(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 04 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression "JULIAN" {KRATHON} was estimated based on all available data at 240 km North Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes (22.6°N, 120.6°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h. It is almost stationary. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Visayas and Mindanao. 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 ITCZ. 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—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Southwest to Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


LGU-Butuan to commemorate this year’s 'Araw ng Kagitingan'

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, April 4 (PIA) – The city government here through Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr is set to commemorate this year’s Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9, with a program to be held at the Veterans Monument, City Library Compound.

During the program, a wreath-laying activity will be conducted to be led by the following officials: Veterans Federation of the Philippines Regional Vice President Hadji Andres Atega; City Vice Mayor Angelo Calo; Agusan del Norte 1st District Congressman Lawrence Lemuel Fortun; and Mayor Amante.

The 15th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG), Army Reserve Command will perform the 21 Gun Salute.

Cong. Fortun and Mayor Amante will also deliver their messages during the program.

Along with it is the tribute by the Solidarity Federation (SolFed) and Recessional March by the Philippine National Police (PNP) band.

This year’s commemoration is anchored on the theme, “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng Pagbabago.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Caraga RDRRMC calls on diff. sectors to join in Gawad Kalasag Search 2014

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, April 4 (PIA) – During the Full Council Meeting of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) on Thursday held in one of the local convention centers here, its chairperson and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga regional director Liza Mazo called on the different sectors in the local government units to participate in this year’s Gawad Kalasag Search.

“We are encouraging our local government units and different sectors in the society to join in this year’s Gawad Kalasag Search and comply with the necessary requirements,” said Mazo.

The deadline of submission of entries for the 2014 Gawad Kalasag is on April 11; Regional Selection Committee Final Assessment of entries is within the third week to fourth week of April; and Final submission of regional entries to OCD national office is on April 29. All interested sectors in a corresponding category are encouraged to join and comply the requirements.

The 2014 Gawad KALASAG or Search for Excellence on DRRM and Humanitarian Assistance guidelines as presented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will cover 28 categories, these include: Best local DRRMCs (provincial, city, municipal, and barangay committee); civil society organizations; people's organizations; private volunteer organizations; schools; early learning centers; hospitals; government emergency response management, as well as heroic acts of individuals and groups; and special recognition awards for other stakeholders for outstanding performances and accomplishments on DRM.

Gawad KALASAG (KAlamidad at Sakuna LAbanan, SAriling Galing ang Kaligtasan) is the NDRRMC's recognition scheme in its search for excellence on DRRM and humanitarian assistance.

Dir. Mazo, further announced that the awarding of winners for this year's Gawad Kalasag Search will be held on July 30, in time with the culmination activity of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) in Manila. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Kalahi-CIDSS GPBP provides livelihood center for women in SurSur

By Eunice G. Montaos

SURIGAO DEL SUR, April 4 (PIA) - Women community volunteers in Barangay Poblacion in Barobo, this province inaugurated on Tuesday their implemented food processing and women’s product center project assisted by the Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process (GPBP) grant and facilitated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government unit.

Completed within 75 days, it is a Php 569, 314 worth project, which epitomized the summed up Php 500, 000 GPBP allocated grant and the Php 69, 314 local cash counterpart (LCC) of the B/MLGU.

This livelihood center, situated in the bus terminal of Barobo, is one of the seven 15 M worth projects which are implemented using the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach of the Kapit- Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) in Barobo.

Pasalubong items like dried fish, key chains, local cookies and others will be displayed in the center.

Elsa D. Montemor, Regional Project Coordinator, said that among the 38 Kalahi-CIDSS- GPBP projects implemented in the region, this is the only livelihood center for women project, since mostly are day care centers and multi-purpose buildings.

Barangay Project Management Committee (BPMC) chairperson Tita M. Olvida was very excited about this new infrastructure. “Dako akong kalipay nga naa na jud ning product center para sa mga women. Karon, aduna na mi klaro nga mabutangan sa among mga produkto ug pinaagi ani maka-income na jud mi pangtabang sa mga panginahanglan sa among panimalay (I am very happy that we now have a center for women. We now have a place for us to display our products and through this we can have our income that we can help in providing the basic needs in our households),” Olvida emotionally shared.

 “We are proud to say that this is a project for the women and by the women,” Olvida added.

Other GPBP projects facilitated by DSWD Caraga are implemented under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and the Protective Services Unit (PSU) with beneficiaries from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program as the targeted recipients.

The GPBP (formerly BUB or Bottom-Up Budgeting) is an approach to preparing the budget proposal of national government agencies, considering the development needs of cities/municipalities as identified in their respective Local Poverty Reduction Action Plans (LPRAP) that shall be formulated with strong participation of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DepEd Butuan City division encourages literacy stakeholders to join the 2014 NLA search

By Marivic M. Cuizon

BUTUAN CITY, April 4 (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) Butuan City division encourages civil society organizations, non-government organizations, private organizations and educational/academic institutions in the city to join the 2014 National Literacy Awards (NLA).

