Caraga celebrates 20th anniversary, acknowledges
RA 7901 authors
By Nora L. Molde
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) – The Caraga Region or
Region 13 celebrates its platinum anniversary Monday, February 23, 2015 here.
Caraga Region, which was created on February 23,
1995 through Republic Act (RA) 7901
otherwise known as “An Act Creating Region XIII to be known as the Caraga
Administrative Region, and for other purposes," is now 20 years old!
The celebration was started with a parade
participated by the different regional line agencies, local government units
and other partners early Monday morning.
On its 20th anniversary celebration, the authors
of RA 7901 were recognized by the Regional Development Council (RDC) headed by
its chairperson, Surigao del Norte governor Sol F. Matugas, during an opening
program dubbed as “Caraga at 20” in one of the convention centers here. They
are: BGen Charito B. Plaza, Dinagat Islands governor Glenda B. Ecleo, Dr. Mario
S. Ty, Atty. Ceferino S. Paredes Jr, and Hon. Jesnar R. Falcon. They were also
given a token handed by the RDC chairperson Matugas, Agusan del Norte governor
Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba, and Butuan City vice mayor Angelo S.
Calo representing mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr.
In her message, Gov. Matba, the first RDC
chairperson of Caraga Region, recalled how the region started and how it
reached its status now - being one of the fastest growing regions in the
country today. “The progress of Caraga Region is the success of its people,”
she said.
At 20, Caraga Region now stands tall because of
the dedication and services of its officials and the Caraganons, Matba added.
The program was also highlighted by the RDC
chairperson’s State of the Region Address or SORA.
In her SORA, governor Matugas acknowledged the
contributions of the different sectors – the regional directors/officials for
accepting the challenges and for making a notable changes in the region.
Regional director Brielgo O. Pagaran of the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also received an acknowledgement and
token for remaining as regional director since 1995, the time Caraga Region was
created.
Also, during the program, the winner of the “Be
the Agent of Change” Jingle-Making Contest performed their winning piece.
A two-day Caraga Through the Years Exhibit and
Trade Fair showcasing the products and services of the region was also held.
A Forum on Land Use Planning with the theme,
"A better future for you, and me, think and act sustainably..." was
held in the afternoon of Monday and was participated by the different planners
regionwide.
Acknowledging the important role of media in the
dissemination of information to the public, a press conference was also held
right after the forum facilitated by the Philippine Information Agency - Caraga
Region.
In the evening, a Fellowship Dinner was held with
the Association of Caraga Executives (ACE) and members of the Regional
Development Council with Barrio Fiesta as the motif. During the fellowship, the
officers of the League of Planning and Development Coordinators (LLPDC) of the
region took their oath of office.
Aside from opening program on Monday, other
anniversary activities also include the 20th Caraga Regional Meet on February
23-27, 2015 hosted by the Department of Education Surigao del Sur Division held
at the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex in Tandag City; Local Overseas Job Fair
on February 25 - 27, 2015 in Claver in Surigao del Norte; Caraga Culinary Show
on February 26-27, 2015 in Bayugan City.
The Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) also offers Free National Competency Assessment Services and
Certification to government workers from February 23-27. Interested state
workers may go or contact the nearest TESDA Provincial Offices in their area.
Agusan del Norte- (085) 342-0085; Agusan del Sur- (085) 343-7278; Surigao del
Norte- (086) 826-2591; Surigao del Sur- (086) 211-3957; Province of Dinagat
Islands- 09161626348/ 09193506106. (PIA-Caraga)
73 of 78 Caraga LGUs pass DILG’s Good Financial
Housekeeping 2014
By Ray Gregory F. Jaranilla
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) - The Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region XIII announced recently that there
are 73 out of 78 local government units (LGUs) in the region that passed the
assessment of the CY 2014 Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH) under the Seal of
Good Local Governance (SGLG).
