Valencia City Bukidnon to Join TreeVolution: Mass Tree-Planting to Break Guinness World Record

Valencia City (September 17, 2014). The people of Valencia City, Bukidnon will join a historic mass tree-planting activity on September 26, 2014 in an attempt to break the Guinness world record.
Dubbed as "TreeVolution," it is highlighted by simultaneous tree-planting activities from Regions IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
In Valencia City, Bukidnon, the mass tree-planting project will be held at Sitio San Roque, Barangay Tongan Tongan. The activity will start at 6:00 AM and will be led by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO). Thousands of Valencianos from all walks of life are expected to participate in the said activity.
Organizers of TreeVolution expect it to become the "biggest simultaneous tree planting event" in the world as they intend to plant 4.6 million trees in one day from six regions in Mindanao.
Interested parties who wish to know more about TreeVolution or those who want to join the activity are encouraged to visit the Valencia CENRO at City Hall Compound, Valencia City, Bukidnon. ## Report by Jay Pascual. *image taken from Valencia City, Bukidnon Facebook Page

EDITORIAL - Valencia City in Focus: Prescription for Sustained Development

Valencia City in Bukidnon province seems on the road to becoming one of the most dynamic and prosperous cities in Mindanao. Over the last few years, the city has seen impressive growth as manifested by its booming construction industry and the ever growing service and agricultural sectors.

Valencia City is now home to more than a dozen major commercial banks and rural banks. Insurance and surety companies are also making huge headway which gives an impression that the financial sector in the city is very much in the pink of health.

The robust trading going on every day at the newly built Valencia City Public Market may be considered additional evidence that the consumer sector of the city is showing signs of renewed activity. It means that residents do have greater purchasing power which could further propel the growth of the city in the years to come.

On the political front, the crisis brought about by the removal of elected City Mayor Jose Galario, who was convicted of graft, seemed to have resolved itself peacefully. He was replaced by Vice Mayor Azucena Huervas, who is showing political maturity in running the city towards greater progress.

However, there are a few important things that must be addressed squarely by the city government if it wants Valencia to continue its growth trajectory.

First, the city government must resolve the issue of flooding within the downtown area. The outdated drainage systems of the city are incapable of absorbing the rigors of urbanization. The city streets become flooded after a few minutes of heavy rain.

Flooding is a major blight of urban centers. If the city government will not find timely solutions to this problem, then future investors and traders will surely look for other competitive markets in the region. This is a sorry loss for Valencia.

Second, the city government together with the local Philippine National Police (PNP) must double its efforts to curb street crimes. It must also exert more effort in solving high profile murders that occurred in the past, such as the ambush of a prominent radio commentator and the killing of a peasant leader.

These crimes remained unsolved until today, notwithstanding the fact that one of the gunman in the Joas Dignos killing was already in custody. The police needs to arrest the masterminds behind these crimes and hail them to the courts.

If the police force is capable of solving high profile cases and has the ability to prevent street crimes, more and more investors will surely come to Valencia City.

Third, the city government must implement a systematic integrated solid waste management program. Garbage collection in the city seems an ‘on-an-off’ activity. There are days when the major streets of Valencia are stinking to high heavens due to uncollected garbage.

However, we must mention here that the present officials of Valencia City should be commended for resuming the collection of garbage from residential areas. This service has been discontinued during the term of the past Mayor, Leandro Catarata.

Needless to say, improvements are still in order when it comes to solid waste management and garbage collection. We dread to see the day when a booming Valencia City will be burdened by uncollected garbage due to lack of proper waste management system.

Valencia City is a land of promise. Its continued march to progress could be hindered if its officials will fail to address the simmering problems that are becoming more evident each day.

Families of Captured Soldiers in Bukidnon Urged NPA, Gov't. for Truce

The families of two Army soldiers, who were captured in Bukidnon last August 22, urged the New People's Army (NPA) and the Philippine military to cease fighting in order to speed up the safe release of their loved ones.

The soldiers, privates Jerrel Yorong and Marnel Cinches, were apprehended by rebel forces under the NPA North-Central Mindanao Command. Last week, the rebels issued a statement promising to release the soldiers as a sign of goodwill. They demanded an immediate suspension of military operations (SOMO) in several areas in Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental to guarantee the safe release of the captives.

Military officials in the region, however, rejected the rebel group's demand and instead launched a manhunt, rescue, and hot pursuit operation.

This development prompted the families of the captured soldiers to call for an "agreement of both parties" so that their loved ones can be released as soon as possible.

As of press time, negotiations are still ongoing between the Provincial Crisis Management Committee and the rebel groups. ## Report by Jay Pascual, Sept. 12, 2014.

Valencia at Midnight

It's midnight once again here at Valencia City, Bukidnon. I just finished writing 12 500-words articles about some dumb custom bobbleheads.

Well, who cares about these bobbleheads anyway? The search engines maybe? The owner of the site who sells bobbleheads, definitely.  Well, enough of bobbleheads. It has filled my brains with lots of bubbles anyway and I want to exorcise them out of my system.

Back to Valencia. This is the city I hope I can call my home.  It is a thriving city in a most provincial way.  Public utility services are bad but the environment can make up for it.

When I first arrived here, the place was shrouded with a light fog.  It was drizzling and the air has the sweet scent of pine.  At that moment, I knew I will be at home here.

It is cool here especially from dusk until the wee hours of the morning.  I was used to sleeping without a shirt on, a habit I developed when I was still in Pasig City.  But here, I had to wear a cardigan to bed.  And the crickets are really lovely. They will entertain you all night.

Sometimes, I work in front of my computer until 3 in the morning beating deadlines for my online writing job.  Before I go to sleep, I usually spend a few minutes staring out my window.  I love the calm and peace outside, not one soul is about.

The smell of pine, wood, and fresh leaves are in the air.  When I inhale deeply, memories of my childhood flood my senses.  I remember the countryside of Mindoro, where I used to spend my summer vacations.  I also remember the mountains of Panay and its pristine forests.

Valencia is a city but it evokes memories of far away places.  Places where I spent happy moments.  Places that I learned to love and care about.   This is a city that retained its provincial beauty.  This is a city that doesn't have the trappings of a dirty urban jungle.

The jungles here are real.  Outside my doors, you can see vast expanse of sugar plantation.  Beyond is a towering mountain, majestic in all its greenness.  During mornings, my son and I will wait for the “potpot” guy who delivers hot pandesal.  We will sit by the road side and will look at the mountains far ahead.  He always asks me if we can go trekking on those mountains.  Even my little boy seems enchanted by the majesty of the mountain in front of us.

I am a city-bred creature. So I'm used to the soot and grime of city life.  But Valencia is a cathartic experience for me.  In a year or two, I think this place will cleanse the accumulated grit I got from the city streets.

Valencia taught me how to appreciate the small things in life.  I can now appreciate every whiff of cool wind caressing my face.  I also find satisfaction when I stare out my window and hear the crickets sing.

Right now I am content listening to the crickets. The night bird occasionally woos me to go outside.  But I didn't dare coz the wind is cold. And I'm here writing the ramblings in my head...
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By Jay Pascual, freelance writer and a resident of Valencia City, Bukidnon. The article Valencia at Midnight was first published on his personal blog jaympascual.