Tuesday, April 23, 2024

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

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)

Lalaki nahulog sa roof top sa tennis court

Isa ka lalaki ang namatay sa gidalhan nga hospital human nahulog sa roof top sa tennis court sa isa ka tunghaan sa Valencia City, Bukidnon

Sumala sa kasayoran, ang biktima nailang si Cristian Ela, 20, residente sa Mt. Nebo, Valencia City.

Ang biktima nagtrabaho sa Mountain View College (MVC) sa Mt. Nebo.

Nadala pa siya sa Adventist Medical Center-Valencia City apan namatay pipila ka oras ang milabay.

Gikataho nga samtang nagtrabaho ang lalaki sa roof top sa tennis court sa tunghaan, na-slide ang atop nga iyang gitangtang hinungdan sa iyang pagkahulog. (Omar Rashid Z. Abdullah)

Mapawa Rodeo Team rules Kaamulan Rodeo 2024

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (March 26, 2024) – The Mapawa Rodeo Team was the overall winner of the Kaamulan Rodeo 2024

The squad outsmarted 21 other teams in the two-day competition, which took place on March 23-24, 2024, in Impasugong Central Elementary School Grounds, Poblacion, Impasugong, Bukidnon.

 

Mapawa Rodeo Team won two of the eight events: rope & tie and carambola.

 

Tied as first runner-up were Wang-Wang Rodeo Team and Impasugong Rodeo Team.

 

Meanwhile, LGU-Sumilao Rodeo Team and Valencia City Rodeo Team finished tied as second runer-up.

 

In Bull Riding, Impasugong Rodeo Team took the first place, followed by Valencia City Rodeo Team and Wang-Wang Rodeo Team.

 

Impasugong Rodeo Team finished second to Mapawa Rodeo Team in Rope & Tie, with LGU Libona Rodeo Team taking third.

 

LGU Sumilao Rodeo Team took first position in Steer Wrestling, followed by LGU Libona Rodeo and Impasugong Rodeo Team.

 

In Carambola, Saddles and Pines Ranch was next to Mapawa Rodeo Team, and Umalag Farm came in third.

 

The Wang-Wang Rodeo Team led in Calf Underscoring, followed by the Mapawa Rodeo Team and the JFR Vaqueros Bravos Rodeo Team.

 

The Herdsman Valencia Rodeo Team finished first in Breakaway Roping, followed by the DMPI Rodeo Team and the LGU Sumilao Rodeo Team.

 

Valencia City Rodeo Team won Team Roping, while LGU Sumilao Rodeo Team came in second, followed by Mapawa Rodeo Team.

 

Lastly, in Barrel Roping, the JFR Vaqueros Bravos Rodeo Team won first place, followed by Wang-Wang Rodeo Team and Zubros Rodeo Team in second and third place.

 

Meanwhile, two special awards were given.

 

Hajil Abriol of the Mapawa Rodeo Team was crowned Rodeo King, while Mary Umpay of the Wang-Wang Rodeo Team was named Rodeo Queen.

 

Bukidnon is known as the “home of the country’s finest cowboys.”

 

Large audiences gather during Kaamulan to watch the province’s bravest and best cowboys and cowgirls compete in rodeo.

 

On the opening day of the event, Provincial Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque welcomed the spectators.

 

Bukidnon 2nd District Representative John Keith Flores, Impasugong Mayor Anthony Uy, and Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos were among the government leaders who attended one of the most popular events in Kaamulan.

 

Kaamulan 2024 is celebrated from March 23 to April 23, 2024. (melbmadera)

Bukidnon claims top spot as Philippines’ leading agricultural area

Bukidnon is the top agricultural area in the country, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed

Based on the survey of 82 provinces and 17 highly urbanized cities, it reported that Bukidnon had the highest gross value added (GVA) to agriculture, forestry, and fishing (AFF) in 2022 which stood at P125 billion.

 

The province contributed seven percent to the sector’s overall national GVA.

 

GVA is defined as the total of all revenues, from final sales and net subsidies, which are incomes into businesses; these incomes are then used to cover expenses, savings, and taxes.

