(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 24 April 2024) Easterlies affecting the country. 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 Easterlies/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 East to Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Monday, October 5, 2015

Sen. TG Guingona calls on PNP, AFP to bring “swift justice” for lumad victims

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 5 (PIA) – Senator “TG” Guingona has called on both the PNP and the AFP here to bring “swift justice” for the brutal murder of Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Bello Sinzo on September 1, 2015.

Guingona, together with Sen. Koko Pimentel, had conducted the historic senate inquiry of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights Subcommittee joint with the Committee on Cultural Communities in aid of legislation in the city on October 1 and 2.

Both senators had tried their best to hear all sides of the story from concerned resource persons starting from lumad leaders, clergies, PNP, AFP and other personalities who could shed light, particularly on the recent lumad killings.

Guingona indicated that the task at hand was already with the PNP and the AFP since the respective warrants of arrest against the three suspects Bobby Tejero, Loloy Tejero, and Garito Layno were issued on September 22, 2015.

A joint Task Force Bangkaw for the PNP and AFP had likewise been created to hunt down the suspects who were charged of three counts of murder, arson, grave coercion, and robbery, it was learned.

Meanwhile, the good senator expressed belief that the lumads, some 3,000 of them, who continue to take shelter at the Surigao del Sur Sports Center would only return home if they are assured of their security and safety in their place of abode. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


SurSur BFAR chief admits need to step up info-dissemination effort on new fisheries law

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 5 (PIA) – The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), this province, admitted fisher folk here have yet to know about the amended Fisheries Code of 1998.

Dionelo Perocho, provincial fisheries officer (PFO), said preparation had been underway for the strict implementation of Republic Act 10654, citing a two-day activity would be exclusively held among their ranks in Butuan City on October 7-8, 2015.

The BFAR provincial chief explained that “Joint Mobile Registration and Licensing (JMRL)” would be taken up, adding that its primary purpose would be “to register unregistered and unlicensed constructed fishing vessel in Fisheries e-licensing System (FeLiS).”

It would definitely “prevent and eliminate illegal Unreported and Unregistered Fishing (IUUF),” Perocho remarked.

Meanwhile, the BFAR here claimed it had been doing its best to assist fisher folk province-wide in whatever intervention their agency could give.

Perocho made available their 2015 Accomplishment Report, indicating figures on the number of stakeholders’ consultations conducted; technology demonstrations made; strengthening partnership with stakeholders undertaken, and the like. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DepEd Butuan City to add more classrooms for senior high school program

By Glen B. Pacot

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) - As part of the preparations for the implementation of the Senior High School (SHS) Program in 2016, the Department of Education (DepEd) – Butuan City Division will be adding several classrooms for the senior high school program (SHS) this year.

Just recently, DepEd officials led the ground breaking of two-storey and multi-purpose building at Taligaman National High School (TNHS) in Barangay Taligaman witnessed by various stakeholders.

 “The conduct of the event serves as the right avenue to show the spirit of partnership among various stakeholders,” said Division Engr. Nichael Madria.

The building will be occupied by the present G10 students and past high school graduates who are willing to enroll Grade 11 Senior High School (SHS) wherein TNHS is geared to offer vocational courses in the school year 2016 -2 017.

DepEd Butuan School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) interim chief Dr. Ana P. Lasco witnessed the ceremony and addressed the issues concerning the K to 12 Curriculum. She also assured the public that all these efforts are directed for the full implementation of the K to 12 Program.

“As Filipinos, we should not let ourselves left behind,” she added. She also encouraged the community to help in the SHS advocacy for the good of the students. (DepEd Butuan City/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


DAR hands 1,715 hectares of land to SurSur farmers

By Joie L. Ceballos

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) - A total of 1,715 hectares of agricultural land were distributed by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) led by regional director Julita Ragandang with Hinatuan Mayor Candelario Viola, last October 2, 2015 in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

In a ceremonial distribution of certificate of land title awards (CLOA), 802 farmers from Barangays Talisay, Portlamon, Cambatong and Pocto, became landowners.

In his message, Mayor Viola challenged the farmers to make use of the land. He added that the land has its social function to serve its purpose to the people.

Viola called upon DAR to continue its efforts for the beneficiaries, to help them develop their lands, to fully serve its purpose and realize the dreams of agrarian reform.

In Hinatuan, 8,256 hectares were already distributed to around 3,792 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Ragandang meanwhile explained that agrarian reform works beyond land distribution by providing legal services and other support services to beneficiaries. “We have various support services to help you maximize the potentials of your area, and improve your production and income,” she said. She further continued to challenge the farmers in strengthening their organizations as organizational maturity is one major criterion in providing support to the farmers.

“Make your lands productive, pay the necessary taxes, and contribute to the positive growth of your locality and our region,” she continued.

