PIA News Service - Friday, August 17, 2012

Gov. Plaza’s birthday celebration to focus on less privileged, launching and turn-over of projects

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Aug. 17 (PIA) -- Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza’s 50th birthday celebration on August 21 will be focused on tree planting, feeding of less privileged and launching and turnover of various projects.

An 8 a.m. thanksgiving mass will open the whole day activities. After the mass, cleaning of the entire Barangay Patin-ay, Prosperidad, will take place, to be participated in by residents themselves.

The Philippine Red Cross will also be open for all volunteer blood donors for blood-letting activity. While the blood-letting is ongoing, a tree planting activity at the provincial capitol grounds will take place.

At lunch, Plaza has ordered the feeding of patients of the D.O. Plaza Memorial Hospital (DOPHM), the detainees and youth offenders at the provincial jail and the Regional Rehabilitation Center for the youth.

Turnover of projects in Barangay Sta. Emelia, Veruela will take place. These projects include farm-to-market roads and repair of a bridge.

Launching of E-Procurement System, Upland Sustainable Agri-forestry Development and the DOPMH as economic enterprise will take place during night time, with video presentation of the Adolph Edward G. Plaza legacy program. Stage presentations from the SPED San Francisco, rondalla presentation from the Agusan del Sur National High School and live band playing jazz and pop music will entertain visitors and guests during dinner time.

The grand fireworks display will follow, with singing and dancing spree. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

DENR-EMB Caraga to validate local gov't best practices on ESWM

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 17 (PIA) -- The member-agencies for the Caraga Regional Ecology Center (CREC) led by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will be validating local government units’ best practices on Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) from August 22-25, 2012.

CREC members will be validating seven municipalities in different schedules as follows: Aug. 22 – Hintauan and Carrascal, both in Surigao del Sur; Aug. 23 – Veruela, Agusan del Sur and Socorro, Surigao del Norte; Aug. 24 – Trento, Agusan del Sur and Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte; and Aug. 25 – Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

Said LGUs will be validated based on three aspects: segregation at source, 35 points; segregated collection, 35 points; and operationalization of materials recovery facility, 30 points.

EMB-Caraga Officer-in-Charge Engr. Ester Olavides said that aside from LGUs, their office is also validating schools that have environmentally sustainable practices in terms of water conservation, solid waste management, and tree planting, among others.

“We also provide technical assistance to LGUs, government offices, and schools who would want to conduct a seminar related to environment. We also support those organizations who will conduct coastal cleanup activity,” said Olavides.

The region's REC is a center for information, database and processing where information materials such as documentation of LGU best practices on SWM, lecture materials for training and IEC, information on best available technologies for SWM, sample plans and SWM flyers are available.

DENR-EMB is calling on the general public to be conscious in their surroundings and held protect the environment. (RER/JPG/PIA-Caraga)

8 Philippine Red Cross ambulance volunteers complete training course

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Aug. 17 (PIA) -- Eight Philippine Red Cross (PRC) volunteers, who will be tasked to operate the Red Cross ambulance, graduated today from the five-day training on first aid and basic life support.

Christyll Basan, PRC Agusan del Sur Chapter (PRC-AdS) administrator, the training included soft tissue injury tending, cardio pulmonary resuscitation and ambulance service operation: operating ambulance equipment.

“We are very lucky to have that ambulance, and that is the main reason why we really need competent manpower to man the ambulance. The ambulance itself is equipped with modern facilities that need experts to operate them. I am very proud to say that we are very lucky to have that ambulance because in the entire country, I believe it is only in Agusan del Sur that half the cost of the ambulance was shouldered by the provincial government, which cost them some P900,000, and half its price by the Philippine Red Cross,” Basan said.

Among the trainees that have completed the training are Julie Lapidez, the PRC- AdS medical technologist; volunteers Efren Cabardo; Jupiter Ladam; May Angelie dela Cruz; Rabin Kye dela Cruz; Oliver Calub; Duane Costillas; and driver Abundio Quinio.

These eight trainees will serve in a shifting basis, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, Basan said.

Basan added another batch of trainees will again undergo training when another ambulance will be delivered as requested by Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward Plaza. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Mindanao leaders laud creation of power monitoring body

DAVAO CITY, August 17 (PIA) -- Key government and business leaders in Mindanao welcomed the recent signing of Executive Order No. 81 by President Benigno S. Aquino III, creating the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC).

The Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) lauded Malacañang for the creation of the committee, which will make way for the review of policies and processes to accelerate private investments for additional generating capacities to the Mindanao grid.

“This is a welcome development and we expect greater collaboration between the government and the Mindanao business sector in addressing the Mindanao power situation," said Vicente Lao, MinBC and Mindanao Electric Power Alliance (MEPA) chair.

Lao said Mindanao needs to put up at least 1,000 megawatts (MW) of new capacities in the next 10 years and another 1,500 MW from 2021-2030 to support its growing economy.

The committee, which shall be headed by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), is tasked to put forward and coordinate the efforts of national, regional and local governments and power industry stakeholders to improve the power situation in Mindanao.

“I am thankful that the President approved the creation of MPMC which will monitor, harmonize, and integrate measures to address the island-region’s power situation,” said MinDA chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, who represented President Aquino at the closing of the 21st Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) recently in Butuan City. MinBizCon is the largest annual gathering of business leaders in Mindanao.

