Mindanao Daily Set B (September 13, 2016)

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TEST

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“YOU NAME IT, WE HAVE IT.”

GOD IS GOOD

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of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

GREAT FOODS AWESOME DRINKS FUN TIMES

PHILIPPIANS 4:13 I CAN DO ALL THIS

THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES

ME STRENGTH

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BUSINESS | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH | TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE | REALTY | EVENTS cheng ordoÑez, Section Editor

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Linking arms with DepEd

Tuesday

September 13, 2016

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Manila Teachers Party List launches initiatives for K-12 MANILA – The Manila Te achers, a ne ophy te party-list has launched initiatives for the improvement of the K-12 program primarily anchored on its vision “Better Teacher, Better Education, Better Nation”.

Representative Virgilio Lacson said Manila Teachers Party List has linked arms with the Department of Education to work on reforms that would protect the interests of the Filipino teachers, long regarded as the unsung heroes of the nation.

Serving its first term in Congress, Manila Teachers Party List has vowed to deliver inclusive health care, housing, financial assistance and expanded scholarship programs for public school teachers all over the country.

L acson said Manila

Camiguin lass bags reg’l Pantawid Pamilya exemplary child award

By Recthie T. Paculba

Congressman Virgilio S. Lacson Manila Teachers Party List

Teachers Party List has committed to banner its vision and mission in the halls of Congress through expanded community services that would benefit the Filipino teachers who are in need of financial assistance, health care, scholarships, among others.

Manila Teachers Party See launches, page B3

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (Pantawid Pamilya) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-10 (DSWD) has chosen Sheena Desire L. Abuzo, 13, from Tupsan, Mambajao town, Camiguin among the other four contenders in northern Mindanao as the Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child Regional Finals winner.

A child of a construction worker/fisherman and housewife, Abuzo is currently enrolled as a Grade 8 student of Tupsan NaMuslim women in Cagayan de Oro join the celebration of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice, Monday, Sept. 12, tional High School and at the Pelaez Sports Center, even as Malacanang declared it as a regular holiday in the entire nation. has graduated as the class photo by cheng ordoñez valedictorian in Grade 6.

Abuzo shared that the family’s meager income has enticed her to perform well in school and be involved

DOH urges public to practice DFA told to solve extra efforts versus Zika virus e-passport delays

By PAT SAMONTE Cagara Regional Editor

BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Health (DOH) in Region 13 has advised Caraganons to practice “over-and-above efforts” in the prevention of Zika virus in the wake of the first Zika case for 2016 in the Philippines.

DOH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell Ubial announced last week that a 45-year old non-pregnant married woman in Iloilo City was the first confirmed case of Zika in the country. This case See urges, page B3

By Azer N. Parrocha

INTENSIFIED EFFORTS IN ZIKA VIRUS PREVENTION. Following a report on the first confirmed Zika case in the country, DOH-Caraga Regional Director IV Jose Llacuna, Jr. immediately called a press conference at his office to strongly urge the public to exercise extra efforts and practice 4S against Zika. photo by pat samonte

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has been asked to look into several complaints of system inefficiency, resulting in delays in e-passport processing.

The Office of Senator Grace Poe has received various complaints from passport applicants, ranging from long waiting time and failure to receive the confirmation code through e-mail as to the date of the electronic passport appointment.

Senator Poe asked the de-

partment to provide immediate solutions to passport processing delays, saying that waiting for about two months for passport application is unacceptable.

She described these delays as having led to “missed opportunities” for Filipinos wanting to visit their families abroad, those seeking immediate medical treatment and especially aspiring overseas Filipino workers.

The senator also cited how President Rodrigo Duterte previously said he wanted an end to long See told, page B3

See bags, page B3

‘Climate change already delivering severe impacts’ A REVIEW of more than 100 studies by two researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has shown that the social and economic impacts of current climate are often severe.

Results of the review,

by Tamma Carleton, a Ph.D. student in agricultural and resource economics, and Solomon Hsiang, chancellor’s

See impacts, page B3

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Tuesday, September 13, 2016

But for God, everyone is equal The Gospel of Jesus Christ (September13, 2016-Tuesday) Mark 16:9-15”Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. She went and reported to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by

her, they refused to believe it: D o you feel comfortable to the injustices and violations of human rights in your society? Women in Jesus time was not treated like the dignity of men. There was unequal treatment of the people, because women were lesser in value than men. But for God, everyone is equal.

