(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 10 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).


Monday, June 23, 2014

AgNor implements over P342M infra projects

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, June 23 (PIA) – Accessibility for farm products, among others, and maintaining their freshness as they reached the market and the consumers were the primary reasons why the province of Agusan del Norte (AgNor) has implemented 64 various infrastructure projects amounting to P342,071,923.92M.

These projects include roads, bridges, port improvements and disaster mitigating infrastructure structures. The national government incharge of public works also contributed by implementing six major projects amounting to P185,475,000.

Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba admitted that the figure does not include the P50M allocation for two tourism related projects at the municipalities of Carmen and Remedios T. Romuladez (RTR).

Related to this, Matba said that the growth of cargo shipments by 25.22 percent or 4,905,315 MT, notably in exports, is attributed to the improved port facilities. Passenger traffic also grew by 14.08 percent.

“This shows that we continue to be the preferred gateway in the region,” underscored Matba.

In addition, Matba confirmed that P44M worth of irrigation projects serving a total of 500 hectares in Las Nieves, Nasipit, Buenavista, Jabonga, Kitcharao and cabadbaran were introduced. Some have been completed already.
                                                                      
She further described that this has resulted to increase productivity of rice which reached 53,739 MT or 4.0 metric tons per hectare during the year in review. Similarly, corn productivity has reached to 7.0 metric tons per hectare in some areas.

It was learned that the other benefit that these irrigation projects brought was the generation of about 320 jobs. This was on top of the 1,332 jobs generated from other industries that were reported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“We strongly support the strategy of President Benigno Aquino on inclusive growth because we recognized that the benefits that our nation is enjoying would have lesser effect if the poor does not enjoy these benefits,” emphasized Matba. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Agusan Norte augments shelter for the homeless program

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, June 23 (PIA) –The provincial government of Agusan del Norte under the leadership of governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba is giving more attention to the urgent need of providing decent shelter for the laypeople comprising the homeless community within jurisdiction.

Matba revealed during her state of the Province Address (SOPA) recently that the province has completed quarter of the 253 homes that was targeted in its multi-year program for shelter.

“We need to pool our resources together to address this problem. We must never allow single Agusanon to live without a roof over his head,” stressed Matba.

To cap it all, the province’s social service delivery activities aimed at reducing poverty has served more than 35,000 households at a combined program cost of about P237.6M.

Accordingly, these interventions have resulted to the increase of households in the subsistence category to 25,142 and to 808 households under the self-sufficient level.

“I trust that the investments we poured in the sector will continue to have a lasting impact on the lives of the beneficiaries as we strive to deal the case of poverty in our midst,” stated Matba. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Alliance for gender advocates launched in Caraga

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, June 23 (PIA) – An alliance that will promote women empowerment and gender equality was launched in Caraga region on June 19 here.

Agusan del Norte Paz y Desarrollo (PyD)-Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA) project coordinator Jaime Makinano said, the Alliance of Gender Advocates in Caraga or simply called AGAC is purposely formed to provide a platform for coordination and support that would improve and sustain the promotion of gender equality in the communities and local governments towards full exercise of women citizenship.

“The ultimate goal of AGAC is to ensure that citizens, especially those more vulnerable are able to participate in the local economic and political process in order to promote social justice and gender equality,” said Makinano.

AGAC is initially composed of 44 Peoples Organization (POs) from the 14 barangays of Butuan City and the municipalities of Kitcharao, Santiago and Tubay.

During the launching, the AGAC officers were inducted by Agusan del Norte SP Member and AGAC Adhoc chair Elizabeth Calo.

The AGAC officers composed of chairperson – Nilo Guinalubanhan; vice chairperson – Albert Nacario; secretary – Teresita Obo Pisguerra; Auditor – Anita Honculada; PIO and Sgt. At Arms – Ma. Theresa Pizarro and Adrian Asnahon; PRO – Keifer Moran; and representatives from Butuan City – Indaylin Valdehueza; Kitcharao – Samuel Silong; Tubay – Christopher Eduarte; and Santigao – Rosie Dacera. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


News Feature: Career guidance help solve job-skill mismatch – TESDA

By Lisa Rivera

MANILA, June 23 - The right choice for a course could help spell the success or failure of one's career.

