Saturday, January 18, 2025

Tag: SEC

COMELEC Prepares for 2025 Elections, Issues Voter Guidelines

Posted on by cmn

MISAMIS ORIENTAL – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that the number of registered voters in Northern Mindanao has surpassed 3 million, covering the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin. Misamis Oriental leads with over 1 million voters

Atty. Carlito Ravelo, Misamis Oriental’s Provincial Election Supervisor, highlighted that Region 10 ranks among the Philippines’ vote-rich regions, with a total of 3,190,362 voters across five provinces.


“Region 10 ranks among the vote-rich regions of the Philippines, with 3,190,362 voters spanning five provinces,” Ravelo said.


Ravelo also provided a breakdown of voter distribution across two congressional districts in Misamis Oriental:
• District 1 (Balingasag to Magsaysay, including Gingoog City) has 302,235 registered voters and 429 clustered precincts.
• District 2 (Lugait to Jasaan, including El Salvador City) has 393,285 voters.


In Cagayan de Oro, the 1st District (24 barangays) has 212,016 registered voters and 233 clustered precincts, while the 2nd District (56 barangays) accounts for 204,885 voters and 249 precincts. Combined, Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro have 1,112,421 voters and 1,452 clustered precincts.


Election Schedules and Processes


As the 2025 elections approach, COMELEC emphasized the importance of key dates and processes:
• The national campaign period begins on February 11, 2025, and ends on May 10, 2025.
• The local campaign period starts on March 25, 2025, and ends on May 10, 2025.


Election Day, May 12, 2025, will see voting from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Special voting hours for persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, and pregnant women will be from 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with priority polling places operating from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM.


Special arrangements will be made for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), with special electoral boards ensuring that PDL voters can cast their ballots from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM.


Voters will elect 12 senators, one party-list representative, one congressional representative per district, a provincial governor, a vice governor, provincial board members, mayors, vice mayors, and municipal councilors. Misamis Oriental voters will elect five board members for each district, while Cagayan de Oro voters will select eight city councilors per district.


Ensuring Transparent and Secure Voting


COMELEC assured the public of the security of the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) used in the May 2025 elections. These machines are equipped with rechargeable batteries to prevent interruptions, and backup machines are on standby, along with technical personnel for repairs.


To prevent transmission issues, COMELEC will utilize satellite technology, including Starlink, to ensure 100% nationwide transmission from ACMs. The transparency of the process will be further supported by parallel counting conducted by accredited organizations and political parties, ensuring credible results.


Election results will be transmitted to the City/Municipality Board of Canvassers, Central Server, Accredited Citizens’ Arms 1 and 2, Dominant Majority, Dominant Minority, and Media Server.


Voters are reminded to check the list of registered voters posted outside their precincts to confirm their sequence and number. After identity verification and ensuring their finger is not marked with indelible ink, voters will follow the procedure to cast their ballots and feed them into the ACM.


Voters are advised to shade the circles fully on their ballots for accurate counting. Ballots contain security features, so it is prohibited to mark them in any way that may cause rejection. Voting receipts will be issued and must be deposited in designated compartments at the precinct.


COMELEC reiterated its commitment to upholding electoral integrity and maintaining public trust and encouraged citizens to exercise their right to vote and actively participate in the upcoming elections. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA-10)

Contingent No. 7 triumphs Golden Harvest Street Dancing, Ground Presentation

Posted on by Melchor Madera

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – Contingent No. 7, composed of Barangays Batangan, Vintar, and Sinabuagan, stole the spotlight during the 24th Charter Day Celebration of Valencia City, Bukidnon, on January 12, 2025

Contingent No. 7 clinched the top spot in both the Golden Harvest Street Dancing Competition and the Ground Presentation.

The contingent also earned two Special Awards from the Valencia City government: Best in Costume and Best Product Queen.

Contingent No. 4, representing Barangays Mabuhay, Maapag, and Pinatilan, finished as the first runner-up in both the Street Dancing and Ground Presentation categories.

Contingent No. 6, comprised of Barangays Colonia, Nabag-o, and Mailag, secured second place in the Street Dancing Competition.

Meanwhile, Contingent No. 5, representing Barangays Banlag, Sinayawan, and Dagat-kidavao, placed second in the Ground Presentation. (melbmadera)

DAR-10 distributes over 320,000 hectares to ARBs, showcases agrarian reform milestones

Posted on by cmn

MISAMIS ORIENTAL (December 29, 2024) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 10 highlighted significant accomplishments in its key programs, reaffirming its commitment to improving the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs)

