DOE, AFOC to hold IEC Campaign on Phil. Coal
Mining Laws
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) – The Department of
Energy (DOE) in cooperation with the ASEAN Forum on Coal (AFOC) Philippines
Incorporated, will be conducting an Information, Education and Communication
(IEC) campaign on the Philippine Coal Mining laws, rules and regulations,
particularly the implementation of Department Circular No. DC 2012-05-0006
known as the Guidelines on the Accreditation of Coal Traders and Registration
of Coal End-Users on August 5, 2014 at the Paper Country Inn, Bislig City in
Surigao del Sur.
“As you may be aware, the circular was issued on
May 22, 2012 to curb illegal coal mining and trading activities and to maximize
the government revenues generated from coal mining,” cited lawyer and director
Rino Abad of the Energy Resource Development Bureau.
Abad added that the IEC campaign is aimed at
clarifying the provisions of the circular particularly the rights and
obligations of accredited coal traders and registered coal end-users and other
issues related to coal mining, trading and utilization.
The Department is mandated by Republic Act 7638
(Department of Energy Act of 1992) to prepare, integrate, coordinate, supervise
and control all plans, programs, projects and activities of the Government
relative to energy exploration, development, utilization, distribution and
conservation.
In partnership with its stakeholders, DOE shall
improve the quality of life of the Filipino by formulating and implementing
policies and programs to ensure sustainable, stable, secure, sufficient, and
accessible energy. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
RDC-Caraga invites info officers to communicate
RDP goal
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) – In order to
properly communicate to the people the revised Caraga Development Plan (RDP)
2013-2016, the Regional Development Council (RDC) through its secretariat, the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga has gathered today
the information officers from government agencies and local government units of
the region for the Agents of Change Forum held in one of the convention
centers, this city.
“Through the active cooperation of our
information officers, they can help increase awareness; impart knowledge; and
increase participation among target audiences, following a process of behavior
change framework with the use of proven communication tools to appropriately
communicate the goal of the RDP,” explained NEDA-Caraga regional director Mylah
Faye Aurora Carino.
For the ‘practicing’ step of the process of
behavior change, “we want to see Fishery, Agro-forestry, Mineral, and
Eco-Tourism (FAME)-related industries created and that individuals,
institutions, and communities are supporting Caraga’s goal of becoming the FAME
center of the Philippines,” Carino added.
For advocacy, it intends to mobilize partners to
become advocates in their individual offices, communities, and schools. The
rest of the behavior change steps will be the conduct of activities that will
provide avenue for influencers to model their behavior, provide resources and
support to raise individual confidence, and provide incentives and rewards for
the behaviors.
Carino emphasized that the communicators have
the significant function of being catalyst of positive change in the government
service and in the community. She also said that the key message is, “Be the
Agent of Change,” that meaningfully encourage everyone to do noteworthy things
in whatever they do and become agents of change for others to follow and
emulate.
Carino also appreciated the full support of the
Philippine Information Agency Caraga through regional director Abner Caga to
the regional development council’s endeavors in expanding awareness by
utilizing PIA’s communication platforms.
In her keynote speech, NEDA development
information staff director Nerrisa Esguerra addressed the information officer
participants to communicate credibly and clearly the revised RDP 2013-2016.
Since the big step forward has been initiated,
“the challenge is to sustain the growth. Growth that matters to and benefits
everyone, and that reduces poverty in general,” she said.
The RDP 2013-2016 is the blueprint to attain
high and sustained economic growth,, increased job opportunities, sound
environment, and improved quality of life. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Oxfam Phils. implements BINDS project in Caraga
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) –The Oxfam
Philippines is presently implementing a 30-month project funded by the AusAID
called "Building Resilient and Adaptive Communities and Institutions in
Mindanao (BINDS)" in 18 municipalities, in Autonomous Region for Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM), Central Mindanao and Caraga regions, in partnership with local
non-government organizations and local government units with funding support
from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Mindanao Coordinator Dante Dalabajan of Oxfam
bared that the goal of BINDS Project is for poor women and men to realize
opportunities in the midst of uncertainties brought about by climate change.
“It seeks to develop a deep understanding of the nature of risks facing people
living in poverty, especially women, children and people with disabilities in
an attempt to develop a comprehensive set of policies and programs which will
build their resilience,” he said.
Dalabajan also revealed that the said project
makes a case that equitable and inclusive growth is possible, if local
communities are prepared for the uncertainties of conflict and climate change
and are supported by local and national government.
“The lack of disaster early warning system is
one of the top priorities identified in the adaptation and risk reduction (ARR)
plan of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, a town which is frequently inundated by
flash floods. The LGU in collaboration with Philippine Atmospheric,
Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the BINDS
project has set up weather instruments and computers which generate high
resolution weather data,” relayed Dalabajan.
