(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 11 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


PIA News Service - Tuesday, June 16, 2009

NSA Gonzales backs up Puno's 'social volcano' warning and 'call for transition government'

NATIONAL Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales on Sunday said he agreed with Chief Justice Reynato Puno that the country is “like a volcano that is about to erupt.”

“It is good that no less than the country's Chief Justice himself sounded off the warning about our critical national situation,” Gonzales said. Puno made the remark in his Independence Day speech at the Bonifacio Monument earlier this week.

Gonzales also supported Puno's call for unity to save the country. He said only fundamental reforms for societal transformation can lift the country from its present state and this requires national unity.

Gonzales said he did not take Puno's call for unity as that for the administration and the noisy segment of the opposition to come together. Instead, he believes it was a call for the entire government and key societal institutions to get their act together in saving the country.

“The call of the time is for the three major branches of government, supported by key pillars of our society like the Churches, civil society and mass movements, to agree to a transitional government respected by the armed forces,” the national security chief declared.

Gonzales said the country is like a volcano because the people have long been yearning for societal transformation that will uplift their welfare but this yearning remains unfulfilled.

Gonzales has been advocating for transitional presidency since 2003, saying only a transitional presidency can carry out the fundamental reforms the country needs to move forward. He has said he is concerned that a routine 2010 election will only perpetuate the country's long-existing sorry state.

“Judging from our present crop of presidentiables, we will just have more of the same elite and bad politics in 2010,” he has said.

“It is time we put an end to our recurring political crisis by really pursuing societal transformation. A transition government now can start this undertaking,” Gonzales said.

According to the Malacanang official, among the fundamental reforms which a transition government should undertake are electoral reforms to truly empower the people to choose their leaders and shift in the system of governance to free the nation from very costly elections and from paralyzing stalemates among institutions and political forces. (Louie Ceniza, Nat'l. Security Council/PIA-Caraga)


Agusan del Norte is Caraga’s no. 1 province

BUTUAN CITY  – June 17, 1967 was the day the Agusan was divided into 2 provinces known as Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur by virtue of Republic Act 4979.

After 42 years, Governor Earlpy John Amante proudly announced that despite as having the smallest Internal Revenue allotment (IRA) caraga wide and declared the smallest province, it became the number 1 province in the region.

“However, this was never attributed to the provincial official’s good leadership but it was because of the decision made by the people and the leaders early on to shape its own destiny”, said Governor Amante.

Staying on top according to the Governor is a daunting task, and competing with the best provinces in the whole Philippines is not that easy, much more to sustain what has become of the province after 42 years.

After the opening program held at the provincial capitol Governor Amante proceeded to the business park to formally open the week-long Agro Fair where he treated all attendees with Filipino foods put on sale and even bought vegetables and fruits produced by farmers from 11 municipalities.

Agusan del Norte boasts of its local produce. The investment areas range from industrial centers to service-related businesses.

Agriculture-based ventures include production and processing of bananas, pineapple, mango and coconut products into chips, flour, ketchup, puree and juice drinks, nata de coco, oil, coconut wood, handicrafts, copra meat and desiccated coco.

Through the Department of Trade & Industry, Agro Fair also features Presyo Diskwento, where manufacturers’ sells prime commodities at a very low price compared to its selling price at supermarkets.

Several activities lined-up this week for the 42nd Araw ng Agusan del Norte. (Jocelyn Morano, dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)


CENRO Surigao bares 3,500 malunggay seedlings dispensed in June 12


SURIGAO CITY – Community Environment and Natural Resources in Surigao City reported a total of 3,500 malunggay seedlings distributed last June 12, 2009.

The said distribution was in line with the nationwide celebration of the 111th Philippine Independence Day. Reports bared that employees from the local and national government as well as the NGOs benefited from this distribution.

It was also learned that the beneficiaries were very much thankful to DENR-CENRO to receive the malunggay seedlings, which is known for its excellent nutritional content and medicinal properties. Research studies showed that malunggay tree stimulates the production of milk for lactating mothers, provides nutrition for healthy skin, bone and muscle development, and lowers blood sugar levels.

Accordingly, this “miracle plant” enhances man's potency, promotes good eyesight, digestion, bowel movement, alleviates scurvy, asthma, earaches, headaches, stomach aches, and has anti-cancer properties.

Meanwhile, CENRO likewise reported a total of 510 IEC materials distributed on the same day. The issue on climate change and global warming were the primary topics on the materials. (Fryan E. Abkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DPWH Surigao Norte Launched JOBS FAIR for Construction Workers

SURIGAO DEL NORTE – Aimed to combat the global financial crisis which dominantly affects the nation and the locality, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 1st Engineering District here in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Philippine Contractor’s Association (PCA) successfully launched a JOBS FAIR for Construction Workers held on June 12, 2009 at the DPWH – Compound, Capitol Road, Surigao City. 

