(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, May 4, 2012

Agusan electric coop receive awards

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, May 4 (PIA) -- The Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ANECO) has received three major National Electrification Administration (NEA) Lumen awards.

According to Daniel dela Cena, ANECO public information officer, the electric cooperative received various awards. Arch. Horacio T. Santos was awarded Best General Manager of the Year (Pedro G. Dumol Award); Electric Cooperative of the Year Award for Mega Large Coop Level; and Sunshine Region Award for having the biggest number of house connections in Caraga region.

The awards was given during the annual gathering of electric cooperatives purposely to give awards to the outstanding performance of electric cooperatives (ECs) in the country, specifically the 2012 NEA-EC Conference and Recognition on April 25 to 27 at Waterfront Insular Hotel in Lanang, Davao City.

Aside from the three major awards that the cooperative has received, minor awards was also given to ANECO namely: Best Region Award – for being the Electric Cooperative of Caraga Region that maintains the Categorization A+; Sunshine EC Award – for having the Biggest Number of House Connections; and Model Multi-Purpose Hall – for having a Modern and Distinct Edifice.

A special citation was also given to ANECO for its valuable contribution in providing electricity to 1,520 sitios under the “Sitio Energization Program” of President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Thus, according to dela Cena, the awards demonstrates a strong involvement and contribution of ANECO to the progress and development of Butuan city and the province of Agusan del Norte particularly to the thousands of lives of its member-consumers and consumers. (RER/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)

.
DTI warns public vs text scams

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 4 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has warned the public against text scams.

This, after the department has recently received four complaints from people who received text messages informing them that they won in a random draw of all mobile phone numbers.

According to DTI-Caraga Communications Officer Christina Regino, the four victims said they have received a text message informing them that their mobile phone numbers won in the draw. The victims added that the message also contained DTI permit number which convinced them that they really won the raffle draw.

However, Regino said the victims called and visited their office to verify and found out that the information received is a form of scam. “It’s good that they still managed to call and visit the office for verification,” she said.

Regino stressed those who visited their office were given the opportunity to browse the website of the DTI-National Capital Region (NCR) for them to see that there are no such activities that are sponsored by DTI.

Meanwhile, the DTI-NCR is also reminding the public to be vigilant against such scam. According to their website, the receiver of the message should ask themselves first if they joined any contest. If not, there is a very slim chance that they won such prize.

DTI-NCR also warned the public that no person shall conduct any sales promotion campaign without first securing a permit from the concerned government agency. This is to ensure that the participating public is protected against deceptive or irresponsible conduct of the sales promo scheme.

With these developments, the official is calling the public to verify and validate at their office should they receive such information in order not to be victimized

Further, for prizes exceeding P500, DTI-NCR pointed out that the law requires that the winner be notified through registered mail, and not through text messages alone.

For inquiries about sales promotions and the validity of promo permit numbers, please call 811-8231 or 811-8367. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

.
Student leaders to participate leadership training in Butuan

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 4 (PIA) -- To mold student leaders’ perspective on good governance and enhance their leadership strategies, the Philippine Higher Education Student Government Leadership Training Program (PHESGLTP) will be held on May 5-7, 2012 at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.

This said event is spearheaded by the Caraga Youth Leaders’ Network (CYLN) Incorporated and Institute for Youth Development Affairs of the Philippine (IYDAP) in cooperation with Butuan City Tourism Office, Hon. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr., Office of Senator Edgardo Angara, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Central Office and Office of the President (OP).

In a press statement, CYLN President Rex Ybañez bared that the activity aims to mobilize hundred of student leaders, and writers both public and private colleges and universities throughout the Philippines.

“With this activity, student leaders will be enlightened with regards to the various roles and responsibilities in handling student governance, tune up their hearts and minds to the concepts of school development and diplomatic endeavors, train them on various leadership strategies, and address conflicts in student governance,” Ybañez said.

Ybañez added that Hon. Juan Ponce Enrile Jr. is expected to grace the occasion.

