ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur – To ensure sustainability of the projects being implemented through Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP), the Regional Program Coordinating Office (RPCO) and Provincial Program Management and Implementing Unit (PPMIU) conducted two day orientation training on newly organized Community Based Monitoring Group (CBMEG) in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
Members of Community Based Monitoring Group (CBMEG) during the on site visit on FMR to familiarize field works. (Photo courtesy of DA-RAFID-13)The orientation training that was attended by members of the CBMEG in five barangays in Esperanza was conducted at Municipal Agricultural Training Center last March 4 to 5, 2009.
Ely Jesus Teritet, MPMIU Head warmly welcomes the participants as well as the invited guests from DA RFU 13 and PPMIU.
The occasion was graced by the chief executive of the said municipality Honorable Leonida P. Manpatilan.
During her speech, Manpatilan extoled all the participants who showed keen interest in helping the government in monitoring and evaluating the projects.
On the first day of the training, Edna Tongson, M&E Unit Head PPMIU discussed the rationale of the CBMEG Training and the Monitoring and Evaluation System while RPCO M&E Unit Head Rebecca Atega talked about the MRDP Overview.
In order for the participants to fully appreciate their role as CBMEG member, Ellen Tubia, PPMIU M&E Staff discussed about groups’ task and Engr. Joselito Guzman talked on the importance of monitoring and evaluation on MRDP projects while Provincial IGR Coordinator Alice Millana tackled about the Barangay Development Plan (BDP) and its sub-projects.
Also tackled was the CBMEG Procedures in Rural Infrastructure (RI) and CFAD Sub-Projects through RI Coordinator Engr. Ritchie Ramirez and CFAD Coordinator Ismael Saguran while MPMIU M&E Unit Head Glenn Ryan Rubillos impart about the input/output monitoring forms to be used by the CMBEG in recording their respective reports.
On the following day, the group conducted an on site visitation on an on-going farm to market road (FMR) in Barangay Cubo to familiarize field works.
The municipality of Esperanza is a recipient of MRDP projects such as farm to market road and livelihood to be implemented in five identified barangays.
The said orientation training served as the first outcome after the CBMEG Trainors Training conducted last April 25 to 26, 2009 at Provincial Training Center, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Similar orientation training will be conducted soon in other municipalities in Caraga Region. (Aurell P. Arais/Rafid DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Gokongwei wants more than 30 young professionals for RP, China training
Taipan John L. Gokongwei, Jr. is looking for the second batch of Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) China Scholars -- more than 30 young and bright Filipinos who will be trained here and in China to be among the country’s future leaders.
Last year, Gokongwei and the GBF China scholarship committee chose the first batch, comprised of 34 young men and women. Disciplines of Chinese language, culture and business were steeped in them at the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Learning and Development Center in Pasig and later in China where they studied at the Beijing Language and Culture University for 10 months.
GBF will shoulder tuition fee expenses and provide monthly stipend and medical insurance to the scholars.
The scholars are under no obligation to work with JG Summit. All Gokongwei asks is that the scholars return to the Philippines, “I want them to learn what makes China tick and then be able to apply those learning here.”
Gokongwei, who built the JG Summit conglomerate from scratch, has been pushing Chinese studies, saying a person who knows both East and West is more well-rounded and could potentially be a better leader.
Gokongwei is also a firm believer in honing the youth for the country’s future. “Each young person can change the world. My goal is to equip young Filipinos with experience and understanding of a better way to do things from other countries. Then they can come up with their own conclusions as to how they can make an impact here.”
Gokongwei is proud of what the China Scholarship has accomplished and is looking forward to sending the next batch of young, passionate Pinoys.
“We need hardworking, young people with leadership qualities if we want to change things for the better. It is my fervent hope that by coming back to the Philippines and leading their generation with positive change, the Philippines can truly be able to uplift its place in the world,” Gokongwei said.
Applications for the second batch should be submitted to the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) from February 23 to March 23, 2009. Applicants must be college graduates with at least one year work experience, and from 21 to 30 years old.
The scholars will undergo a ten-month development program, which will include learning Chinese language and culture, and selected elective studies in economics, management, and other development-related fields.
They will spend the first five months of the program in a partner school in the Philippines and the remaining five months in a partner academic institution in China.
Application forms are available at the GBF Committee Office located at 41/F Corporate Human Resources Office, Robinsons Equitable Tower, ADB cor. Poveda Avenues, Ortigas, Pasig City, or from selected participating partner schools. Forms can also be downloaded from the JG Summit Holdings Inc. website www.jgsummit.com.ph.
Interested parties may also contact the GBF China Scholarship Program office at tel. nos. 633-7631 local 246 & 283. (Michelle Eve De Guzman, Cebu Pacific/ PIA-Caraga)
PBSP, Spanish govt to improve health care for women
Thirty-four thousand women in Agusan del Norte will benefit from improved access to maternal and child health care, safe motherhood and reproductive health services.
