(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 5, 2016


NYC partners with PIA for SK, Barangay elections advocacy campaign

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 5 (PIA) – The National Youth Commission (NYC) has partnered with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga for the advocacy campaign on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and Barangay Elections in October 2016.

Jigs Pasamba, Presidential Staff Officer IV/Northeastern Mindanao Clusterhead of NYC said that the commission, together with the member agencies of the Regional Youth Advisory Council (RYAC) will coordinate with PIA in the information dissemination of advocacy materials to the different sectors along with media partners.

“Many of our youths do not have that enough knowledge about the SK. And with the coming SK and barangay elections, there is a dire need for us to intensify our campaign on SK so our youths will see the advantage of being in the political field. It is important that they get involve and let their voices be heard, as they are the future of our next generations,” expressed Pasamba.

Pasamba also highlighted that with PIA as partner, the advocacy campaign on SK and barangay elections will be inculcated among young ones. She also revealed that those (youths) who will be interested to join the political arena will undergo trainings so they will be equipped on parliamentary procedure of governance, among others.

Meanwhile, the PIA Caraga headed by regional director Abner Caga also expressed its commitment to provide continued communication support to NYC, RYAC and other concerned agencies for the same purpose.

Sangguniang Kabataan ("youth council" in English), commonly known as SK, is a council for youth in each barangay in the Philippines. It was put "on hold", but not quite abolished, prior to the 2013 barangay elections. In January 2016, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law was signed into law, which made some significant changes to the SK and schedules new elections for October 2016.

The SK Chairman leads the Sangguniang Kabataan council. A Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) composed of representatives of different local youth groups supports the SK and its programs. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


PIA Caraga promotes transparency, upcoming events now posted in FB page

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 5 (PIA) – As the information arm of the government, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga continuously innovates and updates the public on relevant information, issues and concerns, as well as upcoming events.

The PIA Caraga Updates, which is the official regional Facebook (FB) page of the agency has recently been verified by Facebook as a legitimate account.  The said FB page has been established/registered sometime in April 2011 and has already 8,156 page likes and counting as of reporting time.

According to PIA Caraga regional director Abner Caga, it is but proper to also update the public on the invitations received by PIA on the upcoming events of the different partner agencies and other stakeholders that have national interest and are open to public.

Dir. Caga emphasized that people should also know that the government agencies are conducting activities from time to time where they can witness, participate and get involve in such activity.

“Posting of upcoming activities as per invitation from other agencies should also be timely so people can mark their calendars ahead of time and be able to participate and contribute significant ideas,” said Caga.

Caga further highlighted that PIA Caraga provides communication support to government agencies’ endeavors and will continue to explore, innovate and initiate significant platforms that will enhance communication processes and working relationship between the public and the government.

“If they have inquiries regarding our posts in Facebook, they may just send us a personal message and we will respond as soon as possible. We can also refer them to the concerned agency for more information about such activity,” Caga added.

Other provincial Facebook pages of PIA Caraga include the following: PIA Agusan del Norte; PIA Agusan del Sur, PIA Surigao del Norte, PIA Dinagat Islands and PIA Surigao del Sur.  (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Lady rep optimistic for socio-economic development in Agusan Sur

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, July 5 (PIA) – “Because of my long standing belief with Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative’s (ASELCO) principles and ideas, I declare my strong support to your mission of providing effective and efficient power generation services for the socio-economic growth for all Agusanons,” undercored Agusan del Sur 1st district representative Ma. Valentina Plaza.

This was her positive inspiring remark as she addressed the officers, members, consumers, owners and employees of ASELCO during its 34th Annual General Assembly held recently in Agusan del Sur.

According to Cong. Plaza, despite the power crisis which the Mindanao region has experienced before, she is with full confidence that the cooperative’s board of directors, management and staff of ASELCO are all working together to achieve a common goal to benefit the member-consumers and the entire province in general. "Your effort to deliver service through excellent customer service and the improvement of the distribution lines are highly commendable,” she said.

