(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Saturday, 09 November 2024) At 3:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area was located based on all available data at 1,150 km East of Southeastern Luzon, (14.5°N, 115.8°E) TROPICAL CYCLONE OUTSIDE PAR AS OF 3:00 AM TODAY TYPHOON YINXING (2422) (FORMERLY MARCE) LOCATION: 500 KM WEST OF LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS MORTE (18.6N, 115.8E) MAXIMUM SUTAINED WIND: 155 KM/H NEAR THE CENTER GUSTINESS: UP TO 190 KM/H MOVEMENT: WEST NORTHWESTWARD AT 20 KM/H. 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—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from NorthEast to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Tuesday, May 26, 2015

DOST’s Phil Science HS open to applications for NCE 2016-1017

BUTUAN CITY, May 26 (PIA) -The Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Science High School System (DOST-PSHS) is now accepting applications for the National Competitive Examination (NCE) for incoming Grade 7 students for school year 2016-2017.

A Grade 6 pupil from a school duly recognized by the Department of Education who meets the following criteria is eligible to apply for the PSHS NCE: He/she must: 1) belong to the upper 10% of the batch (SY 2014-2015) and not have a grade below 80% as certified by the school principal or registrar.  If the applicant does not belong to the upper 10%, he/she should have special aptitude in science and math as evidenced by the report card, with at least a final grade of 85% in science and math and 80% in all other subjects; 2) be a Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country; 3) be born on or after June 1, 2001; 4) be in good health and fit to undergo a rigorous academic program; 5) be of good conduct and behavior; and 6) not have taken the NCE previously.

Application requirements include:  Fully accomplished application form in two copies; Two recent identical 1x1 ID pictures; Non-refundable test fee (P 100 for private schools, free for public schools);  Copy of report card for school year 2014-2015. 

Application forms can be downloaded for free at www.pshs.edu.ph and are also available and may be filed in any PSHS campuses nationwide, DOST Regional Office, or Provincial Science and Technology Office.  Application forms with incomplete information will not be processed. Erasures, alterations and insertions must be initialed by the applicant.

The Examination Permit(s) will be issued to the applicants upon completion of all documents by the campus where the application was processed.  For applications filed with DOST offices, the exam permits will be mailed to the applicant, and/or to the school principal for distribution to its applicant(s).

In case the exam permits are not received two weeks before the examination day, the applicants should check with the nearest PSHS campus, DOST Regional Office, DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office, or the PSHS System Admissions Office.  The deadline for filing of application is on August 31, 2015 and the date of examination will be on October 3, 2015.

The PSHS or Pisay, operating under one system of governance and management, provides scholarships to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics.  Based on a curriculum that emphasizes science and mathematics and the development of well-rounded individuals, PSHS prepares its students for careers in science and technology.

To date, PSHS has 14 campuses nationwide, with the addition of the Calabarzon Region Campus which is opening this coming schoolyear 2015-2016.

For more information or inquiries, contact the PSHS System Office of the Executive Director – Admission Unit at tel. no. (02) 926-5701 or send an email to oed@pshs.edu.ph.

Meanwhile, PSHS will be holding a one-day Robotics/Interactive Science Exhibit on July 27, 2015 during the celebration of DOST’s National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) which will be held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay City from July 24-28, 2015.  Admission is free. (DOST/PIA-Caraga)


Feature: Are you a bean lover?

By Charina A. Javier

You see them in different colors - red, black, green, white, brown. They may be gas-forming but are cheap and soft. Anyone can eat these solo, mix with cereals or just pop into the mouth. These are just a few ways one can describe beans or legumes. But more than the adjectives, these foods are rich source of nutrients our body needs such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber.

Legumes are good sources of protein, particularly when taken in with grains which complement each other in terms of essential amino acid pattern or composition. Essential amino acids are protein components which the body cannot produce on its own. The body must have all the amino acids it needs to function in building and replacing worn body tissues.

Legumes are also good sources of vitamins and minerals such as niacin, Vitamin B6, folic acid, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and zinc. These vitamins and minerals help boost energy and growth of children.

Legumes are rich in dietary fiber and generally have low glycemic index. Such attributes are important in the control and management of diabetes. Dietary fiber slows down the rise of blood sugar after eating, and thus, prevent hyperglycemia or the sudden abrupt increase in blood sugar among diabetic persons.

Many advertisements have come out about foods rich in dietary fiber. Beans are one of the best sources of this fiber. There are two types of fiber based on their solubility in water, soluble and insoluble. The kind of fiber that is more abundant in beans or legumes is soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is associated with lowering of blood cholesterol, which is one of the ways to prevent heart disease. It also controls the passage of food in the gastrointestinal tract, thus, maximizing the absorption of nutrients.

The 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF) of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) recommends To consume fish, lean meat, poultry, egg, dried beans or nuts daily for growth and repair of body tissues.

