(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).


Monday, February 3, 2014

'The best way to communicate to people is to speak from the heart,' says PIA-13 chief

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) – “The best way to communicate is not by speaking English fluently in front of people but by speaking from the heart in such a way that you are also able to touch their hearts and minds.”

This was the statement of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional director Abner Caga, who served as the guest speaker during the 14th anniversary celebration of the Butuan Habitat for Humanity Incorporated (BHFHI) on Saturday held at the Lucky Village Covered Court, Barangay Ambago, this city.

Caga further said that constant communication among neighborhood is very important because as part of the community, "you have that responsibility to contribute to its development by sharing useful ideas and create a harmonious relationship with them."

"You take good care of your community, don't let anyone destroy the good foundation you have started with people in your Habitat community. We should continue to share, donate and volunteer as responsible homepartners," Caga remarked.

Caga also recalled the devastation in Tacloban City as he with the team witnessed how people there suffered the physical destruction in the area where residents lost the lives of their loved ones and properties. "It is not that easy to have lost a family and a home. That's why we should give value to whatever we have today in our lives. We should always be thankful," stressed Caga.

"From my personal experiences, I know what it's like to be when you desperately need a good shelter. So, I am encouraging you (homepartners) to give value to your houses and give meaning to the existence of your houses," added Caga.

Meanwhile, Butuan City Water District (BCWD) general manager and BHFHI Board of Director Anselmo Sangtian together with BHFHI president Nora Rama and vice president Engr. Heidi Sumalpong expressed their warm thanks to the good director for always supporting the organization’s endeavors despite its hectic schedule.

The officers of BHFHI also handed-over the plaque of appreciation to director Caga.

"I'm very happy to see you all in your 14th anniversary celebration today and to be part of this organization," said Caga. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


PIA Caraga chief inspires Butuan Habitat homepartners

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) – “I’m glad for this privilege to stand before you to voice my appreciation to the BHFHI for carrying out its missions to the community. To all of you who are now living in your Habitat villages, I encourage you to give value and significance to the existence of your homestead.” These are the motivating words spoken without reserve by the Philippine Information Agency Caraga regional director Abner Caga as quest of honor during the 14th anniversary celebration of the Butuan Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (BHFHI) on Saturday.

Caga recalled the devastation in Tacloban City as he with his team witnessed how people there suffered the physical destruction in the area where residents lost their loved ones and properties due to typhoon Yolanda.

“It is not that easy to have lost a family and a home. That’s why we should give worth to whatever we have today in our lives and be thankful for the blessings. But keep in mind that the role goes beyond by complying the duties to your neighborhood,” bared Caga.

Conveying more of his concern, Caga motivated each beneficiary to inculcate in them the mentality of helping one another. He further cited that “sustaining the strength of the community does not only rely on the homeowners’ officials rather a personal responsibility to volunteer for the transformational development of the community.”

“From my personal experience, I know what it’s like to be when you desperately need a good shelter. I challenge you to take good care of your homes. Don’t let anyone destroy the good foundation you have started with your family and with the people in your Habitat community. Each should continue to share and strive to be responsible homepartners,” he stressed.

According to BHFHI president Nora Rama, they are advocating for affordable housing. “We stand by our commitment to address the community’s basic human rights to acquire a house with a fair housing policy,” she said.

BHFHI, a non government orgnization working on a mission to provide decent and durable shelters, has built more than a thousand houses in Caraga and its neighboring regions and is currently helping the disaster-affected families by granting qualified individuals to become homepartners.

“We encourage our homepartners to demonstrate stewardship and take the responsibility to preserve the resources entrusted to them,” Rama added.

In response, the homepartners’ from the different Habitat sites in this region have expressed their gratitude and jubilance through their meaningful choral and dance performances.

They also enjoyed the various games and raffle draw initiated by the board of directors and staff of BHFHI. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Butuan Habitat extends gratitude to volunteers, contributors

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) – In a recent 14th Butuan Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (BHFHI) anniversary celebration held in this city, its board of directors (BODs) and staff genuinely expressed their gratitude to the persons who freely offer their services and who took part in the undertakings of their organization.

“We are thankful to the hundreds of volunteers who have untiringly helped in lifting stones, piling hollow blocks, and laying the cements so that homepartners’ house may be built,” said Nora Rama, BHFHI president.

In behalf of the BODs, Rama also expressed her sincere appreciation to the philanthropic individuals for their generous donations which aided in promoting the welfare of others.

Accordingly, the donations to BHFHI have contributed in the accomplishments in putting up a multi-purpose buiding and a day care center.

Rama added by giving recognition to the support given by the local government of Butuan, through city mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr., for facilitating and providing the necessary support services.

BHFHI secretary Asuncion Gayon has also acknowledged the countless students and employees who contributed their time and efforts in joining the tree planting activity in barangay Bit-os "as part of our endeavors in preservation of the environment for a healthy tomorrow.”

She emphasized the role of Habitat for Humanity, an international non-government organization, as a messenger of hope for the homeless throughout the nation and of the world.

“For our commited beneficiaries, we thank you for conscientiously fulfilling your obligations such that today you now truly own your homes,” bared Gayon.

