Surigao City Mayor cites major accomplishments
on social devt
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 25 (PIA) – Mayor Ernesto
“Nitoy” Matugas of the city government here, reported major accomplishments of
his administration during his fourth State of Local Governance Performance
Report (SLGPR), held on Thursday at the city’s gymnasium.
“In 2013, the city government through the City
Social Welfare Office spent more than P39.9 million for the implementation of
social welfare and development programs and services serving a total of 46,596
individuals coming from vulnerable sectors and those in crisis and difficult
situations,” cited Matugas.
Matugas, further announced that one of the
highlights of 2013 was the blessing and inauguration of the Bahay Pag-asa, a
project that was started before his term. “This halfway home designed to
provide custodial, transition and rehabilitation care for children in conflict
with the law is located in Barangay Anomar. This project was realized not only
for the purpose of complying with Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and
Welfare Act of 2006, but more so for the welfare and rehabilitation of children
who run in conflict with the law,” he said.
The city was also given an award for “Best Local
Government Unit Support in the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program Implementation
in Caraga Region” where 7,259 indigent families were served in 2013 with a
total funding of almost P15 million.
“2,100 pre-school children in 85 Day Care
Centers were able to complete year–round sessions on value inculcation, motor
development, language competency, cognitive and adaptive skills and spiritual
development. A total of P4.8 million was spent for supplementary feeding of
pre-schoolers in 2013,” he added.
It was also heard from the city mayor that the
residential center for street children continued to provide home care and other
type of services to abandoned and neglected children. Five children were given
medical assistance and 19 children were eventually reintegrated to their
families. A total of 24 non-government organizations and private individuals
donated in kind supplies and food items for the children.
The operation of the Surigao City Crisis Center
was sustained and the facility renovated to improve the delivery of services
for women and children who were victims of abuse, exploitation and
violence. During the year, 145 children
and 257 women victims of abuse and violence were served, and another 52
children who were in conflict with the Law.
Matugas also emphasized in his report that
various activities geared towards the mainstreaming of gender and development
(GAD) in local governance and to promote women and children’s rights were
pursued. “Among others, these include the Observance of the 18-day campaign
against Violence against Women and their Children, the celebration of the
Women’s month and the International Women’s Day, advocacy campaigns through the
year-round display of relevant topics in the GAD Bulletin Board within the city
hall compound as well as the publication of the GAD newsletter - the Nickel
Gender Net,” he said.
When it comes to programs for the persons with
disabilities, Matugas reported that some 497 individuals has benefitted the
programs and services of the city government. “Support for 11,451 elderly
people was also sustained, and 687 were covered by the P4.1 million Social Pension
Program of the DSWD,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, with the onslaught of several
typhoons, in particular, typhoon Yolanda last November, the city government
provided food assistance to 13,151 affected families consisting of 28,426
individuals in evacuation centers.
In addressing the needs of the couples, the City
Population Office led the conduct of pre-marriage counseling sessions for 378
would-be couples, responsible parenting classes to 1,450 couples, as well as
Adolescent Heath and Youth Development advocacy activities. These are all part
of strengthening the Filipino family as the basic unit of the society.
“These are just some of the highlights of our
accomplishments for the year 2013 on social development. The city government
will do its best to reach more individuals in the community and make these
programs and services of the local government readily available to them,”
stressed Matugas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao City chief exec implements programs for
housing, peace and order
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 25 (PIA) – Mayor Ernesto
“Nitoy” Matugas of this city has implemented significant programs for housing
and resettlement, peace and security, disaster preparedness and sports
development, as mentioned on his fourth State of Local Governance Performance
Report (SLGPR), held on Thursday at the city’s gymnasium.
“On housing resettlement efforts, the Urban
Development and Housing Division facilitated the collection of P1.204-million
from the lot payments of housing beneficiaries at the Canlanipa Housing Project
and other pertinent fees. The City Urban Development and Housing Council
(CUDHOC) also convened regularly to appropriately act upon disputes relating to
lot occupancy and vendee of rights. There were five resolutions passed by the
council last year,” recalled Matugas.
