DA sec visits Caraga, meets farmers &
fisherfolks
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) – Secretary Proceso J.
Alcala of the Department of Agriculture (DA) visited Caraga region on Friday
particularly this city and municipality of Barobo in Surigao del Sur for the
series of activities with the farmers and fisherfolks.
The secretary and his party arrived the Bancasi
National Airport here at 9:15 in the morning and immediately proceeded to Brgy.
Wakat, Barobo, Surigao del Sur for the Turn-over Ceremony of Municipal Fish
Port and Ice Plant to the local government unit.
Along with the turn-over ceremony is the
Culmination Program of DA’s Mindanao Rural Development Program 2 and Philippine
Rural Development Project Launching at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.
At his arrival at the municipal Fish Port, Sec.
Alcala was welcomed by the following officials: Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic
Resources (BFAR) director Asis Perez; Philippine Fisheries Development
Authority (PFDA) Asst. Manager Eduardo Chu; DA-Caraga regional executive
director Edna Mabeza; BFAR-Caraga regional director Nerio Casil; Surigao del
Sur Provincial Gov. Johnny Pimentel; Provincial Vice Gov. Manuel Alameda Sr.;
Surigao del Sur 2nd District Cong. Florencio Garay; Carrascal Municipal Mayor
Vicente Pimentel; Provincial Agriculturist Marcos Quico; Barobo Municipal Mayor
Felixberto Urbiztondo; Barobo Vice Mayor Joey Pama; all Sangguniang Bayan
Members; all Municipal Heads of Offices; and all barangay officials.
Sec. Alcala then turned-over the Municipal Fish
Port and Ice Plant Project amounting to P44,254,304.13 to the municipality of
Barobo in Surigao del Sur thru Mayor Felixberto Urbiztondo.
The municipal Fish Port and Ice Plant Project is
being implemented by the PFDA, an attached agency of DA mandated to provide
fishery post-harvest facilities and infrastructure for the efficient handling,
distribution and marketing of fishery products.
Also, right after the turn-over ceremony, Sec.
Alcala headed to Barobo Gymnasium, where he met hundreds of farmers and
fisherfolks for a forum. He expressed his thanks to all the people’s
organizations present for patiently waiting for his arrival in Barobo. He also
acknowledged all the local officials of said municipality and DA-Caraga
officials for its effort in coming up with the establishment of Municipal
Fishport and Ice Plant, and for continuously addressing issues and concerns of
the farmers and fisherfolks in the region.
"We are asking all our farmers and
fisherfolks to register at BFAR so you will receive whatever benefits that the
government has provided for you. We are also encouraging you to increase
backyard gardening in your community to improve your livelihood,"
highlighted Alcala.
The good secretary also emphasized coordination
among stakeholders to achieve its target for the sector. "The national
government needs the full cooperation and support of the local government to
really enforce laws that protect the rights of the farmers and fisherfolks and
provide them the benefits they deserved. In the same way, we also need the
support and participation of our farmers and fisherfolks so we can work
together and plan on how the government can serve you better," he
stressed.
In response, all the farmers and fisherfolks
expressed their heartfelt thanks and warm messages to Sec. Alcala through
chants and jingles.
Before the forum ended, farmers and fisherfolks
received several gifts from the department thru a raffle draw with the
following items: 15 bags of black rice, 15 bags of Green Super Rice, one unit
Rice Thresher, one unit Floating Tiller, 10 bags of Corn, 100 heads of Kabir
chicks, five heads of draft animals with implements, and 10 units of Marine
Engine. All these items are worth 519,580.00.
Mayor Urbiztondo also asked all the farmers and
fisherfolks to work together with the municipal government in the
implementation of the programs and projects for the said sector. "Let's
not only work for our individual success but also for the next generation to
come," he expressed.
Meanwhile, on its way to Butuan City, Sec. Alcala
and party dropped by at Antongalon-Agusan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, a
DA-accredited Farm Service Provider and financed by Agricultural Credit Policy
Council and Community Seed Banking to check the status of operation of said
cooperative.
When Sec. Alcala arrived back in Butuan City, he
graced the Culmination Program of the MRDP 2 and Launching of the PRDP with the
theme “Enabling Communities, Expanding Opportunities”. Around 300 partners from
the different sectors participated and witnessed said event.
Moreover, DA-Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza
thanked the stakesholders for their cooperation in the implementation of MRDP 2
which will soon culminate on December 2014. "The MRDP-2 has a total of
P1,195,330,110 worth of projects in Caraga Region alone and we hope to continue
that development through the PRDP which we are launching today," she
bared.
During the program, DA officials awarded Plaque of
Recognition to Outstanding Provincial Local Government Unit-Implementers for
Rural Infrastructure Component, Natural Resources Management Component, and
Community Fund Agricultural Development Component, among others.