In Kapihan sa PIA, DAR-10 Regional Director Zoraida Macadindang underscored the positive impact of their programs and projects on agrarian reform beneficiaries.
“Dako na kaayo ang among nahimo for this year 2024, nadugangan ang among accomplishments in terms of cumulative and na-implement na namo ug nakapanghatag nami sa certificate of condonation with release of real estate mortgage, naka-produce ug thousands of e-titles pinaagi sa SPLIT project, ug daghan ta napanghatag nga CLOAs,” Macadindang said.
(This year, 2024, we achieved significant milestones, including distributing certificates of condonation with real estate mortgage releases, producing thousands of e-titles through the SPLIT project, and issuing numerous CLOAs.)
As of November 2024, Macadindang reported a 97.28 percent completion of the Land Tenure Improvement Program (LTIP), distributing 320,993 hectares to 187,723 ARBs. The region also achieved 136,105 hectares in leasehold agreements, benefiting 51,300 leaseholders.
Under Republic Act No. 11953, the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, 6,538 Certificates of Condonation with Mortgage Releases were issued to ARBs, covering 8,219 hectares, mostly in Bukidnon. Additionally, the agency distributed 2,441 e-titles, converting 364 collective CLOAs into individual titles for 1,984 beneficiaries across 2,816 hectares.
Under the Agrarian Justice Delivery Program, DAR-10 has resolved 1,823 judicial cases, 28,074 quasi-judicial cases, and 54,567 Agrarian Law Implementation (ALI) cases, ensuring secure, sustainable land ownership for ARBs while effectively resolving disputes.
Macadindang attributed the region’s positive results to the efficiency of their skilled adjudicators.
She emphasized that they maintained a zero-case backlog, earning a Hall of Fame award from the DAR Central Office.
“We are closely monitored for case aging to ensure timely resolution. Cases are resolved promptly upon meeting all requirements,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Development Sustainability Program (ARBDSP) supports 504 active Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) across 176 agrarian reform communities (ARCs), benefiting a total of 239,446 ARBs.
To empower ARBs further, 26 ongoing agrarian reform projects worth P376 million are being implemented. Six more projects, valued at P150.5 million, are set to begin, while 440 proposed projects totaling P27.6 billion await approval. The total investment in these projects exceeds P28.15 billion, with Bukidnon receiving the largest share.
These achievements demonstrate DAR’s commitment to advancing its programs, providing ARBs in Northern Mindanao with improved economic opportunities and quality of life. DAR encourages those interested in its programs to visit their local offices across the region. (Jan Albert K. Araña/PIA-10)

Lalaki naghikog sa Dangcagan

Posted on by Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah

Nadiskobrehan nga naghikog ang usa ka 23-anyos nga ulitawo sulod sa ilang panimalay sa Purok 1, Brgy. Poblacion, Dangcagan, Bukidnon, buntag sa Enero 2, 2025

Sa imbestigasyon sa Dangcagan Municipal Police Station, nasayran nga nag-inom og ilimnong

makahubog ang biktima uban sa iyang mga higala sayo sa gabii niadtong Enero 1, 2025, sa Purok 3, Poblacion, Dangcagan, Bukidnon ug nipauli mga alas 4:00 sa buntag sa Enero 2, 2025.


Dugang pa, mga alas 7:00 sa buntag sa samang petsa, nanuktok ang iyang inahan sa pultahan sa iyang lawak apan walay tubag.


Giablihan niya ang pultahan ug nadiskubrehan niya ang iyang anak nga naglingkod ug naghigot og electrical wire sa liog ug gitaod kini sa grills sa bintana.


Gidala dayon sa pamilya ang biktima sa Kibawe Provincial Hospital, diin gideklarang dead on arrival sa attending physician.


Ang hinungdan sa kamatayon gitino nga asphyxia, secondary to hanging. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

OCD equips regions with water filtration, communication systems for emergencies

Posted on by cmn

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 aims to be PH’s Arabica Capital with coffee roadmap

Posted on by cmn

MALAYBALAY CITY (August 28, 2024/PIA) — “Bukidnon’s coffee beans, renowned worldwide for their quality, have elevated the province as a global coffee destination. We have world-class coffee beans right here in our backyard. It’s time to unleash their full potential,” declared Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque

Despite this international acclaim, the governor emphasized that the local coffee industry remains weak and underdeveloped. However, he believes the province’s coffee industry is on the cusp of a transformation.

To achieve this revitalization, Roque aims to establish Bukidnon as the “Arabica Capital” of the Philippines. In a recent state-of-the-province address, he referred to the coffee potential as a hidden treasure, underscoring the untapped opportunities.

He said that with the right strategies and investments, Bukidnon can become a shining example of how to turn agricultural resources into economic prosperity.

To turn this vision into reality, the provincial government has established a technical working group (TWG) dedicated to crafting a comprehensive coffee roadmap.

This collaborative effort brings together farmers, processors, sellers, café owners, baristas, and coffee enthusiasts to chart a course for the industry’s growth.

The roadmap will prioritize improving coffee quality and marketability using advanced processing techniques.

Bukidnon seeks to boost its local economy and generate new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs by reinventing raw coffee beans into high-value products like roasted and ground coffee.

“We want to add value to our coffee beans. We aim to increase farmers’ income and establish Bukidnon as a leader in the global coffee market,” Roque said.

