Friday, April 26, 2024

Tag: PIA

DOH-10 urges LGUs to intensify tracking of dengue, measles, chikungunya virus

Posted on by cmn

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (March 29, 2024/PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH)-10 urges LGUs to ramp up the surveillance of dengue, measles, and chikungunya virus after cases soared from January to March

During the Northern Mindanao Disaster Risk Reduction Management 1st Quarter Full Council meeting, DOH reported that dengue, measles, and chikungunya had increased compared to the same months last year.

Its current data showed a 34.27 percent increase in dengue cases, from 3,032 to 4,071. Measles cases surged by 94.33 percent, from 53 to 103. Chikungunya cases spiked from 7 to 89, marking a staggering 1,171.43 percent rise.

Dengue and chikungunya cases

The disease surveillance data showed that Bukidnon has the most dengue cases in Northern Mindanao, with 1,121 cases (959 admissions with 153 confirmed cases); Misamis Oriental has 845 cases (591 admissions, 79 confirmed); Lanao del Norte reported 574 cases (450 admissions, 115 confirmed); Iligan City reported 319 cases (310 admissions, 114 confirmed); Cagayan de Oro City reported 222 cases (207 admissions, 6 confirmed); and Camiguin reported 89 cases (81 admitted and 47 confirmed).

Bukidnon reported the most dengue-related deaths (19), followed by Misamis Occidental (4), Misamis Oriental (3), Lanao del Norte (4), Iligan City (1), Cagayan de Oro City (2), and Camiguin (1).

Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne viral illness transmitted by the same Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitos that carry dengue and Zika, has significantly increased. Misamis Oriental leads the list with 50 cases, followed by Misamis Occidental (18), Bukidnon (12), Camiguin (4), Iligan City (4), and Cagayan de Oro City (1).

Measles cases surveillance

DOH-10 intensifies measles cases surveillance following the disease surge in a neighboring province. The tracking team reported 103 infected children aged 1 to 5. Lanao del Norte has 58 cases (54 hospitalized), followed by Misamis Oriental (14 cases, 11 hospitalized), Cagayan de Oro City (8 cases, 3 hospitalized), Bukidnon (8 cases), Iligan City (7 cases, 5 hospitalized), Misamis Occidental (6 cases, 3 hospitalized), and Camiguin (2 cases, 1 hospitalized).

“The sudden rise in measles cases can be attributed to children’s failure to receive vaccinations,” according to DOH-10 nurse Iris Christine Torralba.

She said COVID-19 disrupted vaccinations as the ‘No Vaccine, No Entry’ policy caused delays. Now, Lanao del Norte faces a measles surge. DOH-10 mobilized an outbreak team to Balo-i and Amai Pakpak Medical Center to stop the spread.

In addition to the response team, resources like viral transport media (VTM) and vaccines were strategically placed and boosted in LDN.

The DOH-10 coordinated with the integrated provincial health offices of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City. It collaborated with national immunization program coordinators to conduct outbreak response immunization in high-case areas.

“The regional office collects data from local government units (LGUs), contributing to our generated data. We are approaching the epidemic threshold and have advised LGUs to enhance their surveillance systems in recent weeks,” DOH-10 Regional Director Sulpicio Henry Legaspi said.

He recommended that local governments monitor movements, particularly in Balo-i, the epicenter of the measles outbreak, because 92 percent of recorded cases include unvaccinated or under-immunized children, indicating the need for focused immunization activities in high-case areas.

Legaspi said the DOH-10 is coordinating with Lanao del Sur to monitor Marawi City due to high population mobility, saying there is a risk of measles spreading to Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City due to its contagious nature.

“We have enough vaccine supply and await the request for additional health workers needed for outbreak response immunization,” he clarified.

The health department assures the public they are addressing the situation, collaborating with LGUs to intensify measles case monitoring and urging parents to vaccinate children aged 0-59 months against measles and other diseases. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA10)

Army confirms 9 terrorists involved in Marawi blast killed in Lanao del Sur

Posted on by cmn

The Philippine Army on Saturday, January 27, confirmed the death of nine members of the Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist organization involved in the bombing of Dimaporo gymnasium inside the Mindanao State University in Marawi City

Army Public Affairs chief, Col. Louie Dema-ala, said the operating troops from the 3rd Scout Ranger Battalion, under the 103rd Infantry (Haribon) Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, engaged in a series of firefight with heavily armed Dawlah Islamiya members from Thursday to Friday this week, in Barangay Tapurong, Piagapo, Lanao del Sur.

