PIA News Service - Friday, September 7, 2012

PIA-Caraga discusses Dev-Com to Comm. Arts studes in Butuan City

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Sept 7 (PIA) -- Personnel from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga Region have discussed the essence of developmental communication to government information officers.

Speaking before the communication faculty and students of Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU), PIA-Caraga officer-in-charge Nora Molde and Regional Operations Chief Robert Roperos oriented participants on the thrusts and programs of the agency where developmental communication is the slant of stories and information disseminated to the public.

Molde said because of the agency's type of information as well as the dissemination strategy using technology-based facilities such as web-based electronic communications like the website, blog sites, social networking sites, and electronic newsmagazine, the agency has become significant in the region, evidence of which are the significant numbers of recipients in the electronic newsmagazine and text blast, or the Short Messaging Service (SMS).

When asked what benefits the agency can get with the developmental communication and information disseminated to the public, Roperos said since developmental communication is focused on informing the public with positive and empowering news and information, a positive image for the country will be promoted in all corners of the globe.

“By projecting positive image for the country, our tourism industry will definitely boost as more local and foreign tourists will be interested to visit the country, thus, improving the economic condition of the people,” Roperos said.

Meanwhile, Mark Louie Desoloc who is the subject instructor expressed his gratitude to PIA personnel for sharing their expertise and actual experience in the field of information dissemination through developmental communication.

He added that the subject Communication and Society teaches students taking up communication course on the role of communication in the society, the impact of communication to the society and the effects of communication in the lives of the people.

Desoloc further said it also teaches the history, contributions, and the effect of mass media, whether broadcast or print.

“The concepts and other information will guide the students to learn the foundation of communication for them to become compassionate, committed, and competent mass communicators,” Desoloc said. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

Social Dev’t Committee tackles gov't fuel procurement

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept 7 (PIA) -- The Social Development Committee (SDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) discussed the study on the government’s fuel procurement during its meeting held recently in one of the local hotels in this city.

Paris Gaballo of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga said the study aims to inform government agencies the present situation of the fuel procurement practices of the government based in Butuan City, the issues and concerns raised and the recommendations to address such issues.

“The study is limited to fuel procurement practices among selected national government agencies and gasoline stations in Butuan and the issues and concerns thereof,” Gaballo said.

The said study’s aim is for decision makers of regional line agencies and local government units in Caraga region to recognize the issue on the fuel procurement practices of both the government and the suppliers.

There is also a need to review, assess and evaluate procurement procedures since this issue does not only apply to fuel procurement but also to supplies and materials and other goods and services that each agency buys.

For a government office, the fuel procurement types are on cash basis, cash deposit, and credit basis.

Gaballo explained that in cash basis, the driver or finance officer of the agency will request for cash advance every time the vehicle needs to be refueled. With this, prices of the fuel, diesel or gasoline, will be based on the prevailing pump price on the day of purchase.

For cash deposit basis, an agency will deposit a fixed amount on a given supplier for any time period, and the drivers will simply withdraw. The agency shall be billed to replenish the deposit, and the price will depend on the agreement between the agency and the supplier.

Also, for credit basis, it was learned that the agency will withdraw from a fuel supplier, and the supplier will bill the agency either at the end of the month or after two weeks. Since it is on credit basis, the price of fuel is normally higher than the prevailing pump price on the day of withdrawal.

Gaballo also said that based on the findings of the study, issues and concerns raised when transacting with the gasoline stations are the following: 1) No contract, only purchase order; 2) Delayed payment; 3) Delayed billing; 4) Storage fee; 5) 6 percent withholding taxes; and 6) Corruption.

It was also revealed that when a government office transacts with gasoline stations here through a credit basis, the price is higher than its regular price.

It can be recalled that in 2009, the Regional Development Coordination Staff (RDCS) of the NEDA Central Office conducted a survey on oil prices of big three oil companies, Caltex, Petron and Shell, among the major cities in the country. Butuan City registered the one of the highest average retail price of regular gasoline and diesel products for the period of April and May in 2009.

Gaballo further said there is still a need to revisit Republic Act 8479, or the “Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998,” for the government to have more participation in the industry.

Agencies such as the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are mandated to oversee and regulate these government functions/operations are requested to conduct or investigate these reports.

With this study, the SDC are coordinating with the concerned government agencies to discuss all issues and concerns for appropriate actions to solve this matter. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Health office, sports office in Agusan del Sur to conduct medical mission

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Sept 7 (PIA) -- The Provincial Health Office (PHO), through the D. O. Plaza Memorial Hospital (DOPMH) technical personnel, is conducting medical outreach Friday.

The activity started this morning at the provincial capitol in Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, and anyone could avail of the free blood pressure taking, sugar testing, and shistosomiasis examination with free medicine.

Included in the program of activities lined up by the Provincial Health Office and the D. O. Plaza Memorial Hospital today are the demonstration of exercises introduced by the Department of Health for healthy lifestyle and the video presentation on the prevention and control of various diseases.

“This afternoon, the Provincial Sports Coordinating Office (PSCO) through our provincial sports coordinator Danilo Garcia will join the PHO by demonstrating various exercises at the provincial sports gymnasium where different equipments and facilities for all body exercises are found and ready for anybody who wish to use them for free,” Nanette Cabanos of the Provincial Health Office, said. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Lantawan eco park’s tourist influx seen to improve local economy

By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

KITCHARAO, Agusan del Norte, Sept 7 (PIA) -- The Lantawan Eco Park in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte is projected to help improve the municipality’s fiscal condition, with the continuing influx of tourists assuring income for the local government.

