PIA - Caraga Regional Office

(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Saturday, 07 July 2025) Trough of Tropical Storm {DANAS} (formerly "BISING") affecting Extreme Northern Luzon. Southwest Monsoon affecting the rest of the country. 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡: Light to Moderate rainshowers with lightning and strong winds are expected over #Bukidnon(Pangantucan, Libona, Baungon, CityOfMalaybalay, Cabanglasan, CityOfValencia), #AgusanDelSur(Loreto, Trento, SantaJosefa, Veruela, Bunawan, LaPaz), #SultanKudarat(Palimbang, Sen.NinoyAquino, Kalamansig, Lebak, Isulan, Bagumbayan), #SouthCotabato(LakeSebu), #DavaoCity, #AgusanDelNorte(Nasipit, Carmen), #MisamisOriental(Medina, Jasaan, Balingasag), #SurigaoDelSur(Lanuza, Carmen, Madrid, Cantilan), #DavaoDelNorte(Carmen, CityOfPanabo, BraulioE.Dujali, CityOfTagum, SantoTomas, NewCorella, Asuncion, SanIsidro, Kapalong), #DavaoDeOro(Pantukan, Mabini, Maragusan, Maco, Mawab, NewBataan, Nabunturan, Compostela, Monkayo, Laak), #Sarangani, #LanaoDelSur(TagoloanII, Maguing, Bumbaran, MarawiCity, Kapai, DitsaanRamain, BuadiposoBuntong), #Basilan(Lantawan, Maluso, CityOfIsabela), #LanaoDelNorte(Linamon, PantaoRagat and IliganCity) within the next 1-2 hours.

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

‘Retired’ PH warship to be Dinagat Islands’ first floating hotel, museum

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) —The Philippine Navy’s decommissioned warship, BRP Rizal (PS-74), will be Dinagat Island’s first floating hotel and educational museum for tourists and learners.

Dinagat Islands Governor Nilo P. Demerey Jr. made the remarks as he led the preparations for the formal turnover of the decommissioned warship, Barko Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Rizal (PS-74), between the Philippine Navy and the provincial government of Dinagat Islands.

“The BRP Rizal (PS-74) has a story to tell. It served the Vietnam War during World War II prior to its donation to the Philippines. It is one of the most decorated and bravest warships of the Philippine Navy that defended the country’s sovereignty and from internal threat. It was decommissioned in 2020 in Cavite,” Gov. Demerey added. “This warship will boost tourism and economic activities as this will be another tourist and educational attraction of the province.”

Through Executive Order No. 06-06, series of 2025, a recent collaboration meeting between the two parties took place to ensure seamless processing of requirements for the much-awaited transfer of BRP Rizal (PS-74) to the Province of Dinagat Islands.

The US Navy as the initial owner of the warship, previously known as USS Murrelets, also approved the said turnover to the province.

Currently serving his 2nd term as governor of the province, Demerey changed the game in the tourism sector that resulted in a 391 percent increase in tourist arrival in Dinagat Islands. Part of his advocacy was the introduction of unique architectural designs of the province’s infrastructures, including the IJN Yamashiro – inspired People’s Hall, as the most historical and amazing provincial capitol in the country, located in Barangay Cuarinta, San Jose.

IJN Yamashiro was a Japanese battleship that sank in the waters of Dinagat Islands during the Battle of Surigao Strait in 1944 during World War II.

The provincial government will soon construct another boat-shaped building from Magellan’s Victoria, the first ship to circumnavigate the world, to serve as the province’s Tourism, Culture and Heritage Center. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands with a report from PIO Dinagat Islands)

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Training results in Caraga gov’t communicators’ service excellence

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY (PIA)—More than fifty government communicators participated in the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Training conducted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga on June 30, at Hotel Oazis, this city.

As the primary communicators of government programs and services, they serve as bridges between the public and the government.

Cherrel B. Tolentino, customer support representative of Pag-IBIG Fund Butuan Branch, expressed her optimism that the training will enhance her skills and better equip her to handle customer service with greater efficiency and empathy.

“We already practice the hand gesture and we say Lingkod Bayan, and through this training, I have learned a lot on how to better address the needs of our clientele. As a customer service representative, being equipped with the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence means going beyond simply addressing concerns; it’s about making every client feel valued, respected, and genuinely cared for. With FBSE, I’m more confident in delivering not just quality service, but service with malasakit, empathy, and professionalism that truly reflects our Filipino values,” Tolentino expressed.

Ebrahim Malazarte, information officer II and Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Caraga regional social marketing officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga highlighted how learning the FBSE can help by delivering timely, accurate, and compassionate communication, responding to public concerns with empathy, and treating all stakeholders with respect.

“The information officers reinforce public trust and confidence. Integrating the FBSE principles into our daily tasks help ensure that public service is not only effective, but also truly reflective of Filipino warmth and professionalism,” he said.

“The training covered a lot of relevant topics, which I found particularly valuable as the information officer of the SLP in our agency. Since we have several SLP associations offering tourism services across the region—particularly in Siargao Island, the insights I gained here will truly help us strengthen how we promote and support their operations,” he added.

Regional Director Ivonnie Dumadag of DOT Caraga emphasized the Filipino gesture featured in the FBSE training — a hand placed over the chest paired with a warm smile, which she stressed is more than just a motion.

“It symbolizes sincerity, respect, and heartfelt service. This simple yet powerful gesture reflects the core values of malasakit (compassion), makatao (human-centered service), and hospitality, which are deeply rooted in Filipino culture,” she explained.

