FCAG invites stakeholders to Fin-Ed Expo in
Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 7 (PIA) – The Financial Consumer
Affairs Group (FCAG) of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is inviting partner
stakeholders to the Fin-Ed Expo for the working sector on November 19, 2014 to
be held at the Cabadbaran and Las Nieves Halls of Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort,
this city.
According to Atty. Prudence Angelita Kasala,
Deputy Director and Head of BSP, the said event is aimed to achieve the
following: 1) to instill awareness about the availability and accessibility of
financial education programs to all Filipinos; 2) increase personal financial
consciousness on the values and benefits of being financially empowered; and 3)
orient the public about available financial tools that will help in the
promotion of their financial well-being.
“The Fin-Ed Expo is a whole day activity which
will start at 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. It will feature five interactive
sessions/learning booths covering topic on the Philippine Financial System,
Personal Finance, Financial Products, Financial Regulators, and Primer Hub,”
bared Kasala.
Kasala further revealed that the Financial
Regulators Booth during the activity will be manned by representatives of the
Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC), the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC), and the Insurance Commission (IC). The Primer Hub will also
provide participants with advisories and primers that supplement the
information gained from the lectures and reinforce their learning experience.
Kasala added that participants will be able to
raise their issues and concerns during the open forum after the sessions.
For more information, interested participants
may contact Mr. Laurence Vicencio or Ms. Gloria Quilao, both are Bank Officer I
of FCAG, BSP Main Office Manila at telephone numbers: (02) 306-2975, 708-7701
local 2975 or e-mail at VicencioLM@bsp.gov.ph; gquilao@bsp.gov.ph.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga GADCC gears-up preps for this year's
18-Day Campaign to End VAW
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 7 (PIA) – Focal persons from
government agencies and private sector for the Regional Development Council -
Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) Caraga geared-up
preparations for this year’s 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women
(VAW) on November 25 to December 12, 2014.
Said celebration will kick-off on November 25
through a Fun Walk activity that will start at 5:00 a.m. from the city’s
Guingona Park going to Provincial Capitol Covered Court, where the Zumba and
opening program will be held. It will then be followed with a press conference
at the same venue to be facilitated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
Caraga and partners.
Media personalities from different
stations/outfits in Butuan and Surigao Cities will also be participating in the
Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) set on December 5, 2014 to be held at Caraga
State University (CSU) Campus.
Among other lined-up activities include the
following: Reproductive Health (RH) Law Forum on Dec. 4; Information Drive
Campaign and School Symposium at Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) on
Dec. 4 and Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) on December 10; Capacity
Building Training to GADCC members; Youth Forum on Dec. 9; Visit to Home for
the Girls in Brgy. Bonbon, Butuan City on Dec. 10; and Culmination on Dec. 12
through a Beach Forest Planting at Magallanes, Agusan del Norte.
"The 18-Day Campaign to End Violence
Against Women on Nov. 25 until Dec. 12, 2014 is aimed to increase awareness of
rights-bearer on violence against women and to augment the efforts of
duty-bearers in eliminating gender-based violence; to increase commitment of
rights-holder in eliminating violence against women and children; and to forge
partnerships among stakeholders in addressing VAW," disclosed Commission
on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director and Gender and Development
Coordinating Committee (GADCC) chair Atty. Marylin Pintor during its 3rd
quarter meeting held on Tuesday in one of the local convention centers here.
Pintor also reiterated that Presidential
Proclamation No. 1172 and Republic Act 10398 are the legal mandates for the
observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End VAW.
It was also learned that this year's campaign is
anchored on the theme "End VAW Now! It's Our Duty!
"Reinforcing last year's theme 'End VAW
Now! It's Our Duty!,' the call will now highlight the crucial role of
rights-holder in ending violence against women. The theme also echoes the
clarion call to the ordinary Juana and Juan in harboring deep concern for women
and girls by reporting cases of gender-based violence, participation to
advocacy works, and engaging to various discussions on women's rights, among
others," relayed Pintor.
Meanwhile, Pintor encouraged employees of
government agencies and partner private stakeholders to wear orange shirt every
25th day of the month in support to the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against
Women and other gender-related campaigns. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PCWC joins the municipality of San Francisco in
the opening of the Universal Children’s Month celebration
By David M. Suyao
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 7 (PIA) -
The Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children (PCWC) joins with the
municipality of San Francisco in opening of this year's celebration of the
Universal Children’s Month with the theme: “Bata, Kasali ka, Ikaw ay Mahalaga!”
in recognition of having been awarded as the “Most Child-friendly Municipality”
provincewide in the year 2013.