Mary Magdalene was

the first woman whom Jesus appeared. What was the reason behind on this event? Despite of the dark and risky road and heavily guarded tomb, she was able to pursue her desire to see Jesus at the tomb. Take note, every good deed has a corresponding reward from the above.

Ephesians 6:8”knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from

the Lord, whether slave or free. The bravery and courage of Mary brought her to the tomb.

She never minded the obstacles along the way.

This is my reflection: Do not permit anything, person, event and circumstance to block your way to find Jesus in your life. Go forward and let God eradicates all your barriers in life.

Take note, the tomb was empty and if ever

Biblical reflection it was still close, I don’t think so if Mary could open it. Jesus opened it ahead of Mary’s arrival to the tomb. This is my conviction: Jesus will open any close door for you to see his mighty power: Printing paid by: Edith Ranoa, PhDMajor Tony Jordan Bro. Edcel L. Closas and Crespina Ranoa - Bobong Balino– Cagayan De Oro: # To Make Your Soul 09187148435: Please Incredible: God loves have my latest book: you!!!

Why is It Important to Develop High School Students’ Tailoring Skills?

By DAPHNE V. BASAL

Practical education is all about teaching students skills that will equip them and allow them to survive life, or to go through life easily. In the 1800s, schools had home economics for women because it helped prepare them for life, so they can help out in the family farm. The things learned in these home economics classes helped prepare a lot of women for a career, as well as for life in the real world.

This is the main reason why high schools nowadays need to prioritize practical teaching. Students will learn more than just the technicalities of a subject. They learn practical things that they can bring with them when they leave the four corners of the classroom.

One such lesson that

students can get a lot from is tailoring. A tailor is someone who creates clothes for people. It is a skill that can be useful for high school students, especially for those who do not have the finances for a college education. It is the kind of skill that anyone can use to earn a living from when he needs to.

Apart from this, there are specific reasons why a high school student needs to develop good tailoring skiils: • First, students are taught to become self-reliant. They learn how to value and trust themselves. They develop self-confidence.

This is one of the most valuable advantages of learning a life skill.

• Second, it helps improve a student’s capability to understand and interpret instructions and procedures. When completing a tailoring task, a student

needs to know which step comes first and which one is last so that the result is a success.

• Third, tailoring can help bring out, develop, or improve a student’s creative skills. Remember, in tailoring, students are asked to create something. They can explore their imagination and learn how to make their creative juices flow.

• Now that they already have a good creative outlet, students will have a reason to spend more time with family and friends instead of getting involved in drugs, alcohol, and other similar activities.

• High school students learn how to follow procedures. Tailoring is not as easy as counting 1,2,3.

There are instructions involved that students cannot just ignore. Additionally, students also learn to be more patient. Sometimes, it takes a lot of patience

to finish one tailoring project.

• Finally, high school students learn to do something that they can use later on to supplement their income. There are high school students who will not be able to continue their education, so they will have to work instead of going to college. With the knowledge they will gain in tailoring, they will find it quite easy to look for a job with a dressmaker or a tailor, or even with a dress shop requiring tailoring services.

Education should not be confined to the classroom. It should cover more than just the things that are taught in the school campus. Often, the best and most important lessons are the ones that you learn while traversing and going through the challenges of every day life.

School-Community Partnership Promotes Excellence in School

By Arlene C. Bongato Teacher-III Andales Elementary School

It is said that the school and community are inseparable entities they should collaboratively work together in leading the institution to realize its vision and mission.

Failure of the school to work harmoniously with its community is detrimental in attaining educational success. Secretary Lapuz

once said “that it takes a village to educate the child”.

In this light, success and failure depend on how the stakeholders work for the institution.

Stakeholders support is needed in the implementation of the educational programs. Indeed, the community is the backbone in the implementation of the educational programs. In every academic endeavor of the institution the com-

munity is always behind and the propeller in reaching its dream in serving the pupils-the school clientele.

