(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).


Monday, October 19, 2015

PIA, DA Caraga launch “AgriVisory” Text Blasting Campaign on Climate Change

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 19 (PIA) – In time with the 8th Agricultural Extension Workers' Congress by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga held on Friday at the Almont Hotel's Inland Resort here, the department in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga launched the “AgriVisory” Text Blasting Campaign on Climate Change.

DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza commended the initiative of PIA through regional director Abner Caga in its information dissemination thru textblast operation.

“The PIA Caraga has been our partner in disseminating our programs and services to the public, and now is another milestone for us to further strengthen our good working relationship. This time, they will be sending our daily “AgriVisory” to our farmer-beneficiaries in the different provinces thru PIA’s textblast,” remarked Mabeza.

Mabeza also expressed her optimism that through this effort, many of its famer-beneficiaries will be updated daily and will spread the good news to co-farmers in their respective community.

Also, on behalf of regional director Abner Caga, deputy regional director Fryan Abkilan thanked the department for the continued partnership and utilization of the agency’s daily advocacy.

“The PIA’s textblast is one of our many platforms to inform the public of the government’s programs and services. It is designed to boost public service by sending news and information through text messaging free of charge,” disclosed Abkilan.

Abkilan further revealed that the PIA Caraga is the first region to implement this platform, with the objective to automate and expedite its operations, specifically the dissemination of advisories, news and warnings to the national and local government officials, police, military personnel, barangay officials, media and the general public.  

During the congress and ceremonial sending of textblast, participants received several agri tips sent to their registered cellphone numbers from PIA.

Meanwhile, all the participants were able to view and download thru their smartphones the PIA Caraga’s latest innovation – the One Mindanao mobile application, where the textblasts are also posted real time.

“Aside from our textblast, our mobile app is also a life-saving app that provides tips that will also help people better-ride out a disaster. It is a learning tool for preparedness for individuals, their families, and entire communities before, during, and after disasters. And by recognizing an emergency quickly, you give a person a better chance to survive. In PIA, we always value the information we receive, no matter how small it is,” stressed Abkilan. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


DA gathers agri workers in Butuan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 19 (PIA) – Some 800 participants comprising the provincial/city/municipal agriculturists, veterinarians and agricultural extension workers in the region convened on Friday for this year's 8th Agricultural Extension Workers' Congress and World Food day celebration held at Almont Hotel's Inland Resort, this city.

Said activity was spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 13 through regional director Edna Mabeza.

Dir. Mabeza disclosed that through the congress, the agricultural extension workers were able to know the latest trends in agricultural technology, as well as create new strategies and techniques that would immediately address the needs of the farmers and fisherfolks especially in times of disasters brought about by the effects of Climate Change.

"The farmers are the most affected vulnerable sector when it comes to Climate Change that is why it is very important for us to discuss more initiatives and strategies to help them," she said.

Mabeza also recognized the presence of all the participants from the different provinces of the region. "I am very happy to see that you are very interested to participate in this activity we have today for it manifests your dedication to your job and tasks as agricultural extension workers. Let us apply what we will learn from this congress so we can be a better public servants especially to the most vulnerable sectors - the farmers and fisherfolks," she expressed.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rowena B. Baconguis, director of the Institute of Governance and Rural Development of the University of the Philippines in Los BaΓ±os and the event's guest speaker, emphasized that the government is doing its best to provide the needed services and programs for the agricultural sector. According to her, mainstreaming climate change is essential to achieve resilient farming households and farms. Mainstreaming in the sense of integrating climate change into the agricultural extension sysem from the national to the local government units.

"Part of the government's adaptation strategies on climate change include the agriculture subsidy and support management, private insurance, and resource management program," added Baconguis.

This year's 8th Agricultural Extension Workers' Congress is anchored on the theme "Social Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty." (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


DTI releases P2M BUB fund to Bayugan City

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Oct. 19 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Agusan del Sur has released a total of P2 Million Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) funds to Bayugan City recently at the City Hall of Bayugan City, this province.

The fund released is intended for four projects namely; Balut Production, One Town One Product (OTOP) Pinoy Express, Supply Distribution for Electrical Supply Chain and Cassava Processing for P500,000.00 each.  These projects are expected to create 39 enterprises, 64 jobs and has project total annual domestic sales of P3.5 Million.

The turnover ceremony was attended by the respective beneficiaries of the projects, City Mayor’s representative Rodel Versalote, DTI provincial director Lolita I. Dorado, and other BUB stakeholders. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Caraga)


530 farmers undergo CARP orientation

By Daryll M. Tumbaga

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 19 (PIA) – A total of 530 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) underwent orientation on their roles, rights and responsibilities as Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program beneficiaries.

