Thursday, May 02, 2024

Tag: northern mindanao

Magnitude 7.4 earthquake, aftershocks damage bridges in Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO, Philippines (Dec. 5, 2023, 12:48 PM) – Tremors left a bridge in Bukidnon province impassable to vehicles and caused cracks on a bridge sidewalk in Cagayan de Oro in the aftermath of the strong earthquake and hundreds of aftershocks that were felt in Northern Mindanao over the weekend

Aftershocks of varying intensities were felt in Northern Mindanao since the magnitude 7.4 earthquake, with an epicenter off the coast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, struck on Saturday night, December 2.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Northern Mindanao, on Monday, December 4, issued a travel advisory stating that the bridge along the Impasugong-Patulangan Bypass Road in Impasugong town, Bukidnon, has shown “significant instability due to the recent frequent earthquakes and aftershocks.”
More than 900 aftershocks have been recorded after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake as of 3 pm on Sunday, Marcial Labininay, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in Northern Mindanao, told the local broadcaster Magnum Radio on Monday.
The DPWH advised motorists to exercise caution for safety reasons by using the main Sayre Highway route when traveling via Bukidnon to other destinations in the central and southern parts of Mindanao.
The bridge in Impasugong is situated 13 kilometers near the Tagoloan River Fault which runs across the eastern portion of Misamis Oriental province and northern parts of Bukidnon.
The fault has been under hazard monitoring by the Northern Mindanao field office of the Phivolcs. It is less than 20 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro.
In Cagayan de Oro, a road maintenance team from the DPWH’s 2nd District Engineering Office had to apply cement epoxy to a two-meter crack and isolated cracks on the sidewalk of the Justiniano R. Borja Bridge.
The bridge, located in downtown Cagayan de Oro, connects Barangay 7 at Burgos Street to Barangay Carmen’s Vamenta Boulevard across the Cagayan River.
The DPWH in Cagayan de Oro attributed the cracks on the JR Borja Bridge sidewalk to the December 2 earthquake in Surigao del Sur and subsequent aftershocks that registered at least Intensity III on Phivolcs’ earthquake intensity meter mounted at the City Hall building.
Opened to the public in 2015, the JR Borja Bridge, however, remains passable to all types of vehicles despite the “minor cracks,” the advisory said.
No damage has been observed so far by the road maintenance team on five other bridges in the city.
Meanwhile, classes were ordered suspended in elementary and secondary schools in Cagayan de Oro City for two days to allow a public safety team to assess buildings on campuses in the aftermath of the earthquake and aftershocks that were felt in the region since Saturday night.
Uy issued Executive Order No. 401-2023 to call off the classes on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 5 and 6, to give way for the conduct of a rapid post-earthquake damage assessment on all school buildings.
Before that, he signed Executive Order No. 400-2023, creating the Cagayan de Oro Earthquake Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Team, with him as chairman and the city’s disaster risk reduction and management officer as co-chairperson.
The team includes the heads of the Cagayan de Oro city government’s engineering, building, and legal offices as well as that of the offices of the city fire marshal and the city schools division superintendent. – (Uriel Quilingking/Rappler.com)

NorMin public warns of ‘bumblefoot’ contamination in poultry products

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 22, 2023, 8:09 pm) – The National Meat Inspection Service Regional Technical Operation Center in Northern Mindanao region (NMIS RTOC-10) has warned the public against buying poultry meat products infected with bumblefoot disease.
In a statement on Wednesday, the NMIS RTOC-10 said meat inspectors seized at least 459 kilograms of chicken infected with bumblefoot and were disposed of properly

NMIS has advised the public not to patronize chicken feet with bumblefoot to avoid any health issues.

Bumblefoot, or ulcerative pododermatitis, is a common bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction that occurs on the feet of chickens and other birds. Rodents and rabbits can also get infected with the illness.

In time with the holiday season, the agency also told the public to always ensure the meat they purchased is safe.

Dr. Neonette Agreda, NMIS RTOC-10n chief, said consumers need to look for meat inspection certificates (MICs) for fresh meat or the certificate of meat inspection (COMI) for imported meat.

