Saturday, November 23, 2024

Tag: northern mindanao

Community-based tourism: Empowering communities towards sustainable tourism

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Recognizing the valuable role of community-based tourism organizations (CBTOs) in tourism development, the Department of Tourism is providing livelihood assistance to CBTOs to give them additional opportunities and be able to take part in propelling the country’s tourism industry to move forward

One of the recipients of the DOT’s livelihood assistance in Northern Mindanao is a community-based mountaineering club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Founded in 2010 and driven by a strong sense of environmental protection, the Kalasanen Mountaineering Club (KMC) brings together mountaineers, hikers, and nature explorers who share the same goal of protecting and preserving the local natural spot.

According to the DOT, KMC was chosen because of the several climbs and outreach programs it initiated to provide children living in far-flung areas with educational supplies and raise funds to support the medication of a 64-year-old resident of Manolo Fortich with Parkinson’s Syndrome Disease.

Moreover, KMC plays a vital role in protecting Mt. Palaopao and the flora, fauna, and community around it, especially now that Manolo Fortich has been declared as the Philippine Eagle Sanctuary in Northern Mindanao following the discovery of eight (8) pairs of Philippine Eagles residing in the forests of the municipality.

With 27 members, the mountaineering club received a Basic Mountaineering Course worth P300,000 from the DOT. They were also given livelihood kits as part of the training. The kits included tents, rope, a cook set, burners, butane, a mountain bag, a compass, and a sleeping bag.

The ceremonial turnover of the livelihood assistance was held during the recent visit of DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco to the said municipality to inaugurate the first Tourist Rest Area in Northern Mindanao.

First DOT-assisted CBTO in Northern Mindanao

The Kalasanen Mountaineering Club is the first CBTO in the municipality to receive such assistance from DOT, although the Manolo Fortich municipal government recognizes ten CBTOs.

“Kami napuno og pasalamat sa higayon ug pagtagad nga gihatag sa amoa sa DOT, sa pagpangulo ni Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. Ang kani nga pag-ila dakong tabang sa among panginabuhian ug pagpalambo sa among adbokasiya nga maprotektahan ang atong mountain treasures ug makatabang sa mga isig katawo natong nanginahanglan. Salamat kaayo, Secretary Frasco. Kami malipayon ug mapasalamaton sa imong regalo sa amoang grupo. Ania kami para musuporta kanimo ug sa Department of Tourism para sa kalambuan sa atong turismo dinhi sa Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, ug Pilipinas,” said KMC President Junell Wayan.

[We are filled with gratitude for the opportunity and attention given to us by the DOT, under the leadership of Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. This recognition is a great help to our livelihood and the development of our advocacy to protect our mountain treasures and help our fellow human beings in need. Thank you very much, Secretary Frasco. We are happy and grateful for your gift to our group. We are here to support you and the Department of Tourism in the development of our tourism here in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, and the Philippines.]

KMC remains steadfast in its commitment to encouraging people to support their cause and invite more tourists to explore the beauty of Manolo Fortich through tree-planting activities and friendship climbs. (APB/PIA-10)

Bukidnon links up with gov’t agencies for El Niño strategy plan

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Bukidnon provincial government is preparing for the possible effects of El Niño to prevent significant losses in the economy and agricultural lands

Personnel and officers of the local and provincial government Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices (DRRMO) on Thursday conducted a dynamic simulation exercise here to harness their specific areas of expertise on disaster management.

Grouped into clusters, participants engaged in a series of purpose-driven activities not only in preparation for El Niño but also for other effects due to weather disturbances and man-made disasters.

The activities revolved around critical aspects, such as crafting realistic disaster scenarios, defining roles and responsibilities, planning for both pre-and post-disaster phases, analyzing resource requirements, and anticipating potential gaps that might arise during an actual emergency.

Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque, in his message during the activity, said the contingency planning is timely because of the looming El Niño season that will affect the country later this year and could extend to 2024.

“But as the saying goes, ‘those that fail to plan, plan to fail.’ We are therefore here today to plan,” he said.

The planning activity drew the support of the Northern Mindanao Offices of the Civil Defense (OCD-10) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-10).

OCD-10 Director Antonio Sugarol said the agency has always reached out to DRRMOs at the local government level as part of its mandate.

“Our collective efforts and cooperation will serve as a foundation for stronger communities,” he said.

DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang said the planning comes at a time when there are “ever-increasing frequency and intensity” of natural hazards that remind the public and local governments of improving resilience and adaptability measures.

“Bukidnon is not immune to the challenges presented by hazards. Our shared responsibility is to equip ourselves with the tools and knowledge needed to confront these challenges head-on,” he said. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Agri-10 sets up Onion derby in agency’s research stations

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To encourage farmers to venture into Onion production, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10) conducts an Allium ceremonial planting in its research stations on August 2-4, 2023

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, CPA, said that this marks the first Onion derby in the region and aims to find the best onion varieties in each area, showcase technologies, and expand production areas in the region.

