Friday, December 20, 2024

Tag: MOU

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)

DOT-10 showcases Mindanao’s 1st travel hub in Bukidnon to boost tourism, MSMEs

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY (July 15, 2024/PIA) — The Department of Tourism (DOT)-10 reported that the opening of the tourist rest area (TRA) in the scenic town of Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon marks the first TRA in Mindanao to enhance the travel experience for local and international visitors

Marie Elaine Unchuan, DOT regional director for northern Mindanao, said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas media forum on July 2 that the TRA sets a new benchmark for travelers’ comfort and convenience following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directives to enhance the country’s tourism sector by improving facilities and resources that can significantly boost the economy.

“The tourist rest area opened in August last year and promises to redefine the journey for domestic and foreign tourists. Its clean, well-ventilated restrooms and inviting seating areas create a relaxing oasis for weary travelers,” she said.

With maps, guides, and expert tips, its information center is essential for tourists exploring northern Mindanao’s attractions.

Showcasing culture and local products

Unchuan said the TRA doubles as a vibrant shop, offering a selected range of local delicacies and handcrafted souvenirs.

“Visitors can indulge in Bukidnon’s famous coffee, savor delectable pastries, or purchase unique keepsakes crafted by local artisans. It delights travelers and supports micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) along with other local businesses,” she added.

Beyond its Pasalubong center, the TRA showcases local artwork, such as paintings and intricate leaf carvings, enhancing atmospheric energy and displaying the region’s artistic talent.

Inclusive amenities for all needs

Multiculturalism and inclusivity are TRA’s design principles. It caters to diverse travelers’ needs. The lounge and charging stations provide a comfortable space for tourists to relax and recharge their devices.

The coffee shop offers a selection of beverages and snacks, perfect for a quick refreshment break.

The TRA offers family-friendly amenities such as clean restrooms with showers and a lactation room to cater to the needs of even the youngest travelers.

Strategic location for maximum convenience

Travelers exploring Bukidnon and nearby provinces will find TRA an ideal pit stop due to its strategic location at the crossroads of major travel routes. Its proximity to Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, and Lanao del Sur enhances accessibility for visitors discovering the region’s natural and cultural wonders.

Emalyn Cagolcol, a traveler from Valencia City, described the tourist rest area in Manolo Fortich as truly one of a kind.

“It was more than a mere rest stop. The facilities are not only clean and well-kept. It is also scenically situated amidst the serene landscapes of Bukidnon. It provided a much-needed break during our trip, allowing us to recharge and refresh ourselves before continuing our adventure,” she shared.

Manolo Fortich TRA is the second DOT-managed rest area in the country, following the successful model established in Medellin, Cebu.

“This TRA exemplifies DOT’s commitment to providing world-class facilities nationwide, ensuring travelers have access to modern and well-maintained facilities,” the DOT-10 regional director said. (Ruby Leonora R. Balistoy/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

3,097 Bukidnon farmers receive fuel subsidy

Posted on by cmn

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon – Some 3,097 farmers from Valencia City and the towns of San Fernando, Dangcagan, Damulog, Don Carlos and Kadingilan of Bukidnon province received fuel assistance amounting to P9.291-million from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, on May 20, 2024

The assistance, provided by the agency’s Regional Agricultural Engineering Division (RAED), aims to help farmers who are mechanizing their farm operations with various agricultural machinery in order to strengthen farmers’ resilience and reduce the impact of oil price increases on farmers’ production costs.

Furthermore, the project is in line with the DA chief’s three-year strategy to mechanize and modernize agriculture and fishery production systems in order to boost agricultural productivity, cut food costs, assure food security, and make farming and fishing a more bankable investment option.

The fuel discount cards were distributed to 1,230 farmers in Valencia City, 503 in San Fernando, 742 in Dangcagan, 110 in Damulog, 106 in Don Carlos, and 406 in Kadingilan.

Each farmer-beneficiary will receive P3K, provided they are duly enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

He/she or the Farmers’ Cooperative Association (FCA) to which he/she belongs must own operable farm machinery as listed in the Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering Management Information System (ABEMIS).

One of the Valencia City recipients, Anna S. Neri, thanked the department for making the effort to offer farmers fuel subsidies, which serve to reduce the cost of gasoline or fuel.

Furthermore, the distribution is accomplished in collaboration with Universal Storefront Services, Corp. (MPMT)

Major infra projects underway to link communities across Normin

Posted on by cmn

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)

Lalaki nahulog sa roof top sa tennis court

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Isa ka lalaki ang namatay sa gidalhan nga hospital human nahulog sa roof top sa tennis court sa isa ka tunghaan sa Valencia City, Bukidnon

Sumala sa kasayoran, ang biktima nailang si Cristian Ela, 20, residente sa Mt. Nebo, Valencia City.

Ang biktima nagtrabaho sa Mountain View College (MVC) sa Mt. Nebo.

Nadala pa siya sa Adventist Medical Center-Valencia City apan namatay pipila ka oras ang milabay.

Gikataho nga samtang nagtrabaho ang lalaki sa roof top sa tennis court sa tunghaan, na-slide ang atop nga iyang gitangtang hinungdan sa iyang pagkahulog. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

Valencia town of Bohol, Valencia City ink sisterhood, partnership pact

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (January 14, 2024) – Valencia City of the landlocked province of, Bukidnon and Valencia Town in Bohol province recently celebrated a historic moment

They formalized their sisterhood and alliance by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 12, 2024, at Uno Business Hotel.

Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas and Valencia, Bohol Mayor Neil Balite signed the MOU in the presence of other officials.

