(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


Monday, August 4, 2014

Habitat Butuan builds disaster-resilient houses in Hinatuan villages

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) – The Butuan Habitat for Humanity Incorporated (BHFHI) started the construction of disaster-resilient houses worth P91,000.00 per building in the barangays of Loyola and Talisay in the municipality of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

According to Engr. Heddy Sumalpong, Butuan Habitat vice president and chairperson on construction committee, and the one handling the special projects of Habitat, a total target of 280 houses will soon be completed in the aforementioned barangays.

“Butuan Habitat has started the construction of 280 posts/walls in the said barangays where the houses will be built. We have partnered with San Miguel Corporation who never hesitated to provide us the funding for the 170 houses. And in close coordination also with the municipal government of Hinatuan through Mayor Candelario Viola Jr., the 280 houses will soon be completed. Later on, the 280 houses will be turned-over to the beneficiaries,” bared Sumalpong.

Said official also revealed that the beneficiaries of said houses are Typhoon Sendong victims. “There are still many of them who needs shelter after being hit by Sendong in 2011, that’s why we started looking for donors in 2012 and we are so fortunate to have San Miguel Corporation for this humanitarian effort. Their contribution to this project really means a lot. Mayor Viola also expressed his commitment to help us finish the project since it will be built in the barangays of his municipality,” she articulated.

Sumalpong also emphasized that these houses are disaster-resilient in such a way that the houses are structurally made that lessens wind pressure during typhoons and decreases the risk of structural destruction over time.

“Butuan Habitat does not only provide decent but also disaster-resilient houses to protect the family-beneficiaries,” she added.

Habitat will also intensify disaster preparedness in this community thru conducting trainings in coordination with the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and government agencies concerned.

The BHFHI is a non-government organization working on a mission to provide decent and durable shelters and has built more than a thousand houses in Caraga region and is currently helping the disaster-affected families by helping them establish a new home to live in. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


RDC-Caraga opens photo, jingle-making competition

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, August 4 (PIA) – The Regional Development Council (RDC) - Caraga in partnership with the GIZ-German Agency for International Cooperation is now accepting entries for the photography and jingle-making competitions bearing the theme, “Be the Agent of Change,” as one of the many strategies of communicating the Revised Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2013-2016.

The photo competition is open to all hobbyists, novices and professionals. Winning prize category will be P2,000 for the third prize, P3,000-second prize, and P4,000-first prize and the most liked photo.

On the other hand, amateur and professional songwriters, whether group or individual, are also encouraged to join the jingle-making challenge with P15,000 at stake for the first prize winner, P10,000 and P5,000 also for the first prize winners, respectively.

The contest secretariat will accept song entries of not more than 60 seconds in length. Original photos and song competition must be submitted at the Natonal Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) – Caraga regional office located at Nimfa Tiu Bldg., J. Rosales Avenue, this City.

Submission of entries is from August 5 to 31, 2014.

For more details and mechanics of the competition, you may visit caraga.neda.gov.ph/caraga or call at telephone numbers 085-341-4195 or 342-5774-local 18 or 19. (VLG/PIA- Caraga)


2,983 dengue cases recorded in Caraga region

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, AUG. 4 (PIA) – The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga region has recorded a total of 2,983 dengue cases in the region.

The RESU 30th Morbidity Week report covering July 20 to 26 states that the dengue cases reported were admitted to different disease reporting units region wide from January 1 to July 26, 2014.

The report has recorded and noted a seven percent higher compared to same time period of last year with 2,016 cases.

Also, RESU reported a clustering of cases at Barangays of Poblacion, Tabon and Mangagoy in Bislig City; Barangay Bunyasan in  Malimono and Barangays Ipil and Magsaysay in Placer, Surigao del Norte; and Barangay Cagniog in Surigao City. The clustering cases are defined as having more than two or more cases in a particular area of the date and time.

