Government Archives - Page 2 of 10 - Mindanaoan - Multi awarded CDO and New York Lifestyle Blog

Dec162016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

GOOD NEWS: NTC breaches 2016 collection target by P 34.5 M

Announcements, Broadcasting, Consumer, Government, Media, Society, Technology

With barely 3 weeks left in 2016 to collect Administrative Fees, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), an agency under the Department of Information and Communications Technology responsible for the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the country, has already breached its P 4.835 Billion target for the year. Reports say that the NTC's collections have amounted to P 4.870B to-date. The P 4.835B target was set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) composed of the Department of Budget Management (DBM), the Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). The achievement came from the NTC’s concerted efforts to strictly enforce stakeholders’ compliance in remitting administr...

Nov242016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Government agencies, telcos deserve praise for swift action in typhoon hit areas

Announcements, Government

There are days when you become frustrated with the goings-on in the country. But there are also days when you see great effort on the part of various government agencies and it is but right and fair to acknowledge them. Take the proactive actions of the government agencies and telecommunication agencies last month during super typhoon "Lawin," for instance. Thanks to their full blast restoration efforts, mobile phone subscribers were able to immediately reconnect with their loved ones in areas hit by the super typhoon. Mobile subscriber Mark Pascua experienced this first hand when he sought the help of the government through the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center and Hotline when he could not reach his relatives in Solana, Cagayan last Oct. 20 in the aftermath of the powerful storm that ha...

Oct42016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Improved Philippines ICT performance garner attention from foreign indexes

Announcements, Government, Headline, Internet, Technology

Absolutely great news, Philippines! Even various foreign indexes have now noted an improvement in the state of information and communications technology (ICT) in the country. Such improvement in the ICT sector is being attributed to the innovations made by telecom service providers (telcos) as well as the Philippine government. In the latest survey conducted by the United Nations Public Administration Country Studies (UNPACS) among UN member-countries, the Philippines climbed 24 notches to rank 71st out of 193 countries in "e-government development." The survey uses E-Government Development Index (EGDI) as composite indicator of the willingness and capacity of national governments to utilize ICT in the delivery of public services. * Photo courtesy of InvestPhilippines.org This...

Sep282016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Globe, Davao government set up 0917 Duterte

Announcements, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Education, Government, News, Society, Technology

Globe Telecom and the Davao City government are collaborating to help improve the peace and order situation in the city by putting in a place a hotline, 0917-Duterte (0917-3883783), to receive calls and texts relating to security concerns in the city. Specifically, 0917-Duterte will serve as a special and dedicated mobile number for calls and texts from Davaoenos who will report possible leads to catch the perpetrators of the recent bombing incident in Davao. “With the hotline number, Globe is able to help public officials and residents of Davao City in strengthening peace and order in the city by putting in place an easy to remember and accessible number where they can report leads and information that can help catch perpetrators of the recent bombing incident,” Globe General Counsel ...

Jun52016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Covering Senator Migs Zubiri’s oathtaking ceremony

Advocacy, Blogging, Bukidnon, Events, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics, Society

What was supposed to be a self-imposed, much-needed vacation last June 4, 2016 in Bukidnon turned into a mini "working holiday" when my good friend Bobby of Rappler told me that he and other Cagayan de Oro media friends were in Malaybalay City to cover the oathtaking of returning Senator Juan Miguel "Migs" Zubiri. Apparently, I've been living under a rock because I wasn't even aware that Sir Migs was taking his oath that day! Eep. Anyways, I knew I couldn't pass up that chance to witness Sir Migs as he takes his oath as comebacking Senator. Plus I would've missed this scene - Sir Migs as he personally checked his speech and made final touches: READ: Full text of Senator Migs Zubiri's oathtaking speech In 2007, I remember writing the banner headline story of him running for the...

