CARAT Expo 2016 highlights agri-aqua marketing
breakthroughs
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) – In keeping abreast
with the agro-fishery trade and marketing initiatives and latest innovations in
agriculture, the Caraga Agricultural Trade and Marketing Exposition (CARAT Expo
2016) officially opens its window to local trade associations, producers,
agro-entrepreneurs, buyers and the public here on Wednesday.
As slated to run from November 9-13, 2016, its
kick-off activity started with a thanksgiving mass, followed by a motorcade
along the city thoroughfares which highlighted the 'lobster' float of Bureau of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
The grand opening marked as a day for ‘Lobster
Festival’ of the CARAT Expo includes a lobster cooking demo featuring the
Masterchef finalist and best chefs in the Philippines; a lobster marketing and
branding; an access to credit for lobster raiser; and training on lobster
hatchery and production.
As enunciated by president of Butuan Chamber of
Commerce Roger Ramirez, the showcasing of lobster as a prime and high-valued
product of Caraga is a manifestation of the rich agricultural asset in the
region that can sustain the economy.
Gracing also the event is Sen. Cynthia Villar
expressing her strong support to the CARAT Expo 2016. She also lauded the
unified efforts of all local officials and organizers. Sen. Villar further
expressed her optimism that Caraga region will be more progressive as it
continues to grow and engage in different endeavors.
In giving high hopes for Caraganons to improve and
increase their agricultural production, Sen. Villar disclosed in her message
the obliteration of irrigation fee starting next year. This will help farmers
achieve sustainability.
CARAT Expo 2016 features the various agricultural
and aquamarine products of the region. It provides a venue for government and
private stakeholders to display their unique agri and fishery products that
will definitely make the region and its products more popular.
Since it is a promotion of the Caraga’s best, CARAT
Expo will influence farmers and fisherfolks to produce more and sustain the
market so that it will improve their way of life.
Meanwhile, the day-2 of CARAT Expo dubbed as Fruits
and Veggies Festival was attributed to activities such as food carving demo and
competition, mango eating contest, and good agricultural practices and market
opportunities for vegetables were highlighted.
For the third day (Sinuglaw Festival/Aquamarine
Day), variety show, singing and modern dance contests comprise the night
activities, following the conduct of Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) skills demonstration on table setting, fish deboning,
commercial cooking, ‘kinilaw’ preparation contest.
During the Livestock Day (Lechon Festival) on the
12th of November, the Butuan City Veterinary Office will hold a free animal
consultation and check-up aside from the scheduled baking and cooking
demonstrations, animal dance/paint me/breathing challenge activities.
On its culmination day, the Coco/Palay/Tubers Day
or the Palagsing Festival on Sunday, there will be contests on coconut
shredding, manual dehusking, coco coir twining, and ‘palagsing’ demo. An
awarding ceremony for the top grossing exhibitors, best dressed booth, and contest
winners will also conclude the CARAT Expo 2016.
The event is envisioned to be an annual gathering
of producers, suppliers, marketers, investors and buyers that will serve as
strategic venue for market-matching, linkages and agri-investment. (VLG/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Army to hold stakeholders coordinating conference
in Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) – The 23rd Infantry
(Masigasig) Battalion (23IB), Philippine Army will be holding a Stakeholders
Coordinating Conference on November 15, 2016 at the Governor’s Conference Room,
this city.
According to 23IB community relations officer Capt.
Edwin Leo Francisco, the discussion during said conference will focus on the
planned “Serbisyo Peace Caravan” which was scheduled on December 2, 2016 at the
covered court of Barangay Sangay in the municipality of Buenavista, Agusan del
Norte.
“The
activity is aimed at reaching out to far flung communities with the main focus
on pupils, students and members of indigenous families by delivering basic
services such as free medical/dental, distribution of medicines and vitamins,
distribution of livelihood kits, free haircut services, information education
and communication campaign on government programs, awarding of Certificate of
Land Ownership Award, and other related services,” highlighted Francisco.
It can be recalled that a "Serbisyo Peace
Caravan" was also held in Santiago, Agusan del Norte last October 21,
2016. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
OWWA- Caraga joins the Pangadu Festival Jobs fair
in AgSur
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 - In response to the
continuous effort of paving ways for employment to localities, the Overseas
Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Caraga has recently joined in the
Municipal Jobs Fair at San Agustin, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.
