Valencia Bukidnon Mayor bans Facebook, Twitter during office hours

Valencia City Bukidnon mayor Azucena Huervas issued a memorandum banning the use of Facebook, Twitter and other social media among city hall employees during office hours.
Memorandum Order 29, series of 2015 signed last February 3, 2015 by Mayor Huervas mandates the "regulations on the use of social media, PC games, and cellular phones during office hours."
The memo states that "any device or computers including but not limited to cellphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops computers, shall under no circumstances  be used during office hours to open, view or browse on non-work related activities which may include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Friendster, and PC gaming."
It further states that "the use of cellular phones for non work related purposes during office hours is also discouraged."
The memorandum orders all department heads of the Valencia City government to strictly implement the said measures.
Employees found violating the said memorandum will face sanctions.
Mayor Azucena Huervas took over as mayor of Valencia City after former mayor Jose M. Galario was convicted on graft charges last year. Galario remains a fugitive. (report by Jay M. Pascual) #

Top NPA Rebel Arrested in Valencia City Bukidnon

A high ranking New People's Army (NPA) rebel leader was arrested Friday February 6, by the combined elements of Valencia City Police Office and soldiers belonging to the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.

The rebel leader was identified as Reeboy Gandinao, allegedly the Commander of 4th Platoon of Guerilla Front 6 operating in the hinterlands of Quezon, Bukidnon and parts of Valencia City.

Gandinao was arrested Friday afternoon at the boundary of Barangay Lumintao, Quezon Bukidnon and Barangay Dagat-Kidavao in Valencia City.

Taken from Gandinao at the time of his arrest was a Cal. 45 pistol with magazine and several rounds of ammunitions.

He was booked at the Valencia Police Office and was transferred immediately to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology at Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

The NPA is waging a revolutionary war against the government of the Philippines. It is active in Bukidnon including the interior barangays of Valencia City. #

Fire razes six houses in Valencia Bukidnon; no one hurt

A three-hour fire razed six houses, including the office of the City Social Welfare Department, and partially damaged two buildings Wednesday night, February 4, in Purok 5, Poblacion, Valencia City, Bukidnon.

According to Fire Inspector Richie Fagre, Valencia City Fire Marshall, the fire broke out at around 7:45 pm.

Fire trucks arrived at the scene of the incident at exactly 8:15 pm after receiving the first call for help at around 8:00 pm.

Firefighters declared fire out at 11:10 pm. By then, six houses were already totally destroyed including the offices of Valencia City Social Welfare Department.

Two other buildings were partially damaged as officers of the Bureau of Fire Protection managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the nearby Commission on Audit office.

The BFP estimated the damage to reach more than one million pesos. No one was hurt during the almost three-hour blaze.

Arson investigators were still determining the cause of the fire Thursday morning. #

3 Dead, 3 Injured in Bukidnon Accident

BUKIDNON, Philippines. Three men died while three others were wounded in a collision accident involving two motorcycles in Sitio Palo, Barangay Iba, Cabanglasan Bukidnon.
Police Inspector Jisselle Longgakit, spokesperson for Bukidnon Provincial Police Office, said that the bloody accident happened when two motorcycles collided head-on.
Longgakit identified the fatalities as Elmer Ginombay, Teodoro Tulib, and Simplicio Cardena.
The wounded were Reyman Manlahag, Jessie Ginombay, and one unidentified person. They were given first aid treatment and medical attention.
Initial investigation of the Cabanglasan Police indicated that the unidentified driver with Manlahag at Ginombay were traveling to Barangay Iba when they collided with another motorcycle being driven by Tulib.
Investigations are continuing as of press time. ###
Report by, Jay Pascual

Bukidnon Kaamulan Festival Postponed to October

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/12 January) – Kaamulan, Bukidnon’s annual ethnic festival, will be held in October instead of March.

Gov. Jose Ma. R. Zubiri announced the postponement in his radio program last Wednesday and again at the Capitol’s convocation program Monday.

Zubiri cited lack of budget and insufficient time for preparations for the deferment of the festival to October, which is commemorated as Indigenous Peoples’ Month.

Zubiri said only Bukidnon’s two cities – Malaybalay and Valencia — and three towns would join if Kaamulan 2015 will be pursued in March.

The governor clarified however that the postponement will only be for this year.

Read more http://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2015/01/12/bukidnon-postpones-kaamulan-2015-to-october/

UPDATE: Heavy Rains Detected Over Malaybalay City Bukidnon

02 Feb '15, 02:00 PM: rain clouds bringing heavy rain detected by Doppler RADAR in the vicinity of Malaybalay, #Bukidnon. #UlanPh …

— ULAN TRACKER PH (@UmuulanPH) February 2, 2015

VIDEO: Valencia City Bukidnon