The activity is anchored on the theme: “Preparing Student Leaders to Excellence in Service and Commitment.”

With this development, the CYLN and partners are encouraging student leaders all over the country to participate and give themselves a chance to enhance their interests in good governance. (RER/JPG/PIA-Caraga)

.
Gov’t capture rebel political officer

By PSupt Martin M Gamba

BUTUAN CITY, May 4 (PIA) -- The fifth most wanted person in the municipality of Lianga, Surigao del Sur was captured by the authorities.

A joint operation conducted by the personnel of Lianga Municipal Police Station led by PSInsp. Ignacio Serrano and Philippine Army's 29th Infantry Brigade led by 1Lt. Gerardo Joves resulted to the arrest of Teddy Domandan Bager, a member of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New People’s Army (NPA), National Democratic Front (NDF) under Front Command (FC) 19-B at around 3:00 a.m. of May 2 at the vicinity of Brgy Diatagon, Lianga in Surigao del Sur.

Teddy Domandan Bager alias ‘Bager/Teddy/Franco,’ Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda Team Leader Political Instructor was arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest for rebellion with Criminal Case Number L-2417 issued by Judge Alfredo P Jalad of Regional Trial Court, Branch 28, 11th Judicial Region, Lianga, of Surigao del Sur.

Recovered from his possession and control are one hand grenade, one Memory Card, five chargers, two battery packs, eight sim packs, three cellular phones and cash amounting to P9,766.

Bager was allegedly involved in the failed attack of Lianga Police Station last April 28 which was successfully repelled by joint Police and Army forces.

The accomplishment was the result of continuous joint operations and collaboration of government troops against rebels who had committed crimes against Filipino people.

The active support of the community paved way to the successful apprehension of Bager, the fifth most wanted person in the municipality of Lianga.

PCSupt. Reynaldo Rafal, Philippine National Police-Caraga regional director said, personnel of Police Regional Office 13 with its highest dedication, is serious in upholding the law to serve the interest of the common people and maintain peace and order in the region.

Rafal also congratulated the brave young and women of the operating troops for a job well done. (NCLM/PNP-13)

.
Surigao Sur to implement last tranche of salary increase in June

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 4 (PIA) -- Provincial Administrator Efren Rivas is optimistic that Governor Johnny Pimentel will follow what President Benigno S. AquinoIII has instructed regarding the early release of Salary Standardization Law tranche IV, but local government units (LGUs), as in the case of the province, have some financial constraints.

Rivas cited the income on local tax imposition, Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), and the ceiling on personal services.

The last tranche of SSL III is supposed to take effect in July, not June, this year.

Earlier, Rivas lauded President Aquino on the favorable move. (NGBT/DXJS Radyo Ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

.
MinDA Board firms up solutions to Mindanao power

DAVAO CITY, May 4 (PIA) -- Acting on President Benigno Aquino’s directive to address the power crisis in Mindanao, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Board of Directors held a special meeting to formally support the creation of a Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) and one-stop shop processing center (OSSPC).

MPMC and the OSSPC are two of the action points identified by President Benigno Aquino III during the Mindanao Power Summit last month. MPMC will be responsible for providing outright information to the people of Mindanao regarding the energy and power situation including, but not limited to, supply and price levels.

The committee will also spearhead thecreation of a technical team to look into the viability of the Mindanao Power Summit recommendations, including the OSSPC. It is instructed to meet regularly to monitor the crisis and its impacts, and to directly submit reports to the President.

“We are grateful to the President for the time and effort he exerted to reach out to the people of Mindanao and for providing an opportunity for various sectors to be heard on the urgent issue of power,” MinDA Chairperson Luwalhati Antonino said.

MPMC will be chaired by MinDA and composed of representatives from DOE, Mindanao Electric Power Alliance, PCCI Mindanao, electric cooperatives, LGUs, and civil society organizations. The creation of this committee forms part of the government’s commitment to resolve the Mindanao power crisis.

The establishment of the OSSPC, similar to the one-stop shops of DTI, will help fast track processing of applications for new generation capacities in Mindanao.

