(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).


Thursday, August 25, 2016

Army intensifies developmental activities for IP communities, localities

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

AGUSAN DEL SUR, Aug. 25 (PIA) – The 401st Brigade, Philippine Army based in the province has intensified its developmental activities for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) community and localities.

In the recently held Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting presided by Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) board members Santiago Cane Jr. and Gilbert Elorde, with the presence of provincial director Arleen Ann Sanchez of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the council thoroughly discussed the provincial local peace and order and public safety plan for the calendar year 2017-2019 thru a formulation workshop of its respective programs and projects.

According to Captain Michael Bahian, 401st Brigade's Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer, they are intensifying the conduct of its annual activity, the Youth Leadership Summit for the young ones in the province, which include the IPs.

“The allocation for this activity has been incorporated in the 2017-2019 budget, which will also be included in the presentation of DILG Agusan del Sur provincial director Sanchez as PPOC secretariat during the next meeting,” he said.

Bahian further disclosed that they are continuously holding lectures, orientation with the IPs in their area of responsibility to increase their awareness on their rights and how they can prevent from being fooled and recruited by the NPAs.

Also, it was learned that part of their three-year plan is the establishment of a rehabilitation center for illegal drug dependents as recommended by the provincial government of Agusan del Sur.

Bahian added that some 60 illegal drug dependents who will be subject for rehabilitation will soon be accommodated in their camp once finalized. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


PCHRD-DOST capacitates young researchers in doing disaster research for health

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) – As part of the ongoing bid of the Philippines to position itself as the global hub for global health innovations and disaster risk reduction, young researchers of Caraga region will undergo a workshop on Framework for Disaster Research: Capacity Enhancement on Disaster Research in Health on September 26-27 here.

The two-day workshop will be conducted by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) as a follow through action to the key messages from the disaster risk reduction (DRR) sessions at the Global Forum on Research and Innovation for Health 2015 (Forum 2015) last year, said CHRD Caraga chair Dr. Cesar Cassion.

According to Cassion, the workshop aims to train young researchers from the regions on disaster frameworks on research for health developed by the resident of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine Dr. Marvin Birnbaum and featured during the Forum 2015. The workshop also emphasizes on developing the capacity of young researchers across the Philippines in doing disaster research for health.

Nominees must be less than 35 years old and have background in and/or show interest on basic and disaster research. Faculty or graduate students may participate as pair of Junior-Senior researchers. Interested nominees with only Bachelor of Science degrees or have not yet published may join but must at least possess knowledge in research method.

The nominees will be screened by a group of experts in disaster research for health to choose 20 - 25 qualified participants in the workshop. Chosen participants will be mentored to develop research proposals for funding by PCHRD-DOST.

Deadline of submission of nominees is on September 2, 2016. They may send/email the curricula vitae of your nominees to Richmond Acosta at rqacosta@pchrd.dost.gov.ph. For inquiries they may contact him at (02)837-7534 or at +639369575474. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


New DOTC Caraga chief vows clean-up

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Aug. 25 (PIA) – Newly-installed regional director of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) in Caraga pledged to clean-up the agency from corruption in a month's time.

DOTr Caraga regional director Mohammad Naser Canoy Abbas, in a radio interview, said that one of his priorities is the transaction related to franchising, in which according to him it involves both the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Abbas added that corruption exists especially in sales and transfer of franchises.

The official explained that franchise applicants will only be charged in the amount of P510.00, but it turned out that the illegal collection of franchise fees averaged from P50,000 to P70,000. Accordingly, the deal is done through a third party or a fixer for faster transaction, the official noted.

Abbas assumed as DOTr officer-in-charge (OIC)-director after the retirement of former director Roman Jumawan. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


SurSur employers support stopping ‘endo’

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Aug. 25 (PIA) – Business establishment owners in the province have vowed to support the administration’s fight against “endo” or end of contract abuses.

During the conduct of the Employers Forum and Orientation on Contractualization Cum Assessment recently here, the employers vowed to comply with the law or implementing rules and regulations of the labor code.

Accordingly, "endo" is the abuse of contractualization. Employees, in this case, are terminated every five months and then rehired for the same duration, depriving them of mandatory benefits.

Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga regional director Evelyn Ramos assured that they will be conducting another round of consultation once the listing is completed. She admitted that the list of establishments and companies operating in the region is still to be finalized.

"Once it will be completed, it is expected that the number of those who will commit to stop 'endo' will be increased," she added.

It was learned that same activity was already conducted earlier in other areas such as in Butuan City, and Agusan del Sur. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


25th MinBizCon trade fair exhibit opens in Surigao

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 25 (PIA) - The Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) formally opened on Wednesday, the Trade Fair Exhibit (Corporate Exhibit) Expo at the Philippine Gateway Hotel, this city.

Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr in behalf of Governor Sol F. Matugas; City Legal Officer Atty. Manuel Delani in behalf of City Mayor Ernesto T. Matugas; and SCCI President Concepcion R. Paqueo led the formal opening and ribbon cutting.

The trade fair exhibit, which will be held from August 24 to 26, is part of the 25th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) that features quality competitive products, technology, investment opportunities of mostly Mindanao-based companies, and Surigao products, delicacies and handicrafts from different exhibitors. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DSWD Caraga holds dialogue with RTC judges, clerks of court, prosecutors on adoption process

By Eunice G. Montaos

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) - With the objective to ensure common knowledge and understanding on the guidelines along adoption of children, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga conducted recently the consultation dialogue with the Regional Trial Court (RTC) judges, clerks of court, and prosecutors in the region held at Gateway Hotel, Surigao City.

RTC judges present were Hon. Eduardo S. Casals (Br.1, Butuan City), Hon. Emmanuel E. Escatron (Cabadbaran City), Hon.Kimal M. Salacop (Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur), Hon. Hector B. Salise (Bayugan City), Hon. Rufo U. Naragas (Tandag City), Hon. Merlyn Pacaro-Canedo (Bislig City), and Catalina Sineta Tare-Palacio (Cantilan, Surigao del Sur).

Thirteen (13) clerks of court and six provincial prosecutors also attended the dialogue.

The one-day activity focused on attaining the appreciation of participants regarding the issued Memorandum 7 series of 2015 by DSWD which clarifies the matter on the adoption process. Furthermore, it is aimed that the mentioned professionals will understand the importance of the administrative procedure stipulated under Republic Act (RA) 9523 "Declaring a Child Legally Available for Adoption" as a pre-requisite for the adoption of non-relative or outside the 4th degree relationship.

Assistant Director Rosalie Dagulo of Protective Services Bureau, Atty. Melissa De Villa Gorospe of Legal Bureau, and Social Welfare Officer III Maricel Bringas were the invited resource persons from DSWD Central Office to discuss on the provisions of the laws along adoption like the RA 9523 and RA 8552 (Domestic Adoption Act).

The said experts emphasized on the new concepts, processes, or provisions of the mentioned laws.

DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli, who personally graced the occasion, expressed her gratitude for the presence of the participants. According to her, it was the first time that the department has conducted the activity with the attendees to thresh out issues and concerns related to the adoption already filed and will still be filed in courts.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to our Honorable Judges for heeding our call. Their presence indicates that we are one in protecting our children and ensuring their welfare,” she said.

Brigoli also presented the various advocacy activities on legal adoption conducted by DSWD-Caraga together with its partners in raising awareness of the communities.

Accounting on the adoption cases in the region, as of today, there are 97 children who are subject for adoption which are reported to the regional office. This number comprises the cases handled by DSWD’s community-based social workers and the local government unit (LGU) social workers. Eighty-five (85) of the adoption cases are handled by the Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) team leaders assigned in the five provinces of the region and only 12 cases coming from LGUs. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)


DOH Caraga to implement community-based rehabilitation program

By Ma. Lourdes P. Apego

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) - In order to give attention to the growing number of drug dependent surrenderees in Caraga region, the Department of Health (DOH) Caraga region is now implementing the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program Approach.

As such, DOH will train and orient Municipal Health Offices, selected staff of Provincial and City Health Offices, Public Health Nurses and selected staff of DOH Caraga regarding the program.

According to DOH Caraga regional director Jose R. Llacuna Jr., one of the reasons for adapting this approach is because the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center located in Surigao City could no longer accommodate the growing number of drug dependents which has grown to 23,000 regionwide and counting.

At present, the said rehab center is hosting some 80 in-patients including out-patients and its facilities are already outnumbered by the number of drug dependent surrenderees.

When established, the Community-Based Rehabilitation Centers will adapt the programs offered in the Regional Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, Llacuna said. (Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


DA Caraga reorients LCEs on PRDP

By Fretcher Magatao

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 25 (PIA) - The Department of Agriculture - Regional Project Coordination Office (DA-RPCO) headed by OIC-Regional Executive Director Renato Manantan spearheaded the conduct of five-day PRDP Information Caravan for the provinces and municipalities all over the region to update and reorient the local chief executives (LCE) about the project.

Organized by the Information, Advocacy, Communication and Education (InfoACE) Unit, the activity provided an avenue to the local executives, especially the newly elected officials, and the Provincial/Municipal Project Management and Implementation Units (P/MPMIU) to raise concerns which can be directly addressed by the officials from RPCO and the representatives from Mindanao Project Support Office (PSO).

“This activity not only allows us to be refreshed and updated about PRDP, but also a venue to resolve issues and concerns on project implementation,” said InfoACE Unit Head Emmylou Presilda.

OIC Deputy Project Director Jodel Tabada explained the significant roles of LCEs and P/MPMIUs for the achievement of the goals of the Project in establishing modern, climate-smart and market-oriented agri-fishery sector.

