Butuan City inmates avail SSS’ AlkanSSSya Program
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, June 8 (PIA) – The Social Security
System (SSS) in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
(BJMP) Caraga has launched on Friday the AlkanSSSya Program with the city
inmates as the beneficiaries.
There were some 26 female and 72 male
participating inmates in the said activity.
Officials of the BJMP-Caraga Regional Office
expressed their gratitude to SSS especially to SSS Northern Mindanao Division
assistant vice president Atty. Edwin Alo for partnering with the Butuan City
Jail in the launching of the SSS' AlkanSSSya Program. With this, inmates will
be taught to save and assured of their future whether in jail or in the
mainstream of society.
Atty. Alo emphasized the importance of being an SSS
member. "With your SSS membership, you are secured and protected. Just pay
your monthly dues religiously and you will surely benefit from this
program," he said.
J/Insp. Raul Badillo, assistant warden also
expressed his thanks to the SSS officials for partnering with the BJMP-Caraga
for its program intended for the welfare of the city inmates. He also
reiterated that with the said program, inmates can now avail of the SSS without
any hassle on their part and their relatives.
"May the AlkanSSSya Program of the Social
Security System help many of our inmates here in the city. I know you have your
livelihood here so I believe all of you can pay your SSS premium on time
without any problem. May your contribution also help you in times of
emergencies especially when you will be discharged and live another life again
in your respective community," articulated Baltar.
Also, Antonio Fabia, SSS Butuan City branch head
congratulated all the recipients and inspired them to continue life even inside
the jail. “Your life doesn’t end up here, be optimistic that there are still
many wonderful things to come. And the SSS as your partner is very willing to
help and assist you. Meantime, we are asking you to save and pay your monthly
due,” he said.
It can be recalled that the AlkanSSSya program
evolved from the original "TrikanSSSya" conceptualized by the SSS Las
PiΓ±as Branch and subsequently launched to cover tricycle operators and drivers.
The project entailed the construction of a pigeon-hole-like "piggy
bank" for these drivers to drop off their daily savings intended for SSS
contributions. Such set-up was ideal for members who cannot afford to remit
their entire monthly premiums in one payment but are able to do so on a daily
basis. Inspired by the idea, the TrikanSSSya program has since been adopted and
institutionalized as a nationwide program for all SSS branches to cover and
collect from Informal Sector Groups (ISGs) or self-employed members with
irregular income.
Under the program, daily savings are placed in the
AlkanSSSya unit, which is a metal cabinet or any material with secure
mini-compartments that are assigned to association members who can drop in any
amount daily until the required minimum SSS contribution is met. Once a month,
the informal sector group officials, under the monitoring and guidance of an
SSS Account Officer, count out the collected savings, fill out the requisite
payment forms, and remit these to SSS through the bank or an accredited
collecting agent.
It was also learned that as of June 2014, the SSS
has been able to partner with 837 different ISGs and successfully registered
83,757 workers as SSS members. In terms of contributions, more than P81.1
million have been collected, although many other ISGs have yet to make their
first counting.
Meanwhile, Atty. Alo, together with Mr. Fabia,
BJMP Warden J/SInsp. Jonathan Baltar, JO1 Psychie Macagaan, and AMS Head of SSS
Butuan Ma. Zima Balansag signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) witnessed by
the male and female participating inmates.
Right after the MOA Signing between the officials
of the SSS and BJMP-Caraga, the 26 females and 72 males personally dropped
their coins at their AlkanSSSya - a typical can where they can place their
payments intended for their SSS monthly dues. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Tandag Water District assures customers of ample
supply; bares new policies, initial plans
By Greg Tatato Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June 8 (PIA) –
Tandag Water District (TWD), which is under new management, has assured its
more than 6,200 customers of sufficient water supply.
General Manager (GM) Annie Ty, who took over the
helm on May 18, expressed confidence about having a much better service,
especially on the quantity and quality of water.
She said that water interruption is no longer a
major stumbling block, citing that aside from having several surface and
underground sources, TWD has now employed a technology via a new “water
treatment facility.”
However, a busted water supply pipe has caused
much inconvenience to customers over the weekend.
Meanwhile, aware that the city—its service area—is
booming, having in mind two medium-sized malls to open soon, apart from a new
branch of a popular food chain that is expected to break ground also sooner or
later, the new GM added that TWD will further venture on finding and developing
new water sources.
Just less than a month-old in her post, the lady
executive also disclosed a more lax and lenient policy on customers who
encounter problem in paying their bills—a bit of good news since no
disconnection is going to take place provided those facing such circumstance
will agree on executing a promissory note or paying a minimal percentage of the
amount due.
Moreover, Ty took pride in saying that tap water
here is indeed potable, hence suitable for drinking.
She also revealed that instead of going outside of
the province for a water sample laboratory test, TWD has already made possible
tying-up with the Provincial Health Office (PHO) for such a requirement.
