(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 07 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).


Monday, October 3, 2016


PSA Caraga to hold contest on Best Display of Statistical Practices via Infographics

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – In time with the 27th National Statistics Month (NSM) celebration, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Caraga is set to hold the Best Display of Statistical Practices using information graphics (infographics) Contest this month.

According to PSA Caraga regional director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura, the said contest is aimed to affirm partnership with the data providers, producers and users in the enhancement of the statistical products and services.

“Judging period is from October 11-25, 2016. Announcement of winners will be on October 28, 2016 during the closing celebration of the 27th NSM,” bared Apura.

Apura elaborated that the Best Display of Statistical Practices is guided by the principles of truth and professional integrity and shall promote and maintain an efficient government statistical practices that provide adequate, accessible, consistent, reliable and timely data.

“We are also encouraging our partner agencies to promote the effective delivery of government statistical services and ensure relevance of outputs in other statistical undertakings in the region,” Apura added.

The contest conveys latest and accurate statistical information produced by the participating office. It is open to all regional line agencies whose offices are located in the city.

Apura reminded the participating agencies that display should be in a 3.5 feet by 6 feet size exhibit board. It should present statistical information produced from 2014 to present through infographics. Excellent renditions of all the necessary elements of statistical information that are highly attractive and compatible with the data presented should also be included.

The criteria for judging are the following: Content – 50 percent; Visual Appeal – 30 percent; and Mechanics – 20 percent. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


‘Serbisyo Peace Caravan’ benefited IPs in AgNor

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – Some 2,000 indigenous peoples (IPs) have benefited from the joint “Serbisyo Peace Caravan” of the government agencies in coordination with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) conducted Friday in Barangay Baleguian, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte.

OPAPP program manager Oliver Binancilan disclosed that the caravan is aimed to provide services to the localities of Jabonga, in culmination of the Peace Month celebration. “Services from government agencies are being brought here for our IP beneficiaries. We have been giving focus on the conflict-affected areas in the region, and after here in Agusan del Norte, similar activity will be conducted in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur,” he said.

The said peace caravan is focused on prioritizing the IP communities in the municipalities of Agusan del Norte composed mainly of the Mamanwa and Manobo tribes.

During the whole day activity, jerry cans, buntis kits, seedlings and seeds, nutri curls and baby foods, and school supplies were distributed to the IP beneficiaries. Medical consultations, distribution of cheque incentives for IP beneficiairies of PCPP, and awarding of Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) were also conducted at the same venue.

Mayor Jasmin Monton of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte expressed her warm gratitude and thanks to all the government agencies that extended their services to their municipality especially to the IP beneficiaries. She added that there were four barangays in Jabonga that have availed from the caravan. The local government unit has also made sure that the conduct of said activity will turnout successful.

Fr. Carlito Clase, representing the Caraga Conference for Peace and Development bared that they are working with the networking among stakeholders who extend government services in the ground. He added that as advocates for peace they stand by the 'Do No Harm' principle and help in bridging peace to the people.

“We are strongly supporting the activities of the OPAPP and other partners in providing basic services to the localities especially the IPs. Government agencies have been doing their best to reach out to the marginalized sector,” stressed Clase.

Also, Datu Raffy Pinao, Mamanwa chieftain of barangay Maraiging, Jabonga, Agusan del Norte underscored that their tribe was able to receive several services from the government agencies. He further expressed his overwhelming thanks to all agencies that extended assistance to them. (JPG/VLG, PIA-Caraga)


ECC holds employees’ compensation program advocacy seminar in Butuan

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The Employees Compensation Commission (ECC), in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Caraga has recently conducted a one-day advocacy seminar on the Employees’ Compensation Program with different government agencies held at Dottie’s Place Hotel, this city.

Ma. Cecilia Maulion, chief of Information and Public Assistance Division of ECC bared that the seminar was aimed to increase awareness of the general public through government agencies’ information officers the three major components of the EC program namely – prevention, compensation and rehabilitation services.

