Monday, 22 June 2026

Vaping as harmful as tobacco use, says DOH

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga is urging the public, particularly the youth, to avoid vaping, stressing that electronic cigarettes are not a safer alternative to traditional tobacco products and pose serious health risks as well.

During the DOH Media Forum on June 17 in Butuan City, Doctor Amethyst Kathleen G. Alicante, medical officer IV of DOH-CHD Caraga, debunked the common misconception that vaping is less harmful than smoking.

“Now, we have seen that e-vaping actually has more damaging effects. We’ve seen reports of vape explosions and the harmful substances produced by the chemicals found in these products,” Alicante said.

She emphasized that while vaping devices are often marketed with sleek designs, attractive flavors, and modern features, these characteristics do not make them safer. “Just because vaping looks more modern and sophisticated does not mean it is safer. We have seen that it still has many harmful effects on the body.”

The warning comes as the country observes National No Smoking Month every June, pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 183 signed in 1993. The annual campaign aims to raise public awareness on the harmful effects of smoking and encourage Filipinos to adopt healthier, smoke-free lifestyles.

According to Phoebie Rhanie Demata-Boque, health education and promotion officer III of DOH-CHD Caraga, tobacco use remains a major public health concern in the Philippines.

“The DOH-World Health Organization 2023 report shows more than 117,000 Filipinos die annually from tobacco-related diseases. Both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of developing more than 12 types of cancer,” Demata-Boque said.

She noted that while the government continues to strengthen tobacco control measures nationwide, they also noticed the increasing popularity of vaping among young Filipinos, with users aged 13 to 15.

“There are around 1.21 million vapers in the country, which highlights the growing challenge of nicotine addiction among the younger population,” she said.

Demata-Boque emphasized that despite differences in appearance and method of use, both cigarettes and vapes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance negatively affecting brain development, especially among adolescents.

“Despite the differences between tobacco and vape, both contain nicotine, which is very addictive. Nicotine addiction is a disease that can have long-term health risks,” she added as she emphasized the efforts of the agency to advocate for stronger public awareness, stricter regulation of tobacco and vape products, and greater community participation in promoting a smoke-free and vape-free Philippines in support of the government’s broader public health agenda as directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

As the country observes the National No Smoking Month, DOH-CHD Caraga encourages Caraganons not to try or quit smoking and vaping, seek cessation support, and help protect their families and loved ones from the harmful effects of nicotine and tobacco-related products. (MFC, PIA Caraga)

Monday, 22 June 2026

DSWD’s livelihood association opens foodhouse in Surigao City 

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Tourism in the renowned “little Venice” of Surigao City gets a delicious upgrade as the Day-asan Matatag Sustainable Livelihood Program Association (SLPA) recently opened its STK Hauz, funded through a P450,000 livelihood grant from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, under its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). 

Located at the heart of the iconic floating village at the Day-asan Pavilion Hall in Barangay Day-asan, this new culinary hub promises to elevate the local travel experience by serving fresh, authentic, and customizable seafood dishes, aiming to be the city’s premier stopover for both residents and travelers.

After a day of navigating the village’s stilt houses, crystal-clear waters, and scenic mangrove channels, visitors can wind down and indulge in a true feast with the menu of ‘sugba, tuwa, kilaw’ (STK), commonly known as either grilled (sugba), stewed in a savory broth (tuwa), or served raw in a citrus marinade (kilaw).

Surigao City Tourism Officer Roselyn Armida B. Merlin said that the menu sets the dining hub apart from other local restaurants. “STK Hauz offers an interactive experience where guests can personally select from a wide array of freshly harvested seafood, local fish, and premium meats, and have them prepared exactly to their STK liking.”

More than just a restaurant, STK Hauz represents a milestone in community-led tourism, she said. “By choosing to dine here, tourists are directly contributing to the economic resilience of the Day-asan community.”

The opening of the said STK Hauz was attended by Surigao City Mayor Paul Yves L. Dumlao II, City Councilors Arnold Go, Karl Casurra, city department heads, and barangay officials. 

The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to provide opportunities to communities, with DSWD’s SLP providing financial and technical support to the SLPA, empowering members to manage sustainable businesses and directly translating Surigao’s booming tourism into concrete livelihoods for local families. 