Matugas, further said that most of its
significant achievements under housing program is the acquisition of the
7-hectare property in Barangay Cagniog which the city government will be
developing it into a Socialized Housing Project. “I am pleased to announce that
the National Housing Authority has already approved the grant funding for the
development of the site in the amount of P22-million,” he remarked.
Also, the police operational accomplishments in
2013 include the following: 24 operations on anti-illegal drugs that resulted
to the arrest of 35 people and the confiscation of a total of P401,000 worth of
illegal drugs; operations against illegal gambling; campaign against illegal
logging resulting to the confiscation of more than 4,500 board feet of
illegally cut lumber.
Matugas also announced that the Philippine
National Police (PNP) in the city received five handheld radios from React
Philippines Miner’s Group, two XRM motorcycles from the business sector, a multi-cab
vehicle from the city government, and a computer set from Silangan Mining
Corporation to assist the station in its day to day operations.
On Jail Management, the Mayor bared that the
36-personnel strength of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) here
has maintained a ZERO-escape and the disturbance-free environment, as well as
ZERO presence of Illegal drugs at the City Jail. At the end of the year, the
average jail population was 181 (nine females and 172 males) inmates.
Inmate rehabilitation programs include:
accreditation and equivalency test for Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) of
inmate students; Therapeutic Community and Modality Program (TC) as a self-help
social learning treatment model used for clients with problems of drug abuse
and other behavioral problems; various livelihood projects; sports activities;
information drives and free legal consultation. The inmates were also allowed
to exercise their right of suffrage during the 2013 national and barangay
elections. The City Parole and Probation Office (CPPO) completed 68
investigation cases reflecting a completion rate of 100 percent. The office
supervised 140 probationers and 29 Parolees.
Also, in the area of Fire Prevention, the Bureau
of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted 1,413 fire safety inspections in different
establishments, processed 3,433 business permits and reviewed 153 building
plans. Furthermore, the station conducted 31 fire drills, 78 fire safety
lectures, and activated eight fire brigades. The regular Monday Fire Safety
Seminar/Lecture at the lobby of Surigao City Fire Station was also sustained.
“Through the City Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office (CDRRMO) we have sustained the operations of the Emergency
Response Services unit (formerly known as QART). With the support of the BFP, our city health
office and non-government organizations, a total of 3,049 emergency calls were
responded to. Other support services during typhoons, patient transport and
others are also sustained,” mentioned Matugas.
It was also learned that there were several
Basketball tournaments in various levels conducted, basketball sports clinic,
inter-school chess tournament and our city employees’ sportsfest are among the
activities pursued. “We would like to thank our schools both public and private
for continuously supporting these events,” expressed Matugas.
The good mayor also emphasized that the city
government provides support to local private swimming clubs composed of pupils
and students from both private and public schools.
“They have consistently brought honor not only
to their respective schools but to our city as well. It should be noted that
our swimmers were instrumental in realizing the first ever highest finish for
our city schools at 2nd Place Overall during the recently concluded Caraga
Regional Athletic Meet held at Tandag City early this year. No less than 26
gold medals come from the swimming team,” he proudly announced.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
State of city address highlights Surigao’s
accomplishments in 2013
By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 24 (PIA) – The State of Local
Governance Report rendered today by City mayor Ernesto T. Matugas during the
regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod at the city auditorium
highlighted last year’s significant performances and recognitions.
“For the third consecutive year, we are once
again a Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) awardee (silver category) by the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The SGH is given to local
government units as recognition for good governance performance in internal
housekeeping particularly on four areas, namely good planning; sound fiscal
management; transparency and accountability; and valuing of performance
monitoring,” bared Matugas.
Mayor Matugas cited another recognition of the
town being considered by National Competitiveness Council as the 13th most
competitive city in the Philippines.
He said that being on the top 13 out of the 122
cities that was surveyed and rated is already a significant achievement for a
small city like Surigao competing with highly urbanized cities and metropolitan
cities all over the country.
