Cagayan de Oro City News September 2011

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Lawmaker inaugurates new high school

by Nicole J. Managbanag


REPRESENTATIVE Jose Benjamin “Benjo” Benaldo (1st district, Cagayan de Oro) led the inauguration of Bayanga National High School in Barangay Bayanga Friday last week.

The four-classroom, two-storey building is complete with teacher’s office and four comfort rooms, the funding of which was taken from Benaldo’s congressional fund granted by Congress as a bonus, being the majority floor leader.

Plan your Sinulog week ahead and find out what's in store for Sinulog 2012.

The inauguration was attended by Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Mindanao director Norma Geronilla and Benaldo's chief of staf Christopher Chiamsay.

Benaldo said the school was established in Bayanga after the local government unit filed a resolution for the establishment of a national high school in the area.

“To start the new national high school with four classrooms, one for each level, in the said barangay will be a stepping stone for the students to achieve their dreams. They would no longer travel to other barangays just to study,” he said.

After the school’s inauguration and blessing, Benaldo flew to Manila to take care of the bill he filed to make the school an official national high school.

The lawmaker, being an advocate for education, has acquired more than 15 classrooms from Congress to be widely distributed in the hinterland barangays of the first district.

Open ship of vessels at berth in Port of Cag. de Oro is on its 4th day

by PIA Press Release


by Galileo Garcia CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 29 (PIA) -– The open ship of vessels at berth in the Port of Cagayan de Oro continues on the 4th day of the National Maritime Week (NMW) observed from Sept. 25 to Oct.1, this year. Engr. Emmanuel B. Carpio, Regional Director of the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), region 10, said the open ship, which started last Sept. 6, gives the would-be sea passengers the opportunity to know the comforts offered by the different shipping companies to the sea- traveling public. During the open ship, the sea-travelers are given a guided tour by the ship’s crew on the important sections of the ship, such as, exits, mess hall, engine room, fire-fighting equipment, life jacket, and the location of other gadgets, which may be operated in an emergency situation while at sea. Meanwhile, Carpio said a 2-day exhibit by the different maritime agencies runs at the Capitol University (CU) Gym, here, starting today, Sept. 29, until tomorrow, Sept. 30. On display are information materials on the procedures and other services offered by the passenger shipping lines, the tugging/mooring/manning ship agents and providers of overseas medical service, Maritime Training Centers, Maritime Review Centers, colleges and universities offering Maritime courses. Also included are government agencies with programs and services for the seafarers, such as, MARINA, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), etc. Carpio said a friendship bowling game have been arranged, this afternoon, at the Xavier Estates Bowling Lanes, as a team-building





Police asked to explain kidnapping of Cagayan de Oro trader

by Bobby Lagsa

Inquirer Mindanao


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—City councilors here want the police to explain the ease with which kidnappers abducted a businessman here last week and escorted him home after his family paid them a “board and lodging fee,” according to Councilor Alvin Calingin. Chief Insp. Reynante Reyes, chief of the police’s Regional Special Operations Group, said the kidnappers brought Manny Boniao home on a motorcycle around 7:30 p.m. last Saturday, five days after his abduction on September 19. Mayor Vicente Emano confirmed that Boniao’s family paid the kidnappers for Boniao’s “board and lodging” while in captivity but said he could not disclose other details of the kidnapping pending an investigation by the police. “The family has paid for the board and lodging of Boniao,” Emano said in a radio interview. Councilor Calingin said the Boniao kidnapping has put across a message that “nobody was safe in this city anymore.” “The kidnappers can do their thing at will,” he said. Calingin said the police should explain why it failed to stop the Boniao kidnapping, which took place inside his store around 10:30 a.m., at a time when the city is bustling with activity. And the police should also explain why it failed to monitor the kidnappers when they were sending Boniao home, he said. Councilor Roger Abaday, a licensed criminologist, said the police appeared to ha





Biz group calls police to heighten security

by Annabelle L. Ricalde


THE Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc. (OroChamber) is calling on the police to heighten security in the city, in Misamis Oriental and in nearby areas.

OroChamber president Antonio Uy said there is a need to boost the local police forces following the kidnapping of businessman Manuel Boniao.

Five armed men on board a red Mitsubishi Adventure abducted Boniao, owner of Peoples Agri Service and Supply, inside his establishment in Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City, around 10:30 a.m. on September 19.

A robbery in Cogon, Cagayan de Oro City, meanwhile, ensued two days after the incident.

“If we are serious in promoting new investments to our area, then we have to do something to curb this peace and order problem,” Uy said.

“If the police are deficient in number, by all means it needs some augmentation,” he added.

Local residents and the business community are however advised to be vigilant at all times.

The OroChamber said owners of establishments should brief their security personnel to always ask for the identification cards (ID) of those who may want to talk to the owner.

CCTV facilities should also be put up in every business establishment in the area.

Freed

Police confirmed on Monday that kidnappers released Boniao on Saturday night, five days after he was abducted.

Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) chief Gerardo Rosales said he learned about Boniao’s release from former Balingasag, Misamis Oriental mayor Felix Borromeo.

Borromeo said Boniao was transported already to his house in Golden Village, Barangay Carmen, Cgayan de Oro City.

Rosales said he visited Boniao’s house to check but he failed to talk to the businessman.

“Borromeo talked to me, instead, because Boniao was resting. We still don’t have any idea on what really happened,” Rosales added.

The police chief said, “We will just wait when Boniao would be ready to tell everything.”

The police are focusing the investigation on the real owner of the red Mitsubishi Adventure that was used by the suspects.

Initial investigation showed that Abdul Hakim Grande, who was the first owner of the vehicle, sold it to Enrique Goltiao on September 15, four days before the kidnapping.

But Rosales said according to Goltiao, he also sold the vehicle through a middle man.

“Goltiao said he only knew the middle man in the name of alyas ‘Gogong’ so we are trying to identify who this Gogong is,” Rosales said.





