Cagayan de Oro City News September 2012

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City launches eco-bag project on Oct. 1

By pia.gov.ph


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept. 30 -- City Councilor President Elipe, chair of the city council committee on environment, is inviting members of the media to a press conference on Monday, October 1, 2 p.m. at the City Council Session Hall.

He said this is in relation to the launching of the city’s unified eco-bag project aimed at effectively reducing the use of non-biodegrable plastics in Cagayan de Oro.

It may be recalled that Mayor Vicente Emano signed a Memorandum of Agreement with SM, Savemore, Robinsons, Gaisano and Ororama for the use of a green bag.

The project will not only boost the environmental campaign but will also provide livelihood to Typhoon Sendong survivors who will be manufacturing the bags. (CIO/PIA10)

Service beyond borders: An adopt-a-tribe project

By Paul John A. Vesagas, R.N., R.M.


WHAT does it take to render service that transcends the mediocre abstractions? How much sacrifice must one embrace to obtain the courage that will sustain the spirit of volunteerism to extend help in the absence of reciprocity to those who are in need the most?

These and among many other service-oriented theses had readily filled the hearts and minds of the Sociology-Anthropology students -- undergraduate, graduate and post graduate -- of Xavier University when they conceptualized the launching of the “Adopt-a-tribe Project” in Sitio Simsimon, Barangay Kalagangan in San Fernando, Bukidnon last August.

The goal of the project was to share books and school supplies like notebooks, pencils and paper, slippers and hygiene kits like toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and bath soaps.


The beneficiaries of the project were the 10 sitios of Barangay Kalagangan -- Simsimon, Dilon, Malugon, Lugawon, Ambong, Dapiluan, Metapol, Alubijid, Maugan and Balakayon.

San Fernando, Bukidnon is geographically located in the southeast portion of the province. It is bounded in the north by Malaybalay City, Davao City and North Cotabato in the south, Quezon and Valencia City in the west and Talaingod, Davao del Norte in the east.

Topographers estimate that San Fernando’s area is 80 percent mountainous. As a matter of fact, the Pantaron Mountain Range forms a parcel of the border separating San Fernando from Davao provinces in the west while the Aga mountains separate the municipality from Valencia City and Quezon. In terms of the bodies of water, San Fernando has two major river systems, namely the Tigwa River that empties to Cotabato and Salug River that empties to Davao Gulf.

Reading about the geographical profile of San Fernando would somehow give one an impression as to the magnitude of its remoteness from the urban or city life. There is no shortcut or “warp zone” to reach San Fernando. To get there with Cagayan de Oro as the starting point means to travel by land of at least three hours going to Valencia City. From there, one has to take a structurally-modified motorcycle ride or in local slang “skylab” or “habal-habal” until they reach a certain “drop-off-point” at Sitio Macupa where no vehicle, no matter how small, can feasibly proceed because it’s a dead end. No bridge -- primitive or modern -- has been constructed yet to overpass the Salug River. Because of this, one has to hike along the above-knee level Salug River for about an hour to reach Sitio Simsimon.

This is what exactly the brave and dedicated 16 student sociologists of XU under the banner of the Organization of Sociology-Anthropology Students (OSAS) did.

Enduring a 12-hour travel from Cagayan de Oro City to San Fernando, not minding the heat of the sun, the rain and taking the unpredictable risks of river crossing, the OSAS volunteers made it to Simsimon, San Fernando, home to the Matigsalug Manobos, a tribe of cotton-weavers in the 70’s. Simsimon has been selected as the base of the OSAS volunteers and is estimated to have at least 45 households.

From Simsimon, they extended the aids to adjacent sitios that are already far-flung.

“We left Cagayan de Oro City at 5:00 o’clock in the morning. We arrived at Simsimon past 5:00 o’clock in the evening,” recalls Laurine Alexis Yonson, OSAS president.

Simsimon is known to be cut off from the culture of post modernism -- no electricity, no loud music, no cellular phone network signal and no Facebook.

“Immediately the night that we arrived at Simsimon, we started sorting all the resources -- books, hygiene kits, etc… -- we had gathered with only several candles to light the small room that we, the OSAS volunteers, occupied,” Yonson adds.

Mona Lisa Pangan, OSAS moderator and an M.A. in sociology student, shares they woke up half-past five in the morning in Simsimon.

“We prepared ourselves and the needed things but before anything else, we were welcomed that day with a small ritual that consisted of beheading a chicken prepared by an elder of the tribe,” she says.

She adds: “The ritual was supposed to diagnose whether or not the good spirit was with us and could foretell the success or failures of our endeavors in Simsimon.”

After the ritual, the OSAS volunteers began cooking arroz caldo to be distributed among the Matigsalug Manobo children, who at their assumption had varying forms of malnutrition.

While waiting for the arroz caldo to be served, some graduate and post graduate students took the lead of demonstrating how to do calisthenics exercises to children.

After nourishing the children, the group took some time interacting with the tribal leaders. From there, they were able to assess that among the needs of the community are related to education, especially school supplies, livelihood and health.

“In a typical conversation with some of the tribal leaders, it was revealed that the Matigsalug Manobo children had to reach the next Sitio for schooling. As such, they had to travel seven kilometers and cross seven river bends,” Pangan shares.

Compounding to the problem was the fact that the health center was also located several kilometers from reach.

When the interaction was over, the OSAS volunteers distributed the books and hygiene kits, making sure that all the targeted beneficiaries received their share of the blessings.

“I was overwhelmed with the experience. A good number of people and organizations responded to our invitations to share their blessings to the people of San Fernando,” Pangan says.

Although much help has been extended, the OSAS volunteers believe that there is still much work to be done if the living conditions of the people at San Fernando are to be alleviated.

“Self-sustainability is the key to improve the lives in general of the people of San Fernando. What we have done is only a temporary measure,” Yonson says.

The OSAS would like to express its gratitude in making the adopt-a-tribe project possible to the following donors -- Children International, Coca-Cola Misamis Oriental, Chikita UniFruiti, Happy Soles, SCF General Manpower Services, XU College of Arts and Sciences Parents-Faculty Council, XU Council of Nursing Students, Alumni and to all XU students who shared their blessings.






