MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016
Misamis Oriental commemorates 118th Independence Day
PROVINCIAL CAPITOL, Misamis Oriental – The province of Misamis Oriental celebrated the 118th anniversary of proclamation of Philippine Independence Day on June 12 at Capitol Grounds, Cagayan de Oro City.
Caraga National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Regional Director Pinky Grace Pabelic keynoted the celebration. She shared during her speech the struggle of Indigenous Peoples in attaining independence in the country. “Freedom, as it does not come for free. It has to be fought for and conquered. For us, IPs, it is a long way to go, is still a battle for us to actually attain the freedom that we deserve – Freedom from being labeled as marginalized members of the society, freedom from poverty, freedom from manipulations of other people,” she said. Atty. Pabelic said that it pains her to see the sufferings of IPs from abuses, but on the power that she has, she can only do so much, and she told her audience that they need their help by changing their perceptions and attitude towards IPs and through being an agent of freedom and being
with them in their fight. “I still hope that we can still see a day that we can finally say that we are free,” she said. Incumbent Vice Governor Jose Marie G. Pelaez, for his part, said that this celebration gave them, elected officials, time to reflect on what they can do to build this nation. He elaborated during his speech the celebration’s theme, “Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong,” relating it to the duties and responsibilities that newly elected officials should serve as they will be assuming their post on June 30. “We call on each and every elected local officials of this province and its municipalities and communities to unite, to contribute and move Misamis Oriental forward,” he said, adding that the province needs collective action to forge ahead. The vice governor, on his final note, said that the independence from ignorance and poverty will be finally declared if each Misamisnons will still be able to do despite differences. Gathered as well during the celebration are Department of Education, 4th Infantry Division Philippine Army and Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School. (Irene Joy B. Dayo/PIA10)
OCD trains Lanao Norte trainers on CBRRM, PDRA CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Northern Mindanao Office of Civil Defense continues towards strengthening local governments endeavors at raising awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction by conducting the Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Orientation and the Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training of Trainers to Local DRRM officers and staff of the Province of Lanao del Norte, 6-10 June 2016. The activity is geared towards strengthen the local government units (LGUs) capacity in organizing their efforts to address possible consequences that may occur as an aftermath of any hazard that may affect their respective areas of responsibility through the conduct of PDRA. In collaboration with member agencies of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in the region particularly Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Red Cross (PRC), the participants are provided with technical inputs on how to strengthen the communities they serve to be participative in the management of their respective hazards, risks and
vulnerabilities at the barangay level through CBDRRM. OCD Regional Director Ana C. Cañeda inspired the participants to give their utmost cooperation in the conduct of the training because they are their LGUs’ frontrunners in establishing mitigation and protection mechanisms for their constituents before any incident becomes an emergency. DRRM and the culture of safety must be internalized and developed in the context of the risks their communities are exposed to. Cañeda highlighted the significance of maximizing the Basic Instructor’s Guide (BIG) developed by the OCD and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Technical Management Group designed as a communityfriendly Toolkit that is now being used nationwide for Training of Trainers (TOT) in CBDRRM. The OCD 10 team is thankful for
the positive response and participation despite the start of the Ramadan of the LDRRMOs among them Muslims period of fasting. (OCD10)
DepEd Marawi ready for school opening MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Marawi City Schools Division is prepared for the opening of classes despite the expected shortage of classrooms for senior high schools. There’s no need to worry because we have contingency plans to address the shortage, said Assistant Superintent Ana Zenaida Unte in Ozor ka, Ranao radio program of the Philippine Information Agency aired June 7 over DxSO Radyo ng Bayan Marawi. Unte admitted that school buildings and classrooms for senior high students are yet to be completed but they have alternative measures to ensure the implementation of the senior high school program. She said their senior high school implementers will be using their respective faculty rooms, science rooms and computers rooms for the incoming senior high school students. The four schools who will offer the senior high school program are Marawi City National High School (NHS), Angoyao NHS, RPMD Science High School and the Lake Lanao NHS. Our schools and our teachers are definitely ready, assured Unte. She said their teachers are
trained for the K to 12 implementation and have undergone trainings, teaching demonstrations and teachers assessment and competency examination (TACE). Last week, the Marawi City Schools Division together with parents, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), and others stakeholders conducted a series of clean-up activities in the public elementary and secondary schools in the city in preparation for the opening of classes. The Marawi Schools Division has 66 elementary public schools, 18 primary schools, seven secondary schools, one science high school and 45 private schools. Unte said the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BEAM-ARMM) also extended assistance in the form of construction materials and other facilities to 11 schools in the city. (Apipa P. Bagumbaran)