CARFEDPWD celebrates 37th NDPR week celeb, to hold
'Dinner for a Cause'
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, June 30 (PIA) – In time with this
year’s 37th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week
celebration on July 17-23, the Caraga Federation of Persons with Disabilities,
Incorporated (CARFEDPWD) in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) Caraga and Regional Committee on Disability Affairs
(RCDA) is spearheading a ‘Dinner for a Cause’ on July 24, 2015, 6:00 p.m. at
Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.
“To enable the persons with disabilities to
participate effectively in a free society where we can access an inclusive,
quality and equal basis with others in the communities in which we live,
reasonable accommodation of the individual’s requirements is provided,”
disclosed Delfin Antallan, CARFEDPWD Regional President.
Antallan added that the proceeds of the activity
will be used to fund the transportation expenses of the children with
disabilities who are in school.
This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme,
“Health and Wellness of Persons with Disabilities, Opportunities Towards an
Inclusive Development for All.”
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
NAPOLCOM, PNP spearhead 20th PCR Month celeb
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, June 30 (PIA) – The National Police
Commission (NAPOLCOM) together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) is
spearheading this year’s 20th Police Community Relations (PCR) Month in July
with the theme “Matibay na Ugnayan ng Mamamayan at Pulisya, Simbolo ng
Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran ng Sambayanan.”
“This month-long observance is mandated by
Presidential Proclamation No. 764, declaring the month of July of every year as
Police Community Relations Month,” bared PNP-Caraga OIC regional director Pedro
Obaldo.
Obaldo emphasized that the PCR Month celebration
is an opportune time to further enhance public awareness on its crucial role in
crime prevention.
“It also serves as a vehicle in soliciting
community support and participation to the various programs of the PNP,” he
added. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DA, LGUs strengthen regional disaster risk
management for agriculture
By Vanessa P. Sanchez
BUTUAN CITY, June 30 (PIA) - “We cannot wait for
disaster to hit us. Rather, we have to prepare for it,” said Dr. Roberto
Sandoval, Jr. of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO)
on why there is a need for mitigation planning.
The UN FAO in coordination with the Department of
Agriculture – Regional Field Office 13 (DA-RFO 13) conducted a two-day
Rehabilitation and Mitigation Planning Workshop and Action Planning for
Disaster Risk Reduction for Agriculture on June 2 and 3.
DA Caraga regional executive director Edna M.
Mabeza urged the participants to work together so that the needed interventions
will be delivered right away to the affected areas. She also emphasized the
need to be realistic in submission of damage reports so that those that need
immediate responses will be addressed right away.
Dr. Sandoval also reminded the participants that
Disaster Risk Reduction is not just about inputs or infrastructure but it could
also be changing of practices or technologies.
The workshop outputs on Rehabilitation Planning
and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) Analysis on DRR in
Agriculture will be used as basis in addressing the El NiΓ±o affected areas and
for mitigation measures for other disasters that may happen in the future.
In the midst of the mild El NiΓ±o that the country
is experiencing, only two provinces in the region, the provinces of Agusan del
Norte and Agusan del Sur, have declared to have been affected, so far.
Representatives from the Municipal Agriculture
Offices of the region, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices,
and DA Caraga participated in the workshop. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
120 ARBs undergo training on rice production
enhancement
By Daryll M. Tumbaga & Lina S. Alvarez
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 30 (PIA) – A
total of 120 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) recently underwent a
three-day course training on rice production enhancement conducted by the
provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform in Surigao del Norte
(DAR-SDN).
The course was aimed to capacitate the ARBs in
enhancing their farm practices in producing rice thereby increasing their
production.
The said ARBs came from the six assisted Agrarian
Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) of DAR-SDN, they are all borrowers
under the agency's Agrarian Production Credit program.
Rollie S. Parejo, a resource person from
PhilRice-Agusan, was tapped to share his expertise in Palay Key Check
Technology and grain post-harvest technology. (SDR/DAR-SDN/PIA-Surigao del
Norte)
DepEd Butuan holds Abot-Alam enhancement training
By Dr. Jonas H. Jomonong
BUTUAN CITY, June 30 (PIA) - Some 100 Abot-Alam
Literacy volunteers, Abot-Alam teachers, district Alternative Learning System
(ALS) coordinators, mobile teachers, public school district supervisors and ALS
education specialist recently attended a three-day Enhancement Training and
Assessment of the Abot-Alam program implementation on June 25-27, 201 at
Veranda 2 in Carmen, Agusan del Norte.
The said training, spearheaded by the Department
of Education (DepEd) Butuan City division, aims to re-orient on the basis of
the Abot-Alam program implementation; make assessment of 2014 Abot-Alam
implementation; discuss proper inputting of Alternative Learning System (ALS)
Management Information System/Learner Information System (MIS/LIS); and learn
the different skills’ training for integration to ALS Abot-Alam classes.
The highlight of the training was the actual
exposure of the participants on the different livelihood skills such as making
of detergent, dishwashing liquid, perfume, bracelet, rags, pat holder to name a
few. Another thing was the community immersion of the participants wherein they
were grouped into two for literacy mapping in the two assigned puroks and
conducted actual interviews to some respondents through house-to-house visits.
These respondents were explained on the basic concepts and benefits that they
might get from the Abot-Alam program.
Furthermore, Abot-Alam program is a convergence
program and a national strategy to locate the out-of-school youth (OSY)
nationwide who are 15-30 years old and who have not completed basic/higher
education or who are unemployed, and to mobilize and harmonize programs which
will address these OSY’s needs and aspirations.
It aims to reach one million OSYs in 2014 and one million in 2015 and to
provide them with appropriate interventions on education, entrepreneurship, or
employment.
In addition, Abot-Alam envisions a Zero OSY
Philippines come 2016 in support of the DepEd’s education for all (EFA)
goals. It is a continued thrust of the
government to provide all Filipinos access to quality education and ensure that
no learner is left behind. (DepEd-Butuan City/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Gov't strengthens marketing support for lobster
producers in PDI town
By Mardell Allen G. Delanto
SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, June 30 (PIA) - The
municipality of Cagdianao, province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) is progressively
being transformed into a thriving lobster producing center in Caraga region.
With this reason, an Enhancement of Agribusiness
and Marketing Support Services to Lobster Orientation was set by the Office of
the Provincial Agriculturist in partnership with the national line agencies in
the province on June 10, 2015 at Brgy. Cabunga-an Gym.
The said activity aims to address the issues and
concerns in lobster production and marketing. More so, it intends to set a
clear vision for the municipality’s lobster industry.
It was attended by 21 lobster producers from Brgy.
Poblacion, R. Ecleo, Cabunga-an, Maatas and Tigbao.
Also in attendance were Assistant Provincial
Agriculturist Emprecion Aban together
with Senior Aquaculturist Zenda Elago.
Also, among the national line agencies invited to the said forum were the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment
(DOLE) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
During the forum, series of presentation were
delivered by representatives from the national line agencies. The morning
assembly began with a talk from Juanita Bahian of the Bureau of Fisheries and
Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Provincial Fishery Office. She gave a presentation and
maintenance and harvesting.
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Dinagat
Islands technical staff Mardel Allen Delanto provided inputs on the market opportunities
for lobsters in the local as well in export markets. Apart from this, Delanto
also stressed to the stakeholders the basic marketing strategies that they
could apply in selling their products.
The afternoon session gives emphasis on the
assistance given by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) presented by
Arnaldo Anito, Administrative Aide VI from the said agency.
In his lecture, he gave emphasis on DOLE’s
Livelihood/Kabuhayan and Emergency Employment Program.
Furthermore, an open forum was also conducted.
Participants were able to ask questions concerning the production and marketing
of lobster, to include the feeding management, selling of lobster fingerlings
to competitors, and different assistance for lobster producers from the national
line agencies. (SDR/DTI-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)
AgNor solon lauds new TESDA grads, hand-over
livelihood toolkits
BUTUAN CITY, June 30 (PIA) – Two hundred (200)
students under the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) of the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) completed their
training last June 27, 2015. These students were grantees of Lawig TESDA
Scholarship Program.
In his message, Agusan del Norte first district
representative Lawrence Lemuel H. Fortun commended the graduates and the TESDA
for spearheading the said program. “The beauty of TESDA programs need not be
overemphasized. The technical skills you have earned while enrolled in the STEP
certainly are at par with the job demands of the market,” the solon remarked.
Cognizant of the program’s utmost importance,
Fortun mentioned the “equally important opportunity for everybody to contribute
towards nation building” the program has been offering.
“My dear graduates, the landscape for job industry
has certainly been under pressure for change. It is no longer the case that you
need to have a college degree to land a decent, productive job. And this
precisely is the core of TESDA, to provide equally important opportunity for
everybody to contribute towards nation building. What we are doing right now is
part and parcel of our democracy: equal opportunity, social justice, and right
to a better future,” Fortun in his message.
The solon also highlighted the impending need to
upscale the human resources through skills training. “With Philippines
participation to ASEAN integration, we need to revolutionize ourselves, and
adopt to growing innovations besetting us,” Fortun said.
In his final note, Fortun challenged the new
graduates to contribute towards nation-building and give back to the community.
“After this ceremony, what will you do? We have a challenge for you: go and
find a job or build an enterprise. Practice what you have learned, earn an
income, and give back to the community. Help build this country, help steer our
nation towards development," he said.
“We envision a country of self-reliant, productive
individuals. We desire a nation of empowered citizens. Let this be the start of
that goal. Treat your education as your stake, your share towards creating and
bettering your family, your community, and our country,” Fortun added.
Fifty students were enrolled in each of the four
different competencies, namely: Test and Repair Wiring/ Lighting System
Servicing; Install Wiring Devices/ Install Electrical Protection System;
Perform Diesel Gas Engine Tune-Up, and; Prepare and Cook Hot Meals. All these
competencies are designed towards acquiring national certifications.
