Friday, February 21, 2025

Tag: Manolo Fortich

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)

Faulty electrical wiring gilantaw nga hinungdan sa sunog sa Manolo Fortich

Posted on by Diego M. Hidalgo

Sumala sa imbestigador sa sunog, faulty electrical wiring ang posible nga hinungdan sa sunog nga nidaut sa tulo ka mga balay sa Zone 8, Artajo Village, Brgy. Alae, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, hapon sa Pebrero 3, 2025

Gibanabana sa Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) sa Manolo Fortich nga ang damyos sa sunog anaa sa P2,520,000.
Sumala sa report ni Police Captain Evary E. Bacunawa, OIC sa kapolisan sa Manolo Fortich, ang inisyal nga imbestigasyon sa BFP nagpadayag nga ang sunog anaa sa first alarm status.
Ang una nga balay, nga hinimo sa semi-concrete, hingpit nga naguba; 70 porsyento ang kadaut sa ikaduha nga semi-concrete usab, samtang partially damaged ang ikatulong balay nga gama sa concrete ug steel.
Ang mga balay usa ka duha ka storey nga building. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

Agri-10 eyes strengthened beef cattle marketing innovations among NorMin industry stakeholders

Posted on by cmn

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon — As demand for beef cattle production and marketing grows, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), led by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, hosted a beef cattle marketing innovations seminar and workshop on January 24 to foster networking and collaboration among stakeholders

Following a memorandum from the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary highlighting the need for innovative marketing strategies and technological advancements to support the beef cattle industry, DA-10 aims to equip producers with modern marketing tools to enhance product visibility and consumer engagement.


In his message, DA Assistant Secretary for Ruminant Livestock Benjamin C. Albarece, DVM, emphasized the market’s importance as a foundation for improving livelihoods in the livestock industry.


“We are here today to address marketing challenges and explore collaboration to create effective plans that will serve as a foundation for our guidelines and policies. It is essential to hear from farmers at the grassroots level about how we can assist them,” he stated.
Guest speakers Raymund Mirabueno and Allan Noel S. Bernales

highlighted the importance of social media platforms in marketing and discussed marketable cattle breeds in the region, such as the Brahman-based bloodline.


The seminar-workshop provided a venue to navigate challenges such as changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and increased global competition, emphasizing social media’s role in the long-term success of the beef cattle industry.


Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD) Market Specialist I Mariflor A. Balabat outlined key market destinations for large animals in Mindanao between September and November 2024, including Agusan del Sur with 426 heads, Davao del Sur with 195 heads, and Davao del Norte with 112 heads.


Livestock focal person Jamaica L. Docdoc presented the livestock growth rate by production volume, noting that Northern Mindanao was the top cattle-producing region in the second quarter of 2024, generating 10,635.8 metric tons, which contributed 17.4 percent to the national total.
The consolidated data from the seminar will be submitted to the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary to serve as a reference for a multi-year plan and future guidelines and policies to support the livestock industry.


The event was attended by representatives from the DA Office of the Assistant Secretary, the National Livestock Program Directorate, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Bukidnon, the Local Government of Manolo Fortich, large ruminant commercial raisers, and beneficiaries of the Artificial Insemination Program. (MAC)

AMIA-10 village makabenepisyo sa combine harvester

Posted on by Melchor Madera

Tumong sa pagpausbaw sa lokal nga produksiyon, ang Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) nag-turn over sa usa ka combine harvester ngadto sa Bliss Lingion Multipurpose Cooperative (BLMPC)

Sumala sa kasayoran, ang makinarya nagkantidad og Php 2.2 milyones.


Ang seremonya natigayon niadtong Enero 13, 2025 sa Municipal Grounds sa Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.
Ang agri-intervention gipundohan ubos sa Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) nga programa niini.


Kini nagtumong sa pagsuporta sa mga mag-uuma sa pagsagop sa modernong mga ekipo ug teknolohiya aron mapalambo ang mga hagit sa pagbag-o sa klima.