The Lantawan Eco Park was a concealed tourist attraction due to road inaccessibility and absence of tourism facilities.

This however change, when the municipality was awarded the Seal of Good Housekeeping and received the Performance Challenge Fund worth P1 million. The municipality used this fund along with another P1 million it provided as LGU counterpart to establish tourism-support facilities in Lantawan Eco Park.

The project includes construction of access road, installation of potable water facilities, electric power supply, and setting up of public toilet and kiosks to improve the area. The implementation started on February 16, 2011 and reached its completion on April 30, 2012.

About two months after the project completion, a record of 2,680 tourists already visited the eco park. The Municipality of Kitcharao is positive that this will provide revenues arising out of profits from Lantawan Eco Park’s income-generating tourism facilities.

To support the gains for the development of Lantawan eco park, Roberto R. Calubag, Jr., the OIC-Municipal Planning and Development Officer (MPDO) of the Municipality of Kitcharao has requested the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO) to install a power transformer at the Lantawan Eco-Park to stabilize the 220 volts power supply required for the submersible pump and other tourism infrastructure facilities in the area.

The Municipal Tourism Coordinating Council is likewise on the process of formulating the Comprehensive Tourism Master Plan and the Sangguniang Bayan is crafting an ordinance to promote and protect eco tourism development in Kitcharao.

(RER/NCLM/DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)

Tagalog news: Agusan del Sur maaaring paramihan ng niyog ng Caraga

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Sept 7 (PIA) -- Sa pagtitipon ng mga magsasaka ng niyog kamakailan, inihayag ang 30 hektarya ng paramihan ng niyog sa Pagkain ng Bayan, isang demonstration farm na pag-aari ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na matatagpuan sa Barangay Mabuhay, Bayugan City.

Maliban sa Bayugan, may 40 hektarya ng seed garden na ibinunsod sa Barangay Sibulin, Trento, Agusan del Sur noong Agosto 19 sabi ni Ramon Barbosa Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) provincial manager.

“Mga tatlo o apat na taon mula ngayon, ang dalawang seed gardens ay panggagalingan ng certified coconut seed, hindi lang dito sa Agusan del Sur, kundi sa buong rehiyon ng Caraga. Ang mga binhing ito ang ipapalit sa mga matatandang puno na sinira ng rhino beetles, at ang dahilan ng pag atake nitong rhino beetles ay dahil sa pag puputol ng African palm oil trees dahil ang mga ito ay matatanda na at halos wala ng bunga. Ngunit gusto kung malaman ninyo na ang pag aatake ng rhino beetles at ang sakit sa lubi na kung tawagin ay brontispa ay kontrolado na dahil ang ating mga teknisyan sa lubi ay nagsikalat na at tinutulungan an gating mga magsasaka. Maliban sa ikinalat nating mga teknisyan, ang PCA ay nagbigay rin ng 11,300 sako ng abuno para sa 10,000 na mga rehistradong miyembro,” sabi ni Barbosa.

Dagdag pa ni Barbosa, maliban sa pag-umpisa ng dalawang seed gardens sa Barangay Mabuhay, Bayugan City at Barangay Sibulin,Trento, ang mga magsasaka ng niyog ay kasalukuyang nagtatatag ng mahigit kumulang mga 1,000 hektarya ng semilya ng niyog.

Nananawagan din si Barbosa sa lahat ng magsasaka ng niyog na magpamiyembro sa organisasyon ng mga magsasaka ng niyog upang maging madaling makakuha ng suporta na ibinibigay ng PCA. (RER/DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Cebuano news: Palasyo nalipay sa panagtagbo sa DBM, Supreme Court aron tukion ang budget allocation

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Sept 7 (PIA) -- Gikalipay sa Malacañang ang panagtagbo nila Budget Secretary Florencio Abad ug mga lideris sa Supreme Court ingon nga ang maong lakang mosulbad sa panagbangi sa duha ka mga sangang buhatan sa gobyerno.

Sa regular press briefing didto sa Malacañang kagahapon, si Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda miingon nga ang pagtuki sa budget sa Supreme Court (SC) nagpakita nga ang executive branch andam nga makigtambayayong sa SC mahitungod sa maong isyu.

“The meeting yesterday was a positive step towards resolving issues between the SC and the DBM,” matud ni Lacierda kini us aka oportunidad alang sa Supreme Court ug sa mga justices aron linawon ang bisan unsang mga kabalaka aron masabtan nila og maayo unsa ang proseso sa pagtrabaho sa maong budget.

“Secretary Abad visited the Supreme Court and so it’s better for the two parties to be discussing this issue on the budget. Again, let me emphasize we’re talking only of the budget. There’s no encroachment on the independence of the judiciary. We respect the fiscal autonomy of the judiciary,” sa iyang pagpasabot.

Si Abad nakigtagbo kang Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno lakip ang 11 ka lain pang mga Justices sa SC aron tukion ang budget sa hudikatura. Kini maoy pinakaunang gihayon sa usa ka Budget Secretary nga moadto sa Korte Suprema aron tukion ang mga isyu sa budget.

