Saturday, January 18, 2025

Tag: FR

COMELEC Prepares for 2025 Elections, Issues Voter Guidelines

Posted on by cmn

MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that the number of registered voters in Northern Mindanao has surpassed 3 million, covering the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin. Misamis Oriental leads with over 1 million voters

Atty. Carlito Ravelo, Misamis Oriental’s Provincial Election Supervisor, highlighted that Region 10 ranks among the Philippines’ vote-rich regions, with a total of 3,190,362 voters across five provinces.


“Region 10 ranks among the vote-rich regions of the Philippines, with 3,190,362 voters spanning five provinces,” Ravelo said.


Ravelo also provided a breakdown of voter distribution across two congressional districts in Misamis Oriental:
• District 1 (Balingasag to Magsaysay, including Gingoog City) has 302,235 registered voters and 429 clustered precincts.
• District 2 (Lugait to Jasaan, including El Salvador City) has 393,285 voters.


In Cagayan de Oro, the 1st District (24 barangays) has 212,016 registered voters and 233 clustered precincts, while the 2nd District (56 barangays) accounts for 204,885 voters and 249 precincts. Combined, Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro have 1,112,421 voters and 1,452 clustered precincts.


Election Schedules and Processes


As the 2025 elections approach, COMELEC emphasized the importance of key dates and processes:
• The national campaign period begins on February 11, 2025, and ends on May 10, 2025.
• The local campaign period starts on March 25, 2025, and ends on May 10, 2025.


Election Day, May 12, 2025, will see voting from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Special voting hours for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women will be from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with priority polling places operating from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM.


Special arrangements will be made for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), with special electoral boards ensuring that PDL voters can cast their ballots from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.


Voters will elect 12 senators, one party-list representative, one congressional representative per district, a provincial governor, a vice governor, provincial board members, mayors, vice mayors, and municipal councilors. Misamis Oriental voters will elect five board members for each district, while Cagayan de Oro voters will select eight city councilors per district.


Ensuring Transparent and Secure Voting


COMELEC assured the public of the security of the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) used in the May 2025 elections. These machines are equipped with rechargeable batteries to prevent interruptions, and backup machines are on standby, along with technical personnel for repairs.


To prevent transmission issues, COMELEC will utilize satellite technology, including Starlink, to ensure 100% nationwide transmission from ACMs. The transparency of the process will be further supported by parallel counting conducted by accredited organizations and political parties, ensuring credible results.


Election results will be transmitted to the City/Municipality Board of Canvassers, Central Server, Accredited Citizens’ Arms 1 and 2, Dominant Majority, Dominant Minority, and Media Server.


Voters are reminded to check the list of registered voters posted outside their precincts to confirm their sequence and number. After identity verification and ensuring their finger is not marked with indelible ink, voters will follow the procedure to cast their ballots and feed them into the ACM.


Voters are advised to shade the circles fully on their ballots for accurate counting. Ballots contain security features, so it is prohibited to mark them in any way that may cause rejection. Voting receipts will be issued and must be deposited in designated compartments at the precinct.


COMELEC reiterated its commitment to upholding electoral integrity and maintaining public trust and encouraged citizens to exercise their right to vote and actively participate in the upcoming elections. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA-10)

Northern Mindanao Inflation Drops to 2.6% in December 2024

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-10 reported that the headline inflation rate in Northern Mindanao for December 2024 was 2.6 percent, down from 4.8 percent in December 2023 and 2.7 percent in November 2024

PSA-10 Regional Director Janith Aves attributed the slowdown mainly to lower inflation in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which dropped to 1.8 percent in December from 2.9 percent in November.

Key food categories, including cereals, meat, and dairy, showed slower price increases in December. Cereal inflation fell from 6.0 percent in November to 2.2 percent, while meat inflation dropped from 2.1 percent to 1.3 percent.

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco also contributed to the decline, with inflation dropping to 7.7 percent in December from 8.2 percent in November. Meanwhile, cigarettes and spirits experienced slower price increases.

Health-related services also recorded a minor inflation reduction, from 5.7 percent in November to 5.6 percent in December, due to slower price hikes in inpatient services, medicines, and diagnostic products.

“The key contributors to the overall inflation in Health were inpatient curative and rehabilitative services, with an inflation rate of 12.5 percent in December 2024, slower than the 12.9 percent in November 2024. Medicines, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical preparations recorded an inflation rate of 3.2 percent, a decrease from 3.3 percent in November 2024. Medical diagnostic products had an inflation rate of 5.3 percent in December 2024, compared to 6.1 percent in the previous month,” Aves explained.

The Department of Health (DOH)-10 noted possible reasons for the rising costs of medicines, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical preparations.

