Friday, November 22, 2024

Category: News

22K NorMin kids freed from child labor: DOLE

Posted on by cmn

The Department of Labor and Employment in Northern Mindanao (DOLE-10) has freed 22,876 children from child labor in the last five years.

DOLE-10 Director Albert Gutib said during the Advocacy and Communications Committee (AdCom) meeting last November 15 that the cumulative figure was based on their 2018-2022 data.

“The region has the highest recorded child labor cases (in the Philippines), with 68,195 (from 2018-2022),” he said in the assembly organized by the Regional Development Council-10.

This year alone, Gutib said the agency recorded 20,335 cases of child labor, 11,208 of which resulted in the victims’ freedom.

Gutib underscored the importance of Information Education Campaigns (EDCs) in curbing cases of child labor, even as he urged AdCom to support “DOLEkula,” a film targeted for schools and communities.

Meanwhile, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division also suggested a collaboration with DOLE-10 as it proposed the screening of the Philippine Army-produced documentaries about children recruited in communist rebellion.

DOLE-10, with the help of local government units, has earlier initiated programs aimed at reducing child labor cases.

In September this year, 14 parents of child laborers of Barangay Sebucal, in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, received their livelihood starter kits amounting to PHP189,000 from DOLE-10.

DOLE Misamis Occidental chief Ebba Acosta said the assistance to parents of child laborers is a strategic response to prevent and eliminate child labor.

She said parents of child laborers are among the priority beneficiaries of DOLE’s Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

6 Bukidnon LGUs passed in 2021 CFLGA

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Six local government units (LGUs) in Region X (Bukidnon) passed the 2021 Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA).

Out of the 372 conferred LGUs for the seal of child-friendly local governance nationwide, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) named the city/municipality of Manolo Fortich with a rating of 93.82%, Cabanglasan 90.80%, San Fernando 86.58%, Malaybalay 86.14, Maramag 85.50 and Malitbog with 80.09%.

The LGUs were assessed based on the indicators categorized under the four core rights of children, which are Survival, Development, Protection, Participation & Governance.

The CFLGA is a mandatory audit chaired by the DILG and a results-based assessment tool designed to gauge the level of performance of LGUs insofar as implementing programs and instituting measures to uplift the welfare status of children. (PR)

Agri-10 corn derby shows promising corn varieties to increase farmers’ yield, income

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao staged a field day for this year’s wet season corn derby on October 6, featuring promising hybrid corn cultivars to help farmers’ income and yield.

Set at DA-10’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in barangay Dalwangan here, 13 different corn varieties from six participating seed companies were showcased to determine their performance and adaptability on-site with an elevation of over 800 meters.

Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 officer-in-charge regional executive director, said farmers will be able to make informed decisions in the selection of corn varieties to be planted through the corn derby due to the dynamic and extensive product lines of different seed companies.

He added that the activity paves the way for the presentation of the latest corn varieties and their corresponding package of technologies, allowing farmers to get the most value out of their investments in order to maximize yield and profit.

The corn derby features the following varieties: H101G, Bio Corn Hi Fly, and BC108G from BioSeed Research Philippines Inc.; Supreme 5150 RRYYG and J505 RRYG from Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies Inc.; P4124YHR and P3660YHR from Corteva AgriScience; EVO709 and EVO9310 from Evo Gene Seeds Corp.); DK8899S and DK8131S from Bayer Crop Science Philippines; and NK6505BGT and NK306BGT from Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

Based on the crop cut results, agronomic and yield components such as average ear and plant height, ear diameter and length, seed weight, shelling recovery, and yield per hectare were revealed.

With bulk of next year’s budget under DA’s Corn program focusing on seeds, the agri chief executive added that the corn derby results will count as one of the department’s bases in seeds procurement while also considering farmers’ and local government’s requests.

Almost 160 participants joined in the field day, including corn farmers and agricultural technicians from the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia, as well as the towns of Lantapan, Manolo Fortich, Cabanglasan, and Impasugong, all in Bukidnon province.

On top of the seed companies’ showcase, participants learned about the latest innovations from agriculture farm chemical and motor companies, whose products are seen to complement farmers’ preferred hybrid corn variety in boosting farmers’ productivity and earnings.

