PIA-Caraga

PIA News Service - Friday, January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T03:24:00.000-08:00

Agusan del Sur information network expanded

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- The Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) started to expand its information network with the conduct of a two-day training on basic communication skills with designated department information officers as participants in order to equip them with knowledge on how to communicate their respective programs and accomplishments to satisfy the need of the Agusanons to know what the provincial government is doing.

According to Provincial Public Information Officer Alfredo Plaza, the two-day seminar workshop aims to improve the performance of the various offices through effective, credible and attainable information programs. It will also ensure to provide timely, relevant and adequate development-oriented information to the media, local government units and the general public.

“Aside from those I mentioned, we believe the training will enable our department information officers establish a good media relations through information related activities among practicing journalists. The training will also equip the participants promote the provincial government’s development thrust through tri-media facilities and assist in the facilitation of the creation of PGAS information linkages with various sectors and NGO’s in the community, while maintaining linkages with media, municipal government offices and national government agencies,” Plaza said.

Not only data gathering as materials for information or news releases were taught to the participants. Demonstration on video production and camera handling were also introduced in order that the participants will have knowledge to produce raw materials to feed to NBN Agusan del Sur for television release. Together, basic news writing for radio, TV and print were also introduced in order to deliver comprehensive information to wider scope.

While skills on basic media practices were introduced, communication planning on specific communication problems within the participants’ offices were demonstrated so that specific solutions and messages can be applied to address the communication problem.

“This is just an initial move to expand the PGAS communication network. Following this will be almost the same training that we will conduct for the municipal and barangay information officers in order that we can maximize the delivery of information that our people are craving,” Plaza said. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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LGUs undergo Best Practices Documentation Writeshop for Ecological Tourism Roadmap

by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga Regional Office, in partnership with the Local Government Academy and Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo, conducted a two-day workshop dubbed as “Best Practices Documentation Writeshop: Ecological Tourism Roadmap of Caraga in Focus” on January 25-26, 2012 at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

Seventy participants from 20 pre-identified local government units with potential best practices on ecotourism that are replicable attended the said workshop which consists of Designated LGU Best Documenters, LGU Tourism Officers/Designate, City /Municipal Local Government Operations Officers, partners from the Academe, representatives from partner CSOs and respresentatives from partner NGAs.

The purpose of the writeshop is to capacitate LGU documenters and equip them with necessary skills in the proper documentation of best practices using the GO-FAR template. It also aims to enhance the skills of LGU tourism officers/designate in the preparation of advocacy materials on ecotourism.

During her opening remarks, DILG Assistant Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion said that replication of best practices is considered an effective strategy of local government units in the area of good governance. It helps the LGUs achieve effective delivery of basic services as well as achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other national awards and recognitions.

“The substantivity of replication of best practices depends on the wealth of information the LGUs can give in their documentation,” she said.

The DILG is here to assist the LGUs come up with proper documentation of their Best Practices especially in the area of ecotourism,” she added.

During the writeshop, the participants were briefed on the Relevant Environmental Laws on EcoTourism and the Guidelines in Documenting Best Practices. They were also given inputs on the Preparation of Advocacy Materials particularly on Branding Guidelines and Using Catchy Tag Lines to give impact to their next best practices documentation.

Jimmy P. Abayon of the Tourism Office of Compostella Valley shared ComVal’s Best Practices on tourism projects. He shared tips on documenting and packaging best practices to make them more appealing to the readers.

Rommel M. Oribe of the Department of Trade and Industry discussed the topic on Technical Writing to guide the participants to use simple, direct but concise words in documenting best practices to be able to convey the message clearly to the targeted audiences like the general public. He said that the words used especially in documenting best practices should leave no room for imagination to the recipients so the language used must be plain and in layman’s terms.

The writeshop also paved the way for some LGUs to showcase their Best Practice Documents and Advocacy Materials through the Gallery Display and the LGU which bested the other contingents is the Municipality of Esperanza.

A number of LGUs in Caraga Region have already demonstrated good local governance performance particularly on ecological concerns. Replication among LGUs is a powerful tool for development and increase the popularization of good practices in ecological solid waste management and climate change adaptation as well as on replicable ecotourism practices. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)

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Caraganon OFWs confident to make well-informed decisions after attending PDOS

by Ritchel F. Molero

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- More than 200 Caraganon-Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), especially the Household Service Workers, are ready to make well-informed decisions and are equipped with skills necessary for their work abroad after joining the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) 4-day Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS).

According to OFW Emily Villarin, a PDOS participant under the 7th batch, she can not deny the fact that she felt fear after she learned the realities and hardships in working abroad. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t stop her from working in Dubai as Household Service Worker.

“For me, the learning I gained at PDOS is a double edged weapon. It causes me to fear but it also gives me confidence that in times of difficulties and problems I can make well-informed decisions,” Villarin stressed.

The Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar aims to guide, clarify and equip the Caraganon Household Service Workers abroad regarding but not limited to the following: reality check, values reintegration, basic understanding regarding contracts, knowing your rights, HIV, STI and STD prevention, OWWA’s programs and services, language and culture in the Middle East, saving for the future, what to bring, do’s and don’ts, among others.

During the past few years, it has been observed that most of the Caraganon-OFWs were obliged by their agencies to attend PDOS in the country’s key cities like Cebu, Davao and Manila which is very costly and hassle for the OFWs and their families.

In response, OWWA-Caraga headed by Officer-in-Charge Marieta A. Lumawag, lobbied to conduct PDOS in Butuan City and has officially produced 27 graduates from its First Batch of PDOS participants on September 9, 2011.

Meanwhile, on January 27, 2012 another Thirty-eight (38) HHSW are set to receive their Certificate of Completion from OWWA after finishing the 1-day Orientation Seminar and 3-day Language and Culture Training of the Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)

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DPWH-Siargao pushes Osmeña-Dapa flood control completion

by Michael O. Conte

DAPA, Surigao del Norte, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- The Department of Public Works and Highways-Siargao District Engineering Office (DPWH-SDEO) is pushing the completion of the 5.29-kilometer Osmeña-Dapa Flood Control project in Dapa, Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte this year as part of the government’s effort to address flood prevention and disaster mitigation in the district.

In a statement, Assistant District Engineer Rodulfo A. Libay said that “the government has already allotted P15 million for the completion of the facility.”

DPWH has to construct the remaining 1.25-kilometer length of flood control to complete the project.

“Not only the travelling public, residents of Barangays Osmeña and Consuleo will benefit this project but also the national agency offices like the NFA, new TESDA-Siargao Livelihood Training Center, LTO, and DepEd,” said Libay.

The project is aimed to prevent flooding during heavy rains along kilometer 2-7 in Dapa-General Luna road and the villages nearby. (DPWH-Siargao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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115 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Surigao Sur to get capital assistance from DSWD

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 27 (PIA) -- Six Self-Employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran (SEA-K) associations consisting of 115 Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Lingig town, this province are set to receive capital assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Region Field Office under Sustainable Livelihood Program/Self-employment Assistance sa Kaunlaran.

To be spearheaded by DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat, the turn-over of check is scheduled on the first week of February at the municipal gymnasium. However, Jabagat did not indicate the worth of the cheque.

Also, Gov. Johnny Pimentel is expected to give his inspirational message on said event.
Both 2nd District Cong. Florencio Garay and Lingig Mayor Henry Dano, along with some local government officials are also expected to grace the occasion. (Radyo Ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)

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Cebuano News: Aquino gipangunahan ang Arangkada Philippines Forum

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 27 (PIA) -– Gipangunahan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang Arangkada (accelerate) Philippines Forum kagahapong adlawa, Huwebes didto sa Grand Ballroom sa Mariott Hotel, Pasay City.

Ang Arangkada Philippines usa ka papel sa komprehensibong adbokasiya nga naghatag og rekomendasyon nga miresulta sa pagkamugna sa US$75 bilyones dolyares nga bag-ong langyaw’ng puhunan, 10 milyon nga mga trabaho ug mosobra sa P1-trilyon ka pesos nga buhis alang sa ekonomiya sa Pilipinas sulod karon nga dekada.

Gipasiugdahan sa Joint Foreign Chambers, ang Arangkada Philipines mibanabana nga, aron makab-ot kini nga mga resulta, ang nasod kinahanglan mopokus sa paspas nga kalamboan sa Seven Big Winner Sectors nga mao ang agribusiness, business process outsourcing, creative industries, infrasture, manufacturing and logistics, mining and tourism.

Sa iyang mensahe, ang Pangulo miingon nga bisan kining pito ka mga sector parte sa iyang plataporma niadtong kampanya Presidensyal 2010, ang iyang panggobyerno magapokus sa tulo – agribusiness, imprastruktura ug turismo – diin makabenipisyo niini ang katawhang Filipino.

“The Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFCP), acting in solidarity with our agenda of national transformation, has graciously conducted a study on how to accelerate investments and economic growth, and create jobs in the country,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“The Arangkada study mentioned seven promising sectors. Some in the audience may recall that these same seven sectors were part of my platform during the 2010 election campaign. They represent the global competitive advantage of the Philippines. They are primary areas of growth that can create millions of jobs for our economy and potentially change the tragic paradigm of poverty afflicting too many of our citizens,” sa iyang pagpasabot.

Ang Pangulo mitumbok nga ang pagpokus ngadto sa kalamboan sa nasangpit nga tulo ka mga sektor nahisubay sa adbokasiya sa iyang pangagamhanan nga “ equitable progress and inclusive growth.”

“The driving principle behind my government has always been equitable progress and inclusive growth, and we believe that the success of these three sectors-- tourism, infrastructure, and agriculture-- redound to the benefit of the common Filipino,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“They offer immediate opportunities to those in the margins: those who live in poverty; who are in the rural areas; who, by a systemic neglect of their dignity, have been disallowed more active participation in the national economy. These are the same people who are being targeted by our investments in social services such as education, health, and community development,” siya midugang.

Ang Pangulo mipadayag og paglaom nga pinaagi niining sumbanan sa paglambo, ang mga Filipino maka “reap the profits of our efforts and become skilled, healthy, empowered individuals.”

“They will be the ones to spur the entire economy forward-- consumers who will allow businesses to thrive; experts who will fuel the growth of BPO companies; award-winners in our creative industries; not only production-line workers, but also engineers and managers,” matud pa sa Pangulo. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Thursday, January 26, 2012

2012-01-26T00:46:00.000-08:00

Surigao Sur Agriculture office keen on knowing cause for lean harvest

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- The Office of the Provincial Agriculturists (OPAG) in Surigao del Sur is keen on knowing the cause of drop in rice and corn production here last year.

According to Quico, the comparative data on major agricultural performance for 2011 revealed that rice production had gone down to 114,030 metric tons from 139,001 metric tons in 2010.

However, he stressed that the area planted and harvested have also been reduced to 33,859 hectares from the previous 35,272 hectares.

Quico said that the same has happened with corn production.

Thus, for calendar year 2011, the province has only produced 6,860 metric tons of corn from a previous harvest of 14,081 metric tons or a 48.70 percent change.

In 2011, only 5,226 hectares had been planted with corn as compared to the previous year with 6,122 hectares. (Radyo Ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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Economic boom in Caraga seen

SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- Full economic activity is seen beginning this year in the Northeastern Mindanao as both foreign and domestic investors in agricultural, industrial, mining and tourism industries are already in place in the region’s five provinces and six cities.

After signing a memorandum of understanding, a Japanese business group is already in close coordination with a local construction company in Butuan City for the establishment of multi-million-peso run-to-river mini-hydro power plants. City officials, led by Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr., have already given the green light for the project.

Some Koreans and Chinese business groups including domestic businessmen have already started operating their agricultural plantation in the city of Butuan and the province of Agusan del Norte with close to 50,000 hectares open for co-management with the local government unit and business group or individual.

One of the country’s three top companies also inked their memorandum of understanding with a mining company at Nonoc here for a major nickel mining operation. The company investment of some $2.5 billion is expected to generate 8,000 new jobs. The city government of Surigao led by Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas is already extending assistance for the commencement of the mining operation.

The city government of Surigao also started their P500 million Surigao City “Agri-Fisheries and Agro-Industrial Development Program” for 2012-2016 where an estimated 10,000 farmers will be benefited. This program is also open to different business groups, both foreign and domestic.

Multi-billion dollars’ worth of mining investments of foreign and domestic business groups in Claver and other towns in Surigao del Norte and also in Surigao del Sur are in full swing this year, generating at least 20,000 new jobs and additional revenues for the local government units.

Just recently, officials and technical men from the Korean government, assisted by Region XIII Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca, per instruction of Environment Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, started surveying in Agusan del Sur for the establishment of a multi-million-peso wood pellets plant in the economic zone area of that province.

Aside from generating local employment and revenues, the establishment of this environment-friendly wood pellets plant is expected to bolster the solid waste management program and global warming and climate change mitigation programs of the government. The Koreans also intend to plant millions of agricultural tree seedlings in the wide areas in Agusan del Sur and neighboring areas. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)

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Electrification program for remote communities

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 26 (PIA) -- More households in far-flung communities are expected to benefit under the government’s Sitio Electrification Project (SEP) this year.

In the remote villages of Agusan del Norte and Butuan City alone, at least 1,466 household beneficiaries are being targeted to benefit under the SEP program in 2012.

The identified 36 sitios and puroks as household (connection) beneficiaries in Agusan del Norte and Butuan City as part of the P589.32 million SEP projects that will be part of the 833 sitios and puroks nationwide this year.

“We have already submitted these identified sitio and puroks to the National Electrification Administration (NEA) for approval and implementation for the year 2012 up to 2015,” said Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (Aneco) general manager Archetic Horacio T. Santos.

It was learned that the government had set aside P1.108 billion to hasten the implementation of two major electrification programs – the SEP and Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP).

President Benigno Aquino III has ordered Budget Secretary Florencio Abad for the release of the funds to the NEA to provide reliable electricity in the identified far-flung villages.

From the P1.1 billion fund, P518.92 million will be spent for the BLEP to improve electric services in 202 barangays (villages) nationwide, while P589.32 million will go to the SEP to connect 833 sitios to the nation’s power grid.

In Mindanao alone, NEA Engineering Division Director Jose Seguban Jr. said that in Mindanao alone, at least P250,181,104.61 are set to be released before the end of this month or early next month for the BLEP project.

Agusan del Sur has targeted 12 villages with funds amounting to P30,489,355.95 for the BLEP project.

For the SEP project, at least P87,210,400.76 is being allocated in Northeastern Mindanao or the Caraga Region.

The SEP and BLEP programs will allow the NEA to provide electricity to off-grid sitios and other un-electrified communities, as well as improve the delivery of basic services in the countryside so that power disruptions and other connection-related problems are prevented.

The government seeks to provide electricity to 2,341 villages, and to light up 32,441 sitios by 2015.

In the last quarter of 2011, upon supervision of NEA, various electric cooperatives energized at least 1, 154 sitios and puroks in Mindanao, and it is targeting another 376 sitios and puroks in 2012 in the southern island.

Meanwhile, massive reforestation activities are in the offing in the five component provinces of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) committed a partial financial package amounting to P49.6 million for the purpose.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje signed an agreement with ARMM newly-installed caretaker governor Mujiv Hataman last January 9 concerning the implementation of national government-bankrolled reforestation project in the autonomous region.

Hataman on Saturday said the P49.6 million fund will be used to reforest “2,500 hectares of denuded and open forestland” in the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan.

The DENR said the ARMM-shared sum is part a multi-billion-peso package for large-scale reforestation under the Aquino administration’s National Greening Program (NGP), which seeks to plant 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares of forestlands across the country by 2016.

As this developed, former ARMM Executive Secretary Naguib Sinarimbo lauded Paje for pursuing the earlier initiatives of the administration of ARMM acting Governor Ansaruddin Adiong that “gave impetus to greening campaign” in the region.

Sinarimbo said the Adiong government had put up last year a 300-hectare agro-reforestation project in Upi, Maguindanao, using a local fund and tapping the free services of Army soldiers and food-for-work rice assis-tance from the United Nations’ World Food Programme. (MUC with a report from Ali G. Macabalang)

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Cebuano news: Aquino gipangulohan ang inagurasyon sa mga pabalay alang sa mga biktima sa bagyo sa Cagayan de Oro City

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 26 (PIA) -– Gipadayag ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang iyang matinud-anong personal nga pasalig aron pagtuman sa iyang mga saad ngadto sa katawhan labi na kadtong apektado sa bagyong “Sendong” nga miigo sa Aminahang bahin sa Mindanao ulahing bahin niaging tuig sa dihang iyang gipangulohan ang inagurasyon sa mga housing units alang sa liboan ka apektadong mga residente.

Sa iyang mensahe atol sa “Shelter Build Activities” diin iyang gilusad ang Calaanan Relocation site didto sa Barangay Canito-an, Cagayan de Oro City, gipalaom ni Pangulong Aquino sa mga katawhan nga ang libreng mga pabalay nga ipanghatag ngadto sa mga biktima sa bagyo usa lang ka parte sa walay puas nga mga paningkamot sa administrasyong Aquino aron mapabalik ngadto sa normal ang mga kinabuhi sa katawhan nga nanimuyo didtong dapita.

“Gaya po ng ipinangako ng inyong gobyerno, matapos humagupit ang bagyong “Sendong” hindi natin hahayaang tuluyan kayong malugmok sa pagdurusa at kagipitan…. Mahigit isang buwan po ang nakalipas, nagtitipon tayo ngayon upang saksihan ang konkretong hakbang ng inyong pamahalaan upang tulungan ang mga nasalanta ng bagyo bIlang pagpapahalaga sa inyong tiwala at pagiging totoo sa aming mga binitawang salita,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“Titiyakin natin sa relokasyong ito, hindi mapapatid ang suporta ng inyong pamahalaan sa pagkakaloob ng mga kabuhayan at paghubog sa inyong magandang kinabukasan…talaga naman pong nakakamit natin ang tagumpay sa pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at ng pribadong sector,”siya midugang.

Ang Pangulo miingon usab nga ang gobyernong nasyunal, pinaagi sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), uban ang kooperasyon sa National Housing Authority ug mga pribadong sektor, maoy mialokar sa mokabat 200 milyones ka pesos alang sa pagtukod og mga balay alang sa mga biktima sa bagyo.

“Gamit ang DSWD Quick Response Fund… agad tayong naglaan ng mahigit dalawandaang milyong piso sa pagpapatayo ng permanenteng bahay sa Calaanan, nariyan din ang pag-agapay ng National Housing Authority at Habitat for Humanity upang tulungan ang mahigit walong libong pamilya na makapagtayo ng mga tahanan sa Lumbia, Balulang, Gusa, Idahag at Villanueva Misamis Oriental,” ang Pangulo mitumbok.

Siya namahayag og dugang nga ang pagtukod balik ug pagpaayo sa nagubang mga kalsada ug mga tulay gisugdan na. Lain pang mga imprastruktura ang gikonsiderar usab nga pagatukoron aron pagpakgang nga masubli pa ang maong makadaot nga mga panghitabo.

“Bukod pa rito, tinututukan na rin natin ang pagsasaayos ng mga inprastrakturang winasak ng bagyong Sendong, tuloy-tuloy din po ang paghahatid natin sa inyo ng mga pangunahing pangangailangan para maibalik sa normal ang inyong komunidad,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“Umpisa pa lamang po ito, iyong mga problema sa mga ilog po natin na talagang mabababaw na, nakaplano na po at gagawin na po ang mga imprastraktura tulad ng tinatawag na Sabo dam para talagang mabawasan yung dalubsok ng mga baha sa mga darating na panahon,” he added.

Giawhag sa Pangulo ang katawhan sa kanunay nga maigmaton ug sundon ang mga tambag sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga opisyales sa local nga pangagamhanan labi na panahon sa natural nga mga kalamidad.

“Paalala ko lang po, matuto na sana tayo sa ating mga kamalian at mga pagkukulang… huwag na sana tayong maging pasaway sabi nga ng iba… sumunod tayo sa ating mga kinauukulan sa panahon ng kalamidad at agarang lumikas sa banta ng sakuna,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“Inaasahan ko din sa mga pinuno na huwag nating kunsintihin ang mga katigasan ng ulo ng iilan ng kanilang sinasakupan,” sa iyang pagdugang.

Mitambong usab atol sa maong kalihukan ang dagkong mga opisyales sa gobyerno nga gipangulohan ni Vice President Jejomar C. Binay ug Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, Public Woks and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro ug Presidential Communications ug Operations Office Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr.

Sila giubanan usab sa mga opisyales sa lokal nga pangagamhanan lakip ni Cagayan de Oro Mayor Vicente Y. “Dongkoy” Enano, Representative Rufus Rodriguez ug Charlito Ayco, ang Managing Director ug CEO sa Habitat for Humanity Philippines. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, January 25, 2012

2012-01-25T03:09:00.000-08:00

Agusan del Sur blessed with support after calamities

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 25 (PIA) –- After calamities affected Agusan del Sur, people began to look for resources in order to recover what was lost.

Farmers rose and again prepared their fields for another agricultural challenge. The provincial government also did not waste time. Reports were submitted to concerned national government agencies seeking for assistance to recover.

Thus, a year ago, on January 2011, Department of Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala visited Agusan del Sur and handed over two farm tractors with an estimated cost of P4,800,000, four green houses worth P549,260, three computer with accessories worth P285,000, five pump engine sets worth P389,750, two open source pump worth P170,000, two power sprayers worth P80,000, 12 heads imported boer goats worth P936,000, 50 heads upgraded goats worth P400,000, 100 bags certified seeds worth P120,000, and 15 family drip irrigation worth P270,000.

Alcala also considered more than P800,000 for the soil survey and classification and land use assessment study for the agri-investment project in Agusan del Sur. Said amount will be subject for consideration also of DA-13 regional director Reinerio Belarmino.

The secretary also nodded when presented with the issue of funding support for the implementation of high value vegetables production worth P1 million. Another P6 million counterpart from DA for the establishment of liquid nitrogen plant was confirmed.

Specifically, for March 16 – September 15 2011 cropping season, Agusan del Sur received a 8,590 bags of certified seeds from Rapid Seeds Supply Financing Project phase 3, which were distributed to 5,448 rice farmers. The seeds were provided at 50:50 scheme where farmers would pay only P600.00 for each bag of certified seeds. The project was financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development through the Department of Agriculture.

On the other hand, the provincial government procured 3,740 bags of certified seeds purposely to rehabilitate damaged areas. The DA also funded another 3,740 bags as its counterpart for the rehabilitation program. A total of 7,480 bags were distributed to farmers.

Aside from certified seeds, Agusan del Sur also received inputs assistance under the DA’s Agri-Pinoy Rice Program. Among them are Well Grow Foliar Fertilizer, Zinc Sulphate and organic micronutrients. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Feature: Public-Private Partnership gains ground in Butuan City

In July 2011, Toyo University first brought the idea to the Butuan LGU about conducting a study on possible Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Butuan City.

Today, six months after that initial contact, Butuan City is attracting more and more interest from foreign investors who are willing to undertake projects in Butuan City under the PPP scheme.

Butuan City was the first target of the studies of the Toyo University PPP Graduate School outside of Japan. This was an initial step to the establishment of the Asian PPP Institute (APPPI), launched in Tokyo on November 15, 2011.

APPPI Director and professor Sam Tabuchi, together with 10 PPP graduate students, came to Butuan City in September 2011 to conduct their intensive field study on possible PPP projects for the city.

For one week, Tabuchi’s team visited proposed project sites such as Masao Port, Butuan Medical Center, and Langihan Public Market. Interviews were also conducted with representatives from the City Government and Regional Line agencies, the private business sector and the academe. The team concluded their visit with the presentation of their initial report to city officials and other stakeholders.

The final report “PPP Possibilities for the Future of Butuan City” was presented in Tokyo, Japan on November 2011 and attended by representatives from the region.

The Toyo University final report presented several areas where PPP can be applied in Butuan City. The report included recommendations in the field of agriculture, recycling, waste conversion, economic enterprise, and tourism.

One such recommendation is the mechanization of the agriculture industry to improve rice production. According to the report, Butuan City can recycle unused farming equipment from Japan such as the ones used in the town of Itakura, Gunma-ken, Japan. The report also highlighted the need to establish an Agricultural Cooperative which will address the needs of the Butuanon farmers.

Another noteworthy recommendation is the conversion of waste to energy or organic fertilizer. The Toyo PPP Team lauded Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr.’s program on Solid Waste Management and the implementation of waste segregation at the household level through the “Clean Gorund, Zero Waste” program of the City Government. This particular field drew the interest of several Japanese companies and pushed them to pursue investment talks with Butuanon entities.

After the presentation, Toyo University signed a Memorandum of Understanding for future collaboration with Father Saturnino Urios University, Caraga State University and Saint Joseph Institute of Technology.

The Philippine Investment Environment Seminar also followed suit where investment opportunities in Butuan City were presented to representatives from the Japanese business sector.

Following the release of the report and as recommended by Toyo University, Mayor Amante signed Executive Order No. 51 on December 29, 2011, creating Butuan City’s PPP Executive Team.

This is the first major step so that the local PPP efforts can move forward. The PPP Executive Team is tasked to “initiate, catalyze, conceptualize, systematize, steer, coordinate, and oversee the dynamic pursuit of the economic agenda through PPP.”

And just last January 17-18, 2012, Tabuchi revisited Butuan City to check on the progress of the City Government in relation to the Toyo PPP report. He congratulated Mayor Amante on the creation of the PPP Executive Team, which made Butuan City the first LGU in the Philippines to do so.

To date, three Japanese companies have expressed interest to invest in Butuan City. A group of professors from Toyo University is also set to arrive on March 2012 to pursue the plans of offering a short course on PPP to local government workers and businessmen, in cooperation with FSUU, CSU, and SJIT.

With all these developments in Butuan City, Butuanons remain hopeful that Butuan can grow into a booming economic center in Mindanao and relive its glorious past as a vital trading port in Asia. (Butuan CMO-PIO)

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NYC urges youth to make their voices heard through the 9th Parliament of Youth Leaders

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- “We need your voice! Join us usher in change," said National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner Gio Tingson Thursday, marking the opening of the applications to the 9th Parliament of Youth Leaders.

With the theme “Revolutionizing Youth Development,” the parliament aims to formulate policy recommendations to address youth issues in the country. These recommendations are then lobbied to government leaders to be considered as proposed bills and administrative policies. It is important to note that during the event, participants also get to share ideas and gain valuable insights and networks to aid them in their youth development efforts.

Tingson, who heads this year’s National Youth Parliament (NYP) National Organizing Committee, said that this gathering is the perfect platform for all Filipino youth to get proactive.

“Ito na ang pagkakataon n’yo na makibahagi sa isa sa pinaka-importanteng proyektong pangkabataan ng pamahalaan kung saan ang boses natin ay maririnig sa paggawa ng mga policy recommendations para maging batas o polisiya. Ang Kabataang Filipino mula sa lahat ng rehiyon at sektor ay inaanyayahan ng NYC na sumali at makilahok (If you want change in the government – in our society – this is a great place to start. The Filipino youths of different religions and sector are enjoined to participate)," he said.

The Commission is also revamping the conduct of the parliament, making it more inclusive and youth-friendly. “We’ll do away with cosmetics like formal clothing and focus on the substance. You can show up in your jeans and rock star shirt, as long as active participation and involvement is there,” said Tingson.

Started in 1996, the NYP is slated to be held on the 1st week of May 2012. An estimate of two hundred (200) youth leaders representing different sectors and regions are expected to participate in this event.

Download the application forms at the NYC website (www.nyc.gov.ph) or get it from your nearest NYC area office. Following are the qualifications of NYP 9 applicants:

● Filipino citizen, aged 15 - 30 years old as of February 29, 2012;
● Residing at the place of representation for at least six (6) months at the time of submission;
● Must be a member of an organization;
● Of good moral character;
● Can contribute to the objectives of the 9th National Youth Parliament.

Deadline of sending of application is February 29, 2012. The NYC reminds that previous NYP delegates are no longer qualified to participate. Other details and requirements are posted on the NYP 9 application form, the NYC website and the NYC Facebook account. For more information, please e-mail nyp9@nyc.gov.ph or call (02) 416-2833, 416-3415, 413-5503 or 416-3570. (NYC/PIA-Caraga)

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Caraga police to promote 750 personnel

by Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 25 (PIA) -- Police Regional Office 13 (Caraga) is set to promote 750 of its police commissioned, non-commissioned officers and personnel in a massive ceremonial pinning of ranks rites during the traditional flag retreat ceremonies at the regional headquarters parade grounds on Friday afternoon, a regional police spokesman said.

Police Supt. Martin M. Gamba, chief public information officer of Police Regional Office said this is intended to be a morale booster to the police ranks. He said the police now implement its so-called “merit system” wherein those who are deserving appropriately receive their due, awards and promotions. While those who will be found to be misfits or rank scalawags will also be meted with appropriate sanctions, he said.

This years promotion program, according to Gamba will include police officers and personnel coming from: the Regional Headquarters (43); Butuan City Police Office (100); Agusan del Norte PPO (82); Agusan del Sur PPO (104); Surigao del Norte PPO (133); Surigao del Sur PPO (158) ; Dinagat Island Province PPO (20) and from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (47) which will total to 687.

A slot for 63 was also allotted to the National Support Units such as the Aviation Security Group, Maritime Police, CIDG, RIU, Crime Laboratory and other NSUs, he said.

Based on ranks, Gamba said that two (2) will be promoted to become Police Superintendents (Lieutenant Colonels); eleven (11) Police Chief Inspectors (Major); sixty-three (63) Police Senior Inspectors (Captains); thirteen (13) Senior Police Officers 4 (Master Sergeants); Senior Police Officers 3 (127); Senior Police Officers 2(39); Senior Police Officers 1(180); Police Officers 3(203) and Police Officers 2 (112).

According to the official, the rise by a notch higher from their previous status to their present ranks may mean an upgrade of the salaries and benefits of those who will be promoted. However, this may also set off a higher degree of expectations as to the dispositions of their respective duties and responsibilities commensurate to their newly attained ranks from the community, Gamba said. (PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano news: Aquino gi-instalar si Tan isip bag-ong Philippine Coast Guard Commandant

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 25 (PIA) –- Pormal nang gi-instalar ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III si Rear Admiral Edmund Castor Tan isip bag-ong Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant isip hulip kang Admiral Ramon C. Liwag atol sa seremonya nga gipahigayon didto sa PCG Headquarters sa Port Area, Manila kagahapong adlawa, Martes.

Sa iyang mensahe sa seremonya sa PCG Change of Command ug Retirement alang kang Admiral Liwag, ang Pangulo mipadayag sa iyang tim-os nga pagsalig sa abilidad, kaabtik ug dedikasyon sa bag-ong PCG Commandant nga ipadayon ang mga reporma nga gisugdan sa nag-una kaniya.

"Buo ang aking kumpyansa sa kakayahan, abilidad at dedikasyon sa serbisyo ni Admiral Tan at tiwala akong maitatawid niya ang Coast Guard sa isang maunlad at modernong daungan," ang Pangulo mingon.

Ang Pangulo, mipahinumdom kang Tan nga magpabiling porsigido sa paghimo sa iyang trabaho ug sa pagdumala sa iyang mga tawo.

"Kay Admiral Tan: huwag kang magpapahila sa tukso ng panlalamang. Naitalaga ka sa isang napakahalagang katungkulan dahil sa tiwalang kaya mong paglingkuran nang buong katapatan at dedikasyon ang sambayanang Pilipino. Huwag mo ring kakaligtaan ang kapakanan at pangangailangan ng iyong mga tauhan. Sila ang magiging katuwang mo sa pagtupad sa iyong sinumpaang tungkulin," siya miingon.

"Anumang ragasa ng pagsubok, mula man sa masasamang elemento hanggang sa mga sungit ng kalikasan, talagang hindi nagpatinag ang Coast Guard. Sa halip ang mga hamong ito ang nag-panday sa ating Tanod Baybayin upang maging mas matatag na sandigan ng kaligtasan at kapayapaan ng ating teritoryong pandagat," ang Pangulo miingon.

Si Pangulong Aquino miingon iyang gimando ang pagmugna og National Coast Watch Center aron motabang sa hintungdang mga ahensya aron abagan ang mga hagit sa maritime ug mga paghulga sa dagat.

"Ito mismo ang dahilan kung bakit sa tulong ng Philippine Navy matagumpay ang ating National Coast Watch Center at mas lalo pang umiigting ang ating mga operasyon laban sa mga banta ng terorismo, iligal na droga, pagpupuslit ng mga armas, human trafficking, iligal na pangingisda, pang-aabuso sa ating maritime environment, transnational crimes, at iba pang sumusubok sa seguridad ng ating bansa," siya miingon.

Sa iyang parte, si Tan misaad nga iyang palig-onon ang seguridad sa maritime, sa iyang pag-asumir sa iyang bag-ong puwesto isip ika 24th nga commandant sa PCG.

Sa iyang mensahe, si Tan miingon iyang sundon ang pasalig ni Pangulong Aquino nga iprayoridad ang seguridad sa maritime atubangan sa sa mga hagit ug mga hulga sa dagat.

"Time and again, our President has emphasized the government's firm commitment to prioritize maritime security in our country, especially in the face of maritime challenges and threats such as terrorism, transnational crimes, drug and firearms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, climate change, illegal fishing and marine environment degradation," si Tan miingon.

Si Tan misaad nga ang PCG mokoordinar sa Philippine National Police (PNP) ug sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa paghatag kalinaw ug prosperidad sa nasod.

