(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Wednesday, 27 March 2024) Easterlies affecting the eastern section of 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.


Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Pilmico provides assistance to Surigao 6.7 quake survivors

By Nora C. Lanuza Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 8 (PIA) – The Pilmico Foods Corporation has provided essential relief goods, technical and veterinary assistance to the survivors of the 6.7 magnitude quake that hit Surigao City on the evening of Februay10.

According to Anna Gail Carreon, Pilmico corporate communications and media relations’ supervisor, after the earthquake, the Caraga Feeds Sales team has mobilized four groups to provide relief goods, technical and veterinary assistance.

The teams, according to Carreon were deployed to various earthquake-affected areas together with local government units’ representatives. They distributed food packs, distilled water, medicines, animal health kits as well as construction materials.

They have also provided assistance to 82 families or more than hundreds of individuals in the barangays of Ipil and Mat-I in Surigao City and Poblacion, Diaz and Banbanon in the municipality of San Francisco in Surigao del Norte.

“Because of the assistance provided by Pilmico, Surigao del Norte governor Sol Matugas has acknowledged and thanked Pilmico and the Caraga Feed Sales Team for their quick response,” said Carreon.

The strong quake that being experienced by the Surigaonons that caused huge damage to their properties and even lives prompted Pilmico to help rebuild the livelihoods of the survivors by providing assistance to the backyard raisers, whose pig pens were damaged in order to get their livelihoods back on track, Carreon added. (NCLM/PIA-Caraga)


Surigao Norte GADCC joins National Women’s Month Celebration

By Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Mar. 8 (PIA) – The Surigao del Norte Provincial Gender and Development Coordinating Council (GADCC) joined the nation in the observance of the National Women’s Month Celebration this whole month of March.

This year’s celebration carries the theme, “We Make Change Work for Women.”

This special celebration is aimed to highlight the vital role and important contributions of women to the society.

The celebration kicked-off this morning, March 8 with a thanksgivng mass followed by a motorcade around the city and opening program proper at the Provincial Police Office Gym, this city.

Right after the opening program, a forum on Solo Parent Act was conducted led by Committee on Gender Women, Family Development chairperson Board Member Leonila P. Gorgolon. A zumba exercise wrapped up the morning activities.

Also, as part of the celebration, the Commission on Election (COMELEC) Surigao del Norte provincial office led by Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Geraldine Samson and the local government units of Placer and Dapa conducted a special registration for women in hospitals.

Prior to the kicked-off activity, a flag raising and hanging of tarpaulin was conducted on March 1. On March 6, the Provincial Women’s Center (PWC) hosted the Monday Morning Sharing activity held at the Provincial Convention Center here.

PWC Officer Florian T. Trinidad said that other lined-up activites for the month-long celebration include: Buntis Day on March 10 at Barangay San Jaun, Surigao City; Free Pap-smear for Rural Health Unit personnel (year round); Consumer Education Seminar on March 13-17 at Go Negosyo Center, Simtoco Building; Community Eye Health Program on March 14 infront of Provincial Gym; GAD Team Building/Laro ng Lahi on March 18 at Kuya’s Beach Resort.

Sukailang: Farm Tourism Promotion and Day-asan: Food Handling Training on March 23-24; Barangay Danawan/Buenavista: Beach clean-up then leaisure fishing/swimming/culmination activity and GAD Focal Point System Forum on March 30; Municipal Wide-Women’s Month Culmination Program on March 31; Radio Program every Monday 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. at CMN-DXSN and every Friday 2:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m. at RPN-DXKS; and Zumba for Senior Citizens every Friday 4:00 p.m. at the Surigao City Luneta Park. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)


PNP Caraga resumes anti-illegal drugs operations

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 8 (PIA) - After a month of suspension of the anti-illegal drug operations, Caraga police operatives and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 13 personnel arrested nine suspects and seized 18 grams of shabu valued at P221,899 during a series of operations region wide.

Arrested during the operation on Tuesday dawn in Brgy. Doongan, Butuan City were Jabbar Dangcogan, 23, Abulkhayr Dangcogan, 45, and Farhan Pantao, 19, all residents of Brgy. Sandoc, Marawi City.

Another operation conducted by Tandag City police operatives that resulted in the arrest of Thelma Meras, 52, Janibel Cacas, 28 and Bobby Abrigo, 29, all residents of Brgy. Dagocdoc, Tandag City.

Meanwhile, Cabadbaran cops apprehended Raul Cabillon, 42, in Brgy. 4, Cabadbaran City and Surigao City Police Station nabbed Clementino Sinday, 39 of Brgy. Canlanipa and Candy Sarsaba, 24 of Brgy. Sabang, Surigao City.

“Our operatives seized 23 sachets of suspected shabu and some illegal drug paraphernalia,” Caraga Police director Chief Supt Rolando Felix said.

Suspects are placed under the custody of the authorities while cases for violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Board have been prepared against them.

