(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. 7, 2010

AgSur PPOC condemns terroristic act of LTG

By: David M. Suyao

The Agusan del Sur Peace and Order Council officially condemns the terroristic act of the Local Terrorists Group (LTG) in Agusan del Sur for the series of unconventional and terroristic act inflected to the non-combatant military personnel and killing innocent civilians.

In a resolution passed recently by the PPOC attested by Vice Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. and duly approved by Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza, the PPOC specifically pinpointed the gruesome killing of five Civil Relations Officers of the Philippine Army who have just concluded conducting pulong-pulong in Barangay La Fotuna, and killing one innocent child who was at that time in an errand.

In a statement released by 26th Infantry Batallion Commander Lt. Col. Neil Richard Patricio, he said the area surrounding Barangay La Fortuna are known to be rebel infested and are dependent of their consumption out of the “revolutionary tax” they are collecting from the poor local residents.

“The main reason why these local communist terrorists harass the army is because their atrocities are contained with the presence of our forces. We are there to secure the area and maintain peace and order in order that economic activities will flourish,” Col. Patricio said.

It can be recalled that series of unconventional and terroristic attacks were inflected by the LTG in Agusan del Sur and some part of Caraga Region, and one concrete example was the ambush of the evaluating team of the army in Lianga, Surigao del Sur some months ago using land mines and killing non-combatant members of the army and some civilians. 

Because of these atrocities done by the LTG, another resolution was passed by the Agusan del Sur PPOC requesting Mr. Nilo Manpatillan to establish a good relationship between the tribal leaders and the Armed Forces of the Philippines stationed in Agusan del Sur in fighting terroristic acts of the LTG with the support of other agencies whose mandate is the preservation of peace and order in the province. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)


OWWA Caraga to hold OFW Family Day in Surigao

Surigao City (December 7) - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-Caraga) is set to hold an Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) “Family Day 2010” on December 11, 2010 at the new provincial gymnasium this city.

OWWA-13 OIC Director Marietta Lumawag said the event will pay tribute and celebrate the worthy contributions of our modern day heroes -- the OFWs and their families, “for keeping the country’s economy afloat.”

Some 2,000 OFWs along with their family members coming from the different municipalities all over the region are expected to participate in the activity.

“We have a number of activities prepared for them and these include raffle draw, games, fun & entertainment, production numbers, and Christmas carol contest for OFWs and their familes. They will definitely enjoy,” Lumawag said. 

Lumawag also said that OWWA will award the outstanding OFW organizations and social partners and the “OWWAish Ko Lang” OFW Family beneficiaries. The said award according to Lumawag will be given to OFWs who decided to work abroad for a certain dream or wish for his family, but was forced to return home without finishing their contracts because of misfortune or uncontrollable circumstances. “The winners for OWWAish Ko Lang will be given a P10,000 cash prize as a gift from OWWA,” she added.

A Medical-Dental mission will also be offered to the OFW participants and their families in partnership with DOH, Red Cross, PCSO, Philippine Army and the Office of Sen. Many Villar.

Meantime, Dir. Lumawag revealed that with their strong partnership with the local government units (LGUs), a MOA signing with the LGUs and the Congressional Districts on the establishment of the OFW Help Desk will also be held on the same day.

Lumawag also announced that POEA will conduct a mini-jobs fair with 5 recruitment agencies already confirmed to participate. 

The OFW Family Day, which is an annual activity of the agency, is OWWA's way of thanking OFWs and aims to highlight the sacrifices of the OFWs and their families, especially, those who are displaced and those who bear the social cost of migration. 

This year, Globe Telecoms, BPI Pinoy and Banco de Oro are the OWWA's major private partners. (FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Caraga registers add’l 8K households for 4P’s

BUTUAN CITY – An additional 8,555 potential households were registered in DSWD Caraga for its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4P’s.

DSWD Regional Information Officer Leah T. Quintana disclosed that these are part of the expansion of 4P’s in set 3-D areas to accommodate more household beneficiaries.

The newly registered 4P’s beneficiaries are from the municipalities of Tubay in Agusan del Norte, San Agustin, Tago and Cortes in Surigao del Sur, Alegria and Sta. Monica in Surigao del Norte and San Jose in the Province of Dinagat Islands.

