(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 7, 2015

DTI turns-over 41 Timbangan ng Bayan to 19 SurSur LGUs

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Apr. 7 (PIA) – Seventeen municipalities and two cities of this province recently received 41 units of weighing scale under the "Timbangan ng Bayan" project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

With these weighing scales, the consumers will be guided by checking the accuracy of the weight and quantity of goods they buy at the market thus ensuring that they get their money’s worth.

DTI Surigao del Sur provincial director Romel Oribe said that the cities of Tandag and Bislig received seven weighing scales each while the rest were given to the 17 municipalities.

During the turn-over ceremony, a memorandum of agreement was inked between the DTI represented by director Oribe and the 19 local chief executives and representatives present.

Under the agreement, the local government units shall be responsible for the maintenance of the weighing scales and they shall ensure that these weighing scales shall be placed in conspicuous areas of the market for consumers’ easy access. (NGB/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


UN lauds DENR on climate change adaptation program

By Eric Herson F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 7 (PIA) - Regional director Nonito M. Tamayo of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga said on Monday the United Nations Environment official have commended the efforts of the DENR to implement programs that cushion the impact of climate change.         

He said that Secretary Ramon JP Paje has fine-tuned several climate-change adaptation programs with the officials of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) that will bolster the natural defenses and resiliency of the Filipinos on the impact of climate change.         

Secretary Paje and UNEP executive director Achim Steiner met in a bilateral meeting over the weekend to improve potential cooperation on renewable energy and climate change. Director Achim was accompanied by the UNEP regional director and representative for Asia and the Pacific Kaveh Zahedi.           

Director Tamayo said the UNEP officials were impressed upon the Philippine government’s effort to address climate change. “The Philippines has been doing its share ahead of the Call to Action of the UN through directives and policies to combat the effects of Climate Change," he said. Some of the programs implemented by the DENR to mitigate impact are the National Greening Program, log ban in natural forest through Executive Order No. 23, geohazard assessment and mapping program and clean air.

The DENR is currently implementing seven UNEP-funded projects in the country as its action on climate change. These projects included invasive species management and monitoring monitoring of persistent organic pollutants or POPs. Implementation of the strategic action programme for the marine and coastal environment of the South China Sea, Ozone depleting substance (ODS) and the HCFC Phase-out Management Plan.

Secretary Paje and Director Steiner also discussed other things such as the support to the Philippines to increase investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency, including the development and implementation of green energy policies; joint efforts on the valuation and integrated management of ecosystems, through the Wealth Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystems Services (WAVES) program as well as work in the marine and coastal ecosystems through the Coral Triangle and other programs; strengthen collaboration between UNEP and the Philippines, including scaling up joint work under the Global Environmental Fund 6 cycle; and strategic partnerships to help support the broader ASEAN region in partnership with the Philippines. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DTI reminds parents to take precaution when buying toys for children

By Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 7 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reminds parents to be careful in buying toys for kids as these might be laced with toxic materials.

The reminder was issued in the light of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory No. 2014-007 last year on the subject: Public Caution Against Reports on Levels of Lead (Pb) in Toys Using Handheld XRF Instrument.

The FDA was concerned over the “field laboratory reports” generated by handheld or portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument and released to public by some well-meant organizations.

As explained in the advisory, lead in plastic toys is not absorbed through the skin, but paints containing lead which are rubbed from toys can be a source of lead (Pb) dust that can be inhaled or ingested which is harmful to humans.

The FDA urged the public to exercise their power of discernment before accepting laboratory data or information generated by non-accredited laboratories or unauthorized laboratory analysts. The health agency emphasized parental responsibility in the appropriate selection of toys.

For toys with electro-mechanical functions and loose parts, observing strictly the labels and instructions such as the age limit of children who can use a particular product is important. Parents must be extra careful in making vital toy purchasing for the safety of their children.

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


Dinagat Islands SWDO conducts Women’s Month culmination program

By Ma. Jane A. Mayola

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 7 (PIA) - The provincial government of Dinagat Islands through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) conducted recently a culmination program of the national women’s month celebration held at the Provincial Guest Center, here.

The celebration signifies that women play vital roles in the community and partake the labor towards a progressive country.

