(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 10 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 - Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010

Army joins Tandag in celebrating Youth Sector Day

Members of the 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion of the Philippine Army gear up to take part in celebrating Youth Sector Day as part of the week long 388th Tandag Town Fiesta celebration. 

“All resources of 36 IB are made available in support of the endeavors of the town of Tandag.” LtCol Rene R Canete, Commanding Officer of the 36th Infantry Battalion said. “That would also be the case for other communities within our area of responsibility as well.” He continued. 

Preparations for the Youth Sector Day started with a coastal clean –up in Sidlakan Family Beach Resort, located in Sidlakan, Dawis, San Agustin Sur in the Town of Tandag. The contingent cleared the beachfront of vegetation, debris and other forms of trash in order to assure that participants in the Skim boarding competition would be safe. This event was spearheaded by LGU Tandag together with the SK and the Tandag Inter Fraternity and Sorority Confederations and participated in by residents of Barangay Dawis and the members of 36th Infantry Battalion. 

Lt Col Canete stressed that the Army is committed in making partnerships stronger between local government units (LGUs), line government agencies, non government organizations (NGOs) and communities by participating in community celebrations and other cultural events.

Aside from the skim boarding competition, other events that will take place on September 9 include: Tricykad Challenge, Mountain Bike Racing Competition, Tandag Urban Adventure and the Tatak Tandaganon. Disco Concert with the 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion Band will follow at 7pm in the Tandag Town Plaza. (36th Infantry Battalion/PIA-Caraga)


DAR-Agusan del Norte distributes 159 hectares in Kitcharao and Jabonga Farmers

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Caraga Regional Director Faisar Mambuay personally handed-over Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to farmer-beneficiaries with the assistance of DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Andre Atega.

RD Mambuay said the distribution covered a total area of 73.9060 hectares in the municipality of Kitcharo, and 85.0077 hectares of agricultural land in Jabonga. 

“They had long been waiting for this issuance and now they have proof of their ownership to their lands,” RD Mambuay added.

Some 40 farmer-beneficiaries from the villages of Bangayan and San Isidro in Kitcharo and 69 farmer-beneficiaries in Beltran and Maraiging, in Jabonga received their certificate of landownership awards (CLOAs). 

Farmers shed tears of joy upon receiving their land titles and have finally sealed their ownership to their own farmland upon the distribution CLOAs in the far-flung barangays of municipalities of Kitcharao and Jabonga by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Meanwhile, farmers expressed their profound gratitude to DAR for their commitment to improve the living condition and a chanced to become a landowner for the land they tilled.

Kitcharao Mayor Aristotle Montante and Jabonga Mayor Glecerio Monton attended the said event. (Gil E. Miranda, DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: DAR Agusan del Norte ARB Scholar, Board Passer!
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Naghatag og dugang paglaum alang sa magtiayong Geraldo ug Ricarda Pondog ang kalamposan sa iyang anak nga si Anamarie Pondog nga kanhi bag-o pa lamang naka pasar sa Board Examination sa Agricutural Engineering kaniadtong August 18, 2010 sa Cagayan de Oro City.
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Si Anamarie Pondog, usa sa mga recipients sa President Diosdado Macapagal Agrarian Scholarship Program (PDMASP). 
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Ang iyang ginikanan usa ka Agrarian Reform Beneficiary (ARB) sa Brgy. San Roque, sa Lungsod sa Las Nieves Agusan del Norte diin nakadawat kini og luna nga mukabat og 2.5 ektarya pinaagi sa Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program kon CARP.
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Ang susama kang Anamarie nga adunay kakulangon sa pinansyal nga aspeto apan determinado nga molampos sa pag-tungha naka angkon og pasidungog gikan sa DAR.
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Matud pa ni PARO Atega, “usa sa mga programa sa DAR mao ang pag-empowered sa mga anak sa benepisaryong mag-uuma aron mapalambo ang ilang stado aron sila mamahimong kabahin para sa kalambuan sa ilang komunidad.”
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Si Anamarie nagkanayon, “Dako akong pasalamat sa programa sa Departamento sa Agrarian Reform dinhi sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ubos sa pagdumala ni PARO II Andre B. Atega sa suporta kanako aron ako makatapos sa pagtungha sa kolehiyo.” 
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Ang tumong sa naasoy’ng programa mao ang pag-abag sa mga anak sa Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries nga desidido mukoha og kursong pang-agrikultura pinaagi sa libre nga tuition fee ug monthly allowance sa kolehiyo.
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Ang President Diosado Macapagal Scholarship Program nag-sugod niadtong tuig 1998 ug nag-padayon sa kasamtangan sa pagtabang sa mga anak sa Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries sa Agusan del Norte ug Butuan City. Sumala pa sa datus sa DAR-Agusan del Norte mukabat na sa desiotso (18) ka mga scholars ang nagmalamposon na sa koliheyo dinhi sa naasoy nga probinsya. (Gil E. Miranda, DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Caraga)


