(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 19 March 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. Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Thursday, January 21, 2016



SurSur guv welcomes newly-deployed AFP troops

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – In hopes of an insurgency-free province, Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel together with the officials from the military, local government, and media welcomed the 16th Infantry "Maglilingkod" Battalion (16IB) of the Philippine Army at Tandag City Airport in Tandag City on Wednesday, January 20.

“The deployment of these troops will help make the province an insurgency-free area. As they say, we cannot attain development without achieving peace,” Gov. Pimentel said.

Pimentel also expressed confidence that the troops will take efficient and effective measures against the New People’s Army (NPA) especially in the upcoming elections wherein threats of the communist group’s harassments are presumed.

He further added that the local government under his administration is in full support to all activities and endeavors of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) especially in stabilizing the peace and security of the province.

Accordingly, the 16IB led by Ltc Andres Ferrer was previously stationed and assigned in Oriental Mindoro in Luzon before it was placed under the operational control by the 402nd Infantry "Stingers" Brigade. They will now be part of the said brigade which covers the whole Surigao del Sur as its area of responsibility. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)


Illegal squatters hinder installation of PIA Caraga radio equipment for disaster operation

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – The increasing number of illegal squatters near the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga regional office here has caused the delay of the installation of the agency’s state-of-the-art radio equipment in the area.

The installation of the radio equipment is intended to help the community to become disaster-resilient through proper and right information.

As the information arm of the government, PIA Caraga has been innovating and initiating different activities and projects that will help the local citizens be well-informed, and create a community that is disaster-resilient that knows what to do in any eventualities.

PIA has long-planned to install the tower, radio equipment and other facility of its radio station also known as 107.8 MHz Power FM and Advanced Forward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network at the government space in front of PIA building.

It can be recalled that in the last quarter of 2015, PIA Caraga has already sent a communication letter addressed to the city government here through the City Legal Office indicating its request to demolish the illegal squatters occupying the PIA space but the agency has yet to receive an official response.

Also, PIA believes that the city government should also prioritize the safety of the employees as well as the properties of the government offices. Reports revealed the increasing number of illegal squatters, which threatens the security of the government agencies in the area.

PIA-Caraga regional director Abner Caga bared that the agency’s plan to install the state-of-the-art radio equipment should not be delayed as disaster could happen any time.

“As we innovate and create other strategies to effectively do our functions as trusted information arm of the government, we could not afford to delay any development which will benefit the majority. We hope the city legal office will take action and do necessary response. They have the authority to do what is needed,” expressed Caga.

It was learned that the upgraded radio equipment/facility, which will be installed by PIA will now reach other municipalities and provinces in the region. Also part of the whole plan was to allocate a space for a parking lot intended for government vehicles and clients.

PIA Caraga is the only regional office that has established its own radio station among other regions nationwide. The agency has been broadcasting different developmental advocacy in partnership with other agencies and continuously giving relevant information to the public through announcements. It is also known for its useful platforms using various media, which are accessible and convenient. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Sursur guv grants “doable” IP evacuees’ demand

By Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – Surigao del Sur governor Johnny Pimentel assured the Indigenous Peoples’ (IPs) evacuees who are temporarily seeking shelter at the sports center in Tandag City that they will only grant their “doable” demand.

 “Their demands are first, to catch the suspects of the killings of the three Lumad leaders from Lianga town. Second, is to make the military take responsibility of the said killings. Next, is to stop the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan in the province. Fourth, is to resume the national peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). The last, more or less, is also to stop the military operations in the area. The only doable is their first demand, so if we will be able to catch the perpetrators soon then maybe we can make a compromise for them to return home,” Pimentel said.

Governor Pimentel explained that their other demands are not likely to happen for the reason that the military is clearly not involved in the said crime and that the Oplan Bayanihan program and holding the ntional peace talks are already beyond the provincial government’s jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, he also said that the families are well provided with food, water and that the local government unit regularly collects their garbage everyday.

Presently, from about 260 families or 3,200 individuals who have evacuated after five months, the remaining evacuees staying in the said area are only 2,486 individuals. (DJA/PIA-Caraga)


DA Caraga gives access for more opportunities

By Rhea C. Abao

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga successfully turned-over the concreted farm to market road (FMR) with a project cost worth P10 million in Brgy. Pinana-an, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte last January 15.

DA Caraga regional director Edna M. Mabeza personally witnessed the said ceremony with Municipal Mayor of Las Nieves Avelina S. Rosales and barangay officials of Pinana-an.

“The DA Caraga through the Farm to Market Road Development Program (FMRDP) continues to provide allocation of funds to congressional districts. This is to equitably distribute the projects to serve the farmers in the region,” said director Mabeza.

In 2015, DA-FMRDP has an allocation of P390 million for FMR projects distributed to the five provinces of the region.  As of today, a total of 24 kilometers FMR was completed in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH); Agusan del Norte with 7 kilometers, Agusan del Sur with 4.44 kilometers, and Surigao del Norte with .5 kilometers.

“Brgy. Pinana-an is grateful to receive the farm to market road.  This helps the farmers and also the constituents of our barangay in transporting farm products much easier and has provided us access to more opportunities and basic social services,” said Brgy. Kagawad Elesio T. Diez.

The said FMR is a joint undertaking of the DA and DPWH in which aside from providing the funds. DA also conducts the pre-implementation activities, monitoring and evaluation during the construction while DPWH does the implementation activities including the preparation of all documents, procurement and oversees the construction phase.

DA’s sincere commitment to further promote agricultural development continues. For this year FMRDP has an allocation of P417 million for Caraga region. The department continues to extend development interventions to isolated and hard-to-reach areas ensuring that farmers are not left behind. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur COMELEC all set for PJSCC command conference

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 21 (PIA) – The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) provincial office here is all set to chair the holding of the Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) command conference at the Capitol Social Hall at 9:00 a.m. on January 22, 2016.

