(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Sunday, 01 December 2024) Northeast Monsoon affecting Eastern section of Northern Luzon. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting 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 cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. 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 Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


PIA News Service - Tuesday, May 31, 2011

DepEd-Caraga conducts “Balik Eskwela” campaign

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 31 (PIA) – In its effort to ensure that schoolchildren will go back to school this school year, the Department of Education (DepEd), Caraga Region has enforced the conduct of “Balik Eskwela” campaign.

According to DepEd-Caraga, a house-to-house campaign is conducted which started Monday (May 30) to convince the parents and schoolchildren to enroll their children this school year. “In this way, the zero illiteracy campaign of the Aquino administration will be realized on or before 2015,” a DepEd official said.

Accordingly, the directive was based on DepEd Memorandum No. 110, series of 2011, otherwise known as “Oplan Balik Eskwela for school year 2011-2012” signed by DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro.

The memorandum is directing Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Bureau Directors, Directors of Services, Centers and Heads of Units, Regional Directors, Schools Division/City Superintendents, Heads of public elementary and secondary schools to again implement the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) project from May 30 to June 10, 2011.

The DepEd through the OBE project aims to ensure smooth opening of classes so that the school children are properly enrolled and are able to attend their classes on June 6, 2011, the first day of school year 2011-2012.

Through OBE, DepEd also seeks to address common problems encountered during school opening, provide information, and coordinate with government agencies, communities and other interest groups.

This year, the OBE Campaign will be initiated by the Regional Directors and schools division/city superintendents who will be actively involved in campaigning for more enrollment of school children to public elementary and secondary schools in their areas of responsibility.

The order also encouraged partnerships with local government units, private individuals and groups, and non-government organizations. Thus, a massive door-to-door campaign is desired at least one week before the school opening.

Meanwhile, the DepEd Memo enforces the coordination with other government agencies involved in school opening matters and shall again be initiated by the Department. Hence, the “Oplan Balik-Eskwela Inter-Agency Task Force (OBE-IATF) will be assembled again.

The Task Force is composed of the following: Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI); Dept. of National Defense (DND); Dept. of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Dept. of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Dept. of Health (DOH); Philippine National Police (PNP); Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA). (PIA-Caraga)


FIDA-Caraga strengthens info drive to boost region’s fiber industry

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 31 (PIA) - Caraga Region’s Fiber Industry and Development Authority (FIDA) will strengthen the link and utilization of media to boost the fiber industry here.

According to FIDA-Caraga Regional Director Deoven Hibaler, one way to improve the status of the region’s fiber industry is through the information drive of the local tri-media so that necessary information on fiber production will reach all farmers.

“Through this, they (farmers) will be given information as to the latest trends or techniques in grooming and producing fibers through abaca where Caraga Region is known to have a good environment for abaca trees,” Dir. Hibaler said.

The official also said FIDA-Caraga is coming up with farmer trainings to ensure the sustainability of fiber production.

“We believe that these two measures which FIDA-Caraga has identified will really help to improve the fiber industry in the region. Thus, we are strengthening its implementation,” he said.

Caraga region shares 5% of the national abaca production and has been supplying abaca as raw material for pulp production, specialty papermaking, cordage production, and handicrafts to Cagayan de Oro City, Davao, and the Bicol region.

The region has 3,439 abaca producers whose farm holdings average from 1.0 to 3.5 hectares. Caraga has 44 licensed abaca traders and four fibercraft makers. The industry generates a total of 27,448 jobs. Direct dependents include abaca farmers, classifiers/sorters, manufacturers, traders, exporters and hundreds of fiber craft processors. (PIA-Caraga)



RDC-GADCC Caraga organizes forum on RH Bill in Butuan

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 31 (PIA) – A forum on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population Development Bill is set on June 1-2, 2011 at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

The Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) Caraga chaired by Atty. Marylin Pintor, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director organizes the event.

According to Atty. Pintor, the said forum will provide the members and the general public on the pros and cons of the RH bill.

Pintor added that after the forum on June 1, a press conference with former Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel will be conducted to disseminate information on the salient provisions of the RH Bill.

“This is to generate understanding on the different stands (pros and cons) on the RH Bill, and to promote wider appreciation of the consequential effects or impact of the bill on the general public in case it becomes a law,” Pintor stressed.

