PIA News Service - Thursday, October 3, 2013

LGU-Butuan signs MOU with PyD, PhilDHRRA-Mindanao for women sector dev’t

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) - The city government here thru the leadership of Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr, signed on Thursday the Memorandum of Understanding with Paz Y Desarrollo (PyD) thru Country Director Antonio Miguel Gonzales-Arias and Program Coordinator Clementine Louise Novales, together with Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (philDHRRA-Mindanao) Program Coordinator Herminia Montenola.

The purpose of the MOU is to provide a framework of cooperation and facilitate collaboration among the parties, on a non-exclusive basis, in areas of common interest. The MOU also intends to strengthen cooperation among PyD Philippines, PhilDHRRA-Mindanao and the local government of Butuan City through dialogue, sharing of experiences, co-organizing and participating in specific activities at regional, national and local level; consulting and sharing training materials to contribute to achieve gender equality and promote women’s empowerment.

Novales expressed her warm thanks to the local government of Butuan for its continued support and implementation of programs for the women sector. "The PyD, in partnership with PhilDHRRA is looking forward to working with the duty bearers and LGU-Butuan in the promotion of gender equality thru implementing different programs and activities in the barangays," she said.

Montenola also bared that they will be implementing programs for the women sector in the five pilot barangays which are Dulag, Pagatpatan, J.P Rizal, Bonbon, and Los Angeles. "Activities like gender sensitivity training, capacity development, leadership training, and bottom-up-budgeting, among others, will be conducted in these barangays," she said.

Also, Arias, said the organization intends to intensify, increase the women's participation in political agenda. "In partnership with the city government of Butuan, we will come up with guidelines, framework to establish a common points for our collaborative efforts in the implementation of GAD programs and activities in the barangays. We will also set up for the planning of next year's undertakings," he added.

Meanwhile, on behalf of Mayor Amante, Vice Mayor Angelo Calo, signed the MOU together with City Councilor Atty. Rema Burdeos, SP chair on Women’s, Children and Family concerns. 

Calo assured that the city government will be implementing the GAD Responsive Annual Budget in the brgys and will be conducting relevant activities for the women sector such as the GAD Summit during Women's Month celebration. "We will create sustainable programs for the women that are also consistent with the objectives of the MOU," he added. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

MARINA-13 to establish Motorbanca Transport Cooperatives

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Regional Office-13 is set to establish the Motorbanca Transport Cooperatives in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands through the Transport Cooperatives Program of the Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC).

Cooperative Development Specialist Celino Y. Geronimo of the office of Transportation Cooperatives explained during the 5th Maritime Industry Forum held recently in Surigao City that the establishment of motorbanca cooperatives is one of the priority regulatory reforms program of MARINA and the Office of Transportation Cooperatives under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) for 2013-2016 thorough the Maritime Transport Cooperative Program.

The program aimed to modernized small motorbanca for the maximum integration and rationalization of sustainable environment friendly public transport and transport system, “and to uplift the socio-economic condition of public utility transport workers particularly, drivers, through various measures that will increase their take-home pay/income,” he said.

“Government agencies and private institutions involved in the implementation include the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Local Government Units, Philippine Tourism Authority-Department of Tourism (PTA-DOT), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), other concerned financial institutions and the shipping, seafaring and shipbuilding sectors,” Geronimo said. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

DOH, Popcom eye more FP users

By Angie Balen- Antonio

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) -  With the aim of generating demand for Family Planning (FP) services, the Department of Health and the Commission on Population partnered in capacitating further the service providers in promoting the program down at the grassroots.

The partnership extended in the conduct of the following activities:  Family Planning (FP) Technology and Interpersonal Communication and Counseling (IPCC), Deepening-workshop on Population Management Core Concepts and the Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) Convention. These activities were conducted in two batches in cities of Butuan and Surigao.

Selected academe and private companies have successfully completed the three-day training on FP Technology and IPCC.

A total of 100 Population/Health Officers and Workers also attended the three-day Deepening Workshop. The aim of the training is to enhance the knowledge, appreciation and competencies of the program workers on population management core concepts and strategies.

