Thursday, November 21, 2024

Category: News

DA-10 regional crop protection center strengthens pest, diseases management

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – DA-10 OIC Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado visited the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) in Bangcud, Malaybalay City to intensify its operation and implementation in addressing the farmers’ needs on pest and diseases management of the region

In a meeting with the new RCPC Head, Lucille T. Minguez, and technical staff, concerns and issues on the production and distribution of Biological Control Agents (BCAs) in the region were considered, including the operation of the respective laboratories.

Aside from the technical assistance the center provides to the farmers and LGUs, it also conducts diagnosis and field validation, and pest surveillance across the regions. (DA RFO-10)

DOT, DOLE to launch the ‘Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso!’ job fair in Normin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT)-10, in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, will launch the “Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso!” Philippine Tourism Job Fair, March 30-31, 2023, at the Limketkai Atrium, here

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma recently signed an agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The main goal of the MOU is to help the tourism industry find more jobs and get its workers back to work so that it can recover from the losses caused by the pandemic.

As stated in the MOU, the Regional Offices of DOT and DOLE will work together with the Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) in local government units to run the job fairs, collect relevant job posting information from partner establishments, verify their credibility, and supervise them while following the rules set by the agencies.

“The Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso Job Fairs will help our fellow Filipinos find jobs while helping the accommodation and services sectors address workforce shortages, resulting in the continued recovery of the tourism industry as a whole,” said Frasco during the MOA signing.

In September 2022, the first part of the job fair went well, and over 9,000 people looked for work in Pasay, Cebu, and Davao. Some were recruited on the spot, while others were considered nearly hired.

This March, thousands of job seekers are expected to flock to Cagayan de Oro for the job fair for a chance at employment in the tourism industry. Positions in the following fields: administration, accounting, marketing, human resource, front office, support staff, MICE operators, food and beverages, kitchen or food production, and housekeeping will be available to qualified job seekers. (DOT-10/PIA-10)

NTC to look into ‘syndicate’ behind telco modus in Mindanao

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Telecommunications Commission in Northern Mindanao (NTC-10) said last February 27, 2023, that it will conduct an investigation on the involvement of individuals or groups claiming to represent telecommunication companies (telcos) in order to infiltrate private premises

NTC-10 Director Teodoro Buenavista Jr. said these individuals may be linked to a wider network or syndicate operating not only in the region but throughout Mindanao.

“We have a relative who experienced this lately; some individuals claiming to be from a telco but when verified, they were not associated with any firm,” he said in an interview here.

Buenavista noted that telecommunications giant PLDT-Smart warned the public recently about the modus operandi.

In a statement, the telco raised concerns about rising incidents of unauthorized modem collection in General Santos City, Cotabato, and Zamboanga areas.

Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart, said customers should only transact with authorized PLDT personnel, especially inside their premises, and always check for proper identification in case of doubt.

“PLDT personnel will never collect modems from customers without replacing them first. Our campaign is part of PLDT Group’s strengthening of its asset protection efforts as part of a broader program to elevate the quality of customer experience,” she said.

In a similar incident, city resident Karen Laisa shared that some individuals claiming to represent another telco were asking her parents for a copy of the land title and map of their residence for a supposed installation of a satellite tower.

“The process was easy because they said it was in a rush due to a target deadline,” she said.

She also said her parents were told to pay PHP7,500 as a “notarial fee” after a contract signing.

Upon verification with NTC-10, the telco in question denied such operations existed and that no such project is taking place as of the moment. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Teenage pregnancy declines in PH, Normin tops in cases

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Teenage pregnancy cases in the country had gone down from 8.6 percent in 2017 to 5.4 percent in 2022, yet despite the decrease in cases, Northern Mindanao records the highest percentage of adolescents who have been pregnant at 10.9 percent

“Forty-four per 1,000 female adolescents aged 15–19 have given birth in 2020, which means approximately 30 adolescents give birth in the region daily,” Commission on Population (POPCOM)-10 Assistant Regional Director Richmond Charles Gajudo said.

According to data from 2020, the three provinces with the highest rates of teen pregnancy are Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro City. Each of these three provinces is responsible for 43% of all births to teenagers. The youngest age at which a teen was known to be pregnant was 11 years old in Cagayan de Oro City. In Valencia City, the young mother was 12 years old.