Also in the ceremony were Vice Mayor Cristinal Camba, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Benjamin Mataksil, Provincial Assessor Edwin Acevedo, Sanguniang Bayan Members Antipas Telewik and Orlando Villaluz. (DAR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DTI Surigao Norte joins Consumer Month celeb 2015

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 5 (PIA) – The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here joined the month-long Consumer Month celebration, this whole month of October.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community," which aims to create awareness of the public on the potential impact to the consuming public of the ASEAN economic integration that will fully implemented by December this year.

Among the activities to be conducted and to be participated by various business establishments in the city are quiz bowl contest, ‘bantay bilihin’ briefing with high school students of the Caraga Regional Science High School, christmas lights products and price tag monitoring and consumers forum with the National Consumers Affairs Council.

The nationwide celebration will be spearheaded by the National Consumers Affairs Council (NCAC) as mandated by the Presidential Proclamation No. 1098.

The NCAC is created by virtue of Republic Act 7394, otherwise known as the “Consumer Act of the Philippines,” to improve the management, coordination and effectiveness of the national consumer welfare programs. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DENR 13 conducts learning event to strengthen, capacitate new admin personnel of field offices

By Johny S. Natad

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 5 (PIA) - Seventy-five newly-appointed and designated personnel in the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) and Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) offices took a one-day Learning Event on the Strengthening and Capacity Building of the Newly Appointed and Designated Personnel under the Administrative Services held at DENR Regional Learning Center recently.

DENR Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Management Services Engr. Paquito D. Melicor, Jr. stressed the importance of this kind of learning event which aims to capacitate the new personnel in effectively managing administrative function considering the new staffing pattern in the field offices in the light of the full implementation of the Department’s rationalization plan.

“This learning event is very timely considering that most personnel are newly appointed and newly designated to handle administrative matters. In order to ensure standard implementation of the functions and duties, it is imperative to have this kind of activity,” ARD Melicor said.

Among the topics discussed during the learning session focused on administrative concerns particularly on cashiering, general services, procurement, human resources development, and personnel matters.

“Some objectives of the one-day learning event is to enable the learners to discuss and apply the procedures, rules and regulations of the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184); prepare the Program Process Management Plan (PPMP); recognize and perform the step-by-step process flow of the different activities of the administrative services; explain how to correctly fill-up the different prescribed forms/ matrix of the administrative services; and assist the personnel of their respective office on the human resources development (HRD) related matters,” Johanna A. Aguilar, OIC Chief of Human Resources Development Section said.

The participants of this learning event from PENROs were the management services division chiefs, HRM officers, supply officers, cashiers and designated property custodians while from CENROs were records officers, credit officers and designated focal persons for personnel, property, and supply and procurement. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Feature: Make fruits and vegetables part of your plate

By Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso

Eating well-balanced meals is usually ignored and neglected due to busy schedules in school or workplace.

Eating a variety of foods is a key to good health as no single food can supply all the nutrients needed by the body.

One has more chances of getting all the nutrients needed by eating a variety of foods.

Filling half of the plate with vegetables and fruits offers lots of benefits such as important sources of vitamins, minerals, and fiber phytonutrients.

Fibers are mostly found in vegetables and fruits. Regular intake of soluble fiber enables the body to absorb minerals like calcium and magnesium. Fiber also helps manage one’s weight.

Phytochemicals or phytonutrients are found in plants, particularly vegetables.

Examples of phytochemicals are lycopene in tomatoes, anthocyanins in bell peppers and flavonoids in broccoli. Bright-colored vegetables generally contain most phytonutrients.

Let us eat more fruits and vegetables to supply the body with enough vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals that help fight illness like cancer.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos: 837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.  Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)


Fire guts business complex in Tandag City

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 5 (PIA) – A two-storey building with four adjoining business establishments had been burned to the ground when a fire broke out at Donasco St. corner F. Rodriguez St., this city, at about 4:45 a.m. on October 4, 2015, according to FO3 Nick Rocha, Tandag City Fire Station investigator.

He said duty firefighters led by FO2 Dennis Frias immediately responded on board the Isuzu Forward Firetruck No.1 driven by FO2 Jonnel Japson upon receipt of a call from a certain Rogelio Yubengsing.

Another fire truck driven by FO1 Christopher Villarica with other nozzlemen followed a little while.

Also, a third fire truck from Cagwait Fire Station, 34.5 kilometers down south, with six firefighters on board, while on its way to catch up to help, unfortunately, met an accident  along the national highway of Sitio Hinayhayan, Barangay Bacolod, Cagwait town at around 5:40 a.m.

The Nissan fire truck driven by FO1 Jerrold Mejores had been reported to have failed to move upward the steep incline portion of the road, resulting to move back and rolled over until it fell on a cliff.  No one among its crew, who were all brought to Adela Serra-Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC) here, was seriously injured, according to SFO1 Rogelio Secarro, chief, BFP Provincial Station Intelligence Investigation branch.

It took the firefighters about four hours to declare fire out or at about 8:58 a.m.

