payment for taxes such as business permit, real property taxes, market for rental, road and traffic violation penalties, and among others, is one of its kind.

"I think, siguro in the entire Philippines, tayo lang ang may ganitong klaseng technology (I think in the entire Philippines, we are the only local government unit that has this kind of technology)," Mistula said, adding that this is one of the reasons why they expected to win the eGov Awards.

The online payment started in January 2017, with bills can be paid using Visa card.

By January 2018 Mastercard can also be used, Mistula added.

At present, the treasurer's office has four online service kiosks and three tablets designed for sedula application.

On Monday, November 20, Eileen San Juan, the Local Economic and Investment Promotions officer, said it is a challenge for the City Government to incorporate automation, and information and communications technology (ICT), "in our public services in order to cope with the times since we are now in a digital generation."

"Through this award, the public will know the City Government has these services," Gomos said.

One of the reason why they joined the eGov Awards is for the recognition, he said.

"During the awarding ceremony, there are various LGUs (local government units) from around the country who went there and they witness that Cagayan de Oro City has these services and at the same time, it is also to disseminate information, to be known that Cagayan de Oro City has these services and it is available particularly for the people in Cagayan de Oro," Gomos said.

The sales and promotions supervisor said there are various investors coming in to the city, like China and Japan, and some are from other cities within the country.

"If they are introduced to these services, all the more that there is an award already, the credibility might increase and they might get interested to really build here in Cagayan de Oro," Gomos said.

Cagayan de Oro City also participated and a finalist to other three categories such as Best in Customer Empowerment, Best in Government Inter-Operability, and Best in Business Empowerment.

List of winners of the eGov Awards are the following:

- Best in Government Inter-Operability Award:

Champion: Quezon City

Second Place: Cebu City

Third Place: Municipality of Pulilan, Bulacan

- Best in Digital Finance Award:

Champion: Cagayan de Oro City

Second Place: Municipality of Cavinti, Laguna

Third Place: Municipality of Silang, Cavite

- Best in Data-Driven Governance Award

Champion: Cebu City

Second Place: Province of Davao del Norte

Third Place: Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

- Best in Customer/Citizen Empowerment Award

Champion: Baliwag, Bulacan

Second Place: San Fernando, La Union

Third Place: San Mateo, Rizal and Cebu City.

More IT firms to invest in CDO

By Jigger J. Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Leading foreign and local players in the information technology (IT) industry are expected to put up shops here following the city’s hosting of the recently held 9th National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) Summit, a city official said.

NICP, an umbrella organization of information and communications technology (ICT) councils in the country, named Cagayan de Oro and nine other cities last year as “next wave” cities.

Eileen San Juan, the city’s local economic and investment promotions officer, said Cagayan de Oro has what it takes to be the new IT hub not just in the region but in Mindanao.

Proof of this, San Juan said, is the presence of business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities in the city.

Before coming over, she said, BPOs expect all the infrastructures needed for their business to be already in place, not before.

“When you say ‘next wave city,’ investors will know what you have, what you’re capable of,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the two-day summit held in a hotel here from Nov. 16-17.

For an urban center to be categorized as next-wave city, it must have the infrastructure and a business-friendly environment.

San Juan said the city can capitalize on these assets to attract IT firms to put up investments here.

With the expected entry of IT companies to the city, San Juan said more businesses that will cater to the needs their workforce will also sprout and this will help prop up Cagayan de Oro’s socio-economic growth.

At the summit, topics that were discussed focused on creating world-class digital cities in the country, inclusive digital workforce, open innovation and startup ecosystem, and the highlight of e-governance platforms for digital cities.

In his message to the summit participants, Mayor Oscar Moreno has appreciated the ICT industry for its confidence in holding NICP’s biggest event in Cagayan de Oro even though Mindanao is still under martial law.

Moreno said the city “wants to take part in nation-building.”

Meanwhile, Cagayan de Oro was declared as the champion in the 6th Awards in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Local Government Units or eGov Awards under the Best in Digital Payment category.

The city’s winning entry is the Internet Online Service of the City Treasurer’s Office, featuring its user-friendly online tax payment and billing system that taxpayers and business owners the convenience and comfort.

San Juan said while other cities only use the online system for its billings, Cagayan de Oro has utilized the digital method for paying bills to the city government, including the payment of traffic citation, real property tax, and even the “cedula” (community tax certificate).

CDO job order workers to get SSS coverage

By Mark Francisco (PNA/Mark D. Fancisco)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Contractual and job order personnel of the city government will now be covered by the Social Security System (SSS).

This after the City Council passed an ordinance providing for the compulsory enrollment of all non-regular staff for SSS coverage, and granting Mayor Oscar Moreno the authority to enter into an agreement with the SSS under the agency's Expanded Self-Employed Program Coverage.

Currently, only regular workers of City Hall are covered with Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) pension and related benefits.

Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, chair of the Committee on Laws and Rules that recommended the passage of the ordinance, said non-regular personnel will be entitled to benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death, funeral and salary loan.

Those who will be covered will have their monthly contributions deducted and remitted to SSS, Councilor Nacaya said. An on-site registration for all qualified City Hall personnel will be conducted after Moreno and the SSS management sign the memorandum of agreement.

The SSS coverage of non-regular government personnel has been mandated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as early as 2014.