VP Binay awards land titles in Cagayan de Oro, Butuan

by balita.ph


MANILA, Sept. 26 — Vice President Jejomar C. Binay awarded Transfer Certificates of Title (TCTs) to 90 housing beneficiaries from eight community associations in the cities of Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental and Butuan in Agusan del Norte under the Community Mortgage Program (CMP) of the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC). He also led the distribution of TCTs to 11 beneficiaries of National Housing Authority (NHA) projects and awarded titles to 11 borrowers who have fully paid their accounts under the Unified Home Lending Program of the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. The Vice President also met with local officials to discuss the government's housing programs during the opening of the 10th Pabahay Caravan in Cagayan de Oro City. “Being closer to the people, the LGUs should be at the forefront in delivering housing services. It is the role of HUDCC to enable them to provide these services by orienting them on our housing programs and granting financial support to implement such projects in their areas,” he said. The housing caravan was organized by the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) to build a stronger partnership with LGUs in addressing the country’s housing gap. Under Republic Act No. 7279 or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, LGUs are mandated to deliver quality homes to their constituents. “By making the LGUs aware of our housing programs and services, we will be able to encourage them to work together with the national government in accelerating shelter production and enhancing the delivery of housing services to the people,” Binay said. The topics discussed include the role of LGUs in housing and urban development as well as specific housing programs for LGUs, including Pag-IBIG Fund’s Group Housing Loan Program, SHFC’s localized community mortgage program, and NHA’s resettlement program. The Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) also explained how comprehensive land use planning can help LGUs ensure rational, ecologically balanced and sustainable development of resources and growth of human settlements. Prior to the housing event in Cagayan de Oro, the Pabahay Caravan had been held in Cebu, Baguio City, Tagaytay City, Davao, Pampanga, Zamboanga, Tacloban, Laoag and Tuguegarao. (PNA) DCT/scs/FPV





Journalists ask court not to sit on media cases

by Michael Andrew W. Yu


JOURNALISTS in Cagayan de Oro City are calling for fairness and just in on cases where media people are involved.

Jonas Bustamante, a member of the board of the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC), called on Regional State Prosecutor Jaime Umpa not to “sit” on the cases of media practitioners lodged in his office.

“Have mercy to the media who wants justice and betterment,” Bustamante said during the candle lighting ceremonies on Friday at the Press Freedom Monument.

The media in the city commemorated the 22nd month of the gruesome Maguindanao massacre by lighting 32 candles in honor of the 32 slain journalists killed last November 23, 2009.

If there is a media complainant, the case is immediately dismissed, but if cases are filed against the media, it progressed, Bustamante lamented.

“Please decide (Regional State Prosecutors office) on all cases, including those with the media, with fairness and just,” he said.

As of press time, the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre are still crying for justice.





‘Police uniforms found in kidnappers’ getaway car authentic’

by Cong Corrales


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/23 September) –The police patrol uniforms bearing Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon) patches that were found inside the abandoned vehicle used in Manuel Boniao’s abduction Monday were genuine Philippine National Police uniforms, this city’s police director today said. But Senior Supt. Gerardo Rosales said at the same time that the uniforms were intended to mislead them in their investigation of the kidnapping of Boniao, a local trader engaged in selling agricultural inputs. Chief Insp. Reynante Reyes, head of the Regional Special Operations Group, said in a text message late Wednesday evening that they recovered the vehicle at about 4am of September 21 in Sitio Langga, Barangay San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon. Found in the vehicle were six PNP blue patrol T-shirts, four PNP bull caps, one blue sleeveless shirt with bloodstains, 22 cans of spray paint, three bottles of lacquer thinner, one roll of tape, and one brown leather wallet. “The police patrol uniforms left inside the vehicle were genuine uniforms made by PNP-accredited tailors. But these had Calabarzon patches. I believe these were used to throw us off our investigation. I do not believe that Calabarzon police officers came all the way down here in Cagayan de Oro City just to abduct Mr. Boniao,” said Rosales. He said they were able to trace were the uniforms were bought but did not mention other details. Rosales also said that his office has already coordinated with the Police Regional Office for a possible issuance of a memorandum order or guidelines on the wearing of police uniforms. In an earlier interview, Regional Intelligence Division chief Senior Supt. Noel Armilla said official guidelines on the wearing of police uniforms would help prevent a repeat of the modus operandi used in Boniao’s daring abduction in broad daylight last Monday. “Considering that this modus operandi has been used in another abduction case, it is high time there is a proper guideline on wearing police uniforms and for the public to know. For example, we do not allow our trainees to wear their training uniforms outside Camp (Vicente) Alagar,” said Armilla. Like in Boniao’s case, the abductors of Ozamiz City-based trader Alexander Lim in Linamon, Lanao del Norte, last June, also wore PNP patrol uniforms. The still unidentified abductors released Lim after more than a month in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur. Asked for updates on the Boniao’s abduction, Rosales said they are collaborating with the Philippine Anti-Crime and Emergency Response, National Bureau of Investigation and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group. “We still do not know the whereabouts of the suspects. Until there is a demand for ransom, we still cannot categorize Boniao’s abduction as a kidnap-for-ransom case,” said Rosales. (Cong Corrales/MindaNews)






Lawmaker calls on police to probe Oro kidnapping

by Annabelle L. Ricalde


CAGAYAN de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez (2nd district) has called on authorities to do whatever they can to identify the suspects who abducted businessman Manny Boniao last September 19 and save him.

Rodriguez also urged police authorities to strengthen the city’s security program and come up with “good intelligence work” to prevent any similar incident in the future.

“I know Manny personally at my upper class in Xavier University. I know him as a good person and an excellent family man. I cannot imagine why this happened to him,” Rodriguez told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Rodriguez visited Boniao’s wife on Thursday to comfort her and joined her in prayers for the victim’s safe return.

As of Friday, police authorities could not reveal the gunmen who abducted Boniao inside his establishment in Barangay Gusa, Cagayan de Oro City.