The GFH, a component of the SGLG, is formerly
known as the Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) which the Department initiated in
2010. GFH and SGH apply the same minimum criteria, namely: Unqualified or
Qualified COA Opinion and Compliance with the Full Disclosure Policy (FDP).
For an LGU to be a recipient of the SGLG, it
should pass all three core assessments namely GFH, Disaster Preparedness and
Social Protection. It should also pass one of the three essential assessments
namely Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, Environmental Protection and
Law & Order and Public Safety.
DILG 13 regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion
said that the assessment was conducted on July to August 2014 through
cross-posting method by the Regional Assessment Teams (RATs) composed of DILG
Field Officers, representatives from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and
National Government Agencies (NGAs). The DILG field officers together with the
members of the assessment teams were assigned in other LGUs to avoid biases
during the assessment. After the assessment, it was calibrated by the DILG
provincial and regional directors before submitted to the DILG Central Office
for national calibration.
The assessment is finally completed and the list
of passers can be accessed in the DILG Central Office website www.dilg.gov.ph
and DILG 13 website www.caraga.dilg.gov.ph. Such will be the basis for the
issuance of the GFH Certification for loan purposes and accessing other
national program windows, subject to specific guidelines.
“The GFH Certification is a requirement for local
governments in accessing loans pursuant to Local Finance Circular No. 1-2012,
and in accessing national program windows like the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB)
Program and the SALINTUBIG Program pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No.
2013-066,” Famacion said when asked on the importance of the GFH.
LGUs that failed to pass the GFH should not lose
hope. If a failure is due to FDP, they have the opportunity to comply with the
FDP and avail of the “After Assessment Compliance” pursuant to DILG Memorandum
Circular No. 2014-13 dated February 6, 2014 to secure the GFH Certification
without waiting for the next assessment period. However, if failure is due to
COA Opinion, the LGU has to coordinate with COA to settle the negative findings
in order to secure either Unqualified or Qualified COA Opinion for the next COA
Audit Report. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
MinDA chief graces roll-out meeting
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 24 (PIA) –
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Luwalhati Antonino presided
the Mindanao 2020 Roll-out meeting and Dialogue with officials of Surigao del
Norte on February 18 at the New PGO Conference Hall Annex hosted by Governor
Sol F. Matugas.
Sec. Antonino spoke affirmatively concerning the
projected coffee-cocoa industry which the lady governor also shared for her
beloved constituents.
Economic drivers thoroughly discussed during the
convergence were in line with the banner thrusts and flagship components of
HEALS (Health, Education, Agri-Aquaculture, Livelihood and Spirituality) Plus
Development Roadmap which the hands-on governor framed.
Among those P410 million worth of PAMANA projects
showcased and conceptualized during the gathering were the following:
Construction of Camp Edward-Ferida-Puyawon-Tumurok Road (7.5 km) along Gigaquit
and Alegria; Rehabilitation of Claver-Sapa-LASICAM-Puyawon Road (10 km) in
Claver and Gigaquit; Rehab. of Campo-Payapag-Little Baguio Road (4 km) in Bacuag; Rehab. of Mahanub-Puyawon
Road (10 km) in Gigaquit; Construction of Little Baguio-Budlingin-San
Juan-Alipao Road (7.5 km) in Bacuag and Alegria; and Rehabilitation of
Cantapoy-Villariza Road (4 km) in Malimono.
The Philippine Rural Development Projects (PRDP)
amounted to P928 million included the construction and simultaneous concreting
of the 15 km Consolacion-Sta. Felomina-Monserat-Dagohoy-Cabawa-Bagakay Road,
concreting of Highway Junction-Malinao Road (13 km) in General Luna, concreting
of Malimono-Cantapoy-Pili-Karihatag Road (14 km) and concreting of
Sison-Tagbayani-Mayag-Gacepan- Cantugas Road (9 km). (SDR/PIC-Surigao del
Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Metrobank opens 2015 search for outstanding police
officers
By PO3 Darlin Cabalinan-Migulllas
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) - Nominations are now being accepted for the
Metrobank Foundation Search for the Country’s Outstanding Public Officers in
Service (COPS), an award dedicated to police officers who have actively
mobilized, been involved in and organized the community for peace and order.
