(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 10 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).


2014 Women’s Month celebration culminates, women empowerment continues

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) – Caraga Regional Development Council (RDC) – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) chairperson and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regional director Marylin Pintor emphasized in her message during the culminating activity of Women’s Month held in this city on Friday that though the monthlong celebration has concluded, the gender and development advocacy is an all-time championing of women empowerment.

“Let’s continue to encourage strong and resilient ‘Juanas’ to bring inspiring changes here in the country and across the globe,” bared Pintor.

The culmination started with a ‘hataw’ activity participated in by government employees and other stakeholders who got settled into a comfortable pace of grooving and physical exercises.

Various agencies on lead also joined in different friendly games such as volleyball for men and women, kadang-kadang, tumbang preso, patintero, luksong tinik, and sack race.

Caraga GADCC also conducted a raffle draw, videoke singing contest, pinoy henyo, eating contest, needle threading contest for participants aged 40 and up and more exciting activities that filled the event with much fun.

Meanwhile, winners of the 2014 Non-Traditional Skills for Women were awarded as well. Gold, silver and bronze medalists received P1,500; P1,000; and P500, respectively from Caraga Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) while RDC-GADCC gave additional P500 each.
                               
In time also with the culmination is the launching of the 1st GADCC Open Photo Competition which deadline of registration and submission of entries is on May 2, 2014. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Caraga GAD committee launches 1st GADCC open photo competition

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) – Regional Development Council (RDC) – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) in Caraga region unveiled on Friday its first ever Open Photo Competition.

The contest is open to all photographers – hobbiest, novices and professionals in the entire region.

According to Caraga GADCC chair and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) regional director Marylin Pintor, competing participants shall focus on the theme, “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong.”

“Entries will be pre-judged and all chosen entries will be exhibited at Robinson’s Place,” she said.

As specified in the mechanics, interested individuals may use any digital camera with at least eight megapixels capability and be submitted in soft copy saved in compact disk and must be printed out in 10-R or 8 x 10 size, colored, no border.

Registration for elementary, secondary and tertiary students is P100 while all other registrants may pay P200.

“Photos must be taken from the time of launching, March 28, 2014 to May 2, 2014, the scheduled deadline. Single entry is allowed per person,” said Caraga GADCC co-chair Edna Hontiveros.

She added that the entries must capture the story of “One day in a life of a woman in Caraga.”

The photos will be judged according to the criteria comprising the following: relevance to the theme - 40%, visual impact - 20%, technical (exposure and focus) - 20%, creativity and composition - 20%.

First, second and third prize winners will receive a cash worth P5,000, P3,500, 2,500, respectively plus a trophy.

Most liked photo in Facebook page (Facebook.com/gadcccaraga) will also be awarded with P2,000 and a trophy. In addition, an amount of P1,000 each will be given away to five consolation prize winners.

For queries, you may contact Anna Loraine Mendoza, GADCC secretariat at 085-3425774. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Strengthen values, grads told

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) - Agusan del Norte First District Representative Lawrence “Law” Fortun told the graduates of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) to strengthen their values for this is the true barometer in acquiring genuine education during the 42nd Commencement Exercises of the said school where he was invited as the commencement speaker on Sunday.

The solon said that when he assumed office as representative of the district, he was met with “probably the worst scandals Congress has ever been confronted with.”

“Allegations of corruption and abuse left and right rocked the House of Representatives and the Senate and different departments and agencies of government. For a neophyte congressman who joined Congress with idealism and high hopes for the country, it was such a grave disappointment,” Fortun said.

The young solon pointed out that “those who get involved in corruption and abuse of power in high places of government are people with sterling academic credentials. These are people who went to the best universities in the country and earned their graduate degrees from Ivy League institutions abroad.”

Fortun went on to say that “we are surprised why they get involved in anomalies like these. Something must be wrong somewhere. They forgot an essential element of education. That is, VALUES. And I can only say, notwithstanding all those feathers in their caps, they have not acquired genuine education, after all.”

Fortun also paid tribute to the founders of SJIT for stirring the institution to greater heights from a very humble beginning in 1971. “As commencement speaker, I am expected to inspire you. Honestly, looking at you right now and reflecting on how you have been molded by an institution that has itself been molded by enormous challenges and has grown to become a premiere institution, I am the one who has been inspired. Indeed, you need not look elsewhere for a source of inspiration. SJIT is a great inspiration, not only to you, but to all of us in the region. SJIT is an inspiring embodiment of determination, courage, hard work, perseverance and excellence,” Fortun quipped.

“We are all witnesses to SJIT’s remarkable growth as an institution of higher learning. In its pursuit to become a prominent landmark that it is now, the values of rectitude and integrity have always guided its labors for advancement. I repeat. RECTITUDE AND INTEGRITY. These, you should not forget,” the solon emphasized. (LAWig Katawhan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


PCA: No case of “cocolisap” yet in Surigao del Sur

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) – There is no case yet of “cocolisap” or entomologically known as “scale insect” infestation in Surigao del Sur.

