(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 11 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).


Monday, April 13, 2015

PIA Caraga to install AFEBS Network in Malimono town

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 13 (PIA) – As the agency continues to innovate and reach out to the most vulnerable areas of Caraga region to make them an informed citizens, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga will soon launch the Advanced Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network in the municipality of Malimono.

The municipality is located in the southwest part of the province of Surigao del Norte and 32 kilometers from Surigao City.

“PIA Caraga team will soon be installing the Advanced Forward Emergency Broadcasting Network (AFEBS) Network to the municipality of Malimono. With the agency’s capability using the AFEBS technology, we can assist the people of Malimono to be well-prepared in times of disaster and be empowered and resilient,” underscored deputy regional director Fryan Abkilan of PIA Caraga.

Abkilan further bared that the agency has already conducted series of consultations and meetings with the town’s vice mayor Ricky Caga and fellow council officials for the adoption of the AFEBS Network in their municipality.

It can be recalled that vice mayor Caga and his fellow town officials in Malimono have initially sought the idea of PIA Caraga team on how they can extensively utilize the AFEBS in their municipality, that is so much prone to disasters.

Through the extra effort of vice mayor Caga, the town will definitely level-up its disaster response services wherein the lives of people living in their locality are of utmost regard.

“I believe there is a need to put substance to my contract as government official to our constituents. Our municipality’s development will not just rely on the common projects that are usually set but we have to initiate and dedicate in improving the safety and security measures for our fellow brethren,” said vice mayor Caga.

Caga added that the gradual state of growth of their municipality gave him the passion to introduce better alternative systems. “Empowerment should not only be for the wealthy individuals but must equally be earned by everyone regardless of his status in life. Indeed, exercising true public service takes altruistic acts to sustain real progress,” he emphasized. (VLG/JPG, PIA-Caraga)


Outstanding tech-voc grads in Butuan honored

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 13 (PIA) - Two graduates of Automotive Servicing NC II received Tatak TESDA medallions during their graduation rites held recently here.

Jhon Michael G. Longakit and Vincent P. Musico received the Tatak TESDA medallions after having been endorsed by Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT) during the 43rd Commencement Exercises held at the school’s newly-constructed covered court. The school has been internationally-certified by ISO 9001:2008 since 1999.

According to Prof. Renato D. Tesaluna, SJIT Human Resource Development Officer and Tech-Voc Coordinator, the two tech-voc graduates were chosen because of their exemplary performance in both theoretical aspect and hands-on application in the entire duration of their training.

Tesaluna further acknowledged the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under the leadership of Sec. Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva and Caraga regional director Dr. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. for coming up with an idea of honoring tech-voc students who have excelled academically.

“This award can boost more the morality and integrity of the students for them to strive hard to be at par excellence, thus achieving the mission of the national government and TESDA to encourage Filipino workforce to have world-class competencies,” Tesaluna said.

Meanwhile, Longakit and Musico thanked TESDA Caraga, saying that they did not expect to receive such award because they were not informed by Tesaluna.

“I really did not expect this award. We were not informed by our Tech-Voc Coordinator that we can receive this award today. We were also amazed because the medals we received are bigger than those medals that were awarded to other graduates in the degree programs. This is bigger than the medal awarded to our Batch Cum Laude this year,” Longakit said.

Musico likewise stressed that his mother was so happy upon knowing that she and his father can go upstage to award his medal since his name was not placed in the program as one of the awardees.

It was learned that the souvenir program was already distributed a day before the school coordinated with TESDA-Caraga for the award. Upon receiving the endorsement of the school, TESDA-Caraga through the Provincial Office of Agusan del Norte approved such endorsement before the Holy Week.

Honoring of tech-voc graduates who have excelled academically was initiated through the Public Information Office of TESDA Central Office in Taguig City, Manila. (TESDA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur PDRRM office to spearhead training on incident command system

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 13 (PIA) – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Surigao del Sur will lead the conduct of a three-day Basic/Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) training course from April 15-17, 2015 at La Entrada Resort in Britania, municipality of San Agustin.

Around 40 participants are expected to attend the said training, it was learned.

The three-day activity aims to enhance the council members to have a common understanding of command, control and coordination of response as they work toward the common goal of stabilizing the incident or disaster.

"This is also part of the country's on-scene disaster response system to ensure the effective consequence management of disasters or emergencies," said Provincial DRRM officer Abel de Guzman.

