(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


Friday, March 20, 2015

Caraga Reg’l Advisory Committee on 4Ps launches its 2015 breakthrough goals, directives

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 20 (PIA) – The Regional Advisory Council on Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga launched on Friday its breakthrough goals and directives for 2015.

In time with the committee’s first quarter meeting, DSWD-Caraga regional director Brigoli presented its breakthrough goals and directives. According to her, the department aimed to raise the level of well-being of 88,103 Pantawid Pamilya families by end of 2015 (in sets 1-6); complete the Social Welfare and Development Indicators (SWDI) tool administration to 159,967 Pantawid Pamilya Program families in sets 1-7; and ensure that 16,000 families are engaged in sustainable and productive activities.

“We also aimed to increase the number of National Housing Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTSPR)-identified poor families covered by at least two SWD Programs from 193,000 to 209,071 by end of 2015. We want to ensure that 50 local government units are utilizing the NHTS-PR data in the provision of SWD programs and services, as well as to provide monthly technical assistance to 73 Municipal/City Action Teams to ensure compliance to the City/Municipal Transition Plans,” disclosed Brigoli.

Brigoli also said that the committee aimed to increase the number of provinces with fully functional Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs) by the end of 2015. “We will provide technical assistance and resource augmentation to 46 LSWDOs and complete the baseline assessment of the remaining 32 LSWDOs,” she added.

Meanwhile, the good director also revealed its International Organization for Standardization (ISO) agenda for this year.

“With our aim to be ISO-certified, the department has also to intensify the implementation of various social protection programs and services to increase people’s resiliency to address the situation of poverty and effects of climate change in the region; synergize and strengthen cooperation, collaboration and partnership with various stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of social protection programs and services; and operationalize dully and sustain functionality of developed systems and procedures to make them more efficient in ensuring the desired outcomes at all levels,” highlighted Brigoli.

Brigoli further emphasized that the department will continue to strengthen management support processes, policies and structures to veer towards internationally accepted standards. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga)


AgSur guv confers 134 graduates of basic search, rescue training

By David M. Suyao

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Mar. 20 (PIA) – Governor Adolph Edward Plaza confers this morning the 134 graduates of Basic Search and Rescue course that will automatically become members of the Search and Rescue Agusan del Sur (SARAS) teams of the different municipalities where they respectively reside.

In a simple but solemn ceremony, the graduates, clad in orange, sat silently waiting for their names to be called to receive the certificate of completion while members of their families who supported them for the whole 10 days duration of the training surrounded them to witness their commitment of their noble cause of volunteerism. 

In his message, Gov. Plaza thanked the trainees for responding to the call of the government as volunteers in times of disaster and calamities in order to save lives and properties.

“Indeed, it is very heart-warming to see willing and able faces of people like you who sacrificed to participate in this 10-day training. Leaving your families and personal responsibilities behind, you voluntarily came here to personally signify your spirit of volunteerism to act as front liners during disasters and calamities so that others will live. Because of what I witnessed, I am contemplating that all the SARAS will again have a refresher training on November so that your skills in the search and rescue operation will be enhanced while developing closer camaraderie and cooperation. I will also do my best to produce additional equipment so that you will also become more effective in the discharge of your responsibilities.  Again, from the bottom of my heart, congratulations to all of you, newly graduates,” Gov. Plaza said.

In response, three of the participants responded almost the same with each other, saying they do not expect that the training was as rigid as they experienced.

A lady trainee said, she was made to eat food that never in her entire life have tasted it, but it added energy and strength to even perform better.

The new year (2015) of Agusan del Sur was greeted by typhoon Seniang that caused landslides and floods. Millions worth of properties, roads and bridges, farm products were damaged and most of all, lives were lost. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


OWWA-13 organizes lecture seminar on health issues, HIV-AIDS awareness

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 20 (PIA) - In line with the 2015 Women’s Month celebration and Gender and Development (GAD) activity, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office-13 organized a one-day seminar on Menopausal-Andropausal Health Issues and HIV-AIDS awareness held recently at OWWA training hall.

