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BusinessWeek MINDANAO FRIDAY | MARCH 6, 2015
editor: SHAUN ALEJANDRAE YAP UY
PAGE 12
Tulay KAMI spearheads AOP Campaign launching in CDO/NorMin CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Tulay Kalinaw sa Mindanaw (Tulay KAMI) is spearheading the local launching of the national campaign All-Out Peace (AOP) on March 6 (Friday), the 40th day of the tragic Mamasapano incident. Tulay KAMI, convened by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D., Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro (ACDO) and the Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI), is a multisectoral peace conversation among civil society organizations (CSOs) and agencies working and advocating towards peacebuilding and conflict resolutions in Northern Mindanao. The Mamasapano tragedy has dealt a serious blow on the peace process between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and consequently on the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
With the attainment of the longsought after peace in Mindanao in jeopardy due to Mamasapano-induced wild conjectures and presumptions that attested to the entrenched biases and prejudices against our Moro brethren resulting to calls for war in Mindanao and the President’s resignation that continue to drown out reason, peaceloving Kagay-anons and Mindanawons are seizing the moment to help define Mindanao’s future. “At present, Manila is defining what is supposed to happen in Mindanao. That should stop. Instead, we Mindanawans, must declare and demonstrate that it is peace, no less, we aspire and desire for Mindanao,” said Myrna Aboniawan-Siose, a CSO leader and peace advocate. Siose of the Archdiocesan Center of Concern, Empowerment and Social Services (ACCESS) of the ACDO,
added: “We are now in the final stages of the peace negotiations but because of the Mamasapano incident, the peace process is in danger of being scuttled” because of the calls for war. The All-Out Peace Campaign in Cagayan de Oro City/Northern Mindanao is part of the national call for truth, justice and all-out peace, a broad “call for peace” aimed at mobilizing all Filipinos in Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao to stand for peace and reject war or any form of violence. Supporting the AOP Campaign is Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony and Solidarity (IFPHS), the Archdiocese Social Action Ministries, the local government of Cagayan de Oro City, Volunteers Network, government agencies, business and other civil society groups in Northern Mindanao.
DOLE-X assisted suman moron:
Camigueños trending ‘kakanin’ Mambajao, Camiguin --- Suman Moron, inspired from the Visayas’ famous traditional delicacy has become a trending favorite for Camagueños and its tourists. In an exclusive interview with the group during the project monitoring and evaluation activity conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment-X (DOLE-X) Technical Support and Supervision Division on 27 February 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 07 September 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 Php 8.00/each or Php 100.00/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”. It all started when the local government of Mambajao decided to showcase the municipality’s products under its one town one product during its 2014 charter day celebration spearheaded by Hon. Mayor Ma. Luisa D. Romualdo. As an offshoot of the concept, the association lost no time and started its production and became talk of the town. DOLE-X regional director, Raymundo G. Agravante joined the crusade and showed 100 per cent
support through the convergence support from LGU, DOST and DTI by providing trainings for new techniques, packaging and bench markings from other food handling providers of the same product. “In February 2015, the association received laurels in our cap as a group composing of 70 coming from the different barangays in Vigan City, Ilocos Norte bench marked us with their positive feedback lauding us as “the best suman moron they ever had tasted”. Said President, Marichu A. Gulle. “We are more than thankful to DOLE-X. For now, we prepared a project enhancement proposal for us to acquire more sets of production equipment such as coconut grater, coconut milk extractor, steamer, heavy duty stove, large woks, and a motorcycle vehicle for delivery”. Gulle added. Soon, Mambajao, through the group’s effort will become suman moron capital of the Province of Camiguin and its quality product will be distributed to the whole Northern Mindanao and out of the country. There could never be a trip to Mambajao without a taste of its suman moron. So the next time you visit the Island born of fire after a memorable drop to its local tourism destinations, think and taste the suman moron of KALIPIBalbagon Association. (Glenford Labial/DOLE-X)