PIA News Service - Monday, Feb. 7, 2011

Butuan Mayor orders full, impartial arson investigation; suspends civil security unit

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) – Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. on Saturday ordered a full and impartial arson investigation on the fire which gutted the old city hall building early morning on Friday, Feb. 4 where the offices of the City Commission on Audit (COA), Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), City COMELEC, City Land Transportation and Traffic Management Office (LTTMO), City Vice-Mayor, Old City Treasurer, part of Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), among others, are located.

Mayor Amante also ordered the suspension of all Civil Security Unit (CSU) personnel assigned within the City Hall premises during the incident, including its officers, pending the result of the investigation.

In related development, Vice Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun confirmed that the People’s Hall located at the third floor of the new city hall building will temporarily be utilized as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Office and Session Hall.

Also, offices affected by the fire were directed to look for vacant areas in local government offices. Meanwhile, some national government agencies located in the city also offered areas of their offices where the affected city hall personnel can temporarily use and continue their work. (PIA-Caraga)

Butuan Mayor assures Butuanons, flood and fire will not deter his administration

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) – Following the series of calamities which hit the city this year, City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. assured Butuanons that flood and fire – a veritable, as well as a literal, baptism of water and fire for his administration – will not deter him from righteously governing the local government unit.

In a press statement issued by the city hall on Saturday (Feb. 5), the city chief stressed that he is very disheartened by the series of misfortunes that befell the Butuanons.

“While, my heart aches reflecting upon the damage caused by the recent flooding, I am truly devastated by this fire that gutted the old City Hall building where the City Commission on Audit (COA) Office is located,” the official said.

Mayor Amante added the recent fire is preventable that is why the official is upset over the incident. He also said the incident comes after the worst flooding experienced by the local folks here in recent years.

Amante said records that are very crucial in instituting changes in the city has been lost but the official is still hoping and praying that said records are still retrievable.

It can be recalled that the city has experienced two massive floodings during the start of the year displacing number of families and properties. On Friday, February 1, a fire razed the old city hall building at around 4:00 a.m.

As of press time, the city government is conducting an investigation on the incident. The damage to properties was estimated at around P15 million. (PIA-Caraga)

Surigao Norte solon backs EO 23

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) – Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Guillermo Romarate, Jr. today said he is with President Benigno S. Aquino III when the country’s chief executive signed on Thursday Executive Order No. 23 declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the national and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force.

According to Cong. Romarate, the recent massive flooding and landslides which hit all provinces in Caraga Region can be attributed to the extreme illegal logging activities in some areas of the region.

The directive emphasized that the entire country has been a witness to the ever-changing climate conditions brought about by the La Niña phenomenon.

It also said the destructive effects of the phenomenon on the environment are apparent in many regions in the country and it is an accepted fact that the effects are worsened due to the continuous denudation of the forest zones.

With these developments, Romarate said he strongly believed and agree with Pres. Aquino’s declaration of the directive. “The executive order is just in time with all the calamities that have been experiencing not only here in Caraga Region but as well as in the other regions of the country especially those that were greatly affected,” Romarate said. (PIA-Caraga)

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32nd reg’l reservist week set in Butuan

By: Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 7 (PIA) – The 15th Caraga Regional Community Defense Group, Army Reserve Command based in Bancasi will host the 32nd Regional Reservist Week Convention with the theme: “Laang Kawal: Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Pagsulong ng Kapayapaan”, on February 12, 2011, 9:00am at Sanchez Gym, Caraga State University Main Campus, Brgy. Ampayon, this city.

This event will be participated by some 320 participants coming from the Reserve Components of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy respectively.

Also, prior to the conduct of the Regional Reservist Week Convention, a 1-day advocacy campaign will be undertaken purposely to intensify the recruitment of reservists on February 11, 1:30pm at the Kalayaan Hall, Bancasi, this city.

During the whole day advocacy, participants will be briefed on Republic Act 7077 or the Reservist Act of 1991, and other topics will also be discussed. An open forum will then follow.