Also, Dalabajan further disclosed that one of
the key thrusts of the Abaca production in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur is to
develop the existing livelihoods present in the project sites in a way that the
livelihood sources will be better able to cope with uncertainties. “In Lanuza,
where abaca (Manila hemp) production is one of the main sources of income. The
project encouraged the local community members to intercrop abaca with other
cash and sustenance crops. The total trading volume of abaca fiber has reached
over 65 thousand kilograms from October 2013 to April 2014. Gross sales from October
2013 to March 2014 have reached almost 2.4-million pesos,” he said.
As to what needs to be done still by Oxfam,
Dalabajan highlighted that the BINDS Project will build from what it has
started by ensuring that the systems are in place which will make the
communities and the local governments better able to deal with the risks
brought about by climate change and disasters. Oxfam and its partners are
ensuring that the project will have enough resources to pursue the project
priorities which could go beyond the current DFAT funding.
“Some of these priorities include: Agriculture
warning system – setting up reliable climate information centers, most
especially prior to, during, and following a disaster, and establishing
vertical linkages of the local data centers to PAGASA and horizontally to
communities through innovative information technologies; national and local
level advocacy and campaigning by Oxfam and partners, to lobby for enabling
policies, gendered programs, investments and budgets, whether public or
private, that promote climate adaptation and risk reduction initiatives, and
finance,” emphasized Dalabajan.
Oxfam is a vibrant international movement of
passionate, dedicated people fighting poverty together and doing amazing work
together. They have programs for the vulnerable families in the different
regions of the country especially those mostly affected during
calamity/disaster. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga RDC to conduct 'Be the Agent of Change'
competitions
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) – The Regional
Development Council (RDC) Caraga region through its secretariat – National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is calling all Caraganons to join the
“Be the Agent of Change” competitions, the Jingle-Making, Canvass Painting and
Photography competitions.
According to the regional director Mylah Faye
Aurora B. Carino of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga,
the contest is open to all interested Caraganons.
For the Jingle-Making contest, all interested
amateur and professional songwriters, whether group or individual are invited
to join.
Carino also said, the contest song entries must
not be more than 60 seconds in length and should bear the theme “Be the Agent
of Change.”
Original composition should be submitted at NEDA
office located Nimfa Tiu Bldg. 1, J. Rosales Avenue, this city.
Entries that will get the first place will
receive P15,000; second place will also get P10,000; and P5,000 will be given
to the third place winner.
For the Photography competition, the RDC is also
inviting hobbyist, novices and professionals who are also residents of the
region.
The original photos should be submitted at NEDA
Caraga office and should also bear the theme “Be the Agent of Change”.
Photos that will be judged as the first place
winner will get P4,000; second place – P3,000; third place – P2,000; and the
most like photo will receive P4,000.
The submission of entries for both the
Jingle-Making and Photography Competitions is from August 5 to 31, 2014.
For the Canvass Painting Competition, each
Schools Division is entitled to have one official representative to
participate. The competition will be held on September 30 at Robinsons Place
here.
The Canvass Painting competition is open to
bonafide high school students from any school in the region provided they are
endorsed by their respective Schools Division.
The dimension of the canvass painting shall be
three feet by two feet (3 ft. x 2 ft.) and should bear the advocacy logo “Be
the Agent of Change.”
A cash prize will be given to winners: first
prize will get P5,000; second – P4,000; and third prize winner will get P3,000.
All the participants of the Canvass Painting
Competition will receive cash of P2,000 each and the coach will also be given
P1,000 each.
For more details and mechanics of the
competitions, visit caraga.neda.gov.ph/Caraga or call tel. no. (085) 341-4195.
The contest is also sponsored by the Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
SERTSS Hinatuan champs 1st JTP Rescuelympic in
SurSur
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
SURIGAO DEL SUR, July 30 (PIA) – The (Search and
Emergency Rescue Team of Surigao Sur) SERTSS-Hinatuan was proclaimed as the
grand winner in the recently held 1st JTP (Johnny T. Pimentel) Rescuelympic in
Surigao del Sur.
SERTSS-Hinatuan received a cash prize worth
P30,000.00 plus trophy. Meanwhile, SERTSS-Cagwait was adjudged as second place
winner with P20,000.00 cash prize plus trophy, and SERTSS-Bayabas as third
place winner with P10,000.00 cash prize plus trophy.
The awarding ceremony was held Tuesday night at
the Capitol Seminar House here during the Disaster Consciousness Month
culmination program. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme,
“Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaularan.”
According to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction
Management (DRRM) officer Abel de Guzman, there were eight local government
units comprising the City/Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
(DRRM) officers joined in the two-day activity.
