BFAR celebrates fish conservation week
by Nora CL Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) will be celebrating the 48th Fish Conservation Week this October 16 to 22 with the theme “Karagatan, Pagyamanin, Isda Paramihin, Buong Mundo Pasiglahin.”
Different activities on fisheries endeavors will be conducted like fingerlings dispersal, coastal clean-up, mangrove planting and other related fishery and aquatic activities, said BFAR Caraga regional director Nerio G. Casil.
Also, the weeklong activities aims to recognize the role of every Filipinos in conserving, protecting, and sustaining our coastal and marine resources, director Casil added.
The celebration was declared by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 176 signed by the late President Diosdado Macapagal. (PIA-Caraga)
.
Lingig Mayor, 2 military escorts released after 2 months, 3 days abduction
by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
SURIGAO DEL SUR, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- Lingig Mayor Henry Dano and his two army escorts were finally released Sunday after they were abducted by the members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-led New People's Army, at his residence in the said municipality on August 6, 2011.
Exactly 2 months and 3 days in the hands of their abductors, the official and his bodyguards were met by Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel, chairperson of the “Task Force Dano” team negotiator, together with their families at Sitio New Visayas, Brgy. Pulang Lupa, Trento, Agusan del Sur at around 2:00 pm according to report from the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Report said Mayor Dano and the two soldiers Alan Saban and Alfrey Desamparado are in good physical condition when turned-over by their abductors.
After the release, they were brought in Mongkayo, Compostella Valley province for debriefing and medical check-up. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
.
Released Lingig Mayor, 2 others grateful to Surigao Sur Gov.
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- Lingig Mayor Henry Dano and his two military escorts acknowledged the effort extended by Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel for their safe release on Sunday after they were abducted on August 6 in his residence in Lingig, Surigao del Sur.
In an interview with a local radio reporter here who is witnessing the release, Mayor Dano cited the "Task Force Dano" created by the local management crisis committee.
“Me and my two escorts are so thankful to Gov. Pimentel for everything he has done for our safe release,” Dano said in Cebuano dialect.
Meanwhile, his escorts Pfc. Al Rey Desamparado and Pfc. Alan Saban are also thankful for those who have made significant contributions for their safe release.
The abducted official and military personnel are also thankful to their abductors for giving them the chance to live and be back to their respective families.
At around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, the victims were released and turned-over to Gov. Pimentel and their families in Sitio New Visayas, Brgy. Pulang Lupa, Trento Agusan del Sur. (RER/PIA-Caraga)
.
Government policies, systems and procedures up at workshop for punong barangays, secretaries
by Mary Nol P. Aban
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- A 3-day seminar-workshop on updating government policies, systems and procedures for punong barangays and barangay secretaries was jointly conducted recently by the municipalities of San Francisco, Esperanza and Sibagat Agusan del Sur recently at the White Beach Resort, Tagcatong, Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
The three-day workshop aimed to equip punong barangays and barangay secretaries with the knowledge, skills and attitude for effective governance.
The seminar focused on the relevance of barangay government performance management system and citizen’s charter in a barangay government; culture of transparency, responsiveness, accountability and participation in the barangay; and skills in drafting minutes, resolution, ordinance; and reporting. Other topics discussed were the proper recording and filing of records and the role of punong barangays in the implementation of government programs and projects.
Participants underwent workshops on the preparation of the state of barangay governance report (SBGR) and on the basic steps and procedures in conducting a session. The participants also role played their respective duties, functions, and responsibility in their areas of jurisdiction.
DILG provincial director Arleen Ann R. Sanchez graced the final day of the workshop and distributed certificates of completion to the participants. (DIL-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Caraga)
.
Regional Gawad Pamana ng Lahi 2011 winners proclaimed
by Mary Christine Anthonette M. Salise
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- The Regional Awards Committee of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi 2011 chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has proclaimed the winners for the provincial, city and municipal levels.
Agusan del Norte emerged as the winner for the provincial level. They are entitled to a cash award of three million pesos (Php3,000,000.00). In the case of cities, Surigao City is the winner and is entitled to a two million pesos (Php2,000,000.00) cash award. Lastly, Cagwait, Surigao del Sur is the winner for the municipal level category and will be receiving one million pesos (Php1,000,000.00) award.
This program is the recognition of exemplary performance in local governance based on the different indicators: a.) average result of the service areas of the local governance performance management system for 2010, b.) result of the seal of good housekeeping in 2011, c.) innovations introduced for the last three years and d.) regional or national awards/distinctions received in 2010.