Antonino noted that as early as January this year, MinDA had initiated series of advocacies to push for measures and policies aimed at bringing to an end the recurring power problem Mindanao.

At the height of the power problem in April, MinDA, in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DoE), convened the Mindanao Power Summit in Davao City and rallied Mindanao stakeholders around short and long-term solutions to the problem.

“The committee will be working on the recommendations presented by the Mindanao power stakeholders to President Aquino during the summit,” said Antonino, adding that the President has been earnest in his desire to address the power situation in Mindanao.

She said MPMC shall also ensure the establishment of a power-monitoring mechanism that regularly generates information on Mindanao power generation and distribution, including status of efforts to add new generating capacities to the grid.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) puts the island-region’s system capacity at only 1027 MW in its latest weekly power outlook bulletin, 133 MW short of the Mindanao grid’s 1160 MW system load.

Antonino also said MPMC shall study power summit proposals such as the creation of a Mindanao Power Corporation, which shall take on the operation and maintenance of the Agus and Pulangi hydropower complexes. Such proposal is now gaining ground in Congress with the filing of House Bill No. 6308, proposing for the creation of a Mindanao Power Corporation, authored by House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao, Rep. Ma. Isabel Climaco of Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, the Special House Committee on Mindanao Affairs chaired by Rep. Arnulfo Go of the second district of Sultan Kudarat will be working closely with the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization and the Committee on Energy on the proposed measure.

“I believe that the creation of MPMC will ensure a dynamic and efficient performance of all electric cooperatives and power alliances in Mindanao,” said Go.

He added that the creation of a monitoring body will help bolster a more effective generation and delivery of power in the island-region. “Together with the Mindanao lawmakers bloc in Congress, I will support measures that will address the energy needs of Mindanao,” he said.

Moreover, MPMC shall lay the ground for the setting up of a One-Stop-Shop Processing Center (OSSPC) for mini-hydropower plant applications in Mindanao, with support from the DoE.

Mindanao has a big potential in mini-hydropower projects,, but the tedious application process draws back investors.

“The establishment of OSSPC, like the one-stop shops of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), will help fast-track processing of applications for new generation capacities in Mindanao,” Go said.

Currently, the awarding of service contracts for mini hydro projects takes several years to be processed. Antonino said the main goal is to complete the setup of small hydro plants within 10 months to one year.

MPMC is composed of MinDA, DoE, Energy Regulatory Commission, National Electrification Administration, National Power Corporation, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, and representatives from MEPA and the Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives.

The committee is set to convene a technical working group meeting this week. (MinDA/RER/NLM/PIA-Caraga)

Cebuano news: Aquino gitugyanan sa National Artist award si Fernando Poe Jr. (posthumous)

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 17 (PIA) -- Gitugyan ni Pangulong Aquino ang talagsaon nga National Artist for Cinema kang anheng Ronald Allan K. Poe, o mas ilado sa tawag nga Fernando Poe Jr., sa usa ka seremonya nga gipahigayon didto sa Malacañang kagahapon, Huwebes.

Ang midawat sa maong award sa ngalan sa beteranong actor nga ilado sa iyang mga papel isip kampeyon sa yanong tawo, mao ang iyang kapikas nga si Susan Roces ug anak nga si Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares.

Sa iyang pamahayag, gipasalamatan sa Pangulo si Fernando Poe Jr. dili lamang tungod sa iyang kontribusyon sa industriya sa pelikula apan usab tungod sa iyang kaayo ug pagkamatinud-anon sa iyang isig-katawo.

“Sino po bang Pilipino ang hindi nakakakilala kay FPJ? O sino po sa atin ang hindi pa nakakapanood ng kanyang mga pelikula? Kakabit na ng pelikulang Pilipino ang kanyang pangalan, at ‘di-matatawaran ang kontribusyon niya hindi lamang sa pinilakang-tabing, kundi pati na rin sa kalakhang lipunan. At higit pa sa pagiging aktor, higit sa pagiging writer, prodyuser at direktor, isa siyang Pilipinong mapagkumbaba, mapagmalasakit at matulungin sa kapwa,” matud sa Pangulo.

“Ganitong prinsipyo nga po marahil ang isinabuhay ni Ronald Allan K. Poe, mas kilala bilang FPJ, kaya’t naging matingkad ang kanyang karera, at nagmistulang alamat ang buhay niyang inilaan sa pagsusulong ng industriya ng pelikula at kapakanan ng kapwa,” dugang pa niya.

Uban sa maong talagsaon nga award, si Fernando Poe nahilinya na sa lain pang mga gitugyanan sa National Artist for Cinema award nga naglakip nila directors Lamberto Abellana, Ishmael Bernal, Eddie Romero ug Lino Brocka.

Si Fernando Poe maoy co-founder sa Movie Workers Welfare Fund (Mowelfund), director, producer ug nahimong bida sa mokapin 200 ka mga pelikula.

Pipila sa iyang mga pelikula nga dili makalimtan mao ang “Ang Probinsyano,” “Eseng ng Tondo,” “Alamat ng Lawin,” ug “Ang Panday.”