At present, the total number of 4P’s beneficiaries in Caraga region already reached 86,726 who already received their monthly cash grants.

The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) is a poverty reduction and social development strategy of the national government that provides conditional cash grants to extremely poor households to improve their health, nutrition and education needs particularly of children aged 0-14 with the objective of providing social assistance and social development. (Jocelyn E. Morano, Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)


DepEd gearing up for 2011 NSPC

BUTUAN CITY – Preparations are underway for the holding of the National Schools Press Conference to be hosted by Butuan City in 2011.

The Department of Education Caraga Region recently held a two-day conference for the Technical Working Group to ensure success of the event where students from different regions in the country will participate in the country’s biggest campus journalism competition.

Dep-Ed Caraga Information Officer Isidro Biol said the meeting was attended by representatives from the Bureau of Elementary Education and Bureau of Secondary Education.

Discussions were focused on the different activities on the scheduled NSPC, venue of the contest, board and lodging of evaluators, judges, facilitators and the participants, finances among others.

Dep Ed Officials likewise made an ocular inspection to schools in Butuan City for possible billeting quarters.

Part of the preparation according to DepEd Caraga Information Officer Biol is the on going negotiation with the FSUU Basic Education Campus in Libertad as the contest venue.

The organizers are expecting more than 4,000 delegates from 17 regions who will be joining the 2011 National Schools Press Conference in Butuan City that would converge in friendly competition and exercise the freedom of expression.

The date for the said event will be in February 2011 with the theme: “Freedom of Expression: Rights and Responsibility.”

Next month, a coordination meeting will be held between the provincial governments of Butuan and Agusan del Norte, the PNP, Department of Tourism and other regional government agencies. (Jocelyn E. Morano, Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)


POLICE REPORTS
By PO3 Arturo Suganob Campania


Malimono, SdN cops arrest wanted person 

One Arnulfo Mangaring y Quinto, 54 yrs old, married, farmer and res of said place was arrested by PNP elements of Malimono MPS led by PINSP JOEL P LAGTO by virtue of WOA issued by Hon Judge Rolando T Literato of 1st MCTC, Malimono/San Francisco, Surigao del Norte, dated December 2, 2010, docketed under CC Nr 2073 for violation of RA 8048 (The coconut preservation Act of 1995) with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 12,000.00. 

Apprehension took place at Brgy Bunsayan, Malimono, Surigao del Norte on December 5, 2010 at 7:00 am. Subject person now deatined at Malimono MPS for proper disposition. 

One Balvoncent Tanduyan y Colon, 22 yrs old, single and res of P-1, Conception, Cabadbaran City was apprehended by PNP elements of 133rd Regional Public Safety Company led by PINSP BRENT H LICCUD, under the supervision of PSUPT FRANCISCO DUNGO, Batallion Commenader of Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB). 

Apprehension took place at P-1, Conception, Cabadbaran City on December 6, 2010 at 6:40 am by virtue of WOA docketed under CC nr 10905 and 0906 for the crime of 2 counts direct assault with recommended bailbond amounting to Php 6,000.00 each, issued by Hon Judge Nemesio S Cañete of 4th MCTC Cabadbaran-RTR dated July 21, 2010. Subject person was brought to 133rd Public Safety Company headquarters for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Report on illegal gambling 

PNP elements of Butuan City Police Station 1 led by SPO4 Demetrio C Castolo Jr in coordination with Butuan City Police Station 2 under PSINSP ALEX A CELIZ executed the search warrant with number 113-2010, dated December 5, 2010, issued by Hon Judge Eduardo S Casals of RTC Branch 1, Libertad, Butuan City against one Annabel Pejoles y Recamadas, alleged swertres/lotto general coordinator, 47 yrs old, married and res of P-8, Langihan Road, Brgy Limaha, Butuan City. Seized were 59 pcs filled-up swertres tally sheets, 1 pc swertres tip, 81 pcs filled-up swertres ticket stubs, 1 pc calculator, 3 pcs ballpen and bet money amounting to Php 8,743.00. Case against subject person was already filed at City Prosecutor’s Office in an inquest proceedings under NPS docket nr XIII-01-INQ-10L-00259. Subject person signed a waiver, a detention for 15 days. 