 

It is also used to adjust gross domestic product, which is a key indicator of the state of a nation’s total economy.

 

Nueva Ecija comes after Bukidnon, with a GVA of P79.74 billion or 4.5 percentage share, followed by Pangasinan with P66.93 billion, Pampanga with P62.71 billion, and Isabela with P58.78 billion.

 

Completing the top 10 provinces outside the National Capital Region (NCR) that had the highest shares of GVA of AFF were Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Davao del Norte, Batangas, and Quezon.

 

On the other hand, the country reached over P1.78 trillion in GVA of AFF.

 

In terms of per capita GDP among provinces and cities outside NCR in 2022, Baguio City shared the highest per capita GDP of over P420 billion.

 

The per capita GDP is a measurement of wealth or poverty through the economic output to a per-person allocation.

 

Also sharing the highest per capita GDP were the cities of Cagayan de Oro (P343 billion), Lapu-Lapu (P313 billion), Iloilo (P306 billion), and Bataan (P297 billion).

 

Rounding out the top 10 wealthiest areas outside NCR were Cebu City, Laguna, Mandaue City, Davao City, and Batanes.

 

The Marcos administration is targeting to achieve an economic growth of 6.5 to 7.5 percent target band this year and 6.5 to 8.0 percent in the next four years.

 

The country’s GDP is already above pre-pandemic levels in peso terms, according to Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort, however, it could be slowed by higher prices and interest rates. (Xander Dave Ceballos/April 2, 2024)

PGB, Bugemco seal 30-year lease contract for new commercial building

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (February 29, 2024) – The Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) and the Bukidnon Government Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (BUGEMCO) has engaged in a 30-year lease arrangement for the use of a new 3-storey Commercial Building II

The signing ceremony was held on February 27, 2024, during the inauguration of PGB’s new commercial facility on Fortich St. in Brgy. 7. Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Provincial Governor Rogelio Neil P. Roque signed the MOA on behalf of PGB, while Ms.  Venus Lubguban, Bugemco’s chief executive officer, signed on behalf of the cooperative.

The terms and conditions of the contract are specified in Resolution No. 2024-2890 of the 27th  Sangguniang Panlawigan (SP).

The PGB in a press statement said the monthly lease payments of ₱800,000 net of tax are due on the 10th of each month.

The new Bukidnon Commercial Building II of the PGB will house the BUGEMCO-Malaybalay Branch Office, BUGEMCO Mart, a training facility for cooperative affairs, and future plans to deliver quality services to its members and the community.

Governor Roque thanked former Governor and current 3rd District Representative Jose Ma. R. Zubiri, Jr. in all his efforts for initiating the project during his term as governor.

During Zubiri’s stint as Governor, the PGB has allocated ₱100,999,905.00 from the 20 percent Development Fund.

Jejor’s Construction Corporation completed its work on July 21, 2022, and the Certificate of Occupancy was entirely gained on December 18, 2023, after overcoming PGB obstacles. (melbmadera)

P9.9-M View Deck, Board Walk gipabarug  

Gisugdan na ang pagpabarog sa View Deck ug Board Walk project sa Kaamulan complex. Sumala sa kasayoran, ang proyekto nga nagsugod na niadtong Enero 12, 2024, iya sa Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB).

Mikabat sa ₱9,979,458.28 ang pondo sa proyekto nga nagsumikad sa 20 percent Development Fund sa PGB.

Kini ipahimutang sa likod sa Capitol Main Building sa Capitol Compound, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

Ang proyekto ipatuman pinaagi sa pagdumala sa Provincial Engineering Office (PEO).

Ang SPEC Construction Services and Supplies ang nakontrata sa sa proyekto. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

Programa sa clean and green sa kabarangayan gisusi sa LGU-Malaybalay

Gilantaw na sa City Clean and Green Evaluators ang nahimo sa mga kabarangayan pinaagi sa pagpahigayon sa tinuig nga Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay

Nunot kini sa makanunayon nga paningkamot sa lokal nga Pangagamhanan sa Malaybalay nga masiguro ang kalimpyo ug kahapsay sa kalikopan.