Police Senior Superintendent Gerardo Rosales, chief of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said police are still conducting pursuit operation against the five suspects.

There were reports that Boniao was brought to Lanao del Sur and that the kidnappers demanded P100 million as ransom for his safe release but Rosales said there is no confirmation yet.

Police investigation revealed that Enrique Goltiao owned the red Mitsubishi Adventure with plate number KCF-331 used by the suspects as getaway vehicle.

Goltiao, according to Rosales, bought the vehicle last September 15 from a certain Abdul Hakim Grande.

Goltiao is now the subject of investigation by police authorities.




OroChamber holds finance forum

by Lordilie Enjambre


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 22 (PIA) -- A forum on “Creating a Financially Healthy Workforce for Every Employer” was conducted today by the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (OroChamber), the country’s hall of famer in Most Outstanding Chamber of Commerce awards. Held at the PUM-Oro Chamber Training Room, Macapagal Road, Pueblo de Oro Township today, the half-day event was graced by financial experts from Manila who shared their knowledge on how to save from even the smallest earnings. “This forum is our way of helping member employers and their respective employees,” said Efren Uy, OroChamber Vice President for Trade and Commerce. “Big wages do not guarantee savings. It is a matter of discipline, that do. The workers also need to examine their spending behavior making sure that every penny is spent wisely,” Uy added. The forum is also supported by BusinessWeek, Magnum Radio, Mindanao Current, Parasat CableTV, Sunstar CDO and Sunlife Financials. (PIA-10)





6 inmates escape from Misamis Oriental jail

by Annabelle L. Ricalde and Nicole J. Managbanag


CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Four inmates detained at the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail are the subjects of manhunt after escaping from their cell Tuesday dawn.

Two of the six escapees, Reneboy Samoranos and Lorito Montirola, were recaptured in two areas in the city earlier Tuesday, said Jail Warden Dominador Tagarda Jr.

Tagarda said the inmates have escaped by boring a hole through the cell's ceiling and cutting the galvanized iron roof.

Samoranos and Montirola are facing qualified theft and frustrated homicide charges, respectively, Tagarda said. Samoranos, 26, is a native of Iligan City while Montirola, 26, is from Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

The four others who remain at large were Richard Tabora, 26, who is charged with carnapping; Emmanuel Saguinlao, 24, a political detainee charge with illegal possession of firearms and murder; Jeffrey Jandaya, 29, charged with robbery and rape; and, Junie Batalona, 27, a murder convict.

Prior to his escape, jail officials heard Saguinlao that he misses his family, Tagarda said. "The reason why they escaped is not because of the jail's management but because they miss their families."

Misamis Oriental Vice Governor Norris Babiera on Tuesday ordered for the recapture of the four escapees and an investigation on the jailbreak.

The vice governor also alerted the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office since the escapees might still be in the city hiding with their relatives.

Meanwhile, Babiera admitted that the jail building is no longer fit to hold prisoners. The Provincial Government already plans to relocate the provincial jail outside the city next year, he said.

"Having the provincial jail within this city would be risky for the constituents of Cagayan de Oro that is why the jail must be relocated," he said. (Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)





Farmers join nationwide protest; call for land reform

by Nicole J. Managbanag


THE Misamis Oriental Farmers Association (Mofa) successfully held their “Welgang Mag-uuma” on Monday in support to the nationwide strike that reportedly paralyzed the city’s transportation.

The Mofa members were stationed along Barangay Bulua as early as 3 a.m. as they called in unity with Starex and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Northern Mindanao in calling for a P9 oil price rollback.


Mofa chairperson Ireneo Udarbe said they have launched their campaign for reforms in the coconut industry of Misamis Oriental.

“We ask for the reversal of the ‘tersya’ system in favor of the tenants, increase in the prices of copra and its by-products, termination of the exploitative residue deductions, and wage increase for farm-workers in the coconut plantations and coconut-processing businesses,” Udarbe said.

Mofa also declared that they will hold a series of protest actions in the coming months to highlight their claims.

Udarbe said they are also set to gather their 12,000 strong peasant members for a ‘Lakbayan sa Mag-uuma’ on October 19 in commemoration of the Peasant Month.

He said protesters from as far as Gingoog City in the east and Lugait in the west, will walk and will converge in Cagayan de Oro to press for reforms in the coconut industry.

Earlier, Teddy Sabugaa, executive director of the Misamis Oriental Peace and Order Council, said he will look into the plight of the farmers and come up with solutions.

Udarbe said they welcome the initiative of Sabugaa.

“But coming from him as head of the Peace and Order Council, we feel it is improper for him to take the lead in resolving our issues in the coconut farms and industries,” Udarbe said.

Instead, he said Sabugaa should personally urge “his principal” to once and for all address their predicament by enacting ordinances to uplift the situation of the coconut farmers such as imposing punishments to landlords not following DAR’s administrative order.

Udarbe also advised Sabugaa to help them lobby to the Provincial Government to support the giving back of the coconut levy to the coconut farmers.

Meanwhile, Mofa, along with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) in Northern Mindanao, will hold the ‘Rural Stakeholder’s Dialogue for Land Right, Job Security and Social Justice’ on September 23 that is expected to gather representatives from various government agencies that are relevant in resolving agrarian problems such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples, among others.





Businessman, two others kidnapped in Cagayan de Oro

by philstar.com


COTABATO, Philippines (Xinhua) - Suspected militants seized today a businessman and two others in the restive southern Philippines, said police.

Gunmen clad in police uniforms kidnapped an agricultural supply trader Manny Boniao at gunpoint and his son while they were inside their shop in the southern city of Cagayan de Oro, said police commander Chief Inspector Danildo Tumanda.

"They disarmed the security guard at the shop, then took the victims and fled on board their getaway vehicle," he said.

Police said a seven-year-old child was also kidnapped by armed men in the township of Pikit, in North Cotabato province.

