(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 24 April 2024) Easterlies affecting the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies/Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from East to Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


PIA News Service - Monday, January 9, 2011

Sen. Pimentel backs MalacaΓ±ang’s move to run after those responsible over ComVal tragedy

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III supports the move of President Benigno S. Aquino III to run after those people, officials and agencies that are responsible for the landslide in Sitio Diat, Pantukan, Compostela Valley on the dawn of Jan. 5, 2011.

Sen. Pimentel, who was here in the city on Saturday for an engagement in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, said that he is not blaming the local government unit for the incident but those who are responsible must answer what was accorded in the law.

With this, Pimentel said it is not only the local government who must undergo investigation on the matter. He added that concerned government agencies like the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) will also be invited for the said investigation.

“Dili lang ang imbestigayson nga ipatawag nato maglangkob sa mga local officials, i-apil nato ang PAGASA, ang DENR, MGB. (We will not only invite the local officials for investigation, we will also include PAGASA, DENR and MGB.)” Pimentel said.

The senator also said PAGASA should explain why the effects of signal number two is devastating like what happened in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

“Ang Sendong, signal number two pero 1,200 ang namatay. Dili kani normal kay ang signal number system nato, signal number 5 ang pinakakusog. Can you imagine that? Kinahanglan i-explain kana sa PAG-ASA. (Sendong is signal number two but around 1,200 died. This is not normal since in our signal number system, signal number 5 is the strongest. Can you imagine that? That’s why PAGASA should explain this.)” Pimentel said.

Pimentel said local officials and the DENR should also explain because based on initial investigation, the incident was caused by rampant illegal logging and mining activities in the area.

As of 6:00 a.m. today, Jan. 9, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) said 30 dead bodies have been recovered where 28 of these are already identified. 16 people were injured, nine of which were already identified and 38 were missing in the ComVal tragedy.

Also, four persons who were earlier reported missing were found alive, and out of the nine identified injured, six remain at the Davao Regional Hospital for treatment. (PIA-Caraga)


‘Bantay Konsumo’ project stabilizes commodities’ prices, caution price increase

by David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Prices of basic commodities like meat, fish vegetables and canned goods are now almost similar in the market and in any store all over the town of San Francisco after the ‘Bantay Konsumo’ released a list of basic commodities with their suggested retail prices.

According to Cirila Inson, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Sur provincial office, Mayor Jenny de Asis did not hesitate when she requested her to construct a small building in front of the public market to be made as ‘Bantay konsumo’ center where a list of basic commodities and other items sold in the market and other establishments will be posted and made available for the public to see.

The price list is updated daily for customer reference at the Bantay kunsumo’ center located at the entrance of San Francisco Public Market.

The center will also serve as complaint desk for customer to lay down their complaints.
“Since the Bantay Konsumo center was established, many customers and vendors stop and see the day’s suggested prices of commodities. In this way, almost all vendors have the same prices of their commodities because they are cautious not to tag higher prices to their commodities because of the information posted at the center,” Inson said.

During the ‘Diskwento Caravan’ held last Nov. 2011, the Bantay Konsumo center became popular, hearing people saying, “It’s much better now, we have a ready reference on the cost of the commodities sold here in our market.”

Consumers say that the listing is a great help to them as the “end users” so that they can fix their budget before deciding to buy something.

At the height of price instability last year, the Bantay Konsumo Task Force convened and discussed measures in order to act on the unstable prices of basic commodities, especially rice. Then came the idea of price monitoring by the Bantay Konsumo members where the idea of putting up a Bantay Konsumo Center was realized. (PIA-Caraga)


New police director assigned in Surigao del Sur

by Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- PSSupt Arthur M. Sanchez got the post as the new Police Provincial Director in Surigao del Sur after the outgoing officer PSSupt Julito Diray formally turned over the command of responsibility on Friday, Jan. 6 held at Camp Vicente Pimentel, Sr., Telaje this city.

The occasion was attended by Deputy Regional Director for Administration PCSupt Isagani Genabe, Jr as honorary Guest of Speaker.

Also, in behalf of the Gov. Johnny Pimentel, Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas and City Administrator Aldy Novo were there together with the representative from DILG, Col. Henry Robinson of Phil. Army, TESDA Dir. Rey M. Cueva and other agencies who witnessed the said event.

Prior to his new assignment, PSSupt. Sanchez is the chief of the Police Community Relations Office of Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga Region.

Meanwhile, Supt. Diray served as Provincial Director for more than two years in this province.