The Employees Compensation Program is designed to provide employees and their families with income benefits, medical, and other benefits in the event of work-connected sickness, injury or death.

“During the seminar, we discussed with the participants the recent program reforms of the ECC anchored on the '3Es' – Equalize, Enhance, and Expand strategy in response to the challenges facing the EC Program,” said Maulion.

Maulion added that participants from various private companies particularly the human resource officers, employers, company representatives and labor union officers have actively participated in the seminar.

Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force have also attended the said activity. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)


DOH to declare Agusan Norte as filarias-free province

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga is set to declare the province of Agusan del Norte as filarias-free on October 4-5 at Almont Inland Resort, here.

Said declaration is one of the highlights in the Talakayan on “Regional Health Summit cum Colloquium.”

“After 12 years of implementing the different program strategies of the National Filariasis Elimination Program, the province of Agusan del Norte is now declared as Filariasis free province,” said DOH Caraga regional director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr.

The declaration followed the results from the Transmission Assessment Survey conducted last year, Llacuna said. For a province to be declared filariasis-free, no cases must be recorded for five consecutive years, it was learned.

The agency is on its course towards the implementation of the Service Delivery Network and the honing of local government leaders in bridging leadership and provision of health in the respective communities, Llacuna added. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


Youth should help protect Earth’s ozone says PENRO SurSur chief

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 3 (PIA) - In celebration of the National Ozone Protection Month, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) chief Jose Flavio Concha called on the youth to help protect the ozone layer and fight against global warming and global climate change.

During the symposium on Ways to Mitigate Global Warming spearheaded by the Diocesan School Science Club and participated by the secondary students held at the Municipal Gymnasium in Tago town, this province, Concha, in his message read by PENRO information officer Johny Natad, urged all the students to help avert the impact of global warming and depletion of ozone layer.

“It is not enough for the youth, who are the future young scientists, to have equip with knowledge and wisdom but also have the will and consistent action to fight against global warming and global climate change,” said Concha.

"By simply planting trees, practicing best waste management, applying best practices in sustainable organic agriculture, saving energy utilization, supporting the use and adoption of alternative source of renewable energy, carpooling or reduce driving car used with fossil fuels, consuming more veggies locally harvested than processed meat are some easy ways to help reduce carbon footprints,” added Concha.

Explaining that Science needed the focus on understanding, adaptation and preparation in mitigating the global warming and climate change, Concha encouraged the youth the need to learn apply some old hard lessons on saving energy, walking, eating more veggies, and reaching out to the grassroots communities in order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Concha also revealed that DENR Secretary Gina Lopez wanted to facilitate and motivate the youth’s inspiration, dedication, and energy in the mobilization for environmental action.

“It is the desire of DENR to partner and muster the youth in environmental initiatives to include an endeavor to protect Ozone via symposium or forum,” Concha further said, believing that the voices and actions of youth represent an international initiatives to help safeguard the ozone layer through the calls and advocacy to control the production, consumption and use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) among others which deplete the ozone layer and are widely used in refrigerators, airconditioners, fire extinguishers, in dry cleaning, as solvents for cleaning, electronic equipment and as agricultural fumigants like.

The National Ozone Protection Month is annually observed pursuant to Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer entered into force on January 1, 1989 and DepEd Memorandum No. 358, s. 2007. (JSN/PENRO-SDS/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DTI SurSur bares activities for consumer welfare month celebration

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here recently bared its activities for the celebration of the consumer welfare month this October.

Romel Oribe, DTI provincial director, said the monthlong celebration kicked-off with a motorcade this morning joined by the ConsumerNet members and business establishments followed by a market inspection at the Moonglow Public Market, this city.

This will be followed by radio guesting with the ConsumerNet members focusing on consumer–related matters and updates of programs/activities of the different government agencies to be aired over Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag on October 4.

