PIA News Service - Saturday, March 3, 2012

GSIS grants emergency loan for members in La Paz, Agusan del Sur

BUTUAN CITY, March 3 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has approved the grant of emergency loan for GSIS members in La Paz, Agusan Del Sur who were affected by flashfloods caused by heavy rains in the area during the early part of the year, announced yesterday by President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara.

According to Vergara, GSIS members in La Paz may apply for the loan from March 1 to April 2, 2012, saying that a total of 750 government employees in La Paz will benefit from the program. These employees are part of the 6,000 families who were affected by flash floods in the area that caused extensive damage to property, livestock, poultry, rice and corn fields, and infrastructure.

Government employees in La Paz are employed in three public agencies: Agusan Del Sur Division Office of the Department of Education, Municipal Government of La Paz and La Paz National High School. They may apply for the loan through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosk using either the eCard or Unified Multi-Purpose ID eCard. GSIS members who lost their cards but who are eligible to apply for the loan may apply over-the-counter in any GSIS office.

“The GSIS Board has reduced the interest rate for the emergency loan from eight to six percent. We also removed the service fee in the loan to make it more responsive to the needs of members especially during difficult times,” Vergara explained.

Eligible members who may file for emergency loan include bona fide employees of the agency located in the declared calamity area or are resident of the declared calamity area; in active service and not on leave of absence without pay; have no pending criminal or administrative charges; have no arrearages in the payment of mandatory social insurance contributions; and have no loan that has been declared in default.

Members in agencies whose loan privileges were suspended because of non-remittance of premium and loan payments are not eligible to apply for the emergency loan. (RER-GSIS-Butuan Branch/PIA Caraga)

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Apl.de.Ap inspires Sendong survivors in Cagayan de Oro

By Danilo Escabarte

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, March 3 (PIA) -- His visit to disaster-struck Cagayan de Oro, days after Tropical Storm Sendong, left a lasting impact on him.

Now, Apl.de.ap of the famous Black Eyed Peas is back in CDO, warmly welcomed by students, teachers and residents at the Balulang Elementary School, which was damaged by Sendong.

Hastily-made posters welcomed the Fil-Am international rapper to their school, while “student-disaster survivors” sang “The Power of your Love,” which put everyone in a reflectivel mood.

“Thank you for the warm welcome you've given me. I was touched by your song,” Apl.de.ap said in his message to the students. “Continue to dream...study hard. I was once like you. I was adopted when I was a child. Continue dreaming,” he told the students.

Apl.de.ap (a.k.a. Allan Pineda-Lindo, Jr) was in Cagayan de Oro recently for the groundbreaking ceremony of a 2-storey, 4 classroom schoolbuilding he donated for students of Balulang Elementary School. He was accompanied by Rafael Lopa, head of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) and president of the Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation (NCAF).

Balulang Elementary School sustained major damage due to Sendong's wrath. Nine (9) of its students remain missing and presumed dead while another one was recovered. The school was submerged in six feet deep floodwaters during the deluge last December.

After the simple grounbreaking rite, Apl.de.ap gamely accepted the crowd's request for him to rap a sample of his hip hop composition. The audience made up mostly of survivors swayed and joined Apl in his rendition of “Bebot.”

Apl.de.ap's last stop was at the Ecoville Relocation site for survivors in Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City. At least 130 families have already moved in to the 5-hectare relocation area donated by Xavier University when Apl.de.ap visited the place.

Kids at the relocation site recognized and called him “idol,” then rushed towards the hip-hop artist to talk to him.

Apl. talked to some of the kids at the site who readily recognized him.

Apl.de.ap together with NCAF and PBSP, spearheads the “We Can Be Anything” Education Advocacy Campaign that helps marginalized students, youths and communities.

Before leaving Cagayan de Oro on a barrowed private jet, Apl.de.ap made a wish: that is, to comeback and inaugurate the school building he donated to students of the Balulang Elementary School. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

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Surigao Norte integrates day care centers into mainstream schools

By Eugenio Lira

SURIGAO CITY, March 3 (PIA) -- Governor Sol Forcadilla-Matugas on Wednesday announced the integration of day care centers into the mainstream elementary schools in the province.

Matugas made the announcement during a medical mission sponsored by the provincial government in Barangay Rizal attended by local officials and school teachers of B. Vasquez Central Elementary School wherein she committed to put up a pre-school day care center worth P400,000 for the said school.

“Integrating preschoolers into the mainstream elementary schools would result to accelerated development of their social skills, particularly peer interactions and basic self-care tasks such as grooming, feeding and the like. It would also hasten their learning skills considering DepEd could supply them with the latest learning materials and technology,” Matugas stressed.

“The classroom will be constructed inside the school’s premises and will be available before the opening of classes in June."

School Principal Eda Equibal-Ensomo thanked the governor for choosing her school as a pilot project of the latter’s education program.

Matugas said more preschool classrooms will be constructed within this year as part of their innovations to improve the quality of education in the province. (FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Friday, March 2, 2012

Butuan City Tourism Office, DOLE conduct “Error-Free, Service Quality Workshop”

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 2, (PIA) -- To further enhance the skills and work attitude of the workers, the City Tourism Office here in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga jointly spearheaded the “Error-Free, Service Quality Workshop” held Friday in one of the local convention centers here.

Participants of said forum are Human Resource and Management (HRM) students from Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT), representatives from the different establishments and government agencies.

According to City Tourism officer Maria Jocelyn Rojo, the main objective of the workshop is to reorient all tourism-related establishments in giving an "Error Free" Quality Service to its customers.

DOLE-Caraga Regional Dir. Ofelia Domingo also expressed that she is very happy to work with Butuan City Tourism Office especially for this Error-Free, Quality Service Workshop. She also encouraged the participants to apply the things in their field of work whatever they will learn from the activity.

Earl Dela Victoria, board secretary VI of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga, emphasized that their office with DOLE is providing the soft skills to all the participants of said workshop while it will be the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) who will be giving the hard skills through hands-on trainings. He also substantially discussed how to achieve an error-free service to the customers.

"Doing it (assigned tasks) right the first time is the surest way to reach zero defect in service quality," added Dela Victoria.
Also, City Administrator Leah Mendoza said that no matter what job we have for living, we should have the desire to give quality service to our clients/customers & enjoy the things we do.

"If you commit mistakes in your work, accept it and never do it next time. Focus to your work and provide error-free service quality to your customers," she said.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga Regional Dir. Leticia Tan stressed that everyone has a role to play to help boost the tourism industry.

"We should work and bring ourselves into error-free, quality servants to our clientele. When we are working with perfection, we are also attracting investors to come and put up businesses in Butuan City," Tan said.

Meanwhile, the City Tourism Office and DOLE expressed that they are open for another set of participants for the same workshop with other partners in the government agencies and private sectors. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

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PRC exceed targets on disaster management setting, blood and public health services

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, March 2 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur Chapter (PRC-AdS) exceeded in most of its targets as presented in their annual accomplishment report for the year ending December 31, 2011.

All non-trainers training on basic disaster management, standard disaster management training, community based disaster management training and disaster response registered 160 percent against target, while trainers training on disaster response course and disaster management course registered 600 percent each.

During last year’s floods, PRC-AdS record showed excellent performance of 777 percent in extending technical aid to municipalities and barangays affected. Although records show that only 37 percent or 687 persons were served of relief goods in the municipal level, it registers 125 percent or 3,199 persons were served in the barangay level. But due to shortage of relief goods packed in bags, the number of relief goods distributed were only 57 percent or 687 bags against target of 1,200 bags.

On blood services, donors recruitment record shows that new individual donors were not met when only 1,698 were recruited against the target of 1,800. However, repeat blood donors increased by 315 individual donors hitting 150 percent.

Targeting 100 recipients in nutrition feeding, PRC-AdS had served 1,932, registering 1,932 percent, while another 201 percent were registered when the chapter targeted 100 persons for community health care and hitting 201.

In the dissemination and prevention education on HIV, dengue, H1N1 and other illnesses, PRC- AdS also exceeded by 20 percent after registering 300 persons served against the 250 target. Mobilization of volunteers also hit the same percentage with the same targeted figures. PRC-AdS also exceeded in all three other public health services when they registered 34 hygiene promoter against 30, targeted 150 person to be reached and recorded 164 person reached. The number of volunteers to be mobilized were targeted to 30 persons but the persons that were actually mobilized were 32.

