(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 13 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).


Wednesday, August 20, 2014

DTI-Caraga warns public on the use of butane canister filled with LPG

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 20 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga warned the public of the rampant unsafe practice of the use of butane canisters as containers for household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

“These canisters are not intended and designed for LPG and therefore may pose danger to users and households,” reminded Brielgo Pagaran, DTI-Caraga regional director.

Pagaran also bared that based on the Philippine National Standard (PNS) 03-01:2000, only welded steel cylinders with a water capacity of one liter to 150 liters are intended for storage and transport of LPG.

“Butane canisters are not compliant with quality and safety requirements for LPG refill. As such, it may leak and emit hazardous gas and cause explosion and fire, thus posing danger,” Pagaran reiterated.

DTI further urged the public to report any information on the said unsafe practice at the nearest DTI Regional or Provincial Office.

Aside from its mission to enable business environment/reduces cost of doing business to facilitate trade and investments, intensify global competitiveness, and value chain and industry cluster management, DTI is also continuously empowering consumers, ensuring safe and reasonably-priced products and services, and the supply chain management. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) 


CSC Caraga stays assertive to crackdown illegal red tape

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 20 (PIA) – In its effort to eradicate red tape in government agencies, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Caraga remains driven in raging war against corruption and inefficiencies to make services more business-friendly and to improve frontline services delivery.

All government offices are mainly responsible to implement the Republic Act No. 9485, also known as the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA), the government’s weapon in fighting bureaucratic red tape.

According to CSC Caraga regional director Resurreccion Pueyo, “the commission is serious in motivating them to fully comply with the ARTA rules.”

Through a Report Card Survey (RCS), a mechanism provided in the ARTA used to rate agency performance, offices must meet the required presence of Citizen’s Charter, anti-fixer campaign materials, a manned help desk, and observance of “No Noon Break” policy.

Pueyo reiterated that in drawing up a Citizen’s Charter which will be posted in most conspicuous place, it should identify the frontline services offered; show a step-by-step procedure of service available, the employee responsible for each steps, documents required, time needed to transact, fees; procedure for filing complaints; and apply feedback mechanisms.

Public assistance and complaint desk shall be set up and manned even during breaktime. The officers and employees transacting with the client are likewise required to wear an official identification card.

In order to avoid delay in the processing of transactions, “the law limits the number of signatures of officials and employees directly supervising the evaluation, approval or disapproval of the frontline service to a maximum of five signatories,” and Pueyo further emphasized, “all applications/requests for frontline services shall be acted upon within five to ten working days."

Also, clients’ satisfaction can be assessed by the quality of service rendered, time it took to complete the transaction, physical setup of the agency (directional signages, accessibility, cleanliness, etc.), and availability of basic facilities (comfort rooms, waiting area, etc.)

Disciplinary actions or penalties will be imposed to public employees who violate the Act. Under grave offense for fixing and collusion with fixers in consideration of an economic gain or advantage, he or she will be dealt with administratively through dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service. Likewise, fixers shall suffer a corresponding criminal liability or a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding six years, a fine of not more than P20,000 but not more than 200,000, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

“CSC Caraga seeks for cooperation among government public servants to promote excellent services to transacting public, help simplify procedures, expedite the transactions, and be accustomed to effective practices and transparency to prevent graft and corruption that would gain integrity and public trust,” remarked Pueyo.

It was learned that there are two tracks following the conduct of the RCS – recognition and assistance. High flyers are awarded the Citizen’s Satisfaction Center Seal of Excellence, symbolized by a wall-mountable glass seal, and given a cash reward that an agency can use to further improve their delivery of frontline services.

On the other hand, agencies that received a failed rating in the RCS are recommended for the Service Delivery Excellence program (SDEP) where they will be assisted in reviewing and improving their service delivery systems.

The service offices that shall be subjected to a client satisfaction survey are Bureau of Internal Revenue, Government Service Insurance System, Home Development Mutual Fund, Land Registration Authority, Land Transportation Office, National Statistics Authority, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Professional Regulation Commission, and Social Security System. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


DAR-Surigao Sur trains agrarian coops on basic accounting

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 20 - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is currently training Surigao del Sur’s agrarian reform cooperatives on Basic Accounting for Non-Accountants to arm the cooperative officers and its members sufficient knowledge in preparing financial statement and other transactions.

