Esperanza town: Hope lies in consistent environmental protection efforts
by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Dec. 1 (PIA) -- Esparanza town continues to gain recognition for its environmental protection efforts, this time from an international development aid organization.
In June this year, Oxfam Great Britain cited the town’s disaster risk management plan which included a flood prevention component.
“This initiative from the town of Esperanza is truly one of the laudable initiatives and truly one of the first around the world,” said Barbara Stocking, chief executive officer of Oxfam, who oversees the operation of Oxfam in 60 countries.
Apart from these latest feat, the municipality of Esperanza as received various awards over the years.
According to records presented by municipal administrator Pauline Jaramillo, Esperanza has been recognized as 1st Prize Winner during the search for Most Orderly Municipality (2003-2004) Provincial Level, and 2nd Prize Winner during the search for Cleanest and Greenest Municipality (2003-2004) Provincial Level. Esperanza also pocketed the first prize award for the cleanest inland body of water in the same year.
by David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Dec. 1 (PIA) -- Esparanza town continues to gain recognition for its environmental protection efforts, this time from an international development aid organization.
In June this year, Oxfam Great Britain cited the town’s disaster risk management plan which included a flood prevention component.
“This initiative from the town of Esperanza is truly one of the laudable initiatives and truly one of the first around the world,” said Barbara Stocking, chief executive officer of Oxfam, who oversees the operation of Oxfam in 60 countries.
Apart from these latest feat, the municipality of Esperanza as received various awards over the years.
According to records presented by municipal administrator Pauline Jaramillo, Esperanza has been recognized as 1st Prize Winner during the search for Most Orderly Municipality (2003-2004) Provincial Level, and 2nd Prize Winner during the search for Cleanest and Greenest Municipality (2003-2004) Provincial Level. Esperanza also pocketed the first prize award for the cleanest inland body of water in the same year.
“Since then, we, in Esperanza, have dreamed of maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of our municipality by strengthening the local laws that protect our environment. All these efforts have paid-off because we maintained the same prestigious awards from the year 2003 to 2007 when we grab the award as the first prize winner on the Kaunlaran ng Pamahalaang Lokal sa Kalinisan from DENR and DILG in 2007,” Jaramillo said.
Being the hall of famer in the search for the cleanest and greenest municipality, Esperanza became the national entry for the search for model community eco-waste management system- (segregation, composting and recycling of wastes) in 2008, while grabbing the award as the regional winner in the Zero “Basura” Olympics’ Most innovative and effective in the implementation of environmental sanitation and waste management on November 2009. In the same year, Esperanza, also bagged the platinum award from DENR-EMB, DOH, DTI, DILG and PIA as the Ecological Sustainability Garbology Grand Master.
“In 2010, we really felt that more efforts must be done in order to make our share bigger for the global protection of environment thus we became the national Finalist of Zero Basura Olympics (Garbology Marathon) in the year 2010, while receiving a plaque of recognition in the implementation of Ecological Sustainability of the Solid Waste Management Program. On the same year, an ordinance was also passed that banned smoking in the entire municipality, where anybody caught violating the ordinance will be penalized by fines of not less than P500.00,” Esperanza Mayor Manpatilan said.
“The year 2011 will almost end. We hope we could do more for next year so that even in our own little way, we know we have contributed in the global issue of climate change,” Mayor Manpatilan said.
The recognition received by the municipality is a proof that the provincial government is supporting the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan of President Benigno S. Aquino III, specifically on Conservation, Protection and Rehabilitation of the Environment and Natural Resources. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
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NSO Caraga to disseminate reg'l data on December 22
by Nora CL Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- The Caraga Regional Office of the National Statistics Office (NSO) will conduct the Regional Data Dissemination in one of the local convention centers here on December 22.
According to NSO Caraga regional director Dr. Rosalinda C. Celeste, the Regional Data Dissemination forum will include the 2009 Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) and the 2009 Survey on Information and Communication (SICT).
The forum aims to raise awareness of the stakeholders and data users on the importance and relevance of the survey, Celeste said.
