Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Tag: NorMin

Kabatan-onan gihagit nga mokat-on sa kulturanhong sistema

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Gi-awhag ang mga kabatan-onan sa tribung Matigsalug nga ibalik ang hilig sa pagkat-on sa kulturanhong sistema Napaabot ang hagit ni Datu Alukuy Brigido D. Lacaran, Matigsalug Cultural Master atol sa ika-49 nga Aldew te Matigsalug kaniadtong Hulyo 14-16, 2024 sa Barangay Sinuda, Kitaotao, Bukidnon

Sumala ni Datu Lacaran, ginahagit nila ang kabatan-onan nga motuon sa kinaraang kinabuhi, pinaagi sa gi-organize nga kalihukan sa maong kasaulogan aron mapukaw ang ilang hilig sa kulturanhong aktibidad.

Sa maong kasaulogan sa Aldew te Matigsalug, gipahigayon ang pinaka-unang street dancing and ground presentation.

Natigayon sab ang tribal games, cultural dance presentations, mini-tribal concert, Laha te Matigsalug, Matigsalug tribe parade, panubad, ug program proper sa kasaulogan. (PR)

 

800 NorMin families to get food credits under ‘Walang Gutom’

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (July 16, 2024/PNA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Northern Mindanao (DSWD-10) on Tuesday started the implementation of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP), which will initially benefit 800 families

During the launch, DSWD-10 Director Ramel Jamen said the initial beneficiaries were identified as those from Talakag, Bukidnon, and Iligan City.

Each family will receive PHP3,000 worth of food credits monthly through the electronic benefit transfer card that DSWD-10 will issue.

Suppliers who are also beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program will accept the food credits.

“We would need constant communication for this program to prosper. If we have a problem in our supply distribution, we can look for alternatives,” Jamen said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 1.4 million Filipino families are categorized as food-poor In Northern Mindanao.

The WGP targets to serve over 9,000 beneficiaries in Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte, including Iligan City.

The program aims to reduce involuntary hunger and malnutrition in low-income households and empower them to become productive citizens. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Major infra projects underway to link communities across Normin

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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)

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

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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)

Gov’t ramps up key infra projects in northern Mindanao

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (May 17, 2024/PIA) – The government is doubling down on infrastructure development in northern Mindanao to drive progress across the entire region

During his speech at the distribution of financial aid for farmers and fisherfolk affected by El Niño in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized key infrastructure projects poised to elevate the region into a global gateway, a leading agricultural center, and a key industrial, tourism, and trade hub in the country.

Among these projects is the P8-billion Panguil Bay Bridge project, linking Tangub City in Misamis Occidental and Tubod in Lanao del Norte. The government has also allocated nearly P2 billion for the implementation of the Iligan City Coastal Bypass Road. These projects are expected to stimulate economic activity and enhance regional accessibility.

“Nariyan din ang patuloy na paggawa ng pagsasaayos ng mga daan, kabilang na ang CDO Coastal Road at CDO Diversion Road upang makatulong sa pagpabilis ng biyahe ng ating mga kababayan, gayon din ang mga pangunahing produkto na sa ating mga merkado,” the President said.

(There are also ongoing road improvements, including the CDO Coastal Road and CDO Diversion Road, which aim to expedite travel for our citizens and transport essential products to our markets.)

Marcos also highlighted plans for expanding, rehabilitating, and developing airports across Northern Mindanao, particularly those in Lumbia, Laguindingan, Ozamiz City, Camiguin, and Bukidnon. The projections indicate that these initiatives will stimulate economic growth and create fresh prospects for the local population.

“Upang mapabuti ang lagay ng transportasyon sa Cagayan de Oro at sa Northern Mindanao, isinasagawa na po natin ang ilang improvement at saka development project. Isa na rito ang pagpapalawig ng Laguindingan Airport na may halagang halos labing tatlong bilyong piso,” he said.

