(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 11 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: 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 Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


PIA News Service - Tuesday, January 7, 2014

China Consul-General's visit suggests more business investments in Butuan City

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) – The recent visit of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China Zhang Weiguo, together with Madame Chen Lianning and Consular Attache Zhang Ran, in the city is expected to put forward the engagement of Chinese investors in local businesses.

Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. presented to them the programs and projects of the local government of Butuan and the investment opportunities. It was learned that through the strategies and outsourcing process, Butuan marked its development in export activities, tourism, and agro-timber industry, among others.

“Our vision for 2020 includes the prospects for something that offers potential profitable returns that will benefit all involving sectors and hopefully future declaration of Filipino-Chinese partnership,” Amante said.

The  alleviation of poverty line; putting up of hotels, restaurants, and universities are just among of the plans and targets of the government starting this year, as mentioned by Amante.

Department of Trade and Industry Agusan del Norte provincial director Gay Tidalgo also cited during the Trade and Industry Dialogue with the guests that ship building, iron and steel services are just among the investment priorities open for Chinese investors.

Also, Department of Tourism Caraga regional director Letecia Tan presented the tourism development of Butuan Water Ways.

 “Tourism is one of the important and complex developments of the city. Tourists visit Butuan but when they leave the city, they become our friends and good memories remain in them,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, the Consul-General was impressed about the City Historical Society President Greg Hontiveros’ presentation of the concrete background on how the Balanghai boats were discovered many years ago in the city, wherein it was used for trading harbors, importing and exportng of products with other countries including China.

“The existence of these boats manifest the direct trading relationship with China. The “gold trade” indicates the linkage of Philippines to other Asian countries,” Hontiveros said.

The Consul-General thanked the Mayor for inviting more Chinese investors to partner with the city’s planned projects starting this year.

“I came purposely to know more about the city and to strengthen friendship and partnership. Let us be collaborative and learn from each other. I am personally inviting Mayor Amante to visit us in China also,” said Zhang Weiguo.

The honorable consulate vowed to promote the tourism of Butuan City to China.

In his response, Amante assured the Consul-General that partnership between the government of China and Butuan will deepen.

Amante expressed his gratitude for the visit of Consul-General. “We look forward to what China can do to contribute more for our city’s industry development. With the abundance of resources and continuing friendship, I believe we can establish new deals and better partnership,” expressed Amante.

The visit was packed with trust and good will interpreted through planting of “golden shower” seedlings by the mayor and Consul-General at the new Rotunda in Bancasi, the site where the symbolic “Butuan-Chinese Friendship Gate” will soon be constructed. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Butuan City gov’t opens projects to Chinese investors

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) – The city government here together with the frontliners from the government agencies presented its ongoing projects to Consulate General of the People's Republic of China Zhang Weiguo and party, during the Trade and Industry Forum held on Monday at the City Mayor’s Office.

“We have several ongoing projects in the city where we would also like to seek partnership with our Filipino-Chinese businessmen. These projects will soon be completed,” Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. remarked. 

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Norte provincial director Gay Tidalgo said that among the business/investment priorities open for Chinese investors include the agriculture/agribusiness and fishery; creative industries/knowledge-based services; mass housing investments; shipbuilding; and iron and steel services.

It was learned that thru the strategies and business outsourcing process, Butuan marked its development in export activities, tourism, and agro-timber industry, among others.

Also, in her presentation on the Tourism Development of Butuan Water Ways, Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga Regional Director Letecia Tan bared that among the projects of the city government that will soon be put in place include the Masao Island Resort and Water Sports Facility Project in Barangay Masao costing P20 million; Libertad River/Bood Promontory Tourism Development costing P54,000,000.00; and Dine and Wine at Barangay Maug costing P15,000,000.

These projects are also open for partnership with other foreign investors.

“We look forward to what China can do to our city’s industry development. With the abundance of resources and deepened friendship, I believe we can establish new deals and better partnership,” Amante said.

The honorable consulate also expressed that with the long history of friendship between Chinese and Filipinos, trade and commerce will have greater potential in the city. “Let us be collaborative and learn from one another. I am personally inviting Mayor Amante to also visit us in China,” he said. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) 


Classes in Tandag City suspended due to heavy rains

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Jan 7 (PIA) - The city government here declared the suspension of classes from pre-school to elementary level this morning due to continuous rains.

Marivic Andoy of the Office of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management (CDRRM) said that as pre-emptive measure, City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel declared the suspension of classes due to heavy rains this morning.

According to Bandoy, majority of the barangays in this city were identified as flood-prone areas.

“The city is experiencing continuous rains since yesterday but no report yet of flooding, as of 8am today,” Bandoy said.

Meanwhile, the whole province of Surigao del Sur is experiencing continuous light to moderate rains, as of this time due to trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) affecting Mindanao, according to a report from Pagasa. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Surigao City PNP unseals firearms

By Darryl P. Pinabacdao
        
SURIGAO CITY, Jan 7 (PIA) - The Philippine National Police (PNP) here unsealed the firearms of its personnel during the ceremony held on Monday at the Surigao City Police Station, this city.

With the holidays now over, the PNP started unsealing and checking the firearms of its personnel to see if they fired their weapons during the holidays.

The unsealing of firearms was led by P/Supt. Joseph R. Nohara assisted by chairman on Peace and Order Committee, city councilor Perfecto B. Consigo, PSI Renato Badajos and Insp. Tessiel R. Moleta.

During the activity, Nojara congratulated all the personnel for successfully abiding the said order.

As it can be recalled, PNP personnel were warned against firing their weapons during the holidays, lest they face administrative sanctions and even criminal charges. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Popcom to turn-over IT equipment to LGUs

By Angie Balen-Antonio

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 7 (PIA) - Recognizing the efforts of the Provincial and City Population Officers  for their laudable contribution in the achievement  of the goals of the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP), the Commission on Population (Popcom) will  turn-over sets of Information Technology equipment which will be  formalized with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement during the gathering of local population advocates on January  8, this city.

The equipment to be extended by Popcom to LGUs are computers complete with accessories, laser printer, laser pointer, LCD with screen, and other gadgets.

According to regional director Alexander A. Makinano of Popcom that these equipment is essential in the implementation of various population projects, programs and activities at the local level.

On January 9 is the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Agusan National High School (ANHS) and Popcom for the school-based youth center located at ANHS campus and MOA between the City Government  of Butuan and Popcom on Population and Development Integration at all levels.

Furthermore, prior to the signing of the MOA, the population officers and workers will met for the Regional Program Assessment and Planning/Workshop.  The output of this activity would serve as guide in setting up the direction towards achieving its goal and plan out various initiatives in reducing unmet need for family planning thus generating more demands.

RD Makinano reveals that through the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, and Opportunities and Threats) Analysis, the program workers would be able to come up doable recommendations that would help improve its services along Reproductive Health/Family Planning (RH-FP), Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD), and Population and Development Integration.


Likewise, the Provincial/City Population Officers (P/CPOs) together with partners from the regional line agencies will convene for the 1st quarter’s Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB) Conference on the 9th of January,   which will be hosted by the Department of Education. (Popcom-13/PIA-Caraga)