Surigao CCI, DTI to conduct session on free trade
areas, Asean economic integration
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 5 (PIA) –
The Export Marketing Bureau of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in
close coordination with the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)
will conduct a session on Doing Business in Free Trade Areas and ASEAN Economic
Integration on February 20, 2015, at Parkway Function Hall, this city.
The activity aims to increase awareness as well as
foster appreciation of the benefits of tariff elimination or reduction.
The session will cover discussion in market
opportunities with focus on products with zero or reduced tariffs under
existing free trade agreements.
Expected participants for this session include
exporters, importers academe and students in business management or
international marketing, business support organization, trade associations,
chamber of commerce and industry players, business clubs, customs brokers,
freight forwarders, non-government organizations and private organizations
involved in assisting exporters. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
Agusan agri, trade, economic mobility get boost
from Australian road rehab
By Ma. Leigh F. Garcia
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Feb. 5 (PIA) – A critical section
of the National Road Junction (NRJ) – Sibagat – Esperanza Road has just
undergone Rehabilitation with Minor Improvement (RMI) and has been turned over
on Thursday to the provincial government here.
Governor Adolph Edward Plaza, who received the
symbolic handover from Counsellor Geoff King of the Australian Embassy, said
that he has always been a staunch supporter of the program because he believes
that the rehabilitation and maintenance of the road is crucial to trade and
economic mobility in the area. He is also very thankful for the assistance
extended by the Australian government.
The provincial road provides access to the
municipalities of Sibagat and Esperanza, which are mostly agricultural and
forest production areas supporting Bayugan City as the agri-processing center
for the province. Sibagat is the abaca
and coconut production and processing center, while Esperanza is the source of
rice, corn, as well as fresh and processed Tilapia. The RMI has improved the
transport of agricultural produce in these towns toward Bayugan City. The
project starts in Barangay San Vicente, Sibagat, which has a population of
30,074; and ends at Barangay Ilihan, Esperanza, which has a population of
47,659.
The total cost of the RMI work on the Ilihan
Section of the road, which includes a one-year maintenance contract, is
P6,678,251.20, for a contracted length of 3.22 km. The RMI works were completed
on 16 November 2014, with maintenance work commencing from 17 November 2014 and
running until 14 November 2015. This
road project is the first Provincial Road Management Facility (PRMF) Physical
Works Project to be completed for fiscal year 2014-2015.
The PRMF is a six-year (2009–2015), P4.3 billion
(A$100 Million) development initiative of the governments of the Philippines
and Australia. Through the PRMF, the Australian government helps provincial
governments to improve governance systems that will enable them to maintain
their roads over time, while rehabilitating and maintaining a critical core
road network in 10 provinces in Mindanao and the Visayas.
In addition to this road, there are four other
road projects funded by PRMF in Agusan del Sur, amounting to a total cost of
Php 27,897,611.07 and a total length of 33.10 km in RMI and
Maintenance-by-Contract (MBC) works. Two of the projects are financed from the
PRMF Incentive Fund for Agusan del Sur, amounting to Php 13,662,859.49, as an
added incentive for the Province to attain its committed performance
targets. Agusan del Sur ranked first
among the ten partner provinces in the incentive performance assessment.
For FY 2013-2014 and FY 2014-2015, the PRMF will
provide Agusan del sur with a package of capacity development activities
amounting to P1,472,300.
Australia is a long-standing development partner
of the Philippines and is the country’s largest bilateral donor. (PRMF/PIA-Caraga)
TESDA enjoins bus drivers to take Driving NC III
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 5 (PIA) - Secretary Joel J.
Villanueva of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)
has made a call to enjoin all bus companies in the country to require their bus
drivers to take refreshing course/training in Driving NC III and be upgraded
with the latest competencies required in the said skill.
This was learned from TESDA-Caraga Regional
Director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. after 48 people were injured when a Butuan
City-bound passenger bus met an accident in the neighboring province of Agusan
del Sur Monday.
TESDA thru the stewardship of Sec. Joel J.
Villanueva has been offering Driving NC III, Training and Assessment to develop
and upgrade the skills and competence of Filipino drivers around the world.
The Driving (Passenger Bus/Straight Truck) NC III
Qualification consists of competencies that a person must achieve to
drive/operate buses/straight trucks classified under LTO Restriction codes 3 up
to 5 on highways; transport passengers and/or heavy goods, liquids and
materials over specified long or short distances; comply with local traffic
rules/ regulations and ordinances and perform minor repairs on the assigned
vehicle.
“This Qualification is packaged from the
competency map of the Automotive/Land Transport sector,” Dir. Sunico added.
Basic competencies of the course include: Lead
Workplace Communication; Lead Small Teams; Develop and Practice Negotiation
Skills; Solve Problems Related to Work Activities; Use Mathematical Concepts
and Techniques and; Use Relevant Technologies.
