PIA News Service - Thursday, May 12, 2011

CHRDC holds forum aligning research to local health needs and research agenda

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 12 (PIA) – In its effort to have a dynamic research community for a healthy region, the Caraga Health Research and Development Consortium (CHRDC) gathers stakeholders from the health sector as well as the regional line agencies in a forum to align research to the local health needs and research agenda held Thursday, May 12 in one of the local convention centers here.

According to Lucy Tagudin of the Department of Health – Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD)-Caraga, the forum seeks to identify areas for health research based on the current situation in the region.

Tagudin further said that through the inputs of the stakeholders from the public and private sector, CHRDC could be able determine what priority research areas will be implemented and needs to be funded.

Same with the goals of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS), CHRDC ensures that health researches in all the regional levels are linked to the country’s health needs.

Tagudin added the consortium also ensures that investments in health researches yields the most benefits, and fosters high-performing and ethical health research organizations.

The forum forms part of the activities of the CHRDC’s third year anniversary. To date, the consortium is composed of 18 member-agencies from the academe, health service providers, regional line agencies, and the media.

Among its objectives include the identification and implementation or priority health research and development programs and projects. It also develops the capacity of member-institutions on health research and development.

CHRDC also establishes a system of collaboration and resource sharing in undertaking health research through research and development projects and programs.

By generating resources for health-related researches consistent with the regional and national health research and development agenda, promoting the utilization of health research and development findings, and develop mechanisms and implement strategies to ensure long-term viability of the consortium, its vision to have a dynamic health research community will surely be achieved. (RER-PIA Caraga)

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Test kit to detect damaging abaca virus now available

by Paul Icamina

CARAGA, May 12 (PIA) - To detect a disease that stalks the country’s multi-million dollar abaca industry, a kit had been readied for their use.

The detection kit reduces the time it takes to detect the Abaca Bunchy Top Virus from three days to just three hours.

The virus infection, which stunts the growth of the abaca, is characterized by the narrowing, rosetting and bunching of the leaves. The dwarfing effect is most damaging since the crop is primarily grown for the fiber processed from the stalk.

"It is like a pregnancy test, the color is the indicator," is how Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin of the Visayas State University (VSU) describes the detection kit.

"In this case, deep purple indicates bunchy top infection," Tulin, who headed the detection kit’s research and development, tells Malaya Business Insight.

The way it works, a sample the size of a thumbnail is collected from abaca leaf then placed inside a plastic bag and macerated with a special liquid solution. The sample is gently shaken for 30 minutes.

Then two drops of antisera, from rabbit blood, is placed on the sample. Antibodies in the antisera bind to the abaca virus and indicate the presence of the virus, which is confirmed when the color deep purple appears on the sample.

The DNA of the virus is detected in a reaction that involves an antibody that recognizes foreign agents like the virus.

The primary component of the diagnostic kit is the antisera which contain the antibodies that detect the presence of the virus in the abaca plant; the antisera is currently imported and expensive, especially when used in large quantities for large-scale application in abaca fields.

Infected abaca leaf samples collected from Bicol were used for the purification of the abaca virus that was then used in the production of antibodies in the blood of laboratory rabbits infected with the virus.

To come up with a cheaper and easy-to-use detection kit, VSU researchers studied three different testing methods: macerating abaca leaves in plastic bags; grinding the leaves in mortar and pestle; and crushing finely chopped abaca leaves with a tiny spatula inside a very small test tube.

They were all effective but the plastic bag method was more efficient and practical because it is more portable than the other two.

To control the Abaca Bunchy Top Virus, agriculturists recommend using healthy planting materials and destroying infected plants outright.

"These can be more effective when done simultaneously with the early detection of the disease," Tulin says.

However, not all plants show early signs of infection, and most appear healthy until the next generation of infected – and sickly – suckers sprout.

"A local diagnostic kit that could detect these viruses as early as possible is thus very useful when made available for use in the field," Tulin explains.

"The test method we used is very popular in the detection and management of the virus because it is specific, sensitive and simple," he says. "It can identify very small amounts of the virus and can be done routinely in farmers’ fields."

Compared to an imported version, the local antisera was found more superior in detecting the virus. The kit is handy, its dimension about half that of a bond paper.

The cost of producing the antiserum for one assay is P22 compared to P700 using the commercial kit imported from the United States – "or 32 times cheaper than what is available abroad," Tulin says.

A single test using the local kit, including all the materials required, costs anywhere from P69 to P74.

Since the price of the U.S.-sourced antisera is already very expensive at P700 pesos per assay, a single test using the American kit is very expensive.

The local detection kit developed by VSU has been found effective during field tests in Ormoc City and Villaba in Leyte.

A training seminar introducing the new technology has been held for farmers, agricultural technicians and extension workers from Tacloban City and Southern Leyte and VSU faculty and students.

The two-year, P2.1-million R&D for the Abaca Bunchy Top Virus detection kit was funded by the Philippine Council for Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Development, an agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

Its development is very significant because the Abaca Bunchy Top Virus wreaks havoc to the country’s abaca industry that exports, on average, about $87 million annually.

"Abaca production is hampered by pests and primarily by viral diseases like the bunchy top," Tulin says. "The Abaca Bunchy Top Virus has wiped out several abaca plantations in Bicol and Mindanao and has now started to damage plantations in Eastern Visayas, the largest abaca producer in the country."

About 8,226 hectares are affected nationwide at a loss, in terms of potential fiber production, of about P250 million.

Nearly 46,000 hectares are planted to abaca in Eastern Visayas where a third of the country’s abaca farms are located.

Since 1996, Eastern Visayas led the country in abaca fiber production; Bicol has overtaken it in 2009 because of the Abaca Bunchy Top Virus that cut by half the production in Leyte and Southern Leyte.

Sogod, Southern Leyte, and Baybay City, Leyte – two of the highest abaca-producing areas in Eastern Visayas – are severely affected by abaca diseases, including the bunchy top and the mosaic virus. In 2007, about P75 million in potential fiber were lost in 2,500 hectares of affected farms.

Tulin’s expertise is in molecular immunology. He is the only scientist in the country looking at cytokine receptors linked to immune factors in animals that have potential uses for plants.

Tulin, who is also VSU’s vice-president for Planning and Resource Generation, received last December a research internship at the University of Maine in the United States from the prestigious Norman Borlaug Award for his work in agricultural biotechnology, the first Filipino scientist to receive such a commendation. (PI-DA-Biotech/PIA-Caraga)

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PHO monitors construction of RHU facilities in Surigao del Sur

by Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, May 12 (PIA) – The Provincial Health office here is closely monitoring the on-going construction of rural health unit (RHU) facilities in its effort to give the people proper health services.

According to Dr. Romeo delos Reyes, provincial health officer here, the eight RHU facilities which have been started more than a year ago are now nearly completed.

Amounting to a total grant of P26M from the Spanish Government, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) here makes sure that all of these RHU facilities have undergone careful deliberation on the regulations and technical requirement so as to conform with the standards of the national health facilities of the Department of Health (DOH).

