(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 04 November 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern sections of Luzon and Visayas. 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—‘: Light to Moderate winds coming from Northeast to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Thursday, July 3, 2014

NGCP confident to counter climate change

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, July 3 (PIA) – “It is not an issue meant to be solved only by the powers that be, but rather a matter to be dealt with by the entirety of human race. It’s a responsibility of all and sundry to help and advocate on climate change (CC) mitigation and daptaton,” firmly stated by National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) District-4 Mindanao Operations and Maintenance head Camilo Gamolo.

The NGCP has demonstrated support for being the first institution to display the required CC tarpaulins imprinted with thematic brand logo, “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para Magbago” in Butuan City. This is in adherence to the call of the national government to intensify the campaign on Climate Change mitigation and adaptation.

The three huge tarps were spread out in conspicuous walls outside their establishment to catch extra attention to the public. This concrete action is just part of the significant strategies to popularize the ‘new normal’ of climate change.   

The high branding presence and visibility of this material is directed towards community awareness and active cooperation for individual’s own protection.

Gamolo said, ”the challenge of climate change to the human race is to redeem ourselves as a breed capable of paramount changes to correct what we have authored upon ourselves.”

He meant real transformation from being complacent to being pro-active, resilient and responsive to the factors affecting the environment including the threats brought by climate change.

Meanwhile, Philippine Information Agency Caraga regional director Abner Caga expressed that “building resiliency is everyone’s concern and as individual stakeholders, therefore, each is encouraged to contribute in any manner to hype responsiveness on climate change challenge.” (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Data sharing of gov’t & partner agencies on Listahanan requires MOA, says DSWD-Caraga

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 3 (PIA) – During the Consultation Dialogue on the Listahanan or National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga with partners from the regional line agencies, non-government organizations, civil society organizations and academe on Thursday in one of the local convention centers here, DSWD emphasized that data sharing on Listahanan by its partners requires execution of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

Dante Rosales, regional focal person of DSWD-Caraga's Listahanan explained that the Listahanan's data is protected under a MOA which ensures that the data will be used only for its intended purpose.

"This is also in consonance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, which is intended to protect the integrity and security of personal data in both the private and public sectors," said Rosales.

Rosales further clarified that the data sharing agreement stipulates that the data user must integrate Listahanan in all its social marketing activities – highlighting or emphasizing the use of the targeting system in identifying beneficiaries of its social protection programs and projects.

“Data user must also provide regular feedback on the data utilization and resolution on complaints regarding beneficiary eligibility and ensure the confidentiality and use of requested data only for purposes agreed upon,” Rosales added.

Meanwhile, Christopher Saavedra, regional information technology officer of DSWD-Caraga reiterated that "information such as statistics and magnitude can be obtained through official data requests. However, a MOA is required if the information being requested includes the names of family or household members."

Listahanan is an information management system that identifies who and where the poor are nationwide. The system makes available to national government agencies and other social protection stakeholders a socio-economic database of poor households as basis in identifying potential beneficiaries of social protection programs & services.

The DSWD's Listahanan data and statistics can also be accessed at the Listahanan website - http://listahanan.dswd.gov.ph. From the home page, click the "Statistics" tab and log in as a guest (instructions provided on the page). Users may view data down to the barangay level. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


PIA Caraga participates in this year’s NSED

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 3 (PIA) – The personnel of Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga headed by regional director Abner M. Caga participated in this year’s conduct of the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on Wednesday at their regional office.

“As we advocate for Climate Change adaptation and mitigation, we also aimed to be disaster-resilient government workers. We value this kind of activity especially that disaster in any form can be inevitable. That’s why we go hand-in-hand with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on our ongoing campaign for a disaster-resilient communities here in our region,” stressed Caga.

Caga reiterated that the annual observance is pursuant to Executive Order No. 137 dated August 10,1999 which provides an opportunity to promote public awareness on DRRM to all stakeholders.

For this year, the RDRRMC Caraga has identified Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as the host municipality where the ceremonial sites for the said drill will be done in all schools in the Poblacion area.