“MICs and COMIs are ways to assume that the meat you purchased was well inspected and passed for human consumption,” she said.

Agreda called on the public to be vigilant against food safety handling issues because contamination may occur during transportation, display, storage, and food preparation. Contamination of meat can also cause foodborne illnesses, such as diarrhea, dehydration, and even death, she added. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Bukidnon banana farmers trained on insect pests, disease management

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – The Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) of the Department of Agriculture RFO – 10 has trained Bukidnon farmers on Banana Insect Pests and Diseases Management on November 14-15 in this city

Eighteen Bukidnon banana farmers finished the two-day training at the Northern Mindanao Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Dalwangan, Malaybalay City that immersed them in the field to properly identify friendly and non-friendly insect pests and diseases.

Further, they observed the various Biological Control Agents or Biocon in RCPC to demonstrate the management and production of the technology.

Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, Cora A. Dumayaca highlighted the need for banana farmers to be part of associations and cooperatives to access and benefit various DA programs and projects.

Importantly, she added that it will diversify and be certified through Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification, which will potentially be greenlit to market security.

Speakers from DA-RFO 10 focused the discussion on the banana industry roadmap; potential products and market trade and value chain; and, the importance of good agricultural practices, including farmer certification through PhilGap.

Center Chief, Lucille T. Minguez hopes to instill a resilient mindset and commitment among farmers, empowering them to seize every learning opportunity for prosperity and reach their full potential.

RCPC is the arm of DA dedicated to the production and promotion of Biological Control Agents (Biocon) in the region, which are friendly organisms that feed (Earwig, Lacewing, Eocanthecona furcellata) parasitizes (Trichogramma) and infect diseases (Metarhizium anisopliaea, Trichoderma harzianum, Beauvaria bassiana) to insect pest enemies.

The training was made possible through the effort of DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado. (PR)

5 NorMin radio stations face closure over expired franchise

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 28, 2023, 8:55 pm) – Five radio stations in Northern Mindanao are subject to a cease and desist order (CDO) after their franchises were not renewed

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) – Region 10 Director Teodoro Buenavista Jr. said their recent decision called for the closure of the five radio stations under the Fairwaves Broadcasting Network here.
“Fairwaves applied for renewal in 2018, but the House of Representatives did not move it from the committee level,” Buenavista said in an interview on Tuesday.
Fairwaves first obtained its 25-year franchise in 1995 under Republic Act 8113.
An earlier NTC decision this year recommended the recall of the frequencies assigned to Fairwaves.
The decision listed 30 stations under Fairwaves all over the country, including in this city, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.
Most station names under Fairwaves carry the station name Radyo Bandera.
On Nov. 24, Radyo Bandera Iligan was among the 14 business establishments locked down by the local government for allegedly operating without business permits.
Jeoffrey Baconga, manager at DXFI FM Radyo Bandera in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental, said their operations will not be affected by the CDO because the network is now under an agreement with a new franchise operator, Palawan Broadcasting.
He said the chief executive officer of the Radyo Bandera network, Sultan Lope, is aware of the NTC decision.
Baconga added that all Bandera stations are expected to operate under Palawan Broadcasting and no longer under Fairwaves. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

Nutrisyon: Pundasyon sa tanang programa sa panglawas

Posted on by cmn

“𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚𝑠. 𝑃𝑎𝑔 𝑛𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑟𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒. 𝑆𝑜, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡’𝑠 ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑎 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚. 𝐼𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ, 𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡.”

Mensahe kini sa pakigpolong ni Dr. Jose Rhoel De Leon, Bukidnon Provincial Health Sector Overseer, ang nagrepresenta kang Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque sa gilusad nga Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) Forum and Recognition Day 2023, Nobyembre 21, 2023.

Nahigayon ang kalihokan sa Kaamulan Open Theater, Kaamulan Park, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Gipasabot ni Dr. De Leon ngadto sa gikunsidera nga local heroes – ang BNS, nga ang nutrisyon mahinungdanon nga bahin sa kahimsog ug kalambuan. Ingon niya, nga kini may kalabotan sa pagpauswag sa kahimsog sa bag-ong himugso nga mga bata, ingon man sa mga inahan para sa mas lig-on nga immune system aron makalikay sa risgo sa non-communicable diseases, sama sa diabetes ug cardiovascular disease.

