Monday, November 25, 2024

Category: News

DOST boosts local food processor’s production

Posted on by cmn

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – Nestled in Upper Calanawan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, a thriving food processing facility is providing local farmers with a stable source of income

V&C Agrifarm is considered a business pioneer in the food processing industry with innovative solutions that cater to bulk supplies of processed products through a “B2B” or business-to-business approach.

V&C Agrifarm supplies a pickled mix of ground vegetables and spices soaked in a vinegar-salt solution to NutriAsia Inc. (NAI).

V&C Agrifarm’s innovations earned them the Husay Award: Innovation Trailblazer from Nutri-Asia Inc. in 2022 as they continued to provide a positive impact for the Philippines’ leading producer and distributor of sauces and condiments in the Philippines, NutriAsia Inc. (NAI).

This gave its owners, Virgil, and Cleofe Abejuela, more energy. They are both retired chemical engineers who started the business in 2018 after seeing a rise in demand for pickled products on the market and wanting to supply more of them.

Recently, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang visited the facility as the agency provided equipment and technical consulting services to V&C Agrifarm.

Through the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), the agency provided the processors with automatic vegetable washers, dryers, and grinders for bell pepper, garlic, chili, and onion.

V&C no longer has to wash and dry tons of bell peppers by hand because they have machines that do it for them. This makes them more efficient and productive.

Cleofe Abejuela, co-owner of V&C Agrifarm, said, “The washer and the dryer, the equipment, it really helped us from “mano-mano” (manual washing) to semi-mechanized process. We were given FDA [LTO] last year.”

The processors were given technical advice on food safety, which helped the company get a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate (LTO).

The processors were also given technical advice on standardizing pickled vegetables by applying food safety standards from the time they got the raw materials to the time they delivered them.

“There is a collaboration between us, DOST, and USTP. USTP provides training for our staff on food safety. I had the chance to join the forum of SETUP; there were already plenty of beneficiaries; we had a meeting in Malaybalay; I was one of the speakers; it was a common sentiment among those who availed [the program] that it changes your outlook towards the government,” said Virgil Abejuela, co-owner of V&C Agrifarm.

One of the flagship programs of the DOST, the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, or SETUP, is a nationwide strategy that encourages and assists micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting the utilization of technological innovations.

This is meant to improve operational efficiency, increase productivity, and make businesses more competitive, with a big focus on finding solutions based on local conditions and production problems.

DOST Undersecretary Mabborang said, “DOST is cross-cutting, multi-dimensional, sometimes in agriculture, sometimes in engineering, sometimes we are into the laboratories, as long as there is an area that has science and technology.”

Mabborang also encourages other government agencies to also help MSMEs achieve business growth and success, saying, “Para makatulong din sila, ayaw naman namin na kami lang ang bida (so that they may also help, as we also don’t want all the credit).”

Now with automation, V&C Agrifarm’s production increased from the usual monthly average of 381 bags to 826 bags, which means an average increase of 445 (20 kg per bag) bags monthly or 117%.

MSME owners may inquire about and avail themselves of SETUP from a regional DOST office near them. In northern Mindanao, one may call 0917 857 9117 or visit the DOST-10 website at https://region10.dost.gov.ph/. (SAYU | PIA-10)

Firm proposes online payment scheme for Malaybalay City

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY – Pisopay.com, a Makati-based company that specializes in creating a system for online payments, proposed a system for the City Government of Malaybalay

During the regular session of Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) on February 14, 2023, Ms. Patricia Javier, Director of Marketing for Pisopay.com said the system can be called Malaybalay Egov Smart City or LGU Centralized Digital System.

This system will allow users to pay online with their transactions with the city.

Javier said the system they are developing will have three areas: for users or the citizens of the city, for E-gov Management System, and for the Accounting System.

Javier said each of the features provides an easier, accessible, and convenient way of paying.

In response to a question by City Councilor Royland Orquia on the possibility of being hacked, Javier said they cannot predict the possibility but they will make sure that they will have local storage of data for monitoring and faster solutions.

Javier said that they have already coordinated with the City Information Technology Officer along with the City Treasurer’s Office.

The SP is yet to deliberate on the proposal. (BukidnonNews.net)

411 Bukidnon workers get P1.6-M from DOLE’s TUPAD program

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY (PIA) – Four hundred and eleven (411) disadvantaged or displaced workers in Maramag, Bukidnon, recently received a total of P1.6 million in government salaries through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program

DOLE 10-Bukidnon Field Office Provincial Director Raul Valmores said each beneficiary received P3,900 as payment for their 10-day work.