Caga further relayed that the drill will also gauge the efficiency of the warning dissemination and the response of the provincial/city and municipal DRRM councils and the local government units, as well as the level of preparedness of schools, hospitals, and surrounding communities if an actual earthquake takes place.

This year’s NSED is anchored on the theme, “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran.” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Youth sector leaders’ training, strategic planning workshop set in Butuan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 3 (PIA) – Following the suspension of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Election, the youth sector leaders from the different barangays here will participate in the training and strategic planning workshop on July 8, 2014 at Imadejas Convention Center, this city.

“This is in response to Republic Act No. 10632 otherwise known as An Act To Postpone The Sangguniang Kabataan Elections On October 28, 2013, Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No. 9340, And For Other Purposes, and its implementing rules and regulations, and as a support to the 86 barangays of Butuan City on the said SK election to be conducted on or before February 23, 2015,” bared Agnes Carlos, Community Affairs Officer of the city government’s Public Affairs, Information and Assistance Division (PAIAD).

Carlos further said that during the training, the participating youth leaders will discuss the types of leadership, art and the culture of leadership.

“Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. will tackle the ‘Vision 2020 and the Youth’; Vice Mayor Angelo Calo will share the ‘Youth as the Farmers of Tomorrow’; SP Samuel Allan Amante will discuss ‘Youth and the Local Tourism Industry’; SP Rema Burdeos on ‘Youth and the Duties and Responsibilities of the Family’; and SP Nestor Amora on ‘Youth and the Barangay Affairs,” added Carlos.

Along with the mentioned topics, participants will also identify issues and concerns of the youth in the city which need to be addressed.

It was also learned that they are expected to complete its Action Plan for 2015. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) 


Disaster consciousness month celebration in Caraga kicks off in Hinatuan town

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

HINATUAN, Surigao del Sur, July 3 (PIA) - The local government here was chosen among the 70 municipalities in Caraga Region to lead the kick off celebration of the National Disaster Consciousness Month from July 1 to 31.

In a simple ceremony held Wednesday at Hinatuan gym, Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel, chair of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said that is very much appropriate that the kick-off celebration will be held here because the town was already a winner of the Gawad KALASAG in 2013.

"Aside from being a national Gawad KALASAG awardee last year, this town is also role model in disaster preparedness in the entire province," Pimentel said.

The opening ceremony was graced by Hinatuan mayor Candelario Viola and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) Caraga regional director Liza Mazo, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga, Provincial DRRM officer Abel de Guzman, and some local officials.

Meanwhile, the local DRRM council of Hinatuan conducted various activities as part of the kick-off celebration such as the Fire Drill and Fire Olympics; Simultaneous Earthquake Drill in different schools; observance of Earth Hour, Rescue Exhibition with different scenarios and symposium on Disaster Risk Reduction Management-Climate Change Adaptation (DRRM-CCA). (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Mindanao town seals cacao deal with Kennemer Foods International

DAVAO CITY, July 3 (PIA) - A production and trading agreement aimed to integrate and scale-up cacao production in Mindanao was sealed here recently between the local government of Marihatag in Surigao del Sur and the Kennemer Foods International (KFI).

Marihatag Mayor Alan Pelenio and KFI President Simon Bakker led the signing of agreement at the Seda Abreeza Hotel, which will initiate the massive planting of four million cacao trees in the town’s 5,000 hectare pilot site.

KFI is a major supplier of US-based Mars chocolate and specializes in growing and trading high-quality agricultural crops including fermented cacao beans.

“We are more than excited about our partnership with KFI and we’re optimistic that the people of Marihatag will enjoy long-term benefits from this initiative particularly that the project will be managed by our people organizations (POs),” said Pelenio.

He added that the local government plans to integrate cacao with its existing coconut plantations since “cacao is best suited to be inter-cropped with coconut trees.”

Pelenio said that part of the agreement with KFI is the capacity building of its POs since these organizations will be trained on the latest cacao production technologies to ensure the project’s success.