Spearheaded by its High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP), a total of five seed companies will be showcasing their technologies on onion production in DA-10’s research stations, namely: Research Center for Upland Development (RCUD) in Dangcagan, Bukidnon, Research Center for Hillyland Development (RCHD) in Claveria, Misamis Oriental and Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

“We support DA-10’s initiative as it is beneficial for consumers and farmers alike since onion is an essential spice that we use daily,” shared Andre Abonitalla, Kaneko Seeds Assistant Manager for Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, harvesting and Farmers’ Forum to present derby results and recognize best-performing varieties is scheduled on November 7-9, 2023, for RCUD, RCHD, and NMACLRC, respectively. (DA RFO-10)

N. Mindanao dev’t projects priority under DOST ‘iSTART’ program

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Development projects of local government units (LGUs) in Northern Mindanao are the primary targets of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Innovation, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development (iSTART) program

In a statement on August 03, DOST-Region 10 Director Romela Ratilla said iSTART seeks to synergize the government’s efforts to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.

“The iSTART program stands as a shining example of how science, technology, and innovation can transform lives and drive development,” she said.

Ratilla said the program is a DOST-led platform for strategically aligning the agency’s programs and projects with local development plans to support balanced development by accelerating regional growth through science, technology, and innovation (STI).

Among its specific objectives is to assist LGUs in developing a technology-based development plan for agriculture-based, manufacturing, and service sectors by engaging researchers, scientists, and engineers in the planning process.

The program also seeks to attract new technology-based investments per the validated plans in collaboration with the LGUs.

Ratilla said the DOST-10 trained local planning officers in the five provinces and four cities of the region are regularly apprised of the tools and processes for mainstreaming science, technology, and innovation in local development.

The Bukidnon Provincial Planning and Development Office’s representative, Norberto Baltazar said iSTART will provide insight into how the program can bring more value to LGUs.

“Together with DOST, we must pitch this to our local chief executives,” he said. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

NEDA secures P12.7-B development plan for NorMin airports

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Economic and Development Authority in Northern Mindanao (NEDA-10) will have a PHP12.7-billion budget for improving its airports, an official said last July 27

In a statement, NEDA-10 director Myla Faye Aurora Cariño said the approval of the amount would spur economic growth in the region, particularly in Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

Currently, the region has three functioning airports, with one still under construction in Don Carlos town, Bukidnon province.

She said the expansion intends to handle a greater volume of domestic and international flights in the region for its transformation into a prominent e-commerce hub in Mindanao.

The budget for airport improvement forms part of the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023–2028.

The RDP was presented at the Trade Facilitation Cluster of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area held in this city from July 25-26.

Local planners were also called upon to generate support for the RDP 2023–2028 Provincial and Highly Urbanized City Roadshows, which aims to promote the region’s comprehensive development agenda and engage stakeholders in the collaborative pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth.

Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano (2nd District) already proposed a bill seeking to transform Laguindingan Airport into an international airport facility. (PNA)

Cadaver of slain top NPA leader in Northern Mindanao now with family

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Military and police officials handed over the remains of the slain top communist rebel leader, Dionisio Micabalo, to his family last July 29, 2023, in a small courtyard outside a funeral parlor in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental

Brigadier General Adonis Ariel Orio, commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade, said the cadaver of Micabalo, alias “Muling,” was turned over to his siblings, Ronelo and Fely, who came to Gingoog City, along with officials from Dangcagan municipality in Bukidnon, to fetch his corpse.

Orio said the 61-year-old New People’s Army (NPA) leader hailed from Dangcagan town, and his family wanted him to be buried there.

“There was no hassle. As soon as the PNP (Philippine National Police) and my soldiers ascertained their identities, his remains were turned over to the family,” Orio said.

Micabalo, who was secretary general of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, was killed during a brief firefight with soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 58th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Libertad, Gingoog City, last July 27.

Colonel Christian Uy, 58th Infantry Battalion commander, said they have been tracking the movements of Micabalo after he transferred to Gingoog City from Mt. Pantaron range in Bukidnon, where the latter was previously based.

Orio said that with Micabalo gone, a young rebel leader named “Kumander Rida,” a former student from Cagayan de Oro City is expected to become the next secretary general of the NPA North Central Mindanao Regional Committee.

During his second State of the Nation Address on July 24, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he will issue a proclamation granting amnesty to rebel returnees. He asked Congress for support on this matter.

But Marco Valbuena, Communist Party of the Philippines information officer, rejected the offer of Marcos, calling it “a treacherous offer of amnesty and surrender.” (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

PH’s 11th ‘Rescue MARCH’ challenge held in Malaybalay

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MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Marking the 11th Rescue MARCH in the country, 56 rescue teams from all over northern Mindanao converged here on July 31 to cap the National Disaster Resilience Month observance

Rescue MARCH, which stands for Mass Assembly for Rescue and Care for Humanity, is a simulation exercise designed to train the responders to a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that would render access to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, including communications, impossible.