Alexander A. Makinano, the newly appointed Regional Director of POPCOM, pointed out the relevance of building the capacity of local partners most especially at the barangay level. POPCOM then facilitated a one-day BSPO’s Convention attended by 100 participants in each batch to updates on the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP).

The POPCOM Chief expressed his genuine appreciation to the Department of Health for the unwavering support to the population program and for being instrumental in the realization of the said activities.

“The Health Agency helped us in the success of the regional activities, as one of the collaborative efforts in the reduction of unmet need for family planning in the region,” Makinano quoted. (NCLM/POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)

Popcom taps LNHS in youth project

By Angie Balen- Antonio

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) - About 200 students of Libertad National High School, this city, has attended the symposium on responsible sexuality as organized recently by the Commission on Population (Popcom).

This was part of the over-all campaign in helping the youth understand their sexuality, develop right values, help them make responsible decisions and prepare them for responsible adulthood and parenthood.

Alexander A. Makinano, the newly appointed regional director of Popcom-Caraga underscored the importance of educating the youth to be more responsible towards their sexuality and making them aware of the effect of too early sexual involvement resulting to teenage pregnancy.

He pointed-out the result of the 2011 Family Health Survey which shows that Caraga ranked number one in terms of teenage pregnancy.

“We are  hoping that through this symposium, we can reach the hearts and minds of the youth to make responsible decisions and think of a better future ahead," the Popcom chief quoted.

Part of the IEC campaign of Popcom-Caraga along with the Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program (AHYDP) is a film showing entitled “Crossroads.”  The movie illustrates in a situational manner some of the risky behaviors of the youth such as pre-marital sex, teenage pregnancy, and smoking/drinking/drug abuse.

In a related development, Popcom continually coordinated with the student leaders of the different schools and universities in the region particularly in the action plan they formulated during the congress sponsored by the said office. (NCLM/POPCOM-13/PIA-Caraga)

Agusan Norte solon to head PH’s young leaders to China forum

By Eldie N. David

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) - Agusan del Norte First District Representative Lawrence "Law" Fortun will lead the delegation of young leaders from the Philippines to a forum and visit to Beijing and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China from October 10-19, 2013.

The delegation, which is composed of 10 delegates who are all members of the Philippine Center for Young Leaders (PCYL), a non-stock, non-profit organization that helps develop young elected or appointed government officials into competent and responsible leaders through a variety of trainings, applied research and international exchange programs.

The invitation to head the delegation was sent by the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU) which is a partner of PCYL since 1981 to promote the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

CAFIU is a nationwide non-profit social organization with profound influence in China and the special consultative status with the United Nations – Economic and Social Council (UN-ECOSOC). Since its founding, CAFIU in the hope to “let the world understand China, and let China understand the world”, has established ties with NGOs and research institutes in scores of countries as well as international organization, and carried out exchanges and cooperation with Chinese NGOs. CAFIU serves as a platform for dialogue and communications. It is committed to enhancing mutual understanding and friendly cooperation between China and other countries.

During the visit, the delegates will engage in discussions with CAFIU leaders, listen to some briefings about China’s development in the political, economic and social areas given by Chinese experts and have exchanges with Chinese NGOs.

CAFIU will provide the delegation members with international round flight tickets as well as accommodation, meals and local transportation in China. (Agusan del Norte 1st District/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

DAR to launch HIMAS ARC in Surigao Sur town

By Myra Q. Yu

TANDAG CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Surigao del Sur is set to launch the 42nd Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) called as HIMAS ARC on Tuesday, October 8 at the municipality of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur.

HIMASS ARC is composed of four barangays namely: Hinagdanan, Magtalab, Sta Cruz and San Vicente with a total of 993 beneficiaries who are residents of the said barangays.

The creation of the ARC is one of the initiatives of the department and the means of facilitating various projects to be implemented by DAR and the other Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) implementing agencies such as: DPWH, NIA, DOH, LGUs and other foreign institution partners for the implementation.

