Monday, 08 June 2026

Butuan strengthens Balik Eskwela health initiatives, champions canteen safety campaign

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — In support of this year’s nationwide Balik Eskwela 2026 program implementation, the Butuan City Health Department (CHD) has intensified its school health initiatives through canteen monitoring and food safety advocacy activities across major public schools in the city, ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment.

As preparations for the opening of classes for School Year 2026–2027, the CHD conducted monitoring and health promotion activities in six megaschools under the Butuan City Division, namely: Agusan National High School, Butuan Central Elementary School, Butuan School of Arts and Trade, Libertad National High School, Obrero Central Elementary School, and Taligaman Elementary School.

These schools were prioritized due to their large student populations and high daily demand for canteen services.

Ma. Denne T. Tahil, RN, division head of the Healthcare and Population Development Division, led the monitoring activity to help ensure that school canteens are ready to provide safe, hygienic, and nutritious food to thousands of learners when classes resume.

Beyond the routine monitoring, the CHD team also conducted advocacy sessions for canteen operators, focusing on proper food handling, personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, safe water practices, and compliance with public health regulations. 

The initiative is part of the city’s preventive health strategy to protect students from foodborne and waterborne diseases.

According to Tahil, educating food handlers remains a critical component of school health promotion. “These sessions help ensure that canteen operators and food handlers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain food safety standards.

This significantly reduces the risk of food contamination and disease transmission among learners, particularly young children who are more vulnerable to foodborne and waterborne illnesses.”

To further strengthen food safety compliance, CHD has scheduled a Food Handlers Class for canteen operators. The training aims to enhance their understanding of sanitation standards, safe food preparation, and responsible food service practices within school premises.

The initiative aligns with national efforts of the Department of Health and the Department of  Education to promote healthy schools and safeguard the well-being of learners as face-to-face classes continue nationwide.

Meanwhile, CHD’s Health Education and Promotion Officers will continue implementing health advocacy activities throughout the school opening period, including the distribution of informational materials and installation of tarpaulins carrying Back-to-School Health Reminders in schools across the Butuan City Division.

As schools welcome students back to the classroom, CHD reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every learner has access to a safe, clean, and health-supportive environment, one that promotes both academic success and overall well-being. (MFC, PIA Caraga with a report from Butuan CHD) 

Monday, 08 June 2026

PIA capacitates Caraga info officers on AI, cybersecurity, mobile journalism

By PIA Caraga

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga once again convened 150 provincial, municipal, and regional information officers (IOs) across the region for their annual Regional Information Officers Conference on June 4, in Butuan City. 

Tripling the number of attendees from last year, the undertaking served as both an opportunity to develop their skills and expand their network with fellow government communicators.

Months of planning led the PIA Caraga team to focus on three timely topics: responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and data privacy, and mobile journalism. Subject-matter experts and seasoned public servants guided the knowledge sessions.

PIA Caraga Regional Head Venus L. Garcia, in her welcome remarks, acknowledged the challenges IOs face but underscored their vital role in shaping narratives: “As public communicators, we carry the responsibility of ensuring that our communities receive credible, relevant, and accessible information. The rise of AI, the growing importance of cybersecurity, and the expanding role of mobile journalism present both opportunities and challenges that require continuous learning and collaboration.”

“This conference comes at a crucial time when information officers (IOs) are challenged not only to disseminate accurate and timely information, but also to adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and communication platforms,” she said.

Doctor Jaymer M. Jayoma, dean of Caraga State University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences, discussed the ethical use of AI.  He noted that while some remain hesitant, AI can be transformative when applied responsibly.

“AI tools help government communicators be more productive and efficient—whether in grammar checks, summarizing documents, or producing graphics and videos. These tools are made to assist us, not replace us,” Jayoma said.

Cybersecurity and data privacy were tackled by DICT Planning Officer II Reymar A. Estafia, who reminded IOs of their duty to safeguard sensitive information.

“Whenever media practitioners visit an office for an interview, the first person they would always look for is the information officer. And so, as the official communicator of our agency, we must always be cautious in determining which information may be shared and which data are protected under the law,” said Estafia.

The final session highlighted mobile journalism, covering the User Needs Model, MoJo 2.0, and photography basics. PIA Caraga personnel facilitated workshops to apply these concepts, followed by a short workshop to put the theories in action.

Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante, information officer I of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, shared with her fellow IOs the ‘User Needs Model’–a very helpful tool in analyzing audience behavior before creating purposeful, audience-centered content—ensuring that every post not only informs but also resonates, inspires, and strengthens public trust in their communication efforts.

