(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 09 December 2024) Shear Line affecting the eastern section of Northern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Extreme Northern 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—‘: Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Friday, September 4, 2015

Caraga stakeholders gather for Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA) - The Climate Change Commission (CCC) together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga gathered some 200 representatives from government agencies, religious sector, academe, non-government organizations, and media for the Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change held on Thursday at Dotties Place Hotel, this city.

DENR Caraga regional director NonitoTamayo recalled that the Interfaith Dialogue was first convened by former senator Heherson T. Alvarez of the Climate Change Commission in 2010, which promotes action on environmental protection and sustainability based on religious teachings. "Interfaith environmental conferences are bringing in-depth focus on environmental issues among faith-based groups that are allied with NGOs, and young Filipinos deeply concerned about the future of the earth. They are guided by the teachings of the world's greatest religions," he said.

“The Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change will help us broaden our knowledge and understanding on climate change issues, among religious leaders, laity and their communities; support programs of various religious communities promoting environmental protection and conservation; help connect and strengthen interfaith environmental advocates across the country in a wider process of coordination and cooperation; address the issues of profligate consumption and wasteful use of resources; raise public understanding of responsible stewardship in the management of natural resources; and enhance the citizenry's ethical outlook by stressing moral responsibility and our obligations to future generations," Tamayo added.

On behalf of Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr., City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) Officer Grace Espere delivered the message to all the participants. "We have been implementing laws in the protection of our environment and enabling the people to be responsible and active advocates by participating in the different environmental activities in their respective community," she said.

Also, Evangeline A. Evarolo, advocacy and capability building program officer shared her experiences working with the farmers who are also affected by the effects of global warming and climate change in the Agusan province. "Through human activities, we are contributing to the causes of global warming and climate change. That's why if we want to effectively see the change we want for our environment, we must first start within ourselves. As we do proper hygiene, let us also avoid using materials, equipment that are harmful to our environment," she stressed.

Commissioner Alvarez emphasized in his message that people should avoid too much use of carbon dioxide. "If we don't reduce carbon sufficiently enough, our Earth will become hotter than what we are experiencing today. Our seas will also be affected and corals will die," he cited.

Alvarez disclosed that the results of the interfaith dialogue will be submitted to the higher level and will form part of the Philippine report to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, France come November 2015.

The good commissioner further pointed out that people must change their lifestyle if they want to see the change they opt to experience in the environment. "As much as possible we must avoid cigarette smoking for it also contributes carbon in our environment. Instead, let us all promote healthy living through proper exercise like walking/jogging, riding bicycle, among others. We should also promote the use of alternative energy like solar and other potential sources of energy that do not emit too much carbon," he said.

Belinda Formanes, general secretary of Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP) reiterated during today's Interfaith Dialogue on Climate Change held in the city that the CCCP is a multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary and community-based coalition of organizations, individuals and communities pursuing the struggle against catastrophic climate change within the context of asset reform and social justice. It was formally founded in November 2009.

Moreover, Tamayo cited the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed last year between DENR and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) for the effective promotion and implementation of climate change advocacy programs in Caraga region. He considered it one of the significant accomplishments of the department with partner agencies.

Meanwhile, participants from different sectors were able to ask questions and raised their issues and concerns related to climate change.

The Climate Change Commission is tasked to help undertake pioneering projects that advance renewable energy technology in the Philippines, reduce all forms of pollution, and enhance the environment. It is also the sole-policy making body of the government tasked to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the programs of the government relating to climate change. It is an autonomous body with the status of a national government agency. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Congress deliberates on Fortun’s tourism bill

QUEZON CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA) - The deliberation on the proposed House Bill 4823, a legislative measure declaring Butuan City as a heritage tourism zone, continues as Agusan del Norte representative Lawrence Lemuel Fortun presented before the House Committee on Tourism last week.

August last year, Rep. Fortun filed the said bill in Congress, and was then subsequently referred to the Committee on Tourism.