Common competencies are as follows: Apply
Appropriate Sealant/Adhesive; Interpret/Draw Technical Drawing; Move and
Position Vehicle; Perform Job Estimate; Perform Mensuration and Calculation;
Read, Interpret and Apply Specifications and Manuals; Use and Apply
Lubricant/Coolant and; Perform Shop Maintenance.
The course’s core competencies are: Perform Minor
Maintenance and Servicing on Vehicles Classified under LTO Restriction Codes 3
up to 5; Perform Pre-and Post Operation Procedures Vehicles Classified under
LTO Restriction Codes 3 up to 5; Obey and Observe Traffic Rules and
Regulations; Observe Road Health and Safety Practices; Implement and Coordinate
Accident-Emergency Procedures; Drive Passenger Bus and; Drive Straight Truck.
Dir. Sunico explained a person who has achieved
this Qualification and passed the national assessment is competent to be a
passenger bus driver and a straight truck driver. “Thus, he/she will be awarded
National Certificate (NC) III and is qualified both here and abroad,” Sunico
said. (TESDA-13/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte guv congratulates BSP
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Feb. 5 (PIA) – Surigao del
Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas extended her sincere greetings and warm
congratulations to the lead facilitators and delegates of the Boy Scout of the
Philippines (BSP) here for the successful conduct of the 2015 Surigao City
Division-wide KID and KAB Olympics on February 3, 2014.
In her message, Governor Matugas said that she is
very happy and proud of the success of the division-wide BSP Olympics.
She said that with absolute faith and pure
confidence, "I can say that scouting is truly important because it shapes
the positive attitude, sense of purpose, strength of character, and
self-discipline of our bright scholars and trained intellectuals."
Governor Matugas brilliantly inspired the scouts
to march into the open and establish a seasoned, highly developed and stable
province, "because we must, at all times guard and protect the doctrines
of our forebears who gave their lives and offer every drip and trickle of their
endeavor for the attainment of freedom."
Governor Matugas also reminded everyone to always
bear in mind that harmony and teamwork are the foundation and stronghold of the
banner development agenda of the province dubbed HEALS (Health Education
Agri-Aquaculture Livelihood and Spiritual Enhancement) Plus Best Convergence
and Development Roadmap.
“At this point, allow me to thank and praise each
and every Surigaonon who continuously show their never-ending support and
cooperation for the success of Ang Bag-ong Surigao! Mabuhay ang Boy Scout of
the Philippines," she added. (SDR/PIC-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
Municipal Food Terminal: Marketing hub for
farmers, fisherfolks
By Aurell P. Arais
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 5 (PIA) - In an
effort to bring producers closer to buyers and consumers, the Department of
Agriculture (DA) Caraga launched another Municipal Food Terminal (MFT) here
last January 30, 2015.
The said project is the second MFT launched in the
area and is situated in Barangay Bongtud, this city under the management of the
recipient Tandag Boholano Fishermen Association (TANBOFISA).
TANBOFISA was formerly a barangay food terminal
recipient with outstanding track record having won the Regional Search for Best
Barangay Bagsakan in 2014 and ranked third in the national level.
Recognizing its role in the community, DA Caraga
granted TANBOFISA an additional capital of P1M upgrading it into a municipal
food terminal.
Lucita Solis, president of TANBOFISA said that the
amount they received from DA will be used for the expansion of their business
mainly on rice trading.
“Hangyo ko sa mga membro nga makighiusa aron ta
molambo kay wala koy mahimo kung dili mo musuporta (I am appealing to the
members for unity so together we will make progress because I can do nothing
without your support)," Solis said.
Tandag City Mayor Roxanne Pimentel directed the
City Agriculture Office to closely monitor the project to ensure its success.
“Aron masiguro nga hapsay ang operation, ang LGU
magmonitor niini ilabi na ang financial nga aspeto (To ensure smooth operation,
the LGU will monitor particularly the financial aspects)," she said.
To ensure steady supply of farm products such as
rice and rootcrops, the first MFT of Tandag under the Maitom Farmers
Association inked a marketing agreement with TANBOFISA.
Under the agreement Maitom MFT will supply
TANBOFISA of not less than 200 bags of rice and other alternative food staples
and vice versa TANBOFISA will supply to Maitom MFT the aqua marine products.
Maitom Farmers Association President Ricardo
Fernandez said that both fisherfolks and farmers could directly benefit from
the project since they now have sure market for their produce.
“Dako gayud ni nga bentaha kay ang tanang abot sa
Maitom among paliton ug among isuply sa TANBOFISA, ang mga mangingisda pud sa
Tandag mahalin pud ang ilang mga kuha, so sure gayud ang income sa mga mag-uuma
ug mga mangingisda (It is a great advantage since we will purchase farm
products in Maitom to be supplied for TANBOFISA, while fisherfolks in Tandag,
their catch will be purchased also, so both farmers and fishermen have sure market),"
Fernandez said.
To date, DA Caraga had launched a total of 57
Barangay Food Terminals and 9 Municipal Food Terminals strategically located
across the region.