Meanwhile, on its second day, participants will also be briefed on the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan”, and on the Disaster Risk Reduction Management. Afterwhich, officials will then give update on the Reservist and Retireee Affairs Policies and Programs.

Expected guest speakers of this 2-day event are Agusan del Norte Provincial Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante, and BGEN Joel P Ibañez, Commander ARESCOM. (PIA-Caraga)

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Surigao Norte gov throws support for EO 23

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 7 (PIA) – Gov. Sol Matugas has expressed her full support over President Benigno Aquino III’s issuance of Executive Order (EO) 23 which orders a total log ban all over the country.

Signed by the President on February 1, EO 23 declared a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber from natural and residual forests, prohibiting for an indefinite period the cutting down of trees not planted by man.

“I like that, I support that because that has been our dream to really enforce the law in illegal logging,” said Gov. Matugas.

The lady governor said that it is really a good move for the present administration to protect the remaining forest cover of the country. “What I would like to expect from the present administration is that they must have a political will in enforcing the law,” said Gov. Matugas.

Gov. Matugas also suggested a tree-farming concept where loggers are only allowed to cut trees in a designated area. “What I would also like to suggest to the present government is that they should identify a designated area where to cut trees, somewhat like a tree-farming concept.”

“The government should plan ahead of time on what trees they are going to cut. We can’t really say na waya gajuy utdon (that we don’t cut trees anymore),” Gov. Matugas added.

“We need to plan ahead of time for environmental protection. It’s a no non-sense plan. As for the province, we will support the action of the present administration,” said Gov. Matugas.

Just recently, the province experienced massive flooding which killed at least 6 persons, left 20,537 homeless and has caused the local government multi-million pesos for damaged properties. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Massive floods isolate all barangays in San Miguel, Surigao Sur

TANDAG, Surigao del Sur, Feb.7 (PIA) –The massive flooding that hit the province for the second time this year has isolated the interior municipality of San Miguel, this province.

For many years now, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) identified the municipality of San Miguel as flood prone area. Fifteen (15) of 18 barangays were submerged in water after the Tago River overflowed due to incessant rains on January 31 to February 2.

PDRRMC partial report revealed, the 7,676 families were affected during the height of the flooding where 225 families were evacuated from two Barangays of Tina and Baras.

Residents from the three interior upper barangays of Bagyang, Bitaugan and Calatngan were also isolated due to the strong current of Tago River.

As of press time, the Office of the Provincial Agriculture and the Department of Public Works and Highways did not reveal yet the estimated cost of damages. (NGBTranquilan/PIA Surigao del Sur)

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PSWD reaches out to farthest barangays on relief distribution

By: David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Feb. 7 (PIA) - The Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) has already extended relief assistance to 13,249 families or 73,747 persons, since the second occurrence of floods on February 1 that hit Agusan del Sur.

According to PSWD chief Josefina Bajade, day and night, her office has been occupied with packing and delivery of relief goods.

“During the day, we deliver the relief goods even to the farthest barangays, and at night, we repack the relief goods, each pack contain three kilos of rice, three tins of sardines, three packs of noodles, sugar, coffee and even used clothing if there are kind hearted Agusanons that will donate used clothing. Our unfortunate brothers and sisters need them badly. Even old blankets, mosquito nets, and other items that can warm the flood victims,” Mrs. Bajade said.

With the large number of flood victims, the PSWD has already delivered some 2,000 sacks of rice, almost a thousand cases of sardines, 1,376 cases of noodles, 230 cases of coffee, 205 cases of Milo and fivr sacks of sugar, as of February 6.

The volume of relief goods did not include the distribution that the PSWD made for the victims of the January 3 floods, which already reached up to 1,500 sacks of rice, more than 700 cases of sardines, almost 900 cases of noodles, around 150 cases coffee and around 130 cases of Milo last January 18.