He said the 411 beneficiaries are from Barangays San Miguel, North Poblacion, South Poblacion, Kuya, Danggawan, Panadtalan, Colambugon, Panalsalan, Dologon, Base Camp, Camp-1, Anahawon, and Bayabason, all in Maramag municipality.

“TUPAD aims to improve the quality of workers’ physical living conditions while contributing to the communities’ welfare, which provides emergency employment for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers,” Valmores said.

He explained that TUPAD is being implemented through direct administration or accredited co-partners (ACPs), which refer to the DOLE program partner responsible for directly delivering services to the target beneficiary. They are worker organizations of national government agencies and LGUs, as well as other non-profit people’s organizations and non-profit NGOs that have met DOLE accreditation requirements.

Merlita Barredo, 63, of Barangay San Miguel, a PWD (person with disability) due to poliomyelitis, thanked the government’s Labor and Employment department for enlisting her as a TUPAD beneficiary. She reiterated that, despite the slow pace of her work, she gave it her all to complete the ten-day task.

“Nagpasalamat ko sa DOLE. Dako kayo ni’g tabang nako. Usa ko ka PWD pero naapil gihapon ko sa inyong programa. Bisan galisod ko ug lakaw naningkamot ko nga makaapil. Salamat kaayo. Kaning kwarta ipalit nakog bugas ug sud-an,” she said.

(The Labor Department has been helpful to me. This program helps people like me. It gave me a chance to take part despite my disability. Thank you. I will use the money to buy food)

The DOLE-10 Bukidnon field office led the payout ceremony. Audrey Zubiri, wife of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Maramag Municipal Mayor Jose Joel P. Doromal, San Miguel Punong Barangay Dominico Loja Sr., and barangay program coordinator Generoso Maribao Jr. graced the event. (DOLE-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

CHR calls on authorities to look into alleged abduction of NDFP consultant in Bukidnon

Posted on by cmn

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) called on authorities to take action on the alleged abduction of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Ariel Badiang in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon on February 6

In a statement, the CHR said Badiang, 64 years old, was allegedly taken by soldiers.

“As we conduct a parallel independent probe, CHR calls for urgent action from the local police and other concerned agencies to uncover the full truth on this latest report of the alleged abduction of another NDFP consultant,” said the commission.

According to the CHR, its Region 10 office had deployed a Quick Response Operation to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Police Region Office 10 public information office spokesperson Police Major Joann Navarro told GMA News Online there were no abductions reported on the said date.

“Based po sa record natin, walang nakatala na any information o report na merong nag-abduct o kidnapping na nangyari,” she said.

Navarro added that PRO10 asked the Bukidnon Police, 52nd Engineer Brigade, and 1st Special Forces Battalion if they received such information. They also denied receiving reports about the incident.

Navarro encouraged the family of Badiang to report the incident to the police so that authorities can take action and launch an investigation.

Asked for comment, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar said the AFP promoted and protected human rights.

“The AFP respects human rights. It is part of our constitutional mandate. All we do at the AFP is in adherence to the promotion and protection of human rights which is translated into education, training, and policies,” he told GMA News Online.

“To strengthen its implementation, the AFP has established the AFP Human Rights Office, now the AFP Center for Law of Armed Conflict (AFP CLOAC),” he added. (GMA News)

MinDA, UN office partner for Mindanao dev’t

Posted on by cmn

DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) signed a partnership Wednesday to provide various developments in the island region

MinDA Secretary Maria Belen Acosta and Oscar Marenco, the UNOPS country manager, agreed to cooperate on technical assistance in infrastructure master planning and project priority identification, as well as consideration of possible mechanisms for the development of infrastructure projects.

Likewise, both parties also agreed to provide technical assistance and advisory services for infrastructure projects and to support project implementation through project management, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation.

“We share the vision of MinDA that there will only be sustainable development in Mindanao if there’s peace and stability. The vision that MinDA has is the vision that UNOPs and the UN system would like really to support,” Marenco said in a press briefing.

One of the major plans for the partnership, he said, is the setup of a project preparation facility (PPF), a rolling fund for local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges, and other Mindanao partners.

“What we are creating is a financial vehicle; we are investing PPF to the Philippines level. The pledges of support in terms of finances are coming next starting with small financing to several partners,” Marenco said, adding that there is no exact amount determined yet for its allocation.

