Army to continue whole-of-nation initiatives, heeds
PH prexy’s ceasefire order
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – After the declaration
of President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday for a ceasefire with the Communist Party
of the Philippines – New Peoples Army – National Democratic Front
(CPP-NPA-NDF), 4th Infantry Division commanding general MGen. Benjamin Madrigal
issued a directive as a guide for the uniformed personnel serving under his
area of responsibility to carry on the said marching order as announced.
According to Madrigal, there will be no military
offensive operations against the NPA. However, he emphasized that they will
continue peripheral prophilactic patrols to ensure the security of their troops
and facilities. He likewise said that this does not stop them from responding
to terroristic attacks of NPAs targeting civilian and government facilities.
“As directed, we will continue our support to law
enforcement operations of the PNP, conduct checkpoints to deter any hostile
activities in the area, secure all vital installations, and support to the
Bayanihan activities or the whole-of-nation initiatives that are jointly
undertaken by all stakeholders to help improve the living condition of our
fellow countrymen,” underscored Madrigal.
Moreover, he stated that they will not let their
guards down after the said declaration. “We will remain vigilant in our
respective area of responsibility,” said Madrigal.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Rey Pasco, commanding officer
of the Army's 4th Civil- Military Operations Battalion, remarked that they are
in support to the temporary cessation of aggressive actions between the
government and the communist armed groups. “We will respond accordingly based
on the directives from the higher-ups and pursue the strategic advantage to
culminate the state of chaos in critical areas of the country. We will work for
specific solutions to underlying disputes without associated bloodshed, if
possible. With concerted efforts, we envisioned a peaceful end of the
polarizing effects of violence and pursue our goals for national development,”
expressed Pasco. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
OCD-13 to hold DDRM-related trainings for PDRRMC
Agusan del Sur
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – The Office of Civil
Defense (OCD) Caraga as chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (RDRRMC) is set to hold various disaster preparedness
trainings for the Provincial DRRMC/Local DRRMCs in the province of Agusan del
Sur for this second semester.
In her report during a meeting of the Disaster
Preparedness Committee chaired by the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), April Rose Sanchez, information officer of OCD Caraga bared
that based on their Annual Plans and Budgets for calendar year 2016, they have
set schedules for the different DRRM trainings for the region which include
Agusan del Sur.
On September 19-20, 2016, the PDRRMC with the City
and Municipal DRRMCs will be participating in the Emergency Telecommunications
Summit dubbed as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Bayanihan:
Operationalization of Rapid Emergency Telecommunication Team (RETT).
The one-day Orientation on Pre-Disaster Risk
Assessment (PDRA) for the five component cities in Caraga region including
Bayugan City is set on September 2, 2016.
Also, the Training on Rapid Damage Assessment and
Needs Analysis (RDANA) for the Five Component Cities of Caraga which include
Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur will be held on October 24-27, 2016 in the city.
On October 26, 2016, uniformed personnel in Caraga
region will also be participating in the Executive Course in Incident Command
System (ICS) to be held in the city. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Butuanons to celebrate 116th Philippine Civil
Service anniv
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – Butuanons will once
again celebrate this year’s 116th Philippine Civil Service Month anniversary in
September with the theme: “Sigaw ng Lingkod Bayani: Malasakit Para sa
Taumbayan, Kapwa Kawani at Kalikasan.”
According to Civil Service Commission (CSC) Caraga
regional director Resurreccion Pueyo, a coastal clean-up campaign is set on
September 16, 2016 at Barangay Masao, which will be participated by the
different partner stakeholders in the city.
“Government employees will also be participating in
the simultaneous flag raising and renewal of oath of office in their respective
offices on September 19, 2016,” added Pueyo.
Pueyo futher revealed that a mangrove planting
activity is also set on September 23, 2016 at the USS Marshall Memorial Complex
in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte.
Meanwhile, Butuanons are encouraged to join in the
Free Orientation on Republic Act 6713, Barangay Official Eligibilities and ARTA
for Butuan City and Agusan del Norte. This will be held at the CSC Caraga HRD
Center here.