Other activities are: Consumer’s Expectation Survey with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on October 5; Briefing on Labor Laws on October 17; and the Provincial Quiz Show on October 21 - winners will represent the province for the regional level.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, “Consumer Protection: Shared Responsibility” with Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas as the lead agency, it was learned.

October was declared Consumer Month by the virtue of Proclamation number 1098 signed on September 26, 1997, by then former President Fidel V. Ramos. (FEA/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DTI Surigao Norte holds in-phasing event cum technical session

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The Department  of Trade and Industry (DTI) Surigao del Norte provincial office in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zussamenarbeit (GIZ) spearheaded a two-day in-phasing event cum technical session on green economic development held recently at Parkway Hotel, this city.

The two-day event is anchored on the theme, “Sustaining the Promotion of Green Economic Development.”

The first day of the event highlighted the gains of the Promotion of Green Economic Development (ProGED) Project in the province through the testimonies of Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) who already implemented green measures in their establishments and those from the government sector who continuously supporte3d the green initiatives  of DTI.

Successful “Greened MSMEs” shared happily their stories in greening and the positive results of adopting green measures in the businesses.

They encouraged other MSMEs to green so that they too will benefit and enjoy the gains of using green sector.

The event also highlighted the commitments of other national line agencies, local government units and other stakeholders in the province to jointly pursue green economic development through the “Tree of Commitment.”

On the other hand, a technical session on green practices especially along the key environmental hotspots namely: energy, water, solid waste, natural resource, pollution, transportation, and material consumption were undertaken on the second day of the event.

Resource persons from Sheridan Marketing, Inc. for LED bulbs and solar panels, Edward Marcs Inc. for SEDNA Aircon powered by solar panels, Easy Link for Zero payment (changing of existing bulbs to LED), Barring Technologies for waste water treatment and Thehco Green Technology for green vehicles discussed their available technologies for MSMEs.

Aside from discussions, the resource persons also showcased their existing green technologies that will help MSMEs operation become sustainable and competitive.

A total of 95 participants attended the said event which was graced by Vice Governor Arturo Carlos A. Egay, Jr and facilitated by ProGED Senior Adviser Raquel Capio. (DTI-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Bayugan team wins POPCOM's indie film fest

By Angie B. Antonio

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – A team of young talents from Bayugan City produced a winning independent film for the Regional Adolescent Health and Development Film Festival sponsored by the Commission on Population (POPCOM).

The film is dubbed as “Paglaum sa Hangin” produced by Bayugan National Comprehensive High School of Bayugan City Division pictured out the role of young people in addressing emerging health issues out of the environmental quality.  The young talents made the material out of their equipment free from interferences of any professional expertise.

The best film was adjudged based on the content (40 percent), technique (40 percent) and overall impact (20 percent).

POPCOM official handed in to the winners cash prize and plaque, while the participating students who act as cinematographer and director also received a medal.

The organizer revealed that only the film entry of the 1st place will be forwarded to POPCOM Central Office as the region’s entry for the National AHD Independent Film Festival.  Awarding and the national film showing is set on the early part of December, this year.

Also, awarded for the short film production as 2nd place is Caraga Regional Science High School of Surigao City Division and Jacinto P. Elpa National High School, Tandag City Division  for the 3rd place.

POPCOM Caraga regional director Alexander A. Makinano pointed-out that the film will become property of POPCOM as communication and information materials for Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program.

Makinano further mentioned that the film festival will be the venue to create awareness on the status of today’s adolescents and young people and as one of the many approaches of the agency in helping the young people in the crucial stage of their development so that they will grow into healthy, responsible, and productive adults.

On the other hand, POPCOM also gave cash prize, plaque and medals to the winning schools/divisions who participated in to the Script Writing Contest.

The winning divisions for the Script Writing Contest are the following: 1st place: Surigao City Division; 2nd place: Bislig City Division and 3rd place: Cabdabaran City Division. (POPCOM-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DepEd bares 464 SHS implementers in Caraga

By Concepcion P. Vasquez

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 3 (PIA) – The Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga region has recorded a total of 464 Senior High Schools (SHS) implementers in the entire region.

