(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.


Wednesday, July 20, 2016


PSA Caraga to present 2015 GRDP

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, July 20 (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) Caraga will be presenting the 2015 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) on July 28, 2016 at Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort, this city.

According to PSA Caraga regional director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura, their office will be showing the comparison of year-to-year growth of the region’s economy. “This will be done simultaneously by the PSA-RSSO around the country,” she added.

Apura further revealed that the GRDP can be used generally in the formulation of annual regional development plans, in monitoring performance of the regional economy and its sectors/subsectors, identification of sectors/industries in terms of investment promotion and support service, and in analyzing trends/forecasting for planning purposes.

It was also learned that deputy director-general for central support office Nestor Mijares IV of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) will deliver his message during this activity. For Caraga, regional director Mylah Faye Aurora Carino is also expected to give her message.

Gross Regional Domestic Product is the aggregate of gross value added (GVA) of all resident producer units in the region. The GRDP includes regional estimates on the three major sectors including their sub-sectors namely: Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry; Industry Sector; Mining and Quarrying Manufacturing ; Construction  Electricity and Water; Service Sector; Transport, Communication and Storage  Trade  Finance  Ownership of Dwellings and Real Estate  Private  Government Services. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


News Feature: ICT Bayanihan: Creating communications strategic highway, building resiliency

By Venus L. Garcia

In giving emphasis on the unity of efforts of all Information and Communication Technology (ICT) key players using the existing domestic and international legal frameworks, guidelines, agreements and programs in the country, and to establish a common command and control mechanism for communication, electronics and information flow in times of disaster and calamities, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) of Caraga through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), in partnership with SMART Communications, spearheaded the conduct of the two-day Emergency Telecommunications Cluster Summit: ICT Bayanihan held in Butuan City recently.

The participants of the summit are those with experience in emergency telecommunications at strategic level with delegated decision-making authority or recommendatory functions.

According to OCD-13 and Caraga RDRRMC chairperson Manuel Luis Ochotorena, communication is the backbone of all operations. “Relaying of necessary information/data has always been a predicament during calamities/disasters, and so enhancement of emergency telecommunications system is much more needed to improve the response and delivery of services,” he said.

ICT Bayanihan will be established to address the concern on communications interoperability, commonality and inter-comparability with an objective to create a framework for strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of ICT during disaster response operations under the leadership of the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC).

Resiliency for zero casualty

Learning from the many lessons of the aftermath brought about typhoon Yolanda and other natural calamities experienced by Filipinos in the country, the endeavor to enhance ICT and emergency response capabilities to transform into more proactive policies and programs became integral for building resiliency.

As once mentioned by former Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, “an integrated communication flow between the national and local DRRMCs is considered as an important element in the achievement of our ultimate goal: to save lives.”

With this, the ICT Bayanihan will be replicated to the provinces, municipalities and barangays, and it will redound to timely response operations as well as efficient decision-making prior and in emergency situations in order to achieve nil casualty.

“The implementation is viable since it's already part of the Caraga RDRRMC’s financial plan,“ assured Ochotorena.

Operationalization of Rapid Emergency Telecommunications Team (RETT)

The OCD through the National DRRMC has mobilized the RETT. It takes the lead in the conduct of installation, operations, and maintenance of ICT systems and equipment to identified Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and the Incident Command Posts (ICPs) in disaster-affected areas.

At the regional levels down to the provinces, municipalities and barangays, the leadership in the conduct of RETT mission shall be determined by the local RDRRMCs as mandated in the Republic Act 10121 based on the Rule 11, Section 1 implementing rules and regulations. “The LDRRMCs shall take the lead in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the impacts of disasters,” it said.

Also, as indicated in the key operational concepts for use of RETT, its operations will be conducted through coordinated operations with other support agencies, local and international volunteers in coordination with the Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) of the NDRRMC. This aims to establish an effective and efficient ICT systems and equipment connectivity from affected areas to national level and vice versa during disaster response operations.

In principle, RETT personnel deploying in disaster operations mission will be in uniforms. The overall responsibility for providing adequate security remains with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and/or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Meanwhile, with a purpose to spread commitment and dedication and to strengthen the communication system capabilities, Ochotorena said that the conduct of ICT Bayanihan will help them identify compatibility of communication equipment and protocols applied by operation centers, and have an inventory of communication resources used for emergency/disaster response.

