PIA News Service - Tuesday, October 25, 2011

38th SSEAYP delegates to start Southeast Asian cruising on Oct. 26

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) – The 28 delegates of the country to the 38thShip for Southeast Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP) is scheduled to cruise aroundSoutheast Asia Wednesday until December 16, 2011 where the Philippines will be its first port of call.

In a press statement, NYC Commissioner Georgina Nava, who sits as chairperson of the SSEAYP Organizing Committee, this year’s finalists from the different regions of the country would have started to receive formal notices from the secretariat already regarding their participation.

“The hard part is not over yet, as they still have to undergo a series of pre-departure training and activities which will determine if they are indeed qualified and prepared for the voyage around the ASEAN and Japan as the country’s ambassadors of culture and goodwill,” Nava added.

Nava further said that aside from the SSEAYP participants’ pre-departure training, the NYC is also gearing up for the Philippine Country Program, as the Philippines is known for its colorful festivals and fun-loving people and we will show our Southeast Asian and Japanese brothers and sisters how Filipinos celebrate camaraderie and friendship.

The lone delegate from Caraga Region, Ed Anthony Lapay, a registered nurse from San Francisco, Agusan del Sur is one of the delegates who passed the rigorous regional interviews and deliberations by the National Youth Commission (NYC).

In his FaceBook account, Lapay thanked God for the opportunity given to him to be with the other delegates in other Southeast Asian countries and to share cultures and traditions.

Also, in a previous text message to PIA, Lapay said as one of the country’s Ambassadors of Goodwill, he will do his best to be able to promote the richness of culture and history of the country, in general, and the Caraga Region, in particular.

For 52 days, the delegates will be on board the cruise liner MS Fuji Maru dubbed “Friendship Boat” from October 26 to December 16, 2011, visiting Japan, Philippines (Manila), Brunei Darussalam (Muara), Indonesia (Jakarta), Malaysia (Port Klang) and Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh).

The friendship boat will dock in Manila on November 10-13, 2011 for the Philippine Country Program. (PIA-Caraga)

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Caraga RDRRMC conducts TWG planning workshop

by Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- The Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Technical Working Group (TWG) will conduct a regional DRRM strategic action planning workshop for CY 2012-2016 on November 15-18 in Davao City.

According to RDRRMC chairperson Dr. Blanche T. Gobenciong, the workshop will be held in order to fulfill the council’s commitment in making disaster risk reduction a development priority through the implementation of more effective and strategic programs, projects and activities and to address the impact of disaster risk and climate change.

During the activity, the TWG will prepare a 5-Year Comprehensive Regional DRRM/CCA Strategic Action Plan draft for Caraga region. The plan shall be aligned with the five priorities for action of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and the new DRRM framework.

Also, during the activity the National DRRMC will provide the TWG inputs on the HFA and the National Synthesis Report on HFA Implementation in the Philippines 2009-2011; the National DRRM framework: Outcome and Key Result Areas; and the Introduction of the Logical Framework Approach.

Gobenciong will also present the Regional DRRM Program Initiatives 2006-2011 to the group and the DRR Enhanced Spatial Framework of Caraga: Vision, Goals and Objectives, Policies, Strategies, Targets and Programs/Projects will also be discussed during the period. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)

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Agusan del Sur PESO grabbed regional best PESO performer award

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Oct. 25 (PIA) – The Agusan del Sur Public Employment Service Office (PESO) grabbed the Best Regional PESO performing award during the recent regional competition conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

According to provincial PESO manager Divina Lagumbay, this is the first time that Agusan del Sur join the competition.

“We do not expect to win in this competition because this is the first time that we join. But of course, we know, we did our best to respond and implement all the employment work program as set by the DOLE without reservation, and we even exceeded our target. Because of this, together with the municipalities of Trento, Sibagat and Sta. Josefa, we were recognized as institutionalized PESO offices region-wide and became nominees for the national competition,” Lagumbay said.

During the awarding ceremony, the municipalities of Trento and Sta. Josefa also received the “Best Municipal PESO Performing Awards” for the first and third class municipalities, respectively. Aside from being the region’s best, Agusan del Sur also bagged the best provincial PESO award for the first class provincial category.

But Lagumbay admitted, there is no chance they will win in the national category competition because they have a very small figure in the placement report compared to the PESO offices in Metro Manila.

“Of course, if they will base their judgment in the placement report, we are very inferior compared to that of Metro Manila and other big cities. Even if we often conduct jobs fair here, the population in big cities in terms of applicants and placements bares a very big difference. But if they ratio the placement report against the population, maybe, we will have the chance, but still very thin,” Lagumbay said.

