(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of 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.


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

DAR–AgSur conducts APCP periodic consultation, coordination meeting

By Jonalyn Camacho

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nov. 10 (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of this province has recently conducted the Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP) Periodic Consultation and Coordination Meeting held at ASSAMCO Training Center, Brgy. 5, San Francisco, here involving key officers of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) along with their Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers (MAROs) and Development Facilitators (DFs).

The activity is aimed to facilitate ARBOs problems, issues, needs and concerns relative to the availment of this crop production loan (APCP) to Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).

LBP account officer Lucille L. Fernandez gave a comprehensive report on the status of folders being submitted and updates on releases, dues and credit line expiration. Ratz Alenton, manager of Kennemer Foods International, Inc. (KFI), a partner for cacao production in the province also attended the event and reported the filed validation they performed as technical provider of the ARBOs.

Agusan del Sur got the biggest share in the program amounting to 60 percent of the target of the program in the whole CARAGA. The program involved 30 ARBOs and has served 1,144 borrowers (households/ARBs) repeatedly and satisfactorily experienced re-availment of the loan.

The approved credit line as of October this year was gauged close to P40-M mostly on rice production while cacao production proposed amount is P58-M to be approved, which will benefit 965 ARBs.

Also, Ronie C. Gayol, the APCP provincial coordinator announced that on November 12-13, 2015, the ARBOs will be holding the Cacao Exposure trip to Maragusan, Compostella Valley (COMVAL) province to KFI in Calinan, Davao del Sur that will be of great help to the farmers. (JPG/DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


OWWA Caraga slates 2015 OFW Family Day

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) - The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Regional Welfare Office Caraga is set to celebrate the one-day OFW Family Day on December 12, 2015.

OWWA Caraga regional director Samuel S. Madrid extends his invitation to Caraganon OFWs and families to share in this merriment and fun-filled occasion that gives tribute to the OFW Families after their endurance to a life of separation.

The yearly celebration intends to promote the importance of spending quality time and togetherness amongst OFW families through enthusiastic participation in various activities.

This year, the agency decided to bring the activity closer and easily accessible to the OFWs outside Butuan City and offer more convenience to the members from distant municipalities and provinces.

More than 1,500 OFWs, active and inactive, beneficiaries and OFW families are expected to gather from all over the region to join in the celebration at the Surigao Provincial Gymnasium, Surigao City.

Interested members may avail of the pre-registration at their local PESO Offices or visit the regional office at Nimfa Tiu Bldg. 2, JP Rosales Ave., Butuan City or call us at tel. nos. (085) 342-6178 and (085) 815-1894. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DAR turns over P49.6M infra projects in Surigao Sur

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) recently turned over P49.6-million worth of infrastructure projects in Barobo, Surigao del Sur to improve the quality of lives of farmers and residents in the municipality.

DAR Caraga regional director Julita Ragandang said the multi-million project, funded under the DAR-Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Project Phase III (ARISP-III), includes a seven-kilometer NRJ Dughan-Javier farm-to-market road improvement and construction of a 36.8 meter flatslab bridge.

 “The projects are expected to benefit 834 agrarian reform beneficiaries and thousand other residents of Barangays Dughan, San Jose and Javier, all of Barobo, Surigao Sur,” Ragandang said.

She thanked the local government units, both provincial and municipal, for their support especially in generating the local government’s counterpart. “Indeed, the counterpart of the local government is essential in realizing these big projects,” she said.

The turn-over ceremony was attended by Surigao Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel, DAR Regional Director Julita Ragandang, Barobo Mayor Felixberto Urbiztondo, ARISP Assistant- National Project Manager Henry Zapata,  National Project Engineer Mel Lamboon, Assistant Regional Director Daylinda Narisma and Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Benjamin Mataksil.

Governor Pimentel lauded the DAR for its efforts and concern to the residents of the municipality and advised project beneficiaries to take good care of the project.

“Farmers and the local government play very important role in the post-construction phase and that is to use the infrastructure projects with care and contribute to its maintenance,” Pimentel said.

For Dughan Barangay Captain Alex Maceda, the project is a dream come true. “Thank you so much to all the government agencies who are supporting us, most especially to DAR,” he said. (DAR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


SEC warns public against investing in direct marketing firm

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Nov. 10 (PIA) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the public against investing in Direct Marketing Group International Corporation also known as DMG International.

In its latest advisory, the SEC said DMG International entices people to invest at least P1,000 pesos with a promise of a P200 or 20 percent return on the 11th day. In addition, for every P1,000 pesos invested, three kilograms of rice would be given to investors every 10 days.

On an option-only basis, the investors may engage in direct selling of consumer products but this option is discouraged in favor of the first option.

The entity operates in Caloocan City and also claims to be operating in Kalinga, Marilao and other parts of the country.

According to the SEC, the company operates a typical Ponzi scheme it has no viable business operation and the earlier investors, who were promised high returns are paid form funds collected from new investors.

“As such the investment cannot be registered by the SEC,” the SEC said.

The SEC noted that none of the DMG’s officers, uplines recruiters, sellers, or agents has been issued an license to act as certified solicitor, investment adviser, broker and dealer in securities as required by law.

“The public is hereby advised to stop investing in the said entity and to exercise caution in dealing with its officers and promoters,” the SEC said.

The SEC has noticed a rise in the number of investment scams in the country. To address the problem, the corporate regulator is being extra vigilant against fraudulent firms by looking into incorporators previously involved in investment frauds.

Among these companies include Klikmart Shopping Club Copr. or Klikmart Rewards, Grand Time Automobile, Mutual Universe Corporation, and Wealth Builder Advertising.

In a separate advisory, the SEC said Klikmart is operating as a marketing plan which promises investors a 33 percent interest after a minimum period of 21 days to a maximum period of one month. The Grandtime meanwhile, is also operating as a marketing plan with members paying an initial entry fee of P1,500 pesos.

Similarly, Mutual Universe Corporation has no secondary license to solicit investment from the public. Under its scheme, investors shall infuse an initial capital of P7,499 with a guaranteed income of P40,000 to P120,000. (SDR/DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


38 potential ARBs take oath for Farmers’ undertaking

By Kristine H. Pedralvez

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Nov. 10 (PIA) - Thirty-eight identified potential and qualified Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) had recently took oath before Judge Lou A. Nueva, acting MCTC judge for Application to Purchase and Farmer’s Undertaking (APFU) held at the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC), Esperanza town, this province.

The seven landholdings that is covered by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) with a total of 58.6202 hectares were applied by the identified ARBs. Prior to the oath taking instructions and reminders were given by Joven R. Pizarro, OIC-MARPO of Esperanza to instill the importance, necessity and significance of the said event to the potential ARBs.

In accordance with Republic Act (R.A.) No. 6657, the identified and qualified ARBs of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) will apply as ARB over the land and where identified and screened by the DAR. They will then be obligated to pay amortization and real property tax. Likewise, they shall acknowledge that a mortgage of the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) shall secure their obligation after LBP acquire the subject farm lots.

Also, the identified ARBs must work on the land to make it productive and should be aware that any negligence and misuse of the land or any support services that will be given, shall disqualify them as beneficiaries of the CARP. Finally, they will be obligated to comply with the agrarian laws, rules and regulations.

The said event ended with a message from Judge Nueva saying that since they have been given these opportunities, they should reciprocate by cultivating and taking responsibility of their lands. (JPG/DAR-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)