However, since the prizes are to be taken from the Performance Challenge Fund of the DILG, the awards are governed by certain policies as provided under the General Appropriations Act of 2011. The prizes will be used to finance projects that are geared towards the attainment of the MDGs, local economic development or those that relate to adaptation to climate change and preparedness for disasters.
Other members of the regional awards committee include the departments of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Budget and Management (DBM), Health (DOH), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Propegemus Foundation, Rotary Club of Midtown Butuan and Butuan Chamber of Commerce.
The awarding ceremony will be held on October 11, 2011 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Manila. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
.
Feature: HMC-TNP, DepEd’s ALS program fulfills aspiration of the mining communities in Surigao Norte
The Alternative Learning System Accreditation & Equivalency (ALS A&E) System is one of the flagship programs of the Department of Education open to all Filipino youths and adults who dropped out of elementary and high school.
The ALS provides an opportunity to complete high school education, albeit in an informal setting. Handled by trained facilitators, the students learning system are module-based.
After several months, the students will take the Accreditation and Equivalency Test (AET). Having passed the test, a student receives a high school diploma and can thus enroll in college.
But the ALS program of the Department of Education requires a huge budget for its implementation in order for this program to spread to several areas of the country. Confronted with a limited funding for this program, ALS could not be realized in areas which is found to be geographically remote and accessibility difficult as in the case of the mining communities of Hinatuan Mining Corporation-Taganaan Nickel Project (HMC-TNP) -- the Barangay Talavera and 2 Sitios, SitioCampandan and SitioBagongSilang in Taganaan, Surigaodel Norte.
Barangay Talavera can be reached from Surigao City through analmost 2-hour ride of a motorized banca and an additional forty-five minutes going to SitioCampandan andBagongSilang from Barangay Talavera. Travels at sea going to these areas are convenient during summer but the rough seas make accessibility tough most of the time.
A National High School was established in the year 2010 with the help of HMC-TNP. Buildings and teachers were assisted by the company under their Social Development and Management Program. Since high school was offered in the Barangay only last year, not many of the residents were able to finish high-school and the high school diploma is the proof of the residents so they can take advantage of the employment opportunities being offered by HMC-TNP which is operating adjacent to their barangay.
Hinatuan Mining Corporation –Taganaan Nickel Project needed skilled manpower to boost their operation and to beef-up employees, skills training that will equip the residents with the necessary skills needed by the company were conducted in partnership with TESDA. Minimum requirement to avail of the trainingsshould be a high school graduate.
The ALS program bridged the gap between demand and supply of workers in the mining communities. Residents who for lack of money,time and access to high school education can have the chance to graduate in high school and pursue their aspirations in life. Under the Social and Development and Management Program of the company, the implementation of the ALS A&E system for the mining communities will be a yearly project of HMC-TNP in partnership with the DepEd starting this year January 2011. The DepEd provided the modules and teachers who will be the facilitators while the company allotted funds from their SDMP to finance the salary of the facilitators and other logistics of the ALS system in the Barangay.
Through this program, the out-of-school -youth, housewives, workers of HMC-TNP who have not finished high school and who are residents of Barangay Talavera and SitiosCampandan and BagongSilang attend informal classes held every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00-9:00 in the evening ; Saturday and Sunday 1:00-4:00,7:00-9:00 pm. Registration to this program is free and the learners are provided with all the necessary learning materials and facilitators by the company’s SDMP. HMC-TNP likewise committed to finance all of the expenses that will be incurred by the learners during the National Exam this coming November 6, 2011.
There were a total of 170 learners enrolled for the period of three (3) to four (4) months, who will graduate on October 2011 prior to the National Exam.
May Ann Laranjan, 30 years of age is a plain housewife with 6 kids. She stopped schooling after second year high school and is proud to be back in school. She hopes to proceed to college and become a policewoman.
Helen Ejandra, 35 years old and finished 3rd year highschool. She enrolled in the ALS program so she can make her kids proud of her. She finds the English subject as difficult.
Sheila Dublusi 34, 6-months pregnant hopes to graduate and avail of the TESDA program after high school so she and her husband can find better jobs. Her husband who works with HMC-TNP as checker is also enrolled with the ALS A&E System who has high hopes of becoming a heavy equipment operator.
