(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).


Monday, May 9, 2016



Opening of polls generally peaceful amid adverse incidents in Caraga

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, May 9 (PIA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Office-13 disclosed that the opening of today’s elections and conduct of polls are generally peaceful despite reports of two shooting incidents in different provinces of the region.

“There were no violations on gun ban being reported and the situation is commonly peaceful region-wide as around 3,000 personnel police personnel were deployed. Our troops have also intensified the checkpoints operations,” stated PNP Caraga regional director PCSupt Rolando Felix in an interview via Philippine Information Agency Caraga’s 107.8MHz Power FM held this city.

However, PCSupt Felix confirmed that unfavorable shooting incident transpired in Purok 2, Brgy. San Antonio, RTR, Agusan del Norte, on the election day at about 2:00 p.m., victimizing Guillermo Egbot Antong, 43 years old, married perpetrated by Primo Constancia, married and of legal age, Brgy. Councilor of Brgy. San Antonio, RTR, Agusan del Norte and Jojo Cabatsiti, legal age and married, with the use of .9mm pistol.

Investigation disclosed that the victim together with other passengers were on board travelling a Starex van and upon reaching the place of incident, the suspects on board motorcycles shot them several times hitting the left ankle of the victim and was immediately brought to the Cabadbaran District Hospital for medical treatment. The suspects remain at large but recovered from the crime scene were one red SYM Wolf motorcycle for registration, one black Keeway CS110 motorcycle bearing plate number LC91221 and four fired cartridge cases of caliber .9mm pistol.

In addition, day before the conduct of elections at about 9:15 a.m. in Purok Camia, Brgy. San Pedro, Alegria, Surigao del Sur, Sherwin Odvina Solis, 37 years old, single and a resident of aforesaid location was shot by unidentified suspect with the use of firearm of unknown caliber.

Recovered from the victim’s pocket was one sachet of suspected shabu with estimated weight of 0.5 gram and dangerous drugs board value of P 5,900.00. Accordingly, the victim is listed as number 9 Drug Watch List Personality in the municipal level.

With these adverse incidents, RTR and Alegria municipal police stations, respectively, are conducting thorough investigations for the possible arrest of the suspects, said PCSupt Felix.

Also, PCSupt Felix assured that the police forces, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Commission of Election (COMELEC) will be on the lookout for a peaceful, clean and honest elections. He further encouraged everyone to be more responsible and vigilant, and to report any violations especially on election-related crimes to the nearest authorities. (VLG,PIA-Caraga/PNP-13)


All is set & manageable in AgSur, says Comelec

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

PATIN-AY, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, May 9 (PIA) – “All is set and manageable for today's election.”

This was the statement of Atty. Alvin Canta, Agusan del Sur provincial election supervisor during his live radio interview over 107.8 MHz Power FM/ Advanced Froward Emergency Broadcasting System (AFEBS) Network of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, this city.

Atty. Canta emphasized that the Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) that were distributed and installed in the 13 municipalities of the province and one city were all functional after the conduct of final testing and sealing. He also stressed that the Comelec is doing its best to make today's election credible, honest, peaceful, and successful.

Canta added that they have also prioritized lanes for the senior citizens, persons with disability, lactating and pregnant women in all the polling centers of the said province. It was also learned that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recently issued a memorandum mandating the different public kindergarten schools to help the parents take care or look after their children as parents will cast their votes in their respective polling centers.

Canta further encouraged the general public especially those who will cast their votes to avoid committing any election offense such as taking pictures of the VCM or LCD screen of the machine, and ballot receipt. The commission will not tolerate any election offense that voters might be committing in today's election.

The Comelec is operating 24-hours to ensure a secure and fair election today. For any election-related complaints, Atty. Canta reiterated that it should be in writing and submitted to concerned Comelec office, and appropriate action shall be taken by the authorities. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


COMELEC Caraga requests immediate shipment of additional VCMs due to defective units

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, May 9 (PIA) – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Caraga regional director Atty Renato Magbutay bared that their office has requested for an additional units of Vote Counting Machines (VCMs) as several units were reportedly malfunctioned.

“An additional VCMs have been requested for immediate shipment from Central Office Manila to replace the malfunctioned units encountered during Monday’s conduct of national and local elections in Caraga region,” said Atty. Magbutay in a live interview over Philippine Information Agency’s (PIAs) 107.8 MHz Power FM.

As of 11:00 a.m., several defective VCMs have been reported and needed to be replaced but Atty. Magbutay emphasized that whether the machine is functioning or not, there shall be no suspension in casting the votes thus, the electoral process must go on.

In Surigao del Sur alone, more than 56 VCMs reportedly broke down hours after polling precincts opened.

Meanwhile, the provincial election supervisors in the different provinces revealed that there had been no related incidents reported aside from minor malfunction of several VCMs in various polling precincts in the region. (NCLM/JPG, PIA-Caraga)


News Feature: Rich family plus with working mom equals less exclusive breastfeeding

By Mildred O. Guirindola

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. This is regardless of the child’s race or social and economic standing.

Related to this, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) determined the characteristics of children and their families who are exclusively breastfed through a study based on the 8th National Nutrition Survey.

Results of the study showed that children belonging to the richest quintile have only 0.1 times as likely to be breastfed exclusively compared with children from the poorest quintile. On the other hand, mothers who were not working had 2.0 times greater chances of practicing exclusive breastfeeding compared to their counterparts who were working.