The RHU facilities in the province are located in the towns of Lanuza, Carmen, Cortes, Tagbina, Lingig, Tago, San Miguel, and the city of Tandag. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/GTJ-PIA Surigao del Sur)

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Liga ng mga Barangay Surigao del Sur Chapter holds 10th Provincial Assembly

by Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, May 12 (PIA) – The Liga ng mga Barangay Surigao del Sur Chapter holds its 10th Provincial Assembly which opened Tuesday and to end on Saturday, May 14 in one of the local hotels here.

With the theme “Harnessing the leadership capabilities of barangay officials in the attainment of Community Progress,” Liga ng mga Barangay Provincial Chapter president Vicente H. Pimentel III said in his invitation to the 309-member assembly that their presence will definitely lend more meaning and color to the success of the activity.

The four-day event kicks off with an opening program while the remaining days will feature lectures of the regional directors of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is also set to present through USEC Romeo Momo the support of the Aquino administration to barangay leaders through the flagship infrastructure projects. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/GTJ-PIA Surigao del Sur)

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Disaster reduction council set Nat'l Disaster Consciousness month

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 12 (PIA) – The observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month in July takes on a new meaning as stakeholders, government,and local government units see the bigger picture with climate change in the picture. In July, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Technical Working Group led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga have planned a set of activities for said month.

As part of advocacy, RDRRMC encourages all agencies, offices to display streamers of the said observance while a simultaneous earthquake drill will also be conducted in Surigao City.

Also, on June 29, a press conference will be conducted with the panel of discussants coming from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and OCD, among others.

The observance of the NDCM 2011 will kick-off with a thanksgiving mass to be followed with a fire suppression drill at the PNP-Caraga regional office.

DOH-Caraga also proposed to have an earthquake drill in the first week of July while DOST will spearhead the Disaster Preparedness Forum to be held at the Caraga State University (CSU) Gymnasium with students as participants. DOH and Department of Agriculture (DA) also proposed to conduct a medical mission and mass feeding.

Also, TWG planned to have a two-day Doppler-Radar Orientation at Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur for them to have a wider knowledge on how to run the said equipment.

Meanwhile, aside from the proposed activities for the NDCM, TWG also assessed the compliance of the different local government units in the region in the submission of their accomplishments report for 2010 on DRR-CCA/DRRM focusing on Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Rehabilitation as basis for the selection of the regional nominees for the annual Search for Gawad KALASAG (Kalamidad at Sakuna Labanan, Sariling Galing and Kaligtasan).

According to Loraine Catedral of OCD-Caraga, Kalasag is the Filipino term for "shield" used by early Filipinos as a means of protection from attacks of enemies or harmful animals.

In connection with this, Gawad KALASAG was conceived to protect or shield high risk communities against hazards by encouraging the participation of various stakeholders in designing and implementing Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programs.

The KALASAG Awarding ceremony will be held on July 28, 2011. (JPG-PIA 13,Caraga)

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DILG-Caraga to distribute transport financial subsidy to LGUs

BUTUAN CITY, May 12 – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional office 13 will start distributing the tricycle transport sector financial subsidy tomorrow, May 13, in the form of funding checks to six cities and 37 municipalities in Caraga Region.

According to DILG-Caraga regional director Atty. Rene Burdeos, the subsidy is in line with the implementation of the Public Transport Assistance Program (PTAP) or the Pantawid Pasada which was established under E.O. No. 32 to provide targeted relief to the public transport sector to cushion the impact of high fuel prices on the riding and consuming public.

Dir. Burdeos also said that under the order, the Department of Energy (DOE) is designated as the lead agency to implement the PTAP. However, in the case of tricycles, the DILG has been directed to coordinate with LGUs for the joint implementation of the PTAP.

The region’s DILG chief further said their office has entered into a memorandum of agreement with the six cities and 37 municipalities for the implementation of the PTAP. Under the MOA, the checks will be transferred after complying with certain requirements.

The cities and municipalities will see to it that the distribution of the tricycle transport financial subsidy will be done in an organized and orderly manner to the beneficiary-tricycle franchisees, Burdeos said.

“Only those included in the duly certified list of tricycle franchisees will benefit from the subsidy,” Burdeos added.

Beneficiaries of this program are advised to coordinate with their respective LGUs as to the date and venue of distribution of the financial subsidy, Burdeos disclosed. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)

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Feature: Naliyagan Festival 2011: Unveiling Agusan’s tradition and heritage

by David M. Suyao

Rendering public service will be the opening salvo of the 2011 Naliyagan Festival, an annual festivity in Agusan del Sur that depicts the province’s culture and heritage.

After the formal morning opening program on June 12 in time with the celebration of the 113th Philippine Independence Day, which include “Panawagtawag” or calling of the good spirits, the wreath-laying at the Rizal monument, the concelebrated mass and the opening parade at the Naliyagan Plaza, a jobs fair will be conducted, followed by the “Serbisyo Publiko” sa Naliyagan in the afternoon.

The serbisyo publiko is open to anybody who wishes to avail of government services right at the Naliyagan Plaza, while enjoying the atmosphere of the festivity. Provincial medical officer Dr. Joel Esparagoza and his medical team will be performing free medical and dental services and operation tuli, while PhilHealth will occupy a table ready to enrol anybody who wish to become its member.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office – LGU (PENRO-LGU) will be displaying samples of their seedlings for free distribution to those who wish to enter into tree farming.

The Philippine Red Cross will be there ready to extract blood from donors, side by side with the National Bureau of Investigation, together with the National Statistics Office, ready to process your application for clearances and authentication of birth certificate.

The Information Technology unit of the provincial government will also put up a booth for the issuance of the Community-Based Management Information System identification cards, while the emergency and rescue team will be conducting drills.

Cultural show will meet the evening affairs of the opening day. Here, everybody can see the revival of the culture of the natives of Agusan del Sur. Then the Agusan beauties will be presented as initial activity for the search for Bae Naliyagan where they will also present their individual talents.

At 9:00 p.m., fireworks display will spread glittering colors in the skies and live bands will play until the evening ends of the opening day of the Naliyagan Festival. (DS-PIA Agusan del Sur)

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Feature: Genetically-modified eggplant, anyone?

by Henrylito D. Tacio

EGGPLANT can be planted throughout the year, but it is best grown at the tail end of the rainy season.

"This coincides with the long dry months of the year, promoting better fruit maturation and harvesting, and avoiding fruit rotting," explained the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) of the College of Agriculture of University of the Philippines at Los Baños.

Some 21,170 hectares are planted to eggplant in the Philippines, according to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics.

But like most vegetable crops, eggplant production suffers yield losses from pests and diseases. Of the 200,942 metric tons of eggplant harvested last year, valued at P3.13 billion, 30 percent of the crop's total peso value was spent on pesticides.

The eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) has been cited as the most destructive insect pest. Scientifically, it is called Leucinodes orbonalis, a moth specie prevalent in Asia and Africa. The moths' larvae feed on eggplant shoots and fruits until maturity.

"The EFSB can cause as much as 50-75 percent loss of fruits," says Dr. Emil Q. Javier, president of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). "The worm of the insect bore tunnels in the fruit, rendering them unfit for consumption."