“Since my incumbency beginning in 2010, we have
been the Regional Winner of the Gawad Pamana ng Lahi for two consecutive years
in 2011 and 2012. This is of course on top of all the other accolades we have
received through the years which include the retaining of the award as
Child-Friendly City in 2012, Regional Winner as Best 4Ps Program Implementer,
and several others,” reiterated Matugas.
The mayor further pointed these out as a product
of greater cooperation and convergence with the local legislators especially
the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, departments in the city government
office, various national government agencies, civil society groups, business
sector and the academe.
In his speech, he also acknowledged the
contribution of the provincial government headed by governor Sol F. Matugas and
that of the constituents. “This state of local governance report is a product
of all our efforts and joint undertakings,” underscored Matugas.
“Your overwhelming support is indeed
heartwarming and this will truly provide us with a stronger resolve to work
harder with the reforms and initiatives we have made for the greater benefit of
our people,” he added.
In its entirety, the mayor’s state of local
governance report covered the aspects on governance and administration, social
development, economic development, environmental management, and infrastructure
development. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao City LGU to focus on organic agriculture
By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 25 (PIA) – The promotion of
agricultural, fisheries and livestock development with special focus on organic
agriculture formed part of the many priorities set by the city government of
Surigao as emphasized during the State of Local Governance Report (SLGR) of
city mayor Ernesto Matugas held at the city auditorium on Thursday, Apr. 24.
Matugas stated that his administration will be
implementing more farm-to-market road projects and other livelihood support for
farming and fishing communities under the auspices of the Department of
Agriculture-Philippine Rural Development Program (DA-PRDP) and the national
funds accessed for local poverty reduction projects.
“With the completion of the updated feasibility
study, we will continue finding ways to access funds for the implementation of
the P390 million Surigao City Fishing Port Project. The proposal is already
endorsed to Sangguniang Panlungsod for their review and approval,” declared
Matugas.
The Surigao City Agri-Fisheries and
Agro-Industrial Development (SAFIDEV) Program will be in the forefront of this
undertaking. He said that various projects for farm development, fisheries and
livestock shall be sustained, strengthened and expanded.
The mayor reiterated that with the assistance
from the DA Caraga, they were able to distribute various types of farm
equipment and machineries to farmers’ associations and cooperatives costing
more than P7 million.
“This is line with our ongoing promotion of farm
mechanization to support greater production. We were able to access an amount
of P8.5 million for the implementation of different projects in 2014,” bared
Matugas.
Also, another P7 million worth of fishery
projects will be implemented under the Bottoms-Up Budgeting 2014 funding.
To further sustain the livestock industry,
institutional support were provided to increase the capabilities of local
producers.
The priority projects enumerated by mayor
Matugas in his SLGR likewise include the improvement of solid waste management
system, development of new site for socialized housing, improvement of local revenue
generation, among others. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
2015 Natl Caving Summit set in Surigao City
By Venus L. Garcia
SURIGAO CITY, Apr. 25 (PIA) – Another milestone
in tourism promotion is achieved by the local government here when the city won
the bid to host the 2015 National Caving Summit.
This was revealed by city mayor Ernesto Matugas
in his State of the Local Governance Report on Thursday, Apr. 24.
“The cave system in Brgy. Silop consisting of
about 14 caves is one that we should be proud of and where we will hand in hand
preserve for all generations to enjoy,” said Matugas.
Meanwhile, the city is including in its priority
list of plans and projects the increase access to tourism attractions in the
islands.
Matugas said that with the favorable
consideration and approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, they hope to purchase
this year the first tourist inter-island vessel which will provide a quality
transport facility to support the promotion of island tours.
He, further said that the city’s tourist
arrivals for 2013 reached a record high of 202,261, registering a two percent
growth compared to 2012 tourist arrival of 197,987.
“Our top foreign markets are countries in the
North America region with 4,308 arrivals, from East Asia ranked second with
4,044, followed by Australia/Pacific countries which ranked third with 3,424, Western
Europe as fourth with 862, and Northern Europe with 854 arrivals,” specified
Matugas.
