(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 09 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 165 km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan (12.3N, 118.7E) It is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Luzon, 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 West will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Thursday, September 1, 2016


9th HRM, Tourism Students’ Summit set in Butuan City

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 1 (PIA) – The Caraga 9th Regional Hotel and Restaurant Management and Tourism Students’ Summit will be held here on September 30 to October 1.

In a memorandum signed by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairperson Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan, she endorses the conduct of said event organized by the Tourism Event and Management Caraga in cooperation with the Caraga Council of Tourism Deans and Educators.

Licuanan clarified that the participation of officials, employees from private higher education institutions shall be voluntary, while the participation of officials and employees of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) should obtain prior approval from the President/Head of their respective institutions.

She also reminded participants from the SUCs to observe proper use of government funds in accordance the Department of Budget and Management  National Budget Circular No. 486 and Administrative Order No. 103.

The activity is expected to be attended by tourism and hospitality students and faculty members from higher education institutions of the region.

For more information, interested participants may coordinate with the organizers through their email address teamcaraga@yahoo.com. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao City commemorates 46th Charter Day anniv

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 1 (PIA) - The city government of Surigao commemorated its 46th Charter Day Anniversary celebration on Wednesday, August 31, held in front of the City Hall, this city.

With the theme, “Serbisyong Matinud-anon Ipadajon sa Syudad na Malamboon,” the celebration kicked-off with a thanksgiving mass at 6:30 A.M. held at the city cathedral.

In his speech, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Atty. Enrique Tandan, III, the event's keynote speaker, challenged everyone to look around and see what can they contribute to the present administration that will help the nation and to the city of Surigao to move forward for a better place to live in.

“Let us all be part of the change and be part of the new administration,” Usec Tandan remarked.

The event was concluded with a charter anniversary grand parade at around 1:00 P.M. followed by the awarding of prizes for best float, best marching band and best marching cadet.

Surigao City celebrates its charter day pursuant to Republic Act No. 6134, it was converted to a chartered city on August 31, 1970 with Pedro Espina as its first city mayor. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Surigao Norte joins the observance of National Crime Prevention Week

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 1 (PIA) - The Surigao del Norte Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) led the kick-off ceremony in observance of the 22nd National Crime Prevention Week and Peace Month here Thursday, September 1, 2016.

This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “Hawak Kamay Tungo sa Kapayapaan at Kaunlaran.”

A motorcade around the city and a short program kicked-off the month-long celebration participated by Philippine National Police, Department of Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Fire Protection, members of the City and Provincial Peace and Order Councils, employees from the national line agencies, representatives from the non-gov’t organizations, barangay officials and other stakeholders.

Other lined-up activities for the celebration include oratorical contest, radio guesting or information dissemination on crime prevention, school-based awareness drive on crime and drug abuse, skills training, barangay-based awareness drive on responsible parenthood for crime prevention, and school visitations.

The celebration is mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 461 series of 1994, declaring the first week of September of every year as National Crime Prevention Week. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


SurSur to observe civil service month celebration

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 1 (PIA) – The province of Surigao del Sur will again participating in this year's 116th Civil Service Anniversary celebration this September. This year's theme is  “Sigaw ng Lingkod Bayani: Malasakit Para sa Taumbayan, Kapwa Kawani, at Kalikasan.”

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) in Surigao del Sur has encouraged the different government agencies to hang an anniversary banner/streamer in front of their offices from September 1 to 30 to show support of the celebration.

Based on the program disseminated, a Zumba exercise will kick-off the month-long celebration slated on Friday, September 2, at 5:00 A.M. at Vicente L. Pimentel Sr. Boulevard, this city.

On September 15, a free orientation on Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Public Officials and Employees, Barangay Eligibility and Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 (ARTA) will be conducted for new entrants in government service, employees holding first level positions like drivers, utility workers, frontline service providers and barangay officials (appointive and elective).

Also, a simultaneous flag raising ceremony and renewal of “Panunumpa sa Lingkod Bayan” will be conducted on September 19 at 8:00 A.M.

