(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).


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

DTI reminds establishments to constantly update price tags

By Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 14 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Surigao del Norte has reminded the local establishments here to regularly update their shelves product and price tags consistent to the prices in their computer system that is reflected in the machine-generated receipts.

DTI Surigao del Norte provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan, in a letter to some retail establishments, said that there are establishments in the city that are not regularly updating their shelves and product price tags.

"Prices in receipts have to be same with that in the price tags. In case it is not, what should prevail is the price tag as basis for payment. Moreover in case where there are two different price tags reflected in a product, the lower price prevails in favour of the consumer," Negapatan said.

He explained that reflecting price in the receipts that is not consistent of what is indicated in the price tag that is marked or placed in the product or shelves is a violation of the Price Tag Law and Consumer Act.

Negapatan said that having an erroneous price tag is the same as no price tag. "Such violation has a penalty ranging from P500.00 up to P300,000.00 depending on the amount of capitalization of the business establishment," he said.

Consumers are encouraged to look into their purchase receipts if the price reflected is consistent or not with what is reflected in the price tag of the product.

The buyers should understand that the establishment cannot impose payment for the price that is not indicated in the price tag.

For more information on consumer welfare concerns, interested parties can visit the Department of Trade and Industry at the 2nd Floor, Simtoco Building., Burgos Street, this city or contact telephone number 826-6129. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


AFACI: First GAP certified farm in the region

By Fretcher Magatao

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 14 (PIA) - Antongalon Farmers Association Caraga Incorporated (AFACI) got its certification on various vegetables as the first Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified farm in the region after complying with the Code of GAP of the Department of Agriculture.

Record shows that as of 2014, there are just 13 farms nationwide that were given GAP certification and AFACI is an addition this year. The certification was made possible through the efforts of the members of the association and support from NGOs in complying with the needed requirements.

Various crops in the association that are being grown are carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, bell pepper, tomato, Japanese finger, squash, string beans, bitter gourd, eggplant, ginger, pechay, cucumber, sweet pepper, hot pepper, sweet corn, sponge gourd, chickpea, Baguio beans, radish, leak, bottle gourd, lemon grass, mung bean, sweet potato, yam bean, cassava,  mushroom, peanut, horse radish, malabar/saylone spinach, moringa oleifera, sweet potato leaves, onion, and garlic.

AFACI is an association with 16 active members built to help Antongalon farmers to have sustainable vegetable production and direct market linkage. It has a total of 15.33 hectares planted area and was organized by the city government of Butuan assisted by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry and Butuan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation.

The GAP for Fruits and Vegetable Farming, as stated on its code, is a set of consolidated safety and quality standards formulated by the Department of Agriculture for on-farm fruit and vegetable production.  These code of practices are based on concept of Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) and quality management principles with emphasis in the key areas of farm location, structure, environment, maintenance, management and farming practices/methods/techniques.

GAP program seeks to provide safe food product for the consumers. The focus is to reduce risk of microbial and pesticide contamination. Additional benefits of the program are worker's safety and protection of the environment.  It is a known fact that current technologies cannot absolutely eliminate food safety hazards associated with fresh produce that will be eaten raw.

In 2005, due to Philippines' participation in the AADCP project stream which aimed to develop a harmonized ASEAN GAP, the Philippines conceptualized and developed its own National GAP Program. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DA farm mechanization to boost Philippine farming

By Lacheln Rafallo

BUTUAN CITY, April 14 (PIA) – With the intention of boosting rice production in the Philippines through developing its agricultural technology, the Department of Agriculture (DA) partners with the Philippine Center for Posthavest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).

PhilMech has launched its research program called Agrinovation and has produced innovations such as Rice Transplanter, Compact Corn Mill, Cassava Digger, and many more.

“With Agrinovation, we are addressing the country’s agricultural problems by maximizing what is already there,” said PhilMech Applied Communication chief and Science Research Specialist Rodolfo P. Estigoy during his visit in Butuan City on Monday.

The latest survey undertaken by PhilMech showed a significant development and an increase in figures in the mechanization level of farms in the Philippines as more farmers showed willingness in adopting farm machinery with the assistance of DA through their Rice Mechanization Program.

“Some of these machines have been readily available in Luzon, but most of them are still prototypes. We are still inviting manufacturers to help us produce these machines,” said Estigoy.