Jovita Sarip, Statistician II of DOH-10, pointed out that transport costs for medicines and vaccines are potential factors. She mentioned that maintaining the cold chain, essential for preserving vaccine efficacy, likely contributes to higher costs. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA-10)

Contingent No. 7 triumphs Golden Harvest Street Dancing, Ground Presentation

Posted on by Melchor Madera

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Contingent No. 7, composed of Barangays Batangan, Vintar, and Sinabuagan, stole the spotlight during the 24th Charter Day Celebration of Valencia City, Bukidnon, on January 12, 2025

Contingent No. 7 clinched the top spot in both the Golden Harvest Street Dancing Competition and the Ground Presentation.

The contingent also earned two Special Awards from the Valencia City government: Best in Costume and Best Product Queen.

Contingent No. 4, representing Barangays Mabuhay, Maapag, and Pinatilan, finished as the first runner-up in both the Street Dancing and Ground Presentation categories.

Contingent No. 6, comprised of Barangays Colonia, Nabag-o, and Mailag, secured second place in the Street Dancing Competition.

Meanwhile, Contingent No. 5, representing Barangays Banlag, Sinayawan, and Dagat-kidavao, placed second in the Ground Presentation. (melbmadera)

DAR-10 distributes over 320,000 hectares to ARBs, showcases agrarian reform milestones

Posted on by cmn

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (December 29, 2024) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 10 highlighted significant accomplishments in its key programs, reaffirming its commitment to improving the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs)

In Kapihan sa PIA, DAR-10 Regional Director Zoraida Macadindang underscored the positive impact of their programs and projects on agrarian reform beneficiaries.
“Dako na kaayo ang among nahimo for this year 2024, nadugangan ang among accomplishments in terms of cumulative and na-implement na namo ug nakapanghatag nami sa certificate of condonation with release of real estate mortgage, naka-produce ug thousands of e-titles pinaagi sa SPLIT project, ug daghan ta napanghatag nga CLOAs,” Macadindang said.
(This year, 2024, we achieved significant milestones, including distributing certificates of condonation with real estate mortgage releases, producing thousands of e-titles through the SPLIT project, and issuing numerous CLOAs.)
As of November 2024, Macadindang reported a 97.28 percent completion of the Land Tenure Improvement Program (LTIP), distributing 320,993 hectares to 187,723 ARBs. The region also achieved 136,105 hectares in leasehold agreements, benefiting 51,300 leaseholders.
Under Republic Act No. 11953, the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, 6,538 Certificates of Condonation with Mortgage Releases were issued to ARBs, covering 8,219 hectares, mostly in Bukidnon. Additionally, the agency distributed 2,441 e-titles, converting 364 collective CLOAs into individual titles for 1,984 beneficiaries across 2,816 hectares.
Under the Agrarian Justice Delivery Program, DAR-10 has resolved 1,823 judicial cases, 28,074 quasi-judicial cases, and 54,567 Agrarian Law Implementation (ALI) cases, ensuring secure, sustainable land ownership for ARBs while effectively resolving disputes.
Macadindang attributed the region’s positive results to the efficiency of their skilled adjudicators.
She emphasized that they maintained a zero-case backlog, earning a Hall of Fame award from the DAR Central Office.
“We are closely monitored for case aging to ensure timely resolution. Cases are resolved promptly upon meeting all requirements,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Development Sustainability Program (ARBDSP) supports 504 active Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) across 176 agrarian reform communities (ARCs), benefiting a total of 239,446 ARBs.
To empower ARBs further, 26 ongoing agrarian reform projects worth P376 million are being implemented. Six more projects, valued at P150.5 million, are set to begin, while 440 proposed projects totaling P27.6 billion await approval. The total investment in these projects exceeds P28.15 billion, with Bukidnon receiving the largest share.
These achievements demonstrate DAR’s commitment to advancing its programs, providing ARBs in Northern Mindanao with improved economic opportunities and quality of life. DAR encourages those interested in its programs to visit their local offices across the region. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA-10)

2 killed, 5 injured in Bukidnon highway accident

Posted on by cmn

COTABATO CITY (January 7, 2025 | 5:04pm) — Two individuals were killed and five others severely injured when a refrigerated truck loaded with frozen fish collided with a van and a motorcycle, causing all three vehicles to plunge into a roadside ravine in Quezon town, Bukidnon, on Monday, January 6

Senior officials of the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office and the Police Regional Office-10 told reporters on Tuesday, January 7, that Mohammad Exan Bola, 53, of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, and the 26-year-old Jayser Pendorat Bautil, a resident of Barangay Kalilangan in Pantar, Lanao del Norte, were declared dead on arrival by doctors in a hospital where emergency responders transported them for treatment.

An initial report from the Quezon Municipal Police Station, released to reporters early Tuesday, revealed that the driver of the refrigerated truck lost control of the vehicle when its brake system malfunctioned while navigating a steep, downhill stretch of highway in Barangay Palacapao, Quezon. The truck collided with a motorcycle and an L300 van ahead, causing all three vehicles to plunge into a deep ravine alongside the route.

