(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Tuesday, 19 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the country. 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 Easterlies / Localized Thunderstorms. Possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms. Light to moderate winds coming from Northeast to North will prevail with slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters).


Thursday, February 16, 2017

LGUs, municipal action team leaders join Pantawid Pamilya unified GAD training

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program-Capability Building facilitated the conduct of roll-out training on unified Gender and Development (GAD) for the social protection programs namely, Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan- Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) and Pantawid Pamilya on February 6-8, 2017 at Samping Avenue, this city.

The three-day training targets to cover seven sessions stated as follows: Session I-Bridging Leadership, Session II- Introduction to Gender and Development, Session III- Legal Bases of GAD, Session IV- Understanding Gender Inequalities/Gender Gap, Session V- Understanding Individual, Family, and Household Divide, Session IV- Stakeholders Analysis; and Session VII-Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting.

DSWD Caraga OIC Regional Director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim encourages the participants to appreciate GAD as a means in addressing based-needs concerns.

“The issue on GAD shall be everyone’s concern. All government agencies, stakeholders and partners shall converge to address issue on GAD and shall find means to prevent or make it happen,” said Lim.

“As we take part in mainstreaming GAD and making it a tool in addressing societal issues, we may be able to understand its core purpose, and comprehend that change should start within us, that we may be able to change others through our sincere acts for development,” she added.

At the end of the training, the participants are expected to serve as GAD resource persons in the local level by echoing their learnings, and by crafting community-related activities that are gender responsive.

Furthermore, they are expected to draft a gender responsive 2018 GAD plan of their respective Local Government capturing gender issues based on the appropriate gender tools. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


PDRRMC conducts hands only CPR Training in Agusan Norte

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) - The Agusan del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) spearheaded the conduct of the Mass “Hands Only” CPR Training at the Provincial Capitol lobby on February 14.

Provincial officials and employees were encouraged to participate to learn the basics and can help save lives in times of need.

The personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) also participated in the conduct of the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training and other interested Agusanons.

Records show that approximately 100,908 deaths due to cardiac arrest occur outside the hospital each year in the country – with about three quarters of them occurring at home. CPR is a simple skill that can help save lives.

Gov. Ma. Angelica Rosedell Matba believed that if more people know how to do CPR, more lives could be saved.

According to the PDRRMC, with CPR performed, especially in the first moments of a cardiac arrest, can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. CPR can make all the difference in the world to a loved one, a friend, a neighbor or co-worker. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


NFA releases rice for quake victims in Surigao Norte

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Feb. 16 (PIA) - The National Food Authority (NFA) has released 200 bags of rice requested by the provincial government of Surigao del Norte for its relief operations after the 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit the province on Feb. 10, 2017.

“It is one of the mandates of NFA to provide rice to calamity-stricken area within 23 hours from the occurrence of a calamity or emergency," NFA Administrator Jason Laureano Y. Aquino said.

The NFA has a standing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with various relief agencies. Under the said MOA, LGUs can withdraw rice from NFA anytime during calamities and emergencies.

The NFA Regional Office in Caraga is also coordinating with other local government units, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), and other relief agencies for further issuance of rice for distribution to affected families and those in the evacuation centers.

Aquino assured that NFA has enough rice stock in the region with more than 232,000 bags of rice strategically positioned in its warehouses in Caraga, sufficient to supply the rice consumption requirements of the region for more than two weeks. NFA has also sufficient rice inventory nationwide at 8,881.612 bags, as of February 10, 2017.

After the quake, NFA market monitoring teams were immediately deployed to assess the rice supply and price situation in the market.

The teams were also instructed to inspect NFA accredited rice retail outlets to ensure that affordable government rice is readily available and accessible to the consuming public especially those in affected areas of the province.

Based on the reports of the NFA monitoring teams, prevailing market price of commercial rice remains stable in spite of the declaration of the city under the state of calamity. (NFA-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


AgNor approves scaling-up of climate-resilient farming communities

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte is on the go for the scaling up of climate-resilient farming communities in the province through innovative risk transfer mechanism.