Unfortunately, there is no known genetic resistance to EFSB in cultivated and wild eggplants. "The insects are concealed in the shoots and fruits and are difficult to reach," Javier explained. "Thus, in order to protect their crops, farmers spray their plants almost every other day with insecticides."

Dr. Serge Francisco, who wrote Projected Impacts of Agricultural Biotechnologies for Fruits and Vegetables in the Philippines and Indonesia, said eggplant growers spray as much as 42 times per production period using approximately more than 65 liters of chemicals per hectare.

Francisco and several other Filipino crop scientists recommend the planting of Bt eggplant in the country. The genetically modified eggplant has successfully undergone initial field testing in Pangasinan, Laguna, and Camarines Sur in trials closely monitored by quarantine inspectors of the Bureau of Plant Industry. More field tests in other provinces are scheduled for this year till 2012.

The domestic eggplant variety with a gene for insect resistance was a product of eight years of research and development work of IPB. It was done through biotechnology, a tool of process using a living organism or its part to produce an economic good or service. Probably the most controversial form of biotechnology, which has produced many useful products to date, is genetic engineering.

"(Genetic engineering)," explains Dr. Saturnina C. Halos, chairwoman of the Biotechnology Technical Advisory Team of the Department of Agriculture, "is a procedure that produces a genetically modified organism (GMO). It comprises a set of techniques that transfers desired genes by splicing the genes to a DNA vector and forcing the entry of the vectors with the genes into cells and the stable integration of the genes into the genetic machinery of the host cell."

Bt comes from Bacillus thuringiensis, a common soil microorganism that has been used for decades as bacterial suspension spray to control insects in vegetables. It is naturally present in the Philippine soil and had been in use for years without any harmful effects.

The genetically modified eggplant has the Bt protein making eggplant resistant to FSB pests. “Once the FSB caterpillars feed on plant leaves, shoots and fruits, the insects lose appetite and eventually die,” the IBP, which has been doing research on it. "The Bt protein in the biotech eggplant only affects FSB and does not affect humans."

"Tests have shown that marketable yield of GMO eggplant with the Bt gene is higher by 30 percent than the ordinary unprotected eggplant," Javier reported.

Bt eggplant is not the first food crop in the country. The Philippines had been importing many genetically-modified commodities. In fact, genetically-modified ingredients are already in products such as beer, cheese, gelatin, some juices and detergents, something not many people know.

Eggplant is a crop native to India, where it has been grown for thousands of years. The Chinese and Arabs grew eggplant as early as the ninth century, and it is said to have been introduced into Europe by the early invaders. British traders brought this vegetable to the London market from West Africa in the seventeenth century, calling it -- Guinea squash.

Its scientific name, Solanum melongena, is derived from a 16th century Arabic term for one type of eggplant. Today, different varieties of eggplant produce fruit of different size, shape and color, especially purple, green, or white. There are even orange varieties of eggplant.

Around the world, eggplant is used in various cuisines. It is often stewed, as in the French ratatouille, the Italian melazane alla parmigiana, and the Greek moussaka. It may also be roasted in its skin until charred, so that the pulp can be removed and blended with other ingredients such as lemon, tahini, and garlic, as in the Middle Eastern dish baba ghanoush and the similar Greek dish melitzanosalata. In Iranian cuisine, it can be blended with whey kashk e-bademjan, tomatoes mirza ghasemi or made into stew khoresh-e-bademjan.

Eggplant can be sliced, battered, and deep-friend, and then served with various sauces. Grilled and mashed eggplant mixed with onions, tomatoes, and spices makes the Indian dish baingan ka bhartha. The eggplant can also be stuffed with meat, rice, or other fillings and then baked. It can also be found in a few Chinese dishes, like braised eggplant and stuffed eggplant. In the United States, eggplant is best steamed or baked. Cheese and tomatoes are added for flavoring.

In the Philippines, eggplant is one of the main ingredients of pinakbet, torta, sinigang, ensalada, and kare-kare. For this reason, it is the number one vegetable in the country, in terms of area (20,000 hectares) and volume of production (179,000 metric tons).

Although eggplant contains a large amount of water, it is low in calories. However, its minerals and vitamins pack a lot of ingredients: 5.7 grams of carbohydrates, more than 3 grams of dietary fiber, and 230 milligrams of potassium, niacin, folate, thiamin, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. Nutrition experts claim it is good for balancing diets that are heavy in protein and starches.

Studies of the Institute of Biology of Spo Paulo State University in Brazil have found that eggplant is effective in the treatment of high blood cholesterol. But another study from Heart Institute of the University of Sao Paulo debunked the earlier claims since it found no effects at all.

For trivia buffs: eggplant is botanically classified as a berry. Its numerous small, soft seeds are edible but are bitter because they contain an insignificant amount of nicotine (as eggplant is a distant relative of tobacco). On average, nine kilograms of eggplant contains about the same amount of nicotine as a cigarette. (DA-Biotech/PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog News: Tagalog news: DOH magsasagawa ng malawakang aktibidades para sa kalusugan

ni Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, May 12 (PIA) – Isang malawakang aktibidades para sa kalusugan ang isasagawa sa buong bansa ngayong Mayo 15.

Isasagawa dito sa rehiyon ng Caraga ang nasabing aktibidades sa pangunguna ng Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga.

Ang nasabing aktibidades na tinaguriang, “Ehersisyong Pangkalusugan sa Lahat” ay naglalayon na maiparating ang kahalagahan ng pag-eehersisyo bata man o matanda, lalaki o babae.

“Upang ating maiwasan, mapigilan at mapababa ang panganib na dulot ng non-communicable diseases gaya ng cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases at diabetes, na higit na nagdudulot ng kasamaan sa ating kalusugan at pag-unlad, patuloy na ehersisyo ay kailangan,” sinabi ng DOH-Caraga.

Sa Butuan City, ang DOH-Caraga, sa pakikipagtulungan ng city government sa pamamagitan ng Batyag Butuan, ay magkakaroon ng “Hataw Exercise” na gaganapin sa Rizal Park ng 6:00 a.m. sa parehong araw.

Bago pa ang “Hataw,” isang fun walk ang gaganapin. Ang fun walk ay magsisimula sa opisina ng DOH-CHD Caraga patungo ng Montilla boulevard pupunta sa Macapagal bridge at babalik sa Montilla boulevard at magtatapos sa Rizal park. (NCLM-PIA Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Malacañang mi-anunsyo sa pagpagawas sa P7-B pondo alang sa pagtukod ug pagpaayo sa mga eskwelahan

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, May 12 (PIA) - Isip kabahin sa pasalig sa administrasyong Aquino nga muhatag ug dekalidad nga edukasyon, ang Malakanyang mi-anunsyo sa pagpagawas sa P7-billion nga badyet alang sa pagtukod ug pagpa-ayo sa 8,997 ka mga klasroms isip preparasyon alang sa umaabot nga pag-abli sa klase karong Hunyo.

Atol sa regular news briefing didto sa Malakanyang niadtong Miyerkules, Mayo 11, 2011, si Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte miingon nga ang Department of Budget and Management (DBM) mipagawas na sa maong pondo alang sa pagtukod ug pag-ayo sa mga eskuylahan sa pipila ka mga bahin sa nasod.

