(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 - Friday, August 23, 2013

PIA Caraga to launch radio show to save Mt. Mayapay

By Fryan E. Abkilan

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) -- The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Caraga Regional Office is set to launch a radio program focusing on the protection, conservation, preservation of Mount Mayapay.

PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga said the radio program, which will be aired over the agency’s radio station - 107.8 Power FM, will initially run thrice weekly. “It will be on Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 10:00am to 10:30am,” Caga said.

The unique feature of this program, according to director Caga, is that anybody who has the heart and passion in the preservation and protection of Mt. Mayapay which is one of the natuaral landmarks of the region is invited to join.

“This is going to be interactive and it is not a structured radio show," he said.

He added that “Those who have the passion to preserve and protect Mt. Mayapay, you are free to be part of the show. We need not be a master of the issue for every opinion, suggestion, idea, feeling of any stakeholders will surely be valued and respected. No one has the monopoly to claim that they are neither above nor in authority over any other stakeholders in the pursuit of what is best for Mayapay." (FEA/PIA-Caraga)


Butuan RMRT joins PIA, Samahang Magdalo in protecting, conserving Mt. Mayapay

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) – The Rapid Media Reaction Team (RMRT) composed of legitimate media practitioners of this city have expressed their support and cooperation to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga Rehional Office and Samahang Magdalo’s advocacy in saving the Mount Mayapay during a roundtable discussion recently.

The advocacy of PIA and Samahang Magdalo will create realization among the people in the community to get involved in the protection and conservation of Butuan’s heritage – the Mt. Mayapay, said Mike Crismundo, Mindanao Bureau Chief of Manila Bulletin.

“We should all work together for this common cause. This will not only benefit us but also the future generations. There is no reason for us not to join and support this advocacy campaign since it is for the development of the Mt. Mayapay. We all should take responsibility. And I believe that saving Mt. Mayapay is also saving the lives of the people,” said Crismundo.

"We, as stakeholders of this city should really protect and conserve Mt. Mayapay, considering the fact that it is not only our cultural heritage but it also provides us natural resources," Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Mr. Franklin Caliguid said. “We have been experiencing the effects of climate change, and I believe that if we will all extend effort for the protection and conservation of Mt. Mayapay, we will experience the minimal effects of climate change unlike of those places in the country wherein you will no longer see bountiful trees and usage of its natural resources were already abused.”

Also, Ms. Maia Juni, station Manager of Radyo ng Bayan Butuan said that the protection and conservation of Mt. Mayapay is not only the responsibility of the duty bearers but also the citizenry.

“Everything is possible when all of us will get involved and take our roles to protect Mt. Mayapay,” said Juni.

The group expressed optimism that through this partnership, Butuanons will also influence others to do the same.

Samahang Magdalo Caraga Regional Coordinator Mr. Micheal Torralba acknowledged the unified efforts of the media partners in providing relevant, timely, reliable and accurate information to the public. “The RMRT will be of great help in spreading out our advocacy campaign for the betterment of Mt. Mayapay,” he said.

The RMRT was first organized sometime in April of this year by PIA-Caraga through the initiative of  PIA-Caraga Regional Director Abner Caga, in preparation for the national and local elections, where local tri-media are converged to act as one with the ultimate end of making a significant impact in the community. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Butuan dad declares August 23, 2013 as 'A Day of Mourning' for sea mishap victims

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) – Pursuant to Proclamation No. 03 series of 2013, Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr of this city declared August 23, 2013 as "A Day of Mourning" for all Butuanons. 

This is in connection with the August 16, 2013 incident where M/V St. Thomas Aquinas sank off the coast of Cebu City resulting to the death of 37 passengers from Caraga region, including five passengers from Butuan City.

The city government and the Sangguniang Panglungsod, together with their officers and staff, are one with the bereaved families of the victims and deeply commiserate in their sorrow.

Mayor Amante also bared that as of August 22, 48 passengers still remain missing and are subject of ongoing search and rescue/retrieval operations.