“As of February 6, we have already served 49,172 families or 249,814 persons badly affected by floods. Today, we will leave after lunch, to again distribute the relief goods after we finish packing. The order of Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza is to reach even the farthest barangays affected by floods, especially the lumads. The governor cannot imagine how hard their life as of now. That is why we are on the double with our distribution,” Mrs. Bajade said.

The recent flood that hit Agusan del Sur has left behind some 21,000 families or 111,000 persons as victims of flood, P94,747,100 damages in infrastructure and some P540,000 in agriculture. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Bislig City to host 3rd Calagan Festival, WOW Araw ng Caraga 2011

TANDAG, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 7 (PIA) – Bislig City of this province will host the 3rd Calagan Festival-WOW Araw ng Caraga spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga. The annual activity is a weeklong celebration set on February 22-23, 2011.

This is to commemorate the creation of Caraga Region when President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Republic Act 7901 on February 23 1995. It can be recalled that the 1st WOW Araw ng Caraga was celebrated on February 2009.

One of the highlights of the Calagan Festival is the stationary form of dancing. This year’s dancing competition is based on the existing local festivals of respective provinces and cities in Caraga with the following: Agusan del Norte (Sipit-sipit ); Agusan del Sur (Naliyagan); Surigao del Norte (Bonok-bonok); Bislig City (Karawasan); Surigao del Sur (Kaliguan); Butuan City (Balangay); Surigao City (Bonok-bonok); Cabadbaran (Dagkot); and Dinagat Island (Bugkosan).

2011 is a great opportunity to the lone city of this province to promote Bislig City as one of the destinations in Southern Philippines in terms of eco-tourism and aqua-marine products. (NGBTranquilan/PIA Surigao del Sur)

PIA News Service - Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011

Butuan City gov’t honors Balangay crew

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) – The city government here paid tribute to the 42 men and women who have made the country proud as they cascaded waves in some parts of Southeast Asia aboard the three Balangay boats bringing with them the rich cultures of Filipinos, in a ceremony held at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Grounds, this city.

In his speech before the crowd estimated at around 1,000 who witnessed the awarding ceremony on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. said the city of Butuan and the entire nation is very proud to have the balangay crew as the modern navigators who brought with them rich cultures and traditions of being true Filipinos.

As part of the ceremony, heads of offices from the public and private sectors also gave tokens and awarded certificates of appreciation to the crew members for their exceptional dedication and commitment, making Butuan City in particular and Caraga Region in general, placed to another milestone of development in the world’s history.

It can be recalled that on July 16, 2010, the third Balangay Boat “Sama Tawi-tawi” was launched at Luna Compound, Brgy. Bading, this city where the crew started their voyage navigating the Philippine seas and some seas in the Southeast Asian region that includes Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia. (PIA-Caraga)


Balangay team leader admits bringing back crew safe is the greatest achievement of their voyage

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 6 (PIA) – “With all the challenges we experienced in six months of traveling the ocean, the greatest achievement I have accomplished is to bring back the crew safe to the country,” thus said former DOTC Usec. Art Valdez when asked on the greatest challenges they experienced in the voyage.

In a press conference held on Friday, Feb. 4, 2011 at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Terminal here, Valdez reminisce the crews’ experience especially when they were able to catch up 15 to 20 feet waves. “Those experience only show that Filipinos are strong… that our race is determined to accomplish what have been targeted… that no matter happens, we, Filipinos will not surrender,” Valdez said.

Also, Valdez said, in every challenge they experienced, the crew only holds to their faith in God and with themselves. Thus, he said “we can never tell if we can go back safe to where we came from… This is the reason that I am thankful to God and to those who prayed for us because I was able to bring back the crew safe.”

