NYC to accomplish the Youth Dev’t Index
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) – The National Youth
Commission (NYC) mandated under Republic Act 8044 otherwise known as the Youth
in Nation Building Act as the sole policy-making body of the government in
youth matters is determined to accomplish the Youth Development Index (YDI).
“The Youth Development Index is a systematic and
progressive tool in measuring youth development. It is important to be
accomplished the soonest for it will define the levels of development within
categories of education, employment, participation, environment, and health
integrating all known development frameworks in one system,” emphasized Earl
Saavedra, Commissioner for Mindanao of NYC.
Saavedra recalled that in 2009, an NYC
commissioned study on the situation of the Filipino youth was conducted. “More
than 5,000 respondents were interviewed in the 17 regions of the country,” he
remarked.
Seven major indexes were also constructed which
include: Education; Employment; Health and Well-being; Participation: Leisure;
Income and Expenditure; and Environment.
“The youth-serving agencies and institutions,
local government units, non-government organizations, research institutions,
and other institutions and individuals focusing on youth development will
benefit from this effort,” emphasized Saavedra.
As expected outcome, the YDI will be the
standard measure of youth development of the Philippines. It will be integrated
in all national accounts in relation to social and economic development of the
country. As a result, it is recognizing the importance of the youth sector as a
partner in nation building. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
NYC discusses Mindanao Youth Agenda to Caraga
RYAC members
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) – In time with the
first quarter meeting of the Regional Youth Advisory Council (RYAC) held on
Thursday at the Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga regional office, this
city, the National Youth Commission (NYC) discussed the Mindanao Youth Agenda
and presented some situation analysis on the youth.
Earl Saavedra, Commissioner for Mindanao of NYC
bared that the youth, as defined by Republic Act 8044 otherwise known as the
Youth in Nation Building Act are those young people belonging to the 15-30 age
group.
“The youth sector is one of the largest sectors
in the country, comprises 30 percent of the country’s total population, in 2010
was estimated to be at 27.83 million,” relayed Saavedra.
The major issues that were identified among the
Filipino youths include: employment, education, health, environment, youth
participation, Sangguniang Kabataan, youth policy, access and quality youth
programs and youth rights.
It was also learned from Saavedra that the youth
has its sub-sectors, namely: In School Youth (refers to those currently
enrolled in an academic institution); and the Working Youth (refers to those
who were employed or self-employed). “The youth is also categorized into three:
Youth Child (those 15 to below 18 years old); Core Youth (those 18-24 years
old); and Young Adult (those 25-30 years old),” he said.
“The Filipino Youth has finally spoken and these
are the issues that they wanted to be addressed as identified in the Mindanao
Youth 9 Point Agenda: 1) Quality Health Services for all; 2) Affordable,
accessible quality education for all; 3) Improving food security through
sustainable Agriculture; 4) Maximize environmental resources against Climate Change;
5) Safe and secure environment; 6) Cultural preservation and appreciation; 7)
Maximizing youth potential; 8) Balanced and sustainable empowerment; and 9)
Valuing positive lifestyle for young Mindanaoans,” disclosed Saavedra.
Saavedra further emphasized that with the
convergence efforts and strategies of government agencies to address the needs
of the Filipino youths, the following will be implemented: Publication of the
compendium of youth programs and services available for the youth in Mindanao; Publication
of Scholarship Programs and Alternative Learning Programs available for the
youth; Creation of a One-Stop-Shop information hub for available youth services
in the regions; and Forging of ties with the academe for the creation of Youth
Satellite Offices in their academic institutions that shall ensure linkages of
youth programs of the different government agencies to the youth, among others.
“We shall also establish local youth development
councils or similar structures in the local government units of Mindanao;
promote entrepreneurship and provide avenues to sustain businesses established
by the youth; and roll-out consultation workshops in the different regions in
Mindanao to ensure harmonization of youth programs of LGUs with the Mindanao Youth
Framework for Development,” stressed Saavedra.