Special treats for government employees like
discount packages and freebies from selected government/private companies for
civil servants nationwide. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Honey: For health and wealth
By Aurelius P. Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) - Considering its health
benefits and livelihood opportunity, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga
is eyeing to boost beekeeping in the region.
As a start, DA Caraga sent out 20 individuals to
Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Center (NMACLRC) in
Dalwangan, Malaybalay City to attend the basic beekeeping training from August
15-19.
Participants who were composed of DA Staff and LGU
personnel were taught on the proper beekeeping procedure focusing on technical
and management practices to make it viable and sustainable.
Dr. Roche Rey Barrios, livestock program focal
person, said that the training is the initial stage of DA Caraga’s support for
beekeeping in coordination with the local government units.
“Graduates from this training upon return will
serve as trainers for the farmers in our region,” he said.
To concretize its support, DA Caraga has been set
to establish a bee farm in its 4 Research Stations and on selected
participating LGUs as a showcase for learning.
Arnold Valle, president of the Bukidnon Beekeepers
Association and one of the resource person said that beekeeping is a great help
for farmers.
“Honeybee serves as a partner for the farmers since
they help pollinate the plants to increase production and at the same time it
can produce honey which is good for human body,” Valle said.
Zaldy Idulsa, a practicing beekeeper also said that
there is market for honey in the country.
“Nowadays people are health conscious, they tend to
look for healthier and natural products; and as far as sweetener is concerned,
honey is the best,” he said.
Honey, a sweet food made by bees foraging nectar
from plants particularly on its flowers is known as a powerful immune system
booster. (DA Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Surigao Norte solon seeks ‘junior citizens’
discounts
SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Aug. 24 (PIA) -
Surigao del Norte 2nd district representative Robert Ace Barbers has filed a
bill mandating a comprehensive program of benefits and privileges for children
aged 0-12.
House Bill 2881 or the Junior Citizens Act seeks to
alleviate the financial woes of families with meager income by giving benefits
and discounts that children can enjoy.
As provided in the bill, Junior Citizens whose
annual family income does not exceed P250,000 shall be entitled to 20% discount
and exemption from VAT on purchases of medical services, goods and other
privileges. The said amount for the
annual family income is the estimated poverty threshold for a family of four.
If enacted, the bill will play a crucial role in
addressing the concerns of the country’s underprivileged junior citizens who
play an important part in nation-building.
“It is unfortunate that legislations and policies
underscore minimal consideration on the basic and fundamental needs of our
children,” Barbers said.
“Compared to other countries, Filipino children
have limited access to basic services and are definitely left behind in terms
of obtaining their economic, social and health rights. How we take care of our
children is a reflection of our character as a nation,” Barbers pointed out.
The proposed Junior Citizens Act also aims to make
all junior citizens, regardless of income status, automatic Philhealth members
until they reach the age of 12.
“The ideal is that Filipino families should not be
hounded by the amount they spend on their children’s basic food and non-food
needs. Enrolling all junior citizens to Philhealth must be automatic, not
optional,” Barbers added.
The Secretary of Health will be responsible for
formulating the Implementing Rules and Regulations to carry out the objectives
of this Act, including the creation of the Office of the Junior Citizens
Affairs, in consultation with other governing agencies. (Legislative
Staff/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
4 NPA rebels killed in Agusan Sur clash
AGUSAN DEL SUR, Aug. 24 (PIA) - Four members of the
New People's Army (NPA) rebels were killed in a firefight with government
troops in Agusan del Sur on Saturday morning.
Lt. Colonel Rommel Pagayon, commanding officer of the
26th Infantry Battalion, Phil. Army, said his troops were on prophylactic
patrol when they were fired at by the NPAs in Sitio Kihingay, Barangay San
Pedro, San Luis at around 7:50 a.m.
The said NPA rebels were earlier reported to be
extorting food and provisions. Pagayon said the rebel atrocity forced some
residents to flee.
