Cover Story ILIGAN CITY – As the government troops continue to fight against the Maute-ISIS terror group in Marawi City, a love between two lovers sparked at the Tent City in Pantar town, Lanao del Norte where 109 displaced families are situated.
Proving that true love conquers all amid crisis and conflict, Norinsa Basher, 22 and Jomar Saumay, 19, exchanged vows in a simple yet blissful wedding ceremony. The groom worked as a tricycle driver while the bride managed a store in Marawi City. Having known each other for years, the couple had crushes toward each other. Their feelings was further boosted as they see each other frequently at
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the Tent City. When asked about why he fell in love with Nornisa, Jomar narrated that it was because of her beauty and kindness. Similarly, Nornisa shared that it was Jomar’s compassion that made her to fell in love with him. “Tinutulungan niya ako sa mga ginagawa ko dito sa Tent City,” said Nornisa. [He’s helping me in doing the household chores.]
Love waits, Love conquers Resonating peace and bliss in the community, the cheers of their fellow evacuees and the sound of kulintang (a modern term for an ancient instrumental form of music composed on a row of small, horizontally laid gongs that function melodically, accompanied by larger, suspended gongs and drums) and gong reverberated at the wedding venue. To solemnize the wedding, a marriage sermon was given by an imam and a recitation of the Qur’an was made. While a ceremony is being conducted with the groom and bride’s parent, the bride wearing a longsleeved white-laced gown, patiently awaits for her groom to fetch her inside her tent. Nornisa shared that her siblings did not agree at first that she would be wedded with Jomar. However, as she fought for their love, her siblings eventually agreed. Their love story proves that the ongoing crisis in Marawi cannot hinder their love toward each other as they both conquered the odds. Initiatives for Love The wedding of the couple will not be possible without the help of some generous people. It was Acmad Amer, barangay chairman of Campong, Pantar, who began the initiatives for the wedding to be pursued. “Nakita ko sa kanila ang sobra
nilang pagmamahalan sa isa’t isa. Kaya gumawa ako ng paraan para sila ay makasal,” said Amer. [I witnessed how they love each other. That is why I made initiatives for them to be wedded with each other.] Amer also shared that some evacuees who were beneficiaries of cash for work program of the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWD), also lend a small contribution. The Task Force Bangon Marawi, spearheaded by Undersecretary Cesar Yano of the Department of National Defense (DND), also sent their support to conduct the modest and joyful wedding ceremony. “Nakakatuwa kasi kahit sa gitna ng kahirapan, na-develop pa rin ang pagmamahalan sa mga evacuees,” said Usec. Yano. [It is great to hear that despite of difficulty and suffering, love has been developed between two evacuees.] Usec. Yano also shared the essence of the wedding ceremony as it symbolizes that love is the center of all things. (LEAntonio-PIA ILIGAN/ LDN)
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16-30 September 2017
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RNET monitors nutrition implementation of Ozamiz City OZAMIZ CITY – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region 10 and the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET) visited Ozamiz City for a two-day 2017 Regional Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) of Nutrition Programs in the city.
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Princess Christine Daliba Tababa, Nutrition Officer II of NNC 10 shared during the exit conference that the goal of the nutrition program of the government is to reduce the prevalence of lifestyle diseases. She added that they are very happy because the local government of Ozamiz is improving and sustaining the gains in nutrition of the young
people in Ozamiz City. Barangays visited include Brgy. Pantaon which was awarded 2016 Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS), Brgy. Sangay Daku – Outstanding Barangay, Brgy. Trigos – High Operation Timbang Plus (OPT) prevalence group, Brgy. Diguan Medium OPT prevalence, Brgy. Baybay San Roque - Low OPT prevalence.
16-30 September 2017 Among the recommendations of the RNET include to sustain city and barangay nutrition committee, expand partnership with non-government organisations for direct nutrition interventions, livelihood programs or assistance, continuing nutrition intervention and livelihood programs or assistance and scale up/expand proven effective and sustainable activities among others. In 2013, Ozamiz City received the Nutrition Honor Award (NHA), Pabasa sa Nutrition (PSN) Diamond Awardee, Gawad Kalasag Awardee and Seal of Good Local Governance. Linked to an incentive and award system, top performers will receive: Green Banner Awards (at Regional level), National Awards CROWN (Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition– 3 yrs. GB) 500,000, CROWN Maintenance (Year 1 & 2) - 150,000, Nutrition Honor Award (NHA)- 1,000,000. The National Nutrition Council, is mandated among others, to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the country’s food and nutrition program, the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). Toward this mandate, the interagency NNC annually conducts the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation. It aims to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of local governments in planning and implementing local nutrition programs. Likewise, in
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conjunction with the MELLPI, the NNC also evaluates the performance of the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS). The BNSs are the barangay-based volunteers tasked to coordinate the delivery of basic nutrition and related services in their respective area of assignments. Both the MELLPI and BNS evaluation are institutionalized activities since 1979 of the national and local nutrition committees. The MELLPI and BNS Evaluation culminate with the recognition of LGUs and BNSs with exemplary performance in nutrition program management and delivery of nutrition services, respectively. Recognition comes in the form of incentives/awards such as the Green Banner Award (at Regional level), Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN), Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) and the National Outstanding BNS.(Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon/PIA Misamis Occidental)
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16-30 September 2017
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Coherent, connected devt pushed in maritime week celeb CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) spearheaded the celebration of 2017 Maritime Week in Northern Mindanao, from Sept. 25-29, in collaboration with maritime schools and industry partners with the theme: “Connecting ships, ports and people.”
