(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, April 20, 2016



Caraga RDC to hold orientation on IRSE for member-agencies, LGUs

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, April 20 (PIA) – The Regional Development Council (RDC) Caraga is set to hold the one-day Orientation on the Project on Instruction, Research and Sectoral Engagement (IRSE) for its member-agencies and local government units (LGUs) on April 26, 2016 at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

Mylah Faye Aurora CariΓ±o, RDC vice-chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Caraga regional director relayed that this refers to the K to 12 Transition Program of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) which results from the full scale implementation of Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.

“Said program offers among others a comprehensive range of grants through the project on Instruction, Research and Sectoral Engagement for personnel in higher education institutions (HEIs) who will be displaced or affected by the implementation of the K to 12,” remarked CariΓ±o.

CariΓ±o also revealed that with the aim of ensuring the success of said program in the region, CHED partnered with the RDC for its implementation. “Specifically, the RDC was requested to help CHED set up sectoral engagements and identify opportunities for 1) research; 2) technical service partnerships; or 3) immersion for higher education faculty and staff beginning June 2016,” she said.

The vice-chair further emphasized that the IRSE will be a good venue for academe-government collaboration to further regional development. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


DA recognizes 2015 Rice Achievers

By Rhea C. Abao

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 20 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture (DA) recognizes the contribution of its stakeholders in the production of rice in the countryside.

Eleven Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW), two Local Farmer Technicians (LFT), one Small Water Irrigation System Association (SWISA), and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur is given recognition as the national awardees for the 2015 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards (APRAA) representing Caraga region in which awarding will be held today, April 20 at the Resorts World Manila.

APRAA is an annual recognition for the top performing key players in the rice industry. Its goal is to recognize and motivate AEWs, LFTs, SWISAs and LGUs to act as partners for the development of the agriculture sector.

Out of the 399 outstanding AEWs, there are 11 AEW national awardees from the region.  These include: Maria Theresa O. Bagunoc and Cherrie Mae L. Berganio from RTR, Agusan del Norte; Editha G. Osin, Patricinio G. Moran Jr., Marion G. Martin III, Bohmind C. Nonan and Lindamar I. Nonan from Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur; Concepcion P. Sumaoy, Basilisa C. Huera and Gertrulyn T. Natonton from Buenavista, Agusan del Norte; and Victoria I. Roda from Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

Meanwhile, out of the 83 outstanding LFTs in the whole country, 2 LFTs comes from Caraga in the person of Crescencia V. Virgen from Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte and Elizabeth I. Uy from Bunawan, Agusan del Sur.

On the other hand, Siana Irrigators Association from Mainit, Surigao del Norte is chosen as the outstanding SWISA for Mindanao cluster.

Out of the 16 municipal national awardees, the municipality of Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur is again included in the list as one of the outstanding LGUs (municipality category) for bringing significant contribution in meeting the rice production targets under the Food Staples Sufficiency Program.

Aside from honor and recognition, each AEW and LFT receives 20,000 cash award while the outstanding municipality receives 1-million worth of projects which will further boost the rice industry in their locality. The outstanding SWISA will also receive 500,000 worth of project grant.

“Despite of the weak El NiΓ±o, we were still grateful for a favorable harvest. The national awardees were our allies in implementing the needed support in combating climate change. With this, we congratulate the outstanding LGU, AEWs, LFTs, and SWISA for their commitment in doing their respective functions and responsibilities for the development of the agriculture sector,” Mabeza said.

Selection of awardees is based on the criteria set by the National Technical Working Group. The criteria includes: production data in 2014 versus 2015; yield increment and production;  trainings conducted and attended;  internal revenue allotment allotted to the agriculture program;  allocation of personnel to the rice program; use of quality seeds; road map; number of farmers and clusters assisted and submission of reports. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DA Caraga employs youth for summer job

By Aurelius P. Arais

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 20 (PIA) - Earning while learning!

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is now opening an opportunity for the youth to take part in government service and make their summertime more meaningful and productive through the Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP).

SYIP is DA’s participation to the Government Internship Program (GIP) in line with Section 13 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution which provides that the State shall promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, and social well-being of the young people and inculcate in the youth the spirit of patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.

This year, 30 youth were successfully accepted in the SYIP wherein the first half will be reporting for duty from April 1 to April 30 while the second batch will start on May 1 to May 31, 2016.

SYIP successful applicants were assigned in different divisions or sections in DA Regional Office performing office works such as typing, encoding, sorting, machine reproduction and the like.

The youth participants shall render service for eight hours daily at regular office hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) from Monday to Friday.

Maria Victoria Monteclaro, Chief of the Human Resources Management Office said that SYIP participants will receive the prevailing minimum wage in Caraga amounting to P268.00 per day to be released every 15 days.

“This is our way of serving the country by molding the minds of our youth and exposing them in the government service, helping them to earn as a preparation for the next school year,” Monteclaro said.

Summer Youth Internship Program is open for young people, 15-25 years old, students or out of school youth that hasn’t stopped school for more than 2 years and preferably farmer or fisherfolk family member and or Indigenous People (IP).

Cherry Mae Rojo Bonane, 19 years old from Santiago, Agusan del Norte, one of the successful youth applicants said that her earnings will be allocated for her enrollment fee in the incoming school year and for expenses of her stay in Butuan City while working.

“I am so grateful to DA for giving an opportunity for the youth and I am hoping that this program will continue so more family who are in need will benefit as well,” she said.

Cherry Mae Bonane is an incoming third year student taking up Bachelor in Agricultural Technology (BAT) in Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) Mainit, Surigao del Norte campus.

Now on its 6th year, SYIP is an annual program of DA Regional Field Office 13 implemented since 2011. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur agri chief remains concerned over El NiΓ±o despite occasional rains; assures mitigating measures

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, April 20 (PIA) – In spite of occasional rains amid persistent warnings on El NiΓ±o phenomenon, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) here has not ruled out its effect, thereby assuring farmers about mitigating measures.

Marcos Quico, provincial chief agriculturist, said that farmers had nothing to worry about since they have equipped themselves with adequate preparation, citing basic farm and training support plus other aid to blunt the possible impact of severe dry spell. 

Early this year, the provincial chief agriculturist reported a loss in rice yield pointing to mild effect of El NiΓ±o.

He said in a report during a flag ceremony program which they hosted, the province had posted a “-6.84 percent growth rate (GR),” citing rice production at 112,493 metric tons in 2014 as against 104,794 metric tons in 2015.

It can be recalled that Quico had said before that their office had always been in close coordination with the agriculture office at the regional level as well as with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) here to address potential problem. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag)