DSWD-13 to conduct forum on adoption, foster care
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) – In line with the
annual Adoption Consciousness Week which is celebrated every third week of
February, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga is set
to hold an ‘Adoption and Foster Care Forum’ on Feb. 16 at 1:00 p.m., this city.
The week-long celebration that commenced on Feb. 10
until the 10th of this month is anchored on the theme, “Pagmamahal Palaganapin,
Legal na Pag-aampon, Ating Gawin (Spread Unconditional Love Through Legal
Adoption)."
“For this year, series of activities will be done
in order to intensify the appropriate and legal adoption of children. DSWD is
reaching out partner agencies which we believe could help us in proper
dissemination of the legal adoption procedure,” said DSWD-13 OIC regional
director Mita Chuchi Gupana-Lim.
The activity also aims to help the prospective
adoptive parents legalize the adoption especially for those families who
already have children under custody without proper documents yet.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)
Surigaonons show their resilience amidst dreadful
tremor
By Venus L. Garcia
When catastrophe strikes, a person or a family is
caught blindsided. It was a terrible Friday evening of Feb. 10 for clueless
Surigaonons when their faith and forbearance were put to a serious test in the
midst of a powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake.
For Amparo Donoso, 56 years old, a resident of
Purok Baybay Parola, this city, living in a shanty and rearing four youngsters,
she was able to withstand the fright as she briskly brought her family to a
safer ground.
“I am mindful of how the hazardous earthquake and
aftershocks might cost our lives. My instinct and adequate knowledge and
awareness dictated that I prioritize the safety of my family,” said Donoso
despite knowing about the advisory of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center that
there’s no tsunami threat in effect.
Seen at the Capitol grounds, where a multitude of
common people sought refuge, were lactating mothers carrying innocent babies in
their arms, elderlies, persons with disabilities, people helping other people.
The total power blackout did not hamper them from
finding reasons to grin as they stayed safe under some makeshift shelters
pitched by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Surigao City-Surigao del Norte
chapter personnel.
“We see to it that the quake victims be given
assistance. Large tents are provided to them appropriately protect them from
getting wet from rains than leaving them helpless. Medical and first aid
services are available for them. In addition to that, those who are still under
the state of trauma were given psychosocial support services or stress
debriefing,” said John Rafael DaΓ±o of PRC Surigao del Norte.
Romel Empalnado and his wife, together with their
eight months, three and five years old children, who all came from Nueva
Extension, Barangay Taft, flocked to the evacuation area to secure themselves
after series of aftershocks continued to disturb them. “I am more concerned for
the welfare of our baby and kids. I can afford to lose my house but not my
loved ones,” said Empalnado in a voice quavered with emotion.
Meanwhile, no one would ever expect to witness this
scene at the CARAGA Regional Hospital (CRH).
Patients being attended to in the hospital or folding beds under
portable tents. Despite the structural damages where the beams collapsed at the
medical ward, the management was able to give assistance to a large volume of
patients who suffered from a panic attack, lacerations, and fractures.
“In support of the patients, the city government of
Surigao and the Department of Health (DOH) were able to furnish additional
tents, folding beds, assorted medicines and jerry cans to the hospital for the
use of the victims who are staying in the hospital.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has also
operated a rationing of water and more assistance are expected from the Chinese
Chamber,” declared Delfin Antallan, officer-in-charge, administrative
department of CRH.
On fatalities due to the earthquake, the bereaved
family of Lito Wilson, 35 years old and a resident of Brgy. Nonoc received an
initial monetary assistance of P20,000 from the national government and P5,000
from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga. They are
also entitled to claim for an additional burial assistance from the DSWD upon
complying the requirements.
Some members of the community opened eateries and
barbecue stalls utilizing generator sets to illuminate the dimness and gloomy
atmosphere as they serve the customers in need of food.
Resilience made the people easily adapt to
adversity. They have their own ways of defining and showing resilience.
