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Cover Story CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In celebration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 50th Anniversary, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 10 supported and took part in the simultaneous ASEAN Landmark Lighting Ceremony held at DILG 10 Grounds, Cagayan de Oro City on August 8, 2017.
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With the theme “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World,” DILG10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe said that it reflects the Philippine government’s advocacy to promote unity with and among ASEAN member states and its global partners. Upholding support to ASEAN To commemorate this historical event, the Landmark Lighting involved the 50 historic landmarks and sites in the Philippines that have served
as venues for ASEAN meetings and activities or as hosts of ASEAN centers and institutions. In Region 10, these places are the province of Camiguin, and the cities of Malaybalay and Cagayan de Oro City. Agabe said that the DILG Regional Offices, Central Office, as well as attached agencies, are joining the festivity to show our full support to the simultaneous Lantern Lighting
Ceremony. “ASEAN is one way in complementing our efforts to ensure that we could effectively combat maritime piracy, do something on environmental protection and preservation, promote peace and stability, tourism and as well as to ensure that there will be more investments, and more jobs,” Agabe said. Further, he explained that ASEAN is also one organization where all people work together, coordinate and collaborate, to ensure that in times of disaster, there will be an immediate assistance coming from other member countries. ASEAN in the next years The DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere A. Panadero graced the event saying, “This aggrupation will shape the future of our country relative to the nine other nations. Isa sa pakay nito is to promote stability in the region.” The undersecretary explained that through ASEAN, there will be a Free Trade Zone or the free flow of goods. Moreover, he elaborated that the human resources can also move around ASEAN countries. “If the Filipinos can move anywhere and work in any of the nine countries, similarly, some of the people there can also work here among us…This will definitely change the landscape of the way how we relate with each other, even with the rest of the ASEAN countries,” said
Usec. Panadero. In addition, he recognized that in order to move forward faster and be more effective in promoting development, there is a need for chief executives to increasingly work with each other and learn from each other, as well. “Let us all embrace the 50th year of ASEAN as we look forward to a more vibrant and prosperous ASEAN that would definitely be affecting all of us,” he underscored. Together with the DILG 10 personnel, representatives from Northern Mindanao’s National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Public Safety CollegeRegional Training Center (PPSC-RTC) attended the activity. The celebration showcased Cagayan de Oro’s homegrown talents from University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Gintong Amihan Dance Troupe and from Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) Rondalla. This festive event was capped off by a three-minute fireworks display as the 6-foot ASEAN lantern was lighted at exactly 7:00 p.m. (DILG 10/RBT)
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ARMM to participate in Budayaw fest of culture and the arts MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will participate in various activities in the upcoming international Budayaw Festival from September 20 to 24 in General Santos City.
Dubbed ‘Budayaw: 2017 Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Festival of Culture and the Arts’, the event will showcase the diversity of creative expressions of cultural masters and artists from the BIMPEAGA. Engr. Maritess Maguindra, director of the Bureau on Cultural
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Heritage-ARMM, said the region will take part in different activities that include a presentation on culture during the Colloquium, presentation of masterpieces of cultural artists, and an exhibit that will feature Muslim Filipino’s rich history and culture. “Budayaw is a platform and mechanism to bring about cultural appreciation,” Engr. Maguindra said.
1-15 August 2017 Budayaw came from two words ‘Budaya,’ a Malay term that means culture, and ‘Dayaw,’ a Filipino word that expresses bounty, beauty, and grace. “Twenty years of economic cooperation in the BIMP-EAGA led to the realization that culture is an element in the sustainable development of the four countries,” Nestor Horfilla, head of the festival organizing committee, said. The festival bears the theme ‘Taking Pride in the Creative Diversity of the BIMP-EAGA Region.’ The events in the festival include Photo Exhibit and Colloquium, Visual Arts Exhibit and Workshops, Choral Special Concerts, Country Performance Showcase, Ikat Pavilion and Traditional Virtuosos, BIMP EAGA Tourism Pavilion, Mindanao History and Culture, Community Outreach Showcase, and Special Events and Outdoors Concert. Engr. Manguindra added that the festival is not only aimed at fostering strong partnership, but also integration among its member countries. The activity also commemorates
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the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. It will be attended by more than 300 contemporary artists and indigenous cultural masters in a celebration of ‘harmony in diversity.’ The creative works from the four countries will be showcased in different venues in General Santos City. Other agency partners in the holding of the Budayaw Festival include the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Tourism, Mindanao Development Authority, Mindanao State University-General Santos, City Government of General Santos, Provincial Government of Sarangani, and the Philippine Information Agency. The Budayaw is conducted every two years, with hosting rotated among the member countries of the sub-regional grouping. The Budayaw is conducted under the Socio-Cultural and Education Pillar, the newest pillar of the BIMP-EAGA.(Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)
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MisOr, Oro farmers undergo urban vegetable gardening, land use, waste utilization training CAPITOL COMPOUND, Misamis Oriental – Farmers from selected towns in Misamis Oriental underwent a two-day training on urban vegetable gardening, space/land use and waste utilization training on August 3-4, 2017, at the TIEZA Gardens of Malasag, Eco Tourism Village in Cugman, Cagayan de Oro.
