(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


PIA News Service - Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009

FSUU conducts Forum on mining in watershed areas

BUTUAN CITY (15 December) - The Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) College of Law in cooperation with Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/ Friends of the Earth (LRC-KSK/FoE) Cagayan de Oro City Regional Office today (Dec. 14) spearheaded a forum dubbed as "Watershed Agenda” in support to the climate change advocacy program of the Arroyo Administration.

Mr. Carl Rebuta, Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center-Kasama sa Kalikasan/Friends of the Earth (LRC-KSK/FoE) said the protection and preservation of the watershed is of vital importance to the people especially in Caraga Region, particularly in Taguibo watershed, where it is gravely endangered by mining companies. 

The defense of Land and Life group, religious group and other concern organizations are simultaneously cried for justice on the controversial watershed.
The representation on scenarios in the midst of the areas in Taguibo watershed is merely dangerous causing by mining, it was gathered. 

Rebuta said "Water is the source of life and energy. It nourishes and cleanses ones body, soothes the soul and helps provides food and life in all living things. Yet, it can destroy thousands of lives in a single onslaught as evidenced by the recent floods our country has experienced and deaths caused by toxicity from varius chemical wastes.” 

Meanwhile, Atty. Anthony P. Vitor of the Department of Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG) stated the role of Local Government Units (LGU’s). He said local chief executives must take part in the preservation of the environment especially today where the negative effects of climate change are starting to be felt worldwide.

Also, Butuan City Water District (BCWD) representative, Ernie Ruiz stressed his concerns on the issues on continuous illegal logging, mining activities and road constructions in Taguibo watershed.

“The worsening environmental degradation brought about by massive industrialization and chaotic development aggression such as the effects of mining industries, our source of life and food is fast becoming a source of toxicity which would cause endless harm to humanity, Ruiz said." 

The forum is the ground of discussion on environmental impact as well as the scientific and economic implications of mining activities on watersheds and the community as a whole. 

In relation to watershed of Anislagan, which is also facing a similar situation and threatening, the residents in the area testified that they were also offered some opportunities by mining companies operating in the area such as employment and other livelihood assistance.

With these developments, the organizers are hoping that through the forum, the public may be able to depict a concrete situation of the affected watershed as well as to provide a strong framework for its protection. (Mike A. Imbo, PIA-Caraga) 
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Tagalog News: DOH nagpalabas ng babala kontra paputok

BUTUAN CITY (15 December) – Ang Department of Health (DOH) nagpalabas kamakailan ng ilang kaukulang babala sa publiko tungkol sa pagpapaputok sa pagdiriwang ng pasko at bagong taon. 

Sa ginanap na press conference kamakailan lamang sa Luciana Convention Center, dito sa Lungsod ng Butuan, sinabi ni Sunshine Alipayo, Information Officer ng nasabing ahensiya na ang pagpapaputok ngayong pasko at sa darating na pagsalubong ng bagong taon ay maaaring makapagdulot ng malaking pinsala sa ating katawan at maging sa iilang mga establismento. 

Sa nasabing press conference, prenesinta ni Alipayo ang ilang paalala na kinabibilangan ng mga sumusunod: (1) huwag magpapaputok, gumamit ng pampaingay tulad ng kaldero, torotot at iba pa. Pangalawa (2) huwag pulutin ang hindi pumutok na libintador. At pangatlo (3) Kung naputukan, hugasan ang sugat ng sabon at malinis na tubig at agad na pumunta sa pinakamaliit na ospital o health center. Apat (4) huwag magpaputok ng baril.

Sinabi rin ni Alipayo na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ng ahensya ang pagamit ng paputok ngayong pasko para sa kaligtasan ng bawat isa. “Iniiwasan din na magka-disgrasya sa pagsalubong ng bagong taon,” ani Alipayo.

“Mas nakakabuti na ang maging masaya at maligayang pagdiriwang ng kapaskuhan na kompleto ang daliri at pamilya,” dagdag ni Alipayo.

“Upang maging mas masaya ang pagsalubong natin ng kapaskuhan at bagong taon, mas nakabubuti kung susundin natin ang paalalang ito ng DOH,” pagtatapos ni Alipayo. (Mike A. Imbo, PIA-Caraga)