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The theme is designed to highlight coherent and connected efforts across the maritime industry. Marina-X regional director Felisa N. Orongan said during the opening program that the celebration is an opportunity to highlight value of integration in maritime sector.
“The celebration is an opportunity to raise awareness of the contribution of maritime industry in the development of the Philippines as a maritime country,” said Orongan. Shipping and ports can play a significant role in helping to create conditions for increased employment,
16-30 September 2017 prosperity and stability through promoting maritime trade. Marina, meanwhile presented the message of its Administrator Marcial Quirino C. Amaro III on the celebration saying the Philippine history is full of accounts of the country’s maritime traditions from the galleon trade to Magellan and the wave of other invaders who landed in these islands strewn across the great oceans in the Pacific. It is shipping which connected the compact island groups into one nation. “The maritime industry has played an important role in the socioeconomic wellbeing of our country since the Manila-Acapulco trade in 1571” said the administrator. For his part, Guilbert Anthony D. Gimeno of the Cagayan de Oro City/ Misamis Oriental Port Management Office said that 78% of the Philippine is water in territory. He said it is the right time we celebrate the Maritime Week to recognize seafarers who man ships. We also honor the seafarers. Likewise, we take pride to be known as one of the world’s leading provider of maritime labor. Following the issuance Memorandum Circular No. 2017-001 of the Department of Transportation, Lt. Commander Troy Cornelio, Northern Mindanao station commander of the Coast Guard, said that PCG will implement numbering of motorized and manual boats plying the seas or
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coastal waters to establish a database for sea-faring transports. In her presentation, Ruby Maria Gumapon of the Cagayan Port Management Office discussed the long-term infrastructure development plan dubbed “7 Pillars of Development” of the PPA which is crafted to address urgent and long term problems of the port management in the city. Gumapon also said that to decongest trucks hauling cargo for the port originating from Eastern Misamis Oriental, the Project Management Office in the city will construct new port portal at Gate 6 directly connected to CDO Coastal Road via an access road thru Department of Public works and Highways (DPWH)’s Roads leading to Ports Program. The PMO is starting delineation and development of a new port in Laguindingan town, Misamis Oriental with the conduct of Topographic, Hydrographic & Port Zone Delineation Survey, the initial steps in conceptualizing a port facility suitable for Port of Laguindingan envisioned to accommodate cruise ship terminal in additional to fast ferry. Blowing of horns, anti-human trafficking orientation, on the spot poster making contest with the theme “Marina KontraDroga,” open ship viewing, shipyard visitation, tree planting, HIV/AIDS STCW forum, security seminar among others highlight this year’s celebration in the region. (EOR/PIA10)
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16-30 september 2017
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Dressmaking project helps IDPs start lives anew CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Trade and Industry Region 10 (DTI-10) continues to provide livelihood opportunities to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) from Marawi City to help them get back on their feet.
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Forty (40) registered home-based IDPs and members of Al Abrar Masjid Jamah Guidance and Development (AAMJGD) in Villa Angela Subdivision, Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro city, received their first set of sewing tool kits on 25 September 2017 from DTI-10 through the assistance of the Skills Mastery Institute (SMI).