“The targeted 8,997 classrooms are expected to accommodate around 404,865 students,” asoy ni Valte sa media.

Ang Palasyo mitumbok nga dekalidad nga edukasyon ang maoy usa ka mahinungdanong kahianan alang sa nasudnong kalamboan ug katilingbanon nga kabag-ohan.

Samtang, si Valte usab miingon nga andam na ang pondo aron pagtabang sa mga biktima sa bagyong Bebeng nga miigo sa nasod bag-ohay pa lamang.

“The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned P3.38 million standby funds and P32.41 million worth of relief supplies in all DSWD field offices along the path of Typhoon Bebeng,” sulti ni Valte.

Dugang ni Valte nga ang DSWD mipakatap na sa ilang mga social workers aron motabang pag-asister sa local-based social workers pagdumala sa evacuation centers.

Ang suplay sa mga pagkaon andam na nga ipang apod-apod ngadto sa local government units (LGUs) nga naapektuhan sa dautang panahon. (SDR-PIA Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: City Agriculture Office sa Surigao mipahigayon ug entrepreneurial training

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 12 (PIA) - Ang City Agriculture Office malampuson nga mipahigayon sa Entrepreneurial Management and Development Training kagahapong adlawa Miryukules, Mayo 11, 2011, didto sa City Cultural Center.

Kini ubos sa ilang mga programa alang sa bulan sa Mayo diin mao ang Farmers and Fisherfolks Month. Kini nga pagbansay-bansay gihimo alang sa mga People Organization (POs) labi na gayod kadtong nahilakip sa Mindanao Rural Development Program-Community Fund for Agricultural Development(MRDP-CFAD) Projects.

Mokabat sa 40 ka mga POs lakip na ang mga miyembro niini ang mitambong sa maong kalihukan nga nagagikan pa sa nagkalain-laing barangay sakop sa dakbayan.

Ang nahimong mamumulong atol sa maong kalihukan mao sila Senior Trade and Industry Development Specialist Herminio Garcia, ug Trade and Industry Specialist Victorio Navales Jr.

Ang maong kalihukan gisuportahan usab ni City Mayor Ernesto Matugas diin kini usa lamang sa mga programa sa iyang administrasyon. (Surigao City PIO/AV-PIA 13, Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: 190 ka mga mag-uuma ming-gradwar sa Palay Check Kasalikasan Farmers Field School sa Surigao

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 12 (PIA) – Ang City Agriculture Office mipahigayon na usab sa ilang Mass Graduation Ceremony sa Palay Check Kasakalikasan Farmers field school, kini gipahigayon dili pa lamang dugay didto sa Surigao City auditorium.

Human sa upat ka bulan nga pagbansay-bansay sa maong hamubo nga kurso, ang 190 ka mga mag-uuma nakadawat na sa ilang sertipiko.

Ang maong mga mag-uuma nga ming-gradwar ug nakadawat sa sertipiko nagagikan sa Brgy. Anomar, Cagniog, Danao ug Ipil, sa syudad sa Surigao.

Ang maong programa gi-tambongan nila city Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas diin maoy nagkumpirma sa mokabat 190 ka mga minggradwar nga mga mag-uuma, city agriculturist Isaias M. Elumba, assistant city agriculturist Hyde S. Villalba ug IPM coordinator Evaristo Cotiangco. (Surigao City PIO/AV-PIA Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Migrant advocates training workshop, nagmalampuson

ni May S. Tabalon

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 12 (PIA) – Hugot nga pagkat-on ang gitutokan karon sa City Health Office (CHO) pinaagi sa usa ka workshop ug pagbansay-bansay sa mga migrant advocates sa panguna ni Dr. Josephine Chua, hepe sa maong buhatan nga gipahigayon niadtong Mayo 10-12 sa Luciana Inn and Restaurant, ni’ng dakbayan sa Butuan.

Napili ang 12 ka migrant advocates aron magbansay-bansay kung unsa-on nga mahunong ang problema sa pagkaylap sa HIV/AIDS. Sila usab gitahasan nga mukab-ot og mu-edukar sa mga lumalangyaw o mga pamilya, lakip ang mga kaparentihan may kabahin sa AIDS ug aron mapalapdan nila ang ilang panabot sa “values” og “gawi” o "attitudes" kabahin sa maong makamatay’ng virus.

Pinaagi usab niini, matud pa, ang mga partisipante gitahasan nga moduki-duki sa mga haka-haka ug kamatuoran kabahin sa pakighilawas, ug ang mahimong epekto niini sa personal ug pangkatilingbang pamatasan diha sa pakighilawas nga kunh diin usa sa mga hinungdan nga makuha ang maong sakit o virus.

Kini nga pagbansay-bansay gitambungan usab ni Maria Eloisa Laya, usa ka representante gikan sa Global Fund Against HIV/AIDS, nga dako gayud ang suporta niani alang sa pagpakgang sa pagkuyanap sa nahisgutang sakit. (Butuan City PIO/MST-PIA Caraga)

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Cebuano News: 159 estudyante mipasar sa 1st phase interview sa City Scholarship Program

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 12 (PIA) - Mukabat sa 159 ka mga estudyante ang nahimong Kwalipikado o mingpasar sa gihimong 1st phase Interview sa syudad sa Surigao dili pa lamang dugay, kini ubos sa City Government Scholarship Program.

Diin hugot gyod ang suporta nga gihatag ni Mayor Ernesto Matugas niining maong programa. Samtang karong umaabot nga Mayo 13, 2011 sa may ala una sa hapon ang gikatakda nga skedyul alang na sa Written Examination ug kini ipahigayon didto sa City Cultural Center ning syudad.

Ang mga mamahimong panelist sa maong programa mao sila ni Filomena Matugas ang kapikas ni Mayor Matugas, nga maoy adviser sa City Scholar, Vice Chairman Gloria Gimena lakip usab sila ni Roselyn Merlin Senior City Tourism Officer ug Alicia Espejon sa Parole in Probation office.

Ang mga kadagkuan sa City Government Scholarhip Program nagpahibalo ug nagpahimangno sa mga aplikante nga naka apil sa Interview Activity niadtong miaging Mayo 6 nga sila makigkita kang Emilda Retorta ug Kim Orquillas ang in-charge sa maong scholarship program, alang sa mga dugang pang kasayuran. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Serbisyong dental, medikal og “Operation Tuli” sa 3 ka barangay sa Butuan, gikalipay sa mga katawhan

ni May S. Tabalon

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 12 – Gikalipay sa mga katawhan sa tulo ka mga barangays nga gilangkuban sa barangay Villa Kananga, JP Rizal ug Imadejas ang serbisyong gitunol sa panggamhanang lokal ning syudad, sa pagpangulo ni Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. atol sa gipahigayon nga barangay visitation dili pa lang dugay.

Nikabat sa 262 ka mga tawo nga dugay nang nag-antos sa problemang panglawas ang nakabaton sa libreng serbisyong medical, gikan sa mga kabataan ngadto sa mga katigulangan.

Sa libreng serbisyong dental, nikabat sa 38 ka mga indibidwal ang nakadawat sa libreng serbisyo, samtang 73 ka mga kabataang lalaki ang nahatagan og libreng serbisyong pagpanuli.

