Butuan Habitat for Humanity homepartners express
gratitude to beneficiaries
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) – In time with the 15th
Anniversary Celebration of the Butuan Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (BHFHI) on
Saturday held at the Imadejas Convention Hall, this city, the homepartners who
are beneficiaries of the home units of Habitat villages have imparted their
sincere words of gratitude and appreciation to the BHFHI team and generous
donors for continually providing a long-term housing security for their family.
In her personal testimony, homepartner Mary Jane
Ventura thanked BHFHI for allowing her entire household to avail a decent and
affordable shelter. "Now that we are at our 8th year of living in a happy
Habitat village, we are also grateful that we are about to finish our modest
monthly amortization. I'm glad that my family has also helped other homeless
people by encouraging them to apply for home ownership in BHFHI," she
said.
Homepartner Alan Emam of BHFHI Alvarado Bading
village recalled his hardship during the time when his family struggled in
finding a home to dwell in. “It’s difficult when you only have a meager income
enough to provide and sustain the daily needs of your family. But with BHFHI,
my dream of owning a conducive and durable home unit at a low cost was
realized. I make sure that I also do my part in maintaining a clean environment
and peaceful community, and build better relationship with my neighborhood,” he
said.
Meanwhile, BHFHI president Eufroceles Udarbe
expressed his gratitude to the homepartners for their unified support and
active participation in living up with the aspirations of the group. "We
have already become a part of the system so we continue to go forward despite
difficulties for we have not been lacking of support from our donors whose
overwhelming assistance is always available. Let's make things happen. Adelante
BHFHI!" stated Udarbe.
In behalf of Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante,
Jr. as guest speaker, Councilor Sammy Amante relayed in his message the
interest of the city governmentt of Butuan to influence the BHFHI beneficiaries
in aligning with the vision 2020. "Our end goal is to include rural areas
in the economic development and for communities to continually support our
greening programs," articulated Amante.
"I am sincerely pleased w/ the partnership
between the city government of Butuan and Butuan Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
because through our partnership, we are taking more concrete steps towards a
more positive direction of our homeless people. Last year, we held our donors'
dinner and we were able to raise an amount of almost two million pesos. The
amount may not be that much but it is enough to pursue with our plans to build
homes for our people," bared mayor Amante.
Meanwhile, the BHFHI awarded the outstanding
homepartners who were consistent with their prompt performance in paying the
monthly housing obligations and for their positive contributions to the Habitat
communities.
Also, BHFHI president Udarbe handed over the
plaque of appreciation to Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional
director Abner Caga in gratetul recognition of his commendable cooperation and
contributed support of the BHFHI projects.
Gathered together in solidarity, the officials of
the BHFHI joined the member homeowners and guests in a community singing of
Habitat's official song, "Bridges of Love." Cash prizes were also
given away to the winners of the dance and singing contests while everybody got
the chance to win home appliance units and food items in a raffle draw.
"This year we celebrate again our
thanksgiving for the blessing that our almighty Father has blessed us, for
sustaining us with our basic needs, our homes. We hope that this year and the
years ahead will be filled with prosperity as we continue to provide homes for
our brethrens," said pastor Charlie Prior, BHFHI board member.
The BHFHI, a non-government organization working
on a mission to provide decent and durable shelters, has built more than a
thousand houses in Caraga region and is currently helping the disaster-affected
families by helping them establish a new home to live in.
Anchored on its national millennium development
goals, BHFHI supports the following objectives: end poverty and hunger; promote
universal education, gender equality, child health, maternal health,
environmental sustainability; combat HIV/AIDS; and global partnerships. (PIA-Caraga)
SurSur guv fears a 'repeat wash-out' of San
Agustin detour bridge
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 3 (PIA) – The
newly restored detour bridge in Barangay Buhisan, San Agustin town, 64.5
kilometers south of this city is under threat of being washed-out anew if bad
weather continues to dump more rains in Surigao del Sur.
Governor Johnny Pimentel expressed fear on Monday
that the “week-old” detour bridge traversing the Hubo river might again suffer
the same fate when it was washed-out by flood on December 29, 2014 at the
height of Tropical Storm Seniang.
