(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).


Tuesday, July 12, 2016

PIA Caraga personnel undergo surprise drug test

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) - All personnel of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga were subjected to a surprise drug test on Tuesday during their Strategic Planning Session held at the regional office here.

PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga ordered the drug test to all employees, including the information center managers and coordinators. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Caraga then responded to the request and administered the test.

“In response to the request of PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga, we immediately responded and facilitated the conduct of the drug test to all the employees of said agency. It was a surprise drug-test and we were overwhelmed that all the employees have shown willingness and interest to undergo the drug-test,” underscored PDEA chemist Mark Roy Paguyod.

Daay also explained that a drug test is a technical analysis of a biological specimen, for example urine, hair, blood, breath, sweat, or oral fluid/saliva—to determine the presence or absence of specified parent drugs or their metabolites. PIA Caraga employees were tested through urine analysis.

“The test yielded negative results for 12 urine samples. We hope that more government employees from different agencies will also voluntarily undergo drug-testing,” Paguyod expressed.

Meanwhile, Dir. Caga underlined that his order to let all PIA Caraga employees undergo drug testing is in support to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to cleanse all government agencies and be free from drug users and pushers.

“This is also in response to the new administration’s call for a mandatory drug testing for government employees to regain trust of the public. This agency recognizes that drug abuse is a significant health problem for employees, detrimentally affecting overall health, behavior, working habit, reflexes, and the total development of each individual,” stressed Caga. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Army, NPA rebels clash anew in Surigao Norte

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 12 (PIA) - A firefight between the Philippine Army and New People’s Army (NPA) rebels occurred on Saturday afternoon, July 9 in barangay Tinago, Malimono, this province.
After ten minutes of intense firefight, the soldiers conducting pursuit operation discovered an encampment with 27 molotov bombs, one gallon of betadine (antiseptic) and two pairs of rainboots.

The said encampment can accommodate 60 individuals and has 15 makeshift bunkers and based on the trackings the said encampment has been abandoned for one day.

Civil Military Operations officer Lt. Ryan D. Layug of the 30th Infantry Battalion, Phil. Army confirmed that no casualty on the government side but they believed that there were wounded on the lawless group as traces of blood were found on their withdrawal route.

In his statement, 30IB Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Rico Amaro thanked the locals for timely report of information and that another terroristic plan was prevented because of community participation.

Amaro further said that people are starting to understand that security is everyone's responsibility.

"We appeal to lawless group to turn their wounded comrades to barangay officials or bring them to the nearest hospital for proper medical treatment. We reiterated that the conduct of pursuit is to apprehend the perpetrators and aid the wounded," Amaro said. (SDR, PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Army reserve command set to celebrate 37th National Reservist Week Convention

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) – In support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP’s) operational thrusts and guidance 2016, the 15th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG) will hold its 37th National Reservist Week Convention on July 23-24, 2016 at the Camp Bancasi, this city.

The two-day convention is anchored on the theme, “Laang kawal na naghahanda at nagsasanay tungo sa mapayapa, masagana at maunlad na bayan.”

“We will be hosting the said event and it will be attended by the different reservist coming from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force region-wide. Other guests from the general headquarters of the AFP have also confirmed to grace the occasion,” said Col. Maning Tawantawan, group commander of the 15th RCDG.

It was learned that a press conference will be conducted in the afternoon on the 24th of July, with LtGen Rey Leonardo Guerrero, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command to sit in the panel aside from his role as the guest of honor and speaker.

Said activity will highlight the significant roles and contributions of the trained and equipped reserve force as protector of the country and its people through maintaining internal security and stability, participation in disaster/emergency response, community development activities and humanitarian assistance. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


RDRRMC Caraga to hold DRRM-CCA awareness contest

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) – The Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Education (DepEd) will hold an awareness contest for students on July 21 here.

According to Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena, RDRRMC chairperson and OCD Caraga regional director, the contest will focus on DRRM-Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) awareness in the region.

The activity is in line with the observance of this year’s National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) with the theme “Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa.”

The contest will include Jingle, Poster Making and Essay Writing and Quiz Bee. (NCLM, PIA-Caraga)


AgNor guv commits to environmental protection

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) – Agusan del Norte governor Ma. Angelica Amante-Matba promised to work to protect the environment and cope with Climate Change.

In her recent State of the Province Address here, Matba said the effects of Climate Change such as decreased in crop production, unreliable access to food and water and extreme weather patterns have already been felt in the province.

Thus, Matba said she has already mainstreamed the Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (CCA-DRRM) plan to the Provincial Physical Framework Plan.

"The same is true in the corresponding plans of the component local government units (LGUs) of the province and this ushered the 100 percent successful implementation of several measures aimed at mitigating and preventing the drastic effects of calamities, such as, the 100 percent completion of the formulation of the Local Climate Change Adaptation Plans and a total of five disaster mitigating infrastructure projects costing to P18 million were also implemented in response to the phenomenon," she said.

