The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2016
Local leaders weigh in on federalism at University forum in CDO
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Leaders from different sectors shared their ideas on federalism, its benefits and challenges, during a forum organized by the Philosophy Department of Xavier University, through its Ateneo Philosophy Club (APC), dubbed “Knowledge is Power: A Forum on Federalism” on September 28 at the XU Nursing Amphitheatre.
Former Cagayan de Oro City mayor and Misamis Oriental assemblyman, lawyer Reuben Canoy, in his sharing, quoted Victor Hugo, “All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” He said that the right time has come for federalism. He added that President Rodrigo Duterte being a strong advocate of federalism, the shift in the form of government will have a greater chance of succeeding within his six-year term. Representing the civil society, Balay Mindanaw Foundation President Charlito “Kaloy” Manlupig encouraged the millennial to be well-informed on current affairs, particularly the impacts of federalism in the future of the country, should the shift succeed. “We should create more spaces like this forum,” said Manlupig, adding that student groups should organize more events where people can freely exchange ideas. Roderico Dumaug Jr, a faculty member of XU History/International Studies/Political Science Department, showed figures and statistics contrasting the revenue and expenditures between China and the Philippines. His analysis of the data led him to conclude that in the present unitary form of government in the Philippines, there is an unjust distribution of resources, which is currently favoring Metro Manila over the provinces and other cities in the country.
Another reactor during the open forum, Councilor Mario Cedeño of the Municipality of Talakag in Bukidnon, said that there are bills that need to be passed into laws first before we amend the 1987 Constitution and federalize the Philippines. He believes that passing the Antipolitical Dynasty Bill into a law and the institutionalization of the political party system in the country are necessary for a federal government’s efficiency. Coming from the students, Aristeo Raphael Marbella III, president of the United Arts and Sciences Student Council, said that basic social services must be delivered by the government down to the grassroots level, where ordinary folks can benefit from the development. He shared that in his stay in the United States, getting a driver’s license would only take about two weeks. But here in the Philippines, months are wasted before a qualified citizen can get one. This simple example, as Marbella puts it, shows that our present form of government is “faulty.” This forum was organized in collaboration with the XU Social Development Office (SDO). In attendance were XU VicePresident for Social Development Roel Ravanera, SDO Advocacy Coordinator Nestor Banuag Jr, College Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Juliet Dalagan, XU-Philo Department Chairperson Vicente Carbon, representatives from
the Balay Mindanaw Foundation, philosophy teachers, majors, and other Xavier students. Carbon ended the forum with his synthesis on the key points presented by the speakers and reactors, including
the challenges and responses to the issue at hand. The organizers of this activity are looking forward to setting up other fora to shed light on various subjects. (Emmanuel G. Sumayang/XU)
DOLE 10 releases P270K to men association in Ozamiz OZAMIZ CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment region 10 (DOLE-10) released P270,000 livelihood assistance to 27 beneficiaries of the Carangan Men’s Association under the DOLE Kabuhayan program on 30 September 2016 in Ozamiz City. Councilor Reynan Decena welcomed and recognized the efforts of the DOLE-10, thru Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante, in granting the amount for the livelihood project of the beneficiaries in Barangay Carangan. DOLE-Misamis Occidental Provincial Head Leonardo G. Rodrigo together with Senior Labor and Employment Officer Jose G. Robles handed over the check to councilor Decena and to Association President Wilfredo C. Cano and Treasurer Manelio D. Mar. According to Rodrigo, the grant was part of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) to provide
sustainable-alternative livelihood to reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks of the poor and marginalized workers. He added that DILEEP is implemented either through DOLE direct administration or through an accredited co-partner. Established in 2014, Carangan Men’s Association is comprised of 27 members of different backgrounds and potentials other than being rice farmers with expertise that will surely be tapped to run the business. It has envisioned in creating a functional economic activity that will provide employment, livelihood and give additional income to all its members.
Barangay Carangan is one of the 51 barangays in Ozamiz City. Despite that the word “Carangan” derived from the Visayan term “arangan,” meaning well of populace, majority of its people live below the poverty line. The project is basically buying of rice (palay) and the selling of milled rice at a competitive price protecting the farmers from the oppressive price and deduction. “We look forward in establishing a business that will not only buy and sell our own product but will also provide services needed in the farm such a tractor, thresher and farm inputs which will bolster more rice procurement on every harvest season,” said the association treasurer. According to its president, their group contemplated on launching rice
trading considering that Carangan is mainly a farming community. Cano added that this is a very simple business—basically it is just the buying of palay, dry it up, mill it and resell it to the public at a competitive price. Since rice is the staple food for the people so there is always a market and a profit. In closing, Cano expressed his warmest gratitude to DOLE-X particularly to the MOPFO. Meanwhile, MOPFO shall ensure implementation by conducting inspection to scrutinize the status of the project, in line with the administration’s agenda of transparency, accountability, and integrity in all government transactions, close monitoring of the livelihood project will be done. (Lorraine M. Roa/DOLE-X Mis. Occ.)
NRCO 10 conducts Byaheng Agri-preneur with OFW returnees CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Labor and Employment - National Reintegration Center for Overseas Foreign Workers (DOLE-NRCO) facilitated a learning journey to various agri-business learning sites for the Overseas Foreign Workers (OFWs) returnees with their families. In partnership with Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), the program is agriculture and business development
project for OFW entrepreneurs or would-be entrepreneurs and their families that provide opportunities for exposure visits, experiential learning
and skill enhancement training specifically in agricultural business. The first learning site visited was Buhian Diversified Farm located in Initao town, Misamis Oriental. With coconut as major crop, this farm is run by Engr. Edgar Buhian and his wife Nemia Penita Buhian. They manage the 1.2 hectare land which contains livestock integration, coconut-cacao nurseries and their coconut processing enterprises. The participants were able to tour around the farm while being oriented on the different agriculturebased business. The next learning site visited was Alomah’s Place situated in Dahilayan, Bukidnon province. A two-hectare farm/retreat place/camping site/ training area is owned by Benjohn and Grace Mahistrado. The orientation proceeded with a tour and the owners
showed their lettuce and other products and the nursery area where they grow their seedlings. They have a lot of plants, herbs and other greens on the sides. The couple harvests them and sells the same to commercial market. The farm is 50 percent organic. Half of the farm focuses on their main crop which is lettuce. Alomah’s Place is known for their fresh lettuce and other vegetables. After the tour, distribution of certificates capped the whole undertaking. The ceremony concluded with a closing message by Marry Gil A. Damasing, NRCO-10 coordinator, giving boosts to engage their livelihood programs in agriculture of which was taken with positive response by the beneficiaries. (MGAD/NRCO-10)