(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 24 April 2024) Easterlies affecting 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. 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 East to Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Wednesday, May 13, 2015

DOST to hold roadshow in Caraga

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga will be holding the roadshow dubbed as “Science Nation: Agham na Ramdam” on May 27-29, 2015.

DOST-Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga bared that a Science Forum/Meeting with DOST Sec. Mario Montejo will be held on the said dates.

“Along with the forum/meeting with Sec. Montejo, the following activities will also be conducted: STARBOOKS launching, CEST project visit to Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; inauguration and blessing of the Complementary Food Facility in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte; the groundbreaking ceremony for the field testing of the Integrated Gold-Copper Mineral Processing Pilot Plant in del Pilar, Cabadbaran City; and the groundbreaking ceremony of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) Caraga Campus in Ampayon, this city,” Mallonga enumerated.

Mallonga encouraged the partner stakeholders to grab this opportunity to learn many things from the roadshow and be able to share their issues and concerns. “On this three-day activities, we will surely learn updates and new strategies in the field of Science and Technology,” she said.

Also, a press conference will be held in the afternoon on May 27, 2015 at Samping Avenue, this city. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


GSIS celebrates 78th anniv, provides medical and wellness services to its members

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) here will be conducting a bloodletting activity on May 22, 2015 at the GSIS building along J.C. Aquino Avenue.

Said event formed part of the agency’s lined-up activities for its 78th year of dedicated service to its members and pensioners on May 31, 2015.

According to GSIS Butuan Branch Manager Marciana Bata, a nationwide bloodletting drive will be conducted and spearheaded by the GSIS Medical and Wellness Services Department and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte-Butuan City Chapter.

“This activity aims to encourage everyone to give back to the community by helping save precious lives through blood donation. Blood is life and by donating blood, we share a part of ourselves to those people who need it,” disclosed Bata.

Bata further emphasized that by donating blood, donors can benefit free health screening and reduce the risk of heart disease. “It is also an act of altruism that makes us feel good. It burn calories and refresh your bodily systems,” she added.

For more information on the said activity, the GSIS Butuan can be reached at telephone number (085) 342-1650. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur Local DRRM members attend PDRA orientation

By Grace Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 13 (PIA) – The local Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) officers from the two cities and 17 municipalities with some members of the Provincial DRRM council in Surigao del Sur convened recently for a one-day Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) orientation held in this city.

The PDRA is a process to evaluate a particular hazard’s characteristics and its impact to the population. It also further determines the appropriate level of response of corresponding actions from concerned agencies, LGUs, and other stakeholders.

On August 18, 2014, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued Memorandum Circular 17 calling for the institutionalization of the PDRA in all concerned agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to include the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to include the Mines and GeoSciences Bureau (MGB) and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA); and Office of the Civil Defense (OCD).

The issued memorandum circular shall apply accordingly to all the DRRM councils and other agencies concerned that are responsible for execution of preventive and mitigating measures into preparedness and emergency preparedness activities, said Catedral. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Butuan dad bares Vision 2020 updates

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) - City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr., MD bared on Tuesday the progress on the Vision 2020 during the Balik Butuan, the Grand Reunion at Brgy. Baan, this city.

“In a span of one and a half years, the vision of everyone, our vision, Vision 2020 had already taken a leap in the city’s journey to become a model of sustainable development. Butuan had been tagged as the fastest Public Governance System (PGS) achiever. Through this, we believe that by 2020, our city will have the highest per capita growth in Mindanao or even in the whole Philippines,“ Mayor Amante said.

He added that among the nine local government units which adapted the PGS of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA), the city is the youngest member.

The said vision was made to create the city as an agent of resilient environmentally sound economic growth and development. It had combated the city’s issues on food and water security, environment conservation, eco-tourism, renewable energy source, livelihood opportunities, climate change adaptation and poverty reduction.

The mayor also disclosed the city’s breakthrough goals which included growing and nurturing 5 billion trees by June 2015; establishing of four forest parks through public-private cooperation by June 2015, which the master plans and transformation of the dumpsites to eco-park with the aid of PhilHealth-Butuan had already taken actions; and organizing farmers for the integrated cacao seedlings farming to 1,000 hectares city land.