“I hereby enjoin all the public institutions within the jurisdiction of the city to lower the Philippine flag to half-mast for three days beginning today, August 23,” he said. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


BFAR dads intensify programs for the fisheries sector

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) – In time with the regional launching of the Municipal Fisherfolk Registration held recently, the Bureau of Fishereies and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) through its National Director Atty. Asis Perez and Caraga Regional Director Nerio Casil, emphasized that the bureau will continue to intensify its programs for the sector. 

Perez bared that the Philippines is 7th largest fishing country in the world that is why we have to do the best that we can to increase the sector’s capacity and provide them the tools.

Perez further revealed that among all sectors, the fishermen are the poorest of the poor. "Based on the National Statistics Coordination Board, the fishery sector is below poverty line. This is why we really have to give them due attention and help them increase their capacity to improve the quality of their living," he said.

Perez also recognized that it is only during the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino III that the budget for the fisheries sector has increased.

Also, Dir. Casil relayed that in 2012, its total fisheries production is amounted to more than P5-Billion with a volume of 93,766.45 metric tons. With a total of six cities and 67 municipalities, the entire region is well poised for more government interventions which will be appropriately created and implemented based on the data gathered through the Fisherfolk Registration (FishR).

Casil said the FishR program aims to fast-track, enhance and complete the municipal fisherfolk registration nationwide as required under the Fisheries Code of 1998. Under the FishR, BFAR seeks to register 63,075 fisherfolk in Caraga region.

Casil stressed that the bureau will work hand in hand with the municipalities and cities in Caraga region's five provinces to complete the registration in their respective areas using a simplified and standard form and FRS data management system. BFAR will also give technical assistance to coastal municipalities and cities in the provinces to facilitate the registration process.

Meanwhile, Casil further emphasized that the local government units in Caraga region has a vital role in the implementation and monitoring of Republic Act 8550, where it is stipulated that fishermen must not use illegal fishing materials such as dynamites in the coastal areas.

This is supported by Atty. Perez by saying that illegal fishing is still the main problem that BFAR is facing today. "We are to implement a system to prevent such eventualities in the coastal areas. The presence of deputized BFAR enforcers in the coastal areas who will strictly monitor the fishermen will hopefully stop illegal fishing activities," he added.

Perez also pointed out that the bureau will not allow that its programs for the sector will be compromised and politicized in the localities. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Caraga infotech council bares activities for ICT roadshow

By Johny S. Natad

BUTUAN CITY, August 23 (PIA) – The Caraga Information Communication Technology (ICT) council presented its upcoming activities for the "Next Wave Cities ICT Roadshow 2nd Edition: Bringing ICT Opportunities to Countryside Filipino Talents" to be held on September 19-20, this city.

Caraga ICT Council President Chery J. Busa during the ICT presentation and coordination meeting last August 15, said  that the roadshow is organized and supported by the Department of Science and Technology - Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), IT Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP), Butuan City government and Caraga ICT Council.

"The roadshow generally aims to provide a venue for the government, the industry players and stakeholders to present and discuss the prospect of the IT-BMP sector as one of the best choices for entrepreneurship, career development and advancement among the workforce in the next wave cities," Busa said.

Busa added that the activity will be participated by 495 schools high school and 56 colleges and university in the region. Expected participants are the 4th year high school and college students, 4th year high school PTA, teachers, guidance counsellors, city executives, career practitioners/employees (ITC industry), SMS (private business sector), media partners, local ICT business start-ups groups, and people from DepEd, CHED, TEDA, DOLE/PESO, DOST, DTI, DOT, DILG, NEDA.

Meanwhile, Caraga ICT Vice President Engr. Alan A. Silor bared that one major purpose of conducting the activity is to declare Butuan as the ICT hub of the region and the country.

"We have more than 9,000 manpower for non-voice business processing outsourcing (BPO) and have plenty graduates from IT related discipline. Butuan is equipped with needed energy facilities, human resources, real state and telephone company infrastructure for the BPO operations. With this, the city has passed the score card to be declared as ICT hub and through the roadshow Butuan will be manifested and declared as the “Next Wave Cities ICT” in the country," Silor emphasized.

