(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 10 December 2024) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the western section of Mindanao and Palawan. Shear Line affecting the eastern sections of Central and Southern Luzon. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern Luzon and the rest of Central Luzon. 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 Localized Thunderstorms. 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—‘: Moderate to Strong winds coming from East to Northeast will prevail with slight to moderate seas / (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Tuesday, June 28, 2016


TWG to monitor DPWH’s upgrading of Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag City Road Project

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, June 28 (PIA) – As per Resolution No. 08 series of 2015 approved by the Taguibo Watershed Management Council (TWMC) during its meeting held on Tuesday here, the council has created a technical working group (TWG) to monitor the activities of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the upgrading of Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag City Road Project.

The DPWH has a road-upgrading project (gravel to concreting of Butuan City-Pianing-Tandag City Road) with a total of 9.365 kilometers situated within the proclaimed Taguibo River Watershed Forest Reserve (TRWFR).

As indicated in the said resolution, the TWMC shall monitor the adverse impact of the project in the present biodiversity of Taguibo Watershed, if there is, and assist in providing remedial measures to mitigate these impacts.

With this development, the DPWH has assured the council that the department will give timely updates on the status of the project.

The council has agreed that the following shall compose the TWG: 1) Local government of Butuan City; 2) Butuan City Water District (BCWD); 3) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); 4) Environmental Management Bureau (EMB); 5) Anticala-Pianing Tribal Organization (APTO); 6) Save Taguibo Watershed Network/Father Saturnino Urios University (STWN/FSUU); 7) Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-proponent; and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

It was also learned that the EMB Caraga will act as the team leader of the TWG that will coordinate its tasks to the council to ensure an efficient monitoring of the entire project; preside over the pre and post monitoring meetings; lead in carrying-out of the monitoring activities and call special meetings whenever there is a need to have one to address urgent issues and concerns; and participate in actual monitoring activities and preparation of monitoring reports.

Other member-agencies have also their corresponding specific functions and responsibilities based on their mandates. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


'Project Paglaum' workshop set in Butuan

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, June 28 (PIA) – The Career Executive Service Board (CESB) in partnership with the Association of Caraga Executives (ACE) will conduct the Paglaum Training Workshop Batch 10 on July 11-12 here.

According to CESB executive director Maria Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones, the workshop aims to capacitate Career Executive Service officers and other government community leaders with skills and competencies in providing psychological support to survivors of calamities and disasters.

Allones also said that Project Paglaum also aims to rekindle hope and enable the rebuilding of lives of survivors of calamities and disasters.

Allones also said that the training program will include instructional materials and meals and is free of charge. However, she said, the program will be conducted on a live-out arrangement. The participants shall be responsible for finding and securing their own accomodations and daily transportation to and from the venue, she added.

For queries and concerns, you can contact Imee Guanzon or Lhuz Arbutante at telephone numbers: (02) 366-1979, 951-4981, locals 109, 113 and 127; or by wmail at pdd@cesboard.gov.ph. (NCLM, PIA-Caraga)


PRC Agnor-Butuan chapter bares accomplishments

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, June 28 (PIA) – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Agusan del Norte-Butuan City chapter in its regular Board of Directors meeting held Tuesday here bares the accomplishments of the six different committees for the month of May 2016.

For the Disaster Management Services, the chapter was able to conduct a three-day International Humanitarian Law Training for Disseminators for Red Cross Action Team 143 held at the RCY development training center here.

Also, the committee conducted a Training of Trainers of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for the Department of Education teachers and children to the five municipalities of Surigao del Sur under the Save the Children Project held in Tandag City.

On Blood Services, the committee was able to collect 578 units of blood including those acquired from blood letting activities. Donors are categorized as walk-in, patient-directed, replacement, mobile blood donation, and units acquired from other blood service facilities.

On the Safety Services, the committee conducted Standard First Aid and Basic Life Support – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Professional Provider Training Course and produced 23 graduates from the members of the Agusan National High School (ANHS) Senior Red Cross Youth (SRCY).

A total of 157 graduates from the members of ANHS SRCYs, employees of Coca-Cola and Solaris Shell Gas Station also graduated from the Occupational First Aid and Basic Life Support – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Adult  Lay Rescuers Training Course.

