SUMAN MORON: CAMIGUEÑOS TRENDING ‘KAKANIN’

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, March 9 — Suman Moron, inspired from the Visayas’ famous traditional delicacy has become a trending favorite for Camigueños and its tourists.

In an exclusive interview with the group Kasamahan ng mga Liping Pilipina (KALIPI)-Balbagon Association during the project monitoring and evaluation activity conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment – region 10 (DOLE-10) Technical Support and Supervision Division on February 27, 2015, it was learned that the organization started in 2007 with original 20 members of Kasamahan ng mga Liping Pilipina (KALIPI)-Balbagon Association in the island’s capital town, Mambajao, offers a “kakanin” treat or a special “pasalubong” dessert snack item in different occasions locally called suman moron.

This developed as the KALIPI suman moron women makers with now increased 53 members have been granted the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) last September 7, 2014 through its accredited co-partner, Mambajao Water District Workers’ Association in the amount of P100,000.00.

DILEEP is the department’s contribution to the governments’ agenda of inclusive growth through massive job generation and substantial poverty reduction and reduce the vulnerability to risks of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized workers.

Retailed at P8.00/each or P100.00/box in 13-piece package, suman moron is a rice based delicacy using white and black glutenous rice cooked in coconut milk then rolled and twirled alongside, for black and white type (tinambiran), or rolled single either white or black, then wrapped using banana leaves, then steamed. This comes in salty or sweet taste best combined with cocoa milk or “tableya.” - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

WOMEN’S GROUP GROWS FRUIT PIE BUSINESS

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, March 12 (PIA) – Trying out ways to earn better while looking after their family and kids, a women’s group from a small community here, started their own fruit pie brand.

The group was organized under the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) women’s group in Sitio Quiboro, trained and equipped by the local government through various grant assistance from the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in region 10.

Cash assistance and equipment like kitchen aide mixers, oven, vacuum weight scales, and stainless working tables were turned over and housed at the community women’s center, while members take turns in the preparation.

To date, two groups from the association are currently running the fruit pie business, branding Sitio Quiboro as the best pie maker in the province.

“We are making at least 50 to 70 pies a week, it comes in various fruit flavors like buko, pineapple, mango, ube, or mixed, and we sell it to nearby communities and offices here at P75 and P170 per layer,” Quiboro-Poblacion Kalipi Organization president Nora Taburada said.

While the peak season is up, Taburada is also working to tap with the hotel and cottages operators in the island, seeking to grow and expand their production as well as positioning the product as another pasalubong treat for visiting tourist. (JCV/PIA) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

DTI-CAMIGUIN STRENGTHENS ENFORCEMENT OF FAIR TRADE LAWS

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, May 4 (PIA) — In the drive to intensify the enforcement of fair trade laws and Consumer Act of the Philippines, the enforcement team of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Camiguin conducted its regular price monitoring of basic and prime commodities, spare parts and construction materials last April 20-21, 2015.

It was notable that some prices of the basic commodities, specifically Nestle products, had started to go down like the prices of Nescafe Coffee Refill 25g and 50g decreased by P1.05 and P2.05 respectively due to dipping prices of robusta coffee beans in the world market.

Apart from checking the prices of these said goods, the enforcement team also examined the proper labelling and price tagging of the products being sold to safeguard the welfare of the consumers. (Zita M. Abellare with reports from Varry Labial, DTI-Camiguin, PIACam-Inet) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

OPERATION LISTO CONVERGENCE HELD

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, April 15 (PIA) — Following the regional launch of the Disaster Preparedness Manuals dubbed “Operation Listo,” DILG here convened agencies, local government units (LGUs) and cluster leaders to start gearing up for their provincial plan.

DILG Camiguin OIC Provincial Director Rubicon Ceasar U. Agcopra said the convergence helped strengthened the commitment among stakeholders and aid the development of a suitable plan essential to the fulfillment of the Listo Movement.

The gathering also facilitated the election and organization of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers (DRRMOs) Federation at the provincial level.

The Provincial Convergence Action Planning was attended by various attached agencies of the DILG and members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC). (JCV/PIA) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

DOLE NORTHMIN INKS MOU IN THE CREATION OF CAMIGUIN PROJECT MONITORING TEAM

Mambajao, Camiguin—To intensify efforts in monitoring funded projects in Camiguin, the Department of Labor and Employment-X (DOLE-X) along with its partner government agencies created a Project Monitoring Team (PMT) to ensure success and sustainability of all existing DOLE funded livelihood projects in the island on 6 May 2015 at the Mambajao Municipal Hall.

