Increase in NPA surrenders noted in first quarter
of 2016 in SurSur: Army
By Nida Grace B. Tranquilan
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 29, 2016
(PIA)- The military here noted the increase in the number of communist rebels
surrendered to the folds of the law for the first quarter of this year, just a
month before the 47th New People’s Army (NPA) anniversary.
In a press statement released by the civil
military operations (CMO) battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, a
total of 26 communist New People's Army (NPA) rebels have surrendered for the
first quarter of 2016 belonging to the various NPA guerilla fronts of the North
Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC) operating in Surigao del Sur.
Accordingly, the successful entry of the basic
services in 2015 through the Bayanihan Team Activities (BTA) in partnership
with the local government units (LGUs) in this province prompted the total of
61 NPAs with firearms who surrendered in 2015, while the number of the NPA
initiated violent activities has dramatically decreased.
The military reported that during this first
quarter alone, the NPA surrenderees reached almost half the number of the NPAs
who surrendered from last year. The surrendered NPAs for this year are now on
the process to avail the benefits intended for former rebels to be awarded next
month.
Meanwhile, 402nd brigade commanding officer Col.
Isidro Purisima encouraged the remaining NPAs to surrender and avail the
Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) of the government. “I encourage
the remaining NPAs to surrender and return to the mainstream society. Let us
help this province attain a just and lasting peace to make way for its further
development. We are very much willing to facilitate their surrender,” Col.
Purisima said. (NGBT/with a report from CMO Battalion,PA/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
600 kids join simultaneous toothbrushing in
Surigao City
By Susil D. Ragas
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb, 29 (PIA) –
Some 600 kindergarten and grade 1 pupils of Mariano Espina Memorial Central
Elementary School (MEMCES), and day care children of Barangay Taft Day Care
Centers joined the simultaneous toothbrushing activity and received free
toothbrush and toothpaste held recently at the MEMCES School Campus, this city.
The activity is in line with the observance of the
12th National Children’s Dental Health Month, the whole month of February,
which aims to raise awareness about the importance of oral health
Philippine Dental Health Association (PDA)
Mindanao vice president Dr. Liza A. Lerio said the activity is one of the
outreach programs of their association and other dental health stakeholders
intended to eliminate dental health problems among children.
The one-day activity was conducted by the
Philippine Dental Association (PDA) Surigao del Norte Chapter in partnership
with Department of Education (DepEd) Surigao City Division and Barangay Taft
Dental Health Services. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
PhilCCAP sets product launching on March
By Herzon F. Gallego
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 29 (PIA) - A team of personnel
from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga Region
and the Philippines Climate Change Adaptation Project (PhiCCAP) will be sent by
DENR Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo to Manila to attend the product
launching event of the PhilCCAP on Tuesday, March 1.
According to the DENR Caraga officials, the
project which is engaged in developing and demonstrating approaches that would
enable the targeted communities to adapt to the impacts of the climate change
is now ready to showcase the products at this stage of project implementation.
The products set to be launched by the PhilCAPP
include the Enhanced Climate-Smart Farmers “Field School Manual,” the Weather
Index-Based Crop Insurance (for drought and excessive rainfall indices), the
Enhanced Operations Manual of the National Irrigation Administration
(climate-proofing irrigations systems and other agricultural facilities), the
compendium of good practices initially identified, and the climate-proofed and
updated management plans for two protected areas in Region 2 and Caraga.
The exhibit will also showcase several
computer-based systems designed by the project which include the climate-smart
decision support system for rice and corn farmers developed by the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the online climate knowledge
management system created by the Climate Change Commission (CCC), and the
climate simulations produced by PAGASA.
The team is headed by director Tamayo and his
assistant regional director for Technical Services Roberto A. Oliveros, chief
of the Conservation and Development Division Nilda G. Ebron, chief of the
Protected Areas and Bio-diversity Conservation Section Josephine L. Araojo,
chief of the Accounting Unit- Finance Division Elsalyn J. Evangelio, and chief
of the Regional Public Affairs Office Herzon F. Gallego.
Also going with the team are the Protected Area
Superintendent Unit of the Siargao Islands Protected Landscapes and Seascapes
Celsa G. Espadero and the PhilCCAP Coordinator Milafe S. Nohara and a
representative from the PENRO of Surigao del Norte. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Mindanao lead agency inks development initiatives
with ADB, USAID
GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Feb. 29 (PIA) – Agreements
that will spur development in Mindanao, particularly in the South Central
Mindanao Corridor (SCMC) were signed by the Mindanao Development Authority
(MinDA), the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Asian
Development Bank (ADB), capitalizing on the island-region’s geographic and
socioeconomic advantages.