DepEd to confer award to outstanding teachers

By Jorie C. Valcorza


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to honor outstanding teachers who have shown remarkable devotion to their job, on October 5, during the celebration of Teachers’ month.

The culminating activity will take place here in Cagayan de Oro City, first ever, and it is expecting around 5,000 teacher-participants coming from different parts of Mindanao.

Dr. Myrna T. Castaños, Gingoog City School Division Superintendent and chairperson of the World Teachers’ Day (WTD) publicity and media committee, explained in a press conference at the Business Week Mindanao media center, that the celebration is intentionally set in Cagayan de Oro to highlight the heroic acts of teachers in schools heavily affected by tropical storm Sendong, including Iligan City.

“This is a grand event; we are expecting big personalities, including artists just to ensure we please our teachers, it’s an all fun day for them,” Medarda B. Galarrita, DepEd 10 information officer assured.

The national culmination activity will serve as the highpoint of the nationwide celebration, while all other school across the country simultaneously celebrate the event.

A prayer for teachers will be invoked at 10 a.m. on the day of the event. (JCV-PIA 10)

Dengue cases slow down in NorMin

By Jorie C. Valcorza


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept 27 (PIA) -- Latest dengue report shows a significant drop in the number of cases here in the region.

Dr. David A. Mendoza, Department of Health 10-Epidemiology, Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit (DOH-RESU) coordinator, said that the figure for this month has dramatically decreased to only 462 cases as of September 21.

The DOH-RESU has recorded 1,507 suspected cases last month, the highest point reached starting January of this year.

“Cases have started to decrease but we should not be complacent, as this is still 192 percent higher than the same time period last year,” he said.

There were already 28 deaths recorded this year with a case fatality rate of 0.6 percent, among children aged one to nine.

Most of the cases were from the province of Misamis Oriental, absorbing close to 75 percent of the total regional figure, with Cagayan de Oro City contributing the biggest chunk on the pie.

Mendoza reiterates DOH anti-dengue campaign anchored on the 4S which means: Search and destroy to eliminate all the possible breeding sites of the mosquito that carries the virus; Self protection or measures to protect people from mosquito bites; Seek early treatment; and Say no to indiscriminate fogging. (JCV-PIA 10)

DepEd Usec commends Balulang teachers

By Jorie C. Valcorza


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept 26 (PIA) -- Department of Education Undersecretary Rizalino D. Rivera recalled how mud covered the buildings of Balulang Elementary School, when he last visited it after tropical storm Sendong devastated Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, December last year.

In his talk yesterday, during the ceremonial turn-over of the two-storey, four-classroom building from Apl.de.ap of the famous American rap musical group Black Eyed Peas, Rivera expressed his admiration for the teachers for doing their best to salvage whatever was left from the flood and assured his support to any request the school may still need.

“I was here and it was muddy all over, it was so hard for us to get inside and then I noticed teachers standing at the waiting shed near the school entrance, when I asked them why they were here (reporting for work) when there was devastation over the place, they replied, “It’s school day sir.”

“I was so touched of their devotion to work despite the damage the floods caused their respective homes,” he recounted.

He said he could barely recognize the computer sets that the teachers were trying to recover as these were all covered with mud.

“Tama po, mga bayani po kayo (It is correct, you really are heroes). Thank you for your commitment to save all that was left for our students to utilize,” he added.

Rivera likewise acknowledged efforts of the teachers and school administrators in Bayug Elementary School, Iligan City for accommodating enrollees even when their school was totally washed out by floods.

The number of students who enrolled for the first week recorded 75 percent turn-out and reached to 100 percent after few weeks. (JCV-PIA 10)

City vows to boost investments support

By Loui S. Maliza


AS THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro hailed effort of the Board of Investments (BOI) promoting the city as a business hub, the present administration, in return, vowed to provide investment incentives to boost investments support.

“We will provide investment incentives fiscal or non-fiscal and infrastructure,” said Estrella Sagaral of the City Economic department as she read Mayor Vicente Emano’s reaction to BOI’s 2012 Investment Roadshow here recently on how the present administration would enhance the business environment in support to the business sector.

Sagaral was representing the mayor at the well-attended regional roadshow conducted by the BOI, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Tourism (DOT).

“We are now reviewing the investment incentives ordinance in Cagayan de Oro to expand the city’s pleasured business investment activity,” she quoted part of Emano’s statement.

Part of the list, she added, is City Hall’s project advocating disaster prevention and mitigation; promoting the development of the agri-business; housing; iron and steel; green projects; hospital and medical services; ecological solid-waste management; clean water project and other industries.

“The city also provides logistics support to the business and industries of neighboring provinces and municipalities, thereby enticing more investors as manifested in this IPP (Investment Priorities Plan of 2012). Indeed, it is imperative to lure more investors to come in to contribute to the country’s economy,” Emano’s added.

BOI Governor Oliver B. Butalid, who presented the nation’s 2012 IPP, admitted local government units have to be rallied to really attract investors especially on manufacturing business to achieve inclusive economic growth.

Inclusive growth, Butalid said, can be achieved if more jobs are created.

Focus on energy

At same occasion, the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OroChamber) shared that BOI and stakeholders should give emphasis on the energy sector saying it is essential in putting up businesses in the locality.

“First and foremost, it is a ‘yes’ moment for us in the Chamber because as early as February, (information circulated) that the energy sector be deleted (in this year’s IPP). So, we started campaigning for the retention of the energy sector to be included in the 2012 IPP. We need power to meet the growing needs of the manufacturing and processing industries in the city, not to mention the increase in the number of commercial establishments,” said OroChamber executive director Lordelie Enjambre, who read the biggest business group’s reaction to the investments roadshow.

Enjambre said the Department of Energy (DOE) already highlighted that by 2013, “we will need 2,500 to 3,000 megawatt (MW) power generating capacity to power our activity in the island.”

“This is also confirmed by the NGCP (National Grid Corporation of the Philippines),” she added.

