DOLE-13 readies 2014 Labor Day celeb

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 22 (PIA) – In line with this year’s Labor Day celebration, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga has prepared activities on May 1 that will kick-off with a Thanksgiving Mass at the St. Joseph Cathedral, this city.

A foot parade will follow right after the mass and an opening program highlighting the 2014 Labor Day Job Fair for local and overseas employment.

“The mass will start at 6:15 a.m. at the Cathedral to be followed by a foot parade at 7:30 a.m. going to Robinson’s Place Atrium, where the opening program will be held. This will be participated by the representatives of the region’s labor, management and government sectors including the informal and Overseas Filipino Workers,” bared DOLE-Caraga regional director Atty. Johnson Canete.

Along with the Jobs Fair, a bloodletting activity will also be conducted at the same venue. DOLE’s attached agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB), National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC), Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), Employees' Compensation Commission (ECC), National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), and Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) will be there as well to serve its clientele.

Moreover, men and women will also enjoy the free massage, manicure and pedicure. A booth for the One-Stop-Shop processing of documents for the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF)/Pag-ibig, National Statistics Office (NSO), National Bureau Investigation (NBI), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be installed at the Atrium area.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme “Sa Sipag, Tiyaga at Talino, buong mundo saludo sa Manggagawang Pilipino.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DTI-AgNor set to destroy non-conforming products

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 22 (PIA) – The office of the Agusan del Norte provincial director of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has authorized and ordered the disposition of forfeited products by way of destruction for being unsafe for public use.

The activity is set on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, 10am at the Butuan City Hall grounds.

According to Officer-in-charge Gay Tidalgo of DTI Agusan del Norte, the destruction is a result of enforcement activities conducted within the area of jurisdiction and after due process, various non-conforming products from several establishments were confiscated in favor of the government.

As part of the mandate on consumer protection, DTI Caraga is firm in implementing the Product Standards Law and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR) whereby business establishments are prohibited from selling or offering for sale of products covered by mandatory product certification which do not comply to the requirements of the said law and IRR.

Tidalgo added that if the establishments were caught selling uncertified products, penalties will be determined according to the schedule of fines stipulated in DTI’s Department Administrative Order No. 2, series of 2002 including other administrative sanctions. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

Agusanons to strengthen protection of Mt. Magdiwata

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, April 22 (PIA) - Truckloads of people while others were riding in their own vehicles and motorcycles started to move towards the foot of the Mt. Magdiwata in San Francisco town, this province at around 6:00 a.m., Tuesday to take part in the tree planting/parenting of the denuded portion of the mountain.

Mt. Magdiwata is the main source of fresh and clean water of San Francisco and was declared as protected forest and watershed area by then President Fidel V. Ramos.

The participants, numbering around a thousand, have to walk almost two kilometers up the mountain where the local government of San Francisco thru its Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO-LGU) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Provincial office (DENR-PENRO) stored the prescribed seedlings of Toog trees to be used during the tree planting/parenting activity.

Toog tree is a rare specie found only in Agusan del Sur, part of Agusan del Norte, also part of Compostela Valley and Surigao del Sur.

After a short briefing of the objective of the tree planting/ parenting by Dr. Rex Linao and the procedure of planting by Forester Danilo Sarong, seedlings were distributed and the participants have to walk again about a kilometer up hill to the planting site in order to plant the seedlings.

“Because of heavy rains that hit Agusan del Sur these past few months including some illegal cutting of trees and illegal mining in Mt. Magdiwata that threatens its condition, the Agusan del Sur Environment and Sustainable Development Council (ASESDC) designed this tree parenting activity in order to start the never ending protection and care of the main source of fresh and clean water that supply San Francisco and the neighboring areas. Aside from that, we are now conducting research as to who really is the authorized government agency that will manage Mt. Magdiwata,” said Linao.

“While climbing Mt. Magdiwata until here where we conduct this short program and to the planting area is sacrifice, we all know that priceless reward will be reaped by our children and our children’s children after we decide today to become part of the forces that will sincerely protect and take care of Mt. Magdiwata. We all know that even in our wildest dreams we can never restore Mt. Magdiwata if this will be totally destroyed and only in dreams our children can enjoy the fresh and clean waters that Mt. Magdiwata give us. Gov. Plaza therefore pledged his full support to this endeavor and promised he will always be with us for causes like this,” Provincial Administrator Jesusimo Ronquillo said.

