CdeO LGBTQ federation celebrates Pride Month, vows to fortify community

BY FRANCK DICK ROSETE

Jun 26, 2023 07:51 AM

  

---

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The newly-created Cagayan de Oro City LGBTQ+ Federation vowed to strengthen its community in the face of discrimination its members continue to experience, stressing that there are still a lot of programs that need to be pursued.

CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy waves a rainbow flag to express his support to the LGBTQ+ community during the city’s Pride Month celebration at the Amphitheater, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, on Saturday, June 24. (Photo courtesy of Rod Constantino, Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)

Barbie Neri, first president of the Cagayan de Oro LGBTQ+ Federation, said the creation of the organization is not enough without local laws that would protect the community, saying that the federation should be "indispensable."

"Meaning, we should not just vanish or be defeated by any administration that would lead the city," said Neri during the Pride Month celebration here at the Amphitheater, Divisoria, on Saturday, June 24.

The city, Neri said, should also pass an ordinance that would provide enough budget for the programs and livelihood of the LGBTQ+ community.

"Having an organization is not enough without funding from the local government unit," she said in vernacular.

MEMBERS and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community march in Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, holding a long rainbow flag in line with the city’s Pride Month celebration on Saturday, June 24. (Photo courtesy of Rod Constantino, Cagayan de Oro City Information Office)

On Aug. 10, 2020, the 19th city council passed City Ordinance No. 13941-2020, also known as the "Cagayan de Oro City Diversity and Equality Ordinance." It aims to eliminate all forms of discrimination, where discriminatory practices as defined in the said law shall be proscribed and penalized.

The city, under the said ordinance, shall also actively and progressively develop and implement programs, projects, and other initiatives to promote diversity and equality.

City Mayor Roland Uy issued Executive Order No. 106-2023 on May 15 creating the Cagayan de Oro City LGBTQ+ Federation to assist in promoting equality and diversity in the city. All of the barangays here were also directed to create their respective LGBTQ organizations.

On June 23, the very first set of officers of the said federation took their oath in front of Uy at the City Mayor’s Office.

Apart from strengthening the community’s protection and programs, the city’s LGBTQ+ federation also assured it will continue its branding as an independent and nonpartisan organization that is free from any political parties.

In his message, Uy vowed to continue his support for the LGBTQ community, and  urged the federation president to further strengthen the recognition of those LGBTQ members, especially those who are called Gandang Hari who are already unable to provide their talents because of their ages. 

"It’s pitiful to see a Gandang Hari. It’s like a withered leaf, where no one won’t take care of them," Uy said in vernacular, stressing the contributions of those old LGBTQ members in the city during their younger years.

During his incumbency as Carmen village chief, Uy organized three LGBTQ organizations in the said barangay — Gandang Hari, Gays on the Go, and Unique on the Go — to show his support to the community.

Many members and supporters of the LGBTQ community conducted a Pride march also on Saturday from Rodelsa Circle here, going to Kagay-an Bridge and Amphitheater as their final destination for the main program.

Various services have been conducted in line with the celebration, such as HIV testing, free check-ups, scholarship offerings, city vet services, and pet adoption. Several Drag Queens in the city also put laughter on the Kagay-anons’ faces as they showcased their colorful dance performances.

On June 29, there will be a mini job fair at the Amphitheater in relation to the Pride Month celebration.

Northern Mindanao transport group not joining week-long nationwide transport strike

by Franck Dick Rosete

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY –- The National Confederation of Transport Union (NCTU) Northern Mindanao has decided not to join the scheduled weeklong nationwide transport strike starting on Monday, March 6.

The NCTU has earlier said it would join the nationwide transport strike as its way to express their opposition to franchise consolidation and traditional jeepney phaseout.

In a sudden change of heart, the transport group decided not to join anymore but did not cite reasons for its decision. 

However, NCTU Northern Mindanao coordinator Joel Gabatan said in a phone interview on Saturday, March 4, that despite their nonparticipation, the NCTU Northern Mindanao still called on the national government to address various concerns of the jeepney operators pertaining to the franchise consolidation that is part of the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) extended the franchise consolidation deadline until the end of this year.

Gabatan said there were jeepney operators who are also cooperative members who voiced concerns because of the expensive fees and the fear to raise concerns due to the possible consequences.