Sa panapos nga bahin, ang Pangulo mipadayag sa iyang paglaum nga daghan pang mga Filipino ang mahimong inspirado sa ilang mga kinabuhi aron sundon ang professionalism, dedikasyon ug compassion ni Poe.

“Sa paggawad natin ng titulong pambansang alagad ng sining kay FPJ, nawa’y libu-libo pang tulad niya ang umusbong at gamitin ang husay at talino upang iangat ang kapwa Pilipino. Dahil sa pagtutulungan, pihadong mapapasakamay natin ang tagumpay, ilang butas man ng karayom ang ating daanan,” matud sa Pangulo.

“Muli, maraming salamat, FPJ. Nawa’y sumapat ang munting parangal na ito upang maihayag ang aming pagmamamahal at pagdakila po sa iyo,” dugang pa niya. (RER/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Cebuano news: De Lima mipadayag sa desisyong mobalik ngadto sa JBC isip ex-officio

Ni Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Agosto 17 (PIA) -- Si Justice Secretary Laila de Lima mibutyag sa iyahang desisyong mobalik ngadto sa Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) isip ex-officio nga membro subay sa gihimong lakang sa constitutionally-created body sa dili pag-apil kaniya sa “Shortlist” kon hamubong listahan sa sunod nga hepe sa Hidikatura.

“Mobalik ako ngadto sa JBC. Molingkod ako isip ex-officio member tungod kay kini ang mandatos sa kontitusyon sa akoang kabahin (I will go back to the JBC. I will sit there as an ex-officio member because that is the constitutional mandate of my part)," kini ang gibutyag ni de Lima atol sa press briefing nga gipahigayon sa Malacanang niadtong Huwebes.

Ang Article VIII Section 8 (1) sa Konstitusyon nagsangkap nga ang JBC kinahanglan nga gigambalay sa Chief Justice isip ex-officio chairman, ang Secretary of Justice ug ang representante sa Kongreso isip ex-officio nga mga membro ug upat ka regular nga membro gilangkuban sa representante sa Integrated Bar, ang propesor sa Law, usa ka niretiro nga membro sa Korte Suprema ug representante gikan sa pribado nga sector.

Si de Lima miingon nga walay problema sa iyaha ang pagbalik sa trabaho uban sa JBC.

Ang JBC misumite niadtong Lunes ngadto kang Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III sa listahan ug walo ka nominado para sa mosunod pagka Chief Justice sa Korte Suprema uban nagkahaduol na ang Agosto 27, tagal sa pagpayl sa bakanteng posisyon.

Sa listahan wala malakip si Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. Ang JBC usab miboto sa pagdiskwalipikado kang de Lima, kinsa nag-atubang sa duha ka kaso ngadto sa Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Lima sa insider sa Korte Suprema ang naa sa shortlist, apil na si Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio (pito ka boto) apil pod si Associate Justices Roberto Abad (unum ka boto), Arturo Brion (unum ka boto) ug si Maria Lourdes Sereno (unum ka boto), and Teresita Leonardo-De Castro (lima ka boto).

Apil usab sa shortlist sila Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza (unum ka boto votes), kanhing Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora (unum ka boto) ug Ateneo De Manila University Law Dean Cesar Villanueva (lima ka boto).

Ang walo ka kandidato nga nakapwesto sa top 3, pagapilion gikan sa total nga 20 ka nominado, kinsa ang tanan panulun-an sa proseso sa pagpili apil na ang “public interview.” (RER/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

PIA News Service - Thursday, August 16, 2012

Butuan's new PNP officer-in-charge reports peace and order situation

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 16 (PIA) -- PSupt Nerio Bermudo, the new officer-in-charge of Butuan City Police Office (BCPO), has reported the peace and order situation of this city covering the period of July 1-31, 2012 during the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting.

Bermudo said crime incidents recorded from July 1-31, 2012 has decreased from 81 last year to 57 crime incidents of the same period.

In Butuan City, it was learned that crimes recorded for the month of July are robbery, theft, physical injury, murder, homicide and rape.

Bermudo also said their office is continuously implementing its campaign against illegal logging, illegal drugs, illegal gambling, and apprehension of wanted persons.

“From the period of July 18 to August 15, we have conducted four positive operations on our campaign against illegal logging, two positive operations on our campaign against illegal drugs and arrested two persons while we also conducted three positive operations on our campaign against illegal gambling and arrested five persons,” said Bermudo.

Bermudo added BCPO has arrested 12 wanted persons within the same period. They also continuously implement the Optical Media Act of 2003 wherein three positive operations were conducted, arrested two persons and confiscated 4,800 pieces of pirated CDs.

With the joint efforts of the city government and the office of 1st District Las Nieves-Butuan City representative Jose “Joboy” Aquino II, Bermudo said BCPO will be installing CCTV Cameras in strategic areas within Butuan City so it would be easier to track or monitor possible crimes.

The establishment of detachment/outpost in the barangays of Bancasi and Ampayon was also raised as one of the issues and concerns that BCPO asked assistance with the council. Another concern is their request for the augmentation of Special Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary (SCAA) personnel at the BCPO headquarters.

