Malaybalay city’s prefab quarantine facility nears completion

In an effort to enhance its capacity to contain COVID-19 and provide care for patients, the Malaybalay city government has constructed prefabricated quarantine facilities which are now nearing completion.

Malaybalay City Mayor Florencio T. Flores Jr. disclosed that he has prioritized this project since last year in order to establish an innovative and cost-efficient quarantine facility through the Office of Civil Defense under the "Bayanihan: We Heal as One" Act.

“In response to the increasing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and the impending threat of another coronavirus variant, the city government of Malaybalay has been doubling its efforts to stop COVID spread by enhancing its quarantine and treatment facilities,” the mayor said.

Flores explained that he directed the City Engineering Office to create a workable 20-foot, 8-unit prefabricated container COVID-19 quarantine facility equipped with an air-conditioning system and individual comfort rooms.

He said this P6 million project could accommodate 16 patients based on the guidelines set by the Department of Health.

Disaster Response Vice-chairman Roberto Flores, who inspected recently the project at Ligtas COVID Center in Patpat village said the construction is nearing completion with 70 percent overall progress rate.

“This would augment the existing local quarantine and isolation facilities at LCC, Pelot’s, TESDA Training Center, and the province’s Wellness and Reintegration Center,” he said.

The Disaster Response Vice-chair, meanwhile, reminds the public to observe health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Malaybalay LGU/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

The construction of a 20-foot, 8-unit prefabricated container COVID-19 quarantine facilities—equipped with air-conditioning system and individual comfort rooms—is nearing completion with 70 percent overall progress rate. (Malaybalay LGU)

Host communities to enjoy P170-M community projects from Hedcor

MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon (PIA)—AboitizPower’s Cleanergy unit Hedcor is allocating P17 million to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities for 2021.

In the previous year, Hedcor opted to reallocate its funds to immediately provide COVID-19-related needs such as the provision of personal protective equipment and relief goods to those affected by the lockdowns.

A year into this pandemic, Hedcor now resumes the implementation of CSR projects that were previously put on hold.

“The CSR project lineup for 2021 prioritizes those related to Education, Enterprise Development, Environment, and other projects. In this ongoing pandemic, community recovery can be best fuelled through these aforementioned fields,” said Rene Villarente, Hedcor’s External Relations Manager.

In line with this goal, Hedcor ensures to support new learning methodologies such as the reproduction of modules for its host schools. The group is also looking into equipping barangay health centers with medical equipment and the construction of local isolation facilities.

To boost livelihood, Hedcor will also be carrying out skills training and the provision of starter kits to its partner cooperatives.

In Mindanao, Hedcor recently awarded financial assistance for 22 of its senior high school scholars from Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur. This is to ensure continued support for the qualified scholars of its host communities.

Similarly in Luzon, it also awarded financial assistance to 13 senior high students from the different schools in Benguet and Mountain Province.

Hedcor is currently supporting 59 senior high school students from Bukidnon, Benguet, Mountain Province, and Davao through financial assistance. It turns over a total of P430,000 annually to support its scholars as they complete their high school education.

Hedcor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AboitizPower. It specializes in generating renewable energy from run-of-river hydropower systems.

Today, Hedcor manages and operates 22 hydropower plants located in Bukidnon, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Benguet, and Davao. They continue to supply the country with 278 megawatts of clean and renewable energy.

With 42 years of experience, Hedcor is one of the leading run-of-river hydropower operators in the Philippines. (Hedcor-AboitizPower/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

CONTINUED SUPPORT. Hedcor turns over the P7,300 worth of financial assistance to each Senior High School scholar from the Municipality of Bakun for S.Y 2020-2021. (Hedcor-AboitizPower)

IP Community in Malitbog to receive potential Billion-peso investment

 They persisted and maintained their faith in the government. That is the most crucial point. This is why they are deserving of being a part of such a transformative endeavor. Other agencies, as well as the patrol base that has been built here to preserve peace and order in the Sitio, are looking after your wellbeing and delivering livelihood interventions. Thank you for your dedication to the government, which has resulted in these results. All I ask is that you keep putting your trust in us. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you eagerly cooperate and work with us. Let us continue to work together to bring this armed conflict to a close and see our community thrive in the years ahead.”

Bukidnon police joins the Simultaneous NTF-ELCAC “Bike for Peace and Justice”

Source : Buk PPO PIO

President Duterte gives cash assistance and award to C-130 victims in Bukidnon

Source: 8th Infantry 'Dependable Battalion

NPA Commander, companions surrender in Bukidnon

(I felt very exhausted and miserable in the mountains after becoming a member of the NPA. They weren’t able to help me. Instead, the armed struggle is the reason why my family got broken. I really regret joining and becoming a member of the Terrorist group).