The initial planting of the cacao trees commenced on Friday in which 1,600 trees were planted in the town’s 2-hectare demo farm.  The event was participated in by officials and staff of the Marihatag Local Government Unit (LGU), local chief executives of the province of Surigao del Sur, staff members of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and farmers in the area.

“A P600,000 worth of cacao seedlings, or 30,000 trees will be planted next week,” said Pelenio while adding “we will be spending P50,000.00 per hectare for land preparation and eventual harvesting since it would take at least 18 months for cacao trees to mature and bear fruits.”

An estimated annual gross income of P180,000.00 per hectare is projected to be generated from the project which is expected to generate more than 500 jobs.

“Aside from providing us with technical support, KFI is the assured market for our produce,” he said.

MinDA Chair Luwalhati Antonino, who witnessed the agreement signing encouraged local chief executives in the island-region to grow chocolate-producing cacao, of which its demand is currently seeing a spike in the global market.

“Chocolate is a multi-billion dollar industry and Mindanao has vast tracts of land suitable for cacao,” she said while adding “Mindanao strives to become the country’s leader in cacao production.”

Mindanao’s effort to scale-up its cacao production is part of the ongoing initiatives of MinDA’s “Inclusive Growth Program,” which seeks to facilitate investments that result in jobs and community empowerment, such as agribusiness projects where communities become integral to the supply chain.

The initiative is also part of the Barangay StraTREEgic Forest Program (BSFP), a project of MinDA’s MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program, which supports the National Greening Program (NGP) that aims to plant 1.5 billion trees covering 1.5 million hectares across the country from 2011 to 2016. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)


2014 Nutrition Month celebration activities in SurSur bared

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, July 3 (PIA) – Provincial Nutrition Officer Ermelinda Ascares bared the month-long activities for the 2014 Nutrition Month celebration in Surigao del Sur.

While the hanging of streamers by all local government units (LGUs) and concerned state agencies was set on June 30, the opening salvo marked by a parade will be done in Tandag City on July 10, she admitted.

With the theme “Kalamidad Paghandaan:  Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan,” Ascarez said that the major activities include provision of nutripak; advocacy on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E); poster-making contest; seaweeds cooking-demo; backyard/community gardening; and Provincial Nutrition culmination/awarding ceremony. 

In addition, she also announced that there are city and municipal LGU-initiated activities to mark the month-long event. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Mining company in Caraga upholds human development
        
BUTUAN CITY, July 3 (PIA) - A mining company in Caraga Region is giving priority to develop human resources by providing education and trainings especially to out-of-school youths.

In a recent interview with Engr. Ranulfo S. Aquino, Administrative Manager of Hinatuan Mining Corporation in Brgy. Hinatuan, Taganaan, Surigao del Norte, he said as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the company, they are investing on the human capital as they believe that this is the only way where the local residents in Taganaan will be empowered as well as in sustaining the economic aspect of the locality.

Aquino said majority of the local residents from the different barangays of Taganaan who have benefited the education and training programs sponsored by the company are out-of-school youths.

“Specifically, since 2011, we have regularly supported trainees of Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),” he said.

The official added to date, there are already 253 trainees of ALS who have graduated and the eldest of these trainees aged over 60 years old. “This shows that the Hinatuan Mining Company doesn’t mind age, as long as they can read and write,” Aquino said.

Aquino said that with the ALS, the company together with the local government unit of Taganaan made sure that the curriculum set by DepEd was followed, while Hinatuan Mining Corporation is regularly giving honorarium to teachers.

Meanwhile, in as far as technical-vocational is concerned, Aquino said scholarship programs were given to residents in Barangay Talavera, one of the island barangays of Hinatuan.

According to Aquino, 63 youths are currently undergoing different trainings with TESDA through the agency’s Surigao del Norte Provincial Office. He added the company is not only aiming that these trainees will finish the training but as well as to inculcate in their minds the importance of values formation “for we believe that success is a product of hard work and good values,” Aquino said.

