18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women kicks-off in Butuan
by Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- Government agencies' employees, academe, and partner stakeholders participated in the 'Walk for A Cause' activity at around 5:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25 from Rizal Park going to Agusan del Norte Covered Court, where the ‘Hataw’ exercise and short program of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women were held.
Said activity is spearheaded by the Regional Development Council - Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC), chaired by Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marylin Pintor.
The 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women with the theme “UNITE: Stop VAW, Now!” is celebrated yearly from November 25 to December 12, 2011.
Pintor said the whistle in this year's logo of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women symbolizes that all sectors are united to put a stop on violence and abuses to women and their children.
Agusan Norte 2nd Dist. Cong. Ma. Angelica Amante-Matba, as the keynote speaker stressed that violence against women cuts across all ages of life. Many women are suffering from abuses not only physical, but also emotional and psychological.
"Women should not tolerate such acts of abnormalities, abuses by their husbands and the men in general just to save their marriage and family because it will just worsen the situation. This will also have negative psychological effects to the children if they see mothers/women are tolerating violence," Amante added.
Fr. James Michael Abellanosa, secretary to the Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos said that in time with the 18-day campaign is the Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) celebration from November 24-20, 2011 with lined-up activities for the stakeholders.
Abellanosa further said that MWOP celebration is connected with the campaign to end violence against women because when there is no violence, there is peace.
“With this celebration, the Lumads, Christians, and Muslims are united for one cause and that is – to participate in the activities that will strengthen the ties and partnership among other sectors,” Abellanosa added.
Meanwhile, Pintor also encourages all government agencies and partner stakeholders to initiate activities in their offices that will raise awareness on said campaign. She also enjoins member-agencies to conduct simultaneous blowing of whistles on December 12, 8:00 a.m. during its flag ceremony to manifest their interest to eliminate VAW. (PIA-Caraga)
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Seven SEA-K associations received cash assistance from DSWD Caraga
by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- Seven Self Employment Assistance – Kaunlaran (SEA-K) associations from three municipalities in Agusan del Sur received a total of P945,000 today to support their livelihood programs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga regional office.
The funds, according to DSWD Regional Director Mercedita Jabagat, will finance mostly the women’s livelihood program to help improve their family income.
During the convergence caravan held at the covered court at the D.O. Plaza Sports Complex, Jabagat also discussed another DSWD-managed Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), where in Agusan del Sur alone, beneficiaries already reached 46,113 households.
“For the months of July and August alone, we have released a total of P31 Million, where P22 Million were released thru the beneficiary’s ATM card, and the P9 Million thru over the counter transaction with Land Bank of the Philippines. At present, we have partnered with Cantilan Bank in order that the beneficiaries will no longer go to the LBP in San Francisco, but instead, to the municipal hall of the town they belong in order to claim their money,” Jabagat said.
In his message, Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza thanked DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman for pushing the 4Ps program for Pres. Benigno Aquino to confirm in order that it will be continued.
“We often hear that you thank me and our two congresswomen for receiving the benefits of the 4Ps, but you should thank most DSWD Sec. Dinky Soliman for her effort in pushing the program for Pres. P-Noy’s confirmation that it must be continued in order for the poor beneficiaries to have a strong family foundation someday. But you should also do your part in order for you to succeed with the help that the government is extending to you like the 4Ps. For me, as I see your faces, tired and unhappy, because your income cannot support the large family that you have. Please help yourself by not having many children so that you can support them well and can give them better education and healthy condition. The government cannot do everything for you. Therefore, let us help one another,” Plaza said.
Among those who receive the SEA-K checks were: Naliyagan SEA-K Association (SKA) from Prosperidad, Anahaw SKA from San Luis, Lumbia SKA-San Luis, Anilao SKA- Veruela, Sitio San Pedro SKA-Veruela, Sunshine SKA Veruela and Faith SKA-Veruela. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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DENR13 Task Force seizes 221 pieces illegal logs in Butuan City
by Eric F. Gallego
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 27 (PIA) -- Some 221 pieces of illegal logs, composed of mixed diptherocarp species, were seized recently by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Task Force.
Headed by Col. Antonieto E. Ga of the Philippine Army and Regional Executive Dir. Leonardo Sibbaluca, the activity in Barangay Amparo was in support to Executive Order No. 23, which bans logging in natural and residual forests.
According to Sibbaluca, the DENR operatives from the Central Office, supported by a team of personnel from the DENR Regional office, have been operating without let up in various areas of the region known to be “hot spots” of timber poaching and illegal logging.
The illegal logs were towed downstream along Agusan River to be kept at a government depository, where it will be turned-over to the Department of Education DepEd) to be manufactured into school chairs, tables and blackboards. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
