Sunday, November 24, 2024

Tag: northern mindanao

Northern Mindanao crafts six-year plan to reduce high poverty incidence

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CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines — The gross regional domestic product of Northern Mindanao grew by 7.2% in 2022, indicating recovery from the economic slump caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, residents of the region have yet to feel this improvement, according to an official from the state’s planning agency

“Poverty remains the biggest challenge,” said Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Northern Mindanao during the June 21 launch of the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan (NMRDP) for 2023-2028.
Cariño said Northern Mindanao had previously reduced poverty levels by 15 percentage points, and the six-year NMRDP aims to further reduce the poverty incidence among the population from 26.2% in 2021 to 15% by the end of 2028 and among families by 10%.
The 21-chapter NMRDP, developed through a series of consultations and focused group discussions among various stakeholders in the region, includes a list of 2,045 identified projects starting this year until 2028.
The objective is to increase Northern Mindanao’s ratio of hospital bed capacity to one bed per 1,000 patients by 2028 from the current one per 2,328
New ASF outbreak in Lanao del Norte threatens Northern Mindanao again
Agriculture officials say biosecurity measures have been set up around the green zone and adjoining barangays to monitor the spread of the virus
Death toll in Army, NPA clashes in Caraga, Northern Mindanao climbs to 7
The military says many of those killed in the separate encounters were women
She said these projects aim to stimulate economic activities, create jobs, and provide sources of livelihood, requiring over P3 trillion in public and private investments during the six years.
“The 2022 data is still incomplete until now; hence we used the 2021 figures,” said Cariño, who also serves as the vice-chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Northern Mindanao.
Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo, the chairperson of the RDC, said the completion of the Panguil Bay Bridge project, connecting her province to Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, would facilitate the transport of goods, delivery of basic services, and movement of people.
Dimaporo said the development of Cagayan de Oro into a metropolis within the planning period would accelerate the region’s goal of becoming an international gateway in Mindanao by 2040.
The planned Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro aims to expand the region’s urban center to include 14 localities from the city’s nearby provinces.
The RDC-X aims to transform Northern Mindanao’s five provinces and nine cities into a “leading agricultural hub and major industrial, tourism, and trade center.”
NEDA Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos described the NMRDP as “meticulously crafted” and “aligned seamlessly” with the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028.
“This plan signifies not an end but rather the dawn of a crucial phase,” he told development council members.
He said strategies must be translated into tangible actions and continually evaluated while also addressing challenges such as inflationary pressures, climate change, and the spread of animal diseases. The region, he noted, has already become a major producer of livestock and poultry products.
Abad Santos acknowledged the region’s recovery from negative economic growth during the pandemic, placing it just behind the National Capital Region and the Cordillera Autonomous Region.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed that the region’s economy expanded by 7.2% last year, surpassing the 6.3% growth in 2021 and the 5.6% before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. This growth translated to an increase of P62.49 billion in the region’s gross domestic product.
The PSA-10 said a family of five requires an average of P11,920 per month to fulfill their basic food and non-food necessities in 2021, which corresponds to the poverty threshold in Northern Mindanao.
According to the report, the poverty incidence in the region was 26.2%, affecting approximately 1.72 million individuals that year.
During the first semester of 2021, Lanao del Norte showed the highest poverty incidence at 39.1%, affecting approximately 62,900 families. In contrast, Cagayan de Oro had the lowest poverty incidence of 11.6%, affecting around 22,600 families.
Although Bukidnon’s poverty incidence stood at 36.9%, it recorded the largest number of poor population and low-income families in the region. The province had 115,000 families or 605,500 individuals living in poverty, showed the PSA-X report. (Uriel Quilinquing/Rappler)

7 NPA rebels neutralized in Caraga, Northern Mindanao

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BUTUAN CITY — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday, June 25, reported significant gains against communist rebels in the Caraga and Northern Mindanao regions