The MRDP-APL2 continues to implement
poverty-reducing interventions in more poor communities across Mindanao as it
expands in scope of coverage (225 towns in 26 provinces). It is implemented
under the DA, MRDP-1 accomplished various projects and provided significant
learning experiences on which MRDP-2 takes off.
The PRDP is a six-year project designed to
establish the government platform for a modern, climate-smart and
market-oriented Agri-fishery sector. PRDP partners with the LGUs and the
private sector in providing key infrastructure, facilities, technology, and
information that will raise incomes, productivity, and competitiveness in the
countryside.
Sec. Alcala assured that the department’s funds
will increase in 2015 to address more issues and concerns of its recipients
from its implemented programs and projects. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Agriculture secretary turns-over municipal Fishport,
Ice Plant to LGU-Barobo
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) – “I’m very happy to see
the newly-constructed Fish Port and Ice Plant here in Barobo, Surigao del Sur.
These will surely help many people especially our fisherfolks. I am hoping that
our strong partnership will continue as the department also continuously
promotes the welfare of the sector.”
This was the statement of Secretary Proceso J.
Alcala of the Department of Agriculture (DA) during his visit in Barobo,
Surigao del Sur for the Turn-over of Municipal Fish Port and Ice Plant to the
local government unit.
Along with Sec. Alcala during the ribbon-cutting
were director Asis Perez of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(BFAR); Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) Asst. Manager Eduardo
Chu; DA-Caraga regional executive director Edna Mabeza; BFAR-Caraga regional
director Nerio Casil; Surigao del Sur Provincial Gov. Johnny Pimentel;
Provincial Vice Gov. Manuel Alameda Sr.; Surigao del Sur 2nd District Cong.
Florencio Garay; Carrascal Municipal Mayor Vicente Pimentel; Provincial
Agriculturist Marcos Quico; Barobo Municipal Mayor Felixberto Urbiztondo;
Barobo Vice Mayor Joey Pama; all Sangguniang Bayan Members; all Municipal Heads
of Offices; and all barangay officials.
Sec. Alcala with director Mabeza toured the area
and were briefed by local officials on how the Fishport and Ice Plant will be
operated.
Mayor Urbiztondo also expressed his warm thanks
and gratitude to Sec. Alcala and the PFDA for funding the said project. He also
assured that said infra will benefit its constituents especially the farmers
and fisherfolks.
It was learned that the turned-over municipal
Fishport and Ice Plant Project is worth P44,254,304.13.
The municipality of Barobo in Surigao del Sur is
graced with one of the best fishing ground as it is endowed with a body of
water now known as the Barobo Bay being a part of the greater Lianga Bay, which
is rich in marine resources and proximate to Philippine Sea which is home to
migratory species of fish being exported to other countries.
The Municipal Fishport and Ice Plant Project is
being implemented by the PFDA, an attached agency of DA mandated to provide
fishery post-harvest facilities and infrastructure for the efficient handling,
distribution and marketing of fishery products. (JPG/VLG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur recognized as the second largest Palay
producer in Caraga
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - "One of our
priorities in the province is really on Agriculture. Surigao del Sur is the 2nd
largest producer of Palay in the entire Caraga region."
This was the announcement of Surigao del Sur
Governor Johnny Pimentel during the Forum with Farmers and Fisherfolks held on
Friday at the Barobo Gymnasium, Surigao del Sur.
It was also learned that the said province won
second prize in the national organic farm amounting to P500,000.00. According
to DA-Caraga, the national awarding will be held in Davao City.
When it comes to agriculture, Pimentel highlighted
that Surigao del Sur has been an achiever and recognized producer. "It can
be recalled that the province was also declared as top rice achiever in the
entire country," he added.
On the other hand, Pimentel lauded the
accomplishments of Secretary Proceso J. Alcala of the Department of Agriculture
(DA) that benefited much the Surigaonons and Caraganons.
"Thru the leadership of Secretary Alcala, the
Barobo Municipal Fishport and Ice Plant in here in Barobo, Surigao del Sur were
realized. Because of his sincere commitment to serve our farmers and
fisherfolks, we are assured that we will have more for our province,"
disclosed Pimentel.
Pimentel also encouraged all the farmers and
fisherfolks not only from his province but in the entire region to increase its
productivity on agricultural products especially the organic agriculture.
Meanwhile, the governor further revealed that the
Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) also launched on Friday the postal
stamp bearing the Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
“Postmaster General and CEO Maria Josefina Dela
Cruz led the historic event earlier today in Bislig City, the reason why I also
came late here… Thank you also to our very dynamic secretary for his
overwhelming support to our region when it comes to the promotion of the
welfare of our farmers and fisherfolks,” added Pimentel.
With this development, Sec. Alcala also mentioned
that he will discuss with Gov. Pimentel the establishment of an Agro-Industrial
Hub so farmers and fisherfolks can have more resources and livelihood. (JPG/VLG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Inter-agency ball game tournament opens in San
Jose, Dinagat Islands
By Susil D. Ragas
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Nov. 7 (PIA) – An
inter-agency ball game tournament was recently opened here at the San Jose
Municipal Gym, this province.
