(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, April 3, 2013



DSWD-Caraga to launch NHTS-PR Regional Profile of the Poor

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, April 3 (PIA) – As part of the department’s advocacy to disseminate worthwhile and meaningful information to its potential beneficiaries, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga will launch the Regional Profile of the Poor on April 8, 2013 at the Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

The Regional Profile of the Poor packages the data statistics about the poor households in the region, DSWD-Caraga Regional Director Minda Brigoli said.

“It reveals some important stories regarding the real scenarios of these poor individuals and other basic sectors,” she said.

Brigoli added that this is one of the major outputs from the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) Project aside from the database.

“Participants will be given the production material of said profile during the launching on Monday,” Brigoli said.

It is also the aim of this activity to gain full support from partner-agencies and stakeholders in identifying potential beneficiaries of social protection services and programs purposely in uplifting the lives of the poor households in Caraga region towards attaining quality life.

Brigoli also bared that this special half-day event will be joined by some officials from the DSWD central office, media, civil society organizations, legislators/chief of staff, local government officials, representatives from the academe and other guests. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


RDC-Caraga's convergence to mainstream labor, employment in region’s dev’t plan

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, April 3 (PIA) -- The convergence of all member-agencies of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-Caraga on Thursday will highlight the mainstreaming of labor and employment in the updated Regional Development Plan (RDP).

In a message to council members, RDC-Caraga Vice Chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco said the scheduled meeting of RDC-Development Administration Committee (DAC) will discuss primarily the mainstreaming labor and employment in the updated RDP, enhance the results matrices, and validate the draft Situational Analyses.

Cochingco also said the draft updated Caraga RDP 2011-2016 is expected to be produced in May 2013.

The official further stressed the preparation of the updated RDP is very crucial as it will guide the region in all its development efforts in the next three years.

“It will also trigger the preparation of the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP), the plan’s operational document, which will identify the priority programs, project and activities of the region,” Cochingco said.

The RDP 2011-2016, which was approved and adopted by the RDC through Resolution No. 23 Series of 2010 is now on its third year of implementation.

In the last two years, the region has accomplished much and performed well based on the National Statistical Coordination Board’s (NSCB) data on Gross Regional Domestic Products (GRDP).

However, the region’s NEDA chief said human development remains a persistent challenge with poverty incidence among families at high levels. “Hence, it is timely to assess and update the plan to identify appropriate strategies that will strengthen the region’s continued quest for development in the remaining three years of the Aquino administration,” Cochingco said. (RER/PIA-Caraga)


Phl Biz Industry Census user’s forum set in Bislig City

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

SURIGAO DEL SUR, April 3 (PIA) – The National Statistics Office here has successfully conducted a User’s Forum in relation to the 2012 Census of Philippine Business and Industry (CBPI) held Tuesday in Bislig City.

The activity participated by the representatives (owner/bookkeeper/employees) from the different establishments of the four municipalities of Barobo, Hinatuan, Tagbina, and Lingig, as well as the City of Bislig.

the forum is part of their massive Information Education Campaign (IEC) to directly inform the owners and employees of the different establishments operating in the area, According to Provincial Statistics Officer Ruel Dres. The activity also aimed to gain more support from the business industry in gathering information through accurately answering the questionnaires distributed to them.

Dres also assured the business owners that the data information gathered from the respondents is strictly confidential and only the authorized personnel can only look for it.

The 2012 Census of Philippine Business and Industry is the 15th in the series which aim to collect and generate information on the performance, levels structure and trends of economic activities of the formal sector in the entire country.

Same activity is also scheduled on April 4, 2013 for the 1st District of this province to be held at Shacene Pension House, Tandag City. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Agusan Sur’s Naliyagan Cultural Center, two others inaugurated

By Icey Mondejar Mercado

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, April 3 – With much anticipation, the long-wait for a modern cultural center in the province is finally over with the unveiling of the sprawling edifice right at the heart of the D.O. Plaza Government Center here.

Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, with other provincial officials led the inauguration of the P55 million worth project last week, which serves as the venue for almost all provincial cultural activities like the annual Naliyagan Festival and Pasko sa Kapitolyo.