Sa seremonya sa pagtugyan, si BLMPC chair Dante M. Dosayco nakadawat sa certificate of turnover gikan ni AMIA-10 Project Leader Joel J. Gabo sa presensya sa mga opisyales sa munisipyo nga gipangunahan ni Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño.


Gipaambit ni Dosayco nga ang inisyatiba makapakunhod sa ilang panahon sa pag-ani samtang nagdugang usab sa ilang kita.


Gipaniguro usab sa coop chair nga ilang ma-maximize ang nasangpit nga makinarya dili lang alang sa kaayohan sa mga miyembro niini kondili ipaambit usab sa ilang lokalidad.


Ang Bliss Lingion MPC adunay kinatibuk-ang luna nga 210 ka ektarya uban sa mga mag-uuma niini nga nananom og mais ug kamoteng kahoy ug posibleng pagpalapad sa serbisyo ngadto sa mga dili miyembro. (melbmadera)

Drug suspek, 2 nga nag-pot session nakorner sa Manolo Fortich

Posted on by Diego M. Hidalgo

Isa ka drug suspek ang nakorner sa buy-bust operation ug aktong nasapnan ang duha ka mga kauban niini nga nag-pot session sa Purok Upper Pol-oton, Brgy. Tankulan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, buntag sa Enero 6, 2025

Sumala sa report sa kapolisan, ang unang suspek nga nasikop nisulay pa sa pagsibat apan nasugpo ra sa kapolisan.


Pagkahuman niini, nadiskubrehan sa kapolisan sulod sa establishment ang duha ka mga kauban sa suspek nga nag-pot session.


Nasakmit sa kapolisan ang Php 16,932.00 nga kantidad sa gidudahang shabu lakip ang drug paraphernalia gikan sa mga suspek.


Kasong paglapas sa RA 9165, o Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, ang giandam batok sa mga dinakpan nga suspek.


Gidala sa Regional Forensic Unit ang mga nakumpiskang droga para sa qualitative ug quantitative examinations. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

Hedcor turns over ₱5.1M royalty shares to Bukidnon IP communities

Posted on by cmn

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (December 29, 2024) — Hedcor, the renewable energy asset manager of AboitizPower, has turned over ₱5,140,167.01 in royalty shares to Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in Bukidnon for 2022-2023. These funds directly benefit the host communities of Hedcor’s Manolo Fortich 1 and 2 hydroelectric power plants, advancing inclusive growth and sustainable development

Five Indigenous Peoples (IP) organizations received their royalties, signifying progress for their communities. The Santiago Tribal Community (SANTRICO), Inc. and Impakibel, Apo Man Asilan Tribal Association were each awarded ₱1,401,529.47. Meanwhile, the Lumikapaw Ka Guihean Tribal Council of Elders and Guilang-Guilang Apo Datu Nanikunan Association, Inc. each received ₱935,578.60. The Buklod Kayantang Tribal Association, Inc. was granted ₱465,950.87. These funds embody a commitment to empowering and uplifting Indigenous communities, going beyond mere financial support.
The funds will be used for initiatives identified by the IP communities themselves, including livelihood assistance, skills training to strengthen economic resilience, scholarships for Indigenous youth, and elder care programs.
The projects will also help empower women entrepreneurs, preserve traditional practices, and advance environmental efforts such as reforestation.
Bae Priscilla Cariaga, President of Buklod Kayantang Tribal Association, Inc., expressed gratitude for the turnover.
“Ang pagtinabangay uban sa Hedcor nagpalambo sa among komunidad. Ang mga pondo makatabang sa pagpreserba sa among kultura, pagtubag sa mga kinahanglanon, ug paghimo og mga oportunidad para sa umaabot nga henerasyon,” she said.
(Working together with Hedcor has developed our community. The funds help preserve our culture, address our needs, and create opportunities for future generations.)
Implemented closely with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region 10, the program ensures that projects align with cultural preservation and ancestral domain protection.
“Through joint efforts, we achieve meaningful progress for Indigenous Peoples, safeguarding their heritage while promoting development,” said lawyer Dexter B. Precioso, NCIP regional legal officer.
Hedcor Vice President for Corporate Services Noreen Vicencio said the giving out of royalty shares underscores Hedcor’s zeal to collaborate with IP organizations to enhance community well-being.
“This turnover is more than just meeting our obligations—it reflects our commitment to a meaningful partnership. We are honored to support the IP organizations’ efforts to advance livelihood, education, and cultural heritage.
By working side by side, we help ensure a lasting, positive impact that strengthens their communities and enriches their future,” Vicencio said.
She reiterated that by returning these royalty shares to the communities, Hedcor continues to advance renewable energy while strengthening communities, protecting cultural identities, and fostering long-term growth and opportunity. (Hedcor-AboitizPower/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