The Agusan del Norte Provincial Health Office reported that in 2007, only 18% of pregnant women complied with the recommended number of at least three prenatal visits to primary health care facilities. Only 16% of pregnant women received the complete tetanus toxoid shot which prevents neonatal tetanus, a fatal condition for newborn babies. With poor access to services and limited resources, the number of maternal deaths from deliveries remained high.
The Agusan del Norte Provincial Health Office and local governments will work in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), a corporate-led social development foundation, in implementing a program to improve the quality of health and basic services for women.
“To improve access to services, we will establish maternity and lying-in clinics. This will be done alongside training and mobilizing community health workers, and upgrading of rural health unit facilities to improve the quality of services,” explains Dr. Marylin Muncada, PBSP Mindanao Regional Operations Manager. “The partners will also assist women-victims of gender violence through improvement of mechanisms for detection and referral of gender violence cases, development and training of volunteer social workers and establishment of women crisis centers,” Muncada adds.
This is a three-year program made possible by the Spanish government through the Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) and the Fundacion Humanismo y Democracia. The program is also supported by the Local Government Units of Cabadbaran, Carmen, Nasipit, Buenavista, Remedios T. Romualdez, Tubay, and Magallanes in Agusan del Norte Province. (Danny Escabarte, PBSP-Davao/ PIA-Caraga)
POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Rene Boy Ocares Bernaldez
Report on illegal gambling
On March 4, 2009 at 7:30 in the evening, PNP personnel of Butuan City Police Station 1 led by PSUPT Joseph Baladad Boquiren, Station Commander and Vice Control Section Chief PSI Ronaldo Villamor Plaza, conducted operations against illegal gambling at Quick Chow Fast Food, R. Calo Street, Butuan City which resulted to the apprehension of a certain Joe Vallente Estrada, alleged coordinator, 53 years old, single and a resident of Lopez Jaena Street, Barangay Tandang Sora, Butuan City.
Confiscated from the suspect’s possession and control were one filled-up swertres tally sheets; 22 pieces filled-up swertres ticket stubs; one pad blank stub; one piece calculator; one piece ballpen; and P670 bet money in different denominations.
At about 8:30 in the evening of same date, same team conducted operation at the sidewalk of Barangay Obrero, Butuan City, which resulted to the apprehension of the following suspect identified as Jessie Tambing Saputalo (runner/collector) 31 years old, single and a resident of Purok-7, Barangay Obrero, Butuan City.
Confiscated from Saputalo’s possession and control were two pieces filled-up swertres tally sheets; one unit blue Honda wave with Plate number IU 3290 and P100.00 in different denominations.
The other suspect identified as Warren Sanoc Garcia (runner/collector) 21 years old, single and a resident of Purok-8, Slaugther, Barangay Obrero, Butuan City was also arrested.
Confiscated from Garcia’s possession were three pieces filled-up swertres tally sheets, one motorcycle Red Yamaha STX with Plate number KT 4199 and P612.00 bet money in different denominations.
Also, a suspect identified as Cherylyn Balinga Porras (usher) 36 years old, single and a resident of Purok-10, Obrero, Butuan City; and Mercideta Aguirre Palermo (usher) 48 years old, married and a resident of Purok-7, Barangay Obrero, Butuan City were arrested.
Confiscated from Porra’s possession were 30 pieces swertres tips; 68 pieces filled-up swertres ticket stubs; one unit calculator; one piece filled-up swertres tally sheet; two pieces ballpens; one unit 3310 Nokia cellphone; and P189.50 bet money in different denomination.
Confiscated from Palermo’s possession were seven pieces filled-up swertres tally sheets; two pieces swertres tips; and P72.25 bet money in different denominations
Meanwhile, at about 8:35 in the evening of same date at Barangay Obrero, Butuan City, same team confiscated one unit Fruit Game Machine with undetermined peso coins inside. The caretaker of said machine evaded arrest.
Arrested suspects, gambling paraphernalia and fruit game machine were brought to the Office of the Vice Control Section, Butuan City Police Station 1, Butuan City Police Office for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP probes shooting incident
On March 4, 2009 at 2:00 in the morning at Barangay Nato, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, a certain Emoray Gomez Contadan, 17 years old, single, laborer and a resident of said place was shot by unidentified suspect believed to be Communist Terrorists (CTs) with the used of caliber .45 pistol.
Victim sustained lone gunshot wound at the back portion of his body and was immediately rushed to Esperanza Medical Hospital for medical treatment but succumbed to death while still on the way.
