Caraga GADCC encourages more students to join
Short Film Festival
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) – The Regional
Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC)
Caraga is encouraging more students to join in the Short Film Festival
portraying stories of women with exemplary contributions in the society through
video production.
The story shall be anchored on the theme, “End VAW
Now! It’s Our Duty!” in relation to the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to
End Violence Against Women (VAW) for this year.
“The contest is open to all college/universities
students in Caraga region. The students must secure a Certification that they
are officially enrolled for academic year 2014-2015. There is no limit of
entries per student/team,” bared Atty. Marylin Pintor, GADCC chairperson and
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director.
Pintor reminded interested participants that each
team must be composed of not less than three but not more than eight members.
The team must clearly identify/designate the role of each team member per
entry. Characters that will appear in the film are not necessarily part of the
team members while appearances of mainstream actors are not allowed.
“The contestant’s short film must run a minimum of
three minutes and maximum of five minutes including front and back credits. Any
entry beyond the length specified would be disqualified. Appearance of
participant’s name, college/university logo/name or any product/brand name as a
material or content in the video/film is disallowed,” Pintor reiterated.
The chair also stressed that the film may be based
on true story or fictional. Stock photos or footages including any published
materials directly downloaded from the internet will not be allowed, while use
of any music materials, in whole or in part, protected by a copyright is
prohibited.
“Portrayal of excessive violence, nudity, or
obscenity is not allowed. The primary dialect to be used is Bisaya or Cebuano.
English subtitle must be provided for very entry submitted,” added Pintor.
It was also learned that participants will have to
pay P300.00 registration fee per entry. Multiple entries from the
school/university are accepted. Deadline of submission of entries is on or
before January 23, 2015.
For more information, interested participants may
call the CHR Caraga regional office at telephone numbers (085) 342-6848 or
342-5280; and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) at telephone
numbers (085) 342-5774. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD meets Caraga press, shares KALAHI
CIDSS-NCDDP's accomplishments in 2014
By Eunice G. Montaos
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 16 - Thirty media partners
graced the press conference hosted by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) Caraga held on Monday at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort here
through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated
Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program
(KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP).
DSWD-Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli, in
her welcome message, bared that the main objective of the event is to present
to the local tri-media the region’s accomplishments in the year 2014
implementation of KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP.
“The media are major stakeholders of this program
and true to its principles of participatory, transparency, and accountability,
this press conference aims to share with them the regional accomplishments of
the Program for the year 2014 as well as the updates and the direction we are
going to take for 2015,” said Brigoli.
“As partners, we would like the media to be one
with us in the advocacy of alleviating poverty in the country,” she added.
During the press conference, regional community
development specialist Elsa D. Montemor provided an orientation about the
program and its nationwide and region-wide coverage.
Meanwhile, deputy regional program manager Ester
V. Villamor presented the physical, financial, and social accomplishments of
KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP.
In Villamor’s presentation, she revealed that 180
community sub-projects composed of solar power street lights, concrete
pathways, multi-purpose buildings, pre-and-post harvest facilities, drainage
canals, level II water system, solar dryers, wooden footbridge, tribal house,
and others were completed under the funding of the PAyapa at MAsaganang
PamanayaNAn (PAMANA).
“These sub-projects from the P53.7M PAMANA grant
are expected to benefit a total of 78,435 households of which 43,534 are
Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries,” reported Villamor.
“We are on track and we are on time, that’s how we
work in KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP,” she added.
Also in the presidential table to answer the
questions of the media during the open forum are assistant regional director
for operations and regional program manager Mita G. Lim, assistant regional
director for administration Nerisa T. Murih, Pantawid Pamilya regional program
coordinator Alma S. Patron, Sustainable Livelihood Program coordinator Roy R.
SerdeΓ±a, and Regional Convergence coordinator Geneliza Q Gabilan.
Present media partners are the following: Radyo
Trumpeta, ABS-CBN TV Patrol Caraga, Periodico, Manila Bulletin, Bombo Radyo,
Real Radio, Philippine News Agency, TV5, DXMK, RMN-dxBC, Hope Radio, dxJM,
Centro Daily, GMA7, and Mindanao News Courier.
The said press conference served as the opening
activity for the program review and evaluation workshop (PREW) of KALAHI
CIDSS-NCDDP attended by the regional program management office and the area
coordinating teams. (Social Marketing Unit/ DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
ASELCO to make Christmas merrier for more than
4,000 households before 2014 ends
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 16 (PIA) - The
Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ASELCO) will make this Yuletide
season merrier for the Agusanons by way of energizing more than 4,000
households or member-consumer-owners (MCOs) in the different parts of the
province as part of its strategic implementation of the government’s
Sitio/Purok Electrification Program (SEP) and Barangay Line Enhancement Program
(BLEP).