SLP Day-asan President Jennifer Clor said, “The seed capital belongs to every single member of this association. It represents the government’s trust in our collective capacity to run a successful, sustainable enterprise that will uplift our families and our community. The success of the STK Hauz depends entirely on our discipline, honesty in managing the finances, and our unwavering teamwork.” (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from Surigao City PIO)

Monday, 22 June 2026

TUPAD-Tuloy Pasada expands to 216 maritime transport workers in Dinagat Islands

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Labor and Employment-Province of Dinagat Islands Field Office (DOLE-PDIFO) expanded the program on TUPAD-Tuloy Pasada to maritime transport workers and conducted simultaneous orientations to 216 beneficiaries across the province.

The beneficiaries were composed of maritime transport workers from 20 passenger vessels operating in the seven municipalities of Dinagat Islands. The project had a total allocation of P1,539,000.

Under the program on TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers)-Tuloy Pasada, which means sustainable transport, qualified beneficiaries will receive wages equivalent to the prevailing regional minimum wage for 15 days while continuing to perform their regular duties aboard passenger boats and vessels.

Before implementation, beneficiaries attended orientations on program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and their responsibilities.

The activity was conducted with the support of local government units, the Philippine Coast Guard–Dinagat Islands Station, the Philippine Ports Authority, vessel operators, transport associations, and other stakeholders across the province.

For an island province, maritime transport plays a critical role in connecting communities and facilitating passenger movement across municipalities. Through the expansion of TUPAD-Tuloy Pasada, assistance is now being extended to workers in both the land and maritime transport sectors.

On May 27, DOLE-PDIFO, in coordination with the local government of San Jose through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO), conducted the first orientation of the program on TUPAD-Tuloy Pasada to 245 tricycle drivers from the San Jose Motorized Drivers Association (SJMODA) at the covered court of San Jose town.

As part of the local implementation of the program, members of the SJMODA extended the “diskwento singko” or fare discount to passengers for 15 days to help reduce daily transportation costs for commuters in the community.

San Jose Mayor Ruben J D. Zuniega said, “The local government of San Jose expressed support for initiatives that assist transport workers and help maintain accessible transportation services for the public.”

He also emphasized the importance of cooperation, discipline, and compliance among beneficiaries to ensure the smooth and proper implementation of the program.

The successful conduct of the orientation to both inland and maritime transport workers reflected the continuing commitment of DOLE-PDIFO and its partner stakeholders in implementing programs that support transportation workers and promote accessible and reliable public transportation services in the Province of Dinagat Islands.

This initiative is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration to strengthen social protection measures and provide timely assistance to vulnerable workers facing economic challenges. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from DOLE PDI)

Monday, 22 June 2026

Butuan church, gov’t agencies, stakeholders collaborate in weekly anti-flooding cleanup drive  

By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Launched in 2023, the “Laudato Si” community cleanup drive—an initiative of the St. Joseph Cathedral Diocesan Shrine (SJCDS) in Butuan City in collaboration with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and other public and private sector partners—was born out of the late Pope Francis’ call to care for everyone’s common home. What began as a parish-led movement along the Agusan River has since grown into a rallying point for civic action, now echoing the government’s broader push to confront flooding and environmental hazards through collective effort.

Inception of the ‘Laudato Si’ cleanup drive

To recall, “Laudato Si” (Latin for “Praise be to you”) is the title of the late Pope Francis’ landmark 2015 encyclical on the environment and human ecology.

Reverend Father Jone Kevin Bermudez, former parochial vicar of SJCDS and one of the first implementers of Laudato Si, still vividly remembers how the noteworthy program came about three years ago: “The initiative began with a simple question: What can we do to contribute meaningfully to the community? The answer sought was not something grand or complicated, but rather something practical, doable, effective, and sustainable.”

He constantly reminded the communities he served that caring for the environment is a task not only of the government, but also of each community member. While the government focused on developing public spaces, the church, along with its partner stakeholders, committed itself to helping preserve their cleanliness and beauty.

“Over time, volunteers made an important observation—days before a scheduled cleanup drive, litter could often be seen scattered along the riverbanks. And after rainfall, much of this waste would be carried and trapped among the grasses and vegetation growing near the water. This revealed a significant reality: uncollected garbage would eventually find its way into the Agusan River. In this way, the clean-up drive not only helped maintain the city’s riverside development, but also protects the river from pollution,” Fr. Bermudez added.

