Lanao del Norte PPOC realigns 2020 funds for COVID-19 measures

23 Nov, 2020, No comments

ILIGAN CITY, - The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of Lanao del Norte realigned its funds for unimplemented programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) in 2020 to pave the way for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) measures.

The move was unanimously agreed by the body during the 4th Quarter Joint Meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) held at the Multi-Purpose Building in Capitol Compound, Tubod, Lanao del Norte on Tuesday, November 17.

Among the 2020 peace and order programs, projects, and activities that were not implemented due to the pandemic are advocacy and programs on anti-illegal drugs, provincial volunteers on peace and development congress, purchase of guns and ammunition for provincial jail and civil security unit, and capacity development program for provincial jail personnel and civil security units totaling Php11.9 million.

The Php11.9 million will be allocated to fund the procurement of reagents and kits for COVID-19 testing (Php8 million) and procurement of PPEs (Php3.9 million).

Lanao del Norte is the first LGU in Northern Mindanao operating a COVID-19 testing laboratory

"We have been praised by the Department of Health Region 10 for having a good system for returning OFWs and LSIs as we do the testing upon acceptance of LGUs," said Provincial Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo.

"And right now, we are spending so much. We only charge minimal, and the test kits alone dako ang atong gasto," she added.

The Governor emphasized that their efforts are intended to secure the people of Lanao del Norte from the COVID-19. (APB/PIA-ICIC)

Road incidents rise in Iligan City

23 Nov, 2020, No comments

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.]

Kapehan sa Iligan Chamber is a monthly activity organized by Chamber of Commerce Foundation & Industry of Iligan Incorporated in partnership with Philippine Information Agency to discuss issues and concerns of the local business community in the city. (LELA/ PIA ICIC)

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

23 Nov, 2020, No comments

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY,--"We need self-discipline and strict observance of the BIDA Solusyon to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-10 Regional Director Arnel Agabe said during 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.

"Ang DILG gatan-aw nga dili gaseryosohon ang pagtuman sa minimum public health standards mao ni ang hinungdan nga nagpagawas ug memorandum addressed to all governors, mayors, and heads of local sanggunian para maghimo o mag-amend ug existing ordinances ug naa'y penal provision," Agabe said.

(The DILG observed that the residents are not taking the minimum public health standards seriously thus, a memorandum was released addressing all governors, mayors, and heads of local sanggunian to create or amend existing ordinances with penal provision)

Based on the said memorandum, Agabe said recommendations were stated for the strict observance of wearing of face masks where violators may be penalized with P2,500-5,000 or may be imprisoned for 10-30 days; based on the discretion of proper courts.

As for being complacent on health protocols in far-flung or rural areas, Agabe said COVID-19 chooses no place nor people. One could not really be sure if all the residents in their area have not traveled or encountered confirmed COVID-19 cases.

On mass gatherings for various events, the regional director said movie screenings, concerts and other entertainment activities are allowed but the number of participants should be limited to 50 percent of the seating or venue capacity.

“Minimum public health standards should be complied at all times,” he added.

As of November 20, there are a total of 6,054 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in northern Mindanao, wherein 4,731 have recovered, 176 have expired, and 1,147 are recovering. (RTP/PIA10)

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

23 Nov, 2020, No comments

ILIGAN CITY,- – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Lanao del Norte vowed to continue to intensify its campaign against illegal drugs

During the 4th quarter joint meeting between the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), PDEA conveyed that there are already eight (8) out of 22 municipalities in the province that are drug cleared and/or drug free namely Kolambugan, Pantao Ragat, Linamon, Magsaysay, Matungao, Nunungan, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Tagoloan, and Tangcal.

According to the enforcement agency, three municipalities are also about to be declared as drug cleared. These are the municipalities of Maigo, Sapad and Kauswagan.

Barangay Drug Clearing Officer (BDCO) Ramil Salido pointed out that 299 out of 462 barangays in the province are already drug-cleared, 50 are certified unaffected, and four are unaffected.

"The percent of drug affectation of barangays here in Lanao del Norte is 23.59%, which is third to the lowest mark in the whole region 10, next to Camiguin and Misamis Occidental considering the geographic and population size of the province," elaborated Salido.

Furthermore, PDEA expressed appreciation to the cooperation of local government units (LGU) in its initiatives to support drug reformists by announcing that out of the cities and provinces in the region, Lanao del Norte has the most number of established 'Balay Silangan'.

Nine towns have built and fully-operated the Balay Silangan in their respective localities, and two more from Lala and Pantar towns are on its final stages for approval.

Hence, the agency assessed that LGUs in the province are now active in the fight against illegal drugs. Barangay and BADAC officials are now aware of the penalty for the non-compliance of the CBRP and have seen the positive effects of the program.

To add, PDEA will still continue to conduct a series of operations to reduce the demand, supply and harm that illegal drugs may bring to the province.

"Are we winning? Indeed we are winning, but we need to win again and win more to fully eliminate illegal drugs for our community's future," remarked Salido.(CLGV/PIA-ICIC)

Iligan City receives TB testing machines

12 Nov, 2020, No comments

ILIGAN CITY, - To capacitate the City Health Office in bulk-testing tuberculosis (TB), the local government of Iligan, through the Iligan Medical Internist receive two sets of GeneXpert machine from the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Business and Social Program (PBSB), a non-government organization.