Continued monitoring and evaluation reporting
system of regional initiatives shall also be developed. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
CHED-13 names
3 'other' priority courses in Caraga
By Fryan E. Abkilan
BUTUAN CITY, March 21 (PIA) – The Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) in Caraga has included Midwifery, Elementary Education
and Accounting Technology in the list of priority courses for academic year
(AY) 2014-2015 to 2017-2018 in the region.
“These courses comprise the last three percent
of the priority courses prioritized as ‘others’ with an allocation of one
percent each per course,” said CHED-13 regional director Zenaida Gersana during
the recently held 78th Regional Development Council (RDC) Caraga Full Council
meeting here.
Gersana said the same priority courses will also
guide them for the awarding of CHED’s Student Financial Assistance Program
(StuFAPs), an scholarship grant open to poor and deserving students.
Gersana said Midwifery was included so that more
students/scholars will be involved in maternal and child health care given that
maternal mortality rate (MMR) in Caraga is high.
“Elementary Education is also important to be
included in the list to address gaps in the teaching profession in the various
areas of the region. While, Accounting Technology will serve as a fallback for
students and scholars who may not qualify for other accounting courses,” said
Gersana.
The priority courses with the corresponding
percentage allocation in terms of scholarships include: Information Technology
(10 percent), Agriculture and Related Fields (15 percent), Teacher Education in
specific majors (10 percent), Science and Math (13 percent), Engineering (15
percent), Health Sciences (10 percent), Arts and Humanities (five percent),
Social and Behavioral Sciences (five percent), Business Administration and
related courses (five percent), Architecture (five percent), Maritime (two
percent), Communication (two percent) and others - Midwifery, Elementary
Education and Accounting Technology (three percent).
Gersana said as of this time, they have already
started processing applications for scholarships, grants-in-aid and loans per
CHED Memorandum Order No. 13, series of 2014 or the “Enhanced Guidelines for
the Implementation of StuFAPs, Effective AY 2014-2015.”
For more details, interested students may visit
CHED’s national website (www.ched.gov.ph) or the Caraga regional office website
at www.chedcaraga.com. They can also call be reached at (085) 342-7483.
(FEA/PIA-Caraga)
DOH, Philhealth conduct media forum on ALAGA KA
program
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) – The Department of
Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) together
with partner-agencies of Caraga region conducted on Friday a media forum on the
ALAGA KA Para sa Maayos na Buhay program.
According to Philhealth regional vice president
Johnny Y. Sychua, the grand launching of the ALAGA KA program will be simultaneously
held on Monday in the 17 regions of the country. In Agusan del Norte, it will
be held at the provincial capitol covered court, said Sychua.
During the event, His Excellency President
Benigno S. Aquino III is expected to give his message via live streaming
between 10:30 to 11:00a.m.
Sychua said they are expecting more or less
3,000 members from the province of Agusan del Norte and Butuan City to attend
the launching.
Also, DOH 13 regional director Minerva Molon
said among the activities that will be conducted during the event include
medical consultation among the member-beneficiaries, vaccination for kids, and
a consultation for those who want to stop smoking will also be given attention.
"Medicines are also ready and enough for those who will avail," Molon
added.
"ALAGA KA" according to Jane Santos of
Philhealth will empower and inform every members of the health agency of their
rights and benefits.
ALAGA KA, which stands for ALAmin at GAmitin, is
a campaign strategy that aims to better disseminate appropriate information
regarding rights and privileges under the present Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP)
to PhilHealth Members, especially to qualified dependents of Indigent,
Sponsored Program and Organized Groups as well as land-based members of those
under the Overseas Workers Program (OWP) and employees of the Department of
Education (DepEd).
The campaign also aims to encourage members to
avail of their service packages such as the Primary Care Benefits, which
include breast and cervical cancer examinations, laboratory examinations for
blood, urine, stool, phlegm and other examinations that may be prescribed by
the physician. Others include medicines for asthma, cough, colds, pneumonia,
loose stools and urinary tract infections or UTI.
“During the launching, activities will include
PhilHealth Membership Services, particularly informing ALAGA KA families of
their PhilHealth benefits, validation of new ALAGA members enrolled through
Point of Care Program, testimonials from members and other stakeholders, and
audio visual presentations on KP and DOH programs,” Sychua added.
