Friday, 05 December 2025

PIA Caraga wins consecutive NTF-ELCAC Gawad Parangal

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has once again recognized the communication efforts of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga in sustaining the gains of the peace and development agenda of the government under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

PIA Caraga, for its second year, received the NTF-ELCAC Gawad Parangal on December 4 at Dimalupig Hall, AFP Commissioned Officers Club House (AFPCOC), General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Representing PIA Director-General Katherine Chloe S. De Castro, the award was received by Executive Assistant Ricardo Louise M. Alarilla.

As the development communication arm of the government, PIA Caraga did not only sustain its communication support to all the programs and projects of the Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (TF-ELCAC), it provided and delivered a ‘transformed’ communication output through PIA Caraga’s distinct platforms that reach the most vulnerable sectors and the grassroots communities – where accurate and timely information are most challenged.

PIA Caraga Regional Head Venus L. Garcia shared that the regional office has consistently demonstrated commitment through key accomplishments such as PIA Caraga’s information officers and writers who consistently curate and produce news and feature stories that would highlight the triumph and testimonials of the peace advocates, also known as former rebels, in their reintegration to mainstream society and the tangible accomplishments of the peace efforts of the government.

“We believe that the best approach to motivate and inspire rebels to go back to the folds of the law is to share the transformational journey of their previous comrades who chose peace and how the government empowered them with skills training, education, livelihood, among others,” she said.  “With a strong partnership with the media practitioners and information officers, these stories were shared in the local publication and on their social media pages. “

She added that PIA Caraga provided full support to the activities of the Joint RTF-ELCAC by providing documentation services and coverage of the activities, including video and photo documentation, audiovisual materials, text blast, and photo releases. 

“These IEC showcased the contribution of every member of the Task Force and captured the insights of the beneficiaries and the improvements of the households and the communities.”

As a mindful member of the RTF-ELCAC and lead of the Strategic Communications (StratCom) Cluster, PIA Caraga, through its focal persons, is closely working with the technical working group of the Caraga RTF-ELCAC in crafting a Strategic Communications Plan to effectively implement and execute the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace, and Development (NAP-UPD) 2025-2028 in Caraga region.

The Strategic Communications Plan will include the creation of a dedicated Facebook social media page for Caraga RTF-ELCAC, and capacity-building for members in crafting resolutions, promoting peace and conflict-sensitive language, and removing the stigma toward the peace advocates. This will also address and change the negative outlook of foreign countries toward Caraga and Mindanao, and loosen international travel restrictions to the region.

Meanwhile, the NTF-ELCAC Gawad Parangal is an annual national recognition ceremony that honors outstanding performance, best practices, and exemplary contributions of government agencies, non-government organizations, and individuals in attaining the objective of the NTF-ELCAC toward unity and sustainable peace and development.

For the Caraga region, NTF-ELCAC also recognized the admirable efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga as Best in Community Development, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga, as chair of the operation center of the Caraga Joint Regional Task Force (JRTF). 

Individual recognition was given to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga Director Maria Loisella E. Lucino for her impactful leadership as chairperson of the Caraga RTF-ELCAC. 

NTF-ELCAC also acknowledged the invaluable contribution and unwavering support of former Cabinet Officer for Regional Developmen­t and Security (CORDS) Amenah F. Pangandaman of Caraga JRTF that led to the allocation of additional resources for the sustainability of the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) for fiscal year 2024-2025. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)

Friday, 05 December 2025

Agusan Norte farmers gain sustainable livelihood through gov’t support

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — What began as a modest effort among farmers in Purok 5, Balangbalang in the town of Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR), Agusan del Norte, has grown into a model for rural transformation. 

The Balangbalang Banana Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BABAFAC) is now demonstrating how government support, community unity, and local innovation can turn a simple commodity into a sustainable livelihood.

For years, Balangbalang farmers harvested the triploid hybrid banana cultivar known as ‘cardaba,’ which offers meager income potential to farmers, as it is often sold as raw produce. This challenge pushed local growers to rethink their approach. Instead of relying solely on selling unprocessed bananas, they envisioned creating high-value products that would increase their income, strengthen their cooperative, and uplift their entire community.

Under the leadership of Guillermo B. Gumatay, chairperson of BABAFAC, this vision slowly took shape. He recalled how the cooperative had begun with a simple but powerful intention. “Gusto namo nga mas mulambo ang among kinabuhi isip mag-uuma, ug mahatagan og bag-ong oportunidad ang among komunidad. Dili lang unta mi kutob sa pagbaligya og hilaw nga saging (We wanted to improve our lives as farmers and provide new opportunities for our community. We did not want to remain limited to selling raw bananas).”

A major turning point for BABAFAC came through the Department of Agriculture-Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program, which helped farmers organize themselves into a cooperative and guided them through the registration process with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), providing BABAFAC a strong and formal foundation.

