(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of 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.


PIA News Service - Friday, February 24, 2012

Datu Lipus Macapandong Youth Employment and Migrant Center launched

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Peb. 24 (PIA)
-- Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, together with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other government and non-government agencies, launched today the Datu Lipus Makapandong Youth Employment and Migrant Center (YEMC) at the D.O. Plaza government Center.

The YEMC is intended to cater the youth on skills development and trainings.

“The YEMC will be the center to cultivate the knowledge, skills and natural resources of this province. It is in this place that trainings on entrepreneurship for the youth and parents will take place. I am therefore calling all our partners who signed the memorandum of understanding that we have to lay down our programs here so that we can deliver the services expected from us,” Ricardo Casco, focal person of the IOM, said.

According to him, the Center is the second one in the country.

Governor Adolph Edward Plaza also said, he personally requested the IOM to include livelihood training and technology transfer in the YEMC.

With IOM’s confirmation, Plaza said the provincial government will identify the first 100 youth to be trained on livelihood with resources coming from the center.

“We have funds for this purpose in the provincial government, but what we doubt is the qualification of the recipients, both on skills and management upon entering into the business. But with the YEMC, I believe the product here will be qualified upon completion of the trainings,” he said.

According to Gov. Plaza, every year, thousands are graduates on various courses but are jobless.

“For you, young students, I advise you to always take the risk because in taking the risk, we learn. I know many of you are not from Agusan del Sur, but anybody, even from outside this province, can avail of the services that the YEMC can offer, because I believe that thru this program, youth will become productive and not liability of the society,” Plaza said, addressing the students of the Philippine Normal University present in the launch.

The operation of the Datu Lipus Makapandong is funded by the Millennium Development Goal Achievement fund.

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Strengthened partnership with other stakeholders will make a difference – PDEA

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Feb. 24 (PIA)
-- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) bared that strengthening the partnership with other stakeholders and local organizations will make a difference in reducing drug abuse cases in Agusan del Sur, following reports that there are illegal drug traders penetrating even in remote areas.

According to PDEA Director Joel Plaza, while the barangay, municipal and provincial Drug Abuse Councils were organized way back years ago, they are at present inactive, and need to be reorganized and strengthened in order that full cooperation can be expected.

“Drug menace is not only in Agusan del Sur but thru out the country and even the world. The destruction that the illegal drugs inflected to the people who use them are evident. But many do not even mind its circulation in the community. The responsibility of its existence does not only lie on the authorities but to everybody. It is therefore very important to seek cooperation from other stakeholders and local officials down to the barangays in order to stop the infiltration of drug traffickers,” Plaza said.

According to the PDEA director, their office is presently focusing on value operations and targets, air-tight filing of cases in court and strengthening partnership with other stakeholders and the community.

“Value operation, as we call it, is catching the “big fish” in the illegal drug industry, including its production. But in our assessment, the situation is just moderate if we compare it in seriously affected areas where there are existence of drug laboratories, warehouse, den drive, and resorts. But we have discovered marijuana palantations in Agusan del Sur and have conducted operations on these plantations,” Plaza said.

It can be recalled tha PDEA have conducted two significant operations. On June 8, together with the joint elements of Regional Special Operations Task Group, 13th Regional Public Safety Management Battalion, La Paz Municipal Police Station, they uprooted Marijuana plants at Sitio Umayam, Brgy Kasapa II, La Paz, Agusan del Sur valued at P156,400. Again, on July 8, another set of Marijuana plants were uprooted and immediately burned at the plantation site by joint elements of PDEA RO 13, RPSB 13, RSOTG 13, 26th IB PA, and 402nd Brigade PA at Sitio Mactan, Brgy. Kasapa I, Agusan del Sur with an estimated value of P,074,200.

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Breakwater named Best Publication

By Ramil S. Barquin

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA)
-- Breakwater was named Best Publication – Magazine Category in the 2011 PAWD Best Publication Award, given during the Awards Night of the 33rd PAWD National Convention held recently at Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City.

Breakwater is the official publication of Butuan City Water District (BCWD).

For five years now, the magazine has been unbeatable by maintaining its position as one of the Top 3 publications of water districts in the country. It was adjudged 2nd Best Magazine in the 2007 PAWD Best Publication Award; 1st in 2008; 3rd in 2009; 2nd in 2010; and 1st in 2011.

Circulating for thirteen years now, Breakwater informs the public the latest developments in the water sector, updates in the water district operation, watershed and environmental concerns, and information related to water supply services.

Since its maiden issue, Breakwater focuses its editorial policy towards the attainment of BCWD’s goals and objectives.

The PAWD Best Publication Award is an annual national search of the Philippine Association of Water Districts (PAWD) for the best water districts’ publications. This award encourages more water districts to produce their own publication and recognize the effort of those water districts that are already producing their publication. Moreover, this award aims to elevate the publications of the water districts to the highest quality and standard of print media production.

It has two categories – Magazine and Newsletter. Entries for both categories are judged according to relevance, content, style, form and originality.

Other winners in the Magazine Category include Tubig San Joseno Magazine of San Jose Del Monte Water District, 2nd place; and Spring of Quezon Metro Water District, 3rd place.

For the Newsletter Category, Tuburan of Metro Iloilo Water District won 1st place; Tubig San Joseno Newsletter of San Jose Del Monte Water District, 2ndplace; and Danum Agus Ning Bie, 3rd place.

The entries were evaluated by Liana M. Barro, an Associate Professor post at the Far Eastern University; Maria Carmencita S. Alfonso, Media Relations Officer and Admin Head Department of Transportation & Communication’s Media and Communications Group; and Romulo P. Villanueva, Jr., English professor at the Far Eastern University. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/BCWD)
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Potential of tourism industry for region growth highlighted in the 15th Gen Assembly

By Gervacio C. Dauz, Jr.

