(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.


Saturday, May 6, 2017

Butuan City determined to increase high-value crops production

BUTUAN CITY, May 6 (PIA) – With an aim to raise the production of high-valued crops such as cacao, banana and palay, the Butuan City Agriculturist Office is set to hold a profiling activity and Rice Crop Management Training among the 86 barangays of this city.

According to Engr. Alberto Buca, head of the City Agriculturist Office, it is one of the priorities of the local government wherein greater opportunities were seen due to the potential for high value-chain of these products.

Said unit will also conduct a visitation to various farmlands within the city to determine the degree of production and vastness of the planted areas.

Also, programs for rice crop management is also given focus with an objective to identify and recommend appropriate grains and materials to achieve an optimum rice production. This was done on April 27 until the last day of May, this year, targeting around 350 farmers from 26 different barangays. (RCO/VLG/PIA-Caraga)


AgSur LGU Negosyo Centers orient registered BMBEs on their privileges

BAYUGAN CITY, Agusan del Sur, May 6 - Some 75 registered barangay micro business enterprises (BMBEs) from Esperanza, Sibagat and Bayugan City were gathered and oriented on how to avail of the privileges/exemptions that they are entitled to during a BMBE Orientation held recently at Meteor Garden, this city.

The participants were briefed on Republic Act (RA) 9178 otherwise known as “BMBE act of 2002” as amended by RA 10644 or the “Go Negosyo Act” which encourages the formation and growth of barangay micro business enterprises by granting them incentives and other benefits.

These privileges are as follows: 1) income tax exemption from income arising from the operations of the enterprise; 2) exemption from the coverage of the minimum wage law; 3) priority to a special credit window set up specifically for the financing requirements of BMBEs; and 4) technology transfer, production and management training, and marketing assistance programs for BMBE beneficiaries.

Max Molato of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Revenue District Office (RDO) XII highlighted that the income tax exemptions that the BMBEs are entitled can only be availed if they will apply for the same with the BIR and submit the requirements needed.

“Once granted a tax exemption, you are still required to submit reports of you annual income tax,” Molato added.

Participants are enlightened with the discussion and eager to avail of the privileges given to them. They said that they are going to tell their friends who also have businesses to register as BMBEs.

It was also learned that another BMBE orientation will be conducted on July 2017.  (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


AgSur guv endorses USAD model for engaging cacao farmers

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, May 6 - Agusan del Sur Provincial Governor Adolph Edward Plaza has asked cacao industry cluster stakeholders to take a closer look at the province’s model for promoting cacao planting as a tool for poverty alleviation.

Gov. Plaza is referring to the Upland Sustainable Agri-forestry Development (USAD) program and its mandatory social preparation to ensure that the undertaking will be for the long haul and will result to the enrollees’ sustained economic well-being.

The good governor attended the regional cacao roadmap localization held recently in San Francisco town, this province.

He opted to hear all the provincial cacao situationer reports first before taking the floor so he can give a message that is grounded on the industry realities and what he believes are workable options that the stakeholders can pursue.

He also challenged the Cacao regional and provincial development councils and the rest of the stakeholders to not only identify the problems but also work on their solutions. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Siargao town receives P14.23 M projects from DILG

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 6 - The local government unit of Sta. Monica, this province received P14.23 million worth of projects from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) under the Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM) Program of Duterte Administration.

The said amount will be used to fund the water project in Barangay Poblacion (T. Arlan) and Barangay Rizal and core local construction in Barangay Poblacion (T. Arlan).

The municipality is the first local government unit in the province included in the first batch of fund releases.

DILG Surigao del Norte provincial director John Reyl Mosquito said the project is part of Duterte’s administration commitment to reduce poverty in the countryside.

“This is just the beginning of the series of fund releases because all municipalities in province will be given assistance ranging from P9 million to P23 million,” said Mosquito.

On his part, Sta. Monica mayor Fernando Dolar lauds the project because it greatly augments the meager funds of the municipality to finance and implement development projects.

“Core local roads and provision of potable water are two of my priority thrusts,” Dolar added.

Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM) is an offshoot of Bottom-up Budgeting Program under the previous administration.