Sumala sa kasayoran sa kagamhanang lokalsa Malaybalay, ang evaluation napatuman subay sa direktiba ni Mayor Jay Warren R. Pabillaran.

Gisuta sa evaluating team nga gibahin sa duha ka grupo niadtong Pebrero 1-23, 2024 ang 46 ka barangay kabahin sa kinatibuk-ang kalimpyo sa palibot pinaagi sa ilang lakang ug stratehiya nga nahimo.

Gilantaw sab sa evaluating team ang pagpakita sa pinasahi nga inisyatiba sa kabarangayan sa pagprotekta sa kinaiyahan.

Lakip na gitan-aw ang pagpatuman sa mga lakang nga gimando diha sa ordinansa numero 962 mahitungod sa ecological solid waste management (ESWM).

Gisusi usab ang kamahinungdanon nga palisiya sama sa paggahin og pundo sa programa ug kalihokan sa clean and green.

Nagpasalamat ang mga opisyales sa barangay nga sila nagiyahan sa mga gingbuhaton labi na nga matutokan ang komitiba sa clean and green, ESWM, ug green brigade.

Dugang pa, nahatagan usab og importansya ang pagmugna sa communal garden basi sa ordinansa 1016 s. 2023 ug ingon man ang ordinansa 668 mahitungod sa responsable nga pagpanagiya sa kahayopan.

Gisuta usab ang aktibo nga partisipasyon sa komunidad labi sa pag-atiman sa palibot, gulayan sa barangay ug panimalay, pagpatukod sa material recovery facility ug nursery, recycling activities, landscaping, tree planting, pag-amuma sa tree park ug paglikay sa galatagaw nga kahayopan sa publikong lugar.

Gilangkuban sa duha ka kategorya ang 46 ka barangay.

Sa category A, mao ang Poblacion Barangays 1, 9, 10, 11, Aglayan, Apo Macote, Bangcud, Cabangahan, Can-ayan, Casisang, Dalwangan, Kalasungay, Laguitas, Linabo, Magsaysay, Managok, Miglamin, Patpat, Silae, San Jose, San Martin, Simaya, ug Sumpong.

Sa category B, mao ang barangays 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Busdi, Caburacanan, Capitan Anghel, Imbayao, Indalasa, Kibalabag, Kulaman, Maligaya, Manalog, Mapayag, Mapulo, Sinanglanan, Sto. Niño, Violeta, St. Peter, ug Zamboagita. (Diego M. Hidalgo)

Mga negosyante nga nag-empleyo og senior citizen, PWD sa Malaybalay makadawat og insentibo

Ang mga negosyante nga nag-empleyo og mga senior citizen ug Person with Disabilities (PWD) sa dakbayan sa Malaybalay ang pagahatagan og insentibo

Nahitabo kini human gi-aprobahan ni City Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran niadtong Nobyembre 21 ang isa ka ordinansa.

Sumala sa kasayoran, una nang nakalusot sa Sangguniang Panlungsod ang Ordinance No. 1029 serye sa 2023 atol sa ilang regular session niadtong Nobyembre 7.

Kini mao ang ordinansa nga maghatag og insentibo alang sa mga negosyante nga nag-empleyo og senior citizen ug PWD.

Tumong sa ordinansa nga madasig ang mga pribadong kompanya ug mga negosyante nga mag empleyo og mga senior citizen ug PWD kung sila kwalipikado, andam ug makahimo pa sa pagtrabaho, ug paghatag kanila sa training aron mapalambo ang ilang mga abilidad sa pagpanarbaho. (melbmadera)

Community-based tourism: Empowering communities towards sustainable tourism

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Recognizing the valuable role of community-based tourism organizations (CBTOs) in tourism development, the Department of Tourism is providing livelihood assistance to CBTOs to give them additional opportunities and be able to take part in propelling the country’s tourism industry to move forward

One of the recipients of the DOT’s livelihood assistance in Northern Mindanao is a community-based mountaineering club in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Founded in 2010 and driven by a strong sense of environmental protection, the Kalasanen Mountaineering Club (KMC) brings together mountaineers, hikers, and nature explorers who share the same goal of protecting and preserving the local natural spot.

