(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 13 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—˜π—”π—§π—›π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: 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 Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. 𝗙𝗒π—₯π—˜π—–π—”π—¦π—§ π—ͺπ—œπ—‘π—— 𝗔𝗑𝗗 π—–π—’π—”π—¦π—§π—”π—Ÿ π—ͺπ—”π—§π—˜π—₯ π—–π—’π—‘π——π—œπ—§π—œπ—’π—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

WWF-Phils, BPI include Butuan on Business Risk Assessment, Mngt of Climate Change Impacts study

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) -  The World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature and Bank of the Phil. Islands (BPI) Foundation have completed the "Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Impacts - a 4-year, 16 city study to prepare Filipinos for escalating climate change effects." The results of said study were unveiled on Monday with the presence of city mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr, and partner stakeholders from the government and private sector.

According to World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines vice-chair and CEO Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, the Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Impacts (a 4-year, 16 city study to prepare Filipinos for escalating climate change effects) was initiated in 2011. "The study's first phase covered the cities of Baguio, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo. Its second assessed Cagayan de Oro, Dagupan, Laoag, and Zamboanga. The cities of Angeles, Batangas, Naga and Tacloban were evaluated in 2014. For 2014, Butuan, General Santos, Puerto Princesa and Santiago were covered," he bared.

“This project is a partnership between WWF-Philippines and the BPI Foundation Incorporated, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands to undertake a Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Impacts study in key Philippine cities, with the aim of helping city planners and decision-makers assess climate change impacts, identify opportunities and decide on a sustainability strategy, site-specific interventions and standards of next practice that will allow the city to retain economic viability and respond more competitively in a climate-defined future,” disclosed Tan.

Tan recognized that Butuan City was once the seat of a powerful kingdom over a thousand years ago, guards the mouth of the Agusan River, the longest of Mindanao’s navigable waterways. He emphasized that the city sits within a high-risk zone – right at the Agusan River Delta, where rains are a daily occurrence and regular floods are expected. Its precipitation figures are the highest in this assessment. It is also apparent that the numbers will go higher.

“Butuan is the economic core for trade and services of the Caraga region. To ensure its continued economic viability in a climate-defined future, Butuan’s opportunity is to establish an integrated river basin management system and strengthen multi-community alliances. The city logged a vulnerability rating of 6.03, the second highest among the four cities evaluated in this phase,” Tan highlighted.

Meanwhile, in response, Mayor Amante acknowledged the presentation of CEO Tan and assured that the city government and the WWF-Philippines and BPI Foundation will convene again for another meeting to discuss further details and plans for the betterment of Butuan.

“Big thanks to WWF-Philippines and BPI Foundation for including Butuan City as one of the recipients of your study. As the city government also implements strategies to achieve the Vision 2020, where Butuan should be Agro-Forestry City, we are also into bundling of socio-economic services and convergence in skills training for livelihood. That’s why we are taking your efforts positively that soon we can have a concrete plan on how we can better manage climate change impacts,” Amante articulated.

Tan reiterated that there is a need to balance urban development and agricultural self-sufficiency, while investing in a multi-sourced supply of resources. "The Philippines is our shared gift. Preparing it for the impacts of climate change is our shared responsibility. Business Risk Assessment & the Management of Climate Impacts is a powerful tool that provides socio-economic safety nets & long-term solutions as we look at the future through the climate lens," reminded Tan.

It was also emphasized in the study that cities must stabilize their resource base, invest in proactive reconfiguration, and build-up reactive reserves. Ample finances reserves, increased investment in building human capital, plus the sustainable management of resources are critical for resilience and competitiveness.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is the world's largest and most experienced conservation organization, operating in over 100 countries through the support of nearly five million people worldwide. WWF-Philippines has been working as a national organization of the WWF network since 1997. As the 26th national organization in the WWF network, WWF-Philippines successfully implemented various conservation projects to help protect some of the most biologically-significant ecosystems in Asia. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Vegetable Harvest Festival set in AgSur

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – As an affirmative outcome of the projects implemented by international non-government organizations in Caraga region, East-West Seeds-Philippines together with Winrock International-Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) jointly led in organizing a Vegetable Harvest Festival which is set on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at Brgy. Dakutan, Esperana, Agusan del Sur.

According to Winrock International-Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP) chief of party Dan Gudahl, the Vegetable Harvest Festival is a gathering that brings together the vegetable producers, industry experts, traders, processors and input suppliers.

Opening of booths, products showcase and market opportunity presentations will start in the morning, and a raffle of seeds in the afternoon.

“The festival will also highlight the Farmer Field School (FFS) graduation, production of FFS producers and potentials of Esperanza municipality and Bayugan City for vegetable production,” said Gudahl.

He also mentioned that the event will address production issues and optimize opportunities to enable the vegetable producers maximize their income.