During the meeting, City Prosecutor Felixberto Guiritan served as the presiding officer on behalf of City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr. Some local government officials, together with regional directors and representatives of different government agencies who are members of the council, also reported their accomplishments related to the peace and order situation in the city. (RER/JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Tagalog news: Caraga RDRRMC nagsagawa ng isang Refresher/Orientation sa mga Earthquake Drill Evaluators

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 16 (PIA) -- Ang Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) sa rehiyon sa ng Caraga ay nagsagawa ng isang refresher/orientation sa pag-e-evaluate ng earthquake drills kamakailan sa isa sa mga lokal na convention centers dito.

Ang mga kalahok na evaluators ay mga miyembrong ahensya ng RDRRMC sa pangunguna ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga.

Dumalo rin ang ilang rescuers ng Butuan City Search and Rescue Team at Agusan del Norte Emergency Rescue Team at nagbahagi ng kanilang karanasan sa panahon ng mga paglindol.

Ipinaliwanag ni Marc Gil Calang, training officer ng Office of Civil Defense (OCD), ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng kaalaman ng evaluators sa panahon ng earthquake drill.

Aniya, ang pagsasagawa ng refresher/orientation ay importante dahil na rin sa mga hindi tamang kaalaman ng mga evaluators.

Aniya, ang mga maling kaalaman ukol sa mga dapat gawin kapag may lindol ay maaaring makapaglagay sa partisipante sa peligro sa panahon ng makatutuhanang paglindol. "Kailangang parating nasa isipan ng mga partisipante ang ‘Duck, Cover, and Hold' para maprotektahan sila sa mga nahuhulog na bagay. Ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit ang RDRRMC ay nagsasagawa ng refresher/orientation para sa mga dati at bagong focal person ng iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para maging maayos ang mga susunod na earthquake and fire drills,” ani Calang.

Idinagdag din ni Calang na kailangan ang kooperasyon ng mga partisipante upang maisagawa ng maayos drill at mapaghandaan ang lindol.

Ang RDRRMC ay umaasa na ang lahat ng evaluators ay taos-pusong magbibigay ng kanilang mungkahi at rekomendasyon upang mapaunlad ang pagsasagawa ng drill sa iba't ibang establishemento at tanggapan. (RER/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)

Cebuano news: Gobyernong Aquino gidayeg ang mga Filipino nga aktibong mipartisipar sa kampanya niini batok sa 'wang-wang' mentality

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 16 (PIA) -- Gidayeg sa administrasyong Aquino ang katawhang Filipino tungod sa aktibong pagpartisipar sa kampanya ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III batok sa “wang-wang mentality” human nga ang usa ka telebisyon network mipagawas og usa ka video nga nagpakita sa usa ka motorist nga gisukmag ang tigpatuman sa trapiko (enforcer) sa Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Gipagawas ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda ang maong pamahayag atol sa regular press briefing didto sa Malacañang kagahapon Miyerkules human nga gibuhian sa You Tube ang maong video sa news department sa TV5.

Tiyempo nga nakuhaan sa producers sa TV5 ang motorista nga nailhang si Robert Blair Carabuena, usa ka resourcing supervisor sa Philip Morris International nga gisukmag ang naka duty nga MMDA traffic enforcer nga si Saturnino Fabros.

Ang maong insidente nahitabo didto sa Capitol Hills Drive corner Tandang Sora, Quezon City niadtong Sabado.

“We commend our vigilant citizens who actively seek accountability from individuals in both the public and private sectors. A video taken by Karen Bernadette Keith, a researcher for the “T3: Kapatid Sagot Kita” program of TV5, showing a person assaulting an enforcer of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was circulated online and sparked outrage among our fellow citizens through social media," matud ni Lacierda sa iyang pamahayag.

Matud pa ni Lacierda nga suportado sa administrasyon ang lakang sa MMDA aron pagpapasaka og kaso batok sa maong motorista.

"When people seek out and denounce the abusive, we see our citizens taking an active part in the President’s drive against the “wang-wang mentality.” This is a convergence that directly links individuals, through social and traditional media, to broader efforts to achieve social change, by bringing to light any possible wrongdoing," sa iyang pagpasabot.

"Public engagement is the bedrock of democracy. It is at its most potent and powerful when the constant scrutiny of the citizenry serves as a deterrent to the illicit and unlawful," dugang pa niya.

Sa dihang gipagawas ang maong video sa You Tube, ang mga netizens gikan sa social networking sites sama sa Twitter mipadayag sa ilang kadismaya sa gipakitang pagkaarogante sa maong motorist.

"Let us all continue to channel our efforts towards permanently changing our individual and collective behavior for the better," sulti ni Lacierda. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Caraga RDRRMC conducts Refresher/Orientation to Evaluators of Earthquake Drill

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 15 (PIA) – To improve perceptions and performance of evaluators during earthquake drills in different establishments in the province of Agusan del Norte, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) spearheaded the conduct of Refresher/Orientation on how to evaluate an earthquake drill, held recently in one of the local convention centers here.

The evaluators come from the member-agencies of RDRRMC through their permanent focal persons led by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga.

During the orientation, some of the rescuers from Butuan City Search and Recue Team and Agusan del Norte Emergency Rescue Team also participated and shared their actual experiences during earthquake.