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA)
-- During the 15th General Assembly, spearheaded by the Caraga Regional Council and in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga Region, speakers underscored the potential of the tourism industry for the growth of the region.

Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. said tourism is a promising industry that waits to be fully harness while Vice Gov. Enrico Corvera noted that unleashing its full potential means “continuous growth for Caraga Region.”

On the other hand, Surigao del Norte gov. and Caraga Regional Development Council chair Sol F. Matugas emphasized that the “the region’s tourism sector has vibrant and effective partners,” with reference to those participants and stakeholders that had gathered for the event.

Matugas emphasized that even the “Caraga Regional Development Plan for years 2011-2016 lays down ecotourism as Caraga Region’s key area for development.”

She also announced that Siargao Islands can boost of being the number eight out of the top 50 best surfing spots the world over for year 2012, a recognition that came from CNN.

Meanwhile, DOT Caraga Regional Dir. Leticia Tan said that the tourism industry should be a multi-sectoral effort. Ma. Rica Bueno, director from the DOT Central office, added that “while tourism is the mandate of the Department of Tourism, a shared responsibility lies also with the local government units under RA 9593.”

At the end, Bueno challenged the stakeholders by saying that “there’s no better time to be involved in tourism than now.” (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/TESDA-Caraga)

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Cebuano news: Malacañang nalipay sa gikatakdang pagdeklara sa ikaduhang Filipinong Santo

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Peb. 24 (PIA)
-- Ang Malacañang mipadayag og kalipay sa gikatakdang pagdeklara sa lain na usab nga matinud-anong Filipino nga mihatag sa iyang kinabuhi sa pagserbisyo ngadto sa uban ug alang sa pagsangyaw sa ebanghelyo sa Ginoo ug kini nga kalihukan nagpamatuod sa pagkaespiritohananon ug pagkadiosnon sa mga Filipino.

Sa regular briefing didto sa Malacañang kagahapon Huwebes, si Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda miingon nga ang pagdeklara kang Blessed Pedro Calungsod isip ikaduhang santo sa nasod nga naghatag og kadungganan sa mga Filipino isip katoliko nga nasod.

“As Catholics we are very proud and very blessed to have another Filipino Saint and this is going to be our second Filipino saint,” matud ni lacierda.



Matud pa niya nga ang deklarasyon sa Vatican sa pagkasanto ni Blessed Calungsod nagpakita sa kamaisogon sa katawhang Filipino.

“This is an honor for the Filipinos and it also showcases the bravery of the Filipino spirit, Christian spirit in the light of persecution,” si Lacierda mipasabot.

Human sa pag-aprubar ni Pope Benedict XVI, ang Vatican bag-ohay palang mianunsyo sa canonization sa ika 17th century nga Visayan martyr Calungsod nga gikatakda karong Oktubre 21 niining tuiga, nga mohimo kaniyang ikaduhang Filipinong santo sunod kang San Lorenzo Ruiz nga gi-canonized ni Pope John Paul II niadtong Oktubre 18, 1987.

Natawo niadtong 1655 didto sa Cebu, ang katekismo nga si Calungsod namatay didto sa Guam samtang gidependensa ang iyang isig ka misyonaryo, ang Jesuit nga pari ug karon Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores na. si Calungsod namatay sa edad nga 17.

Sila giatake sa mga lumad gamit ang espada ug hatsa. Human namatay, ang ilang duhang patay’ng lawas gigapos ug gilabaw ngadto sa dagat.

Si Blessed Calungsod gibasbasan ni Pope John Paul II niadtong tuig 2000 ug sukad niadto, ang mga Cebuanos nangayo ug nag-ampo na sa iyang panabang. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Aquino pangulohan ang selebrasyon sa ika-26th Anibersaryo sa Edsa People Power Revolution karong Sabado

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Peb. 24 (PIA)
-- Pagapangulohan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang selebrasyon sa ika-26th Anibersaryo sa Edsa People Power Revolution ugma sa buntag Sabado didto sa People Power Monument sa Edsa nga maglakip sa flag-raising ceremony ug Salubungan.

Mga representante gikan sa nagkalain-laing mga sektor nga mohatag sa ilang mga pahinungod atol sa maong programa.

Human sa mga kalihukan sa Edsa, ang Pangulo moderetso ngadto sa Rizal Park, Manila aron motambong sa pag-abli sa statue ni Jaime Cardinal Sin, usa sa nakahatag og dakong partisipasyon atol sa Edsa Revolution niadtong Pebrero 1986.

Ang selebrasyon sa anibersaryo sa Edsa pagatak-opan og usa ka concierto didto sa Iligan City uban ang mga mang-aawit sa original Pilipino music (OPM) nga boluntaryong mopasundayag alang sa benipisyo sa mga biktima sa Bagyong Sendong.

Matud sa Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), ang gobyernong Aquino nagtinguha nga palig-onon ang diwa sa volunteerism sa matag Filipino, nga maoy nagdala og dakong puwersa atol sa malinawong rebolusyon niadtong 1986.



Ang Edsa People Power Commission adunay gilinya nga pipila ka mga aktibedades sa 26 ka mga nagkalain-laing benyu libot sulod sa nasod alang sa maong selebrasyon nga magpokos sa volunteerism ug panaghiusa aron makab-ot ang nasyunal nga paglambo.

Ang tema sa selebrasyon karong tuiga mao ang “Ano ang iyong Taya Para sa Pilipinas Natin.”

Ang nasod Pilipinhon moselebrar ugma Sabado, Pebrero 25, sa ika 26th nga tuig sa walay dugong rebolusyon nga gitawag og Edsa People Power Revolution nga nakapahugno sa diktatorya ni kanhi pangulong Ferdinand Marcos. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)