Saturday, December 21, 2024

12 paresan misalmot sa Tribal mass wedding

Dose ka paresan sa Indigenous Peoples (IPs) ang nisalmot sa tribal mass wedding nga gipahigayon niadtong Agosto sa Covered Court sa Barangay Sumpong sa Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Sumala sa kasayoran sa local government unit sa Malaybalay, ang kalihokan isa ka highlight sa “Araw ng Barangay Sumpong.”

Gitumong kini aron mapormal ang panaghiusa sa mga magtiayon nga nag-ipon na isip bana ug asawa.

Ang seremonyas gihimo subay sa naandang mga balaod, ritwal, ug tradisyon sa mga magtiayon, sumala sa gilatid sa Republic Act 8371 kon Indigenous Peoples Rights Act.

Si Datu Danny Sarito ang nangulo sa kasal, uban sa tabang ni Bae Inatlawan – Adelina Tarino ug Datu Chepin Jose Gumindan.

Gitinguha usab sa kalihokan nga masiguro nga ang mga magtiayon maka-access sa mga importanteng programa sa gobyerno, sama sa 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) ug PhilHealth.

Si City Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran, uban sa mga sakop sa Sangguniang Panlungsod, mga opisyal sa barangay, ug nagkalain-laing lider sa tribo, nitambong sa seremonyas aron pagpakita sa ilang suporta.

Anaa ang City Civil Registrar’s Office aron motabang sa pagpirma sa mga sertipiko sa kaminyoon, pagsiguro sa legal nga pag-ila sa ilang kaminyoon. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

NPA combatant killed in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – An alleged New People’s Army (NPA) combatant was killed during an encounter with 8th Infantry Battalion personnel in the hinterland of Sitio Bendum, Brgy. Busdi, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on August 19, 2024

In a statement, the military identified him as Norbet Sarinao Lipanda @Omar, squad leader of Squad 2, Headquarters Force NEO of the NPA’s North Central Mindanao Regional Committee (NCMRC).

The 8IB also recovered an M16 assault rifle, a bandolier with three (3) magazines loaded with live ammunitions, a bag, communication devices, and other subversive materials.

Charlie Company of the army’s 8IB was involved in a 15-minute skirmish with around four NPA rebels, including Lipanda.

Before the aforementioned armed clash, the local population notified 8IB about the presence of an armed group performing extortion, food foraging, and coercing farmers to facilitate their food supplies.

Due to this threat, the unit immediately conducted intensified military operations in the area.

The 8IB expressed gratitude to the residents who reported suspicious activity to local officials and law enforcement agencies.

Lt. Col. Marc Bien Stevens J. Deslante, commander of the 8IB, stated that the 8IB will always be “dependable partners” in ensuring peace and order in the province of Bukidnon. (melbmadera)

Demo farm showcases drought-tolerant hybrid rice variety in Buk’non upland area

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — A demonstration farm in Sitio Incalbog, Can-ayan, featuring the hybrid rice variety TH-82 NSIC Rc350H, has showcased resilience amid the El Niño phenomenon, highlighting its potential to thrive within an upland ecosystem

This was underscored during a culmination program of the techno demo on August 22 in the said city.

This was led by the Department of Agriculture – Northern Mindanao (DA-10) in partnership with the Bukidnon Tagoloanon Mulahay Ha Kabukalagan Agriculture Cooperative (BUKTAMACO), Bukidnon province and Malaybalay City agriculture offices, and SeedWorks Philippines, Inc.

Chona H. Nacalaban, DA-10’s Rice program focal person, emphasized the importance of introducing the hybrid rice technology in upland conditions and engaging members of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), especially in their ancestral areas with limited rice cultivation.

Launched last February 8, the planted rice variety was initially expected to be harvested by the third week of May, but faced a 58-day delay in maturity due to a significant lack of rainfall from March to May, albeit yielding 2.2 tons per hectare based on crop cut results after receiving rainfall in June.

For his part, Emmanuel F. Piñol, former DA Secretary and an early supporter of the initiative, lauded the demo farm’s success as a significant milestone for Philippine agriculture.

“The ability of this rice variety to survive drought and continue growing, despite a delayed maturity period, underscores its potential to revolutionize rice production in upland areas,” Piñol remarked.