May72016 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Why Chiz Escudero is my Vice President

Advocacy, Announcements, Blogging, Features, Government, Headline, Journalism, Media, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, News, Opinion, Personalities, Politics, Society

Chiz Escudero. I first saw him in Congress. He was the fast rising young representative of Sorsogon then. All eyes were on him. Him and his impossibly forever kunot polo barong. Kunot because he’s here, there, everywhere. I remember whenever I observe at the plenary hall, he often stands up, asks questions from the floor, consults other legislators. In my mind, ang kulit din ng kongresistang ito. He wasn’t like many congressmen who’d just sit and wait for their attendance to be called. Siyempre, crush na crush ko siya noon. Ten Outstanding Young Men awardee, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Rotary Golden Wheel Awardee for Political Governance and Legislation and the list goes on and on. Saan ka pa? Young, very smart, articulate, took and passed the bar on the first try and cute...

May72016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Chiz Escudero chides Cayetano: “Who spent half a billion pesos?”

Announcements, Government, Politics

Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero lashed out at his fellow bet, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, for accusing Sen. Grace Poe of conspiring with Malacañang and Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas to bring down presidential frontrunner Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. “Sen. Cayetano, after being silent for quite some time, is once against acting and talking like a wild and rabid dog. He is throwing wild accusations simply because he himself cannot answer the issues being thrown at his running mate because it will contradict everything that he is and has stood for in the past,” Escudero said. Escudero also took exception to Cayetano’s claim that the “businessmen supporters” of Poe are funding the negative advertisement against Duterte. “Before he questions Sen. G...

Mar312016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Duterte son endorses Chiz Escudero for Vice President

Announcements, Bisaya, Controversial, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Government, Mindanaoan Update, News, Personalities, Politics

Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte has officially endorsed the candidacy for vice president of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Duterte and Escudero met with several other councilors in Davao City last March 31, 2016. This, according to a news report released by Davao Breaking News. Vice Mayor Duterte is the son of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte. The Dutertes lead the local political party Hugpong Sa Tawong Lungsod. During the meeting, Duterte was quoted as saying, "Sinusuportahan ko ang kandidatura ni Vice President Chiz Escudero dahil sa lahat ng mga kumakandidato sa pagka bise presidente, siya lang po ang nakita kong tumulong at tutulong sa Davao City." “I choose Sen. Chiz Escudero as my VP given that he has significantly helped the City through his infrastructure proj...

Jan92016 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Chiz Escudero to government: respond to Mindanao’s concerns quickly

Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Announcements, Basilan, Bislig, Broadcasting, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Caraga, Compostela Valley, Cotabato, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, General Santos City, Government, Iligan City, Island Garden City of Samal, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Malaybalay City, Marawi City, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Muslim Mindanao, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Ozamis, Pagadian, Sarangani, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

Following the successive bombings of NGCP towers here in Mindanao and even the lack of water (the Zamboanga City Water District has announced water rationing starting January 7, 2016!), I'm glad that Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero has called on the national government to focus its attention and support for the people of Mindanao. “Malacanang should have all hands on-deck with regard to the problems currently besetting Mindanao. The list is getting alarmingly long and there is apparently no end in sight for many of these problems,” said Escudero, the frontrunner in various vice-presidential preference surveys. Foremost among Escudero’s concerns was the successive bombings of towers owned by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) that started in the third quarter of 2015...

Nov42015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

5 Ways To Avoid Being A Victim Of “Laglag Bala” “Tanim Bala” Scam

Advocacy, Controversial, Crime, Flights, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update, Society, Tourism, Travel

The horror that is the “tanim bala” (bullet planting) or “laglag bala” scam. If you're a frequent traveler like I am, I'm sure you are either worried or angry - or even both! This airport scam in the Philippines surely is a controversial one. "Laglag bala" or "tanim bala" is where innocent travelers fall prey to members of alleged syndicates who “drop” live ammunition in luggage and as a result, either miss their flights or get extorted for huge amounts of money. Take the case of the 60 year old engineer who flew from Manila to Davao. He was found in possession of two bullets at the Davao International Airport. Like most of the victims, he said he did not know how the bullets got into his bags but he was charged for illegal possession of ammunition nonetheless. He was only released when...

