(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.


Thursday, December 10, 2015

SurSur DepEd to mark 55th Anniversary Celebration

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Dec. 10 (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office, this province, is set to hold the 55th Anniversary Celebration at the Tandag City Gymnasium Thursday, December 10, 2015.

“This significant event aims to recognize the exemplary performance of the select teaching and non-teaching personnel of the division, to develop camaraderie and teamwork, and to present the status of the performance of the division and lay down its plans,” according to Dr. Marilou Dedumo, schools division superintendent.

With the theme “Sustaining K to 12 Basic Education through Educators Vision and Excellence,” the program of activities is split into four parts, starting with a Parade/Motorcade at the Tandag Boulevard at 6:30 a.m., Holy Mass at Tandag City Gymnasium at 7:30 a.m., and Search for Talentadong Guro, Poster Making Contest, Zumba, as well as Health and Wellness at 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

The anniversary celebration will be highlighted with the State of the Division Address (SODA) by Dr. Dedumo and the Awarding Ceremonies.

However, parts of the program proper include the Grand Parade of Participants by district, Welcome Presentation for the New Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director and their respective messages.

Likewise, Governor Johnny Pimentel and the two representatives—Congressmen Philip Pichay and Florencio Garay of the first and second districts, respectively, were invited to grace the occasion and to deliver their messages. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


50 municipalities in Caraga to receive Patrol Jeeps from DILG

By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 10 (PIA) - Secretary of the Interior and Local Government (SILG) Mel Senen S. Sarmiento will distribute Patrol Jeeps to 50) municipalities in the region, particularly in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur on December 10 at PNP Regional Office 13 (Caraga), Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, this city.

These patrol jeeps are included in the 1,490 vehicles distributed to all local government units (LGUs) nationwide as part of the PNP’s Capability Enhancement Program which is geared towards lowering crime incidents and empowering the police force and LGUs nationwide.

DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion said that the patrol jeeps will also help LGUs for disaster preparedness and response. She also said that this will help lower criminality rates in the LGUs.

Earlier this year, 10 Patrol Jeeps were distributed to the municipalities of the province of Agusan del Norte by former SILG Mar Roxas on June 10, 2015 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.

It was followed by the turn-over of another seven Patrol Jeeps by former Sec. Roxas to the municipalities of the province of Dinagat Islands during the State of the District Address (SODA) of Congresswoman Arlene “Kaka” J. Bag-ao on July 3, 2015. (DILG-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


150 tribal leaders hold 'Kahimunan' gathering

By Cpt. Jasper Gacayan

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Dec. 10 (PIA) - Around 150 tribal leaders who are members of the different tribal councils in the province gathered in the capital town to participate in the two-day Provincial Indigenous Peoples (IP) Conference dubbed as “Kahimunan to Konseho to Manigaon" spearheaded by the Provincial Tribal Council of Agusan del Sur held at the Provincial Learning Center on December 8-9.

The activity started with a traditional ritual called the “Panawagtawag” to seek the guidance of the highest God called the “Mambabaya” which was jointly solemnized by the different Baylans or Spiritual Leaders of the Tribe.

401st brigade commander Col. Alexander L. Macario, one of the speakers, discussed the security situation in the IP Communities of the province. He emphasized on the current statistics based on the profile of former rebels that three out of four New People's Army (NPA) members are lumads. He then cited the monetary expenses on counter-insurgency, which close to trillions of pesos annually that if only utilize for education can hire more than 300,000 teachers and can construct thousands of classrooms. “This is our challenge, we will convince our NPA victim lumad brothers and join us in our peace and development efforts for the Lumad communities,” he said.

Provincial Tribal Chieftain Datu Makahinlo Gubat Marcos Gonzales was very emotional while delivering his remarks during the opening day. He relayed the result of their special meeting with President Benigno S Aquino III in Malacañang Palace on the midweek of November mentioning the proposed budget for the IPs in the province, which is close to 200 million pesos. “This is the vision of the late Datu Malampuson Mayor Dario Otaza, to improve the life of the lumad communities,” Datu Gubat said.

"We will continue his fight; be not discouraged because the whole government is helping us, especially our President," he added.


One of the highlights of the IP Conference was the ceremonial acceptance of Congressman Jose Panganiban Jr. of ANAC-IP Party List as an adopted son of the Higaunon Tribe on the second day - December 9, 2015. “I feel blessed on this opportunity, I’ll prove my worth and help them,” he said. The legislator discussed various programs for the IP communities such as scholarship grants for the IP children, free hospitalization, and livelihood projects. (PIA-Caraga)