Friday, February 21, 2025

Tag: IP

PhilHealth to expand services to Bukidnon IPs

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (February 11, 2025, 9:42 pm) – The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is working to expand its coverage to indigenous peoples (IPs) in Bukidnon province

PhilHealth Bukidnon local health insurance chief Romulo Lapuz Jr. said on Tuesday that one of the agency’s goals is to provide free health insurance to the seven tribes in the province.
“We hope to sign a memorandum of agreement with our indigenous peoples by the end of the year,” he said.
Lapuz said registering indigenous peoples with PhilHealth will save time and enable the agency to assist them.
PhilHealth Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) Vice President Delio Aseron II said that other health packages were launched to celebrate National Health Insurance Month.
“PhilHealth Region 10 will continue to advance the National Health Insurance Program and Universal Health Care for all 5.2 million Filipinos in the region,” he said. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

P23 minimum wage hike in Northern Mindanao takes effect

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The daily minimum wage in Northern Mindanao increased by P23 for private non-agricultural workers starting January 12, 2025. Agricultural workers also received a P23 increase on the same date, with an additional P12 effective July 1, 2025, bringing the total increase to P35

This means that by July this year, the minimum wage for both non-agricultural and agricultural workers will be the same: P461 for Wage Category 1 and P446 for Category 2.
Wage Category 1 includes the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, Ozamiz, and the municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Opol, Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, and Lugait.
Meanwhile, Wage Category 2 covers all areas outside Wage Category 1, as well as retail and service establishments that employ no more than 10 workers.
In a press conference of the Regional Tripartite Wage Board (RTWPB) Region 10, chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10, this minimum wage rate adjustment for the private sector in Northern Mindanao, under Wage Order No. RX-23, underwent a series of wage consultations and public hearings attended by representatives from both the workers’ and employers’ sectors.
“We took into consideration the poverty threshold in Region 10. When we say poverty threshold, that’s the minimum income required to meet the basic needs of our people,” said Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, vice chairperson and regional director of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-10.
Limuel R. Oliverio, a labor representative of the Mindanao Alliance of Land Transport Unions (MALTU), shared that they have come up with this increase to ensure a compromise between employers and workers.
“We have to balance because small establishments should at least be able to cope and maintain jobs. If we want, we can go beyond P461, but it should not go below P461,” Oliverio said.
Meanwhile, Engr. Milbert M. Macarambon, a labor representative from the All Workers Alliance Trade Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (AWATU-TUCP), explained that they went through a consultation process involving both the labor and management sectors.
“The inflation rate was also discussed and is one of the criteria used for issuing the wage order,” he said.
Similarly, domestic workers, or Kasambahay, in Region 10 will receive a P1,000 increase, raising the minimum monthly wage from P5,000 to P6,000, as mandated by Wage Order RBX-DW-05.
Atty. Joffrey M. Suyao, chairperson and regional director of DOLE 10, announced that starting January 12 this year, the new monthly minimum wage for domestic workers cannot be less than P6,000.
Domestic workers, or Kasambahay, cover general house helpers, cooks, nannies, gardeners, laundry persons, or anyone who regularly performs domestic work in one household on an occupational basis. Those not covered include service providers, family drivers, and children under foster family arrangements. (Jasper Marie O. Rucat/PIA-10)

PRISAA 2025 Regional Games hugyaw nga gisugdan sa Valencia

Posted on by Melchor Madera

Kaniadtong Pebrero 5, 2025, hugyaw nga gisugdan sa Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) ang pag-abli sa 2025 Regional Games diin napili ang Dakbayan sa Valencia isip sentro sa panagtigom sa mga manunula nga nagagikan sa nagkalain-laing tulunghaan sa Rehiyon 10.

Sumala sa kasayuran sa city government sa Valencia, gisalmotan kini sa 24 ka tulunghaan gikan sa Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Gingoog City, Ozamiz City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte ug del Sur, ug Probinsya sa Bukidnon.
Mainiton usab nga gi-welcome ang mga delegado sa lokal nga pangagamhanan pinaagi ni Marven Selecios, executive assistant IV, atol sa opening program nga gipahigayon sa San Agustin Institute of Technology (SAIT).
Gipaabot usab ni Selecios ang dakong pagsuporta ni Mayor Azucena “Sunny” Huervas sa maong kalihokan. (melbmadera)

Bukidnon teacher Junmerth Jorta among the top 50 finalists of 2025 Global Teacher Prize

Posted on by cmn

MANILA, Philippines (Feb 09, 2025, 08:08 AM PHT) — Junmerth Jorta, a public school teacher in Bukidnon, has earned a spot among the Top 50 finalists for the 2025 GEMS Education Global Teacher Prize

Jorta, who also received the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipino Teacher Award in 2022, was celebrated for his dedication that began in a remote indigenous community in Sitio Balugo, Kalagangan, San Fernando, Bukidnon, viewing his role as a calling rather than just a job.
“I want to continue doing my best for the countless IP (indigenous people) children, helping them prepare at an early age to have the highest possible chances of becoming successful in the near future,” said Junmerth.
More than half of Indigenous Peoples see themselves as ‘poor,’ according to the World Bank.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Junmerth shared the challenges he faced when he began teaching in 2015.
Faced with a lack of electricity, water supply, sanitation facilities, and access to television or radio-based instruction, he was determined to bring change and serve the community.
He collaborated with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local government units (LGUs), and private organizations, convinced it was his duty to connect with the right stakeholders to provide essential resources and support for the learners.
Balugo Pagkaon Sakto Program

This program emerged from the harsh reality that numerous students of Junmerth come to school feeling hungry. He launched this daily hunger-free lunch initiative to address malnutrition, improve attendance, and enhance learning outcomes.
Supported by partnerships with NGOs such as the Hapag-Asa Foundation, the municipal mayor’s office, and the Department of Agriculture, the program has been operating successfully for seven years.
An NGO obtains surplus food from restaurants and hotels to feed the poor.
This effort has not only curbed absenteeism and dropouts but has also encouraged students to engage actively in class.
“A well-nourished child is more attentive and ready to learn, proving that you cannot truly teach a hungry child,” said Jorta.

Basa Balugo Program

To address literacy challenges, Jorta developed a special reading program for non-readers. By teaching in the students’ first language, he established a strong foundation for comprehension and confidence.
Through this collaborative approach, he created contextualized and indigenized reading materials embedded with effective strategies that students could bring home for practice.
Regular home visits further supported struggling students, encouraging older siblings and parents to participate in their development. This approach ensured that students received continuous learning support beyond the classroom.

Special Class Program

To address literacy challenges, Jorta developed a special reading program for non-readers. By teaching in the students’ first language, he established a strong foundation for comprehension and confidence.
Through this collaborative approach, he created contextualized and indigenized reading materials embedded with effective strategies that students could bring home for practice.
Regular home visits further supported struggling students, encouraging older siblings and parents to participate in their development. This approach ensured that students received continuous learning support beyond the classroom.

Okay sa Balugo Program

Jorta also organized a program to strengthen the school’s resources through partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.
“Together, we secured funding for additional classrooms, chairs, a stage, and restrooms,” he said.
Private donors contributed school supplies, health kits, and even internet connectivity, ensuring access to online learning resources. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they implemented radio-based teaching to ensure continuity of education.
Beyond education, Jorta also advocated for improvements in infrastructure, which included a farm-to-market road project, securing initial funding to address transportation issues within the community.
“Though only part of the road is completed, I remain hopeful for additional support under the new administration,” he said.
Over nearly eight years, Jorta has witnessed the struggles of the community. Through resilience and collaboration with the community, he has strived to uplift the lives of students and families in Sitio Balugo, demonstrating that education is a powerful catalyst for change.
These innovations, achieved through collaborative efforts, reflect his commitment to addressing issues via community-driven solutions, fostering an inclusive and thriving learning environment.
“To all educators worldwide, especially those teaching in remote and underserved communities, our work is more than just a profession; it is a lifeline of hope and opportunity,” Junmerth added.
The Global Teacher Prize is an annual award of US$1 million presented by the Varkey Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to a teacher who has made a significant impact in the field. (Ronnie Crispo Jr./ABS-CBN News Intern)

