(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

DOLE chief declares Siargao Island as labor law compliant tourism hub

By Iris C. Asis

BUTUAN CITY, April 22 (PIA) – Siargao Island, the country’s surfing capital, has been declared labor law compliant tourist destination by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

Labor secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz along with Surigao del Norte governor Sol F. Matugas, and 1st district representative Francisco T. Matugas led the unveiling of the marker at the port of Dapa on Apr. 17, 2015.

The symbol of compliance assures foreign and local tourists and other visitors stepping ashore in the island that labor laws are being observed, hence, they can be guaranteed of optimum service. Further, investors will pour in more investments and more jobs will be created.

 “We aim for decent jobs with no exploitations and no malpractices. Kaya inaayos ang lahat na maging labor laws compliant tourist destination upang magkaroon ng payak na pundasyon at matamasa ang panghabangbuhay na kaunlaran,” Sec. Baldoz said.

She further stated that the country is now the rising tiger of Asia with its increasing economic growth. A project like this is evidently one of the major reasons why the country will be on its sweet spot from 2015-2019.

Baldoz was also joined by DOLE undersecretary Rebecca C. Chato, Bureau of Local Employment director Dominique Tutay, Bureau of Working Condition director Catherine Parado, Labor Communications Office director Nicon Fameronag, Planning Service director Adeline de Castro, and Institute for Labor Studies director Grace Riguer.

During the event, DOLE Caraga regional director Atty. Johnson G. Cañete awarded the certificates of compliance to 127 establishments in Siargao while Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga board sec. Earl dela Victoria awarded Productivity Incentive Award to Isla Cabana Resort.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga regional director Samuel Madrid also awarded certificates of skills training to 32 graduates of the OWWA coco sugar skills training while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Caraga awarded the one million scholarship grant for the constituents in Siargao Island.

Gov. Matugas and Cong. Matugas were overwhelmed by the services given by DOLE and its attached agencies.

Meanwhile, Nancy Jacinto, National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), proudly announced the livelihood grant of Richie J. Arcular. He is one of the undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia who was repatriated with the implementation of Saudization. Jacinto turned over the mini spare parts livelihood kit for the enhancement of his existing welding shop.

Another awardee is Helen A. Nalupa, a household services worker for eight years in Hongkong. “I heard about the SPIMS (Sa Pinas Ikaw ang Maam/Sir) through one of the Philippine Labor Officers (POLOs) and I immediately grabbed the opportunity,” she said.

SPIMS is one of the many programs of NRCO in cooperation with the Department of Education, where OFW LET passers are given a permanent position as Teacher I, provided that they return to the Philippines and serve in a government school. (FEA/DOLE-13/PIA-Caraga)


Agusan Norte LGU, DILG 13 join forces vs HIV, AIDS

By Bryan F. Edulzura

BUTUAN CITY, April 22 (PIA) -  The alarming rise of HIV and AIDS cases in Agusan del Norte has pushed the provincial government of Agusan del Norte and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 13 to intensify their advocacy against the epidemic and conducted a province-wide Orientation of HIV and AIDS last April 17, 2015.

Attended by mayors, Sangguniang Bayan chair on health, health officers, civil society organizations, and partner national agencies, the activity was aimed at educating these sectors about HIV and AIDS including provincial statistics, legal mandates, prevention measures and localizing response.

According to Department of Health Region 13, of the 53 cases recorded in the region between January to December 2015, 22 are found in Agusan del Norte and Butuan City.  This year at least three new cases were recorded in the city, bringing to a total of 77 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) as of March 2015.

“We should do something drastic about the rising cases of HIV and AIDS in the province,” said DILG provincial director Romeo O. Solis.

“Advocacy is not enough, our local governments should craft policies and allocate resources to ensure that HIV and AIDS prevalence remains low,” he added.

Solis said the high prevalence rate of Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro cities makes Butuan City doubly vulnerable because these cities are geographically and economically close to the city. "We also have several young people studying or working in these cities,” he said.

The provincial government has strengthened their Local Aids Council (LAC) by allocating budget to the program, conducting quarterly meeting and encouraging all LGUs to do the same, it was learned. “We will support the program in terms of resource allocation and policies,” said Sangguniang Panlalwigan member Ray Jamboy.

“Among the policies that we will push through is the policy requiring Entertainment and Tourism related industry to display HIV and AIDS advocacy materials within their establishment. These will red flag the dangers of contracting HIV and AIDS,” he emphasized. 

Meanwhile, DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion said that their office fully supports the HIV and AIDS program not only because they are mandated to do so, "but because we value the lives of these young people (most vulnerable group) who are the future of our country. We could not allow our local governments to be crippled with this epidemic, hence, we enjoin all LGUs to organize their respective Local AIDS council – as a venue to tackle issues on HIV and AIDS.”

“The entire force of DILG 13 is one with the local government units on this fight," Famacion added.  (with a report from Michelle C. Villacastin, DILG-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Butuan City Division shines in the 2015 National Festival of Talents

By Dr. Jonas H. Jomonong

BUTUAN CITY, April 22 (PIA) – Department of Education (DepEd) Butuan City Division once again shines in the recently concluded National Festival of Talents (NFOT) held at Makati City in various venues with the theme “Harnessing Talents toward ASEAN Integration 2015” last April 7-10, 2015 where three of its participants bagged major awards on the said competition.

