(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).


Thursday, January 19, 2017

Butuanons honor significant hoisting of PH flag in Mindanao

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) – With pride and admiration to the noble contributions of the Filipino revolutionaries who raised the Philippine flag for the first time in Mindanao, the Butuanons paid tribute by celebrating the 118th Anniversary of the Formal and Official Hoisting of Philippine Flag in Mindanao held early morning on Tuesday at the Guingona Park in this city.

The Butuan City government through mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada spearheaded the event and was gladly joined by government employees, Philippine National Police and Philippine Army personnel, students, local media practitioners, private individuals and Butuanons in honor of the sacrifices of the heroes for the hard-earned freedom and in showing allegiance to the Philippine flag that symbolizes patriotism and love of country of the Filipino people.

In his welcome remarks, Butuan City vice mayor Jose Aquino II underlined the Filipinos' gains of living in freedom. “We should be proud of our forefathers for their valor of emancipating Filipinos from foreign rule, by guarding our institutional rights from perils, and that we should feel proud of being a Butuanon and a Filipino."

He encouraged all Butuanons to be more responsible in all their endeavors, and continue to be patriotic everyday of their lives.

As enunciated also by historian and Butuan City Heritage Society president Greg Hontiveros, it exemplified the beginning of accession of the first Philippine Republic. "It is appropriate to commend ourselves to that virtue of Filipinos of fighting for freedom with sweat and remarkable effort," he added.

Hontiveros recalled how Filipinos in the past struggled in quest for independence and in claiming what the people in the country deserve. He also stressed that people of today should be able to embrace the good qualities of the Filipinos and be a good example to others.

Relentlessly marching in cadence and aligned in their platoon formation, the uniformed men positioned and gave a snappy salute upon hoisting of the giant flag as the nation’s emblem for freedom and victory against the Spaniards.

Meanwhile, Mayor Lagnada expressed that it is unsound for Filipinos to stand suffering. “This is the time for us to act as one nation to realize the collective aspirations for our motherland. That all may continue to give value to the Philippine Flag as a symbol solidarity and sovereignty,” he said.

Lagnada further emphasized by urging everyone to show the same sentiments with those who stood up for asserting our rights and who spilled blood in the name of freedom. “Let’s not wait for decades to achieve what we are supposed to enjoy as an independent nation. Work with a heart and focus on the primary needs of our ‘kababayans’. Hinangon ta duon (Let’s do it today)," he underlined.

Despite the rain during that day, the Special Program of the Arts of Agusan National High School performed the reenactment play of the historic account of the first hoisting of the Philippine flag in Mindanao.

Deserved to be treated with solemnity and dignity, the releasing of doves and community singing led by government officials culminated the program. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Nonstop rain triggers floods in Agusan del Sur

By Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) – Due to continuous heavy rainfall experienced in the province of Agusan del Sur, several barangays in the different municipalities of the province were heavily flooded and most roads were rendered impassable.

At 8:30 a.m., the Esperanza bridge in Esperanza town, Agusan del Sur was impassable since it was flooded at 300 meter length, 1 meter depth. The public was then advised not to take Butuan-Tungao-Esperanza route. Also impassable is the Zilovia Section, San Luis, Agusan del Sur.

Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) officer Marcos Gonzales of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, reported at around 8:00 a.m. that 10 barangays were already flooded due to continuous moderate to heavy rains. He also said that their disaster operation center was activated and rescue operation in the affected barangays was conducted by the authorities.

According to MDRRM Officer Cydric Cumba of La Paz, Agusan del Sur, 11 barangays in the said municipality are already flooded and floodwaters continue to rise due to moderate-heavy rainfall, these are the barangays of Sagunto, Panagangan Villa Paz, Sabang Adgawan, Osmena, Halapitan, San Patricio and Langasian. He also added that the Talacogon-La Paz national highway was impassable.

The PNP personnel of Sibagat Municipal Police Station also conducted patrolling and monitoring at the riverside in Brgy. San Vicente, Sibagat, Agusan del Sur and roads of Sibagat area. Yellow level flood alert status was also raised with 4.9 meter as of 9:30 a.m. At the same time, the PNP personnel of La Paz Municipal Police Station also conducted a rescue operation in the different flooded barangays in La Paz, Agusan del Sur.

As per information from SB member Ricky Angwas of Loreto, Agusan del Sur, the municipality is already under a state of calamity due to continuous moderate to heavy rainfall that caused floodings in the different barangays.

As of 1:00 p.m., flooded sections in Agusan del Sur are the following:  1) Lucena section along Babah-Talacogon Road (within an on-going project of the DEO), still passable to light vehicles but floodwaters still rising; 2) Zillovia section along San Luis-Talacogon Road, impassable to all types of vehicles; 3) Esperanza bridge, impassable to all types of vehicles. Maintenance personnel are on-site to assist the commuters.

Also, based on the situation report No. 2 released by Caraga RDRRMC, several barangays in the municipalities of La Paz, Bunawan, Talacogon, Loreto, San Luis, and Veruela in Agusan del Sur were already flooded. Of the 39 total of barangays affected, 23 were heavily flooded.