Bag-ong water system project sa Sumilao gitugyan

Posted on by Melchor Madera

Kaniadtong Pebrero 7, 2025, gitugyan na ang usa ka Level II Gravity Fed water system project sa Purok 3, Brgy. Kisolon, Sumilao, Bukidnon

Ang seremonya natigayon sa Barangay Covered Court sa Barangay Kisolon.
Ang proyekto ubos sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Kapangyarihan at Kaunlaran sa Barangay (KKB).
Ang buhatan ni Senador Imee R. Marcos ang naghatag og P5 million nga pondo apan ang proyekto nikantidad lang og P3.9 million.
Ingon ni Punong Barangay Atty. Veronica Vera Socorro V. Lumantas, ang sobra nga pondo ilang iuli.
Si Lumantas uban ni Sumilao Mayor Jose Antonio Villo, managlahing namahayag sa media sa ilang bug-os nga pasalamat kang Senador Marcos sa proyekto niini.
Sa pipila ka gutlo, ang Senador nakighinabi sa mga sektor nga nitambong sa kalihokan kabahin sa ilang mga huna-huna. (melbmadera)

Anti-terrorism forum gipahigayon sa Maramag

Posted on by Melchor Madera

Isa ka anti-terrorism forum nga gipangunahan sa 48th Infantry Battalion sa 7th Infantry Division ang gipahigayon sa Maramag Municipal Hall kaniadtong Pebrero 10, 2025.
Katambayayong sa kalihokan ang lokal nga kagamhanan sa Maramag

Sumala sa kasayuran sa LGU Maramag, ang forum nagpundok sa sektor sa negosyo aron matubag ang mga nagpilit nga isyu bahin sa kalinaw, seguridad, ug pagpatuman sa mga balaod nga kontra-terorismo.
Ang mga mahinungdanong presentasyon naglakip sa usa ka panaghisgot bahin sa “paglimbong sa communist terrorist groups ug sibil nga operasyon sa militar,” nga gihan-ay ni Army Captain Rogelio S. Recto, nga nag-counter sa insurgent tactics pinaagi sa community engagement.
Nitambong sab sa kalihokan ang uban pang mga opisyales sa gobyerno. (melbmadera)

Pinakaunang K9 Unit sa LGU Malaybalay, gipresenta

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Pormal nga gipresenta sa publiko ang pinakaunang K9 Detection Unit alang sa dugang seguridad sa dakbayan sa Malaybalay

Sumala sa kasayoran, natigayon kini atol sa 2nd Monday Convocation Program niadtong Pebrero 10, 2025.


Si Konsehal Royland M. Orquia, committee chair sa Peace and Order sa Sangguniang Panlungsod, nipasabot sa kamahinungdanon sa paggamit sa trained K9 tungod sa ilang abilidad sa pag-detect sa mga explosives, narcotics, ug uban pang matang sa hulga nga peligroso sa publiko.


Dugang pa niya, isa kini ka deterrent sa kriminalidad ug makatabang sa pagpalig-on sa public safety and security.


Nasayran nga pipila na ka local government units ang nihimog K9 unit sama sa Cebu City ug mga munisipyo, lakip na ang atong silingang siyudad nga Valencia City.


Ang Detection Dog Unit ubos sa pagdumala sa Mayor’s Office, samtang ang City Veterinary Office ang maghatag sa health care support.


Mikabat sa P70,000.00 ang pagpalit sa iro ug dugang P150,000.00 ang gigahin alang sa training ug operasyon niini. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

Ordinansa sa pag-regulate sa kawayan nga himoong poste sa kural, dekorasyon ug uban pa aron malikayan ang dengue outbreak sa siyudad sa Malaybalay, aprobado na

Posted on by cmn

Giaprubahan na sa Sangguniang Panlungsod ang Ordinance No. 1050 S. 2025, nga nag-regulate sa paggamit sa kawayan isip poste sa kural, dekorasyon, ug uban pa aron malikayan ang dengue outbreak sa siyudad

Ang maong ordinansa unang giduso ni Konsehal Melchor P. Maramara kaniadtong Hulyo 16, 2024, atol sa ika-100 regular session, ug gi-refer kini kang Konsehal Kathleen Cecille C. Pagaling, Chairman sa Committee on Health and Social Servicess.