Memorandum Circular 2014-83 issued by then Secretary Mar Roxas ordering all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and barangay chairs to ensure that all their non-GSIS remitting workers be enrolled for SSS coverage.

Coastal road: A symbol of cooperation, possibilities

By Elaine O. Ratunil (EOR/PIA10 Misamis Oriental)

CAGAYAN DE ORO ORO CITY (PIA) – “The completion of the coastal road is a symbol of what is possible when we have cooperation,” said Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar during the inauguration of the Coastal Road in Cagayan de Oro.

The local government has worked together with the national government to make this a success in a short period of time.

According to DPWH region 10, clearing of obstructions along Agora-Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) section was started on November 7, in coordination with Task Force Hapsay Dalan, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cagayan de Oro and other line agencies.

More than 40 informal settlers encroaching the Road Right Of Way (RROW) in the said section were identified and accommodated by the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD) and the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD). Equipment from the contractors and DPWH 2nd District Engineering Office of Cagayan de Oro City were also deployed to assist the clearing operations.

“We have a president na may tapang at malasakit (who has courage and sympathy). President Duterte has ordered DPWH to complete unfinished projects, thus the coastal road in the city,” said Villar.

He also said that the government has anticipated a heavy flow of traffic in December, that’s why there is a need to finish said road in November.

DPWH region 10 Director Virgilio C. Eduarte said the construction of the 12.77 KM Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road will serve as a bypass road starting from Brgy. Gusa in the eastern side, all the way to the western side in Brgy. Igpit, Opol in Misamis Oriental, connecting six barangays in the city and two barangays in Opol.

He said that the project has been suspended for quite a while due to unresolved RROW issues.

On August 25, one of the major RROW concern in Lapasan section has been negotiated and demolished, marking the resumption of the construction activities in the said section.

While the Gusa-Agora Section of the Coastal Road will be opened in November 2017, the construction of the Agora-PPA-Corrales section is still a work in progress. Furthermore, documents for 4 other RROW issues were already submitted to the Solicitor General for preparation of the filing of expropriation case.

For CY 2017, two contracts are ongoing for the eastern side in Lapasan under Gicar Construction worth P100 Million and another in Puntod section worth P 200 Million under Equiparco Construction.

Upon the completion of this project, it is expected to help decongest traffic in the city proper since the heavy loaded trucks from the neighboring provinces going to the port may divert to the coastal road, thus, supporting the trade and commerce of the community.

City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno said the plan was started in 1997. He cited the support of the community for allowing DPWH to implement.

“Without your cooperation, the government is nothing and can’t move forward in implementing projects. What the government is doing is for the people,” said Moreno.

He added that the project benefits not only Cagayan de Oro but the region and Mindanao as well. Given the strategic location and as midpoint where east meets west in the city, it is vital for moving forward for the people especially in northern Mindanao.

He also cited the political will to complete this project.

“LGUs are already awakened; for the national government to succeed, LGUs must give its support,” the mayor emphasized.

“Now is the time we must learn to live in peace and harmony in order to achieve growth and progress,” he added.

For his part, Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B.Emano said the coastal road was built to benefit not only the city and also the province. Further, it will help ease traffic and help businesses in the city and the province.

He assured DPWH of the support of the provincial government.

CdO coastal road opens after 20 years

(Manila Bulletin)

Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar led yesterday the opening of the Cagayan de Oro (CdO) Coastal Road, a project which was started in 1997.

“The construction of the 12.77 KM Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road will serve as a bypass road starting from Barangay Gusa in the eastern side, all the way to the western side in Barangay Igpit, in Opol, Misamis Oriental, thus connecting six barangays in the city and two barangays in Opol,” Villar noted.

“The project will reduce travel time from Laguindingan Airport to city proper to 20 minutes,” he added.

The CdO Coastal Road has been suspended prior due to unresolved right-of-way issues. The Lapasan section has been negotiated and demolished on August 25.

“The 4B project is expected to ease access in the Eastern Side of Macajalar Bay in CdO, Gingoog in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Caraga,” Villar said.

“The project is expected to reduce travel cost by 30% within the region,” he added.

While the Gusa-Agora Section of the Coastal Road will be opened this November, the construction of the Agora-PPA-Corrales section is still ongoing.

This 2017, two projects are underway in the eastern side in Lapasan and another in Puntod section.

Tags: Cagayan de Oro, CdO coastal road opens after 20 years, coastal road, Laguindingan Airport, Mark Villar

SEC to launch Company Registration System on Nov. 21

By Jo Ann Sablad

THE Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in time for its 81st anniversary on November 21, will be launching an online registration system for easy registration of corporations in the country.

Ferdinand Sales, SEC director of the Company Registration and Monitoring Department, said the Company Registration System (CRS) is an online registration system for the registration of corporations (stock and non-stock corporations) and partnerships (general partnerships, limited partnerships, professional partnerships), in licensing of foreign corporations, branch office, representative of its regional headquarters, regional operating headquarters.

"This will be nationwide but in its launching, initial implementation, it would only be at the main office. That’s reason why we're here because it would have an impact to the transition period in respect to the registrants in Cagayan de Oro because it has to be handled first by the main office. Once it has settle, that the time we will deploy it here at the Cagayan de Oro extension office," Sales said.