Being pregnant at such a young age is bad for young people, both in terms of their health and their finances. It was also said that having a child at such a young age is bad for a teenager’s health because their bodies aren’t ready to carry a child and can sometimes lead to the death of newborns and infants.

Since the childbearing years of a female are between the ages of 15 and 49, there is a tendency to have repeat pregnancies, which may lead to having more children and the possibility of having multiple partners, which is a health risk.

According to the commission, based on studies involving the very young adolescence of 10–14 years old, female teens who get pregnant have older male partners. Due to this, Republic Acts 11596 and 11648 were created to protect the said age group from child marriage and increase the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old.

With the number of teenage pregnancies going up, POPCOM-10 and the local government units (LGUs) have stepped up their efforts to stop them. The commission helps the LGUs plan and get ready for programs that will be used, like setting up a teen center to deal with the problems mentioned above.

“We have a new program being implemented for teen moms and their children called a “social program for adolescent moms and their children.” It is like 4Ps, where they will receive a monthly stipend to support them finish their studies and livelihood programs for them to be able to support the needs of their child,” says POPCOM-10 Technical Section Head Jeremias Cabasan.

POPCOM urges everyone to work together to better address the teenage pregnancy case in the region. Teenage pregnancies are caused by many things, including the teens themselves, their families, the community, and even how policies are put into place. This means that the solution can’t just be found in POPCOM, the Department of Health, or the Department of Education. Instead, there needs to be a collaboration between different agencies and sectors. (JAKA/PIA-10)

Agri 10 turns over P3.53-M worth of machineries, equipment to Maramag town-based coops

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In line with the goal to strengthen farm mechanization and promote farm efficiency in the country, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) led by OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over recently P3.53-million worth of farm machineries and equipment to two farmer coop, associations in barangay La Roxas, Maramag, Bukidnon

Field Operations Division chief Luz I. Guzman, Ph.D. handed over the certificate of turnover to the La Roxas Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LRMPC) and Bangkal Pigsabuwahan Farmers and Workers’ Association (BAPFWA).

The said machineries and equipment will be used for their activities from land preparation to postharvest, where LRMPC primarily produces corn and cassava while BAPFWA grows high-value crops and vegetables.

The LRMPC received a Corn Program-funded, P3-M worth farm tractor unit with implements such as a harrow, disc plow, and trailer, and a P300K-valued corn sheller.

On the other hand, BAPFWA received a hand tractor multi-cultivator unit costing P230K funded by the High-Value Crops Development Program.

Guzman reminded the beneficiaries to appropriately utilize the interventions by the members which will be shared with other fellow farmers in their respective communities.

The DA official further assured them that DA-10 will continue to provide and strengthen agricultural development and upliftment in the livelihood of farmers.

BAPFWA president and LRMPC member Robert L. Baguegue also extended his gratitude to DA-10 and acknowledged the local government of Maramag’s support, saying it helped them qualify for a downpour of agri interventions from among the 20 municipal barangays.

Baguegue added that they will also set policies for the use of said units for members and non-members alike in barangay La Roxas.

Maramag municipal agriculturist Arman S. dela Cruz likewise encouraged the members of both FCAs to continue to be attentive to the needs of their fellow farmers.

Dela Cruz, together with other LGU personnel, further assured to support the FCAs by continuously assisting them with the availment of various programs and projects that can be accessed from DA-10. # (RLTolentino)

The Provincial Price Coordinating Council convened on February 28, 2023, at the PPDO Conference Room, Malaybalay City to discuss its programs, projects, and activities in 2023.

The local price coordinating councils (LPCCs) in the country is tasked to monitor the supply and prices of basic food items, as well as enforce the suggested retail price (SRP) and ‘price freeze’ policies in their respective localities.

LPCCs could also send recommendations to the National Price Coordinating Council regarding price ceilings for certain commodities in their respective localities.