ALAGA KA is a collaboration between PhilHealth,
DOH, Local Govt Units and other stakeholders in the health sector to make sure
that indigent members and those from the near poor segment of the population
are properly instructed on how to avail of these basic health services at the
rural health units & health centers where they are assigned.
(NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
60 SurSur women train on bangus deboning
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) - Around 60 women in
this city were trained on bangus (milkfish) deboning recently by the Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatc Resources (BFAR).
According to City Social Welfare and Development
officer Tessie Buniel, the participants were 4Ps beneficiaries and the parents
of the MDG-FACES (Millennium Development Goal- Family based Action for Children
and their Environs in the Slums) Scholars from the seven center barangays
(Bag-ong Lungsod, Mabua, Rosario, San Agustin Sur, Telaje, Dagocdoc and
Bongtud) of the city.
The activity is part of the month-long
celebration of the Women’s Month sponsored by the city government thru the City
Agriculture Office in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), Buniel said.
"The skills training conducted was aimed to
develop women by teaching the essential skills for sustainable
income-generating activities," Buniel added. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Coast guard Surigao celebrates 46th Founding
Anniversary
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 20 (PIA) – The Philippine
Coast Guard (PCG) Station - Surigao del Norte celebrated recently its 46th
Founding Anniversary at Gateway Hotel, this city.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the
theme, “Sama-samang Kooperasyon ng mga T.A.O. (Taong gobyerno, Ang mga
mananakay at mamahayag, Operators ng mga sasakyang pandagat) ang susi sa
siguradong maayos, matapat na serbisyo at ligtas na pagbiyahe sa karagatan.”
PCG-Coast Guard District Commander in Northern
Mindanao Commodore Ferdinand M. Velasco together with City Mayor Ernesto T.
Matugas graced the said event.
Velasco, in his message, congratulated the men
and women of PCG Surigao del Norte Station for a job excellently done "and
for giving so much accomplishment to PCG."
“I also would like to thank the city government
of Surigao, provincial governments of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands
especially the local officials for their undying support to one of my biggest
units in Northern Mindanao district,” Velasco added.
On his part, Mayor Matugas lauded the effort of
the PCG personnel in strictly implementing its mandate to ensure maritime
safety.
"On top of protecting life and ensuring
safety at sea, the Philippine Coast Guard is the front liner of search and rescue,
enforcement of marine environmental protection laws, and even securing our own
national patrimony in support of national security and economic development of
our country," Matugas said.
Highlighting the event was a ceremonial
turn-over of one unit Honda 40 horsepower aluminium hull speed boat led by
Commodore Velasco to Surigao del Norte Station Commander Zenmond C. Duque.
The event was also witnessed by the
representatives from the national line agencies, representatives from the local
government units of Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands, and media.
(SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
History, cultural heritage and tourism be integrated
in curriculum
By Aimee B. Sienes-Sajor
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) – Agusan del Norte
second district representative Erlpe John M. Amante pushed through House Bill
No. 3892, for the integration of local and provincial history, cultural
heritage and tourism modules in the Social Studies curriculum of elementary and
secondary levels in all public and private schools.
The main purpose of the bill is to ensure that
students are given proper education and exposure on the history, cultural and
arts, tourism assets, products and resources of their locality in order to
instill a sense of pride and belongingness with the community where they
belong.
It also aims to boost the tourism industry by
turning locals into effective ambassadors and engage locals in the preservation
of the rich cultural heritage, traditions and critical environments of every
locality in the face of rapid urbanization and modernization.
Cong. Amante expressed that “molding our
students to become appreciative of their place and conscientious on the welfare
and development of their community will redound to a stronger foundation for
nation building”.
The said bill is strongly supported by the 16th
Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Governor Ramon “Rambu” Bungabong
through Provincial Resolution No. 056-2014 for the integration in the Social
Studies curriculum in all private and public elementary and secondary schools.