DENR Caraga stops issuing permits for logging, scraps all bidding of logs

BUTUAN CITY - The DENR in Caraga Region has temporarily stop issuing the Private Land Timber Permit, cutting permit and transport permit for logs in natural forest including the transport of bidded confiscated logs, lumber and other miscellaneous tree species with the full intensification of the anti illegal logging campaign in the region over the weekend.

The order was issued by DENR OIC, Regional Executive Director Edilberto S. Buiser to all his Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Officers in a meeting held at the DENR Conference Room specifically to take up urgent matters on anti-illegal logging and mining operations.

The instruction was issued to pave way for an investigation about allegations that PLTP’s and transport of bidded logs/forest products are being used to shield illegally obtained forest products. An Inventory and validation of PLTP areas and cut logs as well as bidded logs are currently being conducted regionwide.

 It can be recalled that the DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, in a memorandum dated July 16, 2010, has ordered to donate all confiscated logs to the Department of Education (DepEd) to be made into school desk, and other infrastructural needs of the said agency.

According to Buiser, the movement of several trucks of logs coming from the different areas of Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur which are heading to Davao, Cagayan de Oro City and other ports have drawn negative reaction from certain critical sectors even if these transported-logs were covered with legal transport documents.

Director Buiser said “these directives that he issued were necessary to ensure that PLTP permittees and winning bidders and confiscated forest product will transport what are allowed under their permits other awards respectively.”

Over the news on Friday last week, Secretary Paje also announced that he will “abolish about 60 to 70 percent of the total number of checkpoints and retain those that are “highly critical” nationwide. His reason for the abolition of non-critical checkpoints is that logging companies have complained that the checkpoints only increase the transaction costs for timber because the checkpoints had been extorting money from them.

But Secretary Paje, however, will require to install closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) in wood processing plants so that the DENR can monitor through these cameras of the raw materials and finished products coming in and out of the wood processing plants. (Eric Herzon F. Gallego, DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
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POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Criselda Bulahao-Nalam

Butuan cops confiscate illegal logs

On September 07, 2010 around 9:00 in the morning, a joint operation by PNP members of Butuan City Police Station (BCPS) 1 led by PINSP CYRILLE O TUVILLO, 13th RPSB led by PINSP AGUILAR and DENR forest product monitoring station led by Mr. Moises Rafael Altorino, confiscated more or less 231 cubic meter falcata and mixed species of logs with an estimated value of Php 300,209.00 at Bansaw Mill, Purok-9, Brgy San Vicente, Butuan City.

Aforesaid logs are allegedly owned by one Epifania Bascon and one Remuel Villamor, both residents of Sta. Ines, San Luis, Agusan del Sur. Subject forest products were subsequently turned over to DENR for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga) 

Report on wanted persons

On September 08, 2010 around 8:45 in the morning at Purok-6, Brgy Dumalagan, Butuan City, elements of Butuan City Police Station (BCPS) 3 led by SPO3 Jerry Advincula, apprehended one Joel Talibong, 29 years old, single and a resident of said place by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Hon Eduardo S Casals, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 1, Libertad, Butuan City for the crime of Reckless Imprudence resulting to Slight Physical Injury docketed under cc# 14347 and with recommended bail bond amounting to Php 6,000.00. 