The study further cited that 17.3% of mothers did not even try to give any breastmilk to their children because of work.

The study proves that working mothers need support in workplaces to continue breastfeeding while working. Establishment of lactation stations in workplaces and allowing at least 40 minutes lactation breaks, as mandated Republic Act (RA) 10028 or the Expanded Breastfeeding Law should be implemented.

All children deserve breastmilk as the sole source of nourishment from birth until six months. Breastfeeding should continue after six months until two years and beyond, with the addition of nutritious complementary foods. The campaign on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding with focus on the families from the rich sectors and working mothers need to be intensified.

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)


News Feature: HIV does not have to be a death sentence

By Jund Rian A. Doringo

Starting as a mysterious pneumonia-like infection in the 1980s, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection usually manifested by the accumulation of diseases rooting from having very low or no immune system response.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV targets the immune system and weakens people’s defense systems against infections and certain cancers. It destroys and impairs the functions of the immune cells while increases the vulnerability of an infected person a wide range of diseases that a person not infected can normally fight off.

Although a lot of misconceptions about the transmission of HIV have been circulating for years now, HIV can only be transmitted through the exchange of certain body fluids specifically the blood, vaginal secretions, semen, and breast milk.

Consequently, saliva or sweat and any other body fluids can not transfer the virus, not even mosquito bites.

Signs and symptoms of the virus infection may vary from one person to the other, but the most noticeable are swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever, diarrhea, and cough that can later develop to severe illnesses such as tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis, lymphoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, to name a few, as confirmed by the WHO.

Nevertheless, the only way to know if a person is HIV positive is through HIV testing.

The WHO revealed that “HIV continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 34 million lives so far in 2014, where 1.2 million people died from HIV-related causes globally. Moreover, there were approximately 36.9 million people living with HIV at the end of 2014 with 2 million people becoming newly infected with HIV in 2014 globally.”

In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) revealed that there are over 27,000 cases of reported HIV as of July 2015. Though the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the country is low, the Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the world (WHO).

As of this writing, there is no known cure for HIV. The issue of HIV has imposed a stigma in the society up until today. However, getting tested positive for HIV is not a death sentence anymore.

There is a continuous development for the regression and treatment of the virus through effective anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to help prevent transmission of the virus and let people living with it enjoy productive lives.

In line with this, the United Nations (UN) in 2000 has committed and signed time-bound and quantifiable targets to address issues of extreme poverty, along with its underlying causes known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are expected to be met by 2015.

The MDG 6 focuses on combating HIV or AIDS, malaria and other diseases by reversing the spread of HIV or AIDS, malaria and other diseases by 2015.

The battle against HIV or AIDS is achievable by limiting exposure to risk factors and observing HIV preventions like using condom and sterile injecting equipment, and early detection of the virus via HIV testing.

If found positive, don’t lose hope. With continuous ARV treatment, regular check-up and counseling coupled with healthy lifestyle, eating properly, having the right mind and attitude, and regular exercise, people living with the virus can live longer and stronger.

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)


Tagalog News: Comelec Caraga pinabulaanang may dayaan sa vote counting machines

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano 

BUTUAN CITY, Mayo 9 (PIA) - Pinabulaanan ni Commission on Elections (Comelec) Caraga regional director Attorney Renato Magbutay na may dayaan sa vote counting machines (VCMs) na syang gagamitin ngayong eleksyon sa araw na ito.

Sa ginanap na pagtitipon ng mga opisyales ng Armed forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) at local media kamakailan lang, binigyang-diin ni Atty. Magbutay na walang katotohanan ang napabalitang may magaganap na dayaan gamit ang mga vote counting machines sa eleksyon.

Anya, ito ay isa lamang black propaganda ng mga taong gustong manggulo sa halalan at maimpluwesyahan ang pag-iisip ng mga botante.

Dagdag pa ni Attorney Magbutay, handang-handa na ang kanilang hanay kasama ang ibat-ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan sa anumang posibleng mangyari sa eleksyon lalung-lalo na anya na may mga taong nagbabalak na guluhin ito.

“Handang-handa na tayo para sa eleksyon at lahat po ng ating mga vote counting machines ay gumagana at wala pong madadaya rito,” diin ni Atty. Magbutay.

Napag-alaman din na sa Libertad Elementary School, isa sa mga barangay sa lungsod ng Butuan na may pinakamalaking botante ay handang-handa na sa mga kinakailang preparasyon pati na ang seguridad ng mga board of election inspectors at supervisors at mga botante.

Ayon kay Nenita Mejica-Diolata, principal II ng nasabing skwelahan, handang-handa na ang kompletong listahan ng kanilang mga polling precincts at siniguradong functional ang lahat ng mga vote counting machines matapos ang final testing and sealing ng mga ito. May mga technical team din anya na handang umayos sakaling may technical problem na ma-eencounter saan mang polling centers.

“Naka-set up na lahat ng ating mga VCMs sa ibat-ibang polling centers pati na rin ang mga kinakailangang election paraphernalia. Handang-handa na rin ang ating deputized teachers na magsisilbing board of election inspectors,” sabi ni Diolata.

Samantala, ipinahayag din ni regional director Abner Caga ng PIA Caraga na ang designated media center ay sa Sandigan Hall na nasa loob ng Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga regional office.

Dagdag pa ni director Caga, ang nasabing media center ay magiging bukas at accessible sa mga media sa anumang oras sa araw na ito. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)