(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.


CSO spearheads anti-trafficking advocacy workshop in SurSur

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Jan. 29 (PIA) – The Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Ceter, inc. (JPIC-IDC) is spearheading a 3-day training for trainers on Anti-Sex Trafficking to capacitate the advocates from the academe, religious leaders, and local media personnel from January 29-31 in Marihatag town, this province.

Dioscora Patagan, JPIC-IDC training officer said the activity is participated by the selected competent students from the private and public schools of Tandag City, religious leaders from different churches, and tri-mass media from Tandag City.

JPIC-IDC is a non government organization (NGO) that aspires to continue its advocacy works to have the civil society groups become aware that human trafficking is a gross violation of individual human rights and assault on the rule of law. It envisions helping the people and community achieve holistic development to the communities it is currently serving.

With the Cinemobile project, JPIC-IDC hopes to gradually give the issue of human trafficking due attention, with higher degree of commitment to appropriately prevent it in Surigao del Sur, and other provinces of Caraga region. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Organic farming pushed in Surigao City

By Darryl P. Pinabacdao

SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 29 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pursuing the development of organic farming in the city.

Just recently, the City Agriculture Office (CAO) conducted an “Upland Rice Production and Training on Organic Agriculture” to enhance the farmers' knowledge and skills in organic farming. The training was headed by Cielo Cotiangco of CAO held at the Multi-purpose Building in Barangay Mapawa, this city.

The activity aimed to train the selected agri-technicians participants on how to make an organic liquid fertilizer.

The said training is a component of the Surigao City Agri-Fisheries and Agro- industrial Development (SAFIDEV). (DPP/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Surigao Norte Solid Waste Mngt Board convenes to strengthen organizational structure

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Jan. 29 (PIA) - The members of the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board (PSWMB) of Surigao del Norte in a bid to strengthen its organizational structure will convene on February 4, 2014 at the Provincial Governor’s Conference Room, Capitol Road, this city.

The meeting primarily aims to strengthen its existing organizational structure, functions and responsibilities, and to discuss its flagship program dubbed as “Kalimpyo Kahapsay Surigao” (clean, orderly Surigao).

The creation and functions of PSWMB are embodied under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of R.A 9003 otherwise known as the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Surigao Norte gov, city dad hold dialogue with barangay officials

By Darryl P. Pinabacdao

SURIGAO CITY, Jan 29 (PIA) – Governor Sol Matugas and City Mayor Ernesto Matugas held a dialogue with the barangay officials to assess the status of development and needs of the city and province.

The event was attended by 52 barangay captains held at the Surigaonon Culture and Arts Center, Capitol Compound.

The meeting also aimed to know the status of the different barangays and to gather the baseline data in the current situations as the frontrunners of the continuing development in the city and province.

Governor Sol Matugas during the dialogue expressed her gratitude to the barangay officials who gave their effort and time to attend the said dialogue.

She emphasized the importance of having an open and honest communication between the barangay officials and the provincial government in order to monitor the status of development and needs of each barangays.

On his part, City Mayor Ernesto Matugas encouraged all barangay officials "to uphold the ideals of being a public servant and sincerely performing their duties in exchange for the trust and confidence that the people have given us."

"Let us become catalyst for change and development so that our people and the children of today will have a brighter and promising future," the mayor added. (DPP/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DAR Sursur tackles issues with NGO

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Jan. 29 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here met with representatives from Kapunungan sa mga Mag-uuma sa Surigao del Sur (KAMASS) recently to discuss matters relating to land acquisition and distribution for this year, as well as the newly established partnership of DAR with Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) on extending crop insurance to the farmer beneficiaries in Surigao del Sur.

KAMASS representative clarified with Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Benjamin M. Mataksil on the availment of the aforementioned assistance due to the recent experienced flash floods in various parts of the province that affected the farm production of the farmers.

PARO Mataksil explained that those identified agrarian reform beneficiaries will be given the necessary assistance. However, as to their case, the Department of Agriculture could possibly answer their concerns.

Issues and cases on tenancy pursuant to the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program were also discussed, and clarified accordingly with the presence of the DAR Legal Officer.

They also discussed several issues involving the commemoration of Mendiola massacre. (NGBT/Myra Yu, DAR-SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Agnor gov visits Agaton-stricken Las Nieves

By Brian Jay Ceballos

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Jan. 29 (PIA) - Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba personally led the delivery of relief goods to the municipality of Las Nieves last Jan. 24, 2014 and to also check the situation of the people in the area.

The said municipality is one of the farthest among 10 municipalities of the province, and for a time, the roads there were impassable due to severe flooding caused by TD Agaton.

Governor Angel, together with the Agusan del Norte Emergency Respnnse Team (ADNERT) headed by Erma R. Suyo, delivered a total of 2,400 packs of relief goods consisting of rice, sardines, coffee, noodles, among others. The team also handed out 50 cartons of 4 liter Mineral Water and 15 sacks of assorted used clothing for the affected families.

The Governor also met with the local government unit officials, and other concerned groups in the municipality to talk about the rehabilitation that needs to be done in badly hit areas.

The province has been declared under the state of calamity on January 19, 2014 due to the massive floodings that the municipalities have experienced. (NCLM/LGU-Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


'Kahimunan Tu Bayugan' ends with colorful street dancing competition

By Alvin Anonuevo

BAYUGAN, Agusan del Sur, Jan. 29 (PIA) – The 'Kulturang Bayuganon' Folkloric Group emerged as champion in the open category during the street dancing competition held on Sunday during the culmination of the weeklong 30th 'Kahimunan Tu Bayugan' Festival.