Ang bag-ong instalar nga komandante usa ka gipasigarbong anak sa Dumaguete. Si Tan, nga gihimugso niadtong Disyembre 16, 1956, miyembro usab sa Philippine Military Academy “Mapitagan” Class of 1980.

Siya nakadawat na og ubay-ubay nga mga service ug national awards sama sa Coast Guard Legion of Honor, Coast Guard Outstanding Achievement Medal ug dili na maihap nga mga medalya sa katakos, mga pagdayeg ug mga plake. Siya gitugahan sa “2011 Ulirang Ama Award” sa National Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Foundation, Inc. alang ekselente niini sa Military ug Law Enforcement ug pagbaton sa mga ideyal sa modelong pagkaginikanan. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Aquino gipangulohan ang ground breaking alang sa bag-ong aviation school

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 25 (PIA) -– Gipangulohan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang ground breaking ceremonies alang sa pagtukod sa bag-ong aviation training center didto sa Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga kagahapong adlawa, Martes.

Ang Philippine Academy for Aviation Training, Incorporated (PAAT) usa ka hiniusang paningkamot tali sa Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) ug Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE).

Kung kini mahuman karong ikatulong kwarter sa 2012, kining maong $50-milyon nga PAAT adunay kapasidad nga mobansay sa mokabat 2,500 ka mga piloto matag tuig lakip usab ang lain pang mga aviation professionals alang sa CEB ug lain pang mga airlines sa rehiyon.

Sa iyang mensahe, gidayeg sa Pangulo ang hiniusang paningkamot sa CAE ug CEB uban sa pag-ingon nga ang maong patigayon sa makausa pa pagailhon ang talento, kahanas ug pagkamakugihon sa mga Filipino.

“It is always good to see the hard work and creativity of Filipinos being recognized by companies from in and out of the country; and today is further proof of the confidence companies like Cebu Pacific and CAE have in our people's talent and potential,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“You are expressing your confidence not just in words, but in dollars and cents—to the tune of forty to fifty million dollars,” siya midugang.

Ang Pangulo miingon nga human makumpleto ang maong pasilidad, ang mga Filipino mahatagan og tsansa aron mahasa ang ilang kahanas ug pagailhon isip usa sa pinaka maayong piloto sa tibuok kalibutan.

“Soon we will be able to train world-class pilots here; we will provide a whetstone that will hone yet another of our countrymen's many talents,” ang panglantaw sa Pangulo.

“They will come here and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with students from all over the world—effectively cementing our position as a hub for aviation training in the Asia-Pacific region,” sa iyang pagdugang.

Sa panapos nga mensahe sa Pangulo siya mikutlo sa bag-ong kampanya sa turismo sa Pilipinas ug miingon “In the spirit of the campaign recently launched by our Department of Tourism—we will soon be able to say that even aviation training is more fun in the Philippines.” (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Tabang pinasyal alang sa Brgy. Marcos gi-approbahan

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 25 (PIA) -- Mi-uyon ug gi-aprobahan ni Gobernador Erlpe John Amante, Bise Gobernador Enrico Corvera ug mga bokal sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa Barangay Marcos, Magallanes, ning probinsya ang paghatag og tabang pinansyal sa maong barangay.

Ang suporta nga nagkantidad og P184,000.00 pesos gamiton alang sa paghimo og drainage canal sa nagkalain-laing purok sa Barangay Marcos.

Ang insaktong kanal gikinahanglan ilabi na sa mga lugar diin dali ra bahaon kun ting-ulan. (JVDemain/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Permit fee alang sa videoke machine assemblers sa Cabadbaran gitakda

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 25 (PIA) -- Sukad karon gikinahanglan nang molokat og mayor’s permit ang tanang naga-assemble og videoke machine sulod sa syudad sa Cabadbaran ubos sa City Ordinance No. 2011-009.

Matud pa sa maong ordinansa nga gipangamahan ni SP Member Salutario B. Cuasito, usa ka libo ka pesos (P1,000.00) and permit fee aron legal kini’ng maghimo og videoke machine.

Pagamultahan kadtong dili magatuman niini.

Kini nga ordinansa gi-aprobahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa rekomendasyon ni Bokal James T. Reserva. (JOMellejor/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, January 24, 2012

2012-01-24T02:31:00.000-08:00

DA evaluates top performing rice-producing LGU

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- The National Search Committee from the Department of Agriculture (DA) visited Agusan del Sur today, Tuesday, to evaluate the provincial government in the national competition of the top performing rice producing LGU - provincial category, in the DA’s Best Agri Pinoy Rice Achievers Award.

“Although we were badly hit by the floods that occur on the first month of 2011, we are lucky enough to be given much attention and assistance by the Department of Agriculture with Sec. Proceso Alcala himself visiting the province right after the floods,” Deanna Fudalan, acting chief of the Provincial Agiriculture Office said.

Aside from awarding the best provincial rice-producing LGU, commendation will also be given to top performing municipal LGUs, top performer agricultural extension workers and irrigators association.

Agusan del Sur, who grabbed the regional award will vie for the national level, together with the municipality of Trento in the municipal level, Alfredo Gimang, also from Trento, for the Agricultural Extension Worker category, and the Boan Barangay Irrigation Development Association, Inc. Of the municipality of Rosario in the irrigators association.

Ten provinces, who will be chosen, will receive P4 million project grant each, while 50 municipalities in the municipal level will receive P1 million project grant each. On the other hand, the ten irrigators associations will also receive P1 Million project grant each while 500 Agricultural Extension Workers will receive P20,000 each cash awards.

Winners for the contest will be announced before the end of the first quarter of 2012. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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SP endorses Las Nieves’ request to Regional Development Council in Caraga

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan unanimously endorsed a municipal resolution from the Sangguniang Bayan of Las Nieves of this province to the chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) for the conversion of Mat-i, Ambacon, Pinan-an – Communal Irrigation Project (MAP-CIP) into a National Irrigation System under the National Irrigation Administration.

This is in support of the desire of Las Nieves officials to ensure the annual financial condition of the project.

MAP-CIP is an irrigation project in the municipality under the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and was already turned-over to the People’s Organization, purposely to the agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The project intends to boost the agricultural activities in this part of the region but the current status of its maintenance and operation is not so well-executed due to lack of financial capability.

“The fluctuating yield of the farmers due to unpredictable weather condition caused by the climate change occurrence need intervention of the national government,” SB Member Timoteo U. Largo, author of said resolution stressed.

He also said that conversion will bring in good harvest to thefarmers amid the unpredictable weather condition caused by the climate change. (FRJayoma/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cabadbaran City gov't to implement swine re-stocking

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- In support to the Swine Re-stocking Program, the Cabadbaran City government of this province recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 13 (DA-RFU 13) as way of giving authority to the City Agriculture’s Office (CAO) to sell pigs.

The City Agriculture’s Office already received one boar/male swine and two female swine. These are expected to produce more local swine stocks that will also help the city’s funds increase.

The city government of Cabadbaran called on the public who are interested to put up a business like this to visit the secretariat of CAO to assist them and learn more about how to start this kind of business.

It was also learned that a 45-day piglet can be sold at P1,800.00; 46-50 days piglet at P2,000.00; and 51 days old piglet at P120.00 per kilo.

With this, it will help the program be more efficient to the farmers and backyard swine raisers because of easier access of its resources and it also ensures additional income.

The City Ordinance No. 2011-035 authored by SP Raykito M. Kittilstvedt was approved by the Sanggunaing Panlalawigan through the Sanggunian Resolution No. 299-2011 by BM Ernie M. Ceniza. (MSMonoy/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano news: Water Discoloration sa Tago river, gikabalak-an sa mga katawhan

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Enero 24 (PIA) -- Nabalaka pag-ayo ang mga mag-uuma sa lungsod sa San Miguel ug Tago sa Surigao del Sur nga apektado sa pagkalubog sa maong suba nga nagsubay sa duha ka lungsod.

Nahibaloan nga ang nasangpit nga suba mao usab ang source sa Irrigation nga muhatag og igong patubig sa mga basakan.

Gikatingad-an og maayo kay sahi sa naandang kolor brown nga pagkalubog, karon mura og krema.

Sa usa ka local radio interview kang San Miguel Mayor Alfeo Perez, gikabutyag nga ang landslide nga 3-4 hectares sa upper barangay sa maong lungsod maoy hinungdan sa maong pagkalubog. Sumala pa sa Mayor, nga ang portion sa maong bukid nga na-landslide wala na kini mga kahoy.Nahibaloan nga sakop sa Barangay Bitaugan, San Miguel ang gikabutyag nga nag-landslide, sa milabayng pag-ulan-ulan.

Sa pagkakaron padayon ang mga masusing imbistigasyon nga gihimo sa mga ahensiya sa gobyerno kung unsa ang hinungdan niini kay kini dili ti-aw nga problema nga nakaapekto sa mga katawhan sa mga nasangpit nga mga lungsod. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Eco-friendly nickel plant to rise in Surigao

by Eugenio Lira, Jr.

SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 24 (PIA) -- An eco-friendly $2.5-billion nickel processing plant will soon rise in Nonoc Island after rehabilitation works of the mothballed nickel refinery will be completed following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between two giant corporations witnessed by local executives recently.

“The old nickel refinery owned by Philnico Mining Corporation will be rehabilitated by San Miguel Corporation, this year, which committed to replace it with a modern nickel plant using the electro-magnetic processing technology in extracting nickel ores. It’s eco-friendly for it does not use chemicals unlike decades ago,” City Mayor Ernesto Matugas said.

He said that on Jan. 4, San Miguel Corporation, represented by Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang, entered an MOU with Philnico President Evaristo Narvaez where it promised to undertake payment of $300 million in back taxes which the latter had owed to the Philippine government. The same was reached following an earlier buyout agreement for the nickel plant with the approval of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, he added.

Matugas said Surigao City will soon become one of the top earning local government units with an estimated USD 25 million in annual realty taxes, or approximately P1.075 billion, derived from one percent of the $2.5 billion refinery cost. The processing plant would operate on a 106-hectare property owned by the city government, he said.

“Once fully operational, the nickel refinery will employ about 6,000 skilled and non-skilled workers wherein, not less than 2,000 of which will be Surigaonons. Businesses in food, transportation and the like will definitely sprout in Nonoc Island and will also add employment opportunities for our people,” Matugas said.

The mayor said Ang committed to give $1.162 million, or approximately P50million, for the construction of an additional 800-meter runway at the Surigao City Airport to accommodate large aircrafts and the same will be deductible from the company’s tax obligation with the city government.

Aside from Ang and Narvaez, the MOU signing was also attended by Mayor Matugas and Rep. Francisco Matugas of Surigao del Norte’s first district. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Aquino, mideklara sa Enero matag tuig isip ‘Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month’

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 24 (PIA) -- Gideklara ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang bulan sa Enero matag tuig isip “Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month.”

Sa Proklamasyon No. 313 nga gipirmahan ni Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. niadtong Enero 12, 2012, si Pangulong Aquino mipagawas sa maong deklarasyon aron pagdasig sa publiko ug paggamit sa nitibo nga panapton sa nasod.

Ubos sa Akta Republika 9242 o nailhan nga Philippine Tropical Fabrics Law of 2004, ang tropical nga panapton nalatid isip kadtong nagbaton sa natural nga produktong tela, tinuyok, sinawalo o ginansilyo, ug ginama sa Pilipinas. Kini nga mga panapton maoy sagad gamiton alang sa mga uniporme sa mga opisyales sa gobyerno ug mga trabahante.

"The implementation of RA No. 9242 shall raise awareness on the utilization of natural fibers like pineapple, banana, abaca and Philippine silk for textile and allied products and bring about the revival and upgrading of the local textile and garments industries, thus redounding to the creation of livelihood in the agricultural and industrial sectors," matud sa Pangulo.

Ang Pangulo mitumbok nga ang Proklamasyon No. 86 (s. 2010) nagdeklara sa Enero 24, 2011 isip “Philippine Tropical Fabrics Day” ubos sa pagpanalipod sa Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) sa Department of Science and Technology (DOST) nga nakapadugang sa interes sa tropical fabrics sa mga local nga mga industriya.

Sa pagpagawas sa Proklamasyon No. 313, ang Pangulo mipasabot “the need to sustain the gains from the celebration of the first Philippine Tropical Fabrics Day and to engage a more active participation of government institutions and local industries on the use of Philippine Tropical Fabrics, as well as local natural fibers.” Gimandoan na ni Pangulong Aquino ang PTRI-DOST sa pagpanubay og mga pundo aron dumalahon ang selebrasyon.

Gimandoan usab niya ang PTRI-DOST sa pagseguro nga kinatibuk-ang pagtoon sa maayong paggamit sa local nga natural fibers magpadayon.

“All fabric producers, textile manufacturers, garments and geotextile industries, including the private sector, associations, institutions and the academe, are hereby enjoined to actively participate in the proper observance of the “Philippine Tropical Fabrics Month” and to partner with the government in bringing about an evolution of the Philippine textile industry as an emerging leader in the global textile market," matud pa ni Pangulong Aquino. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Monday, January 23, 2012

2012-01-24T02:27:00.000-08:00

Cebuano news: Surigao del Norte, magmontar og dugang reading hubs

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 23 (PIA) -- Magpatukod ang probinsyal nga panggamhanan sa Surigao del Norte og dugang reading hubs sa matag-munisipyo aron matabangan ang mga magtutungha pagkat-on sa epektibong pagbasa.

Sigon ni Gov. Sol Matugas, tinguha niya ang pagpalambo pa sa reading comprehension sa mga estudyante sa tibuok probinsya pinaagi sa pagpatukod og dugang reading hubs nga andam mahimong center of activity alang sa mga estudyante, magtutudlo ug mga researchers nga gustong mulantip pa ang ilang kahibalo.

Ang maong reading hub, duna na'y sulod nga speech laboratory.

Misaad usab ang babayeng gobernador nga palig-unon ang ubang mga programa sa Department of Education sama sa Alternative Learning System kon ALS, Parents Literacy/Livelihood Program diha sa mga tunghaan, Radio-based Instruction, Indigenous People Education Priogram, Balik Paaralan Para sa Out-of-School Adult, Education Behind Bars, Comprehensive Barangay Development Program apil na ang Barangayan og ang Literacy cum Livelihood.

Iya usab nga gidayeg ang inisyatibo ni Del Carmen Mayor Alfredo 'JR' Coro sa pagpatuman sa 'Kariton Library' diin ang mga estudyante, mahatagan og kahigayunan pagbasa sa ilang mga paboritong reading materials pinaagi sa mobile library. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Sunday, January 22, 2012

2012-01-23T05:20:00.000-08:00

Cebuano news: Re-classification sa yuta nga tukuran sa bag-ong kapitolyo nakuha na sa provincial government

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 22 (PIA) -- Gikompirma ni Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John M. Amante nga nakuha na sa provincial government ang re-classification sa yuta nga gikatakdang tukuran sa bag-ong Capitol Building sa Agusan del Norte sa barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran City gikan na sa Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga.

Sumala pa ni Gov. Amante nga human maangkon ang re-classification mosunod na dayon ang land conversion niini adiser pa matukod ang bag-ong kapitolyo, kon diin gipasalig sa DAR nga human sa usa ka bulan posibleng ma-release na ang land conversion gikan sa Agricultural ngadto na sa Industrial Land.

Alayon niini gikatakdang sa bulan sa Marso masugdan na ang pag-construct sa bag-ong kapitolyo, ug posibleng makalingkod pa sa bag-ong kapitolyo si Gov. Amante adiser mahuman ang iyang termino sa tuig 2013 isip Provincial Governor sa Agusan del Norte. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

PIA News Service - Saturday, January 21, 2012

2012-01-23T05:16:00.000-08:00

Caraga RDC-GADCC discusses activities for this year’s Women’s Month celeb

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) –- The Technical Working Group of the Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) Caraga with chairperson Atty. Marylin M. Pintor, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director discussed activities for this year’s Women’s Month celebration.

During its recently held meeting, members of the TWG have initially planned lined up activities, which are still open for further suggestion from all its member-agencies during its full committee meeting set January 30.

As planned, the RDC-GADCC will be holding a press conference on February 17, 2012 to update the local tri-media here on the year-round activities of the committee.

According to Atty. Pintor, the activities for this year’s Women’s Month celebration will be far different from last year.

For this year, the opening program of said celebration on March 1 will kick off through a mini concert featuring bands composed of women while part of it will highlight the releasing of the sky lanterns by the participating agencies as sign of unity and support to gender equality.

Also, to further strengthen camaraderie of all participants, the institutionalized ‘Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan’ will be also feature more activities, entertainment that will surely make the celebration memorable.

The ‘Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan’ serves as a venue for technology transfer for livelihood opportunities and skills development; trade fair; ukay-ukay; GAD film showing; beauty and massage parlors, parlor games; and creates a venue for information dissemination on GAD issues and concerns.

Meanwhile, during the culmination activity, best practices of the barangays supporting anti-human trafficking and VAWC will be presented. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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Feature: Butuan Search and Rescue Team: Saving lives as a way of life

by Christopher E. Simogan and Desiree Tandayag

It was a fine day on October 15, 2011 when 37 individuals gathered at Luna Compound, Barangay Bading, Butuan City to undergo the 10-day Modified Medical & Technical Rescue Operation Course offered by the City Government of Butuan. The training was conducted by the country’s premiere rescue doctor, Dr. Ted Esguerra, and his team of Emergency Medical Service volunteers.

Most of the participants came from the different Local Government Offices who were recommended by their respective Department Heads. The trainees bravely faced the challenge of going through the rigid training of the next generation’s rescue unit, unmindful of the impending hardships they would have to endure in the course of the training.

For the next 10 days, the trainees learned Water Search and Rescue, Mountain Search and Rescue, Rope Technique, Basic Trauma Life Support, Basic Life Support, Water Survival and Boat Handling. Their daily routine included morning walks, breath-holding exercises and calisthenics. Perhaps their greatest hurdle was when they had to individually rappel down the Magsaysay Bridge towards the mighty Agusan River and swim approximately 1.5 kilometers back to the base camp in Bgy. Bading.

All 37 trainees completed the course and became the pioneer members of the new Butuan Search and Rescue Team (BUSART).

However, BUSART’s commitment is not only limited to search and rescue, the rescuers also participated in charitable works such as the Gasa Hong Pasko, a yearly gift-giving activity of the City Government to reach out to less fortunate constituents of the 86 barangays during the Christmas season. The team also joined Mayor Amante in distributing relief goods to the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

This year, BUSART is planning to train barangay rescue volunteers to empower barangay folks and make them capable of quickly responding to emergencies in their community, like how they did in Cayagayn de Oro city.

When Tropical Storm Sendong devastated Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City, leaving thousands of displaced families and casualties in its path, a 14-man team from the newly-formed BUSART was immediately deployed by Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. to help in the retrieval operations in Cagayan de Oro City.

For 5 days, the team worked with the CDO Central Fire Department and engaged in water and land retrieval operations in Barangay Balulang, Isla de Oro, Macasandig, and other hard-hit areas. BUSART members endured the scorching heat of the sun in what seemed to be an endless search for victims, hoping to find survivors underneath every pile of collapsed structures. The operation exposed the team to the actual rigors of search and retrieval works. They also had to act as big brothers and sisters to the many surviving children they met along the way.

The experience instilled in the young rescuers that their job is not easy. One must always be ready for humans are helpless against nature’s wrath. This sad and eye-opening experience changed the lives of every member and gave them strengthened faith that Butuan City was spared from such tragedy.

Since its creation in October 2011, BUSART has responded to numerous emergency cases in Butuan City including water search and rescue and vehicular accidents. The team is also actively involved in Butuan City’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management efforts. Team members are assigned in shifts to monitor the water level at the Agusan River Base 24 hours a day.

Life is indeed precious and every BUSART member values every person’s life as their own. Rescue has become their way of life. The next calamity may happen tonight or tomorrow, but Butuan residents can sleep a little more soundly knowing that there is a group of young and energetic individuals who stand ready to respond when disaster strikes.

BUSART may not be the best rescue team in the country but the team is committed to save as many lives as they can. In due time, they will pass on all that they have learned to the next generation of rescuers but until then, they shall continue to do their job, offering their lives so that others may live. (CMO-PIO/MRP/BUSART/PIA-Caraga)

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Surigao Norte gov to build reading hubs per municipality

SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) -- The province of Surigao del Norte is bent on constructing additional reading hubs in every municipality to help the pupils learn to read effectively.

Gov. Sol Matugas, during the recently held local school board meeting, said she is now pushing for the improvement of the students’ reading comprehension in the entire province by constructing more reading hubs that will become the center of activity for students, teachers and researchers who want to sharpen and widen their knowledge.

“It will also develop their reading habits, improve their learning skills and can help in reducing illiteracy in the process,” she said.

The said reading hub is also equipped with speech laboratory, it was learned.

Also, the lady governor vowed to strengthen other programs of the Department of Education such as the Alternative Learning System (ALS), the Parents Literacy/Livelihood Program in schools, Radio-based Instruction, Indigenous People Education Program, Balik Paaralan Para sa Out-of-School Adult, Education Behind Bars, Comprehensive Barangay Development Program, Barangayan and Literacy cum Livelihood.

She also commended the initiative of Del Carmen mayor Alfredo ‘JR’ Coro for putting up the ‘Kariton library’ where students can have the opportunity to read their favorite reading materials via the mobile library. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Mga suspek sa pagtulis sa Chinese national, gihimuan na og facial composite sketch

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 21 (PIA) - Padayon nang gihimo sa PNP Crime Laboratory-Caraga ang facial composite sketch sa tulo sa lima ka mga lalaking mitulis sa Chinese national nga si Wen Tsen-Nan nga mao usa'y general manager sa Triple Win Mining Company nga nakabase sa lungsod sa Barobo, lalawigan sa Surigao del Sur.

Kini human na-ilhan sa biktima ang tulo sa lima ka mga suspek tungod sa wala nila pagsuot og bonnet nga mao unta'y magtago sa ilang identity.

Sigon ni P/Chief Insp. Arvyn Montenegro, chief of police sa kapulisan sa Barobo, Surigao del Sur, nagpadayon ang ilang imbestigasyon karong duna na sila'y lead sa mga suspek kon diin nakig-alayon na sila sa ubang ahensya sama sa Highway Patrol Group, intelligence community, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group kon CIDG ug local police.

Gipasabot sa opisyal nga ang facial composite sketch lahi sa artist sketch tungod kay pinaagi lamang sa deskripsyon, makapagawas na og sketch sa suspek gamit ang computer.

Mahinumdumang gitulis, gidala ug gi-carnap pa ang sakyanan sa biktima human nakuha gikan kaniya ang salaping cash nga mu-abot sa 1.5-milyunes pesos lakip na ang Chinese 40,000-yuan cash money, 500-Hong Kong dollar cash, wala pa maihap nga Taiwanese dollar, check book lakip na ang iyang ATM card, gold necklace nga duna'y gibug-atong 200-grams, relong nagkantidad og tunga sa milyon ka pesos, cell phone, Taiwanese passport, US passport ug ang passport sa ginganlan og Dong Yi nga usa usab ka Chinese national.

Human makuha ang maong mga gamit ug kwarta, gibuhian na ang biktima sa atubangang bahin sa simbahang Katoliko sa Bayugan City pasado alas-dos sa kaadlawon apan gidala pa gihapon sa mga suspek ang iyang sakyanan hangtud nga napalgan na lamang kining gi-abandona sa parking lot sa Gaisano Mall-Butuan ning mi-aging adlaw.

Dugang pa ni Montenegro, posibleng inside job ang nahitabo tungod kay gawas nga nasayod ang mga suspek sa iyang rutang ginasubay, nasayod usab kini sa mga pagkaong iyang ginakaon. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Friday, January 20, 2012

2012-01-20T05:50:00.000-08:00

Cebuano News: Aquino mimando sa Justice Secretary nga pulihan si National Bureau of Investigation Director Gatdula

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 20 (PIA) -- Si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Mihatag og direktiba kang Justice Secretary Leila de Lima nga pulihan si National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Magtanggol Gatdula taliwala sa mga taho nga kono may kalambigitan ang pipila ka mga opisyales sa maong buhatan sa gikatahong pagkidnap sa dili dokumentadong babayeng haponesa niaging tuig.

"The President has ordered the release of the report summarizing the factual findings and recommendations of the Department of Justice (DOJ); and, secondly, has authorized Secretary De Lima to replace the NBI director," si Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte miingon atol sa regular press briefing didto sa Malacañang kagahapon Huwebes.

Apan, si Valte, wala na mohatag og dugang pang mga detalye kalabot na sa aktuwal nga mga sirkumstansya nakapalibot sa pagpuli.

Si Justice Secretary De Lima sa dili madugay moanunsyo na sa mopuli kang Gatdula, matud ni Valte.

"Apparently, the President has already received the (DOJ) report and has reviewed the contents, and has made a corresponding action. He did not pose any objections to the recommendations of the panel. The President has always viewed accountability as objectively as possible," si Valte miingon.

Ang mga taho nga mga balita nagpakita nga ang panid sa DOJ nga gipangulohan ni Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III girekomendar ang pagpasaka og kasong criminal batok kang Gatdula ug uban pang mga opisyales sa NBI nga may kalambigitan sa pagkidnap ug ekstorsyon kang Noriyo Ohara.

Ang mga reklamo migawas gikan sa pag-angkon sa pamilya ni Ohara nga pipila ka mga opisyales sa maong buhatan nangayo og ransom.

Si Ohara miabot sa Pilipinas niadtong tuig 2009 ug mipuyo uban ang pamilyang Marzan nga maoy misagop kaniya didto sa Bugallon, Pangasinan. Ang mga ahente sa NBI miaresto kaniya tungod sa paglapas sa immigration laws niadtong Oktubre 28, 2011. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Thursday, January 19, 2012

2012-01-19T06:51:00.000-08:00

Provincial Blood Coordinating Council exceeds blood requirement target

By: David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- The Provincial Blood Coordinating Council (PBCC), in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur Chapter (PRC-AdS) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Agusan del Sur has coped with the blood requirements, exceeding its target for the year 2011 by 133 bags, with the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) giving its full support by shouldering the financial requirements for the purchase of the re-agents used for blood examination.

For the year 2011, the PBCC team has collected a total of 2,633 bags of 450 ml. fresh blood thru field donation, replacement, walk-in clients and patient directed with a very little difference of 60 bags compared to last year with 2,693 bags.

The blood collection mostly came from field donation where a team of medical technologists from the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital (DOPMH), led by Napoleon Montejo, Provincial Blood Coordinator and PRC Agusan del Sur Chapter, led by medical technologist Julie Lapides regularly conducted monthly blood collection by municipality.

On record, field donation reached 2,538 bags, while replacement reached 38 bags, walk-in donors with 27 and patients directed to produce the needed blood, 30 bags.

Not only patients from the province of Agusan del Sur were served with the blood collected in Agusan del Sur, but also patients from as far as Kidapawan City, where two bags were sent for emergency use.

The DOPMH, noted for its facilities and good doctors, has patients also coming from neighbouring province, making it the number one consumer of blood with 2,008 bags consumed as of December 2011. Second is the Bunawan District Hospital with 146 bags. The rest went to hospitals in Butuan City, Surigao del Sur, Surigao City and Surigao del Norte.

According to records by the PBCC, male donors are dominant than female. Many were also found positive of Hepa B with 145 samples, Syphilis with 28, Hepa C- 13 and even HIV case with four. Sixty two bags expired, while six are spoiled chylous.

The provincial government set aside P1.5 million budget for the re-agents but because of the increase in its prices, supplementary budget amounting to P1.6 million was released on the fourth quarter of 2011. The 13 municipal government and the lone city of Bayugan also share P50,000 every year for the fuel and oil and other travelling expenses of the team that travel to all the municipalities during the conduct of the mobile blood donation activities. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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DSWD Caraga to disburse P161.9M for anti-poverty project

By: Keneath John Bolisay

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga is expected to disburse a total of P161,968,531.62 in the first two quarters of this year through its anti-poverty program called KALAHI-CIDSS.

The total amount comes from the World Bank loan of the government given to the region amounting to P137,280,487.93 and an additional P24,688,043.69 from the local cash contribution (LCC) of the implementing local government units (LGUs).

According to Regional Project Manager and Assistant Regional Director, Mita G. Lim, the regional office will disburse the amount through tranches in the community accounts of the barangays.

Moreover, the total cash grant will be disbursed to a total of 136 sub-projects of the 15 partner LGUs throughout the region. Two LGUs are implementing KALAHI-CIDSS Additional Financing while 13 LGUs are currently implementing the LGU-led Makamasang Tugon.

These areas are Veruela, Esperanza, La Paz, San Luis, and Sibagat in Agusan del Sur; Carmen and Jabonga in Agusan del Norte; Tagbina, Marihatag, Hinatuan, Bayabas, and San Miguel in Surigao del Sur; and Pilar and Socorro in Surigao del Norte.

After achieving a hundred percent fund disbursement last year, the regional project management office (RPMO) is hoping to do the same in the middle of the year. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)

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DOLE conducts philjob.net, Skill Registry System Orientation

TANDAG CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) here successfully conducted a two-day orientation (Jan 16-17) on philjob.net and Skill Registry System (SRS) at the Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU).

According to Teofila Rosales, head of DOLE Provincial Office, this is in response to the request of said university through Assistant Guidance Counselor Vanessa Sanchez to provide graduating students knowledge on job seeking by using such windows.

It was learned that “philjob.net is an automated job and applicant matching system which aims to fast track jobseekers search for job and employers search for manpower.”

Also, the SRS is said to be a “repository of information on skills certification and accreditation, licensure, and local and overseas employment.” (Greg Tataro, Jr., Radyo Ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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DENR donates P4.6 million of confiscated logs

by Eric. F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga has disposed some P4.6 million worth of confiscated logs to the the Department of Education (DepEd), local government unit, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and military sector.

This represents a total of 1,294 cubic meters of logs and 58,317.73 bd.ft of lumber and flitches products.

Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca said the DepEd/Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) were given about 967.18 cubic meters of logs and 58,317.73 board feet of lumber and flitches which it manufactured into arm chairs.

Several officials of public schools have also requested from the DENR for the confiscated lumber products for the construction of classrooms last year. These public schools are the Isla Heneral Integrated School in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur which requested 21 pieces (1,00.50 bd.ft) of toog species lumber, the Ayoki Elementary School also of Carascal, Surigao del Sur which asked for 181 pieces ( 2,890.50 bd.ft.) of lumber, the Cahian Elementary School in Barangay Kapatungan, Trento, Agusan del Sur which requested 444.32 bd.ft of lumber and 17.83 cubic meter of logs worth P 115,905.40 , and the Antongalon Elementary School in Barangay Antongalon,Butuan City requested 500 board ft of lumber.

The officials of the Manobo Tribal School Development Center in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur was also granted by the DENR with their request of 4,859.89 bd. ft. of lumber products and 17.83 cu.m. of logs which they used for the construction of a classroom building.

The DENR has also donated 12,608 bd. ft of confiscated lumber products and 123.16 cu.m of logs to the provincial government of Agusan del Sur which it used for the construction of display booth for Naligayan Festival and to the Municipal Government of Lanuza in Surigao del Sur.

The DENR likewise donated a total of 191.48 cu.m of illegal logs and 2,643 bd.ft of lumber to the Philippine National Police and the military. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

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Feature: Foundation urges public to take thyroid cancer seriously

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) -- With the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer in Metro Cebu, the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) urged the public to undergo early screening and prevention measures to fight the disease.

“Thyroid cancer is high on prognosis. It is preventable through various screening methods, such as physical examination and ultrasound of the neck, as well as some prevention measures, including regular exercise and maintenance of a well-balanced diet,” Ronald delos Reyes, EJACC program coordinator said.

Based on EJACC’s Metro Cebu Population-based Cancer Registry, the incidence rate of thyroid cancer in 2003 to 2007 is high but the mortality rate is comparatively lower.

Within this period, about 573 cases of thyroid cancer were reported and 116 were recorded to have died of the disease. The figures also show that 97 cases have been attributed to persons in between the ages 15-30 while 350 cases are persons with ages 30-60. More women than men have been affected by this disease; in fact, 134 cases are male while 439 cases are female.

As a common type of cancer diagnosed in men and women, thyroid cancer ranked sixth in most common cancer cases in Metro Cebu.

According to the 2010 journal of the Philippine Cancer Facts and Estimates of the Philippine Cancer Society, the incidence rate had increased from 1980 to 2002, with an annual change of 0.4 percent in males and 1.6 percent among females.

Thyroid cancer is the most common cancer of women at ages 15-24 years. Among women, the incidence rate rises at age 30 and continues to rise with increasing age. Among men, the incidence rate begins to increase much later, starting at 60 years old.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. It works like a tiny factory that uses iodine, mostly from the diet in foods like seafood and salt, to produce thyroid hormones that, in turn, help regulate the body’s growth and metabolism and other functions of the body.

The most common signs and symptoms of thyroid cancer include a lump or thyroid nodule, that can be felt in the neck; trouble in swallowing; throat or neck pain; swollen lymph nodes in the neck; cough; and vocal changes.

People exposed to high levels of radiation are much more likely than others to develop papillary or follicular thyroid cancer. Treatment with x-rays is one significant source of radiation exposure. Between the 1920s and the 1950s, doctors used high-dose x-rays to treat children who had enlarged tonsils, acne, and other problems affecting the head and neck. Later, scientists found that some people who had received this kind of treatment developed thyroid cancer.

People who are diagnosed with this kind of cancer may undergo surgery. Common surgeries include thyroidectory, lobectomy, and tracheostomy. Sometimes, even the removal of the thyroid itself is needed.

