Sec. Lopez targets green economy jobs for closed
mine districts in Caraga
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Feb 27 (PIA) – In over two years of
utilizing a 200-hectare land by the displaced mine workers in the provinces of
Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, both in Caraga region, around 10,000
households generating a net income of P40M is targeted to benefit from the
livelihood systems, envisioned Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez.
Lopez said the she is optimistic that
mining-affected communities will be able to cope even when several mining
companies will be closed. She assured that the department is working on with
projects that will benefit them and will give them sustainable livelihood.
Included in the future programs and projects set
for implementation that were revealed are improved ecotourism that gives jobs
with dignity, agricultural opportunities that flow into health and wellness
products from biodiversity, and mine site revegetation.
“Healthy forests, fuel and power from biomass,
healthy rivers that can provide power are also among the priorities. Caraga is
a beautiful region that’s why we are crafting plans that would help preserve
its green resources and provide alternative means of livelihood for the
Dinagatnons and Surigaonons. Green economy jobs that create community
empowerment and sustains ecosystem integrity are better be realized,” said
Lopez.
As enumerated by DENR chief Lopez during a press
conference here on Saturday, the green economy jobs envisioned for closed
mining districts are mine site rehabilitation; ecotourism; fuel for cooking
from charcoal briquettes from agri-wastes; bamboo, rattan, nipa product lines;
timber and other forest products for homes and industry; and health and wellness
products from biodiversity.
Lopez assured that the department will turn Dinagat
Islands and Surigao del Norte into forested areas. In her comprehensive
engagements and consultations with communities in mined-out areas and with the
pro-mining entities, Lopez saw the pressing concerns of the affected
individuals, hence, DENR has prepared immediate, short-term, and long term
livelihood projects and programs.
“The region will truly benefit and will have
sustainable development even without the mining industry,” stressed Lopez.
On illegal mining, Lopez said that their agency has
formed a group to monitor illegal logging activities in the region. “The
Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of
Justice and other agencies concerned are on tight monitoring of the illegal
logging activities in the different identified regions, apart from its
monitoring on mining. Illegal logging should be stopped, thus, the government
has taken measures to address this concern,” underscored Lopez.
Meanwhile, Lopez encouraged the media partners to
help the department in reporting those DENR personnel who are involved in
illegal activities in Caraga region. (VLG/JPG/NCLM/PIA-Caraga)
Cabadbaran corn growers receive seeds
By Nora C. Lanuza Molde
CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte, Feb. 27 (PIA) –
The Corn Growers Association of this city receives 20 sacks of corn seeds
during their recently held monthly meeting.
Mayor Katrina Marie Mortola says the seeds would
serve as a support to the city’s program to have a common farming for the corn
growers.
Mortola also encourages the corn growers to report
directly to her or to the City Agriculture Office whatever problems the
association will encounter. “I am with you in you in your cause of having a
beneficial corn production in the city,” she says.
Also discussed during the meeting and turnover
ceremony, attended by the group members from the barangays of Mabini,
Comagascas, Katugasan, Bay-ang and Putting Bato and personnel of the City
Agriculture Office, the qualifications and ways on corn farming.
(NCLM/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
DENR chief asserts for area dev’t approach in
Caraga provinces
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) – In confronting the
perceived challenges that mine workers in Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte
will be dealing with, where majority of the mining operations that were ordered
for closure are located, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
Sec. Gina Lopez specified during the press conference held on Saturday here
that the department plans to adapt an area development approach where the
income goes around the local economy.
“Ninety-five percent from what has been invested
and earned in Dinagat and Surigao areas goes out of the local economy, that is
why this integrated approach to create local economic zones can help generate
employment, livelihood and income-generating activities in communities where
they operate,” underscored Sec. Lopez.
Earlier on that same day, an aerial survey and site
inspection to the municipalities of the said provinces was conducted where the
lady Secretary had personally witnessed the extent of destruction in the once
forested areas and how it greatly affects the communities nearby.
A video taken from Sec. Lopez' cellphone showing
the actual footage of their aerial ocular inspection was presented during the
press conference so media representatives can see how mining areas in Caraga
look like. The secretary also emphasized that mining has really brought damages
to the environment.
Lopez cited the positive impacts for socioeconomic
development if proper management and implementation of targeted plans will be
given priority and ultimately influence the people in getting involved in
economic activities that they themselves would reap the benefits from it.
Under the DENR’s area development approach, “we
will be helping the entire community that’s affected after the mining has
stopped. The DENR will be assisting you in the best way we can through the
plotted viable programs to make things right without the expense of our natural
environment,” said Lopez.
