Butuanons to celebrate 118th anniversary of PH flag hoisting
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) – The Butuanons will be celebrating the 118th
anniversary of the formal and official hoisting of Philippine Flag in Mindanao
on January 17, 2017 at the Guingona Park, this city.
Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada and Agusan del Norte 1st District Butuan
City and Las Nieves representative Lawrence Law Fortun will be delivering their
messages during the short program.
Butuan City Heritage Society President Greg Hontiveros will also give the
rationale of said celebration.
Also, a re-enactment play of the historical value of official and formal
hoiting of the Philippine Flag in Mindanao will be performed by Agusan National
High School – Special Program for the Arts (ANHS-SPA). Community singing and
releasing of balloons will then follow.
It can be recalled that the original flag that was first hoisted on May
28, 1898 and unfurled during declaration of independence on June 12, 1898, was
currently being preserved at the Gen Emilio Aguinaldo Museum in Baguio City.
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DTI funds P236M to 267 BuB projects
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) – The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga has funded a total of P236
million for the 267 projects in the region under the
Bottom-Up Budgeting (BuB).
According to DTI Caraga regional
director Brielgo Pagaran, in partnership with the local government units, a total
of 267 projects were implemented since year 2014.
“The projects funded are those under
the department’s menu such as the One Town One Product (OTOP) Store, Yaman
Pinoy, Shared Service Facility, Rural Micro Enterprise Promotion, Industry
Cluster and other business development activities,” disclosed Pagaran.
Pagaran further said that in Caraga,
projects funded are on processed food, arts and crafts, manufacturing, trading
and services.
“As of December 2016, DTI-BuB in the
region has generated 2,650 jobs and developed/assisted 2,300 enterprises,”
added Pagaran.
The BuB is a national governments
initiative that aims to contribute to poverty reduction and inclusive growth by
making governance responsive to local needs and public resource allocation more
efficient through the participation of grassroots in the budgeting process.
DTI is one of the implementing agencies
for projects on the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
(JPG/PIA-Caraga)
Energy secretary assures full power
restoration in typhoon-stricken areas
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) - The
Department of Energy (DOE) and its partners in the power sector are
prioritizing the resumption of electricity in areas of Southern Luzon and
Eastern Mindanao rendered without power by a series of typhoons.
“Our priority is to ensure that the
restoration of power in typhoon-affected areas is on schedule. We have asked
rehabilitation personnel to work double-time, especially in areas where power
facilities were badly damaged,” said Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.
Based on the report of the National
Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) dated January 11, 2017, all
transmission lines affected by Tropical Depression (TD) Auring in Caraga are
now completely restored.
NGCP reported earlier that all
transmission facilities affected by Typhoon Nina have been restored as well.
Distribution utilities in Dinagat
Islands, Siargao, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur affected by TD Auring
are now in the process of bringing back electricity services after NGCP worked
to normalize transmission services in the said areas.
For its part, the National
Electrification Administration (NEA) has reported that 80.69 percent or
1,368,040 of the total households affected by Typhoon Nina had already been
re-energized as of 8:00 a.m. yesterday.
Earlier this week, electricity supply
was restored in the provinces of Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Norte
and Sorsogon, NEA said.
A total of 322,818 households are
undergoing rehabilitation in the following areas with the following level of
restoration: Quezon (92.89 percent), Oriental Mindoro (98.44 percent),
Marinduque (28.79 percent), Camarines Sur (47.68 percent), Albay (64.20
percent) and Catanduanes (31.65 percent).
“We understand and are one with our
kababayans in the remaining areas still without power. We will make sure that
electricity services in all areas are restored,” secretary Cusi said.
(DOE/PIA-Caraga)
Caraga’s abaca industry on the rise
By Fretcher D. Magatao
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) - Abaca
fiber in the region, particularly in the province of Agusan del Norte, will
soon be saturating the local and foreign market as the Department of
Agriculture-Caraga recently leads the groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment
of a P15M abaca fiber warehouse with drying area at Santiago, Agusan del Norte.