Marc Gil Calang, Training Officer of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga emphasized that evaluators should be objective in their assessment and evaluation during earthquake drill.

He also recalled that there was once when one of the evaluators in the previous drills who said and suggested during the evaluation that drill participants should go immediately outside the building during the occurrence of earthquake or when in case they are in the upper floors of the building, they should immediately proceed to the roof top.

“This kind of thinking will surely put the lives of the participants at risk whenever the actual earthquake comes, instead of teaching and reminding the drill participants to always apply and perform the ‘Duck, Cover, and Hold’ to protect them from falling debris… This is one of the reasons why the RDRRMC would want the old and new focal persons from member-agencies to be refreshed on the right ways of evaluating an earthquake drill, as well as the fire drill,” stressed Calang.

Calang further said that drill participants must also cooperate well during earthquake drills so that they can always perform the proper way of protecting themselves when the actual earthquake comes.

With this, the RDRRMC hoped that drill evaluators must be sincere in their evaluations, suggestions and recommendations to improve the performance of the drill participants in the different establishments and offices. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

NSCB calls on Caraga media practitioners to join in the 4th NSM Media Awards

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- The National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) is calling for entries from the Caraganon media practitioners for the 4th NSM Media Awards come October 2012.

The NSM Media Awards is an annual search that recognizes the important role of media practitioners specifically reporters from broadcast, TV and radio; print; and online news service from both government and private media organizations who have made significant contributions in promoting, popularizing and using statistics in information dissemination.

The search is open to all Filipino media practitioners affiliated with local and national news organizations/companies in both government and private sectors.

The board of judges will use the following criteria as basis: 1) Quality or accuracy and timeliness of data based on reliable sources and substance of the article or report, specifically its significance and relevance to the needs of the country and the Filipino people. The report or article can include both qualitative and quantitative analysis using statistics, 35%; 2) Frequency/number or articles/reports released based on the submitted list of the reporter and the monitoring of news by statistical agencies published/aired in newspapers/online/broadcast media. News articles/items should have been released during the period November 2011 to July 2012, 35%; and 3) Effectiveness of the style/approach/form of articles/reports released. News articles/reports that make use of statistics should be user friendly and easily understood by the public and should also positively motivate readers in deeply understanding the use and importance of statistics in improving people’s lives through informed decisions, 30%.

The PIA-Caraga has already started disseminating this information through SMS/Text Blast, including local media practitioners in the region so they can join and prepare the necessary requirements based on the above-mentioned criteria.

A plaque and cash award shall be given to the winners during the 23rd NSM Opening Ceremonies in October 2012.

Deadline of submission of entries is on August 31. Interested parties may contact the NSM Media Awards Secretariat at telephone number (02) 890-9405 and look for Mr. Ruben Litan or e-mail at info@nscb.gov.ph. (RER/JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Foreigner arrested for qualified trafficking, 2 minors saved

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- A German national was arrsted August 12 for qualified trafficking here.

The suspect was caught with two minors inside a bedroom, according to Tandag City Social Welfare and Development Officer Tessie Buniel.

Chief of Police Greggie Pimentel said their office received information from a civilian informant that there was a suspicious foreigner going in and out with some minor girls at a cock house every Saturday and Sunday.

The PNP immediately conducted surveillance to verify the report, and on Sunday, the suspect was arrested during the raid.

Police operatives recovered a Casio Exilim 7.2 mega pixel digicam, a Sony Handy Cam, four sex toys, 30 unsused/used condoms, one bottle Melkfett-soft gel, 40 Cowhead brand pills, syringe without needle and other personal belongings.

As of this writing, the PNP said the filing of the case against the suspect for qualified trafficking or violation of Anti-Child Trafficking in Person Act of 2003 is on process while the suspect is presently detained at Tandag City Police Station. (RER/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

New director assumes Police Regional Office 13 top post

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- Police Chief Superintendent Carmelo E. Valmoria, the former director of the headquarters support services of the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame, Quezon City assumed as the new acting regional director of Police Regional Office 13, in a well-attended turn over rites held at the regional police headquarters parade grounds, Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, here on Tuesday morning.

He received the command symbol and records from PSSupt. Mario Soriano, the Deputy Regional Director for Administration, who was designated officer-in-charge of the said office when the former PRO 13 chief CSupt. Reynaldo S. Rafal was relieved of his post and recalled to the national police headquarters two weeks ago.

Rafal as mentioned in passing by PDir. De Asis during his message at the turn over rites yesterday, is due to retire from the service by October and is now under non-duty status at Crame.

SSupt. Soriano relinquished his charge to CSupt. Valmoria by virtue of General Orders No. 1323 dated August 10, 2012 Sections 1 and 2. Section 1 (Paragraph 1) of the said order terminated Valmoria’s designation as chief of the NHQ support services. The second paragraph of the same section also terminated SSupt. Soriano’s designation as PRO 13 officer-in-charge. The second section of the same general order contained the designation of CSupt. Valmoria to his present post as Caraga’s acting police regional director. The order was duly signed by Police Director Gen. Nicanor Bartolome, the chief PNP, and Police Deputy Director Gen. Rommel DH Heredia, chief Directorial Staff and Police Dir. Elpedio De Asis, Director of the Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.