 (We are grateful that Antonio Gayento’s group decided to return to the folds of the law and chose to live a peaceful life. We are also happy that we were able to save another family from being destroyed by the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG). We are hoping that more CTG members will follow their footsteps because we know that they have nowhere else to go, they are struggling in the mountains, they are tired and are hungry.)

“I am thankful to our peace and development partners such as the Local Government Units (LGUs), Local Government Agencies (LGAs) and other government offices in our area of responsibility because the surrender of Gayento is a living proof that unity and collective efforts will surely bring about the end of our insurgency problem,” Barandon ended. 

Source: 8th Infantry 'Dependable' Battalion-Philippine Army

CMU receives P5-M massive seedling project from DA-10

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, June 18 (PIA)--The Department of Agriculture (DA)-10 has turned over P5 million worth of check for the implementation of a massive seedling project to Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Bukidnon.

The project funded under Bayanihan 2 of the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of DA covers two components: vegetable seed production of pinakbet commodities (P2 million) and planting material production of different durian varieties (P3 million).

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said the project intends for productivity enhancement of the farmers in the region.

A seed processing facility will be established that will produce 400 kilograms of pinakbet seeds or 80 kilograms each of ampalaya, squash, okra, string beans and eggplant commodities.

A fruit nursery will also be established for 50,000 hills of grafted planting materials of different durian varieties for distribution to farmers and other stakeholders of the region.

CMU, under the helm of President Jesus Antonio G. Derije, is an academic paradise in the south, and the center for excellence in agriculture.

The project is under DA’s ‘Plant, Plant, Plant program’ or Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS COVID 19) kontra sa COVID-19 to increase farm productivity and ensure food sufficiency amid the pandemic. (DA10/PIA-10)

Photo release:

Bukidnon town councilor gunned down

Courtesy: PRO-10

Andanar: TF-ELCAC’s ‘homebuilding’ fosters peace, empowers communities

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, May 23 (PIA)--Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin M. Andanar said, “we need a home to keep peace, just as we need peace to keep a home.”

Andanar highlighted the importance of the whole-of-nation approach in peacebuilding, through Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), as Cabanglasan town signals the start of the construction of its P20-million housing project for indigenous peoples (IPs) in groundbreaking rites on Friday at Barangay Poblacion.

The National Housing Authority's blueprint for the "NHA-Cabanglasan IP Village" resettlement project shows 80 housing units of a "two-storey single detached design” costing P250,000 per unit covering more than 10 hectares to house needy IP families of the Umayamnon and Higaonon tribes living in geographically remote and deprived areas, including riverbank IP dwellers.

Andanar cited in a video message to the beneficiaries and other peace advocates—in “Bisaya” dialect—that unity and cooperation between and among the people, local government unit, and national government agencies led to the realization of the said housing project.

“They [IPs] deserve decent homes. They were among those affected by the unrest caused by terrorist groups. They were the first victims of harassment. Some have even sacrificed lives to protect their tribes and families. Despite the richness of their culture and abundance of natural resources, living peacefully remains a challenge for them," he said.

The Secretary, as Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security for Northern Mindanao (CORDS X), emphasized that coordinating peace building and development activities would ensure that communities continue to prosper.

Cabanglasan town Mayor Renante V. Inocando, visibly pleased to be included in the government's TF-ELCAC priority programs thanked NHA and the CORDS X for sincerely fortifying the local government's toil to make IP dreams a reality, reiterating that this housing project is one of the government's vows during the Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev) launching, June 28, 2019.

I am most gratified with the government agencies' and Secretary Andanar's support for Cabanglasan municipality. The Umayamnon and Higaonon tribes had a dream. And now I join them in thanking the government for making their dream a reality. We in the local government will continue to share the same hopes and dreams in order to achieve lasting peace,” the mayor said. (RLRB/PIA Bukidnon)

160 Bukidnon households get DTI’s PPG livelihood kits

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon, Dec. 15 —Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Assistant Secretary Reveree Niño Contreras, along with Northern Mindanao regional director Linda Boniao and Bukidnon provincial director Eriberto Taban-ud Jr, recently delivered a variety of livelihood starter kits to 160 identified beneficiaries in Valencia City.

Implemented under DTI’s “Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG)” program, the livelihood kits worth more than P545,000 include Organic Vegetable Gardening, Banana Chips Processing, and Motorcycle Shop Starter Kit.

Taban-ud said the PPG program beneficiaries were those identified households from barangays Tugaya, Laligan, Guinoyuran, Banlag, Concepcion and Barobo, all in Valencia City.

In appreciation of the government’s assistance, Mayor Azucena P. Huervas commended DTI for its efforts to reach out and touch lives, especially those who are most affected by the pandemic.