“Like many other cancers, thyroid cancer may be more easily cured with early detection. Earlier diagnosis removes thyroid cancer at a time when they are not likely to have spread beyond the thyroid gland,” delos Reyes said.

For more information about thyroid cancer, please contact EJACC at 254-6351and look for Gina Mariquit. (RAFI/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano news: Malacanang miingon ang opisyal nga pagbisita ni Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra nagtinguha sa pagpalig-on sa bilateral cooperation tali sa Pilipinas ug Thailand

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 19 (PIA) –- Ang pagpalig-on sa hiniusang kooperasyon sa tanang mga aspeto sa matag interes sa Pilipinas ug Thailand maoy nag-unang pokus sa pagtuki sa panagtigom nila Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ug Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III atol sa pagbisita niini dinhi sa Pilipinas karong adlawa Huwebes, Enero 19, miingon ang opisyales sa Palasyo.

Ang pagbisita ni Prime Minister Shinawatra nagtinguha nga palig-onon pa ang halayom ug kusog nga relasyon sa Pilipinas tali sa Thailand.

"There will be a bilateral discussion with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the topics to be discussed will be cooperation on energy, agriculture, defense, culture, education, combating drug trafficking, and disaster risk reduction and management, among others," matud ni Lacierda.

Si Pangulong Aquino ug Thai prime minister Shinawatra magtagbo aron tukion ang mga pamaagi aron mapalig-on pa og dugang ang implementasyon sa kasamtangang kooperasyon sa natad sa energy, agriculture, defense, culture, education , pagsumpo sa drug trafficking, ug disaster risk reduction and management, ug lain pang uban. Sila mopaambit sa mahinungdanong mga kalamboan sa Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), lakip ang isyu kalabot na sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Ang Pangulo modumala og usa kasalo-salo sa paniudto isip pasidungog sa bisitang lider human sa panagtigom didto sa Malacañang.

Ang maong pagbisita maoy pinakadakong tipik sa pagsaulog sa ika-63rd nga anibersaryo sa pagkatukod sa diplomatikong relasyon tali sa Pilipinas ug Thailand, nga gisaulog karong tuiga. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Pagkamatay sa OFW sa Lebanon, gipahibalo na ngadto sa mga kabanay

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 19 (PIA) -- Posibleng himoon nga tulunghaan ang mabiyaan unya nga Capitol Building sa Agusan del Norte nga nahimutang sa Capitol Compound, Butuan City.

Sumala pa ni Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante nga ang maong propidad gi-donate kini sa pamilyang Guingona hinungdan nga nakigkonsulta usab kini ngadto na ni kanhi Republic of the Philippines Vice President Teofisto Guingona.

Gidugang pa ni Gov. Amante nga tulo ka mga options ang ilang gipilian sama sa nindot nga tulunghaan, heritage hotel ug government offices, apan mas mipabor matud pa ang pamilyang Guingona nga himoon na lamang kini nga nindot nga tulunghaan, aron matud pa mapadayon ang perpetual relevance sa maong building alang sa dugang kauswagan ug kalambuan sa natad sa edukasyon sa tibook rehiyon. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
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Cebuano News: Massive tree planting activities ipahigayon sa probinsya

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 19 (PIA) -- Gikatakdang maglusad og massive tree planting activity ang provincial government sa Agusan del Norte, kini ang gibutyag ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante.

Sumala pa sa gobernador nga kinahanglan nga mananom pa og dugang mga kahoy sa tibook lalawigan labi na sa daplin sa mga suba, aron matud pa makatabang sa pagpugong sa tubig baha.

Subay niini gikatakdang pangayuon ni Gov. Amante ang suporta sa mga local government units sa tibook probinsya ingon man ang buhatan sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) alang sa maong proyekto.

Gidugang pa ni Gov. Amante nga gikatakdang i-convert ang HATAW Activity sa mga empleyado sa kapitolyo ngadto na sa Tree Planting Activity. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Daan nga capitol building posibleng himoon nga tulunghaan

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 19 (PIA) -- Posibleng himoon nga tulunghaan ang mabiyaan unya nga Capitol Building sa Agusan del Norte nga nahimutang sa Capitol Compound, Butuan City.

Sumala pa ni Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante nga ang maong propidad gi-donate kini sa pamilyang Guingona hinungdan nga nakigkonsulta usab kini ngadto na ni kanhi Republic of the Philippines Vice President Teofisto Guingona.

Gidugang pa ni Gov. Amante nga tulo ka mga options ang ilang gipilian sama sa nindot nga tulunghaan, heritage hotel ug government offices, apan mas mipabor matud pa ang pamilyang Guingona nga himoon na lamang kini nga nindot nga tulunghaan, aron matud pa mapadayon ang perpetual relevance sa maong building alang sa dugang kauswagan ug kalambuan sa natad sa edukasyon sa tibook rehiyon. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Budget alang sa bag-ong kapitolyo andam na

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 19 (PIA) -- Giklaro ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante nga andam na ang budget o pondo alang sa bag-ong Capitol Building nga ipahimutang sa Cabadbaran City.

Sumala pa ni Gov. Amante nga kini matud pa ang pinakabarato nga kapitolyo, apan pinakaanindot sa tanan, kon diin aduna kini nindot nga Capitol Park nga adunay Water Fountain nga Makita lamang sa Macao.

Gidugang pa ni Gov. Amante nga luyo sa bag-ong Capitol Building gikatakda usab nga ipahimutang ang Employees Village alang sa mga empleyado sa kapitolyo ug sa ubang mga empleyado sa gobyerno. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, January 18, 2012

2012-01-18T04:32:00.000-08:00

Army recorded very minimal violent activities for the last quarter of 2011

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- The Philippine Army’s 26th Infantry Battalion has identified five confronted threats in their area of operation but as of the end of the year 2011, only four violent incidents were reported.

According to report by 26th IB commander Col. Nhel Richard Patricio, his troops led by 1Lt. Banot encountered members of Guerilla Front 21 of the Northeastern Mindanao Regional Command of the Communist Party of the Philippines/ New People’s Army/ National Democratic Front (CNN) in Sitio Goshen, New Tubigon, Sibagat and another encounter in Barangay Dimasalang, San Luis, Agusan del Sur the early and middle part of October, 2011. No other encounter was experienced after the two encounters until the end of December last year.

“However, because of failure to pay the revolutionary taxes demanded by the [communist insurgents], we have recorded two arson cases in Barangays Sta. Maria and Libertad, all in the municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur,” Patricio said.

Per assessment of the army’s 26th IB, their area of operation remained peaceful compared to other parts of Caraga Region. The non-violent activities mostly focus on information and public operation works while the group operation in Sibagat and the City of Bayugan is attempting to recover their mass base after the conduct of peace and development efforts in the area.

“On our part, our security operations in our area of operation are sustained. Our internal peace and security operations conducted as early as June last year has affected much on the [communist insurgents] efforts. We are therefore enjoining our peace-loving people in the barangays to cooperate with us by telling us the presence and activities by the [communist insurgents] in their areas so that we can counter them peacefully if possible,” Col. Patricio said. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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PNP-Tandag City chief wants thorough investigation on alleged carnapping case

by Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 18 (PIA) -- Chief of Police Insp. Greggie Pimentel wants a thorough investigation into the alleged carnapping case that happened here.

An already impounded Hyundai Elantra in the Tandag City Police Station was turned over to the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) Provincial Highway Team (PHT) after the conduct of a Technical Inspection and Inventory Report (TIIR) on January 13.

The said vehicle was then brought to Caraga Highway Patrol Regional Office on the same day.

Before the initial verification with the HPG, Pimentel did not have any slight suspicion that it was a "hot car."

The car was driven by a certain Rommel Polo of Bula, General Santos City and was owned by a certain Isidro Lozada.

Recovered from inside the car during the TIIR were items belonging to Lozada and an Identification Card (ID) bearing his name as Researcher of National Capital Region (NCR) Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU).

An accidental collision with a passenger tricycle on January 7 revealed that the unit's alleged real owner is actually a certain Ronald J. Ricalde of Sta. Rosa Heights, Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite. (Radyo Ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA)

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Surigaonon news: Coffee Production Program launching and Swine dispersal gipahigayon sa Brgy. Lisondra, Surigao City

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 18 (PIA) -- Ang buhatan sa City Agriculture Office ug City Veterinary office lakip isab sa buhatan ni Mayor Ernesto Matugas mipahigayon sa usa ka Coffee Production Program Launching and Swine Dispersal turn-over ceremony sa mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda didto na sa isla nan Lisondra kuman na adlaw.

Kini usa ka programa, nga diin mao ang pagpan-apod-apod og coffee seedlings nga mukabat ngadto sa 3,000 kabuok lakip na sa pagpanhatag og mga organic compost o fertilizer nga muabot usab ngadto sa 40 ka sako. Sa maong programa, pito ka mga Barangay ang makatigayon sa mga nasangpit nga butang, kini mao ang mga musunod: Brgy. Manjagao, Buenavista, Aurora, Cantiasay, Cagutsan, Alegria, Danaon ug Brgy. Lisondra diin adto ipahigajon ang pagpan apod-apod.

Sa maong programa mahimung gepasidunggang bisita mao sila ni Edna M. Mabeza, ang Regional Executive Director sa Department of Agriculture – Regional Filed Unit-13 iban isab si Nerio G. Casil, Regional Director sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-13 ug si Surigao City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas.

Samtang, anaa usab ang presenya nila ni Mr. Isaias Elumba ang City Agriculturist nan syudad ug Dr. Alan Quines ang City Veterinary ug lakip na sa ilang mga staff.

Tumong niini mao na ang paghatag og igong suporta pinaagi na sa pagpanhatag og mga coffee seedlings lakip na sa fertilizer sa mga asawa nga anaa lamang sa panimalay tungod kay walay mga trabaho ubos sa programa sa Surigao City Agri-fisheries and Agro-industrial Development (SAFIDEV) program sa syudad. Pinaagi niini, sila maka-angkon ug dugang kita isip ilang panginabuhian para sa pang-adlaw adlaw na nga panginahanglan. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Series of meetings sa mga local chief executives sa Agusan del Norte gilusad

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 18 (PIA) -- Gilusad ang sunud-sunod nga panagtigum sa mga Local Chief Executives (LCEs) sa lalawigan sa Agusan del Norte nga gipangunahan ni Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante, aron hisgutan ang hiniusang pagpangandam sa kalamidad.

Gibutyag ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante nga kinahanglan nga magkatakdo ang tanang paningkamot ug pagpangandam sa matag local government units sa lalawigan lakip na ang dakbayan sa Butuan aron matubag ang mga nag-unang panginahanglanon panahon sa kalamidad.

Alayon niini duna nay ilang nakab-ot nga master plan sa tibook lalawigan ug dakbayan sa Butuan.

“…I would like to assure the people, di man ta mag-ampo nga mahitabo na diri sa ato (we’re not praying that this will happen to us), but I would like to assure our people that if ever nga mahitabo na, I think we are much better prepared now,” ang pamahayag ni Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Pagpangandam sa kalamidad usa sa mga gihingusgan karon sa provincial government sa Agusan Norte

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 18 (PIA) -- Mas gipalig-on karon ang pagpangandam sa bisan unsa man nga kalamidad sa lalawigan sa Agusan del Norte, sama sa baha, bagyo ug uban pa.

Gibutyag ni Agusan del Norte Provincial Governor Erlpe John M. Amante, nga kinahanglan hatagan og sersoyo nga atensyon ang posibleng paghapak sa bagyo sama sa nahitabo sa Cagayan de Oro ug Iligan City, kon diin naila ang maong mga lugar nga dili kaayo labyanan sa bagyo, apan na biktima gihapon kini sa maong kalamidad bag-ohay lamang, gumikan sa pag-usab sa panahon o climate change.

Gidugang pa ni Governor Amante nga mas giplano pag-ayo karon ang mas hugot nga pagpangandam sa kalamidad pinaagi sa short term, medium term ug long term plan. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Kalamidad nga mihapak sa Cagayan de Oro City ug Iligan City nakahatag og dakung pagtulun-an

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 18 (PIA) -- Nakahatag matud pa og dakung pagtulun-an sa provincial government sa Agusan del Norte ang nahitabong kalamidad sa Cagayan de Oro City ug Iligan City bag-ohay pa lamang.

Gibutyag ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante nga pinaagi sa nahitabo, nakita usab ang uban pang panginahanglanon o kakulangon atol sa actual nga panghitabo kon itandi sa theory lamang.

Subay niini gikatakdang magdugang og palit ang provincial government og uban pang mga equipment nga magamit sa rescue operation ug proper response.

“…we learned a lot sa nahitabo sa Iligan ug Cagayan, nakit-an na gyud nato in actual kon unsa gyud ang panginahanglanon kay sa theory lang…” (we learned a lot from what had happened in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro, we saw it in actual the necessary things to really prepare in times of disaster).

Gidugang pa ni Gov. Amante nga gikatakda usab nga mopalit ang probinsya og mga rubber boats ug ang pagmugna og sweep response nga mga mobile clinics panahon sa kalamidad. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
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Cebuano news: Silted waterways nag-unang rason sa pagbaha

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 18 (PIA) -- Aminado si Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante nga usa sa mga nag-unang rason sa pagbaha mao ang barado nga mga agi-anan sa tubig o silted waterways.

Sumala pa sa gobernador nga aduna nay mga portion sa mga waterways karon nga nag-anam na ug kamabaw, hinungdan nga dili na kini makakaya pa sa volume sa tubig nga moabot hinungdan nga mobaha.

Subay niini gikinahanglan na ang water dredging aron subli nga molawom ang mga agi-anan sa tubig, apan nanginahanglan matud pa kini og daku-daku nga pondo, hinungdan nga adunay mga lakang nga gihimo karon ang lalawigan aron mapahigayon ang maong plano.

“…under normal circumstances kining atong mga waterways nga suppose to be will be the recipient of all the water, is not anymore capable nga mo-handle sa kadaghanon sa tubig…that is a very big problem because it involves a lot of money to dredge this,” ang pamahayag ni Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante. (PGO Agusan del Norte-PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, January 17, 2012

2012-01-17T05:22:00.000-08:00

PDEA identifies illegal drugs hot spots in Agusan del Sur

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 17 (PIA) -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Caraga Region has identified a barangay in Bayugan City as hot spot on the trading of illegal drugs.

On the other hand, two barangays in the municipality of Prosperidad are suspected to have Marijuana plantation sites after PDEA, the PNP, the army and other stakeholders confiscated 532 fully grown marijuana and seedlings in Sitio Umayam, Lapaz on June, 2011 and uprooted 5,371 hills in Sition Mactan on July 8.

According to PDEA representative, there are two illegal drugs choices that users in Agusan del Sur prefer and these are Methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and marijuana.

“We have also identified the landing points of these drugs coming here in Agusan del Sur. The first choice of landing by the traffickers is Surigao City/ Surigao del Norte, Cabadbaran City/ Agusan del Norte, Butuan City, Bayugan City, Barobo, Surigao del Sur and Bislig, also in Surigao del Sur. The modus operandi here are, they are using minors and women as courier and seller of drugs, use cellular phones in the conduct of illegal drug transaction and the use of “kwarta padala” as mode for transfer of payment. To date, we have a total of 144 in our watch list where 92 are active and 52 are considered suspended file,” PDEA representative said.

According to PDEA, in spite of problems encountered like lack of manpower, cooperation of elected officials, prosecution and custody of apprehended suspects and the witnesses, they have conducted eight anti-drug operations as the year 2011 ended resulting to 12 drug personalities arrested and eight cases file in court.

“And in order that we can get the full and sincere cooperation of everybody, we plan to conduct seminars to local officials re RA 9165, and we suggest that we create the Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Council (PADAC) including the MADAC and the BADAC. In this manner, we will have a coordinated effort in curbing the trade and use of illegal drugs in Agusan del Sur,” PDEA representative said. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Cebuano news: Aquino gipangulohan ang inagurasyon sa int'l bag manufacturing plant didto sa Tarlac

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 17 (PIA) -– Si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III maoy nangulo sa inagurasyon sa pormal nga pag-abli sa planta sa D’Luxe Bags Philippines, Inc. didto sa Barangay Sta. Rosa, Concepcion, Tarlac kagahapon Lunes.

Sa iyang paghiabot, gipangulohan sa Pangulo ang pagbukas sa Marker sa Planta nga nahimutang didto sa punoang entrada sa Production Building 1 ug milibot sa mga pasilidad sa maong planta una siya mihatag sa iyang mensahe sa mokabat 200 ka mga bisita nga gilangkoban sa mga opisyales ug mga empleyado sa maong kumpanya ug mga opisyales sa gobyerno ug lokal nga pangagamhanan nga mitambong sa maong kalihukan.

Siya giubanan ni Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo.

Ang D’Luxe Bags Philippines, Inc. usa sa mga ubay-ubayng mga kumpanya ubos sa Luen Thai Enterprises & Tan Holdings nga ang chief executive officer mao si Willie Tan.

Si Tan ug ang Pangulo nag-abot didto sa China atol sa pagbisita sa Pangulo niadtong Agosto 30 ngadto Septeyembre 3, 2011 aron tukion ang mga posibilidad sa patigayon.

Gisulti ni Tan kang Pangulong Aquino ang negosyong patigayon sa Luen Thai Holdings sa Pilipinas, sama sa bag-o pa lang nga natukod nga Coah luxury bags production facility didto sa Concepcion, Tarlac lakip usab ang gipalapdan nga Cebu ug Clark nga pasilidad niini.

Gibutyag usab ni Tan ang plano sa LTH nga motukod og apparel ug textile mill didto sa Bataan. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Gobernador sa Surigao Norte misaysay sa iyang mga prayoridad nga mga proyekto sa tuig 2012

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Enero 17 (PIA) -- Gisaysay bag-uhay pa lamang ni Gob. Sol Matugas ang iyang prayoridad nga adyenda alang sa tuig 2012 ubos sa iyang Health, Environment and Education, Agriculture and Aquaculture, Livelihood and Security (HEALS) nga programa atol sa Barangay Development Forum nga gipahigayon didto sa Dapa Gymnasium.

Si Matugas miingon nga ang espisipikong pokus mao ang gilayon nga pagtukod og dugang mga eskuylahan, ang Provincial Hospital sa Sta. Cruz, Bad-as, Placer; implementasyon sa organic agriculture ug Mari culture; ug ang pagtukod sa community learning center, women’s center ug mga kooperatiba.

Uban ang pag-ila sa papel sa mga senior citizens sa katilingban, ang gobernador usab misaad sa implementasyon sa health day alang sa mga senior citizens.

Atol usab sa maong okasyon, mapasigarbohon nga gitaho ni Congressman Francisco Matugas ang paspas nga pag-uswag ug paglambo sa Siargao Island, labi na ang mga proyekto sa imprastruktura. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Mga residenteng apektado sa Landslide sa Agusan del Sur, safe na -- Vice Mayor Legaspi

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 17 (PIA) -- Luwas og balik sa normal ang sitwasyon sa mga residenteng apektado sa natigayong landslide sa Sitio Magsano og Sitio Mactan sa Brgy. Kasapa, Loreto, Agusan del Sur.

Sa pakighinabi kang Loreto Vice Mayor George Legaspi, kagahapon (Domingo) lang nakumpirma sa ilang han-ay nga anaa na sa luwas nga kahimtang ang mga apektadong residente sa mga nasangpit nga lugar.

Sumala pa sa bise mayor, kalmado na ang mga residente og wala matud pay mga balay o kabtangang nadamyos sa naasuyng hitabo.

Dugang pa sa opisyal, nakabalik na sa sentrong siyudad ang ilang mga gipadalang tao rason nga nikalma na usab sila tungod kay nasiguro na ang kaluwasan sa mga residente.

Kahinumdumang nakasinati og landslide ang mga naasuyng dapit tungod sa walay puas nga pag-ulan sukad pa niadtong Enero 4 hangtod Enero 14 ning kasamtangang tuig. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Monday, January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T02:07:00.000-08:00

Feature: Agusan del Sur receives farm inputs from DA as aid after calamities

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) recently received farm inputs from the Department of Agriculture (DA) as promised by Sec. Proceso Alcala during his visit here, after the January and February 2011 floods that claimed millions of pesos damaged both lives and properties.

According to a report presented by Yasmin Reyes of PAO, they received some 21,300 kilos of Zinc Sulfate fertilizer amounting to some P1,034,410, and another 5,000 liters of organic liquid fertilizer amounting to P625,000.

PAO also received some 3,740 bags of certified rice seeds from DA as part of Alcala’s commitment amounting to P4,488,000.

“For certified rice seeds, we budgeted one bag per hectare and as per our inventory, most affected areas all over the province of Agusan del Sur totalled to 3,740 hectares, where we also delivered the same figure of bags to farmer recipients,” Reyes said.

She added that for the fertilizer there were two batches. The first batch of 10,000 kilos of fertilizer was delivered to the 13 municipalities and the lone city of Bayugan. For the second batch, 11,300 kilos were distributed to the same municipalities.

On January 3, 2011, the whole Caraga Region was hit by floods, and one of the most affected was this province, leaving nine persons dead, with 32,598 families or 160,439 persons affected.

But another similar calamity came along after 26 days, hitting old and new victims. Although lesser families (20,926 or 110,489 persons) compared to the January 3 floods were affected, another millions of peso damages to agriculture and infrastructures were recorded, reaching up to more than P95 million.

This prompted Alcala to visit and evaluate the damages brought by floods, bringing along with him some P8 million worth of farm materials which he turned over to Gov. Plaza upon his arrival and pledged farm inputs that the PAO received recently, in order that farmers can recover immediately. (PIA-Caraga)

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Cebu-Bislig-Cebu flight to start on February 20

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The Mid-Sea Express is set to start its regular Cebu-Bislig-Cebu flight on February 20. The said flight is scheduled every Monday and Thursday.

Bislig City Information Officer Carlito Abar recently said this development will put the city in limelight being one of the original cities in Caraga Region.

Accordingly, the Cebu-Bislig flight on February 20 will leave Cebu at 6:30am, while the estimated time of arrival in Bislig City is 7:30 a.m.

Estimated time of departure from Bislig is 8:00 a.m., and estimated time of arrival in Cebu is 8:50 a.m.

Regular fare is P2,800 while round trip fare is only P4,800. The promo fare takes effect from February 1 to March 15, 2012 with its lowest fare at P2,200. For more information, contact the City Tourism Office at City Hall Building, Poblacion Bislig City or contact this landline numbers (086) 853-628-2112. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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City dad takes Kahimunan Festival’s success a challenge to his admin

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) –- Mayor Ferdinand Amante said the success of the Kahimunan Festival 2012 has challenged his administration because of the coordination of the organizers, barangay and church officials of Barangay Libertad.

In an interview with a local radio here, Amante said the activity is well-coordinated despite financial constraints.

He added the scorching heat of the sun and the sudden heavy downpour did not stop the devotees of the holy child Santo Niño from going to Libertad Shrine to celebrate and attend mass.

“I would like to congratulate the organizers headed by Bishop Zacharias Jimenez and Barangay Captain Vincent Rizal Rosario for the successful conduct of Kahimunan Festival 2012 and I would also like to commend all the men and women behind the success of this activity,” Amante said.

The official said this is a challenge to his administration considering the city of Butuan will be celebrating the month-long Balangay Festival on May.

He stressed with his experience in Kahimunan Festival 2012, this will serve as an inspiration to all the officials and stakeholders in making Balangay Festival as successful as that of Kahimunan Festival.

Meanwhile, Amante is also grateful for the peaceful conduct of the whole day activity, and vowed that he will continue to give his full support to Kahimunan Festival in the years to come.

“I will continue to support the organizers and parishioners of Senior Santo Niño especially in the conduct of Kahimunan Festival next year,” Amante said. (PIA-Caraga)

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PNP entrance, promotional exams go online

by Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- Online application will soon be available for those who are already in the police service (promotional) and for those aspiring to enter the Philippine National Police (PNP) entrance examinations.

National Police commission (NAPOLCOM) regional director Atty. Remeneo Valenzuela said theiragency has adopted and will implement changes in the procedures of the entrance examinations application this year.

According to Valenzuela, their agency will no longer issue application forms to interested individuals instead they are directed to visit their website at www.napolcom.gov.ph and fill-up the application form online.

The applicants will then receive a letter reply and said document will then be presented to the NAPOLCOM office personally for proper verification and evaluation.

Once said documents are verified and evaluated and applicants are found qualified, the commission will then approve their application.

Online scheduling will be available on February 1 up to 13 and the examination schedule will be on the month of April, this year.

Meanwhile, PNP Caraga regional office is now open for attrition quota for Police Officer I (PO1) for CY 2012 in addition to their regular recruitment program for this year.

All interested applicants may call at (085) 815-3325; 815-1668; 342-4570 or visit their Public Information Office and/or look for SPO3 Nilo Dela Calzada of the Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development Division (R1) for more details. (PIA-Caraga)

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Libertad Nat’l High School wins Kahimunan Festival 2012

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -– Crowd favorite Libertad National High School (LNHS) bested four other contingents to win the grand championship in the 2012 Kahimunan Festival in a breath-taking performance on Sunday, held at the city’s sports complex.

LNHS performance wowed the members of the Board of Judges and captured the attention of the crowd as the contingent performed a neo-ethnic inspired performance, winning all the special awards such as Best in Musicality, Best in Costume and Best in Streetdancing, winning P5,000 each.

The contingent received P50,000 for bagging the championship title, while contingent number two from a women’s organization in the said barangay received P30,000 as 2nd place winner. They also won the grand prize in the Higante (Giant) competition and Kiddie Kahimunan. Entry number 3, on the other hand was declared 3rd place and received P20,000.

Despite the heavy downpour just before the performance of the first contingent, it did not hinder the crowd at around 3,000 from witnessing the city’s only featured streetdancing competition, held annually in time with the feast of Brgy. Libertad here, in honor of patron saint – Senior Santo Niño.

The 2012 Kahimunan Festival was exclusively participated by the puroks and organizations in Barangay Libertad.

In an earlier interview, Barangay Captain Vincent Rizal Rosario said this year’s festival is exclusive for Barangay Libertad contingents only. He said this is because they experienced financial and time constraints in the preparation of the annual festival.

However, the official said the contingents can hire instrumentalists from the neighboring provinces and cities in the region so that performance will still be colorful, festive and entertaining to the crowd.

Kahimunan is the local version of Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival which is also held every 3rd Sunday of January.

Meanwhile, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. expressed his elation over the success of the festival as police officers reported no violence during the whole day activity.

It was learned that barangay officials have requested the assistance of Police Regional Office (PRO)-13 to ensure peace and security during the celebration. PRO-13’s Camp Rafael Rodriguez is located near the Sto. Niño Shrine, Libertad, this city. (PIA-Caraga)

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Surigao Norte gov unveils 2012 priority projects

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 16 (PIA) -– Governor Sol Matugas recently unveiled her 2012 priority agenda under her Health, Environment and Education, Agriculture and Aquaculture, Livelihood and Security (HEALS) program during a Barangay Development Forum held at Dapa Gymnasium.

Matugas said focus will be specifically on the immediate construction of more school buildings, the Provincial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Bad-as, Placer; implementation of organic agriculture and Mari culture; and the construction of community learning center, women’s center and cooperatives.

Acknowledging the role of senior citizens in the society, the lady governor is also bent on implementing health day for senior citizens.

Also during the occasion, Cong. Francisco Matugas proudly reported the rapid growth and development of Siargao Island, especially in infrastructure projects. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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DILG-Caraga to conduct Business Planning Workshop for LGUs

by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- The Regional Office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Caraga, in partnership with the Local Government Academy and Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo, will conduct a Business Planning Workshop on January 18-19, 2012 at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

Some 15 local government units are expected to participate in the said training, which will be attended by City/Municipal Economic Enterprises Development Officers, City/Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators, City/Municipal Accountants, Sangguniang Panlungsod Chairpersons of the Committee on Trade and Commerce and City /Municipal Local Government Operations Officers.

DILG Regional Director Atty. Rene K. Burdeos said that the workshop aims to assist the LGUs’ economic enterprises through the significant inputs to be given by speakers. This will help bridge gaps relative to management and development of their respective entrepreneurial activities.

He also said that the workshop will stress the importance and purpose of a business plan and will be an eye opener for LGUs to identify new business opportunities which will best suit them.

Lowell C. Brillante, economic enterprise manager of Tagum City, will share the City’s Best Practice on LGU Eco Enterprise Practices to inspire LGUs of Caraga Region.

At the end of the workshop, the participants are expected to craft and present action plans for the development of their economic activities. (DILG 13/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Palasyo nalipay sa surbe nga mitala sa Pilipinas isip ika-8 nga pinakamahigalaong nasod

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 16 (PIA) -- Mipadayag og dakong kalipay ang Malacañang sa resulta sa HSBC Expat Explorer Survey, nga milaray sa Pilipinas isip ika otso nga pinakamahigalaong nasud sa kalibutan.

Bag-ohay pa lamang, ang 2012 Index Economic Freedom, gimantala sa Wall Street Journal ug ang Heritage Foundation mihatag sa Pilipinas sa eskor nga 57.1 alang sa economic freedom, nga nahimo ang ekonomiya niya isip ika 107th sa 2012 Index. Naka eskor sa 0.9 punto mas taas kaysa nilabay’ng tuig.

“We’re also happy to note that in one of the surveys conducted by HSBC, the Philippines ranked as one of the… the eighth friendliest country out of most of the countries rated in the world. And this is why we believe na talagang it really is more fun in the Philippines,” si Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte miingon sa radio interview sa dzRB Radyo ng Bayan niadtong Sabado.

“The administration will always promote what is good… what is good with the economy and people,” sa pamahayag ni Valte isip tubag sa mga kritisimo nga gipasangil batok sa administrasyong Aquino.

Matud sa Expat Explorer Survey sa HSBC nga gipagawas niadtong 2011, ang Pilipinas maoy ika-8 nga mahigalaong nasod sa kalibutan alang sa mga expatriates. Ang HSBC misurbe sa mokabat 3,385 expats sa 100 ka mga nasod tunga-tunga sa Mayo ug Hulyo tuig 2011.

Ang nasod nalaray binasehan sa upat ka mga kategorya: abilidad sa pakighigala sa mga local, kalamposan sa pagkat-on sa local nga lingguwahe, kapasidad alang sa pagsalmot ngadto sa komunidad, ug sayon nga pagsibo ngadto sa bag-ong kultura.

Forbes.com, citing the results of the HSBC survey, said the Philippines is a country “friendly on wallets,” Ang Forbes.com, mipasabot sa mga resulta sa surbe sa HSBC, miingon nga ang Pilipinas usa ka nasod nga “friendly on wallets,” uban ang dakong ihap sa mga langyaw’ng nga miingon nga sila adunay dugang akses sa mga luho, lakip ang local nga trabahante, swimming pools ug pagbaton ug mga propridad.

Ang New Zealand maoy una sa listahan sa mahigalaong nasod sa kalibutan, nga mitala og dagkong eskor sa tanang upat ka mga kategoriya. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Kahimunan 2012 gipahigayon sa Butuan City

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- Gisu-ong sa mga deboto ni Sr. Sto. Niño ang ka-init sa panahon nga gisundan sa pag-ulan, makighi-usa lang sa kapistahan sa maong patron kagahapong adlawa sa Brgy. Libertad ning daskbayan ubos sa tinuig nang pagpahigayon sa Kahimunan.

Sa entiro nga ruta sa parada, usa ka entrante ang nakuyapan tungod sa sobrang ka-init sa silaw sa adlaw, pagtungod gyod dinhi sa sibyahan hinungdan nga gikarga gilayon kini sa usa ka sikad aron madala sa ospital og matabangan.

Nasayrang dihang mi-abot sa venue sa kompetisyon sa City Sports Complex ang tanang mga contingents adiser pa mibundak ang kusog nga ulan nga wala na gikakurat sa mga deboto tungod kay kini ang nagakahitabo kada-tuig.

Hugot nga seguridad ang gipatuman karon sa tibuok Brgy. Libertad gikan sa DBP area diin nagsugod ang ruta sa Kahimunan Grand Parade nga gitapos sa City Sports Complex, pinaagi sa gipangkatag nga mga nakasibilyan nga security personnel.

Sigon ni Kapitan Vincent Rizal Rosario, gituyo kini aron dili makalugar ang mga dautang elemento nga musakay sa pagdasok sa bagang duot sa katawhan.

Subay niini, nanawagan ang opisyal sa maong mga mapahimuslanon sa higayon nga mas maayong mamista na lang aron makatabang sa pagsa-ulog sa kapistahan sa malinawon og hapsay nga paagi. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: P300K na halaga ng suspected shabu, nasabat sa buy-bust operation sa Agusan del Norte

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- Unom ka sako sa suspected shabu nga gibana-banang nagkantidad og 300-mil pesos ang nakumpiska sa mga membro sa Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency kon PDEA-Caraga atol sa gilusad nilang buy-bust operation kagahapon sa alas-10:30 sa buntag.

Gihimo ang ronda sa may Jumao-as Beach Resort sa Purok 8, Sitio Tinago, Brgy. Matabao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte kondiin upat ka mga suspected drug pushers ang nasikop apil na niini ang usa ka minor-de-edad nga runner.

Naila ang mga nadakpang sila Mile Dilinmogan Sarangani, 47-anyos, residente sa Brgy. 5, Brgy. Poblacion sakop sa maong lungsod; Wahid Mamaranggas Sarangani, 24-anyos, minyo, residente sa Brgy. 3 sa susamang lungsod, Shahira Abubakar Salik, 28-anyos, minyo og residente sa Brgy. 8 sa parehong lungsod og usa nga taga-Lanao del Sur.