PDir. Elpedio Z. De Asis, Jr. who presided over yesterday’s activity was accompanied by PDir. Felicisimo Kho, Jr., Director of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operations-Eastern Mindanao (DIPO-EM). Also attending the ceremony were Col. Ronald Albano of the 402nd Brigade Philippine Army, Hon. Ryan Anthony Culima, Chairman, City Committee on Peace and Order of the Butuan City Council and other top regional police officials.

In his message of acceptance, CSupt. Valmoria expressed his elation over the warm welcome he and his party received upon their arrival here. He likewise conveyed his heartfelt thanks to President Benigno S. Aquino III, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and CPNP Dir. Gen. Nicanor Bartolome, for affording him their trust and confidence by choosing him to take the helm of the highest police post of this region.

He mentioned that among his priorities will be the unwavering support of the regional police to the lead agencies in the ongoing campaign waged against illegal logging and mining activities in the region. This is keeping in step, he said, with the marching orders of the President to strictly implement EO 23 which aimed to protect and preserve the remaining forest covers of the country and EO 79, aiming to ban mining activities in tourism and protected areas. The care of environment he pointed out, is among the core values adapted by the PNP which is “Makakalikasan.”

The police according to him will also focus on other equally important concerns as well such as the protection of the constituents against lawless elements, the intensified campaign against the organized crime groups which irreversibly destroy the moral fibers of the society such as the perpetrators of the illegal drugs and gambling, the relentless pursuit of the mandate to enforce the law, to prevent and control crimes, maintain peace and order and ensure public safety and internal security and to seek the active participation of the community, the LGUs and other stakeholders.

He posed the challenge to the regional police force to let the ten-point agenda of the chief PNP be the guidelines in the performance of their functions and duties.

PDir. De Asis for his part challenged the regional police to keep up the top achievements and accomplishments of Police Regional Office 13, as he recognized its laudable performance by making it to the “Top Three Regional Police Offices” of the country this year. He challenged the men and women of uniform as well to continue the delivery of more efficient and effective services to the community.

He likewise posed the challenge to the regional police rank and file to provide equally whole-hearted support to their new regional director as they had been generously supportive to their former regional chief.

CSupt. Valmoria had his previous assignments at Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 8 ( Eastern Visayas), Region 11 (Davao Area), NHQ at Camp Crame as Chief of Staff and Deputy of the Police Community Relations, National Capital Region Police Office as Chief of Staff and Deputy Regional Office and then prior to his assignment in the Caraga Region he formerly was the Director of the Headquarters Support Service which is in-charge of the security and housekeeping of the seat of the Philippine National Police. (RER/Noel B. Najarro/PIA-Caraga)

Australia supports Philippine disaster preparedness through WFP rice contingency stock

MANILA, Aug. 15 (PIA) -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a grant of $AU1 million, approximately P43.8 million, from the Australian government to boost WFP’s contingency food stocks for enhanced disaster response capacity in the Philippines.

The contribution, made through the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), will be used to dispatch rice to flood-affected people, augmenting the Philippine government’s relief response.

“WFP is grateful to the government of Australia for this generous donation. WFP is actively supporting efforts of the government of the Philippines to prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural disasters at both national and local levels,” said WFP Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.

“Learning from past emergency responses, establishing a strategic contingency stock of food to complement government efforts is both an efficient and cost-effective preparedness and response measure,” he added.

The WFP contingency food stock in the Philippines will include 200 metric tons of fortified high-energy biscuits and 1,500 tons of rice, enough to support 320,000 people for two weeks.

This contingency food stock will be distributed in direct coordination with WFP’s main government partner, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which is also the lead government agency for emergency food response.

“The Australian government is providing these items to the World Food Programme so that they can be drawn upon immediately in serious situations, such as this massive flooding caused by continuous heavy rains for the past two weeks,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell said.

“This allows Australia and WFP to support the Philippine government to respond quickly and effectively to essential humanitarian needs following emergencies and disasters. This assistance builds on the significant support Australia has already provided to the Philippines on disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, including hazard and risk analysis, integrating disaster and climate considerations in development and land use planning, community-based disaster preparedness and providing safer settlements.”

The Australian government is among the top donors to the World Food Programme globally and has also provided generous support for WFP’s disaster preparedness and response initiatives in the Philippines. Recently, AusAID contributed to the response to tropical storm Sendong by providing food and cash assistance to support emergency relief and early recovery activities. (RER/DMS/World Food Program/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Tagalog news: DSWD nagbigay ng mahigit P41.66 milyones na relief assistance para sa mga biktima ng pagbaha

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 15 (PIA) -- Ang Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ay nagbigay ng mahigit P41.66 milyong relief assistance sa mga pamilyang apektado ng pagbaha dahil sa sunod-sunod na pag-ulan sa bansa, ayon sa palasyo.

“Ang DSWD ay nagbigay ng P41.662,152.48 milyong relief assistance sa National Capital Region (NCR), Region I, Region 3, Region 4-A, Region 4-B at Region 6,” ani Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte kamakailan sa isang press briefing sa Malacanang.