Matud pa ni Abad nga karon semanaha ang iyang opisina andam na nga mohatag og budgetary support alang sa transparency ug accountability nga gisunod sa SC uban ang respeto niini sa digitization initiatives, lakip ang paghimo og online system nga maoy molantaw sa progress of cases lakip ang ilang hurisdiksyon.

Gisugyot usab sa budget department ngadto sa SC ang pagmugna og internal ug integrated Human Resources and payroll management system lakip usab ang pagmentinar og mas active ug responsive online presence ngadto sa ilang website lakip usab sa social networks. (RER/FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Cebuano news: Andam na ang tanan alang sa 28th Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Set 7 (PIA) -- Andam na ang tanan alang sa pinaka mabulokon nga okasyon sa rehiyon, ang Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival sa Surigao karong Domingo, Septeyembre 9, matud ni Senior Tourism Operations Officer Roselyn Armida Merlin.

Andam na ang tanan alang sa ika-28th nga pagpahigayon sa Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival, lakip na ang personahe sa traffic, police ug military nga gitahasan aron maseguro ang malinawon ug hapsay nga kalihukan, dugang pa niya.

Matud pa niya nga 13 ka mga entrante gikan sa nagkalain-laing mga kabarangayan ug mga eskuylahan sa syudad lakip usab ang mga kamunisipyohan sa probinsya ang mikumpirmar na sa ilang partisipasyon.

Lakip sa mga mikumpirmar alang sa Free Interpretation Category mao ang Tribu Lumad Maglalawod ug Mag-uuma nga gikan sa Barangay Buenavista, Panginabuhian Festival sa munisipyo sa Tagana-an, ug ang W.D. Rafols Memorial National High School sa pakigtambayayong sa Barangay Council sa Poctoy ug sa munisipyo sa Mainit.

Alang sa Bonok-Bonok Based Category, ang mga mikumpirmar nga mga partisipante mao ang Simbada Festival sa Barangay Libuac, Capalayan National High School sa Barangay Capalayan, Brgy Mat-I, Cantiasay National High School sa Barangay Cantiasay, Barangay Nonoc, Barangay Washington, Barangay San Juan, ug ang RC Ouano Memorial Elementary School sa Barangay Cagniog.

Ang St. Paul University Surigao mosalmot usab isip noncompeting contingent.

Gikumpirmar usab ni Merlin nga adunay gamay nga mga kausaban atol sa opening ceremony sa maong festival.

“As agreed during the Surigao City Tourism Council meeting, Mamanwa dance ritual will now be done at the Provincial Sports Complex not during the opening salvo,” matud niya.

Ang selebrasyon karong tuiga magsugod pinaagi sa usa ka santos nga misa didto sa City Cathedral ala una sa hapon, matud pa niya.

Matud pa usab ni Merlin nga adunay dugang mga parte sa maong kalihukan, nga seguradong makapadugang kahinam sa matag Surigaonon, lakip usab ang mga bisita gikan sa nagkalain-laing mga lugar sa nasod sama sa pagpahigayon og Bonok-Bonok Festival Queen sa Setyembre 8 ug Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw 2012 Photo Contest.

“Last Sunday, September 2, we have just launched the Battle of the Bands in partnership with other private companies and other nightly affairs at Gaisano Capital Surigao car park,” dugang pa niya.

Ang ika-28th nga Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival sa September 9 usa ka festival sa pasalamat ug pagtahod sa Makakagahom pinaagi sa pagpangaliya sa patron sa syudad nga si Señor san Nicolas de Tolentino alang sa dakong mga grasya sa kalinaw ug maayong panglawas. (FEA/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Thursday, September 6, 2012

NSO-Caraga briefs Agusan Norte peace & order council on RSBSA

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- The regional office of the National Statistics Office (NSO) here in Caraga Region has briefed members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) in Agusan del Norte on the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

The briefing was held during the regular meeting held at the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development and Management Office (PEEDMO) at the capitol compound.

Reynelo Magno, NSO-Caraga Statistical Division Chief said the RSBSA is a registration procedure which aims to list or register all farmers, farm laborers, and fishermen nationwide and gather some basic information about them, their household, farm and farming and/or fishing activities.

As an output, Magno said the RSBSA is an electronic compilation of the basic information on farmers, farm laborers, and fishermen, including their farming and/or fishing activities.

The NSO official further said the system was designed to generate a database that contains information about farmers, farm laborers, and fishermen, such as their names, their basic demographic and socioeconomic profile, and other information that relate to the household where they belong.

“The characteristics of the farm plus wide range of information are likewise asked and recorded in the registration forms. This database shall be used to provide basic data for national and/or subnational development planning on the country’s agriculture and fishery sectors,” Magno said.

Furthermore, Magno said for purposes of the RSBSA, the basic sectors in agriculture refer only to crop and animal production, aquaculture, and fishing. Activities related to hunting, forestry, and logging are not considered as basic sectors in the RSBSA.

The RSBSA was realized to address the need for a comprehensive and systematic information system about the basic sectors in agriculture, the Cabinet Cluster on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Cluster (GGAC) chaired by President Benigno S. Aquino III has included the database or registry of farmers, farm laborers, and fishermen in its list of key programs for the Digitization and Information Technology in government sub-cluster.