The victim was with her mother Elsie when the kidnappers forcibly took the child along Ferenal Street in the town of Pikit, said provincial police commander Senior Superintendent Cornelio Salinas.

No groups claimed responsibility in the latest incident of kidnappings but the military blamed extremist group Abu Sayyaf in previous abduction.

The Abu Sayyaf, active in southern Philippines, was founded in the 1990s and has perpetrated kidnapping, bombing and beheading. The Philippine military estimated the Abu Sayyaf, which has links with terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda, currently has less than 400 members.




MisOr farmers’ group joins Monday’s transport strike

by Cong Corrales


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews/17 September) — In solidarity with the transport sector, the Misamis Oriental Farmers’ Association-Kilusan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (Mofa-KMP) will launch “Welgang Mag-uuma” on Monday, September 19 to coincide with the nationwide transport strike. Ireneo Udarbe, Mofa-KMP, in an emailed statement, dated September 16, said they will mobilize their members to participate in the nationwide strike that will be spearheaded in the region by the Solidarity of Transport Alliance in Region 10-Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Starex-Piston). “We will mobilize our members to help man the ‘persuasion point’ all over the city on Monday. It has now become more legitimate, necessary and urgent for the people to initiate widespread and sustaining actions against the leniency of the Aquino administration towards the oil companies,” said Udarbe. He said the oil companies have manipulated oil prices “according to their greed for super profits to the detriment of the working masses.” “The wanton oil price increases have made the already marginalized sectors become more and more desperately poor everyday,” Udarbe said. In an earlier interview, Starex-Piston chairperson Santos Hinosolango said they will mobilize their member-organizations here, from the province of Bukidnon and the cities of Iligan and Gingoog. “The people are once again called upon to unite and push for the long-sought immediate economic relief and long term solutions to the skyrocketing oil prices,” the Starex-Piston’s emailed statement, Friday, said. With the support of Mofa-KMP, the northern Mindanao regional chapters of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap and Anakbayan, Hinosolango said they will hold “persuasion points” at the major junctions of Barangay Puerto, Lapasan, Carmen, Bulua and Velez St-national highway. “We will officially start the transport strike at 4 o’clock in the morning and we will end it by converging our member-organizations and allied groups in a short program at the Velez St-national highway junction at 3pm,” said Hinosolango. Udarbe, in a telephone interview, Saturday, said their group will also launch a series of protest actions in the coming weeks to highlight their sector’s demands. “We will hold the ‘Rural Stakeholders’ Dialogue for Land Rights, Job Security and Social Justice’ on September 23, here. We expect to gather representatives from various government agencies that are relevant in resolving agrarian problems, such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples, among others,” Udarbe said. He said they aim to gather 12,000 peasants on the third week next month to commemorate the peasant month dubbed as “Lakbayan sa Mag-uuma.” “We will be expecting our members as far as Gingoog City, east of the province, and Lugait town from the west. We will march from our various respective point of origins and will converge in Cagayan de Oro City to press for reforms in the coconut industry,” he said. (Cong B. Corrales/MindaNews)




12-hr brownout hits Oro today

by Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


RESIDENTS of Cagayan de Oro and some parts of Misamis Oriental will experience a 12-hour brownout today, September 18, starting at 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Ms. Marilyn A. Chavez, senior manager of Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. Inc.’s (Cepalco) Customer and Community Relations Department, said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will conduct an annual preventive maintenance works of the 100MVA power transformer, including its associated high voltage equipment at its substation in Tagoloan.

Chavez said Cepalco will make use of the interruption and will also conduct line maintenance works along the Natumulan-Cagayan 69 kilo-volt line.

“To reduce the impact of the said interruption, Cepalco will shift the supply of Camaman-an, Carmen and Pueblo substations to another source, and Minergy will be synchronized to the grid to provide support,” she said.

Among the affected areas within the Natumulan-Cagayan line include big companies such as Del Monte Philippines Inc. in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro Oil Company, Nestle Philippines Inc. and Cagayan Corn Products in Tablon, Mitimco in Baloy, Gaisano City along Recto Avenue, Lim Ket Kai Mall in Lapasan, Lim Ket Kai Plant in Puntod, Alwana in Cugman and HCH Corporation in Tagoloan.

Also affected are some areas in Camaman-an, JR Borja Extension, Recto Avenue, Corrales Avenue, Capistrano St., Consolacion, all of RER Subdivision Phases I and 2, Maharlika Highway, all of NHA-KSS Subdivision, Bayabas, greater part of Bulua, all of Iponan and Patag.

A four-hour and 30 minutes interruption starting at 6 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. will also be experienced in Divisoria area and some parts of Cogon area including Nazareth, Macasandig and Taguanao.

Other areas affected are Agora Market, Corrales Extension, Julio Pacana St. towards all of Macabalan area, portions of Upper Carmen, Upper Balulang and all of Barangay Lumbia.

“We hope the affected customers and the public in general will be guided,” Chavez said.

She claimed that power will be restored immediately when maintenance works of NGCP and Cepalco are completed earlier than scheduled.




Local Government chief to launch project in Oro

by Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


LOCAL Government Secretary Jesse Robredo will launch in Cagayan de Oro the “Project Empowering Monitoring System on Poverty Watch for a more Effective and Responsive Approach in Governance” (Empowering) on Monday.

The project takes off from the Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS), one of the tools introduced to the local government units (LGUs) to diagnose the extent and causes of poverty in the area. It aims to help in formulating policies and programs, to aid in identifying target beneficiaries and to facilitate assessment of the impact of those policies and programs.

However, only few localities are adopting it because of the voluminous work that needs to undertake in data collection.

Among the few that adopted it, most are not capable of converting the data into information, especially with spatial characteristics or problems in space that can be used to fight against poverty.

In Misamis Oriental, 14 municipalities have started to adopt and implement the CBMS to attain poverty reduction. But these municipalities cannot fully utilize the system due to lack of capacity to validate and process the data into a development planning tool with geographic information system (GIS).