Over 600 participants marched almost seven kilometers from Mt. Moriah Camp, the staging area, to the Capitol Grounds, the “ground zero” simulation area where their teams did rescue operations. These teams were assessed on their capabilities in responding to specific scenarios, testing their endurance and camaraderie at ground zero.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-10 Assistant Regional Director Gilbert Conde reminded the participants that there are no perfect responses to emergencies or disasters, but he hoped such exercises would continue.

“Nakita namo nga naay need nga training nga pagabuhaton. Ang kulang nato is ang venue nga ing-ani nga mag-practice. We will continue training ourselves and our LGUs for us to attain a resilient northern Mindanao [We saw the need to conduct training like this. What we need is a venue like this to practice. We will continue training ourselves and our LGUs for us to attain a resilient Northern Mindanao],” Conde said.

For his part, Martin T. Aguda Jr. of the National Organizing Committee for Rescue MARCH said the Northern Mindanao responders are almost there in terms of being resilient, as he observed that even at the staging area.

“Despite the limited resources, everything was utilized and brought to the simulation area as if they were in a real situation, responding to ground zero,” Aguda said.

On the other hand, Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque explained that natural disasters are certain to happen since nobody can control nature. He, however, emphasized that all must prepare for how to act when natural disasters come.

The Rescue MARCH Northern Mindanao Challenge 2023 was the 11th held in the country. (DCC/PIA-10)

Damulog farmers to benefit corn seeds, fertilizers from Agri-10

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Targeted to ease farmers’ brunt on the increasing costs of farm inputs, the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10), headed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, turned over seeds and fertilizers to 16 farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs), at the Municipal Gymnasium, Poblacion, Damulog, Bukidnon

Funded by the Corn program, the roster of interventions conferred by the agri department is composed of 625 bags of hybrid corn seed (9 kilograms per bag) complemented with 625 bags of complete fertilizer (50 kgs/bag), which are targeted for distribution to select FCA members who are enrolled in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

Facilitated by the agri office of said municipality, the turnover was graced by DA-10 Provincial Operations Center chief of Bukidnon, Janet D. Lopez, DVM, Mayor Melino L. Burro, Councilor Ronald Virtudazo, committee on agriculture, and Herberto L. Tan, MAO officer-in-charge. (DA RFO-10)

RDRRMC-10 holds DRRM workshop for media, bloggers

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Highlighting the significance of the media in calamity reporting, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Council (RDRRMC)-10, spearheaded by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), held its one-day training on Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation (DRRM) reporting for media and bloggers at the De Luxe Hotel, July 21

Attended by various media outlets in print, radio, and online, the workshop tackled topics in Weather reporting, the basics of Earthquakes and Landslides, and Health protocols discussed by representatives of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services Agency, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-10, and the Department of Health (DOH)-10, respectively.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-10 Regional Director Antonio B. Sugarol rallied the media to work together to bring disaster resilience to the general public as part of efforts to bridge the gap among stakeholders towards disaster mitigation and response.

“We have this type of activity to maximize our friends in the broadcast and print media as the mouthpiece in bringing to the masses what we are doing regarding DRRM; it requires the participation of our communities in the whole of nation approach towards disaster resilience,” he said.

One of the participants, CDO Dev Blogger Tom Udasco, thanked the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-10 for providing an opportunity for capacitating the media in DRRM knowledge towards a secure and resilient Northern Mindanao. (VPSB/PIA-10)

Solon distributes P1-B agri projects in N. Mindanao

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Senator Imee Marcos led on July 20, 2023, the distribution and launch of Php1 billion worth of agriculture projects for farmers in the Northern Mindanao Region

During her visit, Marcos said Misamis Oriental will receive PHP522.8 million worth of projects, and an initial PHP82.7 million for the local government here, as part of the “OneDA” program under the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“I am hopeful that these different projects involve the interventions of additional planting materials, semen straws, and chicken multiplier farms,” she said.

Marcos said the funding could be used in swine clustering, forage seeds, rabbits, provision of chicken supplies, and the putting up small village-type feed mills.

The National Irrigation Authority in Northern Mindanao (NIA-10) will get PHP478 million, of which PHP133 million will go to irrigation development projects.

The funding will also be an allotment for repairing and restoring communal and national irrigation systems and service roads toward national irrigation systems.

DA-10 Executive Director Carlene Collado said the city would have as much as PHP118.3 million on top of what Marcos had earlier committed.

“We will be handling the certificate of turnovers for our current budget for this year,” he said, adding the projects will be given to the different farmer cooperatives and associations.

Lilian Antigua, a OneDA beneficiary, said the programs improve their living conditions and the distribution of their produce to a broader market.

“We can now have a place to place our produce and sell them through ‘Kadiwa’ (program), and through that, we were able to sell it in many places,” she said in the vernacular.

Marcos also attended several turnover projects and a graduation ceremony for senior high school graduates of the Asian Business Cabletow Cooperative Academy. (PNA)