(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).


Wednesday, July 8, 2015

NNC celebrates 2015 Nutrition Month

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 8 (PIA) – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Caraga is celebrating this year’s Nutrition Month with the theme “Timbang iwasto, sa tamang nutrisyon at ehersisyo!”

“This year, the problem of overweight and obesity (both refer to over-nutrition) is highlighted because of their increasing prevalence not only in the country but the world,” disclosed Dr. Jose Llacuna, DOH-Caraga regional director and regional nutrition program coordinator.

Llacuna further bared that the Nutrition Month celebration is held every July to create greater awareness on the importance of nutrition among Filipinos as per Presidential Decree 491 of 1974 or the Nutrition Act of the Philippines.

“The NNC leads and coordinates the nationwide campaign. Each year, a theme is chosen to highlight an important concern on nutrition,” added Llacuna. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


CSU, DOST to hold responsible mining stakeholders’ forum

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 8 (PIA) – The Caraga State University (CSU), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will be holding the S&T Program for Responsible Mining Stakeholders’ Forum on July 14-15, 2015 at Samping Avenue, this city.

“The forum is a two-day affair, with the presentation of project outputs in Day-1 while the workshop and preparation of the Caraga Mineral Researches Management Roadmap will be in Day-2,” bared Rowena Varela, vice president for research and extension/program leader of science and technology (S&T) program for responsible mining in Mindanao.

Varela said the S&T Program for Responsible Mining in Mindanao implemented by the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Caraga region and neighboring regions in Mindanao is now on its final year of implementation.

“The program has a long-standing commitment to promoting socially-acceptable, economically-viable, environment-friendly and ecologically sound mining in Mindanao anchored on sound decision support system developed from information and technologies generated through  research and development,” emphasized Varela.

It was also learned that in order to overcome the issues on environmental and social aspects of mining, the CSU and DOST pushed for this stakeholders’ forum to foster dialogue and cooperation between industry leaders and partners including the government representatives, non-government organizations, managers of small-scale and large-scale mining companies and other stakeholders. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


DTI AgNor marks 2015 MSME week

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, July 8 (PIA) –The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)  Agusan del Norte provincial office started their Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Week celebration with a press conference held on Monday at the DTI Provincial office, this city. The celebration will run until July 13.

 “For us to help our MSMEs, the agency is doing our very best to assist them. In fact, in the region there are already four Negosyo Centers launched. One in Surigao del Norte, Butuan, San Francisco and Tandag,” DTI OIC provincial director Gay Tidalgo said. A one-stop-shop for the small and medium entrepreneurs, Negosyo Center is where SMEs can do business without hopping from one office to another in order to comply with needed requirements.

Tidalgo added that their activity is part of their efforts to help MSMEs to step up and strengthen their global and regional trade participation.

Furthermore, she said that DTI in the region had committed to the DTI Central office for 140 Negosyo Centers.

Tidalgo added that Negosyo Centers help MSMEs by giving the following services: facilitates business registration through the Philippine Business Registry (PBR) and Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE); free one-on-one business advisory services according to their needs; access to information on market, suppliers, buyers and government assistance program; and monitoring and evaluation of the assisted MSMEs.

It was learned that DTI will be launching Negosyo Centers in the cities of Cabadbaran and Surigao, and Talacogon town in the coming months.

Meantime, the Butuan Chamber of Commerce and Industry had also committed to help the MSMEs by policy formulation, program advocacy and promotion, and program integration. While, the Butuan Bankers Club will provide financial assistance for MSMEs investments.

“With our partners from the public sector, academe and other stakeholders, we prepare our MSMEs not only on starting their own business but also bringing them to a wider and bigger market,” Tidalgo said.

She also announced that a franchising seminar will take place at the DTI Caraga Regional Office on Monday, July 13. This September, a memorandum of agreement signing will be held with the DTI and partner schools for the implementation of the Go Negosyo Act in schools and universities.

The basic policy of the “Go Negosyo Act” is to foster national development, promote inclusive growth, and reduce poverty by encouraging the establishment of MSMEs, it was learned. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)


DTI gears up for MSME week celebration

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 8 (PIA) – Preparations are now underway for the 2015 Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Week celebration here set on July 20-24 with the theme “Strengthening MSMEs Participation to Global and Regional Trade.”

Romel Oribe, DTI provincial director, called up and presided over a meeting of the Provincial Small and Medium Enterprise Development (SMED) Council on Tuesday held at the newly launched Negosyo Center inside the DTI provincial office to discuss activities and other related matters for the conduct of the celebration.

The major activities include motorcade, Negosyo Center MOA signing, Commerciable technologies/Entrepreneurship Seminars, Labor Law Compliance Forum, Hair cutting, Commercial Cooking, Massage, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), among others.

