Army to hold ‘Operation Tuli’ in Butuan
By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 (PIA) – The 4th Civil-Military
Operations Battalion of Philippine Army is set to conduct a one-day ‘Operation
Tuli’ on April 30, 2017 at Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) Gymnasium,
this city.
According to 4CMO commanding officer LTC Manuel
Valdez IV, said activity is in partnership with GMA Kapuso Foundation and FSUU
Alumni Association.
“We are inviting the general public to support our
free medical mission and Operation Tuli is one of our services. Help us
disseminate the information to the different communities here so kids can also
join,” bared Valdez.
It was also learned that on May 10, 2017, Operation
Tuli activity will also be held at the Barangay Hall of Bancasi, Butuan City,
in coordination with punong barangay Filex Ceniza Jr. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
AgNor to provide medical assistance to provincial
workers
By Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 - The provincial government of
Agusan del Norte is set to provide medical and dental assistance up to P10,000
to its qualified officials and employees per approval of Provincial Ordinance
No. 444-2017.
Under the said ordinance, authored by Provincial
Board Member Elizabeth Marie R. Calo, provincial workers can avail of the
following: Financial Assistance for Medical and Dental Examinations – all kinds
of medical and dental examinations including executive medical examination
being done whether by a private or public medical practitioner in a public or
private hospital or clinic. This shall include all laboratory examinations as
well as the provision of auxiliary aids such as dentures; Financial Medical
Assistance in Cases of Hospital Confinement – financial assistance to a
government worker who is admitted or confined to a hospital anywhere in the
country for treatment of an injury or sickness/illness for certain inclusive
days; Financial assistance for ophthalmology concerns.
However, the province will not extend financial
assistance to government workers who met an accident after office hours and do
not have travel orders from the Provincial Governor or Vice Governor as the
case may be.
The provincial government will not also afford any
financial medical assistance to any of the following conditions:
self-inflicting injuries; the official or employee is under the influence of
liquor, prohibited drugs or substances during which the injury may occur;
injury as a result of willful participation of any crime/activity punishable
under existing laws.
The province will set aside P2,500,000 for the
implementation of the said ordinance. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
DSWD-Caraga ensures readiness of PWDs in times of
disaster
By Abegail R. Alvarez
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 - In response to the directive
of Secretary Judy Taguiwalo to conduct Family and Community Disaster
Preparedness, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga
initiated the conduct of the three-day training on Disaster Preparedness for
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and selected LGU PWD focal persons on April
4-6, 2017 at VCDU Prince Hotel, this city.
The said training focused on the modules on Policy
Framework, Overview of Hazards and Understanding Disaster Management, Family
Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Preparedness Framework, Participatory
Disaster Risk Assessment, and Philippine Issuances Relating to PWD.
These modules are the results of the collaboration
effort of DSWD through the former Bureau of Emergency Assistance that are
designed for Community Volunteers of Emergency Response and Disaster
Management.
Wilma Geralla, Senior Citizen/PWD focal person,
said, that the PWDs were identified as the most vulnerable sectors in the
society especially during disaster. This is mainly the reason why the
Department conducted the training for them to prepare themselves and equip with
appropriate knowledge in case of any calamity occur in the region.
“With this training, the PWD leaders and the LGU
focal persons are equipped with effective tools to enhance their teaching in
high-risk places as well as strengthening their fellow PWDs and families on
coping mechanism in the advent of calamities,” added Geralla.
Based on the updated Listahanan Database as of
February 29, 2016, there are 21,296 poor PWDs in the entire region. (Social
Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
People’s organizations for youth, PWD, senior
citizens participate in consultation dialogue
By Abegail
R. Alvarez
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 - The Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) through the Protective Services Unit (PSU)
recently conducted the Simultaneous People’s Organizations Meeting for 1st
Semester calendar year 2017 held at Goat2Geder Hotel, this city.
Members and officers who attended the meeting are
the Federation of Pagasa Youth Association (PYA), Regional Federation of Senior
Citizens Association (REFESCA), and Caraga Federation of Persons with
Disabilities Inc. (CARFEDPWD).
