Saturday, November 23, 2024

Category: News

Sara urges Bukidnon youth to study more, be productive

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Vice President Sara Duterte urged the participants and the youth to get involved in more productive activities being organized by the local government units (LGUs) as she joined the celebration of the “Kaamulan Festival” on April 22, 2023

Duterte also told parents to make sure their children will finish their studies and will stay away from illegal activities.

“Let’s bring (our children) to the good side, in going to school, in sports, and things like this — participating in activities (like Kaamulan events organized) by our local government units and our communities,” she told the audience.

Duterte also took the opportunity to thank the people of Bukidnon for supporting her and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the 2022 elections.

The street dance and float parade participated in by the province’s seven tribes, are back after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Finally, we were able to get together after the pandemic, and the seven tribes were kind enough to gather with them,” Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque said in his message.

Valencia City was declared champion in the float parade while Malaybalay City won the street dancing competition.

Kalilangan took home the championship for the ground presentation.

Due to budget cuts, only the three LGUs joined the contests.

The Bukidnon Provincial Police Office deployed personnel to monitor and maintain peace and order, while some spectators complained of “strict measures” imposed throughout the month-long festival.

The Kaamulan (from the Binukid word “amul” which means to gather) celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the province — Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon. (Ercel Maandig/PNA)

 

Traditional Menuvu-Meranaw peace pact featured by Kaamulan 2023 street dancing winner

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MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net/23 April 2023) A ground presentation featuring a story of a traditional peace agreement between Lumad and Moro tribes won the Kaamulan 2023’s street dancing main event on April 22, 2023

The story featured the traditional peace pact between the Menuvu and the Meranaw tribes after deadly battles set in pre-colonial Mindanao following mediation and preceding an intercultural wedding.

The contingent from the Municipality of Kalilangan, in Bukidnon’s border with Lanao del Sur has won the ground presentation, part of the crowd-drawing street dancing (ikat-ikat ta dadalanen) competition to culminate the month-long first-ever staging of Kaamulan in the post-pandemic time.

The presentation, entitled Kukuman ta Rezo or judgment of Conflict told the story of Matigsalog-Menuvu leader Apo Gapaw who led his tribe to fight a group of wayward Meranaw warriors along the Maradugao River, which is the natural boundary between the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur.

The conflict was resolved when the warring parties sought the mediation of a tribal leader, another Menuvu elder Datu Romapa of Barandias, a community located in the present-day town of Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

To help stop the conflict between the two warring groups, Datu Romapa became the balaghusay (judge) and officiated the Tampuda Hu Balagon (cutting of vines) ritual, the indigenous custom to settle a conflict through the cutting of rattan. One of the commitments for the settlement of the conflict was the marriage of Apo Gapaw to a Meranaw woman as one of the proofs that both tribes fully consent and commit to the settlement of the conflict.

BukidnonNews.Net has reached the choreographer-author of the story but is unavailable for an interview as of April 23.

The IP and Moro traditional peace agreements do not only come out in folklore. It figures in an annual celebration, especially in the Talaandig community in Songco, Lantapan town.

The kinship of IP and Moro has historical basis. Mindanao was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples until the arrival of Arab traders in 1380 who became instrumental in the conversion of the IPs mostly in southern and western Mindanao to Islam. Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu in 1521.

Starting in 2011, representatives of eight Moro tribes and most of the Lumad or non-Islamized tribes in Mindanao reaffirm their kinship. In 2012, they signed a five-point kinship covenant in a gathering filled with festive remembrance of historical relationships and aspirations for peace and unity in the island.

Aside from signing the covenant, the participants also unveiled a monument depicting a jar of oil marking the reaffirmation of their kinship, an event witnessed among others by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace panel and the International Monitoring Team in October 2012.

The covenant, printed on white paper and etched on a plaque installed on the monument, cited mutual recognition and respect (kilalaha), mutual sharing of information (sayuda), cooperation (buliga), mutual protection and preservation of life (uyaga), and mutual obligation to help the needy (pagbatunbatuna).

“The indigenous peoples and the Moro of Mindanao hereby acknowledge the following principles and doctrines of kinship as a basis of their cooperation, understanding, and unity as descendants of the early inhabitants in the island of Mindanao,” the declaration stated.

