(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 11 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).


Friday, February 27, 2015

RDC-GADCC Caraga sets 2015 Women’s Month opening with Fun-Color Walk

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) – “The kick-off celebration of this year’s Women’s Month will be very fun and at the same time colorful with all the other activities wherein our men and women will surely enjoy.”

This was the statement of lawyer Marylin Pintor, Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) chairperson and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director during a press conference held on Tuesday at the Bureau of Treasury (BoT) regional office here.

Pintor bared that this year’s Women’s Month celebration will kick-off on March 3 with the Fun-Color Walk activity at 2:30 p.m. from the city’s Guingona Park going to Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol Covered Court, where the opening program will also be held.

She further reminded that participants is advised to wear protective/eye glasses during the Color Walk, since colorful Holi Powder along with the ‘Torotot,’ whistle and placards will be used as accessories during said activity.

“Former Akbayan party-list representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel has gladly accepted our invitation to be our guest speaker during this event,” added Pintor.

Baraquel has recently been appointed as board member of the Philippine Health (PhilHealth) Insurance Corporation.

Pintor also revealed that during the program, members of the Men Oppose to Violence Everywhere (MOVE) will have their time to give bouquets and chocolates to the women participants as a sign of appreciation and recognition to them.

Meanwhile, live bands will also perform and intermissions by the different participating agencies. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) 


Caraga GAD committee to celebrate Women’s Month, encourages more women’s participation in policy-making

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) – Atty. Marylin Pintor, Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (GADCC) chairperson and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director encouraged more women’s participation in policy-making and peace-building, during a press conference held on Tuesday at the Bureau of Treasury (BoT) regional office here.

“Republic Act 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) promotes the full participation and equitable representation of women in all spheres of society particularly in the decision-making and policy-making processes in government and private entities, in order to fully realize their role as agents and beneficiaries of development,” reiterated Pintor.

Pintor disclosed that this year’s women’s month with the theme “Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!,” aims to pay tribute to all women leaders who passionately led and continue to advance women’s advocacies.

“Their key roles and accomplishments in leadership, power and decision-making will be highlighted in order to influence and break the conservative mindset and belief that politics and leadership are not for women. The celebration will also be a perfect time to drum up the call for 'Juanas' to run in public office since the last quarter of 2015 is the period of filing of candidacy for 2016 election,” said Pintor.

Pintor further revealed that based on statistics, disparities among women and men in elective posts and in traditionally male/female dominated agencies in government are still evident. Somehow, women are still a minority in top level positions in such agencies as public works, national defense and law enforcement.

“With this, we are encouraging more women participating in elective posts to really manifest what we believe women can do for our country. This will also break the mentality that women are only good in household works,” stressed Pintor.

Proclamation No. 224 series 1988 declared the first week of March each year as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day; Proclamation No. 227 series 1988 provided for the observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month; and Republic Act 6949 series 1990 declared March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


News Feature: Pantawid beneficiary increases income through ice trading

By Ryan M. Tapayan

SIARGAO ISLANDS, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 27 (PIA) – Self-Sufficient Pantawid Pamilya beneficiary from the islet of Sta. Felomena, Dapa, Surigao del Norte is now hailed as the sole supplier of ice in the said islet.

Living in an islet where fishing is the main source of income makes refrigeration a great need, a necessity to the fisher folks.

“Dako jud ang tabang aning ref labi na gayud sa amo nga naga-imbak pud ug isda. Halin kaayo ang ice diri sa among lugar kay kasagaran sa mga lumulupyo diri, mangingisda man (This refrigerator has helped our family a lot; especially to people who also preserve fish. In our place, ice is so viable because most of us here are fishermen)," Jodelyn happily shared.    

Jodelyn D. Espaldo is one of the self-sufficient Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in the locality.  Jodelyn is married to Edwin Espaldo and is blessed with daughter named Einjehl Ann Espaldon.

“This kind of income generating activity [refrigeration] has helped Espaldo’s family a lot. It also helps almost 30 households in their community. On our records and based on assessment, their income increases to five percent out from their original monthly income amounting to 7,000php,” shared Geneline Plaza, Municipal link for Dapa. 

Aside from their refrigeration business, the couple also engage themselves to other money-making activities like sari-sari store, pump-boat driving, fishing, and joins also in bigasan sa bayan.

“Paningkamot jud ang susi aning tanan. Pinaagi sa among panag-tinabangay, isip magtiayon, nakab-ot namo karon ning gamay ug malahutayon nga kalambuan (Combined effort is the key to what we have now.  Together as a couple, we achieved this little but continuous development)," Jodely added.

Now, the couple is inspired to continue life amidst constant challenges. With hope and vigor, Espaldon family will soon inspire others to do well on investing from life, a life that echoes development.

Espaldon family is one of the 196 self-sufficient household beneficiaries in Dapa, Surigao del Norte. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)


Butuan City rules in CRAM 2015

By Beatriz A. Torio

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 27 (PIA) – Butuan City racked up 75 gold, 35 silver and 44 bronze medals and bagged the overall title in the Partial Medal Court Tally, as of February 26, 4:00 p.m.

