(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 19 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


PIA News Service - Tuesday, March 12, 2013



RDC-13 invites candidates to present their platform for women

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 13 (PIA) -- As part of the 2013 Women’s month celebration in Caraga Region, the Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) organized a Candidate’s Forum on the afternoon of Thursday, March 14 at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.

According to Atty. Marylin M. Pintor, GADCC Chairperson and Commission on Human Rights regional director, the Candidate’s Forum will serve as a venue for candidates to present their platform for women.

The forum will be attended by about 200 women and men from the different walks of life; the youth, rural women, religious, persons with disabilities (PWDs), women NGOs, academe, civil society, health and business sectors.

Candidates invited during the forum are those running for mayor and vice mayor of Butuan City and for congress for the first congressional district of Agusan del Norte, Pintor said.

Just recently, the ninth "Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan" was also held in the city where men and women enjoyed the trade fair, ukay-ukay, massage and spa, medical mission, legal counseling, parlor games, and other leisure activities.

This year's women’s month celebration is anchored on the theme, "Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan (Women: Guide Towards Straight and Narrow Path)." It underscores the need to accelerate women's participation in governance and enhance gender perspective in upholding good governance. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


GAD Committee in Caraga conducts ‘Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan’

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 12 (PIA) -- In time with the International Women's Day celebration, the Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) chaired by Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Marylin Pintor conducted last Friday the 9th "Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan" at the Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.

Men and women enjoyed the trade fair, ukay-ukay, massage and spa, medical mission, legal counseling, parlor games, and other leisure activities.

Atty. Pintor acknowledged the presence of women from different sectors who remain active and continuously improve their capacities for the development of the community especially in getting involved in good governance.

During the said activity, Pintor and vice-chair Edna Hontiveros of Forward Filipina Inc handed over the plaques of recognition to the Outstanding Women of this year.

The following were awarded as Outstanding Women: Epifania Antoquia of Barangay Antongalon, Butuan City (Department of Agriculture 2012 Most Outstanding Rural Woman); and Helen Dumayas, retired GAD Focal Person of the Department of Budget and Management -Caraga.

The activity is also part of the month-long celebration for this year's Women's Month.

Also, SInsp. Ray Antonio Restauro of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Caraga reiterated during the program that the month of March is considered Fire Prevention Month of every year since this month has recorded several fire incidents.

“BFP is continuously conducting information dissemination to the public on the prevention of fire everywhere,” said Restauro.

The agency also distributed leaflets containing tips to make fire safety a daily habit.

Restauro further announced that in case of fire and other emergency, the public may call BFP hotline number: 160 or 342-8217.

Meanwhile, Diosita Andot of Mindanao Commission on Women also graced the activity and served as the keynote speaker of the ninth Kalandrakas.

Andot emphasized the vital role of women in decision-making, fighting against corruption, and good governance.

This year’s Women’s Month is anchored on the theme “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan”. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Local government holds Youth Leadership Summit in Cabadbaran City

CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, Marso 12 (PIA) – A total of 237 youth leaders have joined the 3-day Youth Leadership Summit conducted by the local government in partnership with the local government agencies, churches, Propelling Our Inherited Nation Through our Youth Incorporated (Pointy Inc.), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines held at Cabadbaran State University Gymnasium.

The youth leaders came from the 31 barangays of the city representing the in-school-youth, out-of-school youth, and young professionals have completed the said training and became a member of an non-government organization called Pointy Incorporated.

“This is a great opportunity for me to practice my leadership to my co-youths here in Cabadbaran City. I promise to do all my best just to lift up to the standards of being the hope of our nation,” Arnel B Alipao, president of Pointy Inc Cabadbaran City chapter, said in a statement. “To my co-members, it is your attitude, not your aptitude that determines your altitude. Let’s work together to achieve our goals. We can do this.”.

Mayor Dale Corvera said, “Since this is the first time that we have conducted this kind of Summit in my city, I want this to be part of our annual activity for our youth. Two, three, or many years from now, I want to see this group of leaders expands in the city and later on every people in the city will become leaders. Every projects and activities will be easy for us to implement because the people will become more responsible, productive, and well-informed citizen.”

Lt Col Potenciano C Camba GSC (CAV) PA, Battalion Commander of 3rd Special Forces Battalion, Philippine Army also said, “We will always be your active partner in molding our youths in this side of Mindanao” As he happily reported to Mayor Corvera the success of the 3-day activity. “To our youth, thank you for showing great enthusiasm and cooperation to this 3-day activity. Truly, you exemplified the youth who will help us make a better community. Congratulations youth for peace.” Lt Col Camba added. (4ID/PA/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


News feature: Obesity and breast cancer

Harvard Medical School discovered that being overweight or obese during adolescence reduces a woman’s chance of getting breast cancer. But the study also states that younger women could not just eat chocolates and fast food always and be overly complacent about one's diet.

A recent study by Karin B. Michels and her colleagues lend a new view on the relationship between adult weight change and premenopausal breast cancer among women. The authors also concluded that a woman’s weight at age 18 gives a stronger possibility of breast cancer risk. This risk is calculated by a height-to-weight comparison or body mass index (BMI).

Obesity is on the rise all over the world since 1980, especially in urban areas, according to a cancer organization report.