With its partnership it wouldn’t be difficult for the school to attain academic excellence. Thus empowering the stakeholders could be of great help to achieve greater heights of academic accomplishments.

Nevertheless, the community is the leading actor in the implementation of the

school programs to attain excellence in school.

School with strong community support most likely achieve better than those who are not. In this context, it is very important that the school is in harmony with its community with this they will have a strong force in reaching its targets thus in effect better learning outcomes could be achieved.

Advantages of ICT integration in teaching lessons technology (ICT) such as Internet applications, CDROMs, video technology THE use of informa- and various computer attion and communication tachments and software

By CHLOE CHELO L. RUBIO Teacher I Mukas Elementary School

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DIVISORIA BRANCH Atty. Erasmo B. Damasing Bldg., #61 Don A. Velez St., Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 857-3631

CAMIGUIN BRANCH B. Aranas St., Poblacion, Mambajao, Camiguin Tel. # (088) 387-0491

LAPASAN BRANCH Lapasan Hi-way, Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-6739

CORRALES BRANCH Corrales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City

CARMEN BRANCH Vamenta Blvd.,Cagayan de Oro City Tel. # (088) 231-2011

programs have caused many changes in society indeed.

These changes have not just been of a technical nature but more importantly of a structural nature. Many of the major institutions of our society have changed and the way we live our daily lives have been impacted.

However, the impact on education may just beginning to be felt as teachers integrate this new technology into their teaching. In the early stages of the use of ICT in teaching, looking at the experiences of teachers at a high school in the forefront provides

some clues as to what possibilities and problems may be presented with this new technology.

Teachers could give many different and specific examples of how technology had changed their work. A number of things are being done with websites from giving students notes to getting students to create their own webpages. Technology enables teachers to deliver more material to students and it also eliminated several basic problems such as poor handwriting, poor artistic skills, contrast, lighting and visibility.

Quezon Athletics Elementary sets New Record

By Richard B. Yap, TI, Lumintao E/S

Having a gold, three silver and six bronze medals the Elementary Athletics Team of both boys and girls sets a new record from a two-bronze medals of last year’s Division Athletic Meet. The raise in the number of medals is due to a comprehensive twentyday training held at Salawagan Central Elementary School, with the coaches who designed the training matrix.

Moreover, the Team of the Municipality of Quezon was pronounced as a five times champion for having more than sixty gold medals in the different field of sports. The most medals were from swimming who almost sweep all the top places. This is possible because of the support of the LGU through Hon. Mayor Gregorio Lloren Gue. So with, Dr. Alexander P. Cepeda and Dr. Lydia B. Juban the Public Schools Division Supervisors of Quezon I and II.

Free school lunch plan

By MARIEGOLD A. CANOY Freedom Elementary School Freedom, Cabanglasan, Bukidnon

IN the Philippine Congress, there is a pending measure called the Free School Lunch Plan. The free school lunch plan is aimed to cut undernutrition among public school students in the country. If quantified, child malnutrition costs the country already P328 billion yearly.

So our good senators and congressmen must act now to address this problem.

Senate Bill 160 seeks to institutionalize a free nutriameals program for children enrolled in public schools from kindergarten up to junior high and even those enrolled in private senior high schools dependent on DepEd vouchers.

Lunch is an important meal because during mid-

day, students tend to get tired already from a half day of class lectures. Without lunch, your kids will most likely be distracted in the afternoon class and will miss most of the lessons, affecting his or her academic performance eventually.

To ensure that these dishes will really benefit the kids, they must be nutritious. One recipe is the vegetable omelet.

Kids love eggs. Adding in some vegetables to a regular omelet will make it healthier and more appetizing. Thus you will need parsley and spinach leaves. Just mix them with your regular omelet. Banana pancakes is also an alternative choice.

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Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Launches... from page B1

List now serves as the voice of public school teachers on issues crucial to their uplift as purveyors of basic education to the millions of Filipino youth.

Among the initiatives are the following: • Improvement of student lives and teachers professional growth through scholarship programs - Sponsorship of fouryear Scholarship Program for students who will take up teaching and teaching related course - Sponsorship of masteral program for teachers - Sponsorship of doctoral program for aspiring school managers • Improvement of teaching and learning outcomes through trainings and resource generation - Sponsorship of teachers mass trainings (minimum of 3 days) - E s t abl i s h m e nt of teachers’ training centers nationwide e.g. Philippine Teachers Academy, Consortium Model, Ready Pool of Resource Speakers 22222/Manila Teachers…..

