NCDA, JICA to hold forum on non-handicapping environment

By Apipa P. Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will be holding a forum on non-handicapping environment (NHE) on July 4 and 5 at the Dynasty Court Hotel, here. 

The two-day forum, anchored on the theme, “Making a Path to Non-Handicapping Environment,” aims to orient and advocate NHE to local government units (LGUs) for their adoption and to introduce to them the concept of Universal Design (UD) relative to NHE.

Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Akiie Ninomiya, executive director of the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony. 

The local chief executives (LCEs) of New Lucena in Iloilo province and Opol in Misamis Oriental will also be sharing their experiences and achievements as NHE-pioneer municipalities, along with some testimonials on the impact of NHE by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the said two towns. 

Expected participants are LCEs, municipal social welfare and development officers (MSWDO) and presidents of PWD Federation of the LGUs candidate for NHE expansion, as well as, representatives from related line agencies, chairperson of the Regional Council on Disability Affairs (RCDA), representatives from people’s organizations, and other NHE stakeholders.

These participants will also be treated to a study tour in Opol town on the morning of July 5. (APB-PIA10)

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Another YOYO Frozen Yogurt opens in Cagayan de Oro

Another YOYO Frozen Yogurt opens today (July 23) at 3pm at Corrales Avenue in Cagayan de Oro, says owner Charlene Go.

She said YOYO Frozen Yogurt contains live active cultures which promotes healthy digestion, boosts the immune system, and is rich in calcium, protein, and vitamin B2, plus, lactose intolerant safe.


“And just when you thought it’s too good to be true, this healthier alternative to ice-cream is low in fat and has low calories so you can eat to your hearts delight. Choose among 21 exciting toppings like kiwi, mango, blueberries, strawberries, granola, almonds, chocolate chips, or oreo and drizzle it up with some caramel or chocolate, and voila you’re on your way to yogurt heaven. If frozen yogurt doesn’t tickle your fancy, cool down with their mouthwatering yogurt smoothies that’s just as healthy,” Charlene Go said.

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Steag beats Nestle; bags championship award

Cagayan de Oro City – Steag’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) bagged once again the main event championship title in the recently concluded 2010 Modified Firefighters Combat Challenge at the Limketkai Grounds, besting Nestle Philippines and Pueblo de Oro teams who trailed at 2^nd and 3^rd place, respectively. 

            Organized by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in region 10 and the Safety Organization of the Philippines Inc. (SOPI), the competition capped this year’s commemoration of fire prevention month.

            In the side events, Steag placed 2^nd runner up in both bucket relay and fire extinguishment after Del Monte Philippines team garnered the championship in these categories. 

            Director Eleuterio Iturriaga of BFP in region 10 expressed delight on the successful conduct of the fire prevention awareness campaign as he enjoins companies to continue providing support to government’s efforts in fire prevention and management. 

            Meanwhile, Steag safety and environment officer Francis Libao said the award attests to the adequate preparation of the team as he cites the conduct of continuing fire drills and exercises whole year round.

“Beyond this competition, we make sure that our team is equipped with the necessary skills in fire-prevention and management as these are essential to the safety and well-being of our company and our communities,” Libao said.

Libao also cited the company’s safety standard as he points out Steag’s attainment of more than 1.7 million safe man hours and Zero Lost Time due to Accident (Zero LTA).

Steag’s ERT is composed of Christopher Ermac, Alex Biemen, Richard Yacapin, Roger Sajulga, Gibson Cabunoc, Antonio de Jesus III, Jefferson Vargas , Ronald Paderanga, Norvic Edurot, Julius Mar and Team Captain Demetrio Orozco.

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Plans for Ayala Mall fronting Gaisano underway, says Mayor Jaraula

THE Ayala Group is planning on developing a property and build a shopping center in front of the Gaisano Mall on CM Recto Ave.

Mayor Constantino Ja-raula yesterday announced that the Ayalas would start the project anytime soon.

‘‘The groundbreaking would be made before year-end,’’ said Jaraula.

He said he was personally told of the Ayala Group’s plans by former representative Tonyboy Floirendo of Davao whose family made an agreement with the Ayalas. The property, about four hectares, belongs or belonged to the Floirendos.

Meanwhile, Jaraula called on the national government to rationalize the Bureau of Internal Reve-nue’s zonal valuation for real properties.

Jaraula said it would be unfair to fault local governments whenever property owners complain of taxes.

He said the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s zonal valuation––the schedule of fair market values on real property used as basis for the computation of internal revenue taxes––should be taken into account.

He said taxpayers would continue to complain unless the BIR rationalizes the zonal valuation.

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Jaraula confirms P4.5-B Ayala Mall to rise in Oro

By Joel C. Escol

Cagayan de Oro city mayor Constantino Jaraula over a local radio station here confirmed the biggest investment of Ayala Land Holdings Incorporated through the construction of Ayala Mall and Business Center in Baragay Indahag.

Jaraula said this is the biggest investment of the company in Mindanao having an initial budget of P4.5 Billion Pesos. The project is much bigger than Ayala Davao’s P3 billion which is also set to be completed in 2012 at a nine hectare property in JP Laurel Avenue owned by the Floirendo family in Davao.

Ayala said once the Ayala operates the biggest Ayala Mall Cagayan de Oro, the biggest mall in Mindanao, it would make the city the major destinations of foreign and local investors and many residents of the city and its neighboring cities and provinces would also enjoy many job opportunities, this biggest investment of Ayala Holdings can offer.

Earlier managers and engineers from the Ayala Group of Companies visited Cagayan de Oro City and talked to then mayor Vicente Emano about their plans to establish one of Ayala’s ambitious projects in Southern Philippines.

They said they also came to the city to prepare for the ground works of the sprawling P4.5 billion business complex in Cagayan de Oro.

The city government has already given the company a go signal to start the construction phase of the project even as their papers are yet to be completed just like the favor the city also gave to other major investors such as SM Mall and Macro.

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