In addition, the new GM, who replaced predecessor
Engr. Ruben Elpa, is planning to allow a contract agreement with prospective
concessionaire/s to plant trees at Tandag watershed with a total area of 784
hectares. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
11 Caraga schools now have DOST’s STARBOOKS
BUTUAN CITY, June 8 (PIA) - A globally recognized
digital science library developed by the Department of Science and
Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII), is now
being used as a handy research tool for students at 11 high schools in Eastern
Mindanao.
Recently, DOST-STII launched STARBOOKS or Science
and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations in
the said sites during the Butuan City, Caraga Region stop of the Department’s
national roadshow dubbed Science Nation: Agham na Ramdam.
STARBOOKS is a user-friendly digital library of
science and technology (S&T) information which may be accessed without
Internet connection. It is the first science digital library in the
Philippines, containing thousands of S&T resources in various formats -
text and audio/ video - placed in especially designed pods set in a
user-friendly interface.
STARBOOKS is one of five projects worldwide
recently chosen by the American Library Association (ALA) to receive the 2015 ALA
Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects on June 29,
2015 in San Francisco, USA.
The 11 Caraga schools now installed with STARBOOKS
are Agusan National High School and AMA Computer Learning Center in the city;
Mainit National High School in Mainit, Surigao del Norte; Jabonga Central
Elementary School, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; Burgos National High School,
Burgos, Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Tag-abaca National High School and Loreto
National High School in Basilisa and Loreto, Dinagat Islands respectively;
Jacinto P. Elpa National High School and Lingig National High School in Tandag
City and Lingig, Surigao del Sur; Esperanza National High School and Bayugan
National Comprehensive High School in Esperanza and Bayugan City, Agusan del
Sur.
“ALA, if you would ask me, is among the most
influential academic bodies,” said DOST assistant secretary Raymund E. Liboro
during the launch, “so for those who have STARBOOKS in their school library,
you are getting a world-class product.”
Also present during the launch were other key
officials of DOST led by undersecretary for regional operations Carol M. Yorobe
and and DOST Caraga regional director Dominga D. Mallonga.
Science Nation: Agham na Ramdam is a continuing
roadshow that showcases DOST’s achievements and contributions in the region’s
economic growth through various scientific and technological interventions. The
launching of STARBOOKS was one of several activities during the event.
STARBOOKS will also be featured during DOST’s National Science and Technology
Week slated from July 24-28, 2015 at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, Pasay
City. (S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)
10 troop carrier vehicles arrive at PRO 13
By Noel B. Najarro
BUTUAN CITY, June 8 (PIA) - Ten units of troop carrier
police vehicles are now at Police Regional Office 13 ready for disposal to the
designated municipal police stations of Agusan del Norte.
Police Regional Office 13 regional chief spokesman
PSupt Martin Gamba, in an interview on Monday morning, said that the vehicles
which arrived at Camp Rafael C. Rodriguez on Thursday last week were procured
by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and were shipped via Cagayan
de Oro City port.
According to him, the vehicles were already
designated to the ten municipal police stations of the province of Agusan del
Norte upon the receipt of their regional supply officer.
He said he did not have any idea why only the
municipal police stations of Agusan del Norte were made to be recipients of the
police troop carriers, excluding the city of Cabadbaran. Each unit has already
been marked with the names of the respective recipient municipal police
stations upon its arrival at the Cagayan de Oro city port as received by their
regional supply officer, he said.
The regional spokesperson chief also said that he
did not know if there will still be more shipments of similar vehicles for the
other provinces in the future. He said however, that the vehicles will soon be
disposed and turned-over to the supply officers of the respective designated
municipality. As to when and who will do the turn-over rites, he did not have
any idea yet.
Presently, according to Gamba, they are still on
the process of checking and recording the vehicles and these may probably be
turned-over anytime this week.
According to Gamba that the troop carriers will be
a big boost as to the mobility of the police and may greatly contribute to the
peace-keeping, anti-criminality and anti- illegal activity campaign of the
municipalities of Agusan del Norte. (PNA/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte guv inspires employees
By John Glenn A. Platil
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 8 (PIA) –
Surigao del Norte Governor Sol F. Matugas energized rank-and-file employees of
the provincial capitol during the Monday Morning Sharing (MMS) on June 1, 2015
held at the Provincial Convention Center, this city.
Governor Matugas announced that the 14th month pay
is being considered to help the spirited and determined workers of the
provincial government.
In addition, the governor said that she is
carefully studying her plans to promote excellent performers from the
Provincial Assessor’s Office, citing their national standing in revenue
collections from large-scale mining companies which directly benefit the
constituents of the province by way of giant infrastructure projects and
road-to-bridges networks.
On top of the rewards being evaluated, governor
Matugas also explored legitimate ways to promote impressive, remarkable and
great team-players from the Provincial Treasury.