“We will be coming up with reports on what we did in our social services when we reconcile our records. But I am sure that we also exceeded in almost all of our targets,” said PRC-AdS administrator Christyll Basan. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

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Studies consortium to create Mindanao knowledge center

DAVAO CITY, Mar. 2 (PIA) -- Plans to establish a local research and policy center for Mindanao are currently being pushed by the Mindanao Studies Consortium Foundation, Inc. (MSCFI) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

During a recent meeting held at MinDA, representatives from the academe comprising the MSCFI have agreed to the proposal of setting up a Mindanao Knowledge Research and Policy Center (MKPRC) that would ensure harmonization and proper utilization of knowledge resources in Mindanao for policy making and development initiatives.

According to the group, the availability of knowledge resources on Mindanao and experts on this field has not been fully tapped.

“Now is the time for us to pursue the creation of a multidisciplinary center for local experts and consultants to convene and help in our research efforts for sustainable development,” said MinDA Executive Director Janet Lopoz.

The MKRPC shall become the command center of a Mindanao-focused scientific and Research and Development (R&D) community of academic scholars. It would also seek to improve Mindanao knowledge networks with academic and research institutions from other countries once the center is established.

Meanwhile, Prof. Ricardo de Ungria, MSCFI Chairperson supported MinDA’s stance to push through with the center saying they hope to firm up partnership and collaboration to realize the plan.

The Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan (M2020) which is being pursued by MinDA has identified the creation of the center as integral to improving capabilities for undertaking scientific and empirical researches and analyses that support the region’s development needs.

The 20-year framework plan serves as the roadmap for peace and development efforts in Mindanao, focusing on five key themes namely, Peace and Security, Governance and Institutions, Economy and Environment, Human Development and Social Cohesion, and Enabling Conditions. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/MinDA)

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BFP conducts 46th Fire Prevention month kickoff ceremony in Surigao del Sur

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, March 2 (PIA) -- Caraga Fire Chief Sr. Supt. Mario Socorro Timonera spearheaded the region’s kickoff ceremony of the 46th Fire Prevention Month celebration held for the first time in here at the Saint Theresa College (STC) on Thursday.

With the theme “ Makiisa, Makialam at Makipagtulungan upang Sunog ay Maiwasan”, the affair was split into four parts starting with a mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral, blessing of the newly acquired fire truck courtesy of Tandag City Mayor Alexander Pimentel, followed by a motorcade and then, the program proper.

In his speech, Timonera stressed that “fire is fickle friend” but can also be damaging hence, the need for a “continuing public education” for the necessary involvement of the populace in tight coordination with the concerned local government units (LGUs) to curb fire incidents.

Since the month of March is simultaneously held with the Women’s Month Celebration, he said, his administration also focuses on women empowerment.

The said event was graced by high ranking officials of the host province, the City of Tandag and allied local and national government agencies here including the police and army. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)

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Cebuano news: Aquino gipangulohan ang paghandum sa ika-26th Anibersaryo sa Presidential Security Group

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 2 (PIA) -- Gipangulohan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang commemorative rites sa 26th Founding Anniversary sa Presidential Security Group kagahapon Huwebes didto sa PSG headquarters sa Malacañang Park, Manila.

Ang Pangulo giubanan nila Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, PSG Commander Colonel Ramon Mateo Dizon ug uban pang mga opisyales sa national ug lokal nga mga ahensyasa pagpanguna ni Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

Sa iyang pag-abot didto sa PSG Grandstand, si Pangulong Aquino gihatag og full military honors sa PSG troops sa pagpanguna ni Troop Commander Col. Nestor Herico.

Ug dayon gipangulohan sa Pangulo ang presentasyon sa mga plaques of recognition ngadto sa top PSG personnel alang sa tuig 2011 lakip usab ang mga citations ngadto sa mga pribadong mga indibidwal “ for their unwavering support and assistance to the PSG.”

Ang Best PSG Personnel alang sa tuig 2011 mao sila: Major Alfonso Ileto, Organic Officer of the Year; Maj. Paulo Teodoro, Operational Control Officer of the Year; Technical Sergeant Gerardo Mercado ug SPO4 Bernardo Maglaya, Organic Enlisted Personnel of the Year; ug Estrella Tabinas, Civilian Employee of the Year.

Ang mga indibidwal nga gihatagan og pasidungog sa PSG mao sila: Social Secretary Susan Reyes alang sa pagpapasiugda og traditional Dinner Ball sa PSG; Radio and Television Malacañang (RTVM) Executive Director Virgilio Nadal, Jr. alang sa pag-asister sa nagkalain-laing mga media network atol sa presidential engagement sa pagsuporta sa nagkadaiyang mga Security Task Action Groups; Presidential Management Staff – Officer for Regional Concerns Assistant Director Henry Abella alang sa pagpanguna sa kinatibuk-ang pagplano ug preparasyon sa tanang mga presidential engagements ug requirements sa PSG; ug si San Miguel CEO Ramon Ang alang sa iyang paghatag og mga relief goods ug mga supplies alang sa ubay-ubayng mga outreach program sa PSG.

Aron pagmatuod sa ilang dakong pasalamat sa Pangulo, ang PSG mipresentar og usa ka hinulma nga replica sa PSG Beret ngadto sa Pangulo nga nagsimbolo sa panaad sa PSG nga protektahan ang Pangulo sa Republika sa Pilipinas. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Cebuano news: Gov. Matugas mibisita sa Brgy. Rizal

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Mar. 2 (PIA) -- Si Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol Matugas mibisita sa Brgy. Rizal ning syudad uban ni Vice Governor Carlos Egay Jr., atol sa pagpahigayon sa “Panambay sa Barangay” niaging adlaw Pebrero 29, 2012 didto sa Brgy. Gym sa maong lugar ning syudad.

Sa iyang mensahe, si Gov. Matugas miingon nga ang panambay sa barangay importante sa kinabuhi sa katawhan nga ddin ang serbisyo sa maong panglawas gihatagn gyud og dakong prayoridad sa iyang HEALS agenda.

Samtang si Vice Gov. Egay miingon usab nga kini nga program usa lamang ka katumanan sa mga nakalatid na nga mga programa sa maayong panglawas.

Atol sa maong okasyon si Gov. Matugas mihatag usab og P400,000 alang sa pagtukod sa day care center, P100,000 alang sa improvement sa brgy. hall ug P50,000 alang sa pagrepair sa covered court sa maong eskuylahan.

Si Punong Barangay Severo Del Rosario, Jr. uban ang mga opisyales ug mga magtutudlo sa maong lugar nagpasalamat gyod og dako kang Gov. Matugas ug sa mga pangagamhanan sa probinsya tungod sa mga kaayohan nga ilang nadawat. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Thursday, March 1, 2012

2012 Women’s Month celebration activities set in Surigao del Sur

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 29 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Surigao del Sur has already lined-up several activities for the month of March in time of Women’s Month celebration this year.

The opening salvo of the celebration today started with a Holy Mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral at 6:00 a.m. followed by the motorcade around the city. It was participated by employees of different government afencies, stakeholders and non-government organizations (NGOs).

Anchored on the theme “Women Weathering Climate Change: Governance and Accountability, is Everyone’s Responsibility," a tree planting activity is set in time of the International Women’s day celebration on March 8. This will be held at the road side of the following barangays: Victoria, Dayo-an, Gamut, Cagdapao and Bahao all in Tago town of this province.

According to Fracisca Perez, DENR-CENRO administrative officer here, they are preparing three seedlings of Golden Shower tree to each participants who will join the said activity.

Meanwhile on March 29, the Philippine Red Cross in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be conducting a whole day Mass Blood Donation at Tandag City Plaza. The “Alay Lakad and Hataw” also set on the culmination day on the following day.

Meanwhile, every Friday of the whole month of March, a physical exercise will be conducted at the Tandag City Boulevard, afterwhich, the Free Blood Chemistry will be conducted at the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center. (PIA Surigao del Sur)

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PRC-Agusan del Sur to transfer to its new building next month

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, March 1 (PIA) -- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Sur Chapter is set to transfer its office next month to a new building within the provincial government center.

A 2,000 sq. m. lot was donated by the provincial government for their use. The building has a floor area of 134.17 sq. meters.

According to Provincial Engr. Pamela Yucosing, the construction of the PRC-AdS building is about 50 percent completed as of the end of February 2012.

She said they are speeding it up because the temporary office presently occupied by the PRC-AdS will be renovated and will be used by the Register of Deeds.