Hence, Project Empowering, a public-private partnership (PPP) enterprise, aims to achieve economic growth in the province by enabling LGUs to acquire necessary technical skills and know-how in utilizing development tools.

With this project, local capacities would allow them to process relevant data they generated into a useful information system wherein gauging poverty status and concentration in their area can be done, to plan for appropriate actions in addressing underlying causes and to assess the impact of their policies, programs, projects and activities.

Project Empowering will focus on updating the database and information system of the Planning Offices of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City.

Project Empowering will be piloted in Cagayan de Oro City for the GIS upgrading and in six municipalities of Misamis Oriental: Laguindingan, El Salvador, Opol, Tagoloan, Jasaan and Medina for CBMS implementation.

With a cost of €277,125.32 (P16.9 million), the program is expected to run for 18 months from September 2011 to March 2013, with funds sourced out from donor agencies, such as Steag State Power Inc. and DEG.

Program partners include the Department of Interior and Local Government-CBMS Network Coordinating Team, Assist Asia, Xavier University and the LGUs of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Laguindingan, El Salvador, Opol, Tagoloan, Jasaan and Medina. (PIA)





Man kills wife

by Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


FAMILY problem allegedly triggered a husband to hack his wife to death with a 16-inch "bolo" inside their house at a relocation site in Calaanan, Barangay Canitoan, Cagayan de Oro City, Tuesday evening.

Bulua Police Station commander Celso Montil said suspect Beltran Quiamco, 44, was reportedly drunk and had a heated argument with his wife Harlene, 39, which resulted to the hacking. He is now languishing in jail following his arrest after the incident.

Police initial investigation showed that the suspect had been provoked when his wife took first a bolo and allegedly hacked him. But he was able to grab the bladed weapon and attacked Harlene.

During investigation, Quiamco told police that he did it for self-defense and had no intention to kill his wife.

"In the initial investigation, jealousy is the motive of the crime. Involving all angles, there was jealousy on both parties and issues on money," Montil said in a radio interview.

However, Joel Reyes, elder brother of the victim, said the suspect is abusive to Harlene despite the fact that his sister was the one who worked hard for the family by selling fruit salad.

Reyes also revealed that Quiamco is a "drunkard" and always threw bad words to the victim, causing her sister to sometimes stay in their mother's house every time they had a fight.

"I have heard of what he had been doing to my sister but I chose not to get involved since that was what my sister asked me to do. But had I known this will happen, I could have taken action," Reyes said.

Quiamco is now detained at the Maharlika Detention cell pending the filing of parricide case against him.





Depositors to get refund: PDIC

by Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) assured on Tuesday the 900 depositors of LBC Development Bank in Cagayan de Oro to be given their refund.

A PDIC staff who refused to be named told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that they will release announcements as to how and when the schedule of refund would be released as PDIC executives are still clearing all concerns of the LBC bank, located at the corner of LimKetKai Road and J.R. Borja Street.

The staff said PDIC will conduct a series of fora in areas where branches of LBC are located so that depositors of the bank will know how to claim their insurance.

Under PDIC’s charter, deposits worth P500,000 or below are covered by insurance.

Deposits in excess of the amount may or may not be paid depending on the amount to be raised from the liquidation of a closed bank’s assets.

Depositors with accounts P10,000 or below need not apply for insurance claims.

The PDIC staff said that in their case, PDIC will simply mail notices to them and they can withdraw the money from designated redemption offices such as the Land Bank of the Philippines.

“We need the media to wait for the release of our official statements regarding the closure of LBC Development Bank. We are actually scouting a venue where to conduct our announcements regarding the release of deposit refunds,” the PDIC staff said.

LBC Development Bank, a unit of the LBC Group, has been placed under receivership of the PDIC.

PDIC said it took over the assets and liabilities of LBC Bank after the Monetary Board of the Central Bank determined that the institution was plagued by liquidity issues.

LBC Development Bank has 19 branches nationwide with its head office located at JP Rizal St. in Makati City.

As of end-June this year, total deposits placed with the bank amounted to P6.09 billion. Of the amount, P3.73 billion is covered by insurance.

In terms of number of accounts, there were 321,516 as of June, 99.4 percent of which are fully covered by deposit insurance.

The PDIC said the placement of the thrift bank under its receivership would not significantly affect its resources.

PDIC noted that the insured deposits with LBC Development Bank made up only a tenth of one percent of total deposits in the country’s banking system. (LSM/MAWY)





Council okays tax exemption for tourism organizers

by Nicole J. Managbanag


ILIGAN CITY -- The City Council here approved Monday a proposal exempting fund raisers and program organizers from paying amusement taxes during the celebration of the city’s Tourism Week and Diyandi Festival 2011 on September 29-30.

Councilor Ruderic C. Marzo, who authored the ordinance, said tax exemption coverage includes carnival fairs and rides.

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For concerts, different contests, agricultural, industrial and commercial trade fairs, he added, are expected to be approved on Monday, but are subject to debate by local legislators here during the regular session.

Marzo said all the calendared Tourism Week and fiesta programs are considered city-sponsored activities that are “deemed necessary to be granted with tax exemptions and incentives” especially those engaged in community growth-inducing industries.

He said the executive management board of the 2011 Diyandi Festival has lined up activities for the successful festival celebration honoring its patron, St. Michael the Archangel.

Marzo said the ordinance takes effect from September 2011 up to October 15, 2011 only, after which collection of taxes resumes.

Meanwhile, Councilor Marlene Young, chairwoman of the festival’s executive management board, said the board is keen on organizing activities to entice both local and foreign tourists and entrepreneurs to visit Iligan for pleasure and business purposes.





NorMin investments slightly down in second quarter

by Loui S. Maliza


DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) monitored investments in Northern Mindanao slightly went down by 1.34 percent to P4.12 billion in the second quarter this year compared the same period last year.