In stepping up its career guidance program, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) wants to ensure that technical vocational education (tech-voc) graduates enjoy the fruit of their education when they plunge into the real world.

Job-skill mismatch is also addressed when the country has a pool of graduates who took up courses that can easily pave the way for decent jobs.

"Career decisions should be based on the interests of the child and the aspirations of the parents, knowledge of the child's potentials, up-to-date information of the labor market, and the education and training environment," said Secretary Joel Villanueva, TESDA Director General.

"When all of these come into convergence, wiser decisions are made on career choices," he added.

As member of the working group of Career Guidance Advocacy Program (CGAP) and the lead agency for the Career Ambassadors Program Component, TESDA recently conducted a training program for the TVET Career Advocates entitled, “A Step to Success, Shaping-up TVET Career Advocates."

The program aims to capacitate the advocates to influence parents and trainees decide on what course to pursue based on labor market information.

In coordination with the Commission on Higher Education, 22 Career Ambassadors were named, composed of 16 TVET Career Ambassadors and six higher Education Career Ambassadors.

Villanueva said the Career Ambassadors are expected to deliver talks in congresses, career guidance weeks and convocations. They will also act as speakers in various career advocacy activities.

"The Career Ambassadors will inspire, mentor and inform young people towards their best-suited careers," he added.

The Career Ambassadors were formally introduced during the National Career Advocacy Congress (NCAC) last month. Two NCAC were held, which gathered youth groups, guidance counselors, TESDA personnel; and representatives from employers and workers sector.

The TESDA chief said the two career advocacy congresses gave the various stakeholders the opportunity to be updated on labor market information, career guidance concepts, and to network with possible partners in order to be more equipped and motivated in forming the minds of the youth and give them the needed support to prepare them for work.

"It's important for tech-voc students to find out what their life would be like while in training, but equally important is having an idea of what it will be like after they graduate," Villanueva said. 

The career advocacy congress was jointly organized by the Department of Labor and Employment, TESDA, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Professional Regulation Commission and Department of Science and Technology. (TESDA/PIA-Caraga)


Tandag City Chamber all set for 19th Caraga Bizcon

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, June 23 (PIA) – Being the host, Tandag City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (TCCII) is just awaiting for the 19th Caraga Business Conference to take place at Villa Maria Luisa Hotel, this city, on June 27.

In coordination with the provincial government of Surigao del Sur, the Provincial Micro-Small and Medium Enterprise Development (PMSMED) Council, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), TCCII president Emma Guerra said that everything is set; the program of activities has already been finalized.

With the theme, “Gearing Up for the 2015 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Integration,” it was learned that the one-day affair will be spent mostly on the discussions of relevant topics by business luminaries and concerned authorities.

These are matters specifically concerning the Prospects and Challenges of ASEAN Integration in 2015 and Its Implications; Championing Social Entrepreneurship via Developing Innovative Solutions to Major Social Issues; Franchising and All Its Attendant Benefits; Promoting Green Economic Development; Trends in Renewable Energy Technology; Philippine Cold Chain Project; Biomass Power Generation; Credit Surety Fund- Sustaining Economic Growth through Increased Credit Flows; Financing Agri-Tourism in Relation to 2015 ASEAN Integration; and SME Lending Program.

However, ancillary activities like Trade Fair; Chamber Presidents’ Meeting; Dinner and Socials; City Tour; and Enchanted River/Tinuy-an Falls Tour also form part of the package, Guerra added.

Meanwhile, she clarified that Roberto Amores, Board of Director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), who is in charge of agriculture, will grace the affair to give a keynote speech. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


SurSur CSC claims granting BOE

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, June 23 (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) field office in Surigao del Sur has confirmed the granting of Barangay Official Eligibility (BOE).

Provincial Director Ruth Beniga even handed out the CSC official guidelines together with all the documentary requirements as to how such eligibility can be obtained to support her claim. 