It can be recalled that he was assigned here last September 2009, and as per request of Provincial Governor Johnny Pimentel, his assignment was extended until December 2011. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)


OWWA-Caraga intensifies scholarship program to OFW dependents

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- Citing the value of education for human transformation, Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Caraga is strengthening its scholarship program for dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the region.

OWWA-Caraga Labor Relation Officer Ritchel Molero said that aside from the scholarship program, dependents of OFWs in the region, including their spouses and direct relatives may also participate in computer literacy training. The said training is regularly conducted in OWWA-Caraga Regional Office through the Project Tulay of the Blas F. Ople Foundation.

She said that OWWA-Caraga Regional Director Dr. Marietta Lumawag is in Manila to get updates to improve the implementation of the program.

“So far, kung unsa ang atong mga programa before, ato guihapon kining gipadayon sa pagkakaron ug mapadayunon usab kitang gitunol sa mga katawhan ang maong mga programa sama sa pagpang apud-apod og mga scholarship program sa kabataan sa atong OFWs dinhi sa Caraga,” Molero said.

(So far, we continue the programs that were implemented before and we also continue to give this to the people, like the scholarship program where children of the OFWs here in Caraga have benefitted.)

This project aims provide OFW dependents knowledge on basic computer operation, specifically in the utilization of Internet, said Lumawag, in a previous interview.

“Through this, they can communicate with their loved ones abroad, thus maintaining close family ties even they are distance away,” Lumawag said. (PIA-Caraga)


Rice, vegetable supply in Caraga sufficient despite typhoons in 2011 – DA

by Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -– Despite the series of typhoons that hit Caraga Region in 2011, rice and vegetable supply is still sufficient.

According to Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Information Officer Rebecca Atega, based on the assessment of the National Food Authority (NFA), rice and vegetable supply in the region are still sufficient this year.

“Naa ta’y close coordination sa NFA when it comes sa supply sa bugas… So aduna ta’y giingon nga certain percentage nga proper stocks,” Atega said.

(We have close coordination with NFA when it comes to rice supply. So, we have what we call a certain percentage of proper stocks.)

Further, Atega said if other region will get supply from NFA here, they have to see to it that there are still available stocks for the people in Caraga Region.

“So, bisan pa og magkuha ang ubang region halimbawa ang Cagayan de Oro nga mao ang pinakaduol nato nga region, dili gyud ta magpahurot og paghatag ngadto sa ilaha kay para man kana sa atong populasyon dinhi sa Caraga Region,” Atega said.

(So, even other regions will get their supply from us, say for example in Cagayan de Oro which is the nearest region here, we have to see to it that there are still available stocks intended for the consuming public in Caraga Region.)

The official said DA has been coordinating with NFA in monitoring the rice and other agricultural products in the region. (PIA-Caraga)


DOST grants P1.2M to Butuan City for eco project

by Rio Connie Leah M. Flores

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- The start of 2012 proved to be bountiful for the city government here after receiving P1.2 million from the Regional Office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The amount is intended for one bioreactor unit which will be used to convert biodegradable waste into fertilizer, in support of the city’s Clean Ground, Zero Waste Program (CGZW).

DOST-Caraga Regional Director Lyndo Villacorta personally handed over the cheque to City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and CGZW Program Coordinator Ruth Jugao recently.

A bioreactor is a machine that grinds and converts biodegradable solid waste into compost, a good fertilizer for vegetable crops.

Biodegradable waste includes spoiled or wilted vegetables, fruit peels, meat/fruit/vegetable trimmings, food leftovers, fish entrails and trimmings, leaves and twigs and seeds.

According to Jugao, the Langihan Public Market is one of the major sources of biodegradable waste daily. Currently, biodegradable wastes from the market are distributed to Barangays Ampayon and Bit-os for the vermiculture project.

Dr. Villacorta further said he is glad that DOST was tapped to take part in strengthening the campaign on Solid Waste Management as part of the convergence efforts between the city government and Regional Line Agencies for a more efficient public service to the people of this city. (Butuan City PIO/PIA-Caraga)


“Panambay sa Barangay” medical mission serves 1,835 patients in Siargao

by Jun Parada

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Jan. 9 (PIA) -- A total of 1,835 residents in various island barangays of Dapa town in Siargao Island benefited from series of medical missions dubbed as “Panambay sa Barangay” by the provincial government held recently.

Seven benefited from circumcision service in Brgy. Canbas-ac, 30 for dental service, and 291 availed for medical consultation. In Bgy. San Miguel, around 307 availed for medical consultation while 27 patients benefited from dental service.

In Bgy. Consolacion, 524 availed in medical consultation, 79 for dental service, and two were circumcised.

