(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).


Friday, November 4, 2016


MASTS Friendship Games 2016 to open on Sunday in Tandag City

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Nov. 4 (PIA) – The Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) is all set for this year’s hosting of the Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Friendship Games 2016, which will kick-off on Sunday, Nov. 6 in the city.

Based on the program, the opening ceremony is split into three parts. Part I is a 5K 'Fun Run for A Cause' from the Vicente L. Pimentel Sr. Boulevard bound to SDSSU Quadrangle, which will start at 5:00 A.M. followed by a Zumba. Part II is the opening parade at 2:30 P.M. to be followed by an opening program at the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex. Part III will be the fellowship dinner to be held at the Prospero Pichay Sr. Gymnasium, SDSSU.

During the coordination meeting held Friday morning at the SDSSU Board Room Conference, SDSSU president Baceledes Estal bared that some delegates will be arriving today, and tomorrow.

Estal said the billeting quarters are now ready in coordination with the Department of Education-Surigao del Sur Division and Tandag City Division. Identified billeting quarters are: Jacinto P. Elpa National High School for Region IX and Surigao State College of Technology-Caraga; Tandag Central Elementary School for Region IX - Western Mindanao State University; Special Science Elementary School, Tandag Pilot Elementary School, Bontud Elementary School and Quintos Elementary School for Region X; Rosario Elementary School for Davao Region; Tago-Purisima Elementary School, Tago-Purisima National High School, and Tago-Falcon Central Elementary School for Region XII; Telaje Elementary School for ARMM; Speed Center and Engr. Nestor Ty Memorial Elementary School for Caraga delegations.

Estal said the sociocultural activities will be conducted in Cantilan town, including basketball games, while other sports events including dance sports and Search for Miss MASTS will be held in Tandag City.

The Pageant Night for the Miss MASTS 2016 will be held on Nov. 7 at the Tandag City Gymnasium.

The said event will culminate on Nov. 11 at 3:00 P.M. at the Prospero B. Pichay Sr. Gymnasium, SDSSU Main Campus. (NGBT/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DTI launches 362nd Negosyo Center in Bayugan City

By Renato Bashir Ilupa

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 4 (PIA) - The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga on Thursday has launched its 362nd Negosyo Center in Bayugan City.

In his message of support, Bayugan City Vice Mayor Charles Anggayong thanked and praised DTI for the establishment of the said center in a growing city such as Bayugan.

"DTI has such a big heart to help the people despite not having been provided yet an office space by the city government," Anggayong said. He also stressed that the establishment of the Negosyo Center is a big help to the city's economy as local entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to display their products and be known locally and globally.

The mayor, however, emphasized that the local products should be competitive, as the country has already been integrated into the ASEAN economic community.

Also, DTI-Caraga assistant regional director Lolit Dorado, who graced the occasion, said she is hoping the Negosyo Center will be able to uplift the lives of at least one percent of the total beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). "We should help them grow through the Negosyo Center," she underlined.

Bayugan City Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Lawyer Rafael YbaΓ±ez pledged for and in behalf of their newly organized chamber to support Negosyo Center-Bayugan City while Agusan del Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. President Engr. Freddie C. Mero said that the chamber's role is providing their expertise in business counseling and mentoring. He also urged everyone to support the Negosyo Center.

Meanwhile, DTI-Agusan del Sur Provincial Office OIC Brenda Baybay Corvera explained that under Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act, the DTI has been tasked to work with the LGU, local chambers of commerce, other government agencies, and the private sector to establish Negosyo Centers in all provinces, cities, and municipalities.

"A Negosyo Center should be a one-stop action center that will provide free business registration assistance, business advisory, business counseling, business information services, capability building activities or training for the micro, small, and medium enterprises," Corvera said.

Corvera further expressed that she is hoping that the Negosyo Center will also be able to capture the agricultural activities in Bayugan City which have not been captured by the issuance of Mayor's permit and thereby increase the city's revenues in the future.

Sangguniang Panlungsod member Crisostomo Boy Alimpoos, who also represented Mayor Kim Lope Asis, said that the Mayor is planning to construct a separate building for the Negosyo Center.