Since 1993, Metrobank Foundation Inc. has provided
support to programs benefiting the personnel of the Department of the lnterior
and Local Government (DILG) of their invaluable role in nation building.
This support took the form of grants that
benefited primarily the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In partnership with the Rotary Club of New Manila
East (RCNME), PSBank and the PNP, the search seeks to honor the men and women
of the police force who share this view and have actively implemented programs
that allows for and motivates the community to become partners in ensuring
peace and order.
While the emphasis is on community partnership,
this does not mean that only policemen and women assigned to police-relations
have a chance of winning in the competition or that it is only open for police
officers assigned in Police-Community relations.
During the flag raising ceremony on Monday at the
Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 Grandstand here, COPS chairman Christopher
Ponce discussed the search for COPS to heighten the awareness of the PNP
uniformed personnel on the conduct of the annual event and to increase the
number of nominees from this region.
“Through the Search for COPS, the civilian sector
- the community is given the opportunity to stand and applaud the men and women
in uniform for keeping us all safe,” he said.
The speaker added that now on its 12th year, each
COPS awardee will receive P400,000.00 cash prize, COPS Trophy and Metrobank
Foundation Medallion.
All commissioned officers with the rank of
Inspector up to Senior Superintendent and Non Commissioned Officers with
minimum of 7 years in service are eligible to join the Search.
After the flag raising ceremony, it was followed
by a formal information campaign at PRO 13 Conference Room, attended by all
Chiefs of Police, Station Commanders, Provincial and City Executive Senior
Police Officers.
PRO Caraga regional director PCSupt David Ombao
expressed his full support to the competition and inspired the men and women in
uniformed to always render their duties with utmost dedication, courage and
served to raise the level of performance among the PNP ranks. (PNP-13/PIA-Caraga)
LGU officials join competitiveness index roadshow
in Surigao City
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 24 (PIA) -
Municipal and city government officials mostly composed of Vice-Mayors,
Planning and Development Coordinators, Business Permit Licensing Officers
(BPLOs) and Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officers (LEIPOs) attended
the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) Roadshow on Feb. 18,
2015 held at Parkway Hotel, Barangay Luna, this city.
For the past two years, the National
Competitiveness Council has been conducting the Cities and Municipalities
Competitive Index (CMCI) ranking to determine the degree of competitiveness of
selected local government units (LGUs) looking into the overall economic
dynamism, government efficiency and vital infrastructures.
The goal is to drum up awareness of the LGUs to
improve their level of competitiveness that can hopefully attract investments
and businesses that will help hasten and catalyze economic development in their
respective localities.
For 2015, all cities and municipal LGUs will be
covered by the CMCI starting February and will last until May of this year.
In behalf of Governor Sol F. Matugas, Provincial
Administrator Atty Primolito B. Plaza delivered his welcome remarks.
He said that the effort to measure the LGUs
competitiveness is in harmony to the priorities of the provincial government to
significantly improve delivery of government services not only for the business
sector but generally to the constituent public.
Atty. Plaza stressed that the initiative goes
along with the provincial program thrust for a quality and efficient governance
system.
Meanwhile, DTI Surigao del Norte provincial
director Celestino L. Negapata, during the presentation of the overview of the
activity, said that measuring competitiveness is a global recurring theme as
nations and communities tried to improve their socio-economic condition
considering diminishing resources.
He stressed that the higher goal for LGU to
improve its competitiveness that is expected to further attract business and
investments is the sustained development of their communities that will
hopefully result to the improvement of lives of the general populace thereby
reducing poverty of the marginalized sectors.