“Butuan had also received the silver trailbrazer award for its development proficiency at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) last May 4 and this coming November, we are still waiting for the results of the evaluation made for the Island of good governance rating for us to be included in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC),” Mayor Amante said. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)


Butuanon balikbayans join 'buwanon nga kabilin' grand reunion

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – Balikbayans from Italy, Norway, Canada, Australia, Georgia, Japan, Belgium, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Germany, United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA) celebrated their homecoming grand reunion held on Tuesday, May 12 at the Filinvest Subdivison, Baan, this city.

Balik Butuan, one of the highlights of the Balangay Festival 2015, was not only a one night program for welcoming the town returnees but composed of the following events: highschool reunions, city’s tourist attractions visitation; Sports fest including baroto race and swimming contest at a river; project turnovers supported by Souvenir Journal family ads and Donor Circle race; the Duom Hong Pasidungog - awarding the Ten Outstanding Butuanons and celebrating the city’s buwanon nga kabilin (golden heritage).The activities were scheduled to be conducted from May 7 to May 20.

During the grand reunion, they were not only reunited but were also given the chance to relived Butuanon life. They have experienced 'buhay baryo' (life in the barrio) again with their old rekindled friends, neighbors and relatives through the food, drinks and music.

The balikbayans retasted the Butuanon delicacies such as the Kusilua, Toron, Daba daba, Tinumpi Palitaw, Paw with Latik, Bingka and Palagsing. Palagsing is one of the most authentic Butuanon dessert which is a brown, sticky suman made of sago starch called Unaw, young coconut and sugar.

They also got to nip again Butuanon drinks such as Durian shake, Laksoy (liquor distilled from the sap of a nipa palm) fuzzion, and sago’t gulaman.

Local performers brought the baryo fiesta essence by dancing Filipino folk dances such as Tinikling and Sayaw sa Maglalatik (also known as the Magbabao).

The program’s highlights were the presentation of City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. of the Vision 2020 and the awarding of the Outstanding Butuanons.

It was attended by the city officials, Balangay Festival committee officers, Mutya Hong Butuan (MHB) candidates, and balikbayans. (FEA/DJA/PIA-Caraga)


DSWD-Caraga strengthens implementation of MCCT-IP on GIDA

BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program strengthens the implementation of Modified Conditional Cash Transfer for Indigenous People (MCCT-IP).

This project under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program was created for the Indigenous People (IP) in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA.

MCCT-IP as a program is driven with its three main goals; (1) to empower, (2) to promote, (3) and protect from any unavoidable adverse effects caused by the development process.

On its implementation, MCCT-IP uses the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) strategy but with modifications in terms of processes in targeting, conditionalities, package of benefits, interventions and modes of implementation. The project also employs holistic approach of community organizing.

"This project requires close coordination with the tribal chieftains to ensure that cultural integrity remains while the project is implemented,” said DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli.

On the identification of potential beneficiaries, community facilitators consider the following; Indigenous peoples living outside or inside their ancestral domains particularly those with no or limited access to social services, IP families with children aged 0-18 years old and/or pregnant member of the family at the time of selection, and IPs who are vulnerable and disadvantaged based on the assessment done by the community facilitators.

“Because IP plays a significant part in our community. Like those partner-beneficiaries belong to the regular CCT, MCCT-IP-beneficiaries deserve to receive equal opportunities. And we do it by giving them support services interventions like working hand in hand with them on livelihood activities, capability building training, promotion of IP rights, or any collective engagement that will enhance self-determination, and through community family development sessions,” Brigoli added.

MCCT-IP for GIDA is arranged with the following institutions, DSWD with the Department of Health, Department of Education, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of the Interior and Local Government, National Anti-Poverty Commission and qualified civil society organizations. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga) 


PDIC to pay depositors of the closed Surigaonon Rural Banking Corporation

MANILA, May 13 (PIA) - Starting Thursday, May 14, the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will begin servicing the deposit insurance claims of depositors of the closed Surigaonon Rural Banking Corporation (SRBC).

Servicing of claims for the bank’s Head Office and other banking offices (OBOs) in Placer, Surigao City and Tubod will be conducted at the head office premises located at Corner Rizal and Gimena Streets, Surigao City on May 14, 15, and 18, 2015. Servicing of claims for depositors of the Butuan branch will be conducted at its office premises at the Ground Floor, E. Tan Realty Building., Villanueva St., Butuan City on May 14 and 15, 2015. Claims will be serviced from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, claims from depositors of General Luna Branch and Dapa OBO will be received at the General Luna Branch premises located at Barangay 5, Poblacion, General Luna, Surigao Del Norte until May 15, 2015. After said date, depositors may send their duly accomplished Claim Form and required documents by mail to the Assistant Vice President of the Claims Processing Department at the PDIC Office, 4th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, 1226 Makati City. Depositors of OBOs in Cagayan de Oro, Davao City and Tacloban City are likewise advised to mail their Claim Forms and required documents to the same address. Deposit insurance claims received in the General Luna office and through mail will be processed at the PDIC office and check payments and payment notices will be sent through registered mail to the depositors.