The results of the study by Michel’s group show that BMI at age 18 is a predictor of breast cancer in younger women.

Over 116,000 participants in Brigham and Women’s Nurses Health study were asked about their age, height, weight, menstrual cycles, family history of breast cancer, and fertility status, among others.

Researchers found out that there are more than 40 percent lower incidence of premenopausal breast cancer among women with a BMI of 27.5 at age 18 compared to a BMI of between 20 and 22.4.

Researchers said that the link to age of decreased premenopausal breast cancer risk may be explained by hormones that are responsible in ovulation. The theory on premenopausal women’s estrogen level is yet to be solved.

Weight gain since early adulthood and since menopausal has been associated with an increase in postmenopausal breast cancer, while weight loss after menopause may reduce the risk.

Many cohort studies also support the present study stating that greater body weight is associated with a decrease in premenopausal breast cancer risk and an increase in postmenopausal breast cancer risk.

A number of hypotheses discuss that obesity leads to a wider exposure to estrogen and other hormonal changes that might affect breast cancer risk.

Harvard researchers, however, noted that data on the effect of weight change on breast cancer incidence among premenopausal women are sparse.

Body weight is one of the few breast cancer risk factors women have control over. Program coordinator of Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center (EJACC) of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Ronald delos Reyes said that a well-balanced diet is always a good investment.

“A healthy body does not only promote good health but also protects us from diseases like cancer. Healthy lifestyle always tops the list of breast cancer prevention,” delos Reyes added.

Every woman and man should seriously consider investing their time and effort to maintain their ideal body weight. Having a healthy lifestyle and body should be an everyday priority all the time,” he added. (RAFI/PIA-Caraga)


DAR-AgNor to turnover P6-M farm implements to farmer-groups

By Gil E. Miranda

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Mar. 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte through the implementation of Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) will turnover more than P6-million worth of modern farm implements to two Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) on March 20.

“The implementation of ARCCESS will contribute significantly in transforming agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) into viable entrepreneurs resulting to poverty reduction in the rural areas. The farm equipment, are now ready for turn-over to intended beneficiaries,” said Andre B. Atega, DAR OIC assistant regional director and concurrent PARO II.

According to ARCCESS program coordinator Raul N. Hermoso, the modern farm equipment comprising eight hand tractors with implements, four cultivator power tillers, five thresher (jeep-mounted), one combined harvester and two hauling trucks, were requested by the farmers.

“These farm implements will be handed-over to Tagabaca Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Baliguian Irrigators Association whose approved projects are Tagabaca Grains Center and Integrated Rice Production and Marketing, respectively,” Hermoso added.

The said implements are grant to the said ARB organizations which will benefit an estimated thousand of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The program is in response to the mandate of Republic Act 9700 to provide subsidies to agrarian reform beneficiaries. (NCLM/DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Cebuano News: Presidente Aquino giila ang dakong kontribusyon sa Presidential Security Group

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Marso 12 (PIA) -- Giila ug gipasalamatan ni Presidente Aquino sa iyang mensahe atol sa PSG Reunion circa 1986 to 1992 didto sa Camp Crame niadtong Sabado ang mga miyembro sa Presidential Security Group (PSG) nga nagsilbi sa administrasyon sa iyang inahan, si kanhe Presidente Corazon C. Aquino ug sa dakong kontribusyon niini sa nasyunal nga kalamboan,

Sumala sa Presidente niadtong namugna ang PSG human sa EDSA People Power Revolution tuig 1986, mao usab kini ang sinugdan sa pagsubang sa bag-ong demokrasya sa nasod.

Ug sukad niadto ang PSG niagi na og daghang mga pagsulay lakip na ang kakulang sa resources, manpower ug kapabilidad.

Matud niya, niadtong coup d’etat tuig 1987, gidepensahan sa PSG ang palibot sa Palasyo gamit ang karaang hinagiban nga salin pa niadtong World War II, apan bisan pa sa maong kakulang nahimo gihapon nila nga maayo ang ilang mga trabaho labi na ang pagpanalipod sa Presidente ug ang demokrasya sa nasod.

Ang maong organisasyon respetado usab tungod kay ubay-ubay na nga mga lideres karon sa Military ang gikan sa PSG ug nahimong chief of staff sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), secretary sa Department of National Defense (DND), chief sa Philippine National Police ug daghan pang uban nga mga posisyon.

Ang maong grupo orihinal nga gi-organisa ni kanhe Presidente Emilio Aguinaldo human siya napiling presidente niadtong 1897.

Unya gitawag kini og El Cuerpo dela Guardia o Corps of Presidential Guards, nahimong Malacang Guards sa panahon ni Presidente Manuel L. Quezon, Presidential Guards Battallion sa panahon ni Sergio Osmeña ug nausab kini ngadto sa Presidential Security Force sa panahon ni kanhe Presidente Ramon Magsaysay.

Sa panahon ni Ferdinand Marcos, gipalapdan kini og nahimong Presidential Security Command.

Ug sa dihang miasumir sa iyang puwesto si kanhe Presidente Corazon Aquino niadtong 1986 giwagtang niya ang PSC ug gipuli ang PSG ug gipangulohan kini kaniadto ni Army Col. Voltaire T. Gazmin ug mao karon ang kasamtangang secretary sa DND. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)