In attendance were representatives of member-agencies from the local and national government as well as private sector.

During the course of the meeting, Oribe cited Section 16 of Republic Act 9501 as legal basis for holding such an affair, explaining that although the second week of July of every year has been declared as the “Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Week,” setting the occasion to some other time within the same month is alright. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


SurSur LBP exec warns public on “fake bills”

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 8 (PIA) – The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) branch, this city, has warned the public to be extra careful of the money in circulation.

Herbert Luna, branch manager, said they have already encountered at least four incidents of counterfeit P1,000 bills through their tellers in the span of a month just recently.

The bank official also expressed strong belief that other banks in the locality, both commercial and rural, have stumbled upon the same experience.

Reportedly, in the city alone, over 10 cases have been put on blotter.  However, city police chief P/Supt. Jeffrey Lawrence Mauricio said he has yet to verify the matter.

Manager Luna, meanwhile, advised people to be cautious about  money transactions, adding that ultra violet devices are not foolproof in detecting fake from real ones especially nowadays that technology has already gone too far.

On the other hand, the bank manager was glad to note that the local government unit (LGU) here through city administrator Alexander Pimentel has been quick enough to issue a public warning in this regard. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DTI warns public on the use of butane canisters

By Rodrigo R. Matabaran

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 8 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) once again warns public on the use of butane canisters for household liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The DTI cautions that these canisters are not intended and designed for LPG and therefore may pose danger to users and households.

Based on the Philippine National Standards (PNS 03-01:2000), only welded steel cylinders with a water capacity of 150 liters are intended for storage and transport of LPG.

Butane canisters are not compliant with quality and safety requirements for LPG refill. As such it may leak and emit hazardous gas and cause explosion and fire, thus, posing danger to life and properties.

DTI Provincial Director Celestino L.Negapatan encourages the public to report any information on the said unsafe practice.

Concerned individuals can visit the DTI Provincial Office located at the 2nd Floor, Simtoco Building, Burgos Street, this city or call at telephone number 826-6129 or 0919-5971199. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


PhilRice - Agusan strengthens ICT-based resources, tools on rice

By Japhet C. Sugian

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 8 (PIA) - The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)-Agusan in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) and province of Surigao del Sur led recently the conduct of a knowledge, sharing and learning activity on strengthening Information Communication and Technology (ICT) based resources and tools on agriculture specifically on rice at Shacene Pension House and Restaurant, this city.

The activity was aimed at promoting and improving public awareness on rice based technology intended for the farmers by capacitating the agriculture extension workers (AEWs) as front line movers of the technology together with the assistance of the local media practitioners in disseminating the relevant information.

Different personalities composed of media practitioners, representatives from the academe, local government units, and AEWs of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist participated in the training.

During the activity, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) technical persons presented the concept of establishing a rice doctor as well as downloading and learning the rice knowledge bank (RKB), and weed identification tool.

Also, Sharen Rivas of PhilRice presented the key realities of the agriculture sector today. “The population is rapidly increasing and rice consumption is also expected to grow but the problem now is - how to convince our youth to take up agriculture in college,” said Rivas.

Provincial agriculturist Marcos Quico also bared that the average marginal age of farmers at present ranges from 45 to 60 years old. “We have never seen youth nowadays cultivating their piece of land under the heat of the sun,” Quico added.

The event ended with an oath of commitment from the participants by jotting down their specific roles in reviving the agriculture industry in the province and the whole country. (NGBT/Information Officer-OPAG SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Cebuano News: HEALS Plus victory forum gipahigayon sa lungsod sa Claver

Ni Mary Jul E. Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Hulyo 8 (PIA) – Gipahigayon bag-ohay pa lamang ang HEALS (Health, Education, Agri-Aquaculture, Livelihood and Tourism, and Spritual Enhancement) Plus program didto sa lungsod sa Claver ning probinsya.

Ang maong kalihukan gipangulohan ni Gobernador Sol F. Matugas uban nila Congressman Francisco T. Matugas, bokal Simeon Castrence, Mamerto Galanida, Fernando Larong, Victor Borja, ug team capitol.

Samtang uban usab nga mitambong ang mga opisyales sa maong lungsod gipangulohan ni Claver Mayor Eddie Gokiangkee og mga opisyales sa 14 ka barangay sa maong lungsod ug mga representante sa THPAL mining Corp.

Atol sa maong okasyon gipahigayon ang panagtigom tali sa mga nasangpit nga mga opisyales ug gipahigayon usab ang pag pang apod-apod sa financial assistance kantidad P110,000 ka pesos ug ceromonial turn over sa mga packbags alang sa mga kabataan sa pre-school.

Sa samang adlaw gipahigayon usab ang Panambay sa Barangay didto sa Municipal Gym sa maong lungsod. (SDR/PIC-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)