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Attended by farming practitioners and local government units (LGUs) representatives from the municipalities of Claveria, Jasaan, Villanueva, Tagoloan, Balingasag, Magsaysay, Opol, Naawan, Gitagum, Lugait and Cagayan de Oro, the event was conducted to train farmers on the recent technologies of selected high value crops particularly vegetable by adopting diversified and integrated farming system. Misamis Oriental Provincial Agriculture Office (MOPAO) agriculture specialist Bryan M. Apatan said the activity was for the farmers to appreciate the introduction of technologies, it’s principles and concepts and to share the best practices through farming innovations, adoption of combined customary and scientific approaches in farming technologies. “This has great impact to our agriculture sector in the province because this training would produce well-capacitated vegetable farmers/ practitioners not only focused on the production aspect but further
understand the marketing side. Thus, giving emphasis on the value chain which could give them better opportunity for the bigger market,” Apatan said. The training, according to Apatan, was funded by Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 through the Provincial Operations Center for Misamis Oriental and Camiguin, in partnership with the Misamis Oriental Provincial Agriculture Office (MOPAO), with topics included the cultural management for integrated/ diversified production technology, pre/post harvest management, marketing/economic returns, value adding products and the re-entry plan workshop. “There was also a farm exposure by the attendees which was held at Cervantes Farm in Brgy. Pagatpat in Cagayan de Oro,” Apatan added. (PIO)
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RAGCOM-NM conducts bloodletting activity CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Regional Association of Government Communicators Northern Mindanao (RAGCOMNM) recently conducted a blood donation activity in Cagayan de Oro City dubbed “GIVE so others may LIVE” A Bloodletting Activity.
About 93 individuals volunteered, however only 50 of them qualified to donate blood after the medical personnel from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) examined their health conditions. These 50 bags of blood collected has a total volume of 22,500cc that can save 150 lives in times of emergency, said Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Information Officer Noli dela Rita, a consistent blood donor and a galloner awardee for many times already. This daylong activity was among the priority projects of the association to address the pressing needs of more blood supply brought about by the ongoing crisis in Marawi where hundreds of soldiers were wounded, said RAGCOM President Merlyn Ybañez. In an interview she
reiterated the importance of raising public awareness on bringing back the Filipino value of volunteerism and enliven the spirit of “bayanihan” by way of donating one’s blood. Ybañez expressed her deepest gratitude foremost to all the blood donors who braved the needles and shared an ounce of their own blood. She also expressed her appreciation to those who, in one way or another have contributed to the huge success of this activity. “This wouldn’t be possible if not for the vibrant partnership and collective efforts of our sponsors namely: PRC, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, BFP, Philhealth and our collaborator— the Rotary Club Bay Area who brought in quite a number of volunteers,” said Ybañez. The RAGCOM president is also thankful to the communication allies, media that helped them promote the event. As its way of thanking the blood donors and partners, RAGCOM offered them a live musical entertainment while the bloodletting was going on. (Amy Baiño,PIO/DAR)
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Mindanao youth gather for International Youth Day ILIGAN CITY/Mindanao Hour – Amidst the ongoing conflict in Marawi City, around 500 youths from the different parts of Mindanao gathered at Iligan City National High School Gym to celebrate the International Youth Day 2017.