It is also an offshoot of the government’s effort to promote transparency, accountability, participatory governance, and strengthening of public relations. (RER/PIA-Caraga)

Regl Peace & Order Council leads oversight committee on drug-related problems

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- The Caraga Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) has accepted and approved the endorsement of the Regional Development Council (RDC) to allow RPOC lead the Oversight Committee on drug-related issues and concerns in the region.

This was announced during its meeting held recently at the Dotties Place Hotel, this city.

Based on the Resolution No. 17, series 2012 endorsed by the RDC, it was stated that Caraga region has a barangay affection level of 20.5 percent, which means that out of the total 1,313 barangays, 269 barangays are affected with drug addiction problem.

Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr., RPOC chair relayed that there is a need for the region to create an oversight committee to coordinate and synchronize all government efforts to monitor and address the alarming situation, including, but not limited to, reactivation of the Anti-Drug Abuse Council in the local government units.

“Through convergence efforts, we could solve all this drug-related issues and concerns in our region. We will do our very best to address this matter,” Amante said

It can be recalled that during the RDC-Social Development Committee Meeting held on May 14, 2012, the committee endorsed the RPOC to serve as the oversight committee on drug-related problems in the region, which the RDC also affirmed that the choice of the RPOC to lead the oversight committee is strategic considering the membership of the council.

Meanwhile, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga Regional Dir. Joel Plaza expressed his support to said resolution and recommended to RPOC that the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in all the barangays must also be actively operational to really address the drug problem in the society. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

New PRC-AdS Board of Directors sworn into office

By David M. Suyao

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- The Board of Directors (BOD) of the Philippine Red Cross Agusan del Sur (PRC-AdS) for 2012-2014 took their oath of office before Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza in simple ceremonies last September 4.

“I am very glad to see you, our partners and volunteers that will compose the Board of Directors of the PRC-AdS, while feeling the responsibilities that we will share in the service of the Agusanons, especially during disaster. I am therefore very proud to read with you, your Oath of Office, because I know that after taking your oath, you will formulate new plans and programs for even better operations of the PRC-AdS that will be of great help to our people,” Gov. Plaza said.

Gov. Plaza also asked the BOD of the possible reasons why the municipality of San Francisco are immediately flooded during the occurrence of rain because according to him, the best that the government and the Red Cross can do is to control the flooding in low-laying areas in the entire province, aside from being the first to help the victims during calamities.

“I have already ordered the Provincial Engineering Office to survey the flow of waters coming from the mountains surrounding the municipality of San Francisco because I believe that there are choke points along the rivers going to Agusan Marsh. And if we found out that there are choke points along the rivers, we will clear them or even dredge the choke portion so that flood waters will freely and naturally flow down to Agusan Marsh as the water catchment, and hopefully, flooding will be eliminated,” Gov. Plaza said.

According to BOD Chairman Rev. Solomon Bilaoen, the new set of the BOD will convene to formulate new plans and fully implement the existing plans so that sourcing of funds to cope up with the target for the current year will be implemented. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

Cebuano news: 2 ka Pulis sa Surigao ug lain pang uban gipasidunggan ug gipasalamatan ni Gov. Sol Matugas

Ni Mary Jul E. Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- Gipasidunggan ug gipasalamatan ni Governor Sol Matugas ang duha ka mga Pulis ug uban pang mga empleyado atol sa Monday Morning Sharing niadtong Lunes, Septembre 3, 2012 didto sa Provincial Convention Center, ning maong syudad.

Ang duha ka mga pulis nga gipasidunggan ug gipasalamatan ni Governor Matugas mao sila PO2 Ronnie Goles ug PO2 Jerson Guindulman ug mga empleyado nga sila Sylvia Tesiorna, Mario Tokong, Rey Parada, Rey Aquiniones, Roger Escobal, Constantino Carbonilla, Walter Andit ug Policarpio Espanto.

Sila gipasidunggan ug gipasalamatan pinaagi sa paghatag kanila ug certificate of commendations ug cash incentives. Si PO2 Goles ug PO2 Guindulman nakadawat usab og medalya ug promotion gikan sa Philippine National Police.

Matud pa, ang maong duha ka mga pulis ug mga empleyado maoy nahimong instrumento aron maprotektahan ang kinabuhi sa Gobernador atol sa insidente sa planong pagpatay kaniya niadtong buntag sa Agosto 13, 2012 human sa flag raising ceremony didto sa kapitolyo.

Sa mensahe sa gobernador, iyang gipasalamatan ang maong duha ka mga pulis ug mga empleyado sa paghatag proteksyon kaniya, ug siya mipasalig sa iyang padayon nga pagserbisyo sa katawhang Surigaonon. (PGO-PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Cebuano news: Gov. Matugas gipangulohan ang inagurasyon sa Women’s Training Center ug Education Caravan sa San Francisco

Ni Mary Jul E. Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- Malampuson nga gipahigayon bag-ohay pa lamang ang inagurasyon ug education caravan didto sa lungsod sa San Francisco sa probinsya sa Surigao del Norte.

Ang maong inagurasyon sa Women’s Training Center ug Education Caravan gipangulohan ni Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas inubanan nila Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay Jr., Board member Mamerto Galanida, BM Cesar Bagundol, BM Simeon Castrence, DOLE Regional Director Ofelia Domingo, Surigao Norte Schools Division Superintendent Evelyn Fetalvero ug mga opisyales sa San Francisco.

