(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).


Wednesday, September 21, 2016


Army issues new combat trucks to field units in Caraga

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) – A newly acquired 27 KM450 and seven KM451 purchased from South Korea were recently issued to supplement the existing operational military trucks and to enhance the mobility capability of the army troops deployed at the battalion headquarters in Caraga region.

Rev. Fr. Joshue Cadorna, rector of Order of Discalced Augustinians and Fr. Catalino Mabale led the ceremonial blessing of the 34 newly-acquired military vehicles held at the Advance Command Post, Camp Bancasi, this city.

The provision of the conveyance assets also aims to upgrade the capability of the military personnel as they perform internal and external operations and to provide operation convenience of medical staff and patients.

The KM451 units, which serve as military ambulance will be utilized not only by the soldiers but also by the civilian patients. It is fully airconditioned and complete with emergency medical treatment equipment and drugs.

According to MGen Benjamin Madrigal Jr., commander of the 4th Infantry (Diamond) Division, Phil. Army, aside from acquisition of the new military trucks they have also improved the coordination with the hospitals through a memorandum to provide a speedy medical response in order to save more lives.

“It is part of the continuous modernization program in which these vehicles will serve as transportation equipment for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations,” said Madrigal.

Meanwhile, Lt Col Rey Pasco, commanding officer of the 4th civil-military operations battalion, Phil. Army was grateful for the additional KM units. He assured that they will see to it that the vehicles will be mobilized accordingly to really serve its purpose, and that proper maintenance and driving protocols will be observed by the personnel incharge. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


5 NPA rebels surrender in Surigao del Sur

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) – Five members of the New People’s Army (NPA) went back voluntarily to the folds of the government after realizing how tough and distressful the many struggles they had faced staying with the communist group.

The former rebels claimed that they were members of the Komiteng Rebolusyonaryo sa Munisipalidad (Municipal Revolutionary Committee) established by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) - NPA in the outlaying localities in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.

With the help of the 75th Infantry (Marauder) Battalion, said former rebels had the better opportunity to return to the mainstream society. They were able to turn over to the government six M16 rifles, 22 magazines, five bandoliers and bullets in the presence of MGen. Benjamin Madrigal, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army.

When asked on how would they handle those former rebels who have pending cases, MGen. Madrigal bared that legal proceedings will continue to be carried out. “On the other hand, those who desire to join the army service must first qualify with the requirements and comply everything that is necessary,” said Madrigal.

As expressed by alias "Dodong," they withdrew without letting anyone from their comrades know about the plan because they were tired of the illegal and criminal operations conducted by the NPA group.

Meanwhile, 402nd brigade commander Col. Isidro Purisima also expressed that they respected the order of ceasefire. “We are in support of peace talks because as Filipinos we are here to help our fellows to transform them from being unlawfully armed,” he added.

Col. Purisima said that their peace development operations had contributed in convincing the NPA members to surrender and start a new peaceful life.

The former insurgents will be given support through the Comprehensive Local Integration Program (CLIP) as they go back to their respective communities. They will receive each a P15,000 immediate cash assistance and P50,000 livelihood aid. Another P5,000 will also be given from the office of the provincial governor of Surigao del Sur. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


'Teambayayong' TWG to visit Lumad communities in Lianga town

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Sept. 21 (PIA) – The "Teambayayong" Technical Working Group is set to visit Brgy. Diatagon in Lianga town on Sept. 28, 2016 to conduct consultation and dialogue with the displaced lumads who have returned to their villages after staying at the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex for a year.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (PSWDO) May Navidad Salinas confirmed during their recent meeting that the TWG, composed of members from the different line agencies, provincial government of Surigao del Sur and other stakeholders, will implement its reintegration program for the lumad communities.

Plans for the rehabilitation and repair of roads and bridges, proposal to avail for the emergency shelter assistance (ESA), consultative meeting for the construction of IP school building, and the final list of the internally displaced persons were among the topics raised during the meeting.

The issue on the exact number of displaced lumads were also tackled. For the PSWDO, they have recorded a total of 473 displaced lumad families while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga Regional office has more than 700 families.

Salinas explained that the data gathered by their office was based on the actual assessment inside the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex during their relief distribution before the lumads went back to their communities on Sept. 2-3, 2016.

With this conflicting data, it was agreed that the concerned Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers are required to submit the final list duly validated and verified by the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) and endorsed by the concerned local chief executive.

