(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 - Friday, Aug. 13, 2010

Butuan City Police Office lunched inter-station sports tournament

BUTUAN CITY
– Eight (8) Teams composed of policemen and women from stations 1-4, Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) and the Butuan City Public Management Safety Company will compete in various sports activities every Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In the afternoon of August 10, 2010 OIC City Police Director Police Senior Supt. Benson Leleng led the opening ceremony of the Inter-Station Sports Tournament 2010 with the theme: “Lig-on nga Panaghiusa sa Kapolisan, Kadaugan sa Katilingban.”

As guest speaker, Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. lauded Butuan police for coming up with the activity to raise awareness of the powerful role that sport can play in the health condition of every police in the course of their duty.

To motivate players, the good Mayor committed to give 5,000 pesos for the winning team, 3,500 cash prize for the 2nd place and 2,000 pesos for the 3rd place.

OIC City Police Director Police Senior Supt Benson Leleng on the other hand encourage everyone’s active participation in the promotion of good comradeship , reinforcement of social values and goals including hard work, fair play, character development and teamwork.

“The theme in itself hopes to create an increased commitment to community and improve interpersonal relationships between and among Butuan City police personnel,” said PSS Leleng.

He also emphasized to uphold at all times the spirit of sportsmanship and take into consideration the importance of excellence in sports and establish active living.

The Inter-Station Sports Tournament 2010 will run until September 29 in time for the fiesta celebration of Butuan City Police Office with St. Michael Archangel as their patron saint. (Jocelyn E. Morano, dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)


MGEN Chan wins badminton tournament

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – MGen Mario F Chan AFP, Commander 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division won the top prize in the Men’s Doubles, category A in the 2010 Commander’s Cup Badminton Tournament in line with the inauguration of the newly renovated Badminton Court of the Diamond Division here in Camp Edilberto Evangelista, PATAG, Cagayan de Oro City on 07 to 08 August 2010.

MGen Chan said, “This badminton tournament is a tribute not only for the refurbishment of the court but also for the athlete soldiers who dedicated themselves in improving their skills and by that showed commitment and discipline.”

The tournament was participated by Badminton enthusiasts from the different units within 4th ID AOR from as far as Bukidnon province such as, the 52nd Engineer Brigade, 403rd Infantry Brigade, 4th Army Training Group, and the 4th Division Training Unit.

MGen Chan’s partner is LtCol Oliver T Vesliño while Cpt Rommel T Mundala and Cpl Edgar Mugot emerged as champions in Men’s Doubles, category B. In open mixed doubles category C, champions were Major Leonides Cruel and Cpl Michelle Cadelina while in women’s doubles were Mrs Judith Yanes and Ms Janeth Conmigo.

All were happy at the end of the tournament because aside from the trophies received by the winners, the non-winners also received gift items. Nevertheless, winning is not important, what matters most is the camaraderie and the love of the game itself. (LTC TRIUMPH DOMINIC G BAGAIPO (OS), 4th CMO Bn, 4ID, PA/PIA-Caraga)


4th ID wrestler emerged as champion in the National Wrestling Championships

4th Infantry (Diamond) Division wrestler reigned supreme in his event during the 2nd Quarter 2010 National Senior Wrestling Championships last 26 to 28 July, 2010 at the National Wrestling Gym, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Metro Manila hosted by the Wrestling Association of the Philippines. 

Corporal Rolando G Salon (Inf) Philippine Army assigned at the 4th Post Engineer Detachment of 4ID successfully proven his reputation as one of the strongest wrestlers in the country by winning the Gold medal for Graeco - Roman and Freestyle Wrestling in the 84 Kilogram category besting fifty six (56) other equally talented and competitive athletes. Cpl Salon has also emerged as champion in this event in the year 2007 and 2008 in the 96 Kilogram category.

“I’m very much thankful to our Division Commander, MGen Mario F Chan AFP, for giving me support and the opportunity to join the wrestling competition” said Cpl Salon when he was awarded the Military Merit Medal (MMM) for his meritorious and exemplary performance on 09 August 2010 at 4ID, Camp Edilberto Evangelista, PATAG, Cagayan de Oro City.