Included in the future programs/projects set to be
implemented in Dinagat Islands and Surigao that Sec. Lopez revealed are
improved ecotourism that gives jobs with dignity, agricultural opportunities
that flows into health and wellness products from biodiversity, mine site
revegetation. Immediate, short-term, and long-term livelihood programs are
likewise devised.
Meanwhile, in time also with the visit of Sec.
Lopez was the conduct of Community Consultation and Engagement for Affected
Mining Areas and Communities in Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte wherein
different line agencies of Caraga region presented their programs and plans to
support the communities affected by the mining closure in the region.
(VLG/JPG/PIA-Caraga)
PNP officers' ladies club gives relief assistance
to earthquake victims
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) - The Officers' Ladies
Club (OLC) of Police Regional Office 13 in partnership with the Convoy of Hope
distributed food packs, medicines, and hygiene kits to around 300 earthquake
victims in Surigao City on Sunday.
Police Regional Office 13 regional director Chief
Supt. Rolando Felix and his wife Maria Jojilyn Felix together with Clarissa
Manuel, Convoy of Hope’s Assistant to the President led the distribution at
Margarita Memorial Elementary School in Brgy. Luna.
Aside from the relief goods, feeding activities and
free blood pressure check were also conducted.
Also, on Saturday, the OLC turned over boxes of
relief goods to the Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (ADS PPO) in
Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
ADS PPO will distribute these boxes to the flood
victims in the towns of Talacogon, San Luis, and Prosperidad in Agusan del Sur.
OLC is comprised of the wives of Police
Commissioned Officers in Caraga while Convoy of Hope is a faith-based,
nonprofit organization that is conducting feeding initiatives, community
outreaches and disaster response. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD-Caraga clarifies Pantawid Pamilya additional
cash assistance, rice subsidy to the recipients
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) - The Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga through the Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) clarified the details of the additional cash
grants for rice subsidy.
With the numerous questions received by the
regional management on the abovementioned issue, the field office confirmed the
following: All active and compliant partner-beneficiary shall receive a rice
subsidy, additional to their monthly cash grants; Rice subsidy is in a form of
cash amounting to P600.00 per month; and Guidelines on the rice subsidy are
already drafted and are subject for approval (Central Office Level).
DSWD Caraga OIC-Regional Director Mita Chuchi
Gupana-Lim called on all Pantawid Pamilya partner-beneficiaries to wait for
official notice from the City/Municipal Link Officer as information is
channelled through them officially.
“I encouarged all Pantawid Pamilya
partner-beneficiaries to wait for official notice from the City/Municipal Links
on rice subsidy to avoid misinformation,” said Lim.
Meanwhile, the Regional Program Management Office
of Pantawid Pamilya has already released a memorandum addressed to all field
staff to clarify this concern at the local level. (DSWD-13/PIA-Caraga)
Social Pension serves 93,448 indigent SCs in Caraga
By Abegail R. Alvarez
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) - A total of 93,448
indigent senior citizens benefitted the Social Pension program of the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga in its 2016
implementation covering the 73 local government units (LGUs) in the region.
This number includes replacement beneficiaries from 1st to 4th quarter.
With this, the Department disbursed a total amount
of P496,590,000 for the said program.
Sarah Rose Salingay, focal person of Social
Pension, said that DSWD exceeded its target of 82,765 beneficiaries to be
served at the end of the year. “This proves that the department is effectively
and efficiently implementing the program that aims to help the poor senior
citizens through cash assistance every quarter,” said Salingay.
“However, it’s still our challenge this year for
the remaining LGUs to adopt the Transfer of Funds. That’s why, we will continue
lobbying to the LGUs and conduct orientation about the advantage of the said
scheme,” she added.
The transfer of funds scheme strategize that the
Department downloads the money directly to the LGUs account to fast track the
disbursement of money during the schedule payout. The disbursement process will
be the responsibility of the respective LGUs, but the payroll preparation will
be done in the region to ensure no alterations of the list and the eligible
beneficiaries will receive the pension.
As of this time, there are 60 LGUs out of 73 had
engaged to transfer of funds scheme, thus only 13 LGUs are implementing the
direct payment/cash advance mode of payment.
This year, the department targets a total of
100,000 beneficiaries in the region. It means that more indigent senior citizens
aged 60 years old and above will benefit the said program as on the commitment
of the new administration.
DSWD Caraga OIC-Regional Director Mita Chuchi
Gupana-Lim said that the DSWD will coordinate with LGUs to submit their
waitlist and delist report duly signed by the Municipal Social Welfare and
Development, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, and Local Chief Executive.
Another accomplishment last year is the development
of the Social Pension Information System (SPInS) by the RSPU. This system was
created to establish a database of the program where information are stored and
readily available to the stakeholders.