The San Isidro Upland Farmers
Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SIUFMULCO) gained funding support from the DA’s
Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) for its abaca fiber production and
trading enhancement project with a total approved project cost of P31M, P16M of
which is for the enterprise development component.
“Our membership has increased in the
cluster areas since we started working for the realization of this project.
Surely, many abaca farmers can benefit with this project,” said Leonora Mila,
general manager of SIUFMULCO.
SIUFMULCO has five clusters in selected
municipalities all over Agusan del Norte with a total membership of at least
600 abaca farmers. These clusters are operating in the municipalities of
Santiago, Nasipit, RTR, Kitcharao and Cabadbaran City.
Farmers in the areas often encounter
challenges with drying and stripping since the weather is unpredictable and the
machine they have is old and at times the unavailability of an authorized
person to do the stripping. All these concerns will be met because of the
interventions provided by the project.
Planting materials, organic fertilizer,
nursery and stripping machines will be equally distributed to the cluster areas
as part of the provision of the project package. “With this project, farmers
will be more inspired and idler lands will be planted with abaca,” Mila added.
Post-harvest facilities such as baling
machine, forklift, wood pallets and push carts to enhance production of quality
fiber were also included in the package. Two hauling trucks, moisture meter,
and weighing scales would also support the efficient marketing and trading
activities.
“This is the kind of project we need in
the province. Our goal is not just to help, but also to encourage and influence
other farmers to do more,” said Agusan del Norte provincial board member Victor
Carmona.
The said facility will then serve as
the standard grading and baling center accredited by the Philippine Fiber
Development Authority (PhilFIDA). With this, SIUFMULCO is expecting more abaca
traders coming from other provinces in Caraga including neighboring regions from
Davao and Northern Mindanao because of the expansion of the abaca project.
Abaca is a great demand in the world
market today since its material is being used for making security papers, paper
money, ropes, insulators and other handicraft items.
The Department of Agriculture under the
leadership of Secretary Manny PiΓ±ol, has been keen on reviving the Abaca
Industry considering its potential in the local and global market.
“With the cooperation of local
government units (LGUs) and farmer groups, we will continue to propose for more
projects for the strengthening and development of viable agri-fishery
enterprises through efficient value chains of key agriculture and fishery
products,” said I-REAP component Head Lynn PareΓ±as. (RPCO-13/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
Feature: 5th SLP Congress highlights
success stories
By Mary Carmelle C. Jumawan
BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) – The
Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga recently held its 5th Annual SLP
Congress in this city with the theme “Kwentong Makulay, Kwentong Tagumpay”
(Colorful Stories, Stories of Success).
Wide array of activities were set to
rejoice the huge efforts of the program participants toward self-sufficiency
and appreciation to the program’s ultimate goal in alleviating poverty.
“The employees of DSWD are dynamic and
beautiful,” DSWD Sec. Judy M. Judy Taguiwalo praised the crowd.
“The implementation of SLP and the way
it helps the people to have their source of livelihood taught them to stand on
their own feet and confidently rely on one self than on others,” said Taguiwalo.
After delivering her message, Sec.
Taguiwalo did a booth hopping, along with DSWD Caraga regional director Minda
Brigoli, and amiably interacted with the program participants and DSWD staff
from each booth.
Photo Exhibit and Livelihood Bazaar
A two-day photo exhibit in Guingona
Park has showcased the genuine stories of success. The stories have shown how
change became preeminent when the program started to be part of their lives.
Sec. Taguiwalo commended on how the
photo exhibit has showcased the five-year journey of SLP in helping the
Caraganons attain sustainable livelihood.
“I’ve learned a lot from the photo
exhibit. I’m amazed with the kind of projects that SLP can impart,” Sec.
Taguiwalo expressed.