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.

"Mao ni siya'y latest nato nga machine na maka-detect sa atuang TB. Not only TB, but ang atuang resistance pattern sa atuang rifampicin nga tambal, in which ang rifampicin natu mao na siya'y strongest nga klase sa tambal nga maka-defeat sa TB," he added.

[This (GeneXpert) is the latest machine that's capable to detect TB. Not only TB, but also our resistance pattern to rifampicin - the strongest type of medicine that could defeat TB/]

Moreover, Gilbolingo said PBSP will supply the cartridges to be inserted to the machine where sputum samples will be placed and determined.

Aside from TB detection and resistance pattern determination to rifampicin, the GeneXpert machine could also be used for assessing the viral load of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and COVID-19 testing.

"This is the same machine that our Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) is using to identify COVID-19 positive patients, however, we need a laboratory that is accredited to level 2 biosafety to allow this procedure," Gilbolingo added.

Considering the economic and social adversities brought by the COVID-19 pandemic to the city, vice mayor Jemar Veracruz weighs TB as 'serious' as COVID-19 when it comes to its infectiousness.

"While our campaign against COVID will continue, we should not forget other campaigns, like the campaign against TB. It's equally serious. We see the gravity of seriousness that the disease could bring to our people. Therefore, we should also take this as important," Veracruz explained.

Veracruz shared that TB data given by the World Health Organization showed that every second someone is infected with TB, and every 10 seconds someone dies of TB.

Furthermore, the vice mayor calls on residents to take advantage of the provision of this technology for earlier TB detection and medication in the two barangays.

"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)

Four-module GeneXpert machine set in Barangay Hinaplanon, Iligan City.

P29-million Regional Evacuation Center to rise in Iligan soon

6 Nov, 2020, No comments

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

28 Oct, 2020, No comments

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

18 Aug, 2020, No comments

By Alwen Saliring

A TOWN worker was arrested after allegedly trying to transport illegal drugs worth nearly P200,000 at a quarantine checkpoint in Maria Cristina, Iligan City Monday, August 17.

Police arrested an administrative staff of Taraka town hall in Lanao del Sur, who is temporarily residing in Upper Hinaplanon, Iligan City.

The suspect was tagged as high value individual (HVI) in the illegal drug trade being a government employee.

Police officers manning the checkpoint flagged down the suspect's car for inspection after receiving an intelligence information regarding the suspect's drug transaction.

Authorities seized five large sachets of suspected shabu (Methamphetamine hydrochloride) weighing around 25 grams and worth around P170,000, after thorough search of the suspect's vehicle.

The suspect is now detained and will face drug charges.

Photo courtesy: Iligan PNP

'Nanlaban' robbery suspect killed in drug-bust

14 Aug, 2020, No comments

By Alwen Saliring

ANTI-ILLEGAL drug operatives killed a robbery suspect for allegedly fighting back in a drug-bust in Magpatao, Lala town in Lanao del Norte early Friday, August 14.

Killed was Joel Abarquez, 32, a robbery suspect who was included in the drug list of the police's Directorate for Intelligence (DI).

Police said the suspect resisted arrest and drew his gun after noticing that he is dealing with a police officer during the buy-bust operation.

Operatives returned fire hitting the suspect on his body. He was brought to Kapatagan Provincial Hospital but did not get there alive.

Recovered were a caliber 38 revolver with two misfired and one fired cartridge cases and two fired cartridge cases of caliber 9mm.

Authorities also recovered from the suspect's body three sachets of suspected shabu worth P2,000.

Colonel Rolindo Suguilon, officer-in-charge of the Lanao del Norte provincial police office, lauded the operating team and urged his men to continue the war on drugs amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Photo courtesy: Lala PNP

'Shabu' worth P6.8M seized from couple in Lanao Norte drug-bust

21 Jul, 2020, No comments

By Alwen Saliring

Anti-illegal drug operatives have arrested a couple and seized nearly P7 million worth of suspected shabu (Methamphetamine hydrochloride) in a drug-bust in Sigayan, Lanao del Norte on Friday, August 7.

Police identified the suspects as Jamalodin Odin, 39, and his wife Asna Odin, 32, both residents of Sultan naga Dimaporo town.

Authorities tagged the husband as a high value individual (HVI) in the illegal drug activities.

Police seized around 1 kilogram of suspected shabu worth nearly P7 million.

Newly-installed Lanao del Norte provincial police director Colonel Rolindo Suguilon lauded the operating personnel and vowed to continue the government's war on drugs amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The suspects are now detained and will face drug charges.

Photo courtesy: PDEU/LDN PPO

Lanao del Norte PPOC realigns 2020 funds for COVID-19 measures

Road incidents rise in Iligan City

BIDA Solusyon needed to contain COVID-19, DILG-10 says

Lanao del Norte intensifies campaign against illegal drugs

Iligan City receives TB testing machines

P29-million Regional Evacuation Center to rise in Iligan soon

70 farmers in LDN received P2.1-M gardening materials from DA-10

Cops nab town worker, seize nearly P200K 'shabu' at checkpoint

'Nanlaban' robbery suspect killed in drug-bust

'Shabu' worth P6.8M seized from couple in Lanao Norte drug-bust

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