(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.


Tuesday, May 2, 2017

PSA-Caraga slates to release 2016 GRDP data

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, May 2 (PIA) – In an effort to cascade accurate and relevant statistical data, comparing the year to year growth of Caraga region’s economy, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Regional Statistical Services Office (RSSO) Caraga is set to release the 2016 Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) data on May 4, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. to be held at Almont Inland Resort, this city.

“The GRDP can be used generally in the formulation of annual development plans, in monitoring performance of the regional economy and its sectors and subsectors, identification of industries/sectors in terms of investment promotion and support service, and in analyzing trends and forecasting for planning purposes,” said PSA-Caraga regional director Rosalinda Celeste-Apura.

GRDP, which measures the amount of final goods and services produced by a region, is a primary indicator of a region's economic health. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)


Agusan Norte SP establishes exit strategy program for provincial workers

By Aimee B. Sienes

BUTUAN CITY, May 2 - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Agusan del Norte recently adopted and approved Provincial Ordinance No. 441-2017, Establishing an Exit Strategy Program for Retiring Provincial Government Workers during its 34th Regular Session.

Under the said ordinance, authored by Provincial Board Member Salutario B. Cuasito, it is mandated that the Provincial Human Resource Management Office (PHRMO) shall conduct series of exit strategy program aimed at preparing the provincial government workers who are due to retire from government service.

The PHRMO is mandated further to prepare programs, such but not limited to, personality development, entrepreneurial skills training, fund management, stress handling, prospecting business and investment and programs that would make the retireables useful in their respective communities.

It is the thrust of the provincial government to ensure the welfare of its employees by providing adequate trainings that would help them improve their lives for service to others and that its employees are equipped and endowed with feasible and viable options of investment areas where their money are best utilized upon retirement. (LGU-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)


Army medics, partners team up for operation tuli in Surigao

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 2 - Soldiers of the 30th Infantry Battalion (30IB), Philippine Army who are conducting Peace and Development Outreach Program (PDOP) in the city together with stakeholders spearheaded an “operation tuli" (circumcision) on Monday here.

The activity is in line with the annual operation tuli of the Surigao Health Specialists Incorporated and the army troopers.

A total of 155 young boys benefited the free circumcision, and free haircut was also rendered by the soldiers to civilians that catered 50 beneficiaries on the same activity.

The said activity is a convergent efforts of the 30IB with the Surigao Health Specialists Inc, City Government of Surigao, Surigao Doctors College, Riverside Parts Master Inc, Natures Spring and Surigao del Norte Medical Society.

It can be recalled that soldiers were deployed in different barangays to gather issues and concerns of the people in order to address it to concerned agencies.

One of the issues brought up by PDOP is the lack of financial capability of the parents in sending their sons to private doctors for circumcision.

Civil Military Operations Officer 2Lt. Jonel Castillo said the PDOP is a tool of the Army in helping the agencies address different concerns of the people in a community which is seldom reached by basic services.

“Thus, it also strengthens our linkages and partnership with other stakeholders in order to attain a long and lasting peace in our communities,” Castillo said.

Meanwhile, 30IB Commanding Officer Col. Rico Amaro said they will continue performing such kind of civic action activities with the stakeholders.

“It shows the sincerity of our soldiers in serving our fellow Surigaonons to ensure the delivery of basic services to the communities,” said Amaro. (30IB-Phil. Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)


Energy department chief pushes integrated energy-water-food programs

BUTUAN CITY, May 2 - Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Tuesday said integrated energy-water-food projects like hydroelectric dams is among the key strategy of the Duterte Administration in achieving its sustainable development goals.

"The Department of Energy is encouraging the integration of programs to develop renewable energy, water and food production," Cusi said in a speech at the 10th anniversary celebration of the privatization of the 360 megawatt (MW) Magat Hydroelectric Power Plant (Magat HEPP) in Ramon, Isabela.

“I want this hydropower plant to serve as an example of this energy, water and food undertaking. This plant serves as a peaking power plant that is capable of providing ancillary services for the stability of the Luzon grid, and also irrigates 80,000 hectares of land to feed millions of Filipinos,” Cusi said.

The energy chief conducted an aerial and technical inspection of the Magat HEPP and the ongoing construction of the National Irrigation Administration’s 6 MW Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (MARIIS), which is targeted to be complete by December this year.

"I am certain that it will benefit not only the 10 municipalities across three provinces: Isabela, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya, but the entire country," Cusi said of the two power plants.

He also said a strong partnership with the private sector is needed to produce 17,300 MW of additional power to support the country's development by 2030 under Dutertenomics or President Duterte's 10-point economic agenda.

During the event, the Cusi invited Norway, through its ambassador, Erik Forner, to invest more in the Philippines.

