(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).


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Reservist, Retiree Affairs to hold natl reservist week regl convention

By David Mabalcon

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 15 (PIA) - The Reservist and Retiree Affairs family in partnership with the 15th Caraga Regional Community Defense Group, Army Reserve Command (CRCDG-ARESCOM) will once again conduct the National Reservist Week Regional Convention on April 18-19 at the Sanchez Gym, Caraga State University, Ampayon, this city.

The activity is anchored on the theme; “Laang Kawal: Kaakibat sa Patuloy na Pagbubuklod Tungo sa Kapayapaan, Kasaganaan at Kaunlaran ng Bayan.”

CRCDG group commander Col. Kennedy Saguindang said that this year's theme simplifies the present advocacy of the ARESCOM to continuously support the tactical units in its effort on Internal Peace and Security Plan "Bayanihan," stakeholders’ engagement and the ongoing advocacy on the Performance Governance System (PGS).

Saguindang added that lectures on various programs of different government agencies in Caraga Region will be undertaken as one way of enhancing knowledge and skills of the reservist participants.

On the second day of the event, a press conference with the Eastern Mindanao Command commander Lt. Gen. Aurelio Baladad will also be conducted.

Lt. Gen. Balabad will also be the guest of honor and speaker during the event. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)


DILG, AgNor to conduct HIV/AIDS orientation

By Lacheln O. Rafallo

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 15 (PIA) – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in partnership with the provincial government of Agusan del Norte will conduct an orientation on HIV and AIDS to the local officials and functionaries, non-government organizations and the private sector on Friday, April 17 at the provincial training center, this city.

Data from the Philippine HIV-AIDS registry revealed that at least 60 human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) cases in Caraga have been recorded in 2014.

This brings the total number of People Living with AIDS (PLHIV) in the region to 116 since the first reported case in 1995, it was learned.

The Philippine HIV-AIDS also revealed that over the past five years, there has been a consistent rise in the number of HIV cases.

"These underscore the need for interventions that would intensify the campaign against the spread of HIV and AIDS in the region," said Agusan del Norte governor and Provincial AIDS Council governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante M. Matba. (FEA/PIA-Caraga)


EMB: Water quality of Lake Mainit 'generally good'

By John Glenn A. Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 15 (PIA) – The Environment and Management Bureau (EMB) Caraga in its latest water quality monitoring study rated the water quality of Lake Mainit as "generally good."

EMB Caraga regional director Engr. Wilson Trajico revealed recently that based on the Revised Water Usage and Water Quality Criteria, the water quality in Lake Mainit has complied with the standards in 100 percent instances.

Lake Mainit is a key biodiversity area and has a lot of potentials for ecotourism development. Plans are already laid-out to make the area a tourism paradise.

Surigao del Norte Governor Sol Matugas is the over-all chair of the Lake Mainit Development Alliance (LMDA), comprising around eight municipalities and the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte.

Provincial Tourism Coordinator Arturo Cruje said that the lady governor hopes that the report could provide useful information for a better understanding of the present quality condition of the lake, for appropriate intervention by concerned government agencies.

He said that the water quality parameters include dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, potential for hydrogen, temperature and total fecal coliform organisms.

There were 96 samples collected from 16 monitoring stations for the entirety of the inspection period, Cruje added. (SDR/PIC-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DepEd Butuan readies OBE, PAS campaign for SY 2015-2016

By Marivic B. Mira

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 15 (PIA) – Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Br. Armin Luistro has ordered all heads of public elementary and secondary schools, and all concerned to activate the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) and the Public Assistance Station (PAS) for school year (SY) 2015-2016 from May 25 to June 6.

In Butuan City, schools division superintendent (SDS) Arsenio T. Cornites Jr. also reminded all concerned to follow the schedule set by the head office.

Cornites said, the OBE and PAS are primarily aimed to address the problems commonly encountered at the start of the school year.

“This is to ensure that pupils/students are already properly enrolled and able to attend school by the first day of classes,” SDS Cornites added.

Also, Cornites enjoins all field and school officials to support said campaign to ensure a smooth school opening.

An OBE Information and Action Center (OBEIAC) will be set up during the campaign period. The OBEIAC will also set up hotlines to receive calls, text messages, fax messages, and emails on complaints, requests and suggestions from parents, students and other concerned citizens.

The OBEIAC will also set-up help desk to accommodate walk-in concerns, Cornites said. (DepEd Butuan City division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Workshop on teaching English for K to 12 Basic Education curriculum set

By Maxima P. Buron

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 15 (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued an advisory informing concerned teachers for the available workshops on teaching English in the K to 12.

