26IB
Phil. Army holds 1st Youth Leadership Summit in Rosario, AgSur
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN
CITY, May 31 (PIA) – The personnel of 26th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army
have recently conducted the first Youth Leadership Summit in the municipality
of Rosario, Agusan del Sur on May 26-28, 2017.
According
to 2Lt. Rommel Arnado, Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer of 26IB, said
activity was a collaborative effort of the 401st Brigade Philippine Army,
Department of Education (DepEd), local government unit of Rosario, and National
Youth Commission (NYC), among others.
During
the summit, some 70 youths from various barangays actively shared their ideas
on the topics discussed.
“In
the three-day youth leadership summit, participants from the different
barangays of Rosario will be oriented on programs and services of the
government and how these will help address the issues and concerns that affect
the community. The youth participants’ knowledge and skills are also enhanced
so they can contribute to community-building and at the same time serve as
advocates of peaceful change,” highlighted Lt. Arnado.
Also
present during said activity were Capt. Jasper Gacayan, 401st Brigade, PA
spokesperson, LGU officials, Liga ng mga Barangay president Eduardo de Paz, and
Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member Robinson Seroy.
“Transforming
the Youth as Advocates of Peaceful Change,” is the theme of the first Youth
Leadership Summit in the said municipality. (JPG/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
Army
gathers 200 OSYs, students for 2017 YLS in AgSur town
PROSPERIDAD,
Agusan del Sur, May 31 — The 23rd Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army and the
local government unit of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur recently conducted the “1st
Esperanza Youth Leadership Summit 2017” with some 200 out-of-school youth and
students coming from the different barangays of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur.
The
said YLS was held at the covered court of Esperanza National High School in
Esperanza. This year's theme is “Transforming the Youth as Advocates of
Peaceful Change.”
Mayor
Leonida Manpatilan of Esperanza; Lt. Col. Licudine, 401st Deputy Brigade
Commander; LTC Emil Cruz, 23IB Battalion Commander; Vice Mayor Victor
Manpatilan of Esperanza; PInsp Geraldine Geraldino, deputy of Esperanza
Municipal Police Station; and representatives from different local offices, YLS
facilitators headed by Joshua Bebis, and other stakeholders were present during
the opening ceremony.
The
activity is aimed to inculcate positive values, attitudes and behavior to the
participants that will ultimately develop a character based leadership among
the youths. It also fostered unity of different communities and youth groups
leading to synergy and commitment to community development, and enable the
youths to discover, affirm and further use their inherent leadership attributes
that will later create a positive impact to the society.
LTC
Cruz underscored that the youth are the hope of our fatherland and the future
of the nation. “They can also help our country in solving its social
problems," he said. He also encouraged the youth to express their desires
and aspirations for social reforms and change through peaceful means.
“It
is very important to our youths to enhance their leadership capacity, motivate
their selves on how to be a responsible and well-informed young adults of our
society and community,” Mayor Manpatilan said. (23IB Phil. Army/PIA-Agusan del
Sur)
DAR,
LBP, Agrarian-Group sign credit agreement for rice production
By
Gil E. Miranda
BUTUAN
CITY, May 31 - The Provincial Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Agusan de Norte has
recommended to Land bank of the Philippines to approve the credit line
amounting to P1.5 Million for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Rosario
Agrarian Reform Cooperative (RARC) in Las Nieves Agusan del Norte under the
Agrarian Production Credit Program of DAR and Department of Agriculture (DA).
A
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by DAR, Land Bank, and RARC last May
23, 2017 at Luciana Butuan City which defines separate roles in implementing
the credit program.
The
fund will be used to support the agrarian-beneficiary members rice production activity in Barangay Rosario,
Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte .
Provincial
Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Andre B. Atega encouraged the farmers to pay
loans on time and manage their finances to avoid delinquency.
Account
Officer Jonnie M. Sacote of Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) explained before
the group the provisions and implementing rules and regulations stipulated on
the memorandum of agreement.
RARC
Chairman Isidro Madaje lauded DAR for the credit program offered to its members
who are engaged in rice production.
“Mapasalamaton
kami sa DAR ubos sa pagdumala ni PARPO II Andre B. Atega sa ayuda nga pinansyal
(We thank DAR under the leadership of PARPO II Andre B. Atega for allowing us
to avail support from its credit program),” Chairman Madaje said.
The
Department continues to strengthen credit program for farmers as part of thrust
of the DAR Secretary Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano towards the improvement of
agricultural productivity. (DAR-Agusan del Norte/PIA-Agusan del Norte)
Army
troopers encounter NPAs, recover firearms in Surigao City
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 31 - The 30th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army
while conducting security operations in a remote area at Sitio Brazil, Brgy
Mat-i, here encountered five unidentified members of New People's Army (NPA) at
7:30 p.m. on May 29, 2017.
A
10-minute firefight ensued that resulted to the death of an NPA member and the
recovery of two high-powered firearms. It has also resulted to the wounding of
two soldiers.
Civil
Military Operations officer 2LT. Jonel Castillo said the NPA bandits have been
taking advantage on the remote areas.
“They
are there, planning to harass our security forces conducting checkpoints in
urban areas. With this, we have sent our troops to conduct security operations
to pre-empt their planned attacks." Castillo said.
Castillo
also said that there were traces of bloodstains in the encounter site.
"We
are calling this group to turn over their wounded to be given medical
treatment. The wounded have his/her right to live,” said Castillo.
On
his part, 30IB Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Rico Amaro said they will enforce
the law uniformly, such that all violators of law regardless of group
affiliations will be dealt with accordingly.
