(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).


Wednesday, December 28, 2016


Aggie department promotes brown rice servings

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA) - In support to the campaign of consuming brown rice to help increase income of farmers and attain rice sufficiency, the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is recommending to all regional line agencies, bureaus and attached corporations to serve brown rice during trainings, meetings, feeding programs and other gatherings.

The Regional Development Council (RDC)- Economic Development Committee (EDC) expressed support for the advocacy of brown rice in the region through crafting a resolution.

Engr. Leonel F. Santos, representative of RDC-EDC, said that based on the study conducted by George Mateljan Foundation, converting brown rice into white rice through complete milling and polishing destroys 67 percent of Vitamin B3, 80 percent of Vitamin B1, 90 percent of Vitamin B6, 50 percent of manganese, 50 percent of phosphorus, 60 percent of iron and all the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids.

The use of 'brown rice' in Caraga region offers both economic and health benefits, such that it may generate greater demand for brown rice that will eventually attract farmers to produce more. Supported with effective marketing and good pricing mechanism, the ensuing rise for brown rice production will also help improve the farmers' income. In general, intensifying brown rice production improves rice production sufficiency in the region, bared Caraga Regional Development Council secretariat.

The health benefits that can be derived from consuming brown rice will help lessen the household's expenditures for medicines and health services and reduce a person's exposure to specific diseases; hence, increasing a person's life expectancy.

Based on the report released by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO), it is estimated that around 13.7M Filipinos are undernourished in 2016. Apparently, the country’s undernourished population reduced only by 17.9 percent since 1990.

“Also, the Philippines is included in the top 15 countries in the world in terms of prevalence of diabetes as indicated in the International Diabetes Federal website,” added Engr. Santos.

Accordingly, the use of brown rice in government undertakings, namely meetings and seminars, may generate greater demand for brown rice that will eventually attract farmers to produce more. Supported with effective marketing and good pricing mechanisms, the ensuing rise in brown rice production will also help improve the farmers’ income. In general, intensifying brown rice production improves rice production sufficiency in the region. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


CHED offers development packages for displaced personnel

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA) – Following the implementation of K to 12 Basic Education Program in the country, wherein it affects several higher education institution (HEI) personnel, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is receptive in addressing the concerns and welfare of the personnel from colleges and universities who are greatly affected in the event of transition.

They are encouraged to avail of the various government support programs. These are accessible by the HEI personnel, teaching or non-teaching, with employments terminated, or contracts not renewed because of the K to12 implementation.

CHED offers various professional development programs for displaced personnel such as scholarships for graduate studies, professional advancement grants, postdoctoral study grants, sectoral engagement grants and research grants, said CHED Caraga regional director Maricar Casquejo as she gave updates during the 89th Regional Development Council Meeting held recently in this city.

These grants are available to personnel who are retained in their respective colleges and universities but receive reduced workloads. Accordingly, CHED is also laying out the program to extend these scholarships and grants to displaced HEI personnel.

Apart from these, the other government line agencies are also helping out in providing employment, livelihood and entrepreneurship programs. The Department of Education (DepEd) through its Green Lane Program prioritizes the displaced HEI personnel in the hiring of Senior High School (SHS) teachers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment Adjustment Measures Program (DOLE-AMP) provides monthly financial support and employment facilitation to displaced HEI personnel to protect them against continued loss of income by covering three to six months of financial support. Also, through the DOLE Kabuhayan Program, displaced personnel are given opportunities to upgrade their skills through TESDA programs, entrepreneurship training, and livelihood opportunities, as mentioned at CHED’s wordpress site.

It was also learned that “TESDA offers regular training programs to displaced HEI personnel for their immediate employment. DOLE endorses the said personnel to their nearest TESDA Provincial Office for the issuance of training vouchers. Also, displaced personnel who aim to teach in the Tech-Voc track in SHS may also avail of the Competency Assessment and Certification provided in TESDA-administered institutions.” (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


'Welcome 2017 in a healthy, harmonious manner' - DOH

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA) – “Welcome the year 2017 in a harmonious, peaceful and healthy manner,” a DOH Caraga official says.

Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. DOH Caraga regional director has released an advisory encouraging everyone to use other merry-making instruments and/or activities to produce sounds and noise like car horns, ‘torotot’, ‘videoke’, parlor games, drums and other musical instruments in welcoming the new year.

For a healthy celebration, the DOH official advises everyone to consume well-balanced meals with vegetables and fruits on the table and to eat in moderation nutritious foods to sustain daily activities with avoidance of salty and fatty foods.

Also, Llacuna says that in order to protect the liver from damage, too much alcohol must be avoided. “Ensure the cleanliness and freshness of the food prepared, meat products must be well-cooked to avoid poisoning,” he says.

Llacuna warns that when handling or lighting firecrackers, light at outdoors one at a time and don’t hold item while lighting.  Never pick up failed firecrackers as this may create delayed explosion, he says.

