(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 24 April 2024) Easterlies affecting the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies/Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 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 East to Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


PIA News Service - Wednesday, October 5, 2011

PAO intensifies support to farmers

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Oct. 5 (PIA) –- The Agusan del Sur Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) intensifies its support to farmers by launching projects grams on organic farming, integrated pest management and small scale irrigation system.

From the 20 percent provincial development fund, PAO has established a provincial trichoderma laboratory worth P150,000, and targeted to produce 10,000 packs of trichoderma for this year. As of August 31, PAO have already produced 16,950 packs, exceeding the annual target of 6,950 packs. Trichoderma are compost-activator fungi that are used to decompose rice straws.

Putting the production into action, PAO has already distributed 8,469 packs to 423 farmers to be used for an area of 419 hectares as of August 31 this year.

PAO also established a vermi-culture, an agriculture technology of raising worms which can help in producing organic fertilizer. The funds were also taken from the 20 percent development fund amounting to P220,500, and another P65,000 from the general fund. As of August 31, PAO have produced 313 bags and have distributed 142 to farmers.

Seeing the usefulness and advantages of organic farming, farmers start to adopt the technology PAO has introduced. To date, 27 community-based composting facilities were already established all over the province. These facilities have already disposed 981 bags of vermi-compost.

PAO has also introduced the integrated pest management (IPM) program to 18 sites for this year. On the first batch of beneficiaries were 529 farmers from the municipalities of San Francisco, Prosperidad, Bunawan, Rosario and Esperanza. For the second batch, PAO is targeting 21 sites from the municipalities of Trento, Bunawan, Bayugan City, Loreto and Sibagat.

To further reinforce the supply of water to rice fields, PAO have distributed ten open source pump or shallow tube well, amounting to P1 million. Another P1 million is allocated for the multipurpose drying pavement to be implemented this year. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)



Surigao Norte PNP chief, two others sacked; former police chief returns

by FEAbkilan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Oct. 5 (PIA) –- A former police director of the province now returns from his post following the relief order of the police director and two other senior officials in connection with the recent attack of the three mining companies in Claver.

Police Regional Information Officer PSupt. Martin Gamba confirmed the return of PS/Supt. David Ombao, a former police provincial director of the province replacing PS/Supt. Emmanuel Talento. Ombao assumed the post yesterday.

Also relieved were Provincial Public Safety Company Commander PCInsp. Rudy Cuyop and Claver police chief PSInsp. Diomedes Cuadra.

Gamba said it was Philippine National Police Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome who ordered the relief Monday night, following their alleged failure to conduct intelligence gathering that led to the successful attack of members of New People’s Army (NPA) in Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), Taganito HPAL Corporation and Platinum Group Metals Corporation based in Claver.

Gamba said Cuyop will be replaced by his deputy, PCInsp. Joram Jumalon while Cuadra will be replaced by PSInsp. Zosimo Torrecampo. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


SENA done through Skype in CARAGA

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- Recently, SEADO of the Department of Labor and Employment Surigao del Norte Field Office resolved the case against Surigao Marine Products Incorporated (SUMAPI) filed by 13 workers through a Skype conference.

Thirteen workers were paid a total of P1.3 million for a single case conference. This settlement has been the highest in the history of case disposition through SENA in the province of Surigao del Norte, involving only one company.

Joselito P. Macabuhay and 12 others went to Surigao del Norte Field Office in Surigao City to get advice on how to claim their separation pay and other benefits from Surigao Marine Products (SUMAPI) which closed operation in July 2011.

They were first advised to send a letter to the management but the latter took no action on it so the complainants went back to DOLE and formally filed a complaint.

During the hearing on August 1, requesting parties contested that their case will not prosper under the representation of SUMAPI branch manager, Ms. Perlita R. Damacino as she could not decide or make decisions for and in behalf of the responding party without first consulting the top management at the head office.

Ms. Damacino explained that she too is a party-in-fact claiming the same benefits the 13 workers are trying to work out. They insisted the presence of the Vice President and SUMAPI Controller, Atty. Zosimo L. Padro, Jr., the right person who can decide and satisfy certain issues they want to clarify.

