(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, Oct. 26, 2010

City COMELEC bares official result in 27 barangays

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY (26 October) – As of 8:00 this morning, the City COMELEC here bared official and final result of 19 barangays or 31.39 percent of the city’s total number of barangays during yesterday’s Barangay and SK Synchronized Elections.

Of the 27 barangays, majority of the winners are the incumbent punong barangays, it was learned.

Following are the elected punong barangays: Brgy. Ampayon - Sammy Amante; Brgy. Ong Yiu – Leyson; Brgy. Obrero - Fernan B. Rivero; Brgy. San Ignacio – Galan; Brgy. Dumalagan – Ditchon; Brgy. Masao – Perez; Brgy. Pianing – Sumaylo; Brgy. Kinamlutan - Ilagor; Brgy. Imadejas – Aclan; Brgy. Bayanihan – Libarios; Brgy. Ambago – Monico Bustillo; Brgy. Dulag – Rosales; Brgy. Holy Redeemer – Laura F. Salcon; Brgy. Bading – Boholano; Brgy. J.P. Rizal – Lao; Brgy. Amparo – Cabudlan; Brgy. Baan Riverside - Jeremiah Café; Brgy. Anticala – Bao; Brgy. Mahogany – Padilla; Brgy. Tagabaca – Cantero; Brgy. Taguibo - Bianio; Brgy. Bugsukan – Galla; Brgy. Tiniwisan - Tabelon; Brgy. Sumilihon -Calo; Brgy. Tandang Sora – Iskol; Brgy. Taligaman – Jañola; and Brgy. Villa Kanangga – Amigos.

As of press time, election canvass in other barangays continue to arrive at the City COMELEC Office. (PIA-Caraga)

 
Caraga has achieved a peaceful election, PNP says

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY (26 October) – Following the Barangay and SK synchronized elections conducted yesterday, October 25 in the country, PNP Caraga Regional Director PCSupt Reynaldo Rafal said the whole region has achieved a peaceful and orderly elections.

Inspite of some election-related violence happened days before the conduct of the elections, “generally, the conduct of the elections in the whole region turns out to be successful and peaceful,” he said.

Further, Gen. Rafal said one of the factors of achieving such peaceful elections is the commitment and dedication of the police personnel regionwide in upholding peace and security as the people in the region casted their sacred votes to choose officials who will lead them in achieving development in their respective barangays.

Meanwhile, as of press time, election returns from other barangays continue to arrive at the city’s COMELEC Office here. (PIA-Caraga)


Butuan Mayor’s bro wins Ampayon brgy. chairman, vows for a better governance

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY (26 October) – Mr. Sammy Amante, brother of Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. garnered landslide victory over his opponent as the new Punong Barangay of Barangay Ampayon here, the second barangay in the city who has the biggest number of registered voters during the May 10, 2010 national and local elections, next to Barangay Libertad.

In an interview with a local radio station here, the newly-elected Punong Barangay said one of the priority programs of his administration is to implement the “Pangkabuhayan sa Katawhan” (People’s Livelihood) “because this is needed by my constituents here in Ampayon,” he said.

Also, Amante assured the people of Ampayon of better governance, as he inherited the position from his brother who is now the city’s mayor. Further, Brgy. Capt. Amante extended his gratitude to the people of Ampayon for the support. 

“I would like to thank all the Ampayon people who supported me… I will do my best to fulfill what I have promised to make Ampayon a better barangay in Butuan City,” he said. (PIA-Caraga)


Winning peace in Camiguin

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Another significant event transpired in Mindanao, Region X wherein the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Internal Security Operations (ISO) Handover took place in the province of Camiguin last October 22, 2010.
The handover ceremony was a joint effort between the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army and the local government units of Camiguin to provide for a transitional mechanism to clearly define the shift from lead and support roles, and vice versa, between and among the different agencies or stakeholders to finally eradicate insurgency problems.

The signing of the MOA was spearheaded by Major General Victor A Felix, Commander, 4thID, PA, and Hon. Jurdin Jesus M Romualdo, Governor of Camiguin together with other stakeholders and witnesses. 

Gov. Romualdo delivered his speech stating that the province of Camiguin is already peaceful and the insurgency in Region X is already diminishing. 

“What remains right now is the abusive acts of the New People’s Army (NPA) which defies the law” Gov. Romualdo added.

Lt.Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command said, “The handover of ISO does not entail the withdrawal of our soldiers from this province.” 

“Instead, local chief executives, who are the focal persons in the multi-stakeholder convergence for peace and development, shall provide direction while the peace and order councils shall be responsible in synergizing efforts toward a common goal,” he added.

Recently the province of Misamis Oriental’s ISO responsibility was already “handed over” to its Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) last September 21, 2010.

Major Noli P Kanashiro, Spokesperson of 4ID said “The handover of the ISO signifies that the 4ID, PA and the government are already winning peace in the region because we won the hearts and minds of the majority of the populace.” (4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army/PIA-Caraga)


Battle casualties receive cash award

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix, Commander of 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army awarded a total amount of six hundred thousand pesos (P600,000) to six (6) battle casualties under his command on Wednesday, 25 of October 2010 at Camp Evangelista, Patag this city.
.At least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P250, 000) has been given to Mr. Manuel Onangay, father of the late Cafgu Active Auxiliary (CAA) Dominador Y. Onangay 23IB who was killed in action against local terrorists during the harassment of Zamboanguita Patrol Base stationed at San Fernando Bukidnon last 31 of March 2009.  