Since 2014, DILG has released about P270 million to LGUs that funded at least 278 projects in Surigao del Norte. (DILG-Surigao del Norte/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


DTI brings ‘Mentor ME’ program to Agusan del Sur

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur, May 6 - A program that aims to help micro and small entrepreneurs to grow and sustain their businesses was recently launched in the province held at Mabe’s Savory Place, this municipality.

The ‘Mentor Me’ Program is one of the components of the Kapatid Program which is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE).

The program aims to develop micro and small--scale enterprises through coaching and mentorship. The program also brings together experts and industry leaders who will provide a series of free mentoring sessions on incorporating innovation in products, business models, operations management, accounting, taxation and other aspects of the business operations.

During the launching, a free Negosyo Seminar with two experienced and successful businessmen and effective mentors were conducted with an estimated 200 participating Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The mentors were Henry Tenedero and Willy Arcilla.  Tenedero, a Go Negosyo Angelpreneur, former president of the Philippine Marketing Association and president of the Education for All Development Center discussed the topic “Entrepreneurial Mindset and Values Formation” while Arcilla, another Go Negosyo Angelpreneur and a recipient of the Agora Award for Marketing Excellence in Asia-Pacific tackled the “Marketing and Marketing Trends”. 

Negosyo Center-Agusan del Sur hosted the two phases of the program composed of the first two modules to be done during the launch and the subsequent 11 modules for pre-screened mentees. The latter have met the requirement of business registration and for having been in operation for at least one year.

This batch of mentees all belong to the food sector.

The launch also included the sharing of success stories from Frederico Blanco of F & H Aqua Spring Purified Drinking Water/Info Care Advertising, Rosalina O. Go of Rose Excellence Corporation, and Irenea R. Hitgano of Hillsview Food Products. (DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)


Cusi to Transco: Use gov't assets to lower power, internet rates

BUTUAN CITY, May 6 - Not at the expense of the truth and to the detriment of the public interest.

This was the unstated message of Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi when he ordered today the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) to maximize the utilization of the fiber optic assets of the power transmission facilities to lower electricity and Internet rates.

“At the onset of this administration, we repeatedly requested the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), through TransCo, to provide the details on how we can take full advantage of their fiber optic assets embedded in the grid,” said Cusi.

“I have personally asked the officials of NGCP to provide such status report, because we want to make the internet services in the country faster and more reliable with the help of our transmission facilities,” he said.

Cusi pointed out that the availability and readiness of the fiber optic assets on the transmission system could improve the electricity services of the NGCP and reduce the cost of electricity and the national broadband project.

However, the DOE as well as TransCo have yet to receive an update from the NGCP amid the sudden proliferation of full page paid print advertisements and repeated pronouncements over the media to support the government’s broadband and grid interconnection projects.

“While we are waiting for NGCP’s data and proposals on the project, there's a need to clarify the impressions that are being projected by NGCP that it is voluntarily, willing and able to provide these services for the benefit of the public," Cusi said.

Amid the apparent disregard of NGCP of the request, Cusi directed TransCo to audit the NGCP’s work program and below are the initial yet detailed findings of the company:

a) In 2012, NGCP rejected the request of the national government for the use of spare fiber for the Integrated Government Philippines (IGovPhils) Project;

b) Concealment of a contract involving the use of the national government’s transmission assets (substations, high voltage towers/poles, and high-voltage transmission lines) as a telecommunications backbone; and

c) Decommissioning and dismantling of a separately installed Fiber Optic Network used by major telecommunications companies.

Moreover, as the owner of the transmission facilities, TransCo has been instructed by Cusi to spearhead the move for the utilization of the fiber optic assets for cheaper and faster IT services as well as to lower the price of electricity.

The DOE oversees TransCo, which is mandated to protect the national government’s interests by ensuring NGCP’s compliance with the terms and conditions of the Concession Agreement and the policies of the State. Under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), the NGCP was awarded the sole Concession Agreement for the country’s transmission system in 2009.

“At the end of the day, what we would like to achieve is that the consuming public would benefit from all the government deals and activities, thus we are exploring and exhausting all the potentials of the transmission system as a government-owned asset,” Cusi said.

