(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 04 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression "JULIAN" {KRATHON} was estimated based on all available data at 240 km North Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes (22.6°N, 120.6°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h. It is almost stationary. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Visayas and Mindanao. 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 ITCZ. 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—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Southwest to Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


PIA News Service - Monday, Sept. 20, 2010

Philhealth to launch nationwide registration

By: Dave M. Suyao

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will launch a nationwide registration that will recognize the priority program of Pres. Benigno Aquino III to ensure that all Filipinos, especially the poor, shall have access to health care services through universal health care in three years or less.

In a one day orientation on the National Philhealth Registration Day on October 2, 2010 attended by some 60 participants and stakeholders, Dr. Cesar Cassion, OIC Asst. Regional Director of DOH-CHD Caraga presented the joint Memorandum of Agreement on the conduct of the National Registration Day signed by DOH Secretary of Health Hon. Enrique Ona, DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman, DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo, Education Sec. Armin Luistro, Philhealth Pres. Rey Aquino, League of Provinces of the Philippines Pres. Gov. Alfonso Umali, League of Cities of the Philippines Pres. Oscar Rodriguez and League od Municipalities of the Philippines Pres. Ramon Guico stating for a unified effort among concerned government agencies to ensure that all Filipinos be enrolled in Philhealth under the leadership of the Department of Health and the urgent need to increase public awareness regarding the entitlements and responsibilities to Philhealth coverage.

According to Philhealth Social Insurance Chief Jocelyn Canete, the nationwide registration and advocacy will be the mirror of the duties and responsibilities of Philhealth on socialized health insurance so that people must know that on the socialized health insurance, the rich will help the poor, the young will help the aged and the healthy will help the sick.

“Although we did not sustain the enrolment of philhealth membership before, we believe that with the help of all the stakeholders and partner agencies specially the local government units, we will reach our people and educate them on the advantages and benefits that Philhealth could extend to them,” Ms Canete said.

Ms Canete added that the synchronized registration on October 2 will only be the start of the never ending registration of membership of Philhealth. Canete said that for the municipalities like San Luis, Sibagat, Esperanza Loreto, Prosperidad, Rosario, Bunawan, Sta. Josefa and Veruela who were not included in the list of municipalities in the conduct of synchronized registration where the five registration kiosk are located, can submit their proposed schedule and Philhealth will be always there to do their duties.

It can be recalled that even years before, registration of the poor with Philhealth is one of the priority program of Gov. Eddiebong Plaza, and was continued by Gov. Tina Plaza with the 14 municipal mayors of Agusan del Sur. In fact, the provincial government have set aside funds in order to address the financial requirements of the most needy in order for them to enjoy the benefits that Philhealth could give. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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DSWD spearheads Family Week Celebration

BUTUAN CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) leads the celebration of Family Week starting today, September 17 until September 23, 2010. The weeklong celebration carries the theme “Migranteng pamilyang pilipino matatag saan man sa mundo.”

The theme, according to Dir. Mercedita P. Jabagat of the Caraga regional social welfare office, is a timely shift in the focus of the celebration to highlight both the plight and contribution of the migrant Filipinos and their families.

To commemorate this special celebration for the family, the following activities are slated by the Regional Inter-Agency Committee for the Filipino Families (RIACFF):

Press Conference - September 17 - DSWD Conference Hall
Thanksgiving Mass/Motorcade/program - September 21 at St. Joseph Cathedral/ Rizal Park
Regional Parent Education Congress - September 22 at Goat2geder Hotel
Symposium on Drugs - September 22 at City Hall

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 60 dated September 28, 1992, the DSWD is mandated to spearhead the observance of the Family Week Celebration on the last week of September and every year thereafter. (Leah T. Quintana, DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)


Weeklong open sales of NFA’s regular milled & iron-fortified rice

In celebration of NFA’s 38th Anniversary, a week long (September 20-24, 2010) nationwide sale of NFA’s Regular Milled Rice (RMR) and Iron-Fortified Rice (IFR) at Php 23.50 per kilo will be made available in the tent/booth/lobby of NFA provincial offices.

