Thousands Marched in Valencia Bukidnon to Mark Labor Day

Thousands join Labor Day rally in Valencia Bukidnon. Photo by UMA-Pilipinas http://ow.ly/i/iYnTQ

Thousands of people marched through the streets of downtown Valencia Bukidnon on May 1 to mark the celebration of International Workers Day.

Waving red flags and colorful banners, the marchers demanded the enactment of P750 national minimum wage across the board.

Thousands join Labor Day rally in Valencia Bukidnon. Photo by UMA-Pilipinas http://ow.ly/i/iYnTQ

The protesters scored the incompetence and criminal neglect of the Aquino administration in addressing the effects of El Nino in the countryside.

They also demanded an immediate stop to labor contractualization and called for the release of calamity funds intended for devastated farm lands.

The protest march was led by Ogyon-UMA Bukidnon, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), BAYAN MUNA Party and Anak Pawis Party.

Screen grab from @Ogyon_Bukidnon Twitter page.

Youth groups led by Kabataan Party also supported the protesting farmers and workers.

According to the group Kontra Hulaw, the youth of Valencia Bukidnon joined the protest and barricades to show their solidarity with farmers and farm-workers.

Screen grab from Kontra Hulaw Facebook Page.

Gov. Zubiri Sets Kaamulan Festival on March 2016

VALENCIA CITY. Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri Jr. issued Executive Order #1 which sets the annual celebration of the Kaamulan Festival on March 2016 with further information that the Street Dancing Competition will be held on April 2, 2016.

Said Executive Order is in line with Ordinance No. 2007-003R passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan mandating the "institutionalization of the Kaamulan Festival in the Province of Bukidnon."

Governor Zubiri also ordered the Provincial Tourism Office and the Public Affairs and Information Assistance Office to spearhead the dissemination and information campaign with regard to the significance of the said EO.

The Executive Order was signed by Zubiri on January 6, 2016 and will take effect immediately.

The Kaamulan Festival is an ethnic cultural festival held annually in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon in the Philippines. (Report by Jay M. Pascual)

Mindanao Power Grid on Yellow Alert - NGCP

MEDIA ADVISORY 

NGCP expects the supply situation to worsen come January 4 when classes and work resume.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) puts the Mindanao grid on Yellow alert with the Regulating Reserves at only 45 megawatts as of 6 PM, January 1, due to the isolation of NAPOCOR owned generating facilities Agus 1 and 2 hydropower plants.

The generation plants, with a combined maximum capacity of 150 MW, are disconnected from the grid due to the bombing of Tower#25 along Agus 2- Kibawe 138kV line in Ramain, Lanao del Sur last Christmas Eve.

Restoration was halted due to failed negotiation with landowner of the property where the facility is located. The owner refused NGCP entry to repair the toppled tower alleging that government failed to pay his claims long ago.

Despite lower power consumption brought about by the cold weather and year end holidays, NGCP still placed the Mindanao grid on Yellow alert, with the reserves falling below required levels.

NGCP expects the supply situation to worsen come January 4 when classes and work resume.

NGCP is appealing to the public, local and national goverment, PNP and AFP to help monitor the safety of the towers so that transmission services remain uninterrupted. The company also appeals to local community leaders to help identify the perpetrators of the bombings, and to negotiate with uncooperative landowners, to prevent longer power interruptions. (Beth Ladaga, NGCP)

Malacañang declares January 12 a special non-working day in Valencia City

PRESS RELEASE

Proclamation No. 1185, which was signed last 17 December 2015 by President Benigno S. Aquino III, proclaimed January 12, 2016 as a holiday in the entire city.

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon, December 30 (PIA)—Malacañang has declared January 12 as special non-working day in Valencia City, Bukidnon province to commemorate the 15th cityhood anniversary.

Proclamation No. 1185, which was signed last 17 December 2015 by President Benigno S. Aquino III, proclaimed January 12, 2016 as a holiday in the entire city.

Under the proclamation, President Aquino said it is fitting and proper for the people of Valencia City to be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the said occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

To mark the importance of the occasion, Mayor Azucena P. Huervas said “this year’s Founding Anniversary celebration is ‘month-long’ to showcase what makes us matchless as we also celebrate the Golden Harvest and Christmas Festival from December 12 to January 12, 2016."

History showed that immigration of Christian settlers to Valencia started in the middle 1930s until it was formally born on January 16, 1961 by virtue of the provisions of Malacanang’s Executive Order No. 360.

Valencia attained its city status after the ratification of Republic Act 8985 in January 12, 2001. (RLRB/PIA Bukidnon)

Valencia City Bukidnon Launches Special Program for Employment of Students

Press Release

April 22, 2015 City of Valencia, Bukidnon. As mandated under RA 9547 which aims to develop the intellectual capacities of children of less fortunate families and harness their potentials for the country's well-being and also to help less fortunate but deserving students pursue their education by providing income or augment their income.

Starting April 20, 2015 to May 18, 2015 the selected students under SPES program will be exposed to different activities.

The kickoff activities include tree planting at Twin Hills in Brgy. San Carlos and Brgy. Barobo wherein a total of 375 mahogany and 375 narra seedlings were planted respectively and some 200 students conducted a cleanup drive along the main city streets of Poblacion, City of Valencia.

These activities were initiated by the City Government of Valencia together with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office in celebration of the 45th Earth Day anniversary.

According to Ms. Elna B. Guzman, PESO manager of LGU City of Valencia, the 20 day summer job training of the students from the City of Valencia will be receiving P239.00 daily wage for 20 days. DOLE will shoulder 60% and LGU will shoulder the remaining 40%.

After the community service the students will report immediately to their respective barangays and assist in the updating of National Skills Registry System in the 1st 10 days and the remaining days will be spent on data banking of Skills Registry System.
"Students were interviewed last February 2015 and SPES is open to all out of school youth, high school graduates who wants to pursue their college education and students who came from families whose family income is P9,000.00 below." Ms. Guzman added.

The 20-day summer job training will end on May 18, 2015. ##

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

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

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.