Lagumbay also called on all companies and institutions that have joined the jobs fair in Agusan del Sur, to furnish them copies of their hired applicants during the jobs fair conducted in the province so that her office, including those in the municipal level, will have ready reference of the employment status of applicants for local and abroad. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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New peace, amnesty plan to win peace – Bgen Plaza

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- “An all-out war is destructive, but a new peace and amnesty plan will win the peace,” said BGen Charito B Plaza of the 7th Air Force Wing Reserve of the Philippine Air Force.

In a press statement issued by the first lady general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force, Plaza said with the recent and continuous attacks and firefight in Caraga Region, Basilan and the various parts of Mindanao, she is so disturbed and worried with the seemingly unstoppable conflict and war in Mindanao.

She added an all-out war solution will not solve but will just worsen the Peace and Security condition in Mindanao.

“Both the victims’ families and relatives will surely retaliate to get even and give justice to their dead family members, hence, the struggle for retaliation will never end,” she said.

Plaza also said an all-out war policy will depict a negative impression of an arrogant, selfish and a helpless government, pitting its own people, who are both fighting for justice, freedom, equality and peace, being victims of all forms of poverty and want, as a result of the government’s weaknesses, neglect, insincerity, complacency, lack of focus and inability.

Further, Plaza emphasized that the seemingly successful attack by the rebels with more losses in the government side was an embarrassment and depicts failure of tactics and strategy, being more equipped and a well trained force.

“The rebels too will be strengthened to stage more attacks. The AFP and the Philippine National Police on the side of the government will naturally get back in their best form, hence, a never ending war, unless a new approach will be employed,” she added.

With these developments, Plaza, a peace educator and negotiator in the successful surrender of the 105, Rag Tag Army of the then renegade Col. Alex Noble in 1991 in Esperanza, Agusan del Sur and the 205 ragtag Moro National Liberation Front of Chairman Nur Misuari in a ceremony held in the Basilan Province in 2003, crafted a proposed ‘Peace and Amnesty Plan’ for adoption by the Aquino Presidency, in order to give peace a chance, especially in Mindanao and can be replicated throughout the country. (PIA-Caraga)

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Breastfeeding practice short of WHO recommendation

by Regina M. Pagaspas

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -– Many of us know that breastmilk is the natural and perfect first food for a newborn child and until age two and beyond if possible.

Nine out of ten or 90 percent of mothers initiated breastfeeding, according to the results of the infant feeding practices component of the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008.

The survey further revealed that out of the nine breastfed children, eight were exclusively breastfed for an average of two months only.

As the child grows older, from birth until five months, exclusive breastfeeding diminished to approximately three out of ten, while also around three out of ten children were breastfed and at the same time already given complementary foods.

At 6-11 and 12-23 months old, only four out of ten and two out of ten children, respectively, were breastfed.

The data show that the practice of exclusive breastfeeding and its duration fell short of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and continuing breastfeeding up to two years and beyond while giving complementary foods after six months.

While breastfeeding is said to be convenient for the mother and the baby, as breastmilk is readily available at all times, still, many mothers opt not to continue breastfeeding as recommended.

As an observation on real life situations, there are problems that mothers, especially first time moms experienced which may have been the reasons for not continuing breastfeeding as recommended.

These problems may be classified based on the following categories: (1) mother’s condition after delivery, (2) mother’s work outside home, (3) mother’s home support system, (4) hospital support system, and (5) early giving of complementary foods.

The trauma that first time moms experience due to labor and delivery pains and some pregnancy and child-delivery complications is one problem that some mothers are faced with.

Mothers who had this experience tend to postpone breastfeeding, causing delayed and reduced breastmilk production until eventually discontinuing breastfeeding.

The mother’s work outside home is also a major factor for mothers not to continue breastfeeding even if they have successfully initiated it.

Most mothers tend to mix feed their infant in preparation for their return to work to avoid nipple confusion.

Nipple confusion happens when breastfed children are difficult to feed using the bottle when they are accustomed to breastfeeding or difficult to breastfeed when they are used to bottle feeding.

Once the baby is mixed fed, breastfeeding frequency is lessened and therefore, milk flow is also lessened and eventually dries up.

The pressure of returning early to work, even if it is less than the allowable maternity leave, is also a factor that triggers difficulty in breastfeeding.

Many mothers have not even recovered fully from the rigors of pregnancy and delivery when they are called to report back to work.

Working moms would go home very tired and just want to rest and sleep, forgetting fully that they have a baby to breastfeed.

The child who is left to the caregiver thrives on milk formula that is given while the mother is away from home, or even when at home, is asleep or taking a rest.

As a result, breastmilk diminished and the child does not want to be breast fed anymore because he or she is already accustomed to milk formula.

