29IB conducts peace, dev’t program in Marihatag
by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
MARIHATAG, Surigao del Sur, June 20 (PIA) -– The 29th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army led by commanding officer Col. Henry Robinson Jr. successfully implemented here recently the 1st Community Organizing for Peace and Development Program (COPD) under the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the Aquino Administration.
In an interview, Col. Robinson said the program implementation was realized thru the support of Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny T. Pimentel anchored on his program “Jobs through Tec-Voc Program (JTP)-Goes to Municipality.”
Robinson added, without the support of Governor Pimentel, the program will not succeed.
Moreover, the official said the undertaking was also made possible in partnership with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) headed by Provincial Director Rey Cueva by conducting skills training in three remote barangays located at the foot of the Andap Valley such as: Bayan; San Isidro and Mahaba, this municipality.
During the culmination program, Cueva said 152 trainees graduated from three different training Skills composed of the following: Commercial Cooking (37); Cosmetology (25) and Driving (90). Cueva added they all qualified to receive certificate.
Under the IPSP, the present administration thru the Philippine Army aims to bring the basic services direct to the people particularly in remote areas, and these three barangays in Marihatag were the first recipients of the program implemented by the troops of the 29IB. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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Gov. Pimentel vows to continue skills training under his administration
by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
MARIHATAG, Surigao del Sur, June 19 (PIA) -– Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny T. Pimentel recently said to continue the Jobs through Tech-Voc Program (JTP) under his administration during the culmination program of the Skills training with TESDA as lead agency initiated by the Philippine Army held in Brgy. Isidro in this municipality.
According to Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Provincial Director Rey Cueva, Surigao del Sur before has rated high in poverty incidence, unemployment, high school dropouts and insurgency problem in some areas. Three barangays in Marihatag situated at the foot of the Andap Valley are reportedly affected by insurgency problem.
Cueva added this is the reason why the Provincial Government has come up with a strategy of bringing the basic services to the people to help the less fortunate thru JTP where several skills trainings were conducted to address the poverty incidence, out of school youth, unemployment, as well as to win peace throughout the province, where TESDA is the lead agency under the program.
Governor Pimentel was the Guest of Speaker during the culmination program of the 152 graduates from Culinary, Cosmetology and driving Skills Training thru his JTP, anchored on the theme: “Kasanayan para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran” Program initiated by the 29IB, Philippine Army.
Governor Pimentel wowed to continue the program following the testimony of some of the graduates who also requested him to continue the program, it was learned. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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SMB gathers media from Normin, Caraga in the 2011 Nat’l Beer Drinking Competition
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) – To foster camaraderie among practitioners in Northern Mindanao and Caraga Region, San Miguel Corporation staged the 3rd National Beer Drinking Contest – Media Edition, on Saturday at Ghana-The Site, Rosario Arcade, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.
Defending champion Sunstar Cagayan de Oro successfully defended the title they won last year and took home cash prize of Php 30,000. They clocked at one minute and 32 seconds.
Winning the 1st Runner-up is Sunstar’s sister tabloid – Super Balita, clocking at one minute and 43 seconds, taking home Php 25,000 cash.
Meanwhile, the rookies – Butuan City media composed of Cecil YbaΓ±ez (Mindanao News Courier), Al Villaceran (dxBN Radyo ng Bayan Butuan), Arjay Felisilda (Mindanao Business Week and Mindanao Daily Balita’s Caraga Bureau Chief), Reynaldo Orebia (Northern Mindanao Chronicle) and Manny Esteves (dxJM Asenso Pinoy) won 2nd Runner-up, clocking at one minute and 46 seconds – just 3 seconds behind the Super Balita staff). They took home the Php 20,000 cash prize.
This year’s media edition started off with the NCR leg and was likewise brought to Angeles, Legazpi, Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao.
On the 12th year of staging the most prestigious beer drinking contest in the country, more than P2 million worth of cash and San Miguel Beer promotional items await the winning teams. It kicks off with the media edition, followed by the SMG-wide employee edition. The NBDC will culminate with the staging of the Consumer Edition late this year that engages at least 300,000 beer drinkers annually.
