Monday, November 18, 2024

6.2MW hydro plant eyed in Kalilangan

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (March 1, 2024) – A 6.2 megawatt Canituan Hydroelectric Power Project is planned for the Municipality of Kalilangan, Bukidnon

According to the provincial government of Bukidnon, Oro Valle Energy, Inc. (OVEI) owns the proposed project.

 

The project is currently in the pre-development stage.

 

On February 26, the 27th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) discussed the company’s letter of intent, addressed to Provincial Vice Governor Clive D. Quiňo.

 

Engr. Hanshel Z. Layaoen, OVEI’s director, presented the initiative during the SP’s Question Hour.

 

He explained the benefits that will be obtained if the project is realized, such as job creation and community share.

 

He stated that 80 percent of the workforce for the operation and maintenance of the plant will come from the community.

 

He also said that host communities can receive one cent per kilowatt hour of total electricity sales as a share under ER 1-94.

 

The project requires the approval of the barangay council, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. (melbmadera)

PGB, Bugemco seal 30-year lease contract for new commercial building

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (February 29, 2024) – The Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) and the Bukidnon Government Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (BUGEMCO) has engaged in a 30-year lease arrangement for the use of a new 3-storey Commercial Building II

The signing ceremony was held on February 27, 2024, during the inauguration of PGB’s new commercial facility on Fortich St. in Brgy. 7. Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Provincial Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque signed the MOA on behalf of PGB, while Ms.  Venus Lubguban, Bugemco’s chief executive officer, signed on behalf of the cooperative.

The terms and conditions of the contract are specified in Resolution No. 2024-2890 of the 27th  Sangguniang Panlawigan (SP).

The PGB in a press statement said the monthly lease payments of ₱800,000 net of tax are due on the 10th of each month.

The new Bukidnon Commercial Building II of the PGB will house the BUGEMCO-Malaybalay Branch Office, BUGEMCO Mart, a training facility for cooperative affairs, and future plans to deliver quality services to its members and the community.

Governor Roque thanked former Governor and current 3rd District Representative Jose Ma. R. Zubiri, Jr. in all his efforts for initiating the project during his term as governor.

During Zubiri’s stint as Governor, the PGB has allocated ₱100,999,905.00 from the 20 percent Development Fund.

Jejor’s Construction Corporation completed its work on July 21, 2022, and the Certificate of Occupancy was entirely gained on December 18, 2023, after overcoming PGB obstacles. (melbmadera)

Philippine Eagle rescued in Bukidnon

MANILA, Philippines (March 4, 2024) — A Philippine Eagle has been rescued in Pangantucan, Bukidnon

The eagle was found by a resident in Barangay Nabaliwa on Feb. 24, according to Dennis Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

The group appealed to Filipinos to help finance the eagle’s rehabilitation.

“The eagle was turned over to the Bantay sa Yutang Kabilin for safekeeping. The BYK contacted us through our partners in the Xavier Science Foundation,” Salvador said.

He said the PEF sent a team of animal experts to examine the eagle.

“X-ray examinations conducted on the eagle at Doc Bayani’s Animal Wellness Clinic in Davao City showed two air gun pellets inside the bird. The pellets were surgically removed and the eagle is now recovering at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City,” Salvador said.

Experts said the eagle, which was named Kalatungan, could be between 1.5 and two years old.

“The bird’s crop was empty, which indicated it had not eaten for days,” the PEF said.

The group said the pellets were lodged above the raptor’s right collarbone and thigh.

“The pellets were lodged beneath the skin, and the absence of entry wounds indicates that it was shot a few months ago,” the PEF said. (Bella Cariaso /The Philippine Star)

 

The eagle was found by a resident in Barangay Nabaliwa on Feb. 24, according to Dennis Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF).

Bukidnon wins Best AI implementer in NorMin

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON (February 20, 2024) – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) honors the top performing province and technicians of Artificial Insemination (AI) during the Unified Artificial Insemination Program (UNAIP) forum held on February 16 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in this city

In a press statement from DA-10, Bukidnon has been named the Best AI Implementer Province among the five provinces in Northern Mindanao.