The role of the support system, particularly the husband and other family members, is very crucial to the mother’s early initiation of breastfeeding as this will determine the volume of milk that she will produce.

There is a tendency that family members panic when the baby cries such that they resort to bottle feeding at once to solve the problem. When bottle feeding is easily resorted to, mothers are not be able to breastfeed the child at the soonest possible time, and probably may not be able to do it at all.

While the mother’s breastfeeding situation is not yet established, the hospital has the major role during this crucial period.

However, many hospitals are not prepared and equipped enough to provide the needed breastfeeding support. Some hospitals even allow feeding bottles and milk formulas to be given to the infant.

While the nurse should be the best person that a mother can count on to provide support in assisting her to initiate breastfeeding, it seems that providing such support is not always their priority.

As a result of the lack of support after delivery, some mothers go home without even initiating breastfeeding leading to less milk flow.

Too many visitors that a patient accommodates as well as long visiting hours also pose a problem to mothers because instead of resting while the baby is asleep, mothers entertain visitors.

By the time the baby wants to be fed, the mother cannot breastfeed because either she is taking a nap to revitalize her energy or is shy to breastfeed in front of guests.

Giving complementary foods too early, like before six months, is also a factor that diminishes milk flow since the child will likely lessen the frequency of breastfeeding when offered other foods.

Thus, there are challenges that mothers are faced with to pursue breastfeeding.

There are many considerations in understanding the reasons for falling short of the WHO recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding.

Here are some suggestions that may be considered in crafting policies in helping mothers succeed in breastfeeding: A policy should provide longer maternity leave benefits to employees for all private and government institutions; Mothers, particularly those under special conditions, should be given utmost attention by the hospital care unit to assist them to breastfeed; Health care personnel, family members, friends and employers should discourage bottle feeding by strictly adhering to the rules of the mother and baby friendly environment initiatives; The hospital should have a policy regarding limiting number of visitors, and visiting hours, and disallowing minors as visitors; and Husbands and other family members including caregivers should be given breastfeeding classes and encouraged to participate in other health promotion activities.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/Fax no.: 837-2934, 837-2071 local 2295; e-mail:mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph; mar_v_capanzana@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http//www.fnri.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)

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Five agencies ink agreement on poverty reduction project

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has signed an agreement with four other government agencies for the implementation of a project that seeks to reduce poverty in the country.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo yesterday said the Departments of Finance (DOF), Budget and Management (DBM), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) have agreed to help the DILG implement the Philippine Poverty Environment Initiative (PPEI) project.

The five agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during the Biyaheng Pinoy, the celebration of the 20thanniversary of the enactment of the Local Government Code held at the PICC recently.

Robredo said the PPEI seeks to review the collection and distribution of revenues from environment and natural resources (ENR) and shall provide recommendations on how the share of local government units (LGUs) can be increased.

He explained that the project, which supports poverty reduction through the use of revenues and benefits, derived from sustainable management of ENR, will also integrate pro-poor and environment concerns into the development planning.

It also aims to identify the level of expenditure on environment at the national and local levels, and lobby for national budget allocations for programs and projects on sustainable environment including opportunities for green economy.

Under the agreement, the DILG as the lead agency, shall review the use of revenues from natural resources and link poverty-environment opportunities with key planning and budgeting guidelines of LGUs including application of LGU best practices.

The DOF shall review the collection and distribution of revenues from natural resources and recommend how the share of LGUs in revenues from ENR can be increased, while the DBM shall take charge of the public environmental expenditure review at the national and local levels and analyze how these contribute to environmental and poverty outcomes.

On the other hand, the DENR shall develop a national road map and advocacy campaign for the introduction of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) for mining and energy industries in the country, while the NAPC shall take charge in the identification of congressional champions to sponsor budget allocations for environmental programs and projects for poverty alleviation.

The PPEI project, which is supported by the UNDP-UNEP Asia Pacific Regional Programme, was launched last month in an Inception Workshop where representatives from government agencies, academe and non-government organizations convened to commit on the successful implementation of the project. (DILG/PIA-Caraga)

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23IB surrenders abductor of a university stude

by Jocelyn E. Morano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- Elements of 23IB Philippine Army led by Lt Darwin Manalo has facilitated the surrender of a suspect who was charged with kidnapping with serious illegal detention, after abducting a 14 year-old student of Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) here.

The suspect, identified as one Charlito Acebes, a Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit member of the same battalion based in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur and a former employee of the victim's father.

Butuan City Police Station 3 (BCPS3) Commander Police Senior Inspector Alex Celiz said the victim recognized the voice of the suspect when she was abducted.

On October 19, 2011 at around 1:00 am at Phase 1, Emily Homes Subdivision, Brgy Libertad, this city, the victim was abducted by unidentified armed person wearing a bonnet.

