Lumad, Moro leaders reaffirm kinship, sign covenant

Iligan City-based Datu Diamla Rolando So-ong (right), over-all head claimant of an ancestral domain in Lanao del Norte embraces Hajji Datu Ismael Gonzales after they exchanged tokens during the IP-Moro reaffirmation of kinship in Songco, Lantapan, Bukidnon on March 8. 
Bukidnon News photo 

SONGCO, Lantapan, Bukidnon  – Representatives of eight Moro tribes and most of the Lumad or non-Islamized tribes in Mindanao yesterday signed a five-point kinship covenant in a gathering here filled with festive remembrance of historical relationships and aspirations for peace and unity in the island.

2 teenagers file charges vs. rape suspect; lawyer: client is presumed innocent

Bukidnon State University students carry placards during a symposium on women and children protection at the BSU gymnasium on March 9. It was done in time for the International Women’s Day and as an indignation of the series of rape incidents involving students. The rape suspect was arrested on March 3.

Bukidnon News photo

MALAYBALAY CITY  – Two teen-age complainants have lodged charges against a man they accused of allegedly raping them in separate incidents in January and February, while its possible there are more victims out there, Oliver Owen Garcia, lead counsel for the victims, told radio station DXBU Friday.

Bukidnon, 1st province in PH to comply with mandatory IP representation – NCIP

By Walter I. Balane

MALAYBALAY CITY (Bukidnon News/06 March 2012) Bukidnon is becoming the first province in the country to comply with mandatory representation of the indigenous peoples in all levels of local government, a requirement provided by the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), Ma. Shirlene Sario, provincial officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) said.

Sario said IP representatives have been selected in all of the province’s 462 barangays, 20 of its 22 towns and cities, and one for the whole province making it the first province to do so in all levels as provided in Section 16 of Republic Act 8371 or the IPRA of 1997. 

Vice President Jejomar Binay, Kaamulan 2012 street dancing and ground competition guest of honor

 

 

Bukidnon Gov. Alex Calingasan pays attention to Vice President Jejomar Binay upon his arrival at the Capitol Grounds. Binay was the guest of honor in the Kaamulan 2012 street dancing and ground competition on March 3, 2012 in Malaybalay City
Bukidnon News photo courtesy of the Fredelyn Ragandang/PAIA

National, local governments’ help sought in conflict-torn Bumbaran-Talakag villages

Sonny Boy Pondi and wife Alice map out the clash points in 10 conflict torn villages along the border of Talakag town in Bukidnon and Bumbaran in Lanao del Sur/Bukidnon News photo by Walter Balane

MALAYBALAY CITY  (Bukidnon News/20 January) The clan conflict in 10 villages along the border of Talakag, Bukidnon and Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur are aimed at driving non-Maranao settlers in the area, Sonny Boy Pondi, who stands as the chairperson of the group, told Bukidnon News.

Two groups of armed men, the Dimas and the Mama Orak (or Mamurak) group figured in clashes since January 2012 sending villagers to flee to neighboring Talakag town.

The villages belonged to Bumbaran’s geographic boundary but were adopted by Talakag said Pondi, a former Moro Islamic Liberation Front combatant who married a Pentecostal pastor.

He has appealed for help from the government for their conflict-torn villages. He said the government must look at their plight and help them be recognized by the local government of Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur.

MVC grad tops 2011 nursing board: “it was a miracle”

Jerald L. Pelayo/Photo courtesy of Jerald's Facebook account

MALAYBALAY CITY (Bukidnon News/17 February) A graduate of Mountain View College in Valencia City, Bukidnon, Jerald L. Pelayo, topped the 2011 Nuursing Licensure Examination, according to the announcement of the Professional Regulation Commission Thursday.

Pelayo, who is from Masbate City and is now back in his hometown, earned a rating of 86.4 percent. Closely trailing Pelayo is Linsid Angelou  A. Tapongot from Xavier University with a rating of 86 percent.

Another graduate from MVC, Jierell Mae Victor Saguinhon, landed on the 9^th place.

Bukidnon: One of 10 climate change adaptation pilot areas – NEDA

MALAYBALAY CITY – (Bukidnon News Dispatch/12 September) The province of Bukidnon is one of 10 provinces in the country selected as a pilot area for the Joint Programme on Strengthening the Philippines’ Institutional Capacity to adapt to climate change, according to the National Economic Development Authority, which spearheads the program in the country.

The joint program, dubbed MDG-F 1656 JP, aims to influence the institutions of government and their respective key processes by integrating climate change adaptation as one of the critical issues that pose as a serious threat to the achievement of the country’s Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target on environmental sustainability, said Sheila Marie Encabo, MDG-F 1656 JP coordinator in her letter to Gov. Alex Calingasan, a copy of which was obtained by Bukidnon News.

TESDA gives nat’l certification tests bound for CS eligibility

MALAYBALAY CITY— The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will continue its 2nd round of free certification tests for electricians, computer technicians, welders and other “middle-level jobs” this Sept. 12.

