(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 09 December 2024) Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Extreme Northern 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—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Thursday, February 27, 2014

DOH gives financial assistance to fight TB
 
By Mary Cherly S. Monoy



BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Health through the Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) is giving financial assistance in the amount of P300,000 to the province of Agusan del Norte to fight Tuberculosis (TB).

The amount will be used to support to the External Quality Assurance/TB-Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (TB-DOTS) Program of the province.

The said program aims to improve the capability of the laboratories in the province to ensure the right treatment for the people who are positive with TB - Case Detection of 90% and Cure Rate of 95%.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be signed by governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba and DOH-13 OIC regional director Dr. Minerva P. Molon to formally enforce the implementation of the said program thru Sangguniang Resolution No. R-025-2014. (NCLM/LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


17th CRAM: Butuan City clinches Bislig City



By Elwin Sanchez and Guen Silverio



TANDAG CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) – Despite the sizzling heat, Princess Ebaso of Butuan City kept her control to take over Bislig City’s Jea Dano in a nerve-wracking tie breaker championship game in girls singles held at the JTP Tennis court, this city.

Princess Ebaso, now an upcoming five-time “Palaro” player, fed her opponent with her veteran skills.

Dano continuously dominates the first 3 sets as she threw her forceful service aces leaving Ebaso in the score 0-3.

However, the defensive Ebaso took charge of the next set as she ignites offensive drop halls to Dano, 1-3.

Before the start of the next set, Ebaso’s side took a medical timeout due to abdominal pains.

As the game continues, the crowd grew intense pressure as the players exchanged numerous rallies. In the following sets, Ebaso grew aggressive and show-cased her blazing smashes that resulted to the score into 5-all.

Dano has a hard time to score against the firm Ebaso but she managed to kept along the track of the game and both stuck at 7-all. Again, making them proceed at the tie-breaker.

At the clinching moments, both exchanged heir unique attacks on each other until Ebaso boosts all her techniques and clinches the tie at 7-4.

“It was a challenging game, yet it was amazing,” Ebaso said. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


SCCI implements Coordinating Road Investments project



SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) - The Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (SCCI) continues its implementation of the Coordinating Road Investments project for local economic development and poverty reduction in the province of Surigao del Norte.

SCCI Consultant Alice V. EuseΓ±a said during the Provincial Development Council meeting held recently here that since July 2012 the SCCI has implemented the coordinating road investments project under the supervision of The Asia Foundation (TAF) with financial support from the Agency for International Development (AusAID) under the Coalition for Change Program.

“The project aims to facilitate the identification of priority road network and roads within the network of roads in Surigao del Norte, mobilize support and resources for identified priority road network and priority roads, and sustain innovations in decision-making and implementation in roads development,” she said.

EupeΓ±a also said that the reform agenda of the project has been developed such as Digital Roads Database Map; Provincial Road Investment Coordinating Committee (PRICCOM) and Coordinated Road Investments.

“In order to greatly promote coordinated road investment in the province, the SCCI is proposing a Coordinating Road Investments Development (CRID) which includes creation of roads database for Siargao Island municipalities, coordinating road investment planning system (CRIPS) and enhancement of roads database with Global Positioning System (GPS),” EupeΓ±a added. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Agusan del Sur Pablo victims get Salintubig project



By Melody E. de Vera



VERUELA, Agusan del Sur, Feb. 27 (PIA) - More than a year after Typhoon Pablo hit Agusan del Sur and its neighboring provinces leaving hundreds of fatalities and many Agusanons particularly in Veruela, Sta. Josefa, Loreto and Trento towns without homes and livelihood, the provincial government is relentlessly providing rehabilitation assistance and the most recent are the “Salintubig” or the TINA Project.

During a recent meeting of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) provincial chapter held here, Governor Eddiebong Plaza and Veruela Mayor and LMP president Salimar Mondejar formally handed-over to typhoon victims in eight affected barangays rain water collectors and upgraded biosand filter facilities.

The recipient bargays are Katipunan with 25 rain collectors; Sta. Cruz, 20; Sisimon, 15; Anitap, 20; San Gabriel, two and La Fortuna, one while Sawagan and Sampaguita each got one biosand filter facility. Respective barangay chairmen formally received the projects and committed to sustain the facilities.

According to Mayor Mondejar, residents of these barangays and the neighboring barangays will now be assured of a steady supply of clean and safe drinking water while possibility of contracting water borne diseases will be eliminated.

The Provincial Engineering Office implemented these projects sourced out from the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG's) Performance Challenge Fund.

Speaking before the mayors, Governor Plaza said that he prioritized the projects in said areas considering their need for potable drinking water as they try to recover from the damages brought by the disaster.

Mayor Mondejar also said these barangays are gradually recovering from the recent calamity and in fact are already recipients of DILG’s Seal of Good Housekeeping.

The Tubig Imnunon Natong Agusanon (TINA), a project started in 2009 by then Governor and now 2nd District Rep. Maria Valentina Plaza is now pursued by Governor Eddiebong Plaza whose aim is to provide Agusanons in remote areas potable water sources. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


NBI District Office in Cabadbaran pushed



By Aimee B. Sienes-Sajor



AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Feb. 27 (PIA) - A bill was recently passed by Second district representative Erlpe John M. Amante, House Bill No. 3733, which aims to put up a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) District Office in Cabadbaran City.

