DSWD-13 chief expresses support to PIA’s AFEBS
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 23 (PIA) – During her visit and
courtesy call to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional office
headed by regional director Abner Caga, regional director Minda Brigoli of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga also expressed her
support to PIA’s Advance Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS), a
communication tool designed for disaster operation.
As chairperson of the Disaster Response
Committee under the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
(RDRRMC) in the region, Brigoli discussed with RD Caga the details and
operations on the agency's AFEBS.
“We are interested to learn how you operate the
AFEBS. I believe this facility can help our constituents be informed on time
especially during disaster. I am also glad that your agency, in partnership
with LGU-Surigao City had just launched this kind of equipment there,” shared
Brigoli.
Caga, on the other hand, emphasized that as
disaster and calamity downright threatens human lives, the agency has crafted
the AFEBS to contribute in protecting lives and properties through delivery of
timely, accurate, and relevant information and updates to the public powered by
its communication system.
“The operational capability of AFEBS equipment
has been tested and proven to be functional 24/7 in all weather conditions;
compact and highly mobile which can be transferred anytime, anywhere in just an
hour or two; user friendly (plug and play); can be remotely managed thru the
internet; and highly reliable, long life design,” added Caga.
The AFEBS is under the lone and direct
management of PIA-Caraga, a distinct innovation that puts forward for a real
constructive impact in the community. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
RCDA readies PWDs for the 2014 ‘Kakayahan’
competition
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, May 23 (PIA) – The Regional
Committee on Disability Affairs (RCDA) composed of government agencies led by
the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga geared-up
preparations for this year’s ‘Kakayahan’ competition among persons with
disabilities (PWDs).
“Kakayahan 2014: National Skills Competition of
PWDs will mark this year’s National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation
Week (NDPR) celebration in July, following the theme “Talino at Paninindigan ng
Taong May Kapansanan, Pasaporte sa Kaunlaran,” bared Ruth Tacujan,
NCDA-Regional Program Coordinator.
Tajucan said the competition will spotlight the
PWDs’ work excellence and potential in various trades as an active part of the
country’s inclusive growth. The PWDs will be competing in the following
contests: Cluster A - Painting, Photography, Floral arrangement, Cake
decoration, Waste reuse, Cooking; Cluster B - Creating web pages, Desktop
publishing, English text processing; and Cluster C - electronic-LIFE (e-LIFE),
e-Tool, and e-Games.
Moreover, the national winners will be a pool of
winnable competitors for the “Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities”
in Vietnam in October 2014, the 9th International Abilympics in 2016 and other
upcoming local/overseas competitions.
Tajucan further revealed the criteria for PWD
contestants for the national competition. “The PWD contestant must meet the
following requirements: A person with disability, at least 18 years old and
above for Clusters A and B contests, and
12-17 years old for Cluster C. For the Global IT Challenge (GITC) for
Youth with Disabilities category, the contestant must be a winner of a
local/regional/other skills contests/a nominee who passed TESDA’s skills
assessment test, duly certified by the organizers/TESDA counterpart, and has
not joined any international skills contests, to give way to new aspirants.
Meanwhile, the regional contestants for the
national competition must submit to NCDA Kakayahan 2014 Secretariat at
tcdncda@yahoo.com.ph, not later than May 31, 2014, the accomplished: 1) Summary
of regional contestants form and the 2) Individual contestant’s registry form
attached with a picture of the contestant’s sample product, duly endorsed by the respective RCDA
chairpersons.
Each regional delegation can field only one
contestant per contest, subject to the abovementioned requirements.
Also, SM Supermalls will host the whole day
competition for Cluster A except Cooking on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at the SM
North Annex Activity Center.
Simultaneously, DOST-ICTO will host Clusters B and C, in tandem with the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Resources for
the Blind (RBI) for the youth categories.
This project will have NCDA as lead, in synergy
with DSWD, TESDA, Department of Science and Technology-Information and
Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), SM Supermalls, Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), RBI, Philippine Information
Agency (PIA) and selected International Abilympics Champions.
With this development, the members-agencies of
the RCDA in Caraga will be convening potential PWD-contestants for a training
on their field of interest so they can be more competitive not only in domestic
but also in the international competitions. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur gov commits to extend utmost assistance to
rebel returnees, those who wish to surrender
By David M. Suyao
PROSPERIDIAD, Agusan del Sur, May 23 (PIA) –
Governor Adolph Edward Plaza has ordered the chief of the Provincial
Environment and Natural Resources Officer to set up everything that could help
the rebel returnees start a new life after they pledge allegiance to go back to
the folds of the law and live a normal and productive life the other day.
In a simple but solemn military way, 97 rebels,
four of them came from Surigao del Sur, and 93 from Agusan del Sur appeared at
the Naliyagan Plaza in Patin-ay, Prosperidad and pledged to go back to the
folds of the law and embrace the good life of a free man and not hiding in the
darkness of the hinterlands.