The provincial office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Surigao del Norte through its Program Beneficiaries Development Division conducted the said orientation from October 6 to 9, 2015.

The orientation was conducted by batches and was attended by ARBs coming from six barangays of Tubajon and four barangays of Loreto, in the province of Dinagat Islands.

During the orientation, the ARBS were familiarized on their rights as small farmers and they were also made to understand that it is important for them to have themselves registered with a DAR-assisted cooperative because through these organizations they can access government support, and likewise oriented on their rights and privileges as a member of a cooperative.

Most importantly, the attendees were also oriented of the important roles that farmers play in their communities and the country. (SDR/DAR-SdN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


100th Negosyo Center launched in Dinagat Islands

By Rose Sheena N. Arnibal

SAN JOSE, Province of Dinagat Islands, Oct. 19 (PIA) – The 100th Negosyo Center in the country is launched in Barangay Sta. Cruz, this municipality last September 30, 2015.  It is a full service center with adequate facility for entrepreneurs to do business research, avail of business counselling and many other business development services.  

Director Dorecita Delima, Negosyo Center National Program Manager, considered the launching of the island’s Negosyo Center a milestone being the 100th center established in the country since 2014.  She asked the stakeholders particularly the private sector, local government units and the academe in Dinagat Islands to be active partners in sustaining the center.  She also added that unique local products can also be assisted by the center through Product Development and Market Promotion. 

“Kung gaano kaganda ang ating physical space ay ganun din kaganda ang serbisyo sa ating Negosyo Center," says Luke Buniel, Program Officer from the Office of the Senator Bam Aquino.  He expressed high hopes on the benefits and services the center can provide to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.  He highlighted access to market and finance as among the needs to be addressed by the center.

Buniel added that the establishment of Negosyo Centers around the country is just one of the many advocacies of Senator Bam Aquino to address poverty through inclusive growth specifically in the countryside.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Dinagat Islands officer-in-charge Arnold D. Faelnar expressed his confidence on th role of the Negosyo Center in the promotion and development of the local industries of San Jose and the province as well.  He mentioned mineral, aquaculture and marine resources, agriculture and ecotourism as among the business opportunities for both local and foreign investors that can be served by the Center.

“A strong partnership would go a long way for the successful operation of the San Jose Negosyo Center," says OIC Faelnar. 

He asked all stakeholders for their commitment to the program. He also emphasized the challenge of putting together the resources and expertise of all stakeholders in order to maximize the use of the facility.  (DTI-PDI/PIA-Caraga)


449 file COCs province-wide in SurSur

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 19 (PIA) – A total of 449 candidates have filed their respective certificates of candidacy (COCs) for various elective posts at different COMELEC offices here province-wide during the five-day filing period on October 12-16.

Of that number, 31, 52, and 366 are respective aspirants for public office at the provincial, city, and municipal levels.

Except for the congressional seat in the second district which was highly anticipated by many as a one-on-one duel, all of the plum posts for gubernatorial, vice-gubernatorial, as well as the representative for the first district would be a three-cornered fight, based on the COMELEC tally.

Governor Johnny Pimentel and second district board member Conrad Cejoco, both incumbents, would be vying for the lone seat as solon in the second district.

The candidates who filed their COC as representative for District I include former congressman Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr., former Tago mayor Gregorio Murillo, Jr., plus a virtual unknown, Emecita RebaΓ±o.

Former governor, now Carrascal mayor Vicente Pimentel, Jr. wanted to make a comeback as the highest official of the province but second district representative Florencio Garay and Joseph Arniego had stood in the way also for the gubernatorial seat.

As for vice-governor, incumbent vice-governor Manuel Alameda, Sr. will slug it out against two Murillos—Anecito and Bemmy.  

The rest, 20 of them, had made their bid for the 10-seat provincial board, five seats each for the two congressional districts.

Of all the number of candidates for board members, only seven belong to the first district while 13 hail from the second.

For the first district, all incumbent administration board members would want to seek for another term—Dr.  Mariano Atacador, Henrich Pimentel, Teresita Donasco, Eleanor Momo, and Glenn Plaza.  But Alfredo Cantalejo and Cesar Bat-ao also went to the poll body to join the bout.

Likewise, the aspirants who filed their respective COCs for board members in the second district include incumbents Mary Grace Lim and Donell Polizon for the administration joined in by Napoleon Velez, Raul Millan and Mario Alvizo.

The rest who intended to join the fray are Gervacio Morgado, Domingo De Castro, Raineria Nazareno, Isagani Onsing, Florio Josafat, Jr., Apolinario Suan, Socrates Conde, and Otilio Abaya, Jr.

The administration Liberal Party (LP) here was said to be the dominant one, it was learned. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA Surigao del Sur)