Johnson C. Petalcurin, DA-10 Regional AI Coordinator, indicated that the winner was chosen based on the number of calves dropped and animals inseminated in a province’s breedable animal population.

Other parameters evaluated, he continued, include the amount of UNAIP-related actions carried out, such as meetings, heat synchronization, paraphernalia distribution, information dissemination, and activation of AI technicians.

Carlota S. Madriaga, DA-10’s regional technical director for operations, commended Bukidnon and the other provinces for promoting AI in their respective areas.

She also assured the technicians that the department, led by DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, will provide full assistance for the region’s livestock industry.

Meanwhile, exceptional AI technicians were recognized at the event for the Most Number of Animals Inseminated and Calf Drop categories.

 

Nix D. Melendez, an AI technician from Quezon, Bukidnon, who recently retired from government service, won first prize in both categories with a total of 591 animals inseminated and 86 calves dropped

Francis Ray B. Ditona of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, finished second in the calf drop category with 67 calves.

Alejandro C. Bag-ao of Libona, Bukidnon finished third in all categories, inseminating 219 animals and dropping 66 calves.

Cristopher Jiss C. Tabor, an AI technician at Camiguin’s Provincial Veterinary Office, inseminated 218 animals and finished second in the category, stressing the importance of AI in the province in light of the limited number of bulls and the diminishing number of livestock heads

“Using AI, we can increase the number of heads and help our farmers earn more. Some of my clients have told me that they were able to send their children to school because of the cash they earned from selling cattle, which was made feasible by artificial intelligence. Indeed, AI is a fantastic initiative that ought to be encouraged because of its impact, not just on technicians but also on farmers who need it as well,” Tabor said.

After the awarding, the Livestock program distributed different AI paraphernalia worth P277,872 to AI technicians and coordinators, including 108 bottles of lubricant, 101 packs of straw sheath, 4 boxes of arm-length gloves, and 159 packs of medications and biologics.

The UNAIP forum was attended by AI technicians from various towns in the region, as well as provincial AI coordinators from Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.

Dr. Luz I. Guzman, DA-10 field operations division chief, was joined by chiefs and officials from the DA-10 Provincial Operations Centers and DA-10 research stations, as well as DA-10 Livestock Program staff led by Jamaica L. Docdoc in gracing the activity. (melbmadera)

Malaybalay builds new OSCA building, Women’s center

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (February 26, 2024) – The city of Malaybalay has constructed a new multi-purpose building for the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), as well as another structure to function as a Women’s Center

On the morning of February 23, 2024, the two structures constructed within the city hall complex at Brgy. Casisang were blessed and turned over, according to information from the city government’s official Facebook page.

The multi-purpose facility for which OSCA is the end-user has a project authorization of P8,436,000.00, while the actual project cost is just P7,752,561.19.

Meanwhile, the Women’s Center has a project budget of P4,456,037.40, but its real cost is P4,050,943.09.

City Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran led the turnover ceremony.

Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), led by City Vice Mayor Estelito R. Marabe, also attended the event.

Rev. Fr. Andrew T. Boquilon presided over the blessing of the two structures in the presence of senior citizens federation officers, women’s presidents, and the kagawad in charge of each barangay.

In his message, Pabillaran congratulated the groups who had been waiting for these buildings for a long time.

He also stated that there is no need to be concerned about its maintenance because the city government has money set out each year for repair and maintenance, ensuring that it lasts for over 50 years.

In his welcome address, Vice Mayor Marabe expressed his gratitude that the Women’s Federation and the Senior Citizen’s Affairs Federation now have a permanent home that should be maintained by people who utilize it.

He also said that the current structures would serve as local tourism for other cities and municipalities, allowing them to benchmark right here on the city hall site.