Faith meets policy

In 2025, President Marcos Jr. launched Oplan Kontra Baha, a nationwide campaign to dredge rivers, desilt waterways, and strengthen flood defenses. With flooding ranked among the Philippines’ most devastating natural hazards, the directive aims to reduce flood risks by up to 60% through community-driven solutions.

The Laudato Si cleanup drive is aligned with this national directive. The cathedral mobilized volunteers to clear waste along the Agusan River, one of Caraga’s most flood-prone waterways. CENRO likewise supported the activity by deploying garbage trucks and personnel to help collate and segregate the waste. Other public sector partners have also consistently contributed their time and energy including the barangay local government units (BLGUs) of Sikatuna, Agao, Leon Kilat, and Datu Silongan—all in Butuan City—as well as personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Caraga. Private organizations and educational institutions likewise regularly volunteered in the said weekly cleanup.

The effort not only reduced pollution but also fostered ecological awareness, most especially among youth groups. What the state envisions through policy, the church enacts through grassroots action—bridging faith and governance in a shared mission to protect lives and the environment.

Beyond mere ‘cleanup’

As volunteers haul sacks of garbage from the riverbanks each weekend, they know their work is more than symbolic. Each piece of waste removed is one less obstruction to water flow, one less hazard during the next storm. For the government, these grassroots efforts amplify national programs, making flood mitigation not just a matter of infrastructure but of community spirit.

In Butuan City, the partnership between church and state is not just about cleaning rivers—it is about weaving resilience into the fabric of everyday life. And as the Agusan River continues to swell with the rains, both faith and policy stand together, determined to keep the waters at bay. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)

Friday, 19 June 2026

DPWH highlights Oplan Kontra Baha with cleanup drive in Agusan Sur

By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur  (PIA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Agusan del Sur 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO), recently spearheaded province-wide cleanup activities in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s mandate to strengthen the ‘Oplan Kontra Baha campaign.

Anchored on the theme “Build Right, Serve Right,” the district office conducted a cleanup drive on June 11 in Barangay Karaos, and a tree planting activity on June 16 in Barangay Bitan-agan, both in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. These formed part of DPWH’s 128th anniversary, celebrated through environmental initiatives that promote sustainability, community participation, and disaster risk reduction.

Engineer Gian Carlo S. Toribio, assistant district engineer of the DPWH District II Agusan del Sur, on behalf of the District Engineer Ben Alden R. Serna, shared that the activities demonstrate the agency’s commitment to environmental stewardship alongside infrastructure development and maintenance.

“The agency’s mandate has always been to go beyond infrastructure development. By being good stewards of the environment, the district reaffirms its commitment to building safer, greener, and more resilient communities in the 2nd district of Agusan del Sur,” said Toribio.

As part of the nationwide implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha, chiefs of sections and maintenance personnel cleared waterways of waste, silt, vegetation, and other debris that could obstruct water flow and contribute to flooding, especially during the rainy season. The activity supports DPWH’s continuing efforts to ensure the efficiency of drainage systems and protect communities from flood-related hazards.

The tree planting activity was conducted in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the barangay local government unit (BLGU) of Bitan-agan. Participating in the activity were DPWH personnel, DENR representatives, Forest Protection Officer Dennis S. Rocero, Officer-in-Charge Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (OIC-CENRO) Roel A. Rosales, and Punong Barangay Salvador P. Maguinda.

“We are grateful to the DPWH and DENR for conducting the tree-planting activity in our barangay. Through this partnership, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed to ensure the proper care, protection, and maintenance of the planted trees, which will benefit not only the present generation but also future residents of our community,” said Maguinda.

“This initiative allows my constituents to witness and appreciate the commitment and support extended by our partner agencies. More importantly, it encourages community participation and strengthens our shared responsibility in protecting the environment and preserving our natural resources,” he added.

A total of 230 seedlings, consisting of 150 molave, 50 balobo, and 30 mahogany seedlings, were planted to support environmental conservation, watershed protection, and climate resilience efforts in the area.

The activities underscore the DPWH Agusan del Sur 2nd DEO’s commitment to environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development, reflecting the agency’s dedication to building safer and more resilient communities beyond its core infrastructure mandate. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur; Photo courtesy of Onwards ADS II)