The resolution was authored by Provincial Board
Member Rey G. Jamboy. (NCLM/LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Experts to talk of future PH and future earth in
DOST council’s assembly
By Joselito A. Carteciano
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) - When the country
bore the brunt of natural disasters last year, the members of the National
Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), the advisory council of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST), felt the urgency to deliberate on
some action plans and programs to thwart similar occurrences. Thus, this year, in its 81st General
Membership Assembly dubbed Future Earth, Future Philippines to be held on March
26 – 27 at the Historic Manila Hotel, NRCP will convene hundreds of Filipino
researchers, scientists, technologists, innovators, and economists to discuss
the future prospects of the country and the world.
The first day activities include the paper
presentations of DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo and three world renowned
scientists. DOST Secretary Montejo’s
presentation will touch on the subject of Sustainability for Future Philippines
while 1986 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and President of International Council
for Science (ICSU) Dr. Yuan T. Lee will expound on the matters concerning
Future Earth, the Initiative for Global Sustainability. Then ICSI Director for Regional Office for
Asia and the Pacific Prof. Nordin Hassan will illustrate what lies ahead for the
countries in Asia on his presentation Future Earth, the Regional Perspective;
and Executive Director of the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the
Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Dr. Stephen Adrian Ross will show some opportunities
from Asian marine resources on Prospects for Sustainability of the Seas of East
Asia.
On the second day, the participants will be
engaged in five parallel workshops to come up with research plans, programs,
and policy recommendations which may contribute in addressing the impacts of
the future earth scenarios to humankind. The topics include: atmospheric and environmental change; health
and human well-being; marine and aquatic ecosystem; terrestrial ecosystem; and
economic transformation towards sustainable development.
The NRCP, established on December 8, 1933 by the
virtue of Act 4120, is now considered to be the oldest collegial and scientific
advisory body of the Philippine government and the first in Asia Pacific. From 114 pioneering scientists, the NRCP now
has more than 3,000 members who are world renowned researchers, scientists,
technologists, innovators, and economists who continuously provide the various
sectors and stakeholders with myriad of research-based knowledge useful in
sustaining and maintaining the well-being of the Filipinos and the entire
nation as well.
DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo, NRCP President
Lourdes J. Cruz, NRCP Vice-President Ester B. Ogena together with the Members
of the NRCP Governing Board and its Executive Director Carina G. Lao will head
the proceedings of this momentous event. (S&T Media Service,
DOST-NRCP/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Surigao Norte DAR-ARB receives
indemnity claim from PCIC
By Daryll M. Tumbaga
SURIGAO CITY, Mar. 21 (PIA) – An agrarian reform
beneficiary (ARB) received his indemnity claim worth P17,680.00 from the
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) through the Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR)-PCIC Agricultural Insurance Program for ARBs.
ARB Eleuterio Bano, a resident of Brgy. Cawilan,
Tubod, Surigao del Norte, was so ecstatic after receiving the said claim from
the PCIC as it handed over to him by the Department of Agrarian Reform -
Surigao del Norte (DAR-SDN) Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO)
II Jamil P. Amatonding, Jr. recently at the PARPO II’s Office, DAR-Surigao del
Norte Provincial Office, this city.
Bano said that he is very happy to have received
such kind of aid and he will show the check to his fellow farmers who were
passive about the programs of PCIC.
“This will really help me defray the costs in
buying fertilizers for my palay crop especially now that my crops have already
grown fuller after re-planting,” Bano said.
PARPO Amatonding, on the other hand, was
overwhelmed upon seeing pure joy in the face of ARB Bano.
He also encouraged Bano to show his check to his
fellow farmers who were passive about the PCIC aid as proof that they can
really rely on the government for help regarding crop damages in the future.
It can be recalled that Bano was a victim of the
wrath of typhoon Yolanda last year, he was so bothered and worried when he
learned that his palay crops were devastated by typhoon Yolanda but after
learning from the DAR Municipal Office of Tubod that he can seek help from the
DAR-PCIC Program, he documented the damages of his crops and rice field and
then submitted the photos and filled-up the Pro-Forma Notice of Loss to the DAR
office.