DAR Information Officer Myra Yu said the week-long training, which began on August 18th and will be concluded on the 23rd this year, aims to enhance the capabilities of the 22 cooperatives in handling their businesses.

The training is divided into two batches which is held separately in Tandag City and the municipality of Barobo. The participants are the Treasurers, Bookkeepers and Audit Inventory Committee of the cooperatives. Speakers are from VICTO National Cooperative Federation and Development Center in Cebu City.

The training is also one of the requirements during the conduct of Agrarian Reform Community (ARC) Level of Development Assessment (ALDA) in evaluating the maturity and stability of the cooperatives. ALDA is conducted annually to determine the outcome of the key interventions provided by the department.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Benjamin Mataksil believes that this training will improve the literacy of the cooperative members in handling their financial operations.

“This endeavor is part of the various support services in empowering the agrarian reform beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP),” Mataksil said. (DAR/PIA-Caraga)


DOST calls for scholarship applications till Aug 22

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 20 (PIA) - Graduating high school students who would like to avail scholarships for priority science and technology (S&T) courses have until August 22, 2014 to submit their applications for the 2015 Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute’s (DOST-SEI) Undergraduate Scholarships Examination.

The nationwide examination shall be held on September 21, 2014 with results to be announced in March 2015.

Priority S&T courses include agriculture, agricultural biotechnology, biochemistry, computer science, environmental science, fisheries, food technology, forestry, geology, information technology, science/mathematics teaching, statistics, and engineering courses.


Interested parties may download the application form at www.sei.dost.gov.ph or www.science-scholarships.ph. Application forms are also available at the Science Education Institute office at the DOST Compound in Taguig City and in all DOST regional offices, Provincial Science and Technology Centers, and offices of Congressmen and Senators.

Scholarship qualifiers may enroll any of the state universities, colleges, and tertiary institutions identified as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development by the Commission on Higher Education and in DOST-SEI identified network institutions all over the country. Among these are the University of the Philippines, University of the East, Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Davao, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Mapua Institute of Technology, Don Bosco Technical College, Siliman University, Mariano Marcos State University, and St. Louis University.

For more information, visit www.sei.dost.gov.ph or www.science-scholarships.ph or call (02)839-0083, (02) 837-1333, 837-2071 loc. 2382 or regional/provincial offices near you. (S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)


Displaced Caraganon OFWs in Libya receive financial aid from OWWA

By Jean Mary G. Ronquillo

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 20 (PIA) - Displaced Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from Libya received monetary assistance of P10,000.00 under the Financial Relief Assistance Program (FRAP) of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).

As of Tuesday, OWWA Regional Welfare Office (OWWA-RWO) Caraga has released a total of P170, 000.00 financial assistance to 17 displaced Caraganon OFWs. While the number of Caraganon OFWs on the repatriation list, have risen to 55, three of which were not included in the master list out of the 2,736 total repatriates in Libya, based on the report from OWWA Membership Processing Center.

One of the OFW repatriates, Jescel Cordova, 24, from Tandag, Surigao del Sur, expressed his gratitude for the government’s effort to rescue OFWs affected by Libya crisis. “I am also grateful to OWWA for the financial assistance they have given, for this amount is already of big help for my family while I search for new employment,” Cordova said.

Cordova has worked in Libya for 11 months nearly to finish his one year contract in Tripoli as a General Assistance in Galaxy Company who is engaged in catering services.

Cordova said he was traumatized with his experience. “I was scared by the exchange of ammunitions outside the compound we were staying. Explosions are everywhere which may hit us anytime,” added Cordova.

He said it took him and his other co-workers courage and determination to surpass the warfare area. Accordingly, the Libyan armies escorted them along their way from Tripoli to Tunisia in order to seek assistance from the embassy. Cordova arrived in the country on August 6 through the aid of the Philippine government. OWWA led in the conduct of airport assistance, emergency medical check-up and stress debriefing and provided transport assistance to OFWs on their way to their respective provinces.

Godofredo Barao, 42, also expressed appreciation to the government for ensuring their safety. Barao worked for almost 20 months as a pipefitter in Jabel Oil Services contracted by Waha Oil Company located in Libyan Desert.

Barao related it was not his first time to work overseas for he has been to Taiwan and Brunei before, but he was terrified with his experience in Libya.