 

Since 2014, DOLE-X has approved 37 livelihood projects amounting to P10,336,482.00 benefiting 1,158 workers in the formal and informal sectors under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP).

 

DILEEP mandates the giving of assistance in the forms of materials, equipment, tools and jigs to unemployed and vulnerable workers to start an income-generating project enhance their existing livelihood or restore their lost livelihood resources due to natural and man-made calamities to earn and augment their families’ income.

 

DOLE-X Regional Director, Raymundo G. Agravante disclosed that some 10 government agencies including a government-owned and controlled corporation and a civil society organization composed the PMT which include DTI, DA, DOST, DOT, TESDA, DOLE, SSS, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and the Provincial Government of Camiguin.         

After the signing of the Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) was the turn-over of check to PRRM Area Manager Raymundo C. Agaton in the amount of P3,996,830.00 to fund 15 livelihood with a total of 460 beneficiaries witnessed by Camiguin Provincial Field Office Head Errol A. Natividad and Camiguin Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo.

 

Romualdo, in his turnover ceremony message reminded the team that the creation of the PMT intensify government efforts in monitoring and evaluating the status of existing and new livelihood projects to ensure viability and sustainability.

 

Meanwhile, Director Agravante thanked Governor Romualdo for an established, strong, and continued partnership. He further said that the department is 24/7 ready to address encountered problems by the beneficiaries before and during the projects’ implementation. - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

CAMIGUIN SUBSIDIZES FARMS TO PLANT IMPROVED LANZONES VARIETY

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, September 22 (PIA) – The improved “camlong” Camiguin-Longkong lanzones variety will be made available to local farms next month through a subsidized scheme, seen to boost quality, production, and economy here.

Camlong has a longer shelf life of 12 to 14 days when compared to the native lanzones which changes color four days after harvest.

Provincial Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo called on farmers to maximize on the opportunity and assured them that the process will cut off the production and propagation period of lanzones planting materials to only four months, than the traditional propagation period which requires more than a year, while harvesting is seen as early as five to six years instead of usual eight to twelve years period.

Under the plant now pay later program (PNPL), which is also available for other fruit growers, the provincial agriculture office (PAO), will take charge of the land preparation and planting, while the owner secures the area by providing sturdy (not necessarily concrete) perimeter fence to protect the plant from animals and intruders.

It’s a 60/40 scheme, 40 percent of the total harvest will given to the local government and the remaining 60 percent will go to the land owner, after five harvests the contract will be forfeited and the owner will regain back his harvests in full. (JCV/ PIA10) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

HIV TESTING URGED, FREE SERVICES AVAILABLE

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN June 19 (PIA) – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here is encouraging all sexually active individuals, especially those engaging into unprotected sex or with multiple sex partners, to get tested now for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Free  testing and screening is scheduled at the Camiguin PHO on June 23.

Kristine Grace R. Torrecampo,  Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV/AIDS  nurse coordinator of PHO said persons who have STI are more prone to HIV as well as people who often engaged into unprotected, penetrative vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Unprotected, penetrative sex accounts for 80% of total exposures to the disease worldwide.

The disease is often transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breastfeeding.

In Camiguin, five (5) cases of people living with HIV (PLHIV) has already been reported, and provided with proper medical assistance.

Torrecampo, meanwhile, assures the public that confidentiality of HIV counseling and testing is protected by law. Identity of persons submitting for screening or those found positive will not be divulged to public unless the PLHIV himself chooses to come out in public knowledge.

A Social Hygiene Clinic is also operating in the province offering free HIV testing and STI consultation  at the second floor of the Camiguin General Hospital (CGH) diagnostic building, while the rural health units also accepts STI consultations. (JCValcorza/PIA) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com 

CAMIGUIN SUBSIDIZES TRANSPORTATION OF LANZONES

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, September 21 (PIA) — To control the unsafe transport of lanzones via pump boats to the mainland and Bohol, the provincial government is offering free transport to traders here.

Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romuldo came up with the proposition in his meeting with the local traders, recently, concerned with their welfare as well as wastage of the fruit when boxes are thrown out into the sea in cases of bad weather.