As early as 5:30 in the morning of October 6,
2014 in time with the celebration of Eidul Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice, a
Muslim holiday celebrated nationwide, participants ranging from officials to
employees of the municipality of San Francisco, high school students and
teachers from different schools, private and business sectors, parents and
other stakeholders of program for children gather in front of the municipal
hall in order to participate in the awareness walk.
The walk lasted for almost an hour, passing thru
the main streets of San Francisco, waging signboards bearing children’s responsibilities, with
concept taken from children’s rights and ended from where it begun in front of
the municipal hall, for a short program.
Representing Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward
Plaza, Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) member and chairman of the Committee on
Children and Women Dr. Susan Gerona said she is glad that the emphasis of
messages printed on the signboards are responsibilities of children because
ever since she became an SP member, it is the children’s rights that she always
encounter and are sometimes abused.
“It is only fair that after we parents have
installed in the minds of our children their rights, we have also to educate
them and let them know of their responsibilities towards their parents, the
community, the environment, the government, their teachers and their fellow
children. I am very glad that the Governor have chosen me to represent him
because from here, I can bring something within me that can never be forgotten,
and that is the true mutual love and responsibilities with our children,” SP
Gerona said.
For San Francisco Mayor Jenny de Asis on the
other hand said her municipality is blessed with privileges because of being
recognized as the most child-friendly municipality in the province.
“I am very proud and glad that our efforts in
nurturing and growing the children of San Francisco bear fruits. Honestly, I
look at children here in San Francisco as responsible and disciplined. Unlike
other municipalities, they rather chose to become productive than become
liabilities. If there are reports here of criminality and illegal use of drugs,
they are no longer children but irresponsible adults, and that is where our police
strictly execute their duties and responsiblitie,” said Mayor de Asis.
On the third week of this month, a provincial
children’s congress will be held, ending up with a one day children’s
governance within the provincial government. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Dinagat Islands lady guv delivers "state of
the province address"
By Jane Mayola
DINAGAT ISLANDS, Oct. 7 (PIA) – In time with the
8th Charter Day Celebration of the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) with the
theme, “One Province, One People: Celebrating our Oneness, Sustaining our
Progress,” provincial governor Glenda B. Ecleo delivered her State of the
Province Address (SOPA) on Thursday at
San Jose Municipal Gymnasium, this province.
The SOPA merely focused on her accomplishments
along the line with the flagship programs or the six-point agenda of her
administration clustered into good governance and policy development; linkages
and delivery of national support services; environmental protection and
disaster risk reduction management; nurturing community and sectoral
participation; delivery of basic social services; and agro-fishery and
responsible mining industrialization, or dubbed as “GLENDA.”
As cited, good governance primarily consists of
eight major characteristics – consensus oriented, accountable, transparent,
responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and exclusive, and follows the
rule of law.
It was also elaborated that linkages and
delivery of national support services cluster is all about legitimizing the
channel of coordination in implementing the national plans and programs (NPP)
and integrating it with the province’s locally-initiated regular programs and
services.
While the environmental protection and disaster
risks reduction management covers the pro-activity of the province to protect
and conserve the environment, and the province’s active implementation of
disaster risk reduction-climate change adaptation programs; the cluster on
nurturing community and sectoral participation speaks about the
administration’s desire to nurture the communities and participate in the
governmental activities.
In terms of delivery of basic social services,
the administration is directed on actions to address the needs of the
individuals in crisis situations, marginalized women, child and youth, elderly,
persons with disabilities (PWDs), and family welfares.
Moreover, the agro-fishery and responsible
mining industrialization covers the administration’s commitment of doing its
share towards improved crop production, fisheries development, livestock
production, provision of post-harvest facilities, and marketing support extension
that leads to tourism and investors’ attraction.
It can be recalled that the PDI became an
independent province through governor Ecleo when then President Gloria Arroyo
signed the R.A. 9355 on October 2, 2006.
“By now, with our almost two years of reconstitution,
our province is back with gigantic push of moving forward. Our employees
getting back their best pays and other emoluments, our barangays whose people
empowerment activities now regularly receive financial assistance for the
priority projects. Towns with multi-million worth projects and the national
line agencies’ programs are on the way without hitches together with the
non-government organizations and cooperatives now fast becoming millions-worth
assets. Other foreign-funding institutions like WinRock-United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Philippine Rural Development Projects
are on-going for their sustainable program and financing development,” Ecleo
said.