Suspect forcibly entered the residence and demanded P20,000 at gun point, however, the victim’s mother refused to give said amount.

Consequently, suspect took the victim and brought her to Chinese Cemetery in Brgy Bancasi, demanded for a P100,000 ransom money in exchange for the safe release of the minor.

Victim’s mother immediately informed Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) of the abduction. Immediately, personnel of BCPO responded, safely rescued the victim but suspect evaded arrest bringing with him the ransom money handed down by the mother.

It was learned, that since Saturday, PCI Rowena Martinez of the Intelligence Division negotiated with the Commanding Officer of the suspect for his safe surrender.

It was only Monday morning at around 11 o’clock that the team of Lt. Manalo accompanied the suspect and formally turned-over to BCPO Deputy Chief who also consequently turned over to BCPS3 and processed therein his extra judicial confession. (Radyo ng Bayan-Butuan, PIA-Caraga)

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Top students vie for regional title

by Angie B. Antonio

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- Winners of the recent schools division contest will compete again to grab the title as Regional Champion for the Population Quiz.

The nine division winners shall vie the mind-boggling contest Tuesday, October 25 at the Provincial Training Center, Capitol Compound, Butuan City.

It will be participated in by the Schools Division of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Siargao, Dinagat Islands, Butuan City, Bislig City and Surigao City.

Leslie G. Sumabal from Carmen National high School represents Agusan del Norte division; Maynard E. Limbaco of Bayugan National Comprehensive High School – Agusan del Sur; Blessee Joy V. Lacuna, Tabon Maximino Estrella National High School – Bislig City; Ruby Althea C. Comiling of Agusan National High School will represent Butuan City division; the Province of Dinagat Islands will be represented by Jaffielu J. Morales of Don Ruben E. Ecleo, Sr. Memorial National High School; Christian G. Lasala of Socorro National High School – Siargao; Jason T. Magno, Taft National High School will represent the division of Surigao City; Restituto T. Royales from Tubod National High School – Surigao del Nortre division; and Roel O. Almadin form Tagbina National High School represents Surigao del Sur.

Twenty questions are framed for the Regional Population Quiz and are classified into three categories: easy, average & difficult. The questions will cover family life & responsible parenthood, gender & development, population and reproductive health, environment & sustainable development.

“Whoever wins in the regional competition shall represent Caraga to the national contest in Tarlac City sometime in April 2012,” Director Camilo S. Pangan of POPCOM-Caraga said.

The contest is a collaborative effort of the Commission on Population and the Department of Education and Local Government Units to popularize and give information, increase awareness and appreciation on population issues and concerns. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

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Butuan dad urges investments on new regional business center

by Jovelyn C. Mejorada & Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. called investors to pour business in the new Regional Business Center (RBC) located at Barangay Tiniwisan, this city.

An Open House Program was conducted recently at the establishment in Tiniwisan for the showcasing of the new RBC, attended by the chief executives of the different departments in the City Hall, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) together with Ryan B. Culima as the Committee Chairman of Peace and Order, and City Administrator Leah Mendoza.

Setting up a business in the said establishment is no longer a hassle since power and water supplies are ready to be installed and the roadway is already concreted. Moreover, the new RBC is located at the heart of the city, Amante said.

Amante said interested investors may visit the said place anytime. And, the local government, in cooperation with DTI, is ready to receive the investors’ support for the said project.

The said establishment is open for all individuals who want to pour their business at the RBC. The local government encourages the investors to settle businesses at RBC, to make use and utilize the location. In this manner, the local government of Butuan hopes for progress and development. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)

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Feature: Drink milk early in life, prevent fracture later

by Czarina Teresita S. Martinez

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 25 (PIA) -- “Drinking milk and eating foods high in calcium at an early age may be an important strategy to reduce osteoporotic fracture rates in the later life,” said Ms. Aida C. Mallillin, senior science research specialist of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).

Mallilin and her group studied the effect of school–based milk feeding among six to eight year old children in Metro Manila by measuring the bone mineral content and bone mineral density using the dual energy x-ray absorptiometry.

At baseline, Mallillin noted that the children participating in the study consume only 49 percent of the recommended nutrient intake for calcium per day.

After twelve months of conducting the milk feeding, Mallilin found that the children who drank milk with an additional 278 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day, had a greater increase in bone mineral content and bone mineral density than the children who did not drink milk.

The FNRI-DOST recommends 700 mg of calcium per day for seven to nine year-old children.