The donation of the lot and the new building started on September, 2010 when the DOP Government Center Board passed resolution No. 1, series of 2010 approving the request of the PRC-AdS for a Deed of Donation of 2,000 square meters lot for its new building.

In the said resolution, it was stated that the provincial government was planning to put up an expansion hospital in the location of the then existing PRC-AdS old building. In exchange of the vacated lot and building, the provincial government will relocate and construct a new building for the PRC-AdS in a lot near to the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital.

On the 54th regular session of the 13th Sangguniang Panlalawigan held on November 14, 2011, Resolution No. 620 was passed authorizing Provincial Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza to enter into a Deed of Donation with the Philippine Red Cross, represented by its chairman Richard Gordon.

Following the passing of the ordinance, the Deed of Donation was executed early February this year, stating that the donor is willing to transfer portion of Lot No. 2-27B-2 and where the PGAS shall also shoulder the expenses in the construction of the new PRC-AdS building with modern specifications.

During the meeting by the Board of Directors of the PRC-AdS recently, PRC-AdS administrator Christyll Basan also announced approval of the provincial government for the release of Agusan del Sur’s counterpart in the purchase of the new ambulance for the official use of the PRC-AdS.

“The ambulance costs P1.8 Million. While other chapters took the fund from its donors as counterpart, we are very lucky here in Agusan del Sur that the provincial government, thru Gov. Plaza, has approved to pay the counterpart cost, which is actually half of the total cost. We have now in our position the money to pay for our counterpart, while waiting for the vehicle to arrive,” Basan said.

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‘Paper town’ shifts to agri-tourism

By Eugenio Lira, Jr.

BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Mar. 1 (PIA) -- The once paper-producing town in the county is now embarking on a massive venture into tourism and agricultural production to prop up its declining economy as a result of the 2009 shut down of the Picop Resources, Inc., which used to produce paper and timber products and employed more than 3,000 workers.

Keynoting the Caraga Region Tri-Media Practitioners Association convention, Mayor Librado Navarro on Monday said the city’s top tourist attractions include the Tinuy-an Falls, the man-made Lake 77, Mud Skim Boarding, the pearl-shaped Hagonoy Island and bird-watching. It earned more than P30 million last year as compared to only P230,000 when tourism activity started in 2003.

“Normally, we recorded about 7,000 tourists monthly. But during peak seasons, it would reach more than 20,000. The three-tiered Tinuy-an Falls remains the top tourists-drawer and never fails to enchant visitors with its artistic grandeur of 55 meters in height with a bathing area of 95 meters which is considered the widest in the country and the reason it was christened as the ‘Niagara Falls of the Philippines’,” Navarro said.

Navarro added that tourists also took interest in bird-watching particularly for the ‘Sun Bird,’ which is considered as one of the smallest bird in the world, aside from rare species such as the Silvery Kingfisher and the Philippine Eagle, among others.

“For agri-production, the city has allocated 1,000 hectares for rice farming, 6,000 hectares for multi-crop farming and has intensified its program on livestock raising and other cottage industries for our constituents. In the process, we want our farmers to become entrepreneurs,” he said.

He said the city has also embarked on said project for sustainability to stop dependency on agricultural products from Davao and Cotabato areas. (FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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DPWH-Siargao to construct Katipunan-Maasin farm to market road in Pilar

By Michael O. Conte

SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 1 (PIA) -- To improve the inter-barangay and inter-municipal linkages for better agro and aqua economic activities in Siargao Island, the government has earmarked P5 million for the construction of Katipunan-Maasin Farm to Market road in Pilar town to be undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) this year.

“When completed, the road will serve as faster alternate route for farmers and fisher folks from the villages of Katipunan, Maasin, Salvacion and Mabuhay in transporting their products to market centers in the nearby municipalities,” said District Engineer Salvador E. Montil, Jr.

The road project will connect the remote villages to Junction Osmeña-Pilar national highway via the village of Maasin that will facilitate better access and delivery of agricultural and marine products.

The project is funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco T. Matugas.

In Socorro town, the DPWH has implemented rehabilitation and repair of the San Roque-Nueva Estrella FMR, Navarro-Lobo FMR, and Nueva Estrella-Catansoy FMR (Phase 3) at a cost of P3 million sourced from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Cong. Matugas. (DPWH-Siargao/FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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BCWD triumphs in PAWD national quiz show

By Ramil S. Barquin

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 1 (PIA) -- The Philippine Association of Water Districts, Inc. (PAWD) conducted its 33rd Annual Convention last February 8-10, 2012 with the Metropolitan Cebu Water District as host.

Almost 1,500 participants from all over the Philippines joined in the annual confab which includes board of directors, general managers, WD Employees, exhibitors and sponsors.

Among the highlights of the annual convention was the conduct of the National Level Contests namely: Pipe Fitting Olympics for Water District Employees, Best Integrated Watershed Management Plan, and Best in Publication Award (Magazine and Newsletter) and the 1st PAWD National Science and Math Quiz for elementary and secondary students.

Overall champion for the 1st PAWD National Science and Math Quiz elementary level was Danica M. Astillero from Divine Seraphim Speech and Development Centre, Inc., representing Northern Mindanao Natural Resources Management Council (NorMin-NRMC) and Butuan City Water District (BCWD) while Miguel Lorenzo Ildesa from PAREF – Westbridge School of Iloilo representing Metro Iloilo Water District came in second place. There were a total of six participants representing six different regions of the Philippines who competed in for the elementary level.

For the secondary level, Jomel Maroma of Philippine Science High – Western Visayas, representing Metro Iloilo Water District and Ariel Vence Zafra of Tagum City National High School, representing Tagum City Water District were declared the champion and runner-up, respectively, for the secondary level. There were a total of seven participants for the secondary level wherein BCWD’s representative Francis El Bequilla was a Semi-finalist.

Acting as Board of Evaluators for the competition to verify the answers of the contestants were representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DTI) Cebu and from the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/BCWD)

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Cebuano news: Aquino giimbitar aron motambong sa deklarasyon kang Blessed Pedro Calungsod didto sa Roma

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 1 (PIA) -- Ang Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) miimbitar kang Pangulo Benigno S. Aquino III aron motambong sa pagdeklara kang santo San Pedro Calungsod didto sa Italya karong Oktubre.

Sa press briefing didto sa Malacañang kagahapon Miyerkules, si Ricardo Cardinal Vidal ug CBCP President Jose Palma miingon nga gisultihan na nila si Pangulong Aquino kagahapon didto sa Casa Roces sa Malacañang Complex og giingnan siya nga mamahimong dakong kalipay gyod sa tanang nasod kung makaadto siya sa Roma alang sa deklarasyon ug sa national thanksgiving didto sa Cebu karong Nobyembre.

Sa dihang gipangutana sa mga reporter kung gidawat ba sa Pangulo ang maong imbitasyon, si Vidal miingon ang Pangulo maglisod pagtambong tungod kay basin usab kini nagpasabot nga usa ka state visit og nagkinahanglan og dugang oras.

Samtang ang Pangulo wala mohimo og bisan unsang pasalig, matud ni Vidal ang Pangulo misaad nga iyang tan-awon ang iyang mga eskedyul ug basin nga iyang masibog ang iyang mga nakaplano na nga mga biyahe. Siya midugang nga ikalipay gyod og dako sa Simbahang Katoliko kung makatambong ang Pangulo sa maong pagdeklarar lakip usab sa suporta nga iyang mahatag.

Kalabot na sa thanksgiving mass nga pagahimoon karong Nobyembre didto sa Cebu, si Vidal miingon, “The Filipino people would be grateful to God through the Mass that will be celebrated in the grounds of Cebu.”

Atol usab sa maong press conference, si Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda miingon nga ang pagdeklarar kang Calungsod usa ka mahinungdanong butang alang sa Simbahang Katoliko ug usab alang sa Pilipinas tungod kay ang nasod karon aduna nay ikaduha nga Filipinong santo.

Si Lacierda miingon nga ang Pangulo misaad sa CBCP nga siya motambong sa thanksgiving didto sa Cebu apan siya mipasabot nga ang eskedyul sa Roma dili pa segurado nga makatambong ang pangulo.

“So it’s pretty hard to fix the schedule. We already have a schedule for the visits of the President abroad. So more or less that was set already or agreed upon, so he will have to look into it,” siya miingon.

Apan si Lacierda miklaro nga ang Palasyo wala mag pabor sa bisan unsa nga grupong relihiyon sama sa Iglesia ni Cristo, protestants ug mga evangelicals.