She clarified that effective August 1, 2012, BOE has been “granted to barangay officials based strictly on completion of term of office,” quoting CSC Resolution No. 1200865, promulgated on June 14, 2012 and circularized through CSC Memorandum Circular No. 13, s. 2012 dated August 2, 2012. 

Covered under such promulgation are both elective and appointive barangay officials whose respective term of office falls under the specified period by prevailing law.

Elective barangay officials refer to Punong Barangays/Barangay Captains, regular Sangguniang Barangay Members, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairmen.

On the other hand, the appointive barangay officials are the Barangay Treasurers and Barangay Secretaries whose appointment came from the duly elected Punong Barangay.

Meanwhile, the period of filing of application for the grant of BOE depends on the term of office as classified:  for elective and appointive barangay officials who have completed their term of office before August 1, 2012 shall be within two years from the said date, or until August 1, 2014; and for elective and appointive barangay officials who complete their term of office on or after August 1, 2012 shall be continuous. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Application for JENESYS 2.0 Disaster Prevention Course is now open

MANILA, June 23 - The Japanese Government, through the Japan Overseas Cooperative Agency (JOCA) and the Japan Information and Cultural Center (JICC) of the Japanese Embassy in Manila, and in partnership with the National Youth Commission (NYC), is implementing the Japan-East Asia Network of Students and Youth Program 2.0 (JENESYS 2.0: Disaster Prevention Course) for the year 2014.

The program will be held on September 20 to October 8, 2014. It aims to increase potential interest in Japan, especially in Disaster Management and Prevention, using the branding COOL JAPAN, and to further deepen mutual understanding between the youth of Japan and the ASEAN-Oceanian region. The JENESYS 2.0 Disaster Prevention Course will be held on September 20 – October 8, 2014.

NYC will be sending 35 youth delegates and two supervisors to the program.

For more information on qualification, requirements, expenses, application guidelines, downloadable application forms and other inquiries, please visit www.nyc.gov.ph or the NYC Northeastern Mindanao Area Office at 3/F Solid Building, Velez-Mabini Streets, Cagayan de Oro City. You may also contact NYC at (088) 8575895 for more information and look for Evanesa Pasamba, Salma Jayne Tamano or Rizza Malou Vicente. (NYC/PIA-Caraga)


DSWD provides permanent residence to 60 calamity-displaced families in Bislig City

By Eunice G. Montaos

BISLIG CITY, June 23 (PIA) - Sixty core shelter units were turned-over recently by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga to family beneficiaries in Purok 12, Mancarogo, Poblacion, this city.

The project, which costs P70,000 each or P4.2M in toto, provides permanent and resilient shelters to the residents who were displaced from natural disasters and man-made calamities, especially those who have no capacity to build their own units.

According to DSWD Caraga regional director Minda Brigoli who personally turned-over the project to recipients, these units are built through the Department’s Core Shelter Assistance Program (CSAP) which aims to provide structurally strong shelters that can withstand 180-220 kph wind velocity.

“CSAP aims to reduce the number of homeless families every year by providing structurally resilient shelters, to maximize participation and draw commitment of the beneficiaries and the neighborhood , and to develop and promote the value of self-reliance among the beneficiaries, as well as the community,” said Brigoli.

She also disclosed that these turned-over shelters are only initial ones since from the P14M grant from DSWD, 200 units are expected to be built, from which 60 are fully completed with light and water connections as to date.

Also, Brigoli promised to extend further assistance to the family beneficiaries who are also members of the Bislig City Neighborhood Association for Shelter Assistance (BCNASA), especially in the aspect of livelihood since the department is geared towards a goal of helping the grassroots and vulnerable sector to raise from the survival stage into self-sufficient level.

The regional director spearheaded the distribution of certificate of occupancy to the beneficiaries.

City Mayor Librado Navarro, in his message, mentioned that the city government has provided counterpart for the lot site worth P3M, and the embankment of the site worth P7.5M.

“We are so grateful to the national government, most especially to DSWD, for this help extended to the city of Bislig,” expressed Librado.

He encouraged and challenged the beneficiaries to be vigilant and responsible to their own houses as this act will simply manifest their gratitude to the Government for providing them one of the basic needs of every individual which is shelter.