Among the 18 varied games played in CRAM’15 (Caraga Regional Athletic Meet) held here namely, archery, arnis, badminton, billiards, boxing, chess, football, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo lawn, tennis and valleyball, rounding out the top five out of the 12 divisions were Butuan City (75-35-44), Surigao del Sur (36-30-55), Agusan del Sur (35-26-43), Surigao City (30-26-35) and Surigao del Norte (18-27-31).

With sheer athleticism, Butuan City was dominating it over the annual gathering of determined individuals who competed against each other and for a chance at immortality. The team tried hard to defend their title as the Over-all Champion of last year’s CRAM.

Weather condition did not even impede the conduct of various games during the CRAM. All players together with their coaches were ready to stupefy their opponents.

Each one has great determination to bring home the bacon to their respective divisions. (NGBT/DepEd, Division of SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DTI-Surigao Norte turns over geonets production facility to Claver coop

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has turned-over several units of weaving and twining machines as Shared Service Facility (SSF) for Geonets Production to the Claver Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CLACOFARMCO) at their plant site in Sitio Pangi, Brgy. Daywan, Claver, this province.

The SSF Facility consists of 100 units twining machines and 10 units of weaving machines that will be used in the production of coconets or coco fibernets/geotextiles.

The total project cost is placed at P550,000. Coconets are derived from the fibrous husks of coconuts. The fiber extracted from discarded coconuts husks, which is commonly called coco coir, has to undergo further twining and weaving for it to become a geotextile.

The coconets are laid on the sloping areas to prevent the land from eroding and being washed away during rainfall. After about three to six months, vegetation can already be seen in geonets covered areas that makes the soil more stable.

On his inspirational message, DTI provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan emphasized that the SSF project aims to improve the production capacity and efficiency of the present operation of CLACOFARMCO by way of providing necessary equipment.

He encouraged the cooperative to produce more quality products using the machines they recently acquired.

On his part, Claver Mayor Eddie P. Gokiangke assured the co-operator more support and assistance from the local government unit.

He emphasized that the growth of the local coconut industry will give positive impact to the community as it will increase the income of the farmer-members.

SSF Coordinator, Ma. Theresa Z. Calang presented and reviewed the provision of the SSF Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) emphasizing to the proponent co-operator for them to effectively manage, operate and take care of the shared service facility properly and in accordance with the provisions of the MOA.

The launching and turnover ceremony of the SSF facility was formally instituted with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) by director Negapatan and CLACOFARCO President Delfin Lopez, witnessed by Mayor Gokiangkee.

The activity was attended by the officers and members of the CLACOFARMCO, Daywan Barangay Officials, and representatives from the local government of Claver, Philippine Coconut Authority and DTI. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


RCC Caraga conducts competitiveness index roadshow in Dinagat Islands

By Ma. Jane Mayola

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Feb. 27 (PIA) - The Regional Competitiveness Committee (RCC) of Caraga Region in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Dinagat Islands has recently conducted the 2015 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index Roadshow held here.

The said roadshow is a region-wide campaign and information drive to all the municipalities and cities to participate and support the 2015 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI).

This CMCI is an index obtained using three major indicators such as economy, government, and infrastructure which will identify the score or ranking of each participating local government units nationwide in terms of competitiveness.

RCC focal person Brenda Corvera said that the CMCI is very beneficial to the participating LGUs since it will establish awareness and consciousness to their part, through these indicators, on what aspects they need to empower in order to develop.

She emphasized that once the LGUs can determine the gap they need to fill, then it will eventually lead to improvements "then improvements will attract investors and will create employment."

“Then, next to investor and employment is the income generation of the LGUs," Corvera added.

The event was attended by all the LGU representatives from the different municipalities in the province. (SDR/PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


SurSur BFP all set for Fire Prevention Month celeb

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 27 (PIA) – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Surigao del Sur headed by Fire Inspector Rowella Dinolan is all set for the Fire Prevention Month celebration come March.

With the theme “Kaligtasan sa Sunog:  Alamin, Gawin, at Isabuhay Natin,” the provincial fire chief stressed that everything has already been laid out as planned for the month-long affair.

Citing a Memorandum issued on Janury 21, 2015 by BFP Caraga regional director S/Supt. Leonides Perez together with the attached copy of the CY 2015 nationwide program of activities coming from their national headquarters, Dinolan assured to follow the information and guidance as framed.

She also made it a point to conduct the “Walk for a Fire-Free and a Fire-Safe Nation” simultaneous with the nationwide schedule at 5:00 a.m. on March 1 to be followed by the five-minute “blowing of horns of all firefighting apparatus,” that will start at 12:00 noon sharp on the same day.