Before signing the covenant Lumad and Moro leaders exchanged accounts of shared history passed on for generations, mostly recalling a past that belonged to “one blood.” Their accounts differed in some respects but all of them cited peace pacts.

Among the stories, the Lumad speakers shared was that of the brothers Mamalu and Tabunaway. The latter converted to Islam upon the arrival of Shariff Kabungsuan.

Moro representatives recalled stories of their ancestors’ interaction with the Lumads, including datus who shared portions of their ancestral domain with Moro people in their areas.

The contingent from Kalilangan also won 2nd runner-up both in the float and street dancing competitions.

Malaybalay City’s contingent won as champion in the street dancing competition and the 1st runner-up in the float and ground competitions.

Valencia City’s contingent won as champion in the float competition, 1st runner-up in the street dancing competition, and 2nd runner-up in the ground presentation.

The presentation from Malaybalay City featured a healing ritual dubbed panggimukuran, which showed the performances of various rituals to make amends with a disgruntled engkanto to repent against a curse, enter into a treaty, and cause the healing of a child. In the story, the people committed to protecting and honoring the sanctuary of the engkanto, and their apology was accepted. The presentation featured the Inagong, “where people danced with pride and victory” in celebration.

The presentation from Valencia City featured the story of the people of communities around Mts. Kalatungan and Kitanglad after the “great flood”. It showcased the love story of the two survivors of the flood, Apo Ginamayon, the matriarch, from Kalatungan, and Apo Agbibilin, the patriarch from Kitanglad. Music connected the two flood survivors; Apo Ginamayon playing the tambol; Apo Agbibilin hearing and searching for the source of the music. This story touched on environmental protection and care for the earth.

The theme of this year’s staging of the Kaamulan focused on “One Bukidnon: A celebration of unity in cultural diversity.”

There were only three competing contingents in this year’s street dancing competition as other local government units were unable to prepare financially after their respective combat against COVID-19. Six towns; Quezon, Libona, Kitaotao, Cabanglasan, Lantapan, and San Fernando sent non-competing performers from indigenous communities. (Walter I. Balane/BukidnonNews.Net)

CPP Southern Mindanao Committee key officials arrested in Malaysia

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Ang alleged key official of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) was arrested and deported from Malaysia

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Eric Jun Baring Casilao and his wife May were arrested by the Malaysian Police at the Langkawi immigration check-in counter on April 1, 2023, while en route to Thailand via a ferry boat using fake travel documents.

They were detained for violating Malaysian Immigration laws before being deported back to the Philippines on April 17.

The PNP said the Casilaos fled to Malaysia to elude arrest here in the Philippines.

The couple has standing arrest warrants over murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges.

Eric has a P5.4 million reward bounty on his head. He was put on the Malaysian Red Notice List through the request of the PNP for falsification of his passport by assuming a fake identity.

Casilao is allegedly the secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee and a member of the CPP Central Committee. He is a brother of former Anakpawis Party-list Representative Ariel Casilao.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said he is “considered the most wanted Communist Terrorist Group leader in Southeastern Mindanao, notorious for staging numerous atrocities in the Davao Region and other neighboring regions under the SMRC.” (SunStar Philippines)

OPAPRU: Success of Mindanao peace process due to stakeholders

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MANILA – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) on April 17, 2023, attributed the success of the Mindanao peace process to the support provided by local and international stakeholders

“The success of the Mindanao peace process has vibrant support from the stakeholders as well as the international community,” it said in a statement.

OPAPRU bared this after the Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian compared the situation of China with Taiwan to those in Mindanao.

“We took note about the statement of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian comparing the internal tension in China with Taiwan to the Mindanao peace process,” the body said.

OPAPRU said the Bangsamoro peace process ever since has been facilitated by a third-party country to ensure fairness and maintain the integrity of the peace negotiations.

“Now in its implementation phase, the role of the international community in the southern peace process is very crucial to help deliver the peace dividends,” it added.

OPAPRU also noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during the UN General Assembly, has earlier showcased the positive experience in the Bangsamoro peace process which other countries with internal conflicts can replicate.

“We encourage countries with similar situations such as ours to follow the same path in resolving conflicts peacefully and not resort to the unnecessary threat of force, intimidation, and/or violence,” it added.

