(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 13 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, March 27, 2015

DILG 13 engages CSOs for disaster risk reduction

By Marilou Autor-Salado

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 27 (PIA) - The Department of the Interior and Local Government – Caraga Region (DILG 13) initiated a collaborative meeting of its Multi-Stakeholders Advisory Council (MSAC) members and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) concerned on Disaster Risk Reduction/Climate Change Adaptation (DRR/CCA) activities on March 20, 2015 at Almont City Hotel, this city.

The MSAC is the advisory body of DILG’s Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC)—its knowledge hub on local governance and special thematic areas. It is composed of National Government Agencies, Non-Government Organizations and academic institutions and is dynamically extending its network for collaborators and partners in development work in the field of local governance.

With the support of DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion, the meeting was initiated through the DILG 13 - LGRRC as a pro-active strategy to continually improve its services through expansion of its network and linkages, particularly with members of MSAC and stakeholders from CSOs that are concerned on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. This is to resolve the current need for a unified action to mitigate, prepare and respond to natural calamities, which is apparent in the increase of DRR-related priority projects identified by the grassroots community from all 73 cities and municipalities of the region under the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) program.

Moreover, Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division chief Rey Gregorio Jaranilla and Local Government Capability Development Division chief Charissa Guerta have both emphasized that the LGRRC continues to receive and respond to requests for Capacity Building initiatives such as those pertaining to Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA).

Considering the Department’s drive to enable LGUs to become environmentally protective, climate change adaptive and disaster resilient, the LGRRC has already initiated an interface meeting with the MSAC members and various CSOs last September 2014. The DRR interventions provided by the CSOs to the Local Government Units in Caraga were mapped out during that meeting. The information gathered were helpful in determining the kind of DRR interventions provided as well as knowing what LGU or community receives the most or less assistance.

As a result, collaborative efforts for DRR-CCA are hoped to thrive through the agreements during the meeting, such as: (1) The creation of a TWG to come up a Regional Climate Condition based on Scientific-Based information that will serve as DRR database for all planning activities in the region;  (2) the harmonization of training modules on community-based DRRM; (3) partnerships for the DILG’s Seal of Good Local Government (SGLG) Assessment, particularly on the Seal of Disaster Preparedness component; and (4) Partnerships with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Red Cross for technical advice on the standards of DRR-related equipment, including its maintenance and utilization.   

CSOs expressed their appreciation to the endeavour are looking forward to the collaboration which they find mutually beneficial to all stakeholders involved. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Feature: Can an apple a day keep the doctor away?

By Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa

Is there truth in the saying that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away? What makes an apple good for our health?

Apple, malus sylvetris in scientific name, provides a lot of health and nutritional benefits to our body.  A medium-sized apple weighing 138 grams contains about 81 calories, zero fat and cholesterol, 10 percent carbohydrate, and more than 80 percent of water.

According to a research in Cornell University, a combination of the plant chemicals- flavonoids and polyphenols, collectively known as phytochemicals, provide the fruit’s antioxidant and anticancer benefits. In addition, the skin of an apple contains a small amount of beta-carotene and 4 milligrams of quercetin, an antioxidant compound preventing oxygen molecules from damaging an individual’s cells that can lead to cancer and other diseases.

The apple’s skin has insoluble fiber, which is a great help for constipation. It also helps prevent diverticulosis, a condition where small pouches form on the colon and become inflamed or infected. It also has a soluble fiber, which is the pectin that can help lower cholesterol as well as the risk of heart diseases. This soluble fiber can also slow the digestion and the rise of blood sugar, making it good for diabetes patients.

About 4 percent of an apple is made up of vitamins and minerals. The flesh provides some iron and potassium. Like other fruits, apple contains vitamin C (8 milligrams/medium size).

Though apples give a lot of benefits, can these be the reasons to say bye-bye to a doctor and hello to apple? Definitely, no!

According to the Handbook of the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos developed by the Technical Working Group headed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), one should eat more vegetables, fruits, and root crops. Consume two to three servings of vegetables each day, of which a serving is equivalent to ½ cup or 40 grams for non-leafy and 1 cup or 25 grams for leafy. Two servings of fruit daily, of which a serving ranges from 45 to 300 grams (depending on the size and variety of fruit) is also recommended. The consumption of these foods is encouraged to help prevent cancer and constipation. Furthermore, consumption of these foods can help to correct micronutrient deficiencies such as lack of vitamin A, B-vitamins, vitamin C and iron.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num:  8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.; FNRI Facebook page: facebook.com/FNRI-DOST; FNRI Twitter account: twitter.com/FNRI-DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)


Feature: Tips in buying safe cooked food

By Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso

Today, more people are resorting to buying cooked foods outside the home. This is for practical reasons like saving time in planning and preparing meals, convenience, availing of choice of reasonably-priced and flavorful food, and experiencing other special treats aside from the usual family menu.