According to a press statement, the MOU aims to strengthen economic ties by encouraging higher commerce, trade, and investment, as well as boosting mutual progress in other areas of governance.

During the ceremony, Huervas and Balite gave heartfelt speeches emphasizing the two LGUs’ shared ideals and objectives, as well as their historical connections.

Valencia City was named after the town of Valencia in Bohol.

Officials and representatives from both LGUs attended the signing ceremony and are looking forward to the good impact of the sisterhood and collaboration.

They also underline the importance of teamwork in establishing opportunities for residents and exchanging best practices. (melbmadera)

Open photo

Valencia City Mayor Azucena P. Huervas and Mayor Neil Balite of Valencia, Bohol province pose with a copy of their signed sisterhood and collaboration agreement following the signing ceremony on January 12, 2024, at the Uno Hotel in Valencia City. (PR)

Agri-10, exporter ink MOU for buckwheat production demo

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – In a bid to open more science-based production technologies to augment farmers’ productivity and profitability, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Carmen Rise Exporters, Inc. (CSEI), an exporter of agricultural products to Japan, for the conduct of technology demonstrations for buckwheat (Soba) production in its research centers

Held on December 21 at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan here, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado sign the MOU with Mr. Tetsuji Yukawa, CSEI manager, witnessed by Aleli Maghirang, agriculture attaché in South Korea and Japan, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations Cora A. Dumayaca, and the DA-Special Projects Coordination and Management Assistance team headed by its chief, Angelita dela Cueva-Martir.

Said undertaking will help determine the adaptability and potential of growing buckwheat in the region by initially showcasing it through DA’s Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Barongcot, Dangcagan and at NMACLRC, both in Bukidnon province.

“With CSEI interested to invest in Soba, DA through our Research Division looks forward to establish, collect data, document and monitor the on-site trials, as we will jointly explore the said crop in the region.” Dir. Collado said.

With the techno demos eyed in the agri department’s grounds, CSEI will provide buckwheat seed or planting materials and other agricultural inputs as well as technical assistance, who will work hand-in-hand with the agri research personnel.

“The showcase will run for two [wet and dry] seasons, and in this span, we will be presenting the outputs to our stakeholders for farmers’ information and utilization, and importantly, as CSEI intends to buy the produced seeds from farmer-adopters.” the agri exec chief added.

Also in attendance are the Korean delegates, members of the DA-10 and Regional Management committees, for the simultaneous turnover of the project entitled “Establishment of Smart Greenhouse and Capacity Building in the Philippines” from the Korean government to the Philippines through DA, which is housed in the latter’s research complex here. (JLO)

SP Bukidnon declares Pura Luka Vega persona non grata

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ILIGAN CITY – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has passed a resolution declaring Amadeus Fernando Pagente, also known as Pura Luka Vega, a persona non-grata or unacceptable person in the province of Bukidnon

Authored by Vice Gov. Clive D. Quiño and co-authored by all Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, the resolution was approved in the 52nd regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last August 8 at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall, Malaybalay City.

The resolution stated that the declaration was issued because of the recent viral video of the person in question dancing to a remix of the “Ama Namin” or Lord’s Prayer while donning a Black Nazarene-inspired attire in a bar in Metro Manila.

The resolution said the video is blasphemous, offensive, and insulting to the Christian religion and that Pagente also performed some other material that was said to have mocked sacred Catholic imagery, figures, and practices.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan quoted Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which penalizes, among others, “those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographers, or any other place exhibit indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, whether live or in film, which are prescribed by virtue thereof…” which include those that “offend any race or religion.”

The provincial board also quoted Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which constitutes the offense as a cybercrime if the crime uses cyberspace as a medium and that the act was, according to the resolution, “the pinnacle of the misuse and abuse of our freedom of expression and borders on criminal activity.”

Pagente responded online to these declarations, stating, “Tell me EXACTLY what I did wrong. I’m open to dialogue, yet cities have been declaring persona non grata without even knowing me or understanding the intent of the performance. Drag is art. You judge me, yet you don’t even know me.”

Netizens are divided on whether or not Pagente’s actions were justified in the name of art or a mockery of the Catholic church.

Pagente has also been declared persona non grata in the town of Toboso in Negros Occidental, General Santos City, and the municipality of Floridablanca, Pampanga. (Manila Bulletin)

Mindanao IPs join growing PH bamboo industry

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A bamboo processing firm based in this city has partnered with the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Mindanao to help with their livelihood

During the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) on Tuesday, Russel Smith, president and chief executive officer of Rizome Bamboo, said the company has so far signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with 15 IP organizations in Mindanao since 2021.

In the MOU, IP communities are tasked with growing giant bamboo species, with Rizome as the exclusive buyer of the harvested trunks.

Smith said most of their partner IP communities are located in Bukidnon.

“We went to get a Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) with these IPs, for them to decide what kind of business they would do together with Rizome,” he said.

FPIC is a specific right granted to IPs recognized in the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which aligns with their universal right to self-determination. This was adopted in the Philippines under the Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997.

Smith said they are planning to plant an additional 1.5 million “bamboo stands” throughout Mindanao, which they will also buy back from farmers and growers to meet the production demands.

Rizome has been providing bamboo supplies to clients across the country since 2021. The bamboo trunks it gets from IP communities are processed to become construction materials as an alternative to wood by-products.

Russel said he supports the passage of House Bill 7941, which aims to promote the development of bamboo industry in the country. The bill was unanimously approved on the third and final reading in May this year.

Once signed into law, the country’s bamboo industry is positioned to become competitive in foreign markets, enabling it to become a major revenue and employment generator by strengthening the Philippine Bamboo Industry Development Council. (PNA)