Int’l Fil-Am singer hands over new school building to Cagayan de Oro City students=

By Elaine O. Ratunil


Sept 24 (PIA) -- Apl.de.ap, a Filipino-American singer and member of the famous American rap musical group Black Eyed Peas has returned to the Philippines to hand over a new school building to students in Cagayan de Oro

Apl.de.ap is in the country to fulfill a promise he has made during a visit to student survivors of Tropical Storm “Sendong” at Balulang Elementary School in Cagayan de Oro City on February 2012.

“I will come back when this school is finished,” Apl.de.ap said in a talk among reporters and writers after the ground breaking for the school building months ago.

Apl.de.ap will hand over a newly completed two-storey four-classroom school building to students on Tuesday, September 25.

Implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the school building project was funded under his “We Can Be Anything” campaign, which is a partnership between the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF).

Cagayan de Oro City was among those badly hit by tropical storm Sendong. Several infrastructures among them schools were damaged and destroyed by flashflood triggered by the storm that also left several lives lost in the tragedy.

Apl.de.ap. visited damaged schools weeks after the deluge and was moved by the extent of damages brought by Sendong in the city. The Filipino-American rap icon also listened to stories of survivors and has seen their difficult situation at the evacuation centers in the city.

Through the campaign, Apl.de.Ap, a.k.a. Allan Pineda Lindo Jr. hoped to make a difference by improving the lives of poor Filipino children especially in the field of education.

To give Apl.de.ap a platform for his advocacy, NCAF appointed him the special ambassador for education of the “iamninoy-iamcory Movement” in February 2011.

Apl.de.ap’s effort forms part of Bayanihang Pampaaralan (BP) action to help address education concerns in the country. A private sector-led project, Bayanihang Pampaaralan is an initiative that aims to build new classrooms to reduce classroom backlog in the Philippines. In 2011, Department of Education data revealed a classroom shortage of about 66,800. BP hopes to build 10,000 classrooms to help address the problem.

Bayanihang Pampaaralan is a campaign initiative under the 57-75 Education Reform Movement, an alliance composed of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), Eugenia Apostol Foundation (formerly Foundation for Worldwide People Power), League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and Synergeia Foundation. (Danny Escabarte/PBSP/PIA10)

6 mining barges continue to operate in CDO river

By Cong Corrales


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY(MindaNews/ 21 September)— Aboard two choppers of the Philippine Air Force’s Technical Operations Group, local environmentalists and reporters discovered Friday morning six mining barges operating in one of the upland barangays in this city. At least three barges, including a mini-loader and a backhoe, were spotted operating within the Barangay Tuburan area beside the Iponan River. Orlan Ravanera, Sulog chairman, who was on board the lead chopper, said he spotted also three more barges upstream of the Iponan River. Sulog is a coalition of local environmental groups and socio-political organizations. It means “current” in the vernacular. “I thought these miners were done operating in the area because of the raid conducted by government agencies awhile back. I was appalled to see them operating again,” said Ravanera. Recently, authorities padlocked a dredger operating in Barangay Pagalungan here, because this was actually being used for gold deposit extraction, and not just sand and gravel. A joint operation by the local police and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, an agency under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, discovered the dredger operating near the boundary of Cagayan de Oro and Opol town, Misamis Oriental. It was one of the six barge-like vessels reportedly operating along the Iponan River. Ravanera said that with the video footages and pictures as evidences, they will file a class suit against “anybody who is responsible for letting the mining barges operate again.” “One Sendong is enough. We should now stop (the) abuse of nature. We call on one and all to take legal action in a form of a class suit,” he said.

Environmentalists and civil society groups, together with the Roman Catholic Church led by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, have concurred that mining operations in the hinterland barangays of the city contributed much to the destruction wrought by tropical storm Sendong late last year. At least 1,500 people have been killed in the flashfloods then that hit Northern Mindanao, many of them from this city. (Cong B. Corrales/MindaNews)

DILG-10 begins series of business permit and licensing workshops

By Rochelle Dagang


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept 21 -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10, in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10, has started a series of orientation-workshops in streamlining the business permit and licensing system (BPLS) for municipalities in the region.

This is the third series of orientations under the said program.

Last September 18 and 19, 13 municipalities of Bukidnon province, which are not yet trained in the BPLS program, participated in the seminar-workshop at the De Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City.

Around 80 participants in this workshop, led by their respective municipal mayors and councilors, were oriented on the BPLS reforms by DILG Program Officer Hazel Occeña. Other topics were given by Lodie Cadiz and Jocelyn Rosales of DTI for the Philippines Business Registry and steps in business registration, while Fire Superintendent Allan Aladano gave the overview of Republic Act 9514 (otherwise known as the Fire Code of the Philippines 2008), and BPLO Arturo Callao for Malaybalay City best practice.

Aside from the local officials, other workshop participants are municipal administrators, municipal treasurers, business permit and licensing officers, municipal fire marshalls and municipal local government operations officers.

In the joint memorandum circular by DILG and DTI, LGUs are encouraged to simplify the business registration process by reducing the number of steps, processing time, number of signatories and the adoption of a unified form in business permit applications. Said circular imposes standards that will reduce the cost of doing business in the country and address the other policy issues that discourage international and local investors.

According to Rene K. Burdeos, DILG-10 regional director, the BPLS workshop is part of the continuing process to encourage LGUs to adopt the computerized BPLS and make business transactions easier by the constituents. He reported that competitiveness rating in the country has improved since the introduction of these reforms.

Twenty-two LGUs in the region were already enrolled under the said program since 2010.

The Bukidnon participants expressed their appreciation on the training conducted as they now see the gaps in their LGUs in the easy processing of business permits and licenses.

Next batch to undergo training are those from the municipalities of Misamis Occidental this October 2012. (Rochelle Dagang/DILG/PIA10)

Journalists group: Cybercrime law betrays freedom

By Abigail C. Malalis


THE passage of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 betrays the Aquino administration’s commitment to transparency and freedom of expression, said the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP).

In a statement, NUJP said the inclusion of libel among the crimes that may be committed with the use of computers poses threat not only against the media and other communicators but “anyone in the general public who has access to a computer and the Internet.”

President Benigno Aquino signed the Cybercrime law on September 12, the second Information Communication Technology (ICT)-related bill that the Aquino administration signed this year.