“As a frontliner, it is important to know the performing hybrid corn varieties readily available in the market so that we can at least suggest to our farmers, especially those that will fit in their respective barangays,” Malaybalay City corn coordinator Myra S. Abejuela said.

She hoped that the farmers she brought with her to the corn derby, including their corn federation president and officials from corn growers’ associations, would share the technologies they learned from the event with their fellow corn farmers and eventually adopt hybrid technology entirely.

Also gracing the activity from DA-10 are Field Operations Division chief Luz Guzman and Regional Corn Coordinator Richan Lacanaria; Research Division Chief Cora Dumayaca and Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex Chief Carmelito Lapoot; Provincial Operations Chief for Bukidnon Janet Lopez; Research Center for Hillyland Development Berly F. Tatoy; Guillermo L. Duran, senior science research specialist of the Research Center for Upland Development; and OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia Lagamon. (JLO/DA-10/PIA 10/Bukidnon)

CRC helps Bukidnon PDLs get access to digital connection

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – One of the jail facilities in Bukidnon has become a recipient of humanitarian aid that would enable persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) connect with their relatives and lawyers.

In a statement on Sunday provided by Amer Hassan Sanggacala, information officer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) based in Iligan City, said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Malaybalay City was given mobile devices in support of the government’s “E-Dalaw” project.

ICRC said the project gained momentum during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when it was hard for PDLs to contact outside the jail facility, especially those with families who do not have access to digital technology.

“To help restore contact between detainees and their families and facilitate virtual court hearings, the ICRC has been supporting the government’s ‘E-Dalaw’ and ‘E-hearing’ programs by providing tablets and internet loads to places of detention,” ICRC said.

ICRC also said supporting PDLs is also part of its humanitarian activities, which aim to secure humane treatment and detention conditions for all PDLs.

Since 2020, more than 300 digital tablets have been distributed nationwide to BJMP’s 150 facilities, including the Malaybalay City Jail.

The ICRC’s goal is to provide over 500 tablets to nearly 200 detention facilities, in addition to phone and internet load to places of detention until 2023.

In 2022 alone, ICRC facilitated over 467,000 calls between PDLs and their families, 6,000 calls with lawyers, and at least 40,000 virtual court hearings. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Bukidnon wins DTI-NorMin consumer welfare quiz competition

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)—Grant Jhazzel B. Ortega, a student from Central Mindanao University Laboratory High School (CMULHS) in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon was declared champion of the regional consumer quiz competition in celebration of Consumer Welfare Month with the theme ‘Sustainable Consumerism in the Digital Age.’

Ortega defeated other contestants from schools in five Northern Mindanao provinces in this year’s quest held at Mallberry Suites and Business Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City on October 26.

Famelah Racquel D. Villanueva, provincial director of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bukidnon, said this is one of the ways the department disseminates information and broadens education on policies affecting both consumers and the general public through scholastic competition.

“The Regional Consumer Quiz aims to raise the level of readiness of the academic sector to take a proactive stance towards more responsive and proactive consumerism,” she said.
Ortega won a cash prize of P9,000 and a trophy as the quiz bee’s champion. Mr. Byron B. Recia, his coach, also received P5,000 cash.

Meanwhile, Charmie Pogoy of Labo National High School, representing Misamis Occidental province, was named 1st runner-up, bringing home a cash prize of P7,000 and a trophy. Louisa Medeia Orlanes of Lanao del Norte’s Lala National High School ranked 2nd runner-up and received a P5,000 cash prize as well as a trophy.

In accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 1098, the DTI leads the celebration every October.

Junar B. Merla, DTI-Bukidnon Consumer Protection Division chief, said the month-long celebration aims to raise consumer awareness by disseminating relevant information about consumer-friendly policies and programs.

“The month-long celebration highlights the role of consumers adopting a conscious mindset and making more informed and sustainable decisions when purchasing goods and services via online platforms. It also calls for businesses to adopt sustainable practices in the digital transformation of their products and operations,” Merla said. (DTI-Bukidnon/PIA-10/Bukidnon).