Usec. Art Valdez is the leader of the first Mount Everest Expedition. He is also a former President of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines, a veteran mountaineer and a marathoner. It was in 2007 when he successfully realized the epic story of the successful ascent of Mt. Everest by two Filipino groups: one by male climbers Leo Oracion and Erwin ‘Pastour’ Emata, and the other female group - Janet Belarmino-Sardena, Noelle Wenceslao and Carina Dayondon. (PIA-Caraga)

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PIA Caraga facilitates gov’s request for relief assistance

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 6 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga Regional Office has successfully facilitated Gov. Sol Matugas’ request for relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-13) to the affected families of the recent calamity that hit the entire province.

PIA Caraga officer-in-charge Abner Caga, said that through the agency’s intervention, “we were able to send the request of Gov. Sol Matugas to the DSWD-Caraga Regional Office through Asst. Director Mita Lim.”

Latest figures from DSWD Caraga showed that they were able to augment a total of 3,200 family packs consisting of 3 kilos of rice, 3 tins sardines, 3 tins corned beef, 3 pieces noodles, 1 box milk and used clothings amounting to P1.5M to the 12 municipalities of the province.

Heavy rains since January 31 caused by a low pressure area in East Mindanao has resulted to subsequent flooding and minor landslides in most areas of the province affecting some 20,000 families. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Saturday, Feb.5, 2011

PRC Butuan assures continued service

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 5 –- The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), one of the offices burned when the old City Hall building of Butuan was razed by fire early Friday morning, Feb. 4, assures continued service to the public.

This office was temporarily transferred to the conference hall of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Agusan del Norte Provincial Office, in front of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga.

In an interview, PRC Regional Dir. Estrella Malik said everyone who filed their application last Thursday, February 3, may come back for the reconstruction of their application on Monday, Feb. 7 at the new location of the office.

The applicants are requested to bring their receipt with them as proof of payment.

PRC announces that the following services application for examination, renewal of licenses, authentication and certification are still available.

Meanwhile, those who have already filed for renewal of license are requested to bring their claim stub with them for the reconstruction of their application.

Several offices were gutted down by fire and no document, equipment or furniture were saved in the incident. The city government and authorities are still conducting an investigation on the cause of fire. (Sheila Mercado/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Probinsya sa Surigao Norte padayon sa pagpanghatag ug mga relief goods sa mga kamunispyuhan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 5 (PIA) – Ang probinsya inubanan sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Provincial Social Service Office (PSSO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) ug uban pa nga mga buhatan ang nagpadayon sa pagpagnhatag ug mga relief goods didto sa mga kamunisipyuhan nga nahimong apektado sa sunod-sunod nga pag-ulan lakip na ang pagbaha sa pipila ka mga lugar.

Basi sa nakuha nga report gikan sa buhatan sa DSWD, ang munisipyo sa Mainit adunay 10 ka sako sa NFA Rice ug 10 usab ka kahon nga mga canned goods ang gipanghatag, sa Tubod 10 ka sako sa NFA rice ug 10 usab ka kahon sa canned goods. Sa Tagana-an, 10 ka sako nga NFA rice ug 10 ka kahon usab nga canned goods. Sa lungsod sa Alegria, 10 ka sako nga NFA rice ug 15 ka boxes nga canned goods, sa Malimono adunay 30 ka boxes nga mga canned goods ug 10 ka sako sa NFA rice.

Samtang sa isla sa Siargao, sa report nga nakuha niadtong Peb. 2, ang bugas mao ang nauna nga gipanghatag tungod kay nauna naman kini ug pagpadala ngadto sa mga kamunisipyuhan nga apektado, ang mga canned goods usab ang kagahapon nga adlaw pa lamang nahatag.

Sa lungsod sa Sta. Monica, 14 ka sako nga NFA rice ug 40 ka boxes nga canned goods ang nahatag.Sa Dapa, adunay 20 ka sako nga NFA rice ug 50 boxes ka mga canned goods. Sa Del Carmen, 20 ka sako nga NFA rice ug 50 boxes nga canned goods, Gen. Luna 20 ka sako nga NFA rice ug 50 ka kahon nga canned goods. Sa Socorro, 20 ka sako sa NFA rice ug 53 boxes sa canned goods ang nahatag. Sa San Benito, 14 ka sako sa NFA rice ug 30 ka boxes sa canned goods, Pilar 14 ka sako nga NFA rice ug 40 ka boxes sa canned goods samtang sa lungsod sa Burgos ang adunay 14 ka sako sa NFA rice ug 30 ka boxes sa canned goods.