Under the law, among the offenses punishable aside from libel include cybersex, child pornography, cyber squatting and identity theft, spamming or unsolicited commercial communication, computer-related forgery, illegal access to a computer system and/or illegal interception of data, data interference including intentional alteration or damaging of data; system interference including damaging or altering computer data or programs as well as the use of viruses, the misuse of devices; and the use, production, sale, procurement, importation, distribution or making available without right of malware, passwords or codes.

Aquino also signed into law the Data Privacy Act in August with provisions restricting access to information.

“Compare the haste with which this measure and the Data Privacy Act became law, compared to Congress’ lethargy on a bill that President Aquino has repeatedly declared a priority yet never lifted a finger to help shepherd through the legislative mill -- the Freedom of Information Act – and it becomes all too apparent that this President never meant anything he said with respect to our rights and our freedoms,” the NUJP said.

Nonoy Espina of the NUJP said even the United Nations Human Rights Council urged the Philippine government to review the law as it successfully broaden the scope of the libel.

Espina said the United Nations Human Rights Council itself declared it excessive and called on the Philippine government to review the law with the end of decriminalizing libel.

“We have time and again aired our suspicions that this President was no friend of press freedom, what with his apathy toward the continued murders, assaults and threats on our ranks and his penchant for whining and blaming media for delivering the news instead of singing his praises,” he said.

However, Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Ramon Tabor hailed the law’s passage, saying it will protect the people from being abused through the social networking sites.

“What is important with this new law is that the people’s right will be protected,” Tabor said.

PRO-10 hosts 2-day Leadership Seminar-Workshop to key police officers of Western and Northern Mindanao

By (PSupt. Ronnie Francis M. Cariaga/PRO/PIA-10)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept. 19 -- Facilitators from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development (DHRDD) initiated the two-day leadership training in Camp Alagar, Cagayan de Oro City, in coordination with the Fellowship of Christians in Government, Inc. (FOCIG).

The members of Police Regional Office (PRO)-10 Command Group headed by PCSupt. Gil J. Hitosis, Regional Director, witnessed the opening of the program held on September 17, 2012.

Participants consisted of Provincial Directors, City Directors, Chiefs of Police of component cities and other key officers in the police regional offices of regions 9, 10 and 13.

This activity will also be conducted in all parts of the country in clustered venues, as one of the thrusts of PNP Chief, Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome, in helping field commanders achieve intended police reform, through its Integrated Transformation Program and Performance Governance System (PNP-ITP-PGS).

AmyJay M. Reconalla, one of the facilitators of the program, said the intention of the PNP Chief to target Provincial and City Directors and other key officers considering the strategic nature of their positions. They are the decision-makers who will have the authority to cascade what they learned to their subordinates and to their own families.

At the end of the seminar, participants will be made aware of themselves, and commit to the aspirations of the PNP consistently and progressively. When they go back to their respective units, they are expected to perform with high morale, critical skills, discipline and exemplary character.

PSSupt. Lyndel A. Desquitado, Acting Regional Director for Administration, delivered his welcome address by expressing his profound gratitude for once again choosing PRO-10 as the venue of the seminar. Over the past years, PRO-10 has always been considered a preferred place for seminars and trainings of police officers due to the city’s peaceful and orderly condition and rapid economic growth.

Sangguniang Panglungsod adopts Cagayan de Oro’s Citizen’s Charter

By (Lorebeth C. Requiroso/CdeOSP/PIA10)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept. 18 (PIA) -- Cagayan de Oro finally has a Citizen’s Charter.

The 16th City Council, headed by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, passed last Tuesday Resolution No. 1138-2012, adopting the Citizen’s Charter, which defines the nature and scope of the city government’s services.

The charter also shows the operation and structure of different departments, persons to approach to avail of government services and the time table for each transaction.

This is in compliance with Republic Act 9845 or the Anti-Red Tape Act and Executive Order No. 057-2012, issued by Mayor Vicente Y. Emano, mandating the establishment of the Citizen’s Charter.

To facilitate this, the mayor created a Steering Committee, which he chairs with Acenas as the vice chair. Members are Councilor Alvin Calingin and City Legal Officer Atty. Maryann Enteria. A task force headed by City Administrator Atty. Leon Du M. Gan, Jr worked with the different departments in coming up with the charter.

According to the committee, through this initiative, government services will be known to the constituents and will increase transparency.

It will also open itself to feedbacks, facilitate interaction with its people and pave the way for improvement. This is in keeping with the city government’s mandate and intention to provide good governance to the people of Cagayan de Oro.

561 ship passengers rescued

By Jerry E. Esplanada


Coast Guard personnel rescued 561 passengers of an interisland ship which encountered engine trouble while it was about to dock at the Iloilo City port on Sunday. Instead of docking, the MV St. Thomas Aquinas, which was headed for Cagayan de Oro City, decided to drop anchor about 500 yards from its berthing area, Commo. Athelo Ybañez, Coast Guard district commander in Western Visayas, reported. The ship plies the Manila-Bacolod City-Iloilo City-Cagayan de Oro City route. “Due to the ship’s size, the tugboat that was available at the Iloilo port failed to tow the vessel to shore,” Ybañez said. Instead, Coast Guard men helped the passengers disembark using the same tugboat.” The passengers will be transported to Cebu aboard another commercial ship and then brought to their final destination, he added. Also on Sunday, the MV Lady of the Angel, which was bound for Bato, Southern Leyte, had the same problem, prompting Coast Guard personnel from the Eastern Visayas District to assist its 144 passengers and crew members. “The vessel came from Cebu City and was on its way to Bato when the incident happened near St. Bernard town,” the Philippine Coast Guard Action Center in Manila said.

Guv tagged mastermind of all raps vs Oro mayor

By Abigail C. Malalis and Nicole J. Managbanag


ASIDE from the administrative case earlier filed by members of a group against Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano, the mayor and 12 City Councilors are facing yet another complaint.

Jacky Ching, president of New Wishing Star Trading Corp., recently filed charges for violation of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Emano and the 12 city councilors at the Ombudsman in Manila.

