Saturday, March 29, 2025

Major infra projects underway to link communities across Normin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (May 28, 2024/PIA) – Engr. Zenaida Tan, the regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-10, unveiled the latest progress on infrastructure flagship projects in northern Mindanao during the premiere episode of “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas” on May 28

Tan highlighted the completion of the 12.8-kilometer Gusa-Igpit section of the Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road, valued at P3.246 billion, with only final adjustments on the rotunda pending.

The Puerto-Gusa section of the Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road is a four-lane concrete pavement highway spanning 8.95 km with a viaduct that passes over the Baloy Port, Gusa, Cugman, Umalag, and Agusan Rivers, with a combined bridge length of approximately 6,330 linear meters.

“Ang total estimated cost ani nga section is P36.294 billion, ug ang na release pa lang is P1.2 billion. Ang accomplishment ani karon is 6.66 kilometers long, or 660 meters nga rock embankment. Karong tuiga, naay ongoing nga road embankment nga adunay katas-on nga 120 linear meters,” she explained.

(The total estimated cost of this section is P36.294 billion, and only P1.2 billion was released. The accomplishment for this as of today is 6.66 kilometers long, or 660 meters of rock embankment. This year, there is an ongoing road embankment with a height of 120 linear meters.)

According to Tan, once the two sections are connected, travel time, currently ranging from 90 minutes to two hours, is projected to decrease significantly to just 30 minutes.

The regional director said there is also the Cagayan de Oro Diversion Road Extension, costing P3.8 billion. This is a two-lane road that starts at Jct. Sayre Highway Alae in Manolo Fortich continues through Malitbog in Bukidnon and ends at Barangay Lanise, Claveria, in Misamis Oriental. This project entails road opening, road concreting, and the construction of five bridges, which total 49.79 kilometers in length. Currently, 20.89 kilometers of the road is finished, with one bridge under construction.

Tan highlighted that the project will reduce the travel time from Manolo Fortich to Claveria from 90 minutes to just 60 minutes.

Another notable project is the Iligan City Coastal Bypass Project, which has a length of 7.2 kilometers and an estimated cost of P4.784 billion. The project, designed to alleviate congestion on the Misamis Oriental-Maria Cristina Boundary Road, particularly during peak hours, has received a funding allocation of P2.735 billion, with 1.42 kilometers of gravel road/rock embankment completed so far.

The CDO-Opol-El Salvador-Alubijid-Laguindingan Airport Mountain Diversion Road, a P7.852 billion project, is a four-lane route extending from Cagayan de Oro City to the western side of Misamis Oriental, covering 37.6 kilometers. This project involves graveling, concreting, and the construction of nine bridges, with 5.22 kilometers of road already concreted.

Tan underscored that, besides reducing travel time, this project will unlock agri-industrial opportunities for farmers in the upland areas.

The “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” organized by the Presidential Communications Office through the Philippine Information Agency, is a nationwide synchronized weekly media forum to communicate updates on the programs, projects, and services of various national government agencies and departments. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA-10)

One Bukidnon overall champion sa NMRAA 2024

Nahimong overall champion sa gipahigayon nga 2024 Palarong Pampook Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) ang One Bukidnon

Sumala sa kasayoran sa kagamhanag probinsyal sa Bukidnon ang NMRAA gidula niadtong Mayo 9-17, 2024 didto sa munisipyo sa Mambajao, Camiguin Island.

Ang One Bukidnon overall champion sa secondary ug elementary level batok sa contingents gikan sa Cagayan De Oro, Misamis Oriental, Iligan, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Occidental ug Camiguin.

Sa maong kalihukan mihatag og suporta ang Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB), ug nagpadangat kini sa dakong pasalamat sa tanang batan-ong atleta nga midula, dala ang pangalan sa probinsya.

Ang One Bukidnon girepresentahan sa DepEd-Province of Bukidnon, DepEd-Malaybalay City ug DepEd-Valencia City. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

Canada gidayeg sa pagtangtang sa travel ban batok Bukidnon

Gidayeg sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) ang nasud sa Canada pinaagi sa pagpalabang sa isa ka resolusyon gumikan sa pagtangtang niini sa travel ban ngadto sa iyang katawhan panganhi sa probinsiya sa Bukidnon

Sumala sa kasayoran sa PGB, nalabang ang resolusyon atol sa 88th Regular Session sa SP nga giduso ni SP member Nemesio B. Beltran, Jr.