Subject person was properly turned-over to the issuing court for proper disposition.

Meanwhile, at around 8:00 in the morning of September 08, 2010, at Brgy San Isidro, Santiago, Agusan del Norte, PNP members of Santiago Municipal Police Station led by PO3 Taneo apprehended one Marilou Bartolabac, of legal age and a resident of said place by virtue of warrant of arrest issued by Hon Emmanuel E Escatron, Presiding Judge, RTC Branch 33, Cabadbaran City for the crime of Theft docketed under cc# 10-59 and with recommended bail bond amounting to Php 24, 000.00.

Subject person was subsequently released after posting the required bail bond.
(PNP-13/PIA-Caraga) 

Report on barricade

On September 06, 2010 around 7:00 in the morning, indigenous people (IP's) of Sitio Gacub, Brgy Hinapoyan, Carmen, Surigao del Sur, established barricade by putting road blocks at the concession road of SUDECOR in the aforementioned place to prevent logging trucks from passing the concession area going to the company's main office at Brgy. Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.

The leaders of the group were identified as Alito Meniano, Philip Iligan, Gavino Maca and Junior Dagging who were demanding the immediate payment of the log waste, which they converted into lumber and sold to SUDECOR but the said company allegedly, failed to comply with the agreement.

That on September 07, 2010 around 7:00 in the morning, PNP elements of Carmen PS, led by PSI DOMINADOR AMBRAY PLAZA, COP together with DENR personnel led by CENRO Iniego Collantes, representative from SUDECOR Mr. Adriano Bonostro-Manager for finance matter and one team of SCAA led by 2LT. Marlon Tapec of 23rd IB, PA, proceeded to the above mentioned place for final negotiation to the IP's and to determined their demands and purpose in establishing a barricade.

Upon arrival in the area, IP's that staged barricade were more or less sixty (60) were invited to Sitio Gacub, Social Hall and while on said place, they presented their problems such as: payments of all log waste that they converted into lumber and sold to SUDECOR company which took for almost two (2) months already and no payments has been received by them which violates their memorandum of agreement; that log waste number must be paid within one week upon delivery; IP's are also claiming that they shall be given priority for employment in the company since their logging operations are done in the ancestral area of Manobo and the scholarship must be extended to a maximum number of student.

All of the problems being presented were all undertaken and given assurance by the company especially the payment of all log waste lumber this coming Thursday Sept 09, 2010 with promises that in case the company failed to comply this demand, the Barricade will be re established again on Friday September 10, 2010. With this assurance, Barricade has been totally dismantled at around 12:30 in the afternoon Sept 07, 2010. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga) 

Seizure of firearms

On September 06, 2010 around 8:00 in the evening, more or less seventy (70) fully armed men/CT's, believed to be members of GF-16-A, GF-21-B and GF-30, equipped with assorted high powered FA's, led by Alias Commander Puma appeared at Barangay Pantukan, Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, particularly at the residential house of Brgy Captain Martino Sugian Ala.

The said Barangay Chairman sensed the presence of CT's managed to escape from the CT's. The CT's then searched the house and carted away three (3) cal .45 pistol and one (1) cal .38 revolver owned by Brgy Captain Ala and brothers Oliver Ala and Ragelio Ala both members of CAFGU under the supervision of 36th IB based in Pantukan Patrol Base.

Prior to their departure, CT's conducted short dialogue to the Barangay populace of above mentioned barangay, to convey the motive of their raid and the alleged corrupt practices of Barangay Captain Ala. CT's stayed for almost two (2) hours after which the group of Aka Puma and Aka Dongkoy withdrew towards mountainous area of Sugkaran, Barangay Lobo.

Some group also withdrew towards boundary of Malayan logging Road of the same municipality going to Surigao Norte area.
(PNP-13/PIA-Caraga) 


Armed Group ransack village chief’s residence

A fully armed group numbering more or less 70, equipped with assorted highly powered firearms pillaged a residence of the village chief of Brgy. Pantukan, Carascal town in Surigao del Sur 8:00 in the evening, Monday.

