Monday, 12 January 2026

Butuan earns national recognition as child-friendly city

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The city government of Butuan has gained national recognition in the 2025 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Cities and Municipalities (PACFCM) for creating and successfully establishing and sustaining communities that promote and protect the rights and welfare of children.

On December 22, Butuan City received a plaque of recognition as one of the four finalists in the Highly Urbanized City (HUC) Category, marking a significant national achievement for the city. Before the recognition, evaluators from the PACFCM conducted an on-site assessment in the city from September 29 to October 3, 2025, visiting and evaluating five randomly selected barangays.

The recognition affirms that Butuan City has demonstrated strong and consistent implementation of child-centered policies, programs, and systems, reflecting its continued commitment to safeguarding and advancing the rights of children at the local level.

According to the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), LGUs must first pass the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) to qualify for the award. This requires an overall score of at least 80 percent, as well as meeting minimum standards in the five core areas of child rights: survival, protection, development, participation, and governance. Butuan City achieved an 88.23 percent rating in the functionality audit, placing it at the ideal functionality level.

According to City Councilor Rema D. Erigbuagas-Burdeos, chairperson of the Committee on Family, Women, and Children’s Welfare, the recognition reflects the city’s effective and collaborative efforts in implementing programs for children and youth.

“PACFCM is the highest recognition a child-friendly city or municipality can receive, and we are very proud to be among the top four finalists. This achievement would not have been possible without the strong support of the Butuan City Council for the Protection of Children (BCCPC), under the leadership of the City Mayor, Atty. Lawrence H. Fortun, the City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWDD), and the active participation of all 86 barangays, which implemented their own child-focused programs and projects,” said Burdeos.

She added that the city remains committed to further strengthening its child-friendly initiatives to ensure a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment for all children in Butuan City. (MFC, PIA Caraga)

TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Thursday, 8 January 2026

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 08 January 2026, Thursday, 5:00 p.m.

1.    Marcos to visit UAE; sign free trade, defense deals

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/01/08/marcos-to-visit-uae-sign-free-trade-defense-deals

2. Marcos to PhilHealth: Impose waiver for interest of unpaid contributions

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, DZBB, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/972078/marcos-to-philhealth-impose-waiver-for-interest-of-unpaid-contributions/story/

3. Erice, de Lima asks Supreme Court to nullify unprogrammed funds in 2026 budget

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Malaya, Manila Standard, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar, Rappler]

https://tribune.net.ph/2026/01/08/erice-de-lima-asks-supreme-court-to-nullify-unprogrammed-funds-in-2026-budget

4. Marcos inaugurates Camalaniugan Bridge, opens new link between Aparri and Camalaniugan

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/01/08/marcos-inaugurates-camalaniugan-bridge-opens-new-link-between-aparri-and-camalaniugan

5. FEAST OF BLACK NAZARENE:

-DOH warns of stampede risk during Traslacion; PNP, MMDA stress maximum tolerance, readiness

-PNP: Security measures in place for Traslacion 2026

-DPWH: Manila bridges safe for Traslacion

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard]

https://manilastandard.net/news/314688909/doh-warns-of-stampede-risk-during-traslacion-pnp-mmda-stress-maximum-tolerance-readiness.html

6. BIR files tax evasion complaint vs Wawao Builders owner

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, DZBB, DZRH, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar, Rappler]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/972085/bir-files-tax-evasion-complaint-vs-wawao-builders/story/

7. Philippines debt mounts to new all-time high of P17.65 trillion

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, GMA News, Inquirer, Malaya, Manila Times, News5PH, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/01/08/2499430/philippines-debt-mounts-new-all-time-high-p1765-trillion

8. DA creates farm-to-market roads transparency portal; DPWH may still build farm-to-market roads

[ABS-CBN News, BusinessWorld, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Rappler]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/972083/da-creates-farm-to-market-roads-transparency-portal/story/

9. Teacher's death sparks calls for DepEd classroom policy review, teacher welfare reforms

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH, Philstar]

https://mb.com.ph/2026/01/08/teachers-death-sparks-calls-for-deped-classroom-policy-review-teacher-welfare-reforms’

10. New lava dome forms as Mayon Volcano ejects pyroclastic flows

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Philstar]

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/01/08/2499598/new-lava-dome-forms-mayon-volcano-ejects-pyroclastic-flows

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit

Thursday, 8 January 2026

Making nutritious snack bar from black rice                                  

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

Innovation and local agriculture come together in BlackGold Nutribar, a pioneering snack bar made primarily from black rice and other locally sourced, nutritious ingredients.

“BlackGold Nutribar is made from black rice as its primary ingredient, combined with other nutritious and locally sourced components that are not commonly used. These are carefully mixed and formed into a snack bar. This is our pioneer product under BlackGold Food Corporation, and based on our research, it is the first snack bar made from black rice,” said Kieth Charles Bequibel, chief executive officer of BlackGold Food Corporation, a student-led enterprise based in Butuan City.

The product is inspired by ‘ampaw,’ a Filipino delicacy made from puffed rice, reimagined into a modern, convenient, and health-oriented snack. 

The idea of the BlackGold Nutribar emerged when the firm’s officers formed a team to participate in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga’s competition on InnovEats during the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) 2024. The competition encouraged students to develop innovative and nutritious food products, supporting the team. 