“Resilience is not only capacitating the people
with disaster preparedness capabilities or decreasing their vulnerabilities to
the effects of disasters but resilience has been found to be associated with
social support to the variety of population. It can be a social support
assistance, tangible and intangible, or shielding people from the adverse
effect of calamities,” underscored Rosauro Arnel Gonzales, Jr., Office of Civil
Defense CARAGA regional director.
To give more relief to the victims, apart from the
humanitarian aid afforded by the Rotary Club and other non-government
organizations, the C130 has arrived on Monday at the Bancasi Airport, this
city, loaded with 137 boxes of assorted medicines, 500 hygiene kits, 75 tents,
500 jerry cans and two drums of chlorine. These are all part of the promised
support from the national government through the National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), DSWD, DOH, and PRC.
With the suspension of business operation of the
major mall and other supermarkets in the locality, Surigaonons who are badly
affected by the quake plead for more food and non-food items, including financial
assistance adequate to repair their destroyed houses. (PIA-Caraga)
Caraga tourism council set to hold Tourism
Stakeholders’ Summit in Butuan City
By Regal C. Oribia
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) – In celebration of the
Caraga Region’s 22nd Anniversary, the Caraga Region Tourism Council
Incorporated (CRTCI), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT)
Caraga Region, will be holding a Caraga Regional Tourism Stakeholders’ Summit
and General Assembly on February 22-23, 2017 at the Watergate Hotel, this city.
With the theme, “Adventure Caraga: Reaching New
Heights in Tourism Development,” the event will be another learning opportunity
for all tourism stakeholders in the region to better understand the dynamics of
tourism development, create more linkages and strengthen our partnership for
more meaningful tourism initiatives for the region.
“We have invited distinguished resource speakers
who will be talking on their field of expertise to give us fresh perspective on
tourism developments,” said Richard Nick A. Amores, chairperson of CRTCI.
Also, the DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon T. Teo is
expected to grace the affair as the keynote speaker. (RCO/PIA-Caraga)
Army assures quake-stricken Surigaonons of
continued relief assistance despite NPA’s attack
By 1Lt. Karl Jan Devaras
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) – The 4th Infantry
Division of Philippine Army has assured the Surigaonons of continued relief
assistance despite the recent attack of the New Peoples Army (NPA) to the
troops together with team from ABS-CBN Foundation who were conducting relief
operation in the vicinity of Sitio Huwat Baboy, Barangay Linonganan, San
Francisco, Surigao del Norte.
It can be recalled that at 8:20 p.m. on Tuesday, a
composite platoon of 30th Infantry Battalion (IB) and other disaster relief
units led by 1Lt Ryan Layug and a team from ABS-CBN Foundation were fired upon
by undetermined number of NPAs while transporting additional relief goods for
the quake victims in Barangay Karihatag, Malimono of said province. There was
no casualty on the government side while the team from ABS-CBN Foundation is
safe.
Localities in the province were enraged on the
NPA’s misdemeanor and have expressed their disappointments on the incident. In
these trying times, Surigaonons are one with the Philippine Army and will not
be shivered on such kind of attack.
Major General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., 4th Infantry
Division (4ID) Commander strongly condemned the recent harassment of the NPA in
Surigao del Norte. He stressed that there is no way that people can really
trust these terrorists. Marigal said the NPAs have deceived the entire nation
when they fired upon the team that is composed of Army and civilian volunteers
who have just delivered relief goods to the earthquake-stricken communities.
"Their (NPA) recent declaration of ceasefire
in that area is nothing but lie and deception. While we are in the area helping
our people to rise up again after they were badly hit by the recent earthquake,
the NPA terrorists are also busy in making our people's lives miserable,"
underlined Madrigal.
Madrigal said the 4ID, Philippine Army has always
been committed to pursue peace and development in the region, and maximizing
its efforts in helping localities especially in times of emergency/disaster.
Also, Col. Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the
402nd Brigade underscored that the recent attack on their troops coming from a
relief distribution mission together with the benevolent non-government
organization in Surigao del Norte reflects the duplicity of the NPAs' unworthy
of their own declaration to stop any attacks on the soldiers on mercy and
compassion mission.