Mipadangat usab sa ilang mensahe-pagsuporta sa programa sa maayong panglawas sila Board Members Minerva Casinabe ug Ranulfo Jose Pepito, Jr.

Gipasalamatan ni Dr. Gary Guido C. Tabios, Jr, Provincial Health Officer si Gov. Roque sa nagapadayon nga mga programa sa Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) Pro.

Butyag niya nga sa lima (5) ka probinsya sa Northern Mindanao, ang Bukidnon lamang ang nagpahigayon sa evaluation ngadto sa component LGUs niini.

Gipaambit sa dinapit nga mamomolong nga si Sherill Faith Espaňola, City Nutrition Program Coordinator sa Cagayan de Oro City ang ilang mga estratihiya o best practices sa pagpatuman sa nutrition program sa dakbayan.

Sa samang higayon, gipasidunggan sa Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) ang mga aktibong lumilihok sa nutrisyon.

Sa 2022 Provincial Outstanding BNS: nag-una ang Barangay Kiara, Don Carlos; gisundan sa Sto. Niňo, Manolo Fortich; Poblacion, Impasugong; Laturan, Libona; ug San Jose, San Fernando.

Sa 2022 Provincial Outstanding Municipal Action Officer, 1. Ang MNAO sa Manolo Fortich, 2. Cabanglasan, 3. Sumilao, 4. Libona, 5. Don Carlos, 6. Maramag, 7. Pangantucan ug San Fernando, 8. Kitaotao, 9. Lantapan, ug 10. Impasugong.

Sa 2022 Provincial Outstanding Municipal Nutrition Committee, top 10 ang mosunod: Sumilao, Cabanglasan, Maramag, Pangantucan, San Fernando, Kitaotao, Impasugong, Lantapan, Talakag, ug Dangcagan.

Samtang Nutrition Honor Awardees ang mosunod nga LGUs: Manolo Fortich, Quezon, Don Carlos, Libona, ug Kadingilan.

Giila usab sa PGB ang kontribusyon sa mga BNS nga nagpahinungod sa ilang kinabuhi sa pagserbisyo sa katawhan sa barangay sulod sa taas nga panahon.

Ang MELLPI Pro mao ang monitoring and evaluation mechanism alang sa pagpatuman sa Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition sa local level nga gihimo sa matag tuig sa interagency nutrition evaluation team sa national, regional, ug local levels. (PGO-PAIA Division)

NorMin public warns of ‘bumblefoot’ contamination in poultry products

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (November 22, 2023, 8:09 pm) – The National Meat Inspection Service Regional Technical Operation Center in Northern Mindanao region (NMIS RTOC-10) has warned the public against buying poultry meat products infected with bumblefoot disease

In a statement on Wednesday, the NMIS RTOC-10 said meat inspectors seized at least 459 kilograms of chicken infected with bumblefoot and were disposed of properly.

NMIS has advised the public not to patronize chicken feet with bumblefoot to avoid any health issues.

Bumblefoot, or ulcerative pododermatitis, is a common bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction that occurs on the feet of chickens and other birds. Rodents and rabbits can also get infected with the illness.

In time with the holiday season, the agency also told the public to always ensure the meat they purchased is safe.

Dr. Neonette Agreda, NMIS RTOC-10n chief, said consumers need to look for meat inspection certificates (MICs) for fresh meat or the certificate of meat inspection (COMI) for imported meat.

“MICs and COMIs are ways to assume that the meat you purchased was well inspected and passed for human consumption,” she said.

Agreda called on the public to be vigilant against food safety handling issues because contamination may occur during transportation, display, storage, and food preparation.

Contamination of meat can also cause foodborne illnesses, such as diarrhea, dehydration, and even death, she added. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

DA-10 pushes for reliable, responsive Bantay Presyo Monitoring System in NorMin

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — To improve its price monitoring in the region, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) held its year-end assessment for data contributors to the Bantay Presyo Monitoring System (BPMS) on November 16 in this city led by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado

The assessment, spearheaded by the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, served as a venue for data contributors from Region 10 to report on their provinces’ price data submissions and share best practices for increased responsiveness to concerns resolution and improved data collection and reporting.