In addition, gov. Matba said that in 2015, the DRRM program of the province has also provided assistance to affected families in the form of family food packs, emergency shelter assistance and burial assistance amounting to P8.266,949.92.

Gov. Matba also acknowledged that the participation of the community is instrumental in the effort to mitigate the effects of environmental hazards through their involvement in rehabilitating degraded areas that include the production of about 2.8 million seedlings for planting in the degraded areas of the province and Mangrove reforestation and rehabilitation were also carried out by planting propagules to about 215 hectares of degraded mangrove areas.

“Our efforts in this area earned for us a national recognition, placing 2nd in the 2015 National Gawad Kalasag Search for Disaster Resilient LGUs and Humanitarian Assistance in Provincial DRRMC Category,” gov. Matba said.

Also, gov. Matba said that another key point in the drive to promote environmental integrity is the approval of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Plans (ESWMP) of the five municipalities of the province. The plans of the remaining LGUs are already up for deliberation and hope to be completed by the end of this year. (NCLM, PIA-Agusan del Norte)


PAEF accepts Fulbright-Foreign Language Teaching Assistants applications

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) - The Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) announces its ongoing screening and acceptance of qualified applicants for the 2017-2018 Fulbright-Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTA) program.

The Fulbright-FLTA program is open to young teachers of English based outside of Metro Manila who have a sincere interest in teaching their native language and culture to American students. And those who have the leadership skills, the ability to motivate students, and the capacity to relate to foreign students can potentially avail of the program.

Accordingly, the following eligibility requirements must be met by the applicants: must be no younger than 23 and no older than 29 years of age at the time of application; must be Filipino citizens; must clearly demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity and professionalism;

Ideally, FLTAs are outgoing and dynamic individuals with a great sense of humor. Candidates should possess the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in the United States with a good academic record. Also, Master’s degrees are highly desirable by many institutions, and one who has the teaching experience is preferred.

The required documents include the completed online application; official or certified copy of transcript of records from all colleges/universities attended; certified true copy of diploma; three letters of reference (forms are found on the online application); supplemental forms; copy of passport; and TOEFL or IELTS score report, if available.

The competition for the Fulbright-FLTA program for 2017-2018 that started on March 1, 2016 will have its deadline on July 29, 2016. All interested applicants are required to complete the online application found on https://apply.embark.com/student/fulbright/flta/ page. Grantees are expected to begin their program in the United States in August of 2017.

Introduced in the Philippines in 2004, the FLTA Program has aimed to strengthen foreign language instruction at U.S. educational institutions since 1968 by establishing a native speaker presence. The FLTA Program provides an opportunity for young, international teachers of English to refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency and extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the United States while engaging in non-degree studies. FLTAs add an energetic and up-to-date cultural component to foreign language classes as well as to student life on U.S. campuses. (PAEF/VLG/PIA-Caraga)


DOST Caraga set to hold NSTW in Butuan

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga will be celebrating the 2016 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) regional celebration on July 22-25 here.

DOST Caraga regional director Dominga D. Mallonga said the celebration will showcase science and technology programs and projects of the region through exhiits, for a/conferences, S&T contests and demonstrations.

Also, a press conference is set on July 22 right after the opening program which will be held at the Robinson’s Place.

Recognition of partners/adopters, kiddie magic show, poster and slogan contest will also be held on July 22 and on July 23, the S & T contests and DOST fellowship night.

On July 24, forum on food safety stakeholders’, cooking demo of chef Boy Logro, awarding of winners and scholars’ night will be held at the Dottie’s Place.

Forum on GeoInformatics and the closing program will be held on July 25.

A Travelling Science Centrum will also be held on July 22 to August 10 at Timberlines, director Mallonga said. (NCLM, PIA-Caraga)


DAR AgNor trains women farmers in coconut sugar production

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, July 12 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte initiated a one-day skills training on Coconut Sap Sugar production, an agribusiness development assistance to the women Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province held recently at San Isidro, Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte.

The training was participated by 40 women ARBs who are members of cluster of ARB organizations that include Malambuong Kahugpongan sa Kababaehan sa San Isidro (MAKAKASI), Jaliobong Masipag Farmers Organization (JAMAFO),  and Jaliobong Irrigators Services Association (JISA).

The training allows the women to learn the technology to produce coco sugar as additional livelihood. It also empowers women ARBs by making them less dependent on the income of their husbands.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer Virginia Batosalem said, “Women ARB household members, who are looking for livelihood program to earn additional income for their family’s needs, were trained to produce coconut sugar in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)."

ARB member Flordela Galo, one of the participants, said that the inputs from the training are useful when it comes to raising more income for her family.

The activity is a continuing effort of the department to provide technical assistance to women ARBs of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)