Thursday, February 4, 2016

SurSur grievance committee gets DSWD award

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 4 (PIA) – The Provincial Grievance Committee (PGC), formerly known as Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC), chaired by Governor Johnny Pimentel, was awarded the “Most Functional PGC/PAC” in Caraga region among its peers. 

May Navidad Salinas, chief, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) here told capitol employees recently, it was indeed such an honor and privilege to receive the Certificate of Recognition from DSWD Caraga during the awarding ceremonies held in Butuan City on January 21, 2016.

The already framed certificate was signed by DSWD-Caraga assistant regional director for operations and regional deputy program manager Mita Lim. It was then handed over to Efren Rivas, provincial administrator, this province, who posed with Salinas for a while as photograph was being taken, presumably, for documentation purposes.

Comprised of active partner-agencies like the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Department of Education (DepEd), Provincial Population Commission (PPO), Surigao del Sur Organization for Human Development (SOFHDev), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), among others, the PGC/PAC receives and treats complaints and grievances in relation to Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) submitted through resolutions by its counterparts from the lower rungs of local government units (LGUs), according to Salinas.

Beforehand, the provincial social welfare chief made a brief presentation about the PGS/PAC accomplishment for the period starting from 2014-2015 and why it made such a good repute, citing 136 Municipal resolutions, three of which were acted upon; 40 awards/certificates were received from the Pantawid Pamilya Staff; 1,376 grievances/complaints were received then resolved 632; also, adding the rest were still being heard. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Butuan City inks deed of donation for DA Caraga

By Rhea C. Abao

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) - After four decades, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga finally gets all out support from the city government here with the donation of the lot in Brgy. Taguibo where DA laboratories existed.

City mayor Ferdinand M. Amante, Jr. officially signed the deed of donation of the 37,487 sq. meter lot situated at Brgy. Taguibo, this city last January 29 to formally transfer the ownership of the said area to DA 13.

“My warmest gratitude to the city government of Butuan for their support and dedication for the improvement of the farmers and fisherfolk by supporting the activities of DA. This will help the 339,680 farmers and fisherfolk of Caraga, and also the nearby regions of Visayas. This genuine support strongly manifested the greatness of their heart, generosity and benevolence, for entrusting us (DA 13) the valuable property of the city,” said DA Caraga regional director Edna M. Mabeza.

For almost four decades, DA-13 had been utilizing the area to render its laboratory services for the farmers in Caraga. The regional office also extended its services to the nearby regions of Visayas.

Brgy. Taguibo is now the haven of four laboratories of the department namely, the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL), Regional Soils Laboratory (RSL), Regional Feed Chemical Analysis Laboratory (RFCAL) and the National Seed Quality Control Services managed by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI-NSQCS). The first three facilities are under the supervision of the Integrated Laboratories Division (ILD) and is backed with 30 personnel equipped with technical expertise.

RADDL is tasked to perform the diagnosis of animal diseases through examination of animal tissues, blood sample, and fecal sample, sick or unhealthy and dead animals for specific treatment / prevention and control of disease.

While the RSL provides technical assistance on soil related problems and fertility preservation. It is established primarily to support agricultural production through proper soil fertility evaluation and to provide technical assistance on proper fertilizer usage based on soil analysis, thus, ultimately helping the individual farmer increase crop production towards a higher income.

On the other hand, RFCAL renders laboratory tests to individuals or group who intends to formulate their own feeds, and assists students or researches on matters in relation to the nutrient contents of feeds.

Aside from these laboratories, the Bureau of Plant Industry – National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS) is also situated in the area. BPI-NSQCS is mandated to safeguard quality assurance and control services for seed and planting material production, processing, storage and distribution, seed research and seed training in seed quality control towards sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

Moreover, NSQCS is also tasked to implement plans and programs on seed quality assurance and control services to assure availability of high quality seeds and improved planting materials in the country.

“It is high time to give what is necessary for the development of agriculture sector in Butuan and for Caraga region. We never hesitated to give what is due for the people knowing that this will help our farmers and fisherfolk,” said Mayor Amante.

He reminded everyone that the programs and services of the government are aligned for the benefit of the people. Mayor Amante also pressed a challenge for everyone to help themselves to have faith and courage and work together for the country’s development.