Sales added that it will be after three to six months yet before the CRS will be deployed in its extension offices.

With the implementation of the CRS, Sales said the Philippines' ranking in the World Bank Group's flagship report "Doing Business 2018: Reforming to Create Jobs," will go up.

The Doing Business project, launched in 2002, provides objective measures of business regulations and their enforcement across 190 economies and selected cities at the subnational and regional level. It also looks at domestic and medium-size companies and measures the regulations applying to them through their life cycle.

The Philippines' ranking in the ease of doing business fell to 113th this year from 99th last year out of the 190 countries.

"When our rank is going up that means it is easy to do business in the Philippines. It would be in the mindset of the investors who would be investing in the country," Sales said.

The SEC Company Registration and Monitoring Department director said the CRS is a simplified procedure; there will be no more face-to-face transactions aside from submitting the hard copy to the SEC.

In using the CRS, Sales said, a certain internet speed is needed. He said if the speed of the internet is not in the standard set by the system, there will be a red flag indicator that the person's internet speed is not coping with the required internet speed.

"We have already coordinated with DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) and the DICT was very cooperative and supportive of this project so they gave us additional lines for the internet," Sales said.

He added that the next step the SEC will do is to work with DICT again for the extension offices.

"The extension offices are already advised to look for areas so they will have faster internet speed. The plans that we are thinking is to coordinate with the LGUs (local government units) to help us have some kiosk CRS. We are also coordinating with agencies of the government like the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), it has Go Negosyo Center where we can provide kiosk," Sales said.

He said their priority is to work for the extension offices in Cebu City, which is the biggest extension office of the SEC, Davao City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Sales encouraged everyone to register using the CRS as the manual processing for registration will be shut down once the CRS is implemented.

On Friday, November 10, SEC conducted a public orientation seminar in Mallberry Suites Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City, presenting the CRS to the representatives of the provinces and cities in Northern Mindanao.

DSWD fast-tracks payment of 4Ps in MisOcc thru new bank

By Oliver Badel Inodeo (DSWD10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 10 has placed at least 141 household beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) under cash card scheme with a new bank.

This is to fast track payment of the long overdue cash grants of the 141 household beneficiaries residing in Aloran, Jimenez, Sinacaban, and Tudela; all of Misamis Occidental Province.

United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) will distribute the cash cards to the 141 grantees, with their respective cash grants.

Said beneficiaries have not yet received their cash grants, even once this year.

DSWD Field Office 10 Regional Director Nestor Briones Ramos, said it’s the department’s first time to partner with other banks, like UCPB, to resolve the delayed pay-out.

Ramos said the measure will decentralize the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), adding that DSWD through the National Project Management Office of 4Ps, can now explore more possibilities in efficiently and effectively releasing the cash grants of the beneficiaries.

DA 10 stages Hybrid Rice Derby

(AMBManto / DA-RFO10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducted a Hybrid Rice Derby at the agency’s 100-hectare hybrid rice model farm, a collaborative project with Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Maramag town, Bukidnon.

Partner seed companies participated in a techno demo during the event by showcasing their respective hybrid rice varieties namely DOSEPCO (Mestizo 38, Mestizo 1), Seed Works (TH-82 and US-88), Bayer SeedGrowth (Bigante Plus, AZ 7888), Syngenta (NK5017, S6003) and SL Agritech Corp. (SL-12H, SL-8H).

The techno demo covered a total of five hectares, giving each partner seed company one hectare of land.

During the harvest festival held on November 3, 2017, DA-RFO 10 OIC-Regional Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized the importance of hybrid rice to attain rice sufficiency in the country.

“The 4.15-metric tons (MT) per hectare national average rice yield is not sufficient to feed all Filipinos. The agency aims to produce a national average rice yield of 6-MT per hectare, this could be achieved with the use of hybrid seeds,” said Collado.

For her part, DA-RFO 10 Regional Technical Director Carmelita T. Bajarla said the use of hybrid technology is one of the strategies of the department in response to climate change since it has higher yield potential compared to inbred varieties.

Collado requested the seed companies to also conduct techno demos in all other provinces of Region 10 for a wider adoption of hybrid rice.

The event allowed the farmers and agriculture extension workers from different municipalities of Bukidnon to witness the bounty of hybrid rice. They were invited to learn different cultural management practices of hybrid rice varieties and to find the suitable variety for their respective areas.

The day-long activity was also participated by DA-10 heads and staff along with consultant Atty. Albert Lagamon, CMU heads and staff headed by Vice-President Dr. Jupiter V. Casas, Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) staff headed by Provincial Agriculturist Engr. Alson G. Quimba and representatives from seed companies.

NorMin’s top exporters, importer cited by Customs

By Jigger J. Jerusalem

FUEL companies, power producers and food processing facilities were among the entities given recognition by the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Northern Mindanao for helping the agency in its collection of taxes and duties over the years.

The Customs in the region has recognized the contribution of private companies operating in the region for their diligence in paying their duties and taxes to the agency.

According to BOC-Northern Mindanao Collector Jamail Marohomsalic, they have cited the top 10 exporters and importers who have transactions in the region’s various seaports.