“The Army troops were able to neutralize nine local terrorist members and recovered eight high-powered firearms. Neutralized individuals were identified as perpetrators of the fatal MSU bombing on December 3, 2023,” Dema-ala told reporters.

Four soldiers were hurt during the encounters, which were triggered by the military’s internal security operations.

Dema-ala said the soldiers were immediately transported to the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City “to acquire urgent medical attention.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the four soldiers who sustained injuries during the said operation. We remain committed to ensuring their swift recovery,” Dema-ala said. (Lade Jean Kabagani/tribune.net.ph)

Konsehal Soria sa Malaybalay, giila sa tribu nga “Datu Makalandag”

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Ang Konsehal sa Malaybalay nga si Christopher ‘Tope’ Soria sa Mampaalong Clan sa tribung Bukidnon giila isip “Datu Makalandag”

Base sa taho sa Philippine Information Agency-Bukidnon, pormal nang gidawat sa Konsehal ang katungdanan isip ‘Datu Makalandag’.

Siya gi-bendisyonan sa mga Supreme Datu kon IPMR gikan sa Agusan Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Lanao Del Norte, ug Bukidnon.

Kini agi’g pag-suporta sa lumadnong kahilokan aron padayon nga ma-protektahan ang tradisyon ug kultura sa mga IPs.

Ang seremonya gipahigayon sa Casisang, Malaybalay City kaniadtong petsa 8-9 ning bulan sa Setyembre.

Sa maong mga higayon, si Dr. Jade Melendez Mercado Soria giila usab nga si “Bae Nay Makalandag”. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

Grand Opening sa Malaybalay Market Square, nagmalampuson

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Malampuson nga napahigayon sa City Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (CEEDMO) ang grand opening sa Malaybalay Market Square niadtong Sept. 04, 2023

Base sa report sa Philippine Information Agency-Bukidnon, gipahigayon ang aktibidad sa Multi-purpose Building A sa Malaybalay City Public Market.

Ang ribbon cutting gipangulohan ni Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran ug CEEDMO chief Romeo R. Lapeciros, Jr.

Sa tagline nga “Kalimpyo, Kahapsay, ug Kabibo”, ang CEEDMO Malaybalay nagpadayag sa Market Square nga nag-feauture sa 16 ka local cuisines ug delicacies stalls.

Ang Market Square mag-abli sugod alas 9:00 sa buntag ngadto sa alas 11:00 sa gabie, kada Lunes ngadto Miyerkules. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

Mindanao power supply enough despite El Niño—DOE

Posted on by cmn

DAVAO CITY — The power supply of Mindanao will remain stable even during El Niño, an official of the Department of Energy (DOE)-Mindanao Field Office assured

During the Kapihan sa Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on August 17, Engr. Darwin P. Galang, DOE-Mindanao Field Office senior science research specialist, said that a simulation conducted by the agency showed that the occurrence of El Niño will not adversely impact the grid owing to the other sources of power in Mindanao.

He pointed out, however, that “the occurrence of El Niño will affect the hydropower plants because there will be a reduction of their capacities when the rivers and lakes are dried up.”

Galang noted that the Mindanao grid has a diverse mix of power sources, and will not likely suffer from the impact of drought.

Based on the estimate of the DOE-Mindanao Field Office, the power supply would remain sufficient “even with a 50% to 70% reduction in the available capacities of hydropower plants in Mindanao.”

Engr. Nilo J. Geroche, also of the DOE-Mindanao Field Office, said the agency activated in July the Task Force on Energy Resiliency to monitor the power supply situation in the country and mitigate the impact of calamities, including El Niño.

The task force is composed of the DOE, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Energy Regulatory Commission, Inter-Agency Energy Contingency Committee, various groups in the energy sector, and agencies under the security cluster.

Geroche said the hydropower sources comprise 31.73% of the energy mix of Mindanao and contribute an average supply of 1,190 megawatts to the grid.

There is an excess supply of power on the island, with the available average supply estimated at 2,946 MW and an average demand of 2,051 MW as of August 15, according to Galang.

Geroche said that brownouts could have been caused by other factors on the transmission and distribution side, including insufficiency in the contracted power supply of some electric cooperatives and distribution utilities.

He said the problem of lack of contracted power may now be addressed by tapping into the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market where electric cooperatives and distribution utilities can buy power to fill the deficit.

In an advisory released by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) last July 4, El Niño, which is characterized by fewer occurrences of rainfall and typhoons, is already present in the tropical Pacific.

