M/V Maharlika II capsizes off So. Leyte
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 15 (PIA)
– A Roll-on, Roll-off (RORO) ferry boat, Maharlika II, bound for Liloan,
Southern Leyte from Lipata Port, this city sank off the coast of Pintuyan,
Southern Leyte on Saturday evening, September 13, 2014.
The vessel manned by Captain Juan B. Cayago
departed the port of Lipata at around 11:30 in the morning, carrying about 58
declared passengers including 32 crew and 13 cargoes vehicles when it sank.
As of 12:15 noon, Sunday, September 14, a total
of 113 passengers were rescued by responding vessels including M/V Maharlika
IV, M/V Lara Venture, M/V Filipinas Maasin and M/V Orient King in coordination
with the Search and Rescue Team of Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Air
Force, Surigao Divers Club, Surigao City and Surigao del Norte Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council, Surigao City Rescue Team and Emergency
Response Service, Philippine Red Cross, Port Police Office, and Philippine
Ports Authority.
Out 113 survivors, 16 were rushed to Caraga
Regional Hospital for minor injury and 3 casualties identified as Armando
Mosquedo, 64 years old from Cagayan de Oro, Rahima Ismael, 20 years old from
Maguindanao and one unidentified female victim.
PCG District Northern Mindanao Deputy Commander
Captain Joseph M. Coyme confirmed during the press conference that out 113
rescued passengers only 58 were listed in the manisfesto and more or less 58
were undocumented including the casualties and maybe some others are still
missing.
He also confirmed that a Maritime Casualty
Investigation Team from Manila will arrive soon to conduct a formal
investigation to determine the cause of the said sea mishap.
“We will not stop the search and rescue
operation until one single body will be recovered,” Capt. Coyme said.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council led by Governor Sol F. Matugas thru its
provincial medical team is now on its 24 hours duty and has so far extended
other social services such as food, free call and distribution of relief goods.
(SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DENR-AgNor to plant 12,500 seedlings on 2014
TreeVolution
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 15 (PIA) – In line with the
upcoming TreeVolution: Greening MindaNOW on September 26, 2014, the Agusan del
Norte Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) will be
planting 12,500 seedlings covering a total of 25 hectares with an expected 625
planters distributed at the identified planting sites at Maug and Tungao, this
city.
The activity will start at 8:30 a.m. until 9:30
a.m.
“In support to the fourth year implementation of
the National Greening Program (NGP) of the government under Executive Order No.
26 and with our attempt to place the Philippines as the Guinness World Record
breaker for Mindanao covering a total of 9,200 hectares in just one hour,
Caraga region aims to plant 541,065 seedlings covering a total of 1,170
hectares with an expected 27,054 planters to participate in the said event,”
revealed OIC-PENR Officer Paterno Olivera.
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 (DA), Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA),
among others, the world record attempt is designed to entice massive
participation by various stakeholders and sectors in efforts to hit the
Mindanao target for the NGP. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
NAST-PHI, DOST to hold Biotechnology IEC Forum
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 15 (PIA) – The National
Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST-PHI) together with the
Department of Science and Techonology (DOST) Caraga is set to hold the
Biotechnology Information Education and Communication (IEC) Forum on September
19, 2014 at Samping Avenue Function Hall, this city.
“The NAST-PHI is implementing its project
entitled Capability Building and Systainable Biotechnology IEC for DOST and
local government unit key personnel that aims to create awareness of and
provide science-based information on modern technology, including biosafety
issues and concerns to key personnel in various LGUs and DOST regional offices
including policy makers, provincial and municipal agriculturists, farmers and
fishers," disclosed DOST-Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga.
The following topics will be thoroughly
discussed by the invited speakers during the forum: 1) Introduction to the
Biotechnology IEC Project of the NAST-PHI; 2) Biotechnology for Everyone; 3)
Current Applications and Products of Modern Biotechnology; 4) Technological and
Social Issues and Concerns; and 5) Assuring the Safety of Modern Biotechnology.
Mallonga also bared that NAST-PHI is the
country’s highest advisory body to the government and the science community on
matters related to science and technology. It also has the mandate to recognize
outstanding achievements in science and technology made by Filipino scientist
in all fields of science.
“The NAST-PHI has its mission to recognize
exemplary science and technology achievements among the young and among peers;
to encourage individual Academy members to continue their scholarly pursuits
thereby making the Academy the principal reservoir of scientific and
technological expertise in the nation; to provide independent and science-based
advice on problems facing the nation and the world; and to link the like-minded
institutions and individuals in promoting scientific achievement in the
Philippines and abroad, among others,” reiterated Mallonga.