CSC provincial director Ruth Beniga also said that participating agencies may initiate their own “Family Day” before the month ends pursuant to Proclamation No. 60, s. 1992 and CSC Memorandum Circular No. 23, s. 1995. (FEA/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Tandag City starts full implementation of anti-smoking ordinance

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 1 (PIA) - Starting today, smokers will be unwelcome in public places of the city.

The city government here thru the Anti-Smoking Task Force (ASTF) will prohibit lighting up in public conveniences, government-owned vehicles, accommodations, and entertainment establishments, work places, enclosed or partially enclosed public places, public buildings, and public outdoor spaces, except in duly designated smoking areas duly approved and certified by the ASTF, private dwellings and private vehicles.

“We now have the legal basis to enforce it, and we hope to achieve a smoke-free city,” said City Administrator Roxanne Pimentel during a press conference held on Wednesday as she cited the newly-approved anti-smoking ordinance.

Pimentel said the main purpose of the strict implementation of the ordinance is to ensure the physical well-being of the people.

The ordinance provides: “It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke or allow smoking of any tobacco product or use of electronic device system (e-cigarettes) in public places.”

Vendors are also prohibited to sell cigarettes and other tobacco products in public terminals, Vicente T. Pimentel Sr. Boulevard, Moonglow Public Market, beach, other sari-sari stores, and 100 meter radius from schools and hospitals.

It can be recalled that prior to the full implementation of the said ordinance, series of consultations and orientations were conducted to the different sectors down to the barangay level spearheaded by the city government and ASTF. (FEA/NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


MinBizCon delegates propose for mining industry policies review

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 1 (PIA) – Officials and leaders of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and some delegates of the recently concluded 25th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBizCon) held here proposed for the review of mining industry policies and the formulation of a Mineral Products Industry Development Plan.

Among the reasons cited for the proposal are the growing environment concerns and the low price of nickel ores and other minerals in the global market. The heavy emphasis of shipping out more nickel ores out of the country by a number of companies lead to the complacency on the strict compliance of some relevant environment management standards.

Moreover, it is explained that it would be more to the advantage of the Philippine government and its people that processed and refined minerals will be sold to other countries instead of the low-priced ore like nickel laterite.

Considering that other metallic and on-metallic mineral elements comprised some of the shipped ore bodies, recipient countries could be gaining more benefits as they extract more mineral products out of these ores.

It has to be noted that nickel ores could also contain cobalt, iron and other rare earth elements such as scandium among others. Proof of this is that Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation, the largest nickel processing plant in the country is now on its way of establishing a scandium extract plant along its operation that produces mixed sulfides containing 55-57 percent nickel.

It is for this reason that the present policy of shipping out raw minerals ores has to be gradually reduced and eventually stopped while promoting more on the local processing of mineral products.  Considering that mineral processing is a capital intensive industry, offering more attractive investments incentives has to be the forefront strategy of the proposed Mineral Products Industry Development Plan.

Engr. Leonel Santos of the Surigao Economic Development Foundation (SEDF) pointed out that creating more value of the ores by processing it into refined mineral products will result to more employment opportunities and will contribute to the sustained money flow to the local economy.

DTI Surigao del Norte provincial director Celestino L. Negapatan welcomed the proposal since it will extend the operational life of the mining firms while seriously attending to environment management concerns thereby providing longer employment years of the industry workers. Moreover, increased local money circulation resulting from industry development and the improved purchasing power of the workforce can result to establishment of more micro, small and medium enterprises in the rural and urban communities. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Tagalog News: Tree nurturance activity ng KBP, Phil. Army, DENR-CENRO, at PIA Caraga ginanap sa Butuan City

Ni Jennifer P. Gaitano

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN Set. 1 (PIA) - Nagkaisa ang pwersa ng mga miyembro ng Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), opisyales ng 4th Civil Military Operations (CMO) Battalion ng Philippine Army, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) Nasipit at Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga sa ginanap na tree nurturance activity kamakailan lang sa loob ng Camp Bancasi, dito sa lungsod kung saan tinanim ang may 11,000 seedlings sa Oplan Broadcastreeing activity kamakailan.

