Friday, March 29, 2024

4ID honors injured soldiers toughens fight vs. NPA in NorMin, Caraga

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Dec. 18, 2023, 9:00 pm) – The Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) recognized on Monday injured troopers recuperating at the headquarters infirmary, even as it sent more troops to combat communist rebels in Bukidnon

“Their sacrifices in the line of duty are truly noble and deserve to be honored. In this Christmas season, we have to make them feel appreciated and supported as our most important resources,” Maj. Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II, the 4ID commander, said.
At least five injured troopers are recuperating at Camp Evangelista Station Hospital here. They received gifts from the 4ID.
Meanwhile, an additional 118 new batch of soldiers will augment troops in the Northern Mindanao and Caraga Regions fighting the communist New People’s Army (NPA).
The new troopers belong to the Candidate Soldier Course “Lagablab” Class 782-2023 and completed their Infantry Orientation Course at the 4ID Training School in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
The batch, comprised of 112 males and six females, started infantry familiarization training in October. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

NorMin ‘service-oriented’ contributor in PH economy: NEDA

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (December 14, 2023, 3:33 pm) – Northern Mindanao region is hailed as a “service-oriented” economy, with its services sector posting a 54.5 percent contribution to its 2022 gross regional domestic product (GRDP), the regional National Economic Development Authority (NEDA-10) office reported Thursday

In a statement, NEDA-10 director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño said the services sector contributed PHP509.9 billion in gross value added in the region and a growth rate of 10.1 percent from the previous 2021-2022 rate.
“That includes tourism, accommodation services, and other service-related subsectors,” Cariño said.
Northern Mindanao’s GRDP increased by 7.2 percent or PHP935 billion, compared to the 6.3 percent growth in the previous year, which was impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
“That is why we are hoping that there will be no more pandemic because it will affect the mobility of our industry, especially in the services sector,” she said.
Also included in the growth drivers in the 2022 GRDP were the industry sector which covered 25.6 percent or PHP238.8 billion; and the agriculture sector which has 19.9 percent of the share or worth PHP186.6 billion in gross value.
Out of the five provinces and two chartered cities in the region, Bukidnon province remains the capital of the agriculture industry in Northern Mindanao.
Meanwhile, this city remains the top contributor to the regional economy of Northern Mindanao, according to the data presented by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
PSA data indicated that of the PHP935.3 billion value of Northern Mindanao’s gross domestic product in 2022, this city accounted for the largest share of 28 percent, followed by Bukidnon province at 26.6 percent, while Misamis Oriental in third at 16.8 percent.
The PPA measures the economic performance of the provinces and highly urbanized cities of the region. (Ercel Maandig and Nef Luczon/PNA)

Over 1,000 jobs up for grabs for DOLE’s 90th anniv celebration

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Dec. 13, 2023)– The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 10, led by Regional Director Erwin N. Aquino, spearheaded a job fair on December 1-2, at the SM Uptown, Masterson Avenue, here, as the Department commemorates its 90th founding anniversary with the theme “DOLE @ 90: Serbisyong Mabilis at Matapat sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

In this event, 30 employers demonstrated their participation in the job fair, with more than a thousand job openings for interested job seekers.

Simultaneously, a total of P810,000 worth of salaries were released to 200 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), 113 of whom are small-time local vegetable and produce farmers and vendors under the Katuwang sa Diwa at Gawa (KADIWA) Program. Each beneficiary will receive a 10-day pay amounting to P4,050 following service in their respective BLGUs and areas.

“This nationwide conduct of the job fair is DOLE’s strategy toward achieving our mission of providing gainful opportunities to all job seekers as we are about to celebrate our 90th founding anniversary. In the entire region, we have lined up various activities to include a job fair, TUPAD payout, Angel Tree, child labor prevention, and elimination advocacy, among others,” Aquino said.

The DOLE Regional Office 10 urged job seekers across the region to visit the job fair site and land jobs that best suit their skills and talents. Job seekers are encouraged to prepare all the application requirements, such as a resume and other necessary documents.

True to its mandate, DOLE’s steadfast commitment has stood the test of time, delivering opportunities and assistance to every Filipino worker in need through DOLE-accredited job fairs, employment facilitation programs, and economic grants and services. In line with this, the Department aims to be a consistent and reliable government agency that caters to the rights and welfare of workers under its jurisdiction. (DOLE-10/PIA-10)

DOH-10 pushes safe sex vs HIV

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Dec. 2, 2023, 05:02 PM) – The Department of Health-Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) reiterated on World AIDS Day on Friday, December 1, that safe sex practices remain one of the most effective ways to prevent infections from Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