It was learned that the same NPA group had accepted
responsibility earlier for the massacre of the Bucalas family in Zilovia of
Talacogon in May this year where a pregnant family member was among those
killed.
Pagayon said the troops recovered three AK47 and
two M16 rifles, two ICOM radios, 20 back packs and subversive documents.
Major General Benjamin Madrigal of the 4th Infantry
Division then ordered the troops to bring the NPA cadavers down for them to be
accorded with a decent burial by their respective families. (FEA/26IB Phil.
Army/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DSWD Caraga supports newly-approved “Anti-Mail
Order Bride Law”
By Eunice G. Montaos
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) - The Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga supports the recently-approved new
law that will prevent Filipinos from becoming mail order brides.
Also known as “Anti-Mail Order Bride Law,” the
Republic Act 10906 or “An act providing stronger measures against unlawful
practices, business, and schemes of matching and offering Filipinos to foreign
nationals for purposes of marriage or common law partnership, repealing for the
purpose republic act no. 6955” penalizes any person who has in any way engaged
in business to exploit Filipinos to offer to foreigners for marriage.
The law specifically states in Section 3 that it is
illegal for anyone to engage in the following: (a) business matching a Filipino
to a foreigner for marriage or common law partnership on a mail-order basis,
personal introduction, email, or websites on the internet; (b) exhibit,
advertise, publish, print, or distribute, or cause the exhibition,
advertisement, publication, printing, or distribution of brochures, flyers, or
propaganda materials, which are calculated to promote the prohibited acts in
the preceding paragraph, or to post, advertise, or upload such materials through websites on the internet; (c)
solicit, enlist, or in any manner, attract or induce any Filipino to become a
member in any club or association whose objective is to match any Filipino
nationals to foreign nationals for the purpose of marriage or common law partnership
for a fee; and (d) to use the postal service or any website on the internet to
promote the prohibited acts.
The Section 6 of the law clearly states that the
DSWD shall implement preventive, protective, and rehabilitative programs for
victims of the unlawful acts and practices mentioned in Section 3.
DSWD Caraga regional director Minda B. Brigoli says
that according to the law, the DSWD shall coordinate with the local government
units (LGUs) in providing case management service and developing a system for
accreditation among non-government organizations (NGOs) for purposes of
establishing centers and programs and interventions in various levels of the
community.
“The agency shall also provide the following basic
services to the victims: (1) temporary shelter or housing and food; (2)
Psychological support and counselling; (3) Twenty-four (24)-hour call center
for crisis calls and technology-based counselling and referral system; (4)
Assistance in coordination with local law enforcement entities; and (5)
Assistance in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), among others,”
Brigoli adds.
Other agencies involved in the enactment of this
law are DOJ, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Commission on
Women (PCW), Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO), LGUs, Philippine
Information Agency (PIA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and NGOs.
(Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD-Caraga trains LGUs on the use of Social
Protection Handbook
By Eunice G. Montaos
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) – The local government
units (LGUs) in Caraga region underwent recently trainings on the use of Social
Protection (SP) Handbook spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).
Participants of the training were local social
welfare officers, planning officers, local and regional DILG
officers/representatives, regional DSWD planning officers, and NEDA
representatives.
The roll-out training aims to explain to the LGUs
the content and structure of the mentioned handbook which are crucial in
preparing them (LGUs) for their role as advocates of Social Protection.
Also, the training will identify knowledge and
skills needed using the instructional design of the SP handbook in undertaking
advocacy, identifying risk and vulnerabilities, analysing, planning,
implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
DSWD Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli shared in
her message that the SP Handbook serves as the primary reference manual in
implementing social protection interventions from the national to LGU level.
“This training further serves as technical
assistance for the participating LGUs in meeting the standards for LSWDO
functionality which is a major component in the Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG)-Seal of Good Local Governance and DSWD-LSWDO
Functionality assessments,” Brigoli added.
“This activity aims to capacitate the LGUs for them
to translate social protection inputs into tangible action plans in their
respective LGUs,” she concluded.
