PIA News Service - Monday, November 7, 2011

CFO to conduct info drive on migration

SURIGAO CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) will conduct a community education program on migration in Surigao del Norte province on Nov. 14-16, 2011.

On Nov. 15, a “Pulong-Pulong” by the CFO will be held at the Surigao City Auditorium

Expected to attend are Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Officials, local civil registrar’s officers, Marriage counselors, Police Officers, Public Employment Service Officers, Municipal hall employees, local government and non-government organization representatives, and potential migrants.

The activity forms part of the community education program on migration which seeks to assist prospective migrants in making decisions regarding settling abroad, as well as generate community involvement on migration concerns.

It also aims to raise public awareness about various issues concerning migration, inter-marriages and existing government policies and programs directed against illegal recruitment and trafficking. (BS/PIA-Caraga)

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2 trucks torched in Agusan del Sur

CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan city, Nov. 7 (PIA) -– Two log trucks loaded with lumber were burned Saturday evening allegedly by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in Barangay Libertad, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur province, a report reaching the Police Regional command and tactical operation center here stated.

The report from the Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office (PPO) said that about 80 heavily-armed men swooped down at Barangay Libertad and burned the two logging trucks loaded with sawn lumber reportedly owned by a certain “Dodoy” Ginon and Edgar Maglangit, both residents at Barangay Poblacion of Prosperidad town.

The Agusan del Sur PPO said the raiders were reportedly led by a certain “Aka Eman.”

“Based on Agusan del Sur PPO report, the owners failed to give the amount of money allegedly demanded by the NPA rebels in the area,” PRO 13 regional spokesman Supt. Martin M. Gamba said.

On Thursday, unidentified heavily armed men believed to be NPA members also burned one Saddam truck at Purok Mam-on, Barangay Tubo-Tubo, in Cagwait town, Surigao del Norte. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)

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Surigao del Sur board member shot dead

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) -- A provincial board member of Surigao del Sur was shot dead Sunday morning by two unidentified gunmen moments after coming out from a mass at St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church at Forest Drive Village in Barangay San Roque, Bislig City.

Bislig City is about 170 kilometers from Butuan City, Caraga region’s capital.

In a mobile phone interview, Chief Supt. Reynaldo S. Rafal, Caraga Police regional director, identified the victim as Rafael M. Viduya, 58, married and provincial board member from Surigao del Sur's second district.

Viduya was also a resident of Forest Drive Village, a former Paper Industries Corporation of the Philippines (PICOP) area in Barangay San Roque, Bislig City.

Rafal said Viduya’s assassins used .45 caliber pistols in the shooting.

Initial investigation conducted by Bislig City Police Office disclosed that as Viduya came out from the church after the Mass, the armed suspects approached him and shot him pointblank several times.

The gunmen immediately fled toward the southern part of Bislig City on board two motorcycles.

The victim was rushed to the Andres Soriano Memorial Cooperative Hospital in Barangay Cumawas, Bislig City but he was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending physicians.

According to Rafal, Viduya sustained five gunshot wounds in different parts of his body.

Recovered from the crime scene were seven fired cartridges from caliber .45 pistol.

Scene of the Crime Office (SOCO) operatives of Surigao del Sur Provincial Police Office are now assisting the personnel of the Bislig City Police Station in conducting thorough investigation, Rafal said. (BS/PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog News: Malacanang, tinanggap ang tulong ng MILF sa pagpuksa ng kriminalidad sa Mindanao

ni Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Nob. 7 (PIA) –- Malugod na tinanggap ng Malacanang ang pahayag ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) na makikipagtulungan sila sa gobyerno sa pagpuksa sa mga grupong kumi-kidnap at pati na ang mga rebeldeng hindi na sumusunod sa batas ng kanilang grupo.

Ayon kay Marvic Leonen, ang punong negosyador ng gobyerno, kinumpirmang muli ng MILF ang kanilang pangako sa pagtulong sa gobyerno sa pagsugpo sa mga MILF na hindi na sumunod sa mga umiiral na kasunduan at mga grupong kriminal.

Binanggit naman ni Edwin Lacierda, ang tagapagsalita ng Pangulo sa panayam sa dzRB radio ng Bayan kahapon na ang sinabi ni Leonen ay tinatanaw nila na isang positibong kalabasan.

Aniya, sa kabila ng mga pangyayari ang gobyerno at ang MILF ay pawang kumikilos para sa kapayapaan sa Mindanao at ikinatutuwa ng pamahalaan ang kooperasyon ng MILF.

Samantala, sinabi rin ni Lacierda na inaasahan ng gobyerno na tapat ang MILF sa kanilang pangako sa pagsugpo sa mga kriminal at ang sa mga kasamahan nila na hindi na sumusunod sa kanilang batas.

Inihayag din ni Lacierda na umaasa ang gobyerno sa mas masinsinang peace talks sa pagitan ng gobyerno at MILF sa Malaysia para sa kapayapaan ng Mindanao.

Tungkol naman sa madugong pangyayari sa Al Barka, Basilan, kung saan maraming sundalo ng gobyerno ang namatay, sinabi ni Leonen ang magkabilang panig ay nagkasundo sa pag-imbistiga sa pamamagitan ng kasalukuyang ceasefire na mekanismo.

Ang International Monitoring Team (IMT) at sa pakikipagtulungan ng Joint Coordinating Committee on Cessation of Hostilities (JCCCH) at ang Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) ay tutulong din sa pamamagitan ng pagsagawa ng kani-kanilang pagsisiyasat.

Maghihintay ang pamahalaan sa mga rekomendasyon ng mga nasabing organisasyon tungkol sa “ceasefire mechanism” sa kanilang gagawing imbistigasyon. (MRA, ulat mula PCOO/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano news: Militar og mga rebelde, nagka-engkwentro sa Surigao City

BUTUAN CITY, Nob. 7 (PIA) - Wala'y natalang patay sa panig sa gobyerno sa 5-minutos nga engkwentro bag-ohay pa lamang tali sa tropa sa Charlie Company, 36th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army ug sa gibana-banang lima ka armadong mga rebeldeng New People's Army.

Nasayran nga samtang naglusad og combat operations ang mga membro ni Lt. Depay pasado alas-tres sa hapon sa Sitio Brazil, Brgy. Mat-i, Surigao City, ilang nakasugat ang mga rebelde hinungdan sa engkwentro.

Wala pa masuta kung duna'y casualty sa panig sa mga rebelde. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano news: Outpost sa private security agency sa Agusan del Sur, gi-harass; 3 ka gwardiya angol

BUTUAN CITY, Nob. 7 (PIA) - Tulo ka gwardiya sa usa ka pribadong security agency sa Agusan del Sur ang angol human gipabuthan og M203 grenade launcher sa wala mailang mga tawo ang ilang outpost, pasado alas-6:00 niadtong imaging Lunes.

Ang outpost sa Earth Saver Security Agency nga naka-station sa tiilang bukid sa Purok 11, Brgy. Bayugan 3, lungsod sa Rosario, Agusan del Sur, gi-harass sa wala mailang armadong kalalakin-an hinungdan nga gidala gilayon sa DO Plaza Memorial Hospital sa Brgy. Patin-ay lungsod sa Prosperidad ang mga biktima.

Padayon pang gipanubayan sa kapulisan ang maong insidente aron maila ang mga suspek og masuta ang motibo sa harassment. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Sunday, November 6, 2011

Earthquake rattles Surigao del Sur

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) -– A magnitude 3.7 earthquake rattled residents Surigao del Sur, early Saturday evening.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD-Caraga Region 13) reported no injuries or damage but various disaster councils in Surigao del Sur are still monitoring the effects of the tremor.

According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake was recorded at 5:57 p.m. Saturday.

The epicenter of the tremor was traced at 30 kilometers northeast of Lianga town, in Surigao del Sur province, Phivolcs Butuan advisory said.

Phivolcs also said intensity 2 was also recorded in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte.