“These plans are just but the tip of our
priorities but our programs, as evidenced by this report, remain encompassing
and addressing development in all fronts. With your continued support to my
leadership and administration, especially the new mandate you have given me
last election, rest assured that I will pursue the same level of performance
that you have come to know,” added Matugas. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DA, LGUs tie knot for agri devt
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, April 25 (PIA) - “Bridging the Gap,
Touching the Heart.” So goes the battle
cry of the AgriPinoy framework.
Adhering to such call and to bring the
Department of Agriculture (DA) closer to the people and the local government
units in Caraga, a forum with the local government unit officials was conducted
recently in one of the convention centers in the city.
The forum was attended by local chief executives
from different LGUs in Caraga with Governor Eddie Bong Plaza of Agusan del Sur
taking part in the discussions and offering solutions to issues on prompt
releases of project funds.
Other attendees were vice mayors, sangguniang
bayan members, agriculture and veterinary officers, planning officers,
accountants and the academe.
Nicandro Navia Jr., newly appointed OIC Regional
Technical Director (RTD) for Research and Regulatory, likened the said forum to
a marriage ceremony wherein open communication is vital for a successful union.
“DA and LGU are bonded together as one with
mutual love, respect, and support to a long-lasting working relationship for
the common good of Caraganons,” Navia said.
Agricultural situation in the region as well as
various programs and interventions being offered by the aggie department was
discussed by Field Operations Division (FOD) officer-in-charge Rebecca Atega
which clarified issues on the access of DA projects by the LGUs for
agricultural development and the betterment of their constituents.
LGUs were also informed the guidelines and
requirements in accessing DA funds for Agri related projects which starts by
their submission of a letter of intent or proposal to avail DA interventions
for corn, rice, livestock, high value crops development program,
infrastructure, organic agriculture as well as special projects.
With the conduct of the said activity, DA RFO 13
is optimistic to a stronger partnership with the local government units for the
development of the agricultural sector in Caraga Region. (DA-13/PIA-Caraga)
PDI, MARINA hold dialogue with boat operators in
Dinagat
By Ma. Jane Mayola
DINAGAT ISLANDS, Apr. 25 (PIA) – The provincial
government here through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Council and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) conducted a one-day
dialogue/conference with the Dinagat Islands boat/vessel operators on April 23,
2014 held at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall, Cuarinta, San Jose,
this province.
The activity aims to institutionalize the
boat/vessels safety operation protocols in the province and to ensure safety of
the commuters and recognize as well the boat/vessel operators.
MARINA 13 regional director Emmanuel B. CarpiO,
the event's guest of honor, discussed and assessed the sea worthiness of the
passenger vessel operating within the jurisdiction of the province.
Acting governor Benglen B. Ecleo presided the
dialogue/conference participated by around 32 pumpboat/ vessel operators in the
province. (SDR/PDI/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
Dinagat Islands holds workshop on mapshop,
hazard profiling
By Jorge Daligdig
DINAGAT ISLANDS, Apr. 25 (PIA) - The provincial
government here through the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO)
conducted a 3-day Mapshop and Hazard Profiling held recently at Gateway Hotel,
Surigao City.
The three-day training-workshop was aimed to
orient and capacitate the mappers/cartographers of the provincial and municipal
local government units to enhance and generate maps for Provincial and
Municipal Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) and hazard-exposed areas and to
settle boundary conflicts between municipalities and its barangays, and to
fast-track the crafting and completion of the Disaster Risk Reduction and
Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA), and to enhance the Provincial Development
and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP).
The activity was facilitated by Graciela Harting
and Julius Espejon from the Technical Division of the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga Regional Office.
Participants of the said activity were
mappers/cartographers from seven municipalities of the province, technical
staff from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-PENRO, PPDO,
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Municipal
Planning and Development Coordinators, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist
(OPAG). (SDR/PDI-PPDO/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