Sigon ni PDEA-Caraga acting regional director Joel Plaza, usa ka buwan na nilang gi-surveillance ang mga suspek adiser gihimo ang operasyon human nakumpirmang sila ang tigdawat og supply sa shabu gikan sa Mawari City nga maoy gipangkatag sa nagkada-iyang bahin ning rehiyon. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Lugar nga gi-ulan og isda sa Agusan del Sur, nahimong tourist attraction

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 16 (PIA) -- Hangtud karon, wala pa gihapon maila sa mga mangingisda sa Agusan del Sur kung unsa nga klase sa isda ang mi-uban sa pagbunok sa ulan kagahapon sa panimalay ni Kagawad Anselmo Eliseo Ong Jr. sa Brgy. Poblacion, lungsod sa Loreto, Agusan del Sur.

Sa eksklusibong pakighinabi ning sibyahan, gipadayag ni Kagawad Ong nga sulod sa 45 ka tuig niyang pagpuyo sa maong dapit, karon pa kini nahitabo sa ilang nasud og karon pa usab niya nakita ang maong isda nga susama kadako sa kumagko sa kamot og susama og porma sa haw-an apan itom ang ikog.

Bisan ang ilang mga katigulangan, wala maka-ila kung unsa kini nga klase .Gibutyag sa opisyal nga dihang midungan sa pagbunok sa uwan ang pagkahulog sa mga isda, naglumba og panguha niini ang mga bata og gidala sa ilang balay hinungdan nga sa kinatibuk-an, 80 ka buok ang ilang nakolekta nga duna'y managlahing gidak-on.

Gidugang pa sa konsehal nga sa ilang nakita kagahapon, pulos buhi ang tanang mga isda nga natagak og aktibo pa kining galangoy-langoy sa tubig-ulan.

Ang bugtong lamang nilang gikatingala kung asa kini nga dapit gikan tungod sa kamatu-urang karon pa nila kini nakita nga klase sa isda kansa ilang gi-display sa gawas nga bahin sa ilang tindahan aron makita sa mga tawong midugok na sa ilang panimalay. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Sunday, January 15, 2012

2012-01-14T19:03:00.000-08:00

OWWA-Caraga reports OFWs' problems

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) -- An official of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Caraga Region said the most common problem of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the region is the non-remittance of salary to their family.

According to Ms. Annette Lovete, OWWA-Caraga has already entertained number of cases of those OFWs who are not remitting or even abandoned their family here.

She also said some of the family members who came to their office claimed that they were not able to contact and worst is they don’t know the whereabouts of their loved ones abroad.

However, Lovete said whereabouts of these OFWs can still be traced because of the membership data system implemented by OWWA.

With this, the official said family members must coordinate with OWWA for assistance on this matter. She added they must bring pertinent documents signifying the authenticity of the employment of the OFWs, as well as proofs that they are really relatives of the OFWs.

Lovete also reported cases involving OFWs who are suffering from illness abroad where the family asked assistance from OWWA for the immediate medical treatment or even immediate repatriation here in the country.

Same with OFWs who died abroad, OWWA finds way to repatriate the dead body by all means, Lovete said.

It can be recalled that OWWA-Caraga has extended assistance to a female OFW from Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur who died on August 15, 2011 in Kuwait, by repatriating her body until it was brought to her hometown for burial. Allegedly, she jumped on the sixth floor of the building where she was working as a receptionist.

With this development, the official urged families of OFWs in the region to contact the OWWA-Caraga should they experience problems.

The move of OWWA-Caraga signifies good governance and supports the Human Development program as highlighted in the Philippine Development Plan of the Aquino Administration. (PIA-Caraga)

OWWA-Caraga offers reintegration program to OFWs

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) -– The Regional Office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Caraga Region continuous to offer reintegration program to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the region.

In a radio interview this morning, Ms. Annette Lovete of OWWA-Caraga pointed out that OFWs who are members of OWWA can avail of a loan assistance to be used for investing business.

Lovete added the livelihood loan program is open for both active OFWs and those who were former OFWs but has been active members of OWWA. She said if they have at least one membership with OWWA, they can already avail of the program.

The program allows the qualified OFW applicants to a minimum of P300,000 an maximum of P2 million. “Thus, with this amount, they (OFW) can really start their business or livelihood,” Lovete said.

The official further said the interest rate is only 7.5 percent per annum. “This is lower compared to other finance institutions offering same program,” Lovete added.

Lovete stressed applicants should undergo Enterprise Development Training (EDT) and after the training, OWWA endorsed the applicants to its partner state banks: Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Development bank of the Philippines (DBP) to ensure that the money borrowed will be used as what it is intended.

“The three-day EDT gives inputs to the applicants on values reintegration, financial literacy and how to handle business before the application will be granted,” she said.

Lovete also said OWWA will conduct constant monitoring of the business activities undertaken by the grantees to know whether or not the livelihood has helped them improved their lives, and to ensure that they can pay the money they borrowed plus the interest through their improved income.

The OWWA official explained further that the approving bank will really have to scrutinize the selection process to ensure that the grantee will succeed in whatever business or livelihood they will establish.

She said one of the requirements of the applicants is to submit a project proposal. With this proposal, the OWWA and the approving banks will conduct meticulous process before they will approve the application.

With this, Lovete said there is no reason why the grantees cannot pay the money they borrowed as well as the interest because the approving authorities should see to it that the project proposal submitted will be feasible, aside from assuring that the applicant is ready and has the capacity to pay his financial obligations.

To date, the official said since the program is being newly-introduced here, OFWs in the region are just starting to avail of the program. She said as per information from LBP, an application from an OFW of this city has just approved and will be granted some P2 million for the establishment of sand and gravel business. (PIA-Caraga)

News Feature: DENR-13 exceeds 2011 targets for national greening and anti-illegal logging programs

by Eric F. Gallego

While 2011 saw parts of Mindanao devastated by tropical storm Sendong—and brought to the fore the extent of environmental degradation in the island—the year also saw successes in government efforts towards protecting the environment and people from further harm.

Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca said that, during his first year as head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office 13, the agency’s accomplishments were above-par, especially in two major programs: the National Greening Program (NGP) and anti-illegal logging campaign.

The NGP (or Executive Order No. 26) seeks to plant some 1.5 billion trees all over the country from 2011 to 2016. This will cover 1.5 million hectares of the public lands such as forestlands, mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domains, civil and military reservations.

Caraga Region’s target in 2011was to plant trees in 1,272 hectares in five provinces: of Agusan del Norte, (145 ha.), Agusan del Sur (550 ha.), Surigao del Sur (410 ha.), Surigao del Norte (147 ha.) and the Dinagat Islands (20 ha.)

By the end of 2011, the region was able to plant trees in 1,300 hectares of denuded areas.

In support of this endeavour, the different nursery centers of the Region produced a total of 746,312 seedlings, including 182,669 for fruit trees, and 454,350 for forest and mangrove.

Mangrove seedlings were also planted at the coastline covering a total of 60 hectares in Tagaanan, Tubajon in Surigao del Norte; Lumbucan in Butuan City, Punta, Nasipit, Magallanes and Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte; Barangay Sibaroy, Bislig, San Agustin, Bayabas,Carmen, Carasscal, Madrid, Lanuza and Cantillan in Surigao del Sur which are being managed and supervised by the local officials, private organizations , women organization, the Bantay Dagat and fisherfolk.

On February 2, 2011, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Executive Order No.23 imposing a total log ban in natural and residual forest. The said Order also prohibited the DENR from issuing and renewing contracts and tree cutting permits in all natural and residual forest. The ban, however, allowed tree cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to IPRA law but this is subject to strict compliance with the DENR guidelines.

DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje then organized the Environmental Law Enforcement Task Force Pagbabago led by a retired Maj. Gen.Renato P. Miranda . During the initial operation, the task force confiscated 2,300 pieces of illegal logs in several tributaries of Agusan River particularly in San Luis, Talacogon towards Loreto in Agusan del Sur. The operation has been sustained thereafter.

According to RED Sibbaluca “all eyes” are focused on the Caraga Region in regards to the anti-illegal logging operations considering that the region contributes about 90 percent of total confiscation nationwide.

As of December 2011, DENR records show that a total of 4,132 cubic meters of illegal logs and 315,567.75 board feet (747.45 cu.m) of flitches and lumber have been confiscated by the task force during its 48 weeks operations in 2011. In 2010, the anti-illegal logging operation netted only 11,687.74 cu.m. of confiscated forest products.

A total of 1,994,360.32 board ft. of lumber materials from confiscated products have been donated by the DENR to the Department of Education through the Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA ) Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trade in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. More than 10,000 arm chairs for elementary pupils have been manufactured by the TESDA as of November 2011 which will be sent to the different public schools in the country.

The DENR is still awaiting the nod of the DepEd for the turn-over of more than 7,242 cubic meters of confiscated forest products which are slowly deteriorating due to exposure to natural elements at the different DENR-authorized depository sites in the region.

The other sectors of DENR 13 have their respective accomplishments in 2011 include: 1) The Land Management Services headed by Regional Technical Director Atty. Paquito Rosal reported that a total of 6,697 residential free patents and 6,778 patents have been issued under the regular fund and 8,501 patents have been issued under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program under the “Handog Titulo ng Pangulo” program;

2) The Forestry Sector headed by RTD Musa Saruang reported that it conducted watershed rehabilitation assessment covering 30 kilometers at the Mt. Magdiwata , San Francisco, Agusan del Sur and at Wawa Watershed covering 57,225 hectares in Bayugan and part of Agusan del Norte;

3) A total of 567 kilometers of forestland boundary lines have been assessed last year generating about 136 jobs;

4) The Ecosystem Research and Development under RTD Virgilio dela Cruz conducted rehabilitation of mangrove area of 60 hectares. It also produced 11,538 pieces of seedlings for the National Greening Program.

Programs for 2012

According to RED Sibbaluca, the major programs of DENR 13 for this year will focused on the implementation of the Philippine Clean Air Act, Philippine Clean Water Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The DENR will likewise continue the reinforcement of EO 23. The boundaries of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary shall also be demarcated to protect the endangered mamal and bird species in the area.

It shall also formulate 12 forest-land use plans, intensify the protection an development of established Protected Area such as Siargao Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape, and the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary; intensify the implementation of Integrated Coastal Management Program pursuant to EO 533; establish an operation center for the NGP, issuance of 6,627 patents for residential under the Residential Free Patent Act 10023 and 8,500 patents under CARP among other major programs. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

Feature: Moving on in Sendong's aftermath

by Danilo Escabarte

Muddied books, broken chairs and damaged classrooms greeted Jasmin Pagador, 5, and her classmates as they trooped back to Cabili Village Elementary School in Iligan City. Teachers and students tried to salvage whatever they could in the campus, which was hardly hit by tropical storm Sendong’s fury last December.

Jasmin went to see their room and found its floor still submerged in floodwater while the walls were badly damaged.

“Is that your room,” Rafael Lopa asked Jasmin in Filipino. Jasmin didn’t reply; she just stared at what was once her classroom.

“Gusto mo ipagawa natin yan (Do you want that we will rebuild it)?" he asked again.

Jasmin replied with a nod.

The Tsunami-like flashflood affected nineteen classrooms at Cabili Village Elementary School, damaged 475 arm chairs, 10 teachers tables and 5 water sanitation facilities.

Textbooks and other reading materials were buried in mud.

Sendong’s wrath may have destroyed school buildings and other vital infrastructures in its path, but has not broken Jasmin’s will to continue her schooling.

Her simple wish is “Maka-eskwela balik (To go back to school)."

Rafael Lopa heads the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a non-governmental organization which is conducting relief and rehabilitation efforts in identified schools damaged by Sendong in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro city.

Cabili Village Elementary School has been one of PBSP’s recipient and partner school in implementing education-focused projects. Latest among them was a remedial reading program for students with difficulties in reading and comprehension.

Jasmin’s wish can come true. With government and non-government organizations pooling resources together to rebuild what was damaged by Sendong; going back to school and moving on is not impossible for Jasmin and the rest of the students who survived Sendong’s fury.

PIA News Servicce - Saturday, January 14, 2012

2012-01-13T22:22:00.000-08:00

DOST-Caraga’s Science & Technology Center in Butuan inaugurated

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 14 (PIA) -– The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga headed by Regional Director Lyndo Villacorta has inaugurated Thursday its new Science and Technology Center at the Caraga State University (CSU) Campus, Barangay Ampayon, this city.

Regional directors, representatives of the government agencies, and some private stakeholders together with Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and other officials witnessed the inauguration as well as the groundbreaking ceremony of the DOST Metrology Laboratory.

Villacorta expressed his thanks to all government agencies for their support to DOST's programs and services. He also stressed that looking for resources for the construction of said building was not that easy but with hope and hard work, his office were able to build one and soon, the construction of the DOST Metrology Laboratory.

"With this new building, we can best do our function and best serve our clientele," said Villacorta.

Also, Amante commended the efforts of Villacorta in fulfilling one of their goals so they can give the best service to the public by doing well their science and technology tasks.

“I am very happy to know that this infrastructure will become one of the manifestations that Butuan is really developing.

With this development, DOST-Caraga assures public that they will continue to provide the programs and services for them. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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CBMEG helps ensure DA-MRDP Projects sustainable

by Aurell P. Arais

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 14 (PIA) -- “Monitoring is vital for the sustainability of a project.”

Mayor Leo Navarro of Marihatag, Surigao del Sur said this during the Community Based Monitoring and Evaluation Group Training of the Department of Agriculture -Mindanao Rural Development Program (DA-MRDP) held recently in the said town.

He said that in the past, numerous projects from the government, after it has been transferred to the recipients just die down due to different contributing factors.

“Daghan mga proyekto nga dili mulahutay, lain-lain ang mga rason pero kung atong iksamenon ug maayo, kulang sa monitoring ang nag-unang rason (Various projects will not sustain due to different reasons but if we look at it closer, lack of monitoring is the very first reason)," he said.

Navarro lauded MRDP in coming up with a scheme that gives monitoring and evaluation a priority.

To ensure sustainability, the Natural Resource Management; Monitoring and Evaluation and Info-Ace components of MRDP from Program Support Office in Davao City and Regional Program Coordinating Office (RPCO) based in the Regional Office of the Department of Agriculture in Butuan City jointly conducted the CBMEG training.

Participants of the training were the chairmen and members of different peoples’ organizations and their respective barangay officials and counterparts from Marihatag LGU.

CBMEG is a body to be created through a barangay ordinance and has been tasked to monitor and evaluate MRDP projects within its community and submit monitoring and evaluation reports to the municipal level for proper action if deemed necessary in case of eventualities on the projects.

Marihatag is a recipient of Global Equity Fund (GEF) with particular subprojects called On the Ground Investments (OGI) such as river bank stabilization, agroforestry and its livelihood component called Sustainable Income Generating Activities (SIGA). It is also a recipient of Community Fund for Agricultural Development (CFAD) and Rural Infrastructure (RI).

RPCO focal person Eliseo Tila revealed that Marihatag is one of most active MRDP-LGUs enrolled in terms of project implementation performance. (RAFID DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Friday, January 13, 2012

2012-01-13T18:17:00.000-08:00

PPA chief optimistic shipping lines to continue operation in Nasipit port

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) -– Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Butuan City-Agusan del Norte Port Manager Renato Tolinero on Thursday said he is optimistic that shipping lines will continue their operation in Nasipit Port despite of the less volume of passengers these days.

In an interview over a radio station here, Tolinero admitted that ship passengers are getting lesser these past few days compared to the previous years because of the access of air line companies in Caraga Region especially here in the city.

However, the official said Shipping Lines are not dependent on the volume of passengers they will have. He added the cargoes are among their transactions where shipping line managements can get more of its income.

“Although passengers are getting lesser, it’s not much of the volume of passengers that they are getting their income. In most cases, the basis for their income is not on the passenger’s fees but on the cargoes’ fees,” Tolinero said.

This developed after local residents in Nasipit are getting worried of the situation that may result to the closure of the Nasipit port because shipping lines might discontinue their operations.

It was learned that more flights are added this year in Butuan City by the two airline companies: Philippine Air Lines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) bound for Manila and Cebu City, while Shipping Lines voyages here are also bound for Manila, Cebu and Bohol. (PIA-Caraga)

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Foreign nationals may apply for permanent residency, immigration says

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- Foreign nationals may now apply for permanent residency in the country.

According to Bureau of Immigration (BoI) Alien Control Officer Pastor P. Moran, Jr. foreigners who are married to Filipino nationals may stay in the country as long as they like if they have documents signifying their permanent residency.

“Ang mga foreigners nga nagminyo og mga Filipinas or Filipinos pwede na mag-apply og permanent residency by marriage… tungod niini, dili na sila mamahimong illegal alien dinhi sa atong rehiyon,” Moran said.

(Foreigners married to Filipinas or Filipinos may now apply for permanent residency by marriage… because of this, they will not be called illegal alien anymore here in our region.)

Moran said after the application is approved and all the necessary requirements have already been complied with, they are now authorized to put up business.

“Kung ma-approve na ang application ug na-comply na ang tanang mga requirements, pwede na pud sila motukod og negosyo kay legal na man ang ilang pagpuyo dinhi,” Moran said.

(If the application is already approved and requirements are already complied, they can also establish business because their stay is already legal.)

With this, Moran said interested parties may get in touch with their office at (085) 342-5097. (PIA-Caraga)

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MGB-13 identifies several Surigao City barangays as geo-hazard areas

by FEAbkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- Several barangays in Surigao City are high risk areas during landslides and floods, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Caraga Region revealed recently.

A detailed landslide and flood susceptibility report of MGB revealed that the barangays of Bonifacio, Canlanipa, Lipata, Mat-i, Punta Bilar, Quezon, Rizal, Taft, Togbongon and Washington are classified with high degree of landslide hazard, while the barangays of Capalayan, Danao, Ipil, Luna, Poctoy, San Roque, Trinidad and Sukailang are moderate and Balibayon, Cabongbongan, Cagniog, Mabini, Mabua, and Serna are classified as low landslide hazards.

MGB further reported that the flood susceptibility barangays with high degree of hazards are Luna, Mabini, Rizal, Sabang, Togbongon, Washington and San Juan, and barangays with moderate degree of flood hazards are Cabongbongan, Danao, Ipil, Mabua, Mat-i, and Nabago while the areas with low degree of flood hazards are Anomar, Bonifacio, Cagniog, Capalayan, Lipata, Quezon, Taft and Serna.

The MGB also reported other geo-hazards which include river scouring and siltation in Surigao River, bank erosion hazard and cut slope failure along the road in Brgy. Mabini, riverbank scouring in Brgy. Silop, flashflood hazard due to silted rivers in Pinaypayan and File in Brgy. Mat-i, river scouring in Brgy. San Juan, and subsidence hazard in Brgy. San Roque .

Coastal erosions and sedimentation were also reported in Brgy. Sabang. “If possible relocate/evacuate (the residents living in these) areas in Purok 2, 3 and 4 (in Brgy. Sabang) to evade possible occurrence of tidal storm surge in time of extreme weather condition,” the MGB report said. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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All set for Kahimunan Festival 2012, organizers say

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) – Organizers of Barangay Libertad’s Kahimunan Festival said the staging of this year’s grandest street dancing competition in the city on Sunday, Jan. 15, is all set as local contingents have prepared breath taking performances that will entertain not only local residents but also visitors.

According to Barangay Captain Vincent Rizal Rosario, five local contingents will vie for the championship title in the Grand Kahimunan Streetdancing Competition which is considered the highlight of the festival.

The five contingents are Barangay Libertad Women’s Group, Libertad National High School, Libertad Central Elementary School, Sta. Cruz Chapel and the Purok 3-A dancers.

Rosario added aside from the Grand Kahimunan streetdancing, the children’s Kahimunan will also be held.

The official also said that the festival’s Executive Committee members have agreed to invite members of the board of judges composed of choreographers the neighboring provinces and from this city who are not residents of Barangay Libertad. He added that this is to ensure a fair result.

Brgy. Capt. Rosario stressed that this year’s preparation is the same with the previous years and the only difference is that contingents of this year’s festival is exclusive to Barangay Libertad residents and organizations.

Aside from this, the official said four wide screens will be placed in strategic locations inside the Libertad Sports Complex where the final showdown will be conducted. “This can also be viewed through Internet live streaming,” Rosario said.

With this, the official urged the people here to inform their relatives and friends abroad of this development so that they may be able to witness Butuan City’s local version of Sinulog Festival.

Meanwhile, the Search for 2012 Mutya Hong Libertad will culminate this evening in the Grand Coronation Night at the Libertad Covered Court here, while the Libertad Singing Idol Season 2 contestants will take center stage tomorrow evening in the said venue.

Kahimunan Festival is held every third Sunday of January in time with the annual fiesta celebration of Senior Santo Niño, the patron saint of Barangay Libertad, this city. (PIA-Caraga)

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Police, multi-sector reps sign agreement on peace and order

by Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- Police officials and representatives of various sectors the signed a “Covenant of Agreement” relating to peace and order problems in the community.

Community problems such as theft and robbery, minors addicted to solvents, security on the part of the business sector, traffic concerns and the illegal drugs were tackled during a multi-sectoral anti-criminality forum last Thursday at Brgy. Obrero Learning Center, Brgy. Obrero, Butuan City.

The activity aimed to forge a unified support to the programs of the government and the city police in achieving peace and order and prevent criminality in the area

A dialogue was held between representatives of various sectors and the police and other officials to address these problems..

Butuan City Police Office led by its officer-in-charge chief PSupt. Pedro U. Obaldo, Jr.

In his message, Chief PSupt. Pedro U. Obaldo, Jr. said that peace and order problem is everybody’s concern. He said that minors addicted to solvents were mostly famished and thus resorts to the sniffing substances to in order to alleviate hunger pangs

He said that the police has done its task of getting them off the streets and talking to them, and even to the extent of feeding them before referring them to the concerned government agencies as they can not detain because of an existing law. Some few days after their referral, the same minors were again seen roaming back the streets for lack of caring facilities.

The solution to the problem of these solvent-addicted minors calls for the unified efforts, cooperation and concern not only of the police but also of the homes (families and relatives), the church, the concerned government agencies, the private sectors and even of the community, he said.

So with the other concerns of security, drugs and criminality, he said.

The police crime preventive and preemptive measures such as beat visibility patrols, checkpoints, overt and covert operations and action teams cannot be effective unless the community will also do their share of reporting any unusual incidents, activity or suspicious personalities in their respective areas.

The director promised to take action on any reports coming from the community. He said he will not hesitate to take action to any concerns brought before his attention and will not tolerate any inaction. Police officials, he said, may also be replaced if proven that they cannot be trusted by the community.

“I need your support and your cooperation. Let’s talk and be a friend to your police…” Obaldo said. (PIA Caraga)

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Caraga LGUs ready disaster and climate change plan

by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- Some 25 local government units in Region XIII have formulated a draft of their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management/Climate Change Adaptation (DRRM/CCA) Plan for 2012 during the DRRM/CCA Planning Workshop on January 11-12, 2012.

The activity is sponsored by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in partnership with Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo and the Local Government Academy under the Strengthening Local Governments of the Philippines (SLGP) Project in Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

The activity is designed to build the capacities of the members of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs) in the formulation of DRRM/CCA Plans.

In her welcome address, DILG Assistant Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion encouraged the LGUs to strengthen their LDRRMCs to mitigate if not prevent destruction to life, limb and property brought by disasters due to climate change. She further said that disasters are inevitable and will eventually hit any place so the best that LGUs could do is to respond and adapt to the vast changing of climate to mitigate its destructive effects.

“We don’t want a repeat of what happened to our neighbors Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities. You must be prepared at all times to fight back disasters like Sendong which can be likened to an unseen enemy, a thief in the night which strikes when least expected. Be prepared because it’s not Batman or Superman that can help us, but only us who must be prepared at all times,” she said.

During the workshop, the participants were briefed on the salient features of RA 10121 known as “The Phil. DDRM Act of 2010 and NDRRm Framework,” Geo-Hazard Mapping, RA 9729 known as “Climate Change Act of 2009,” and the Government’s Plans and Programs for DRRM/CCA.

The participants composed of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators, Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers, Municipal Engineers and Municipal Local Government Operations Officers assessed the vulnerability and capacity of their respective LGUs in DRRM/CCA which will gauge the latter’s success/performance in strengthening the DRRM/CCA.

It can be recalled that a similar training was conducted by the Local Government Academy to eight (8) selected LGUs on September 7-8, 2011. Another round of the same activity was also conducted by this Department on December 7-8, 2011 to fifteen (15) local government units.

This makes a total of forty eight (48) LGUs that were trained on DRRM/CCA. The rest of the LGUs, twenty five (25) of them, were trained by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)

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PAG-IBIG Butuan grants P7.5M calamity loans

by Christopher L. Loon

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- The PAG-IBIG Fund here is now accepting calamity loan applications from its members all over Caraga Region, which was declared under state of calamity through Presidential Proclamation No. 303 by President Benigno S. Aquino III on Dec. 20, 2011.

With this, the PAG-IBIG fund has started processing calamity loans last Jan. 2 and has so far released a total of P7,555,051.56 to all its qualified member-borrowers for the nine days operation alone.

It is expected to increase in the coming days due to the extent of the declaration. The availment period will run for three months that will last until March 20, 2012.

To qualify, a member must have paid at least 24 months membership contributions. All other eligibilities required in a regular loan will be waived. The loan proceeds will be 80 percent of the total savings net of the outstanding loan.

Through the years, PAG-IBIG Fund has been true to its mission, which is to uplift the quality of life of its members through savings. It has been proven by its active participation not only on relief operations but also the granting of calamity loans for its qualified members during calamities.

Butuan Branch since its inception had released a total amount of P628 million to help alleviate the living condition of its members affected by calamities. This catered a total of 77,756 members under Caraga Region.

Aside from the Multi Purpose Loan and Calamity Loan, a qualified member can also avail of a housing loan. (Pag-Ibig Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: PNoy girebisar ang sumbanan sa suspension sa mga klase ug trabaho sa gobyerno gumikan sa mga katalagman

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 13 (PIA) -- Gipalapdan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang kasamtangang protocol sa pagkansela sa mga klase ug trabaho sa gobyerno panahon sa bagyo lakip na ang baha, kalamidad, ug uban pang mga pagsamok sa panahon aron malikayan ang mga kadaot.

Si Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. mibutyag kagahapon, Huwebes nga ang Pangulo mipagawas sa Executive Order No. 66 niadtong Enero 9, aron pagpahapsay ug pagpasayon sa mga proseso alang sa pagkansela sa mga klase sa pangpubliko ug pribadong mga eskuylahan ug trabaho sa panggobyernong mga buhatan tungod sa kalamidad.

“This presidential issuance is an assertion of the State’s declared policy to institutionalize measures that will ensure that the general public, including students and state workers, will be safe from needless hazards and that their lives and limbs will be safeguarded,” si Ochoa miingon.

Ang EO 66 mitakda sa mosunod nga mga sumbanan sa pagkasenla o pagsuspinde sa mga klase sa pangpubliko ug pribadong eskuylahan ug trabaho sa gobyernong buhatan:

• Signal No. 1 – Ang mga klase sa pre-school level, sa apektadong lugar, awtomatikong suspendido o kanselado.

• Signal No. 2 – Ang mga klase sa pre-school, elementary ug sekondarya , sa apektadong lugar, awtomatikong kanselado o suspendidoand.

• Signal No. 3 – Ang mga kalse sa pre-school, elementarya, sekondarya ug kolehiyo, sa apektadong lugar, pati ang graduate school, lakip usab ang trabaho sa tanang mga buhatan sa gobyerno, awtomatikong kanselado o suspendido.

Gimandoan usab ni Pangulong Aquino ang Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) sa pagpagawas og mga weather forecast ngadto sa mga nakalain-laing mga media outlets, lakip ang radyo ug telebisyon, sa dili pa molapas sa alas 10:00p.m. ang takna sa kagabii sa naunang adlaw ug alas 4:30 a.m. sayong buntag sa adlaw sa gikatakdang kanselasyon o suspension sa mga klase ug trabaho.

Apan, ang Pangulo miingon nga sa panghitabo nga adunay mga klase ug trabaho sa buntag ug ang suspension sa mga klase ug trabaho moepekto lamang sa hapon, ang PAGASA kinahanglan mopagawas sa maong weather forecast dili pa molapas ang alas 11 a.m. sa buntag sa maong adlaw.

Ug sa samang gihayon, ang EO 66 nagtakda nga sa panahon nga walay typhoon signal o warnings gikan sa PAGASA, ang local chief executives maoy moimplementar og local nga kanselasyon o suspension sa mga klase ug trabaho uban ang koordinasyon sa weather bureau ug sa National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), partikularmente sa mga lugar nga delikado sa pagbaha.

Sa mga lugar nga apektado sa mga katalagman pang uban luyo sa mga bagyo, ang pagkansela sa mga klase sa tanang lebel sa pribado ug pangpublikong mga eskuylahan ug trabaho sa gobyerno makanselado o masuspendindo lamang kon kini edeklara sa Pangulo human ang rekomendasyon sa NDRRMC.

Gitahasan usab sa EO 66 ang NDRRMC nga pahibal-on gyud dayon ang Office of the President (OP), pinaagi sa Executive Secretary, kon aduna o sa tanang kanselasyon o suspension sa mga klase ug trabaho sa gobyerno sa apektadong mga lugar.

Ang Pangulo mimando usab sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno nga may direktang kalabotan sa disaster risk reduction and management nga imentinar ang mga operasyon sa ilang mga tagsa-tagsa ka mga buhatan aron maseguro ang padayon nga serbisyo publiko.

Kini nga mga buhatan sa gobyerno mao ang Office of the Executive Secretary ug ang Department of National Defense, ang Interior and Local Government, Social Welfare and Development, Science and Technology, Health, Public Works and Highways, Education ug lain pang uban, nga diin ang ilang mga operasyon kinahanglanon sa Pangulo o sa NDRRMC.

Ang OP, pinaagi sa Executive Secretary, adunay parehong awtoridad uban ang NDRRMC nga mokansela o mosuspende sa mga klase ug trabaho atol sa mga katalagman, gitakda sa EO. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Land conversion nag-unang rason sa pagkadelatar sa katukuran sa bag-ong capitol building

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Jan. 13 (PIA) -- Ang land conversion ang nag-unang rason sa pagkadelatar sa katukuran sa bag-ong Capitol Building sa Agusan del Norte Provincial Government ngadto na sa Barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran City, kini ang giklaro ni Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho.

Sumala pa ni Racho nga nakahan-ay na ang tanang plano alang sa katukuran sa bag-ong kapitolyo, apan dili matud pa kini mapadayon kon walay desisyon sa Department of Agrarian Reform ug sa Department of Agriculture sa pag-convert sa maong yuta gikan na sa Agricultural Land ngadto na sa Commercial o Industrial Land.

Gidugang pa ni Racho nga nakompleto na sa probinsya ang tanang mga dokumento nga gikinahanglan aron ma-convert ang maong yuta, ug posible nga mogawas na ang desisyon sunod bulan, aron usab masugdan na ang pag-constrcut sa bag-ong gambalay. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

PIA News Service - Thursday, January 12, 2012

2012-01-12T06:22:00.000-08:00

News Feature: Provincial hospital soon to rise in Surigao Norte

by FEAbkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- A provincial hospital will soon be constructed and established after Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and the provincial government officials held a groundbreaking ceremony and laying of capsule on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Placer.

Placer Mayor Felimon Napuli, in his welcome message, expressed gratitude to the provincial officials for choosing his municipality to be the site of the province’s new 50-bed medical facility. “It is an honor as well as privilege that the Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital will soon rise in this land of promise and golden town of Placer,” he said.

“As the mayor of this town, I can’t measure the gratefulness I feel right now,” he added.

Department of Health (DOH) Asec. Dr. Romulo Busuego, in his message, revealed that the agency has committed around P140 million for the construction and upgrading of the medical facilities of the hospital. Busuego said Health Secretary Enrique Ona had already earmarked an initial P50 million for the construction of Phase 1.

“We are witnessing another milestone of health program, aiming to achieve the three important goals of our health reforms today. The department has actually committed P140 million to complete this institution. The Phase 1 is already here, we have it released thru the Department of Budget and Management (DBM),” Busuego said.

Right after his speech, a symbolic signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) and Deed of Donation was then held between Gov. Sol Matugas, Sec. Gazmin and Asec Busuego.

It is stated in the MOA that the Philippine Army and the Provincial Government have agreed to swap the two-hectare property owned by Philippine Army in front of the 30th Infantry Battalion Headquarters along the national highway in Brgy. Sta. Cruz with the property of the provincial government situated at Brgy. Magpayang, Mainit to pave the way for the construction of the hospital.

Sec. Gazmin emphasized the commitment of the national government under President Benigno S. Aquino III to bring the basic services much closer to the people.

“One of the real assets of a strong nation is its healthy citizenry, this presupposes the fulfillment and the fundamental duty on the part of the government to take care of the health needs and ensure the physical well-being of its people. Accordingly, this forms part of the social contract with the Filipino people of Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III,” Gazmin said.

