(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).


Thursday, November 19, 2015

PIA Caraga supports storytelling to children in celebration of the 2015 National Children’s Month

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) – In line with this year’s National Children’s Month celebration, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga supports various activities in the Day Care centers which include telling of stories (storytelling) to children.

According to PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga, children love to hear stories and are fast-learners. Building strong adult-child relationships in order to nurture attachment is a primary goal for infant-toddler caregivers.

“One of the best ways that we can increase attachment as well as language and literacy learning is by reading books aloud to young children and telling them stories. By doing that, our children are able to enhance their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills,” emphasized Caga.

Caga also expressed his warm thanks to day care worker Fe Labitad of GAD Learning and Resource Day Care Center for inviting him as one of the honored guest speakers and inspire the children during the preschoolers’ library time on November 20, 2015 at the City Library here.

Said activity will feature exploration, exposure, experience and discovery as a way of learning, enabling them to develop confidence, creativity, literacy, art and critical thinking.

Meanwhile, Labitad bared that the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) is spearheading the conduct of various creative activities like day camp, literary musical contest and outdoor activities that promote and develop children’s social, emotional, language, physical and cognitive. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


NRCO-DOLE Caraga distributes cookery starter kits to beneficiaries

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) – The National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga recently distributed cookery starter kits to some 12 distressed women Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) for the fourth quarter of 2015 held at the DOLE Caraga multi-purpose hall, this city.

Nancy Jacinto, labor and employment officer of NRCO Caraga bared that the cookery starter kits is a way of livelihood assistance to the 12 beneficiaries under the ‘Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay’ Program of the agency.

“The cookery starter kits are worth P10,000.00 for each beneficiary which include their training on how to cook eight different recipes – from baked food, cakes, and frosting, among others. The said starter kits comprised the following: one kilo salt; one pack of dry yeast; one single burner stove with regulator and hose; one gasolito; one sack of all-purpose flour; one electric hand mixer; one baking tin; one kilo white sugar; and one-half kilo of lard or shortening,” disclosed Jacinto.

Feluzviminda Tersona, one of the beneficiaries from this city remarked that the NRCO-DOLE has helped her cope with life together with her family after her contract in Oman, Middle East was preterminated due to reported conflict in the area.

“The cookery skills training which we recently participated is of great help to us. It is an adding knowledge that also gave us hope that we can still start our livelihood here and move on. I will do everything for my family and with this starter kits that the NRCO-DOLE has granted me will help me from making the cooking/baking easier,” expressed Tersona.

The Balik Pinay! Balik Hanapbuhay! Program was duly created in 2011 to enable women OFW returnees to start and to operate livelihood undertaking for self-employment. The Program consists of a livelihood skills training and the distribution of the starter kits. In 2013, through the Administrative Order 333, the Program was expanded to include women OFWs in the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Centers (MWOFRC) in POLOs. In four years, the Program has reached more than 4,000 beneficiaries who have established their own business or used the gained skills for employment.

The eligible beneficiaries of the Program are returning women OFWs while priority is given to women OFWs who are displaced by the hostilities and conflicts in their host country, or victims of illegal recruitment and trafficking and other distressed and displaced women household service workers. (JPG/PIA-Caraga) 


Lanao del Norte guv encourages IOs to help promote tourism, investments in Mindanao

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) – “Focus on the good news. In Lanao del Norte, our information officers are very strong in promoting national activities… If people are not afraid of going in Lanao del Norte, then they shouldn’t be scared because they will miss economic opportunities wherein it’s a first come first serve.. and it is only for those who are not scared to come and invest.”

This was the statement stressed by Lanao del Norte Governor Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo during the recently concluded 13th Mindanao Communicators Network (MindaComNet) Congress held in Cagayan de Oro City.

“The 13th MindaComNet Congress is a very well attended event. I believe your active participation will help different government agencies come up with innovations and strategies that will promote Mindanao and be known that it is worth-investing,” Dimaporo remarked.