Also, 103 students attended the lecture discussion on First Aid and Basic Life Support – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Meantime, the Committee on Health Services has attended the Epidemic Control for Volunteers Training of Trainers Course which aims to capacitate volunteers in handling epidemic emergencies. Senior Health Volunteers were also mobilized during the 2016 national and local elections to assist in First Aid and Health Emergencies.

The Welfare Services also referred 123 clients to different agencies for blood processing assistance.

The Red Cross Youth/Volunteer Service also conducted two batches of the Leadership Development Program Training Course and trained 100 SRCY of ANHS. Twenty one SRCY of Saint James College were also trained and 25 SRCY from the Caraga State University-Cabadbaran Campus Laboratory High School and Cabadbaran National High School. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)


PRO 13 awards outstanding PROs, joins 21st PCR Month kick-off ceremony

By SPO1 Zena M Panaligan

BUTUAN CITY, June 28 (PIA) - The Police Regional Office (PCR) 13 joins in the observance of 21st Police Community Relations (PCR) month kick-off ceremony during the traditional Monday flag raising ceremony which was held at RHQ Grandstand, Camp Rafael Rodriguez, Libertad, this city with this year’s theme “Matatag na Ugnayan, Ligtas na Pamayanan.”

One of the highlights during the culmination activity is the awarding and giving of recognition to the deserving police personnel, units and offices, and local government unit leaders who immensely contributed and supported the conduct of various police community relations activities.         

The following awardees are Outstanding Police Provincial Office – Agusan del Norte Police Provincial Office (PPO), Outstanding City Police Station/Municipal Police Station – Bayugan City Police Station, Outstanding Senior Police Commission Officer -  PSupt. Reynante Sibayton (chief of police, Bayugan City Police Station), Outstanding Junior Police Commission Officer – PInsp. June Hontanosas (OIC Cagwait Municipal Police Station), Outstanding Senior Police Non-Commission Officer - SPO1 Rey Gabrielle B Maderal (BCPO-Station 1), Outstanding Junior Police Non-Commission Officer- PO2 Goldie Lou S Yu (PCR PNCO Barobo MPS) and Outstanding Local Chief Executive – Hon. Kim Lope A Asis (Mayor of Bayugan City).

In his message, Atty Maximo Lasaca I, regional director of National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Caraga, stressed that “In fighting crime, so long as the community is not ours by heart and soul, our hands will always be awash with continuous supply of crime.”

He also emphasized that winning the community demands patience, understanding, love, and dedication to service and without these the Philippine National Police will end up a mere stranger to the community, and crimes would continue to proliferate. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Norte women entrepreneurs undergo greening gender responsive value chain analysis project 2

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, June 28 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga in partnership with project’s Regional Convergence Group conducted recently a back-to-back roll-out of the Greening the Gender Responsive Value Chain Analysis (GGRVCA) for Women Micro Enterprises (WMEs) held at Almont Inland resort in Butuan City.

The activity was conducted as part of the preliminary activities in the implementation of the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women) Project 2.

The three-day activity was attended by sixty one pre-selected women micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, seven of which came from the province of Surigao del Norte.

The roll-out focused on the improving the competitiveness  of WMEs by using the GGRVCA as an instrument for planning and implementing activities and interventions that would address the gap in women’s economic empowerment.

DTI Calabarzon assistant regional director and GREAT Women Project 2 National program Coordinator Marcelina S. Alcantara gave an overview of the project while GIZ consultant Rita I. Palarca discussed the value chain approach and overlaying gender and greening business practices to enhance MSMEs’ competitiveness.

The activity included workshops on value chain mapping, constraints and opportunities analysis and strategic objective and action planning formulation.

The GREAT Women Project 2 is a governance and capability development project that aims to promote and support a gender-responsive enabling environment for women’s economic empowerment, particularly those in microenterprises.

It is a five-year project (2016-2020) that will provide technical and consultancy support to WMEs which is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency.

The project is implemented by the Philippine Commission on Women together with its project partners: DTI, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agriculture and ECHOSI Foundation Inc. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DSWD Caraga prepares for La Nina

By Abegail R. Alvarez

BUTUAN CITY, June 28 (PIA) - As PAGASA announced the coming of the la niΓ±a season, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga already prepared a disaster plan, which includes stockpiling of food and non-food items, prepositioning of goods, capability building of human resources, and inter-agency coordination and networking.