As a result, Tandag City and other neighbor
municipalities heading north after the said town became isolated until the
detour bridge was restored back on January 26.
Assistant District Engr. Ruel Bantugan of DPWH 1st
Engineering District Office here said in a text message early this morning that
“Hubo River Detour Bridge is already passable to light vehicles since last
night.”
Yesterday, District Engr. Joseph Calderon
confirmed that people responsible in manning the bridge were prompted to close
it to traffic as flood waters have already hit a precarious level.
Moreover, the DPWH chief here bared that Luciano
Construction is planning to stick to the original concept of cementing the deck
to make the detour bridge more robust and sturdy.
A detour bridge is existing in the area due to the
ongoing repair and restoration work of the Hubo river concrete bridge, which
approach was destroyed by flood due to Typhoon Yolanda, it was learned.
Meanwhile, Bantugan said that the original bridge
is set to be finished by the end of this quarter as planned. (NGBT/Radyo ng
Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Butuan school head delivers SOSA
By Junnabelle Mae D. EboΓ±a
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) - Dr. Jonas H. Jomonong,
Principal I of Bit-os Elementary School delivered his State of the School
Address (SOSA) last January 30, 2015 at Bit-os Elementary School Multi-Purpose
Hall, Barangay Bit-os, this city.
This significant endeavor forms part of the
Department of Education's (DepEd) policy of practicing transparency and
accountability in all school heads of Butuan City division.
One of the highlights of the said event was the
ceremonial turn-over of the approved Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) for CY
2015 of the school to the different stakeholders of the school in which a copy
of it was given to City Coun. Victor P. Carampatana, punong barangay of
Barangay Bit-os and Liga ng mga Barangay President, Sofia Radaza, Gen.
Parents-Teachers Association president, Filadelfa D. Oclarit, Faculty President
and Jemima C. Cloma, School Pupil Government president. The said AIP serves as the school’s blueprint
in all special programs, projects and activities (PPAs) to be implemented
within the calendar year.
Carampatana emphasized, in his speech, that the
stakeholders of the school should work hand in hand in achieving its vision and
mission for the betterment of its clients-the pupils. He also strongly
advocates on planting more trees as part of the DepEd’s program dubbed as
“Green Friday” in which the school is encouraged to plant trees every Friday
and requiring all graduating pupils to the same. This supports the mayor’s vision 2020 in
making Butuan a model for sustainable forest-based economy in the country. “Plant a tree and live with me,” Carampatana
said.
Also, Carampatana, being a strong advocate of
organic farming in the barangay, bared that in order to fight against
malnourishment among the school children, everybody must plant more vegetables
not only in the school but most of all in his or her own backyard.
On the other hand, Lewellyn V. Mejias, Division
Mathematics Coordinator for secondary said that like the fallen heroes, the
school children are fighting their own war inside their classrooms, the war
against ignorance and poverty. “As your
family’s commander-in-chief, never let them fight their war unprepared.”, he
emphasized.
Leona A. Carmelo, district supervisor of Southwest
Butuan District congratulated Dr. Jomonong with his teachers for having such a
well-prepared SOSA and a very comprehensive presentation of the school
performance. “ Bit-os ES is one o the
best schools in the district, garnering top three of the most of the district
competitions scaling up as high as top one and even reaching up the regional
level and Palarong Pambansa," Carmelo proudly said.
“We have to do our part as responsible citizens of
this country. Let’s join hands together to pursue our dreams, our inspirations.
Your cooperation and support can really make a difference. We were able to achieve all of these for just
one year and two months. I am pretty
sure that we can achieve more and more in the coming years,” Dr. Jomonong
added.
With the SOSA, the school was able to draw
additional support from various stakeholders. Noryev Barsobia, branch manager
of Eastwest Rural Bank Butuan branch pledged to support school feeding during
the National Achievement Test enhancement classes to increase participation and
attendance among the test takers in Grade-III and Grade-VI. In addition, Carampatana promised to give
P10, 000 for the school’s "Gulayan Sa Paaralan Project" (GPP) and
Green Friday project. School repair and ground improvement will also be taken
care of by Coun. Carampatana.