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The 12 city officials are Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas and City Councilors Adrian Barba, Simeon Licayan, Dante Pajo, Alvin Calingin, Alden Bacal, Jose Pepe Abbu, Annie Daba, Ramon Tabor, President Elipe, Juan Sia and ex-officio member Dometillo Acenas Jr.

Ching, who won the bid to rent the second floor of the Carmen Public Market, decided to file a case when the City Government terminated his contract of lease allegedly for “some violations and inconsistencies.”

But City Councilor Alexander Dacer, a known supporter of Emano, said all these charges are just the handiwork of one man -- Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno.

Dacer said Moreno is the mastermind of all the cases filed against Emano.

“Moreno is so determined to look for loopholes against the mayor to make way for his ambition to win as mayor in the 2013 midterm election,” he said.

Dacer said a “very reliable source” informed him that Moreno was the one who encouraged Ching to file a case against Emano reportedly “to humiliate and taint” the mayor’s name.

“We can’t stop Moreno from doing what he wants as it is his right and his privilege to be part of the administration of President Benigno Aquino,” he said.

Dacer said he is expecting Moreno to deny all their allegations, citing the latter as a “very good liar and a manipulator behind the sweet face.”

“But our reliable source does not lie. Even other sources coming from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) could attest that Moreno requested the DPWH director to file a case against Emano,” he claimed. He added that at a proper time, their sources “will come out in the open.”

“Perhaps, after the filing of candidacy, and will soon expose Moreno and his hidden agenda against Mayor Emano,” Dacer said.

On the other hand, Maricel Casiño-Rivera, head of the Provincial Press Office, said this is not Moreno’s cup of tea.

“That’s Emano’s style actually and he is afraid that other people will do to him what he does to others. Pathetic. It’s their typical squid tactics. Palooy-looy aron ingnon gidaug-daug. Immune na ang tawo ana nga style,” Rivera said.

Meanwhile, Councilor Barba said he welcomes the case filed by Ching “so the people will know who violated the contract.”

Councilor Sia, for his part, said he also welcomed the case.

“So we will have time to learn if we did the right thing in protecting government properties against those who take advantage like Ching,” he said. “As public officials tasked to be custodians of government properties, it is a good decision that we terminated the contract of Ching.”

Related to this, Emano’s legal counsel, Lawyer Francis Ku, said they are optimistic that the investigating committee of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will consider their request to include the rainfall records from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) as evidence in the administrative case.

Ku said under Administrative Order 23 of DILG, it is a given right that the Investigating Officer may admit and give probative value to evidences as stated in Section I of Rule #8.

“We will submit our arguments through paper. We will include the investigation of Pagasa’s recorded rainfall,” he said.

Emano was accused of negligence and dereliction of duty by complainants Dr. Vincent Tero, Raul Ramon Roa, Celestino Ocio, Teodulfo Lao and Enrico Salcedo of Save CDO Now Movement for defiance of the orders of government agencies which, according to them, resulted in the “unparalleled number of deaths and destruction” brought by Typhoon Sendong in December 2011.

Lawyer Rannie Palisoc, DILG’s investigating officer, said after Monday’s hearing that both parties were ordered to submit a memorandum presenting their arguments and evidences.

“From their memorandum, the investigating committee will then promulgate the decision on the case,” Palisoc said.

But the complainants’ legal counsel, lawyer James Judith, said the inclusion of Pagasa’s rainfall document is only a delaying tactic.

Judith said they don’t see the relevance of Pagasa’s rainfall to the case.

“Why don’t they just secure it with Pagasa when that is a public document? Why do they have to make a motion or pray for a subpoena?” he said.

Judith added that such move is expected “of people who are grasping at straws of argument.” (Nicole J. Managbanag Abigail Chee Kee Malalis)

CDO to host qualifying leg of youth games

By Rico Biliran


DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/12 Sept) – Cagayan de Oro City will host the Mindanao qualifying leg of this year’s Philippine Youth Games – Batang Pinoy on November 7 to 11. Thousands of young potential athletes from various local government units (LGUs) in the island are expected to converge in Northern Mindanao’s regional center to vie for the right to represent their LGUs to the national finals. A total of 10 sport disciplines will be competed in the week-long event, including medal-rich swimming and athletics, arnis, boxing, badminton, chess, karatedo, lawn tennis, taekwondo and table tennis. Apart from staging the qualifying sport events, the national finals for golf and pencak silat will be played in Cagayan de Oro, the capital of Misamis Oriental also known as the “City of Golden Friendship.” Atty. Leon Du M. Gan, Cagayan de Oro City administrator, and Atty. Jay Alano, head of the National Events and Competition Office of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), recently discussed the role of the city government as host of the games. The PSC will bankroll the conduct of the games for children 15 years old and below while the LGU will shoulder the expenses of their participation in the Batang Pinoy games that serves as the national sports competition program for in- and out-of-school youth. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and National Sports Associations (NSA), both non-government entities and internationally recognized authorities in different sports, shall run and oversee the technical management of the event, according to the PSC. The top finishers in the qualifying sport events will march their way to the national finals slated December 8 to 11 in Ilo-ilo City. In an interview, Pochollo Elegino, Davao City Sports Development Division officer-in-charge, said they are now preparing for their participation in the Mindanao qualifying of the Batang Pinoy games, which was held last year in Zamboanga City. “As far as I am concerned, I want to join in all the qualifying events to give our athletes a chance to showcase their skills in a competition like this,” Elegino told MindaNews. “But it is subject to the availability of funds as advised to me by the Office of the City Mayor,” he added. Davao City placed second in the Mindanao qualifying event last year behind the host city, Zamboanga City, which bagged the overall championship with a total medal haul of 85 golds, 105 silvers and 61 bronzes.