The top 10 importers are Nestlé Philippines Inc., Jetti Petroleum Inc., Minergy Coal Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Phils Inc., Cagayan Corn Products Corp., Seaoil Philippines Inc., Steelasia Manufacturing Corp., FDC Misamis Power Corp., and Steag State Power Inc.

Recognized as the top 10 exporters are Pilipinas Kao Inc., Del Monte Philippines Inc., Axelum Resources Corp., Newtech Pulp Inc., Phil. Sinter Corp., Granexport Manufacturing Corp., Wilmar Edible Oils Philippines Inc., Jacobi Carbons Philippines Inc., Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Inc., and Donau Carbon Philippines Corp.

Nestlé paid the Customs a total of P1.199 billion in duties and taxes, while Jetti paid a total of P1.016 billion. They are two of the highest payers.

Many of them ship and received their products to and from other countries at the Mindanao Container Terminal sub-port in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.

Marohomsalic said these companies have contributed to their collection.

“We are giving importance to their help to the government through due payment of their taxes and duties,” he said.

The recognition was held at the BOC-Northern Mindanao district office on Monday. During the ceremony, about 40 BOC-Northern Mindanao employees were also given the loyalty award for the length of service they have rendered.

He said these importers and exporters have been complying with the Customs regulations and have been properly declaring their goods making it easier for the government to collect tariff from them.

Marohomsalic said they are optimistic that they can achieve their collection target of P13 billion.

He said their original target was P12 billion, but Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña has added a billion more to BOC-Northern Mindanao’s target.

The Collector said the BOC-Northern Mindanao has collected P10 billion from January to October.

“I think we can maintain our status as long as our stakeholders (importers and exporters) declare their shipment properly and pay the right taxes,” Marohomsalic said.

The earnings of the BOC-Northern Mindanao will form part of the overall income of the bureau, which has reached more than P42 billion in October, according to the Customs.

In an article posted on its website, Lapeña was quoted as saying the Customs achieved “the highest monthly collection in the agency’s history.”

“Although the month of October was marked with lesser number of working days and volume of imports, growth was still achieved because of increase in the value of imports brought by the higher exchange rate, oil price, and improved valuation and classification,” the Commissioner said in the article.

BoC-10 closer to P13-B collection target for 2017

By Jigger J. Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bureau of Customs in Northern Mindanao (BOC-10) is now closer to achieving its collection target as taxes and duties earnings have picked up in the past few months.

From January to October, BOC-10 was able to collect more than P10 billion, said BOC-10 Collector Jamail Marohomsalic.

He said the agency's original target was P12 billion, but Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña ordered the adjustment on BOC-10’s collection goal for this year.

Despite the additional P1 billion, Marohomsalic said they can still reach the target "as long as our stakeholders (importers and exporters) declare their shipment properly and pay the right taxes."

The earnings of the BOC-10 will form part of the overall income of the bureau, which has reached more than P42 billion in October, according to BoC. That was “the highest monthly collection in the agency’s history,” Lapeña said on the agency's website.

“Although the month of October was marked with lesser number of working days and volume of imports, growth was still achieved because of increase in the value of imports brought by the higher exchange rate, oil price, and improved valuation and classification,” Lapeña said.

Aside from its traditional collection efforts, the BOC-10 has also earned extra income through auction of good seized due to failure of importers to comply with the Customs requirements.

Marvin Mison, Deputy Collector for Assessment and Auction Committee vice chair, said they were able to generate about P2.5 million from the auctioned items. The auction was held last Nov. 2.

Mison said another round of auction will be conducted on Nov. 24 and he expects more bidders will participate.

Alvin Enciso, chief of the BOC-10’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS), said there about 100 container vans that were confiscated by the agency awaiting inventory.

Once the goods inside these containers are accounted for, they can now be auctioned off, Enciso said.

Meanwile, fuel companies, power producers and food processing facilities were among the entities given recognition by BOC-10 for helping the agency in its collection of taxes and duties over the years.

Marohomsalic said they have cited the top 10 exporters and importers who have transactions in the region’s various seaports.

The top 10 importers are Nestlé Philippines Inc., Jetti Petroleum Inc., Minergy Coal Corp., Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Phoenix Petroleum Phils Inc., Cagayan Corn Products Corp., Seaoil Philippines Inc., Steelasia Manufacturing Corp., FDC Misamis Power Corp., and Steag State Power Inc.

Recognized as the top 10 exporters are Pilipinas Kao Inc., Del Monte Philippines Inc., Axelum Resources Corp., Newtech Pulp Inc., Phil. Sinter Corp., Granexport Manufacturing Corp., Wilmar Edible Oils Philippines Inc., Jacobi Carbons Philippines Inc., Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Inc., and Donau Carbon Philippines Corp.

Oro opens National Children's Month celebration

By Jo Ann Sablad

THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro, through its City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC) and its City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), ushered in the celebration of the 25th National Children's Month on Tuesday, November 7, in Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, in the city.

Minda Domingo, the vice chairperson of the CCPC, said the National Children's Month celebration, with its theme: "Bata: Iligtas sa Droga," is being done to commemorate the Philippines' adoption of the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"Our role is to look into the welfare of the child that every child has to be protected, has to be provided the right of provision and the right for participation. That is the primary responsibility of the City Council for the Protection of Children," Domingo said.