To date, a total of 12,380 food packs are readily available at DSWD Warehouse located at Brgy. Tiniwisan, this city. These are ready for augmentation to the local government units.

The field office also ensured that there is an on-going procurement of 17, 620 family food packs.

It was also learned that some 2,000 family foodpack are already prepositioned to geographically difficult areas and potential to be isolated in times of disaster.

In addition, stockpiled non-food items worth P2,378,018.33 are also available at the said warehouse.

Monitoring of standby and stockpile goods are conducted weekly by the field office.

DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli assured the public that DSWD is doing necessary preparations for the upcoming rainy season. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


News Feature: Dinagat Islands SEAK association successful in weaving venture

By Mary Carmelle C. Jumawan

DINAGAT, Dinagat Islands, June 28 (PIA) – The Justiniana Edera Agra Producer's Association (JEDAPA) has been successful on its weaving venture and their story proves that action is the key to all success, a sure product of people's initiative and empowerment.

 It all started on March 31, 2013 when the 25 members of JEDAPA SEA-K Association of Brgy. Justiniana, Dinagat, this province received P10,000 each from the Sustainable Livelihood Program’s (SLP’s) SEA-K of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

To ensure economic sustainability, the association merge their grants for a capital, thus, collaboration with Justiniana Edera Agra Producers Cooperative (JEDAPCO) happened.

“SLP’s coming to our lives has given us hope to be free from poverty,” says Moises C. Laborte, president of their association.

The two parties became partners in managing the handicrafts production and less-interest rates micro lending projects.

The group partnered with the Municipal Agricultural Office (MAO) of Justiniana, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) which improved the quality of their handicrafts, hence, market value or price has increased. It has also upgraded the operation's efficiency.

“ We are very grateful to the partners who have helped us because without them, our business operations would not get better,” Laborte explains.

MAO conducted skills training on hat and mat weaving. En route to a more efficient business operations, DTI provided Solar Dryer and Dye Pan. Skills training on bleaching, dyeing and recycling of waste materials was conducted by DOST.

With an improved quality of products, more farmers and tourists have been patronizing the product.

Moreover, the group has been providing bulk orders to schools that join in street dancing contest. A local buyer also purchases their products which are distributed to places like Cebu, Leyte and Manila. The products are also displayed in Dinagat’s DTI: One Town, One Product (OTOP).

Eventually, the group’s profit increased. With this, the craftsmen's honorarium has increased to P2,000 and the officers are given Php100 per month for allowance.

Further, the production has generated income not to handicraft makers but to bamboo growers as well. As the project grows, demand on bamboo production has increased.

The business growth has led off to putting up a general merchandise last May 28, 2015. Today, members and non-members have access to their daily basic needs and other wide array of goods.

Last year, Their Statement of Financial Condition shows the groups assets has increased from P480,943.89 in 2013 to P761,001.76.

To promote active involvement in decision-making, the group conducts a monthly meeting where policies and guidelines implemented are discussed to avoid misunderstanding among the members.

At present, JEDAPA is striving more to continually improve the socio-economic well-being of its members.

“We will continue our efforts for the betterment of our projects,” Laborte concluded.

The group’s success implies that hard work pays off and all toils are never in vain. JEDAPA is indeed an effectual livelihood not only to its members but to the community of Justiniana as well. (SLP/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


Cebuano News: Malakanyang gidepensahan ang 'Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino' Program

Ni Nida Grace P. Barcena

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Hunyo 28 (PIA) – Gikatahong midepensa ang Malakanyang sa Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), diin sumala pa sa mga kritiko niini nga nakapa-aghat sa mga benepisyaryo nga mag-agad na lamang sa tabang sa gobyerno.

Sumala pa ni Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Hermino Coloma Jr., ang 4Ps napamatud-an nga epektibo sukad pa sa pag implementar niini niadtong 2010.

“Napamatud-an na kini sa nilabay’ng unom ka mga katuigan kon maayo ang pagdumala sa maong programa, kini tataw nga dili “dole-out”, og klaro pod nga wala magpa-ulipon ang mga katawhan sa hinabang (Napatunayan naman kasi sa nakaraang anim na taon na kung maayos ang pangangasiwa ng ganitong programa, ito ay definitely hindi isang dole-out at definitely din, hindi ito lumilikha ng dependency),” kini ang gibutyag ni Secretary Coloma.