The following is the distribution of suspect Dengue cases by province and city arranged from highest to lowest number of cases: Agusan del Sur – 729; Butuan City – 725; Surigao del Sur – 330; Surigao del Norte – 249; Agusan del Norte – 213; Bayugan City – 182; Surigao City – 179; Bislig City 155; Cabadbaran City – 106; Tandag City – 100; and Dinagat Islands with 15 cases.

RESU also recorded ages of cases ranged from less than one month old to 90 years old. The distribution of cases is greater among Males which is 51% than Females that is 49%. The report also shows a 41% of the cases belonged to zero to 10 years age group.

From January 1 to July 26, 2014, a total of 17 deaths were also reported from the different Disease Reporting Units region wide with a case fatality rate (CFR) of .56%.

Deaths came from: Barangay Ambago, Amparo, Ampayon, Baan Riverside, Silongan and Pangabugan, Butuan City – 7; Barangay Poblacion 3 in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte - 2; Barangay Poblacion in Bislig City – 1; Barangay Poblacion (Bahbah), Prosperidad and Barangay Libuac in Rosario, Agusan del Sur – 2; Barangay Cabinet and Barangay 4 and Puting Bato in Cabadbaran City with 3; and Barangay Gamut, Barobo and Barangay Palo Alto in Lingig, Surigao del Sur with 2 deaths. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


DILG conducts gab on women’s Magna Carta in Dinagat Islands

By Ma.Jane Mayola

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Aug. 4 (PIA) - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in partnership with the Gender and Development Coordinating Council (GADCC) of Dinagat Islands conducted a two-day orientation-workshop on the Localization of the Magna Carta of Women from July 31 to August 1, 2014 held at the SP Session Hall, San Jose, this province.

The activity aims to strengthen the local implementation of gender sensitivity; gender equality and other gender-related issues including the harmonized Gender and Development (GAD) guidelines for project development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

During the said activity, DILG Dinagat Islands provincial director Domingo Bulabog emphasized that the event was made for the enlightenment of everybody about women's rights and privileges, and promotion of gender equality since equal treatment to men and women is one of the keys towards community development.

The orientation-workshop was participated by the provincial department heads, employees, municipal planning and development officers, municipal planning and development coordinators from the different municipalities of the province. (SDR/PIO Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


Mindanao tree planting program attempts world record

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) - Mindanawons will try to break the Guinness world record for most trees planted simultaneously at multiple locations on September 26, 2014 – a world record-breaking attempt that will mobilize 185,440 people who will give a shot at planting 4,636,000 trees at various sites covering a total area of 9,200 hectares within the island-region.

Co-organized by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior and Local Government,  the world record attempt is designed to entice massive participation by various stakeholders and sectors in efforts to hit the Mindanao target for the National Greening Program (NGP).

Dubbed as “TreeVolution: Greening MindaNOW,” the Guinness world record attempt will combine the efforts of DENR’s NGP and MinDA’s MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program, which aim to plant trees in 690,815 hectares and reach at least 30 percent forest cover as envisioned in the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan or Mindanao 2020.

The current world record for the most number of trees planted simultaneously at multiple locations was achieved in India on August 15, 2011, which hit the record of planting of 1,945,535 trees. The world record was carried out by 340,200 participants across 408 locations.

“We encourage every Mindanawon to participate in this endeavor, which will not only elevate the island-region as a Guinness world record holder, but more importantly will also provide the constituents the opportunity to be part of the larger efforts to reforest Mindanao,” said MinDA Chair Luwalhati Antonino.

She added that should Mindanao be successful in this attempt, this would become the country’s second Guinness world record in the tree-planting category.

The country’s first Guinness world record for most trees planted simultaneously (single site) was achieved in Camarines Sur on February 23, 2011. In breaking the world record, 6,893 participants actively took part in the activity and planted 64,096 trees in a 32-hectare area.

“This looks like an insurmountable task, but with a well-planned and synchronized mobilization, coordination, and information campaign, there is no doubt that Mindanawons can carry out this challenge,” added Antonino.

Part of the guidelines in breaking the Guinness world record requires the simultaneous planting of trees in exactly one hour.  A pre-registration must be conducted to ensure the correct number of participants, while an official head count of the number of trees planted must also be documented in writing.