In his subject presentation on the Response Cluster Emergency Information System, Christopher Grajo, managing director of the Emergency Response Integration Center (ERIC) underscored that they push technology to its limits for disaster response, collecting data where there are no power, no connectivity, no hardware, no systems, and no experts.

It was also learned through the discussion of Lt. Col Edwin Sadang, GSC, Philippine Army that the ICT Bayanihan is the national collaborative information environment management program (NCIEMP). It is the active and core ICT program of the NDRRMC, anchored on the concepts of the "Whole-of-Nation" approach through combined efforts of people and agencies.

Private Stakeholders Cooperation

It can’t be denied that communication plays a very significant role in all relief and rehab operations, and this is where the synergy of private sectors comes into the picture in terms of pursuing their corporate responsibilities by getting involved in the nation’s undertakings on preparedness in facing the challenges during emergencies, disasters and calamities.

Nova Concepcion, senior manager, Community Partnership Department Public Relations Group of SMART Communications said that they fully support the ICT Bayanihan summit. She further expressed her strong belief that communications system in the locality will be more stable and stronger especially during disasters. She also assured that they have a wide range of communications sulutions, as well as pre-disaster platforms through its ‘infocasts.’

Conception revealed that the conduct of ICT Bayanihan in Caraga region is the 7th in a row summit that they held to several regions in the country. She added that they are also in support to the humanitarian connectivity charter.

Meanwhile, Rupert Ambil, Executive Director of MovePH, Rappler, discussed the "Project Agos and Role of Social Media during Disasters.".\

The participants who comprised the technical working group (TWG) presented their workshop outputs. Hand-over of deliverables to OCD-13 head and RDRRMC chairperson Ochotorena, delivery of impressions by the participants, and a pledge of commitment concluded the summit. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


National Academy of S&T set to conduct workshop on writing research proposals

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, July 20 (PIA) – The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PH), in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga, will be conducting a two-day Training-Workshop on Writing and Presenting Research Proposals Towards Building Science Culture held in the city on July 28-29, 2016 at 7:30 a.m.

“The NAST initiated the DOST funded project entitled Evaluation and Improvement of the Research Publication and IP Productivity of the DOST Research and Development (R &D) Institutes. One of the objectives of the project is to upgrade the status of research in the country,” said DOST-13 regional director Dominga Mallonga.

Participants will learn the steps in preparing proposals and be presenting their outputs for critiquing before the technical panel of experts.

The workshop will incorporate capability-building activities that will enable researchers to implement research projects and produce R & D outputs.  It aims to cultivate interest and promote course of action for region-based research and development initiatives. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Del Carmen barangay groundbreaks health station

By April Mae N. Waban

BUTUAN CITY, July 20 (PIA) - Despite the unpredictable weather, the barangay officials and volunteers of Barangay Quezon, Del Carmen in Surigao del Norte remained undeterred and successfully conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of their one unit health station community sub-project.

The ceremony officially marked the beginning of the construction of the sub-project that will be implemented under Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan –Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS).

For a far-flung barangay such as Quezon, access to basic healthcare services for residents remains a challenge. This was one of the reasons why the community was very eager to start their sub-project hoping that this would address their ordeal.

Kalahi-CIDSS is one of the flagship anti-poverty programs of the national government implemented through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It uses the Community Driven Development (CDD) strategy which helps empower people by enabling them to carry out their own development projects by collectively identifying and prioritizing needs of their community, providing proposed solutions, and actively participating in the implementation. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DSWD Caraga conducts SFP implementation review for SY 2015-2016

By Abegail R. Alvarez

BUTUAN CITY, July 20 (PIA) - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga conducted recently the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) Program Review and Evaluation Workshop (PREW) cum Stakeholders Orientation for SY 2015-2016 held at Goat2Geder Hotel and Restaurant here.

Among the attendees are the Provincial/City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (P/C/MSWDOs), Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairpersons, and local auditors of the local government units (LGUs) in the region.

According to Lea Radaza, focal person of SFP, the objectives of the orientation is to review the SY 2015-2016 SFP implementation of every LGU.

“Its purpose is to identify the accomplishment of the region when it comes to nutritional improvement of the day care children enrolled last year. Out of 6,926 children, a total of 6,010 children beneficiaries restored to their normal nutritional status. With this, we exceed the target of 80% set by the national, since the field office reached 87 percent,” added Radaza.

Also, the stakeholders were re-oriented on the guidelines pertaining the SFP implementation for this year. This will ensure that the program serves its purpose.