Si Coloma usab mitumbok sa "Social Contract ngadto sa mga katawhang Pilipino" ni Presidente Aquino nga nag-ingon "Gikan sa programang anti-poverty nga misilsil nga usa ka dole-out, kini giisip nga mga programa nga makapatukod sa kapasidad ug sa paghimo sa kahigayonan ngadto sa mga kabus ug sa mga walay palad sa nasud."

“Sugod sa sinugdanan determinado na si Presidente Aquino nga ang atoang programa sa “anti-poverty dili makonsidera nga usa ka dole-out tungod kay ang pinulongang dole-out nagpamatuod lamang nga gihatag lang. Adunay palad nga able, ug ihatag lamang kini, gihatag og gikalimtan na. Dili ingon niana kini…(Mula pa sa umpisa ay determinado na si Pangulong Aquino na ang ating anti-poverty program ay hinding-hindi maituturing na dole-out dahil ang salitang dole-out ang ibig sabihin ay inaabot lang. Merong kamay na nakabukas, at inaabot lang ito, ibinibigay at kinakalimutan na. Hindi naman po ganyan ito)…,” kini ang ekplenasyon ni Coloma atoll sa pakighinabi kaniya sa Radyo ng Bayan.

Dugang pa niya, kini gi-estudyohan og maayo pinaagi sa National Household Targeting System (NHTS) kung kinsa ba gayud ang angayan nga mahiapil sa maong programa.

Subay sa datus gikan sa Philippine Statistical Autority, mokabat uno punto kwatro (1.4) milyones ka pamilya kon mokabat sa pito ka milyones nga katawhang Pilipino ang naluwas sa kalisdanan kon kakabus, diin miusbaw na sila sa gitawag nga poverty threshold, butyag pa ni Coloma.

Ang implementasyon sa 4Ps gikatahong gitino na sa World Bank og panggamhanan sa Estados Unidos. (NGBT/ PND/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Cebuano News: Kapin 10 ektarya natamnan og mga kahoy atol sa pagsaulog sa Arbor Day sa SurSur

Ni Nida Grace P. Barcena

SURIGAO DEL SUR, Hunyo 28 (PIA) – Atol sa kasaulogan sa “Arbor Day” mokabat sa 10.21 ektaryas ang naitala sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) sa probinsiya sa Surigao del Sur ang natamnan sa mga kahoy dili pa lang dugay.

Sumala pa sa taho, ang maong pagpananom gipahigayon sa upat ka piniling dapit didto sa: Barangay Mabuhay, sakop sa dakbayan sa Tandag, Barangay Rizal didto sa lungsod sa Barobo, Sitio San Nicolas, Barangay San Jose sa dakbayan sa Bislig, og Barangay Bocaue sa Lungsod sa Lanuza.

Matud pa ni PENRO-Surigao del Sur National Greening Program (NGP) coordinator Forester Nannette Quinonez nga lima ka ektarya ang natanuman sa 8,330 ka mga seedling didto sa dakbayan sa Tandag. Mokabat 301 ka mga rehistradong nitanum nga gilangkuban sa mga personahe/empleyado sa local nga pangamhanan sa probinsiya og sa maong dakbayan, lakip na usab ang mga opisyales sa barangay Mabuhay, buhatan sa Department of Interior & Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH) King Cooperative, Tandag Water District (TWD), estudyante sa Saint Theresa College og Mabuhay Workers Organization.

Ang CENRO Lianga, mitala sa 190 ka mga rehistradong partisipante og mitanum ug 4,998 ka mga seedling ngadto sa 3 ka ektarya sa lungsod sa Barobo.

Didto sa dakbayan sa Bislig, ang buhatan sa CENRO mitala og 2,000 ka mga seedling ang gitanum sa mokabat 1.21 ka ektarya sa 71 ka mga rehistradong mipartisipar sa maong kalihukan.

Samtang ang CENRO Cantilan usab gikatahong 160 ang mitanom sa 1,666 ka mga seedling ngadto sa usa (1.0) ka ektarya nga gipahigayon sa lungsod sa Lungsod sa Lanuza.

Sumala pa sa taho, ang “Arbor Day” pagasaulogon matag tuig pinaagi sa pagpananum og pagpreserbar kon pagprotehir sa mga kakahoyan pinasubay sa RA 10176 kon Arbor Day Act of 2012 nga gilagdaan niadtong Setyembre 12, 2012.  (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)