The governor emphasized on their safety specially that the province has no search and rescue capability.

“These vessels are not designed to carry loads of people or commodity. The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) only recommends at least 12 meters long pump boats, capable of carrying 10 tons minimum load to ply between Bohol and Misamis Oriental,” he explained.

The governor, however, assured that daily trips to Bohol will resume at the end of this month, as of today there are only two schedules available, every Monday and Wednesday.

Meanwhile, apart from shipping, the local government also revisited the ordinance on packaging and seeking the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to improve the packaging, to be at least compartmentalized to prevent rotting and standardize the weight each boxes hold to 20-kilos. (JCValcorza/PIA) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

BEST FOOD PRODUCTS OF CAMIGUIN SHOWCASED AT KAHIMUNAN REGIONAL TRADE FAIR

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, August 24 (PIA) — Exciting food products and delicacies from the province of Camiguin are showcased at the Kahimunan of Northern Mindanao Regional Trade Fair, the region’s destination for unique food and home style ideas held at the SM City in time of the Higalaay (friendship) Festival in Cagayan de Oro City on August 22-30, 2015.

The highlights of the Camiguin booth are the Vjandep pastel, Maestrado’s tablea and Soling’s piniato, Mambajao’s lanzones vinegar, Guinsiliban’s coco-sugar, Sagay’s dried squid which are all members of the Camiguin Food Products Assn., (CFPA) in a bid to unravel the gastronomic food treasures of the province not just in Cagayan de Oro but also in the whole region 10 as well.

The Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair was formally opened by Regional Director Linda O. Boniao, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), region 10, with Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno as the guest of honor, on August 22, 2015.

The nine day event was complemented with daily activities, which included diverse product promotion, food tasting and selling, market matching sessions with institutional buyers.

The Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair that marks this year’s edition with a remarkable selection of handcrafted and food products from more than 50  quality producers and suppliers from the five provinces of Northern Mindanao,  is an annual regional trade show organized by DTI-10.

The DTI is geared towards helping the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of the whole country to innovate, develop, package and promote quality food and handcrafted products through provincial, regional, national and international trade fairs to increase sales and incomes of these MSMEs. (Zita Maestrado-Abellare, DTI-Camiguin / PIA-Cam i-Net - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

LGU AFFORDS LIVESTOCK, POULTRY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR FREE

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, September 8 (PIA) — The local government unit in Mambajao is extending preventive and curative services to protect livestock and poultry animals from diseases.

It conducted regular house-to-house vaccination and vaccinated 1,270 cattles, 468 carabaos, 2,052 swine, 1,120 goats, and 49 poultry animals, as of June this year. 

The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said they have reached around 2,373 farming families and another 4,080 families for deworming/defluking, and castration.

The program also comprises of examinations for animal health services such as fecal and semen examinations.

This year, PVO also administered iron/vitamin injections to boost physical health of the animals. (JCV/PIA 10) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

CAMIGUIN SCALES UP RABIES CONTROL PROGRAM

MAMBAJA, Camiguin, September 8 (PIA) — Upholding its rabies free status, authorities here have also scaled up efforts in strengthening quarantine measures.

“We have been strictly observing entries of dogs in ports and airports, in fact have confiscated four dogs already in the first semester of the year,” said provincial veterinarian Louis S. Bollozos.

Other than quarantine, the provincial government has ensured the continuous implementation of the rabies control program which includes the bi-annual conduct of house-to-house rabies vaccination throughout the province, and the provision of free vaccines to walk-in clients.

The accomplishment to date records some 3,636 cats and dogs vaccinated or some 2,246 families served.

The Rabies Information and Education (IEC) program which intends to push awareness on the dangers of rabies has also been carried out, including the random catching activities for stray dogs. (JCV/PIA 10) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

NIGHTSCAPE VIEW DECK TO RISE IN CAMIGUIN

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, June 26 (PIA) — From stunning scenic views of the sea, sand, and spring Camiguin still has more to offer!

A grand view of the night sky is how the province likes to keep its visitors busy at night, a relaxing view not only of the majestic volcano, but also of the stars and constellations.

The island prides of an amazing plateau and zero light pollution, a perfect eco-destination to house an observatory to introduce the universe to tourists and locals alike.

Sangguniang Bayan member Raquel B. Ranara said this will provide opportunity to increase people’s awareness on the unique balance of the universe.