PNP elements of Surigao City Police Station under the supervision of PCINSP CHARLIE A CABRADILLA conducted operations against illegal gambling as amended by RA 9287 (illegal numbers game locally known as swertres) on December 5, 2010 at 5:30 pm which resulted to the apprehension of one Julieto Munez Gonsaga, 76 yrs old, separated, swertres usher and a res of Brgy Lipata, Surigao City. 

Subject was actually caught soliciting bet money at the vicinity of Public Market, Surigao City. Confiscated from his possession were several illegal gambling paraphernalia and bet money amounting to Php 280.00. 

The team proceeded to Purok 6, Brgy San Juan, Surigao City and apprehended one Renelyn Peril Elizaga, 36 yrs old, married, swertres usher and res of said place. Subject was actually caught engaged in illegal gambling and confiscated from her possession were several gambling paraphernalia and bet money amounting to Php 30.00. Subject persons and confiscated items were brought to Surigao City Police Station for proper disposition. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Voluntary surrender of loose firearm 

One Victor D Buenaflor, legal age, res of Gonzales St, Surigao City surrendered two (2) units loose firearms to PSSUPT EMMANUEL M TALENTO, Provincial Director of Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office on December 6, 2010 at 12:00 noon. Firearms surrendered were one 12 gauge shotgun with defaced serial nr and one carbine .30m1 with defaced serial number. Said firearms now deposited at supply section of Surigao del Norte PPO. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Report on suicide incident 

One Elizabeth Sagrado y Mosende, 23 yrs old, married, res of P-6, Sitio Tinago, Brgy Matabao, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte was found hanging and dead with the use of nylon string tied on her neck inside their house by her husband Ryan Sagrado y Amamio on December 6, 2010 at 1:00 am. 

Victim was rushed to Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital but declared dead by the attending physician. PNP elements of Buenavista MPS now conducting thorough investigation of the case. Progress report to follow. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Recovery of stolen motorcycle 

PNP elements of San Francisco MPS received information about carnapping incident on December 5, 2010 at 7:30 pm that transpired at Bgry 2, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur involving one unit Honda XRM motorcycle color blue, for registration and owned by one Mailito Cabanos y Iamais, 36 yrs old, married, businessman and res of P-3, Brgy 2, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. 

PNP elements of San Frnacisco MPS led by PO3 Warren Joy Moreno Urbistondo under the supervision of PSI JOEL A BIÑAS immediately conducted operations which led to the apprehension of the suspect identified as Helyfred Arcin y Gerondio, 21 yrs old, single, gold panner and res of P-8, Sitio Sinug-ang, Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur after he was chased and caught by the owner at National highway, Brgy Hubang, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. 

Suspect now detained at San Francisco MPS and subject motorcycle was turned over to the owner. Progress report to follows. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)

Progress report: 

A case for illegal possession of firearms now filed at Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, Libertad, Butuan City under IS Nr INQ-10K-0017 against Vergar Fernandez Umas-as, 25 YO, married & a resident of Sitio Suakay, Brgy Dona Telesfora, Tubay, Agusan del Norte. 

Subject person was arrested by PNP elements of Cabadbaran MPS led by PCI RAINIER P DIAZ, OIC for possessing a .45 caliber pistol (paltik) with serial number 432210 loaded with one (1) live ammo along the National Highway of Brgy 9, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte on December 2, 2010 around 12:45 dawn. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)


DENR employee shot to death by unidentified gunmen

By: Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) employee, Rolando Sinday was reportedly shot by unidentified assailants at the vicinity of Sitio Panlamaan, Barangay Aniobongan, Lianga this province at around 5:30pm yesterday, December 06, 2010.

According to Police Provincial Office (PPO), the victim was riding his single motorcycle red Honda XRM going to Lianga from Barobo this province when the two gunmen riding on a black XRM without plate number followed him.