The main goal is to be able to complete set-up of small hydro plants within 10 months to one year. Awarding of service contracts for hydro project applications currently takes years to be processed.

“We should put a time frame to the application process; maximum should be six months,” said MinDA Board Member Vicente Lao, president of the Mindanao Energy Power Alliance.

The MinDA board agreed to conduct a preliminary assessment of the existing process to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement in the setting up of the OSSPC. Recommendations derived from the assessment will be incorporated into the mandate to be issued by Malacañang. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/MinDA)

.
DILG to discuss anti-red tape act to field officers, LGU operations officers

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 4 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Caraga Region is set to convene their field officers as well as all operations officers of the different local government units (LGUs) in the region to discuss issues concerning the implementation of Republic Act 9485, otherwise known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

According to DILG-Caraga Assistant Regional Director Donald Seronay, the activity will be conducted on May 22-23 in this city.

Seronay also said the activity aims to inform the participants of the present administration’s battlecry specifically on the implementation of transparency and accountability towards good governance.

The official further said through this activity, the participants will be aware that the national government is serious in cleaning the bureaucracy of the country starting at the barangay level to the national level, which includes the national government offices and agencies.

Seronay stressed that the effective use of report card system will also be discussed as well as the regulations set by the anti-red tape act.

RA 9485 is an act to improve efficiency in the delivery of government service to the public by reducing bureaucratic red tape, preventing graft and corruption, and providing penalties to those who found violating the law.

The law hereby declared that the policy of the state to promote integrity, accountability, proper management of public affairs and public property as well as to establish effective practices aimed at the prevention of graft and corruption in government.

Towards this end, the law stated that the government shall maintain honesty and responsibility among its public officials and employees, and shall take appropriate measures to promote transparency in each agency with regard to the manner of transacting with the public, which shall encompass a program for the adoption of simplified procedures that will reduce red tape and expedite transactions in government.

Signed by then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on June 2, 2007, the law shall apply to all government offices and agencies including local government units and government-owned or -controlled corporations that provide frontline services as defined in this Act. Those performing judicial, quasi-judicial and legislative functions are excluded from the coverage of this Act. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

.
DTI starts to monitor school supplies in Surigao del Sur

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 4 (PIA) -- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has already started to monitor school supplies in the province.

According to DTI Provincial Director Andres Yparraguirre, some office personnel have already been assigned to this effect in order to check the quality and prices of such merchandise.

It was learned that their areas of destination are the cities of Tandag and Bislig, as well as in Hinatuan town. These are places where businesses are brisk.

DTI usually conducts these intense monitoring activities on school supplies during times when opening of classes is drawing near. (RER/NGBT/DXJS Radyo Ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


.
Cebuano News: Aquino saksi sa MOU signing sa DOST ug IBM aron mohimo og research, dev't lab

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Mayo 4 (PIA) -- Gisaksihan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang signing sa Memorandum of Understanding tali sa Department of Science and Technology ug IBM aron mohimo sa research ug development laboratory sa usa ka seremonya nga gipahigayon didto sa Malacañang kagahapon Huwebes.

Ang maong MOU, nga pirmado tali nila Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo ug IBM president ug Country General Manager in the Philippines Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, nagpakita nga ang duha ka mga ahensya andam nga magtambayayungay aron ma-establisar ang First Philippine Systems ug Technology R&D Laboratory.

Ang maong laboratory gitumong aron modagsang ug masustenir ang pag-uswag sa ekonomiya sa Pilipinas sa pagsanong sa mga panawagan alang sa dako nga pakig-uban tali sa industriya sa IT ug sa gobyerno alang sa kauswagan para sa upat ka kritikal nga mga erya sa nasod.

Kini nga mga eryas mao ang business process outsourcing, governance for anti-corruption, talent development, and innovation for a knowledge-based economy.

Sa pamahayag, ang IBM miigon ang bag-ong R & D laboratory “will strive to contribute to the productivity of the Filipino people and improve their quality of life through the generation and improve their quality of life through the generation and promotion of strategic technologies and expertise.”