Ang NCR ay nakatanggap ng P16,951,252 na binubuo ng mga pagkain at iba pang mga pangangailangan ng mga pamilyang apektado ng kalamidad, ang Region 1 ay nakatanggap ng P1,063,593.46; P10,670,733.22 sa Region 3; P12,847,845.80 sa Region 4-A, P100,000 sa Region 4-B at P28,728.00 sa Region 6.

Ang repacking ng mga pagkain ay kasalukuyang ginagawa sa National Resource Operations Center (NROC) sa Pasay City sa pangunguna ng mga manggagawa ng DSWD at mga volunteers, at patuloy din ang pamimigay ng mga relief goods sa mga apektadong lugar.

Ang NROC ay ang command center at national warehouse ng DSWD kung saan ang mga disaster operations ay minomonitor. Dito rin inilalagay ang relief goods.

Ipinahayag naman ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang kayang pasasalamat sa daan-daang estudyante at mga professionals na nag-volunteer sa pagre-repack at pagbibigay ng relief goods sa mga pamilyang apektado ng pagbaha. (RER/DSM/PIA-Caraga)

Cebuano News: Gobyerno gilihok ang direktiba ni Pangulong Aquino alang sa pag laymanize sa mga weather updates sa PAGASA

Ni Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 15 (PIA) – Ang Malacañang miingon nga gilihok na sa gobyerno ang direktiba ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ngadto sa Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) ang paggamit sa gitawag nga “layman-friendly” nga mga termo sa ilang mga weather bulletins aron dali nga masabtan sa katawhan ug makapreparar sila sa mga kadaut nga posibleng mahitabo.

Sa press briefing didto sa Malacañang, Kagahapon Martes, si Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte miingon nga ang Pangulo mirekomendar ngadto sa PAGASA nga seguroon ang ilang mga repsonsibilidad sa paghatag og inuras nga weather conditions labi na gayud sa panahon nga adunay pag-daut sa mga panahon.

“The President did commend … DOST-PAGASA for its effort to update and disseminate the weather updates from last week. The President did also ask them to further work on laymanizing the weather advisories,” matud ni Valte.

“You have seen this happen already in the past week, meron pong concerns about the rainfall signals… nung una po kasi yellow, green and then red meron pong mga naging reactions from the public primarily through the social networking sites that were sent to us and sabi po baka pwedeng palitan yung green… kasi green exudes calm so hindi po siya appropriate and it was changed midway last week,” dugang pa niya .

“So, now its yellow, orange and red. We continue to work with DOST-PAGASA on laymanizing their weather update,” si Valte nagkanayon.

Agig paglihok sa mga mando sa Pangulo niadtong niaging semana, ang PAGASA miingon nga ilang gamiton ang simple nga mga termino sa ilang mga weather updates. Dugang niini nga likayan sa ahensya ang paggamit og dili kinahanglan nga mga technical terms.

Ang DOST-PAGASA mipasalig sa publiko nga ang presentasyon sa ilang inuras nga pagtaho, partikular na ang pag-ulan, madali nga masabtan sa nayong katawhan. Dugang pa niini nga kini nga mga taho magapokos dili lamang aron mapahibalo ang katawhan apan ipasabot usab niini ang posible nga mga epekto sa maong weather condition. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, August 14, 2012

News Feature: Butuan City Council to go “paperless”

By Junesther Jean S. Iway

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 14 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod here has started the implementation of the Legislative Management, Codification, Tracking and Information System (LMCTIS), which will pave the way for a “paperless” session at the city council, easier tracking of documents and legislative measures, as well as the planned codification of ordinances.

To jumpstart the implementation of the LMCTIS, an orientation on the system’s features was conducted by the system provider to selected employees of the SP last August 10, 2012.

The orientation was intended to initially introduce an information system that will automate the full operation of the Office of the Vice Mayor (OVM) and the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The point of reference was for involved users to learn and familiarize how the system works and to get acquainted with the features and reports generated by the system.

The LMCTIS is a program that provides accessibility and reliability of the legislative information system, easy tracking of documents to verify status, and allows automated filing of hard and original copies of legislative measures for easy cross-reference. It makes available an innovative approach to efficiently execute some major functions of this local government unit, specifically the OVM and SP Office.

The following are some of its features: 1) Provides database of proposed and approved resolutions and ordinances and easy retrieval of the same; 2) Database of all minutes of meeting and journals; 3) Record management of incoming and outgoing documents, letters, request, city resolutions/ordinances; 4) Views scanned supporting document of proposed measures; 5) Allows cross-referencing of hard copies of files so original copies can be readily accessed; 6) Provides history of amendments of a particular measure; and 7) Capable of archival system, which means an automated version of the manual or physical filing system.

The realization of the integrated computerized and automated system is basically designed to empower and enable local legislators and the sangguniang secretary and employees to execute the role of the said two offices more efficiently. For instance, committee hearings will no longer need photocopies of attachments and other documents and instead will be paperless.

All users will now be using computer-based system to draft, search, retrieve, store ordinances, resolutions, encode incoming communications and determine status and manage records.

This is just one of the reforms Vice Mayor Lawrence “Law” Fortun has put forward to continually improve and advance the delivery of basic services to the public along with their interactive cooperation with regard to legislative measures passed, approved and implemented in the City of Butuan. (RER/VMO-Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

Codification of Butuan’s ordinances underway; TWG created

By Junesther Jean S. Iway

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 14 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Panlungsod has created a technical working group (TWG) that will craft the codification of existing ordinances through SP Resolution No. 500-2012 authored by Vice Mayor Lawrence “Law” Fortun in the regular session held recently.