Records from the National Economic Development Authority (Neda)-Northern Midanao revealed substantial decreases in the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental that pulled down the overall performance of the region on investments.

A little more than half or 51.73 percent of the total regional investments were registered in Misamis Oriental, amounting to P2.13 billion, a six-fold increase from last year’s performance.

The PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate put in 56 percent of these investments, which included the construction of an air separation plant by a leading gas manufacturing and a distributor company, and the construction and expansion of a noodle and beverage processing plant.

Other notable investments in the province included the ongoing construction of a shopping center by Ayala Corporation and continuing expansion of real estate-related investments.

Although investments in the province have declined by 28.20 percent, Bukidnon still shared accounts for a significant 33.15 percent of the regional total.

Major investments were classified under agri-based, forest-based, and infrastructure and services sectors, which included the acquisition of machinery and equipment for banana and pineapple production, business expansion for a rubber-based exporter and purchase of machinery/equipment of a telecommunication company.

There were also construction projects in a number of municipalities in the province.

The comparatively decrease of lower investments during the second quarter this year compared to same quarter last year for infrastructure. Also, a negative output was posted in Bukidnon, attributing the decrease to the infrastructure and the services sector.

There were also a number of infrastructure and services investments monitored for the quarter, which were still on their pre-investment and developmental stage, Neda data stated.

However, records showed Bukidnon noted investments on projects like the 2.5-megawatt hydro power plant of Mountain View College (MVC) in Valencia City and the expansion of a palm oil processing plant in Impasug-ong.

Investments in Lanao del Norte, comprising 8.18 percent share of total regional investments, were classified under agri-based, service and trading sectors. The investments included one-town-one-product-related (Otop/Cluster/Carp) projects like prawn, bangus and seaweed production, establishment of post-harvest facilities for rice mill, rehabilitation of copra driers, as well as construction and expansions of dormitories, commercial buildings, pawnshops, travel and tours and real estate-related services.




Another vigilante style killing in Cagayan de Oro

by Bobby Lagsa

Inquirer Mindanao


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – An unidentified man killed –vigilante-style – a suspected gang member at the Agora public market here early Saturday, the seventh such killing in the city within the last three weeks. Senior Police Officer Howard Lagsa of the Agora police station identified the victim as Angelo Magdale, a resident of the city’s Tulay Cemento district. Police records showed that Magdale, believed to be a member of Batang Mindanao 29, has been the seventh gang member killed here since August 16. Last year, a dozen BM29 members were also executed in separate incidents after their release from jail. Police then downplayed the killings, saying they were simply the result of gang wars. In Magdale’s case, the victim was sleeping inside a vehicle parked at the Agora when a man on a motorcycle arrived at past 12 a.m. and shot him in the eye. Witnesses told investigators that the killer wore a black jacket and a baseball cap, Lagsa said. Magdale was rushed to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center here but he died about six hours later.





DepEd’s 2011 National Literacy Conference anchors on peace and community development

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental, Sept. 9 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) will hold its annual National Literacy Conference on Sept. 27-29 at the Imperial Palace Suites, Quezon City. Brother Armin A. Luistro, DepEd Secretary, said the conference will be anchored on theme “Pursuing Community Development Through Peace Literacy.” It was in line with the priority agenda of the United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD) for calendar year 2011-2012 which is “Literacy and Peace.” The DepEd Secretary said the conference aims to raise awareness on literacy for peace and sustainable future among the participants and share good practices on peace literacy for good governance. It also aims to reflect on peace situations and identify appropriate strategies and community intervention and develop peace and literacy action agenda, program, projects and activities for community development, he said. Expected to attend the conference on official business are the following: Bureau, Center and Regional Directors or their representatives, Regional Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs and Regional Supervisors of the Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) and formal education. Schools/City Division Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents and Division Supervisors of ALS and formal education, District Supervisors and Principals/Head Teachers of Elementary and Secondary Public and Private Schools, ALS coordinators and mobile teachers, especially, those from the 5th and 6th class municipalities/districts and provinces in the 30 focused barangays with the lowest literacy rates. Also included are officers of the government agencies with extension programs involving literacy or continuing education and heads and members of the non-government organizations and civil society organizations (NGO/CSO), heads of local government units (LGU) barangay chairpersons and Kagawads, barangay health workers and other officers involved in universalization of literacy. Finally, the following are also included: heads of private/corporate foundations with interest in education or literacy and heads and members of academic institutions particularly those in charge of the National Service Training Program-Literacy Training Service (NSTP-LTS). Meanwhile, Sec. Luistro said the conference will be highlighted with the presentation of the National Literacy Hall of Fame Award to Tagum City for being a three time first place winner in the Outstanding Local Government Unit- Component City Level Categor of the National Literacy Awards. Tagum City is also an awardee in the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes 2011 for its exemplary accomplishments in literacy development through peace and literacy, Sec. Luistro added. (PIA-10)





Woman with cancer commits suicide

by Stephanie V. Bergamo


A WOMAN with cervical cancer allegedly committed suicide inside her house in Upper Tambo, Barangay Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday afternoon.

The victim is identified as Celsa Olahara, 60, widow.

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Police operatives in Macasandig who responded to the scene found Olahara hanging with a blanket tied around her neck.

The victim was reportedly alone in the house when the incident happened.

Her neighbors said Olahara was reportedly depressed due to poverty. She also refused to seek medical help for her cancer because of financial problem.

Police believed it was her illness and financial situation that pushed Olahara to kill herself.





Councilors want contract for Oro garbage

by Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


OPPOSITION Councilors Edgar Cabanlas and Roger Abaday on Tuesday urged their colleagues in the administration to show the contract of the Cagayan de Oro City’s garbage contractor.

The issue of the contract was brought up after the majority members approved the P9 million appropriations for collection of garbage, which was being proposed by Mayor Vicente Emano to be taken from the excess budget of the city’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

Both Cabanlas and Abaday questioned the legality of the contract between the City Government and the garbage contractor.

