(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 - Thursday, October 31, 2013

125 4Ps kids join 4th Caraga Children’s Congress

By: Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 31 (PIA)  Some 125 children aged 10-15 who are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) from different cities and provinces in Caraga region joined in the 4th Caraga Children’s Congress on October 29 in one of the convention centers, this city.

Spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga through the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC), the congress serves as a good avenue for the young delegates to present the issues that directly affect them and thereby suggest a better approach for the government to help craft solutions that will address the concern of these children.  

 “Education is an important foundation of all human beings. We are thankful that we’re given the opportunity to be educated with our rights as young children. As a child, we should not be deprived from our basic needs because it will certainly affect our physical, social and psychological development,” said Yori Pasia, 4th grader and regional child exemplary winner from Tandag City, in her inspirational message.

The active participation of delegates in mural painting activity was highlighted during the congress. The delegates freely demonstrated their ideas through art. The outputs are judged according to relevance to this year’s theme “Kahirapan Wakasan, Karapatan ng Bata Ipaglaban”. Special awards are given to the best painters.  Renante S. Dublois, visual artist, said that said activity also teaches children the essence of teamwork, cooperation and is a good way to develop young creative minds.  

Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga program supervisor Purisima G. Polinar also gave a lecture on Child Protection Policy wherein she clearly explained to the delegates the “Policy and Guidelines on Protecting Children in School from Abuse, Violence, Exploitation, Discrimination, Bullying and Other Forms of Abuse.”

She said that DepEd is implementing programs that are intended to promote positive and non-violent discipline. These are capacity-building programs focused on children’s rights, child development and approaches in teaching and classroom management; setting up of child friendly mechanism for obtaining children’s views; and participatory in the formulation, monitoring and assessment of school rules and policies related to school discipline.

Topics on anti-child labor, climate change and child trafficking are also presented during the occasion for children to fully comprehend the subject matters that they or other youths are being confronted with.

 “The Philippine Program Against Child Labor works in a vision to transform the lives of child laborers, their families and communities towards their sense of self-worth, empowerment and development,“ said Maida Lyn Sanchez, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga program coordinator. 

DSWD Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli and members of the RCWC expressed their thanks to all the delegates and support agencies. They are committed to pursue the government programs that will help uplift the lives of under privileged children. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


10th NOA Congress highlights awarding of outstanding implementers

By Rhea C. Abao

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 31 (PIA) - Once again the organic stakeholders were gathered and reunited during the 10th National Organic Agriculture Congress (NOAC) held last October 17 – 19, 2013 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.

NOAC is an annual event initiated by the National Organic Agriculture Board (NOAB) through the Department of Agriculture. The congress was attended by more than 2,500 organic farmer practitioners and stakeholders. This year’s Congress had a theme, A Decade of Sharing, A Lifelong Commitment. Ten years of sharing, shaping minds and in promoting organic agriculture in the country. The congress also aims to converge organic agriculture advocates and put their advocacies into practice in their respective sphere – be it in farming, academe, research, technology promotion and policy making.
                              
According to Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, the attendance of organic stakeholders and supporters proves that Organic Agriculture has steadily gained acceptance and support for the past years. Secretary Alcala added that for the last three years,  the production area planted with organic commodities increased from 4,450 hectares on the year 2011 to 7,268 hectares on the year 2013, based from the report of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS).

Secretary Alcala also urged the implementing agencies to strengthen the research and technologies for organic agriculture as well as intensify the promotional and advocacy campaign of the Organic Agriculture Program to include the academe.  Secretary Alcala stressed that in organic farming, the cost of production has been decreased while ensuring food safety and sustainability. He further emphasized what is important is that "the farmers and stakeholders will produced enough organic products and gained substantial income out of it."

BAFPS Director Leo P. Cañeda, USec. Bernadette Romulo – Puyat and Senator Grace Poe – Llamanzares also graced the event. During the congress,  the awarding ceremony for the Outstanding Organic Agriculture LGU was one of the highlights.