Nanguna sa maong kalihukan ang mga maabtik nga mga duktor sa City Health Office (CHO) nga sila Dr. Leonardo B. Pedrosa ug Dr. Jesus L. Chin Chui, Asst. City Health Officer, inabagan usab sa mga dentista sa City Health Office nga sila Susan R. Cembrano, Lawa L. Idulsa ug Melba R. Turingan, samtang daku usab ang suporta sa Medical Team sa Butuan Medical Center.

Nakadawat usab ang hingtungdang mga benipisyaryo ug libreng tambal. Subay niini, mapasalamaton ang mga lumolupyo sa hingtungdang mga barangays nga nakapahimulos sa maong mga serbisyo. (Butuan City PIO/MST-PIA 13-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Agusan del Sur intensifies Solid Waste Management practice

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, May 11 (PIA) – As part of its comprehensive ecological solid waste management (ESWM) program, a total of 190 functional material recovery facilities (MRF) were built all over the province, according to the 2010 report by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office- LGU. The province has 22 units of garbage compactor trucks for the collection of wastes and garbage.

MRFs are used to recycle waste and also serve as collection point of residual wastes.
The provincial government bought a six-hectare piece of land as eco-park/landfill site.

Since the passage of Philippine Republic Act of 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the provincial government of Agusan del Sur had initiated projects to promote solid waste management in its 14 municipalities.

The Agusan del Sur Provincial Ecological Solid Waste Management board (PESWM) was created under the chairmanship of Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza. In turn, most of the municipal LGUs have also created their respective MESWM. However, most of the MEWSM are not functional, according to PENRO-LGU.

To date, only 10 municipalities have submitted a 10-year ESWM plan to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau Region 13 (DENR-EMB-13).

Only three (3) MLGUs in the province practiced segregation, recycled wastes and operated an eco-park landfill. They are the municipalities of Esperanza, Veruela and Trento. They also operated composting facility for biodegradable wastes.

Esperanza and Veruela have been recognized as national awardees in the year 2009 for their best practices in ESWM such as waste utilization into another product, practice of waste segregation at source, and proper collection and disposal of residual waste and development of eco-park landfill.

For this year, the provincial government has planned to mainstream its support for ESWM implementation through information and education campaign and provision of technical assistance to the MLGUs by conducting municipal ESWM strategic planning workshops. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)


DOH sets nationwide fitness event

by Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, May 11 (PIA) – A nationwide physical fitness activity is set to take place on May 15, with Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) Caraga spearheading the activity here in the region.

The activity, dubbed as “Ehersisyong Pangkalusugn sa Lahat” aims to convey the importance of regular exercise regardless of age and gender.

“In order to prevent, control and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, which pose a great threat to human health and development, regular exercise is needed,” DOH-Caraga said.

Meanwhile, in relation to the nationwide event, DOH-Caraga in collaboration with the City Government of Butuan through the Batyag Butuan initiative will also have a Hataw Exercise at the Rizal Park at six o’clock in the morning of the same day.

Prior to the Hataw Exercise, a fun walk will be held. The fun walk route will be from CHD Caraga office to Montilla boulevard going towards Macapagal Bridge then back to Montilla boulevard and will end at the city’s Rizal Park. (PIA-Caraga)


Officers’ Ladies Club inks MOA with PRO-13 for the construction of day care center

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 11 (PIA) -- The Officers’ Ladies Club has signed a memorandum of agreement with Police Regional Office (PRO) -13 for the construction of a day care center, in a ceremony conducted right after the flag ceremony of PRO-13 in Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, this city.

According to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Assistant Regional Director Mita Lim, as soon as the day care center is opened, PRO-13 should make sure that services offered by the center will really benefit those who will be enrolling especially children aged three to five years old.

In her speech as guest of honor, Lim said that children who will be enrolled in the center should be physically fit by giving them food with right nutrients.

Lim also said the children must also be given the opportunity to possess self-confidence by imparting to them the importance of being independent.

Above all, Lim said the children must be taught with right values and attitude that will eventually lead to have self-discipline. “In this way, they will be prepared for the basic education,” the official added.

Furthermore, ARD Lim stressed the importance of the parents’ participation in the development of their children’s education as well as the other agencies if technical assistance is needed.

“This may serve as a tool to prepare the future leaders of this region by equipping them with quality education,” Lim stressed.

The Officers’ Ladies club is an organization of the wives of PNP officials, including the commissioned and non-commissioned officers of the region. (PIA-Caraga)


3,199 trike operators in Surigao Norte to benefit from Public Transport Assistance Program

by FEAbkilan

SURIGAO CITY, May 11 (PIA) - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Surigao del Norte provincial office said today that around 3,199 tricycle drivers and operators in Surigao del Norte are set to benefit from the P150 Public Transport Assistance or the Pantawid Pasada Program for tricycle drivers and operators.

DILG Provincial Director Domingo Bulabog said these tricycle operators/drivers based in 12 local government units namely, Alegria, Mainit, Tubod, Gigaquit, Claver, Placer, Tagana-an, Bacuag, Dapa, Del Carmen, Gen. Luna and Surigao City are the only identified beneficiaries in the entire province.

It was learned that Surigao City got the biggest share with 2,600 registered franchisees.

Bulabog disclosed that the money is already available at the DILG regional office and a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the DILG and the local government units (LGUs) is still to be finalized and completed within this week.

“The money is already available at our regional office and ready to be released to the LGUs. However, we are still waiting for the MOA between our office and LGUs which will be completed within the week,” said Bulabog.

Each tricycle operators/drivers shall receive a Php 150.00 assistance which may be used to purchase fuel alone from participating gasoline stations. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Surigao del Sur Police Chief orders men to remain on alert

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, May 11 – Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Director S/SUPT Julito M. Diray ordered his men to remain on the alert against possible retaliatory attacks by NPA rebels.

Diray’s move was on account of the rebels foiled plan to overrun Lianga Municipal Police Station, the recent sightings of a significant number of NPA insurgents.

On April 28, 15 Lianga policemen along with two soldiers from Philippine Army’s 29th Infantry Battalion were engaged in a firefight with some 100 fully armed NPA combatants for almost two hours.

Two days later, DILG Secretary Jessie Robredo and Chief PP Gen Raul Bacalzo gave them individual “Medalya ng Katapangan” and undisclosed amount of cash award for their gallantry as recommendation for possible spot promotion is also process. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)


Surigao del Sur welcomes DILG’s issuance of MC 2011-59

by Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, May 11 – Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel welcomed Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) order discouraging LGU from conducting, organizing and funding activities outside their area of jurisdictions.

Speaking before the employees of the Capitol here during the regular flag ceremony, Governor Pimentel stressed that his administration is bound to implement and comply with it.

However, Pimentel clarified, holding of study tours outside the province, or similar activities anchored on good practices may be allowed. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA Surigo del Sur)


City Tourism Council urges public to support Balangay Festival

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 11 (PIA) – The City Tourism Council chaired by Atty. Rema Burdeos-Erigbuagas appealed to the local tri-media here to support the month-long activities of this year’s Balangay Festival thru proper and constant information dissemination to the general public in their regular programs.

