Saturday, March 29, 2025

Tag: Misamis Oriental

BJMP celebrates 32nd year, honors top-performing NorMin bureau

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MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA)–Serving for over three decades, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-10 celebrated its 32nd anniversary on a high note as the jail management received praises from its highest official for their achievements in the past year

The bureau attributes its growth to the dedication and commitment that the men and women of BJMP-10 displayed throughout the years and the kindness and concern that the community partners had extended.

Aside from that, the bureau never ceases to generate various ways and means to improve the delivery of services to their clientele to the best quality they can give.

Such initiatives bear fruits as BJMP 10 becomes one of the top-performing regions nationwide.

“I am speaking before a team of the most hardworking personnel in the country, who, together with their Regional Director, continue to strive to make BJMP Region 10 among the best-performing regions nationwide. The excellence in how you work in Region 10 has been a large part of the overall performance of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology,” BJMP Chief JDIR Ruel S. Rivera said.

BJMP-10 bags several national awards, which include Best Desk Officer of Type-A Jails, Best Paralegal Officer of Type-A Jail, Best Community Relations Service Officer of Type-A Jails, Best Management, Screening and Evaluation Committee Unit of Type-C Jail; Best Escorting Unit Type-C Jail; Best Paralegal Program Implementer; Best ALS Program Implementer; and Best e-Dalaw Program Implementer. In addition to that, Atty. Jeza Mae Sanchez received the National Award as Best Staff Officer of the Year.

The bureau chief also stated that Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government acknowledged BJMP-10’s excellent performance.

With the success and achievements gained, BJMP-10 Regional Director Cesar Langawin disclosed that they went through some challenges and would not have been able to reach them without the men and women of the bureau and the constant support of the various stakeholders and government agencies.

“BJMP-10 is committed to offering humane care, safety, and development. We will consistently work to create a positive influence in the lives of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). Furthermore, we ensure that programs for PDLs and their families should be properly implemented, reaching even the remotest jail facilities in the region,” Langawin said. (JAKA/PIA10)

7 rebels killed in Butuan, MisOr and Bukidnon; 5 of them women

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CAGAYAN DE ORO — The military has revised its narrative on the death toll in clashes with the New People’s Army (NPA) in Butuan City, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon last week, claiming that seven alleged rebels, five of them women, have been killed since June 16, 2023

“The body count in the encounter in Butuan City last Friday (June 16) was raised from three to five. The soldiers also found one more AK 47 rifle,” Major Francisco Garello Jr., spokesperson of the Army 4th Infantry Division (4ID), said.
According to Garello, soldiers seized 20 high-powered firearms — seven AK 47 rifles, four M4 rifles, four AR 18 rifles, an M16 rifle, two M14 rifles, and two M16 with attached M203 grenade launchers, in the three encounter sites – 16 in Butuan, three in Bukidnon and one in Misamis Oriental.
Maj. General Jose Maria Cuerpo, 4ID commanding general said soldiers of the 29th Infantry Battalion supported by Philippine Air Force Turkish-made T129B attack helicopters killed three rebels, two of them women, in Mt. Apo-Apo in Sitio Dugyanan, Barangay Anticala in Butuan City last Friday.
It was the first time that the T129B attack helicopters purchased by the Philippine government for US$269 million in a government-to-government contract with Turkey, was reported to have been used in operations against the NPA.
Garello said soldiers on Saturday found two more bodies of NPA rebels — a female and a male – from the June 16 encounter site in Butuan.
“This raised the body count from three to five NPA rebels killed in the encounter last Friday. The soldiers also found one more AK 47 rifle bringing the total number of firearms recovered to 16,” Garello said.
He said the bodies of the three female NPA rebels and two of their male companions would be brought down from the mountains by Monday.
In Bukidnon province, Brigadier General Michele Anayron, commanding general of the 403rd Infantry Brigade said soldiers encountered at least 15 NPA rebels in Sitio Malinao, Barangay Kalasungay, Malaybalay City on Saturday, following a tip from residents.
Anayron said a female NPA was killed after a 15-minute encounter with the soldiers of the 8th Infantry Battalion. He said the soldiers suffered no casualties.
Recovered from the encounter site were an AK 47 rifle, an M14 rifle, and an improvised anti-personnel landmine, he said.
In Misamis Oriental, one female rebel was killed and an AK 47 rifle was recovered after an encounter with soldiers in Sitio Kalhaan, Barangay Minalwang, Claveria town Friday afternoon. (Froilan Gallardo/MindaNews)