The TWG is intended mainly for the review, revision, supplementation and consolidation of existing ordinances into the Code of General Ordinances of Butuan City.

The nine-man TWG is directed to put together a draft of the said Code, which will be reviewed by the Codification Committee through a public consultation and then subjected to the final approval of the Sanggunian. Once approved, a comprehensive, convenient, and updated code of general ordinances will be easily accessible to the people of Butuan.

The public is now empowered to have access and information on all existing ordinances of this city.

Once completed, this will put the Butuan SP at the forefront as one of the few local legislatures that have adopted codified ordinances.

Fortun said this will also complete the SP as a total local legislature as mandated in the local government code which he has done only in his first term of office as vice mayor. The codification process will be completed within the year. (RER/VMO-Butuan/PIA-Caraga)

Tagalog news: Fun Run isasagawa bilang isa mga aktibidad sa pagdiriwang ng 112th Civil Service anniversary sa lungsod ng Butuan

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 14 (PIA) -- Pangungunahan ng Civil Service Commission (CSC)-Caraga Region ang isang fun run bilang isa sa mga aktibidad na inihanda ng kagawaran para sa pagdiriwang ng 112th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) ngayong Setyembre 7, 2012 dito.

Ang 112th PCSA ay may temang “Kawani, Ikaw ay Isang Lingkod Bayani.” Ayon kay CSC-Caraga Regional Director Adams Torres, ang aktibidad ay dadaluhan ng iba't ibang ahensya ng gobyerno sa rehiyong Caraga.

Idinagdag din ng opisyal na magsisimula ang fun run sa provincial capitol grounds, Capitol Compound, Butuan City at magtatapos sa Butuan City Sports Complex. “Ang fun run ay magsisimula saktong alas-5 ng umaga, kaya nakikiusap ako sa lahat ng mga partisipante na magpunta ng lugar 4:30 palang ng umaga suot ang kanilang running attire, o maaari din nilang gamitin ang kanilang agency shirt,” ani Torres.

Isang dance for health (HATAW) at seremonyal na pagpapakawala ng mga lobo naman ang gaganapin bilang senyales ng pagbubukas ng pagdiriwang.

Hinihikayat din ang lahat ng ahensya na magdala ng kanilang streamer at 10 lumilipad na lobo na gagamitin sa aktibidad, ani Torres.

Ipinaliwanag ng opisyal na alinsunod sa CSC Memorandum Circular 11, series of 2012, ang lahat na mga ahensya ay mabibigyan ng compensatory time off sabay ng pagsasagawa ng aktibidad.

Para sa karagdagang impormasyon hinggil sa aktibidad, maaaring kontakin si Mr. Ross Francis L. Atillo sa numerong (085) 342-6089 o 815-3370 ng CSC Caraga Management Service Division, ani Torres. (RER/DSM/PIA-Caraga)

Cebuano news: Short-term flood mitigation projects mokabat P5-bilyon matapos karong tuiga, sulti sa DPWH

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 14 (PIA) -- Ang Department of Public Works and Highways miingon kagahapon Lunes nga ang short-term flood mitigation projects nga mokabat P5 bilyon pesos matapos na karong tuiga.

Matud ni Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson sa press conference didto sa Malacañang nga kining maong short term flood mitigation projects, usa ka parte sa flood control master plan, nga mao ang pag-ayo ug pagrehabilitar sa mga dike structures didto sa Metro Manila ug Central Luzon.

“Well, ang matatapos agad diyan ... ang mga pag-aayos ng mga nasirang dike — (will be completed in) three to six months. Kasi ang iba namang nasira maiikli lang. Halimbawa, doon sa San Fernando, (Pampanga) ‘yung tinatawag nilang tail dike ay 50 to 70 meters lang. So it should be finished. But we have a long list of identified high impact priority projects worth P5-billion. ‘Yun ang unang-una naming bubunuin,” matud pa ni Singson.

Luyo sa nasangpit nga tail dike didto sa Pampanga, si Singson miingon nga ang rehabilitasyon ug improvement sa Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan river dikes lakip usab kadtong nahimutang sa mga munisipyo sa Laguna Lake sama sa mga probinsya sa Cainta ug Rizal ang nahilangkob usab sa short term flood plan.

Siya usab miingon nga ang water pumping system sa Metro Manila karaan na ug kinahanglan na kining ayuhon aron epektibo niini nga masuyop ang mga tubig baha sa mga nagkalain-laing sapa libot sa kaulohan.

“Ang tatanda na nitong mga pumping system ng Metro Manila and some of them are .… The pumps that we’ve been using there are already obsolete. Wala na ngang spare parts na mabili riyan. So they need to be upgraded,” matud ni Singson.

“Now, other immediate projects are the upgrading of the pumping systems in Metro Manila which is the responsibility of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority as well as clearing the waterways. This is a major intervention that needs to be done because the major cause of flooding is the overtopping, overflowing of the river systems,” dugang pa niya. (RER/FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)