Dugang pa nga ang proseso sa ilang pagpanghatag ang nagbsai kung pila ang nahimong ihap sa pamilya nga apektado, tumong niini para walay pamilya nga magmahay. (Surigao del Norte Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Flashfloods hit 20,537 families in Surigao Nor, Gov orders creation of Task Force Samaritan

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 5 (PIA) – A total of 30,351 families or 155,029 individuals from 270 barangays were affected by the recent flashfloods brought about by the torrential rains that hit the entire province.

Recent data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) revealed that landslides were reported in the barangay Bugas-bugas in the municipality of Placer, barangays Magtangali and Karihatag in Malimono, barangay Mabuhay in Sison, barangays Bonifacio and Rizal in Surigao City.

Damages to agriculture and infrastructure reached an estimated amount of P290 Million.

The death toll from floods rose to six this morning. Three miners from Malimono identified as Carlito Benocilla, Jr. 26 yrs old; Raymund Bonotan, 25 yrs old and Romeo Boboy, 18 yrs old were reportedly killed in a landslide in Malimono. One fisherman identified as Rodel Vertical, 35 yrs old from Socorro died from drowning.

Meantime, to properly address the needs of the evacuees and synchronize the relief operations of the province, Gov. Sol Matugas ordered the creation of a Task Force Good Samaritan or “Team Samaritan” composed of the business sector, private & government sector, mining corporation, socio-civic organization and non-government organizations.

As of February 4, Taganito Mining Corporation, Philex Mining and Silangan Mining Corporation have already donated P1 Million to the provincial government. (Susil Ragas, PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Friday, February 4, 2011

Fire razes old Butuan City Hall building

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, February 4 (PIA) – In the middle of the calamity experienced by local folks here and in the entire Caraga Region due to massive flooding and landslides, another calamity struck the city as the old city hall building razed in a fire at about 4:00 on Friday morning, and was placed under control at around 6:30 a.m.

The Offices of the Commission on Audit (COA), Vice-Mayor, Land Transportation Traffic Management Office (LTTMO), Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Old City Treasurer, Sangguniang Panlunsod, Liga ng mga Punong Barangay were turned into ashes.

According to Vice-Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, because of the incident, they will propose to City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. that temporarily, the People’s Hall located at the third floor of the new city hall building will be used as the SP Office and session hall.

Meanwhile, as per info from City Councilor Ryan Anthony Culima, the official said all SP Ordinances were saved as he personally supervised in saving the said documents. However, he said all documents in the COA Office were turned into ashes.

Further, Vice-Mayor Fortun said all ICT equipment of the building were burned. In an initial investigation, estimated damaged is about P15 million. No casualty has been reported. (PIA-Caraga)

Butuan official instructs SP to submit inventory of assessment after fire blazes old city hall bldg

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, February 4 (PIA) – Vice-Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun on Friday instructed the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to immediately submit an inventory of assessment on the extent of the damage brought about by fire razing the old city hall building early morning on Friday.

In an interview with the official, he said the SP members were also instructed to immediately submit an inventory of their own personal equipment and facilities since majority of it were housed at the SP Office.

In spite of the incident, Fortun said business transactions will still go on since today, Friday is the last working day of the week.

The second chief executive of the city has also requested Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. for the utilization of the People’s Hall in the third floor of the new city hall building for the SP Office and Session Hall.

Fortun further said all job order employees are already instructed to report on Saturday and Sunday to fix everything and that the People’s Hall will be ready for Monday.