(To enhance transportation in Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao, we are implementing various improvement and development projects. One of these is the expansion of Laguindingan Airport, with a cost of nearly P13 billion.)

The President further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fast-track the completion of the P700-million Cagayan de Oro Port Expansion Project, aimed at optimizing port operations and facilitating efficient transport of goods and passengers.

Acknowledging the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, Marcos stressed the significance of investing in healthcare infrastructure. He said plans are underway to establish trauma and multi-specialty Centers at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, ensuring continued access to quality healthcare for all residents.

He also expressed support for irrigation and flood control projects aimed at addressing water scarcity and flood issues. “Masaya akong ipaalam na ang Flood Risk Improvement and Management Project para sa Cagayan de Oro River ay atin pasisinayaan. Katuwang ang iba pang irrigation at water project, inaasahang magiging malaki ang ginhawang dala nito sa CDO,” he announced.

(I am pleased to announce the inauguration of the Flood Risk Improvement and Management Project for the Cagayan de Oro River. Alongside other irrigation and water projects, it is expected to greatly alleviate concerns in CDO.)

The president stated that the completion of two solar pump irrigation projects in the municipalities of Salvador and Sapad, which cost nearly P30 million, is the top priority in Lanao del Norte.

As northern Mindanao embarks on the journey of infrastructure development, Marcos reiterates his confidence in the region’s ability to overcome challenges and progress with unity and concerted efforts between the government and its people.

He emphasized that with the collective support, assistance, and unity of the people, coupled with the government’s swift responses to citizens’ needs, their endeavors will succeed in addressing not only drought and water issues but also contributing to the nation’s advancement. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran /PIA-10).

Government offices vulnerable to cyberattacks – NorMin cyber cop chief

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (29 January 2024) – The chief of the Northern Mindanao Police Regional Anti-Cybersecurity Unit (RACU-10) warned on Monday that even personnel and government offices are vulnerable to cyberattacks

RACU-10 chief Col. Lemuel Gonda said the caution “think before you click” must be remembered when using gadgets or devices that are connected to the internet.

“We have victims of (online) financial fraud who are members of the banking (and) financial institutions. They are frequently reminded about cybersecurity, how much more ordinary people and those in government offices?” he said in a statement.

Gonda warned that “black hat” hackers, who use ransomware and malware to penetrate a system, can obtain sensitive information of online users, including banking and financial transactions.

One of the common methods used by hackers is “social engineering,” which involves tricking unsuspecting victims into providing sensitive information.

Other than dubious internet links, Gonda warns of free Wi-Fi and charging stations in the public, as these are also vulnerable to cyberattacks.

“The hackers will not stop. Even all your details, name, address, friends, how you call them, they will imitate that,” he said. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

DSWD-10 organizes community volunteers congress in Normin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently held a Regional Community Volunteers’ Congress and Bayani Ka! Awards to gather Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) stakeholders and recognize exemplary volunteers, groups, and partners

The Volunteers’ Congress is the biggest gathering of KALAHI-CIDSS stakeholders in the implementation of Community-Driven Development (CDD) in Region 10.

Mary Nathalie D. Soldevilla, Social Marketing Officer III, KALAHI-CIDSS, shared that the program has utilized community-driven development, where the main actors of development are the community volunteers in the localities.

“Very important ang Community-Driven Development sa DSWD, kay giila nato nga atong mga katawhan adunay gahum sa kalambuan, naa sila’y tingog, ang ilang tahas sa kalambuan dako kaayo gyud. At the same time, partnerships sa atong local government units [The Community Driven Development of DSWD is very important because we acknowledge that the people to have the power to contribute to development, they have a voice, and their task for development is huge. At the same time, partnerships with local government units],” she said.

The Bayani Ka! Awards, the highest honor the program bestows on CDD champions, are a component of the activity that includes recognizing exceptional volunteers, groups, and partners.

Aljie M. Mercader, Kadingilan, Bukidnon, Outstanding Volunteer, shared she did not expect to receive such an award.

“Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa KALAHI-CIDSS, nga tungod sa KALAHI-CIDSS na-educate ko, na-nurture akong knowledge. Na haw-as mi sa kalisod. Dili lang ako kun dili among komunidad [I am super grateful to KALAHI-CIDSS, that because of KALAHI-CIDSS I am educated and my knowledge is nurtured. We were lifted from poverty. Not only me but our community],” she said.

Meanwhile, the Bayani Ka! Awards also recognized Butadon Solar Dryer with Warehouse and Ricemill Association (BUSODWARA) in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte, as Outstanding Community Organization and Community Services.

The group said that they started with nothing, and in fact, they loaned their capital for operations. It was only after three years that they gained higher income.

“Ang amo lang gibuhat is to serve the community [What we did is to serve the community],” he said. (JMOR/PIA-10)

NorMin inflation eases to 6.4% in April

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The inflation in Northern Mindanao eased for three consecutive months due to slower increases in prices of food, transport, and utilities

In a press conference, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)-10 reported that the region’s inflation slowed down to 6.4 percent (%) in April from 7.4% in March, this year.

PSA-10 attributed the slowdown to the deceleration of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages from 10.9% in March to 9.6% in April, sharing 54% of the downtrend.

PSA-X Chief Statistical Specialist Sarah Balagbis said the second driver to the deceleration of the overall inflation was Transport, from 3.5% to 0.6%.

Other contributor was Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels which slowdown from 5.0% to 4.0%.

Transport shared 24.2% of the deceleration while Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels shared 19.4%.

Balagbis said the top contributor to the deceleration of inflation in Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages were fish and other seafood which decelerated to 10.2% from 14.2% in March; vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses, from 22.6% to 17.5%; and meat and other parts of slaughtered land animals from 13.3% to 11.3%.

Rice inflation also decreased from 3.7% to 3.6% while corn inflation slowed down to 9.3%.

Contributing to the deceleration in transport were gasoline with -11.7% from -6.2% inflation in March, as well as, diesel with -17.0% from -5.7% inflation.

On the other hand, the decrease in the inflation of housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels was attributed to electricity with -2.6% inflation from -1.3% in March, and LPG with -3.5% from 3.1%.

Inflation rates in all provinces and highly urbanized cities posted also eased. The city of Iligan posted the lowest rate at 4.9% while Camiguin registered the highest at 8.2%. Inflation rates in other areas were Bukidnon at 7.3%, Lanao del Norte at 5.4%, Misamis Occidental at 5.5%, Misamis Oriental at 7.5%, and Cagayan de Oro City at 5.8%.

Balagbis further shared that the purchasing power of the peso in April remains at 0.82 which means that the P100 in 2018 is just worth P82 of goods and services in April 2023.

“Since January this year up to April, nagkahinay ang pagsaka sa prices (the increase in prices is slowing down) and we are hoping that it would continue,” she said.

The chief statistical specialist, meanwhile, called on agencies to work hand-in-hand to reduce the risk and cushion the negative impacts of El Niño on commodity prices. (APB/PIA-10)

DA-10 distributes P4.8M in cash aid to Bukidnon farmers

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MALAYBALAY CITY – Each of the 965 rice farmers in Maramag, Bukidnon, received P5,000 in cash aid from the Department of Agriculture (DA)-10

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene Collado said that the Department of Agriculture granted P4.825 million in cash aid to eligible rice farmers in Bukidnon through the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) program.

“The Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) is a registry of farmers, fisherfolk, and farm laborers that serves as a targeting mechanism for the identification of beneficiaries for different agriculture-related programs and services of the government,” he said.

Collado explained that only those RSBSA-registered rice farmers who till no more than 2 hectares of rice fields are qualified to receive the assistance.

He also emphasized that the RFFA is part of the DA’s continuing effort and strategy to increase rice production volume in the country amid the observed increase in prices of farm inputs and challenging weather conditions. It is being funded through the Rice Tariffication Law.