“Since I was assigned here in 4th ID, lahat ng mga pinadala natin sa laban nag chachampion,” said MGen Chan referring also to the various competitions where 4ID personnel competed and eventually emerged as champions. MGen Chan added that the 4ID will continue to motivate personnel by providing them with adequate support to enable them to sustain and strengthen the excellent performance of the Diamond troopers in all fields of endeavor. 

Currently, Cpl Salon is now preparing for the forthcoming Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) Olympics this coming October 16 at the National Wrestling Gymnasium, Metro Manila. (LTC TRIUMPH DOMINIC G BAGAIPO (OS), 4th CMO Bn, 4ID, PA/PIA-Caraga)
.
.
All set for 9th Baoto Festival in September
.
BUTUAN CITY – The municipality of Jabonga will again host the annual Baoto Festival fully supported by the provincial government of Agusan del Norte.
.
The 9th Baoto Festival will be on September 15-18, 2010 to be held at Great Lake Resort in the municipality of Jabonga, with a total of 200,000 pesos cash prize.
.
Jabonga is one of the 11 towns in the province of Agusan del Norte gifted with scenery as it is embraced by mountain ranges, surrounded by lakes perfect for the said festival.
.
The highlight of the festival features the 30K paddling marathon which is said to be the longest paddling race in the Philippines.
.
Provincial Information Officer Edgar Palarca Jr. announced, that the baoto race shall also include baoto race without an outrigger, regatta using only the sail made from indigenous material, and the single and double Slalom for men and women category.
.
The winner for the 30 kilometer marathon race is 40,000 pesos, while a prize of 36,000 pesos will be awarded to whoever will be declared 2nd place and 16,000 pesos for the 3rd prize winner.
.
For the regatta race, aside from the cash prize for 1st placer, the provincial government will give additional cash for the Best Sail Design.
.
Palarca added, “There will be short races that will cover a distance of 100 meters and for this year’s festival, the triathlon race will start with a swimming, followed by boat paddling and a run to the finish line where a cash prize of 6,000 pesos awaits the winner. The bicycle part was omitted.”
.
To create environmental awareness, organizers will also be conducting tree planting activity to the participants of skills training for canoeing, caving and mountaineering. (Jocelyn E. Morano, dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)
.
.
P1.6M worth of marijuana plants destroyed in Agusan del Sur
.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Elements of the Philippine Army’s 402nd Bde, 23rd Cadre Bn and 26th Inf Bn all of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office and PDEA Region 13 joined forces in successfully uprooting 8,120 hills of marijuana plants at Sitio Tingkub, Brgy Kasapa II, La Paz, Agusan del Sur, on 03 August 2010. 
.
The full grown marijuana plants is estimated to have a market value of One Million Six Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php1, 600,000.00) in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Board value assessment. The marijuana plantation was discovered in a very remote area with the assistance of the Manobo tribe and Cafgu Active Auxiliaries (CAA) under 23rd IB in the area. 
.
BGen Emiliano R Gupana II AFP, Commander of the 402nd Brigade based in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur said, “The marijuana plantation could possibly be one of the sources of financial support of the local terrorists or NPAs. They are resorting to all sorts of illegal activities just to sustain their so-called movement.” Sightings of armed men believed to be NPAs in the immediate vicinity of the plantation are frequently reported.
.
PDEA’s operating elements reserved about 400 marijuana plants for evidentiary purposes while the rest were totally set ablaze and destroyed at the same area due to its weight and bulk to transport. The 400 marijuana plants were subsequently destroyed through incineration in front of the provincial capitol after it was presented to Hon Adolph Edward Galido Plaza, Governor of Agusan del Sur and witnessed by other elected officials and employees of the provincial government and media personalities. 
.
MGen Mario F Chan AFP, Commander, 4th ID said, “The success of the operations against illegal drugs is part of our mission accomplishment as we go on with our primary duty of protecting the lives of the people.”
.
MGen Chan emphasized that the 4th ID troopers will continue to support and collaborate with the Local Government Units, National Government Agencies and Non–Government Organizations to attain lasting peace and unhampered progress in the area of responsibility. (LTC TRIUMPH DOMINIC G BAGAIPO (OS), 4th CMO Bn, 4ID, PA/PIA-Caraga)


Agusan del Norte looking forward to qualify in the NAMCYA Competition 

BUTUAN CITY – The Schools Division of Agusan del Norte concluded its division elimination and still waits for the confirmation from the Central Office whether or not they qualify to participate in the Mindanao Regional Cluster I Competition of the 2010 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA).