During the press conference held recently at the city hall here, the City Tourism Council bared highlights of the activities, as follows: BANFA Football Festival on May 14-16 at the Libertad Sports Complex; Lawn Tennis Sports Academy on May 14-15 while the Balik Butuan Testimonial and Partner’s Dinner will also be held at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort with guests and partners from the Balikbayan-butuanons.

On May 17, the ‘Kaliwatan’ Fund Run will be conducted from Rizal Park to the City Hall to be followed with a fancy drill by the PNP/PA SWAT. On the same date, the ABS-CBN Kapamilya will give entertainment through their hosts from ‘Mag-TV’ Cagayan de Oro and singer-actor Sam Conception while at 7pm, the Mutya Hong Butuan Coronation Pageant will be held at the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gym.

On May 18, a motocross race will be held in Purok 6 Brgy. Malalag while at 7pm, Down to Mars Concert will be witnessed at the FSUU Gym. Also on May 18-31, sports academy like football and Frisbee will be played at the Libertad Sports Complex.

During the Fiesta day on May 19, lined up activities are the following: Balangay Theater Float Parade Competition with synchronized Manobo Dancing; Agusan Youth Congress at the FSUU Gym; Boxing Engkwentro sa Kapitolyo; and SMB Fiesta Party/Bar Tour at the junctions of Rosales St to DBP.

Christian Music and Dance is set on May 20 at the FSUU Gym in time also with the Butuan Central Elementary School (BCES) and Timber City Academy (TCA) Grand Alumni Homecoming.

The city government headed by Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. will lead the Gawad kalinga – Balangayan City Build wherein they will be building houses in Brgy. Pagatpatan. On May 27, the Butuan City-Agusan del Norte Chapter will hold the Dinner for a Cause at the Balanghai Hotel while on May 28, the Miss Silka Caraga will be held at the FSUU Gym.

The 1st Mayor Jun Amante’s Taekwondo Friendship Games will be launched on May 29 at the FSUU Gym while on May 31, the Santacruzan and Flores De Mayo will be conducted at 4pm from Rizal Park to the thoroughfares of the city and end at the St. Joseph Cathedral.

As part of the closing ceremonies on May 31, partner-stakeholders will be recognized and are expected to perform their intermission numbers during the Partners’ Appreciation Night.

With these activities going on, Atty. Erigbuagas calls on public to participate and support all the said activities so that Butuan City will become among the top cities in the countries. She then ended the press conference by saying “no matter how slow or fast we row, as long as we continue to rowing, we can all achieve our aim, and that aim is to make Butuan City one of the top cities in the country.” (PIA-Caraga)


Butuanons to experience Balangay boat voyage in a river cruise

by Diamond Year Cupay

BUTUAN CITY, May 11 (PIA) - As part of the month-long celebration of the Balangay Festival 2011 this May, Butuanons will have the chance to experience the Balangay voyage starting Thursday, May 12, 2011.

According to Jean Navarra, Butuan Global Forum President, the project is not intended primarily to generate profit but for the promotion of the boats as one of the tourist spots, not just in Caraga but also in the Philippines. This will also be an educational activity for Butuanon youth as they learn more about the Balangay boat.

Every cruise can accommodate 30 passengers, with a fee of Php 150.00 per head. The fee will cover the fuel expenses, honorarium for the crew, and other expenses during the trip.

The said activity is headed by the Butuan Global Forum in cooperation with the City Tourism Council as supported by the City government of Butuan.

It can be recalled that the said boat was used by members of Mount Everest Team when they traveled some countries in Southeast Asia during their six-months journey last year, an accomplishment which was placed the group in the front page of national dailies both here and abroad. (PIA-Caraga)


News Feature: New golden rice partners join forces against Vitamin A deficiency

Rice research agencies and the Helen Kellen International (HKI) are working together to reduce blindness and death among children and other vulnerable sectors due to vitamin A deficiency. The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and national rice research institutes in Bangladesh are conducting research to further develop and evaluate the golden rice variety.

The golden rice is a unique type of rice that contains beta carotene, a source of vitamin A.
Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children. It also impairs immune system function and increases the risk of death from certain childhood diseases.

The Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have been working with IRRI on Golden Rice for several years. They are leading the development of Golden Rice varieties in their countries.

The Helen Keller International (HKI) is a leading global health organization that reduces blindness and prevents malnutrition worldwide.

Helen Adams Keller (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968) was an American author and political activist who became blind when she was 19 months old. According to Wikipedia, she contracted an illness described by doctors as "an acute congestion of the stomach and the brain", which might have been scarlet fever of meningitis.

Globally, approximately 670,000 children die every year and another 350,000 go blind because they are vitamin A–deficient. According to the World Health Organization stated in its website that Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children and increases the risk of disease and death from severe infections. In pregnant women VAD causes night blindness and may increase the risk of maternal mortality.

“IRRI and its partners have been working on Golden Rice for about ten years to develop a safe and effective way to address vitamin A deficiency, prevent blindness, and save lives,” said Dr. Gerard Barry, Golden Rice Network coordinator and IRRI’s Golden Rice project leader. “Our latest stage of work is now supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and will bring in HKI – a new partner from the nutrition sector – to further understand how well Golden Rice can reduce vitamin A deficiency.”

HKI has been advocating for the elimination of vitamin A deficiency for more than 40 years, working with governments and other partners to reach those most in need through various interventions.

“The most vulnerable children and women in hard-to-reach areas are often missed by existing interventions that can improve vitamin A status, including vitamin A supplementation, food fortification, dietary diversification, and promotion of optimal breast-feeding,” said Ms. Nancy Haselow, HKI vice president and regional director for Asia-Pacific, who has been designing, implementing, and testing vitamin A delivery programs for more than 20 years.

“We welcome the opportunity to see if Golden Rice is efficacious and can fill the gap in access to adequate vitamin A for all vulnerable groups in a sustainable way,” she added.

According to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, daily consumption of a very modest amount of Golden Rice – about a cup (or around 150 g uncooked weight) – could supply 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A for an adult.

“Since a large proportion of vitamin A–deficient children and their mothers reside in rice-consuming populations, particularly in Asia, Golden Rice should substantially reduce the prevalence and severity of vitamin A deficiency, and prevent at least hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths and cases of blindness every year,” said Dr. Alfred Sommer, professor and dean emeritus, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Sommer is an internationally acclaimed public health scientist who has been at the forefront of research into vitamin A deficiency, leading major studies that were fundamental to the current understanding of the effect of vitamin A supplementation on mortality, malnutrition, and blindness.

“We are conducting our breeding carefully to make sure that the new golden rice variety retains the same high yield, pest resistance, and excellent grain and eating qualities while helping to address the pervasive problem of vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines,” said Dr. Antonio Alfonso, chief science specialist and Golden Rice team leader at PhilRice.

“I am delighted with our success in breeding a golden rice version of Bangladesh’s most popular rice variety, BRRI dhan29, which we hope will make a substantial contribution to reducing vitamin A deficiency across the country,” said Dr. Alamgir Hossain, principal plant breeder at BRRI.