It was also learned that there are 350 expected participants coming from different sectors. Registration fee is Php 100.00 which covers the snacks during the forum.

For more information or inquiries, the organizers encourage the public to call GADCC secretariat at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Office at telephone numbers: (085) 342-5774 local 17 and look for Mr. Paris Raymond Gaballo or Ms. Elvie Ato. (PIA-Caraga)


DSWD- spearheads Nat’l Day Care Workers Week

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 31 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga headed by Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat is spearheading this year’s celebration of the National Day Care Workers’ Week slated June 7-11, 2011 with the theme: “Day Care Worker: Kaagapay sa Pagpapaunlad ng Bata Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan”.

According to Ms. Golda Pocon, Focal Person of DSWD-Caraga for the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC), said theme was decided and concluded by the National Day Care Workers Federation Officers during the National Day Care Workers’ Federation Consultation meeting held last April 25-29, 2011 in Marina de Bay, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

It can be recalled that the celebration of the National Day Care Workers’ Week of each year was proclaimed under Proclamation No. 404 Series of 2003 declaring June 7-11, 2003, and every year thereafter as National Day Care Workers’ Week.

“The annual celebration serve as a venue to recognize the contribution of our Day Care Workers who have painstakingly provided substitute parental care and early childhood education to children 2-4 years old inside government operated Day Care Centers nationwide,” Pocon said.

Meanwhile, part of the activities to be conducted by all local government units on the said week for all Day Care Workers are the following: Parade; talent contest; fun and games; recognition of Outstanding Day Care Workers; learning visits to accredited Day Care Center; and Capability building on Managing behaviors of Day Care children and the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Accreditation. (PIA-Caraga)


Support the opening of schools: DILG tells local officials

BUTUAN CITY, May 31 - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) calls on the local officials nationwide to take actions to ensure protection of school children this coming school opening.

The said mandate is pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 2011-74 issued by DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo which underscores the fundamental right of an individual to an environment that is conducive to learning, where peace and order prevail, and where public safety is paramount as embodied under Article XIV Sec. 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

The DILG directive states that the City and Municipal Mayors are hereby enjoined to take the following actions: take the lead in the conduct of a local government-wide information drive to encourage enrollment, cause the inspection of all schools to ensure that facilities are set in time for the forthcoming school opening, monitor the prices of school supplies and take all necessary steps to address unnecessary increases in prices, install street lightings in areas where schools hold night classes, mobilize force multipliers to assist the elements of the Philippine National Police in ensuring peace and order, and public safety.

The Provincial Governors are also encouraged to exercise their general supervisory authority over the component municipalities and cities in their areas of responsibility pursuant to Section 29 of the Local Government Code to ensure that proper actions are taken for the benefit of school children. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Gov’t allots P40-M to increase LGUs’ resiliency to disasters

MANILA, May 31 -The government has earmarked P40-million fund for a four-year project that aims to increase the capacities of local government units (LGUs) through trainings and infrastructure projects to enable them to prepare for and manage disasters, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced today.

The fund allocation, which was released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Department, is in consonance with Republic Act 9729 or the Climate Change Act of 2009 which mandates the Department to facilitate the development and provision of a training program for LGUs on climate change, and RA 6716 which provides for the construction of water wells, rainwater collectors, development of springs and rehabilitation of existing water wells in all barangays.

DILG Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said the project dubbed as “Enhancing LGU Capacity on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management” intends to benefit 360 cities and municipalities all over the country to help build their resiliency to cope with and respond to natural disasters and adapt to climate change.

Robredo said that of the 360 LGUs, 120 municipalities will be assisted in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change in pre-disaster planning and infrastructure audit, while 240 other towns and cities will be provided access to credit financing for the construction of rainwater collection systems.

“Through this project, our disaster-prone LGUs will be more capable and ready to manage the consequences of disasters and the phenomenon associated with climate change,” he said.

The World Bank has ranked the Philippines as number eight among the countries in the world that are most exposed to natural disasters. The same report revealed that at least 60 percent of the total land area in the country is exposed to multiple hazards and as a result, 74% of the population is deemed vulnerable.