Niadtong Enero, nalakip ang Bukidnon sa advisory sa Canada diin gidid-an ang ilang lumulopyo sa pagbisita human sa MSU-IIT bombing niadtong Disyembre 3 sa miaging tuig.

Hinuon, niadtong Mayo 3 nga edition sa Philippine Star, namantala nga gitangtang na sa Canada ang mga probinsya sa Misamis Oriental ug Bukidnon sa mga lugar sa Pilipinas nga ginadili ang pagbiyahe sa Canadian citizens.

DA joins presidential assistance distribution to El Niño-hit farmers, fishers in NorMin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu P. Laurel, Jr., along with other cabinet members joins President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in his visit here for the distribution of government assistance to El Niño-hit farmers and fishers in identified areas in Northern Mindanao on May 16, at the International Convention Center

Forty (40) qualified farmers and fisherfolk from Cagayan de Oro City, and the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, and Bukidnon received PhP10K each in assistance from the Office of the President.


President Marcos Jr. also handed over PhP10 million worth of El Niño mitigating assistance to the City Government of Cagayan de Oro and the Provincial Government of Camiguin, while the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon each received PhP50-million in assistance.


“Ang sadya po namin dito ay upang personal na i-abot sa ating mga lokal na pamahalaan ang Presidential assistance para sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na napinsala, naapektuhan ng El Niño. Ito ay nagkakahalaga ng sampung libong piso na tulong sa mga kwalipikadong magsasaka, mangingisda at mga pamilyang labis na naapektuhan ng tagtuyot na dinadanas natin ngayon. Maliit na halaga po, ngunit umaasa akong magagamit ninyo ito upang makapagsimula muli.” he said.


For his part, DA Secretary Laurel bared that the department under his helm has drummed up its initiatives to ensure that farmers and fishers in Region 10 have access to the agency’s programs and projects such as the provision of various agricultural assistance like agri inputs (vegetable, corn and rice seeds, and fertilizers), machinery and equipment, Fertilizer Discount Vouchers (FDVs), Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance, among others.


The DA official added that it continues to pursue and complement the efforts of other government agencies to hurdle challenges in ensuring the continued supply of adequate food at economical prices.


“Our initiatives bring together our commitment to strengthened regional efforts to provide more efficient public services.” the agricultural secretary noted, underscoring that convergence is the key to coming up with concrete and sustainable [agricultural] enterprises in the area [NorMin].


Citing the downpour of interventions for NorMin to cushion the impact brought about by El Niño, the president assured that more help is underway from the government to uphold regional development.


“Makakaasa naman ang lahat na hindi lamang sa panahon ng hirap ay nariyan ang inyong gobyerno. Dahil tuloy-tuloy ang mga programang imprastraktura sa inyong lungsod at rehiyon, gaya ng pagpagawa ng mga paliparan, kalsada, at iba pang mga proyekto.” President Marcos furthered.


DA-Regional Field Office 10 headed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan along with its attached regional line agencies, bureaus, and corporations, are among the government instrumentalities who took part in the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, held at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, where farmers and fisherfolk availed of mobile agri-fishery techno services. (JLO/ATT)

DOH-10 urges LGUs to intensify tracking of dengue, measles, chikungunya virus

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (March 29, 2024/PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-10 urges LGUs to ramp up the surveillance of dengue, measles, and chikungunya virus after cases soared from January to March

During the Northern Mindanao Disaster Risk Reduction Management 1st Quarter Full Council meeting, DOH reported that dengue, measles, and chikungunya had increased compared to the same months last year.

Its current data showed a 34.27 percent increase in dengue cases, from 3,032 to 4,071. Measles cases surged by 94.33 percent, from 53 to 103. Chikungunya cases spiked from 7 to 89, marking a staggering 1,171.43 percent rise.

Dengue and chikungunya cases

The disease surveillance data showed that Bukidnon has the most dengue cases in Northern Mindanao, with 1,121 cases (959 admissions with 153 confirmed cases); Misamis Oriental has 845 cases (591 admissions, 79 confirmed); Lanao del Norte reported 574 cases (450 admissions, 115 confirmed); Iligan City reported 319 cases (310 admissions, 114 confirmed); Cagayan de Oro City reported 222 cases (207 admissions, 6 confirmed); and Camiguin reported 89 cases (81 admitted and 47 confirmed).