De Guzman further said that in the recent years, the destruction caused by disasters (man-made and natural calamity) highlighted the number of gaps in the existing DRRM system particularly in the early warning system in terms of policies, institutional coordination and operational protocols. (NGB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


AgNor aims for a drug-free workplace

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 13 (PIA) – Agusan del Norte Provincial Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo thoroughly explained to the provincial officials and employees the contents and highlights of the newly approved Provincial Ordinance No. 367-2014, “An Ordinance Establishing a Mechanism for the Adoption and Implementation of a Drug-Free Workplace Policy in the Provincial Government of Agusan del Norte” during the Monday Convocation at the Provincial Capitol, here.

Under said ordinance, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte aims to safeguard its integrity and protect the physical and mental well-being of its employees from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs, and to defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their development.

The province of Agusan del Norte sees the need to enhance further the efficacy of the law against abuses and illegal use of dangerous drugs in the province particularly to its employees.

Toward this end, the provincial government shall pursue an intensive and unrelenting campaign against the trafficking and use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances especially at the workplace within its offices through an integrated system of planning, and enforcement of anti-drug abuse policies, programs and projects in line with the national law. (LGU-Agusan del Norte, PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Coop leaders join organic fertilizer forum in Surigao City

By Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 13 (PIA) – A total of 54 cooperatives and farmer leaders and agricultural workers throughout the city and neighboring municipalities attended the Plantmate Organic Fertilizer Forum held on March 31, 2015 at the City Cultural Center, here.

The forum was organized by the Surigao City Informal Waste Sector Association (SUCISAWA) in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry to promote the use of organic fertilizer for various agricultural crops such as rice and vegetables.

Locally produced in Claver by the Claver Coconut Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CLACOFARMCO), the Plantmate Organic Fertilizer production process makes use of the coco dust agricultural waste in their coco coir and coconet processing project.

The fertilizer is produced by using the bio-plus activator from the Agroman Bio-Systems Corporation to accelerate the organic matter decomposition process.

Roel Flauta of the City Agriculture Office explained the benefits of using organic fertilizer in producing agricultural products that is of good quality and healthy food items, while, Engr. Angelita M. Espinosa, project caretaker of CLACOFARMCO Plantmate Organic Fertilizer explained the unique qualities of the product and its efficacy in maintaining soil fertility and increase production.

DTI provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan, in his message, stressed the importance of managing their respective farming endeavours into sustainable business enterprises.

He encouraged the cooperatives to help facilitate the distribution of the organic fertilizer which can be viable business that can support their farmer-members in terms of adapting environment friendly and cost efficient farming technologies that will sustainably increase their farm productivity.

The farmers and agricultural workers appreciate the effort of the sponsors in sharing the product and its potential benefits.

With regards to the apprehensions of participants on the drawbacks of reduce production at the initial stage while using organic fertilizer, Engr. Espinosa recommends to religiously adapt the Plantmate Organic Fertilizer crop production protocol to ensure attainment of optimum yield level as experienced by rice farmers in Nueva Ecija that were able to produce 300 cavans of palay per hectare. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Tagalog News: Pamahalaan, pinaigting ang paghahanda laban sa epekto ng ‘El Nino’

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Abril 13 (PIA) - Pinaigting ng pamahalaan ang paghahanda laban sa masamang epekto ng El Nino phenomenon, sabi ni Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. noong Linggo.

"Patuloy na pinaiigting ng pamahalaan ang mga paghahanda upang labanan ang epekto ng El NiΓ±o sa bansa at masiguro ang katatagan ng produksyon ng pagkain, partikular ang palay, sa iba’t ibang bukirin at sakahan," sabi ni Coloma sa isang panayam sa radio sa pamagitan ng dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

Nailahad niya na ang kasangkot na mga ahensiya ng pamahalaan ay sama-samang nagtatrabaho para maibsan ang epekto ng El Nino.

"Kumikilos na ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan sa pangunguna ng Kagawaran ng Agrikultura upang bigyan ng karampatang tulong ang mga magsasaka at manggagawa sa kabukiran, tulad ng pamamahagi ng mga drought resistant na punla ng palay, maging ang pagsasaayos ng kanilang mga cropping season upang maiwasan ang mga tinaguriang disaster-prone na mga buwan alinsunod sa inilatag na El NiΓ±o mitigation and adaptation plan," dagdag niya.

Ang Kagawaran ng Agrikultura, kasama ang National Irrigation Administration ay siyang mamamahala sa suplay ng tubig para sa mga irigasyon ng pananim habang ang lebel ng patubig ay bumababa sa tagtuyot na ito.

"Handa namang magpatupad ang pamahalaan ng iba pang mga hakbang, tulad ng cloud seeding operations kung kinakailangan, lalo na sa mga lugar na nakararanas ng matinding panunuyo ng pananim," sabi ni Coloma. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)