The tree planting/ parenting lasted more than two hours because of the distance and the terrain in going to the planting area while saving Mt. Magdiwata. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Eastern Samar delegation set for “study tour” in SurSur

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, April 22 (PIA) – A delegation coming from Eastern Samar province is set to conduct a “study tour” in Surigao del Sur today, April 22 to visit the eight provincial-owned district hospitals all operating under the so-called Income Retention System (IRS).

According to Governor Johnny Pimentel, Surigao del Sur is the only province in Caraga region that implements the so-called IRS, saying that it has already started to attract the attention of other provinces, citing Surigao del Norte and Mountain Province.  Now, he stressed that Eastern Samar is coming to the province for the same purpose.

Pimentel bragged that in the entire country, there are only four to five provinces that are implementing the IRS, adding that the Department of Health (DOH) has even lauded such application.

He continued to say that with the IRS, the trust fund of the respective hospitals here has swelled to an incredible amount.

Pimentel admitted, however, that while on the one hand some provinces hate the negative effect of the IRS on the local coffers, but others try to replicate it, on the other, because of financial independence.

All district hospitals here do not solely rely on provincial budget allocation but generate its own income, he hinted.

But to ensure smooth operation, all of these hospitals need the monitoring of both the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) and the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO), he advised. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Local farmers receive free rice seedlings

By Diana Generalao

BUTUAN CITY, April 22 (PIA) - A total of 2000 bags of free rice seedlings were distributed to 1,500 farmer recipients from 48 barangays here during a Ceremonial Distribution held at the DOP Center, Tiniwisan recently.

According to City Agriculturist Engr. Alberto B. Buca, the recipients were those farmers whose rice fields were damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon Agaton first quarter of this year.

          

Records from the City Agriculture Office have previously revealed that a total of 2,898 hectares of rice field worth P32.8 million was damaged due to the continuous rains and flooding brought about by the said typhoon.

          

Of the 2000 bags, 1,500 of these came from the local government unit of Butuan while the remaining 500 bags were provided by the Department of Agriculture. (LGU-Butuan City PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

DILG-13 reinforces LGU transparency through FDP Reorientation

By Don Manuelo O. Patrimonio

BUTUAN CITY, April 22 (PIA) - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XIII conducted a series of coaching sessions entitled Review on the Full Disclosure Policy (FDP) and Orientation-Workshop on the Redesigned FDP Portal in five batches for Agusan del Norte and Butuan City; Agusan del Sur; Surigao del Norte mainland; Dinagat Islands and Siargao in Surigao del Norte; and Surigao del Sur on March 11-19, 2014.

The activity intended to assist the Local Government Units (LGUs) comply with the full disclosure provisions of laws such as Local Government Code (Republic Act 7160, Section 352); the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184); and the General Appropriations Act (RA 10352, Section 84) through the implementation of the Full Disclosure Policy of the DILG which allows the LGUs to upload the financial documents requiring disclosure as well as enables the public to view, download and print the financial documents of the LGUs.

          

During the activity, LGU FDP Focal Persons were reoriented on the FDP and taught how to utilize the redesigned FDP Portal, the host website for all the LGUs’ financial documents. Ultimately, it was the intent of the department to promote to LGUs ownership of FDP compliance as part of their public accountability and transparency and that the activity is a way for them to appreciate more this constitutional responsibility to the public at large.

Anybody who wishes to peruse the financial documents of their local governments can access the FDP portal via www.fdpp.blgs.gov.ph (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)

Placer mayor donates lot for new CENRO building

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, April 22 (PIA) – Placer municipal mayor Felimon Napuli and his wife Daisy Napuli donated a parcel of land to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Surigao del Norte for the construction of the new Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) building site.

The deed of donations of the 1,000 square meter lot located at Barangay San Isidro, Placer, this province was formally signed by mayor Napuli and his wife and was received by DENR officials led by regional executive director Nonito Tamayo during the formal signing and ground breaking ceremony held recently at the said site.

According to Tamayo, since there will be only one CENRO in the province in all its way of implementing the rationalization plan, the booming municipality of Placer will be a strategic place for the office.

“Placer is the closest junction from different municipalities in the mainland such as Alegria, Mainit, Tubod, Claver, Gigaquit, Bacuag, Sison and Tagana-an, that is why we are very thankful to the bighearted family of Mayor Napuli for their generosity,” Tamayo said.