Under said legislation, excess tariffs collected on imported rice will be appropriated as cash subsidies to rice farmers for a span of six years, from 2019 until 2024.

According to Luis Estenzo, a 74-year-old rice farmer, the RFFA payout is timely for the wet cropping season.

“Ako ni ipalit og abono ang akong nadawat nga hinabang kay padulong na ko magsabwag. Nagpasalamat ko sa DA kay dako kaayo ni nga tabang sa mga mag-uuma sama nako,” Estenzo said.

(I will use this to buy fertilizer because I will start planting soon. I thanked the DA for giving this cash aid to a farmer like me)

To date, DA-10 has released a total of P164.795 million in cash aid to 32,959 rice farmers across northern Mindanao. (DA-10/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

Lumad volunteer teacher receives human rights award in Dublin

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MALAYBALAY CITY – A Lumad volunteer teacher received on May 26 the 2023 Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk in Dublin, Ireland, the Save Our Schools Network, an NGO based in Mindanao, said in a statement on May 27, 2023

The Award was conferred on Jeany “Rose” Hayahay by Front Line Defenders for her advocacy of children’s and indigenous people’s rights.

“Hayahay’s work has made her a target of harassment and threats from the military. She has been red-tagged, had her home raided, and been subjected to online harassment. Despite the risks, Hayahay continues to speak out for the rights of children in Mindanao,” SOS Network said.

Aside from Hayahay, who was chosen as the awardee for the Asia-Pacific, the Award was also given to Olivier Bahemuke Ndoole of the Democratic Republic of Congo for Africa, Segundo Ordoñez of Ecuador for the Americas, Digital Security Lab Ukraine (DSLU) for Europe and Central Asia, and Hala Ahed of Jordan for the Middle East and North Africa.

DSLU was represented by its Executive Director, Vita Volodovska.

“This award is dedicated to all the victims of human rights abuses, including my co-Lumad Volunteer Teachers Chad Booc and Jurain Ngujo, who were both massacred along with three others by the Philippines Military, for my co-teachers and students facing trumped-up charges, my fellow activists and indigenous children who lost their lives in defending their ancestral land, and to the people we served,” Hayahay said in her speech during the awarding ceremony in Dublin.

“The human rights situation in the Philippines is dire. Killings, enforced disappearance, and trumped-up charges along with ‘red tagging’ are rampant. The Lumads have been displaced from their ancestral lands, denied access to education and healthcare, and subjected to violence and intimidation. The Philippine Government has destroyed and forcibly shut down 216 indigenous community schools and disenfranchised 10,000 indigenous learners.

“I used to teach them in their communities, but we were forced to mount an evacuation school in the country’s capital to bring into light thousands of human rights violations and encourage people to rally with us in defending indigenous children’s right to education,” she said.

She added that she has been subjected to threats, called a terrorist, her home was raided, and her mother was abducted.

“But I will not be silenced. I will continue to stand and defend human rights along with other human rights defenders, even if this means living under the threat of life, self-doubt, uncertain, unease and sacrifices,” she said.

“This year’s laureates are a courageous and inspiring group of people who reflect the determination, dynamism and diversity of human rights defenders who are on the front lines of fighting for a more just world,” Olive Moore, Interim Director of Front Line Defenders, said in a statement posted on the group’s website on May 26.

“Their vital work in defense of human rights in DRC, Ecuador, Jordan, Philippines and Ukraine impacts countless people in their communities and beyond. By shining an international spotlight on their struggles and empowering them to continue their work, we at Front Line Defenders hope this Award will touch the lives of many more people on whose behalf they act,” he said.

The laureates received the Award at a ceremony in the Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, which was attended by foreign diplomats and representatives of the Irish government, civil society and media organizations. Irish parliamentary patrons for the Award included Senator Róisín Garvey, Charlie Flanagan TD, Cormac Devlin TD, Ivana Bacik TD, and Sean Crowe TD. (MindaNews)