As of August 31, 2016, of the 464 SHS implementers, 367 are form public, 84 private, and 13 state/universities/colleges implemented SHS.

DepEd Caraga also bared that 124 implementers came from the province of Surigao del Sur, 113 from Agusan del Sur, 106 from Agusan del Norte, 92 from Surigao del Norte, and 29 from the province of Dinagat Islands.

As to the enrolment, as of June 20, 2016, a total of 21,327 enrolled to the different four academic tracks. GAS or General Academic Strand topped with 10,490 enrollees, followed by STEM or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics with 3,980; Humanities and Social Sciences or HUMSS track with 3,486; and Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM) with 3,371 enrollees.

Of the 1,048 teachers’ items allocated by DepEd regionwide, 983 of which have already been filled-up while the remaining 64 have attributed to the lack of qualified applicants and conversion of some items. (DepEd Butuan City division/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Tagalog News: 36IB pinarangalan ng TESDA Surigao Sur

Ni  Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Okt. 3 (PIA) – Pinarangalan ang 36th Infantry “Valor” Battalion (36IB), Philippine Army sa ginanap na “Araw ng Parangal” na idinaos kamakailan kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng ika-22 na anibersaryo ng Pangasiwaan sa Edukasyong Teknikal at Pagpaunlad ng Kasanayan (TESDA) nitong probinsya.

Ayon sa report, mismong si Lt. Colonel Randolph Rojas, ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng 36IB ang tumanggap ng plake bilang parangal at pagpapasalamat sa patuloy nitong pakikipagtulongan sa nasabing ahensya sa pamamagitan nang pagdadala at pagbibigay suporta na maihatid ang kanilang programa sa kumunidad.

Sa termino ni Rojas bilang pinuno ng nasabing batalyun, maraming ginanap na mga pagsasanay (trainings) sa iba’t-ibang klase ng pangkabuhayan ang naiparating sa mga mamayan na higit na nangangailan nito para sa kanilang pang araw-araw na pangkabuhayan. Naisakatuparan ang nasabing pagsasanay sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtulongan nito sa TESDA.

Kabilang nito ay ang sumusunod: Small Engine repair; Ear Tapping and Nail Polishing, Nail Care and Haircut Training; Vegetable Production; Organic Farming Training; Automotive Electrical Assembly; Business Management and Vulcanizing Training; Tocino and Chorizo Making; Chicken Production; at ang Crab Production. Ginanap ang lahat nang ito dahil na rin sa hinaing ng mga sibilyan, ayon sa report.

Kasabay nito, pinasasalamatan ni Direktor Rey Cueva, ang kasalukuyang pinuno ng TESDA sa Rehiyon ng Caraga at hepe sa nasabing ahensya sa probinsya ng Surigao del Sur ang Valor Batalyon sa serbisyong ipinagkakaloob para sa mga sibilyan na nasasakupan nito.

Ang makaahon sa kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay kaalamang edukasyong teknikal naman ang pinagkakaloob ng TESDA sa bawat mamayan na ngangailangan nito sa pakikipagtulongan na rin sa iba’t-ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, kabilang nito ang military at lokal na pamahalaan.

Sa pinalabas na mensahe ni Rojas, sinabi nya na kailangan na mabigyan ng kaukulang pansin at tulong ang mga mamayan sa pamagitan ng pagtuturo sa kanila ng kanilang pagkukunan ng pangkabuhayan.

Dagdag pa ng opisyal, “ipagpatuloy natin ang magandang relasyon ng military at ng TESDA, kasama na ang iba pang mga kaagapay mapapribado man og gobyerno (stakeholders) para sa ganitong pamamaraan mabigyan natin ng sulosyon ang problema sa kahirapan.”

Ayun na rin sa opisyal na patuloy ang kanilang suporta at pakikipagtulongan para makamit ang tunay kapayapaan at mapaunlad ang pamayanan. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)