The activity aimed at promoting awareness on the pressing health concern confronting the men and women going through the menopausal and andropausal stage. The HIV-AIDS was also tackled to create consciousness among the participants with the gradual increase of cases in the region.

Around 30 OFW Family Circle (OFC) members consisting of mostly women coming from various barangays of the city and Nasipit, Agusan del Norte and some OWWA personnel participated in the lecture seminar.

Emmie Marie Cabahug, Training Specialist III and Family Planning Coordinator of Caraga Regional Health Office served as the resource speaker.

Highlighted in her discussions are the symptoms of menopausal and andropausal, approaches to manage it and what to do to maximize health at this stage.

Cabahug also presented the statistics of HIV-AIDS cases in the country during the last 30 years (1884-2014) and as well as the cases in Caraga for the last 19 years (1995-June 2014) which has shown alarming increased.

She also expounded how HIV-AIDS affects the body and how it can be prevented, treated and managed.

In his message, OWWA OIC regional director Eduardo Bellido said that the concept of the seminar is an offshoot of the consultative meeting with OFW Family Circles in Agusan del Norte held last February.

Bellido expressed that the topic relates to the men and women’s life as part of the human cycle.

“For me, when you aged up, you age gracefully. It is only a normal cycle of human life and we have to face ultimately out there,” conveyed Bellido.

Likewise, he advised the participants to be preventive and encouraged them undergo regular check-up.

After the discussions, an open forum was also facilitated to clarify the queries of the participants.

While aside from initiating the said activity, OWWA-13 also participated earlier in the color fun-walk activity which served as the kick-off ceremony on Women’s Month Celebration in Caraga spearheaded by the Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) chaired by Atty. Marlyn Pintor.

The observance of National Women’s month every March is in line with Proclamation No. 227 promulgated in 1988. This year’s celebration carries the theme, “Juana, ang Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga para sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw na” and pays tribute to all women leaders who passionately led and continue to advance women’s advocacies. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Norte provincial tourism office bares 2015 tourism projects

By John Glenn Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Mar. 20 (PIA) – The Provincial Tourism Office here recently introduced and piloted giant projects for the province in line with its flagship program dubbed “Marajaw Turismo Advocacy.”

Provincial Tourism officer-in-charge Arturo Cruje said that the provincial government is happy to announce four epic tourism projects approved for implementation this year.

Cruje said that in Socorro town, a floating restaurant is in progress on top of the development of Sabang Mangrove Forests and Park, construction of Busay Falls and creation of “Bahay Turista” which he described as "well-advanced and well-situated."

“There are projects approved under the bottom-up-budgeting (BUB) of the Department of Tourism. Several projects were also implemented last year under this scheme,” Cruje asserted.

In the municipality of Bacuag, Tranquility Beach Road is set to be improved while tourism cottages will also be constructed and in San Francisco, the establishment of Tourism Information Center and purchase of equipment will also take their course.

Moreover, a Tourist Assistance Center will be built in Pilar worth P420,000.

“These are tourism initiatives of said municipalities to boost tourism in their respective areas. And as to visitor arrivals and investments, we are growing fast in the last five years,” Cruje affirmed. (SDR/PIC-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DepEd, BSP award best finance educators in elementary schools

MANILA, Mar. 20 (PIA) - Teachers from Butuan City, Baguio City, and Alaminos, Laguna emerged as the national winners of the 2014 GURO NG PAG-ASA (Gantimpala para sa Ulirang PagtutuRO ng PAG-iimpok at Araling PanSAlapi) in awarding ceremonies held Wednesday at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) here.

