(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 09 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 165 km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan (12.3N, 118.7E) It is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Luzon, 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 West will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Friday, June 17, 2016

Agnor guv prioritizes ‘Education for All’

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, June 17 (PIA) – “Making life better for all Agusanons has always been our ardent quest for vision,” says Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba.

In her state of the province address (SOP) held Friday here, Matba gave emphasis on the importance of giving priority to the education of the youth in the province.

Matba said that for the past few years, the province continues to invest in the young generation and ‘Education for All’ has always been one of her primary goals.

“As leaders and policy makers, it is truly a big challenge to provide education that would equip learners with the needed competencies and prepare them ready for life,” said gov. Matba. Several programs were successfully launched to improve the performance with the support of the parents and other stakeholders, gov. added.

As a result, in 2015, a reduction of 1.53 percent of the dropout rate in the elementary level in the entire province was achieved.

Governor Matba also reported that the province’s enrolment rate in year 2015 has exceeded the school age population recorded by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). A total of 42,557 students were enrolled as against the PSA count of 39,975.

Also, the province’s performance in the 2015 National Achievement Test in the grade 6 level improved to 87.47 percent from the 2014 achievement of 84.13 percent.

The quality of education provided in the province according to governor Matba has produced students with exceptional talents and skills. In 2015, Xavier Clyde S. Dubduban of Northern Mindanao Intitute placed first in the regional Science Fair Contest in Microscope Focusing and Karl Andrea Culta got third Best Presenter in the over-all National Radio category.

Similarly for the teacher category, governor Matba has announced that Agusan del Norte was the National Champion for Science Investigatory project (Physical Science) and on the Spot Improvisation of Materials in Science.

During the year 2015, a total of 218 elementary and secondary school buildings amounting to P194,757,194.77 were constructed in the province under her administration. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Caraga stakeholders to participate in Strategic Dev’t Planning Workshop for Agusan River Basin

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, June 17 (PIA) – The Caraga stakeholders from government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, academe, and other partners will be participating in the Strategic Development Planning Workshop on June 22-24, 2016 at Bishop’s Home, Brgy. Ampayon, this city.

The Agusan River Governing Board (ARBGB) in coordination with the Mindanao Development Authority (minDA) is spearheading said activity.

According to ARBGB chairperson and Bishop Juan De Dios Pueblos of the Diocese of Butuan, the workshop is aimed at developing a three-year strategic work plan for the ARBGB, which includes resource mobilization and strategies for the board to gain its autonomy and sustainability to run by itself. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


DA Caraga turns-over modern corn drying facility to Agusan farmers

By Aurelius P. Arais

BUTUAN CITY, June 17 (PIA) - To help corn farmers attain premium quality of their produce, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga turned-over another Village Type Corn Postharvest Processing Center to the farmers through the local government unit of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte last June 1.

The second unit established in the said town and third in the region, the Village Type Corn Postharvest Processing Center situated in Brgy. Pinana-an, is a modern drying and shelling facility worth P3.5 million and has a capacity of processing 10 tons of corn.

The facility will process either freshly harvested corn in cob or shelled kernels that need further drying just for a very minimal fee.

DA Caraga regional director Edna Mabeza said that modern drying facility helps to eliminate poor quality of corn that may pose health hazard to human and animal due to aflatoxin.

“There are reports based on laboratory test results that some areas are having high aflatoxin level of corn produce which is caused by delayed drying after harvesting,” she said.

According to corn quality parameter, aflatoxin level of corn for feed purposes must not exceed the tolerable limit of 50 parts per billion (pbb) and for human consumption of not more than 20 pbb.

Las Nieves Mayor Avelina Rosales extended her gratitude to DA Caraga for supporting their corn farmers and vowed to implement measures to ensure sustainability of the project.

“I am urging the farmers to help maintain the facility because it is a multi-million peso project from the government and be cooperative on the policy that we are going to implement to make this project sustainable,” she said.

Aside from corn, the facility is also designed to dry palay thus making it more advantageous for the farmers.

The first two Village Type Corn Postharvest Processing Center funded by the DA is located at Brgy. Tiniwisan, this city and Brgy. Malicato of Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte.

More of this kind is on the pipeline for completion in various parts of the region as implemented under AgriPinoy Corn Program. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DENR Caraga awards hundreds of environmental partners

By Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

BUTUAN CITY, June 17 (PIA) - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga has recognized the contributions of several environmental partners in celebration of the 29th DENR Anniversary on June 10, 2016 at the DENR Regional Covered Court.