The site groundbreaking was also graced by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa, 4th ID Commanding General MGen. Victor Felix, EASTMINCOM Commanding Officer Commodore Santiago Nebres, 402nd Brigade Commander Col. Ronald Albano, municipal mayors, some provincial and local officials. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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NGOs to hold Concert for a Cause in Butuan

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- The Butuan Habitat for Humanity Incorporated and the iHome Butuan Incorporated, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Downtown Butuan and Rotary Club of Midtown Butuanwill be holding a benefit concert with the theme, “Better Lives thru Better Homes”.

Said concert will be held at the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gymnasium on January 29, 2012 at 7:00 o’clock in the evening.

Ms. Lolita Carbon of ASIN band, together with the Nene Band, will be the main concert performer.

The "Concert for A Cause" is in celebration of the 12th Anniversary of Butuan Habitat for Humanity, Inc., and the launching of iHome Butuan, Inc.

Tickets are priced at P50, P200 and P500.

It was also learned that said funds will be used to build more houses for the poor in Butuan and Caraga region.

For more details, call telephone number: (085) 342-0903. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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OCD-Caraga intensifies monitoring of region’s disaster-prone areas

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- With the recent downpour in the city, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Caraga is intensifying its monitoring of disaster-prone areas.

This came on the heels of a recent diaster that hit the country, particularly in Caraga's neighboring regions.

According to OCD-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Blanche Gobenciong, this will enable the OCD to constantly monitor and advise residents in disaster-prone areas to prevent loss of lives.

Gobenciong said the national government is aiming for a zero casualty every time a disaster is happening. “Thus, this is one way of supporting this objective of the government,” she added.

With this, the official said they are seriously monitoring these disaster-prone areas.

Specifically, Dr. Gobenciong said areas near bodies of water will be prioritized. He noted that the city is a river basin of the Agusan River.

“Lately, nakakaranas tayo ng mga pag-ulan dito sa ating rehiyon kaya pinag-igting namin ang pagmo-monitor sa mga disaster-prone areas tulad na lamang sa mga lugar malapit sa Agusan River kung saan base sa mga nagdaang pagbaha dito, malaki ang napinsalang kabahayan at ari-arian dahil nag-overflow na ang ilog,” Gobenciong said.

(Lately, we have experienced continuous rains here in Caraga Region so we have strengthened the monitoring of disaster-prone areas such as those in the riverbanks in Agusan River here wherein based on the previous floodings, more houses and properties were affected because the river had swollen and overflowed.) (PIA-Caraga)

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BJMP-Caraga conducts literacy, livelihood program to inmates

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- In an effort to provide literacy and livelihood opportunities to inmates, Caraga Region’s Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) continues to conduct trainings and seminars.

BJMP Assistant Regional Director Dario Campos in a radio interview here said the program aims to provide the inmates with proper values, skills and livelihood opportunities “so that by the time they will finish serving their sentence, they can still be productive citizens of the country.”

“Ang maong mga programa gibuhat aron mahatagan og kahigayunan ang atong mga inmates nga makabaton og maayong mga gawi ingon man kahibalo sa natad panginabuhi-an, aron sa panahong makagawas na sila, mamahimo guihapon silang produktibo sa komunidad,” Campos said.

(The programs are intended to give inmates the opportunity to learn good values and skills, as well as livelihood opportunities so that when they are already free, they can still be productive in the community.)

Insp. Campos also said the literacy training program is in coordination with the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Aside from the literacy training program, the official said the livelihood program will enable the inmates to be given business opportunities that can be used in the future. (PIA-Caraga)

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PhilHealth-Caraga readies Caraganons for the simultaneous Run for Hope

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- The Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation, the country’s health insurance arm stepped up preparations for the conduct of the "PhilHealth Run: The Mindanao Run for Hope" slated at 5:00 a.m. on February 5, 2012, this city.

The said activity will be held simultaneously in the six key cities of Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Koronadal, Marawi and Zamboanga targeting a minimum of 17,000 runners across Mindanao.

PhilHealth Caraga Regional Vice President Johnny Y. Sychua said they expect a minimum of 2,500 runners from Butuan City.

Part of the proceeds of the PhilHealth Run will go to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Children’s Cancer Center and Blood Diseases Unit (Kids of Hope). "(It is) the only facility in Visayas and Mindanao that can deliver multidisciplinary care for children with cancer,” Sychua said.

Also, the event will provide financial assistance to Por Cristo Foundation, Inc. and Lingap Center of CSWD-Butuan, a facility for the abandoned elderly and abandoned children, respectively.

For more details, PhilHealth-Caraga can be reached at telephone numbers: (085) 225-7017; 341-3359 and look for Ms. Jane E. Santos or Ms. Mitzi V. Quinto.

With this, PhilHealth hopes to achieve its vision for this event: One Run. One Mindanao. One Cause. One Hope. To sace One Life of a Child with Cancer, One day at a time. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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'Kahit Isang Araw Lang' unity run set in Butuan

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- The Avant-Garde Creatives Incorporated in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and UNTV are set to hold the “Kahit Isang Araw Lang” Advocacy thru a unity run on January 22, 2012.

The “Kahit Isang Araw Lang” (Even Just One Day) is a bold call for people to unite even for just one day, said event coordinator Arthur Peña.

“The unity run is a one-day charity run to be held nationwide on January 22, 2012 which aims to build computer classrooms for public schools nationwide in partnership with DepEd,” said Peña.

Participants of the unity run will have to pay the registration fees: 3 kilometer run – P150.00; 5 kilometer run – P200.00; and 10 kilometer run – P250.00.

Cash prizes will also be given to the top three winners. Prizes also awaits winners in the raffle draw where registrants have the chance to win.

In line with this, the launching of this advocacy will be held on January 13, 2012, 9:00 o’clok in the morning at the Commission on Audit (COA) Caraga Regional Convention Hall, South Montilla Boulevard, Butuan City. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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Police to introduce innovations in 2012

by Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- The police force here will introduce innovations in Caraga region this year the better to safeguard public safety and maintain peace and order.

In his New Year's message, Caraga PNP Director Police Chief Superintendent Reynaldo S. Rafal said these innovations include the expansion of the e-Blotter System, which was started by the Butuan City Police Office; the implementation of the e-Warrant System, where the warrants of arrest will be placed in a data base system so that an apprehended person’s record can be easily accessed whether he has other standing warrants; and the e-Rouge System, for the convenient access of a suspect’s background information, criminal records and other of his profiles.

Other innovations, Rafal said, will be announced to the public in the coming days. He also said that other anti-criminality projects which had worked well in other parts of the country may be replicated here in the region.

These may include the creation of “Motorcycle Cops” to counter the “Motorcycle-riding-in-tandem” criminals, enhancing the Police Community Relations, information campaign, police visibility patrols on the streets and emphasis on the capability of the police to conduct search and rescue and relief and rehabilitation operations. Director Rafal said that per instruction from CPNP PDGen. Bartolome, the police mobile forces such as the Regional Public Safety Battalions and the City and Provincial Public Safety Companies, will conduct not only internal security operations but also disaster management operations.

The director said that they will also continue with their existing campaign to arrest the wanted persons, the realization of the policeman-per-barangay and other on-going projects.

Rafal commended the regional police force for a job well done in 2011, as crime volume decreased by 19.1 percent, compared to the previous year. He said that the reduction of the crime rate nationwide had also been noted by the police higher headquarters. He added the figures in the region went down even in November and December last year, when the crime volume was expected to rise due to the holiday season.

Commissioned officers of the Police Regional Office 13 paid their annual traditional “New Year’s” courtesy call to the Caraga PNP Director early this morning at the front of the administration building of the regional police headquarters, Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, Libertad, this city.(PIA Caraga)

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Agusan del Sur scholars graduate in Australia anew

by Alexis Cabardo

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 12 (PIA) -- Seven scholars of the provincial government of Agusan del Sur and the Australian government have recently completed their foreign studies.

The said scholars, who studied in Australia, are all regular employees of the local government. Among the courses they took up were Animal Studies, Environmental Management, Human Resource Management and Public Finance.

The scholarship program is part of the partnership between the province of Agusan del Sur and the Australian government, through its Australian Human Resource Development Facility (PAHRDF).

Since the partnership between the provincial government of Agusan del Sur and the Australian Government started in 2006, 27 scholars have been sent to Australia to take up either diploma courses or masteral degree.

Of the 27 scholars, 26 have already graduated. Another scholar is still in New Castle, Australia, taking masters degree in Human Resource Management.

The Australian government shoulders the tuition fees and other miscellaneous fees of the scholars sent to leading universities in Sydney, Melbourne, Caberra, New Castle, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin in Australia.

The provincial government shoulders part of the expenses.

Based on the ordinance passed by the Agusan del Sur government, provincial scholars are obliged to render at least six years of service with the provincial government after they graduated.

During the Monday flag raising ceremony at the provincial capitol ground, the newly graduated scholars were presented to the provincial officials and employees.

The scholars said they hope that their re-entry to the provincial government will make a difference in the planning and implementation of the provincial functions in order to improve the quality of life of the Ausanons.

The seven scholars thanked thanked the provincial government for the very rare opportunity afforded them.

“We are very grateful for the rare opportunity and privilege given to us by the provincial government. Rest assured, we will apply here what we learned abroad because even though we have the right knowledge, we still need to enhance them,” Ma. Angelita Salo said. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Cebuano News: Capitol park magpabili’ng abli sa publiko matag gabii

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 12 (PIA) – Magpabilin nga abli sa publiko matag gabii ang Capitol Park sulod sa Capitol Compound nga gipanag-iyahan sa Agusan del Norte Provincial Government, kini ang gipamahayag ni Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho.

Sumala pa ni Racho nga matag tuig adunay kaugalingon nga budget ang Capitol Park alang sa maintinance niini, hinungdan nga angayan lamang nga i-beautify kini.

Kahinumduman nga niadtong panahon sa pasko usa sa mga suruyanan sa katawhan ang Capitol Park gumikan usab sa kaanindot sa mga dayan-dayan niini uban ang Pipe-in Music, kon diin luwas usab kini nga suruyan panahon sa kagabhion.

Sa kasamtangan magpabilin nga abli sa publiko ang Capitol Park matag gabii uban ang Pipe-In Music ug Live Band Performance matag adlaw nga biyernes. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Probinsiyal nga panggamhanan sa Agusan del Norte pahiluna-on ang mga Job Order workers

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 12 (PIA) – Naningkamot karon ang Agusan del Norte Provincial Government nga maplastar guihapon ang mga existing Job Order Workers sa kapitolyo, luyo sa nasinati karon nga pagkunhod sa Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) sa tibuok nasud.

Gibutyag ni Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho nga posibleng ipatuman ang rotation program alang sa mga Job Order Workers aron mapahiluna guihapon sila sa ilang pagpanarbaho.

Subay niini, posibleng makuhaan ang mga Job Order Workers sa kapitolyo, apan magdepende kini sa kamahinungdanon sa ilang mga trabaho diha sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga buhatan. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano News: “Panambay sa Barangay”gipahigayon sa Barangay Nabago ug Capalayan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Enero 12 (PIA) -- Malampuson nga gipahigayon ang Panambay sa Barangay niadtong miaging adlaw, Enero 10, 2011 didto sa Brgy. Gym sa Nabago ug Capalayan, Surigao City.

Ang maong kalihukan gipangulohan ni Provincial Health Officer Dr. Leonora Andanar uban ang mga medical team sa probinsya ug syudad.

Kini gitambungan nila Governor Sol Matugas, Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr., ug Surigao City Mayor Ermesto Matugas.

Atol sa maong kalihukan gipahigayon usab ang education caravan diin si Governor Matugas ug Mayor Matugas miapod-apod og mga health kits sa mga kabataan sa pre-school ug grade 1, pag turn-over sa mga libro alang sa library, ug ang paghatag og pinansyal nga pahalipay sa mga brgy. Health workers ug BPLK .

Mapasalamaton ug dako ang mga lumulupyo sa maong barangay nga sila nakatagamtam sa libreng konsultasyon, tuli, papsmear, laboratory services, dental services, libreng tambal ug vitamins. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, January 11, 2012

2012-01-11T04:48:00.000-08:00

Sec Gazmin to lead groundbreaking of Surigao Norte provincial hospital

by FEAbkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin will lead today the groundbreaking of the new provincial hospital at Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Placer, this province.

The 50-bed medical facility has an initial funding of P50 million which is set to benefit thousands of people, especially those of low income living in the area.

Gov. Sol Matugas,1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas, 2nd District Rep. Guillermo Romarate and Placer Mayor Felimon Napuli will assist Sec. Gazmin and Department of Health officials during today’s groundbreaking rites at the two-hectare site.

Matugas revealed that that project was finally realized after Sec. Gazmin recently approved the swapping of the two-hectare property owned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Brgy. Sta. Cruz, Placer with the property of the provincial government located at Brgy. Magpayang, Mainit. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Phil. Red Cross AgNor-Butuan City Chapter reports 2011 accomplishments; sets 2012 activities

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte has presented its accomplishments for 2011 and set the activities for 2012 during the regular meeting held recently at the GR Banaag RCY Development Center here.

Officers of the following committees also reported its accomplishments as of December 2011 in the following areas: Disaster Management Service; Blood Services; Safety Services; Community Health and Nursing Service; Red Cross Youth; Social Services; and Fund Generation.

The PRC had 264 blood donors in December. It also conducted a total of 56 blood services activities within the month in partnership with other stakeholders.

Administrator Cairo urged the public to donate more blood. He also stressed that blood donors should be within the age range of 16-65 years old. A 16-year old donor needs parental consent; while 65 years old person may be allowed to donate blood may he is a regular donor.

The following activities will be conducted as part of the Red Cross' fund generation: 1) Bingo for a Cause on May 5, 2012; 2) Dinner Date with Acoustics on August 24, 2012; and 3) Raffle Bonanza on December 19, 2012.

Meanwhile, Dr. Virgilio Nery Jr, city councilor commends the efforts and active participation of the PRC in the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. (PIA-Caraga)

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PNP-Caraga to intensify police visibility

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 11 (PIA) -- There will be intensified police visibility in Caraga region.

This is according to Police Regional Office (PRO) Caraga Regional Director Reynaldo Rafal.

Rafal said police personnel need to be visible especially in crime-prone areas.

The official also said that the PNP will look into holdup-robbery incidents early this year, and provide immediate solution to these.

He also said in an earlier discussion with Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., they agreed that the PNP Regional Office will augment the number of police personnel in Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) to see to it that police visibility will be properly implemented.

“Nag-usap na kami ni Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. tungkol dito para ma-improve natin ang police visibility sa area (We have discussed this matter with Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. to improve police visibility in some areas here)," Rafal said.

The region’s PNP chief also said that a reliable source told him that the city government will be donating electricity-driven cars for police mobilization.

“I’ve heard that the city government will be donating electricity-driven cars for police visibility and to counter motorcycle riding in tandem suspects,” the official said.

With this, the official said police personnel can run after those suspects which continuously proliferating and victimizing not only people from the city but as well as visitors. (PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Padayon nga suporta sa gobyerno ngadto sa mga sundalong Filipino, gipasalig ni Pangulong Aquino

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 11 (PIA) – Gipasaligan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III nga ang gobyerno magpadayon pagsuporta ug maningkamot aron mouswag ang kahimtang sa matag Filipinong sundalo ug pag moderno sa ilang mga pasilidad aron maseguro ang mayong pagserbisyo sa katawhang Filipino.

Sa iyang mensahe atol sa Philippine Air Force (PAF) Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony ni Gen. Oscar Rabena didto sa Grandstand sa Jesus Villamor Airbase sa Pasay City kagahapon Martes, gibatbat sa Pangulo ang paningkamot ug dedikasyon sa matag sundalo, partikularmente ang PAF mao nga siya misaad sa padayon paghatag og mga proyekto alang sa epektibong serbisyo ngadto sa katawhan.

“Makaaasa kayo na katuwang ninyo ang gobyerno upang makalipad pa sa mas mataas na papawirin at mas epektibong makapaglingkod ang hukbong himpapawid sa atin pong mga boss (Filipino people),” ang Pangulo miingon.

“Mulat po tayong kailangan pang palakasin ang inyong hanay, kaya naman makaaasa kayo sa tuloy-tuloy na modernisasyon ng inyong hanay upang mas mapabuti pa ang inyong serbisyo publiko… manalig kayo na hindi babalewalain ng ating administrasyon ang inyong pagmamalasakit sa bayan… susuklian natin ito ng karampatang kalinga at serbisyo para sa inyong kapakanan at ng inyong pamilya,” sa iyang pagdugang.

Giila sa Pangulo ang mga importanteng nahimo ni Airforce chief Lt. Oscar Rabena sa pagmentinar sa kalinaw ug kahapsay ug pagpanalipod sa soberanya sa nasod.

“Buong bansa tayong nagpupugay sa sipag at husay na ipinamalas ni Heneral Rabena sa halos tatlumpu’t walong taon ng paglilingkod sa ilalim ng ating bandila… sa kanyang pamumuno higit na umigting ang ating krusada laban sa masasamang elemento at tumibay ang kalasag ng bansa laban sa mga banta sa seguridad ng ating soberenya,” pagbatbat ni Pangulo.

Ang mga nahimo ni Rabena isip commanding general sa PAF nakatabang gyud sa paningkamot sa administrasyong Aquino aron mapauswag ang kahimtang sa kawani sa PAF lakip usab ang pagmoderno sa ilang mga ekwipo. Kini nga mga

programa sa kalamboan naglakip sa pasilidad sa pabalay sa mga base sa sundalo dinhi sa nasod.

Si Pangulong Aquino usab mipadayag ug hugot nga pagsalig ug kumpiyansa ngadto sa bag-ong PAF chief, Maj. Gen. Lauro Catalino dela Cruz uban sa pag-ingon nga ubos sa iyang pagdumala, ang mga “Airmen” segurado magpadayon sa ilang dedikasyon sa pagserbisyo alang sa matag Filipino ug magpokus sa ilang katungdanan binasehan ang kaayohan.

“Mahalaga po ang magkaroon ng isang mahusay at maaasahang pinuno, kaya naman tinitiyak natin sa pagtahak sa tuwid na daan, kasangga natin ang mga mapagkakatiwalaan at karapat-dapat na lider… lalo na sa atin Hukbong Himpapawid,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“Tiwala akong sa bagong pinuno ng Philippine Airforce na si Heneral Lauro Catalino dela Cruz lalo pang titibay ang dedikasyon ng inyong hanay sa pagsisilbi ng tapat sa sambayanan at patuloy na isasapuso ng mga sundalong Pilipino ang makatwirang paninindigan,” siya midugang.

Mitambong usab atol sa maong kalihukan ang mga opisyales sa gobyerno nga gipangulohan ni Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa ug Philippine National Police Chief General Nicanor Bartolome, ug lain pang uban. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Mga CAA members og militar nanlaban sa mga NPA sa Agusan del Norte, gipasidunggan

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 11 (PIA) -- Trese ka mga Civilian Active Auxilliary kon CAA members sa CAA Detachment nga nakabase sa Brgy. San Antonio, RTR, Agusan del Norte ang gipasidunggan sa liderato sa 4th Infantry 'Diamond' Division sa Philippine Army, uban sa duha nila ka mga opisyal ug upat ka special force members tungod sa malampusong magdepensa sa maong detachment dihang gi-atake sa mga rebeldeng New People's Army ning mi-aging Enero 3.

Kini isip pag-ila sa ilang ka-isog og commitment nga depensahan ang detachment base na usab sa ilang gipanumpaang tahas sa gobyerno.

Ang trese ka mga CAA members, gihatagan og bronze nga military merit medal kada-usa samtang ang ilang mga opisyal nga sila deputy cadreman Corporal Murphy Haiber og cadreman Staff Sgt. Sixto Duyan, gihatagan usab og gold nga military merit medal kada-usa samtang ang upat ka mga airborne special force members nga maoy mi-reinforce sa tropa, gihatagan usab og gold cross medal og ang namatay'ng CAA member nga si Christopher Raraa, gihatagan og post-humous award nga gidawat sa iyang kabanay.

Sigon ni Maor Edgar Centino-acting division adjutant sa 402nd Brigade, ang maong pasidungog hatud sa malampusong pagdepensa sa maong detachment nga miresulta sa pagkamatay sa duha ka mga rebelde og pagkarekober sa ubay-ubay'ng armas sa mga kaaway.

Samtang kasuhan usa og cowardice ang midagang CAA member nga si Junelito Culo aron mahimong leksyon sa uban pa nga mutiwalag sa ilang gipanumpaang tahas. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, January 10, 2012

2012-01-10T04:42:00.000-08:00

BFAR-Caraga to intensify seaweeds dispersal, production

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) -– The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in Caraga Region is intensifying seaweeds dispersal and production.

According to Rizalinda Abing, seaweeds has been doing well in the market and with the production here in the region, fisherfolks who are beneficiaries of the seaweeds dispersal and production program will now have the opportunity to earn income.

Because of this, the official said, BFAR is coordinating with local officials in the coastal provinces of the region whose areas are suitable for dispersing and producing seaweeds.

Abing said they have dryer to be used by these fisherfolk-beneficiaries to dry seaweeds, and therefore producing different seaweeds products.

“Aduna kita’y seaweeds dryer aron pagagamiton sa atong mga beneficiaries pagpa-uga sa mga seaweeds, ug mahimo na’ng produkto nga pwede na’ng ibaligya,” Abing said.

(We have seaweeds dryer to be used by our beneficiaries to dry seaweeds, and will be made into products for sale.)

Aside from this, Abing stressed they have been providing technical assistance to the beneficiaries particularly in conducting trainings and seminars for them to be given techniques and strategies on seaweeds dispersal and production. (PIA-Caraga)

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DA-Caraga urges parents to enroll children in agriculture courses

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) -– Citing the need to sustain good agricultural production in the region, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga is calling the parents to enroll their children in agriculture courses.

DA-Caraga Regional Information Officer Rebecca Atega said they are promoting agriculture-related courses to instill into the minds of the students the importance of sustaining agriculture.

The official also said the Filipinos should consider the agriculture industry to be sustained for the future, especially more people think that agriculture is on plowing and tilting lands.

“Ang kasagaran ra ba gyud nga gihuna-huna sa atong mga ginikanan nga kung agriculture, magdaro-daro lang sa kaumahan mao nga kasagaran sa mga kabatan-onan karon nanguha og kurso nga pang-technical aron maka-abroad,” Atega said.

(Most parents are thinking that in agriculture, their children will just plow and tilt ricefields that is why more youths at present are taking up technical courses that are in demand abroad.)

The official said the country has more graduates in other courses but lesser in agriculture. With this, she said high school graduating students at present must know the value and importance of this course.

Atega said now is the right time for the students to be educated with the processes and techniques to develop agriculture in the country, resulting to a better future for the agriculture industry. (PIA-Caraga)

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City gov’t issues firearms to SCAA members in Butuan City

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) –- Some 124 members of the Special Civilian Active Auxiliary (SCAA) here have received their issued firearms from the city government after complying a series of military procedures.

According to City Councilor Ryan Anthony Culima, chairman on Committee of Police Matters and Public Safety, the issued firearms are composed of carbine rifles, A14 rifles, and garand rifles.

Culima said the city government, through the Sangguniang Panlungsod see to it that all firearms issued have corresponding documents for legality.

“Thus, necessary document were put in place first that is why the issuance of said firearms was done this time,” he added.

The official also said SCAA members must be issued with firearms to augment the police force in an effort to maintain peace and order, as well as to help in solving the prevailing crimes that is happening in the city.

Further, he stressed that with the issuance of firearms, SCAA members will now be deployed in crime-prone areas of the city.

Culima added the move was made by the city government after incidents reported that criminals tend not to respect the SCAA members because they know that they (SCAA) don’t have any firearms.

“With this, criminals will now have a second thought of doing such crime if they see the presence of our SCAA members,” he said.

With these developments, Culima urged the entire police force here to be at all times ready to respond to whatever crimes that is happening in the city. He also said police personnel should intensify their campaign against criminals.

It can be recalled that during the first week of this year, series of holdup-robbery incidents took place from January 1 to 3, and as of press time, suspects have not yet been identified. (PIA-Caraga)

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Lady cop is new BCPO station 2 Commander

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) -– A lady cop here has made history in leading the police force at the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) Station 2.

PCInsp. Rowena Martinez was chosen to replace the former station commander, following the series of holdups that were taking place here on the first week of January, 2012.

In an interview with BCPO Director PSSupt. Pedro Obaldo after the simple turnover of command on Monday (Jan. 9), the official said Martinez is among the police officers who have good track of service record.

“Sa mga nagawang operations ng BCPO, isa si Insp. Martinez sa mga nagpakita ng tapang upang hulihin ang mga criminal… In spite of being a woman, siya ang isa sa pinakamatapang nating pulis sa ating hanay ngayon,” Obaldo said.

(In operations of BCPO, Insp. Martinez is one of the police officers who showed bravery to run after criminals… Inspite of being a woman, she is one of the most valiant police officers in our row today.)

Obaldo said with the designation of the new station commander, he has high hope that Martinez can give solution to the holdup incidents and other crimes in the station’s area of responsibility.

The city director here also said Insp. Martinez is the first lady cop who was assigned to lead the police force in station 2 here.

Accordingly, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. requested the city director to replace the station 2 commander because of the unsolved crimes in Langihan, this city.

It was learned that businessmen in Langihan Public Market are dismayed over the slow proceedings implemented under the leadership of the former station commander to solve criminal cases specifically on the series of holdup incidents.

Meanwhile, Obaldo said all station commanders in the city are now being monitored and if they are not performing well, they will be subjected for investigation and even replacement. (PIA-Caraga)

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Illegal setllers inside government complex perimeter area to be removed

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 10 (PIA) –- The Committee on Provincial Government Complex Illegal Settlers (PGCIS) Task Force convened the other day to discuss the strategies on the removal of illegal settlers who have constructed their shanties inside the provincial capitol area, while engaging in small businesses like carinderia, snack counter and other businesses.

The purpose of the removal is to give way for any improvements that the provincial government are set to implement for the government infrastructure and other development projects soonest.

Josefina Bajade, chairperson of PGCIZ called on a meeting with the committee members on the committee’s plan and strategy on how to remove the settlers from the area harmoniously and peacefully.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of DPWH 1st District Office, the Provincial Engineering Office, the Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Informatio Office, Provincial Assessment Office, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, the PNP and the 52nd Engineering Brigade.

As the first move, the committee agreed that they send “notice to vacate” to those who will be affected and inform them that they are only given one month to prepare in order to leave the area.

Among the areas that will affected are found in the gate of the Provincial Health Office, shanties and houses in front of DADA radio station, those having their shanties occupying the area within the 52nd Engineering Brigade and those living around the area of the Provincial Jail, estimated to reached up to 64 illegal settlers.

The provincial government of Agusan del Sur will extend financial assistance to those affected families who are just relying their daily income by having small businesses inside the government center area. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Caraga RDC chair creates Board of Economic Advisers

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- Governor Sol Matugas, chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 13, has created the RDC Board Economic Advisers during a meeting held recently at Manila Hotel.

According to Matugas, the board is tasked to conduct development studies in the region and facilitate outsourcing of funds from foreign funding institutions.

“The challenge is to infuse more economic program packages to the local government units to make the regional economy robust and vibrant,” Matugas said.

Dr. Vicente B. Paqueo, Senior Economic Consultant of World Bank will head the RDC Economic Advisers. Pacqueo happens to be a Surigaonon.

Members with Surigaonon roots are Dr. Ruperto Majuca of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) - Central Office and Dr. Aniceto Orbita of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS). Another member is Dr. Danny Israel still from PIDS whose family is from Agusan del Sur.

The Board will be formally introduced during the RDC Full Council Meeting in March this year.

The meeting was attended by Cong. Francisco Matugas of the first Congressional District, Director Carmencita Cochingco of NEDA-13 and Mr. Arturo Cruje, Provincial Planning and Development Officer of Surigao del Norte. (Provincial Planning and Development Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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New Police Director pays courtesy call to Surigao del Sur Gov.

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 10 (PIA) -– The new Police Provincial Director of Surigao del Sur has paid a courtesy call to Gov. Johnny Pimentel at the Capitol on Monday.

Pimentel welcomed P/SSupt. Arthur Sanchez, who came in full force with his staff at the Police Provincial Office (PPO).

The governor instructed Sanchez, who assumed post on January 6, to focus on two important matters: to give priority to the province’s campaign against illegal drugs through “JYes Kontra Droga” and; to double the intelligence effort to solve the “highway robbery” problem that, accordingly, already occurred thrice at Bgy. Hinayhayan, Cagwait linking “local boys”might be behind the crime.

Pimentel stressed, he expects Sanchez to live up to his expectation like what his predecessor, P/SSupt. Julito Diray, did during his more than two-year stint. (Radyo Ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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DENR inks greening agreement with ARMM

by Eric Herzon F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao have joined hands in the reforestation of some 2,500 hectares of denuded and open forest lands in the region under the National Greening Program of President Benigno S. Aquino.

“This collaboration sets a critical milestone in ecological governance for the region and bodes well for addressing the social and economic challenges which the region undoubtedly faces,” Paje said following the signing of an agreement with ARMM Gov. Mujiv S. Hataman in a simple ceremony held at the DENR Central Office in Quezon City on Monday.

“The NGP collaboration between ARMM and the DENR was in compliance with President Aquino’s instruction to assist in the management of the region’s natural wealth, particularly its forest-based resources which he “considered as its foremost natural asset as yet,” Paje said.

Secretary Paje committed some P49.6 million in financial assistance to enable the ARMM government to carry out a massive tree planting program within its five provinces, to include Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-tawi.

Aside from financial assistance, the DENR shall also provide ARMM with technical assistance and ensure the timely provision of funds based on the approved work and financial program of ARMM.

“The fuel that powers ARMM’s economic engine is resource-based and we in the national government will assist our brothers and sisters in ARMM in the resource management of the region,” Paje said, adding that he plans to send his key senior officials there “for us to gain a front seat view of how resource management is undertaken there and how we can contribute in improving it.”

For his part, ARMM Gov. Hataman said the MOA signing marks his first collaborative undertaking with the national government.

“Typhoon Sendong struck exactly two days after I assumed office,” Hataman said, noting that NGP is now a major tool he can use in addressing illegal logging in ARMM since the program offers alternative livelihood to forest-based communities that are usually enticed to engage in illegal logging activities due to lack of livelihood opportunities in the uplands.

Hataman said priority will be given to upstream areas inside ARMM where the NGP activities will be implemented with guidance from the DENR-national government.

“Pipilitin naming maipatupad ang lahat ng expectations ni President Aquino for ARMM (We will implement all the expectations of President Aquino for ARMM),” Hataman stressed, noting that he already received “verbal commitments” from rebel groups involved in the peace negotiation to help in stopping illegal logging in ARMM and in the NGP implementation.

Under the agreement, ARMM will implement the NGP according to the guidelines set by the DENR central office. It shall also allow DENR personnel that will be designated to monitor and evaluate ARMM's implementation, including its financial management and utilization. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

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Surigao Norte to build “Kapitolyo sa Siargao”

by Jun Parada

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 10 (PIA) -- In an effort to bring the government closer to the people, the provincial government is set to construct a multi-million capitol building called “Kapitolyo sa Siargao” in Dapa, Siargao Island, this province.

Just recently, Gov. Sol Matugas and 1st District Representative Francisco Matugas along with the other local officials led the groundbreaking of 1,800 sq. m. two-storey Siargao capitol building worth P12 million at Brgy. 12 in Dapa.

The construction of the said building will officially commence on February up to July, this year.

Matugas said that it will now be easier for all Siargaonons to avail the basic social services offered by the provincial government.

Aside from serving the island folks in the 132 barangays and the nine island municipalities, Matugas said she has decided to construct another capitol building here because of the increasing tourists visiting the island. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Aquino gikalipay ang plano sa international logistics group nga mamuhunan og $500-milyon dolyares

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 10 (PIA) –- Gikalipay ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang plano sa international logistics group Kuwait ug Gulf Link, nga mamuhunan og dugang $500-milyon dolyares sa Pilipinas.

Si Saeed Dashti ang Chairman ug Managing Director sa KGL Group of Companies, uban kang Marsha Lazareva ang Vice Chairman sa KGL Group of Companies ug Investment Director Mark Williams, nakigkita sa Pangulo didto sa Malacañang kagahapon Lunes aron personal nga mapaabot ang plano sa kumpanya nga mamuhunan.

Ang grupo sa KGL namuhunan na og $200-milyon dolyares aron matukod ang Gateway Logistics Center, usa ka 177-hektarya nga proyektong kalamboan nga modumala sa mga patigayon ug operasyon sa aviation nga nahimutang sa Clark Export Processing Zone didto sa Pampanga.

Si Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio mingon ang dugang nga $500-milyon gamiton alang sa imprastruktura sa logistics, sama sa Public-Private Partnership (PPP)nga mga programa ug uban pang potensyal nga mga pamuhunan.

Si Panlilio miingon nga ang Pangulo gusto nga masugdan na dayon kining maong mga plano apan mimando usab nga “everything wil have to bidded out transparently.”

“He (President Aquino) welcomes this (KGL Group investment). This is definitely what we need here but of course everything will have to be bidded out transparently,” matud pa ni Panlilio.

“We cannot give out extra or special favors but what we can offer you is a transparent bidding that will be done and will go straight to the departments and not to political patrons,” dugang pa niya. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Opisyal sa Agusan del Norte nanghinaut nga mas magmalambuon pa ang probinsiya sa tuig 2012

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 10 (PIA) –- Daku ang panghinaut ni Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho nga mas magmalambuon pa ang lalawigan sa tuig 2012, uban ang panghinaut nga iiway ang tibuok probinsya sa mga katalagman sama sa nahitabo sa Cagayan de Oro ug Iligan City.

