(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 10 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).


Thursday, March 19, 2015

AgSur to implement PAMANA-DILG multi-million projects

By David M. Suyao

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Mar. 19 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Sur (PGAS) is now ready to implement the multi-million worth of projects from the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan - Department of the Interior and Local Government (PAMANA-DILG) Fund that will finance ten projects ranging from road concreting, road rehabilitation, construction of potable water supply, installation of potable water system and the construction of bridges.

In a presentation before Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza, DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion and the PAMANA team of Agusan del Sur and the technical team of DILG Caraga Region, Regional PAMANA focal person Annabelle Ivy Boquirin presented ten projects to be implemented in the ten municipalities.

“We would like to present to you the ten projects lined up for implementation in Agusan del Sur for 2015 so that we can identify what projects the PAMANA team will undertake first,” Boquirin said.

The project with the highest budget is the rehabilitation of National Road Junction (NRJ) – Binucayan, Loreto- Sta. Cruz- Katipunan- Del Monte, Veruela connecting Veruela and Loreto with the length of 20 kilometers with the cost of P93 million. Second is the concreting of 23 kilometers road from San Luis to Barangay crossing Luna in Esperanza with the cost of P80 million. Third is the construction of Sta. Irene- La Purisima bridge in Prosperidad with P30 million, followed by the construction of Baobo PSCG bridge in Veruela with P25 million, construction of Baily bridge that will cross Tanyunan creek in Loreto with P15 million budget, the construction of Kidijay RCDC bridge 1 in Limot, Veruela with P10 million and the rehabilitation of 1.3 kilometers road of New Tubigon bridge in Sibagat with P10 million.

For the construction of potable water projects, Barangays Sayon, Angas, Awao, San Jose, Sta. Isabel, Conception, Patrocenio, Aurora and Pag-asa Poblacion, all in the municipality of Sta. Josefa have P22 million budget while the installation of potable water system in Cebulin and Tudela in Trento have P3 million budget and another P1 million for Binicalan, San Luis is set aside.

“We know we encountered some delays in the liquidation of expended funds therefore, I am asking the PAMANA and DILG to please consider the climate in Agusan del Sur in order that your release of funds and our financial accomplishments will synchronize so that every time we receive the funds and spend them according to the program, we can immediately liquidate them together with our accomplishments to avoid delays of the succeeding releases,” Gov. Plaza said.

It was learned that all the provinces of Caraga Region are recipients of the different programs and projects of the PAMANA programs. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


News Feature: DAR AgNor land distribution program reaches 94%, benefits over 20 thousand farmers

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 19 (PIA) - Thousands of farmers are now landowners of the land they till.

After 27 years since former President Corazon C. Aquino signed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Law on June 10, 1988, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte empowered agrarian-beneficiaries by way of social justice brought about by equitable distribution of lands.

Since the program’s implementation in the province, the hectarage distributed is now 94 percent or 40,423 hectares had been handed out of the revised provincial CARP scope of 43,216 hectares and the number of beneficiaries benefitted reached to 20,312 farmers.

The past 14 years of program’s implementation, since year 2000 have been an upward slide with a total of 22,860 hectares distributed, posted a 57 percent growth. This record breaking performance since Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II Andre B. Atega, CESO V, took over DAR this province in 2004.

PARPO II Atega, CESO V, said that the DAR Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes ordered to deliver all of the remaining land acquisition and distribution (LAD) balance this year 2015. The directives was given during the assessment in Manila when DAR Caraga regional director Faisar Mambuay presented the CARP Status report of Caraga.

Mambuay eventually requested an audience to PARPO II Andre B. Atega with program implementers in this province for the discussion on the LAD status for this year, 2015 and ensures the target in this province is on the right track.

During the meeting, PARPO II Atega, introduced innovative approach to accelerate land distribution. The goal is to distribute the remaining 2,793 hectares [2015 target] of land to deliver before the first semester ends.

“All LAD targets are targeted in the first semester and a weekly monitoring, with the aid of Office Performance Commitment and Review (OPCR), ensures the progress on land distribution in this province,” PARPO II Atega said.

PARO II Andre Atega honored DAR employees and staff and all CARP Stakeholders in this province who since in his administration have tirelessly pushed the CARP forward. Because of their dedication and commitment to the objectives of the program, farmer-beneficiaries have improved and cooperative turned a bank-like operation. Their stories are proofs that life after agrarian reform interventions in this province can indeed be better. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Surigao Norte tourism sector lays out Climate Change action plan

By Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Mar. 19 (PIA) - The local tourism industry laid out action plan for climate smart economic growth in Siargao Island and Surigao City.

In a two-day workshop on Promotion for Green Economic Development (PROGED) cum Value Chain Workshop held at two venues on March 9-10 at Cherinicole Beach Resort, Gen. Luna, Siargao Island and on March 12-13 at Parkway Hotel, this city, a number of stakeholders and key players in the tourism sector formulated an action plan to address growing concerns of climate change and its potential consequences to the long term viability of various enterprises.