Golden Rice, which is genetically modified, will be available to farmers and consumers only after it has been approved by national regulatory bodies. This project will also generate and collect safety information related to golden rice for submission to regulators as early as 2013 in the Philippines and 2015 in Bangladesh. Golden rice is expected to cost farmers about the same as other rice, and they will be able to save seeds for replanting.

The inventors of golden rice, Professor Ingo Potrykus and Dr. Peter Beyer, donated the technology in 2000 as a gift for resource-poor farmers in developing countries because of its enormous potential to benefit public health.

This non-profit Golden Rice Project is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development, and other donors. (DA-Biotech/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: PPOC meeting sa Agusan del Norte isinagawa

ni Diamond Year Cupay

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 11 (PIA) – Kamakailan lamang ay nagsagawa ng isang pagpupulong ang mga kinatawan ng iba’t ibang sektor, kasama ang PNP, AFP at mga opisyal ng munisipyo kaugnay sa Peace and Order Council (PPOC) sa Agusan del Norte. Tinalakay ng mga kawani ang kanilang mga nagawa sa loob ng unang tatlong buwan sa taong 2011.

Ayon sa ulat ni PNP Agusan del Norte Provincial Director PSSupt Manuel de Guzman Obrera, mula sa mataas na bahagdan ng kriminalidad noong 2010, bumaba na ito sa loob ng unang tatlong buwan ng 2011.

Ito ay dahil sa mahigpit na pagpapatupad ng PNP sa pagpapatrolya sa mga barangay sa probinsya lalo na tuwing hatinggabi kung saan marami ang nababalitang mga krimen ang nagaganap sa mga barangay.

Pinapaniguro din ni Obrera na sa pangkalahatan ang probinsya ng Agusan del Norte at nananatiling payapa.

Ayon naman sa ulat ni Col Romeo Gapuz, Philippine Army 403rd Brigade Commander, ang kanilang tropa ay magsasagawa ng ‘Oplan Bayanihan’ sa probinsya sa loob ng taong ito.

Ipinaalam naman ni LtCol Rommel Erwin Lamzon na ang kanilang tropa ay magsasagawa ng mga medical, dental mission at mga pagpupulong ngayong Hunyo 2011. (PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: S.P. Ordinance No. 3427-2008 sa Butuan, hingpit na’ng ipatuman

ni Christopher E. Simugan

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 11 – Hingpit na’ng ipatuman sa buhatan sa Land Transportation and Traffic Management Office (LTTMO) ang ordinansang gipakanaog sa Sanguniang Panglungsod niadtong Mayo 3, 2008.

Unod sa maong S.P. Resolution No. 3427-2008 ang pag-imposar sa usa ka re-routing scheme alang ngadto sa mga pampublikong sakyanang nagabiyahe gikan sa kasadpang bahin sa atong dapit (West Line: Nasipit, Buenavista, Carmen og uban pa).

Kahinumduman nga inisyal na kining napatuman niadtong nakalabay’ng pipila ka bulan ug sa umaabot Mayo 20, 2011, hugtanon na kining ipatuman sa mga personahe sa LTTMO.

Ang mga pampublikong sakyanan nga makalapas niini pagamultahan og nagkantidad P 3,000 pesos alang sa unang kalapasan ug P 5,000 pesos sa ikaduhang higayon o pagkapreso sulod sa 30 diyas (30 days) pinasikad usab kini sa nakalatid sa nasangpit nga ordinansa.

Gidugang usab nga si kinsa mang opisyal o kawani sa gobyerno nga mopakyas sa pagpatuman niini nga probisyon pagamultahan sa P 5,000 ka pesos isip administrative fines.

Sigon ni Mr. Alfredo Radaza, hepe sa maong buhatan nga nagapadayon na ang ilang dayalogo ngadto sa nagkalain-laing Transport Groups nga maapektuhan kabahin niini. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Pagpadayon sa proyektong “Plant a Million Tree” suportado sa kabarangayan

ni Amandalyn R. Gutierrez

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 11 – Prayoridad karon sa lokal nga panggamhanan ni’ng dakbayan ang pagpananom ug kahoy sa mga nagkadaiyang barangay ning syudad, pinasubay sa “Plant a million tree project” ni Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr.

Mukabat sa 150 ka mga binhi sa kahoy nga narra ug 1,500 binhi sa fruit trees ang gipang apud-apud ngadto sa barangay Tungao ug Barangay Tiniwisan alang sa maong proyekto.

Inubanan sa mga barangay ug Purok Officials, CENRO Staff ug uban pang sektor sa katilingban, daku ang pasalamat sa mga katawhan sa maong mga barangay sa suportang gidalit ni Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. aron maminusan ang kadaot nga nahimo sa nagka-grabeng climate change.

Matud pa, ang maong pinasahing programa ni Mayor Amante nakakuha og positibo nga feedbacks sa mga katawhan dili lamang sa siyudad sa Butuan kung dili lakip na ang mga katawhan sa tibuok Caraga Region. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Siyudad sa Butuan, padayon ang suporta sa Senior Citizens

ni Ritchelle F. Encabo

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 11 – Ang lokal nga panggamhanan ni’ng dakbayan ubos sa pagpangulo ni Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. mapadayunon ang pagsuporta sa mga Senior Citizens ug kamatuoran niini, mobisita ang mga personahe sa Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) sa Brgy. Ampayon karong umaabot nga Biyernes, Mayo 13, 2011.

Sa maong pagbisita, magpahigayon ang maong buhatan og usa ka Health Lecture kabahin sa nagkadaiyang sakit nga sagad pagabati-on sa atong mga katigulangan, libreng medical ug dental Services, exercise demonstration alang sa mga Senior Citizen aron magpabiling himsog ang kalawasan, ug orientation kabahin R.A. 9994 o ang Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Kaabag sa maong programa ang mga buhatan sa City Health, City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) ug ang LGU-Butuan City. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: GADCC-Caraga gibutyag ang mga aktibidades alang sa 2nd quarter ni’ng tuiga

ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 11 (PIA) - Human sa malampuson nga pagselebrar sa buwan sa mga kababayen-an niadtong Marso 2011, ang Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) Caraga nga gipanguluhan ni Atty. Marylin Pintor kauban ang mga miyembrong-ahensiya niini bag-ohay palang nga nagkatipok alayon sa GADCC Full Committee 2nd Quarter Meeting.

Sigun ni GADCC chairperson Atty. Marylin Pintor, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga Regional Director, ang usa sa mga gi-propose nga aktibidades para sa ikaduhang quarter niining tuiga mao ang pagpahigayon sa Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Bill Forum karong umaabot Hunyo 1-2, 2011.

“Pinaagi niining duha ka adlaw nga pagpanagtigum alayon sa Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Bill Forum karong umaabot Hunyo 1-2, 2011, makahatag kini ug higayon sa mga partisipante nga masabtan pag-ayo kining RH Bill nga ipresentar ni Sen. Liza Hontiveros,” si Pintor nagkanayon.

Nasayran usab nga adunay kapin 200 nga mga partisipante niining paghisgut-hisgot sa RH Bill gikan sa nagkalain-laing buhatan dri sa Caraga.