Pinoy-made mobile lab to detect ASF, Avian flu now in Bukidnon

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MARAMAG, Bukidnon, (PIA)—A Pinoy-made Mobile Laboratory Unit (MLU) to detect ASF, Avian, and other zoonotic flu viruses is now in Bukidnon as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) program officially launched and turned over the MLU to Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Maramag, Bukidnon on October 28.

The MLU is equipped with state-of-the-art animal health diagnostic technologies designed and created by a local veterinary research and diagnostics company, BioAssets Corporation.

“The mobile biocontainment laboratory, the first of its kind in the country, will initially serve hog and poultry breeders in Bukidnon, and the MLU can serve an estimated 5-10 farms per day that require diagnostic tests for livestock,” said Dr. Homer D. Pantua, President and Co-founder of BioAssets Corp. and project leader of the Building Research and Innovation Development Goals for Engineering SUCs (BRIDGES).

Pantua, who also heads the Balik Scientist and BIST projects, explained that the test is equivalent to pooling and testing 150-250 samples in one location; thus, the establishment of the said mobile laboratory will support rapid response to potential outbreaks and improve disease surveillance, allowing farmers and veterinarians to craft mitigation strategies, preventive and control measures as needed.

Bukidnon province has the highest production of 137.28 thousand metric tons of live weight in 2021, according to statistics. In its 22 municipalities, there are currently 16,007 backyard hog raisers and 71 commercial hog raisers. A total of 251 poultry farms were also recorded to be operating in the province in December 2021.

“With a significant number of hog and poultry raisers in Bukidnon, the first-ever MLU must be made available in the area to support disease diagnostics,” Pantua said.

In his speech, CMU President Dr. Jesus Antonio Derije lauded the BioAssets Corporation and DOST for working together to support the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine in fulfilling its commitment to bring innovative tools to resource-limited areas.

“The partnership between CMU and BioAssets Corporation, as well as the establishment of the mobile lab under the Science for Change (S4C) program, are essential components in the development of a national disease surveillance program led by Dr. Homer Pantua. Such program will benefit both farmers and the general public by establishing preventive and control measures for potential zoonotic diseases.

Meanwhile, DOST-Bukidnon Provincial Director Ritchie Mae L. Guno said that the department’s S4C-BIST Program provides financial assistance to Filipino private companies for the acquisition of strategic and relevant technologies to conduct research and development studies. The funds, which may be used to purchase high-tech equipment or to secure technology licensing and/or patent rights, will be refunded to DOST with no interest.

For companies who are also seeking to explore the benefits of the DOST S4C-BIST Program, you may contact the DOST-Science for Change Project Management Office at 2/F ADMATEL Bldg., DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City, with telephone numbers (02) 8837-2943/ 8837-2930. You may also send an email to [email protected] or visit the S4C Facebook page at @dost.s4cp. (DOST-Bukidnon/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

DILG, DTI, LGU Lantapan ink RAPID growth agreement

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)– The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10, and Local Government of Lantapan in Bukidnon, signed the tripartite agreement of Rural Agro-enterprise Partnership for Inclusive Development and Growth (RAPID Growth)— the first tripartite agreement being signed among the pilot FMIs in Visayas and Mindanao.

Said agreement will strengthen the roles and responsibilities of the agencies in the monitoring and evaluation of farm-to-market infrastructures (FMI) in Lantapan, one of the pilot beneficiaries in the region.

DILG-10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe reiterated the roles and responsibilities of DILG in the implementation of the RAPID Growth Project. “With the recent signing of the agreement, we at the DILG commit to support the DTI in overseeing, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of FMRI through regular project site visits and inspections and ensure that the infrastructure project follows all the government standards in its design and implementation,” he said.

The DILG will also provide technical assistance to the beneficiary LGU in the implementation of the FMI subcomponent of the RAPID Project and provide the DTI with regular progress reports indicating the instruction reports, project status, physical accomplishment, and financial utilization, in accordance with the existing guidelines of DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-104.