"I am very happy today. I am grateful to DTI, to our Senator Bong Go, and to President Rodrigo Duterte. These starter kits will really help in improving our constituents’ daily living. That’s why I urge our recipients here today to harness and maximize this PPG livelihood program because if we will not use these kits properly, our government's program and vision will be wasted. So, I strongly encourage you [recipients] to make the most of these grants. The government is useless if you do not use it in the right way. I hope the next time DTI visits us, there will be a positive feedback from you," the mayor said.

DTI-10 regional director Linda Boniao, likewise, urged PPG recipients to be persevering.

"It is my hope, my prayer, that these “Pangkabuhayan” will really help you and make your lives easier," Boniao said.

In speech, Asec. Contreras said DTI has been distributing livelihood starter kits since June this year funded by the Office of Senator Bong Go.

"This program will not flourish without you—the beneficiaries. I am now here to see and ensure that government’s assistance will definitely come to you. As what Mayor Huervas said, we will be back here and see how are you faring with your project,” Asec. Contreras said. (BGE/PIA Bukidnon)

One of the beneficiaries of DTI’s “Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa” (third from left) receives his share of the livelihood grant as DTI Asec. Reveree Niño Contreras (4th from left) brings in one of the fresh cargoes of the Pangkabuhayan kits for barangays Tugaya, Laligan, Guinoyuran, Banlag, Concepcion, and Barobo, all in Valencia City. (PIA Bukidnon)

Suspected NPA courier dies in police operation

Guns seized in Bukidnon raid

'Nanlaban' drug suspect killed in drug-bust

Courtesy: Bukidnon PNP

DTI NorMin premieres Youtube Christmas special featuring local food products

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon,—The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10 officially premiered “Ang Regalo sa DIYESembre,” a promotional campaign featuring the best food products of the region for Noche Buena ideas that are made available in Kahimunan.com.

Kahimunan.com is a web store that features a variation of MSME products from processed food products, beverages, health and organic products, gifts and houseware items, fashion accessories, home style and living, fashion accessories to local tourism development from the five provinces of Region 10: Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.

The promotional campaign is in line with DTI Regional Operations Group’s Christmas special project tagged as “PASA-LOVE.” This is a promotional campaign to “Buy Local” that aims to help more Filipino entrepreneurs recover and stay economically afloat to make the Christmas tradition of giving more meaningful in these trying times. 

Visit the and subscribe to DTI Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/DTI_Philippines/Videos to watch “Ang Regalo sa DIYESembre.” (DTI10/PIA Bukidnon)

DTI NorMin officially premiers “Ang Regalo sa DIYESembre,” a promotional campaign featuring the best food products of the region for Noche Buena ideas that are made available in Kahimunan.com. (DTI Bukidnon)

Murder suspect killed in Bukidnon

Hybrid rice seen to boost rice sufficiency, productivity

MARAMAG, Bukidnon,--To increase rice productivity in attaining rice sufficiency, the agriculture department in northern Mindanao (DA-10) and Central Mindanao University (CMU) conducted the hybrid rice derby harvest festival in said town.

 On Friday, DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado said, “we are confronted with the dipping buying prices of palay, this hybrid rice derby is one of the answers to this challenge.”

 Collado conveyed in his message, during the program with seven participating seed companies, SL Agritech, Bayer, Long Ping, Sygenta, Seedworks, Ramgo, and Bioseed.

 Each seed company was allocated five hectares planted with their most leading varieties, using their own cultural practice protocol.

 The remaining five hectares were utilized for the one common protocol for all cultural practices, which were adopted to all entry varieties.

 “Through this harvest festival, we will be able to come up with the result to further recommend to our farmers the best variety to use,” Collado added.

 DA-10 partnered with CMU for the 27-hectare hybrid rice derby which aims to increase national agri-fishery output through intensified use of quality seeds, appropriate inputs and modern technologies to increase levels of productivity, availability, accessibility, and affordability amidst the threat of COVID-19 pandemic.

 “We target to contribute in increasing the 87 percent rice sufficiency level of the country, including the farm mechanization rate of 2.31 horsepower per hectare,” Collado said.

 Region 10 targeted for 94 percent sufficiency level, a 12 percent increase from its preceding year target with various mitigating programs implemented to boost rice production.

 DA’s Rice Resiliency Project (RRP), a quick response measure that addresses food security concerns amid the pandemic, focuses to intensify the campaign for the adoption of hybrid rice technology among local farmers, which intends to produce more rice to increase rice sufficiency level.

 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) bared the region’s first semester palay production at 1.11 percent, both for rainfed and irrigated.

