DSWD, partners spearhead campaign against human
trafficking through flashmob
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 11 (PIA) – In time with this
year’s celebration of the International Day Against Human Trafficking on
December 12, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga
spearheaded a flashmob activity on Thursday in various strategic areas which
include the Bancasi airport, City Hall, Guingona Park, and Robinson’s Place,
this city.
“Through the flashmob activity, we aim to
reiterate the message that the public should understand and bear in mind that
trafficking is a nationwide threat and that Filipinos must act and report any
information on human trafficking. Let’s not tolerate such act. Let’s prevent it
in any way we can,” relayed Edilyn Pujadas, social worker officer I handling Recovery
and Reintegration Program for Traffic Persons of DSWD-Caraga.
Pujadas further reiterated that children are often
at the risk of being exploited because of circumstances in the community. “We
must continue to intensify our anti-trafficking campaign to give attention to
the root causes of trafficking which include poverty, culture, gender
discrimination, lack of education, breakdown of families and natural and
man-made disasters among others,” she said.
Said activity also formed part of the 18-Day
Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) from November 25 to December 12,
2014.
Partner government agencies such as the Philippine
National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH), and the Philippine Information
Agency (PIA) actively participated in the flashmob, information dissemination,
and awareness campaign.
A flash mob (or flashmob) is a group of people who
assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless
act for a brief time, before quickly dispersing. (JPG/VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga 81st RDC meeting to push through on Dec. 19
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 11 (PIA) – The
81st Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting that could have already taken place
on December 4 is reset on December 19, 2014.
Marjorie Pagaran, secretary to Surigao del Sur
governor Johnny Pimentel said that the final schedule has already been agreed
upon after Surigao del Norte governor Sol Matugas, RDC chair, called on the former
by phone.
Reportedly, Matugas was prompted to cancel the
earlier schedule due to the threat of Typhoon Ruby.
Meanwhile, Pagaran stressed that everything
regarding the meeting remains the same except for the postponement.
As previously set, the activity is going to be
held at Villa Maria Luisa (VML) Hotel in Tandag City, this province.
Among the top 10 agenda lined-up for discussion
are items that have something to do with disaster plans and programs, it was
learned.
Also, a Christmas party/fellowship with the theme,
“Going ASEAN” is set to follow. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA-Surigao del
Sur)
AgSur retailers continue vigilance in selling iron
pipes, tubes
By Cerila P. Inson
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 11 (PIA) -
Retailers of galvanized iron [GI] and black iron [BI] pipes and tubes of this
province are now strictly checking if their inventories are product
standards-compliant.
This has been observed during the recent conduct
of monitoring activities by the Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur
Provincial Office (DTI-AdS) this quarter.
In an information drive campaign organized by
DTI-AdS and the Industry and Philippine Association of Galvanized Iron and
Black Iron Pipes and Tubes manufacturers, Inc. in Agusan del Sur last September
2014, it was emphasized to both retailers and consumers that steel pipes used
in water, steam, gas and air lines are subject for mandatory product
certification under Philippine National Standard No. 26:2003 which requires
strict adherence to the safety requirements in the manufacture of these pipes
and tubes as well as the mandatory markings and labeling.
This measure aims to help improve the
manufacturing and production standards of the manufacturers, educate
wholesalers and retailers on the mandatory markings and labels, and at the same
time, ensure that consumers are provided with safe and quality products.
Consumers are reminded that when buying pipes and
tubes, they must ensure that product standard markings are evident with
Philippine Standard marks if locally manufactured, and Import Commodity
Clearance (ICC) marks if imported with the logo/brand of the manufacturer, the
type of pipe, the length and diameter and the corresponding color requirements.
(DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Caraga)
Dinagat Islands generally peaceful – PNP
By Jane Mayola
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Dec. 11 (PIA) – The
Police Provincial Office here considered the entire province as generally
peaceful.
During the recently held Provincial Peace and
Order Council meeting here, police provincial director P/SSupt. Crispulo
Casilana said that despite the overall 379 crimes committed from January to
November this year, the province is still considered as generally peaceful.
He said that this number of crimes committed
provincewide is comparable only to a certain municipality outside Dinagat.
Casilana also reported other accomplishments of
the PNP from January to November this year, including the arrest of 48 wanted
persons, confiscation of illegal logs worth P66, 213.56, and confiscation of
2.2 grams of illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, with respect to the prevention of
incidents during this Christmas and New Year’s celebration, the PNP are
currently implementing extra police visibility in the province and will assign
fireworks designated areas to avoid fire incidence.
"We will also be sealing off our firearms as
well," Casilana said. (SDR/PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
Junior consumer advocates join DTI in trade laws
monitoring
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 11 (PIA) – The Department of
Trade and Industry Agusan del Norte Provincial Office (DTI-ADN) has been
inviting consumer organizations annually in the conduct of regular inspections
in business establishments to monitor compliance to fair trade laws (FTLs).
This is part of DTI-ADN’s continuing efforts to
build the awareness and capability of consumer organizations in monitoring
relevant laws and guidelines affecting consumers and the general public.
For this year, 20 members of the Jr. Butuanong
Konsumador – Agusan Colleges Chapter joined DTI-ADN in the conduct of FTL
monitoring.
The activity started with a briefing where the
junior consumer advocates were given instructions on how to conduct the
monitoring. They were oriented on what
to look for in some products sold in retail and how to prepare the inspection
and monitoring report.
Specific fair trade laws such as Price Tag Law,
and laws on labeling and product standards were given focus during the
inspection.
It is the intention of the office to impart
relevant information and skills to these college students in consumer awareness
and protection such that they will proactively enhanced their contribution in
the community as well-informed consumers. (DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
Increased moringa processing seen with turn-over
of new equipment
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 11 (PIA) - The United Farmers of
Cuyago, Inc. (UFCI), operating in Barangay Cuyago, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte,
is expecting to see a significant increase in its processed moringa production
with the new equipment from DTI-Agusan del Norte Provincial Office (DTI-ADN)
under the agency’s Shared Service Facility (SSF) Program.
This SSF worth Php 645,000.00 is in support to the
Moringa Production Project initiated by the Agri – Aqua Development Coalition
Mindanao (AADC) and is expected to assist 30 farmer-MSMEs in Jabonga and
generate 30 jobs.
Ramabe D. Montilla representing DTI-Agusan del
Norte officer-in-charge Gay A. Tidalgo turned-over the SSF equipment to UFCI
president Virginia D. Montilla. AADC
staff Alvin I. Frasco and Jabonga municipal agriculture officer Adriano D.
Balan stood as witnesses. (DTI-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
