(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).


Wednesday, April 8, 2015

PIEP to conduct ‘Capability Building Course on Environmental Planning’

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 8 (PIA) – The Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) will conduct a Capability Building Course on Environmental Planning (CBCEP) on April 20-24, 2015 at Dottie’s Place Convention Hall, this city.

“The course is especially designed for those who wish to acquire basic education or knowledge on the practice of the environmental planning profession in the Philippines to improve their competencies as professionals, and for those who wish to obtain a deeper appreciation of theories, tolls, techniques, as well as laws, regulations and policies related to environmental planning,” said Larisa Glenda de Castro, environmental planner and president of PIEP.

The Environmental Planning Act of 2013 mandates that “after the lapse of five years from the effectivity of the Act, only registered and licensed environmental planners shall be appointed to the position of heads and assistant heads of groups, departments, divisions in government offices, agencies, bureaus or instrumentalities thereof, including GOCCs, provinces, cities and municipalities, and such other positions which require the knowledge, skills and competencies and qualifications of registered and licensed environmental planners (EnP).”

Thus, CBCEP also intends to prepare those participants who are interested and qualified for the EnP licensure examination to take the exam scheduled on June 9-10, 2015.

For reservation and inquiry, interested parties may contact Arlene Ty at telefax 02-9209705 or e-mail at secretariat@piep.org.ph; or EnP/Dr. Ego Mallonga at 085-341-2694 with e-mail address mcs_inc2014@yahoo.com.ph.

The Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP) was an offshoot of Republic Act 4341 which was signed into law on June 19, 1965 and provided for the establishment of the Philippine Institute of Environmental Planning as an academic unit of the University of the Philippines. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Butuan Bishop tells inter-faith crowd: ‘Be the first to love…’

By Noel B. Najarro

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 8 (PIA) - Most Rev. Juan de Dios M. Pueblos, bishop of the Diocese of Butuan, tells hundreds of inter-faith crowd gathered on Black Saturday as part of the city Lenten celebration composed of youth, priests, nuns, church leaders, military, police and representatives from the government agency, academe and media to be the ”first to love…”

Bishop Pueblos was the main speaker of the ecumenical gathering for worship and prayer initiated by the Diocese of Butuan in partnership with the Butuan Evangelical Ministerial Association, Inc. (BEMAI) and the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) dubbed as “Butuan Youth Arise” at Guingona Park, 4:00 a.m. Saturday.

Seen also attending the event were contingent from the 402nd Philippine Army Brigade led by its commander Col. Isidro Purisima and the staff of the Philippine Information Agency 13, led by Regional Director Abner Caga.

The event started with praise and worship songs led by the “Love and Mercy” Community Charismatic Worship Team and the “Jesus Is Lord” Worship Team.

Bishop Pueblos during his message praised God for sparing the region from typhoon “Cheding” and blessing Caraga region with fine weather during the observance of the Lenten season. He challenged everyone present to heed what Pope Francis said “To live the faith…everything should be part of our faith.” According to him that living the faith should start in the family and that everyone must be the first to show love as shown by Christ’s sacrificing, satisfying and sanctifying love. “Be the first to love…” Bishop Pueblos said.

The bishop pointed out that youths are usually the subject of people scheming evil especially those who proliferate illegal drugs. “Be the first to fight illegal drugs,” he challenged. According to him that the illegal drug problem in the city and even in its peripheries are getting worse, and that the fight against that menace to the society should start from the family. He said that the family has a vital role in molding good character of its members in order to create a strong community. He said that in the basic ecclesiastical communities (BECs) under the diocese, no drug problem has been noted. “Parents must always be there to give love, care and constant guidance for their children…let us create a new and vibrant future that is free from corruption. We should start to reflect and renew our commitment to catalyze a positive change, starting from own selves, then to our families and to our communities. We should continue to draw other young people and to heed this call ‘Butuan Youth…Arise, and Standup!’” Bishop Pueblos challenged.

Among the highlights of the event was the challenge to pray given by BEMAI President and Jesus Is Lord Regional Minister Rev. Nolan Lloren and the challenge by Rev. Fr. Carlito Clase to wake up and to stand for righteousness, especially to the youth.

A tableau was also presented by the youths of the St. Joseph Cathedral Parish which theme revolved on love and forgiveness.