According to Dinagat Islands provincial
information officer Ma. Jane Mayola, the event aims to provide understanding
and promote camaraderie among government employees through friendly
competitions.
The ball game tournament is one of the highlights
of the Silver Jubilee Celebration of the municipality of San Jose with the
theme “San Jose @ 25 years and beyond: Celebrating Gains and Progressing
Actions towards Good Governance and Economic Developments.”
Among the highlights of the Two-weeklong
celebration are the Launching of San Jose Hymn, Contemporary Dance Contest,
Bancarera and the much awaited Search for Silver Jubilee Queen 2014. (SDR/PIA-Dinagat
Islands)
DILG 13 conducts Regional Forum on Role of
Barangays in ASEAN Integration
By Don Manuelo O. Patrimonio
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 7 (PIA) - Liga ng mga Barangay
Presidents across the region participated the Regional Forum on “Role of
Barangays: Way Forward to ASEAN Integration” conducted by the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XIII last October 28-29, 2014 at
Samping Avenue, this city.
The forum was called primarily to facilitate
understanding among the barangays through their respective Liga presidents on
the concept, objectives and ramifications of the ASEAN Economic Integration
(AEI) which will be established in 2015. It was presented by the National
Economic and Development Authority – Region XIII (NEDA 13) Regional Director
Mylah Faye Aurora B. CariΓ±o herself as a show of NEDA’s critical role and
support in this move for integration.
The forum also provided an avenue for some of the
key government agencies for ASEAN integration to present their preparations
thus far as well as to impart the roles that the local government units,
especially the barangays, can play to support the AEI.
Presentations were given by representatives of
various regional offices of the Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of
Education (DepEd), Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) and
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on what their agencies are currently
involved with in the preparation for the ASEAN Integration. Tourism
opportunities; good agricultural practices; job opportunities and salaries and
wages; programs for out-of-school youth (i.e. Abot Alam); business and trade;
and development, upscaling and certification of skills, among many others were
discussed.
To encapsulate the discussion of the various
initiatives of the National Government Agencies, DILG 13 Regional Director
Lilibeth A. Famacion revisited the role that the barangays need to portray
particularly on how they might be able to seize the opportunities that the
regional economic community is bringing along with it, and to challenge the
LGUs to do what needs to be done to be contributory to the efforts of the
entire country to be at par with or even at the forefront of the nine (9) other
ASEAN member nations come 2015.
ASEAN or Association of Southeast Asian Nations is
the coming together of ten (10) Southeast Asian nations as one economic
community, i.e. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
TAGALOG NEWS: Palasyo nirerespeto ang kautusan ng
Sandiganbayan na payagan si dating Pangulong Arroyo na dumalo sa lamay at
libing ng kanyang apo
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nov. 7 (PIA) - Sinabi ng Palasyo
noong Martes na nirerespeto nito ang apsiya ng Sandiganbayan na ipagkaloob kay
dating pangulo Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ang kanyang kahilingan na makadalo sa
lamay at libing ng kanyang apo.
“Nirerespeto namin ang kautusan ng Sandiganbayan
na payagan si dating Pangulong Arroyo na dumalo sa lamay at libing at
makibahagi sa pagkaulila ng kanyang pamilya,” sabi ni Presidential
Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. sa isang
pahayag nong Martes.
Pinayagan ng Sandiganbayan Fifth Division si
Arroyo na iwanan ang kanyang seldang silid na nasa Veterans Memorial Medical
Center para dumalo sa lamay ng kanyang apo mula ika-4 ng Nobyembre hanggang
ika-9 mula ala una ng hapon hanggang alas diyes ng gabi at sa libing sa
darating na Nobyembre 10 mula alas nuwebe ng umaga hanggang alas tres ng hapon.
Si Jorge Alonzo “Jugo” Arroyo Bernas, pinakabatang
anak na lalaki ng anak ni Gng. Arroyo na babaeng si Luli Arroyo-Bernas at ng
asawang si Luigi ay namatay noong Linggo bandang 9:30 ng umaga sa Philippine
Heart Center dahil sa congenital heart problem.Si Jugo Bernas ay may edad na 13
buwan pa lamangat siyang pinakabata sa lahat ng mga apo ni Arroyo.
Ang lamayan ay nasa bahay ng mga Bernases sa Forbes
Park, Lunsod ng Makati.
Si Arroyo, representante ng Pampanga ay nasa
ilalim ng hospital arrest sa Veteran’s Memorial Medical Center mula 2012.
Kinakaharap niya ang bintang na nakipagsabwatan sa katiwaliang paglihis ng P366
milyon ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds para sa
kanyang personal na kapakanan mula 2008 hanggang 2010. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
