DPWH continue to clears highway of flood-hit towns in Lanao del Norte
ILIGAN CITY, – Continued heavy rainfall due to a low pressure area southeast of Mindanao brought severe flooding in the coastal towns of Bacolod, Maigo and Tubod, of Lanao del Norte province.
Maintenance personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Lanao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office (LDN2 DEO) were immediately dispatched to conduct road clearing operations along the Linamon-Zamboanga national highway.
Flood debris, tree stumps and mud were cleared by the DPWH maintenance teams as they moved towards the capital town of Tubod.
“We are always on heightened alert every time there is heavy rainfall. This gives us a faster response time to address emergencies and calamities since all of our personnel and heavy equipment are already on stand-by and awaiting orders," explained District Engineer Alykhan Ali.
The coastal flooding experienced in these communities is the result of the large volume of rainwater coinciding with the peak of high tide.
Several mudslides were also observed and cleared by the DPWH teams particularly in the towns of Tubod and Maigo.
The maintenance personnel also removed uprooted trees and bamboo clumps stuck under several bridges of Lanao del Norte.
“It was already dawn when our teams arrived from their clearing operations but they have successfully cleared the national highway along the flooded towns of Lanao del Norte. For that, I commend all of them," expressed Ali. (VNL/DPWH-PIO/PIA-ICIC)
GSIS to subsidize education of 5K members’ kin
ILIGAN CITY, Jan. 4 - The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is subsidizing the college education of 5,025 of its members’ kin for School Year 2020-2021 under the GSIS Educational Subsidy Program (GESP).
The grantees were selected from 5,427 nominees. Priority was given to children of GSIS members with the lowest annual basic salary.
The grantees will be notified via email and text message. The list will be uploaded to the GSIS website at www.gsis.gov.ph.
GSIS will give a Php10,000 yearly financial assistance to the grantees to augment their educational fund. They will continue to receive the subsidy until they finish their college course provided they meet the 80% general weighted average with no failing grade or incomplete mark in any subject in the previous semester or term of the academic year.
The GESP allowance will be deposited to the bank account of the grantees at the Land Bank of the Philippines.
GSIS opened GESP from March to September 2020 to accommodate as many active members as possible considering the movement restrictions of the nationwide community quarantine.
GESP is the pension fund’s response to President Duterte’s call to provide wider access to quality college education to the marginalized sector. It complements Republic Act No. 10931 or the 2017 Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education which provides free tuition and miscellaneous fees.
For GESP concerns and inquiries, interested parties may call Mgr. Raymundo Palad, Leslie Fangonil, or Rodello Giron of the GSIS Corporate Social Advocacies Department through (02) 8479-3588, (02) 8479-3571 to 72. GSIS branch offices nationwide may also assist applicants. (GSIS Iligan)
DPWH turns over 2 multi-purpose gyms in Brgy. Pugaan, Iligan
ILIGAN CITY, – Members of Pugaan Barangay Council and officials of Espiridion Encabo Memorial High School received two newly-completed multi-purpose buildings constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Lanao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office.
The simple turn-over ceremony was held on December 21, 2020 at the brand-new Pugaan gymnasium.
“We never expected that we can have a beautiful gymnasium like this. We are grateful to District Engineer Ali for transforming our old and dilapidated gym into this modern building," expressed Punong Barangay Virgie Raman.
The renovation of the old gymnasium and barangay hall was allocated Php9.6-million under the regular infrastructure program of DPWH. Meanwhile, the construction of a new multi-purpose building in Espiridion Encabo Memorial High School amounting to Php3.3-million is part of the Local Infrastructure Program (LIP) of Representative Frederick Siao of the Lone Congressional District of Iligan City.
“We are truly thankful to Congressman Siao because this multi-purpose building is highly important to us, especially when our students return to school and we have to ensure strict compliance of social distancing," explained Principal Eugene Daguio.
For his part, District Engineer Alykhan Ali is hopeful that the newly completed buildings will be put to good use and for residents of Brgy. Pugaan to realize that the national government is working hard to improve the lives of Filipinos especially those in remote areas of the country.
“As the infrastructure arm of the national government, it’s not enough to work hard. The public, the people whom we are serving, must know that the government is working for them," said Ali. (VNL/DPWH-PIO)
The recently turned-over cavernous gym of Brgy. Pugaan in Iligan City is now being used for various barangay activities like this monthly meeting of their women’s organization.