"At the same time, the department will not hesitate to file cases against abuses or any violation of the contract which maybe discovered and proven after further investigation of the NGCP's operations and its activities," he concluded. (DOE/PIA-Caraga)


Caraga RAFC chair assumes DA farmer-director

BUTUAN CITY, May 6 - Recognizing the significant role of the Regional Agricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC), the Department of Agriculture (DA) has empowered them by designating the RAFC Chair as Farmer-Director for the month of May in time of the Farmers and Fisherfolks Month celebration.

During the flag ceremony on May 2, 2017, Caraga RAFC Chair Pedro T. Lim was formally introduced by DA-Caraga Regional Executive Director Abel James Monteagudo as Farmer-Director for the whole month of May.

The designation of Lim is in pursuant to the Memorandum Order duly signed by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol in recognition of RAFC’s contribution in agricultural development and to further strengthen the partnership between DA and the private sector.

As Farmer-Director, Lim will assume the roles and tasks of a DA-RFO Director in the implementation and dissemination of key programs of the agency.

However, their authority shall be limited to non-policy determining activities which should not in any way affect the government accounting rules and procedures as well as the civil service rules and regulations.

The Agricultural and Fishery Council (AFC) is the mechanism for private and public sector partnership in the development processes of the agriculture and fisheries sectors at the regional, provincial and municipal levels.

AFC which is now in its 30 years of existence, conducts monitoring and recommends agricultural projects, as well provide policy recommendations for the government decision makers.

The celebration of May as Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s month is in pursuant to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Special Order No. 88 series of 2005 giving due recognition to the contribution of farmers and fisherfolk in national development. (DA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Cebuano News: Pangandoy sa mag-uuma nga proyekto, gitunol na

Ni Jane B. Huqueriza

LAS NIEVES, Agusan del Norte, Mayo 6 - Pormal na nga giturn-over ang proyekto nga San Roque Small Irrigation Project sa San Roque, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte niadtong Abril 28, 2017 sa buntag.

Gisundan ang maong programa sa usa ka cutting of ribbon ug pag abri sa duha ka intake gate (left and right) sa mga opisyales sa National Irrigation Administarion-Caraga gipanguluhan ni Engr. Salome N. Layasan, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands IMO Manager ug Engr. Susan D. Lariba, Operations and Maintenace Head ug ang Irrigators Association kauban sa ilang presidente na si Franklin P. Una ug sa mga representate sa LGU nga gipanguluhan ni SB Member Jovenito N. Maliguez, Chairman-Committee of Agriculture ug Punong Barangay Marites C. Duhong sa San Roque.

Ang proyekto nga nagkantidad ug P42M gikan sa pondo sa CY 2012-2014 adunay total service area nga 200 hektarya nga maka benepisyo ug 85 ka mag-uuma nga gidumala sa mga opisyales sa San Roque-Sta. Ana Irrigators Association sa susamang lugar. Sa gi-ingon ni Oliver A. Maliguez, Senior Water Resource Facilities Technician sa NIA nga ang proyekto dugay na nga nasugdan panahon pa sa ARISP pero wala dayon kini nahuman kay wala napod kani nahatagan ug lain nga pondo para sa uban nga mga pasilidad.

“Kaniadto nga panglantaw nahimo na gayud na realidad,” sumala ni Maliguez sa iyang mensahe iyang ge saysay na ang proyekto sa San Roque Small Irrigation Project nahimo siyang parti na makab-ot nila ang ilang mga pangandoy kundiin iya pang mahinumdom nga ilang ge drawing ang lugar aron makit an gayud kung asa ang nagkinahanglan sa patubig.

Mapasalamaton si Engr. Layasan sa mga opisyales sa NIA ug LGU labina sa miyembro sa asosasyon sa tabang sa pagtukod sa proyekto. Dungag sa iyang mensahe na dili lang ang mga pasilidad ang ampingan kundi pati ang tinubgan sa tubig.

Gipasalig usab ni Engr. Lariba nga bisan libre na ang patubig padayon gihapon ang pagserbisyo sa NIA pinaagi sa paghatag ug pag conduct ug trainings sa mga benepisyaryo aron hapsay ang ilang pagpadagan sa operasyon sa ilang asosasyon.


Sa mensahe ni Una iyang gipasabot nga ang pagdawat ani nga proyekto dili sayon ang pagdumala na hisusama sa itlog nga dali lang kini mabuak kung dili ayuhon ug pagdala. (NIA-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)