Comelec AgNor convenes partners in preparation for
May 2016 Elections
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) - The Commission on
Elections (Comelec) Agusan del Norte spearheaded the recently held Provincial
Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) Pre-Reactivation Command Center
Conference with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National
Police (PNP) and other deputized agencies held at the Social Hall of Cabadbaran
City.
Said activity is aimed to discuss pre-election
preparations, peace and order situation, recent Comelec Resolutions, guidelines
and other security measures, issues and concerns.
"Election is a very important ingredient in a
democratic society and each one of us has the responsibility to ensure that the
conduct of the election will be honest, reliable and peaceful. We also have to
ensure that each vote that the people will cast especially come May 2016
elections shall be the true manifestation of the people's sentiments,"
stressed Cabadbaran City Mayor Dale Corvera, in his welcome message.
Atty. April Joy Balano, Agusan del Norte
Provincial Election Supervisor II bared that the 2016 Elections is set on May
9. Voting will commence at 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. with the use of the
Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machines.
"The campaign period for the local candidates
will start on March 26, 2016. We are reminding our candidates to be fully aware
and conscious of the prohibited acts as mandated by law in relation to the
upcoming elections in May 2016, so as not to violate any of it and to be
disqualified," emphasized Balano.
The good lawyer also disclosed that the Comelec
has set new qualifications for those teachers who will be applying as members
of the Board of Election Inspectors (BEI). "We have already set a new
qualifications for the Board of Election Inspectors comprising teachers from
the Department of Education (DepEd). It will no longer be based on seniority
but based on computer literacy and physical capacity," she bared.
Balano added that as of July 20, 2015, there are
already 386,709 registered voters in the province with biometric data and is
expected to increase since the Comelec offices are still continuously doing
their efforts to register those who are yet to complete their biometrics until
October 31, 2015.
Atty. Francisco Pobe, regional election director
of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Caraga recognized the efforts of the
teachers in the Department of Education (DepEd) who will again serve as
election inspectors in the different barangays come May 2016 elections.
"We would like to reiterate that physical and mental capacity, as well as
literacy on how to operate the computer are the two qualifications to be chosen
as members of the board of election inspectors and not based on seniority.
Let's ensure a safe, credible, peaceful, fair, and successful conduct of the
May 2016 elections," he said.
Also, Nora CL Molde, Information Center Manager of
the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Agusan del Norte prompted that the
agency is very active in disseminating relevant information to the public
especially on updates related to the May 2016 elections.
"As the information arm of the Philippine
government, we believe that disseminating timely, accurate and reliable
information is a public service. As we prepare for the upcoming May 2016
Elections, the Philippine Information Agency will be there to help our people
get updated and we will ensure that their voices will be heard. If you would
like to ask our assistance, the agency is always ready to be of service to you,"
said Molde.
Atty. Aljay Go, Butuan City Prosecutor bared
updates on the type of cases that they are recently working on and ensured its
partners from the government that the Department of Justice (DOJ), together
with the law enforcement agencies will be extending support in line with the
preparations for the 2016 Elections.
Meanwhile, Atty. Samuel Rollo, Butuan City
election officer IV expressed his thanks to all the participating agencies for
their support and cooperation. "We should all together work closely and do
our respective duties and responsibilities to achieve our common goal for the
May 2016 elections, and that is to have it secure, peaceful, and
successful," he said. (JPG/ PIA-Caraga)
USAID PH turns over education, health facilities
in Tacloban
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) – The United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) chief strategy officer Carla
Koppell joined by USAID Philippines’ new mission director Susan Brems will have
their first time visit in Tacloban City today to lead the turn-over of
education and health facilities as part of the U.S. government’s rehabilitation
efforts in areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda.
Both USAID officials will lead the inauguration of
the newly constructed five-classroom building in Panalaron Central School, the
tuberculosis-directly observed treatment, short course and birthing facility at
the Diit Health Center.
Also, they are set to visit a community where
USAID’s U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, in partnership with
Catholic Relief Services, constructed transitional shelters for 130 households.