“We have the right to ask about the contract to know the terms and conditions, especially that we are appropriating a big amount of money to the mayor to monitor what will happen to the appropriation,” Cabanlas told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Earlier, Abaday lambasted the privatization of garbage collection in the city, citing it’s an inappropriate implementation with the absence of a necessary ordinance.

He said the privatization of garbage collection in the city took effect in March 2011 without passing it to the City Council for further discussion.

“I want to see the contract,” Abaday said.

Related to this, Councilor President Elipe said it is premature to talk about the contract in the plenary since it was not in the agenda proper on Tuesday’s regular session.

Elipe said the discussion was for the P9 million budget augmentation of garbage collection in the city.

He also clarified that Roland Ramos, the contractor of garbage collection in the city, has an existing contract with the City Government.

“There is a contract but on a monthly basis since it is not a long-term contract. The contractor is billing every month addressed to the Public Services department,” Elipe said.

He stressed that the City Government would not enter any agreement without a contract.




SM City launches new eco bag

by Nicole J. Managbanag


SM CITY Cagayan de Oro participated in the United Nations International Year of the Forest by launching stylish designs of new eco-friendly shopping bags recently.

The said event was simultaneously held in all SM branches to encourage all shoppers, active citizens of the environment and stewards of the planet to actively join in preserving Mother Earth.

SM’s new eco bag is made from hard wearing non-woven fabric that is sourced from 100 percent polypropylene.

Polypropylene is proven to be recyclable, non toxic, allergy-free and non-reactive to human skin.

Ivy Guantero, SM press relations officer, said the polypropylene material is also durable enough to last up to two years.

She said SM eco bag users can show their support in saving the earth in a stylish way.

“Our SM eco bag collection, on its third release edition, is available nationwide for only P35, featuring four new designs that deliver messages of taking action and declaring involvement in helping save the environment with the theme ‘I am Involved’,” Guantero said.

Sabudalah Abubacar, regional director of the Environmental Management Bureau for Northern Mindanao, supports the SM eco bag, citing that it is a good project in preserving Mother Earth.

Abubacar said it is very important for the business sectors to come up with ways in protecting the earth.

He said 1,000 shoppers a day use around 30,000 plastic, making the program very laudable as it would help save the forests and the environment.

Guantero said the SM eco bag is just one of the many environmental projects headed by SM Cares, the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, that implements programs for persons with disability, senior citizens, youth, children and shoppers.

“SM Cares promotes long-term sustenance of the environmental, economic and social aspects of life for a sustainable future,” Guantero said.




Restraining order vs water rate hike sought

by Michael Andrew W. Yu


A NON-GOVERNMENT organization has filed a petition with the National Water Board Resources asking for a restraining order against the 25 percent water rate increase implemented by the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) starting September 1.

Task force “Too-Big” is also requesting for an investigation on the procedure of the water rate increase and called for the reversal of the approval by the Local Water Utilities Administration.

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It is also calling for a thorough investigation on the audited financial reports of COWD, including its actual unauthorized, illegal and exorbitant expenditures.

The task force consists of civil society groups, organizations and alliances in Cagayan de Oro City, including the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference-Cagayan de Oro Chapter, Water Service Cooperative, Konsumanteng Kagay-anon, Gising Barangay Movement, Catholic Archdiocese Social Action Centers, parishes and various civic clubs, schools and barangays.

The petition is represented by Dr. Anselmo Mercado, chairperson of the Cagayan de Oro Cooperative Development Council; Milagros P. Ortigas, co-chair of BBC-CDO; Rev. Fr. Nathan Lerio, Fatima Parish priest and Action for Good Governance Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro; Rene Michael B. Baños, chairperson of Konsumanteng Kagay-anon; and Manuel Valdehueza Jr. of Gising Barangay Movement Cagayan de Oro.

The Task Force believed there are enough grounds for the COWD to be officially investigated not only by the National Water Board Resources but also by the Ombudsman.

It said that good governance, transparency and accountability of government-owned-and-controlled-corporations are not only basic postulations of the Republic but are mandatory duties as well.

The Task Force also said water consumers in Cagayan de Oro have the right to be informed why millions of pesos have been disbursed without legal basis; why millions of pesos have been lost due to mismanagement practices of COWD as shown by the Commission on Audit (COA) reports; why these have not been properly addressed and corrected; and why these anomalies were allowed to continue in spite of the COA revelations and demands for compliance with several relevant laws and government regulatory acts.






Archbishop invites media to culture of peace seminar

by Walter I. Balane


MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/03 September) — Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma has invited media practitioners from the dioceses of Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, Malaybalay, Iligan, Pagadian and the prelature of Marawi to a culture of peace workshop. Ledesma, chair of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue (ECID) , sent out the invitations for the ECID workshop on Culture of Peace on September 3 in Cagayan de Oro City. ECID is holding the workshop under its Peace Governance Mindanao Program. In his invitation to the Bukidnon Press Club, Ledesma said they intend to identify and share past, present, or proposed inter-religious dialogue (IRD) or peace building activities and initiatives highlighting media participation and active involvement. The invitation said the workshop will highlight the gains and best practices of those who have experience in peace-building, the problems encountered, and the lessons learned. It also hopes to increase understanding and appreciation of the media’s important bridging role in inter-religious dialogue and peace building. Seeking that the media will contribute to the “overall call for peace and reconciliation,” Ledesma said they also intend to map capacity building needs and opportunities to strengthen media participation as peace builders. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)





Entrepreneur teaches light making

by Nicole J. Managbanag


A social development entrepreneur visited Cagayan de Oro (CDO) on Thursday and introduced the process of making lights through recycled bottles.

Illac Diaz, a social development entrepreneur and nephew of former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz who founded MyShelter Foundation, a non-profit organization brought a simple, cheap and innovative technology to the Philippines through his project "A Liter of Light" (Isang Litrong Liwanag) that makes use of recycled plastic bottles.

