Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Category: News

Line agencies in Normin ink MOA to eradicate child labor

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Various government agencies gathered on June 12 at SM CDO Downtown Premier and inked a memorandum of agreement, reviving the Regional Council Against Child Labor

This concerns the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) organization of the World Day Against Child Labor.
DOLE-10 Regional Director Estrella U. Pahalla said the commemoration will boost awareness of the plight of child laborers through the revival of the Regional Council Against Child Labor (RCACL), a convergence of various government regional line agencies.
DOLE-10 spearheaded the Batang Malaya Photo Exhibit, showcasing the photos of child laborers taken during region-wide profiling.
Moreover, the activity featured the DOLEkula Film Festival Season Three Awarding Ceremony, a one-minute DOLE-10-wide digital film competition among its units that articulately interprets a Filipino child’s story against child labor activities with artistic integrity.
Other than these, a Serbisyo Karaban, a one-stop-shop for RCACL member agencies offering their respective programs and services in line with preventing and eliminating child labor, was also held. This would also demonstrate the country’s solidarity in the worldwide campaign against child labor.
According to Pahalla, DOLE-10 continuously upholds the rights of children, including their protection from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development, particularly child labor and its worst forms, through initiatives such as the Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program (CLPEP).
CLPEP aims to remove children from child labor, particularly in its worst forms. Its strategies include the provision of livelihood grants to parents of child laborers through DILP, or the Kabuhayan Program. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)

NorMin gov’t agencies, LGUs link up vs. hunger, poverty

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Twenty-six regional government agencies and two provincial government units in Northern Mindanao signed on June 23, 2023, an enhanced partnership against hunger and poverty

Leading the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10).
The renewal of commitment and obligation among national government agencies and local government units aims to increase farm productivity and income, ensure food and nutrition security, and mitigate hunger and nutrition, according to DSWD-10 Director Ramel Jamen.
“The power of teamwork and appreciation of the active support of our partners who are willing to go beyond the mandate for the delivery of immediate services to our clientele,” Jamen said.
Jamen said he hopes the MOU signing will begin the active participation of more community-based organizations.
Under the MOU, the government agencies will introduce programs and projects to reduce poverty and hunger. This includes monitoring and evaluation of the activities to ensure their sustainability.
Camiguin and Misamis Oriental provinces will serve as pilot areas of the projects and programs. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Northern Mindanao building more hospitals

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities in Northern Mindanao are building more hospitals to address the shortage of beds and staff in case there is a new emergency in the future

Mylah Faye Cariño, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), said the 600-bed St. Francis Doctors’ Hospital and Medical Center has already been constructed along Masterson Avenue. At the same time, the city government of Cagayan de Oro has also finished the construction of a hospital in Barangay Lumbia.
In nearby Gingoog City, trader Arsenio Sebastian said the Polytechnic business group had started constructing a 100-bed capacity hospital that would complement a kidney center being planned by the local government.
Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo said they have already converted a COVID-19 testing center in the capital municipality of Tubod into a facility for infectious diseases.
NEDA 10 and the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Council (RDC) presented these developments during the launching of the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 on June 21.
The plan is to build up the ratio of hospital bed capacity to one per 1,000 patients by 2028. At present, the bed-to-patient ratio in Region 10 is 1: 2,328.
Region 10 is comprised of nine cities—Cagayan de Oro, El Salvador, Gingoog, Iligan, Malaybalay, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Tangub and Valencia—and five provinces, namely, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.
“Many of these hospitals are presently funded by private business, but the government would be investing more,” Cariño said.
Ralph Paguio, vice president of Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company and business sector representative to RDC 10, said the government should not be caught unprepared again where hospitals were teeming with record numbers of COVID-19 patients.
“A friend of mine who was infected with COVID-19 died inside his car unattended because the hospital was already full,” Paguio recalled.
He said the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Region 10’s main facility for COVID-19, overflowed with patients as smaller hospitals from the other cities and provinces sent more of their cases.
Cagayan de Oro, during the peak of the pandemic on July 7, 2022, had a cumulative 25,945 cases and 941 deaths since March 2020. (Froilan Gallardo/ MindaNews)