On the other hand, Daisy Napuli on behalf of Napuli family said that they have donated the lot in order to bring the government closer to their constituents and extend further services to the province as well.

Right after the signing of the deed of donation, a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the P5 million CENRO Placer building followed.

The historic event was also attended by board member Victor Borja representing Governor Sol Matugas, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Caraga officer-in-charge Engr. Noli Arreza, DENR-PENRO Zaldy C. Perater, Dapa-CENRO Iniego S. Collantes, Surigao City CENRO Cliff C. Abrahan, officials and employees of DENR Surigao del Norte and LGU Placer. (SDR/DENR-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DAR bares 2014 Q1 Accomplishment Report in Surigao del Sur

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, April 22 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office in Surigao del Sur bared its 1st Quarter Accomplishment Report for 2014.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Benjamin Mataksil particularly stressed on the Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD).

He said that of the 5,666 hectare-target, 929 hectares have already been accomplished which is equivalent to 16.39 percent.

Aside from the LAD, he noted that his office regularly keeps track of other major undertakings like the survey of new lands—536 hectares; subdivision of collective CLOA (Certificate of Land Ownership Award)—750 hectares; leasehold—3.2 hectares; recommendation and generation of Individual CLOA—94 hectares; and land distribution (LDIS)—1.3 hectares.

When it comes to accomplishment, Mataksil bragged that Surigao del Sur has always been a “donor province”—which means that any excess on the target is always used to cover the shortfall of other provinces in Caraga region. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Cebuano News: Aquatic research station ibutang sa Jabonga

Ni Aimee B. Sienes-Sajor

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Abril 22 (PIA) - Adunay plano si Cong. Eripe John M. Amante nga magbutang og Aquatic Research and Experimental Breeding Station alang sa lanaw, suba ug uban pang ilayahon nga isda sa lungsod sa Jabonga ning lalawigan.

          

Mao kini ang unod sa iyang gipasaka nga House Bill No. 4025 nga iyang giduso ngadto sa kongreso aron kini maaprobahan ug mamahimo na kining balaod.

            

Matod pa ni Cong. Amante, ang pag-establisar og aquatic research and experimental breeding station alang sa lanaw, suba ug uban pang ilayahon nga isda mahinungdanon kayo alang sa kausbawan sa tubignon kapanguhaan sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte. Dugang pa niya makatabang kini sa pagpalabo sa teknolohiya sa pagpanganak og pagpadaghan sa nagkalain-laing klase sa isda, pasayan ug uban pang mga marine resources nga anaa sa presko nga tubig.

          

Ang Lake Mainit, nga mauy ikaupat nga pinakadako nga lanaw sa Pilipinas ug giila nga pinakalalum nga lanaw sa nasud nga adunay kalawom nga 223 metro nga anaa mahimutang gitung-an sa Agusan del Norte ug Surigao del Norte, adunay dakong papel sa ekonomiya sa nagpalibot nga mga local government units isip maoy major fishing ground sa katawhan.

          

Kini nga balaodon dako og matabang sa pagdumala ug pagpalambo sa fisheries resources aron makab-ot ang programa sa goberno alang sa food security.

             

Ang maong estasyon ubos sa pagdumala sa Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Ang Department of Agriculture usab gimandoan nga maoy mohimo sa mga rules ug regulations nga gikinahanglan aron sa epektibo nga implementasyon niini. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

Dinagat vice gov open to adopt PIA Caraga’s AFEBS

By Venus L. Garcia

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 21 (PIA) – Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA) executive vice president and provincial vice governor Benglen Ecleo vented his interest to espouse in setting up in this town its own Advance Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) as introduced and conceptualized by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga.

As thoroughly explained by PIA Northern and Northestern Mindanao information cluster head and Caraga regional director Abner Caga, AFEBS will help address the need to bring timely, accurate and reliable information to the public specially at times of threatening disasters.

“AFEBS is purposely designed to widen the reach of community to be served, enabling those who are living in far-flung and coastal areas to acquire latest news updates,” Caga said.

Ecleo leaned on the idea that through AFEBS, Dinagatnons will become more resilient and well-informed citizens. He is optimistic that it will also serve up the socio-economic and cultural developments of the entire province.

The vice governor expressed that the local government of Dinagat Islands is open for future partnership with PIA Caraga.

Ecleo is determined to instigate action on the implementation of the creative AFEBS innovation which he believed will benefit the constituents.