Pagkahuman sa ribbon cutting, personal na gipang-apod-apod ni Governor Matugas ang mga school bags, school supplies ug health kits ngadto sa mga kabataan sa day care, kinder ug grade one gikan sa 11ka mga Distritong eskuylahan sa San Francisco.

Atol sa maong kalihukan gipahigayon usab ang pagpang-apod-apod sa plastic trash containers sa 11 ka mga barangay nga gidawat sa mga kapitanes uban ang mga school heads sa matag eskwelahan. (PGO-PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, September 5, 2012

All systems go for 28th Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival

By Fryan E. Abkilan

SURIGAO CITY, Sep. 5 (PIA) -- It’s all systems go for the region’s most colorful event, the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival here on Sunday, September 9, Senior Tourism Operations Officer Roselyn Armida Merlin said today.

Now on its 28 years, Merlin said all are now ready, including the traffic, police and military personnel who are tasked to secure a peaceful and orderly event.

Merlin said 13 contingents from the different city barangays and schools and municipalities of the province have already confirmed their participation.

Among those who confirmed for the Free Interpretation Category include the Tribu Lumad Maglalawod ug Mag-uuma from Barangay Buenavista, Panginabuhian Festival in Tagana-an of the municipality of Tagan-an, W.D. Rafols Memorial National High School in partnership with Barangay Council of Poctoy and the municipality of Mainit.

For the Bonok-Bonok Based Category, confirmed participants are Simbada Festival of Barangay Libuac, Capalayan National High School of Barangay Capalayan, Barangay Mat-i, Cantiasay National High School of Barangay Cantiasay, Barangay Nonoc, Barangay Washington, Barangay San Juan, and RC Ouano Memorial Elementary School of Barangay Cagniog.

St. Paul University Surigao will join as non-competing contingent.

She also said that there will be minor changes during the opening ceremony of the festival.

“As agreed during the Surigao City Tourism Council meeting, Mamanwa dance ritual will now be done at the Provincial Sports Complex not during the opening salvo,” Merlin said.

This year’s festivity will start with a celebration of a holy mass at the City Cathedral at 1pm, she said.

Merlin also said that there are added interests prior to the festival day, which will definitely add excitement to every Surigaonons, as well as to the visitors coming from the various parts of the country like the holding of Bonok-Bonok Festival Queen on September 8 at the Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw 2012 Photo Contest.

“Last Sunday, September 2, we have just launched the Battle of the Bands in partnership with other private companies and other nightly affairs at Gaisano Capital Surigao car park,” she added.

The 28th Bonok-Bonok Maradjaw Karadjaw Festival on September 9 is a festival of thanksgiving and invocation to the Almighty through the intercession of the city's patron saint Señor San Nicolas de Tolentino for the bountiful blessings of peace and good health. (FEA/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DOH spearheads Generics Month celebration

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga is spearheading this year’s 24th Anniversary of the Generics Law and Generics Month celebration this September.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme: “Generics Na Dekalidad, Para sa Kalusugan ng Komunidad.”

In a press statement, DOH Caraga Regional Director Dr. Ariel Valencia said that this year’s celebration is aimed to emphasize achieving better health outcomes and improving quality of lives through continuing promotion of quality generic medicines and rational use among consumers.

“We are enjoining everyone in this advocacy campaign to disseminate rational use of quality, safe and low-cost generic medicines to the public and other stakeholders, such as physicians and pharmacists,” said Valencia.

This campaign also aims to convince health workers especially doctors to prescribe generic medicines.

DOH hoped for the public’s support and cooperation to use generic medicines and contribute to the reduction of out-of-pocket payments for health care toward Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (Universal Health Care). (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DepEd to host celebration of Literacy Week 2012

By Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) will host the celebration of the annual Literacy Week slated every September 2-8 as stipulated in the Presidential Proclamation No. 239.

DepEd in a statement said that the priority agenda of the United Nations Literacy Decade (UNLD) for 2011-2012 is Literacy and Peace.

In line with this priority agenda of the UNLD, the National Literacy Conference will anchor to the theme, “Literacy for life and a Sustainable Future: Learning Together for the 21st Century.

The DepEd will also hold the 2012 National Literacy Conference and Awards on September 17-21, 2012 through the Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) in cooperation with the government organization (GOs), local government units (LGUs), private organization (POs), and non-government organization (NGOs).

The conference and awards aims to share good practice in universalization of literacy programs and in reaching out to the unreached and marginalized members of the community.

It also aims to discuss innovations and practices in promoting literacy for sustainable development; promote peace concepts and good models of conflict-resolution, disaster management and climate change; and recognize the best practices for implementing literacy programs or projects that alleviate poverty, provide livelihood, address welfare needs, promote freedom and make education facilities accessible.

Expected participants of the conference are bureau and regional directors, regional chiefs, regional supervisors of ALS, formal school, schools division, city superintendents, division supervisor of ALS, district supervisors and principals/head teachers of elementary and secondary public and private schools, ALS coordinators and mobile teachers from 5th and 6th class municipalities/district and provinces. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)

Tagalog news: 6 unibersidad at kolehiyo sa rehiyong Caraga nakatanggap ng blood pressure monitors

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Setyembre 5 (PIA) -- Kamailan ay nagbigay ang bansang Japan ng Blood Pressure Monitors (Terumo Digital Sphygmomanometer P3000) sa bansa bilang tanda ng pagkakaibigan ng dalawang bansa sa pangunguna ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Caraga.