Women Unite in its 1st Organic Agriculture in Asia Summit

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KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte – Over 30 dedicated women representing diverse organizations and agencies across the Philippines convened for the 1st Women in Organic Agriculture (WOA) in Asia Summit

The summit aims to foster engaging discussions and exchange valuable insights regarding the various strategies employed by women in the field of organic agriculture.

Launched on November 26, 2021, WOA is a sector group of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)—Organics Asia that aims to amplify women’s voices in the organic sector throughout Asia, ensuring their representation and participation are duly recognized and celebrated.

The participants in this summit hailed from various provinces, including Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Bukidnon, among others. Among these remarkable women, Marivic Tagupa, the founding president of WOA Philippines, passionately expressed the vision of the organization: a healthy mother earth.

“The WOA’s vision is a healthy mother earth, with its mission to help our mother earth. My purpose of life is to love mother earth through organic because that’s my only way to help mother earth,” she said.

A significant milestone during the summit was the oath-taking ceremony for the WOOA-Ph officers and lady focal points. Furthermore, WOA-Ph solidified its commitment to the cause by signing a memorandum of commitment with IFOAM-Organics Asia.

This agreement officially launched and initiated various activities aimed at bolstering the participation and representation of women in the organic sector in the Philippines.

These activities encompass recruiting new members, facilitating engagement in related events, and fostering collaborative efforts as agreed upon by both parties.

The discussions held at the summit revolved around the themes of gender equality and the pivotal role of women in organic agriculture. Esteemed organizations such as IFOAM-Organics International and the Intercontinental Network of Organic Farmers Organizations led these enlightening discussions.

Karen Mapusua, the president of IFOAM-Organics International, emphasized the significance of inclusive conversations, transcending barriers of gender, age, culture, and geographical location. She stressed the urgent need for governments to align their policies with principles of inclusion and equity.

“The final step in strategic action includes the focus on conveying inclusive conversation across gender, age, culture, and place. And also to review our government instructions collided with the principles of inclusion and equity,” she said.

Throughout the summit, several esteemed female leaders shared their inspiring experiences within the realm of organic agriculture. Arlene Dayo, the municipal agriculture officer of Goa, Camarines Sur, shed light on their successful organic agriculture program.

Rebecca R. Atega, the Lady Focal Person of National Government Agencies, and the Department of Agriculture Caraga Regional Technical Director, presented their office’s remarkable initiatives.

Additionally, Maria Liza L. Evangelista, the vice mayor and owner of La Granja de Jas Family Farm in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur, recounted her personal journey in establishing an organic family farm amidst the pandemic.

“My big voice is anchored in three things: a sustainable source of safe and healthy food for my family and community; good stewardship of my body and environment; and leading my people by my own example and being a catalyst of change in my own municipality,” Evangelista said.

The WOA summit is just one of the events in organic agriculture held in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

Other events were the Organic Youth Forum, the 9th Asian Local Government for Organic Agriculture Summit, the 4th Global Alliance of Organic Districts Summit, and the 6th Organic Asia Congress, which attracted participants and delegates from 32 different countries and areas worldwide, including China, South Korea, Portugal, the Maldives, Mongolia, and more. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)

DA-NorMin, seed companies prep for upcoming wet cropping corn derby

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To give farmers an informed basis on their preferred varieties towards attaining increased yield and income, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) convened with the representatives from the private seed companies on April 27 for this year’s conduct of a series of corn derby highlighting hybrid yellow and white corn cultivars for this upcoming wet cropping season in mid-May

Implemented by the Field Operations and Research divisions, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado remarked that the conduct of corn derbies remains relevant, as the department constantly seeks to achieve food and feed self-sufficiency.