The vice mayor is also optimistic that these two federations would expand and become more efficient in their operations. (melbmadera)

Valencia opens HIV care facility

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (February 27, 2024) – The city government of Valencia has inaugurated its primary Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care facility

This happened after Valencia’s local administration publicly launched the HIV and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) Support House on Monday, February 26, 2024.

The facility is located at the old City Health Office (CHO) per information from the city government.

Dr. Juniver Flores, CHO infectious diseases cluster chief, who worked hard for the establishment of the facility, is pleased that the HIV-AIDS Support House is now open for testing and treatment, as well as the development of the city’s HIV/AIDS program.

Dr. Michael Escalante, city health officer, and City Councilor Sasang Cadigal-Recla, chair of the Health Sanitation and Other Medical Services committee, thanked the Department of Health (DOH) and Provincial Health Office (PHO) for their assistance in ensuring the success of the city’s implementation of such convenient facilities and services.

The inauguration was also made successful by the presence of Roque Rios, Jr., executive assistant IV, who delivered Mayor Azucena Huervas’ support message, as well as June Erika Obsina, Nurse III of the Department of Health (DOH) Regional Office X, Joseph Marben Gealon, provincial STI/HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Eileen Dialimas, provincial TB Nurse Coordinator, and other guests. (melbmadera)

Allium derby seen to boost farmers’ productivity, onion supply in NorMin

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Aiming to boost onion production in the region to attain self-sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) stages an Allium Derby and Farmers’ Forum on February 22, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan here

Spearheaded by DA-10’s High-Value Crops Development Program in coordination with the Research Division, and private seed and chemical companies, the activity gathered 100 farmers and other relevant stakeholders to witness the showcase of different onion varieties and their corresponding farming protocols.

“We can see from the two locations that onion production is viable in Region 10,” shared DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado with the earlier conduct of the same in Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, held last week.

He also noted that the agency will be procuring onion seeds and likewise, encouraged interested farmers’ cooperatives, and associations to submit their letter requests to avail of the said intervention.

Meanwhile, each seed and chemical company was given time to share their respective onion technologies and also distributed Information, Education, and Communication materials to the attending farmers.

Andre Abonitalla, assistant Sales Manager for Visayas and Mindanao, is thankful to DA for the implementation of the field trials for Onion.

“Currently, our onions in Mindanao are from Luzon and the price per onion increases since there is an additional freight cost, however, if onions are produced locally here in Region 10, this cost will be removed, thus resulting in cheaper onions,” he added.

During the derby cum forum, Allied Botanical, Corp. emerged as champions while Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds, Corp. and Ramgo Seeds are awarded first- and second-runner-up, respectively.

Criteria for judging included the biggest yield volume (in kilogram), best quality, and best economic efficiency.

For her part, Jacqueline Julia A. Lagamon, acting provincial agriculturist for Bukidnon, shared that they will be working closely with DA-10’s Research Division to look for more locations as potential onion-producing sites.

Also supporting the event are DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, with DA-10’s attached bureaus and agencies: Agricultural Training Institute and Bureau of Plant Industry as well as private chemical companies such as Envireau Pacific, Inc., FMC Agro Philippines, Inc., Aldiz, Inc., and Tropi-Cuke, Inc.

Another round of such events is also slated for DA-10’s Research Center for Hillyland Development in Claveria, Misamis Oriental on March 21, this year. (PR)

Harmony Knows No Borders: Tabernacle Choir’s Historic First Concert in the Philippines

In a historic moment of musical grandeur, the globally acclaimed Latter-day Saints Tabernacle Choir is poised to make its inaugural appearance in the Philippines as part of their multi-year “Hope” world tour. The concerts, scheduled for February 27–28, 2024, at 8 PM, will take place at the iconic SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Manila, promising an unforgettable evening of soul-stirring melodies and cross-cultural celebration.

This much-anticipated event not only marks the choir’s first visit to the Philippines but also signifies a harmonious convergence of international musical excellence and the rich tapestry of Filipino artistry. The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, renowned for their unparalleled vocal and instrumental virtuosity, will collaborate with esteemed guest artists from the Philippines to create a truly unforgettable experience.