This October 2011, the enrollees of the ALS A&E in the HMC-TNP mining communities are set to take the national ALS A&E test. The passers of either the Elementary or Secondary Level will receive a certificate from the Secretary of the Department of Education and allows the passer to mainstream in the educational system of the country. It offers them wide opportunities to enroll in post- secondary courses like technical, vocational, two to five-year course and TESDA skills training programs and can join the government service if they pass the Civil Service eligibility for government employment.
The opportunities are unlimited for the ALS A&E learners. It would be up for them to pursue that desire to change their quality of life. The HMC-TNP and DepEd through the ALS A&E system could only be a vehicle for them to reach the potential they hope to achieve in their personal and family life.This rare opportunity should not be wasted but grabbed for a good future. (MGB-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
.
Caraga region is second stopover for nationwide microinsurance campaign
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 10 (PIA) -- The Caraga region is slated to be the second stop of a 16-region roadshow on microinsurance advocacy campaign spearheaded by the Insurance Commission and the Department of Finance – National Credit Council.
From October 11 to 13, the Training on Microinsurance Advocacy (TOMA) will be held at the Almont Inland Hotel, Butuan City, to be attended by representatives of the local government, national public agencies, insurance companies and intermediaries, civil society, support organizations and donors/development partners.
On October 14, the culminating event billed as “Magpaseguro para Protektado: Advocacy Seminar on Microinsurance” will educate representatives of both the public and the private sector about the framework and status of microinsurance in the Philippines, emphasizing the respective roles each one can take in the advocacy of microinsurance.
As an important social protection measure, microinsurance is integral to the overall poverty alleviation strategy of the Filipino government. To put this strategy into action, the government has forged a partnership with the German International Cooperation – Microinsurance Innovations Program for Social Security (GIZ-MIPSS) and the Asian Development Bank-Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (ADB-JFPR) to enhance financial literacy on microinsurance, especially of the low-income sector.
Microinsurance has the potential to buffer Caraga from sinking further into poverty by protecting its residents from the sudden financial burdens of accidents, illness, deaths or home fires. With support from all insurance associations and other private sector institutions, the microinsurance roadshow is anticipated to further push for the increased awareness of and appreciation for microinsurance and risk protection.
Through this campaign, it is envisioned that future microinsurance advocates from Caraga will help address the two causes of low insurance coverage among the low-income sector - the lack of awareness of insurance and low financial literacy level.
In forming a corps of microinsurance advocates, the roadshow training will teach about the importance of risk protection and how microinsurance can help in mitigating the effects of these risks in a low-income person’s life. Basic presentation skills will likewise be taught to enable the participants - future advocates - to effectively deliver key messages for the promotion of microinsurance to the general public.
Access to appropriate and affordable risk protection instruments for the low-income sector faces obstacles: unaffordable and inadequate insurance products, persistence of informal insurance schemes and low appreciation of the importance of microinsurance.
The government, through the initiatives of the Insurance Comission and its partners, continues the momentum of opportunities opened by the National Strategy for Microinsurance and the Regulatory Framework for Microinsurance launched in 2010.
Through enabling microinsurance policies and regulations, there is now greater availability of life and non-life insurance products provided by commercial insurance companies, mutual benefit associations and cooperative insurance societies. It will be widely distributed through such delivery channels as microfinance institutions, pawnshops, cooperatives, and community-based organizations, among others.
In line with the Roadmap for Financial Literacy endorsed by the Philippine government in February 2011, this roadshow conducted by the public and private sectors is unique in that it seeks to get widespread support from all sectors of society - legislators, government regulatory agencies, national agencies, local government units, insurance providers, intermediaries, support institutions, donors/other development partners and existing and potential clients. Ultimately, the roadshow strives for behavior change through its banner message of cooperation towards building an insurance market for the low-income sector.
The nationwide microinsurance roadshow is scheduled to grace seven cities in Luzon, three in Visayas and six in Mindanao from 2011-2012. The first stop was in Tacloban City in September. By the end of this caravan, expect the slogan, “Peligrong laging nakaamba, sa Microinsurance walang pangamba” to echo across the country. (MIPSS/PIA-Caraga)
.
Tagalog News: MalacaΓ±ang: Sapat ang pondo para tugonan ang pinsalang dulot ng bagyo
ni Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton
BUTUAN CITY, Okt. 10 (PIA) -- Siniguro ng MalacaΓ±ang na may sapat na “fiscal space” ang pamahalaan para sa calamity funds upang matugunan ang mga pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Quiel at Pedring sa mga imprastraktura at mga produktong pang agrikultura.
