(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur will experience Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


PIA News Service - Wednesday, March 20, 2013



PAMANA trains state info officers on public speaking

By Robert E. Roperos

DAVAO CITY, March 20 (PIA) -- To effectively communicate the gains of Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) (Peaceful and Resilient Communities) to the public, information officers of several government agencies underwent training Tuesday in one of the local hotels here and enhance their skills in public speaking.

Citing the principles of public speaking, Uyboco, columnist of Sunstar Davao, emphasized the need to focus what the speaker wants to talk about.

To achieve this, Uyboco said the speaker should identify what are the burning issues. “If you don’t have a burning issue, do not make a presentation anymore, just send it to your audience through fax or email,” Uyboco said.

Uyboco also underscored the need for the message to be simple, easy to understand, and must address the needs of the audience. “In this way, the audience will pay attention to what you are presenting,” he added.

The participants were also advised to grab the attention of their audience right from the start. Uyboco explained that most people decide within eight seconds if you are a speaker worth listening to. “Do not waste time in acknowledging and apologizing as this may lost the interest of your audience to listen to you anymore,” Uyboco said.

When asked what are the ways to start the speech or presentation, Uyboco enumerated five, namely: 1) engage in question; 2) use witty quotations; 3) start with a provocative statement; 4) start with an interesting story; and 5) tell a joke.

Further, Uyboco said to be an effective public speaker, one should support the opening statements made by presenting facts and figures; sharing research findings; sharing stories, anecdotes, actual situations; avoid jargon words, thus simplifying and specifying the story; and use short and simple words.

To conclude the speech or talk, there must be some call to action. To do this, Uyboco said the speaker should issue a challenge and tell audience what to do. He further stated a speech or presentation can be closed using a quotation. “You can open a quotation and close it with a quotation,” he said.

Furthermore, Uyboco said when delivering the speech, the speaker must also consider dress code. He emphasized that it matters what one wears for the occasion. To do this, the speaker must ask the organizers who are the participants in order for him/her to choose appropriate attire.

Moreover, he said, by using gestures appropriately, it can add clarity to the presentation and adds energy. “Maintain eye contact, it’s very important to look at your audience and not on the screen,” he added.

Uyboco also said prior to the speaking engagement, the speaker should know the material he is presenting. One way to do this is to make an outline of the presentation that will serve as a guide in the process of presentation.

He likewise informed the participants to arrive early at the venue as it is best to know the place, who the audience are, the seating arrangements, and the general atmosphere of the group.

Lastly, Uyboco informed the information officers to check the equipment and facilities used whether it is not working or not.

The three-day training started Monday and will culminate on Wednesday, March 20, and they are required to craft a communication plan to effectively communicate the gains of Pamana to the general public. (RER/PIA-Caraga)


All set for Semana Santa celeb – PRO 13

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 20 (PIA) -- Security plan for the celebration of the Holy Week 2013 or Semana Santa in Caraga region is now set, an official said.

According to Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 public information officer PSupt Martin M Gamba, policemen in the region are now ready for deployment for the celebration of the Holy Week on March 25 to April 1.

Gamba said, starting Holy Monday (March 25), PRO 13 will deploy policemen to seaports; airports and bus terminals as influx of passengers are expected during that time to ensure a meaningful and safe celebration of the “Semana Santa”.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation and Traffic Management Office (LTTMO) and the Department of Public Works and Highways are now ready for the week-long celebration through the activation of the “Oplan Semana Santa”.


Province is on the right track says Surigao Norte gov

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, March 20 (PIA) – The provincial government here is on the right track in its developmental pursuit assessing from the gains it attained in the delivery of basic services to the people under the health, education and environment, agriculture and aquaculture, livelihood and tourism, spiritual renewal social services and security (HEALS) program for the last two and half years from July 2010 to December 2012.

Governor Sol F. Matugas made this assessment last Monday, March 18, 2013 during her 3rd State of the Province Address dubbed as “Pagpahayag 2013” at the Provincial Convention Center, where she outlined the accomplishments achieved under her administration that strengthened and propelled the province as one of the top performing provinces in Caraga Region.

“Based on the various national and local awards the provincial government obtained, we can say that we are substantially on the right track in fulfilling our obligations of delivering basic services to the people,” the governor said.

She reported substantial increase in revenue collection from real property tax and remittance, hospital income, and economic enterprise.

She also reported a total of 115 infrastructure project implemented from July 2010 to December 2012.

The governor cited substantial gains attained such as restored trust and confidence in local governance, implemented the HEALS program as a banner development strategy of the province, institutionalized transparency, accountability and participation as a core values, implemented the convergence program on social protection services to focus on the poorest and most depressed areas, strengthened niche as agri-fishery, mining and tourism site, upgraded capabilities of human resources to keep pace with the requirements for the development, upgraded existing educational system to effectively meet the demands of the industries and gave focus to peace and social inclusiveness in the attainment of the overall development.