As one of the pilots, FMI beneficiaries of the RAPID Growth Projects, LGU Lantapan, especially the coffee farmers, linear coffee roasters, and tea traders will benefit a P56-million worth of FMR project with a total length of 3.373-km from Cinchona to Block II with lined canal and RCPC installation.

“With these responsibilities at hand, we look forward to a close collaboration and partnership with DTI and LGU Lantapan for the effective and efficient implementation of the RAPID Growth Project,” Agabe added.

The RAPID Growth Project promotes sustainable growth by increasing the income of small farmers and the unemployed in the locality by bringing growth potential, market demand, and job-creating effects.

2 rebels die, 2 captured in Bukidnon clash

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Two alleged New People’s Army (NPA) rebels died while two others were captured by the Philippine Army (PA) in a recent clash in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, the military announced Monday, Jan. 31.

According to a military report reaching Camp Aguinaldo, the clash occurred when personnel from the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion (2ndSRB) and 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) responded to a tip from a resident about the presence of five alleged members of the NPA’s Headquarters Force Neo, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (HQF Neo, NCMRC) in the hinterlands of Sitio Lamana, Barangay Kibalabag, Malaybalay City last Saturday.

Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, commander of the 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB), alleged that the rebels were extorting money and food supplies from vegetable farmers in the village.

A brief gun battle occurred when the responding troops chanced upon the armed men who fired the first shot.

After the firefight, the troops recovered the bodies of alias “Draw,” an alleged member of the dismantled Squad 1, Platoon Dario, Sub-Regional Committee 2 of the NCRMC; and alias “Paet,” an alleged Communication Staff/Special Operations Group/Intel of Regional Operations Command, NCMRC.

Meanwhile, captured were Nisy Sante alias “Arnold,” 72, said to be a supply officer of Squad 1, Regional Sentro De Gravedad (RSDG) Compaq, NCMRC; and Gelloye Lipanya Sagula alias “Janjan,” 20, an alleged member of Squad 2, Team Abe of the same unit.

Pursuit operations were ongoing to arrest the fifth rebel who managed to escape from the troops.

The troops also rescued seven civilians, four of them minors, who were “threatened and extorted” by the suspects.

Bacus identified them as “Jecko,” 30, and his son “Gerald,” 11; “Raffy,” 28, his wife “Jennifer,” 24, and their children “Jepoy,” 5, “Junray,” 3, and Shantal 1.

“We rescued the civilians who were threatened and extorted by the NPA terrorists. They were approached at their farm and the CNTs [communist-terrorist group] extorted vegetables from them and when they saw the soldiers approaching, they immediately fired,” Bavus said in a local dialect.

“We are waiting for the family members of the dead CNTs in order for them to finally rest in peace. We are saddened by their demise, and it is because of the deception of the NPA terrorists,” he added.

Seized from the suspects were three caliber 45 pistols, one 9mm pistol, five magazines, one cellphone, and assorted medical supplies.

Bacus appealed to the remaining communist rebels in the area to surrender to the government and avail of social development benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) of the government.

10 ex-rebels, militants in CDO, Bukidnon await E-CLIP

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 29) — The military and police are preparing for the endorsement of three former New People’s Army (NPA) rebels and seven members of the NPA’s “Milisya ng Bayan” who surrendered voluntarily in this city and Bukidnon to avail of government assistance through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

In a statement Friday, Police Col. Aaron Mandia, the Acting Director of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), commended the decision of the surrenderers to return to the fold of the law.

“It is the best time to be with the government, and avail the programs and privileges the government (through E-CLIP) has to offer for all those who are willing to decide to have a new life by laying down their arms and be with their loves ones in the mainstream society,” he said.

E-CLIP is a program of the government to help the former rebels return to mainstream society with their families, with different projects and livelihood offered by partner agencies.

Mandia said in his report Noag Cabucayan, 19, and his brother Omar, 21 – two of the three NPA members who surrendered – were said to be members of the NPA under Guerrilla Front (GF) 12 of the Sub-Regional Committee (SRC) 5 Crackers Company.

Omar was said to be the team leader of SRC5.

The two surrendered on January 28 in Barangay Tuburan, which was facilitated by the COCPO’s City Mobile Force Company.