Gidugang pa sa opisyal nga luyo sa mga dagkung kalamidad nga nahitabo sa milabay nga tuig, bulahan pa gihapon ang lalawigan sa Agusan del Norte, tungod kay minimal ug manageable lamang nga mga kalamidad sama sa baha ang naangkon niini sa nakalabay nga tuig.

Subay niini, nanawagan si Racho sa katawhang Agusanon nga magbinantayon kanunay sa bisan unsa man nga kalamidad nga masinatian uban ang hugot nga pag-ampo sa labaw’ng makagagahom aron malikay kini sa bisan unsa man nga mga dagkung kadaut. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Agusan del Norte prov’l. gov’t. naghatag tabang sa mga biktima sa bagyong Sendong

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 10 (PIA) –- Mukabat sa P200,00 nga mga relief goods ang gitunol sa Agusan del Norte Provincial Government ngadto sa mga nabiktima sa bagyong “SENDONG” sa Cagayan de Oro ug Iligan City, kini ang gibutyag ni Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho.

Gidugang sa maong opisyal nga mukabat usab sa 66 ka sako nga mga bugas, used cltohings, cash ug uban pang relief goods nga gikan sa mga empleyado sa probinsya ang gitunol ngadto na sa mga biktima.

Subay niini mipaabot usab si Racho sa iyang dakung pagpasalamat sa mga empleyado sa kapitolyo nga wala magpanuko sa paghatag ug hinabang ngadto na sa mga nabiktima sa maong kalamidad. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano news: PDRRMC sa Agusan del Norte, kanunay’ng andam sa bisan unsa nga kalamidad

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 10 (PIA) -– Andam kanunay ang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) ni’ng lalawigan sa bisan unsa man nga kalamidad, kini ang giklaro ni Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho.

Sumala ni Racho nga dunay andam na nga mga pagkaon ug mga relief goods ang buhatan sa Provincial Social Welfare & Development Office (PSWDO), sama sa bugas, de lata ug uban pang nag-unang panginahanglanon.

Gidugang pa ni Racho nga gawas sa pagpangandam sa mga relief goods, gihingusgan usab karon sa lalawigan sa pagpanguna ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante nga madugangan pa ang mga equiptment alang sa rescue team sa lalawigan panahon sa kalamidad, hinungdan nga gikatakdang mopalet pa ang provincial government ug dugang nga mga rescue equiptment isip pagpangandam alang sa mas paspas unya nga rescue operation. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Panudlanan sa probinsiya, apektado sa pagkunhod karon sa IRA

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 10 (PIA) –- Apektado ang panudlanan sa probinsyal nga panggamhanan sa pagkunhod karon sa Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) sa tibuok nasud, kini ang gibutyag ni Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho.

Sumala pa sa opisyal nga mokabat sa 4.8% kon P23M ang gikonhod karon sa IRA sa probinsya, hinungdan nga adunay gihimo karon nga mga lakang sa Finance Committee sa lalawigan aron ipaigo na lamang ang gikatakda nga budget alang karong tuiga.

Apan giklaro sa opisyal nga bisan pa man sa pagkonhod karon sa IRA magpabilin gihapon ang mga gipatumang Basic Services s ug mga Monthly Operating Expenses and Expenditures sa matag buhatan.

Giklaro pa ni Racho nga adunay igong pondo gihapon ang lalawigan gumikan usab sa mga savings niini nga maoy magamit sa uban pang mga galastuhanan. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

PIA News Service - Monday, January 9, 2011

2012-01-09T00:50:00.000-08:00

Sen. Pimentel backs Malacañang’s move to run after those responsible over ComVal tragedy

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III supports the move of President Benigno S. Aquino III to run after those people, officials and agencies that are responsible for the landslide in Sitio Diat, Pantukan, Compostela Valley on the dawn of Jan. 5, 2011.

Sen. Pimentel, who was here in the city on Saturday for an engagement in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, said that he is not blaming the local government unit for the incident but those who are responsible must answer what was accorded in the law.

With this, Pimentel said it is not only the local government who must undergo investigation on the matter. He added that concerned government agencies like the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) will also be invited for the said investigation.

“Dili lang ang imbestigayson nga ipatawag nato maglangkob sa mga local officials, i-apil nato ang PAGASA, ang DENR, MGB. (We will not only invite the local officials for investigation, we will also include PAGASA, DENR and MGB.)” Pimentel said.

The senator also said PAGASA should explain why the effects of signal number two is devastating like what happened in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

“Ang Sendong, signal number two pero 1,200 ang namatay. Dili kani normal kay ang signal number system nato, signal number 5 ang pinakakusog. Can you imagine that? Kinahanglan i-explain kana sa PAG-ASA. (Sendong is signal number two but around 1,200 died. This is not normal since in our signal number system, signal number 5 is the strongest. Can you imagine that? That’s why PAGASA should explain this.)” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said local officials and the DENR should also explain because based on initial investigation, the incident was caused by rampant illegal logging and mining activities in the area.

As of 6:00 a.m. today, Jan. 9, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) said 30 dead bodies have been recovered where 28 of these are already identified. 16 people were injured, nine of which were already identified and 38 were missing in the ComVal tragedy.

Also, four persons who were earlier reported missing were found alive, and out of the nine identified injured, six remain at the Davao Regional Hospital for treatment. (PIA-Caraga)

‘Bantay Konsumo’ project stabilizes commodities’ prices, caution price increase

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Prices of basic commodities like meat, fish vegetables and canned goods are now almost similar in the market and in any store all over the town of San Francisco after the ‘Bantay Konsumo’ released a list of basic commodities with their suggested retail prices.

According to Cirila Inson, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur provincial office, Mayor Jenny de Asis did not hesitate when she requested her to construct a small building in front of the public market to be made as ‘Bantay konsumo’ center where a list of basic commodities and other items sold in the market and other establishments will be posted and made available for the public to see.

The price list is updated daily for customer reference at the Bantay kunsumo’ center located at the entrance of San Francisco Public Market.

The center will also serve as complaint desk for customer to lay down their complaints.
“Since the Bantay Konsumo center was established, many customers and vendors stop and see the day’s suggested prices of commodities. In this way, almost all vendors have the same prices of their commodities because they are cautious not to tag higher prices to their commodities because of the information posted at the center,” Inson said.

During the ‘Diskwento Caravan’ held last Nov. 2011, the Bantay Konsumo center became popular, hearing people saying, “It’s much better now, we have a ready reference on the cost of the commodities sold here in our market.”

Consumers say that the listing is a great help to them as the “end users” so that they can fix their budget before deciding to buy something.

At the height of price instability last year, the Bantay Konsumo Task Force convened and discussed measures in order to act on the unstable prices of basic commodities, especially rice. Then came the idea of price monitoring by the Bantay Konsumo members where the idea of putting up a Bantay Konsumo Center was realized. (PIA-Caraga)

New police director assigned in Surigao del Sur

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- PSSupt Arthur M. Sanchez got the post as the new Police Provincial Director in Surigao del Sur after the outgoing officer PSSupt Julito Diray formally turned over the command of responsibility on Friday, Jan. 6 held at Camp Vicente Pimentel, Sr., Telaje this city.

The occasion was attended by Deputy Regional Director for Administration PCSupt Isagani Genabe, Jr as honorary Guest of Speaker.

Also, in behalf of the Gov. Johnny Pimentel, Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas and City Administrator Aldy Novo were there together with the representative from DILG, Col. Henry Robinson of Phil. Army, TESDA Dir. Rey M. Cueva and other agencies who witnessed the said event.

Prior to his new assignment, PSSupt. Sanchez is the chief of the Police Community Relations Office of Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga Region.

Meanwhile, Supt. Diray served as Provincial Director for more than two years in this province.

It can be recalled that he was assigned here last September 2009, and as per request of Provincial Governor Johnny Pimentel, his assignment was extended until December 2011. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

OWWA-Caraga intensifies scholarship program to OFW dependents

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- Citing the value of education for human transformation, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Caraga is strengthening its scholarship program for dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the region.

OWWA-Caraga Labor Relation Officer Ritchel Molero said that aside from the scholarship program, dependents of OFWs in the region, including their spouses and direct relatives may also participate in computer literacy training. The said training is regularly conducted in OWWA-Caraga Regional Office through the Project Tulay of the Blas F. Ople Foundation.

She said that OWWA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Marietta Lumawag is in Manila to get updates to improve the implementation of the program.

“So far, kung unsa ang atong mga programa before, ato guihapon kining gipadayon sa pagkakaron ug mapadayunon usab kitang gitunol sa mga katawhan ang maong mga programa sama sa pagpang apud-apod og mga scholarship program sa kabataan sa atong OFWs dinhi sa Caraga,” Molero said.

(So far, we continue the programs that were implemented before and we also continue to give this to the people, like the scholarship program where children of the OFWs here in Caraga have benefitted.)

This project aims provide OFW dependents knowledge on basic computer operation, specifically in the utilization of Internet, said Lumawag, in a previous interview.

“Through this, they can communicate with their loved ones abroad, thus maintaining close family ties even they are distance away,” Lumawag said. (PIA-Caraga)

Rice, vegetable supply in Caraga sufficient despite typhoons in 2011 – DA

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -– Despite the series of typhoons that hit Caraga Region in 2011, rice and vegetable supply is still sufficient.

According to Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Information Officer Rebecca Atega, based on the assessment of the National Food Authority (NFA), rice and vegetable supply in the region are still sufficient this year.

“Naa ta’y close coordination sa NFA when it comes sa supply sa bugas… So aduna ta’y giingon nga certain percentage nga proper stocks,” Atega said.

(We have close coordination with NFA when it comes to rice supply. So, we have what we call a certain percentage of proper stocks.)

Further, Atega said if other region will get supply from NFA here, they have to see to it that there are still available stocks for the people in Caraga Region.

“So, bisan pa og magkuha ang ubang region halimbawa ang Cagayan de Oro nga mao ang pinakaduol nato nga region, dili gyud ta magpahurot og paghatag ngadto sa ilaha kay para man kana sa atong populasyon dinhi sa Caraga Region,” Atega said.

(So, even other regions will get their supply from us, say for example in Cagayan de Oro which is the nearest region here, we have to see to it that there are still available stocks intended for the consuming public in Caraga Region.)

The official said DA has been coordinating with NFA in monitoring the rice and other agricultural products in the region. (PIA-Caraga)

DOST grants P1.2M to Butuan City for eco project

by Rio Connie Leah M. Flores

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- The start of 2012 proved to be bountiful for the city government here after receiving P1.2 million from the Regional Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The amount is intended for one bioreactor unit which will be used to convert biodegradable waste into fertilizer, in support of the city’s Clean Ground, Zero Waste Program (CGZW).

DOST-Caraga Regional Director Lyndo Villacorta personally handed over the cheque to City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and CGZW Program Coordinator Ruth Jugao recently.

A bioreactor is a machine that grinds and converts biodegradable solid waste into compost, a good fertilizer for vegetable crops.

Biodegradable waste includes spoiled or wilted vegetables, fruit peels, meat/fruit/vegetable trimmings, food leftovers, fish entrails and trimmings, leaves and twigs and seeds.

According to Jugao, the Langihan Public Market is one of the major sources of biodegradable waste daily. Currently, biodegradable wastes from the market are distributed to Barangays Ampayon and Bit-os for the vermiculture project.

Dr. Villacorta further said he is glad that DOST was tapped to take part in strengthening the campaign on Solid Waste Management as part of the convergence efforts between the city government and Regional Line Agencies for a more efficient public service to the people of this city. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)

“Panambay sa Barangay” medical mission serves 1,835 patients in Siargao

by Jun Parada

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- A total of 1,835 residents in various island barangays of Dapa town in Siargao Island benefited from series of medical missions dubbed as “Panambay sa Barangay” by the provincial government held recently.

Seven benefited from circumcision service in Brgy. Canbas-ac, 30 for dental service, and 291 availed for medical consultation. In Bgy. San Miguel, around 307 availed for medical consultation while 27 patients benefited from dental service.

In Bgy. Consolacion, 524 availed in medical consultation, 79 for dental service, and two were circumcised.

Seven were circumcised, 37 for dental service, 238 availed for medical consultation and 18 availed for the laboratory exam. In Brgy. Jubang, 243 availed for medical consultation, 21 for dental service and four children benefited from circumcision service.

The medical mission was organized with the support of Gov. Sol Matugas,1st District Representative Francisco Matugas, volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses and Barangay Health Workers. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Cebuano News: Aquino miingon nga ang Mindanao Cancer Center sa Davao naghatag og paglaum alang sa mga kabus nga pasyente sa kanser sa rehiyon

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 9 (PIA) –- Napamatud-an napod sa administrasyong Aquino ang panaad niini nga mohatag og premira ug dekalidad nga pasilidad sa maayong panglawas ngadto sa mga Pilipino pinaagi sa paglusad sa pinakaunang cancer treatment center sa Mindanao, isip suporta sa mga paningkamot ni Pangulong Benigno S. AquinoIII nga mamhimong dekalidad ang serbisyong medical sa gobyerno libot sa nasod.

Sa iyang mensahe nga gipaabot pinaagi kang Health Secretary Enrique Ona atol sa pormal nga inagurasyon sa Nuclear and Radiotheraphy Center sa Mindanao Cancer Center, Davao Regional Hospital Kagahapon Domingo didto sa Apokon Davao City, ang Pangulo nagkanayon nga nag bag-ong pasilidad magsilbing senyales sa lamdag nga paglaom alang sa mga pasyente nga adunay kanser, labi na ang mga kabus.

Ang Pangulo miingonnga base sa datos nga nakuha sa Department of Health (DOH), ang kanser maoy usa sa gikahadlokang sakit nga maoy hinungdan sa kamatayon sa daghang mga Filipino.

“Ang pagbubukas ng Mindanao Cancer Center ay siya ring pagtanglaw ng pag-asa sa mga Pilipinong biktima ng kanser. Ayon sa tala ng DOH, ang sakit na ito ang isa sa mga nangungunang dahilan ng pagkamatay sa ating bansa,” ang Pangulong Aquino mingon.

Ang DOH usab miingon nga base sa ilang pag-estudyo adunay mokabat 200,000 mga Filipino ang nahiagom sa sakit nga kanser matag tuig, nga matubag na pinaagi niining bag-ong mga ekwipo didto sa maong pasilidad.

“Ang istatistikang ito ang nais solusyunan ng pasilidad na pinapasinayaan natin ngayon. Magpapalawak ito sa serbisyong medikal, hindi lamang mula sa Davao, kundi maging sa buong Mindanao,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“Inaasahang tatlumpung pasyente kada araw ang makakatanggap ng sapat, mura at de-kalidad na tulong-medikal mula sa pagamutang ito. Sa pamamagitan din ng mga bagong serbisyo at kagamitan dito gaya ng Radiation therapy at ng Digital Linear Accelerator, mapipigilan natin ang paglala, kundi man natin tuluyang malunasan ang iba-ibang uri ng cancer,” sa iyang pagdugang.

Ang Pangulo mipasabot nga pinaagi sa pagpursige, kahiusahan ug kooperasyon tali sa gobyerno ug mga katawhan, walay mga pagsulay nga lisod sulbaron.

“Tanda po itong kapag desidido tayong makapagdulot ng ginhawa at pagbabago, anumang uri ng kanser—kanser man sa katawan, o kanser man sa lipunan gaya ng kurapsyon, katiwalian at kahirapan—ay talaga namang kayang-kaya nating gamutin at solusyunan,” dugang pa ni Pangulong Aquino nga ang gobyerno karon agresibo sa pagduso alang sa mga programa nga makabenipisyo sa katawhang Filipino.

“Puspusan po nating tinutugunan ngayon ang mga suliranin sa sektor ng kalusugan. Todo-arangkada po ang DOH sa pagsusulong ng mga inisyatiba upang mas mapakinabangan ng mas maraming Pilipino ang ating serbisyong medical,” ang Pangulo miingon.

Ang Pangulo mingon nga ang gobyerno migahin og mokabat P40 bilyon karong tuiga aron pundohan ang advancement of medical practitioner’s capabilities, imprastruktura ug bag-ong mga ekwipo sa sektor sa maayong panglawas.

Ang mga programa sa maayong panglawas sa gobyernong Aquino lakip usab nga patas-an ang mga pundo sa health insurance sa katawhan pinaagi sa PhilHealth gikan sa P3.5 bilyon niaging tuig ngadto sa P12 bilyon sa tuig 2012.

Kini nga pag-umento sap undo makatabang sa paghatag og medical assistance alang sa 5.2 milyon mga Filipinong kabus nga naila pinaagi sa National Household Targeting System.

Alang sa programa sa DOH nga “Doctors to the Barrio”, ang Pangulo miingon nga adunay dugang usa ka milyon ka pesos ang gigahin aron moabag sa mga serbisyo sa dugang 200 ka mga doctor, usa ka libo nga mga midwives ug 12 mil ka mga nurses ngadto sa regional health units, barangay health stations ug mga lagyong hospital libot sa nasod.

Ang dakong mga serbisyo ug pasilidad sa Nuclear and Radiotherapy Center nga mokabat sa 157 milyones ka pesos naglakip sa Radiation therapy gamit ang high energy X-rays nga gamit aron pagpatay sa mga cancer cells aron masumpo ang pagdaghan ug pagkanap niini; Digital Linear Accelerator, usa ka kasangkapan alang sa external radiotherapy nga gidesenyo aron gub-on ang mga cancer cells aron malikay ang palibot sa normal tissue.

Ang Mindanao Cancer Center nag tanyag usab og lain pang mga klase sa radiotherapy nga naglakip sa External Beam Radiotherapy (XTR), Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (MTR) capable, 3-D Conformal Radiotherapy (9CRT) capable ug ARC Therapy capable.

Ang ekwipo ug pasilidad sa cancer treatment natuman ug nahimong possible pinaagi sa mga pundo nga gigahin sa gobyernong Aquino, partikularmente ang Department of Health uban ang suporta gikan sa mga opisyales sa local nga pangagamhanan sa rehiyon sa Davao.

Ang maong Tabalanan mohatag og bastante, duo ug barato nga cancer care ngadto sa tanang mga pasyente sa Mindanao, gikan sa sayo nga panghiling ngadto sa pagtambal. Ang Tambalanan nagtumong sa paghatag dugang kaalaman sa mga locals kalabot na sa maong gikahadlokang sakit.

Ang Mindanao Cancer Center giplano usab aron mahatag ang pinakamaayong clinical ug ancillary nga mga serbisyo ngadto sa mga pasyente sa kanser sa Mindanao; motudlo ug bansayon, ang mga personahe sa nursing ug paramedical cancer care; mohatag og state-of-the art cancer information service; mohimo og database alang sa research mahitungod sa cancer; ug aron makigtambayayong sa nagkalain-laing organisasyon sa gobyerno ug mga non-government alang sa radiologic, nuclear ug pharmaceutical care sa mga pasyente. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Surigaonon News: City Engineering Office sa Surigao tutukan ang problema sa drainage systems nan syudad

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 9, (PIA) – Ang City Engineering Office misiguro bag-uhay pa lamang nga pagatutukan gayud ang problema sa drainage systems nan syudad.

Mao kini ang gisiguro karon sa mga kadagkuan sa maong buhatan diin tungod sa pagbundak sa ulan niadtong miaging mga adlaw kini maoy nahimong rason sa pag-overflow sa mga canal.

Gitumbok pa ni Engr. Gil Rufino Menor, hepe sa maong buhatan, nga ang rason sa pagdali pagbaha sa mga kadayanan sa syudad mao ang pagbara sa mga posibleng kaagi-an sa tubig sa mga canal tungod kay kini napuno na sa mga basura nga gipanglabog ra sa mga canal.

Ang ilang grupo muhimo sa paghinlo sa mga barado nga mga canal lakip na usab ang pagpan-repair sa mga nasirado ug guba na nga mga drainage sa pipila ka mga kadayanan lakip na niini ang Brgy. Washinton partikular na sa Kaskag, Borromeo, Navarro, Burgos, ug Espina diin padajon pa sila sa pagkakaron ug pagpanrepair.

Samtang mukabat usab sa P750,00.00 ang budget sa kada drainage para karon nga tuig 2012 gikan sa City Fund o Local Fund. Samtang ang dayan Burgos nag-gikan sa SLRF kon Special Local Road Fund ang budget wala pay labot ang siyam ka mga labor nga maoy mutrabaho.

Gidugang pa ni Engr. Menor nga ang syudad sa Surigao pirmi makasinati ug kaulanon kini tungod kay ang ulan karon dili ordinaryo sama kaniadto tungod kay nakasinati usab kita ug climate change nga maoy rason sa pagbaha sa dakbayan.

Sa maong kalambuan, ang ilang buhatan mitambayayong usab sa pagpahimangno sa tanan nga magpabiling responsable ug maghinlo sa tagsa-tagsa nilang panimalay ilabina gayud kadtong dapit sa mga drainage o canal nga dili sila maglabay og basura. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Sunday, January 8, 2012

2012-01-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

RDRRMC-Caraga issues General Flood Advisory; alerts local DRMMC

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA) – The Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has issued a general flood advisory Saturday for the region.

According to the advisory, for the past 24 hours as of 8:00 a.m., rainfall is measured in Hinatuan at 9.2 millimeters, Butuan City at 16.6 millimeters, and Surigao – 36.0 millimeters.

The advisory also stated that moderate to occasionally heavy rains will occur for the next 24 hours, affecting waterways like water and streams and its tributaries in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Dinagat Islands.

With this, RDRRMC advised the people living near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas of the aforementioned river systems to be alert.

RDRRMC also advised the local risk reduction and management councils concerned to be alert for possible flashfloods and landslides.

The advisory also pointed out that emphasis should be on proactive action, which is evacuation rather than rescue.

As of 5:00 p.m., Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Northeast Monsoon has affected the Luzon area while Tail-end of the Cold Front is affecting the Visayas and Mindanao islands.

Because of this, PAGASA said Visayas and Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and isolated thunderstorms, becoming cloudy with widespread rains over Eastern and Central Visayas and the Eastern section of Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Meanwhile, the Eastern section of Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with light rains while the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains.

Also, moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast will prevail over Luzon and Western Visayas and coming from the Northeast and East over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough. (PIA-Caraga)

DA-Caraga intensifies “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Caraga Region strengthened the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” (Vegetable in School) program in all public elementary and high schools in the region.

DA-Caraga Regional Information Officer Rebecca Atega said aside from providing the schools with different varieties of vegetable seeds, series of activities were conducted last month as an advocacy to the project.

Atega added election of officers were also conducted in every school to strengthen and sustain the activities being conducted in line with the project.

Further, the regional information officer of the agriculture department in the region emphasized that teachers and parents are also involved in the activities as they guide the pupils and students in planting and taking care of the vegetables.

Prior to this, Atega said the parents together with the teachers and students are encouraged to participate seminars and trainings on how to plant and take care of vegetables.

With this development, Atega said the DA will continue to distribute varieties of vegetable seeds to schools to ensure sustainability of the program.

“Atong padayonon ang pagpang-apud-apod sa mga liso sa gulay sa mga eskuwelahan, ingon man usab ang mga tools and equipment sa gardening aron pagagamiton sa mga bata… ug duna pud kita’y pagabuhaton nga pagbansay-bansay kanila,” Atega said.

(We will continue to distribute vegetable seeds to schools and we will also provide them with tools and equipment on gardening for use by the schoolchildren… we will also conduct trainings for them.)

The official also said the program will not only teach the schoolchildren how to plant and take care of vegetables but more importantly, they will be informed of the values of agriculture.

The Gulayan sa Paaralan is a project initiated by the Department of Education (DepEd) and DA during the previous administration in support of the government’s hunger mitigation and poverty alleviation efforts. (PIA-Caraga)

LTO,DOTC-Caraga grateful for the approval of bus drivers’ fixed salary

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA) - Officials of Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) expressed their gratitude with the approval of bus drivers’ fixed salary in Caraga Region as agreed by bus companies.

According to DOTC-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Alim Pangandaman, the lack of fixed salary may be a cause of the high rate of road accidents as drivers.

“’Yan ang dapat gawin upang maiwasan na ang mga komisyon basis kasi nag-uunahan ang mga drivers na makakuha ng pasahero na naging dahilan ng aksidente,” Pangandaman said.

(That is really the best thing to do to get rid of commission-basis because the drivers are competing to get passengers which causes accidents.)

Atty. Pangandaman also said that with this implementation, competition in bus companies will now be minimized. “Thus, accidents will also be minimized,” he added.

“Dahil dito, mawawala na ang kumpetisyon sa mga bus companies at drivers upang lumaki ang kita nila,” Pangandaman said.

(Through this implementation, competition of bus companies and drivers on getting passengers first, will definitely stop.) (PIA-Caraga)

30% DPWH accomplishment rate in 2011 due to poor weather condition

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA) - Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)in Caraga region said that poor weather conditions hindered the agency from meeting its target in 2011.

Only 30 percent of DPWH's target projects in the region were accomplished last year, according to Maribeth Burgos, chief engineer of the DPWH-Caraga Construction Division.

She said, however, that the Butuan District Engineering Office managed to complete 70 percent of its projects in 2011.

Burgos said, in a radio interview, that the low accomplishment rate of the region was attributed to poor weather condition.

She said during the start of the year, Caraga Region was hit by massive flashfloods in all the provinces and cities.

In February last year, another massive flood hit the region engulfing the areas in the five provinces and six cities.

Since then, low pressure area (LPA) has continuously affected Caraga Region, causing some water systems in other areas to swell and overflowed which caused massive flooding.

Until the last quarter of 2011, some areas in Surigao del Sur and Agusan del Sur were affected when tropical storm “Sendong” struck Northern Mindanao, devastating Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities, killing hundreds of people. Hundreds are still missing.

However, Burgos said the agency is determined to finish the uncompleted projects in 2012.

Further, the official expressed hope that Caraga Region will experience improved weather conditions this year. (PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012-01-07T04:13:00.000-08:00

DA-Caraga steps up measures to increase farmers’ productivity

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) -– The regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) here in Caraga Region is stepping-up measures to help farmers increase their productivity.

DA-Caraga Regional Information Officer Rebecca Atega said aside from distributing hybrid palay and corn seeds, farmers in Caraga Region are also receiving high-value commercial crops to ensure livelihood sustainability.

“Naka pang apud-apod na ang buhatan nato sa DA og mga hybrid palay, corn seeds, ug ingon man mga high-value commercial crops sa atong mga mag-uuma isib abag kanila aron sa paglambo pa sa ilang panginabuhian,” Atega said.

(We have already distributed bybrid palay, corn seeds, as well high-value commercial crops to our farmers to assist them and improve their livelihood.)

Atega also said DA is intensifying the animal dispersal program in an effort to help farmers find alternative livelihood opportunities.

“Ato usab gihingusgan ang animal dispersal program aron mahatagan usab og alternatibo ang atong mga mag-uuma og laing matang sa panginabuhian,” Atega said.

(We are also intensifying the animal dispersal program to give our farmers alternative livelihood opportunities.)

With these developments, the official is hoping that agricultural production in Caraga region will increase this year. (PIA-Caraga)

.
Brgy. Libertad officials all set for Kahimunan Festival 2012

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) -– Officials of Barangay Libertad here are already prepared for the conduct of the 2012 Kahimunan Festival on Sunday, January 15.

According to Libertad Punong Barangay Vincent Rizal Rosario in an interview over Bombo Radyo here, this year’s festival will only be featuring contingents from their barangays.

Rosario added because of the limited financial resources, as well as time constraints, the organizers and the barangay officials decided to feature the local contingents coming from their barangay.

However, the official said each contingent is allowed to hire musicians from the neighboring cities and provinces to ensure musical quality.

“Bisan og wala kadtong mga taga-laing lugar nga muapil, apan nindot guihapon and atong festival tungod kay gitugutan man ang matag contingent nga mu-hire og mga musicians sa nga silingang lugar dinhi sa dakbayan,” Rosario said.

(Despite of the absence of those contingents from other places, but still the festival will be colorful because the organizers can hire musicians from other cities and provinces.)

Today, the Mindanao Open Chess Tournament will be opened and the Talent Portion of Mutya Hong Libertad will be conducted this evening at the barangay’s covered court. (PIA-Caraga)

.
Movement to “Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong” snowballs

by Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) -- A movement is snowballing here in the region pushing “Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong” mountain range.

The “Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong,” movement kicks-off with a mini-symposium culminating with a signature drive to the movement’s declaration of concern, held recently at the lobby of Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) organized by the Ivory Charities Foundation, Inc., in line with its advocacy to save Mt. Hilong-Hilong, its thick jungle forest cover, its bio-diversity, its pristine rivers, falls and springs and its significance to environment.

Part of the mini-symposium was the reading of “Why Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong Range” by Atty. Vince Fortun, a member of the Save Mt. Hilong-Hilong Committee. The participants also viewed the “Mt. Hilong-Hilong Primer” by Forester Benjie T. Lasam, another committee member.

It was followed by the reading of the “Declaration of Concern” and a message from an “Indian Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe” by two ICF members.

The “Piso sa HX2” was also launched as presented by Engr. Abraham T. Montilla, another member of the committee. Every concerned individual who wanted to support the movement will drop at least a P1.00 in a marked box.

The “Agusan Association of America”, “Agusan Association of Texas”, “Butuan Global Foundation, Inc.” and BBY2K10 signified their whole-hearted support for the movement.

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. and Vice-Mayor Lawrence Fortun signified the city local government’s support for the movement by their presence and by signing the movement’s declaration. Mr. Jaime G. Ubanos, Chief, Protected Areas and Wildlife Division, DENR Caraga, also represented his department during the activity. Each official gave their appropriate messages for the occasion.

Mt. Hilong-Hilong rising at 6,601.37 feet above sea level, considered the highest peak in Northeastern Mindanao can be located at the Diwata Range near the boundaries of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur provinces.

The movement pointed out in their “Declaration of Concern” that the range “forms a natural barrier” shielding Butuan City and Agusan del Norte “from the fierce pacific winds during typhoons.” They also claimed that Mt. Hilong-Hilong is “truly…one huge living natural lung, so vital today when the world’s environment and our very survival are threatened by carbon emissions and global warming.”

The movement calls for the preservation and the protection of the mountain range from exploitation. They are at the same time pushing for the absolute prohibition of mining, logging, quarrying, sale or export of its resources and dumping of solid or liquid waste and slash-and-burn way (kaingin) of farming. They are calling also for the conservation of the land and everything underneath it, flowing on it, growing on it, living off it, or exuding from it. They insist that there shall be no development or construction, except if done for responsible and restricted tourism and recreation facilities.

The movement also pointed out what they considered a serious threat to their present cause, was that even though there are two bills in the house of congress, where each bill accordingly “on the surface appears intended to protect Hilong-Hilong range by declaring it as a protected area,” they claimed however that succeeding provisions of the very the same bills clearly do not protect the mountain. They asserted that the bills “inexplicably allows mining, logging, quarrying, sale and export of flora, fauna and other resources, and even dumping of toxic chemicals, upon authorization by a local management board.

They also pointed out that the composition of the local board is “overwhelmingly dominated by local politicians and local public officials. The house bill accordingly provides also the representation of the two congressmen in the board. The DENR accordingly, whose budget will provide for all expenditures is represented by only one, the Regional Director as chair of the board. The academe has only one representation and there will be three from the NGOs.

The private sector accordingly, is markedly under represented even as they are the stakeholders who will suffer the ill effects of environmental degradation.

They are calling for the withdrawal of the two bills in congress and substitute the same with a more environment friendly legislation or a Presidential Proclamation and that a public hearing be held in Butuan City for the purpose. (PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Friday, January 6, 2012

2012-01-06T01:05:00.000-08:00

P16.5 million allocated for early childhood care, development and education program

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 6 (PIA) -- Agusan del Sur District I Congresswoman Maria Valentina “Tina” Plaza has allocated P16.5 million for an early childhood care, development and education program.

The program, which will be implemented through the office of the Provincial Governor Adolph Edward Plaza, will have three to four phases. The first phase will be implemented in the municipalities of Veruela, Loreto and Lapaz initially, to be followed by other municipalities in District I.

Program consultant Fr. Anthony Salas, SVD, said the program will include the construction of the day care centers andtraining of day care teachers to help them cope with the culture-sensitive curriculum.

According to another consultant Fr. Eugene Docoy, the executive director of Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation- Integrated Development Center (JPIC-IDS), their organization is an NGO based in Cebu City which also covers Agusan del Sur and other areas in the country.

“We share responsibility in the development of children with the community, the parents, the local officials, and everyone who offers to be stakeholders,” said Fr. Docoy.

Agusan del Sur was also recipient of the Country Program for Children V and VI from 1999 to 2009. This year’s program on early childhood care, development and education aims to strengthen Agusan del Sur’s effort in the development of the Agusan children. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Brgy. Mararag cited for best sanitation practices in Caraga

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 6 (PIA) – Barangay Mararag in Marihatag, Surigao del Sur under the leadership of Mayor Leo Navarro was cited for having the best sanitation practices at the barangay level in Caraga for 2011.

The recognition came with a P150,000 cash award given by the Department of Health (DOH) in a ceremony held on December 21, 2010 in Butuan City. Marihatag Mayor Leo Navarro, together with the municipal health officer, Sanitary Inspector Officer and Brgy Captain Rebecca Polinar received the said amount from DOH-Caraga regional director Leonita Gorgolon.

Strict implementation of ordinances by the barangay councils was a major factor that pushed people in the community to exert effort to support the good governance in the area. Meanwhile, the community in Mararag supported the “Clean and Green Program” of the Provincial Government, headed by Governor Johnny Pimentel.