The outlined road show activities include the IT BMP career talks, IT prenuership forums, e-commerce forum and job fair.

The council bared that registration on the said two-day activity is Php450.00 for a student and Php1,200.00 for a professional who take early registration while Php1,500.00 if registration is made during the actual date of the roadshow. (JSN/PIA-Caraga)


Tandag City Mayor asks CCPC members commitment to support programs & activities of the City Government

By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, August 23 (PIA) – In her welcome address during the orientation program, City Council for the Protection of Children (CCPC) chairperson Mayor Roxanne Pimentel has asked the council members’ full commitment to support the programs and activities under her administration yesterday morning at the Season’s Park Apartelle this city.

Mayor Pimentel cited on her programs and activities under the administration legislative agenda dubbed as “Pillars of Development” where the Social Services are stated under the 4th pillar – “The Pillar for the Marginalized Group”.

City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer Tessie Buniel also said, the activity was the 1st seminar Orientation being conducted for the new reorganized CCPC members by the virtue of Executive Order o. 05 Series of 2013, “Re-organizing the CCPC.”

The CCPC were composed of the responsible members of the community, including representatives from the government and private agencies concerned for the welfare of children. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Butuan Sillimanians celebrate 112th founders day

By Johny S. Natad

BUTUAN CITY, August 23 (PIA) – Anchored on the theme "Joyfully lift up the lamb”, the Silliman University Alumni Association, Inc. (SUAAI) Butuan chapter recently held a motorcade in celebration of the university’s 112th Pre-Founders Day along the major thoroughfares of the city.

SUAAI Butuan chapter Public Information Officer and Butuan Habitat for Humanity President Nora Rama bared that seventeen vehicles joined the motorcade while 100 registered junior and senior alumni participated the fellowship celebration from Uncle Sam's Place to Sitio Mandacpan, Barangay San Vicente, this city.

During the fellowship activity, Atty. Rene Burdeos, president of SUAAI Butuan Chapter bared that they have been a partner of the city government in the national greening program (NGP) of the government.

“The alumni association planted and maintained more than 100 dwarf yellow golden coco trees along Tiniwisan road in support to the NGP of our national government which aims to promote Butuan into a green city. Sillimanians who are working in both government and private agencies has been actively taking part in restoring the natural beauty of the city,” Burdeos said.

Meanwhile, Rama said that she even required their volunteers to plant trees as part of their commitment to maintain and preserve the ecological balance of the city.

“We will continue our commitment on our ‘adopt a tree’ project. The Sillimanians have committed to promote, protect, and preserve environment to make the city more conducive to live in,” Rama said.

On the same occasion, City Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., who is also a Sillimanian, encouraged his co-alumni to continue plant more trees and bamboos to make the city cleaner and greener.

"Planting more trees and environmental protection to our watershed and conservation areas are the best long term solutions to solve environmental threats in the city," Amante said. (jsnatad/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao City opens Bonok-Bonok sa Surigao Trade Expo 2013

SURIGAO CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) -- The Surigao City Tourism Council in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SSCI) will open on Friday, Aug. 23 the Bonok-Bonok sa Surigao Trade Expo (Bosstex) at the Luneta Park along Borromeo Street, this city.

The opening ceremony will start with a thanksgiving mass at the San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral to be officiated by Assistant Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Eddie Dumanig, DCS.

Followed by a ribbon cutting and booth exhibits to be led by Surigao City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas with his wife Filomena U. Matugas, City Vice Mayor Danilo C. Menor, DTI Provincial Director Celestino L. Negapatan, Surigao City Tourism Council, Inc. Chairman Richard Nick A. Amores, SCCI President Willie A. Gan and Senior Tourism Operations Officer Roselyn Armida B. Merlin.

The Bosstex features Surigao products, delicacies and handicrafts from different exhibitors.

The event will run from August 23 to September 15, 2013. (FEA/SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)