Together with the Council for the Welfare of Children, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Regional Committee for the Welfare of the Children (RCWC), the CCPC and CSWD also launched the Parental Responsibility Code of City Ordinance 13195-2017 or otherwise known as Parental Responsibility Code of Cagayan de Oro.

According to lawyer Ernesto Neri, chairperson of the Oro Youth Development Council (OYDC), Parental Responsibility Code is a local ordinance that punishes parents who commit any one of 20 acts punishable under the law.

Neri said among the 20 acts are: neglect, abandonment, using the children to commit crimes, not providing the children with education, no prenatal checkups, making the children as runners or couriers of drugs, and among others.

Neri said a case will be filed by the CSWD against those parents who are caught violating the Parental Responsibility Code.

"Tagaan og notice of violation. Once more than three na ang imong notice of violation, ayha dayun ka og file-an og kaso (They will be given three notices of violation. Once they received more than three notices, that's the time when a case can be filed against them)," Neri said.

The OYDC chairperson said the Parental Responsibility Code, which was implemented on November 7, is a part of the policy aspect of the entire aim of the city to be a child-friendly city.

"Infrastructure is being built, but on the policy side, we need to have both incentives and punishment. So this is where it fits, the policy aspect. By creating things that create a chilling effect to those who we consider as deviant parents, we are hoping they will rectify their actions. So aside from encouraging barangays to improve their services and recognizing excellent parents, we also need to punish those who are [deviant parents]," Neri said.

Although the parents are recognizing the rights of the children and the children are starting to be aware of their rights, Domingo said both should also know their responsibilities.

"Bilang usa ka ginikanan nga parehas nako, responsibility is not an easy job. But this is a commitment, accepting that we are parents, we are adults in the community that we are given the responsibility, not only for the children but this is a lifetime responsibility in protecting every child in the community," Domingo said, adding that this is not a one-way process but a two-way responsibility.

In celebration for the National Children's Month, Domingo said they will be conducting activities such as two Poster Making Contests, one with this year's theme: "Bata: Iligtas sa Droga," and the other is about the Parental Responsibility Code; a theater contest at the quadrangle of the City Hall; and the Awarding Ceremony of the Child-Friendly Police Station and Child-Friendly Barangay during the celebration's culmination on November 29.

RCWC, together with DSWD and the City Government, also organized a medical mission, which will be held on November 18, and a Regional Children's Summit Leadership Training on November 22 to 24.

Rhea Jane Camanga, RCWC technical staff, said the medicines provided during the medical mission were given by the City Government.

Camanga said they were able to coordinate with the 4th Auxiliary Battalion to search for medical and dental staff and to provide free haircuts.

The opening program of the National Children's Month was also attended by members of the Barangay Children Protection Committee (BCPC) of Barangay Kauswagan, which is the second runner up during the 2016 Search for Child-Friendly Barangay.

Kauswagan BCPC Focal Person Peter Jason Balite said as one of the barangays recognized as child-friendly, they put up a child and youth development center.

"Pwede magdula ang mga bata dito. Aside sa among children's playground, naa pud mi center para nila, pwede sila maka-research sa computer. Naay gym didto para sa mga youth," Balite said.

The month of November, under the Republic Act 10661, was declared as National Children's Month. This declaration commemorates the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, and seeks to instill its significance in the Filipino consciousness.

Tapa King marks 2nd year in Oro

By Baby Love Umpa

TAPA King Inc. reached a milestone last Saturday, November 4, as it celebrated its 2nd year of serving Kagay-anons its famous tapa and other dishes.

As its way of saying thank you, the first 100 Tapa King noontime patrons last Saturday enjoyed the restaurant’s all time tapa favorites for only P20.00 per serving.

The celebrations also featured a motorcade around the city as well as a hosting a thanksgiving treat for invited guests.

Humble Beginning

Tapa King was founded 30 years ago on 1987 in Gallardo Street in Makati City. Its original tapa recipe was first sold at a small store in Makati were it catered to very small group of working professionals.

In time, the store became known for its signature home-cooked meals and Tapa King began expanding to other site first in Metro Manila and eventually, nationwide.

Thirty years later, Tapa King now has 101 restaurants and kiosks nationwide. It has 5 stores in Mindanao, 1 branch in Singapore, 3 store branches in Dubai, and another store currently under construction in Canada.

According to General Manager for Mindanao Sochie Cervantes, Tapa King is planning to expand its presence in Cagayan de Oro to better serve Kagay-Anons.

"In behalf of the management we would like to inform you that we would like to strengthen Tapa King in Mindanao especially in Cagayan de Oro. We are planning to expand more branches to serve the Kagay-anons with our variety of foods like Kare-kare, Tapa King and Tapa Queen," Cervantes said.

"Our company is committed to serve the only best quality food and service. ‘Yan ang secret ni Tapa King for the last 30 years-- no short changing the customers, no excuses kailangan talaga the best lang ang ibibigay", Cervantes added.

According to Tapa King Marketing Manager Rich Rabina, the decision to open more stores in Cagayan de Oro is in keeping with the city’s reputation as a convenient place for business and its tremendous market potential. He said they also wanted to help to boost local economy of Mindanao.

"We're looking forward to strengthen our presence here in Mindanao of course with the presence of the local government because we really want to help out in the local economy of Mindanao,so hopefully we could increase our source here in Cagayan de Oro", Rabina said.

