The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016
NFA rice distribution in Bukidnon continues as farmers resume planting
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon – The National Food Authority (NFA) continued its rice releases to the provincial government for distribution to drought-hit families in Bukidnon as farmers resume planting.
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office’s reports showed that NFA has released a total of 105,000 bags of rice worth over P144 million as part of the provincial government’s rice subsidy program. In the first distribution cluster, 52,000 families received one sack of NFA rice each at P1,500 per sack of 50 kilograms (kgs). For the second set, 53,000 families received one sack each at P1,250 per bag. Likewise, the food agency’s other marketing channels in government such as Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, and local government units, among others, also distributed 13,634 bags from January to May 2016. Also, late this July, NFA released 4,000 bags of rice worth P5-million to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution to hundreds of drought-
affected families from the towns of Cabanglasan, Dangcagan, Kitaotao, Lantapan, Maramag, Quezon, San Fernando, and the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia. NFA Bukidnon Provincial Manager Mila P. Tanguamos said the agency’s rice releases is pursuant to February 15, 2016 Board Resolution placing the province under state of calamity caused by El Niño phenomenon that started in October 2015 until early June this year. Before the onset of the planting season, NFA records showed it has already released a total of 122,442 bags. “As a government entity, NFA will continue to be at the forefront of the country’s food security to ensure supply stability and availability of the staple cereals especially in times of emergency,” Tanguamos said. (Maria Socorro S. Mellomida, NFA Bukidnon/ RLRB, PIA 10-Bukidnon)
DENR-ARMM intensifies drive to promote solid waste management MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DENR-ARMM) is intensifying its advocacy to promote solid waste management thru the program, ‘Basuranihan.’
Earlier this week, 50 trash bins were turned-over by the regional government to the City of Marawi in Lanao del Sur and to the town of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao. DENR-ARMM Secretary Kahal Kedtag said the distribution of trash bins is an advocacy to promote waste disposal and management in the region. The first 100 days action plan of each department in ARMM is a marching order of Governor Mujiv Hataman to continue the reform agenda in the region. In Marawi City, officials of DENRARMM and Lanao del Sur PENRO Cosain Abbas handed over 40 trash bins to City Mayor Majul Gandamra in a simple ceremony held at the Marawi City Hall on August 22. The trash bins will be distributed to selected barangays of the city. Mayor Gandamra said one of his priorities is solid waste management, which has been an unsettled problem
in the city. “We are grateful that DENRARMM chose our city as one of its priority beneficiaries of the Basuranihan program,” mayor Gandamra said. The DENR-ARMM is also set to conduct a three-day orientation on the Basuranihan to officials in the 96 barangays in Marawi City. “This is the result of our consultation before the formulation of our 100 days action plan. In Lanao del Sur, tinanong natin ang mga tao sa ground kung anong gusto nilang tutukan natin at ‘yung problema sa basura ang isa sa mga most prevailing issues (We asked the residents what issue they want us to focus on and they said the garbage problem is one of the most prevailing issues),” secretary Kedtag said. “Simple advocacies like this can make a change, may magandang resulta ang lahat ng programa ng gobyerno basta magtutulungan tayong lahat (Government programs would have good results if we help each other),” Kedtag added. Over all, more or less 250 trash bins have been distributed by the DENR-ARMM through the Basuranihan program since it started in 2014. (BPIARMM/PIA-10)
Establishment of rehab center in Oro sought CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – In line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, the City Council during its regular session adopted Resolution No. 124312016, urging the city mayor of Cagayan de Oro to create or establish a city-government owned rehabilitation center and to allot funds for the purpose. This is an offshoot of the special report of Councilor Reuben R. Daba, chair of the City Council committee on social services. Councilor Daba said an adhoc committee was created to study the establishment of the proposed drug rehabilitation center. He said a coalition for drug-free society has been formed, which is composed of private and public entities led by Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, the Department of Health (DOH) and Mayor Oscar Moreno. Daba informed the body that on September 8, 2016 the coalition will start to formulate the final draft and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the purpose. PHILHEALTH Councilor Daba proposed that the rehabilitation cost and dental treatment of “Tokhang” respondents be included in the PhilHealth coverage. The councilor said he already sent his proposal to PhilHealth. According to councilor Daba, about 600,000 individuals have voluntarily responded to the call of the president in line with the campaign against drugs.
“The operation “Tokhang” has reached every remote area of the country, which is in effect give concern to the government agency and a responsibility to fill-in in order to address the drug issue,” Daba cited. The councilor said he is also concerned about the families of those who are involved in illegal drugs. “The families of those drug respondents are left with the traumatic experiences…there should be reintegration for the respondent to become responsible member of their family as well as to the community and a drug-free individual,” Daba stressed. SUPPORT Councilor Daba said Senator Tito Sotto is aware of the proposal. He requested the legislative body to support the move. “Naghangyo ako sa cooperation sa ato tanan mga kauban nako sa konseho dako gayud kaayo ang atong problema dili gyud nato makaya kun dili kita magtinabanga sa kada isa (I am appealing for the cooperation of all my colleagues in the council as it will greatly help our problem. We can’t do it if we don’t support each other),” he said.