For this, BCNASA president Samuel Tabugon extended his appreciation and gratitude to DSWD, and provincial/city/barangay local government units (P/C/BLGUs) for implementing the much needed shelters for their families.

“We may have faced disasters that claimed our previous houses, but I thank the government for helping us start anew,” said Tabugon.

He disclosed that the water connection from the main line is the counterpart of the BCNASA families.

The beneficiaries were able to avail the Libreng Pa-ilaw ni P’Noy program through the Surigao del Sur Electric Cooperative (SURSECO).

In attendance also during the turn-over ceremony were 2nd district congressman Florencio Garay ably represented by Vic Buyser, Surigao del Sur governor Johnny Pimentel represented by Jun Sayawan, Vice Mayor Jonas Cacayan, City councilor Ricky Sayawan, City social welfare and development officer Letecia Yu with her staff, some unit heads of the CLGU, Poblacion punong barangay Apolio C. Alvar with the councilors, and family beneficiaries. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Presyo ng pagkain inaasahang magiging normal, sabi ng Malakanyang

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Hunyo 23 (PIA) - Sinabi ng Malakanyang noong Linggo na ang presyo ng pagkain ay inaasahang maging matatag dahil ang mga dahilan ng pagtaas nito ay nagsimulang maging normal.

Sa isang panayam sa dzRB Radyo ng Bayan, sinabi ni Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. na ang pagpupulong na ginawa ng National Price Coordinating Council (NPCC) noong nakaraang lingo ay naglahad ng mga dahilan ng pagtaas ng mga presyo ng asukal, kane ng baboy, manok, bawang at iba pang pangunahing pagkain.

Sinabi ni Coloma na noong nagpulong ang Sugar Regulatory Administration, iniulat nito na ang presyo ng asukal ay tumaas hanggang P52 bawat kilo, pero pagkatapos na nagsimula ang ahensiyang magmatyag, bumaba na ito ngayon sa P49 at naglabas sila ng minumungkahing presyo na P50 bawat kilo.

Ang mga magbababoy ay nag-ulat din na may mga kaso ng Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) sa bansa na nakaapekto ng mga biik, pero sinabing ang kaso ng PED ay kontrolado na sa ngayon dahil sa mga bakunang ibinigay at ang presyo ay magiging mabuti.

“Nag-request po ang mga hog raisers na huwag namang masyadong pababaan ang mga presyo para naman ma-recover din nila ‘yung kanilang mga losses. So sinusubaybayan po ito,” sabi ni Coloma.

Iniulat ng mga poultry raisers na ang mataas na temperatura noong nakaraang tag-init ay nakaapekto sa paglaki ng mga manok na ang naging resulta ay ang pagtaas ng presyo mula P130 hanggang P140 bawat kilo.

“Ibig sabihin mababa ang kanilang timbang kaya ito po ang isa sa mga sanhi ng temporary shortage. Pero nag-i-improve na rin po ang supply situation at sa kasalukuyan ang umiiral ay 90 porsyento locally supplied chickens ang ating ginagamit,” paliwanag ni Coloma.

Sa parte ng Department of Agriculture (DA), iniulat nito na tumaas ang presyo ng bawang dahil kumukuha tayo ng imported na bawang sa ibang bansa. Sinabi ni Coloma na para labanan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bawang, ang naturang ahensiya ay naglabas ng mga rolling store sa palibot ng Metro Manila na nagbebenta ng bawang sa halagang P100 hanggang P200 bawat kilo depende sa laki.

Sineguro ni Coloma sa publiko na ang pamahalaan ay nagmamatyag ng lahat, kasama na ang iba pang dahilan na nakakaaapekto sa mga presyo.

“Isa po sa mga factor din na tinitingnan ay ‘yung epekto ng truck ban. Pero tinitingnan po kung paano kaagad ito mareremedyohan dahil hindi naman dapat ito maging sanhi ng pagtaas ng presyo. Kaya sa kabuuan ay masinsing tinututukan ng pamahalaan ang galaw ng supply at presyo sa lahat ng mga pangunahing food items,” puna ng Communications Secretary. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)