Rep. Fortun in his explanatory note has elucidated that “Butuan City has a vibrant history and rich cultural heritage. Before colonization, it was called the Kingdom of Butuan and was known for its metallurgic industry and sophisticated naval technology.” Exigency of the bill is anchored on Section 15 of Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution, which reads: “The State shall conserve, promote and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations,” and also in Section 16 of the same article: “All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasures of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may regulate its disposition.”

Butuan has been the discovery site of the first wooden watercraft excavated in Southeast Asia, the Balangay Boat, believed to rule Southeast Asian waters as early as 320 AD. The utilization of these boats to maintain trade relations with neighboring islands and empires prove robust commercial activities in the area. Numerous archeological artifacts have also been excavated – gold jewelry, death mask, weighing scales and porcelains – beefing up Butuan’s claim as then center of trade and commerce in the region.

Numerous historical accounts show that on March 31, 1521, an Easter Sunday, Ferdinand Magellan ordered the celebration of a mass in Butuan. “In remembrance of this important historical Christian event that is claimed to be first in the country, the Bood Promontory...was built,” Fortun added. Butuan is also the host of Banza Church Ruins, a church built by Spanish friars in 1625 and believed to be the first Christian Church in Mindanao.

Way older than the mentioned historical and cultural treasures are the Bequibel and Bitor shell middens in Brgy. Bonbon, supporting claims of human habitation and activities of early thriving civilization in Butuan – as early as the Neolithic Age or about 7,000 years ago.

Once the bill is passed, Butuan will be accorded with priority development by the Department of Tourism (DOT) in coordination with the National Historical Institute, the National Museum and other concerned government agencies. It will also recognize areas of potential for historical and cultural tourism development, such as historical and cultural landmarks, rivers and mountain resources, indigenous communities, among others. (Lawig Katawhan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


DILG-13 trains 18 Caraga LGUs on GIS

By Naomi C. Orog

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 4 (PIA) - The Department of the Interior and Local Government Region XIII (DILG 13) conducted a Training on Geographic Information System (GIS) for Climate and Disaster Risk and Vulnerability Reduction for 18 local government units in the region. The activity was held in two batches, the first was held on August 12-14, 2015 while the second was on August 17-19, 2015 in one of the convention centers here.

Target participants of the training were the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers (MDDRMOs), Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (MPDCs), Information and Technology Staff, and DILG Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs) of the municipalities involved.

The participants were coming from municipalities of Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands which are located along the eastern seaboard and others that are highly vulnerable to disasters. Those involved for the first batch were: Surigao del Sur’s Carmen, Carrascal, Cortes, Lianga, Madrid, Marihatag, Tago and San Agustin. While those trained during the second batch were: Surigao del Sur’s Cantilan, San Miguel and Lingig; Surigao del Norte’s Del Carmen, General Luna, and San Isidro; the Province of Dinagat Islands’ Dinagat, Basilisa and Tubajon; and Agusan del Norte’s Nasipit.

The main objective of the training was to train remaining highly vulnerable coastal LGUs to develop a local geographic information system which they can use to enhance their disaster preparedness and response capacity, specifically, to produce respective geographical hazard maps towards better decision-making on local development planning and disaster mitigation.     

Geographic Information System (GIS) is an application that integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. It allows the user to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, reports, and charts.

At the end of the training, the participants were able create and print hazard maps of their own municipality showing the areas that are vulnerable to flood, storm surge, tsunami, and other hazards. The Post Evaluation Result also showed a huge increase in their level of understanding or knowledge about the topics. The activity increased the capacity of local government units as frontline stakeholders. Through this training, the LGUs were able to enhance their disaster preparedness and response capacity.

Last year, the same GIS training was given to vulnerable LGUs along the Agusan River Basin, i.e. all 14 LGUs of Agusan del Sur (Bayugan City, Bunawan, Esperanza, La Paz, Loreto, Prosperidad, Rosario, San Francisco, San Luis, Sta. Josefa, Sibagat, Talacogon, Trento and Veruela) along with the province; Butuan City; and Agusan del Norte’s Las Nieves, and Buenavista. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Pamahalaan pinag-aralan ang mga hakbang sa paghanda ng pagdating ng El Nino

Ni David M. Suyao

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Setyembre 4 (PIA) - Nagbigay ng kasiguruhan ang isang opisyal ng Palasyo noong Huwebes na pinag-aralan na ng pamahalaan ang lahat ng opsiyon kung papaano mapababa ang epekto ng El Nino weather phenomenon.