“Since the project will support the local smallholder farmers and fishers to primarily increase their marketable surpluses and their access to markets, the LGU plays an important role in availing a subproject from PRDP,” said Tabada.

Tabada also stressed the importance of profound Provincial Commodity Investment Plan (PCIP) in support to the Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Plan (AFMP) wherein planning begins from the municipal up to the national level.

“We are glad that the municipalities have been cooperative to the province in crafting the PCIP. I just want to reiterate that the PCIP is not only useful for PRDP, the PCIP is also a guide and basis for interventions from other agencies to the province,” Tabada said.

“The PCIP is a tool to guide the investors on what investments they need to pour to the province. The province must not worry if PRDP would come to an end. For as long as there is the PCIP, all the planned projects could be realized through other programs of the Department and with the help of other agencies,” Regional Executive Director Renato Manantan added.

PCIP is a strategic plan that rationalizes the interventions within the various segments of the value chain of commodities that are of significance to the province and that will contribute to the national goals of the agriculture and fishery sector.

“It is part of PRDP’s primary procedures that the proposed subprojects from the province must be based on the purpose of increased productivity of priority commodities refrected in the province’s PCIP,” said Manantan.

The I-BUILD or the infrastructure component of the project reflects that as of the end of the semester, the total indicative portfolio of approved subprojects for Mindanao Cluster reached P7 billion which P1.5 billion belongs to Caraga, this is a total of 21 percent of the portfolioor a total of 22 subprojects for the region.

Despite the rigorous process prior to the implementation of the project, there are already five farm-to-market roads that are under implementation in the municipalities of Kitcharao, Agusan del Norte and Talacogon, Esperanza, and Veruela, Agusan del Sur.

“It is true that the process of availing a subproject under PRDP is tough and the requirements take time to be complied, but we still remain patient and determined to do whatever we can just for a project to be realized in our municipality,” said Mayor Leonida Manpatilan of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.

On the other hand, Investments for Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) Component which aims to strengthen and develop viable agri-fishery based enterprises through efficient value chains of key agriculture and fishery products already has one approved subproject amounting to P32 million on procurement process for the Integrated Abaca Enhancement Enterprises in Santiago, Agusan del Norte.

The component also has four other subprojects amounting to a total of P65 million in the pipeline. One production, processing and marketing subproject for Agusan del Sur and the same type of subprojects for the Province of Dinagat Islands. Two additional enterprise subprojects are also hoped to be approved in Agusan del Norte within the year.

The information caravan was participated by the provincial board members on agriculture, city/municipal mayors of the provinces, city/municipal councilors on agriculture and the Provincial/Municipal Project Management and Implementation Units all over the region. (DA-RPCO Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: PNP-Caraga bumuo ng fact-finding team na mag-iimbestiga sa mga pulis opisyal na dawit umano sa illegal drug trade sa Butuan

Ni Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 25 (PIA) - Bumuo na ng fact-finding team ang Philippine National Police (PNP) dito sa rehiyon ng Caraga na siyang mag-iimbistiga sa tatlong police officials na umano’y sangkot sa illegal drug trade dito sa lungsod.

Ayon kay PNP-13 regional director CSupt Rolando Felix ay natanggap na nila ang sworn statement ni Franklin Caliguid, correspondent ng Philippine Daily Inquirer na siyang pumapangalan sa mga nasabing opisyal.

Matatandaan na sa isang press conference na ginanap noong pagdalaw ni PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa sa Butuan City kamakailan lang ay nagkaroon ng pagkakataong mailahad ni Caliguid ang umano’y naibahagi sa kanya ng namatay na pulis na si PO3 Rex Ofianga ang mga hinaing, maging ang mga pangalan ng mga opisyal na umano'y sangkot sa ilegal drug trade na sina PCInsp Christian Rafols, PSupt Rowena Martinez at PSSupt Francisco Dungo.

Sinabi ni CSupt Felix na kailangan nilang ivalidate ang mga impormasyong kanilang nakalap base na rin sa kanilang imbestigasyun na isinagawa.

Napag-alaman rin na wala pang relief order na inilabas ang kanilang tanggapan at kasalukuyang nagrereport pa umano sa kani-kanilang respective stations ang tatlong police officials.

Inihayag ni CSupt Felix na kapag talagang may basehan na magpapatunay sa alegasyon ay maghahain umano ang kanilang opisina ng kasong administratibo laban sa mga sangkot.

Samantala, sa iba’t ibang panayam ay mariin namang itinanggi ng tatlong opisyal ang naturang alegasyon.

Tungkol naman sa umano’y banta na kinakaharap ni Caliguid, sinabi ni CSupt Felix na maaring ipagbigay alam ito sa kanila nang sa gayun ay magawan ng karampatang aksyon. Ayon pa sa kanya, patuloy ang kanilang imbestigasyun at magpapalabas ito ng resulta sa lalong madaling panahon. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)