(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.


Thursday, March 31, 2016



DOE, PIA convene stakeholders in Butuan, Surigao

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) – The Department of Energy (DOE) in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga convened the stakeholders from the local government units, government agencies and information officers from this city and Surigao City for the Multi-Sectoral Advocacy (MSA) Campaign on Downstream Oil Industry.

"On behalf of our regional director Abner Caga, may you enjoy our activity and be able to cascade the learnings you will gain from the speakers. The discussion will focus on liquid petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas laws, rules, and regulations, among others, in line with the government's thrust in ensuring a competitive market under a regime of fair prices, adequate and continuous supply of environmentally-clean and high quality petroleum products. The advocacy drive also pursues Republic Act 8479 otherwise known as the 'Downstream Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998," underlined PIA Caraga deputy regional director Fryan Abkilan.

Nora CL Molde, regional operations chief of PIA Caraga and Agusan del Norte InfoCen Manager also acknowledged the guests and participants and lauded their efforts for being active advocates in their respective communities.

"We acknowledge your full support for this event especially our three mayors who travelled far just to attend this forum. We also have with us the representatives from the national line agencies, mass communicators and media practitioners. Thank you and we hope to continue our strong partnership as we will meet again in our future activities," expressed Molde.

Director Rodela Romero, OIC Director - Oil Industry Management Bureau of Department of Energy gave an overview on Downstream Oil Industry and discussed the Oil Import Sources and the Retail Rules-Product Quantity.

According to Dir. Romero, the disparity of the prices of the petroleum products maybe caused by supply, source and transhipment costs, economies of scale and market competition, and local condition of islands and attendance

Romero further briefed the participants on the overview of what the Downstream Oil Industry is all about, the implementation of Republic Act No. 8479 (An Act Deregulating the Downstream Oil Industry and for other purposes), as well as several issues and concerns that are faced by the industry.

In his talk about the Auto Liquefied Petroleum Products (LPG) Rules/LPG in Butane Canister, Nilo Geroche, chief of Energy Industry Management Division, DOE-Mindanao Field Office shared the different characteristics of the canister valve vs LPG cylinder valve and the reported fire incidents caused by LPG in tin canisters. "We can't compromise our safety by using these canisters as LPG-refilled containers," he emphasized.

Loralai Capistrano from the Retail Market Monitoring and Special Concerns Division of DOE discussed the liquefied fuel retail rules and the important points on rules and regulations governing the business of retailing liquid petroleum products. "These rules will guide us on how we should conduct the business and provide other government bodies a technical reference in granting permits for retail outlets," she stressed.

Also, Engr. Alex Rayos, Supervising Science Research Specialist of Retail Market Monitoring and Special Concerns Division of DOE bared that out of 220 refilling plants in the country 18 of those are found in Mindanao and one is found in Caraga region.

Meanwhile, Atty. Angelito Agoncillo, chief of Hearing Division, DOE-Legal Services talked on the Regulatory Framework on the Business of Retailing Liquefied Petroleum Products and LPG. He also reminded the stakeholders to be fully aware of the laws concerning the downstream oil industry and be able to conform and sustain as required. “Any violation has a corresponding penalty. Being a consumer, dealer, we should be very keen and responsible in observing proper rules and regulations,” he highlighted. (JPG/DJMA/PIA-Caraga)


DOE, PIA spearhead multi-sectoral advocacy campaign in Butuan

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) - The Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, conducted a Multi-Sectoral Advocacy Campaign on Downstream Oil Industry on March 30, 2016 at Almont Inland Hotel, here.

This is under the Communication Initiatives Program being managed and implemented by the DOE through its Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB).

The advocacy campaign aimed to create and capacitate a critical mass of communicators/media practitioners that would serve as conduits in disseminating the benefits and developments in the industry.

One of the topics discussed was the illegal sale of bottled gasoline more commonly known as “bote-bote” peddled in sari-sari stores and even in households. The DOE urged the participants present to help stop this kind of illegal act. They also urged the local government units to pass an ordinance prohibiting the sale of "bote-bote" and penalize the violators considering the danger it would cause and harm the lives of the people.

The DOE also discussed the Overview on the Downstream Oil Industry, LPG Industry Regulatory Framework, Retail Rules, Metrology and Basic Principles on the Sealing and Calibration of a Dispensing Pump.

The DOE emphasized that “a well-informed and vigilant consumer is the best protected consumer.”

Other DOI stakeholders present during the said event were representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry – Bureau of Product Standards, Department of the Interior and Local Government – Bureau of Fire Protection, National Economic and Development Authority, Local Government Units, Liquid Petroleum Products (LPP) retailers, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) dealers and media practitioners. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee pleased over “NGP” in SurSur

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Mar. 31 (PIA) – The Provincial Multi-Sectoral Forest Protection Committee (PMFPC) here has expressed satisfaction on the implementation of the National Greening Program (NGP) province-wide.

Efren Rivas, provincial administrator and concurrent PMFPC chair, while presiding over the 1st Quarter Committee Meeting held on March 29, 2016, said that Surigao del Sur had remained protective over its existing forests.

He, who just came from General Santos City recently, representing Governor Johnny Pimentel during the last meeting called by Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair Luwalhati Antonino, said that Caraga Region, particularly Surigao del Sur, had continued to stay on beautifully green of its forest cover as compared to other provinces.

Pointing out the ill-effects of “El Niño,” Rivas shared what he noticed along the way while heading home on an overland trip—it was more of dried tract of land devoid of lushness.

In his opening statement, what the PMFPC chair told the PMFPC members, comprised of mostly government agencies, including the army and police, had apparently matched the “Presentation of 1st Quarter Forest Protection Accomplishments for CY 2016, NGP and Mangrove Beach Forest PROJECT (MBFP) Accomplishments/Status for CY 2016” care of the three Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) located in Cantilan, Lianga, and Bislig City, respectively.

Meanwhile, for the NGP alone, except for CENRO-Cantilan which posted 94 percent, both CENROs in Lianga and Bislig City reportedly hit the 100 percent mark in 2015. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DAR Agnor holds seminar on Integrating Work, Family, Personal Life

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 31 (PIA) - Employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte attended the Seminar on “Integrating Work, Family and Personal Life” held recently in one of the convention centers here.

The seminar was part of the month-long activities in line with the National Womens’ Month  with the theme “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda!” organized by the Gender and Development (GAD) technical working group of this province in partnership with DAR Ladies Association (DARLA).

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Andre B. Atega, represented by Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer for Land Tenure Improvement Division Laudecia F. Acquiatan in her message encouraged every employee to put into practice what they have learned during the seminar.

The activity aimed on how to maintain not only a productive workplace but also a harmonious family relationships. It also brings personal growth and development in order to live a well-balance work and life coupled with inner satisfaction from relationships with God.

Honey Jane Dadula, DARLA officer and one of the organizers, said that this seminar will do in balancing the value of work while keeping their family’s relationships strong and healthy behind the everyday challenges in the office and home.

Jobert Tolentino, the resource speaker, said that “in this busy world, there are always competing demands for time. If the quality of our work affects the quality of time spend with our family, then, this seminar will give a perfect balance on integrating work, family and personal life.”

Topics discussed were Complementary Roles of Husband and wife; Healthy Communication in the family and in the workplace; Affair Proofing of your marriage; Understanding men and women’s differences; and Making and managing money. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)