The lineup of featured guest artists includes none other than the world-famous Broadway singer and actress, Lea Salonga, whose mesmerizing voice has left audiences in awe across the globe. Joining her on stage is the talented singer-songwriter Ysabelle Cuevas, celebrated for her soulful and heartfelt compositions. Adding a dynamic touch to the concert is the renowned Paolo Abrera and Suzie Entrata-Abrera, known for their captivating performances and infectious energy.

While the live concert promises an immersive experience for those attending at the MOA Arena, the Latter-day Saints Tabernacle Choir is taking a step further to ensure that the magic of their performance reaches a global audience. A special live stream of the event will be available for music enthusiasts around the world, providing an opportunity to witness this historic musical collaboration.

As part of this livestream initiative, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Claro M. Recto Chapel in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon will be hosting an exclusive broadcast of the concert. This venue, known for its serene ambiance and acoustics, will serve as a satellite location for those who wish to partake in the musical celebration but cannot attend the MOA Arena event in person.

As we eagerly anticipate this musical spectacle, join us in embracing this extraordinary musical journey, where the transcendent power of music knows no borders. Whether you’re in the grandeur of the MOA Arena or the intimate setting of the Claro M. Recto Chapel, let the Latter-day Saints Tabernacle Choir’s performance be a testament to the unifying force of music and the shared hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a musical journey that transcends time and space, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who tune in to witness the choir’s extraordinary performance.

DA-PhilMech, Bukidnon LGU break ground for P101.5-M grains center

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon (February 26, 2024) – Farmers in Bukidnon province and those in neighboring areas can soon benefit from the new P101.5 million Grains Center, as construction began on February 19 in Sinabuagan, Valencia City

Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque of Bukidnon province, DA-PhilMech Facility Management and Field Operations Division Chief Mayville Castro, and Valencia City Mayor Azucenas P. Huervas led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the project.

The Provincial Government of Bukidnon, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Center for Post-harvest Development and Mechanization (DA-PhilMech), availed of the Rice Processing System (RPS) II facility under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program to establish a grains center.

Out of the P101.5 million, DA-Philmech allocates P61.5 million for a rice processing system, while the Bukidnon local government unit (LGU) contributes P40 million for building construction.

The RPS package includes state-of-the-art components for the province, such as a one-unit 4-5 tons per hour rice mill with mist polisher, length grader, and color sorter.

The RPS package also includes four units of 6 tons per batch of mechanical recirculating dryers.

Once the construction of the Grains Center in Sinabuagan, Valencia City, is completed, the Bukidnon LGU will manage and operate it.

Said project aims to minimize post-harvest losses of rice in the province and increase the income of rice farmers by buying their Palay at a reasonable price.

Witnessing the MOA signing are DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene Collado, DA-PhilMech Mindanao Cluster Head Engr. Edgar Testa, Vice Governor Clive Quiño, and Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia Lagamon. (ATC/IDMadjus/PIA 10/Bukidnon)

PGB gives aid to 3 provinces hit by disasters

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (Feb. 12, 2024) – The Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) has recently sent humanitarian supplies to its three neighboring provinces that have been affected by floods and landslides

The provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Agusan del Sur each got P1 million in welfare goods from the PGB.

 

PGB distributed the relief aid through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division (PDRRMD), which is led by Israel Johan M. Damasco, Jr.

 

Ellen Salumintao, PGB’s social welfare and development officer, said earlier that instead of delivering ₱1-M cash to the three provinces, the receiving LGUs had requested that welfare commodities be supplied to them for direct distribution to the neediest people.

 

Each beneficiary LGU received 500 bags of 25 kilos of rice and canned products worth P1 million.

 

The PGB sent relief materials to the mentioned LGUs that were declared under a state of calamities as a result of the shear line and low pressure, which caused landslides and flash flooding. (melbmadera)