(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, August 23, 2016


NYC sets PYDP Reg’l Consultation Workshop in Butuan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) - The National Youth Commission (NYC) together with the Regional Youth Advisory Council (RYAC) Caraga is set to hold the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) 2017-2022 Regional Consultation Workshop on September 7, 2016 at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga regional conference room, this city.

“The NYC is in the process of drafting the PYDP 2017-2022 which shall provide policy and program direction for the participation of the Filipino Youth in nation-building,” disclosed NYC Northern Mindanao cluster head Evanesa Pasamba.

Pasamba added that the PYDP 2017-2022 shall be formulated through a participatory and inclusive approach to identify the following: 1) key issues facing the youth; 2) opportunities, enabling conditions and proposed strategies and policies which government, other duty bearers and other stakeholders should further create and provide; and 3) the role of the Filipino youth as rights holders and duty bearers.

NYC is tasked with 17 functions that include policy formulation and review, establishment of a consultative mechanism for dialogue with youth, linkaging with government and non-government organizations both at the national and international levels, support to youth and youth-serving organizations, and provision of training and national secretariat for the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation (SKNF). (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Health dept strengthens anti-dengue campaign

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) – Following the erratic increase of dengue cases in Caraga region, the health department is strongly advised to exert extraneous efforts in performing the 4S against dengue.

The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga urged the community to do the 4S against dengue or the Search and Destroy, Self-Protection Measures, Seek Early Consultation, and Say “No” to Indiscriminate Fogging.

"In doing the 4S, you have to search and destroy mosquito breeding sites especially those with the stagnant waters; you are also to protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and application of mosquito repellents; if an individual is having a high fever of more than three days, he must be consulted to the nearest health facility for proper assessment by a doctor; and allow only indiscriminate fogging if an outbreak is present or when it is needed," said in a statement.

As per DOH Caraga record, a total of 3,907 dengue cases for the period January 1, 2016 to August 6 have already admitted to different disease reporting units in the region.

The record shows 69.6 percent higher compared to the same time period last year with only 2,304 recorded cases.

The increase in dengue cases in the region has caused formidable concern to the regional office of the agency, said DOH Caraga regional director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr.

Llacuna said the province of Surigao del Sur has the highest case of dengue in the region with 1,010 cases; followed by Agusan del Sur with 635; Surigao del Norte – 592; Butuan City – 568; Surigao City – 413; Agusan del Norte – 276; Tandag City – 168; Bislig City – 84; Bayugan City – 60; Dinagat Islands – 53; and Cabadbaran City with 48 cases. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


DOH Caraga, health facilities receive recognition

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) – In recognition to the efforts and never ending quest of the National Tuberculosis Program, health department and health facilities in Caraga region have received national recognitions.

The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga region with Caraga Regional Hospital and Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center recently received different recognitions in relation to their efforts in the Tuberculosis (TB) program.

DOH Caraga was recognized for their Best Performance in Treatment Success Rate for 2012 and for being Top Performing Regional Office in the country.

The Caraga Regional Hospital also awarded 2nd runner up for Best in Case Holding, 1st runner up for Best in Drugs and Supplies Management, Top Best in Grant Management, and Top Performing Treatment Center.

First runner up for Best in Case Finding, 2nd runner up for Best in Case Holding, 2nd runner up for Best in Recording and Reporting, 2nd runner up for Top Performing Satellite Treatment Center were also given to the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center.

TB is curable and treatment is free; and in partnership with Philhealth, they will be given extra support for patients who will be admitted to Philhealth accredited facilities nationwide. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


PNP says no info yet for the release of abducted civilian in SurSur

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Aug. 23 (PIA) – The Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) under PS/Supt Romaldo Bayting bared that they have not yet received any information for the release of a civilian who was reportedly abducted last July 8 in the vicinity of Barangay Pangi, this city.

It can be recalled that Ramil Aguirre, a member of the “Bantay Banwa” known as Bantay Kalikasan in the area, was abducted by unidentified armed men.

According to 402nd brigade commander Isidro Purisima, in a radio interview, Aguirre is still at the hands of his abductors, as of press time.

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines - Northeastern Mindanao Region (NDFP-NEMR) confirmed that they are set to free five captives in Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur as a gesture of goodwill for the resumption of formal peace negotiations with government.

The five captives were identified as follows:

-PO1 Richard Yu of Carmen Municipal Police Station, Carmen, Surigao del Sur who was reportedly abducted on July 5;

-PO2 Caleb Sinaca, PO3 Jayroll Bagayas and NUP Rodrigo Angob from Malimono Municipal Police Station, Malimono, Surigao del Norte and SPO3 Santiago Lamanilao of Surigao City Police Office who were reportedly abducted last July 24, 2016. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


96 4Ps beneficiaries avail free business registration

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 23 (PIA) - Around 96 4Ps (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries availed the free business name registration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) funded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

DTI Trade and Industry Development Specialist Rennel C. Dalagan said the free registration forms part of DTI’s intervention in addressing the call of the government for inclusive growth and poverty reduction by providing opportunities for economic growth to various sectors like women, youth, farmers, indigenous people, among others.

He said that business names being registered were mostly into aquaculture project. Said business name certificate will expire after five years.