The local government of Talacogon through the
Public Employment Service Office (PESO) celebrated its 4th Pangadu Festival and
the conduct of the jobs fair was one of its highlights alongside with the
Pre-Employment Orientation Seminar (PEOS). Several recruitment agencies were
present offering employment here and abroad.
A total of 11,319 job vacancies across Asia and
Middle East were offered by four manpower agencies. Meanwhile, job vacancies within the region
from various local private companies were also offered. OWWA-Caraga regional
director Samuel S. Madrid together with Ronilo Maningo, the Family Welfare
Officer of Agusan del Sur, were present in support of the said fair.
Remegio I. Remedio, the Municipal PESO Manager, in
sheer delight noted how thankful he was for the event to finally materialize
for he believed that people are anticipating it. “This event was actually
anticipated. Every now and then a number of locals were visiting our PESO
office asking for job vacancies. So, for their convenience, we gave to them
what they really needed- a jobs fair” said Remedio, in local dialect.
He also stressed how he wish for those job-seekers
from the neighboring municipalities to grab this opportunity as well knowing
that the capital city is quite far from their municipality.
Furthermore, through the OWWA’s help-desk, a number
of queries from young people on the agency’s programs and services were also
catered to. (OWWA-Caraga/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Caraga promotes agri-aqua signature products
By Rhea C. Abao
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - Caraga region's
economic growth does not only rely on the mining industry but there is also
potential in agriculture.
Caraga Agricultural Trade and Marketing Exposition
(CARAT Expo) 2016 brought altogether the farmer entrepreneurs, agricultural
retailers and wholesalers, manufacturers, small and medium enterprises, public
and private sector, and local government units and consumers in a five-day
trade expo from November 9 to 13.
CARAT Expo 2016 is an exhibition organized to
showcase Caraga's agricultural and fishery products to create market linkages
for the producers, suppliers, investors, and buyers to forge
agriculture-related investments.
It is a convergence initiative by the Department of
Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Caraga Chamber of
Commerce supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National
Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA), Philipine Information Agency (PIA) and the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Winrock International.
Senator Cynthia Villar of the Senate Committees on
Agriculture and Food, and Government Corporations and Public Enterprises graced
the event and assure Caraganons her support to agriculture. She believes that
"agriculture sector sets as the engine that propels Caraga to proclaim its
place as one of the growth areas in Mindanao with its chosen flagship product,
the Caraga Lobster."
"Encouraging the establishment of a more
agri-related business is one of the key strategies to support in boosting
growth and development of the agriculture sector as well as improving the
income of farmers, fisherfolk, and agricultural workers," stressed Senator
Villar.
To put in place the needed and suitable
interventions in agriculture, DA continues to strengthen the farmer
organizations thru consultations and dialogues have been undertaken with the
different stakeholders. DA capacitates farmers by providing training and
introduces them to new technologies and business strategies for them to become
farmer entrepreneurs.
"The CARAT Expo is a manifestation that
agriculture, fishery, and trade in the region is alive and ready to take on the
challenges of globalization. Apart from fulfilling our mission, to provide
available and affordable food for all DA is committed to providing our farmers
the much-needed support in finding a good market for their product," said
DA Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness Leandro H. Gazmin.
Agricultural trade fair and marketing expositions
are important to the farmer entrepreneurs as it creates a venue where farmers
are able to engage with suppliers and companies for future investments related
to agriculture.
The five-day activity features products daily
highlights, to wit: Day 1- Lobster Festival; Day 2 – Fruits and Veggies
Festival; Day 3 – Sinuglaw Festival; Day 4 – Lechon Festival; Day 5 – Palagsing
Festival. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga uniformed officers undergo ICS course
By April Rose Sanchez
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - The Office of Civil
Defense (OCD) Caraga region conducted on Friday Executive Course on Incident
Command System (ICS) for high-ranking uniformed officials of Caraga in one of
the convention centers here.
Some 46 uniformed officials from the Philippine
National Police (PNP) led by regional director PCSupt. Rolando Felix; Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP); Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP); and
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) attended the activity.
Amado M. Posas of OCD Caraga said that the
executive course aims to provide with the basic knowledge and understanding on
the tenets of the Incident Command System as a vital component for effective
disaster response.
Posas along with Marc Gil Calang, Mark July Yap,
John Lenn Uayan and Kim Durango of OCD Caraga facilitated the said course.
This is the first ICS Executive Course in the
region which is intended for the high-ranking uniformed officials.