Jenny D. Alcobilla, section chief of Agribusiness and Industry Support Services (AISS), stressed in her message that the knowledge and information exchanged during the event will lead BPMS administrators to ensure a more reliable and responsive implementation of the program in Northern Mindanao.

In response to the issues and concerns reported by data contributors concerning 11 public markets in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Oriental, the AMAD-AISS provided recommendations and suggestions to effectively address the same.

Moreover, three top-performing data contributors of the BPMS were also recognized, such as from the local government units of Ozamis City in Misamis Occidental, San Fernando in Bukidnon, and Gingoog City, in Misamis Oriental.

The event was supported by the Provincial Operations Center – Bukidnon represented by Engr. Arlene Almo, and AMAD staff. (GDA)

2 coops in Manolo Fortich honored

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – In Manolo Fortich town, two of the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10)’s assisted farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) were recognized after winning the 2023 Corn and Cassava Cluster Management Excellence Awards

The awarding ceremony was held at the Salvador H. Escudero Hall, National Meat Inspection Service, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City on November 17.

The awarded coops are Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative (MARBFC) and Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative (BLMPC).

According to a news statement from the DA, BLMPC won the Cassava cluster and MARBFC took home the Corn Management Excellence Awards.

MARBFC manager Evangeline P. Frasco expressed her gratitude in her acceptance speech for their FCA’s hard work being acknowledged and rewarded.

“Thank you, DA for the cash award where we can expand our inputs provision to our corn farmers where more funds mean more farms to be assisted, and an increase in the volume of production to satisfy our markets,” stated Frasco.

On the other hand, Dante M. Dosayco, BLMPC chairperson said, “We assure you (DA) that our future deeds will only get better. This is a token for our past efforts and also a push for our future endeavors.”

In the race for the corn excellence awards, Samahang Gumagawa Tungong Tagumpay MPC from Occidental Mindoro and Maningalao-Lingayao Agriculture Cooperative from Agusan del Norte are the first and second runners-up, respectively, behind MARBFC.

Meanwhile, the first and second runners-up in the cassava awards, respectively, are Villa Luna MPC of Isabela and Zamboanga del Norte Cassava Growers and Processors, Inc. of Zamboanga del Norte, behind BLMPC.

The DA stated that the two coops are their partners in the production of safe and quality corn and cassava, the promotion of the value chain approach, the growth of the corn and cassava sectors, and the provision of various services to their members by the cluster organizations

During the awarding ceremony, U-Nichols A. Manalo, national corn coordinator and OIC-Director of DA-Field Operations Service, read a message on behalf of Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, about how innovation, convergent efforts, and the adoption of farm clustering approaches play a critical role in advancing the corn and cassava sectors.

“We come together to celebrate the synergy between innovation, dedication, and collaboration among groups, individuals, and agencies,” she said.

The senator is also a strong supporter of farm clustering, claiming that it boosts output and ensures a steady supply of safe, high-quality agricultural products, as well as creating an enabling atmosphere for farmers to become more productive, innovative, and competitive.

Sen. Villar stated that she lauded farm clusters’ achievements, even describing them as drivers of economic growth and social development.

“Rest assured, I will continue to pursue legislative mechanisms and policies that will solidify the linkage of production and market access across our country’s rich and diverse commodities,” Sen. Villar says as she concludes her speech.

In addition to the honored farming clusters, the various technical working groups for corn and cassava clusters at the national and regional levels were acknowledged and awarded certificates.

Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado leads the DA-10 delegation, which includes Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga, Corn focal person Richan D. Lacanaria, and Science Research Specialist II Mischelle F. Egama, who is also the former Cassava focal person, DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) – Regional Training Center Dir. Ma. Lydia Echavez, and Gemma G. Cania, Manolo Fortich’s municipal agriculturist.