Dalagan further said that there were four agencies invited to discuss topics related to business registration which include the city government of Surigao through the Business Permit and Licensing Office, barangay, Social Security System, and DTI.

The seminar was held at Barangay Nabago Covered Court for the first batch and Mabua Fish Vendors and Housekeepers Multipurpose Cooperative (MAFVEHMCO) Building in Barangay Mabua for the second batch. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


5-year corn, cassava roadmap for AgNor OK’d

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte has finalized recently the five-year plan (2013-2017) for the Corn/Cassava Roadmap for the province after it was adopted and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Sanggunian Resolution No. 019-2016, authored by Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr.

This is one of the priority projects of the Provincial Agriculture Office, which is designed to uplift the economic condition of the farmers in the province.

The province envisioned to achieve a vibrant and sustainable corn/cassava clusters in the province, which will improve the economic productivity and profitability of the marginalized farmers in the province and its component local government units.

The plan aims to serve the province as the primary provider of basic services in corn and cassava. It covers the farmers from the 17 barangays of Las Nieves, Santiago, Butuan City (cluster area) and nine municipalities of Agusan del Norte, non-cluster area that are located 35 kilometers in the Southwest and 75 kilometers on the North of Butuan City proper.

The adoption and approval of the said plan is also one of the requirements for the province to avail of the existing corn development program interventions from the Department of Agriculture. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Barbers appointed chair of House committee on dangerous drugs

By Abby Gonzales

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 23 (PIA) - After weeks of deliberation, Surigao del Norte 2nd district Representative Robert Ace S. Barbers is confirmed chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs for the 17th Congress.

“I am humbled to be named Chairman of the Committee on Dangerous Drugs. We will prioritize legislation that will reflect the present administration’s all-out war against illegal drugs and commitment to rehabilitate drug users. I am ready to work with stakeholders to achieve into fruition the legislative agenda of our President,” Barbers said.

He said the Committee on Dangerous Drugs has jurisdiction over matters directly and principally relating to illegal or prohibited drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, the production, manufacture, use and trafficking thereof, as well as the rehabilitation and treatment of drug dependents.

As such, the Committee will deliberate crucial bills related to the Duterte administration’s intensified war on drugs. Proposals on establishing additional treatment and rehabilitation centers in different regions, strengthening the mandate of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and prescribing higher penalties for drug related crimes, top the priority list of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Barbers added. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


LGU-Surigao Norte to create sports, youth development office

By John Glenn A. Platil

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 23 (PIA) - The provincial government of Surigao del Norte is set to open the Provincial Sports and Youth Development Office this year.

By promoting sports as a deterrent against criminality and substance abuse among the youth, Governor Sol Matugas convened representatives from different line agencies on August 16 to constitute the Provincial Sports Council.

Gov. Matugas and Vice Governor Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr. were chosen as chair and co-chair, respectively. Atty. Cacel Azarcon was elected vice-chair while Board Members Eddie Gokiangkee, Jr. and Constantino Navarro IV were named as advisers of the organization.

For the academe, the members comprised of DepEd Surigao del Norte Schools Superintendent Dr. Fidela Rosas, City Schools Superintendent Dr. Gilda Berte, Teresita Real, Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) President Gregorio Gamboa and Northeastern Mindanao Colleges (NEMCO) President Josefa Paloma.

Atty. Manuel Coro and Atty. Jerry Centro represented the city government and the private sector. Designated members were DILG Prov. Dir. John Reyl Mosquito, Claver Mayor Eddie Gokiangkee, Surigao City Councilor Pablo Bonono, and Surigao Metroplitan Water District board of director Chair Manny Kong.        

Gov. Matugas said that the province is gearing for the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy. Surigaonon karatedo champion Loue Jane Remojo will also represent the country for a global match in Russia. (PGO-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DAR AgNor, DTI team up for marketing, customer relationship management seminar

By Gil E. Miranda

BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) - The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan del Norte and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have combined their resources and expertise to successfully conduct the two-batches of seminar on Marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) to two farmer-groups last August 10 and 12, 2016.

About 55 participants, consisting 32 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) and 23 non-ARB members attended the seminar from Simbalan Rubber Farmers Inc.  (SRFI) of Buenavista and United Farmers of Cuyago, Inc. (UFCI) of Jabonga town.

DAR-ADN point person, Lucio Juni, pointed out that the training is intended for the farmer-members of UFCI which is into Moringa (malunggay) Powder production operating in Jabonga and SRFI which is producing Rubosta coffee (barako coffee) in Buenavista.

The activity is an integrated support of the DAR and DTI in the province, working together to empower farmer-beneficiaries to become commercially viable.

 “This seminar is aimed to help the farmer-groups on their income generating activity that have shown success potential in the local market,” Juni added.

DTI-CARP Resource Person Joy Ordonia discussed about the importance of product enhancement, product promotion, good customer services, basic rules in trade fair participation.

Virginia D. Montilla, UFCI chairperson and one of the participants, said that some of the women-members have now improved their marketing strategy and customers handling which is significant especially because some of them have been managing their own sari-sari store.

“The seminar helped our organization as it improved our relations with customers from all over the region who ordered our product,” Montilla said.

“I am very thankful to DAR and also to DTI for the seminar conducted,” she added. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)