Among the foods that have high calcium content, based on the Food Composition Tables (FCT) published by FNRI-DOST, are milk and milk products, anchovies (dilis, dulong), sardines (tawilis, sinilyasi, tamban), shrimp (alamang, taguntong), crabs (talangka), snail (kuhol, susong pilipit), seaweeds(balbalulang, gamet, kulot), root crop (kamoteng puti), dried green mung beans, oats, and green leafy vegetables (dahon ng ampalaya, lubi-lubi, malunggay, saluyot, himbabao).

In addition to calcium, the bones need sufficient supplies of other minerals such as magnesium, fluoride, zinc, copper, and manganese. Vitamins D, C, and K are likewise needed in the right amount for optimal bone development and metabolism.

Message 1 of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos recommends eating a variety of foods, to provide all the nutrients in the proper amount and balance. The human body needs more 40 different nutrients for good health. No single food can provide all the nutrients needed by the body.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. E-mail:mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call: 8372071 local 2296 or visit our website:http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog news: Malacañang, nangakong padaliin ang pagtutugis sa mga akusado sa Maguindanao massacre

ni Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Okt. 25 (PIA) -- Nangako ang Malacañang na padaliin ang pagtutugis sa mga akusado sa kadusta-dusatang kaso ng Maguindanao massacre, dalawang taon na ang nakalipas.

Ayon kay Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte sa isang panayam sa dzRB Radyo ng Bayan kahapon na ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III ay patuloy na nakisisimpatya para sa pamilya, kaibigan at kamag-anak ng mga biktima na karamihan ay mga mamahayag.

Ani ni Valte, nagbigay na ang pangulo ng utos kay Justice Secretary Leila de Lima na padaliin ang proseso sa pagtutugis sa mga akusado sa pagpatay at isiguro na hindi maaalantala ang pagdinig sa kaso.

Gayun pa man, binigyang diin ni Valte na ang pagkamit ng hustisya para sa mga biktima ay hindi lamang tungkulin ng Sangay ng Tagapagpaganap (Executive branch) sapagkat ang “Judiciary” ang siyang may kapangyarihan sa korte na magpasya sa kalabasan ng kaso.

Dagdag pa ni Valte na ang kaso ay kasalukuyang ipinu-proseso at ito ay hindi ganap na saklaw ng kapangyarihan ng Tagapagpaganap. Aniya, “nandyan po ang Judiciary natin, nandiyan po ang korte na dumidinig at magiging final arbiter doon sa kalalabasan ng kaso”.

Tinukoy ni Pangulong Aquino sa isang pagtitipon kasama ng mga banyagang mamamahayag kamakailan lamang na gusto niyang makipag-usap sa mga hukom na sangkot sa paglilits sa Maguindanao massacre pero hindi ito saklaw ng kanyang kapangyarihan base sa Konstitusyon.

Mahigit 34 mamamahayag ang namatay noong Nobyembre 23, 2009 na kung saan ang mga grupo ng pribadong armado ang binayaran ng angkan ng Ampatuan sa Maguindanao na umatake sa noon ay kandidato para gobernador na si Esmael Mangundadatu.

Nagpaplano ngayon ang iba’t ibang grupo ng mga mamahayag na mag-oranisa para sa paggunita sa pagkamatay ng kanilang kasamahan simula Oktubre 23 hanggang Nobyembre 23, ang eksaktong araw ng anibersaryo. Ang nasabing insidente ay ginawa ng Committee to Protect Journalists na isang tanda bilang pinakamasalimuot na pangyayari sa mga mamamahayag buhat pa noong taong 1992. (MRA, ulat mula PCOO/PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog news: Pangulong Aquino, tututukan ang programang nagpapabuti sa kalidad ng buhay ng mga may kapansanan

ni Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Okt. 25 (PIA) -- Sinabi ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na ang administrasyon ay itinutulak ang mga programang may layuning magpapabuti sa kalidad ng pamumuhay ng mga taong may kapansanan o Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Sa mensahe ng Pangulo sa 26th Apolinario Mabini Awards na naganap sa Heroes Hall ng Malacañang noong Lunes, binanggit ng Pangulo na bawat Pilipino, mayaman man o mahirap ay pantay-pantay ang karapatan at pagkakataon sa pagkamit ng tagumpay sa buhay.

Binanggit ng Pangulo na ang mga mananalo sa nasabing pagdiriwang ay nagsisilbing patunay na ang mga Pinoy ay makakamit ng anuman sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng kanilang angking talento at kataingian.

Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na anuman ang kundisyon ng buhay ng tao ay may kakayanang abutin ang kanyang minimithi sa buhay.