To date, the U.S. government has provided
approximately $143 million to help the Philippines respond to and recover from
the devastating effects of Typhoon Yolanda.
Tacloban City officials led by Mayor Alfred
Romualdez are expected to participate in the activities. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga DOLE RCC celebrates family day 2015
By Jean Pearl I. Millones
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) - The Department of
Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga along with its attached agencies gleefully
concluded the Regional Coordinating Council’s (RCC's) Family Week at K Beach,
Caasinan, Cabadbaran City on September 30, 2015.
The activity was intended to uphold and enhance
the Behavioral Dimension of the department and the agencies under its umbrella
targeting the religious, social, skill-building, artistry and sportsmanship
aspect of all its employees and staff in due accordance to their gender roles.
In observance to the memorandum Circular No. 09
series of 2015 issued by the DSWD, the 5 in 1 Strategic Approach in Enhancement
of Behavioral Dimension with Gender Perspective cum Family Day gathered
together some 120 employees of the DOLE RCC from all over the region including
the provincial offices of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte,
Surigao del Sur and Dinagat Islands.
Fulfilling the religious dimension of the affair,
participants joined in the celebration of the Holy Mass presided by the Vicar
of the Parish of Cabadbaran. Flaunting the beauty and grace of each agency, a
parade of team colors led by the captains and their muses hyped up the
activity.
The teams were color coded with Red for the DOLE
Region and its Provincial Offices, Blue for Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), and Pink for the Offices of National Reintegration
Center for OFWs (NRCO), Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), Philippine
Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Occupational Safety and Health
Center (OSHC) and the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), Yellow for
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Green for National Labor
Relations Commission (NLRC) and Orange for National Conciliation And Mediation
Board (NCMB) and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB). The muses and captains represented each team
in the Search for Mr. and Ms. DOLE RCC 2015 that brought entertainment and
excitement to the event, with team Red’s muse and Blue team’s captain hailed as
the Mr. and Ms. DOLE RCC 2015.
Showcasing the talents and flair of DOLE family,
the six teams energetically performed a production number. Having exceptionally
displayed their feat, the NLRC were awarded as the best in presentation by the
jurors.
Continuing its fun-packed atmosphere, an array of
games from mental to physical spawned a cheerful and youthful vibe to the
event.
Evidently, the bliss that surfaced during the
event demonstrated the intensity of convergence of the CARAGA DOLE RCC. A joint
undertaking in achieving an enhancement of oneself geared towards providing a
high-quality public service. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DOH Caraga on close watch for possible spur of
dengue cases
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 2 (PIA) - The Department of
Health (DOH) Caraga is continuously monitoring the possible increase of dengue
cases around the region.
Reports from the Regional Epidemiology and
Surveillance Unit shows that a total of 2,899 cases were admitted to different
disease reporting units region wide from January to September, 2015. This is 54
percent lower compared to the same time period last year cases (6,304). The
report also revealed that there are about 202 cases reported for the month of
September in which most cases come from Agusan del Sur (46 cases), followed by
Butuan City (43 cases) and Bayugan City (32 cases).
DOH Caraga assistant regional director Cesar C.
Cassion explained that although these numbers are significantly low compared to
the cases recorded in 2014, the public is continuously urged to exercise
preventive measures to combat dengue.
There are practical tips to ensure a mosquito-free
environment. The basic strategy is to search and destroy mosquito breeding
sites such as emptying stagnant water. Self-protection measures such as using a
mosquito net or mosquito repellant may also help.
Dengue is caused by the bite of an infected female
aedes aegypti mosquito. It may be fatal if not instantly managed. Incubation
period is from four to ten days once bitten. The most common symptoms include
High fever, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, swollen glands, muscle and
joint pain, and skin rash.
"Our initiative is not enough unless the
community cooperates with us. With the constant reminder of emptying standing
water as breeding habitats, wearing of appropriate and protective clothing,
scheduling of outdoor activities, allowing fogging when there is an impending
outbreak, using mosquito repellants and staying in screened areas will surely
advance us from this appalling bite," Cassion concluded.
(DOH-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