According to the DOT, KMC was chosen because of the several climbs and outreach programs it initiated to provide children living in far-flung areas with educational supplies and raise funds to support the medication of a 64-year-old resident of Manolo Fortich with Parkinson’s Syndrome Disease.

Moreover, KMC plays a vital role in protecting Mt. Palaopao and the flora, fauna, and community around it, especially now that Manolo Fortich has been declared as the Philippine Eagle Sanctuary in Northern Mindanao following the discovery of eight (8) pairs of Philippine Eagles residing in the forests of the municipality.

With 27 members, the mountaineering club received a Basic Mountaineering Course worth P300,000 from the DOT. They were also given livelihood kits as part of the training. The kits included tents, rope, a cook set, burners, butane, a mountain bag, a compass, and a sleeping bag.

The ceremonial turnover of the livelihood assistance was held during the recent visit of DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco to the said municipality to inaugurate the first Tourist Rest Area in Northern Mindanao.

First DOT-assisted CBTO in Northern Mindanao

The Kalasanen Mountaineering Club is the first CBTO in the municipality to receive such assistance from DOT, although the Manolo Fortich municipal government recognizes ten CBTOs.

“Kami napuno og pasalamat sa higayon ug pagtagad nga gihatag sa amoa sa DOT, sa pagpangulo ni Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. Ang kani nga pag-ila dakong tabang sa among panginabuhian ug pagpalambo sa among adbokasiya nga maprotektahan ang atong mountain treasures ug makatabang sa mga isig katawo natong nanginahanglan. Salamat kaayo, Secretary Frasco. Kami malipayon ug mapasalamaton sa imong regalo sa amoang grupo. Ania kami para musuporta kanimo ug sa Department of Tourism para sa kalambuan sa atong turismo dinhi sa Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, ug Pilipinas,” said KMC President Junell Wayan.

[We are filled with gratitude for the opportunity and attention given to us by the DOT, under the leadership of Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. This recognition is a great help to our livelihood and the development of our advocacy to protect our mountain treasures and help our fellow human beings in need. Thank you very much, Secretary Frasco. We are happy and grateful for your gift to our group. We are here to support you and the Department of Tourism in the development of our tourism here in Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, and the Philippines.]

KMC remains steadfast in its commitment to encouraging people to support their cause and invite more tourists to explore the beauty of Manolo Fortich through tree-planting activities and friendship climbs. (APB/PIA-10)

DOT inaugurates P7-M rest area in Bukidnon

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) turned over a PHP7-million Tourist Rest Area (TRA) last August 04, 2023

TIEZA chief operations officer Mark Lapid said the project is the first to be completed in Mindanao.

As the tourism infrastructure arm of the government, TIEZA is in charge of funding and construction of such undertakings. At the same time, DOT serves as the overall evaluator of the project as its primary concept originator.

With the project’s turnover, Lapid said the local government is tasked with the TRA’s daily operation and maintenance.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, who graced the event, noted that there are 15 ongoing TRA projects in the country.

“Road Infrastructure projects are also vital for tourism development in the country, and (we) thank President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for having roads and bridges as among the vital programs of this administration under his Build Better More program,” Frasco said.

Last year, Frasco led the opening of 10 TRAs across the country.

Meanwhile, Governor Rogelio Neil Roque underscored the significance of the structure to the province’s tourism industry, which he said is known for food, religion, and culture.

“Bukidnon is the home of the second highest peak in the country, which is Mount Dulang-dulang, and half of the highest mountain peaks in the country are found in the province,” he said.

Mayor Rogelio Quiño said the town has witnessed tourism-related investments pouring into the locality, luring at least 6,000 tourists daily.

During the launch, the DOT also distributed kits to Bukidnon tour guides at the Manolo Fortich gymnasium, while community-based tourism organizations also benefited from livelihood training assistance from the agency. (Ercel Maanding/PNA)