SFP is the provision of food, in addition to regular meals, to currently enrolled day care children as part of DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the government. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


AgNor SP urges DBM to include KALSADA program in 2017

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, July 20 (PIA) - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte urged the national government through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to include the KALSADA Program in the 2017 national expenditure program and allocate a portion of the national budget for the continuity of said project.

KALSADA, also known as Konkreto at Ayos na Lansangan at Daan tungo sa Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran Program was adopted and implemented by the national government to assist provinces in the rehabilitation of core provincial roads.

This year, P6.5 billion has been earmarked for the KALSADA Program to be implemented by 73 provinces.

The funds would be directly downloaded to the provinces that have met and complied with good governance standards, social development benchmarks and established monitoring and evaluation mechanism for road projects.

In its Sanggunian Resolution No. 148-2016, the SP urged for the inclusion of KALSADA Program in the national budget considering its significance and that it would upgrade, improve and rehabilitate core provincial roads in Agusan del Norte. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


AgNor officials, employees to get free annual check up

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, July 21 (PIA) - All officials and employees of the provincial government of Agusan del Norte will soon get a free annual medical, dental and ophthalmology check-up at the Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital once at anytime of the year.

This was sealed through Provincial Ordinance No. 422-2016 authored by Provincial Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo.

The ordinance applies to all elective officials and employees, whether regular, co-terminus, casual or job order.

The medical services include urinalysis, stool, sputum and complete blood count (CBC) while dental services include extraction and cleaning of teeth and also eye check-up.

The said check-up, however, does not extend to the families of the officials and employees.

Provincial governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba will ensure the appropriation of P1,000,000 for the implementation of the said ordinance effective January 1, 2017 and every year thereafter. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Feeding program for day care children in Caraga region kicks-off

By Abegail R. Alvarez

BUTUAN CITY, July 20 (PIA) - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga, through the local government units (LGUs) in the region, has already started its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) for day care children enrolled in the SY 2016-2017.

It aims to improve and sustain the nutritional status of target children beneficiaries by providing hot meals.

The kick-off is timely with this year’s Nutrition Month Celebration with the theme “First 1000 Days ni Baby Pahalagahan Para sa Malusog na Kinabukasan.”

As to date, cheques were released to 14 LGUs for the implementation of the said program. The following municipalities are on the list: Jabonga, Santiago, Esperanza, Prosperidad, Trento, San Isidro, Bacuag, Surigao City, Taganaan, Basilisa, Bayabas, Madrid, San Miguel, and Barobo.

From the list, Jabonga, Santiago, Taganaan, Bayabas, and Barobo started their feeding program.

According to Lea Radaza, regional focal person of SFP, they are waiting for other LGUs to comply the requirements such as master list for the day care children, weight monitoring report, and other documents prior the release of the cheque intended for the feeding program.

“We set deadline for the LGU to submit all the requirements next week for the full blast implementation of the program. This will ensure that the day care children are well-nourished as they attend classes,’’ she added.

“Every child who is currently enrolled in day care center is given hot meal a day composed of rice and viand amounting to P15.00. This program is intended for 120 days,” explained Radaza.

For 2016, the DSWD targets 76,142 day care children to avail the program with a total allocated fund of P137,055,600.

SFP is the provision of food, in addition to regular meals, to currently enrolled day care children as part of DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the government. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Norte to host 25th Mindanao Business Conference

By John Glenn A. Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, July 20 (PIA) - The province of Surigao del Norte is the venue of the 25th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) on August 24 to 26, this year. The event carries the theme: “Mindanao: Asian’s Emerging Economic Hub.”

Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Concepcion Paqueo said that this year’s MinBizCon will be very important as it marks the silver anniversary of a great journey toward sustainable economic development of Mindanao as a global leader in business and innovation.

President Rodrigo Duterte will keynote the said event, it was learned. She also added that the event serves as a venue to explore business growth and expand international relations with Pres. Duterte.

Just recently, the members of the 2nd Steering Committee met recently at the Governor’s Conference Hall to revisit and fine-tune the program flow on top of the proposed measures and policy reforms, which will be endorsed to the president.

The MinBizcon is a forum for discussion of economic issues, policies, and opportunities concerning the socioeconomic welfare of the island region.

Recognized as the most relevant business gathering in Mindanao, Pacqueo said that it bridges the organization to local counterparts in the domain of trade and cooperation. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)