During the Bukidnon Monthly Convocation Program on September 5,
Catherine Milagros R. Galapon, TESDA provincial director, called for
applicants in the Skills Assessments and Certification tests which
grant National Certificate (NC) and Certificate of Competency (COC) on
specific fields.

Implementation of 4Ps “difficult to monitor” in Bukidnon

MALAYBALAY CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s conditional cash transfer program dubbed Pantawid Pamilyang
Pilipino Program (4Ps) is difficult to monitor, Christopher Capinpin,
the program’s provincial coordinator, admitted to the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan Wednesday.

Capinpin spoke in an inquiry by provincial board members on the status
of the program’s implementation in the province. There have been
previous reports that some recipients are not qualified, and some
qualified ones did not use the fund assistance to address the
conditions required in the program.

TESDA gives nat’l certification tests bound for CS eligibility

MALAYBALAY CITY (Bukidnon News Dispatch/07 Sept) — The Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will continue its
2nd round of free certification tests for electricians, computer
technicians, welders and other “middle-level jobs” this Sept. 12.

During the Bukidnon Monthly Convocation Program on September 5,
Catherine Milagros R. Galapon, TESDA provincial director, called for
applicants in the skills assessments and certification tests ,which
are bases for the granting of National Certificate (NC) and Certificate of Competency (COC) on specific fields.

The tests, which assess competency in wide range of functions and
skills are given in Bukidnon from August 8 to November 18, 2011.

For electricians, the Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II
and III will be held on Sept. 12-16 while the Computer Hardware
Servicing NC II for computer technicians will be on Sept. 26-30.

The Food and Beverage Services NC II, Commercial Cooking NC II and
Housekeeping NC II tests were scheduled on October 10-14 and the
Consumer Electronics Servicing NC II on October 24-28.

The Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC II and Bookkeeping NC III
will be on November 14-18.

According to Daniel Cañete, Competency Assessment and Certification
(CAC) in-charge, the first run of assessments in Bukidnon was held in
March 28 to April 1. It produced only 115 certified workers out of 247
assessed. Galapon said that the target number of applicants for 2nd
run is 500. So far, less than 200 registered.

According to Galapon, the NC holders, with or without college degree,
are accepted in and out of the country for employment. Based on the
TESDA website (www.tesda.gov.ph), NCs could be converted to Civil
Service Eligibility through Skills Certificate Equivalency Program
(SCEP) of both TESDA and the Civil Service Commission.

Alan Haohao, 30 years old welder, obtained his certification (SMAW NC
II) during the first run. His NC II certificate was then converted to
Civil Service eligibility and he now works at TESDA office as watchman
and does part-time welding jobs every weekend.  He claimed that having
the certificate helped him a lot and made finding a job easier.

The tests will be held at the TESDA Provincial Training Center (PTC)
in Valencia City. Application forms are available there and also at
the TESDA Provincial Office in Malaybalay City. Applicants should
apply a week before the scheduled dates and are required to bring a
copy of birth certificate and three pieces passport-size picture with
white background and collar. (Hazel A. Generalao)

Bukidnon PSWD chief: AIFCS useless

MALAYBALAY CITY – The Aid to Individuals and Families in Crisis Situations (AIFCS) is useless in helping the poor, Arsenio Alagenio, Bukidnon provincial social welfare and development officer, told the Malaybalay City Council Tuesday.

Valencia, tornado-prone area – PAGASA Bukidnon chief

MALAYBALAY CITY – Some areas in Bukidnon are prone to tornadoes, the Valencia City barangays along the Pulangui River, included, Anianita Fortich, chief meteorological officer PAGASA Bukidnon said.

Irregularities haunt NIA 10 fertilizer project – DA probe

MALAYBALAY CITY – Almost a year after its investigation, the Department of Agriculture fact finding team, which Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala created in July 2010 found irregularities in the National Irrigation Administration 10‘s P30-million bio-organic fertilizer subsidy program, which it implemented since 2009, according to the team’s report, a copy of which was obtained by Bukidnon News.

SIC, Prov’l Capitol team up for reforestation program

MALAYBALAY CITY – Catholic Church-owned San Isidro College is signing a memorandum of agreement for a four-year reforestation program with the provincial government.

Tornado kills boy, injures 4 in Valencia City

MALAYBALAY CITY – (Bukidnon News Dispatch/05 Sept.)A one-year old boy died and four persons were hurt in a tornado incident in three villages in Valencia City Saturday afternoon, Capt. Alejandro Larosa, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council coordinator reported to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

James Alumin, from Purok 18, Batangan Valencia City; was swept by strong winds when the tornado passed through their house. He was separated from his mother, Mary Grace, 22, one of four persons injured in the incident.

The others hurt in the incident were identified as Gogelyn Versaga, 15; Sinisa Versaga; and Elton Galsin, 23. All those hurt, except Galsin, were confined at the Abella Midway Hospital in Valencia City.