Major Francisco P. Garello Jr., chief of the Public Affairs Office (PAO) of the Army 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, said that seven New People’s Army rebels were neutralized and several war materials, including 20 high-powered weapons, were captured in the hinterland areas of Butuan City, Claveria, Misamis Oriental; and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17.
Garello said these are a “testament to the AFP’s continuous efforts to finish the dwindling Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) in the military and police joint operational area to attain just and lasting peace in Northeastern and Northern Mindanao regions.”
He revealed that the alleged secretary of the Guerrilla Front-30 (GF-30) of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) surrendered to the Army 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) in Barangay Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur on Thursday, June 22.
“All field units under the operational and administrative control (Opcon) of the 4th ID in Northeastern (Caraga) and Northern Mindanao regions are in focus military operations (FMO) in their respective areas of responsibilities (AOR) while they are also ready to accept and welcome communist insurgents who wanted to go back to the folds of the law and avail the government’s peace and development program,” Garello said.
He added that 4th ID chief Major Gen. Jose Maria Cuerpo II commended field units for the continuous gains in their AORs against the already dwindling communist terrorist group.
Meanwhile, the PRO-13 reported that “Kumander Jhon-Jhon,” vice commanding officer, and wife, “Ka Fiona,” a medical and supply officer of the NPA, voluntarily surrendered to the 1st Surigao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company in Barangay Poblacion, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, recently.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo G. Labra II said the couple belonged to the Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Platoon 16C2, Guerilla Front Committee 16, Sub-Regional Committee Northland, of the CPP-NPA Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).
They turned over a 60mm mortar and a caliber .38 revolver with bullets.
“The uncertainty of their future in the terrorist movement and the desire to give their families a peaceful life gave them the courage to abandon the CTG,” Labra said. “Several former rebels who surrendered to the government are now living peacefully.” (Mike Crismundo/Manila Bulletin)

ARTA Normin field office to aid in streamlining, digitalizing gov’t services

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — To have a streamlined and digitalized Philippine bureaucracy for more effective and efficient service delivery, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) opened a new Regional Field Office (RFO) in northern Mindanao June 22, here

“Our regional field office here in Northern Mindanao will be the voice of ARTA in this area of Mindanao, and we are committed to implementing all the major programs in the battle against red tape and corruption in the process,” ARTA Secretary Ernesto V. Perez said.
He added that such an office is essential since policies and processes at both the national and local levels must be aligned. Doing so will enable the government to deliver the services the people expect.
Initially, Perez said ARTA was able to reduce the number of permits required from 13 to just about 6, the documentary requirements from 76 to just about 16, and the processing time from 285 days to just about 30 days.
“With this reduction, we have seen an increase in the issuance of permits. If you are able to replicate this experience, then our dream of having a much-improved economy that will provide business and employment opportunities can be realized nationwide,” he added.
Highlighting compliance with such, Perez recognized the City Government of Cagayan de Oro as the 9th local government unit that received the certificate of commendation for having been able to set up and operationalize an electronic business one-stop-shop (eBOSS).
He added that such a feat and compliance with Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business, are essential to attracting foreign and local businessmen and investors. “We will be able to expand business opportunities that will provide livelihood, employment, and income for our people,” Perez said.
Highly supporting the goals of ARTA, Misamis Oriental Gov. Peter Unabia said, “Ang Anti-Red Tape Act before, talagang kailangan ito, kailangang-kailangan ng gobyerno ng mga tao na kailangang maattend kaagad-agad, so we should have the compassion [to serve].”
(Even before, the Anti-Red Tape Act was really needed. The government really needs people who can immediately attend to the needs of their clients; thus, we should have the compassion to serve)
For her part, Civil Service Commission Regional Director Noemi Rabe-Torres said that as a partner agency of ARTA in all service delivery, programs, and initiatives, CSC will help the latter in capacitating government agencies in crafting the citizen’s charter.
“The concrete support that we can give is that for the Civil Service Commission, we already have a unit, the ARTA unit, to hear and decide cases on complaints against red tape, and graft and corruption,” she added.
Other local government units, regional line agencies, local government units, and the private sector, through the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., also express their support for ARTA by signing the pledge of commitment.
The Northern Mindanao Regional Field Office is the eighth RFO of ARTA in the country. (RTP/PIA-10)

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

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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)

Northern Mindanao building more hospitals

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities in Northern Mindanao are building more hospitals to address the shortage of beds and staff in case there is a new emergency in the future

Mylah Faye Cariño, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), said the 600-bed St. Francis Doctors’ Hospital and Medical Center has already been constructed along Masterson Avenue. At the same time, the city government of Cagayan de Oro has also finished the construction of a hospital in Barangay Lumbia.
In nearby Gingoog City, trader Arsenio Sebastian said the Polytechnic business group had started constructing a 100-bed capacity hospital that would complement a kidney center being planned by the local government.
Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo said they have already converted a COVID-19 testing center in the capital municipality of Tubod into a facility for infectious diseases.
NEDA 10 and the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Council (RDC) presented these developments during the launching of the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 on June 21.
The plan is to build up the ratio of hospital bed capacity to one per 1,000 patients by 2028. At present, the bed-to-patient ratio in Region 10 is 1: 2,328.
Region 10 is comprised of nine cities—Cagayan de Oro, El Salvador, Gingoog, Iligan, Malaybalay, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Tangub and Valencia—and five provinces, namely, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.
“Many of these hospitals are presently funded by private business, but the government would be investing more,” Cariño said.
Ralph Paguio, vice president of Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company and business sector representative to RDC 10, said the government should not be caught unprepared again where hospitals were teeming with record numbers of COVID-19 patients.
“A friend of mine who was infected with COVID-19 died inside his car unattended because the hospital was already full,” Paguio recalled.
He said the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Region 10’s main facility for COVID-19, overflowed with patients as smaller hospitals from the other cities and provinces sent more of their cases.
Cagayan de Oro, during the peak of the pandemic on July 7, 2022, had a cumulative 25,945 cases and 941 deaths since March 2020. (Froilan Gallardo/ MindaNews)