The activity was graced by vice governor Benglen B. Ecleo and co-chairperson on Social Services board member Rolizareth Ladaga.

Vice governor Ecleo, in his message, stressed the roles and responsibilities of women towards development.

He also encouraged the participants to empower other women or "Juanas" by sharing the knowledge they had acquired in the activity.

Several activities were conducted during the culmination program such as personality development forum, discussions pertaining to laws that protect women, and the Search for “Talentadong Nanay Nan Dinagatnon.”

Hygiene kits were also distributed to each of the participants composed of municipal social welfare and development officers and social workers from seven municipalities of the province. (SDR/PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


SurSur PNP steps up drive vs illegal drugs

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Apr. 7 (PIA) – As the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur headed by acting Provincial Director P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero continues to step up drive against illegal drugs more suspects allegedly linked to such trade are being caught.

SPO2 Ranilo Malong, Provincial Police Office (PPO) public information officer, said a joint operation yielded positive on Sunday, April 5, 2015, by the Surigao del Sur PPO (SDSPPO) Special Operation Team (SOT) under P/Insp. Elmar Claret and Carmen Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by P/Insp. Joy Allan Blasco.

Although the subject of the warrant of arrest, Publio Derigay aka “Junior,” resident of Purok 2, Barangay Sta. Cruz, Carmen town, 45 kilometers north, this city, was able to escape, two more suspected cohorts were arrested at the “scene,” Malong claimed.

Both 19 years old, they were identified by operatives as Romuald Antonie Cubillan, student, resident of Sitio Sapa, Barangay San Pedro, Cantilan town, 19 kilometers north of Carmen, and a certain Joey Barila, farmer, resident of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Carmen town.

Seized during the conduct of raid through Search Warrant No. 2015-01 issued by Judge Ambrosio Moleta for Violation of R.A. 9165, were sachets of suspected “shabu” weighing a total of 21.283 grams valued at P295,000, drug paraphernalia, guns and ammunitions, cellular phones, P95.00 cash, a record pad, and other evidences, Malong pointed out.

Meanwhile, the PPO information officer confirmed that until March 15, this year, the PNP here has already conducted  a total of up to 12 operations resulting to 23 suspects nabbed and a total of  275.0556 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) confiscated valued at P3,245,656.08.

Malong likewise clarified that some police operations have seized four marijuana plants tagged to have an estimated value of P800. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Tagalog News: Palasyo susuporta sa gagawin ng hudikatora na pagpatalsik sa mga tiwaling huwes

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Abril 7 (PIA) - Inulit ng Palasyo noong Lunes ang kanilang pangako na labanan ang korapsiyon pero sinabing nasa pagpapasya na ng Hudikatura ang paglinis ng kanilang hanay sa mga tiwaling mga hukom.

"Tayong lahat ay ayaw ng korapsiyon sa lahat ng porma. Subalit tayo ay kumikilala sa papel ng pagkakahiwalay ng kapangyarihan ng tatlong sangay ng pamahalaan. Ating pagbibigyang loob ang kataas-taasang punong hukom kung papaano hahawakan ng Korte Suprema ang mga kaso na nasa kanilang sangay,” sabi ni Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda sa mga mamamahayag noong nagkaroon ng panayam sa media.

Siya ay nagkokomento dahil sa ulat na ang Coalition of Filipino Consumers ay humiling kay Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno na imbestigahan ang alegasyon na “justice for sale” kinasasangkutan ng mga miyembro ng Court of Appeals. 

Tukoy ang pag-aaral na ginawa ng World Bank na nagsasabi na gumugugol ang Court of First Instance ng maraming taon para resolbahin ang ang isang kaso, binigyang diin ni Lacierda na ang hustisyang naaantala ay hustisyang pinagkait.

"Isa yan sa mga repormang gusto nating mangyari, lalo na sa larangan ng mga kaso. Bilang abugado, marami akong narinig na mga kwento tungkol sa ganitong sitwasyon, kaya ipapa-ubaya natin kay Punong Mahestrado Sereno at sa kanyang mga kasama ang paghanap ng paraan para maimbistigahan at mahanapan ng pangmatagalang solusyon ang nangyayaring korapsiyon sa hudikatura,” sabi niya. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)