The annual evaluation and assessment of 19 LGUs was conducted thru the “Gawad Probinsiya sa Kapaligiran” (GPK) Program aimed at saving the environment. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Issuance of permit to single motorcycles for public transport, LGU’s discretion – DOTC

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 6 (PIA) –- Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Caraga Assistant Regional Dir. Roman Jumawan recently said it is the discretion of the local government units whether or not to issue permit to single motorcycles that are used for transporting the riding public.

Jumawan said that as of press time, DOTC-Caraga does not issue yellow plate numbers to single motorcycles that are used for passenger’s transportation, specifically the “skylab” and “habal-habal” that are used for public transportation in the hinterlands and far-flung barangays and barrios.

“Wala pa ta mag-isyu dinhi sa DOTC-Caraga og permit ngadto sa mga tag-iya sa mga single motorcycles nga pagagamiton sa pag-transport sa mga pasahero, gawas sa mga tricycles,” Jumawan said.

(We were not able to issue here in DOTC-Caraga permit to owners of single motorcycles to be used for transporting passengers, except for tricycles.)

Jumawan added there is no legal basis yet for the single motorcycles to be issued with yellow plate numbers, which is intended for vehicles for public transportation or “for hire”.

“Sa pagkakaron, wala pa’y legal basis para i-yellow plate kana sila,” Jumawan said. (Presently, there is no legal basis to issue yellow plate for single motorcycles.)

However, the DOTC official of the region said the local government units have the discretion to issue permits to owners of this transport vehicle and it’s up to them if they will grant permit to make the transporting of passengers legal.

“Tinuod kana nga adunay lugar dinhi sa Caraga Region kung diin ang LGU naga-isyu og permit sa mga ‘habal-habal’ for hire… Discretion na kana sa matag LGU,” the official said.

(It is true that there are areas here in Caraga Region where the LGU has issued permit to ‘habal-habal’ for hire… That is the discretion of every LGU.)

Jumawan added that DOTC-Caraga does not issue yellow plate numbers to these type of transport vehicle. (PIA-Caraga)

BID-Caraga to foreigners: “Follow requirements set by law”

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 6 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID) today said foreigners living in Caraga Region should comply with the requirements set by the bureau and if not, they will be deported, warned BID Alien Control Officer for Caraga Region Pastor Moran.

According to Moran, they are intensifying the monitoring of foreigners who are here in different places of Caraga Region and give them constant reminders to adhere what is stipulated in the law.

The official specifically said those foreigners who are overstaying here in the region or the “illegal aliens” are warned.

Moran added if these foreigners are found to be violating any provisions in the law, they will be deported immediately and will be included in the block-list.

“Kung madakpan sila (illegal aliens), kinahanglan gyud ilang atubangon ang tukmang silot alang kanila ug kana ang pagpa-deport kanila,” Moran said.

(If they (illegal aliens) will be apprehended, they must face the consequences and one of those is through deportation.)

To date, there was no foreigner so far that has violated the provisions set by the bureau and is subject for deportation. (PIA-Caraga)

Socorro Community eCenter upgrades Internet connection

by Melody Cocon

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 6 (PIA) -- The Community eCenter of Socorro, Surigao del Norte has recently upgraded its Internet connection from satellite to wireless.

The geographical location of the island-municipality did not hinder the possibility of the 31-kilometer Wi-Fi link across the sea.

The ICT-recipient populace expressed gratitude for this development as this will increase the connection speed of 512 kilobytes per second (kbps) to 2 megabytes per second (mbps).

Also, the prohibitive monthly payment of P15,000 before is now down to P999.

Servicing before was done exclusively by the Internet Service Provider personnel while the present setup can now be managed, hence lowering the cost of maintenance.

Also, the phone-in and online support is available and an additional bandwidth means additional households to be connected, thus increasing local revenues.

This has opened new opportunities of the eCenter to expand its vision to a wider and ambitious scope to help the community in an attainable and cost-saving measure.

Following the installation, Socorro CeC manager Zenith Rivas spearheaded a staff meeting involving municipal officials and heads of offices to gain their support. Their support will pave the way for the establishment of wireless internet connection with VOIP attached in each of the 14 barangays of the municipality.

It will also address the need for a Disaster Preparedness component and tax concerns -the eBPLS and eRPTS will be linked to all 14 barangays which will result to a maximum local income.
The installation of a PPCTV camera in all LGU offices will likewise ensure transparency in LGU operations.

This development is the result of Socorro CeC's participation to the 7th Knowledge Exchange Conference in Baguio City last November 2011 and other knowledge sharing activities, partnership with the General Luna CeC (feeder for SMART broadband) and Wency Barrientos, CeC manager of Araceli Palawan. (CICT-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Tagalog News: Bagyong “Sendong” nag-iwan ng isang sugatan; 12,104 pamilya apektado ng baha

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 6 (PIA) -- Sa kalagitnaan ng pananalasa ng bagyong “Sendong” sa Agusan del Sur, isang tao ang nasugatan at 597 pamilya ang naapektuhan; 48 bahay ang nasira at 216 ang hindi lubusang nasira.

Si Tammy Payot, 25, ng San Francisco, Agusan del Sur ay tinamaan ng nahulog na sanga ng puno habang nagaalis ng nagkalat na mga kahoy at basura malapit sa Adlayan Bridge. Dahil ditto, kinailangang putulin ang kanyang kanang paa nang siya ay dalhin sa D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital.

Sa kasalukuyan, umaabot sa 12,104 pamilya o 60,900 katao ang mga naging biktima ng bagyong Sendong sa buong lalawigan ng Agusan del Sur, ayon sa ulat ng Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

May mga pamilyang tumakbo sa mga kamag-anak nang kasagsagan ng bagyo. Samantala, may 3,033 pamilya o 15,061 katao ang nagsilikas sa mga evacuation centers tulad ng gymnasium ng bayan, eskuwelahan, simbahan, barangay at munisipyo.

Ayon kay Roberto Natividad, pinuno ng PDRRMO, nagpadala agad sila ng search and rescue teams na nagdala ng rubber boats at mga rescue vehicles sa bayan ng Rosario at San Francisco na siyang pinakaunang dalawang bayan na humingi ng tulong sa PDRRMO.

Sa kasalukuyan, habang abala ang mga residente ng mga naapektuhang mga bayan ng bagyong “Sendong” at ng baha sa paglilinis ng kani-kanilang mga bahay at bakuran, abala naman ang Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) sa pagalay ng tulong. Napag-alamang umabot na sa 200 na kahon ng sardinas na may lamang 100 bawat kahon, 235 na kahon ng noodles na may lamang 72 pakete bawat kahon at 279 sakong bigas ang naipamigay sa mga biktima ng bagyo at baha. (PIA-Caraga)

Surigaonon News: Surigao City ENRO mipasalig nga ipadayun ang ilang mga programa karong tuig 2012

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 6 (PIA) -- Mibutyag si Engr. Elmer C. Tecson, hepe sa City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) nga ilang ipadayon karong tuig 2012 ang ilang mga nasugdan na nga mga programa kaniadtong miaging tuig.

Diin una na niini mao ang paglain-lain sa mga basura sa malata og dili malata. Ang paglain-lain sa basura himuon sa kada panimalay ug kini kolektahon pinaagi ang usa ka push-carts nga anaa sa kada baranggay ug dalhon ngadto na sa landfill nan syudad sa Brgy. Silop.

Gibutyag niini nga abli na ang ikaduha nga damp site tungod kay napuno na ang una sa kadaghan nga mga basura ang ilang mabubo kada na adlaw. Gitumbok pa niini nga didto sa landfill area ana-ay bag-ong makinarya nga maoy mag-decompose sa gelain-lain na nga basura ug kini anaay duha ka proseso aron mamahemung limpyo na usab ang tubig para dili makadaot sa atong kinaiyahan.

Ang maong tubig usab nga gikan sa mga basura kini pwede siya ibubo o ibis-bis sa mga tanom. Gawas sa pagpalapad sa ilang programa sa basura sila muhimo usab sa pagbisita sa mga eskwelahan aron pagpanhatod ug impormasyon may kalabotan na sa ilang mga programa ilabina ang unsaon pag segregate ug mga basura. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Cebuano News: Palasyo gipanalipdan ang mga nahimong kaayohan sa ekonomiya batok sa mga kritisismo

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 6 (PIA) -- Ang Malacañang nagdahom nga mopakita og mahinungdanong kauswagan ang sektor sa agrikultura tungod sa dugang badyet nga gigahin ngadto sa Department of Agriculture karong tuiga, nga gilaumang makapasaka sa ekonomiya sa nasod.

Atol sa press conference kagahapon Huwebes, si Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda gibabagan ang mga kritisismo nga nag-ingon nga ang nasod dili makatagamtam og dugang pag-uswag sa ekonomiya karong tuiga tungod sa huyang nga mga polisiya sa gobyerno.

Si Lacierda miingon ang nasod nakapakita og pag-usbaw sa produksyon sa agrikultura bisan pa sa mga bagyo ug mga kalamidad nga miigo sa Pilipinas miaging tuig.

“Agricultural productivity is growth, is real and equitable growth. So many people would be benefited from increased agricultural productivity,” siya miingon isip tubag sa mga komento nga nagpatuo nga ang gobyerno wala makahimo og dugang nga mga katrabahoan.

“This is growth for the farmers; agricultural productivity will benefit a great number of our people,” siya mipasabot.

Uban ang dako-dako nga badyet karong tuiga, ang DA miingon kini makatabang gyud pagpadayon sa mga inisyatibo nga mohatag og kasegurohan nga igo ang nag-unang kan-onon sa 2013 lakip na ang bugas, puti nga mais, balanghoy ug uban pang mga nag-unang kan-onon.

Sa iyang 2011 nga year-end report, si Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala miingon nga dakong parte sa 2012 nga badyet sa DA P61.73 bilyon ang gamiton aron ma-implementar ang Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), nga maoy sentro sa programa sa administrasyong Aquino.

Ang maong programa gitinguha ang pagpamuhunan sa mga nag-unang pasilidad, partikularmente sa imprastraktura sama sa irigasyon, farm-to-market roads, ug post harvest nga mga pasilidad, si Alcala miingon.

Uban ang alokasyon nga P24.5 bilyon sa tuig 2012 alang sa irigasyon, si Secretary Alcala miingon ang DA motukod og bag-ong mga sistema sa irigasyon, ug ibalik ug ayuhon kadtong naa na nga nagserbisyo sa mokabat 224,850 ektaryas nga yutang pananom libot sa nasod.

Alang sa postharvest ug uban pang mga imprastruktura, ang DA naggahin og P11.28 bilyon. Kini gamiton aron pagtukod sa drying, storage, ug prcessing nga mga pasilidad, storage ug milling equipment, lakip ang dairy equipment ug mga makinarya.

Ang DA miingon motukod usab sila og dagkong mga agri-fishery trading centers sa daghang mga erya libot sa nasod. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Cebuano News: IRA sa probinsiya sa Agusan del Norte, mikunhod

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 6 (PIA) -- Apektado ang lalawigan sa Agusan del Norte sa nasinati karon nga nasudnong pagkunhod sa Internal Revenue Allotment kon IRA.

Sumala pa ni Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho, mukabat sa 4.8% kon P23 milyon ang gikunhod karon sa IRA sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte, hinungdan nga apektado ang pipila ka mga proyekto ug programa sa probinsiyal nga panggamhanan.

Gidugang pa ni Racho nga magpadayon pa guihapon ang mga nag-unang serbisyo nga mas labaw nga gikinahanglan sa katawhang Agusanon nga naglangkob sa gipatumang 6-Point Executive Agenda ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante.

Ang nasudnong pagkunhod sa IRA sa mga probinsiya ug dakbayan naggikan sa pag-apruba sa 16 ka mga munisipyo ngadto na sa pagkahimo niini nga siyudad kung diin tulo (3) niini ania dinhi sa Caraga Region ug usa na niani ang dakbayan sa Cabadbaran nga sakop ni’ng probinsiya. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Cebuano News: Mayor Amante, daku ang pasalamat sa kahiusahan sa Agusan del Norte ug Butuan City

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Enero 6 (PIA) -- Mipaabot sa iyang dakung pasalamat si Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. sa panaghiusa karon sa lalawigan sa Agusan del Norte ug Butuan City.

Sumala pa ni Mayor Amante, human sa dugay nga mga katuigan nga nanglabay, subli na usab nga nagkahiusa ang dakbayan sa Butuan ug lalawigan sa Agusan del Norte pinaagi sa liderato niini ug sa iyang ig-agaw nga si Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante.

Subay niini, nanghinaut si Mayor Amante nga magpadayon ang maayong relasyon sa dakbayan ug sa lalawigan alang sa dugang kalambuan ug kaayuhan sa katawhan nga ilang gi-alagaran.

“I hope magpadayon kini nga relasyon… I think for the first time after the longest time, nagka-unite na gyud ang Butuan City ug Agusan del Norte… so daku ang akong pasalamat sa akong pinangga nga ig-agaw nga si Gov. Erlpe John Amante,” ang pamahayag ni Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Cebuano News: Agusan del Norte Gov. gidayeg ang mayor sa Butuan

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Jan. 6 (PIA) – Gidayeg ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John Amante si Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr.

Sumala pa ni Gov. Amante, iyang gidayeg ang ka maayo ni Mayor Jun Amante sa ilang pamilya ug sa ilang henerasyon.

Gidugang pa sa opisyal nga usa sa ilang girespeto sa ilang pamilya mao si Mayor Jun Amante, ug daku na lamang ang iyang pagpasalamat human gidungog ang iyang pag-ampo nga mamahimo usab nga lider ang iyang ig-agaw dili lamang sa lalawigan sa Agusan del Norte kundili sa dakbayan sa Butuan.

“Ako gyud ni’ng ipanghinambog, sa among pamilya mao gyud ni ang pinaka-buotan sa among generation nga mga Amante, kung naa gyud me girespeto sa amo, kini gyud ang among girespeto, nadungog gyud ang akong pag-ampo nga ang pinakamaayo namo sa among generation mahimo pud nga lider dili lamang sa Agusan kondi sa Butuan City,” ang pamahayag ni Gov. Amante.

Nunot niini, nadawat sa dakbayan sa Butuan ang Seal of Good Housekeeping sa Dept. of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) niadtong Disyembre 28, 2011, human gipasidunggan sa DILG ang transparency ug accountability nga paggamhanan ni Mayor Jun Amante.

Subay niini, nadawat sa dakbayan sa Butuan ang Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) nga nagkantidad og P60 milyones. Matud pa, pagagamiton ang maong kantidad sa pagpalapad og pagmintina sa mga imprastraktura sa maong dakbayan. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

PIA News Service - Thursday, January 5, 2012

2012-01-05T04:38:00.000-08:00

10 confirmed dead in COMVAL landslide; 150 still missing, Gov says

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Provincial Governor Arturo Uy confirmed reports that a landslide occurred today at Sitio Diat Uno, Napnapan, Pantukan, Compostella Valley.

In an interview with Bombo Radyo-Butuan this morning, Gov. Uy said the tragedy occurred at around 3:00 a.m. in the mining area of Diat Uno.

Gov. Uy said that as of 10:00 a.m., 25 dead bodies were already recovered. Most of the victims were miners. He added around 150 people are still missing.

The official stressed the concerned agencies of the local government unit (LGU) were already mobilized, as well as the Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the conduct of rescue and retrieval operations.

Uy said the priority of the LGU as of the moment is to conduct rescue and retrieval operations, especially to the survivors so that they will be brought to hospital for treatment.

The province’s local chief executive added they are seeking for some assistance in the nearby LGUs and private mining companies.

Uy, quoting reports, said that the victims were sleeping when the incident happened. “Umuulan kasi dito these past days (It had been rainting these past days)," the governor said.

The continuous rains in some areas in Mindanao were brought about by a low pressure area (LPA).

According to PAGASA, as of 2:00 a.m. today, tail-end of a cold front is affecting Southern Luzon and the Visayas regions, and wind convergence is affecting Mindanao. (PIA-Caraga)
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BCPO chief vows to run after holdup suspects

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) Director, PSupt. Pedro Obaldo today said he and the entire police force of the city are determined to run after suspects of series of holdups that took place on the first week of January.

Obaldo said in an interview that they are presently conducting thorough investigations on the series of holdup which victimized businessmen here.

He also said that while the BCPO conducts investigations, police personnel are also formulating strategies to solve the problem.

“Pinag-aaralan na po nating mabuti ‘yan…Alam n’yo kasi ang PNP ay maraming mga guidelines, policies o mga solusyon para sa isang partikular na sitwasyon o problema… Tayo po ay namimili kung anong strategy na ‘yun ang iimplement natin,” Obaldo said.

(We are looking into it… You know, PNP has many guidelines, policies or solutions to be undertaken for a particular situation or problem… and we are going to select what strategy to be implemented.)

With this, the official asked the public to give the police ample time to conduct investigations and solve the prevailing problems.

Among the establishments robbed were the Negros Navigation Superferry Ticketing Outlet located at Lopez Jaena Street, Brgy Humabon, Butuan City.

Investigation revealed that the suspect initially pretended as a customer and once inside, drew his gun, fired it and declared hold-up.

The suspect managed to take the money from cashier’s drawer amounting to Php 7,000 and then fled aboard a motorcycle. (PIA-Caraga with PNP-13 report)
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LGU-Agusan del Norte to craft Prov’l Tourism Plan

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Agusan del Norte will soon craft a tourism development plan.

Mr. Edgar Plaraca, Jr., Provincial Information Officer, in an interview with a local radio station here this morning said the provincial executive department is at present gathering data from the municipalities.

He said the province’s executive department is now waiting for the municipal tourism officers to submit their municipal tourism plans. “After they have submitted these plans, the province will finalize the crafting of the plan,” Palarca said. (PIA-Caraga)

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Businessmen, entrepreneurs urged to renew business permits early

by Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) – Chief of Business Licensing and Permit Division Paul Cabrera called on businessmen and entrepreneurs to renew their licenses and permits early to avoid penalties.

The deadline for the renewal of business permits and licenses is until January 20 only, said Cabrera in an interview with local radio here. Beyond the said date, a 25 percent penalty will be imposed on applications.

Last Monday, more than 300 individuals have already renewed their permits. Fifty (50) percent of applications were already issued issued a mayor’s permit.

Cabrera also said that sari-sari (or convenience) store owners should get and/or renew their permits only from the city hall.

He further said that only the mayor can issue business permits and the barangays will only issue documents as one of the requirements in the securing the required permits from the city. (PIA-Caraga)

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P156-M support fund to LGUs released by DILG, DBM

by Mary Christine Anthonette Salise

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) have released a total of P156 million to selected LGUs in Caraga Region under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).

Funds were released to some LGUs that have been awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH). The DILG awards the SGH to promote good governance among local governments.

In Caraga Region, four provinces, six cities and 66 municipalities have been awarded the SGH. Three newly converted cities, however, are not entitled to the LGSF since they will receive a bigger Internal Revenue Allotment for 2012.

The funds shall be utilized as capital expenditure and only for the following types of projects: a) rural electrification; b) local roads connection national roads; c) arterial farm-to-market roads and bridges; d) local economic enterprises; e) flood control and drainage; and f) priority projects of the National Government such as Millenium Development Goals, Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 and Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Topping the list of LGUs in Caraga Region is Butuan City which received P60 million. (PIA-Caraga)

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Filipino investor interested in Nonoc mining revival

by Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- A Filipino investor is interested in the revival of Nonoc Nickel mine of Philnico Industrial Corp. (Philnico), City Mayor Ernesto Matugas confirmed recently.

Matugas said San Miguel Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Ramon Ang is now seriously considering the re-opening of the said refinery located in Nonoc Island.

Matugas said he personally persuaded Ang to invest in the said company while he was in Manila and that negotiations are still on-going.

Matugas said he expects at least 8,000 new jobs will be created if the project pushes thru. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Surigaonon News: Programa sa pang-Agrikultura nan syudad sa Surigao mas gipalapdan pa

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 5 (PIA) - Programa sa pang-Agrikultura sa syudadmas gipalapdan pa kini matod pa ni City Agriculturist Mr. Isaias Elumba bag-uhay pa lamang.

Si Elumba miingon nga gawas sa mga fisherfolks parapernalia nga gipang-apud-apud nan syudad sa pagpanguyo mismo ni Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas ngadto na sa mga island barangays lakip isab diri sa mainland ubay-ubay pa nga mga aktibidades ang ilang gihimo.

Sama sa pag-asister nila sa City Veterinary Office pina-agi ni Dr. Alan Quenes nan turn-over ceremony sa mga irrigation system, pagpanhatag ug coffee seeds, baktin ug kabaw sa pipila na ka mga baranggay ug kini epadayon pa hangtud karong tuiga. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Aquino miaprobar sa Freedom of Information Bill nga gihimo sa Palasyo

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 5 (PIA) – Si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III miaprobar sa proposal sa Palasyo kalabot na sa Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) nga nakahan-ay sa kongreso, diin kini nanawagan nga gikinahanglan ang pag-abli sa impormasyon sa gobyerno aron maseguro ang transparency sa mga transaksyon sa gobyerno.

Ang Pangulo nakigtagbo kagahapon sa buntag nila Secretary Florencio Abad, Rene Almendras, Ricky Carandang, Edwin Lacierda ug Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III aron tukion ang detalye sa Freedom of Information Bill.

Si Quezon, nga maoy midala sa FOI bill didto sa Pangulo, miingon atol sa press conference didto sa Malacañang kagahapon nga sila mihimo og mga pagtuki uban ang nagkadaiyang mga hingtungdan sulod sa pipila ka mga bulan kalabot sa maong balaodnon base sa mga instruksyon sa ni Pangulong Aquino.

Siya miingon ilang gipresenta ang mga resulta sa mga konsultasyon ug mga pagtoon ngadto sa Pangulo atol sa panagtagbo kagahapon Miyerkules.

“And the President’s marching orders to us was and this is his words: ‘to push ahead with the Freedom of Information,’” matud pa ni Quezon.

Apan, si Quezon mipasabot nga ang Pangulo mihangyo nga kuhaon ang gitanyag nga Information Commission gikan sa maong suhestyon kay matud pa sa Pangulo kini makadugang lamang sa hut-ong sa burukrasya.

“The overall intention of this whole exercise, besides to make it as democratic and consultative as possible, was precisely because we were all working under the view that we have to make the constitutional injunction making information a right of the public a living reality,” si Quezon miingon.

Sa dihang gipanguta kanus-a ang gikatakdang pagpasar sa maong balaodnon, siya miingon kini mag-agad sa liderato sa duha ka mga balay sa kongreso. Apan siya miingon adunay panagsabot matag magbabalaod nga himoon kining maong balaodnon nga usa ka dakong kahimoan sa 15th Congress.

Mga input sa bag-ong bersyon, ang Tanada bill, lakip pinaagi sa mga amendasyon sa maong proposal nga kasamtangang nakahan-ay sa Kongreso.

Samtang dili tanang impormasyon ang pwedeng mapagawas ngadto sa publiko, siya miingon, ang kinatibuk-ang kamandoan mao nga ang impormasyon kinahanglan kanunay aduna ngadto sa katawhan basta lang dili kadtong gikonsiderar nga gidiling impormasyon.

Kini nga lihitimong mga eksipyon naglakip sa impormasyon nga makadaot sa abilidad sa estado sa pagprotektar sa kalinaw ug kahapsay, mga diplomatic nga relasyon sa laing mga nasod, ug kadtong makabisto sa mga operasyon sa pulisya ug militar.

Ang Pangulo mipadayag sa iyang pagsuporta sa FOI bill dihang siya midagan pagka Pangulo niadtong Mayo 2010. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2012-01-04T06:15:00.000-08:00

City gov’t grateful for the conversion of 3 neighboring municipalities to cityhood status, despite IRA drop

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- Although the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the city government will decrease starting this year, city officials here are still grateful for the conversion of three neighboring municipalities of Caraga Region into cityhood status.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) City Director Romeo Solis said the city government, through the leadership of Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., is still thankful because the officials of the cities of Cabadbaran, Bayugan and Tandag have exerted much effort for their cityhood conversion.

Solis stressed with the conversion of the 16 municipalities nationwide into cityhood status, some P20 million of the IRA of the city government here will decrease annually.

In spite of this, Solis said the city government is happy because residents of these 16 new cities will be given the opportunity to boost the economic status of their locality that will lead to the development not only of the area but more importantly, to the residents.

Meanwhile, during the press conference held early in December 2011, Mayor Amante emphasized that with the creation of the 16 new cities, the city government here should implement cost-cutting measures so that all their transactions and operations will still be carried out smoothly.

However, Amante said because of the IRA’s drop, his administration is forced to lessen job order personnel in the city hall this year.

He added job order personnel who are doing well in their job will be retained based on the recommendations of their immediate superior. Those who will not be recommended will be subjected for contract termination.

Amante also underscored the need for the city government to coordinate and build networks with other government agencies. He added they will tap the services of the national government agencies whenever necessary.

With these developments, the city’s chief executive called on the city hall employees to implement cost-cutting measures to cope with the prevailing condition.

“We can do nothing about this except to implement such strategy to cope with the prevailing situation,” Mayor Amante said. (PIA-Caraga)

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LGU to purchase land for riverbank residents in Agusan del Norte

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- Agusan del Norte provincial government is determined to purchase land for residents living along the riverbanks of the province.

According to Provincial Operation Planning Officer Rofel Cabaltera in an interview with Bombo Radyo-Butuan, the provincial government is allocating some 20 percent of their annual development budget to purchase residential lots within the province.

Calbaltera added priority beneficiaries of the project are residents living along the riverbanks in the province.

“Ang atong panggamhanang probinsiyal sa Agusan del Norte maga-gahin og 20 porsyiento sa annual development budget aron sa pagpalit og luna nga kapuy-an sa mga residente ni’ng probinsiya nga anaa nanimuyo duol sa mga kasubaan,” Cabaltera said.

(Our provincial government in Agusan del Norte is allocating 20 percent of the annual development budget to purchase residential lots for residents of this province living along the riverbanks.)

This, according to Cabaltera, was developed after the provincial officials headed by Gov. Erlpe John Amante see the need of these residents to be transferred to safer places to avoid incidents that may possibly happen.

The official added it is the responsibility of the provincial government to provide the residents living along the riverbanks, with a place or area that is safer.

In Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City, hundreds of residents living near the riverbanks of Cagayan de Oro River and Mandulog River, respectively were killed due to flashflood that hits the two cities on December 17, 2011.

The two rivers have swollen and overflowed on the evening of December 17, causing massive flashfloods in the areas, and even along the national highway in Brgy. Hinaplanon, Iligan City. (PIA-Caraga)

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City gov’t to use P60 million Seal of Good Housekeeping cash incentive for priority projects

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) City Director Romeo Solis recently said the city government here will use the P60 million cash incentive they received for the implementation of priority projects.

This, after the city’s flagship program on transparency and accountability governance was awarded by the DILG with Seal of Good Housekeeping, making the city government qualified as recipient of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), amounting to P60 million.

Solis said the cash incentives must be spent in the construction of infrastructure projects to attract businessmen and investors that will boost the economic condition of the city.

The official said through investments, revenue of the city government will increase. Solis added this is needed, since the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of the city has decreased P20 million annually.

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo said the fund shall be utilized as capital expenditures and shall be used to augment their approved 2012 Annual Investment Plan for implementation of any or combination of the following projects, namely: 1) rural electrification; 2) local roads connecting national roads; 3) arterial farm-to-market roads and bridges; 4) local economic enterprises and; 5) flood control and drainage.

Also, the DILG chief said the fund will be used to support the priority projects of the national government such as the 1) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs); 2) Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010; and 3) Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

According to DILG, the Seal of Good Housekeeping for LGUs is in line with the Department’s commitment to aggressively scale up interventions to elevate the practice of governance that values transparency, accountability, participation and performance into an institutionalized status, which aims to recognize LGUs with good governance performance in internal housekeeping particularly on four areas, namely 1) Good Planning; 2) Sound Fiscal Management; 3) Transparency and Accountability; and 4) Valuing of Performance Monitoring.

The DILG also said LGUs with the Seal of Good Housekeeping will be qualified for the Performance Challenge Fund for Local Government Units being handled by the Bureau of Local Government Development. (PIA-Caraga)

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Agusan Norte prov’l gov’t to intensify infra rehab projects

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) –- In support to the Regional Development Plan of Caraga, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte will intensify the rehabilitation of the province’s infrastructure.

Provincial Planning and Development Office chief Rofel Cabaltera said this undertaking will provide a venue for the province to attract local and foreign investors.

Cabaltera said the provincial planning team has already conducted assessment to all municipalities of the province to identify and prioritize the infrastructure of each barangay that needs to be developed and rehabilitated.

“We have already conducted some sort of assessment to all barangays in the municipalities of the province to identify the needs of developing the infrastructure,” Cabaltera said in the vernacular.

The official further said municipalities that are in need of farm-to-market roads are those that will be prioritized.

“With farm-to-market roads, products of the farmers in the province will be brought easily to their respective markets for selling… Thus, this ensures improvement of the farmers’ income,” Cabaltera said.

Furthermore, Cabaltera said the project also aims to provide assistance to each local government unit in every municipality, especially in times of calamities and disasters. (PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog news: Pagsasanay sa mga taga-pagpatupad ng batas na nagbabawal ng paninigarilyo isinagawa

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 4 (PIA) -- Isinagawa kamakailan ang isang pagsasanay sa mga taga-pagpatupad ng batas na nagbababawal ng paninigarilyo sa bayan ng Esperanza sa kanilang pagsisikap na matigil ang paninigarilyo sa buong bayan.

Kilala ang Esperanza sa pagiging kampeon sa buong lalawigan at sa buong rehiyon ng Caraga dahil sa kanilang programa sa pag-alaga at pagtanggol laban sa anumang abuso na ginagawa sa kapaligiran lalo na sa tinatawag na Ecological Solid Waste Management Program (ESWMP).

Sa naturang pagsasanay, tinalakay rin ang Ordinansa Blng. 113-2011 na pinamagatang “The Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur” ni Bise Mayor Apolonio Layugan.

Ayon kay Bise Mayor Layugan, sinasakop ng ordinansang ito ang kahit sinong naninigarilyo o pinapayagan ang paninigarilyo sa mga pampublikong sasakyan, mga sasakyang pag-aari ng pamahalaan, mga bahay aliwan, pampublikong gusali at lugar, at lahat ng saradong lugar na nasa labas ng pribadong bahay, pribadong lugar na pinagtatrabahuhan na matatagpuan sa loob ng bayan ng Esperanza.

Dagdag pa ni Layugan, isinasali rin sa ordinansang ito ang pagbebenta ng sigarilyo ng mga menor de edad, ang pag-aadvertise ng ano mang uri ng sigarilyo at paglagay o pang pamumudmod ng mga propagandang bagay na may kaugnayan sa sigarilyo.

Ang 100 porsyentong pagsali ng mga barangay kapitan sa naturang pagsasanay kasama ang na organisang Municipal Task Force ay nagpalakas sa mga namumuno at mga kinilalang kasali rito para sa pag patupad ng mga batas na nagtatanggol ng kapaligiran at malusog na pamumuhay.

Naisagawa ang pagsasanay na ito sa pagsisikap ng Municipal Health Office kasama ang Sangguniang Bayan Office at sa tulong ni Delma Legaspi isang nurse na coordinator ng Healthy Lifestyle ng Department of Health, Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)
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Peace and dev’t key to start for better Surigao Sur this year, prov’l official says

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 4 (PIA) -– Surigao del Sur Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas said peace and development should continue to go together for a much better province this year.

In his message during the first flag ceremony program before the provincial government employees on Monday at the Capitol Lobby, Rivas stressed, in behalf of Gov. Johnny Pimentel, nothing will be fairly accomplished without the other pair, citing the Army’s renewed approach to put a halt on the four decade insurgency problem.

He stressed that the new batch of army hierarchy has already started to put to use a “paradigm shift” through community organizing for peace and development (COPD) by pouring in funds in close coordination with the local government units (LGUs).

Rivas believed that th separatist groups will soften up their stand with this approach. (PIA Surigao del Sur)
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Regional Police reports a “gun-free” yuletide

by Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PIA) – The regional police reported a “gun-free” yuletide as its records posted a “zero casualty” and “zero incident” of indiscriminate firing of guns in the region during the Christmas and New Year revelries.

During the ceremonial unsealing of the taped muzzles of issued firearms, Police Senior Supt. David Y. Ombao said the Caraga Police has recorded no incident of indiscriminate firing of guns by its personnel during the Christmas and the New Year celebrations.

He also said that it was very significant as it means that police personnel in the region had paved the way of using alternative ways of creating noise and merrymaking to celebrate Christmas and to cheer and welcome the New Year instead of firing of their guns.

Acting on the instructions of Caraga PNP Chief CSupt. Reynaldo S. Rafal, Ombao conveyed the gratitude of the regional director to other government agencies, the non-governmental organizations and the tri-media for the cooperation, which had led to the success of the PNP’s “IWAS PAPUTOK/IWAS DISGRASYA,” campaign.

On the morning of December 27, Rafal led the sealing of the gun muzzles of the issued firearms of the PNP personnel at the front of the administration building. He gave a stern instruction to police to strictly observe the guidelines set forth by the PNP organization regarding the non-use of firearms during the yuletide revelries. The violators, according to him, will be subjected to summary dismissal proceedings.

