(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.


Butuan City gov’t recognizes involvement of women in nation-building

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 12 (PIA) - The city government here recognized the efforts and involvement of women in nation-building especially in the activities that has greatly contributed to the development of the city.

City councilor Ferdie Nalcot, who was then representing Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr during the 10th ‘Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan’ celebration held on Monday at the Balanghai Hotel here, expressed his appreciation to all empowered women who continuously supporting the activities of the government and its involvement in policy-making and other relevant endeavors of the local government.

"The city government recognizes the role of women in nation-building. Women of today are already empowered and have active involvement in policy making, business, and in other activities," he said.

Nalcot highlighted that Caraga has recorded the highest economic growth rate among others. “This is also because of the active participation of women in entrepreneurial activities that greatly contributed to the increase of our region’s economic growth,” he said.

Nalcot also revealed that Caraga is the most peaceful region in Mindanao. "More investors are interested to engage into various businesses here because of the peace and order that we have and our potential to sustain this good standing, which women had been a part of this endeavor," he added.

Nalcot added that that more women will benefit from the 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) since Philippine Health (PhilHealth) will also increase its enrollees which at present is 16,000 and an additional of 32,000 more beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Nalcot also cited that he has lobbied at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) his proposed resolution on the updated guidelines for the provision/allocation of the five percent fund intended for the women’s activities and welfare.

“Our local government will ensure that the fund allocated for the women’s welfare will be implemented and not just an attribution. This should be institutionalized and be strictly observed,” stressed Nalcot.

This year's 10th 'Kalandrakas sa Kababaihan' is spearheaded by the Regional Development Council - Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) chaired by Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director Atty. Marylin Pintor. It is an avenue where women and men enjoy the trade fair, garage sale, massage and spa, medical mission, legal counseling, parlor games, and other leisure activities. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur town signs MOA for Kalahi-CIDSS 4th cycle implementation

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Mar. 12 (PIA) – The government's anti-poverty project Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), through the regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Caraga renewed its engagement with the local government unit (LGU) of San Miguel, this province with the implementation of the Kalahi-CIDSS and the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Cycle 4 project.

It was learned that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be signed on Wednesday between the DSWD-Caraga and the provincial/municipal/barangay officials at the Community Development Information Center (CDIC) Multi-Purpose Hall in San Miguel.

According to Community Development Information Officer Nancy Elizalde, prior to the MOA signing, DSWD-13 regional director Minda Brigoloi will also turn-over the check worth P1.2M for the Sustainable Livelihood Program to the following Self Employment Assistance Kabayan Associations (SKAs): Angat Carromata; Central Libas Sud; Central Castillo; Libas Sud 4Ps Agrivet Supply; Central Tina and Castillo B & V.

Kalahi-CIDSS is a poverty alleviation program that develops self-propelling communities where people actively participate in the activities that will improve their lives. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Fire hits FM station in Surigao City

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Mar. 12 (PIA) - Fire has completely razed down DXSP ‘One’ FM, an affiliate of Radio Corporation of the Philippines, located at the 4th floor of Yuipco building, Navarro Street in Surigao City, Tuesday evening.

According to City Fire Marshall Rey G. Bautista, the building with mixed occupants was owned by Elizabeth Yuipco and the fire broke out at around 8:34pm. “It was declared fire out after almost an hour, at around 9:15pm,” Bautista added.

Initial investigation revealed that the origin of fire was the electrical outlet at the office of the station manager of the said station.

Total damage to property was estimated to have reached P2 million.

The case is still under investigation by the Surigao City Bureau of Fire Protection Investigation Team. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


AgSur takes pride anew as second highest number of DOST scholars for SY 2014-2015

By David M. Suyao

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Mar. 12 (PIA) - Thirty three young Agusanons from various high schools in the province again bag the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) scholarship grant for school year 2014-2015 out of the 107 scholars all over the region, per Republic Act 7687 otherwise known as Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994.

“Although we are short in number by four scholars compared to last year which was 37, we still rank second highest in number this year, with only one count behind from Surigao del Sur who has 34 scholars granted under R.A. 7687. In addition, we have three merit scholars whose qualifying requirements are different from that of scholars under R.A. 7687. In order to qualify in the merit scholarship, the applicant should have family income of not more than P156,600 per year; their electric consumption must not be more than 220 KwH per month and; tuition fees should not be more than P17,000 per school year. In this case, our overall scholars for 2014 are 36,” Agusan del Sur Provincial S & T Director Andrea Cabonita said.

According to record from the DOST Agusan del Sur provincial office, the results of the September 22, 2013 scholarship examination posted Surigao del Sur claiming the highest number of scholars under R.A. 7687 with 34, followed by Agusan del Sur with 33; Agusan del Norte and Butuan City with 16; Surigao del Norte and Surigao City with 16 and the province of Dinagat Island with eight.