Then a prayer for the six categories such as the: family, education, media, peace, order and security, environment and the church was offered led by the youth representatives backed up by their priests, nuns, pastors or church leaders. Bishop Pueblos then prayed for all the church priests, nuns, pastors and leaders present. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)


DENR Caraga initiates simultaneous tree planting activity

By Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 8 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional office headed by regional director Nonito M. Tamayo and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Nasipit conducted tree planting and coastal clean-up activities simultaneously along the beaches of Buenavista, Nasipit, and Carmen in Agusan del Norte in celebration of the International Day of Forests with the theme, “Forests | Climate | Change.”

To give meaning to the celebration, each participant was required to plant 21 seedlings to symbolize the annual celebration of the International Day of Forests which is every 21st day of March.

The activity, which was initiated by CENRO Norman Asugan began at 5 a.m., participated by more than 300 individuals including the DENR personnel, Local Government Units, fisherfolks, private sectors, non-government organizations, and young volunteers.

A total of 15,880 seedlings of Rhizopora, Brugeria, Talisay, and other indigenous species were planted in a total land area of 7.52 hectares. The participants also conducted clean-up in the four beaches and collected 183 kilograms of non-biodegradable wastes.

“This activity is a good start for the region’s contribution to the 1 Billion Peso Mangrove Rehabilitation Project of the agency,” RD Tamayo said.

He said that a total of 14,880 mangrove propagules were planted in those different sites. “These mangroves would be our first line of defense against natural calamities such as storm surge,” he added.

The International Day of Forests (IDF) was observed for the first time on March 21, 2013 thru a resolution established by United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012. This year’s IDF theme emphasizes the ways in which forests and climate change are linked and to gain support in the advocacy to make greater actions to create change.

“We should initiate more activities like this as contribution to the adaptation and mitigation measures that we are doing to cushion the impact of climate change. Forests sustain life on earth and therefore the protection of forests must be considered over and above our daily chores,” Tamayo said. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


217 graduate from TESDA in SurSur

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 8 (PIA) – A new batch of trainees at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Surigao del Sur headed by Provincial Director Rey Cueva has successfully completed their chosen field of skills training.

According to Celestino Ares, senior TESD specialist, some 217 trainees have earned their training certificates on March 30, 2015 during the formal ceremony held at 1:00 p.m. at the Provincial Social Hall just across the Capitol grounds.

Toolkits have also been distributed to graduates of electronics- and electrical-related fields, he clarified.

The affair was attended by 1st District Congressman Philip Pichay, Governor Johnny Pimentel, Bayabas Mayor Ma. Clarita Garcia-Limbaro, Marihatag Mayor Alan Pelenio, and Tandag City Councilor Imelda Falcon representing Mayor Roxanne Pimentel.

It was learned that other dignitaries also graced the occasion, particularly TESDA Caraga regional director Florencio Sunico, Jr.

The TESDA provincial office here works hand in hand with the Jobs through Tech-voc Program-Provincial Skills Training Center (JTP-PSTC) at all times; also with the Access for Youth training and Employment Center (AYEC) in Tandag City if there are enrollees coming from this place.

Under the JTP-PSTC, 57 have been listed to have passed driving lessons while five have finished as heavy equipment operators.

On the other hand, AYEC has backed up 84 trainees for electrical installation and maintenance; 47 for maintenance and repair of electronically-controlled domestic appliances; six for computer hardware servicing; and 18 for personal computer operation, Ares added. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DOH, PHO strengthen disease surveillance in Dinagat Islands

By Ma. Jane A. Mayola

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 8 (PIA) - A two-day refresher course on Philippine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (PIDSR) was recently held at the Provincial Guest Center, here.

The seminar-workshop aims to strengthen the Local Government Units (LGUs) in performing disease surveillance and response in the province.

The PIDSR System is being used to improve the current disease surveillance system as well as to strengthen the capacity of LGUs for early detection and response to epidemics.

During the two-day activity, DOH-Caraga PIDSR/Vaccine Preventable Disease (VPD) officer Michelle Que discussed on the different types of notifiable diseases which include the bacterial and viral-causing diseases, and mosquito and food-borne diseases as well as to their definitions, classifications and confirmations.

Topics on recent communicable diseases which include Ebola Virus, MERS-CoV, HIV, several vaccine preventable diseases and the basics of Epidemic Surveillance and Response (ESR) were also discussed.

The activity was spearheaded by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga and participated by health personnel of the seven municipalities of the province. (SDR/PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)