 “We are the DA's partner in the development of enhancing food production in feeding the people,” CMU President Jesus Antonio G. Derije said.

 CMU will continue to improve their production and the whole area will be utilized with DA’s partnership and the seed companies.

 The hybrid rice derby harvest festival is fitting for this month’s celebration of National Rice Awareness Month, focusing on being Riceponsible. Highlighting on the theme, "Grow local. Buy local. Eat local. Support our rice farmers." (DA10/PIA10)

In Maramag town, DA-10 and CMU conduct the hybrid rice derby harvest festival, to showcase the best featured rice varieties of participating seed companies. (DA 10)

2 suspected rebel leaders nabbed in Bukidnon

PCOO’s Andanar brings ‘BIDA Solusyon’ to Impasugong, Bukidnon

(RLRB/PIA Bukidnon)

PHOTO: Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, together with partner government agencies, takes the 'BIDA Solusyon' with perfect timing to Impasugong town in Bukidnon, just as the town celebrates its Indigenous Peoples Day on Friday, October 23, with the shared objective of resolving COVID-19 pandemic at the barangay level. (PIA Bukidnon)

Bukidnon presents COVID-19 combat plans during CODE Team visit

MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon, Oct. 21 (PIA)—Bukidnon Provincial Government presented on Tuesday its initiatives, measures, gaps, and strategies in the fight against COVID-19 during the CODE Team’s visit in Bukidnon province.

During the ‘Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Team’ forum headed by Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, provincial health officer Dr. Gary Guido Tabios reported that the local health teams are doing great job keeping track of everyone who has been in contact with a test-positive case, but recent data showed that there is a significant increase in COVID cases with record-high numbers reported consecutively in the last two weeks.

Tabios said the local COVID-19 cases in Bukidnon over-exceeded the captured cases and the case doubling time is 15 days. He explained that the case doubling time determines the speed of the outbreak.

Records showed that just over 70 persons are currently quarantined in isolation facilities as a result of being in contact with someone who tested positive, and the province’s recovery rate sits at nearly 60 percent.

As of October 20, Bukidnon has recorded 601 cases of coronavirus infections but 327 of these COVID-positive cases have already recovered.

At present, 266 individuals are on the list as active cases, while 8 individuals have died due to the highly infectious disease.

With this, Tabios said, “We need to do better to prevent COVID-19 spread through the government’s Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) strategy.”

For prevention, he said there is a need to widen the BIDA Solusyon’ campaign at the barangay level, including a unified protocol on strengthening law enforcement and modifying local ordinances.

BIDA Solusyon advocacy promotes the active role of individuals in the fight against COVID-19 by practicing the following behaviors simplified into 4 letters: “B-Bawal walang mask; I-I-sanitize ang mga kamay, iwas-hawak sa mga bagay; D-Dumitansya ng isang metro; and A-Alamin ang totoong impormasyon.”

Gov. Jose Maria Zubiri, meanwhile, announced during the same CODE forum that construction of the province’s Molecular Laboratory is making rapid progress in order to hit its target for real-time detection. He added that there is a need for the provincial government to increase its existing contact-tracers and temporary treatment facilities
and isolation units.

Acknowledging the issues and concerns of the provincial government, National Task Force COVID-19 chair and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Chief testing czar Secretary Vivencio Dizon of BCDA, and Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri discussed the national government’s situation, action plans, strategies, interventions, and best practices to win the fight against the pandemic.

Lorenzana explained that CODE is a patient-and-community focused response system with key elements incorporated from the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate strategy.

Together with the National Task Force COVID-19 chair Lorenzana, Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama of the Department of Health (DOH); Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya of DILG; Undersecretary and chief treatment czar Leopoldo Vega of DOH, and Congressman Manuel Zubiri also shared that the key components of CODE include community engagement activities to promote preventive behaviors; active case finding via house-to-house symptom checks; RT-PCR testing for symptomatic patients; and accommodation of applications for those needing quarantine and isolation.

Through this initiative, support from the national government is provided to local government units (LGUs) particularly those with high-risk community transmission and those with limited capabilities and resources.

The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division commander MGen. Andres Centino and Vice Governor Rogelio Quiño who graced the event also shared their action plans and interventions to win the fight against the dreaded disease.

Hosted by the provincial government of Bukidnon held at the Kaamulan Folk Arts Theater, the CODE event aims to put a curb on the rise in COVID-19 cases at the root through sharing of new technology-enriched strategies and other best practices that can be replicated. |RLRB/PIA Bukidnon

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Gary Guido Tabios shares Bukidnon’s efforts to fight coronavirus disease or COVID-19 during the CODE Team visit in the province. (PIA Bukidnon)

66 ex-rebels, NPA sympathizers yield in Bukidnon

Photo by 4ID