For public servants and frontliners, especially information officers, practicing this gesture reinforces a genuine connection with the people they serve.

“It is a visible expression of the Filipino commitment to delivering service not just with competence, but with empathy and integrity,” she added.

PIA Caraga’s Regional Head Venus Garcia of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga also delivered her message to all participating information officers from the different government agencies in the region.

“We are truly pleased that the Department of Tourism Caraga led by Director Ivonnie Dumadag has collaborated with PIA Caraga to sustain efforts in promoting and raising awareness of the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence,” she said.

“Your role in shaping the public’s trust, transparency, and understanding of government programs is vital. You are not only conveyors of facts and figures — you are also ambassadors of public service, and your words and actions help define the image of our institutions,” added Garcia.

Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Director Tiara Julia M. Santos of DOT Caraga, who served as the resource person of the said training and one of the accredited FBSE trainers in the region, underscored that the FBSE is designed and intended to be the global benchmark for service excellence. (JPG, PIA Caraga)

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

PDLs in Caraga are enrolled in PhilHealth’s Konsulta, says BJMP official

By Renelle L. Escuadro

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Senior Jail Officer Florefe M. Badillo, warden of the Butuan City Jail Female Dormitory of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Caraga, during the recent Kapihan sa PIA, shared that all persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in the region are registered to PhilHealth’s Konsulta.

This initiative is a fulfillment of BJMP’s core function on provision of basic needs of the PDLs, in particular on their need for inclusive, quality and affordable healthcare.

“With their enrollment to PhilHealth’s Konsulta, we ensure that if PDLs encounter health problems, they have access to medical experts, without worrying their families,” she said. “This is a positive outcome of the interagency collaboration of BJMP with PhilHealth, bringing inclusive health care services even behind bars.”

Further, the BJMP also acknowledged the timely help and assistance provided by the local government units in the region to the bureau by accepting PDLs in their hospitals and treatment centers, including the use of ambulances and other facilities.

Warden Vincent Jomini Q. Orcullo announced the recent approval of the proposed in-house jail clinic particularly at the Bislig City Jail, funded by the city government of Bislig and to be operated by the City Health Office.

He said, “With the in-house jail clinic to be available soon, the BJMP doesn’t have to secure and wait for a court order to bring a PDL-patient to a nearby primary health center for consultation or medication as the jail clinic will have its own medical team and services, ensuring improved and immediate medical assistance will be given to the PDLs.”

Meanwhile, PhilHealth’s Konsulta (Konsultasyong Sulit Tama) offers a comprehensive outpatient benefit as mandated by the Universal Health Care Law. With PDLs enrollment in PhilHealth’s Konsulta, this allows them to receive guaranteed equitable access to quality and affordable health care, goods and services, and be protected against financial risks.

Under the PhilHealth Konsulta, all Filipinos shall be registered with an accredited PhilHealth Konsulta provider of their choice and be eligible to avail of consultation, health risk screening and assessment, selected laboratory and diagnostic test, and selected drugs and medicines. (RLE, PIA Caraga)

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Butuan City student journalists train on information literacy, fact-checking

By PIA Caraga

BUTUAN CITY (PIA)—The city government of Butuan, through the City Executive Management Department-Public Information Division spearheaded a training on information literacy and fact-checking to student journalists and coaches from seven campuses in the city on June 25.

“The government launched the Maging Mapanuri Campaign to address disinformation, as one of the most pressing issues of the country that creates confusion among Filipinos,” Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga Assistant Regional Head Renelle L. Escuadro said, as a resource speaker.

“The campaign calls for an effective collaboration with various stakeholders to promote information literacy and ensure a safer, more informed, and connected society,” she added.

She cited the pivotal role of the youth sector, specifically the journalists in campuses, who have access to most information to support the campaign of the government.

Information pollution

“In information literacy, we are more effective if we are specific in spotting the nature of the information and we refrain from using general terms,” she added.

She encouraged the participants to be vigilant and start appreciating the three types of information pollution: Misinformation is the unintentional spread of false or inaccurate information. It often arises from mistakes, misunderstandings, or misrepresentations and can occur in various forms, such as rumors.

Disinformation, on the other hand, involves the intentional spread of false information with the intent to deceive or manipulate. Tactics may include the creation of false stories, doctored images, and misleading narratives.

Mal-information consists of the dissemination of true information but with malicious intent, such as sharing private or confidential data without consent. It can lead to harm, invasion of privacy, or reputational damage.

“Maging Mapanuri Campaign is designed to empower government communicators to strengthen and disseminate this campaign to different sectors of the society, including student journalists and go beyond your technical skills and become fact-checkers, helping the government promote resilience against information pollution in the digital age through your respective platforms,” she underscored.

The resource speaker shared some online sites and tools for fact-checking that are helpful in verifying statements, photos, videos, among others.

She also encouraged the participants to use development communication in all their communication outputs so the students, teachers and parents may know the programs and projects of the government.

Christopher A. Jamer, one of the participating coaches, expressed affirmation on the need for the government to strengthen the fight against disinformation. “The students are vulnerable to disinformation. We will look into how the school publication can be relevant and contribute to fact-checking.”

For the young journalists, fact-checking is a new avenue and opportunity for them to align with the government communicators in ensuring that every Filipino receives accurate, timely and relevant information.

Meanwhile, this city government’s engagement entitled, “Campus Communicators as Partners in Public Information: Capability for Student Journalists,” is a two-day activity where student journalists and their coaches also underwent upskilling on news writing and workshop on reporting and photojournalism, including knowledge enhancement on media ethics and responsible journalism. (RLE, PIA Caraga)

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