Munggo in munggo guisado, tausi with bangus, green peas in menudo or afritada, among others are some familiar ways of preparing legumes. And who could resist a cup of halu-halo with all the sweet beans? No matter how the beans are cooked, you'll surely love to eat them.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num:  8372934 and 8373164; email: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph, mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.; FNRI Facebook page: facebook.com/FNRI-DOST; FNRI Twitter account: twitter.com/FNRI-DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)


59 orgs to avail loan assistance thru agrarian production credit program

By Joie L. Ceballos

BUTUAN CITY, May 26 (PIA) - A total of 59 agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) organizations will avail loan assistance through the joint agrarian production credit program (APCP) of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) in 2015.

This was revealed during the coordination meeting of the involved agencies, presided by DAR Caraga regional director Julita A. Ragandang recently.

"This is our intervention along with our partner agencies to provide credit to our farmer organizations, especially those who cannot qualify under LBP's regular lending program," says Ragandang.

Reports showed that in 2008, only 57 percent of the farmers have access to credit from formal lending institutions and almost 500,000 of the 1.4 million agrarian reform beneficiaries nationwide need credit assistance.

In Caraga, P84.7 million will be released this year which will benefit 3,394 agrarian beneficiaries.

Under this partnership, the DA, DAR and LBP shall pool their resources and expertise to help the ARBs in terms of providing credit at an affordable interest rate, development assistance and marketing support.

"The APCP shall be the vehicle through which the appropriate financial and technical services shall be delivered to the ARBs," Ragandang added. (DAR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Gawad Kalasag PSC evaluates AgNor LGUs

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, May 26 (PIA) - The Agusan del Norte Provincial Selection Committee (PSC) of the Gawad Kalasag 2015 spearheaded a four-day evaluation activity from May 12-15, 2015 to the municipalities and barangays of the province to actually see the Municipal/Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC/BDRRMC) offices and all their equipment in preparation and response to disasters and emergencies.

The members of the PSC visited the barangays of San Roque and Canaway in Kitcharao, municipalities of Jabonga, Magallanes, RTR, Carmen, Barangay Humilog of RTR and Carmen National High School in the municipality of Carmen for the Search for 2015 Disaster-Resilient LGU better known as Gawad Kalasag 2015.

To recall, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte started the evaluation and assessment of the local government units (LGUs) in the province vying for the said search.

The selection committee is headed by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) with members: Sangguniang Panlalawigan Office (SPO), Provincial Social Welfare Population and Nutrition Services Office (PSWPNSO), Provincial Health Office (PHO), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Department of Education (Deped), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), CSO, Provincial Planning Office, and Red Cross.

This is the second year for the Gawad Kalasag to be awarded in October in time for the ANGELL (Accelerating New Dimensions on Good Governance and Excellence in Local Leadership) awarding.

The prizes at stake are P100,00.00 for the first prize, P75,000.00 for the second prize and P50,000.00 for the third prize. Such prizes will be utilized for disaster related projects, plans, programs and activities. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


BFP starts fire safety inspection on dormitories, boarding houses in SurSur

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 26 (PIA) – Following the active participation in the conduct of Brigada Eskwela last week, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Surigao del Sur headed by F/Insp. Rowella Dinolan has immediately shifted to accomplish additional task.

In a memorandum dated May 18, 2015, BFP Caraga regional director F/SSupt. Leonidez Perez has directed all lower units regionwide “to undertake,” among others, “massive fire safety inspection.”

“All dormitories and boarding houses” have to go through such inspection in order to “ensure Fire Safety Compliance,” the fire regional chief cited.

Last week, BFP personnel regionwide have been directed to undertake fire safety inspections on “all buildings, structures and facilities of all public elementary and high schools” and such other things relative thereto. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DA boosts farm mech drive

By Vanessa Sanchez

BUTUAN CITY, May 26 (PIA) - In its quest to attain food security and sufficiency, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XIII (DA-RFO XIII) intensifies its promotion of the Farm Mechanization Program by reaching out to farmers level.

This, after the DA-RFO XIII in coordination with the Philippine Center for PostHarvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) conducted a five-day information caravan on farm mechanization recently.

The week-long caravan was conducted in rice producing areas in the city of Bayugan, municipalities of Esperanza, San Francisco, Rosario and Trento, all of Agusan del Sur, and Tago, San Miguel, Madrid and Cantilan, all of Surigao del Sur.

The caravan was attended by farmers and people’s organization leaders. Experts from PhilMech and DA-RFO 13 discussed about the farm mechanization program of the Department and entertained queries from the participants.

“We are here to reach out to you and bring the good news. We want you to know about the programs of the Department so you will be guided on how to avail of these services,” Emmylou T. Presilda, DA Information Section Chief, told the participants.

Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy, chief of the Applied Communications Division of PhilMech, discussed about the benefits of farm mechanization. Foremost of which is to lower production cost and postharvest losses.  He also allayed concerns expressed by the farmers about the displacement of labor with the rise of mechanization. He said that DA is now encouraging farm laborers to group together and organize a Farm Service Provider (FSP).  To enhance their farming skills, technical and capability trainings will be conducted for them to be equipped as they in turn can then be tapped by other farmers in need of their services. In addition, as an organization, they can also avail farm machineries and equipment from DA.