DSWD-Caraga, through the Planning Unit of the
Policy and Plans Division, conducted three batches for the training. These were
held at Shacene Pension House, Tandag City (August 2-5, 2016), Amontay Beach
Resort, Agusan del Norte (August 9-12, 2016), and Gateway Hotel, Surigao City
(August 16-19, 2016), respectively.
The Joint Memorandum Circular No.1 series of 2015
issued by DSWD and DILG enjoins all provinces, cities, and municipalities to
use the SP Handbook for local planning, budgeting, implementing, monitoring,
and evaluating social protection programs. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field
Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD, partner-agencies strengthen efforts to help
recovering drug dependents
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 24 (PIA) - Amid efforts to
reinforce programs and services for drug dependents, the Department of Social
Welfare and Development spearheaded a multi-agency Training of Trainers (TOT)
on the Implementation of Aftercare, Reintegration and Transformation Support
for Recovering Drug Dependents, held recently at the Social Welfare and
Development Center for Asia and the Pacific (SWADCAP) in Taguig City.
The activity was participated in by the focal
persons from the 17 regional offices of DSWD, as well as partner agencies, like
the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Health (DOH),
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Department of Justice
Parole and Probation Administration (DOJ-PPA), Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Commission
on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and Department
of Agriculture (DA).
Resource persons from partner-agencies discussed
the scope of drug dependency in the Philippines, existing programs in
rehabilitation centers managed by DOH, and community-based programs to be
implemented by DILG.
According to PDEA Information Officer V, Louie
Lagasca, the Philippines is the second top shabu user in Southeast Asia. Shabu,
marijuana and ecstasy are major types of drugs in the country.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jasmin Peralta, Program Manager of
DOH-Dangerous Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (DDAPTP) disclosed
that as of July 16, there are 44 DOH-accredited Treatment and Rehabilitation
Centers. Of this number, 16 are government operated, while 26 are run by the
private sector like NGOs, and foundations.
The DILG, for its part will focus on its community
based rehabilitation program, which shall include the organization of community
rehabilitation network (CRN) and mobilization of the Mamamayang Ayaw sa
Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga (MASA MASID) at the barangay
level.
According to Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo, there is
a need to come up with effective rehabilitation programs in view of the
administration’s relentless drive against illegal drugs, resulting to the
surrender of thousands of pushers and users.
“Kailangang may komprehensibong programa, lalo na
para sa mga menor de edad upang sila’y matulungang makapagbagong buhay. Hindi
lamang DSWD ang magpapatupad nito kundi lahat ng ahensyang may mandato o
tungkuling tumulong sa mga nalulon sa droga (There is a need for a
comprehensive program, especially for
minors to help them transform their lives. It is not only DSWD which shall
implement this, but other agencies mandated to help drug dependents),”
expressed Taguiwalo. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Caraga inendorso ang apat na nominado
sa pagiging RDC chair
Ni Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 24 (PIA) - Sa pangunguna ng
National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) - Caraga bilang secretariat ng
Regional Development Council (RDC) - 13, ginanap dito sa lungsod kamakailan ang
reorganizational meeting kung saan sa pamamagitan ng secret balloting bilang
proseso sa pagboto para sa pagpili ng mga nominado ay naisumite nito ang
resolusyong pag-eendorso kay president Rodrigo Duterte sa mga personaheng
nominado upang umupo bilang RDC chairperson para sa taong kasulukuyan hanggang
2019.
Kabilang dito sina Butuan City Mayor Ronnie Vicente
Lagnada, Tandag City Mayor Alexander Pimentel, Surigao del Norte Gov. Sol
Matuga at Bislig City Mayor Librado Navarro. Naging nominado din sina private
sector representatives (PSR) Engr. Epimaco Galero, Jr. at Engr. Leonel Santos
bilang RDC co-chair.
