(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, February 11, 2016



PSA Caraga sets CRVS Forum in Butuan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga is set to hold this year’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Forum on Feb. 26, 2015 at Patria’s Inn and Restobar, this city.

PSA Caraga regional director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura bared that said forum will start at 1:00 p.m.

“The forum is in line with the Civil Registration Month celebration that aims to provide updates in the implementation of CRVS system and address issues and concerns encountered by different stakeholders of the system,” Apura said.

The CRVS Forum is anchored on the theme “Makiisa..Makisali sa Dekadang CRVS (Unite..Participate in the Decade CRVS).” (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


West PH Sea issue info campaign gathers 150 Caraganons

By Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA) - Joint with common advocacy, about 150 information officers, student leaders, security officers and media practitioners in the Caraga region gathered together in a Multi-Sectoral Forum on the West Philippine Sea Issue held in one of the convention centers here recently.

The forum was initiated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in coordination with the Civil Military Operations (CMO) of the 4th Infantry Division. The forum focuses on the government’s position on the West Philippine Sea issue by providing a deeper understanding of the case filed by the Philippine government with the Arbitral Tribunal.

“We believe that through proper information dissemination, the Philippines will have a greater chance at this issue. All the Filipinos should know why we are fighting for this. The Philippine Government and the Filipino people are determined to defend what is legitimately ours,” Maria Teresa T. Almojuela, DFA Executive Director for Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office said.

The Philippines’ arbitration case is not about determining sovereignty over territories as maritime boundary delineation. Its goal is to solve the issue in the most diplomatic and peaceful way.

“We believe that 'Right is Might' over 'Might is Right.' War is never an option. We are based on the law and in accordance to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which is the “Constitution of the Oceans” we are on the right track. As what President Aquino said, 'What is ours is ours,'" Almojuela said.

The forum aims to educate all the Filipinos about the issue. Every fact about this was clearly discussed to the participants. Visuals like documentaries, comic books, and brochures were distributed to make the materials appealing to the eyes of the participants and capture their attention.

“As of now, a total of 12 regions were already visited by our team. Four more to go and we will achieve our goal to educate all the Filipinos about the West Philippine Sea Issue,” Emelyn Q. Libunao, Staff Director of PIA PMD Central Office said.

 “Amidst all this, we maintain that our dispute in the West Philippine Sea is not the sum total of our relation with China. Our differences are in official policies, not socio-cultural. Thus, we should still maintain good relationship with them in other aspects,” Almojuela said. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DENR reports low apprehension for 2015

By Herzon F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 11 (PIA) - The sustained intensive operation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Enforcement Teams in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) has brought down incidence of timber poaching activities in Caraga Region in 2015.

The DENR Enforcement Division reported that there were 918,218.54 bd. ft. of illegal forest products apprehended and seized last year as compared in the previous year of 1,931,303.84 bd.ft. in 2014.

“The anti-illgal logging campaign under the implementation of Executive Order 23 of the DENR had paid off in the region since it was imposed in February 2011,” Forester Modesto U. Lagumbay Jr., chief of the DENR Caraga Enforcement Division said.  “We hope we can reach our goal of zero illegal logging for the next six months,” he added.

The DENR Caraga seized 2,585.833.53 bd.ft in 2011; 4,341,143.01 bd.ft. in 2012; and 2,667,184.77 bd.ft. in 2013.  The agency reported a total of 12,453,683.70 bd.ft. of apprehended forest products for the last five years with a total of 142 cases filed in courts against the perpetrators since 2011 and out of these, there were 32 cases of conviction.

Meanwhile, more than one-third of the total confiscated illegal forest products by the DENR were donated to various national and local government agencies.  DENR Caraga disposed a total volume of 4,696,583.88 bd.ft. to the Department of Education (545,940.04 bd.ft.); Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (1,626,530.00 bd.ft.); local government units (1,155,617.19 bd.ft.); Armed Forces of the Philippines/Philippine National Police/Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (1,233,533.50 bd.ft.); Department of Social Welfare and Development (8,480.00 bd.ft.); Department of Public Works and Highways (21,327.20 bd.ft.); Environment and Management Bureau (1,463.62 bd.ft.); DENR-DOST-FPRDI-NNVS (28,017.03 bd.ft.); and other agencies (75,675.30 bd.ft).