The participants responded positively to the activity saying that with the information they gained, they will no longer be left out. “We appreciate the Department for conducting this activity because many of us farmers have limited awareness of the DA’s programs, but now it is being brought closer to us and we feel that the government is really looking after us,” said Edilberto Mungcal, a farmer from San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

The farm mechanization program, which is a major component of the Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), is part of the DA’s move to modernize agriculture in the country and aims to increase the productivity and income ofl farmers. (DA-13/PIA-Caraga)


SMCC inks partnership with TESDA in Surigao del Norte

By Robert E. Roperos

BUTUAN CITY, May 26 (PIA) – The Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Corporation (SMCC) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Surigao del Norte Provincial Office of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to develop middle-level manpower in the province.

The forging of agreement was made recently in SMCC Philippines, Inc. at Brgy. Taganito, Claver, Surigao del Norte. Hiroyuki Shiomi, SMCC project manager, signed the MOA with Ma. Hydee E. Relliquete, officer-in-charge of the Surigao del Norte College of Agriculture and Technology (SNCAT).

SNCAT is a TESDA-administered school pursuant to the declared policy of the state to provide relevant, accessible, high quality and efficient technical education and skills development in support to the development of high quality Filipino middle-level manpower, responsive to, and in accordance with the Philippine development goals and priorities.

Under the agreement, SNCAT is mandated to push and conduct training, assessment and certification as part of its major continuing programs.

The SMCC Philippines, Inc. on the other hand, will participate in the skills development of the said manpower particularly in the assessment and certification of Heavy Equipment Operation (Wheel Loader) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Backhoe Loader) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Bulldozer) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Rigid On-highway Dump Truck) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Rigid Off-highway Dump Truck) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Motor Grader) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Road Roller) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Hydraulic Excavator) NC II, Heavy Equipment Operation (Forklift) NC II, and Driving NC II (Light Vehicle).

With the forging of the agreement, SMCC agrees to allow their facilities and equipment to be used for the conduct of training and competency assessment of SMCC employed heavy equipment operators and drivers as identified in the Competency Assessment Tools.

The company will also provide venue in the conduct of competency assessment in Heavy Equipment Operation NC II and Driving NC II of SMCC Operators and Drivers. Also, the company will provide employment opportunity to certified workers in Heavy Equipment Operation NC II and Driving NC II certified graduates based on the company policies and guidelines, only in case if there is need of such manpower requirement.

Meanwhile, SNCAT agrees to ensure the smooth conduct of assessment as governed by rules and regulations based on Philippine TVET Qualification and Certification System (PTQCS) Guidelines and steps on assessment stated in the Procedures Manual on the Conduct of Competency Assessment.

The school will also facilitate the issuance of National Certificate (NC) or Certificate of Competency (COC) to competent workers within five to ten working days after the conduct of the national assessment.

On top of these, the school is bound to provide free on-site training to SMCC Philippines, Inc. in Driving NC II qualification in accordance to the required nominal duration of 118 hours equivalent to 15-20 days including the assessment schedule.

This undertaking is in-line with the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) of the Aquino administration in support to the Human Development Cluster of the Philippine Development Plan. (TESDA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


LMD Fest marks grandest fiesta for Butuan

BUTUAN CITY, May 26 (PIA) - From May 15-19, 2015, thousands of Butuanon gathered in so far the largest and grandest five-night concert in the history of the city, the Lawig Music and Dance Fest 2015, easily outpouring Robinsons’ South Car Park venue.

Presented by the Office of Rep. Lawrence ‘Law’ Fortun, First Choice Events Management and Consultancy, Equi-parco Construction Company, and ADFiL Corporation, the LMD Fest 2015 totally rocked Butuan’s 28th Balangay Festival, adding festivity and jubilation to city’s fiesta.

Top performers such as Kokoi Baldo, Gruppo Tribale, 6 Cycle Mind, Rivermaya, Jason Dy and Parokya ni Edgar drove the crowd ecstatic, while top disc jockeys (DJs) of the country hyped the party crowd to the beat of electronic dance music (EDM). Magnificent fireworks spectacle concluded every night’s main performance, and signals until-dawn rave party.

Dubbed as “Kahugyawan para hong Kinaiyahan,” the event also aimed at raising environmental awareness to critical common-pool resource of the city, such as Taguibo watershed, Mt. Mayapay, and Agusan River. Artists have performed environmental songs and cheered with the crowd to help save the natural resources.

According to Fortun, they have always wanted to organize a concert-for-a-cause of this caliber where people get to engage not only the fiesta, but also genuine local issues, especially those pertaining to the environment. The solon also emphasized the necessary call to action of protecting the environment through varied channels of information.

To thousands of Butuanons, LMD Fest is the largest and first-ever fiesta party of this scale and intensity. As the party winds down, many Butuanons looked forward to next year’s LMD Fest.


The presenters bared for a more intense, more festive LMD Fest in the coming years. (Lawig Katawhan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)