During formal ceremony held here recently at the
Greenleaf Hotel, MinDA Chairperson Secretary Luwalhati Antonino and
USAID-Philippines Chief of the Office of Economic Development and Governance
Daniel Miller led the signing of an agreement aimed to push the SCMC as a
primary food basket, agribusiness and logistics hub, as well as a biodiversity
and ecotourism focus area.
Another agreement was signed by Secretary Antonino
and ADB Country Director Richard Bolt on the implementation of programs that
will address specific issues in public and private investments in the SCMC,
particularly in the Bangsamoro areas.
“These projects will cement South Central
Mindanao’s position as the country’s foremost agribusiness and logistics hub,”
said Antonino.
She added that the partnerships highlight the
shared commitment to develop Mindanao and to improve the quality of life of all
Mindanawons.
The SCMC is composed of the Davao Region, the
South Cotabato, Cotabato City Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani (SOCCKSARGEN) Region
and the mainland Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). It is one of the three development corridors
in the Mindanao Development Corridors Program, aimed to position the
island-region as a single, integrated economy that is able to leverage and
actively participate in the ASEAN and the rest of the world.
USAID’s agreement with MinDA will specifically
facilitate for the development of a framework and conceptual plan for the
establishment of an Aerotropolis in General Santos City, a multimillion Peso
project that will integrate the different points of entry in the SCMC.
The Aerotropolis plans to develop some 200
hectares of property surrounding the General Santos airport to an integrated
complex that will include business parks, amusement parks, hotels, integrated
food terminal, food processing and manufacturing activities, and shopping
malls.
Other projects identified in the USAID agreement
are the creation of strategies for the network of ports, including the
identification of functional roads that will support the SCMC. The agreement
also seeks to draft the strategy for the development of the Ecotourism and
Biodiversity Cluster that will extend from Surigao del Norte (including Cagayan
de Oro and Camiguin) to Davao Oriental in Mindanao’s Eastern seaboard.
“Our commitment to help strengthen the Mindanao
Development Corridors is built upon partnerships forged many years ago to
promote economic growth in Mindanao,” said Miller.
He added that this current cooperation will
directly support the spatial strategy of the Mindanao peace and development
framework and will significantly contribute to achieving the Mindanao 2020
vision.”
The Mindanao 202O is a 20-year peace and
development roadmap for Mindanao, which envisions to addresses the various
challenges and opportunities of the island-region not only within the context
of securing peace amid a history of conflict but also in terms of harnessing
its inherently rich socioeconomic potentials primarily for the benefit of
Mindanawons.
The agreement with ADB on the other hand will
facilitate for the conduct of a study that will prepare the Bangsamoro areas in
their anticipated participation in the SCMC. Active involvement of the private
sector during the conduct of the study will be encouraged while key
interventions that will allow for the utilization of the corridor’s inherent
potentials will be identified.
Priority pipeline projects that will include
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in South Central Mindanao and the Bangsamoro
areas will also be identified in the study, including capacity-building
initiatives among key staff to enhance capabilities in project preparation.
“ADB is Mindanao’s long-term partner and we also
consider the island-region as our home,” said Bolt while adding, “among the
first projects of ADB in the Philippines were implemented in Mindanao which
included road, hydropower, and ports development projects as well as
initiatives in strengthening agri-based industries through irrigation
construction.”
The ADB assistance is also expected to enhance
planning and the establishment of program monitoring and evaluation system for
the Mindanao Development Corridors, while strengthening the links between MinDA
and the Bangsamoro Development Authority. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA joins in 'Aplayan sa Minahan 2016'
By Jean Pearl I. Millones
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 29 (PIA) - The Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA), in its constant effort to strengthen ties with
local government units, joined in the Jobs Fair: Aplayan sa Minahan 2016 on
February 24 at the Multi-purpose Convention Hall in the Municipality of Claver,
Surigao del Norte.
The activity aimed to bring employment to the
locals of Claver and its neighboring municipalities, especially in the field of
mining, the main source of employment in the locality. Overseas jobs for both
skilled and service workers were also available during the fair.
Recruitment representatives from five local mining
companies and six from overseas recruitment agencies joined in the day’s jobs
fair with 115 job openings.
OWWA Caraga regional director, Samuel S. Madrid,
took the gathering of workers to introduce the Department of Labor and
Employment’s (DOLE) Assist WELL program to the participants especially to those
who aspire to work abroad.