NAST-PHI is also mandated to advise the
President and the Cabinet on matters related to science and technology through
Executive Order 818, and to engage in projects and to embark on programs
traditionally expected of an academy of science. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Site validation for 2014 NGP to Taguibo
Watershed conducted
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 15 (PIA) – On Friday, a team
from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Butuan City Water
District (BCWD) and Agusan del Note First District Constituency Office (DCO)
conducted a preliminary site validation to 49 of the 130 hectares reforestation
project to Taguibo Watershed lodged under the partnership of BCWD, DENR, Fr.
Saturnino Urios University Foundation Inc. (FSUU FI), and DCO.
Accompanying the team were members of the
partner people's organization, the Anticala Watershed Farmers Producers
Cooperative (AWFPC).
The total 2014 National Greening Program (NGP)
target identified some 749.12 hectares for the development of the Taguibo River
Watershed Forest Reserve. Fought to become a model NGP site, the partnership
incorporates reforestation, livelihood and continuous community organizing
components.
At the onset of the partnership, a multi-partite
memorandum of agreement (MOA) was entered by and between DENR, BCWD, FSUU FI,
and Rep. Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun for the implementation of 2014 NGP covering
130 hectares of upland within Taguibo Watershed.
It can be recalled that during the last year's
budget hearing, Agusan del Norte First District Representative got the nod of
the DENR Secretary to intensively reforest the watershed. “Mr. Secretary, the
Taguibo Watershed has an area of more or less 4,400 hectares. Of these 4,400
hectares or so, only about a thousand hectares are left with forest cover. And
this watershed is our only source of potable water in the City of Butuan. This
is already extremely alarming. Something serious, concrete and immediate has to
be done to address this ominous situation,” Fortun said during the hearing.
(LAWig Katawhan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
PSA to undertake surveys on business and
industry, ICT
By Villa S. Bayotas
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 15 (PIA) - The Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga will be conducting the 2013 Annual Survey of
Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI) and its rider survey, the 2013 Survey
on Information and Communication Technology (SICT).
The 2013 ASPBI aims to collect and generate
information on the performance, levels, structure and trends of economic
activities of the formal sector in the entire country while the 2013 SICT will
generate information on the availability, distribution and access/utilization
of ICT among establishments.
On the other hand, the 2013 List of
Establishments has to be updated as they will be used as frame for the
selection of samples for the 2014 ASPBI and the 2014 Survey of Tourism
Establishments in the Philippines that will be undertaken in 2015.
Specifically, the 2013 ASPBI aims to collect and
generate detailed information on employment, income, expense, capital
expenditures and total assets of the establishments; generate indicators such
as value added, labor productivity, average compensation and others necessary
to evaluate the performance of industries at the national and regional levels;
generate MSME (micro, small and medium establishments/enterprises) data using
total assets; and gather information for the improvement of the list of
establishments.
Meanwhile, the SICT survey aims to measure the
component of ICT resources and their utilization by establishments; diffusion
of ICT into establishments from various sources; e-commerce transactions from
data on e-commerce sales/revenue and purchases; cellular mobile phone business
transactions from data on sales/revenue; estimate of the number of ICT workers
in establishments; and methods of disposal of ICT equipment.
In Caraga, PSA Field Staff and Hired Enumerators
will be responsible for the distribution and collection of the questionnaires
to the establishments starting September 15, 2014. The questionnaire can also
be accessed and be accomplished online at https://aspbi.psa.gov.ph. PSA is
authorized to collect information from businesses and industries under Republic
Act No. 10625. The information collected shall be kept strictly confidential
and shall not be used for purposes of taxation, investigation or regulation as
provided under Article 55 of RA 10625. (PSA-13/PIA-Caraga)
Proposals for DTI-promoted SSF project in SurSur
set for deliberation
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 15 (PIA) –
Proposals submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao
del Sur (SDS) under the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project are due for
deliberation Monday, September 15, 2014.
Romel Oribe, DTI Officer-In-Charge (OIC)
Provincial Director said in a news dispatch that the submitted SSF proposals
are set for evaluation by “A Regional Technical Working Group.”
It was learned that last week, the DTI here has
been in Lianga, Barobo, Cantilan, Lanuza, Bislig and Tandag City for a series
of meetings “to promote the Shared Service Facility (SSF) project,” which “aims
to increase the productivity and efficiency of micro and small enterprises in
priority industry cluster—abaca, bamboo, coconut, processed and marine
products, arts and crafts, processed food and other agri-based products.”
He added that “Various organizations have showed
interest to avail of the program and have submitted their proposal to the
DTI-SDS Provincial Office.”
“As a public-private partnership initiative,
implementation of the project will be through private sector partners who can
provide sustainable facilities to house the machines/equipment,” Oribe
stressed.
The SSF project is “Considered as one of the
pillars in achieving the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan’s goal of
poverty alleviation with inclusive growth,” he noted. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DOST vows to back SMEs in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 15 (PIA)
–The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Provincial Science
and Technology Center-Surigao del Sur (PSTC-SDS) assured small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) here of their continued support.