Samtang gibutyag usab ni GADCC Secretary Mr. Paris Gaballo, GAD focal person sa National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga nga ang GADCC mupahigayon usab niining nagkadaiyang aktibidades sama sa Training on Men Oppose to Violence Everywhere (MOVE) Gender Peace/ Violence against Women and Children (VAWC); Gender Differences Seminar; Final reading of Butuan GAD Code, ug uban pa. (PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Presentasyon sa artistic performance ug casual wear competition sa Mutya Hong Butuan 2011 gipahigayon

ni Jovelyn Cataluña Mejorada

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 11 – Mapasigarbuhong mipasundayag ang siyam ka mga kandidata sa Mutya Hong Butuan 2011 suot ang national costume sa South East Asia sama sa Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand ug ubang lugar sa Pilipinas sama sa Mindanao, Vizayas, Luzon ug ingon man ang traditional costume sa dakbayan sa Butuan ang gibansagang Home of the Balangays ug samtang gipakita ang tagsa-tagsa niini nga mga talento niadtong Mayo 8, 2011 sa Inland Resort Convention Center.

Nahibalo-ang nilutaw usab ang talagsaong kaanyag sa mga nasangpit nga kandidata sa dihang suot na ang casual attire ug mapasigarbohong nagpaila ngadto sa publiko.

Ang maong aktibidad gitambungan ni Vice Mayor Lawrence H. Fortun ni’ng dakbayan, Therese Fortun, Ivy O. Amante, Atty. Rema E. Burdeos ug tanang mga miyembro sa Executive Committee sa City Tourism Council ug uban pang mga bisita.

Masadya ang maong gipahigayon nga indigay sa kaanyag sa dihang isa-isa nang mipaso ang mga kandidata diin tataw nga nakita ug nabati sa mga dalaga ang suporta sa tagsa-tagsa niini nga mga pamilya ug mga kahigalaan.

Ang mamahimong mananaog sa maong artistic performance ug casual wear competition, i-proklamar dungan sa pagahimuong Coronation Night karong Mayo 17, 2011 didto sa Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gym. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Trainor’s training sa Day Care workers gipahigayon

ni Ritchelle F. Encabo

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 11 - Gipahigayon ang usa ka Trainor’s Training sa Day Care workers sa pagpanguna sa buhatan sa City Social Welfare and Development sa tanang kabarangayan sakop ni’ng dakbayan sa Butuan dili pa lang dugay.

Subay niini, adunay ipahigayon nga Enhancement Training tumong nga mas mapalambo ang kahibalo sa mga magtutudlo aron sa pag-umol sa mga kabataang magtutungha sa kindergarten school pinaagi sa pagbansay sa mga bag-ong pamaagi sa pagmatoto, paspas nga pagpasabot sa mga leksyon ug mga pagtulun-an, nga maoy mahimong lig-on nga pundasyon sa mga gagmay’ng kabataan isip nagatungha sa unang hugna sa ilang pagtuon.

Dugang pa, nahibalo-ang sa umaabot Hunyo ning kasamtangang tuig maglusad usab ang maong buhatan ug orientation sa Day Care Parents Group nga maoy magsilbing kaabag sa mga magtutudlo sa hapsay nga pagpatuman sa maong programa ngadto sa ilang mga kabataan.

Ang maong kalihukan usa sa mga special program sa atong lokal nga panggamhanan aron mapataas ang kalidad sa edukasyon sa mga magtutungha. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Leadership training sa Barangay Bading gipahigayon

ni Amandalyn R. Gutierrez

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 11 (PIA) – Gilaumang 50 ka mga partisipante ang mosalmot sa usa ka “Leadership Training” nga ipahigayon sa umaabot Mayo 13-14, 2011 didto sa barangay Bading, ni’ng dakbayan.

Ang maong pagbansay pagasalmotan sa mga kabataan edad 15-24 anyos, miyembro sa Pag-asa Youth Association of the Philippines (PYAP) pinaagi usab sa ilang Federation President Ms. Wendelou Enero.

Sa pakighinabi kang Jocelyn Loquete, Social Welfare Assistant sa buhatan sa CSWD, gi-asoy sa opisyal nga lakip nga paga tuki-on sa maong Leadership Training ang Population Awareness and Family Life Orientation ug Moral Recovery Program. Matud pa, gitumbok sa maong pagbansay ang mga kabataan isip maoy mga mahinungdanong elemento sa katilingban.

Atol sa maong pagbansay, ipailawom ang mga partisipante sa upat ka module/leksyon sama sa mosunod, Module 1: Population Development; Module II: Family Relation; Module III: Human Behavior and Social Environment, ug ang pinakaimportante ang Module IV “Life Planning & Decision Making.

Gidugang sa maong opisyal nga sukad natukod ang PYAP pipila na ka tuig ang nakalabay, daghan na sa mga kanhi miyembro niini diin nasangkapan sa maong mga modules, ang nagmalampuson sa ilang tinguha sa kinabuhi.

Sa kasamtangan, adunay 52 ka mga kabarangayan na ang na-organisa diin hugtanon kining ginamonitor sa mga personahe sa CSWD.

Sa umaabot Mayo 15-20 magpadala ang atong dakbayan ug tulo ka representante alang sa nasudnong panagtigum sa PYAP didto sa Catarman, Northern Samar.

Tumong sa maong proyekto nga mapalig-on pa ang mga kabataan sa ilang mga panglantaw ug mahimong hinagiban ang mga pagtulon-an nga ilang nakat-unan sa pagtubag sa nagkalaing-laing hagit sa ilang kinabuhi. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Trainings ug seminar gidumala sa city coop sa Butuan

ni Gerry G. Gabiana

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 11 – Gipasalig sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa syudad sa Butuan ang mga importante’ng pagkat-on ug padayon nga pagtuon pinaagi sa mga trainings ug seminar nga gidumala sa City Cooperative and Enterprises Development Office (CCEDO) uban sa ilang hepe nga si G. Reynaldo Piencenaves.

Gisugdan kini niadtong Abril 16, 2011 ug mulangtod hangtod sa Hunyo 4, 2011. Ang seminar ug trainings sama sa Vehicle Preventive Maintenance (nga kanhi gitawag automotive mechanics) ug ang Electrical Installation Maintenance gipahigayon ang pagbansay-bansay didto mismo sa Motor Pool ni’ng dakbayan. Samtang ang Computer Hardware Servicing gipahigayon usab sa Philippine Electronics and Communications Institute of Technology (PECIT), usa sa mga tulunghaan ni’ng dakbayan.

Tumong niini nga ang tagsa-tagsa ka mga kahanas (skills) ug kahibalo sa mga empleyado madugangan pinaagi sa libreng pagkat-on niining maong trainings ug seminar.

Mokabat sa 90 ka partisipante ang misalmot sa nagkadaiyang pagtuon, kunh diin gipahigayon kini matag Sabado og Domingo nga adlaw. Kining maong pagtuon adunay madawat nga TESDA accreditation, ug kini mao ang NC II, diin gilauman kini nga madawat sa mga partisipante kung mopasar sila sa ipahigayon nga eksaminasyon karong Hunyo 27, 2011. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)