Saturday, December 14, 2024

OCD equips regions with water filtration, communication systems for emergencies

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (August 20, 2024/PIA) — The Office of Civil Defense enhances its disaster preparedness and response capabilities by investing in water filtration systems and reliable communication technologies

According to OCD-10 Director Antonio Sugarol, these initiatives are part of a broader strategy of OCD’s Administrator, Usec. Ariel Nepomuceno, to modernize and equip the organization with the resources necessary to effectively address emergencies.

He said OCD has initially equipped its regional offices with water filtration units, recognizing the critical role of clean water in emergencies.

The regional director also shared plans to acquire additional units similar to those used by the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that can rapidly purify contaminated water, providing a vital lifeline to affected communities.

“At the moment, we have two mobile water filtration systems. It is in our office,” he stated.

Sugarol said the OCD has also implemented a regional collaboration policy that allows neighboring regions to share resources during emergencies.

“For example, in Region 10, we can anticipate that Region 9, Region 12, and Region 11 will contribute their mobile water filtration systems to the OCD Region 10,” he explained.

In addition to water filtration, the OCD addresses the equally critical need for reliable communication channels. Sugarol said the recent experience in Misamis Occidental, where cellular networks were disrupted following a shear line, underscored the importance of alternative communication systems.

To augment the communication capabilities of local government units, the OCD is working in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to provide satellite phones and VISAT systems. These technologies will ensure uninterrupted communication during disasters, facilitating coordination between local governments, government agencies, and emergency responders. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran/PIA-10)

Bukidnon schools first to orient in agri e-learning upgrades

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (July 12, 2024/PNA) – Schools in the province of Bukidnon are the first in the Northern Mindanao region to re-orient updated course modules of e-learning on agriculture

In an interview Friday, Jan-Ariss Jadaque, technical support focal person of the Agricultural Training Institute in Region 10 (ATI-10), said 60 teachers from 15 schools in Malaybalay City attended the re-orientation.

“One of the objectives we also aim for the briefing is to develop a plan for a possible partnership with the different schools from the (Department of Education’s) Division of Malaybalay City,” he said.

The e-learning briefing for teachers guided them in the new website, which was relaunched in 2023.

Its goal is to promote agriculture and fishery to youth through the integration of an e-learning program into the curriculum of these schools’ Technical- Vocational- Livelihood track at the senior high school level.

Victhor Palarca, ATI-10 Media Production Specialist, said the e-learning program started in 2010, but the agriculture modules are part of the electronic extension program which dates back to 2007. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

5 NorMin radio stations face closure over expired franchise

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)

LTFRB to go after ‘colorum’ PUVs in N. Mindanao

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The new chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Northern Mindanao (LTFRB-10) has vowed to go after “colorum” public utility vehicles (PUVs) across the region

In a media briefing here Wednesday, LTFRB-10 Director Abosamen Matuan said they will actively operate on the road against unregistered PUVs following reports that “colorum” vehicles are operating in increasing numbers.

“We also need to increase the number of present enforcers who will be deployed,” Matuan said.

Matuan assumed office in late October this year, succeeding former director Amenodin Guro.

Matuan said they are still in transition and the additional personnel doing field duties will be hired gradually, especially with only seven field officers currently employed.

The LTFRB central office allocated PHP14.6 million for Region 10 this year, with PHP4 million set aside for personal services. (PNA)

2 R-10 MWPs gisikop

Gisikop sa hiniusang pwersa sa kapolisan ang duha ka most wanted person (MWP) sa Region 10

Si Police Maj. Erwin R. Naelga sa Maramag Municipal Police Station mitaho nga ang duha ka suspek nga nasikop mao ang No. 3 drug watch listed ug No. 3 MWP sa Region 10.

Ang No. 3 drug suspect sa Region 10 giila sa alyas nga “Maimai”, 29 anyos.

Nasikop siya sa gipahigayon nga drug buy-bust opearation sa Purok 2-A, North Poblacion,

Maramag, Bukidnon.