The NBI office provides technical assistance for efficient investigation of crimes and coordination among national and local law enforcement agencies to maintain the peace and order of the area. It also provides issuance and renewal of NBI Clearance which is essential for employment (local or overseas).

At present, there is only one NBI office in Caraga Region located in Butuan City. Because of this, Cong. Amante saw the need to put up another office to cater the needs of more people, not only from Agusan del Norte, but also from neighboring provinces such as Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

Amante added that Cabadbaran City, being the capital of the province, is the most ideal location of the said office. Effective, good and quality service will be provided by the NBI when its district office will be established. (NCLM/LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Food fortification alleviates malnutrition



By Imelda A. Agdeppa



MANILA, Feb. 27 (PIA) - Eating a variety of foods in adequate amounts provides the necessary nutrients needed by the body to function normally. However, a balanced diet is seldom attained since healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are mostly not affordable, not always available and some need time to prepare.

Prevalence of specific micronutrient deficiencies, as revealed by the 2008 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), still poses possible health implications. Anemia prevalence is at 19.5 percent, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is at 5.9 percent and deficiencies in other nutrients such as zinc and iodine are also prevalent in specific age groups such as the pre-school and school-age children, elderly, lactating and pregnant. Chronic specific micronutrient deficiencies lead to a vast number and variety of disorders like blindness due to VAD, mental retardation (because of iodine deficiency disorder, and poor growth caused by anemia.

Effective and long-term strategies to address micronutrient malnutrition being implemented in country include supplementation, nutrition education and food fortification. Republic Act 8976 or the Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000 provides for the establishment of the Philippine Food Fortification Programs and its implementing rules, regulation and guidelines.

Food fortification is the addition of nutrients to processed foods or food products at levels above the natural state. As an approach to control micronutrient deficiency, food fortification is the addition of a micronutrient deficient in the diet to a food which is widely consumed by specific at-risk groups.

The Food Fortification Act targets addressing specific micronutrient deficiencies by mandatory fortification of staple food items such as rice with iron, wheat flour with vitamin A and iron, refined sugar with vitamin A and cooking oil with vitamin A and voluntary fortification of other food items. Fortification of staples, as a long-term solution to micronutrient deficiencies, is easier to administer and promotes participation from a greater number of beneficiaries.

In accordance with RA 8976, the Sangkap Pinoy Seal Program awards recognition to fortified food products. The seal is seen in food packages and serves as a guide for consumers to make a healthier choice. The Diamond Sangkap Pinoy Seal is awarded for staples while the Sangkap Pinoy Seal is awarded to voluntarily-fortified food products.

Among households interviewed in the 2008 NNS, 77.5 percent purchased food products with Sangkap Pinoy Seal. A study by Angeles-Agdeppa in 2010 among school-age children showed alleviation of anemia in approximately 50% of the population after drinking ready-to-drink fortified juice for 120 days.

The Philippine Food Fortification Act of 2000 is a giant leap towards alleviating micronutrient deficiency in the country. Continuous promotion, advocacy and consumption of fortified food products may be a small step but a good start in eradicating micronutrient malnutrition in the country.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City. Email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph. Telefax: 837-2934 and 827-3164, or call 837-2071 local 2296 or visit our website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph. (Ph. D., FNRI-DOST S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Malaysia pinauwi ang libo-libong Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng boluntaryong repatriasyon



Ni David M. Suyao



AGUSAN DEL SUR, Peb. 27 (PIA) - Libo-libong mga hindi dokumentadong Pilipino sa Malaysia ang nagsamantala sa programang boluntaryong repatriyasyon at umuwi sa Pilipinas, ayon sa ambassador ng bansa sa Malaysia.

Sa isang pakipagpanayam noong Miyerkoles, sinabi ng Embahador ng Pilipinas sa Malaysia na si Eduardo Malaya na mahigit 7,000 na walang dokumentong mga Pilipino ay sinamantala ang naisaayos na boluntaryong repatriasyon. May higit-kumulang mga 8,000 hanggang 10,000 na mga Pilpino ang nagtatrabaho o naninirahan sa Malaysia na illegal.

Ang embahada ay nakipagtulungan sa mga otoridad ng Malaysia sa pagsaayos ng mga imigranteng Pilipino sa halip na silang mga Pilipino ay punahin, pagdadamputin at piitin sa mga pasilidad ng immigration, sila ay boluntaryong magsisuko at pauwiin, sabi ni Malaya.

“Sila ay pumunta sa amin, sinubukan naming magkaroon sila ng exit permit, magbayad ng pinababang bayarin, at pagkatapos ng ilang araw o kaya isa o dalawang linggo, sila ay makakabalik sa Pilipinas at umaasang hindi sila titigil sa kulungan kahit isang araw man lang,” sabi ni Malaya.

