(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, March 14, 2011

OWWA-Caraga to open training hall

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, March 14 (PIA)
-- The Regional Office of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) of Caraga Region is set to open a training hall that will serve as venue for OFWs to be trained with different livelihood opportunities especially those who were displaced due to calamities and political crises abroad.

This was announced by OWWA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Marietta A. Lumawag in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) recently.

According to Dr. Lumawag, dependents of OFWs may also participate in the trainings to be spearheaded by OWWA.

“Through this, we will be training the displaced OFWs as well as their dependents to venture in livelihood opportunities. By joining the trainings, they may find a way to engage business in the future,” Lumawag added.

Lumawag further said OWWA-Caraga will be launching “Language Course” program. “We will be opening Arabic and English proficiency trainings soon,”she said.

Furthermore, the training hall will also serve a venue for techno-transfer and reintegration seminars and programs. It is located beside the OWWA-Caraga Regional Office in J. Rosales Ave., this city.

Meanwhile, the OWWA Director said this week, business opportunity seminars will be conducted “so that as soon as the OFWs will have their business plans, they will immediately be given livelihood funds,” Lumawag said.

Also, Lumawag said funding of livelihood opportunities will be sourced out from the National Reintegration Center for OFWs. “The fund of this center comes from the General Appropriations Act,” she said.

With these initiatives of the government, the official is hoping that displaced workers in the region will be able to get back to their normal lives after their negative experiences especially during the time of the recent disasters, calamities, and political turmoil abroad. (PIA-Caraga)


Repatriated Caraga OFWs from Libya receives P10K financial assistance

BUTUAN CITY, March 14 -- Repatriated Caraganons from Libya received a check amounting to P10,000.00 as immediate relief assistance from Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

As of March 10, OWWA-Caraga Regional Welfare Office released as total of P220,000.00 to 22 Caraganons who were confirmed repatriated OFWs and were displaced from work due to political conflict in Libya.

The issued P220,000.00 is a fraction of the P100 million allotment to different regional offices of OWWA.

On the debriefing conducted by OWWA-Caraga Regional Director Marietta Lumawag, the repatriated Caraganons related their different tales of survival.

Nestor Leparto was emotional when he reminisced the attempt of attack and bombing in his workplace. He and his colleagues were finally rescued on February 28, 2011 and were able to come home on March 1.

The support of OWWA does not end in giving immediate monetary grants. The agency is in continuous partnership with other related agencies like POEA to put repatriated OFWs on the priority list for any job placement abroad.

Programs like skills upgrading, Microsoft Tulay Computer Literacy Courses, Technical-vocational Scholarships, Skills-technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship Development Training were also made available for the OFWs while waiting for their job placements.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on the other hand strengthens linkages with the mining companies of Caraga region. Currently, DOLE-Caraga has solicited 392 job vacancies for the displaced and repatriated Caraganon OFWs. (OWWA-Caraga/ PIA-Caraga)


OWWA-Caraga chief enjoins stakeholders to assist displaced workers

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, March 14 (PIA)
-- Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Marietta Lumawag recently enjoined stakeholders especially other government agencies to assist displaced workers of Caraga Region whatever they need.

This is the call of the region’s OWWA chief following reports that some of the displaced OFWs especially in Libya were not able to bring their passports because of the emergency repatriation caused by political crisis.

The official is directly appealing to the Department of Foreign Affairs for their assistance in solving the problem. “I would like to make an appeal to DFA to please facilitate the need of these displaced workers to have their new passport if that is possible,” Lumawag said.

Also, Dr. Lumawag said the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) was already coordinated to help in the job-matching of these workers in other countries abroad.

This effort of the OWWA is in line with the national government’s mandate to facilitate the needs of displaced workers.

Meanwhile, according to report, DFA said the evacuation of OFWs in Libya is expected to be completed this week after evacuating big number of OFWs from Tripoli, Benghazi and other coastal cities.

However, DFA officials said they may no be able to get the other OFWs in the strife-torn country if they continue to insist on staying. (PIA-Caraga)


14th Palarong Pampook opens in Surigao

By: Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Mar. 14 (PIA) -
- The 14th Palarong Pampook finally opened on Sunday, March 13, 2011 in Surigao City, with the region’s best and brightest student athletes from all nine DepEd divisions battling it out for pride and glory.

The traditional parade of nine participating delegations from the divisions of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Bislig City, Butuan City, Siargao, Dinagat, Surigao del Norte and Surigao City; the lighting of the symbolic urn; the field demonstration of the students and teachers; and the 10-minute fireworks display highlighted the opening ceremonies gathering around 10,000 athletes, coaches, officials, guests and spectators.

Former Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary now Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad, was the keynote speaker of the opening ceremonies at the new Surigao del Norte Provincial Sports Complex.

Abad revealed that the DepEd’s budget allocation for the fiscal year 2011 has increased by P32.3 billion to P207.3 billion. “Malaki ang increase ng budget sa DepEd hindi dahil taga DepEd ako dati, kung hindi dahil kinikilala ng ating pangulo ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon sa pagpapaunlad ng ating bansa.”

Host Governor Sol Matugas and Mayor Ernesto Matugas welcomed the participants in the weeklong event.

"As the host city, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you all to the city of Surigao," said Mayor Matugas in his short message.

Gov. Matugas acknowledged the presence of the good secretary – her former boss when she was still a regional director of the Department of Education. She also thanked the working committees who made all the necessary preparations to the event. “We acknowledged them sincerely and their contributions to this event. Salamat Karadjaw!”

2nd district Rep. Guillermo Romarate, on the other hand, is hopeful that with the conduct of the Palarong Pampook, “Caraganons will become a major contributor to the country’s sports development.”

A total of 17 sporting events will be staged in different venues. Among the events to be played are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, sipa/sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwando, tennis, and volleyball. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Army soldier killed in Surigao del Sur encounter

BUTUAN CITY, March 14
– A government soldier was killed while an undetermined number of suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels were wounded during an encounter in Barangay Cabangahan, Tago, Surigao del Sur on Friday afternoon, according to a police report received Sunday at the Caraga Police Regional Office here. 

The Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office identified the slain soldier as Pfc. Redulfo F. Escalices of the Philippine Army's 36th Infantry Battalion. 

The report stated that elements of the “Charlie” Company of the 36th IB were on regular patrol when they encountered the communist rebels, believed to be members of the Front Committee 30 of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) at Barangay Cabangahan, Tago town. 

An number of rebels were wounded in the gun battle, the report added.
(MUC/PIA-Caraga)


BCWD sets activities for its 37th Anniversary and 10th Water Consciousness Week celebrations

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 14 -- Butuan City Water District (BCWD) gears up for its 37th Anniversary cum 10th Water Consciousness Week celebration from March 26 to April 1, 2011.

Anchored on the theme: “Enhancing Water Supply in a Changing World,” this year’s commemoration of the district’s foundation on April 1, 1974 and the annual water consciousness week focuses on the district’s pivotal role in making Butuan City adapt to the ever changing world. 

BCWD is adapting to the challenges of climate change and the changing political climate with the leadership of President Aquino and in Butuan City the leadership of new City mayor, Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.,.

BCWD embarks this year in projects that will enhance its water supply to cope with the increasing demand for safe drinking water. 

Last January, BCWD started its Water Meter Maintenance Program to improve efficiency of the water meters. The program includes services such as withdrawal and replacement of water meters installed for the past five years or more to ensure accurate reading of water consumption. This runs until December, this year.

BCWD will install, this year, a booster pump in Libertad to push water to areas such as Bancasi, Dumalagan and Pinamanculan. Installation of this booster pump will also solve the problem of high water pressure resulting to increased number of busted pipes. It will regulate the water pressure, avoiding leakages in the city proper. 

Other projects in the pipeline are expansion to Brgy. Pinamacunlan and Sitio Calut, Brgy. Bayanihan; replacement of old pipes in Brgy. Ong Yiu; and rehabilitation of the Infiltration Gallery.

Different working committees were formed to spearhead the various activities to be conducted during the twin bill celebration. These committees have already started working for the successful fulfillment of their respective assignments. 

The twin bill celebration will officially start in a motorcade on March 28, 2011. However, there will be pre-celebration activities starting March 21.

It was learned that some of the set activities are as follows: March 21 - 7th Photo Contest at Iyao, Anticala, Agusan del Norte; Orientation of Blood Donors at the BCWD Training Hall; March 22 – Tour with ABC, City Council and City Tourism Officials at the BCWD Facilities; March 23 – Luncheon Meeting at the same time, Poster Making Contest at the BCWD Training Hall; March 24 – Luncheon Meeting and 2nd Quarter Water Quiz Show 2011. Other activities are lined up until April 1, 2011.

Meanwhile, BCWD will be giving away anniversary t-shirts to the first 37 paying customers on April 1, 2011. Concessionaires who will be paying on that date are advised to come early for them to be able to get any number from the first 37 priority numbers. (PIA-Caraga with data from BCWD)


National TVET Competency Assessment and Certification Week set

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 14 – In an effort to strengthen the scale and popularization of assessment and certification and undertake a purposive advocacy to raise people’s awareness of the program, the National TVET (Technical – Vocational Education and Training) Competency Assessment and Certification (NATCAC) Week will be held in the months of March, June and August 2011.

The NATCAC is a synchronized conduct of competency assessment and certification in identified key qualifications that are hard to find but with high industry demand. It is a week-long activity, wherein assessment and certification will be offered for Free at the regional and provincial levels.

One important feature of the NATCAC is the issuance of the National Certificate (NC) or the Certificate of Competency (COC) to successful candidates on the same day of the assessment.

The NATCAC in Caraga Region opens on March 28 and ends on April 2, 2011. Interested applicants are enjoined to visit the TESDA Provincial Office near them. (TESDA/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Livelihood program ni Gob. Matugas gikalipay sa DOLE Caraga Region

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Mar. 14 (PIA) -- Gikalipay ni DOLE Assistant Regional Director Teresita Bonghanoy ang mga programa ni Gobernador Sol Matugas sa lalawigan labi na gayud ang mga programa alang sa mga mangingisda ug mga mag-uuma aron sa pag sustenir sa ilang panginabuhian.

Atol sa tigum sa tanang mga mayor sa munisipyo uban si Gobernador Matugas niadtong miaging semana, personal nga gitunol ni Assistant Director Bonghanoy kang Gob. Matugas ang mga tseke alang sa mga lungsod sa Pilar nga kantidad P304,500 para sa konstruksiyon sa Marine Fish Cage, lungsod sa Dapa kantidad P300,000 para sa 20 ka mga Ambulant Vendors ug Informal Workers para sa ilang negosyo sa kariton, ug ang lungsod usab sa San Francisco kantidad P133,963 para sa Balite Fisher Folks Association Deep Sea Project.

Gipasidungan usab atol sa maong tigum ug personal nga gitunol nila Gobernador Sol Matugas ug Assistant Director Banghanoy ang kantidad P20,000 sa Mabua Fish Vendors and Housekeeper, isip pahalipay diin mao na usab kini ang subling napili nga awardee sa DOLE kabalikat Kabuhayan Award ka ikatulong higayon.

Sa maong tigum mihangyo usab si Gobernador Matugas sa buhatan sa DOLE nga kung mahimo ang mga Munisipyo sa Bacuag, Burgos, Alegria, Claver, Sison, Tubod, Gigaquit, Mainit, Malimono ug Socorro matagaan unta ug espesyal nga proyekto sama sa E-Bamboo Culture o kon E-Engineered Bamboo Project. (Surigao del Norte Provincial Information Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: NFA nangandam sa nationwide simultaneous re-launching nga pagahimoon sa Surigao del Sur

TANDAG CITY Surigao del Sur, March 14 (PIA) –- Ang opisina sa National Food Authority (NFA) dinhi sa nasangpit nga probinsya nangandam alang sa nationwide simultaneous re-Launching Activity sa Fortified Rice kon I-Rice nga ipahigayon sa Martes, Marso 15 sa may alas 2 sa hapon dinhe sa Brgy. Hall, Bongtud ning dakbayan.

Matud pa sa taho, ang maong aktibidad nga pagahimoon may koordinasyon sa Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO).

Matud pa ni Ermalinda Ascarez, Nutrition Officer, siya gitahasan nga mohatag sa pagpasabot mahitungod sa importansya ug kaayuhan sa sa I-Rice.

Ang NFA sa Surigao del Sur mibutyag, nga ang “I-Rice” bugas nga gisagulan ug Iron pre-mix nga giproseso pinaagi sa fortification nga adunay upat ngadto sa lima ka gramo nga I-Mix kada usa ka kilo nga bugas. (NGBTranquilan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)