The SOSA is one way to communicate the school’s
current status and performance in terms of financial status, pupils’ academic
and non-academic performances to its public-private stakeholders. (DepEd Butuan City Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Organic trading post in AgNor town now operational
By Fretcher B. Magatao
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) - The Department of
Agriculture (DA) together with the local government unit (LGU) of Remedios T.
Romualdez (RTR) and the provincial government of Agusan del Norte represented
by the Provincial Agriculture Office officials formally launched the opening of
the Organic Trading Post at the Public Market of Poblacion II, RTR, Agusan del
Norte.
This project which costs about two million pesos
is the first in Caraga Region.
The members of 'Kahugpungan sa Mag-uuma nga
Nagsubay sa Lihok sa Kinaiyahan' (KMNLK) headed by their president, Rev. Fr.
Leonardo Guiritan were grateful to DA for entrusting them the project and
committed to properly manage the flow of operations. “We are so much thankful
for this project and we are acknowledging that this is given by God to us
through the Department of Agriculture with the help of the local government. We
owe everything to God and we are just stewards of His blessings,” Fr. Guiritan
said.
The Organic Trading Post is similar to a Barangay
Food Terminal where agricultural products such as rice and other high value
crops are being displayed; but the former will only allow organically grown
products or commodities.
With the establishment of the said facility, the
members of the organization and the farmers of the locality who are growing
organically their planted crops can now have a place to display their products.
“This establishment is the place to display the organic food and non-food
products and the venue for any organic product demonstration,” said Fr.
Guiritan.
“The department is very happy that this project is
now operational and hopefully the other municipalities who were given the same
kind of project will also operate the soonest time possible,” said DA Caraga
regional director Edna Mabeza. She added that the department will do its best
for all other pending projects to be realized hopefully within the year. (DA-13/PIA-Caraga)
Local electricity provider says no power shortage
this summer
By Ma. Lourdes P. Apego
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) - The local electricity
provider – Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative (ANECO) expressed high
confidence that the city and Agusan del Norte will not experience power
shortage this summer.
During the consumer network (ConsumerNET) meeting
attended by representatives of various government agencies and water,
electricity and cable providers, ANECO Information Officer Danny dela Cena said
that they continue to contract other power providers to be able to come up with
the supply requirements of its consumers.
Dela Cena also pointed out the noticeable
reduction of electricity rates reflected in its latest billing saying this is
due to the reduction in the generation charge.
Dela Cena also revealed that, after a little delay
to ensure no untoward incident will happen to its consumers, ANECO has put back
the more than 100 posts downed by typhoon Seniang. (Radyo ng Bayan
Butuan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Pag-IBIG Caraga now accepts calamity loan
applications
By Ma. Lourdes P. Apego
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) - The Pag-IBIG Fund
Caraga region is now accepting applications for calamity loan for members affected
by typhoon Seniang.
According to Pag-IBIG Caraga Member Services
Officer 3 Amor Pacana, the member applicant who will avail of the loan can
borrow up to 80% of his or her Total Accumulated Savings less the member
borrower’s previous loan.
For interested applicants, the requirements
include two valid ID’s, latest pay slip, Cedula for 2015 and Landbank or
Citibank Cash Card.
The deadline for submission of application is on
April 6, 2015. (Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Comelec resumes continuing registration in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 3 (PIA) – Atty.
Ernie Palanan, provincial election supervisor of the Commission on Elections
(Comelec) in Surigao del Sur confirmed that the February 21, 2015 Sangguniang
Kabataan (SK) Elections is definitely not going to push through.
It was learned that both houses of Congress have
already come up with their respective bills to move the SK polls to 2016.
In fact, Palanan expressed belief that a law to
this effect will be due out anytime soon.
With this latest development, he said that the job
of Comelec here to conduct voter’s registration has already started on February
2, 2015.
We are now “back to basics,” citing the “URGENT
MEMORANDUM” dated January 27, 2015 coming from their head office as “information
and guidance” in the meantime.
The said memo, which was issued by Director IV
Atty. Teopisto Elnas, Jr. upon the approval of Commissioner Robert S. Lim, also
contained the advice “registration shall continue until further notice."
(NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Tagalog News: Palasyo sinabing ang mga nalagas na
Special Action Force Commandos ay makakamit ang hustisya sa pamamagitan ng
pambansang pagkakaisa
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Peb. 3 (PIA) - Ang 44 Special
Action Force Commandos, na nalagas sa Maguindanao noong nakaraang linggo ay
makakamit ang katarungan kung ang bansa ay magkaisa na lumaban sa terorismo at
patuloy na sumuporta sa inisyatiba na pangkapayapaan para sa Mindanao, sabi ng
Palasyo noong Linggo.
"Mabibigyan po natin ng ganap na katarungan
ang kanilang malaking sakripisyo kung tayo po ay magkakaisa bilang isang bansa
sa layunin na pigilin at tapusin na ang ligalig at panganib na hatid ng
terorismo," sabi ni Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. sa isang panayam sa radio.
Hiniling ni Coloma na suportahan ang kasalukuyang
pagsisikap para sa kapayapaan upang makamit ang matatag na kapayapaan sa
Mindanao.
Walang iba pang paraan kundi ang pag-uusap para
maseguro ang mas matatag na Mindanao, sabi niya, at dagdag pang sinabi na ang
deka-dekadang giyera ay hindi nakapagdulot ng tatag at progreso.
"Kaya mainam po siguro ang pagtalima natin
doon sa panawagan na ‘give peace a chance.’ Magkaisa po tayo sa layuning matamo
ito habang ipinupursigi po natin ang paggawad ng katarungan at pagpapanagot sa
mga naganap sa Maguindanao noong nakaraang linggo," sabi ni Coloma.
Nong Sabado, sinabi ng United Nations dito sa
Pilipinas na magbigay sila ng UN Peace Building Fund para suportahan ang iba’t
ibang aspeto ng proseso ng kapayapaan habang tinitingnan ang mas proseso sa
pamamagitan ng pinagkaisang pagsisikap ng lahat na kasangkot na partido.
Para sa lahat ng pulis na namatay sa Maguindanao,
sinabi ni Coloma na dapat isali ng publiko sa kanilang panalangin ang 44 na
miyembro ng SAF na nagbigay ng kanilang buhay para sa kasarinlan at kaligtasan
ng mga komunidad. Ang publiko ay makapagbigay sa mga pulis ng angkop ng handog
para sa kanilang mga sakripisyo sa pamamagitan ng dasal, sabi niya, dagdag pa
na sila ay magdasal din para sa kanilang pamilya para tulungang mapalakas sila
sa panahon ng kagipitan.
Nangako ang pamahalaan na magbigay ng tulong sa
mga pamilya ng mga miyembro ng SAF sa pamamagitan ng programang pangkabuhayan,
libreng edukasyon at pabahay. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cebuano News: Caraga Regional Tourism Development
Planning Convergence gipahigayon sa lungsod sa Mainit
SURIGAO DEL NORTE, Peb. 3 (PIA) – Gipahigayon
bag-uhay pa lamang ang duha ka adlaw nga Caraga Tourism Development Planning
Convergence didto sa Mainit Kasili Lakeside Resort, Mainit, ning lalawigan.
Ang maong kalihukan nagdala sa tema nga
“Strengthen Tourism Planning: Gateway to Sustainable Economic Growth.”
Nahimong pinasidunggang mamumulong mao si Surigao
del Norte governor Sol F. Matugas uban ni National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA) Caraga regional director Myla Faye CariΓ±o.
Si RD CariΓ±o maoy mipasabot mahitungod sa Role of
Planners in Regional Development Planning.
Atol sa maong kalihukan si Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH) Caraga regional director Danilo Versola mihisgot
mahitungod sa technical aspects sa DOT-DPWH TRIPPC (DPWH Design Standards for
Tourism Road Projects)
Sumala pa ni Versola nga adunay mokabat sa
P610milyon para sa mga proyekto sa Surigao del Norte ug P120 milyon ang para sa
lungsod sa Mainit.
Samtang dugang gihisgutan ni Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional director Nonito Tamayo
ang ang mahitungod sa DENR laws and policies affecting tourism industry.
Ubay- ubay ang mga partisipante ang mitambong
gikan sa lungsod sa Surigao del Sur, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, Surigao
City, Surigao del Norte, Butuan City, Cabadbaran ug Agusan del Norte. (SDR/PIC-Surigao
del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