When asked what equipment and facilities were damaged, Fortun said all equipment and facilities pertaining to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will not be functional anymore since some were burned and others were already wet because of the water from the fire trucks. Said equipment and facilities is estimated at around P400,000, he said.

Furthermore, Fortun said hardcopies of the SP Resolutions were saved but he cannot assure that all are still intact because of the quick response of the city hall personnel this morning. As to the softcopies of the said documents, Fortun stressed nothing is saved. (PIA-Caraga)

Gawad Kalinga partners with OCD, AFP in handing relief assistance to flood victims

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, February 4 (PIA) – Gawad Kalinga, in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army will hand-in relief assistance to flood victims in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

According to Lt. Col. Efraim Oropel, Bancasi Camp Commander, Gawad Kalinga has coordinated with OCD and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to give relief assistance to victims of the recent massive flooding which hits Cara Region due to a low pressure area.

Also, Dr. Blanche Gobenciong, Regional Director of OCD-Caraga confirmed that the distribution of relief assistance will be conducted on Friday afternoon to flood victims in Kitcharao.

However, Gobenciong said Gawad Kalinga has informed her office earlier that if they have enough relief goods, flood victims in the municipality of Jabonga will also be given. “But according to Gawad Kalinga, this afternoon’s distribution will be prioritized to Kitcharao affected residents,” the OCD chief said.

It can be recalled that thousands of families were displaced after massive flooding hits Caraga Region resulting from incessant rains started on January 31, 2011 until Wednesday, February 2, 2011.

As of press time, there are still areas in the region submerged with flood waters including the regional center – Butuan City. (PIA-Caraga)

DSWD Regions X, XI extend relief assistance to Caraga flood victims

By: Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, February 4 (PIA) – Some 1,500 packs of used clothing arrived here on Thursday from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region X, and another 1,700 packs of same items from DSWD Region XI, after DSWD-Caraga requested from their Central Office in Manila to augment relief assistance to the recent flood victims in the region.

The information was relayed to PIA by Lt. Col. Efraim Oropel, officer-in-charge of the Division Support Area of the 402^nd Infantry Brigade, 4^th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

Ms. Leah Quintana, information officer of DSWD-Caraga confirmed the information and said that the social welfare regional office here requested their Central Office for the assistance and informed them that DSWD Region X and XI will send the relief assistance.

Quintana also said relief assistance from Cagayan de Oro City will be distributed to Butuan City flood victims who were greatly affected by the recent calamity while relief assistance from Davao City will be distributed to those areas or provinces on a first come-first served basis. (PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011

Feature: Better governance upgrades Bunawan town to 1st class status

BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 3 -- Increased funds in local coffer as well as better services and facilities are just some of the benefits this town now enjoy after it has improved local revenue generation.

The setting up of efficient revenue generation system was an offshoot of the series of trainings and workshops conducted in the municipality as part of the preparation for the implementation of Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP).

“During the MRDP governance workshops in 2000, voluminous documents were scanned and we incidentally discovered that the Municipal Tax Code being imposed was outdated way back 1980s. Some regulatory fees are as cheap as five pesos,” said municipal planning chief Robert Floyd Salise.

In 2002 the local government revised their existing tax code and fully implemented it the following year. However, increasing the tax dues did not necessarily resulted to increase in revenues. The need to encourage the public to religiously pay their taxes remains a challenge. To address this concern, then Mayor Gilbert Elorde with his introduced innovations did not only compel but also inspired his constituents to support the drive to increase the local coffers.

Innovation in tax collection

Since the bulk of tax collections came from business tax, the local business sector was among the first to benefit from improved tax collection system. Through the introduction of One-Stop Business Licensing, the standard time for application and renewal of business permits was cut short from almost one week to a maximum of only 4 hours.

“We gathered the required signatories from various offices such as the assessors’ unit, health unit, engineering office, and fire protection office so that clients will no longer be hopping from one office to another just to get their clearance and comply with the requirements. Imagine the time saved and how it will be invested to other productive activities,” Salise said.