Nasakmit gikan kaniya ang lima ka gramo sa gidudahang shabu nga adunay standard price nga mukabat sa Php34,000.00.

Kasong paglapas sa Sections 5 and 11, Article II of R.A. No. 9165 ang giandam batok sa supek.

Samtang ang No. 3 MWP sa Region 10 giila nga si Lewin Loayan y Unajan alyas “Dodong”, 25, ug ulitawo.

Nasikop siya sa Purok 1A, Brgy. San Miguel, Maramag, Bukidnon niadtong Oktubre 21.

Gisikop ang suspek subay sa warrant of arrest sa kasong Homicide.

Ang arestado gidala na sa Maramag MPS alang sa hustong disposasyon. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)

Malaybalay City hosts 1st region-wide swine artificial insemination training

The first region-wide training on Swine Artificial Insemination (AI) reached its successful conclusion on September 22, 2023, at the Veranda in Casisang, Malaybalay City. The event brought together a total of 27 participants hailing from various localities within Region 10, making it a significant milestone for the local livestock industry

Key participants in this initiative included the City Veterinarian, the City Veterinary Office Livestock Production Section, and the Administrative Training Committee. Also in attendance were Regional and Provincial AI Coordinators, as well as members of the ATI Training Management Team.

This event exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, charting a brighter future for the region’s agricultural sector. Dr. Michele C. Miquiabas, the City Veterinarian, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead this endeavor and recognized its potential to enhance the regional livestock sector.

Dr. Omar T. Cahanap, Livestock Veterinarian, took pride in the fact that Malaybalay City was the first in the Philippines to host an entire region, generously sharing its technical expertise. He stated, “Indeed, Malaybalay City is a catalyst of change. Saka Ta Malaybalay,” underscoring the city’s commitment to pioneering advancements in the industry.

Alexis I. Flores, A.I. Center Chief of Malaybalay, emphasized their dedication to extending knowledge beyond the city’s borders, asserting that knowledge should know no boundaries. Phil Rae M. Bonngo assured the participants of their support, saying, “We are here to help you and will guide you in establishing your own swine artificial insemination breeding centers.”

Jeric L. Cabatac, a Training Specialist from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), emphasized that this marks only the beginning of numerous future collaborations between ATI and the City Veterinary Office of Malaybalay, highlighting their enduring commitment to advancing regional livestock practices.

Regional A.I. Coordinator Johnson Petalcurin highlighted the critical role that artificial insemination technology plays in addressing food sufficiency challenges posed by animal diseases. He stressed that this training would significantly contribute to improving food production and ensuring a secure food supply for the region. (LGU Malaybalay)

Northern Mindanao building more hospitals

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)

DILG chief vows to probe drug trades in jails

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will launch a deeper probe into the illegal drug trade in jail facilities after receiving information about similar incidents in Northern Mindanao

In a media conference here Monday, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. vowed that through the agency’s “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA), incidents of illegal drugs proliferating in jail facilities will end.

“Let us see how to go about it; in the meantime, part of our program is to intensify drug testing (even for government personnel),” Abalos said.

Abalos was joined by officials of the Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 10 in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental province, to lead local activities related to the DILG’s anti-drug campaign.

Abalos said the DILG also considers the mandatory use of surveillance cameras in “sensitive areas” to ensure no persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are being taken out to trade illegal drugs.

“We will look into the reports of cellphones (being used to communicate outside the jail),” he added.

Between 2019 and 2022, the Misamis Oriental provincial jail based in this city reported incidents involving PDLs caught engaging in illegal drugs with the help of outsiders.

Misamis Oriental Governor Pedro Unabia said he supports the DILG’s anti-drug programs.