The above-mentioned activity was attended by the majority of the members of the Council including the LPCC representatives from different cities and municipalities. (DA RFO-10)

DTI-10 turns over POS equipment to OTOP hubs

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Eight One Town, One Product Philippines (OTOP) hubs in northern Mindanao were granted a point-of-sale (POS) terminal worth P25,000 each by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 10 on February 22

OTOP Hub is a one-stop shop that offers a general outlet for quality OTOP products. Strategically located hubs also act as “pasalubong centers,” showcasing the locally rooted products that carry the culture and tradition of a particular place. Its establishment is one of the most impactful interventions under the OTOP program of the DTI.

Through the provincial offices, DTI-10 has worked to keep the hubs in good shape and make sure that its operations run smoothly by constantly keeping an eye on them. The turnover of POS will help the OTOP hubs improve their operations and make it easier for them to keep track of sales, keep books, and manage their inventory.

KaHero, the company that made the POS, also gave a briefing and orientation on how to use the system to the people who worked at the OTOP hubs.

The eight OTOP hubs that received assistance were OTOP Malaybalay and OTOP Valencia in Bukidnon; OTOP Iligan and OTOP Tubod in Lanao del Norte; and OTOP Ginama, OTOP Kuyamis, OTOP Claveria, and Lunâ by Oro Creatives in Misamis Oriental. (DTI-10/PIA-10)

Fleet of modern buses boosts Bukidnon’s transport system

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MALAYBALAY CITY — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-10 took a significant step forward in modernizing the transportation system by introducing 15 modern public utility vehicles (PUVs) in the first fleet of the trendy transport scene in Bukidnon province

As part of the government’s public utility vehicles modernization program (PUVMP), LTFRB-10 Regional Director Aminoden Allan Guro said that the new PUVs have a global positioning system (GPS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, televisions, and a cashless fare through the Automatic Fare Collection System server.

“Here in Bukidnon, our decades-old vehicles need to be upgraded so that our passengers can enjoy comfortable, safe, and reliable public transportation. Those dilapidated and old jeeps, which are more than 15 years old—some have even reached 30 years—must be replaced,” Guro said during the PUVMP launching ceremony, on February 23, at the Centennial Stage, Capitol Ground, Malaybalay City.

Modern buses are run by the Bukidnon Transport Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BUKTRAMCO), which has promised to keep service and safety at a high level. These vehicles, each with a seating capacity of 30, will be plying the Quezon-Valencia City-Malaybalay City route. The cooperative has received extensive training and is required to abide by LTFRB’s guidelines and regulations.

Office of Transport Cooperatives Chair Jesus Ferdinand Ortega said soon another group of the same PUVs would arrive to give people a better way to get around that is also more convenient and better for the environment.

“We, in the Office of Transport Cooperative, under DOTr, assure you that this will not be the first modern PUV running here in the province. There will be many more. The program also intends to provide better transportation services to the people to address air pollution and road safety issues. It is one of the government’s priority programs,” he explained.

He stressed that small PUV players could join the Modernization Program as long as they joined together, formed a cooperative or corporation, and met the program’s requirements.

Ortega said that showing off the new buses in Bukidnon is an inspiration, especially for BUKTRAMCO, and a good model for the rest of the country’s provinces.

The DOTr and LTFRB promised to keep helping the province modernize its transportation system. This is in line with the government’s goal of improving public transportation services all over the country. (RLRB/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

N. Mindanao DRRMC OKs P3.3-B rehab plan for calamity-hit LGUs

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Government agencies comprising the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Northern Mindanao (RDRRMC-10) on Thursday approved the PHP3.3-billion Regional Rehabilitation Plan (RRP) in support of its local government units (LGUs) affected by flooding and landslide in December last year

In an interview, RDRRMC-10 chair Antonio Sugarol said the passage of the budget was part of the mandate of President Ferdinand R. Marcos to identify the priority projects that every LGU need.

“This will be forwarded to the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), so they can review with the proceedings and particulars as to projects that will be appropriated,” Sugarol, also the concurrent Office of the Civil Defense–10 directors, said.

The December 2022 shear line weather disturbance mostly affected LGUs in the Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental provinces.

The amount of the fund was introduced to the RDRRMC-10 in its special meeting on a post-disaster needs assessment by Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, director of the National Economic Development Authority-10.

The total fund amount will cover infrastructure and social services-related programs and projects, including agriculture development.