NCIP, LGU Manolo Fortich ink MOA on P226.9M FMR in Kalugmanan

Posted on by cmn

The drafting and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the concreting of the farm-to-market road in Sitio Balakbakan, Barangay Kalugmanan, took place on August 19, 2024, at the Barangay Kalugmanan covered court

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich signed the agreement.

The project involves concreting a 7.8-kilometer Farm-to-Market Road (FRM) under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), with a budget of 226,992,990 million pesos from the Department of Agriculture.

The road concreting will begin at Sitio Balakbakan and continue to Kalugmanan proper.

This project aims to assist farmers in Barangay Kalugmanan by facilitating the easier transportation of their farm produce to the Municipal Public Market in Barangay Tankulan.

Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño was present during the MOA drafting and signing. He expressed his enthusiasm for infrastructure programs, particularly road projects.

“Matod pa, himoon nato ni nga dako nga kalipay nga ang atong karsada gikan didto sa Café by the Ridge, musangko dinhi sa atong tulay, pasubida paingon sa ila ni Mr. Perrine, ug gani naa pay sobra nga budget, I think nga e-semento pa paingon diri. Nindot na kaayo mga programa nato mga roads section sa atong lungsod sa Manolo Fortich. Including ang atong Sankanan road, ang atong gi-plano nasad ang Lindaban paingon sa Dahilayan atong sementohon, so nangita tag budget para ana,” Mayor Quiño stated.

Farmer Sirapin Buyoc, 67 years old, from Zone 2, Kalugmanan, expressed his gratitude for the road project, which has made transporting their agricultural products easier.

“Ang ako lang, nga makadugang benepisyo niining muabot ang dalan nga kami di nami maglisod sa among mga produkto, sama sa mga mais, cassava, mga utanon, daghan mi mga utanon diha sa Ilaya. So sayon ra gyud kaayo ang pag-deliver sa produkto paingon sa atong market ug sa Cagayan,” said Buyoc.

Also in attendance were Municipal Administrator Engr. Joie Caesar M. Gaid, Sangguniang Bayan Member IPMR Coun. Alex Payangga, NCIP Regional Legal Officer Atty. Dexter Precioso, the Barangay Council of Kalugmanan, and Indigenous Peoples (IP) community members, including the Higaonon, Talaandig, and Bukidnon tribes.

Heads of offices and representatives from focal departments of the Local Government of Manolo Fortich, such as the Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Engineering Office, Municipal Assessor’s Office, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Municipal Planning and Development Office, also attended the MOA signing. (PR)

Hedcor gives P3.2-M shares to Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Posted on by cmn

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (July 16, 2024) – Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño receives the municipality’s community shares from Hedcor represented by External Relations Manager for Mindanao David Tacder and Assistant Vice President for External Relations John Michael Rico

The local government plans to allocate the shares to priority projects widening healthcare service access to remote barangays, enhancing support for early childhood education, and improving safety and security through the installation of additional solar street lights.

Broken down, P1.59 million in community shares and P1.63 million in ER 1-94 funds were sourced from the operation of Hedcor’s two hydropower plants in Manolo Fortich, covering the period of July to December 2023.