The project, which shall be implemented by the DILG’s Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD) and the Office of Project Development Services (OPDS), has two components namely, Building LGU Resiliency through Strengthening LGU planning capacities and structures in disaster preparedness and climate change; and Building LGU Critical Infrastructure Resiliency to disaster and climate change as well as in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

“By the end of this project, we hope that there will be reduced disaster risk on human settlements, livelihood and infrastructure, and zero or less casualties and minimum damages to properties,” said Robredo, who is also the Vice-Chair for Disaster Preparedness under the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
As Vice-Chair, the DILG is mandated to build the capacities of LGUs to effectively address and mitigate the impacts of disasters and calamities.(DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Significant bulk of 4ID troops is in Caraga, Army top official says

by Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, May 31 - The number of troops in Caraga region is "significant" enough to maintain the peace and order and render assistance in times of disasters in the region.

This was the assurance by Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix, the Commanding General of 4ID, Philippine Army.

“A significant bulk of the troops of the 4th Infantry “Diamond” Division is already in Caraga Region” said Maj. Gen. Victor A. Felix in response to a media query if more augmentation troops of soldiers from the division will be sent to the region after the signing of the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center 13 (JPSCC) between the regional PNP and the AFP.

Maj. Gen. Felix further said Caraga is a peaceful region and there’s no need for any augmentation force. The existing police and military forces he said, is enough to implement and maintain the region’s peace, order and security.

However when necessity warrants, he assured that not only the division can send in the necessary augmentation troopers, but additional forces can even be requested from the Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) based in Davao City.

But the general reiterated that at present, the police and military forces in the region is sufficient enough to maintain the region’s peace and security and to assist during emergencies, disasters or calamities. (PIA Caraga)


Cebuano News: Monday Morning Sharing sa Kapitolyo sa Surigao Norte nagpadayon

SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 31 (PIA) – Malampuson nga gipahigayon ang Monday Morning Sharing sa Kapitolyo kagahapong adlawa Mayo 30, 2011 sa Provincial Convention Center, Capitol Compound, ni’ng dakbayan.

Kini nga kalihukan gihaom sa tinuig nga selebrasyon sa Mayo, ang National Heritage Month uban sa tema nga “Weaving our Stories…Threading our Paths.”

Ang maong kalihukan gitambongan ni Gobernador Sol Matugas, Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr., Board Member , Board Member Marnito longos, Board Member Mamerto Galanida isip maoy pinasidunggang mamumulong, mga department heads sa nagkadaiyang departamento ug mga empleyado sa kapitolyo.

Ang maong Monday morning sharing gipasiugdahan sa buhatan sa Provincial Planning and Development Office nga gipanguluhan ni Arturo Cruje ang hepe sa maong departamento.
Atol sa maong kalihukan si Gobernador Matugas namulong nga angayan gayod magmapasigarbohon ang mga katawhan isip usa ka Pilipino ug isip usa ka Surigaonon, ug sa pagsaulog sa National Heritage Month kinahanglan nga mahinumduman sa tanang mga surigaonon ang mga panghitabo sama sa Battle of Surigao Strait ug uban pa.

Samtang pagkahuman sa maong Monday morning sharing, misunod dayon ang Tri-Division Training Workshop alang sa mga prinsipal sa elementary sa tulo ka mga divisions kini mao ang Siargao Division, Surigao City ug Surigao del Norte.

Ang maong training workshop gitambayayungan sa Provincial Government, Depatment of Education (DepEd) ug National Elementary Academy of the Philippines (NEAP). (Surigao del Norte Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Cebuano News: Panagtigum alang sa kalambuan sa business environment sa dakbayan sa Butuan, gimugna

ni Jovelyn Cataluna Mejorada

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 31 – Tumong aron mapalambo ang business environment ni’ng dakbayan, usa ka panagtigum ang giapahigayon dili pa lang dugay sa usa sa mga convention centers ni’ng dakbayan nga gipasiugdahan sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Local Implementation of National Competitiveness for Economic Growth (LINC-EG), ug USAID pinaagi ni Hon. Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. ug Hon. Ryan B. Culima Committee Chair on Trade Commerce and Industry.