“This breakthrough could allow us to cultivate rice in areas previously reliant on irrigation,” he added, while further noting that it is pivotal in easing the reliance on rice imports and addressing the need to feed the growing population by expanding and improving available tribal areas of the country for rice production.

The demo farm, covering 3,000 square meters, is a precursor to developing the 300 hectares within the BUKTAMACO ancestral domains, which overall seeks to implement sustainable farming practices tailored to upland environments, at the same time bolstering food security in the region. (BJCE)

7 sites sa Bukidnon nakaangkon og free Wi-Fi access

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (August 15, 2024) – Nakaangkon og free Wi-Fi access ang pito ka mga barangay sa Bukidnon bag-ohay lang

Ang pito ka mga dapit lakip sa activated nga 600 ka mga lugar sa nasud nga natabonan sa Connectivity, Capability, and Resiliency through Free Wi-Fi for All (CoRe FW4A) project sa Department of Information and Technology (DICT uban sa United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Nahigayon ang nationwide launching sa proyekto sa People’s Hall sa Malaybalay City, Bukidnon kaniadtong Agosto 15, 2024.

Diha sa programa si Mr. Paul Tuason, director sa DICT, Ms. Vivien Suerte-Cortez, team leader sa UNDP Philippines Institutions and Partnerships, Malaybalay City Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran, ug uban pa.

Duha sa mga proyekto sa Bukidnon ang lakip sa Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) diin ang Free Wi-Fi naplastar sa Barangay Hall sa Cabadiangan, Kadingilan ug sa Santa Felomina Barangay Hall sa Quezon.

Samtang ang lima pa anaa sa Indigenous People’s (IP) communities nga naplastar sa Saint Peter Barangay Hall sa Malaybalay City, Dolorosa Barangay Hall sa Dangcagan, Maraymaray Barangay Hall sa Don Carlos, Kalabugao Barangay Hall sa Impasug-ong ug Sampaguita Barangay Hall sa Kibawe.

Ang CoRe FW4A project direktang gipatuman sa UNDP nga nagsuporta sa pagpatuman sa DICT sa Free Wi-Fi for All (FWFA) Program niini subay sa R.A. 10929 kon Free Internet Access in Public Spaces Act of 2017.

Ang programa gikatakdang matapos sa Disyembre 31, 2025. (melbmadera)

Malaybalay buys P11.96M new garbage trucks

The City Government of Malaybalay recently conducted a turnover and blessing ceremony for four brand-new garbage compactors purchased to enhance the city’s waste collection and management capabilities

The event took place on Monday, August 19, 2024, at the New City Hall Grounds in front of the Commission on Audit Office.

Key city officials, including members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) led by its head, Ms. Jessie G. Suson, and Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran, attended the ceremony.

The four garbage trucks, valued at a total of Php 11.96 million, were acquired as part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve waste management services.

“These trucks will play a crucial role in ensuring more efficient and timely garbage collection,” Mayor Pabillaran stated during the event.

He emphasized the importance of responsible waste management, saying, “Kauban sa paglambo nato ang basura, busa responsibilidad nato kini (with progress comes waste, so it’s our responsibility to manage it).”

He also reminded the operators of the new vehicles to maintain them well, as they are vital to keeping the city clean.

Ms. Jessie Suson, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, expressed her gratitude during the turnover ceremony.

She assured the public that the CENRO would remain fully committed to fulfilling its responsibilities in maintaining a clean and healthy environment for the people of Malaybalay.

The acquisition and blessing of these new garbage trucks underscore the city’s dedication to strengthening its waste management infrastructure and its broader commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring a cleaner and more sustainable Malaybalay City for all. (City ENRO-NADA)

Bukidnon logs over 5,000 dengue cases since January 2024

Over 5,000 dengue cases have been recorded in Bukidnon from January to August 2024

According to the Provincial Health Office (PHO), the 5,099 dengue cases recorded in the province are higher than the 4,000 cases logged in the same period in 2023.

PHO said at least 17 people have died from dengue in the province. However, there is no outbreak of the disease just yet.

Authorities have also yet to discuss the declaration of a state of calamity.

PHO said Malaybalay City has the most cases, with 926, followed by Valencia City, with 508. These cities have two reported deaths each.