Si Calungsod natawo didto sa Cebu, usa katekismo sa Panay Islands ug Mindanao Islands lakip usab ang Pacific island sa Guam.

Usa ka yanong katekismo, si Calungsod namatay didto sa Guam samtang gidepensahan ang iyang katrabahong misyonaryo, ang Jesuit nga pari ug karon Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores, niadtong Abril 2, 1672. Si Calungsod namatay sa edad nga 17 anyos.

Si Pope John Paul II miila kang Calungsod niadtong Marso 5, 2000, uban ang lain pang 43 ka mga martyrs sa seremonya nga gipahigayon didto sa St. Peter’s Square sa Roma.

Ang unang santo sa nasod mao si Lorenzo Ruiz, usa ka tigbantay sa kapilya ug kanhi altar boy nga natawo sa Manila ug nahimong martyr didto sa Japan niadtong 1637. Siya giisa pagkasanto niadtong 1967. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, February 29, 2012

SJIT wins Caraga Reg'l Quiz Bee, qualifies for 32nd Nat'l Quiz Bee

by Ramil Sanchez

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 29 (PIA) -- Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) won the Regional Quiz Bee and Caraga Regional Elimination for the 32nd National Quiz Bee held on February 23, 2012 at the Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office Caraga.

SJIT was represented by Jayrold T. Villarta, a junior BS Architecture student. Villarta received a Gold Medal and Certificate from the Quiz Bee Foundation. He will represent Caraga Region during the National Grand Finals on March 24, 2012 in Tagaytay City.

The Teacher - Coach of Villarta, Marilou H. Mella received a certificate from the Quiz Bee Foundation. She will accompany Villarta during the Summit of the Super Quiz Bee on March 23-25, 2012 where the National Grand Finals will be conducted.

Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) finished Regional Runner-up with Jay Mark V. Fulgarinas and Teacher - Coach, Engr. Rossane E. Andaluz. Fulgarinas received a Silver Medal from the Quiz Bee Foundation. Fulgarinas and Andaluz also received certificates from the foundation.

The Regional Development Council endorsed the said activity as part of the 17th Caraga Regional Foundation Celebration. The Chair of the Board of Judges was NEDA-Caraga Assistant Regional Director, Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño and the members were Dr. Anastacio P. Martinez of CHED Caraga and Jodel A. Tabada of DA-RFU Caraga.

NEDA - Caraga and DA - RFU Caraga gave surprise questions on Caraga Region and agriculture where the lucky audience received various goods from NEDA and certified seed - packs from DA. NEDA also gave tokens to the winners. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/CHED Caraga)

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Feature: Our body also needs fat

Fat is a necessary nutrient for optimal health and well-being.

Our bodies need fat to function properly such that without sufficient intake, many body processes would fail to function. Fat not only serves as an energy source, but is also responsible for the construction of every cell in our body and the regulation of most bodily processes

The health of cells and our entire body depends on lipid molecules or cholesterol fats that form the bulk of the cells surface membrane area. Further, good fats, specifically omega - 3 fatty acids, help regulate bodily processes such as heart rate, blood vessel constriction, blood pressure, blood clotting, and nervous system activity.

In addition, the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K rely on dietary fats to transport them to the body tissues.

Fat also protects vital organs, keeps the body insulated, maintains healthy hair and skin and provides a degree of fullness following meals. As you can see, fat is not the villain it is often thought to be, but rather, an essential health component.

Although it has been medically proven that excess dietary fat can have a deleterious impact on health and body composition, what is not often distinguished is the role certain fats can play in fighting disease, promoting good health, and establishing ideal body composition.

Based on the results of the National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), the use of oil and fats among households nationwide decreased significantly from 18 grams in 2003 to 15 grams in 2008.

The recommended intake of fat based on the Daily Nutritional Guide Pyramid for Filipinos is six to eight teaspoons per day.

Here are some facts about the good and bad fats, their effects on the body and some issues in choosing healthier spreads for bread or cooking.

Butter or margarine?

Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented cream or milk. It consists of butterfat, water, and milk proteins.

It is generally used as spread and condiment, in baking, making sauce, and frying. Butter is an emulsion which remains solid when refrigerated but softens to a spreadable consistency at room temperature and melts to a thin consistency at 32-35 degrees Centigrade.

Generally, it has a pale yellow color but varies from deep yellow to nearly white. Its color is dependent on the animal’s feed and is commonly manipulated with food colorings like annatto or carotene.

Butter as an animal product is high in both artery-clogging saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke among avid consumers.

It contains saturated fats which can raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and LDL cholesterol is also known as “bad” cholesterol.

Margarine however, is made from vegetable oil, is low in saturated fat and has no dietary cholesterol. But because the liquid vegetable oil in margarine is hardened through a process called hydrogenation, it is high in trans-fatty acids.

When margarine was first introduced to the market, it was loaded with trans-fats. Trans-fatty acids are thought not only to raise levels of bad cholesterol but also to lower levels of “good” cholesterol. The “good” cholesterol or HDL-cholesterol offers a defense against artery-clogging fats. This makes trans-fats worse than saturated fats.

Food manufacturers and the general public began to realize the negative health effects of trans-fats such that non-hydrogenated margarine was developed and is now widely available. Non-hydrogenated margarine has no trans fat and is softer than the original margarine.

Instead of hydrogenating liquid vegetable oil, manufacturers now add a tiny amount of modified palm kernel oil to enhance the spreadability of margarine, creating a soft margarine that’s trans fatty acid free, according to Whitney in “Understanding Nutrition.”

Now that you already know the difference between bad and good fats, the choice is yours!

The bottom line is, use fat in moderation! Knowing what you eat is essential to good nutrition.

Read labels to determine the healthiest food options. Nutrition labels offer a wealth of information to help you make good choices.

In order to enjoy good health, we need the best nutrients for our body coupled with a healthy and active lifestyle.

For longer and happier life, follow the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos developed by FNRI-DOST.

For more information about the NNS and food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science Technology, Bicutan, Taguig City; Trunkline: 837-2071 local 2296; Telephone/Fax No.: 837-3164; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com; Website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service)

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“Panambay sa Barangay” goes to Surigao City barangay

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 29 (PIA) -- Another round of “Panambay sa Barangay” (medical mission) of the provincial government was successfully held yesterday February 28 at Barangay Lipata, Surigao City.

During the said event, Gov. Sol Matugas led the ceremonial turn-over of educational materials to preschoolchildren and to the day care center worth P400,000 which will be constructed in Sitio Panubigon and two classrooms worth P1,247,000 in Lipata National High School Annex.

At the same time, Matugas encouraged all women to organize their own barangay livelihood cooperative that would help increase their income.

The governor also encouraged everyone, especially the barangay officials to help and actively participate in the development of their barangay.

Barangay Balibayon Captain Lucrisio Mesias thanked Gov. Matugas for the free medical check up, dental, Pap smear, circumcision, and free medicine and vitamins. (Provincial Information Center/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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CDO and Iligan schools receive education assistance from USAID 



DAVAO CITY, Feb. 29 (PIA) -- Almost 10,500 students from Cagayan de Oro (CDO) and Iligan City received new school kits as replacements for their school materials destroyed or washed away by tropical storm Sendong (‘Washi’) last December. 



Provided by the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM) 3, a USAID-funded program under the oversight of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the assistance augments educational support given to schools and students in heavily affected areas.



The DepED division offices of CDO and Iligan selected which would be the beneficiary schools and prioritized those severely affected by Sendong and those that received minimal support from recovery efforts due to the inaccessibility of their location. 



Overall, nine schools from CDO and 11 from Iligan city were identified as recipients of the educational assistance. Each school was given new sets of books, dictionaries, and other classroom materials to facilitate the improvement of classroom set-up and the smoother conduct of lessons amidst the ongoing reconstruction of their respective areas. 



The donated supplies can last up to the first semester of the following school year, depending on how the schools manage their resources. 



“The kids are really happy with the new school kits they received. We prioritized giving the supplies to the higher levels because they are the ones who usually carry heavy school materials. Thank you po talaga,” said Rosita Bayron, principal of the Bayug Elementary school, one of the schools that were completely decimated by Sendong. 


“Even if we do not have our school site yet, we are one of the few schools that were able to gather many students on the first day of classes this year,” Bayron said, adding that their students currently hold classes at the covered gym of Iligan City East High School-Hinaplanon Complex. 