Inihayag ni Lieutenant Colonel Rey Pasco, commander ng 4th CMO Battalion ng Philippine Army na ang ginawang tree nurturing activity sa pamamagitan ng ring weeding, strip brushing, watering, at mulching sa may labing-isang libong seedlings ay parte ng kanilang adhikain tungo sa isang kaaya-aya at malinis na kapaligiran. Isa daw umano ito sa kanilang mga aktibidades sa pagprotekta at pangangalaga sa kalikasan.

Ayon naman kay Evangeline Daba, CAAP Butuan City manager, ang kanilang opisina ay sumusuporta at nagpapatupad ng mga programang pangkapaligiran lalung-lalo na sa kanilang nasasakupang paliparan kung saan ang Camp Bancasi ay sakop nito.

Naging madali rin ang watering activity sa mga planted seedlings dahil sa pinadalang fire truck ng CAAP.

Samantala, ayon naman kay Father Joshue Cadorna, OAD, rector ng Order of Discalced Augustinians (OAD) seminary ng Butuan, napakahalaga nang pagsuporta at paglahok ng bawat stakeholders sa nasabing tree nurturing activity. Ayon kay Fr. Cadorna, nararapat lang na pahalagahan ng mga tao ang yamang bigay ng maykapal at gamitin ito ng tama at naaayon. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Mahigit 600 na delegado nagtipon-tipon sa ginanap na 25th MinBizCon sa Surigao City

Ni Venus L. Garcia

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Set. 1 (PIA) - Sa pangunguna ng Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry o PCCI president George Barcelon, opisyal na binuksan ang 25th Mindanao Business Conference o MinBizCon sa lungsod ng Surigao kamakailan lang na dinaluhan ng mahigit kumulang 600 na partisipante kabilang na ang mga kilalang negosyante at mga lider upang pag-usapan ang mga panukala sa kung paano lalo pang mapahusay ang kooperasyon para sa inklusibong ekonomiyang pangkaunlaran ng rehiyon at ng Mindanao sa kabuoan.

Sinimulan sa isang processional march ng lahat ng local chamber presidents at dignitaries ang selebrasyon. Kasabay din ang pagbukas ng exhibit at trade fair.

Ang lahat ng mga ipinanukalang reporma at action plans ay siyang isusumite kay pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Kalakip sa mga panukala ay ang ease in doing business transactions at investments sa Mindanao, tax revisions, reasonable fees, tourism investment, safety nets in responsible exploration of mineral resources, environmental protection, law and order at ang Mindanao railway system.

Binigyang diin naman ni undersecretary Janet Lopoz, executive director ng Mindanao Development Authority ang strategic position ng Mindanao kung saan nakikinita itong maging kasunod na economic hub ng Southeast Asia.

Samantala, ibinahagi rin ng deputy cabinet secretary ng office of the president na si Peter Lavina sa kanyang pakikipanayam ang umiigting na kumpetisyon sa palm oil industry.

Ayon sa kanya isa ito sa mga indikasyon upang lubos na mapakikinabangan ang kalakaran ng pagpapalawak ng negosyo sa rehiyon.

Ikinagagalak naman ni Surigao del Norte governor Sol Matugas ang pagpili sa lalawigan nito bilang host sa makasaysayang MinBizCon dahil sa pamamagitan nito ay lalo pang naipamalas ng nasabing probinsiya ang malawak na oportunidad gawa ng saganang likas na yaman nito.

“Ito ay isa sa pinakamakabuluhang parte sa kasaysayan ng Surigao del Norte, bagong simula tungo sa matibay na relasyon kasama ang business sector,” sabi ni Matugas.

Sinabi rin ni Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry o SCCI president Concepcion Paqueo na ang MinBizCon ay tamang benyu upang tingnan at masunod ang mga pinakamahusay na kasanayan sa paggawa o pagpapalakad ng negosyo upang mapabuti ang pang-ekonomiyang kondisyon sa rehiyon.

Ang MinBizCon ay isang taunang pagtitipon upang matugunan ang mga kaugnay na usapin na may kinalaman sa livelihood generation upang ang rehiyon ay magiging globally competetive sa world market. (VLG/SDR/PIA-Caraga)