Cong. Plaza also cited that since electrification system has become a part of modern life and has many uses in the day-to-day life, it has a significant role in pursuing progress of her province and country. “Think of a world without electricity, all the inventions that uses it such as computers, machines in factories, appliances, modern medicines and surgery, modern transportation and communication, and other electricity dependent operations and systems will be compromised without a stable supply of energy,” said Cong. Plaza.

The lady representative is confident that socio-economic boost of the province is feasible as the stakeholders continue to revolutionize the method of providing reliable power source. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Norte joins observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 5 (PIA) - The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Surigao del Norte joined in the observance of the National Disaster Consciousness Month (NDCM) this whole month of July.

This year’s observance in anchored on the theme, “Kahandaan at Pagtugon sa Sakuna, Tungkulin ng Bawat Isa.”

PDRRMO Officer Ramon Gotinga said that the activities of this month-long observance are the council’s way of bringing awareness to the people about disaster, global warming and Climate Change.

He said that the council spearheaded the kicked-off activity on July 1 that started with the holy mass at 8:00 a.m. followed by a motorcade around the city and a symposium.

Other upcoming activities include bloodletting, mangrove planting, coastal clean-up, disaster summit, Incident Command System executive course, information drive on Climate Change Adaptation, video making contest, and closing ceremony.

“We hope that through these activities which aimed at increasing awareness, more people especially the schools and others stakeholders in the province will participate,” Gotinga said.

The NDCM celebration is in connection with Presidential Executive Order No. 137 that designates the month of July as National Disaster Consciousness Month in order to heighten public awareness on the importance of disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Agusan Sur solon recognizes ASELCO’s accomplishments

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, July 5 (PIA) - In celebration of the 34th Annual General Assembly of Agusan del Sur Electric Cooperative (ASELCO), Inc. held recently and simultaneously in different municipalities and city within the province of Agusan del Sur, 1st district representative of Agusan del Sur Ma. Valentina Plaza extended her gesture of appreciation for the organization’s another milestone in the attainment of continued success in the field of electrification system.

“ASELCO deserves a meaningful celebration. It plays an important role in addressing energy crisis and ensuring least cost and stable supply of electricity to all Agusanons,” said Cong. Plaza.

Anchored on this year’s theme, “ASELCO: Transforming Lives, Pushing Progress,” Cong. Plaza bared that it imposes a great challenge to all as the growth of the economy drives the demand for electricity, “thus, a government that successfully implements a program to spur economic program will drive up the demand for electricity,” she said.

Cong. Plaza added that the electricity demand is projected to grow more and more to cater the basic needs like education, health, entertainment and communication, comfort and protection, convenience and productivity.

“Electricity improves children’s study condition during the evening, enhances the flow of information to rural households, and improve the productivity of small and big businesses,” emphasized Plaza.

Among the activities during the event were the awarding of plaques of recognition and giving of cash incentives to the best performing barangay power associations; awarding to local government units (LGUs) who promptly pay its power bills; awarding for the support extended to the cooperative during the conduct of medical and dental missions.

It concluded with the usual conduct of business meeting among the attendees which include the following agenda: presentation of the multi-year capital expenditure projects of the cooperative for calendar year 2017-2019 and discussion of the group insurance for member-consumer-owners (MCOs), followed by an open forum and a raffle draw activity. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


DAR spearheads landowners forum and investment counseling in SurSur

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

LIANGA, Surigao del Sur, July 5 (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office of Surigao del Sur recently conducted the Landowner’s Forum and Investment Counseling held at Brgy. Kansilad in this town.

According to DAR Information Officer Myra Yu, the participants in the said forum were all landowners whose landholdings were covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program through Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS).       

The said activity serves as the venue for the landowners in discussing issues with DAR and line agency officials on matters relating to the processing of their covered landholdings.