Winrock International is a non-profit organization that works with people in Caraga region and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources.

On the other hand, East-West Seed International has continued to develop and produce high quality seeds for Asian farmers over the years. Aside from its principle that success in vegetable production starts with high quality seeds and good genetics, it also believes that the right technology and cultural management practices will help farmers attain the maximum benefit out of good seeds. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Agnor PDRRMC prepares for Typhoon ‘Hagupit’

By Nora L. Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – The province of Agusan del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba is now ready for the possible entry of Typhoon ‘Hagupit (International Name) to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), says PDRRM Office chief.

According to PDRRMO officer Erma Suyo, PDRRMC chair Matba has issued an Executive Order No. 39 Tuesday activating the PDRRMC and the Incident Command System (ICS) Incident Management Team of the province effective immediately.

“The province is now implementing Code White – Monitoring and Alert Level,” said Suyo. All vehicles are now on standby for possible deployment, Suyo said.

Also, according to Suyo, governor Matba has already directed all the local government units of the province to activate their respective Local DRRMCs as well as their Emergency Response Teams.

Officer Suyo also said that a preposition stations have been identified by the PDRRMC, for areas covering the municipalities in the East, the Council and the Villahermosa Department Store in Cabadbaran City signed a Memorandum of Agreement to use their warehouse for the relief goods and immediate access of their grocery items if needed during the entry of typhoon ‘Hagupit.’ For the municipalities located in the west, relief goods are now ready at the Operation Center (OpCen) located at the PDRRMO in Butuan City.

“A Standardized Protocol to all barangays has been observed and practiced every time a disaster or a calamity is experienced in the province,” Suyo added.

Meanwhile, as per Memorandum Order No. 44 issued by the local government unit of Las Nieves in Agusan del Norte has already activated their ICS for implementation of all the DRRMCs within the locality, Las Nieves Emergency Response Team (LNERT) and other volunteers.

Operations at the OpCen are now 24/7. (PIA-Agusan del Norte)


DENR-EMB conducts orientation on waste analysis, characterization study

By Ritchel Bacuado

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Dec. 3 (PIA) - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) in partnership with the municipal government of Dinagat conducted a one-day Orientation on Waste Analysis and Characterization Study held recently at the Ecleo Macapagal Gym, New Mabuhay, Dinagat, this province.

According to EMB Caraga technical staff Rolito
Perez
, the orientation was aimed to inform the community about the proper waste segregation and waste disposal.

The orientation was participated by barangay captains, barangay secretaries and committee members on environment from the municipalities of San Jose, Cagdianao and Dinagat. (SDR/MIO-Dinagat/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


Agusanons conduct 'Crusade for Peace'

By 1Lt. Jolito E Borces

CAMP JAIME FERRER SR, Maharlika, Bislig City, Dec. 3 (PIA) - Some 100 relatives and friends of massacred civilian of Barangay Marfil, Rosario, Agusan del Sur on November 30, 2014 initiated on Tuesday the “Crusade for Peace.” 

The said crusade was held at the Bus Terminal of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur on December 2, 2014 condemning the atrocities made by the Guerilla Front Committee (GFC) 14 of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CNN) under Leonida Belarmino Sanches (Aka Susay/Monique).

More or less 500 demonstrators participated by different groups to include the Anti Communist Movement Association (ACMA) led by Tatay Boom, a former front secretary of GFC 21 and a close relative of the massacred victims.  The group also denounced the CNN's activities such as arson, extortions, bombings, ambuscades and lately the killing of four innocent civilians to include the pregnant woman, wounding of four to include an eight year-old child and the barangay chairman of the place.

Ltc Noman Alcovindas, commanding officer of the 75th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army said that the series of atrocities made by the CNN only shows that their existence is already irrelevant.

"Killing of innocent civilians, targeting ambulance and using of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is a clear violation of CARHRIHL. It only shows that they are already desperate in convincing people to join their cause," he said.

He also believes that the CNN's existence is to sow terror victimizing innocent civilians for their personal interest.  (PA/PIA-Caraga)


Mindanao sends 37 athletes to East ASEAN friendship games

DAVAO CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – A contingent of 37 young athletes, 14 coaches and sports and government officials from Mindanao will be participating in the 8th BIMP-EAGA Friendship
Games
in Labuan, Malaysia from December 6 to 10, in efforts to strengthen cross-border links through sports among the member-countries of the economic sub-region.

The delegation, who left for Labuan on Wednesday is led by Davao City Deputy Sports Chief Ma. Goldi Delvo. Two delegations from the City of Puerto Princesa and the Province of Palawan also left for Labuan on the same day, totalling the Philippine contingent to 122 athletes and coaches.