Also, the forum is a venue where provincial and city planners, representatives from national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, people’s organizations, the academe and owners of business establishments are enjoined to participate and take part of the agency’s undertaking, she added. (PIA-Caraga)
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Agusan del Sur, main source of carabeef in Caraga Region
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- The province of Agusan del Sur is now the main source of carabeef (carabao meat) in Caraga Region, said Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Joriz Elevazo.
In an interview with a local radio station here, Dr. Elevazo said this could be attributed to the fact that most residents in the province do not eating carabeef.
Elevazo said, however, that more Agusanons are into carabao raising to supply carabeef to other provinces in the region as a source of livelihood.
The official said that the total number of carabao heads recorded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Agusan del Sur reached more than 40,000 while other provinces only posted 10,000.
Because of this, Elevazo said more local businessmen and entrepreneurs in all the provinces in the region are getting their carabeef supply from Agusan del Sur. (PIA-Caraga)
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PDEA-Caraga intensifies campaign against illegal drugs
by Jerylle Anne O. Rivera
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Caraga is intensifying its campaign against illegal drugs.
According to Mr. Joel Plaza, PDEA-Caraga OIC-Regional Director, they are now focusing on social networking sites used by drug pushers and traffickers in transacting with their prospective customers and victims.
Plaza said that drug case posted this year has decreased as compared to the previous year, based on PDEA records. (PIA-Caraga)
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City gov’t to give early Christmas presents to poorest Butuanons
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- To celebrate the true spirit of Christmas, the city government here announced recently that packed grocery items are now ready for distribution to "the poorest of the poor" Butuanons.
City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said that this is the city government’s way helping poor families celebrate Christmas through a “salu-salo” (partaking of food).
The city government also said the “Pamaskong Handog ng City Government” is the same program initiated by the previous administration through the late former Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II.
“Ang pamaskong handog ng city government usa sa mga programa ni kanhi Mayor Boy Daku Plaza ug ato lang kining gipadayon aron mahatagan usab og kahigayunan ang ga kabus nato nga mga kaigsuonan nga maka-saulog sa pasko nga adunay pagkaon sa ilang lamesa (The ‘pamaskong handog ng city government’ is among the programs of former Mayor Boy Daku Plaza and we are just continuing the program to give our poor brothers and sisters to celebrate Christmas with foods on their table),” Mayor Amante said.
The chief executive of the city also stressed the gift-giving is among the activities lined-
up by the city government in celebration of Yuletide Season.
Some 19,000 packed grocery items were already prepared by city hall employees.
Meanwhile, Mayor Amante said that aside from the gift-giving, a Christmas Bazaar will also add color to the city’s celebration of Yuletide Season. The bazaar will be participated in by local business entrepreneurs here where selected items are sold in low prices. (PIA-Caraga)
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Caraga DRRMC calls on public to prepare for wet Yuletide season
by Nora CL Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Caraga region through its chairperson called on the public to be prepared for a possibly wet yuletide season.
Caraga DRRMC Chairperson and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) regional director Dr. Blanche Gobenciong said Filipinos may experience a wet Christmas season this year based on PAGASA’s forecast.
Gobenciong said that from December 2011 to January 2012, there is a strong chance of above normal rainfall in the tropical western Pacific, including the Philippines.
Thus, Gobenciong said that this year’s observance of Christmas season requires pre-emptive actions on the part of the RDRRMC to avert any potential disaster in order to ensure peaceful celebration of this yuletide season. (PIA-Caraga)
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Paje pushes for reforms in mining industry
by Eric F. Gallego
SURIGAO CITY, Dec. 2 (PIA) -- Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje announced Tuesday that reforms are being worked out by the DENR to improve revenue collections of the local government from mining operations.
This was in support of the Philippine Development Plan of the Aquino Administration specifically on the Conservation, Protection and Rehabilitation of the
“We will start the mining reforms in Zambonga del Norte,” Paje told the local newsmen shortly after the conclusion of the Environment Summit initiated by the Provincial Governor of Surigao del Norte Sol F. Matugas in this mining capital of the Philippines.
