Friday, 13 March 2026

DOLE grants P6.5-M livelihood assistance to community groups in Claver, Surigao Norte  

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) — Three community-based associations from Claver town received more than ₱6.5 million in livelihood assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to strengthen grassroots enterprises and expand income opportunities for farmers, traders, and tailors in the municipality.

The total amount of ₱6,557,150 was turned over on March 4 during a ceremonial distribution in Claver, Surigao del Norte. 

The grants aim to expand income opportunities, improve productivity, and enhance access to essential goods and services within the community.

The Claver Community Traders Association received ₱2,994,950 for its retail rice trading project, which is expected to improve access to affordable rice while generating steady income for its members. 

The Sabang Tayaga Tailors Association was granted ₱566,000 to expand its tailoring and t-shirt printing services, a growing enterprise in the municipality. 

Meanwhile, the Magallanes Integrated Farmers Association received ₱2,996,200 to acquire a corn and rice harvester, an investment projected to reduce post-harvest losses, cut labor costs, and increase farm productivity.

The turnover ceremony was attended by DOLE Caraga Regional Director Jason P. Balais, Technical Support and Services Division Chief Annie C. Tangpos, Provincial Director May C. Velonta, Claver Mayor Georgia D. Gokiangkee, PESO, and officers and members of the beneficiary associations.

Director Balais said, “The release of the grants this year demonstrates DOLE’s continued commitment to supporting associations with strong potential for sustainability. He expressed confidence that the funded projects would evolve into stable ventures that would benefit not only association members but also the wider community.”

Mayor Gokiangkee conveyed her appreciation to DOLE for its continued partnership with the local government, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in delivering responsive and impactful programs to Claver residents.

Rosalina Rivero, president of the Sabang Tayaga Tailors Association, said the grant would help the group meet increasing demand for uniforms and customized T-shirt printing services in the municipality. “This additional resource would allow the association to fulfill bulk orders while creating more livelihood opportunities for our members.”

The rice trading initiative is expected to stabilize supply and prices at the community level, while the farm mechanization project will modernize harvesting practices and increase farmers’ earnings. 

Together, the three projects are forecast to stimulate local economic activity, generate employment, and build stronger, self-sustaining community enterprises. (SDR, PIA Surigao del Norte with a report from DOLE Surigao del Norte)

Friday, 13 March 2026

‘Stay SF’ app: Agusan Sur town’s hassle-free accommodation booking for Palarong Pambansa 2026

By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — With San Francisco, Agusan del Sur identified as one of the locations for billeting quarters and playing venues in the Palarong Pambansa 2026 in May, the local government unit (LGU), under the leadership of Municipal Mayor Grace Carmel D. Paredes-Bravo, has come up with another innovation—the ‘Stay SF’—coined from the phrase, ‘stay safe’ and the initials of the municipality.

As the national sporting event draws near, athletes, coaches, and guests from across the country are preparing for a seamless stay in Agusan del Sur. Recognizing the challenges of being away from home in an unfamiliar place, the LGU developed the ‘Stay SF’ application to provide a convenient tool for booking accommodations ahead of time.

The Stay SF app is an online booking platform for accommodations within the municipality of San Francisco. 

The app listed all types of available accommodations, including hotels, inns, transient houses, and even boarding houses—offering a range of options suited to different budgets. 

It also provides users with not only details of the accommodation, such as its name, room rates, and address, but also a glimpse of its rooms, facilities, and amenities, and actual photos are also made available to set guests’ expectations.

“The development of the Stay SF app forms part of our preparations in line with the upcoming Palarong Pambansa 2026. As of now, only a few establishments have signed up to be included in the app. But we are positive that more accommodation providers will apply as this will not only benefit the tourists but more so their businesses,” said Paredes-Bravo.

Another notable feature of the app is its interactive map, which helps users easily locate and navigate to establishments offering both essential and popular services, such as gasoline stations, coffee shops, and more.