DOST, MSU-IIT innovation help Bukidnon IPs get clean water

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A joint project between the Department of Science and Technology in Northern Mindanao (DOST-10) and Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute has helped an indigenous community in Talakag, Bukidnon, have access to potable water

In a statement on June 22, 2023, the DOST-10 and the MSU-IIT’s Ceramic Training Center said it had provided 140 ceramic water filters to the Higaonon community in Barangay San Rafael.
Barangay chairperson Puyat Sagayan said that before the project, their community had to boil the water for it to become potable.
The area suffered diarrhea cases in 2019 and 2020, he added.
“I hope more will still be given so that everyone in the households will have one,” he said.
The DOST-10 microbiological analysis found coliform in the water source in Barangay San Rafael, and residents had to travel 2 kilometers to collect water from a spring, posing challenges to its potability due to source and handling.
Municipal administrator Alberto Bigcas said the project has helped address the drinking water problem in the Indigenous people’s community and the area’s state of health as a whole.
The ceramic water filters are part of the DOST-10 “Project Wahig: Water and Hygiene Improvement in Geographically Isolated Areas,” in which Talakag is the second recipient of the agency’s ceramic water filter technology under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology Program.
NorMin women winners
Meanwhile, the DOST-10 announced that five women entrepreneurs will be given PHP50,000 seed grant each after their success in a regional pitch competition for micro, small and medium enterprises.
The winners were identified as Nenita M. Tan of Best Friend Goodies, Nadine Angelica Gadia-Casiño of Alima Mother Support Center, and Melody G. Paurillo of Kahero Apps Inc, all entrepreneurs based in this city.
Winners from Bukidnon province are Anna Paula S. Chiong of Mama Nene’s Homemade Delights from Malaybalay City and Irene Mae L. Sinhayan of ISY Handicrafts from Talakag.
DOST-10 Director Romela Ratilla said pitches made by women entrepreneurs have the spirit of collaboration, compassion and innovation.
The pitching competition forms part of DOST-10’s “Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) Initiative.”
Ratilla said the regional winners will compete against qualifiers from other regions for the National Innovation Challenge for a chance to win a grant of up to PHP2 million. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Missing Police found at Maradugao River

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A policeman who was reported missing last week was found dead in the Maradugao River in Wao, Lanao del Sur, last June 26, 2023

Authorities identified the policeman as Patrolman Jeffrey Dabuco, 31, resident of Purok 4, West Poblacion, Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
Pat. Dabuco was assigned to the 2nd Platoon of the 1004th Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Northern Mindanao (RMFB-10) at Maradugao Base, Sitio Ticub, Pamotolon, Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
On the report of the Bukidnon Police Provincial Office, the victim was reported missing by his brother Jerry Dabuco last June 24, 2023, at 1:30 a.m.
The Kalilangan Municipal Police Station immediately launched a search and retrieval operation to locate the policeman.
On June 24, 2023, the Kalilangan MPS received a report that a cadaver was found floating in the Maradugao River at Purok-2, Panang, in Wao, Lanao del Sur.
The decomposing body of Patrolman Jeffrey Dabuco y Inclonar that was found was later confirmed by his brother Althon Jay Dabuco.
The Kalilangan town police has conducted a thorough investigation to determine the culprit/s of the incident. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)

Bukidnon solon pushes for bamboo as cash crop

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The bamboo industry in Northern Mindanao region is a rich untapped source of raw materials for the construction industry, Bukidnon 1st District Rep. Jose Manuel Alba has said

In an interview on June 13, 2023, Alba said he and other bamboo industry leaders in Mindanao are engaged in ongoing information dissemination to make bamboo a source of livelihood for building materials.

He earlier filed House of Representatives Bill 7105, or the proposed Philippine Bamboo Industry Act.

“Shifting to bamboo as building material instead of wood will also help the environment in the long run, as it will lessen the cutting of more trees,” he said.