DepEd will start the implementation of the K to 12 Curriculum during the school year 2016-2017.

As one strategy in order to equip teachers on its implementation especially on teaching English, the Ateneo Center for English Language Teaching (ACELT), Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) will conduct its Certificate Workshops on Teaching English.

The workshop on Teaching Critical Reading for Senior High School Students: Theories, Text, and Tips is scheduled on August 8, 15, and 22, 2015. It is aimed to equip teacher especially those who will teach Senior High School English in the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum with principles and approaches to teaching critical reading.

The workshop will also guide the teachers through the process of critical reading as looking for ways of thinking and reasoning. It will help teacher-participants design lessons which will guide their students develop a critical stance when they read and evaluate any texts.

Also, on February 13, 20, 27, 2016, another workshop on Enhancing Student’s Purposive Writing Skills: Approaches, Strategies, and Practices will be held.

Target participants of the said workshop are teachers of English in the K to 12 Curriculum from both public and private elementary and secondary schools. (DepEd Butuan City Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


DSWD to conduct 'Pantawid Pamilya Green Day'

By Febjan Mariah J. Melendres

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 15 (PIA) - In line with the upcoming Universal World Earth Day, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga in partnership with the city government of Butuan and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Field Office 13 will host an advocacy activity dubbed as Pantawid Pamilya Green Day on April 17, 2015 at 4:00 a.m. at Barangay Bonbon Covered Court here.

The said event will be attended by several staffs from the different offices of DSWD 13, DENR 13, city government of Butuan and some 1,000 Pantawid Pamilya partner-beneficiaries in the city.

DSWD Caraga assistant regional director for operations Mita G. Lim will give a message for the families.

Also, activities such as a Zumba party, tree planting and a parade from Bonbon Covered Court to the venue will happen during the event. (PIA-Caraga)


School year to start on June 1

By Marivic B. Mira

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 15 (PIA) – Classes in public elementary and high schools for school year (SY) 2015-2016 will begin on the first day of June, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

DepEd Butuan City schools division superintendent Arsenio T. Cornites Jr. said, the school year will also end on April 1, 2016, Friday, as per department order signed by DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro.

DepEd has released its school calendar for SY 2015-2016 which shows the school events and activities for the said school year. It represents the actual teaching-learning days which shall be observed in all schools.

“It will consist of 201 school days, inclusive of a five-day In-Service Training (INSET) break,” said Cornites.

According to Cornites, private schools may deviate from the school calendar, they may not start classes earlier than the first Monday of June and not later than the last day of August, as provided in Republic Act (R.A.) No. 7797 or An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to not More Than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days.

They should notify the appropriate DepEd officials in advance regarding any deviation, Cornites added. (DepEd Butuan City Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Tagalog News: Palasyo kinundena ang pagpaslang sa isang dating mamamahayag

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Abril 15 (PIA) - Kinundena ng Malakanyang ang pagpaslang ng isang dating mamamahayag sa dyaryo sa lalawigan ng Batangas.

Isang Melinda Magsino, dating manunulat sa Philippine Daily Inquirer ay binaril, patay, ng isang taong nakasakay sa motorsiklo habang siya ay pauwi sa kanyang bahay sa Barangay Balagtas noong Lunes.

“Kinukundena namin ang pagpatay kay Melinda Magsino kahit na maliwanag ang sikat ng araw, isang krusadang manunulat habang siya ay dating nanunungkulan bilang manunulat sa Philippine Daily Inquirer. Ang Task Force Usig ng Philippine National Police ay masinsinang nakipag-ugnayan sa operasyon ng pulis para tugisin ang pumatay sa kanya at dalhin ang salarin sa hapag ng hustisya,” sabi ni Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. noong Martes.

Sinabi rin ni Coloma na isang inter-agency task force na pinangungunahan ng Department of Justice, na may partisipasyon ng National Press Club ay itinatag para bigyan ng tuon ang paglutas sa mga krimen laban sa journalists.

"Bahagi ito ng pangkalahatang programa ng pamahalaan na supilin ang kriminalidad na nagaganap dahil nga sa mga unlicensed firearms at ang iba pang mga related criminal activities sa ating mga komunidad. Kaya nandoon naman ang prayoridad na binibigay doon sa pangangailangan na pigilin ang mga ganyang krimen sa ating mga komunidad at magbigay ng kapanatagan ng kalooban sa ating mga mamamayan,” paliwanag niya.

Ayon sa ulat, mayroong ibinunyag si Magsino na korapsyon at ilegal na ginagawang pasugalan sa Batangas. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)