Rank second was Sta. Irene National High School from Prosperidad while the Agusan National High School from Butuan City grabbed the third place.

As champion, the Kulturang Bayuganon Folkloric Group received a cash reward amounting to P300,000.00 and a trophy while Sta. Irene National High School received P200,000.00 and a trophy as second placer, and P100,000.00 plus trophy was also awarded to Agusan National High School being the third placer.

On the Bayuganon Category, Marcelina National High School was proclaimed as the champion pocketing P100,000 cash prize, while Fr. Saturnino Urios College of Bayugan, Inc. got the second place pocketing P75,000 cash prize. Bayugan National High School ranked third with P50,000 as cash prize.

The competition also awarded special prizes to entries in the amount of P15,000 each. In the Open Category, Kulturang Bayuganon Folkloric Group was recognized as Best in Choreography, Best in Stree Dancing, and Best in Festival Queen. Sta. Irene National High School grabbed the honor of being Best in Costume and Best in Musicality.

For the Bayuganon Category, Fr. Saturnino Urios High School was honored as Best in Musicality while the Bayugan National Comprehensive High School got the honors as Best in Costume, Best in Street Dancing and Best in Festival Queen.

“I am very glad and proud that we concluded the Kahimunan Tu Bayugan Festival with colors and pride. I am therefore extending my heartfelt thanks to the participating teams, to our Vice Mayor Charles Anggayong, our City Tourism Office headed by Councilor Kirk Asis and of course, our church, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Without them, this celebration will not be as colorful as this,” Mayor Kim Lope Asis said. (David M. Suyao, PIA-Agusan del Sur)


DTI opens liaison office in Dinagat Islands

By Arnold D. Faelnar & Marson Jan S. Dolendo

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Jan. 29 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has recently established its liaison office in the Province of Dinagat Islands early this year. The DTI is among the first national government agencies to establish an operational unit in one of the country’s newest provinces.

With the establishment of its liaison office in the island, the small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, investors and businessmen in general from the province’s seven municipalities can now avail of technical assistance from DTI in the areas of product development, conduct of skills trainings, market development, entrepreneurship development, financing facilitation, etc.  Entrepreneurs used to take more than an hour’s boat trip from San Jose, the province’s capital town to Surigao City just to avail of DTI services which entail additional costs to these entrepreneurs.

Local entrepreneurs can also avail of the services of the agency’s banner project, Shared Service Facility (SSF), which aims to improve the quality and productivity of microenterprises and MSMEs by addressing the gaps and bottlenecks in the value chain of priority industry clusters through the provision of processing machines/ equipment for the common use of the industry clusters all over the country.

DTI will also promote the province to potential investors, and provide technical and business advisory services to local businessmen in the island.

In the areas of consumer protection and business regulation, the agency will implement its mandate through the following programs: 1) promotion of stable, reasonable and affordable prices, 2) promotion of safe products and services, 3) Business Name registration, mediation of consumer complaints, etc.

DTI is the government’s key agency in charged with creating a business-friendly environment that is conducive to the growth of enterprises and supportive of fair and robust trade in goods and services, both within and outside the Philippines.

The liaison office is headed by Mr. Arnold D. Faelnar as the team leader.  It is located at Maribao Building, San Juan, San Jose, Province of Dinagat Islands and can be reached at 0917-3111973.  (DTI-PDI Liaison Office/MSSD Info Service/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Kulturang Bayuganon Folkloric Group kampyon sa ‘Kahimunan Tu Bayugan’ 2014

Ni Alvin A. Anonuevo

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Enero 28 (PIA) - Nahimong mananaog ang Kulturang Bayuganon Folkloric Group sa open category sa bag-o pa lamang natapos nga 30th Kahimunan tu Bayugan 2013 Street Dancing Competition nga gipahigayon bag-uhay pa lamang sa Bayugan National Comprehensive High School Open Field, ning syudad.

 Nakadawat sa kantidad 300,000.00 ug trophy ang Kuturang Bayuganon Folkloric Group isip unang ganti.

Ikaduhang mananaug sa open category nakuha sa Sta. Irene National High School-Prosperidad ug midawat sa 200,000.00 cash prize, ug ang ikatulong ganti nakuha sa Agusan National High School-Butuan (100,000.00 cash prize).

Sa Bayuganon Category, ang unang mananaug nasakmit sa Marcelina National High School (100,000.00 cash prize), ikaduhang ganti nakuha sa Fr. Saturnino Urios College of Bayugan, Inc (75,000.00 cash prize). Ang ikatulong ganti nakuha sa Bayugan National High School (50,000.00 cash prize).

Ang mananaug sa ispesyal prize nga nakadawat og tig 15,000 sa  Open Category, ang Kulturang Bayuganon Fokloric Group nakakuha sa Best in Choreography, Best in Street Dancing, ug Best in Festival Queen. Nasakmit usab sa Sta. Irene National High School ang Best in Costume ug Best in Musicality.  Sa Bayuganon Category, nakuha sa Fr. Saturnino Urios College of Bayugan, Inc. ang Best in Musicality award. Samtang, ang Bayugan National Comprehensive High School ang nakakuha sa Best in Costume, Best in Streetdancing ug Best in Festival Queen.

Ang 30th Kahimunan tu Bayugan, usa ka tinuig nga selebrasyon sa syudad sa Bayugan diin giselbrar kini matag ikaupat nga Domingo sa Enero. Ang maong aktibidad gisuportahan sa Bayugan City government pinangulohan ni Mayor Kim Lope “Bobong” A. Asis, City Tourism Office, City Councilor Kirk A. Asis ug Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. (Bayugan City/PIA-Caraga)