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With the theme Love, Peace and Music, among of the invited guests are the city government officials, Undersecretary Hope Hervilla of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Assistant Secretary James Ceasar Ventura, National Youth Commissioner-at-
large, and National Youth Commission (NYC) Chair Undersecretary Cariza Seguerra. Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz lauded the participation of the youth despite the crisis happening in Marawi. “The youth are the future of
1-15 August 2017 tomorrow. You may choose to have a better today and decide to be the best of tomorrow. It is only you who control the destiny of your generation,” Vera Cruz said. Undersecretary Hope Hervilla also said that the celebration is very relevant, as it will provide an avenue for the youth to gather and create initiatives in a time of the crisis. “I believe that Marawi will rise again from the rebels of armed conflict. You are the hope of the fatherland and of the next generation,” Hervilla said. In an interview, NYC Chair Seguerra hopes that the youth will take part in creating change by starting within themselves. “Sana lahat ng pagbabago, especially on peace, magsimula sa atin; ang openness, mas malawak na pag-iintindi sa iba’t ibang kultura at paniniwala,” she emphasized. (I hope that all changes,
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especially on peace, will start from us; the openness and wider understanding of different cultures and beliefs.) Irie Chin of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs shared that it was imperative “to gather the youth and ask them what they can do in order to move forward from the crisis.” “What happened in Marawi changed things, and we can’t just stand by and wait for things to pass. We need to move forward,” she said. Addressing four issues, prevention and rehabilitation, diversity and discrimination, protection and prevention, and participation in governance, the reading of the Youth Manifesto was conducted. Forming a peace sign, the youth also participated in candle lighting. (PIA-10 LDN/Iligan City)
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Guyabano puree from Bukidnon, a business success
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – “As you go along the process, there are trials and errors in the long run,” says Jonnamei T. Lozano, proprietor of the successful Guyabano puree business in Maramag Bukidnon. Part of the road to success are the sweat of perseverance, the blood of determination, and the exhausting battle against self-doubt that says you will never make it. A good example stands out in the province of Bukidnon, particularly in Barangay Dologon, Maramag. Here, Guyabano Puree is recognized by many. But how did it become wellknown? And what could be the story behind its success? Rj-Sun Tropical Herbs and Fruits is the name behind this product. The enterprise started sometime in November 2013 and was managed by a couple whose aspiration is to engage in business despite numerous failures and great debts. Since 2001, the Lozanos have been initiating business ventures one after the other: a printing press, a school canteen, a resto bar, hitoraising, slippers manufacturing, fried chicken, squash kutsinta-making, direct-selling fashion watches, liniment oil-making, polvoron-making, and siopao-making. Those eleven businesses gambled for a short time and ended unsuccessfully.
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Finally, for their 12th business venture, the Lozanos gave rise to RjSun Guyabano Puree. It was initially just a product of internet research and experimentation while the owners were searching for the best natural remedy for a constipation problem. When they discovered the power of the guyabano fruit, they quickly got the idea to create guyabano puree. The couple, guided by the
1-15 August 2017 management of Mrs. Jonnamei Lozano, then began the stage-bystage process of producing Rj-Sun Guyabano Puree. Soon, the product became loved by many as it has the taste of real guyabano placed in a bottle. At first, the Lozanos were hesitant, thinking that Guyabano Puree may be an impossible business to do. Producing puree using guyabano takes a lot of patience since the fruit is too sensitive. The minute you leave it open or do something that exposes the fruit, it can no longer be used for the production. There was also the fact that the couple could acquire no machineries in making the said product since they still needed support in acquiring these. Nevertheless, the Lozanos were very persistent that guyabano could really help in their business. Soon, they made it possible to market their product in Davao. Then, in 2013, RjSun received the assistance of the
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Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). Before DOST’s intervention, the couple spent enormous time in their manual production. They would start early in the day and always end late at night since manufacturing took eight long hours each day. After the lengthy process, they would be able to produce 40 bottles or two cases of guyabano puree. With the intervention of DOST, those two cases went up to 24 cases. Aside from that, another benefit from SETUP was that the shelf life of RjSun’s Guyabano Puree was made even longer – from two weeks to up to one year of the product’s expiration. The Lozanos have clearly made the right decision in fighting for Guyabano Puree. Because of their collaboration with the DOST, they have been receiving awards for their excellence. Their recognitions include the Best Delicacies - Beverage Category in the Province of Bukidnon, DTI’s Most Outstanding MSMEs in Bukidnon - Small Category, and the Seal of Product Quality, a National Product Quality Excellence Award. But achievements will never be valuable without sharing the plaque with those who provided the biggest contributions to the business. Rj-Sun has generated employment for fresh graduates, out-of-school youths, and even older individuals who are
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1-15 August 2017 deprived of work because of age limits. The business encouraged these workers to plant more guyabano trees in their own backyards and even gave them free seedlings. Soon after the plants’ proper development, Rj-Sun will be buying their fresh fruits. Success is a fitting word that describes the Lozanos’ business story. As of now, Rj-Sun Tropical Herbs and Fruits is the only manufacturer of Guyabano Puree in Northern Mindanao, with License to Operate from the Food
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and Drug Administration as well as a Certificate of Product Registration. Rj-Sun Guyabano Puree would never have made a big name in the industry without the Lozanos’ impregnable walls of determination that their product would catch the taste of the crowd. You may experience a lot of trials and errors along the process but it will be worth it in the long run. (Kate Kyle Geralla Rada CMU-BSDC3/ DOSTBukidnon)
MisOr quarantines security against Bird Flu virus intensified CAPITOL COMPOUND, Misamis Oriental – Due to the possible threat of a spillover of Avian Influenza or commonly known as Bird’s Flu virus that reportedly hit the Province of Pampanga, the Misamis Oriental Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) has tightened its defense against the entry of live and frozen poultry products from Luzon areas.