"Celebrating our 2nd year anniversary is just perfect timing to re-introduce Tapa King to the growing millennial foodie market of Cagayan de Oro, our store is now Instagram worthy, we now offer Free Wifi Access, we are open 24 hours every Friday to Sunday and 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM from Monday to Friday,” Rabina said.

Presidential son Baste Duterte, Rabina said, is the store’s newest endorser.

Cagayan de Oro City to host Mango Congress 2017

By Jo Ann Sablad

CAGAYAN de Oro City will be hosting the 19th National Mango Congress and Summit Workshop on November 27 to 29 at the Limketkai Mall with the theme: "The Magic 20 Productivity: Achieving Productivity of 20 metric tons per hectare in 5 Years."

Gleen Janubas, regional mango coordinator of the Department of Agriculture (DA), said this will be the second time the city is hosting the mango congress.

Janubas said the congress is organized by the Philippine Mango Industry Foundation Inc. (PMIFI) with the Cagayan-Misamis Oriental-Bukidnon (CMB) Mango Growers Organization Inc. as their host and co-organizer and in partnership with DA.

The PMIFI, in their proposal addressed to DA, said the mango congress and summit workshop aims to formulate and recommend programs, strategies, legislation to strengthen and improve mango production chain, and establishing adequate and sustainable supply in the domestic and national market, for a much stable yet reasonable price.

The event also intends to develop strategies and programs for better quality produce for global competitiveness in the international fresh market; intensify value-adding for mango products; and set up additional Demo Farms in strategic locations in different regions for easier consultation and conduct of hands on training, and to be able to take immediate action on the needs and concerns of the growers pin the communities and localities where they belong.

The National Mango Congress and Summit Workshop will be participated by PMIFI member-associations, officers, and mango farmers, corporate and individual farmers, processors, exporters, input suppliers, mango traders, consolidators, National Government officials, technical officers, local government technicians, logistic providers and other mango stakeholders.

According to PMIFI, the event will tackle the problems and issues involving the mango industry such as the strategies in production, planning and marketing mango products; depressed farm prices; low productivity; and cecid fly control and preventive integrated pest management.

The PMIFI, in their proposal said to gain extensive knowledge and competence on the new, potential and young farmers, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol planned to establish mango demo school in each of the provinces to begin with the top 30 mango-producing provinces.

PMIFI, formed in 2001, is composed of more than 1,000 farmer-members nationwide, belonging to 15 mango growers’ associations and federations.

Oro finalist in ICT eGov Awards

By Jo Ann Sablad

CAGAYAN de Oro City has been chosen as a finalist in four of five categories in the 6th Awards for Excellence in ICT for Good Governance for Local Government Units or eGov Awards.

The eGov Awards is an annual search for the best practices in local government units nationwide in utilizing information and communications technology (ICT) to effectively and efficiently deliver its public services to its constituents and to its business stakeholders.

The four categories that the city participated on are: Best in Customer Empowerment (G2C), Best in Government Inter-Operability, Best in Digital Finance Empowerment (P2G), and Best in Business Empowerment (G2B).

According to Jose Angelo Lorenzo Gomos, the sales and promotions supervisor II of Cagayan de Oro City Trade and Investment Promotions Center, said being one of the finalist in the eGov Awards is a proof that the City Government is in the process of integrating ICT solutions to cater to the needs of the general public.

"We aligned our entries according to what is asked in the nomination forms. First of all we made sure the database in each data service is accurate and the speed of internet is also efficient," Gomos said.

The city's entries in each category are as follows:

- Cagayan de Oro's Senior Citizen's ID Online Registration for the Best in eGov Customer Empowerment Award

- Internet Online Services (iOS) for the Best in eGov Digital Finance Empowerment (P2G) Award

- Oro-Computer-Aided Response and Emergency Dispatch (Oro-Cared) for the Best in eGov Government Inter-Operability Empowerment Award

- Cagayan de Oro Electronic Building Permit Management System (eBPMS) for the Best in eGov Business Empowerment Award

Gomos said in terms of preparation, they made sure that what they included in the nomination forms were “credible and direct to what is actually in the nature of online service.”

"Joining the eGov awards is already a prestigious opportunity to recognize the City Government of Cagayan de Oro in handling and taking the initiative to integrate ICT solutions and public services," Gomos said.

He also said the award is also an important achievement and a way to inform the nationwide audience that the city has these certain services.

"Since the government belongs to the people, each LGUs (local government units) has the capability to help one another, integrating and incorporating ICT solutions in public service and also invite their locals to engage in their services," Gomos said.

Cagayan de Oro launches WOW project

By Pamela Jay F. Orias

REDUCING waste and earning while doing it, this is what the city government's newest program in Cogon Market is all about , a city official said.

Dubbed as "Wealth on Waste" (WOW), Jessica Rabia, sanitation head of the City Economic Enterprise Department (CEED) said the WOW project was created to help laborers and vendors in the market boost their incomes.

Rabia said through the program launched Thursday, October 26, organized groups of laborers and vendors were able to make a full sala set, which included a sofa made of tires, plastic pillows, pillows made from styrofoam, and tables from discarded tires.

City Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya, chairman of the committee on enterprise, said the program can help reduce the garbage produced in the market.