Apart from the flooded school buildings, majority of the affected schools also lost computer units to Sendong, such as Tuburan National High School (Digkilaan Annex) which lost 11; most of thee were donated by GEM years back. 



“Through GEM-USAID program, we had been providing necessary infrastructure and resources to enhance access to quality education in target communities in Mindanao,” said MinDA Chair Luwalhati R. Antonino.



MinDA's Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework has cited the need for adequate and reliable support infrastructure for education and disaster risk management that strongly enhances the peace and development initiatives for Mindanawons. 



Since 2008, GEM 3 has been providing school infrastructure improvements to elementary and secondary schools such as updating of school libraries, home economics rooms, multi-media center, and internet connection to far flung Mindanao barangays including Iligan city. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/MinDA)

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Cebuano News: Kakulangon sa Classroom maresolba na sa tuig 2013-matud ni Aquino

By Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO CITY, Peb. 29 (PIA) – Mawagtang na sa gobyerno ang dugay na nga problema sa kakulangon sa balay tulunghaan karong tuig 2013 si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III miingon kagahapon Martes.

Ang Pangulo misulti sa mga partisepante nga mitambong sa 4thNational Congress of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Association s (COCOPEA) nga kini posible pinaagi sa mga reporma nga ma-implementar sa tibuok ahensya ug mga programa sa pamuhunan sama sa Public Private Partnership (PPP) program.

Siya miingon nga sa iyang paglingkod isip Pangulo niadtong tuig 2010, ang Department of Education nagtaho nga adunay kakulangon nga 66,000 ka mga balay tulunghaan alang sa mga estudyante.

Sukad niadto, ang DepED mipadayon sa pagpakunhod sa kakulangon pinaagi sa pagtukod og mokabat 15,000 ka mga balay tulunghaan niadtong tuig 2011 og dugang pang 35,000 karong tuiga.

Siya mitumbok nga ang DepED mipasalig nga sa tuig 2013 mawagtang na ang kakulangon niini.

“Therefore, by 2013, there will be further 15,000 (classrooms) that will come clearly from the public private partnership program plus the other donations plus other sources, will eliminate the shortage of 66,800 classrooms roughly in the third year of our administration,” ang Pangulo miingon. (RER/SDR-PIA13 Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Surigao Norte gov, THPAL exec lead speech lab turn-over

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- A turn-over ceremony and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing for a speech laboratory highlighted the Provincial Development Council Meeting held Monday, February 27, 2012 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel, Surigao City.

Governor Sol Matugas and Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. Project Site Manager Hiroshisa Oda led the signing and turn-over ceremonies of the said speech lab to the three local government unit recipients namely Surigao City, Del Carmen and Gigaquit.

Present during the occasion were Surigao City administrator Atty. Manuel Corro, Alegria mayor Dominador Esma Jr., Del Carmen mayor JR Coro, Gigaguit mayor Carlos Egay, Sr., Placer mayor Monching Napuli, Socorro mayor Elizabeth Galanida, board member Mamerto Galanida, provincial government employees and representatives of the different national line agencies, socio-civic and non-government organizations.

The P1 million-worth speech laboratory will be installed by Mc Jones Speech Laboratory System Machine at Caraga Regional Science High School (CRSHS) in Surigao City, Del Carmen National High School and Gigaquit National High School.

CRSHS principal Dr. Matilde Manligues, Mayor Carlos Egay Sr., and Mayor JR Coro expressed their gratitude to Matugas and the THPAL company. They said that speech laboratory is a big help in providing quality education to the public high school students of the province. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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Soldiers undergo DRRO training

BRGY AWA, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, February 28 (PIA) -- About 40 soldiers from the 401st Infantry (Unity) Brigade and from its subordinate units gathered in the opening ceremony for Disaster Risk Reduction Operation (DRRO) training held at the brigade headquarters, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on Monday, February 27.

Troops were organized to join the five-day DRRO training which composed of lectures and practical exercises.

According to Col. Romeo G Gan, commander of 401st Brigade, they invited the best instructors from Office of the Civil Defense – CARAGA Region, headed by Mr Amado M Posas to train his men on DRRO.

Gan also emphasized the Army Core purpose to serve the people and secure the land.

“The soldiers shall adhere to the commitment to perform his duty not only in combat but also in humanitarian services that uphold trust and confidence of the Filipino people,” he said.

“What we also want to enforce in our unit is to develop and enhance the capability of our men in rescue and relief operations. We want them to be well-organized and fully equipped to make them more competent and prepared at all times to take actions in case the people needs our help,” Gan added.

1st Lt Allan Guibone, training officer of 401st Brigade stressed that the said training will end on March 2, 2012.

"We hope that after five (5) days of rigorous training our personnel will become a more reliable rescuer of the people,” Guibone said. (401st Brigade CMO/PIA Surigao del Sur)

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Surigao City to join earthquake preparedness drill on March 1

SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- Schools, government agencies, business establishments and media in the city will participate in a simultaneous earthquake drill nationwide on Thursday, March 1.

Surigao City Information Officer Annette Villaces said thousands of students and employees are expected to get involved in the drill, which will be spearheaded by the CDCC, Office of the Civil Defense and the city government of Surigao and supported by its member-agencies.

“The blowing of sirens will be the cue to execute the duck, cover and hold for the period of simulated earthquake and evacuate to your pre-designed evacuation mustering area and conduct a head count of all your personnel,” Villaces informed.

She also asked the hotel and business establishments to notify all their customers and clients about the activity to avoid any untoward incidents. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

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EU-funded project cited for empowerment of women through livelihood

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- A livelihood component of a European Union-funded rehabilitation program for Central Mindanao has shown significant impact on the lives of women in the recipient communities, an independent monitoring team said in a recent visit to the project areas.

Blanca Gil, who led the EU-commissioned monitoring team, pointed out the livelihood training given to women in the communities served by the Early Recovery and Rehabilitation in Central Mindanao (ERRCM) has effectively enabled women beneficiaries to generate resources for their family needs.

Among the livelihood activities undertaken under the program include vegetable gardening, banana chip processing, mat weaving, product packaging, and basic record-keeping.

“The livelihood activities have given them initial income to meet their daily needs such as food and related household requirements,” said Gil, adding that “this is an encouraging transformation for their living conditions after being displaced by past conflicts.”

Apart from livelihood, Gil also noted that other program components have transformed the lives of the people in the communities through core shelters, community health centers as well as water and sanitation programs.

“The people are settled and generally happy with what they have. There are many impacts now already visible,” she said during a debriefing session with officials from the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). She added that more positive outcomes could be evident once the livelihood projects are strengthened and expanded.

The ERRCM project team and its NGO partners have started conducting basic training and seminars on technical support to livelihood projects.

Women in Barangay Manggay in Talitay, Maguindanao received training on banana chip processing and vegetable gardening under the bio-intensive gardening program.

Other skills training include basic packaging of goods, basic record-keeping, bio-intensive gardening, and product diversification. For some groups, micro-capital for start-ups was also provided.

Gil took particular note of the fact that livelihood projects benefit mostly women of the communities, saying that it would bear direct impact on their personal finances.

“Some of the livelihood activities, like the vegetable gardening in Talitay, Maguindanao, are very amazing,” she said.

While there is a constant market for their products such as fresh produce, the beneficiaries also seek greater market links through the assistance of the LGUs, other government agencies, and NGO partners.

In Damawato and Galidan in Tulunan, North Cotabato, the project plans to tap technical assistance in forming a cooperative to support the buy-and-sell activities of the women beneficiaries.

In the remote barangay of Pamalian in Pikit, the project recipients also sought assistance for hauler trucks for easier and less costly transport of products to market centers. Meanwhile, Barangay Pimbalakan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, was given assistance in market linkage for woven mats, a primary product of their community.

Gil commended the selection of the livelihood projects based on the availability of local raw materials, which will enable the beneficiaries to sustain the livelihood activities for the long term.

“The good thing of the project is that you are not inventing things and importing them to the community. Rather, you are using raw materials (available locally) and making the best of it, which in a sense, gives us some certainty that these things would continue,” she said.

ERRCM project coordinator Cynthia Guerra acknowledged the commendation but admitted there is more work to be done, pointing out the need to strengthen the LGUs’ commitment to provide greater market linkages and ensure sustainability.

Supported by the EU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ERRCM is a government support to peace and rehabilitation efforts to facilitate the return or resettlement and early recovery of communities affected by the armed conflict in Mindanao from August 2008 onwards.