• Outreach programs in remote communities - Construction of additional classrooms - Sponsorship of PTCA school projects • Search for Pambansang Guro and Ulirang Guro 2016 For 56 long years, Manila Teachers has been doing community extension work by way of giving comfort and aid to a greater number of Filipino teachers nationwide, Lacson said.

So far, Manila Teachers has extended educational assistance for masteral program to some 600 public school teachers, 28 of whom took units in the government’s masteral program following the memorandum of agreement signed between Manila Teachers and the Department of Education of Calabarzon in region 4-A. It also offers financial assistance in the amount of Php40,000 for thesis writing.

A total of 326 beneficiaries have already been granted with four-year college scholarship grant taking up teaching and teachingrelated courses.

For the last 10 years, Manila Teachers also participated in the Brigada Eskwela through the repair of school tables, armchairs, and the

clean-up school buildings in the National Capital Region.

Manila Teachers also launched its college incentive program (CIP), a one-time scholarship program that is transferable to the next of kin of teachers wanting to avail of soft loans. Teachers from Visayas and Luzon have already availed of this incentive program.

Manila Teachers envisions to extend all these advocacies and programs to Mindanao.

The party list has also been preparing its role on the occasion of the annual celebration of the World Teachers Day in Davao City on October 5 this year, Lacson added.

Bags... from page B1

various extra-curricular activities. She added that with the aid of the Pantawid Pamilya, her parents were able to fully support her needs in school thus she became more determined to show that even at a young age, she can be the fulfillment of the program’s aim to effect change.

Dreaming of becoming a doctor someday, Abuzo aims to be of great help to the poor and needy.

Abuzo was chosen as the exemplary child of the region as she has shown excellent behavior and practice, talent, intelligence and wit, community and school participation, and Kaya ko ang Pagbabago (I am capable of change) presence and appearance.

Among the other contenders of the regional finals include Riza S. Resaba of Bukidnon who earned the second place, Aisa Mae M. Luzano of Lanao del Norte who bagged the third place, Kyle Shane P. Ederosas of Misamis Occidental and Kate Angel M. Enerio of Misamis Oriental.

The contenders who bagged the first to third place will become the region’s representative in the Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Child National Finals that will be held in DSWD Central Office.(RTP/PIA10)

joint pains not accompanied by fever last August 31, she was confined in a local hospital where urine and blood were collected.

She was subsequently discharged the following day and is currently at home recovering from her very mild illness. Tests at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) showed the woman positive for both specimens.

The DOH chief said her department “expects additional cases after intensifying its surveillance efforts.”

In an urgent press conference at his office here last week, DOH-13 Regional Director IV Jose Llacuna, Jr. strongly advised Caraganons to practice 4S against Zika: A) SEARCH AND DESTROY mosquito breeding sites such as, stagnant water, old tires that accumulate water; B) SELF-PROTECTION MEASURES like wearing of long sleeves and application of mosquito repellents; C) SEEK EARLY CONSULTATION for fever of more than two days or presence of skin rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis must be consulted to the nearest health facility for proper assessment by a doctor; D) SAY “NO” TO INDISCRIMINATE FOGGING – say Yes only during outbreaks or when needed.

Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of Aedes mosquito although some countries have reported it to be transmited through sexual contact. The mosquito-borne disease is usually not life-threatening but has been linked to a rise of birth defects called microcephaly “babies with small heads”, and in some cases, ascending paralysis of the body.

The same mosquito is responsible for Dengue and Chikungunya, which is why the public is advised to increase vigilance in the avoidance of mosquito bites and to continue the practice of 4S.

First TECH-nnovation Fair in IIT launched ILIGAN CITY -- “There was a time when we used to emphasize on instruction as our sole role in the landscape of educational institution in our country.

But today we inaugurate the fact that we also emphasize not only in instruction but of the other mandates of a higher educational institution which is research and extension.”

Thus, said Chancellor Sukarno D. Tanggol in his welcome address during the Opening Program of the 2016 TECH-nnovation Fair at the College of Engineering Amphitheatre.