Another strategy to encourage public support in local revenue generation is the conduct of Government-on-Wheels where basic services are provided to various barangays.

“Similar to one-stop licensing, we also pooled representatives from various agencies to directly offer services in remote areas. We provide medical clinics, legal assistance such as settling of land disputes, provision of planting materials and fertilizers, to name a few,” he said.

“The catch here is that after the people in the community have availed themselves of those services from the local government, our treasurer will now conduct information drive for them to appreciate the value of paying taxes,” he added.

Barangay officials and school teachers were also tapped to help in information drive and as a reward, priority in terms of development projects were given to those with highest tax collections.

“It created healthy competition among our barangay officials for them to access funds for construction of much needed community and school facilities,” Salise said.

More taxes, more projects

Municipal treasurer Myrna Hiponia said their local revenue collection has significantly increased from just almost P9 million in to almost P18 million in 2009.

“The convenience brought about by the improved revenue collection has encouraged our people to pay their taxes as the said obligation no longer hampers their daily economic activities,” Hiponia said.

“When people can see tangible projects and have availed themselves of the government services, it will no longer be difficult to collect taxes from them,” she added.

“The increased in local revenues has helped us a lot in improving the delivery of services to our constituents. In particular, it has helped us in raising the much needed equity to start the project implementation for MRDP,” Salise said.

“The municipal government was able to raise P50 million worth of infrastructure projects,” he said.

Salise said the need to increase local revenue has become more pressing now as they are beneficiaries of other development projects which also requires counterpart funds.

Aside from implementing development projects the local government has also achieved significant impacts most notable is the reduction of the town’s poverty incidence from 60 percent to only 19 percent. Delivery of social services was also intensified which include the increase in Philhealth beneficiaries.

The improved tax collection has come a long way for Bunawan which not so long ago was classified as a third class town but now elevated into first class status as a result of more economic activities. (Noel T. Provido, MRDP/PIA-Caraga)

Dinagat Islands floods affect 8,574 families

DINAGAT ISLANDS, Feb. 3 (PIA) -- A total of 8,574 families were affected by flooding incidents in Dinagat islands brought about by the low pressure area in East of Mindanao.

The municipality of Basilia with 5,018 families (25,090 persons) has the biggest number of affected families followed by Loreto with 1,445 families or 7,224 persons; San Jose with 1,333 families or 6,665 individuals; Libjo with 620 families (3,101 persons); and Cagdianao with 158 family consisting of 792 individuals.

Rosario Roxas, Jr., Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Deputized Coordinator said that only 325 families or 1,523 individuals were evacuated by the flooding spawned by the non-stop rain.

In Loreto, MDRRMC-OCD Deputized Coordinator, Engr. Domingo Elan Jr. reported that portion of their seawall along Brgy. Carmen was damaged.

In Basilisa, six (6) barangays roads were washed out but they are still passable. Most barangays in the said town experienced soil erosion.

Meantime, 25 hectares of root crops and banana were reportedly damaged in Libjo. In the town of Dinagat, road slip off shoulder costing P1M was also damaged but it still is passable to all types of vehicles.

Roxas said that no injuries/casualties were reported as of press time.

Roxas further revealed that the rest of agriculture and infrastructure damages are still undergoing thorough estimation. (FEAbkilan, PIA-Surigao del Norte)

2 casualties, 25,087 families affected by Surigao Sur landslides, floods

TANDAG, Surigao Del Sur, Feb. 03 (PIA) – Two persons died, 25,087 families affected and 1,188 were evacuated from the 15 of the 18 municipalities and lone city of this province according to the partial report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).

The victims were identified as Nenita Corpuz, 54 years old and Julie Culapu, 47 years old who died in a landslide in Brgy Pantukan, Carrascal.

The evacuees were temporarily housed in the designated evacuation centers.

During the height of the calamity, the provincial government of Surigao del Sur led by Governor Johnny Pimentel has issued Alert level 3.