“Our athletes will compete in five major sports events of the Friendship Games, which include basketball, beach volleyball, sepak takraw, badminton, and athletics,” said Delvo during the delegation’s send-off held at the conference hall of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

All participating athletes are within the 15-21 age group, and were selected through a series of try-outs conducted and supported by the Davao City government.

Mindanao raked in 11 gold medals and subsequently ranked third during the 7th BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games, held in General Santos and Koronadal City in December 2012.  The Palawan contingent on the other hand secured seven gold medals during the sports event.

“This year, we urge you to win the games, earn new friends, and promote Mindanao,” said MinDA Executive Director Usec. Janet Lopoz. MinDA serves as the Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA.

BIMP-EAGA stands for Brunei Darussalam Indonesia Malaysia the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. The initiative was launched in 1994 as a key strategy to accelerate social and economic development of less developed areas in participating countries.

She added that more social and cultural exchanges can be expected within the sub-region, after the recent adoption of the socio-cultural and education pillar for BIMP-EAGA.

The BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games is a biennial event of the sub-region, which aims to bring together people from all cultures and races to encourage harmony among BIMP-EAGA member countries through sports.

“Beyond the friendly competition, we also see this activity as a refreshing way of coordinating with the other governments from EAGA to tackle other concerns besides trade and commerce, like culture and sports,” said Gerardo Reynaldo, chief of MinDA’s South Central Mindanao Area Office, and MinDA representative to this year’s Friendship Games. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)


DTI expands watch on goods in SurSur

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 3 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao del Sur headed by acting provincial director Romel Oribe has continued to keep an eye on the quality of fireworks on sale for the Yuletide season.

Manny Disca, Consumer Welfare Division chief, said that aside from Christmas lights and “noche buena” products, their itinerary also includes inspection of fireworks to safeguard the buying public from loosely manufactured ones.

Earlier, the DTI officer admitted that not one Christmas light has ever been confiscated recently since they have started to conduct surprise inspections, which led them to believe that those engaged in this trade have already learned their lesson.

Some eight bags of Christmas lights being sold without the Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) seal had been seized last year during the same period.

Meanwhile, Disca vowed to be more extra vigilant against unscrupulous traders. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


SurSur DRRMC gets set for 'Hagupit'

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 3 (PIA) – Surigao del Sur chief Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) officer Abel De Guzman said all his counterparts at the city and municipal levels have already been advised since yesterday to activate their respective members due to the possible risk a storm with international name “Hagupit” might bring in to the country.

To be renamed “Typhoon Ruby” upon crossing the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), early forecast by Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) indicated that Visayas and Mindanao might be hit anew should it continue to move following its current path, he said.

Meanwhile, De Guzman stressed that constant contact is maintained with all concerned allies in the entire province, adding that the same had been informed to take responsibility of advising fishermen in their respective areas of jurisdiction not to venture at sea to avoid mishap starting this noon. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


PNP set for Human Rights Consciousness Week celebration in SurSur
 
TANDAG CITY, Dec. 3 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur led by acting provincial director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero is already set for the 2014 National Human Rights Consciousness Week celebration on December 4-10 as well as the 66th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 8.

On December 1, a simultaneous reading of “Panata sa Karapatang Pantao” led by a designated police human rights officer was conducted at all respective levels of the local chain of command here during their flag raising rites after all police units have been enjoined to take part.

Streamers have likewise been hung to mark the occasion in this year’s celebration that carries the theme “Mamamayan at Pamahalaan Kapit-Bisig sa Pagsulong ng Karapatan at Kaunlaran.”

Meanwhile, Verdadero stressed that he has not recalled any case of human rights violation involving a member of the PNP under his administration that has been embroiled.

Moreover, the provincial chief cop here has condemned the incident that took place in Agusan del Sur regarding an ambulance that was fired upon on November 30 at around 5:30 p.m. by alleged members of the New People’s Army (NPA) at Sitio Latay, Barangay Marfil, Rosario town where four civilians have been reportedly killed and seven others wounded while on board.

Verdadero said this is a glaring violation of human rights. (NGBT/Greg Tataro Jr., Radyo ng Bayan Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Tagalog News: Pangulong Aquino nangakong paigtingin ang laban sa korapsiyon

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Disyembre 3, 2014 (PIA) - Nangako si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III na paigtingin at pangatwiranan pa ang mga hakbang pangreporma sa pagsugpo ng korapsiyon noong pangalawang State Conference ng United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) na ginanap sa Malakanyang noong Martes.

Sa kanyang talumpati, sinabi ng Pangulo na inaprobahan na niya ang mungkahing magbalangkas ng executive order para magtatag ng Integrity Management Program (IMP) sa mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan ayon sa UNCAC.

Ang pinagsamang Technical Working Group, na binuo ng Office of the President (OP) at ng Tanggapan ng Ombudsman (OMB) ay naghain ng hiling sa Pangulo.