Social Pension is a program of DSWD intended for
the indigent senior citizens aged from 60 and above who are frail/sickly and
with no pension either from SSS, GSIS, PVAO and other insurance companies. The
beneficiaries receive P500 every month, which are distributed every quarter.
(Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
DSWD Caraga celebrates 66th anniv, awards supportive
partners
By Abegail R. Alvarez
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) - To celebrate the 66
fruitful founding years of the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD), the Caraga Field Office here paid tribute to its partner-stakeholders
who generously dedicated their resources and expertise in helping the
Department carry out its mandate of providing quality life for the poor,
vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors.
The regional celebration held recently at Almont
Hotel’s Inland Resort highlighted the theme, “DSWD@66:May Malasakit.” It
emphasized the compassionate service of DSWD throughout the years.
In her opening remarks, Assistant Regional Director
for Administration Nerisa Murih, expressed hopes to increase number of
partner-stakeholders and implement pro-poor programs and services.
“In our 66th year, DSWD Caraga calls for a strong
partnership and hopes to establish more partnership to various private and
public institutions region-wide to pro-actively deliver the social welfare
services to the communities, a wonderful service that is compassionate and
timely,” said Murih.
The awardees were given plaques of recognition
which was personally handed by DSWD Office of the Secretary Field Program
Manager Marita Pimentel and ARDA Murih.
The following are the awards given during the
celebration; PANATA Ko sa Bayan, PRESTIGE, and Child-Friendly Local Government
Units.
PANATA or Pagkilala sa Natatanging Kontribusyon sa
Bayan Awards gives recognition to any local development partners as well as
individuals who have selflessly dedicated their time, talent and resources to
help the Department in providing better opportunity for the poor,
disadvantaged, and vulnerable sectors in the society.
It has four categories namely, Salamat Po Awards,
Gawad sa Makabagong Teknolohiyang Panlipunan, Gawad Paglilingkod sa Sambayanan
(GAPAS), and Gawad Ulat.
The following are the list of winners of the said
award:
Salamat Po
Local Development Partner - Northern Mindanao
Technological Training Institute
Local Volunteer in Support to Regional
Rehabilitation for Youth (RRCY) - Pastor Chito Ruina
Local Development Partner in Support to Home for
Girls - Equi-Parco Construction Company
Local Development Partner in Support to Sectoral
Programs - Robinson Place, Butuan City
Local Development Partner in Support to Disaster
Operations - Naval Intelligence and Security Group Eastern Mindanao (NISG-EM)
and Naval Task Group 72
Local Volunteer – Jean Cordita, Kalahi-CIDSS BSPMC
Chair in Pilar, Surigao del Norte
Gawad sa Makabagong Teknolohiya Panlipunan
Bacuag, Surigao del Norte
Gapas Award
Model LGU Supporting the Implementation of Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program – Tandag City, Gigaquit, San Francisco AdS, RTR, and
Province of Dinagat Islands
Model LGU implementing Outstanding SLP
Microenterprise Development Model – Sibagat
Model LGU implementing Outstanding SLP Employment
Facilitation Model – Sibagat
Model LGU Implementing Day Care Service – Surigao
City
Model LGU Implementing Protective Programs and
Services – PSWDO of Province of Dinagat Islands, CSWDO of Bislig City, MSWDO of
San Francisco AdS,
LGU Implementing Protective Programs and Services
(TAWAG) – MSWDO of Alegria
LGU Implementing Protective Programs and Services
(PDAO) – PDAO of Bislig City
LGU Implementing Protective Programs and Services
(Supplementary Feeding Program) – Jabonga
LGU Implementing Protective Programs and Services
(Social Pension Program) – Socorro
People’s Organization – FSCAP of General Luna, PYAP
of Bayugan City
Model LGU Implementing Kalahi-CIDSS – Las Nieves
Gawad Ulat
Most DSWD Supportive Print Media Outlet – Mike
Crismundo of Manila Bulletin, and Mindanao Daily News
DSWD-Supportive TV Station – ABS-CBN TV Patrol
Caraga, and NMBS Bee TV
Most DSWD-Supportive Radio Station – Radyo Trumpeta
Most DSWD-Supportive Online Media – Philippine
Information Agency (PIA-Caraga)
Most DSWD-Supportive Beat Reporter – Aisa Supas of
Radyo Trumpeta
DSWD Social Media Advocates – Sheryl Lorenzo,
Jannel Murillo, and Pantawid Pamilya Municipal Link Officer Michel Montenegro.
The next award is PRESTIGE or Promoting Resurgence
and Excellence of Social Welfare Officers as Transformation Agents for
Inclusive Growth and People Empowerment. This award is given to the most
functional Local Social Welfare and Development Offices (LSWDOs).