Expected guests to grace the said event are 2nd district representative Florencio Garay, Governor Johnny Pimentel, DAR Regional Director Faisar Mambuay and other LGU officials. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

PIA News Service - Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Butuan day care center bares accomplishments

By Johny S. Natad

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) –The Gender and Development (GAD) Learning Resource Day Care Center (DCC) of this city revealed significant accomplishments in its center operations.

Day Care in-charge Fe Techavez-Labitad, in an interview, disclosed an increase of enrollees compared to the previous year. “Our pre-school has raised from 40 enrollees last year to 47 for this school year but it does not mean we are closing our enrolment since day care center is a whole year round program compared to other preschool institutions who have cut-off dates to cater children,” she said.

Labitad said the center also has undergone major makeover since the time they transferred from city hall building to the new location last year.

Labitad added that the continuing development of the center relies on the assistance from the city government, the parents and the concerned groups.

“When it comes to sustainability of the day care operation, it largely depends on the support from the city government since this is a mandatory program directing the national and local government to established a preschool for the employees’ children based on EO No. 340 and funds can be taken from the gender and development (GAD) funds,” Labitad said.

It was learned that the city has three existing workplace-based DCC including those at the DENR and PNP. Butuan was the first LGU to implement the workplace based DCC since 1982 and was nationally recognized since 1985 when the former Senator Letecia Ramos-Shahani provided one DCC at the adjacent building of the old Sangguniang Panglungsod.

“Day care parents group has its vital role to help contribute a minimal monetary cash or in-kind or in a drop-in-a bucket system,” Labitad explained.

According to Labitad, this has been her dream and something hoped for having a permanent building, decent and conducive for learning. “Our DCC served as venue for day care workers conferences in the past few months, and a training center for the newly hired day care workers especially those who are coming from different municipalities to pay visit and learned ideas and techniques of DCC operation.”

Labitad is thankful for the support of City Mayor Amante, City Administrator Leah Mendoza and other concerned people on their concerted efforts to provide one learning school for the employees’ children. “This is one contributing factor how the government galvanizes its support for the renovation of this DCC. City councilors like Ferdinand Nalcot promised to give one unit of air conditioner; Samuel Amante pledged from his CDF an amount of P10,000 for window grill materials; Nestor Amora gave already some materials for the pathway cementing and one unit wall fan,” she bared.

Aside from DCC’s regular activities, Labitad said an enhanced parent effectiveness services (EPES) seminar will be conducted to help parents, surrogate parents, guardians and other care givers to enhance their knowledge, skills and attitudes in parenting where they can be improve their awareness on significant roles and responsibilities to the family especially on health and nutrition, and family planning

Based on the previous year report, the DCC has conducted regular activities like the day care service orientation for the pre-school parents, nutrition month celebration, family day celebration, national children month celebration, Christmas day and outdoor activities like the educational tour to the museum and to the city library. (JSN/PIA-Caraga)

ASELCO targets 107 areas in AgSur under P-Noy’s rural electrification program

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Oct. 2 (PIA) - A total of 104 puroks/sitios and three barangays will be enjoying the luxury that electric power could give as targeted under Batch II by the Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ASELCO) to energize until December of this year.

According to ASELCO General Manager Emmanuel Galarce, the first batch during the initial release by the government fund for this year comprised 42 puroks/ sitios and eight barangays where three barangays from Esperanza town were left behind subject to be completed during the second batch which will end up on December this year.

For the second batch beneficiaries, it covers the three barangays and three puroks of Esperanza, 11 puroks of Bayugan City, eight puroks of Bunawan, three puroks of La Paz, five puroks of Loreto,18 puroks of Prosperidad, ten puroks of Rosario, 22 puroks of San Francisco, two of San Luis, seven from Sibagat, four from Talacogon, eight from Trento, dfive from Veruela and one from Sta. Josefa.