To date, the province has already formed a team from the members of the Science Advisers Association of the Philippines, Camiguin Chapter to handle the project and were all trained recently by experts from the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA). - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

CAMIGUIN RECEIVES NEW PATROL CARS FROM DILG

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, July 7 (PIA) — Five brand new, light police patrol jeeps were turned over by the Secretary of Interior and Local Government (SILG) Mar Roxas to all police stations here on July 4, 2015 in time for the 20th Police Community Relations Month celebration.

The formal turn over ceremony was held at the capitol grounds and was witnessed by the local chief executives and various officials from the local and national line agencies.

“Natutuwa po ako na maka-contribute konti sa progreso ng Camiguin, maghahatid ito ng dagdag na turismo sa probinsya at pagkakakitaan. Ang mga pamayanan, ang buong sambayanan ay nagkakaisa, nakiki-isa, at tulong-tulong, tungo sa kaunlaran, napakaganda ng nakikita natin dito, hindi lang sa pulis and lahat ay may maitutulong para mapanatili ang peace and order,” he said.

Roxas hopes that these will help improve or maintain the peace and order situation in the island being one of the top tourism destinations in the country. 

This distribution is part of the PNP’s Capability Enhancement Program; a holistic approach which is geared towards lowering crime incidents and empowering the police force and local government units. A total of 1,490 patrol jeeps will be distributed to all local government units. - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

DTI CAMIGUIN CONDUCTS SPECIAL MONITORING FOR CANDIES

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, July 27 (PIA) – At the height of the recent news on almost 2,000 people being poisoned by durian and mangosteen candies in the Caraga region, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Camiguin Provincial Office conducted a special monitoring of business establishments in the commercial district of the capital town of Mambajao, more particularly in major groceries and different pasalubong centers in the province on July 15-17, 2015.

DTI said this concern is very relevant considering that the site of the poisoning is near the province and these products are being considered as pasalubong for tourists and visitors in the Davao Region.   

While food safety is a mandate of the Department of Health (DOH) – Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the DTI has interests in the source, volume and detail of the manufacturers of these products, considering that it is also one of the mandates of DTI to ensure product standards to protect the consumers and the general public. 

Camiguin being one of the prime tourism destinations in the country, the likelihood of these types of products being available in the locality is high and DTI-Camiguin cannot be complacent about the issue. 

The result of the special monitoring showed that there was no business establishment selling these kinds of products.

DTI-Camiguin will continue to act pro-actively on this issue in partnership with the Local Government Units (LGUs) to ensure that similar incidents will not happen in Camiguin.

It is also set to conduct a province wide monitoring of the products this month in time also for its regular monthly supplies and price monitoring of basic, prime commodities and mandatory products. - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

DTI LAUNCHES CAMIGUIN’S FIRST NEGOSYO CENTER

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, July 6 — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Camiguin Provincial Office Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) has conducted 12 trainings for the 1st semester (January to June 2015) as covered in the DTI-Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) synchronization plan.

The training program implemented six basic and upgrading technology/skills trainings, three entrepreneurial development trainings and three productivity enhancement trainings that benefitted 113 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) coming from five Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in the whole province of Camiguin.

One of the techno/skills trainings conducted are on bamboo processing and the ARC beneficiaries of these training include the Quiboro Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) in the municipality of Mambajao for bamboo fans making, San Miguel MPC in the municipality of Mahinog for sawali or amakan making and 2 in the municipality of Sagay which are the Cuña MPC and Bacnit MPC both for sawali/amakan making.

Still alongside with the DAR Provincial Office, DTI-Camiguin also conducted a series of Entrepreneurial Development (EDT) and Productivity Enhancement Trainings to the ARBs benefitted of the techno trainings.

The EDT meant to utilize the newly acquired skills in making Bamboo Amakan into possible individual business and also to enhance their potentials as leaders, as well as to orient the core values that a successful entrepreneur must have.

The Productivity training like the 5s of Good Housekeeping aims to provide the necessary skills, knowledge and a systematized approach to organized work areas, keep rules and standards and maintain the discipline needed to do a good job for the business.