Seven were circumcised, 37 for dental service, 238 availed for medical consultation and 18 availed for the laboratory exam. In Brgy. Jubang, 243 availed for medical consultation, 21 for dental service and four children benefited from circumcision service.

The medical mission was organized with the support of Gov. Sol Matugas,1st District Representative Francisco Matugas, volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses and Barangay Health Workers. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Cebuano News: Aquino miingon nga ang Mindanao Cancer Center sa Davao naghatag og paglaum alang sa mga kabus nga pasyente sa kanser sa rehiyon

ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 9 (PIA) –- Napamatud-an napod sa administrasyong Aquino ang panaad niini nga mohatag og premira ug dekalidad nga pasilidad sa maayong panglawas ngadto sa mga Pilipino pinaagi sa paglusad sa pinakaunang cancer treatment center sa Mindanao, isip suporta sa mga paningkamot ni Pangulong Benigno S. AquinoIII nga mamhimong dekalidad ang serbisyong medical sa gobyerno libot sa nasod.

Sa iyang mensahe nga gipaabot pinaagi kang Health Secretary Enrique Ona atol sa pormal nga inagurasyon sa Nuclear and Radiotheraphy Center sa Mindanao Cancer Center, Davao Regional Hospital Kagahapon Domingo didto sa Apokon Davao City, ang Pangulo nagkanayon nga nag bag-ong pasilidad magsilbing senyales sa lamdag nga paglaom alang sa mga pasyente nga adunay kanser, labi na ang mga kabus.

Ang Pangulo miingonnga base sa datos nga nakuha sa Department of Health (DOH), ang kanser maoy usa sa gikahadlokang sakit nga maoy hinungdan sa kamatayon sa daghang mga Filipino.

“Ang pagbubukas ng Mindanao Cancer Center ay siya ring pagtanglaw ng pag-asa sa mga Pilipinong biktima ng kanser. Ayon sa tala ng DOH, ang sakit na ito ang isa sa mga nangungunang dahilan ng pagkamatay sa ating bansa,” ang Pangulong Aquino mingon.

Ang DOH usab miingon nga base sa ilang pag-estudyo adunay mokabat 200,000 mga Filipino ang nahiagom sa sakit nga kanser matag tuig, nga matubag na pinaagi niining bag-ong mga ekwipo didto sa maong pasilidad.

“Ang istatistikang ito ang nais solusyunan ng pasilidad na pinapasinayaan natin ngayon. Magpapalawak ito sa serbisyong medikal, hindi lamang mula sa Davao, kundi maging sa buong Mindanao,” ang Pangulo miingon.

“Inaasahang tatlumpung pasyente kada araw ang makakatanggap ng sapat, mura at de-kalidad na tulong-medikal mula sa pagamutang ito. Sa pamamagitan din ng mga bagong serbisyo at kagamitan dito gaya ng Radiation therapy at ng Digital Linear Accelerator, mapipigilan natin ang paglala, kundi man natin tuluyang malunasan ang iba-ibang uri ng cancer,” sa iyang pagdugang.

Ang Pangulo mipasabot nga pinaagi sa pagpursige, kahiusahan ug kooperasyon tali sa gobyerno ug mga katawhan, walay mga pagsulay nga lisod sulbaron.

“Tanda po itong kapag desidido tayong makapagdulot ng ginhawa at pagbabago, anumang uri ng kanser—kanser man sa katawan, o kanser man sa lipunan gaya ng kurapsyon, katiwalian at kahirapan—ay talaga namang kayang-kaya nating gamutin at solusyunan,” dugang pa ni Pangulong Aquino nga ang gobyerno karon agresibo sa pagduso alang sa mga programa nga makabenipisyo sa katawhang Filipino.

“Puspusan po nating tinutugunan ngayon ang mga suliranin sa sektor ng kalusugan. Todo-arangkada po ang DOH sa pagsusulong ng mga inisyatiba upang mas mapakinabangan ng mas maraming Pilipino ang ating serbisyong medical,” ang Pangulo miingon.

Ang Pangulo mingon nga ang gobyerno migahin og mokabat P40 bilyon karong tuiga aron pundohan ang advancement of medical practitioner’s capabilities, imprastruktura ug bag-ong mga ekwipo sa sektor sa maayong panglawas.

Ang mga programa sa maayong panglawas sa gobyernong Aquino lakip usab nga patas-an ang mga pundo sa health insurance sa katawhan pinaagi sa PhilHealth gikan sa P3.5 bilyon niaging tuig ngadto sa P12 bilyon sa tuig 2012.

Kini nga pag-umento sap undo makatabang sa paghatag og medical assistance alang sa 5.2 milyon mga Filipinong kabus nga naila pinaagi sa National Household Targeting System.