Col. Gacal further accentuated that the Philippine
Army will not allow this recent act of treachery on the part of the NPA to
cause the deprivation of basic needs for the people. "We will continue to
bring help to alleviate the suffering of our people who are victims of the
earthquake," he stressed. (4CMO Battalion, Phil. Army/PIA-Caraga)
“Limited ceasefire,” “Too good to be true!” says army
chief in quake worst-hit area of Surigao del Norte
By Greg Tataro Jr.
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 15 (PIA) – The
army chief of the 402nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army (PA), whose
area of responsibility (AOR) includes Surigao del Norte, aside from Surigao del
Sur and Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI), described the gesture of the New
People’s Army (NPA) on its own declaration of
“limited ceasefire” over the worst hit area by the 6.7-magnitude
earthquake on Friday night as “Too good to be true!”
Col. Franco Nemesio Gacal, commander of the said
army brigade, claimed of having lost full trust with the rebels operating in
the north of his AOR of Surigao del Norte due to the series of atrocities being
carried out while its own declaration of unilateral ceasefire was still in
effect.
His distrust with the NPA seemed to have been
pepped up with last night’s harassment in Malimono, Surigao del Norte. Col. Gacal, in a text message alleged that
rebel groups had fired upon their troops who were together with ABS-CBN Lingkod
Kapamilya on their way back after delivering “relief goods.”
Among others, the army brigade chief recalled the
abduction of Private First Class (Pfc) Erwin Salan on January 29, 2017. No word behind the abduction had been heard
of, Gacal complained.
Besides, Col. Gacal also said of the “limited
ceasefire” as mere “propaganda.” He
noted that this act was made in order for the rebel groups to get a share and
take advantage of the limelight in the guise of impressing upon the public
their participation in the relief operations.
The army officer further observed that the
worst-hit areas of Surigao del Norte and Surigao City were getting much
attention this time around.
The “limited ceasefire” was learned to have started
on February 11 and would end at 11:59 p.m. of February 20, 2017.
Likewise, the army brigade chief voiced out concern
that such declaration could not be validated from reliable sources.
Hence, with the surrounding circumstances, Col.
Gacal had to issue guidance to his men in the area, particularly the 30th
Infantry Battalion, “not to lower their
guards” for security reasons while busy helping in the disaster relief
operations being their priority.
The said battalion headed by Lt. Col. Rico Amaro is
under the control of 402nd Infantry Brigade based in Surigao del Sur.
A day earlier, Lt. Col. Amaro, in a separate
interview, while expressing his appreciation for the so-called good gesture of
the rebel groups in his AOR, Surigao del Norte, admitted to have been already
cautious about such statements.
Citing specifically the case of Pfc Salan, Amaro
had accused the rebels of saying one thing but doing another.
The battalion commander likewise said having no
firsthand knowledge of the declaration of the ceasefire as he only learned
about it from the press.
Meanwhile, Col. Gacal had issued their reactions on
what happened last night, stressing on his guidance “to be vigilant” at all
times while performing “their relief and rehabilitation mission;” the recent
incident of attack “reflects the duplicity of the NPA unworthy of their own
declaration;” and “the PA will not allow this recent act of treachery.” (Radyo ng Bayan-Tandag/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Insurance Commission activates quick response
mechanism for Surigao quake victims
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) - lnsurance Commissioner
Dennis B. Funa has activated Tuesday the Disaster Response Mechanism to
expedite quick insurance claims for the speedy recovery of the residents of
Surigao.
Last February 10, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck
Surigao City killing at least six and injuring hundreds.
The quake left over 1,400 houses damaged in 54
barangays across Caraga, displacing over 5,170 people. lnitial estimates placed
damage at over P140 million.
The mechanism mobilizes the Agarang Proseso,
Benepisyo ay Sigurado Program for the setting up of Claims Action Center, for
simplified and quick claims where insured victims can go for their legitimate
insurance claims.