Yu said that the representatives from the line agencies like Provincial Assessor's Office, Provincial Treasurer's Office and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) – Land Valuation Office gave some inputs that enlightened the landowners in terms of tax clearances and fees including the mode of valuation on their properties applied for VOS.

It was also learned that the representative from Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gave an orientation and encouragement on how to invest and engage in business related to agricultural production thus maximizing their retention areas.

Meanwhile, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Benjamin M. Mataksil made clarifications with the landowners that DAR is an implementing agency of CARP as mandated under Republic Act (R.A.) 6657 and amended by R.A. 9700 to cover and distribute private agricultural lands. The office is just following what is stipulated in the laws, he added. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DOT awards achievers on tourism program implementation in Caraga

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 5 (PIA)  The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Caraga honored on Monday the individuals and institutions who have exemplified excellence in implementing the region's tourism projects and programs held in time with the opening of the 3rd Caraga Regional Tourism Stakeholders Summit here.

The awarding ceremony was led by Department of Tourism (DOT) Caraga regional director Letecia Tan and Surigao del Sur Governor Vicente Pimentel Jr.

The Most Outstanding Tourism Officer was given to Roselyn Armida Merlin of Surigao City. She was also an awardee of Caraga Region as the Most Outstanding Officer in 2008 and 2013 and was also elected as National President for the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines last 2008.

Tandag City Tourism Officer Florence Abis was awarded with Most Promising Tourism Officer.

The Most Outstanding Local Government Unit was received by the municipality of Mainit, Surigao del Norte with its known tourist destinations such as the Kasili Resort, Mapaso Wellness Resort and Togonan Falls.

Meanwhile, the Surigao City Tourism Council bagged the Most Outstanding Tourism Council award for being the most active council in the whole region in terms of tourism programs and projects.

Johann Jake Miranda of the Tavern Hotel in Surigao City, an advocator of Green Tourism and Halal certified, was awarded as the Most Outstanding Private Sector, while Hotel Tavern Surigao was awarded as the Most Outstanding Hotel in the region.

Rosario’s Seafood Restaurant and Grill House in Butuan City was awarded as the Most Outstanding Restaurant, while the Most Outstanding Resort was given to Almont Hotel and Inland Resort in Butuan City.

The Most Outstanding Cultural Artistic Group was awarded to Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Dance Company of Butuan City.

For the Most Outstanding Travel Agency, the award was given to One Corporate Grand Tours Incorporated, while the Most Outstanding Tour Operator was awarded to Surigao Travel Activity Recreation Shop. The Most Outstanding Tour Guide was awarded to Leah Modalo, a known designer and creator of souvenir items. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


More than 2,000 drug pushers, users surrender in SurSur

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, July 5 (PIA) – A total of 2,267 illegal drug pushers and users in the province of Surigao del Sur voluntarily surrendered and signed an affidavit of undertaking in time with the simultaneous launching of “Oplan TokHang” (Toktok-Hangyo) on Monday, July 4 here.

In a press statement released by the Police Provincial Office (PPO) of Surigao del Sur, those who surrendered undergone the documentation process through interview, mugshot, fingerprinting, drug examination and lecture on ill effects of dangerous drugs with the presence of the Municipal and Barangay officials, Philippine Army counterpart, representatives from the religious sector and other stakeholders.

According to PCI Noel Naranjo of PPO-Police Community Relations, the implementation of “OPLAN TokHang” to the two cities and 17 municipalities of this province was ordered by PPO-Surigao del Sur provincial director PSSupt. Romaldo Bayting calling all chiefs of police to intensively implement to their respective area of responsibility especially to the identified drug-affected barangays the said program.

It was learned that the “Oplan TokHang” is the first approach of the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign Plan (Project Double Barrel) under the new administration.

It was done through constant coordination with the Municipal/Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (M/BADAC) and the conduct of the house to house visitation to the suspected drug users/pushers were pleading them to stop their illegal activities.

Meanwhile, the PPO here is still urging the public to cooperate and participate to sustain these significant achievements against illegal drugs. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)