Ang Blood Pressure Monitors ay ibinahagi sa piling unibersidad at kolehiyo sa loob ng rehiyong Caraga basin narin sa kriterya na inihanda ng Terumo Corporation.

Ang mga paaralan na nakatanggap ay ang Caraga State University, CSU-Cabadbaran, Agusan del Sur State College of Science & Technology, Philippine Normal University, Surigao del Sur State University at Surigao State College of Technology, kung saan ay nabigyan ng tigdadalawang monitors.

Ayon naman sa Teruma corporation, sila ay naniniwalang mapapaunlad ang healthcare facilities sa komunidad at magiging malaking bersiyon ng pagiging progresibo sa tulong ng mga donasyon na ibinigay nila sa mga paaralan.

Ang pagbibigay ng donasyon sa pamahalaan ay kaalinsabay ng pagbisita ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa bansang Japan noong nakaraang taon subali't ito ay kamakailan lang natanngap ng mga benepisaryo. (NLCM/PIA-Caraga)

Cebuano news: House committee giaprobahan ang P2.7-B OP budget alang sa 2013

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 5 (PIA) – Aprubado na sa House Committtee on Appropriations kagahapon ang P2.7 bilyon nga spending plan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III alang sa Office of the President (OP) alang sa tuig 2013.

Gipresentar ni Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. ang proposed budget sa OP ngadto sa House Committee on Appropriations ug dayon giaprobahan kini sa mga miyembro sa komitiba pinaagi sa inter-parliamentary courtesy.

Tungod niini gipasalamatan ni Ochoa ang mga miyembro sa House Appropriations Committee for “extending this courtesy and immediately approving the OP budget”, matud pa niya.

Ang 2013 nga budget sa OP mitaas og 4.26 porsyento kaysa appropriation karong tuiga nga P2.7 bilyon, dakong parte sa maong pagtaas mahiadto sa pondo sa gikinahanglang salary adjustments ubos sa ika upat nga bahin sa Salary Standardization Law (SSL), lakip usab ang dagkong mga pagrepair, rehabilitation ug improvements sa mga nagkalain-laing mga buildings ug pasilidad sulod sa Malacañang Complex.

Ang P111-milyon nga pagtaas sa proposed spending package sa OP alang sa sunod tuig ang mahiadto sa Personal Services (PS), nga moabot sa P39 milyon ngadto P552.9 milyon ug Capital Outlays (CO), nga gikan sa P150.6 milyon ngadto sa P300.4 milyon.

Gitapyasan sa OP ang alokasyon sa Maintenance ang Other Operating Expenses (MOE) og P77 milyon ngadto sa P1.88 bilyon, gikan sa kasamtangan nga P1.96 bilyon.

Ang appropriation alang sa Capital Outlays ubos sa proposed budget measure sa OP ang gipataasan aron pondohan ang mga improvements sa nagkalain-laing mga buildings ug mga pasilidad sulod sa Malacañang Complex, tungod kay pipila niini ang sobra na sa usa ka gatos katuig. Mga presidential residences gawas sa Malacañang Complex ang mopailawom usab sa mga pagrepair sama sa, Mansion House sa Baguio City; Malacañang Park sa Nagtahan, Maynila; ug ang Malacañang sa Sugbu sa Cebu City.

Ang budget sa OP matud pa ni Executive Secretary Ochoa “guided by the principles of fiscal discipline, principles the OP applies by defining specific objectives and priorities in terms of projects and activities, efficiency by observing the best value for money in the allocation and use of resources, and transparency and accountability by assigning delivery units as cost centers.” (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, September 4, 2012

New PNP director bares peace & order situation in Caraga

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA) -- Philippine National Police (PNP)-Caraga Regional Director PCSupt Carmelo Valmoria reported its accomplishments from January to July 2012, during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) third regular meeting held at the Dotties Place Hotel, this city.

On criminality, statistics show that the crime volume from January to July 2012 is 2,305 and it showed a decrease of 898 cases or 28.04 percent as compared with 3,203 crime volume of the same period last year.

For the period covered, theft had the highest incidence with 480 cases or 31.60 percent, followed by physical injuries with 371 or 24.42 percent, robbery with 278 or 18.30 percent, murder with 195 or 12.84 percent, carnapping with 78 or 5.13 percent, rape with 64 or 4.21 percent, homicide with 48 or 3.16 percent and cattle rustling with 5 cases or 0.33 percent.

From the anti-criminality measures which PNP-Caraga has implemented, the most recent of which is the establishment of police boxes, particularly in Butuan City and Surigao City which proved to be effective in deterring crimes. Also, the police conducted checkpoints/chokepoints; intensified police visibility; used the SOCO Team; intelligence highway monitoring; deployed motorcycle cops; one police per barangay; deployed admin personnel and mobilized barangay peacekeeping action teams (BPATs).

PNP-Caraga had already achieved a 100 percent training and filling-up of police investigators while the e-blotters had been installed in Butuan City Police Office, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office (PPOs).

“Just lately, CCTV cameras had also been installed in Butuan City, and more to come,” Valmoria said.