For 2023, about PHP900 million will be initially rolled out to benefit the affected LGUs, while PHP1.3 billion will be sued by 2024.

The rest of the funding will be utilized from 2025 onwards.

“Since the LGUs were given devolved function (from the national government), they can shoulder 74 programs and projects (for the RRP),” Cariño said. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

NorMin logs 8.4% inflation in Jan., ranks 9th in PH

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Northern Mindanao’s inflation rate rose to 8.4% last month, placing the region in the ninth spot nationwide, the regional office of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Feb. 17, 2023

During a media forum here, PSA 10 (Northern Mindanao) Officer-in-Charge Janith Aves said January’s inflation was higher than December 2022’s 7.8 percent and January 2022’s 4.5 percent with food and non-alcoholic beverages mainly accounting for the increase.

“The rise of onion prices was recorded in this period (January 2023) and is one of the major contributors (to the inflation), which was part of the vegetables, tubers, plantains group,” she said.

Under the food and non-alcoholic commodity group, the region’s inflation rate jumped to 12.1 percent, from 7.8 percent in December 2022 and 4.5 percent in January 2022.

Aves said in the region, the provinces of Camiguin and Misamis Oriental registered the highest inflation rate per province with 8.9 percent.

“Camiguin may be the highest for January but it experienced a decrease from its 9.5 percent inflation in December 2022,” she said. Camiguin’s inflation rate in January 2022, however, was 5.3 percent, according to PSA-10 data.

This city has the lowest inflation rate with 8 percent, compared to 8.2 percent in December 2022 and 4.2 percent in January 2022.

Among the 13 main commodity groups where PSA is getting the overall inflation, the financial services sector had zero percent inflation in the region for both January 2023 and December 2022.

Compared to January 2022, the financial services were the highest among the commodity groups with a 45.2 percent inflation rate. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Farmers in 3 barangays in Valencia benefits from FMR Projects

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DILG Bukidnon in coordination with the Local Government of Valencia City successfully turned over a total of PhP60-Million worth of farm-to-market road projects to the Barangay of Lilingayon, Lurugan, and San Carlos under the Local Government Support Fund – Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP), on Feb. 21, 2023

A blessing and a ceremonial road opening was initiated in the project site locations of the three barangays, and a joint program was conducted thereafter at the Covered Court of Barangay San Carlos – participated by the barangay beneficiaries, LGU-Valencia City, DILG, PNP, PA, and project contractors.

One of the program’s highlights is the signing of the Certificate of Turnover and Acceptance led by City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas as the implementing unit and duly accepted by the three beneficiary punong barangays.

“Kini nga proyekto nahatag kaninyo pinaagi sa hiniusang pagpaningkamot sa nagkada-iyang ahensya sa gobyerno. Busa atong ampingan kini para sa pagkab-ot sa tiunay nga kalamboan sa atong mga mag-uuma”, said Mayor Huervas during the ceremony.

Moreover, DILG Provincial Director Rhona Pedraza-Abadilla led the giving of the key of responsibility along with CLGOO Jan Eric L. Manasan and representatives from the PNP and Philippine Army to the local officials of the City.

PD Abadilla, in her statement, congratulates the three barangays and emphasized the critical role of each beneficiary in ensuring the long-term use of the road projects.

“Sauna inyo lang kining gidamgo, apan gituman na sa atuang gobyerno, og karong adlawa gitunol na kaninyo ang mga proyekto. Mao kini ang simbolo nga kamo gihatagn og pagtagad sa atong gobyerno. Busa atoang tagaan og saktong pagpakabana og pag-amping aron nga mo lungtad pa kining proyekto sa dugay pa nga katuigan”, said PD Abadilla.

Meanwhile, all three Punong barangay beneficiaries collectively expressed their appreciation to the DILG, LGU-Valencia City, and partner line agencies for the realization of their farm-to-market roads and hoped for added projects for the continued economic development of the barangays.

The activity wrapped up with the viewing of AVP featuring the completed road projects and success stories of the beneficiaries.

Each SBDP beneficiary barangays received PHP20 Million worth of funding for the implementation of their priority projects. (DILG Bukidnon)