She also cited the awards that the province obtained like Seal of Good Housekeeping Award, Gawad Pamana Ng Lahi Award and Gawad Kalasag Award as proofs that the province is in the track right towards the “Ang Bag-ong Surigao” (A new Surigao). (FEA/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


BIR’s Tax Campaign 2013 kicks-off in Butuan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, March 20 (PIA) – An estimated crowd of 600 convened recently at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort here for this year’s Tax Campaign of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

BIR-Caraga Regional Director Atty. Norberto Vitug welcomed the different sectors from the provinces of Caraga who attended the kick-off ceremony. Dir. Lucita Rodriguez, BIR Assistant Commissioner for Taxpayers Assistance Service is the guest speaker of said activity.

Dir. Vitug urged all individuals to file their taxes before the deadline which is on March 15 while for the business/corporate sector on April 15.

Vitug also stressed the importance of paying taxes. “It will benefit us all,” he said.

Also, Dir. Rodriguez cited that people are paying their taxes but not all are declaring and paying the correct amount. She also emphasized that they will run after the tax evaders and continuously implementing its ‘Oplan Kandado’ to establishments/industries that do not comply with the requirements.

Rodriguez also bared that with this year's Tax Campaign theme "I Love the Philippines, I Pay Taxes Correctly," she explained that the logo for this year shows that Filipinos are proud and are paying taxes for the development of the nation.

During the program, all the participating-tax payers expressed their commitment to support and uphold the various tax laws and regulations and to be active participants in the government’s quest to make taxation a potent factor in economic development of the country. They also sign at the tarpaulin copy of the pledge of commitment and support to BIR.

On the same day, the BIR-Caraga also conducted the 3K Fun Run with the theme "Run After Tax Evaders". (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Agusan Sur shores up public safety

By Abegail Castardo

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, March 20 – Local leaders held a meeting with police and military officers and other stakeholders to bolster public safety.

Initiated by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council chaired by Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza spent a day planning workshop on Public Safety.

DILG provincial director Arleen Ann Sanchez said the forum aimed on assessing the current peace and order condition of the entire province of Agusan del Sur while strengthening the councils down to the municipal and barangay levels by coming up with new strategies.

Thirteen municipal and one city mayors were also on hand to help craft new measures in reducing criminality especially in their respective towns.

On the part of the province, Gov. Plaza challenged the Philippine National Police and also the Philippine Army to ensure public safety by being vigilant all the time and thwart any criminality the may occur especially with the onset of the political season later this month.

Gov. Plaza also renewed his commitment to the law enforcers of his continued support to their campaign in ensuring that the people of Agusan del Sur of a relatively peaceful environment. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


PDEA-Caraga conducts buy-bust operations, arrests more suspects

By Erwin S. Ogario

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 20 -- On its campaign against illegal drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga has been conducting buy-bust operations in the area.

At about 4 p.m. on March 14, the Special Enforcement Team of the agency conducted a buy-bust operation in one of the known fastfoods along Montilla Boulevard corner JC Aquino Avenue, this city that resulted in the arrest of a suspect, a provincial target list, 28, male, single and a resident of Punta, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte and the confiscation of one heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu.

Confiscated drug evidence and urine specimen of the apprehended suspect were submitted to the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory in Butuan City for laboratory examination and drug testing.

Also, at about 11:30 p.m. of the same day, the Special Enforcement Team conducted another buy-bust operation at Rosewood Subdivision, Barangay Villa Kananga that resulted in the arrests of suspect, leader-Plaza drug group, 28, male, married, and a resident of Babag, Barangay Pequeno, and another suspect, also a Watch-Listed personality, 31, single and a resident of Rosewood Subdivision, Barangay Villa Kananga, all in Butuan City and the confiscation of one big heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet and two small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets.

Confiscated drug evidence and urine specimen of the apprehended suspects were also submitted at PNP Crime Laboratory Regional Office for laboratory examination and drug testing.

All suspects are now detained at PDEA-Caraga detention cell while a case for violation of Sec. 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Article II, RA 9165 is being prepared for filing in court. (PDEA-13/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano news: 52 ka mga eskolars sa syudad mogradwar karong Marso

Ni Annette P. Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 20 (PIA) – Mokabat sa 52 ka mga eskolars nga nakapahimulos sa City Scholarship Program sa syudad ang gikatakdang mogradawar karong bulan sa Marso sa mga nagkalain kurso ug tulunghaan dinhi sa Surigao City.

Sa 52 ka mga eskolars, 18 niini ang mogradwar sa mga nagkalain-laing mga kurso gikan sa Saint Paul University Surigao, 27 gikan sa Surigao State College and Technology, upat ang gikan sa Systems Technology Institute, ug tulo ang mogradwar gikan sa Surigao Education Center.

Malipayon ug mabungahon ang gibati sa mga mogradwar nga mga estudyante labi na ang ilang mga ginikanan, ug mapasalamaton gyud sila og dako kang Mayor Ernesto Matugas tungod sa programa niini nga libreng edukasyon.

Sa iyang bahin nagpasalamat usab si Mayor Matugas sa mga ginikanan sa mga estudyanteng mogradwar tungod usab sa ilang suporta ug mga paningkamot aron makalampos gyud sa ilang pagtoon ang ilang mga anak ug makatabang kini unya damlag sa kalamboan sa syudad. (SDR/Surigao City PIO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)