For years, foreign and domestic tourists who flocked to have a glimpse of the province’s rich cultural and historical heritage highlighted in the six-day Naliyagan festivities have to endure getting wet and muddy grounds specially when it rains hard during the celebration of the Naliyagan Festival from June 12-17 of every year.

Also unveiled by the local chief executive on the same day were the capitol food court amounting to P5 million and the power house project with three generator sets worth P1.7 million whose funds were taken out from last year’s 20% Provincial Development Fund surplus. Both buildings are located at the back of the main provincial capitol buildings.

These two projects will provide convenience to capitol clients and employees where they can have a comfortable place to dine while transacting business and at the same time, be assured of uninterrupted government services especially that power outages are occurring on a daily basis lately. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Agusan del Norte farmer-groups receive P6M farm-implements

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform in Agusan del Norte through the implementation of Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (Arccess) has turned over P6-million worth of modern farm implements to two Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) recently.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio Delos Reyes graced the said occasion. Also in the limelight were DAR Caraga Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay, OIC-Assistant Regional Director for Operation (ARDO) and Concurrent Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Andre B. Atega, CESO VI, DAR-Agusan del Norte, Governor Erlpe John M. Amante, together with Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, and some local chief executives.

Secretary Delos Reyes said “sana po ang equipment na ito ay magamit upang sa gayon mapababa nila ang production cost at tumaas ang kanilang kita para sa ikauunlad nang kanilang kabuhayan”, (Hopefully these equipment will be used to lower production cost and lead to boost farm productivity and improve farmers’ living condition.)

OIC-ARDO/PARO II Andre B. Atega, CESO VI said, “the new machines given to Tagabaca MPC and Baliguian Irrigators Association are investments for improving productivity and the future where the farmers can be one with machines than just with carabaos.”

Hon. Mayor Glicerio M. Monton, Jr. of Jabonga, lauded DAR for its interventions that possibly bring his constituents into aN increase in farm productivity.

“I am very thankful to DAR since Baliguian Irrigators Association is one of the recipients of Arccess program. This could be a great help to our farmers of becoming economically and commercially viable.”, Mayor Monton added.

The two organizations involved Tagabaca Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Baliguian Irrigators Association whose approved projects are Tagabaca Grains Center and Integrated Rice Production and Marketing, respectively.

Tagabaca Multi-Purpose Cooperative received machineries that includes 5 units handtractors with implement, 4 units cultivator/power tiller and 2 units threshers, while Baliguian Irrigators are 3 units hand tractor with implements, 1 unit combine harvester and 3 units threshers.

According to Raul N. Hermoso, Arccess coordinator, for this year, another two ARBOs will each receive P3 million funding support from Arccess, namely, the Avanceña Beneficiary Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative of Sanghan ARC in Barangay Sanghan, Cabadbaran City, and the Palmavera Small Coconut Farmer Beneficiaries Cooperative of Mapcola ARC in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

“Aside from providing the farmers with common services facilities, DAR will also contract service providers that can assist the beneficiaries in using the new equipment.”, Hermoso added.

The said farm implements was granted to the said ARB Organizations, who will serve as conduits of the Arccess program to encourage other agrarian reform beneficiaries to become ARBO members.

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


DAR installs 2,263 farmers in Agusan del Norte

 By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, April 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte installed 2,263 farmers as legal owners of agricultural landholding under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), covering a total of 3,260 hectares.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio R. Delos Reyes graced the said occasion assisted by DAR-Caraga Regional Director Faisar A. Mambuay, OIC-Assistant Regional Director for Operation and Concurrent Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Andre B. Atega of DAR- Agusan del Norte, Governor Erlpe John M. Amante, Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante and some local chief executives in this province.

“This activity is part of DAR’s commitment to distribute all government and private agricultural lands to landless farmers and farmworkers,” Delos Reyes said.

“The land titles to the farmers are not only proof of ownership. It is a signal for farmers to assert its rights, to assume a productive attitude as significant contributor to development," DAR-Caraga ARDO Andre B. Atega said. "The CLOA dignifies the farmers.”