With this year’s theme, “Paglilingkod ng Tapat, Tungo sa Pagkaing Sapat”, underscores the NFA’s pursuit of excellence in the area of public service. 

In addition, the new Regional Director Javier P. Lozada, Jr., announced to all interested NFA licensed retailers that they are authorized to sell at volumes based on their capitalization. Sales to accredited outlets (i.e. IBSP, BBO, BSP) shall also be based on their capitalization. Individual IBSP members may buy their own allocation for display in their respective stalls, in addition to the volume for IBSP.

RD Lozada stressed that any licensed/accredited retailers wish to buy more than the volume based on their capitalization, they are required to increase their capitalization and pay corresponding increase in license fees.

Rice stocks are presently stored at NFA warehouses throughout the region.

He then urged the public to send their comments, suggestions, queries and complaints in case of rice diversion, rebagging and overpricing to NFA office at (085) 342-7898. (Christine S. Parinas, NFA-13/PIA-Caraga)


POLICE REPORTS
By PO2 Darlin Cabalinan-Migullas

Report on shooting incident

A certain Elmer Bactol y Escarda, 33 years old, single, motorcycle driver and a resident of P-2C, Brgy. Taglatawan, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur was shot to death by unidentified suspects riding in tandem on a motorcycle at around 12:25 in the afternoon of September 16, 2010. 

Initial investigation disclosed that the said victim sustained one gunshot wound of undetermined caliber of firearm on his right chest and was rushed to New Bayugan City Hospital for medical treatment but after few minutes, he was pronounced dead by the attending physician. 

The suspects fled towards unknown direction after the incident on board a single motorcycle without plate number. Elements of Bayugan Police Station are still conducting follow up investigation for the possible identification and arrest of the suspects. Motive is still to be determined.

On the other hand, at around 12:30 in the afternoon of same date, one Dante Alisoso y Mesolis, 40 years old, married, self-employed and a resident of P-1B, Brgy. Taglatawan, Bayugan, Agusan del Sur was shot by unknown caliber of firearm by unidentified suspects riding in tandem on a motorcycle. 

Investigation disclosed that the said victim was driving his single motorcycle going towards Sibagat direction and upon reaching at the said place, the said suspects from behind shot him, which caused him to fell down the road then, said suspects shot him again and fled towards unknown direction on board a Honda XRM single motorcycle, color blue and without plate number. Said victim sustained three (3) gunshot wounds, one (1) on his chest and two (2) on the back portion of his body, which resulted to his instantaneous death. Responding elements of Bayugan Police Station recovered one fired slug at the crime scene. Motive is still to be determined. Bayugan CPS took cognizance of the case. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Report on conflagration

On September 16, 2010 at around 4:00 O'clock in the morning, fire broke out at the establishments near the Bus Terminal, Brgy. 2, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. Following business establishments were damaged during the said incident: Carl Fem Beauty Salon, owned by Femia G. Lademora; Uni Star Commercial owned by Edith dela Rama; Jill Store owned by Sharon C. Redondo ; James and Son Enterprise owned by Aicy V. Calawigan ; Jason Jackies Marketing owned by Emma Q. Tago; Lucky Seven Fashion and General Merchandise owned by Bebiana L. Ebol; and Apas Commercial Center owned by Haidee B Apas. 

Initial investigation conducted by San Francisco Fire Station disclosed that the fire started at around 4:00 O'clock in the morning and was totally suppressed at around 9:40 in the morning of same date. Three (3) of the said establishments were totally razed by fire, while the rest were severely damaged. Total estimated cost of damage is more or less Thirty Million Pesos (P30,000,000.00). 