It said that PAGASA’s climate monitoring and analyses indicate that “the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures along the equatorial Pacific that was established in March 2023 has further developed into a weak El Niño, which shows signs of strengthening in the coming months.”

It said that El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts such as dry spells and droughts in some areas of the country that may adversely impact the different climate-sensitive sectors, such as water resources, agriculture, energy, health, and public safety.

It added that the enhanced Southwest monsoon season (Habagat) may still be expected, which may result in above-normal rainfall conditions over the western part of the country. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

Malaybalay holds City’s first business forum

Posted on by cmn

The City Government of Malaybalay, in celebration of the 25th Charter Day, spearheaded the First Business Forum with the theme “Grow with Us, Invest in Malaybalay,” on March 31, 2023, at the Peoples Hall, this city

The said activity aimed to foster engagement, collaborations, and direct relationships with businesses, entrepreneurs, and local investors across the region.

City Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran joined the forum along with City Vice Mayor Estelito Marabe, City Councilors, department heads, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Board of Investments (BOI), and the Malaybalay City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI).

In his welcoming remarks, Hon. Cromwell Kiril D. Dinlayan emphasized we must work together to grow the economy and reduce poverty, adding, “I urge everyone (in the government) to take this opportunity to consolidate and reinforce your commitment towards a brighter future for Malaybalay.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Pabillaran, in his message, stressed, “The aim of the City Government is that integrity will be intact. Mao nana ang atong standard, kay kung walay integrity ang gobyerno, kinsa man ang magsalig sa gobyerno?”

He added, “If gusto ta mulambo ang Malaybalay, tarongon nato ang pagdala gikan sa gobyerno, and that is important in order for our city to prosper.”

Also, Vice Mayor Marabe reiterated the importance of unity. “As business people, we should unite; we should strengthen our group. If you look at Malaybalay, we are the center of government as the capital city of Bukidnon. We are the center of education. We are the center of religious activities. We were the center of tourism before, and we would like to get that again.”

“If things do not come our way, we will look for things to come our way. If there are no opportunities coming our way. We create opportunities,” he added.

Mr. Christian D. Cambaya, DCIP-IASU Head, was the keynote speaker for the event. He gave insights on the immense opportunities for local economic development (LED) and how to address the challenges that are unique to the local context, which is also the advantage of local government units focusing on the approach concerning LED programs and strategies in the city.

During the session, plenary speakers, namely: Ms. Lourdes Ellen Kionisala, BOI Chief Investment Specialist, discussed labor incentives law; Mr. Romeo R. Lapeciros, Jr., LEDIP Officer on Malaybalay City local investment and incentives code; Ms. Ritchie L. Guno, DOST Provincial Director on innovation support to entrepreneurs; and DTI Provincial Director, Ms. Famelah Raquel D. Villanueva, on DTI current programs.

The first-ever Malaybalay City Business Forum organized by the City Government marks the beginning of a new era in promoting business development and opportunities propelled to reaching new heights of innovation and sustainability in the city and the region as well. (PR)

105 ka FRs sa Valencia City miyembro na sa PhilHealth

Posted on by cmn

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)–Siyento singko (105) ka mga kanhi rebelde sa New People’s Army sa syudad sa Valencia, Bukidnon ang miyembro na sa PhilHealth dihang nakadawat sila sa ilang Member’s Data Records (MDRs) ug ID cards niadtong Enero 11.

Si Regional Vice President Delio A. Aseron sa PhilHealth Northern Mindanao miingon nga gusto sa gobyerno nga ipakita ang patas nga serbisyo sa tanang Pilipino.

“Kayo po aming mga kapatid na mga ‘former rebels’ ang importanteng bisita ngayon dahil dito po nais ipakita ng ating pamahalaan na tayo ay iisa—pantay-pantay po tayo. Dahil kung tayo ay magkakasakit pantay tayong makalatag sa banig ng karamdaman,” matud ni Aseron.

Gipasabot ni Aseron sa mga kanhi rebelde nga dako kaayo kini nga tabang tungod kay matud niya “Napakahirap magkasakit. Magkaproblema tayo sa gastusin at diyan po papasok ang tulong pinansyal ng PhilHealth. Bagamat bawat sakit ay may corresponding na halaga, ang importante po ay wala na tayong mga kababayan na mangamba na pumunta sa hospital dahil may programa ang PhilHealth. May katuwang na kayo sa gastusin.”