Caraga region outstanding implementers were duly recognized: Outstanding Rural Woman and also an organic farming advocate -  Violeta Alegado from Buenavista, Agusan del Norte; Outstanding Agricultural Extension Worker – Marianita Gemina from Mainit, Surigao del Norte; Outstanding City Focal Person – Arsenia Luchana from Butuan City; Outstanding City LGU  – Butuan City; Outstanding Provincial Focal Person of Mindanao – Nila Estrada of Agusan del Sur and  Outstanding Provincial LGU of Mindanao  went to the province of  Agusan del Sur.

The OA-LGU Awards aims to acknowledge and give recognition for those LGUs ,  focal persons, and agricultural extension workers who had an outstanding accomplishment and  contribution  to the  organic agriculture program.

Part of the three-day event was the First Philippine Natural and Organic Products Expo which also aims at converging different exhibitors and exploring market opportunities for organic products nationwide. (DA-RAFID 13/PIA-Caraga)


News Feature: OWWA Caraga declares MOFYA 2013

By Ritchel M. Molero

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 31 (PIA) - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) - Regional Welfare Office 13 has announced the winners for the Model Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Family of the Year Award 2013.

OFW Jim Ronquillo Lacia and family from Tago, Surigao del Sur is the Model OFW Family of the Year 2013 for the Land-Based Category, while Filseaman Teofilo C. Picante and family from Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte is named winner for the Sea-Based Category.

Winners received 20,000.00 pesos cash each plus trophy, phone kit and Globe cell cards. They were screened based on the following criteria: Wholesome OFW Family (50 percent), Civic/Community Involvement of the OFW and Family (20 percent), Success in OFW/Children’s/Family Members Education (20 percent), and Success in Managing Family Finances (10 percent).

Model OFW Family of the Year Award (Land-Based Category)

Jim is an active OFW working for more than 21 years at the Rezayat Co. Ltd., Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He started as Site Clerk in 1991 with a salary of 7,000.00 Pesos. Due to his perseverance and loyalty, Jim was promoted twice and is now the company’s foreman.

From his meager salary, Jim was able to send her wife Melanie to college until she graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from St. Theresa's College.

Jim’s eldest son, James, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines, Los Banos with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He ranked no. 7 in November 2011 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination.  On November 28, 2013, James is scheduled to fly for Houston, Texas as representative of his employer, NG Dumlao Enterprise for 5 years.

The second son, Melvin, graduated this year Magna Cum Laude from the University of Mindanao-Iligan Institute of Technology with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

He was a representative of the Philippines to Japan under the JENESYS Programme. He ranked no. 5 in September 2013 Electrical Engineer Licensure Examination.

OFW Jim’s other children; Joshua grade 7 and Jan Michael grade 5 are also consistent honor students. The family scholar, Sheila May is now 3rd year college with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Education at St. Therese College.

On November 3, 2013 OFW Jim R. Lacia will come home and stay for good. The family will soon establish a grocery store from their savings.

Model OFW Family of the Year Award (Sea-Based Category)

Filseaman Teofilo Cuabo Picante is an active OFW for 38 years. He was born eldest among the 11 siblings. Having been raised from a fisherman father and a farmer mother, Teofilo started to work in the farm at the age of 9 to augment family’s income and to sustain his sibling’s daily needs. He supported his education until high school by working part-time as a fisherman.

When he graduated secondary education he worked as a janitor at San Nicolas College in Surigao City.

Clinging to his ambition to become a seaman, Teofilo, despite being a high school graduate; took and passed the Major Patron License Examination given by the PRC. He is now a Boat Master of the UCO Maritime Service Corporation based in Dubai, UAE.

OFW Teofilo and wife Luzviminda had been married for 37 years. They were blessed with 4 children—2 girls and 2 boys. The eldest, Olivia, graduated BS Tourism at La Consolacion University. The second child, Oliver, graduated BS Computer Engineering.  Ophalyn, graduated BS Business Administration at the University of the East, and Orly graduated BS Marine Transportation at the Surigao Education Center in Surigao City.

The couple, aside from their children, supported the education of Teofilo’s siblings. His five brothers are now seafarers.

Currently, the family is helping each other in their businesses such as Hardware, Grocery Store, Lotto Outlet, Fish Pond and Nipa Land, and Poultry Farm.

The family initiates gift-giving activities in Gigaquit, Surigao del Sur every February and December to share their blessings.