“The event today is very significant, both on
the government side and the 97 rebels who are enlightened to turn their back
from wrong principles and belief and decided to become free and law abiding citizens
of the Philippines. For us in the government service, it is just fitted that we
must often visit our brothers and sisters in the hinterlands in order to
explain to them the efforts of the government to unite the people towards one
direction we called peace and prosperity, and become part in the development
process. For our brothers and sisters who were enlightened to go back to the
folds of the law who are present now, please open your selves to your
colleagues by telling them to broaden their mind scope so that they can feel
and see how beautiful life is in the open and free world," Gov. Plaza
said.
In front of hundreds who witnessed the surrender
and the oath taking, Gov. Plaza directed PENRO- LGU chief Ronulfo Paler to
closely coordinate with 401st Commander, Col. Gregory Cayetano in order to
immediately know the needs of the rebel returnees specially their livelihood to
start a new life.
“I am not only offering the agricultural
materials needed by our brothers and sisters here, but also agricultural
technology transfer so that in times like El Nino where the shortage of water
occur, they will have the technology and the right choice of crops to be
planter that will sustain the lack of water and heat. Another thing I really
want you my brothers and sisters want to do is to learn and apply the Upland
Sustainable Agro-forestry Development Program wherein you can produce
agricultural food products even in the hinterlands,” Gov. Plaza said.
Guest and keynote speaker Gen. Emmanuel Bautista
also extend his gratitude to the initiators of the surrender of the 97 rebels
and the rebel returnees themselves for acknowledging the sincerity and the
concern of the government to the Filipino people by displaying their complete
trust to the government as they signify to go back to the folds of the law.
“I am very happy and thankful of your decision
to go back to the folds of the law. And we in the military and the Filipino
people as well, are very glad to accept you here now being with us. The armed
struggle that we fought is not the solution to our problems. The solution is we
have to be united as one in minds, in words and in deed. Let us help one
another, the local government unit, the national government and the people so
that we can reach our goal called peace and prosperity the easiest and the
earliest time. For those who are still in the outside movement, submit
yourselves because the government will never fail you and your soldiers love
you,” Gen. Bautista said.
Lunch was served after the program shared by
both the military, the rebel returnees, government officials and the local
residents. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
PHL unions step-up social dialogue, organizing
campaign
BUTUAN CITY, MAY 23 (PIA) - The Philippine
unions have agreed to step up social dialogue and organizing campaigns, noting
that the problems of inequality, wages, benefits, terms and conditions of work
and life in the country could be solved quickly if the government and employers
do not hinder workers’ freedom of association.
“I urge our colleagues to strengthen the right
to form groups, to organise and to assemble together with the aim of addressing
issues of common concern,” said Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP)
president and former senator Ernesto Herrera during the recently held National
Conference on Constructive Industrial Relations, Employment Security, and
Equitable Income spearheaded by the TUCP in partnership with Japan
International Labor Foundation (JILAF).
Herrera noted the growing inequality despite the
continuous growth of the economy.
“Though the government’s effort to achieve
economic growth is commendable. However, our labor employment is overemphasized
and so without equal resolve to improve compliance with core labor standards,
respect for worker’s rights, security of tenure, living wages through equitable
sharing of profits and gains, and implementation of decent work principles,
economic growth is worthless,” added Herrera.
The 126 participants, most of whom are trade
union leaders, BPO workers, labor activists, students, informal sector workers,
and media resolved to strengthen their stand for fundamental principles and
rights at work, including their rightful share in the fruits of economic
development, as they affirmed unions’ indispensable role in development, in
resolving inequity and in achieving social justice. (FEA/with reports from
Rafael Mapalo, TUCP/PIA-Caraga)
PopCom conducts VAWC forum in PDI
By Jane Mayola
DINAGAT ISLANDS, May 23 (PIA) – The Population
Commission Office (PopCom) in coordination with the provincial government of
Dinagat Islands has conducted a one-day PopCom Forum held recently at the
Provincial Guest Center, Cuarinta, San Jose, this province.
The one-day activity aims to strengthen
responsible parenting with the involvement of male being a father or head of
the family.
Vice Governor Benglen B. Ecleo, in his message,
congratulated the effort of the PopCom and the officials of MOVE (Men Opposed
to Violence) for a very laudable effort of initiating a significant forum to
end violence against women and children.
A total of 30 male provincial employees and
officials of MOVE attended the said activity. (SDR/Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
NPA activities decline in SurSur
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, May 23 (PIA) – Despite some
atrocities that have been attributed to the New People’s Army (NPA) rebels in
Surigao del Sur, their offensive activities have relatively gone down the past
weeks, according to Army 401st Brigade Commander Col. Gregory Cayetano.
However, he said that in times like these, the
more that the armies have to be extra careful and vigilant, adding that this
seeming hibernation may also indicate great danger.