Report said, upon reaching at the vicinity of Sitio Panlamaan of Brgy Anibongan, the two gunmen wearing Black Karancho sweatshirt shot the victim three (3) times at the close range using pistol whose caliber is unknown. The victim sustained multiple gunshots wounds on the different parts of his body that resulted in his instantaneous death.

The victim was a regular employee a of DENR in CENRO Lianga as Tree Marker covering the municipality of San Agustin, Marihatag, Lianga and Barobo this province. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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Over 17,000 jobs awaits applicants for DOLE’s 77th Anniversary Job Fair

A ranking labor and employment official here says that there are 17, 769 job orders available, waiting for applicants during the Department of Labor and Employment’s three-day job fair dubbed as JOB EXPO “Trabahong Pamaskong Handog” to be held at Almont Inland Resort, in December 8-10.

This was announced by Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) Caraga OIC Marieta M. Bellotindos, during a press forum held recently. Attending the said forum were other ranking DOLE regional officials and of its attached line agencies led by DOLE Regional Director Ofelia B. Domingo.

Dir. Bellotindos said that her agency was tasked by RD Domingo and their department to invite agencies which can offer job openings and opportunities, both for domestic and overseas employment during the job fair. The activity is part of the month-long celebration of DOLE’s 77th Anniversary.

Bellotindos said that there were at least 16 agencies who had responded to their invitation, out of which they had gathered the aforementioned figure of available job orders. “We hope that applicants here and those coming from the neighboring places can find their opportunities and settle for employment here in the country or abroad during the job fair,” she said.

She assured the prospective applicants that all of the participating agencies are active and legitimate and the job orders offered really exists and available. The official said that they had given their invitation only to those agencies which they found out to have sufficient job orders. 

Some of the invited agencies she said are coming from Manila, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City while six of them exists here in the region; one from Surigao while five of them are located just right here in Butuan City. According to her that the agencies invited were all active, licensed and accredited with the POEA. The available job orders, Bellotindos said, consisted of household workers, professionals and skilled workers. These included opportunities for local employment and for countries overseas such as the UAE, Qatar, KSA, Hongkong, Singapore, Kuwait, Malaysia and Taiwan. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)
   

DOLE inks MOA with KBP; FSUU

The Regional Office of the Department of Labor and Employment of Caraga region recently signed a memorandum of agreement between the Kapisanan Ng Mga Brodkaster Sa Pilipinas (KBP Butuan –Agusan Chapter) a foremost media organization and Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU), a leading university of the country aiming for a wider exposure, information dissemination and participation of the forthcoming JOB EXPO “Trabahong Pamaskong Handog” activities in December 8-10, 2010 and other activities in line with the departments 77th Anniversary month-long celebration.

The activity is set at Almont Inland Resort, this city starting on Wednesday, (December 8) until Friday (December 10).

Signing in behalf of DOLE in both agreements was DOLE Acting RD Ofelia B. Domingo. Kapisanan Ng Mga Brodkaster Sa Pilipinas (Butuan City-Agusan del Norte Chapter) President Rommel Zerrudo signed in behalf of the media organization and journalists present.

The KBP is a foremost broadcast media organization composed of the owners and managers of television and broadcast outlets in the country which has its local chapters nationwide. It is also a public service organization serving the widest coverage, and has maintained its standing as a reliable and credible media organization.

The memorandum of agreement between the DOLE stipulates that local KBP commits to be partner in the dissemination of information to the public, and the media outfits under the said organization be available to cover the significant events in line with DOLE’s 77th Anniversary month-long celebration. Zerrudo during his message for the occasion pointed out that he is signing the agreement not only in behalf of the local KBP Chapter but he is including the other journalists present during the affair. He said that the DOLE’s program especially the job fair and other various labor and employment related activities of the month-long celebration were all noble and worth supporting, even for accommodation as a public service of a respective media outfit. He also thanked DOLE for trusting KBP for counting the organization as one of its partners for the occasion.

Also signing in behalf of FSUU was the institution’s President Fr. John Christian Young, who attended the occasion together with the vice-President Fr. Chito Butardo and some other university officials. DOLE explaining on why it tapped FSUU as a partner for the celebration said the university is known for its quality education not only in the area but in the other places as well, and maintained its status as one of the leading universities of the country. The institution is also known as well as an active private entity that contributes to the developmental efforts through their program and services anchored on their corporate social responsibility. The university also, according to the DOLE is known for their public services through its placement and alumni office.

