(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Friday, 04 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression "JULIAN" {KRATHON} was estimated based on all available data at 240 km North Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes (22.6°N, 120.6°E) with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h. It is almost stationary. Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting 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 Southeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Wednesday, February 24, 2016



28 displaced Caraganon OFWs train in financial literacy, entrep development

By Jean Pearl I. Millones

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) - To equip its beneficiaries with vital learning on entrepreneurship which will eventually aid in their reintegration, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) spearheaded an Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) and Financial Literacy to the first 2016 batch of Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay! applicants on February 22.

The Balik Pinas!, Balik Hanapbuhay! Program grants a non-cash livelihood assistance of P10,000 to provide immediate relief to displaced member-OFWs due to various adversities abroad.

The target beneficiaries who were displaced by hostilities, wars/political conflict in the host country, victims of illegal recruitment or human trafficking who were repatriated before finishing their contracts may avail of the program only once, provided they apply within one year after return to the country.

Jean Mary G. Ronquillo, in-charge for the Reintegration Program, emphasized that the techno-transfer aims to capacitate the beneficiaries with necessary business understanding that will greatly aid them in the planning, setting up and operating a livelihood undertaking.

During the training, the OFWs are assisted in generating a successful, but realistic and viable business venture adhering to the priority projects  including, but not limited to, health and wellness, house repairs, food processing, handicraft, goods under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) scheme and agriculture-related projects.

Further, the training also aims to inculcate the concepts of efficient budgeting, management and finance which could guide them towards the continuance of their business venture.

Gemma Guinanas, an OFW repatriate in 2015, expressed that the training provided her with technical knowledge that she could apply to her currently-engaged buy and sell business. “The assistance will also be a big addition for my capital which will help in the eventual expansion of my market reach," she added.

The Certificate of Attendance to the Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDT) is one of the requirements for the program application. The participants must also provide proof of repatriation or return to the country such as passport or travel documents and airline tickets.

Moreover, after they have completed the training and submitted all the necessary requirements, the beneficiaries are then advised to keep in contact with the agency for the processing and procurement of their starter kits. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Mobile dental clinic to serve Agusanons

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 24 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte is set to receive a Mobile Dental Clinic including its equipment from the Department of Health (DOH) to augment public dental health services in the province.

To address the prevalence of dental diseases in the country, the DOH is implementing the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) by providing mobile dental clinics with equipment to provinces and other local government units (LGUs) to ensure the accessibility of quality dental health services to all Filipino citizens, especially those who are underprivileged.

DOH studies reveal that the prevalence of dental diseases nationwide continues to be high in the country starting from childhood but the ratio of dentists to patients remains relatively low with the figure 1:48,000-50,000.

Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba will sign the Deed of Donation by and between the province and the DOH for the provision of the mobile dental clinic.

Under the Deed of Donation, the province will ensure that the mobile dental clinic is utilized in accordance with its purpose; ensure the availability of dentists and other health personnel, drugs, medicines and supplies, utilities and other operational expenses; ensure the rational use of the mobile dental clinic within the province to maximize its benefit to the residents needing quality dental care and services; ensure the proper maintenance, out of its own resources, of the said mobile dental clinic; and designate the Provincial Health Officer as the focal person who will be coordinating with the DOH Caraga Regional Office for purposes of program monitoring and evaluation.

Provincial Board Member Rey G. Jamboy, chairman of the Committee on Health and Nutrition, pushed for the passage and approval of Sanggunian Resolution No. 050-2016, authorizing Governor Amante-Matba for the said signing who believed that the mobile dental clinic will give quality dental treatment to Agusanons who may otherwise have a hard time in accessing essential healthcare. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)