Right there and then, they tried to contact Atty. Padro and learned that he was in Manila. Realizing that available technology could possibly aid the negotiation, Mr. Verlan Diaz, the SEADO requested Atty. Padro’s Skype account and arranged through Ms. Damacino a live on-line conference to avoid resetting the hearing. Employing such, the parties were able to exchanged views and openly laid their respective concerns.

At last, the parties surprisingly arrived at terms and agreement, including a constructive scheduling of payments of benefits. The P1,347,022.74 was given in two installments, the first half on August 15 and the full payment on September 15. The DOLE SDN FO witnessed the payment and attested to the correctness of the amounts received by each worker. (DOLE-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Reg’l disability council to conduct accessibility audit in Caraga

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) -- The Regional Council for Disability Affairs (RCDA) led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga will initially conduct a one-day accessibility audit of the provincial capitol building of Agusan del Sur and the municipal hall of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur today, October 5.

“In order to come up with a report reflective of the real status of implementation of the Convention in the region, the Regional Committee will conduct an access audit on the implementation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 (Accessibility Law) of city halls and provincial capitols in the region,” according to DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat.

Jabagat also bared that RCDA is tasked to lead the preparation of the Caraga region’s report on the implementation of the United Nations-Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-CRPD) where government buildings and other facilities are priority areas.

With the accessibility law, all such existing buildings, institutions, establishments, or public utilities may be renovated or altered to enable the disabled persons to have access to them provided, however, that buildings, institutions, establishments, or public utilities to be constructed or established for which licenses or permits had already been issued may comply with the requirements of this law.

Meanwhile, in case of government buildings, street and highways, the Ministry of Public Works and Highways shall see to it that the same shall be provided with architectural facilities or structural features for disabled persons.

Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 is an act to enhance the mobility of disabled persons by requiring certain buildings, institutions, establishments and public utilities to install facilities and other devices. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Rebels claim responsibility of mining attack in Surigao Norte

by Dandy Lapura

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Oct. 5 (PIA) –- Communist rebels claimed on Tuesday the responsibility for the attacks on three mining firms in Claver, and demanded that environmental issues be resolved.

According to a letter from Ka Maria Malaya, spokesperson of CPP-NPA-NDF, since the operation of the Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC), great destruction was caused in the environment. They also failed to pay millions worth of taxes and suppressed their workers' rights and indigenous people’s rights, according to Malaya's letter.

She also said that the Platinum Gold Metal Corporation (PGMC), a giant mining firm, also operating in the province, were already exporting millions of tons of nickel ore to its foreign buyers however, most of their employees are still in contractual basis. “This company caused damage in the environment,” she added.

Meantime, Malaya claimed that TMC’s partner Taganito High-Pressure Acid Leaching Plant (THPAL) also caused environmental destruction.

On Monday, around 300 CPP-NPA-NDF rebels, disguised as military officer swooped in TMC's compound burning heavy equipment, service vehicles, buses and buildings and briefly holding several people. Another group of rebels simultaneously attacked the nearby Platinum Metals Group Corporation and Taganito HPAL with the firms' guards also disarmed.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said that damaged to heavy equipment and properties of the two mining firms (PGMC and TMC) now estimated to P3 billion.

Earlier, Malacanang assured the public that perpetrators in the recent attack will be brought to justice. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, in a statement, said the government is taking the attacks “seriously and are continuously monitoring the situation in Claver.” (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Caraga Reg’l Science High School student wins Super Quiz Bee

by Dandy Lapura

SURIGAO CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) –- A student from the Caraga Regional Science High School (CRHS) won the recently concluded Super Quiz Bee competition with the slogan, “Knock Out Crime!”

Spearheaded by Surigao del Norte Provincial Peace and Order Council, the event was held at Philippine Gateway Hotel, Surigao City in line with the celebration of the National Crime Prevention Month.

Clarisses H. Dacer of CRHS, bested other 12 participants from different secondary schools, both public and private.

Second place went to Jeselle Apolo of Dapa National High School and third place was awarded to Prelyn C. Mola of Magpayang National High School Mainit.

