AFP, ACE members discuss peace & development
initiatives for lumads in SurSur
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 8 (PIA) – In a special meeting
of the Association of Caraga Executives (ACE) held on Wednesday at Camp
Bancasi, this city, its members together with the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) discussed peace and development initiatives for the lumad
community in Surigao del Sur.
ACE president and Department of Budget and
Management (DBM) Caraga regional director Achilles Gerard Bravo bared that said
meeting is sponsored by the 4ID Phillipine Army thru commander MGen. Oscar
Lactao. "We will plan for the improvement of the facilities in Surigao del
Sur area thru the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and other
government agencies concerned. The ACE members will give its contribution on
how to better help the lumads in the area," he said.
"We will merge our programs and services so
when the evacuees in Surigao del Sur return to their homes, they will have
something to get from the government that will help them regain the trust and
confidence that they lost due to the wrong doings of the New People’s Army
(NPAs) in their respective areas," added Bravo.
When asked about the status of the senate hearing
on the alleged killing incident involving lumads in Surigao del Sur, MGen.
Lactao disclosed that they were able to express their side to the senators who
investigated the alleged killings of lumads in Surigao del Sur. "Truth
will prevail. There are ex-NPAs who are now fighting against the active NPAs
and we do not condemn them because they are now supporting the government,"
expressed Lactao.
The said official also reiterated that the
military will continuously do its best with integrity to protect the people.
"I assure our people that the Philippine Army are professionals and we are
doing our very best to protect the lives of our people. We take the challenges
as we will continue to promote peace and security especially in the conflict
areas," expressed Lactao.
"The Association of Caraga Executives (ACE)
is strongly supporting the military on its peace and development efforts
because we are working as one for this government. Let's work hand-in-hand to
stop the conflicts between the NPA/CPP/NDF and tribal groups," supported
director Bravo.
Bravo further emphasized that the one percent
intended for the lumad tribe should not only be given or benefit one chieftain
but the whole lumad community. The expenses incurred for the one percent should
also be liquidated with corresponding documents. "They should be able to
practice transparency within the organization,” he said.
Meanwhile, regional director Abner Caga of the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga raised several issues and concerns
to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Caraga regional
director Atty. Pinky Grace Pareja-Pabelic. He also clarified the functions of
NCIP and its limitations since there are those people blaming the said office
when it comes to the lack of supervision and implementation of the programs and
services for the IP communities.
NCIP Caraga regional director Atty. Pabelic then
stated that they are open in integrating to specific projects the establishment
of educational system in the conflict affected areas and incorporate curriculum
intended for IPs.
It was also learned that the ACE members will be
scheduling a service caravan in Surigao del Sur to help the lumads and assess,
monitor their condition in the area.
The members also witnessed the presentation of
accomplishments report of PIA-Caraga relative to the communication intervention
and support provided to the AFP. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DENR leads coastal clean-up in AgNor
By Eric Herson F. Gallego
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 8 (PIA) - More than 100 people
from the different organizations, the national government agencies headed by
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga Regional
Office, and the municipal government of Carmen and Nasipit in Agusan del Norte
have conducted clean-up activities on the coast of Barangay Bolihon in Carmen
to usher the celebration of the International Coastal Clean Up Day recently.
CENR Officer for Nasipit Norman Asugan and Agusan del Norte PENRO
Paterno Olivera led the coastal clean-up which started at 6 a.m. at the Bolihon
Beach as the participants pick up debris that were swept ashore by the tides.
Among other trashes found ashore are rubber sandals, slippers, plastic bottles,
palm leaves, plastic wrappers, straws, wine bottles among others.
“Coastal clean-up has always been a regular activity
of DENR on September of each year and each time, we always find piles of trash
on the shores,” PENRO Olivera said. “I
wish the residents along the coast would volunteer initiatives that will
protect our seas,” he said.
The theme of the celebration of the 2015
International Coastal Clean Up is “Our Place, Our Planet and Our
Responsibility.” It highlights that the activity taken by every community and
volunteers’ partaking in the clean-up –has a global impact.
Coastal Clean-Up relates to a clean and healthy
ocean. The problem of trash continues to pose a challenge when it comes to
clean and healthy oceans.
Trash in the water may affect the health of
humans, wildlife, and the livelihoods that depend on a healthy ocean. It can
also pose to the tourism industry and recreation and the income that a local
community can get from foreign visitors.
The DENR is always taking bold actions in working
to stop as soon as possible the flow of trash at the source before it has a
chance to reach the water to pollute the sea waters and in effect choke and
entangle dolphins and giant sea turtles, or ruin our beaches and depress our
local economies. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DTI releases P2 Million micro-enterprise project
to Surigao Norte town
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 8 (PIA) –
The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has
released recently a total of P2 million to the municipality of Dapa under the
Bottoms Up Budgeting (BUB) Project.
Among the beneficiaries of the said project are
the seven sub-projects under the Rural Micro-Enterprise Development (RUMEPP)
Program previously assisted by DTI in selected barangays of the said
municipality.
These projects are managed by the different
organizations like women, youth, farmers, and even senior citizens.
These micro-enterprise and alternative livelihood
projects are expected to significantly increase family income and eventually
reduce poverty incidence in rural communities.
Dapa Mayor Yulie Yangson Ruaya during the
hand-over ceremony was thankful to DTI Surigao del Norte headed by provincial
director Celestino L. Negapatan for the support in facilitating the release of
the said project fund that will be used to help local micro-entrepreneurs in
the municipality.
Mayor Ruaya also committed their full support on
the project implementation emphasizing that the target beneficiaries have to be
closely supervised to ensure that the fund will be utilized on its intended
purpose. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