This was the first TECHnnovation Fair of the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) held on August 30-31, 2016.

The TECH-nnovation Fair, with its theme “Advancing Technopreneurship and Innovation in Min-

danao,” is the highlight in celebrating August as Innovation Convergence Month in Iligan.

The Tech-nnovation Fair includes activities such as exhibits, Tech-novation lectures and workshops, cluster closed door presentations, and a university-industry linkage meeting between MSU-IIT and Fluor, Philippines.

The opening of the program on August 30 kicked off with a ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at the Exhibit Area situated at the Institute Gymnasium, witnessed by some MSU-IIT faculty, staff, students, Tech Fair exhibitors and viewers.

Chancellor Tanggol, Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Jinky Bornales, and Chief Executive Officer and President of Hybridigm Consulting Ma. Antonia Odelia Arroyo led the cutting of the

ribbon. With them were Chief Operating Officer at Hybridigm Consulting John Christopher Orlina and Intellectual Property UnitInnovation and Technology Support Office (IPU-ITSO) General Manager Marietta Esperanza Cruz.

A series of lectures on Innovation, Technopreneurship and Commercialization followed.

In his opening remarks, Chancellor Tanggol said that the Institute is now into the mode of doing research, innovating products and finally commercializing them.

“The bottom line is to improve the goods and services to our people. One of those means is helping our businesses innovate their products so that they will offer good services to the public,” Tanggol said. (Michelle Jeanne C. Caracut, OPI/MSU-IIT/PIA-10 LDN)

cants at the DFA processing centers.

Currently, passport applicants need to call the DFA hotline or visit the DFA’s online application system website and book a preferred date and selected time for personal appearance and submission of pertinent documents at the DFA Manila in Aseana, Macapagal Ave., participating regional consular offices and satellite offices.

Some 15,000 Filipinos apply for a passport every day. (PNA)

ley in northern California.

“If we solve these problems today, we’ ll benefit everyone, both in this generation and the next.”

Leveraging what they say has been an explosion of data unleashed by advances in computing, climate data and statistical analyses, the authors looked at current climate impacts on economy, agriculture, trade, energy, violence, migration and more, subsequently predicting, for example, that high temperatures currently drive up rates of civil conflict in sub-Saharan Africa by 29 percent and slow the growth rate of the global economy by 0.25 percentage points per year.

“People get so used to hot days, since they happen all the time, that they never stop to consider what those days are costing them, “ Hsiang lamented. “But if people use different tech-

nologies or organize their lives differently to adapt to their climate, then we might be able to do dramatically better.”

The two researchers, who worked together at the Global Policy Lab at UC Berkeley’ s Goldman School of Public Policy, note in their review the importance of sorting out the causes and possible solutions to “adaptation gaps,” where populations don’t make adjustments to protect themselves from the harmful impacts of climate change.

“The failure to adapt could represent intelligent decision-making, if the costs of implementing changes are very high, or they could simply indicate persistently poor judgment,” said Carleton. And figuring out which is the case is a trillion-dollar question.

(PNA/Xinhua)

Impacts... from page B1

associate professor of public policy, are published this week in the journal Science, a publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

“So much attention is focused on the future effects of climate change that hardships imposed by the climate today, which are often just as large, are ignored,” Hsiang from page B1 from page B1 was quoted as saying in a most likely due to local queues of passport appli- news release from UC Berketransmission since there was no history of the woman’s travel to any affected country.

Sec. Ubial reported that after the woman presented herself with skin rash and

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MindanaoDAILY BUSINESS | ARTS & CULTURE | HEALTH TRAVEL & TOURISM | PEOPLE | REALTY | EVENTS

mark francisco, Section Editor

Tuesday

feature September 13, 2016

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SEIPI inducts new member Converge ICT to power-up Semiconductor and Electronics Industries with pure fiber technology Pasig City – September 07, 2016 - Converge ICT, a provider of world-class ICT products and personalized services to customers in the Philippines, was recently inducted as one of the newest members of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) during the organization’s 125th general membership meeting held at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug City, Cebu.