According to Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Provincial Manager George Rasonabe, such a problem has not yet crossed over Mindanao, but their agency has already been keeping an eye on it.

It was learned from the PCA Chief that the massive case of scale insects infestation on coconut plantations has already spread out in Batangas and some neighboring provinces.

On other developments, Rasonabe reported that the Agricultural Training Institute-Philippine Coconut Authority (ATI-PCA) Joint Undertaking Training has continued to be conducted for 2014.

In fact, he said that three trainings are set to be held this year including that of what was done on March 24-26, where 30 coconut farmers in Tandag City have undergone training. (Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DAR AgNor spearheads program review and planning workshop

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the province of Agusan del Norte conducted a one-day Program Review and Planning Workshop to ensure and move forward the implementation of Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) recently here.

Some 25 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBOs) from different Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in Agusan del Norte attended the said workshop and possibly avail from the APCP program.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO II) Andre B. Atega reiterate the APCP specific guidelines and discuss more strategic approach to induce the ARBOs to accept the challenge of taking the necessary steps to avail the APCP Program.

Program Beneficiaries Development Division OIC-Chief Ester T. Cabalan, said that the workshop aimed to assist the ARBOs to comply all the desired requirements and reviewed the proposals submitted by each ARBOs for APCP program.

“We aimed to discuss and review the project proposals submitted by different ARBOs in Agusan del Norte to come-up with possible solutions that lead the ARBOs to go through the program,” Cabalan said.

As President Aquino’s Administration convergence initiative, the DAR’s partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) whose effort is to streamline the program with P1-billion fund to support credit assistance of the agrarian reform beneficiaries nationwide. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


TESDA-Caraga inks partnership with Butuan City LGU for skills development training of 4Ps beneficiaries

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Caraga has signified its partnership with the city government here for the socio-economic bundling program specifically skills development component intended for the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

During the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) held recently at the city hall lobby here, the city government ably represented by City Councilors Ferdinand Nalcot, Atty. Rema Burdeos and Cong. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun of the first Congressional District of Butuan City and Las Nieves signified support together with TESDA-Caraga regional director Dr. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr.

In his speech, Sunico said the initiatives of the city government is an opportunity for the national government agencies to jumpstart a convergence towards the attainment of the national government’s objective to alleviate poverty in the country.

The official recalled that a month before, the national government has gathered some 10 government agencies that are involved in poverty alleviation. During the gathering, these agencies were made to commit to come-up with a comprehensive anti-poverty measures especially in areas where there are beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Sunico further said with all the scholarships that TESDA is offering, 4Ps beneficiaries are among those who were given the priority to enjoy such program to ensure that they will be trained and prepare them for job and livelihood opportunities in the future.

Though the region is not anymore included in the poorest of the regions in the country based on the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) because of its economic growth, the official said there are still Caraganons who belong to the marginalized sector. “Thus, there is a need for us in the government sector to continue and sustain developing the human resources of the country,” Sunico said.

Basing on the MOU, TESDA is enjoined to commonly pursue the increase in employment opportunities for the unemployed 4Ps beneficiaries in the locality by training the people to be skilled workers for free in preparation for the agency’s quest to find decent jobs both here and abroad.

This objective is the agency’s support to the Human Development Cluster as embodied in the Philippine Development Plan of the present administration.

Specifically, TESDA-Caraga shall offer Skills Development Courses for free to qualified 4Ps beneficiaries of the city. The agency should also support the city government in building its TESDA Training Beneficiaries’ Profile, as well as to work in close coordination with the city government to institute smooth and in-track project implementation. (TESDA-13/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Gobyerno abli sa gihapon sa mga pakigpulong uban ang NDF

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Mar. 31 (PIA) - Ang gobyerno able sa gihapon sa pakigpulong alang sa kalinaw uban sa mga komunista, sa niini nga kaso ang National Democratic Front (NDF), kinsa nangandoy sa pagsugod ug impormal nga mga pakigpulong sa bulan sa Mayo, sumala pa ni Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. niadtong Dominggo.

"Nagpabilin nga able ang atong paggamhanan sa mga hisgutanan sa kalinaw (Nananatili pong bukas ang ating pamahalaan sa mga usaping pangkapayapaan)," si Coloma miingon sa dzRB Radyo ng Bayan atol sa usa ka komperensya.

Siya miingon nga iyaha na kini giduso nga mga hisgutanan ngadto sa Office sa Presidential Peace Adviser ingon nga sila man ag ahensya nga dunay kamandoan sa paglihok sa mga hisgutanan mahitungod sa mga pakigpulong sa kalinaw.


“Atong iduso ang mga butang na ing-ana ngadto sa Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace process tungod kay sila man ang dunay nag-unang responsibilidad sa paghimo sa mga hilisgutanan na ing-ana (Isasangguni po natin ang bagay na ‘yan sa Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process sapagkat sila ang may pangunahing responsibilidad sa pagsasagawa ng mga usaping ‘yan)," sulti pa ni Coloma said. (NGBT/PND/PIA-Surigao del Sur)