“Kaya naiisip ko, ito ay napaka-makahulugan at sa bilang naming, umaabot sa 200 na mga Pilipino ang naapektohan ng crackdown na inilusad kamakailan sa taong ito,” dagdag ni Malaya.

Ang bilang ng mga hindi dokumentadong Pilipino ay napakaliit kung ikumpara sa mga taga ibang bansa tulad ng Indonesia, na sa tantiya ay aabot ng dalawang milyon. Sabi pa niya na ang pagtrato sa 8,000 hanggang10,000 ay madali lamang.

Karamihan sa 200 na mga Pilipino na naantala sa kanilang trabaho ay nagmula sa sektor ng maliit na tindahan at plantasyon.

Ang mga otoridad ng Immigrasyon mula sa Malaysia ay iba kung ikumpara doon sa mga otoridad ng Immigrasyon sa Sabah at pati sa Sarawak, paliwanag ni Malaya, na alam na may magkaibang batas ng Immigrasyon sa mga nasabing teritoryo.

Pero partikular sa Sabah, sinabi niya na ang embahada ay palaging nagpapadala ng koponan na binubuo ng pitong miyembro para magsilbi sa mga Pilipino doon. Bumibisita sila sa Sabah ng hindi bababa buwan-buwan at titigil doon ng isa o dalawang linggo.

Si Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na darating doon sa araw na ito para sa dalawang araw na pagbisita ay makipagkita sa komunidad ng mga Pilipino sa Kuala Lumpur. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano News: Edukasyon ug pagbansay, yawi sa usa ka malambuong mamumuo – DDG Pascua



By Robert E. Roperos



DAKBAYAN SA BUTUAN, Peb. 27 (PIA) - Dungan ang pagbutyag sa kamahinungdanon sa pag-ugmad sa mga mamumuo sa nasud, gisaysay ni TESDA Deputy Director-General for Field Operations Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua nga ang usa ka paagi aron makab-ot ang kalambuang pang-ekonomikanhon mao ang tukmang edukasyon ug pagbansay sa mga magtutungha.

Kini ang gibutyag sa ikaduhang pinakataas nga opisyal sa nahisgutang ahensiya atol sa bag-ohay pa lamang natapos nga 2nd Caraga Regional Conference on Renewable Energy kung diin kini nahimong usa sa mga mamumulong sa nahisgutang kumperensya.

Matud ni DDG Pascua, tungod kay nakita sa panggamhanan ang pagkamahinugdanon sa edukasyon ug ang de kalidad nga pagbansay sa mga magtutungha, giduso gayud ang pag-implementar sa K to 12 curriculum kung diin kini nahimo na’ng kabahin karon sa Bag-ong Sistema sa Edukasyon sa nasud o ang gitawag nga “Philippine Education System.”

Gidugang sa opisyal nga ubos niini nga sistema, ang nasud nakabaton na karon og talagsaong tri-focalized education system nga gilangkuban sa basic education, technical-vocational education, ug higher education.
Tungod niini, dugang sa opisyal nga tulo usab ka mga ahensya sa gobyerno ang gitahasan nga mupanday sa mga polisiya ingon man ang pagdumala o pag-administer sa pormal nga edukasyon: Ang Department of Education o DepEd alang sa basic education; ang TESDA alang usab sa technical-vocational education and training, ug ingon man ang Commission on Higher Education o CHED alang sa tertiary ug higher education.

Sa pag-implementar sa K to 12 nga programa, gipasabot ni Pascua nga ang basic education naglangkob na karon og unom ka tuig dugang sa gimandatong programa sa Kindergarten sa elementarya.

Dugang niini, ang sekundarya naglangkob og upat ka tuig sa Junior High School ug duha ka tuig usab alang sa Senior High School. Sa ikatulong ang-ang mao ang tertiary education u gang gitawag nga post secondary schooling. Ang higher education gibahin-bahin ngadto sa baccalaureate, masteral ug doctorate nga ang-ang sa nagkadaiyang programa o disiplina.

Bisan og adunay compartmentalization sa sistema sa edukasyon sa nasud, si Pascua miingon nga masiguro gihapon ang dekalidad nga edukasyon pinaagi sa standards ug accreditation nga sistema nga gi-adopt sa basic ug higher education nga mga tulunghaan. Kini usab makab-ot pinaagi sa hini-usang rehistrasyon ug accreditation nga sistema nga gisubay sa tanang technical-vocatonal nga mga tulunghaan.

Tungod sa maong kalambuan, si Pascua nagbutyag nga kinahanglang ipatuman sa tulo ka mga edukasyong ahensya sa panggamhanan ang dekalidad nga edukasyon ug pagbansay aron maka-kumpetensya ang mga kabatan-onang Pinoy sa gikinahanglan sa pangkalibutanong merkado kung ang kakapas sa mga mamumuo ang pagahisgutan.

Ang 2nd Caraga Renewable Energy Forum gipangunahan sa Caraga Foundation for Science and Technology, sa pakig-alayon sa Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC), Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines (REAP) ug ang Philippine Electronics and Communications Institute of Technology (PECIT). (TESDA-13/PIA-Caraga)