Depositors with valid deposit balances of P50,000 and below, with complete mailing address found in the bank records or updated through the Mailing Address Update Form, and without any outstanding obligation with the bank do not need to file claims.

Depositors with account balances of more than P50,000 and those with outstanding obligations with the closed SRBC or with incomplete mailing address, or those who maintain the account under the name of business entities, regardless of type of account and account balance, are required to file their deposit insurance claims. The announcement on the claims settlement operations of SRBC is posted at its offices and in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph.

When filing claims for deposit insurance, depositors are advised to personally present the original copy of evidence of deposit such as Savings Passbook and Certificate of Time Deposit, and two (2) valid photo-bearing IDs with signature of the depositor. Depositors who are not able to come personally may file their claims through mail enclosing the same set of documentary requirements.

Depositors who are below 18 years old should be represented by a parent who should submit a photocopy of the child’s Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or a duly certified copy issued by the Local Civil Registrar as an additional requirement. The parent will sign the Claim Form and the other requirements. Claimants who are not the signatories in the bank records are required to submit an original copy of a notarized Special Power of Attorney (SPA). In the case of a minor depositor, the SPA must be executed by the parent.

The procedures and requirements for filing of deposit insurance claims are posted in the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph.  The Claim Form and format of the Special Power of Attorney may also be downloaded from the PDIC website. PDIC will not accept claims which are incomplete or lacking in requirements.

Depositors who are not able to file their claims during the claims settlement operations period may submit their claims either through mail to PDIC or personally at the PDIC Office, 4th Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V. A. Rufino Street, Makati City starting on June 1, 2015.

In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for filing deposit insurance claims in the closed SRBC is on April 24, 2017. After this date PDIC, as Deposit Insurer, shall no longer accept any deposit insurance claim.

The PDIC said that all valid claims will be paid. For deposits to be considered valid, it must be recorded in the bank’s records and must have evidence of inflow of funds, based on the results of PDIC examination. PDIC, as Receiver, has the authority to adjust the interest rate on unpaid interests on deposits of a bank if such rate is deemed unreasonable. (PDIC/PIA-Caraga)


AFP, PNP joint operatives clash with Bagani group in mining area in SurSur; seize guns, ammo

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 13 (PIA) – Weapons, ammunition and other gadgets plus food supplies were seized by joint army and police forces following a skirmish at 7:30 a.m. on May 13, 2015 with the “Bagani group,” who was allegedly behind the hostage-taking of 23 mining company workers on May 11, 2015 in Carrascal town, 72 kilometers north, this city.

However, all workers of Nickelbase, Inc., a subcontractor of CNC Mining, have been already freed on the very same day unharmed without any ransom paid after two hours and also after Mayor Vicente Pimentel, Jr. immediately convened the Crisis Management Committee to address the situation.

Yet the armed group has continued to hide out in the area holding back mining equipment comprising of 30 units backhoe, undetermined number of dump trucks, and four units of drilling machines.

Pueblas reported three M16A1 rifles, two rifle grenades, backpacks, a cellphone, foodstuffs and tents were recovered at the clash site after a 20 minute-firefight with some 10 of the estimated 23-group rogue members of Bagani.

Nobody was hurt on the part of government, but operatives have yet to determine the number of casualty/ies on the enemy side

It can be recalled in a text message to media by Capt. Al Anthony Pueblas, civil military operations (CMO) officer of the 36th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) that at around 8:00 a.m. on May 11, 2015, some 20 armed men believed to be rogue members of Bagani, described as tribal guards of indigenous peoples’ (IP) communities in Carrascal, led by a certain Ruperto Ponson a.k.a. Datu Bakintoy held captive some personnel of Nickelbase, Inc.