Following the signing, the UNOPs and MinDA team will formulate the guidelines for availing the facility seen to take place by next year.

Marenco said they are targeting two areas for the initiative – the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other areas in Mindanao.

“We have a situation in BARMM that is very specific. Sixty-five percent of the whole support of the UN system is focused on BARMM but this is a transitional stage, and they need additional support not only from the national level but development partners as well,” he said.

For MinDA’s part, Acosta said they will look into the needs of the LGUs in terms of the project and match it to the provider.

“That is the task of MinDA to harmonize, integrate, and that no one is left behind. With the partnership with UNOPS, it will become more efficient since MinDA, as a government agency has limitations,” she said. (Che Palicte/PNA)

The first round of barangay veterinary services through the Malaybalay City Veterinary Office conducted

Posted on by cmn

On February 7, 2023, the City Government of Malaybalay, through the City Veterinary Office, started the first round of barangay veterinary services in the identified sites of Barangay San Jose, Malaybalay City

Two teams composed of veterinarians and 11 trained personnel were deployed to serve 96 clients with 155 animals in total, which included 45 cattle, 17 carabaos, 4 goats, 35 horses, 1 pig, and 51 dogs.

The animals were gathered and given free services in eight identified sites: Purok 3 (Sto. Nio), Purok 2 (Acacia), Purok 5 (Near San Jose Furniture Shops), Purok 6 (near rubber plants), Panamucan (Purok 13, 14), and Mabuhay (Purok 10 and Purok 12).

Activities conducted are deworming and vitamin supplementation, pregnancy diagnosis in cattle and carabao, issuance of a Certificate of Ownership of Large Animals, rabies vaccination in dogs (3 months old and above), RSBSA registration, issuance of PCIC insurances for animals, and consultation and treatment. (PR)

DA-10 4Ks validates 5 sites in Impasug-ong town

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The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) through the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo (4Ks) program, visited five sites in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon to conduct a Preliminary Social Investigation (PSI)

With the program focused on serving the Indigenous People (IP) and Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC), DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said that the undertaking is in response to the local government of Impasug-ong’s request of broadening the reach of the 4Ks program in their locality.

Sites included are sitios Ananaso, New Imbatug, Paculab, Paganahan, and Ulayanon in barangay Kalabugao, which are all inhabited by the Higaonon tribe.

April Grace M. Racines, DA-10 4Ks focal person, said that the PSI gauges the agricultural needs and identifies the available crops and livestock in an area through interviews, geotagging, site inspection, and validation.

Results of the investigation, she added, will then be used to determine the necessary interventions to be poured out in the identified sites.

On top of the mentioned sitios, Dir. Collado detailed that eight more sites are eyed to be validated soon.

The 4Ks is a three-year special project of DA that aims to aid the IPs through agri-fishery-related livelihood projects and to capacitate them through agricultural skills training and workshops to increase their knowledge and productivity. (CRSeraspe/DA-10)

5 soldiers dead after ‘mass shooting’ in Cagayan de Oro military camp

Posted on by cmn

MANILA, Philippines — Five soldiers, including a gunman who happened to be in the military, perished Saturday morning after a mass shooting incident broke out inside the Army’s Camp Evangelista in Cagayan de Oro City

The soldier, who went berserk, Pvt. Johmar Villabito was subsequently shot dead by responding Pvt. Mark Anthony Aguinid and Pfc. Josiah Estrada.

The incident reportedly occurred during the early hours of 1 a.m. according to Maj. Francisco Garello Jr., spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division. The names of the victims are still withheld as of press time.

“This resulted in the death of four… of our soldiers and wounding another one… The suspect used an M16 rifle. The suspect shot the victims while they’re sleeping,” said Garello in a mix of Filipino and English in an interview with the media.

“The perpetrator also died during the said incident.”

In separate statements, Saturday, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office said Villabito first barged into the sleeping quarter of Sgt. Rogelio Rojo, Cpl. Bernard Rodrigo, Pfc. Prince Kevin Balaba and Pvt. Joseph Tamayo and killed them one after another with his service firearm in an attack that left Sgt. Braulio Macalos badly wounded.

The four slain soldiers and Villabito belonged to the Headquarters Service Battalion of the 4th ID, under Major Gen. Wilbur Mamawag.