The Assist WELL (Welfare, Employment, Livelihood
and Legal) is a program of the Department of Labor and Employment along with
the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), National
Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO), Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration
(OWWA), among others, that aims to ensure a synchronized and systematic
delivery of assistance to returning and/or repatriated OFWs with the four
services.
Officers from the different government offices
also supported the event. Felibeth C. Bonono of the Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) Surigao del Norte, Meriam Balmocena, Regional Coordinator of
the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) and Emilio C. Pantejo,
Provincial PESO Manager for Surigao del Norte joined in the activity.
Balmocena gave a brief pre-employment orientation
to aspiring OFWs, emphasizing on gaining appropriate knowledge and information
of the application process to ensure a safe and secure job placement.
Meanwhile, Junrey Escobal, the municipal PESO of
Claver, encouraged the constituents of Claver and all the participants of the
fair to avail of the skills upgrading trainings for their career advancement
and to eventually be more job-ready for employment opportunities here and
abroad.
A total of 478 applicants came to job-hunt where
six have been hired on the spot. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
SurSur Health Office conducts OPV catch-up
immunization drive
By Greg Tataro, Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 29 (PIA) – As
part of the national immunization drive, the Provincial Health Office here has
conducted Measles-Rubella and Oral Polio Vaccine (MR OPV) catch-up activity
province-wide on February 23-24, 2016.
Prior to this, Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr., Department
of Health (DOH) Caraga regional director, already informed Governor Johnny
Pimentel about the activity and, at the same time, called the attention of Dr.
Eric Montesclaros, provincial health officer here, through a letter dated
February 15, 2016.
“The Philippines is committed to the Polio Endgame
Strategic Plan, a global effort to secure a polio-free world,” the DOH regional
chief said, citing several activities “to bolster its efforts.”
Moreover, Dr. Llacuna pointed out the “PURPOSE OF
THE CATCH UP VACCINATION” and other important factors plus additional
information as well.
“All children aged under-five years regardless of
polio immunization status shall receive a 1 dose of trivalent Oral Polio
Vaccine (IOPV) from February 22-26, 2016,” he stressed.
In response, Dr. Montesclaros made sure to issue
travel order directing concerned PHO staff
“to conduct MR OPV catch-up activity” in their designated areas of
assignment. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
DA supports women empowerment in agri sector
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 29 (PIA) - At all times, women
should be protected!
A marching call of the United Nations to all
nations around the globe in every circumstances and situations.
Heeding to the call, the Department of Agriculture
(DA) Caraga hosted the orientation workshop of National Action Plan for Women,
Peace and Security (NAP-WPS) held in one of the convention center in Butuan
City last February 17-18, 2016.
The activity was participated by Gender and Development
(GAD) and PAMANA focal persons from different regions in the country. According
to Director Helen Rojas of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace
Process (OPAPP), the Philippines is still currently considered a conflict area
considering the number of rebel groups operating in the country though the
government is pursuing for a peace process.
However, she emphasized that in conflict and post
conflict situations, women should be protected, empowered, and should play a
decisive role in peace and security mechanisms.
“The National Action Plan in Women, Peace and
Security (NAP-WPS) was formulated in support to the implementation of gender
equality as well as peace and development,” Rojas said.
NAP-WPS is the articulation of the Philippine’s
commitment to international resolutions and national mandates on women, peace
and security and in adherence to provisions of Republic Act 9710 or the Magna
Carta for Women and the 2010-2016 Philippine Development Plan. It aims to
accelerate gender mainstreaming on conflict-affected areas.
DA on its part will support the integration of the
NAP-WPS in government programs through the GAD and PAMANA program
implementations. DA Regional Director Edna Mabeza lauded OPAPP for spearheading
the peace building initiatives and expressed her support by extending
interventions to conflict-affected areas benefitting women.
To capacitate the participants, Planning Officer
III Rebecca Baylosis of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) discussed the
mechanisms on how to integrate NAP-WPS to GAD Plan and Budget.
Meanwhile, Supervising Agriculturist Lorna
Villegas of DA Central Office Field Operation Services spearheaded the workshop
crafting the DA NAP-WPS guidelines.
At the national level, NAP-WPS is implemented
under the National Steering Committee created through Executive Order No. 865.
In 2013, agencies implementing the Payapa at
Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program, a complementary program for the peace
process were also engaged to implement NAP-WPS.
Consistent with Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988, the
annual National Women’s Month Celebration every March aims to give due
recognition to the contributions of Filipino women in our society.
This year’s theme is "Kapakanan ni Juana,
Isama sa Agenda!" (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