The department is now geared to a modernized agriculture. An innovation to help, protect and safeguard the farmers and fisherfolk productivity. The transfer of ownership will pave the way for more responsive DA facility catering not only limited to Butuanons but for the Caraganons as well.

DA Caraga is now ready to showcase laboratory services for the continuous delivery of better and improved services to all its clients and stakeholders. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

SurSur PSA to highlight “CRVS” for Civil Registration Month celebration

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 4 (PIA) – Apart from parallel important activities to be undertaken this February as Civil Registration Month, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) here is going to pay more attention to holding a forum on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Decade as declared by President Benigno Aquino III on August 20, 2015.

However, Ruel Dres, PSA officer-in-charge (OIC), did not elaborate but pointed out that the period 2015 to 2024 was declared as CRVS Decade under Proclamation No. 1106, citing about the “nationwide conduct of the CRVS Decade Jingle Writing Contest” as contained in PSA Office Memorandum 2015-128.  Further information on the mechanics can be accessed through their office, it was learned.

Meanwhile, the PSA here had already laid down preparations for the month-long activities, the PSA OIC stressed.

With the theme “Makiisa… Makisali sa Dekadang CRVS,” Dres said all local civil registrars province-wide had already sent in their respective proposed activities for the month.

For Tandag City, in particular, among other activities include the mass wedding jointly sponsored by the Roman Catholic Church and the local government unit (LGU) which is tentatively slated on February 12.

According to Liza Auza, local civil registrar, 18 pairs are going to benefit from the free mass wedding. (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

SurSur’s top legislators bared

By Greg Tataro Jr.

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 4 (PIA) – The Tanggapan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan (TSP), this province, bared the top achievers among legislators here in 2015.

Monalisa Cañedo-Su, secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), disclosed before capitol employees during Monday’s flag ceremony program the “top five ranking SP Members in terms of authorship of resolutions.”

Named were SP members Donell Polizon, Eleonor Momo, Conrad Cejoco, Glenn Plaza, and Teresita Donasco with 79, 70, 52, 40 and 38 resolutions authored, respectively.

The 12-member 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan here, as of latest, headed by Vice-Governor Manuel Alameda, Sr. as presiding officer, has adopted 554 resolutions and 33 ordinances, the TSP secretary revealed.

On ordinances, Su likewise mentioned SP member Tito Cañedo to have authored seven, SP members Henrich Pimentel and Mary Grace Lim had three apiece, SP members Mariano Atacador, Sr. and Glenn Plaza had two each, and SP member Teresita Donaco had one to her credit.

“The rest (15) of the ordinances enacted were jointly sponsored by the SP Members present during sessions,” she added. 

Earlier, the TSP secretary pointed out that “Our legislative officials have conducted 47 sessions from January to December, 44 of which were attended by Hon. Mariano R. Atacador, Sr., while Hon. Donell V. Polizon made it to 43 sessions, making the two SP Members with the most attendance to sessions.”

Beforehand, Su said “the 17th Sangguniang Panlalawigan has continued to diligently conduct committee meetings and sessions to ascertain that issues are discussed, reviewed and evaluated as legislative measure.” (NGBT/Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Agnor SP backs scholarship grants for barangay officials

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 3 (PIA) - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Agusan del Norte recently asked the Committee on Education of the House of Senate and House of Representatives to ensure the fund allocation of the Scholarship Grants Program for barangay officials and their beneficiaries.

The SP passed and approved a resolution requesting the House of Congress for the inclusion of fund allocation in the General Appropriations Act for the sustainable implementation of the said scholarship grants as provided for under Section 393 B (4) of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991. 


Pursuant to Section 393 B (4) of RA 7160, it mandated that the punong barangay, the sangguniang barangay members, the barangay treasurer, the barangay secretary and their legitimate dependent children, and the sangguniang kabataan officials attending state universities or colleges (SUCs) shall be exempted during their incumbency from paying tuition to the schools they enrolled.


In adherence to the said provision, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) issued Memorandum Order Nos. 62-1997 and 15-2009 to provide guidelines for all SUCs on the said scholarship grant.


However, a problem ensued as the scholarship program is not honored by SUCs because there is no assurance of fund allocation from the national government and there is no existing clear-cut mechanism as to where they can obtain the payments or reimbursements of the tuition or matriculation fees incurred by the beneficiaries. 