The proposed concept of scaling up was endorsed by Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the provincial lawmakers adopted and approved the proposal through Provincial Resolution No. 035-217, authored by Vice Governor Ramon AG. Bungabong.

The Climate Change Adaptation Project (CCAP), entitled Climate Resilient Farming Communities in Agusan del Norte through Innovative Risk Transfer Mechanism is one of the demonstration projects of the Jong Program of the Spanish Government through the United Nations Millennium Development Goal (UN-MDG) Achievement Fund Thematic Window on environment and Climate Change that was developed and tested in four pilot municipalities in the province of Agusan del Norte to support its farmers’ concerns in providing rice and corn production and alternative livelihood loans.

Provincial officials have the same view on the benefits it can give to the farmers and the scaling-up of climate resilient farming communities in the province provides vulnerable and marginal farming populations within the province access to both financial and productive resources from production to marketing aspects and adoption of mechanism strategy in order to protect and prepare them in times of calamities.

This move is fully supported by the executive and legislative branches of government since the project is in line with the disaster risk management programs of the province and promoting self-sufficiency to marginal farming communities. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


AgNor PDRRMC spearheads mangrove planting on VDay

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 16 (PIA) - The provincial government of Agusan del Norte, through the efforts of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) spearheaded the mangrove planting activity on Valentines Day, Feb. 14 at Barangay 2, Cabadbaran City.

The mangrove planting, dubbed as “Plant a Tree, Save Mother Earth,” is one of the activities of the PDRRMC to protect the environment and keep it safe from disasters and calamities.

Members of the Agusan del Norte Emergency Response Team (ADNERT) responded to the call of duty early morning of VDay and proceeded to the Hanging Bridge area in Barangay 2,  for the scheduled 6:00 a.m. mangrove planting. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Feature: Lift of faith

By Liza Guingguing

The Philippines tops worldwide in different aspects of life. From the ray of beauty pageants, melodic showcase of voices and dancing prowess to sports. Filipinos are being dredge up for the honor and pride they determinedly convey to their country.

One of them is Hidilyn Diaz, a 25 year-old Filipina who bagged Silver Medal in women’s 53kg weightlifting category in Rio Olympics 2016. Filipinos famed her triumph as the first Filipino woman Olympic medalist. With this pride she brought the country, she was given honors as First Class Airwoman of the Philippine Air Force.

But before she got her moment in a superstardom, she was just a small town girl full of aspirations. Born on February 20, 1991 in a small village of Zamboanga City, her childhood was just as interesting as every other child; however, she was not excused from the challenges in life.

In a short, conversation with her at the Villa Maria Luisa Hotel, Tandag City, where she was accommodated to grace the opening of the 20th Caraga Regional Athletic Meet (CRAM), she expressed that all she ever wanted was her parent’s attention and love to get through struggles. Growing up, however, she noticed that her parents played favorites among them. She would always be asked to do household chores even though she had an older sibling who could occasionally handled them.

With CRAM Media and Publicity Committee, she continued that despite the difficulties, she braved her way towards her biggest dreams and made poverty as her greatest motivation to shine in her passion. Inspired by her cousin, Hidilyn utilized homemade barbells made of pipes and concrete weights for her trainings. As she began to complete and succeed in weightlifting, a number of sponsors flocked to donate barbells and costumes. Her sport did not only give her credit and respect but also significantly helped her financially, helping her finish her studies.

Hidilyn’s presence in the CRAM 2017 kick off ceremony led the Caraga Athletes to a realization that the way to success comes through hardwork, determination and sacrifice. For this celebrated weightlifter, all it takes is a lift of faith.  (DepEd/PIA-Surigao del Sur)


Feature: His version of an ideal father

By Ryan Malbas Tapayan

The pursuit of better living for Panonte family has never been easy yet it has brought inspiration to others who also face various difficulties in life.