He said the local government must get a good share of income from the mining companies particularly in areas where they have active operations. “It has to be remitted directly to the LGU,” he said, adding that he is “personally campaigning for that with the Department of Budget and Management , the Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the implementation of this policy reforms in tax remittances.”
“I am proposing that the government must get additional 5 percent from the mining companies of which 40 percent of that goes to the LGU,” he said.
“We expect an additional revenues of P 16 billion pesos to the government coming from all the mining companies actively operating in the country.” the DENR Secretary said. “Imagine this revenues that will be used by the LGU for building roads, school buildings, government hospitals, water systems and other infrastructure projects,” Paje said.
Secretary Paje was the keynote speaker of the one-day Environment Summit held at the Provincial Convention Center, Provincial Capitol in Surigao City. This was the second Environment Summit held this month in Caraga Region aimed at strengthening the social mobilization and awareness of the people on the need to protect and preserve the environment and natural resources in the country.
Before going to the summit, Secretary Paje made a brief aerial inspection of the Taganito Mining operation in Claver, Surigao del Norte where he saw some siltation along the coastal areas. He nevertheless expressed satisfaction of the forest condition in the area. “I have been in many parts of the country and I can say that Caraga is still the greenest,” he said.
In his speech, Secretary Paje challenged everyone to do his or her part in environment protection. He said that the Philippine is the 6th among countries most vulnerable to climate change.
“We must prove to the world that in this part of the country, development and conservation go hand-in-hand.”
Surigao del Norte, Paje said, can become a laboratory of “Green Mining."
“We can show the world that the sustainable development principle can work out in this part of the country,” he said.
Secretary Paje later witnessed the signing of Memorandum of Agreement among the DENR, DAR, DA, DepEd, the Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte and the City Government of Surigao City that seeks to harmonize all greening efforts in rehabilitating the environment.
Secretary Paje also distributed more that 700 free patents under the Handog Titulo Program of President Aquino to the different beneficiaries through their respective Mayors. Most of these beneficiaries are from the Dinagat Island province.
The DENR chief was met at the airport by his field officers headed by Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca,and his staff including the Regional Technical Directors of Forestry Musa Saruang, Atty. Paquito S. Rosal of Land Management, Mario Eludo of the Protected Areas and Wildlife, Coastal Zone Management and Virgilio dela Cruz of the Ecosystems Research and Development, Director Alilo Ensomo of the Mines and Geo Sciences Regional Office and Ester Olavides, director of the Environment Management Bureau regional office. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)
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Tagalog News: Hepe ng PNP-Caraga binalaan ang publiko laban sa krimen sa kalye
ni Jerylle Anne O. Rivera
BUTUAN CITY, Dis 2 (PIA) -- Nagbigay-babala si Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 Regional Director Reynaldo Rafal sa publiko laban sa “budol-budol” gang at sa iba pang uri ng krimen na laganap tuwing kapaskuhan.
Ayon kay Dir. Rafal ang PRO-13 ay patuloy na nagpapadala ng mga tauhan na nakatalaga sa mga Regional Headquarters simula sa buwan ng Oktubre upang gampanan ang police visibility patrol upang hadlangin ang anumang uri ng mga krimen sa mga lansangan.
Ang nasabing estratehiya ay ipinapatupad din sa lahat ng Provincial Police Offices sa rehiyon, dagdag ng opisyal.
Hiling din ni Rafal sa publiko na tulungan ang Philippine National Police sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng impormasyon sa mga kahina-hinalang mga tao sa kapaligiran.
Ang ginawang kilos ng PNP-Caraga ay sumusuporta sa Regional Development Plan (RDP) ng rehiyon lalung-lalo na sa pangkapayapaan at seguridad.
Ayon sa RDP, ang operasyon ng pulisya ay napapalooban ng hanay na mga kaganapan, lalung-lalo na sa pagpapatrolya at operasyon sa trapiko, pagpapatupad ng mga espesyal na batas, utos at kontrol, civil disturbance at pamamahala sa panahon ng kalamidad at sakuna. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
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Surigaonon News: Pipila ka mga kalihukan gibutyag sa City General Services
ni Annette P. Villaces
SURIGAO CITY, Dis. 2 (PIA) -- Pipila ka mga kalihukan ang malampusong gihimo sa buhatan sa City General Services ni'ng dakbayan.