No after shocks and damages occurred as of press time, Phivolcs said.

Phivolcs added that the quake was tectonic in origin. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)

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Medical program for Agusanons continues

TRENTO, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- The medical program of the provincial government and the legislative constituency offices of the District 1 and District 2 has continuously benefited big number of Agusanons, especially those in far-flung village communities.

The residents received free medicines, medical consultations and other hospital needs.

In the recent culmination of the National Children’s Month Celebration, Agusan del Sur 2nd District Rep. Evelyn Plaza-Mellana led the distribution of free medicines to the children. Majority of the children came from Trento West Central Elementary School in Trento, Agusan del Sur.

“For the parents, with the tender age of your children, I suggest you let them enjoy playing and train them to be interested in sports because sports help develop the personality of a child,” Mellana said.

During the health and medical program early this week, the children were treated to games and contests.

Rep. Mellana asked pre-school teachers, if they received the play station set given by the UNICEF and to list down the most needed section of the play set so that she can complement them.

Since early this year, the two Agusan del Sur lady solons, Rep. Maria Valentina Plaza of District I, and Rep. Mellana, and Gov. Adolph Edward G. Plaza, had been conducting medical outreach and giving medical and educational assistance to their constituents in their respective districts, prioritizing the children in Agusan del Sur.

The officials are currently focusing their health and medical program in far-flung communities in this landlocked province in Northeastern Mindanao. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)

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P17.4M worth of peace, dev’t projects alloted for Caraga's conflict-affected communities

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- At least P17.4 million worth of various peace and development projects are set to be implemented in conflict-affected communities in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga Region in 2012.

It was learned on Friday that these government projects are under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or PAMANA program of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).

Initially, a total of 58 conflict-affected barangays will receive funding from the government for community-driven peace-building and development interventions.

The PAMANA program will be initially allocating some P300,000 for each of these barangays under Pillar 2 on peace and development efforts, said Regional Community Development Specialist Ester Villamor of KALAHI-CIDSS Caraga.

KALAHI-CIDSS stands for Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services.

Under Pillar 2, the implementation of PAMANA in these barangays will be tied up with the community-driven development processes of the KALAHI-CIDSS in which people are given control on how they would use the funds they will receive.

Community projects for PAMANA will be infrastructure, livelihood trainings, capability-building trainings and other peace-promoting activities such as dialogues and consultations among the volunteers.

Aside from the P300,000 grant for each barangay, another P2,000 will also be given to volunteers for the conduct of community trainings in preparation for the implementation of the projects in January of next year.

The municipalities that will be given grants for the implementation of their identified projects are Veruela and Esperanza in Agusan del Sur and Tagbina and San Miguel in Surigao del Sur. (MUC/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Saddam truck, gisunog sa mga rebelde sa Surigao del Norte

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- Padayon ang gihimong follow-up investigation sa kapulisan sa Cagwait, Surigao del Norte aron masikop ug mapanubag ang mga responsable sa pagsunog sa usa ka Saddam truck nga kargado sa pinutol nga mga kahoy.

Nasayran nga pasado alas-8:30 adtong Huwebes sa buntag, gipusil sa armadong kalalakin-ang gitu-uhang mga rebeldeng New People's Army ang fuel tank sa sakyanan og gisunog ang unahang mga ligid niini.

Sama sa mga pulis, blangko pa ang tag-iya sa truck nga si Antobio Cubil, residente sa Brgy. Mararag, lungsod sa Marihatag, Surigao del Sur sa rason nganong gisunog kini. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Brgy. official kinahanglang dili mahadlok sa pagtaho kung dunay nahibalaun nga nagbaligya ug druga

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 6 (PIA) -- Dili angayang mahadlok ang mga barangay officials sa paghatag og impormasyon ngadto sa buhatan sa Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency kon PDEA-Caraga kung dunay nahibaluan kalabot pagpayuhot ug druga diha sa barangay.

Kini ang giklaro ni PDEA Caraga acting regional director Joel Plaza.

Sigun ni Plaza, nga taho gilayon ngadto sa ahensya aron nga mahimuan gilayon og aksyon sa ingon masumpo usab ang paghitak sa druga diha sa barangay.

Gipanghinambog usab sa opisyal nga tungod sa koordinasyon ug suporta sa mga local officials, mas miubos karon ang rata sa pagpayuhot ug druga sa rehiyun ug mas mitaas ang ihap sa mga tawong nadakpan nga milambigit sa illegal nga druga. (BR/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Saturday, November 5, 2011

Caravan for Peace campaign to arrive in Manila

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA) -– Around ‎200 participants comprising of Muslims, Christians and Lumads from Mindanao are going to travel all the way to Manila by land and sea to campaign for peace.

The "Lakbayan para sa kapayapaan, a Caravan for Peace" kicked off Thursday in Cagayan de Oro City. The group also stopped over in Butuan City and was welcomed by local officials led by Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr, with a short program held at the city's Rizal Park.

Ms. Norkhaila Mae Mambuay-Campong, Caravan Coordinator bared that with approximately 1352 kilometers of land travel and two sea transfers, the caravan is going to pass by cities of Butuan, Surigao, Maasin, Tacloban, Calbayog, Allen, Matnog, Sorsogon, Legazpi, Naga, Lucena, San Pablo and Calamba.

“The caravan, with 35 vehicles, is expected to be in Manila by November 5, 2011. The Muslim participants will join thousands of Muslims in Manila who will pray at Quezon City Memorial Circle on November 6 in celebration of Eidl Adha while a Concert for Peace will also follow as part of the culminating program of the caravan,” said Campong.

Mayor Amante, meanwhile expressed his admiration to the efforts of the Muslim community, Christians and Lumads in Mindanao who are campaigning for a genuine 'All out Peace', instead of 'All out War' in the country. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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BAC warehouse to rise in Butuan City

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 5 (PIA) -- The near completion of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Multi-Purpose Warehouse (Phase 1) in the city is a considered a breakthrough as it will help in the conscientious utilization and storage of office supplies and materials for the City Government of Butuan.

The warehouse located at Motorpool Compound with an area of 180sq.meters and worth Php 1,994,606.14 will house all supplies and materials procured by the City through City General Services Office.

This facility was initiated by the City’s Bids and Awards Committed led by its Chair Leah A. Mendoza and funded by the city government through City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. The BAC recommended the establishment of the warehouse following a study tour in Marikina City where the BAC members were made aware of the city’s best practice in procurement and warehousing systems.

The funding for Phase 2 will be set next year 2012 with inclusion of computers, soft wares and training of manpower. It will be the first LGU facility here in Caraga Region to have an effective and efficient computer system that can be compared to private warehouses.

The technology of warehousing will be manned by competent IT specialists and to be trained supply officers and administrative officers.

The establishment of the BAC warehouse is seen to eliminate illegal vales, cash advances, undeclared balances of supplies and materials stocked at the different storage rooms of the New City Hall Building.

It will also mean big savings for the city government in the procurement of office supplies and materials. (LGU-Butuan City/PIA-Caraga)

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Robredo directs local execs to lead “all-out justice” campaign in Mindanao

MANILA, Nov. 5 (PIA) -- Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo has directed all local executives, particularly in the “conflict areas” in Mindanao, to lead and carry out the government’s “all-out justice” campaign by working for the arrest of lawless elements and wanted persons staying or hiding in their localities.

The DILG chief, who was with Social Welfare and Development Sec. Dinky Soliman and Presidential Peace Adviser Ging Deles, issued the directive Friday during separate visits in Basilan and Zamboanga Sibugay to deliver the president’s message and government assistance to evacuees in the strife-torn areas in said provinces.

During the meetings, Robredo said all elected local officials have sworn duties and are mandated under the law to lead the peace and order campaign, including going out after lawless elements and wanted persons, in their respective localities.

“In carrying out those tasks, the governors, mayors, barangay chairmen and their councils can seek out help from concerned national government agencies, like the AFP and the PNP, in maintaining peace and order and development of their areas,” he said.