Their agreement stipulates that DOLE and FSUU will also be partners on the present endeavor, to advocate the job expo to their graduates and the general public through their alumni and placement office and also to provide the cultural and intermission numbers in order to give color during the opening of the job exposition.

FSUU President Young in his message for the occasion assures DOLE of their full support of the endeavor with a hope that the present program of the department and its attached line agencies may somehow address the “mismatch” between the skills needed in the country and most of the courses offered in most institutions. He disclosed that their university even offers technological/vocational (Techvoc courses) through TESDA, in their effort to help close the said skills mismatch.

He said that they fully support the partnership as they believed that it will not only benefit the region but even the country as well. (Noel B. Najarro, The Butuan Star/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Mindanao Peace champions gi-abagan sa 5 ka peace advocates ug 2 ka grupo  

Ni Michael Imbo

Butuan City - Gipasidunggan ang GoP-UN Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace Programme sa kontribusyon niini sa pagtukod sa Mindanao Peace Champions sa pagtukod sa “Kalinaw sa Mindanao”, dili pa lang dugay atol sa selebrasyon sa pagpasalamat sa gitawag nga Kanduli didto sa dakbayan sa Davao.

Si Former Mindanao Development Authority chair, lawyer Jesus G. Dureza kinsa nakaserbisyo isip National Programme Director sa ACT For Peace ang gipasidunggan usab nga haligi sa kalinaw ug kalamboan sa isla sa Mindanao gumikan sa pakigtakdo sa nasyunal nga kagamhanan sulod sa daghang katuigan aron makab-ot ang kalihukan sa gipangita nga kalinaw sa Mindanao. 

Apil nga gipasudunggan si Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, commanding officer sa Western Mindanao Command kinsa naila nga strong advocate to incorporate peace lens alang sa seguridad sa kumunidad.

Nasayran usab nga si Atty. Mary Ann Arnado ang secretary general sa Mindanao People’s Caucus, ang mipadayag sa nagkalain-laing grupo aron magkatigum ug magpatigayon sa diyalogo, usa sa nahimo niini ang opurtunidad sa mga bakwit nga mabatian ang ilang tingog ngadto sa local ug nasyunal nga kagamhanan. 

Samtang si Ms Irene Santiago, chair sa Mindanao Women’s Commission ang nakigbisog nga makasalmot ang kababayen-an aron matutukan ang dugang kasulbaran sa kalinaw sa Mindanao. Ug si Ms Amina Rasul-Bernardo, director of the Philippine Council on Islam and Democracy ang subling misuporta sa paglambigit sa tingog sa publiko ug pag-organisa sa kababayen-an nga Moro ug Ulama para sa tinood nga pagkab-ot sa kalinaw.

Ang organisasyon sa mantalaan sama sa Mindanao News and Information Cooperative Center kon MindaNews ang migahin sa ilang dedikasyon aron masuta ang matood nga impormasyon sa Mindanao lakip na niana ang kultura, katawhan, lugar ug ang mga nag-unang isyu nga naka-apekto sa isla.

Sa laing bahin ang Bishops-Ulama Conference mitumbok usab sa ilang katuyuan pinaagi sa panagtigom alang sa diyalogo, tumong niini nga maghisgut sa kausa nga dili maka-apekto sa relihiyon, nagkalain-laing tinoohan, pagrespeto, pagsinabtanay ug kasabotan alang sa kalinaw.  

Ang programa gi-implementar sa Mindanao Development Authority kauban ang ARMM Regional Government ug gisuportahan kini sa gobyerno sa Australia, New Zealand, Spain ug European Union.
(PIA-Caraga)
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Amora, elected Butuan Liga ng mga Punong Barangay President

BUTUAN CITY - The elections for the Liga ng mga Barangay was successfully conducted early today at Luciana Convention Center, attended by all 86 Barangay Captains in the city.