Meanwhile, Caga mentioned that the agency is more willing to assist in strengthening the communication framework of every province in Caraga region.

“With genuine concerted efforts, we can be assured that no area in this region will be left behind. The balanced and correct information that each individual receive will guide him in making better decisions. Let us continue working for progress and moving forward as empowered and proactive society,” Caga said. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

Dinagat IOs undergo workshop on TV news script writing

By Venus L. Garcia

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, April 21 (PIA) – The knowledge and skills on script writing for television (TV) among the provincial and municipal information officers here were enhanced as they underwent the 3-Day Seminar-Workshop on Basic News Writing on Tuesday held at the San Jose Pension House, Justiniana, San Jose, this province.

“Timeliness is therefore key to selection of TV news. Choose new, interesting and true stories. Interesting in the sense that the material is relevant to the viewers,” said Philippine Information Agency Caraga senior writer Jennifer Gaitano.

She elaborated the guidelines for script writing – simplicity, accuracy, completeness and must be conversational. “You may follow the two formats, the basic one is where a script has two columns, one describing the pictures to be used and one having the range of information. Your script will ensure that you deliver complete and accurate news. Make it simple and concise because the objective is not to mislead the TV audience and that they understand the news the first time it is heard,” said Gaitano.

She further discussed the TV news script flow in which the original source of the story is the reporter. The reporter makes major decisions as to which angle to take, which bites to use, which information to leave out or what question to ask.

It was learned that the associate editor has an important role to look at the script, usually to eliminate mistakes, change angle, verify facts and generally offer guidance to the reporter. The news editor as well is responsible at ensuring compliance to ethical and legal matters.

Gaitano added that when the news producer is done with the script, the video editor takes charge of the technical aspects involved by making creative video editing decision.

During the course of the lecture, participants also learned other TV news writing format like the sound-on-tape, silent sound-on-tape, natural sound-on-tape and voice over, the most common format where a reporter delivers the main content of the news.

“I encourage you to make a script outline so you will be guided with what to convey to the listeners and viewers, making sure that the most important elements of the news story are captured,” convinced Gaitano.

During the workshop, the participants were required to compose their own script and use it in their own video production. In general, the outputs reaped a good impression. (VLG/PA-Caraga)

DOLE-13 chief lauds construction companies participating in ISO Certification Seminar

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 21 (PIA) – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga regional director Atty. Johnson Cañete lauded the participating construction companies for their willingness and interest to learn about the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Certification and to comply with the requirements.

This was held in time with the opening of the Two-Day Orientation/Awareness Seminar on ISO Certification organized by ACE Training Services (a provider of affordable with quality training and consultancy services) held recently in one of the local hotels here.

Cañete bared that construction industry is one of the hazardous types of business. "That is why DOLE ensures the safety and health of the workers by providing them programs, services and trainings, as well as help employers comply with the labor law compliance system," he remarked.

“I am very happy to see you (contractors) in this activity and hoping that with this effort, you could finally have your ISO certification soon. Once you’ll be an ISO certified, more projects will come in because your certificate will prove that your company guarantees safety and quality output,” expressed Cañete.

Cañete further revealed that with the ASEAN Integration come 2015, free flowing of goods, capital and investments will be implemented in the 10 member-countries which include Philippines.

“This is very advantageous and opportune time that you are already oriented on ISO and are willing to undergo its process and be able to comply with the requirements,” he said.

He then invited the construction companies here in Caraga region to participate in the upcoming Construction Industry Tripartite Council Meeting sometime in May 2014. “We will discuss with you how we can help your company expand, maintain or sustain the business and be compliant to the labor standards," he added.

Cañete also expressed his hope to train well the said sector to help them become more competitive and efficient in their field of work. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DENR leads Earth Day 2014 celeb

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga is spearheading this year’s celebration of the country’s Earth Day on April 22.

“This celebration is aimed to raise the level of awareness on the gravity of environmental degradation and destruction in the country that threatens the very quality of life of many of our countrymen and on the premise that all have a moral right to a healthy and sustainable environment,” bared regional executive director Nonito Tamayo.

It was also learned that in line with the Presidential Proclamation No. 1481, it declared April 22 as the permanent “Earth Day” in the Philippines.

“We are asking our partners in the government and private sector to support this celebration by hanging streamers and conducting activities in their respective offices,” added.