Digging machinery cannot be used during the planting, and actual digging of plots must take place at the time of planting, not prior to the attempt.

“One of the main goals of this Guinness attempt is to showcase collaborative efforts in Mindanao, particularly on the island-region’s greening efforts,” said Joselin Marcus Fragada, DENR XI regional director.

The activity is also part of the long-term campaign by DENR and MinDA’s MindaNOW! Program to instill among Mindanawons the consciousness towards ecological integrity as climate change adaptation.

He added that in order to break the record, DENR, MinDA, and its partner agencies will mobilize all of their employees, as well as the people’s organizations, academe, national government agencies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police, business sector, and religious groups to participate in the attempt.

“We are practically encouraging almost every Mindanawon to be part of this endeavor, which we hope would solicit a greater public participation and appreciation on the government’s efforts in growing back some of the forests of Mindanao,” said Fragada.

Part of the guidelines however requires that participants to the attempt must be at least 17 years of age. Interested parties may coordinate with their local DENR offices or their local government units. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur DepEd chief pays tribute to Army 36IB on founding anniversary

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) – Surigao del Sur Department of Education (DepEd) chief Teofila Cabatuan lauded the 36th Infantry (Valor) Battalion under Lt. Col. Anastacio Suaybaguio, Jr. during its 40th Founding Anniversary celebration on August 1.

With the theme: “36IB: Ika Upat ka Dekada nga Pagserbisyo sa Katawhan ug Pagbantay sa Yutang Gisaad (36IB: Four Decades of Providing Service to the People and Security to the Land of Promise),” Cabatuan, who is also Tandag City schools division superintendent in concurrent capacity, said that the Valorians have truly lived up to what they are.

The DepEd chief, who was one among those requested to deliver a message during the culmination program, stressed that the “36IB has always been a partner in providing services to the school children.”

Pointing out to the many school activities that the DepEd here had undertaken especially each time during the conduct of Brigada Eskwela, she said that “Brigada Eskwela will never be the same without the Valorians.”

 “Each year before the opening of classes, these men in uniform can always be seen in schools under the heat of the sun. . .”

Citing the TESDA-made armchairs hauled from Agusan to any point of destination in the province including Tandag City, Cabatuan took pride in saying that “Without your efforts, your initiatives, we could have brought these chairs. . . at so much cost, at so much time, so maraming salamat (thank you so much), Valorians!”

Likewise, at one instance during the conduct of the Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM) hosted by the province in March this year, she recalled seeing Lt. Col. Suaybaguio manned the checkpoint “hands on” at the Surigao del Sur Sports Center.

 “Kung may police visibility, mayroon ding army visibility (If there is police visibility, there is also army visibility),” she remarked.

Cabatuan said in closing, “To all the wonderful deeds you’ve done to the school children of Surigao del Sur and Tandag City, of course, I cannot thank you enough.  But on behalf of the teachers, pupils, students, parents, let me extend my heartfelt appreciation to you guys. Your support will go a long way for the future of the schoolchildren.  My salute to the 36IB!  Congratulations on your 40th Anniversary!” (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


OWWA Caraga opens search for MOFYA 2014

By Jean Mary G. Ronquillo

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office Caraga is now accepting nominees for this year’s search for Model OFW Year Award (MOFYA) from the following sectors: Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Peoples’ Organizations (POs), Religious Groups, Community based Socio-Civic Organizations and Local Government Units (LGUs).

The MOFYA search is an award-giving program held annually. It is designed to give recognition to outstanding OFW families in recognition to the valuable efforts in the face of overseas migration.

The MOFYA focuses on OFWs and their families who have maintained strong family relations, properly managed the financial benefits from the OFWs’ overseas employment, have educational achievements and exemplary performance in their respective professions, and at the same time have a positive impact in the community where they reside.

To be eligible for nomination, the family must be headed by an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), land-based or sea-based, formerly or presently working abroad with a formal or informal contract of employment or work permit, and must have a proof of OWWA membership.