“In solidarity with our public officials in the
provincial, municipal and barangay level, rural electrification is our
Christmas gift to the people of Agusan del Sur, most especially in the remotest
areas where electricity was their constant dream. We hope that this Christmas
is memorable for all the new MCOs whose households and communities will
experience light brought about by the missionary electrification program,”
ASELCO general manager Emmanuel B. Galarse shares.
Meanwhile, ASELCO board president Corazon D.
Cullantes expresses her gratitude to Edita S. Bueno, administrator of the
National Electrification Administration (NEA) for her continued trust and
confidence to the Board, Management, and Employees of ASELCO for entrusting
without ceasing th e BLEP and SEP implementation.
In 2015, ASELCO will energize 136 Sitios/Puroks
under SEP and seven off-grid barangays under BLEP which will benefit more than
5,000 households in the different parts of the province of Agusan del Sur. The
government has allocated P1M for each Sitio/Purok under SEP and P3M for each
barangay under BLEP program.
ASELCO has a total target of 142 far-flung
Sitios/Puroks with project cost amounting to P120,769,655.05 in the different
areas within the province. (ASELCO Publication Team/PIA-Caraga)
AFP beefs up defense for Dec. 26 CPP anniversary
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 16 (PIA) – The
army 401st Infantry Brigade claimed beefing up defenses against possible
tactical offensives by the New People’s Army (NPA) as the 46th anniversary
celebration of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on December 26 gets
closer.
Brigade commander Col. Gregory Cayetano said
atrocities are always part of the grand scheme the leftist group does to mark
this occasion.
In this light, Cayetano sought the cooperation of
the public to tip them of any relevant information, saying he hates this to
happen.
Also, as part of strengthening their stance, he
confirmed a meeting between the army and the police through the Provincial
Joint Security Coordinating Council (PJSCC).
The army chief, whose area of responsibility (AOR)
spans over Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur in Caraga region, said that the
armed wing has been under close watch for holding assemblies regarding year-end
assessment.
Asked for comment on the usual holding of plenum,
Cayetano remarked they have yet to confirm where it is believed to take place.
Meanwhile, in connection with the December 9 bus
bombing incident, the brigade commander said that NPA does not have a history
of engaging in such a gruesome act referring to what happened recently in
Maramag, Bukidnon where 10 civilians, five of them students of Central Mindanao
University (CMU) have been killed.
Cayetano explained that NPA will certainly draw
flak if they do like when they allegedly ambushed on November 30 an ambulance
in Rosario, Agusan del Sur where four civilians have been reportedly killed and
seven others wounded while on board. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA-Surigao
del Sur)
DTI intensifies monitoring of noche buena products
By Cerila P. Inson
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 16 (PIA) - The
Department of Trade and Industry-Agusan del Sur Provincial Office (DTI-ADS) has
intensified its monitoring of the prices of noche buena products in the major
trading centers in the province based on the latest Suggested Retail Prices
(SRP).
The said monitoring aims to protect the consumers
from price manipulation and undue price increases in buying products during
this holiday festivities and at the same time remind the retailers to sell
their goods within the SRP.
Copies of the SRPs were distributed to wholesalers
and retailers to ensure that they will be guided in computing for their
mark-ups.
Retailers found to be selling above the SRPs shall
be issued with a Show Cause Order requiring them to explain high prices for
noche buena products despite the issuance of the corresponding SRPs.
Corresponding penalties shall be imposed once a certain establishment is proven
to be violating the provisions of the relevant laws and guidelines.
Noche buena products include ham, fruit cocktail,
cheese, sandwich spread, mayonnaise, queso de bola, pasta/spaghetti, elbow and
salad macaroni noodles, spaghetti and tomato sauce, and creamer.
DTI encourages the consumers to be vigilant in
buying consumer goods in the market and see to it that the proper weights and
measures are met. They must also check
the expiration dates to avoid buying spoiled food products.
For further information and inquiries, DTI-ADS may
be reached at the following contact numbers: 085-839-2025, 085-343-7100,
+639273212116 or 0999-884-2539. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Caraga)
DTI-Surigao Norte advises consumers to be
safety-conscious when buying firecrackers
By Rodrigo R. Matabaran
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Dec. 16 (PIA) -
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is reminding the public to be always
cautious and consider safety in choosing the fireworks and firecrackers they
buy for the Christmas and New Year’s celebration.