The CMO officer likewise added that a number of mining equipment at Quarry 5, Barangay Babuyan are being withheld, citing a certain Rene Guerta, supervisor of Nickelbase, Inc., was informed of the alleged P24 million demand for ransom in exchange for the release of hostages including the equipment. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DSWD to assess 494,372 households in Caraga

By Maria Cecilia N. Sosas

BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga through the Listahanan project targets to assess 494,372 households in the region.

Nine hundred thirty-one field staff are now on board for the second round family assessment that started on May 11, 2015.  Within a month, they will assess the rural areas even the far flung places including the Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) communities. Furthermore, households in the urban areas will also be assessed.

The enumerators who will conduct the assessment will use pen and the Family Assessment Form (FAF).

The Listahanan uses FAF as a main tool in conducting a household assessment. It contains 52 variables divided into five parts which are identification, socio-economic information, household rooster, declaration, and certification. These indicators will determine the socio-economic status of a certain household.

“We will ensure that all households in the region will be assessed. No one should be left behind,” said DSWD-Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli.

Listahanan is a national government project implemented by DSWD. It is an information management system that aims to establish a reliable database of poor families to be prioritized in the delivery of social protection programs and services of the Government. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)


DAR-Caraga trains farmers on marketing strategy, good costumer handling

By Joie L. Ceballos

BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) - To improve the skills of the farmers in handling costumers and further enhance their marketing strategy, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Caraga in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) conducted the three-day training on marketing strategy and good costumer handling and services to 10 agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations on May 5-7, 2015.

These products are turmeric powder, virgin coconut oil, squash flour, tableya, sweetened kaong, kaong sugar, nipa vinegar, ground coffee and processed meat.

DAR-Caraga regional director Julita Ragandang, during the opening of the activity said, that this effort is towards making farming entrepreneurial more rewarding. "We teach our agrarian reform beneficiaries to maximize the potentials of their products," she added.

The said activity is under the Village Level Processing Center Enhancement Project (VLPCEP) and Up-Valuing of ARB Products' project of DAR. (DAR-13/PIA-Caraga)


News Feature: Reaching peace and development: The PAMANA-DILG, USAD way

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Mar. 13 (PIA) - Two flagship programs of both the provincial government of Agusan del Sur and the national government are now due for implementation aimed at reaching out lasting peace and development in the province.

The Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (PAMANA-DILG), a national government program with 10 projects mostly infrastructure and water development for conflict affected areas in the province in order for the local residents to have better access to deliver their farm products to the market and water system for healthy supply of drinking water, while the provincial government of Agusan del Sur is pushing its way towards local development thru the distribution of planting materials and technical knowledge transfer to remote and upland areas mostly recipients of the PAMANA-DILG program.

Agusan del Sur PAMANA focal person Armando Gomez said the first tranche of the fund equivalent to 80 percent of the total cost of the 10 projects amounting to P289 million has already been released to Agusan del Sur. Gomez said these projects will then start this month after the issuance of the Certificate of Availability of Funds (CAF). The remaining 20 percent will be released upon completion of the projects, it was learned.

“We are very grateful to be one of the recipients of PNoy’s PAMANA program in Agusan del Sur because as we push forward our flagship program called the Upland Sustainable Agri-forestry Development, we will no longer worry of the road construction and rehabilitation towards our target areas because of the PAMANA infrastructure projects. Therefore, instead of spending for the roads, bridges and other infra projects, we can provide more planting materials for our farmers out from the supposed budget for the roads and bridges,” Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza said.

The projects lined up for this year are 1. Concreting of San Luis – Barangay Crossing Luna, Esperanza Road (Phase 11 Guadalupe- Dona Maxima Section) in San Luis and Esperanza; 2. Concreting of NRJ-Binucayan, Loreto- Sta. Cruz – Katipunan – Del Monte, Veruela (Phase II Binucayan – Sto. Nino section) in Veruela and Loreto; 3. Construction of Potable Water Supply (level 2) in Sta. Josefa; 4, Installation of potable water system in Barangay Cebulin and Tudela, Trento; 5. Installation of Potable water system for Talaandig Tribe of CADT 073 in Binicalan, San Luis; 6. Construction of Baily Bridge in San Mariano, Loreto; 7. Construction of Baobo pre-stress concrete girder (PSCG) bridge in Sta. Emelia, Veruela; 8. Construction of Kidijay re-enforced concrete deck girder (RCDG) bridge 1 in Limot, Veruela, Construction of bridge in Sta. Irene – La Purisima road in Prosperidad and Rehabilitation of New Tubigon road in Sibagat.