"More investments are needed. DOE will provide that environment conducive to business by ensuring reliable and sufficient power and more importantly, we need to protect the interest of the public. That is the cornerstone of the Presidency of Mayor Duterte," Cusi concluded. (DOE/PIA-Caraga)


US turns over EOD to PNP

BUTUAN CITY, May 2 - United States (US) Embassy regional security officer Lon Clyde Fairchild, Jr. and Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security Antiterrorism Assistance (DS/ATA) resident program manager Ronald Dizon formally turned over the post blast investigation and explosive incident countermeasure kits to Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Canine (EOD/K9) Group during the first Anniversary of the EOD/K9 Group held at the PNP Multi-purpose Hall, Camp Crame, Quezon City on April 24, 2017.

The DS/ATA’s EOD/K9 recognizes that a well-trained EOD/K9 with an experienced handler is an excellent tool in locating explosive devices.  To develop this capability in the Philippines, DS/ATA began assisting the PNP in early 2007 with the establishment of an EOD/K-9 facility for the PNP National Capital Region Police Office.

The facilities include kennels, a veterinary clinic and billeting for EOD/K9 handlers.  Six bomb detector dogs were granted by DS/ATA in 2008 to the PNP EOD/K9 Group and in 2015, twenty-two additional bomb detector dogs were granted.  DS/ATA trained 22 handlers who are now assigned to Mindanao and the National Capital Region.

To develop the PNP’s bomb disposal and investigation capabilities, DS/ATA provided a post blast investigation and explosive incident countermeasure training and equipment to critical areas in Mindanao; in particular to Zamboanga, Davao, General Santos, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

DS/ATA-trained bomb technicians and investigators are now able to respond quickly to bombing incidents and improvised explosive device (IED) threats, preventing the loss of lives.  DS/ATA-trained and equipped EOD/K9 units also provided IED Awareness Training to PNP units, local schools, and civic groups in at-risk areas of Mindanao.

The US government has donated P19 million worth of explosive ordnance devices (EOD) and was received by PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa. (U.S. Embassy/PIA-Caraga)


Cops ready for International Women’s Surfing Cup in Siargao

BUTUAN CITY, May 2 (PIA) -  Security measures are ready to ensure a peaceful and secured women’s surfing competition that will be held in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on May 2-6, 2017, Caraga Police director Chief Supt Rolando Felix said.

A total of 108 additional cops will be deployed to the country’s surfing capital aside from the troops from the Philippine Army and force multipliers to tighten security operations.

The PNP, AFP, Local Government Units, other government agencies, and private sectors will collaborate to make this event successful.

 “Making this international surfing cup peaceful and orderly is our contribution to boost the tourism in Siargao Island and attract more tourists from different parts of the world,” Felix affirmed.

He also appealed to the citizens to immediately report to the police suspicious activities in the area and to approach the nearest police assistance desks for any concern of peace and order.
The upcoming surfing event is the first ever World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) women’s event in the Philippines where best female surfers around the world will come and vie for the $10,000-prize purse and other consolation prizes. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)


Tagalog News: Mahigit 300 bata nakinabang sa libreng tuli sa lungsod ng Butuan

Ni Venus L. Garcia

LUNGSOD NG BUTUAN, Mayo 2 (PIA) - Bilang katuparan sa misyon na magbigay tulong sa mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng community outreach program, dinagsa ng mahigit 300 kabataan na may siyam na taong edad ang pinangunahang ‘Operation Tuli’ ng Father Saturnino Urios University o FSUU High School Alumni Association, sa pakikipagtulungan ng Civil-Military Operations o CMO, 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army dito sa lungsod ng Butuan.

Ang nasabing libreng tuli ay inisyatibo ng FSUU High School Alumni Association na siyang ginaganap kada taon bilang bahagi na rin ng kanilang homecoming lined-up activities.

Ayon kay association president Minnie May Dumanhug, mismong mga medical doctors na alumni ng nasabing unibersidad ang nagbigay ng kani-kanilang serbisyo, kasama na rin ang volunteers ng Operating Room Nurses Association at mga medical practitioners ng Butuan City Medical Center.

Samantala, kaakibat naman ang Philippine Army sa pagbibigay ng serbisyong medikal ng kanilang skilled personnel.

Ayon kay 4th CMO battalion commander Lt. Col. Manuel Valdez IV, ang kanilang partisipasyon ay pang-apat na sa magkakasunod na isinagawang Oplan Tuli at medical mission simula first quarter nitong taon.

Sa magkaibang venues ay nakapagtuli naman sila ng may 200 na kabataan sa barangay Tag-abaka; 150 sa barangay Ong Yiu; 75 sa barangay Maon; at 100 din ang nakinabang sa dental services.

Dagdag pa ni Lt. Col. Valdez ay nakaschedule na rin sa May 10 ang gagawing Operation Tuli sa barangay Bancasi, lungsod ng Butuan.


Namahagi rin sila ng libreng medisina sa mga tinutuli. Napapanahon naman ang kanilang isinagawang proyekto dahil nagkataong summer vacation kung saan walang pasok ang mga kabataan. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)