According to studies by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), unpolished pigmented rice, such as red and black rice, contains high levels of phytochemicals and health-promoting properties, making it a healthier alternative to white rice. Black rice is particularly rich in antioxidants, including phenolic compounds, vitamin E derivatives, and γ-oryzanol, which are effective free-radical scavengers.

Juveriel D. Tenio, production manager, shared that these nutritional benefits made it an ideal ingredient for a snack bar. Beyond health, the group also aims to break the stigma that black rice is only for individuals with medical conditions.

“Through our product, we aim to promote and create a demand for black rice, especially since the Caraga region is known for being the capital of black rice. This is also our way of supporting the local farming community in the region,” Tenio said.

Aside from success, BlackGold Nutribar is also recognized as a National Awardee in the 2024 Young Farmers Challenge Intercollegiate Category of the Department of Agriculture (DA) held in Baguio City on July 17, 2025. They received P500,000.00 funding to help the product’s ongoing research and development. They also received multiple offers for potential partnerships and collaborations.

Tenio further shared that the demand for nutribars has increased, with over 10,000 nutribars needed to be produced monthly. They are also working to scale up operations to meet the additional demand, including an order of 1,000 boxes from Taiwan and more orders from private companies.

Throughout its development, the team encountered various challenges, particularly in packaging. What started with manually applied stickers has now evolved into improved cellophane and carton packaging, using DOST Caraga’s packaging and labelling services, making the product more presentable and market-ready.

BlackGold Nutribar continues to move forward with the help of its mentors and the support of the different government offices and farmers.

The BlackGold Nutribar stands as a testament to how innovative ideas, when paired with strong government support, can transform local agricultural products into sustainable and marketable enterprises. (MFC, PIA Caraga, with a report from DOST Caraga)

Thursday, 8 January 2026

Surigao Norte rolls out BOSS across its 21 towns

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — The province of Surigao del Norte rolled out Business One-Stop Shops (BOSS) in all 21 municipalities this January 2026, providing business owners with a faster, more efficient, and convenient way to register and renew their businesses.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte Director Arnold Faelnar said, “The rollout on BOSS is a government initiative that brings together key local and national government line agencies in a single venue to streamline business permitting and licensing processes, in line with the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act.”

“The participating agencies include the city/municipal Business Permits and Licensing Offices (BPLOs), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), DTI, and other concerned offices involved in business registration, compliance, and regulation,” Dir. Faelnar added.

Based on the announced schedule, BOSS operations had begun as early as January 5 in several municipalities and will continue until January 30 in selected areas to accommodate the growing number of business applicants,” he said. 

Meanwhile, representatives from the business sector expressed strong approval of the one-stop shop for business licensing, seeing it as a critical reform initiative to reduce and prevent ‘red tape’ and foster a more competitive economic environment. 

Business owners, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit their respective municipal halls on the designated dates and bring the required documents to ensure smooth and timely processing of business application and renewal.

The municipal governments in the province also emphasized that the BOSS reflects their commitment to improving public service delivery, strengthening the local business climate, and supporting economic development throughout Surigao del Norte. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DTI-SDN)

Thursday, 8 January 2026

Butuan City implements efficient BOSS with new queueing system 

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — As the 2026 Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) commences, the city government of Butuan implements a new queueing system designed to fast-track business transactions and reduce long lines and bureaucratic red tape. 

This initiative underscores the local government’s commitment to enhancing the ease of doing business in the city, allowing clients to process their business transactions easily. 

Through BOSS, the city government provides a centralized venue where business owners may renew or register their businesses without the need to go to multiple government offices, such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and others.

According to the Butuan City Business Permits and Licensing Department (CBPLD), the newly introduced queueing system aims to bring order and predictability to the renewal process. Under the system, applicants will be given clear turn allocations based on their transaction type, which is expected to shorten waiting times and help avoid overcrowding. The services include assessment, payment, release of business permits, and issuance of clearances from related offices. 

It also shared that on January 2, the department was able to issue 280 business permits. The first 100 business owners who availed of the services of BOSS received complimentary wall clocks from CBPLD. 

According to Attorney Moshi Ariel S. Cahoy, head of the City Business Permits and Licensing Department (CBPLD), online or digital payment options is available during the 2026 Business One-Stop Shop (BOSS) to promote convenient transactions for entrepreneurs and business owners who prefer to pay online and process their renewal online.

“The city’s approach aligns with nationwide efforts to streamline business permit and licensing systems, as mandated by national guidelines to improve transparency, efficiency, and investor-friendliness,” Attorney Cahoy said. “By consolidating these services, the city hopes not only to simplify regulatory compliance but also to attract more investors and support local economic growth.”

He added that this year’s business permit is printed on board paper with enhanced security features to avoid falsification, and a new design is available for the business registration plate.

The BOSS, scheduled to operate until January 31, is available on the second floor of Robinsons Place Butuan. The CBPLD also reminds business owners and entrepreneurs to prepare requirements for a hassle-free business permit application and renewal,  and avoid repeat visits due to incomplete documents, which could result in delayed processing.  (MFC, PIA Caraga, with a report from BCPLD)