Initial screening of the MOFYA nominees will be conducted on August 15, 2014. Regional winners of MOFYA for both sea-based and land-based category will receive a cash prize and will be the region’s entry to the national level.

For more information about the program, kindly visit the OWWA Caraga office at Nimfa Tiu Bldg. II, J.P. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City or contact us at (085) 342-6178/2255989. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Palasyo inulit-ulit ang panawagan sa mga Pilipinong nasa Libya na ilikas ang kanilang sarili

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Agosto 4 (PIA) - Inulit ng Malakanyang noong Linggo ang kanilang panawagan sa mga Pilipino na nasa Libya na ilikas ang kanilang sarili habang patuloy ang hidwaan doon.

“Tinatawagan po muli ang ating mga kababayang nasa Libya at pati na rin ang kanilang mga kamag-anak dito na pagtulungan po natin ang paghikayat sa kanila na lumikas na sa lalong madaling panahon para sa kanilang kaligtasan,” sabi ni Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Hermio Coloma, Jr., saisang panayam sa media sa pamamagitan ng dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Sabi niya na si Charges d’ affaires Adelio Angelito Cruz, pinuno ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Rapid Response Team ay nasa Tripoli, Libya pa rin para maseguro na lahat ng mga Pilipino sa Libya ay makakauwi.

Linumpirma ng DFA noong nakaraang Linggo na isang Pilipinong nagtatrabaho sa konstruksiyon ay pinugutan ng ulo sa Benghazi habang isang Pilipinang nurse ay pinalaya ng hidi kilalang mga armado sa Tripoli matapos siyang bihagin at gahasain.

Hinihikayat din ni Coloma ang mga kamag-anak ng mga Pilipino na nagtatrabaho para makipag-ugnayan sa DFA dito sa Manila.

“Maaari din pong tumawag ang mga pamilya ng ating mga mamamayang Pilipino sa DFA 24-hour hotline at ito po ay ang mga sumusunod: 552-7105 at 834-4685 para i-rehistro ang kanilang mga kamag-anak sa Libya para sila ay mailikas at madala sa ligtas na lugar,” sabi ni Coloma.

“Maaaring kumontak ang mga Pilipino sa ating embahada sa Tripoli sa pamamagitan ng mga teleponong ito—ang prefix po ay 00218—at ang mga numero ay ang mga sumusunod: 918-244-208 / 914-370-399 / 945-348-481; at ang mga email address naman po ay tripoli.pe@gmail.com at tripoli.pe@dfa.gov.ph,” dagdag pa niya. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Tagalog News: Pagsisikap ng pamahalaan sa paglaban sa mga pagpatay sa media nanatiling walang humpay

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Agosto 4 (PIA) - Nilalatag na ng pamahalaan ang mga reporma para itaguyod ang proteksyon sa mga mamamahayag, sabi ng isang opisyal ng Palasyo noong Sabado.

“Pagtunton at pagkumpiska sa loose firearms, pagpapahusay sa kapabilidad ng mga alagad ng batas, pagpapatatag sa sistema ng katarungan, pagsuporta sa pagpapalaganap ng media ethics and standards—‘yan ang mga haligi ng programa ng pamahalaan upang mapigil ang karahasan laban sa mga mamamahayag,” sabi ni Presidential Communication Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., sa isang panayam sa media sa pamamagitan ng dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Ang pinakahuling mamamahayag na pinatay ay si Nilo Baculo Sr., 67, isang brodkaster mula sa Capalan Mindoro. Siya ay isang mamamahayag sa programa sa radyo na pinamagatan ng “Isumbong Mo kay Ka Nilo" sa isang local na estasyon ng radyo dwIM.

Ayon sa ulat, si Bagulo ay pang-29 na mamamahayag na pinatay mula 2010.

Tiniyak ni Coloma sa publiko na ang pamahalaan ay gumagawa ng mga hakbang para ipagtanggol ang mga mamamahayag sa pakipag koordinasyon sa National Press Club at iba pang may mga kaugnayang ahensya.

“Patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan at nakikipagtulungan ang pamahalaan sa National Press Club at iba pang samahang nakatuon sa pangangalaga ng karapatan ng mga mamamahayag upang labanan at wakasan ang karahasang humantong sa pagpaslang at pagsugat sa mga kasapi ng kanilang hanay,” sabi ni Coloma. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano News: Surigao City DRRMC mipahigayon og Search and Rescue Operation, Hostage Assault Scenario

SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 4 (PIA) – Malamposong gipahigayon ang usa ka Search and Rescue Operation ug Hostage Assault Scenario bag-ohay pa lamang didto sa City Boulevard ning dakbayan.

Ang mga miyembro sa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council sa pagpangulo ni City Mayor Ernesto Matugas sa pakigtambayayong sa Philippine Maritime Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Emergency Response Service, Philippine Red Cross, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine National Police ug lakip usab ang usab ang mga estudyante sa maritime gikan sa Surigao Education Center, ug mga personahe sa Office of the Civil Defense nga gipangulohan ni Direktor Liza Mazo.

Ang maong aktibidad gihimo agig pagsunod sa kasaulogan sa National Disaster Consciousness Month sulod sa bulan sa Hulyo, pinaagi sa CDRRMC ug gisaksihan sa mga Surigaonon. (SDR/MICO-Surigao City/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Cebuano News: Laing 642 nakadawat ug Philhealth card sa Buenavista

Ni Roselyn G. Exaure and Rolando B. Lopez

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 4 (PIA) - Mokabat sa napulo ka mga barangays o 642 ka mga indibidwal sa lungsod sa Buenavista ang laing nakadawat sa libreng Philhealth Identification Cards gikan sa panggamhanang probinsyal sa Agusan del Norte.

Niadtong adlaw sa Biyernes, Agosto 1, gibisitahan sa mga empleyado sa Provincial Social Welfare Population and Nutrition Services Office (PSWPNSO) sa pagpanguna sa ilang hepe nga si Daisybiel O. Demavivas ug mga representante sa Philhealth Caraga ang Barangay Hall sa Barangay 2 kon diin gidawat sa mga benepisyaryo ang ilang mga ID's.

Sa nasayran, ang Barangay 1 sa pagpanguna ni Kapitan Eduardo C. Gabales aduna kini 63 ka mga benepisyaryo, sa Barangay 2 sa pagpanguna ni Kapitan Rianne Catabas adunay 56 ka mga benepisyaryo, sa Barangay 3 sa pagpanguna ni Kapitan Caridad L. Alaba adunay 123 ka mga benepisyaryo, sa Barangay 4 sa pagpanguna ni Mr. Eddie Jamero adunay 41 ka mga benepisyaryo, sa Barangay 5 sa pagpanguna ni Kapitan Paul G. Racho adunay 55 ka mga benepisyaryo.

Gibisita usab sa grupo ang Barangay 8 covered court aron ipadayon ang pagpang-apod-apod sa laing lima ka mga Barangays, kon diin sa Barangay 6 sa pagpanguna ni Mr. Gil S. Gonzaga adunay 52 ka mga benepisyaryo, sa Barangay 7 sa pagpanguna ni Kapitan Panfilo M. Lamostre adunay 70 ka mga benepisyaryo, sa Barangay 8 sa pagpanguna ni Kapitan Hernando L. Vasques adunay 43 ka mga benepisyaryo, sa Barangay 9 sa pagpanguna ni Jose V. Bernardino adunay 62 ka mga benepisyaryo ug sa Barangay 10 sa pagpanguna ni Mrs. Prisilina P. Amoroso nga adunay 77 ka mga benepisyaryo.

Niadtong Hulyo 23, adunay 322 ka mga benepisyaryo usab ang nakadawat ug Philhealth card, 484 niadtong Hulyo 24 ug laing 172 niadtong Hulyo  31.  Mikabat na sa 1,620 ka mga benepisyaryo ang nakadawat ug Philhealth card sa lungsod sa Buenavista pinaagi sa PSWPNSO ug sa pagpangulo ug pagpaningkamot ni gobernador Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba. (NCLM/LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)