Ang madreng si Ma. Paula Valeriana Baerts, ICM, ay siyang nakatanggap ng pinakamataas na parangal sa nasabing pagdiriwang. Si Baerts isang Belgian na kasapi ng Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Sa taong 1965, ipinadala siya sa Pilipinas at nadistino sa Philippine Orthopedic Center. Habang siya ay nagsiserbisyo sa ospital, nakita niya ang isang miserableng kalagayan ng isang maykapansanan na dulot sa kanya ng pagkasabik sa pagpapabuti sa kanilang buhay. Si Baerts din ang nag nagtatag ng Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, isang “non-stock”, “non-profit”, at isang non-government organization (NGO) na may layuning paunlarin ang buhay ng mga may kapansanan.

Nakatanggap si Baerts ng parangal na Mabini Presidential Award dahil sa kanyang pagserbisyo sa mga PWD ng 54 taon.

Ang ibang mananalo ay sina Lauro Purcil, Special Mabini Award para sa PWD Rights-Based Advocacy; Capt. Oscar Taleon, Special Mabini Presidential Award para sa Leadership in PWD Sector Unification; David Casper Nathan Sergio, Disabled Filipino of the Year at Access Unlimited/Radyo ng Bayan Special Award para sa paggawa ng programa sa radyo tungkol sa PWD Personalities and Issues, at bukod pa sa iba.

Nakatanggap din ng gantimpala ang mga indibidwal at mga grupo mula sa pribadong sektor at gobyerno para sa kanilang nai-ambag sa pagsulong sa kapakanan ng mga PWD.

Ang Apolinario Mabini Awards nailunsad sa taong 1974 para magbigay ng kilala sa mga taong may kapansanan, mga propesyonal, at iba’t ibang grupo na ipinanyag ang kanilang sarili sa napiling larangan o yung nakapagbigay ng bukod-tanging serbisyo sa mga taong may kapansanan.

Ang parangal ay hango sa isa sa pinakamagiting na bayani ng Pilipinas na si Apolinario Mabini na kilala rin bilang isang kahanga-hangang paralitiko na hindi naging hadlang sa kanya ang kanyang kapansanan sa kanyang pagiging malikhain na nagsilbi namang inspirasyon sa rebolusyon ng Pilipinas.

Ang nasabing pagdiriwang ay isinaayos ng Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. at Ambassador Cristina Ponce-Enrile, chairperson ng 2011 Apolinario Mabini Awards Committee. (PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: “Battle of Surigao Strait” malampusong gisaulog

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Okt. 25 (PIA) -- Ang lokal nga panggamhanan ni'ng syudad sa Surigao malampuson na usab nga misaulog sa makasaysayanon nga “Battle of Surigao Strait” kaganinang buntag.

Ang seremonya sa ika-67th tuig nga pagsaulog gihimo didto sa Lipata Ferry Terminal complex diin didto nahitabo ang sikat nga naval battle.

Ang tanang Surigaonon ug imbitadong bisita gikan sa Amerika, Australia ug Japan nagtigom aron pagsaulog sa adlaw diin ang Imperialismong Hapon misurender ngadto sa Amerikano ug Australianong Navies atol sa usa sa pinakadakong panagsangka sa kasaysayan niadtong Oktubre 25, 1944.

Si City Vice Mayor Danilo Menor maoy nanguna sa memorial service ug gitambongan usab sa pinasidunggang bisita nga si Major Joel. A. Dopp ang Assistant Air Attache for U.S. Defense Attache Office Representative sa American Embassy.

Ang maong pagsaulog gisugdan sa may alas 4:30 a.m. sa buntag uban ang wreath laying, lighting of the memorial flame nga gipangunahan sa mga representante gikan sa embahada sa Amerika, Australia ug Japan ug ang lighting of sky lantern nga gipangunahan sa mga opisyales ug empleyado sa syudad ug probinsya, mga veterans, miyembro sa Surigaonon Heritage Foundation, national line agencies, miyembro sa tourism council ug mga estudyante sa nagkalain-laing eskulahan sa syudad.

Ang uban pang mga kalihokan sa usa ka adlaw nga selebrasyon mao ang wreath-laying didto sa Japanese Crematorium Marker sa Surigao del Norte National High School ang kanhi dapit nga kampo sa Hapon niadtong World War II, ang “3rd Bugsay Race” didto sa Surigao City Boulevard, film showing sa mga panghitabo sa Battle of Surigao Strait, ug 4th monthly finals sa Surigaonon Singing Star. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Aquino mihisgot sa mga programa sa gobyerno alang sa pagpa-usbaw sa kalidad sa kinabuhi sa mga PWDs

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Oktubre 25 (PIA) -- Si Pangulong Benigno S.Aquino III miingon nga ang iyang administrasyon nagduso sa mga programang nagtinguha sa pagpauswag sa kalidad sa kinabuhi sa Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) ug naghatag kanila sa patas nga katungod ug oportunidad.