"We have to thanked the municipalities of
Bayabas, Barobo, Cagwait, Carrascal, Hinatuan, Lanuza, Bislig City and Tandag
City for their participation. They all competed in the three main events, the
Trauma Management, WASAR (Water Search and Rescue) Management and Relays,"
de Guzman said.
De Guzman further said that SERTSS-Bayabas was
also proclaimed as Best in Trauma Management while SERTSS-Cagwait was named as
Best in WASAR Management. They all received the Search and Rescue Emergency Kit
worth P5,000.00 each plus trophy. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
AgSur conducts HEO competency assessment in
Western Visayas
By Engr. Norberto B. Dorado
AGUSAN DEL SUR, July 30 (PIA) - The value and
importance of acquiring a National Certificate (NC) from the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was realized when workers in
one of the companies in Ormoc City, Leyte recently undergo competency
assessment on Heavy Equipment Operation – Rigid-On-Highway Dumptruck.
Accordingly, the company has coordinated with
TESDA-Agusan del Sur Provincial Office for the registered Assessment Center in
West Agusan College (WAC), Zillovia, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur under Mirafe
Omanglad, the school’s administrator.
WAC competency assessor Kiven Londres conducted
the competency assessment in PASAR Foundation, Inc. at Isabel, Ormoc, Leyte
with 31 examinees composed of 10 females and 21 males.
The female trainees were trained in one of the
training centers in Cebu City at Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Brgy. Lorega, Cebu City.
Out of the 31 examinees, all female trainees passed the competency assessment
while 18 out of 21 or 85.71% of the male trainees have passed.
It was learned that some companies in Leyte like
the Caballero Equipment wanted that they will also be scheduled for the conduct
of competency assessment since this will provide them with skilled workers and
develop their own pool of trainers in the area.
This undertaking supports the Human Development
Cluster of the Philippine Development Plan under the administration of
President Benigno S. Aquino III. (TESDA-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Caraga)
Disaster Consciousness celebration in SurSur
highlights 1st Gov. Johnny T. Pimentel Rescuelympic; gets praise from PNP
SERTSS member
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, July 30 (PIA) – The observance of
the National Disaster Consciousness Month this July in Surigao del Sur
highlighted the 1st Governor Johnny T. Pimentel Rescuelympic for its
celebration.
SPO1 Ranilo Malong, an active member of the
Search and Rescue Team of Surigao del Sur (SERTSS) and the Public Information
Officer (PIO) of the Police Provincial Office (PPO) under Officer-In-Charge
(OIC) Provincial Director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero, came out with all praises
for the first ever “rescuelympic,” saying that the holding of the event has
enhanced the skills and capacity of all the members of the participating teams
not only individually but collectively.
As representative of the PNP, he stressed that
the two-day affair held on July 28-29 at Surigao del Sur Sports Center was
joined in by eight local government units’ (LGUs’) SERTSS chapter delegations
coming from the city and municipal levels, citing the towns of Bayabas, Barobo, Cagwait, Carrascal,
Hinatuan, and Lanuza besides the city of Bislig and Tandag.
Malong, who was also among the members of the
steering committee, noted that before the competition proper was started for
the entire duration of the affair, an opening program was held, followed
shortly by briefing/orientation for the Board of Judges, City/Municipal
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (C/MDRRMOs), as well as Team
Leaders.
He pointed out that the competing teams vied for
the relays, trauma, and water search and rescue (WASAR), and other related
events.
Meanwhile, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction
and Management Council (PDRRMC) Executive Officer Abel De Guzman bared that for
the major awards Hinatuan was declared champion; Cagwait-second; and,
Bayabas-third, adding that under the special awards, Bayabas got the Best in
Trauma Management; and Cagwait, the Best in WASAR Management. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Army 36IB to mark 40th Founding Anniversary
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, July 30 (PIA) – The 36th Infantry
(Valor) Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) led by Lt. Col. (LTC) Anastacio
Suaybaguio, Jr., with its headquarters located at Sitio Mambago, Barangay
Dayo-an, Tago town in Surigao del Sur is set to mark its 40th Founding
Anniversary on August 1, 2014.
In a letter to Governor Johnny Pimentel,
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Suaybaguio, invited the province’s chief executive
to grace the occasion and, at the same time, informed him as one of the
“awardees” during the affair that will start at 10:00 a.m.
In his introductory statement, the army officer
stressed the battalion’s “commitment to bridge communities towards a united and
peaceful Surigao del Sur.”
Meanwhile, based on the official program, the
occasion is split into three parts:
Arrival Honors for Commander, 4th Infantry Division, Maj. General
Ricardo Visaya; Anniversary Program Proper; and Lunch.