Each tool kit contains threads with different color variations, a pair of scissors, measuring tools, needles and pins, and other sewing materials that will allow them to produce malongs and Maranao-inspired dresses and ternos. They are currently undergoing five-day garments training-cum-
16-30 September 2017 production which will end on 30 September. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga miyembro ng Al Abrar Masjid Jamah Guidance and Development. Sila talaga ang lumapit sa amin upang matulongan ang mga IDPs dito,” said Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM) Sub-Committee on Business and Livelihood Chief-of- Staff Nelson Catubig as he recalled the day officials of AAMJGD visited DTI-10 office and inquired about the ongoing business and livelihood projects under TFBM. SMI Principal Irene Floro meanwhile encouraged the IDPs to do their best in the training-cumproduction. She is also optimistic that they can sustain this livelihood. “Alam ko pong masisipag ang mga taga Marawi. Subukan niyong pumunta sa Marawi, walang tao doon na nakatulala. Either nagbebenta, nagtatanim at kung ano ano pa,” she cited. Last week, seven rolls (92.4
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kg) of garments were turned over to 62 IDPs staying in Iligan City in the presence of representatives from DTI ARMM Lanao del Sur Provincial Office, Provincial Training, Livelihood and Development Center (PTLDC), and National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC). These IDPs will produce the second batch of products under the Dressmaking project of Task Force Bangon Marawi Sub-Committee on Business and Livelihood. The first batch of products, produced by 20 IDPs in the months of July and August, were displayed at Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair at SM CDO Downtown Premier last August 18-29, 2017 and at the Robinsons Iligan Pasalubong Center. According to PTLDC, the total sales generated from the IDP-finished products for the period August 15 to September 10 amounted toP71,185. (APB/PIA-10)
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1-15 October 2017
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NEDA reports increase of firms, coops in Northern Mindanao CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-10 noted a significant increase of new firms and cooperatives registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) respectively during the Media Forum on the Second Quarterly Regional Economic Situationer on September 19, in Cagayan de Oro City.
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Chief Economic Development Specialist Engr. Cecilio Clarete said that the region has registered a total of 135 new firms that already include stock corporations and partnerships in the second quarter of 2017 with paidup capital investment amounting to P104.04 million. The said figure is higher by 22.38 percent as compared to that of the
same quarter of 2016 and out of the total new firms, 86.67 percent were stock corporations contributing 95.87 percent of the total investment. About 77.78 percent of the regional total comprising 90 stock corporations and 15 partnerships were hosted by Misamis Oriental. As for the highest increase in paid-up capital brought about by the
1-15 October 2017 new stock corporations, Lanao del Norte has marked 139.47 percent increase for the second quarter of this year while Bukidnon hit the 420 percent increase in paid-up capital invested by new partnership firms. When it comes to CDA-registered investments, the NEDA-10 highlighted 25.5 percent and 24.7 percent increase in total membership and paid-up capital. A total of 17 new cooperatives were also registered in the second quarter of 2017 adding 5 more to the
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12 new cooperatives registered in the same period of 2016. Currently, there are now 1,809 cooperatives with 48 more cooperatives added to 1,761 cooperatives as of the second quarter of 2016. Cooperative membership of Misamis Oriental has been accounted for 47.8 percent of the 280,748 coop members contributing a total 65.7 percent of the P1.307 billion paid-up capital as of the second quarter of 2017.(RTP/PIA10)
Filipino-made machines get investors nod in CDO Technology Transfer Day CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Some 48 new Filipino-made machines, processes, and food innovations got investors’ commitment of technology adoption during the Mindanao Regional Technology Transfer Day 2017 at Xavier Estates Sports and Country Club, Cagayan de Oro City. According to Alfonso P. Alamban, regional director of the Department of Science and Technology Region 10 (DOST-10), 48 term sheets were signed by both tech generators and adoptors at the end of the one-day event on 8 September 2017. These term sheets expressed the inventors’ agreement to transfer the technologies and the investors’
commitment to adopting them. Meanwhile, during a press conference, DOSTTechnology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) Director Jovito Rey E. Gonzales described the technology transfer process as “a challenge.” It involves negotiations between inventors and adoptors, consultations with appropriate industry experts, and deal
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1-15 October 2017
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evaluations by the Fairness Opinion Board. The whole process typically takes two or more months, but the Techno Transfer Day hastened this as it allowed innovators, investors, and experts to meet and get down to business in one place. “Instead of months, it can happen in a day,” said Gonzales. On the other hand, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda Nazareth-Manzano emphasized that the technologies featured in the event were only some of the hundred or so products of DOST’s research and development in recent years. The featured innovations were selected based on pre-event interest from potential investors as well as for their relevance in the Philippine
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context. Thus, there were three locally relevant categories of featured inventions: Agricultural Productivity, Countryside Development/Industrial Competitiveness, and Food Processing. The Techno Transfer Day 2017 is an annual event of DOST through its regional offices, together with TAPI. It is designed to fast-track the transfer of new DOST-assisted technologies from inventors to adoptors, aiming to arrive at the utilization and commercialization of these said technologies. This year’s Mindanao leg of the Techno Transfer Day, led by DOST Region 10, brought together 750 participants, foremost of whom were inventors, private businesses, experts, public offices, and civic organizations. (DOST10)