(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, June 20, 2016


Guv bares educational programs to Agusanons

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) – Agusan del Norte Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba said that she does not only prioritizes 'education for all' but she also prepares the graduates to actual work.

In her recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) here, Matba said that in order to institutionalize the strategy of ‘from school to work’ program, the province granted Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) to 589 students and provincial scholarship trainings to over 170 beneficiaries for the year 2015.

Matba said that a total of 105 students were likewise granted Educational Assistance with a budget of P2.9 million.

Also, during the year-end review, a total of 1,038 qualified and deserving scholars were assessed while 2,150 were trained, said governor Matba. "That year, 1,361 scholars also graduated and the cost of the provincial government in implementing these interventions was over P20.4 million," she added.

“The effort of the provincial government in education placed minimum attention for our Indigenous Peoples (IP), and with much pride, I am glad to announce the success gained by three of our IP scholars who did not only complete their respective course in teaching, but also finished Cum Laude,” governor Matba proudly announced.

The three IPs have already passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), it was learned.

Governor Matba said that the achievements were attained because of the clear direction to provide quality education with the aim to attain full literacy by 2030. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Government’s programs reached local residents in AgSur, says Gov. Plaza

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, June 20 (PIA) – “Government programs and services has reached to our local residents in the different municipalities here in the province of Agusan del Sur.”

This was emphasized by Governor Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) held on Friday at the Naliyagan Cultural Center Main Stage here.

According to Gov. Plaza, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga has intensified its provision of vegetables seeds, fruit trees seedlings, upland rice seeds, corn seeds, rubber seedlings, and pre and post harvest facilities to the different communities to help their livelihood, increase their production and income.

“The Philippine Coconut Authority has also supported the local government in the provision of coconut seedlings, as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development in allocating funds for the establishment of day care centers. The Department of Health has also helped in providing more visible sanitary toilets and Botika ng mga Barangay. Medical missions were also conducted to address the health needs of our people,” bared Gov. Plaza.

Gov. Plaza also cited that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has provided armchairs for the Indigenous peoples (IPs). The PAMANA road projects of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has also helped in constructing concrete roads for the localities to experience convenience in travelling from the upland area to the public market and other destinations.

“We would like to thank the unstinting support of the officials in Sangguniang Panlalawigan for the passage of the Agusan del Sur Agriculture Code of 2016. This landmark legislation provides a healthy and robust enabling environment for the agriculture sector so that it becomes a potent sector in reducing poverty,” said Plaza.

Overall, a total of 394 kilometers of provincial roads are in good and fair condition according to Gov. Plaza. “A total of 102,389 households have benefitted from the road projects using provincial funds covering 215 kilometers. The PAMANA Project using the DILG fund rehabilitated a total of 22.3 kilometers benefitting 5,983 households in the municipalities of Sibagat, Prosperidad, Veruela, San Luis, and Esperanza,” he underlined.

“We will continue to ensure the meaningful engagement of civil society organizations in the development process. We will continue to physically integrate geographically isolated communities to markets and urban centers through infrastructure development. We will assist communities become resilient in disaster-prone and human-induced calamities. We will continue to ensure sustainable management of environment assets. We will develop and promote cluster destinations to optimize tourism potential. Finally, we will invest in the normalization, stability, and improved confidence in insurgency-affected areas,” stressed Gov. Plaza. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


AgSur guv highlights USAD Program in AgSur

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, June 20 (PIA) – In his State of the Province Address (SOPA) held on Friday at the Naliyagan Cultural Center (NCC) Main Stage here, Governor Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza cited the Upland Sustainable Agri-Forestry Development (USAD) Program as one of the highlights of his accomplishments in the province.

Gov. Plaza recalled that the provincial government has initiated the participatory rapid appraisal in the communities with the help of the barangay and municipal officials so as to assess the necessary needs and identify resolutions to the existing issues in the barangays. With this, the local government unit was able to provide livelihood, clean drinking water, roads, day care centers, and sanitation and health facilities, among others.

The governor emphasized that the USAD program has been implemented in the municipalities of the province since 2013. According to him, it prioritizes those municipalities that need utmost attention and provision of different services and projects from the government. He also thanked all the farmers who enrolled in the said program, who also believed that it could improve the quality of life they have.