The final listing of the IDPs is essential in order to proceed for the implementation of reintegration projects and programs, Salinas concluded. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Project 'Double Barrel' nets 35,911 drug pushers, users in Caraga

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) – Since its implementation on July 1, 2016, a total of 35,911 drug personalities from various parts of the region have surrendered to police and local authorities under the intensified Project "Double Barrel" campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PSupt. Joseph Boquiren, Deputy Chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division of PNP Caraga during the Regional Development Council – Development Administration Committee (RDC-DAC) third quarter meeting held on Tuesday, September 20 bared that of the 35,911 surrenderers, 11,419 were all under the watchlist submitted to the PNP, while the 24,492 are newly-identified drug personalities.

The province of Agusan del Norte PPO has 5,857 surrenderers; Agusan del Sur PPO – 8,826; Dinagat Islands PPO – 1,706; Surigao del Norte PPO – 7,481; Surigao del Sur PPO – 6,343; and Butuan City PO with 5,698.

For the period July 1, 2016 to September 12, 2016, Boquiren also reported that  304 operations have been conducted with 424 number of persons arrested and 19 killed.

Also, a total of P19,298,084 Dangerous Drug Board value of drugs (Shabu and Marijauna) were confiscated under the Project High Value Target/Low Value Target (HVT/LVT), Boquiren said. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


Maritime stakeholders to celebrate National Maritime Week 2016 in Surigao Norte

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 21 (PIA) – In line with the government's efforts to recognize thousands of Filipino seafarers working here and abroad, the stakeholders of the maritime industry here are celebrating the National Maritime Week from Sept. 25-30, 2016.

The event, which is anchored on the theme: “Shipping: Indispensable to the World," is spearheaded by the provincial station of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Surigao del Norte, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA).

PPA Surigao port manager Mildred J. Padilla said the celebration is aimed to give tribute to all the seafarers and stakeholders who are indispensable to the industry and had contributed much to the country’s economy.

One of the highlights of the week-long celebration is the opening of the MARINA Sattelite Office at the Port of San Jose in Dinagat Islands.

Other activities calendared for the event include thanksgiving mass, dressing of ships, blowing of horns, wreath laying, press conference, open house/ship baseport, mangrove planting, coastal clean-up, blood-letting activity, volleyball friendship game, search and rescue drill, port and shipping consultative forum, fellowship night, and closing and awarding ceremony.

The National Maritime Week is celebrated by virtue of Proclamation No. 1094, consolidating the celebration of the National Seafarers Day (NSD), National Maritime Day (NMD) and the National Maritime Week (NMW), making the celebration more significant and more inspiring. (SDR/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DepEd Surigao Norte trains teachers on teaching guides making

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 21 (PIA) – Around 66 Science and Math teachers of Surigao del Norte Schools Division were recently trained on the making of teaching guides for Senior High School Grade 11 students during the Division Walk-Through of Curriculum Guides held here.

The said activity aims to revisit the K to 12 curriculum guide for Grade 11 Science and Math, and capacitiate the newly-hired teachers on the methodologies of teaching in the academic track. Likewise, the activity seeks to strengthen the skills of teachers based on their area of specialization, and prepare teaching guides to improve the learning outcomes of students.

Said activity also supports the thrust of the HEALS plus agenda of the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Sol Matugas in building the capacities of the teachers.

Outputs from the workshops such as teaching guides were presented to Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Fidela Rosas, who shared challenges and valuable insights during the culminating program. (DepEd-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


No movement in prices of basic commodities, says DTI

By Maria Lourdes Pizarro-Apego

BUTUAN CITY, Sept. 21 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Agusan del Norte assured the consuming public that there was no movement in the prices of basic commodities in the city since the declaration of the State of Lawlessness in the country by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

According to DTI Agusan del Norte Consumer Welfare Division Chief Wyn Palma, this was based on the result of the monitoring they conducted immediately after the declaration until this time.

Palma clarified that the DTI is only in charge of monitoring the prices of manufactured basic commodities while the Department of Agriculture monitors the agricultural products such as rice, fish and vegetables.

Palma also clarified that the current prize freeze of basic commodities due to the declaration of the state of lawlessness will be in effect for 60 days unless the president orders it lifted within the period.

"Since the declaration of state of lawlessness was signed on September 4, 2016, the prize freeze will continue until the first week of November," Palma said. (Radyo ng Bayan Butuan/PIA-Agusan del Norte)