(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 09 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 165 km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan (12.3N, 118.7E) It is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. 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 ITCZ. 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 Southwest to West will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Thursday, October 29, 2015

PIA Caraga initiates orientation on IP Cultural Sensitivity

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga has initiated the conduct of orientation-seminar on Indigenous Peoples (IP) Cultural Sensitivity with "Datu Payad Sangkuan" Rey Cervantes, spokesperson of the Alliance of Filipino Indigenous Cultural Communities, Incorporated (AFICC) and president of Sulong Katutubo, Incorporated as the speaker, held on Wednesday at the PIA regional office here.

According to PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga, there is a need for PIA personnel in the region to be well-versed on the semantics or the choice and use of words when making IP-related news articles, as well as to the specific culture of the different tribes in the region. “This will help achieve better understanding of the IP community’s diverse culture. With this orientation, our personnel would know much better and be sensitive enough when writing news,” he said.

Venus Garcia, provincial information center manager/provincial director of PIA Surigao del Norte and administrative officer of PIA Caraga elaborated that as the government’s information arm, the PIA seek to intensify responsible journalism among its personnel.

"Being at the forefront in the delivery of information to the public, it is important to us to be appraised with the in-depth knowledge on the values/norms and cultural background/practices of Indigenous Peoples in order for us to be more effective communicators in our community. Such teachings and learnings will provide better understanding and relevant data to appropriately handle the talking points relating to IPs," stressed Garcia.

Garcia further emphasized that "with the recent trend of increasing issues concerning Indigenous Peoples (IP), we can be instrumental in giving appropriate information intervention and in bridging the gap in order to attain peace and development. Through this orientation on Cultural Sensitivity, we will be able to appreciate more the role of our IP brothers and sisters in maintaining sustainably of a community. Practically, as we constantly gain additional knowledge, the more we will be guided and be more capable in providing timely, accurate and relevant information in the context of IP.”

Also, Datu Payad Sangkuan expressed that he and his co-lumads are pleased to work with PIA Caraga on the said activity for a common cause since they also believe that the agency is the main source of information along with the media.

"While we have the rights, we also have the responsibility to help maintain peace and order for the development within IP community," underscored Datu Payad Sangkuan.

Meanwhile, PIA Caraga deputy regional director Fryan Abkilan recognized the efforts of the AFICC and the Sulong Katutubo Incorporated for partnering with PIA in the said activity and assured that the agency will be more sensitive on its information-dissemination especially on IP-related news. (DJMA/JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Tribal org prexy orients gov't workers on IP practices

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) – The Sulong Katutubo, Inc. president and Alliance of Filipino Indigenous Cultural Communities (AFICC) Inc., spokesperson Rey “Datu Payad Sangkuan” Bago Cervantes oriented on Wednesday several personnel of the different line agencies on Indigenous People’s issues and concerns with Indigenous Knowledge, Systems and Practices (IKSP).

Datu Payad Sangkuan said their alliance’s advocacy is to “provide the right information towards the righteous path for informed and concerned people are the strength of democracy.”

He also presented diverse ideas on Indigenous Peoples (IP) / Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) as per definition of Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA), the Indigenous Socio-Political Structure (ISPS) and issues and concerns of tribes in Caraga.

“Strengthening the ISPS is empowering the indigenous tribes,” Datu Payad Sangkuan said.

He added that "while we have the rights, we also have the responsibility to help maintain peace and order for the development within the IP community."

Government worlers from the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) attended the orientation at PIA-Caraga Regional Office, J. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City.

AFICC, Incorporated has currently seven incorporator-communities: UMAOBAO Clan in San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, FETREMTCO of Trento, Agusan del Sur, Lingig Manobo Tribal Community (LIMATRICO), Bislig City Manobo-Mandaya Tribal Community, Hinatuan Manobo - Mandaya Tribal Community, Tagbina Manobo-Mandaya Tribal Community, Barobo Manobo Tribal Community and four additional member-communities: Manobo - Banwaon Sectoral Tribal Council (MABASTRICO), Incorporated, Municipalities of Talacogon & San Luis, Agusan del Sur, Manobo Farmers Sectoral Tribal Council (MAFASTRICO), Incorporated, Municipality of La Paz, Agusan del Sur, Liwangwangan Manobo Indigenous Cultural Community Association (LIMICCA), Incorporated, Lydia, La Paz, Agusan del Sur, and Kamanubuan Asusasyun to mgo Daan no Uminugpa Gobay Og-uswag (KADUGO), Loreto, Agusan del Sur. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)


Buy only Christmas products with ICC sticker, PS mark – DTI AgNor

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Norte provincial office urges the public to buy only Christmas lights/lighting chains bearing the appropriate Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) or Product Standard (PS) marks.