CAA Geraldo L. Marticion received an award in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100, 000) for sustaining a serious injury during the aggravation against more or less ten (10) Communist Terrorists believed to be members of Front Committee under the anonymous Commander NEMRC at Mararag Detachment, Mararag, Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, on 01 November 2008.

In line with that, Pfc Vincent T. Sarcenas who also experienced an encounter was awarded with an amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100, 000). 

Another Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50, 000) was honored to Pfc Roy T Galabo L. Marticion. The latter experienced an encounter and a land mining incident that has been perpetrated by approximately twenty five (25) CTs that makes him sustained major injury at the district of Sitio Kaguisukan/Manluy-a, Brgy Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur on 30 November 2007.  

While Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50, 000) from the Special Financial Assistance is awarded to Pfc Al B Salvana of this Command. Salvana sustained minor injury when he encountered Communist Terrorists of NEMRC at Brgy Bugak, Lingig, Surigao del Sur on 24 September 2008.

And from the Presidential Social Fund, the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50, 000) is tributed to Pfc. Ahmadrawas B. Abdula for sustaining minor injury when they encountered fifty (50) Lawless MILF groups at Ilihan, Brgy Kiazar, Tagoloan, Lanao del Norte last 02 December 2008.  

Major Noli P. Kanashiro, Spokesperson of 4ID said, “The 4ID, PA provides assistance and support for our soldiers to boost their morale especially to those who unselfishly offered ultimate sacrifice in the battle; and their heroic deeds shall always be recognized”. (4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Philippine Army/PIA-Caraga)

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As world celebrates UN Day, Legarda commits to doing her part in achieving the MDGs, urges other RP leaders to do the same

Senator Loren Legarda today joins the world in celebrating the United Nations (UN) Day.

As part of her support to the advocacies and programs of the UN, Legarda reiterated her commitment to do her part in helping the Philippines achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015.

“I join the world in commemorating the United Nations Day, which, according to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, is ‘a day when we must resolve to do more’. Indeed, we have to work harder because we have a gargantuan task—the achievement of the eight Millennium Development Goals,” Legarda said.

This year’s UN Day focuses on the MDGs, particularly on the global action plan adopted by the UN member states during the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly last month.

During the summit, the member states, including the Philippines, reaffirmed their commitment to promote the economic and social development of all peoples.

“We only have five years left before the 2015 deadline. We must exert all our efforts and resources to achieve the MDGs because these are the very same concerns of our people. I commit, that I will do everything in my power as a legislator and Asia Pacific Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction to help realize these goals,” Legarda said.

The Senator has filed Senate Resolution 198, which calls for the review on the progress of the Philippines towards the achievement of the MDGs in comparison with the progress of other country-signatories.

Legarda, who was conferred the 2001 UN Environmental Program award for her significant contributions to environmental work, had also filed several bills that would help realize the MDGs, especially through disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.

“I also call on our government to prioritize the fulfillment of the MDGs and integrate it in our national development planning efforts. Likewise, I enjoin my fellow legislators in both Houses of Congress and all national and local leaders to do their part in this great endeavor. We are in a race against time, but we can still catch up if all our efforts are focused on working on a clear, precise, accurate, and efficient plan of action towards the achievement of the eight MDGs,” Legarda stressed. (Office of Senator Loren Legarda/PIA-Caraga)
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Loren seeks immediate passage of bill qualifying media killing as a crime of murder

Senator Loren Legarda today pushed for the immediate passage of a proposed measure that seeks to qualify the killing of members of broadcast and print media in the performance of their duties as a crime of murder.

Legarda stressed the importance of the measure as she noted that the Philippines fell 34 notches in the world press freedom ranking primarily due to the Maguindanao massacre.

“The numerous cases of journalists and media practitioners killed in the line of duty have tarnished our country’s state of press freedom, supposedly one of the freest in the world,” Legarda said.

“Recently, the Reporters Without Borders released its 2010 World Press Freedom Index where we ranked 156th, a heavy fall from our previous record. We cannot sit idly by and watch our country, which is a democratic state, be branded as a nation where the media’s freedom is curtailed by silencing the messengers of news and seekers of truth,” she added.

The Reporters Without Borders ranks the state of press freedom of 178 countries. The 2010 rank of the Philippines is a sharp fall from its previous rank of 122nd in 2009.

The decline was attributed to the Maguindanao massacre in November 2009 when 57 people were killed, including 32 journalists.

In this regard, Legarda, who is a former journalist herself, said that she would push for the immediate passage of Senate Bill 1426, which seeks to amend Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code to qualify the killing of members of broadcast and print media in the performance of their duties as a crime of murder.

“We have to put a stop to the killing of journalists and media practitioners. This measure seeks to protect them while in the lawful exercise of their functions,” Legarda said. (Office of Senator Loren Legarda/PIA-Caraga)