A disaster rescue operation was conducted in the flooded areas where heavy equipment/big vehicles were deployed to transport stranded passengers along the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road (SDCR) national highways.

As of press time, flood waters reportedly subsided, although scattered rainshowers are still experienced. All government offices and suspension of classes in elementary and secondary both in private and public schools are now lifted.

Meanwhile, the PDRRMC office continues its 24/7 operation until February 16.(NGBTranquilan/PIA Surigao del Sur)

2 killed; and 2 were hurt as NPAs attack LGU monitoring post in Agusan del Sur

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 -- Heavily armed group with more or less fifty components believed to be New People’s Army guerillas attacked a local government unit illegal-logging monitoring post along the highway of Agusan del Sur-Compostela Valley Province border town very early morning, Tuesday.

Police reports said that the guerillas believed to be coming from the Guerilla Front (GF) 20 reportedly exploited the cover of the early morning fog and heavy rains to stage an early morning raid against the Task Force Bantay Kalikasan monitoring post under the Agusan del Sur Provincial Governor’s Office, located at Purok 3, Pulang Lupa, Trento, Agusan del Sur, 6:10 a.m. Tuesday.

The raiders, police said coming from the northern part of the national highway arrived on board a commandeered blue Isuzu Forward six-wheeler truck (CDW 445). Police also said that the raiders sealed off the area from incoming vehicles by burning rubber tires in the middle portion of the national highway, on both ends some meters away before and after the location of the said monitoring post.

Police said that the attack was so sudden that it took the raiders only 25 minutes more or less to overpower the six persons manning the said check point after a very brief shootout.

According to police reports, only two policemen were conducting a check on the vehicles bearing logs outside as the four others stayed inside the said monitoring post. Some raiders, police report said, proceeded to the bunkers and shot the two sleeping civilians identified as Carlito Benito alias “Lito” and Pletzmark Dimzon.

A civilian was able to run away unnoticed, while another police officer was able to save himself and his firearm when he carefully hid himself at a bunker. Police regional investigators said that the said policeman testified that an NPA went inside the outpost and took the post rooster, logbook and a cellular phone placed on the top of a table.

The attackers also took away two (2) M16 Rifles issued to the policemen and also grabbed one policeman who was wounded on the leg during the firefight identified as Police Offcer 3 George Sabatin as their hostage as they made their escape towards Brgy. Visaya of the same municipality, after dividing themselves into two groups. One group boarded a red Isuzu Forward (YAZ 846), while the other group accordingly boarded a white vehicle. Another wounded police officer PO3 Mario Sevillano was left behind and is now confined at a local hospital.

CSupt. Rafal strongly condemned the raid as “atrocious” as it was launched at the time when Caraga region was under “Alert 3 level” due to incessant rains caused by the northeast monsoon and the tail-end of the cold front. It caused flooding, overflowing of the major river systems and landslides to occur in some areas of the region. The police and the military in the region the region were busy on search and rescue/evacuation operation in the affected areas in the Caraga region. In fact, the team accordingly who were in the area of incident came from Agusan del Sur provincial Public Safety Company who were tasked to provide security for the said task force and also to observe the water level of the Agusan River as part of the disaster monitoring, when the attackers came.

The armed group who abducted Sabatin were reportedly sighted at the area of Monkayo in Compostela Valley Province. Compostela Valley provincial Police Office, accordingly confirmed the sighting.

PRO 13 had already coordinated with the 701st Brigade, the Philippine Army and Police Regional Office 11 for the conduct of hot pursuit operations to track down the location of the abductors and the hostage for the early release or rescue of the abducted police personnel. No communications or demands from the abductors were received yet as of press time.

Meanwhile, CSupt. Rafal had already reactivated and convened the Regional Crisis Management Committee (RCMC) this morning to compliment the efforts of the provincial and municipal CMCs in negotiating for the safe and early release of the hostage. (Noel B. Najarro/PIA-Caraga)