Witnesses who spoke with police investigators said that all three vehicles involved in the accident rolled over multiple times before landing in an open field about 50 meters down the ravine.

One of the two fatalities, identified as Bautil, was a helper of the driver of the refrigerated truck, which bore the license plates ZAD 6080. The truck was driven by 45-year-old Solaiman Baco Moctar, a resident of Digos City in Davao del Sur.

The road mishap left five others, including Moctar, the driver of the L300 van and the motorist that his truck rammed, badly injured.

Police investigators and barangay officials have confirmed to reporters that the right arm of one of the victims got severed from the shoulder and was found in a grassy spot several meters away. (John Unson – Philstar.com)

DOH implements ‘Purok Kalusugan,’ opens BUCAS centers in Normin

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 8, 2025) — ‘Purok Kalusugan’ and ‘Bagong (New) Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services’ (BUCAS) centers are two programs implemented by the Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) under the Universal Health Care Act (UHC) that bring health services closer to the people, especially the farthest and smallest communities

In a press conference organized by the DOH-CHDNM, Dr. Steffi Grace H. Enon, DOH-CHDNM chief of the local health support division, shared that ‘Purok Kalusugan’ is aligned with the UHC. “Gikan sa iyang ngalan nga Purok Kalusugan, atong gusto nga ang mga serbisyo nga pangkalusugan o panglawas dal-on nato sa level sa purok,” she said.


(From its name, Purok Kalusugan, we want all services related to health and nutrition to be brought to the level of a zone.)


The UHC Act has many goals, said Enon, but its main goal is that “We want all Filipinos to experience health services that are accessible, affordable, close to them, of quality, and safe.”


The Purok Kalusugan program includes all eight priority health outcomes of DOH, which will be implemented at the “purok,” or zone level.


The eight priority health outcomes include vaccination, nutrition, water supply, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), maternal health, tuberculosis and HIV, road safety, non-communicable diseases (specifically high blood pressure and diabetes), and cancer.


These eight priority outcomes are called high burdens because many people are affected by them. The Department of Health is focusing on these eight. “If we can improve them, we can say that our community will be healthy,” Enon said.


Opening of BUCAS centers in Northern Mindanao


The Department of Health has launched a new initiative, the Bagong (New) Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) facility, under the management of DOH hospitals.


Dr. Raymond G. Dela Cruz, the chief of the regulations, licensing, and enforcement division at DOH-CHDNM, stated that this facility will address the issue of congestion in the region’s government hospitals.


“Kasagara niini ang problema, dugay sila maatiman tungod sa kadaghan, limitado ang lugar sa hospital aron maka-accommodate kanila, so ang initiative sa Department of Health mao nga i-forward position kining serbisyo sa atong mga komunidad nga ang mga hospital mu-perform og mga minor surgeries ug mga konsultasyon nga nagkinahanglan og espesyalista. Ang mga ancillary services, mga specialized laboratory exam, ug x-rays idala sa BUCAS centers,” Dela Cruz said.


(This is usually the problem; it takes a long time to attend to them because of the large number, and the hospital space is limited to accommodate them. So, the initiative of the Department of Health is to forward-position these services in our communities so that hospitals perform minor surgeries and consultations requiring specialists. Ancillary services, specialized laboratory exams, and x-rays will be brought to BUCAS centers.)


Currently, there are four operational BUCAS centers in Northern Mindanao. The North Eastern Misamis General Hospital, located in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, is one of the DOH hospitals; another in Misamis Occidental is located in Plaridel, managed by Mayor Hilarion A. Ramiro Sr. Medical Center (MHARS-MC), a tertiary government hospital in Ozamiz City. The next is in Mambajao, Camiguin, managed by Camiguin General Hospital; however, the purpose is to transfer this center to Sagay, Camiguin.


The idea of BUCAS, according to Dela Cruz, is to place it far from hospitals so that those who need services will go to the centers closer to their communities instead of the hospitals.


While DOH hospitals manage this initiative, local government units have generously volunteered to contribute significantly towards the construction of the centers.