“DENR Anniversary is not only limited to a celebration within the agency. There are lots of people behind our accomplishments. We will honor the efforts of our partners,” DENR Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo said.

About 349 awardees were recognized including two posthumous awards to individuals who contributed much in the advocacy to strengthen forest protection and conservation.

The awardees include farmers, media practitioners, People’s Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and some political icons.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of our partners for continuously supporting our programs and projects especially the National Greening Program and the Anti-illegal Logging Campaign. All these projects are successful because of efforts,” Tamayo said.

Among the awardees, two personalities were honoured for their noble contributions in environmental protection and conservation. They are Mayor Dario Otaza and Tarciano Pendon.

Mayor Otaza has been an effective partner in the National Greening Program and the Anti-illegal Logging Campaign of the DENR. He changed several lives in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. While, Pendon, a Bantay Danao of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur, protected the biodiversity within the lake using the best of his abilities.

“Life is indeed short, but we can make it worthwhile. Life does not end the day we serve our purpose, it begins there. Again, my sincere thanks to everybody who is with us in our advocacy for the environment,” Tamayo said. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DTI holds training to Surigao org to improve local products, services

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 17 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently conducted a series of trainings and activities to the members of Ima Women Initiated-Community Association (IWICA) of Barangay Ima, Sison, this province.

IWICA is a recipient of DTI's 2014 BuB (Bottom up Budgeting) Lemon Grass Processing Project. The association produces hydrosol and essential oil form processed lemongrass and they enthusiastically believe that the mentioned products are viable for business.

Trainings on financial literacy, simple bookkeeping, and business operations planning and equipment usage demonstration and skills coaching were conducted recently to better prepare them with their enterprise venture. It was learned that the DTI also assists them through business consultation services.

The association was also provided with packaging materials and labels to ready their products for market in the municipality of Sison, and other neighboring municipalities.

IWICA is now confident to go into business after the provision of several assistance and support from different agencies like DTI, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and local government unit to their new business endeavor but still, they are willing to learn to continually improve their business.

IWICA’s hydrosol and essential oil will be sold in trade fairs regularly and they will also join every selling activities and ensure presence of their products in busiest stores in the province. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


PENRO SurSur employees crowns Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan 2016

By Maria Catherine M. Gonzaga

BUTUAN CITY, June 17 (PIA) – Employees from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Surigao del Sur won the Search for 2016 Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan during the 29th DENR Anniversary celebration on June 10, 2016 at the DENR Regional Covered Court.

Kaleb Arreza and Maricris Lamela won the title as they shine in almost all the categories during the event. Among their special awards are Best in Sportswear, Best in Kalikasan Attire, and Best in Formal Attire.

The Search for Mr. and Ms. Kalikasan is an annual event during the celebration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Anniversary. This event showcases the talents of the employees and paves the way to self improvement.

“Today, we are celebrating our 29th anniversary with the theme: 'Patuloy na pagsisikap para sa kalikasan:  Isang pagdiriwang.' As we celebrate today’s event, we renew and strengthen our vows to be protectors of our environment and effective public servants. Let us use this celebration as a motivation to strive harder and be agents of change,” said DENR Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo.

“The competition is not just about beauty and fame but rather aims to promote social awareness in the role of each individual in the protection and conservation of the environment,” he added. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


PopCom Caraga heightens advocacy for men

BUTUAN CITY, June 17 (PIA) - The Commission on Population (PopCom) calls for dynamic and responsible involvement among males in managing the over-all concerns of the entire family. This is the focal campaign of the agency as the world celebrates Father’s Day on June 19.

PopCom Caraga regional director Alexander A. Makinano highlighted the significant contribution of male presence in nurturing the children and fulfilling his responsibilities as a husband to his wife.

In the observance of Father’s Day, PopCom, through its Responsible Parenthood-Family Planning (RPFP) program, urges all men to actively get involved in reproductive health (RH) because their health status and behaviors affect women’s reproductive health.

For instance, when men are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their women partners are at greater risk of abuse which may lead to unintended pregnancies and STDs as well as direct injuries, including abortion and miscarriage.

“Males hold one of the keys to reducing maternal and infant deaths and improving womenand children’s health," Makinano emphasized.