Fully Functional LSWDOs – Nasipit, Carmen, Sibagat,
Esperanza, Prosperidad, Rosario, Bayugan City and Butuan City
Another award given is the Child-Friendly Local
Government Units (LGUs) to recognize the collective efforts of people in the
LGU who provide quality and effective programs and services for the children.
Child Friendly LGUs – Cabadbaran City, Butuan City,
Bayabas, and Cagdianao
Aside from the above-mentioned awards, outstanding
employees of the Department were also awarded for their service and commitment
through the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE).
Also, Loyalty Awards were given for the internal staffs who have served the
Department for ten (10) years or more.
Loyalty Awards (10 years)
Tyreen M. Adlaon, Cheril Q. Jorta, Reolita D. Jue,
Thesa Joy B. Musa, and Glezza T. Ty
Loyalty Awards (15 years)
Ryan V. Piamonte, Raffy R. Pocon, and Rosalie I.
Vasquez
Loyalty Awards (20 years)
Benedicta B. LaΓ±a, Ma. Gennette B. Marban
Also, Ramil M. Taculod received the Gawad Huwaran
(MaHUsay, WAsto, at Responsableng Lingkod BayANi ng DSWD) and Juvy P. Echavaria
for the Gawad Kalihim (a special award for the Memorandum workers serving 15
years or more).
Marita Pimentel, the guest speaker, delivered a
keynote message, which emphasized on the thrust of the new administration in
terms of compassionate service delivery.
“As the agency celebrates its 66 anniversary, let
us continue to deliver our programs and services to the community with a
compassionate heart,” said Pimentel.
“It’s amazing how the region answers the immediate
needs of the families affected by the series of catastrophe. With this, let us
continue doing this deed as the department carries its mandate as lead agency
for development and welfare,” she added. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field
Office Caraga)
DOE respects supreme court’s TRO on the DOE, ERC
issuances
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) - The Department of
Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), as respondents,
respect the ruling of the Supreme Court and will abide by its temporary
restraining order (TRO) on the DOE Circular No. DC2015-06-0010 (Providing
Policies to Facilitate the Full Implementation of Retail Competition and Open
Access (RCOA) in the Philippine Electric Power Industry), Series of 2015 and
ERC Resolution Nos. 5, 10, 11 and 28, Series of 2016, without prejudice,
however, to exhaustion of available legal remedies in order to put forward the
factual and legal bases on which the promulgation of the assailed rules have been
based.
Due to the legal complexities surrounding the TRO,
the DOE, ERC and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC), are
still in the process of drafting a general advisory for the guidance of the
Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) Stakeholders, without prejudice to
future issuances. The main issues being considered are whether:
1. Those who have already executed Retail Supply
Contracts (RSCs) and were already registered and switched shall continue to
honor their respective RSCs;
2. Ongoing applications for registration filed
before the Central Registration Body (CRB) may proceed voluntarily;
3. Applicants who wish to withdraw or defer their
registration before the CRB may do so consistent with the Retail Market Rules
provided that the CRB shall not be liable for any legal repercussions that may
arise out of the contestable customers’ contractual obligations; and
4. Remaining contestable customers who have not yet
secured their RSCs may continue to negotiate and exercise their power to
choose.
The DOE, in coordination with the ERC and PEMC, as
the CRB, will continue to conduct information drive and to educate the
contestable customers on the benefits of RCOA in order to respond to queries
affecting the industry players.
The DOE assures the public that extensive
consultations and coordination efforts will continue towards full
implementation of the provisions of the law favoring the consumers' power of
choice. (DOE/PIA-Caraga)
DOE commits to uphold consumers' power of choice
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 27 (PIA) - The Department of
Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said on Thursday that its mandate to
implement the law and consumers should have the freedom of choice as to which
power provider they prefer to deal with.
The secretary reiterated this after the Supreme
Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the implementation of the
Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), a key provision of Republic Act 9136
or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA.
Energy Secretary Cusi said that the DOE is
duty-bound to implement the law which seeks to uphold the freedom of choice of
the consumers and to promote market competition.
“The provisions in the Electric Power Industry
Reform Act (EPIRA) mandates the DOE to ensure the security, reliability and
availability of transparent and reasonably-priced electricity in the country,”
Cusi expressed.
“One of the provisions of the law is the
implementation of the Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA), which allows
consumers to directly contract power supply from licensed Retail Electricity
Suppliers (RES),” Cusi clarified.
“The spirit of the RCOA is giving the consumers the
freedom of choice which would result in higher productivity for them. And the
power of choice can only be maximized when there is a level playing field for
all suppliers,” Cusi assured.
"It is hoped that whatever the Decision by the
Supreme Court, it will redound to the ultimate benefit of the consumers which
is really the intent and the spirit of RCOA." Cusi concluded.
(DOE/PIA-Caraga)