“Our new anti-illegal drug campaign dubbed as Project Double Barrel Reloaded has two parts--- a revitalized Project HVT, the campaign to go after the high-value targets or big time personalities and groups, and a reformed Oplan Tokhang in which policemen with religious leaders, Barangay officials and other stakeholders knocked on doors of houses of suspected drug users and pushers,” Felix added. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Kalahi-CIDSS turns over PAMANA, BuB projects in SurSur town

By Ranah May G. Martinez and Marko Davey D. Reyes

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 8 – The Kapit Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) has recently turned over and inaugurated seven PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) and two Kalahi-CIDSS Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) community sub-projects.

It was a big homerun celebration for Bayabas and all Bayabasnons.

Added mix to the highlight of such jubilant moment was the Municipal Orientation for Kalahi-CIDDS National Community Driven Development Program (NCDDP) with which they have finalized the engagement with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement that same day at Solomon P. Lozada National High School Covered Court, Brgy. Amag, Bayabas, Surigao del Sur.

Inaugurated were one unit – two classroom building and drainage canal situated at Brgy. Amag, drainage canal in Brgy. Balete (Pob.), single barred box culvert in Brgy. Cabugo, 22 units electric powered street lights situated in Brgy. Cagbaoto, drainage canals in Brgy. La Paz and Brgy. Panaosawon and found in Brgy. Magobawok (Pob.), a gravity driven water system.

Municipal Mayor Maria Clarita Limbaro, Sanguniang Bayan Chief and members, heads of offices, Barangay Captains and their Barangay Councils, Kalahi-CIDDS Bayabas Area Coordinating team and the community volunteers ecstatically participated the big event as it progressively unfolded the entire day.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga was represented by Engr. Vinnes V. Lastimado from the Kalahi-CIDSS Regional Program Management Office (RPMO) and Sub-regional Program Management Coordinator Juvy Echevaria. Both discussed to the eager Bayabasnons the Kalahi-CIDDS initiative, its procedural operation, the role of the community and the impact of volunteerism to the success and completion of the sub-projects.

Also serving as a heartfelt take away from the momentous event was the message of Mayor Limbaro inspiring those who were present during the event.

“Kita nga taga-Bayabas walay bahandi nga ikapanghinambog pag-abot sa materyal ug   pinansyal nga aspeto. Apan mapagarbuhon ako muingon nga ang bahandi sa taga-Bayabas ang pagtinabangay para sa ato pag-uswag. Ang mahimo sa atong mga kamot ug kusog para sa kaayuhan sa tanan dili ikabaylo sa unsa pang lain bahandi, (The Bayabasnon wealth is not measured in terms of material and financial aspects. We are not wealthy at all. But with great pride I shall say that the wealth of Bayasbas is the helpful and selfless nature of our people. What our hands and force can do for the betterment of the entire community cannot be traded for anything else),” she said.

Engr. Lastimado also gave praise to the communities of Bayabas. "The enthusiasm and fervour of Bayabas was very evident that even OIC-RD Mita Chuchi Lim took notice and was captivated. From Makamasang Tugon (earlier Kalahi-CIDDS initiative) to the most recently turned over and inaugurated projects through PAMANA and BuB, the people of Bayabas never failed to deliver their share of every bargain,” he said.

Truly, nothing could ever go wrong with genuine practice of Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo, which the DSWD takes pride as its brand of service. This mantra, hopefully, would be imparted to all partner-stakeholders, improving the kind of service to the poor and marginalized, making it possible for the agency to effectively address the needs of the people through its programs and services. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


PH and Japan to cooperate on Mindanao power priorities

DAVAO CITY, Mar. 8 (PIA) – The Philippine Government, through the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) together with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) agreed a set of priority development areas for Mindanao’s power sector at a recent Mindanao Power and Energy Seminar held here at the Marco Polo Hotel.

Among the identified priority projects for possible collaboration include the rehabilitation of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complexes, the improvement of the disaster resiliency of power distribution networks, the promotion of renewable energy (RE) such as geothermal and wind power, and the enhancement of electricity distribution in areas with low electrification rates, such as in the Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) area.

Japan is prepared to offer two-step loans for projects under the identified priority areas, while feasibility studies will be offered as grants. A two-step loan is a type of loan where funds pass through a commercial bank or other financial institution before being released to the end-beneficiaries. Technical experts will also be made available through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“While it is truly worth noting that we are now entering an era of excess power supply in the island-region, it is then crucial to shift our focus from supply deficiency to the cost of generating electricity,” said MinDA Chairman, Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto during the seminar.

He added that recent investments in Mindanao’s power sector has assured the island-region of an excess of 1,000 megawatts (MW) as of December 2016, easing fears of a lack of supply to meet the projected growth in demand and the required reserves.

The rapid growth of the manufacturing, real estate, services, and agribusiness sectors however, resulted to a surging demand for electricity, projected to require at least 500 MW of new capacity by 2016, another 500MW by 2020, and 1,600MW by 2030.