The DTI-DAR synchronization work plan is a convergence program of the national government that implements programs and projects in the forms of trainings, service facilities and technical assistance to ARBs and ARCs. (Zita M. Abellare, DTI-Camiguin, PIA-Cam Inet) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

CAMIGUIN LAUNCHES 1ST HINOG FESTIVAL

MAHINOG, Camiguin July 27 (PIA) – Plunging back into its history, Camiguin now boasts not only for its sweetest lanzones, but with bananas as well.

The 1st Hinog Festival was launched here on July 1, 2015, a cultural event to commemorate the founding of Mahinog as a town and to showcase the wealthy heritage, rich history, and happy and loving attitude of the people.

It is bounded in the north by the town of Mambajao, on the south by the municipality of Guinsiliban, on the east by Mindanao Sea and on the west by Mt. Timpoong.

It is said that the early days, Mahinog grew luscious bananas of all kinds. The land was fertile and so it brought an overwhelming production and terrific ripening of bananas everywhere, likened to its produce, people started to call the place “hinog” (ripened) or “ma-hinog” (to ripen) which had since become the unwritten acceptance of the town’s name.

As the inhabitants were few in the olden days, the native would harvest banana fruits more than what they needed. They also planted rice and corn for their main subsistence. The fruit was secondary food as it is today.

Hinog festival depicts the everyday “tabo” (flea market) of the old folks, ripe bananas were at everybody’s disposal, including traders and visitors from neighboring towns and provinces.

To date, banana is still among the major products of the province along with coconut, cassava, sweet potato, fruits, coffee and vegetable. (LGU Mahinog/PIA10) - From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

CAMIGUIN REVS UP SPORTS TOURISM ACTIVITIES

Eyeing to become one of the country’s top sports tourism destination, the local government of Camiguin is spearheading various activities to invite sports enthusiasts as well as boosts locals interest in sports.

Just recently, Mambajao concluded its first super sprint triathlon, swimming, biking, and athletic competition which highlighted the town’s 160th foundation day celebration.

The super sprint triathlon covers a 300-meter distance swim, 10-kilometer bike, and 3-kilometer run.

Gilbert Grado, municipal sports coordinator, said this is just preparatory to the “Hibok-hibok Triathlon” a province wide competition, set every 15th of May.

Hibok-hibok Triathlon is now on its second year and is open to athletes from other cities and provinces.

It’s a 1.5 kilometer swim race that starts from white island, another 45 kilometers bike ride, and 15 kilometers run.

“This year’s winner was from Bukidnon province, and we also have participants from Cagayan de Oro City, Surigao, Butuan, Cebu, and Davao,” Grado said.

Mambajao is set to hold on September 6, 2015 another sprint triathlon race open only for Camiguinon’s in hope to develop champions from local talents.

Grado said they will still welcome interested players from other places to join this race but as non-winning entries.

“Players for September will be up for a 750-meter swim, 20km bike,  and 5km run, a good preparation for the 3rd Hibok-Hibok race next year,” he said.

Other big sports event here at par with the Hibok-Hibok Triathlon is the Ultra Marathon Race held every palm Sunday, a 64-km run around the island province. (JCValcorza/PIA10) -From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

WALL OF ART: MURAL PAINTING AGAINST CHILD LABOR

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, July 14 – In commemoration of Mambajao’s 160th founding anniversary on 6 July 2015, the Department of Labor and Employment – region 10 (DOLE-10), in a joint initiative with the Local Government Unit (LGU) hosted a mural painting competition where hue of colors blended to raise awareness on child labor.

Twenty students from four high schools in the municipality painted murals now standing proudly in the walls of the old wharf parola where tourists, bystanders and the people of locality will be reminded in taking stand against unjust and inhuman labor conditions experienced by children and youth everywhere, with the featured advocacy, “In a Dream of a Child.”

The local theme is inspired from the International Labour Organization’s campaign, “YES to Education. NO to Child Labor.”

A ribbon cutting gave signal to the start of the competition that was graced by Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo, Congressman Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, Mayor Maria Luisa D. Romualdo, Sangguniang Bayan members Raquel B. Ranara, Marivic J. Jansul, DOLE-X Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante and  Camiguin OIC PFO Head Arlyn Z. Bael.

Mayor Romualdo, in an interview, cited the importance of the event and pledged the LGU’s unwavering support towards curbing any incidents of child labor in her municipality and the whole province of Camiguin.

“This is an expression and awareness about child labor. Children’s frustrations are poured out through arts. We never knew about child labor until DOLE came in,” she said.