Ang IMP ay ang pinakaunang pinagsamang programa laban sa korapsiyon na sinuportahan ng World Bank.

Ang programa ay napagkitaan ng siyang nangungunang national anti-corruption prevention framework ng pamahalaan.

"We are working to rid the Philippines of the corruption that has tainted its reputation and plagued it for so long; we are working to institutionalize a legacy that finds its roots in the mindset of our countrymen, who will never again settle for anything less than true public service,” sabi ni Pangulong Aquino.

Sabi niya na habang tinapos na ng technical working group pagsusulit sa UNCAC, ang pamahalaan ay nagiging sabik para paigtingin ang mabuting pamamahala at isusulong pang mabuti ang pananaw ng administrasyon na tahakin ang tuwid na daan.

Nandoon din sa pagkakataong iyon ay sina Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, Supreme Court Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Senate President Franklin Drillon at house speaker Feliciano Belmonte. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano News: Butuan CDRRMC nagtagbo, pagpangandam sa hulga sa bagyong ‘Hagupit’ gipahugtan

BUTUAN CITY, Dis. 3 (PIA) - Andam na ang local nga panggamhanan sa dakbayan sa Butuan kung ugaling hingpit ng musulod sa Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) ang bagyong gibantayan karon sa buhatan sa PAGASA nga adunay International Name nga ‘Hagupit’ diin gilaumang musulod sa adlawng Huwebes, Disyembre 4, 2014 ug pagatawgon kini sa lokal name nga bagyong “Ruby”.

Sigun sa pamahayag ni Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. nga nangandam na ang lokal nga panggamhanan sa posibleng epekto sa nasagpit nga bagyo dinhi sa atong dakbayan

Sa bag-ohay lamang natapos nga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) nga gipangunahan  mismo sa opisyal, giawhag niini ang tanang membro sa konseho sa pag andam sa ilang tagsa tagsa ka mga responsibilidad arun sa paspas nga paghatod sa serbisyo sa mga posibling maapektuhang residente.

Gidugang niini, nga adunay igong pondo ang lokal nga panggamhanan nga pagamiton sa pagpamalit ug mga gamit ilabe na ang food provisions alang sa mga mamahimung evacuees.

Nadesisyonan usab sa CDRRMC nga pagasugdan karong adlawa ang pagpamutos sa mga food packs nga mukabat sa singko mil (5,000) kabuok diin gilangkuban kini sa 6 ka kilong bugas mga de lata ug tubig mainum.

Giandam na usab sa lokal nga panggamhanan ang ubang panginahanglanon sama sa sakyanan, tambal ug mismong ang mga pagagamitong Evecuation Centers nga nahimutang sa nagkalain laing mga tulonghaan sa dakbayan.

Nanawagan sai Mayor Amante sa mga katawhan nga magbinantayon sa kanunay arun mahilikay sa peligro ang matag usa. Gidugang usab niini, nga kung ugaling adunay mga advisories nga ipagawas ang mga ahensya sa goberno dili unta magmakuli sa pagsunod ang mga katawhan niini, ilabi na kung gikinihanglan ang mga paghikling paingon sa luwas nga lugar. (C. Simogan, LGU-Butuan City/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Cebuano News: Spiritual enhancement alang sa mga magtutudlo malampusong gipahigayon sa Kapitolyo

Ni Mary Jul E. Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Disyembre 3 (PIA) – Malampuson nga gipahigayon ang usa ka Spiritual Enhancement bag-ohay pa lamang didto sa Provincial Convention Center, ning dakbayan.

Ang maong kalihukan gipasiugdahan sa mag asawang Dr. Jonie ug Sara Irizari sa gikan sa Cebu City ug gitambungan sa mga school heads, school administrators, principals ug superintendents sa tulo ka schools division.

Kini nga kalihukan kabahin  sa programa sa goberndor ubos sa iyang Health Education Agri-Aquaculture Livelihood and Spiritual (HEALS) Plus agenda nga mao ang pagpalambo sa spirituhanong aspeto ilabina kay karong panahona panahon sa advento og kinahanglang ang pagpangadam dili lamang sa mga materyal nga butang labi na gayod sa spiritual nga mga butang.

Mapasalamaton ang mga magtutudlo ug mga kadagkuan sa tulunghaan sa programa sa gobernador ug sa prayoridad nga gihatag sa gobernador ilabina sa natad sa edukasyon nga sa kanunay nagsuporta ug nagpaluyo sa mga kalihukan sa natad sa edukasyon.


Sila mapasalamaton ug nalipay sa mga pinaskuhan nga ilang nadawat ang mga bag nga dili lamang para sa mga bata kon dili desenyo usab para sa mga magtutudlo nga adunay tatak nga “A teacher for life.” (SDR/PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)