The program is being implemented by MinDA, in partnership with the Regional Government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/MinDA)

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Feature: Only 8 out of 100 babies exclusively breastfed

By Charina A. Javier

The proportion of infants receiving exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months decreased from 2003 to 2008, according to the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).

The NNS showed that only 8.6 percent or only about 8 out of 100 of 0-23 month old children received exclusive breastfeeding, while 29.9 percent received breastfeeding and complementary food by current feeding practices.

Exclusive breastfeeding is not giving an infant any food or drink other than breast milk, nor other fluids including water, tea or sugar. Complementary feeding, meanwhile, is giving other foods to infants until the baby becomes accustomed to family foods.

Among 0-5 month old infants, exclusive breastfeeding is practiced only by 35.9 percent which means that only about one-third of infants in the country met the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months.

Moreover, the 2008 survey showed that the mean duration of exclusive breastfeeding significantly decreased to 2.3 months from 3.0 months in 2003. The mean duration of breastfeeding in 2008 is 4.9 months compared to 5.6 months in 2003.

Among 6-11 month-old babies, exclusive breastfeeding dropped to 0.5 percent while breastfeeding and complementary feeding was practiced by 39.4 percent. Also, more than half or 59.8 percent was given other milk and foods in this age group.

Among 12-23 month-old babies, about two-thirds or 65.7 percent was given other milk and foods, and only about one-fifth or 21.6 percent of mothers practiced breastfeeding and giving complementary foods.

The decreasing rate of breastfeeding practice is alarming, considering the various physiological and socio-economic benefits of breastfeeding.

Breastmilk is the perfect food for infants because it provides all the nutrients that are needed for proper growth and development. It also contains antibodies that help protect babies from common childhood illnesses like diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition. Moreover, breastmilk is readily safe, available and affordable, and it strengthens the bond between the mother and baby, and the whole family.

Message No.2 of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) recommends breastfeeding infants exclusively from birth to six months, and to give appropriate foods while continuing breastfeeding.

Promoting breastfeeding focusing on nutrition, health and economic benefits should be intensified among women, especially among would-be mothers, to prepare them to breastfeed immediately after childbirth.

For more information about the NNS and food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science Technology, Bicutan, Taguig City; Trunkline: 837-2071 local 2296; Telephone/Fax No.: 837-3164; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or mar_v_c@yahoo.com; Website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service)

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Feature: High fiber diet helps prevent cardiovascular and heart diseases

By Salvador R. Serrano

Dietary fiber helps prevent cardiovascular and heart diseases?

It is a carbohydrate derived from plant origin that resists digestion in the small intestine of humans but is metabolized in the large intestine through fermentation by microorganisms into gases and short chain fatty acids.

Dietary fiber has various health benefits. It can slow down fat and carbohydrate absorption in the small intestines. Dietary fiber can also affect insulin metabolism, thus regulating sugar level in the blood. It may also lower triglyceride (or fat) levels in the blood. This is according to the Glycemic Index of Commonly Consumed Carbohydrate Foods in the Philippines, a book published in 2011 by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology or (FNRI-DOST).

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, the government’s lead agency on food and nutrition research and development.

Increasing intake of viscous or “thick and sticky” fibrous food has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Eating high fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been linked to decreased risk of coronary heart disease.

For more information, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, FNRI-DOST, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telefax Numbers: 837-2934 and 837-3164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)

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Feature: Lycopene in reducing prostate cancer risk

By Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso

One of the most popular home garden vegetables is the tomato.

The tomato is easy to grow. When grown as a stalked plant, it requires a relatively small amount of space, yet is capable of producing a lot of fruits per plant.

It is a fact that the tomato is high in nutrients. It is packed with vitamin C, potassium, fiber and vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.

The tomato is a rich source of lycopene, a carotenoid that is a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene has been the subject of many current promising researches on plant chemicals that promote health. It is a carotenoid responsible for the red color in tomatoes and other fruits like watermelon and grape fruit. Carotenoids, along with phenolic acids and flavonoids, are all phytochemicals, the nutritionally beneficial active compounds found in fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols, one of the potentially beneficial anti-cancer compounds, is also found in tomato products, predominantly in the skin and seeds.

A variety of epidemiological studies by Giovannucci in 2002; Mill in 1989 and Wu in 2004 have suggested that dietary factors may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. Increased consumption of tomatoes, carotenoids, Vitamin C, selenium, cruciferous vegetables, polyphenols, soy, fish, green tea or vitamin D may all be linked to a decreased risk of prostate cancer. Their studies further show that an increased consumption of fruits and vegetables significantly reduces the incidence of prostate cancer.

Lycopene and tomato products appear to reduce the risk of prostate cancer in epidemiogical studies. A study led by Giovannucci in 1995 showed that lycopene and tomato product intakes were associated with a decreased risk of prostate cancer. One study led by Gann in 1999 suggested a strong inverse association between aggressiveness of the cancer and plasma lycopene. Another study led by Wu in 2004 showed an inverse association between plasma lycopene concentrations and risk of prostate cancer although only in older men without a history of the disease.

The results of these epidemiological studies support a hypothesis that tomato products and lycopene consumption reduce the risk of prostate cancer and supports further testing of this relationship with animal and human trials.

With all the health benefits of eating tomatoes, make it a habit to include in your daily meals tomatoes as appetizer or an ingredient in the dishes. Based on the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s Food Composition Table (FNRI-FCT), half a cup of fresh tomato weighing 40g as appetizer for lunch and dinner, assures you of 10.8 kilocalories for energy, 0.36 grams of protein, 0.12 grams of fat, 12.4 milligrams of calcium, 10.4 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.4 milligrams of iron, 152 micrograms of beta carotene, 0.02 milligrams of thiamin, 0.012 milligrams of riboflavin, 0.24 milligrams of niacin, and 13.6 milligrams of vitamin C.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num: 8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)

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Tagalog news: Agusan del Sur pinarangalan bilang isa sa sampung lalawigan na may pinakamataas na produksyon ng palay

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Peb. 28 (PIA) -- Nasungkit ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Agusan del Sur ang prestihiyosong parangal bilang isa sa 10 lalawigan na may pinakamataas na produksyon ng palay mula taon 2008. Ito ay nakupirma pagkatapos ng masusing pagsiyasat na ginawa ng mga national evaluators para sa Agri Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards.

Ang programang Agri Pinoy Achievers Awards ay inilunsad ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas sa pamamagitan ng Department of Agriculture na ang tinitingnan ay ang pagiging supisyente ang produksyon ng bigas sa taong 2013. Ito ay kikilala at magbigay ng parangal sa may mga pinakamataas na produksyon sa mga lalawigan, lungsod, bayan at mga agricultural extension workers na sangkot sa produksyon ng bigas. Ito rin ay upang tuloy-tuloy ang kaalaman, magpapatibay ng partisipasyon, suporta at mga kaakuhan para sa programa.

Sa patuloy na pag papatupad ng programa ng Boosted Utilization of Grain in Agusan del Sur o ang BUGAS program ng administrasyon ni Gob. Adolph Edward Plaza na sinusuportahan ng mga lokal na pamahalaang bayan, ang produksiyon ng bigas sa lalawigan ay naging masigasig at patuloy na nagbibigay ng matass na oportunidad sa mga magsasaka na kumita ng malaki.

Kasamang paparangalan ay ang bayan ng Trento na naging isa sa 50 bayan sa ilalim ng municipal category, at si Alfred Gimang ng Trento na isa sa 500 na pinarangalan bilang agricultural extension worker category.

Sa ilalim ng programang BUGAS, ang mga teknolohiyang suporta kasama na ang pagpapalago ng mga pananim katulad ng binhi at abuno, maliliit na irigasyon at pre and post harvest facilities; mga kalsada sa sakahan, pagbibigay ng iba’t ibang pagpipilian sa pamamagitan ng research studies at pagsasanay ng tamang teknolohiya, paggamit ng organic na abuno at tulong sa pagbibinta ng mga produkto ay mapagtibay.

Sa mga nakaraang taon, ang Agusan del Sur ay naging supisyente sa kinakailangang bigas. Noong taon 2011 ang produksiyon ng bigas ay naitala sa 333,160 metric tons na nagdadala ng average na produksiyon na 3.5 metric tons kada hektarya. Base sa 124 kilograms per capita consumption o sa pangangailangang 73.38 metric tons, ang naging surplus na bigas ay inabot ng 139,833 metric tons.