Sa iyang bahin si Montejo mipadayag sa iyang pagdayeg sa inisyatibo sa IBM ingon nga ang R & D center “will go a long way in building domestic capacity to support continued economic growth and global competitiveness.”

Ubos sa maong MOU, ang mga proyekto nga sagubangon sa laboratory magasubay sa mga prioridad nga mga proyekto sa National Economic Development Auhority’s Medium Term Development Plan ug kini pwedeng maglakip sa mosunod nga mga eryas: Project audit system and database, E-governance services, Landslide predictive analytics, Weather prediction and flood mapping, Crime prevention, Traffic management, ug High performance computing and business analytics. (FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

 .
Cebuano News: Programa ubos HEALS sa gihatag sa lungsod sa Gigaquit

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Mayo 4 (PIA) -- Mga programa ubos sa HEALS agenda kun Health, Education, Agri-Aquaculture, Livelihood and Spiritual Renewal sa probinsya sa Surigao del Norte gihatag ngadto sa lungsod sa Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.

Sa iyang pagbisita bag-ohay pa lamang didto sa lungsod sa Gigaquit, si Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas mitunol ngadto kang Gigaquit Mayor Carlos Egay, Sr., sa mga programa ubos sa iyang HEALS agenda sama sa Daycare Center kantidad P400,000, Camboayon Covered pathway P50,000, Fencing sa Brgy Villafranca Health Station P50,000 ug kantidad P5,000 matag usa alang sa Ipil sportfest, Camam-onan water tank ug provincial road gravelling sa Sico-sico Elementary School.

Malipayon usab ang kapitanes nga nakadawat matag usa sa barangay assistance kantidad P5,000.

Atol sa maong pagbisita gipaabot usab sa mga residente ngadto kang Governor Matugas ang ilang mga mulo labi na ang Barangay Mahanub ug Sitio Tuyatuya Poniente. (Surigao del Norte PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

.
Cebuano News: Pilipinas nakuha nga marelaks ang tension sa Panatag Shoal

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 4 (PIA) -- Ang Pilipinas nakuha nga mapahina ang tensyon sa Scarborough Shoal nga taliwala sa mga kritisismo nga nagbutyag nga pinaagi sa puwersa sa militar, ang bangi sa teritoryo magdala og dili maayo sa Pilipinas, ingon sa spokeman sa Palasyo.

Sa usa ka kukabildo nga gipahigayon sa Malacañang, si Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda nagbutyag nga ang niagi nga aksyon sa gobyerno sa pagdala sa situwasyon sa China nakaparelaks sa tension sa duha ka nasud.

Ingon ni Lacierda nga sayop ang pagdahom nga ang Shoal mawala sa Pilipinas, giklaro niya nga kini ang rason ngano ang gobyerno sa Pilipinas gisang-at ang isyu sa Internasyonal nga Tribunal.

“We have definitely deescalated the tensions in the Panatag Shoal. Paano po mawawala sa atin? Klarong-klaro kaya natin inaakyat sa International Tribunal because we believe that the way out from this situation is to have a declaration mechanism as provided by international laws,” ingon niya.

Tungod sa pag-insister sa katungod sa Panatag Shoal, gibutyag ni Lacierda nga ang panggamhanang Aquino dili mosugot nga ang Chinese magbutang og base sama sa ilang gibuhat sa Mischief Reef.

Uban sa respeto sa pagtukod og relasyon sa China, si Lacierda niingon nga ang mga Pilipino nga diplomatiko padayon sa aktibo nga pagpaningkamot sa pakig-dialogo sa mga Chinese.

“Marami tayong mga levels of exchange with the Chinese government, not only the Chinese government but also the Chinese community. So it’s not true that we have not repaired the relations in fact, we have a good relations with the Chinese Embassy dito sa Pilipinas,” ingon niya.

Ingon usab ni Lacierda nga ang Pangulo nagadawat og mga tambag gikan sa iyang mga tigtambag sa pagsabot sa isyu.