Bukidnon reported the most dengue-related deaths (19), followed by Misamis Occidental (4), Misamis Oriental (3), Lanao del Norte (4), Iligan City (1), Cagayan de Oro City (2), and Camiguin (1).

Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne viral illness transmitted by the same Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos that carry dengue and Zika, has significantly increased. Misamis Oriental leads the list with 50 cases, followed by Misamis Occidental (18), Bukidnon (12), Camiguin (4), Iligan City (4), and Cagayan de Oro City (1).

Measles cases surveillance

DOH-10 intensifies measles cases surveillance following the disease surge in a neighboring province. The tracking team reported 103 infected children aged 1 to 5. Lanao del Norte has 58 cases (54 hospitalized), followed by Misamis Oriental (14 cases, 11 hospitalized), Cagayan de Oro City (8 cases, 3 hospitalized), Bukidnon (8 cases), Iligan City (7 cases, 5 hospitalized), Misamis Occidental (6 cases, 3 hospitalized), and Camiguin (2 cases, 1 hospitalized).

“The sudden rise in measles cases can be attributed to children’s failure to receive vaccinations,” according to DOH-10 nurse Iris Christine Torralba.

She said COVID-19 disrupted vaccinations as the ‘No Vaccine, No Entry’ policy caused delays. Now, Lanao del Norte faces a measles surge. DOH-10 mobilized an outbreak team to Balo-i and Amai Pakpak Medical Center to stop the spread.

In addition to the response team, resources like viral transport media (VTM) and vaccines were strategically placed and boosted in LDN.

The DOH-10 coordinated with the integrated provincial health offices of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City. It collaborated with national immunization program coordinators to conduct outbreak response immunization in high-case areas.

“The regional office collects data from local government units (LGUs), contributing to our generated data. We are approaching the epidemic threshold and have advised LGUs to enhance their surveillance systems in recent weeks,” DOH-10 Regional Director Sulpicio Henry Legaspi said.

He recommended that local governments monitor movements, particularly in Balo-i, the epicenter of the measles outbreak, because 92 percent of recorded cases include unvaccinated or under-immunized children, indicating the need for focused immunization activities in high-case areas.

Legaspi said the DOH-10 is coordinating with Lanao del Sur to monitor Marawi City due to high population mobility, saying there is a risk of measles spreading to Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City due to its contagious nature.

“We have enough vaccine supply and await the request for additional health workers needed for outbreak response immunization,” he clarified.

The health department assures the public they are addressing the situation, collaborating with LGUs to intensify measles case monitoring and urging parents to vaccinate children aged 0-59 months against measles and other diseases. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA10)

DOT-Northern Mindanao gives inaccurate details about mountain ranges in Bukidnon

April 3, 2024 MindaNews fact-checked the claim of the Department of Tourism – Northern Mindanao (DOT – Northern Mindanao) about facts involving the mountain ranges in Bukidnon province. Some details are inaccurate, hence misleading

In a post on its Facebook page last February 22 titled “5 FACTS ABOUT BUKIDNON,” the DOT-Northern Mindanao said:

“The name ‘Bukidnon’ is derived from the Visayan term ‘bukid,’ which means mountain. True to its name, the province is characterized by extensive mountain ranges, including Mount Kitanglad, Mt. Dulang-dulang and Mt. Kalatungan, which are some of the highest peaks of the country.” (emphasis supplied)

Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Dulang-dulang are not two different mountain ranges.

They are among the peaks belonging to the same mountain range, the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, legislated as a protected area on November 9, 2000.

Mt. Dulang-dulang (2,938 meters above sea level) is the second-highest peak in the Philippines. On the other hand, Mt. Kitanglad (2,899masl) is the country’s fourth highest peak, and like Mt. Dulang-dulang, is one of the popular trekking destinations in Bukidnon.

The DOT-Northern Mindanao post further said that Mt. Kitanglad “sits between Malaybalay City and the municipalities of Lantapan, Impasugong, Sumilao, and Libona.”