"The sooner earthquake victims who are
insurance policyholders can get their claims, the sooner they can get back to
their feet. The Agarang Proseso, Benepisyo ay Sigurado Program aims to address
the urgent need for relief available to the victims of the recent
earthquake," Commissioner Funa said.
Likewise, Funa instructed all insurance companies
to expedite, with the help of the Claims Action Center, the processing of the
insurance claims filed by persons affected by the recent earthquake.
"We directed them to put a system in place to
guarantee the speedy processing of claims upon submission of minimum
documentary requirements," he added.
ln order to ensure the efficiency in the processing
and settling of claims, the lC will require the insurance companies to submit a
report as to the number and type of insurance claims filed, a number of claims
paid, and other relevant information.
Last Monday, 15 non-life insurance claims have been
filed in connection with the recent Surigao earthquake, according to the
Commission. The destruction brought by Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 was somewhat
cushioned by the activation of the Claims Action Center in the ravaged areas of
Leyte and Samar.
Over P200 million in claims were rapidly processed
and released by life, non-life and mutual benefit associations (MBA), the main
microinsurance provider, for hundreds of thousands of victims. The main bulk in
terms of lives protected was covered by MBAs, which includes cooperatives,
credit unions. Policyholders affected by the recent Surigao may seek the
Commission's assistance through its telephone numbers (02) 5238461 to 70
local127 and 103 or (02) 4041758 or through emaiI at
publicassistance@insurance.gov.ph. (Insurance Commission/PIA-Caraga)
Gov. Pimentel welcomes CRAM delegates, officials
By Marvin Ranario
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur, Feb. 15 (PIA) –
Showcasing its Surigaonon trademark of hospitality, host province of Surigao
del Sur and city of Tandag headed by Governor Vicente T. Pimentel Jr. warmly
received the delegation heads and honorary officials from the 12 divisions
during the governor’s welcome socials of the 2017 Caraga Regional Athletic Meet
(CRAM) held Sunday night at Villa Maria Luisa Hotel, this city.
In his message, the provincial governor expressed
his cordial welcome to all attendees and cracked jokes that brought the crowd
to a chuckle.
Taking the chance to boast its bountiful nature,
the host province virtually toured the visitors from the different divisions
around the Shangri-la by the Pacific through a media presentation featuring its
renowned tourist destinations.
As the night drifted, formalities were kept and the
participants enjoyed the lavish dinner laid before them. They also got
acquainted with one another through a social dance while being entertained by
the musical band which immensely rocked the hall; thereby rocking the whole
CRAM experience of the delegates and officials. (DepEd/PIA-Surigao del Sur)
Science Explorer sails to Mindanao
BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) - For the first time in
its six-year existence, the Science Explorer is landing in Mindanao.
The Science Explorer, the Philippine’s first and
only mobile learning science facility, will be bringing a unique science
experience to the elementary and high school students of the newly formed
province of Davao Occidental on February 20-24, 2017.
Repurposed from the Mobile IT Classroom in the
early 2000s, the Science Explorer is a bus converted into a classroom, which
brings to students from underprivileged municipalities in the country fun and
exciting science learning through interactive and hands on activities
facilitated by young scientists and researchers from the industry and academe.
Spearheaded by the Department of Science and
Technology – Science Education Institute, the Science Explorer has touched the
lives of more than 15,000 students in eight regions in the country.
For its Mindanao leg, it will be serving the
students of Jose Abad Santos, Don Marcelino, Sta. Maria, and Malita, Davao
Occidental’s capital.
Students are bound to experience learning about
mangroves; earthquakes, tsunamis, and storm surge; weather science; marine
micropaleontology; astronomy; fun mathematics; and the scientific method, which
will be facilitated by experts from the University of the Philippines –
Diliman.
DOST-SEI Director Josette T. Biyo said that the
Science Explorer’s venture to Davao Occidental is the first step of the project
to reach out further into the south.
“We were successful in our first attempt last year
to go further south as we brought love for science to the students of Samar and
Leyte. We are hoping that we could bring
the same experience to our participants in Mindanao,” she said. (DOST-STIIPR/PIA-Caraga)
