(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).


Thursday, May 12, 2016



DENR launches "Operation baklas" in SurSur

By Johny S. Natad

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 12 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Surigao del Sur initiates an "Operation Baklas to Save Trees" from illegal posting of election campaign materials nailed and plastered to trees along the national highway on May 11, 2016.

OIC PENR Officer Raul A. Rosales himself led the team for the said operation which started from Barangay Balibadon of Cortes town to Barangay Dayo-an of Tago town. The election posters taken from the trees during the "Operation Baklas" were turned over to Tandag City Environmental Solid Waste and Management office for recycling and proper disposal as mandated by Republic Act (R.A.) 9003.

“We initiated the tearing down of election campaign posters and commercial advertisements installed on trees along public roads as part of our mandate to protect and save the trees,” Rosales said.

“Nailing or stapling advertisements and posters to tree branches or trunks can damage the growth of the trees, and in fact it makes trees become harmful and stressful. The openings caused by the nails hammered or staplers fastened to trees could damage the tissues of trees and make them susceptible from fungi and other pathogenic organisms which might kill the trees. It is therefore our task to immediately teardown all advertisements nailed and posted on trees to rescue and save them from such destruction,” Rosales explained.

The "Operation Baklas to Save Trees" was based on the Presidential Decree No. 953 issued on July 1976 and R.A. 3571. Under this law, it is unlawful to damage or destroy “trees of any kind” in public roads, parks, plazas or other public areas.

Rosales also disclosed that “Operation Baklas to Save Trees” is part of DENR’s task in accordance with the Joint DENR-DILG-COMELEC Memo Circular 2013-01 which ensures a “Basura-Free Election.”

Meanwhile, PENRO Surigao del Sur Technical Services Division Chief Federico A. Senoc, Jr. bared that nailing or stapling of whatever materials on trees is a clear violation of Comelec Resolution No. 6616 and Republic Act 9006, or the Fair Elections Act, which prohibits the posting of campaign materials in public places outside the assigned common poster areas.

“Comelec Resolution No. 6616 upheld the Presidential Decree No. 853 and R.A. 3571 which created a task force to monitor violators and tear down materials found violating the law during pre and post-election periods,” Senoc revealed. “It is for this reason that the DENR is now implementing this activity and help ensure a clean and green election,” Senoc added. (PENRO-SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


FNRI-DOST launches iFNRI website

By Divorah V. Aguila

MANILA, May 12 (PIA) - In a communication initiative to boost virtual access to crucial health and nutrition information in the country, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) established a web-based service called iFNRI that serves as an online tool for food and nutrition information.

The website launched last February 23, 2016 will serve as an authoritative food and nutrition resource for both consumers, especially homemakers, nutrition practitioners, students, and educators.  Extension workers, policymakers and planners, local government units, food manufacturers and food industry participants also stand to benefit from the site.

The new online site is a convenient reference source for current data and trends in food and nutrition for professionals and can help mothers apply sound nutrition concepts in daily life.  It can also serve as a basis for developing school nutrition programs, provide reference information to hotels, restaurants and other institutions in menu planning, and guide industrial canteen concessionaires in maximizing the nutritional value of menus for employees.

The FNRI, created in 1947, is the principal research arm of the government in food and nutrition, and is one of the research and development institutes (RDIs) of the DOST.  The online resource for food and nutrition information is in line with FNRI’s mandate of providing relevant technologies and scientific information on food and nutrition.

Over the years, the FNRI’s major accomplishments include developing and commercializing nutritional food products; conducting periodic, nationwide nutrition surveys; building an analytical food quality and safety assurance system; establishing strategies and programs to address malnutrition; and formulating tools, guidelines and standards to serve the needs of nutrition and nutrition-related workers.

Under-nutrition and over-nutrition are persistent concerns in the country that bear socio-economic and health implications.  The most common of this being protein-energy malnutrition or PEM and micronutrient deficiencies.  Infants and children under five years, as well as pregnant women and lactating mothers, are the most vulnerable groups, especially those in depressed areas. 

One of the recognized causes of malnutrition is the limited access to up-to-date and accurate food and nutrition data among stakeholders including the well-to-do. Thus, constant exposure to food and nutrition information data delivered through various means of communication channels and strategies is crucial.  With iFNRI, the Institute’s mission to provide optimum nutrition for Filipino people is facilitated!

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)


Hinatuan agrarian reform beneficiaries take oath

By Myra Yu

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, May 12 (PIA) - Ten agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from Hinatuan, this province took their oath recently at the Municipal Trial Court of Barobo affirming their commitment to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of government.

Said oath taking is required as provided in the rules and regulations of becoming an ARB and what are their obligations upon receiving the certificate of land ownership award (CLOA). Among the obligations cited include the paying of their annual amortization with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), prohibition period of 10 years not to sell, transfer or convert the awarded lot unless fully paid at LBP, cultivate the land productively and pay taxes.

The obligations stated above are also relative to one of the requirements of the LBP in the processing of Voluntary Offer to Sell Claim Folders (VOSCFs) and/or Compulsory Acquisition Claim Folders (CACFs).

Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Benjamin M. Mataksil said the oath ensures that the identified farmer-beneficiaries have underwent a selection process conducted by the Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officers as provided in Section 22 of Republic Act No. 6657 also known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. (PIO-DAR/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


FNRI Laboratory Services to go online through SL IOS

By Rosemarie J. Dumag

MANILA, May 12 (PIA) - The FNRI-Service Laboratory (FNRI-SL) is an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited group of facilities that is committed to deliver high quality and timely laboratory testing and consultation services. It aims to meet customers’ satisfaction overseen by professional management while promoting advancement and safe working environment. It offers chemical, microbiological and biochemical analyses in food, feed, water and biological samples.

To improve its services, the FNRI-SL Integrated Online System (FNRI-SL IOS) was developed as an innovation in serving customers through an online system of transaction to replace paper-based processes. The FNRI-SL IOS is under the iFNRI program which harmonizes the different ICT projects of the institute. Under the iFNRI are six components namely iAsses, iServe, iBusiness, iPromote, iLearn and iAdmin. The FNRI-SL IOS is under iServe that enables the laboratory processes more automated for an efficient and effective workflow and iBusiness which links the internal and external data processing system of the Institute to work closely with partners.

The FNRI-SL IOS provides faster and convenient transaction and better data management with full traceability of all stages of the laboratory processes. The laboratory workflow was automated and all forms and processes, including service quotation, request of analysis, payment transaction, customer feedback, report of analysis, and statistical reports were translated electronically. Tracking of status of laboratory services requested can be easily monitored any time.

For inquiries, visit our website  at i.fnri.dost.gov.ph/sl-ios.

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)