DTI provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan
advised the public to look for the Philippine Standards (PS) mark when
purchasing fireworks and firecrackers to be assured of the product safety when
used according to instructions considering that fireworks and firecrackers are
under mandatory certification by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) under
the DTI.
With the same intentions against illegal and
unsafe fireworks and firecrackers, the Philippine National Police (PNP),
regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other
pyrotechnic devices as mandated in Republic Act 7183.
According to Negapatan, the PNP has started
monitoring the market for banned firecrackers such as Super Lolo, Lolo Thunder,
Bin Laden, Giant whistle bomb and new names such as Gangnam Bomb, End of the
World and Goodbye Pacquiao.
He said that the list of banned firecrackers
continues to grow so the public must be very careful to be sure that they are
buying legal firecrackers.
“For firecrackers, only .02 grams or 1/3 teaspoon
of firework/ gun powder is allowed per firecracker, buyers should also check if
the length of the fuse is too long or short and if the powder mixes are right,
and should as well check if the fireworks are properly labeled with name of the
firework, classification and intended use, brand or trade name, name and
address of manufacturer, and the words “Made in the Philippines,” said
Negapatan.
He further said that the firecracker should also
specify the effects if the firework such as “Emits shower of spark,” and/ or
“Produces bangs,” and warning and precautionary signs such as “Keep away from
eyes and skins,” “Do not put in mouth,” and “Use only under adult supervision.”
"More importantly, use the product as per its
specified appropriate instructions to avoid the risk of injury and damage to
property, nevertheless precautions and safety should always be taken into
consideration when purchasing the firecrackers," he added. (SDR/PIO-DTI
Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
SurSur PNP maintains red alert for Yuletide
season, New Year
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 16 (PIA) –
P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero assured the public here that tighter security is in
place not only during this Christmas time but through the early days after New
Year’s celebration.
Aware of the many celebrations anywhere, Verdadero
stressed that the province has been under continued red alert just to ensure no
untoward incident is going to happen.
Verdadero likewise admitted that the New People’s
Army (NPA) is under close monitoring due to possible attacks as the 46th
anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) on December 26 is
drawing near.
Earlier, he said, a meeting with the respective
army battalions’ operations chief in the province has already been held.
Meanwhile, Surigao del Sur continues to enjoy good
peace and order situation. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Stakeholders empower IP leaders through summit for
peace, development
By Maj. Christian C Uy
BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 16 (PIA) - The National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples 13 (NCIP-13) together with the 4th Infantry
“Diamond” Division (4ID), Philippine Army in partnership with the local chief
executives in Caraga Region, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) is holding
today the Indigenous Peoples (IP) summit for peace and development held at
Balanghai Hotel, Barangay, Doongan, this city.
The summit aims to strengthen the IPs in Northern
Mindanao by addressing their issues and concerns in order to prevent them from
New People Army’s infiltration, influence and exploitation. The summit also
facilitates commitment of support from the different concerned regional line
government agencies.
120 tribal chieftains coming from the four
mainland provinces in Caraga Region (Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao
del Sur and Surigao del Norte) join the event. Present also are the different
local chief executives, AFP, PNP and regional line government agencies in
Caraga.
During the opening ceremony, Butuan City mayor
Ferdinand M Amante Jr. gave his welcome remarks, and subsequently delivered his
inspiring message concerning the rights and well-being of the IPs.
“On behalf of the people of Butuan City, I welcome
you all to this historic city for the Caraga IP Leaders Summit. I commend the
NCIP and AFP for spearheading this activity because we do acknowledge that our
lumad brothers and sisters should not be overlooked in the talks for progress
and development,” Amante said.
During the IP forum proper, everyone discussed the
current situation of IPs as far as insurgency situation is concerned, IPRA law
or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 and the Ancestral Domain
Sustainable Development Protection Plan, IP structure, ancestral domain,
socio-economic development, and the traditional defense system in IP
communities.
“We acknowledge that our IPs have specific rights
based on their historical ties to a particular territory and their cultural or
historical distinctiveness from other populations. These rights were also set
forth by different international organizations like the United Nations and
World Bank. As your protector, together with the NCIP and all the stakeholders,
we will never let any organizations from disrespecting these rights and anyone
who will attempt to destroy your communities,” said 4ID commander MGen. Oscar
Lactao. (PA/PIA-Caraga)