Libertad Barangay Captain Vincent Rosario acts as the Chairman of the Election Committee while the City DILG supervised the activity ensuring an orderly process.

Barangay Captain Nestor Amora of Barangay Banza who ran for Liga President garnered a total of 50 votes against his lone contender, Barangay Captain Derrick Plaza of Barangay Agusan Pequeño who only got 34 votes.

For Liga Vice President, the brother of Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. won by a margin of 16 votes against his opponent Constancio Napana Jr. of barangay Rajah Soliman who both got the same votes as the Liga President candidates.

Ambago Barangay Captain Monico Bustilo runs unopposed as Liga Auditor who got 56 votes.

Of the total 18 barangay captains who ran as Liga Board of Directors, only 8 were chosen based on the highest votes gathered.

Limaha Barangay Captain Victor Abucejo got the highest vote (56) followed by Barangay Captain Edgardo Amigos, Eddie Baltazar of Barangay Doongan, Ma. Theresa Banate (Pagatpatan), Jeremiah Café (Baan Riverside), who all tied at 49 votes, Taguino Barangay Captain Jose Nemeño Jr. had 48 votes, Obrero Barangay Captain Fernan Rivero with 46 votes and Jessie Josue with 42 votes.

Apart from the support from the majority of barangay captains, newly sworn in Liga President Amora is also enjoying the full support of the incumbent Butuan City Mayor, and the Amante’s of the province of Agusan del Norte.

The president of the Liga ng Mga Barangay sits as ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and will chair the Committee of Barangay Affairs.

Liga President Amora vowed to have a fair and just distribution of projects regardless of political affiliations.

On the other hand, Mayor Ferdinand Amante appealed to barangay officials to move forward in the administration’s objective of attaining progress in the city of Butuan and to avoid conflict-ridden relationships.

Mayor Amante officiated the oath taking of the newly elected officers of Liga ng mga Punong Barangay. (Jocelyn E. Morano, Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Caraga)
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4P's beneficiaries reach 86,726 families in Caraga

TUBAY, Agusan del Norte - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga region) said at least 8, 555 potential household beneficiaries have registered to avail of the newly expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s), the government’s poverty alleviation program. 

The Caraga region DSWD hopes to enlist as beneficiaries under the expanded program households from the municipalities of Santiago and Tubay, both of Agusan del Norte province; San Agustin, Tago, Cortes, all of Surigao del Sur province; Alegria and Sta. Monica, both of Surigao del Norte; and San Jose of Dinagat Islands in Surigao del Norte province. 

According to Region XIII DSWD director Mercedita P. Jabagat, the additional 4P’s potential households were part of the expansion of 4P’s for set 3-D area in order to accommodate more poor households in the region. 

The registration of 4P’s potential household just ended last week. 

The registered 4P’s beneficiaries will receive a monthly cash grant of as much as P1,400.00 to meet their needs in health, nutrition and education, provided that they will comply to the conditions set by program. 

"As a 4P’s beneficiary and a parent leader, I am aware of the conditionalities set by the program. We need to comply these conditionalities for us to remain in the list of beneficiaries," said Gracelyn Baton of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. 

Baton said under the program, the family with 0-5 years old children must ensure that they have regular check-ups. 

She said, children aged 3-5 must be enrolled in day care and must have at least 85 percent of the school attendance while children aged 6-14 must be enrolled in elementary or high school and must also have at least 85 percent of the school attendance. 

Baton added that pregnant women beneficiaries must avail of the pre- and post-natal care and must be attended by skilled health personnel. The 4P’s also requires the parents or guardians to regularly attend Family Development Session." 

To date, a total of 86, 726 beneficiaries are already receiving the cash grant throughout Caraga region. 

Juliet Bustano, a mother of eight and a resident of Purok 1, El Rio, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur was so elated when she became a beneficiary of 4Ps. Julieta is always thankful to the program "4Ps help us in the school expenses of my children, we were also able to buy nutritious foods and I am just so happy that somehow we will not be too burdened with it," Juliet said. 

4P’s is one of the flagship programs of the government in reducing poverty in the country. 

With this, only the department and no other government agencies and LGU’s could add and exclude beneficiaries in the program. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)