(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Monday, 07 October 2024) At 3:00 AM today, a Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 165 km West Northwest of Coron, Palawan (12.3N, 118.7E) It is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Southern Luzon, 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 West will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.5 meters).


Monday, January 9, 2017

DOH Caraga warns public to take extra care during flood, heavy rains

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) – The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga warns public to take extra precaution during flood and heavy rains.

In an advisory released by the department, DOH Caraga regional director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. suggested to take safety tips by making sure that the drinking water is from a safe water source, in the case of doubt, boil the water for two minutes or longer to make it safe.

Llacuna also said that the food to be eaten is well cooked; leftovers should be covered and kept away from household pests. Proper disposal of food waste should also be maintained.

During the flood and heavy rains period, personal hygiene by always washing hand before and after eating should be observed. Wearing comfortable clothing, bringing umbrellas, rain coats, and boots to protect from water-borne and vector-borne diseases like leptospirosis, hepatitis A and dengue should be practiced during those periods.

Also, director Llacuna warns parents not to allow their children to wade in floodwaters to avoid diseases; clean up possible mosquito breeding sites, such as vases and old tires. Stay away from hanging wires and unstable structures all the time.

For situation updates, Llacuna further said that everyone should listen to radios and/or televisions; and to stay inside a house or building during the heavy rains. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


SurSur LGUs declare suspension of classes due to TD Auring

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Jan. 9 (PIA) – Several local government units (LGUs) thru their respective local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs) have declared ‘no classes’ Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 due to floods caused by Tropical Depression Auring; despite the fact that PAGASA had already lifted its signal warnings to them.

According to Provincial DRRM Officer Abel de Guzman, of the 19 LGUs, eight have already submitted their partial report updates on the effects of TD Auring in their area of responsibilities including the declaration of suspension of classes.

Based on PDRRMC Situational Report # 3, classes were suspended in all levels in the following: Bislig City, Cagwait, Bayabas, Lianga, and Barobo, while pre-school to elementary levels in Tago and Cantilan towns.

The interior municipality of San Miguel also declared on Saturday the suspension of classes today, according to Community Development Information Officer Nancy Elizalde.  She said that 12 barangays out of 18 were partially affected by floods.

Meanwhile, Tandag City DRRM officer Marivic Bandoy confirmed that the city government has also declared today the suspension of classes in all levels. (PIA-Surigao del Sur)


DSWD-Caraga assists stranded passengers at Nasipit port due to TD Auring

By Eunice G. Montaos

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) - In response to the request of the municipal local government unit (LGU) of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga provided on Jan. 8, 2017 augmentation support to assist the 363 passengers, bound for Manila and Bohol, who were stranded due to the inclement weather brought about by Tropical Depression Auring.

The assistance that were provided are two boxes sardines, two boxes corned beef, two boxes 3-in-1 coffee, and 308 pieces bath soap. The monetary value of the assistance will total P21,536.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of the said municipality spearheaded the distribution of goods to the passengers.

DSWD Caraga OIC regional director Mita Chuchi-Gupana Lim released an official statement assuring the public on the readiness of the DSWD-Caraga to provide augmentation support to the LGUs.

“We have strengthened our preparedness measures to provide quick and responsive support to the needs of the LGUs, communities, and families in the region who will be affected by calamities such as TD Auring,” Lim said.

“As we feel the discomfort experienced by the stranded passengers in Nasipit, the agency, in partnership with the MLGU and within our mandate and resources, would ensure that their basic needs are provided while they are waiting for their re-scheduled trips,” she added.

As of reporting time, the regional warehouse of the Field Office has a stockpile of 14,416 family food packs and re-packing activity is on-going for additional stockpile.

Also, the Quick Response Team (QRT) of DSWD-Caraga continues to monitor the situation in the region after TD Auring made landfall on Sunday at Siargao Island. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


OCD Caraga has new regional director

By April Rose Anne Y. Sanchez

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) - The Caraga Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) through the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) held a turnover ceremony of the outgoing and incoming OCD regional directors and RDRRMC chairpersons as Dir. Manuel Luis M. Ochotorena has been transferred to OCD Region IX – Zamboanga Peninsula.

The ceremony was held on Friday, January 6 here with Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James E. Purisima, Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration, as its presiding officer.

Asec. Purisima emphasized in his message that OCD should maintain strong partnerships and linkages with stakeholders since it is vital in discharging the agency’s mandates.

“We need to intensify our partnerships and linkages with our valuable allies --- our stakeholders, in further advancing the civil defense and DRRM programs so as to deliver what is best for our country and for our people. We need to remember that OCD is the prime mover of national efforts in civil defense and DRRM," said Asec. Purisima.

"Therefore, as public servants, we are expected to be at the height of preparedness and provide proactive and strategic actions. It should be underscored that well-implemented civil defense and DRRM programs immensely contribute to sustainable socio economic growth nationwide," he added.

Likewise, he acknowledged the noteworthy milestones of Dir. Ochotorena in Caraga Region for one year and 6 months. He then enjoined Dir. Rosauro Arnel Q. Gonzales, the newly assigned OCD Caraga regional director and RDRRMC chairperson to actively continue the endeavors undertaken by the previous regional directors of the agency.