Bukidnon

Meanwhile, the third NPA surrendered, Hodi Singayan Almahan, 35, and the seven “Milisya ng Bayan” members surrendered to the Army’s 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) in Impasugon, Bukidnon on January 23, and are also awaiting to be enrolled in E-CLIP.

Almahan, resident of Barangay Binicalan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, is a former squad 2 leaders of Platoon Copper, Headquarters Force Neo of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

During his surrender, he brought with him an M16 Rifle, four short magazines, and six live ammunition.

Almahan said his party wife Hailyn Saplidan Almahan, former Medic or Supply Officer of the same unit, and his relative Ayon Almahan, also of the same unit, died after an encounter with government troops at the hinterlands of Sitio Tamyang, Barangay Binicalan, San Luis, Agusan del Sur on May 8, 2021.

“I was in great sorrow and was disheartened with the NPA because, after the death of my wife and relative, they left me. I regretted joining the NPA after the sufferings I had endured,” the 8IB’s statement quoted him as saying in the vernacular.

The seven “Milisya” members who joined Almahan were Noli Almahan Guilosan, 32; Jerry Fabiana Saplidan, 20; Benedy Odinlay Flores, 27; Wilson Fabiana Saplidan, 18; Manlistahan Buscada Saplidan, 75; a minor,” 17; and Jemalyn Saplidan Almahan, 27.

Lt. Col. Anthony Bacus, Commander of 8IB, said he was delighted that Almahan and his relatives decided to surrender.

“We were able to save another family. We will help them avail of the benefits from the E-CLIP for their better future,” he said.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

The Anti-Terrorism Council also formally designated the National Democratic Front as a terrorist organization on June 23, 2021, citing it as “an integral and separate part” of the CPP-NPA that was created in April 1973.

Iligan, 3 NorMin provinces placed under Alert Level 3

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Jan. 14/PNA) – The City of Iligan and three other provinces in Northern Mindanao Region on Friday were placed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) under Alert Level 3.

Under IATF Resolution 157-A, Acting Spokesperson Karlo Alexei Nograles announced in the online briefer that the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Oriental will be placed on Alert Level 3 starting January 16 until January 31, 2022.

Earlier, Nograles announced that this city will be placed on the same Alert Level 3 beginning January 14 up to the end of this month.

Alert Level 2 was recommended to the provinces of Camiguin and Lanao del Norte.

City Mayor Oscar Moreno, said in the online briefer, that the high vaccination rate may play a crucial role in potentially increasing the indoor capacity of some venues in the city by 10 to 20 percent from the standard 30 percent stated in the alert level system guidelines set by the national government.

“There’s a proposal by the Department of Trade and Industry to increase indoor capacity (by 10 to 20 percent) on local governments under Alert Level 3 provided that they have a high vaccination rate for seniors (A2) and A3 (persons with comorbidities) and that the establishments secured a safety seal from the local government (certifying their compliance to health protocols),” he said.

Moreno said this after Cagayan de Oro City was placed along with some local governments in the country under Alert Level 3 from January 14 until this month’s end.

Moreno said the higher a local government’s vaccination rate, for seniors and the A3 priority list, the more liberal the government becomes in enforcing the guidelines.

“The safety seal certificate issued by the local government mandates businesses and offices to comply with health safety protocol. The alert level system is one way by the government (to encourage people to get vaccinated),” he said.

No restrictions

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government -Northern Mindanao (DILG-10) Director Arnel Agabe said on Thursday’s briefer that there will be no restrictions for interzonal and intrazonal travel in the city despite its Alert Level 3 status.

Guidelines for inbound travelers to Cagayan de Oro under the said alert level status were also reiterated during the press briefer, as Agabe cited IATF Resolution No. 154-C.

He said should local government units (LGUs) deem it necessary to impose additional quarantine and isolation measures for returning passengers from airports and seaports, they can do so.

He said no restrictions have been put in place by local authorities regarding the movement of unvaccinated individuals.

When asked about the possibility of a “no vax, no ride” policy being implemented in this city, Agabe said it would be the discretion of the LGU to implement such.

“A private establishment may also exercise their right to bar entry of unvaccinated individuals,” he added.