“The Barangay Line Enhancement Program (BLEP) and the Sitio Electrification Program (SLEP) are President Aquino’s pronounced commitment to the Filipino people that by the end of 2006, all barangays and sitios nationwide are already energized. For ASELCO, aside from the scheduled 107 barangays and sitios, we added our target by 37 sitios and this will increase our commitment to 200 BLEP and SLEP until December of this year. We are also proud to tell you that after the completion of the first batch where ASELCO excelled by meeting the target on time and returning some P2.3 million excess fund to the national treasury, your cooperative was awarded the most transparent and efficient electric cooperative nationwide,” GM Galarce said.

During a consultative and Coordination meeting attended by 75 Barangay Captains and 107 sitios and puroks chairpersons as beneficiaries held last week, Chief of ASELCO’s Members Services Department Luzviminda Flores said they conducted said meeting in order that beneficiaries of P-Noy’s BLEP and SLEP would be knowledgeable of the process of the program for easier faster implementation.

“First, beneficiaries should know that this program also needs the spirit of volunteerism from the beneficiaries and the community so that they will be willing to help transport needed materials specially in remote places and the clearing of areas where the electric posts will be erected and to help explain to the members of the community why there is a need to cut trees that could affect the electric lines installation. And the most important participation of the community is to ensure the safety of the people that will be working on the project,” Flores said. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)

PIA News Service - Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Children’s Day celebration kicks-off in Butuan City

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) – In line with this year's National Children's Month celebration, the city government of Butuan kicks-off the celebration with a foot parade which gathered preschoolers from different public and private schools in three districts of this city.

The short program that followed after the parade is highlighted with various presentations, mass dance, taekwondo, and kiddie band exhibition.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Aldebran M. Mordeno,  in her welcome address, urged everyone to work together for the promotion of the children's welfare. “A strong and healthy family helps in achieving a child’s dream. They are our greatest asset and we should take care of their future,” she said.

In his message, Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. emphasized the importance of the parents and citizens’ role in molding the children. “I call for the renewal of our commitment to prepare a better place for our children to live in, to promote their wellbeing, and to secure their future," he remarked.

The activity concluded with the launching on the Search for a Green Thumb Project. “The aim is to encourage every child to plant seedlings using recycled materials. That way, they will have the opportunity to share their part in sustaining a green environment,” said councilor Ferdinand E. Nalcot, Chairman, Committee on Social Services.

Several activities are lined-up for the National Children’s month-long celebration in partnership with other government and non-government organizations.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “Child Friendly Philippines: A Caring and Protective Society for, by and with the Children.” It focused on protecting the basic rights of children and bringing awareness about the impacts of violence, discrimination and other emerging threats.  (VLG/PIA-Caraga)

Tandag City joins cooperative month celeb

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 01 (PIA) – The city government of Tandag through the Cooperative Development Council joins the nation in this year's celebration of Cooperative month this October.

Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Provincial Officer Rodelo Saldana said as an opening salvo of the celebration, the council distributed on Tuesday goodies to some 230 beneficiaries in Barangay Pangi.

“The distribution of goodies is a collaborative effort of the CCDC member cooperatives out of their coop development fund initiated by the City Cooperative Development Office,” Saldana said.

She also bared that other activities lined-up for this month include, free civil registration, free medical health services, free haircut and ‘Kasambahay’ registration.

The whole month of October is celebrated annualy nationwide by the cooperative sector as a Cooperative Month in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 493 issued on October 29, 2003. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

CRIP awards regional peace ambassadors

By Johny S. Natad

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) – The Caraga Regional Institute of Peace (CRIP) awarded on Monday its first Regional Peace Ambassadors for their valuable commitment and efforts in the promotion of peace in the region.

CRIP chairperson and executive director Rex F. Ybañez led the awarding of Dr. Adrilene Mae J. Castaños, 1Lt. Joe Patrick A. Martinez and Pastor Recto T. Labrador for their exemplary character, knowledge, and perseverance which made an impact in their communities during the Regional Peace Education Contest Conference at the AVR-2 of Fr. Saturnino Urios University, this city.

Castaños is currently the university director for National Service Training Program (NSTP) of Caraga State University. She has served as focal person on Gender and Development Office (GAD) from 2001 to 2006 of Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST) (presently Caraga State University). Her major effort is on the promotion on gender education, gender equality and participation of women in developments.

Castaños has made significant contribution in many researches and publications such as Violence Against Women and Children and Child Trafficking; Pilot Study on VAWC and Women and Gender Child Trafficking Incidence And Magnitude; Women in Conflict Areas of Mindanao; Regional Program to Promote Gender Equality in Political Participation in the Philippines; Political Participation Of Women in Caraga: A Case Study Regional Program to Promote Gender Equality in Political Participation in the Philippines. She is the networking coordinator on various peace education and gender education programs on Paz Y Desarrollo–Women and Gender Institute. Her researches and publication have been presented before various conventions and conference, and have published by Paz Y Desarrollo – Women and Gender Institute.

1Lt. Joe Patrick Martinez is the Commanding Officer of the 42nd Civil Military Operations Company, Camp Bancasi, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte of the Philippine Army. A mission-oriented Army Officer with pro-active work ethic, Martinez is known for his peace advocacy in the most dangerous areas around the region. The Philippine Army awarded him with Military Merit Medal and Military Commendation Medal for his excellent contribution in the resolution of conflict in the community.

His work made to the peaceful resolution of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Barangay Luna, Surigao City. He and his company successfully supported the concerned stakeholders in facilitation of supports to be given to the affected families and later on facilitated the safe return of the said families to their communities in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.  He also contributed to the peace intervention during the attack of NPA in Mining firms in Claver, Surigao del Norte.

Martinez conducted series of dialogues, symposiums, and house-to-house visitations to the affected families. Provided right information to the general public and to the defense department on the current situation of the people and facilitated the support to be given to the affected families. He also was responsible for the peaceful resolution of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Barangay Emadejas, Butuan City and helped facilitate the safe return of the said families to their communities in Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

Pastor Recto Labrador is a community development worker known for his passion in nurturing street children on living peacefully and righteously. During his tenure as a Church Pastor, he worked as a Campus Worker/Minister to High School students in so many places. He is connected to an Inter-faith base Campus ministry called Shalom Friendship Global Network (SFGN).  He is the Chairman of the Christian Muslim and Lumad Interfaith Organization in Agusan Del Sur.

Recto is presently ministering Street Children of Butuan City for eight years feeding the children with Good Moral Values, Biblical Interfaith education and food to supplement the needs of the children who are less fortunate. He choses to reside in a Muslim and Christian area of Barangay Ong Yiu, Butuan City, where he teaches peace principles and feed more than a hundred street kids. He is also a delegate of the International Interfaith Conference for Peace held in Davao City and Sultan Kudarat sometime last 2012, the volunteer lecturer of Caraga Region Institute of Peace, True Love Waits and Caraga Youth Leaders Network and the volunteer in the Moral Recovery Program of Butuan City Government. (JSN/PIA-Caraga)

BANFA booters to compete in the PFF Smart Club Championship in CdO

By Eldie N. David

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) - The Butuan-Agusan Norte Football Association (BANFA) is set to compete in the 3rd Edition of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) Smart Club Championship Regional Eliminations slated in October 2-6, 2013 at the Pelaez Sports Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

According to BANFA President and First District Agusan del Norte Representative Lawrence “Law” Fortun, this will be the third time that the BANFA football team will participate in this annual tournament which made respectable finishes in the past contests. The BANFA team will be included in Group G in the Mindanao leg together with other football associations from Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental, Iligan-Lanao del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

“This is one venue where our players from Butuan City and Agusan del Norte will be exposed and further hone their skills as we continually strive to produce quality players that will hopefully be included in the national team,” Fortun said.

“We have proven in the past that we were able to produce quality players who are now playing in the different colleges and universities in Manila as scholars owing to their skills in football as well as some teams in the United Football League (UFL) and we will continue to develop more players with the rise of new breeds,” Fortun added.

Just last year, two players from the BANFA team in the Under 13 category were chosen to be included in the training pool for the Teen Askals.