Alang sa programa sa DOH nga “Doctors to the Barrio”, ang Pangulo miingon nga adunay dugang usa ka milyon ka pesos ang gigahin aron moabag sa mga serbisyo sa dugang 200 ka mga doctor, usa ka libo nga mga midwives ug 12 mil ka mga nurses ngadto sa regional health units, barangay health stations ug mga lagyong hospital libot sa nasod.

Ang dakong mga serbisyo ug pasilidad sa Nuclear and Radiotherapy Center nga mokabat sa 157 milyones ka pesos naglakip sa Radiation therapy gamit ang high energy X-rays nga gamit aron pagpatay sa mga cancer cells aron masumpo ang pagdaghan ug pagkanap niini; Digital Linear Accelerator, usa ka kasangkapan alang sa external radiotherapy nga gidesenyo aron gub-on ang mga cancer cells aron malikay ang palibot sa normal tissue.

Ang Mindanao Cancer Center nag tanyag usab og lain pang mga klase sa radiotherapy nga naglakip sa External Beam Radiotherapy (XTR), Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (MTR) capable, 3-D Conformal Radiotherapy (9CRT) capable ug ARC Therapy capable.

Ang ekwipo ug pasilidad sa cancer treatment natuman ug nahimong possible pinaagi sa mga pundo nga gigahin sa gobyernong Aquino, partikularmente ang Department of Health uban ang suporta gikan sa mga opisyales sa local nga pangagamhanan sa rehiyon sa Davao.

Ang maong Tabalanan mohatag og bastante, duo ug barato nga cancer care ngadto sa tanang mga pasyente sa Mindanao, gikan sa sayo nga panghiling ngadto sa pagtambal. Ang Tambalanan nagtumong sa paghatag dugang kaalaman sa mga locals kalabot na sa maong gikahadlokang sakit.

Ang Mindanao Cancer Center giplano usab aron mahatag ang pinakamaayong clinical ug ancillary nga mga serbisyo ngadto sa mga pasyente sa kanser sa Mindanao; motudlo ug bansayon, ang mga personahe sa nursing ug paramedical cancer care; mohatag og state-of-the art cancer information service; mohimo og database alang sa research mahitungod sa cancer; ug aron makigtambayayong sa nagkalain-laing organisasyon sa gobyerno ug mga non-government alang sa radiologic, nuclear ug pharmaceutical care sa mga pasyente. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Surigaonon News: City Engineering Office sa Surigao tutukan ang problema sa drainage systems nan syudad

ni Annette Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Enero 9, (PIA) – Ang City Engineering Office misiguro bag-uhay pa lamang nga pagatutukan gayud ang problema sa drainage systems nan syudad.

Mao kini ang gisiguro karon sa mga kadagkuan sa maong buhatan diin tungod sa pagbundak sa ulan niadtong miaging mga adlaw kini maoy nahimong rason sa pag-overflow sa mga canal.

Gitumbok pa ni Engr. Gil Rufino Menor, hepe sa maong buhatan, nga ang rason sa pagdali pagbaha sa mga kadayanan sa syudad mao ang pagbara sa mga posibleng kaagi-an sa tubig sa mga canal tungod kay kini napuno na sa mga basura nga gipanglabog ra sa mga canal.

Ang ilang grupo muhimo sa paghinlo sa mga barado nga mga canal lakip na usab ang pagpan-repair sa mga nasirado ug guba na nga mga drainage sa pipila ka mga kadayanan lakip na niini ang Brgy. Washinton partikular na sa Kaskag, Borromeo, Navarro, Burgos, ug Espina diin padajon pa sila sa pagkakaron ug pagpanrepair.

Samtang mukabat usab sa P750,00.00 ang budget sa kada drainage para karon nga tuig 2012 gikan sa City Fund o Local Fund. Samtang ang dayan Burgos nag-gikan sa SLRF kon Special Local Road Fund ang budget wala pay labot ang siyam ka mga labor nga maoy mutrabaho.

Gidugang pa ni Engr. Menor nga ang syudad sa Surigao pirmi makasinati ug kaulanon kini tungod kay ang ulan karon dili ordinaryo sama kaniadto tungod kay nakasinati usab kita ug climate change nga maoy rason sa pagbaha sa dakbayan.

Sa maong kalambuan, ang ilang buhatan mitambayayong usab sa pagpahimangno sa tanan nga magpabiling responsable ug maghinlo sa tagsa-tagsa nilang panimalay ilabina gayud kadtong dapit sa mga drainage o canal nga dili sila maglabay og basura. (Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)