PIA News Service - Monday, February 27, 2012

KKK project in Surigao del Sur barangay gains support from local officials

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The implementation of the Kasanayan para sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran (KKK), facilitated by the 29th Infantry Battalion under Col Henry Robinson, Jr. and in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) led by Dir Rey Cueva, gains support from the Local officials here.

KKK is a Bayanihan project conducted by the Philippine army under the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) of the Aquino Administration. It aims to bring the basic and relevant services of the government direct to the people particularly to the remote areas with insurgency problem.

The first implementation of the program was held in three barangays in Marihatag last year. And just recently the program was implemented in Anahao-Daan, one of the interior barangays in Tago town.

During their mass graduation ceremony on February 25, 84 graduates received Driving NC II certificate; 41 graduates - Culinary Arts and 35 graduates- coconut processing/coco by product.

According to Allan Millan, supervising TESD Specialist, the program implementation was realized through the support of Governor Johnny Pimentel with the “Jobs through Tech-voc Program (JTP), Congressman Philip Pichay, and LGU Tago under Mayor Henrich Pimentel. (PIA Surigaodel Sur)

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Surigao del Sur to implement social integration program for rebel returnees

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur Feb. 27 (PIA) -- The province of Surigao del Sur plans to implement its own version of Social Integration Program (SIP) for rebel returnees.

According to Gov. Johnny Pimentel, all mayors here have already been informed of the matter during the Social Integration Program orientation meeting with LGU officials and concerned agencies held recently.

Pimentel stressed, the plan, which has an initial target of about 60 rebels, aims to encourage rebels to return to the fold of law so they can live a normal life.

He bared, for every returnee, the provincial government will shell out an amount of P35,000 with P20,000 counterpart from the concerned municipality. On top of this, an additional amount of P30,000 will also be given for the firearm that will be brought along, Pimentel added.

He said, the province is just waiting for the approval of the ordinance to this effect from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. (Radyo Ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)

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Bayanihan spirit launches GK Enchanted Farm

By Gervacio C. Dauz, Jr.

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) -- Amid the sweltering heat that enveloped the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Enchanted Farms in Brgy. Pagatpatan here, Marissa G. Burdeos and her bevy of partners still continued to be upbeat, knowing that buyers would later swarm her products such as deboned bangus and peanut butter.

Her gut feel was right for it did not take an hour of waiting when buyers, many of whom come from different line agencies of the government and other private partners, trooped to her “talipapa” and began purchasing her products.

Burdeos and her partners, who are all residents of the GAAM 2 of GK Pagatpatan, were happy with the turn of events. They believed that happy days would be here sooner and the entrepreneurship activity that they started in collaboration with the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) would pick up.

FSUU trained them first and funded them afterwards, which they responded with labor as their counterpart.

In a bigger context, FSUU’s venture, dubbed as social entrepreneurship, is part of the GK Enchanted Farms’ rolling out, which was officially launched this day.

Based on the memo of agreement signed among several partners, the said social entrepreneurship venture is “in response to the call for nation building, promoting Filipino tradition by imbibing the Bayanihan Spirit, and the promotion of volunteerism and cooperation among partners to undertake the total development of individuals/families in communities considered the poorest of the poor and underprivileged.”

Victor Emmanuel A. Ozarraga, GK area coordinator for Caraga and Camiguin, shared during while the country is commemorating the EDSA People Power revolution, “we in the local context are doing the same also, but our version of the people power revolution is against poverty,” though this is not much in terms of economics, but in terms of behavior.

He further explained that in said venture, “we are combining two initiatives; we have vast lands that we still have to capitalize, and we need to build on our strengths” in furtherance of helping others help themselves, particularly the socially disadvantaged sector.

On the other hand, City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante commented that “the GK Enchanted Farm is a venture that could be anchored on so many development challenges such as food security, disaster risk reduction, housing and relocation, climate change, moral recovery – to name a few – for us to be able to build a stronger society.”

GK is now in the second phase of the GK Vision 2024, where one of the main strategies is giving the best to the least through Designer LGUs and the promotion of Social Entrepreneurship through establishing of GK Village Universities with GK Enchanted Farms. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/TESDA-Agusan del Norte)

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Feature: Obesity causes 37,000 deaths among Filipinos

By Eva Abille-Goyena

The problem of overweight and obesity in the country is alarmingly increasing in number, affecting about 7 out of 10 women and about 1 out of 10 men, according to 7th National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).

Obesity affecting Filipino adults is known as android or apple-shaped type, where abdominal fat accumulation is measured using waist-hip ratio (WHR). The WHR criteria are recommended by the World Health Organization and considered as a sensitive measure in relation to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A person with WHR equal to or more than 1.0 in men or equal to or more than 0.85 in women is considered android or apple-shaped obese.

The relative risk associated with apple-type obesity among Filipinos was found to be more than twice the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD) and almost thrice the risk of developing CVD including stroke. This accounted for at least 37,000 deaths in 2008, the FNRI-DOST added. Thus, obesity is considered as the third leading cause of CAD and CVD, next to hypertension.

“Apple-shaped” women were six-times greater than their men counterparts which accounts for about 13,000 and 3,000 CAD deaths, respectively. On the other hand, around 21, 600 deaths due to CVD including stroke was reported by the FNRI-DOST.

In addition, the NNS results showed that android obesity has increased significantly in the last ten years, from 40.0 percent in 1998 to 65.5 percent in 2008 among women. Among men, there was slight decrease from 12.1 in 2003 to 11.1 percent in 2008.

Obesity is known as a co-morbid factor to other chronic diseases including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol problems, among others, according to the NNS.

Results of the clinical and health component survey of the 7th NNS were reported by Charmaine A. Duante, Senior Science Research Specialist of the FNRI-DOST during the 36th FNRI July Seminar Series at Bicutan, Taguig City.

According to Duante, the study primarily aimed to provide reliable national prevalence of four CVD risk factors like hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia and three behavioral risk factors such as smoking, alcohol drinking and physical inactivity among Filipino adults 20 years old and above.

The report also highlighted the different age groups among Filipino men and women who were at greater risk to chronic lifestyle-related diseases.

This interesting result of the FNRI-DOST provides basis for formulation and strengthening of a more systematic, gender and age specific approach by the government and private sectors to promote behavioral change modification at the individual level.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num: 8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)

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Feature: Discover the versatility of potatoes

By Divorah V. Aguila

Potatoes are one of the popular vegetables abundant throughout the year.

According to Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a potato has approximately the same energy value as bread, but it is a far better balanced food than it. Potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates which supply energy. One serving of boiled potato, about 100 grams (g) edible portion, has about 62 calories, 1.7 g protein, 34 milligrams (mg) calcium, 44 mg phosphorus and 24 mg vitamin C. Since potatoes are starchy foods, they put less work on the kidneys. That same potato has about 5 grams of fiber, which is important for a healthy digestive tract.

The FNRI also said, potatoes contain more potassium than any other fresh vegetable, even more than bananas. One potato (100 g) has almost 900 mg of potassium, which is about 20 percent of what we need every day. Potassium is important for body growth and cell maintenance. It is also an electrolyte that helps balance the fluids in the body, which is important for normal blood pressure.

Potatoes also contain substantial amounts of vitamins C and B6, which are vital for blood clotting, wound healing, strong immune system, normal nervous system function and for converting food to energy.

With this, the institute advised that when selecting potatoes, make sure they are smooth, shallow-­eyed, and reasonably unblemished. They also said to avoid extra large potatoes, as it may have a hollow or pithy centers. Potatoes with a slightly green color are sunburned and may have developed a bitter taste. When choosing potatoes, be sure they are firm and smooth. Softness, a green tinge, or wrinkly skin may indicate a potato that is past its prime.

After this, store potatoes in a cool and dry place. Sunlight causes the skin to turn green. If this occurs, the skin must be peeled off before consuming because of its bitter taste. Most of the nutrients are contained right below the skin, so avoid peeling when possible.

FNRI also said that before cooking potatoes, they should be thoroughly washed with clean tap water and scrubbed lightly. Any sprouts or eyes growing from the potato should be cut. The skin can be removed or left on depending on use but consuming baked and grilled potatoes with the skin left on provides the most nutrients.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num: 8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service)

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Tagalog news: 25 na punong guro kukuha ng masteral degree, pondo mula sa PGAS at DepEd

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Peb. 27 (PIA) -- Dalampu’t limang mga punong guro mula sa elementary at mataas na paaralan ang bibigyan ng pagkakataong kumuha ng masteral degree sa edukasyon at administrasyon sa Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) para maabot ang mithiin ng pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Agusan del Sur (PGAS) na mabigyan ng de kalidad na edukasyon ang mga batang Agusanon.