Reports from Surigao del Sur police reaching Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez stated that the armed group believed to be coming from the three guerilla fronts; Guerilla Front 16A, Guerilla Front 21B and Guerilla Front 30 of the CPP/NPA, led by aa aluias Commander Puma, raided the residence of Brgy. Capt. Martino Sugian Ala.

The village chief along with two of his brothers Oliver and Rogelio Ala (both members of the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit) which have their patrol base in the area supervised by the 36th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army reportedly sensed the coming of the rebels and were able to escape from the residence unharmed.

The rebels searched the barangay captain’s house and took away 3 Caliber .45 pistols and a caliber .38 revolver they found. Reportedly, the short firearms were owned by the village chief and his two brothers who were both members of CAFGU.

The rebels reportedly conducted a short dialogue with the barangay folks who were present during the raid before leaving the area. They accordingly explained for more or less two hours, the motive of their raid, which accordingly was against the alleged corrupt practices of the barangay official.

After their dialogue with the village folks, the group separated ways with the group under Aka Puma and Aka Dongkoy went towards the hinterlands of Sugkaran, Brgy. Lobo of the said municipality.

The other group withdrew towards the boundary of the Malayan Logging Road of the said municipality going towards the Surigao del Norte area.

It can be recalled that during the recently held regional peace and order council meeting, the army during its regional peace and order security briefing mentioned that the CPP/NPA’s harassment activities of ambuscades, harassments of para-military unit detachment and PNP stations, burning of heavy equipments among others made the communists the leading threat to the peace and order, security, progress and development, as well as to the tourism industry of the region, particularly to the province of Surigao del Sur where most of the incidents during the period occurred. (Noel B. Najarro, Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)
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IP’s blocked roads leading to a logging company in SurSur

Undetermined number of indigenous people believed to be belonging to Manobo tribes established barricades and blocked the concession roads of the Surigao Development Corporation (SUDECOR), early morning, Monday at Sitio Gacub, Brgy. Hinapoyan, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.

The indigenous people’s action according to police reports from Surigao del Sur police, prevented the logging trucks from passing the concession area going to the company’s main office at Brgy. Puyat, Carmen, Surigao del Sur.

The police also identified the leaders of the group as Alito Meniano, Philip Iligan, Gavino Maca and Junior Dagging. Meniano and his group accordingly demanded the immediate payment of the log waste which were converted into lumber and was sold to SUDECOR. But the company allegedly failed to keep their part of the said agreement. These allegedly sparked the natives’ mass action.

At 7:00 A.M. Tuesday, personnel from Carmen Municipal police Station led by its chief PSInsp. Dominador A. Plaza, accompanied by DENR person el led by CEBRO Iniego Collantes and a representative from SUDECOR Mr. Adriano Bonostro, Manager for Finacial matter escorted by a team of Special Civilian Active Auxiliary (SCAA) led by 2 Lt. Marlon Tapec of the 23rd IB, PA went to the said place and met with the protesting IPs.

They came to negotiate and to know the reason behind their protest action which led to the placement of the barricades.

They met with more or less 60 persons staging the mass action at Sitio Gacub Social Hall.

The protestors aired their grievances during the meeting which included the delayed payments for two months of all log wastes which were converted into lumber and sold to SUDECOR company. This accordingly violated their memorandum of agreement. Accordingly, based on the said agreement that the log waste must be paid within one week upon delivery. Another demand they aired was that they should be considered a priority for employment in the company since the company’s logging operations are within the ancestral domain claim of the Manobo tribes and that scholarship must be extended to a maximum number of students.

All the grievances aired by the protesting group were noted and assurance was given by the representative of the SUDECOR especially the payment of the log waste will be made in Thursday, September 9.

The protestors dismantled the barricades 12:30 noontime of Tuesday; but warned that should the company falls short in its compliance of its promise, they will set up again the barricades in Friday, September 10. (Noel B. Najarro, Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)