Oct152015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Migz Zubiri to run for Senate anew, as Poe-Chiz guest candidate

Bukidnon, Government, Media, Mindanaoan Update, News, Politics

Former 3-consecutive term Bukidnon 3rd District Congressman and Senator for 4 years Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator as an independent earlier today, Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at the Commission on Elections main office. He was accompanied by his wife, newspaper lifestyle columnist Audrey Tan-Zubiri. Zubiri, who previously said he was quitting politics, told Mindanaoan.com that he got inspired by his No. 6 ranking in the latest survey of senatorial preferences. In the Sept. 8-14 Pulse Asia Research Inc. survey of senatorial preferences, Zubiri emerged as the sixth most favored by voters. “I’ve been very happy quietly living a private life with Audrey and our three kids, and tending to our small business for more than two years now. ...

Aug112015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Somalia, Africa and Cabanglasan, Bukidnon sign sister LGU agreement

Announcements, Bukidnon, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update

Cabanglasan, Bukidnon and Bal'ad, Somalia are now sisters! Sister LGUs, that is :) On July 27, 2015, about two weeks before Cabanglasan's founding anniversary, a historic local government unit (LGU) sisterhood agreement was forged between Cabanglasan and Bal'ad in the Shabelle region of Somalia. This town sisterhood pact is truly historic as this is not only the first to be established in the Philippines but within entire Asia as well. Cabanglasan, a third class municipality located at the second district of Bukidnon, is the third foreign LGU to partner with Somalia since 1991, the year the civil war started. Recently, the country formalized sister-city agreements with Istanbul, Turkey and Minneapolis, United States of America. The Cabanglasan - Somalia sisterhood agreement aims to d...

Jul142015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Wao-Maramag road project to be completed by 2016

Announcements, ARMM, BIMP-EAGA, Bukidnon, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Government, Headline, Lanao del Sur, Travel

A 53-kilometer, Php 485 Million road project stretching from the municipalities of Molundo, Maguing, Bumbaran and Wao, Lanao del Sur, to the municipality of Maramag, Bukidnon is seen to be completed by 2016. Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong, Jr., who lobbied for the completion of this Wao to Maramag road project to President Benigno Aquino III, was quoted as saying that he is "hopeful that the project shall be fully completed by 2016." Adiong said that the said road is expected to enhance business, fair trade and livelihood between Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon, which are both known to be rich in agricultural lands and farms. “Farmers and buyers shall benefit as crops can be sold and bought at cheaper prices,” he added. Currently, 12 out of the 53-kilometer road are...

Jun182015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Province of Bukidnon receives bus donation from RTMI

Bukidnon, Corporate, Government, Headline, Mindanaoan Update

The Province of Bukidnon now has a brand new bus, courtesy of Rural Transit Mindanao, Inc. or RTMI. The bus, the cost of which is estimated to be Php 3.9 Million, can accommodate 67 passengers. Bukidnon Governor Jose Ma. R. Zubiri, Jr. met with RTMI representatives and inspected the donated bus together. * Photos courtesy of the Office of Governor Jose Ma. Zubiri, Jr. You may all remember that RTMI is the same company that owned that bus that exploded last year. A bomb was placed inside one of the red RTMI buses and killed 10, injured 42. The bus exploded near Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon. The school has since disclosed an action plan to address the matter.

Jun32015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Google My Business CDO event a success

Advocacy, Business, Cagayan de Oro City, Consumer, Events, Government, Make Money Online, Misamis Oriental, News, Northern Mindanao, Technology, United States of America

One of the things that I really like doing is helping and supporting small and medium businesses especially local ones. This is the reason why I readily accepted the role of Google Business Group - Women lead coordinator. Being the GBG Women CDO lead allows me to share various strategies and tips especially on how to effectively use the Internet to promote businesses online. GBG Women is under the umbrella of GBG CDO, a community of business professionals helping people explore, learn, share, and discover how Google products can help the local business communities benefit from technology. GBG CDO is a local chapter under Google Business Group - Philippines. One of the recent activities the GBG CDO folks and I got involved in was the Google My Business CDO orientation and sign-up day ...