Led by its swimmers, judokas and arnis competitors, Davao City collected 36 gold medals, 31 silvers and 47 bronzes. After the Mindanao leg, a qualifying tournament will be conducted in Tacloban City, Leyte for the Visayas leg. Three legs were conducted earlier in the National Capital Region (Marikina City), Northern Luzon (Pangasinan) and Southern Luzon (Oriental Mindoro). The Batang Pinoy Games, which was last held in 2004 in Puerto Princesa City, was revived last year to boost the country’s search for future national team standouts. “We revived the program because of the PSC mandate of grassroots development and the need to expand the base of young athletes,” PSC chairman Ricardo Garcia had said. “Yes we’ve got college-level athletes very much on the radar, but Batang Pinoy will enable us to reach further and tap that athletic talent before it even blooms, identifying the really young athletes so they can have the best training they deserve,” he added. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)

Lawyer 'confident' Cagayan de Oro mayor to be suspended soon

By Cong B. Corrales, InterAksyon.com


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines -- A lawyer of the Save CDO Now Movement said he is “confident” Mayor Vicente Emano will be suspended by December or January next year even as the city executive’s counsel vowed to fight any attempt to unseat him all the way to the Supreme Court.

In a phone interview, Wednesday, Save CDO Now legal counsel James Judith said he is confident that the memoranda and evidences they submitted to the Department of Interior and Local Government's Trial and Investigation Division Team Monday are enough to hold Emano accountable for the lives and property lost to the deadly flashfloods unleashed by storm “Sendong” late last year.

“Yes, (I see him being suspended on December or January). (It is my) gut feel. At any rate, I feel confident with our position and evidence,” Judith said. “This will be the defining moment for Kagay-anons, a triumph for law and the (legal) process.”

“We still hope to win the case. There are many (legal) remedies -- motion for reconsideration appeal to (the) Court of Appeals (or the) Supreme Court,” Emano’s lawyer, Francis Ku, said in a text message Wednesday.

On Monday, DILG investigating officer Ranny Spencer Palisoc told local reporters after their closed-door preliminary hearing at the department’s regional office that they will no longer set another hearing on the administrative case against Emano since both parties concurred to submit their respective memoranda.

“We have given both parties 30 days to submit their respective position papers and evidences,” Palisoc told reporters adding that it would take the investigating team at least 60 days after that to hand its decision.

Save CDO Now Movement members Dr. Vincent Tero, Pastor Raul Ramon Roa, ex-councilors Celestino Ocio and Teodulfo Lao, and then Barangay Gusa chair Enrico Salcedo, charged Emano with gross negligence and dereliction of duty during the onslaught of Sendong last December.

They argued that had Emano heeded the warnings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council as stipulated in the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010, the loss of lives and property would have been substantially lower.

But Ku said the administrative case against his client is politically motivated.

“We would like to be clarified on the context of this investigation. We believe that this is political persecution,” he said.

Proposed law on forced evacuation of residents in high-risk areas during calamities mulled

By (Lorebeth C. Requiroso/CdeOSP/PIA10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept. 11 -- The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) chaired by Mayor Vicente Emano is coming up with an ordinance for the implementation of a pre-emptive/forced evacuation of families living in high-risk areas during times of calamities. During its meeting last Sept. 6 presided over by CDRRMC vice chair Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, CDRRMC officer Engr. Mario Batar explained that this is in line with the general welfare clause of Republic Act (RA) 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, and RA 10121 and the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010. Pursuant to the proposed legislation, punong barangays with the CDRRMO Quick Response Team will initiate the forced evacuation of families in their respective areas. The chief of police and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) commander, fire marshall and jail chief will be enjoined to assist and mobilize their respective units for the transport of the evacuees. The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMC) shall ensure that the forced evacuation shall be done in a manner that is humane and respectful of the dignity of persons, without discrimination and with conscious attention to the needs of vulnerable sectors such as children, women, the elders and persons with disability. It provides that it is the LDRRMC that shall declare the period when the affected families will be allowed to return or go back to their homes. The proposed legislation is undergoing refinement and will be submitted to the City Legal Office for review and to the City Council for approval.

Hong seeks 2nd ICTSI title at Ranchos

By The Philippine Star


MANILA, Philippines - Charles Hong hopes to keep the momentum of his breakthrough win at Pueblo de Oro as he goes for another against a field he bested in Cagayan de Oro last week in the P1 million ICTSI Ranchos Palos Verdes Classic firing off Wednesday in Davao City.

The par-72 layout has been spruced up to championship condition in time for its first hosting of an ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour leg with Hong now emerging the player to watch following his Pueblo win and with the tour’s big guns still on the Asian Tour.

While the pressure to nail a first win now off on the young sophomore pro, Hong opted to downplay his chances to score the first back-to-back victory in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

“Right now, I don’t feel pressured,” said Hong. “But it’s a different tournament altogether so I’ll just treat it like the one last week.”

Hong came from behind to capture the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro title, closing out with a seven-under 65 then coming up with a routine par to edge veteran campaigner Richard Sinfuego on the first playoff hole.

The win pushed Hong from No. 13 to No. 9 in the Order of Merit ranking with the 24-year-old shotmaker hoping to go up further the ranking with another solid finish in Davao and in the last three legs of the 15-stage circuit sponsored by ICTSI.

But expect Sinfuego and the rest of the field to likewise bounce back strong, guaranteeing another tight finish in the 54-hole tournament on a course which offers a different kind of challenge with its rolling fairways and unpredictable putting surface.

Also tipped to contend for the top P200,000 purse are Rufino Bayron, Christopher delos Santos, Orlan Sumcad, Zanie Boy Gialon, Marvin Dumandan, Mhark Fernando, Ebarra Quiachon and Rey Pagunsan.

The other backers of the event were Empire Golf, Titleist, Footjoy, Callaway, TaylorMade, Mizuno, Srixon, Nike Golf, Custom Clubmakers and Sharp with Balls, Studio 23,Pinoygolfer.com and Inquirer Golf as media partners.

Golf: Charles Hong captures first pro career win at Pueblo de Oro Championship

By ADRIAN FLORES


Charles "Chuckie" Hong collared his first major title in the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour when he won the P1-million Pueblo de Oro Championship in Cagayan de Oro with a sudden death victory over Richard Singfuego.

Hong, who is just on his second year as a pro in the domestic circuit, shot a splendid seven-under-par 65 in the final round while Sinfuego turned in a 67 as they both carded 208s in the 54-hole pro championship, the 11th of 15 legs in the schedule.

But Hong came through with a clutch chip-in birdie in the first playoff hole as Sinfuego blew his chance with an errant second shot that resulted in a bogey.