However, Llacuna says that in case of injury, wounds must be immediately washed with clean, running water until visible dirt and gunpowder residue is removed; put pressure when there is tearing of body part or skin and proceed to the nearest health facility for proper medication.

Meanwhile, DOH Caraga, in its December 26 advisory, bared that three firecracker-related cases were reported to the department's Surveillance Unit. The three cases came from the urban areas with piccolo as the type of firecracker used. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


AgNor PDRRMC holds 4th rescue exercise

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA) – The Agusan del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) successfully conducted its 4th Provincewide Rescue Exercise held at the provincial capitol covered court, recently.

PDRRMO civil defense officer Jorge Vincent G. Pagaran said the three-day rescue exercise was participated by some 300 young ADNERTs or Agusan del Norte Emergency Response Team from the lone city of Cabadbaran, and eight municipalities of the province.

During the exercise, four badges were being competed by the participants. These were the Fire Rescue Badge that includes the bucket relay, use of fire extinguisher, turn off the LPG, and fire hose; Rope Rescue Badge using the single rope technique – descend, basic knots, and basic anchoring; First Aid Badge with lifting and moving, CPR, patient assessment, and bandaging and splinting; and Radio Handling Badge that includes the daily operations.

The RTR Young ADNERT composed of students from Agay National High School (NHS) and Balangbalang NHS was declared as the overall champion during the competition; Cabadbaran City National High School got the 2nd place; Nasipit got the 3rd place; Cabadbaran’s La Union, Puting Bato, Northern Cabadbaran Central Elementary School Evening Opportunity High School got the 4th place; and Buenavista got the 5th place.

According to PDRRMO officer Erma Suyo, the rescue exercise was conducted with the aim to enhance and evaluate the capacity schools in the province of Agusan del Norte; promote camaraderie and linkages with other young ADNERT school and participating agencies; promote interoperability/synergy among agencies in times of disaster/calamities; and to benchmark basic skills to foster unity and consistency in skills facilitation.

The rescue exercise was also participated by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), PNP-Regional Public Safety Battalion, PNP-K9 EOD Unit, PNP PPO, Philippine Army (PA) 29th Infantry Battalion (IB) and 23IB, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, DLF Tubay fire volunteers, Agata Mining.

Facilitators and evaluators during the event were coming from PDRRMO, ADNERT, Team Agusan, Department of Health, BFP, PNP, and Respond, Inc. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


DILG releases P41.9 M to SGLG Caraga awardees

By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa

BUTUAN CITY, Dec. 28 (PIA) - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga releases P41.8 Million worth of checks to the 13 local government units in Caraga that are awardees of the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) on December 20, 2016 here.

The Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) is a program of the DILG which is conferred to deserving LGUs portraying integrity in providing better performance and service based on criteria gauging local government performance. As SGLG awardees. LGUs will receive an incentive fund called Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) to be used for the implementation of local development projects.

DILG Caraga regional director Lilibeth A. Famacion expressed her congratulations to the 13 LGUs that has exemplified good performance in providing better public service that is coupled with integrity, transparency and accountability. She hopes that there will be more LGUs in the region acclaimed as SGLG passers in the next round of assessment.

Through DILG Memorandum dated December 19, 2016 entitled: "Release of Funding Check for Performance Challenge Fund (PCF) 2016," the following checks were released to the following LGUs:

   LGU RECIPIENT                                         AMOUNT

1. Carmen, Agusan del Norte        -           3,000,000.00

2. Trento, Agusan del Sur              -           3,000,000.00

3. Loreto, Dinagat Islands              -           3,000,000.00

4. Claver, Surigao del Norte           -           3,000,000.00

5. Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte  -           3,000,000.00

6. Mainit, Surigao del Norte            -           3,000,000.00

7. Malimono, Surigao del Norte      -           3,000,000.00

8. Tandag City, Surigao del Sur      -           3,400,000.00

9. Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur          -           3,000,000.00

10. Lanuza, Surigao del Sur          -           3,000,000.00

11. Bislig City,Surigao del Sur       -           3,400,000.00

12. Province of Dinagat Islands    -           4,000,000.00

13. Province of Surigao del Norte -           4,000,000.00

The SGLG awardees for the Province category are: 1) Province of Dinagat Islands and 2) Province of Surigao del Norte; City category: 3) Bislig City and 4) Tandag City; Municipal category: 5) Hinatuan, 6) Lanuza, 7) Loreto (Dinagat Islands), 8) Trento, 9) Carmen (Agusan del Norte), 10) Claver, 11) Del Carmen, 12) Mainit and 13) Malimono.

In the country, there are only 306 LGUs that received the Seal. For an LGU to be an SGLG awardee, it should pass all 'three core assessment areas': Good Financial Housekeeping (GFH), Social Protection and Disaster Preparedness, and 'at least one of the essential areas': Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness, Peace and Order and Environmental Management. (DILG 13/PIA-Caraga)