Samtang si Romulo Lapuz Jr, ang Chief sa PhilHealth Bukidnon, miingon nga ang tanang Pilipino mahimong miyembro sa PhilHealth. Busa gidasig niya ang ubang pang mga kanhi rebelde nga wala pa makaparehistro nga dili magduha-duha sa pag-adto sa ilang buhatan tungod kay andam ang PhilHealth nga mo-giya ug motabang kanila sa pagpa-enrol aron mahimong miyembro sa PhilHealth.

Dako ang pasalamat ni Marestela Bitago ngadto sa PhilHealth. Miingon siya nga makapatambal na sila sa lain-laing hospital gamit ang ilang PhilHealth ID cards.

“Nalipay ko’g dako kay sulod sa pito ka tuig sa akong pagka-aktibista, karon nako napamatud-an nga naa gyud ang tabang sa gobyerno, labi na sa mga kabus. PhilHealth member na ko karon. Dako kaayo ni ug ikatabang sa akong pamilya. Busa nagpasalamat ko’g dako sa Philhealth,” dugang ni Bitago. (BGE/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

12 ka mga FR nakadawat og P360K livelihood kits gikan sa DOLE-10

Posted on by cmn

MALITBOG, Bukidnon (PIA)–Nagdala og bag-ong pagla-um ang bag-ong tuig tungod kay ang 12 ka mga kanhi rebelde ubos sa ‘Hinanaling Tabang’ sa 16th Infantry (Maglilingkod) Battalion nakadawat og livelihood starter kits gikan sa Department of Labor and Employment–Region 10 (DOLE-10) sa pakigtambayayong sa Malitbog local government unit (LGU), Enero 6.

Matag usa kanila nakadawat sa tag P30,000 nga kantidad sa livelihood starter kits para sa Rice Trading nga gihatag pinaagi sa DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP).

Ang DILP usa sa mga programa sa DOLE nga nagsuporta sa pagpatuman sa Executive Order No. 70 (EO 70) sa pag-institutionalize sa Whole-of-Nation Approach nga nagtumong sa pagtabang sa mga ‘marginalized groups’ pinaagi sa paghatag ug malungtarong kita.

Si Gergie Liponhay aka Jayto, kanhi commander sa New People’s Army (NPA) ug usa sa mga nakadawatsa maong tabang, nipadayag sa iyang pasalamat sa gobyerno ug nag-awhag sa iyang kanhing mga kauban nga mobiya na sa armadong pakigbisog ug mopahimulos sa serbisyo nga gikan sa gobyerno.

“Kami nagpasalamat ug dako sa gobyerno tungod kay nagpakabana sila sa amo. Tungod kay naa nay presensya ang gobyerno, dili nami mobalik sa bukid. Gi-awhag namo ang among mga kauban nga naa pa karon sa kabukiran nga mana-og na tungod kay dili kita pasagdan sa atong gobyerno,” panawagan ni Liponhay.

Ang ‘Hinanaling Tabang o Dinalian nga Tabang’ sa 16th Infantry Battalion maoy usa sa labing maayong gawi sa unit nga nagsilbi sa mga kanhi rebelde pinaagi sa paghatag ug kapuy-an ug akomodasyon, sustento sa pagkaon, livelihood packages, ug pagpadali sa ilang pagpalista sa Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program kon E-CLIP.

Uban sa padayon nga panawagan alang sa kalinaw, ang 16IB padayon nga nakigtambayayong sa lain-laing ahensya sa gobyerno aron matabangan ang mga kanhing rebelde nga magsugod ug mahiusa pag-usab sa katilingban. (BGE/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

105 ka FRs sa Valencia City miyembro na sa PhilHealth

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)–Siyento singko (105) ka mga kanhi rebelde sa New People’s Army sa syudad sa Valencia, Bukidnon ang miyembro na sa PhilHealth dihang nakadawat sila sa ilang Member’s Data Records (MDRs) ug ID cards niadtong Enero 11.

Si Regional Vice President Delio A. Aseron sa PhilHealth Northern Mindanao miingon nga gusto sa gobyerno nga ipakita ang patas nga serbisyo sa tanang Pilipino.

“Kayo po aming mga kapatid na mga ‘former rebels’ ang importanteng bisita ngayon dahil dito po nais ipakita ng ating pamahalaan na tayo ay iisa—pantay-pantay po tayo. Dahil kung tayo ay magkakasakit pantay tayong makalatag sa banig ng karamdaman,” matud ni Aseron.