Aside from showcasing the province of Agusan del Sur, hosting the Palarong Pambansa 2026 also highlights the innovation and political will of LGUs, performing tasks beyond their mandate to contribute to the success of the national event. 

Their collective efforts not only demonstrate effective governance but also reflect the province’s commitment to fostering unity, pride, and excellence on the national stage. (NJGD, PIA Caraga with a report from PTV Agusan del Sur)

Friday, 13 March 2026

Surigao Sur pushes ‘Beyond Copra’ strategy to boost coconut industry investments

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY (PIA) — Strengthening value addition, innovation, and market linkages in the coconut sector took center stage during the recent Provincial Investment Forum on the Coconut Industry, positioning Surigao del Sur as a key player in the country’s agro-industrial development.

Carrying the theme “Beyond Copra: Innovation, Technology, and Partnership Driving Sustainable Growth in Surigao del Sur’s Coconut Industry,” the forum gathered coconut farmers’ cooperatives, farmer associations, coconut-based business owners, local government officials, financial institutions, and industry partners to explore investment opportunities and promote inclusive growth in the province.

The activity was spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur through the Provincial Economic Development and Investment Promotions Unit (PEDIPU), in partnership with GIZ SPADe, a project co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and in collaboration with the City Government of Bislig.

Among the key speakers was Christian Eyde Moeller, co-founder and chief executive officer of Lionheart Farms Philippines Corporation, who highlighted potential investment opportunities in coconut processing and value-added production. An official from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Surigao del Sur also presented a comprehensive industry situationer, and representatives from the First Integrated Cooperative discussed initiatives in integrated coconut processing aimed at maximizing product value.

Meanwhile, the Development Bank of the Philippines-Butuan Lending Center introduced the CFID Credit Program, emphasizing accessible financing options for farmers and agripreneurs engaged in coconut-based enterprises.

PEDIPU Chief Marilyn Garol said the forum aims to strengthen collaboration and accelerate commercial growth through Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions with Celebes Coconut Corporation, Hycarb Philippines Corporation, and Diolan Coconut Products Manufacturing, facilitated by the Board of Investments (BOI).

“For many years, most of us relied mainly on copra, and our income was often unstable due to fluctuating copra prices. If we can process more products here in the province and connect directly with buyers and investors, it will greatly benefit farmers like us. We want to earn more from what we already grow,” shared representatives from various coconut farmers’ federations.

Farmer leaders also emphasized that while some coconut-based products are already available in the local market, there is a need to strengthen marketing and value chain development to increase farmers’ income and maximize the economic potential of coconut products.

Provincial Governor Johnny T. Pimentel underscored that moving “beyond copra” means shifting toward higher-value coconut products such as virgin coconut oil, coco sugar, coco coir, and other processed derivatives, which can generate higher income for farmers while creating more employment opportunities in the province.

Garol likewise expressed appreciation to Governor Pimentel for his steadfast support in advancing economic development initiatives and attracting responsible investments in Surigao del Sur.

The investment forum aligns with the national government’s thrust to modernize and industrialize agriculture, particularly the coconut sector, one of the country’s major export earners and a primary source of livelihood for millions of rural families.

PCA Surigao del Sur Chief Christian Gill Hibaya confirmed that Surigao del Sur remains the leading coconut-producing province in the Caraga Region, with 93,451 hectares devoted to coconut farming. Coconut plantations account for 48.28 percent of the province’s total agricultural area and 18.94 percent of its total land area.

Hibaya added that 44,241 farmers are currently engaged in coconut farming in the province, based on records from the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS), underscoring the sector’s critical role in local livelihoods and economic stability.

Meanwhile, a coconut farmer interviewed by PIA shared that government support has been instrumental in sustaining their farming activities. Rex Fernandez expressed his gratitude to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for providing seed nuts, fertilizers, cash assistance, and training on the various aspects of coconut farming.

He noted that these initiatives highlight the government’s continued efforts to strengthen coconut farmers’ capability and improve productivity in the sector.