“These are tangible indications of our robust
growth and development because we are moving as one family with one vision - a
globally competitive Dinagat Islands,” underscored Ecleo. (PDI-PIO/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA Caraga spearheads Skills Training on Meat
Processing to Hinatuan OFC members
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 7 – The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA) Regional Welfare Office Caraga in partnership with the Technical
Educational and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-Surigao del Sur
spearheaded a Skills Training on Meat Processing intended for Hinatuan OFWs and
Dependents Association (HODA) held recently at the Multi-purpose Hall of Brgy.
Maharlika, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
Participated by 18 members of HODA, the two-day
training aimed to enhance the skills of OFWs and their dependents and to
augment income of its members.
In her message, OWWA OIC Programs and Services
Division Chief Ma. Ireen Cambaling bared that as a welfare institution, OWWA
will continually serve its member OFWs and their families through providing
responsive programs such as skills training on food and meat processing
intended to boost their capabilities for employment or for livelihood
augmentation.
Likewise, Hinatuan Municipal Mayor Hon.
Candelario Viola encouraged the members of HODA to value such rare opportunity
as an avenue to put up their own source of revenue and not only depend on the
allotment they received from their OFWs abroad.
Mayor Viola cited that “too much reliance of the
household members from their OFW family member in sustaining their living will
not do well, because the chances of losing their OFWs would mean the end of the
world for their families left behind.” Except, he said, “if the OFW dependents
will take this (training) opportunity provided by OWWA to start their own
venture in meat and food processing (like tocino, embutido, longanisa,
etc.).”
Mayor Viola extended his gratitude to OWWA
personnel for bringing its programs and services closer to them which has
significantly saved the time, effort and money of the training beneficiaries
while at the same time granting them the resources and necessary skills to
start with a self-effacing enterprise. He also assured support in all the
programs of the agency and quoted his mere presence in the activity as a proof.
On the side, Surigao del Sur District II TESDA
Coordinator Ma. Elena Toyco, said the participants need not underwent
assessment because of the limited time. However, she affirmed that the learning
transfer and basic techniques in food processing has been gained by the
participants.
Toyco advised the participants, “to use a unique
and effective approach in marketing their product and be patient in their
business undertaking to have a sustainable livelihood.”
One of the participants, Marites Tiu expressed
her appreciation to OWWA for organizing the said activity with a good intention
to help them and equally to the TESDA trainer for sharing knowledge to them and
being patient in teaching them.
Tiu said, “Mapasalamaton sab ako tungod sa dili
mabayran nga kahibalo nga ako nakat-unan ug dili pud ni masayang kay magamit ni
namo para mapalambo among kinabuhi.” (I am also thankful because of the
priceless learning I obtained and this will not be squandered since we can
utilize this to improve our living).
At the end of the training, the participants
were provided with starter kits which contained essential paraphernalia for
their future endeavors. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur DPWH offices assure of having no problems
on contractors
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Oct. 7 (PIA) – The Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH) First and Second Engineering District Offices
in Surigao del Sur assured that there are no so-called “slowpokes” in their
roster of contractors.
Asst. District Engr. Ruel Bantogan and District
Engr. Eulogio Milla, respectively, of the First and Second Engineering District
Offices said that implementation of projects in their areas of concern are
still in accordance with the set time frame that will not undermine the
accomplishment and target completion dates of projects.
However, Milla admitted that in his district,
negative slippages have been noted but not to the point that “contractors can
no longer catch up with the work schedule,” citing that slippages seen are
“less than 10 percent.”
Projects of “more than 10 percent of slippages”
normally get hard to beat the time limit, he explained.
Reportedly, last week DPWH Caraga Regional
Director Danilo Versola issued an “ultimatum to slow-moving contractors” due to
observance of “alarming negative slippages incurred in project implementation.”
Besides, monitoring reports have accordingly
shown “certain contractors” to have also incurred huge negative slippages.
Likewise, it was learned that Task Force for
Time Suspension and Extension headed by Assistant Regional Director Wenceslao
LeaΓ±o, Jr., designed to be stricter in verifying the veracity of requests for
time suspension and extension in the field has been created. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