Other highlights of the activity include the announcement of winners in Poster Making Contest and Essay Writing Contest. The winners in Poster Making Contest are the following, 1st-Donald Putor of Toledo S. Pantillo Sr. Memorial National High School; 2nd-Danessa E. Gumapac of Saint Paul University, Surigao City; 3rd-Stephanie L. Luna of Tubod National High School, Tubod.

For the Essay Writing Contest, the winners are: 1st-Maribeth M. Dominais of Bunyasan National High School, Malimono; 2nd-Shaquel D. Nasayao of Claver National High School, Claver; 3rd-Ramil S. Espera, Jr., Ipil National High School, Surigao City. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Tagalog News: OSCA, pa-iimbestigahan ang mga parmasyang hindi sumusunod sa Expanded Senior Citizens Act

ni Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Okt. 5 (PIA) -– Sinabi kamakailan lang ng pamunuan ng Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) dito na nakahanda silang pa-iimbestigahan ang mga parmasya (pharmacies) na hindi nagbibigay ng karamptang diskwento sa mga senior citizens.

Ito ang babala ni OSCA head Imelda Nonan matapos ipinahatid sa kanila ng iilang miyembro ng media dito kaugnay sa mga inireklamo ng iilang senior citizens kung saan anila, hindi nagbibigay ng karamptanag diskwento ang iilan sa mga parmasya dito.

Ayon kay G. Cecil YbaΓ±ez, columnist ng Mindanao News Courier, siya mismo ang nakakaranas ng ganitong pangyayari kung saan sinabi umano ng pharmacist ng isa sa mga parmasya dito na hindi raw sila magbibigay ng kumpletong piraso ng tabletang inireseta ng duktor dahil “out of stock na raw ito” samantalang unang sinabi umano nito na meron silang stock sa nasabing gamot.

Dagdag ni YbaΓ±ez, kung nagbibigay ang mga ito ng diskwento, hindi raw ito kinukumpleto kung ilang ang kakailanganing piraso ng tablet o kapsula na nirereseta ng duktor.

Dahil dito, sinabi ni Nonan na pa-iimbestigahan na naman daw nila ito dahil sa mga nakaraang taon ay ganito rin ang reklamong umabot sa kanilang tanggapan na humantong sa pagsampa nila ng karampatang kaso sa nasabing establisamento.

Si Nonan, kasama ng mga tauhan ng OSCA at ng Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ay humarap sa media sa ginawang press conference kaugnay sa pagbukas ng padiriwang ng Senior Citizens’ Week noong Lunes sa city hall ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Butuan.

Ilan sa mga benepisyong makukuha sa Expanded Senior Citizens Act ay ang pagbibigay ng 20 porsiyentong diskwento at maging exempted sa Value Added Tax (VAT) ang sinumang senior citizen na bibili ng medisina, accessories at equipment. (PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital maglusad og Centennial Fun Run

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Okt. 5 (PIA) –- Gikatakdang maglusad og Centenial Fun Run ang Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital karong October 9, 2011, nga pagasugdan alas 5:00 ang takna sa buntag sa City Sports Complex sa syudad sa Butuan.

Gibutyag ni Dr. Elizabeth Campado, Provincial Health Officer ni’ng probinsya nga ang maong kalihukan kabahin kini sa pagsaulog sa Centennial Year sa Provincial Hospital sa pagserbisyo ngadto na sa katawhan, ubos sa temang “ADNPHO 100: Withstanding & Meeting Challeges of Time.”

Gidugang pa ni Campado nga ang maong Fun Run abli kini alang sa tanan nga buot mosalmot nga nagpangidaron ug 7anyos pataas, kon diin adunay cash prizes ug trophies ang ipanghatag sa mga modaug, kon diin nabahin kini sa duha ka mga category nga mao ang 5 Kilometer ug 3 Kilometer Fun Run.

Ang buot mosalmot mamahimo lamang nga magparehistro sa Capitol Lobby, Capitol Compound, Butuan City. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Gov. Amante gitakdang mulagda og MOA tali sa DSWD

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Okt. 5 (PIA) –- Gikatakdang mulagda si Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante og Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) tali na sa buhatan sa Department of Social Welfare & Development (DSWD).