With the rising number of dengue cases, the local government of Malaybalay City has conducted fogging operations in areas where dengue cases were reported.

PHO also distributed treated mosquito nets to some schools to fend off dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

“Kung di ka mag-cleanup unya mag-fogging mao ra gihapon mobalik ra gihapon ang lamok kay di man kasulod ang aso sa tubig, so clean up gyud ta,” Bukidnon PHO Dengue Coordinator, Sergio Flores, said.

Health authorities reminded the public to practice the 5S habit against dengue, which includes search and destroy, self-protection, seeking early consultation, supporting fogging, and sustaining hydration. — (James Paolo Yap/GMA Regional TV/August 19, 2024)

MVP buying out dairy farm in Bukidnon for P700 million

MANILA, Philippines (July 11, 2024) — Business titan Manuel V. Pangilinan is dipping further into the dairy business as he will buy out for around P700 million a Bukidnon-based milk company to increase the supply of his ice cream venture

Pangilinan confirmed to The STAR that he will be acquiring Bukidnon Milk Co. to raise the dairy supply for premium ice cream brand Carmen’s Best of The Laguna Creamery Inc., where he has a controlling stake.

“Sales of our ice cream products have been growing exponentially and we are slowly running out of milk supply from our dairy farm in Bay, Laguna,” Pangilinan said.

“We are buying another dairy farm in Bukidnon to supplement the supply. Maybe we could ship some of the milk to Manila because we want to expand our fresh milk supply and we want to get into yogurt and cheeses,” he added.

Sources privy to the buyout told The STAR that the transaction is estimated to cost at least P700 million. This would make it larger than Pangilinan’s P198 million acquisition of a majority stake in The Laguna Creamery in 2022.

Sources said Metro Pacific Agro Ventures (MPAV), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., is wrapping up negotiations with Bukidnon Milk with the goal of closing the deal this July, in time for Pangilinan’s birth month.

Pangilinan said Bukidnon Milk has a capacity three to four times bigger than MPAV’s dairy farm in Bay, Laguna.

Based on data from the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Manila, the Philippine market for ice cream products is estimated to reach $408 million, of which $105.3 million is imported.

Pangilinan made his first dip into the dairy business in 2022 when MPAV took on a 51-percent share in The Laguna Creamery, the maker of Carmen’s Best. Pangilinan views his entry into the dairy industry as another step toward food sufficiency.

Apart from this, MPAV partnered with Israel’s LR Group Ltd. to put up the Metro Pacific Dairy Farms through a 60:40 sharing in favor of the Metro Pacific Group. The facility can produce as much as 6.5 million liters of milk every year once it begins operations in 2025.

MPAV hopes to grow the revenue of its dairy business to P500 million by 2025 and P1 billion by 2027.

In earlier interviews with reporters, Pangilinan aired his frustration over the dairy supply in the Philippines, lamenting that 99 percent of the demand is served by imported milk and 70 percent of the supply is powdered, not fresh.

Pangilinan said this import dependency is caused by low yields in dairy farming, as farmers are unable to go beyond traditional practices.

This is where Bukidnon Milk pours into the glass. The company runs a 460-hectare grazing farm in Maramag, Bukidnon—the first and biggest of its kind in Mindanao—where cows are allowed to wander freely.

Bukidnon Milk practices a kind of dairy farming that gives cows a stress-free landscape, as opposed to the usual confined animal feeding operations method. The company also boasts that it neither enriches nor fortifies its milk products, doing nothing more to them than light pasteurization and homogenization to retain their natural nutrients.

In its facility, Bukidnon Milk uses RFID readers and automated sensors for safety and sanitation, and it also employs indigenous peoples in the community to provide them with jobs.

To date, Bukidnon Milk sells its milk products in select outlets of Balai ni Fruitas, Landers, S&R, and SM, and supplies dairy items for coffee shops in Mindanao.

Bukidnon Milk takes care of around 2,000 cows in its land and the company supplies to at least 50 businesses nationwide. (Jasper Emmanuel Arcalas, Elijah Felice Rosales /The Philippine Star)

Bukidnon approves historic IP Code to protect rights, promote cultural growth

MALAYBALAY CITY (July 15, 2024/PIA) — The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved the Bukidnon Indigenous Peoples (IP) Code on its third and final reading on July 2

The provincial legislators carefully examined the provisions, weighing the potential impacts on the province’s seven tribes and considering various perspectives.