Mao kini ang gipamahayag ni G. Armando Elumba, hepe sa City General Services Office sa ilang gihimo nga accomplishment report bag-ohay pa lamang.
Matud pa sugod kadtong bulan sa Enero hangtod karong bulana ni'ng tuiga, sila aduna nay na-canvass nga 3,486 ka mga Purchased Request; 2,983 ka mga Purchased Order; lakip usab ang pagpantaud sa mukabat sa 1,155 ka mga streets lights nga gepangawat ug may depekto; samtang adunay usab 98 ka sumbong o reklamo ang ilang nataga-an ug pagtagad bahin sa problema sa kuryente gikan sa naglain-laing opisina sa gobyerno og sa mga ka-barangayan.
Sa pagkakaron, sila nagpadayon sa pagpangbutang ug mga Christmas lights diha sa Luneta Park para na sa epahigayon nga Light-up a Tree “switch-on” karong adlawa, Dec. 2.
Samtang mukabat usab sa 0.38 sq. km. nga mga dalan sa syudad og national roads ang ila kada-adlaw nga gehinluan lakip niini ang pagmentinar sa kahinlo sa mga park kon plaza; og mukabat sa 320 Hours electric power ang ilang na-generate para sa pinili nga mga opisina dinhe sa city hall compound panahon na sa brownout.
Dugang usab ni Mr. Elumba nga ilang gepadayon ang ilang pag-instalar sa duha ka bag-o nga 250KVA electric generator sa syudad. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
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Cebuano News: Pilipinas mikuha sa world record nga longest line of single dominated coins
ni Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Dis. 2 (PIA) -- Ang pagkugi sa Pilipinas aron balion ang world record of longest line of single-denominated coin naangkon niadtong Miyerkules human sa mokabat 3.65 milyon ka buok nga P0.25 sentabos ang gilinya atubangan sa Qurino Grandstand didto sa Manila.
Ang abogado nga si Greg Suarez, ang Pangulo sa Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Officers Club, miingon nga sila nakahimo og 73.02 kilometros sa nasangpit nga denominasyon ug kini nagkantidad mokabat sa P912,500.
Matag kilometro nagkinahanglan og 50,000 kabuok nga tag P.025 nga sensilyo ug matag kilometro nga sensilyo mokantidad og P12,500.
Ang kasamtangang naghupot niining maong titulo mao ang Amerika, nga nakahimo paglinya og 64.8 kilometros nga sensilyo gamit ang 3,406,234 kabuok nga 1 ka dolyar nga sensilyo.
“We’ll do the final measurement tonight and submit all the necessary data (to Guinness) in a few days,” si Suarez miingon.
Ang opisyales sa central bank miingon nga siya wala pa masayod kanus-a ang ipagawas ang sertipiko niining maong kadaogan.
“Maybe three to four weeks. I really don’t know since we need to submit records like video and other reports including that of the media,” siya miingon.
Ang central bank, nga maoy nangulo sa maong pagsulay nga may temang “Mahalaga Ako – Barya ng mga Bayani: The Power of Small Change Campaign,” uban ang Kabayanihan Foundation, nga miimbitar kang Engr. Erick Medrano, usa ka independent geodetic enginer, aron maoy mosukod sa linya sa mga sensilyo.
Adunay tulo ka mga klasrom ang gikatakdang pagatukoron didto sa La Union, Cebu ug Davao gikan sa maong kwarta nga gilinya didto sa Qurino Grandstand.
Uban niini, si Suarez miingon ang maong kalihukan nag target usab sa pagpakanat pagbalik sa mga sensilyo nga gitago lamang sa mga banko o gipasagdan lang sa mga drawers.
Ang maong kadaugan gikatakdang makasalbar sa gobyerno sa mokabat P3.5 milyon s
a paghulma og P0.25 nga sentabo nga mokantidad og P1 piso matag usa. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)