Converge Chief Operating Officer Jesus Romero attended the said event as a representative of the company. He said that both Converge ICT and SEIPI aim to contribute innovations in order to uplift the electronics industry and be at par with the global setting.

“We are honored to be a member of such a respected and relevant association,” Romero added, “We are anxious to extend to the members the benefits of fiber technology that will help boost their productivity and improve operational efficiency.”

Among the topics discussed during the event were the policies, actions, investments and innovations, of the member companies as well as the reforms and services for the semiconductor and electronics industry.

As the leading innovator

of pure fiber cable and telecommunications technology, Converge ICT improves the operational efficiency of the electronics industry with its array of fiber-powered products and services.

It has laid more than 6,700 km. of fiber optics cables (FOC) beneath the ground nationwide using the latest micro-trenching technology.

This makes for Converge ICT to deliver symmetrical connection among its subscribers.

These cables are com-

posed of thin fibers known as fiber optics made of lightweight, durable, and nonflammable materials that are less susceptible to corrosion.

Copper cables, a conventional material for telephone and internet lines, corrode that leads to downtime or the sudden interruption in the flow of data.

Romero noted that “As pure-fiber technology exhibits these capabilities, we also intend to power up the semiconductor and electronics industry, especially our

co-SEIPI member institutions, with fiber-powered infrastructure and application based solutions and services.”

The company has already connected its pure fiber-powered capabilities to cities in the metro like San Juan, Las Pinas, Manila, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, CAMANAVA Area, Pasay, and Muntinlupa, as well as in Central Luzon including Olongapo, Angeles in Pampanga and Tarlac.

Meanwhile, Converge ICT is among SEIPI’s 285 members that are from both private and public institutions all throughout the country.

As the country’s foremost association of foreign and domestic semiconductor and electronics manufacturers, it advocates quality, productivity, and innovation in the electronics industry by encouraging networking and sharing of information among its members.

The semiconductor and electronics industry is the

biggest contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). As of the first quarter of 2016, it accounted for $6.63 billion in the first quarter of 2016 from $6.34 billion in the same period last year.

Converge ICT belongs to the telecommunication electronics sector. This sector posted the largest share in the electronics industry export with $221 million, a 149.5 percent increase as compared to $88.48 million in the previous year.

COWD and LGU discuss water and sanitation issues during the USAID-Facilitated Water Dialgue

T he Un i t e d S t a t e s Agenc y for Inter na t i o n a l D e v e l o pm e nt (USAID), through the Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project, facilitated the Water Dialogues: An Executive Discussion on Water and Sanitation between the Cagayan de Oro City local government and the Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD). The purpose of the dialogue held last August 31 at N Hotel is to foster better coordination between the LGU and water district so they can better address the city’s water supply and sanitation problems.

In his welcome remarks, C OWD B OD Chair Emmanuel Gaabucayan said, “This dia-

logue provides an avenue for the water district to air its concerns with the view of expediting its projects and ultimately improving its service. It is also an opportunity to update the City Government of

the plans and projects of the district towards water security and safety. More importantly, it will allow all players to work together towards a shared goal of securing water for a resilient economic growth and

stability.”

The discussion started off with the LGU’s and COWD’s presentations of their respective development plans and programs.

R e p r e s e nt at i v e s f r o m the Department of Pub-

lic Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office also provided inputs and informed the city government that assistance is available in developing impounding reservoirs and rainwater harvesting systems. Mayor Oscar Moreno committed to work closely with the local water district, led by General Manager Rachel Beja, to resolve pressing issues on water supply, implement the recently passed septage management ordinance, support COWD’s non-revenue reduction program, develop joint projects, and cooperate on financing aspects.

Mayor Moreno said that he knows the city government can help and that everything we do has to have an added value. He also expressed his gratitude to USAID for its technical as-

sistance, saying “The presence of USAID not only brings comfort, but also reassurance that things are okay.” Representatives from the USAID Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project and MIYA also attended the dialogue.

U S A I D i s h e lpi ng Cagayan de Oro City improve its water supply by providing technical assistance to COWD in its non-revenue water (NRW) reduction efforts. Currently, USAID is also conducting a rapid feasibility study for an alternative water source for CDO. It also assists COWD in developing a city-wide septage management program, which can benefit approximately 455,242 people.