The project conducted in CDO was spearheaded by MyShelter Foundation and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines Northern and Central Mindanao (Oro, Bai Lawanen, Macajalar 24K, Kagayhaan Gold and Iligan) in cooperation with ABC of Cagayan de Oro City, Parasat, Zipzone, Great White Water Tours and Ms. Jem Ferrer and Blue Angel Productions.

Diaz said the solar bottle lights can be made out of recycled plastic soda bottles encased in galvanized iron sheets and filled with solutions of chlorine, water and salt that can normally be found in the household.

He said the “Isang Litrong Liwanag” is a sustainable lighting project that aims to bring the eco-friendly Solar Bottle Bulb to underprivileged communities nationwide.

Designed and developed by students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Diaz said the Solar Bottle Bulb is based on the principles of Appropriate Technologies, a concept that provides simple and easily replicable technologies that address basic needs in developing communities.

At Barangay Lapasan, around 100 solar bulbs were installed.

Diaz said they chose Barangay Lapasan as the pilot area of the project in Cagayan de Oro since it is one of the most populated barangays in the city.

“Our group aims to provide solar energy at a much cheaper cost of P250 per bulb, which is equivalent to 55 watts that would last up to 10 years,” said Diaz, a 2005 Top Outstanding Young Men awardee for Social Entrepreneurship and the 2007 JCI TOYP.

With the bottle light, he said those who cannot afford to have electricity will no longer use candles or kerosene lamps that would sometimes cause fire.

Diaz said the bottle light also contributes against climate change.

He said on October 29, they will light around 300,000 solar bulbs simultaneously in major cities of the country as part of the “Isang Litrong Liwanag” project.





DOH hopes to declare Oro as filariasis-free by 2012

by Michael Andrew W. Yu


THE Department of Health (DOH) is hoping to declare Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Occidental as filariasis-free by next year.

Dr. Jaime Bernadas, DOH Northern Mindanao director, said this is the fifth year that the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) has been done to persons living in endemic areas in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental to prevent them from getting infected with filariasis.

Filariasis, also known as elephantiasis, is a parasitic disease caused by filarial worms that are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Infected persons suffer swelling of the legs, arms and other parts of the body.

Bernadas said MDA focuses on distributing free medicines to persons in endemic areas.

The MDA is a strategy introduced by non-government organization Coalition for the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (CELF) to interrupt transmission of infection by administering two oral drugs once a year to people living in endemic areas.

In 2009, the MDA coverage rate for Cagayan de Oro was 63 percent while Misamis Occidental had 82.4 percent and Misamis Oriental, 54.2 percent.

“Bukidnon was the first to declare filaria-free but we still maintain our activities there and we are monitoring any possible occurrence of the disease. Hopefully, Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Occidental would be declared filarial-free next year,” Bernadas said.

He said the declaration of Misamis Oriental as filaria-free might be delayed due to some problems in "campaign and education."

"We have problems with some of the residents in terms of acceptance in taking the medicine due to lack of education," Bernadas said.

With this, Bernadas is calling the cooperation of everyone to make the MDA an effective tool in preventing filariasis.

On Thursday, officials from DOH, CELF, World Health Organization (WHO), National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC), drug companies and other stakeholders held the 3rd National Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination Forum in Cagayan de Oro.

Among those who attended the forum are Dr. Galvez Tan, chairperson of CELF-Philippines; Dr. Jeffrey Hii, WHO adviser; Dr. Lilibeth David, Director IV of DOH-NCDPC; Dr. Leda M. Hernandez, division chief of NCDPC; Lourdes Desiree Cembrano, VP for Government and External/Public affairs of GlaxoSmithKline; and representatives from the Dr. Jose Rizal School of Medicine of Xavier University.

Dr. Hii said filariasis is much easy to eliminate than malaria and dengue.

The CELF is assisting the government in eliminating filariasis in the Philippines and helps in interrupting the transmission of the disease through the MDA, social mobilization and advocacy, morbidity control, monitoring and surveillance, and research.

The coalition is doing health education and promotion activities by facilitating seminars and workshop, producing leaflets and brochures and hosting local television and radio, ads and conducting interviews about filariasis.

Among the vital components of MDA are training of volunteers, the alleviation of adverse effects through the provision of supportive medication and the promotion of MDA awareness by organizing activities in celebration of the Lymphatic Filariasis Month.

Filariasis can be prevented through the oral administration of medicines called Diethylcarbamazine citrate.

As of present, GlaxoSmithKline is producing a medicine called Albendazole to help prevent the spread of filariasis.

“Our campaign is for mass treatment of individuals, especially in endemic areas. We target to completely eradicate filariasis in the country by 2016,” said Tan.

The CELF is also urging the public to maintain a clean environment to prevent them from getting infected with the disease.

In case a person lives in an endemic area, the coalition recommends for that person to undergo blood tests for possible trace of filariasis.

Currently, there are 44 endemic provinces in the country, nine of which already reached elimination level while six are under evaluation and one province is not doing any mass treatment since the presence of filaria is low.

Candidates for selective treatments are those areas where the micro filarial rate is below one percent while those areas with a micro filarial rate of one percent and above will undergo the MDA.

In 2014, the Philippines will host a meeting for the Global Alliance of Elimination of Lymphatic Disease.





Energy consumption survey starts in September

by Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


THE first 2010 survey of energy consumption of establishments (Sece) will start on September until December in 2011.

The survey aims to provide specific data that might become useful indicators to measure the levels and trends of energy consumption by sector for the country.

In general, the data to be collected include the quantity of fuels, other fossil and biomass fuels purchased, value by type of energy products purchased, inventories by fuel type and the end-use of energy.

Sectoral energy intensities are also set to be derived and to be broadly classified into industrial, service/commercial, transport and agricultural.

The Department of Energy shall be the major data user of the survey results. (PR)

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