Grains Industry Week celebration in SurSur underway
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 23 (PIA) – The
“Grains Industry Week” celebration in Surigao del Sur being spearheaded by the
National Food Authority (NFA) is currently underway.
According to Rolando Sindo, NFA officer-in-charge
(OIC), this started on September 21 and will culminate in the agency’s 43rd
anniversary celebration on September 25.
With the theme “Seguridad sa Pagkain, Tungkulin
Natin,” the activities had been organized “to open awareness to all our people
the importance of food security and quality,” he said.
Stakeholders and representatives of national
government agencies as well as the youths had been invited to take part to
“showcase their role and significance in the food security value chain,” Sindo
added.
The NFA provincial chief pointed out that “these
activities encourage individuals and stakeholders to be a ‘food guardian,’”
defining it as “making rice available, accessible, affordable and safe for the
public.”
Sindo explained that since Monday, volunteers had
been allowed to take ‘selfies’ and to upload their photos on their respective
social media account carrying the caption “I AM A FOOD GUARDIAN,” saying its
purpose was to “share their photos on food guardian site with the hashtag
#1for100iNFAntry.”
An “OPEN WAREHOUSE” had been ongoing as part of
the weeklong event, citing that “all will be able to enter the warehouse to
take a glimpse inside,” he also said.
Taking “photos with rice stocks pile as the
background to be uploaded on their social media accounts with the hastag
#INGATYAMANNGPAGKAINPILIPINO
#NFAOPENWAREHOUSE” had been allowed, it was learned.
Meanwhile, the NFA here bared that they received a
total allocation of 84,960 bags with local rice at 2,835 bags and imported ones
at 76,030 bags for the period September 19-21, 2015. (Radyo ng
Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Feature: High incidence of domestic violence in PH
affects work and workers, study finds
QUEZON CITY, Sept. 23 (PIA) – One in five
respondents reported personal experience with domestic violence (DV) at some
point in their life, the Philippines’ first ever national survey on the impact
of domestic violence on workers and in workplaces released today revealed.
An additional 20% of respondents knew someone at
work who had experienced domestic violence.
Jointly launched by Philippine unions, Trade Union
Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Sentro ng
mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) and the International Trade
Union Confederation-Asia Pacific (ITUC-AP), the Philippine online survey looks
at the experiences of workers with domestic violence and how violence affects
their work, attendance, performance, and safety at work, not only for those
directly affected by the violence, but also their co-workers.
ITUC-AP general secretary Noriyuki Suzuki stressed
that the survey, just like all the other union-initiated workplace surveys in
Australia, New Zealand, Canada, UK and Turkey, “reflects similar hard data and
evidence regarding the clear and strong link between gender-based violence
(GBV), workers’ safety and work performance.”
Other key findings from the survey include one in
five (21%) respondents reported experiencing various forms of domestic
violence, including emotional/psychological (74%), physical (37%) and
harassment (17%), mostly from their husbands (46%), wives (13%), partners
(21%), boyfriends (11%) or girlfriends (6%).
Nearly 84% of those who had experienced domestic
violence reported that the violence affected their attendance at work (being
late, missing work, or both), the report said.
One in two (54%) of those who experienced domestic
violence, reported that the violence continued at or near the workplace in the
form of abusive phone calls or text messages (33%) or stalking or harassment
outside the workplace (16%).
About 75% reported that DV affected their work
performance as they were unwell (45%), distracted (41%), injured (23%) and
tired (18%) from the DV.
A total of 62% of the respondents who reported
knowing someone at work who had experienced domestic violence said that their
co-workers’ ability to work were similarly affected, due to being distracted
(66%), unwell (43%), tired (31%), or injured from the domestic violence (27%).
Domestic violence also affected the well-being of
other employees. Over 55% of respondents said that co-workers were stressed or
concerned about the abusive situation (34%), their work load increased, their
schedules were changed (15%), or caused conflict and tension with co-workers
(14%).
One in three respondents (34%) who had experienced
domestic violence reported that their abuser was employed in the same
workplace.
Nearly 74% of respondents who reported knowing
someone at work who had experienced DV reported that their co-worker’s DV
experience affected them [respondents], too – they were stressed or concerned about the abusive
situation (45%), DV caused conflict and tension between them (19%), and their
work was affected, e.g., increased workload (15%).
One in two (53%) of those who had experienced DV
discussed the violence with somebody at work; with co-workers (88%),
managers/supervisors (51%), union (38%), or human resources (35%). “Privacy”
(40%), “fear of being judged” (22%), or “felt embarrassed or ashamed” (18%)
were major reasons for not disclosing their experience with anyone at work.
Worse, one in ten (10%) of domestic violence
victims indicated they had lost their job as a result of DV, while one in five
(21%) experienced discrimination from the employer as a result of discussing
their DV experience.
