The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016
Police foregoes firearm muzzle taping MW Bukidnon hydroelectric power plant
CAMP ALAGAR, Cagayan de Oro City – Northern Mindanao police regional director PCSupt Noel Constantino has ordered a stop to the yearly Philippine National Police (PNP) practice of taping the muzzle of service firearms in an attempt to raise the bar of discipline and promote responsible use of government-issued firearms among the police.
PCSupt Constantino said the practice of muzzle taping only shows the distrust of the organization to its very own police officers such that we need to require unit commanders to physically put a tape around the muzzle of the firearms of police officers. “The PNP leadership today trusts and treats every police officer as a responsible law enforcement officer and gun-holder who will not fire his/ her firearms indiscriminately and will only fire it when it is extremely necessary to do so in the line of duty,” he added. Constantino also reiterated the PNP chief warning against illegal discharge of firearms or indiscriminate firing.
“Those who will violate the directive on illegal discharge of firearms will be severely dealt with to the fullest extent of the law,” PCSupt Constantino said quoting the PNP Chief, PDGen Ronald Dela Rosa. For his part, Police Regional Office spokesperson, PSupt Surki Sereñas, said the yearly PNP tradition of taping the muzzle of firearms is suppose to be held simultaneously across the region and all units are ready. I guess the media are also all set to cover the activity However, the directive is clear. We will forego with the firearms muzzle taping. (PIO, PRO10)
DA recognizes corn industry movers CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – “Sulong Maisan! Sapat na Pagkain ng Bayan,” this year’s theme of the 4th National Quality Corn Achievers Awards (NQCAA) in conjunction with the 12th Philippine National Corn Congress, posted a challenge to the corn stakeholders especially the farmers and the agricultural extension workers (AEWs) in their pursuit to attain the goal of the government for food self-sufficiency. For its 4th year, the NQCAA (LGUs) with outstanding contribution recognized the achievements of the to the corn industry, encouraged DAtop performing local government units LGU partnership in the production of
quality corn, and sustaining awareness of the LGUs to the activities of the Corn program. Given recognition in this year’s awarding are five outstanding provinces; five outstanding provincial agriculturists; four provincial corn coordinators; 19 outstanding municipalities/cities; 19 outstanding municipal/city agriculturists; 14 outstanding municipal/city corn coordinators; 100 outstanding agricultural extension workers; and the national quality corn achievers hall of fame awardees. In Northern Mindanao, the town of Don Carlos, Bukidnon was declared as outstanding municipality and was granted with P2M project being hailed as Hall of Famer. Merlyn Los Banos of Don Carlos awarded as hall of famer for the municipal agriculturist category, where she received cash award amounting to P45 thousand. Three
AEWs namely; Purita L. Magaway from Don Carlos; Richard B. Leono and Joan Marie A. Diola of Malaybalay City, Bukidnon also hailed as Hall of Famer in the agriculture extension workers category where they received cash award worth P30 thousand each. Other awardees are Neptali C. Ambos, Kristina P. Soria of Lantapan Bukidnon and Ma. Jorgen P. Soriano of Malaybalay City Bukidnon. Each receiving cash prize amounting to P20,000. This form of appreciation, which is conducted, annually will encourage the AEWs to do exceptional performance in the promotion and development for the corn industry and likewise will bring economic growth for the agriculture sector in the country. This year’s awarding and congress was held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato last month. (MGBS/ PIA-10)
Corporate rice farming confab held CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Executive heads of agriculture offices and representatives of farmers’ associations and cooperatives attended the orientation for the Corporate Rice Farming Program held in the city recently.
The discussion focused on the framework and implementing guidelines steered by Directors Lealyn A. Ramos and Benadette San Juan from Department of Agriculture (DA) – Central Office. The Corporate Rice Farming Program aims to address the lack of accessibility and availability of rice especially to the marginalized sectors of the society without, of course, sacrificing the welfare of the rice farmers. Under this program, the farmers’ associations along with their respective local government units (LGUs) shall enter a Memorandum of Agreement with Institutional Buyers (IB) such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the supply of rice for their 4Ps beneficiaries. Interested farmers’ associations
and cooperatives may avail this program however; it should be ensured that the groups have a strong credit line of good standing with lending institutions where loan guarantees shall be made for rice production. Also, they should be willing to enter into agreement on the implementation of the program for a minimum of 6 years. On the part of DA, the agency shall provide farm mechanization support and technical assistance needed in rice production, harvesting, processing and marketing. DA said that by providing a new market for the farmers, the program will be able to encourage them to venture into rice production that will, as well, hit the goal for a rice selfsufficient Philippines. (DA RFO-10, PIA 10)