“If local executives won’t do anything against lawless elements and fugitives present in their areas, there would be no peace and development thereat. If those problems persist in their locality, no amount of money and infrastructure projects would make them succeed,” he added.

Robredo, Deles and Soliman’s visit in Mindanao was part of the government’s response on the recent encounters between government troops and lawless elements from the Abu Sayyaf and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Al-Barka in Basilan and in three towns of Zamboanga Sibugay.

The separate encounters resulted in the killing of at least 20 government troops and at least 10 lawless elements from the MILF and the displacement and evacuation of more than 2,000 families in the affected areas.

During the separate meetings with Basilan and Zambonga Sibugay provincial peace and order council members, which was attended by top local military and police commanders, and other stakeholders, Robredo underscored the vital role of local chief executives in preventing the prevalence of killings, extortion, kidnapping and other illegal activities being perpetrated by lawless elements in their localities.

“If a concerned local chief executive does nothing against lawless elements or even harbors fugitives in their areas, they are liable under the law. We can file criminal and administrative cases against them such as harboring fugitives or dereliction of duty under the Local Government Code of 1991,” he said.

Robredo also explained the government’s policy of “all-out justice” instead of an “all-out war” being espoused by some quarters against rogue MILF elements and Abu Sayyaf members in the region, saying that a military solution, based on past experiences, is not the correct answer to the peace and order problem prevailing in some parts of Mindanao.

“It is the responsibility of the government to go after and work for the arrest of lawless elements and fugitives hiding or staying in MILF-controlled areas. And it does not mean we are up against the MILF. The peace negotiations with them should push through. I hope that the public, particularly the Muslim-dominated areas in Mindanao, would understand that line,” he explained.

The DILG chief urged local chief executives and their sanggunian members, the local PNP and AFP commanders, the NGOs and CVOs and other stakeholders in a particular “conflict area” to unite and work hand in hand for the attainment of peace and development in their locality. (DILG Public Affairs Office/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Friday, November 4, 2011

Committees finalize activities for MWOP 2011

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) –- The Caraga Conference for Peace and Development (CCPD), together with government agencies and private stakeholders in different committees, will finalize lined-up activities for this year’s Mindanao Week of Peace (MWOP) celebration on November 24-30.

Anchored on the theme “Common Word between Us and You: Love of God, Love of Neighbor," Butuan Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos emphasized that this year’s celebration is aimed to unite Filipino people of different walks of life in one aim, and that is – to continue to live in a peaceful life and with love for others.

Working committees have agreed to have the kick-off program in Surigao City on November 24.

Committees have also planned to conduct a Tree Planting and Cleaning for Peace which will be conducted along Buenavista, Agusan del Norte area while on November 26, stakeholders will be participating on the ‘Takbo Para sa Kapayapaan.' (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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NSO-Caraga asks cooperation in the conduct of reg’l statistical survey

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) -– In line with the on-going conduct of the regional statistical survey in Caraga Region, National Statistics Office (NSO) - Caraga Regional Director Dr. Rosalinda Celeste asked the public for their cooperation.

In an interview with a local radio station here, Celeste said the cooperation of the public in answering queries of the enumerators during the conduct of the survey is important as this will result to the correctness of the statistical result.

“I am asking the households to entertain the NSO personnel whenever they will visit their homes by answering the questions honestly so that we can arrive with correct data in as far as determining the region’s population and other relevant information concerning the census,” Celeste said.

She added that the result of the survey will be beneficial in determining the population of the country at present.

The result will also be used by concerned government agencies in setting up measures to counter the growing poverty incidence in the country. (PIA-Caraga)

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CIDG-Caraga chief calls Butuanons’ support to solve crimes

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Caraga Regional Chief PSupt Richie Posadas has called on the support of Butuanons to solve crimes.

According to Posadas, people must support their office's prevention activities and measures because of the growing number of crime incidents happening in the city.

This, after series of shooting incidents and other crimes happening in the city where majority of these crimes have remained unsolved.

Posadas said one way of doing such is for the people to coordinate with local authorities whenever they find relevant information that will help resolving cases.

“Through the information provided, local authorities can find ways in order to solve cases,” he added.

The CIDG chief also said wearing of jewelries while walking in the streets is not practical since this would entice the criminals to perform criminal acts.

He added when going to places with big amount of cash in hand make sure that there is somebody who will accompany so that criminals will be intimidated to attack.

With these developments, Posadas hoped that with the coordination of the police force and other concerned government agencies and the people, crimes happened in the city will be solved. (PIA-Caraga)

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CFO to hold “Pulong-Pulong” in Surigao

by Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) is set to hold a “Pulong-pulong sa Surigao” on Nov. 15 at Surigao City Auditorium, 3:30 P.M.

The activity seeks to assist prospective migrants in making decisions regarding setting abroad,as well as generate community involvement on migration concerns.

It also aims to raise public awareness about various issues concerning migration, inter-marriages and existing government policies and program directed against illegal recruitment and trafficking.

Expected participants are the members of Sangguniang Kabataan, Baranggay officials, local civil registrar officers, marriage counselors, police officers, Public Employment Service Officers, Municipal employees, non-government organization representatives, and potential migrants.

The event is part of the CFO’s weeklong community education program on migration in the province of Surigao del Norte on November 14 to 16. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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iSchools Project finds long term partner in National Museum

by Angelo Kairos T. dela Cruz

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- The past and the future are not the complete opposite of each other, at least to some extent. Eternal truths live beyond the measures of time. Knowledge is a good example. No one needs to choose learning from the future or past alone. As a matter of fact, it is best to learn from what the future offers and what the past has already proven.

While the iSchools Project is the future of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in education, the National Museum of the Philippines reminds people of the importance of understanding lessons from the past.

iSchools aims to project itself as more than a mere computerization program.

The iSchools Project is an ICT to Education integration program that seeks to empower public high school students and teachers in taking full advantage of the benefits of the fast-paced ICT world.

Beyond the achievements and successes of the project, iSchools Project Management Office (PMO) still searches for partners in bridging the digital divide in the Philippine education system.

iSchools' Content Mapping Initiative seeks to map academic, accessible and credible content that would be distributed among public high schools. It required the project to search partners that would commit to this new endeavor.

The project found a lot of dedicated partners. The National Museum, through the efforts of Elenita Alba, Education Division head, vocalized institutional intent to take part by sharing their rich historical and cultural materials to the initiative.

Alba exemplified the transformation of an institution from meekness to the grandeur of being a pillar in the remodeling of future learning experience in public high schools.

Her continuous persistence in including National Museum as a transcending institution in all subject areas (Math, Science, Philippine Literature, etc.), made National Museum a defining factor in realizing the iSchool Content Mapping Initiative.

iSchools partnership with the National Museum among other institutions resulted in two successful SAPOT content review sessions, training of representatives from the National Museum and National Historical Commission of the Philippines in writing and multimedia utilization, National Museum's loaning of more than 600 titles of educational multimedia materials and an iSchools staff's educational tour of the National Museum.

The loaned multimedia educational materials are to be digitized by the iSchools Project and latter uploaded to a website for all to enjoy free of charge.

By December, iSchools partnership with institutions such as the National Museum is expected to yield a result that would completely remodel ICT in education through the launch of the iSchools Content Mapping Initiative. (PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog news: Agusan del Sur naglabas ng pondo para palakasin ang produksyon ng pangingisda

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nob. 4 (PIA) –- Nagpalabas ng halos kalahating milyong pundo ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Agusan del Sur at ito ay madagdagan pa sa loob ng taong ito para palakasin ang produksyon ng pangingisda sa buong lalawigan.

Ayon sa ulat ng Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) ang pondo ay inilaan ng dati para sa programang “Intensified and Sustainable Development pf Aquaculture (ISDA) at ito ay naggaling sa 20 prosyentong provincial development fund (PDF) na nagkahalaga ng P786,000 para sa taong ito.