Meanwhile, Dinolan said that other important activities that their office is going to undertake are fire safety awareness campaign, fire truck visibility, placement to heightened alert status and intensive monitoring of fire prone areas, and the conduct of refresher training course to all volunteer fire brigades, among other things. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


SurSur power utility confident of power supply

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 27 (PIA) – Amid reports of looming power crisis, Surigao del Sur Electric Cooperative II (SURSECO II) headed by General Manager (GM) Engr. Iglorio Hinayon has shown confidence about the supply service it caters to the entire 1st district of the province.

Arlinda Yparraguirre, finance manager and officer-in-charge (OIC), said power consumers have nothing to worry about since management of the electric utility here has inked a power supply contract with King Energy Generation, Incorporated (KEGI) last year.

When asked to comment on what happened during the aftermath of Tropical Storm (TS) Seniang since KEGI did not heed the call of the SURSECO II management to supply the necessary electricity, Yparraguire said it was lamentable but the same power supplier has already vowed to make up with its shortcomings.

The OIC confirmed KEGI’s attention was called in one of the SURSECO II’s board meetings early this year.

It will be recalled that TS Seniang hit the province on December 29, 2014, but SURSECO II has immediately put back in place its toppled power lines and other facilities, particularly in Tandag City and other business centers in some municipalities, however, power supply only came almost three days after.

Meanwhile, Yparraguirre also pointed out that Surigao del Sur, particularly their service area, is not yet included among the initially listed areas affected by the rotational brown-out in Mindanao. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Agusan del Norte leads CRAM Special Games

By Osias N. Manlucob

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 27 (PIA) – The 18th Caraga Athletic Meet (CRAM) revealed the Division of Agusan del Norte as the frontrunner in the recently conducted Special Olympic Games held here with their 11 gold medals, while Surigao del Norte and Butuan City Divisions came to second and third ranks with four and three gold medals, respectively.

Although the performance of athletes in the Special Olympics does not affect the overall standing of the participating divisions in the CRAM this year, the conduct of the said athletic competition is viewed significant by the participants and organizers.

“Children who are differently-abled still have talents and they should be given equal opportunities just like other children,” said Celsa Casa, EPS-1 and Information officer of Surigao del Sur Division, and who has a niece who joined the Shot Put Competition in the Special Games.

According to some spectators, the awarding ceremony on Wednesday gave a dramatic change in sports as special athletes gained no restriction to showcase their abilities.

The platform for these special athletes does not solely concerns sports but it is also aimed to changing the culture of stereotyping athletes as only for some individuals. The Special Games empower them to play harmoniously with others,” said Megenila Guillen, Co-chair of the Committee on Communication, Media and Publication.

To show the advocacy of the host province and divisions, the closing ceremony for Special Games was attended by the Provincial governor Johnny Pimentel, vice governor Manuel Alameda Sr., and Tandag City Councilor Imelda Falcon.

Champion athletes in the Special Games will represent Caraga to the 2015 Palarong Pambansa on May, which will be held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. (NGBT/DepEd-Division of SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DENR exec congratulates Caraganons over world-record breaking TreeVolution

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 13 regional director Nonito M. Tamayo congratulated the people as he expressed elation over the confirmation of the Guinness World record-breaking “TreeVolution: Greening Mindanao.”          

“We made it at the Guinness World Record due to the overwhelming support provided by the people,” Director Tamayo said.          

The Guinness World Record has recognized the 122,000 participants who simultaneously planted 2.29 million seedlings across 29 locations in Mindanao on September 26 last year, surpassing the previous record of 1.9 million trees planted by India in 2011.          

DENR Secretary Ramon JP Paje had already sent his congratulations earlier to the regional directors in Mindanao. He said the record-breaking event was “a big step forward in restoring Mindanao’s rapidly-dwindling forest cover and fighting climate change.”          

In Caraga Region, at least 1,169.63 hectares were planted with about 542,065 seedlings under the TreeVolution Greening Mindanao in multiple locations.

“More than setting the now-confirmed world record, we will always consider TreeVolution as a big step taken by Mindanao residents themselves in re-greening their landscape to help mitigate climate change and protect themselves against its diverse impacts,” Secretary Paje said.

Director Tamayo said this massive tree planting activity held in various locations in Mindanao "gave us a strong message that we can restore the dwindling forest through unity of the people.”

He said the National Greening Program (NGP) being implemented over six years starting 2011 has a target of 1.5 billion tree seedlings planted in 1.5 million hectares until 2016. As of January 2015, DENR records show that around 1,005,013 hectares have already been reforested.

Director Tamayo thanked all those who participated in the TreeVolution’s massive tree planting. He also lauded the commitment of the governors, mayors, the private sectors, students, the teachers, government employees, police and the Philippine Army who joined the event.

He said the trees, if cared properly, "would grow and will benefit our children particularly on the impact of the climate change." He said the importance of trees is that they sequester carbon which greatly contributes to global warming and climate change. The trees also stabilize soil, provide food and livelihood and recharge acquifers among its many functions. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)