He said through the efforts of the Philippine government, the company allowed them to be repatriated. According to him, a plane owned by the company was used in transporting around 500 OFWs going to Tripoli and they travelled via land going to Tunisia.

He arrived from Libya on August 4 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and like Cordova, he was assisted by a government team led by OWWA. He stayed at the OWWA Halfway Home for some medical check-ups and stress debriefing. Two weeks after he travelled on his way home to Cantilan, Surigao del Sur with all expenses defrayed by the government.

Barao said “the monetary assistance granted by OWWA will be used for a business he is planning to startup in addition to his savings.”

However, despite their experiences in Libya, Cordova and Barao are still open for opportunities to work overseas.

On the other hand, aside from the financial assistance from OWWA, displaced OFWs can also avail of the other assistance under the Assist WELL (stands for Welfare, Employment, Livelihood, Legal) Program of the government which aims to address the issues and concerns of OFWs displaced due to political crisis. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)


DOH on Wheels rolls out in Tandag City

By May Ann O. Escobal

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 20 (PIA) - The Department of Health (DOH) and its partner agencies including the Commission on Population (PopCom) will showcase DOH on Wheels: Kalusugan Pangkalahatan Roadshow on August 26 in Tandag City.

KP roadshow aims to bring health care advocacies to every corner of the country by 2016. It also focuses on promoting public health while providing services and information to women and children, adolescents, fathers, and senior citizens of every community.

As partner, PopCom Caraga will be facilitating U4U Teen Trail Initiative and Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA) sessions for Communities 2 and 3.

In U4U session, teen participants can journey through the exhibit to learn about puberty, self-image, relationships, preventing pregnancy and gender-based violence, and youth advocacy. Through structured learning exercises, participants will also learn about myths and misconceptions on sex and sexuality.

PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander A. Makinano underscored the importance of U4U program for this aims to deliver critical information to Filipino teens aged 10-19 to prevent teen pregnancy and reduce the prevalence of STI through online and mobile platforms.

To mobilize men as partners in women empowerment and gender equality, PopCom Caraga will also conduct session on Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Pamilya (KATROPA), which hopes to contribute in improving maternal, neonatal and child health and nutrition (MNCHN) conditions among families of the identified area.

Makinano reiterated that males hold one of the keys to reducing maternal deaths and improving women’s health. “The session will focus on involving men in advocating and championing MNCHN program thus contributing to the goal of reducing maternal deaths, and in promoting responsible parenting,” emphasized Makinano.

KP is the Aquino administration’s universal health care agenda which seeks to ensure equitable access to quality health care by all Filipinos beginning with those in the lowest income quintiles. This also aims to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 – the reduction of child mortality and the improvement of maternal health in the Philippines.

DOH officials revealed that simultaneous activities will be done and various health information and services on Adolescents, Maternal and Child’s Health, Men’s Health and Family Health Involvement, and Health for Elderly and their rights as maintained by DOH, PopCom and attached agencies, will also be offered during the event. (PopCom/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Binalangkas na batas Bangsamoro isusumite sa Pangulo sa loob ng linggong ito

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Agosto 20 (PIA) - Inihahanda ng grupong pangkapayapaan ng pamahalaan at ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front ang balangkas ng Bangsamoro Basic Law para isumite sa Tanggapan ng Pangulo sa loob ng linggong ito, sabi ng isang opisyal ng Palasyo noong Lunes.

“Ayon kay (Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary (Teresita) Ging Deles, lahat ng mahahalagang isyu ay natalakay at nailinaw na. Ang ginagawa na lang ng magkabilang panig ngayon ay inihahanda ‘yung mismong draft Bangsamoro Basic Law na ihahain sa Tanggapan ng Pangulo,” sabi ni Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. sa isang panayam sa sa mga miyembro ng Malakanyang Press Corps.

Sabi ni Coloma na kapag natanggap na ng Tanggapan ng Pangulo ang balangkas, ito ay pag-aralan kaagad at isumite sa Kongreso.

Sabi niya na tiwala ang Palasyo na bibilisan ng Senado at ng mga Kongresista ang pagpasa ng binalangkas na BBL.

“Tinitiyak naman ng liderato ng Senado at ng Camara de Representante ang kanilang buong pagsuporta para sa agarang pagpapasa ng draft Bangsamoro Basic Law,” sabi niya.

