(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 11 November 2024) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Typhoon "NIKA" {TORAJI} was estimated based on all available data at 120 km East Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora (15.9°N, 123.2°E) with maximum sustained winds of 120 km/h and gustiness of up to 150 km/h. It is moving West Northwestward at 20 km/h. TROPICAL CYCLONE OUTSIDE PAR AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY SEVERE TROPICAL STORM YINXING (2422) (FORMERLY "MARCE") LOCATION: 880 KM WEST OF NORTHERN LUZON (18.5°N, 112.2°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 110 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 135 KM/H MOVEMENT: SOUTHWESTWARD AT 15 KM/H TROPICAL STORM MAN-YI (2424) LOCATION: 3,555 KM EAST OF CENTRAL LUZON (15.2°N, 154.8°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 85 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 105 KM/H MOVEMENT: EASTWARD SLOWLY TROPICAL DEPRESSION LOCATION: 1,685 KM EAST OF EASTERN VISAYAS (11.4°N, 141.2°E) MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 45 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 55 KM/H MOVEMENT: WEST NORTHWESTWARD AT 35 KM/H 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.


Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Duty-bearers, private sector join hands for this year’s Arbor Day celeb

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, June 18 (PIA) – In time with this year’s Philippine Arbor Day celebration, the government officials and employees who serve as duty-bearers, together with the private sector will join hands for the tree planting activity set on June 25, 2014 at the Bood Promontory Eco-Park in Barangay Pinamaculan, this city.

“The Proclamation No. 643 amending Proclamation No. 396 dated June 2, 2003, enjoins the active participation of all government agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations, private sector, schools, civil society and citizenry in the tree planting activity on June 25, in celebration of this year’s Philippine Arbor Day,” recalled DENR Caraga regional director Nonito Tamayo.

Tamayo added that this activity is in coordination with the local government of Butuan, as it aspires to become the “Premier Forest City” by 2020.

“Our assembly time is 5:00 a.m. at the Sports Complex in Barangay Libertad while the tree planting activity will start at 6:00 a.m to 8:30 a.m. Afterwards, a short program will follow at the same venue,” Tamayo bared.

Also, during the program, Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. of Butuan is expected to deliver his message.

Meanwhile, said activity will culminate with a community singing by all the participating agencies and companies.

“Protecting and taking care of our environment is tantamount to saving our lives.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Gates commends PHL Supreme Court for upholding RH Law

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, June 18 (PIA) – Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the wife of Bill Gates, Melinda Gates congratulates the Philippine Supreme Court for upholding the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law.

“The passage and enactment of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law is a testament to your courage and to your unwavering support and commitment to women's health and empowerment,” Gates quoted in her letter to President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Gates said that through the law and the sustained efforts of the national and local Filipino governments, women's reproductive health needs will now be met with available, accessible, voluntary, and quality reproductive health care services.

Gates also expressed the deep commitment of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in ensuring women and girls in the world’s poorest countries to have access to quality reproductive health information, services, and supplies that are consistent with their beliefs and culture. “We are proud to stand in support of your government’s continued efforts on this issue,” she said.

“This law has the broad support of the Filipino people,” Gates said. It is critical to broadening and strengthening reproductive health programs to reduce maternal and infant deaths, and can improve adolescent health in the Philippines, she added. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


PopCom, partners define goals for population

By May Ann O. Escobal

BUTUAN CITY, June 18 (PIA) - A more concerted approach to the implementation of the Philippine Population Management Program has been reached during Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB) Meeting and Regional Population Management Conference (RPMC) held very recently, this city.

Commission on Population (PopCom) Caraga regional diector Alexander A. Makinano discussed the Supreme Court’s Decision on RH Law or otherwise known as Republic Act 10354 of 2012 for further understanding of its ruling and awareness of the said law. He also discussed and emphasized the interrelationships of Population, Health and Environment for these have something to do with the development, health and empowerment of people and communities, and ecosystem conservation.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Population Management Program-Directional Plan (2011-2016) and PPMP’s Monitoring and Evaluation System were thoroughly discussed by four staff from PopCom Central Office.

Other relevant discussions were focused on the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) Preliminary Findings on the Fertility Rate and Family Planning; History of Hormonal Contraceptives and the Implant Method; Supplemental Guidelines of the POPDEV Integration, AHYD and RP-FP programs; and the presentation of the DOH on Wheels: KP Roadshow program of activities.

The gathering was facilitated by the PopCom Caraga and was attended by the Provincial/City Population Officers, Deputy/District Population Officers and Partner Agencies of Caraga Region. (PopCom-13/PIA-Caraga)


MinDA chair eyes SurSur as 'future' tourism hub

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, June 18 (PIA) – Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Luwalhati Antonino has seen Surigao del Sur as the “future” tourism hub of Mindanao, especially in Caraga region.

Speaking before a jam packed crowd during the opening program of the 54th Araw Ng Surigao del Sur celebration held at Tandag City Gymnasium Tuesday morning, she said that there are still “a lot more to be discovered” in the province, apparently referring to tourist spots.

Antonino, who was the guest of honor and speaker for the occasion, taking the place of DILG Sec. Mar Roxas, whose trip was suddenly cancelled due to reasons Governor Johnny Pimentel did not bare, made mention of the more familiar places in the province being frequented by visitors—Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City, Enchanted River in Hinatuan, and Britannia Islands in San Agustin.

The MinDa chair, who admitted to have gone to the province for the third time, vowed to pour in more funding support for Surigao del Sur.

Specifically, she asked “asap” for the comprehensive plan of the Enchanted River, adding that restaurants and other facilities can be put up like parking area.

Aside from putting premium on tourism matters, she also shared her insights on agriculture, energy generation, and infrastructure.

In the agriculture sector, Antonino urged farmers to use “intercropping” in coconut plantations by growing coffee and cacao to increase their income.

On energy development, she assured that by 2016, Mindanao will be “better off” than any region in the country as this year the power supply problem is being addressed to; and that, accordingly,  in 2015, excess power can already be attained.

Citing the importance of highways, secondary roads, and lateral ones, Antonio stressed that “soon Mindanao will have a complete road network,” since she is working hand in hand with DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Antonino, who is also the board chair of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), said earlier that Mindanao is now truly becoming the “Land of Promise.” (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)