Technical personnel from the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI) in the persons of Welivie C. Diola, Luth Edmund Apresto and Marson Jan
Dolendo discussed various topics including the implementation of streamlining
program on the Business Permit Licensing System (BPLS), the results of the
Business One-Stop-Shop (BOSS) Monitoring and the 2014 BPLS experience survey
results.
The concept, process and mechanism of the 2015
Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) which is the main focus of
the activity was discussed by Brenda B. Corvera, chief, Trade and Industry
Development Specialist of DTI Regional Office.
Thereafter, further discussion on some issues and concerns relative to
the CMCI process were clarified during the open forum facilitated by Marson Jan
S. Dolendo.
The regional CMCI Team appealed for LGUs support
to accomplish the form by providing data and information vitally needed by the
end of March. After which data validation will follow before submission to the
National Competitiveness Council.
The activity ended with Milken L. Beniga, LGOO V,
delivering the closing remarks in behalf of the DILG provincial director John
Rey L. Mosquito expressing gratitude to the participants for giving their time
in attending the roadshow. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
News Feature: 18th CRAM: Breaking Borders,
Building Peace
By Mavelle S. Sanchez
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 25 (PIA) –
Mindanao still grieves over the brutal death of the 44 members of the Special
Action Force in Mamasapano, Maguindanao early this year. This heart-breaking
controversy stirred and moral tensions defining borders and emphasizing
differences. One way to rebuild peace in Mindanao is by holding sports
competitions such as the 18th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM).
This year's CRAM, hosted by the province of
Surigao del Norte, is joined by more than six thousand athletes, coaches and
officials, each with his/her own set of values, but for the sake of determining
the best athletes to represent Caraga to the Palarong Pambansa, one needs to
set aside personal motives to give way for collective goals.
The core value of the CRAM, which is
sportsmanship, incorporates the virtue of peace. At the level of children,
peace means maintaining composure and focus despite the pressure from coaches,
teammates and spectators durig games and graciously accepting defeat. Among
adults, peace is the amalgamation of cultures, accommodation of differences and
appreciation towards the diverse science and art applied by each delegation as
they perform in the CRAM.
Former Congressman Prospero “Butch” Pichay
emphasized in his keynote speech during the opening program that athletes need
to exercise utmost discipline and to seek excellence every single day even when
alone and even when there are no competitions. He cited People’s Champ Manny
Pacquiao and Argentine footballer Leo Messi for the praiseworthy qualities that
make their countries proud. The value of discipline and love for excellence
taught in sports are prerequisites to having quality lives in peace.
The 18th CRAM will be concluded on Friday but it
is hoped that its impact of breaking borders and building peace will radiate
and sustain through the whole of Mindanao. (NGBT/DepEd Division of
SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Army captures NPA camps in AgSur
By Maj. Christian C Uy
CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, Feb. 24
(PIA) - Troops of 4th Infantry Division (4ID) captured two New Peoples Army
(NPA) camps following two separate armed encounters in Brgy. Padiay, Sibagat,
Agusan del Sur, Monday, February 23, 2015.
The first clash happened at about 12:50 p.m.
wherein troops of 26th Infantry Batallion led by 2Lt Bryan Villena were able to
close-in with the NPAs. The fire fight lasted for 10 minutes after which the
NPAs scampered leaving their makeshift camp and some ammos of AK 47.
Another clash happened at about 3:10 p.m. wherein
troops from the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion under Cpt Romeo Ferdiannd Bautista
were up against more or less 30 NPAs. The fire fight lasted for about 40
minutes after which the NPAs abandoned their camp and fled the area. Troops
were able to recover four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other war
paraphernalia. The NPA camp can accommodate about 50 persons.
Brgy. Padiay of Sibagat, Agusan del Sur is a
hinterland barangay which is also a boundary of the three provinces of Agusan
del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur. These areas are known to be NPA
safe havens and have been the staging areas in conducting different atrocities
in the region.