DAR turns-over Php81.4 million MinSAAD projects to Lanao del Norte ARBs
The infrastructure projects include rural water systems, Tulay ng Pangulo (bridges), and communal irrigation systems.
DAR also partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways, National Irrigation Administration and local government units of Kolambugan, Tangcal, Tubod, Magsaysay and Munai in implementing the said projects.
MinSAAD project manager Eduardo Suaybaguio thanked the partner agencies for the implementation of the projects. He also hoped that the “projects will be an instrument of development and peace in the area.”
Meanwhile, DAR X Regional Director Merlita Capinpuyan called for the unity of the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in taking good care of the facilities.
The Level II rural water system in Barangay Pantaon, Kolambugan will benefit 2,898 with 598 ARBs in the barangays and nearby sitios from the municipality of Tangcal. On the other hand, 640 farmer beneficiaries in Barangay Maganding in Munai municipality will benefit from another Level II rural water system.
DAR also turned-over communal irrigation projects in Magsaysay municipality which will irrigate 50 hectare farmlands in barangays Lumbac and Baguiguicon while 100 hectares of farm lands will be irrigated in Barangay Lindongan.
Measuring 28 meters in length, Tulay ng Pangulo bridges worth P25 million each were also inaugurated in Barangay Palao, Kolambugan which connects nearby barangays to Tangcal municipality while the bridge in Barangay Sto-Niño in Tubod connects barangays to Baroy municipality.
Kolambugan Mayor Lorenzo Mañigos expressed his utmost gratitude to DAR for the projects. He also reiterated his commitment in protecting the said project.
“Ug wala ang DAR, di maabot ang mga proyekto diri sa among lungsod ug uban LGU nga dako kaaayo na tabang ngadto sa mga katawhan. Muhatag mi sa amo commitment sa proyekto na nadawat na amo ampingan na masustain,” he said.
[Without DAR, projects will not reach our municipalities and other LGU which provides a huge impact to the people. We affirm our commitment in sustaining this project.]
Barangay Pantaon chairperson, Saadoden Dimalog, thanked MinSAAD projects since they will now have better access to potable water supply.
“Lipay jud mi kaayo nga naa nay tubig. Grabe among pasalamat kay sa una grabe ang among kalisod,” said Dimalog.
[We are really grateful that we now have access to potable water. We are thankful because we really had challenges before.]
MinSAAD is a poverty alleviation project in selected marginalized areas (12 settlements) in Mindanao which aims to address poverty issues through competitive and sustainable agriculture. (LELA/ PIA ICIC)
LGUs Kolambugan, Tangcal strengthen cooperation for peace, dev’t
Lanao del Norte PPOC realigns 2020 funds for COVID-19 measures
Road incidents rise in Iligan City
ILIGAN CITY, -- With the rising cases of road incidents in the city, the Iligan City Police Office (ICPO) called for the cooperation of the public in following traffic laws.
During the Episode 2 of Kapehan sa Iligan Chamber, PLtCol. George Ylanan, head of ICPO Traffic Enforcement Unit, bared that the percentage of traffic incidents in the city is more than ¾ of the crime rate volume.
“Daghan pang injuries og patay sa traffic incident kontra sa gidunggab o gipusil,” said Ylanan.
[There are more injuries and death due to traffic incidents than being stabbed or shot.]
From May to July 2020, ICPO reported 581 crime volume. Of this, 47 are index crime, 44 for non-index crime, 134 for special laws and 356 for traffic incidents.
Meanwhile, from August to October 27, there are 566 crime volume recorded, 36 for index crime, 26 for non-index crime, 123 for special laws and 381 for traffic incidents.
Index crimes include crimes against persons and property such as murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping/carjacking. On the other hand, non-index crimes are violations of special laws such as illegal drugs and illegal gambling.
With the increase of traffic incidents, Ylanan emphasized the need to implement strict traffic laws with the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.
“We need to mitigate, together with partners, para mapaubos nato ang road incidents. Tangtangon sa dalan ang walay lisensya ug ang walay rehistro,” Ylanan said.
[We need to mitigate, together with partners, to reduce road incidents. We need to remove those who do not have the license and are not registered.]
PLtCol. George Ylanan, head of ICPO Traffic Enforcement Unit, calls for the cooperation of the public in following traffic laws during the Kapehan sa Iligan Chamber. (PIA-ICIC).