“We cannot be effective communicators by crafting good information, education, and communication (IEC) materials alone. If we do not capture the attention of our audiences, then our efforts will just go to waste. Every IEC should be a balance between our ideas and the information needs of our audience,” said Diamante.

To further reinforce her presented theory, she also showed the participants sample contents of PIA Caraga, guided by the User Needs Model and its impact on increasing user engagement.

Media Production Specialist John Charles B. Malazarte also re-echoed what he learned from the renowned ABS-CBN news anchor Jeff Canoy, about mobile journalism and how he and the rest of the PIA Caraga team applied what they learned and the substantial change it brought on user engagement.

“We have always given our best in producing eye-catching and informative IEC materials. However, we kept wondering why only a few people viewed our contents. Then we realized there is no definite formula for making content. But it should always be natural and real, capturing moments as they happen,” said Malazarte.

Participants were also given a refresher course on the techniques of capturing captivating images and videos with the use of both cameras and smartphones, led by Edrian M. Iligan, media production assistant, also from PIA Caraga.

By the close of the conference, participants said they were leaving not only with stronger networks but also with practical knowledge of tools and strategies that will directly support their work in their respective offices. From AI applications that streamline content creation, to cybersecurity practices that safeguard sensitive data, and mobile journalism techniques that enhance audience engagement, attendees gained actionable insights to elevate their communication efforts.

Many IOs thanked PIA Caraga for organizing the event, noting that the sessions provided both inspiration and concrete skills they could immediately apply. With renewed confidence and enthusiasm, participants look forward to future conferences that will continue to equip them for the evolving demands of public communication. (NJDG, PIA Caraga)

Monday, 08 June 2026

DTI empowers student innovators to become tomorrow’s market leaders

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao del Norte remains a proud partner of Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU) in turning today’s innovative students into tomorrow’s market leaders, during the highly anticipated WAVES Startup Challenge 4 (WSC4) Pitching Competition.

The event was a key highlight of the 1st LINGAS Summit 2026, capturing the vibrant energy of youth-led enterprise in the province. It also served as a steadfast commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s mandate to foster local innovation and fuel grassroots entrepreneurship. 

To ensure rigorous evaluation and provide valuable industry mentorship, DTI-Surigao del Norte’s very own Maria Malen C Galela served as a member of the esteemed panel of judges. The judging panel represented a powerful synergy between government, academia, and international industry leaders, featuring experts from DTI-Surigao del Norte (economic and business development perspective), DOST Surigao del Norte (Technical and technological viability validation), and APAC of GroupXS Solutions GmbH (Global market insights and scalability).

DTI Provincial Director Arnold Faelnar said this collaborative ecosystem underscores the shared mission of public and private sectors to nurture, mentor, and elevate the next generation of Surigaonon entrepreneurs.

He said the WSC4 Pitching Competition was more than just a contest; it was a showcase of evidence-based startup pitches, designed by students who dared to view local resources and community pain points through a commercial lens.

“By merging creativity with discipline, these student innovators presented forward-thinking business ventures that carry the potential to generate quality employment and sustainable jobs within the province, strengthen local industries by enhancing the value chains of agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, and promote sustainable development aligning business goals with ecological and community longevity.” Dir. Faelnar said.

Out of the exceptional pool of brilliant minds, three startup concepts rose to the top for their remarkable ingenuity and market readiness, to name:

Champion: FERMENDY- Mainit Campus

1st Place: GreenFiber Park Siargao- Del Campus

2nd Place: Eco- Blend Innovation- Main Campus

​Zion Alarca, one of the participants, thanked DTI-Surigao del Norte, the WAVES organisers, and SNSU mentors for believing in student innovators and giving them a platform to catch their own “wave.” 

“DTI didn’t just judge our ideas; they genuinely empowered us. They made us feel like our voices and innovations actually matter in shaping the economic and technological future of our province,” Alarca said.

The students’ remarkable ideas, bold innovation, and tireless dedication truly stood out. They have proven that youth is no barrier to impact if they keep pushing boundaries, refining their models, and transforming these concepts into thriving, impactful ventures for the province.

DTI-Surigao del Norte extended its heartfelt congratulations to Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU), under the visionary leadership of University President Rowena A. Plando, for the stellar execution of the 1st LINGAS Summit.

This milestone event highlighted SNSU’s pivotal role as an incubator for future leaders and a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the region.