Technical experts from GIZ or Gesellschaft fΓΌr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) of Germany in the persons of Angie Resurreccion and Raquel Capio facilitated the activity while providing vital inputs to the participants.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga regional director Leticia ”Letty” Tan discussed on the greening of the tourism industry while Ramil J. Leongas, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) presented various possible greening strategies for the small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the value chain.

Among the pressing concerns relative to the expected impact of continuously changing climatic pattern and growing environmental pressures are the challenges on how to keep and maintain the natural endowment of identified tourist destinations more particularly in Siargao and Bucas Grande islands protected areas as well as providing the needed vital infrastructures and support facilities such as power, water and transportation.

Meanwhile, DTI provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the financial and technical support of GIZ and for making the activity a remarkable success in terms of creating awareness to the tourism industry players, the potential effects of climate change and helping them formulate action plans for their respective enterprises and collectively for the whole local tourism industry.

A total of 130 participants joined the activity and actively participated in the discussions and workshops conducted in two locations. Sixty participants attended the session in Gen. Luna, Siargao while 70 stakeholders joined the workshop in Surigao City.

For those interested about PROGED and other related concerns, feel free to visit the DTI Provincial Office located at 2nd Floor, Simtoco Business Center and look for Evelyn C. Arlan, Trade and Industry Development Specialist (TIDS) or contact them through these numbers: (086) 232-4037 and 826-2373. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


New building for cops opens in Bacuag

By John Glenn Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Mar. 19 (PIA) – Bacuag town mayor Sheila Mae. O. Cebedo officiated the turn-over and blessing of a new station building for the Philippine National Police (PNP) on March 16, 2015 at Bacuag poblacion, this province.

The new PNP building worth P4.6 million courtesy of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was constructed with the assistance and support of Governor Sol F. Matugas.

Mayor Cebedo, who presently chairs the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) – Surigao del Norte chapter, also donated office tables and chairs, beside a complete set of computer items for office use.

Cebedo was joined by members of the Sangguniang Bayan headed by Vice Mayor Columbano Manliguis, Jr., and League of Barangays headed by the Provincial Federated President Ebro Joy Orquina who is currently serving as Provincial Board Member.

She then thanked PNP regional director David Yalong Ombao for being competent, experienced, and versatile.

She also cited the priceless contributions of Col. Henry Dar of the Philippine Army, provincial director PSSupt. Julito Diray, PNP regional chaplain PSupt. Joselito Borja, regional logistics officer PSSupt Ruel Acidre, and Provincial Public Safety Company group director PSupt. Rudy Elandag.

“The long awaited project is here, the long wait for the people of Bacuag especially for our PNP is over, finally our dreams came into reality, I have dreamt of this building since my first day into office as the municipal mayor, I am longing for this beautiful and conducive PNP building, and sa wakas heto na po, before my last term ends natayo na ang isa sa mga pangarap ko - to have this kind of building for my PNP family. Our heartfelt gratitude to our PNP national headquarters for helping us realize our dream,” Mayor Cebedo said.

Mayor Cebedo also thanked the entire police force for shelling out funds to realize the dream of Bacuag PNP to have their own building and for putting Bacuag a top priority especially in constructing PNP building to cater the needs and meet the demands of the clients in the police station.

"I encourage the municipal police personnel to be inspired with the new building which was praised as the most 'decent and beautiful' in the province. And I hope that your new house is not only decent in appearance but also in acts and deeds," said Mayor Cebedo.

Rest assured, Cebedo added, that the local officials will always support your programs and activities for the betterment of our people so let us help one another for the peace and harmony of Bacuag. Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much. May God bless us all," she concluded.

The two-storey PNP building has a spacious chief of police office, other offices intended for the children and women's desk, intelligence and investigation department, separate prison cells for both men and women inmates, comfort rooms and a covered rooftop which could be used for several functions. (SDR/PIC-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


SurSur guv calls for PPOC meeting

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Mar. 19 (PIA) – Governor Johnny Pimentel has set an afternoon meeting with the members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), which he chairs, on March 20, 2015 at the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO) Conference Room, Capitol Building here.

In the invitation letter dated March 6, 2015, topics for discussion, among other matters, include the following:  Distribution of checks for CLIP enrollees; Presentation and Endorsement of PAMANA 2015 Projects; Creation/Organization of HRAC and Rol in the PPOC; Updates on Conflict Situation; Updates on Criminality and Law Enforcement.

Meanwhile, Maria Lourdes Martinez, program manager of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) here, confirmed that DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion has also called for a meeting regarding Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) in the morning of the same day.

It was learned that Oliver Binancilan, OPAPP-PAMANA area coordinator, is going to be present.

Both gatherings will be attended by almost the same personalities, Martinez indicated. (GBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)