Gipasabot ni Aseron sa mga kanhi rebelde nga dako kaayo kini nga tabang tungod kay matud niya “Napakahirap magkasakit. Magkaproblema tayo sa gastusin at diyan po papasok ang tulong pinansyal ng PhilHealth. Bagamat bawat sakit ay may corresponding na halaga, ang importante po ay wala na tayong mga kababayan na mangamba na pumunta sa hospital dahil may programa ang PhilHealth. May katuwang na kayo sa gastusin.”

Samtang si Romulo Lapuz Jr, ang Chief sa PhilHealth Bukidnon, miingon nga ang tanang Pilipino mahimong miyembro sa PhilHealth. Busa gidasig niya ang ubang pang mga kanhi rebelde nga wala pa makaparehistro nga dili magduha-duha sa pag-adto sa ilang buhatan tungod kay andam ang PhilHealth nga mo-giya ug motabang kanila sa pagpa-enrol aron mahimong miyembro sa PhilHealth.

Dako ang pasalamat ni Marestela Bitago ngadto sa PhilHealth. Miingon siya nga makapatambal na sila sa lain-laing hospital gamit ang ilang PhilHealth ID cards.

“Nalipay ko’g dako kay sulod sa pito ka tuig sa akong pagka-aktibista, karon nako napamatud-an nga naa gyud ang tabang sa gobyerno, labi na sa mga kabus. PhilHealth member na ko karon. Dako kaayo ni ug ikatabang sa akong pamilya. Busa nagpasalamat ko’g dako sa Philhealth,” dugang ni Bitago. (BGE/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

Agri-10 corn derby shows promising corn varieties to increase farmers’ yield, income

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)—The Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao staged a field day for this year’s wet season corn derby on October 6, featuring promising hybrid corn cultivars to help farmers’ income and yield.

Set at DA-10’s Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in barangay Dalwangan here, 13 different corn varieties from six participating seed companies were showcased to determine their performance and adaptability on-site with an elevation of over 800 meters.

Carlene C. Collado, DA-10 officer-in-charge regional executive director, said farmers will be able to make informed decisions in the selection of corn varieties to be planted through the corn derby due to the dynamic and extensive product lines of different seed companies.

He added that the activity paves the way for the presentation of the latest corn varieties and their corresponding package of technologies, allowing farmers to get the most value out of their investments in order to maximize yield and profit.

The corn derby features the following varieties: H101G, Bio Corn Hi Fly, and BC108G from BioSeed Research Philippines Inc.; Supreme 5150 RRYYG and J505 RRYG from Asian Hybrid Seed Technologies Inc.; P4124YHR and P3660YHR from Corteva AgriScience; EVO709 and EVO9310 from Evo Gene Seeds Corp.); DK8899S and DK8131S from Bayer Crop Science Philippines; and NK6505BGT and NK306BGT from Syngenta Philippines, Inc.

Based on the crop cut results, agronomic and yield components such as average ear and plant height, ear diameter and length, seed weight, shelling recovery, and yield per hectare were revealed.

With bulk of next year’s budget under DA’s Corn program focusing on seeds, the agri chief executive added that the corn derby results will count as one of the department’s bases in seeds procurement while also considering farmers’ and local government’s requests.

Almost 160 participants joined in the field day, including corn farmers and agricultural technicians from the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia, as well as the towns of Lantapan, Manolo Fortich, Cabanglasan, and Impasugong, all in Bukidnon province.

On top of the seed companies’ showcase, participants learned about the latest innovations from agriculture farm chemical and motor companies, whose products are seen to complement farmers’ preferred hybrid corn variety in boosting farmers’ productivity and earnings.

“As a frontliner, it is important to know the performing hybrid corn varieties readily available in the market so that we can at least suggest to our farmers, especially those that will fit in their respective barangays,” Malaybalay City corn coordinator Myra S. Abejuela said.

She hoped that the farmers she brought with her to the corn derby, including their corn federation president and officials from corn growers’ associations, would share the technologies they learned from the event with their fellow corn farmers and eventually adopt hybrid technology entirely.

Also gracing the activity from DA-10 are Field Operations Division chief Luz Guzman and Regional Corn Coordinator Richan Lacanaria; Research Division Chief Cora Dumayaca and Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex Chief Carmelito Lapoot; Provincial Operations Chief for Bukidnon Janet Lopez; Research Center for Hillyland Development Berly F. Tatoy; Guillermo L. Duran, senior science research specialist of the Research Center for Upland Development; and OIC-Provincial Agriculturist Jacqueline Julia Lagamon. (JLO/DA-10/PIA 10/Bukidnon)