Of the domestic workers (kasambahay) respondents,
30% had personally experienced various forms of abuse either from current or
former employers or member of their household, often in the form of
psychological or emotional abuse (e.g., calling names), sexual and physical
abuse, harassment and coercion. Some respondents have been abused both at home
(by family) and by their employers.
“The results of this study are loud and clear -
domestic violence is a workplace issue, with significant costs to employers in
terms of decreased or lost productivity, poor performance, tardiness,
absenteeism, employee turnover, safety hazards for those directly affected and
co-workers,”said Suzuki.
“There could be huge gains for workplaces for
promoting GBV (including domestic violence) prevention, workers’ safety and
protecting and assisting employees experiencing domestic violence,” added
Suzuki.
The Philippine study is part of the larger
initiative to contribute to the international knowledge base on this
issue. “The Philippines can be proud of
having, the most comprehensive laws on violence against women and on Domestic
Workers, and still the only one in the region to have ratified ILO Convention
189 on domestic workers,” Suzuki added.
The findings further underscore the significance
of this issue to both employers and unions.
Almost one-fourth (23%) of those who experienced
DV applied for paid leave or just went absent without leave because they needed to deal with
health/medical issues related to the domestic violence (26%); attend
appointments related to the domestic violence, e.g., barangay, police
(22%); attend counselling related to the
domestic violence (21%); or attend criminal or family court hearings.
Respondents’ awareness of legally mandated paid
domestic violence leave is low at 39%. 45% said they had received information
about DV from government, from the union (30%).
The vast majority of respondents (92%), whether
they had personally experienced DV or not, believed that DV impacts the work
lives of those experiencing abuse.
Yet, respondents also thought that employers (39%)
or unions (17%) are not aware when DV is affecting workers. One in four (26%)
of respondents said that employers do not act in a positive way when workers
report their DV experience. The rate for unions was better at one in 7 (15%).
Among all respondents, 92% think that workplace
support such as paid leave, education, training, and safety policies for
domestic violence could reduce the effects of violence on the work lives of
workers.
“With this clear evidence, awareness-raising campaigns,
prevention and protection programs, care and support for affected workers need to be broadened,”
Suzuki said.
“The trade union movement is ready to work more
closely with the Philippine government, employers, relevant agencies and
partners on this new and exciting journey - to turn this evidence into policies
and actions to improve the well-being of workers - women, men and their
families, and build safer, healthier and better workplaces for all,” Suzuki
concluded. (FEA/AFT, ITUC-AP/PIA-Caraga)
Feature: DA-SELAP Phase II: A legacy for
development in Caraga
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 23 (PIA) - As the Support to
Emergency and Livelihood Assistance Project Phase II (SELAP2) comes to an end
this year, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga constructed a total of 12
farm to market roads (FMR) since 2012 with a total length of 8.585 kilometers
amounting to P48.5 million.
Two FMR’s are set to be completed this year in
Dinagat Islands particularly in the municipalities of Dinagat and Cagdianao.
Other FMRs are located in Buenavista, Magallanes
and Santiago in Agusan del Norte; San Francisco and Malimono in Surigao del
Norte and San Miguel, Lanuza and Cagwait in Surigao del Sur.
SELAP2 Finance and Livelihood focal person Jessica
Da-an said that under SELAP2 all farm to market roads are fully concrete in
conformation to DA’s guidelines.
“A concrete FMR lasts long and could withstand
different climatic conditions and could be utilized for a longer period of
time,” Da-an said.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said that the
primary problem with gravel roads is that they are not resistant to the effects
of changing climate. Hence, DA readily implemented the resolution that all DA
FMR’s would be concreted.
Alongside the construction of FMRs, SELAP2 also
implemented 19 livelihood projects amounting to P5.7 million and now managed by
the respective peoples’ organizations (PO).
Each PO were funded P300,000.00 for their
livelihood projects ranging from food processing, handicraft making and
production of value adding products from abaca and coconut.
Romueld Borromeo, purok president of Sitio Ipil,
Agsam, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur said that the construction of the farm to market
road in their area greatly helped their constituents for easy movement of
products and residents.
“We are very grateful that DA-SELAP2 constructed
this road, it gives us relief from hardships of transporting our products just
as we had experienced before. During emergencies, this road is a big help,”
Borromeo said.
The roads’ benefit was not only confined to
agriculture but also brought other basic services of the municipality much
accessible to the people. Mayor Jose Arpilleda of Madrid, Surigao del Sur said
that SELAP project boosted their campaign against malnutrition.
“With the
products made by farmers’ wives as members of the RIC, children can now access
a healthy drink which is good for the body not just for the small ones but for
the older ones as well,” Mayor Arpilleda said.
Madrid is a recipient of a livelihood project
through the Patong-Patong Rural Improvement Club with their Soya Milk
Processing and Soya Coffee.
The Support to Emergency and Livelihood Assistance
Project (SELAP) is a special project of the national government implemented by
the DA funded by a loan under the United States Public Law 480 (PL 480).
It is primarily designed to cater to the needs of
the poorest or marginalized sectors and areas in Mindanao. It is implemented in
Regions IX, XI and Caraga.