After the messages of support, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between representatives of DTI, Bayugan City LGU, and the local chamber was signed. The guests were also made to sign a Pledge of Commitment to support Negosyo Center-Bayugan City. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Butuan's army chapel rededicated

By 1Lt. Karl Jan Devaras

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) – A rededication of the newly refurbished Beata Virgine Del Santo Rosario Chapel was held recently at the Division Advance Command Post (DACP), 4th Infantry (DIAMOND) Division, Philippine Army (4ID, PA) in Barangay Bancasi, this city.

Rev. Fr. Joshue Cadorna, rector of the Order of Discalced Augustinians (OAD), led the blessing of the said newly refurbished chapel.

Its refurbishment was initiated by the 4th Civil-Military Operations (KASALIGAN) Battalion, 4ID, PA under Lieutenant Colonel Rey Pasco in collaboration with the Order of Discalced Augustinians Community Butuan City, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, media friends and holy rosary devotees.

It can be recalled that the said chapel was constructed during the stint of then Colonel Reynato V. Palma as the Brigade Commander of the 402nd Infantry (STINGERS) Brigade on September 7, 1986. It was inaugurated on April 14, 1987 as the Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel where its construction was made possible through the generous support from the civilian and military friends of the brigade.

In his message, 4ID commander Major General Benjamin Madrigal Jr. said that it was 30 years ago when the chapel was built and such accomplishment is a manifestation that wonderful things can be achieved through teamwork and bayanihan.

“This is the thrust of the Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) 'Bayanihan' na sa pag tutolungan ng bawat isa ay may makakamtang pagbabago at kaunlaran. Tunay na buhay ang bayanihan dito sa Caraga (that through the cooperation with each other we can achieve change and development. Truly, the spirit of cooperation is still alive in Caraga),” Madrigal said. (4CMO, PA/PIA-Caraga)


AgNor boosts agriculture programs

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) - In its thrust to improve and expand the agriculture program, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte continues its harmonious ties with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to boost animal production and agriculture production and is set to receive donations from the latter.

Just recently, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte authorized Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba through Sangguniang Resolution No. 053-2016, to sign the Deed of Donation for and in behalf of the province with the DA the availment of two units semi-air tight canvass-lined seed storage (SACLOB) with a capacity of one metric ton (50 bags at 20 kgs/bag).

On the other hand, another Sanggunian Resolution No. 054-2016, authored by Provincial Board Member Virgilio R. EscasiΓ±as, Jr., authorized Gov. Amante-Matba to sign the Deed of Donation with the DA relative to the provision of six heads swine, five heads gilt and one head boar as breeder stocks of the province.

During the deliberation of the committee meeting of the Committee on Cooperative, Community Organizations, Agrarian Reform, Agriculture and Indigenous People’s concern, chaired by PBM EscasiΓ±as, Jr., it was found out that the terms and conditions of the donation were mutually agreed upon and that the province has all the rights and interests of the donated ownership free from all liens and encumbrances, thus recommended to authorize the provincial governor to sign the deeds of donation as this is in line with the development agenda of the province particularly on agriculture. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


AgNor celebrates Correctional Consciousness Week 2016

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 4 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte successfully celebrated the National Correctional Consciousness Week (NACOCOW) on October 24 - 28, 2016 with the theme: "Rebuilding Lives, Communities and Relationships without Drugs, Crime and Corruption."

Agusan del Norte Provincial Jail Warden Fermin C. Antenorio disclosed that their office spearheaded various activities for the week’s celebration including the NACOCOW opening program, free body massage and reflexo-foot, medical/dental outreach, basketball friendship games, parlor games, Mr. Gay pageant, sports fest, eucharistic celebration, consultative dialogue with the inmates and the culmination program.

The sportsfest added color and vibrant with the participation of Bombo Radyo Basketball Team, Radyo Trumpeta Basketball Team, RMN-DXBC Basketball Team and the Provincial Jail/Parole and Probation Basketball Team.

Also, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) through Atty. Trixia Rullon-Nastor, Atty. Ronald Berol and other counsels entertained questions from the prisoners regarding their respective cases. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


AgSur students join 3-day Red Cross Youth camp

By Renato Bashir Ilupa

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 4 (PIA) - Some 160 high school students from various schools in this province had fun at the same time learned a lot while participating in the first ever three-day chapter wide Red Cross Youth (RCY) Camp being held recently at the D.O. Plaza Sports Complex here.