DOH-10 Infectious Diseases Cluster Head Dr. Wellaflor Kindom-Brito said that HIV status will remain confidential and the only person who can divulge the information is the individual infected by the virus.
Hence, safe sex practices are vital, she said. “At the end of the day, we are all accountable for our health. So, have yourselves protected,” Brito said in a press conference on Friday.
The Health official said they recorded 436 newly confirmed HIV cases in the region from January to August this year, bringing the cumulative total to 3,095 since it was first detected in Northern Mindanao in 1991.
This city has the highest number of HIV cases, with over 1,000, followed by Bukidnon with more than 500.
Two-hundred fourteen HIV-related deaths were recorded, 30 of which were logged in the first eight months of this year.
Northern Mindanao ranked sixth among regions in the country with the highest number of HIV cases as of May 2023, according to the DOH Epidemiology Bureau HIV/AIDS and ART Registry of the Philippines.
The National Capital Region was first with 290 cases, followed by Calabarzon (213), Central Luzon (149), Central Visayas (101), Davao Region (98), and Western Visayas (97).
Brito said that Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV can now be obtained at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in this city. This DOH Region 10-run hospital started dispensing PrEP last March.
PrEP, she said, is given to non-HIV-infected individuals but with risky behavior for infection. There is a criteria for a person to be eligible for the prophylaxis, Brito added.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said PrEP “reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 percent.” It also “reduces the risk of getting HIV from injection drug use by at least 74 percent,” adding that it is less effective when not taken as prescribed.
Despite this, Brito reiterated safe sex practices, as people taking PrEP are not safe from other sexually transmitted infections.
Brito reminded us that once a person is infected with HIV, it will last forever but it can be treated using treatment drugs.
If people living with HIV are religiously taking their medicines, it would come to a point where the viral load would be reduced and become untransmittable. This means that HIV-infected individuals, Brito said, are no longer contagious, but they are still not allowed to donate blood.
“If we know people who are in doubt or afraid because they feel that it’s the end of their lives already, then let’s remind them that our medicines and our treatment for HIV are actually effective,” Brito said.
HIV treatment drugs in the region can be obtained from the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in this city, Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center in Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center in Malaybalay City, Maramag Rural Health Unit in Bukidnon, and the Adventist Medical Center-Iligan.
The DOH-10 is planning to expand treatment hubs and confirmatory sites in the region and said that there is an additional hub in Valencia City in Bukidnon this year. It also targets treatment hubs in Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, and Talakag town in Bukidnon.
The State Health Department, Brito said, is also ensuring communication between the regional offices to have enough medicines for people living with HIV. (Frank Dick Roste/Manila Bulletin)

5 NorMin radio stations face closure over expired franchise

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 28, 2023, 8:55 pm) – Five radio stations in Northern Mindanao are subject to a cease and desist order (CDO) after their franchises were not renewed

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) – Region 10 Director Teodoro Buenavista Jr. said their recent decision called for the closure of the five radio stations under the Fairwaves Broadcasting Network here.
“Fairwaves applied for renewal in 2018, but the House of Representatives did not move it from the committee level,” Buenavista said in an interview on Tuesday.
Fairwaves first obtained its 25-year franchise in 1995 under Republic Act 8113.
An earlier NTC decision this year recommended the recall of the frequencies assigned to Fairwaves.
The decision listed 30 stations under Fairwaves all over the country, including in this city, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.
Most station names under Fairwaves carry the station name Radyo Bandera.
On Nov. 24, Radyo Bandera Iligan was among the 14 business establishments locked down by the local government for allegedly operating without business permits.
Jeoffrey Baconga, manager at DXFI FM Radyo Bandera in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, said their operations will not be affected by the CDO because the network is now under an agreement with a new franchise operator, Palawan Broadcasting.
He said the chief executive officer of the Radyo Bandera network, Sultan Lope, is aware of the NTC decision.
Baconga added that all Bandera stations are expected to operate under Palawan Broadcasting and no longer under Fairwaves. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Nutrisyon: Pundasyon sa tanang programa sa panglawas

“𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠. 𝑃𝑎𝑔 𝑛𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒. 𝑆𝑜, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑎 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚. 𝐼𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ, 𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡.”

Mensahe kini sa pakigpolong ni Dr. Jose Rhoel De Leon, Bukidnon Provincial Health Sector Overseer, ang nagrepresenta kang Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque sa gilusad nga Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Forum and Recognition Day 2023, Nobyembre 21, 2023.

Nahigayon ang kalihokan sa Kaamulan Open Theater, Kaamulan Park, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Gipasabot ni Dr. De Leon ngadto sa gikunsidera nga local heroes – ang BNS, nga ang nutrisyon mahinungdanon nga bahin sa kahimsog ug kalambuan. Ingon niya, nga kini may kalabotan sa pagpauswag sa kahimsog sa bag-ong himugso nga mga bata, ingon man sa mga inahan para sa mas lig-on nga immune system aron makalikay sa risgo sa non-communicable diseases, sama sa diabetes ug cardiovascular disease.

Mipadangat usab sa ilang mensahe-pagsuporta sa programa sa maayong panglawas sila Board Members Minerva Casinabe ug Ranulfo Jose Pepito, Jr.

Gipasalamatan ni Dr. Gary Guido C. Tabios, Jr, Provincial Health Officer si Gov. Roque sa nagapadayon nga mga programa sa Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) Pro.

Butyag niya nga sa lima (5) ka probinsya sa Northern Mindanao, ang Bukidnon lamang ang nagpahigayon sa evaluation ngadto sa component LGUs niini.