Their rigorous discussions and debates during the first and second readings ensured that the ordinance aligned with constitutional rights, resulting in a consensus emphasizing the importance of protecting and fostering the cultural development of Bukidnon IP communities.

Championed by Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) lawyer Arbie Llesis, the ordinance aims to protect and foster the cultural development of the seven tribes by establishing mechanisms to preserve their traditions.

“The newly approved ordinance focuses on empowering IPs in the province through several key elements: First, it grants rightful ownership and control of ancestral domains, recognizing their deep connection to the land. Second, it promotes social justice by ensuring equitable treatment and opportunities for these communities. Third, it preserves cultural heritage by protecting languages, traditions, and customs essential to their identity. Lastly, it safeguards IP rights, ensuring they are respected and upheld across all aspects of society,” he said.

Officially known as Ordinance No. 052-2024, or An Ordinance Providing for the Comprehensive Indigenous Welfare and Development Code in the Province of Bukidnon, it represents an advancement in aligning local governance with the mandates of the United Nations, the Philippine Constitution, and national laws concerning IPs.

Llesis clarified that the ordinance aims to create an inclusive environment by honoring IP traditions, empowering them to shape their future, recognizing their vital role, and ensuring they have the necessary resources to thrive.

“The IP Code addresses historical exclusion faced by Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing their land rights and culture preservation while promoting self-determination. It supports development programs and ensures Indigenous communities have access to government resources,” he added.

Former IPMR Richard Dinlayan Macas emphasized the importance of the IP Code, aligning it with the tribes’ aspirations.

“It embodies the dreams of our ancestors, who yearned for recognition of their rights. We are all thankful for its approval as we collectively work towards the province’s progress,” Macas said.

Datu Migketay Victorino Saway, chair of the provincial tribal council, underscored the code’s broader implications.

“The IP Code strengthens our commitment to peace and order, promoting IP recognition and cultural identity. As a community, standing together to support the IP Code uplifts not only Indigenous Peoples but the entire province of Bukidnon,” he said. (Jessa M. Cleopas/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

Malaybalay receives eBOSS commendation from ARTA

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (May 21, 2024) – The city government of Malaybalay has received a commendation for implementing the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) system

City Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran took the lead in receiving the distinction recognition as one of the Philippines’ completely compliant local government entities with the eBOSS system.
Atty. Ernesto V. Perez, secretary of the Anti Red Tape Authority (ARTA), personally handed out the Certificate of Commendation to the local government.
On May 21, 2024, the award ceremony was conducted at the People’s Hall of the New City Hall in Malaybalay.
Perez confirmed that Malaybalay is the 31st recipient of the honor.
He stated that, as mandated by Republic Act 11032, also known as the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Law, eBOSS is a single online portal that provides clients with access to all necessary services and information for business registration, such as application submission, online payment, and electronic issuance of documents.
He said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. always reminded local government units to promote bureaucratic efficiency including the streamlining and digitization of all government processes as part of the Bagong Pilipinas campaign.
According to the director general of ARTA, the program is part of the Marcos administration’s eight-point socioeconomic strategy.
“The recognition signifies that Malaybalay City has met the needed requirements to receive the commendation,” Perez said.
He added that in Bukidnon, only Malaybalay City and the town of Manolo Fortich have complied with the digitalization of business transactions so far as monitored.
He said that Valencia City, Maramag, Kibawe, Quezon, Don Carlos, Impasug-ong, San Fernando, and other towns hope to receive the same recognition.
“RA 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business Law aims to eradicate red tape,” Perez stated.
He went on to say that one of the conditions for Ease of Doing Business is that the local government have an updated Citizen’s Charter to use as a guide for all transactions.
Mayor Pabillaran said that as mayor of Malaybalay, he is honored to accept the accolade.
He also stressed that the city is transparent in all government transactions, including bidding processes.
He also recognized the city employees’ efforts to the success of the eBOSS system.
Jutchel L. Dayra, regional director of ARTA regional office 10, stated that the inspection and assessment procedure for eBOSS in Malaybalay was just completed in March. (melbmadera)