Lorene S. Catedral, head of Caraga RDRRMC secretariat presented the significant milestones and accomplishments of Dir. Ochotorena from July 2015 to December 2016 through an audio visual presentation.

In his remarks, Dir. Ochotorena said that during his term, the DRRM of Caraga stepped up and proper knowledge leading to appropriate preparedness has been inculcated to Caraganons. He added that as the father of DRRM in the region, he always emphasized that given the appropriate knowledge and behavior towards certain calamities, communities are expected to respond to circumstances with certainty to lessen the impacts of disasters.

“I will never get all the credits for together we have accomplished things. We have trained 1,916 Caraganons from July 2015 to December 2016. We have trained them on different DRRM-related capacity building initiatives," Ochotorena bared.

"We have sit together as one council in six regular quarterly full council meetings and have substantively discussed concerns and have issued seven RDRRMC Resolutions for the welfare of Caraganons. Let us continue institutionalizing the four standing committees of the RDRRMC,” he added.

Likewise, Gonzales, the new OCD regional director and RDRRMC chairperson accepted the responsibility given to him.

“Today, I am elated that I am taking over an office that is in top shape with personnel who knew their job and most importantly in a high degree of morale. I wish to thank the previous Regional Directors for laying out the good foundations of OCD Caraga and I salute Dir. Ochotorena for a job well done for taking care of the office. I am confident that I will be hitting the ground so to speak,” Gonzales expressed.

A turnover of symbol took place where the official OCD flag was given by Dir. Ochotorena to Asec Purisima and was passed over to Dir. Gonzales. The OCD flag signifies responsibility, accountability, dedication and commitment to the agency and to its mandates. Moreover, it symbolizes leadership and passion in pursuit of excellence in DRRM. (OCD Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DA Caraga responds to TD Auring

By Vanessa P. Sanchez

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 9 (PIA) - As Tropical Depression (TD) Auring hit the region over the weekend, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga mobilized its personnel to monitor the situation and effects of the typhoon on agriculture.

TD Auring made a landfall in Siargao island in the province of Surigao del Norte in the afternoon of Sunday, January 8. The region experienced continuous rains for the past days.

Based on reports gathered from the local government unit counterparts as of 3:00 P.M. Sunday, January 8, a total of 6,681 hectares of rice lands regionwide were reportedly affected with an estimated cost of damages amounting P37 Million. Affected crops are in various stage of planting. As of December 2016, there were a total of 15,289 hectares planted to rice in the region.

Meanwhile, DA-Caraga has readied as buffer stocks 2,900 bags rice certified seeds, 1,200 bags open-pollinated variety (OPV) white corn seeds, and 5,000 grams of assorted vegetable seeds for replanting of those whose crops were affected.

“We have already positioned our buffer stocks of seeds, it is readily available for the affected farmers,” DA Caraga field operations division chief Rebecca R. Atega said.

Today, DA Caraga regional executive director Renato P. Manantan has deployed DA-Caraga’s Quick Response Team to the provinces to further assess the extent of damage to agriculture, coordinate and validate reports from LGUs. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Bagyong Auring nanalasa sa rehiyon ng Caraga, libo-libong Caraganons inilikas

Ni Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Enero 9 (PIA) - Sa pagpasok ng unang bagyo sa taong ito, naging handa at alerto ang mga Caraganons dahil sa walang humpay na pagbabantay at aktibong pakikilahok ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno sa pagpapaigting ng paghahanda laban sa kalamidad at sakuna na magiging epekto sa tropical depression ‘Auring.’

Marami ang nailigtas at nabigyan ng serbisyo sa kabuoang rehiyon ng Caraga sa tulong na rin ng local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils at iba pang response units sa ginawang preemptive evacuation kung saan umabot ng 5,243 na indibidwal o 1,234 pamilya ang naitalang nailikas sa iba't-ibang evacuation centers.

Minabuti ng Office of Civil Defense Caraga sa pamamagitan ng Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council ang interbensyun nito sa puspusang pag momonitor at regular na pagpapalabas ng advisories, weather updates at alert notice.

Ayon kay OCD regional director Rosauro Arnel Gonzales, Jr., wala umanong pakundangan sa pagbabantay ang ahensya nito lalung-lalo na sa pagbibigay paalala sa komunidad na maging proactive at cooperative.

Hindi naman inaantala ng mga kawal ng 4th Civil Military Operations, Philippine Army sa pamumuno ni Lt. Col. Rey Pasco ang pagsasagawa ng masinsinang pag-iikot sa mga flood at landslide prone areas upang magsagawa ng humanitarian assistance.

Samantala, sinabi naman ni Ruel Hipulan, isang active volunteer ng Save Mindanao - People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management Center, na sa kabila ng di pangkaraniwang bilis na pagtaas ng water level sa Agusan River, sinigurado ng grupo nito na maisagawa ang pag papatrol sa riverbanks at pagbigay saklolo sa mga nangangailangan.

Katuwang din sa pagpapatupad ng seguridad at pagsasagawa ng clearing operation sa drainage canals ang Butuan City Police Public Safety Company na pinangunahan ni assistant company commander CInsp Christian Rafols.

Inaasahan na mapanatili ang maayos na koordinasyon, kooperasyon at pakikipagtulungan ng bawat isa upang maiwasan ang kapahamakan at mga pinsala na dulot ng bagyo. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)