Police Regional Office-13 (PRO-13) had also implemented Barangay Peace Keeping Operations (BPKO): out of 1,310 barangays in Caraga region, 796 barangays had already organized BPATs with a total of 738 BPAT trainings conducted.

On the Security of Tourist and Tourist Destinations, PRO-13 had established 55 Tourist Assistance Centers with 128 Tourist Police deployed and 90 Tourist Assistance Desk (TADs) with 175 assigned personnel. This is in support to the tourism industry of Caraga region.

A total of 390 wanted persons were also arrested for the period covering January to July 2012. Likewise, a total of 57 most wanted persons were arrested during the same period.

On its campaign against illegal logging from January to August 2012, PRO-13, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga, Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force (AILTF), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF), Philippine Army and the local government units confiscated/seized a total of 1,643,724 board feet of assorted dipterocarp logs/lumbers.

PNP-Caraga was also actively engaged in tree planting in relation to CPNP’s legacy project “Pulis Makakalikasan: 10 Milyong Puno Pamana sa Kinabukasan.”

Since PRO-13 started in February of this year, it has already planted 187,787 or 61.23 percent of quota for one year.

On anti-illegal drugs operations, from January to July 2012 PNP-Caraga arrested 98 persons and confiscated a total of P1,156,850 worth of illegal drugs.

On campaign against illegal gambling of the same period, they had arrested 118 persons and confiscated 16 video karera machines, eight fruit game machines and other gambling paraphernalia.

Likewise, on their campaign against loose firearms, they had already accounted for 123 loose firearms.

“We will maintain our vigilance to keep a close watch on any development in the area of responsibility and will, at all times, be prepared to respond to any calamities that may occur in the region,” said Valmoria.

With this development, PNP-Caraga hoped for the continued support of the general public and their cooperation to PNP’s campaign against criminality.

RPOC Chairperson and Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. presided the meeting. (RER/JPG/PIA-Caraga)

Tagalog news: DTI-Caraga nagsagawa ng briefing sa media hinggil sa Helmet Law

Ni Danilo S. Makiling

BUTUAN CITY, Setyembre 4 (PIA) -- Isinagawa ng Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Caraga sa pangunguna ni Regional Director Brielgo Pagaran ang isang briefing para sa mga lokal na medya hinggil sa Republic Act No. 10054 o kilala bilang “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009,” na ginanap kamakailan sa DTI-Caraga conference room dito.

Ayon kay Atty. Maria Aurora Curaza-Maquiling, sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa Land Transportation Office/Department of Transportation and Communication (LTO/DOTC), simula Enero 1, 2013, sisimulan ang estriktong pagpapatupad ng Motorcycle Helmet Act na may kaukulang parusa sa mga motoristang hindi susunod sa batas.

Nilinaw din ni Maquiling na ang batas ay ipapatupad sa mga “habal-habal” (Mga motor na may mahigit sa limang pasahero na kadalasang ginagamit bilang transportasyon sa mga bukirin na lugar) at tanging mga tricycle drivers lang ang hindi kasali sa batas.

“Ang mga driver ng mga tricycle ay hindi kasali sa pagpapatupad ng batas sa paggamit ng motorcycle helmets,” ani Maquiling.

Ayon naman kay DTI-Agusan del Norte Provincial Director Gay Tidalgo, ang mga pribadong motorista na may apilyedo na nagsisimula sa letrang “A-F” ay maari ng kumuha ng libreng stickers sa buwan ng Setyembre; “G-O” para sa buwan ng Oktubre; “P-Z” para sa Nobyembre; samantala, ang buwan ng Disyembre ay para sa mga corporate request ng mga ICC stickers.

Ayon naman sa DTI ang sinumang mahuhuling lumabag sa kautusang pagsusuot ng standard protective helmet ay mapaparusahan sa pagbabayad ng P1,500 para sa unang opensa; P3,000 para sa pangalawang opensa; at P10,000 at pagbabawi ng driver’s license para sa pang-apat na opensa.

Ipapatupad naman ang multa na hindi bababa sa P10,000 at hindi lalagpas sa P20,000 para sa mga nagbebenta ng helmet na lumabag sa Section 5, habang ang mga tao naman na gumagamit o nagbebenta ng hindi standard o hindi gumagamit ng helmet na may Philippine Standard (PS) mark o Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) certificate ay mapaparusahan ng multa na hindi bababa ng P3,000 para sa paunang opensa at P5,000 naman para sa pangalawang opensa, na ipinalaganap ng Republic Act No. 7394 o ang “Consumer Act of the Philippines.”

Napag-alaman din na ang tanging mga gamit na helmet lang ang maaaring malagyan ng stickers sa mga probinsyal na tanggapan sa DTI.

Samantala, ang mga helmet na nabili simula noong Agosto 1, 2012 pataas ay meron na dapat ng ICC stickers galing sa mga pinagbilhan ng mga ito.

Dahil dito, ang DTI-Caraga ay nanawagan sa mga motorista na sundin ang batas para na rin sa kanilang kaligtasan. (RER/DSM/PIA-Caraga)

Cebuano news: Danyos sa imprastraktura sa Surigao Norte tungod sa Linog mukabat sa P1.9M

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA) -- Ang 7.6 nga linog nga mitay-og sa pipila ka mga lugar sa Visayas ug Mindanao niadtong Biyernes sa gabii maoy hinungdan sa mukabat P1.9 milyon nga danyos sa imprastruktura ug properidad sa Surigao del Norte, matud sa National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Sa ilang taho niadtong Lunes sa buntag, matud pa sa NDRRMC nga usa ka gamay nga balay didto sa Barangay Punta Bilar, tulo ka mga tension rods sa kisami sa provincial gym ang nadaut apan walay nahitabong kadaut sa estruktura niini, samtang pipila ka mga liki ang nakit-an sa bungbong dapit sa hagdanan sa usa ka hotel sa Surigao City.

