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2. Marcos to PhilHealth: Impose waiver for interest of unpaid contributions
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)
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)
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)
DOLE upskills 340 TUPAD beneficiaries, invests P2.44M in wages
By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
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Three hundred forty TUPAD beneficiaries graduate from their respective service courses in preparation for the Palarong Pambansa to be hosted by the province of Agusan del Sur in May 2026. (Photo courtesy of DOLE Agusan del Sur)
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — With the influx of delegates and visitors arriving in Agusan del Sur, being the host of the Palarong Pambansa 2026, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Agusan del Sur invested P2.44 million in compensation for the 340 TUPAD beneficiaries, who completed the Human Resource Mobilization and Skills Enhancement Program.
The program maximizes the opportunity to address the need for more service providers to accommodate the different needs of visitors and delegates from across the country during the national athletic event.
The initiative was realized through the collaboration of DOLE Agusan del Sur with the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PESO) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Agusan del Sur School of Arts and Trades (TESDA–ASSAT).
The upskilling of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) beneficiaries in the different service operations not only gave livelihood opportunities to low-income Agsurnons but also helped solve the concern of insufficient manpower in the nearing national games—Caraga’s biggest event of the year.
The participating beneficiaries underwent a variety of event-related service courses, such as housekeeping, body and foot massage, civil construction, electrical installation, body maintenance, as well as basic life support rescue and first aid for medical emergencies.
To culminate the program, officials from different government agencies and from the provincial government of Agusan del Sur attended the completion ceremony to witness the awarding of certificates to the TUPAD beneficiaries. Among those who came were DOLE Caraga Director Jason P. Balais, TESDA Caraga Director Florencio F. Sunico Jr., and Agusan del Sur Vice Governor Patricia Ann B. Plaza, who represented the province’s congressional districts.
Vice-Governor Plaza delivered an inspirational message to the participants, highlighting the importance of the program, which provides them with the necessary knowledge and skills for future livelihood opportunities. “Wala diri nahuman inyung kugi, mao ni ang sinugdanan sa inyung paglambo sa inyung tagsa-tagsa na vocational course ug mga skills training na inyong gikuha (Your hard work does not end here. This is just the beginning of your individual growth through the vocational courses and skills training that you completed).”
She also assured the participants that they will be prioritized should there be a need for additional manpower in the upcoming national games: “Dako kaayu ni na economic opportunity para karung umaabot na Palarong Pambansa kay kamo mismo ang una makatagamtam… kamo ang una kuhaon sa additional human resources nga gikinahanglan aning umaabot na national activity (This coming Palarong Pambansa will bring great economic opportunities [to the province], more importantly, you will be the first to benefit from it. If we will be needing additional workforce, you will be the first one to be called,” conveyed Plaza.
Along with the certificates given to the successful completers, they were also given their respective compensation. A total of 216 beneficiaries received 20 days’ salaries, while 124 received compensation for their ten days of work.
The skills enhancement training demonstrated that the TUPAD program goes beyond serving as mere ‘ayuda’ or financial assistance. It paves the way for sustainable livelihood opportunities, empowering beneficiaries to build long-term sources of income and resilience. (NJGD/PIA CARAGA with a report from DOLE Agusan del Sur)