“The presence of the ICC and PS marks will protect consumers from the hazards to life and safety of substantial products,” said provincial director Gay A. Tidalgo.

According to director Tidalgo, consumers can validate the ICC stickers affixed on the product by checking the ICC certificates issued. Per issuance from the bureau of Philippine Standards dated October 9, 2015, valid ICC certificates are only those issued from January 2013 to present, Tidalgo added.

Tidalgo also encouraged consumers to report to DTI those retailers selling Christmas lights without the valid ICC or PS marks.

Also, according to Tidalgo, retailers selling Christmas lights without the valid ICC or Ps marks will be penalized to include a fine ranging from P25, 000 to P300,000. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Mass graduation for 800 farmers set in SurSur

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 29 (PIA) – After finishing School on the Air (SOA) on Organic Agriculture held once a week for three consecutive months, a total of 800 farmers are set to be conferred with their respective certificates of graduation at the Provincial Social Hall, this city, on November 3, 2015.

According to Marcos Quico, chief provincial agriculturist, these farmers had finished 16 airing sessions of SOA on Organic Agriculture recently simulcast over two FM stations—one located in Tandag City and the other in Carrascal town, all of this province.

Behind the radio program was the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Regional Office 13, in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) and other stakeholders here.

Prior to this, a post/final assessment had been conducted at the Provincial Governor’s Office (PGO) Conference Room on October 6, 2015. Quico said. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DILG, DTI, CABPLO strengthen Business Permits & Licensing in Caraga

By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 29 (PIA) - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 13 (Caraga) in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Regional Office Caraga and the Caraga Association of Business Permit and Licensing Officers (CABPLO) conducted the “Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Advocacy on Regulatory Simplification for Local Governments’ (RS4LG) Business Permit and Licensing Processes cum 1st Caraga Business Permit and Licensing Officers Convention” on October 27-28, 2015 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention Center, this city.

The event is to strengthen and sustain the streamlining of Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) in the region by bringing up-to-date business registration procedures and requirements of select national government agencies (NGAs) and the introduction of the electronic BPLS system. It was also supported by the Department of Science of Technology (DOST) as it promotes automation or computerization of the BPLS processes.

DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth Famacion emphasized the role of the BPLOs in local revenue and how this affects the growth of a local economy as it provides a good business environment for business investors, more so with the small and medium entrepreneurs.

Speakers from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund or PAG-IBIG, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provided their roles in the regulatory processes and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) discussed their function in the promotion of streamlining BPLS of the local government units in the region.

Topics include Business Registration with the BIR; Issuance of Clearance and Clearance Requirements with the SSS, PHIC and PAG-IBIG; Issuance of Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC); and the Registration of Business Name. The BPLOs were also provided with discussions on the ASEAN Economic Community with a review on the BPLS Monitoring and Evaluation.

Results of the 2015 BPLS Customer Experience Survey (CES) and the 2015 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) were announced by DTI with notable LGUs such as Butuan City ranking 19th and Surigao City ranking 50th from 142 cities in the country. Likewise, the municipalities of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur ranking 27th; Buenavista, Agusan del Norte ranking 44th; and Claver, Surigao del Norte ranking 49th among 978 municipalities nationwide.

An election and oath-taking of the 2015 CABPLO Officer and Board of Trustees culminated the event with Clemente M. Penados, the BPLO of Bislig City, Surigao del Sur maintaining his post as CABPLO President. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


PNP, AFP all set for “Undas”

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 29 (PIA) – Both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines here are ready for their security plan on the occasion of the observance of “Undas” (All Saints’ and Souls’ Days) come November 1 and 2.

P/SSupt. Narciso Verdadero said everything would just be a matter of re-implementing the “Operation Plan Kaluluwa (Oplan Kaluluwa)” to be carried out depending on the situation on the ground.

He added all lower units had been already informed to take charge of their respective areas of responsibilities (AORs).

During such observance, specific things and objects would again be banned inside cemeteries like deadly weapons and liquors.

On the part of Col. Isidro Purisima, commander of the 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), said soldiers were used to taking a back seat in maintaining peace and order during the whole duration of “Undas” as police forces do the lead role.

Meanwhile, as of this posting, Verdadero said good peace and order situation had continued to prevail in the entire province. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)