Samtang didto sa lungsod sa Socorro, duha ka mga balay ang hapit maguba. Matud usab sa taho ni Socorro Municipal Agriculturist Edilito Sangco nga bisan dihay pagdinaganay didto sa municipal gym diin didto gipahigayon ang opening night sa Siargao Division Math Festival, apan wala hinuoy kadaut nga nahitabo matud pa niya.

Usa ka pampublikong merkado didto sa munisipyo sa San Isidro ang gideklara nga “not safe for regular operations” human madaut ang unom ka mga poste niini ug makita usab ang pipila ka mga liki sa salog sa ilang municipal gym.

Didto sa Tagana-an, tulo ka mga balay ang nahugmak ug adunay pipila ka mga liki sa ilang municipal ug multi-purpose building. Ug usab bisan pa nga ang konkretong dalan sa Tagana-an-Libas adunay mga liki, kini maagian gihapon.

Gitaho usab sa NDRRMC nga ang dung-goanan sa lantsa didto sa Barangay Alipao, Alegria nadaut ug natumba ang riprap niini.

Didto sa Gigaquit, adunay pipila ka mga liki sa bungbong sa municipal town house niini ug lakip ang kinatibuk-ang bungbong sa ilang rural health unit.

Aduna usab pipila ka pagliki sa haligi ug beam sa reservoir sa Gigaquit Central Elementary School.

Pipila usab ka mga liki ang makita sa mga bungbong sa pito ka mga residential buildings, municipal, barangay ug school buildings didto sa lungsod sa Tubod. Aduna usab mga pagliki didto sa ilang national bridge sa Barangay Del Rosario.

Didto sa lungsod sa Sta. Monica, matud pa sa NDRRMC ang mga bungbong ug mga salog sa ilang municipal hall ug gym adunay mga pagliki. Ang Seawalls sa Placer ug Gen. Luna adunay usab pipila ka mga pagliki.

Samtang ang Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines mitaho nga walay mga kadaut didto sa Siargao Airport, apan ilang gihangyo ang Department of Transportation and Communications aron mohimo og dugang assessment aron maseguro ang kalig-on sa runway. Ang Siargao Airport atoa nahimutang sa lungsod sa Del Carmen. (FEA/SDR-PIA-Surigao de Norte)

Cebuano news: Malacañang giawhag ang katawhan sa mga apektadong lugar sa linog sa pag kooperar sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA) – Giawhag sa administrasyong Aquino ang katawhan didto sa mga apektadong lugar sa linog sa pagkooperar sa mga ahensya sa gobyerno aron maseguro ang ilang kaluwasan, matud sa opisyales sa Palasyo kagahapon.

"Ang unang konsiderasyon po ng ating pamahaalan ay ‘yung kanilang safety. Nagkaroon na po ng isang alert level III ‘nung Biyernes at ang mahalaga po doon ay iligtas ang mga taong nasa mga delikadong lugar," matud ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda atol sa regular press briefing didto sa Malacanang kagahapon..

Giawhag ni Lacierda ang katawhan nga magpabiling mabinantayon ug himoon ang gikinahanglan mga pagpangandam aron permanente nga luwas.

"If we’re still experiencing any aftershocks sa area, we’d like to encourage the people not to go back in the area. Pero kung may go signal na from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council na safe na, then that’s the time to go back," matud pa ni Lacierda.

"Ang pakiusap lang namin po ngayon ay sundin ang mga suggestions or mga instructions ng ating government officials. The only thing that we’re concerned with is your safety," dugang pa niya.

Ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) nagsugod na sa pagpahigayon og damage-assessment sa mga lugar nga naapektuhan sa maong linog.

"One of the things na mahalaga with respect to our buildings is that it should comply with the National Building Code. May bago tayong Building Code na ginawa and that’s why it should be in compliance with the requirements of the National Building Code," matud niya.

Gibana-banang adunay 28,000 ka mga residente ang apektado sa 7.6 magnitude nga earthquake nga miigo sa Eastern Visayas ug ubang parte sa Mindanao niadtong Biyernes, matud sa NDRRMC kagahapon. Ang maong linog mitapos og usa kinabuhi.

Gipasalamatan usab ni Lacierda ang medya tungod sa pagtabang sa gobyerno sa pagpakaylap ug pagsibya sa impormasyo.

"Over the weekend, we experienced an earthquake where the epicenter was in Guiuan, Samar and I’d like to, again, extend my heartfelt gratitude to mass media, to our friends in the radio stations, our broadcast stations," matud niya.

"And we’d like to thank Bombo (Radyo), DZRH, DZMM, DZBB and all of the other stations—Radyo ng Bayan, yes—which had a role in disseminating important information and as well as informing the public about the need to evacuate. And, once more, it demonstrated our partnership between government and mass media and I hope in times of crisis we can rely on each other for the proper dissemination of information," dugang pa niya. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)