Si Bise Gob. Santiago Cane na siyang nagrepresenta kay Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza ay lumagda sa kasunduan kasama ang presidente ng Ateneo de Davao University na si Fr. Joel Tabora upang patunayan ang kasunduan ng magkabilang panig ang kanilang pagtutulungan upang maiangat ang antas ng mga nalalaman ng mga punong guro sa pagtuturo at pamamahala na paaralan. Ang MOA signing ay ginanap sa Trento West Central Elementary School.

Ayon kay Tabora, iilan lamang ang gumawa ng ganitong programa sa buong bansa at ito ay isang dakilang adhikain ng PGAS para maiangat ang kakayahan ng mga guro. Masaya rin si Tabora na maging kaagapay ng PGAS at DepEd para mapaunlad ang kakayahan ng mga guro sa Agusan del Sur.

Ayon kay Cane, binibigyang importansiya ang edukasyon dahil misyon nila ang maibigay ang de kalidad na edukasyon para masiguro ang mabuti at maliwanag na kinabukasan ng mga batang Agusanon.

Ang matrikula at iba pang mga gastosin ng mga eskolar ay sasagutin ng PGAS habang ang mga allowances ay sagot din ng DepEd sa buong panahon na ang mga punong guro ay nag-aaral sa loob ng tatlong buwan.

Ang pagpapadala ng 25 na punong guro sa ADDU ay pangalawang beses na. Ang una ay noong 2009 at ayong kay bise Gov. Cane, ito ay gagawin na nila taon-taon simula sa taong ito.

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Cebuano news: Aquino pormal nga mo-anunsyo sa pagpatuman sa Kindergarten Law

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Peb. 27 (PIA) - Pormal nga i-anunsyo ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang hingpit nga pagpatuman sa Acta Republika No. 10157, o gitawag nga Kindergarten Education Law, sa usa ka seremonya nga pagahimoon didto sa Malacañang karong adlawa Lunes.

Ang Pangulo mohimo sa pag-anunsyo atol sa Presentasyon sa gipirmahan nga mga Documents of the Kindergarten Law nga pagapangulohan ni House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte ug Education Secretary Armin Luistro didto sa Rizal Hall sa Palasyo sa Malacañang.

Ang Acta Republika 10157 “An Act Institutionalizing the Kindergarten Education in to Basic Education system and Appropriating Funds Therefore” mohatag alang sa libre ug gikinahanglang edukasyon sa kindergarten sugod sa klase tuig 2012-2013.

Ang maong balaod, nga gipirmahan sa Pangulo niadtong Enero 20, mitumbok sa kaimportante sa Kindergarten nga edukasyon “to the academinc and technical development of the Filipino child for it is the period when the young mind’s absorptive capacity for learning is at its sharpest.”

Ubos sa maong balaodnon, ang mga kabataan nga nag-edad lima kinahanglan mokuha og usa ka tuig sa Kindergarten isip preparasyon alang sa pagsulod ngadto sa Grade I.

Kini, matud pa sa Department of Education, makapadugang sa kahanas ngadto sa grade school ug makapakunhod sa early dropout. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Sunday, February 26, 2012

DENR13 urged residents to plant trees to avoid landslides

By Eric F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 13 have suggested that people living in the upland barangays may have good chances of avoiding landslide incidents by planting trees rather than converting their lands to farms using slash-and-burn techniques.

Slash-and-burn is an agricultural system in which a forest is cut, the debris is burned and the land is then used to grow crops.

DENR13 Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca said that forest clearings through the “kaingin” method of farming “greatly contributes to deforestation which can destabilize the soil in the long run and can trigger landslides and destructive floods during strong typhoons and heavy rains.”

“Our chances of survival from disasters like landslides are limited in areas where there are forest destructions and denudations,” Sibbaluca said.

He said with unpredictable weather condition in the Philippines which is becoming more powerful and disastrous owing to climate change, the people should help the government’s actions in taking aggressive stance to fight this modern-day threat to humanity.

“It is an advantage to the people when President Benigno S. Aquino III declared a logging moratorium of logging activities in natural and residual forest areas nationwide through the imposition of Executive Order No. 23 on February 2,2011,” he said.

He said the people should realize that instead of cutting trees, they should plant more trees to mitigate climate change. The forests, he said, are good mitigation approach to climate change.

“Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen so that we can breathe clean aid,” he added.

Meanwhile, DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje said the National Greening Program of the government, which is being carried out throughout the country, is expected to increase forest cover. Paje said that P6 billion has been set aside for NGP in 2012 alone.

“We have doubled our target of planting tree seedlings on 200,000 hectares of denuded lands for 2012,” Paje said.

The DENR secretary is optimistic that his agency can surpass the accomplishment made last year in which 69.37 million tree seedlings have been planted in 117,688 hectares of open and denuded forestlands which is above the 100,000-hectare target for 2011. There were about 567,324 individuals who took part in planting the seedlings last year.

Paje said, “That the DENR’s accomplishment in 2011 reflects a very positive scenario for this year’s NGP target as all indication points to positive results since the program went into full swing by the second quarter of 2011 following the issuance of Executive Order 26 by President Aquino last February 24.”

The NGP targets to plant 1.5 billion tree seedlings in 1.5 million hectares nationwide from 2011 to 2016. Priority areas for planting include mangrove and protected areas, ancestral domain areas, civil and military areas, urban areas under the greening plan of LGUs, inactive and abandoned mine sites, and all other suitable lands for reforestation. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga/DENR-13)

PIA News Service - Saturday, February 25, 2012

RDC, Reg’l leaders expresses satisfaction over developmental gains as Caraga turns 17

By Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 25 (PIA) -- Regional Development Council Chairperson and Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas and other regional leaders expresses satisfaction over developmental gains as Caraga Region turned 17-years old on Thursday.

The 17th founding anniversary of the region, which was commemorated under the theme: “Ensuring Food Security Thru Sustainable Resource Utilization,” kicked off with a parade from Butuan City Hall to Agusan del Norte covered court where a holy mass was celebrated. It was attended by the employees of all government agencies and instrumentalities spearheaded by the DepEd Caraga and the DA-RFU 13.

Gracing the affair were Matugas and former Cong. Charito Plaza, who authored the house bill which eventually became RA 7901. The act was signed by former Pres. Fidel V. Ramos on February 23, 1995, transforming the cities of Butuan and Surigao and the four provinces of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Agusan del Sur to compose the 13th region in the Philippines into what is now known as the Caraga Region.

Other prominent personalities present were Agusan del Norte 2nd Congressional District Rep. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba, Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Teddy Casino, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.; Agusan del Norte Vice-Gov. Enrico Corvera (representing Gov. Erlpe John M. Amante); Butuan City SB Member Jo Marticion-Salise (representing Cong. Jose S. Aquino II), Cabadbaran City Mayor Dale Corvera and the regional directors and officials of the government agencies and instrumentalities operating here in the region.

Giving their respective messages during the opening program were Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.; Vice-Gov. Enrico Corvera; Rep. Teddy Casino, RDC Chair Sol Matugas and Former Cong. Charito B. Plaza. The reading of RA 7901 was done by Mylah Fe Aurora V. Carino, ARD, NEDA-Caraga and RDC Secretary.

The opening rites was followed by an “Agri-Fair” held at the DA Compound RFU XIII. RDC Chair Matugas and other guests present did the honor of cutting the ceremonial ribbon. The “Agri-Fair” showcased the various agricultural and fisheries products of the region.

A luncheon came next at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort highlighted by more messages from RDC Chair Sol Matugas, SB Member Jo Marticion-Salise (representing Cong. Jose “Joboy” II), Rep. Teddy Casino of Bayan Muna Party-list and Hon. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba.

Among the program highlights was the recognition and giving of awards to the officials and offices which have contributed to the progress, growth and development of the region.

A press forum followed where the RDC leadership and other LGU leaders present interacted with the local media on the regions developmental gains and progress as well as the challenges after 17 years and onward.

The celebration will culminate at 3:00 p.m. today at DA-RFU XIII Compound.

In a related development, the 15th Caraga Tourism Council Assembly was held at Balanghai Hotel on February 21-22 and Caraga Culinary Live Show Competition was also held at CSU Main Complex at Ampayon, Butuan City. (NCLM/PIA Caraga)