Aside from the free tuition, miscellaneous fees, board and lodging and book allowance, Aquino said the beneficiaries were also provided with passport assistance. He explained that since some of the tech-voc programs are intended for works that are required abroad such as the shipping industry, they have already prepared the trainees for their future employment abroad.

Aquino added that among the skilled works needed in the shipping industry and in abroad is welding where the trainees should undergo assessment not only from TESDA to obtain a National Certificate, but as well as international certifying body such as the American Standard. “To obtain this, we send them to Davao through the Korean-Philippine Training Center for the certification,” he said.

After receiving the American Standard Certification from Kor-Phil Training Center, Aquino said the trainees will be sent to Keppel Batangas for their On-the-Job Training. “Afterwhich, because of the rigid training they’re into, they will now be ready for any employment opportunities both here and abroad,” Aquino said.

The official likewise said that to date, around 20 scholars from Brgy. Talavera and the neighboring barangays of San Jose, Kampandan, Silang, and even as far as South Dinagat are in Laguna under the Panasonic company in Sta. Rosa to undergo a 10-month OJT in the field of welding and consumer electronics.

With the regular assistance that Hinatuan Mining Company is offering to the community in the municipality of Taganaan, Aquino said may this serve as a key to eventually change their lives towards economic development which is one of the agenda of the national government. (TESDA-13/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: DSWD, JICA pinag-ibayo ang paghahanda laban sa sakuna sa Pilipinas

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Hulyo 3 (PIA) - Sa pagsisikap na mapaghandaan ng bansa na matugunan ang epekto ng pag-iba ng klima, ang National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), sa pamamagitan ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of Civil Defense, at ng  Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), ay nagpalabas ng Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Capacity Enhancement Project (DRRM-CEP).

Isa sa mga konkretong nagawa ng kooperasyon ay ang pormulasyon ng National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) na nagpapatupad ng isyu na nangangailangan ng napapanahon, mabisa at koordinadong pagtugon sa mga sakuna o kalamidad sa lahat ng antas ng pamahalaan.

Ang DRRM-CEP, na sinusuportahan ng pambansang plano para sa mga sakuna, ay gagamitin sa panahon ng buhawi o ulang munson.

Si DSWD Undersecretary Parisya Hashim-Taradji ay nakatanggap ng plano ng DRRM-CEP mula kay JICA Project Formulation Advisor Hayato Nakamura noong sila ay nagsagawa ng pagpataas ng bandela sa DSWD noong Lunes sa Batasan Hills, Lunsod ng Quezon.

Ang DRRM-CEP kung saan sinimulang balangkasin noong Marso 2012, ay naglalayon na tulungan ang DSWD na pormulahin ay kanyang sariling plano para sa pagtugon sa mga sakuna, polisiya, protocol sa makataong pagtugon, kasama na ang pagsasanay sa mga nakasalalay.

Si Usec Taradji ay nagpadala ng kanyang pasasalamat sa JICA sa kanilang patuloy na suporta at ambag lalo na sa panahong may sakuna.

“Ang pagkakaisa ng DSWD at JICA ay lumalakas sa pagdaan ng mga taon. Pinahalagahan namin ang inyong pangako at suporta sa programa ng pamamahala sa panahon ng panganib sa pamamagitan ng pamamahagi ng karunungan,” sabi ni Usec Taradji.

Sa mahigit 40 na taon, ang JICA ang siyang palaging nagpapadala ng pundo at mga eksperto para tumulong sa pagbawas ng panganib at sakuna ng bansa.

“Sa pagiging matagal ng kasama ng DSWD, ikinagagalak naming ibahagi itong plano ng DRMM-CEP. Inaasahan naming na ang komprehensibong planong ito ay magsilbing patnubay ng DSWD as lahat ng proseso ng pamamahala ng mga sakuna,” sabi ni Nakamura.

Binigyang diin din ni Nakamura na ang pagkontrol ng natural na peligro ay totoong imposible pero ang pagpalakas ng kapasidad sa pagtugon ay siyang pinaka-epektibong paraan para pangasiwaan at mabawasan ang risgo ng sakuna.