"May pera sa basura, so diri sa merkado nato, klaro man nga daghan gyud ug basura nga makita, ug mao na nga while ga-aim ta for waste reduction, this project has also a livelihood component in it to help the workers here in our market," he said.

"Instead na ilabay tanan ang basura sa sanitary landfill, pugngan dinhi ang magamit pa, para ma-recycle ug mabaligya," he added.

Nacaya said they have started looking for possible stores where these products will be displayed.

"We will make a store para asa i-display kining ilang mga products, ga-identify na ta ug spaces asa ang tindahan, for now, social media atong gigamit para mabaligya ning mga products na recyclable materials," he said.

Mayor Oscar Moreno for his part lauded the CEED for the initiative, saying the project is good for the transition of the Cogon Market, from a neglected trade center into one of the best markets in Northern Mindanao.

Moreno also bared his plan to repair existing markets, and build more around the city, to decongest particularly both Carmen and Cogon markets.

Nacaya, who heads the planning team, said he is eyeing to build another public market in Cala-cala in Barangay Macasandig.

"Cogon is so congested. We have to spread new growth areas so we can provide more opportunities for the people," he added.

DSWD-10 urges firms to honor PWD discounts

By Retchie T. Paculba (RTP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – To give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of disabled persons and their reintegration into the mainstream society, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-10 urges establishments to grant at least 20 percent discount on services, basic necessities and prime commodities as mandated in Republic Act 9442 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and for other Purposes.

DSWD-10 Persons with Disability (PWD) Focal Person Merly Ann Lobo said during the Advocacy Forum on RA 9442 on October 20 that PWDs shall be also entitled to a minimum of 20 percent discount on admission fees charged by theaters, cinema houses, concert halls, circuses, carnivals and other similar places of culture, leisure and amusement for the exclusive use or enjoyment of PWDs.

“There should also be at least 20 percent discount for the purchase of medicines in all drugstores,” Lobo said.

In terms of education, the law mandated assistance to the sector for them to pursue primary, secondary, tertiary, post tertiary as well as vocational or technical education, in both public and private schools, through the provision of scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsidies and other incentives to qualified PWDs.

Such educational assistance will include support for books, learning materials and uniform allowance to the extent feasible provided that PWDs shall meet minimum admission requirements.

“Express lanes should also be provided for PWDs in all commercial and government establishments; in the absence thereof, priority shall be given to them,” Lobo stressed.

PWD focal persons from Bukidnon and Provincial Social Welfare and Development officers who attended the forum strongly expressed their experiences on establishments which do not grant the discount for PWDs, saying that there should be an enforcement on the implementation of such law in the region.

Lobo emphasized that any person who violates any provision of the Act shall suffer penalties that include a fine of not less than P50,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months.

“Likewise, any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six months or a fine of not less than P50,000,” Lobo said.

Upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act.

MisOr industrial hub eyed for shipbuilding plant

By Mark D. Francisco (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Chinese shipbuilding giant Ansteel is choosing between Subic and Phividec Industrial Estates in Misamis Oriental as possible sites for their new plant in the Philippines.

Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano disclosed that the company is expected to generate almost 50,000 jobs once it’s realized.

Emano said he has met with Ansteel executives who called on him earlier this week. Prior to the group’s meeting with the governor, Ansteel representatives also met with Phividec administrator Franklin Quijano.

If plans don’t miscarry, this would be the second time in less than a decade that a steel manufacturing company has expressed interest to invest in Misamis Oriental.

In 2008, Hanjin Heavy pulled out of its planned $2 billion shipyard facility also at Phividec Industrial Estate, complaining of too much bureaucracy not just at the local level but also with Phividec management.

Quijano, who assumed as Phividec administrator only two months ago, assured his full support to the project should Ansteel pushes through with their planned investment here.

Two other Chinese steelmaking firms – Huili Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd. and Yi Ding Tai International Corp. – also expressed interest this month to put up projects in the country

Ansteel is a major manufacturer of shipbuilding plates, bulb steel and a great batch of imperative steel products. It has the capacity to produce four million tons of ship hull and ocean engineering steel per year.

Vjandep, DTI open pasalubong shop

By Jo Ann Sablad

VJANDEP Bakeshop, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), opened its One Town, One Product (OTOP) pasalubong store located beside the DTI-Northern Mindanao Office, Corrales-Luna Street, Cagayan de Oro City, on Wednesday, October 25.

DTI Regional Director Linda Boniao said the OTOP pasalubong store, which has been closed for three years, has been a big help for the micro and small business entrepreneurs from different parts of Northern Mindanao.

"This little store will help most of those very small or micro [enterprises] from the barangay or from the munisipyo (municipal), or the different provinces of Region 10 (Northern Mindanao)," Boniao said, adding that the store has become the micro, small and medium enterprises' (MSMEs') venue to market their products.

OTOP Pasalubong Store sells products from different MSMEs of the region such as food (i.e. pastels, banana chips, peanut butters, pastries, etc.) and handicrafts (i.e. necklaces, bags, notebooks, pouches, wooden crafts, etc.).

Decius Esmedalla, the supervising tourism operations of the Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao, said OTOP is another venue where domestic products can be promoted and introduced to tourists.

