by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PIA) -- The management of the premier “Bachelor Bus” here today said their operations remain normal, a day before the celebration of Christmas Day.
According to Mr. Melchor Labrador, operations manager of Bachelor Bus, they have added trips to their operations since last week to cater the riding public who are going to other places in Northern, Northeastern and Southern Mindanao Regions.
Labrador added with the coming of the Yuletide Season, the management of Bachelor Bus is anticipating for more passengers as this is the time where people will go to their respective hometowns to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their family.
“This is the reason why we are adding trips to the usual number of trips… In this way, we could be able to help the riding public’s convenience in their way home,” Labrador said.
However, Labrador said this New Year, they are giving their employees time to go to their respective places and to also celebrate New Year with their families and loved ones. “Thus, there might be less number of trips during that time but we will still do everything so that the public will still have that convenience in going back here,” Labrador said.
Bachelor Express is owned by Vallacar Transit Corporation and is operating in Northern Mindanao particularly in Cagayan de Oro City; Northeastern Mindanao (Caraga Region), and Southern Mindanao, particularly in Davao Region. It is also operating in some portions of the Visayas Region. (PIA-Caraga)
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DA-Caraga calls on livestock producers to export products to other countries
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 25 (PIA) – With the declaration that the Philippines is now a “Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free country,” the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Caraga Region is calling all livestock producers to export their products to other countries.
According to Dr. Isidro Lagumbay, DA-Caraga Chief Quarantine Officer and Regulatory Division Chief, livestock producers may now export their products especially to countries which are not yet free from the FMD.
Lagumbay said because the advisory was already lifted, livestock products such as pork, beef, carabeef and other forms of animal meats may now be exported, since this is one of the requirements set by the World Trade Organization (WTO) for countries exporting such products.
Lagumbay added this is already an opportunity for every Caraganon to earn for a living, thus, people from the region should take this opportunity.
“We now have freedom to export livestock products to other countries because we are now an FMD-free country. Since this is an opportunity for us here in Caraga Region to earn, we have to take this opportunity,” Lagumbay said.
On June 2, 2011, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the World Organization for Animal Health has certified the Philippines to be free from FMD at a regular press briefing in MalacaΓ±ang Palace. (PIA-Caraga)
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City gov’t backs PPA projects in Butuan City
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PIA) -- Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Port Manager Renato Tolinero recently said the city government here is regularly supporting their projects, particularly in the development of the Masao Port in Brgy. Masao here.
According to Tolinero, the local government through Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. supports the development of Masao Port that will help boost the economic condition of the city.
Tolinero said since the city is the regional center of Caraga Region, there must be a stable port here and not to be dependent in the Nasipit Port in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
The official added this is because the Nasipit Port is already congested. “Thus, decongestion must be made in the said port in Agusan del Norte,” Tolinero said.
The PPA manager here added the Nasipit Port is considered the only passenger port where major shipping lines are docked and serving the passengers in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, as well as nearby provinces in Caraga Region and in Northern Mindanao.
The development of the port of Masao was planned out during the previous administration through the late former City Mayor Democrito D. Plaza II and is set to be continued in the present administration through Mayor Amante. (PIA-Caraga)
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PRO-13 steps up measures for a peaceful Christmas, New Year celebrations
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PIA) – To ensure a peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Year, Police Regional Office (PRO)-13 stepped up measures that will give protection to the public.
According to PRO-13 Regional Director CSupt. Reynaldo Rafal said, in an interview with a local radio station here, that he has directed all the PNP provincial, city and municipal directors to heighten the security in their respective areas of responsibilities.
Rafal also said he has also directed the PNP officials of the region to maintain police visibility at all times so that the public has to turn to in case of any untoward incidents happened.
The official stressed criminals are taking the advantage especially this time that more people are going to supermarkets to buy for their “noche buena” and other stuff. “Thus, we are also calling the attention of the public to be alert and watchful at all times,” Rafal said.
The PNP chief of the region also said massive checkpoints are being conducted in all the entry and exit points of the region for security reasons.
He also said barangay tanods in every barangay are deployed to augment the security forces in their areas.
Meanwhile, Gen. Rafal urged the public to contact the nearest police stations should they meet suspicious persons roaming around their areas. (PIA-Caraga)
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Brgy. Kauswagan residents in CdO thanks Butuanons, Agusanons
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PIA) -- Residents of Barangay Kauswagan in Cagayan de Oro City thanked the people of Butuan and the Agusanons for the relief extended to them after typhoon “Sendong” devastated the area last week.
The relief operations, spearheaded by Bombo Radyo in Butuan, have gain positive response from people of Butuan and the neighboring municipalities and provinces of Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur, and were able to collect used clothings and other relief goods such as noodles, canned goods, rice, etc.