The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental and Marinduque expressed the same concerns on the matter and were soliciting the support from the SP of Agusan del Norte to request the national government to adopt a clear-cut mechanism that will ensure the fund allocation of the program and payment to SUCs. 


The SP of Agusan del Norte strongly supported the move and immediately passed and approved a resolution requesting the House of Congress to address the said problem. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)

DAR extends P24.8M to ARBOs of Surigao Norte, Dinagat Islands

By Daryll M. Tumbaga

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 3 (PIA) - A total of P24,856,589.00 has already been extended by the Department of Agrarian Reform - Surigao del Norte (DAR-SDN) to its assisted agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) through its project Agrarian Reform Community Connectivity and Economic Support Services (ARCCESS) since it started last 2012.

This is what Ma. Elizabeth L. De Guzman, the provincial agrarian reform program officer I of DAR-SDN made known during the ARBO assessment on ARCCESS project last January 27, 2016 at the Philippine Gateway Hotel, this city.

The ARCCESS benefits 11 ARBOs in both the provinces of Surigao del Norte and the Dinagat Islands.

Out of 11 ARBOs, nine are from Surigao Norte and two from Dinagat Islands.

For the first time, after four years of implementation through DAR-SDN’s Program Beneficiaries Development Division, the said ARBOs were tasked to assess on their experiences and impression on ARCCESS.

They assessed the four components of ARCCESS which are common service facilities, agri-extension services, business development service, and progress project monitoring.

In general, the recipient ARBOs were more than glad that they were able to access government services through ARCCESS implemented by DAR.

They said that the project really helped in augmenting the income of their organizations and increase the productivity and income of their members especially the agrarian reform beneficiaries.

PARPO De Guzman hoped that the ARBOs will be able to sustain the project to further serve other ARBOs and their neighboring barangays. (DAR-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

DOF declares Dinagat Islands as special top achiever’s awardee

SAN JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Feb. 2 (PIA) - The provincial government of Dinagat Islands received recently the special top achiever’s award on real property tax efficiency collection and collection on taxes, fees and charges and economic enterprise awarded by the Department of Finance (DOF) Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF).

The treasury and assessor’s offices achieved impressively the 381.30 percent collection efficiency in Real Property Tax and an average collection efficiency rating of 1,152.51 percent in the collection of taxes, fees and charges and economic enterprise thereby ranking no. 1 among the provinces of the entire Caraga Region.

On the other hand, governor Glenda B. Ecleo duly represented by vice-governor Benglen B. Ecleo and board member Norberto Sarita also received the plaque of recognition and appreciation award in recognition of her invaluable support to the Tax Administration and Revenue Generation Program which contributed to the province’s tax collection efficiency in real property tax and business tax, fees and charges and economic enterprise of the province.

Provincal Treasurer Annabelle Naluan cited how the provincial government succeeded in attaining the recognition. “We made plans and strategies in the collection of real property taxes and conduct a massive tax information drive, property auction sale, and we incessantly convinced the mining companies to pay the soil depletion tax,” she said.

“I was so thankful that they heed my request and likewise to the entire staffs of the local treasury, assessor and mining companies for being so supportive,” added Naluan. (PIO-Dinagat Islands/PIA-Caraga)

DENR Caraga reviews joint operating manual

By Herzon F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 2 (PIA) - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is reviewing the guidelines for the operationalization of the Joint Regional Committee on Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), DENR, Land Registration Authority (LRA), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to keep tract of the operations.

The operating manual which involves the four regional heads namely, Regional Director Nonito M. Tamayo, CESO IV of the DENR, Regional Director Julieta A. Ragandang, CESO III of DAR, Regional Director Atty. Pinky Grace Pareja-Pabelic of the NCIP and the LRA-Register of Deeds officer-in-charge Susan B. Afable were signatories to the document.

The manual paves the way for the creation of a Joint-Regional Committee that will address or resolve conflicts that affect the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, Indigenous People Rights Act, Public Land Act, and Land Registration Act/ Property Registration Decree in relation to their respective mandates.