According to DepEd Caraga Alternative Learning System (ALS) focal person Leoniza Lavapiez, interested organizations who will join the search should have developed and implemented a literacy program that made a positive impact on learners and the community.

During the 2012 NLA, the local government of Butuan City was awarded third place in the implementation of the literacy program under the highly urbanized city category. The award was received by city councilor Ramon Carampatana during the regional orientation on the 2014 National Literacy Awards held at the Teacher Development Center here.

Also, the Pangkalambuan, Inc. based in the city received the award of an Outstanding Literacy Program implementer during the 2012 NLA. The plaque of appreciation was awarded recently by Jean Abad of the Technical Advisory Group of the LCC) during the regional orientation.

The selection by division of the 2014 NLA by the regional steering committee composed of DepEd, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), and Philippine Normal University (PNU) will be conducted on April 14 to May 2.

The Regional winners of the 2014 NLA will be announced on May 5 and awarding of winners will be held during the celebration of the Literacy Week on September 2014.

The 2014 NLA consist of two categories: the Outstanding Literacy Program; and the Outstanding Local Government Unit - highly urbanized city, component/component independent city, class A municipality (1st-3rd class) and class B municipality (4th-6th class).

NLA aims to recognize the best practices of local government units in implementing literacy programs or projects that help alleviate poverty, provide livelihood, address welfare needs, promote freedom and make education facilities accessible. (DepEd Butuan City Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


TWD board of director admits problem on water supply; eyes neighbor-town for ample source

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, April 4 (PIA) – Mrs. Annie Ty, one of the board of directors (BOD) of Tandag Water District (TWD), admitted that they are faced with the problem of dwindling water supply.

In a meeting on March 27 with the Provincial Micro-Small and Medium Enterprise Development (PMSMED) Council which she co-chairs with Governor Johnny Pimentel, Ty was prompted to explain and give insight to the worsening problem when the issue to include the water supply situation in the agenda on the planned hosting of Tandag Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCCI) on June 27 cropped up.  She stressed, however, that the water utility is not giving up in looking for an additional water source in order to address the situation.

A recent report which came from Surigao del Sur Water District Association (SURWADA), Inc. revealed that TWD has continued to venture on “exploratory drilling” just to find new sources.

It was learned that TWD has a total of nine gravity and groundwater sources— but it has still to find some more in order to deliver an effective and efficient service to the 5,590 active water concessionaires.

Ty also bared the prospect of going into Tago, a neighboring town, just seven kilometers south, to make a “tie-up” with the LGU, which she described as rich in water resources. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Feature: SOAP: Something RAW Something NEW

By Rhea C. Abao

BUTUAN CITY, April 4 (PIA) - The growing market demand for safe-organically grown produce is increasing due to growing people’s concern on health and wellness.

Spread Organic Agriculture in the Philippines (SOAP) in collaboration with Department of Agriculture – 13 (DA-13), and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) – Caraga brought a free seminar on Raw Food Preparation.

Lakapati Basa, a certified gourmet raw vegetarian chef shared her knowledge how to prepare simple and sustainable plant-based meals. Together with her husband, Alvin Basa they brought their “pop-up kitchen” to the newest mall in Butuan City for lecture and workshop.

According to them, consumption of organically grown food is a great way to reduce the exposure to contaminants commonly found in foods that have been grown using conventional agricultural practices. These contaminants may include not only pesticides-many of which have been classified as potential cancer-causing agents like heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and solvents like benzene and toluene. Minimizing exposure to these potential toxins is an important benefit for the health.

As organic agriculture advocates, they recommended by eating alternative ingredients, selection of herbs and spices and by preparing shakes combining fresh fruits and vegetables for a healthy lifestyle.

Chef Basa put great focus on local, organic plant-based food, mostly raw which guarantees easy preparation with great taste and maximum nutrition. She also dream to make plant-based nutrition available to everyone and said that a lot of what is needed can be grown in our own backyard.

The seminar gave new techniques and innovations to more than 30 participants who actively participated on the activity. “The free seminar on raw food preparation is a good avenue to try new recipes that I can offer to my dad who has diabetes,” said Beatrice Versoza.

Hundreds of Caraga organic products were displayed during the event and was attended by DA Undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat , Program Director Leo P. Caneda, Sandra Ichon of SOAP, Robert T. Poculan of ATI –Caraga and Organic Agriculture Focal Person Rebecca R. Atega. (DA-13/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Mga Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Damascus at Beirut, IOM inilikas ang 37 Pilipino mula Syria

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Abril 4 (PIA) - Noong Marso 6, ang mga embahada ng Pilipinas sa Damscus, Syria at Beirut, Lebanon kasama ang suporta ng International Organization for Migration (IOM) na nasa Damascus at Lebanon sa uulitin ay matagumpay na nagsagawa ng paglilipat pauwi sa Pilipinas ng isa pang grupo ng 37 Pilipino mula sa Syria. Ang IOM ay siyang nagbigay ng pamasahe sa eroplano, panlupang transportasyon at pagkain ng mga inilikas.