“We are now fighting the NPAs in their strongholds
and we will continue to hunt to prevent them from harming our fellow
Filipinos,” said 4ID commander MGen. Oscar Lactao.
“Our fellow Filipinos have always been wanting for
a peaceful Caraga. We are calling on our brothers who are still in the
mountains fighting against the government to lay down their arms and return
back to the folds of the law. It is not yet too late and together we can help
you to grow and live a normal life,” MGen Lactao added. (PA/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur guv, treasurer pay tribute to concerned
town officials, employees for superb tax collection
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 24 (PIA) – Due
to a remarkable collection performance on real property tax last year, the
Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) has deemed it wise to hold on Monday an
awarding and recognition program honoring their concerned counterparts at the
17 municipalities for the job well done including the local chief executives
(LCEs).
The special activity highlighted the flag ceremony
program hosted by the Office of the Provincial Treasurer with the honorees
(mayors, treasurers, assessors and/or their respective representatives)
present.
Governor Johnny Pimentel, together with Provincial
Treasurer Wenifreda Perez, led the ceremonial presentation of the awards and
recognition held at the capitol lobby in the order of performance ranking based
on the rate increase of the percentage of collection as against the annual
goal.
Per unnumbered memorandum circular issued by the
said office on the matter, the top five municipalities, which received not only
a plaque of appreciation but also a higher cash incentive of P30,000; P25,000; P20,000; P15,000; and P10,000,
respectively, are Hinatuan—218.26 percent; Barobo—188.90 percent; Carmen—180.47 percent; Cortes—176.07 percent; and Bayabas—174.62 percent.
All those which did not make it to the top five
have likewise been given a cash incentive but at only P5,000 apiece plus the
corresponding plaque of appreciation.
These are the municipalities of Cagwait—174.11
percent; Marihatag—173.84 percent; Madrid—166.63 percent; Lingig—164.08
percent; Tago—152.78 percent; Carrascal—147.19 percent; Tagbina—145.59 percent;
San Miguel—143.69 percent; San Agustin—130.33 percent; Cantilan—128.59 percent;
Lianga—116.46 percent; and Lanuza—108.46 percent.
Concerned employees of the treasury office at the
province also received due recognition because of their efforts.
“The Office of the Provincial Treasurer is
overwhelming with gratitude for a victorious journey towards the fulfillment of
the mandate in the treasury office; one of those is the collection of taxes,
fees and charges accruing to the coffers of the provincial government,” the
provincial treasurer said in the introductory part of her speech.
She then cited “a collection efficiency of 155.05
percent” or equivalent to the total collected amount of P113,899,457.32 over the estimated collection target of P73,460,181.19.
During the preceding year 2013, the total
cumulative collection was only posted at P71,875,960.23 over the estimated
cumulative collection target of P42,023,497.09, it was learned.
Governor Pimentel lauded the notable feat, “So I’d
like to commend the provincial treasurer, Weni Perez and, of course, the
employees—the men and women of the treasurer’s office.”
“However we cannot accomplish this very laudable
objective if not for the support also of the municipalities. So therefore, I would like to take this
opportunity to again thank the municipal mayors who are the frontliners and, of
course, the very supportive municipal treasurers,” he remarked. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
P11.9-M skills training approved for 2015 in
Caraga
By Robert E. Roperos
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) - A total of P11,941,171
worth of skills training under the Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) has been approved
for Caraga Region in 2015.
According to Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga regional director Florencio F. Sunico, Jr.
the budget has been approved through the stewardship of TESDA Sec. Emmanuel
Joel Villanueva who has been known as the country’s Technical Vocational
(Tech-Voc) champion.
“Knowing the positive effect of the massive
tech-voc trainings that have been conducted in 2014 which contributed to the
economic growth of the region, our government has been investing much to
deliver tech-voc trainings in the country,” Dir. Sunico said.
