(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.


402nd Brigade, PA celebrates 117th Founding Anniv

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 22 (PIA) - In time with the 117th Founding Anniversary celebration, the 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army conducted on Saturday the bloodletting activity, photo exhibit, and ‘Small Unit Tactics’ (SUT) demonstration held at the Robinsons Place' Atrium, this city.

Said activity was also in coordination with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte - Butuan City Chapter, Philippine Information Agency (PIA), National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), other partner stakeholders and volunteers.

According to 1Lt Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army, the bloodletting activity is their way of helping the people especially those in need of blood in the hospitals.

"The Philippine Army are not just combatants but we also do things that contribute to peace and development in our nation. We welcome those blood donors who would want to join us, as well as those guests who would like to know and apply in the AFP recruitment as there is also a booth installed for them," he remarked.

Martinez also encouraged the public to take pictures with their personnel demonstrating the SUT of the brigade. Each demonstrator has their own function and responsibility during combat operations.

"We also brought our combat capability resources such as KM400 ‘4x4’ Truck, and ‘6x6’ Truck, among others for public viewing," added Martinez.

Meanwhile, the photo exhibit of the brigade’s field operations was also displayed at the same venue. The exhibit will run for five days.

"This will increase public awareness on how the Philippine Army operates in the field, as well as in our Bayanihan activities in the community," stressed Martinez. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


PCG rescues capsized motor launch

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 22 (PIA) – The personnel of Philipppine Coast Guard (PCG) Dapa Station in Surigao safely rescued the six maintenance crew including the captain of the Aqua Sea Cargo Movers motor launch after it was capsized at around 1:30pm on March 20, 2014 along seawaters of Brgy. Cambas-ac, Dapa, Surigao del Norte.

According to PCG station commander Zenmond Duque, the sea cargo was loaded with 2,992 bags of cement which will be transported from Surigao City seafaring to Dapa when a rip current in heavy seas and strong, gusty winds brought by tropical depression “Caloy” affecting parts of Caraga region contributed to the incident. Fortunately, all involved were rescued at 2pm on the same day.

Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Surigao de Norte Station has implemented a “No Sail” policy for all types of sea vessels since yesterday. PCG Commander Zenmond Duque appealed to public especially to owners and operators of the marine vessels to cooperate to avoid unfavorable situations to happen. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


TD Caloy affects areas in Caraga region, DRRMC alerted

By Venus L. Garcia

Butuan City, Mar. 22 (PIA) – The current tropical depression (TD) “Caloy” that raised storm signal no. 1 in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, including Siargao and Dinagat islands has prompted the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRMC) to stay on alert for immediate disaster response.

All heavy equipment, office vehicles and rescue mobiles of Surigao City are now on standby at the city’s command center per directive of officer-in-charge vice-mayor Danilo Menor. Likewise, the members of the CDRRMC are on call and advised to monitor the weather updates and actual situation in the area.

Menor has recommended the suspension of classes in the preschool yesterday.

Meantime, the central command post is now ready for any emergency calls and rescue operations, said city public information officer Annette Villaces.

According also to Mary Jul Escalante, public information officer of Surigao del Norte, the provincial PDRRMC has already advised all fisherfolks not to venture out into the sea to avoid untoward incidents to happen as the province is still placed in threatening storm signal.

She said, “communities in flood and landslide prone areas are urged to be vigilant, while the city and municipal DRRMCs are also advised to convene their council to take precautionary measures as we aimed for zero casualty.”

Information from Dinagat Islands DRRMC also revealed cancellation of all trips from Dinagat to Surigao City since noontime Friday as big waves and heavy rains made elements of danger.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas are advised to take appropriate actions and pre-emptive evacuation.

The Search for Emergency Response Team of Surigao del Sur (SERTSS) as well is manning the operation center 24/7. The Tago river is closely monitored by them as of this time.

Based on Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather bulletin issued at 5:00am today, TD “Caloy” has slowed down as it maintains its strength. It was estimated at 15 km East of Surigao City with maximum winds of 45 kph near the center.


The provinces of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur will have rains with gusty winds and moderate to rough seas. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)