Gitambungan usab kini nila Mr. Jake Miranda Private Sector Representative to the Board of the Mindanao Development Authority(MinDA); Mr. Alberto Gumarao- Deputy Center Manager Cebu City Investment Promotion Center; Engr. Ferdinand Z. Caylao City Administrator, San Fernando Pampanga; Dr. Maria Lourdes G. Monteverde President, Davao City Chamber of Commerce & Industry diin gitunol ni Mayor Jun Amante ang Certification of Appreciation ug Replica sa balangay boat sa maong mga bisita ug agig balos gitunol usab ni Engr Caylao ang usa ka token nga lantern ngadto kang Mayor Amante.

Sa maong panagtigum, gihisgutan ang mga pamaagi aron mapausbaw ang Business Environment sa dakbayan sa Butuan alang sa kalambuan diin tagsa-tagsa kining nahatagan og chansa nga ipadungog ngadto mismo kang Mayor Jun Amante ang ilang mga opinion.

Gibutyag usab ni Mayor Amante nga karong umaabot nga bulan sa Hunyo pagasugdan na ang usa ka bidding alang sa gitawag niini nga horizontal infra projects sama sa concreting sa kalsada ug mga underground projects sama sa drainage system aron sa pagpaenganyo sa mga tigpamuhunan sa pagtukod sa ilang mga negosyo dinhi sa dakbayan sa Butuan. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Balangayan GK Grand House Build, gipangunahan ni Mayor Jun Amante

ni Jovelyn Cataluna Mejorada

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 31 – Prayoridad sa Gawad Kalinga ang sietenta kapin ka pamilya nga apektado sa Caraga Agusan River Basin Development Project (CARBDP) diin napiling relocation site ang 51 hectares nga luna sa Barangay Pagatpatan diin pagatukuran ug 26 ka panimalay ug 11.7 hectares sa barangay Mahay nga aduna usab 46 ka mga panimalay nga mukabat ug siete milyones kapin ang kantidad sa pagatukuron nga mga panimalay.

Nahibalo-a’ng gisugdan ang pagtukod niini niadtong Mayo 25, 2011 nga gipangunahan mismo ni Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. isip usa usab ka GK Volunteer, Vice Mayor Lawrence H. Fortun, Maam Leah A. Mendoza, mga miembro sa konseho Hon. Erwin Dano, Hon. Dodo Cembrano, Hon. Virgilio Nery Hon. Josephine Marticion Engr. Lorden G. Vismanos ug uban pang mga hepe sa City Hall, PNP, mga stakeholders ug mga pribadong sectors.

Nahimong malampuson ang maong programa tungod usab sa panagsangga sa mga nag-gama niining proyekto, lokal man o sa gawas sa nasud diin nakalikum kini gikan sa nagkadaiyang mga katawhan ug 1.2 milyon ka pesos gikan sa mga empleyado, samtang 1.3 milyon pesos usab gikan sa city government ug ingon man singko milyones gikan sa Father Saturnino Urios University kon FSUU, Gawad Kalinga, ug Private Sector. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Surigaonon News: Mukabat sa 160 ka mga Real Property Units ang na-assesteran nan City Assessor Office sa syudad nan Surigao

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, May 31 (PIA) - Mukabat sa 160 ka mga Real Property Units o RPUs diin mubana-bana sa P1, 626,550.00 ang na assesteran nan City Assessor Office sa syudad nan Surigao.

Kini ang gipa-abot nga impormasyon ni Mr. Roberto Ortojan ang hepe sa maong buhatan, kagahapon na adlaw sa Flag Raising Ceremony sa City Hall. Nahibaw-an nga sa bulan sa Abril 2011 muabot na sa 160 ka mga Real RPUs an ila na assisteran ug ana-ay mubana-bana nga kantidad nga mukabat na sa P1,626,550.00. Ang nasampit nga kantidad taglangkoban sa mosunod: 1. Revision of Real Property P37,790.00, 2. Transfer of Real Property P17,930.00, 3. New Assessment Building P1,570,830.00.

Ang City Assessor’s Office anaay usab lain pa nga generating income nga mukabat sa P77,792.72 sa susama gihapon na bulan, diin 488 ka mga transakyones ang gikuhaan nan kita sa maong kantidad. (PIO-Surigao City/PIA-Surigao del Norte)