Sa iyang mensahe atol sa awarding ceremonies sa 26th Apolinario Mabini Awards didto sa Heroes Hall sa Malcañang Palace kagahapon Lunes, si Pangulong Aquino miingon nga matag Filipino, walay labot ang iyang estado sa katilingban, adunay patas nga katungod ug tsansa aron magmalampuson sa kinabuhi.

“Ang Pilipino ay Pilipino, nakaririnig man o hindi, nakalalakad man o may saklay, may kulay man ang mundo o kailangang tantyahin ang bawat hakbang… sa Pilipinas may pantay-pantay na tinig… may pantay-pantay na pagkakataon sa lipunan, lahat may kakayanan magtagumpay,” ang pangulo miingon.

“Ganitong Pilipinas po ang nararating na natin sa pagtahak sa matuwid na daan,” siya midugang.

Ang Pangulo miingon nga ang mga awardees sa maong kalihukan nagsilbing pruweba nga ang Filipino makahimo sa tanan uban ang ilang talaadmang talent ug kinaiya nga angay sundon sa uban.

“Kayo pong pinararangalan natin ngayon, kayo po ang patunay na kahit sinong Pilipino, anuman ang kondisyon sa buhay ay may kakayanan na abutin ang kanyang mga sariling mithiiin… iyan po ang punto ng isang patas na lipunan, walang naiiwan, walang naiipit sa laylayan… iyan po ang Pilipinas na pinapangarap natin,” siya mitumbok.

Atol sa maong kalihokan, ang Pangulo maoy nanguna sa pagpasidungog sa mga indibidwals ug mgagrupo nga walay hunong sa pag serbisyo sa uban labi na ang PWDs.

The founder of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, a non-stock, non-profit and non-government organization that aims to uplift the lives of the orthopedically handicapped persons. Ang nanguna sa listahan sa maong mga awardees mao si Sister Ma. Paula Valeriana Baerts, ICM.. usa ka Belgian nga madre nga nahisakop sa Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Niadtong 1965, siya gipadala dinhi sa Pilipinas ug nadestino sa Philippine Orthopedic Center. Atol sa iyang pagserbisyo sa maong hospital, siya nakakita sa miserableng kahimtang sa mga disabled nga maoy nagdala kaniya sa tinguha sa pagpa-uswag sa ilang mga kinabuhi. Si Sr. Baerts maoy nagtukod sa Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, usa ka non-stock, non-profit ug non-government nga organisasyon nga nagtinguha sa pagpa-uswag sa mga kinabuhi sa orthopedically handicapped nga mga tawo.

Si Sr. Baerts midawat sa Mabini Presidential Award alang sa iyang 54 -katuig nga pagserbisyo sa PWDs.

Ang uban pang mga awardees naglakip nila Lauro Purcil, Special Mabini Presidential Award for PWD Rights-Based Advocacy; Capt. Oscar Taleon, Special Mabini Presidential Award for Leadership in PWD Sector Unification; David Casper Nathan Sergio, Disabled Filipino of the Year ug Access Unlimited/Radyo ng Bayan, Special Award tungod sa pagprodyus niini og Radio Program alang sa mga PWD nga personahe ug mga isyu, lakip ang uban pa.

Mga indibidwal ug mga grupo gikan sa pribadong sektor ug gobyerno gihatagan usab og pasidungog tungod sa ilang kontribusyon sa pagpalambo sa kaayohan sa mga PWDs.

Ang Apolinario Mabini Awards gilusad niadtong 1974 aron pag-ila sa mga indibidwal nga adunay diperensya, mga propesyonal ug mga nagkalain-laing grupo nga halangdon sa ilang tagsa-tagsa ka mga paningkamot aron makahatag og dungganan nga serbisyo sa mga katawhan nga adunay deperensya.

Ang maong pasidungog gisunod sa ngalan sa kinaunhang bayani sa nasod, si Apolinario Mabini, nga naila usab isip tinahod nga paralitiko (Sublime Paralytic) kinsang deperensya wala maka babag sa iyang mamugnaong henyo nga maoy naghatag inspirasyon sa Philippine rebolusyon.

Ang maong kalihokan gi-organisa sa Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. ug ni Ambassador Cristina Ponce-Enrile, ang chairperson sa 2011 Apolinario Mabini Awards Committee. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Panagtigum sa Caraga RDC-DAC, gipahigayon

ni Jovelyn C. Mejorada

BUTUAN CITY, Okt. 25 (PIA) -- Gipangunahan ni Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. ang ang bag-ohay pa lang gipahigayong Caraga Regional Development Council - Development Administration Committee (RDC-DAC) Meeting didto sa Grand Palace Convention Center sa pakig-alayon sa National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) uban sa nagkadaiyang ahensya niining Rehiyon sa Caraga.