Provincial Governor Erlpe John M. Amante challenged the new land-owner to do their share to develop and care the land with utmost responsibility to make it productive.

City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante lauded DAR for its strategy to fully link land reform and support services that has been a key factor in contributing significant growth in his locality.

“The presence of DAR Secretary Virgilio Delos Reyes is a clear manifestation that the government is sincere in implementing its programs particularly in pursuing land distribution.” Mayor Amante said.

Amelito Daarol, Agrarian Reform Beneficiary, was delighted to accept the Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) while a large number of agrarian reform beneficiaries in attendance applauded showing an expression of gratitude to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

As of 2012, DAR in this province had already distributed 33,219 hectares or 76% over all performance out of a total provincial working scope of 43,742. The program has yet to distribute 10,523 hectares of land to the farmers for the remaining life of CARP Extension with Reforms. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Cebuano News: Malakanyang nalipay sa pinakabag-ong resulta sa Social Weather Stations survey nga 81% sa mga Filipino ang kuntento sa ilang mga kinabuhi

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Abril 3 (PIA) – Gikalipay sa Malakanyang ang resulta sa pinakabag-ong Social Weather Station’s survey nga nag-ingon nga upat sa lima ka mga Filipino o 81 porsyento ang kuntento sa ilang mga kinabuhi, sumala sa opisyales sa Palasyo kagahapon.

Matud ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda ang administrasyong Aquino nagpasalamat sa mga Filipino tungod sa ilang dakong pagsalig, kumpiyansa, ug suporta sa gobyerno.

Matud pa niya nga nubentay-singko porsyento sa mga gisurbe ang gikan sa Class ABC sa income scale ang kuntento sa ilang mga kinabuhi, matud sa survey. Ang maong survey nagpakita nga ang grado sa pagkakuntento sa kinabuhi medyo taas nga adunay 82 porsyento (Class D) ug 74 porsyento (Class E).

Dugang pa niya nga sumala sa SWS survey niadtong fourth quarter sa 2012 nga gihimo sa 1,200 ka mga adults libot sa nasod niadtong Disyembre 8-11 nagpakita nga sa 81 porsyento, 33 porsyento ang “very satisfied” ug 48 porsyento ang “fairly satisfied.

Gipasalig ni Lacierda nga ang gobyerno magpadayon paghimo og mga reporma ug mga anti-poverty nga mga inisyatibo aron paghatag og maayong kinabuhi. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Cebuano News: Palasyo mianunsyo sa pagkatudlo ni COA chair Pulido-Tan isip Food and Agriculture Organization auditor sa UN

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Abril 3 (PIA) – Si Commission on Audit Grace Pulido-Tan natudlo ngadto sa unom ka termino isip external auditor sa Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), sigon anunsyo sa Malakanyang niadtong Miyerkules.

Matud ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda niadtong Miyerkules didto sa Malakanyang nga ang Pilipinas napili ngadto sa unom ka termino ug iyang gipahalipayan sa Chairman Grace Pulido-Tan kinsa maoy nag-inusarang babaye nga external auditor didto sa entero sistema sa UN.

Matud pa ni Lacierda nga si Tan ug uban pang mga Filipino staffs sa embassy lakip usab ang agriculture attaché miadto sa Rome ug maoy instrumento sa gihimong presentasyon sa Pilipinas isip usa sa mga kandidato alang sa external auditor sa FAO.

Gipahalipayan usab ni Lacierda ang mga opisyales sa embassy sa nasod ug agriculture attaché didto sa Rome, Italy tungod sa ilang tabang sa presentasyon sa kandidasiya sa Pilipinas.

Ang Food and Agriculture Organization ubos sa UN giseguro ang global food security aron ang katawhan adunay permanenteng access sa igo nga high-quality food ug manguna nga aktibo, himsog nga kinabuhi, Mandato niini ang pagpataas sa kalidad sa nutrisyon, pagpauswag sa ani sa agrikultura, maayo nga mga kinabuhi sa mga populasyo sa rural ug makaambag sa paguswag sa ekonomiya sa kalibutan. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)