- The Gavel
- Jan 20
PURSIGIDO si Konsehal Roger Abaday, chairman sa komite sa public safety sa konseho, nga mataoran gayod sa CCTV ang tanang barangay ning syudad alang sa pagmentinar sa kahusay ug kalinaw ug mas dali nga kasulbararan sa mga krimen.
Sa tigom sa komite sa public safety sa milabayng Huwebes, gipasabot sa konsehal mahinungdanon kaayo CCTV ordinance tungod kay dako kaayo kini og ikatabang nga mapugngan ang krimen ingon man mapalapdan ang kampanya sa kahusay ug kalinaw.
Hinoon ang representante sa Office of the Building Official (OBO) mibutyag nga sa ilang bahin ila na gayod gi-require ang tanang establisamento nga galokat sa building permit pag-instalar sa CCTV, ma-pribado man o publikong gambalay.
Sa iyang bahin, si Acting City Police Director Dexter Paje mibutyag nga pabor siya sa maong balaodnon gumikan kay dako kini nga tabang diha sa mga imbestigasyon labina sa back tracking ug alang sa daling pagtumbok sa mga suspetsado.
Sumala ni Abaday aduna nay mga barangay nga naka-instalar og CCTV apan ang problema niini mao ang maintenance ug monitoring hinungdan nga kinahanglan mapalabang gayod ang ordinansa sa labing dali nga panahon.
Niini, giduso ni Konsehal Abaday ang maong sugyot balaodnon ngadto sa City Legal Office alang sa ilang opinyon. (JRG/SP/Photos by Councilor Abaday FB page)
The City Social Welfare and Development Department–Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (CSWD-OSCA) issued the updated guidelines on the use of senior citizen purchase booklets to ensure that the directives from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (DOH) are adhered, Councilor Gilda O. Go said.
According to Go, City Council senior citizens committee chair, this will streamline the implementation of Republic Act No. 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act.
“These guidelines are meant to protect the rights of our senior citizens while also guiding establishments on the proper application of discounts and exemptions,” Councilor Go remarked, urging both seniors and business owners to be well-informed.
According to CSWD-OSCA, through OSCA Head Capt. Douglas Dabatian, senior citizens are required to present both their senior citizen grocery booklet and valid senior citizen ID to avail of the five percent (5%) special discount for basic necessities and prime commodities.
The booklet will also be used to monitor the weekly purchase limit, which is set at a maximum discount of ₱65 for every ₱1,300 worth of purchases per week.
For the purchase of medicines and medical devices, the presentation of the purchase booklet is no longer required to avail of the twenty percent (20%) discount and VAT exemption.
However, senior citizens must still present a valid Senior Citizen ID or any government-issued ID indicating their age. A doctor’s prescription remains mandatory for medicines that require one, in accordance with the 2024–2025 DOH and FDA directives.
For dining, transportation, and professional services, the purchase booklet is likewise no longer required. Senior citizens may already be eligible for a twenty percent (20%) discount and VAT exemption upon presentation of their Senior Citizen ID.
Councilor Go encouraged senior citizens and establishments to strictly comply with the updated guidelines to avoid confusion and ensure that benefits are properly granted.
For further information and clarification, the public is advised to visit OSCA or coordinate with the National Commission on Senior Citizens. (JAO/SP)
- The Gavel
- Jan 16
THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro showed its Kagay-anon hospitality to the distinguished European Union (EU) Ambassadors and delegates through a welcome dinner held January 14, 2026 at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel.
The visiting delegation was led by H.E. Ambassador Massimo Santoro, European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, together with the following ambassadors: H.E. Ambassador Dr. Titanilla Tòth – Embassy of Hungary; H.E. Ambassador Raduta Dana Matache – Embassy of Romania; H.E. Ambassador Marielle Geraedts – Embassy of the Netherlands; H.E. Ambassador Dr. Johan Brieger – Embassy of Austria; H.E. Ambassador Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin – Embassy of Denmark; and H.E. Ambassador Dr. Andreas Pfaffernoschke – Embassy of Germany.
H.E. Ambassador Marie Fontanel – Embassy of France, H.E. Ambassador Karel Hejc – Embassy of the Czech Republic, H.E. Ambassador Davide Giglio – Embassy of Italy, H.E. Ambassador Emma Hickey – Embassy of Ireland, H.E. Ambassador Saija Nurminen – Embassy of Finland, H.E. Ambassador Anna Ferry – Embassy of Sweden, H.E. Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova – Embassy of Belgium, Ms. Anna Krzak-Danel – Embassy of Poland, and Mr. Pedro Llinas – Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Spain were also present.
The ambassadors were accompanied by their spouses and key EU delegation officials, including Deputy Head of Mission Agata Nowicka, Political Officer Frederic Grillet, Programme Managers Alicia Louro Peña and Alix Wurdak, and Protocol Officer Michiko Quinto.
The visit aimed to strengthen ties between the EU and the city through meaning-making and discussions on areas such as governance, trade and investment opportunities, and collaboration in addressing Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) through the tri-city justice system and the Special Justice Zone initiative.
CdeO's inclusion among the 20 cities in the Philippines being considered for potential EU cooperation is seen to open more opportunities for partnerships, technical exchanges, and development projects.
VM Bebot described the visit as a historic and significant step toward deepening diplomatic relations and advancing inclusive and sustainable growth for the city and its constituents. (JDO/SP)