The DENR, under the guidelines, has jurisdiction over all lands of the public domain (i.e. agricultural lands, forest or timber lands, national parks, and mineral lands) except those placed by the law and/or other issuances under the operation jurisdiction of other government agencies.

The DENR is also responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources as well as the licensing and regulation of all natural resources as may be provided by existing laws. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

DENR exec appeals to upland dwellers to avoid 'kaingin'

By Herzon F. Gallego

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 2 (PIA) – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Caraga regional director Nonito M. Tamayo has appealed to the people in the upland barangays to exercise care of the forest by avoiding 'kaingin' in the midst of the El Niño phenomenon.

“We can prevent forest fire by avoiding any activity that could trigger fire from withered leaves,” Tamayo said.

He said uncontrolled fire in the forest can affect the tree seedlings planted in different sites of the National Greening Program.

The El Niño phenomenon which is an abnormal pattern that is caused by the warming of the Pacific area near the equator has been observed by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA).

El Niño weather occurs when the normal trade winds weakens (or even reverse) which allows the warm water usually found in the Western Pacific to flow instead towards the east. This warm water displaces the cooler water that is normally found near the surface of the eastern Pacific region, setting off atmospheric changes that affects weather patterns in many parts of the world. The abnormal weather phenomenon may last until May this year.

The PENR and CENR officers have been instructed to increase their monitoring activities in NGP sites in their respective area of jurisdiction so that the members of the different private organizations that have stake on NGP are properly guided and aware of the abnormal weather pattern. “They should check and ensure availability of sufficient water supply in communities,” he said.

Tamayo said priority must be given to strict monitoring of protected areas which are considered habitat for endangered species of plants and animals for potential outbreak of forest fires. (DENR-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)

Cebuano News: Panambay sa Barangay gipahigayon sa Provincial Jail

Ni Mary Jul Escalante

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Peb. 2 (PIA) – Panambay sa Barangay gipahigayon sa Provincial Jail niadtong Enero 28, 2016, ning dakbayan.

Mokabat sa 246 ka mga inmates ang nakatagamtam sa libreng serbisyo sa dental ug medical ingon man usab mga libreng bitamina, mga foodpacks ug paniudto para sa mga priso.

Ang maong kalihukan gipangulohan ni Gobernador Sol F. Matugas uban sa sila Bise Gobernador Arturo Carlos Egay, Jr, kanhe Climate Change Commission Sec. Atty. Lucille Sering ug ang Team Capitol sa pagpangulo ni Provincial Administrator Atty. Premolito Plaza.

Sa mensahe ni Gob. Matugas, iyang gipasabot sa mga priso (inmates) nga ang probinsya naningkamot nga maserbisyuhan ang tanang sektor sa katilingban apil na sila nga mga priso nga mahatag kanila ang tawhanong pagdumala ug nagpakabana usab ang probinsya ilabina sa ilang pagkaon ug uban pang panginahanglanon.

Gibutyag usab sa gobernador ang ilang plano pinaagi sa tabang sa bise gobernador nga mokuha ang probinsya og kaugalingon nga abogado nga maoy magtabang sa mga priso ngadto sa korte diin ang probinsya maoy magsweldo sa maong abogado aron adunay makatutok sa mga problema ug paghikay sa mga kaso.

Ubay ubay pa ang mga plano sa gobernador para sa mga priso sama sa paghatag sa mga foodpacks para sa pamilya niini, musical instruments ug ang plano sa probinsya nga maghimo ug moderno nga prisohan nga adunay igong gidak-on na nga luna.

Sa iyang bahin si Jail Warden Sumando mipaabot og dako nga kalipay ug pasalamat sa panahon nga gigahin sa gobernador nga mabisitahan ang mga priso dala ang serbisyo sa kapitolyo pinaagi sa programang ‘Panambay sa Prisohan.’

Atol sa maong kalihukan nakig-dialogo pa ang gobernador diin iyang gipamatian ang nagkadaiyang mulo ug hangyo sa mga priso sama sa ilang mga katre, ceiling fan sa kada silda, pag ayo sa mga bobong ug mga buslot sa atop.

Moabot sa 246 ka mga inmates ang nakatagamtam sa libreng serbisyo sa dental ug medical ingon man usab mga bitamina, may mga foodpacks pa ug ang paniudto para sa mga priso. (PGO-PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)