Tumong niini nga mahisgutan ang musunod sama sa: Interest of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to become a Non- Voting Member of the RDC; Draft Executive Order on the Re-imposition of Clearance Requirement for the Transfer of Motor Vehicles from One Island to Other through Ferry or Other Similar Transhipment Services; RDC 5 Resolution No. 19, Series of 2011 Requesting the Office of the President not to Revive the Requirement of Anti- Carnapping Clearance When Shipping Vehicles on Inter- Island Vessels and Comments of RDC 7 on the Draft EO on ANCAR Clearance; Update on Convergence Planning Workshop of Butuan City; Status of Submission on the Agencies Budget Allocation for MDG and the Presidents Social Contract; Office of the President Memorandum Order No. 24, Series 2011- Temporary Suspension and Rationalization of the National Government Unit Cost Sharing Policy; Administrative Order No. 17, Series of 2011 Directing the Use of the Procurement Service and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System in the Procurement Activities in Accordance with RA 9184, and Improving the Operation of the Procurement Service; Phil- JOBNET Advocacy sa DOLE Caraga; Wage Updates and Productivity Month Celebration; ug ang Butuan City as the Oyster Mushroom Capital of the Region in coordination with LGU-Butuan ug DOLE Caraga.

Alayon niini gipresentar ni Mayor Amante isip Chairperson sa RDC-DAC ang Convergence Planning Workshop kini subay sa 120 milyon nga pagkunhod sa IRA niining syudad sa Butuan, gila-uman niini nga makabangon ug maangkon ang kalambuan sa Butuan bisan paman sa nahi-agumang problema pinaagi sa pagpakusog sa CONCHABU kon Convergence for Change in Butuan ug panagtambayayong sa ubang ahensya dinhi sa syudad sa Butuan isip sentro sa tibook rehiyong Caraga. (LGU-Butuan City/PIO/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Indigenous Peoples Conference sa dakbayan sa Butuan, gipahigayon

ni Jovelyn C. Mejorada

BUTUAN CITY, Okt. 25 (PIA) - Nahimung makahuluganon ang nahitabong Indigenous Peoples Conference didto sa Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort dili palang dugay sa pagpanguna ni Datu Bunanay Pedro Francisco O. Hernandez-Manobo Tribe Administrator ug iyang kapikas sa kinabuhi Bae Agayon Hawodon Cugbahan Tagleong Maksolbad Merlyn Coguit-Manobo Tribe Chieftain.
Tumong niini nga panagtigum aron maprotektahan sa mga Lumad ang Ancestral Domain o yutang kabilin, makabaton og panginabuhian, desinting panimalay ug malahutayong ekonomiya.

Makuha ang patas nga pamaagi ug suporta sa goberno ug ipatuman usab ang transparensiya diin usa nga panawagan sa mga igsoong lumad sa tibook Pilipinas.

Samtang gitambungan kini ni Hon. Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. isip pinasidunggang bisita ug amahan sa dakbayan sa Butuan kini nanawagan nga magkahiusa ang tanan ug ang kalinaw ang ipatigbabaw aron dungan sa tunhay nga pagkab-ot sa atong kalambuan dinhi sa dakbayan sa Butuan. (LGU-Butuan City/PIO/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Barangay Secretaries suportado ang mga programa ni Mayor Jun Amante

ni Jovelyn C. Mejorada

BUTUAN CITY, Okt. 25 (PIA) -- Suportado sa mga Barangay Secretaries gikan sa 86 ka barangay ning syudad ang mga proyekto ug programa ni Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. sama sa Grow a Million Tree Project, Clean Ground Zero Waste Program ug Risk Reduction Management atol sa gipahigayong forum sa pagpanguna sa buhatan sa Public Affairs Information Assistance Division (PAIAD) bag-ohay pa lamang didto sa Raquiza Hall, Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center.

Subay niini nga kalihokan gitahasan ang matag Sekretarya sa mga barangay nga mosumite sa barangay structures o mga impormasyon kabahin sa kasaysayan sa barangay kung diin sila nagserbisyo ngadto sa buhatan sa PAIAD aron makagama og usa ka libro nga magamit sa mga bisita nga buot masayod sa storya sa mga kabarangayan ning syudad sa Butuan.

Ang maong kalihokan gitambungan ni Hon. Nestor Amora - ABC President diin gipaabot niini ang dakong pasalamat sa atong Halangdong Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. sa suporta sa mga Barangay Secretary sa iyang administrasyon gilauman niini nga magpadayon ang pakigtambayayung niini sa mga proyekto aron atong kalambuan hingpit nga maangkon. (LGU-Butuan City/PIO/PIA-Caraga)