OPAPRU also believes that the success of the Bangsamoro peace process can be replicated no matter how difficult it is.

“We believe that to address the Taiwan Strait Crisis, we need genuine and inclusive dialogue, respect, and good faith by all parties,” it noted. (Priam Nepomuceno /PNA)

CSWDO’s 3-day skills demonstration in celebration of Women with Disabilities Day, conducted

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The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), in partnership with the Women with Disabilities in the City of Malaybalay, join the whole nation in celebrating the 19th Women with Disabilities Day, anchored to the theme “We for Gender Equality and an Inclusive Society.”

As part of the celebration, a skills demonstration on how to cook pineapple jam was conducted by clusters in order to allow the women with disabilities to learn new skills that can be used if they want to engage in business, last March 20 in Barangay 9, last March 21 in Barangay Aglayan, last March 23 in Barangay Simaya and Zamboanguita, respectively, and a forum last March 27 at the People’s Hall, New City Hall, Casisang, this city.

It is in line with Proclamation No. 744 issued on December 6, 2004, declaring the last Monday of March every year as Women with Disabilities Day, which is led by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA).

It is believed that the total development and empowerment of women is a state policy enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which specifically provides that the state recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the fundamental equality of women and men before the law.

The event was attended by 140 women with disabilities within the city of Malaybalay. During the forum, several topics were discussed in order to help address the concerns of women with disabilities.

The first topic, “Reproductive Health for Women,” was discussed by Dr. Ann Michelle Go, the city’s rural health physician.

The second topic, “Family Enhancement through Spirituality,” was discussed by Pastor Edel Singson from the PopDev section of City Health.

The third topic is an orientation on “ProtecTEEN,” which was given by Ms. Arlene Sanchez, a social worker from CSWD.

The fourth and last topic is “Financial Management,” which was given by Mr. Emmanuel Tomada, a social worker from CSWD.

A total of Php 120,000.00 has been set aside for the event’s success. (LGU Malaybalay)

CSWDO highlights sectors’ success stories In the CGM 2nd Monday Convo

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The City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Ivy Amor C. Urbina sponsored the second Monday convocation on April 17, 2023, held at the Peoples’ Hall wherein they featured inspiring and success stories from various sectors they have served and worked with per their office mandate

In his opening remarks, project development officer Reynaldo Valdez welcomed the City Government officials and employees, as well as the invited guests. For her part in introducing the sharers from various sectors, Urbina reiterated that social welfare “covers practically everything that men do for the good of human society.” She emphasized that contrary to their office being perceived as a giver of “dole outs,” and that we need to capacitate the people in addressing their own needs. Urbina said that to show the face of social welfare today and how they have empowered the citizens, they opted to invite representatives from the various sectors to share their experiences.

From the youth sector, Sheree Ann Porlares from Bgry. Maligaya, who joined the PAG-ASA Youth Association almost a decade ago. She shared her learnings and guidance of the CSWD officers over the years, and how PYEAP has helped many other youths in the City.

Zoraida E. Montero, a person with disability/differently-abled individual, recounted how she benefited from the programs of the City Government. On the other hand, livelihood beneficiary Artenio Doldol of Brgy. Busdi recounted how they were affected by the pandemic. He went on to express gratitude for the livelihood support which helped his family with their day-to-day living. Doldol proudly shared that even after the pandemic, his small-scale ice cream business has flourished, and he now supplies ice cream to some 13 stores in Upper Pulangi.

Lea Cahucom who is a solo parent stressed the empowering experience of being in their organization. She extended her gratitude to the CSWDO and the City Government for the various projects for their group. Cahucom shared how she was able to cope well with the challenges and responsibilities as a mother all on her own raising her child. After the heartwarming sharing came another from 4Ps beneficiary, Alma Berayon. Apart from the consistent financial assistance she received, she also shared how the program gave her confidence and positivity in life.

As an additional highlight of the program, the Sangguniang Panlungsod handed a resolution recognizing the recent success of Joselino “Yoyong” Sacayle. He is the third placer in the 100-kilometer international trail running competition, Cuc Phuong Jungle Paths, in Vietnam. The SP Resolution expressed congratulations to Sacayle in the field of trail running, including his outstanding feats in Mt. Apo and Rizal provinces’ mountain races.