In a related story, the BANFA also announced its new appointment of officers through an official letter to the PFF. Fortun in his letter formally informed the PFF hierarchy of the appointment of Mr. Marlon R. Labis as its new Vice President, Mr. Sean Bayotas as General-Secretary and Mr. Ronald Canton as Treasurer. The appointment of officers came after Fortun once again renewed his mandate as President of BANFA after the recent election which showed no contender against Fortun. (NCLM/Agusan del Norte 1st District/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

DTI-Caraga organizes Diskwento Caravan in celebration of Consumer Welfare Month

By Atty. Maria Aurora Curaza-Maquiling/Marson Jan S. Dolendo

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 1 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry-Caraga will be organizing two Diskwento Caravan this October for the benefit of consumers of Butuan City in celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month.

DTI-Caraga Regional Office is holding a one-day Diskwento Caravan today, during the opening day of the month-long celebration at the Capitol Grounds, Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol, here.

Consumers will get another chance of buying basic commodities at discounted prices as DTI-Agusan del Norte Provincial Office will be holding its own Diskwento Caravan on October 30-31, 2013 at the Happy Wholesaler and Supermarket Grounds, S. Calo Avenue, Brgy. Obrero, this city.

This year’s lead agency of the Consumer Welfare Month celebration is the Department of Health and has the theme, “Health Product Quality, Efficacy, Safety & Transparency – Everybody’s Concern." (NCLM/DTI-13/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Monday, September 30, 2013

City Health Office to conduct free cataract, cleft lip operations

By Annette P. Villaces

SURIGAO CITY, Sept. 30 (PIA) –The Local Government of Surigao City will conduct a free cataract surgery and cleft lip operations scheduled on November 13 to 15, 2013 at the Caraga Regional Hospital, this city.

Around 113 Surigaonons had already gone through the screening process and out of 113, eight patients qualified for cleft lips operations.

The activity will be spearheaded by the City Health Office led by City Health Officer Dr. Emmanuel Plandano with full support of Surigao City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas.

Those who are interested to avail of the said free operations, they may visit the City Heath Office located at the City Hall Compound. (SDR/City Media Office/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

PIA News Service - Saturday, September 28, 2013

DENR eyes other options to pin down illegal logging kingpins

By Eric F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 28 (PIA) -  The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga region is exploring other options  that can put to jail the perpetrators including  the main operator and financier  of illegal logging and timber poacher. 

"We must admit that the DENR is finding hard time in pinning down a mastermind of illegal logging activities including their financiers owing to inadequate knowledge of legal procedures by the people imposing the environment regulations," DENR 13 Regional Executive Director Nonito M. Tamayo said.

Director Tamayo was answering a query from the members of the local media during a press conference held at the DENR Conference shortly after the signing of the Memorandum of Partnership with the Agusan National High School Class 1990 on the planting of mangrove as its contribution to the National Greening Program.

He said the DENR has filed 81 cases related to illegal logging against the operators and timber poachers and more than half of these cases were dismissed by the court due to technicalities and insufficient documents. 

 "The rest of the cases that we have filed at the fiscal office are still awaiting court actions," Tamayo said. 

He said the DENR top management at the Central Office is on the process of reviewing the system to correct deficiencies in operational management  based on the experiences of the people involved in the anti-illegal logging operations. 

"There is urgency to upgrade our capabilities and skills in the operations particularly in the proper filing of criminal cases with the court against the perpetrators of our environment and natural resources otherwise the DENR will always be at the losing end, " Tamayo said.

He said the   Philippine Army, PNP-led operations have succeeded in reducing   the number of hot spots in Caraga Region from 31 to 17 municipalities.

These municipalities that are considered in the lists of 'hot spot'  are the municipalities of Esperanza, Sibagat, Trento, Loreto, Rosario, La Paz, Talacogon, and San Luis in Agusan del Sur ; Bislig, Lingig, Carmen,  San Agusan, Lianga, Barobo, Tandag, and Tago in Surigao del Sur and Cadianao in Dinagat Province. 