Reinforcing the importance of said activity, the agri chief executive added that the results of the derby may play a significant influence in the selection of performing cultivars by corn farmers across varied agronomic conditions.

Which, eyed location sites for the showcase are the agency’s research complex (Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, and its research centers in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon (Research Center for Upland Development) and in Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental (Research Center for Hillyland Development).

Dir. Collado furthered that the corn derbies will also help in determining the promising corn varieties, as it is one of the department’s bases in the procurement of corn seeds with a current year allocation of Php265.2-million for hybrid yellow corn alone.

Committing to engage in such exhibits and in attendance are from Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bayer, Bioseed Research Philippines, Corteva Agriscience, Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc., Vigour Seeds Dev., Inc., and RJR Agro-Industrial Enterprises.

While the participating seed companies have signified to pour their efforts to feature their exceptional corn varieties in different topographies, DA-10 Regional Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria enjoined for an intensified coordination between their team and the agri department, in the hopes of properly keeping and tracking records of the performance of all corn variety entries.

On the other hand, the research division assured by providing the outcome of the derbies in the near future, especially so that cost and return analysis plays a large role in evaluating a particular corn cultivar.

As agreed, a total of 15 hybrid yellow corn varieties and 2 hybrid white corn cultivars are set to be planted in both NMACLRC and RCUD, while targeted in RCHD are 14 hybrid yellow corn varieties and 1 hybrid white corn cultivar. (JLO/DA RFO-10)

DOH-10 intensifies immunization vs measles, rubella, polio

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MISAMIS ORIENTAL (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-10 aims to further increase the immunization status of children in Northern Mindanao with the conduct of a month-long immunization campaign against measles, rubella, and polio this May

According to the health department, immunization coverage for children aged 0–59 months had lowered during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a pool of populations that are susceptible to measles infection. It was also noted that this year, an increase in suspected cases of measles was recorded.

“Nakita namo nga adunay 18% increase sa suspected cases of measles sa rehiyon karon (We have seen that there is an 18% increase in suspected cases of measles in the region today),” DOH-10 Local Health Support Division Chief David Mendoza said.

Mendoza explained that in the same period last year, they only recorded 69 suspected measles cases compared to this year’s 82. There were also no laboratory-confirmed cases last year compared to this year’s three laboratory-confirmed cases: one for measles and two for rubella.

The DOH-10 hopes that the supplemental immunization activity they are conducting against measles, rubella, and polio can help beef up the immunization coverage of the region and prevent a possible outbreak of such vaccine-preventable diseases.

Mendoza added that to strengthen the immunization campaign, fixed sites, and house-to-house initiatives are done throughout the region to make sure that all eligible individuals will be vaccinated and no children will be left behind.

In the vaccination sites, regardless of the vaccination status, oral polio immunization is available for children aged 0–59 months, while measles-rubella immunization can be availed of by children aged 9–59 months.

As the government extends its efforts to protect the children, the health department admits that their efforts together with the various agencies and local government units are futile without the support and participation of the public, especially the parents and guardians and that to combat the possible spread or outbreak of measles, rubella, and polio, it will take a whole-of-society approach.

DOH-10 urges parents and guardians to allow their children to get immunizations for added protection. Protecting children against any vaccine-preventable disease should be a priority for each parent and guardian. (JAKA/PIA-10)

Bukidnon farmers dominate regional coffee competition

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Seven farmers from Pangantucan, Bukidnon were awarded for their quality coffee beans during the first Northern Mindanao Coffee Quality Competition. The awarding was held in Malaybalay, Bukidnon last March 18, 2023

Based on DTI Region 10, the coffee quality competition consists of two categories; the Arabica category and Robusta category.

Manolito Garces of New Eden, Pangantucan placed first for his Arabica coffee beans with 87.13% rating. Followed by Aiza Inahan from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan, Bukidnon with 85.15%; Arnold Pina of Pigtauranan, Pangantucan with 84.19%; Marion Inahan also from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan with 83.75%; MILFACO from Miarayon, Talakag, Bukidnon with 82.94; and Aurora Chiong form Claveria, Misamis Oriental with 81.40%.

