(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.


Wednesday, February 17, 2016

2016 Women’s Month activities set in Butuan City

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 17 (PIA) – The Regional Development Council – Gender and Development Coordinating Committee (RDC-GADCC) Caraga has set the month-long activities for this year’s Women’s Month celebration in March.

RDC-GADCC chair and Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Caraga regional director Atty. Marylin Pintor announced that said month-long celebration will kick-off on March 1, 2016 with a Fun Walk activity that will start from Guingona Park going to Agusan del Norte Provincial Capitol Covered Court, this city.

“Right after the fun walk, the opening program will follow at the provincial covered court. As recognition of our women on that day, we encourage the male staff of ever participating agency to give flowers and/or chocolates to their women colleagues as sign of respect. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will spearhead the serenade,” remarked Pintor.

It was learned that said celebration is pursuant to Proclamation N0. 227 series 1988 and is anchored on the theme “Kaayuhan ni Juana, I-apil sa Adyenda!” (Women’s Welfare, to include in the Agenda)

Pintor also bared that on March 8, 2016, the “Kalandrakas sa mga Kababaihan” will be held at Balanghai Hotel here, wherein participants from various sectors will enjoy trade fair, flea market featuring products made by women, food cooking demonstration, videoke challenge, and other fun-activities.

“The RDC-GADCC Caraga will also be giving awards to this year’s Outstanding Women and will recognize women leaders in various endeavors,” added Pintor.

In line also with the preparation for this year’s national and local elections, a Candidates’ Forum is also set by the RDC-GADCC on March 29, 2016 to be held in one of the local convention centers here.

Meanwhile, on March 31, 2016, all the RDC-GADCC member agencies will culminat the Women’s Month with a Sports Competition featuring Laro ng Lahi and different games to be held at the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) grounds. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Feature: Sustainability through unity

By Rhea C. Abao

In a basketball game there is a so called team. It takes teamwork to pull off a successful winning moment, it is not accomplished single-handedly. This is how the Bucas Grande Farmers’ Association Incorporated (BGFAI) from Socorro, Surigao del Norte works together as an organization.

The group was organized in 1972, composed of farmers, fishermen, carpenters, and some professionals. Today, the association has a total membership of 2,025 active members.

For almost 44 years the organization plays an important role in each of the members. It became an institution that gives the members a legitimate voice in articulating farmers’ interests to government and private institutions.

Some of the associations were only organize just to get government subsidies and interventions. BGFAI is different. “The association was organized to help each members, we call it 'tinabangay' - it is our trademark as a group. It has been embedded on each one’s mind and heart,” said Lucilita T. Dizon, BGFAI farmer leader.

'Tinabangay' spirit or unity, lives among BGFAI members and has been demonstrated in many ways. Repairing the houses of members, construction of buildings, cash donations in times of personal emergencies and communal farming are ordinary gestures of their helpful spirits and has been their regular practice for years.

“Our association has a total land area of 2,390 hectares in which 700 hectares was dedicated to agriculture with 150 hectares cultivated for communal farming. We live in a community that is isolated and hard to reach that is why food security for every member is our priority concern,” said Dizon.

It has been the mission of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to achieve the nation’s food security and sufficiency, BGFAI is among its strong allies in fulfilling this mission.

In 2007, a chipping machine was granted to the association worth P50,000. For the following year on March 27, 2008 a farm tractor worth P1.2 M was given to the group. For almost 8 years the machine is still in good condition. They still use it for land preparation activities.

In June 26, 2012 a mechanical dryer worth P600,000 was given to the association. The equipment was still functional and being used especially on rainy season.

Last year, production inputs were also given to the group. Ten bags of corn were planted in the 6 hectare area of the communal garden. Five bags of registered seeds were also planted in the 5 hectare area. Assorted vegetable seeds were also given to the association.

“The various interventions we have received from DA helped us in our farming activities. Farm equipment and facilities make our work easier and faster, we see to it that what is given to us by the government will be used and maintained properly so it will last longer for the good of the association. The support we get gave us food security which is the priority concern of our association, we are committed to fulfill our mission that every family will not experience hunger and poverty,” said Dizon.

The communal farm serves as the food basket of the association. Coupled with hardwork and tinabangay of the members, rice, corn, cassava, other root crops, fruit bearing trees, and vegetables were planted. When harvest season comes all the produce were distributed equally among its members. Destination of surplus harvest will be sold to the local market of Socorro, Dizon added.

'Tinabangay' spirit of BGFAI is not only a tradition but it is applied as a culture. This is one of many beautiful things that BGFAI members can be proud of.

The rate of success of BGFAI is determined not just by the increase of every member’s income, it is measured on how the association lived with its mission to achieve food security. (DA-13 Info Section/PIA-Caraga)