Isang kuponan mula sa embahada ng Pilipinas na kasama sina Vice Consul Dennis John Briones at Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) officer Dexter Macaraeg, kasama ang mga representante mula sa IOM ay tumulong sa mga inilikas sa Masna’a boarder crossing. Pagkatapos kompletohin ang mga paraan ng imigrasyon, sinamahan ng lupon na mula sa embahada ang mgainilikas deretso sa Rafik Hariri International Airport na nasa Beirut kung saan isa pang lupon mula sa Embahada at IOM ang tumulong sa kanila sa kanilang pormal na pagpasok at paglabas sa airline. Sina Vice Consul Rona Beth Goce at Collecting Officer Alberto Bansil mula sa embahada ang kasama sa kuponon na nasa paliparan.

Umalis ang mga inilikas Mula sa Beirut papunta ng Dubai kung saan sila sasakay papunta ng Manila. Duamting ang grupo sa Manila noong Marso 7.

Ito ay pang 47 na cross-border operation na ginawa ng dalawang embahada. Ang pag-alis ng grupong ito na may 37 na Pilipino ay nagdala hanggang 5,249 na kabuung bilang ng mga Pilipino na nakauwi mula Syria. Sa bilang na iyon, 2,222 ang inilikas na idinaan sa Rafik Hariri International Airport sa Beirut. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano News: Ika 493 anibersaryo sa Unang Misa sa Butuan, gihandum

Ni Sheila Yatar

BUTUAN CITY, Abril 4 (PIA) - Agi’g paghandum sa ika- 493 nga anibersaryo sa unang misa, gisaulog ang usa ka “Commemorative Latin Mass” human sa Flag Ceremony sa Guingona Park, Marso 31, 2014.
          
Gipangunahan ni Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. kauban ang mga Hepe sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga buhatan sa lokal nga panggamhanan sa Butuan ang pagtambong sa nasangpit nga Misa, nga gitambungan usab sa mga regional directors sa nagkadaiyang mga ahensyang nasyonal sa rehiyon.
          
Sa iyang mensahe, giawhag ni Mayor Amante ang mga Butuanon sa pagbulig sa adbokasiyang nagpamatuod nga dinhi gayud nahitabo sa dakbayan sa Butuan ang unang misa. Ug naghinaot kini sa tanan nga bisitahan ug hatagan ug igong importansya ang mga makasaysayang dapit dinhi sa dakbayan.
          
Subay sa maong selebrasyon, gipahigayon usab ang usa ka simposyum nga naglayon nga mapaambit ngadto sa mga Butuanon ang mga kaalam ug mga bag-ong pagtulun-an nga nagpamatuod nga dinhi sa dakbayan sa Butuan nahitabo ang unang misa. Nagdala kini sa temang “Journey Towards the 5th Century Philippine Christianity.”
          
Miduyog usab sa maong selebrasyon sila Congressman Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun, Kag. Samuel Allan M. Amante, Kag. Ferdinand E. Nalcot, Kag. Virgilio G. Nery, Jr., Kag. Sergio C. Pascual, ug Kag. Derrick A. Plaza.
          
Sa kinatibuk-an, nahimong malampuson ang maong selebrasyon sa pakigtimbayayong sa lokal nga panggamhanan pinaagi sa City Tourism Office ug Butuan City Heritage Society. (LGU-Butuan City PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Cebuano News: Kasaulogan sa Women’s Month 2014, nagmalampuson

Ni Lyka Quinto

BUTUAN CITY, Abril 4 (PIA) - Pormal na nga gitapos ang Women’s Month 2014 atol sa gipahigayong Juana’s Culmination Day sa Father Saturnino Urios University Gymnasium, Marso 31, 2014.

Sa pagpanguna sa buhatan sa City Population, halos liboan ka mga kababayen-an ang nagtapok aron ipakita ang ilang mga tagsa-tagsa ka mga pasundayag alang sa patigayon nga Modern Interpretative Dance Drama.

Sa 22 ka mga grupo nga mipartisipar, nakuha sa Brgy. J.P. Rizal ang 1st prize sa grado nga 95.67 percent, samtang ang 2nd prize nakuha sa Brgy. Obrero sa grado nga 87. 5 percent, ug ang 3rd prize nakuha sa Brgy. Ampayon sa grado nga 86.33 percent.

Gitunol ngadto sa mga mananaug ang ganti nga kwarta ug plake, ingon man ang consolation prizes alang sa nahibiling 19 ka mga barangay.

Atol sa maong aktibidad, gitunol usab ang Certificate of Appreciation sa tanang barangay nga ningsanong ug ningsalmot sa mga aktibidad ug kalihukan alang sa bulan sa mga kababayen-an.

Mahinumdumang giablihan ang Women’s Month 2014 isip paghandum ug paghatag ug importansya sa mga kababayen-an u gang mga nahatag ug nabuhat nila sa katilingban.          
          

Miduyog sa selebrasyon sila Cong. Lawrence Lemuel Fortun, Hon. Rema Burdeos; Chairman-Committee on Women, Children and Family, ug mga opisyales sa nagkadaiyang barangay. (LGU-Butuan City PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)