Earth Day 2014 will focus on the unique environmental challenges of our time. As the world’s population migrates to cities, and as the bleak reality of climate change becomes increasingly clear, the need to create sustainable communities is more important than ever.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “Earth Day Everyday, Everywhere, for Everyone.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

PIA Caraga orients Dinagat IOs on the guidelines in news writing

By Venus L. Garcia

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, April 21 (PIA) – “As government’s professional communicators, stories written shoud be positive, developmental and empowering.” This statement was reiterated by Philippine Information Agency Caraga information officer III Nora Molde in her lecture on ‘what stories to cover and not to cover’ during the Day-2 of the Three-Day Seminar-Workshop on Basic News Writing, Script Writing, Photography and Video Production spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga held on Tuesday at the San Jose Pension House, Justiniana, San Jose, this province.

She said that news articles shall feature stories of beneficiaries and stakeholders of government programs and projects.

Among the priority projects that should be covered by the government information officers (IOs) include reaction to presidential pronouncements, jobs generation and emergency employment, education, health, infrastructure projects, food security/agriculture, peace and order, environment, promotion of the Philippines as a prime tourist destination, investments, foreign relations, heritage, gender and development, sports, good deeds or heroism, community and development initiatives.

Moreover, news about housing projects for the homeless and low-income families and programs for sufficient and safe water and electricity sources will create interest to the public.

“Stories on good governance like streamlining of business procedures and putting up of one-stop shop and convenient information centers, gains in the fight against graft and corruption and open access to public information on the status of projects are also appropriate to write and relay to the public,” bared Molde.

For the municipal and provincial IO participants, they were encouraged to release articles that cover disaster preparedness and safety measures.

On prudent fiscal management, writers may tell how the national government funds are utilized in the regions and provinces, the increase in revenues by government unit or agency and the charges against tax evaders.

“On the other hand, government IOs should veer away from baseless criticisms against national and local governments, political bickerings and petty crimes in the local community,” added Molde.

She stressed that news articles should provide readers accurate and complete information. Keep it simple and vivid, letting the facts speak for themselves.

Also, she reminded the participants of the seminar-workshop to present a balanced perspective and must observe objectivity. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

PCA-13 chief calls on Caraga farmers to avail of its programs, services

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 21 (PIA) – The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Caraga through OIC Manager Engr. Ramon Barbosa called on famers in the region to avail of the agency’s programs and services and plant more coconut trees to increase its production and livelihood.

In time with the conduct of the Coconut Farmers Consultative Assembly on the utilization of the Coco Levy Funds held on Monday at the San Lorenzo Ruiz Pastoral Center, this city, Barbosa presented its programs and services for the famers and assured to help local farmers in their livelihood.

Said activity was spearheaded by the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD) and the Bishops-Ulama-Priests-Pastors-Farmers and Lumad Conference (BUPPFALUC). Partners from the government agencies also attended and expressed their support to the farmers who are still fighting for their shares from the Coco Levy Funds.

Barbosa presented that among their programs for the farmers include the following: 1) Participatory Coconut Planting Program (wherein famers are given incentives in every coconut tree they will plant); 2) Coconut Seedlings Disposal Program (wherein PCA will provide seedlings to the famers to be planted); 3) Indigenous People Outreach Program; and 4) Salt Fertilization Program.

“To our local farmers, please do not hesitate do approach our offices in your respective provinces whenever you needed our assistance. If you opted to have specific trainings related to our programs and services, we will be glad to accommodate you. We can send you to training that is free of charge,” appealed Barbosa.

The said official also emphasized that PCA is continuously aiming to increase coconut production in the region to increase also its reliable supply of raw materials in the international and domestic markets, as well as increase domestic utilization of coconut products, and by-products through product diversification.

“Let us work together for the development of this sector, PCA is here to serve your needs,” Barbosa added.

PCA is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Agriculture (DA) that is responsible for developing the coconut and other palm oil industry to its full potential in line with the new vision of a united, globally competitive and efficient industry. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

PIA Caraga chief vows support to Dinagat IOs

By Susil D. Ragas & Jennifer P. Gaitano

DINAGAT ISLANDS, Apr. 21 (PIA) – Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional director Abner M. Caga assured full support to all information officers of Dinagat Islands who participated the 3-day Basic News Writing, Script Writing, Photography and Video Production seminar-workshop held recently at San Jose Pension House, Justiniana, San Jose, this province.