BFT is a community-based food depot and
distribution system offering safe and quality agri-fishery products at low
prices to the consumers through directly linking farmers and fisherfolks to the
consumers. (DA-13/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur legislature set to go ‘hi-tech’
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 5 (PIA) – The
Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of the province of Surigao del Sur is set to go
“paperless” through electronic system anytime soon.
Monalisa Su, secretary to the Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, bared on Monday during their hosting of the flag ceremony program
at the capitol lobby, the concerned staff under her office, have already
undergone a “two-day hands-on training on paperless session” last week to equip
themselves of the new technology.
Paperless session was described in her report as
“the conduct of session with lesser use or reproduction of papers as supporting
documents.”
Also, the concept was said to have been initiated
and introduced by SP Member Conrad Cejoco that gained support not only from the
17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice-Governor Manuel Alameda, Sr. but
also from Governor Johnny Pimentel, no less.
The secretary pointed out that the present batch
of legislators is “cognizant of the need to improve the delivery of legislative
services with less cost and to increase efficiency through the integration of
technology. . .”
Meanwhile, Su said, the next in line to undergo
the same training are the SP members themselves “upon the availability of the
needed equipment.” (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Bislig City officials undergo public governance
system training in Bohol
BISLIG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 5 (PIA) –
Bislig City mayor Librado C. Navarro together with 11 other city officers and
officials recently attended the Basic Class modules of the Public Governance
System (PGS) held in Amorita Resort, Panglao, Bohol on February 2-4, 2015.
The said event was conducted by the Institute for
the Solidarity in Asia.
In a report, the Basic Class features modules on
the fundamentals of the PGS with reference to the initiation and compliance
stages. It features an underlying theme of laying down the groundwork on what
governance reform entails.
With the new strategies that they have learned
from the said workshop, the Bislig Team’s governance capabilities will further
be strengthened and connected to a larger movement for transformation in the
public sector. (NGBT/with reports from JGarcia/Lai S. Elechicon, Bislig City
Information Office/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DepEd Tandag City Division to host 1st Regional
ManCom for CY 2015
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 5 (PIA) – The
Tandag City Division of the Department of Education (DepEd) under Caraga
Administrative Region is set to host on February 6 the 1st Regional Management
Committee (ManCom) Conference for calendar year 2015.
Dr. Gregoria T. Su, schools division
superintendent, invited Governor Johnny Pimentel as one of the ”honored guests
who will welcome the participants” to the conference that will start at 8:00
a.m. at the Capitol Seminar Hall, this city.
She also informed the governor of the
three-pronged goal of the ManCom: “to
discuss and finalize the preparations for the conduct of the Caraga Regional
Athletic Meet (CRAM) and National Palaro event; strengthen the weaknesses in
the conduct of the Regional Meet; and have a send-off program for the outgoing
Schools Division Superintendent (Teofila Cabatuan ) of Surigao del Sur
Division.”
Meanwhile,
the provincial government here is now at the height of the preparations
not only for refurbishing the venue of the upcoming 2015 CRAM that will take
place at the Surigao del Sur Sports Center on February 22-27 but also for
sprucing up the “billeting quarters” of the 12 different athletic delegations
comprised of over 6,000 participants including the coaches.
“We have already prepared the necessary security
precautions for this matter,” Governor Pimentel pointed out early this week.
This is the second time in a row that the province
is going to host the CRAM, it was learned. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Tagalog News: Kasalukuyang kampeon sa Ronda
Pilipinas na si Reimon Lapaza ng lunsod ng Butuan dedepensa sa kanyang korona
Ni Ma. Lourdes P. Apego
BUTUAN CITY, Peb. 5 (PIA) - Ngayong araw, si
Lapaza , kasama ang seven-member team ng
lungsod ay bibiyahe na patungong Dipolog City upang sasakay ng barko papunta ng
Dumaguete City kung saan isasagawa ang Visayas leg ng Ronda Pilipinas.
Sa isang panayam, ang 28-anyos na international
champion ay nagpahayag ng kanyang excitement at determinasyon na mag back to
back champion sa prestihiyosong kumpetisyon na sanctioned ng Union Cyclist
International.
Kwento pa ni Lapaza, hindi basta basta ang kanyang
naging karanasan ng siya ay lumahok at naging kampeon sa Ronda Pilipinas sa
nagdaang taon dahil nakipaglaban siya di lamang sa kapwa niyang cyclist mula sa
Pilipinas pero pati na ang aabot sa walong mga banyagang manlalaro.
Tinapos din niya na nangunguna ang 14 stages at
more than two thousand kilometers na cycle race.
Kahapon, ang grupo ni Lapaza ang binigyan ng
formal send-off ng pamahalaang lokal ng lungsod sa pamumuno ni Councilor
Virgilio Nery Jr, chairman ng Committee on Health and Sports.
Magugunitang ang Butuan ay matagal ng may
magandang record sa larong cycling mapa local man o international at kabilang
sa mga nagging kampeon na Butuanon ay sina Rex Pitao, Virgilio Viray at Estong
Sagarino. (Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