Aguinid and Estrada together managed to neutralize Villabito, who also died on the spot from multiple bullet wounds.

Garello said that they still could not determine the motive behind the suspect’s actions and could not confirm rumors going around that the violence was relationship-related.

The commander of the 4ID, Maj. Gen. Wilbur Mamawag has now created a board of inquiry team to investigate the matter.

After initially firing rounds at four sleeping soldiers, the gunman allegedly proceeded to another room which eventually lead to his/her demise.

“[T]here [were] two soldiers that were already alert and they saw that he/she was coming. They managed to neutralize the suspect. They wrestled and grappled for the weapon, and eventually, the suspect was killed in self-defense,” continued Garello.

“What we can confirm is that there [are] five soldiers died during the incident… one is wounded and being given medical attention.”

Among those killed were a staff sergeant, a private, and a corporal. Several shots were said to have been fired so military officials still could not confirm if the fatal shots were delivered to the head.

The 4ID offered their sincere condolences to the bereaved families during these challenging times. (J. Unson, J. Relativo/Philstar)

DA-PRDP 10 conducts appraisal of subproject proposals in Bukidnon

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The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rural Development Project 10 (DA-PRDP 10) together with the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO) and the Mindanao Project Support Office (PSO Mindanao) conducted an appraisal of subproject (SP) proposals for the province of Bukidnon on February 7-9, 2023

DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director and Regional PCO-10 Project Director Carlene C. Collado stressed that the activity is vital to enhance the local government units (LGUs) proposals.

Further, it ensures the completeness of the documents and readiness of the proponent for the Regional Project Advisory Board’s (RPAB) review and approval.

The team evaluated proposals for the completeness, consistency, and correctness of the documents. Additionally, site validations were conducted to determine the feasibility and viability of a project in an area.

The AA Abattoir and 2 Farm-to-Market Roads were subject to validation in the towns of Don Carlos and Lantapan, Bukidnon, respectively.

Specifically, it includes the Construction of a Double “A” Slaughterhouse with Cold Storage in Don Carlos; 6.516-kilometers (km) Concreting of FMR with Drainage at Balila Proper to Sitio Gahub to Purok 5 Kaatuan; and the 9.46-km Concreting of FMR w/ Drainage at Sitio Cacawon, Kulasihan to Purok 2 Kangay, Capitan Juan to Purok 4 to Purok 5 Katiguman to Purok 6 Pinamanguhan, Capitan Road with Drainage at Balila Proper to Sitio Gahub to Purok 5 Kaatuan of Lantapan.

Heading the activity was RPCO-10 IBUILD Component Head, Engr. Deliza T. Camaro and representatives from the region’s IBUILD, SES, and GGU.

Joining the RPCO team was NPCO’s Rural Infrastructure Engineer (RIE) Legario B. David and Economist Harry C. Omaña; PSO Mindanao’s Planning Officer Shiela May Ibasco, Economist Imma Requilme, and RIE Danessa N. Llagas. (PR)

City Health Office conducts food safety orientation for food handlers

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The City Health Office recently conducted a food safety orientation for food handlers on February 8, 2023, at the Enhanced Screening Area and Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center, in this city. The event was held to educate food handlers in the city on the importance of proper food handling and storage practices to prevent foodborne illnesses

A total of 106 food handlers, the majority of whom were local eatery owners, city food vendors, and BPMC kitchen cooks, attended the orientation. Sanitary Inspector Jenny Jumamoy, Nurse Fiona Helena Maquiling, and Hezron Belonio from the City Health Office’s environmental sanitation program discussed the dangers of foodborne illnesses and the steps that can be taken to prevent them.

The participants were also taught about the proper way to handle food, including washing their hands regularly, wearing gloves while handling food and keeping food at the right temperature to prevent spoilage. The speakers also stressed the importance of maintaining clean and sanitary working conditions to prevent contamination.

In addition to the Food Handlers Class, some food handlers shared their experiences and best practices for food safety, which provided valuable insights for the other food handlers in attendance.

At the end of the orientation, participants received certificates of completion and were encouraged to continue learning about food safety. The City Health Office also stated that they will be conducting similar orientations in the future to ensure that all food handlers in the community are aware of the importance of food safety.

This food safety orientation is a testament to the City Health Office’s commitment to promoting public health and ensuring that residents have access to safe and healthy food. The City Health Office hopes that this initiative will help reduce the number of foodborne illnesses in the community and promote a healthier food environment for all. (CHO-NADA)