DAR, likewise, indorsed the same to the PCIC
Regional Office in Cagayan de Oro City. Then the PCIC Adjuster visited Bano’s
rice field to validate and investigate his claim. (SDR/DAR Surigao del
Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Tagalog News: Pangulong Aquino kinilala ang
limang organisasyon sa kanilang kagalingan sa pagganap sa tungkulin
Ni David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Marso 21, 2014 (PIA) -
Pinangunahan ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang seremonya sa paggawad ng
16th Philippine Quality Award (PQA) kung saan limang organisasyon ang tumanggap
ng pagkilala ng kanilang kagalingan sa pagganap na idinaos sa Rizal Hall, Malacanan
Palace noong Huwebes.
Sa kanyang talumpati, binigyang diin ni
Pangulong Aquino ang kahalagahan ng kalidad ng ginagawa at pagtakda ng mataas
na pamantayan sa serbisyo, sa pamahalaan man o pribadong ahensiya.
“Kung tama lang, hindi ito sapat. Sa pagdating
ng bago, makaagham na pagtuklas sa halos lahat ng posibleng larangan ng
pagiging eksperto, kakaunti lamang ang dahilan na nalalabi para sa kulang sa
standard na trabaho at ito ay nasa atin na - sa pamahalaan man o sa pribadong
sector – para ihatid sa kapanahonan ang katiyakan ng pagtaas ng pamantayan para
sa posibleng produkto at serbisyo,” sabi ng Pangulo.
Habang kinilala ang mga nagawa at kakayahan ng
bawat pinarangalan, hinamon din sila ng Pangulo na paigtingin pa ang mga nagawa
at “gumawa ng mas mabuting papel para ipatuloy ang kalakasan, kunlaran at tagumpay
ng mamamayang Pilipino."
"Dagdagan natin ang kultura ng kalidad at
kakayahan na nakagamot na dito sa Pilipinas. Kung patuloy tayong sabay na
magtrabaho- saan mang sektor tayo nakapasok – mai-tatak natin sa ating kultura
ang umiwas sa mahinang nakaraan, at ipagpatuloy ang kagalingan. Tayo ay makapagpatayo
sa pamamagitan ng ating tagumpay bilang isang bansa, at kompletong umikot
papunta sa lipunan ng pakipagsalihan at oportunidad,” sabi ng Pangulo.
Ang limang organisayon na tumanggap ng
Recognition for Commitment to Quality Management Award ay: Philippine
Information Agency na pinanguluhan ni Kalihim Herminio Coloma; Department of
Science and Technology Region IX na pinanguluhan ni Dr. Anthony Sales; Lyceum
of the Philippine University na pinanguluhan ni Atty. Roberto Laurel,
Philippine Association of Colleges at Universities Commission on Accreditation
na pinanguluhan ni Dr. Rosita L. Navarro at; Zamboanga Polymedic Hospital
(Ciudad Medical Zamboanga) na pinanguluhan ni Erwin G. To.
Ang PQA ay ang pinakamataas ng hanay na
pambansang pagkilala para sa ulirang ginawa ng organisasyon. Ito ay katumbas ng
pagkilala sa isang bansa ng prestihiyosong Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award ng Estados Unidos at iba pang sistema ng may kalidad na gantimpala sa 88
na bansa sa buong mundo.
Ang PQA ay itinatag noong 1997 sa pamamagitan ng
Executive Order 448 at ito ay pinatibay sa pamamagitan ng Republic Act 9013 na
kilala ring Philippine Quality Award noong Pebrero 28, 2001. Ang PQA ay siyang
naglalatag ng pagsukat sa kagalingan para tulungan ang mga organisasyon na
maabot ang pangmundong sukatan ng kagalingan.
Ang Department of Trade and Industry ay ang
tagapamahala ng papremyo ng PQA.
Ang mga tumanggap ng PQA ay inaasahang ipamahagi
ang kanilang di pangkaraniwang pamamahala bilang halimbawa para sa ibang
organisayon na tumutumbok ng kagalingan sa paggawa. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