Said consultation dialogue was aimed to strengthen
and capacitate the People’s Organizations with updated information and
awareness on matters that are related to the promotion of their rights, social
protection and inclusion of the social development program.
Wilma Geralla, SC/PWDs focal person, hopes that the
consultation dialogue will encourage the sectoral organization to participate
and involve in the decision making process as well as to conduct productive
activities in order to sustain the organization.
During the breakout session, each group delivered
their 2016 accomplishment as well as discussed issues and concern in the
implementation of their respective programs and services.
Also, part of the activity is the oath-taking of
the members of CARFEDPWD together with their newly-elected President, Pablo
Manding.
The DSWD has already institutionalized the conduct
of the said activity every semester. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office
Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
AgSur producers welcome newest member
BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, Apr. 26 – The
Integrated Producers Association of Prosperidad Agusan del Sur Incorporated
(IPAPADSI) - a provincial government and Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI)–assisted producers group has welcomed one of its newest members - the Cleo’s Food Products, with the latter’s
inauguration of its official outlet here.
It was only just over a year when this venture
started making and selling pork chicharon, camote and banana chips, piΓ±ato,
ampao, calamay, atchara, and greaseless peanuts.
Cleo and husband Edgar Tabuan Potencioso, Jr.,
owners of Cleo’s Food have also started consolidating other locally produced
goods such as turmeric, corn coffee and
other products within the region like dried fish (danggit) and fermented fish
entrails (dayok) from Surigao del Sur, vinegar, sweetened salabat, barquiron
and barquillos from Butuan City to maximize their store offerings.
The store located at Purok-8, Libres Street in
Taglatawan, Bayugan City is set to increase further the variety of its goods
for sale by taking in other goods from other producers in the region.
It also plans to produce processed meat like
longganisa, chorizo and chicken nuggets. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del
Sur)
Feature: Life lessons mold Caraga DOST scholars to
graduate with honors
By Gabrielle Espinosa
Honor, humility and confidence — these are the
three words that mark the seven magna cum laude and 10 cum laude scholars of
the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as they proudly marched on
stage to receive their diplomas, awards, and medals in separate commencement
exercises at the Philippine Normal University (PNU) Mindanao, Surigao State
College of Technology (SSCT), and Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture
and Technology (ASSCAT) in the Caraga region.
More than just financial assistance
The scholars from PNU Mindanao shared their
experiences on how the DOST scholarship helped them achieve amidst their
individual stories of struggle and survival as they juggled academic life,
family, and even jobs.
Marinelle Ramos, magna cum laude, revealed
unassumingly that the DOST scholarship gave her a sense of fulfillment and
purpose. “Being a DOST scholar is a great privilege since it did not only help
us financially but also personally,” said Marinelle. The president of the DOST Scholars Society,
Marinelle acknowledged that her position “taught me to govern the group,
coordinated with high ranking officials, and boosted my self-confidence.”
Aside from the confidence boost, Marinelle admits
that the financial assistance of the DOST Scholarship also helped her to become
thrifty and develop a sense of humility.
“That time (when I was a scholar), my family could
not afford to pay the tuition of my sister who was studying in medical school.
Having that amount of money (from the DOST scholarship) helped my family to get
through. I was not forced by my parents but it (the scholarship) taught me to
prioritize my needs and use my money responsibly instead of spending it on
leisure activities,” she shared.
This was also true for Kimberly Besas and
Fevwileane Padalapat, both graduated cum laude, who served as bread winners of
their family all throughout their college life.
“I am so thankful that I became a scholar. The DOST
scholarship not only changed me but it also moved my parents to change their
habits on arguing over money when they saw me taking over the family’s
finances. They saw me writing a long list of expenses and felt how I managed
our situation. They witnessed how I was able to balance my academic and
financial responsibilities. Over time, I became the family’s inspiration,”
Fevwileane explained.
“My mom and dad are separated. My mom migrated to
Manila and my dad has another family to feed,” disclosed Kimberly. “Being the
eldest, I have been through many jobs just to provide the basic needs of my six
younger siblings. The DOST scholarship eased the burden, it was not just for me
but for my whole family,” Kimberly added.