He explained that the newly created TWG is a significant milestone for Bukidnon’s coffee sector because the expertise and experience of various stakeholders could develop a sustainable and profitable coffee industry that can compete globally.

Bukidnon envisions a future where local products, including coffee, are celebrated domestically and internationally.

As the province embarks on this pursuit, the successful implementation of the Coffee Roadmap could serve as a model for other regions seeking to harness their unique agricultural products for economic development. (Bernadith G. Epan/PIA 10-Bukidnon)

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

Posted on by cmn

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)

2 babaye nakorner sa buy-bust sa Maramag

Posted on by Diego M. Hidalgo

Nasikop sa kapolisan ang duha ka babayeng newly identified drug suspects sa buy-bust operation sa Purok 6, Brgy. Basecamp, Maramag, Bukidnon sa niaging semana

Ang mga suspek nag-edad 40 ug 50 anyos, sumala sa report ni Police Lt. Col. Bryan M. Panganiban, OIC sa Maramag Municipal Police Station.

Nakuha gikan sa mga babayeng suspek ang duha ka pakite sa gidudahang shabu nga adunay street value nga P34,000.00, lima ka selpon ug P500 cash.

Kasong paglapas sa RA 9165 o Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 ang giandam na batok sa mga dinakpan.

Gidala sa Provincial Forensic Unit 10 sa Malaybalay City ang mga nakumpiska nga druga alang sa qualitative ug quantitative examinations. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

Balay ta Kalinaw sa Impasug-ong gilansad

Posted on by Melchor Madera

Ang Balay ta Kalinaw sa Barangay Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon gilansad kaniadtong Agosto 15, 2024

Sumala sa kasayoran sa provincial government sa Bukidnon, ang kalihokan gipangunahan ni Gobernador Rogelio Neil P. Roque.

Uban ni Roque ang Provincial Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program kon E-CLIP Committee, fourth infantry division assistant division commander BGen. Consolito Yecla, CMU president Dr. Rolito Eballe ug Impasugong Mayor Anthony Uy.

Gipasabot ni PSWD Officer Ellen Salumintao, nga ang maong pasilidad mamahimong temporaryong puy-anan sulod sa tulo ka bulan sa former rebels nga mi-abandona sa armadong pakigbisog, kung diin ipahigayon ang implementasyon sa mga programa ubos sa E-CLIP.

Dugang pa nga adunay upat ka component sa transformational plan nga pagasundon nga mao ang security, socio-economic, confidence building, ug healing and reconciliation. (melbmadera)

NCIP, LGU Manolo Fortich ink MOA on P226.9M FMR in Kalugmanan

Posted on by cmn

The drafting and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the concreting of the farm-to-market road in Sitio Balakbakan, Barangay Kalugmanan, took place on August 19, 2024, at the Barangay Kalugmanan covered court

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich signed the agreement.

The project involves concreting a 7.8-kilometer Farm-to-Market Road (FRM) under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), with a budget of 226,992,990 million pesos from the Department of Agriculture.

The road concreting will begin at Sitio Balakbakan and continue to Kalugmanan proper.

This project aims to assist farmers in Barangay Kalugmanan by facilitating the easier transportation of their farm produce to the Municipal Public Market in Barangay Tankulan.

Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño was present during the MOA drafting and signing. He expressed his enthusiasm for infrastructure programs, particularly road projects.

“Matod pa, himoon nato ni nga dako nga kalipay nga ang atong karsada gikan didto sa Café by the Ridge, musangko dinhi sa atong tulay, pasubida paingon sa ila ni Mr. Perrine, ug gani naa pay sobra nga budget, I think nga e-semento pa paingon diri. Nindot na kaayo mga programa nato mga roads section sa atong lungsod sa Manolo Fortich. Including ang atong Sankanan road, ang atong gi-plano nasad ang Lindaban paingon sa Dahilayan atong sementohon, so nangita tag budget para ana,” Mayor Quiño stated.

Farmer Sirapin Buyoc, 67 years old, from Zone 2, Kalugmanan, expressed his gratitude for the road project, which has made transporting their agricultural products easier.

“Ang ako lang, nga makadugang benepisyo niining muabot ang dalan nga kami di nami maglisod sa among mga produkto, sama sa mga mais, cassava, mga utanon, daghan mi mga utanon diha sa Ilaya. So sayon ra gyud kaayo ang pag-deliver sa produkto paingon sa atong market ug sa Cagayan,” said Buyoc.

Also in attendance were Municipal Administrator Engr. Joie Caesar M. Gaid, Sangguniang Bayan Member IPMR Coun. Alex Payangga, NCIP Regional Legal Officer Atty. Dexter Precioso, the Barangay Council of Kalugmanan, and Indigenous Peoples (IP) community members, including the Higaonon, Talaandig, and Bukidnon tribes.

Heads of offices and representatives from focal departments of the Local Government of Manolo Fortich, such as the Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Engineering Office, Municipal Assessor’s Office, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Municipal Planning and Development Office, also attended the MOA signing. (PR)