“The Upland Sustainable Agri-Forestry Development (USAD) convergence program is an avenue for partners where resources are pooled and initiatives are rationalized and harmonized to ensure continuity, complementation, and impact. Each barangay in every municipality in the province has been benefitting from the said program,” Plaza said.

It was also learned that from 2014-2015, a total of 63 barangays were already provided with technical and capital assistance under the USAD Program covering six municipalities in Agusan del Sur. In 2016, a total of 49 barangays are targeted to be under the said program. Twenty-four (24) of the 49 barangays were former USAD barangays and they will continue to receive support until such time that sustainability of the gains is guaranteed. To date, around 1,314 farmer enrollees have availed of the USAD program in the province.

Gov. Plaza further revealed that a certain Carlos Denonong, a farmer-enrollee in San Patricio, La Paz of the province (who was also introduced during the event) has been one of the beneficiaries from the USAD Program. The said farmer has availed farm inputs – the rubber seedlings from the said program.

“With the USAD program, I was able to avail free farm inputs provided by the local government through planting of rubber seedlings. Aside from that, I and my family was able to further improve our income from planting corn and vegetables,” expressed Denonong. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


DA-13 launches 31M Agri-Pinoy Trading Center in Siargao

By Fretcher D. Magatao

DAPA, Surigao del Norte, June 20 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture (DA) - 13 in partnership with the provincial government of Surigao del Norte and Winrock International officially opens the P31 million Agri-Pinoy Trading Center in Dapa, Siargao Island.

A total of 413 farmers and 14 groups of fishers in eight municipalities of the island would benefit from the project. Fruits, vegetables, root crops and fishery products can now be traded in the center.

The center is like a dream-come-true among the farmers and fishers. "God has granted us this dream, we can now see a standing establishment where we can display all our agricultural goods," said Governor Sol Matugas.

Matugas encouraged the sellers of the center to plant and increase production so the establishment will be filled with locally produced goods with high value and quality.

Farmers in the island mostly rely on what they called as "mamikilay" or the ones who trade their goods to the market and return to them for payment after the goods are sold.

Traders of the goods have stores in the market which the farmer gamble to pass up the selling of their produce. "Most of the time we need to entrust our produce to the traders since we don't have stores where we can display our goods," said Elmar Salado, a farmer from San Benito.

The one hectare trading center answers the long-time desire of the farmers in the island. "We are so much grateful that the government has seen our need and granted the desire of our hearts; we now have a place to sell our goods," Salado said.

The center also has a cold storage with 15 tons capacity and chilling room with 10 tons capacity courtesy of Winrock International under the Philippine Cold Chain Project (PCCP).

There are just 21 trading centers all over the Philippines; 11 are already launched and 10 are still being built. "This facility has truly inspired us. Let all operations and transactions in this establishment be done accordingly so we can sustain this project and allow the next generation to still benefit from this," said DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness Leandro Gazmin.

Gazmin, who led the inauguration and turnover ceremony, stressed that sustainability demands better financial management and marketing, and improved knowledge in management through experience and constant coordination among members and stakeholders.

The establishment of trading center aimed to increase agricultural productivity of fruits and vegetables, poultry and fishery products, and to create new agricultural producer groups and strengthen existing ones.

DA-13 regional director Edna Mabeza also reminded the recipients to take care of the project. "We have been entrusted with a project and all we have to do is to be responsible of what is given to us," Mabeza said. (DA-13/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


AgNor guv bares list of completed infra projects

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) – Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba recognizes that economic development can be hastened if appropriate public infrastructures are in place in the province.

In year 2015, 105 different infrastructure projects with a total cost of P891,229,765 were completed in the province, said governor Matba during her State of the Province Address (SOPA) held on Friday in one of the convention centers here.

According to governor Matba, road improvement and rehabilitation were implemented along the Agusan-Bukidnon Road/Buenavista Section, Nasipit-Buenavista-Masao Port Coastal Road, the Nasipit Port Road and the improvement of the provincial roads.

Also, other improvement works such as slope protection, drainage and sidewalks were maintained, governor Matba added.