The PAMANA projects mentioned above started after the mainstreaming and identification of priority areas in the local government planning last 2013 participated by the provincial government of Agusan del Sur, DILG officials, the military and the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process (OPAPP) represented by OPAPP Caraga and ComVal point person Oliver Binancilan. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


DENR 13 holds special confab on Zero Illegal Logging Drive

By Eric Herzon F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, May 13 (PIA) —Senior staff including the top officials of PENR and CENR offices of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region (DENR) 13 under regional director Nonito M. Tamayo have committed themselves to zero illegal logging by June 30, 2015 in the region during the two-day Special Regional Management Conference held recently at Samping Conference Hall, this city.

The DENR is putting more pressure on the anti-illegal logging drive, this time with a defined and clear list of strategies and program of actions in a final push to halt the problem that over the year has steadily drained the resources of the government. DENR has spent huge amount of financial resources to stop illegal logging in several hot spot areas in Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur but timber poachers and smugglers remain unstoppable although there has been decline in activities since Executive Order (EO) 23 has been imposed.

EO 23 is a policy issued by President Aquino on February 1, 2011 which declared a logging moratorium in natural and residual forest for 25 years in the entire country.

Since 2013 to date, there has been a steady decline in record of apprehensions of forest products in the Caraga Region. Based on report of the DENR 13 Technical Services Enforcement Division, the record of confiscated forest products has dropped to 1,575,468.64 board feet in 2014 from 2,102,643.38 board feet in 2011. For the first two months of the current year there are only 117,823.90 bd ft. of confiscated forest products.

“We expect to sustain the operation until it reaches the bottom mark or zero confiscation by June 2015 and beyond,” Tamayo said.

He said the support of the PNP and military and the multi sector that includes the academe, religious, LGU, environmentalist groups and the media sector will be a major factor in the reinforced anti-illegal logging campaign. “But more important is the participation of the people themselves who will provide the needed information to round up timber poachers and smugglers,” Tamayo said.

On the other hand, to cushion the impact of the intensified drive especially for the forest dependent communities, the DENR has also strengthened the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP). For this year, Caraga has targeted 43,239 has. compared to 18,736 has. and 16,676 has. in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

The special management conference also discussed the 1 Billion Mangrove and Beach Forest Project, NGP updates and other financial concerns. (DENR-13/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur medical center to conduct symposium on 'Privileged Communication' with media

By Greg Tataro, Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 13 (PIA) – A symposium on “Privileged Communication” with members of media in Surigao del Sur is set to be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on May 14, 2015 at the Adela Serra-Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC) Annex Building.

In an invitation letter dated May 13, 2015, Alma Trinidad, ASTMMC ED Senior Nurse, pointed out that the purpose of the undertaking is to build “a harmonious relationship” between parties besides other endeavors, citing in particular information dissemination of programs, projects, and activities of the hospital.

The occasion carries the theme “Only the patient can break confidentiality” with Atty. Farah Vargas-Pagaran, CPA, as guest speaker, she added. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DTI: Establishment of Negosyo Centers on top priority

By Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 13 (PIA) – The enactment of Republic Act 10644 otherwise known as the “Go Negosyo Act” authored by Senator Paulo Benigno “Bam” Aquino set the mandate of concerned agencies and the local government units (LGUs) to promote job generation and inclusive growth through the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The most prominent highlight of the law is the establishment of Negosyo Centers in every province, city and municipality. The Negosyo Center is expected to hasten the process of starting and registering small enterprises as well as other vital business development services.

This also includes implementation of business development programs and projects including support services for business conceptualization, development management, marketing, human resource capability building and many other aspects of sustaining small businesses.

The Negosyo Center will also be used as a venue to engaged different stakeholders like the academe, industry leaders and technical experts in the promotion and development of MSMEs.

The first Negosyo Center in Surigao del Norte was established at the provincial capitol complex by the provincial government under the direction of the Governor Sol F. Matugas.

Other Negosyo Centers will be established in the coming months in other locations to serve a wider and larger scope of clientele entrepreneurs.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan explained that the Go Negosyo Act provides for setting the priority on the establishment of Negosyo Center throughout the country that will be managed by the LGUs, DTI and/or other stakeholders.

He further explained that with the Go Negosyo Act, DTI can now accept registration of Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) being one of the features of the new law.

Before, BMBEs are registered with the respective city and municipal government units.