Other national agricultural executives in attendance included Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, the newly appointed DA-ATI director, and Engr. Roger V. Navarro, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Operations. (melbmadera)

DA-10 pours P533-M agri interventions, services to Bukidnon in Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON — In consonance with the national government’s efforts to ensure ease of access to government assistance and services in the countryside, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-10) participated in the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) on November 11 to 12, 2023 at the Bukidnon State University, in this city

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez led the turnover of agricultural interventions and financial support, worth more than P533 million to Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque and to the farmers and farmers’ cooperatives, and associations (FCAs) in the province during the opening program of the BPSF.
According to DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, the agency’s participation in the BPSF manifests its commitment to empowering farmers in Northern Mindanao by providing support through its programs and services.

Furthermore, he said that the interventions and financial assistance turned over during the BPSF form part of DA’s thrust towards a ‘Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya, Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas’.

Said agri-interventions include funding support for the establishment of an INSPIRE swine production facility and a postharvest facility for corn in San Fernando and Dangcagan towns.

The Department also distributed hybrid rice seeds and fertilizers benefitting a total of 14,198 rice farmers, as well as Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) white corn seeds to 200 corn farmers in the province.

Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers’ Financial Assistance program of the Department, a cash assistance of P5K each was also granted to 18,831 rice farmers in the province, tilling land of less than two hectares.

DA also turned over tractors, harvesters, hauling trucks, plastic crates, and other farming equipment and supplies to select FCAs in the province.

Regional winners of the Young Farmers Challenge 2023 were also awarded financial grants of P150K for the Start-Up category and P300K for the Upscale category.

Moreover, services such as the distribution of vegetable seeds through the agency’s High-Value Crops Development Program, as well as the Kadiwa ng Pangulo spearheaded by the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division, were also offered to walk-in consumers during the two-day fair.

Also present in support of the event were DA-10 Executive Assistant III Joel S. Rudinas and Bukidnon Provincial Operations Center chief Janet D. Lopez, DVM. (DA RFO – 10)

DOH-10 urges public to buy generic medicines, same quality but cheaper

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The generic drugs have the same quality and effectiveness as the branded versions because they go through similar regulatory processes at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but they are cheaper, said an official from the Department of Health-Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM)

In Talakayan sa PIA: Konsultayo Series at SM CDO City Uptown, Dr. Steffi Grace Enon, medical officer of DOH-CHDNM, said generic medicine has the same active ingredient as the branded version, so it has the same effect.

Why is there generic medicine?

The Generics Act of 1988 ensures that all Filipinos have access to affordable and effective medicines.

Enon shared that there are two main types of medicines. The first is innovator medicine, which is made by pharmaceutical companies that are the ones to create the medicine first for a specific disease. They also apply for patents for the drug, which means they have the sole right to make and sell the drug. But after a few years, with the patent expired, other manufacturers can then create the same drug.

According to Enon, all generic medications on the market underwent and passed the FDA process, while our generic medications met the same standards of quality as branded medications.

DOH-CHDNM is requiring pharmaceutical companies to do mandatory generic labeling. “Tanan tambal dapat nakasulat didto ang generic nga ngalan [All medicine should have a generic name],” said Enon.

They are also reminding physicians and doctors to include in their prescriptions the generic name of the drug.

Lastly, DOH-CHDNM also reminds pharmacies to do generic dispensing or substitution. This means that when a patient goes to the pharmacy and asks for a generic prescription, he or she should be given the generic version of the drug.

There is also the Cheaper Medicines Act, which was issued in 2008 and is an amendment to the Generics Medicine Act.

The goal is to ensure there are generic versions available on the market. The Cheaper Medicines Act intends to lower the prices of medicine even more.

There are various ways to implement the law, Enon said. There is a maximum retail price, and there is a price cap for medicines that belong to the top-burden diseases in the Philippines, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer, among others.

Second, there is a suggested retail price (SRP) for essential and emergency medicine.

“Mandated tanan nato drugstores and pharmacies, mag-submit sa Department of Health sa ilang presyo sa mga tambal [We have mandated drugstores and pharmacies to submit to the Department of Health the prices of their medicines],” said Enon.

Third is the drug price reference index. Basically, this is a list of the prices of medicines for bidding from the government.

“Kung mupalit ang isa ka government facility or agency, mu-abide gyud sila ani nga presyo [If a government facility or agency will buy, they need to abide by the set price],” added Enon. (JMOR/PIA-10)