Suspect/s fled towards the rubber plantation of said place. PNP elements of Esperanza Municipal Police Station responded to the area and conducted on scene investigation and hot pursuit operation to identify and arrest the suspect/s. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
PNP arrests wanted persons
On March 4, 2009 at 11:30 in the morning at Purok-6, Barangay Amparo, Butuan City, a certain Raul Torayno, 30 years old, married and resident of Purok-6, Barangay Amparo, Butuan City was arrested by elements of Butuan City Police Station 5, Butuan City Police Office led by PO3 Jonas Cale by virtue of warrant of arrest docketed under criminal case number 37449 issued by Judge Dennis Castilla of MTCC Branch 1, Butuan City dated November 26, 2008 for violation of SP Ordinance number 894-92 with recommended bailbond of P2,000.00.
Arrested person was turned-over to City Jail for proper disposition.
Also, on March 5, 2009 at 7:30 in the morning at Barangay 3, Cabadbaran City, Elements of Cabadbaran City Police Station led by PO2 Gary Salcedo arrested the suspect identified as Ismael Daguplo, of legal age, jobless, married and a resident of said place by virtue of warrant of arrest (WOA) docketed under criminal case number 0921 for violation of Republic Act (RA) 9287 issued by Judge Dax Gonzaga Xenos of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 34, Cabadbaran City dated February 24, 2009 with recommended bailbond of P20,000.00.
Arrested person is now detained at Cabadbaran City Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Sibagat avails Poder Extension
The Department of Social Welfare and Development announced today that it is extending its implementation of the Poder y Prosperidad dela Communidad Project for another year, with Sibagat, Agusan del Sur as one of the target areas.
According to Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat, the PODER extension is in complement with the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) wherein it answers its need for health centers and school building facilities which are necessary for the implementation of the said program.
“The PODER, through this extension, will provide the lacking facilities needed by the thousands of 4Ps beneficiaries here and based on our assessment, there are still barangays here which do not have either school or health facilities,” Dir. Jabagat said during a turn-over ceremony of a PODER Day Care Center in Poblacion, Sibagat.
Mr. Miguel Barba of the AECID, who also confirmed the news, added that they are willing to put these investments because they have seen the impact of the PODER project in the past four years, especially in Sibagat.
“Besides PODER, we also have other interventions here like our support to cooperatives on abaca production and our project with DILG that aims to strengthen performance of government officials, especially on local planning,” Mr. Barba explained.
The PODER Project, whose implementation is patterned after the KALAHI-CIDSS Project, is now on its fourth year of providing infrastructure support to Sibagat, Agusan del Sur and San Agustin and Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur. To date, it has invested a total of P66.5 million in grants for 83 sub-projects now being enjoyed by community villages in the said towns. (DSWD-13/ PIA-Caraga)
Town exec makes cash counterpart ready for more Kalahi-CIDSS Project
Loreto, Agusan del Sur Mayor Romeo Magadan in a statement recently said he is setting aside P1million cash counterpart even without the assurance that his municipality will be chosen in there will be KALAHI-CIDSS part 2. The town executive, lately approved a resolution signifying its intent to participate in the forthcoming continuation of this flagship anti-poverty project of the government implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
In a hand-over over ceremony held in Loreto last February 25, 2009, Mayor Magadan, along with eight of its council members, has signified their intent to avail more of KALAHI-CIDSS as “this is not just an answer, but a solution to the basic economic problems of our people,” he said.
The KALAHI-CIDSS Project, which started implementing in the municipality since 2004, has ended its 3-year engagement with more than P20.5 million-worth of infrastructures, 18 community projects that benefits at least 4,582 households and trained some 596 volunteers along procurement, accounting, and operations and maintenance trainings.
“As mayor of this town, I felt really blessed because my constituents are now experiencing the services that KALAHI has offered,” Magadan said. He also added that their need for water, school, health and road facilities are greatly satisfied thus improving the economic situation of his people.
Meanwhile, DSWD Regional Director Meredita P. Jabagat challenged the local government unit to maintain the infrastructures given them and to sustain the technologies introduced by KALAHI-CIDSS. She said that it may be one of the criteria for the selection of future projects to be implemented by the department.
“KALAHI-CIDSS will end this June but I believe that negotiations for the next project is underway. So I am urging you to keep your commitments and maintain the good standing of your municipality so that we will be partners again in our future endeavors,” Dir. Jabagat explained.
The KALAHI-CIDSS Project is now its final year of implementation in the municipalities of Libjo, Dinagat Islands; Pilar, San Benito and Socorro, Surigao del Norte; Bayabas, Tagbina and Marihatag in Surigao del Sur. Former KALAHI-CIDSS areas were Jabonga, Carmen and Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte; La Paz, San Luis, Esperanza and Loreto, Agusan del Sur; San Isidro, Surigao del Norte; and San Miguel, Surigao del Sur. The project, which started on 2003 will end in June 2009. (DSWD-13/ PIA-Caraga)