“Hindi tayo dapat maligalig dahil ayon na nga sa magkabilang panig, ay natalakay na at napagkasunduan na ang mga pinakamahahalagang usapin,” dagdag ni Coloma. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano News: Buhatan sa City Agriculture nagpadayon sa ilang mga programa ug proyekto

SURIGAO CITY, Agosto 20 (PIA) – Pipila ka mga programa ug proyekto padayon nga gi-implementar sa buhatan sa City Agriculture ning syudad.

Kini ang giluwatang pamahayag gikan mismo sa buhatan sa Agrikultura ning syudad sa pagpangulo ni City Agriculturist Isaias Elumba pinaagi na ni Senior Agriculturist Evaristo Cotiangco atol sa gipahigayong Monday Flag Raising Ceremony.

Sumala ni Cotiangco nga sugod sa bulan sa Enero ning tuiga hangtod karon nagpadayon ang ilang mga programa ug proyekto sa agrikultura sama na sa pagpahigayon sa lima (5) ka mga agriculture livelihood projects nagkantidad P1,980,000.00, onse (11) ka fishery aquaculture and livelihood projects nagkantidad P6,960,000.00, ug ang Farm to Market Road nga nagkantidad  P6,111,111.00.

Sumala pa ni Cotiangco nga ang maong kantidad sa kwarta ang naga- gikan sa pondo sa 2014 Bottoms-Up-Budgeting (BUB) Projects nga sa kinatibuk-an nagkantidad sa P15,051,111.00.

Matud ni Cotaingco ang ilang buhatan nakigtambayayong usab sa buhatan sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) alang sa pagpahigayon sa duha ka mga livelihood projects nga mao ang Packaging and Labeling of Patis Products ug Banana Chips Production nga nagkantidad  P960,000.00.

Dugang pa niya nga usa usab ka Seminar on Product Enhancement Training ug Simple Bookkeeping ang ilang malamposong napahigayon sa pakigtambayayong gihapon sa buhatan sa Department of Trade and Industry. (SDR/MICO-Surigao/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Cebuano News: Pilipinas ug UNESCAP, KEITI - naghost sa capacity building programme para sa carbon footprint ug labelling scheme

Ni Richell P. Bongato

BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 20 (PIA) - Ang gobyerno sa Pilipinas pinaagi sa Environmental Management Bureau o EMB sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources kun DENR  ang mihimo bag-uhay pa lamang og programa alang sa carbon footprint ug sa labelling scheme. Ang maong training kauban ang Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific- East and North East Asia (ESCAP-ENEA) ug Korea Environment Industry and Technology Institute (KEITI), ang nangulo sa Asia Carbon Footprint Network (ACFN).
     
Ang maong gipahigayon nga aktibidad nagdala sa mga nagkalain-laing stakeholders gikan sa national government agencies, local government units, industries, academe ug civil society groups. Kining programaha naghinaot nga mo palig-on sa kapasidad sa nasyonal ug mo-awhag sa mga inisyatibong pamaagi aron sa pagpalambo sa carbon footprint scheme sa atung nasud.
     
Ang ACFN usa ka voluntary network nga gilunsad tuig 2013 nga adunay 14 ka- organisasyon sa Asya nga nagtabang sa paghatag og kaalam ug kooperasyon sa rehiyon kun hisgotan ang kalambuan ug ang pag-ubos sa carbon footprint .
      
“Isip ang atung gobyerno adunay pagtugot sa carbon footprint scheme nga kamanduan sa Philippine Clean Air Act, usa ka kumprehensibong pamaagi nga mo hatag og panahon sa EMB nga mangulo sa paggama og carbon footprint scheme ug magtukod sa mga magbabalaod ug experto aron sa pagpalambo sa maong programa,” sigon ni Mr. Albert Magalang, Head sa EMB- Climate Change Office.
        

Ang programa mao usab ang mohatag og giya aron sa kaayuhan ngadto sa miyembro sa ACFN aron ang EMB ang maoy mo implementar sa carbon labelling systems. Apil ang mga nasud sa China, Taiwan, Thailand ug Republika sa Korea nga mohatag usab sa mga galastuhonon ug mga polisiya ngadto sa Pilipinas. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)