(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.


Monday, December 8, 2014

Butuan local officials, gov’t agencies converge to respond to TY Ruby victims in Samar

By Jennifer P. Gaitano & Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 8 (PIA) – The local government here led by Mayor Ferdinand Amante, Jr. and Agusan del Norte provincial government headed by Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba, together with other local government unit (LGU) officials, local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) chiefs and agency members, convened on Monday at the Agusan del Norte Governor's Office and discussed preparations for the augmentation and relief operation to be conducted in Samar areas that were affected by typhoon Ruby.

The team led by Mayor Amante has decided to deploy personnel to Samar, Visayas area at 7:00a.m., Tuesday to assist in the delivery/distribution of goods to the affected families and individuals. Some doctors and nurses are also coming.

Amante also bared that in his conversation with Caraga RDRRMC chair and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director Liza Mazo, as to the specific needs which Caraga Team should bring in Samar, it will basically be more on food, water and temporary shelter for the victims of typhoon whose houses were also destroyed. "We will be there to help them get the relief they needed," he said.

Amante, further suggested to complete the information and determine the needs of the typhoon-affected individuals in order to provide a more appropriate intervention. As early as now, composites of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are organized and will be going with the team to ensure security and safety.

"The opportunity for a local chief executive to assess himself the real situation of the typhoon-affected area is a blessing and a chance for us to help them the best way we can. Let's not just let this pass and instead let's work together with other LGUs in the region and give our neighbor-affected areas the help they needed," stressed Amante.

Also, taking into consideration the significance of communication systems during disasters, Amante recognized the Advance Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network as introduced by Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional director Abner Caga. "We are open to adopt this kind of information system to be utilized in worst case scenarios during disasters/calamities. With this innovation, there's no way that we can't respond in appropriate time," he said.

"Please keep in touch with us on what are the other things needed to be brought to Samar, Visayas area. We will also keep you updated on the development of our plans for deployment," added Amante.

With this development, Amante also asked Butuanons to take their part. "I'm calling on all our co-Butuanons to donate food, water, clothing, and other things they can provide for our neighboring affected areas of TY Ruby. The city hall is open for more donations," he expressed. (JPG/VLG/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur guv urges capitol employees to thank God for sparing province from 'Ruby'

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 8 (PIA) – Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel urged capitol employees here to thank the Lord for sparing the province anew from the wrath of a storm—this time, Typhoon Ruby.

During the flag ceremony program this morning he said “First and foremost, once again, let us thank the Lord, and all the Saints, for sparing the province of Surigao del Sur from Typhoon Ruby.”

“Let us take this opportunity and find time to thank God since we did not suffer any damage,” Pimentel stressed.

“This has not happened only once but for several occasions,” recalling in the past the strong storms that badly hit other provinces like Typhoon Sendong, Pablo, Yolanda, and two more others, he added. (NGBT/Radyo g Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


LMDA conducts friendly business, capability building on investment promotion consultation workshop to Lake Mainit LGUs

By Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Dec. 8 (PIA) - The Board of Investments (BOI) recently conducted a consultation workshop on Biodiversity (BD) Friendly Businesses and Market-Led Opportunities, and Capability Building Training on Investment Promotion focusing on the formulation of Local Investments and Incentives Code (LIIC) for the local government units (LGUs) of Lake Mainit in Surigao del Norte.

The activity is a component of the Biodiversity Partnership Project (BPP) being implemented in Lake Mainit area with the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA) as the local partner.

According to BOI-BPP project coordinator Luna Gracia Panesa-Ahmad, the objective of the activity is to promote BD–Friendly Businesses in the local investment portfolio and enhance capabilities of the local government to formulate biodiversity friendly economic and business development policies particularly in the area of investment promotion.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Surigao del Norte provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan encouraged the LGUs to adapt green development policies and strategies to properly manage their natural capital vital for sustained economic development.

Negapatan said that the executive and legislative bodies of the LGUs should impose certain condition to business locators in their areas to expand its corporate social responsibility that will ensure long term benefits to the people, the whole community and its natural environment.

Meanwhile, Mainit vice mayor Crisanta O. Mondano as well as other LGU officials of Lake Mainit area expressed their gratitude to the BOI-BPP Team and DTI for the support extended to them so that they can formulate and enhance their respective LIIC to be biodiversity friendly.


A total of 22 participants attended the activity including a number of municipal LGUs of the Alliance in Lake Mainit such as Sison, Alegria and Mainit of Surigao del Norte, and Jabonga, Santiago and Tubay of Agusan del Norte, and participants composed of the business sector, sangguniang bayan members, local economic and investment promotion officers and environment management officers, among others. (SDR/PIO/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)