DOST scholarship empowers
The scholars also shared stories of personal
transformation, of how being a scholar changed their mindset in life. For example, Arnold Abadiano, magna cum
laude, developed his interest in research through the DOST scholarship.
“There is a pressure in me because my boss was also
a DOST scholar in both her undergraduate and graduate programs. Thus, I have
only Sundays to relax,” he revealed.
“I’m glad that as a DOST scholar, I was able to
help and serve not just the university but also (in promoting research) by
being a contributor in developing research in our institution. An educator’s
role does not end in passing knowledge to students. He/she has to expand the
knowledge through research to improve curricular programs in universities on
the countryside,” Abadiano explains.
Similarly, like how Arnold developed his passion for
research, Chris John Cagas, another DOST scholar, also developed passion in his
course after passing the DOST scholarship.
“It is unusual how an easy-go-lucky person like me,
who is not an academic striver, received one of the most prestigious
scholarships nationwide. At first, it felt like I didn’t belong in this circle
of excellent students. But after I became scholar, I become conscious of my
demeanor. Every time I hang out with my friends, I remind myself that I am not
just an ordinary scholar but a DOST scholar, and it’s something worth holding
up,” he said.
“Through the scholarship, I am reminded of how
education can transform someone like me. I don’t just want to teach my students
the information, I want to cultivate their passion in education like how I have
developed mine,” Cagas explained.
This was also the case of Marion Jane Montilla, a
scholar who is a teenage mother. She dropped out of school after discovering
her pregnancy. However, she was able to gather up the courage to reenroll and
apply for the scholarship.
“My life as a student is full of regrets. I went
through so many courses in different universities and finally settled at PNU.
But I became pregnant right after getting admitted. Depression hit me for a
year but I didn’t give up, I still sought the positive side of my situation and
enrolled again after giving birth. I did
not even expect to become a DOST scholar. The idea of being the scholar pushed
me to do more in my life, to not settle for less. Now, I can see myself as an
inspiration to other students to work hard and not settle with mediocrity,”
said Montilla.
Molding science and technology leaders
Since its implementation in 1994, the Department of
Science and Technology scholarship program has benefited talented and deserving
students whose families cannot afford college education. The program has
produced thousands of undergraduates who excelled in the fields of science and
technology in the country.
In Caraga, a total of 42 undergraduate DOST
scholars from PNU Mindanano, ASSCAT, SSCT, Caraga State University, Father
Saturnino Urios University, and Surigao del Sur State University will graduate
as class 2017. The graduates received their scholarships under the Republic Act
(R.A.) 10612 and R.A. 7687, or otherwise known as the Junior Level Science
Scholarship Program and the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994.
According to Meriam Bouquia, scholarship
coordinator in Caraga, the admission exam for the undergraduate scholarships
for 2018 will be on the 4th quarter of the year. (DOST-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Feature Story: Cops’ striker earns degree in
criminology
In the graduation rites of St. Michael College of
Caraga (SMCC) in Nasipit, Agusan del Norte on April 4, 2017, one of the graduates
was proudly escorted by the members of the Agusan del Norte Public Safety
Company. It is not common scenario during a graduation ceremony but to the
Caraga Police, it is a shining moment, witnessing an all-around helper in the
police camp, also known as striker, earned a diploma in Bachelor of Science in
Criminology. The 22-year old striker, Jonard Ecot, successfully graduated
through the support and assistance of Nasipit Police Officers serving as good
samaritans.
Ecot who hails from Zamboanga del Sur, left his
hometown at age of 14, to explore possibilities that will improve his status in
life. He worked hard and travelled to some cities in Mindanao until he reached
Surigao City, where he did some chores at a carenderia.
In 2011, cops assigned at RTR town in Agusan del
Norte conducted checkpoints following reported incidents of theft perpetrated
by a minor and was allegedly heading to Butuan City from Surigao City on board
a bus. Police arrested the suspect, Jonard Ecot, who was just 15 years old. The
police took custody of him and found out that the P2,000 he stole was actually
his earnings because the owner did not pay him for the services he rendered.