In his message, City Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran stressed the importance of hard work even amid the social benefits people get from the government. He also provided updates on the City Government initiatives for the whole daycare program. He cited the efforts of the CSWDO staff who attend to the daily flow of requests for medical assistance, and hospital billing, among others.

Closing the program was social welfare officer Hilsam Quemada who thanked the officials and employees present for the convocation. (LGU Malaybalay)

Malaybalay City Administrator Office Conducts Ethics Management Seminar

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In upholding the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, the City Administrator Office conducted a seminar on “Ethics Management: Professionalism in the Workplace” on April 12, 2023, at People’s Hall, New City Hall, Casisang, Malaybalay City

City Mayor Atty. Jay Warren R. Pabillaran emphasized the importance of conducting and attending a seminar not for compliance only but for one’s improvement. He added that public officials and employees must live according to ethical standards.

City Administrator’s Atty. Anna Marie R. Bergado stressed that as the public sector, whatever we do and wherever we go, we should always be ethical. She asked the participants, “Which is more important, being right or kind”?

Resource Speaker Ms. Jeanyben M. Dacalanio, CHRP, discussed RA 6713, the Code of Conduct, and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. She stated, “This is not a seminar; this is a self-assessment if we are living in an ethical standard as a government employee.” She added that as public employees, we must practice strict personal discipline and remain faithful to the people; thus, our duty is to serve and be loyal to the public- to the people of Malaybalay City.

The seminar’s highlight was the participants’ sharing about the unethical and unprofessional behaviors observed among the officials and employees of the City Government of Malaybalay. The participants also suggested solutions to address the unethical and unprofessional dilemmas, such as the strict implementation of rules and being observant and assertive to ensure that the City Government of Malaybalay officials and employees work with honesty, professionalism, commitment, and integrity. Moreover, participants shared that a seminar like this must be conducted for all employees to remind them of the ethical standards and policies expected to effectively and efficiently serve the people of Malaybalay City. (LGU Malaybalay)

 

Bb. Bukidnon pageant director says sorry for ‘provocative’ photos of candidates

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MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 14 April) — The director of this year’s Bb. Bukidnon beauty pageant has issued an apology over the photos of candidates showing them in poses and attire that some Lumad have deemed offensive to their culture

The pageant, formerly called Laga ta Bukidnon, is part of the ongoing Kaamulan, a festival featuring the seven tribes of Bukidnon province.

The candidates’ photos, which showed them wearing revealing attire in a bedroom setting, have been removed from the social media page of the pageant.

“We would like to apologize for the recent controversy that Bb. Bukidnon is facing. We understand that the photos of the candidates may have appeared daring and provocative to the public and may not have conformed to the traditional tribal types of pageant in honor of the Kaamulan festival,” pageant director Beatrice Eduave said in a statement posted Thursday on social media.

“We acknowledge that this has caused disappointment and frustration among those who hold the festival and pageant in high regard,” she said.

Eduave added that “whatever transpired during the photoshoots of Bb. Bukidnon was beyond the knowledge of Governor Oneil Roque, Vice Governor Clive Quino, and Kaamulan committee chair RJ Pepito.”

“They had no prior knowledge of the photoshoots and were not involved in any way,” she clarified.

Tigwahanon women join the Kaamulan festival at the capitol grounds in Malaybalay City on Tuesday, 11 April 2023. The event is held to honor and celebrate the cultures of the seven tribes of Bukidnon. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

She said she and her staff were taking full responsibility for the “oversight” and “will take steps to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.”

Talaandig Datu Amay Yi Iwag Linsahay, in a Facebook post on Thursday, said that since there has been “an admission of offense against the customs and traditions” the issue should be resolved in accordance with customary law, although not necessarily with all the seven tribes.

“For the time being, please note that the closure and resolution of the issue require ‘panul-id’ ceremony (restorative justice) to be determined by the bearers and custodians of traditions of this beautiful homeland,” he said.

Responding to Linsahay’s post, Loreta Sol Dinlayan, a Bukidnon and professor at Bukidnon State University said it must be explained that “panul-id” is not a penalty but a “healing ritual” for what was “disturbed”.

“It is an act of justice to ensure the spiritual health of Bukidnon,” she added.

Like in the previous years, this year’s Bb. Bukidnon featured the candidates in two-piece swimsuits but nobody has publicly raised an issue against it.