"How sweet it is to nail the first win," said Hong, who came home P200,000 richer. Sinfuego, on the other hand, settled for P120,000.

Bayron had a 68 for third place at 210 worth P65,000. Christopher delos Santos also made a 68 for a 212 and wound up fourth.

Orlan Sumcad shot a 70 to finish fifth at 213 while Negros Occidental leg champion Zanie Boy Gialon rallied with a 68 to tie John Hay stage winner Marvin Dumandan and Mhark Fernando, who had 69s, at sixth at 214.

Ebarra Quiachon placed ninth at 215 with a 215 after a 70 while Rey Pagunsan matched par 72 for a 218 and was 10th. - AMD, GMA News

Cebuano Charles Hong bags breakthrough pro title with victory in ICTSI Pueblo de Oro

By Jonas Panerio


Cebuano golfer Charles “Chuckie” Hong sizzled with a final round score of seven-under 65 then outlasted Richard Sinfuego in the playoff hole to capture his first title in the pro tour, topping the ICTSI Pueblo de Oro Championship at the Pueblo layout in Cagayan de Oro City yesterday. In just his second year as a pro, Hong overcame the odds to nab his first professional crown. Previously, his best finish was just sixth at the ICTSI Sherwood Hills this year. In what was his defining moment in the circuit, Hong nearly came up with a pitch-in birdie while Sinfuego, who also closed out with a solid 67, foiled his chances with an errant second shot for bogey. Both finished with eight-under 208s. The win notched Hong the grand prize of P200,000. “This win means so much for my career,” said Hong in a press statement. “Everyone is always looking forward for his first win.” It was a fitting ending to an explosive windup by the winning coach of Team South in the country’s version of the Ryder Cup duel last June, who trailed Sinfuego by two after 36 holes and fell behind by four with a bogey on No. 1 coupled by Sinfuego’s birdie. But he suddenly went hot by coming up with a cluster of birdies from No. 5 to tie Sinfuego but reeled back again with another bogey on the ninth. Rufino Bayron, the third man in the championship flight, stayed within one during that stretch, even after Hong opened the backside with another birdie to tie again. But Bayron stepped aside when Hong and Sinfuego slugged it out in a thrilling shootout the last eight holes.

Councilman hits Roxas on Emano cases

By (Nicole J. Managbanag)


A SUPPORTER of Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano said on Thursday that he is not impressed with the performance of newly appointed Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas.

City Councilor Simeon Licayan said what is customary for someone who just had an appointment is to place his office in order by getting to know the employees, familiarizing the areas and studying the assignments that were left behind by his predecessor.

Licayan said what Roxas did clearly showed his motive to strengthen his party “so there will be no stopping when he runs for president in 2016.”

On his first day of appointment, Roxas ordered for a speedy investigation of Emano’s cases, which has been set on September 10 and 11 in Cagayan de Oro.

But Licayan said perhaps the rush decision of Roxas, making Emano first on his list, was politically motivated and slanted to those who have the intention to win the mayoralty seat in the 2013 election.

For his part, Emano said he will definitely face the charges filed against him and will wait for whatever decisions from the DILG.

Aside from the administrative case of gross negligence and dereliction of duty filed against Emano by Save CDO Now Movement in connection with the December 17, 2011 flashfloods that hit Cagayan de Oro, the case of the Pelaez bridge painted with purple and the Carmen Market versus Jacky Ching, who was also summoned by Roxas, will also be included.

Emano wondered why his cases were made very specific “in just a nick of time” when Roxas has so many things to do as the newly appointed DILG Secretary.

“Why he would put the blame on me when previous administrations before me allowed the residents to settle down in the island?” he said.

CdeO to bring basic services to Bonbon folk

By (EOR/Lorebeth C. Requiroso/CdeOSP-PIA10)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept 6 (PIA) -- The local government of Cagayan De Oro City will bring basic government services to Barangay Bonbon today, September 6 and to Barangay Puntod on September. 7.

The outreach, entitled "People to People Program" will be headed by Mayor Vicente Emano, Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas, city councilors, City Hall department heads and employees and will be held at the Bonbon Covered Court and at Puntod Elementary School.

During the program, medical and dental needs of constituents will be attended to by teams from the City Health Office and J.R. Borja General Hospital.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) will provide supplemental feeding and distribute packs of rice to poor families while the City Civil Registrar will process applications for birth registrations and the holding of a mass wedding for couples living together for over five years, among others.

For its part, the City Veterinary Office will also make available services like rabies vaccines and treatment to animals. Fruit and vegetable seeds and seedlings will be provided by the City Agriculture Office.

Concerned offices such as the Office of the Building Official, City Assessor’s, City Treasurer’s, and others will also attend to the permits and licensing needs of constituents.

They can also seek legal advice from the City Legal Office during the outreach programs.

Mayor Emano is inviting constituents of the two barangays to avail of these and other government services.

“Hinaut nga pahimuslan sa katawhan sa maong kabarangayan ang mga libreng serbisyo nga itunol sa atong kagamhanan sa dakbayan,” (We hope residents will avail of these free services to the people) he said.

Upgraded economic learning center to serve local folks, researchers

By (EOR/APB-PIA 10)


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Sept 5 (PIA) -- The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has unveiled its upgraded Cagayan de Oro Economic and Financial Learning Center (EFLC) to bring economic and financial information closer to the people of Misamis Oriental.

The EFLC is a one-stop center where researchers, students and visitors can access data and information produced and monitored by the BSP in the areas of central banking, economics and finance.

The re-launching of the EFLC, led by BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. and other high ranking officials of the BSP, was held yesterday at the BSP branch office, here.

Governor Tetangco said the city’s EFLC is part of the BSP’s plan to set up a national network of similar centers in its 21 regional offices and branches nationwide to better serve the economic and financial information needs of the general public.

The EFLC here has been in operation since 2008, however, it has expanded its scope and services by upgrading its facilities and linking with the EFLC national network to ensure that all electronic resources in the EFLC in Manila are also available to the local public.

Now, the upgraded EFLC has four areas, namely, the Exhibits Area, the Library Area, the Multimedia Section, and the Information Desk.

