Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro City (29 May) — A total of Php23.29 million has been allocated by the Commission on Higher Education for its various scholarship programs in Northern Mindanao that benefited 2,584 students last school year.

The most number of 1,088 scholars was under the Special Study Grant Program for Congressional District (SSGP-CD) that involved an allocation of Php5.525 million, Eloisa W. Paderanga, Ph.D., Regional Director of CHED, region 10, said.

This was followed by the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), 684 scholars, Php3.150 million, Private Education Student’s Financial Assistance (PESFA), 270 scholars, Php4.142 million and Regional Scholarship Program (RSP), 102 scholars, Php2.293 million.

National Scholarship Program (NSP), 85 scholars, Php2.189 million, State Scholarship Program (SSP), 76 scholars, Php1.459 million, Party List Scholarship Program (PLSP), 52 scholars, Php235,000 and Selected Ethnic Group Educational Assistance Program (SEGEAP), 39 scholars, Php821,586.

National Integration Study Grant Program (NISGP), 32 scholars, Php715,383, Study Now Pay Later Program (SNPLP), 32 scholars, Php610,848.75 and Scholarship Program for Indigenous and Ethnic People (SP-IEP), 30 scholars, Php680,000.

Dept. of National Defense- Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (DND-PASUC), 28 scholars, Php140,000, Office of the Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process (OPAPP), 18 scholars, Php120,000 and Scholarship Program for Persons with Disabilities (SP-PWD), 17 scholars, Php325,203.75.

Iskolar ng Mahirap na Pamilya (IMP), 9 scholars, Php90,000, Higher Education Development Project (HEDP), 9 scholars, Php462,375, Bright Mindanaoan Muslim (BMM), 8 scholars, Php246,600 and Special Grant for Solo Parents (SGSP), 5 scholars, Php87,000.

Particularly, the PDAF scholarships had the following allocations from: former Congressman Alipio Badelles of Lanao del Norte District I, 374 scholars, Php2.0 million, Congressman Danilo Lagbas of Misamis Oriental District I, 300 scholars, Php1.1 million and Senator Francis Pangilinan, 10 scholars, Php50,000.

Meanwhile, CHED-10 is currently processing the applications of new applicants who wish to avail of scholarships for the incoming school year.

“We are actually ranking all the applicants on the basis of both their performance in the National Career Examination and in school as recorded in their report cards, as well as, their family income as reflected in the Income Tax Returnl” Paderanga said.

Except for the SNPLP which requires an income of not more than Php180,000, all our scholarships are given to deserving students whose family income is not more than Php150,000, Paderanga added. (PIA 10)

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro City (28 May) — Instead of the usual parade of floats on Independence Day, the different agencies of the government will be deployed to bring their services closer to the people in the various regions nationwide.

Per directive of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, these agencies are told to lead the activities at the commemorative historical rites of the regions/cities with simultaneous flag raising to be followed by a showcase of government services.

Such activities may take the form of jobs fairs, cleaning and greening/tree planting, provision of livelihood, social and health services, microfinance and other related services.

Meanwhile, the advocacy for Republic Act No. 8491 otherwise known as the “Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines,” by the National Historical Institute (NHI) continues. In Cagayan de Oro City, the “Paggalang sa Watawat or Respect the Flag Day Campaign” was launched on May 26, by the Dept. of Tourism in coordination with the other government offices and the local government unit.

Geared to promote public awareness of good citizenship, love of country, elderly patriotism and nationalism, among others, the campaign is a bureaucracy-wide celebration of the National Flag Day on May 28.

“It was also preparatory for the 110th commemoration of the Philippine Independence Day, this year,” Regional Director Catalino E. Chan III of the DOT, region 10, said

Described as “An Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines,” RA 8491 underscores the reverence and respect accorded the Filipino at all times.

This includes the Filipino anthem and other national symbols which embody the national ideals and traditions that express the principles of sovereignty and national solidarity.

These symbols are expected to manifest the national virtues and inculcate in the minds and hearts of our people a just pride of our native land, fitting respect and affection for the national flag and anthem and the proper use of the national motto, coat-of-arms and other heraldic items and devices.

Also included in RA8491 is the provision that the flag shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences, public plazas and institutions of learning, everyday, throughout the year.

Likewise, RA8491 requires that the flag shall be displayed in private buildings and residences or raised in the open on flagstaffs in front of said buildings from May 28-June 30, each year. (PIA 10)

by Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob

Cagayan de Oro City (28 May) — We will continue to be transparent so that we will be able to maintain our established relationship with the media.

Thus assured Brig. Gen. Ricardo A. David, the new Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army during a recent interview at Radyo ng Bayan, DXIM, this city.

The 4ID Chief’s assurance only conforms with “Pagpangita sa Kamatuoran Alang sa Pagsangyaw sa Tanan (Seeking the Truth and Spreading Them to Everyone),” theme of the 26th anniversary of the Media Week observed in Cagayan de Oro on the last week of May, this year.

“Media plays an important part in our internal security operations (ISO) and serve as the mouthpiece of truth so that the public will know what we are doing, given our mission to have a secured environment conducive to development in this part of the country,” he said.

Through the fair treatment of the media, 4ID was able to disseminate to the people its significant accomplishments related to the defeat of the communist terrorists. “We were given enough air time to answer certain issues and present our side on matters of public and civil relations,” he said

Meanwhile, the 4ID Chief said they will continue implementing programs to build a strong republic that is free from terror, forced taxation or extortion, instability and obstructions towards development.

“But it is only through the concerted support and efforts of all stakeholders, the military, the Philippine National Police, political leaders, religious and business groups, indigenous peoples and the media that we will be able to accomplish our aim to degrade enemy capability to inflict loss of lives of our people and damages to properties,” David also said.

Included in the 4ID area of responsibility (AOR) are three provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental in region 10, both Agusan and Surigao provinces including Dinagat in Caraga, region 13, as well, as Wao and Bumbaran towns of Lanao del Sur. (PIA 10)

NEGLIGENCE is seen in separate fire incidents that burned six houses in Cagayan de Oro Sunday.

The blaze in Barangay Puntod, which began at 10 p.m. and lasted until pre-dawn, gutted three houses and damaged another, fire officials said. One was reportedly hurt when he tried to put out the fire.

Estimated damages could reach P200,000, FO2 Daniel Penoliad of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said.

FO2 Penoliad said the burned down houses belonged to Paquita Te, Edgar Pabayo ug Jhing Miranda — all residents of Cabaraban Street, Barangay Puntod.

Initial investigation showed that the fire originated from Te’s residence, which was made mostly out of light materials.

It was learned that Te’s brother, Nonito, forgot to put out the burning candle in his room after an evening prayer ritual. The candle dropped onto a foam material and caught fire, fire probers said.

Penoliad said Nonito vainly tried to put out the fire, but instead sustained minor fire injury in his left arm.

Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro