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)

Friday, 19 June 2026

Caraga achieves internal peace, security status after over 5-decade insurgency

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Caraga region was declared a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) on June 18 in Butuan City, ending the more than five decades of insurgency.

This historic milestone ended the Caraga’s status as a strategic haven and tactical refuge of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), as it is blessed with dense, mountainous hinterlands and resource-rich ancestral domains.

Before the declaration, the Caraga Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) unanimously approved the resolution declaring SIPS in the region, through a special meeting held on the same day, presided over by Police Brigadier General Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado, regional director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga and vice chairperson of Caraga RPOC.

Major General Marion T. Angcao, division commander of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, presented the rationale of the resolution, especially the dismantling of the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC), including the surrender and neutralization of its top regional leaders.

“With the full dismantling of the NEMRC, the organization no longer possesses the capability to sustain its structure, leadership, and operational activities,” Angcao said.

SIPS vs insurgency-free

According to Caraga RPOC, through the DILG Caraga as head secretariat, “A region declared under SIPS is recognized as having achieved a sustained level of peace where insurgency, armed conflict and other major security threats have been effectively reduced to a manageable level, making the cities, municipalities and provinces in the region safe for development, investment and to have an efficient delivery of government services.”

The members also emphasized that SIPS status does not mean that threats no longer exist – it affirms that security conditions are stable and that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PNP, and other agencies continue with their efforts to maintain peace and prevent any resurgence of violence.

They further explained that the SIPS status is connected with ‘insurgency-free,’ but they describe different levels of security assessment. “An area can be declared SIPS even if minor or residual threats exist, as long as they are controlled and no longer destabilizing the community.”

“An insurgency-free declaration usually comes after or beyond SIPS, when threats are completely cleared. In practice, SIPS is often seen as a step toward insurgency-free status, but not automatically equal to it,” the members said.

In Caraga, the province of Dinagat Islands was the first to be declared under SIPS on December 12, 2014, followed by Surigao del Norte on March 15, 2024; Agusan del Norte’s proclamation took place on June 5, 2026, while the provinces of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur were declared under SIPS on June 15, 2026. The highly urbanized city of Butuan was subsequently declared under SIPS on June 16, 2026.

A tandem: peace and development

Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr., Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) chairperson, underscored the inseparable connection and mutual dependence between peace and development.

He said, the collective efforts in the pursuit of lasting peace and security of the national government agencies, local government units, security sector, civil society organizations, and the communities brought Caraga as the country’s 2nd fastest growing regional growth on Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in 2024 and 2025.

Also, as chairperson of the Dinagat Islands Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), he is optimistic that the region’s SIPS status will be sustained, flaunting the province’s over-a-decade SIPS status from December 12, 2014.

“Dinagat Islands is the first in the region and 2nd in the country to receive the SIPS declaration,” Gov. Demerey added.

Meanwhile, as affirmation to the peace and development agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the ceremonial declaration and pronouncement of a state of Stable Internal Peace and Security in Caraga region was attended by dignitaries, including Undersecretary Angelito De Leon of the Department of National Defense (DND); Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., executive director of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC); and Senior Undersecretary Jonathan Ferdinand Miano of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands)