(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 - Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Forum on TB set on March 31 in Surigao

SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 30 (PIA) –- A forum entitled “On the move against Tuberculosis” will be conducted here in the city on March 31.

Spearheaded by the City Health Office, the activity is in support to the World TB Day celebration which was recently celebrated on March 24 to drum up awareness on the prevention and find innovative ways to fight the dreaded disease.

Prior to the activity, a motorcade will be conducted at exactly 8:00am around the city’s major thoroughfares.

Dr. Josefina Lagunzad, FPCP, FPCCP will be the guest speaker on the said event which will be attended by various stakeholders in the city.

Another highlight of the activity is the induction of the new sets of officers of “Adto Sa Center OK-Lung Club” with City Mayor Ernesto Matugas as inducting officer. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Surigao joins nationwide tigil-pasada, LGU prepares contingency plan

SURIGAO CITY, March 30 (PIA) – Transport group Pinag-Isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) Surigao del Norte Chapter announced today their plan to join the nationwide transport strike on March 31, 2011 against the continued price increases of fuel.

PISTON Chairman Joel Albarando said the mass protest will commence at 5:00am tomorrow and will end at 5:00pm.

According to Albarando,the local federations and operators of tricycles, multicabs and vans are expected to join the strike. Other militant groups such as Gabriella and Kadamay-Surigao del Norte Chapter are also expected to join.

He said the local operators and drivers are now having a hard time enduring the recent price adjustments.

Albarando said their group is calling the Aquino government to junk the oil deregulation law and remove the value-added tax (VAT) on oil products. The oil products have gone up since the recent political turmoil in the Middle East.

Meantime, City Mayor Ernesto Matugas has already prepared a contingency plan for tomorrow’s strike.

In an emergency meeting held this morning, Matugas ordered the concerned departments to implement measures to ensure there would be minimal inconvenience to the public.

Matugas said he already instructed the local police to heightened police visibility to maintain peace and order and prevent striking transport groups from coercing other drivers who continue to ply their routes.

The City Engineering Office will provide free ride to those stranded commuters while the city’s Quick Action Response Team (QART), Civil Security Unit and City Traffic Officers are also on standby.

Though the city mayor respects the rights of the transport group, he appealed to them not to aggravate the situation and conduct their strikes peacefully and orderly.

“I am appealing to the strikers to conduct their strikes peacefully and orderly,” said Matugas. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)


2 truckloads of Lawaan Flitches caught at a check point

BUTUAN CITY, March 30 -- A total of 12,753 board feet of lumber consisting of 504 flitches of lawaan were seized in a check point at Barangay San Vicente on March 29 at around 2:30 in the morning.

The confiscation of two truckloads of suspected illegally cut lawaan with an estimated cost of more than P30,000 in the market was carried out by a joint operation of the Butuan City Police Station 1 and CENRO-Nasipit.

The operation was part of the government’s anti-logging campaign following the recent issuance by President Benigno Simeon Aquino III of EO No. 23, which imposed a six-year ban on cutting and harvesting of trees across the country.

“It was CENRO-Nasipit who received information with regards to the said trucks loaded with hot lumber to pass through barangay San Vicente, so we at BCPO Station 1 mounted a check point,” Station 1Commander Police Supt Joseph Boquiren said in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan Butuan adding that the drivers failed to show documents to prove the cargo was legal.

The two 6-wheeler trucks are now in the custody of authorities and appropriate charges were filed in court against drivers Robert Andoy of Brgy. Mat-i, Las Nieves, Agusan, del Norte and Nicanor Mathan including a certain Raul Cultura who is said to be the owner of the confiscated lumber. (Jocelyn E. Morano/PIA-Caraga)

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PDEA-Caraga enforcement team scores anew

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, March 30 (PIA)
– The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) special enforcement team’s buy-bust operations at Purok 4, Brgy. Bading here recently resulted in the apprehension of two suspects that also yielded various drug paraphernalia. The suspects were brought to PDEA Regional Office for documentation and proper investigation.

Found and confiscated from the suspects were one heat sealed sachet containing suspected Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or “shabu” bought during the buy-bust; one piece P500 bill marked money; one piece fake P1,000 bill; one aluminum foil strip; one Nokia cellular phone model 1200; one Sony Ericsson cellular phone; and cash money amounting to P122.00 in different denominations.

According to PDEA, an appropriate charge for violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drug) in relation to Section 26 (Conspiracy) Paragraph B, Article II of Republic Act 9165 was filed at the Prosecutor’s Office. Suspects are currently detained at PDEA Region 13 while waiting for resolution prior jail commitment.

In a related development, PDEA-Caraga has started its advocacy campaign on anti-drug courier.

According to PDEA Deputy OIC Christine Silvan, aside from students, they are conducting the campaign to local government units and government agencies during meetings and gatherings.

In a press statement, PDEA said they are continuously intensifying drug supply reduction drive throughout the region towards the attainment of PDEA’s vision of a vigorous campaign against illegal drugs thru the prosecution and conviction of all persons who violated the provisions of drug law.

The latest apprehension shows that the government’s drug enforcement agency is serious in its battle against the proliferation of illegal drugs throughout Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)


CoPIPAGV intensifies programs in Caraga

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, March 30 (PIA) - The Comprehensive Pilot Intervention Plan against Gender Violence in Caraga (CoPIPAGV-13), a partnership between the Agencia Española de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) and the DSWD, has intensified its interventions to target beneficiaries by strengthening health-related activities to women, adolescents and the girls, as well as solving issues related to violence against women and children.

In a recent interview with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Regional Information Officer Leah Quintana, the official said CoPIPAGV-Caraga is also conducting specialized trainings for service providers such as social workers, police officers, medical personnel, as well as legal counsels and LGU officials specifically at the barangay level to further serve the people at the grass root level, especially on issues of gender violence.

CoPIPAGV-13 is also providing well-trained psychologists to cater to the needs of victims of violence for moral recovery.

Specifically, it aims to provide support to the prevention of violence against women, adolescents and girls through increased awareness of communities; improve assistance service to women, adolescents and girls who are victims/survivors of VAW through the conduct of specialized training, provision of resources, and coordination between and among agencies and other entities; and facilitate social integration and related socio-economic aspects of victims/survivors of VAW.

The three-year project hopes to improve the health conditions of women, adolescents and girls through improved prevention, assistance and reintegration of victims/survivors of Violence against Women (VAW) in the Caraga Region. (PIA-Caraga)


4ID chief vows ‘maximum disclosure’ of information to media

BUTUAN CITY, March 30 -- Major General Victor A. Felix, commanding general of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division vowed a “maximum disclosure” of military information to media practitioners.

Major Gen. Felix announced the said policy in his message, Monday evening, during the “Media Night” for the Butuan City local tri-media practitioners, hosted by his division. The activity was held at the multi-purpose hall, Philippine Army Division Support Area, Camp Bancasi, Brgy. Bancasi, Butuan City.

The general said that the armed forces recognized the importance of the media, in dishing out relevant information to the public and setting the news or the trend for the day. “The people, of course, have the right to know about what’s happening in a certain locality or in the country (and) we respect the importance of the media on these matters,” he said.

According to him that on the part of the military, “the policy of my division is (the) maximum disclosure of information,” he assured.

This may accordingly mean that he and the officers under him will be willing to give out all the information that they have including the incidents which may reflect whether positively or negatively for the organization. “ (Be) rest assured that we will be giving out the necessary information to you through our official channels,” he told media practitioners.

The official continued that the division may channel the communications through its spokesperson. And for sensational issues, “my phone is open 24 hours a day for you” he said.

According to him that the military trusted the media and they believed that media practitioners are responsible in doing their reports and in their job of giving out information to the public.

He also assured the local media that the armed forces in this region will be doing its utmost best to give whatever information of public concern which they may have, except however some certain information which are “subject to operational constraints” or are “classified” in nature, he explained.

The general is hoping for a good relationship between the armed forces and the local tri-media here in the region. Attending the occasion were more than fifty local practitioners coming from the television, broadcast (from both AM and FM Radio Stations) and print media and the top military officials from the 4ID led by Major Gen. Felix, Asst. Division Commander BGen. Emillano Gupana, the 4ID CMOO led by Lt. Col. Eugene Osias, the Unit Commanders operating here in the region led by 402 Brigade Commander Col. Rodrigo Diapana, and the commanding officers of the 26IB, 58IB, the DSA and the Civil-Military operations officers. (Noel B. Najarro/PIA-Caraga)


AgNor supports amendment to PD 269

BUTUAN CITY, March 30 –- Provincial legislators here expressed support to Resolution No. 949-2010 from the SP of Oriental Mindoro requesting both Houses of Congress to amend PD 269 known as the National Electrification Administration Decree.

Accordingly, there are some provisions of PD 269 found to be contrary to the interest and general welfare of electric cooperatives in the country, its members and the public in general.

Some provisions that are said to be very restrictive to the extent that those are, directly or indirectly, unfavorable to the total development of electric cooperatives are: a) The overwhelming power of the NEA in securing or entering into loan agreement with other lending source, restricts or delimits the coop’s power to secure or enter into a loan agreement with other funding source since the NEA administrator’s approval is pre-requisite to such loan; b) Electric coops become a “puppet” of the NEA because of the Board’s wide latitude of power over cooperatives.
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The resolution added that Section 22 of PD 269 needs to be reviewed and updated to protect the rights of coop members since Section 22 provides that only 100 members are required to obtain a quorum at any meeting of a cooperative, a provision that is no longer relevant since electric coops now in the country have a thousand or more members.

This sentiment is expressed through Sanggunian Resolution No. 019-2011, authored by Board Member Lorito Q. Maragañas. (CEPardillo/PIA-Caraga)


4ID hosts Media Night in Butuan

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, March 30 (PIA) – The 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, headed by MGen. Victor Felix, hosted on Monday the first-ever media night held recently at Camp Bancasi, this city attended by 57 local tri-media personalities.

In his welcome speech, MGen. Felix said the gathering is a manifestation that the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the Philippine Army has reached out for the support of the local tri-media to inform the public of the government’s effort to promote peace and development in Caraga Region.

Former Congresswoman Charito B. Plaza graced the affair which adding energy to the program as she danced with some of the top officials of the division.

In her speech, Plaza said the partnership of the AFP and the local tri-media in Butuan City, the public will be aware of the government’s initiative to uphold security not only in Butuan City but as well as in the whole region of Caraga.

Plaza is an AFP reservist holding the position of a full Colonel. She is in the Philippine Air force (PAF) with an Honorary Pilot Badge, and the Wing Commander for Mindanao of PAF Reserve Force, 3rd Air Wing.

Other guests include Warren Paculba, a technician of dxMB Love Radio FM, saying the activity is an opportunity for him to meet the media personalities in the city where, according to him, he only knew some radio broadcasters and disc jockeys through their voices.

This is also true for Larry Diez, disc jockey of dxGL Real Radio FM saying, the activity served as venue for him and his co-workers in Real Radio to spend leisure moment and exchange pleasantries with other media personalities. (PIA-Caraga)

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Big savings through energy efficiency and conservation

BUTUAN CITY, March 30 (PIA) – The country can save P60 billion in electricity costs through the utilization of energy efficiency measures. Of this, 20% or P12 billion savings could come from Mindanao areas as targeted by the Department of Energy (DOE) for 2011.

To attain this target, the DOE, in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), has embarked on a capacity-building project, the National Training Workshop on Energy Efficiency and Conservation. The March 30-31, 2011 training workshop in Butuan City is the fourth of the 15 training workshops being conducted in major cities across the country.

Participants from 40 Butuan-based companies representing the commercial, industrial and transport sectors will be trained on energy management system; energy audits; efficient electric motors and fuel utilization in vehicles, and best practices in lighting facilities.

According to Alan Cajes, Managing Director of the Center for Sustainable Human Development (CSHD) of DAP, “It is high time that we start to seriously conserve energy because this is not only good for businesses but is also a good way to protect the environment.”

When asked if energy conservation means doing away with familiar comforts, he clarified that the primary principle behind conservation is the intelligent use of energy and not abstinence.

“For example, unplugging the television set when not in use can help in avoiding at least seven (7) kw/hr of phantom load. That’s roughly P40.00 in savings at current Mindanao average electricity rate,” Mr. Cajes stressed.

This point was re-affirmed by energy efficient lighting specialist Arturo Zabala who is part of the DOE-DAP Team that conducts said national training workshops. Mr. Zabala emphasizes energy saving opportunities particularly in the lighting of facilities in the commercial and industrial sectors. “These are easy, inexpensive and have a quick payback period. Choosing compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) over incandescent bulbs is good investment. CFL needs only 20% - 25% of energy to match the light output of an incandescent bulb,” he said.

Further, DAP sa Mindanao (DsM) considers this capacity-building intervention as timely for Mindanao where there is an energy shortage forecast with the coming of the summer season. (Vilma Horca/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Dugang balayranan sa buhis ipatuman sa Carmen

BUTUAN CITY – Gikan karon, suktan na ug Singkwenta pesos (P50.00) ang si bisan kinsa nga buot mokuha ug kopya sa tax declaration either ibalhin ba kini ug lai’ng pangalan o aduna bay usbon sa maong kabtangan sumala sa Municipal Ordinance No. 04, series of 2010 sa lungsod sa Carmen.

Samtang ang Municipal Ordinance No. 05 nagmando usab sa pagkuha ug tax clearance sa kantidad nga P54.60 bag-o ang pagkuha ug kopya sa tax declaration aron mahibaloan sa Municipal Treasurer’s Office kung gabayad bas a insaktong buhis ang mga hingtungdan.

“Napasa namo kini nga mga balaod aron makahimo mi ug dugang pundo sa among panudlanan alang sa uban pang mga proyekto niining among lungsod,” matod pa ni SB Apolinario F. Estoque nga maoy nangamahan sa nasangpit nga duha ka ordinansa.

Ang maong mga ordinansa gi-aprubahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution Nos. 021-2011 ug 022-2011 nga gipangamahan ni Bokal James T. Reserva. (MSMonoy/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Bus ug jeepney terminal sa Kitcharao tukoron

BUTUAN CITY – Aron mahatagan ug insaktong serbisyopubliko ang mga katawhan sa lungsod sa Kitcharao, si Mayor Jenry E. Montante nangayo ug tabang pinansyal gikan sa panggamhanang probinsyal aron matukod ang Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal (phase V) sa maong lungsod.

Pinaagi sa Sanggunian Resolution No. 032-2011 nga gipangamahan ni Bise Gobernador Enrico R. Corvera, gi-aprubahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ang pagtugot kang Gobernador Erlpe John M. Amante sa paghatag ug duha ka milyon ka pesos ngadto sa panudlanan sa Kitcharao alang sa katumanan sa nasangpit nga proyekto.

Ang pundo magagikan sa 2011 20% development fund. Ang maong proyekto nahilakip sa Annual Investment Plan sa lungsod sa Kitcharao. (MSMonoy/PIA-Caraga)