“Ang tinutumbok naming ay makapagparami ng aabot sa 20 million na fingerlings para sa taong ito pero dahil sa hindi maganda ang panahon, nakapag-produce na lamang kami ng mga 613,000 fingerlings at ito ay aming ipinamahagi sa 308 na mga magsasaka na mayroon ding fishpond sa buong lalawigan. Nakapagpagawa rin kami ng walong fish cages na umani na rin ng mahigit kumulang mga 550 kilos bilang pasiunang produksyon. Ang mga fish cages na ito ay aming i-turn over sa LOGUFAMCO para ito ay maalagaang mabuti at magkaroon ng mas malaking produksyon,” sabi ni Armando Lagumbay, Hepe ng PAO.

Dagdag pa ni Lagumbay, nakapagpagawa rin ang PAO ng fishpond demo na nagkahalaga ng mahigit kumulang P300,000, gamit ang tinatawag na delayed feeding strategy sa mga bayan ng Esperanza at Sta. Josefa.

“Sa kasalukuyan, habang pinagpatuloy namin ang proyektong ito, ang aming tanggapan ay gumastos na ng humigit kumulang mga P287,400 na. Ang proyektong ito ay inaasahang makapagpababa ng gastosin para sa pagkain ng tilapia na hindi maapektohan ang kanilang paglaki,” sabi ni Lagumbay. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Tagalog news: Pilipinas, sinuportahan ang resolusyon ng UNESCO sa mas malawak na paggamit ng internet tungo sa kaunlaran

ni Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Nob. 4 (PIA) –- Nakiisa ang Pilipinas sa mga bansa na sumusuporta sa paggamit ng internet upang mapabuti ang kaunlaran sa pamamagitan ng edukasyon, kultura, komunikasyon at impormasyon.

Ang Communication and Information Commission ng United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) ay nagpasa ng resolusyon kung saan ay tumawag sa 193 miyembrong estado sa organisasyon upang ipamalas ang potensyal ng internet sa maari nitong maidulot na oportunidad sa kaunlaran sa edukasyon, agham, kultura, komunikasyon at impormasyon.

Ang resolusyon ay nagsilbing paalala sa patakarang pinagtibay ng UNESCO noong taong 2003 sa pagsulong ng “multilingualism” at ang pagkaroon ng pagkakataong maka-access sa cyberspace. Ang resolusyon ay nagsisilbi ring paalala sa pagsusulong sa kalayaan sa pagpapahayag, pag-obserba sa etikal na mga prinsipyo at ang pagrespeto sa pagsasarilinan.

Ayon kay Herminio “Sonny” Coloma,kalihim ng Presidential Communications Operations Office, ay malugod na tinanggap ng Pilipinas ang nasabing ulat at ang imbitasyon ng UNESCO sa mga miyembro nito sa pag-wari at pagsuri sa tungkulin at maidudulot ng internet sa pagpapabuti ng kaunlaran sa edukasyon, kultura, komunikasyon at impormasyon.

Si Coloma ang Chairman sa Committee on Information and Communication ng Philippine UNESCO National Commission. Sumali siya sa naganap na “36th Session of the UNESCO General Conference” noong Nobyermbre 1-3.

Sinabi ni Coloma na ang lahat ng kalahok sa nasabing pagpupulong ay bahagi sa misyon sa pagsulong sa paggamit ng internet sa pagpapayaman ng kaalaman.

Ang internet ay maaring magagamit sa pagsulong ng “transparency”, “accountability” at maayos na pamamalakad ng gobyerno o institusyon, dagdag pa ni Coloma.

Sa Pilipinas, ang administrasyong Aquino ay aktibong sumusulong sa paggamit ng bagong pamamahayag at social media networks sa pagbibigay ng “real-time” na balita at impormasyon kagaya ng sa ulat panahon at daloy ng trapiko.

Binanggit ni Coloma na ang mga pangunahing sektor ng Pilipinas, lalong-lalo na ang mga kababaihan, mga kabataan, mga batang propesyonal at mga sundalo ay aktibong gumaganap sa online na pagpupulong na maaring makabuo ng pagkakaisa tungkol sa mga usaping pambayan. (MRA, ulat mula PCOO/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Pangulong Aquino mutambong sa 23rd APEC Leaders’ Meeting didto Honolulu karong Nov. 12-13

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Nob. 4 (PIA) –- Si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III moapil sa 20 ka mga lideres sa laing nasod nga miyembro sa Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) sa iyang paglarga paingon ngadto sa Honolulu karong semanaha aron motambong sa ika-23rd APEC Leaders’ Meeting.

Ang Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) mopahigayon karong adlawa Biyernes, Nobyembre 4 og usa ka briefing mahitungod sa pagtambong ni Pangulong Aquino didto sa Honolulu aron moduso nga palap-dan ang mga inisyatibo atol sa iyang pakigtagbo sa mga lideres sa Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Hong kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, ang US, ug ang miyembro sa ASEAN ng mga nasod sama sa Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand ug Vietnam.

Ang APEC maoy unang porum alang sa Asia-Pacific economies aron pagkooperar sa regional trade ug investment nga mga isyu.

Kini nga tinuig nga panagtigum sa mga Lideres ug Ministro gitambongan sa mga pangulo sa nasod, cabinet ministers, business leaders ug mga pangulo sa World Bank ug World Trade Organization, lain pang uban.

Ang panagtigum sa Hawaii, gikatakda karong Nobyembre 12-20, 2011 didto sa Hawaii Convention Center, ug kini gikatakda usab nga motigum sa mokabat 10,000 katawhan sa Honolulu.

Ang tinuig nga APEC Leaders’ Meeting pagadumalahon matag tuig sa lain-laing miyembro; ang 2011 maoy turno sa Estados Unidos sukad sa unang panagtigum didto sa Blake Island, Washington niadtong 1993.

Ang APEC ra ang inter governmental grouping sa kalibutan nga naglihok base sa non-binding commitments, open dialogue ug patas nga respeto alang sa suhestiyon sa tanang mga partisipante. Dili sama sa WTO og uban pang multilateral trade bodies, ang APEC walay kinahanglan nga tratadong obligasyon sa ilang mga partisipante. Ang mga desisyon nga mahimo sulod sa APEC pagabuhaton sa hiniusa ug ang mga panaad pagahimoon nga boluntaryo.

Ang APEC adunay 21 ka mga miyembro – nga gitawag og “Member Economies” nga naglangkob sa mokabat 2.6 billion ka mga katawhan sa kalibutan, gibana-bana nga 60% sa world GDP (US, 254 billion) ug mokabat 47% sa world trade. Kini usab mapasigarbohon nga nagrepresentar sa most economically dynamic region sa kalibutan nga nakakuha sa hapit 70% sa global economic growth sulod sa 10 ka tuig niini. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Thursday, November 3, 2011

GSIS partners with LandBank to respond to the needs of pensioners

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), in its goal to be more responsive to the needs of the pensioners, has partnered with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) as its alternate servicing bank for payment of pensions and loan proceeds.

In a press statement, GSIS-Caraga Regional Manager Mamole Pangandaman said that GSIS has arranged with LandBank to provide members with an ATM savings account where their monthly pension can be credited.

“The GSIS is expanding its partnership with LandBank to give not only our pensioners, but also our 1.4 million members the option to avail of LandBank’s banking services,” Pangandaman stressed.

Thus, members who will choose to avail themselves of LandBank’s services will be issued a Unified Multi-Purpose ID (UMID) eCard where loan proceeds and other benefits such as cash dividends will be credited.

Members who want to avail of the option to be served by LandBank may proceed to the nearest LandBank branch near them and claim their ATM card not later than November 30 and should bring the following: GSIS eCard and one (1) government-issued ID (such as: Postal ID, Senior Citizen’s ID, Passport, Voter’s ID, etc).