(OCD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
News Feature: Poultry a promising agri-business in
Caraga Region
By Aurel Arais
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - There’s money in an
egg.
Are you thinking of a promising business? Poultry
industry might be your future!
Data presented during the crafting of the industry
roadmap for poultry spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga
Region needs more supply for poultry products and by-products.
As of 2015 Philippine Statistics Authority data,
Caraga with a population of more than 2.5 million, has pegged its demand for
poultry products to 24.126 metric tons (MT) while its supply accounted for only
18,967 MT or a deficit of 5,159 MT.
The data is using the per capita consumption from
the year 2012-2015, wherein per person consumes an average of 5.51 kilograms
per year (kg/yr) of chicken meat, 3.48 kg/yr of the chicken egg, 0.04 kg/yr of
duck meat and 0.13 of the duck egg.
The gap between the supply and demand means there
is an opportunity for investment in the poultry industry. As of now, Caraga
Region absorbs supply from other neighboring regions to fill in the increasing
demand for poultry products.
Joel Callano, a poultry grower in Tagbina, Surigao
del Sur said that his daily harvest of 25 trays of eggs is not enough to supply
the need of his municipality alone.
“There is still a room for investment in the
poultry industry in Caraga Region, so for the farmers who are willing to put up
it is very much welcome,” Callano said.
The poultry industry is a significant contributor
to the agricultural sector in the Philippines chipping in 15.41 percent to the
total value of agricultural production in 2015.
To strengthen government support for the industry
and other commodities, DA-Caraga conducted series of roadmap crafting through
the involvement of different stakeholders such as farmer associations, academe,
agri-preneurs, private sector, financial institutions, DA attached agencies and
other national line government agencies. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
More LGUs in Caraga Region undergo PDRA orientation
By April Rose Sanchez
BUTUAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - The Office of Civil
Defense (OCD) Caraga held a one-day orientation on Pre Disaster Disaster Risk
Assessment or PDRA for nine local government units (LGUs) in Caraga Region on
Thursday here.
These LGUs include Surigao City, Surigao del Norte;
Bayugan City and the Municipality of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; and the
Municipalities of Jabonga, Las Nieves, Magallanes and Santiago of Agusan del
Norte.
The orientation was in compliance to NDRRMC
Memorandum No. 17 series of 2014 entitled Institutionalization of the
Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment dated August 18, 2014. It provided understanding
on the importance of PDRA as a process to evaluate a given hazard’s
characteristic and its possible impacts to the populace and to determine the
appropriate level of response from concerned agencies, local government units
and other stakeholders.
Amado M. Posas, chief of DRRM Division of OCD
Caraga said that PDRA plays an important part into policy formulation and
decision making for both public and private organizations and other
stakeholders in disaster risk reduction. PDRA looks into both historical data
and probabilistic scenarios to address risks.
The one-day orientation covered topics which were presented
by members of the PDRA core team at the region level. Engr. Lolita L. Vinalay
of PAGASA discussed the DOST PAGASA Revised Tropical Storm Category while Eric
Colmenares of DOST Caraga explained the use of technology during PDRA. The PDRA
in DILG was presented by Jeffrey A. Ramo and details on vulnerable areas in
Caraga Region were given by Graziella C. Harting of NEDA Caraga. Likewise, the
roles of DSWD in PDRA were presented by Angelita Amista of DSWD Caraga.
Queries, concerns and issues were raised by
participants and were addressed by resource persons during the open forum.
This capacity development initiative is one of
OCD's priority targets based on its Annual Plans and Budget (APB) 2016. It can
be remembered that OCD Caraga conducted the same orientation to the region’s
component cities on September 2, 2016. (OCD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
3 NPA rebels in AgSur surrender to government
By Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA) - Three members
of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Agusan del Sur voluntarily surrendered to the
401st Brigade units in two separate areas bringing along with them a total of
four high-powered firearms.
On November 9, 2016, one member of SRDG Southland
(name not given for security reason) voluntarily submitted himself to the
members of 3rd Special Forces Battalion with his M16 rifle. His return was made
possible through the joint efforts of the 26th Infantry Battalion and the
Agusan del Sur Provincial Police Office who helped him realize his plan of
leaving the armed movement to live a normal life.
He thanked everyone behind his successful return.
“Daku gayud ang akong pagpasalamat sa tanang tawo nga nitabang sa akoa.