Ang seremonyang ginanap ay kasama sa pagdiriwang ng buwan ng National Disaster Consciousness sa buwan ng Hulyo at may temang “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Lathalain: Madahon at berdeng gulay, ang wonder gulay

MANILA, Hulyo 3 (PIA) - Alam nyo ba na ang mga berde at madahong gulay ay mayaman sa sustansiya at micronutrients?  Ang micronutrients ay mga bitamina at mineral na kailangan ng katawan sa kaunting dami lamang upang mapanatili ang mga iba’t ibang proseso sa loob ng ating katawan.

Halimbawa ng madahon at berdeng gulay ay mga dahon ng malunggay, ampalaya at sili.  Kasama na rin dito ang mga talbos ng kangkong, kamote, sayote at kalabasa.  Ang repolyo, letsugas, cauliflower at broccoli ay kabilang din sa grupong ito.

Ang madahong gulay ay may bitamina A  na nagbibigay proteksyon sa sakit at tumutulong sa pagpapalinaw ng mata.  Ang mga ito ay may B-vitamins din na nagbibigay enerhiya at lakas.  Ito rin ay tumutulong sa muscular at nerve function ng ating katawan.  Ang vitamin C na taglay ng mga gulay na ito ay tumutulong sa pagpapaigting ng resistensiya, pagpapatibay ng mga cells at pag-absorb ng iron.

Nagdudulot din ang mga berde at madahong gulay ng mga mineral tulad ng iron at calcium. Ang calcium ay kailangan para sa pagbuo at pagpapatibay ng buto.  Ang iron naman ay tumutulong sa pagbuo ng pula ng dugo na mahalaga upang hindi maging anemic ang isang indibidwal.

Ang mga madahong gulay ay isa ring mahalagang pinagkukuhanan ng fiber o hibla.  Ang fiber ang nagsisilbing tagapag-walis at tumutulong maglinis ng ating digestive system.

Ayon sa Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos, ine-enganyo ang pagkain ng mas maraming gulay at prutas para maiwasan ang micronutrient deficiencies.  Ayon sa surbey ng FNRI noong taong 2008, natukoy na karamihan sa mga Filipino ay di kumakain ng sapat na gulay at prutas na mayaman sa vitamin C.

Isinusulong ang pagkonsumo ng tatlong dulot o servings ng madahong gulay sa loob ng isang araw.  Ang kalahating tasang lutong gulay ay katumbas ng isang dulot.

Ang impormasyon na ito ay hatid ng Food and Nutrition Research Institute ng Department of Science and Technology o FNRI-DOST. Para sa karadagdagan impormasyon at kaalaman sa pagkain at nutrisyon sumulat o tumawag kay: Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director ng FNRI- DOST. General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City o sa kanyang E-mail address: mcv@fnri.dost.gov.ph o sa telepono bilang 8-3-7-2-9-3-4 and 8-2-7-3-1-6-4, Maari ring bisitahin ang aming website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.  (FNRI S & T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Surigao City DRRMC mipahigayon og simultaneous earthquake drill

SURIGAO CITY, Hulyo 3 (PIA) – Ang City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) mipahigayon og usa ka simultaneous earthquake drill sa mga napiling pampublikong eskuylahan sa syudad kahagapon, Hulyo 2, 2014.

Ang maong kalihukan gipahigayon subay sa pagselebrar sa National Disaster Consciousness Month karong bulan sa Hulyo.

Tumong ug tinguha sa maong kalihukan ang pag-establisar og mga miyembro sa CDRRMC nga may kahibalo ug katakos nga mohimo sa ilang mga responsibilidad isip usa ka commander, responders ug evaluators adesir ug panahon nga mutumaw ang usa ka kalamidad lakip usab ang angay nga buhaton human mutumaw ang kalamidad.

Ang maong simultaneous earthquake drill gihimo isip parte sa mga nakahan-ay pang mga kalihukan nga gitawag og “SURIGAO SHAKEDOWN” ning bulan sa Hunyo. (SDR/MICO-Surigao City/PIA-Surigao del Norte)