"Practically the products of Northern Mindanao are there in terms of crafts, food, and local delicacies. So naa na sya in one setting. This is more reasonable in terms of pricing. Ug quality sya kay niagi sya sa DTI," Esmedalla said.

Esmedalla said together with Vjandep, they are planning to meet with tour operators and travel agencies to show them the shop and introduce the products, adding that they want to encourage the tour operators and travel agencies to add the OTOP store to their guided tour itineraries.

"We encourage everyone to come and visit the area, although its not really that big but somehow the products are varied in terms of handicrafts, mga local produce and its one way of helping our community, ilabi na sa atong mga (especially to our) producers who are really in need of our promotions," Esmedalla said.

According to Viel Jose, the operations manager of Vjandep Bakeshop, the DTI invited Vjandep Bakeshop to be part of several companies that will manage the store.

"With their full trust that we're capable of handling most of the expos and exhibits made by DTI to other cities, under our management and leadership, they thought that we would be more fit to carry the OTOP," Jose said, adding that the store is his first project after he was promoted as operations manager on February 4.

Jose also mentioned that the OTOP was designed by the United Architects of the Philippines-Mindanao Chapter, saying that its also with the collaboration of their idea into promoting the shop, especially with the area being a location difficult to market.

The grand opening of OTOP Pasalubong Store was also attended by Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno and Provincial Administrator Jocelyn Mateo, who was in the event in behalf of Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano.

DA eyes incentives for organic farmers

By Jigger Jerusalem (PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is mulling on giving farmers who switch to organic farming extra perks to encourage them to contribute to the country’s growing number of advocates of non-traditional method of agriculture.

“We are looking at giving tax incentives to organic farmers,” Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said in an interview at the sidelines of the agri-related events, the 3rd Climate Change and Agriculture Summit (CCAS) and the 14th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) held in this city on Tuesday (Oct. 24).

Among the incentives being eyed for farmers adapting organic agricultural practices, Piñol said, is the provision of equipent and tools necessary to increase yield.

“Our farmers need more information, more technology, more support because it’s not easy to shift from traditional to organic method of farming,” Piñol said.

He said organic agriculture is slowly gaining ground in the country as consumers are now more aware of the food they eat and preference for safe and healthy produce is now becoming the norm.

As of December 2016, DA said the land area devoted to organic agriculture is now at 349,041 hectares of the total 9.671 million hectares of the country’s agricultural land.

The agency also reported that about 525,863 metric tons of organically grown products were produced by 116,558 famers and were distributed to 106 local and foreign destinations as of December 2016.

Piñol said farmers will have more flexibility to use government funds according to their own needs.

“We will give them the money, and they can buy the kind of equipment they need,” he said, adding this approach is more practical.

Oro water district: No rate hike in next 2 years

By Alwen Saliring

AN OFFICIAL of the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) on Thursday, October 19, said the water utility will not be hiking water rates in the next two years even as it forges ahead with a new agreement with its new bulk water supplier, MetroPac Water Investments Corp.

COWD general manager Engineer Rachel Beja said the water utility may likely review the water rates two years after the contract is signed.

Beja said it cannot also impose water rate hike without public hearing and approval of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

Beja explained that water rate adjustments is likely to happen to ensure that COWD is financially stable.

"Sa karon wala pay structure sa water rate but definitely it will review in two years’ time kung ok pa ang financial condition ni COWD pero i-agi nato sa saktong proseso kay walay increase kung dili aprubahan sa LWUA (Right now, there is no structure on water rate but will definitely review it in two years’ time to know if the COWD’s financial situation is good. But we have to let this undergo the right process because if LWUA doesn’t approve it, there’d be no increase)," Beja added.

The COWD has recently awarded the contract with MetroPac as bulk water supplier after it had terminated its contract with Rio Verde Water Consortium Inc.

The water utility is just waiting for the court order that would legally terminate its connection with Rio Verde.

Metropac got the approval of the COWD board of directors and passed the public challenge in 2016.

Beja said the COWD has forged an agreement with Metropac to form a joint venture company that includes shares for both COWD and MetroPac.

Beja just received a word from the latter that the said company has been registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Beja said once the 30-year bulk water supply contract between the joint venture company and the COWD is signed, the Metropac will start supplying water to COWD two months after the signing.

Under the contract, Metropac was provided with four options: to purchase water to supply to COWD, rent a water treatment facility to source out water, buy an existing treatment facility or build its own water treatment plant.

"Ang commitment ni Metropac sa contract kang COWD two months gikan pagpirma sa contract kay kung dili siya maka-supply naa siyay bayran nga penalty (Metropac committed in the contract with COWD that if they can’t supply water two months after signing the contract, they would pay the penalty)," Beja said.

Meanwhile, there are around 49,901 connections in COWD's west service area. From September 25 to October 6, 24,953 or 50 percent experienced low pressure to no water. After October 6, only 1,937 of these (three percent) are still experiencing low pressure to no water.

Beja said the Rio Verde has been able to discharge about 38,000 cubic meters per day as it intensified the inline boosting while the COWD has been doing the valve manipulation.

The COWD continues to deliver water especially in affected areas of Opol, Misamis Oriental, Lumbia and other few elevated areas in the city's first district.

The Rio Verde is asking another week to complete its repair works of the damage of the main pipeline.

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