Ayon sa tagapagsalita ng Pangulo na si Edwin Lacierda, pag-uusapan pa ng pamahalaan ang mga isyu kaugnay sa kalamidad ngayong linggo kasama na ang rekomendasyon ng Kalihim ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD) na si Voltaire Gazmin na pormal na’ng magdeklara ng state of calamity sa lubos na apektadong mga lugar dulot ng bagyong Pedring at Quiel.
Ani Lacierda, kahit hindi na magpahayag ng state of calamity, nagsasagawa na ang pamahalaan ng kinakailangang panukala upang maluwagan ang problema ng mga apektadong mamamayan.
Idinagdag pa ni Lacierda na ang Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) ay patuloy na nagsusubaybay sa mga apektadong lugar at ipinataw din ng nasabing ahensiya ang price freeze upang maiwasan ang mga pagsasamantala ng mga mangangalakal sa sitwasyon. (MRA/PCOO/PIA-Caraga)
.
Cebuano News: MalacaΓ±ang: Ang gobyerno “adunay igong pinansyal nga kapasidad” aron matubag ang mga danyos tungod sa duha ka mga bagyo
ni Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Okt. 10 (PIA) -- Ang gobyernong Pilipinas “adunay igong pinansyal nga kapasidad” aron matubag ang kalabot na sa mga pondo sa kalamidad, nga resulta sa kinadak-ang danyos sa mga produkto sa agrikultura ug imprastruktura tungod sa duha ka mga bagyo nga mihapak sa Sentral nga basin sa Luzon bag-ohay pa lamang, ang MalacaΓ±ang miingon kagahapon Dominggo, Oktobre 9, 2011.
Si Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda mipagawas niining maong pamahayag human sa pamahayag ni Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima isip tubag sa mga pangutana kon ang MalacaΓ±ang mihangyo ba sa kongreso sa supplemental badyet nga dugang P8-billion calamity fund nga motabang pagsagubang sa mga danyos tungod sa bagyong “Pedring” ug “Quiel” nga gitahong moabot sa P13.8-billion.
Apan si lacierda, miingon ang gobyerno motuki pa og dugang mga isyu kalabot na sa kalamidad karong semanaha, lakip ang rekomendasyon sa Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin aron pormal nga modeklara sa estado sa kalamidad sa tanang mga erya nga naapektuhan og dako sa bagyong “Pedring” ug “Quiel”.
Pero bisan pa kon walay deklarasyon nga state of calamity, si Lacierda miingon ang gobyerno mihimo na sa tanang lakang aron matabangan ang kalisod sa mga katawhan sa mga nahiagom sa kalamidad nga mga komunidad.
Siya miingon ang Departmnet of Trade and Industry nagpadayon pagmonitor sa mga apektadong erya ug nag-imposar na og price freeze aron malikayan ang mga negosyanteng mopahimulos sa maong sitwasyon.
Sa dihang gipangutana kon ugaling ang gobyerno andam ba nga modawat og hinabang pinansyal o bisan unsa nga klase sa hinabang gikan sa laing nasod, si Lacierda miingon: “Wala pong offer ngayon. Right now, may nagtanong na po sa atin tungkol diyan kung kailangan. Ang sagot po ni Secretary (Cesar) Purisima, there’s enough fiscal space to handle the calamity.”
Si Lacierda, hinoon, mipadayag sa iyang pagkamapasalamaton uban ang gobyernong Pilipinas alang sa mensahe simpateya nga gipa-abot sa Estados Unidos pinaagi kang Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ngadto sa mga biktima sa kalamidad sa nasod.
“Maraming salamat po sa kanilang concern sa atin and we welcome these remarks and alam po natin malaking tulong po ito… Kaalyado po natin ang Estados Unidos and it’s very encouraging that they have shown concern for us and the other ASEAN nations that are likewise affected,” si Lacierda miingon. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
.
Cebuano News: Kahugpongan sa Caraga Tri-Media gimugna, Surigaonon napiling Presidente sa rehiyon
by Fred Lobog
SURIGAO CITY, Okt. 10 (PIA) -- Gimugna dili pa lamang dugay ang usa ka rehiyonal nga kahugpongan sa mga sakop sa Tri-Media nga nagalangkob sa lima ka mga siyudad ug lima ka mga lalawigan sa Caraga Region 13 ug ang napiling presidente o pangulo mao ang usa ka Surigaonon.