The 2014 GURO ng PAG-ASA National Winners are: Angelie C. Alvizo of Butuan City Special Education (SPED) Center, Butuan City for Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP); Juana Nimfa P. Abrigo of Alaminos Elementary School, Laguna for Araling Panlipunan (AP); Danilo B. Bambico of Baguio City Special Education (SPED) Center, Baguio City for Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP).

A new award, the Bida sa Pag-iimpok at Pangkabuhayan Award (BSP Award), was also given this year to honor the best sustained savings and entrepreneurship program implemented by a teacher/student/class or school.  The BSP Award was given to Rexza Mae C. Panaligan, a grade 5 student of Santa Barbara Central Elementary School, Iloilo for her peer tutoring program where she demonstrated resourcefulness in managing her own finances and strong commitment to promoting financial skills to her peers. 

On its third year, GURO ng PAG-ASA is an annual rewards program of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) for the best teachers who teach and integrate lessons in saving, money management, and entrepreneurship in the elementary curriculum through three entry subjects: Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, Araling Panlipunan, and Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan.

The most nominations were received this year which include entries from twelve (12) regions out of seventeen (17) in the country. The nominees were narrowed down by the screening committee composed of representatives from DepEd and the academe.

This year’s winners were chosen not only for their exemplary performance in teaching financial lessons to their pupils but also for their exceptional dedication to extend financial education to their respective communities. Area Finalists include Jose Michael C. Gaje of Santa Barbara Central Elementary School, Iloilo, and Maria Lucille V. Gabriel of San Ildefonso Elementary School, Bulacan for EsP, Jeanette Z. Bagtas of Caba Elementary School, La Union and Brigida P. Borra of Passi I Central Elementary School, Iloilo for AP, and Darwin T. Tadifa of Tubungan Central Elementary School, Iloilo for EPP.

The Board of Judges, chaired by former DepEd OIC Dr. Fe A. Hidalgo, also include Dr. Wilma S. Reyes, Philippine Normal University Vice President for Research, Planning and Quality Assurance, and Dr. Marilette R. Almayda, Director III of the Bureau of Elementary Education-DepEd as members. (BSP/PIA-Caraga)


Feature Story: HOPE revives farmers' dignity

By Vanessa P. Sanchez

Gone are the days when farmers look down upon themselves and depend solely on dole-outs from the government for their needs.

In San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, farmers have proven that it is possible to be self-reliant. Thanks to the efforts of the Hugpong sa Organikong Pagpanguma ug Edukasyon (HOPE). HOPE is an organization of farmers from the said town who are practicing and at the same time advocating organic farming.

The group was organized in 2012 during the conduct of a Farmer’s Field School (FFS) on rice conducted by the Municipal Agriculture Office of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. At the said FFS, farmers were taught about organic farming technologies. Having understood the benefits and value of organic agriculture, the said farmers decided to create their organization with the primary aim of educating their fellow farmers about the benefits of organic cultivation and encourage them to shift into organic farming.

According to HOPE Adviser Faith Aurora Dicang, numerous trainings were conducted in the municipality and they have also been invited to conduct trainings in neighboring towns. “Farmers feel that they can relate with our speakers because they are also practicing farmers so they know what they are talking about,” Dicang said.

Practicing what they preach, the group is producing and selling their own vinegar and organic concoctions as an income generating activity. Every three months, they produce an average of 200 liters of each kind of concoctions including Oriental Herbal Nutrients, Fermented Plant Juice, Fermented Fruit Juice, Calcium Phosphate, Indigenous Micro Organism, and Fish Amino Acid. They also ventured into organic vegetable and organic rice production. The group received various assistance from the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 13 including a shredder, tractor and a thresher which they use in their organic farming endeavors.


“We are happy to see the change in the attitude of the farmers because we feel that we have achieved our goal,” Dicang said. As a next step plan, they are now pushing for the establishment of an organic trading center in the municipality so that farmers practicing organic farming will have a venue to sell their products and more farmers will be encouraged to shift from conventional to organic agriculture. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)