(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, September 11, 2013

POPCOM-13 calls for preservation of Mt. Mayapay

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA) – As the Commission on Population (POPCOM) Caraga continues to promote and intensify information, education, and communication on Responsible Parenting, Family Planning, and Adolescent Health and Youth Development in the communities, the commission is also calling on the general public to take responsibility in the protection and preservation of the Mount Mayapay, the world’s heritage.

In his interview over Power FM, Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA) radio station in Butuan City, OIC Regional Director Alex Makinano bared that as the population is increasing, the resources – fiscal and manmade are also decreasing.

“The Commission on Population is also engaging programs for climate change, environment, and for Mount Mayapay. We have to be responsible enough. Trees are being cut in the mountains for building houses and other purposes, and some are just passive, not thinking of the risks that might affect people in the communities,” Makinano said.

Makinano also said that in partnership with PIA, Samahang Magdalo and other sectors, we are able to influence people in the grassroots to also join us in this move for a common cause. “Everybody is directly accountable of what is happening in our environment right now,” he added.

POPCOM-Caraga continues to advocate for the protection and preservation of Mt. Mayapay along with their programs. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Couples should have informed choice in family planning, says POPCOM-13 chief

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 11 (PIA) – The Commission on Population (POPCOM) Caraga through Officer-in-charge Alex Makinano bared that the commission has continuously implement the Philippine Population Management Program focusing on Responsible Parenting and Family Planning by providing accurate and complete information to couples on their fertility needs.

“The government respects the right of the couples to decide on the family size they plan to have, and the timing or spacing according to their financial capabilities,” said Makinano.

Makinano added that the commission is also conducting the Philippine Development Sessions to married couples in the communities (puroks, barangays) to orient them on Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning especially to women ageing 15-49 (reproductive age and capable to bear a child).

"This is also for couples who want to limit pregnancy. Their intention is there but the practice is absent. That's why we have to provide them complete information and it's up to them to choose and decide," he said.

It was also learned that 11 women are dying everyday in the country due to pregnancy-related causes. "That's why we have to intensify informed choice and volunteerism among couples especially the women in the choice between artificial and natural family planning," he said.

Makinano further said that in every session, POPCOM is giving eight hours of counseling to couples in the communities.

As to the provision of contraceptives, Makinano clarified that it is the Department of Health (DOH) that is to provide the commodities like condoms, pills, among others while the commission’s main responsibility is to intensify information, education, communication (IEC), and motivation to married couples. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)  


AgSur, ADFi to showcase FarmASI to farmers

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Sep. 11 (PIA) -- The provincial government here and the Foundation for the Development of Agusanons introduced FarmASI at the provincial capitol compound to show that even with small piece of land, farmers can produce more variety products with less farm inputs.

According to Dr. Rex Linao, Executive Director of ADFI, FarmASI is a play on words as it could actually mean pharmacy, as the farm to be developed will produce foods that are full of vitality, full of life.

”As it was said in the olden times, let medicine be your food, let food be your medicine, so the name FarmASI. But ASI in the program name is also an acronym that refers to as Agricultural Sustainability Interventions,”  Linao said.

In front of the provincial capitol main buildings, around five hectares of land are being farmed. At a glance, it looks like a plain rice field but on closer inspection, it contains “palay-isdaan,” palay-itlogan,” and a small field for initially seven goats.

Linao designed the canal that divide every block of the rice field larger and deeper than the usual rice field canal to serve as pool for tilapia during rainy season, and these are placed back to the pond within the rice field on ordinary days. At the center of the rice field, there is a small hut with nylon net extending some 50 meters on each side, that can accommodate the egg-laying ducks.

On the other side of the road going to the provincial capitol, another hut can be found that serves as the area for goats that feed on naturally growing grass in some three hectares of land.

“The rice planted in the area are chemical free, with organic fertilizer inputs. The Department of Agriculture evaluators will be coming  to evaluate and see for themselves how we implement the FarmASI and the application of organic fertilizer in our rice farming,” Linao said.

“ADFI also developed a Medicinal Herbs Garden and Vegetable Garden using Biodynamic Technology at the back of the provincial capitol. Around 90 kinds of medicinal herbs – with proven therapeutic characters used by locals – were collected and propagated by ADFI. Vegetables are also grown manned by the staff that underwent capacity development training. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


DAR-13 inks contract with DAP, XSF for ARCCESS monitoring

By Joie L. Ceballos

BUTUAN CITY, September 11 (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Caraga Regional Office 13 signed on Tuesday a contract between the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and Xavier Science Foundation (XSF) for the process and progress monitoring of the extension services providers under the Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) Program.

The ARCCESS project is one of DAR’s Support Services Direction for 2011 to 2014 aside from enhancing the convergence of the rural development agencies such as Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with local government units and non-government organizations and strengthening linkages with public-private partnership.

The contract signing was attended by DAR-13 regional director Faisar Mambuay, DAP sa Mindanao Manager Regina Fernandez and XSF representative Sustenes Magallanes.
Mambuay said the signing is significant not only as it kicks off the activities but because it actuates DAR's commitment to the continuing delivery of quality service to the agrarian reform beneficiaries in Caraga.

Fernandez and Magallanes both pledged to undertake the necessary activities in the contract as commitment not only to DAR but also to the ARBs involved as this is a core of their organizations.

Mambuay thanked both DAP and XSF for partnering with DAR as it will ensure quality, timely and reliable output from the extension services providers.  (FEA/DAR-13/PIA-Caraga)