Bukidnon forest fires are now contained by Office of Civil Defense
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – All reported fires in Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon are now contained.
As seen from aerial view and confirmed by the Kitanglad Guard Volunteers (KGV), there are no more flames in this mountain range, but there are still smoke coming from the burnt areas, said Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region Director Ana C. Cañeda. The fires are not yet effectively put out and may still recur, depending
on the general wind direction, prevailing humidity and temperature, Cañeda further said. However, a new fire was spotted in Mt. Kalatungan particularly in Brgy. Pigtauranan, Pangantucan town, Bukidnon. According to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Bukidnon, the new fire
is manageable and the Kalatungan Bantay Lasang Volunteers, a 50 person team who jumped off immediately to re-establish fire lines, start suppression and mopping operations, were already alerted and efforts to suppress the fire are ongoing. Meanwhile, areas in Mt. Kalatungan affected by forest fires are already contained. Fire lines were also established in those sites.
conducted on April 13 another aerial inspection in the sites affected by forest fires in Mt. Kitanglad and Mt. Kalatungan mountain ranges. The interagency reconnaissance team comprised of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), PENRO Bukidnon, CENRO Malaybalay, Philippine Air Force-Tactical Operations Group (PAFTOG) 10 and OCD. Eastern Mindanao Command provided the team with the air assets Onboard the UH-1D aircraft, OCD support. together with interagency partners
NPA crime group used social media for large-scale coercion
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The New People’s Army now branded as an organized crime group utilized the social media to coerce people by releasing video of their kidnapped PNP and Army personnel, April 12. The video of the captive soldiers and Philippine National Police (PNP) giving their statement was uploaded on April 12 at YouTube, a free video sharing website that makes it easy for everyone including minors to watch online videos. The 4th Infantry Division condemned the act calling it as irresponsible for there are content that are not suitable for general audiences and it is intended to sow fear from the
people. According to the 4ID, the NPAs do not care for the effect to whoever will see the video. They condemn these extortionists for their grave violation of human rights and for continue creating havoc from among the peace-loving people in this side of the country. Likewise, they will never show videos that will not favor them. It is very obvious that there is coercion.
Clearly at this point, they no longer fight for their failed ideology but are now espousing a crime in order to sow fear. Take note, what they did is plain kidnapping and it is a crime punishable by law.” They are highlighting their terrorist nature similar to Abu Sayyaf and ISIS where they video their
kidnapped victims behind their flags and intimidate them to say NPA prepared propaganda statement. It can be noted that NPA demands the pullout of government forces that are operating in the area so that they can pursue their large-scale extortion activities, says the 4ID. (4ID/PA)
CHED declares University Engineering programs as Centers of Development
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has recognized four of Xavier University’s (XUs) engineering programs as Centers of Development (COD). XU’s Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering programs were designated as CODs by CHED in its memorandum order number 15, series of 2016, released on March 22. The designation of CODs qualifies these programs to avail of financial assistance for projects particularly in the area of cutting-edge technology. On December 23, 2015, CHED in its memorandum number 38, series of 2015, also conferred a COD status on XU’s Chemical Engineering program. Since its establishment in 1979, the XU College of Engineering has developed into a dynamic learning community committed to the growth
of society in the areas of energy and environmental management, technopreneurship, agro- industrial processes and urban-rural development, while it embodies XU’s basic thrust of forming persons for others. “Congratulations to the faculty and staff of the XU College of Engineering led by its dean, Dr Hercules R Cascon,” said XU president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ in his message to the academic community. “May our CODs truly serve ‘as potent catalysts for world class scholarship, best practices, innovative curriculum, research and extension and professional development in Engineering programs,’” Yap added. (XU Comm)