“I cannot promote everybody or raise the salary of
every individual here across-the-board due to budgetary constraints. We are
doing it reasonably, in stages, step by step. Any reward or incentive is
performance-based. Promotion is the essential and ultimate result of hard-work
and productivity,” explained governor Matugas.
Meanwhile, she also revealed that officials from
the city are eager to travel and see the wonders of Siargao. Reiterating her
formal invitation, governor Matugas encouraged all those who do not know
Siargao to visit the enchanted paradise which hosts the annual World Surfing
Cup and International Gamefishing Competition.
With respect to the subject on transparency and
accountability wherein the province earned 100 percent compliance rate,
governor Matugas asserted that anyone is welcome to express his/her commentary
against a department head or immediate superior in line with the principle of
freedom of expression so long as the critique is helpful to improve the
organization.
Accordingly, the governor said that solid
collaboration, pure understanding and great teamwork are important elements to
sustain “Ang Bag-ong Surigao” (The New Surigao).
She emphasized that a down-to-earth utility worker
is as necessary as the senior manager because when one is having a problem, the
entire establishment gets affected. (SDR/PIC-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
Surigao City hosts Mindanao traders' confab
roadshow
By Rodrigo R. Matabaran
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 8 (PIA) -
The organizers of the 24th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) recently
conducted a roadshow here to consult the local stakeholders on possible
business and economic development policies that will be presented as formal
resolutions during the business conference proper that will be held on
September 2-3 this year at Dipolog City.
The MinBizCon is an annual business conference
organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and
supported by various government and private organizations.
PCCI vice president for Mindanao Affairs Annie O.
Ty and Caraga PCCI Regional Governor Sesinio O. Narisma led the consultation.
The attendees during the roadshow included the
officers of the different Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Caraga region,
the academe and the officers of Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry, being
the roadshow’s host, headed by vice president for Provincial Affairs Willy Gan,
and vice president for City Affairs Manuel Kong, and some leading figures of
the local business community.
VP Ty presented the overview of the Mindanao
Policy Consultation while Cecil TriΓ±o, Area Development Officer of Mindanao
Development Authority (MinDA) Caraga talked on the MinDA's role in the economic
development of Mindanao.
Some vital economic development concerns that was
proposed and suggested to be considered important talking points during the
MinBizCon and be presented to the national government are issues on power
supply, improvement of the quality of telecommunication services, value-chain
based infrastructure development, conflicting tenurial instruments of lands
that hinders private sector investments, engagement of the private sector and
major industry players in achieving the goals on inclusive growth.
The organizers disclosed that the city is the 4th
leg of the series of roadshows throughout the five cities in Mindanao.
They have already done similar consultation
activities in Dipolog City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Gen. Santos City. The last roadshow will be held in Davao City.
The city was chosen as the roadshow venue in
Caraga region considering that it will host the 25th MinBizCon next year -
2016, it was learned. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte)
Tagalog News: Palasyo ikinalugod ang pahayag ng
Tsina ng pagkakaroon ng mapayapang solusyon sa isyu sa West Philippine Sea
Ni David M. Suyao
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Hunyo 8 (PIA) - Ikinalulugod ng
Malakanyang noong Linggo ang pahayag ng Tsina na “Hindi sila hahanap ng
solusyong military sa pinagtalunang teritoryo” na nasa West Philippine Sea
(WPS).
"Ikinalulugod natin ang mga pahayag na tulad
niyan at sang-ayon din po tayo doon sa proposisyon na hindi dapat gumamit ng
anumang military solution. At inaayunan din po natin ‘yung kanilang pahayag na
ang apatnapung taong pakikipag-ugnayan sa pagitan ng Tsina at ng Pilipinas ay
peaceful, friendly at cooperative," sabi ni Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr., saisang panayam sa dzRB Radyo
ng Bayan.
Sinabi ni Coloma na dahil ang pinagtalunang isyu
sa WPS ay may ugnayan sa ibang bansa, at hindi ganoon ka simple ang paglutas sa
kabilaang isyu.
"Marami pong bansa, usually po ay more than
two sa bawat pinagtatalunang lugar diyan o features o maritime entitlements
diyan sa West Philippine Sea. Kaya po iyon po ang ating posisyon. Hindi po
ganoon kasimple," sabi ni Coloma.
Sinabi ng ambassador ng Tsina sa Manila na si Zhao
Jianhua noong Biyernes na “Gusto namin na ang Pilipina ay bumalik sa
negotiating table” at dagdag pa niya na ang Tsina ay walang pinaunang kondisyon
sa pagbabalik ng usapan.
Noong Marso ng nakaraang taon, ang Pilipinas ay
naghain ng isang memorial sa International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea
(ITLOS) laban sa Tsina kaugnay sa ginawang pag-angkin sa WPS.
Ang iba pang umaangkin sa mga lupain na
matatagpuan sa pinagtalunang lugar pandagat ay ang Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei at
Taiwan. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)