Cooked and street foods are easy to find in the carinderia, outside the school premises, churches, parks and even in malls.

However, there are safety issues in buying cooked and street foods.

Are these foods safe to eat?

These foods are safe to eat provided that the food handlers have the proper knowledge and training on food handling and services, food preparation, personal hygiene and  maintaining a clean and safe environment.

The sixth message of the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) emphasizes that “consume safe foods and water to prevent diarrhea and other food-related and water-borne diseases."

Here are simple tips to prevent food and water-borne diseases:

-         Buy cooked food from known safe sources.

-         Avoid foods with mayonnaise or similar dressings. These spoil quickly.

-         Avoid buying foods cooked in tomato sauce and coconut milk because they also easily spoil.

-         Buy frozen or refrigerated fresh cooked food like embotido or morcon.

-         Buy only newly-cooked foods and avoid foods that have been long-standing. Examples of these are foods cooked in the morning and sold until the afternoon, or evening or on even the following days. 

Remember the 6th message in the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF), consume safe foods and water to prevent diarrhea and other food and water-borne diseases.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num:  8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.; FNRI Facebook page: facebook.com/FNRI-DOST; FNRI Twitter account: twitter.com/FNRI-DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Pangulong Aquino nilagdaan ang batas na magpaliban ng halalan para sa Sangguniang Kabataan

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Mar. 27 (PIA) - Nilagdaan ni Pangulong Benigno III ang pagiging batas na siyang magpapaliban ng halalan ng Sangguniang Kabataan at ito ay itinakda sa katapusan ng Lunes ng buwan ng Oktubre, 2016, sabi ng Malakanyang noong Huwebes.

Nilagdaan ng Pangulo noong Miyerkoles ang Republic Act (RA)10656 na pinamagatang “An Act postponing the Sangguniang Kabataan election hanggang sa huling araw na Lunes ng buwang Oktobre 2016,” na nag amiyenda RA No. 9164 at pinamagatang “An act providing for synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” at ang RA 7160 nakilala rin bilang “local government code of 1991.”

Orihinal na itinakda ang halalan ng Sangguniang Kabataan noong Oktubre 28, 2013. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Tagalog News: Bandidong NPA inatake ang convoy ng LGU AgNor

Ni Cpt Joe Patrick A Martinez

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro City, Marso 27 (PIA) - Pinaputukan ng walong armadong kalalakihan na hinihilaang grupo ng New People’s Army (NPA) mula sa Guerilla Front 4-A kaninanang alas 11:20 ng tanghali ang mga nagbabantay na kapulisan at convoy ni Hon. Maria Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba, Gobernador ng Agusan del Norte na patungo sana sa Sitio Mimbahandi, Barangay Camagong sa bayan ng Nasipit, Agusan del Norte upang pormal na iturnover ang isang bagong eskwelahan ngayong araw, Marso 26, 2015.

Agad namang nakaresponde at nakapaputok ang kapulisan at mga sundalo ng 29th Infantry Battalion at matagumpay na naitulak papalayo sa lugar ang mga naturang bandido. Agad ding nadala sa ligtas na lugar ang convoy ng Gobernadora. Samantala, isang pulis ang nasugatan sa nasabing pag atake (hindi pa inilalahad sa publiko) at kasalukuyang ginagamot sa isang ospital sa lungsod ng Butuan at ayon sa kanyang doctor ay ligtas na siya sa tiyak na kapahamakan.

Ayon kay Major General Oscar T Lactao, Commander ng 4ID, “Ang pag-atake ng NPA ay nag-iwan ng takot sa puso’t isipan ng bawat isa sa lokalidad lalong-lalo na sa mga bata na mag-aaral sa nasabing eskwelahan. Upang mapanatili ang mga isyu sa bawat lugar, mga isyu na nagagamit ng NPA upang paigtingin ang galit ng mga tao sa ating gobyerno gaya ng walang sapat na pasilidad para sa edukasyon, trabaho o hanap buhay para sa mamamayan, at programa para sa pag-unlad ng ating ekonomiya, kinakailangang harangin o isabotahe ng mga NPA ang mga programang ito upang mas madali silang maka rekrut ng bago nilang miyembro.

“Itoy patunay lamang ng kanilang hindi pagsang-ayon na magkaroon ng katahimikan at pag-unlad ang ating bayan,” dagdag pa ni MGen Lactao.

Kasalukuyan nang tinutugis ng pinagsanib na puwersa ng kapulisan at kasundaluhan ang tumatakas na NPA. (PA/PIA-Caraga)