She further explained that even though occurrence of child labor is non-existing in the place, the LGU has been making every effort, through DOLE-X to ensure that this is completely eradicated.

The whole-day activity is a major output after the island was declared as “Child Labor-free Province” in 2012.

Regional Director Raymundo G. Agravante said “One important way to prevent child labor is to ensure that all children are enrolled in schools. By doing this we avoid the pitfalls and the dangers.”

Agravante encouraged all in attendance, especially the children to take advantage of all the programs designed by the Department of Education to stimulate their interest in education, including the implementation of the K-12 program, and lauded the role of teachers in the fight against child labor.

The LGU has been very proactive to the extent that it has enrolled nearly 100 percent of children in schools, meeting the president’s millennium development goals, as well as creating a child-friendly environment.

Meanwhile, participant Jeyvee C. Lequigan, a grade 10 student of Fatima College of Camiguin expressed “Parents should not leave their children for them to be protected and be productive individuals. DOLE-X’s artistic idea makes the old parola look nice and become a local tourism spot. More people would come to take pictures and post those in the social media.”

Nicolas A. Marto, Yumbing National High School coach lauded DOLE for giving the children the avenue to develop their skills and talents.

“This is the best activity because you (DOLE) opened doors in facilitating the use of artwork as a means of fighting against child labor. For sure, they (students) will consider this as their lifetime achievement.”

Declared winners are Tupsan National High School (4th Place), Fatima College of Camiguin (3rd Place), Mambajao National High School (2nd Place) and Yumbing National High School (1st Place). Winners received P5,000.00; P4,000.00; P3,000.00 and P1,500.00, respectively.

Judges include Generoso V. Retor, Oscar Cioco and RD Raymundo G. Agravante. (Glenford C. Labial/DOLE-10) -From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

UNDERWEIGHT PRESCHOOL CHILDREN GET AN EGG A DAY

MAMBAJAO, CAMIGUIN, July 30 (PIA) – The Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) here supplies all underweight pre-school children (0-71 months) with one egg a day in hope to alleviate their nutritional status.

The local nutrition body came up with the plan to effect immediate intervention with the very least cost. Dubbed as “Hataw for a Cause” or H4C, the PNC led the healthy lifestyle exercise popularized by the Department of Health (DOH) every Friday, and called on provincial employees to support their cause by bringing eggs every session.

Provincial Nutrition Action Office (PNAO) Staff Shane Salcedo said they deliver the eggs weekly or every Monday to barangays with identified severely underweight children.

The barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs) prepare/cook the eggs before distribution and personally handle the feeding. Weighing of children is also done weekly and submitted to the PNAO every time the eggs are delivered.

Piloting first with some 68 children, the program will soon be expanded to cover this time, all pre-school children from the underweight category or more than 500 children from the 13,000 total population in the province.

Salcedo added that with the arrival of additional cows at the government maintained dairy farm, a glass of fresh milk will also be match to the daily egg provision.

To date, the PNC is also considering tying up with the local meat producers (Granel’s Meatshop) for their supplementary feeding program. (JCValcorza/PIA 10) -From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

CGH GAWAD KALASAG HALL OF FAMER

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, August 17 (PIA) – Camiguin General Hospital was given recognition as ‘Gawad Kalasag’ Hall of Fame awardee for effectively carrying out the ideals of a disaster prepared institution and for successfully engaging various stakeholders in designing and implementing Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) program.

The Gawad Kalasag or Kalamidad at Sakuna LAbanan SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) award, is given to individuals, non-government organizations, private sector and government organizations, in recognition of their initiative in helping the government uplift the standard of disaster management in the country.

CGH Chief of Hospital Arvin F. Sampilo presented their innovations and efforts to the regional DRRM council and other awardees recently, highlighting on the hospital’s successes in institutionalizing the Health Emergency System, Early Warning/Code Alert System, policy, and procedures among others.

One of CGH’s best practices was the formulation of the Hospital Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Plan, assisted by the Department of Health (DOH).

Sampilo said an ordinance was also crafted in support to this undertaking, providing necessary funds to activate the plan.