“Pagmureklamo sila ignon dayon nga i-drop imong franchise ilabi na nga naka-consolidate naka; kay paghuman consolidate, ang tag-iya ana ang coop na (If they complained, they would say they will drop the franchise, especially that they were already consolidated; because after consolidation, the owner will be the cooperative),” Gabatan said. 

The NTCU regional coordinator said this could be the reason why there were still several jeepney drivers and operators who were not in favor of the consolidation.

Aminoden Guro, LTFRB Region 10 director, advised members of transport cooperatives to directly report their concerns or complaints about their management to the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA).

“Para and CDA na ang musita ana nga ccoperaive nga ngano dili mo gasunod sa inyong balaod (So that the CDA would be the one to call out that cooperative asking why you’re not following your rules),” Guro said in a separate phone interview with the Manila Bulletin on Saturday.

Guro underscored the importance of consolidating the individual jeepney operators in order to have better fleet management in the transportation system.

The LTFRB-10 director said 98% of the PUVs in the region have already formed into cooperatives and consolidated their franchises.

Despite the extension of the franchise consolidation deadline, the planned transport strike next week will still continue, said Manibela chairman Mar Valbuena. 

During the public hearing Thursday, March 2, the Senate Committee on Public Services chaired by Senator Grace Poe urged the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the LTFRB to fix their problem first before providing a deadline.

The LTFRB previously set a March deadline for the traditional jeepney consolidation, but it was extended on June 30 as many transport groups objected.

Meanwhile, the Northern Mindanao Federation of Transport Service Cooperative (NOMFEDTRASCO) also expressed opposition towards nationwide transport strikes.

The NOMFEDTRASCO said its members already consolidated their franchises and voiced support for the public utility vehicle modernization program of the government.

“There were 20 transport service cooperative members that already have operational modernized units that is 45 percent of the total membership,” it said in a statement released on March 1.

The group stressed that the implementation of nationwide transport strike could prejudice the right of the riding public to access public transportation and could deplete the purpose of the PUVMP.

The said transport federation has almost fifty (50) transport cooperatives from the five provinces in the Northern Mindanao region.

Just in case there is transportation paralysis, the LTFRB regional office 10 secured its contingency plans by coordinating with the transport groups and transport corporations to have their buses offer ‘Libreng Sakay’ to government employees, barangay workers, and students, among others.

“This office assures the public that in case of strike, it is ready to fill the routes affected by the said strike and is prepared to cushion the effects of the strikes of transport groups,” the LTFRB-10 said.

 

Job seekers urged to get ready for job fair in Cagayan de Oro

by Franck Dick Rosete

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Tourism Region 10 (DOT-10) and the Department of Labor and Employment Region 10 (DOLE-10) are urging all job seekers in the region to get ready as they will launch the ‘Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso!’ Philippine Tourism Job Fair Northern Mindanao leg on March 30 and March 31 this year at the Limketkai Atrium in this city.

The DOT-10 said the activity is primarily intended to bridge employment opportunities for the tourism industry and revitalize its workforce to recover from the losses during the pandemic.

Marie Elaine Unchuan, Department of Tourism Region 10 director, answers questions from the media during the “Trabaho, Turismo, Asenso!” Philippine Tourism Job Fair Northern Mindanao leg Press Conference at one of hotels in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, Feb. 28.
(Photo courtesy of Franck Dick Rosete, Manila Bulletin)

Marie Elaine Unchuan, DOT-10 director, said in a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 28 that the DOLE-10 will provide a link for the online registration prior to the activity, but she said they will still accept walk-in applicants. 

There will be 50 booths at the upcoming event and the said government agencies are hoping the booths will be occupied by the different employers in the region as they are targeting 50 employers and at least 500 jobs.

The DOT-10 will also designate an area for some tourism-related enterprises that are only looking for two to three employees.

“That is why we really need your [media] help so this reaches all of our areas in our region; so that those who are looking for job, and/or displaced or new students or graduates for TESDA can avail for this opportunity,” Unchuan said.

The regional offices of DOT and DOLE have already coordinated to the different Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) in the local government units (LGUs) to collect pertinent job posting information from partner establishments, verify their credibility, and supervise them while adhering to the established guidelines set by the agencies.