Rafael G. Carampatana and Mark Kleen Reve S. Iquiban of Agusan National High School won 1st place in Landscaping category with their coach Ignacio S. Falcon.

On the other hand, Raymund C. Atillo of Tungao National High School bagged 3rd place in Hairstyle with Make-up Category with Nera B. Bocala as coach.

The NFOT aims to provide opportunities for students to showcase their talents in the following subject areas: language, arts, social studies, and technology and livelihood education through exhibitions of their products and performance as evidence of their learning; and extend parallel learning sessions for teachers and students to enhance their knowledge and skills in their respective fields of interest.

DepEd through the Bureau of Secondary Education, conducted the 2015 NFOT consisting of skills exhibition in different fields, simultaneously with the National Schools Press Conferences (NSPC) on April 7-10, 2015. The entire Festival was hosted by the National Capital Region (NCR) at different venues. (DepEd Butuan City Division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Tagalog News: Paghatol ng kaalyado sa pulitika nagpakita ng katapatan ng administrasyon na sugpuin ang korupsiyon, sabi ng Palasyo

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Abril 22 (PIA) - Ang hatol ng pagkakasala na inihain sa Gobernador ng Oriental Mindoro na si Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr., kaalyado ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III, ay nagpapatunay ng katapatan ng pamahalaan sa paglaban sa korapsiyon, sabi ng isang opisyal ng Palasyo.

“Palaging sinasabi ng mga tao na sa ilalim ng administrasyong Aquino, ang kanyang mga kalaban lamang ang sinasakdal sa korte. Sa partikular na kasong ito, ipinakita na hindi ganun ang kaso,” sabi ni Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte noong Martes na panayam sa medya.

Si Umali, na siyang tresurero ng Partido Liberal ni Pangulong Aquino, ay na sentensiyahan ng Sandiganbayan ng hanggang 10 taong pagkabilanggo dahil sa illegal na pagpadali ng P2.5 milyon na pautang sa isang nagmay-ari ng barko noong 1994. Nagsisilbi sa pangatlo at panghuling termino bilang gobernador.

“Kung kayo ay magtanong kung ano ang susunod na hakbang na mangyari, ipina-ubaya na natin ito sa legal na koponan ni Gob. Umali para magplano ng kanyang mga susunod na hakbang. May mga legal na remedyo para sa kanya sa ilalim ng batas,” sabi ni Valte.

Maliban kay Umali, nakitaan rin ng korte ang dating Representante ng Oriental Mindoro na si Rodolfo Valencia at dating Board Member Romualdo Bawasanta na maysala sa paglabag ng Akta Republika No. 3019, o ang tinatawag na Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Sina Valencia at Umali ay gobernador at provincial administrator noong Enero 1994, noong ang pamahalaang panlalawigan ay pinagtibay ang irregular na pautang para sa pag-ayos, pamamahala at pagtaguyod ng isang pribadong may-ari ng pampasaherong sasakyan. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano News: Palasyo mianunsyo sa pagtudlo sa bag-ong mga maghuhukom, prosecutors

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Abril 22 (PIA) - Ang Palasyo mipahibalo sa mga bag-ong gitudlo nga mga maghuhukom, prosecutors, ug usa ka opisyal sa Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Atol sa usa ka press briefing nga gipahigayon didto sa Malakanyang kagahapon, si Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte miingon nga ang maong mga pagtudlo sa nagkadaiyang posisyon gipirmahan ni Presidente Benigno S. Aquino III niadtong Abril 6, 2015.

Sumala sa taho ang mga opisyales nga bag-ong gitudlo isip mga maghuhukom  sa Regional Trial Court (RTC) gilangkoban nila ni: Jose Rene Gallemit Dondoyano alang sa Branch 6, ug Ric Sister Bastasa alang sa Branch 8 (sa Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte); Nida Bringas Alejandro alang sa Branch 12 (Laoag City, Ilocos Norte); Walter Orais Junia alang sa Branch 39 - Special Court alang sa Environmental Cases (Lingayen, Pangasinan); Pablo Ramil Attolba, Jr. alang sa Branch 30 (Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya); Kimal Mustapha Salacop alang sa Branch 6 (Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur); Elma Mendoza Rafallo-Lingan alang sa Branch 159 - Special Court alang sa mga kaso sa Pamilya og Special Commercial Court (Pasig City); Rowena Nieves Adena Tan alang sa Branch 118 (Pasay City); Ana Marie Train Mas alang sa Branch 52 (City of Manila); ug Phoeve Castillo Meer alang sa Branch 275 (Las Pinas City).