In sustaining this advocacy, PopCom strengthens one of its initiatives for men – the KATROPA or Kalalakihang Tumutugon sa Responsibilidad at Obligasyon para sa Kalusuganng Ina at Pamilya through Training of Trainers and Rollout Sessions in the region. This initiative aims to equip husbands and men with the right information about reproductive health and family planning; empowered them with knowledge about themselves.

KATROPA initiative also promotes gender equality and women empowerment. Providing accurate RH information, offering essential and quality RH care services to men benefits both men and women in various ways such as expanding the range of contraceptive options, supporting women’s contraceptive use, and preventing STDs.

PopCom also underscored that if males are involved in discussions and activities on maternal health and responsible parenting, they could become advocates who could pushfor needed policies and programs in their respective communities. (PopCom-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


PopCom Caraga hails Duterte’s policy on FP

BUTUAN CITY, June 17 (PIA) – The regional office here of the Commission on Population (PopCom) is on high hope on the future direction of the population program with the strong support coming from the incoming President, His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

PopCom Caraga through regional director Alexander A. Makinano has various recommendations to the next administration which hopefully can contribute to the full blast implementation of the programdown to the grassroots level, to wit:

Tax discount or any form of tax incentive shall be given to parent/s with only 1 to 3 children. However, said benefits will be forfeited once the couple will already be having children beyond the limit of three. Orientation and information regarding the matter shall be done during the couples’ Pre-Marriage Orientation-Seminar.

Review the withholding tax on compensation and of personal and additional exemptions. Take measures and modify some existing provisions that would encourage couples to limit their children to not more than three.

Family Planning program and its implementations must be transferred to the PopCom including the stocking and distribution of contraceptives/supplies.

Finally to encourage couple to limit their children, the government must consider giving incentives in the form of the following: a. one child: free education from elementary to college; b. two children: free education from high school to college; and c. three children: free education from elementary to high school.

Few days after the election, President-elect Duterte expressed his strong support to the Family Planning Program of the government and will strictly implement said program to push his economic growth agenda.

In addressing the country’s ballooning population, Duterte’s stance can be considered another development for the Philippine Population Management Program (PPMP).

As revealed in the 2015 Census of Population, more than 8 million Filipinos were added to the population, in just five years since 2010. Results of the 2015 census show the population grew 1.72 percent last year, down from 1.9 percent Population Growth Rate (PGR) of 2010.

Caraga’s population last year reached to 2,596,709. This shows an increase of about 200,000 from 2010 census of population by the Philippine Statistics Authority. Population program advocates are all positive that with the pronouncement of president-elect Duterte, his strong support to FP, the population program will be strengthened and a comprehensive approach to reduce unmet need for modern family planning, especially among poor families will be institutionalized. (PopCom-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: 5th Clustered Assembly on the K to 12 and ASEAN Integration sa DepED gipahigayon sa probinsya

Ni Mary Jul Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Hunyo 17 (PIA) - Usa ka dakong dungog alang sa probinsya sa nga napili isip maoy host province sa nagapadayon nga 5th Clustered Assembly sa National Employees Union (NEU) sa Department of Education nga gisugdan niadtong Hunyo 15 hangtod karong adlawa, Hunyo 17, 2016 didto sa Philippine Gateway Hotel, ning dakbayan.

Mao kini ang pamahayag ni Gobernador Sol Matugas kagahapong adlawa atol na sa opening program sa maong assembly nga diin ang gobernador maoy nahimong keynote speaker.

Sa mensahe ni Gobernador Matugas iyang gi-saysay ang iyang mga kasinati-an sulod sa 43 anyos niya nga pagserbisyo sa DepEd ug ang mga nindot nga mga programa nga iyang napatuman sa natad sa edukasyon aron sa pagpalambo dili lamang sa mga kabataan kundili sa mga magtutudlo usab.

Gikalipay usab sa gobernador ang paghidangat dinhi sa probinsya sa iyang mga higala sa DepEd National Office gikan pa kaniadtong regional director pa siya ug hangtod karon.

Pinasidunggang mga bisita sa maong assembly mao sila DepEd NEU National President Atty. Domingo Alidon ug former DepEd Assistant Secretary Emilio Abelita.

Ang mga partisipante sa maong assembly mao ang mga empleyado sa DepEd gikan sa nagka lain-laing divisions sa Region 11 (Davao) ug Region 13 (Caraga). (PGO-PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)