Pangandaman also emphasized that having a LandBank UMID eCard entitles one to the following benefits: 1) No maintaining balance required for savings account; 2) No service fee on withdrawal and balance inquiry from any of LandBank’s more than 900 ATMs nationwide; 3) As a debit card in more than 20,000 accredited merchants nationwide; 4) As a discount card for selected Pfizer medicines and when enrolling children/relatives in any STI campus nationwide; and 5) Can withdraw from any Expressnet, Bancnet or Megalink ATM network.

Also, members who wish to transfer their account to LandBank, may register through any of the following means: EMAIL to eservices@gsis.gov.ph their 1) Name, 2) Date of Birth, 3) UMID Common Reference Number (CRN) and 4) Preferred LANDBANK branch; or Log in to GSIS eCard online transactions facility at www.gsis.gov.ph using their 11-digit GSIS ID Number.

Once logged in, click on the icon [Choose LANDBANK as your Servicing Bank] and indicate their preferred Land Bank Branch via a drop-down list menu; or they may visit any GSIS Field Office near them to signify their intent to transfer their bank account.

However, if a member decides to continue receiving his/her pension through UnionBank, it will still be credited in their GSIS eCard account with the bank.

Regardless of their choice of servicing bank, the GSIS eCard remains as their GSIS identification and transaction card for availment of their pension loan through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System (GW@PS) kiosk, and may continue to be entitled to the discounts extended to GSIS eCardholders for Pfizer medicines and tuition fees with any STI campus nationwide.

With this, Pangandaman assures its pensioners and members that GSIS will continue to serve them and satisfy their loan needs. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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Liga ng mga Barangay in Butuan propose checkpoints

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) –- Liga ng mga Punong Barangay president Nestor Amora of Brgy. Banza has proposed for the implementation of checkpoints in every barangay of the city.

The proposal was made after it was observed that crime incidents in the city have increased as the Yuletide Season is fast approaching.

Amora said if all the 86 barangays of the city will cooperate, faster resolution of crimes that have been happening lately will be achieved.

The barangay captains’ association prexy of the city said force multipliers of each barangay will be used to man the checkpoints to ensure that they can really monitor the people who will be coming in and out of the area.

These Civilian Volunteer Officers (CVOs) and barangay tanods should coordinate with the local police force of the city.

“Aside from this, the checkpoint will also help to refrain the lawless elements from coming in the city,” Amora added.

With this, Amora said he will include this plan as soon as possible so that budget will be allocated for this purpose.

It can be recalled that series of shooting and robbery incidents happened these past days which caused alarm to Butuanons safety and security. The latest of which is the shooting incident happened in a downtown area here where the victim was reportedly shot in front of his family while walking.

However, the law enforcers as well as the government troops vow to double their efforts to counter the problem. (PIA-Caraga)

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Esperanza tribal leaders to receive CADT soon

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, November 3 (PIA) -- Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza told tribal leaders in Barangay Tagbalili that their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title will be given to them soon, since the process is nearing its completion.

Plaza said this during the cross country tour “Malungon Mountain Trail” with members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and other local officials

“The objective of this mountain trail is to bring along the message of peace all over the province of Agusan del Sur and to let our lumad (natives) brothers and sisters know that their long awaited CADT will soon be in their hands. I want you to know that the provincial government had set aside P5 Million for the processing of the CADT all over the province for speedy and efficient processing,” Plaza said.

In Tagbalili alone, the identified CADT of the Higaonon tribe reached to 104,000 hectares of land, and this area is the last of the nine clusters for the social preparation done by the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Agusan del Sur provincial office.

“Our dream is for us to be given the authority to manage our ancestral lands, where we get mostly our way of living. Because of what the governor said, words can not express how we feel, because this is a great help for us and the future of the Higaonon tribe,” Tagbalili Barangay Captain Erick Dumaguing said.

NCIP representative Adelaida Buyog said after this last cluster of social preparation activity they are conducting, documents will already be forwarded to Central Office for evaluation and the release of the CADT will follow.

During the visit of the German Bundestag (Parliament) in Esparanza last August, Plaza presented to them the LGUs efforts in processing the CADT so that the lumads will have security of tenure over their ancestral land. The provincial government have also conducted series of consultations and referrals to both the lumads and the national government in order to speed up the issuance of the CADT to the lumads in the entire Agusan del Sur. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Municipality in Agusan del Norte to enforce newborn screening

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) ­–- The municipality of Carmen in Agusan del Norte is now enforcing the conduct of screening to all newly-born babies in the area.

As per Municipal Order No. 13 authored by Sangguniang Bayan member Raul Aparicio, the conduct of new born screening is mandatory to protect the babies from metabolic disorders.

Municipal officials said this is one way of helping the parents to determine at the early stage if their newly-born babies are free from these diseases or not.

Meanwhile, according to the Department of Health (DOH), most babies with metabolic disorders look normal at birth. One will never know that the baby has the disorder until the onset of signs and symptoms and more often ill effects are already irreversible.

The DOH also advised that newborn screening is ideally done on the 48th hour or at least 24 hours from birth. Some disorders are not detected if the test is done earlier than 24 hours. The baby must be screened again after 2 weeks for more accurate results.

Some of the disorders included in the newborn screening package are Congenital Hypothyroidism, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Galactosemia , Phenylketonuria, and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.

Babies with positive results should be referred at once to the nearest hospital or specialist for confirmatory testing and further management.

Should there be no specialist in the area, the NBS secretariat office will assist its attending physician, the DOH said. (PIA-Caraga)

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Cooperatives in the Phils to converge for the Cooperative Peace Forum

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) –- Some 5,000 cooperative leaders from all over the country with stakeholders representing the local government units, non-government organizations, Lumads, Muslims, academe, and the civic organizations will converge on November 11, 2011 to bring to all and sundry the Cooperative Declaration of Peace at the Atrium, Lim Ket Kai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

According to Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Caraga Regional Director Manuela Pelaez, through this forum, the cooperatives are taking part in advancing the crusade to exemplify that cooperativism can be up to the task of becoming not only an instrument of social justice, empowerment and development but also a vehicle for peace-building to address the root causes of war, poverty and social injustices.

“Dubbed as the 11-11-11, cooperatives nationwide will converge to collectively advance what they believe is their inherent right to live in peace founded on social justice, equity and sustainable development,” Pelaez said.

It is in this light that more than 20,000 active cooperatives over the country with some seven million members are standing up to the call to advance their agenda of peace.

It was also learned that during the forum, the following topics will be discussed: 1) Peace through Sustainable Agriculture; 2) Peace through Protection, Rehabilitation, Conservation and Preferential Use Rights of Natural Pesources; 3) Peace through Rights-based Management of Utilities; 4) Peace through Good Governance and people Empowerment; 5) Peace through Human Resource Development; 6) Peace through Conflict Transformation, Management and Resolution; 7) Peace through Promotion of Halal Food; 8) Peace through International Cooperation and Integration of Foreign Peace-making Initiatives; and 9) Peace through Recognition and Acceptance of Cultural Diversity and Integrity.

Meanwhile, Pelaez also bared that a registration fee of Php200 will be charged per participant to cover the cost of metals to include two snacks and lunch, kit and handout materials.

With this, Pelaez calls on all the cooperative members in Caraga to participate and support its agenda of peace for sustainable development. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog news: Pamahalaang Aquino pursigidong makipagsundo sa mga rebelde alang-alang sa kapayapaan

ni Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Nob. 3 (PIA) –- Ayon sa Malacañang, pursigido ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Benigno Aquino III na ipasagawa ang ganap na kasunduang pang kapayapaan sa pagitan ng Rebolusyonaryong Partido ng Manggagawa Pilipinas-Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB) at maglalabas ng pondo para sa nasabing rebeldeng grupo.

Binanggit kahapon ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson na si Abigail Valte na ang administrasyong Aquino ay desididong ipagpatupad ang limang pakikipagsundong talahalayan na nagtataguyod ng makatarungan at matagalang kapayapaan.