Invitations to all concerned, particularly for both the army and the police, were already sent out, it was learned.

Other stakeholders, especially state agencies that normally play a key role every time polls are being conducted like the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Provincial Treasurer’s Office, Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, City Prosecutor’s Offices, including electric utilities, were on the list of invitees.

“In preparation for the upcoming May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections and to ensure a fair and secure conduct of this electoral activity, our office will be conducting a Provincial Joint Security Control Center (PJSCC) Conference,” Atty. Ernie Palanan, provincial election supervisor II, stated in all the letters of invitation.

However,  in the attached copy of the official programme, the COMELEC here had pointed out matters to be undertaken, citing Preparation and Anticipation of Concerns for the May 9, 2016 National and Local Elections; Inputs and Concerns; Guidance/Updates; Open Forum; Pledge in the Wall of Commitment, aside from the Closing Remarks.

As regard to “Guidance/Updates,” Col. Isidro Purisima, commander, 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), P/CSupt. Rolando Felix, regional director of PNP-Caraga and Atty. Francisco Pobe, regional executive director (RED) of COMELEC-Caraga, in that particular order, are going to say their piece on behalf of their respective institutions. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DENR 13 key officers get new assignment

By Herzon F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) - In a continuing effort to deliver better services to the people, Department of Environement and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo has announced the designation of certain key personnel in the field offices.

The following key personnel who have been given new assignments are the following. Forester Maritess M. Ocampo has been assigned as OIC, PENR Officer of Agusan del Sur; Forester Nilda Ebron has been designated OIC, Chief of the Conservation and Development Division including the operation of the Protected Area and Biodiversity Conservation, Production Forest Management and Coastal Resource and Foreshore Management sections.

PENRO Rosendo Asunto has been assigned to PENRO Surigao del Norte fron Surigao del Sur; CENRO Raul Rosales takes over as OIC, PENRO of Surigao del Sur.

Forester Ranulfo Climaco has been designated as OIC, CENRO of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur while Forester Luis Gonzaga was designated OIC, Chief for Technical Services of PENRO Surigao del Norte.

The movement of key personnel followed the vacuum in the field management caused by the sudden death of PENRO Iniego Collantes from cardiac arrest or heart failure on January 1, 2016. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


AgNor province to implement iGovPhil project

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 21 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte is set to implement the Integrated Government Philippines (iGovPhil) Project after Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba was recently authorized by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to sign the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Office.

The approval of the said authority was made through the efforts of Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr. as chairman of the Committee on Energy, Transportation, Information and Communication, which studied the merit of the said project.

The MOA to be signed by the Provincial Governor covers the installation of fiber optic cables (FOC) by the ICT Office under its Integrated Government Philippines (iGovPhil) Project that will provide high-speed connection in the offices of the provincial government for enhanced communication and coordination, which aims to address the basic needs in government offices for transparency, efficiency and effective governance through ICT.

Under the agreement, among the duties and responsibilities of the provincial government is to provide a secured space, an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) and a generator system preferably with an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) while the cable to be installed and labor shall be shouldered by the ICT Office and upon the signing of the MOA, an active equipment like VLAN switch and media converter shall be installed for the internet connection.

The ICT Office is a government entity placed under the policy, technical and administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) mandated to ensure the provision of efficient and effective information communication technology infrastructure, and information systems and resources and in line with that mandate is currently implementing the iGovPhil Project.

The project is said to enhance the information system and resources of the province. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Tagalog News: Dagdag na tropa ng AFP sa Surigao del Sur, dumating na

Ni Daisy Jane M. Apit

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 21 (PIA) – Upang tuluyan ng masolusyunan ang problema ng insurhensiya at makatulong na rin sa pagkakaroon ng mapayapa at malinis na eleksyon sa Surigao del Sur ay nagdagdag ng bagong tropa ang Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas sa probinsya. Dumating na noong Miyerkules ang 16th Infantry “Maglilingkod” Batallion, 2nd Infantry Division sa Tandag City na galing pa sa Oriental Mindoro. Sinalubong ang tropa ni Surigao del Sur Governor Johnny Pimentel, mga opisyales ng AFP, at iba pang lokal na opisyales ng lungsod ng Tandag at probinsya.

Ayon pa kay 402nd Brigade Commander Col. Isidro Purisima na ang padadagdag hukbo ay isinagawa upang tuloy-tuloy na maiatag ang kapayapaan at seguridad ng probinsya.

Sabi pa ni Purisma na isa rin na dahilan ng pagpapadala ng mga sundalo sa pangunguna ni Ltc Andres Ferrer ay para sa paghahanda nila para sa nalalapit na eleksiyon katulong ang mga kapulisan at lokal na pamahalaan.

Sinabi naman ni Governor Pimentel na sa kabila ng mga pangamba na manggugulo ang NPA sa probinsya ngayon eleksyon ay may tiwala siya na may maitutulong ang 16th IB dito.

Samantala, sa kagaganap pa lamang na Surigao del Sur provincial Peace and Order Council Meeting ay dineklara na “Conflict Manageable at Development Ready” na ang probinsya.

Binigyang diin naman ni Purisima na ang pagdeklarang ito ay hindi nangangahulugan na ang probinsya 'insurgency free.' Sa halip, ito ay nagpapatunay na ang pagdagdag ng mga sundalo ay epektibong hakbang sa tuluyang pagsugpo at pagbura sa humuhinang pwersa ng NPA sa probinsya. (VLG/DJA/PIA-Caraga)