SELAP2 had been implemented since 2012 and will
end this year while SELAP Phase 1 runs from 2006 to 2011. (DA
Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur tribal leaders sign manifesto to free tribal
domains from NPA infestation
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Sept. 23 (PIA) – Some
60 tribal leaders all over the province of Agusan del Sur convened on Monday
and issued a two-page manifesto to call on the New People’s Army (NPA) to leave
their ancestral domain in the province.
In a consultation made in one of the resorts here,
Datu Manggubat Marcus Gonzales, Provincial Tribal Chieftain reviewed and read
one by one the provisions of the manifesto they have earlier prepared before
the council in order to confirm their commitment to fight for their cause to
drive away the NPA from their domains and prepare themselves to fight the NPA
infiltration in their areas and stop any activities that the NPA plan to
inflict.
“As we all hear from radio, television and other
media outlet, the brutal killing in Diatagon, Lianga Surigao del Sur was all
blamed to the baganis, the tribal warriors. Yes, the people they called baganis
are tribal warriors as termed by the lumads ever since, but presently, there is
no legal or listed bagani all over the country and we do not know if they are
real baganis. Who knows? The order of the national government is to disarm the
bagani, but who will they disarm?" said Mayor Dario Otaza of the
municipality of Loreto, the father of the tribal leaders who liberate the municipality
from the NPA's presence.
"The tribal warriors whom we, the tribal
leaders who have recognized the bagani as defender and protector of our domain?
How about the NPA? Why blame that terroristic deed to our protectors and
defenders? Why not to the NPA?” Mayor Otaza told.
The manifesto, which will be submitted to the
Department of the National Defense, the President of the Philippines and other
government offices, will support the strengthening of the real bagani whom the
tribal leaders recognized as protectors and defenders of their areas or
territories from any harm and violators of their rights.
Other provisions of the manifesto include their
readines to fight and eradicate the NPA in the province that spread fear and
disrespect to human rights, be lumads and non-lumads; that all organization of
the NPA in the province have no right to join in any organization or discussion
by the tribal groups; to stop organizing or strengthening of their
organizations in the province especially in the tribal communities and
territories and condemn the activities of their fronts like the Karapatan,
ALCADEV, Bayan Muna and other groups that teach the communist ways to children
and local residents.
“In Agusan del Sur alone, more than 300 tribal
leaders and lumads were killed by the NPAs, but until now, they are unknown. We
have brought these incidents in the national level but to no avail. We wonder
why the killing of the three victims in Surigao del Sur shocked the country and
even the whole world and gain recognition," Datu Gonzales said.
"We can ask then, who are behind all these?
Are our brothers and sisters who were killed by the NPAs not worthy of their
lives? Or just because we have no propaganda arm to sensationalize their deeds
and condemn them (NPAs)? As leaders, it is now time to be ready to dedicate our
lives for our rights as lumads and die for our tribes,” he added.
According to Datu Gonzales and Mayor Otaza, they
are preparing to conduct a tribal summit to be attended by all tribal leaders
of Caraga Region and government officials on October. However, the exact date
was not yet set. (DMS/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cebuano News: ‘Sajaw Siargao 2015’ malampuson nga
gipahigayon
SIARGAO ISLAND, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 23 (PIA)
– Malampuson nga gipahigayon ang masadya og mabulolokon nga Sajaw Siargao 2015
niadtong Setyembre 21 karong tuiga didto sa dakong hawanan sa General Luna
Central Elem. School, ning probinsya.
Adunay otso ka mga grupo sa mga mananayaw ang
misalmot gikan sa lungsod sa Socorro diin ilang gipasundayag ang ilang Tinabangay
Festival, ang lungsod sa Burgos sa ilang Kalamansi Festival, Dapa uban sa ilang
Kinhason Festival, San Isidro sa ilang Sani Festival, Sta. Monica sa ilang
Sapao Sapao Festival, sa General Luna ang ilang Cabuntog Surfing Festival, sa
Del Carmen ang ilang Bakhaw Festival ug sa lungsod sa Pilar nga mao ang
Liplipan Festival.
Ang Kinhason Festival sa lungsod sa Dapa mao ang
midaug ug nakakuha sa unang ganti ug Best in Production Design ingon man usab
sa Contingent Queen.
Ikaduhang mananaug mao nag Pagtinabangay Festival
sa lungsod sa Socorro ug sila usab ang midaug sa Best in Street Dancing ug ang
ikatulong dapit mao ang Cabuntog Surfing Festival sa General Luna.
Atol sa maong kalihukan, gipahigayon ang pag pang
apod-apod og tabang pinansyal (financial assistance) ug pagtunol (turn-over) sa
mga pumpboat ug gamit kahimanan sa lungsod sa Socorro alang sa programa sa
seaweeds fishery development and marine conservation ubos sa programang HEALS
sa probinsya. (SDR/PIC-SdN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