Gipaambit sa dinapit nga mamomolong nga si Sherill Faith Espaňola, City Nutrition Program Coordinator sa Cagayan de Oro City ang ilang mga estratihiya o best practices sa pagpatuman sa nutrition program sa dakbayan.

Sa samang higayon, gipasidunggan sa Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) ang mga aktibong lumilihok sa nutrisyon.

Sa 2022 Provincial Outstanding BNS: nag-una ang Barangay Kiara, Don Carlos; gisundan sa Sto. Niňo, Manolo Fortich; Poblacion, Impasugong; Laturan, Libona; ug San Jose, San Fernando.

Sa 2022 Provincial Outstanding Municipal Action Officer, 1. Ang MNAO sa Manolo Fortich, 2. Cabanglasan, 3. Sumilao, 4. Libona, 5. Don Carlos, 6. Maramag, 7. Pangantucan ug San Fernando, 8. Kitaotao, 9. Lantapan, ug 10. Impasugong.

Sa 2022 Provincial Outstanding Municipal Nutrition Committee, top 10 ang mosunod: Sumilao, Cabanglasan, Maramag, Pangantucan, San Fernando, Kitaotao, Impasugong, Lantapan, Talakag, ug Dangcagan.

Samtang Nutrition Honor Awardees ang mosunod nga LGUs: Manolo Fortich, Quezon, Don Carlos, Libona, ug Kadingilan.

Giila usab sa PGB ang kontribusyon sa mga BNS nga nagpahinungod sa ilang kinabuhi sa pagserbisyo sa katawhan sa barangay sulod sa taas nga panahon.

Ang MELLPI Pro mao ang monitoring and evaluation mechanism alang sa pagpatuman sa Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition sa local level nga gihimo sa matag tuig sa interagency nutrition evaluation team sa national, regional, ug local levels. (PGO-PAIA Division)

NorMin public warns of ‘bumblefoot’ contamination in poultry products

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 22, 2023, 8:09 pm) – The National Meat Inspection Service Regional Technical Operation Center in Northern Mindanao region (NMIS RTOC-10) has warned the public against buying poultry meat products infected with bumblefoot disease

In a statement on Wednesday, the NMIS RTOC-10 said meat inspectors seized at least 459 kilograms of chicken infected with bumblefoot and were disposed of properly.

NMIS has advised the public not to patronize chicken feet with bumblefoot to avoid any health issues.

Bumblefoot, or ulcerative pododermatitis, is a common bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction that occurs on the feet of chickens and other birds. Rodents and rabbits can also get infected with the illness.

In time with the holiday season, the agency also told the public to always ensure the meat they purchased is safe.

Dr. Neonette Agreda, NMIS RTOC-10n chief, said consumers need to look for meat inspection certificates (MICs) for fresh meat or the certificate of meat inspection (COMI) for imported meat.

“MICs and COMIs are ways to assume that the meat you purchased was well inspected and passed for human consumption,” she said.

Agreda called on the public to be vigilant against food safety handling issues because contamination may occur during transportation, display, storage, and food preparation.

Contamination of meat can also cause foodborne illnesses, such as diarrhea, dehydration, and even death, she added. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

City Government of Valencia, Bukidnon

The City Government of Valencia has received recognition from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for securing 3rd place in the 2023 Regional Subaybayani

This acknowledgment reflects the LGU’s outstanding performance and adherence to promptly reporting project progress and details through the SubayBAYAN System.
SubayBAYAN is the official online monitoring system of the DILG, providing real-time information on the physical and financial status of Locally Funded Projects (LFPs).
Engr. Rodina Onting, the City Engineer, personally accepted the award on behalf of the City Government on November 9, 2023, at the Mallberry Suites Business Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

Malaybalay earns recognition with ‘Child-Friendly Local Governance 2021’ Seal

The city of Malaybalay recently received its 2021 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance award

The recent Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance Conferment Ceremony was held at Pearlmont Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City on November 12, 2023.

Based on the information from LGU Malaybalay’s Facebook page, the city received the award along with 26 other local government units (LGUs) in Region 10.

It said that the award is a recognition of the city’s dedication to implementing child-friendly policies and programs, as assessed through the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

This signifies a collective commitment among the honored LGUs to prioritize children’s rights to survival, development, protection, participation, and governance. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)

LTFRB to go after ‘colorum’ PUVs in N. Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The new chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Northern Mindanao (LTFRB-10) has vowed to go after “colorum” public utility vehicles (PUVs) across the region

In a media briefing here Wednesday, LTFRB-10 Director Abosamen Matuan said they will actively operate on the road against unregistered PUVs following reports that “colorum” vehicles are operating in increasing numbers.

“We also need to increase the number of present enforcers who will be deployed,” Matuan said.

Matuan assumed office in late October this year, succeeding former director Amenodin Guro.

Matuan said they are still in transition and the additional personnel doing field duties will be hired gradually, especially with only seven field officers currently employed.

The LTFRB central office allocated PHP14.6 million for Region 10 this year, with PHP4 million set aside for personal services. (PNA)