(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Zamboangueños welcome participants of this year’s 12th MindaComNet Congress

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA) – With all smiles, the Zamboangueños welcomed all the participants coming from the different regions of Mindanao Island during today’s opening ceremony of the three-day Mindanao Communicators Network (MindaComNet) Congress held at Grand Astoria Hotel, this city.

The said congress will run until November 14, 2014 with invited speakers who will discuss relevant topics relative to the Climate Change Advocacy of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and partners, which include the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Mindanao.

The entrance of colors signaled the start of the program with the parade of the regional directors of PIA from the five regions in Mindanao: Dir. Abner M. Caga of region 13 (Caraga); Dir. Efren Elbanbuena of Region 11; Dir. Noemi Edaga of Region 9; Dir. Thelma Oliver of Region 10; and Dir. Olive Sudaria of Region 12.

“As the pride of Mindanao, it is our delight to see each one of you actively participating in this congress. PIA-9 as the host of this year’s congress would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your effort in coming here,” expressed Dir. Edaga of PIA-11 and President of MindaComNet-Zamboanga Peninsula

Edaga further clarified that there is no truth over rumors that Zamboanga is the most dangerous city in Mindanao. “This place is not as dangerous as what the media has projected. If that was true, I believe you wouldn’t take chance to travel this far and be here for this congress,” added Edaga.

Also, representing Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle Limaco-Salazar, Christian Olasiman, executive assistant stressed that “Build-Back-Better Zamboanga” is their campaign as the city was one of the most typhoon affected areas.

“Communication is essential in the humanitarian response. It is equal to that water and food. Communication will also improve if we converge and talk together. Let’s work this out for God, our country and people,” emphasized Olasiman.

Meanwhile, Dir. Elbanbuena of Region 11 and MindaComNet President highlighted that PCOO Sec. Sonny Coloma recognized that MindaComNet is the only consistent organization in Mindanao conducting the annual congress in different areas.

“Zamboanga is really a beautiful city. It was here when we conceived the idea of organizing the Mindanao Communicators Network… We will tour the city on Friday for you to witness Zamboanga’s best tourist spots,” revealed Elbanbuena.

Elbanbuena also bared that the theme ‘Building-Back-Better Mindanao’ is nationally adopted. “We have to emphasize the efforts of the government in addressing the rehabilitation of the typhoon hardly-hit areas and regain its peace and order. We will also discuss different strategies in our promotion to our Climate Change advocacy,” he said. 

Zamboanga was formerly known as Jambangan in Subanon language and the center of Subanon tribe and culture during the pre-Hispanic times. After independence from Spain on May 1899, Zamboanga became the Republica de Zamboanga with Zamboangueno Chavacano as its official language and Spanish as its co-official language. After American intervention, the republic incorporated into the Philippines and became the capital of the former Moro Province, now Mindanao, from 1903 to 1913. On October 12, 1936, Zamboanga became a chartered city under Commonwealth Act No. 39. It was formally inaugurated on February 26, 1937, which was declared a local holiday.

It is also known for Hispanic influences in its culture, it bears the nickname “Asia’s Latin City and City of Flowers. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


AgSur vows to end violence against women, crafted strategic plan for 2014-2016

By David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nov. 12 (PIA) - The Provincial Council for the Welfare of Women and Children (PCWWC) convened here Friday to discuss the 18–day campaign to end violence against women (VAW), increase awareness of stakeholders, increase commitment of right to protect the victims of violence against women and to forge partnership among stakeholders in addressing the VAW.

The start of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women will be on November 25 until December 12, 2014 but the advocacy activities will start on November 24 where members of the PCWWC will be joining the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony at the Naliyagan Plaza and share the activities lined-up for the duration of the campaign. Hanging of streamers will also start on that same day including the opening of radio program at DXDA with representatives from Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office as guests.

Loida Antonio, Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) focal person also presented to the members of the council the Provincial Strategic Action Plan that will address gender-based violence (GBV) including trafficking in person from 2014 to 2016.

“There are four major programs,projects and activities that the PSWD has prepared for the two-year plan. Among these four are the Advocacy and Prevention; Protection, Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration; Prosecution and Law Enforcement; and the Partnership and Networking,” Antonio said.

“Under the advocacy and prevention, we will be conducting trainings of trainers of the Provincial Council against Trafficking – Violence Against Women Council (PCAT- VAWC) on the local government units (LGUs) guidelines in the establishment and management of a referral system on VAWC and Trafficking in Person (VAWC and TIP); advocacy on RA 9208, RA 10364, RA 9262, RA 7610 and other related gender-based violence issues using the quad media; institutionalization of Local Council against Trafficking (LCAT- VAW) at the provincial and municipal level; production and distribution of tarpaulins and billboards; the preparation of the local emergency preparedness plans with protection concerns of women and children incorporated and; Capability building on Gender Sensitivity Training,” Antonio added.

On the Protection, Recovery, Rehabilitation and Integration program, activities include provision of transport, medicines, food and other basic commodities to gender-based violence survivors and families; Mapping and Monitoring of PCAT-VAWC to C/MCAT- VAWC as to the level of functionality in coordination with DILG; the conduct of psychosocial intervention to GBV survivors and the provision of livelihood assistance.

On the Prosecution and Law Enforcement, the conduct of capacity building, training of law enforcers are on top, then the establishment of inter-agency task force on trafficking in person (TIP) for monitoring, surveillance and rescue/interception operation specially in vulnerable areas and the provision of incentive awards system to top performing local law enforcers.

On Partnership and Networking, collaboration with partner agencies, NGOs, FBOs, CSOs, Pos, NGAs comes on top, followed by GAD Planning and Budgeting, Gender mainstreaming and establishment of harmonized database and management information system on GBV/TIP.

“Some of these programs were already done during the past years but because of the willingness and cooperation from our partner agencies and NGOs, we are expanding our activities while budget will be provided of ourpartner agencies and NGOs,” Antonio said. (DMS/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Sur provincial LGU, organic agriculturist bag achievers award

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA) – The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Surigao del Sur led by Governor Johnny Pimentel and the focal person for organic agriculture (OA) Marcos Quico of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) bagged the respective top awards for this year’s "Regional Organic Agriculture Achievers Award” in Caraga region held on Thursday at the Almont Hotel Inland Resort in Butuan City.

“The PLGU-Surigao del Sur, which was adjudged as the CY 2014 Outstanding Province in the implementation of the OA Program in Caraga region, received a prize of P500,000 worth of project fund and a plaque of recognition,” Edna Mabeza, acting director IV of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office XIII said in her invitation letter  to Gov. Pimentel.

Likewise, Provincial Agriculturist Marcos Quico was awarded a cash prize worth P25,000 and a plaque of recognition being the Most Outstanding Provincial OA Focal Person region-wide.

The awarding was done in time of the holding of Agricultural Extension Workers’ Congress. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


PhilPost launches Bislig City’s Tinuy-an falls stamp

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Nov. 12 (PIA) – The Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) launched on Thursday the postal stamp bearing the Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City.

Postmaster General and CEO Maria Josefina Dela Cruz led the historic event at 11:00 a.m. in Bislig City, where the popular tourist spot can be found, Caridad Ronquillo, senior tourism operations officer of the province said.

Ronquillo likewise said that some personnel of the Provincial Tourism Office headed by its new chief, Nicolas Sonsona attended the special occasion.

Ranking employees of the PhilPost District Office based in Tandag City were also present supporting the affair. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)