Sinabi rin ni Valte na ang gobyerno ay maglalabas ng pundo sa mga lokal na pamahalaan bilang tulong para sa pag-unlad ng komunidad at tulong pangkabuhayan.

Nasa kasunduan na nilagdaan ni dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada noong taong 2000 na ang pamahalaan ay magbibigay ng pundo para sa reintegrasyon at proyektong pang-unlad ng grupong rebelde.

Kasama dito ang proyektong pangkabuhayan, pabahay na tulong, edukasyon at pagsasanay, pangangalaga sa kalusugan, agrikultura at kagamitan sa irigasyon, lansangan, microfinance at iba pa.

Idinagdag pa ni Valte na ipinahayag ng mga military ang kanilang suporta sa mga “peace process” sa pagitan ng RPMP-RPA-ABB at pagkilala sa dulot nito sa seguridad sa lugar.

Plano ng administrasyong Aquino na bigyan ng P31 milyon ang RPMP-RPA-ABB na kukunin mula sa Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan o Pamana, na may P329 milyong pundo na pinangangasiwaan naman ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process o OPPAP.

Ang RPMP-RPA-ABB ay isang organisasyong kumalas sa “mainstream” na grupo ni Jose Maria Sison. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)

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Tagalog news: Aktibidades ng DepEd sa selebrasyon ng Nat'l Reading Month, suportado ng Malacañang

ni Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Nob. 3 (PIA) –- Suportado ng Malacañang ang Department of Education (DepEd) sa kanilang mga gawain sa selebrasyon ng National Reading Month ngayong Nobyembre na naglalayong humimok sa mga kabataan na maging kagawian ang pagbabasa.

Ayon kay Abigail Valte, ang Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, ang buwan ng Nobyembre ay idiniklara ng DepEd bilang National Reading Month kung saan nagtakda na ang nasabing kagawaran ng mga gawain at inutusan naman ang mga paaralan at mga learning center na sumali.

Ani ni Valte, susuportahan ng pamahalaan ang kampanya ng DepEd sa paghimok sa mga kabataan na sumali sa mga aktibidades sa pagbabasa gaya ng read-a-thons, storytelling, shared readings, at reading camps.

Nakapag bigay ang DepEd ng deklarasyon noong Oktubre 25 sa bisa ng Memorandum No. 244 na nagsasaad na bawat taon, sa buwan ng Nobyembre ay ipagdiriwang ang National Reading Month at ang Nobyembre 25, 2011 bilang Nationwide Araw ng Pagbasa.

Ang mga nasabing kaganapan ay naayon sa 10-point Basic Education Agenda ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III at ang pag-institusyonalisasyon sa programang “Every Child a Reader” ng DepEd.

Ang pagdiriwang ng National Reading Month ay magkasang-ayon sa selebrasyon ng National Book Development Month (Proclamation 1436 series of 2007) at sa ika-4 na linggo ng Nobyembre ay ang National Book Week (Proclamation 109 series of 1936), dagdag pa ni Valte. (MRA, ulat mula PCOO/PIA-Caraga)

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Cebuano News: Pilipinas hugot ang pagsuporta sa UNESCO sa baroganan niini sa press freedom

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Nobyembre 3 (PIA) –- Ang Pilipinas misuporta sa United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) sa baroganan niini mahitungod sa press freedom ingon nga kini miangay usab sa panaad ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa katawhang Filipino.

Sa iyang mensahe atol sa opening ceremonies sa CI (Communication and Information) Commission meeting gihimo atol usab sa 36th UNESCO Conference didto sa Paris, France niadtong Lunes, Oktubre 31, 2011, si Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. miingon ang gobyernong Pilipinas misaad sa pagprotektar sa katawhan labi na gyod ang mga piryudista, sa pagpraktis sa ilang propesyon.

“…the Philippines wishes to express its strong support for the CI sector’s vigorous promotion of freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and freedom of information as these freedoms are hallmarks of our government’s Social Contract with the Filipino people under the leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III,” si Coloma miingon.

“We wish to particularly underline our support for IPDC’s (International Programme for the Development of Communication – a multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the international community to discuss and promote media development in developing countries) function as an oversight body on the safety of journalists. Our government is fully committed to the creation of an environment that will ensure the safety and protection of journalists in the practice of their profession,” sa iyang pagdugang.

Siya miingon ang gobyerno milihok paingon pagbalaod sa Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act nga nagtinguha sa pagpalig-on sa proteksyon niining pundamental nga katungod.

Si Coloma miingon ang gobyerno mipahaom sa communication for development (C4D) framework sa UNESCO nga naglaom pag “create a community of citizens and strategic guide of the different communication and information agencies of government towards an authentic two-way dialogue between the people and the state.”

Si Secretary Coloma usab misubli pagkumpirma sa pasalig sa nasod pagpasiugda sa lima ka dagkong programa sa Organization’s Information for All Programme (IFAP), labi na gyod ang programa sa Media ug Information Literacy.

Ang Kinatibuk-ang tumong sa IFAP mao ang pagtabang sa mga Miyembrong Estado sa UNESCO pagpalambo ug pag-implementar og national information policies ug knowledge strategies sa kalibutan nga nagkadaghan sa paggamit og information and communication technologies (ICT).

Aron makab-ot kini nga mga tumong, ang maong Programa nagkonsentrar sa lima ka prayoridad nga mga erya: 1) Information for Development nga mag pokus sa balor sa impormasyon ug pagtubag sa kalamboan nga mga isyu; 2) Information Literacy nga maoy mopagahom sa katawhan sa pagpangita, pagsukod, paggamit ug paghimog impormasyon nga epektibo aron makab-ot nila ang ilang personal, sosyal, serbisyo ug matulun-anon nga tumong; 3) Information Preservation nga maoy kanunay’ng pagahimoon aron pagpalig-on sa mga pundamental nga mga prinsipyo sa maong programa; 4) Information Ethics nga naglangkob sa ethical, legal ug societal nga aspeto sa aplikasyon sa ICT ug pagkuha gikan sa Universal Declaration of Human Rights; ug 5) Information Accessibilty nga maoy modirekta sa daghang mga isyu nanaglibot sa availability, accessibility ug affordability of information, lakip usab ang espesyal nga mga panginahanglan sa mga katawhang adunay disabilities.

Si Coloma miingon ang gobyerno nakigtambayayong sa Philippine Social Science Council ug Commission on Information and Communications Technology aron pag-ugmad og electronic science hub nga maoy magsilbing open access repository sa Philippine social science publications and materials.

“This project seeks to attain the full potentials of digital technologies in building the research capability of academic institutions, so that these may contribute more significantly to knowledge creation,” matud pa ni Coloma. (PIA- Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Supplemental Feeding Program ug MOA signing gipahigayon uban ni Gov. Sol Matugas

SURIGAO CITY, Nobyembre 3 (PIA) –- Malampuson nga gipahigayon ang Supplemental Feeding Program Orientation ug MOA signing niadtong miaging semana didto sa Gateway Hotel, Surigao City.

Ang maong kalihukan gipangulohan ni Governor Sol Matugas, Vice Governor Carlos Egay Jr., BM Myrna Romarate, Mamerto Galanida ug kini gitabogan sa mga mayore sa lungsod sa Gigaquit, Claver, Placer, Taganaan, Mainit, Alegria, Malimono, San Isidro, Sta. Monica, Burgos ug San Benito uban usab ang mga municipal action officers, municipal social welfare officers, mga federated president of day care workers, representante sa DSWD Caraga region ug ang pipila ka mga empleyado sa Provincial Social Services Office nga gipangulohan ni Antonio Tiu.

Ang Supplemental Feeding Program (SPF) usa ka programa sa DSWD pinaagi sa probinsya ngadto na sa mga LGU diin adunay pagahimoon nga pagpakaon sa mga kabataan sa day care center matag buntag og hapon sulod sa 120 ka adlaw gikan sa Adlawng Lunes hangtod Biyernes.