Currently, CGH has formed health emergency response system and health emergency response team to be able to handle future emergencies, created an operational center, utilized/set aside empty rooms for mass casualty incidents, while creating at the same time network with other institutions like local pharmacies and food suppliers. (JCV/PIA 10) -From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

LGU STRENGTHENS FOOD PRODUCTION TO BOOST NUTRITION INTERVENTION

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, August 17 (PIA) — To sustain the evident 4.78 percent decrease of malnutrition rate in 2014 from 8.4 percent in 2013, the local government unit of Guinsiliban strengthened its food production effort s among poor families, especially to households with underweight and severely underweight pre-school children.

The LGU noted a 4 percent increase in food production last year by initiating interventions like seaweed farming, tilapia, livestock and poultry production.

For inland Fishery Development and Management, they empowered fisherfolks through organizational strengthening and organizing all tilapia growers.

Stocking of tilapia was made, while sustaining on the other hand the re-dispersal program.

The Mindanao North Coast Integrated Agricultural Development Project in Lisbong North Poblacion likewise supported the LGU’s Green and Healthy flagship program for this year.

Meanwhile, an ordinance requiring all household to adopt the Food Always in the Home (FAITH) Program was also enacted. (JCV/PIA 10) -From piacamiguin.wordpress.com

Camiguin – powerless again!

Camiguin lives a difficult week. Electrical power comes and goes in a furious rhythm.  The worst, even public utility companies such as CAMTECO do not have auxiliary power supply.

Time of the day is UTC based. For Camiguin time please add 8 hours.

Problem Number 1

The electrical power situation in Mindanao is now known for years. There is not enough production and there is no network redundancy. The result is that the electrical power supply collapses anytime.

Problem Number 2

Even if we produce electricity ourselves with solar panels and a generator for peak performance, we only have a very poor Internet access. The SMART 3G network in Agoho does not have enough capacity to provide reliable Internet connection. The local telecom company, CAMTECO, is completely down when there is no power.

We do not complain, we just want you to know why we cannot be reached and why our updates are often very late. Enjoy the sunny day. -From silent-gardens.com

Camiguin Hawk Owl (re)discovered

Indigenous people of Camiguin living in the forests know the rather small Hawk Owl well. But it took 15 years to confirm the existence of the 2 subspecies of the Ninox hawk-owls.

Two new owls discovered in the Philippines

Two new species of owls have been discovered in the Philippines, and a Michigan State University researcher played a key role in confirming their existence.

The discovery, which is featured in the current issue of Forktail, the Journal of Asian Ornithology, took years to confirm, but it was well worth the effort, said the paper’s lead author Pam Rasmussen, MSU assistant professor of zoology and assistant curator of mammalogy and ornithology at the MSU Museum.

“More than 15 years ago, we realized that new subspecies of Ninox hawk-owls existed in the Philippines,” she said. “But it wasn’t until last year that we obtained enough recordings that we could confirm that they were not just subspecies, but two new species of owls.”

Announcing the finding of a single bird is rare enough. But the discovery of two new bird species in a single paper is so rare that Rasmussen and the other researchers couldn’t recall the last time it happened. -From silent-gardens.com

CAMIGUIN TARGETS TO CURB MALNUTRITION RATE TO 3% IN 2016

MAMBAJAO, Camiguin, August 25 (PIA) – The provincial leadership here issued a strong policy pronouncement to reduce malnutrition rate to three percent among under-five children (0-71 months) in 2016.

Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo uttered the commitment during the recent conduct of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation (MELLPI) on nutrition, in which the province, including two towns and five barangays we’re subjected to the evaluation conducted by the Regional Nutrition Evaluation Team (RNET).

Camiguin reported an improved nutritional status of underweight and severely underweight children, based on the Operation Timbang (OPT) or weighting result, the province noted a 7.15 percent malnutrition rate in 2012 to only 5.88 percent in 2014.

Romualdo noted that it would had been easier to target lower than three percent, if the data does not include the other side face of malnutrition, which is obesity.

When it comes to over nutrition, Camiguin reflected a 1.03 percent rate, ranking 4th in the region. Lanao del Norte with 1.80 percent, Misamis Occidental with 1.59percent,  Misamis Oriental with 1.11percent and Bukidnon with .54 percent.

The rates are all increasing except for the province as it reflected .03percent decrease from 2013.

To achieve its target, the provincial and municipal LGUs have been initiating various program in support to nutrition from learning sessions to feeding, and livelihood assistance to priority families with identified malnourished children. (JCV/PIA10) -From piacamiguin.wordpress.com