Mar92015 by Mindanaoan Irene1 Comment

Malaybalay Bukidnon 2015 Charter Day schedule of activities

Bukidnon, Entertainment, Events, Festivals, Government, Malaybalay City, Mindanaoan Update, News, Tourism

Hi, everyone! I will be traveling regularly to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon in the next two weeks to cover the city's 17th Charter Day celebration. Malaybalay is the Province of Bukidnon's capital :) With the theme "Commitment and Integrity in Service," the Malaybalay City Charter Day Celebration will start tomorrow, March 9, 2015 although technically the charter day will really be on March 22. A lot of activities have been scheduled. FREE admission to all of the LGU-sponsored events. If you also want to participate in any of the activities, sign up for free at the city hall. For sports-related events, go to the Grandstand in Sumpong. If you're also planning to visit Malaybalay, please feel free to leave a comment and I'll be happy to guide you. I also have a banner below for recommende...

Feb12015 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Mindanaoan In Korea Travel Series: Seoul City Hall

Government, Korea, Leisure, Seoul, Tourism, Travel

The Seoul Korea City Hall is one of the world's eco and energy efficient buildings. It's also a pretty cool building to look at! Just check out the photos I took of the Seoul City Hall. Located at Taepyeongno, Jung-gu, which is basically the heart of Seoul, the City Hall is right across the Deoksugung Palace and just a few minutes away on foot from the Cheonggyecheon Stream. How to get to Seoul City Hall: Take Seoul Subway Line 1, 2 to reach City Hall Station. Take Exit 2. Found this cute little thing on the right side of the City Hall :) Want to follow more of my Korea trip? Click on Mindanaoan In Korea How to apply for a Korean tourist visa Very helpful Seoul, Korea Travel Tips Cheonggyecheon Stream Deoksugung Palace Changing Of Guards More Korea post...

Jan152015 by Mindanaoan Irene135 Comments

How to apply and renew your Philippine passport at DFA Centrio CDO

Cagayan de Oro City, Government, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

A couple of things have changed since I last renewed my Philippine passport at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Cagayan de Oro or DFA CDO. Apart from the fact that DFA CDO has now transferred from Limketkai Center to Ayala Centrio Mall, there isn't any need to call their office for an appointment (IT IS NOW REQUIRED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT...scroll down to find out how) there are now lesser requirements and lesser wait time. Allow me to share with you my experience on how to renew your passport at DFA Centrio CDO. Centrio Mall is located at Corrales Avenue corner CM Recto Avenue. Please scroll down for a MAP and helpful travel instructions. DFA Centrio Ayala is located at the 3rd Floor. DFA Centrio Office hours: Monday to Friday - 10 AM to 7 PM and Saturday - 10 AM to 6 ...

Oct272014 by Mindanaoan Irene2 Comments

Success stories at the 2nd BIMP-EAGA International Trade Fair #EAGAIMT2014

Advocacy, BIMP-EAGA, Blogging, Business, Consumer, Corporate, Culture, Davao City, Events, Features, Food, Government, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mindanaoan Update, News, Recipes, Society

Thanks to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), I was able to cover the 2nd BIMP-EAGA IMT-GT International Trade Fair and Business Leaders' Conference last October 22 to 25, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang in Davao City, Philippines. I've always wanted to witness a BIMP-EAGA event and I'm glad that I finally had the opportunity to do so. BIMP-EAGA events are important international functions especially in terms of trade, investments, tourism and even each of the participating countries' roles in the upcoming ASEAN Integration. BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area while IMT-GT means Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle. Now on its 20th year, the BIMP-EAGA is considered as a key strategy to accelerate social as well as...