OFW Jim R. Lacia and Filseaman Teofilo C. Picante together with their families received 20,000.00 pesos cash each. They are the official candidates of OWWA-CARAGA to the National Search for Model OFW and Family of the Year Award 2013 which will be conducted on December 10, 2013 in Manila, Philippines. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog news: Pangulong Aquino iniutos sa lahat ng ahensiya ng pamahalaan na seguradohin ang kaligtasan at maginhawang paglalakbay ng mga bumibiyahe sa darating na Undas

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Okt. 31 (PIA) - Iniutos ni Pangulong Aquino sa lahat ng ahensiya na sigurohing ligtas at maginhawa ang lahat na maglalakbay sa darating na Undas sa Biyernes at Sabado.

Sa isang mensahe na inilabas ng tanggapan ng Presidential Spokesperson, si Pangulong Aquino, kasama ang ibang opisyal ng gabinete, ay magsagawa ng pagsusuri sa mga terminal at iba pang daungan bilang parte ng operasyon.

Ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority ay nagpakalat na ng dagdag na tauhan para tumulong na mapadali ang daloy ng trapiko at ang Philippine National Police ay nanatiling alerto para maseguro ang seguridad ng mga daungang panlakbay at sementeryo.

Ang Department of Transportation and Communication ay bumuo din ng OPLAN Ligtas Biyahe Undas 2013, isang pinagbuklod na plano para maseguro na magkaroon ng daan sa maginhawa, kaya, maaasahan, matiwasay at ligtas na transportasyon na nagsimula noong 2013 Barangay Election at maipagpatuloy hanggang Undas.

Bilang parte ng OPLAN Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2013, ang Civil Aeronotics Board ay nagsagawa rin ng pagbabantay at nagtalaga ng mesa para sa direktang pagtulong sa mga maglalakbay sa lahat ng apat na NAIA terminal, kasama na ang Documentation and Ground Assistance Roving Teams na siyang sasagot sa lahat ng pangangailangan ng mga pasahero at magsusuri ng mga kalagayan. Ito ay sa pakipagugnayan sa pinalakas na airworthiness ng CAAP sa buong bansa.

Lahat ng mga pasaherong panghimpapawid ay maaring mag text sa 0917-TEXNAIA (0917-8396242 para sa kalagayan ng mga paglipad. Ang mga pasahero ay maari ring tumawag sa DOTC Action Center Hotline sa (02)789-0-DOTC para sa kanilang mga katanungan. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano news: Gimandoan ni Presidente Aquino ang tanang ahensya nga segurohon ang kaluwasan ug kahapsay sa mga bumibiyahe ugmang adlawa ug sa Sabado

Ni Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Okt. 31 (PIA) – Gimandoan na ni Presidente Aquino ang tanang hintungdan mga ahensya nga segurohon ang kahapsay sa mga bumibiyahe aron saulogon ang Undas ugmang adlawa ug sa Sabado.

Sumala sa tigpamaba sa Palasyo, ang Presidente  uban ang mga opisyales sa gabinete mobisita sa mga terminal ug uban pang mga dungguanan.

Ang Metropolitan Manila Development Authority nagbutang og dugang mga personahe aron makatabang sa pagpahapsay sa dagan sa trapiko ug nagpabilin usab ang alerto sa Philippine National Police aron masegruo ang seguridad sa mga terminal ug mga sementeryo.

Samtang ang Department of Transportation and Communications milusad usab sa ilang OPLAN Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2013, usa kini ka hiniusang plano aron maseguro nga mahatag sa katawhan ang serbisyong kahapsay, maabot, kasaligan, luwas ug seguro nga pagbiyahe nga nagsugod niadtong piniliay sa Barangay ug magpadayon hangtod sa Biyernes ug Sabado.

Isip parte sa OPLAN Ligtas Biyahe: Undas 2013, ang Civil Aeronautics Board mipahigayon usab sa ilang pagmonitor pinaagi sa instalar og mga help desks sa upat ka mga terminal sa NAIA.

Alang niadtong mga pasahero sa eroplano nga gusto mahibalo sa status sa ilang mga flights pwede silang mo text sa 0917-TEXNAIA (0917-8396242), ug ang uban pang mga bumiyaheng mga pasahero pwede pud sila motawag sa DOTC Action Center Hotline  (02)789-0-DOTC alang sa ilang mga panginahanglanon. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)