Bukidnon alone has about 2 million “bamboo stands,” which are ready for harvest to become raw materials, he said.

A supporter of Alba’s bill is Robert Palomares, the proprietor of Homebiz Crafts based in Iligan City, who has been using bamboo materials for making furniture and plywood for clients since 2014.

He said he has been sourcing bamboo materials from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

“Bamboo can become a good source of additional income for farmers and even residents who have a backyard space for growing bamboo,” Palomares said.

Because bamboo is a grass species, it can sprout new trunks after cutting the old ones for production.

Palomares said the variety currently used in production is the giant bamboo species.

In this city, the bamboo processing firm, Rizome Bamboo, has been providing bamboo supplies to clients across the country since 2021.

Russel Smith, the firm’s president and chief executive officer, 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. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Mindanao coffee farmers sweep PCQC 2023

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ILIGAN CITY — Farmers from Mindanao garnered all 12 winning entries in the Arabica category during Sunday’s awarding ceremonies of the Philippine Coffee Quality Competition 2023 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, according to announcements from the Department of Trade and Industry offices in the Northern Mindanao and Davao regions

Garnering the top prize with a cupping score of 86 was Manolito Garces’ natural-processed coffee, with cupping notes of pineapple, mango, black currant, and honey. Garces is from New Eden, Pangantucan in Bukidnon.

Second was Jhon Lawrence dela Cerna, of the Balutakay Coffee Farmers’ Association (BACOFA) in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, with a score of 85.75; third was Dione F. Ellaga, also of Bansalan, 85.41.

Fourth place was Junmar Gunayan, of the MILALITTRA Farmers Agricultural Cooperative (MILFACO), of Bukidnon, 85.03; fifth was Rogelio Gonzales, also of BACOFA in Bansalan, 85; and sixth was Arnold Pina, of the Bayanihan Millennium Multipurpose Cooperative (BMMPC) in Pangantucan, Bukidnon, 84.97.

Completing the top 12 were Rogelio R. Balacuit, of Amai Manabilang in Lanao del Sur; Cecilia G. Cavalida, Davao del Sur; Rosebele Sulatan, MILFACO; Cherry Gil Cabanday, Davao del Sur; Roquita dela Cerna, Davao del Sur; and Lendilou F. Loon, Davao del Sur.

Arabica coffee is considered the superior coffee and fetches higher prices for the farmers.

In the Robusta category, Ilocos Sur farmers dominated the competition, winning 10 of the top 12, according to the DTI-Ilocos Region.

First place was Vilma Lapasan, of the Tirad Pass Growers Association, Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur, with a cupping score of 85.22. Her coffee had notes of vanilla, pineapple, berries, and raisin.

Two farmers from Sultan Kudarat province also made it to the winning entries—Reyjohn A. Basco, 8th place; and Robert James Gacayan, 10th.

Second was Mabini Ubuan, of San Elias Coffee Growers Association in Sigay, with a score of 85; third was Juana Bitongan, also of Gregorio del Pilar, 84.38; fourth was Marietta Lidem, of Sigay, 83.94; and fifth was Jean Apalet, also of Sigay, Ilocos Sur, 83.5.

The rest of the winners from Ilocos Sur were Byron Daplayan, 6th; Silvestra Villegas, 7th; Erlinda Dao-ayan, 9th; Jordan Dalida, 11th; and Marielle Gannad, 12th. (MindaNews)

DA-RCPC celebrates 47 years of continued protection of plant pests, diseases services in NorMin

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MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Crop Protection Center 10 (DA-RCPC 10) celebrated recently its 47th anniversary in providing services to the local government units (LGUs), farmers, and other stakeholders in Northern Mindanao and nearby regions

Services lodged at the center range from the production and distribution of entomopathogens, Trichoderma, egg parasitoids, and predatory insects; pest clinic and diagnosis; and extension and education assistance.

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado graced the celebration and emphasized that the station needs greater heights, especially with its P5 million worth of Plant Health Hub (PHH) granted by the Bureau of Agricultural Research.

DA-RCPC 10 chief Lucille T. Minguez shared that through Presidential Decree No. 936, s. 1976, the RCPC in barangay Bangcud became one of the established centers of the Bureau of Plant Industry which serves as a research, extension, and protection hub for agri-clients in Northern Mindanao.

At present, the center has strengthened its capacities in serving more farmers in the region and control and spread of plant pests and diseases.

Also supporting the activity was Regional Technical Director for Operations, Carlota S. Madriaga with other DA senior officials and the provincial agriculture office of Bukidnon. (DA RFO-10)