Oct62014 by Mindanaoan Irene10 Comments

How to apply for a Korean visa – requirements for Filipino tourists

Features, Flights, Government, Headline, Korea, Leisure, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Update, Musings, Society, Tourism, Travel

When my friends and relatives first learned that I was set to visit Korea, all of them got really excited. Can't blame them as Korea is one of the favorite travel destinations of many Filipinos these days, thanks to the ever growing popularity of K-Pop, Koreanovelas and continuous visits to the Philippines by popular Korean celebrities. As of this writing, Filipinos still need a visa to enter Korea. Filipino tourists who intend to stay for 59 days or less can apply for a Korean tourist visa FOR FREE. The thing is, though, you must apply at the Korean embassy in Manila for you to avail of the FREE South Korea tourist visa. For people outside Metro Manila (like me and my brother!), the cheaper option is to have an accredited travel agency fix our applications. In our case, since our fligh...

Jul172014 by Mindanaoan IreneNo Comments

Higalaay Kagay-an Festival 2014 schedule of activities #CDO

Announcements, Cagayan de Oro City, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Government, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Tourism, Travel

The 2014 Kagay-an Festival schedule of events has finally been revealed! The CDO fiesta is now also known as Higalaay Kagay-an Festival 2014 (Higalaay means friendship - pretty apt since Cagayan de Oro is known as the City of Golden Friendship) and is celebrated in honor of the city's patron saint, St. Augustine (August 28). Check out the following Kagay-an Festival 2014 core events which are the rallying points for the campaign to promote Cagayan de Oro City and the surrounding areas as an investment and tourism destination: Mindanao Fashion Summit on August 8 to 10 at Limketkai Rotonda - 1pm to 8pm Kumbira (the country's longest-running culinary show) on August 13 to 15, 2014 at the Limketkai Mall Atrium, 10am Garden Show & Agri Fair on August 8 to 31, 2014 at Gaston ...

Oct312013 by Mindanaoan Irene5 Comments

Mindanaoan is 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year

Advocacy, Agriculture, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, America, Announcements, ARMM, Arts, Bacolod City, Banks, Basilan, Beauty, BIMP-EAGA, Bisaya, Bislig, Blogging, Broadcasting, Bukidnon, Business, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Campus, Caraga, Cebu City, Commentary, Compostela Valley, Consumer, Contests, Controversial, Corporate, Cotabato, Culture, Davao City, Davao Del Norte, Davao del Sur, Dipolog, Education, Entertainment, Events, Fashion, Features, Festivals, Fiesta, Flights, Food, Freebies, General Santos City, Gifts, Government, Headline, Hongkong, Hotels, Humor, Iligan City, Internet, Island Garden City of Samal, Jobs, Journalism, Kaamulan Festival, Koronadal, Kuala Lumpur, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Leisure, Macau, Maguindanao, Make Money Online, Malaybalay City, Malaysia, Manila, Marawi City, Media, Mindanao, Mindanaoan Artists, Mindanaoan Update, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Movies, Music, Musings, Muslim Mindanao, Negros Occidental, News, North Cotabato, Northern Mindanao, Opinion, Ozamis, Pagadian, Personal, Personalities, Photos, Politics, Radio, Recipes, Religion, Resorts, Reviews, Sarangani, Shenzhen, Shopping, Sindangan, Singapore, Society, SoSCksargen, South Cotabato, Sports, Style, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacurong, Tangub City, Tawi Tawi, Technology, Television, Tourism, Travel, United States of America, Videos, Visayas, Weddings, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga Sibugay

It still feels a bit surreal, truth be told. Winning the 2013 Mindanao Blogger Of The Year award and the Best Lifestyle Blog award during the Mindanao Blog Awards 2013 held last October 26, 2013 in Davao City was the farthest thing from my mind. I was there to meet my blogger friends, have a good time, maybe drink a cocktail or two and cheer for other finalists. My mindset that night was (and I actually wrote this days before the finals): Win or lose, you are a champ. What's important is that you did your best in letting more people understand and appreciate the power of social media and blogging in sparking more conversations, making better communities and harnessing better understanding. Social good, folks. Only the good. So when my name was called, you could just imagine my shock. Yup...