Makaingon na gyud ko karon nga dunay paglaum sa akong mga pangandoy ilabina sa
pangandoy nga maayong kinabuhi para sa akong pamilya (I thank all the people
who helped me along the way. I could finally say that there is indeed hope to
all my dreams especially the dream of a happy life for my family),” he remarked
after being presented to Gov. Adolf Edward Plaza at the Agusan del Sur
provincial capitol.
The following day on November 10, 2016, two more
NPA members, a squad leader of Guerrilla Front 88 and a member of Guerrilla
Front Committee 89, North Central Mindanao Regional Committee, voluntarily
surrendered to Lieutenant Colonel Rommel Pagayon, Commanding Officer of 26th
Infantry Battalion and Mayor Jesryl Masendo of Talacogon, Agusan del Sur
bringing along their three firearms (one AR18, one carbine, and one garrand).
The two surrendered after realizing the futility of
their armed struggle. They also heed to the call of the president for national
healing and reconciliation.
Major General Benjamin Madrigal Jr, commander of
4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army congratulated everyone including the
three NPAs for their decision to go back to mainstream and live a peaceful
life. "I congratulate everyone for your wholehearted effort to help our
brother NPAs to join us in our quest for peace. This is why we have high hopes
in our Bayanihan efforts and in our quest to attain just and lasting peace. To
our three brothers, we will ensure that you will receive all the necessary
support you needed as you return to your respective families. The whole nation
is proud of you," he underlined.
"Once again we had to positively respond to
the call for help by our brothers who want to live peacefully and do what they
believe is best for their family, to every Filipinos, and to our beloved
country," Madrigal added.
It was learned that support is now being processed
by the 401st Infantry Brigade through the Comprehensive Local Integration
Program (CLIP) of the government. (401st Phil. Army/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Cebuano News: 2-adlaw nga ELA Workshop gipahihayon
sa Surigao Norte
Ni Mary Jul E. Escalante
DAKBAYAN SA SURIGAO, Surigao del Norte, Nob. 11
(PIA) - Ang Department of the Interior and Development (DILG) mipahigayon og
duha ka adlaw nga Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA) Workshop niadtong
Nobyembre 7-9, 2016 didto sa Philippine Gateway Hotel, ning dakbayan.
Ang duha ka adlaw nga kalihukan gitambungan sa mga
miyembro sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan, mga department heads sa Kapitolyo ug mga
miyembro sa HEALS Plus convergence group.
Sa iyang mensahe, si Gobernador Sol F. Matugas mipaabot sa iyang dakong pasalamat
sa tanan sa pagsuporta sa mga plano ug programa sa probinsya alang sa kalambuan
sa lalawigan kay tungod niini ubay ubay ang mga pasidungog nga nadawat sa
probinsya kalabot na ang Seal of Good Local Governance ug uban pa.
Atol sa maong okasyon gipasabot ni DILG Provincial
Director John Reyl Mosquito ang tumong ug tuyo sa Executive ug Legislative
Agenda.
Samtang si Ivonnie B. Dumadag, ang
Officer-in-Charge sa Provincial Planning and Development Office maoy
mipresentar sa Provincial Situationer and Thrust sa probinsya sa tuig 2016-2019
ug si Bise Gobernador Carlos Arturo Egay, Jr mipasabot usab sa Thrust of the
Legislative sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Si Ms. Cecilia Trinio ang Area Management Officer
sa Northeastern Mindanao Development Authority kun MinDA mipresentar sa Thrusts
of President Duterte (Priorities and Pronouncements) diin iyang gipakita ang
mga umaabot nga dagkong proyekto sa imprastruktura sama sa mga dalan, tulay ug
pantalan.
Ang workshop proper nagsentro sa pag baliktan-aw sa
panlantaw (vision) sa probinsya ug gihimay-himay ang mga boot ipasabot
(descriptors) sa maong vision ug gipresentar ang mga success indicators niini.
Ug sa ikaduhang adlaw nga gitambungan gihapon sa
gobernador, pinasidunggang mamumulong
mao si TESDA Regional Director Florencio Sunico, Jr. nga mihisgot sa
Organizational Change Leading in a Continuously Changing Environment.
Ug sa workshop proper gihisgutan ang Determining
Vision-Reality Gap, Generating New Information ug ang Extracting Intelligence
nga gipasiugdahan gihapon sa DILG facilitators. (PGO-PIC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