“The province has also substantially completed two major projects – the Construction of Cabadbaran Putting Bato Road coasting P84,843,219.06 and a road network traversing Poblacion-Hinimbangan in the  municipality of Kitcharao costing P150 million which will soon be completed,” said governor Matba.

Pre-implementation documents like preliminary engineering surveys and detailed engineering designs for 11 projects costing P371,907,048 were also completed, she said. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Lawless armed group continues to prey lumads

BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) – Only less than a month after a lawless armed group murdered Josefina “Nicnic” Bajade, a 64-year old retired provincial welfare and development officer (PSWDO) in the province of Agusan del Sur, another killing incident transpired in Barangay Binicalan, San Luis of the same province when a family of lumad were fired upon by the same bandit, the New People's Army (NPA), on June 5, 2015 at about 8:00 a.m.

According to “Dodong” (not his real name), a 10-year old lone survivor of the said incident, he and his family left Purok 3, Barangay Freedom, Cabanglasan Bukidnon heading towards Mt. Katalawan, Barangay Binicalan. As they were traversing Taguikan Creek, they were fired upon by an undetermined number of lawless armed men.

The child claimed that he immediately took cover and ran in order to survive until he finally reached Barangay Indalasa in Bukidnon. There he reported the incident to the local authorities.

Upon receipt of the report, the 8th Infantry (Dependable) Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, together with the Philippine National Police, immediately conducted a search and rescue operation which led to the discovery of the corpse of Lando Bocalas (father), Julina Bocalas (mother) who was five months pregnant, Mancolobe Bocalas (Lando’s brother), while Rosalyn (eight years old), Bahanan (six years old) and Bayubasan Bocalas (four years old) are still missing up to this time.

Pursuit operation is ongoing to put the perpetrators to justice. (AFP/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Norte marks Capitol family day

By John Glenn A. Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 20 (PIA) - Provincial capitol employees joined recently the celebration of the 56th Founding Anniversary of Surigao del Norte as a province, detached from Surigao del Sur.

Provincial administrator Atty. Premolito Plaza, issued a memorandum by the authority of Governor Sol Matugas enjoining all functionaries and rank-and-file personnel to attend the historic celebration.

With the theme, "Pamilya, Sentro Sa Pag-uswag Nan Probinsya," the highlights of the meaningful event were thanksgiving mass, mangrove planting, coastal clean-up, capitol family outing, fun games and picnic.

By virtue of Republic Act No. 2786, dated June 19, 1960, the old Province of Surigao was divided into two: Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte, with the municipality of Surigao as the capital of the latter.

Later on, the municipality of Surigao became a chartered city pursuant to Republic Act No. 6134, which was approved on August 31, 1970.

On June 19, 1990, then Pres. Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 577 declaring the event as Province of Surigao del Sur day.

“Residents of the Province of Surigao del Sur desire to celebrate with fitting ceremonies this event in their province’s history. The day, however, shall be a regular working and school day,” the proclamation noted.

Gov. Matugas, in 2012, directed a research team headed by Dr. Irenetta Montinola, a well-known historian, to follow a line of investigation concerning the exact date when One Surigao was born.

“This would mean going down memory lane and delving into pertinent materials relative to the foundation of Surigao, dating back Spanish times, when the Sur, Norte and Dinagat provinces were still one,” Matugas said.

At present, Surigao del Norte comprises of Surigao City, 11 mainland municipalities and nine island municipalities covering Bucas Grande and Siargao.

It was learned that there are proposals to make Bucas Grande Island an autonomous district. It is expected that when federalism will soon be certified by incoming Pres. Rodrigo Duterte as an urgent piece of legislation, bids on re-districting will be carefully examined.

It can be recalled that on February 7, 2014 MalacaΓ±ang issued Proclamation No. 720 declaring, May 15 as a special (non-working) day to mark the commemoration of One Surigao, otherwise known as the Foundation Day of the mother province of Surigao.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the Province of Surigao del Norte be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the proclamation reads. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Lawless armed group's violent activity terrifies pupils in SurSur

BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) – Pupils felt frightened and opted not to atttend to school upon witnessing the violent activity of 15 members of a lawless armed group led by a certain "Iyan" who flagged down and burned a container van along the national highway in Barangay Amaga, Barobo Surigao del Sur on June 15, 2016 at around 7:00 a.m.