This is the story of Caraga’s Modelong Ama - Dima-arig A. Panonte. His commendable hardships to provide for his family amidst hindrances and his excellent leadership as catalyst of change in his community regard him as an exemplar in this modern society.

Happily married to Jamila, he is blessed with 11 children namely; Jamila, Jalal, Jamina, Jhasmine, Jalani, Junaid, Jamiya, Jamaica, Joharie, Janjan, and Janina. Their family is residing in Bislig City.

Guided by the teachings of Islam, Dima-arig and his family is living harmoniously in a Christian-dominated area at Abarca Street, Saint Paul District, Barangay Mangagoy.

A glimpse of his practical roles

Practically, to raise 11 children with different needs is difficult. Nonetheless, he manages to provide the basic needs of his family. He ensures that all his children go to school and they are well provided with clothing, food and the like. Despite his busy role being a provider, he is actively involved in various fora and symposia that significantly honed him in fostering empowerment among others.

Dima-arig works as a building guard in Bislig City and earns P5,200 every month. His good wife, Jalila, an active parent leader of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, also works part-time in a Madrasah (Arabic school) during weekends and earns P2,000 a month. Such wage could still not suffice their basic needs considering their number.

For additional income, they have put up a stall selling ready-to-wear (RTW) products such as socks, handkerchief, clothes, school bags, sunglasses and etc. with an estimated income of P300 a day.

An inspiration of his hardwork

All the hardwork of Dima-arig has paid off as his children are all doing good in their studies. Fortunately, his eldest daughter Jamila, 24, who used to be a scholar of LGU-Bislig, was given a job order position after graduation and later on with a regular position as Day Care Worker in November 2016.

Jalal, 21, a third year college student, is also one of the ESGP-PA grantees, taking up Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in Caraga State University, Butuan City. Jamima, 20, a CHED scholar, is also a third year college student who also helps in paying her own tuition fee through selling viand, snacks and candies in the Arabic school. Jalani, a grade 11 student, is a scholar of the city mayor who maximizes his time by resorting to part-time work during his free time in food stores in Mangagoy. 

An advocate of Gender and Development (GAD)

As head of the family, he ensures that male and female members should be provided with equal opportunities to improve themselves. This is in contrast to the tradition of other Muslim families/communities that women are not allowed to be part of any community and development activities, and in worst cases even deprived of basic formal education. He serves as an advocate of gender and development.

This manifests his active involvement in gender-empowering organizations in the locale. He currently serves as president of Anak ng Bislig Group, President of SPMUDA-Southern Philippines Muslim Unity for Development Association, Member of BCPC- Barangay Council for the Protection of Children, Volunteer of the Special Anti-Smoking Task Force, and District President of ERPAT-Empowerment and Reaffirmation of Paternal Abilities in Bislig City.

He attended and participated in different trainings/workshops and other various activities like Farmer’s Congress and National and Local Policies on Organic Agriculture, Katarungang Pambarangay Orientation, Community Based Disater Risk Reduction and Management Workshop, Seminar sa Pagpalig-on Sa Kristohanong Kaminyoon Ug Responsabling Pagkaginikanan (Seminar on Strengthening Marriage and Responsible Parenthood), Service Training Program on Speech Development and English as a Second Language, active involvement in Family Development Session (FDS), committee member during 41st Nutrition Month Celebration in Bislig City, participation in the 2-Day Seminar-Workshop on Standard Chart of Accounts and C.O.O.P P.E.S.O.S, Good Cooperative Governance Seminar, and Parenting Enhancement for Parents of Anak ng Bislig.

His hopes

Despite their patriarchal background of practices, traditions and beliefs, Dima-arig serves a model to his family through living peacefully with others by respecting other cultures and traditions. This orientation does not hinder him to become a good community member, rather, he becomes a true inspiration to others in the pursuit of peace and camaraderie amidst cultural differences.

Moreover, his life and his dreams inspire us that perseverance, dedication and love to everything we do can bring an extraordinary leadership that sets a total difference. And this is Dima-arig’s definition of an ideal father. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office  Caraga/PIA-Caraga)