ER 1-94, a policy of the government, was enacted to ensure that host communities get a reasonable share of the profit from power plants operating in their area. It states that these communities will receive one centavo for every kilowatt hour (P0.01/kWh) generated.

“Thank you very much, Hedcor family, for the significant amount received by the local government. Thank you also for your help to Manolo Fortich. It has been our great dream that a company investing in our town can assist our fellowmen, especially those in need,” said Quiño.

During the 107th Charter Day celebration of Manolo Fortich, the local government recognized Hedcor as one of its top taxpayers for fiscal year 2023, commending its support for the municipality’s programs.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to support the municipality of Manolo Fortich in its efforts to improve the community’s quality of life. We are aligned in our efforts to foster sustainable growth and make a positive difference in the lives of the residents,” said Hedcor President and Chief Operating Officer Rolando Pacquiao. (Manila Bulletin)

Agri NorMin lauds AMIA villages in first congress

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – To showcase the different climate-resilient communities in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) through its Adaptation and Mitigation Initiative in Agriculture (AMIA) conducts an awarding for the AMIA villages during its 1st AMIA-10 Congress on July 11-12, at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex, in Dalwangan, here

With this year’s theme, “Klima atimana para sa malahutayong pag-uma ug ekonomiya,” the event gathered farmer-beneficiaries, local government units, and other stakeholders to share the success and innovations of the 11 AMIA villages in the region.

Climate Resilient Agriculture Office National Director Alicia G. Ilaga noted that apart from building climate-resilient communities, the AMIA program also seeks to eradicate poverty.

“Mithiin nating mai-level up ang ating mga AMIA village mula sa pagiging maliliit na production units, papunta sa market-oriented climate-resilient enterprises o yung tinatawag nating AMIA Climate-Resilient Agri-Fishery Technology-based Enterprises (AMIA CREATE),” the CRAO director added.

As such, AMIA-10 held a Booth Display contest with the criteria: number of products displayed (30 percent), quality of products displayed (25 percent), landscape and display (25 percent), and question and answer (20 percent).

Of which, Libona AMIA village of Bukidnon emerged as the first placer, followed by Manolo Fortich of Bukidnon and Magsaysay AMIA Village of Misamis Oriental, as second and third placers, respectively.

Meanwhile, select AMIA villages in its Phase 3 level of implementation also presented their best practices and adjudged with the criteria: productivity and income (30 percent), technologies and practices employed (25 percent), readiness to entrepreneurship (20 percent), ability to present (15 percent) and question and answer (10 percent).

Manolo Fortich AMIA village topped for the AMIA village Presenter Award, while Magsaysay, Libona, and Baungon AMIA villages followed as the second, third, and fourth placers, respectively. (AMBM)

Mga mag-uuma sa sloping area gitudloan sa sustainable land management

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Gitudloan sa Provincial Agriculture Office ang mga mag-uuma sa Bukidnon kansang umahan nahimutang sa slope areas o bakilid nga bahin, pinaagi sa Sustainable Land Management (SLM) Training

Sumala sa kasayoran sa PGB, sa maong pagbansay, ang mga mag-uuma gitudloan sa malungtarong pagdumala sa yuta.

Ang training naglangkub sa agriculture and type of food production, integrated pest management, hinungdan og epekto sa soil pollution, soil erosion ug soil conservation and management.

Tinguha niini aron masuportahan ang pagtubo sa ekonomiya, kaayohan sa katilingban, ug pagpadayon sa kalikopan.

Ang kalihukan gitimbayayongan sa PGO- Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Division (PDRRMD) alang sa mosunod nga mga dapit.

Ang sa Lantapan gipahigayon niadtong Mayo 7-8, Maramag niadtong Mayo 9-10, Quezon- Mayo sa 14-15, Impasugong sa Mayo 16-17, Sumilao niadtong Mayo 21-23, Manolo Fortich- Mayo sa 23-24, San Fernando sa 28-29, Valencia City sa Mayo 30-31, Kalilangan karong Hunyo 4-5 ug Kadingilan sa Hunyo 6-7, 2024. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)