Ang maong programa gituyo aron malingkawas ang mga kabataan sa malnutrisyon ug aron mahatagan og pagtagad ang ilang maayong panglawas pinaagi na sakto nga nutrisyon ug balanse nga pagkaon.

Sa pamahayag ni Governor Sol Matugas, iya gayod hatagan ug prayoridad ang maayong panglawas sa mga kabataan aron sila makatungha sa sakto ug walay sakit kay sila importante sa katilingban isip sumusunod nga ugma sa atong lalawigan. (Surigao del Norte Provincial Information Center/ PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Serivce - Wednesday, November 2, 2011

All Saints’ Day commemoration in Caraga region generally peaceful – PNP

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 2 (PIA) -- The commemoration of All Saints’ Day in Caraga Region is generally peaceful, said Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga Regional Director PCSupt Reynaldo Rafal.

In an interview with a local radio station here, the region’s PNP chief said no major incidents have been reported in time with the nationwide commemoration on Tuesday.

Rafal said this can be attributed to the joint efforts of government troops and agencies who have played important roles to ensure peace and security.

He added the people have also cooperated which contributed to the peaceful outcome of the commemoration of All Saints’ Day.

In Butuan City, the Land Transportation and Traffic Management Office (LTTMO) implemented a traffic re-routing of all motor vehicles. Signages were also installed serving as guide to the motorists where to go.

“It’s good that LTTMO and other government agencies have worked hand-in-hand in implementing a peaceful commemoration of All Saints’ Day,” said Tatay Miguel in Cebuano dialect. He added the public are properly directed where to go and be reminded of what are the things to do inside the cemetery.

Today, Nov. 2, the whole nation is commemorating the All Souls’ Day. (PIA-Caraga)

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Free medicines distributed during Children’s month celebration

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nov. 2 (PIA) -- The culmination of the National Children’s month celebration with the special children of Trento West Central Elementary School in Trento, Agusan del Sur was highlighted with the distribution of medicines.

Congresswoman Evelyn Plaza-Mellana, who led the distribution, also shared advices to teachers and parents on preparing the children for their future.

“For the parents, with the tender age of your children, I suggest you let them enjoy playing and train them to be interested in sports because sports help develop the personality of a child,” Mellana said.

The children, on the other hand, were treated to games and contests. Attention-catchers were the special children that enjoyed playing and participating.

“I therefore call on the local government units that we invest for our children as one of our gifts for them, so that they will grow to be loving, concerned and responsible citizens in the future,” she said.

Aside from her message, Mellana also asked pre-school teachers, if they received the play station set given by the UNICEF and to list down the most needed section of the play set so that she can complement them.

Since the start of the year 2011, the two lady solons, Cong. Maria Valentina Plaza of District I, and Cong. Evelyn Plaza – Mellana of District II, have been conducting medical outreach and giving medical and educational assistance to their constituents in their respective districts, prioritizing the children in Agusan del Sur. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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DA promotes healthy diet

by Maria Rebecca C. Ayaton

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 2 (PIA) -- Kung naa kay malunggay, mura naka ug naay parmasya (if you have malunggay, it is like that you already have a pharmacy).

Antonio Moreno, an agriculturist at the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Division (RAFID) of the Department of Agriculture said this during the recently conducted 5th “ConsumerNET Meets the Public” Forum.

He said that the sad reality today is that while people consume less healthy foods like fruits and vegetabes, they are eating more unhealthy stuff like instant noodles and canned goods.

“We can get very very little nutrition from these kinds of foods. In fact, it is close to nothing. And if this will continue, it could lead to malnutrition," Moreno said. "As we all know, malnutrition will lead to poor mental health and a low-fiber diet may result into colon cancer.”

"However, if we look at our backyards, there are indigenous vegetables that are readily available, vegetables that are very nutritious and very affordable”, said Moreno.

He added that “in our country, we are blessed to have many indigenous vegetables that are highly nutritious most especially the horseradish tree (malunggay).”

Moreno reminded the participants during the forum that the DA in partnership with other government agencies, non-government organizations, state universities and colleges, faith-based groups and etc., created a program called “Gulayan sa Paaralan Project” to teach the youth in planting vegetables and as well as to encourage them to eat such kind of foods. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)

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GIZ to implement project in Surigao Norte

SURIGAO CITY, Nov. 2 (PIA) -- The GIZ, a German International Development Cooperation Fund, will implement a major program, focusing on poverty reduction and preservation of the environment in the province.

A joint undertaking of the German and Philippine governments, the Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management Program supports an integrated approach to poverty reduction and peace building in the province.

The program aims to ensure that governance of natural resources and assets is implemented in a peaceful and sustainable manner benefiting the community.

The target groups of the program are the disadvantaged poor population, people affected by land-based resource conflicts, indigenous people and women.

In Surigao del Norte, the program supports the endeavor of civil society and state actors to develop a conflict sensitive ecosystem approach from upland watershed to coastal areas.

Multi-stakeholder dialogues, participatory land use planning, strengthening of community –based “wardens” and empowerment of marginalized are the priority activities. (Arturo M. Cruje-PPDO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: Malacañang miingon determinado ang gobyerno pagsikop sa mga bandidong element didto sa Basilan

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Nob. 2 (PIA) -- Ang Malacañang misubli kagahapon Martes nga ang administrasyong Aquino mopadayon paggukod sa tanang mga dakponon ug bandidong elemento sa Mindanao, ug mipahimangno nga kadtong nagaprotektar kanila mamahimong manubag usab.

Atol sa phone patch interview niadtong Martes didto sa Malacañang, si Presidential Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte miingon nga ang gobyerno determinado sa pagpadayon pagsikop sa mga dakponong elemento apan dili ang Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) isip “usa ka entidad.”

“We have made it clear from the start na yung pagtugis sa mga lawless elements hindi po ito laban sa MILF as an entity but against the lawless elements,” si Valte miingon.

“So dalawang bagay po yan: either the MILF cooperates or stand aside and allow the law enforcers do their jobs,” ang Deputy Spokesperson miingon.

Si Valte usab namahayag nga ang MILF gidid-an sa pagprotektar og mga pugante, partikularmente kang Dan “Laksaw” Asnawi, ang ikaduhang pinakataas nga rebeldeng kumander sa Basilan province.

“It is strictly prohibited under the ceasefire agreement to provide safe havens for fugitives,” si Valte miingon. Si Asnawi gipangita tungod sa paglunggo sa ulo sa 14 ka mga sundalong Marine didto sa Basilan niadtong 2007.

“There is no other recourse but to defend himself (Asnawi) in court. Kung mayroon po silang depensa, then the proper venue to ventilate that would be the courts,” dugang ni Valte.

Si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III mimando sa pursuit operations batok sa bandidong elemento human sa engkwentro sa Basilan niadtong Oktubre 18 nga mipatay sa 19 ka mga sundalo sa gobyerno ug daghan usab nga mga nasamdan. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano News: School Building Projects sa probinsya gihisgutan

SURIGAO CITY, Nob. 2 (PIA) -- Ang mga mayores sa lungsod sa Malimono, San Isidro, Pilar, Alegria, Claver, Del Carmen, Bacuag, Sison, Placer ug San Benito nagkatigum niadtong Oktubre 25, 2011 didto sa Governor’s Office Conference Room, Capitol Compound, Surigao City.

Ang maong panagtigum gituyo aron pagtuki sa giplanohan nga proyektong school building nga mokabat sa P53 milyones gikan sa Department of Education (DepEd) pinaagi kang Secretary Armin Luistro tugod sa pagpaningkamot ni Governor Sol Matugas alang sa kaayohan sa probinsya.

Gipresenta ni Provincial Engineer Alwin Pono ang mga duties ug responsibilities sa Municipal Local Government Unit ugsa probinsya aron masabtan ang mga kondisyon niini.

Ang mga mayores isip benipisyaryo niinin maong proyekto kinahanglan gayod modumala niini pag-ayo og kini paga monitoron sa Surigao del Norte Division Office.

Sa maong panagtigum si Governor Matugas namahayag nga kinahanglan ang pagatukoron nga mga lawak tulunghaan adunay pasilidad alang sa “hand washing ug toothbrushing”, aduna usab soil treatment ug labaw sa tanan kinahanglan gayod nga magamit sa sakto ang pondo ug nga matapos gayod ang maong proyekto subay sa time table niini.

Sa samang higayon mipadayag usab sa ilang dakong kalipay ang mga mayores kay tungod niining maong proyekto madasig ang mga kabataan sa pagtungha ug mahatagan gayod og pagtagad ang edukasyon kay kini lamang ang solusyon nga mahaw-as ang atong probinsya sa kalisod. (Surigao del Norte Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, November 1, 2011

We are conducting COPD in Lianga not combat operations -military

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

SURIGAO DEL SUR – In line with the reported mass evacuation in the hinterlands of Lianga here, the military said they are just conducting a Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD) and not combat operations.

This, after more than a hundred families from the hinterlands of Lianga, Surigao del Sur reportedly evacuated due to the presence of Philippine Army at the foot of the “Andap Valley”, believed to be the Guerilla Base of CNN (CPP/NPA/NDF).

“The conduct of the COPD in the area is to help the Local Government Unit to bring the basic services to the people especially in far flung barangays,” a military official said.

Meanwhile, Provincial Social Worker and Development Officer May Salinas confirmed recently that around 148 families are now temporarily housed at Barangay Diatagon Gym, Lianga after they fled from their homes on October 29.

As a result, the presence of the government troops was misunderstood by the people in the community that led them to evacuate for they believed it was a massive operation against the CPP/NPA/NDF (CNN) in the area.

However, Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel spearheaded a dialogue a day after the mass evacuation with the presence of the LGU officials, Phil Army, DILG and the leaders of the evacuees.

As of press time, negotiations are still on-going where part of the people’s demand is the military pull-out in the community.

Accordingly, the people in the said community are not against to military operation but this should be conducted outside their community. They admitted that they are afraid of encounters between the military and the lawless groups because this can cause trauma especially to their children. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)

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Info intensified for ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 1 (PIA) -- On November 11 (11-11-11), the ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program of the city government here led by Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. will be fully implemented through the ‘No Segregation, No Collection’ policy in all the barangays.

With this, Butuanons will have to segregate wastes at source and follow schedules of garbage collection.

Constant reminders through radio programs are being aired by the different radio stations here.

Also, the Clean Airwaves Committee chaired by the Philippine Information Agency, which handles info-campaign with the local tri-media for this program continues to intensify its info-dissemination strategies.

Thus, during a meeting, PIA-Caraga regional director Abner Caga said that PIA-Caraga has been promoting the ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’ Program from the very start and had been conducting lined-up activities by the working committees.

Caga said that PIA is working together with the local tri-media in the information dissemination. News and photo releases related to proper solid waste management are also being posted and published in the PIA website, blogspot, Facebook accounts, and in its daily electronic news magazine – ‘One Mindanao.’

It was also learned that the Clean Airwaves Committee’s proposal to convene media practitioners in Butuan for the orientation/forum on laws, and on ordinances related to the environment and solid waste management had been a approved by the mayor and are set tentatively to be implemented on the second week of November.

Along with the orientation/forum is a covenant signing between the local tri-media and the city government as a sign of partnership and commitment to continuously promote and adhere to the law on proper segregation of wastes.

Meanwhile, program coordinators - Gemma Reserva, General Services division chief; Earl Enrico “Bong” Alcala, consultant of the city government; and Ruth Jugao, City Economic Enterprise and Development Office (CEEDO) manager expressed their support to the efforts of the media and the Clean Airwaves Committee. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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AgNor chiefs of offices attend Financial Management workshop

by Roselyn G. Exaure and Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 1 (PIA) -– For the purpose of intensifying the Public Financial Management, chiefs of offices of the Agusan del Norte provincial government attended the recently concluded three-day workshop spearheaded by the Agencia Espanola De Cooperacion International Para El Desarrollo (AECID).

According to Agusan del Norte Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho, the said workshop was held in Hotel Conchita, Cagayan de Oro City.

Thru the workshop, chief of offices were able to enhance their knowledge and skills on the Public Financial Management for a more transparent and better service to the public.

Attendees during the strengthening workshop were Provincial Administrator Percianita G. Racho; Dr. Elizabeth N. Campado, Provincial Health Officer; Ms. Ruby R. Furia, Provincial Budget Officer; Ms. Trofina P. Besada, Planning Officer lV; Mr. Daniel A. Valido, Provincial Accountant; Mr. Senecio V. Sinco, Supervising Administrative Officer; Mr. Rofel C. Cabaltera, Provincial Planning Development Officer; Mr. Pepito N. Conde, OIC Provincial Assessor; Ms. Isabelita N. Lucino, OIC Provincial Treasurer; Mr. Jacob G. Racho, Administrative Officer lV; Ms. Nemia D. Alegarbes, Provincial General Services Officer; ug Mr. Wilelmo C. Furia, Local Treasury Operations Officer lV. (Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Poetry in Motion gipasundayag sa Cultural Center for Children

SURIGAO CITY, Nov. 1 (PIA) -– Mabulukong gipasundayag ang Poetry in Motion niadtong miaging semana, Oktubre 27, 2011 didto sa Cultural Center for Children isip pagsaulog sa National Children’s Month uban sa temang “Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC), Para Bright Child: Pakilusin, Palakasin, Pagtulungan Natin.”

Ang maong pasundayag gitambongan ni Governor Sol Matugas, BM Myrna Romarate, Mamerto Galanida, Dr. Fidela Rosas, Dr. Evelyn Fetalvero, mga district supervisors ug mga magtutudlo sa Surigao City ug Surigao del Norte division.

Ang maong kalihukan gimugna sa probinsya nga gipangulohan ni Governor Sol Matugas pinaagi sa Provincial Local School Board sa pagpangulo ni Ma. Andrea Mijares, mga consultants nga sila Nene Montinola ug Ellen Amores ug sa pag-abag sa Department of Education sa Surigao City ug Surigao del Norte.

Malipayon ug mapasalamaton kaayo si Governor Matugas nga namugna ang maong kalihukan aron maipakita ug mahasa ang mga talent sa mga kabataan kay sila man ang ugma sa atong probinsya.

Gipamahayag ni Goberbador Matugas nga ang tumong ug tuyo sa paghimo og Cutltural Center for Children mao ang pag-umol ug paghasa sa nagkadaiyang mga gasa ug talent sa mga kabataan sa Surigao. Dugang pa niya, kinahanglan nga mapadak-an pa ang maong lugar aron gayod mamaayo ang pagpasundayag sa mga kalihukan og maka cater pa sa mas nako nga manan-away. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Panambay sa barangay gipahigayon sa Brgy. San Juan

SURIGAO CITY, Nov. 1 (PIA) -– Malampuson nga gipahigayon ang Panambay sa Barangay niadtong miaging semana didto sa Sabang 3 Barangay. Gym, Brgy. San Juan, Surigao City.

Ang maong kalihukan gipangulohan sa Provincial Health Office ubos sa pagdumala ni Dr. Leonora Andanar ug kini gitambongan ni Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas.

Nagpasalamat og dako ang mga lumulopyo sa maong lugar nga sila nakatagamtam sa libreng consultation, tuli, papsmear, laboratory services ug dental services lakip usab ang libreng tambal ug vitamins.

Samtang sa laing basin, isip pagtak-op sa kasaulogan sa bulan sa Santo Rosario. Ang probinsya sa Surigao del Norte uban ni Governor Matugas nga usa ka Marian Devotee lakip usab ang mga kawani sa kapitolyo mipahigayon ug dawn Rosary kaganina 4:00 sayo sa kabuntagon didto sa Capitol Compound ug misunod dayon ang Santos nga misa sa Capitol Chapel. (Provincial Information Center/PIA –Surigao del Norte)