Human sa masusing pagtuon, kini napaboran sa ika-125 regular session niadtong Pebrero 4, 2025, ug gi-aprubahan ni City Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran niadtong Pebrero 11, 2025.


Gibutyag sa konseho nga ang kawayan nga ginagamit isip poste sa kural o dekorasyon mahimong tapukan sa tubig-ulan, nga mahimong puy-anan ug itloganan sa mga lamok nga nagdala sa dengue.
Ang dengue usa ka major public health concern, nga posibleng makamatay ug makaylap dali sa komunidad.


Kini nga regulasyon usa sa mga lakang sa siyudad alang sa anti-dengue campaign, nga naglakip sa limpyo-palibot nga inisyatibo ug klarong mga patakaran sa paggamit sa kawayan.


Ang ordinansa naglatid sa mga regulasyon, giya, ug uban pang mga prohibisyon sa paggamit sa kawayan aron malikayan ang pagdaghan sa lamok ug pagpakatap sa sakit.


Pinaagi sa maong ordinansa, mas lig-on ang kampanya sa Malaybalay City batok sa dengue, nga magpahugot sa hygiene, sanitasyon, ug kahimsog sa katawhan. (pr)

Lalaki gidunggab sa asawa sa Damulog

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Gidala sa hospital ang 63-anyos nga lalaki human gidunggab sa iyang 62-anyos nga asawa sa buntag sa Enero 23, 2025, sa Purok 9, Poblacion, Damulog, Bukidnon

Sumala sa report ni Police Captain Nilo C. Maderse, OIC sa Damulog Municipal Police Station, usa ka concerned citizen sa Damulog Public Market ang nitaho sa insidente ngadto sa buhatan sa kapolisan.

Ang pasiunang imbestigasyon nagpadayag nga ang usa ka panaglalis tali sa biktima ug ang suspek niulbo sa mainit nga komprontasyon tungod sa pangabugho. Atol sa ilang panaglalis, ang suspek nikuha og kutsilyo gikan sa kusina ug gidunggab ang biktima, nga nasamdan sa wala nga bahin sa dughan ug sa duha ka tuhod.

Ang biktima gidali pagdala sa Bukidnon Provincial Hospital sa Kibawe, Bukidnon (BPH) ug karon anaa sa lig-on nga kahimtang.

Ang mga responding police officer nakadakup sa suspek ug kasamtangan anaa siya sa kustodiya sa Damulog MPS. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

PWD gipatay sa igsoon sa Malaybalay

Posted on by Diego M. Hidalgo

Isa ka 54-anyos nga lalaki nga person with disability (PWD) ang gipatay sa iyang 44-anyos nga lalaking manghod sa Purok 1, Brgy. Managok, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Ang insidente gi-report sa usa ka kagawad sa barangay pasado alas 8:00 sa buntag sa Enero 27, 2025. Sumala sa report sa kapolisan, ang patayng lawas sa mentally ill nga biktima napalgan sulod sa panimalay niini.

Gipadayag sa mga unang nahibal-an nga ang biktima giatake sa iyang mag-uuma nga igsoon nga residente usab sa dapit. Sumala pa, gibunalan sa manghod ang iyang magulang sa tuo nga bahin sa ulo gamit ang usa ka kahoy, hinungdan sa grabe nga trauma sa ulo ug pagkawala sa dugo, nga gituohan nga hinungdan sa kamatayon sa biktima.

Ang dugang nga imbestigasyon nagpakita nga ang mga silingan nakadungog sa kagubot sulod sa puy-anan sa biktima. Ang mga niresponding kapolisan nakadakup sa suspek sa gawas sa balay ug gidala siya sa Malaybalay City Police Station alang sa kustodya ug pag-file sa angay nga mga sumbong.

Ang insidente gituohan nga naggikan sa usa ka personal nga pagdumot tali sa biktima ug sa suspek. (Diego M. Hidalgo)