(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 13 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).


Caraga GAD Committee pledges commitment, support to the full implementation of RH Law

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 10 (PIA) – The Regional Development Council - Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) Caraga on Friday pledged support and commitment for the full implementation of the Reproductive Health (RH) Law in the country.

Led by GADCC chair and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director Atty. Marylin Pintor, all GAD focal persons and representatives from government agencies and partner stakeholders declared “We, the women and men of Caraga region under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, do hereby freely, voluntarily, and collectively, manifest our full commitment and support to the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10354), informally known as the Reproductive Health Law in the Philippines, which guarantees universal access to methods on contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care.”

Also, in support of the law, GADCC Caraga declared that the RH Law will support comprehensive programs including sexuality education, family planning as well as maternal and child health; will pave the way for profound changes in access to reproductive health programs and services in the Philippines; and is a mechanism to uplift the stature of living conditions of common Filipino people.

Its implementation will prioritize the health of women, children and families, and where food and economic security and environmental sustainability would be attainable goals.

On the basis and in consideration of the abovementioned premises, the GADCC Caraga have pledged, committed and agreed to undertake, do and perform projects and activities to support the RPRH Act of 2012.

Meanwhile, the committee also emphasized that they call upon the members of the Supreme Court to immediately lift the status quo ante order to pave the way for its effective implementation. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


PopCom chief highlights importance of RH Law to Filipinos

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 10 (PIA) - In a forum on Reproductive Health (RH) spearheaded by the Regional Development Council - Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) and Commission on Population (PopCom) Caraga held here, PopCom Exec. Director Dr. Juan Antonio A. Perez III highlighted significance and advantages of the RH Law.

Perez reiterated that the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Act of 2012, signed on March 15, 2013, is an act to empower people especially women through giving them informed choice and voluntarism, age-and-development appropriate education.

Perez further bared that through the RPRH, there is improvement of access to information, facilities and services thru the service delivery network, and capacitating both the facilities and the skilled health professionals.

"Among others, the elements of Reproductive Health include family planning information and services; maternal, infant and child health and nutrition including breastfeeding; proscription of abortion, and management of abortion complications; and adolescent and youth reproductive health guidance and counseling," bared Perez.

Perez also said that with the said law, there is increased stability and sustainability of health policy across national and local government terms of office; institutionalization of dynamic and productive partnerships between national and local government, spearheaded by the Department of Health; and recognition of the important roles and contribution of civil society organizations, basic sectors, academe and private sector.

He also emphasized that no person shall be denied information and access to family planning services, whether natural or artificial. “Minors will not be allowed access to modern methods of family planning without written consent from their parents or guardian/s except when the minor is already a parent or has had a miscarriage,” he said.

Meanwhile, Perez expressed hope that the status quo ante order on RH Law will be lifted and will be fully implemented in the country. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


NYC opens application for this year’s 10th NYP Parliament of Leaders

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 10 (PIA) – The National Youth Commission (NYC) is now accepting applications for this year’s 10th National Youth Parliament (NYP) – Parliament of Leaders come May 15-18, 2014 in Manila.

“Around 200 youth leaders representing different sectors and regions are expected to converge,” bared Evanesa Q. Pasamba, NYC Cluster Head.

Pasamba also clarified that previous NYP delegates are no longer qualified to participate.

“Interested student leaders can go to www.nyc.gov.ph and apply online. They can also visit the Facebook Page of the NYP10 where application forms can be downloaded. They can also e-mail at nyp10@nyc.gov.ph. Other details and requirements can be found on the NYP10 application form and NYP10 Application Guidelines,” Pasamba added.

Deadline for submission of requirements is on March 21, 2014. 

The NYP is a three-day convention of youth leaders every two years wherein policy recommendations are formulated to address youth issues. It also serves as the government’s guide in policy formulation and program development.

“Started in 1996, youth leaders gather every two years to share ideas and gain valuable insights and networks to aid them in their youth development efforts. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Tandag City hosts 1st Women's Congress

By Nida Grace P. Barcena
        
TANDAG CITY, Mar. 10 (PIA) – Women from different sectoral groups and from 21 barangays in the city joined in the 1st Women’s Congress spearheaded by the city government here in time with the celebration of the International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8 at the city gymnasium.

During the forum, Commission on Human Right (CHR) Caraga regional director Marylin Pintor briefly discussed the salient features of the Magna Carta for Women.

“The Magna Carta of Women is a comprehensive law for women’s human rights that seek to eliminate discrimination through the recognition, protection, fulfillment and promotion of the rights of women especially those who are belonging in the marginalized sectors of the society,” Pintor said.