The entry of more fossil-fuel based power plants, particularly coal, is projected to raise the cost of electricity in the island-region. Power generated by fossil-fuels now accounts for 69 percent in Mindanao, with coal accounting for 40 percent. Shares of hydro, geothermal, solar and biomass fell to just 31 percent of the total power generated.

 “We have been pushing for investments in renewable energy by significantly fast-tracking the project application process from three to five years down to two to three years through our One-Stop Facilitation and Monitoring Center (OSFMC),” said Secretary Alonto.

To promote the use of renewable energy and lower electricity rates, METI proposed the introduction of wind power plants in viable areas in North-Eastern Mindanao, particularly in the province of Surigao including the islands of Dinagat and Siargao.

MinDA Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro emphasized during his presentation on the state of Mindanao’s power sector that “the entry of more RE sources of energy will help ensure that Mindanao’s electricity rates remain as the most competitive in the country.”

The METI is also proposing for the use of small-sized geothermal power plants in the range of 2-7MW as these can be put up faster and cheaper because of their smaller scale.

 “In line with the effort to increase the region’s RE capacities, MinDA is also lobbying for the rehabilitation and uprating of the Agus-Pulangi Hydropower Complexes (APHC), both of which used to provide over 70 percent of Mindanao’s power requirements,” added Montenegro.

From an original manufacturer’s combined installed capacity of 982MW, the APHC can now only be depended upon to produce a maximum of around 750MW at any given time. Currently, both complexes are producing 680MW, far below their potential without the necessary power plant rehabilitation works.

The rehabilitation of existing power plants would also improve their efficiency, further reducing the cost of power generation.

Organized jointly by MinDA and METI, the event brought together key public and private stakeholders of Mindanao’s power sector with representatives of Japanese industries to explore appropriate solutions to the island-regions’ unique energy landscape. (MinDA/PIA-Caraga)


DOH Caraga supports women's month celebration

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 8 - The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga together with other national agencies celebrates Women's month by various activities primarily spearheaded by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Proclamation No. 227 s. of 1988 provides the observance of women’s role in the month of March. The National Women’s Month Celebration every March is part of the worldwide observance of the International Women’s Day (IWD). This year’s theme is, “WE Make Change Work for Women.”

DOH as one of the council members of the Regional Gender and Development Council (RGADC) committed to assist in the various activities like lined up like jail visitation to women inmates of Butuan City; 90th Regional Development Council meeting; Motorcade, Thanksgiving Mass and Signing of Memorandum of Partnership with Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and RGADC on March 8.

“Women are our partners for change. True compassion and real change all starts with equality between man and woman,” said DOH Caraga regional director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr.

This year’s theme comes with definitive elements. WE stand for Women Empowerment. This is to enjoin women to actively take part in meaningful institutions for development and changes. While, the ‘Make Change Work’ also equates for the Magna Carta for Women that simply strengthens the existing functional mechanism and further improve it to cater strategic gender needs of women and that it is implemented at all levels—down to the barangay level. (DOH-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


DOH Caraga joins 'Black Monday' protest for slain doctor

BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 8  – The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga sympathizes with the bereaved family of the late Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas by participating in the nationwide mourning on Monday, March 6 or as the health sector would refer to it as ‘Black Monday’ protest.

Dr. Perlas was a DOH scholar in his medicine years and was a part of the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program for two years before he was absorbed in the local government unit (LGU) that he served. The municipality where he worked was known for scarcity of doctors that lasted for 12 years until Perlas‘ deployment. Social reforms and community service in depressed areas were some of his obvious fervor. Unfortunately, he was shot last March 1 from an unknown suspect.

“Doctors like Dreyfuss are rare nowadays. He was a true and an unsung hero not only in the local community but to the entire country because he had the courage to stay in an area unknown but eventually loved by him despite the risk it will cause him in the name of health service,” regional director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said.

At the same time, Llacuna appealed to the LGUs to protect their doctors, improve their working conditions and safeguard their benefits and safety especially those assigned in far flung areas.

The Black Monday protest by the region was participated by the different personnel and staff of DOH provincial offices, provincial health offices, and LGUs. Majority of the participants wore something white with black armbands. This was the symbolic gesture of unity for a cause. This was also to call for justice for the untimely death of the Dr. Perlas and to bring attention to the needs of all frontline health workers against violence, harassment and denial of legal benefits and other privileges specifically in high risk areas.

“Let us not allow this to drain with history. Doctor Dreyfuss died for nothing. Although he could’ve served thousands of patients, let this be our strong point to continue the battle of protecting not only the security of all health workers but the much assistance and welfare they deserved,” Llacuna concluded.


Initial instructions were also made from the Health Secretary to revisit and amend the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers with emphasis to the benefits of those who are assigned in challenging posts. (DOH-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)