He started to work for the policemen. He cooked,
cleaned the camp, and did carpentry works. In return, the police officers sent
and helped him finish high school by shouldering all the expenses including
tuition fees, projects and allowances.
After high school, he was brought to Agusan del
Norte Provincial Police Safety Company in Camagong, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte
where the cops also supported his education to college. Most importantly, he
was also accorded the same brotherly treatment while studying at SMCC.
Upon graduation, Jonard’s happiness and words of
gratitude are incomparable. This was evidently noticed during the interview and
he is excited to take the licensure examination in December 2017. He is looking
forward to become a member of the Philippine National Police, the organization
that inspired and transformed him to become a better, productive, and
law-abiding individual.
Chief Supt Rolando Felix, Caraga Police Director,
wishes Jonard Ecot the best of luck “This heartwarming story demonstrates that
our policemen in Caraga are not only successful in carrying out their law
enforcement mandate, but as well as in facilitating the aspirations of
deserving persons,” said Felix. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
Women with disability dance with the rhythm of
change
By Eunice Montaos Plaza
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 - Empowered women with
disabilities (WWD) in Caraga expressed through dancing their stand on how women
like their sector make change in the society conveying the message that they
have become not just mere objects of charity and other services rather subjects
with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decision for
their lives as being active members of the society.
This was during their celebration of the 13th WWD
Day spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on
April 19, 2017 held at the Prince Hotel Convention here of which they shared
their challenging experiences and their will and acts to make change in their
lives and eventually become better versions of themselves.
The attending WWDs also encouraged other women with
the same situation to excel and be able to work harmoniously with other sectors
despite their disability.
These strong women lived with the theme of the
celebration which says, “Babaeng May Kapansanan, Manguna at Manindigan Tungo sa
Pagbabago.” (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
AgNor to receive forage chopper from DA
By Aimee B. Sienes
BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 26 - The provincial government of
Agusan del Norte, through the Provincial Veterinary Office, will be receiving
one unit forage chopper from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga Region in
support to the livestock industry in the province.
This is finalized after the Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) is signed. As such, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte
recently authorized Provincial Governor Ma. Angelica Rosedell M. Amante-Matba
through Sanggunian Resolution No. 115-2017, authored by Provincial Board Member
Virgilio R. Escasinas, Jr., to sign in behalf of the province the said MOA with
the DA in support to the development of agriculture in the province.
The provincial government supports the undertaking
of the DA to ensure continuity of developing the livestock industry in the
province that will attain a high productivity and resistance to diseases in
support to the DA program.
The province continue to provide assistance to livestock
stakeholders in pursuit for agricultural development and worthy endeavors to
promote the interest of the farmers. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del
Norte)
AgSur town mayor inducts new local biz club
officers
SIBAGAT, Agusan del Sur, Apr. 26 - “I encourage you
to strengthen your motivation and help improve the economy of the state.”
This was the statement of Sibagat Mayor Maria Liza
Evangelista as she addressed the officers and members of the Sibagat Business
Club during its induction held recently.
“Sibagat is blessed with rich agricultural land, I
encouraged you to maximize it and make our agricultural areas developed and
become more productive,” added Mayor Evangelista.
The inauguration with the theme, “Negosyo padayon,
komunidad palambuon” also started with a motorcade joined by Sibagat National
High School of Home Industries Band and was attended by the Department of Trade
and Industry Agusan del Sur Provincial Office (DTI-AdS), Agusan del Sur Chamber
of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., and officials from the national,
provincial and municipal offices.
Also, Jose T. Baron, DTI-Agusan del Sur Supervising
Trade and Industry Development Specialist urged the members to increase its
club members and strengthen their entrepreneurial capabilities. He also invited
the members and officers to visit Negosyo Center in Sibagat for their business
assistance requirements.
DTI-AdS is also looking forward for the Sibagat
Business Club to be an active and significant partner of NC-Sibagat initiatives
to help the municipality’s micro, small and medium enterprises. (DTI-Agusan del
Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
