SURIGAO CITY (January 19) - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to visit Tubajon town in Dinagat Islands on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 to attend to the needs of the flood victims.
President Arroyo will personally inspect the extent of damage wrought by massive flooding in the area particularly the damage seawall, fishing and pump boats. She is also expected to distribute food assistance to the flood victims.
The People's Government Mobile Action (PGMA) of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) will also conduct a medical-dental outreach in the area to ensure the delivery of government assistance to the victims.
After her Tubajon visit, the President will also conduct an RDCC meeting on the same day in Surigao City.
In a recent report as of Jan. 17, 2009 from RDCC-Caraga region, seven people were reportedly dead and one was missing and some 60,025 families were displaced when floodwaters and huge waves caused by incessant rains struck the region over the weekend affecting 311 barangays.
Caraga region's damages on infrastructure particularly in roads, bridges, wharf, seawall & fishing & pumpboats now estimated at P63,349,490.00 (Dinagat Islands-P4,586,600.00; Agusan Sur-P42,787,200.00; Surigao Norte-P13,095,690.00, and Surigao del Sur-P2,900,000.00).
In agriculture particularly in crops, fisheries & livestocks now totalled at P19, 062,000.00 (Dinagat islands-P2,063,669.60; Agusan Sur-P6,583,796.00; Surigao Norte-P9,529,582.40; Surigao Sur-P885,000.00).
Damage to houses/properties is now estimated at P355,000.00. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Number of casualties in Caraga flooding increases
BUTUAN CITY (January 19) – The number of casualties in the series of flooding which hits Caraga Region last week now increases from six to nine.
This was revealed by the report of the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC)-Caraga as of 5:00 p.m. yesterday, January 18.
According to the report, there are four persons died in Agusan del Sur, still, with one unidentified male cadaver found at Agusan River in Barangay Taglubong, Trento.
Other casualties in the province are Zacarias Gales of Barangay Pisaan, San Francisco; Jacinta Villanueva from Bayugan City; and Elmo Villar of Purok 4, Tabontabon, Sibagat.
In Agusan del Norte, 22 year-old Jerome Goliat of Purok 6, Brgy. Songkoy of the municipality of Kitcharao was swept by strong current of water.
Drowned while riding in a banca that was capsized, 31-year old Roland Yamyamin is the sole casualty in Surigao del Norte. He was from Barangay Aurora, Surigao City.
In Surigao del Sur, the two cadavers that were buried due to landslide along the highway at Sitio Gangas, Barangay Kumawas, Bislig City while traversing the road are already indentified as Rose Jean Tejero of Purok 13, Mancarogo, Bislig City, and Diosdado Paguiding of Poblacion, Bislig City.
Another casualty which is still declared missing as of press time is Marinne Aspilla, 46 years old of Purok 5, Brgy. Panikian, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur. She was reported traversing the Dinayugan Dam when she accidentally slipped and carried away by the strong water current.
Meanwhile, ten municipalities regionwide are still under state of calamity. These are: Jabonga and Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte, and the municipalities of Veruela, Prosperidad, Sta. Josefa, Esperanza, Rosario, Lanuza, Sibagat, and San Francisco in Agusan del Sur.
Following the report, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is set to visit the municipality of Tubajon in the Province of Dinagat Islands on Wednesday, January 21 to see for herself the damages brought by incessant rains which starts to hit the region on January 10.
The President is also scheduled to distribute 1,000 food packs composed of 2 kilos rice, 6 pcs. noodles, 1 can corned beef, 3 cans sardines, 1 pack coffee, and 1 kilo sugar to flood victims in the entire province of Dinagat Islands.
After her engagement in Tubajon, she will fly by chopper to mainland Surigao City to distribute 3,000 food packs with same contents distributed in Tubajon. She will also preside the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) Meeting at Surigao del Norte Convention Center. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-13)
PVMA holds 1st Regional Convention, Scientific Confab
BUTUAN CITY - As an offshoot for the upcoming national conference next month in Davao City, the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) Caraga Chapter conducted its 1st Regional Convention and Scientific Conference held at Almont Inland Resort this city last January 14-15, 2009.
PVMA Caraga Chapter Officers take their oath with PVMA Nat’l President Mayor Democrito Plaza II as keynote speaker through his representative Vice Mayor Claudio Sanchez expressed his sincerest gratitude to PVMA Caraga Chapter for choosing Butuan City as venue of the convention.
He likewise highly recognized the potential of the veterinarians in the region to be the primary institution in solving the issues and problems that the livestock industry is facing today.
On the first day of the conference, participants were bombarded with different topics discussed by well chosen and knowledgeable resources persons started with Dr. Luz Simborio, a professor of Central Mindanao University (CMU) College of Veterinary Medicine in Bukidnon who tackled about veterinary ethics.
She said that the guiding principle for each veterinarian should always consider the health, welfare and humane treatment of animals and maintain good communication and relationship with peers and clients.
Despite bad weather condition, invited guests from Manila with Dr. Jane Bacayo, Director of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) managed to attend the conference and shared about the Meat Inspection Updates.
Meanwhile, Dr. Veronica Matawaran, Professor of the University of Philippines (UP) College of Veterinary Medicine emphasized the importance of Continuing Professional Education (CPE).
She said that education is a lifelong process and it is a professional responsibility not only for veterinarians but for all discipline to be competent through acquiring knowledge untiringly.
Dr. Manuel Carlos, City Veterinarian of Marikina City shared his experiences and programs being implemented by his office under Marikina LGU.
Fellow veterinarians had the chance to mingle and strengthen its relationships during the fellowship night highlighted with the induction of PVMA Caraga Chapter Officer for 2009-2010.
Dr. Emmanuel Jamis, PVMA National President inducted the Caraga Regional Officers who are composed of the following: Eduardo Forteza DVM as president; Isidro Lagumbay DVM, vice president; Bernadeth Montenegro DVM, secretary; Marie Jocelyn Santiago DVM, treasurer; Emmanuel Nono DVM, auditor; Belen Aruelo DVM and Board of Directors Belen Aruelo DVM, Edith Mongaya DVM, Marlo Sepe DVM, Gervacio Yparraguerre DVM and Mancio Danilo Alegado DVM.
On the second day morning, members of Regional Anti-Influenza Task Force (RAITF) conducted a meeting in Balanghai Hotel while other participants utilize the time through City Tour on Historical Sites such as National Museum, Balanghai Shrine and in newly built Diosdaco Macapagal Bridge.
In the afternoon, the group converged again in Inland Resort to attend another round of discussion about the New and Re-emerging Diseases in Swine and Wet Lab tackled by Dr. Eugene Mende of San Miguel Foods Incorporated.