Mayor Roxanne Pimentel, on the other hand, acknowledged the significant role of women in the community.

“Here in Tandag, most women played a vital role in taking care of their siblings and the whole family. They are also the first to be affected in times of calamities and disasters,” Pimentel said. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


AgNor Gov praises DAR for intensified CARP efforts

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 10 (PIA) - Provincial Governor of Agusan del Norte, Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba lauded the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte, for its serious implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in her province especially at providing Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to farmer-beneficiaries.

This was disclosed during the distribution of Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to 152 farmer-beneficiaries covering 203 hectares of agricultural lands held at Brgy. Consorcia, Las Nieves this province last February 27, 2014.
          
Governor Matba said that the DAR provincial agrarian reform office is one of the top performers in Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) as they consistently breached its annual distribution target above 100 percent since the Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II (PARPO) Andre B. Atega hold the office in 2004.
          
“DAR in this province under the leadership of PARPO Andre B. Atega has intensified efforts to complete its job in land distribution, in fact, in 2013, DAR’s performance ended with 226 percent," Governor Matba added.
          
On the other hand, around 6,696 hectares of private and public agricultural lands still to be distributed to farmer-beneficiaries under CARP extension with reforms (CARPer) in this province. About 30 percent of these landholdings may be  dropped from coverage as retention areas and non-CARPable lands.
          
PARPO Atega primary concerns is to distribute the remaining distributable lands within 2014. In fact, Atega has increased  this year’s target to reach more than  four-thousand hectares. This year’s big target is first time in the history of DAR Agusan del Norte. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Cebuano News: Nasodnong kasaulogan sa kababayen-an gisuportahan

Ni Ronie P. Gerona

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 10 (PIA) - “Juana, ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong,” kini ang tema sa National Women’s Month Celebration nga gisugdan niadtong Marso 1 hangtod 31 ning bulana.

Ang panggamhanang probinsyal sa Agusan del Norte sa pagpanguna ni Gobernador Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba hugot nga misuporta sa maong kasaulogan. Subay niini, matag adlawng Lunes human sa pag-isa sa nasodnong bandila sa Kapitolyo, magpahigayon og hamubo nga programa alayon sa kasaulogan niini.

Si Provincial Board Member Ma. Elizabeth Marie R. Calo isip chairman sa Committee on Social Welfare and Population Development manguna pag-atender sa mga gitakdang selebrasyon sa kababayen-an sa nagkadaiyang kalungsoran sa Agusan del Norte. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Cebuano News: SP sa Butuan, midawat ug award gikan sa DOH

Ni Lyka Quinto

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 10 (PIA) - Tungod sa makusganung pagsuporta sa Lokal nga Panggamhanan sa Butuan sa mga programa sa Department of Health (DOH), gitunol ngadto kang Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) member Virgilio G. Nery, Jr., chairman on Health and Sanitation ang plaque isip 'the only City Councilor' sa Caraga nga mahugtanong nagsuporta sa mga programa sa DOH pinaagi sa pagbuhat ug mga balaod sa dakbayan, bag-uhay pa lamang.

Pinaagi sa pakighinabi kang Kag. Nery, giklaro niini nga pipila na kahigayon nga nakadawat kita ug pasidungog gikan sa nasyunal pinaagi sa DOH tungod sa aktibong pagsuporta sa ubay- ubay niini nga mga programa.

“Together with the converged programs sa atong Mayor, we received an award from DOH- Caraga Region tungod kay kita lang ang city o LGU sa entire Caraga, probably in the entire country, nga adunay ingon ana nga ordinance nga nagsuporta sa mga programa sa DOH,” giasoy ni Nery.

Gibutyag usab ni Nery nga pipila ka mga ordinansya na ang napanday sa syudad lakip na ang Integrated Barangay Health Zone, Health Emergency Management  System (HEMS), ug 2013 HIV/AIDS Ordinance.

“Karon mosulod kita sa usa ka Memoradum of Agreement (MOA) in partnership with the DOH and Agusan del Norte with regards sa Referral System nga programa sa maong ahensya between the two hospitals, Butuan Medical Center ug Agusan Norte Provincial Hospital,” gidugang ni Nery.

Mipasalig usab si Nery nga, “Hugot pang paningkamutan sa Lokal nga Panggamhanan nga mapalapdan pa gayud ang ang mga serbisyo nga atong matunol ngadto sa mga katawhan sa Butuan ilabina sa hisgutanang panglawas.” (LGU-Butuan PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)