“Whatever material you produce, may it be press release, textblast or video production, let us know and we will help you disseminate. We should also affect change in the community from now on we will be representing you in all your publications and do not hesitate to ask assistance to PIA whenever you needed it, this is my first commitment with the provincial government. So, I hope this working relationship will continue and develop,” Caga said.

Caga also lauded the efforts and talents of the information officers of the said province and assured them that the agency will help in cascading their news materials region-wide. He likewise encouraged them to attend the yearly information officers summit/congress spearheaded by PIA to broaden their learnings.

Caga, further said that it is a challenge to put Dinagat Islands in the hierarchy of developing provinces in Caraga region but achieving that level is very feasible.

“You as information officers have a special role in advancing Dinagat. The key is to increase awareness and competitiveness by telling more stories about the province. I’m glad for making us part in your quest for growth,” he added.

The 3-day seminar-workshop was attended by information officers from different provincial offices, municipal information officers from seven municipalities of the province. (JPG/SDR/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

RTWPB Caraga to hold 'Wage Clinic' in Tandag City

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

SURIGAO DEL SUR, April 21 (PIA) – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga will be holding a ‘Wage Clinic’ in Tandag City on Tuesday, April 22.

According to Romelyn Bactol of the Department of Labor and Employment –Surigao del Sur (DOLE-SDS) Provincial office, the activity will provide information regarding the updates on wages and labor laws including business outlook and productivity concepts.

"The presence of some agency members of the RTWP Board is expected in the activity to respond if there are queries from the participants in relation to wages and labor laws," Bactol said.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2015, Barangay Micro Bbusiness Enterprise Law, Two-tiered Wage System and productivity and the Labor Law Compliance System are also set to be presented by the respective agencies during the activity.

Bactol said the activity will be participated by the representatives from the management and employees mostly from the private sector, media and LGU officials and employment committee members from the first district of the province. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

200 individuals join 'Solidarity Walk for a Cause'

DINAGAT ISLANDS, Apr. 21 (PIA) – Some 200 individuals composed of provincial and municipal employees, barangay officials, students, parents, teacher and civil society representatives joined the "Solidarity Walk for a Cause" held on Saturday at San Jose town, this province.

The activity dubbed as “PNP All Out War Against Drugs” was spearheaded by the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Dinagat Islands Provincial Office.

The activity aims to strengthen and widen the campaign against drugs in the locality, it was learned.

Sympathizers of the said activity carried placards and slogan showing their support to the campaign against total prevention if not elimination of drugs in the province. (SDR/Ma. Jane Mayola, Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)

DILG-13 to push 'Regulatory Simplification' in 3 Caraga cities

BUTUAN CITY, April 21 (PIA) - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XIII with the support from the Local Government Academy (LGA) has conducted an Orientation-Workshop on Regulatory Simplification for Local Governments (RS4LG) for the cities of Butuan, Surigao and Bislig on April 3-4, 2014 here.

The three cities are the pilots for the RS4LG program which has only been started by the DILG this year. The participants were the Mayors or their Administrators, Business Permit and Licensing Officers (BPLOs), Heads of the Office of the Building Official or the City Engineering Office, City Treasurer’s Office and City Health Office of these three cities.

The orientation-workshop is in line with the department’s thrust for building Business-Friendly and Competitive Local Government Units (LGUs). As such, the activity aimed to enhance the business climate of the LGUs and to achieve regulatory simplification of the business processes by making them simple and efficient through systemic and structural reforms. Specifically, the participants were able to get a grasp of the concept of regulatory simplification; understand and distinguish its phases (i.e. preliminary, diagnosis, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and lessons learned sharing) and prepare an Action Plan for the program in each of their cities.

The DILG Caraga flew in Manila-based Professor Simeon A. Ilago, Consultant from the International Finance Corporation – World Bank, as resource speaker. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)

Feature: NGP relieves farmers from poverty in Agusan del Sur

By Herzon F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, April 21 (PIA) - About 40 farmers of a remote mountain village Lucac in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur stand to earn millions of pesos from the National Greening Program (NGP) breaking the chain of poverty that held them for many years.

“We are just waiting for the harvest of the crops,” says Mario Cresencio, an active member of the Lucac Pilot Community Forest Beneficiaries Association (LUPICOMFOBA), a private organization which participated in the NGP in 2011. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) awarded the association with a total of 1,000 hectares through the CBFM in December 2000. About 292 hectares of this total area has been developed and planted with rubber and kakawate/ipil-ipil under the project CBFM-CARP and fuel wood production. 