DA-NorMin takes part in PCUP Service Caravan 2023 in Bukidnon

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To provide better opportunities for more urban poor communities, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) provided services and assistance during the Service Caravan in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on June 22, 2023

The Presidential Commission spearheads the event for the Urban Poor (PCUP), which strives to improve urban poor populations’ awareness of PCUP programs and services and those provided by other government agencies and organizations and some private partner groups, as well as bring essential services closer to said group.
DA-10, headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado distributed packets of assorted vegetable seeds, featured audio-visual presentations to apprise the programs and services of the agency, and also conducted a Kadiwa fair, which gave consumers access to fresh, quality, and reasonably priced agri-fishery products from Bukidnon farmers.
One of the event recipients, Charlita T. Genton from Malaybalay City in Bukidnon, expressed her sincere gratitude for the activity.
With the agri department’s participation in the caravan, especially in its provision of seeds, she remarked that it can help households with their daily needs through backyard gardening while aiding in children’s nutrition.
“Ako nagpasalamat sa maong aktibidad kay pinaagi niining mga serbisyo nga ilang gihatag ilabina sa seeds, makatabang na kini sa matag-adlaw nga kinahanglanon sa panimalay pinaagi sa pagtanum niini ug makahatag og sustansya sa atong lawas ilabina alang sa mga bata,” Genton added.
Said activity was participated by different national government agencies (NGAs), the private sector, city local government units (LGUs) of Valencia and Malaybalay, and the provincial LGU of Bukidnon. (DA RFO-10)

DOST, MSU-IIT innovation help Bukidnon IPs get clean water

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A joint project between the Department of Science and Technology in Northern Mindanao (DOST-10) and Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute has helped an indigenous community in Talakag, Bukidnon, have access to potable water

In a statement on June 22, 2023, the DOST-10 and the MSU-IIT’s Ceramic Training Center said it had provided 140 ceramic water filters to the Higaonon community in Barangay San Rafael.
Barangay chairperson Puyat Sagayan said that before the project, their community had to boil the water for it to become potable.
The area suffered diarrhea cases in 2019 and 2020, he added.
“I hope more will still be given so that everyone in the households will have one,” he said.
The DOST-10 microbiological analysis found coliform in the water source in Barangay San Rafael, and residents had to travel 2 kilometers to collect water from a spring, posing challenges to its potability due to source and handling.
Municipal administrator Alberto Bigcas said the project has helped address the drinking water problem in the Indigenous people’s community and the area’s state of health as a whole.
The ceramic water filters are part of the DOST-10 “Project Wahig: Water and Hygiene Improvement in Geographically Isolated Areas,” in which Talakag is the second recipient of the agency’s ceramic water filter technology under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology Program.
NorMin women winners
Meanwhile, the DOST-10 announced that five women entrepreneurs will be given PHP50,000 seed grant each after their success in a regional pitch competition for micro, small and medium enterprises.
The winners were identified as Nenita M. Tan of Best Friend Goodies, Nadine Angelica Gadia-Casiño of Alima Mother Support Center, and Melody G. Paurillo of Kahero Apps Inc, all entrepreneurs based in this city.
Winners from Bukidnon province are Anna Paula S. Chiong of Mama Nene’s Homemade Delights from Malaybalay City and Irene Mae L. Sinhayan of ISY Handicrafts from Talakag.
DOST-10 Director Romela Ratilla said pitches made by women entrepreneurs have the spirit of collaboration, compassion and innovation.
The pitching competition forms part of DOST-10’s “Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) Initiative.”
Ratilla said the regional winners will compete against qualifiers from other regions for the National Innovation Challenge for a chance to win a grant of up to PHP2 million. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