Primarily, the district under the administration of District Engineer Linda A. Uypala supports this nationwide undertakings in order to address those displaced workers and the unemployment problem of the locality. 

With these, the district initiated this jobs fair with the help of DOLE officials and Contractors. Moreover, five Construction firms namely JMT Construction, LVRO Construction, MIMATA Construction, DOMARAX Construction and GICAR construction hired skilled Construction Workers.

The evaluation and screening of the applicants BIO-DATA were facilitated by the four personnel from DOLE who also explained the cause of the said JOBS FAIR to the 41 registered applicants. The JOBS FAIR ended successfully at 12 noon. (DWPH-1st Engineering District/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Butuan Medical Center and MJ Santos Hospital identified as holding areas for suspected A(H1N1) patients

BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Health has approved the city governments proposal to designate Butuan Medical Center and MJ Santos Hospital as holding areas for all suspected A(H1N1) patients.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Webb Racaza explained, that the proposal was not made to defy DOH guidelines in establishing a common hospital to treat A(H1N1) patients but rather to provide convenience and immediate medical attention to concerned individuals who has not yet been confirmed of the disease.

The DOH-Caraga has designated the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City as the Regional Satellite Referral Hospital to handle the treatment and confinement of any confirmed victim of the Influenza A (H1N1) in the region.

Atty. Racaza stressed, their suggestion came after news of suspected individuals and there was an unavailability of ambulances to transport the patients to Surigao City.

“Said health protocol in addressing suspected A(H1N1) patients are putting the drivers of ambulances at risk in addition to the risk already faced by the patient himself due to the distance of Surigao City”, added Atty. Racaza.

The Provincial Administrator assured the public, Butuan Medical Center has its own medical facility ready to accept cases of suspected Influenza A (H1N1) in case Butuan City or its neighboring provinces will have a case.
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BCMC has reserved 1 isolation room from its 2 TB rooms to accommodate any Influenza A (H1N1) suspected patient.
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As part of the preparedness contingency plan Butuan City government finished last week the trainings for all barangay health personnel and have trained nurses who can take care of suspected A/H1N1 patients.
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The newly acquired personnel protection equipment like mask, goggles, gowns, digital thermal thermometers and even medicines have arrived.
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Health personnel were likewise instructed to undergo self quarantine in case they found patients positive of the flu virus to prevent from spreading to their families.
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The city government of Butuan allocated half a million for the procurement alone of the needed protection equipment.
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A Task Force was also created and conducted massive information campaign to residents and students and provided handouts. (Jocelyn Morano, dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan-Butuan/ PIA-Caraga)
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Butuan City COMELEC lists more than 17,000 new voters 

BUTUAN CITY – A total of 136,610 voters have been registered by the Commission on Elections in Butuan City as of April 20, that’s a 1% increase compared to the total number of voters registered in 2007 elections that totals 154,553 voters.

This figure was the latest after it was being approved by the Election Registration Board the 17,943 new registrants after COMELEC resumed the continuing registration of voters in December 2, 2008 as part of preparations for the 2010 elections. 

The approved current list of voters according to City Comelec Officer Abelardo Saco has already been cleansed, and is therefore deactivated names of those who are dead, transferred and failed to vote twice in previous elections.

In a day, the City Comelec Office served 170 to 180 new voters and personnel were directed to adopt a system of processing applications to speed up the registration process, minimize queuing and avoid inconvenience as the office only has 1 capturing data machine to get the registrants’ biometrics data like photographs, signatures and thumb marks.

Mr. Saco urged any person, who has not yet reached the required voting age or period of residence on the day of registration but will possess the same on or before the day of election (May 10, 2010 national and local elections) to register as a voter.

He said the registration of voters ends on October 31, 2009. (Jocelyn Morano, dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan-Butuan/ PIA-Caraga)

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POLICE REPORTS
By PO2 Darlin Cabalinan Migullas; PO3 Phiip Amer Posas Mazo; 
and PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania

Report on traffic incident

On June 14, 2009 at 9:10 in the morning at the National Highway, Tanabog, Barangay Roario, Tandag, Surigao del Sur, a certain Epifania CaΓ±edo Yortas, of legal age, widow and a resident of the said place was accidentally bumped by a Tricycle while she was walking across the said highway.