The members have developed a 40-hectare rubber plantation intercrop with cacao, banana and falcata trees which they opted to plant in what was once an idle hilly brush land.

“When we heard from the DENR about the NGP, our group took the opportunity with much expectations that the program can relieve us from our desperate situations owing to poverty and inadequate income,” Cresencio said.

The  people of barangay Lucac sustain their living through farming. Few of them manage to run a small retail store with minimal daily income, while others particularly the males ventured into “habal-habal” single-motor transportation to survive. Some of the sons and daughters of the farmers hardy finish high school to work menial jobs in the town proper to support their parents.

Perhaps, Cresencio among the farmers has the wide edge of earning double from his 20-hectare farm, a reward for his decision when DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje encouraged members of the Community-Based Forest Management Agreement  to participate in the NGP in 2011.

DENR Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo was impressed of the progress of the LUPICOMFOBA when he visited the site last week. “This is the main essence of the NGP to relieve the farmers from the shackle of poverty, “he said after planting 10 seedlings of narra and mahogany species in that farm. Tamayo was accompanied by the PENR Officer of Agusan del Sur Roberto Oliveros and a team of NGP technical people from the DENR.

“The NGP program is functioning well in that community,” he said. “We were impressed by what we saw in that community even as he noticed that everybody is working, each with a task to improve the farm. I think cooperativeness is active in Lucac village where poverty is a thing of the past,” Tamayo said.

PENRO Oliveros said that the people used to look at the forest as a source of livelihood, hence illegal logging was considered as the better alternative to earn income in those previous years.

But the NGP has totally changed that perception. “The people in Agusan del Sur in general, have learned to adopt the concept of the NGP since every farmer who has a piece of land would now want to plant tree seedlings blend with cash crops,” PENRO Oliveros said.

At this time, the members of the LUPICOMFOBA appear contented with their lives the fact they are now enjoying the earnings from the produce of banana plants and other crops like cacao in their farms. “Almost daily, the association earns about an average P5,000 from the banana plantation of “lakatan” variety. This income is on top of the produce from the cacao and other fruit crops in the farm.

The DENR in 2011 has extended financial assistance to the association in the amount of P2,351,431 under the NGP for the development of 292 hectares production forest area in addition to the P2.9 million funds given them under the Upland Development Program (UDP). Since the program is gaining foothold of success, the DENR is expected to conduct a ground validation of the remaining 575 hectares open access land which was awarded to the association through the CBFM in December 18, 2000.

“Hopefully, we can send our sons and daughters to continue their studies in college private schools instead of wasting their time efforts working in the groceries and restaurants at the downtown area,” Dionesy Maguinda, president of the association said. “We can now afford owing to the sustained income from the farm products,” he said.

Two years ahead, Cresecio expects to earn at least P 20 million from the harvest of Falcata trees and rubber plantation that he planted on his 20-hectare farmland under the NGP.  He likewise expect to receive his share from the association which stand to get more income from the 40-hectare farm of the association.

“If every tree farmer in Caraga region can practice the same principle adopted by the LUPICOMFOBA through the NGP, then poverty would no longer be a problem in the region before 2016,“ Tamayo said.

The National Greening Program has been the main focus of the DENR with the implementation of Executive Order No.  23 which is the moratorium on cutting of trees in the natural and residual forest.

The NGP which is mandated by Executive Order No.  26, seeks to consolidate and harmonize all greening efforts, including  the Upland Development Program, Luntiang Pilipinas, and similar initiatives of the government, civil society and private sector.  It seeks to achieve  (a) stability and productivity of watersheds, (b) improved farm level productivity and stability, (c) improved household incomes and general well-being of the people, and (d) increased production of food crops, timber and non-timber forest products.

The DENR  has encouraged strong participation of people’s organization  and other non- government entities in the NGP as partners in achieving the goals of greening 1.6 million hectares of land and shorelines throughout the country planted with 1.5 billion seedlings over six years period which is more than twice the government’s accomplishment for the past 25 years of about 730,000 hectares. (with reports from Christine P. Selanova, DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

Fun run to support rehab of Mindanao coastal areas

DAVAO CITY, April 21 (PIA) - A fun run aimed to raise funds and contribute to the rebuilding and rehabilitation of coastal barangays in Mindanao is being organized by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) through its flagship program MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program.