DSWD distributes 5K food packs to flood-hit Bukidnon families

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10) distributed 5,000 food packs to families in Bukidnon hit by the recent flooding and landslide

In a statement on June 27, 2023, DSWD-10 said it had dispensed food packs and other relief items to 5,100 families or 25,050 individuals in Malaybalay City.
DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said the agency will continue pre-positioning food and non-food items to ensure an immediate response.
“We assure the public that the DSWD has enough funds and available relief goods,” he said.
DSWD-10 Director Ramel Jamen, for his part, noted that the regional office has more than PHP93.4 million worth of stockpile of food and non-food items and standby funds.
As of June 27, the agency’s field reports indicated 10,657 families or 50,878 persons affected by weather disturbances in the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.
Meanwhile, 1,500 indigent residents of Bonifacio town, Misamis Occidental, benefited from the cash assistance distribution of Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB)-Cash for Work Program.
Each beneficiary received PHP2,190 as a result of working for six days.
Governor Henry Oaminal said the provincial government is committed to giving continuous assistance to vulnerable sectors in Bonifacio in partnership with DSWD.
“This fund came from the national government. Kalahi-CIDSS (Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) which is a program under DSWD,” he said. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Missing Police found at Maradugao River

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A policeman who was reported missing last week was found dead in the Maradugao River in Wao, Lanao del Sur, last June 26, 2023

Authorities identified the policeman as Patrolman Jeffrey Dabuco, 31, resident of Purok 4, West Poblacion, Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
Pat. Dabuco was assigned to the 2nd Platoon of the 1004th Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Northern Mindanao (RMFB-10) at Maradugao Base, Sitio Ticub, Pamotolon, Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
On the report of the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office, the victim was reported missing by his brother Jerry Dabuco last June 24, 2023, at 1:30 a.m.
The Kalilangan Municipal Police Station immediately launched a search and retrieval operation to locate the policeman.
On June 24, 2023, the Kalilangan MPS received a report that a cadaver was found floating in the Maradugao River at Purok-2, Panang, in Wao, Lanao del Sur.
The decomposing body of Patrolman Jeffrey Dabuco y Inclonar that was found was later confirmed by his brother Althon Jay Dabuco.
The Kalilangan town police has conducted a thorough investigation to determine the culprit/s of the incident. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)

Army confers gold award to Bukidnon-based 8IB

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Army (PA) has conferred the “Gold Trailblazer Award” to the 8th Infantry Battalion (IB) based in Bukidnon in this year’s Army Government Pathway (AGP) program

In a statement on June 27, 2023, the 8IB said it received the highest distinction given to an Army unit, with a rate of 96.4 percent.
Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, the 8IB commander, said the award indicates the battalion’s commitment to aligning with the PA’s vision of a “world-class, multi-mission ready, and cross-domain capable Army by 2040.”
“Our efforts must be directed to sustain our gains and let us continue to be steadfast in our quest for genuine reforms,” Bacus added.
AGP helps organizations execute their transformation initiatives to yield breakthrough results. It has four stages – Initiated, Compliant, Proficient, and Institutionalized – in which Army units nationwide are rated internally, according to 8IB.
The award also indicates that 8IB has shown “exemplary progress” in governance and strategy management in line with the Army Transformation Roadmap, it added.
The 8IB’s latest field accomplishments included dismantling the communist New People’s Army group earlier this month in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
An encounter that erupted led to the death of a rebel fighter and the seizure of rebel firearms and other materials. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Bukidnon floods kill 1, displace many

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MALAYBALAY CITY — Heavy rains spawned by an Intertropical Convergence Zone flooded several areas in Malaybalay City, Valencia City, and Lantapan town in Bukidnon on the night of June 21, damaging some houses, displacing at least 189 families or 613 individuals, and killing one, reports said