The pageant will hold its coronation night on Saturday, April 15. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno/MindaNews)

Ex-Bukidnon lawmaker gets 187 years over ‘pork’

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MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has sentenced a former congressman in Bukidnon to 187 years in prison in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel amounting to P36.9 million from 2007 to 2008

In a 77-page decision promulgated on April 14, the anti-graft court declared former congressman Candido Pancrudo Jr. of the first district of Bukidnon guilty of eight counts of violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, four counts of malversation of public funds as provided under the Revised Penal Code and another four counts of the complex crime of malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents.

Aside from Pancrudo, the Sandiganbayan’s Second Division convicted Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, former group manager of the abolished state firm Technology Resource Center (TRC), and private respondent Johanne Edward Labay of the non-government organization Farmerbusiness Development Corp. (FDC).

Pancrudo, Lacsamana, and Labay were sentenced to a minimum of six years to a maximum of 10 years in prison for each count of the graft offense, or a total of 48 to 80 years for the eight counts.

They were also disqualified from holding public office.

The court ordered the defendants to pay the government P36.9 million in civil liability.

As for the malversation cases, the court sentenced the defendants to 10 to 18 years in prison for one count, 14 to 18 years for each of two counts, and 10 to 16 years for another count, or a total of 48 to 70 years for the four cases.

Pancrudo and his co-defendants were each ordered to pay the court P32.8 million aside from the P32.8 million in civil liability that would be remitted to the government treasury.

As for the malversation through falsification offense, Pancrudo, Lacsamana and Labay were sentenced to two to eight years for each of the three counts and six to 13 years for another count, or a total of 12 to 37 years for the four cases.

They were each ordered to pay a fine of P4.1 million on top of a similar amount in civil liability imposed by the court.

The court acquitted the other respondents in the cases – former TRC deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, group manager Francisco Figura, budget officer Consuelo Lilian Espiritu and chief accountant Marivic Jover – after the prosecution failed to prove their guilt.

The charges against another private respondent, Victorino Ujano of the FDC, were dismissed due to his death.

The cases against TRC director general Antonio Ortiz and project consultant-designate Jesus Esmeralda were ordered archived as they remain at large, without prejudice to the revival of the charges upon their arrest or surrender.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017, the charges stemmed from the release of a total of P36.9 million of Pancrudo’s PDAF to FDC for the supposed implementation of livelihood projects in his district.

The ombudsman said Pancrudo picked the FDC to implement the projects without conducting public bidding in violation of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The ombudsman said the FDC was not an accredited foundation and had no legal authority to carry out the projects.

It said investigation showed the projects were not implemented. (Elizabeth Marcelo/The Philippine Star)

DA fosters local production of veggie seeds for increased food sufficiency, income in NorMin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) under the leadership of OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, received an assortment of vegetable (ampalaya, pole sitao, cucumber, okra, upo) seeds from the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) last March 31, 2023, at the agency compound, in this city

The said provisions were handed over by IPB Director Dr. Fe M. dela Cueva and received by DA-10 consultant Joel S. Rudinas on behalf of RED Collado.

The Bureau of Plant Industry Region 10 (BPI-10) OIC-Manager Arnold dela Cruz also supported the said activity.

According to Rudinas, the seeds are in support of the agency’s bid to stimulate local production of vegetable seeds, concomitant with its goal to ensure food security and sufficiency, high-quality yield, and increased income of farmers in the region.

“The sample seeds we received from IPB will be thoroughly studied in our [research] stations for us to determine its performance,” Rudinas said.

With feedback from local farmers here and through the close coordination of DA and IPB, Rudinas is optimistic about breeder seeds with properties that are resistant to challenges in climate and tailor-fit to the agricultural conditions of Region 10.

The breeder seeds, Rudinas said, will be reproduced and distributed by DA to barangays and sitios that are part of 4th, 5th, and 6th class municipalities.

“We want to have a network of seed production and local seed availability. It is our hope that eventually, these communities we provide seeds will develop their own seed systems, securing their own source of seeds, food, and income,” he added.

For her part, IPB Director dela Cueva said they are eager to support DA-10 for the success of this endeavor, including hosting capability-building training for seed reproduction. (DA-10)