(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.


Friday, August 26, 2016


Project B.O.S.S, Phil. Army conduct free surgical mission in Tandag City

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) - The Project B.O.S.S or Brotherhood Operation Sweet Smile, a non-government organization supported by the Philippine Army is holding a three-day free surgical mission to adult and children with cleft lip/palate from August 26-28, 2016 in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.

All Surigaonons, dependents and relatives of military personnel and civilian employees of the Philippine Army who have cleft lip/palate patients are encourage to avail of the free surgery and medicines.

Project B.O.S.S has provided doctors in Tandag City who will perform the operation/surgical mission to adult and children with cleft lip/palate. X-Ray films, anesthesia and other medial supplies needed, including pre and post operation medicines will also be provided.

According to Captain Reggie Go, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of 402nd Brigade, Philippine Army, this is the first time that the Project B.O.S.S. held their free surgical mission in Tandag City.

“As of reporting time, we have already some 54 individuals in the list who have started availing this free surgical mission, and we are still expecting more as the operation will continue until Sunday, August 28, 2016,” disclosed Go.

Go then called on other Tandaganons/Surigaonons to avail the free surgical mission that will give better perspective in life to the beneficiaries.

It can be recalled that the Project B.O.S.S or Brotherhood Operation Sweet Smile (a non-government organization) has partnered with the Philippine Army in 2011. The mission was first held at the 1st Infantry Division in Zamboanga with 82 patients successfully operated. The team also conducted 3 other activities again in the 1st Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division in Cagayan de Oro City, and Army General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio. The sweet smile project has already benefitted some 308 individuals. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Coconut farmers seek additional financing through PRDP

By Fretcher Magatao

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) - Agusan del Norte’s coconut farmers sought assistance from the Department of Agriculture’s Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) for the development of geonet production and marketing that would provide additional supply of geonets in the region.

The Libas Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Jabonga recently presented its P10 Million business proposal on Geonet Production and Marketing during the 2-day PRDP Investments for Rural Enterprises and Agricultural and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) Business Plan and Technical Review.

“The successful geonet production of the neighboring provinces has inspired us to duplicate its business for the purpose of creating additional source of income among the farmers in the locality,” said Tomas Tener, Provincial I-PLAN Component Head.

The proposed project would provide the cooperative with hauling and delivery truck, cooperative’s office, warehouse, weighing scales, decorticating, twinning and weaving machines. “These machines would efficiently translate to 4,000 coconet rolls per year,” Tener said.

Based on the Vulnerability and Suitability Assessment (VSA) result, the Municipality of Jabonga ranked second in its assessment for most number of coconut trees planted, hence the availability of dehusked nut is plenty which the farmers thought of utilizing.

“It all started when few households begantwinning with the coconut husk they gathered, until the neighbors also started the same activity and realized its potential as a lucrative source of income,” said Elson Morada, Cooperative’s Chairperson.

As per financial economic analysis, an individual can earn an average of P250 per day for a 5 sqm. of geonet. If the cooperative’s proposal will be granted under PRDP’s enterprise development component, a farmer can have an annual income of up to P47,000 or 167% increase compared to its current earnings..

The Provincial Agriculture Office has seen the enthusiasm and cooperation of the coconut farmers in the municipality which encouraged them to assist the farmers in forming a cooperative with coconet production as its main line of business.

Geonet, also known as coconet has been in demand for the mining companies operating in the many areas of Caraga. Its main use is to prevent soil erosion where government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) require its constructors and mining operators to use as preventive and rehabilitation measures.

Morada said that the interest to increase production sprouted when other coconet producers would source out to the cooperative for additional supply of geonet since some mining companies would buy on bulk orders.

“This type of business has been profitable and supports not just the workers of the cooperative, but also other farmers through selling their coconut husk to the producer cooperative; such proposal should be supported,” said I-REAP Component Head Lynn Pareñas. (DA/PIA-Caraga)