“These
communist terrorists are planning to destabilize the security efforts of our
authorities and we will never allow this to happen. We are encouraging the
public to extend their full cooperation and support to facilitate the
advancement of peace here in the province,” Amaro said. (30IB, Phil.
Army/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
LGU-Veruela
receives 2nd funding on Bottom-up Budgeting projects
PROSPERIDAD,
Agusan del Sur, May 31 – The Local government Unit (LGU) of Veruela of this
province has just received a total of P5-million Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB)
project funds for the Rubber Industry Development and Yaman Pinoy (raw material
support to meat processing).
Municipal
Treasurer Elenita Peralta received the checks from Supervising Trade and
Industry Development Specialist Jose Baron and Reonel AniΓ±on, Trade and
Industry Development Specialist and BuB account person for Veruela projects
last May 22, 2017.
The
fund allotted for rubber industry development project with the amount of
P4-million is intended to help 100 rubber farmers who will also intercrop with
cacao trees in their 100-hectare rubber plantation.
This
is to complement the banner program of the provincial government of Agusan del
Sur, the Upland Sustainable Agro-Forestry Development (USAD).
Included
in this project is the supply chain improvement (crumb rubber) and market
matching which DTI will also help facilitate. The Yamang Pinoy project with an
allocation of P1-million intends to provide the needed raw materials for meat
processing. This will be handled by the Women’s Support Group now engaging into
meat processing business.
Thirty
members of this group will be trained on entrepreneurship, management, and
proper handling of food. They will also be provided with starter kits for their
businesses.
These
two projects are expected to increase the income of the target groups and their
members through the provision of enterprise and relevant technical support.
(DTI-Agusan del Sur/PIA-Agusan del Sur)
DOE
gears up for WESM Mindanao launch
BUTUAN
CITY, May 31 (PIA) - The Department of Energy (DOE) has been laying the
groundwork in Mindanao in order to deliver quality, reliable, secure and
affordable electricity to the region through the launch of Wholesale
Electricity Spot Market (WESM) come June 2017.
Energy
Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella revealed this yesterday during a
presentation on WESM in Cagayan de Oro City. “Secretary Cusi sends his message
that WESM is not only for Luzon or Visayas but also for Mindanao,” said
Fuentebella.
Fuentebella
likened the spot market to “a dating place” to determine compatibility among
potential energy partners.
The
spot market is where the demand and the supply of electricity meet so that
there will be an increased efficiency in the use of energy.
“Fairness
and transparency. That is the bedrock of the rules to have a level playing
field for the good energy participants to shine," he said during the
forum.
The
WESM mechanism will also bring more flexibility, progress, and most
importantly, enhance the power of choice for the consumers, he added.
Fuentebella
revealed that Cusi has been spearheading the DOE’s activities in Mindanao since
last January because he aims for the island to level up.
The
DOE official said they have already conducted consultations on the launch of
WESM in Mindanao through trial operations.
“The
real commercial operations will depend on the readiness criteria of the
industry players here in Mindanao,” said Fuentebella.
Meanwhile,
Cusi has assigned Usec. Benito Ranque and Asec. Redentor Delola to oversee the
energy situation in Mindanao during the duration of martial law.
“Sec.
Cusi tasked the DOE to monitor the Mindanao situation 24/7, to ensure the
uninterrupted delivery of quality energy services for Mindanao,” Fuentebella
said. (DOE/PIA-Caraga)
DOE
wants better energy facilities for Mindanao
BUTUAN
CITY, May 31 (PIA) - With the recent situation in Marawi City, Energy Secretary
Alfonso G. Cusi, in coordination with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Securing
Energy Facilities (IATFSEF), intends to map out a plan to secure all energy
facilities in Mindanao.
At
the same time, Cusi said the Department of Energy (DOE) and other concerned
agencies should look into the opportunities offered by the present situation to
work closely to build a better energy infrastructure and a more resilient
energy system in Mindanao.
The
IATFSEF continues to push for quality and reliable delivery of basic energy
services to Marawi and the province of Lanao del Sur amid ongoing military
operations against remnants of the Maute group.
The
National Power Corporation-Mindanao Generation (NPC MinGen) declared that the
operations of Power Plants in Marawi City and the Lanao area are back to
normal.
As
of 8:38 a.m. on Sunday (29 May), NPC MinGen reported that Agus 1 Hydroelectric
Power Plant (HEPP) with 2 units generated a total 33 megawatt (MW); Agus 2 HEPP
with 2 units generated a total of 79 MW; Agus 4 HEPP with 3 units generated a
total of 77 MW; Agus 5 HEPP with 2 units generated a total 32 MW; Agus 6 HEPP
with 2 units generated a total 40 MW; 6. Agus 7 HEPP with 2 units generated a
total of 25 MW; and Pulangi 4 HEPP with 2 units generated a total 37 MW.
NPC
MinGen also reported that it continues to monitor the other engineering
aspects, including the Lake Lanao elevation and the discharge of water to
efficiently run the Agus-Pulangi Hydro Electric Power Plant Complex.
The
Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LASURECO) likewise submitted to the
IATFSEF the current power supply situation in its franchise area.
As
of 10:20 a.m. on Saturday (28 May), LASURECO reported that the 1st District of
Lanao del Sur comprising 15 municipalities and the 2nd District comprising 16
municipalities are already 100% energized.
The
three municipalities in Lanao del Norte are also 100 percent energized.
(DOE/PIA-Caraga)