“The President is very responsible and very prudent. The policy here, as the President has categorically stated is we want to de-escalate tension in Panatag Shoal,” si Lacierda nagkanayon.

Mahitungod sa mga Chinese fishing vessels nga padayon sa ilang operasyon sa lugar, ang Pilipins nga gobyerno magpadayon sa pagdokumento sa mga kalihukan sa mga Chinese adiser kini dad-on sa International Tribunal. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

.
Cebuano News:18 ka mga scholars sa Agusan Del Sur nipirma'g kontrata sa DOST

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 4 (PIA) -- Mukabat sa 18 ka kabatan-unang estudyanteng naggikan sa probinsya sa Agusan del Sur ang nakapasar sa gipahigayong eksaminasyon sa Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholarship ang nipirma sa kasabutan sa departamento isip mga bag-ong scholars.

Atol sa nasangpit nga kalihukan, si DOST-Caraga Regional Director Lindo Villacorta niingon nga ang numero sa mga nagmalampuson sa rehiyon nidoble kung ikumpara sa niaging tuig.

“Mapasigarbohon jud nakong i-anunsyo sa inyo nga sa tibuok rehiyon sa Caraga, aduna kita’y 63 ka mga pasado, ug 18 niini ang naggikan sa Agusan del Sur. Gusto nakong ipaabot sa inyo nga alang kanamo sa DOST, garbo kanamo lakip ang mga pasado sa scholoarship nga karong tuiga nidoble ang numero sa mga nipasa kumpara sa niaging tuig ug sa tuig 2010. Sa niagi nga tuig aduna lang 26 ka mga nipasa samtang sa tuig 2010 aduna lang usab 32,” ingon ni Villacorta.

Ang hepe sa DOST sa rehiyon usab nagbutyag nga dili lalim ang pagpa-eskwela sa mga estudyante sa koliheyo, labi na kung walay scholarship nga makaayuda.

“Dili lalim ang pagpasar sa scholarship nga eksaminasyon, mas lisud usab ang pagpa-eskwela sa koliheyo, kung ang estudyante walay bisan unsa nga scholarship nga ayuda. Gawas sa bayronon sa eskwelahan, ang DOST usab ang mu-ayuda sa panginahanglanon sa mga scholar sama sa book allowance ug uban pa nga mga pribiliheyo,” ingon ni Villacorta.

Dugang sa opisyal samtang ang mga estudyante adunay pribiliheyo sa pagpili sa eskwelahan nga diin sila magatungha, aduna usab silay mga nailhan nga mga eskwelahan sa nasud nga mamahimong pili-on sa estudyante kung gusto nila.

“Kami adunay nailhan nga mga dekalidad ug gobyerno nga tulunghann kung diin ang mga estudyante pwedeng mutungha kung makita nila nga sila kwalipikado sa mga kurso nga gihanyag sa maong mga tunlunghaan. Aduna kita'y University of the Philippines, Mindanao State Universities, University of Southern Philippines ug kami usab nagrekomenda sa Ateneo de Manila ug Ateneo de Davao. Usa usab ka rekisitos ang pagkuha sa kurso mahitungod sa science and technology,” ingon ni Dir. Villacorta.

Si Villacorta usab nagpahimangno sa mga bag-ong scholar sa pagmintina sa ilang mga scholastic records aron ila gayung mapadayon ang ilang scholarship. Sa kadtong mu-undang sa kung unsa man nga rason, sila pabayaron sa gobyerno sa kung unsa man ang nagasto samtang sila scholar pa.

“Pipila na lang ka katuigan gikan karon, daghan sa atong mga scholar nga niperma sa kontrata ang mu gradwar. Tungod niini, ako naga-ingon kanila sa dili pagduha-duha sa pagduol kanako aron sa pagpangaplay og trabaho puhon. Kung adunay bakante ug tsansa, ako andam mu-ayuda og pagtrabaho kauban namo sa DOST,” ingon ni Villacorta. (RER/PIA-Caraga)