The said lawless armed group also barricaded the highway and flagged down all vehicles that were leaving from and approaching Barobo town of the province.

Accordingly, they were on their way to their school when a group of armed bandits halted their vehicle, forced them to step out and pointed their guns onto them. They were also threatened to be shot if they will run.

Under section 10 of the Republic Act 7610, otherwise known as the Anti-Child Abuse Law, states that any person who shall commit cruelty or child abuse or to be responsible for conditions prejudicial to a child’s development is punishable under the law. Likewise, under presidential decree number 1613 amending the law on arson states that any person who shall burn the property of another is also punishable by law.

Law enforcement units are now conducting pursuit operations to put the said bandit group to justice. (AFP/PIA-Caraga)


272 drug users, peddlers surrender in Caraga

By SPO1 Zena Menioria Panaligan

BUTUAN CITY, June 20 (PIA) - More than 200 suspected drug users and pushers showed up at the different police stations in Caraga region and have voluntarily surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) after a massive campaign to convince those involved in illegal drugs to reform.

In a program launched by Rosario Police (Oplan TokHang or Oplan Toktok Hangyo), some 200 persons involved in illegal drug activities showed up to police authorities in Rosario, Agusan del Sur. Placer Municipal Police Station in Placer, Surigao del Norte, on the other hand, recorded 72 drug personalities from the different barangays of the said town. Those who showed up promised to do away with drugs and signed an undertaking stating therein that they will not be in any way be involve in drugs.

This was made possible because of the relentless law enforcement effort of PNP Caraga to bring to justice those identified in the illegal drug trade.

The suspected drug users and pushers’ act of submission was a result of the intensified campaign to wipe out illegal drug activities in the region.

PNP Caraga regional director P/CSupt Rolando Felix urged all those involved in the illegal drug trade to reform or else they will face the hard hand of justice. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga) 


Tagalog News: DAR namahagi ng lupa sa mga magsasaka sa Caraga region

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Hunyo 20 (PIA) - Sa ginanap na ika-24 anibersaryo ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) sa Caraga region kamakailan, may kabuuang 241 Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) ang ipinamahagi ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) sa rehiyon sa may 212 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Ayon kay DAR Caraga regional director Julita Ragandang, may malalaking programa na ipinapatupad ang kanilang departamento kabilang na ang land acquisition and distribution na nagbibigay tenurial security sa mga magsasakang walang lupa; agrarian justice kung saan nagbibigay sila ng libreng serbisyong-legal sa mga magsasaka; at ang support services kung saan nagbibigay anya sila ng ibat-ibang suporta sa mga magsasaka at benipisyayro na magkaroon nang mas magandang pamumuhay.

Dagdag pa ni director Ragandang, may 282,226 ektarya ng agricultural lands ang naipamagi na, at may mahigit sa 128,450 na ang naging landowners ngayon, na naging malaking tulong din sa kani-kanilang pamilya at maging sa kanilang organisasyon.

Namahagi rin ang DAR Caraga ng mahigit sa P43-milyon sa mga farmer organizations na binubuo ng mahigit 900 ARBs sa probinsya ng Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, at Dinagat Islands. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng Agrarian Production Credit Program (APCP).

Isa anya ito sa mga programa ng DAR kasama ang Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at Landbank of the Philippines (LBP) na nagkakaloob ng cash loans para sa mga farmer organizations sa pinakamababang interest taon-taon.

Sa panayam kay Wenifredo Maldo, isa sa mga benepisyaryo ng CARP at kasalukuyang chairman ng Baleguian Organic Farmers Irrigators Association sa bayan ng Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, napakalaking tulong anya ang naibigay ng dar sa pamamagitan ng carp sa paglago ng kanilang asosasyon.

Kasabay rin sa nasabing okasyon, tumanggap ang mga ARBs ng Insurance Indemnity Claims sa ilalim ng Agrarian Production Credit Program ng DAR sa tulong din ng Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). Sa pamamagitan nito, may magagamit umano ang mga magsasaka sakaling datnan sila ng kalamidad at pest and disease infestation kung saan maaapektuhan ang kanilang pagsasaka.