By promoting innovation, improving access to financing, and strengthening public-private partnerships, Garol emphasized that the province aims to build a resilient, inclusive, and competitive coconut industry, one that empowers farmers, attracts investors, and contributes to the country’s broader food security and rural development agenda. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)

Friday, 13 March 2026

PBBM rice remains at P20 per kilo in Caraga amid rising fuel prices

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — National Food Authority (NFA) Caraga Regional Manager Leo V. Damole assured the beneficiaries of the ‘Benteng Bigas Meron Na’ (PBBM) rice in the region remains at P20 per kilo, despite ongoing increases in fuel prices.

Damole made the assurance in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga on March 11 in Butuan City. 

The PBBM rice program primarily benefits vulnerable sectors, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD), farmers, fisherfolk, minimum wage earners, solo parents, and other marginalized groups.

“To all the beneficiaries of PBBM rice, rest assured that this program continues to remain at P20 per kilo unless the central office otherwise issues an order on price adjustment to PBBM rice,” Manager Damole said. “We have four branches strategically located in the region that are distributing PBBM rice—San Jose, Dinagat Islands, Kilometer 10 Surigao City, Tandag City, Libertad, Butuan City, and Bayugan City warehouses. You can always go there to inquire about the distribution.”

He also shared that the region has sufficient stock and supply. “To be able to supply rice to all the people of Caraga, we need 21,280 bags of rice per day. We have a total of 280,771 bags of rice. We have a sufficient supply of rice for the entire region for 13 days.”

Damole also shared ongoing efforts in consumer protection amid tensions in the Middle East, causing soaring prices of petroleum products. “The increase in the price of fuel has a direct impact on necessities and prime commodities, among others, and this will not be beneficial to the consumers and the Filipino people.”

“Prices of staple foods like rice may eventually be affected. This could affect the daily consumption and budget of many Filipino families who rely heavily on rice as their primary food source,” he added. “As an active member of Butuan City’s Local Price Coordinating Council, NFA passionately supports the city’s ‘Oplan Bantay Presyo’ that created a team composed of various agencies and organizations that will conduct monitoring of the prices of fuel, rice, and others in the market, safeguarding consumers from overpricing.”

The National Food Authority is the government agency responsible for ensuring the country has sufficient rice supply and buffer stock during emergencies, calamities, and other challenging times. (MFC, PIA Caraga) 

Friday, 13 March 2026

Surigao Sur quake highlights importance of preparedness

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur (PIA) — A moderate earthquake that struck the coast of Marihatag town on Thursday, March 12, served as a reminder for communities in Surigao del Sur to remain vigilant and prepared for natural hazards. 

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the quake was initially recorded at magnitude 5.0 at 8:06 a.m., but later revised to magnitude 4.6 in the agency’s updated report. 

PHIVOLCS reported the earthquake originated 10 kilometers deep and was located approximately 42 kilometers northeast of Marihatag, Surigao del Sur (08.83°N, 126.68°E). The tremor was felt in Tandag City and nearby municipalities, briefly prompting residents to take precautionary measures. 

The Surigao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that no damage or injuries have been recorded as of posting time. 

Authorities also confirmed that normal activities continued across the province following the brief shaking. 

PHIVOLCS noted that aftershocks may still occur, with a magnitude-2.2 tremor recorded at around 8:23 a.m. in the same location.

Disaster response management officials emphasized that while the earthquake caused no immediate harm, it underscores the importance of maintaining disaster readiness in earthquake-prone areas like Surigao del Sur. 

Coincidentally, the province participates in the nationwide 1st Quarter Earthquake and Tsunami Drill, which aims to strengthen public awareness and preparedness during seismic events. 

In Tandag City, the ceremonial drill site is set at the Bongtud Barangay Hall and covered court, where participants will simulate evacuation procedures leading to the designated evacuation area, the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex.

Local authorities continue to encourage the public to stay informed through official advisories and to practice safety measures during earthquakes as part of building disaster-resilient communities in line with the Bagong Pilipinas campaign. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)