The 2014 scholars came from different high schools within Agusan del Sur, ranked as follows: Agusan del Sur National High School – 8; Bayugan National Comprehensive High School – 7; Trento National High School – 4; Bunawan National High School – 2; Del Monte National High School – 2 and; Sta. Cruz National High School – 2.

The rest namely Lapinigan N.H.S.; Prosperidad N.H./S.;Talacogon N.H.S.; Sta. Josefa N.H.S.; Sto. Tomas N.H.S. Magaud Annex; Lapaz N.H.S.; Monkayo N.H.S. and;Mt. Carmel N.H.S. got one each.

Two merit scholars also came from Agusan del Sur National High School while one from Bunawan National High School. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Agnor gov to lead 'Zumba' in capitol

By Brian Jay Ceballos

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 12 (PIA) – Agusan del Norte provincial governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba will spearhead a Zumba exercise for all the capitol employees every Wednesdays at the Provincial Capitol Covered Court here.

The activity is a one-hour exercise program of the province with a licensed International Zumba Instructor.  It primarily aims to revitalize the physical fitness and promote the value of proper exercise among the entire workforce.

Gov. Matba, a health conscious and Zumba enthusiast herself said that working out is beneficial, but with our demanding schedules, it is easy for our fitness routines to be set aside. But when working out becomes something we love to do, it is much easier.

Matba added that Zumba is a type of exercise people want to do, they feel good about doing it, and it is for everyone.

Zumba, a dance fitness program created by Colombian dancer and choreographer Alberto "Beto" Perez during the 1990s, involves dance and aerobic elements. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Tagalog News: Malakanyang pinuri ang ERC sa pagpasiya laban sa pagtaas ng presyo ng koryente

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Marso 12 (PIA) - Pinuri ng Malakanyang noong Martes ang Energy Regulatory Commission sa kanyang pasiya na ibinigay noong Marso 3 “nagpasiya na ang presyo sa Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) noong buong panahon na hindi umaandar ang Malampaya ay hindi matangap bilang makatuwiran, rasyonal at kasapatan.”

Dahil sa pasiyang ito, ang ERC ay nag utos na ipatupad ang pagsaayos ng presyo kapalit ng walang bisang presyo. Ang kautusan ay  saklaw ang Luzon WESM na presyo athindi kasama ang MERALCO dahil sa temporary restraining order mula sa Korte Suprema.

Sa pakipanayam sa media sa Malakanyang, sinabi ni Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. na ang kautusang ito ay nagpakita na ang pamahalaan ay seryoso sa pagtanggol sa mga tao mula hindi makatarungang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin.

“Pinatunayan natin na ang pangako ng pamahalaan na ipagtaggol ang kapakanan ng mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng matatag at makatuwiran na presyo ng elektrisidad,” sabi ni Coloma.

"Naitala rin natin na ang kautusang ito ay ang kinalabasan ng mga tanong ng ERC sa ugali ng mga manlalaro sa pamilihan sa panahong hindi umaandar ang Malampaya ng siyang nanguna sa pagpatupad ng MERALCO ng mapag-alinlanganing pag ayos ng presyo ng koryente,” dagdag ni Coloma.

Sabi ni Coloma na ito pamahalaan na nagpatupad ng kanyang “police power para tigilan ang pagpatupad ng sobra, labis, hindi makatarungan o kaya napakataas na presyo ”ng elektrisidad sa pagpatupad ng kanilang kautusan sa ilalim ng EPIRA.” (PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano News: Day care teachers sa Cabadbaran makadawat og dugang suhol

Ni Jay Vincent V. Demain

AGUSAN DEL NORTE, Mar. 12 (PIA) - Tungod sa kamahinungdanon sa papel sa mga day care teachers ngadto sa mga kabataan, usa ka ordinansa sa syudad sa Cabadbaran ang gi-aprobahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan nga maghatag og dugang suhol kanila.

Matod pa sa City Ordinance No. 2013-047 nga gipangamahanan ni Cabadbaran Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Alicia C. Funcion, gawas sa ginahatag kanila sa ilang barangay, makadawat pa ang matag magtutudlo sa day care ug dugang usa ka libo ug lima ka gatos ka pesos (P1,500.00) nga honorarium matag bulan ug laing usa ka libo ug lima ka gatos ka pesos (P1,500.00) isip year-end cash incentive. Gawas pa, adunay libre nga pagpa-myembro kanila sa PhilHealth Insurance. Kining tanan kuhaon sa panudlanan sa syudad isip paghatag importansya kanila isip ikaduhang inahan sa pagpadako sa mga kabataan.


Sumala sa gilatid nga kwalipikasyon sa ordinansa, ang makadawat nga magtutudlo sa day care mao ang mosunod: a) babae nga nagpanuigon og 18-45, minyo o dili; b) hay skul gradwet o college level; c) residente sa barangay diin siya nagtudlo; d) adunay good moral character; e) adunay full time service isip day care teacher; f) adunay kontratang gipirmahan diin siya magtudlo sulod sa 2 ka tuig ug adunay satisfactory nga performance, ug uban pa. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)