The Exhibits Area contains two major information kiosks on display, the “BSP: Pillars of Strength” kiosk which focuses on the role of BSP in the country’s economy and the “On All About Money” kiosk which displays the currency notes and coins in the country.

The Library Area, on the other hand, has a complete collection of BSP publications, books and other reference materials on banking, finance and business. It also contains several periodicals, magazines and newspapers.

Those who wanted to conduct researches using personal computers (PCs) can go to the Multimedia Section of the EFLC. The PCs in this section are connected to the internet so the researchers can browse the BSP website and all other relevant research websites.

These PCs also have access to all the electronic resources of the EFLC in Manila including, among others, historical information on selected economic and financial indicators produced by the BSP, audio-visual and interactive learning modules, as well as, digitized collections and electronic subscriptions of the Library.

An information desk is also available in the EFLC to attend to inquiries and information requirements of visitors. The EFLC staff may also refer requests for information, queries and complaints to the concerned departments in the Manila office.

DSWD holds gender-based disaster risk training

By Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Vicente Emano said he is willing to accept possible suspension, or at most removal from office, as legal officers from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Manila is set to hear the administrative case against him come September 10 and 11 in the city.

In his radio program Emano said: “I am already used to this since it already happened to me when I was still governor of Misamis Oriental. But my question is -- why am I the only one to be investigated when it is not only Cagayan de Oro that was hit by the tragedy?”

The mayor said he wanted to believe that politics has something to do with the speedy investigation of the charges filed against him.

The administrative case of gross negligence and dereliction of duty filed against Emano is in connection with the December 17, 2011 flashfloods that hit Cagayan de Oro that cost thousands of lives and damage to property.

The case was filed by a group called Save CDO Now Movement, which claimed themselves as concerned citizens in the city.

According to Emano, he already received the notice via telegram a day before DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas was appointed by President Benigno Aquino as the new DILG Secretary.

For his part, village councilor Enrico Salcedo of Barangay Gusa, who was one of the complainants, said he is hoping that this latest action taken by the DILG would give justice to the ‘Sendong’ victims in the city. (Annabelle L. Ricalde)

DSWD holds gender-based disaster risk training

By Published in the Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro newspaper


A TOTAL of 94 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) workers from the 78 provinces of the country have been oriented on mainstreaming gender in disaster risk management in Cagayan de Oro.

The training intends to adopt the trend by providing the participants with a beginning orientation about the importance of integrating gender concerns in their disaster related programs, projects and services to further mitigate the effects of disaster in the localities that they serve.

Lawyer Araceli F. Solamillo, Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office in Northern Mindanao, expressed her utmost support to the training, saying that this “will fill gaps in practical guidance in gender mainstreaming on disaster risk management at the community level to have an enhanced awareness on gender issues and concerns in local and community based disaster risk management.”

Solamillo said the training is responsive to the policy and practical guidelines drafted by the international community on how to mainstream gender in disaster risk management for national governments.

For his part, Primitivo T. Rufin, head of DSWD’s Institutional Development Division, said that the training will increase the skills and capabilities of the participants in integrating gender perspective in community based disaster risk management and provides them with the ability to select and use gender analysis and participatory tools, methods and processes in community based risk assessment and risk management planning.

“This will equip you with common definitions of important concepts used in community based DRRM (disaster risk reduction management); orient you on the importance and purposes of integrating gender concerns in community based DRRM and its elements and processes,” Rufin told the participants during the start of the training on August 27.

Among the participants to the training were Provincial Links of Pantawid Pamilya, Social Welfare Officer III and project development officers for gender and development of every province.

Among the resource speakers are Professors Leticia Tojos and Victor Obedicen of the University of the Philippines-Diliman. (PR/DSWD)

D.E.N.R. Projects

By Mike U. Crismundo


CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In an effort to effectively serve the people, the Region-10 office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-10) is set to commence several multi-million-peso worth of projects.

Among the projects is the ground works for the new DENR-10 office, a modern structure with comprehensive design consideration that includes not only its architectural aspect but also of its environmental impact.

The site of the new building has a total floor area of 2,612.90 square meters.

The project was given the “green light” after the public bidding and review by the Regional Bids and Awards Committee (RBAC) of the DENR-10.

DENR-10 Director Corazon B. Galinato also led the signing of the contracts for two cadastral projects, procurement of information technology (IT) equipment, installation of local area network (LAN) cabling, and construction of the new DENR-10 two-storey executive building (Phase 1) here.

One dead, one injured in wake of quake

By ELR, GMA News


At least one person was killed while another was hurt in the wake of a magnitude-7.7 quake that struck off Eastern Visayas Friday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Saturday.

In its 2 a.m. report, the NDRRMC identified the fatality as Elenita Ubalde, 44; while her grandson Adrian Rosales, 5, was hurt after a landslide hit their house in Cagayan de Oro City.

The NDRRMC said Cagayan de Oro City was affected by the quake, with residents feeling it at Intensity II.

While Ubalde and Rosales were rushed to the Capitol University Hospital after the landslide hit their house in Dacudao Compound in Upper Kolambong in Lapasan village.

At least five houses were damaged in a flash flood in Tablon village in Cagayan de Oro City. The families were evacuated.

In Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur, a house caught fire after a gas lamp fell at the height of the quake, but no casualties were initially reported.

In Eastern Samar, two bridges were damaged - Buyayawan Bridge in Mercedes town, and Barangay Casuroy bridge in San Julian town.

In Davao City, the Abreeza Mall had minor cracks on the floor.

Alert, evacuation

Civil disaster management agencies in Bicol and Eastern Visayas were placed on alert, with Eastern Visayas officials advising residents in affected areas to evacuate to higher grounds.

They have coordinated with the Air Force and Navy in Region 8 to help local governments on evacuation efforts.

In Caraga, residents were also advised to evacuate to higher grounds.

Forced evacuation

The NDRRMC said the disaster management councils in Hinatuan, Tago and San Agustin in Caraga advised village officials to implement forced evacuation.

Forced evacuation was also implemented in Siargao, Surigao del Norte.

Officials in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur evacuated residents to higher ground.

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