Meanwhile, Primitiva Mahumot still from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan, Bukidnon won first place in the Robusta category with a rating 84.38%; 2nd place is Ranel Balatero from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan with 83.31%; 3rd is Noel Duyongan from Kibenton, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon with 83.25%; Marvin Dagohoy in 4th place from Pigtauranan, Pangantucan with 82.63%; and Dennis Ong in 5th place from Claveria, Misamis Oriental with 81.5%.

The competition was held last March 14-17, 2023 at the Coffee Cupping Laboratory of Central Mindanao University (CMU), Bukidnon. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)

Agri 10 dept preps for upcoming corn derby featuring hybrid yellow, white corn

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In its constant pursuit for farmers to attain increased yield and income, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) held a short preparatory meeting for the conduct of a corn derby featuring hybrid yellow and white corn for this upcoming wet cropping season

DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the conduct of corn derbies will continue for this year, especially with the increased allocation of the Corn program for the procurement of seeds.
The agri official added that it will help determine the yield performance and profitability of not only the hybrid yellow corn cultivars but also hopefully, includes the white corn varieties that are readily available from different seed companies.
Said series of the showcase will be participated by private entities such as Syngenta Philippines, Inc., Bayer Crop Science, Corteva Agriscience, Asian Hybrid Seed Tech, Inc., Evogene Seed Philippines, and Bioseed Research Philippines, with each company initially committing to have
2-3 corn varieties as their entries.
Similar to previous years, the corn derbies will be staged in DA’s research stations in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon; in Barongcot, Dangcagan, Bukidnon; and Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental, with potentially expanding it to an additional site in Balubal, Cagayan de Oro City. (DA RFO-10)

Super Health Center to rise in Pangantucan

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PANGANTUCAN, Bukidnon – Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go led the groundbreaking ceremony for the Super Health Center facility in far-off barangay Bacusanon, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, on March 3

Go said the center would provide vital health services with specialized health facilities at the local level, such as an outpatient department, laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound, birthing services, diagnostics, pharmacy, and emergency services.
Asked about the distinction between Malasakit Center and Super Health Center, the Senator explained that the Super Health Center is a medium-sized polyclinic larger than a rural health center but not as big as a hospital.
“I express great bliss that the Department of Health (DOH) chose a strategic location here in town. The government will build additional 20 Super Health Centers in Northern Mindanao this year, with six in Bukidnon, four in Cagayan de Oro, three in Lanao del Norte, two in Misamis Occidental, and five in Misamis Oriental,” Go said.
DOH-10 Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna Jr. emphasized that establishing a Super Health Facility would help decongest other health facilities, as it will supplement rural health centers in the province.
“The goal is to bring government services closer to the people,” he said.
Fourth District Representative Laarni Roque thanked Senator Go for building projects in her district. She said that the Super Health Center would immensely help the people of Barangay Bacusanon, which does not have a government hospital.
Meanwhile, Pangantucan Mayor Miguel A. Silva Jr. urged his constituents to take good care of the government projects.
“Not all cities or towns are fortunate enough to receive such facility. I urge our villagers here to take good care of this Super Health Center,” the mayor said. (BGE/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

DA-SAAD debuts phase 2 in NorMin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – After getting the go signal in 2022, the Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) officially commenced its phase 2 implementation in Northern Mindanao this year through DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado

In a planning workshop with SAAD Phase 2-implementing local government units (LGUs) on February 10 in Cagayan de Oro City, SAAD Northern Mindanao Regional Program Management Support Office (SAAD NorMin RPMSO) outlined Social Preparation activities to be conducted as preliminary steps for the implementation of community-based agri-enterprise projects in priority localities in the region.

SAAD is a special program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) designed to curb poverty in economically depressed areas in the country by providing agri-livelihood projects to marginal farmers.

For phase 2, SAAD will be implemented for a six-year period from 2023 to 2028 in 26 municipalities belonging to the 5th and 6th class, having the highest poverty incidence in four provinces of the region.