Meanwhile, investigators placed the initial damage at P3 million for all the Hardware & Electrical Supply, LPG Dealer/Gases, and School & Office Supply of the YBS Shopworld, Inc. owned by King Yubengsing, including the Mi Amore Resto Bar & Family KTV, whose owner was identified as Marcelyn Galindo. The investigation had been ongoing as to the cause of the fire.

It was learned that a certain Rogelio Yubengsing & Family were said to be occupying the place.

Based on 2015 BFP official record, this latest fire incident was the 41st to occur in the province. (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Feature: Some cheaper veggies are more nutritious

By Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso

During holiday season, you enjoyed the smell and taste of delicious dishes like ham, lechon, crispy pata, morcon, salads, and many others. All these foods are loaded with fats and oils. Now, it is time you shift into low-fat and low-calorie foods. Vegetables, legumes, and dried beans are good alternatives to high-fat and high-calorie foods.

Based on the 2003 Food Consumption Survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-DOST, the intake for vegetables is 111 grams per capita per day. This includes 31 grams of green leafy and yellow vegetables and 80 grams of other vegetables. The consumption of Filipinos for vegetables increased by five grams only, from 106 grams per capita per day in 1993 to 111 grams per capita per day in 2003.

Vegetables are served with meals as viands or salads. These are plants or their parts such as roots, tubers, bulbs, stems, shoots, leaves, fruits and flowers. These can be used raw or cooked, served generally as entrΓ©e, dessert or salads. Vegetables may be classified into green leafy and yellow vegetables and other vegetables.

Green leafy and yellow vegetables contain B-carotene which is converted to vitamin A for normal vision and smooth skin. These are the most easily available and inexpensive sources of pro-vitamin A. Examples are the leaves of alugbati, ampalaya, kalabasa, kangkong, and gabi. The greener or the deeper their yellow color, the higher the pro-vitamin A content.

Other vegetables like talong and sayote also contain vitamins and minerals but in smaller amounts compared to green leafy and yellow vegetables.

Here are some facts to remember when planning vegetable dishes for your family:

·   Malunggay leaves have more pro-vitamin A than petsay, kangkong, saluyot, and kamote tops; and carrot more than squash fruit.

·   Squash, malunggay, petsay, kangkong, kamote tops, ampalaya leaves and squash fruit have more pro-vitamin A than other vegetables like cabbage, okra, sayote, and eggplant.

·   Malunggay leaves, petsay, kangkong and talbos ng kamote are cheaper and more nutritious than cabbage.

·   Malunggay leaves, alugbati and squash are rich in vitamin C for fast healing of wounds and absorption of iron although the amount contained is not as much as that in citrus fruits like dalandan and oranges.

Nutrient losses in vegetables are great. Careful storing, cooking and preserving of vegetables help retain their nutritive value, flavor and color.  If vegetables are kept for long periods of time at high temperature and in a dry atmosphere, the losses of vitamin C, in particular, are great. Fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K degrade at high temperatures in the presence of oxygen. Storing at lower temperature reduces degradation rate or loss of said vitamins.

Nutritionists and health professionals recommend consuming two to three servings of vegetables daily, one of which should come from the green leafy or yellow vegetable group. One serving of leafy vegetables or other vegetables is equivalent to one half cup, cooked.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos: 837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.  Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST/PIA-Caraga)


Feature: Feast on vegetables for body cleansing

By Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso

Do you get tired of eating too much festive foods like lechon, mechado, fried chicken, salads during celebrations?

You may want to shift from meat to veggies to get rid of some body toxins.

Vegetables are important sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Fibers are mostly found in vegetables and fruits. Regular intake of soluble fiber enables the body to absorb minerals like calcium and magnesium. Fiber also helps manage one’s weight.

Phytochemicals or phytonutrients are found in plants, particularly vegetables. Examples of these are lycopene in tomatoes, anthocyanins in bell peppers and flavonoids in broccoli. Bright colored vegetables generally contain most phytonutrients.

By eating vegetables, there are low chances of weight gain, improved teeth and bone structure, increased body resistance against infection, and reduced risk of having diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Experts say one needs three to four servings of vegetables daily. Recommended servings for vegetables also vary depending on age and lifestyle as shown below:

Age Group                                                     Recommended Servings

                                                                           of Vegetables

- Older persons, adults,                             - At least 3 servings*

   lactating women                                     

- Teenage boys and girls                           - At least 3 servings*

- Growing kids (1-12 years old)                - At least 3 servings*


Source: FNRI’s Daily Nutritional Guide Pyramid for Filipinos

*One serving of leafy vegetables=1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked

 One serving of other vegetables=1/2 cup raw or 1 cup cooked

Remember the 3rd message of the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF): “Eat more vegetables and fruits everyday to get the essential vitamins, minerals and fiber for regulation of body processes.”


For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos: 837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.  Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNIR-DOST/PIA-Caraga)