Samantala, nakapaghalal na rin ang RDC ng bagong
committee chairs. Nanalo bilang chairperson si PSR Epimaco Galero, Jr. at
co-chair nito si mayor Librado Navarro ng LGU-Bislig City para sa
Infractructure Development Committee; Butuan City mayor Ronnie Lagnada at PSR
Leonel Santos bilang chair at co-chair ng Economic Development Committee; DSWD
regional director Minda Brigoli at PSR Pazfigurita Ojeda ng Cabadbaran City
bilang chair at co-chair para sa Social Development Committee; at Tandag City
mayor Alexander Pimentel at PSR Helen Arellano ng Agusan del Sur bilang chair
at co-chair para sa Development
Administration Committee.
Ang nasabing reorganisasyon ay nangyayari kada
tatlong taon. Ayon kay NEDA-Caraga regional director Mylah Faye Aurora Carino,
ang RDC ay ang regional counterpart ng NEDA board na siyang pumapatnubay sa
socio-economic at physical planning ng rehiyon, nag-aapruba ng iba’t ibang
programa at proyekto ng regional line agencies, at nag-rerekomenda sa pangulo
ng bansa/ ng natatanging polisiya at programang magpapalaganap ng rehiyunal at
lokal na kaunlaran.
Bilang isa sa mga nominado, inihayag ni mayor
Lagnada ang kanyang makatotohanang suporta at intensyon na maninilbihan para sa
ikauunlad ng rehiyon.
“Naniniwala ako na maibahagi ko ang aking kaalaman
sa pagiging engineer tungo sa direction setting at planong pang-ekonomiya ng
ating rehiyon. Ibig kong maging parte lalung-lalo na sa pagsasagawa ng
comprehensive master plan para sa Caraga,” sabi ni Lagnada.
Sa nasabing reorganizational meeting, pinagtibay
rin ng mga non-voting members ang kani-kanilang commitment sa RDC. Inaasahang
ma-iappoint ng pangulong Duterte ang tatalagang RDC chair sa lalong madaling
panahon. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Tagalog News: Bangkay ng mga napatay na NPA sa
Agusa Sur nakuha na ng mga militar para sa maayos na libing
Ni Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Agosto 24 (PIA) - Kaugnay sa sagupaang
nangyari nito lamang Sabado sa pagitan ng militar at CAFGU laban sa bandidong
grupo ng New Peoples Army o NPA, mabilis na inaksyunan ng 401st Brigade sa
pamumuno ni Col. Cristobal Zaragoza ang pagkuha sa mga bangkay ng apat na
namatay na NPA ayon na rin sa utos ni MGen Benjamin Madrigal, commanding
general ng 4th Infantry Division na mabigyan ito ng maayos at disenteng libing.
Matatandaang bago pa man naideklara ni Pangulong
Rodrigo Duterte ang ceasefire, nagsagawa ng prophylactic patrol ang nasabing
grupo ng militar noong August 20, 2016 sa sitio Kihingay, Brgy, San Pedro, San
Luis, Agusan del Sur matapos umano naireport sa kanila ng mga sibilyan ang
presensiya ng humigit-kumulang 30 miyembro ng NPA na pinangunahan umano ni
commnader Antoy ng Guerilla Front 88 na nagsagawa ng food extortion at
nananakot sa mga ayaw magbigay ng bigas at pagkain sa kanila.
Kabilang sa na-recover ng operating troops ng 26th
Infantry Battalion ang limang high-powered rifles, dalawang Icom communication
radio, 20 back packs at subversive documents.
Ayun kay Col. Zaragoza, kabilang sa apat na
rebeldeng napaslang ay si Patricio Mondejar alyas “Jerome” na taga La Paz,
Agusan del Sur, habang ang tatlo ay hindi pa nakikilala.
Samantala, ang nasabing grupo ng NPA ay ang siyang
responsible din umano sa pag-masaker ng sibilyang pamilya Bucalas nitong buwan
lamang ng Mayo sa Zilovia, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur kung saan kabilang ang
buntis nitong kapamilya sa nasawi.
Pinahatid ni Col. Zaragoza ang kanyang pakikiramay
sa mga kamag-anak ng mga namatay at nananawagan ito sa mga sugatang NPA na
bumaba na para maipagamot at hinikayat niyang magbagong buhay na ang mga ito.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