Fully paid and most outstanding homepartners were given recognition during the event. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Norte gov forms HEALS Plus Convergence Group

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) – Governor Sol F. Matugas signed recently Executive Order No. 001 series of 2014 creating the HEALS Plus Convergence Group.

The HEALS Plus Convergence Group aims to pursue the continuing development and transformation of depressed barangays by implementing  economic, social, protection and other basic services with the assistance and coordination of concerned national line agencies, civil society, LGUs, private individuals/organizations and foreign funding institutions.

The members of the HEALS Plus Convergence Group composed of 21 municipal mayors, representatives from DILG, DTI, DENR, DAR, PNP, Phil. Army, PPA, MGB, PAG-ASA, PhilVocs, Phil. Coconut Authority, Maritime, Phil. Coast Guard, CAAP, Phil. Information Agency, COA, DepEd, DOLE, NFA,NCIP, NAIA, BFAR, TESDA, NSO, Phil. Red Cross, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, DPWH (1st and 2nd engineering districts), SUNGCOD, SNPIDA, REACH Foundation, Inc., AGTASI, SEDF, FPOP SCCI, ISDA Foundation, and all department heads of the provincial government.

Primary function and duty of the members of the said convergence group is to provide support systems to the implementation of HEALS Plus programs, projects and activities as stipulated in the Executive and Legislative Agenda, Provincial Development Investment Plan, and other programs and projects identified by the Provincial and Municipal Local Executives.

HEALS Plus Agenda of the provincial gov’t of Surigao del Norte is the supreme framework agenda which stands for Health, Education/Environment, Agriculture/Aquaculture, Livelihood/Tourism, Social Welfare & Spiritual Renewal re-invented and strengthened it with more projects on infrastructure & equitable economic growth. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Surigao Sur town conducts Incident Command System training

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Feb. 3 (PIA) – The members of the local disaster risk reduction management (DRRM) council of the local government unit (LGU) of Cagwait, this province began the year with the 3-day Basic Incident Command System (ICS) training held in Balay Mindanao Foundation Incorporation Center, Cagayan de Oro City.

Abel de Guzman of Surigao del Sur Provincial DRRM office said, around 45 participants joined the basic ICS course led by Cagwait DRRM chair Mayor Lilian Lozada with the local legislators, DRRM council members and barangay captains from 11 barangays.

According to de Guzman, the activity was aimed to enhance understanding of the incident command system as a vital tool for effective disaster response, provide an ICS background of what are the concepts, principles and features, capabilities, organization facilities and common terminologies used during the operations on disaster response.

"The ICS management best practices will help to ensure the safety of responders and efficient use of the resources. It allows personnel from different agencies to meld rapidly into a common management structure and cost effective by avoiding duplication of efforts," De Guzman added.

Facilitated by Office of the Civil defence (OCD)-Caraga, the activity was spearheaded by the LGU Cagwait in partnership with the Balay Mindanao Foundation Incorporation. The activity will culminate on Feb. 5. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


50 Agnor barangays to receive agri aid

By Brian Jay Ceballos

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) – A total of 50 barangays in the province of Agusan del Norte taking into consideration the inclusion of Agrarian Reform Committees (ARCs), in collaboration with the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) are set to receive aid for agriculture development from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The project will be first entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the provincial government represented by governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba and Winrock International to set the guidelines for its implementation.

The aid will be implemented thru the Winrock International, a non government organization.

The project will be named Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development – Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP), which will provide $200,000.00 (US Dollars) to be used in buying agricultural equipment, seed money for microfinance institutions or cooperatives and rehabilitation among others.

The PCCPs main objective is to increase agricultural productivity of the area. It will focus in the producer level to improve production, inputs, technology and practices at the farm level. It will also assist farm families to increase their income, improve nutrition and food security and provide higher value agricultural products for new markets.

The MOU signing is set to be inked by the two parties on February 7, 2014 in the US Embassy in Manila, and will be witnessed by the Agricultural Counselor of the US Dept. of Agriculture, DA Sec. Proceso Alcala and DTI Sec. Gregory Domingo. (NCLM/LGU-Agusan del Norte PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Tagalog News: Palasyo: Ang pagbabalik ng pundong PDAF, bagay na nasa pagitan ng mga kongresista at COA

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Pebrero 3 (PIA) - Isang kautusan sa di bababa sa apat na senador na isauli ang bahagi ng Priority Development Assistant Fund ay bagay na nasa pagitan lamang ng mga mambabatas at ng Commission on Audit (COA), sabi ng Malakanyang noong Sabado.

Sinabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte na ang palasyo ay hindi makapilit sa apat na sumunod sa kautusan ng COA dahil ang mga senador ay nagmula sa kapantay na sangay ng pamahalaan.

"Wala kaming kapangyarihan na magpumilit, sa kaalamang ang mga senador ay nagmula sa hiwalay at kapantay na sangay ng pamahalaan,” sabi ni Valte sa pinamamahalaang radyo ng pamahalaan, dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Ang bagay na ito ay nasa pagitan ng COA at ng apat na senador na pinadalahan ng notices of disallowance,” dagdag pa ni Valte.

Ang naunang ulat ay tumutumbok na ang mga senador ay naiugnay sa isang multibillion na pera mula sa eskandalosong pork barrel na alokasyon matapos na ito ay ipinadaan sa isang bugos na non-government organizations. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)