The said Tricycle is Yamaha STX bearing plate number XR5268, with body number 034, owned and driven by one Marcelo Maratas, 60 years old, married and a resident of Purok Comet, Barangay Telaje, Tandag, Surigao del Sur who failed to present his drivers license during the incident.
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Suspect hit and run the victim but was chased and apprehended by PO3 Nestor Maquiling who happened to passed by at the area.

Victim was brought to the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center but was pronounced dead by the attending physician.

Suspect is now under the custody of Tandag City Police Station including the tricycle for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

Violation of R.A 9208 (human trafficking)

On June 14, 2009 at 4:14 in the morning at Baiding Garden Pensionne, Barangay 10, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte, PNP personnel of Cabadbaran City Police Station (CPS) received information of an alleged Human Trafficking at the above-mentioned place.

Elements of Cabadbaran City Police Station immediately responded to said report and successfully rescued the victim identified as one Ajellen Amora, 19 years old, single and a resident of Ram Compound, Barangay Telesfora, Tubay, Agusan del Norte.

Said victim was allegedly recruited by the suspects identified as Precilla Cahola Ertelo, 42 years old and a resident of Mancablan, Pangasinan, and Christine Virginia Plaza, 20 years old, a resident of RTR, Agusan del Norte and brought to the above-mentioned place while waiting for the other recruits for a job in Manila.

Responding team apprehended the suspects and appropriate case is being prepared for filing in court. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

Report on illegal logging

On June 11, 2009 at 11:00 in the evening at the Seashore of Barangay Cansayong, Malimono, Surigao del Norte, PNP elements of Malimono received information from a concerned citizen that there were abandoned Narra lumber at the above-mentioned place.

Elements of Malimono Municipal Police Station led by PSI Carlo V. Ometer, COP proceeded to the area to confirm the veracity of the said information. The team found out about Three Hundred (300) board feet of sawn Narra lumbers with an estimated market value of Nine Thousand Pesos (P9,000.00).

Recovered lumbers were brought to Malimono Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

Report on illegal gambling

On June 15, 2009 at 11:00 in the morning at Barangay Magsaysay, Placer, Surigao del Norte, a certain Efren Tiu Cruzado, 19 years old, single and a resident of the above-mentioned place was apprehended by elements of Placer Municipal Police Station led by PSI Alejandro Galido Recimo, COP who was caught in the act engaged in illegal numbers game locally known as "swertres". 

Confiscated from suspect’s possession were one partially filled–up stub, ballpen and bet money amounting to Two Hundred Pesos (P200.00) in different denominations. Said suspect is now under the custody of Placer Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)

PNP arrests wanted person

On June 12, 2009 around 4:00 in the afternoon at the vicinity of Mercury Drug Store of Rizal Street, Surigao City where one Armando Masaya Marmito, 48 years old, married and a resident of Barangay Tag-abaca, Basilisa, Dinagat Islands was apprehended by joint elements from Basilisa Municipal Police Station led by SPO2 Eulogio L Eledia together with SPO2 Pecato, PO3 Seguerra, PO1 Tiempo and SPO1 Vallespin of Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office

 Marmito was arrested by virtue of Warrant of Arrest (WOA) under Criminal Case Number 4309-0, 4377-04378-0 and 4370-0 all for Violation of Section 68 of PD 705 as amended by EO 277 (Forestry Reform Code of the Phils.) and Criminal Case Number 4397-0 for Falsification of Public Documents issued by Hon Lauro AP Castillo Jr Acting Presiding Judge of RTC branch 12, Ormoc City dated 24 March 2009.

 Arrested person is temporarily detained at Surigao City Police Station and will be presented to RTC branch 12, Ormoc City by personnel of Basilisa Municipal Police Station on June 14, 2009. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga) 

Report on illegal fishing

On June 10, 2009 at 7:00 in the morning at the Seawater of Hunop, Barangay Rizal, Barobo, Surigao del Sur, Two man team of PNP personnel form Barobo Municipal Police Station led by SPO3 Elisito S Rivas together with PO3 Ariel P Quinto of 1406th PPMG, designated as Bantay Dagat of Barobo while conducting seaborne patrol actually caught two persons on board a Bangka throwing dynamite to the sea at about 70 meters from their position.

 Suspects were able to elude arrest by paddling to the nearby seashore and fled away to the mountainous area of said place.

One of the suspects was identified as Bunio Martizano, alias “Bondoy”. The team recovered one unit bangka, two paddles, two flippers and fish net with more or less 5 kilograms dynamited fish.

Confiscated fish was turned-over to Department of Agriculture for scientific exam and found out positive caught using dynamite explosive. Other confiscated items were brought to Barobo Municipal Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/ PIA-Caraga)