Said activity was sponsored by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Agusan del Sur Chapter. PRC-Agusan del Sur Administrator Darwina Ligan said the activity promotes camaraderie, team building, and serves as motivation for the youth to become better citizens.

Durign the said event, MLGOO Shiela D. Jaramillo lectured on personality development; Prosperidad Chief of Police Senior Inspector Jerry Fernandez discussed about Drug Abuse Prevention Education (DAPE), and Red Cross Youth Council Pres. Governor Novey Robert Dolde talked about HIV/AIDS Prevention Education (HAPE).

Ligan said that each participant shelled out P500 as registration fee which also covered their T-Shirt, sun visor cap, whistle, and ID. Ligan said they were able to solicit about P15,000 that is why they are providing the campers with free rice.

The camp provided the students an avenue to showcase their talents and skills. Ligan said they had vocal solo and duet contests, folk and hip hop dance contests during the first two days. In there, the campers learned to cook their own food, do their own dishes, and wash their own clothes. They also planned to include Grades 5 and 6 pupils in next year's RCY camp. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


PSA Dinagat holds forum on population census

By Meltzimar Piquero

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Nov. 4 (PIA) – The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Dinagat Islands conducted recently a Data Dissemination Forum on the 2015 Census of Population held at the Provincial Guest Center, Capitol Compound, Brgy. Cuarinta, this municipality.

PSA Caraga representative Melchor B. Bautista disclosed that the total population of Caraga region as of August 1, 2015 was 2,596,709, it increases to 167,485 compared with the population 2.43 million in 2010.

He said the region’s population increased by 1.28 percent annually, on average, during the period of 2010 to 2015 compared to the 2000 to 2010 rate that is higher at 1.49 percent.

Bautista further said that among the five provinces of the region, Agusan del Sur had the biggest population in 2015 with 701,000 while Dinagat Islands had the smallest population with 127,000 thousand, and Surigao del Norte was the fastest growing province in the region, with an average annual Population Growth Rate (PGR) of 1.76 percent during the period 2010-2015, while Dinagat Islands posted the lowest provincial Population Growth Rate of 0.05 percent.

Meanwhile, the municipalities of Tubajon, Loreto, and Dinagat of the province of Dinagat Islands were included in the top 10 least populous cities and municipalities in the region. (Dinagat Islands/PIA-Dinagat Islands)


AgSur town receives Organic Agriculture Achiever’s Award

By Renato Bashir Ilupa

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur, Nov. 4 (PIA) - The commitment of the local government unit of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur to seriously implement organic agriculture has paid off as it recently received the Organic Agriculture Achiever's Award 2016 from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga.

Mayor Jenny de Asis and Municipal Agriculture Officer Vina Ranario Ranoco personally received the award during the said awarding ceremony.

High Value Crop Development Program and Organic Agriculture focal person Ailyn Aleman said that Mayor de Asis issued an Executive Order in 2013 for the implementation of organic agriculture with corresponding annual budget for the municipal nursery, goat production, guinea fowl production, vegetable production, organic fertilizer production, and training for farmers.

These components were considered in the giving of the said award, according to Aleman. She also said that the on going construction of a farmers' training center, located in Barangay Pisaan, that costs about P1M and the on going implementation of San Francisco LGU's Food Always In the Home (FAITH) program may have also been considered by the regional awards committee.

"Another important thing that the region may also have considered in giving us the award is Mayor de Asis's initiative in putting up an organic products display center which is now being constructed," Aleman added. She also emphasized that the town has now more than 100 organic growers with more than 100 hectares of land devoted to organic rice production, more than 20 hectares of organic vegetables, and about 2,000 hectares of coconut trees.

The National Organic Agriculture Board from Manila will be coming this month of November to evaluate the town's organic agriculture for the national award, Aleman said. Aside from the plaque, San Francisco LGU is also to receive a project worth P300,000 for winning the regional level Organic Agriculture Achiever's Award 2016, she revealed.

"We have submitted a project proposal for the establishment of a support facility for goat production and goat's milk production and processing," Aleman said. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)