Said incident reached to fourth alarm, that involved additional three (3) fire trucks from Bayugan City, Trento and Prosperidad, all of Agusan del Sur. No reported casualty in the said incident, however, one FO2 Leonardo M. Francisco suffered puncture wound on his left foot while struggling to put out the fire. Elements of San Francisco MPS led by Police Senior Inspector Joel BiΓ±as proceeded to the area and conducted crowd control and security. Arson investigator is still conducting the cause and nature of said incident. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
  
DILG clean up day versus dengue fever

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) based on its Memo Circular number 2010-92 is declaring September 17-18, 2010 as Clean up Day in all Barangays nationwide. Suggested activities during the said clean up day are the following: Dredging of clogged of clogged canals, esteros and other water waste; pruning of thick bushes or tree branches; and removal or draining of receptacles containing stagnant water; destruction of all possible breeding places of mosquitoes; and distribution of leaflets, flyers and other information materials that would strengthen the awareness of the residents on dengue fever and how to contain it. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Butuan cops arrests wanted person 

One Sherwin Baron y Gura, 31 years old, married, and a resident of P-3, Brgy. Obrero, Butuan City was arrested by elements of Butuan City Police Station (BCPS) 2 led by PO3 Adalid. Said Suspect was arrested by virtue of Warrant of Arrest issued by Hon. Judge James V. Go, of RTC Branch 2, Libertad, Butuan City docketed under criminal case number 42815, charged for the crime of Attempted Homicide with recommended bail bond of P12, 000.00. Said arrested person is now under the custody of BCPS 2 for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)


DILG to initiate governance reforms in ARMM

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said today (Monday) that the Department would introduce governance reforms in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which he described as the “weakest link” of the country.

Robredo said the support of local government officials and other concerned sectors in the region would be tapped in implementing meaningful reforms that would improve socio-economic conditions.

“ARMM seems like the weakest link in the Philippines , as there are problems in criminality and terrorism. It is yet to be developed. It is yet to reach its full potential,” he said.

He said ARMM could take the first step towards development through abiding by President Benigno S. Aquino’s policy of transparency and accountability in governance.

“Local government units (LGUs) should fully disclose their financial transactions, such as procurements, budget and bidding. We have started this in other LGUs of the country, and it would be very good if ARMM will do the same,” he said.

He lauded the present administration of ARMM for espousing transparent, accountable and moral governance.

The World Bank has recognized the current ARMM regional government for its implementation of infra and socio-economic projects.

Robredo said there should be better interaction and engagement between the public and the regional government of ARMM.

“These changes should start with the regional government, before we move down to the governments of its provinces, cities and towns,” he said.

He said he had sought clearance from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in opening the lines of communication between the Department and those involved in the peace process.

“We would like to listen to those who want to talk. While talks will be unofficial and will not form part of the negotiations, what is important is that we should open all channels of communication with them,” he said.
(DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)


DILG-13 family holds clean up day versus dengue

BUTUAN CITY - DILG Region XIII Family conducted its two-day clean up campaign from September 17-18, 2010 to address the increased cases of dengue fever in Caraga Region which reached a total of 2,001 suspect dengue cases. This number raised by 168% higher compared to last year’s statistics .The campaign was aimed at destroying the breeding sites of Aedis Egypti mosquitoes in the 1,625 barangays of Caraga Region specifically those with high incidence of dengue fever cases.

The DILG XIII Regional Management Coordinating Committee headed by DILG Regional Director, Atty. Rene K. Burdeos, coordinated with the barangay officials, barangay health workers and barangay peacekeeping action teams in Region XIII to ensure well-coordinated activities. The activities undertaken during the campaign include dredging of canals or esteros; pruning of thick bushes or tree branches; removal or draining of receptacles containing stagnant water and the distribution of flyers and leaflets to increase awareness on the tremendous increase of dengue fever cases.

The anti-dengue activities undertaken were DILG’s way of supporting the Department of Health in the latter’s campaign to combat the tremendous increase of dengue fever cases throughout the country. The activities opened opportunities for the barangay officials and people of the community to take active measures in battle against dengue fever. 

The DILG family which mobilized resources in the clean up campaign include the LG Sector, the National Police Commission, the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine Public Safety College – Regional Training School.
(Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise, DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)