To provide a platform for income
generation and to showcase the SLP products to a wider market, a two-day
livelihood bazaar was conducted. Sec. Taguiwalo, along with director Brigoli,
visited the booths wherein various products from the five provinces of Caraga
region were displayed during the bazaar from food products, handicrafts, furniture
and local delicacies.
Aside from the products displayed, nail
care and massage services were offered by the program participants from Surigao
City. The participants had also undergone a skills training and were provided
with starter kits.
Takbong Makulay Para Sa Kwentong Tagumpay
A 5-kilometer Color Me Run served as
the kick-off activity of the said week-long congress. The 200 participants
gathered at Guingona Park which was the starting and finishing point of the
said activity. They elatedly ran through the 5-kilometer course while getting
hit with powdered paint that left them coated in neon colors.
After the colorful run, the
participants attended a thanksgiving mass followed by a two-hour Zumba.
Tagisan ng Kasanayan
After the successful morning activity,
a cooking contest was held. The aim is to showcase the cooking skills of the
program participants. It is a venue for them to nurture their creativity and
enhance professionalism in the workplace. They prepared a main course dish
using the ingredients inside the mystery box.
Program participants from Surigao del
Sur were hailed winner during the cooking competition and followed by the teams
from Surigao del Norte and Province of Dinagat Islands, respectively.
Advocacy Festival and Bloodletting
Activity
An advocacy festival has also colored
the second day of the 5th Annual SLP Congress conducted in Guingona Park.
During the festival, the advocacy
materials of the nine different programs or services of the agency were
introduced to acquaint the general public.
A band presentation has concluded the
festival. The winner of the recently concluded Kalahi-CIDSS song-writing
contest Empty Space performed their song entitled ‘One’. Sabay Tayong Mangarap,
the official jingle of DSWD-SLP Caraga composed and performed by Haystack band,
arranged by Joseph Care Cabaltera and Simel Adam Amplayo was also played during
the activity.
Social Entrepreneurship Symposium
To further enhance the entrepreneurial
skills of the program participants, a technical session with Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) on Social Entrepreneurial Technique and Strategies was
conducted before the grand gala. It was attended by 100 program participants
venturing on different livelihood projects from the five provinces of the
region.
The Grand Gala
A grand gala culminated the 5th Annual
SLP Congress attended by partner national government agencies (NGAs), private
partners and DSWD staff which aimed to recognize stakeholders who have
contributed a lot in the program implementation.
The colorful gala was officially opened
by director Brigoli. “The stakeholders deserve this celebration, It is
necessary to give recognition to their efforts as we continue to strengthen our
partnership. Thus, an SLP Congress will be celebrated annually,” Brigoli said.
As the event’s keynote speaker, Sec.
Taguiwalo expressed her happiness for visiting Caraga and for witnessing the
photo exhibit that highligts the incredible turnaround success stories of SLP
program participants.
The official jingle of DSWD-SLP Caraga
was also launched during the grand gala. The music video has showcased some of
the remarkable livelihood projects of the program participants of SLP.
While the video was playing, loud cheer
and grateful smiles filled the room and it gained a standing ovation from the
audience, together with Sec. Taguiwalo and director Brigoli.
Part of the program was the “product
walk” where the Field Project Development officers have modeled SLP Caraga
products. The colorful and innovated plastic rattan handicrafts from the
Province of Dinagat Islands were showcased during the product walk.
Brigoli did the finale walk and was
joined by Sec. Taguiwalo who also received one of the handicrafts as a token of
appreciation.
Further, commendation to stakeholder, NGAs
and private partners was carried out. Awards were given to Department of Labor
and Employment (DOLE), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department
of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Mindanao R&D Consultants, Inc. (MRDC) and
Winrock.
Started in 2011, the Department of
Social Welfare and Development through the Sustainable Livelihood Program held
an annual SLP congress to celebrate the successes of SLP program participants
and in achieving the goal of the department which is uplifting the
socio-economic status of program participants through engaging in
micro-enterprises or employment. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office
Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