Gibutyag ni DSWD Regional Director Mercedita P. Jabagat nga ang maong MOA naglangkob kini sa gipatumang programa tali na sa DSWD ug sa National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) nga mao ang National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction or NHTS-PR Program Database, nga nagdala sa temang “Quality Social Protection for Focused Targeting; Improving Outcomes, Changing Lives.”

Ang Ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement Signing ipahigayon kini karong buntag alas 9:00 hangtud na sa alas 3:00 sa hapon sa Almont Hotel's Inland Resort ning syudad sa Butuan. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Agusan del Norte nahimong regional winner sa gawad pamana ng lahi sa DILG

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Okt. 5 (PIA) –- Nahimo’ng regional winner sa Provincial Level Category ang Agusan del Norte Provincial Government sa pagpanguna ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante sa Gawad Pamana Ng Lahi nga gipasiugdahan sa buhatan sa Bureau of Local Government Development ubos sa Department of Interior andf Local Government (DILG).

Gibutyag ni DILG Regional Director Atty. Rene K. Burdeos nga ang Awarding Ceremony gikatakdang ipahigayon kini karong October 11, 2011 ala-una ang takna sa hapon sa PICC Plenary Hall sa kauluhan.

Alayon niini, gikatakdang pagadawaton ni Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante ang maong pasidungog isip Local Chief Executive sa lalawigan. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Jobs fair nga gipasi-ugdahan ni 2nd District Congresswoman Matba gi-uktaba

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Okt. 5 (PIA) –- Gi-uktaba ang naka-eskedyul na unta nga “1st Congresswoman Angel Matba Jobs Fair” ngadto na sa October 18.

Gibutyag ni Mr. Jovani F. Cabungcal, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Focal Person sa buhatan ni Agusan del Norte 2nd District Congresswoman Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante nga una na unta nga na-schedule ang maong Jobs Fair sa October 14 apan gisibog kini ngadto na sa October 18, adlaw nga Lunes gumikan usab sa conflict of schedule ni Congresswoman Matba, tungod kay gitinguha sa kongresista nga motambong kini sa maong okasyon hinungdan nga gi-usab ang petsa sa pagpahigayon niini.

Atol sa maong Jobs Fair, giawhag ang tanang mu-apply og trabaho nga mga residente sa ika-duhang distrito sa Agusan del Norte sa pagsalmot sa maong Jobs Fair aron makabaton og trabaho dinhi sa nasud ug sa gawas sa nasud.

Gidugang pa sa opisyal nga atol sa maong Jobs Fair, lauman nga ubay-ubay nga mga employers ang mutambong aron mas mahatagan og dakung kahigayunan ang mga aplikante nga makabaton og trabaho.

Alayon niini, nag-awhag na lamang ang opisyal sa mga interesadong aplikante nga mosayo pag-adto sa Candelaria Institute Covered Court sa Cabadbaran City karong October 18, 2011 ug dala na ang ilang mga credentials isip usa sa mga rekisitos sa pag-apply og trabaho.

Ang maong Jobs Fair gi-abagan sa TESDA-Agusan del Norte, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Dept. of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), National Statistics Office (NSO) ug uban pang mga ahensya sa gobyerno. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: CBMs orientation sa mga kapitan sa 4 ka lungsod gipahigayon

ni Roselyn G. Exaure

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Okt. 5 (PIA) -– Gipahigayon niadtong adlaw nga Martes ang Orientation sa mga Barangay Captains sa upat ka mga lungsod ni’ng probinsya nga naglangkob sa Kitcharao, Jabonga, Santiago ug RTR.

Gibutyag ni Mr. Rofel C. Cabaltera, hepe sa Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), nga ang orientation sa Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) gipahigayon kini sa Agusan del Norte Provincial Training Center kagahapong adlawa, Oktubre 4.

Mihatag sa iyang Welcome Address si Board Member Lorito Q. Maraganas, samtang mihatag usab sa iyang mensahe si Agusan del Norte Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante.

Gidugang pa ni Cabaltera nga atol sa maong orientation workshop, gituki ni Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Chief Gloria Pabillore ang mahitungod sa Guidelines sa 2nd Round sa CBMS Implementation, dayon ang open forum ug ang Synthesis ug Closing Remarks nga gitunol usab ni Laarni Beauty Sepe sa Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG) Provincial Office. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Caraga)