The said official also acknowledged the efforts of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) as being one of the forefront agencies in changing the image of Mindanao.

Dimaporo further emphasized that businessmen always have that worries of taking risks as well as their security. “It’s only a perception and it’s one of our duty to change that perception or mindset. Don’t believe the negative news that you’ve been seeing in the television or newspaper, or heard over the radio. Based on statistics, there are actually higher number of crimes reported in Manila or in other parts of the country than in Mindanao,” he said.

“It’s a matter of getting the attention of our investors and showing them that there is nothing to be scared of because there are lots of beautiful things to be seen and appreciated in our place here in Mindanao,” added Dimaporo.

The good governor also reiterated that there is more to come for Mindanao and its people.

“Come and take a chance in Mindanao. Look at the proper investment opportunities,” underscored Dimaporo. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Dengue cases in Caraga region down by 48%

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) - Dengue cases in Caraga region dropped by 48% from January 1 to October 24 this year with 3,540 cases and 25 deaths recorded compared with last year’s same time period with 6,827 cases and 44 deaths, the Department of Health (DOH) - Caraga reported.

Most of the cases were recorded in Surigao del Sur at 704, followed by Butuan City with 676 cases, Agusan del Sur with 645 cases, Surigao City with 341 cases, Agusan del Norte with 307 cases, Bayugan City with 262 cases, Surigao del Norte with 246 cases, Bislig City with 110 cases, Cabadbaran City with 105 cases. Then, Tandag City with 73 and Dinagat Islands’ 71 cases.

Of these cases, 54% were males and 38% belonged to 0 to 10 years age group according to records from the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) of the DOH 13.

DOH-Caraga headed by Dr. Jose Llacuna emphasized that the best way to eradicate this problem is by searching and destroying mosquito breeding places and be updated to the dengue status of each barangay in the locality. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)


Bislig City hosts global event for men

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 19 (PIA) - Caraga Region will spearhead the nation in celebrating International Men’s (IMD) day today.

Bislig City is the host for the said momentous event that is created to highlight the importance of men's contributions not only in the household but in the community where they live and their critical roles and responsibilities to attain better health nutrition for mothers, newborn and children.

Commission on Population (POPCOM) Caraga regional director Alexander A. Makinano pointed-out that the event shall highlight not only the various roles, contributions and achievements of men and husbands in the family and in the community but also equal partners of women.

"This will definitely educate husbands on gender relations, and promote gender equality which I hoped that through this event, the increasing issue on Violence Against Women and Children will be totally reduced," Makinano added.

He disclosed that LGU Bislig will be conducting various activities by merging the central theme of the IMD celebration with that of the advocacy of POPCOM as concretized in the Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon sa Kalusugan ng Ina at Pamilya (KATROPA) Modules.

To recall, Caraga Regional Development Council approved the call of the Regional Population Executive Board (RPEB) for the declaration of November 19, 2014 and every year thereafter as International Men's Day with the passage of RDC ExeCom Resolution No.6, series of 2014.

The date for the celebration is the same date celebrated by many other countries which for a moment pause to give way and honor for the men to celebrate and highlight their contributions towards the attainment among others, of a healthy lifestyle and involvement in responsible parenting. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Norte town conducts responsible parenting convergence

By John Glenn Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Nov. 19 (PIA) – The local government unit of Mainit, this province conducted on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 a one-day convergence on responsible parenting cum mass mobilization for responsible parenthood and family health.

The one-day activity aims to raise awareness on responsible parenting, reproductive health law and maternal health.

Included in the discussion were the Reproductive Health (RH) Law, safe sex methods for every consenting adult to avoid the prevalence of AIDS, abortion, and other communicable diseases, innovative ways and best practices like the use of condom, family planning, sex education, child care, and maternal health.