Meanwhile, around 4:00 p.m. today, acting governor Samuel Tortor in Agusan del Sur has declared  the suspension of classes in all levels effective Friday, Jan. 20, 2017 due to continuous moderate to heavy rainfall that caused floodings in different municipalities in the province.

The local residents are encouraged to report any information of floodings/landslides in their area at the PDRRMO Hotline numbers: 09217103463 (smart); 09175789585 / 09778242705. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Hundreds of Agusanons displaced by floods

By Nora C. Lanuza

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) – Hundreds of families from the different municipalities of Agusan del Norte were evacuated Thursday morning due to the sudden rise of water level caused by incessant rainfall since Tuesday brought about by the Tail-end of a Cold Front.

As per record from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), a total of 112 families from Cabadbaran City were already evacuated at the city gymnasium.

The City DRRMO of Cabadbaran also conducted an evacuation to the affected areas in barangays 2, 3, 6, 9, Kauswagan and Comagascas due to the rise of the Cabadbaran River. As of 7:23 A.M Thursday, the water level of the river has already reached a warning limit of 4.106 meters high.

Due to severe flooding in the low lying barangays of the Cabadbaran City, mayor Katrina Marie Mortola has ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in the city.

Residents living along the rivers in Brgy. Concepcion, Cabadbaran City were advised to evacuate to the barangay hall or Concepcion Elementary School. They were also advised to refrain from crossing the river due to the strong current. For mobility, residents may use the Dona Telesfora route.

A pre-emptive evacuation was also conducted by the Municipal DRRM at Purok Punta Garcia and Poblacion 1 in the municipality of Tubay due to the sudden rise of water level in the area. The water level of the Kalinawan River in the municipality has already reached to 4.5 meters. Continuous monitoring of the water level is ongoing by the MDRRMO personnel.

In the municipality of RTR, 35 families or 109 individuals were also evacuated at the municipal gym due to the rise of water level in the area.

Early this morning, PDRRMC chairperson Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba has advised all local DRRMCs to conduct pre-emptive evacuation in high risk communities.

Meanwhile, Butuan City mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada has also released an order for the suspension of classes from pre-school, elementary and high school in the city on Thursday until further noticed. As of 12:00 P.M., the Agusan River water level was observed at 2.51 meters. (NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


CSC urges government agencies to support full implementation of graphic health warning in cigarette packs

By Regal C. Oribia

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) released recently a memorandum circular (MC) urging its regional offices and field offices and national line agencies to support the full implementation of the Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) Law.

Under the law, all cigarette packs in the country must bear graphical warnings about the dangers of tabacco smoke, as prescribed.

The CSC's MC No. 27, s. 2016 urges the entire civil service to be one in celebrating the event by posting the GHW tarpaulin (“Full Blast Na! Bawal na ang text lang. Dapat Graphic Health Warnings!”) in their respective office premises, including regional and field offices.

The template for this 3.5ft x 5ft tarpaulin can be found in the following Internet links: http://csc.gov.ph(Official website of the CSC), http://doh.gov.ph (Official website of DOH), https://www.facebook.com/smokefree.civilservice (facebook page of the CSC-Project Management Unit).

“In coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), the Civil Service Commission (CSC) enjoins all government agencies in supporting the full implementation of Republic Act No. 10643 or The Graphic Warning Law," said CSC Caraga regional director Resurreccion P. Pueyo.

The implementation of the law started on March 6, 2016, and all tabacco smoke products shall carry graphic health warnings by November 4, 2016. Non-compliant packages found in the market for sale or distribution shall be subject to removal and/or confiscation. (PIA-Caraga)


Agusan del Norte barangays receive rescue vehicles

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 19 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council turned over six rescue vehicles to six barangays of the province during the convocation on Jan. 16 at the Capitol grounds.

Provincial Vice Governor Ramon AG. Bungabong, together with Provincial Board Members Elizabeth Marie R. Calo, Dick Victor B. Carmona and Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr. turned over the rescue vehicles to Barangay Captain Lucita G. Estrada of Barangay E. Morgado, Barangay Captain Carlito M. Balinos, Jr. of Barangay Tagbuyacan, Barangay Captain Benjamin D. Lim of Barangay La Paz, all of the municipality of Santiago, Barangay Captain Alberto R. Japitana of Barangay Poblacion and barangay officials of Barangay Lawan-Lawan, municipality of Las Nieves, and barangay officials of Barangay La Fraternidad, municipality of Tubay.

Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba was authorized by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Sanggunian Resolution No. 013-2017, authored by Provincial Board Member Aquino W. Gambe, to sign for and in behalf of the province the Memoranda of Agreements by and among the province and the said barangay governments for the acquisition, receipt and utilization of the rescue vehicles.

The provincial government is committed to assist its component local government units in the delivery of basic services to its constituents. It ensured that incidents within the locality are properly addressed especially during times of calamities and emergencies. (LGU Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)