The region continues to promote the government’s target for a “zero-illegal logging hotspot” together with the consistent advocacy for total log ban for the year 2016. (DENR-Caraga with reports from Hannah Yael Morano/PIA-Caraga)


Feature: Calcium, more than just a bone-builder

By Marilou R. Galang

More than building and keeping healthy bones and teeth, calcium is a key factor to keeping the body running smoothly.  This is because calcium also keeps the heart beating steadily, and the blood, nerves and muscles working properly.

The human body needs more than 40 different nutrients for good health.  One essential nutrient the body needs is calcium.

But one may ask, what is calcium?  How essential is it to the body?  How much calcium is needed to keep the body healthy?  What foods are rich in calcium?

Calcium is one of the macro-minerals found abundant in the body.  It serves as the main building block of the bone structure.  It also helps build and keep the teeth healthy and strong.  Ninety-nine percent of the calcium in the body is in the bones and teeth.  It is for this reason that the more calcium one takes, the stronger the bones and teeth are.

Being an essential nutrient, calcium is needed by the body everyday.  Exactly how much calcium dies the body need each day?  This will depend on one's age, gender and physiological status, that is, whether pregnant or lactating.

During infancy, about 400 milligrams (mg) of calcium is needed for normal growth of bones and teeth.  As children grow until early teen-age years, the need for calcium increases from 500 to as high as 1,000 milligrams (mg) per day for maximum bone growth and information.

For adults, adequate calcium intake of 750-800 milligrams for males and females are needed to maintain bone strength and density.  In pregnant women, 850 milligrams of calcium is necessary for both the mother and the baby's needs.  In lactating women, an additional 750-800 milligrams of calcium is essential to supply the calcium in breastmilk.

A person may get calcium from various food groups like milk, meat, fruit, vegetables and cereal grains.  Non-fat or low-fat dairy products provide the easiest, most plentiful sources of calcium in the diet.  In addition, try eating dark, green and leafy vegetables like malunggay and small fishes like anchovies, especially with bones included.  Many foods are now fortified with calcium, including fruit juices, snack foods and breakfast cereals.

Also include foods rich in vitamin D in the diet to help the body absorb and use calcium.  Vitamin D is available from fortified dairy products, cod liver oil and fatty fish.  It is also produced in the body in response to sunlight.  Most multi-vitamins also contain 100 percent of the daily value of vitamin D.

Remember, calcium provided to your bones when you are young determines how ell they will hold up in later life.  Today, think of your diet.  Are you getting enough calcium?  If your answer is no, it is not yet too late to start now.  Remember, calcium is essential to good health and getting enough can help you reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos: 837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.  Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)


Feature: Feast on vegetables for body cleansing

By Ma. Idelia G. Glorioso

Do you get tired of eating too much festive foods like lechon, mechado, fried chicken, salads during celebrations?

You may want to shift from meat to veggies to get rid of some body toxins.

Vegetables are important sources of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Fibers are mostly found in vegetables and fruits. Regular intake of soluble fiber enables the body to absorb minerals like calcium and magnesium. Fiber also helps manage one’s weight.

Phytochemicals or phytonutrients are found in plants, particularly vegetables. Examples of these are lycopene in tomatoes, anthocyanins in bell peppers and flavonoids in broccoli. Bright colored vegetables generally contain most phytonutrients.

By eating vegetables, there are low chances of weight gain, improved teeth and bone structure, increased body resistance against infection, and reduced risk of having diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Experts say one needs three to four servings of vegetables daily. Recommended servings for vegetables also vary depending on age and lifestyle as shown below:

Age Group                                        Recommended Servings of Vegetables

- Older persons, adults,                            - At least 3 servings*

   lactating women

- Teenage boys and girls                          - At least 3 servings*

- Growing kids (1-12 years old)               - At least 3 servings*

Source: FNRI’s Daily Nutritional Guide Pyramid for Filipinos

*One serving of leafy vegetables=1 cup raw or ½ cup cooked

 One serving of other vegetables=1/2 cup raw or 1 cup cooked

Remember the 3rd message of the 2012 Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos (NGF): “Eat more vegetables and fruits everyday to get the essential vitamins, minerals and fiber for regulation of body processes.”

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Telephone/ Fax Nos: 837-2934 or 837-3164; Direct Line:839-1839; DOST Trunk Line: 837-2071-82 local 2296 or 2284; e-mail: mvc@fnri.dost.gov.ph or at mar_v_c@yahoo.com; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.  Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/FNRI.DOST or follow our Twitter account at twitter.com/FNRI_DOST. (FNRI-DOST S&T Media Service/PIA-Caraga)