The Education Supervisor of Music and Arts, Miss Rayrocina Abao announced, South Cabadbaran District won in the children’s choir category while the Magallanes National High School won in the Philippine traditional Ensemble category.

“For this year, there won’t be a regional competition because all division schools will be required to submit an entry by sending a video presentation,” Supervisor Abao said.

It would be the pride and honor for the province of Agusan del Norte if the delegation qualifies and compete during the Mindanao Regional Cluster I competition to be held in Davao.

The winner will represent Mindanao in the national finals.

The 2010 NAMCYA competitions will be held this November at the CCP Main Theater as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts shall once again open doors for Filipino talents. 

Ms. Abao added the competition will help hone the aesthetic abilities of the youths especially in the field of singing and dancing.

This year’s theme is "Musika at Sining: Diwa ng Sangkatauhan" (Music and the Arts: The soul of Humanity). 

According to Ms. Abao, a lot of Filipino talents were recognized in the international competition because at an early age, these young talents are developed to their maximum potential.

NAMCYA has been a principal instrument in discovering major music talents from all over the country. 

Its project involves some 1 million musicians, trainers and administrators, in a long and tedious process of selecting the best among them from all sixteen regions, annually. (Jocelyn E. Morano, dxBN-Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)


 
Oxfam leads DRR & CCA Forum in Surigao del Sur 

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR – The Oxfam Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), a non-government international organization successfully conducted disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) forum held here recently participated by national line agencies, local government officials, and some representatives from different sectors.

Oxfam representative Ms Lyra Magalang during the forum said, Oxfam had been working in the Philippines since 1987, with the concept of improving disaster risk reduction knowledge management system to create a safer environmental men and women in vulnerable communities.
.
Ms Magalang also explained the similarities between Climate Change and DRR which according to her both aimed to reduce the impacts of shocks by anticipating risks and addressing vulnerabilities. However according to her, reducing the risk of weather extremes is a substantial component of managing climate risk and of the overlap between DRR and adaptation DRR therefore does not equal adaptation, and effective disaster risk reduction in a changing climate is more than business as usual. 

On the other hand, OCD Regional Director Blanche Gobenciong, as one of the resource speakers explained the provisions of RA 10121, “An act strengthening the philippine disaster risk reduction and management system, providing for the national disaster risk reduction and management framework and institutionalizing the national disaster risk reduction and management plan”. 

Local officials & employees as well as the representative from different sectors had gathered important information regarding the 'Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010".

The said forum was supported by the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur headed by Governor Johnny Pimentel who shared its initiative counterpart to the program thru the office of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Oxfam piloted 11 brgys to build resilient communities in Surigao del Sur

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG, SURIGAO DEL SUR – The Safer Communities Project of Oxfam-AusAID assisted was piloted to 11 barangays aimed to build a resilient communities from five municipalities of Surigao del Sur.

Two identified barangays each from the five municipalities except municipality of Carmen having 3 brgys as beneficiaries as presented by Ms. Amparito Camen Cubil. 

The selection was thru identifying the multiple hazards municipalities referring from the hazards maps presented by PHILVOCS and PAG-ASA. The previous record of disaster as experienced by the province was also considered as suggested by the members of Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) to come up in the selection of the barangays. Director Blanche Gobenciong of OCD also had participation during the selection of the 5 municipalities as pilot areas in this province, by sharing the disaster Risk profile in Caraga . 

Ms. Amparito Carmen Cubil of Surigao SEDF Executive Director explained the purpose of the project using the Participatory Capability Vulnerability Approach (PCVA). “PCVA is to empower poor men and women to increase their resilience to disaster risk and climate change”, she said. 

Ms Cubil also updated during the forum on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation recently that they had already done PCVA training to 7 barangays out of 11 brangays in Surigao del Sur. 

The program implementation had a counterpart from the Provincial Government of Surigao del Sur the Technical Working Group (TWG) in coordination with its local partners from Non-Government Organization the Surigao Economic Development Foundation (SEDF). (PIA-Surigao del Sur)