DA-SAAD also provided livelihood training, equipment, and capacity-building activities that equipped members with practical skills in banana processing, enterprise management, and cooperative operations.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Negosyo Center RTR, further expanded the cooperative’s capabilities by providing training on product development; one-on-one technical assistance and coaching; business advisory services; skills enhancement in packaging, labeling, and branding; and opportunities for market expansion.

Through these interventions, BABAFAC transformed their raw harvests into high-quality, market-ready products. Their lineup now includes banana chips, caramelized banana chips, and other banana-based snacks, with the caramelized variant becoming a crowd favorite.

For members of BABAFAC, the impact has been life-changing. They now enjoy higher and more stable income; employment opportunities within the cooperative; new skills in processing, packaging, and basic business management; better access to markets and improved bargaining power; and stronger confidence in sustaining a community-driven enterprise.

Farmers who once depended solely on the low-margin sale of raw bananas now earn from regular processing work, profit-sharing, and expanded product distribution across the province.

Beyond financial gains, members proudly share that seeing their products displayed in trade fairs, local stores, and markets outside RTR has boosted their community identity and motivation, inspiring other farmers to follow their example.

Looking ahead, BABAFAC aims to enhance its processing facility, develop more banana-based innovations, increase production volume, and expand its market reach.

Gumatay expressed deep gratitude for the support that helped bring BABAFAC to where it is today. “Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa suporta sa gobyerno. Kung wala ang tabang sa lain-laing ahensya, dili unta mi makaabot sa kung asa mi karon. Ang among kalampusan usa gyud ka paningkamot nga giatiman ug giabagan sa gobyerno,” he said.

(We are deeply grateful for the government’s support. Without the help of various agencies, we would not have reached this far today. Our success is truly the result of hard work made possible by government assistance.) 

He also highlighted the values that propelled their cooperative’s growth, saying our success is not because of just one person. It is the result of unity, belief in our product, and perseverance even when things are difficult. If we help one another and trust the process, we can achieve great progress.

He added that BABAFAC’s journey, from its humble beginnings to becoming a recognized local producer, shows the powerful impact of meaningful collaboration between communities and government institutions. Their story also proves that when people work together and see the value of what they already have, even something as humble as a banana can pave the way to breakthroughs. (NCLM, PIA Agusan del Norte)

Friday, 05 December 2025

Butuan City distributes over 4K sacks of inbred rice seeds

By Mariesh F. Celedeña

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — More than 4,000 sacks of certified inbred rice seeds have been distributed to farmers in Butuan City through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, further boosting local efforts to strengthen agricultural productivity.

The City Agriculture and Veterinary Department (CAVD) began distributing the seeds on November 27 in Barangays Lemon and Pigdaulan to local farmers. The number of seed sacks allocated to each farmer was dependent on the size of their rice fields, ensuring fair and needs-based distribution.

Monalisa, a farmer-beneficiary from Barangay Tagabaca, expressed her gratitude for the continued assistance. “This cropping season, I received four sacks of seeds, and previously, I was also given ammonium fertilizer. These farm inputs are a big help to us, especially now that the prices of agricultural supplies are increasing. It greatly lessens our expenses.”

She was hopeful that more farm inputs would be provided to support the farmers and help them recover from the effects of the recent flooding in the city.

Butuan City Mayor Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun said that the initiative aims to reduce farmers’ production costs through quality seeds, increase profits, and strengthen city agriculture. 

“The city government of Butuan continues to reinforce its commitment to ensuring food security and enhancing farmer competitiveness for a more progressive rice industry. Providing high-quality, pest and disease-resistant seeds remains one of the local government’s key strategies toward achieving this goal.”

RCEF is a government program that distributes high-quality, certified inbred rice seeds to farmers. Inbred rice seeds are known for their resilience against local pests and plant diseases, minimal use of pesticides and insecticides, and boosting the rice plant’s resistance to drought and flooding. (MFC, PIA Caraga, with a report from Butuan City PIO) 

Friday, 05 December 2025

CHR, DILG, Caraga RCWC urge LGUs to step up measures vs OSAEC-CSAEM

By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Caraga Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) on November 27 signed a joint policy advisory that calls on local government units (LGUs) to take action against Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). 

This landmark move reflects a shared commitment to protect every Filipino child from harm and to uphold their right to safety, dignity, and a future free from exploitation.

The ceremonial signing was held at the GAD Learning Hall, CHR Caraga regional office in Barangay Tiniwisan, Butuan City, as part of the observance of the National Children’s Month 2025, which carries the theme focused on ending OSAEC-CSAEM.

A joint policy advisory is an official issuance of the CHR, often developed in partnership with government agencies and civil society, that provides guidance, recommendations, and policy directions on pressing human rights concerns. It serves as a non-binding but authoritative instrument to influence government action, strengthen accountability, and ensure that human rights standards are upheld in local governance.