For more details of the said activity, interested parties are advised to contact the DTI provincial office at telephone numbers: 826-2373; 232-4047 and email at dtisdn@yahoo.com. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DOH-Caraga set to conduct HIV counseling and testing in SurSur; HIV cases spike province-wide

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 13 (PIA) – Dr. Algerico Irizari, Surigao del Sur health chief, has echoed on Monday, during the regular flag ceremony program, the planned activity of the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga to spearhead region-wide the National HIV Counseling and Testing Week on May 11-15, 2015 with the theme “Paano Mo Alam Kung May HIV Ka?  Tara Na Magpa HIV Test Ka.”

The city is one among the nine areas identified where a one day HIV counseling and testing is going to be carried out on May 14, 2015 at the Capitol Seminar Hall, he said.

Other highlights include motorcade and advocacy forum, it was learned.

Governor Johnny Pimentel is requested by Dr. Minerva Molon, DOH regional director, to give an inspirational message during the opening ceremonies.

The “High Impact Breakthrough initiative” is aimed at ensuring “attainment of Millennium Development Goal in combating HIV/AIDS,” the DOH regional chief stressed in her invitation letter to the governor dated May 6, 2015.

Meanwhile, the provincial health chief bared that Surigao del Sur has posted an increase of 73.33 percent in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive cases during the last two years province-wide.

Dr. Algerico Irizari said persons tested positive of HIV here have gone up to 30 in 2014, two of whom have already died.

In 2012, there were only 22 of them, he pointed out.

Of said tally, 28 are males; only two are females, Irizari noted.

The PHO chief said further that of the two cities and the 17 municipalities comprising the province, only a small fraction have remained unblemished of the disease.

In District II, all of the local government units (LGUs)—Barobo, Hinatuan, Tagbina, Lingig, and Bislig City—were found out to have persons tested positive of HIV, said Dr. Irizari.

Majority of the LGUs in the 1st District have also HIV positive cases, he concluded.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of HIV infection, medical experts said. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Cebuano News: Agnor makadawat og P3M gikan sa DOH alang sa PhilPACT

Ni Mary Cheryl S. Monoy

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 13 (PIA) - Aron mapakgang na ang sakit nga Tuberculosis (TB) sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte, ang Department of Health (DOH) – Caraga mohatag og P3,050,000.00 sa Agusan del Norte isip performance-based grant alang sa pagpa-implementar sa Philippine Plan of Action to Control Tuberculosis (PhilPACT), lakip na ang pagpaayo sa mga pasilidad ug mga gambalay niini pinaagi sa usa ka Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

Nakaabot sa 93 porsyento ang probinsya sa Directly-Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) Assessment Compliance Tool ang probinsya nga nagmalampusong nakuha ang target Case Detection Rate nga 94 sa 2011, 106 sa 2012, 109 sa 2013, Cure Rate nga 89 ka kaso sa 2011, 92 sa 2012 ug 93 sa 2013 sulod sa sunod-sunod nga tulo ka tuig ug aduna pay inisyatibong gihimo sa Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB sa mga apektadong lugar.

Matod pa sa maong MOA, ang nasangpit nga pundo pagaapud-apuron sa Provincial Health Office (PHO) nga makadawat og P1, 800,000.00, sa Cabadbaran City Health Office nga makadawat og P250,000.00 ug P1,000, 000.00 usab alang sa Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital (ADNPH).

Busa, gihatagan gilayon og otoridad sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan si Gobernador Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba sa pagpirma sa nasangpit nga MOA tali sa DOH. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Cebuano News: Tubay magpahigayon og general cleaning aron masanta ang sakit nga dala sa lamok

Ni Mary Cheryl S. Monoy

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 13 (PIA) - Gimando sa Municipal Ordinance No. 2014 – 061 sa lungsod sa Tubay sa probinsya sa Agusan del Norte ang dungang pagpanghinlo sa tibook palibot kada ika-duha nga Biyernes sa bulan aron masanta ang mga sakit nga dala sa lamok sama sa dengue, filariasis ug malaria.

Ubay-ubay na pod ang namatay nga mga kabatan-onan ug mga katigulangan nga Tubaynon sa maong mga sakit, busa, gikinahanglan gayod nga buhaton sa mga lumulupyo niini ang maong pagpanghinlo.

Ang maong ordinansa gi-aprubahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan pinaagi sa pagpaningkamot ni PBM Rey. G. Jamboy. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)