The agency’s list of areas encompassed by the mountain range is incomplete. Mt. Kitanglad Range straddles Malaybalay City and the towns of Lantapan, Talakag, Baungon, Libona, Manolo Fortich, Sumilao, and Impasugong. These eight areas share boundaries on the summit of Mt. Kitanglad. (Source: Protected Area Management Plan of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, 2018-2022, Page 6. Note: No online link, e-copy only)

The two other mountain ranges in Bukidnon are Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park, where Mt. Kalatungan is located, and Pantaron Range (also called Pantadon).

Kalatungan Range encompasses Valencia City and the towns of Talakag, Pangantucan, and Maramag.

Pantaron Range straddles Bukidnon and the neighboring provinces of Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Davao del Sur.

As with all our other reports, MindaNews welcomes leads or suggestions from the public to potential fact-check stories. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno / MindaNews)

3 residente sa Talakag nalumos sa outing sa Opol

Nalumos ang isa ka inahan, iyang anak ug batang babaye nilang kadugo human nangaligo sa
dagat

Sumala sa report sa Philstar dot com kagahapon, ang mga biktima nalumos sa Beachfront Resort
sa Brgy. Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental kaniadtong Disyembre 17.

Ang mga biktima nailang si Charlene Delante, iyang 19 anyos nga anak nga babaye nga si
Nica, ug ilang paryenteng babaye nga menor de edad.

Ang mga kauban sa mga biktima miingon sa mga kapolisan nga si Delante ang posibli nga
unang nalumos.

Giingon nga sunod nga nalumos ang iyang anak nga babaye ug kauban sa dihang gisulayan nila
pagluwas si Delante bisan pa nga wala sila kahibalo sa paglangoy.

Ang mga emergency responder gikan sa local government unit sa Opol ug mga pulis, misuway
apan napakyas sa pag-revive sa mga biktima pinaagi sa first aid resuscitation procedures.

Ang Opol MPS miingon nga gipangita ang mga biktima human nila nadawat ang report nga wala sa gi-rentahan nga cottage ang mga biktima ug nadiskubri nila sa ulahi nga nangalumos na ang tulo. (melbmadera)

MOA for Enhanced Kadiwa implementation inked

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) recently inks a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) and local government units (LGUs) from the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon for the implementation of the P25.5 million (M) worth of Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance program

The signing ceremony was held at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Brgy. Dalwangan.

According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the said program aims to help facilitate food accessibility, quality, and affordability to consumers through partnerships with LGUs and FCAs and improve the food distribution system at the same time.

Collado, together with Mayor Anthony A. Uy og Impasugong and Mayor Ernie R. Devibar of Lantapan, signed the agreement for the PhP5 million construction of trading posts in their respective localities in the presence of their municipal staff.

The agri Department also sealed a partnership with the Mindanao Farmers Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative (MFARCC) of Magsaysay, and Kabangasan, Mapua Dahilig Agrarian Reform Community (KMDARC) of Balingoan, both from Misamis Oriental to finance each their P3.5-M transport and delivery vehicle.

Further, Pangantucan, Maramag, Kalilangan Farmers’ Dairy Cooperative (PMKFDC) of Pangantucan and PITAC Multipurpose Cooperative (MPC) of Malaybalay City, both from Bukidnon are set to avail P3.5-M for the purchase of a refrigerated van and equipment for the enhancement of their milk processing plant and P5-M for the purchase of a wing van, respectively.

For the FCAs’ part, they have inked the agreement through their respective chairpersons: Romil C. Ravilla (MFARCC), Weny N. Enterina (KMDARC), Rodolfo Belleza (PMKFDC) and Christery May Dinoy (PITAC MPC).

As partners for the said program, all beneficiaries have at least 20 percent counterpart of the total project cost.

Locally funded for the current year, the Kadiwa program is implemented by DA-10 through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division. (TJTL/melbmadera)

Region 10 inflation accelerates further to 6.7% in September

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Inflation accelerated for the second time this year, driven by faster increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport, and information and communication

Chief Statistical Specialist Sarah Balagbis of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-10 said the regional headline inflation or the rate of change of the average prices of goods and services in the region accelerated at 6.7 percent in September 2023, faster than the 5.0 percent in August 2023.

Balagbis cited food and non-alcoholic beverages as the main drivers of the uptrend in overall inflation, as the commodity group registered a higher inflation rate of 13.2 percent in September from 9.1 percent the previous month. The said commodity group contributed 83.5 percent share in the overall inflation.