Currently, there are four local governments in the pipeline that have volunteered to provide lots; one of them is Magsaysay in Misamis Oriental, Bacolod in Lanao del Norte, the Malaybalay local government unit in Bukidnon, and Balo-i in Lanao del Norte. (Jasper Marie O. Rucat/PIA-10)

Malaybalay buys P13.69-M five brand-new garbage compactors

Posted on by Melchor Madera

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) of Malaybalay marked a significant milestone with the receipt of five brand-new garbage compactors

The five units, costing a total of Php 13,690,000.00, demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the city’s waste management infrastructure.
According to a press statement, the turnover ceremony for the five new garbage compactors was held in front of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs on December 27, 2024.
The ceremony was attended by Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran, city officials, department heads, and employees of the City Government of Malaybalay.
During the ceremony, Mayor Pabillaran officially handed over the compactors to Ms. Jessie G. Suson, the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer.
The new garbage compactors are expected to significantly enhance the city’s waste management capabilities.
Before acquiring these new compactors, the City ENRO operated with four units.
“These new units will greatly improve the city’s waste management and collection capabilities, making waste disposal more efficient and effective. This is crucial for the health and well-being of all residents.”
The delivery of the garbage compactors is part of a larger initiative that includes the purchase of new government vehicles for the fiscal year 2024.
This initiative also underscores Malaybalay’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable urban development.
Investing in modern waste management equipment not only enhances operational efficiency but also promotes an eco-friendly and sustainable city. (melbmadera)

84-anyos gisikop sa kasong rape

Posted on by Diego M. Hidalgo

Isa ka 84-anyos nga lalaki ang gisikop gumikan sa kasong rape sa Purok 14, Brgy. Bagontaas, Valencia City, Bukidnon udto sa Agosto 25, 2024


Isa ka 84-anyos nga lalaki ang gisikop gumikan sa kasong rape sa Purok 14, Brgy.
Bagontaas, Valencia City, Bukidnon udto sa Agosto 25, 2024.

Siya nailang si Francisco Labores y Bedrijo, minyo, residente sa dapit.

Sumala sa report ni Police Lt. Col. Mitchel Clemencio, OIC sa Valencia City Police Station, nasikop ang akusado human sa 13 ka tuig nga pagtagotago.

Gisikop si Labores pinasubay sa standing warrant of arrest sa kasong rape nga nakadokit sa kaso kriminal numero 18936-08 pinetsahan Mayo 27, 2011 nga walay piyansa.

Sa pagkutlo ning balita, ang akusado ubos sa kustodya sa kapolisan sa Valencia. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

100 pamilya nakabenepisyo sa outreach program

Posted on by Melchor Madera

Nakabenepisyo sa gipasiugdahan nga outreach program sa Provincial Government of Bukidnon ang anaa sa 100 ka pamilya sa Sitio Mampalanay, Barangay Lilingayon, Valencia City, Bukidnon niadtong Agosto 26, 2024

Ang kalihokan alayon sa 2nd Bukidnon Press Freedom Week (BPFW) Celebration nga gisaulog sa Agosto 25-31, 2024.

Sa pagpasayon sa PGO-Public Affairs, Information and Assistance Division, napalawig sa nagkahiusang hugpong ug pwersa sa prensa sulod sa probinsya sa Bukidnon ang kalihukan nga nagtumong sa pagtabang ug pagsuporta sa komunidad nga nanginahanglan.

Sa sayo pa, isa ka motorkada ang gipahigayon diin ang mga media sa amihanang bahin sa probinsya, ug ang mga media sa habagatang bahin nagkatagbo sa Barangay Aglayan dayon nagkahiusa padulong sa Sityo Mampalanay, Brgy. Lilingayon subay sa dalan sa Barangay Basac, Lantapan, Bukidnon.

Natunol sa mga residente ang food packs, school supplies, school armchairs, mga tsinelas, used clothings, ug ang mga binhi sa utanon nga gipangtisok usab sa grupo nganha sa ilang communal garden, agig suporta sa Bahay Kubo Program ni Provincial Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque.

Lakip sab sa kalihokan ang feeding program ug free haircut.

Natanum sab ang 500 ka seedlings sa calamansi nga sa umaabot mamahimong isa sa tinubdan sa kahinguhaan sa komunidad.

Niadtong Agosto 25, 2024, unang gipahigayon ang KBP Bukidnon Interaction diin bisita si Mr. Walter Balane, associate professor sa BukSU alang sa hisgutanang “Free and Responsible Media in partnership with the government, a perfect tool for Peace and Development.” (PGB/melbmadera)

Lalaki nakuryetihan-patay sa Valencia

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Isa ka 50-anyos nga lalaki ang nakuryentihan-patay sa Purok 1, Patag, Brgy. Bagontaas, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Nahitabo ang trahedya udto sa Agusto 19, 2024, sumala sa report sa report ni Police Lt. Col. Mitchel Clemencio, OIC sa Valencia City Police Station.

Ang biktima gidala sa Adventist Medical Center, Valencia City sa rescue team apan gideklarar sa nag-atiman nga doktor nga patay na sa wala pa nahiabot.

Nasayran sa imbestigasyon nga ang biktima nikatkat ug nagputol sa sanga sa punoan sa cotton fruit kon santol.

Ang sanga nakasangit sa three phase primary line sa FIBECO hinungdan nga nakuryentihan siya ug nahulog sa yuta. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

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