(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 13 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).


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

DA Caraga employees undergo values orientation workshop

By Aurelius P. Arais & Fretcher Magatao

BUTUAN CITY, July 7 (PIA) - Laying a strong foundation for its newly hired permanent employees, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga conducted a Values Orientation Workshop (VOW) spearheaded by the Human Resources Section.

As of June 30, 2015, there are 144 newly appointed employees assigned in different units to cater the needs of the clienteles in the agricultural sector.

Resource persons during the workshop were Civil Service Commission (CSC) Agusan del Norte director Christopher Mabale and CSC Caraga Regional Office human resources specialists Ligaya Cueva and Aurora Mantilla.

DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza said that being a public servant demands utmost responsibility.

“We may feel so loaded with work and tired of serving our clients; but we should always remember that we are accountable to every treatment we show to them. We are expected to perform accordingly or even more than expected of us,” Mabeza said.

The Values Orientation Workshop is a course that reinforces public service values rooted in the Filipino culture and articulated through social artistry.

Mabale said that VOW is adopted as a continuing intervention program pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees and R.A. 9485 known as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.

He emphasized that it is a must to know the important values individually and in an organization in order to attain its goals and to satisfy its clientele.

“Know the direction of your department so you will know what are the values needed to attain its objectives,” Mabale said.

Public service delivery is dependent on the quality of human resources as an effective instrument for development, he added. (DA-13/PIA-Caraga)


Butuan launches project ICARUS, command center

By Dulce M. Moran

BUTUAN CITY, July 7 (PIA) - Inspired by the success of Davao City, the city government here launched on Thursday the Information Center for Assistance, Rescue and Unified Services (ICARUS).

ICARUS is composed of a cross sector group with all potential partners in the city such as health, social services, urban planning and building, fire brigade, police, armed forces, public works, and traffic safety that collaborates and pool in resources and expertise to make sure the city is safe and secure.

The ICARUS system offers the public a communication application that will enable the user to connect using their cellular phones (call or text), landline or radio communication to the command center, and report on-time accident and other life threatening situation.

The system uses the latest mapping technology capable of tracking registered "apps" subscriber provided by Pureforce.

Situated at the rooftop of the city hall building, the command center is manned by operators and partner representatives trained in security and rescue technology.

The operators at the command center will activate the partners who will directly respond to specific need as identified and a quick-response team will be mobilized to respond. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


AgNor solon calls for vigilance as the nation observes disaster consciousness month

BUTUAN CITY, July 7 (PIA) – Agusan del Norte first district representative Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun calls for relentless awareness, synergy, and vigilance, as the nation celebrates the whole month of July as the "National Disaster Consciousness Month."

Backed by Executive Order No. 137, s. 1999, the whole month of July of every year is declared as National Disaster Consciousness Month to be collectively observed by all Filipinos throughout the country through the conduct of fitting activities for the occasion.

Earlier, Proclamation No. 296 dated July 29, 1988, declared the first week of July of every year as Natural Disaster Consciousness Week which aimed to increase the awareness of every Filipino to the ever threatening disasters for a better appreciation of the government’s disaster preparedness programs.

Last 2014, Fortun has co- authored a substitute bill that will modernize the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) otherwise known as the “PAGASA Modernization Act of 2014.”

The said legislation affirms PAGASA’s critical role as the government’s primary agency tasked to monitor and report weather conditions to the public. PAGASA also takes a very crucial role in conveying precise weather information that forms part and parcel of disaster preparedness and risk management for the government. “Damage can be prevented and lives can be saved if we are scientifically informed and appropriately prepared,” the explanatory note of the bill aptly stated. Because of this critical role, it is pertinent “to elevate its technological and operational capacity to effectively and efficiently perform its mandate.”

The house bill finds impetus with the experiences of the country being located in a typhoon belt and "ocean-encircling belt of active volcanoes and earthquake generators." Just last 2013, regions of central Philippines have experienced the havoc of one of the world’s strongest typhoon.

“We have seen the most damaging calamities that hit our country with super typhoon Yolanda and the strong earthquake which devastated the Visayas region and left thousands dead and millions of pesos in damages. With these occurrences, I really see the need to modernize PAGASA for them to give timely and accurate forecasting so as to make us more prepared when calamities hit,” Fortun said in co-sponsoring the bill.

As with this year’s celebration, the solon reiterates his message during the Typhoon Agaton’s relief mission: “The cooperation, the help and the volunteerism showed by our people affirms that the spirit of ‘Balangayan’ is alive in each one of us especially in these times of calamities and for that, I am truly grateful for everyone. I’m sure that with this spirit we can surmount any difficulty that is yet to come.” (Lawig Katawhan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


SurSur set to hold 1st PWDs Provincial Assembly for 37th NDPR week celebs

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 7 (PIA) – The provincial government of Surigao del Sur headed by Governor Johnny Pimentel in cooperation with the city government here under Mayor Roxanne Pimentel is set to hold the 1st PWDs Provincial Assembly as highlight of the 37th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week celebration on July 17-23.

However, the two-day occasion which carries the theme “Health and Wellness Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities toward an Inclusive Development for All” is going to take place a week ahead—on July 9-10 at the city gymnasium.

The copies of the schedule of activities have already been sent out by Cynthia Rojoca, PWD provincial federation secretary for the information of all concerned. 

Governor Pimentel had earlier requested “Persons with Disabilities’ officers and members to participate and cooperate for the success of the said activities” through a letter dated June 24, 2015, informing all mayors of the event which will be facilitated by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) and the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) offices, respectively, under May Natividad Salinas and Tessie Buniel.

Meanwhile, DSWD Caraga regional director Minda Brigoli is one among the invited guests to deliver a message.

Moreover, the most anticipated part of the affair is the courtesy “Eye Check up” under the Vision 2020 program of the province in partnership with Dr. Chris Buniel.


William Aguilar is the provincial federation president of PWD in Surigao del Sur. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)