The distribution was made in Barangay Kauswagan on Friday morning with two of Bombo Radyo anchormen/reporters leading the event: Bombo Roniel Cinco and Bombo Steb Paican, in cooperation with their sister-station Bombo Radyo Cagayan de Oro through Assistant Station Manager Mark Alvarez.
With this development, the management of Bombo Radyo Butuan and Cagayan de Oro also extended their heartfelt thanks to those who responded to the call of their stations to help the flashflood victims in the area.
In a related development, the city government here is also conducting relief operations as Mayor Amante and Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun are appealing to all Butuanons to extend help to the people in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities by donating relief goods, items and other things that can still be used.
The officials further reiterated that they are still accepting donations from all sectors of society.
Furthermore, the officials said those who wish to donate may bring their donations to the city hall here, as this will be brought to the affected areas as soon as possible.
Also, it was learned that local government units in Caraga Region are conducting relief operations in their areas of responsibilities to help the victims. (PIA-Caraga)
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“Sendong” destroys P20-M agricultural products in Hinatuan – DANA Team
by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
SURIGAO DEL SUR, Dec. 24 (PIA) – A partial report of the Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) Team in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur revealed that as of December 21, damages to agriculture caused by tropical storm Sendong in the area was estimated at P20,997,407.00.
Accordingly, damages in crops reached P10,746,789; livestocks - P124,500; and fisheries- P10,126,1180.
For infrastructure, damages was estimated at more than P4 million.
DANA team thru their Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Josephine Laciperos clarified that this data was partially assessed based on 75 percent population in Hinatuan wherein all barangays in the municipality were affected by tropical storm “Sendong” last Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the local government unit here has already conducted relief operations and assistance to the most affected families from the municipal down to the barangays.
Also, Philippine Red Cross chapter administrator Abel de Guzman said that they are set to conduct a relief operation on Dec 28-29. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)
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BCPO to implement maximum security this Christmas eve
by Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PIA) -- Hours before Christmas Eve celebrations, Butuan City Police Director PSupt. Pedro Obaldo assured the public that the police force is ready to maintain peace and order here.
In an interview with a local radio station this morning, Obaldo said the entire police force here will provide security especially to strategic areas like churches and supermarkets to ensure public safety.
“Ang Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) ay kailangang magbigay ng proteksyon sa mga pupunta sa misa mamaya. So, sisiguraduhin po natin na maximum ang ating security sa pag-celebrate po natin ng pasko mamayang gabi,” Obaldo said.
(BCPO must protect the people who are attending evening masses tonight. So, we will see to it that we will be implementing maximum security as we celebrate Christmas tonight.)
As of press time, police personnel are visible in city streets and in major thoroughfares of the city. (PIA-Caraga)
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Agusan del Norte lights-up capitol park
by Brian Jay Ceballos
Christmas celebrations in the provincial capitol this year will be significant in that this will be the last year that the seat of local governmnet will be based here.
Next year, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte will be transfered soon to Sanghan, Cabadbaran City.
Thus, Governor of Agusan del Norte, Erlpe John M. Amante, wanted this year's celebrations to be much more beautiful and colorful than in the past.
People from all walks of life can come and bring their family to this beautiful place to view the wonderful spectacle and experience the joyful feeling of the glowing yuletide season that happens only once-a-year.
The planning stage was started as early as the middle of the year. Lights and decors were emphasized coupled with renovations and landscaping.
The fountain, located in the middle of the park, has not been working for several years now. But the Provincial Government went through great lengths just to bring it back to life and was, for the first time, finally turned on last December 2, 2011. The sight was epic.
The lighting was also simultaneous to the lighting done at the City Government of Butuan. After the city’s lighting, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante graced the lighting in the Capitol Park which showed unity between Agusan del Norte and Butuan City, a sight never seen for quite a long time between the province and the city.
Schedule to be switched-on at sundown, the sights and scenes at the park and its peripheries started to literally shine with multi-color, mini-lights and colorful decors, creating the special aura of the Christmas holidays.
Even the old Capitol Building enhanced the delightful ambiance with its ever changing color that glows.
The rooftop of the historic Building was also placed with Santa, the Reindeers and the popular sleigh from both sides of the roof.
Another spectacle to behold at night is the nearby Sangguniang Panlalawigan Office (SPO), the office of the Vice Governor of Agusan del Norte. It is adorned with a Belen that symbolizes the birth of our savior Jesus Christ which, in the first place, is the reason why we celebrate the Christmas Season. The SP Building is also enhanced by well-decorated and beautifully lighted decors with glowing lights to cover its whole premises.
The Governor did the honors of pushing the turn-on button to light the whole Park and the Capitol Building together with a number of municipal Mayors and Government Officials of Agusan del Norte.
The program ended with a grandiose fireworks display which lighted the sky for minutes leaving the provincial employees and spectators mesmerized in awe. They were then treated by a live band (the EJ Band of Agusan del Norte) until the park closed.