The displaced families, who sought refuge at their respective barangay-covered courts, came from Barangays Violeta, San Jose, Linabo, Simaya, and Sinanglanan in Malaybalay City, according to a report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division (PDRRMD).
But photos and videos shared online showed that the flooding also hit Barangays Cabangahan, Laguitas, Managok, Aglayan, and Bancud in Malaybalay.
Videos shared online showed that raging floodwaters in Aglayan rendered the highway impassable by vehicles. The barangay links Malaybalay to Lantapan and Talakag towns.
The rains triggered a mudslide in Sitio Langasihan in Managok that rendered the road impassable on June 21, night.
But as of 9:00 a.m. June 23, the Department of Public Works and Highways 1st District Engineering Office-Bukidnon issued an advisory that one lane of Junction Sayre Highway Aglayan-Zamboanguita Road in Langasihan was already passable.
“The public is advised to take extreme precaution while traversing the affected road section due to slippery road and falling debris induced by the unstable slope and continuous heavy rainfall,” the advisory said.
Meanwhile, PrimeWater, which now operates the Malaybalay City Water District, said its water supply lines were affected by the floods in Laguitas.
“Water distribution will resume as soon as the repair is done and the water supply has reached our reservoirs,” it said.
In neighboring Valencia City, the PDRRMD reported that floods hit Barangays Lurugan, San Carlos, Bagontaas, Sugod, Mailag, Colonia, Catumbalon, Maapag, Sinayawan, Poblacion, and Batangan.
In Lantapan, only Barangay Songco was hit by flooding.
It was in Lantapan where a fatality was reported—identified as Bryan Ando—but there was no mention as to the circumstances of his death. His body was reportedly retrieved at Subsub in Barangay Bugcaon.
There were no reports of evacuation in Valencia and Lantapan.
A video shared by a netizen showed motorists lining the road from Barangay Laligan to Barangay Concepcion in Valencia while a backhoe was clearing the debris from a mudslide.
Netizens posted photos of the flood in their barangays with pleas for relief goods like rice and water. Some asked for materials for the damaged houses. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno, with reports / MindaNews)

TESDA-10 launches PBBM Cares, bridges skills-employment gap

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LANTAPAN, Bukidnon – To bridge the gap between skills and employment opportunities, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-10 has launched the Paglingap sa Buhay ng Bawat Mamamayan (PBBM Cares) program, June 9, in Lantapan town

Undersecretary Vidal Villanueva III, TESDA’s Deputy Director-General for Special Concerns, dealt with the audience and emphasized the agency’s commitment to the program.
“PBBM Cares seeks to gather all government agencies to assist the underemployed and unemployed, particularly the underprivileged residents here in Bukidnon,” he said.
The signing of a Memorandum of Agreement, which solidifies the commitment of all stakeholders involved to work together toward a common goal, highlighted the official program launch.
Villanueva explained that the program, jointly carried out by local government units (LGUs) and various government agencies, aims to uplift individuals by addressing their specific needs and equipping them with resources for long-term employment.
Similarly, TESDA-10 Regional Director Dan Navarro affirmed that PBBM Cares is a concept developed by TESDA-10 with the noble mission of fostering collaboration to empower disadvantaged individuals by addressing their unique challenges and providing accessible skills training and employment opportunities for those in need.
He attributed the program’s roots to the Duterte Administration’s ‘convergence’ approach to dealing with issues and setbacks.
As a concrete step forward, the Lantapan Training Center, a crucial program component, received a prestigious Certificate of Accreditation. The recognition showcased the center’s dedication to delivering high-quality training that would directly impact the lives of its residents.
Filled with gratitude, Lantapan Vice Mayor Ricky James Balansag thanked TESDA-10 for its unwavering support in constructing the Skills Training Center in town.
Demonstrating its firm commitment to improving the community’s well-being, the Lantapan Technical Education and Skills Development Council pledged to continue its tireless efforts in serving the needy and empowering them to reach their full potential.
With the launch of TESDA’s PBBM Cares in Bukidnon, the vice mayor emphasized the program’s transformative potential, saying it is poised to bring about positive change in the lives of the underprivileged. (JMC/PIA-10/Bukidnon)