In the case of firecracker and pyrotechnics-related injuries, the police reported only two victims in its regional report: a 46-year old Joseph Dela Cerna of Bayugan City and a 15-year old female (name withheld being a minor) from Tandag City, Surigao del Sur. One sustained a minor injury at the right hand and the other at the right finger. Both were discharged from the hospital immediately right after their treatment.

Rafal attributed the success of the campaign to the massive information drive by the various sectors, the creation of ordinances by the local government unit and establishment of “firecrackers display area” and the “firecrackers zone.”

Even the PNP in its enforcement effort confiscated firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices which violated RA 7183 and the special local law (SP Resolution No.769-99) amounting to P9, 500. (PIA Caraga)
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Cebuano News: Gobyernong Aquino miaprobar sa Anti-Corruption Plan

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 4 (PIA) -- Ang administrasyong Aquino giaprobahan kagahapon Martes ang Good Governance and Anti- Corruption (GGAC) Plan for 2012-2016 gitumong sa pagpasayon ug pagpa-apil sa datos sa gobyerno aron sumpoon ang pagpangawkaw ug korupsyon.
Ang tigom kagahapon Martes didto sa Malacañang maoy ikaduhang panagtigom sa Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-corruption nga gipangulohan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.

Giprentar ni Budget Secretary Florencio Abad sa Kabinete kagahapon ang GGAC cluster plan ug human sa duha ka oras nga pagtuki, ang maong proposal giaprobahan dayon.

Matud ni Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda, ang mga unod sa cluster plan tubag sa mga problema sa korupsyon sa inoras nga analysis ug pagtaho sa datos sa gobyerno.

“It also aims to harness a stable society as a partner in these efforts for better and detailed explanations,” si Lacierda miingon atol sa press briefing didto sa Malacanang.

Atol usab sa maong press briefing, si Abad miingon katuyoan sa good governance ug anti-corruption cluster mao ang pagsumpo sa korupsyon ug seguroon nga mga serbisyo publiko mahatag sa katawhan. Ang gobyerno nagdahom usab nga ang kahimtang sa patigayon ug ekonomiya molambo oras nga matigayon na kini.

Ang administrasyon nagduso sa tulo ka mga inisyatibo pinaagi sa maong plano: Transparency, accountability ug citizen engagement, pagpasabot ni Abad.

“Pursuing transparency, accountability and citizens engagement requires us to also look into the necessary legislation and policy that need to be reviewed and strengthened. And then promote the digitization and innovations in government's operations. And finally, undertake an aggressive advocacy and communication campaign,” siya miingon.

Aron maseguro ang transparency sa mga transaksyon sa gobyerno, ang anti-corruption plan nag-awhag alang sa gikinahanglang pagbutyag sa impormasyon sa budget sa mga ahensya ug mga local government units (LGUs), matud pa ni Abad.

Gipalapadan usab sa gobyerno ang mga operasyon sa Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System aron ipasiugda ang transparency, sa iyang pagdugang.

Sa samang bahin, si Abad miingon nga isip leksyon, ang gobyerno milihok alang sa madaliang resolusyon sa nagkadaiyang mga kaso, labi na ang kalabot sa pagpangawkaw ug korupsyon. Kini nagpuntirya nga mapalambo ang tinuig nga case resolution rate sa Department of Justice (DOJ) gikan sa kasamtangang lebel niini ngadto sa 85 porsyento.

Ang Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS) madugangan usab, si Abad mingon, dugang pa nga ang gobyerno mipalig-on usab sa single portal niini alang sa impormasyon sa gobyerno. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, January 3, 2012

2012-01-03T04:29:00.000-08:00

“Sendong” victims in Barobo receive relief goods

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Surigao del Sur Chapter and the provincial government here today distributed relief goods and items to victims of “Sendong” in Barobo town.

The distribution was held at the municipal gymnasium and some 78 families received food and non-food items from Gov. Johnny Pimentel and PRC Chapter Administrator Abel De Guzman.

In an interview, De Guzman said the recipients are families whose houses were totally damaged.

It can be recalled that last December 28-29, the team already conducted relief goods distribution to some 547 families in Lingig, Tagbina, Brgy. Caguyao, Bislig City and Hinatuan. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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Agusan del Norte municipalities receive vegetable seeds from PAO

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) –- All the 10 municipalities of the province of Agusan del Norte have received vegetable seeds from the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO

PAO chief Maria Abastillas said for 2011, farmers from the municipalities were able to receive high value commercial crops seeds, particularly vegetables.

The PAO chief said this is in line with the agriculture assistance program of the provincial government, where farmers are given these crops to increase vegetable production, through the municipal agriculture offices.

“Ubos sa maong programa, aduna kita’y mga beneficiaries sa nagkalain-laing mga munisipyo… Nakahatag ta ani og mga assistance pinaagi sa pagpang-apud-apod og mga vegetable seeds,” Abastillas said.

(Under the said program, we have beneficiaries from different municipalities… We have given them assistance through distribution of vegetable seeds.)

The official further said that the program will be continued this year to ensure livelihood sustainability of the farmers. (PIA-Caraga)

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PNP official grateful to Caraga police for not firing guns on New Year’s eve

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -– An official from the Philippine National Police (PNP) - Caraga Region expressed his gratitude to all the police men and women of the region for not firing their issued firearms during the New Year’s eve celebration.

In an interview with a radio station here this morning, PSSupt David Ombao, PNP-Caraga Directorial Staff said with the zero casualty on indiscriminate firing, it shows that police officers in all the provinces of Caraga Region were not able to fire their issued guns and firearms.

Ombao stressed that the police officers in the region are disciplined and professionals that they have followed the orders and directives of the higher authorities of the country’s police force.

The official said that although there were two cases of firecracker-related incidents recorded, the victims only incurred minor injuries.

With this, Ombao said this is a very successful undertaking of the PNP as well as the other government agencies in an effort to have a peaceful and injury-free celebration of New Year in the region.

To date, the number of casualties remains to be the same, according to police report. (PIA-Caraga)
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PNP-Caraga hopeful for “zero casualty” in 2013 New Year

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -– Officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Caraga Region is hopeful that the region will have again a “zero casualty” for 2013 New Year celebration as far as indiscriminate firing is concerned.

This developed after the PNP reported that there was no incident on victims of stray bullet as the region celebrated the New Year’s eve. However, two victims were reported to have been injured because of firecrackers.

In an interview aired in a local radio station here, PSSupt David Ombao, PNP-Caraga Directorial Staff said the entire PNP force in the region is happy to know that there were no civilians reported hit by a stray bullet.

“Meron tayong naitalang dalawang insidente na firecracker-related at masaya po tayo na walang naging biktima ng ligaw na bala,” Ombao said.

(We have recorded two incidents on firecracker-related and we are happy that there was no victim on stray bullet.)

Ombao further said this also indicates that there was no policeman that fired their issued firearms during the New Year’s eve celebration.

With this, PSSupt. Ombao lauded the entire police force of the region for adhering to the directives issued by top officials of the PNP in Camp Crame.

When asked what will the PNP-Caraga do if there is a police officer found to have fired their issued firearms, the official said they will not hesitate to conduct thorough investigation and if found guilty, the suspect will be dealt with accordingly.

“Managot ang dapat managot upang hindi pamarisan,” Ombao said.

(Those who are responsible must answer what was accorded by the law so that nobody will follow.)

Further, the official said that there will no more casualty as the Caraganons will celebrate the 2013 New Year.

“Sana, wala nang casualty na mangyayari sa susunod na pagdiriwang ng New Year dito sa Caraga Region, mapa-indiscriminate firing man o firecracker-related,” he added.

(I hope there will be no more casualties in the next celebration of New Year here in Caraga Region, may it be on indiscriminate firing or firecracker-related incidents.)

Meanwhile, Ombao congratulates the region’s PNP through the leadership of PCSupt. Reynaldo Rafal for the successful campaign against indiscriminate firing. (PIA-Caraga)
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Infra projects in Butuan City to be completed in 2012

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -– “Infrastructure projects for this city are set for completion this year,” said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Butuan City District Engineering Office (BCDEO) chief Engr. Nicolas Alameda.

Engr. Alameda said their office is determined to finish the projects they started in 2011 before 2012 ends.

Specifically, Alameda said the drainage systems which are placed in different strategic areas in the city, as well as the construction of Bancasi-Dumalagan and Ampayon-Sumilihon Roads are among the priority projects set for completion.

Alameda said as early as first quarter of this year, they will continue the construction of the said projects.

“Thus, it is expected that these will be used as early as possible,” he added.

However, Alameda stressed that if these will not be completed on the first quarter, they will see to it that said projects will be finished before the end of this year. (PIA-Caraga)

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Recent flood in Agusan del Sur affects 12,104 families

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- Victims of the recent flood that occurred on the last week of December 2011 reached 12,104 families from the seven municipalities and the lone city of Bayugan, partial reports from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center (PDRRMC) revealed.

However, no casualty was recorded.

The municipality of Rosario, who were the first to call the help of the PDRRMO, have the highest number of affected families with a total of 4,147 families. It was followed by Prosperidad with 3,672 families. Ranked third is the municipality of Veruela with 3,200 families. Other areas had the following figures: San Luis with 408, Loreto with 220 families, Bayugan City with 179 families, Esperanza with 150 families and San Francisco with 128 families or 548 persons.

Among the affected families, 3,033 have seek temporary shelter at the various evacuation centers like the municipal gymnasium, schools, churches, barangay and municipal halls at the height of the flood.

According to Roberto Natividad, head of the PDRRMO, they immediately dispatched search and rescue teams with rubber boats and rescue vehicles to the municipality of Rosario and San Francisco who were the first two municipalities to seek the help of the PDRRMO.

Partial reports from the PDRRMC also revealed three schools from San Luis namely San Gabriel Elementary School, Binongan Elementary School and Magsaysay Elementary school were partially damaged while 40 houses from Don Alejandro and another 15 from Dona Flavia still in San Luis were also partially damaged. Four houses from Veruela town were totally damaged.

The City of Bayugan and the municipality of Loreto were the first to submit reports of the damages caused by the floods to rice and corn fields in their respective municipalities, totalling P6,119,481.

An approach portion of Langkilaan bridge in Barangay Sta. Maria, Trento falls and became impassable to traffic while Bridge 2 in Mambaos, Loreto submerged at the height of the flood. Portion of the national road were also reportedly unpassable when the volume of flood waters overflow the road at around 11:00 PM on December 26, but had immediately subsided after around three hours, the DPWH reported.

In a meeting the following day, December 27, Gov. Adolph Edward called and ordered the Provincial Social Welfare and Development office to produce immediately relief goods and deliver them to affected areas.

To date, a total of 2,836 families in three most affected municipalities namely Rosario, La Paz and Talacogon were already served with 279 bags of rice, 200 cases of sardines, 635 cases of noodles and other relief items like coffee, sugar, milo and milk for the children. The relief distribution still continues until reporting time. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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DSWD, inaugurates 25 core shelter units in Magallanes, Agusan del Norte

by Leah G. Quintana

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Office and the local government unit (LGU) of Magallanes, Agusan del Norte inaugurated 25 units of core shelter built in Barangay Caloc-an in December 2011.

These core shelter units are built through DSWD’s Core Shelter Assistance Program or CSAP. The project aims to reduce the number of homeless families every year by providing a structurally strong indigenous shelter which can withstand approximately 180-220 kph wind velocity, earthquake of moderate intensity and other similar hazards.

It also maximizes participation and draw commitment of the beneficiaries and the whole neighborhood to make the shelter unit livable and to maintain structurally strong housing standards.

Further, the project develops and promotes the value of self-reliance among the beneficiaries and the community.

The beneficiaries of CSAP are organized into Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (NASA), which promotes collective action in realizing the goals of the project. The association also addresses the vulnerabilities of the community while empowering beneficiaries to make the core shelter livable and more sustainable.

Magallanes Mayor Demosthenes H. Arabaca enjoined the 25 family beneficiaries to take care of the new houses saying, “Since you deserve this core shelter project, you take care of these houses just as you take care of yourselves.”

The 25 families who benefited the project come from low-lying areas in some barangays of Magallanes that are easily flooded. Each family beneficiary received P 70,000.00 for the materials from DSWD while the local government of Magallanes provided the lot where the houses now stand. The LGU also provided for the labor cost.

Bukas Neighborhood Association (BANASA) president Edwin Anida was all smiles while thanking the DSWD and LGU for this project.

“Mapasalamaton kami sa nagpasiugda aning proyekto kay inyong kaming gihatagan og bag-ong kapuy-an," Anida said.

(We are thankful to the initiators of this project for giving us our new home).

DSWD Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat graced the occasion together with Mrs. Angelita Amista, Chief, Operations Division of DSWD Caraga, the municipal legislators headed by Vice Mayor Margarito Auguis, Ms. Miriam Pagaran, representative of Congresswoman Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba. Fr. Silverio Relova blessed the new shelter units. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Pangulong Aquino padayon pagpokus sa mga programa nga makapalambo sa ekonomiya sa 2012

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 3 (PIA) -- Ang Malacañang mipasalig sa katawhang Filipino nga si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III magpadayon pagpokus sa mga programa nga makahatag og kaayuhan sa tanan labi na sa ekonomiya sa nasud, lakip ang walay puas nga paningkamot sa gobyerno pagwagtang sa korupsyon sa nasod.

Atol sa iyang unang media briefing alang sa Bag-ong Tuig 2012 didto sa Malacañang kagahapon, si Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda gipasaligan ang saad sa Pangulo ngadto sa katawhan nga iya ng naunang gisulti sa iyang mensahe sa pagtapos sa tuig niadtong imaging semana.

“The President is continuously focusing on improving the economy as he has stated in his yearend message, we will improve the economy, we will continue to provide service to the poor, our advocacy against graft and corruption will still continue,” si Lacierda miingon.

Sa kabahin nga ang impeachment proceedings batok kang Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona makaapekto sa Pangulo sa pokos sa paghimo niya sa iyang trabaho, si Lacierda mipasalig nga ang maong Constitutional procedure dili, bisan sa unsang paagi, makaapekto kang Pangulong Aquino sa iyang mga paningkamot aron moserbisyo sa nasod ug sa katawhan.

“Primarily the impeachment has now been diverted to the Senate… and the Senate will be the main focus of the impeachment trial,” si Lacierda miingon.

“The impeachment (proceedings) will not be a distraction for the President…not at all,” siya midugang.

Niadtong Disyembre 12, 2011, mokabat sa 188 ka mga miyembro sa House of Representatives ang mipirma sa impeachment complain batok kang Chief Justice Corona, og gipaabot usab didto sa Senado. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Surigaonon News: Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas mipadayag nan ija pasalamat sa tanan misuporta sa ija administrasyon

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 3 (PIA) -- Usa ka thanksgiving mass ang gepahigayon kagahapon nga adlaw sa may 6:30 nan buntag diha na sa San Nicolas Cathedral, gepanguluhan mismo ni Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas lakip na usab an mga opisyal nan syudad ug mga empleyado.

Dayun ang staff meeting sa Mayor’s Conference Room diin mipadayag si Mayor Matugas sa ija daku karajaw nga pasalamat sa mingsuporta nija sa ija mga plano ug programa nga gepahigayon adtong tuig 2011 sija mapasalamaton nga an tanan department heads nan syudad mingtimbaya ug mingtababng sa ija, sa paghemu ug pag-implementar sa tanan butang nga makahatag ug karajawan sa syudad bisan pa nga jauy ija ingkaligsan na ija mga amigo ug kumpare pero matod pa niini sa ngayan nga amoy karajawan ug makatabang sa mga Surigaonons ija kusganong mingpatuman.

Samtang mapasalamaton isab si Mayor Matugas sa mga mintabang nga kompanya, ahensya ug uban pa nga mga negosyante sa pagtabang sa ato syudad nga magmalamboon na sa pagkakuman.

Dugang pa niini nga sija dili muhunong sa paghanap ug mga karajawan aron ibubo nganhe sa Surigao samtang ija na isab hatagan ug pagtagad an housing program karong tuiga lakip na an pagpadajun sa gesugdan nga agriculture and livestock projects. Sa tanan sija nagpasalamat ug nanghinaut nga untana muiban gehapon an tanan Surigaonon hangtod an ato syudad mas malamboon na sa hingpit. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Monday, January 2, 2011

2012-01-02T01:58:00.000-08:00

PNP-Caraga records zero indiscriminate firing incident

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 2 (PIA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga Regional Office today assured the public that no policeman in the region have fired his or her firearms during the celebration of New Year’s eve.

PSSupt David Ombao, PNP-Caraga Directorial Staff and Chief of the Regional Intelligence Division confirmed this during the ceremonial removal of sealed gun muzzles of the PNP personnel held this morning at Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad this city.

Supt. Ombao said all police stations in the region reported that no police officer has fired his or her issued firearms during New Year’s eve celebration.

This, according to Ombao is an indication that PNP’s campaign towards a peaceful celebration of New Year is successful and police officers region-wide adhered to the directives of PNP top officials.

Ombao also said the entire police force is grateful because as of today, only two firecracker-related incidents were recorded and said victims have only incurred minor injuries.

The official said the low incident rate due to firecrackers is the result of the massive campaigns of concerned government agencies like the PNP and Department of Health (DOH).

With this development, Ombao lauded the joint efforts of the public and private stakeholders to make the New Year’s celebration in Caraga Region more peaceful and injury-free. (PIA-Caraga)

PAO to distribute palay, corn seeds to Agusan del Norte farmers

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 2 (PIA) -- Due to the low production of corn in 2011, the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) of Agusan del Norte is set to distribute hybrid palay and corn seeds to farmers in the province.

According to PAO chief Maria Abastillas, this move is to help the farmers in the province to increase their rice and corn production this year.

Abastillas also said this will help the farmers increase their income, especially if the province will experience good weather compared to the previous year.

The PAO chief said some 86 bags of hybrid rice and 138 bags of corn seeds are set to be distributed to ensure that farmers will have an early harvest.

In an earlier interview, the official said they were not able to achieve their target of planting 4,710 hectares of corn, and instead, they were only able to plant some 4,574.5 hectares due to the series of flooding experienced by the province in 2011.

Abastillas also said that out of the 4,710 hectares planted, only 3,467.8 hectares of which were successfully harvested.

The official said the distribution of the aid hybrid palay and corn seeds are part of the program of the provincial government on farming and agriculture development. (PIA-Caraga)

SMWD opposes miners’ group petition to declare portion of Parang-parang watershed into 'Minahan ng Bayan'

by FEAbkilan

SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 2 (PIA) -- The Surigao Metropolitan Water District (SMWD) Board of Directors recently issued a resolution opposing the petition of Nagkahiusang Gagmay’ng Minero - United Small-Scale Miners (NAGAMI) to declare a mineral land covering an area of 20 hectares located at Barangays Mat-I and Mabini of Surigao City into a People’s Small-Scale Mining Area or ‘Minahan ng Bayan.’

In a board resolution dated December 16, 2011, the SMWD, which operates and manages the water system and is tasked to provide efficient, reliable, safe and potable water supply to the entire city, vehemently opposes the petition which was filed by NAGAMI and was published in the local newspaper on December 5-11 for the reason that the proposed tunnel mining and the Parang-parang Watershed is so close and could easily be encroached by tunneling the area within the watershed boundary which contains high grade ore as evidenced in the previous illegal mining activities.

The Parang-parang Watershed, the main source of water supply of the city, has been declared a protected area by virtue of President Proclamation No. 635 signed in August 29, 1990 by former President Corazon C. Aquino.

The resolution also stated that “the remaining forest cover of the watershed is endangered as cutting of trees to be used as timber support for tunnel mining, bunkhouses and other needs using wooden materials continues and could not be abated.”

“That mining process involves chemicals and other hazardous substances which will contaminate the environment and will surely affect the quality of our water,” it stated.
The resolution further said that "all the effluence, run-off mine and mill waste carrying toxic material will eventually find its course to Surigao River – the future water source of the city.”

The board also argued that the city has been experiencing water shortages for long in spite of several reforestation and protection projects implemented in the watershed; thus, they cannot betray their mandate to protect the source of the city’s potable drinking water. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

TESDA-Surigao del Sur offers free 3-months training in electronics

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 2 (PIA) -- The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) provincial office in Surigao del Sur is offering free three-months training in electronics.

According to TESDA Provincial Director Rey Cueva, the said training is in partnership with Tandag City Mayor Alexander “AYEC” Pimentel through the Access for Youth and Employment Center (AYEC) program.

The undertaking is also supported by Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel with the Jobs through Tech-Voc Program (JTP), and the office of Congressman Philip Pichay.
Meanwhile, Allan Millan, Supervising Technical Education and Skills Development Specialist said classes will start on January 12, 2012.

Accordingly, qualified enrollees are should be at least a high school graduate and must be 18 to 45 years old.

Interested applicants may bring a high school diploma, birth certificate, 3 pcs. of 1 X 1 ID picture with white background, at TESDA Provincial Office, this city. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

New Year celebration in Caraga Region generally peaceful, PNP says

by PSupt. Martin M. Gamba

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 2 (PIA) -- The New Year celebration in Caraga Region is generally peaceful as Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 has recorded only two minor incidents, resulting to injuries to victims of firecrackers during the New Year’s eve celebration in the region.

Joseph Dela Cerna, 46 years old from Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur and a 15 year-old female from Tandag City, Surigao del Sur incurred minor injuries on the right hand and on the right finger, respectively due to firecrackers. They were discharged from the hospital right after undergoing medical treatment. Meanwhile, the Office recorded zero incidents on stray bullet and indiscriminate firing.

PNP-Caraga Regional Director PCSupt Reynaldo Rafal said this could be attributed to the massive information drive and campaign initiated by the different government agencies on the need to regulate or avoid the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.

CSupt Rafal added that the creation of ordinances regarding Firecrackers Display Area and the Firecrackers Zone by Local Government Units also contributed to the desired end result. “In fact, police authorities, in its enforcement effort, confiscated assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in violation of Republic Act 7183 and specific local law (SP Resolution 769-99) amounting to P9,500,” Rafal said.

Also, playing an important role in the decrease of incidents involving indiscriminate firing is the simultaneous sealing and marking of firearm muzzles of PNP personnel of PRO 13 on December 27, 2011, personally supervised by PCSupt Rafal, to ensure that no member will attempt to use his or her issued firearm as part of merry-making during New Year revelry.

On this note, Gen. Rafal is thankful to all those who did their part in making Caraga peaceful during the celebration of New Year, especially the Local Government Units (LGU), the Religious Sectors, the Business Sectors, the Non-Government Organizations, the Community and the Tri-Media.

He said their collective and individual efforts immensely contributed to lessen the incidents and injuries, as compared in 2011 New Year celebration.

Moreover, Dir. Rafal is commending the entire police force in the region for a job well done, putting aside personal convenience and comfort in exchange for a peaceful, safe and injury-free New Year celebration. (PRO-13/PIA-Caraga)

Cebuano News: Malacañang gipasidunggan ang agresibo nga kampanya sa gobyerno kontra paggamit sa delikadong paboto nga maoy hinungdan sa pag kunhod sa ihap sa mga firecracker-related injuries

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Enero 2 (PIA) – Ang Malacañang nalipay sa paunang mga taho sa mga awtoridad sa maayong panglawas nga ang pagselerabrar sa New Year karong tuiga malinawon “generally peaceful” uban ang pagkunhod og 13 porsyento sa mga nasamdan kalabot na sa paboto kumpara sa datos niaging tuig.

Si Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma, Jr. ug si Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte mihatag og pasidungog sa maong resulta ngadto sa agresibo nga kampanya sa gobyerno kontra sa paggamit sa delikadong mga paboto ug uban pang mga materyales sa pagsugat sa Bag-ong Tuig.

“Tila nagbunga ang pagsisikap ng ating pamahalaan na ilayo sa mga paputok ang ating mga kababayan upang maiwasan ang panganib. Sana’y mapalitan na ang kaisipan natin ng isang higit na makabuluhang paraan ng pagdiriwang na ligtas at mas hindi nagdudulot ng pinsala at pagsisisi,” sulti ni Coloma sa iyang mensahe sa text nga gipadala ngadto sa mga reporter niadtong Domingo.

Samtang si Valte mipadayag usab sa susamang mensahe ug midugang nga bisan pa sa positibo nga mga taho, dili gihapon walaon sa gobyerno ang kampanya kontra sa paggamit og paboto.

“While the New Year celebration was generally peaceful, we will continue the aggressive campaign for the reduction of fireworks-related injuries. Better to celebrate the New Year with hope than spending it in the hospital,” siya miingon.

Kay bisan gani si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III aktibo gyud nga nagsuporta sa tinuig nga kampanya sa Department of Health (DOH) kontra paboto nga maoy nag-unang hinungdanan sa mga kadaot ug pagkamatay sa katawhan labi na sa mga kabataan nga duol niining mga butanga.

“Huwag na po ninyong tangkilikin ang mga paputok na ito; ipag-alaman din sa kinauukulan ang mga makitang nagtitinda o may tangan ng mga ito,” ang Pangulo miingon sa iyang pahinumdom ngadto sa mga Filipino pipila ka mga adlaw usa ang Bag-on Tuig, sa pagpasabot nga adunay laing luwas nga paagi sa pagselebrar sa maong okasyon.

Ang DOH mipatuman sa kampanya nini karong tuiga nga gitawag og APIR o Aksyon: Paputok Injury Reduction campaign uban ang tabang sa Philippine National Police ug uban pang mga ahensya sa pagpaningkamot nga makunhoran ang ihap sa mga kadaot sa paboto ug pagkamaty samtang magselebrar sa Bag-ong Tuig. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012-01-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

10 of 11 barangays in Rosario, Agusan Sur flooded due to LPA

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 1 (PIA) – Ten out of 11 barangays in Rosario, Agusan del Sur were engulfed with flood waters as flashflood occurred during the low pressure area (LPA) which struck 30 km west northwest of this city on Dec. 25, 2011.

Agusan del Sur Vice Governor Santiago Cane, in a recent phone-patch interview with a local broadcaster here, said the LPA brought continuous rains for five days resulting in causing floods in the said areas.

Cane said residents of the Rosario town were badly hit by the flashflood and were now housed in an evacuation center in the said municipality.

Cane, who led the team from the provincial government, was able to distribute some packs of relief goods to the said barangays who were severely affected with the flashfloods. He added the area is not accessible already as flood waters have submerged houses of the residents.

“There is one barangay in the area where only the board of the basketball ring is only visible as it is already submerged in flood water,” Cane said.

To date, the provincial government of Agusan del Sur were able to distribute relief packs to some 2,826 family-victims of the flood. Each pack contains five kilos of rice, one liter mineral water, five cans sardines, five noodles, five sachets 3-in-1 coffee, five MILO sachets, two pcs. Odong, one pack powdered milk, and some medicines, it was learned.

During the crisis situation, Governor Eddiebong Plaza immediately directed the authorities and concerned government agencies to conduct rescue and relief operations to the said affected barangays, said Cane. (PIA-Caraga)

.
Corn production below 2011 target due to flooding--PAO

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 1 (PIA) -- The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) said that the 2011 corn production target in the province of Agusan del Norte was not met due to flooding last year.

Thus, the PAO vowed to intensify corn farming this year.

According to provincial agriculture chief Maria Abastillas, they were not able to achieve their target of planting 4,710 hectares of corn, and instead, they were only able to plant some 4,574.5 hectares.

The official said this happened because of the number of floods experienced by the province in 2011. As early as first week of January last year, majority of the municipalities of the province were flooded.

“The flooding continued on the second, third, and fourth quarter of 2011 which is really the main factor why we got low corn production and we were not able to get our target,” Abastillas said.

The PAO chief also said out of the 4,710 hectares planted, only 3,467.8 hectares were successfully harvested. “Thus, the 1,242.2 hectares were considered unsuccessful because the corn did not survive,” she said.

Aside from this, Abastillas said some farmers have utilized their cornfields by planting squash and other vegetable crops.

With this prevailing condition, the official said PAO will strengthen corn production in 2012. She added if there’s a need to use state-of-the art facilities for developing the production, they will be utilizing these technologies. (PIA-Caraga)

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PIA-Caraga, NorMin on heightened alert for another LPA

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 1 (PIA) -- With another low pressure area (LPA) threatening Central Mindanao Region, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) personnel in Caraga and Northern Mindanao Regions are directed to be on alert.

In a text message sent to PIA personnel in the two regions, Northern and Northeastern Mindanao Information cluster head Abner Caga directed the personnel to be “on-call” as the LPA is again threatening Mindanao.

Caga emphasized the need for the PIA to provide communication support not only to stakeholders but more importantly, to the public.

The official underscored the importance of “Text Blast or SMS” strategy for which PIA has been conducting as one of its information and communication dissemination strategies, making the agency more significant to the society.

“It is through SMS or Text Blast that we could be able to provide communication and information support to the public especially in times of calamities and disasters,” Caga said.

RD Caga added the power of Text Blast has been proven for many times. He said that during the recent calamities in the country, lives and properties were saved because of this information dissemination strategy.

“Thus, we need to embrace this communication technology to be of service to other people,” Caga added.

In a related development, Caga said for those who want to be a recipient of the Text Blast, just email your name and mobile phone number to piacaraga@gmail.com.

Also, Caga said information on Text Blast can also be accessed through FaceBook. “Just find and like the ‘PIA Caraga Updates’ Facebook account… You may also browse the PIA Caraga blog at http://piacaraga.blogspot.com... So, what are you waiting for?... Keep posted and be one of those who are not left behind… Be informed,” Caga said.

As of 5:00 a.m. today, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that as of 2:00 a.m., an LPA was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 400 km East Southeast of General Santos City in Central Mindanao. (PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011

2011-12-31T00:58:00.000-08:00

LPA on Christmas Day affects 3 provinces in Caraga Region

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 31 (PIA) -- Three of the five provinces of Caraga Region were affected by the Low Pressure Area on Christmas Day which was spotted at 30 km west northwest of this city.

As reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of 8:00 a.m. today, a total of 42 barangays were flooded in the city and municipalities of Bayugan, San Francisco, Rosario, Veruela, Loreto, San Luis and Esperanza affecting 8,474 families or 42,540 persons.

NDRRMC reported that flooding alo occurred in Brgys Novele, Cabawan, Libuac, and part of Poblacion in Rosario, Agusan del Sur, where a total of 42 families, or 226 persons were rescued and evacuated to Bayugan East Central Elementary School.

In the Province of Dinagat Island, two barangays were flooded: 1 barangay of Libjo and another in Basilisa affecting 28 families or 140 persons.

Meanwhile, in Surigao del Norte, a total of seven (7) barangays were flooded in the municipalities of Claver, Sison, Tubod and Placer, as well as in Surigao City, affecting 260 families or 1,144 persons.

Also, 22 families who evacuated to Brgy. Mabuhay Hall, Sison, Surigao del Norte, opted to return to their respective homes during daytime and went back to the evacuation center at night for fear of another surge of flashflood. It was also reported that 20 families have decided to stay put until the weather situation improved.

In a related development, an LPA was estimated based on satellite & surface data at 490km East of General Santos City (5.3oN 129.5oE) as of 8:00 a.m. today.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said this weather system will bring cloudy skies w/ scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Visayas and Mindanao, becoming widespread rains over Eastern and Southern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. (PIA-Caraga)

Development for PPA port terminal in Butuan pushed

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 31 (PIA) -- The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is pushing for the development of its port terminal in the city.

According to Butuan City, Agusan del Norte PPA port manager Renato Tolinero, they are asking the city government here to craft an ordinance imposing terminal fee to be used in the maintenance of the facilities in the terminal port.

“Atong hangyuon ang atong lokal nga panggamhanan sa dakbayan nga mugama og ordinance aron pag-imposar og terminal fee nga paga-kolektahon sa matag pasahero nga mugamit sa maong port terminal,” Tolinero said.

(We will ask the local government of this city to craft an ordinance to impose terminal fee to be collected from each passenger who uses the said port terminal.)

Tolinero added once the port terminal is maintained and facilities are improved, passengers will be afforded the convenience as they wait for their trip.

The official further said cleanliness and upkeep of port facilities will be maintained to provide quality service to passengers.

The terminal port located inside the PPA compound here caters to passengers bound for Magallanes, Agusan del Norte. Large pump boats are used to transport the said passengers.

This undertaking supports the Caraga Regional Development Plan, particularly the Infrastructure Development, which is also included in the Philippine Development Plan for 2011-2016. (PIA-Caraga)

Agusan del Sur LGU continues to conduct relief operations to “Sendong” affected areas in the province

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 31 (PIA) -- Today is no holiday for officials and key personnel of the Agusan del Sur provincial government as they continue to conduct relief operations to “Sendong” affected areas in the province.

This was confirmed by provincial chief executive officer Armando Gomez in an interview with a local radio station here this morning.

Gomez said residents of four barangays in the municipality of Talacogon are still in the evacuation centers. Evacuees from Barangays La Flora, Maharlika, Buena Garcia and Samang Gibong cannot go back to their areas as flashflood may occur anytime as another low pressure area is spotted at 490 km East of General Santos City, based on an advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The official said the relief packs which are scheduled for distribution today is composed of five kilos rice, one liter mineral water, five sardines, five noodles, five pcs. 3-in-1 coffee, five MILO sachets, two pcs. Odong, one pack powdered milk, and medicines.

Meanwhile, the team also distributed 480 relief packs to residents of Barangay Sabang Adgawan in La Paz town on Friday (Dec. 30) and in three barangays in Rosario Town on Dec. 28, 2011.

According to Gomez, leading the relief distribution is Vice Governor Santiago Cane, together with the key officials of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Sur. (PIA-Caraga)