BIDA Solusyon needed to contain COVID-19, DILG-10 says
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 Regional Director Arnel Agabe says in the NorMin COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, November 20, that people should change their mind set from observing protocols only during inspections of authorities to doing such in order to save lives. (DILG 10)
Lanao del Norte intensifies campaign against illegal drugs
Iligan City receives TB testing machines
Strategically placed in two end-to-end barangays in Iligan, the four-module machine was turned-over to Barangays Hinaplanon and Tomas Cabili to diagnose residents from the east and west side of the city.
Jhun Ronald Gilbolingo, DOH Region 10's TB technical staff and a PBSP member, said the GenXpert machine can test four sputum samples at a time, and results will come out after 2 hours.
"The lab that we have, the GeneXpert machines that we have are ready, our people are ready, and our city health personnel are ready to attend to them," Veracruz encouraged. (CLGV/PIA-ICIC)
P29-million Regional Evacuation Center to rise in Iligan soon
ILIGAN CITY, Nov. 6 – Iligan City and local officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently broke ground for the latest regional evacuation center located at Purok 5, Brgy. Tipanoy, this city.
The evacuation center project has been approved by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through its implementing arm - the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
The DPWH will provide the funding for the PhP29-million disaster resilience facility.
For its part, the Iligan City LGU provided 1,500 sqm. land area as counterpart for the project.
DPWH-Lanao del Norte 2nd District Engineering Office is tasked to complete the project within 360 calendar days.
“We do not wish for any tragedy to happen to our City, but when it does we will be glad that we have this kind of infrastructure to help our fellow Iliganons. This was a hard lesson that we learned after Typhoon Sendong," said City Mayor Celso Regencia.
Iligan City was chosen as one of the sites for a regional evacuation center after the 2017 man-made disaster in nearby Marawi City and the devastation caused by recent super typhoons.
“There really is a need for infrastructures like these, where people can feel safe, and the government can deliver its relief assistance directly to the victims of disasters. As public servants, we just are honored to be a part of this laudable project," DPWH Assistant District Engineer Maria David said.
The regional evacuation center, to be built as a disaster-resilient and persons-with-disability (PWDs) friendly, can accommodate 106 families.
The evacuation building will have a reception area, stage area, administration office, consultation room, clinic, play room with breastfeeding area, mess hall with kitchen, conjugal room, storage room, toilet and bath facilities for men and women, and a prayer room.
“When there is no emergency or calamities, this facility can also be used for seminars and trainings. However, with the worsening effects of climate change, this center will save the lives of many Iliganons," said DPWH District Engineer Alykhan Ali. (DPWH/VNL-PIO)
70 farmers in LDN received P2.1-M gardening materials from DA-10
POONA PIAGAPO, Lanao del Norte, - Seventy (70) farmer-beneficiaries of the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program of the Department of Agriculture in Northern Mindanao (DA-10) received vegetable gardening materials worth P2.1 million.
Each farmer-beneficiary from barangays Pendulonan and Poblacion of said town was granted with assorted vegetable seeds, fertilizers and gardening materials on October 8, 2020.
The 5-in-1 vegetable seeds comprised of ampalaya, okra, squash, string beans and eggplant, while gardening materials include hand rake, flat hand shovel, hand gloves, knapsack sprayer, water drum and plastic seedling tray.
Carlota S. Madriaga, Regional Technical Director for Operations of DA-RFO 10, said the intervention aims to augment the farmers’ household income amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The turnover ceremony held in barangay Pendulonan Hall was graced by Mayor Muslima T. Macol, Municipal Agriculturist Nasif O. Mamarinta, barangay captains Jamilah L. Musa (Poblacion) and Monabe T. Fernando (Pendulonan) and SAAD representatives.
SAAD is a special program of DA designed to empower and capacitate marginalized farmers in the country.| DA-10
SAAD program- beneficiaries in Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte receive vegetable seeds, fertilizers, and other gardening materials from DA-10.
Cops nab town worker, seize nearly P200K 'shabu' at checkpoint
Photo courtesy: Iligan PNP
'Nanlaban' robbery suspect killed in drug-bust
Photo courtesy: Lala PNP
'Shabu' worth P6.8M seized from couple in Lanao Norte drug-bust
By Alwen Saliring
Photo courtesy: PDEU/LDN PPO