ADVERTISEMENT

The collaboration has been stipulated under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma on Aug. 30 last year.

Albert Gutib, DOLE-10 director, said the upcoming 2-day activity will be the only job fair so far in the region. However, for job seekers in some parts of Northern Mindanao may visit Cagayan de Oro to participate or their respective PESO.

“The job vacancies that will be generated in this job fair will also be shared with our public employment service offices so that they have information and they can provide referrals to the job seekers in the province who are unable to go to Cagayan de Oro,” Gutib said.

Unchuan added that the DOT-10 also encourages its tourism officers from different provinces, cities and municipalities in the region to get the list of their job seekers.

“Just in case they cannot make it, we’re also looking at trying to arrange online interviews so that they can also get the opportunities of course if they are qualified for the jobs that are available,” she said.

The DOT-10 director said that they also invited other government agencies to the upcoming event so that it would be easy for the applicants to get their necessary requirements, as the DOT-10 and DOLE-10 are aiming for ‘hired on the spot.’

Several tourism-related job opportunities will be available for the upcoming job fair, including positions in administration, accounting, marketing, human resource, front office, support staff, MICE operators, food and beverages, kitchen or food production, and housekeeping.

Job applicants should prepare their resume, application letter, 2×2 ID picture, and additional copies of each item if they intend to apply for several companies and positions.

Gutib and Unchuan both stressed that providing employment, not just in tourism but in all industries, has a vital role in boosting the economy which is significant in improving the lives of the people by having various job opportunities.

Commuters asked to identify taxis collecting excessive fares in Cagayan de Oro City

by Franck Dick Rosete

A law enforcer from the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board of Northern Mindanao (LTFRB-10) inspects a taxi vehicle along Macabalan Port of Cagayan de Oro on February 24, 2023, over the alleged over-charging of fare rates and contracting of passengers. (Photo courtesy of LTFRB Region 10)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board of Northern Mindanao (LTFRB-10) has asked the commuters to report any irregularities committed by taxi drivers here.

The LTFRB-Reg. 10, in its Facebook post, said that details including plate number, operator’s name, trade name and the body number of the taxi must be taken should any passenger find any irregularity being committed by a taxi driver.

The agency issued the reminders amid allegations that numerous taxis, particularly in the Macabalan Port of Cagayan de Oro, were either over-charging their fare rates or resorting to a practice of ‘contracting’ the passengers instead of using meters.

ADVERTISEMENT

LTFRB-10 director Aminoden Guro said the agency did receive complaints from commuters who were victimized by scrupulous taxi drivers.

The agency also said it had received a resolution from the city council urging LTFRB-10 to solve the matter.

Councilor James Judith II, during the regular session of the city council on Jan. 30, presented his special report on the alleged over-charging of fare rates and contracting of passengers in Macabalan port.

Judith said that drivers in various public utility vehicles (PUV) in Macabalan port refused passengers who are not in favor of their fare contract.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Kung dili nato ni masumpo, makahatag baya ni og kadaot sa kadungganan ug imahen sa atong dakbayan (If we failed to solve this, it would bring damage to the reputation and image to our city),” said Judith.

“Maka-ingon ang atong mga bisita, asa naman ang giingon nga dakbayan sa bulawanong panaghigalaay (Our visitors would say, where is the so-called city

Jeannette Solas, a resident here, said a taxi driver asked for a fare amounting to around P400-P600 just for Barangay Nazareth destination.

“Giingnan nakog metro ra boss dili musugot. Ingnan pa kag “wala kay masakyan diha dam nga musugot og metro. Sige na dam ulan bya mangabasa mo (I said just use the (taxi) meter, Boss. He refused. And I was told “You cannot find a (public utility) vehicle there, Madam. Just go for it. It’s raining, you all get wet),” Solas said in her comment on LTFRB-10’s post pertaining to the inspection it conducted in Macabalan port.

Apart from the inspection in Macabalan port, the LTFRB-10 also conducted inspections on taxi drivers in the Cogon area here on complaints about taxi drivers refusing passengers.

A taxi or any PUV under the jurisdiction of LTFRB may be meted with a fine of P5000 in first offense if found to be over-charging or refusing passengers,  P10,000 in second offense and P15,000 in third offense.