He said there were at least 775,755.56 bd. Ft. of lumber were confiscated over the last nine months since January this year by joint operatives of the PNP-Philippine Army , the Local Government Units and the DENR .

A total of 47 units of trucks and other vehicles that were used in the transport of   illegal log products were also confiscated and impounded by the police authorities during that period. (NCLM/DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)

PIA News Service - Friday, September 27, 2013

FSUU to spearhead the 2013 Save Taguibo Watershed Green Summit

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 27 (PIA) - The Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) headed by University President Fr. John Christian U. Young, will be spearheading this year's 2nd Save Taguibo Watershed Green Summit on October 16, at the AVR-1 of FSUU main campus, this city.

Fr. Young said the Save Taguibo Watershed Green Summit in 2011 was a milestones event on environmentalism in Butuan City.

"The experience taught the people that positive things and actions happen when different stakeholders come together and commit time to resolve a common and central environmental concern, that is, the protection of the Taguibo Watershed," said Young.

Young added that the summit gave birth to the Taguibo Watershed Pilot Project (TWPP) which made it possible for the government, civil society organizations, and community to unite their efforts toward the central goal of protecting Butuan City's vital source of water – the Taguibo Watershed.

It was also learned that the objectives for this year's second summit includes the following: 1) update the different stakeholders on the accomplishments of the TWPP; 2) provide and assessment report on the implementation of the TWPP; 3) determine the resources needed and how to raise them in order to fully accomplish the TWPP; and 4) affirm and strengthen the commitment and support of the stakeholders in accomplishing the TWPP.

Participants of said summit are the following: Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Butuan City Water District (BCWD), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), non-government and civil society organizations, and other TWWP members including the local government of Butuan officials, and punong barangays within the watershed area. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

DENR-13 seeks partnership with private groups to reforest 100,000 hectares

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 27 - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional executive director Nonito M. Tamayo on Wednesday has  asked  the support  of the private organizations in its reforestation program  to reach the goal of 100,000 hectares tree -seedlings planted in the forest lands  and mangroves in coastal areas over the next three years.

Earlier, the DENR has already gained the support of other groups including the mining companies, the Community-Based Forest Management sector, the schools through the Department of Education (DepEd) , and selected barangay government units, according to  Director Nonito M. Tamayo.

"The private organizations and other associations can always manifest their  full support  in the  National Greening Program (NGP) of the  government," Tamayo said shortly after the ceremonial Signing of memorandum of partnership between the DENR and the Agusan National High School  (ANHS) Class 1990  program   at the DENR Conference Room in Barangay Ambago Butuan City .

He said the DENR has a goal of planting tree seedlings on 100,00 hectares timber and mangrove forest and coastal areas throughout  the region until 2016 since the program started in 2011 when President Benigno S. Aquino III had  sigendExecutive Order No. 26 otherwise called the establishment of the NGP all over the country.

The NGP is a massive forest rehabilitation of the government that seeks to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million trees nationwide within a period of six years from 2011 to 2016.

Aside from being a reforestation initiative, the NGP is also seen as a climate mitigation strategy as it seeks to enhance the country's forest stock to absorb carbon dioxide, which is largely blamed for global warming.

The program is also designed to reduce poverty, providing alternative livelihood activities for marginalized upland and lowland households relating to seedling production and care and maintenance of newly –planted trees.

Director Tamayo has commended the officers of the ANHS Class 1990 headed by its President Cherry Mae G. Busa and 2013 Dangal ng Bayan Awardee Richard C. Recososa  for their initiative of planting mangrove on a 1-hectare lot site in Barangay Lumbocan, Butuan City as their contribution to the NGP.

Recososa  said everyone is responsible for caring the environment.

"We are great contributors to what our environment is today and we must take responsibility by doing activities that will protect and rehabilitate our denuded forest and coastal areas," he added.

Director Tamayo said the DENR expects more organization will step forward to participate in the NGP as the interest of the public to plant trees increase.

The ANHS Class 1990 members are set to conduct their mangrove tree planting activity on November 16, 2013 at “Isla Noah Island” in Barangay Lombocan, Butuan City. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)