The other day, an encounter between members of
the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion (2SRB) under Lt. Col. Ignatius Patrimonio and a
number of NPA rebels occurred at about 12:00 noon at Sitio Tugopon, Barangay
Hinapuyan, Carmen, 45 kilometers north of this city.
A certain Private First Class (PFC) Jeofrey
Algora, 25, reportedly died of a fatal wound four hours later due to a
firefight according to the progress report sent to Police Regional Office 13
(PRO 13) by Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Provincial Director P/SSupt. Narciso
Verdadero.
On the other hand, Verdadero also stated that an
undetermined number of casualties were believed to have been sustained by the
enemies. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
SurSur power utility reiterates claim to end
rotational brown-out soon
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, May 23 (PIA) – Power distributor
Surigao del Sur Electric Cooperative II (SURSECO II) has sounded off the same
claim in early April that the rotational brown-outs will soon be a thing of the
past in its service area.
Early last month, General Manager (GM) Engr.
Iglorio Hinayon, whose cooperative spans its service coverage to the entire
first district of the province with 12 municipalities including Tandag City, in
an interview said that “the days for the rotational brown-outs are numbered.”
In a follow-up interview with Hinayon recently
whether the King Energy Generation, Inc. (KEGI) is “ right on tract” with the
planned testing of the 7.8-megawatt power plant based in Tandag City by the end
of this month, he answered in the affirmative.
With the 10-year-five-megawatt deal that SURSECO
II was able to forge with KEGI, the latter is obliged to provide the
electricity needed in case of power breakdown.
However, Hinayon said that if something
“untoward” happens during the “trial run,” two weeks would already be too long
to fix any trouble.
In the meantime, he indicated that
member-consumers of SURSECO II have to bear with the inconvenience brought
about by lingering power interruptions. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del
Sur)
Cebuano News: Pinaka-unang Mayor Jun Amante
N.E.W.S Sports Tournament, gibuksan na
Ni Sheila Yatar
BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 23 (PIA) - Pormal nang
gibuksan sa pagpanguna sa buhatan sa City Sports ang pinaka-unang Mayor Jun
Amante N.E.W.S Sports Tournament nga gisugdan sa usa ka parada sa mga atleta
gikan sa 86 ka mga barangay ning dakbayan adtong Mayo 13, 2014 didto sa Agusan
National High School (ANHS) Covered Court.
Aduna kini upat ka mga lebel nga mao ang : 1st
Level- Inter-Barangay, 2nd Level- The Crossover, 3rd Level- Butuan All Star ug
4th Level- Creation of Butuan Selection Team in preparation for: Regional Meet,
Palarong Pambansa, Philippine National Games, Batang Pinoy, Philippine
Collegiate Champion League ug National Basketball Training Center.
Sa pakighinabi kang City Sports Coordinator
Pastor Jessie E. Tioaquen, layon sa maong torneyo nga makapa-usbaw ug
maka-establisar ug maayong relasyon sa matag barangay. Tumong usab niini nga
makakaplag ug mga atleta nga adunay potensyal aron mapadala ngadto sa mga
dagkung kompetisyon. Lakip na usab niini, nga mahilayo ang mga kabata-unan sa
nagkadaiyang bisyo.
Ang 86 ka mga barangay nabahin sa upat ka
cluster nga mao ang; North, East, West ug South nga mao unya’y magsangka sa
maong torneyo. Mahibaluan ang mga mananaug sa maong torneyo sa umalabot nga
Hunyo 07, 2014. (LGU-Butuan City PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Cebuano News: A Night in the Forest, gihanyag
alang sa mga BalikButuanons
Ni Sheila Yatar
BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 23 (PIA) - Suot ang ilang
tagsa-tagsa ka mga “forest-themed costumes,” malipayong miduyog ang mga
'BalikButuanon' sa “A Night in the Forest” sa Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort,
Mayo 12, 2014.
Nalipay gayud ang mga bisita sa pagtan-aw ug
pagkuha ug hulagway sa gihanyag niini nga talan-awon nga usa ka lasang.
Nalingaw usab sila sa giandam nga mga pasundayag alang kanila sama sa mga sayaw
ug kanta diin gipaila usab ang mga maanyag nga kandidata sa Mutya Hong Butuan
2014.
Sa maong kalihukan, gipresentar usab ni Mayor
Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. ngadto sa mga bisita pinaagi sa usa ka audio visual
presentation (AVP) ang mga bag-ong adbokasiya sa dakbayan sa Butuan nga
nagasubay sa Vision 2020 lakip na niini ang pagimplementar sa programang Farm
and Grow a Millions of Trees.
Dugang usab sa Halandong Mayor nga sa umalabot
nga mga panahon sa pagpahigayon sa maong panagtigum, mas himuon pa kining
engrande aron mabati gayud sa mga BalikButuanon ang mainiton nga pagdawat
kanila sa ilang pag-uli sa dakbayan. (LGU-Butuan City PIO/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
