Saturday, March 29, 2025

SP Bukidnon declares Pura Luka Vega persona non grata

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

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)

NorMin gov’t agencies, LGUs link up vs. hunger, poverty

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Twenty-six regional government agencies and two provincial government units in Northern Mindanao signed on June 23, 2023, an enhanced partnership against hunger and poverty

Leading the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10).
The renewal of commitment and obligation among national government agencies and local government units aims to increase farm productivity and income, ensure food and nutrition security, and mitigate hunger and nutrition, according to DSWD-10 Director Ramel Jamen.
“The power of teamwork and appreciation of the active support of our partners who are willing to go beyond the mandate for the delivery of immediate services to our clientele,” Jamen said.
Jamen said he hopes the MOU signing will begin the active participation of more community-based organizations.
Under the MOU, the government agencies will introduce programs and projects to reduce poverty and hunger. This includes monitoring and evaluation of the activities to ensure their sustainability.
Camiguin and Misamis Oriental provinces will serve as pilot areas of the projects and programs. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Supplementary feeding program sa kabataan edad 2 ngadto 5 anyos nga anaa sa child development centers, mapatuman na

Giaprubahan na sa Sangguniang Panlungsod ang SP Resolution No. 2023-0268 mao ang Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) tali sa City Government of Malaybalay ug sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) mahitungod sa supplementary feeding program alang sa mga bata nga anaa sa child development centers.

Base sa pahibalo sa lokal nga panggamhanan, sulod sa maong tahas, pagatutukan ug hatagan og masustansyang pagkaon ang mga bata nga undernourished sa dili moubos sa 120 ka adlaw.

Nauyunan usab ang uban pang mga termino ug kundisyon nga natala sa nasangpit nga MOU. Tungod niini, mas mahatagan ug pagtagad ang mga bata nga anaa sa Child Development Center labi na kadtong mga bata nga kulang sa sustansiya. (Diego M. Hidalgo)