DILG secretary visits Butuan, urges public to help
stop illegal logging
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 21 (PIA) - Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas, who served as guest speaker during the
conduct of Disaster Preparedness Symposium with representatives from government
agencies and barangay officials held on Friday in one of the local hotels here,
urged the public to help prevent and stop illegal logging activities in the
city.
“I’m very happy to be back here in Butuan. Your
city has already 350,000 population. There has been significant developments
and several investments, business establishments have been put up here. And as
your city progress, challenges are also on our way. I challenge our PNP
personnel led by Regional Director PCSupt David Yalong Ombao to cease the
illegal logging operations and capture the illegal loggers. Let’s do our job
not just by words but by concrete actions. Major Gen. Getulio NapeΓ±as, who was
the former PNP chief in Caraga is now the chief of the Special Action Force
(SAF) in Western Mindanao Command, and he will assist our PNP here in Butuan to
put an end to these illegal loggers who mainly caused the floodings in the
region. This cannot be done overnight but is possible with the help and
cooperation of all sectors so flooding will really be prevented,” stressed
Roxas.
The secretary also assured the barangay officials,
who are the frontliners in all calamities that he, with the President Benigno
Aquino, and the government will always be there to support them. “As first
responders, now is the right time to think, plan of the things that we should
do and practice as the weather is still manageable. If we will not take
preparedness seriously, when calamity comes, people can no longer think
properly and act appropriately because people tends to panic and become
confused on what to do. This is why I think it is much better that there should
be a risk reduction plan… As frontliners, we should provide good service to our
people,” he added.
Roxas further urged the public to report any
information or complaints against illegal activities to the authorities or law
enforcement agencies. “If after you have complained and there was no action or
immediate response, call this number
0917-6276927, and our staff in the DILG central office will address your
concern to the responsible officials. Once you report an information or any
complaints to the said number, please include the name of the police officer
who answered your call but failed to provide immediate response. Also give the
complete details of your report or complaints so it will be recorded
accordingly. Our staff will automatically inform the city mayor, PNP regional
director, and the congressional representative. We all need concrete actions…
Report and let’s win this battle because we’re doing the right way,” he
highlighted.
It was also learned that Sec. Roxas ordered the
Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) to put into record the complaints received, as
well as the corresponding action taken. “You can call this number 0947-8334825
for your report or complaints on any illegal activities in your area,” he said.
Roxas also instructed Liga ng mga Barangay (League
of Barangays) president Nestor Amora to provide report on December 21, 2014 on
the status of the complaints received and recorded in the barangay level, and
it will be practiced on a monthly basis.
“Protecting the environment is everyone’s concern
that’s why we should work together and help in mitigating the adverse effects
not only of climate change but also with the harmful effects brought about by
human-induced disaster,” pointed-out Roxas. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Search for 2015 Outstanding Teachers is now open
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 21 (PIA) – The Metrobank
Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd)
and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is now accepting nominations for
this year’s Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT) with the theme “Empowering
Dreams for an Inspired Nation”.
According to MBFI Education Unit program assistant
Rachel V. Ramos the Search continues to fulfill teachers’ dreams of being
honored especially those who manifest commitment to the development of the
youth through exemplary competence, remarkable dedication to their work, and
effective educational leadership. “Since its launch in 1984, the Search has
awarded a total of 336 educators all over the Philippines,” she added.
“Joining the Search is easy! Teachers just need to
submit a two-page Basic Information Sheet (BIS), now available online with no
additional documents required,” Ramos said.
Ramos further said that the Search is open to all
teachers in the elementary, secondary, and higher education levels in both
public and private schools throughout the country.
“Possible candidates should be Filipino citizen
who are actively teaching in the country for the last 10 years and with valid
PRC license,” Ramos added.
For the Elementary competition, schools are
entitled to nominate two nominees, one each from the primary (Kinder to Grade
III) and intermediate (Grade IV to Grade VI), while schools for secondary and
higher education competition are entitled to one nominee, respectively. Past
finalists of the Search, who meet the basic eligibility requirements and have
shown sustained good moral standing in the community, are deemed automatic
Provincial Finalists.
Each of the 10 winners will receive a P500,000.00
cash prize, medal, trophy, and plaque of recognition for their school. National
Finalists not chosen as winners will receive P20,000.00 cash while Regional
Finalists will get P10,000.00 cash incentive.
The deadline for submission of the BIS to the MBFI
Secretariat via online/email or to the nearest Metrobank branch in your area is
on/or before January 27, 2015. The Basic Information Sheet is now available
online, in all Metrobank branches, DepEd regional and division offices, and
CHED regional offices nationwide. The forms may also be downloaded through the
Metrobank Foundation website at www.mbfoundation.org.ph or at
www.facebook.com/mbfi.sot. For further details, please call the MBFI
Secretariat at tel. nos. (02) 898-8898; telefax: (02) 818-5656/750-0837; or
e-mail: mbfi.sot@gmail.com. (NLM/PIA-Caraga)