Sa isang panayam sa media sa Malakanyang, sinabi ni Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. na ang mga paghahanda ay ginagawa na para maseguro na ang tagtuyot na dadalhin ng El Nino sa mga darating na buwan ay makakayanan.

"Sa ngayon ay pinag-aaralan na ang mga opsyon at hindi pa naman talaga pumapasok doon sa kritikal na panahon,” sabi ni Secretary Coloma, na pinupuna ang epekto ng El Nino, tulad ng tagtuyot sa mga lugar sa bansa na nagpoproduce ng pagkain, ay inaasahang makakaranas sa huling tatlong buwan ng taong ito hanggang sa unang tatlong buwan ng susunod na taon.

Hinihikayat din niya ang publikona magtipid ng tubig para maagapan ang darating na mga buwan ng tagtuyot.

"Pinaghahandaan ito pero hindi naman kailangang maligalig ang ating mga mamamayan. Kailangang maging handa at magtipid sa paggamit ng tubig dahil nga pumapasok tayo dito sa sitwasyon na maaaring maging matindi ang El NiΓ±o,” sabi niya.

Sinabi ni Coloma na pinag-usapan din ang mga hakbangin para maseguro na ang bansa ay mayroong sapat na suplay ng pagkain.

"Marami pang ibang mga action measures na pinag-aaralan patungkol naman doon sa pagtitiyak na meron tayong sapat na supply ng pagkain at ito ay maaaring makuha ng ating mga mamamayan sa resonableng halaga,” paliwanag niya.

Sinigurado rin ng opisyal ng Palasyo na walang hoarding ng suplay ng pagkain.

"Walang hoarding na magaganap, walang magsasamantala sa sitwasyon na inaasahang maaaring lumubha kapag dumating ang matinding tagtuyot,” sabi niya. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cebuano News: ‘Panambay sa Barangay’ gipahigayon sa lungsod sa Francisco

Ni Mary Jul E. Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 4 (PIA) – Gipahigayon bag-ohay pa lamang ang 'Panambay sa Barangay' didto sa tulo ka mga barangay sa lungsod sa San Francisco ning probinsya.

Ang maong kalihukan gipangulohan ni Gobernador Sol F. Matugas ug dala sa pagbisita sa gobernador mao ang mga serbisyo sa kapitolyo sama sa panambay sa barangay, pakig dayalogo sa mga opisyales sa barangay ug pag apod-apod ug mga food packs sa mga lumulupyo niini.

Unang gibisitahan sa gobernador ang Brgy. Magtangale diin dako gayod ang pagpasalamat ni Punong Brgy. Nestor CompaΓ±a nga nahidangat sa Magtangale ang gobernador.

Gipaabot usab sa punong brgy ang iyang pagpasalamat sa mga proyekto nga ilang nadawat sama na sa day care center, sa tabang pinansyal kantidad P100,000 ug dugang P500,000 alang sa ilang barangay hall.

Aduna pay P27 milyon nga road concreting gikan sa Honrado paingon sa Magtangale.

Sunod nga giduaw sa gobernador mao ang Brgy. Macopa diin ubay-ubay usab ang mga nadawat niining mga proyekto sama sa school stage ug uban pang mga gipaabot niining mga panginahanglan sa maong barangay nga nahatagan ug solusyon.

Katapusang giduaw mao ang Brgy. Honrado diin masadyang gipahigayon ang programa tungod sa ilang giandam nga mga presentasyon apil na ang mga senior citizen ug mga barangay health workers (BHW).


Kauban sa lakaw sa gobernador mao sila Congressman Francisco Matugas, Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr, Board Member Melva Garcia, Victor Borja, Simeon Castrence, Mamerto Galanida, mga kagawad sa San Francisco nga gipanguluhan ni Vice Mayor Edgar Plaza ug ang Team Capitol. (SDR/PIC-SdN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)