Following the graduation rites, successfully
trainees were awarded with complete set of toolkits. These toolkits can be used
to start-up livelihood projects immediately after graduation.
Since 2013, Rep. Fortun has been working closely
with TESDA in implementing innovative, demand- driven, and affordable skills
program. Just last April 24, 2015, a total of 42 Shielded Metal Arc Welding
(SMAW) students graduated under the Lawig TESDA Scholarship Program. (Lawig
Katawhan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
PopCom Caraga stages campaign for men
BUTUAN CITY, June 30 (PIA) - The Commission on Population (PopCom) -
Caraga launches the Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon
para sa Pamilya or best known as KATROPA, Tuesday, June 30, and this time at
the regional level after series of pilot tests regionwide.
Men from the different sectors in the community
participated in said big event held in the city and showed their support in the
Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Health programs of the government
through PopCom.
PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander A.
Makinano stated that this activity is one way of recognizing the significant
roles of men as advocates for reproductive health particularly maternal health
and family planning and also against gender-based violence. “Men are also
critical partners in bringing about genuine gender-responsive development in
the family and community,” Makinano emphasized.
The PopCom official also disclosed that this
KATROPA was designed within the objective of the Philippine Population Management
Program (PPMP) to help assist couples achieve their fertility goals and
exercise their reproductive rights.
Various activities take place during the launching
including the Signing of Pledge of Commitment and the “Makabagong Maginoo,” a
powerful and potent partners in protecting and caring for women to ensure safe
pregnancy and childbirth, and also in women empowerment and gender equality.
(PopCom-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA gives livelihood skills training to Bayugan
OFWs, family members
By Jean Mary Ronquillo
BUTUAN CITY, June 30 (PIA) - In its endeavor to
capacitate its member Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with essential skills
for livelihood augmentation, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
Regional Welfare Office Caraga in partnership with the Philippine Coconut
Authority (PCA) recently afforded the members of Bayugan City United OFWs and
Family Association (BCUOFA) a two-day skills training on Virgin Coconut Oil and
Coco Products Processing held in Bayugan City.
Coconut Production and Regulation Officer III
Ernalyn Colon and Coconut Development Officer Ronald S. Musico of PCA Caraga,
facilitated the training to some 25 participants.
Among the finished products presented during the
culmination activity include: Virgin Coconut Oil, Bucarillo, Bukayo, Macaroons,
Buko pie and vinegar sauce, which is still on the process phase.
BCUOFA president Henry Villamor expressed his
gratitude to OWWA for providing them their first organizational development
training.
“Thank you OWWA for all your efforts, we are very
proud that you really came here for us,” Villamor said in local dialect.
Villamor also conveyed his gratefulness to the
resource speakers for sharing their learning to them. “The training helps us
undertand that there are many simple means to make use of the coconut in order
to increase our daily household income,” he added.
In his message, regional director Samuel Madrid of
OWWA Caraga congratulated all the participants for satisfactorily completing
the two-day training. He also appreciated the support extended by the city
government of Bayugan City through its Public Service Employment Office headed
by Vice Mayor Charles Anggayong, as well as the efforts of the resource
speakers for the realization of the said activity.
Madrid disclosed that in the province of Agusan
del Sur, it was first time for OWWA together with PCA to conduct the said
techno transfer in Bayugan City. Further, Madrid bared that this endeavor of
the government primarily aims to alleviate poverty.
“Sana ito ay hindi katapusan ng inyong mga
enhancement trainings or skills trainings, kundi sana ito ay maging panimula ng
inyong continuing educational process,” Madrid said. (OWWA-13/PIA-Caraga)
Food sufficiency eyed to come soon in SurSur
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, June 30 (PIA) – The
Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) in Surigao del Sur headed by
Marcos Quico is optimistic seeing the province to be food sufficient soon.
In the 2014 Annual Accomplishment forwarded to the
Office of the Governor recently, it cited “positive growth” in both low- and
upland areas cultivated for palay production and other agricultural products
“under the Agri-Pinoy Programs of the Department of Agriculture.”
“Better access to our production areas is the
major driver for all of these accomplishments,” Quico pointed out.
He particularly made mention of the “efforts of
our Provincial Officials thru the leadership of our Honorable Governor Johnny
T. Pimentel.”
The chief agriculturist said that the agriculture
sector here has posted “significant gains in 2014.”
A total of 33,737 hectares—both irrigated and
rainfed areas—have been planted with palay, it was learned.
“Palay production for the year has reached 113,739
metric tons at an average yield of 3.37 metric tons per hectare,” Quico
bared—an increase of 6.71 percent, which is equivalent to 7,154 metric tons
compared to the 2013 harvest.
He attributed the feat to “the provision of big
ticket infrastructure projects and facilities” coming from the national
government “in order to open up new agricultural production areas.”
The infrastructure projects and facilities that
have been listed include farm-to-market roads (FMRs); agri-fishery equipment
and facilities; warehouse rehabilitation and milling facility; post-harvest
equipment and machineries; and farm production-related machineries and
equipment. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