Meanwhile, SNSU takes LINGAS to mean: L for lifelong learning; I for impactful research and innovation; N for networking and nurtured community engagement; G for global engagement; A stands for academic and administrative excellence; and S for shared governance and student success. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DTI-SDN)

Monday, 08 June 2026

DOST Caraga fosters innovation in support of PBBM’s learning agenda

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — Recognizing innovation and entrepreneurship as vital tools for learning, job creation, and economic growth, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Caraga convened key stakeholders in Tandag City for a Startup Ecosystem Mapping activity.

Mainly, the activity aims to build a stronger innovation ecosystem that supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s vision of a future-ready workforce, quality education, and inclusive development.

The activity convened key partner agencies and stakeholders, including the Surigao del Sur government information center of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), provincial and Tandag City LGUs, and the academe, to identify opportunities, strengthen collaboration, and support the growth of local startups, innovators, and technology-driven enterprises.

It highlighted the importance of building a connected ecosystem where government agencies, the academe, the private sector, and local communities work together to advance innovation-driven growth and inclusive economic development, in line with the national development priorities of the Marcos administration. 

During the activity, DOST Caraga Director Noel M. Ajoc underscored the importance of strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers of economic resilience and regional development.

He explained that startups represent a new way of discovering, creating, and delivering solutions that respond to emerging societal and economic challenges. While acknowledging that startup ventures involve risks, he emphasized that these challenges open opportunities for innovation, transformation, and long-term growth. 

“Startups are a new way of knowing and producing things. It is a risky endeavor, but through innovation, we create opportunities for growth and development,” Dir. Ajoc said.

He further emphasized that both provincial and city governments play a critical role in enabling startup development by establishing supportive policies, programs, and mechanisms that will allow innovators and entrepreneurs to thrive in a structured and sustainable ecosystem.

The mapping activity brought together stakeholders from various sectors to collaboratively identify gaps, opportunities, and strategic directions toward building a more dynamic and sustainable startup ecosystem in Tandag City and the wider Caraga region.

Meanwhile, DOST Surigao del Sur Director Ramil Sanchez emphasized that innovation is a continuous learning process where failure is part of growth and improvement.

“To become perfect, failure is normal,” Sanchez said, adding that innovation has no age limit and that anyone can contribute to developing new ideas and solutions. 

He also underscored the importance of youth participation in innovation efforts, noting that young people play a vital role in sustaining and advancing the country’s development trajectory. 

“But of course, we rely on our new generation to bring up our society because they are the ones who will succeed. We must support the ecosystem to advance our cause for startups,” he added.

The Startup Ecosystem Mapping activity is part of DOST’s continuing efforts to strengthen regional innovation systems, foster multi-sectoral collaboration, and support the Marcos administration’s vision of a more innovative, competitive, and inclusive Philippine economy through science, technology, and entrepreneurship. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)

Monday, 08 June 2026

Brigada Pagbasa: Quality education begins with a book

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA)  — Highlighting the Brigada Eskwela kick-off in the province of Dinagat Islands at Villa Ecleo Elementary School in Basilisa town is the literacy initiative on ‘Brigada Pabasa’ or reading brigade.

It gathered volunteers, teachers, parents, and education leaders in the province to not only to build better learning spaces, but also to nurture a lifelong love for reading.

Personally led by Dinagat Islands Schools Division Superintendent Florence E. Almaden, more than 30 learners participated in the activity, taking part in guided reading sessions and literacy enrichment activities designed to strengthen foundational reading skills.

Sitting side by side with children, Almaden demonstrated and emphasized that literacy is not merely a program to implement, but a commitment to uphold. “Because before learners can excel in any field, they must first discover the power of words.”

Through Brigada Pagbasa, the Schools Division of Dinagat Islands continues to affirm a simple yet profound belief that every child deserves not only a classroom as a safe space for learning, but also the opportunity to read, imagine, and dream.

Meanwhile, Almaden gave importance to Brigada Eskwela that goes beyond school maintenance and beautification efforts, manifesting the aspiration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 

“As we officially launch Brigada Eskwela, we are once again reminded that education is a shared responsibility,” she said. “Brigada Eskwela is more than preparing our school facilities. It is a manifestation of our shared commitment to every learner. When communities, stakeholders, and schools work together, we create learning environments where our children can thrive and succeed.”

She likewise encouraged stakeholders to sustain the spirit of ‘bayanihan’ or community support beyond the Brigada Eskwela period, stressing that quality education remains a shared responsibility among schools, families, communities, and partners. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from DepEd Dinagat Islands)