Suaybaguio emphasized that M/Gen. Visaya is
going to be their Guest of Honor and Speaker.
Part of the program is also the message of Gov.
Pimentel.
Meanwhile, Suaybaguio confirmed that their
anniversary celebration has started since July 25 with various activities being
carried out.
Since Day 1, the activities include Give a Gift
with LGU-Tandag; Bike for Peace; Sponsored Mass; Libreng Serbisyo with TESDA;
and the Medical/Dental Community Action Program (MEDCAP), besides the Display
of Tourism/Agro-products from July 29-August 2.
However, the conduct of a family day for the
“troops and their dependents” aimed at further strengthening their “bond and
commitment in being instruments of peace in the area of responsibility” will
likewise form part of the culmination program, it was learned. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Caraga RDC endorses fiscal year 2015 proposed
budgets
By Sherwin E. Verdun
BUTUAN CITY, July 30 (PIA) - The Regional
Development Council (RDC) endorsed the fiscal year 2015 proposed budgets of
regional line agencies and state colleges and universities of Caraga during its
78th Full Council Meeting recently.
The Caraga RDC endorsed a total of PhP32.83
billion proposed budget for fiscal year 2015 after a rigorous process of
consultation with different stakeholders including civil society organizations.
About 65% of the total endorsed budget went to
the Social Sector amounting to PhP21.32 billion. The Economic Sector has a
proposed budget of PhP9.2 billion; the Infrastructure Sector has a budget of
PhP1.4 billion; while the Development Administration Sector has a budget of
PhP0.88 billion.
The biggest portion of the Social Sector budget
is for the Department of Education (DepEd) amounting to PhP12.9 billion. (NEDA-13/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur vet office cites gains in 2014 mid-year
accomplishment report
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 30 (PIA) –
Surigao del Sur Provincial Veterinary Officer Dr. Gervacio Yparraguirre bared
his 2014 mid-year accomplishment report.
In a 12-page documents, Dr. Yparraguirre
particularly pointed out to Animal Health Program, Animal Treatment, Animal
Product By-Product Utilization (APBPU), Laboratory Services, and other major
undertakings.
However, his report highlighted more on the
first three major tasks: Animal Health
Program, Animal Treatment, and Laboratory Services, stressing that everything
has been “ongoing.”
Under Animal Health Program, Yparraguirre put
premium on vaccination, de-worming, and vitamins and iron supplementation while
on Animal Treatment, castration and spaying were particularly cited, besides
parturition and farrowing.
Also, under Laboratory Services, Dr.
Yparraguirre mentioned about surra eradication and control program, fecalysis,
and swine blood sampling.
It was learned that the said report had already
been presented during the Mid-year Review and Assessment for the Agri-Pinoy
Livestock Banner Program held on July 8-9 at Almont Beach Resort in Lipata,
Surigao City. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Tagalog News: Pangulong Aquino inatasan ang DOE
na makipagtulungan sa ibang sektor para matugunan ang kakulangan sa enerhiya
Ni David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Hulyo 30 (PIA) - Inatasan ni
Pangulong Aquino si Kalihim ng Enerhiya Jericho Petilla na mikipag-ugnayan sa
ibang sektor ng industriya para matugunan ang problema sa kakulungan ng
enerhiya.
Ang bansa ay kailangang maghanda para sa
pinakamalala na makita tulad ng kapag ang suplay ng enerhiya ay kulang dahil sa
banta ng El Nino o kaya kapag ang mga planta ng enerhiya ay huminto dahil sa
nasira o kaya inaayos, sabi ng Pangulo noong siya ay nagbalangkas ng kanyang
Ulat sa Bayan noong Lunes.
"Ang habol natin: kumpletong paghahanda
para hindi tayo maparalisa sakaling mangyari ang worst-case scenario. Dapat,
kahit sa susunod na taon pa uusbong ang problema, meron na tayong pinaplanong
solusyon para dito," sabi niya.
"Kaya nga po inatasan ko si Secretary
Petilla ng DOE: Makipag-ugnayan sa Joint Congressional Power Commission, sa
Energy Regulatory Commission, sa industriya, at pinakaimportante sa mga
consumer, upang madagdagan ang kakayahan nating tugunan ang problema sa
enerhiya."
Sineguro ng Pangulo sa publiko na ginagawa ng
pamahalaan lahat para matugunan ang kasalukuyan at mga darating na problema sa
suplay ng kuryente.
Ang El Nino ay maaring magpababa ng paglikha ng
koryente at magpataas din ng pangangailangan kaya ang bansa ay kailangang
maghanda sa hindi pa dumating ito dahil ang paggawa ng plantang pang-enerhiya
ay kailangang gumugol ng taon-taon, sabi ng Pangulo. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