The official added the government thru Sec.
Villanueva has been supportive in developing human resources to be at par
excellence with other workforce in the neighboring Asian countries in response
to the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Integration.
For Agusan del Norte, the total project cost is
P2,840,171 that will cater 194 beneficiaries from this city, and the
municipalities of Jabonga and Tubay. Of this cost, the local government unit’s
counterpart is pegged at P500,000 and TESDA will shoulder the remaining amount
of P2,340,171.
Also, a total of 83 beneficiaries from Talacogon,
Agusan del Sur can avail of the program which costs P1,089,000 for which the
provincial counterpart has pegged to give P99,000 counterpart while TESDA
shoulders P990,000.
Further, the provincial government of Surigao del
Norte has pledged to give P540,000 as their counterpart to the P4,350,000 total
project cost benefitting 319 Surigaonons coming from the city, Dapa and Bacuag.
“This means that TESDA is responsible to give P3,810,000,” Sunico said.
Furthermore, some 144 beneficiaries from Lanuza,
San Miguel, and Tandag City in the province of Surigao del Sur will have the
opportunity to be trained by TESDA. The total project costs P2,050,000. Of this
amount, the provincial government’s counterpart is P335,700 while TESDA’s
approved budget is P1,714,300.
Finally, the province of Dinagat Islands is
allotted P1,612,000 with LGU’s counterpart amounting to P112,000 and TESDA with
P1,500,000, benefitting 125 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Cagdianao
and Libjo.
It can be recalled that during the visit of Sec.
Villanueva here in October 2014, he has already announced the BUB
implementation in Caraga Region as an additional mechanism of TESDA and the
government in molding the youths and be world-class competent in terms of
skills development.
This project is also in support to the Human
Development Cluster of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) of the present
administration. (TESDA-13/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Gobyerno tutugisin iyung mga
responsible sa pagkamatay ng 44 na komandong pulis, sabi ng Palasyo
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Peb. 24 (PIA) - Ihahabla ng
pamahalaan ang lahat ng responsible sa pagkamatay ng 44 na komandong pulis sa
Mamasapano, Maguindanao kapag sila ay nakilala, sabi ng isang opisyal ng
Palasyo noong Lunes.
"Hintayin natin ang ulat ng Board of Inquiry
ng (Philippine National Police) dahil kailangang makilala pa natin kung sino
ang mga taong ito. Kaya kapag naihain na ang habla, tutugisin natin sila.
Responsibilidad nating ipatupad ang batas,” sabi ni Presidential Spokesperson
Edwin Lacierda sa mga mamamahayag sa isang panayam sa Malakanyang.
Sumasagot si Lacierda sa tanong kung kinakailangan
ng Moro Islamic Liberation Front na isuko ang kanilang mga miyembro na nadawit
sa nakakatakot na sagupaan sa pagitan ng mga rebeldeng Moro komando ng pulis
noong nagpatupad ng misyon ang pulis na arestohin ang dalawang suspetsadong
terorista sa Mamasapano noong nakaraang Enero 25.
Kapag natiyak na ang krimen at iyong mga
kinakailangang ihabla ay nakilala base sa tamang proseso na nakapaloob sa batas
ng Pilipinas, ipatupad ng pamahalaan ang batas na walang takot o kaya pabor,”
sabi niya na tinutukoy si Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Teresita Deles.
Sa kanyang pagharap sa publiko, sinabi ni
Pangulong Aquino sa mga MILF na ipakita ang kanilang sinsiridad sa proseso ng
kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng pagsauli ng mga gamit at armas ng kinuha ng mga
rebelde sa mga namatay na komandong pulis, isuko iyong mga pumatay sa mga
opisyal na pulis at tumulong sa paghuli sa suspetsadong teroristang si Abdul
Basit Usman na naiwasan ang pag-aresto noong nagkaroon ng operasyon.
(DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