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But Governor Bambi Emano said he has ordered PAO chief Dr. Benjamin Resma to double their security in the quarantines in Lugait and Magsaysay towns even before the reported virus attack in Pampanga to ensure that locally produced poultry products will reach the market safe. Poultry products, live or frozen, from Luzon areas accordingly are already banned from reaching the local markets in Visayas and Mindanao
islands. Dr. Resma, meanwhile, is urging the public particularly those poultry raisers to be cautious and report any incident such as sick chickens for them to immediately act upon. Resma though clarified that there is no Bird’s Flu virus infections reported yet in Misamis Oriental, “and hopefully, there will never be.” Governor Emano, on the other hand, said the reported virus
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infection in Pampanga would mean a bit advantage to the local poultry producers in Misamis Oriental. “Wala pay nadungog nga virus infection sa atong mga poultry products. Apan akong pahasubo didto sa Pampanga kay lagi naigo sila sa Bird’s Flu virus, diin nag-produce sila sa 13,000 ka itlog sa Itik matag adlaw, apan dili makagawas tungod sa infection. Mas naay sales atong local producers kung magkulang ang ilang supply (in Luzon),” Governor Emano said. (There is no known virus infection in our poultry products yet. But my apology for Pampanga as accordingly they’ve been hit by the Bird’s Flu virus, where they produce 13,000 duck eggs
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daily, but couldn’t be released due to the infection. Our local producers are more likely to sell if they (Luzon) run out of supplies). The governor encourages about 143 local poultry growers in Misamis Oriental to produce more by availing the technology he got from a friend in Pampanga that is already applied by the PAO, for them to be able to supply the demand while the Luzon province is besieged by the said virus.(PIO)
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DOH-10 extends TSeKaP to home-based communities MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Department of Health (DOH) Region 10 conducted Tamang Serbisyo sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya (TSeKaP) to respond to the health needs of evacuees from Marawi City who are now staying with their relatives or friends in Pantao Ragat town, Lanao del Norte. In TSeKaP, DOH provides complete physical examination; medical and dental services; information, education, and communication (IEC) on water, sanitation and hygiene; psychosocial services and distribution of eggs to children aging from 0 to 59 months old. Four doctors to the barrios, nurses, and other medical personnel attended to the health needs of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are commonly suffering from upper respiratory tract infection, skin diseases, hypertension and diabetes. Dr. Adrian Jed Garett J. Lucero, one of the doctors, said that DOH conducts TSeKaP caravan to various evacuation centers and home-based IDPs. “We are bringing the services
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to them. Kung hanggang kailan ito, everyday namin gagawin, until may kailangan ang mga IDP (Everyday we do this to the IDPs),” he said. To date, the team from DOH-10 has conducted TSekaP in evacuation centers (ECs) and home-based communities located in barangays San Roque, Ditucalan, Buru-un, Ma. Christina and Sta. Rosario in Iligan City. Furthermore, a total of 25,153 eggs were distributed to the ECs and HCs in Iligan City and Lanao del Norte through the “An Egg a Day Keeps the Doctor Away Campaign.” Magic shows, play therapy and counseling are also conducted as part of their psychosocial services.(PIA-10 LDN/ Iligan City)
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Modern parenting group promotes breastfeeding in Hakab Na
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To foster breastfeeding and provide immediate aid to mothers and children affected by the crisis in Marawi City, the Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM) held the Hakab Na Para sa Marawi on August 4-5 at SM CDO, Uptown.
The activity is also the group’s way to celebrate the World Breastfeeding Week slated annually on August 1-7. This is a global movement for action to promote, protect and support breastfeeding by anyone, anywhere and at anytime. During the first day of the celebration, about 106 members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program from the different barangays of Cagayan de Oro City joined in the simultaneous breastfeeding of mothers from various parts of the world or the so-called Big Latch On. There were also discussions on the importance of breastfeeding which was led by the well-known obstetrician-gynecologist in the city, Dr. Rico Borromeo.
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Dr. Borromeo said that breastfeeding is important to have smart children since it is only from the mother’s milk whom the babies could get a lot of polyunsaturated fatty acids—crucial for brain development in infants and children, and may help prevent cognitive decline in adulthood. The doctor also shared that breastfed children have a high emotional intelligence quotient (IQ) due to their frequent bonding with their mother. Such act enables the children to empathize with other people. Furthermore, breastfed children develop good non-verbal communication skills making it easier for them to mingle with other people. Another benefit of breastfeeding which the doctor really appreciates is the fact that it helps in developing
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good physical attribute of children. Borromeo said that there are certain components of the breast milk that aids in constituting good symmetry of the face. During the second day of the event, there were 68 mothers who participated in the simultaneous latch on and aimed to promote development in the environment and climate change, nutrition, food security and poverty reduction, survival, health and well-being, and productivity of women and employment. The proceeds of the two-day event will be used to augment the ongoing relief operations of the MNM namely the distribution of the ‘Malong Packs’ and the Community Kitchen where fresh and nutritious meals are served to the mothers and children who evacuated from Marawi City. (RTP/PIA10)
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ARMM tops fisheries production in 2016 MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is the top fish-producing region in the country in 2016, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said.
Based on the 2016 Fisheries Situationer released by the PSA, the region produced 824,314.52 metric tons of fisheries products in 2016. The region’s production accounts for 18.93% of the country’s total production at 4,354,472.61 metric tons in 2016. Zamboanga Peninsula followed with 554,769.71 metric tons, and MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Tomblon and Palawan) with 482,790.71 metric tons. The situationer report presents the data on volume and value of production of fisheries during the period. It contains information on the current situation by major species of the three fisheries subsector, namely: commercial fisheries, municipal fisheries, and aquaculture.
The region is the top producer of roundscad (galunggong) with 24,264.33 metric tons, frigate tuna (tulingan) with 24,815.91 metric tons, Indian mackerel with 10,737.33 metric tons, eastern little tuna (bonito) with 12,994.80 metric tons, and seaweeds with 613,174.28 metric tons. Janice Desamito-Musali, director of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-ARMM, said the high fisheries production of the region could be attributed to different factors. The region also produces the biggest seaweeds volume in the country. The ARMM’s seaweeds production accounts for 43.66% of the country’s total with 1,404,519.23 metric tons. “The coastlines of the
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islands in the region have wider stretch, which is very suitable for seaweeds farming,” Dir Musali said. “Good weather conditions, lesser occurrences of ‘ice-ice’ diseases, good quality planting materials and favorable water conditions enhance the growth of seaweeds in our region,” added Dir. Musali. A total of 159,123 fishermen are operating in the 18,426,613 hectares of territorial water area under the region’s administrative jurisdiction. The fishing grounds in the region include Illana Bay, Moro Gulf, Basilan Strait, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea. In 2015 and 2016, the region was also the country’s highest producer of fishery products. The region produced 867,272 metric tons in 2015, and
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856,957.27 metric tons in 2014 – a contribution equivalent to 18.65% and 18.27% of national production, respectively. The region also posted the highest inland fisheries production with 243,134.78 metric tons, followed by Zamboanga Peninsula with 126,575.07 metric tons, and Central Luzon with 92,609.51 metric tons. The Fisheries situationer serves as an output of the four fisheries surveys regularly conducted by the PSA. The surveys are Quarterly Commercial Fisheries Survey, Quarterly Municipal Fisheries Survey, Quarterly Inland Fisheries Survey and Quarterly Aquaculture Survey. (Bureau of Public Information/PIA-10)