Samantala, kinilala rin ng DAR Caraga ang 21 farmer organizations sa rehiyon at binigyan ng ibat-ibang special awards. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: USAD program sa Agusan del Sur isa sa mga naging highlights sa SOPA ni Gov. Plaza

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Hunyo 20 (PIA) – Ang Upland Sustainable Agri-Forestry Development o USAD Program ang isa sa naging highlights ni Agusan del Sur Governor Adolph Edward “Eddiebong” Plaza sa kanyang State of the Province Address o SOPA kamakailan na ginanap sa Naliyagan Cultural Center Main Stage sa bayan ng Prosperidad ng nasabing probinsya.

Bilang pagtatapos sa ika-24 na Naliyagan Festival at ika-49 na anibersaryo sa pagkakatatag ng Agusan del Sur, ginanap din ang SOPA ni Gov. Plaza na dinaluhan ng may mahigit sa isanlibong partisipante na binubuo ng government employees, mga lokal na opisyal ng probinsya, pribadong sektor at iba pang panauhin sa rehiyon.

Ayon kay Gov. Plaza, nagsimulang ipatupad ang USAD sa probinsya noong taong 2013 kung saan napagdesisyonan ng lokal na pamahalaan sa tulong ng mga barangay at municipal officials na mabuo ang mga programang makapagbibigay tugon sa mas nangangailangang barangay at maibigay ang akmang serbisyo sa komunidad.  tulad na lamang ng livelihood, malinis na inuming tubig, malinis na kubeta, eskwelahan at health facilities, at maayos na kalsada.

Dagdag pa ni Gov. Plaza, sa pagpapatupad ng USAD program sa probinsya, patuloy ang koordinasyon at pagtutulungan ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno, maging ng mga non-government organizations, at iba pang pribadong sektor upang makalikom ng pundo nang maging sustainable ang mga serbisyong nasimulan na doon sa mga barangay.

Napag-alaman rin na sa taong 2014 hanggang 2015, may 63 barangay na ang nabigyan ng technical at capital assistance sa anim na bayan ng probinsya. Sa taong ito, may 49 pa ang mga barangay ang target na mabigyan lahat ng serbisyong kinakailangan ng mga tao, at sa 49 nito, 24 ang dati nang nakabenipisyo sa USAD program at sila ay patuloy pa umanong makakatanggap ng tulong.

Pinasalamatan rin ni Gov. Plaza ang may mahigit 1,000 na magsasaka na nag-enroll at nakabenipisyo sa USAD program. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)  


Tagalog News: Natapos na infra projects sa Agusan del Norte inihayag sa SOPA ni gov. Matba

Ni Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Hunyo 20 (PIA) - Ang pagpapalago ng lokal ekonomiya ay isa sa binigyang pansin ni governor Ma. Angelica rosedell M. Amante-Matba sa kanyang state of the province address o SOPA noong byernes ng hapon.

Isa sa inanunsiyo ni governor Matba sa kanyang SOPA ay ang mahigit P891.2 million na halaga ng natapos na infrastructure project ng probinsya.

Kasali sa nasabing proyekto ayon kay governor Matba, ang pagpapalawak sa daan (road improvement) at rehabilitasyon sa daang Agusan-Bukidnon road/Buenavista section, Nasipit-Buenavista-Masao port coastal road, Nasipit port road at ang improvement ng mga probinsyal roads ay kabilang sa mga natapos na infrastrure projects noong taong 2015.

Dagdag pa ni governor Matba, kasama din sa natapos noong nakaraang taon ang pagpapa-improve ng mga slope protection, drainage at mga sidewalks.

Ipinagmalaki din ni governor Matba ang dalawang major projects na natapos sa 2015 – ang construction ng Cabadbaran Puting Bato Lanuza road na nagkakahalaga ng P84,843,219.06 at ang road network traversing Poblacion-Hinimbangan sa munisipyo ng Kitcharao na nagkakahalaga ng P150 million na malapit na ring matapos. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)