“The main source of the 4.1 percentage points increase of inflation in food and non-alcoholic beverages was cereals and cereal products with an inflation of 23.1 percent in September, from 9.5 percent in August, with rice as the primary source of acceleration.

The increase in food inflation was also attributed to vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses at 24.7 percent inflation, with onion as the major contributor, and fish and other seafood at 7.1 percent, with dried fish as the main contributor.

Transport also pushed the inflation rate up as the commodity group registered 0.0 percent in September from -1.5 percent in August.

Accordingly, the major sources of inflation of transport were gasoline, which posted a slower decrease of prices at -4.4 percent in September 2023 from -10.8 percent inflation in August, and diesel, which also posted a slower drop of prices at -14.6 percent in September from -16.9 percent in August.

Balagbis further said that all the provinces and highly urbanized cities in the region posted faster increases in prices in September, with Lanao del Norte registering the highest inflation rate at 9.1 percent, followed by Bukidnon at 8.7 percent and Misamis Oriental at 7.3 percent.

On the other hand, Cagayan de Oro City registered the lowest inflation at 4.7 percent.

Given the latest inflation result, the government vowed to continue implementing measures to respond to rising prices.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10 Planning Officer Blessie Cimacio said they would continue their regular price monitoring for basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) throughout the region. We will ensure that the prices of our goods are within the suggested retail prices,” she said.

Patrick Ian Pedarse, chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) -10’s Administrative and Finance Division, said that aside from the interventions to boost the production of corn and rice, DA-10 is also conducting an allium derby to cushion the effect of inflation on our onions. (APB/PIA-10)

MinDA, DTI-10 update stakeholders on EU GsP+, free trade agreements

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–As part of the continuing efforts to better prepare and strengthen industries and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive and compete internationally, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10 conducted a forum on European Union’s (EU) Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and other free trade agreements

DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Almer Masillones said the forum aimed to bring together industries and MSMEs in Northern Mindanao to have an equal understanding of the export opportunities of the region’s products and the trading performance of Mindanao in the European market.

During the forum, the participants received updates on the Philippine Export Development Plan 2023-2028 and opportunities under free trade agreements (FTAs).

“Kani usab ang amoang way sa pag engage sa atoang private sector nga maka access pa sila ug wide incentives in their engagements sa ilang business outside,” said Director Olie Dagala of MinDA.

[This is also our way of engaging our private sector so they can access vast incentives in their business engagements outside.]

The highlight was the presentation on the status of the EU-GSP+, a special incentive arrangement that allows the country to export more than 6,200 products to any EU member country tariff-free.

The country’s exports grew from €5.7 billion in 2014 to €10.4 billion in 2022 through this preferential tariff scheme.

Among the country’s top GSP+ exports are crude coconut oil and skipjack tuna, while the top GSP+ export destinations were Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, and Spain.

“Indeed, the GSP+ paved the way for the exporters to increase their market access and sales opportunities to the EU market, which is one of the largest markets in the world, improving their competitiveness and allowing them to sell more products and contribute to the Philippines’ economic growth leading to more jobs creation,” added Masillones.

However, this scheme is set to expire by the end of this year.

The DTI provincial director stated that the forum also serves as a platform for consulting with stakeholders to formulate the country’s position regarding the expiration of its GSP+ access and any proposed extension.

To date, MinDA and DTI have already conducted forums for other stakeholders in key cities of Mindanao island, particularly General Santos and Zamboanga.

Meanwhile, DTI, through its Export Management Bureau, continues to assist industries and MSMEs in their exporting needs.

“We have a frontline service, yung [the] Export Assistance and Business Matching Division. We guide yung mga [our] exporters natin ano yung mga [what are the] steps and ano yung mga [what are the] requirements needed for each of the markets. We have a lot of market officers who can provide market requirements that can guide our exporters. We also have product officers who can guide them from the domestic up to the export market. In terms sa mga [of the] certification, we have export enablers that we can refer to our exporters. We try to connect everyone para easy and okay yung exporting journey nila [so that their exporting journey is easy and okay],” said the bureau’s Chief Trade Industry Specialist, Rudolph Jay Velasco. (APB/PIA-10)