During Monday’s event with Abalos, PRO-10 also raised awareness of the revitalized “Kasimbayanan” program, which stands for “Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan,” that sought the police force’s partnership with religious organizations and the public against illegal drugs. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

 

Resulta sa imbestigasyon kabahin sa gakawala-wala nga signal sa Telco, dinalian nga gisubay sa 27th SP

Dinalian nga gisubay sa 27th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), pinaagi sa Resolution No. 2023-985 (27th SP), ang investigation result nga gipasiugdahan sa National Telecommunication (NTC) Region 10 kabahin sa gisaad nga imbestigasyon sa hinay ug gakawala-wala nga signal sa mga cellular phones sa probinsya, hinungdan nga adunay mga short message service (SMS) nga napadala na apan wala madawatan sa gipadalhan ug wala man lang pahibalo nga “message sent failed”

Sunod-sunod na nga committee meetings ang gitakda sa SP aron mahatagan ug katin-awan ang problema sa cellphone signal, uban ang Telecommunication (Telco) operators sa Bukidnon, sama sa Globe Telecom, Inc., DITO Telecommunity, Converge ug Smart Communications, Inc. Sa deliberasyon, nasuta nga wala masayud ang mga Telco operators nga nagka-problema ang ilang serbisyo dinhi sa probinsya, rason nga mipadayag si NTC 10 Regional Director Teodoro D. Buenavista, Jr. sa SP nga iyang hangyoon ang NTC Manila nga sugdan ang imbestigasyon sa maong hisgutanan.

Alayon niini, mipalabang na usab ug laing resolusyon ang 27th SP, pinaagi ni Board Member Nemesio B. Beltran, Jr., nga nag-awhag sa NTC Central Office sa pagpahigayon dayon sa imbestigasyon aron mapahibalo ang katawhan kung unsa ang nahitabo sa sistema sa nasangpit nga mga Telco providers.

Gawas niana, nagpadala usab ug sulat si RD Buenavista, pinetsahan Nobyembre 9, 2022, ngadto kang NTC Deputy Commissioner, Hon. Ella Blanca B. Lopez nga naghangyo sa pag-imbestiga sa nadawat nga mga reklamo gikan sa mga subscribers. Samtang usa ka Memo usab ang gi-issue ni Engr. Vixter A. Abaday gikan sa NTC-10, sa susamang katuyuan.

Ang kadaot sa signal nakahatag ug kahasol sa mga subscribers, ilabi na kadtong mga trabaho ug transaksyon nga nakadepende sa text messages, busa ang maong resolusyon gikonsidera sa 27th SP nga dinalian. (PR)

No. 9 most wanted sa R-10, ug uban pa nakorner

Nakorner sa hiniusang pwersa sa kapolisan ang top 9 most wanted person sa Region 10 sa gipahigayon nga search warrant operation sa Purok 1, Central Poblacion, Kalilangan, Bukidnon niadtong Enero 23, 2023

Sa report ni Police Maj. Merlin M. Macawili, oic sa Kalilangan MPS, ang nakorner naila nga si Van Malanhay Vicerra, Top 9 most wanted person sa Region 10, 51, adunay kapuyo ug si Yolany Bongabong Fiola, 45, adunay kapuyo.

Nakuha sa ilang posesyon ang 12 gramo sa gidudahang shabu nga adunay estimated standard drug price nga Php 81,600.00.

Kasong paglapas sa Section 11 ug 12, Article II of RA 9165 ang gi andam batok nila.

Sa laing bahin, nadakpan usab sa kapolisan ang top 9 ug top 10 most wanted person sa Bukidnon kaniadtong Enero 23, 2023 sa managlahing lugar.

Sa report nga nahipos sa Bukidnon Police Provincial Office, ang duha giila nga si Romulo Quirino Y Ragandang, 42, minyo, dicer ug residente sa Purok-3, Batangan, Valencia City, Bukidnon ug si Jojo Martil y Man-Umpong, 33, minyo ug residente sa Purok 1, Kipaypayon, Quezon, Bukidnon.

Si Quirino, gidakop sa kasong Statutory Rape didto sa Purok-3, Batangan, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

Samtang si Martil gisikop sa kasong Frustrated Murder didto sa Purok 1, Kipayayon, Quezon, Bukidnon.

Si Quirino anaa na ubos sa kustodiya sa Valencia CPS ug si Martil sa Quezon MPS alang sa hustong disposasyon. (Diego M. Hidalgo)