Ang kahugpongan nga namugna mao ang Caraga Region Tri-Media Practitioners Association (CARTRIPA) ug kini natukod niadtong hapon sa Oktobre 8, 2011 didto sa Prince Hotel, Butuan City, atol sa gipahigayon nga 2nd Caraga Regional Media Conference nga gitambongan sa kapin 40 ka mga brodkaster, magsusulat sa mga mantalaan, TV journalists, radio station managers ug publishers.
Ang napiling presidente sa Caraga Region Tri-Media Practitioners Association (CARTRIPA) mao si Roberto “Jun” Parada, publisher sa Caraga Aksyon Balita, usa ka Surigaonon ug naila usab nga block-timer komentarista sa radio.
Ang ubang mga napiling rehiyonal nga opisyales sa maong pundok mao kining mosunod: Executive Vice-President: Benedict “Ben” Serrano, taga-Butuan City ug magsusulat sa Philippine Star; Vice-President for Surigao del Sur: Rona Omo Alvizo, Manager - DXSE Radyo Natin, Bislig City; Vice-President for Agusan del Sur: Max Tutor, Station Manager from Prosperidad, Agusan Sur; Vice-President for Agusan del Norte: Louie Oranda, Radio Anchorman, Butuan City; Vice-President for Surigao Norte/Dinagat: John Estanio, Anchorman, RMN-DXRS, Surigao City; Secretary: Aidye Ahyn Ortega, Associate Editor, Caraga Aksyon Balita, Surigao City; Treasurer: Juditha Suarez, Station Manager, DXVP Sure FM Tandag City; Auditor: Lito Ucab, Radio Anchorman, Tandag City; PIO: Fred Lobog, Radio Anchorman, Agusan del Sur.
Ang mga napiling Board of Director, mao kining musunod: Eugenio “Jun-jun” Lira, Jr., Editorial Adviser, Caraga Aksyon Balita, Surigao City; Willy Evangelio, Columnist, The People’s Guradian, Newscaster TNTV6 and Anchorman “MASA ANG BIDA” DXVP, Tandag City; Leonardao G. Hijara, DXVP Field Reporter and TV 6 Correspondent, Tandag City; Niel Moro, Anchorman, DXVP, Tandag City ug Nokie Calunsag, DXVP Field Reporter, Tandag City. Samtang ang mga advisers mao sila Jaime Matugas, editorial consultant sa Caraga Aksyon Balita, ug Mike Crismundo, magsusulat sa Manila Bulletin. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
.
Cebuano News: Provincial Youth Congress ipahigayon
ni Roselyn G. Exaure
AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Okt. 10 (PIA) -– Gitakdang maglusad og Provincial Youth Congress ang Agusan del Norte Provincial Government ubos sa Provincial Adolescent and Youth Health Development Program sa Provincial Health Office.
Gibutyag ni Dra. Elizabeth N. Campado, Provincial Health Officer nga ang maong kalihukan ipahigayon karong Oktubre 20, 2011, sa Provincial Training Center sa kapitolyo.
Gidugang pa ni Campado nga ang mga partisipante niini mao ang kahugpungan sa Sangguniang Kabataan sa tibuok lalawigan.
Lauman nga mamahimong bisita sila si Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante ug Department of Health Regional Director Leonita P. Gorgolon. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
.
Cebuano News: Upat ka mga dagkong proyekto sa lungsod sa Jabonga, gikatakdang inagurahan
ni Roselyn G. Exaure
AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Okt. 10 (PIA) – Gikatakdang inagurahan ug i-hand-over ngadto sa Local Government Unit sa lungsod sa Jabonga, ang upat ka mga proyekto ubos sa KC-MT “HIPAGLAMBO”.
Gibutyag ni Jabonga Municipal Mayor Glicerio M. Monton Jr. nga ang maong mga proyekto mao ang Barangay Health Station sa Barangay A. Beltran, Day Care Center sa Barangay Bangonay, 1 Unit 2 Class Room School Building sa Barangay Bunga ug Barangay San Pablo.
Gidugang pa sa opisyal nga ang maong mga proyekto gi-abagan kini sa Provincial Government sa Agusan del Norte sa pagpanguna ni Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante ug sa Local Government Unit sa Jabonga alang sa hingpit nga kahumanan niini.
Ang hand-over ug inauguration sa upat ka mga proyekto ipahigayon kini karong October 12-13, 2011. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