Try-outs for the consumer edition are now on-going until October 31, 2011. For more details, call (02) 632-2337 (BEER) or text 0922-632-2337and log on to www.smbtakesyoutothephilippines.com.ph. (PIA-Caraga)
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More constituents in Agusan del Norte receive PHIC cards, gov says
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) -– Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John Amante recently said more residents in the province have received cards of the Philippine Health Insurance Company (or PhilHealth).
During his State of the Province Address (SOPA), Gov. Amante said more poor families received the health insurance card through the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). This has decreased the number of patients admitted in under the charity ward for five years now, he said.
The chief executive of the province also said that with the continuous decrease of numbers of patients the province’s income will also improve, as the provincial government spends less for hospitalization subsidy, Amante said.
With these developments, Amante urged the constituents to coordinate with their respective local officials so that they will still be included in the list of PhilHealth card beneficiaries.
The governor added that since of the establishment of PhilHealth Multipayor Scheme Indigency Program in 2001, the province has posted 28,162 families who benefitted the program.
Amante likewise said in 2010, the province had spent some P7 million as counterpart for the said health program.(PIA-Caraga)
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DILG-13 awards Governor Plaza for exemplary CBMS initiative
by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise
BUTUAN CITY, June 20 –- Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Rene K. Burdeos, represented by Assistant Regional Director Lilibeth A. Famacion, and DILG Agusan del Sur Provincial Director Arleen Ann R. Sanchez awarded the Plaque of Recognition to Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward G. Plaza for revolutionizing the Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) concept through customized information technology innovations to address specific development needs of the Province of Agusan del Sur.
Through Governor Plaza’s initiative, he was able to address the needs of his constituents by mobilizing the Province’s rich natural resources to reduce poverty and to transform Agusan del Sur’s economy which significantly contributed to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
The said award was given during the 44th Foundation Anniversary of the Province of Agusan del Sur held at the Naliyagan Activity Center, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
DILG XIII also turned over to Governor Plaza during the closing ceremony the Millennium Development Goals Fund (MDGF) 1919 Project one set of bacteriological equipment and reagents to be used by the Province of Agusan del Sur in pursuing the delivery of clean water and sanitation services to waterless communities.
The Province of Agusan del Sur is one of the recipient-provinces of the project MDGF 1919: Enhancing Access to and Provision of Water Services with the Active Participation of the Poor, a joint programme of the United Nations, the Government of the Philippines and the Government of Spain. MDGF 1919 is designed to provide capacity building components to recipient-waterless provinces and municipalities. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
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DAR-Agusan Norte celebrates 23rd CARP Anniversary
by Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN CITY, June 20 –- DAR Agusan del Norte together with its Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries participated in the celebration of the 23rd anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program which has for its theme, “Kabukiran ating pagyamanin para sa bawat mamamayan.” The celebration started with a thanksgiving mass at the Sto. NiΓ±o Shrine in Brgy. Libertad, this city.
The Federation of ARC Cooperatives (FEDARCCO), which comprises 32 primary cooperative members highlighted the motorcade with beauty candidates representing the ARC and ARC products.
After the thanksgiving mass, a motorcade took-off Wednesday morning from Sto. NiΕo Shrine went around the city and proceeded to the Capitol Gym.
Agusan del Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Andre B. Atega said FEDARCCO joins with DAR in the celebration. The ARBs are grateful for the benefits they received from CARP and expressed their gratitude by spearheading the celebration.
Meanwhile, FEDARCCO Chairman Isidro Madaje said the farmers in Agusan del Norte are proud to support CARP by showing their gratitude and pay tribute to all DAR’s interventions extended in theirr agrarian reform communities.
A float parade competition, showcasing agricultural products of the ARBs, was also held in time with the motorcade, participated in by farmer-beneficiaries from different cities and municipalities in the province, including Butuan City for which the latter won as Best Float.
Aside from giving distinction for CARP Anniversary, the FEDARCCO also facilitated an ARB Summit held at Capitol Gym. Hon. Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante represented by Atty. Joseph Tomaneng, DAR Caraga Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay, PARO II Andre B. Atega of DAR Agusan del Norte, FEDARCCO BODs led by Isidro M. Madaje talk with the audience, majority of whom are farmer-beneficiaries.
During the forum, the launching of “FEDARCCO Suki Card” took place, giving another milestone for FEDARCCO in finding better ways to serve and address the needs of its ARBs and other clienteles. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Caraga)