Specifically, the municipalities of Sagay, Catarman, Mahinog, and Guinsiliban in Camiguin; Libertad, Gitagum, Sugbongcogon, Balingoan, Lagonglong, Kinoguitan, and Binuangan in Misamis Oriental; Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Baliangao, Panaon, Sapang Dalaga, Sinacaban and Concepcion in Misamis Occidental; Tangcal, Sapad, Salvador, Tagoloan, Magsaysay, Matungao, Pantar, Poona Piagapo and Linamon in Lanao del Norte.

Late in 2022, the SAAD NorMin profiled 1 Farmers’ Cooperative, Association (FCA) in the said municipalities, to ascertain the farmer-members’ eligibility as SAAD recipients.

According to Lana May S. Racines, SAAD NorMin focal person, the program is set to conduct Beneficiary Needs Assessment (BNA) in the first quarter of 2023 to determine the suitability of the proposed agri-enterprise to the FCAs’ locality, the capacity of the FCAs and its members to man the SAAD project, as well as market feasibility of the proposed enterprise.

Under the SAAD guidelines, eligible FCAs may propose agri-enterprise projects focused on rice, corn, livestock, or high-value crop production.

SAAD will grant production-to-marketing assistance to the FCAs. Qualified FCA and their proposed enterprise will be officially endorsed by the Local Chief Executive to SAAD NorMin signifying the DA-LGU partnership in SAAD implementation.

In his message, DA-10 OIC-Regional Executive Director, Carlene C. Collado, challenged the LGUs to implement the SAAD Program with a strong intent to develop the local agriculture sector.

He also called on the LGUs to look after the previously granted SAAD and DA projects for the benefit of the farmers. (DA RFO-10)

Teenage pregnancy declines in PH, Normin tops in cases

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Teenage pregnancy cases in the country had gone down from 8.6 percent in 2017 to 5.4 percent in 2022, yet despite the decrease in cases, Northern Mindanao records the highest percentage of adolescents who have been pregnant at 10.9 percent

“Forty-four per 1,000 female adolescents aged 15–19 have given birth in 2020, which means approximately 30 adolescents give birth in the region daily,” Commission on Population (POPCOM)-10 Assistant Regional Director Richmond Charles Gajudo said.

According to data from 2020, the three provinces with the highest rates of teen pregnancy are Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Cagayan de Oro City. Each of these three provinces is responsible for 43% of all births to teenagers. The youngest age at which a teen was known to be pregnant was 11 years old in Cagayan de Oro City. In Valencia City, the young mother was 12 years old.

Being pregnant at such a young age is bad for young people, both in terms of their health and their finances. It was also said that having a child at such a young age is bad for a teenager’s health because their bodies aren’t ready to carry a child and can sometimes lead to the death of newborns and infants.

Since the childbearing years of a female are between the ages of 15 and 49, there is a tendency to have repeat pregnancies, which may lead to having more children and the possibility of having multiple partners, which is a health risk.

According to the commission, based on studies involving the very young adolescence of 10–14 years old, female teens who get pregnant have older male partners. Due to this, Republic Acts 11596 and 11648 were created to protect the said age group from child marriage and increase the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16 years old.

With the number of teenage pregnancies going up, POPCOM-10 and the local government units (LGUs) have stepped up their efforts to stop them. The commission helps the LGUs plan and get ready for programs that will be used, like setting up a teen center to deal with the problems mentioned above.

“We have a new program being implemented for teen moms and their children called a “social program for adolescent moms and their children.” It is like 4Ps, where they will receive a monthly stipend to support them finish their studies and livelihood programs for them to be able to support the needs of their child,” says POPCOM-10 Technical Section Head Jeremias Cabasan.

POPCOM urges everyone to work together to better address the teenage pregnancy case in the region. Teenage pregnancies are caused by many things, including the teens themselves, their families, the community, and even how policies are put into place. This means that the solution can’t just be found in POPCOM, the Department of Health, or the Department of Education. Instead, there needs to be a collaboration between different agencies and sectors. (JAKA/PIA-10)