Slated on June 1, the activity, entitled “We Run, We Care” is designed to generate resources for the replanting of mangroves areas in Davao Oriental that were destroyed by Typhoon Pablo in 2012, and provide assistance in the rehabilitation of the coastal barangays that were affected by the Zamboanga incident in September last year.

“We target to register 1,000 runners in Davao City and raise an initial fund of P100,000,” said Hegem Furigay, JCI area vice-president for Mindanao while adding “a simultaneous run will also happen in Zamboanga City as part of the initiative.”

He said that proceeds of the fun run will be dedicated for the establishment of nurseries for mangrove seedlings and eventually start up tree-growing activities in the target areas, which will become a source of livelihood among affected residents.

The identified pilot areas are the communities in Barangay Baculin in Baganga, Davao Oriental, and Barangay Mampang in Zamboanga City.

“We hope that through this activity, we can assist in protecting our environment as well as provide livelihood opportunities to the affected families of our target barangays, many of whom are still in need of support and assistance in order to fully recover,” added Furigay.

The activity is also in support to the National Greening Program (NGP), a flagship project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that aims to plant 1.5 billion trees covering 1.5 million hectares for a period of six years from 2011 to 2016.

“We encourage similar efforts of collaboration particularly those that support our goal of protecting Mindanao’s environment while contributing to the NGP target of replanting the country’s denuded forest areas,” said MinDA Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino.

She added that through MindaNOW! Program, MinDA is also working with DENR and the Department of Interior and Local Government in the full implementation the Barangay StraTREEgic Forest Project (BSFP) through the Barangay Forest Program (BFP), a component of the NGP.

The project aims rehabilitate natural habitats and strengthen multi-sectoral commitment in the reforestation of Mindanao’s denuded areas.

“We initially target 200 barangays in Mindanao as part of this campaign, and we hope to engage them in massive reforestation activities aimed to generate at least 2 million seedlings of forest trees to be planted among typhoon-prone and perennially flooded areas in the island-region,” said Antonino.

JCI is a world-wide non-profit voluntary organization of young people who seek targeted and sustainable solutions to the unique problems in their local communities by using the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals (UNMDG) as a guide.

The fun run is a collaborative project of nine JCI local organizations in the Davao Region, of which its conduct falls under the UNMDG number 7, which is “to ensure environmental sustainability.” The initiative is also in line with the aims of the MindaNOW! Program, which is to uphold environmental integrity and to facilitate projects that are focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)

Tagalog News: Palasyo iniwan sa DOJ: Posibilidad na gawing state witness si Gigi Reyes

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Abril 21 (PIA) - Iniiwan ng Malakanyang sa Department of Justice (DOJ) na pag-aralan ang posibilidad na gawing state witness si Jessica “Gigi” Reyes laban sa mga naisangkot sa multibilyong-piso na pork barrel scam.

Sinabi ito ni Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. sa isang panayam sa media noong Linggo na inihayag sa radyo dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Ang Department of Justice po ang mayroong tungkulin na patuloy na pag-aralan at alamin kung anong mga ebidensya o katibayan ang nararapat na makatulong sa pagsulong ng mga kasong iniharap sa Office of the Ombudsman,” sagot ni Coloma sa tanong kung bukas ba ang Malakanyang na gawing state witness si Reyes.

Bumalik si Reyes sakay ng Philippine Airaines flight 105 mula San Francisco International Airport noong ika 19 ng Abril 2014.

Idinawit siya sa pork barrel scam bilang ayon pa “bagman” ni Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. Si Reyes ay dating Chief of Staff ni Senator Enrile.

Si Enrile, kasama sina Senators Jinggoy Estrada at Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. ay inakusahang kasama sa multibilyon-piso na pork barrel scam na nagkaroon ng kickbacks at nakipagsabwatan sa babaeng negosyanteng si Janet Lim-Napoles.

Noong Abril 1, 2014, ang tanggapan ng Ombudsman ay nakakita ng basehan para ihabla ang tatlong Senador at si Gng. Napoles, kasama na ang marami pang iba kaugnay sa pork barrel scam.

Ang naturang mga kaso ay lumitaw mula sa pagpalabas ng “whistleblower” na si Benhur Luy kung saan sinabing malaking halaga ng Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) ng tatlong Senador ay ginamit sa pinaratangang huwad na non-government organizations para sa mga multong proyekto sa pamamaraang pinamumunuang utak ni Gng. Napoles. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)