Ginganlan sumala pa sa taho isip mga maghuhukom sa  Municipal Trial Court (MTC) sila: Jeoffrey Capina Manluyang (Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental); Maria Eloisa Aray Maglana (Baganga, Davao Oriental); Marie Grace Vaflor Entilla-Eborde (Tupi, South Cotabato); Bai Israhayda Cueto Sinsuat (Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao); Alta Grace Narag Briones (Rosales, Pangasinan); Francisco Orlain Pilpil (Solano, Nueva Vizcaya); ug Debbie Gamotin Dulay-Del Val (Naguilian, La Union).

Gidesignar usab nga mga maghuhukom sa Municipal Trial Court in the Cities (MTCC) sila: Kim Elauria Ortiz-Liquido (Bislig City, Surigao del Sur); Christina Tan haw Tay-Jovero (Cotobato City, Maguindanao); Jeanylene Tolentino Isip-Fukai alang sa Branch 2 - Special Court alang sa mga kaso nga dunay kalabotan sa Election (San Fernando City, La Union); ug Genevieve Dalos Ande-Ewangan alang sa Branch 1 (Santiago City, Isabela).

Lakip nga gitudlo nga mga maghuhukom sa Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) sila: Cashmere Cashmere Jo-An Augustia Dagsa Zayas-Cruiz (5th MCTC sa Marihatag-San Agustin, Surigao del Sur); Allan Posadas Temones (2nd MCTC sa Caraga-Manay-Tarragona, Davao Oriental); Josie Abu Felipe (6th MCTC sa Surallah-Lake Sebu, South Cotobato); Vicente Valente Imbang (2nd MCTC sa M'lang-Matalam, North Cotobato); Eugene David Rosos Tancino (3rd MCTC sa Kabacan-Carmen, North Cotabato); Angelito Vencer Rasalan (5th MCTC sa Upi-South Upi, Maguindanao); Trinidad Torres Abad-Ferrer (6th MCTC sa Pozorrubio-Sison, Pangasinan); Norbert Bong Sabio Obedoza (Cordon-ngadto sa Dinapique, Isabela); ug Geraldine Balagso Ramos (4th MCTC sa Narvacan-Nagbukel-Santa, Ilocos Sur).

Lakip usab nga gitudlo isip maghuhukom sa 4th Shari'a District Court sa Marawi City, Lanao del Sur si Rasad Sarip Laguindab.

Samtang ang gidesignar sa posisyong Prosecutor IV alang sa Office of the City Prosecutor (OCP) mao sila: Jeremy Suno kay Bionat ug Nestor Ledesma; ug ingon usab nga Prosecutor III sila: Rey Camilo Dumlao II, Elmer Surot, Florida Daquiz-Sta. Maria, Joy Marie Frances Cortes, Janet Palanca, Adri Anne Montes-Española, si Helen Tenchavez, Isabel Corazon Plaza, Maureen Chua, ug Ating Diacat.

Ginganlan usab isip mga Prosecutor II sa OCP sila: Clarinda Martinez, Jose Jay dela Chica, Michelle Hortiz-Abarintos, Jordan Teano, Raulito Villar, Jhaciel Quicho, Venus Gapuz-Taliman, Dulce Ricafort--Fuller, Jennefer Resurreccion, Carol Salvatierra, Ferdinand Thomas Magallanes, ug Allan Alavanzas; ug sa posisyong Prosecutor I sila: Roberyn Joy Marinas-Navarro, Victor Esteban Benitez, Jennifer Corpuz-de Guzman, Rowena Figueroa, Leni Garcia-Tepace, Marlon Moises, Romel de los Reyes, Rodolfo Lopez, Alexander Eric Leveriza, Sheila Teodora Diaz , Darwin Dimen, ug Ronald Asong.

Ang gitudlo sa posisyong Prosecutor IV alang sa Office sa Regional Prosecutor (ORP) mao si: Kenneth Juan Amamanglon; ug sa posisyong Prosecutor III si Frank Divinagracia, Jr.

Kabahin usab niini ang pagdesignar sa posisyong Prosecutor III alang sa buhatan sa Provincial Prosecutor (OPP) sila: Evangeline Rivera, Raul Campos, Adriano Cabida, Ephraim Tomboc, Arturo Trinidad, Jose de Leon, Jr., Erwin Caparros, Lilibeth Lorena, Ma. Elena Hofilena-Gerochi, ug Richard Abangan, Sr .; sa posisyong Prosecutor II ang mga gitudlo mao ang musonod: Elpidio Bober, Raymund Gultiano, Hedeliza Cruz, Richard Alvin Japson, Rosemarie Ann Polistico, Godfrey Montes, ug Reymund Gunda; og isip Prosecutor I sila: Christobal Balangcod, David Bartolome, Jr., Salvador Arnesto, Farah Joi Frondozo, Rosalito Cimanes, Flora Malate-Pante, Prince Jose Lim, Edwin Docena, Crisolito Tavera, Ahmad Arip, Soteo Gardose, Roel Niya , Jojie Balume, ug Victor Dennis Gemarino.

Subay sa gipagawas nga impormasyon kabahin usab sa mga ubay-ubay nga gitudlo ni Presidente Aquino mitudlo si Danilo Enriquez sa posisyong Director IV alang sa Fair Trade ug Enforcement Bureau sa DTI. (NGBT/PND/PIA Surigao del Sur)