The activity was led by mayor Ramon Mondano, vice mayor Crisanta Mondano and participated by barangay health workers, municipal and barangay officials and residents of the said municipality. (SDR/PGO-SdN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


NCAC conducts Consumer Awareness Seminar in AgSur

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 19 (PIA) - "Practice 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) of Ecological Solid Waste Management for this is one of the ways the people should do to mitigate the ill-effects of climate change."

This was the pledged of the consumers who participated in the Consumer Education Seminar organized by the National Consumer Affairs Council on October 23, 2015 in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur in celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month.

Velma M. Lim of the National Consumer Affairs Council (NCAC) emphasized that everyone has the right to a healthy environment, thus everyone should also commit to care for the natural resources. In her discussion on Climate Change Adaptation, she urged the participants to affix their signatures on the Pledge of Commitment wall and work on it.

She mentioned that everyone can make a difference. "Practice saving the electricity, plant trees, maximize the use of public transport system, recycle as it helps save natural resources, generate as little as trash as possible because trash in landfill sites emit large quantities of methane, and if burned, carbon dioxide is released, reduce on the use of non-renewable sources of energy and increase the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, hydro, and wind energy, consume lest share more and live simply," she said.

Representatives from the local government units in the province, barangay officials, media groups, consumer organizations members 4P's beneficiaries, senior citizens, representatives from the national government agencies and the academe attended the activity.

NCAC is the lead sponsor of the Consumer Welfare Month Celebration this year with the theme: "Consumer Protection in the ASEAN Economic Community."

The seminar was one of the activities conducted in celebration of the Consumer Welfare Month. Other activities like Consumer Quiz Bowl, Symposium to Secondary School, Question and Answer at the Flag Raising Ceremony in the Provincial Government and KBP Hour, Briefing on Price Act were also conducted to increase awareness on consumerism. (DTI-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Konsultasyon sa barangay ug panambay gipahigayon sa Gigaquit

Ni Mary Jul Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Nob. 20 (PIA) – Malampuson nga gipahigayon ang barangay konsultasyon didto sa barangay Mahanub ug ang Panambay sa Barangay didto sa sitio Palilihan kagahapon, Nobyembre 19, 2015 didto sa mga nasangpit nga lugar sakop sa munisipyo sa Gigaquit ning lalawigan.

Ang maong kalihukan gipangulohan mismo ni Gobernador Sol F. Matugas mibisita sa Brgy. uban nila Cong. Francisco T. Matugas, Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr, Board Member Mamerto Galanida, ug sa Team Capitol.

Sa iyang mensahe nagpasalamat og dako ang Kapitan sa brgy. Mahanub nga si Abundio Amarille sa panahon nga gigahin sa gobernador ug ilabina ang proyekto nga road concreting sa maong barangay kantidad 10 milyones ka pesos.

Atol sa maong kalihukan ubay-ubay ang mga hangyo ang giaprobahan sa gobernador sama sa pagsemento sa pathway sa Mahanub Elem. School, pagtukod ug Mahanub Women Center, pag-ayo sa Day Care Center, mga kahimanan sa Health Center ug uban pa.

Mipdayag usab sa ilang dakong kalipay ang mga senior citizen ug mga kababainhan sa maong barangay sa pagbisita sa gobernador ug gihatagan sila og sayo nga pinaskuhan kantidad P10,000 pesos.

Sa susamang adlaw mitungas ang gobernador sa halayong bukid sa Mahanub nga mao ang Sitio Palilihan aron gayod makita ug masinati personal ang mga residenteng mamanwa nga nanimuyo sa maong bukid dala sa gobernador ang serbisyo sa panambay para sa mga mamanwa ug ang pag apod apod og mga foodpacks.

Gipaabot sa maong mga residente ang ilang mga yangungo sama sa maayong puy-anan, tribal hall, health center ug uban pa nga mga panginahanlanon sa ilang komunidad. (SDR/PIC-SdN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)