With these developments, PhilMech is confident that the mechanization level of farms in the country will reach an increase of at least 60 percent more by 2016. (PIA-Caraga)


Crame issues 25 motorcycles to PRO 13

By Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 14 (PIA) - The Police National Headquarters based at Camp Crame, Quezon City through its Directorate for Logistics, issued 25 motorcycles to the Police Regional Office 13 as part of the capability enhancement program of the Philippine National Police.

The blessing of the said patrol vehicles was done prior to the Monday flag raising rites at the grandstand of Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez, officiated by Fr. Felixberto M. Floreta, Parish Vicar of the Sto. Nino Parish (Brgy. Libertad), witnessed by Caraga PNP chief CSupt. David Y. Ombao, PRO 13 regional police officials, the recipient city and municipal police station officials or their representatives and personnel.

The symbolic distribution of the 135 CC Kawasaki Rouser Motorcycle patrol vehicles down to the recipient city and municipal police stations in the region became one of the highlights during the Monday flag-raising rites. The Butuan City Police Office received five units, which keys were received by Butuan City Police Director PSSupt. Nerio T. Bermudo from CSupt. Ombao, for the use of Butuan City Police Office, Butuan City Public Safety Company, Police Stations 3 (Libertad), 4 (Ampayon) and 5 (San Mateo).  PSupt. Restituto Lacano, Jr., deputy Provincial Director for Administration of the Agusan del Norte PPO received the two keys of the two motorcycle units in behalf of the said police provincial office for the use of Buenavista Municipal Police Station and Santiago Municipal Police Station.

The other motorcycle patrol vehicles will be issued to Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office (four units): Bayugan City Police Station, Esperanza Municipal Police Station, Bunawan Municipal Police Station and Loreto Municpal Police Station. Surigao del Norte PPO (seven units): San Benito Municipal Police Station, San Isidro Municipal Police Station, Socorro Municipal Police Station, Gigaquit Municipal Police Station, san Francisco Municipal Police Station, Tubod Municipal Police Station and Surigao City Police Station. Surigao del Sur PPO (four units): Carascal Municipal Police Station, Lanuza Municipal Police Station, Bislig City Police Station and Cortez Municipal Police Station and Dinagat PPO (two units): Libjo Municipal Police Station and San Jose Municipal Police Station.

According to PRO 13 chief spokesperson PSupt. Martin M. Gamba that the issued 135 CC Kawasaki Rouser patrol motorcycles “will help the regional PNP achieve maximum effectiveness and will be used for various activities from the pursuit and apprehension of criminals to the rendering of first aid to the injured or to facilitate many of the programs of the police force and most importantly will be used for routine patrolling which will enhance police visibility.”

Gamba also said that the effective and efficient services rendered by the police would strengthen and widen the base of stakeholders support and would eventually facilitate the provision of more resources for the police organization. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)


Regional Police 13 awards personnel for exceptional accomplishments

By Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 14 (PIA) - The Police Regional Office 13 awarded two of its personnel, a male and a female police officer on Monday morning for their exceptional accomplishments in the performance of their respective services; one for breaking off an illegal activity and the other for winning a national award, thus giving honor and fame to regional PNP organization.

A “Medalya Ng Papuri” was awarded to SPO1 Eduardo O. Garcia during the Monday flag-raising rites for his role in a successful anti-illegal logging operation while manning a checkpoint at Sibagat, Agusan del Sur on March 22, 2015. This resulted to the confiscation of 227 pieces of Magcono (iron wood) sawn lumber and 122 pieces of “Yakal” sawn lumbers with a total volume of 349 board feet. The seized forest products were estimated to amount P292, 083.03. Three suspects were also apprehended during the said police operation and were appropriately charged in court.

Another “Medalya Ng Papuri” was also awarded to PO1 Lailane M. Eribal for winning the first runner up award in a national police singing competition during the “Pagpugay Sa Mga Pulis sa Araw Ng Kagitingan,” initiated by the Directorate for Police Community Relations held at the Police National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City. She’s now included in the list of “Philippines' Finest,” thus bringing honor and fame to the regional police here.

The medals were pinned to the awardees by Bayugan City Councilor Kirk Asis, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the occasion assisted by Caraga PNP chief CSupt. David Y. Ombao. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)