Andrew Soliano, PSTC provincial director, said
that it “will further contribute to the upgrading of the small and medium
enterprises” for the rest of the year to help them “improve the productivity
and quality of their products” specifically in “food processing, furniture,
garments, gifts, house wares and decors,” plus the “agriculture sector.”
Earlier, the DOST chief bared its accomplishment
in Technology Transfer and Commercialization; Science and Technology Services;
and other priority areas as of July, this year.
Under technology transfer and commercialization,
Soliano cited the approved six business establishments that they “were able to
identify and package” for Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)
funds amounting to a total of
P2,911,100, thereby posting 42.86
percent accomplishment of their goal.
Three of these businesses are located in Bislig
City; two in Cantilan; and one in Hinatuan, he said.
Soliano pointed out that these core projects
have something to do with coco fiber processing facility—P480,000; technology
to improve productivity of bakeshop—P292,800; and production facility of
foods—P95,800 in Bislig City; rice
milling facility—P1,840,000 as well as prints and designs—P78,500 in
Cantilan; and, furniture shop—P124,000
in Hinatuan.
Meanwhile, he added that they still keep on
monitoring 18 SETUP projects that they have identified and packaged during the
past years on top of “Other Grant-Aid projects that were monitored.”
It was learned that PSTC-SDS was also able to
assist seven existing core firms and conduct technology interventions to 15
core projects, which generated employment of 17 persons.
The said office has likewise reported to have
facilitated and conducted various technology training, fora, and clinics under
science and technology services.
Moreover, on other priority areas, the PSTC here
has continued to pursue and promote the DOST thrusts as well as extend other
services like its S & T Library and Information, he told.
Soliano claimed to have “established and
maintained 10 networks and linkages with the local government units, national
government agencies, academe, and other various non-government organizations in
the province.” (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
NFA sees rice price to go down anew in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 15 (PIA) –
The National Food Authority (NFA) in Surigao del Sur sees commercial rice price
to go down anew with the onset of harvest season.
In fact, NFA Provincial Manager Gleen Echin said
that harvest season has already started in Madrid town, 61 kilometers north of
this city.
Early last month, a P1.00 drop in commercial
rice price per kilo has been posted based on regular NFA daily price
monitoring.
Currently, Echin told that commercial rice
prices now remain between P43.00 - 44.00 per kilo.
It can be recalled that sometime during the
first half of this year, commercial rice prices have gone up to over P45 per
kilo in the province due to alleged lack of supply, prompting the NFA here to
carry out regular monitoring and other related measures to protect the buying
public from possible market manipulation. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del
Sur)
Tagalog News: Pangulong Aquino pinuri ang
komunidad ng mga Pilipino sa Espanya sa pagsuporta sa 'Gilas Pilipinas'
Ni David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Setyembre 15 (PIA) - (Madrid,
Espana) Pinasalamatan ni Pangulong Aquino ang komunidad ng mga Pilipino sa
Espanya sa pagsuporta sa Philippine international basketball team Gilas
Pilipinas sa kanilang pinakahuling kampanya na ginawa sa FIBA World Cup.
Sa kanyang pakipagpulong sa kumunidad ng mga
Pilipino sa Madrid noong Linggo, sinabi ni Pangulong Aquino na datapwat hindi
nagawa ng Gilas Pilipinas ang susunod sanang baitang ng torneyo, dapat
maipagmalaki parin ng mga Pilipino ang koponan sa ipinakitang kahanga-hangang
paglaro.
"Hindi nga natin naipanalo ang kampyonato,
pero napakaraming mga tao ang humanga sa kahanga-hangang kakayahan ng ating mga
Pilipinong atleta,” sabi ni Aquino.
Sinabi niya na maaring tayo ang may mga mababang
manlalaro sa FIBA, pero hindi nito napigilan ang koponan na bigyan sila ng
mahirap na laro laban sa malalakas na koponan tulad ng Greece, Argentina,
Puerto Rico at Croatia.
“Walang maaring magsabi na ang koponan natin ay
nagkulang sa pagpakita ng kanilang determinasyon, kagalingan at ng kanilang
puso sa bawat laro kaya dapat lang na maging maipagmalaki natin iyan,” sabi ng
pinunong ehekutibo.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na siya ay natuwa na ang mga
Pilipino kahit na nagmula pa sa ibang bansa ay lumipad patungo sa Espana para
ipakita ang kanilang suporta sa Philippine Basketball team.
Naipanalo ng Gilas Pilipinas ang puso ng marami
sa pamamagitan ng mabuting paglaro at nakaka inspire na mga laro sa FIBA World
Cup.
Naipanalo ng koponan ng Pilipinas ang kanyang
katapusang laro laban sa Senegal, ang kauna-unahang panalo ng bansa sa larangan
ng basketball pagkatapos ng halos apat na dekada. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