Through this advisory, the CHR, DILG, and RCWC call on LGUs to mobilize community-based mechanisms, strengthen child protection councils, and integrate anti-OSAEC and CSAEM measures into local development plans. The advisory also emphasizes the importance of public awareness campaigns, capacity-building for barangay officials, and closer coordination with law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to cases of online child exploitation.

CHR officials underscored that the initiative demonstrates the government’s seriousness in protecting Filipino children and upholding their right to protection as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

“Children’s rights are human rights—equally fundamental, universal, and non-negotiable. Children deserve the same amount of protection and dignity as adults do, with even greater care because of their vulnerability,” said Atty. Aurora Luanne R. Cembrano-Ramos, regional director of CHR Caraga.

“On behalf of the Commission on Human Rights Caraga, I express our full and unwavering support for this Joint Policy Advisory urging our LGUs to take decisive and community-based action against OSAEC & CSAEM. The CHR stands firm in its mandate to uphold the rights and dignity of every Filipino child. And today, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that no child—whether online or offline—is left vulnerable or unseen,” she expounded.

As the chairperson of the Caraga RCWC—the committee mandated to ensure the welfare of children throughout the region—Mari-Flor A. Dollaga-Libang, regional director of DSWD Caraga, expressed her profound gratitude, on behalf of Caraga RCWC, to CHR Caraga’s strong and consistent partnership with the committee in their continuous efforts to fostering a more safe and conducive environment for the Caraganon children.

“We commend CHR Caraga for steadfastly performing its role—upholding the rights of children, ensuring accountability, and working collaboratively with all of us in preventing violations. Their commitment strengthens our collective efforts and gives victims and families a voice that is heard and protected.”

She likewise highlighted the crucial role of LGUs as the first responders in crafting and implementing proactive measures to protect the children within their jurisdiction and to ensure seamless inter-agency coordination especially when dealing with child victims.

“When institutions unite, protection becomes stronger. When leaders act, children become safer. And when communities stand together, exploitation has no place to thrive,” reminded Libang.

The ceremonial signing added significance to this year’s National Children’s Month celebration, making it not only a commemoration but also a call to action against one of the most urgent child protection issues in the digital age. (NJGD, PIA Caraga with a report from DSWD and CHR Caraga)

TODAY’S TOP STORIES - Thursday, 4 December 2025

TODAY’S TOP STORIES (from online monitoring)

As of 04 December 2025, Thursday, 5:00 p.m.

1. INDEPENDENT COMMISSION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

-Singson rues lack of financial support for ICI; says a more powerful commission needed

-Singson pleads: Pass de Lima’s bill to fix toothless, ‘punching bag’ ICI

-Babes Singson: Zaldy Co's statements not enough to probe Marcos

-Palace assures Singson exit won’t shake ICI integrity

-Ridon: Marcos should find a capable replacement for Singson in ICI

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

https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/04/singson-rues-lack-of-financial-support-for-ici-says-a-more-powerful-commission-needed

2. Paolo Duterte declines ICI invitation

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

https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/12/04/news/paolo-duterte-rejects-ici-invitation/2236757

3. Sandro Marcos faces ICI panel under executive session

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Times, Manila Standard, Manila Bulletin, News5PH, NewsWatchPlus, Philstar]

https://manilastandard.net/news/314676350/sandro-marcos-faces-ici-panel-under-executive-session.html

4. Marcos compares corruption to cancer, vows tough crackdown

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Daily Tribune,  Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philstar] https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2025/12/04/2491852/marcos-compares-corruption-cancer-vows-tough-crackdown

5. Marcos seeks stronger media help to fight fake news

[ABS-CBN News, Daily Tribune, DZBB, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, News5PH]

https://tribune.net.ph/2025/12/04/marcos-seeks-media-help-combating-fake-news

6. Marcos inspects Bucana Bridge in Davao City

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, Daily Tribune, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard] ]https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2150561/marcos-inspects-bucana-bridge-in-davao-city

7. SC allows SolGen to represent gov’t in petitions involving Duterte, ICC

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

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/4/kitty-duterte-s-camp-on-solgen-re-entry-in-sc-cases-guevarra-got-it-right-the-first-time-1109

8. 97 NCR, Mindanao solons vow to back Speaker Dy

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

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2150508/97-ncr-mindanao-solons-vow-to-back-speaker-dy

9. Manibela sets 3-day transport strike vs. alleged harassment from LTO

[ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Inquirer, News5PH, Philstar]

https://news.tv5.com.ph/breaking/read/manibela-sets-3-day-transport-strike-vs-alleged-extortion

10. LPA east of Eastern Visayas now Tropical Depression Wilma; Signal No. 1 up over Visayas, Mindanao

[ABS-CBN News, DZRH, GMA News, Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, NewsWatchPlus, News5PH, Philstar, Rappler]

https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/675780/td-wilma-signal-no-1-up-in-parts-of-eastern-visayas-mindanao

© Philippine Information Agency Monitoring Unit